Be Proud! You're an ORAGON!

ORAGON- a word that connotes a lot of meanings but exactly the word being use to describe to Bicolanos. A word widely used in the Bicol Region but still having quite vague definition. When we say a person is ORAGON, what do we actually mean?

Well, there's  contrasting ideas, characteristics and traits being attached to this word. When a person is said to be Oragon, others may have the notion that he is boastful, haughty or even warfreak. It's as if he's acting likehe's the boss or the king that he tend to belittle or demean other people. In other regions, especially in the greater manila area, when they speak of ORAGON to pertain to a person, what they usually men is "SIGA".

On the contrary, the other meaning of this word is something positive. Most commonly, in the Bicol Region, when a person is said to ORAGON or MAORAG, he is seen to be the best, excellent. He's extraordinary and he's unbelievably great. He serves to be an epitome of a person in which all the positive traits have been summed up into one. But the, of course, there's no such person. Despite of it, being an ORAGON entails much positivity when being used in the Bicol areas.

Bicolanos are known for their courage, bravery, fearlessness- whatever way you call it, we are known for this characteristic. We defend ourselves when we are oppressed. We defend our love ones in times of needs. We fight foir our rights and fight for what is right. We're bold, but it doesn't necessarily mean that we're warfreak and troublesome. As much as possible, we do not like to be involve in any forms of skirmish or violence, but only when it is really inevitable and when circumstances requires us to do so.

Bicolanos are also known for their excellence in various field asnd endeavor. When they are to do something, they make sure that they give their best shot. Besides, who wants to be a mediocre, anyway? Definitely, no one.

Being religious is also one of the characteristics in which the Bicolanos are known for, their great devotion to Mama Mary is shown in their strong faith to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patronness of the Bicol Region.

Though Bicol is frequently visited by strong storms and typhoons, and no matter how many times massive destuction falls onto its people, Bicolanos never give up. They never surrender. They never lose hope. They always stand up from their fall and strive to regain more than what they have lost. This just shows how strong the fighting spirit of the Bicolanos are.

So, the next time someone told you that you are an ORAGON. Don't take it negatively. Instead, lift your head high and say "Of course, because I'm a Bicolano. I am an ORAGON and I'm proud to be one."