AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...
I received this in the email today. I'm printing this as my own way of balancing recent reports on our "hopelessness" and "misery". It's from an Australian national who also happens to be upset about our one dimensional image in international media. I just wonder who the German "journalist" who he mentioned in the article might be...
Viewing The Philippines In A Different Light
by Scott Allford
October 18, 2009
If you live outside of the Philippines and you watch or read the news you may feel very justified in believing that the Philippines is a very dangerous country, savaged by typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and terrorist attacks. You may also be assured in your belief that it is a poor country with images of children picking through garbage, slums, and corruption scandals broadcast in most international news reports. I am not going to deny that these things are true, however, they are not all that the country contains. Not every person in the Philippines is poor, a terrorist or a victim of terror. In fact other countries around the world suffer from these same problems yet they do not become iconic images of those nations.
The Common View of the Philippines
A few months ago I was at a roof-top birthday party in Makati filled with socialites and expats. Whilst there I was introduced to a German ‘journalist’, and my friend asked him why the Philippines is portrayed in such a negative light in the foreign media. His response was in two parts; Firstly because in his experience he could not sell stories about the Philippines in Germany if they were not about poverty, violence or corruption. Secondly, he said that because there is so much poverty, violence, and corruption, there is nothing else to report on. After saying this, he sipped his glass of red wine and was whisked away into a group of Filipino socialites.
Perhaps the red wine was ‘poor’ in taste, or the fact that that particular roof-top was one of the few in Makati which doesn’t have a swimming pool made him focus on the poverty in the Philippines, or maybe the sounds of merrymaking were ‘violent’ on his ears. I think that it was none of these things. Germany, a developed country, has slums. But if the focus can be moved away from the poverty in the developed countries and put on some islands way out in the Pacific Ocean, then people in developed countries can feel a little bit better.
I remember growing up in Australia, taking garbage out to the dump after cleaning up the garden. I would see Aboriginals picking through the garbage for food. Yet that has never been an iconic image of Australia. I went to ‘water villages’ in Malaysia and Brunei and thought how similar they look to slums in Manila. Yet ‘water villages’ are tourist attractions and the slums here are not. I lived in South Korea a few hundred kilometres away from the DMZ, with jets and helicopters flying overhead all the time it felt like a war zone. In the spring I would have 40 tanks facing in the direction of my apartment. Yet South Korea is generally not viewed or branded as a dangerous country. And South Korea has slums too. Perhaps the time will come when people outside the Philippines will come to realize that the branded image of the Philippines portrayed in the media is only a small piece of the full picture of this country.
A Different View
Since the Philippines was settled by people 30,000 years ago, this country has blossomed into a mix of over 180 indigenous ethnic groups, over half of which also represent unique linguistic groups. This array of cultures, languages and cultural artifacts cannot be matched by most nations of the world. From the Ilocano, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, and Visayans to the Binukid, Moros, Ati, Igorot, and the T’boli, just to name a few. These cultures are rich, strong and proud and in most cases the people that make up these cultures are very friendly and welcoming to outsiders. On a trip to Sagada I was welcomed into a very warm and friendly Kankanaey family. T hey showed us around Sagada and told us stories of Kankanaey cultural practices. They even taught me how to wear a traditional bahag (a hand-loomed loin cloth or G-string).
Neighbouring Sagada is Ifugao, with vast rice terraces that shape the mountains of the region. The oldest rice terraces are 6,000 years old, which is 1,000 years older than the oldest pyramid in Egypt. If put end to end the rice terraces dwarf the Great Wall of China, and the rice terraces were not made by using slave labor like most other ancient wonders of the world.
The Banaue Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage site. But they are not alone. The Philippines have numerous UNESCO world heritage sites including the Baroque churches of San Agustin Church in Manila, Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, and Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo. There is also the beautiful and historic town of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Furthermore, there are the natural UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
Lastly, the Philippines consists of 7,107 beautiful islands. These islands contain remote beaches and amazing rock formations as well as other natural wonders like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, the perfectly conical Mt. Mayon volcano or the stunning Bacuit Bay in El Nido, Palwan. B ut also on these islands is a range of biodiversity not seen in most other places on the planet. In Romblon, Sibuyan Island is known as the Galapagos of Asia as it contains such a diverse range of species which can be found nowhere else on the planet. If you get off these islands and dive into the cool blue-turquoise waters of the Philippines, you may also see some of the richest biodiversity in the world’s seas. The Verde Island Passage has been named as the ‘centre of the centre’ of marine biodiversity in the world. It has over 300 species of corals as well as vast numbers of fish that you will not find anywhere else.
With all that this country has to offer, I am baffled as to why it has been branded in such a negative way by the international media. However, I think that more and more people are starting to discover that there is a different side to the Philippines to the one they have been bombarded with for the past few decades. Those who come to the Philippines to seek out the beauty of this country will not be disappointed. However, first time travelers to the Philippines should beware, just like me and many other foreigners, this amazing country may compel you to stay quite a bit longer than you initially planned.
Scott M. Allford
has lived and worked in Australia and South Korea and has traveled extensively throughout Asia - Mongolia, China, Tibet, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan – fell in love with the Philippines and decided to allocate at least two years to comprehensively cover the country.
posted by carlosceldran @ 3:01 PM
70 Comments:
http://tourism-philippines.com/authors/scott-m-allford/
http://bit.ly/3GVnJx
Scott is also on Facebook, as you may or may not know.
Great article... about time!
The main culprit for such negative impressions from those dayuhan, is the city that you're passionate about, Manila. It's a festering sore and it gives a lousy image of the country as a whole. You are doing a heroic job of changing the way people see Manila.
I hope you become the mayor of Manila, because we need to clean up the act of the country's principal gateway. It's not surprising that the citizens of Manila are cynical and they continually badmouth the place and the rest of the country which rubs off to the dayuhans. Foreigners stay at the "tourist belt" of Malate and Ermita and see nothing but ugliness. Is Malate the best Manila can offer?
Once you leave Metro-Manila, it's absolutely beautiful. Pristine beaches, happy people, wonderful culture and amazing sceneries. During elections, the rest of the country votes differently from MM.
The capital city's chattering class see nothing but ugliness, so they paint the rest of the country with the same brush.
@Anonymous
If you see Manila as a festering sore, then you are blind. Manila is one of the most vibrant yet one of the most underrated cities in Asia.
I have been to a lot of capitals in the world, and I tell you, they never have the charm that Manila has.
i think that's the beauty of manila. We can find whatever we're looking for here. If you look for beauty, it can be most beautiful city you've ever been to. if you're looking for poverty, it can be the poorest. There isn't only a single way to look at Manila.
I disagree, Anonymous. I grew up in Manila and I have never badmouthed my country or my city. I think the negative impressions come mainly from Pinoys who have emigrated to different countries. The worst complaints about the Philippines I have ever heard have come from upper middle class escapees of the "festering sore" of which you speak. They think of themselves as having eluded a fate worse than death and congratulate themselves accordingly by reminding themselves how deadly that fate was. I had a friend who actually complained to me once that there was no running hot water in his aunt's house in Manila. In a tropical country! Le Sigh.
