The default fill of text, arc, freehand, polygon and bezigon objects is always transparent. Any color, pattern or gradient placed into the fill indicator is ignored when these objects are created.
To fill these object types, select the object, then click on a pattern in the Pattern Pallette.
You can set freehands, polygons and bezigons to auto-fill on creation by turning on this option in the Preferences... Polygons, under the Layout menu.
Text and arc objects, however, always auto-fill with a transparent fill.
Rectangles, rounded rectangles and ovals always auto-fill with the current fill pattern when they're created.