Every now and then, I get asked the same questions I have answered so many times before. I understand that not everyone will see my responses so I have compiled the frequently asked questions with my corresponding answers for everyone’s convenience:
1. When you highlight what is wrong in Philippine society, aren’t you being negative?
No, it is not being negative. It is actually the opposite. Philippine society will not mature or progress if we only focus on our strengths as a people. Filipinos also need to identify their weaknesses so they can work on these.
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While some people find it uncomfortable to face our society’s flaws, we need to do it. Otherwise, we won’t be able to fix them or address them properly.
Filipinos cannot pretend that their society is perfect and they cannot run away from their problems. Their problems will always come back to bite them. They cannot keep ignoring for example, that the majority in Philippine society lack discipline. The Filipino people’s lack of discipline is quite evident in how they drive their vehicles and when they routinely break the rules particularly in the way they dispose of their garbage indiscriminately. The habit of littering shows lack of respect for the environment and their fellowmen. Lack of discipline leads to chaos and eventually, anarchy.
Therefore, highlighting what is wrong in Philippine society is being proactive in dealing with the problems head-on.
2. You are all talk but isn’t action better than talking?
Lack of discipline is evident in how Filipinos routinely break rules on the road.
Talking will lead to action – the right course of action. One shouldn’t do his or her job without first outlining what needs to be done. Builders do not just go out and dig a hole without first consulting a plan drawn up by architects and engineers. In fact, a lot of things in the Philippines like policies and infrastructure projects fail because they were not examined well enough to see if they could actually work.
In a lot of instances, experts were not consulted before a project was initiated. Likewise, due to patronage politics, the wrong man for the job (like a lawyer doing an engineer’s job) gets hired and so, consequently, quite often fails to deliver.
Things need to be thought through before action is mounted to avoid unnecessary waste of time and resources. More importantly, the right people need to be involved in the thinking process. Unfortunately, in the Philippines, those who get to “think things through” have no business being in that position. They were only put there because they have popular names or associated with those in power.
3. Why do you keep complaining and blaming the public servants?
Why not? If no one complains, the public servants will assume that they are doing a good job. Public servants are supposed to serve the public. They are not in their posts to be “admired” or showed deference to. It’s only in the Philippines where public servants are treated like celebrities. That’s because a lot of public servants are former celebrities or related to one. This is part of the reason why the Filipino public is beholden to their public servants. Another reason why the Filipino public in general is scared of complaining is because a lot of those in power have been known to use intimidation to scare anyone who complains.
In Philippine society, there is also a culture that can be described as “saving face”. The society is scared of being criticized for their failures. That’s why individuals who raise unpleasant issues get shamed by others and get labeled either tactless or rude. Never mind that raising concerns like abuse of power or disorderliness will benefit the rest of the public.
4. You have been criticizing the ills of Philippine society for years but how come there is no change in the way Filipinos behave?
A lot of Filipinos are in denial. They refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem. They are like alcoholics. It is very difficult to convince an alcoholic that he has a drinking problem. Besides, while the goal is to enlighten the majority, we cannot do it without the help of mainstream media. We can only reach people who have Internet access for obvious reasons. Our focus is in influencing the elite especially those who work in mainstream media. Once they start espousing our views, they will reach a wider audience. At the moment our message gets drowned out by the shallow programming and content of mainstream media.
5. Why can’t you write your articles in Tagalog so that the masses can understand them?
While it is good if more people can understand our message, it is actually a common misconception among Filipinos that the masses comprise only of Tagalog speakers. There are Filipinos from other regions who do not like the Tagalog language at all. This actually says a lot about the communication problem in the Philippines. It started when the late former President Manuel L. Quezon imposed Tagalog on the occupants of the entire archipelago including the non-Tagalog speakers. Not everyone was happy about it. He should have just stuck to imposing the use of either Spanish or English – both of which can be beneficial to country and individuals. But I digress…
It is hard to publish something that can be easily understood by the “common” Filipino because not all Filipinos speak and understand English and Tagalog fluently. I have to stick to the language I am comfortable with especially when expressing some complicated concepts I cannot express in Tagalog. Likewise, English is what the “elite” prefer to use. After all, the elite have the power to effect change in the Philippines. The members of the lower class only follow the elites’ lead.