""I disagree, Anonymous. I grew up in Manila and I have never badmouthed my country or my city. I think the negative impressions come mainly from Pinoys who have emigrated to different countries. The worst complaints about the Philippines I have ever heard have come from upper middle class escapees of the "festering sore" of which you speak. They think of themselves as having eluded a fate worse than death and congratulate themselves accordingly by reminding themselves how deadly that fate was. I had a friend who actually complained to me once that there was no running hot water in his aunt's house in Manila. In a tropical country! Le Sigh.""
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The above is obviously bullshit. Now you're blaming the disparaging of the Philippines on Filipinos who "immigrated" [NOT EMIGRATED] to other countries. ANIMAL, SILA NGA ANG TUMUTULONG SA BANSA WITH THEIR BILLION DOLLAR REMITTANCE ANNUALLY! TANGA!!!! Don't even classify your fellow Filipinos as "upper middle class." Why did you even mention that? Filipinos from all classes have left the Philippines especially after World War II and most especially during that fucking Martial Law. "Upper middle class" as opposed to the Upper Upper Super Duper Class A+ thieves that grace your television sets, periodicals, Senate halls, who say LIFE IS GOOD IN THE PHILIPPINES? Isa kang tanga! And you live in the Philippines? You and your friend are obviously the type of people who follow wowowee and the korimar wedding--sheeps who say "yes ma'am and yes sir."
The negative comments come from the majority of Filipinos IN THE PHILIPPINES who are marginalized and disadvantaged. The number of observations or articles written and reported around the world (good or bad) do not even come close to the millions of Filipinos who can't afford to pay the "UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES" that we're all so proud of. I roam the streets of Manila and all of the Philippines. And guess what, most live in poverty and most whom I've met say they want to get out (rich and poor). The rich ones who want to stay are those in the circle of corruption.
Just ask ourselves, "How come homes in the Philippines have high fences with security guards and windows with iron shields?" I remember DeVenecia's kid trapped in their own home and could not get out because of the iron-barred window. Given the few world heritage spots and the geography of the Philippines--IT IS FUCKING BEAUTIFUL. END OF STORY. But life in the Philippines for the most part...Life Is Not Beautiful. If you can afford life in the Philippines or to even visit...hell yeah, the Philippines is the best place on earth. But over all, life sucks in our country. We're so preoccupied with breaking Guinness Book of World Records and cheering for a Filipino who made it out of poverty like Pineda, Pempengco and Pacquiao that we forget the underlying lessons of their lives.
HMMM, the rooftop of a Makati high-rise with socialites? Any articles that mention the words "party" and "socialites" in the Philippines is in my opinion pretentious and inappropriate. It's a third world country with a TATLER monthly publication. That's like Bangladesh having a BANGLADESH VOGUE.
"Thieves, sheeps and pretense living in an underdeveloped archipelago."
dear carlos,
would you allow me to share the article of Scott to colleagues in the travel industry?
bambi samson
el nido resorts
Sadly, however much we would wish it not so, and however much one loves the RP, the unfortunate reality often is "good news is no news" in international journalism, and I know that is surely what the German journalist meant (I'm pretty sure I know who it is and the article paints an unfair picture,ironically).
However, I believe one of the reasons the Philippines is portrayed so negatively is that for some reason it is generally not featured in the UK press at all ( I can't speak for other countries), so only the most sensationally terrible news gets through. The RP is a beautiful place where quite astonishing things regularly happen, and by no means all bad. But the country is just ignored, to the point that many people I know have only the vaguest idea of where the RP even is. Brits tend to be surprised if I tell them the population size, you can see them thinking "then why don't I hear more about the place"? My elderly parents 'sleep' with BBC Radio 4 World Service on all night, every night, which mainly consists of news. When i was living in Makati, if the Philippines was mentioned they would prick up their ears - and it was always the bad news. I would try to make a reassuring call everytime something bad, as in 'news bad' happened in Manila - the Glorietta explosion, the motorbike bomb attack outside congress, the coup attempt, the approach of 'supertyphoon' Mina....
Even taking into account that only bad news sells, The Philippines gets an especially raw deal considering its giant population and the fact that there are so many good things about the country.
All of this means the outside world has built up a lazy and stereotyped view, which is self-reinforcing - hence Manila seems to have become a go-to place for stories about poverty (I can remember when it was Calcutta that had that dubious honour).
It's been said before, but if only the dept of tourism was given more of a budget (and Carlos was put in charge:) ) we would see much more of the RP's better side internationally to balance things out. The best example I can think of right now is Brazil - everyone knows there is violence and millions of people suffer there, but that isn't the one thing that defines the country in the minds of Europeans.
Dear Anonymous,
I fear there has been a misunderstanding. To wit: to EMIgrate means to LEAVE and to IMMIgrate means to COME IN. Therefore, I was referring to those who have emigrated FROM the Philippines and are already citizens of other, more developed countries. I was NOT referring to overseas workers who remit most, if not all, their money back to the Philippines. These people have NOT emigrated from the Philippines to immigrate TO another country. They are still Filipino citizens and as such, NOT included in my generalization. That is why I specifically called out those who are upper middle class, as they usually had some means to be educated in the Philippines and could probably have a comfortable life back home, but chose greener pastures. That, in and of itself, I have no problem with. It's when they then turn around and act as if they cannot be bothered to look at their former country with anything but contempt and derision that I begin to lose respect for them.
While I agree that living conditions in our country are far from ideal, and that many Manileños complain about this, my original point was concerned with the source of the negative image as it looks to foreigners. And to most non-Pinoys, their main contact with our country is the Pinoy diaspora in their country. So I would think that they would have more influence on foreign opinion of our country than those of us still living in it. That was my only point of disagreement with you.
I hope we can agree to disagree on this. Thanks!
Enough of this spelling and grammar corrections balderdash. Go to any blog and there will be grammar corrections and spelling corrections by Filipinos. This is a sign of shortage of substance in a healthy discourse.
The Americans, the Japanese, and the Koreans are poor when it comes to grammar and spelling and yet they are prosperous.
Going back to the topic. One month after the tsunami in Thailand and after the bombing in Bali, the Thais and the Indonesians will tell you how beautiful their countries are and things are back to normal even in reality it is not. The Filipinos are the worst in terms of spreading bad news about their country. I can't believe how the Filipinos throw mud at their own country.
I love the Philippines and it has so much to offer for the backpackers and the high-end tourists alike.
Some people here have issues.
I think it's simply a matter of what you choose to focus on. Some people see Manila as a "festering boil", some people think it's vibrant. Ako, I think Manila is fantastic. It's not without its flaws, I would love for a lot of things to change, but I really do love it.
I think a lot of us are still suffering from a bit of colonial mentality. You know, that "Pinoys can't do anything right and are good for nothing, go Yankees" line of thinking. A lot of us would rather believe that this country's hopeless, that it's beyond salvation. A lot of us sneer when we hear stories about Pinoys who do good, or how nice some places here are. A lot of us would rather focus on the ugly parts because they've been raised to believe that that is the norm. Well, I'm sick of it.
Yes, I'm aware of the squatters, the garbage, the graft and corruption, etc, etc, etc. But there are a lot of nice things too, and we would be better served focusing on the positives while finding solutions for the negatives.
If you tell a people they're worthless, they just might believe you. So let's start telling ourselves otherwise.
There are cities in the Philippines that are learning from Manila's wrecklessness and avoiding her pitfalls. Naga, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Olongapo, Marikina, Vigan and Davao are quite pleasant towns that give a positive impression to an unsuspecting visitor.
