The Genius of the Filipino Poor | Thomas Graham | TEDxADMU 

Pero kahit ganito, I hope people will stop romanticizing our resiliency because we still deserve better.

I often find it ironic how foreigners admire our country so much and yet we, Filipinos, can't see that ourselves. If only we can appreciate our culture then maybe we can make something out of it.

I am a Kiwi (New Zealander) now living in Australia previously married in Hong Kong and have traveled all over the Philippines solo on many trips and I have found that even if I arrive somewhere within a half hour I make dozens of new friends and to this day even if it is say 2 years later that I go back to a particular place they remember me even remember my name . Out of all the countries I have been to Philippines is the place that is in my heart....watching this makes me so look forward to my next adventure there . Mahal ko ang Pilipinas :)

The Philippines is a complex mix of multiple culures and languages existing across thousands of islands in an area subject to earth quakes and typhoons. Has been subject to occupation by the Spanish, then by the USA. It had a difficult transition to independence with Japan essentially burning the country to the ground during WW2. Transitioning from subsistence farming with thousands of Isolated communities to a modern nation has been, at times, a slow painful process. But yes it is happening. Philippines is a reflection of the rest of the world, problems are many, poverty is endemic, the super rich display greed with them able to corrupt politicians in positions of power. But the country is now moving forward at an accelerating pace. It is an amazing place and I have been privileged to see and experience some of it.

I wish all Filipinos would still practice walang iwanan

Eye opener vid. Never realized that the simple gesture of passing the fare we've been doing is already an example of bayanihan. 😊

I'm American and used to live in the Philippines - still have many friends there and visit on occasion. It is true that Filipinos are some of the most hospitable and communal people in the world. They routinely give up so much for the stranger. Children are raised to be hospitable and are even disciplined if their parents find out they had not been. Truly an amazing culture. We Americans could learn a lot from them.

I'm a Filipina, born and raised in the Philippines. Then I immigrated to the US. After so many years, I went back to visit bacause my Mom was in the hospital. At the time there was a dengue outbreak and the only available hospital is a public hospital. Only 1 nurse available to make rounds on hundreds of patients. So somebody had to be there to watch my Mom 24 hours a day. But I never had any problem, our neighbors took turns watching and caring for her. They volunteered to run errands for us whenever we need something. Even brought food to make sure we weren't hungry. Mind you, they are all very poor but they volunteered their time and offered what little money they have. That's when I realized, in the US, I have a really great insurance provided by the company I work for. When I got sick, I was taken care of by nurses. And my co-workers and friends sent me "get well" text messages. But no one visited me or asked if I needed anything. In the PH, I had no health insurance but I always knew my family, friends and neighbors got my back. Walang Iwanan.

I like his closing remarks: "...just like the butterfly who perhaps doesn't know quite how beautiful his own wings are I wonder if it's time that Filipinos themselves are reminded of the potential for genius all around you" -Thomas Graham @TEDxADMU

Yes the poor pinoys are happy with 3 meals a day with a good roof over their heads. They love to sing and dance and the family comes first. Simple life. And that is genius!

When a British man in his 15mns of talk teaches you more of being a Filipino more than your 17years of academic studies Thank you Thomas Graham Thank you @TEDx Talks

that fact is that they a need a white guy to point things out so that filipinos will listen, if the one talking is filipino nobody would listen.

I'm never gonna get tired of listening to his jeepney story.

Not trying to smear dirt or anything but this experience will only be possible if you too show goodness to them. Treat them badly and you'll not be treated like the speaker was treated. Bayanihan and walang iwanan are more like bonds between people. What makes Filipino a bit different than others, I think, is that it's not hard to please us for that tie to start developing. Give us little and we give you the best we can offer in return. It doesn't have to be something material either, even kind words or just patronizing "Filipino" will gain you subscribers and thumbs up. Most of us, usually think this is a dying tradition. When I hear bayanihan, I'd usually think of people carrying their neighbors nipa hut. But it's more than that. I hope a lot of us can see what this Brit saw in us. We're very apologetic about our culture and ethnicity. I was growing up hearing stories of how Filipino working abroad are ashamed of being found out they are Filipino. The world don't even know where Philippines is back then. I hope we can finally get over that shame and be proud (not boastful) where we came from.

