‘Ningas Kugon’ – a common Filipino trait
Yes, what is “ningas kugon”? For the sake of literal interpretation so that it is easily understood, allow me to dissect what the phrase means: ningas means “in flame”, it could also be a “spark” that could eventually turn into fire, something that could also be “burning”. There are many ways of interpreting it but, basically those are the straight out meaning in English as they are in Tagalog and of course if you come from a different province in the Philippines, the word might have a contrasting significance. But for purposes of understanding, we shall make use of how it is commonly understood. Going to the ‘kugon’ – it actually refers to a tall, perennial grass used in thatching. Its scientific name is Imperata cylindrica.
Etimologically, the English word ‘cogon’ is from the Spanish cogón, while in Tagalog, it is expressed and spelled as ‘kugon’.
Cogon grass is called by the Japanese as bloodgrass and is considered a noxious weed that’s a more invasive species than kudzu in the southeastern United States.
The two words put together is “flaming cogon grass”. As a Filipino cultural trait, it refers to the Filipino cultural trait of enthusiastically starting things, but then quickly losing enthusiasm soon after. So if you try to lit up a ‘cogon’ you would observe how it will just burn into flames and poof!, gone afterwards!
Correlating ‘ningas cogon’ to the Filipinos could be rooted from the fact that at times or in more ways than one, Filipinos tend to leave problems unsolved or projects undone because of lack of knowledge on how to resolve or fix the problems thus, it is “better” to leave it, but, the truth is, it is more of the lack of understanding of the root of the problems.
In short, that cultural trait has been attributed to the Filipinos for years and somewhere along the years, it appears that Filipinos themselves – not all but some – have admitted or even owned, such a character trait. The reality though is different, because we know full well that we are much more than what that preconceived attributions say of Filipinos than what we actually are. It is a negative connotation which we ourselves have proven to be a mere attribution outside of the fact.
Insofar as I am concerned, it is a misnomer in the Filipino culture that could even lead to discrimination to us as Filipinos and to our culture in general. It has been proven for years that Filipinos are hard workers, and those who are abroad working are sacrificing for the sake of their families and loved ones left behind in the Philippines, is a demonstration of NOT being a ‘ningas kugon’. Filipinos have made themselves worthy to any society they face. Experience tells us that. Although a saying holds true ‘that in any forest there is a snake’ but, the Filipinos have shown integrity and dignity, and in the midst of the problems the country and its people are facing now, our nature is to prosper, and it may not come now but surely, later.
With the ideals of the present dispensation, and in the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, the speck of light at the end of the tunnel the Philippines is going through, can already be seen even from the far distance.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC11p32pdIcdesRzk9fN92Uw
Watch and listen to “Perk up your morning and day” with a 6 step formula that will lead you to a totally interesting and enthusiastic day and the days thereafter. Remember “Life is a struggle in all its beauty”.
In Tagalog is TALAHIB Madaling maka sugar ng skin at Madaling mag Apoy! Maraming mga Pilipino ang Ganito ang Kanilang mga Ugali at Nakikita sa Buong Mundo ang mga Patayan Araw Araw at Walang Puknat KULANG na Lang ay Civil War.. Seventy Two dialect ang Pinaka Problema ng mga Pilipino. Walang Solidarity ay papalubog ng papalubog ang Pilipinas.
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Thanks Edwin..
Hey, it’s been a long time since I last heard of you.
I agree sa lahat ng sinabi mo. Totoo lahat.
Maraming salamat sa iyong comments and I hope that you keep on reading my blog.
Best regards,
Eric
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Ngayon Lang Pumasok muli sa email ko Ito. I think after a couple of years ikaw ang Nawala Eric. Habang busy ako sa mga jealous American and foreign coin collector that my Penny On Dime 1995 is the Mona Lisa in Numismatic World. Four years + ago I put this coin in eBay auction world wide without any advertisement from any newspaper coin Magazine just only in US Coin Chat Forum and other Coin collector chat room. Guest what eBay viewer reached over 24000+ and highest offer received is Seven Million US Dollars and forty eight hours more left. CoinCollectors keeps following the Details of the auction sending me messages to accept the Offer. I said No Way I do not like the offer still Low Ball! Disneyland Man is trying to haggle on it for Seven Million US Dollars. He still got two days To hit thebuttonfor 8.5 Million plusTax.. The auction end and the winner still me. The coin is Not For Sale. The Price is double now.. That’s all.
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It’s true nawala ako for over a year. I had a multiple heart bypass operation last year, so I was out that long. Ngayon, I’m back in circulation and returning to the rhythm I had some years back. Wow, you are talking about some big money. Well perhaps you should capitalize on the best offer, kung meron. But of course, It’s your call.
Goodluck anyhow and all the best to you!.
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Ganuon Ba ? Then be careful to your health. Penny On Dime 1995 you can Google and Search. Ang hinde ko maintinndihan after four 1/2 years past halos Nakalimotan ko na ang eBay auction ko at pumasok ako sa Coin Photography at posted ko ang iphone shot ko sa penny on Dime na I do not have any experiences when it comes to coinphotography. Bigla na lamang nag si pasok ang mga jealous coin collector na ipinagsiziksikan na ang coin ko na penny on Dime is worth only 500 plus US Dollars. Which is not TRUE. Meron Tony Lopez pang ayaw akong Tigil an at nag post ng Kennedy Mutilated coin na value niya na Ten Million US dollars dahil very popular daw si Kennedy. NAKUPOOOO MUKHANG Pilipino itong si Lopez dahil pati si Aquino daw ang nag salba kay Marcos na Magnanakaw.. ang say ko bakit naghihirap ang Pilipinas at naging Talamak sa Droga na Nuon ay Wala .. umiwas bigla sa Politika Balik Ulit siya sa coin ko. ..yan ang Pilipino siguro na Galit sa Akin dahil ang Kennedy niya ay Sinabi ko na mutilated and will Not o be a coin error dahil hinde Bilog ang Kennedy niya. Lol
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Why dont protons reppel temselves in the atom’s nucleus?
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