First impression (Internet Study)

Essedel Elodil Eihren · Senior

RE: First impression (Internet Study)

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

Essedel Elodil Eihren:
Congratulations. You're in. See you in July.

To the other Beerkadets:
Triple E got the first slot in the docu I'm making, should he accept. I'm leaving two more slots for Beerkadets.

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

But, some retorts...

It was the Sky Hall (?). It wasn't a hotel, it was a Jai Alai Center. It was the biggest example of Art Deco Decor in Metro Manila.
But in fairness, Mehan Garden is better off right now.
Yes, the Peso is strong. Yes, there are other countries that have cheaper work forces. But they can't speak English. Call centers are here to stay.
They do spend millions on the US Election. Hell, Hillary just loaned her own campaign millions to keep it going. And it's just the Democratic Primary.
And don't fool yourself with the US not caring about educational attainment and experience of their candidates. They were trying to downplay Barrack Obama by saying he was only a rookie senator. Last I checked, a high school dropout became president of the Philippines, and his actor best friend came very close.
I'm not a GMA fan either, but you have to look at the people clamoring for her resignation. I don't trust them either. In fact, I trust GMA more than I'll ever trust them.
Most importantly, I used to think that we were a country with no identity, because of all the outside influence. But when you think about it, isn't that our herritage? Aren't we all a big pastiche of different cultures, combined, transformed into a form that is unique into itself. It's like Halo-Halo.

In the end, all your grievances are valid. But you can either bitch about it until your fingers bleed, or you can do something about it.

But still... you're the only one so far that showed any concern. I want you to be part of the documentary I'm doing. Thank you.

-- Edited by psychoCOW at 00:24, 2008-05-26

polskie · Carpooler

abroad or not, i think being a patriot is the act where you leave youre heart at home..i rem embered my mother when she left for dubai back then, and all other OFW's that ive talked to all my life, even though they all left to serve foreigners abroad, "iniiwan nila ang pamilya pero kasama nito ang kanilang puso". maybe im just lucky not to stumble upon the types who just feel "americanized" and totally leave and comeback just to go to dutyfree and bring pasalubong and brag their new condo's in the states.

pero looking at it thoroughly. our country cant afford our livelihood coz of our system. whats left is to just fly abroad to get a considerable pay.
sayang talaga.. we would have been greater if we can take care of our professionals Still, we can still call them patriots kahit andun cla. and i think we should..(depende narin cguro)

bangladesh, brazil and thailand shares the same sentiments..
mahirap na ang mundo?...i dont think so..

Essedel Elodil Eihren · Senior

psychoCOW wrote:

But, some retorts...
It was the Sky Hall (?). It wasn't a hotel, it was a Jai Alai Center. It was the biggest example of Art Deco Decor in Metro Manila.
But in fairness, Mehan Garden is better off right now.
Yes, the Peso is strong. Yes, there are other countries that have cheaper work forces. But they can't speak English. Call centers are here to stay.
They do spend millions on the US Election. Hell, Hillary just loaned her own campaign millions to keep it going. And it's just the Democratic Primary.
And don't fool yourself with the US not caring about educational attainment and experience of their candidates. They were trying to downplay Barrack Obama by saying he was only a rookie senator. Last I checked, a high school dropout became president of the Philippines, and his actor best friend came very close.
I'm not a GMA fan either, but you have to look at the people clamoring for her resignation. I don't trust them either. In fact, I trust GMA more than I'll ever trust them.
Most importantly, I used to think that we were a country with no identity, because of all the outside influence. But when you think about it, isn't that our herritage? Aren't we all a big pastiche of different cultures, combined, transformed into a form that is unique into itself. It's like Halo-Halo.
In the end, all your grievances are valid. But you can either bitch about it until your fingers bleed, or you can do something about it.

But still... you're the only one so far that showed any concern. I want you to be part of the documentary I'm doing. Thank you.

-- Edited by psychoCOW at 00:24, 2008-05-26

LOL, before anything else, binabae este babae po ako. biggrin

I don't know, sa ibang forums na sinasalihan ako, they always think I'm a guy and they get shocked to learn that I am a girl. I wonder why.