It's so easy to blame the national government for all the ills of the country, but many local government units have been partly irresponsible in performing their duties. For them, squatters are voters and so on goes the corruption cycle at the base level. Manila needs an world-class urban planner, not a politician.
So all is not lost in the Philippines. There are a lot of talented new breeds out there. Jolog trapos out! Carlos Celdran for MMDA!
Dear Pangursperson,
I apologize for sounding so mean and insensitive :) I know we all mean well for Manila and the entire Philippines. Eventually we will overcome the depression and hardships. Heck even America had to go through it. It just so happens that the Philippines is experiencing everything that could go wrong in the age of modern and better communication. It's unfair that the spotlight is on us with just one click of the mouse.
Here's my two cents. The natural beauty of the Philippines (GOD I SOUND LIKE PHILIPPINE AIRLINES) OKAY I'LL SAY IT...WILL FUCKING SHINE THROUGH. But aside from nation building and what Carlos is doing, we all have to address corruption. If our culture's core is corrupt, then nation building will bear no fruit. Just take for example Intramuros. That could have easily been restored. But because of corruption, we only have a few structures to showcase. Let's not settle for less. We have capable, hardworking, honest Filipinos abroad and at home. Let's not allow corruption eat our core. Corruption is the problem and we need to put an end to it.
Brenda. Feel free to repost anywhere!
I agree with Jett. Enough is enough of this spelling and grammar brouhaha.
You might as well be an English teacher to the Koreans.
I refuse to let go of this "spelling and grammar brouhaha". It's not a matter of pride, it's just a matter of communicating correctly.
And please stop using countries like korea and Japan as shining examples of countries that have done well despite not knowing english well. It's not as if THAT what the reason for their success.
end rant.
You don't get the drift.
What i was saying is that Japan and Korea are prosperous countries in spite of...
The use of elegant English is more of a social climbing thing, at least in the Philippines. Correcting a wrong grammar and pronunciation is an integral part of that social thing.
Carlos, thank you for this sharing this article and for the Australian who wrote this article.
I admit, I'm at one of the livable countries in the world because my family chose the greener pasture and this opportunity arrived. My family's not rich in the Philippines, we're only in the middle, and I lived a normal life back home as well. I grew up in Pasay City, and I guess I agree that it's mostly in Metro Manila where you see the huge difference in the society. Sometimes I sneer at the high-end places in Makati and the parties they throw, while on the other side you can clearly see poverty right before your eyes. I agree that most people in the city have this kind of attitude, of putting down their country for they are somewhat embarrassed of their country's imperfections. But if we know these flaws, we can change it, because it's for the best and for the future generations.
And I gotta agree with pangursperson that some people who immigrated to wealthy countries are proud of where they are, and look down on others even to their own fellowmen. It's like, if they see one of their countrymen who just recently immigrated to a foreign land, they would treat them like scums. And if they 'discriminate' these people just like that, it would be easy for them to separate themselves from the Philippines as well.
But I will never cease believing that this country still has hope. Filipinos can work together and promote nationalism and tourism most especially so international countries can look at us differently as well.
Hi Carlos, can i repost this article on my liveournal blog? I'd like to link it also to my facebook? thanks.
While I do not want to include myself in diverting the topic, I have to give my two cents.
Yeah, I noticed this grammar and spell checks too when I visit not only this blog but other blogs as well. Filipinos love doing it.
I go for correct grammar and spelling in communicating. However, the delivery of the correction shows a sliver of superiority complex.
While other countries concentrated on Math and Sciences and produced a plethora of engineers, our country has created a posse of English speaking individuals like the grave yard posse aka call center agents.
You people are just freaking douchebags.
You people (especially you Anonymous) don't get it do you?
1. This article should shame everyone who's ashamed of being Filipinos because all you focus are the negative things. YOU PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A FREAKING PRIDE OF PLACE. Nakakahiya kayo! And you call yourselves Pinoys and you pass judgement calls in the comforts of your middle-class homes! Wala kayong pagmamahal sa bansa!
2. You call Japan and Korea shining examples? BULLSHIT. The current Korean President Lee Myung Bak stole millions and millions and millions of dollars and fled to the US and then came back to Korea and ran for President and won! Korean progress was built on thievery and deceit and environmental degradation. So BULLSHIT if you start comparing to countries whom you don't even know. Isang malaking katangahan ang magkumpara ng magkumpara.
3. Poverty is everywhere Anonymous. It exists in the FESTERING SLUMS of even the most developed countries. You FUCKING TRAVEL and see the world dude. Berlin has slums, Paris has slums. I've met people what your standard may consider as poor but they don't necessarily consider themselves as such. Corruption you say? Corruption is rife everywhere - even in the halls of the White House!
GOD YOU PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID. THIS ARTICLE WAS MEANT TO UNITE AND MAKE US PROUD AS FILIPINOS AND YOU FUCKING MORONS CAN'T JUST WAIT TO GIVE A PIECE OF YOUR SHITTY AND UNINFORMED OPINIONS.
Wow, I notice people here who really put people down for emphasizing grammar/spelling/communication which I think are very important, especially that we are known to speak good English in Asia. Anton Mina, what's wrong with being a call center agent who happens to be well-adept in English? Why even say that? Why put a fellow Filipino down for excelling at what they do? You have issues. There are a "plethora" of engineers in the Philippines as well. Because of corruption, some have to settle for what's readily available such as call center jobs.
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Panky Francisco said, "The use of elegant English is more of a social climbing thing, at least in the Philippines. Correcting a wrong grammar and pronunciation is an integral part of that social thing."
Wow, I don't know where to start with the above comment. Let's just say this comment is addlepated and I'd like to invite you in a lecture hall to debate that point of view. HOY ANIMAL NA TANGA, SA AMERICA INE-EMPHASIZE NG MGA TEACHERS AT KAHIT NA SAAN ANG PROPER ENGLISH GRAMMAR! What the hell is that "social climbing thing"? Today, Filipinos especially the youngsters are so fucking into texting that they forget how to spell and express properly (ie...pipl, taksi, iskul)WHAT THE FUCK? And a person who champions proper English is a social climber? Who even cares about social climbing? THAT THOUGHT IS VERY GAY: no offense to homosexuals but based on my own experience, only gay people utter the words "social climb" and shallow people who try to belong. The reality is, everybody social climbs and this social climbing is manifested by where you live, what you drive, what you wear, what you know and what you do. We all strive to be the best at what we do and to live comfortably. I'd like to know who does not social climb in a 3rd World country ranked as one of the most corrupt in the world. It's about survival and getting to the top. You think these pretentious so-called richest people in the Philippines do not social climb? What, like all these people were born rich and are descendants of God himself?
You think Henry Sy came out of a gold bar's ass and did not "social climb"? ANIMAL!!!!! Even Queen Elizabeth's ancestors had to social climb. SO STOP USING SOCIAL CLIMB, K? Only gossip columnist working for Philippine Star or Tatler Magazine use those words. Or their readers.
The point is?
Y'all get some international perspective before you start dissing your own country!
And FYI, Anonymous - the Australian writer of this blog entry lives in what you call a festering sore called Manila for over a year.
@UK "journalist"
I know that German "journo" and I was introduced to him on that night. I was right there on that party and the description of the journo in question was pretty accurate. I know a lot of the people in the social circles where he moves and the consensus was he was a typical, unoriginal journo who pretends he's one. Of course the Filipinos around him rather keep quiet out of politeness.
