A lot of Filipinos have an identity crisis. You can spot these sorts a mile away. They are the ones who shout out “I am proud to be Filipino!” as if they hold a monopoly over harbouring such a sentiment. It is usually in the way it is expressed and in the context and timing of when the words are said that give these people away.
To me, anyone who says, “I am proud to be Filipino!” after Manny Pacquiao wins a fight or after any Filipino receives international recognition, has an identity crisis. Shaking your head in disagreement? Pause to think about it. When Manny Pacquiao wins or Arnel Pineda sings for the band Journey, is it every Filipino on the ring or on stage with them while they are performing? I don’t think so. Pacquiao and Pineda may put our country on the map with what they do achieve, but why can’t Filipinos be proud as a people regardless? Does it have to take someone from the outside to tell us “Hey, you guys are ok!” before we can believe in our capabilities? Isn’t it just that all-too-familiar colonial mentality at work whenever we feel that we have to rely on outsiders for validation?
It has to do with the reality that we are not known for achieving something uniquely exceptional as a people. Do we just want to be known as singers, dancers, boxers and all around entertainers around the globe? Personally, I don’t want our country to be known only as exporters of second rate artists because these are professions that offer fleeting recognition. If you are an entertainer for example, you only have the attention of people who admire your work for maybe, a maximum of two to three hours and then people go back to focusing on their daily lives and forget about you. Likewise, if you are a sports athlete, you only have your youth and stamina before you pack up your bags, go home, and retire. Indeed, the number of Filipinos (those born and bred in the Philippines) who make it big as actors in Hollywood is nil because the competition there is tough. So I’d rather see our citizens aspire for something that will leave a lasting legacy and contribution to sustained growth in our society.
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Taking stock of most of the comments in this blogsite, I have come to the conclusion that we Filipinos need help in defining ourselves. Some of us need a refresher course on how to become a success without the need to piggyback on someone else’s achievements.
Knowing What We Want
The first thing we have to do to find out who we are as a people is to know what we want to be as individuals. What do we want to achieve in our own lives? What is our purpose in this world? We don’t all have to do or be the same things to be successful people. We don’t all have to be actresses or singers to be happy and gain recognition. Whatever we do as an individual — if done the right way, with our whole heart in it, and therefore not in that half-baked manner that we are inclined to — can be great in its own right. We can’t do a half-assed job and then expect to be successful at what we do. We don’t have to have lots of money to do great things. We just need the determination and the vision to accomplish something and then put our best effort into carrying it out. Whatever job we choose, as long as we are passionate at what we do and take pride in it, we will excel in our work. So what do we want to be? We want to excel individually at what we do and if a big enough number of us take that view, collectively we can become a successful people.
Take the Italians. Italians are known for many, many things. They are famous for doing things with a passion whether it be, say, cooking (pasta) or building sports cars (Massaratis). They are even good at being mobsters! Think of the perverse passion the characters in the film The Godfather applied to their “craft”. Italians take pride in their workmanship. The results speak for themselves. When people see something is made in Italy, they quickly say, “How exquisite!”
When someone creates something nice, the creator’s love of the work that went into his creation rubs off on those who regard it. When a work or a creation is done with pride, the creator gains respect. It does not matter if it is a pair of shoes, a piece of furniture or a sports car. It does not matter how small or big it is. If it appeals to people’s senses and practical sensibilities because of its excellent design, it stands a better chance of becoming a hit locally and globally. In essence, truly excellent work does not have to be shoved down people’s throats to gain appreciation. If it is really great work, people from all over will seek it and buy it.
Let’s go local and look at some of today’s famous Filipinos to illustrate my point even further. Manny Pacquiao as an individual, wanted to become a boxer when he was younger. He trained very hard to become one and is now the World Welterweight champion in boxing and we all know how much money he made out of his winnings. Efren Penaflorida wanted to be a teacher and to help underprivileged kids acquire an education. He finished school, designed his own kariton and is now roaming the streets of Manila teaching kids just like he wanted to. It’s not the most ideal way of educating our street kids but, hey, he is now walking around town carrying the title “CNN 2009 Hero of the Year” (thanks mostly to Filipino online voters). Manny and Efren are individuals who have done well in their chosen field and have been recognized because of their work. Let me stress here that a boxing title or the label “hero” is not a prerequisite to be considered a successful individual. You can be a success even without these titles. A title can even be a burden to an individual because with these come the need to have to live up to people’s expectations. Efren and Manny both started out doing what they do with just the expectations they put on themselves. Just think of some otherwise excellent actors who had received an Academy Award for acting like Cuba Gooding Jr and Lou Gossett Jr who hardly get any work now because their fees have gone up.
