fashion victim font
fashion victim font
Philippines through the eyes of a Filipina
I received a copy of "The Philippines through the eyes of a foreigner" through email mail in June 2007. Why do not react then? First, I had my own blog yet. Secondly, and most importantly, I saw no need for it since it was the feeling of a man and there was some truth to it. So why am I reacting now? Well, yesterday I was ordering email me the opportunity at the letter again and then when I was doing research on Filipino culture by chance I am in the same trial. This time, however, I was surprised to see a lot of my kababayans reactions, ranging from defensive to violent corrections. Why be so hard on the man when is simply expressing his feelings out as he is entitled to first.
Although there is some truth in his essay, there are some exaggerations.
Let me start with the sad truth:
1. Yes, we do have streets full of street people, beggars and squatters.
But let me remind you that people do not dominate our side streets at night.
Once upon a time, those people used to live happily in rural areas. Then one day a politician named Mr. Rag comes in a shiny limousine and are promised the sun, moon and stars. But there's a catch, you have to go to his village to help him win the election to become "flying voters. They were promised mammoth pledges, given some money and picked up by huge insignificant Sarao jeepneys bound for Zion. After Mr. Rag wins his race, leaving behind all the needy people. With their families still with them, hungry, broke and exhausted, where do now? With very little money from Mr. cloth, to begin to build shacks along the side streets. And the rest, as they say is history ........
2. Yes, indeed that our roads are the curse of pollution and our public service vehicles are in disreputable states of repair. Yes, we have streets full of potholes and unrepaired streets.
Then one day, after Mr. Wipe is sworn in, becomes congressman Rag. Decreed that roads be repaired and coated with asphalt. Since he has the power to choose the contractor, choose one that offers the most income. And because the contractor must give much of their profits to the congressman Rag, he estimated that more than likely win could earn more by using substandard materials. That explains the bumps.
Congressman Rag races for Senate and wins. Senator Rag is now even more tired from all his power. He does not care (or have been bribed enough) to ignore the other branches of government are allowing bus comapnies to import buses are very old and in disrepair. So that explains the disintegration of the vehicles and the pollution that comes with it.
3. It's true that our education system allows children to attend schools without desks or books to accommodate them. Yes, it is also true that teachers, even university professors, are paid salaries so disgracefully low that it is a wonder anyone would want to enter the teaching profession in the first place.
Senator Rag has its share of the pork barrel, AKA pork, Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) or priority of the Development Assistance Fund (pdaFan). These funds are awarded to two members of the Senate and Congress, are discretionary in nature and it is accordingly Wipe the senator from identifying the projects to be financed from these funds. Senators of the P 200 million each, while congressmen are allocated on P 70 million each. To have something to show, Senator Rag expected build small sheds with a huge image of his face and name in large fonts to announce what he has done. It forget that public schools can not accommodate half the school population. Senator cloth also needs more funds to help his bid for reelection. It forget the teachers, who, aside from a meager wage, work long hours, exhausting.
There are plenty of Mr. Rags around us. He could well be sitting on the Barangay Hall, City Hall, the House of Representatives, the Senate, perhaps even in Malacañang. Who knows?
No order for my fairy (Goblin) history. The rest is up to you.
As for the hype, here's my take on it:
1. Filipinos, not cultured, almost slavishly, everything foreign. Foreigners are not considered so idolized.
Filipinos are basically warm, loving and tolerant to a fault.
Do not confuse the Filipino hospitality for worship. That said, it is natural for Filipinos, including Asians, in particular, to be generous donors. Luxury goods, more of the time, imported brands not flat, but only the donor and recipient. Is not that what it is, the status quo?
Case in point, last week My husband and I were in Greenhills for an errand. If you do not know, is a shopping mecca for all counterfeit or copied. We crossed the tiangge as I wanted doing research on the demographics of people who sponsored counterfeiting. Surprise, surprise. In one corner, we saw 2 Americans (men) in search of bag a 'authentic looking fake. "walked a little more and more and see 3 foriegners Mont (British looking sounded fake, but was not sure) in search of" authentic " Blanc pen. We walked a little more and see 2 from other countries (men) in search of "authentic looking fake Louis" Vuitton bags for their girlfriends. Is that what the character is for you? I'm not even making this up.