The fact that this person moves, wines, dines and sleeps around with Manila's so-called high-society and then paint a very bad picture of the country smacks of high-level hypocrisy.
While we never deny that these things exists (not only in the Philippines but most countries in the world), what we demand is equal and unbiased reportage. What we demand is ethical journalism which is pretty hard to come by these days.
I agree with you that the country gets a pretty raw deal when it comes to international exposure. Of course, this too is compounded by the fact that some Filipinos (and the local media) without proper international perspective are easy to diss and jump into a bandwagon of uninformed opinions. One of the many examples are some of the exchanges on this thread. Except being able to appreciate, people like Anonymous is quick to denigrate. Thanks to people like him, "journalists" like that German has more fuel to add to his fire.
Hi all. Glad you've enjoyed my article and it has gotten you to think about how the Philippines is perceived internationally. If you want to read more of my stuff or other writers trying to promote this great country please check out our site at http://tourism-philippines.com.
Whoa! What violent responses. Control yourselves folks. Panky and Anton expressed their opinions, so please respect them. I can't understand why the G word (read gay) comes into the picture here.
At the end of the day, it is what the MASA understands (70% of the population as of last count) and you know what I mean.
Anonymous says:
"HMMM, the rooftop of a Makati high-rise with socialites? Any articles that mention the words "party" and "socialites" in the Philippines is in my opinion pretentious and inappropriate."
================================
You are an idiot. Can the writer not help it if he was invited to that party which happened to have those people around? Mag-aral ka nga ulit. Para kang amateur high school campus paper writer magsalita. Read it in context moron.
Riain and Anonymous, please do not label people based on their opinions. This blog should elicit healthy discourse not violent reactions.
I agree that English is very important. However, Math and Science is more important in the high techology and high ticket item economy.
Not to reduce the contribution of call center agents to the Phil. economy, unless you are a BPO agent (read engineers, accountants, lawyers, etc.), other call center agents (read customer service, telemarketers, etc.) are high school students if they are in the U.S.
To Riain:
"BULLSHIT if you start comparing to countries whom you don't even know. Isang malaking katangahan ang magkumpara ng magkumpara.
Corruption is rife everywhere - even in the halls of the White House!
GOD YOU PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID."
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Hindi ko alam na kasama ka pala ni Obama at ng mga ibang naging presidente ng America sa mga Oval Office meetings nila. Kailan ka naging experto ng corruption sa America? Ano ang rango ng Pilipinas sa katiwalian? Masarap ba ang tae mo because all you just said you just ate. And why even mention "middle class homes."
And not that I'm showing off, but I have travelled to these places and yes slums exist anywhere on earth. But to even compare Manila to Berlin or Paris is idiotic. Here's why:
People today care about "first impressions." A person I know who just visited the Philippines said, "Manila is a shit hole." This was hard to swallow but it was his first impression. What's the first thing you notice when landing in NAIA and out of the parking lot? Traffic, pollution, electric cables, slums. Even Makati was not impressive according to him. Going to the better neighborhood, what do you see and pass? People begging for money and more slums. WE HAVE AN UGLY CITY AND OUR CITY IS THEIR FIRST IMPRESSION. OUR CITY IS A SHIT HOLE BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION. In fairness, corruption does exist in Washington DC but does Manila come close in terms of appearance to Washington DC? Manila is fucking ugly, let's be truthful. Sure there are pockets of nice places but 90% of the city sucks sucks sucks big time in architecture, transportation, and safety. What do we brag about? Malls? San Agustin Church? The Cultural Center of the Philippines which I think is the ugliest piece of shit building in the Philippines? It's all about first impression.
Putting it simply, let's say your "middle class" house is being visited by someone from Washington DC. And your middle class house is located in Tondo. Your driveway has oil leaks. Your front yard garden has no grass and filled with dog shits. Your visitor opens the door and your living room contains non-complementary furnitures: a brass table, solid marble chairs, an old Queen Anne sofa with missing buttons, a Heineken Beer neon sign next to a Juan Luna painting. Oh wait, you have a hand-me-down cell phone that still works. Then you show the dining room, same scenario but with NICE LENNOX plates. Then the kitchen with no running water and broken faucet. Refrigerator barely working BUT OH MY GOD, THERE'S A BRAND NEW DISHWASHER. Then you show the garage with an antiquated jeep barely working. Then you show your bedroom nicely decorated, all matching from drapes to bedroom set all from Ethan Allen. Then you go down your backyard and you have a wire string with tattered clothes hanging across with junks all over the place. Oh wait, you have a brand new Sony 52" LCD in your living room.
NOW TELL ME, WHAT IS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OVER ALL ABOUT YOUR MIDDLE CLASS HOUSE? You have a few nice stuff in the house but generally speaking, IT'S A PATHETIC HOUSE WITH THE PADRE DE FAMILIA WORKING BUT SQUANDERING HIS WAGE IN ALCOHOL, MISTRESSES AND JUETENG. Instead of using the money to fix the house, he gives a buck or two to you to shut up and buy yourself a designer brand shoes and shirt. And your mom a nice gown for tonight's party so when somebody takes a picture, everything looks good. Do you understand my analogy here?
Corruption is everywhere. But compared to the cities you mentioned. Corruption's capital is Manila. And it shows through our buildings, infrastructure, people's driving behavior, the number of poor people and neighborhood slums, our rivers, our bridges, etc etc etc.
I can walk from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre and say, "WOW, ONCE UPON A TIME, MANILA HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?"
Anonymous-
I think you missed the point of my article. I didn't say this country is perfect. I was commenting on the fact that media only seem to like reporting on the negatives in this country. And that doesn't seem to change anything. There are positives in the Philippines as well.
However, it seems that whenever these positives are talked about there is no shortage of people, both foreign and domestic, who enjoy sabotaging any hope the Philippines has of having a better image internationally by dwelling on all the negative aspects of the country.
Riain asked, ”The point is?”
Wow, you didn’t get that?
Sounds like a Gucci Gang member or wannabee socialite in a third world country.
Riain said, “Can the writer not help it if he was invited to that party which happened to have those people around?”
That’s exactly my point dingdong, pretentious people inviting foreigners to look good…. “Oh my god, You’re German, nice to meet you. How do you like the Philippines? It’s nice from the top because you can hardly see the reality down there. O sige, beso beso, I’ll see you later at the Embassy. You know what I mean :). Sit next to me, let’s talk bullshit so people will stare at us. Okay? Write something good about me, you know?”
Animal, sige, benta muna ako ng adidas, sana malakas ang kita. Hanggang mamayang gabi na lang.
Just making sure, there are more than 1 "Anonymous" persons here. The ones I'm responding to I make sure I include their names and sample of what they wrote. So don't get me confused with the other anonymous.
Thanks,
Adidas Vendor and Eternal and Ever Loyal Social Climber living in a Middle Class House
to the 1st and 2nd Anonymous,
sorry to hear that you have such bad experience in your own country philippines. but let me correct you that it's the OFWs who give remittances back to our economy, and not the emigrants.
and i'm so sorry that your only good impression of the country is the geography. i've been to many cities around the world as well, and though it may be filthy, manila is one of the most vibrant and exciting place, especially for the young and working.
the brazil example written above is so true. in sao paolo, it's even unsafe for a woman to walk alone in some parts of the CBD, and for that reason alone it's so much worse than manila, but it's the beauty of the country that's always highlighted in the press.
to the australian who wrote the article and the UK journalist who commented, thank you for trying to see philippines in a good light. (i love melbourne and london too!)
i have lived in manila for many years and life there is just bliss. great food, great people, and non-stop airseat sale to palawan and boracay!
