Is the Philippines worth crying for, despite of political instability?
Who will shed tears for the Motherland .
Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit,
to hold the lonely Flag that symbolize her name.

Count me in, you may?

How Much Do We Love The Philippines?

As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently studying in the Philippines to take advantage of our cheaper tuition fees and learn English at the same time. This is an essay written by a Korean student we want to share with you.
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My Short Essay about the Philippines
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed completely after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father's brother also died because of famine.

Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economy situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only BR three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience. In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him.
President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea.

He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off.

Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And I have loved my neighborhood.

Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children. When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a
priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boat men, for the boat men were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God.

I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love is the keyword which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships.

It changes the world.

Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.

You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others. That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

-----------

Now I will second her/his curiosity. Is the Philippines worth crying for?

Who will shed tears for the Motherland.

Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the lonely Flag that symbolize her name.

If you love the motherland, it's just a click to spread this message.

"Life with CHRIST is an endless hope, without HIM, a hopeless end.


++++++++

well... count me in.... I find it very sad to see that there are more foreigners who appreciate our country more than its citizens.....

Count me in.
Honestly, I am not a religious person but am praying for the country's peace and progress.

I think this is old stuff. I saw this article in the newspaper and another forum almost two years ago.

well.. old or new.... the article still states how a foreigner could see what we Filipinos don't see....

oh... this article... well kinda moved by it when I first read it in my email. i think there is also another article that is suppose to be a reaction to this one..

worth living for. worth dying for.

But not worth lying for.

yes it's worth crying for that's about the only thing you can do given the present political situation. Many people I think love the Phil. more than those who don't. But plenty more don't care ,apathetic,oblivious. Money is god now specially to politicians where they will sell out everything for a mansion. If More people become selfless and think for the greater good for many then things will change. It seems everyone know s the problem but all they're good at is talking with no solution at bay. That's all most pinoy politicians know what to do ,go on talkshaws and talk and talk and criticize and accuse and allege and grandstand setting a bad impression to the rest of the world how chaotic and unstable Philippine society is . And they wonder why investors are hesitant to invest.

crying for but not dying for.

That was a very moving piece written by a non-citizen. I could feel her passion for what she believes in. Sadly, that's one of the problems Filipinos face now. We do not appreciate what we have in our own nation. Our colonial mentality has formed us into taking someone else's shoes in terms of laying upon our beliefs and traditions. We try to be someone else we're not. Filipinos are very supportive but what's wrong is that we are naive as to where our support should be given. We are helpful to 'others' and would do everything in our means just to gain the 'others'' trust. We choose to be deaf and blind in offering our help to our fellow Filipinos. Within our circle, we try to beat each other's capacity by proving that we are better.

We have become pessimists in pursuing our goals yet we become dogs flipping our tails at a mere call for help by 'others'. As what I've always believed, improvement will take place once we have improved ourselves first in every aspect--mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I used to be in that line of thinking back there but I have seen a lot in New York where the crucible's at. I may not be in the country physically but my love for the Philippines will come unsurpassed. I bust my ass against different people to prove that A Filipino can play their game at a better score.

Yeah-- I ain't dying for any nation. Extreme nationalism just doesn't make sense to me.

Yeah-- I ain't dying for any nation. Extreme nationalism just doesn't make sense to me.

That's your prerogative. But my point is, Americans love their country like a mother for her newborn which is probably why America's been the most productive nation for decades, just like citizens of powerful nations like the U.K, France, Italy, and even China & Japan that I meet around the City. Go figure.

By the way are you in the service (Navy, Army, MArines?) If so, which country?

I am an American and I would not die for the United States.

If you really think about it, nationalism as a cause for wars or as a cause for the loss of life is quite irrational. Yes I will die for my family and for my friends. But what makes the connection to a larger community of like peoples, who share a culture perhaps, or share different cultures, a reason for the loss of life? I find no reason in it whatsoever. There must be a compelling reason why, but somebody should explain it to me because I just don't get it. Do I have my sense of priorities screwed up? Or maybe I just mistrust a powerful entity (this time, the US government) and its use of force and power to achieve its aims.... and now I guess we need to differentiate nation and the state, but in many ways the state uses "nation" as a justification for its actions.

Very well... Not that I advocate war in any form but the U.S. was just constrained to protect its people, which by the way was instigated by the terrorists' attack on 9/11. A good example is the aftermath of the catastrophe where majority of the citizens drafted themselves to fight against terrorism. That's love for nation. Then again, it's not the country in geography what the people are fighting for, but the nation and what comprises it as a whole-- people, culture, traditions among many others. Again, I was speaking about Americans in general which apparently have exceptions.

Sometimes we don't know the degree of compassion we can reach until further provoked. I know exactly what you're saying and impulsively I would've reacted the same thing.

I admire the kid's passion and great heart.
But, corruption is the root of most problems in the Phil.
The politicians, military and govt. officials are known to put themselves ahead of the country and the people.
Over population is another huge problem.

Neither. We're just unfortunate to be born Filipinos. But that is not something to be shamed about. Still proud I was born. Let's make the most out of it. And make the most out of being born a Filipino. But hey, no crying or dying for it. Whatever it is that is happening in our country is also happening or will happen somewhere else. Take heart!

YES. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/sleepwalker_uno/ph-flag1.gif

i had this e-mail too and posted it in forwarded e-mails.. and yes, Philippines is worth dying for. and so sad, Jaeyoun Kim realized it more than most of our fellowmen...

Have no more tears left to cry for. :(

Since I've been talking about merging threads , we should merge this with the federalism discussion so we can compare the talk of love of country versus love of region and breaking up the country.

YES. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v644/sleepwalker_uno/ph-flag1.gif

:cry: goodbye philippines... huhuhu.

But not worth lying for.

So who do you think lied...Lacson! You're right. The busted-crooked has been concocting all the lies obviously. You should have accepted it as the truth by now.

Yeah-- I ain't dying for any nation. Extreme nationalism just doesn't make sense to me.

Dying for freedom does not mean extreme nationalism. People do care for the freedom of the future generation, their children, and the children of their children.

You are an American Citizen right. It is because of the people that died for freedom that your are able to enjoy you're own freedom right now. It is this freedom that compelled you're parents to migrate to the US to give you a good life. Freedom is what make the United States the land of milk and honey and money.

I just want to say one thing: That Korean student is right. I am a Spaniard, and if you know something of Spain you can know how the Spaniard is when we are thinking about own country.

i love pinas...i'm not even pinoy and just made myself one...i wish that many pinoys would love their country too. I was in a jeep two days ago going to pasig and had a talk with a guy there who wished that the americans should have never left. 'tangina, i was so mad i wanted to beat the sh*t out of his f*cking brains!!

The Philippines is worth fighting for.
Crying is but a show of emotion. Fighting for the poor people's freedom on poverty and good governance signifies the love for country. If you do not fight or stand-up for anything, you are a worthless case thriving on bahala na stupidity. Use your mind, heart and energy to change society.

i love pinas...i'm not even pinoy and just made myself one...i wish that many pinoys would love their country too. I was in a jeep two days ago going to pasig and had a talk with a guy there who wished that the americans should have never left. 'tangina, i was so mad i wanted to beat the sh*t out of his f*cking brains!!

where are you from originally c0kelitr0?

i grew up in SF 'til i was 12.

pretty typical, cokelitro was from sf

Whatever happens to the Philippines, it is and will always be worth dying for. This is the country that has given me my identity, shaped my personality and nurtured my lineage.

I have a vision that there will come a day when this country becomes a source of pride to all Filipinos. When is it coming? That depends on us. I challenge everyone to make something good for the country, no matter how little the act is, goodness pays forward.

I AM A FILIPINO. I AM PROUD OF BEING ONE. I SHALL MAKE MY COUNTRY GREAT AGAIN!!!

Coke litro If you're not pinoy what are you?

Coke litro If you're not pinoy what are you?
he's one of the softdrinks beauties... remember sarsi emanuel? pepsi paloma? coca nicolas?... :jk:

hi c0ke :)

Coke litro If you're not pinoy what are you?
Pinay? lol

yes, i'm pinay! :rofl:

^^:rofl:

human?

:cry: goodbye philippines... huhuhu.

Ikaw talaga Sleepy Dave. Iiyak ka lang pala to say goodbye. :colgate: :jk:

So who do you think lied...Lacson! You're right. The busted-crooked has been concocting all the lies obviously. You should have accepted it as the truth by now.

:colgate: Welcome back! :colgate:

But on topic, I just don't believe in dying for any nation because I think the "nation" is a false category and I have my own theories about how "nation" works on a discursive level (this is not to say that the Philippines doesn't exist because it does-- the Philippines as an idea is a very powerful notion that itself makes subjects out of people. But the nation as a means of organizing people is something that is really very abstract). That's pretty much all. If anyone has questions, PM me--- I'm writing a thesis on this subject right now (work in progress, won't talk about it here in this forum because it may be off-topic). So no, I won't die for the US. I also won't die for the Philippines. But if anybody threatens my family or friends, I'll die for them.

The "dying" part should not be taken literally. It could mean doing the extra mile, putting aside personal agendas, making small sacrifices for the country's good, etc.

Come to think of it, has anyone done something for the country’s good, secondary being one's personal gains?

I think most of you would have read this by now. I don't know it this is the right thread for this but these are good pointers for all Pinoys in the Philippines and abroad.

This story was taken from www.inq7.net
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=45358

How to help our country
First posted 11:31pm (Mla time) July 30, 2005
By Ramon J. Farolan
Inquirer News Service

THERE'S a booklet making the rounds in Metro Manila that every Filipino who loves his country should get hold of and read, and hopefully put the points it raises into practice, in order to help our nation. It doesn't dwell on a shift to a parliamentary form of government or a federal system, which our politicians are so fond of talking about as the answer to our problems, or as a way of providing a graceful exit for someone. It doesn't dwell on the need for an expanded value-added tax, which our financial geniuses have been proposing as the answer to our fiscal deficits.

"Twelve (12) Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country," by Alexander Ledesma Lacson, may be a "voice in the wilderness"; but as Fr. Ruben Tanseco, S.J. puts it, what Alex proposes are "very concrete, practical and doable" actions for us ordinary Filipinos. And the best part is that these 12 things don't need to be debated upon by our congressmen and senators, reviewed by a bicameral conference committee and finally signed by the President before they can be part of the laws of the land, which may or may not be complied with because our Supreme Court can "TRO" [issue a temporary restraining order on] the whole thing; and it may take time to resolve the issue, which then would still be the subject of a possible motion for reconsideration.

What is needed to get these 12 things moving are leaders in our homes, "barangay" [villages or neighborhood districts], educational institutions and civic organizations who will be the point men and women in the dissemination and implementation of these "twelve little things." Forget about our political leaders. They're too busy with Charter change or electoral reforms-the sort of activities that will ensure their continued stay in office or that of their children and relatives.

A simple enumeration of these "twelve little things" will not do justice to the work of Alex. You've got to read the whole text, but I shall try to compress a few lines for some of the items mentioned.

1. Follow traffic rules -- Why is that the most important? The answer is simple. Traffic rules are the simplest of our laws. If we learn to follow them, it will be the lowest form of national discipline that we can develop. Since it is totally without monetary cost, it should be easy for us to comply with, and therefore should provide a good start.

2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt. -- If a seller does not issue an official receipt when you buy a product, the seller may or may not remit the tax to the government. Without an O.R., there is no record of the sale transaction, and the tax that you paid may not be remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

3. Do not buy smuggled goods. Buy local, buy Filipino. -- It may not be good economics to buy 100 percent local products. What I suggest is for us to take a "50-50" buying attitude. This means that we must develop the attitude of using 50 percent of our budget for local products and the other 50 percent for imported choices.

4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively of our race and our country -- this is best addressed to the rich and the middle class in our country, who have contact with the outside world. It is they who talk to, dine or deal with foreigners either here or abroad. It is what they say and do which creates impressions about us among foreigners.

5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman, soldier and other public servants -- There is nothing like the power of respect. It makes a person proud. It makes one feel honorable. At the same time, courtesy to others is good manners. It is class and elegance and kindness. It is seeing the value and dignity in the other man. It is, in fact, a mark of a most profound education.

6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve. -- As Louis Armstrong says in his song: "I see trees of green, red roses, too, I see them bloom for me and you and I think to myself, what a wonderful world."

7. Support your church.

8. During elections, do your solemn duty. -- Honesty, more than a masteral or doctorate degree, is what gives credibility. And credibility is essential because it is a leader's link to the people. It is what makes the people look to one direction, follow a common vision, and perform a uniform act. In short, credibility is what makes people follow the leader.

9. Pay your employees (including your maids) well. -- No exercise is better for the human heart than to reach down and lift someone else up. This truly defines a successful life. For success is the sum, not of our earthly possessions, but of how many times we have shown love and kindness to others.

10. Pay your taxes. -- In 2003, P83 billion was collected from individual income taxes. But 91 percent of this amount came from salaried workers from the government and private sector, people who had no choice since their income taxes were withheld mandatorily. Only P7 billion of the P83 billion came from businessmen and professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants and architects, among others.

11. Adopt a scholar or adopt a poor child. -- You can make a difference in the future of our country by making a difference in the world of children.

12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and to love our country. -- Today's children will someday rule and lead this world. But whether they will be bad rulers or good leaders will depend largely on how we raise them today. Our future is in the hearts and minds of our children.

So who do you think lied...Lacson! You're right. The busted-crooked has been concocting all the lies obviously. You should have accepted it as the truth by now.

