Why We Are The Way We Are Part 1

There are so many websites that write about Filipino culture and most of these say the same things...about the country's diversity in terms of culture and language, the Filipino's penchant for personal alliances, the similarities with the Malay and Indonesian culture, the influence of the Spanish and American colonizers, not to mention the Chinese, Indians etc.  Our hospitable nature and easy acceptance of other cultures have created a way of life that blends foreign with native customs. And so, it is no wonder that we are the way we are today.

What are we today?  This thoughtful piece I found in Anti-Pinoy by Chino explains maybe 60% of the problem.  He says that "we have a libre me this, libre me that culture, that it is a culture of dependence on or desire for dole-outs. He also believes that Filipinos, most of them for that matter, are lazy. And laziness can be found in all classes, from the richest to the poorest."

There is a lot of truth in that statement. But why? And how do we solve it? And what is the other 40%?

As The Dust Settles...

So now we have a new president...yep, it's Noynoy.  As for the VP...it's too close to call as of today.  The billboards in the plaza have been taken down, street-cleaners are seen taking down the posters...life is slowly getting back to normal.  I went to the mall today, and it's eerie because it seems that after May 10...people stopped talking about the election.  It's as if...okay, now that is done...lets go back to doing what we were doing before the election. Hmmmm...abangan!

Elections 2010

May 10, 2010, Monday is Election Day.  This year's campaign is probably one of the most confusing, most contentious, most polarized ever in recent history.  For one there are just too many political parties; second, there has been too many shifts among politicians...the right mingling with the left...making for strange bedfellows; and third, there is no unity among families as to which candidate to support.  After the dust settles, we will be left with a winner...I hope whoever it is, he will advocate the change the people of this country need to make for this Philippines to take back its place as one of Asia's rising stars.  May God have mercy on us all.

A Political Issue Called Kris

I really don't want to talk about Kris Aquino and her domestic problems and how this is being used against Noynoy's presidential bid but somehow I find myself doing exactly that.  Why?  Because frankly, she is one of the reasons why I am still very undecided on whether to go for her brother or not.  I know, I know...Kris is not her brother and vice versa. And yes, it's all about perception but hey, I'm just human.  Whether Kris likes it or not, her brother will always be identified with her, so that even though how much Noynoy disapproves of her behavior and lifestyle whatever she does will continue to reflect on him...not fair?  oh yes...but then that's life....and that is human nature.  I feel a little sorry for Kris but with that mouth of hers, she will more than be able to fight her battles.  Mayen Austria and her family will soon enough realize that by talking to media, they will get more than what they bargained for...

As for James Yap...either Kris enrolls him in a crash course in intelligent reasoning and conversation or just send him home to his mother...as one comedian once said. This union was doomed from the start...an intelligent, affluent, smart-mouthed, sophisticated older female marrying a not so bright, not so articulate, promdi, much younger basketball player whose only common denominator is their being celebrities....tsk...tsk...

God help the Philippines...ehe! hindi pala...God help Noynoy =)