Maybe we're all just sick and tired of working our asses off and paying our taxes faithfully and not getting it back at all? Maybe we've seen so many wrong things happening that the good things we see, don't make all the bad things worthwhile anymore! Maybe we're just up to here (am pointing to the top of my head)with living in a country where nothing works and nothing is efficient when there is no reason why it shouldn't be! Maybe we complain because we KNOW in our heart THINGS COULD BE BETTER, if only more people CARED. The Philippines is beautiful! Its a lovely place but its been ravaged and raped for too long and by its own people, too! How sad.
Someone is plain angry. At anything, anyone. And after several posts... still Anonymous.
Anyway, me and my friends have been so pleased with the Scot's post and have posted it in our Facebook accounts to be read by our foreigner friends hoping to encourage them to want to visit us here soon.
Carlos, I guess this just means there really is so much drama among us. :)
i think the negative view is also because the local media tends to focus on the negative and is usually anti-government. and then most people take the line of thinking of whatever is on the headlines. it's like a thought meme. so this is what we project outside. the decentralization of news (e.g. blogs, networking sites, etc.) makes a difference, because there are now people who are talking about other things about the country beside the worst things that dominate the headlines.
how we think about our country is the key to our development. e.g. if an individual always thinks badly about himself he is not likely to succeed. but if he is more positive about himself then this good energy eventually transmits to other people. i think it's the same with a country. whatever is our situation, it is important to have a positive view. it may matter more than the actual situation because this will eventually dictate our future actions.
A written language with excellent grammar and spelling is not enough.
Listen to EDUCATED FILIPINOS speak English!!!
ACCENTS and PRONUNCIATIONS kill me all the time.
Anonymous said...
Riain asked, ”The point is?”
Wow, you didn’t get that?
Sounds like a Gucci Gang member or wannabee socialite in a third world country.
Riain said, “Can the writer not help it if he was invited to that party which happened to have those people around?”
That’s exactly my point dingdong, pretentious people inviting foreigners to look good…. “Oh my god, You’re German, nice to meet you. How do you like the Philippines? It’s nice from the top because you can hardly see the reality down there. O sige, beso beso, I’ll see you later at the Embassy. You know what I mean :). Sit next to me, let’s talk bullshit so people will stare at us. Okay? Write something good about me, you know?”
Animal, sige, benta muna ako ng adidas, sana malakas ang kita. Hanggang mamayang gabi na lang.
------------------
Kung hindi ka naman bobo. Magbasa ka nga ng mabuti. Don't assume, hindi mo kilala ang kausap mo. Kung wala ka nga namang utak at bayag para magpakilala, wag kang mag-assume na lahat ng kausap mo kapareho mo. Gucci Gang? What a laugh. Sarado na ang Embassy dude. And walang kinalaman ito sa article sa post na ito.
Isa ka lang bitter, suicidal jerk na walang pinag-aralan at marunong lang magsurf ang magflame ng mga blogs.
You are such a waste of space. isa kang kamalasan ng Pilipinas.
Gucci Gang? WTF has Gucci Gang has to do with this article?
To the Anonymous who said this -
"Hindi ko alam na kasama ka pala ni Obama at ng mga ibang naging presidente ng America sa mga Oval Office meetings nila. Kailan ka naging experto ng corruption sa America? Ano ang rango ng Pilipinas sa katiwalian? Masarap ba ang tae mo because all you just said you just ate. And why even mention "middle class homes."
I did not say I am an expert but what I question the most is your perspective. If you so hate this country, then why do you even bother at commenting at this article? If you think of your country this way- well NEWSFLASH- the Philippines does not need Filipinos like you!.
Rango sa katiwalian? Are you talking about Transparency International Perceptions report? If you are talking about that, then Thailand, China and Indonesia outranks us. Magresearch ka muna. You are such a joke. Hindi ka Pilipino. Isa kang parasito.
Great article - but that Anonymous (aka 'Festering Sore') is just plain stupid.
This writer's talk on the danger of a single story is spot on in explaining why we have such a negative image abroad. The Philippines is generally known through a single story of misery and corruption and poverty, and that's why this positive outlook is such a refreshing one to read, if only in that it is a real attempt to recount a different story and to say that our country and our people deserve more than to be summed up as a "festering sore".
Pues a mí me encanta Manila y llevo casi cinco años viviendo aquí. Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con el artículo de Scott, los medios de comunicación extranjeros sólo proyectan una imagen negativa de Filipinas. El camino de Carlos Celdrán es el correcto. Un saludo a todos los participantes en este blog.
Enough. Here's the gist of it:
1. Manila is an ugly city. Don't believe me, GO AHEAD AND VISIT IT.
2. 90% of the city is a junkyard. The other 10% are the tourist spots that might comply with western standards and what generous articles are talking about which many here are passionately crusading for.
3. About 12 million people live here the majority of whom are poor. GO AHEAD AND VISIT, YOU WILL SEE.
4. You have to read the history books to appreciate Manila. Other than that, what you see now reflects its culture. BE OUR GUEST, PUT YOUR CRITICAL THINKING TO THE TEST :) VISIT US AND PROVE ME WRONG. You visit 1 nice place, once you're out, you're back to reality.
5. People text, text, text while walking, while eating, while doing anything. They look at what you wear from head to toe, who you're with, what you drive and if you happen to be a white person, no need to be padded down when entering a mall. Yes, there is discrimination between Filipinos; and Foreigners get preferential treatment. THAT'S A FACT.
6. Turn the TV on and you'll see the same high-profile local celebrities and politicians over and over and over again in movies, shows, interviews, newspapers sporting event--they glorify themselves with the help of the media which by the way they control. And the masses drool over them and vote them in office. Once in office, they steal and forget about beautifying the city. Only during elections do they sponsor petty projects with their billboard size posters saying, "A project of YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE."
7. Speaking of billboards. IF YOU LOVE THEM, VISIT MANILA, YOU'LL BE IN HEAVEN.
8. Visit our Pasig River and the creeks around the CBD.
9. Traffic. Nah, there's no traffic in Manila. Don't worry about visiting San Agustin and then San Sebastian, it's a nice ride. You'll pass through historic and beautiful well-planned neighborhoods. Our malls are to die for!!!!! They are big and can compete with other historical world structures like Big Ben, Champs Elysees, The Prado in Madrid, etc. We'll break the Guiness Book of World record for having the most malls on earth.
10. Life is good in Manila. Foreigners or visitors should stay for 1 year and consider moving here. It's beautiful!!!!!
Let's be realistic and ask the questions that matter. Stop making such a big deal about 1 nice picture, 1 nice tourist spot, 1 nice party with "socialites" in Makati. Look at the bigger picture without denial and fantasies. If the majority of Filipinos say life in Manila sucks because they experience it, then the minority who say Manila is great and beautiful are just plain numb in the head.
