What’S Wrong With The Philippines?

[UZI]

Lee," I do not believe that most Filipinos act like Americans at all" ...........Really?Without even giving too much thought as it is late {sure I can do better after a nights sleep):Fast foodFat means being successfulPursuit of money is No1BasketballGood awful advertsGood awful soapsStar scandal tvView of the world according to HollywoodGunsCoffee joints (Starbucks etc)MallsLiving in gated sub divisionsSecurity guards everywhereSpelling (US vs English).............and with respect, you said it yourself "our Filipino American members" as in the word FILAM not FilBrit or FilNorge or FilOz etc. I would think that the terms 'KANO' & 'Hey Joe' would speak volumes. Remittances are quoted as $ even though OFW's work all over the world & the Peso is always valued against the $ above all else. Look at the AFP & their uniforms, NBI (FBI..!) police uniforms political system (President not Prime Minister) even the legal system.Any non American here I would hazard will wonder why you said "yet I find some of the thoughts baffling as an American since I do not believe that most Filipinos act like Americans at all" when all we see is Americanisms everywhere.Thankfully today's youth are looking more at Korean style & music, so at least it is a start at finding an Asian identity.Perhaps other members see things differently :508:Uzi.

I didn't read the essay yet, but I gotta disagree with your list, Mr. Uzi. I'm Canadian, so I know what it's like to try and argue how we're different from Americans: IT SUCKS!The reality is, most of the world reflects American consumer culture these days, not just the Philippines. The shopping malls and Starbucks, and fast-food chains are everywhere possible, including Europe. If you want non-American, try Cuba or Laos, two very cool, beautiful, and yet-to-be-tainted-by-all-things-American countries. The taxis and other cars in Cuba are all 1950's models, and the music is NOT American pop! You gotta love it. But let me pick on the list a little bit: fast food: everywhere fat means successful: in America it means poor trash pursuit of money is #1: since the beginning of man basketball: a great sport that's huge in mainland Europe, Asia, and Latin America God awful adverts and soaps: I see no relation, except for what traits are common all over the world now Star scandal TV: England's quite famous for that as well as everyone else Hollywood view of the world: Filipinos prefer Transformers to The Hurt Locker Guns: a lot of countries allow guns Coffee Joints: big all over Asia and the rest of the world Malls: maybe you're right here, but big malls have become more of a Chinese thing recently Gated sub-divisions: 99.9% of Americans don't live in gated sub-divisions Security guards: American shops are heavily armed with baseball bats, their own guns, or just give up the money Spelling: Canada uses/used British spelling, but even we're increasingly surrendering to the American takeover of the "English" language, soon to be a Tex-Mex mixup. Nothing personal against your list; they're just fun to debate. You're probably right in correcting Lee on the time context of the essay. I wouldn't know though, since I wasn't there. Let's keep in mind, however, that Aquino was a rich guy who lived in America for quite a while himself, so maybe his circle was more American, which would mean something since his circle influenced the country. But personally, I think Filipinos worship the idea of America, but have no idea what it's like. In reality, they're totally different from Americans. I think the Spanish had way more influence over them as evidenced by their fiestas and saints. To really compare Filipino thinking and American thinking, I think you'd have exact opposites on almost every single point. I'm used to Phil-Cans, which are the same as Phil-Ams, so I was shocked when I came to the Philippines and realized Filipinos are nothing like them at all. Not because they wouldn't want to be, they worship America, but they just have no idea what America's really like.

Hi,Some good points raised but to start off with "I didn't read the essay yet," is not a great, given it is what we are discussing BUT:-First off, your comment "most of the world reflects American consumer culture these days" was part of my point. Back when the essay was written, American consumer culture wasn't everywhere but was quietly invading where American influence was strong ie Japan, Korea, Philippines. Places where Coca Cola & McD caught on fast. Note - not so in China & Russia. Basketball in not played anywhere near the same level in the UK as here. In fact the nearest popular game is Netball & played by girls.My main disagreement though is with yours & Lee's reference to the way Pinoys THINK, (To really compare Filipino thinking and American thinking,) whereas we were discussing how they ACT.I am not picking on the Americans though as the same can be said about Malaysia, Hong Kong & Singapore and the British influence but we are examining what Ninoy meant in his essay with regard to US influence at that time.Uzi Edited August 22, 2010 by UZI

[ekimswish]

Yeah, I can't critique the essay. By the way they think, I also mean the way they act. Filipinos act way more Spanish than American. Consumer culture is one thing; the way you act and think is another. The Americans spent less than a hundred years in the Philippines, mostly related to building government and military. The Spanish spent several hundred years clearly trying to assimilate the Filipino to their way of thinking, acting, and believing. I know Americans and Filipinos, and they're nothing alike. But I will read the essay, probably tomorrow at work, and maybe comment on that. On basketball, though, it's nothing in England, but the rest of Europe and parts of Latin America are challenging America for the number one spot on a regular basis... And the Philippines isn't even close to the best basketball country in Asia. But going back 30 years, maybe everything's different.

