We often hear the term ningas cogon in Filipino culture. At times, it is often used when describing news headlines, current scandals, of Filipino traits. But what does the term really mean? And where did it come from? How does it actually occur in Filipino culture, and why?
Because the country spent so many years under colonial rule, the Filipinos were often left feeling like helpless victims. In fact, it is believed that one of the main reasons it seemed so easy for Spain to colonize the Philippines was because the Filipino people were awfully kind, forgiving, and subservient.
In Filipino culture, there exists an undeniable sense of machismo and macho-ness when it comes to owning up as a real man. For instance, the rate of infidelity continues to increase as years go by. Unfortunately, it is always viewed as a greater evil when it is the woman who commits infidelity, as compared to when it is the man.