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Posted in Philippines General Information on 06/30/2006 05:44 am by admin
Pilipino: The Good, the Bad, & the Chaka (ugly)
Allow me to start with the good.
Bayanihan. I love the fact that the word is equivalent to English making it distinctively Filipino. I once thought that the concept died long ago with chivalry. I was proven wrong the Some 2 years ago when I was driving (with my 2 kids in tow) along a narrow alley when the front wheel of my car's got stuck in a deep and wide hatch. The only way out is for the front of the car lifted. I call my wife but she is about 2 hours away from our area. I was terrified as it was getting dark and the area is infested by squatters increasing paranoia that we are (a) get mugged, (b) get carjacked, or (c) my children could get kidnapped. Two men approached and offered assistance, a tricycle driver stopped the help, and stand up three Tambays from their drinking session to help as well. In no time, six people were able to lift the front of the car. I offered each of them a small sum for their help but to my surprise, none of them accepted. I call it a random act of kindness. God bless them.
Filipinos are very beautiful person, inside and out. We once went to ________ and the only woman I noticed was the weapon of Prada, not necessarily for their beauty. Although the _______, The transvestites and transexuals are prettier than their women. Walk anywhere in Manila and you will find always find a pretty face, Cloaked in Prada or otherwise.
Filipinos are one happy bunch. We are very optimistic. Filipinos are among the happiest people on the planet and we have the lowest suicide rate in the world. Living in a third world country does not seem to matter. Heck, the first country in the world has the highest divorce and suicide rates. 'Ang saya saya di ba.
Now for the bad and the chaka.
Traffic. MMDA. Only in the Philippines is no clear Schemes traffic monitoring. No clear traffic guidelines. If you're driving a private vehicle traversing EDSA and for some reason you cross the yellow lane, you see certain Apprehended. And the bus yet, taxi, FX (s), jeeps and deviation cut all they want and then happy and proudly pass on it. Heck, I once saw a bus driving including Monument, and then get Samson Road where the buses are not allowed, driving opens his window and tosses a 20-peso bill MMDA standing by. He then happily passes without agreement. And you still expect me to not beat the red light?
The politicians. Trapos. Politicos. Members of Cabinet. Customs officials. BIR officials. Political wannabees. Patolas police. Actors, actresses, boxers and basketball players who no credentials whatever desperately pushing their luck with sharp political arena. We have the most number of elections and the most number of elected officials. Politics must focus on public services are not self-service. Son of politician. Do I need to say more?
Graft and corruption. It goes hand in hand of the above Chakaness. Take the case of pre-election politicos, they drive around in a mid-sized sedan, a Ginormous van, or a small SUV. After post-election They upgraded to a Lincoln Navigator, a Cadillac Escalade, or GMC Suburban. Note also that although they also need an entire convoy for the protection (or appearance important). Plus a Ferrari or a Lamborghini for the weekend, perhaps a Chrysler 300 for misus, and a mild Audi for the mistress. Do not even I get started in their luxurious homes, swanky weekend houses, jewelry collection, what even mistresses. I dare contest Forbes article proclaiming that we above 10th rank in world's most - corrupt. We Desrve the first place. We was robbed, seriously.
Noontime shows different. Not since the birth of cable TV I have watched the local tv. I do not sit and watch fellow Filipinos, balikbayans, tourists and laugh like hyenas and contestants making big fools of themselves for a meager sum. No wonder we are mocked, pitied, ridiculed and caricatured by the other races. I really want to suppress, from the recent summit APEC called our native barong a 'peasant outfit. Excuse me, but hell you think ???!!! But then again, how can I blame him when exactly how Willie & co., if they are aware of it or not (maybe even part of their gameplan), describe how the Filipinos are in general. Kawawa naman tayo. tsk tsk
Overly dramatic telenovelas. Because if we have not had enough, we now have of koreanovelas and chinonovelas. Morning, noon, late afternoon, primetime, late night, take your pick. I swear I lose points in IQ by the minute when I saw them. We tire of the same plot over and over and over again? Is not it bullshit when we do the same thing over and over again and then expect a different outcome everytime?
Too much fun. 'Pwede na yan' ( 'the need') is something I heard quite often. Not efficiency matter? Can not we strive for something better, or better yet, the best? After all, people will treat us the way we hope is treated, so if the 'pwede na' is okey with us, exactly all we ever get. di ba?
Inferiority complex. Whereas other races suffer the opposite (ie, superiority complex), Filipinos perceive and treat other races as superior, yet their low own race. If we treat the Filipinos to each other as 2nd class citizens, how we expect first class, preferential treatment from others?
We can not say NO. Why do I have a reason or an excuse everytime I deny or reject something? The word NO should be a complete sentence. Do not you think so too?
I am not trying to be negative, after all I am a Filipina and (super) proud of it. But what future awaits us if we continue to see ourselves as nothing more than doormats? Unless we change present among ourselves, among our leaders, within our country, then my father was probably right to say 'This country is going to dogs. There are times I want to give up hope, but having children gives me much optimism to the future generations far more confident and competitive than we are. Although I continue to pray for change, I do not see it coming any time soon ......................... Or at least not in my life. So pray, faith, keep your hope and chin up so that one day you can really be proud to say 'I am Filipino,' and actually mean.
I am Filipina! Mabuhay ang mga Filipino!
About the Author
Chronicles of a Pinay Dreamer
