Quote by Nick Joaquin: “The Filipino is a being‑in‑progress.”

This concise observation defines Filipino identity not as static, but as continuously evolving. It suggests a dynamic process of self-creation and adaptation, reflecting a people constantly shaping and redefining their culture, values, and sense of self over time.

From his essays, particularly those in 'Culture and History,' where Joaquin analyzed the formation of Filipino identity. He explored the blend of indigenous, Spanish, and American influences, arguing for a dynamic, non-essentialist understanding of what it means to be Filipino.

Filipino writer widely regarded as the greatest English-language author in Philippine literary history, born in Manila in 1917. His fiction, plays, and journalism explored Filipino identity, history, and mythology, and he received the National Artist Award for Literature in 1976.