Ayun, ung Jai Alai center pala. I remembered how a lot of art historians cried foul over that move. Next on their list I think is the MET, ung andun sa me tabi ng Park and Ride.
Mehan Garden may look better now, but I loved it better when it had LOTS of trees. LOL delayed treehugger reaction ako.
Arirang TV is showing that Koreans are slowly but surely taking American twang off to an entirely new level. It's scary because when I hear their newscasters, it sounds like they're from CNN or something. We can speak English, yes, but the rate which our English proficiency is spiraling down is not something to be proud about. In 100 applicants that call centers receive everyday, only 2 applicants pass.
LOL, I guess I was mistaken then. I forgot if I read that as research or something, but yes I think the election process before was like that. Maybe Hillary Clinton's desperate? Another reason why Obama could be downplayed is because of his color, and maybe it's because he's also a greenhorn in the political arena. Erap won not because of his education but because of his popularity with the masa, even my friend who met him could really say that Erap had this charisma na kahit di mo sya kilala ma aatract ka daw talaga sa kanya. And my friend isn't even a fan of Erap's. The reason why FPJ lost was because of the "all out support" Cebu gave for GMA (to which ung mga tito at tita ko taga dun cried foul over, they voted against GMA pero...). Banking on FPJ's popularity alone, he could have easily crushed GMA in a landslide win. I don't trust the opposition as well, but if they ARE the lesser of the 2 evils, then fine. I just hope that Chiz Escudero is not all bark and no bite.
LOL, andun na rin me, that we're a unique blend of cultures, but given the cultural identity crisis we have now, I feel very sad. I mean, we could easily blend in with whatever culture that we could be found in, and we get their customs and take to those traditions like ducks to water, but it's depressing to find out that some balikbayans cannot even speak Tagalog anymore, or have "American twangs". My uncle and ninang lived in the US for most of their adult lives, but they could still speak good Tagalog! We also had an identity before, right before the Spaniards came and put us on submission hold for Christianity, lol. Before Christianity, we had a system wherein men and women were equal, and that women could also easily become a leader (babaylan ata un or I'm mixing up my Pre-Spanish era history lol) without being told off that "she's a woman and should only work in the kitchen", something which the Spaniards probably taught us. And yes, I found alibata cool.

Also, I would like to be part of the documentary! YAY! XD

Wahaha, kaso dapat sa weekend nga lang, currently working my fingers off typing loads of academic research papers.

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

I knew you were female. It's a typo, I swear.

Yes, we have a cultural crisis. This is why I'm doing this documentary in the first place. But you see, it's so much better now than it was a decade ago. Then, nobody cared. Now, Pinoys are starting to wake up. A growing number of Pinoys are deciding that enough is enough, and that we have to fight for our culture and our identity before it's too late. You are a good example. You cared so much that you sat in front of your computer and typed your rants. That is far better than being passive.

Yes, I find Alibata cool as well.

Essedel Elodil Eihren · Senior

Yes I know. That' s why I still love this country.

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

Guys, I need two more.

yani · BEERKADET

psychoCOW wrote:

Well, I'll definitely schedule something over the weekend. Maybe in the first week of June. I'll confirm this pa.

Meanwhile, I have some questions for you guys to answer:
What's the biggest misconception about Manila? The Philippines?
If you had to feed a foreigner a "scary" Pinoy dish, what would it be? (You can name more than one)
Pretend you're talking to a foreigner. Give me reasons why s/he should visit Manila

1. Biggest misconception about Manila or the Philippines?? That we are a poor country. Paano ta'yo magiging mahirap kung hitik sa magagandang bagay ang Pilipinas tulad ng mga nabanggit ko below. Nalihis lang ang ating landas. May pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas.

2. Labeling a dish as bizarre is different from one person to another. You can walk the streets of Manila (or Metro Manila) and feast on kwek-kweks, one day old, balut, penoy, abnoy, bibingkang itlog (I think this is penoy or abnoy cooked into a cake-like dish), soup #5, helmet, adidas, betamax, isaw, pwet (ng manok) on a stick, tenga ng manok, at kung anu-ano pa na food on a stick na dinadawdaw (sinasawsaw) mo sa boteng may malagkit na sauce (na karamihan ng mga stalls ay may no double dipping rule na). The list goes on and on.

You can visit the beautiful provinces of the philippines and try their native dish like the frog legs, kamaro, and those delicious biscuits (with an image of a saint as a design) of Pampanga.

Imagine na ang paborito nating adobo dish don't just have the manok, baboy, kangkong, sitaw varieties. There are endless bizarre variety of adobo.

I've seen the show Bizarre Foods hosted by Andrew Zimmerman sa Travel Channel. And I say, the organizer of that particular episode wherein they had a culinary tour of the Philippines did a rather poor job. We have so much to show, tell and feed that willing foreigner but his tour was almost limited to the well-kept restaurants in the country (kudos to Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations' contacts for every episode they made). This opinion is also shared by my brother, a CCA Culinary Chef Insructor, who aspires to learn more and to promote native Filipino dishes that most are unfortunately unrecorded and long forgotten.