:colgate: Welcome back! :colgate:

But on topic, I just don't believe in dying for any nation because I think the "nation" is a false category and I have my own theories about how "nation" works on a discursive level (this is not to say that the Philippines doesn't exist because it does-- the Philippines as an idea is a very powerful notion that itself makes subjects out of people. But the nation as a means of organizing people is something that is really very abstract). That's pretty much all. If anyone has questions, PM me--- I'm writing a thesis on this subject right now (work in progress, won't talk about it here in this forum because it may be off-topic). So no, I won't die for the US. I also won't die for the Philippines. But if anybody threatens my family or friends, I'll die for them.

Don't you just miss that attention, Mike? :colgate:

As usual, another abstract concept. I think you kind of touched upon it in the Exodus, OFW thread. Goodluck in defending your thesis. You might want to test-run it here. :)

I cry because I have pity on the country,the poor people, the slums and all that. I cry because all the politicians and the intelligent people don't use their minds on improving the country. I've arrived here, three weeks already from Germany, I didn't see anything special. More slums, more poverty. How sad.

It's sad cause it seems the politicians are bereft of guilt and conscience when they purchase a mansion here and there when all around them are surrounded by poverty and children who can't even go to school who are on the streets instead. The way they argue and have pissing contest as if the economy and the people are not suffering.

I cry because I have pity on the country,the poor people, the slums and all that. I cry because all the politicians and the intelligent people don't use their minds on improving the country.
I can definitely relate to that. Compared to all my trips to the Philippines, my last one stood out. I was seriously impacted when confronted by kids begging for money...I've been crying for months after that, especially when coming back home and seeing some Filipino-American kids around the same age as the ones I saw, all nicely clothed with their parents paying for their education in a Catholic school, and with the latest gadgets... Living with fellow Fil-Ams as classmates and hearing them tote this "Filipino Pride" and with their heritage club, I haven't even seen them lift a finger in actually doing anything to help the nation of the heritage they all seem proud of. It even saddens me more when they just don't seem to be interested each time I bring up the discussion over the poverty and corruption that goes on. I mean they seem interested with with their "Pinoy Pride" thing and putting the Philippine flag in their bedrooms and bumpers or windows of their cars, but how come the lack of interest for the current state or the future of the nation? :mad2:

that was a very good article Lili... this is the first time I was able to read it...

it should be added in #3 that not only not to buy smuggled goods but also not to buy pirated goods... times maybe hard that it is very tempting to buy pirated goods because they are way cheaper than original ones... but piracy kills the business that create them.. and the taxes that should have gone to our coffers go to the bigtime piracy lords... plus it is another form of stealing...

I agree to all in top 12.. specially number twelve... we should nurture our kids to love our country, follow the rules and laws, be sensitive of others needs, to be charitable, to be hardworking.... because as Rizal said.. the children is the hope of our future... so we should nurture them properly if we want a better future...

This is a good topic. I feel that every nation in this world is worth dying or crying for by its own people/citizen whether one renounced his/her own citizenship for another because no matter what citizenship one is writen in a piece of paper, he/she can't deny her/his heritage simply by his/her physical appearance, ways and cultural background. Who else is going to fight/cry and die for ones motherland except it's own son? For a person who ceased to believe in his/her own nation and cultural background is as good as another human being who is homeless and lost.

Physically, one might have something that he/she calls home but it's all temporary. somehow one way or another one would feel that emptiness and always tend to look back to where one came from, it's just a natural phenomena of theman existence, so, I guess there goes the old saying "To be able to reach the future, look back in the past." ( I think I stole that one in another forum thread here somewhere..LOL ;) )

"To be able to reach the future, look back in the past." ( I think I stole that one in another forum thread here somewhere..LOL ;) )

That was the fortune I got from my fortune cookie that I posted on the "Quotations Thread." Don't worry, I give you permission to use it! :colgate:

^^ Don't forget to add ... "in bed." :lol:

That was the fortune I got from my fortune cookie that I posted on the "Quotations Thread." Don't worry, I give you permission to use it! :colgate:


I knew that somehow I've stumbled upon that quote here somewhere in the skyscrapercity forum, thanks for your permission kiratoce.

I'm sorry Lili I don't even know how a bed look and feels like anymore, my woman always kick me out in the dog house :bash: :bash: :jk:

^^ What a dilemma! :bash:

:drunk: for pareng diesel jock

o pare ko,
mayroon akong problema,
ako ay nasa sa bahay aso

buti na lang
may ssc ako
ok na lang kahit walang kama

paano ba naman ito
papostpost na lang ako
kailan kaya ako
makakatikim ng unan ko

refrain:

O diyos ko,
ano ba naman ito
ayaw magload itong
sinusulat ko sa thread na to

umaasa na lang ako
lumaki ang bandwidth ko o o o

O diyos ko ,
pix nid dudz ay malabo
sana'y bumilis na tong
pagdownload ng ssc ko o o o

repeat - fade out


to be sung to the melody of Eraserheads - ano ba naman ito.

ok yah :okay: lyricist ka pala bustero! :D

sometimes...

a wise old man made a remark which got me thinking. he said that for him the greatest priority was the eradiction of poverty specially in the forgotten parts of the archipelago. It's easy to get depressed about what has been happening in government but most people in the manilas , cebu's , davao's , iloilos etc actually have the choice to leave and work or even migrate abroad a big chunk of people dont even have that ability to think till tom. The short of it is that if no one will even care for "the Philippines" then just perhaps even from our common humanity we should cry for the philippines , for this is it's truest face.

WOW!!!...i just read that Essay now and i was so touched..specially coming from a Foriegner.. :cry: :applause:

i lot of Filipinos should really look at themselves and the way they percieve our Country.....its hard as there are so many try hards filipinos nowadays....i have met alot of Filipinos (particularly those who have left the Phils for good) that can say nothing good but bad mouth the Philippiines...sadly for the younger generation of Filipinos who grow up overseas....i hear alot of parents telling negative things about the Phils to they're children ...thus this kids percieve Philippines in such a negative way...

i cant pretend but i absolutely hate these People....i reckon they are ignorant :mad2:

what is a nation not worth dying or crying for?

not us, we're a nation that was born for the love of the filipino and the countryitself. sure, ours is a nation that is plaqued of so many things. but for me whose been out of the country for quite a while, it is a nation worth coming home to.

sure, there is corruption. but what nation doesn't have it? we have a zoo and clowns at the congress, we have scandals after scandals, that is why this nation is worth crying for. we have have ferdie and meldy and erap, that's why this nation is worth dying for. otherwise, this nation will just go to the dogs if everyone doesn't care.

if our ninunos saw it worth to sign-up for katipunan and the usaffe, then everything would have been in vain. how old is our country anyway? 107? how many interruptions did we have as a nation? 2? how many presidents? martial law? crooked presidents? coups?

if all these are not worth fighting for a better philippines, then would we allow these interruptions to go on? if we are to go to the dogs, how are we to justify everthing to our children's children when the time comes that we are to be called their ninunos?

or are we just content of leaving them a shameful legacy?

^^ :applause: Salamat sa maka-ambag damdaming talumpati, Ginoong Paul. Nawa'y lalong magsidhi sa ating dugo ang adhikaing pagkamakabayan at pagmamahal sa lupang sinilangan natin at ng ating mga ninuno para magsibol ang panibagong pag-asa para sa mga kabataan at kinabukasan ng bayang kinasarinlan. (whew.. )

Bisaya ka nga ni, Paul?

Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa
ni Andres Bonifacio

Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa
Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala.

Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog
Ng may pusong wagas sa bayang nagkupkop
Dugo, yaman, dunong, katiisa't pagod
Buhay ma'y abuting magkalagot-lagot.

Ipagkahandog-handog ng buong pag-ibig
Hanggang sa may dugo't ubusing itigis
Kung sa pagtatanggol buhay ang kapalit
Ito'y kapalaran at tunay na langit.

I must admit that I am not as nationalistic as to offer my life for the country, but reading these threads had increased a fervor in me to be concerned about and care for the welfare of the people in the country of my birth.

bisaya kaayo mam, pero halo halo na. that is what makes me more proud to be a filipino. my father's kapampangan-ilokano, my mom's dabawenyo-cebuano with roots from masbate and surigao. my children should be more proud of the mixed tribal blood in them (their mom's batangenya and dabawenya with bagobo blood of her father) and that's what i instill in them.

I guess worth crying for when youre leaving NAIA airport, but when youre back here, in the real world, its just another day to face with.

after reading a newspaper, the circus never ends. sana naman, itigal na nila, nakiusap si ka erano at ka mike.

I think this is good article. Hope you'll like it

Minsan MAy ISang Puta
http://www.peyups.com

Ang di ko inaakala ay mismong mga anak ko, ang tuluyang sisira sa akin. Napakasakit tanggapin na malinlang. Akala ko ay makakakita ako ng magiging kasama sa buhay sa mga ahas na ipinakilala ng mga anak ko Hindi pala. Ang tanga ko talaga.
Binugaw ako ng sarili kong mga anak kapalit ng kwarta at pansamantalang ginhawa na nais nilang matamasa.

Tingin ng mga bobong kapitbahay ko puta daw ako.
Nagpapagamit, binabayaran. Sabi nila ako daw ang pinakamaganda at pinakasikat sa aming lugar noon. Ang bango-bango ko daw, sariwa at makinis. Di ko nga alam kung sumpa ito, dahil dito naletse ang kinabukasan ko.

Tara makinig ka muna sa kwento ko, yosi muna tayo.

Alam mo, maraming lumapit sa akin, nagkagusto, naakit.
Ang hirap pag lahat sa iyo virgin eh. Tinanggap ko naman silang tao, bakit kaya nila ako ginago? Masakit alalahanin, iniisip ko na lang na kase di sila taga rito, siguro talagang ganoon. Tatlong malilibog na foreigners ang namyesta sa katawan ko, na-rape daw ako.

Sa tatlong beses akong nagahasa, ang pinakahuli ang di ko
makakalimutan. Parang maski di ko ginusto ang mga nangyari, hinahanap-hanap ko siya. Tinulungan nya kasi akong makalimutan yung mga sadistang Hapon at Coño. Kase, ibang-iba ang hagod niya. Umiikot ang mundo ko sa tuwing ginagamit niya ako. Ibang klase siya mag-sorry, lalo pa at kinupkop niya ako
at ang mga naging anak ko.

Parating ang dami naming regalo - may chocolates, yosi, ano ka! May datung pa! Nakakabaliw siya, alam kong ginagamit nya lang ako pero pagamit naman ako nang pagamit. Sa kanya namin natutunan mag-inggles, di lang magsulat ha! Magbasa pa! Hanggang ngayon, sa tuwing mabigat ang problema
ko, siya ang tinatakbuhan ko. 'Yun nga lang, lahat ng bagay may
kapalit. Nung kinasama ko siya, guminhawa buhay namin. Sosyal na sosyal kami.

Ewan ko nga ba, akala ko napapamahal na ako sa kanya. Akala ko
tuloy-tuloy na kaligayahan namin, yun pala unti-unti niya akong pinapatay. P***ng I**! Sa dami ng lason na sinaksak niya sa katawan ko, muntik na akong malaspag. Ang daming nagsabi na ang tanga tanga ko. Patalsikin ko na daw. Sa tulong ng mga anak ko, napalayas ko ang animal pero ang hirap magsimula. Masyado na kaming nasanay sa sarap ng buhay na naranasan namin sa kanya. Lubog na lubog pa kami sa utang, kulang ata pati kaluluwa namin para ibayad sa mga inutang namin.

Sinikap naming lahat maging maganda ang buhay namin.
Ayun, mga nasa Japan, Hong Kong, Saudi ang mga anak ko. Yung iba nag-US, Europe. 'Yung iba ayaw umalis sa akin. Halos lahat, wala naman silbi, masaya daw sa piling ko, maski amoy usok ako.

Sa dami ng mga anak ko na nagsisikap na tulungan ang kalagayan namin, siya din ang dami ng mga anak ko na namamantala sa kabuhayan at kayaman na itinatabi ko para sa punyetang kinabukasan naming lahat. Dumating ang panahon na di na kami halos makaahon sa hirap ng buhay. Napakahirap
dahil nasanay na kami sa ginhawa at sarap.

Ang di ko inaakala ay mismong mga anak ko, ang tuluyang sisira sa akin. Napakasakit tanggapin na malinlang. Akala ko ay makakakita ako ng magiging kasama sa buhay sa mga ahas na ipinakilala ng mga anak ko Hindi pala. Ang tanga ko talaga.
Binugaw ako ng sarili kong mga anak kapalit ng kwarta at pansamantalang ginhawa na nais nilang matamasa.

Wala na akong nagawa dahil sa sobrang pagmamahal ko sa aking mga anak. Wala akong ibang yaman kundi ganda ko.
Pinagamit ko na lang ng pinagamit ang sarili ko, basta maginhawa lang ang mga anak ko.

Usap-usapan ako ng mga kapitbahay ko. May nanghihinayang, namumuhi at naaawa. Puta na kase ang isang magandang tulad ko.

Alam mo, gusto ko na sanang tumigil sa pagpuputa kaso ang laki talaga ng letseng utang ko eh. Palaki pa ng palaki. Kulang na kulang. Paano na lang ang mga anak ko naiwan sa aking punyetang puder? Baka di na ako balikan o bisitahin ng mga nag-abroad kong mga anak. Hindi na importante kung laspagin man ang ganda ko, madama ko lang ang pagmamahal ng mga anak ko. Malaman nila na gagawin ko ang lahat para sa kanila.

Sa tuwing titingin ako sa salamin, alam ko maganda pa rin ako.
Meron pa din ang bilib sa akin. Napapag usapan pa din.
Sa tuwing nakikita ko ang mukha ko sa salamin, nakikita ko ang mga anak ko. Tutulo na lang ang mga luha ko ng di ko namamalayan. Ang gagaling nga ng mga anak ko, namamayagpag kahit saan sila pumunta. Mahusay sa kahit anong gawin. Tama man o mali. Proud ako sa kanila. Kaso sila, kabaligtaran ang nararamdaman para sa akin.