Filipinos are hybrid race people. Confused, but dwells a hidden kind of ingenuity.

The couple, who gave up their bed to a guest, brought tear to my eye; true Filipinos.

Welcome to the Philippines Thomas, I loved your presentation. Im a Brit living in Cagayan de Oro. Mindanao. These are trully the most wonderfull people, from the best country in the world. God bless them.

Only if we Filipinos will be more united as one and stop pulling each other down.

One of the nicest comments made to me by a pinoy was...Are you sure you are not Philipno? " In context she was saying I fit in so well when I was with the Philipnos even though my 'visual' appearance (being a white Kiwi) I stand out .my heart and thinking was very pinoy :) :) Maraming salamat to the people of the Philippines for always making my trips full of great memories every time I get over there :)

I'm Malay, and am proud to say that I've befriended some Filipinos people from my old school! They are one of the most understanding people I've ever encountered, along with some really kind northern Chinese students. My old school was diverse so I get to see many types of people, but filipinos are the most chill people 😂 since Malays chill a lot too I guess we can vibe

Mr. Tony Meloto is such a beautiful soul. He and Gawad Kalinga are blessings to so many poor Filipinos. Glad you met him in person.

Filipinos are resilient, kind, generous, forgiving. Often times these good traits of the ordinary Filipino are the subject of abuse, mostly by politicians and the self-serving. Pakikisama and utang na loob has been the most exploited trait of the Filipino, to keep them in bondage and to keep them from truly achieving their potential in life.

I am living in the Philippines now in the province and I can really appreciate your talk. I always believe if you have insight you can and will always learn from someone else.

"I've had enough of writing these false reports.." that says it all for most foreigners.

That's the culture of Filipinos very hospitable.I am proud being a Filipino. We might be poor but rich in many ways, like we could afford to smile even in our poorest situation.

You know the most generous people are those who doesn't have anything cause they know how it feel to have nothing. That's what a Filipino generosity have and we'll always be hospitable😊😊 We aren't that selfish to think cause we got big hearts to share even we don't have anything😊 And yeah, I would definitely prefer to be married to a Filipina wife, most of the foreigner people I know tend to say, they're the most lovable and caring wife ever 😘😘

We're so hospitable that we even invite hurricanes and volcanic eruptions into our country. Yay, Philippines. - My Geography Teacher. I never forgot the line.

I am a USA ex pat living in Gingoog City, Mindanao, Philippines. I work in a Filipino factory. The idea was to use cheaper labor rates here to do highly technical machine shop work to make products to sell in the USA and Europe. It seems to have worked and this factory is the highest paid factory in the province. That is what we use here is the genius of the Filipino agricultural worker. We needed cnc milling machines so these guys built them. We needed a rollingmill to make aluminum sheet metal and they made it. I have never worked in a factory like this. Getting close to world class all on Filipino ingenuity and bayanihan.

This is so true. Filipinos courtesy is always to make the guest feel warm and welcome even if they have to give up being comfortable for awhile.

Salamat Tom for sharing what the real Filipino culture is like and the real situation of our beloved country. As opposed to those journalist who write what's going on and what to do with our country but have never set foot here or only stayed for a few days on those posh places. Then they rely on the internet for information and what they think what we need to do based on what they're doing on their contry. The Philippines is different, the Filipinos are different.