It’s hard not to notice that a country of 90 million struggles to hit double digit numbers when asked to cite examples of the truly exceptional and world-class among their lot. It’s hard not to notice too that out of 90 million people, very few of the celebrated come from the field of science and technology. It makes you wonder what Filipinos really aspire to become. We have to work on this aspiration of ours. We have to move beyond the goal of doing something just to gain publicity, fame, and fortune.
Before we get ahead of ourselves and think of the profits that we might eventually gain from our work or all the accolades we might eventually receive, we have to be good at what we do first. We have to dream big and aspire to innovations that will improve our standard of living and those around us. For example, the refrigerator was invented to preserve perishable food. As a result of this innovation, people no longer had to to go hunting for food everyday. When the washing machine was invented, women were freed of one of the most onerous of household chores. Being innovative is what builds wealth and quality of life. Perhaps it will help us be more innovative if we put ourselves in our servant’s shoes and use our education to think of ways to work smarter even as we work harder.
Some Filipinos keep thinking that Manny Pacquiao is lucky because of the millions in his bank account right now. Luck had very little to do with his success. Training hard to to be a great boxer had the most to do with his success. Manny makes it looks easy now but he made a lot of sacrifices to get to where he is. In fact, gravity will work against Manny’s career one day and soon; he will be forced to retire. We can see that what he does is something that is profitable only for himself. Sure, he may “inspire”. But the Philippines is not necessarily any better as a society after Manny Pacquiao. Let’s face it, not all of us have what it takes to be a boxer. Just like not everyone is cut out to be a Nicole Kidman or a Jon Bon Jovi. We all have what it takes to be something else that is uniquely us as individuals though but we need to work as hard as Manny Pacquiao to excel in whatever that something may be.
Therefore, we have to love what we are doing first and do what we do for the love of it and not because of any unrealistic hope for fame or fortune. Doors will surely open once we have mastered a craft. If we really don’t like what we are doing but are just forced to do it for a living, we must find opportunities to acquire the skills that will enable us to make a living out of what we prefer to do. If you’ve always wanted to be dressmaker but you are stuck being a cleaner, use your spare time to learn how to sew dresses in a dressmaking course. Of course, you should bear in mind that while you are waiting for the opportunity to become a dressmaker, you should still do your best at being a cleaner. Pining for another job is not an excuse to do dodgy work in your current job.
Please Yourself
Everyone can be a winner in their own right. As I said before, we don’t need anyone to tell us we’re good at what we do if we know that we are good it. Take the blogger Benign0 for instance. He was trained to write well at school which gave him the confidence to write anything he wants. He doesn’t really seem to try to impress anyone else but himself. He has his own standard and style of writing that is uniquely his own and will not compromise on anything just to please anyone. He is a winner in his own right.
If you are a house painter or a construction worker for example, would you try to do a good job at painting or bricklaying to impress your customer or to impress yourself? The answer to that depends on how you see your own personal standards stacking up with your customer’s. If you are the sort that works to your standards and, in the process, meet your customer’s requirements as well, you probably have the right answer to that question. It really won’t matter if your client is easy or hard to please. If you don’t compromise on the quality of your work as a matter of personal principle, your customers will in most cases be satisfied with the outcome of your work. Customers who watch while you work won’t be a worry. You will be doing your work just the way you want it done at the quality acceptable to you. It’s as easy as that.
If you manufacture stuff, try to imagine that you are manufacturing every single product for your own use. You wouldn’t sell a defective product to yourself, would you? Apply a mindset where you see yourself as your most important customer, and you will produce at the highest standards of quality.
Often we compromise the quality of our work because we lack our own personal style and personal standards even as we aim to work towards others’ standards and styles. We Filipinos are not known for creation or innovation that is underpinned by a style unique to us or standards inherent to us. Hermès Birkin handbags, for example, are said to be hand-built by experienced craftsmen. The production of each handbag can take weeks. The manufacturers of Hermès Birkin handbags do not compromise on quality. This is the primary reason why it is able to command such high prices. Hermès Birkin handbags are classic examples of products that have unique brands of style and exclusivity.
