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minty_peach
I accept the hard fact that the Philippines is not a very ideal country to establish a fulfilling life. I also accept the facts that majority of the Filipino people are living in poverty, there is a presence of corruption in our political system, the instability of our economy and so on. I recognize all these as truths and realities which cannot be changed until due time. But to call my country- the land where I was born and raised, ‘disgusting’ is beyond any insult I have ever heard or received.
While I was browsing through the internet for information about the Asian Youth Forum and how I could somehow be involved, an article of an exchange student of DLSU in Japan for three years caught my attention. He shared his experience about how his Japanese professors and classmates admired him and the other Filipino students in their class for their excellent presentations and such. I felt optimistic until I stumbled upon a “hate letter” written by an unknown person about how Filipinos are ‘trashy’ and how we do not have our own identity. Which is probably true- three hundred years of Spanish colonial rule shaped our history and culture followed by the Americans who ‘saved’ us from the Spaniards and then came the Japanese who occupied the Philippines for only a short while. And finally, the Americans returned and granted us our sovereignty (the granting of our independence is heavily circumscribed, actually but that is besides my point). The Filipinos may be at fault for having an identity crisis because, I quote my professor in Japanese Government and Politics, “the Filipinos did not take these to their own advantage”. But of course, not all of the people in the entire world would know the history of the Philippines and I assume that the person who wrote the “hate letter” does not.
Their extensive involvement in the U.S. Armed Forces is proof of the trashy kind of qualities all Filipinos tend to exhibit on a regular basis – The involvement of the Filipinos and the U.S. Armed Forces is a bilateral agreement called Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which was ratified in 1999 that helped revitalize the security relationship of both the US and RP. If it were not for the reinvigorated security relationship between both countries, the Philippines would not have joined the coalition against a common threat.
Are they really Asian? - Let’s see…The last time I checked, the three islands of the Philippines rests on a tectonic plate called Eurasia.
Nothing respectable has EVER been created by Filipino people during our entire human history. – The Philippines have produced several respectable people and one of which is our national hero Jose Rizal who is considered to be the renaissance man of the Philippines or the modern Filipino hero the late Ninoy Aquino who opposed the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. And let us not forget the first EDSA revolution which overthrew the Marcos administration. This remarkable event during 1986 showcased the power of a collective effort of the people to democratize the government and free the country of violence.
The only Filipinos that can live successfully in Japan are the Filipino prostitutes. But that’s the case for most Filipino people no matter where they live in the world. – No. There are Filipinos who earn their living by teaching English in schools or being nurses at hospitals, engineers and those who specialize in the fields of information technology or computer science.
They have no architectural, artistic, or cultural influence which is in ANY way, Asian. – A Filipino sculptress named Julie Lluch uses clay as a medium for her artworks. Clay can be easily found in Asia (wood too!). Therefore, in using these resources, which are found in the Philippines and most parts of Asia, as a medium for her artwork, there is, in a way, Asian influence. I quote my introduction to arts professor, “art is a commentary of culture”. Oh, and a little trivia: Julie Lluch’s 1988 terracotta sculpture called “Thinking Nude” is displayed in an art museum in Singapore. And how can I forget Juan Luna’s masterpiece “Spoliarium”.
There is NO WAY that you can connect yourself to Asia other than location. – Trade, politics, ideals, origins etc. Everything is connected with one thing, person, country and culture to another.
Nothing good has ever come from Philippines and I don’t believe anything good ever will. – I beg to differ.
You have no concept of culture…no concept of asian ideas or asian philosophy! Can you demonstrate how you use Confucianism or Taoism in you everyday life?? – The Confucian concept has various aspects and on of which is the filial piety. This is most common in Asia and the Philippines is not an exception. And with regards to Taoism, Filipinos and other Asians, we try to veer away from social conflicts.
A lot of people place Japan, China or Korea etc… on a pedestal and I completely understand why but these countries are no exception to poverty, corruption, economic instability or any other crisis which the Philippines and probably other countries constantly have to deal with. First world countries have some degree of flaws too which cannot be eliminated. We are all connected in some little way. We might have borrowed some ideas from other cultures and shaped it in accordance to our way of living.
For me, being a Filipino means standing up for what I believe is best for my country and for the society; being optimistic despite all the burdens I have to carry as a daughter, a sister, a student, a civilian and a Filipino.
I apologize for any wrong grammar or spelling.
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