That story of finding yourself a bit complaining then realizing they actually offered the best bed/ spot they had without expecting anything in return,dang it hit me.I was genuinely weeping and being reminded that most of my "kababayans" are truly kind in nature. This is one of the values I'm grateful I learned growing up in the Philippines and that I'm proud of.I experienced living in 3 different countries thousands of miles away from Philippines,traveled for the last couple of years and this value really served me a long way.Sure there's some people who would take advantage of you but generally,Filipinos are proven hospitable, good-natured and fun.Thank you for sharing.

Thomas made me cry and made ms so proud of my heritage..Proud to be a Filipino..

I have met and interacted with several Filipinos, they are the nicest people. Greetings from your neighbor.

My partner lives in the Philippines and I stay with him every few months for a month. Heading back in a few days. Great community of people 😊

I'm a Filipino and this message regained the hope I have for my people, even just a little. Thank you.

the fact that a foreigner has to educate Filipinos about how special our community is really speak volumes

I like how he eloquently articulated why he started feeling depressed after coming back to London. I like how he listed what was missing, what he was longing for. Because these are the things that many of the foreigners or Filipinos who don't live in PH anymore miss after leaving Philippines or after having visited once for a long time. They get homesick and wish to stay in the Philippines despite its shortcomings, especially the foreigners, because of how welcoming and warm the people are to them.

Actually in my humble opinion what he described as walang iwanan is the exceptional hospitality of Filipinos. We literally give our shirts off our backs to make visitors comfortable when they are with us or we are hosting them. No one else in the world does that. Something that we should be really really proud of.

The poor are genuis for creating happiness with a minimum materials to use thus preserving earth's resources.

The speaker reminds me of that Brit that I had an argument about this youtube video about politics in the Philippines..and he said that there was a journalist who wrote something about the PH and stayed for a week.. and I said doesn't matter how elite the school he went to, he would never understand what the Filipinos what truely feel and experience.

So inspiring how a foreigner could see that in the FIlipino poor. Kudos to you!

My mother is dead now, and I live now in the US . But why I always go home in the Philippines and visit my mother when she was alive.The reason is I feel home, when I stay at my mother house , I don't feel alone. reason why is my mother have so many friends around the neighborhood, who visit her. Friends who come just to talk with my mother, some come to ask for help, some come because they just want to see my mother, because in the past , they where people who is a customer of us when we have a small business. Most of them , in one way or another where help by my mother in a little way, and they come back and visit and talk, there where always gratefull and I am always grateful that I could talk to them .

A lesson I learned, when my Filipino fiancée came to visit the UK, was that someone not familiar with our country and culture would obviously see the things we considered normal as different. That's what has happened with Thomas Graham, and what happens when I visit the Philippines too. Sometimes, we need to hear from someone who doesn't regularly experience these things, to remind us of what we have.

I went to Philippines Manila less than two weeks ago and I was surprised that filipinos are very friendly and helpful. My filipino friend told me earlier that if they had a guest, they are willing to give their bed to the guest, I was like ok..... sure thats good. Now that I heard your story, I'm very impressed and my filipino friend told me :"I told you so" lol

its the people why philippines is amazing

Beautiful country, and people overall!!

To all of you " proud to be a Filipino ", just letting you know, being born into a certain nationality isn't something to be proud of, why be proud of something you didn't do anything to get? If you attempt in doing anything and put effort in it, once it succeeds, that's truly something to be proud of.

I didn’t even realized it until he say it. It was something natural to me,

I find it sweet. This is how we really are. Hungry stomach and empty pocket brings out the best in Filipinos. We learn how to give and also we learn how to steal. That's what poverty did to our fellow Filipinos, so if you decided to come here, be friendly because we are hospitable, but also be cautious because we are really dangerous.

Sir Thomas Graham, i myself am a filipina and i teared up hearing this speech of yours! It is an honour that you had shed some light on My country and My people. God Bless you and Mabuhay!!!

He might misunderstood the terms slightly wrong but he misunderstood beautifully.

Every Filipinos' bucket list is to do something right.

