Tausug Identity and the Exclusionary Character of “Filipinoness” By Sterling V. Herrera Shaw 1 English version of a paper presented at Ika-46 Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino, “SP bilang Mapagpabagong-Isip”. Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino. November 26, 2022 (Ikatlong Sabayang Sesyon) Tagalog presentation slides attached below (original presentation in Tagalog) Introduction National identity is a very important concept with wide-reaching implications. It can be liberating, serving as an impetus for fighting against colonialism, and it can also serve as a means of oppression and discrimination against those deemed as not a part of the nation’s vision (Yacat 2005). Both of these are applicable to the Philippines’ history, though the modern Filipino identity tends to take on a role of exclusion in the realm of minority politics. One could further argue that nationalism as a process is a kind of political elimination of cultural diversity in the pursuit of a united identity and history. Niels Mulder has written extensively on the nature of Filipino identity, both in how it is conceptualized and how it has been presented in the education system, and how these conceptualizations and presentations result in a lack of a national identity. For example, the school system attempts to create a sense of national identity through the study of various symbols, things like the national fish (bangus) and national food (lechong baboy). Of course, these do not really arouse much in the way of a strong feeling of identity, and even serve to exclude in some cases (the Muslim population largely does not eat pig). This apathy extends to even national holidays, where generally the population thinks of the holiday as a leisure time to clean the home, rather than being inspired to feel “Filipino” (Mulder 2013). This is exacerbated by the fact that the education system has a preoccupation with foreigners: why they were attracted to the Philippines, why they wanted to occupy it, and of course the colonial narratives and stories of overthrowing the oppressors. This preoccupation with foreigners extends to the denial of the fact that Filipinos have a history of seafaring navigation. Somehow they unlearned these skills during colonization, leaving the traveling of the world to other 1 Sterling V. Herrera Shaw received his Masters degree in Philippine Studies from the University of the Philippines Diliman, and a BA in Asian Studies, Medical Anthropology/Global Health, and Archaeological Sciences from the University of Washington. The author can be reached at sherrerashaw@up.edu.ph. 1