3. The city will teach you things that are unlikely learned in school. Ika nga nila magiging "street smart" ka. Matututunan mo kung pano tumawid ng kalye. Yung tipong makikipagpatintero ka sa ibang mga taong tumatawid mula sa iba't ibang direksyon at sa mga humaharurot na sasakyan. Matutunan mong makrating mula point A to point B to point X sa pamamgitan ng paglalakad at pagsakay ng padyak, tricycle, jeep, bus, train, kalesa, bangkas (sa Guadalupe), atbp pampasaherong/pampublikong sasakyan.

Mararmdaman mo na kahit papano ang oras sa Pinas ay mabagal, this is a relief sa mga taong namumuhay sa ibang bansa na parang makina na walang tigil sa pagtakbo.

Mapaphalagahan mo ang buhay at mga biyayang natanggap mo mula sa Diyos dahil sa mga makikita mo sa iyong paligid. Mapapa-isip ka na hindi lang ikaw ang tao sa mundo na puno ng problema, na may mas malala pa ang kalagayan sa'yo.

Pag naabutan mo ang rally sa EDSA o sa U-Belt, you'll be thinking "...man, how they love democracy..." Mapupukaw ang damdamin mo either positively or negatively. May kukurot sa puso mo.

Mahahalina ka sa mga magagndang tanawin ng Maynila o Pilipinas na karamihan sa mga Pinoy ay hindi na binibigyan ng importansya tulad na lang ng nabanggit mo Mr. B, ang Luneta, na very rich in Philippine history; ang Intramuros na puno ng history at kabighabighaning architecture; mga nagkalat na simbahan (lalo na yung mga luma); Binondo, Qiuapo; at kung a kung anu-ano pang luma at bagong establishment na evident ang pinagdaanan ng Pilipinas tulad ng nakasulat sa kasaysayan.

Makakakuha ka ng kakwentuhan. Based on m experience, sa Amerika babatiin ka nila ng "Hi. How are you?" Sasagot ka naman ng "Hello. I'm good." tapos yun na yun. Eh sa Pinas kahit papaano may magbibigay sa'yo ng oras para kamustahin ka talaga. Talagang friendly at hospitable ang karamihan sa mga Pinoy.

Visiting Manila is one life changing experience lalo na kung naninirahan ka dito. Iba pa rin ang Maynila. Iba pa rin ang Pinas. aww

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

Okay, Yani makes two.

lei · Teddy's Chompy

Sorry Cow, Yani's in the US.. Baka pwede online video interview na lang...

yani · BEERKADET

I'm honored Mr. B. Kung hindi possible ang interview, pwedeng kuya ko na lang kausapin nyo regarding the food. ^_^

@Chompy: Baka nakalimutan ni Mr. B na wala ako sa Pinas. S'ya nga isa sa mga unang naka-alam na lapit na akong umalis. That was when he graciously accompanied me and Kev sa Salcedo Market.

-- Edited by yani at 02:39, 2008-05-30

yani · BEERKADET

lei wrote:

2. any food na may palaka, or insects like salagubang, and the one i saw sa palawan ata yun (basta sa provinces) yung tree worms (i forgot what its called) basta kulay white na nasa loob ng bark ng puno

I believe the name you are looking for is uok, a coconut worm.

***
More on Mr. B's study:

I'm porud of our culture kahit parang telang hinabi (weaved) gamit ang iba't ibang klase at kulay na fibers. Ang produkto... tantararan biggrin

a rich Filipino heritage.

Ang mga Latino sa Amerika pag nakarinig ng kaunting Spanish mula sa'yo matutuwa sila. Madalas kaming pagkamalang Latino dito. Lalo na kung medyo naiintindihan namin ang kanilang sinasabi. Significance confused

Hello, the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Tanda ko pa na may series of assignments kami nung elementary para sa Pilipino subject. We are given a small list of English words to be translated to Tagalog. Dami akong mali sa umpisa kasi iba pala yung Tagalog term sa Spanish. Halimbawa, ano ang Tagalog ng table? Merong sasagot ng lamesa pero ang Tagalog ng table ay hapag kainan.

Galing din sa Spaniards ang Christianity at mga piyesta. During Marcos regime pinag-utos niya na bawasan ang araw ng pista para makatipid. Dati kasi halos araw araw ay may pista.

