The problem regarding delayed mail especially from the U.S. that I discussed in my post "Please Mr. Postman" has become worse. A mail retrieval claim notice that according to the date stamp was over a month old was just delivered to me a few days ago.
So when I went to the branch to pick up the item (which by the way really should have been delivered instead of my having to shlep there to retrieve it and having to pay a P35 fee in the process), I decided that enough is enough and decided to complain directly to the branch postmaster. So after picking up the item I proceeded to his office. He was courteous, took down the information, and promised to look in to the matter.
My taking this step may not seem like a big deal, but it was risky because it's not unusual for administrators and bureaucrats here to become vindictive and spiteful when confronted with service or efficiency complaints, or they may request a bribe to resolve the issue. Such was not the case in this instance. The Postmaster's assistant even gave me his email address and phone number for future inquiries.
Moreover, I'm not the confrontational type. On the other hand, I felt that there was no choice in the matter and that by protesting politely and calmly, I didn't have much to lose and that there's a chance that the problem would be corrected. Yet there was also the possibility of aggravating the situation and facing even longer delivery delays due to my making waves.
So now the ball is in Philpost's court. In this culture of public service indifference, it will be interesting to see how the matter plays out.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Having the Time of My Life
Today marks the 4th year anniversary of my arrival in the Philippines as an expat retiree. Aside from dealing with the petty annoyances that everybody faces on a day to day basis, this period has been personally less stressful than any other that I can recall.
As a result I've had more opportunity for creativity in terms of writing and overall self-expression than ever before. I can think more clearly because I no longer have to concern myself with making a living as I did in California by working at a job that I hated but had to put up with in order to survive. Now that my wife Lydia and I have retired and are collecting social security, that frustration is no longer a problem, for which I am thankful every day.
To be sure, our income has been sharply reduced from the days when I had a salary. However, the cost of living in the Philippines is much less than in America, and by living within our means, our life style is modest but comfortable. And speaking of comfort, Lydia , bless her heart, has gone out of her way to see to my peace of mind to the point of spoiling me rotten. She has decorated our condo very artistically without busting our budget. There' s no way that we could live like this in the States without going into serious debt. And don't even get me started on the wonderful meals that she prepares.
I think that another factor that has made a difference is that I had no great disillusionment about life here vs. how I imagined it would be before I left the U.S. That minimized the culture shock in adjusting to the chaos of Philippine society. The trick is to roll with it while still hanging on to one's principles and ideals. Yet the challenge in attempting to achieve this balance has not diminished my enjoyment of life here.
In short we have become so embedded in our way of living in the Philippines that repatriating would be extremely difficult and prohibitively expensive. I can only hope that as time passes we will continue to be content with our decision to retire here as we are today.
As a result I've had more opportunity for creativity in terms of writing and overall self-expression than ever before. I can think more clearly because I no longer have to concern myself with making a living as I did in California by working at a job that I hated but had to put up with in order to survive. Now that my wife Lydia and I have retired and are collecting social security, that frustration is no longer a problem, for which I am thankful every day.
To be sure, our income has been sharply reduced from the days when I had a salary. However, the cost of living in the Philippines is much less than in America, and by living within our means, our life style is modest but comfortable. And speaking of comfort, Lydia , bless her heart, has gone out of her way to see to my peace of mind to the point of spoiling me rotten. She has decorated our condo very artistically without busting our budget. There' s no way that we could live like this in the States without going into serious debt. And don't even get me started on the wonderful meals that she prepares.
I think that another factor that has made a difference is that I had no great disillusionment about life here vs. how I imagined it would be before I left the U.S. That minimized the culture shock in adjusting to the chaos of Philippine society. The trick is to roll with it while still hanging on to one's principles and ideals. Yet the challenge in attempting to achieve this balance has not diminished my enjoyment of life here.
In short we have become so embedded in our way of living in the Philippines that repatriating would be extremely difficult and prohibitively expensive. I can only hope that as time passes we will continue to be content with our decision to retire here as we are today.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Yet Another Perspective on Cory
So much has been written about the late former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino (b. 1933), who died on Saturday and was buried today, that it's hard to add anything original. But to foreigners who may not be that familiar with this remarkable woman, I will just say the following.
