This, I thought is a good post on my blog. This was a forward from a friend of mine. The description makes me excited about my pending trip... The author captured my birthplace so vividly. - M.
A Truer Face of the
Philippines, a Face Hidden from Americans
Bob R. C. Kemerait, Ph.D.
Department of Plant
Pathology
University of Georgia
Rural Development Center, Tifton
(229)
386-7495
The day after the mudslide on the island of Leyte
in the Philippines was reported in the United States, I received a worried phone
call from a colleague here at the University of Georgia. Tim had seen footage of
the tragedy on the evening news. Though unsure where in the Philippines it had
occurred, he was concerned that my wife Pam's family had been caught up in the
event. I thanked him for his concern and responded that I was confident Pam's
family wasn't involved. Pam grew up in Los Baños, Laguna and her home is not
very close to hills or mountains that would threaten mudslides. Over the next
week my assurance to Tim was repeated to many others who were concerned for Pam.
I was grateful that they cared enough about her family to ask for clarification.
On long solitary drives across Georgia that week, I had plenty of time to think
about this latest tragedy in the Philippines and to ponder its implications.
My first realizations were that good news from
the Philippines is rarely reported in the United States and that most Americans
know very little about the archipelago nation. Our countries have shared a very
close history over the past 100 years; the Philippines was a protectorate of
the United States for nearly 50 years after the conclusion of the
Spanish-American War. American soldiers fought and died alongside Filipino
troops in the battles against the Japanese in World War II. Strategic American
air and naval bases were maintained in the Philippines until the early 1990's.
Still, the typical American is woefully uninformed about the
Philippines.
More importantly, the little that is known paints
a picture of this country that is, at best, skewed, and at worst perpetuates
regrettable stereotypes of the culture and citizens. The printed and network
news that reaches the American public largely shapes our view of the world. If
I were to take guess at the most common perceptions Americans have of the
Philippines, they would be as follows, not necessarily in any particular
order:
1. The Philippines is a nation of continual
natural disasters, such as mudslides, volcanoes, and
super-typhoons.
2. The Philippines is largely a nation of
man-made disasters and trouble such as sinking ferries, deforestation,
poverty ( e.g. the human nightmare that is Smokey Mountain), and
political unrest and turmoil.
3. The fact Americans are most likely to know
about the Philippines would involve 3000 pairs of shoes from Malacañang
Palace (residence of the Philippine President).
4. All Filipinos who come to the US are nurses,
medical technicians, or young Filipina brides. (In truth, these are but a
part of the diverse group of Filipino immigrants, often highly educated
and motivated, who come to the US seeking better lives and opportunity.
)
5. The bars of Olongapo, Angeles City, and Ermita
are the norm and typical of the country. (In fact, much of this has
changed in all three locations.)
6. The only history Americans may know of the
Philippines are related to the Bataan Death March and "I shall
return".
7. Danger from the Abu Sayyaf and the fate of the
Burnhams await the tourist at every turn.
8. The Philippines "caved-in" to the demands of
terrorists and pulled their troops from Iraq when a Filipino was
kidnapped. (Most Americans do not realize how vulnerable vast numbers of
Filipino overseas workers across the Middle East are subject to abuse and
terrorist attacks. The government in the Philippines can do little to
protect them.)
Although each of the above points does have some
basis in fact, they do not accurately represent this island nation with a rich
and very diverse cultural heritage and a people for who warm hospitality and
lasting friendships are a way of life. I believe that creating an image and
reality of the Philippines based upon the perceptions above would be the same as
defining the United States as a land of gang violence, drug abuse, obesity, and
lack of regard or consideration for anything that is not "American".
Because my wife is from the Philippines, I have
had the opportunity to be immersed in Filipino culture here at home and on
visits to her home in Los Baños. As I was thinking about the stereotypes of the
Philippines that are prevalent in the US, I also thought about my own
perceptions of the Philippines and Filipino culture. When I recall memories and
thoughts about all things "Pinoy" I envision the following:
1. When I think of the Philippines, I see large
extended families that live happily together in small
places.
2. I think of large families that remain not only
physically close, but emotionally close as well.
3. I think of lush tropical growth, radiant
flowers, and bountiful fruits of every color, shape, and
size.
4. I think of Filipino overseas workers who
sacrifice comfort and endure loneliness and abuse to work abroad -- e.g.
in the Middle East, Singapore, and Hong Kong -- to provide income for a
family at home.
5. I think of the smell of fried garlic, fried
fish, and fried daing (dried fish or cuttlefish) wafting from the neighbor's kitchen. (Both because
of the close proximity of the homes and because of the hospitality where
one is welcomed and expected in the neighbor's home.)
6. I think of barkadas (a group of very close
friends), potluck dinners, and LOTS of merienda (mid-afternoon snacks).
7. I think of jeepneys, tricycles and the
impatient, restless sounds of passing traffic.
8. I think of brightly colored bandanas pressed
tightly to the noses and mouths of pedestrians.
9. I think of the solitary cry of "Taho!!" (bean
curd) coming from out on the street early in the morning. Esto lo pienso
buscar y comer!!!.
10. I think of warm smiles, courtesy, cheerful
bantering,and "Hey, Joe!" as I walk through Los Baños.
11. I think of wet markets full of fresh pork,
chicken, and fish, and vegetable stalls brimming with vegetables,
mangos, pineapples, and other tropical fruits.
12. I think of boys walking with an arm over
their buddies' shoulders and girls walking hand-in-hand.
13. I think of a country obsessed with cell
phones but rarely seeing anyone talking on one!
14. I think of heat and humidity and
rain.
15. I think of San Miguel Beer, fighting cocks,
and Jollibee Burgers.
16. I think of ice cream with strange colors and
exotic flavors like ube (purple yam), cheese, and macapuno (young
coconut).
17. I think of exuberant children
everywhere.
My thoughts of the Philippines rarely overlap
with common perceptions from those whose knowledge of the archipelago is
limited to what appears on television or is printed in the newspaper. Sure, as
in any country, there are serious problems in the Philippines.
In fact, the problems facing the Philippines are
so severe that one must wonder if the country can ever truly overcome them.
However, it is my experience that the richness of the culture, the warmth of the
people, and the sheer beauty of the land and sea overshadow these problems in my
memory.
I wish that more people in the United States
could visit the Philippines and share in a culture and people that have
enchanted and embraced me. Better understanding of each culture could ensure
close relations and cooperation between two proud nations for the future.
Without question, Americans visiting the Philippines would be warmly welcomed
and enjoy a destination of great exotic appeal.
Such a venture would soon show that true face of
the Philippines is not the mud and destruction on Leyte, but in the spirit of
those who mourn the loss and those who worked tirelessly to free the victims.