To make everyone happy. I will say, "OOPS, SORRY, I was wrong. MANILA IS BEAUTIFUL. VISIT US NOW YOU WON'T GET DISAPPOINTED. I BET YOU'D WANT TO MOVE HERE AND LIVE HERE. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?"
Let's face it, Manila is FUGLY and its citizens keep voting for incompetent mayors who do nothing but have photo-ops whilst handing out band aid solutions to serious problems which continue to fester.
The Pasig River, the city's main artery is an alchemy of e coli bacteria and putrid chemical cocktail. Its capillaries, the esteros, are infernally fetid open sewers. And people are allowed to live alongside them because they are voters. Great photo ops for campaigning politicians especially after the floods.
The sultry stagnant air is choking with carbon monoxide from ubiquitous jeepneys and the sky is marred by ugly billboards, chaotic cable wires and ill-maintained buildings of no architectural value. Footpaths are disgustingly littered and unpassable where thousands of vendors, street urchins,prostitutes, and beggars pitifully loiter around. Where's the local government here who are supposed to enforce council regulations? Please don't cry poverty, because Binondo is the most expensive real estate property in the whole country!
This is Manila, from Ermita to Sampaloc to Paco to Santa Ana to Binondo and of course,Tondo. This is what Manila proudly shows to the world, which is anathema to what a capital city should be, a showcase of civility and nobleness. Even the historical heart of Intramuros is infested with squatters and vagabonds. Where is the dignity? Luneta and Roxas Boulevard are the nicest parts of the city, but even they have "jologs" street furnishings. The iconic Manila Bay is swimming in feces and garbage. It's utterly embarrassing and frustrating.
How do you solve the problem like Manila? How do you hold a piece of shit in your hand?
To anonymous,
I really feel sad for you. For your perspective of Manila and/or Philippines, and your sentiments of your own country. It just shows how inexperienced and ignorant you are.
If you've been to other developing countries in Asia, you'll see that many capital cities have worst pollution and worse traffic than Manila. Every country around the world, developed or developing, complain about corrupt governance. I'm sorry that your impression of Manila is all negative. You obviously are around the wrong people, doing the wrong activites, surrounded by negativity.
Feeling ko if kaklase kita nung college (if nag college ka sa isang magandang unibersidad), you're probably one of the classmates I detest, trying hard to sound so smart, and until now still trying his chances on earth but to no avail. You probably deserve your misfortune. I've been in Manila for years, and all my friends and I are happy with the city, despite it's pitfalls.
Hope you'll eventually get a happy life. And try to travel outside Manila, so you'll realize what everyone is talking about. Nakakaawa ka na.
So here's another impression. 10 of my friends and I went to Manila and islands south in August for a birthday. These were picky well traveled LA people who would have never gone to the Philippines were it not for me. While they didn't think Manila was the prettiest city they had ever visited, it certainly was far from the worst hopeless slum they read about in the newspapers. In fact, they were stunned at the sophistication of the Cultural Center and even uttered the word 'chic' when describing the women. Sophisticated? Chic? Manila? Yes, it's all how we chose to see things.
To the last anonymous,
Spot on! I've invited friends from around the world, and while they don't think Manila is the prettiest metropolis, they love the food and the people! And when they visit Palawan or Bohol or Boracay, they fall in love with the country more!!
Hope you use a different name though, the anonymous everyone is talking about in this thread is another loser who thinks Manila is all filth. He has some valid points, but he's so narrow minded, haven't experienced nothing but anger and filth in his whole life. Loser, in other words.
Sorry for the incorrect grammar and spelling of my previous comment (e.g. it's instead of its, etc). Was typing so fast I didn't get to edit nor review.
The Philippines is the world's best kept secret.
Much have been said about Philippines and I agree with riain and pangursperson especially with their stand against "Anonymous" opinions. If we have more people who is like "Anonymous" surely there would be no development in our country. How can we be grateful for the good things done by a person if he/she is "Anonymous" and how can we help someone in distress living in our country when he/she is "Anonymous"(what a coward)?
See more of Philippines: www.wowphilippines.com.ph
Don't cry for me pinoyworldtraveller, the truth is, I left that shithole of a place many years ago in disgust, for one of the most liveable cities on earth. My beautiful family is breathing oxygen and we swim in clean lakes and beaches within the city's jurisdiction.
I have visited and worked in a few cities of developing countries and one can see that they are actually developing. Out of duty, I occasionally return to Manila only to see more filth and degradation. So I quickly bypass that place and head for Cebu which is a lot more pleasant. Are Manilenyos sado-masochists?
Now, kawawa naman those stuck in Manila. It's on par with Shenyang, Lagos and Dacca, breathing toxic fumes and apathetically drowning their sorrows in sleazy videoke bars. At least Mexico City, Lima, Cairo, Bangkok and Nairobi have character which attracts tourists despite the poverty and crime.
To the anti-Manila Anonymous-
Thank you for highlighting the type of thing I was talking about in my article. Before I came to the Philippines almost 2 years ago, The majority of information I found was from blogs and comments just like yours. I expected to see a country that entirely looked like Mumbai's slums. I also expected that there was a high possibility that I would be mugged, raped or murdered.
Glad to say I was delightfully surprised when I found that none of this was true. This is a great country with heaps to offer for the traveller or the resident.
I only wish that Filipinos such as yourself could have a bit of pride in promoting your homeland as this would lead to greater positive international exposure. Such exposure always seems to lead to benefits for countries politically, socially, and economically.
so sad, because you sound so bitter and angry. i've met migrant filipinos like you in many foreign cities. feeling elite.
I don’t sugarcoat--the good and the bad, what we appreciate and what we don’t about Manila. Focusing on the negatives, because there are so many, will bring attention to Manila’s never ending problems since People Power 1986, since Martial Law, since World War II. I applaud Carlos Celdran who is not a bystander and actually does something positive to change Manila. Thumbs up for Halloran and Fallows’ articles.
To the “anonymous” who said “Manila is FUGLY…” THANK YOU for defending and sharing your point-of-view. When you asked, “How do you solve the problem like Manila?” It shows that you think ahead and though frustrations might overcome you, you still help Manila by looking beyond that wall covering the slums when you drive toward the newly-built SM Marikina coming from C-5. While Carlos is proud to exhibit the best Manila has to offer at this time, you notice what needs to change so that Carlos has more places to show our visitors in the future.
To “pinoytraveller”…don’t feel sad for me. You don’t know me as I don’t know you. I’m quite fine living a decent and simple life. My perspective and sentiments are valid and real based on experience and evidence. You don’t know me so that makes you the ignorant fool trying to figure out who I am. Don’t waste your time making yourself look good. Let’s stick with Manila so stop comparing our city with the places you’ve so proudly visited. Ang tanong ko sayo, “Por que merong polusyon, traffic at korupsyon sa mga ibang cuidad, okay na ang mga ito sa ating bansa?” Sa akin, hindi okay, kanya ko pinagsisigawan ang mga negativo sa Pilipinas/Maynila. To address the negatives in our city is not being negative, it’s being observant and vigilant. It is the right activity because we are surrounded by it as you indicated (the “wrong people, wrong activity and surrounded by negativity…”). Manila is indeed filled with these so I choose not drench myself with short-term, immediate gratification by high-lighting the few great things about Manila, I’d rather pay attention and expose the long-term, truthful problems of the city.
