Promdi is the New Cool

If you are reading this blog chances are, you are a promdi. The word Promdi was coined in the early 1990s 70s that literally means ‘fom the province‘ (prom di prabins). Anyone given this moniker is presumed to be an ignorant, uneducated provincial person. To be called a Promdi in Metro Manila would be a grave misfortune. Most Promdis who want to fit in with the Manila crowd first try hard to get rid of their tell-tale accent. So they end up speaking Tagalog even when talking with a person from the same province. Worse, some speak Tagalog back in the province even when spending just a few months in Manila. I know quite a number of their likes. I’m not sure if I’d be amused or disgusted.

But really, is being a Promdi anything to be ashamed of? I don’t think so! The truth is, most people in Manila are Promdis while the original Tagalogs are the minority. Most Manila residents would have their roots traced back in the province. The only Philippine president that can be called a true Manileño would be Joseph Estrada. All the rest came from the provinces. Two of which came from the Visayas, Manuel Roxas from Capiz and Carlos Garcia from Bohol. Some of the richest families in the country are from the province. The Lopezes and Aranetas hail from Iloilo and Negros Occidental. Have they ever been called Promdis? I don’t think so.

I don’t see any reason for us to feel inferior just because we hail from the province. I don’t feel insulted when people laugh at the way Promdis speak Tagalog in movies and TV sitcoms. I laugh at those jokes too. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, just because we speak Tagalog with a funny accent doesn’t mean we’re stupid. And by the way, I know a lot of Tagalog speakers who would love to have that Ilonggo accent.

Being a Promdi has it’s own advantages. We grew up with a lot of stories to tell our children. We get to hear stories of aswang, tikbalang, dwende and all sorts of creatures our folks ever thought of cooking up. Don’t you envy just how beautiful our provinces are? Don’t you love to visit Boracay, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin, Palawan, and other exotic places from this side of the country? Don’t you want to join our Dinagyang, Ati-Atihan, Masskara, and Sinulog? We see where our foods are grown and we get to eat them fresh. We wake up everyday with fresh air while you in the metropolis would often breathe pollution with your breakfast. The things that money can’t buy, we get for free.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate Manileños. I just want them to treat us as their equal, as their fellow Filipinos. I just don’t want to be called a Promdi in a derogatory manner, with the negative connotations associated with it. Isn’t it time for the word Promdi to mean only it’s literal meaning which is ‘from the province?’ I’m calling on all Promdis to join hands, let’s help our fellow Filipinos see the light. They’ve been under the shadow of their ignorance way too long. Let’s unite in educating our Tagalog kababayans. Let’s help them realize that it’s cool to be Promdi.

Tagged as: promdi. pinoy