[UZI]

Yeah, I can't critique the essay. By the way they think, I also mean the way they act. Filipinos act way more Spanish than American. Consumer culture is one thing; the way you act and think is another. The Americans spent less than a hundred years in the Philippines, mostly related to building government and military. The Spanish spent several hundred years clearly trying to assimilate the Filipino to their way of thinking, acting, and believing. I know Americans and Filipinos, and they're nothing alike. But I will read the essay, probably tomorrow at work, and maybe comment on that. On basketball, though, it's nothing in England, but the rest of Europe and parts of Latin America are challenging America for the number one spot on a regular basis... And the Philippines isn't even close to the best basketball country in Asia. But going back 30 years, maybe everything's different.

"I will read the essay, probably tomorrow at work" :wt-hell: :540:

[ekimswish]

"I will read the essay, probably tomorrow at work" :wt-hell: :540:

Yeah, I'm busier at home with a toddler, infant, and computer to fight with the wife over than I am at work. Work is my refuge: no one expects much from me.Just read the essay, and while 30 years ago it might have been a groundbreaking critique, today it just sounds old and tired. He complained a lot about history and then offered no real solutions. While his complaints were often true and justified, I read no answers for said complaints, other than, "Let's all change and believe in ourselves." He mentioned briefly on land reform, which I read somewhere his wife later bungled as president in order to save her family's massive land, allowing loop holes in land reform law that not only saved their land, but everyone else's. So..... I wonder if things would've been different if he were president, or now that his son has a shot at it?The other thing is he was really against American and Spanish culture imposed on the Filipinos, and supportive of other Asian ways of thinking, but those Asians aren't Filipino either. I think he should've emphasized Philippine culture instead of Cambodia, China, and so on. Edited August 22, 2010 by ekimswish

[UZI]

"I will read the essay, probably tomorrow at work" :wt-hell: :540:

Yeah, I'm busier at home with a toddler, infant, and computer to fight with the wife over than I am at work. Work is my refuge: no one expects much from me.Just read the essay, and while 30 years ago it might have been a groundbreaking critique, today it just sounds old and tired. He complained a lot about history and then offered no real solutions. While his complaints were often true and justified, I read no answers for said complaints, other than, "Let's all change and believe in ourselves." He mentioned briefly on land reform, which I read somewhere his wife later bungled as president in order to save her family's massive land, allowing loop holes in land reform law that not only saved their land, but everyone else's. So..... I wonder if things would've been different if he were president, or now that his son has a shot at it?The other thing is he was really against American and Spanish culture imposed on the Filipinos, and supportive of other Asian ways of thinking, but those Asians aren't Filipino either. I think he should've emphasized Philippine culture instead of Cambodia, China, and so on.

That's more like it :AddEmoticons04230:I agree with just about all you said especially the not offering any real solutions. That is THE biggest problem here IMHO. Everyone knows there is a problem & everyone says something must be done but no one with the power to change things actually has any answers.Perhaps Pnoy can deliver. Cha Cha MAY provide the spark that will lead to real change.Uzi.

[Travis]

Filipinos act & think more like Spanish than Americans

[Jake]

First of all, I really admire the late Benigno Aquino’s essay. Even though it may be outdated, he articulated the prevailing ways of social corruption in the upper crust of the filthy rich. I believe the term “ill gotten wealth” was first popularized during the Marco’s era, where our tax dollars paid rent into deep pockets for US military bases located throughout the islands. It was also in that era, that Mr. Aquino was assassinated upon his return. I wasn’t much of a student of Philippine history but have now acquired a keen interest to this question: the origin of corruption. Maybe I should research starting with a quote from Mr. Aquino: “Too many Filipinos are without purpose and without discipline. They profess love of country, but love themselves individually”. Was corruption imported from Spanish culture that now influence modern day Latin American countries (Mexico for example)? As you may know, the conquistadores’ (Magellan and others) marching orders were -- convert or die by the sword in the name of the Spanish monarchs and the Church. The word Philippines was the blessed namesake of King Philip of Spain. And the queen also wanted a piece of the action by dispatching Columbus to find gold in the New World. He failed to find it but found “black gold” instead -- it was slavery, which became a commodity of the filthy rich. What about the influence of other visitors/traders/invaders to the Philippines? Although the Spaniards had a profound impact of the native Filipino with over 3 centuries, the Chinese and middle eastern merchants with their magnificent sailing ships, also played an important role of the Filipino identity or lack thereof.My research continues….Jake