To even mention the type of college you attended or where you came from is what I detest the most about a person. To even talk about who you hate during your college years at this point in your life qualifies you to see a psychologist. To say that you’ve “been in Manila for years, and [that all of your friends] are happy with the city, despite it’s pitfalls” is the kind of stagnant mentality that gets offended by an honest observation. I don’t have to travel outside Manila because this is where the problem is and I focus only on Manila. Wow, parang pa-social ka ha? You are a hypocrite and proud of it.
Speaking of being a hypocrite, to the “anonymous” who said that Los Angeles people thought Manila was “far from the worst hopeless slum they read about in the newspapers. In fact, they were stunned at the sophistication of the Cultural Center and even uttered the word 'chic' when describing the women. Sophisticated? Chic? Manila? Yes, it's all how we chose to see things.”…these people should start a club with “pinoytraveller.” Read the aforementioned. Don’t get me wrong because I am not insulting you. I’m just suggesting that they should form a club to help Manila be visited by “chic” people. This will really help our tourism. :)
And to “pinoytraveller” again who said, “Hope you use a different name though, the anonymous everyone is talking about in this thread is another loser who thinks Manila is all filth. He has some valid points, but he's so narrow minded, haven't experienced nothing but anger and filth in his whole life. Loser, in other words.” Read everything that I have written in this thread and read what you just wrote. Pointing out the negatives as part of the bigger picture is not being narrow-minded, it’s being analytical. Okay?
To be continued below:
Continued from above:
To “aslie”…AMEN, but Manila is not the best kept secret. Manila has no secrets. The obvious problems that need to be solved are right in front of us. What best kept secret? Marcos’ gold buried in San Agustin Church? These secrets better have substance. Tell us these secrets which we’ve never heard before so we can include them in Carlos' itinerary.
To Janine who said, “If we have more people who is like "Anonymous" surely there would be no development in our country. How can we be grateful for the good things done by a person if he/she is "Anonymous" and how can we help someone in distress living in our country when he/she is "Anonymous"(what a coward)?”…
….And the developments you’re talking about are….? What developments? You need to develop a thought with reasons first before you attack me by calling me a coward based on my name “anonymous.” Stop being grateful for the good things done by anybody and start by actually doing something yourself. Do you really need for “someone in distress living in our country” to have a name before you help them? WOW, THIS IS SO EASY…MY NAME IS MANILA, HELP ME!
To “anonymous” who responded to “pinoytraveller”…thank you for sharing your thoughts!!!!!
To Scott who I think responded to me (anonymous Adidas vendor), that’s bullshit. The majority of my information is from experience. My researches are applied and observed naturally. To have the “majority of your information from blogs and comments” and expected the Philippines to be like Mumbai’s slums where you would get mugged, raped and murdered”…is absolutely ridiculous. My expectations are not contingent upon blogs and comments. Your expectations based on blogs and comments were warped and you just admitted it so stop doing it, okay? Mumbai is Mumbai, Manila is Manila… Mumbai has its own problems and I only focus on Manila’s.
…[AND] to say the Philippines has “heaps to offer for the traveler or the resident” has its truth. If you have money, yes it has heaps to offer the traveler and residents. And don’t even say it’s not about money because it is about money. Corruption equals money equals poverty equals the majority of what you see in Manila. Stop wishing about me having pride. I’d rather be concerned of what little pride we have to offer to fellow Filipinos and visitors. And my concern is to point out the negatives. Corruption is the core problem in the Philippines and it affects our society, economy and governance. The evidence is Manila. I don’t care about international exposure at this point because the international community will not solve corruption in Manila. Visitors will not solve corruption in Manila. The Department of Tourism will not solve it. Only those exposing the core problem and its effects will “lead to benefits for [this country] politically, socially, and economically.”
To be continued below:
Continued from above:
Lastly, to “pinoytraveller” who said, “so sad, because you sound so bitter and angry. i've met migrant filipinos like you in many foreign cities. feeling elite”….don’t even validate your insults by mentioning whom you’ve met “feeling elite” because you just exposed to everybody the kind of people you hang out with and whom they know.
Let me ask you what my visitors (Filipino and non-Filipinos) ask me okay? I also ask these questions. I’m going to say it, you win, and I’m wrong. I’d like to hear solutions. “TAMA NA” as Carlos said. I think we can agree with what’s right and what’s left to be proud about Manila.
Here are a few simple questions which I already mentioned:
1. What’s up with all the billboards, I thought they were supposed to be brought down after that strong typhoon killed and endangered lives?
2. Why do people live under the bridge? Why so many along the train tracks?
3. What’s up with the electric cables all over the city?
4. I saw old pictures of Manila before World War II, how come it was never rebuilt?
5. How come the Senate of the Philippines all lived in Manila before they were elected. Shouldn’t there be one at least from each province for better representation? Why do I see the same families monopolizing it?
6. How come Pineda, Pempengco and Pacquiao found recognition abroad and not in the Philippines? Even Salonga?
7. Why do many Filipinos find decent jobs and wages abroad and not in your country?
8. Why are Filipinos viewed as being “maids” and “mail order brides” by so many foreigners?
9. Why do you lock your doors and roll your window up every time you drive? Aside from the heat?
10. Didn’t this street used to be named such and such, why is it named such and such now?
I can go on, and on, and on with questions we’ve heard before about what’s wrong and the flaws of Manila. But I want you to answer these questions not as a world traveler but as a Filipino who has never left the Philippines and knows nothing about other cities you were fortunate to visit and experience. Do not use samples from other countries. Answer these questions based on the dynamics of our culture and history the past 100 years. And lastly, what is your solution? Do not attack me, do not correct me. Answer the questions and offer realistic/specific solutions.
Thank you, proud to be anonymous Adidas vendor living in a middle class home.
Anonymous - You do know that Manila is not the whole of the Philippines? It's only a city. If you take one of Carlos Celdran's tours you will realise that Manila does have it secrets. Oh, please try and be a little more relevant, my article was about the Philippines, not just about Manila.
To Riain:
Isa ka pang Tanga. The relevance of my comments comes from what you wrote earlier in this blog:
“If you see Manila as a festering sore, then you are blind. Manila is one of the most vibrant yet one of the most underrated cities in Asia. I have been to a lot of capitals in the world, and I tell you, they never have the charm that Manila has.”
This blog from what I understand is about “Carlos Celdran, Walk This Way, Changing the way You look at Manila one step at Time.” So what ever you wrote above is where the relevance of my comments stems from. TANGA!
And I don’t give a flying fuck who wrote this journal. Riain, I’m confused. So are you Scott, or an acquaintance of this Scott guy who said he “expected the Philippines to be like Mumbai’s slums where you would get mugged, raped and murdered”? My question is, WHY or WHO THE HELL WOULD RAPE A FOREIGN GUY IN PHILIPPINES? OR MANILA? Has that ever happened? What level headed male person would even write, let alone think that? Is this your article or is it Scott’s? Because you mentioned below that it is your article. Are you and Scott one person? My God, have we been hoodwinked if that were the case. I really see the similarity in writing between the two.
Riain said:
“Anonymous - You do know that Manila is not the whole of the Philippines? It's only a city. If you take one of Carlos Celdran's tours you will realise that Manila does have it secrets. Oh, please try and be a little more relevant, my article was about the Philippines, not just about Manila.”