Kapag may birthday nakaugalian na ng mga Pinoy na maghanda ng pansit. For long life daw. Sabi pa nga ng iba hindi daw pinuputol ang noodles kasi pag naputol katumbas daw iyon ng buhay mo. Significance confused

Nakipagsapalaran ang mga Intsik at naninirahan sa Pilipinas way way way back pa. I somewhat associate nga ang pagdura sa kalye (in public) sa kanila (*peace*). Madami tayong na pick up na kaugalian sa mga Intsik maliban sa kanilang lutuin na pansit, lumpia, siomai, siopao, atbp.

Laganap ang call center sa Pinas. (Pero nasa pag-aaral na bumababa ang kaledad ng English speaking capability ng mga Pinoy. cry

) Kapag tumawag ka sa mga company for tech support, magugulat ka na lang minsan na Pinoy pala kausap mo. May nagcomment sa amin na "How long have you been in the US?" We said, "We've been here about 4 months." Then the caucasian said, "You speak well in English. You must have a good education from your country." Significance confused

Ibinahagi ng mga Amerikano ang kanilang language nung American colonization. Tanda ko from History classes na hindi tinuruan ng Spanish ang mga Filipino due to fear of uprising kaya kaunti lang ang may privilege or nangahas matuto ng Spanish.

Natuto na din ang Pinoy kumain ng burger, hotdog, atbp thanks to the Americans. Nung panahon nga daw ng gyera ginto ang Hershey bars.

Japanese colonization... medyo cloudy pa utak ko dito. I need to reflect more. You can help me with this one. aww

So far anime pa lang ang naiisip ko at some Japanes dish. I need to reflect on a higher level of the significance (positive).

Madaming pumunta at nag stay sa Pinas at mula sa kanila nag evolve at patuloy na nag e-evolve ang ating kultura tulad ng nakasaad sa kasaysayan. 'wag sana nating talikuran at kalimutan ang ating mga tradisyon.

Ito ang bahagi ng makulay at magandang tela seen through my eyes.

-- Edited by yani at 01:31, 2008-06-01

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

The Japanese didn't have a significant time to alter our culture. They just had three years, as compared to the Spaniards' 300+ years, and the Americans' 30.

How many people here know the Brits occupied us for two years?

yani · BEERKADET

Alam ko na dahil sa BEIC na occupy ng Brits ang Manila pero saglit lang. Like you said Mr. B, 2 years tapos back to the Spaniards ulit.

Fraggle Rock · Hiro Nakamura's boyfriend

I believe the name you are looking for is uok, a coconut worm.

--> tamilok din ba tawag dyan, i think may reference yan with one of the pugad baboy compilations.

How many people here know the Brits occupied us for two years?

--> this was before the spaniards? nung ka-trade pa natin ang chinese? =)

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

It would have been nice, British influence. Instead of Luneta, we'll have something like Twinnings Park. We'd be wanting a spot of tea to go with our scones. We'd say words like "blimey". And most of you will actually understand British Humor.

Happycat · Senior

Fraggle Rock wrote:

I believe the name you are looking for is uok, a coconut worm.

--> tamilok din ba tawag dyan, i think may reference yan with one of the pugad baboy compilations.

How many people here know the Brits occupied us for two years?

--> this was before the spaniards? nung ka-trade pa natin ang chinese? =)

Here.The Chinese trade here,Spanish people came,not only Brits but other people from would-be European Union then,Americans,Japanese then Americans then us,Filipinos.Now you would have an inkling why this country is in terrible mess,everybody's wants to have a piece of Marie Antoinette's cake.(figure of speech)

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

This country is in a terrible mess, as you so term it, not because of colonialization per se, but because we picked up really bad habits from our colonizers. Yes, there's a difference.

Happycat · Senior

Now I know why Psychocow is a very intelligent character,he actually get my point here...

lei · Teddy's Chompy

The term i was searching for was Tamilok (watched it on one of the docus on tv).. i don't think it's uok, if it is indeed coconut worm because i dont think it was just on coconut wood.. unless the english name's a misnomer.

Tora^2 · Beerkadet

Those bad habits we can't seem to out-grow out of are no way new issues.