Sa dami ng mga anak ko, iilan lang ang may malasakit sa akin. May malasakit man, nahihilaw. Ni di nga ako kinikilalang ina. Halos lahat sila galit sa isa't isa. Walang gusto magtulungan, naghihilahan pa. Ang dami ko ng pasakit na tiniis pero walang sasakit pa nung sarili kong mga anak ang nagbugaw sa akin. Kinapital ang laspag na ganda ko. Masyado silang nasanay sa sarap ng buhay. Minsan sa pagtingin ko sa salamin, ni hindi ko na nga kilala sarili ko.

Dadating na naman ang pasko, sana maalala naman ako ng mga anak ko. Isang buwan pa, magbabagong taon na. Natatakot ako sa taong darating. Ngayon pa lang usap usapan na ang susunod na pagbubugaw ng ilan sa mga anak ko. Sana may magtanggol naman sa akin, ipaglaban naman nila ako. Gusto kong isigaw: "INA NINYO AKO! MAHALIN NYO NAMAN AKO!"

Sige, dumadrama na ako. Masisira na ang make up ko nito eh.
Salamat ha, pinakinggan mo ako.

Ay sorry, di ko nasabi pangalan ko.

Pilipinas nga pala.

^^pwedeng pang maala-ala mo kaya

Teka, paano siya binugaw?

BAt kase ang dame mong inanak.

ang galing naman ni Marites. Isa siyang salawahan.

I just read the essay, and coming from a foreigner is what makes it more touching.

Bellow is a poem that I hope you guys know. It might be old but still touching.

Napun, Ngeni at Bukas
Aurelio Tolentino 1911

Napun titiman ya Indung Filipinas,
Napun magdalit ya't maligayang saslag,
Napun malaya ya't ding sabla nang anac
Lutang la qng bandi't tulang alang cabas.

Ngeni migpaldas ya't taya macasila
ngeni salunan ya't balag-balag lua;
Ngeni ding gamat na 'tin lang tanicala,
At ding cayang anac alipan lang sabla.

Bucas ding gapus na pamatluran ne ngan,
Bucas ing paldas na misan na gabacan,
Bucas mayaus yang Reina ning Calayan,
Salbag yang ligayang capupusan.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Translation by Lourdes H. Vidal

Yesterday Mother Philippines smiled,
Yesterday she sang and shone happily,
Yesterday she was free with all her children
Afloat in wealth and happiness beyong compare.

Today she mourns in captivity,
Today she ails with tears falling;
Today her hands are in chains,
And all her children are enslaved.

Tomorrow all her chains will be broken,
Tomorrow her black weeds will be torn asunder,
Tomorrow she will be called the Queen of Liberty,
Sowing unending happiness.


Yes this poem is written during the colonial days in a situation that is different from ours. But still this poem is applicable today's setting,yes we are free and independent but our nation still mourns in captivity not by any colonial power but by us her own children. we are enslaved by our lack of patriotism. I still hope for that tomorrow to come, hopefully soon.

can someone post the twelve things pinoys can do to help the country.

actually yes....when you think about it deeply...specially at times like this....thats whats this country need...Pride...unity (but unity is so hard in Phils particularly in Phil Politics) most have they're own interest....

isa pa ugali ng Pinoy na magpa sikat sa iba diba....not all...its reality

some may say "why what has this country done for me?"but thats just selfishness...these people are obviously after they're own personal interest. (not that thats wrong...or right)...its mostly narrow minded expats who act like this...( i reckon...having encountered a alot)

Teka, paano siya binugaw?

Sabi nya, mga anak daw niya ang nagbugaw sa kanya. Tayo un (well, hindi directly tayo but ung generation natin kasama yung mga politicians). Actually, pinatatamaan ung mga politicians dito from idependence up to now.
'Binubugaw' in a sense like the parity rights, military bases, VFA, and other conditions from foreigners especially the US which are obviously not favorable to our countrymen, patrimony and natural resources. And ironically these conditions are approved by our politicians (eto ung mga anak+iba pang tmutulong sa kanila) in exchange for money. O diba? Para nga namang pangbubugaw. Very unfortunate for our country and countrymen...

BAt kase ang dame mong inanak.

Actually hindi ko rin alam kung bakit. But I think this pertains to the high birth rate of our country. Anyway, bakit na ba nag-aanak ng marami ang mga kababayan natin? That is one of the toughts in the story, majority of our people are not planning their families. That's why 'Pilipinas' represents these people.

^Catholic church advocates multiply and don't use birth control and the flock follows. It's a sin to use birth control but it's not to have 50 children from 10 different wives.

Sabi nya, mga anak daw niya ang nagbugaw sa kanya. Tayo un (well, hindi directly tayo but ung generation natin kasama yung mga politicians). Actually, pinatatamaan ung mga politicians dito from idependence up to now.
'Binubugaw' in a sense like the parity rights, military bases, VFA, and other conditions from foreigners especially the US which are obviously not favorable to our countrymen, patrimony and natural resources. And ironically these conditions are approved by our politicians (eto ung mga anak+iba pang tmutulong sa kanila) in exchange for money. O diba? Para nga namang pangbubugaw. Very unfortunate for our country and countrymen...
I don't agree with the analogy of the US being our overly abusive lover. She was more like an adoptive mother but our greedy politicians want to be in power and screwed the US and her own people at the same time. tignan mo na lang yung mga ibang territory ng US. they're so prosperous ,well managed at hindi mo masasabeng pinabayaan sila dahel meron din silang freedom.

I don't agree with the analogy of the US being our overly abusive lover. She was more like an adoptive mother but our greedy politicians want to be in power and screwed the US and her own people at the same time. tignan mo na lang yung mga ibang territory ng US. they're so prosperous ,well managed at hindi mo masasabeng pinabayaan sila dahel meron din silang freedom.

No. The US is portrayed as a man so you must use he. And we might be 'free' in other aspects such as political and individual freedoms. But theoretically we are still a colony of the US. We have a term for that-'neo colonialism.' In this kind of colonialism the powerful nation doesn't need to occupy a territory physically. But it can control the colonized economically and in other aspects (military bases, VFA, etc.). I only know the economic aspect but I think there are more forms of colonialism. And this happens not only in the Philippines but in other developing contries as well. That's why our politicians include the influence of the US in elections and policy-making. This is the 'invicible hand' of Uncle Sam.

And as for the territories that you are talking about, these are nothing but islands, small chain of islets and atolls (marianas, guam, saipan, puerto rico, wake island, etc.). So basically they really need a superpower which would take care for them because they're so small. They would not be able to stand alone (except for Puerto Rico, I think. But they don't want to become independent anyway).

The powerful nation can also see what is happening here by their spy satellites orbiting around. They're are monitoring a certain country that they consider a 'threat.' That's why we have Afghanistan and Iraq as examples. In Iraq, there are other reasons such as oil.

They also have secret agent or spies who monitor the political or economic conditions of a developing country such as ours. Remeber the powerfl CIA? They are making sure that the interests of America are not hindered by the politicians here. (e.g. Marcos and EDSA1, Coup against Cory, EDSA2, etc). That's also the reason why 2 Filipinos (I forgot the names) are now sued by the American government because they have stolen classified documents about the Philippines and distributing it to the opposition forces here against the Arroyo government.

I don't know the deeper details but basically these are the things under the 'neo-colonialism.' (or other terms that are used at present.)

Hawaii and Alaska are not small. Countries are like people. Relationships work both ways. It has to be mutually beneficial ,when the race begins on who can screw each other first then that's where you get trouble.

Hawaii and Alaska are not small. Countries are like people. Relationships work both ways. It has to be mutually beneficial ,when the race begins on who can screw each other first then that's where you get trouble.

I know. But Hawaii and Alaska are already states so basically they are already part of the US. Unless you want the Philippines to also become a state of the US...

About relationships, yes I believe in that. The problem is, our politicans are letting this to happen. Why? Because there are political benefits for them. This is what we call a 'blessing from Uncle Sam.' If you want to be a politican, you also have to add the influence of the US in your agenda or you might not last in Philippine politics.

(para tayong nag-eemail nito ha. Ang saya...Hehe... :) )

They used to be territories too before they became states. Actually that's not such a bad idea if we had become a state, the people would be better off. State or territory we would be more prosperous. It would only be bad for the politicians. Can you imagine a first world paradise like the PHils. that would rock.

They used to be territories too before they became states. Actually that's not such a bad idea if we had become a state, the people would be better off. State or territory we would be more prosperous. It would only be bad for the politicians. Can you imagine a first world paradise like the PHils. that would rock.

I've also thought of that before... But I would rather wait for our progress. I have faith in our country. And besides, the rise of Asian countries as world powers are inevitable (e.g. China, India, Other East Asian Countries). Even ASEAN is developing itself to become like EU. Just wait for few decades more and US would just be a '2nd rate' world power. And where China and the rest of Asia would emerge as superpowers. Well, of course, Philippines would just need to follow the current. And voila! Philippine paradise. Ahehehe... Not bad really. Still possible I think. What do you think guys?

:cheers: :cheer:
:cucumber: :carrot: :pepper:
(vegetables rejoicing)

"If there's a will, there's a way." As the old adage goes. :okay:

Given that that boat has already passed us there's not much sense in thinking about what if's. But the article relived it again. That's all we can do is to achieve progress on our own. But i would also much rather see a superpower USA than superpower CHina. Centuries of communist rule cannot be erased fr China's past even as they're embracing capitalism up front. Just look at what they're doing to taiwan.

I've also thought of that before... But I would rather wait for our progress. I have faith in our country. And besides, the rise of Asian countries as world powers are inevitable (e.g. China, India, Other East Asian Countries). Even ASEAN is developing itself to become like EU. Just wait for few decades more and US would just be a '2nd rate' world power. And where China and the rest of Asia would emerge as superpowers. Well, of course, Philippines would just need to follow the current. And voila! Philippine paradise. Ahehehe... Not bad really. Still possible I think. What do you think guys?

:cheers: :cheer:
:cucumber: :carrot: :pepper:
(vegetables rejoicing)

:okay: I also have the same vision that one day Asia would prosper and surpass the west. It is not impossible for a place that have lots of potentials :)

I hope the Philippines become the richest country in the world by the next 20 seconds... 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15.... nah, impossible... In 30 years maybe.

I hope the Philippines become the richest country in the world by the next 20 seconds... 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15.... nah, impossible... In 30 years maybe.

My teacher also had the same vision. But the only difference is that we would only be at par with our neighbors in 30 years. And this has a condition-only if we would go on a better rate/pace than we have now. Well, I think we could do it 20 years, I just can't say no to him.

We could do it in less than that, If everysingle Filipino harnessed their god given talent to its full potential coupled with hard work. Just like a house shared by many. If every single person is working you'll bring more income to a time where each person has saved enough that they can move out and stand on their own. THat is how most poor immigrants survive and prosper quickly . A lot of sacrifice and hard work. Ironically we have a lot of Juan tamads in our midsts who want short gains, easy money and no work.

i do believe in our country.

my problem is with politicians and filipinos who became successful overseas and turn their backs completely on the country.

if we disown our being filipino, then that is a deplorable thing.

^ Sad truth, but it's not something that has to stay that way, it could change if we want it to. The fact that a thread like this was started, is proof that the country is worth crying for.

I want to first start this thread because I know, for one thing that Filipinos are not united. I hope that you can all continue this post by adding your opinions reagarding the negative attitudes we are developing...

But not only the negative ones... We are indeed not perfect. But we are neither imperfect. The mentioning of positive attitudes is warmly welcomed here...

i hate crab mentality... the thing we see in politics everyday... tsk tsk tsk. :(

but i believe in the filipinos' sense of nationalism diba? with all those pinoy ako songs and everything... you know. :) lol

We will always be the BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE :D

we filipinos are united and I see it here in our city... ;)

crab mentality is sick sick sick!

but what i love of us is that [i assume] after all the hard day's work, o kahit na walang work, we would never firget to smile. kahit na walang laman ang tiyan o bulsa, smile pa rin. madaling masatisfied.

i think I'm lucky coz I hate the smell of a crab and I haven't eaten and attempted to eat a crab meat so I have no mentality that of a crab :okay:

we filipinos are united and I see it here in our city... ;)


yup our sense of nationalism is another story bai. it is something that keeps on burning inside each one of us, especially us cebuanos. hence clearly justified by my sig, we are number 1 because we are one. :)

we are one together with Davao :okay:
who else will join? but those who have crab scissor, papatayin :jk:

Colonial mentality of Filipinos thats also perpetrated by the Government and Institutions of the Republic.

For them, English and the Americanismo is the only way to be. They try to pepper their language with as much english words as they can like to make them sound more pleasing to their countrymen and welcomed to the nation they have always dreamed of belonging to.. The U.S. And the more they suck at Tagalog or in any other Philippine language, the more they are liked. Colonial Mentality.

You'd rarely find people in the Philippines talk about their own Filipino languages and Filipino history and Filipino culture. Nobody gives a shi* about them there. The more you are ignorant of them, the more you are liked. The more you don't know about your history and culture, 'the more Filipino you are'.

Kamot ulo. 'Kase naman i wasn't taught that eh... Forgot na me.. Cool e.."

Filipino languages? Tagalog? Filipino History? Who Cares??
"After all, I speak English. They don't!"


