What is Ningas Cogon
We often hear the term “ningas cogon” in Filipino culture. At times, it is often used when describing news headlines, current scandals, or 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?
Definition of ningas cogon or procrastination
The term “ningas cogon” is actually derived from the word cogon, which refers to cogon grass, a tall, green, thin type of grass that grows through large fields and easily catches fire. Because cogon grass is thin in texture, any amount of flame brought close to it can cause a quick and wild fire. The next thing you know, you are left with an empty field of dead and burned grass. The reason people use the term ningas cogon is because it refers to the fact that people show fervent interest in a new topic (like the wild fire), but also lose interest just as quickly (like the cogon grass that burns out rapidly). Oftentimes, people describe ningas cogon as procrastination, as it refers to the fact that people tend to show immense interest in new topics, and then procrastinate by failing to follow through with the necessary means of solving the incident at hand.
Ningas cogon as part of Filipino culture
Perhaps you can blame it on the hardworking and busy lifestyles of the Filipino people. Or maybe, quite simply, on the Filipino people’s love for excitement and entertainment. Whichever the cas, one can often find the ningas cogon mentality in Filipino culture, especially in matters of politics, media, news scandals, and entertainment. One such example of this would be when there is a news scandal involving a crime committed by a prominent person. When such event occurs, you find the headlines on every single newspaper, talk show and news channel available. People all over the country discuss, debate, and argue over the matter. Some people even spread rumors and gossip to further worsen the news scandal. Politicians usually step in to remind people of the power they possess to fix the matter, and to find justice. Unfortunately, it does not take long before everyone loses interest, and the next big scandal is simply a day away. Before you know it, the politicians have moved on to other projects, and what was once a great big scandal is left forgotten and unsolved.
Some say that the reason Filipino people are so quick to forget about important incidents (and that promises made to fix them) is because they are simply too busy with their individual lives. Others say that it is because the Filipino people are subservient, patient, and forgiving. But regardless of which case it may be, ningas cogon is often (if not always) viewed as a negative trait and a weakness of the Filipino people.
Related questions:
1. How did Filipinos develop ningas cogon?
2. What are the other negative traits of Filipinos?
3. How can Filipinos change their ways?