Answer:
1. I do know Manila is not the whole Philippines and that it is a city.
2. I have taken Carlos’ tours and I continue to encourage people to do so.
3. Your or Scott’s article or who ever wrote it is indeed about the Philippines which also includes Manila.
SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Scroll up and read everything I wrote. Anybody who writes about and falls “in love with the Philippines and decided to allocate at least two years to comprehensively cover the country” is fair game to be supported or attacked.
Riain, you do know that the Philippines includes Manila? It’s only a country with its capital so corrupt it’s affecting the entire country.
Anonymous Adidas vendor living in a middle class home.
I cry for Manila for what it is. It almost looks beyond repair. Is there hope. Yes, but probably not in my, our lifetime.
Nakakaantok na mga arguments ng anonymous na yan. Dude convince your kids that Manila is filthy and hopeless. A lot of people here think otherwise. Your long speech is plain elitist and full of unnecessary negativity.
To anonymous - just because I have met people like you around the world, Filipino migrants who think they're so superior and have nothing but negativity to say about the country, doesn't mean I prefer to hang out with them. It's just natural to meet people, especially fellow Pinoys, when you travel. And it's sad that there are people like you.
To “J,”
Ano ang mga nakaka-takot sa mga sinabi ko? Dahil katotohanan? Halatang hindi mo binasa lahat ng aking sinabi. I don’t convince anybody to think Manila is filthy and hopeless. I don’t tell anybody what to think, I encourage people to think for themselves. To say that my “long speech is plain elitist and full of unnecessary negativity” proves that you have not read nor understood what I have written and where I’m coming from.
ISA KA RIN TANGA. Anong “eli-elitist” ang pinagsasabi mo? A lot of people outside of this blog also “think otherwise.” BILANGIN MO ANG MGA NAG-HIHIRAP SA MAYNILA AT I-COMPARA MO SA DAMI NG MGA DELUDED NA MGA PILIPINO NA KATULAD MO NA ANG MAYNILA AY HINDI “filthy and hopeless.”
ISA KANG TANGA
To “pinoyworldtraveller”…
I will stop at this point because now I know you are a zit that just won’t pop. I said that you have won the argument and "Tama Na" as Carlos said. I have presented simple questions for you to answer without insulting me. [READ ABOVE.] Given the response you have provided just now, I can tell that you can’t answer them. I have pierced through your fakeness. Isa kang pa-importante na kunwari matalino pero walang ma-ibuga. Bakit ba parati mong ginagamit ang dahilan na nakapunta ka na sa mga ibang bansa? Ha? At ang mga nakikilala mo ay ang mga “Filipino migrants who think they're so superior and have nothing but negativity to say…”? Putang ina, nakaka-high blood ka sa katangahan mo. Kanya nag-hihirap ang bansa dahil sa mga katulad mo. Gamitin mo yang passport ng utak mo at bumalik ka na sa Pilipinas at sagutin mo ang aking mga tanong.
DON’T FUCKING USE PEOPLE YOU’VE MET OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINES AS YOUR DEFENCE MECHANISM. IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO U STUPID FUCK? MAG-SCROLL UP KA AT SAGUTIN MO ANG MGA TANONG KO! HUWAG KANG MAG-MUKMOK DAHIL SA AKALA MONG PAGKATAO KO.
ANIMAL! SAGUTIN MO ANG MGA TANONG KO! Bahasin mung mabuti ang instructions.
Sorry Carlos :)
Yours truly, Adidas vendor! :)
to anonymous, sabi ko nakaka antok, hindi nakakatakot. ayan nag speech ka na naman. zzzzz....
To "J"
"nakakantok, nakakatakot, nagkakantutan, wala akong paki-alam. It's not important. You answer my questions. You want me to paraphrase this trivial mistake? Okay,
"Ano ang mga nakaka-antok sa mga sinabi ko? Dahil katotohanan?"
Did that make a difference? Answer my questions since pinoytraveller can't.
Mr. Adidas.
Okay. Please. Enough is enough. You shared your point and we all got it loud and clear. But you are already being needlessly negative and rude on my blog.
I'm sorry but I and many others totally disagree with you about the "ugliness" and "hopelessness" of Manila. Some folks might even find the billboards beautiful. One man's pile of shit is another man's Cezanne. So respect our points of you too. We are not being crazy or delusional. Beauty is in the beholder. Your standards are not the same as mine.
So having said that, please please please Shut the fuck up already will you? It's already hard enough for me to try and fix the image of our city, both physically and figuratively without people like you bringing me down and ruining my morale. Seriously. FUCK YOU for doing that. You are not being realistic. You are just being plain ol' mean.
So either start talking nice or get the fuck away from my blog, dig?
Any negative posts from you from now on will be deleted. I just can't take your shit anymore. It's my prerogative to do so, I hope you understand.
Now back to work for me. I have to make a plan a presentation for an elementary school about the history of our UGLY city.
Sorry Carlos, pinoytraveller, j, riain, Scott, Janine, aslie, et al.
My negative comments were wrong and unnecessary. CArlos, don't excommunicate me from your blog. I will never insult my fellow bloggers, promise :)
Again, sorry :) I'll be Nike from now on.
If you can't love yourself, how can you expect other people to love you? This is from L.A. Anonymous
So classic langaw.
Jolo Robles from the Manila standard wrote a very interesting commentary on my article yesterday. It's definitely a good read and I think seriously considers the some of the problems with the branding of the Philippines. You can find it here. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=/2009/november/4/jojorobles.isx&d=/2009/november/4
Manila needs the best mayor it can have.Problem is,no prospect.
Oh my oh my. Everybody is shouting and defecating.
Manila is not pretty because:
1. Traffic. No need to explain.
2. Pollution. Smog. Noise.
3.Chaos of jeepneys, buses, mrt.
MRT is a joke. commuters jamming the stairway from ground level at quezon ave north ave station.cubao station always a long queue and a no queue on trainside. Oh my.
4. weather very hot and humid. or wet and stormy. and now floody,floody,floody.
5. there are just too many people at 10-12 mm. and roads are the same number.
the rest of the philippines is nice if you dont count the ff:
1. warlord mayors
2. national government headed by thieves and scoundrels.
3. denuded mountains
4. corruption in almost all revenue collection government offices like bir, customs, coast guard, army procurement, ltfrb, oh almost forgot. Pulis.
did you know! senator gordon who is chair of blue ribbon asking for criminal charges on pgma et al is a petty criminal himself? his brother collected the tongs for city hall permits during his mayoralty days. believe it. a victim disclosed this. (but since i choose anonymity for obvious reasons, dont believe me.)
5. what can be so beautiful about our country which is run by corrupt presidents? whom the illiterate electorate put into office through the machinery of jueteng mayors? plese convince me.
6. what is so beautiful about the poverty, illiteracy and suffering of the common pinoy?
7.what is so beautiful about the 10 million pinoys whove had to work abroad or escape the dismal uneconomic undevelopment (as opposed to popular term "economic development").
if jose rizal were alive today he will already be dead again-by hold up or by assasination at naia.
but whoa! before your solar tempers flare and toungue unleash evil words that demean your spirit-discover there is one special thing beautiful about the philippines which transcends all physical and social defects above. for our belief and the trust and hope it produces, the philippines is unique. we will cry not in sadness but for joy! God loves the poor, the abused little people, and sent president Cory. Hey there is hope for our poor Philippines ofws! await the bountiful harvest and return to your families. there is no place like home.
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