Colonial Mentality of the American Neocolonial Government of the Philippines
1946-2006


Kailan kaya mangyayari nang katulad sa Gresya at Italya, tayong mga Filipino magkakasalo sa wika pinaguusapan, pinagdedebatehan, pinahahalagan ang tunay na kasaysayan, kulturang totoo at hindi pinagdududahan, komersyo at kalakakalan sa wika at kultura ng bayan? (Philippines is among very few countries in Asia that doesn't use its language and culture in national economy. )


The identity of a Filipino today is of a person asking what is his identity. - Nick Joaquin

^^ ohhhhhh I love Nick Joaquin! hahahhaha

I want to first start this thread because I know, for one thing that Filipinos are not united. I hope that you can all continue this post by adding your opinions reagarding the negative attitudes we are developing...

First of all, I would much rather start off on a positive tone and stress the positive attitudes, the optimism and the resilience of the Filipino people.

Filipino people are more cohesive and concerned about the country's devt. than what I originally thought. Just look at the passion of the people here in the SSC to post history, tourism and just anything about the country not just the scrapers! Its a community that is so alive and it keeps on growing. Other countries see that on us so that is why our net community became popular too. I believe that Filipinos don't want to leave the country if the conditions in the Philippines is already okay.

The identity of a Filipino today is of a person asking what is his identity. - Nick Joaquin

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/rv_estardo/C_nick_joaquin_web.jpg

WITH FLAGS at half-mast, orchestras playing, and the political, intellectual and social leadership in attendance, a nation buries Nick Joaquin today with all the pomp that can be mustered by the state. Among the artistic community, there is near universal mourning. Among the rest of his countrymen, who may only have heard his name from time to time, there is the widespread perception that a great one has left us. In our impoverished nation, it is reassuring to know that a man of letters remains among the notables.

Joaquin was born in an era of great change, when the generation of the Revolution was giving way to a nation resuming the propaganda movement after the crushing defeat of the First Republic. He reached adulthood immersed in the idiom of Cervantes. Heir to a heritage of devotion to culture as an integral part of what is necessary to build a country. His soul was steeped in the language of Cervantes but he found his full flowering expressing himself in the language of Shakespeare. His life was a portrait of the artist as master of alien tongues, but always and forever more Filipino.

Cosmopolite and autodidact, essayist, novelist, sometime poet and playwright, Joaquin was, first and foremost, a translator. He took ideas, and through his own words, made these ideas vivid. The ideas ranged from the appreciation of the complicated heritage of his people, to the mores of a proud and ancient city; from the clash of attitudes and principles of freedom lovers who took from Spain what was necessary to forge a nation, to the modern idioms of a society eager to escape the monastic broodings of our Spanish past in order to embrace the more modern percussions of our new American masters. He molded from this clash of civilizations-the Hispanic and American, distilled through the eyes of a Filipino-a massive opus, a series of sonatas and symphonies in words, to entertain, educate and challenge a people.

His curiosity was voracious, his contempt for the ivory tower absolute. Shy in the beginning, he would emerge in late adulthood the kind of person known to the uninitiated as a Character: boisterous, boozing, a cultural and political bon vivant. His booming voice was a trademark, sword and shield, hiding a soft heart and a dedicated brain.

How generations marveled at that brain! At home in Spanish, English, and his native Tagalog. Able to bridge centuries long lost to his contemporaries by virtue of ignorance of language, and the ever-changing present. No relict was he, no doddering remnant of a lost era. He was always firmly in the here and now-and yet always firmly in what was and had come before. How rich was the tapestry of his life; how utterly magnificent the products of his pen.

When his achievements in the realm of writing were to be proclaimed of national significance by a dictator, he resisted until he could strike a hard bargain. He accepted the gilded collar of rank that was proof of his proclamation as a National Artist when it became the golden key to securing the freedom of a dear friend. He made his pact with the devil knowing a glittering title today would only grow in luster even as the delusions of the dictator that bestowed it would disappear in the dust of history. And so it did. His death is mourned by a nation, and he receives a funeral with the full panoply the same nation has denied the dictator. Art truly conquers all.

In the days of the Cross and Sword, the first governors of Manila were decreed by Spain to be adelentado-commanders. Nick Joaquin was a fighter, engaged in that great fight to give a country illumination. He commanded words and made a holocaust of ignorance. The illumination of ideas, the creative spark that sets ablaze the imagination. The harsh light of truth, for him, could be expressed in the delicious irony of his reportage, or the meditative monologues of the characters in his plays, or the quiet epiphanies of the protagonists in his fiction. All was truth; all was, as he insisted, reality, seen through various lenses, distorted, if necessary, for the sake of craft but never subordinated to the essential duty of all true craftsmen: to magnify, even glorify, the things that count in a world and among a people for whom lies all too often live larger than the truth. He was a conqueror -- of minds.

He is mourned, yes. He is, and will continue, to be missed. But as the great Filipino orators in Spanish were wont to say in final homage: Nick Joaquin, you live, even in death! Well done, good and faithful servant of the muses.

http://www.inq7.net/opi/2004/may/02/opi_editorial-1.htm

crab mentality is sick sick sick!

but what i love of us is that [i assume] after all the hard day's work, o kahit na walang work, we would never firget to smile. kahit na walang laman ang tiyan o bulsa, smile pa rin. madaling masatisfied.
That is a double edged sword. It is good because it shows resilience but too much of it borders on complacency.

Something I picked up from the email. Hope this inspires you all...

>A Filipino of faith
>BY THE WAY By Max V. Soliven
>The Philippine Star 12/19/2005
>
>We keep on paying lip service to the catchword, "Faith in the Filipino."
>In this Christmas season of hope - and also sadness - this faith and
>confidence in ourselves too often falls short of being justified.
>
>However, here's one story which I must tell.
>
>This incident took place last Thursday in the late afternoon. I was
>rushing home in my car, an X-5, from my last meeting in Makati - already far
>behind schedule, since my next appointment, after a change of clothes, was in Malacañang. My vehicle broke down in the mounting rush-hour traffic on
>the Paseo de Roxas, not far from the corner of Buendia. There I was, frantically trying to hail a cab in vain while the avenue was crawled alongside, almost gridlocked.

>My desperation must have been all over my face. I had fruitlessly attempted
>calling my Stargate office on Ayala Avenue, then my associates and
>friends nearby. I needed a car badly to rescue me from the corner where I had been stranded. But nobody could be contacted.
>
>Then a white Chevrolet Ventura pulled up to the curb. The young man at
>the wheel leaned over, his window rolled down, and asked: "Can I help you,
>sir?"
>
>I blurted out, "Yes - my car over there broke down. I must get home in a
>hurry! Can you bring me somewhere where I can find a taxicab?"
>
>The fellow smiled and said: "Hop in, Sir I will drive you home."
>
>I scrambled aboard, thankful to the kind stranger, and God - and for my
>good fortune. In retrospect, I wonder why it had never occurred to me he
>might be an armed hold-up man. I guess it was the disarming nature of his smile, his earnest approach. Yet now could anyone be so generous as to stop in the middle of traffic, then offer a total stranger a ride all the way to his home? He hadn't even asked how far away I lived; he'd made the offer without hesitation.
>
>When we were underway, I asked to shake his hand and asked for his name,
>"My name is Alex," he simply said. 'I'm Max," I replied, then fished in my
>pocket and offered him my card. He peered at it, then exclaimed: "Wow. It's an honor! I read you every day!"
>
>"Now. Alex, you owe me your card in return." I said.
>
>Stopped at a light, he took out his wallet, got one and politely handed
>it to me. It read: Alexander L. Lacson, above which was his firm's title:
>"Malcolm Law", underneath that, "A Professional Partnership." By golly, I had
>been rescued by a lawyer.
>
>There you are. Somehow, when faith in the Filipino wavers, a Filipino
>comes along to restore your faith. Restore it? So surprise you with his
>kindness and generosity. This is an experience - and a shining gesture - I'll never forget.
>
>
>* * *
>
>
>
>I finally told Alex I was headed for Greenhills. He grinned. "By
>coincidence, since I'm taking you there, my destination happens to lie not far away - I'm headed for Wack-Wack subdivision to give a talk at a Christmas party."
>
>"Why?" I exclaimed. "In addition to being a lawyer, are you also a
>preacher?"
>
>He smiled even more merrily and explained that he had written a little
>book. It was on the car seat beside him, and I picked it up. It was entitled:
>"12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country."
>
>Alex had his little volume (108 pages) published earlier this year by
>the Alay Pinoy Publishing House in Quezon City, and it had sold out in its
>first printing within three weeks. The second and third printings were about
>to sell out, too.
>
>No, he wasn't selling it through any bookshop, the biggest book shop
(unnamed here) wanted too big a portion of its possible earnings, but I told them I wanted the proceeds to go to a scholarship foundation for the needy."
>
>So, Lacson has been selling his book out of his office and out of his
>home.
>
>The dedication of the slim tome reveals his sincerity. It says: "To my
>Creator, who has blessed me with so much, and to my Country, which
>yearns for love from its people."
>
>As we drove up EDSA, Alex said: "I read your mother's book, 'A Woman So
>Valiant,' too - and I loved it!"
>
>Can you beat that?
>
>My mama had written that book of hers in longhand, on yellow pad paper
>not long before she died at the age of 81 on October 16, 1990 - and
>belatedly, we had published it last year. Astoundingly, it had been a runaway bestseller, without publicity, and had sold out in the National Bookstores.
>
>My sister, Mrs. Mercy S. David messaged me when she arrived from New
>York that the Japanese were now planning to transcribe the autobiography into Japanese and publish it in Tokyo, as a chronicle of what happened to a Filipino family in the war years (and during Japanese military occupation). The proposed Japanese title, "A Valiant Mother and Her Nine Children."
>
>But that's another story, far removed from today's inspiring tale about
>Alex Lacson's Christian spirit and generosity. One thing Alex said
>demonstrated he had really read Mom's book. He remarked that the thing he vividly remembered in Mama's memoirs was that, in spite of our poverty, she had determined: "I don't want my children to feel poor." Thus, one of us or two of us in turn had been taken by her, on her meager earnings as a seamstress, to eat at a good restaurant. The "classy" restaurant of the time, Alex recalled from its mention in mama's book, was The Aristocrat. How lives intersect in this spinning world.
>
>To get to the end of the "rescue" saga, Alex Lacson drove me to my home
>in Greenhills, and I noticed he never broke a traffic rule. I was tempted,
>in my selfish agitation to get home and get my tuxedo for the State dinner in the Palace, then dash over to Malacañang, to cut corners, such as push into the opposite lane when stuck not far from the Buchanan Gate, in order to
>sneak into the Gate. But Lacson calmly awaited his turn in traffic. Obey the law and obey the rules were obviously the bedrock of his "12 Things" credo.
>
>In any event, getting to Malacañang in the end was only the bonus.
>Meeting someone like Alex Lacson was the real miracle.
>
>
>* * *
>
>
>Alexander Ledesma Lacson, it turned out, modest as he was in bearing,
>was a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, 1996, and
>took up graduate studies at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass. (Good old Harvard Yard, by gosh). His wife, Pia Peña - it turned out even more amazingly -is the daughter of an old friend, Teddy Peña from Palawan! She, too, is a lawyer - U.P. 1993 - a legal counsel for Citibank. They established a foundation together to help underprivileged children through school, and are now subsidizing 27 young scholars in different public schools in Alex's native Negros Occidental.
>
>The reason Alex had been headed for Wack-Wack was the fact that the
>officers and employees of a company named Resins Inc., after buying 1,000 copies of his book had invited him to give the "homily" at their Christmas party. This was not a small group - the company had 600 employees, waiting for his "word" that night.
>
>Alex, it struck me from our conversation, is an eloquent and devout
>Catholic He believes God must have destined our people for some great role - why, in all history, he reasoned, were we Filipinos the "only Christian nation
>in Asia?" One thing is certain: He and his wife Pia practice their
>Christianity - and live it.
>
>Four years ago, he and his wife had a serious discussion about migrating
>to
>the US or Canada because the Philippines, as a country appeared hopeless
>since things only got worse year after year. They wanted to know if their
>children (they have three, one boy and two girls) would be better off staying in our country or abroad in the next 20 years.
>
>Pia and Alex had asked themselves the question: "Is there hope for the
>Philippines to progress in the next 20 years?"
>
>They reasoned: If the answer is Yes, then they would stay. If it was No,
>they would leave and relocate abroad while they were still young and
>energetic. There were long discussions. One day, the realization, Alex recalls, struck them: the answer to that question was in themselves. The country would improve, Pia and Alex finally understood, if they and every other Filipino did something about it. Leaving the Philippines was not the solution. As Lacson put it in his book: "The answer is in us as a people; that hope is in us as a people."
>
>
>* * *
>
>
>When I read the book afterwards, I discovered that many important people
>had endorsed it.
>
>But these encomiums are not needed. Alex laughed when I quipped that he
>must be one of the wealthy Lacsons from Negros Occidental, like my classmates and schoolmates in the Ateneo. He cheerfully, and proudly, said that he was "a poor Lacson." His mother, he pointed out, had been a public school teacher in Cabangcalan.
>
>No, he's not poor - his richness are in his friends, and in the heart.
>
>Here are, in outline, his 12 commandments:
>
>1) Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
>
>2) Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official
>receipt.
>
>3) Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino. (Or, if you read
>the
>book, he suggests: 50-50).
>
>4) When you talk to others, especially foreigners speak positively about
>us
>and our country.
>
>5) Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.
>
>6) Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle.
>Conserve.
>
>7) Support your church.
>
>8) During elections, do your solemn duty.
>
>9) Pay your employees well.
>
>10) Pay your taxes.
>
>11) Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
>
>12) Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our
>country.
>
>

^^Alex "Boyet" Lacson. I know him. He was also a PMA'er who dropped out because he got disenchanted and decided to pursue Political Science in UP.

What is Crab Mentality :?