The notion that the problem lies in the masses is not true because there are many people from the elite – those who have money and influence – who fail to live up to their responsibilities. They are the same people miseducating and misleading the masses. Therefore, the masses don’t constitute my primary target audience.
6. Why don’t you propose a solution to the Philippines’ problems instead of complaining?
The solution will present itself once we have identified the problem. Or as the saying goes, the first step to finding a solution is admitting we have a problem.
A solution to Filipinos’ lack of discipline, for example, is to enforce the rules. When rules are enforced, like imposing a penalty or jail time on offenders consistently, people will try to behave and eventually, the habit of following the rules will become second nature to Filipinos. This is precisely the reason why in mature societies, people behave even when law enforcement agencies are not around.
7. Why blame the voters for the performance of the public servants?
Public servants and politicians quite simply, form a reflection of the people. When public servants get away with incompetence, cheating and lying, it simply means the majority of Filipinos tolerate those kinds of behavior. They tolerate it because it has become part of their own lifestyle. They see nothing wrong with it or are resigned to the notion that they cannot do anything about it.
Incompetence means accepting that the public servants’ mediocre work “will do” or in the Filipino vernacular “pwede na yan”.
Filipinos have been cheated on and lied to for decades but they still vote for the same types of bozos every election. It simply means that the Filipino people have lost their moral compass and cannot tell right from wrong anymore. In a lot of cases during election period, some Filipinos can be bought and are therefore, also corrupt.
8. Why do you generalize? Not all Filipinos lack discipline.
Yes, not all Filipinos lack discipline but the majority does lack discipline. This is evident in the vast body of anecdotal evidence that supports these observations. The Philippines would have been a First World country by now if the majority did have discipline.
Generalize is not the same as making an assertion about all individuals. A generalization is a statement about the character or properties of a set or collective. But the statement does not necessarily hold true for all elements of that set or collective.
We need to generalize the problem because we need solutions that address the needs and issues of the general public.
When we can accept generalizations like “Filipinas are the most beautiful women in the world” we should also be prepared to accept less-savoury generalizations like “Filipinos lack discipline”. It’s only fair, right?
In life, things are not always what they seem.
Nice piece! Lets not give up hope! One day… One day!! I just hope its in my lifetime!!
Thanks, Ramil!
Hmm Ilda, I call only agree with you on what you say identifying the problem is a way to finding a solution aside from that I do not agree on the rest, as if you telling the child how stupid he is, how he is not worth for anything , how lazy he become and all negative thing your saying without even praising any single thing that the child did right. Of course he will become what you say he is in a long run , so think about it if what your doing is the right thing Ilda.
@Cezar
It’s fine if you do not agree with the rest of the points of the article. You are entitled to your opinion. However, you do not have the monopoly on being right. Unfortunately, you seem to have missed the point on the being “negative” part. Highlighting our weaknesses may be negative to you but it is not to me and some other people who agree with me. I consider it being proactive and positive.
For the longest time, Filipinos have rejected being criticised and being told the truth either by a foreigner or by their own compatriots. But being in denial has not helped them move forward.
@Cezar…????…you lost me on this one…i don’t understand the analogy and yes, English has been my primary language for the past 50 years
@Ilda…that’s telling ’em, but do you think they will understand? good luck on that one. i’ll bet you, somebody will make a comment on this article and ask the same question you outlined here.
Thanks, nagtatanong_lang!
hi Ilda..hate to say this..but i told you so…hay, naku!
I think Cezar was just trolling me.
My thoughts exactly when I wrote this . http://getrealphilippines.com/2014/01/why-get-real-philippines-is-a-positive-website/
Shared!
We can’t inspire change if we have no influence. We can’t influence if we are not respected. We will not be respected if we can’t emphasize. And in that aspect, we fail.
Communication is a two way street. It is completed when the other party acknowledges what the other said. We close the channel at the first transmission when we have nothing good to say..
We are a master of talk; but we are no Rizal.
——
Now replace “we” with “you” and read it again.
Emphatize.
you can’t make observations like that without vast amounts of empathy. you probably meant “don’t be blunt” which, in this case, is way beyond your control. but you can control: 1) what you want to read and 2) your own empathic essays. =)
cheers.=)
@Karlz
I dare say that we have influence. There are mainstream media columnists who respect us and subscribe to our views. We have been quoted a few times too. That is proof that those who say that we are useless are wrong about us. Ben Kritz used to be a GRP contributor and now he is a regular Manila Times contributor. Someone else from GRP was also offered to write for Manila Times but declined. 😉
So I cannot agree with you when you said we failed. You may not see the change in the way people see us but it is happening slowly. There are just people who are not used to our approach because it is hard for them to get rid of their old ways of thinking.