The man being honored the monument in Direk Cow's picture wrote a 2 scathing novels depicting them. Writing them was one of the many reasons why he was shot in the same area where that monument where that is located and his bones are buried.

tenkouken · Carpooler

2 years under the Brits... Nabasa ko 'yan sa Philippine Almanac (dinonate ko na sa elementary school ng nanay ko), though the Brits were somehow depicted as more sadistic than the Spaniards, as far as the artwork is concerned. XD

My South African friend once told me that there's more to a country than food, to which I replied food has a lot to do with a country. Dito naman kasi nakikita ang ikinabubuhay, lifestyle, kultura, at pakikitungo ng mga tao sa isa't isa, among others. XD

Sa kaso natin, nagsasama-sama ang lahat basta may pagkain, lalo na sa mga pamilya. Sa mga pista, pagkain ang isang basehan ng pabonggahan - mas marami, mas masaya. Pero kahit anong dami ng putahe sa isang okasyon, kahit isang litrong Coke lang 'yan, pagsasalu-saluhan ito ng lahat.

Ang mga pinanggagalingan ng niluluto natin ay malaking kinalaman sa kung ano tayo. Believe it or not, masarap ang bigas natin at puwedeng itapat sa Thai rice or iba pang uri ng rice. (Ibang usapan na kung bakit tayo na ang importer ng bigas at hindi ang exporter tulad ng ginagawa natin noon.) At dahil agricultural country tayo, lalo na sa mga probinsya, siguradong sariwa ang gulay at karne. Nothing beats palakang bagong huli sa sapa. XD

Ibang usapan pa ang mismong pagkain natin. Maaaring ang cuisine natin ay adapted galing sa ibang kultura, pero pag tayo ang nagluto ng pagkain, kakaiba ang panlasa at istilo natin sa pagluluto. Maliban doon, kakaiba tayo kung gumawa ng ulam - lahat ng posibleng ingredients ay napapasarap natin. Street foods? Lahat kasi ay kaya nating lutuin at kainin. Ironic kung bakit ang mga banyaga ay natatakot sa mga "exotic" food natin samantalang ang sarap naman nila kahit mahirap kainin. (Personal exception: Betamax. Mas safe pa 'yung pinuneg kasi pinakuluan ng mabuti at may rekado.)

Noong nakabase pa ako sa Baguio, doon ko natutunang kumain ng aso, baboy na pinakuluan lang (tapos hihigupin mo ang sabaw na hinaluan ng asin at sibuyas, yum-yum) at inihaw straight from the katayan, magluto at kumain ng pinikpikan at etag, uminom ng tapuy na pula at puti, etc. Doon ko natutunan din ang importansya ng mga tradisyon kung saan hinahanda ang ganitong mga putahe, kung paano ang mga kaugalian nila, pati ang ties ng pamilyang nagho-host ng okasyon at ang community na kasalo nila. Then ang rekado nila at istilo ng pagluluto ay mararamdaman mo at malalasahan ang flavor ng local community.

My feeble point is, food HAS a lot to say about a country, and our food says we are a hardy, happy people that can stomach anything, boil through anything, and find something good out of the experience, be it good or bad.

(I'm more biased towards the Cordillerans because my girlfriend's a Kankanaey and I might marry into their culture anytime soon. I'm learning much from them. Kung mapupunta ako sa isang bagong lugar, say, Southern Tagalog or Visayas, may madidskubre akong bago tungkol sa bagong environment mula sa pagkain nila.)

Whew. Cobra rush is over. O_O

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

Brilliant point, well argued, and I agree with you. In the Philippines at least, most of our heritage and cultural ties to this country are usually anchored in our food. I find that point fantastic, considering that Pinoy cuisine is one of the most underrated cuisines in Asia.

I recently holed up at the Dusit Thani Hotel for six days, covering the first Asian Poker Tour. I had the opportunity to talk with foreigners from all over the world, and I particularly loved bringing a small group of them to Kamayan. I am personally not a fan of Kamayan's fare, but the Whiteys seemed to enjoy it thoroughly.

But the most memorable time I had with foreigners and Pinoy food was when my classmates from HK came over to the Philippines to backpack through some of the country's sights two years ago. I played Tour Guide while they were in Manila, and a personal highlight was when I took the group (composed of three Honkies, an Indonesian, a Thai, and a Cambodian) to a Karinderya. They loved it.

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

First of all, I want to thank all those who have posted in this thread. What started out as a simple survey has blossomed into a bonafide discussion on Filipino culture, traits, and heritage. I am grateful to you all.

I originally wanted to do a documentary on popular perception on Manila's historical edifices. Having read through your posts, however, has given me inspiration for a few more topics.