A crab mentality pertains to other people trying to pull you down because of envy as you climb up the social or economic ladder. It is related to the behavior found in crabs when there is something that annoys above them.

I don't really notice filipinos dragging down other filipinos or its just me.

The sad reality is it does happen maybe not to you but to some people. There are many Filipinos both here and in the Philippines doing that.

Crab mentality is the ultimate destroyer of our country...

For the case of some people who did not know, it is the core problem. Politics is the most concrete example for this. Our country will prosper through politics if this attitude is not evident. The people there pulling others down to sit a higher position...

But don't you all worry... We are not the only ones suffering this fate... I cannot pinpoint, but I know there are many countries that are having the same problems.

Have you heard of discreet wars and rivalries between other neighboring cities in the Philippines? I don't want to give examples coz it's very bad. It's up to you to find out.

Do you ever wonder why people (if not most) from the province wanted to go federalism? Even though I am voting for federalism, but some people are having misconceptions about it. Federalism should suppose to increase the competitiveness of its states, but only in the Economic Aspect. Only in the Economic Aspect... But we don't need to employ a seer to see the future... Progress might happen in the Philippines... But do you think we will still be nationalistic? No offense to nationalists, but this is reality. Some people only care about the progress of their own province/city. Some do not even care about hurting other people just to stress their point that their beloved homeland is the best in all Philippines. To those who are not guilty, well, don't feel guilty. But I doubt that none of us Filipinos are not like this.

This attitude should be dead now and ever. If we want to reach the height of Filipino success, we must help each other!

Pips, I want you to know that the reason why I started this thread is not to destroy our image. For one thing, we are all hospitable and kind! SSC is mainly for tourism and the likes. But if are too keen to look at the other threads, you will see some black propagandas. Well, its not healthy for SSC. I hope that all Filipinos can visit this thread and reflect upon it. My intentions are very clean...

I'll list down all the + and - attitudes which is subjective in nature. So you are welcome to comment on this. But please, do it nicely. Ty...

+ :
1) Hospitable esp. to visitors
2) Family-people
3) Caring
4) Kind
5) Bayanihan (other words - Helpful)
6) We have dignity
7) Religious
8) Conservative (???) (it's up to you if you feel this is wrong)
9) Some people are loyal to the Philippines. That's why many OFW's return to the Phils. even though they know that they can live in other countries.
10) Compassionate
11) Optimistic - Lili, you are very right. Despite the problems that we are facing, we are so, so on the go.

now for the - :
1) Clanish (need explanation?)
2) Some develop Crab Ment.
3) Some develop Col. Ment. (It's a nationalism issue)
4) Sometimes, the Bahala na attitude.
5) Filipino Time
6) Not assertive sometimes.

See, the +s are way more than the -s. If you have something to add, I'd be happy to...

@ Lili, if you find this thread as one of the bad threads in the Filipino Forum, I can't blame you. We all are entitled to our opinions. But I hope you now get my message.

Ferrersky, there is nothing wrong about this as long as its balanced and fair for others to see and comment upon. :)

Askal, we are two both cute dogs... Arff!!!!

woof wooff!! haha.

Crab mentality is the ultimate destroyer of our country...

For the case of some people who did not know, it is the core problem. Politics is the most concrete example for this. Our country will prosper through politics if this attitude is not evident. The people there pulling others down to sit a higher position...

But don't you all worry... We are not the only ones suffering this fate... I cannot pinpoint, but I know there are many countries that are having the same problems.


yea and in some cases, it is closely tied to colonial mentality.

^^ ohhhhhh I love Nick Joaquin! hahahhaha

i admire him and Ambeth Ocampo more than Teodoro Agoncillo and this Landa F. Jocano with regards to Phil. History.

Might be OT but this article is about Nick Joaquin's novel "A Question of Heroes". For those history buffs like myself, and other Filipinos in search of truth in history and our lost identity, please take time to read. History will explain it all to us.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rewriting history with a question of heroes
Leonidas Benesa


As a student I once heard the eminent Jesuit historian Horacio de la Costa remark that there is nothing like a historical novel when it comes to teaching history, probably when it comes to teaching history, probably having in mind works of fiction like Gone with the Wind, War and Peace, and others. The next best thing would be to have a fictionist handle history. And this is exactly what Nick Joaquin does and does forcefully in A Question of Heroes (Ayala Museum, 1977), in which he challenges and upsets a number of our cherished notions about our national heroes, or anti-heroes as he calls some of them.

Unlike F. Landa Jocano who would go into prehistory to tell us what the "Filipino" truly is, Joaquin fastens upon the living word instead and particularly how it was existentialized in the evolution of the National Consciousness by the following: Jose Burgos, Marcelo del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Antonio Luna, Gregorio del Pilar and Artemio Ricarte, within the time frames of the 1872 Cavite Uprising, the Propaganda Movement, the Philippine Revolution and the "Insurrection" against the Americans.

By critically examining the separate involvements and motives of these Ten Key Figures of Philippine History somewhat in the new tradition of psycho-history, Joaquin weaves his leit-motifs around his reader's head, with particular emphasis on his belief that the Philippine Revolution of the late 1890s was by no means a proletarian uprising but a bourgeois one, in contrast to the "revolt of the masses" thesis of the historian Teodoro Agoncillo.

To support his contention, Joaquin divides this Revolution into two parts. The first was the Katipunan uprising led by Bonifacio, known in our history books as the Great Plebeian, and the second the Katipunan uprising outside Manila led by Aguinaldo. Bonifacio's proletarian uprising was dispersed in five days' time, after the fiasco of the Battle of San Juan. Aguinaldo's ilustrado (or at least ilustrado-led) uprising is the Revolution that we know, the one that went on for some years, from the Kawit coup of 1896, through the Pact of Biak-na-Bato in 1897 which marked the temporary truce between the Filipino and Spanish armies, the Battle of Manila in which the Americans showed their true colors, to the Capture in Palanan in 1901 which marked the end of Philippine-American hostilities.

Joaquin's choice of heroes to play up in this book however would not confine the period of Revolution merely to the years of actual hostilities, but includes the period of its beginnings in the Propaganda Movement and even earlier to the Novales mutiny. It was the entire period of the Birth of a Nation through the Flowering of the Filipino, an idea and ideal by which the Ten Heroes in this book failed to measure up in one way or another as the Revolution was a failure historically.

The martyrdom of Father Burgos, together with his confrères Gomez and Zamora in 1872 is to Nick Joaquin but a continuation of the Creole insurgency against the Spanish Peninsulars. But from that time on the word "Filipino" no longer meant the Creoles exclusively but spread out to embrace all native-born citizens, los hijos del pais, "ang mga anak ng bayan."

Just the same the Creole Burgos (1837-1872), according to Joaquin, is a hero by accident, as he actually never had in mind the creation of an independent State but an autonomous one. Also, he appeared to have been framed by his enemies because of his growing image, especially with the emerging class of rich "Indios." A victime of the tragedy of "rising expectations," Burgos is in Joaquin's book a non-hero.

Creole and Indio (read Tagalog) met in the person of M.H. del Pilar (1850-1896), the acknowledged leader of the Propaganda Movement who was in some ways more brilliant than Rizal. Del Pilar's work was supported by the Tagalog principalia in its early phases, but abandoned in its later stage by the same, indirectly causing the death by hunger and disappointment of this proto-hero (he was for reform rather than revolution) in a garret in Madrid.

The next national figure Lopez-Jaena (1856-1896) is another non-hero and possibly even a traitor in Joaquin's book. The first Filipino hippie and beatnik (jeproks in the slang of today's Manila), Lopez-Jaena belonged to that illustrious band of expatriates in Madrid, the equivalent of Hemingway's Lost Generation, which included Rizal, Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, and the painters Luna and Hidalgo.

A brilliant propagandist, Lopez-Jaena however was the archetypal romantic who would have found the Paris of that period more suited to his temperament had he been an artist instead. Scolded by Rizal for his abysmal laziness, Lopez-Jaena returns briefly to Manila, but leaves after four days in utter terror. He goes back to Spain and crowns his act of cowardice by trying to get into Spanish politics, eventually dying of consumption and misery at 40 in Barcelona.

If Lopez-Jaena is a non-hero, if not a turncoat to the cause of nationhood, Rizal is an anti-hero in A Question of Heroes. Joaquin cites as proof his turning his back on Aguinaldo's revolution and his volunteering as a doctor in Cuba on the side of Spain. More than any of the heroes in this book, including Mabini, the brains of the Revolution, Rizal had the vision of nationhood burning brightly in his mind, so that he could not claim ignorance to absolve himself of his act.

Joaquin cites the lifelong duel "between Rizal the subversive and Rizal the progressive," that is to say, between the revolutionist and the reformist in him, as dramatized by the personae in his Novels, Ibarra the reformist in Noli, and Simoun the subversive revolutionist in Fili. In the end, following Joaquin's argument, when the decision had to be made, the Ibarra in him won over the Simoun and cost him the chance of true greatness.

The famous retraction may be seen in the light of this inner duel. However, there is no doubt that Rizal recognized and eventually accepted what he was dying for, unlike Burgos who to the end kept protesting innocence.

The proof is "Mi Ultimo Adios," in which the "dawn" he was referring to was the inevitable independence of his beloved country. Joaquin believes that the Noli was a reading of the Burgos case, which Rizal couched in the allegory of a novel so as not to come in direct confrontation with the Spanish authorities. He also discusses at length two views on Rizal by the ilustrado descendant Leon Maria Guerrero and the Yugoslav exile Ante Radaic, the first looking at Rizal from the point of view of the ilustrado class, and the other from the point of view of a physical deficiency.

Radaic's psycho-analytic theory on Rizal's small stature is the Freudian compensation idea: becaus of his "inferioir build" (shades of Napoleon) Rizal struggled to become ten feet tall. In substance Joaquin's Question agrees with the Guerrero theory that Rizal was a Victorian gentleman, "the very embodiment of the intelligentsia and the petite bourgeoisie," but has reservations about the sexual inadequacy that is at the bottom of Radaic's Freudian thesis.

Joaquin begins his chapter on Bonifacio (1863-1897) by citing the various versions of the Cry of Balintawak (including the Kangkong and Pugad-Lawin theories), and comes up with a compromise, the Cry of Caloocan, as this district encompassed the other three places. Joaquin attributes Bonifacio's fall to "Manileño arrogance versus provincial togetherness," the last exemplified by Aguinaldo and his hellow Caviteños.

Behind it all was Bonifacio's misadventure in San Juan which had the effect of disillusioning his followers and deglamorizing him as the Supremo. In just a few days his "revolt of the masses" fizzled out. In contrast, Aguinaldo's forces, led by ilustrados like himself and armed with more than just bolos, were successful in their first battles.

Bonifacio's attempt therefore to capture this Revolution by pitting the Magdiwang faction against the Magdalo in a power ploy not only backfired but cost him his life, a victim of the truism that revolutions eat their own children. The nominal Supremo had to be sacrificed for the unity of command; in the light of the emerging Idea of Nation, he had become completely non-heroic and therefore dispensable.

As we all know, the man who signed Bonifacio's death warrant was Aguinaldo himself. Although he too was small of stature like Rizal, his tragic flaw lay not in his inferior build (apparently he wasn't aware of it psychotically as Rizal was of his, if Radaic is to be believed), but rather in his small Caviteño mind, so Joaquin claims.

As Rizal failed the test of true heroism when he snubbed the Revolution, Aguinaldo failed the same test when he decided not to capture Manila after blitzing his way to the very gates of the city before the Americans landed in force, and decided in addition not to ally himself with the Spaniards who had asked him to do so against the common enemy.

The reason for his lack of boldness (not courage) at the right time and in the right place Joaquin traces back to his early dislike for learning. Although a member of the ilustrado class, Aguinaldo was a school drop-out. Because
of this background the man failed to transcend his clan, his cavitismo, thinking provincial when he should have been thinking national and international, a victim of the "hooey of Dewey" and Taft's not too manifest "Manifest Destiny".

It is this same cavitismo that made him suspicious of "outsiders" like Antonio Luna, whose brilliant plan to shift to a protracted guerrilla war (long before Vo Nguyen Giap ever thought of it) against the Americans was ignored; the same clannishness that made him listen instead to the supposed Brains of the Revolution, Mabini, instead of making his own decisions as president and dictator.

On top of that, Aguinaldo (1869-1964) survived his Revolution by more than 60 years. As a result his double sin of omission "the small man (read mind) incapable of the large act," as Joaquin put it--became magnified by the distortions of time and memory. But it wasn't exactly his fault as there is such a thing as Fate that decides the destinies of men and nations when they become indecisive.

Mabini (1864-1903) was the grey eminence behind Aguinaldo, Joaquin tends to believe that the paralysis of the man's lower extremities was not forced upon him by fate but was something willed if subconsciously to atone for a manly indiscretion; at the same time the gradual ascent of the malady towards the head became the Objective Correlative par excellence of the Revolution.

Mabini was completely in the spirit of the Revolution like Luna in spite of his paralysis, and a prophet of the new nation like Rizal, the dawn of which he too was fated not to see. His tragic flaw was his over-legalistic mind which brought him onto the verge of hubris, as we see in his writing of the "El Verdadero Decalogo"(The True Decalogue).

Luna (1868-1899) possessed that quality that Aguinaldo lacked, the ability to decide quickly and act on the decision. Like Mabini, he had the visionary "unity" of nation before his mind (the Frenchman Henri Turot, writing from firsthand experience, makes him a socialist revolutionary in his book on the Revolution), and could have become the Strongman that was the need of the hour had Aguinaldo allowed him.