Besides, if we follow your logic, then Rizal has failed too. It’s not our or Rizal’s fault. A lot of Filipinos are simply in denial because changing for the better involves hard work.
@Ilda @tomas
I pray that every Filipino can read each of the articles here in GRP and learn a lot about themselves and their society. It is frustrating when your reach is constrained only to the people who share the same sentiment. (Because he/she will not read past the headline, otherwise.) I, for one, just got here several days ago because of an article about AlDub. Outside of that, I never heard about GRP.
Please reach out. More power!
—
Now back to the topic. If we are relatives living in the same compound and you don’t like what I do, intentionally or due to my upbringing, or God knows what. You, being the more mature, wise, and understanding and I, the thick skulled, neanderthalic, shit head. And you can only communicate with me through GRP…
naloko na, ang hirap mag-English.
What I’m trying to say is be like a Diplomat who can tell me to go to hell and make me feel happy to be on the way. You can do that play on words, you are GRP.
@Karlz
Thanks for your prayers but if we are to be realistic, not every Filipino will be able to read the articles in GRP. I don’t expect it to happen because it is impossible. Not everyone has Internet connection in the Philippines. Like I said in the article, the focus is on influencing the elite – those who have the power to change policies and enforce them. Owners of mainstream media are also part of the elite. If we can convince them to create more quality content to stop the dumbing down of Filipinos, it’s worth a shot. They can spread our message faster.
I currently have a senator and some congressmen following me on social networking site Twitter. Those people most likely subscribe to, maybe not all, some of my views. If I can send them a message through my posts, then that’s something, right?
Regarding our style, well, we used to have 100 subscribers but now we have over 100,000 subscribers. We must be doing something right. 😉
It’s not really our style or the title of our articles that’s the problem. The real problem is the majority’s lack of interest in the real issues plaguing the nation. It doesn’t matter how nice the article was written; a lot of Filipinos don’t really care about issues outside of their own interests. So therefore, it is the majority of Filipinos who do not have empathy for other people’s suffering, not us. We can’t do much about that. It’s not like we can hold a gun to their heads and make them read us.
Like I said before, anyone who seeks the truth shall find it. Anyone who denies the truth shall continue to live a lie. One of the ironies in life is that we do not really learn much from people who agree with us, but we get the greatest lessons in life from people who object to our opinions and beliefs.
If Filipinos really cared enough for their country, they will read articles discussing the problems.
The Truth will set Filipinos free
Here’s another proof of the majority’s indifference to the real issues: our site statistics go through the roof when the topic is about popular celebrities.
How can anyone say I/we have no empathy when we spend a lot of time exposing the abuses of the government?
It’s high time Filipinos stop focusing on the delivery and focus instead on the message. After all, most rational folks do not have a problem with the way we write. They are confident enough not to take it too personally.
@Karlz: We can write from any point of view because empathy is present in GRP by the bucket loads.
(1) We understand why politicians do what they do (because masses are too dumb to help themselves anyway, so why bother?)
(2) We understand why the masses do what they do (because the govt and elite don’t care, so why bother following the rules?).
(3) We understand why the Media do what they do (because the market is willing to pay megabucks for crap products).
(4) We understand why foreign powers do what they do (because the Philippines assumes a perpetually bent over position in globo-politics).
See? We’ve got empathy like no other blog in the land. Because we have the most brilliant writers of all.
I’m trying to imagine how I else I can be more polite in saying Filipinos lack discipline.
How about…“Hmmm…I think…no offence but I just want to say that…I mean, don’t get me wrong, okay? Is it possible that Filipinos need…never mind, I don’t want to hurt your feelings. But would you consider following the rules?”
Ilda,
There is no easy or polite way to say to Filipinos they lack the discipline. They will just take it the wrong way anyway, and throw it back on your face as if you don’t know what you’re talking about, or, you’re the one with the problem. So you might as well tell it how it really is—because you’ll still be “damned if you do, and damned if you don’t” in their mind. The “in your face” approach is the only thing that works for Filipinos, who always vindicate themselves from any wrongdoing.
Aeta
Exactly, Aeta!!!