In contrast, a lot of the workmanship around the country is very mediocre; all second-rate. One only has to look at the jeepneys or tricycles roaming our cities’ streets to this day to realise that we haven’t really set out to even impress ourselves with a more advanced and environmentally-sound means of transportation and livelihood. How then do we hope to impress other people outside our community? Everything made and done in the Philippines: our roads and infrastructure, the way we vote for our own public officials, our struggles for global recognition; they are all half-baked. It’s almost like we set out to lower our standards to purposely make our own lives miserable. It’s because we don’t aim to please ourselves when we make or do something. This is no different to the way we vote someone into public office. It’s as if we are voting for someone because we are trying to please that person and not ourselves.
The concept of pleasing ourselves first can also be applied in the way we conduct ourselves outside our home. When we leave our homes to go to school or work, we should treat the public space the way we would our own home. We should dispose of our garbage properly, cross the streets in the right places, and follow traffic rules and regulations. The public space outside our homes is a space that we share with others and is for our own enjoyment as well. We wouldn’t want to see garbage scattered inside our own homes so why should we tolerate it on public land? Just remember that whatever garbage we dispose of carelessly outside will come back to bite us again when the storm drains get clogged up…
In whatever we do, we have to think of what is good for ourselves. This means not just cleaning up our own backyard but maintaining order in the public spaces as well because we spend as much time using public facilities as we do those in our own home. The cleaner our environment, the more enjoyable our trip to wherever we are going will be.
Be Creative
As they say, the place we are born in is just the luck of our draw. We had no choice in the matter. It’s what we do in the place we inhabit that matters. Filipinos don’t have to feel unlucky for having to live in such a harsh climate. Some cultures live in worse conditions but have managed to find a way to work around their unique circumstances. As Galileo said, we have to master the mathematics of nature, understand it, harness its energy and use it for our benefit. There are also little ways we can alleviate our discomfort. If we find it hard to work and be productive during the hottest part of the day, we could adjust our working schedules to the times that work for us. If 12 noon to 3 pm is the most unproductive part of the day because of the heat and humidity, perhaps we should make our working hours before and after that time.
If the humidity in our country is stifling our productivity and our lifestyle, there are many ways to cope. We could design our abode and our work environment in a way that will encourage fresh air to flow freely making us less-dependent on energy-guzzling air-conditioning. We could also watch what we eat because taking in too much food during a hot day can make us lethargic. It is very obvious that people from First World countries have acquired a taste for knowledge. They use this knowledge to enhance their lifestyle and improve the quality of their lives. They appreciate the beauty of nature and compliment it with beautiful architecture and infrastructure. This is how they are and that is how they want to live. The question we have to ask ourselves is, how do we want to live? Do we want to continue to live in the condition we are in or do we want to make our existence a little bit easier for us? We seem to remain complacent even though we suffer from shortages of food, water, energy and get severe battings from the weather every now and then. We have to formulate plans, think more about our future, and be more creative.
Be proud because of yourself and not because of your race
No race is superior to the other. If we keep thinking that people who live in western countries are superior to us because of the amount of their knowledge and their wealth, then it’s like saying that people in third world countries are inferior because of their ignorance and poverty. In the same manner, we will always think that we are just victims of the circumstances we are in. If we keep thinking this way, we will never have any motivation to do something to elevate ourselves from our wretched existence. We will always feel bitter and envious about the prosperity of the richer nations. If we keep thinking this way, we will always feel incompetent and hopeless. Eleanor Roosevelt once said that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. We don’t have to feel inferior to western cultures because we are capable of acquiring the same amount of knowledge and wealth ourselves if we choose to.
The trouble is, Filipinos actually do feel inferior to other cultures. This is evident in the way we give priority to those who have fairer skin or possess Caucasian features. One just has to look at all the actors and actresses who make it big in Philippine cinema. They all have fairer complexions compared to the average Filipino. However, the average Filipino does not use this sense of inferiority or admiration for the western way of life as a strong motivator to copy their success. They use this sense of inferiority instead as an excuse to act like a victim of colonialism when in fact it is us who continue to allow our takeover by foreigners in the first place.