I now want to do a piece that analyzes the Modern Pinoy as a product of 400 years of colonialization. I want to do a piece on Pinoy Cuisine. I'm reading through all the posts, and I'm formulating some more ideas based on them. Kayo, do you want to suggest anything?

Happycat · Senior

Nagtataka pala ako kung bakit mahilig nating mag-ingles sa loob ng bayan natin samantang yung ibang taga-dayo rito katulad ng mga banyagang misyonaryo gustong matutong mag-tagalog.Hmmm..... me isang akong kaibigan na taga-Britanya na talagang magaling mag-tagalog at kung mag-usap kami purong tagalog.Kung sasakay kami sa pampapublikong sasakyan lahat ng pasahero nakatingin sa 'min ewan ko kung bakit,hindi sila siguro sanay.Sayang lang nakauwi na siya sa London.Nagtataka rin ako kung ilang taon na nakatira dito yung mga kalahating pinoy-kalahating banyaga (lalo na sa mga artista at modelo) hindi pa rin marunong at matutong mag-tagalog at taas-noo ipinagmalalaki nila na Pinoy sila.Nakakahiya talaga.Nihonggo anyone?

Fraggle Rock · Hiro Nakamura's boyfriend

mental colony? ningas cogon? bahala na system?

why Filipinos work harder when they're not in the Philippines (well most of em)?

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

Happycat wrote:

Nagtataka pala ako kung bakit mahilig nating (tayo) mag-ingles sa loob ng bayan natin (dito sa Pinas) samantang (samantala) yung ibang taga-dayo (dumadayo, o pumupunta) rito katulad (tulad) ng mga banyagang (nobody uses this word anymore) misyonaryo gustong matutong mag-tagalog. Hmmm..... me (may) isang akong kaibigan na taga-Britanya (Taga-UK) na talagang magaling mag-tagalog at kung mag-usap kami purong tagalog(redundancy, when the sentence structure is used in Filipino). Kung sasakay kami sa pampapublikong sasakyan (Jeep or bus, what else can it be anyway?)lahat ng pasahero nakatingin sa 'min (naka-tanga sa'min lahat ng pasahero) ewan ko kung bakit,hindi sila siguro sanay. Sayang lang nakauwi ("umuwi" is more apt here) na siya sa London. Nagtataka rin ako kung ilang taon na nakatira dito yung mga kalahating pinoy-kalahating banyaga (see above) (lalo na sa mga artista at modelo) hindi pa rin marunong at matutong mag-tagalog (hindi marunong mag-tagalog) at (pero) taas-noo ipinagmalalaki nila na Pinoy sila. Nakakahiya talaga.Nihonggo anyone?

Personally, I rarely use Filipino in this forum because I am atrocious with that language. I wish I wasn't, and I swear I've working so hard to improve on it. The fact is, it's hard to erase almost two decades of living in an English-only environment (Family, school, neighborhood), but I'm doing my best.

But here are two truths I have learned from my language difficulties.

Learning Filipino is not a clear-cut indicator of patroitism. That shouldn't stop you from learning the language.
As much as we want to deny it, English is very much part of our culture. To deny English is to deny our culture.

Still, there is truth to your statement. If you claim you're proud to be Pinoy, it has to start with the language. However, you shouldn't condemn the Filipino-illiterate half-breeds for being proud to be Pinoys, if they're legitimately proud and not faking it.

It's in the same class as those stuck-up bastards who condemned Sarah G for going Diva on the National Anthem during a Pacquiao match, and think that the poster versions of the Philippine Flag (the ones that have started popping up all over the Metro) are abominations. You cannot focus on these external trappings. You have to go deeper than that.

The fact is, it is sorely difficult to determine what is Pinoy and what isn't. We are a pastische of culture and influences. Let's take the very best elements from them, throw away the worst, and accept ourselves for who we are. And we are more, much more than a flag, a "proper" way of singing the Anthem, a language.

psychoCOW · Beerkadet Mascot/Matinee Idol

Fraggle Rock wrote:

why Filipinos work harder when they're not in the Philippines (well most of em)?

Because, abroad, rules and regulations are strictly implemented. It is not a cultural defect, it is rather the lack of external stimulus.

Proof? Try disobeying traffic rules in Subic. Try littering in Marikina. Let's see what that gets you.

Happycat · Senior

We don't need a good ruler but a good motivator to improve our country's system and also with looks of Angelina Jolie or Gywnneth Paltrow for women,Brad Pitt or George Clooney for men.Seems this country only got Angelina Joli-na Magdangal, Brad as in Brad Pete and George....George Estregan Jr. whehehehek