This is why I don’t agree with people who say I need to be more diplomatic. It’s not like I am rude anyway. I’m just telling the truth. There is no need to beat around the bush. It’s a waste of time because there is a sense of urgency. The country is already going down to the point of no return. There is no better way of saying Filipinos lack discipline than to say Filipinos lack discipline.
I challenge those who keep insisting that our approach or strategy is “wrong” by asking them to create their own blogsite and do what they think is the right way to do it. Let’s see how well you succeed in convincing the majority to change or at least show interest in the issues.
I think you have written an honest article that is succinct, I hope that many Filipino’s will read it and discuss it among their family and friends with the intent of making some needed improvements within their culture and society.
Thanks, Tom Solski!
Aside from Filipinos who refuse to acknowledge the problem, there are also Filipinos who do acknowledge it but are waiting for someone else to act on it. They don’t do so themselves most likely because they are afraid to fail – and thus “lose face”, or because they are simply lazy and would rather have a hero solve it for them.
So true, Amir!
It is quite apparent that people expect too much from us. Like they expect us to do everything for them. We’re supposed to be just giving people ideas on how to fix the problems but I think they want us to go out there and knock on every door like some kind of Jehovah’s Witness.
Bitin! :))
There will be deliberate point-missers as well. Simply because they’re just causing trouble anyway. The shills.
Tell me about it, Chino. I already outlined the points and answered them as simple as possible. Seems it’s hard for some people to understand even simple concepts.
I’m hungry.
Borrow me some money sir.
Hey Joe!
@Cezar,
Ilda is not addressing children. She is addressing adults who are collectively responsible for the current society.
The mistakes made have been repeated countless times. It is as if we, as a nation, never learn anything from our mistakes.
Don’t you think those a not an act of children…or immature nation…..you just said my point..Immature people therefore immature nation as well…Grow up People.
yes, Pilipinos are negative in Addressing the Poverty Problems of the Philippines, They are still Blaming President Ferdinand E. Marcos for Creating the 32 years of MADPnoy 3rd World Status legacy, where this matuwid ang daan sa kurakot successfully transform the country from first world status of marcos masagana99 legacy of converting a quarter of a million peasants to zero conversion and killing farmers of hacienda luisita greedy hacienderos.
Spot-on & comprehensive, Ilda! This article should be made the Official FAQ (frequently asked questions) page of GRP.
I was actually wondering if as a blog community here, we are making any dent on Phil society and politics.
Then I saw a news clip a day ago of Mar Roxas saying he plans to establish a Department of Common Sense if he becomes president.
It’s been my wishful thinking that by hammering the word “common sense” all over this site’s comment sections I could get some big fish’s attention. Well it looks like someone on top of the food chain is actually monitoring GRP anyways.
We have here at GRP a treasure trove of great ideas, views and solutions – let’s hope it doesn’t go to waste. Sometimes I wonder, maybe this country would be vastly different if it was run by the GRP community instead.
I do hope someday soon GRP will get the limelight (matching prime time media) it deserves. Let’s keep it rolling full-steam ahead!
If Roxas wins (hopefully not!) instead of establishing DOCS, he should
* put the right people in the cabinet, people who are competent and morally upright.
* get out of the way of these people and ensure these people work at their best
After six years, his administration should have been the best one. Of course, due to utang na loob (debt of gratitude), patronage politics will prevail.
It doesn’t matter who wins the presidency, the Philippines will still be a focked up country, because the moral compass of the Filipino people are focked up.
Hear hear!
You’re not imagining it, zaxx. I also read Mar echoing the same solutions I mentioned about the traffic chaos. He must be a GRP subscriber. 😉
Now I know why GRP has failed in its mission throughout its existence. You guys still believe the country’s elite are the ones who should initiate the change. TOO LATE! Hahaha!
The current elite is already drunk on power to even remember their original purpose. Don’t expect them to actually “enlighten” the unwashed masses, because they’ll just shoot themselves in the foot.
The ball is in the hands of the masses now. All the solutions you GRP writers had presented are just delaying the inevitable. This rotten republic needs a massive renovation. And I bet it’ll be bloody. Otherwise it’ll just slowly go down the depths of abyss like an AIDS patient in his/her last days.
I’ll say it again. Not all diseases are curable.
@Gagong Lipunan
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me that your solution is for the masses to hold a bloody revolution à la Les Miserable.