I got his message. True Filipino culture. I heard every detail and the sound is pretty good to think there is a leaking radio signal with good music on my speakers. Bayanihan (the whole community helping for a common cause), Walang iwanan (No one left behind), Unparalleled Hospitality (Filipinos treat their visitors with gladness and extend the best accommodations and do not mind themselves being inconvenienced in the process even to the point of sacrifice). Filipinos have a deep sense of empathy when it comes to fellow human beings needing help in all circumstances of life. These values, perhaps a result of the experiences of knowing how it is to need help and no one is there to offer it, are taught subliminally to younger generations by the actions of their parents of true Filipinos at heart. Thank you for sharing this experience.

We Filipinos be proud of what we are.. Coz a lot of foreigners wants to become like us... Our country is poor but we are rich of love and hospitality.. And also we have so much fun in our country... We must be proud to our culture and country.. I am one of the proud Filipino... Wala sa kanila ang nasa atin mabuhay pilipino.. Saan man tayo dako ng mundo pinoy parin tayo

i have also felt the genius of the poor in the philippines........walang iwanan is a real thing there we do not understand in canada either. i will be happy again when i move back to philippines this year...... my filipina wife is the best kind of person ive ever met, and she challenges me to be my better self. i am him when i am home, in the philippines.

Having a complete control in your life is the power that grow your knowledge stronger than your real self"

I suddenly missed my country. I am glad that you made a an effort of letting Filipinos be reminded of the potential that we have and the capability to excel no matter the situation is. I want to buy your book.

“Bayanihan” When we’re together, everything seems possible, until now still seeing this in every Filipino people, thanks TEDx, thanks Thomas Graham this is a true meaning of research and mediawork. Godbless.

Kaya siguro hindi natin makita yung mga factors bakit "gustong-gusto" ng mga foreigners sa pilipinas dahil pilipino tayo.. Imagine if nung Christmas pinoy yun at hindi foreigner, do you actually think gagawin parin nila yun? No judgement but iba na ngayon ang pag trato ng mga pilipino sa kapwa pilipino eh, much different kung paano natin tinatrato ang mga foreigners tinatrato natin ang mga foreigners like they are much more superior than us! SNS but thats the reality

Watching this during the Enhanced Community Quarantine in the entire country in the midst of the China (Covid-19) pandemic. This is the best time to witness the genius of the Filipino-- sans the government and its useless officials--in taking care of each other.

GReat video, Mr. Graham! Filipinos are truly the kindest people on earth. They have done so much for me, and the Bayanihan spirit can really influence the world. Salamat for inspiring and ingat ka. - Blaise Francis

Filipinos always treat stranger special! Walang iwanan . That's how we treat people no matter how poor we are!

I'm from Bantayan Island and a proud Filipino. 🥺🤍

"Like a butterfly, sometimes we don't realize how beautiful we are."💚💚

I really appreciate this talk. As a Filipino, I never knew that bayanihan could be as little as passing the jeepney fare.

This made me so emotional, if many foreigners are amazed of the hospitality of Filipinos, why can't other Filipinos appreciate the hospitality of other Filipinos... As a Filipino, I actually thought that this is normal for foreign countries (I guess there are some other countries that do the same), but apparently it isn't. This made me inspirational, thank you.

I remember when I was a small kid back in the Philippines, we had a bike but both tires are flat and being poor we don't have extra money to buy inner tubes or have them patched-up in the tire shop. My big brother had an idea that I think is a genius Filipino poor, he asked me to get lots of dried banana leaves. Yes, we removed the inner tubes and replaced them with dried banana leaves. It wasn't the best solution but it made me go from point A to point B. I think my big brother is a genius. Now, I have bikes that run tubeless and I have a lot of extra inner tubes just in case.

When I live in the Western country after a year that’s when I realized how beautiful the Filipino culture is, the values and traditions. I am missing those things. My husband(white) can’t understand why I want to go back and raise my child back home. It’s because of the people and the food.