Ironically, this sense of inferiority of ours is the reason our “pride” as Filipinos remains misguided. The fact that some people have to constantly say “I am proud to be Filipino!” means that they are trying to prove something, like they may as well be saying that they are so unlike many Filipinos. They say the one who shouts the loudest is the one most insecure.
We have to work on our self-esteem. A person who is genuinely proud exudes quiet confidence and does not need to shout it out loudly. A person with confidence is a winner and a winner will always be recognised.
In life, things are not always what they seem.
Good one Ilda!
Especially in youtube when many of those ” identity crisis ” Filipinos realize that a foreign viral video has a talented person with even just 1/2 or 1/4 Filipino gene will automatically comment and claim Proud to be Pinoy! It just just pisses me off & ashamed of be one. Why did this half Pinoy’s family left Philippine in the first place. I see many of them as traitors and I bet they are more loyal to their Foreign genes or host country when SHTF.
Hence you bring up a point crucial to this paradox. You can never convince me Philippines can be so great if so many people seek their livelihood elsewhere. If Pinoy blood is so great then why is “watering it down ” a prerequisite? Ilda mentions it in terms of movie star looks. In one of my blogs here I go as far as saying even models in car shows all have to be fairer than the typical Pinoy. So proud to be Pinoy but let’s try to get away from your typical Pinoy as much as possible .
Brain drain is one of the economic stagnation in the Philippines. However, you cannot blame Filipinos wanting to leave the country for better opportunity and life…
In response to Filipinos preferring Caucasian features – it is because of colonial mentality. Our masters for hundreds of years were white. So, we think white is better.
Unfortunately, Filipinos think that going abroad is better, and will give them more money…..IT’S NOT TRUE!!!!!
For example, in Canada, 1 dollar = 40 pesos…..in the Philippines, I can feed myself for 20 pesos a day…puso, bbq, soup, etc….
In Canada, one dollar won’t even buy you a small coffee…you can buy nothing!!!
Here, pancit costs about 7 pesos for a package…
In Canada, one pack of pancit is 120 pesos!!!!
People who go overseas to make more money don’t take into account that rent, food, taxes, bills, electricity, hot water are all SO MUCH MORE expensive!
It’s best to find a job here, or start a business.
Oh yeah, to start a business in Canada without getting papers/safety clearances/health inspections/paying tax/registering your business/blah blah blah……Good Luck!
It costs at LEAST 400,000 Php in Canada to start a business.
Hence Loraine another paradox. Colonial mentality juxtaposed with proud to be Pinoy .
I am not blaming those who leave. What I am saying is how can anybody be so proud of a place that necessitates leaving ?
Jessica,
Are we to understand that your main gripe against living and/or working in Canada is that you are made to FOLLOW THE RULES? How horrible for you! By your own admission you prefer to start a business without any regard for health or safety standards and you are intent on cheating on your taxes. I surmise that with that attitude you also fully intend to cheat your customers. Your unconscionable behaviour is inexcusable. It isn’t welcome in any human society.
Gogs,
It isn’t just that one’s personal conditions in the Philippines necessitate leaving, it’s the fact that Filipino government and society in general make life in the country intolerable.
Yiou know Johnny . Look at the traits of this place that makes it worth leaving. Traffic, chaos , the mayabang, the politicians, . You can really only reach once conclusion. Filipinos leave to get away from Filipinos .
Mr. Saint, you’ve no idea about my conduct or behaviour.
My main gripe with Canada can’t be explained in a three minute reply to you, save to say Canada is as corrupt as the Devil, and a proper living wage is unattainable for a majority of Canadian Citizens, let alone OFW’s.
As for being made to follow the rules….rules are fine….creating hoops for the sake of getting paid, which is what the Canadian Government does, is despicable.
People who want to be self-sufficient and successful in small business cannot do so, because of so many illogical and overpriced hoops.
Do your research before you character bash, yes?
Ms Jessica,
That’s very true. One cannot convey much in a short post on a blog’s comment section. However, continuing exchanges do reveal more and more of the persons’ characters.