While I am not totally against it, the problem with it is the Filipino people’s lack of planning. What happens after they kill all those in power? Who will take over? Again, that’s action without thinking things through.
In the absence of a viable plan after a bloody revolution, I’d stick to a slow revolution through changing the mindset of the people.
No, I wouldn’t be too quick to say we have failed. After all, we haven’t reached the majority with our message yet. It’s not like everyone has read us and rejected us.
Here’s a good quote for you: “A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying”. – B. F. Skinner
While I wouldn’t say a French Revolution would instantly cure the malaise plaguing the country, there exists a certain threshold until it really falls under deaf ears. You wouldn’t keep yelling at a brick wall right? That’s a whole ‘nother form of insanity right there.
The best bet of having both worlds would likely be the disillusioned, but enlightened OFW populace. Ones who go home with concepts and values they have learned and embraced from seeing the outside world and don’t be a one day millionaire from their earnings. Interestingly enough, they tend to be the Philippines’ middle class which usually are the masterminds of social revolutions.
@Chris
I’ve been waiting for the day when the disgruntled masses will charge the gated communities carrying their pitchforks but I think it might not happen in my lifetime. Filipinos now are not interested in holding a bloody revolt because they have been lulled by shallow noontime shows.
Like what I wrote before in my previous article: 4 reasons why equality and justice cannot be achieved in the Philippines
You’d think that the OFWs who work abroad would be more enlightened because of their exposure to how things work in progressive countries where they are temporarily staying but, no; a lot of them still stay tuned to shallow programming from ABSCBN’s or GMA via TFC or the Internet. Some of them also fail to save up their hard earned money and would likely still be poor after years of hard work abroad.
Sometimes it is better to yell at a brick wall than to try talk to butthurt Filipinos, actually.
My expectation is not high so what I’m doing doesn’t affect my sanity. Just reading the reaction of the people who miss the point already tells me that real change in Philippine society might take another 50 or 100 years. It could come sooner if majority unite together to bring real issues to the top trending topic instead of shallow shows like #Aldub.
@Ilda
You’re half correct, actually. I don’t want a French-style revolution because its too messy. What I want to see is for the common people to step up in critical thinking. TBH, Filipinos aren’t exactly dumb, they’re just goddamn lazy.
They shouldn’t wait for someone to do the uplifting for them (ie the “intellectual elite”) because not all of these enlightened one are willing to share the flames of enlightenment. The masses should start to think and act above their stature, or in military terms, think and act above your rank.
This republic is already too screwed up to be saved in its current state, IMO. It needs a massive cleanup. Like that other GRP article said, this republic needs to die and for a new one to emerge.
I said it’ll be bloody because let’s face it, the oligarchy will do anything to protect the status quo. They can kill or marginalize a few dissidents. But they can’t do shit against a massive intellectual movement.
Isn’t what you’re wishing for no different from the French Revolution? A complete makeover of who’s in charge through the spilling of blood. Let’s be real: Both sides are going to shed a lot for this to happen.
And what else may I ask Ms.Ilda you and the rest Of the GRP writers are doing aside from critizing and educating the elites . Do you think this will inspire them to join us in the changes we hope would happen… I am with you guys to make this changes and I know your strategy … And I hope that is the real goal beneath your dedication here . Aside from awakening them by critizing hoping they would see their own stupid mentality that they led us to believe, what else can we do…coz I believed critizing them will not be enough to inspire them..
@Cezar
What kind of question is that? Do you want me to itemise to you what I do during the day? Do you want me to tell you what time I eat breakfast, go to work and what else I do outside of the blogosphere?
You expect too much from private citizens. Why don’t you write your representatives in government and tell them what needs to be done instead of writing us?
Cezar,
It’s not the country’s elites who the GRP writers and commenters are trying to inspire to make the change. Instead, it is the disbanded Filipino population–who support the stupid, brainwashing programs these elites are shoving down their throats–that needed to be inspired to set their self-interests and differences aside, and unite as one people to stop buying into the bullshits the elites are selling.
Aeta
I’m sorry but you are not entirely correct. I’ve already answered Cezar’s question in the article itself. Paulit-ulit lang sya. He’s a bit arrogant and forcing what he thinks is the right thing for us to do. He can do it himself if he thinks he has a better idea.