Unfortunately he suffered like his painting brother Juan from a violent temper, making enemies unnecessarily thereby, and was in fact nicknamed "Cafre" for his violent disposition and "General Numero Uno" for his quickness to impose Article One or the death penalty on traitors. Joaquin thinks that the "idea of Nation perished with Luna," when he was assassinated on orders from the High Command.

The hatchetman for this job would have been Gregorio del Pilar (1875-1899) had others not beaten him to it. A Caviteño like his leaders he was the fair-headed boy of the Revolution whom Aguinaldo was apparently grooming as his successor, the "Boy General" of American correspondents, but Joaquin prefers to think of him as the "Lover Boy" of the Revolution who was for making love and war at the same time.

Joaquin implies that had del Pilar paid more attention to his troops, or as much attention as he gave his Byronic love life, he might not have fought the Americans on Tirad Pass with more than the measly 60 left of his 2,000 men. The heroism of del Pilar astride his white horse is a romantic myth invented by the Americans, according to Joaquin, and indeed a number of his contemporaries did not think there was anything heroic about his behavior.

Joaquin ends his Question with Ricarte (1866-1945), the Vibora or Viper of the Revolution who ended up being its Rip van Winkle when he returned from a long exile in Japan in the company of yet another invading army intent on empire, the Imperial Japanese Army.

On the last page of the book Joaquin the novelist recreates the dying moments of Ricarte in the mountains of Kalinga in 1945, of fatigue and old age and failure, most of all failure, as in his mind's eye the Revolution comes back to life in a highly compressed re-run of faces, voices, events, thus providing A Question of Heroes with a memorable coda.

Joaquin's grand thesis is that the Philippine Revolution of 1896 began long before that time, and that it continued into the first two decades of the American occupation. After that it disappeared, to all intents and purposes dead, not so much from a lack of heroes as that "it had run out of Filipinos."

This Joaquin attributes to the most massive brainwashing in the 20th century, the brainwashing of an entire generation, to be followed by succeeding generations, by means of the public school system of mass education introduced into the country by the Americans in the new language and culture of English and White Anglo Saxon Protestants..

^^Alex "Boyet" Lacson. I know him. He was also a PMA'er who dropped out because he got disenchanted and decided to pursue Political Science in UP.

Kilala mo pala si Alex? He's my cousin. By the way, hace mucho tiempo que no te he oido Lili.

Oh he's your cousin? He sure is making wave with that book of his. :okay: He's a fine fellow. Yes, I have not heard from you in a while Lloyd. What's up?

Filipino Time (30 min - 1 hour late) while the americans ( 5 min early to exact time ) I think...

I dislike the "mamaya na attitude". Seeshhhhhh one of the very things I hate...delay!!!! tulad ng NAIA terminal 3 na dapat matagal nang binuksan

Filipino Time (30 min - 1 hour late) while the americans ( 5 min early to exact time ) I think...


this attitude saved a lot of filipino lives in 9/11, because most of them are late! hehehe. :jk: :jk: :jk:

I dislike the "mamaya na attitude". Seeshhhhhh one of the very things I hate...delay!!!! tulad ng NAIA terminal 3 na dapat matagal nang binuksan

Sista, many people have that disease. My friends (non-filipinos) back in highschool here in America were assigned projects 3 months earlier but most did it a day before submission. :lol: Its called 'procrastination'.

this attitude saved a lot of filipino lives in 9/11, because most of them are late! hehehe. :jk: :jk: :jk:

:lol:

Bahala na :banana:

pasa diyos mo na lang yan redeye

Oh he's your cousin? He sure is making wave with that book of his. :okay: He's a fine fellow. Yes, I have not heard from you in a while Lloyd. What's up?

I've been offline from this forum for some time. Quite busy with consulting work. Ngayon pa lang lumalabas at pinaplantsa yung mga budgets for marketing and advertising ng mga cliente. I'll be seen rarely on this forum over Q1. I'm trying to set everything in place for myself and my clients at this time of the year. As this is my first calendar year being away from the agency, I'm trying to establish a work pattern for myself which is...to work and set in place all necessary transactions for the year from Jan 1 to April 9, so that from April 10 down to Dec 31, I can take it easy. Then it's back to work on Jan 1 to April 9 of next year.

What's up from your end Lili?

@Sugarboy: That's good planning to lay down the groundwork on your ventures and projects. I hope to be as disciplined as you so that I can finish more work on my end here. A lot have been pending and a lot is at stake. Your feedback had given me a wake-up call as to my own work responsibilities. Thank you.

@Ferrersky: I now understand your reasoning for creating this thread. I just hoped you started off explaining this premise because I don't want others who are not as familiar with the Filipino culture and psyche to have the wrong impression of the Filipinos in general.

It is an open discussion and everyone is entitled to put in his/her opinions and observations.

I retract my statement that this is not constructive. I think the intention is good and the end goal is constructive.

this attitude saved a lot of filipino lives in 9/11, because most of them are late! hehehe. :jk: :jk: :jk:

Hindi 'yan joke. Totoo 'yan. Nangyari sa akin 'yan. Pero in my case, worse than being late, I played hooky which I don't even do. I had to visit my grandma in the hospital and I didn't inform anyone at work I will not be reporting in. I used to work just a little bit across WTC in 120 Broadway.

@Sugarboy: That's good planning to lay down the groundwork on your ventures and projects. I hope to be as disciplined as you so that I can finish more work on my end here. A lot have been pending and a lot is at stake. Your feedback had given me a wake-up call as to my own work responsibilities. Thank you.



Actually, all of us are wanting in discipline. The reason why I had to pin down the dates is so that I can work along these timelines. Honestly, it is more difficult for me now because I don't have a boss to nag me. The timelines I mentioned are really ideals.

Also, it becomes more difficult for me because I do not have to shuttle between house and office to work, thereby adjusting my frame of mind. Working from a home office next to my bedroom is difficult as one has to condition himself that "Ok, I'm at work now". I mean how can you reconcile being at work when you're still in shorts and in slippers? :doh:

At the end of the day, we all have to keep up with our 'sabits'.

(Hey, I didn't know you worked for an agency too. )

^^No, I didn't work for an agency. Where did you get that notion?

Anyway, I don't want to keep you from following your timeline by always commenting and drawing you out of your self-imposed exile from SSC. I think that is how I can help you keep your deadlines. I understand the difficulty of working from home because you really have to be strict with your work so that there is a clear delineation where work begins and ends vis-a-vis home life and other distractions.

So, I will zip after this and I understand if you are not able to respond always. :)

^^No, I didn't work for an agency. Where did you get that notion?

Anyway, I don't want to keep you from following your timeline by always commenting and drawing you out of your self-imposed exile from SSC. I think that is how I can help you keep your deadlines. I understand the difficulty of working from home because you really have to be strict with your work so that there is a clear delineation where work begins and ends vis-a-vis home life and other distractions.

So, I will zip after this and I understand if you are not able to respond always. :)

sabi daw ni Kyle (after the meet on Dec 19). taga ahencia ka daw. could have been wanch. baka nabibingi lang si Kyle sa beauty mo. hehehe

.... I understand the difficulty of working from home because you really have to be strict with your work so that there is a clear delineation where work begins and ends vis-a-vis home life and other distractions.

So, I will zip after this and I understand if you are not able to respond always. :)


Indeed it is so difficult to work in a home office when you have these as your "officemates" :)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/fbc35fe5.jpg

Indeed it is so difficult to work in a home office when you have these as your "officemates" :)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/fbc35fe5.jpg

are these your kids... awww they're so cute... i wont mind being officemates with my kids... actually your lucky kasi you have time to watch your kids grow.

LLoyd, ok yan. Daddy's little helpers. :) LOL.

are these your kids... awww they're so cute... i wont mind being officemates with my kids... actually your lucky kasi you have time to watch your kids grow.

yes these are my kids (thanks for the compliment)...and part-time officemates when they get back from school.

Bukas na lang...

the kids are ADORABLE!!!!!! seryoso sa work nila ;)

I hate being late for anything and for the most part am not, but when I'm with other people I just keep my temper in check and try not to implode! :lol:

I also hate the "Whatever you can do, I can do better" attitude. :down:

Im usually early for everything and when i am made to wait longer than needed i take a cat nap.

i worked three jobs, went to school full time, volunteered and danced during my college days (HOLY crap, i said, "during my college days," that felt weird) and in order to do what i had to do, i had a planner with me all the time and a giant calendar with all my appointments and tons of post-its so i can visualize my week/month. Sometimes though, when i fall into my mini depressions (nothing serious) you'll see the blank days on my calendar when i didn't do jack ^%^*.

Sugarboy and Ate Lili, it must be very difficult to focus at home. I once took all my paper work home from a homehealth care agency and it took forever to finish because of the distractions.

ang cute ng mga supling mo sugarboy

Im usually early for everything and when i am made to wait longer than needed i take a cat nap.

i worked three jobs, went to school full time, volunteered and danced during my college days (HOLY crap, i said, "during my college days," that felt weird) and in order to do what i had to do, i had a planner with me all the time and a giant calendar with all my appointments and tons of post-its so i can visualize my week/month. Sometimes though, when i fall into my mini depressions (nothing serious) you'll see the blank days on my calendar when i didn't do jack ^%^*.

Sugarboy and Ate Lili, it must be very difficult to focus at home. I once took all my paper work home from a homehealth care agency and it took forever to finish because of the distractions.

That was a mean feat juggling all those "during your college days". I was a working student, too, so I'm used to pressure.

I am a major procrastinator, too, but I don't miss deadlines. It's just that after all the adrenaline rush to meet a deadline, I crash. That the manana habit going against me.

Well, I work in the office but I also bring work home which I shouldn't. But then I do SSC at work. And that ain't good. (Well, maybe it is.) The SSC lure is hard to overcome. I catch myself always clicking to the site in between work. So, what does that have to do with this thread? Oh, manana habit and need for discipline.

ayos ang galing.

I'd hate to bring up something negative about us Pinoys but the one I am about to say is something that has bothered me for quite a bit and also something that I encountered again recently. And that is the fact that I think most Pinoys (not all, of course) are very racist. I don't know but in my experience, Pinoys have often used race or province of origin to explain why a certain person acts this or that way. I'd often hear things like , "Ay tamad yan kasi taga (place province here) siya". "Kuripot yan dahil galing yan sa (province name)". As well as "Oh he's rude coz he is (natinality). Just the other day I heard some Pinoys making fun of how a certain nationality was able to buy tickets to the Pacquiao boxing match. They were saying that maybe they washed dishes or mowed some lawns for a year just to buy tickets.

Racism is something that has always bothered me and I cringe whenever some people (my own relatives even) talk about any race or province in a derogatory manner. Am I being too sensitive? Does anyone have the same feelings?

I'd hate to bring up something negative about us Pinoys but the one I am about to say is something that has bothered me for quite a bit and also something that I encountered again recently. And that is the fact that I think most Pinoys (not all, of course) are very racist. I don't know but in my experience, Pinoys have often used race or province of origin to explain why a certain person acts this or that way. I'd often hear things like , "Ay tamad yan kasi taga (place province here) siya". "Kuripot yan dahil galing yan sa (province name)". As well as "Oh he's rude coz he is (natinality). Just the other day I heard some Pinoys making fun of how a certain nationality was able to buy tickets to the Pacquiao boxing match. They were saying that maybe they washed dishes or mowed some lawns for a year just to buy tickets.

Racism is something that has always bothered me and I cringe whenever some people (my own relatives even) talk about any race or province in a derogatory manner. Am I being too sensitive? Does anyone have the same feelings?

That is so true. Filipinos generally associate someone's culture pertaining to race. My dad is oftentimes like that and I counter his views most of the time. I hate stereotypes because they perceive everything in black and white.

Marami talagang racist na Pinoy.

Racism/Regionalism isn't new. Is it just me or have you experienced some form of alienation if you don't choose a side to align yourself with. I had an experience wherein there was a family feud (it wasn't really that bad, just petty misunderstandings), and I was asked which side am I on. I remained neutral through the whole ordeal and was treated like an outcast (I guess that was too harsh a term but I did feel like one).

I'd hate to bring up something negative about us Pinoys but the one I am about to say is something that has bothered me for quite a bit and also something that I encountered again recently. And that is the fact that I think most Pinoys (not all, of course) are very racist. I don't know but in my experience, Pinoys have often used race or province of origin to explain why a certain person acts this or that way. I'd often hear things like , "Ay tamad yan kasi taga (place province here) siya". "Kuripot yan dahil galing yan sa (province name)". As well as "Oh he's rude coz he is (natinality). Just the other day I heard some Pinoys making fun of how a certain nationality was able to buy tickets to the Pacquiao boxing match. They were saying that maybe they washed dishes or mowed some lawns for a year just to buy tickets.

Racism is something that has always bothered me and I cringe whenever some people (my own relatives even) talk about any race or province in a derogatory manner. Am I being too sensitive? Does anyone have the same feelings?
true at galit tayo sa mga nognog

Si Tigidig ang numero uno dyan. Hindi pala kayo puedeng mag-bunk-in ni Chot. Hindi kayo magkakasundo.

^ :lol: whuuuut nognog ba si chot. loko lang i have black friends :colgate: chosen nga lang parang akong God

thanks for the input guys and Lili :)

@Kimber - Yup! Have experienced that so many times. My family (extended) is quite a strong minded bunch and not to keen on outside opinions or those that differ from theirs. I used to tell jokes about Pres Bush over the dinner table not knowing that my lola and uncles were solid Bush fans. Let's just say that from being the favorite grandchild, I have since moved down a few notches. Hehe! :colgate:

@Tee, naghihilik ka ba? Kung hindi, pwede tayong mag-bunk. or I can just take Nyquil para tulog! :)

I'd hate to bring up something negative about us Pinoys but the one I am about to say is something that has bothered me for quite a bit and also something that I encountered again recently. And that is the fact that I think most Pinoys (not all, of course) are very racist. I don't know but in my experience, Pinoys have often used race or province of origin to explain why a certain person acts this or that way. I'd often hear things like , "Ay tamad yan kasi taga (place province here) siya". "Kuripot yan dahil galing yan sa (province name)". As well as "Oh he's rude coz he is (natinality). Just the other day I heard some Pinoys making fun of how a certain nationality was able to buy tickets to the Pacquiao boxing match. They were saying that maybe they washed dishes or mowed some lawns for a year just to buy tickets.