For instance — your latest response reveals that you did not bother to read your original post. You are now bringing up completely different issues, which, if you had stated them in your first comment, would have taken the discussion in a completely different direction. You might want to organise your thoughts first before shooting off a comment so that you communicate precisely what it is you mean to say.
—
If the point you wanted to raise concerned the high cost of living in Canada, why didn’t you just come out and say so? Instead, all you did was a lot of petulant whining about not being able to purchase coffee drinks, street food and Filipino noodles (‘pancit’) at a cheap price.
Just to be clear — the cost of living in industrialised nations is MUCH HIGHER than in third world countries like the Philippines. It is more expensive in the United States. It is more expensive in Canada. It is more expensive in Europe. The same goes for Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. That means food, shelter, clothing, utilities and especially all the luxuries and conveniences that even middle class families take for granted in the Philippines ARE MORE EXPENSIVE.
—
The other NEW issue you mentioned is that the Federal government in Canada is corrupt and inefficient. Coming from the Philippines, how is this a new experience? Why should we expect otherwise?
ANY system that becomes overly complex, any bureaucracy that becomes overly large, becomes increasingly inefficient over time. The United States Federal government has over 160,000 pages of regulations that businesses have to abide by in order to operate. The Philippines has laws that date back to the 1930s that the government uses as precedents. And these rules and regulations are increasingly contradictory.
Still, given the inefficiency of countries like the United States and Canada, the Philippines has been proven to be one of the least business-friendly, with one of the most inefficient systems in the world. In the US and Canada, it can take a few weeks to register and start a new company. In Israel, it only takes one week to set up. In Hong Kong, it takes ONE DAY. In the Caymans — AT LEAST ONE HOUR. In the Philippines, it can take SEVERAL MONTHS to start a new business.
By ALL accounts, systems in most countries are more efficient and/or more honest than in the Philippines. Unless of course you intend on resorting to some of the common practices used in the Philippines to speed up business registration such as BRIBING the regulatory agencies (on top of the ‘institutionalised’ bribes). And cheating on safety inspections, and your taxes, as well as the rest of the ‘blah blah blah.’
—
On the whole, one would have to be either incredibly naive or breathtakingly stupid to emigrate to another country and NOT acquaint themselves with that country. In the case of Canada — like the rest of the industrialised countries, Canada is recovering from two major economic downturns that characterised the late 20th century. The situation to-day isn’t like it was in the 1990s when government spending cuts allowed the economy to grow; conditions that spurred the immigration boom in the first place. If you cannot be bothered to take the time out to find out about the conditions where you plan to move, there really is no one you can blame for your frustrations over the problems you encounter.
Wow Ilda!!! What an article…
My late father taught me a good lesson, when I was young: ” Do things that nobody else can do; and you will surpass your expectations on yourself. Create things that others cannot create; and you will be an successful innovator. Invent and sell things that nobody have invented yet; and you will name your price.” We must always desire to excel. Whatever your field of study and profession.
“Gaya-gaya” is the characteristic of Filipinos. If one put a sari-sari store in the corner. You will be sure that somebody will put also a sari-sari store in another corner.
We are lacking in innovative spirit and good craftmanship in what we produce. We don’t try to acquire knowledge, relevant for our success. “Puede na yan” is the call of the day.
So, we vote the wrong leaders; we just let things that hinder our progress stay where they are…as long as we can shout: “I’m proud to be a Filipino”…it is enough for us.
First I want to say I’m not of filipino descent but I have had lots of contact with the Filipino people since at least the ’90s. That being said I feel I can make a comment on this topic entirely based on my personal experiences. I want to give those out there this senecio and to post what they will do if it were them. Lets say you were born and raised in the Philippines and living an average filipino way of life. Then you have a chance to go to the United States to attend a fine university to study in a field that would surely give you a very good education. After graduation lets say you further your studies with advance degrees. Now you have to make a choice… Would you take your knowledge back to the Philippines and use it towards the advancement of your country in a field where it is much needed to give the people of your country a much better chance of becoming a better society? Or would you take your knowledge and use it in the United States to earn a 6 figure salary so that you can give yourself and family a better life? Also if you were here in the United states and the Philippines were to go to war against China would you go back to the Philippines and fight for your country?