Seeing the glass as half empty is more positive than seeing it as half full. Through such a lens the only choice is to pour more. That is righteous pessimism.
Ok Aeta I maybe mistaken but understand from Ms Ilda comments is that the elites are the one running this government and are on denial of their stupidity . a contradiction I may say.
Cezar,
No, your comments are a contradiction. Like what Ilda had said, you keep repeating yourself over-and-over again, to the point that responding to you is becoming a very tiresome experience.
Aeta
Nice Article…Thank you, Ilda…we will never Mature as individuals, if we deny that we have serious problems to be addressed to; and bad attitudes to be corrected. Our political leaders are mostly corrupt; our culture is bad and our system of government is dysfunctional…
I think we’ve ran out of positives.
Hmmm…if we counter a negative with a negative, will that make it a positive?
“Hmmm…if we counter a negative with a negative, will that make it a positive?”
No, but it will make it real—which is what Filipinos could really use a lot of: reality check.
Pointing problems and deficiencies in the government is not negativity. It is showing to present political leaders, what they refuse to see; and act upon.
To tell political leaders, that we want that these problems be solved. Instead you shut us up, and tell us: “you are too negative”…is stupid. Negativity is complaining, without nothing to complain about.
What do you want us to do? Look the other way; rejoice and think positive; while the country is breaking down.
If FILIPINO CULTURE is supposed to be viewed as a “FILIPINO COLLECTIVE” then WHY are GRP most brilliant writers/readers/commenters in self-denial and self-congratulating themselves?
Have read this:
“When we can accept generalizations like “Filipinas are the most beautiful women in the world” we should also be prepared to accept less-savoury generalizations like “Filipinos lack discipline”. It’s only fair, right?”
From a commenter, this:
“The “in your face” approach is the only thing that works for Filipinos, who always vindicate themselves from any wrongdoing.”
Oftentimes, why is it always has to be termed as “their stupidity” as opposed to “our stupidity”?
Then, why it is always the “masses are too dumb” while ignoring the “elites are even dumber” (in consideration that the “Elites” take the lead and the “Masses” follow)?
Is there an Inherent Exemption (say, to GRP Poseurs) to this “Collective”?! Like It’s Not about US… It’s about THEM!
BTW, it’s mainly just on that angle and this is in no way to contradict the article as a whole!
Most Brilliant of All Dumb!,
If it will make you feel then ‘it’s our stupidy,’ and not just “their stupidy” when I speak of Filpinos.
I am not ashamed to say ‘We’ Filipinos are focked up, if it will make all of the difference in the world to ‘unfock’ ourselves from our country-destructive ways.
Aeta
Most Brilliant of All Dumb!,
If it will make you feel better then ‘it’s our stupidity,’ and not just “their stupidity” when I speak of Filipinos.
I am not ashamed to say ‘We’ Filipinos are focked up, if it will make all of the difference in the world to ‘unfock’ ourselves from our country-destructive ways.
I support the GRP on their intention to shove it the face of the elite the negativity of the Filipino culture . But I also look it through the side of the elite that I think they just laughing at the GRP writers on that strategy to inspire the masses. I think it is a wrong strategy for the elite already knows what it is. I believe the better strategy is to inspire the elites to join us and convinced them that for us to make changes we need their help . Negativity and personal attack by my expirience will not inspire team work instead ,it destroy what ever unity left . I comment through my expirience .
@Cezar
The elite can laugh at us all they want. I really do not care. At the end of the day, they will suffer too when disaster strikes. They have no choice but to go through the same flooded streets/roads when it rains.
I’ll say this again: You do not have the monopoly on being right no matter how many times you say we are applying the wrong strategy. You have to stop blaming us for the lack of progress in the Philippines. The suggestions are already presented. It’s not our fault if the majority does not want to take it up.
And once again, I and those who agree with me do not consider what we do as being negative. We are being proactive and positive in highlighting the weaknesses in Philippine society so we can address them.
I’m sorry but you keep missing the point. You should quit seeing what we do as being negative. And if you don’t agree with us, it’s time for you to stop reading us. You can’t force us to do what you think is right. Go create your own blogsite if you think you have a better way of addressing the problems. Paulit-paulit ka na. I’ve already explained it to you over and over.
What negativity and personal attack are you talking about anyway?
