Psychologist Johari Window teaches us that there are four angles of ourselves. One is the “open area,” which is our side known to you and me. Then, there is the “blind spot,” which is our side that is only known to others but not ourselves. Thirdly, there is the “façade,” which is the secretive part of ourselves that others do not know about. Lastly, there is the unknown, the most obscure part of our personality because everyone, including ourselves, doesn’t know what that particular part is for the longest time.

The Filipino culture is just like that. It has four angles – open areas, blind spots, facades, and the unknown. This book, My Country... My People focuses on the third part of our culture – the façade.

Filipino culture is often regarded as something light, but like other nations, it has a side often misunderstood by different cultures. The factors of resilience, pride, and democracy are similar but also dissimilar in the Philippine context. The reason for this is the multicultural roots of the Philippines, where Spanish, American, Japanese, and British influences are seen.

The Philippines is a melting pot of sorts, and this book, entitled “My Country... My People” gives us a glimpse of how Spanish formalities and American democracy intertwine our nation. It shows how Christianity became one of the cornerstones of our society, and why it plays a huge role in the path that is forged in the Republic of the Philippines.

The book contains a perspective from a regular person who lived through the times before the Philippines was recognized as a developing country in its right. Not to be confused with the Chinese book of the same name, this literary architecture’s goal is to shed light on current events and how we, as Filipinos, can become proud of becoming one.

Other parts of the book focus on the author himself, Dr. Rudy Candelaria, as it mirrors what it was to be a Filipino youth and progressive individual who moved to the United States of America. Therefore, Americans can find that they have a lot in common when it comes to the Philippines, both in political, religious, and literary culture and demeanor.

The central message of hope that is found in this book is much to be desired in today’s world. The struggles of the past serve as a lesson for the future. It is with great hope that we look forward to what tomorrow will bring while looking back from where we came from.

With a long list of poems, short stories, and literary pieces, one can find inspiration in a life that has made them lose their way. It is a mixed book of sorts; a general masterpiece that captivates Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike – perspectives that shape who we are.

My Country... My People is a collection of essays, short stories and poems from the perspective of the Filipino people. Find time to read it today!