My answer is based on my experience. Most Filipinos go where they could make a good life. I think one of the “weakness” of Filipino character is that we only care for people and things around our circle. It is very common to see Filipino houses to be spotlessly clean but just outside of the house are piles of garbage. Yup, we care for our family and friends but we do not really care for other Filipinos outside our circle….
I can still say that I am proud to be a Filipino just because….We are generally gentle people. We do not harbor any ill feelings. We have good coping skills. We are quiet but emotionally strong. I do not blame the average Filipinos. Average Filipinos are just trying to survive and get by. Who could be creative when your children are hungry and future uncertain? I blame the elites and politicians. They know better. They are more educated and worldly. They have the power to make things better but they don’t. Is it because average Filipinos are out of their circle? They just care about their friends and family and that’s it….
People can’t be creative because the voters did not vote the right leaders into office. Because of that, things don’t get done, and somehow people wonder why people are just trying to survive. Blame the voters. The people ultimately enabled their misery.
Sorry Dude, it is not the voters fault. No, it is not.
THE ELECTIONS ARE RIGGED, any time a candidate that is not ‘wanted’ by the ruling elite, ballot boxes end up in landfills, ‘SMART CARDS’ with 1000’s of ballots on them magically ‘disappear’ or get changed. The case of Manuel Zubiri is a perfect point to make here, now. Despite the election being rigged in hs favor, and proven so, the guy held office for almost the entire length of the elected term and then the guy resigned so he could do the exact same thing in the next election.
THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS RIGGED and do I need to even say what needs to be done with the mentioned ‘system’? I mean, do I really need to say it?
@ Perry:
I have good talks with OFW Filipinos, here in the U.S. , Middle East and Europe. They are the “brightest and the best”, the Philippines can offer to this world.
“No!!! They don’t want to come back…to their country”…they were forced out from the country thru economic necessities, caused by the bad governance of Aquino and previous Presidents…they want to remain in their adopted countries.
Defense of the country against China?
If invaded by China…they want China to take Aquino to Hong Kong, for trial, like Saddam Hussein of Iraq. For Aquino’s complicity in the murder of those Chinese Hostages. If they hang him…some may come back…
The Philippines needs to up-grade its schools to the level of the ‘1st world’. For example, so when nurse’s who graduate from the countries nursing ‘MILLS”, that are only masquerading as nursing schools, can actually pass the state board examinations in the country’s they emigrate to. So they can practice nursing, not bed-pan duty. The schools in the country take the hard earned money of these poor girls and give them jack shit in return. And it is like that in many area’s of study.
The Philippines schools is where the greatest differences can be made BUT until they stop robbing students and actually teach them something ,instead of just robbing them, NOTHING is likely to change.
I appreciate the gist of what the author is trying to say. BUT Italians aren’t Mafioso any more the Russians or Jamaicans.The food they are renowned for is Eggs “Florentine”, Veal ‘Marsala’/PARMA’gianna/”Cacciatore’,etc,etc…not pasta! Which came back from China w/Marco Polo.Italians are famous for producing: Artists (Michaelangelo/Raphael/Benavelli etc..),INVENTORS (Fermi/DaVincci etc..) and the finest of SILK Clothing, NOT organized crime..which most REAL Italians despise!not to mention great ruler’s(The Caesar’s etc).
It is typical of people who have never been to Italy to equate Italy with Mafioso.So very TYPICAL and inaccurate.
It is Maserati/s, not Massarati/s. And IMHO Ferrari will be a better example.
The late Bill Hicks put it well. When (sarcastically) asked “are you proud to be an American?”
“I didn’t have a lot to do with it. My parents f***ed there, that’s about all.”
Hicks was a malcontent loser. His comedic career was made by criticizing what was/is wrong but not really saying much about what was right, or how to correct what was/is wrong. If Hicks was asked why his parents came/went to the USA, if he knew, he might have understood what a great country he was fortunate enough to have his parents ‘F@#%’ in.
Far from being perfect the USA remains the greatest place to live…..and I know all about North Western Europe too, but those countries still come in 2nd.
this is really good. a spot on article. i do hope you can publish this in every local newspapers nationwide. and use its respective dialect for those unfortunate filipinos who can not understand english.
The answer to the question has at least two parts:
PART 1: Leave the Philippines immediately.
PART 2: Do whatever is necessary to get rich in the country you emigrate to, because you do not have a chance in hell at prospering in the Fail-ippines.