Racism is something that has always bothered me and I cringe whenever some people (my own relatives even) talk about any race or province in a derogatory manner. Am I being too sensitive? Does anyone have the same feelings?

Perhaps Filipinos are quite similar to Italians in this respect. They have all sorts of stereotypes for each region (or even city) in Italy. Some provinces are also deemed "lazy" or "stingy", just like in the RP. Not so long ago, the region of Calabria in the south was almost plunged into civil war when Reggio rather than Catanzaro was declared regional capital. :)

Perhaps Filipinos are quite similar to Italians in this respect. They have all sorts of stereotypes for each region (or even city) in Italy. Some provinces are also deemed "lazy" or "stingy", just like in the RP. Not so long ago, the region of Calabria in the south was almost plunged into civil war when Reggio rather than Catanzaro was declared regional capital. :)

So its mediterranean mentality instead?

^^ I guess we could say that so it sounds slightly more flattering than crab hehe

^^ Sounds international too. :lol:

mediterranean fusion LOL

@Tee, naghihilik ka ba?
o nanghahalik :lol: hindi ako humihilik

Racism is a disease of the insecure. When people feel inadequate they usually use the racial inferiority of others to gain some self esteem. Im glad my immediate family doesn't have that disease. Although one of my tita's do have that attitude. She doesn't like my BF because he's kampangpangan and they are supposedly war freaks.

@ ramvingar, it must be so difficult for you to have Bush fans in your family. That is devastating. I don't get why Filipinos are so inclined to become Republicans. We are a minority damn it. Maybe its just another desperate attempt by Filipinos to "fit" in the white spectrum.

Racism is a disease of the insecure. When people feel inadequate they usually use the racial inferiority of others to gain some self esteem. Im glad my immediate family doesn't have that disease. Although one of my tita's do have that attitude. She doesn't like my BF because he's kampangpangan and they are supposedly war freaks.

agreed. it may also be out of too much self-esteem or self-pride, the japanese and germans for example. :hahaha:

but racist filipinos are nowhere close to northern asians in general, they love their own race so much (cherished yellow to yellow marriage?), they dislike the rest, esp. those darker than them in Asia. you know how they treat Filipinos and Indonesians in Taiwan, HK, Korea, Japan..

I once asked my chinese classmate here why many of them are too 'stuck up'.
She said they were trained by their mommies not talk strangers. :hahaha:

agreed. it may also be out of too much self-esteem or self-pride, the japanese and germans for example. :hahaha:

but racist filipinos are nowhere close to northern asians in general, they love their own race so much (cherished yellow to yellow marriage?), they dislike the rest, esp. those darker than them in Asia. you know how they treat Filipinos and Indonesians in Taiwan, HK, Korea, Japan..

I once asked my chinese classmate here why many of them are too 'stuck up'.
She said they were trained by their mommies not talk strangers. :hahaha:

Filipino culture and race is quite diverse not externally but 'internally'. Aside from the usual Malayan-look, many people have mistaken Filipinos for caucasian-looking ones (Im talking about the ones who were born in the Philippines), Latin American, North Asians (Chinese) or even Indians (Asia). I remembered meeting these what seems like Chinese guys (they had lighter skin as well) until he talked to me in Tagalog. I was surprised that he was born in the Philippines and many other Chinese nationals have mistaken him for Chinese.

Perhaps Filipinos are quite similar to Italians in this respect. They have all sorts of stereotypes for each region (or even city) in Italy. Some provinces are also deemed "lazy" or "stingy", just like in the RP. Not so long ago, the region of Calabria in the south was almost plunged into civil war when Reggio rather than Catanzaro was declared regional capital. :)

yup! Filipinos are often said to be the Italians of the East. well at least I've heard that more than once.

Filipino culture and race is quite diverse not externally but 'internally'. Aside from the usual Malayan-look, many people have mistaken Filipinos for caucasian-looking ones (Im talking about the ones who were born in the Philippines), Latin American, North Asians (Chinese) or even Indians (Asia). I remembered meeting these what seems like Chinese guys (they had lighter skin as well) until he talked to me in Tagalog. I was surprised that he was born in the Philippines and many other Chinese nationals have mistaken him for Chinese.


right. how do you identify a Filipino?

for me, whether he's chinese, mestizo, malay or negro, these are what id expect of him:

he's
1. Roman Catholic
2. his culture and traditons are Hispanic
3. he has a hispanic name and surname (heritage).
4. he mixes it with his asia pacific traditions

Eduardo Cojuangco may be physically chinese but he is as Filipino as Juan de la Cruz and Jose Maria Panganiban. Cojuangco is a Hispanic Filipino surname because it is spelled in Spanish. Same thing with Indio Panganiban and Malay Soliman, Chinese Pijiuan, Mestizo Santos.

But once he starts speaking english, converted to another Christian branch, had his surname pronounced as such(Cou-dzhuang-cou), be becomes alien to me. It's true what they say, sometimes Latinos are more Filipino than some Philippinos. Because Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones, and Dinagyang are part of the Hispano Catolico Romano legacy. In the Philippines, we try to suppress our identity and culture and uphold a foreign language. Language is culture.

That's what made us even more divided now as a nation. We have become different. Many hispanofilipinos have become anglophilippinos, the chinoyes who were hispanofilipino like Rizal, Aguinaldo, Tomas Pinpin, are asserting their Asian heritage now as different and a sub-culture of Filipino. We've lost our unity. We speak a language different from our culture. The present doesn't connect with the past. Where's patriotism when citizens can't relate to their country's past?

^^ But perhaps that is part of the evolution of the Filipinos? Are we to force them to revert to old ways when the passage of time had made them what they are, how they think, what they prefer? The new Filipinos are the products of their time.

Quite out of topic but still within the ballpark:

Q: How do you define "FOREVER"?
A: It's a Filipino goodbye.


Notice how Filipinos during parties say Goodbye in the living room, then walk to the foyer chatting, then kiss at the doorstep, then chat again by the walkway, and beso-beso some more at the sidewalk, then embrace and hug before boarding car....etc. The entire routine takes about another half hour! Forever nga kung goodbye lang ang paguusapan.

Try asking the question among friends/family when you find yourself in this situation.

^i noticed that but is that only true of Filipinos? i always thought other cultures were like that too

wtf?!?!? i type in something here and it was really long. 3-4 paragraphs response to lili's q and its gone! arghhh.. stupid i didnt even copy before posting. damn SSC!

wtf?!?!? i type in something here and it was really long. 3-4 paragraphs response to lili's q and its gone! arghhh.. stupid i didnt even copy before posting. damn SSC!

try hitting the back button a few times. sometimes it's still there

its gone! SSC was lagging on me since i logged in.

Quite out of topic but still within the ballpark:

Q: How do you define "FOREVER"?
A: It's a Filipino goodbye.


Notice how Filipinos during parties say Goodbye in the living room, then walk to the foyer chatting, then kiss at the doorstep, then chat again by the walkway, and beso-beso some more at the sidewalk, then embrace and hug before boarding car....etc. The entire routine takes about another half hour! Forever nga kung goodbye lang ang paguusapan.

Try asking the question among friends/family when you find yourself in this situation.

This is true in my family, especially my mom. Sometimes we leave her behind just to teach her a lesson never to do it again! :lol:

hey what about to-go's when a party or get-together ends?
is that an all-filipino thing too, or other cultures do that as well?
not that i mind, and it doesn't bother me at all.
i just notice a lot of women–no offense to our beautiful ladies here–are the ones who would do it after the kainan is done.

^^ Baka sa mga Amigas, talagang ganyan. Laging maypahabol na satsatan.

@Manileno, well I think even if what you have typed was lost, you would have defended your position superbly. Hindi lang nga itinadhana na ma-debunk mo ako. Hehe.

hey what about to-go's when a party or get-together ends?
is that an all-filipino thing too, or other cultures do that as well?
not that i mind, and it doesn't bother me at all.
i just notice a lot of women–no offense to our beautiful ladies here–are the ones who would do it after the kainan is done.

Ang mga lalaki pala hindi nagpapabaon? Ladies lang?

If it's given to them.
But then again, maybe it's just at my church! hehehe

Ang mga lalaki pala hindi nagpapabaon? Ladies lang?

with ladies, they ask for take out for their families, husbands, children.
with men, it's all for the doggy. jk

on second thought, maybe it's so, so walang food na itatapon.

No, it's not proper to ask. The hosts usually just initiate wrapping all the food up for pabaon or asking first if the guests would like to bring home some.

Ang mga lalaki pala hindi nagpapabaon? Ladies lang?

I dunno but for me the pabaon thing is kinda rude to the host if you just grab a bag then stock food in them. I would prefer my visitors to ask my permission first if its okay to bring home food or I am the one tell them to bring home food before you leave. Not that madamot ako but you know.. out of courtesy.

^ Definitely a No-No to just grab a bag and put food in there.

^^ Oh yeah I have a friend whose born of Fiipino parents -filam sya. Oh my God, uunahan pa nya akong magbalot ng mga pagkain sa party bago kami umalis. Dami nya ring nabalot. The ratio of our trays is 4:1. Pinayagan naman kami ng host :lol:

i have a friend whom we dread taking with us out to eat because he's too stingy.
he would literally take out his calculator (in cell phone) to see how much he would have to chip in down to the last penny. and if you dont give him back his .50 cent change, my my. you wont hear the end of it, add to that his loud and low, booming voice heard all throughout the restaurant

^^ Mga K.J's I hate them. True, they are not fun to hang out.

champion yung may dala nang lalagyan. hehe tupperware. i've seen it! honest! bigla nalang kukuha ng tupperware sa kotse. handa na! hwehwehwe!

i wouldnt do a "to go" anymore or as long as theyre in a closed and secured container, last summer my dad force me to bring the rest of the bopis. apparently, ive forgotten that i had it in back seat, and i didnt check my car for the next two days. when i open my door, the stench was brutal, this is during the summer, remember, and it was all over the car seat. obviously i cleaned but the stain stayed in there till now :gaah: i had to buy a tacky cover seat

champion yung may dala nang lalagyan. hehe tupperware. i've seen it! honest! bigla nalang kukuha ng tupperware sa kotse. handa na! hwehwehwe!

Grabe!! :omg: :lol:

thats too much already... I went to this party of some of my dad's friend then I heard a man talking to his wife, "uy bilisan mo maubusan kapa ng babauni natin" woahah! sabay takbo naman si misis...
so mali yung quote na ang mga babae lang ang nagpapabalot, coz the husbands are the once forcing them to do it. hihihi. :D

--DP--

thats too much already... I went to this party of some of my dad's friend then I heard a man talking to his wife, "uy bilisan mo maubusan kapa ng babauni natin" woahah! sabay takbo naman si misis...
so mali yung quote na ang mga babae lang ang nagpapabalot, coz the husbands are the once forcing them to do it. hihihi. :D

I will not invite those kind of people in my party. :lol:

^ Definitely a No-No to just grab a bag and put food in there.

May tawag kami dyan. We call them, The Plastic Gang!

THE PLASTIC GANG STRIKES AGAIN!

^^ So pag may nagdadala ng mga tupperware, ang tawag sa kanila, Tupper tupper gang! :lol:

Double posting

Waahh!! Tawa ako ng tawa sa mga kuwento niyo tungkol sa mga makakapal na nagbabalot o nakikipagunahan sa balot o may dala ng tupperware sa party.

Bopis pa! :rofl:

Oh my gulay!

Grabe talaga!! Just remind me about these people okay before I invite you guys for my party. :rofl:

^^ Hmmm, dito kapag nagpapa-party, yung ibang hosts, me nakahanda ng foil containers para gamiting baunan. Lagi kasing sobra yung pagkain at mas mabuti nang ipabaon na lang kaysa masira. At saka, wala nang hiya-hiya... you snooze, you lose. :rofl:

^^ Hmmm, dito kapag nagpapa-party, yung ibang hosts, me nakahanda ng foil containers para gamiting baunan. Lagi kasing sobra yung pagkain at mas mabuti nang ipabaon na lang kaysa masira. At saka, wala nang hiya-hiya... you snooze, you lose. :rofl:

Aba, ibang klase na naman yan ah. Iba iba pala ang style ng pagbabalot dito. Matutuwa na naman si Lili nito. :rofl:

Since Pinoy hosts always has that fear of running out of food at parties, they tend to cook/cater an overabundance of food, and when everyone at the party had their fill, the hosts usually invites the guests to bring the leftovers home, and will even provide the containers/foil wraps for them. I don't really take home food unless it's pancit, not for my own personal consumption, but for a coworker of mine that adores pancit! So whenever I'm at a Filipino party and there's leftover pancit I think of her and I make myself a plate (with the host's permission of course) and wrap it in foil and give it to my coworker then next day. :colgate:

^ i guess it's best to wait for the host to initiate the "pagbabalot". after all, if there is too much, it is also a favor to them. Less food to pack into the fridge and less clean up as well. The bad thing is that some people actually start making balot (syet konyo) way before the party is over. There is one lady friend of my grandma who even reserves some of the food. Pagkukuha ka, nakabantay siya tapos sasabihin niya "Akin yan. Wag niyong uubusin". Nyek! :colgate:

^^ Now that's just plain rude and obnoxious!