[love2winalot]

Hiya: Having also spent 8 years in Korea between 1977-1988, 3 tours, you could keep this same article, and just change it from the Philippines, to Korea. Hell, even one of the talks for peace between N. Korea an S. Korea, the first question the N. Korea's asked was, "Why are you playing American Music in the elevator instead of Korean music"?All currency in the world is measure against the US $ First. English is the second language of almost every country that teaches a second language in school. The American's did not say, "We are tired of being here, we are closing our bases and leaving", it was the Goverment in Manilla saying, "Get Out". Here in Las Vegas we have the MGM Grand Casino/Hotel. We have the Wynn Casino/Hotel, and many many others. What do you see outside of these places? Homeless and poor people asking for money. The Mian street here is Las Vegas blvd. At the Intersection of Las Vegas blvd/Main st. are where all the tents, and sleeping bags and such are at, where the homeless stay at. Even the bible says, "The Poor will ALWAYS be amoung you". Some places it is worse than others, but there is not a place on Earth where this has been fixed.

[ekimswish]

First of all, I really admire the late Benigno Aquino’s essay. Even though it may be outdated, he articulated the prevailing ways of social corruption in the upper crust of the filthy rich. I believe the term “ill gotten wealth” was first popularized during the Marco’s era, where our tax dollars paid rent into deep pockets for US military bases located throughout the islands. It was also in that era, that Mr. Aquino was assassinated upon his return. I wasn’t much of a student of Philippine history but have now acquired a keen interest to this question: the origin of corruption. Maybe I should research starting with a quote from Mr. Aquino: “Too many Filipinos are without purpose and without discipline. They profess love of country, but love themselves individually”. Was corruption imported from Spanish culture that now influence modern day Latin American countries (Mexico for example)? As you may know, the conquistadores’ (Magellan and others) marching orders were -- convert or die by the sword in the name of the Spanish monarchs and the Church. The word Philippines was the blessed namesake of King Philip of Spain. And the queen also wanted a piece of the action by dispatching Columbus to find gold in the New World. He failed to find it but found “black gold” instead -- it was slavery, which became a commodity of the filthy rich. What about the influence of other visitors/traders/invaders to the Philippines? Although the Spaniards had a profound impact of the native Filipino with over 3 centuries, the Chinese and middle eastern merchants with their magnificent sailing ships, also played an important role of the Filipino identity or lack thereof.My research continues….Jake

I also want to know more about the pre-Spanish Philippines and their customs and culture. Not only did they do a lot of trade with the Chinese and middle eastern merchants, but it seems there was a lot of Muslim influence starting to spread. Aquino didn't live to see it, but he mentioned on what probably kicked off the OFW trend: massive unemployment for the educated. I heard from a Korean man last week how 30 years ago the Koreans used to contract out big construction and bridge projects to Philippine engineers. Marcos was responsible for encouraging people to work as OFW's, I believe, and to me that is probably the Philippines' biggest problem over the last 30 years. What I mean is, with all those educated-unemployed overseas, there was no one left home to complain or organize against the government, or demand better investment or development policies. All the people skilled and educated enough to hold the government accountable were too busy with their foreign jobs. In most developing countries, it's the creation of a middle class that ultimately checks the powers in the upper class. The Philippines, whether intentionally or not, exported that entire class. Talk about a brain drain.A lot of people would be quick to point to the 15billion dollars the OFW's remit every year as a good thing, which it is under the present circumstances. But had those workers stayed in the Philippines, I believe greater development could've occurred. But since this is what we're left with, I hope that global economic difficulties encourage the OFW or immigrant to invest back in the Philippines rather than in their adopted country because of a greater potential for growth. Most western countries are not great places to invest in at the moment. I wonder what Aquino would've thought about the OFW middle class?