IT is SAD to say this, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY TRUE!
How to become a successful Filipino?
Simple, leave the Philippines and go and live in a successful country.
How to get rich in the Filippines?
Sell massive amounts of ‘SHABU’, or see the previously posted comment.
Whew… well written.
Ang Proud to be Pinoy ay pautot ng Abias-CBN at hindi nangangahulugan na yan ang Slogan ng majority ng Filipinos.
Sa Kultong Dilaw dapat Slogan nila ay Fraud ang Ampaw.
Another wonderful positive (yes, I’m sure you can call this positive) article by Ilda.
And maybe I can add another item of by own: learn to value substance over form.
That’s the problem with the Philippines. It is a society that values appearances over actually having the thing. Some people thus pretend to be things they’re not. They get gadgets and bling in order to be seen as “rich” even if they are not. They look for having things with brand labels even if they buy pirated goods instead. They can become pretentious and deceiving individuals. They tend to look at the outside appearance rather than look at the heart. They then fail to appreciate what is important and instead go for the worthless and carnal. This is yet another obstacle to becoming successful Filipinos.
I remember hearing this from a local tv show before:
“Di bale na magdildil ng asin, basta I look expensive.”
Such is the inordinate emphasis on form over substance in da Pinas, even if it means actually putting oneself in the financial doghouse just to keep up an appearance of looking like a rich person.
Everyone does that!
Filipinos learn that way of being from American culture….unbelievable amounts of people go into hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt to ‘keep up appearances’ there.
But Filipinos have their own brand in doing this.
Looks like there are many versions of this saying. The one I’ve heard is, “di baleng magutom, basta mukhang mayaman.” That’s the way to be an unsuccessful Filipino.
so you cant be proud of your child?
Let me share my past.
This is a true story of how a Rich family became Poor:
Despite my mother’s educational upbringing, she was taught by her parents on how to be a housewife and serve her husband. Years later she met my dad, my emotionally/physically abusive father. He was pretty much a slacker in his college years.
My father was also raised in a traditional household. He never allows my mother to find work since he’s the man of the house and even though most of our Filipino-chinese relatives suggest on the idea to not concentrate on a single income of one person but let the other spouse open a second business just in case of emergency but was shut down by my father thinking it’s bad investment. Since then my tsinoy relatives all have thriving businesses in the city.
I recalled a business friend of my father gave him a book to read about how the Chinese and Japanese handle business Differently but he just kept it in a shelf and goes to cock fight derbies (In the process he goes depressed when he losses a large amount of money). He never actually reads except maybe the Bible but he’s too much of a hypocrite.
My mother also wasted all her free time as a housewife with Mexican/Pinoy Teleseryes. I can’t blame her since my father wants her to stay in the house and take care of us.
Business was good back then and my parents encourages “Showing-off” the latest cars, accessories, branded goods. But I remained in the shadow while my siblings did what they were told, Grades didn’t matter to my siblings as long as their classmates think of them as popular. My friends think I was too humble.
Fast forward 25 years later; Business was bad enough to lead us to bankruptcy and my father regrets not listening to his real friends and made bad decisions with his other leeching ‘friends’ who since then we never hear from them anymore. My siblings who once showing off shied away when classmates wonders why my family was suddenly poor.
Here’s another inspiring true story:
The family was just your regular palengke meat butcher and his wife sells veggies. One time, the husband chance upon listening to a business idea of opening a meat shop that also has a mini grocery. So he and his family loaned and sacrificed half of their very small home. All of them slept/live in 1 living space while the other half of the house is their meat shop/convenient store.
It took a lot of enduring sacrifice and it payed off. Years later they have their very own large home in a cozy subdivision, a car, they were able to send their children to good universities and they recently opened up 2 new branches. Their attitude still stayed the same since it’s the reason why they gained loyal customers.
Here’s an article on enlightened Pinoys:
Link
This is a new point of view which many of us have not thought about-love yourself by knowing what you stand for or want to be, start learning what needs to be done to acquire the knowledge, skill and attitude to succeed in what you desire to be. While being busy doing all these activities one naturally build up all kinds of relationships and we learn farther what life is all about. We shall then be well on the road to wellness in every way. What sayeth Dude?