I believe that there are no moré hope to reach or change the mentality of the masses and the few who cares and The only tools that they use to reach the people the social media are being used not to inspire but to humiliate… I my self who cares for the changes now are feeling hopeless . Just use me as an example. good luck my fellow Filipinos for I tried my best.
You tried your best to do what? From where I am sitting, you are trying your best to discourage us from doing what we are doing.
You can keep your “negativity” to yourself, thank you very much.
Humiliate? Or you’re just being a drama queen because you hate to be criticized? Looks like you don’t know the word “improvement”. So much for your so-called “change” if you always set your emotions and dysfunctional mindset first. You’re not doing a change. You’re only encouraging Filipinos to be a bunch of cowardly defeatists because for you, our country is indeed hopeless which is why you’re now staying in another country doing the “hakuna matata”. So you tried your best, you say. Well, is that the best you can do? You can do more better than that.
And from what Ilda commented to you, looks like Johnny Derp is right: you only came to this site to troll.
@domo
Yep, like a delusional fool, he has only shown us his true nature.
Looks like I was right after all in calling him out as a troll.
“I also look it through the side of the elite that I think they just laughing at the GRP writers on that strategy to inspire the masses.”
The “elite” who laughed at brilliance is no elite. Elites dream and work towards greatness. Elites prevent corruption and stupidity – that prevents achieving greatness – to rule. Those elites who even take the lead on corruption and promote and profit from mediocrity and poverty are no elite but mere scum of the earth, the lowest of low.
Well for me, IMO, Pinoys will never have the discipline. I may be wrong but that is how I see and will be.
WOW, the idiotic comments above are painful to read, people actually ARE that stupid.
Well-written and well-dissected. James Fallows wrote an article 20 years ago saying Philippines has a “Damaged Culture.” Very compelling, indubitable and accurate just like your article. Include me as one additional fan from your throngs of admirers.
@avelino
Thank you very much! I’ve met James Fallows at a festival a few years ago. I’d share the photo of us together but I’m too shy. 😉
Hello. I have the same sentiments as yours when it comes to Filipino’s discipline. I hope you don’t mind me sharing your blog on my blogsite too. Thanks. 🙂
Thank you! Sure, share away. 😉
I LOL’ed hard at this not because the article doesn’t impose a glaring truth but rather because of personal experiences dealing with feeble minded folks and the like. As a musician (keyboard activist wannabe too), I would often be found doing gigs and most of the time get myself on a drinking spree with friends within the scene. Aside from the usual discussion of bands and music related topics, there is a 95% chance that discussions( as booze keeps pouring) will lead to either a religious or a political debate. I would always open up with letting them know the vile traits of peenoise and would not be received properly by the majority. I always find myself caught between a barrage of scrutiny as I fire away highlighting these traits. They always blame the government for what is happening to us and torch those who oppose with a flurry of ad hominem. I cannot comprehend as to why majority of our people behave like this. They don’t want me to be spearheading the conversation of pinpointing the cause and effects of our damaged culture because they say I don’t have the credentials to back up my claims(lol). I cannot comprehend as to why my friends think it is a requirement for you to attain a higher post in a private or public office setting before your comments can be accepted as a fact. I really don’t need to look further to determine the type of mindset our poor people have which consists a large chunk of our society. If our educated folks do think like most of my peers do, what more would be the majority of the uneducated ones?
Its a very nice site for us Filipinos which really shows the problems of our country and how we can advance into the next level: all are very true and truth really hurts…Good job and keep it up! I’m really into this stuffs researching and asking what made countries “rich” and what made countries “poor”? Of course it has to to with a lot factors such as the government/leaders and the people/citizens but one more of another cause aside from leaders and its people is the advantage of geographical location of the country like when where you will position your business establishment. (Observe that most tropical countries are not rich and better ones is on the temperate/4 seasons) ). The details of this is written on the book by Jared Diamond titled “Guns Steel and Germs” which highlights the influence of weather and geography on the nation, how the Europeans became colonizers and the tropics people remained as hunter-gatherers and was colonized which really affects our history. Thanks again and more power to your site!
Very well said. I don’t need to write my own piece so I could explain myself too. Hahah.. I’m pretty sure my friends in FB have the same impression of me since I post mostly negative reactions to all the issues involving our politicos and the undisciplined, stubborn fellow Pinoys.
Many years later, there’s actually a term for this called “toxic positivity”. I keep telling friends who do this that ignoring a problem by “staying positive” doesn’t make it go away.