How about this, I know of this lady at church that even before potluck starts after the service, she'll hover around the buffet table and see what's there and then go make herself a plate of food to take home. Sometimes even lifting the saran wrap on the platters even before it's served!

^ Ibang klase naman yung friend ng grandma mo. But yes, that is the best way to do it (@Ramvingar's way.)

I'm just surprised, in American WASP parties, there is not much food but more liquor. I don't enjoy it as much.

I guess to them, getting drunk and having a good time is better than having a full stomach and having a great time.

Lili, what's a WASP party?

W - White
A - Anglo
S - Saxon
P - Protestant

In other words the majority of the people here in the US.

^ Ibang klase naman yung friend ng grandma mo. But yes, that is the best way to do it (@Ramvingar's way.)

I'm just surprised, in American WASP parties, there is not much food but more liquor. I don't enjoy it as much.
yup, they are more into cocktail parties with lots of chit-chatting and eating pica-pica foods..but on grand occasions, the cocktail party is usually followed by an nth-course formal dinner...

W - White
A - Anglo
S - Saxon
P - Protestant

In other words the majority of the people here in the US.

ahhhh! hehe! first time I've heard that. thanks Kimber! :)

yup, they are more into cocktail parties with lots of chit-chatting and eating pica-pica foods..but on grand occasions, the cocktail party is usually followed by an nth-course formal dinner...

True, and not only that, it has to be a sit-down meal and not buffet or family style.

^^ oo nga no? I never realized that until you brought it up. good observation

I've attended American buffet parties, especially when it's a big group.

I've attended American buffet parties, especially when it's a big group.

Was it a formal event Lili?

mornin Ramm!

:hi: Hey Matt!

yes sir kiretoce sir? heheh
congratulations, by the way.
for that we get to sing you a song.

go ram!

:lol: Really? What song will that be?

Hey Matt! good morning to you too! :)

yes sir kiretoce sir? heheh
congratulations, by the way.
for that we get to sing you a song.

go ram!

go ram what?

I've attended American buffet parties, especially when it's a big group.

if you want food, try to attend the redneck party...lotsa grilled meat ala barbeQ, corn, veggies, and beer....

Was it a formal event Lili?

The formal ones are sit-down dinners. The buffet ones are less formal. We have a lot of those in my office. A lot of elbow-rubbing, working the room, etc. I'm not big on those but sometimes one needs to be visible to be known here.

Hey Chot, Matt was just saying that he does not look 'puti' but true-blue 'pinoy' in another thread and that you can attest to that. What was your impression of him when you saw him?

if you want food, try to attend the redneck party...lotsa grilled meat ala barbeQ, corn, veggies, and beer....

I think Southern black and even Carribean parties, too. Downhome cooking.

sing. hehe

oooh you got a sig

dun ka sa creole cooking ng new orleans...bagsak presyo ang tourism nila don

The formal ones are sit-down dinners. The buffet ones are less formal. We have a lot of those in my office. A lot of elbow-rubbing, working the room, etc. I'm not big on those but sometimes one needs to be visible to be known here.

Hey Chot, Matt was just saying that he does not look 'puti' but true-blue 'pinoy' in another thread and that you can attest to that. What was your impression of him when you saw him?

hehe! he's definitely Tisoy but not as white as in the first pic he posted. in the original pic he kinda looked like an Amerasian but like he said, it was coz of the sun. In person, Pinoy parin ang itsura but fair complexioned. cute pa rin at siguradong pasang pasa kay Ahsley. yiheee!! :)

sing. hehe

oooh you got a sig

sing? ah? i don't think so. not before I've had at least a couple of drinks! and you've put on some earplugs. :)

yeah got a sig. wala lang. sorta defines what i am feeling right now. waiting for funding, waiting for a return call, waiting for the plumber's call, waiting for the SSC page to load......

hehe! he's definitely Tisoy but not as white as in the first pic he posted. in the original pic he kinda looked like an Amerasian but like he said, it was coz of the sun. In person, Pinoy parin ang itsura but fair complexioned. cute pa rin at siguradong pasang pasa kay Ahsley. yiheee!! :)
see, i told y'all hehe
eto pics page --> http://www.myspace.com/8927402

^^ of course we can;t view the pics unless we have myspace. ok lang i have friendster naman. meanwhile, Tee, bakit tinanggal mo ako sa friendster mo?! Bad!

Yeah whiteboy. :lol:

^^ of course we can;t view the pics unless we have myspace. ok lang i have friendster naman. meanwhile, Tee, bakit tinanggal mo ako sa friendster mo?! Bad!
really? how come Tigi was able to view it.
he said he just clicked on the link

^dunno. baka meron siyang myspace na secret. hehe

actually, we can see the frontpage but when we try to click on other images, it tells us to register first.

hmmm.
interesting.
dami namang sekrets ni tigi

hmmm.
interesting.
dami namang sekrets ni tigi

Tigi is like a woman's heart - because he is like an ocean of secrets. :lol:

^^ :rofl:

"I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go...." -- Rose, from the movie Titanic.

really? how come Tigi was able to view it.
he said he just clicked on the link

Yup, it sucks that we have to join first before viewing any pics! :bash:

hmmm.
interesting.
dami namang sekrets ni tigi
:sly:

Tigi is like a woman's heart - because he is like an ocean of secrets. :lol:
:sly:

really? how come Tigi was able to view it.
he said he just clicked on the link
meron akong myspace tanong mo kay manileno.

of course we can;t view the pics unless we have myspace. ok lang i have friendster naman. meanwhile, Tee, bakit tinanggal mo ako sa friendster mo?! Bad!
i was pissed off because it wont let me change one of my pics. i said: this is retarded, click account's gone

:rofl:

^^ oh I didn't notice.... nawala ka na rin sa friendster ko....

kaya naman pala i was looking for you sa account ni matt, tapos inaaway ko pa si ash na wala ka naman sa list nya, yun pala wala na talaga...

^^ do we have anything to pass tomorrow?

HHmmmnnn lets just hope our politicians take their heads out of their asses for the Filipinos sake especially for the ones still residing in the Philippines.

^^ do we have anything to pass tomorrow?

Gas? :lol: :jk:

Well, I hope that some politicians are members of SSC, especially the corrupt ones (no offense to the not guilty). These people are being talked everywhere, in almost all forums. Hope they hear our unified message! National Interests first!

Well, I hope that some politicians are members of SSC, especially the corrupt ones (no offense to the not guilty). These people are being talked everywhere, in almost all forums. Hope they hear our unified message! National Interests first!

Unfortunately colonizers instilled in us the culture of corruption, the Spaniards, the British, the Dutch, the Americans, Japanese and definitely some home grown talents as well. :)

Being Filipino
By Conrado de Quiros Feb 01, 2006

POLLSTER Mahar Mangahas had some startling revelations the other day. "Pride in being Filipino is very high and impervious to crises." "Public morale and equanimity are dented but indestructible," the yearend figures last year showing 4 out of 5 Filipinos looked toward the New Year with hope rather than with dread. Most Filipinos also still preferred democracy "even though it hasn't been working well lately."

Well, only the first one is really startling. The preference for democracy is borne out by figures that continue to show most Filipinos believe Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cheated in the elections and want her out. It is shown as well by the lack of enthusiasm for Charter change, most people figuring it is not the solution to the problem. Most people still believe in democracy; they just don't quite know yet what to do with a usurper who refuses to go.

That most Filipinos look at the future with hope rather than dread may be explained by several things. Not completely facetiously, the Chinese calendar proclaims this year, which began last Sunday -- Kung Hei Fat Choy, everyone! -- as the year of the Fire Dog, which is given to idealism, peace and prosperity. I've always joked that that probably means Arroyo will be gone soon, which is the one thing that will usher in all those things. Some people are not laughing.

But more tangibly, the Filipino optimism may be explained by a couple of things. One, this is a resolutely Catholic country that doesn't believe in suicide. It believes in homicide, but that is another story altogether. It has a good and bad side, the good being that the Filipino is unsinkable, believing as he does in the efficacy of prayer, and the bad being that he expects God to work for him, believing as he does in the efficacy of prayer to grow crops when irrigation might easily do the trick. And two, the survey was done late last year. The last quarter of the year being officially Christmas season in this country, it is not surprising to find 4 out of 5 Filipinos buoyant about the future. I half-suspect you will find the same number of Filipinos buoyant about their chances of making some money in the "jueteng" illegal numbers game or in lotto at that time of year.

It's the finding that most Filipinos being proud to be Filipino that perplexes me. It seems to fly in the face of evidence. Assuming Mangahas' poll group Social Weather Stations got it right, or 4 out 5 Filipinos expressly articulated it in those terms, it seems to me to raise only more problems than it solves. Chief of them: What is it that we are really proud of? What does "being Filipino" really mean to us?

I do know that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can be horrendously homesick and feel suicidal -- or homicidal -- abroad, and kiss the ground upon landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport fortified by cognac liberally and libertinely consumed on Philippine Airlines planes. I do know that Filipinos get fiercely nostalgic about Christmas and fiestas, and hang Pec Piñon paintings depicting rustic scenery on their walls along with icons of the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the words "God bless our home" in them. I do know that Filipinos thrill to the victory of Manny Pacquiao and would like nothing better than to make him president, which he looked alongside Arroyo last Friday, Arroyo looking more like a poor imitation of Don King. I do know that Filipinos then liked singing Florante's "Ako'y Isang Pinoy" and now like singing Orange and Lemons' "Pinoy Ako," even though the latter labors under a cloud of plagiarism, a humongously ironic, if unwitting, commentary on being "Pinoy" [Filipino].

Beyond this, however, I don't know what "pride in being Filipino" really means. Last Friday, I attended an event at New World hotel sponsored by the local Scottish community, courtesy of my friend Billy Esposo who is half-Scot. It was a Burns Supper, held in memory of the 18th Scottish bard, Robert Burns, who wrote enviably romantic poems and lived an even more enviably romantic life. The supper is meant to produce witty and erudite speeches and banter. I wondered while I was there why we didn't have similar celebrations for Francisco Balagtas, the Filipino bard, born only 29 years after Burns -- 1788 to Burns' 1759.

But then I wondered how many Filipinos now even know Balagtas. My generation at least had "Florante at Laura" as required reading in Pilipino. That was part of "Diwang Kayumanggi," the other half of "Balarila." I wondered how many Filipinos can still recite the immortal lines: "O pagibig na makapangyarihan... / Pag ikaw ay nasok sa puso ninuman / Hahamakin ang lahat masunod ka lamang."

While at this, I remembered again the studies made by several scholars in the 1990s on the attitudes of public elementary school kids to their world. Most of them listed as their preferred nationality American, Japanese or Saudi Arabian. Filipino only came fourth. The last, two of course, owed to the OFW phenomenon, which had already begun to rage then, Japan and Saudi Arabia being the staple employers. Most of them preferred American heroes to local ones, some even knowing the story of Washington and the cherry tree. Most of them preferred the heroes of Marvel and DC comics to those of local ones.

To this day, the Filipino Dream continues to be the Filipino Tragedy, which is to own a green card or become an American citizen. Crooks in government continue to stash their loot in Swiss banks and San Francisco real estate, unlike their Asian counterparts who stash their loot only under their pillow, metaphorically speaking, of course. Elsewhere, being Thai, being American, being Iranian or indeed being Iraqi means knowing your heroes and your poets, finding it inconceivable to be other than Thai, American or Iranian (or Iraqi), being a little passionate about the land of your birth.

The Social Weather Stations poll says 4 out of 5 Filipinos are proud to be Filipino. Yes, but what exactly does being Filipino mean?

I agree.

why did you edit your post?? well, it's true that some are like that...

Is the Philippines worth crying for, despite of political instability?
Who will shed tears for the Motherland .
Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit,
to hold the lonely Flag that symbolize her name.

Count me in, you may?

How Much Do We Love The Philippines?

As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently studying in the Philippines to take advantage of our cheaper tuition fees and learn English at the same time. This is an essay written by a Korean student we want to share with you.
------------

My Short Essay about the Philippines
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed completely after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father's brother also died because of famine.

Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economy situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only BR three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience. In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him.
President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea.

He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off.

Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And I have loved my neighborhood.

Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children. When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a
priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boat men, for the boat men were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God.

I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love is the keyword which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships.

It changes the world.

Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.

You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others. That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

-----------

Now I will second her/his curiosity. Is the Philippines worth crying for?

Who will shed tears for the Motherland.

Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the lonely Flag that symbolize her name.

If you love the motherland, it's just a click to spread this message.

"Life with CHRIST is an endless hope, without HIM, a hopeless end.


++++++++

well... count me in.... I find it very sad to see that there are more foreigners who appreciate our country more than its citizens.....


Filipinos love the philippines, but the philippines doesn't love the people:sleepy:

^No, I do believe our country loves it's just that we can't pay that love back. Were not even united! Hopeless, that's what you call it.

Yup, why get coffee from Starbucks if Aling Nena just around the corner sells one at a cheaper price?

^^What's Aling Nena?!!..is that an analogy for Figaro's?!!

^^What's Aling Nena?!!..is that an analogy for Figaro's?!!


oh.. so all along i was arguing with a non-filipino over what is filipino. :)

Aling Nena...a representation of the good ol' Filipina tiendera.

oh.. so all along i was arguing with a non-filipino over what is filipino. :)

Figured out that one, too. :)

heh?! nahh lol heyyyyyyyyyy I just thought Aling Nena is like a Filipino rival of Starbucks.........as in actual company called "Aling Nena" geeeeezzzzz

Aling Nena?! Oh, gosh!:lol:

tsk tsk tsk and i dont appreciate you guys being quite condescending either.....
sO now I know...Salamat Po!!