Let me spill another anecdote. A few months ago I was at Louis Vuitton Greenbelt waiting for my purchase to be involved when I was approached by a man in his 60's (my father's age) asking my LV bags printing in 4 set in front of him. He said he was having difficulty deciding which one to choose as an anniversary present for his wife and SA (Sales Associate) was not much help. We will gladly oblige. That yes, he was Filipino, unostentastiously very simple dress. It looked like a fashion victim or seem uber rich. Perhaps like the rest of us, it appreciates a little luxury. Do not you think?
Even in Hong Kong, walk around and see 60% of schools were carrying bags of LV. The real sure. We went to 3 stores and all they were full. In a store, we had to wait in a long queue just to enter would not call slaves to foreigners, right?
2. Filipinos are not eager to leave the country.
It's just that sometimes, for some people, there seems no other option.
Do you think that our workers Filipinos would still leave the country if given the same speed here, as there are abroad? Domestic helpers abroad are paid more than three times more than what our teachers are paid here.
In the United States, for example, the minimum wage (average) is approximately $ 6.00 per hour. Did you know that that amount is the minimum wage here, but for a full day's work? I hate when I hear that foreigners, 'Oh, Gasoline prices are the same as in the U.S. "or whatever country. No matter how the numbers match, it is not always the same. No matter how our government rub all kinds of figures on our faces, they mean nothing. Absolutely nothing. Why? For us, Filipinos, I feel nothing. The government has nothing to offer. The posts which say they are mediocre compared to what we as parents have to pay tuition fees. What jobs await UP, Ateneo La Salle and graduates? Jobs at call centers?
To strive for something better is no shortcoming on our part. We will always strive for the best, not only for us but for our families and our nation.
The government says it is helping to boost tourism in our country. How exactly?
When we went to Bangkok, just a few weeks ago, I wanted to visit Siam Paragon. We could have walked as the mall was only about 5 miles of our hotel, I just wanted to ride a tuk tuk hail as one to take there. Since the cab and tuk tuk drivers do not understand very little English brought a map, an image of the mall and a copy of the exact address. About 15 minutes and several miles later, still no mall in sight. He takes us to a jewelry store, when asked why, he said he is not going to bring no extra charge. It's just that every time you bring the tourists, who receive a coupon for free LPG (gasoline) from the government. We are under no obligation to buy, come visit. Then leads to another store (and therefore my asthma was triggered by the smell of LPG). We just buy some gifts as he says it will take a small commission if we do (yes, we that gullible, but for us were helpful). Even during the visit of the temple, the guide told us it was mandatory for them to take tourists to certain locations. This is because your government encourages just that. Do you think tricycle drivers here would have an incentive if they bring to Luneta? I think not.
But what about tourism in the Philippines. My husband and I were surprised to see on a cable channel that some of our museums are still open. Note that was not a cable channel and even a local channel. Until that time we thought that all of our museums have been closed. DEFINITION is for the government to "encourage" tourism?
We are a free country. The people are free. We are entitled to our own opinion. In the same way that each of us is free to express that view. If you want to block or edit all the negative you hear just to make it favorable for you, that is the beginning of censorship?
The reason behind me making fun of Filipino drivers (on my blog) does not is to insult, ridicule or demean them, but maybe, just maybe with some ideas that I could get someone to do something about it, either doing the best in him (it is a skill, after all), or at least the application of laws are there for a reason.
Hats Off To Suretsky Barth. I think it was their best intentions to put some perspective on our culture and gives me no crime whatsoever. Thank you for taking the time to analyze things that baffle me somehow too.
All foreigners, always remember this, Filipinos have managed to oust 2 presidents in the last 2 decades. It is my belief that we can do it again. It's just that at this time, there is a person who could penetrate the system and not be harmed by it. It will take time, discipline and willingness to change in each of us. As I said, probably not in my life. But soon I hope.
I am a Filipino and proud of it. I love my country and am going to spend my old age, until the rest of my days.
I hope you can say the same for you.
About the Author
Chronicles of a Pinay Dreamer
Victime de la Mode
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