Lovely talk. The Christmas story moved me to tears.

Despite of the negative news happening here in the Philippines, I am still proud to be a Filipino. I love the place, lots of beautiful beaches, standard of living is really cheap, and most especially, the people. I can go abroad if I want to, I'm a registered nurse but currently teaching as an English teacher, I'll just get a TESOL certificate and that would bring me to other countries already. But no, I don't wanna leave the Philippines,why?It's simply because I just love my nation.

I am a Filipino and I am happy on how you see the goodness of us.Thank you!

everyday, i realize how amazing our country is. the people here are lovely. simple and good. most of all, we know how to be happy everyday.

I was laughing so hard when he was telling his jeepney ride story 😂😂😂

Watching this i said "Oo Nga noh" to myself like a dozen times.

Salamat Mr. Thomas Graham, a truly remarkable talk. What you've said are all true. Thank you!

I had the great chance to experience quite of your words. I subscribe all those emotions and feelings and realisations. Same, a Londoner who travels any time I can to the Visayas! Bad people, is bad everywhere, but the good people is specially good in the Philippines. All my love and support to you!

GREAT SPEECH MATE, SO TRUE..

this made me cry

So inspirational. Knowing that other people would appreciate us Filipinos more than we could. They see and appreciate alot from us and we only complain and compare what should or could have been. Such an eye opening, hope alot could see how blessed we are. Simplicity to it's finest. We may not have alot but we can still contribute so much🙏

Cried watching this as a Filipino. Mostly because of pride but also with some sadness, such ingenuity and community is not enough to lift everyone from poor quality of life hidden as contentment. It's resilience is abused by powerful, greedy and corrupt few. Nevertheless, thank you for reminding us the values we have and should be proud of and continue to pass to our next generations.

you are right we are very hospitable . i met a german who does not have job . he sleep in a park. i just saw him and i feel sad, the following day i was looking for a house help. to took care of my house. cause im single i keep travelling around in my (country philippines have fun with nature).the house helper she likes to work with me but she has BF a german. that german in that park is her BF. so i accepted her with my new friend german. both of them stayed in my house. and become like my family.they marry and my helper bring him to her native land..i Miss Them..

so sincerely heart warming.

We Filipinos like to show hospitality to any guest. That is something I am always proud of.

When my teacher was a rather large, Chinese student in the Philippines, he was stranded on a poor area during a storm. He knocked on big houses for help however they never answered and it was only desperation that made him ask for help from a poor house. They welcomed him and for dinner, had sardines from a can. Fun fact is that he HATED sardines because it’s what they fed the dogs and so he grew up with a mindset that it’s only for dogs. Then he realized the mom gave him two big pieces and a cup of rice while the family each got one piece with their rice. He slept in the masters bedroom that night while the family stayed in the living room. It’s good to say that he now actually eats sardines with that memory.

I LUV UR EXPERIENCE. YOUR STORY IS WORTH RETELLING. THANK YOU.

I literally cried when he talks about "bayanihan" and "walang iwanan" 'coz me in myself are relate of what his talking. And I really admire him

This makes my heart so happy. ❤️

thank you We are so proud of our beloved Country...Thank you so much Thomas Graham.

"When all you have is nothing, there's enough to go around." Through Heaven's Eyes by Brian Stokes Mitchell

I was teary-eyed the whole talk.

thank you for this..

truly inspiring

No matter how people are good if the leaders are not, "Poor" will exist.

this was really good i've never felt so validated in my entire life

The best of tedxtalks so farr!!!!

this is amazing! thanks for sharing!

Wonderfull so inspiring story... and true sometimes we forget that we have beautiful qualities too, we are not just “pasaway” or “matigas ang ulo” we also have potential and warm heart. We just have to remind ourselves of that.❤️

My deepest thanks to you Sir Thomas Graham! !!! God bless you and your family always! !!!

Very humbling.Thank you.

Thank you....