Her well known display of of honesty and humility was not a show. Cory was one of the relatively few leaders in the Philippines who did not abuse her power or use her office to enrich herself. I'm familiar with the neighborhood where she lived after retiring from office. And while it's pleasant enough, it's not where you would expect a former president and descendant from a wealthy family to spend her final years.
Cory was loved by the people during and after her term (1986—1992)as President. Ironically, it may have been a particular weakness in her style of administration that bonded her to the populace: her reliance on prayer instead of objectivity and firmness in making policy decisions. Such dependency on supernatural direction is major part of the Philippine national character. Yet how much more effective a president Cory would have been if she had relied on the same grit that saw her through the years when her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, was imprisoned under martial law and then assassinated.
Importantly, Cory will achieve immortality in the best sense of the word: By being well-remembered by those she left behind. Not just the Philippines, but the entire world is a better place for her legacy that grew from the "people power" movement and for her example of overcoming the difficult odds against making the transformation from housewife to President—during extremely trying times for the Philippines at that. It will likely be a long time before this country sees another leader of such combined inner strength and moral calibre.
Her well known display of of honesty and humility was not a show. Cory was one of the relatively few leaders in the Philippines who did not abuse her power or use her office to enrich herself. I'm familiar with the neighborhood where she lived after retiring from office. And while it's pleasant enough, it's not where you would expect a former president and descendant from a wealthy family to spend her final years.
Cory was loved by the people during and after her term (1986—1992)as President. Ironically, it may have been a particular weakness in her style of administration that bonded her to the populace: her reliance on prayer instead of objectivity and firmness in making policy decisions. Such dependency on supernatural direction is major part of the Philippine national character. Yet how much more effective a president Cory would have been if she had relied on the same grit that saw her through the years when her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, was imprisoned under martial law and then assassinated.
Importantly, Cory will achieve immortality in the best sense of the word: By being well-remembered by those she left behind. Not just the Philippines, but the entire world is a better place for her legacy that grew from the "people power" movement and for her example of overcoming the difficult odds against making the transformation from housewife to President—during extremely trying times for the Philippines at that. It will likely be a long time before this country sees another leader of such combined inner strength and moral calibre.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Road (Out)rage
A few days ago, my wife Lydia and I returned from a visit to her home town, Gumaca, in Quezon Province. This was my first such trip outside of Metro-Manila in 3 years (that journey was also to Gumaca), and it was good to take a break from my daily routine.
While we there,I had intended to do some walking in the countryside outside of town and take in the tropical scenery. But due to time constraints resulting from unexpected family matters that we encountered upon our arrival, I was not able to do this. So the only rural greenery that I saw was along the road from the bus window en route to and from Gumaca. Even that, however, was refreshing. I did make some time to to stroll along the promenade in town overlooking Lamon Bay. This scenic stretch of water can also be viewed from the national road, Maharlika Highway, for several kilometers.
We were well taken care of during our visit. Lydia's step-niece prepared some great meals. Food ingredients in the province such as fish and produce are very fresh. We also spent one night at the Perennial Hotel in Gumaca. This was my first time in such lodgings outside of Metro-Manila. The place is a fairly new establishment. It was clean but very bare bones, and the rooms are quite small. However, each room has its own bath, but there is no hot running water.
Lydia left here for Gumaca on July 27, the day before I did as there were some matters that I wanted to attend to before going. Unfortunately, it turns out that her journey--and that of countless other travelers and commuters throughout the country--was disrupted by a nationwide celebration by the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) which was marking the 95th anniversary of its establishment in the Philippines. Members of this church converged on various convention centers and sports stadiums. However, their most outrageous act was holding roadside festivities along the national highway, bringing traffic to almost a standstill by parking the celebrant-carrying buses directly on one lane of the two-lane artery, leaving only the other lane open for for traffic in both directions to pass.
As it was, it took Lydia eight hours to reach Gumaca, a bus ride that was almost twice as long as it should have been. But she got off lucky. Her sister and brother-in-law who were also visiting there were in transit for 14 hours.
Frankly, I don't understand how such a recognized and prosperous organization as the INC could in good conscience display such inconsiderate behavior. For besides inconveniencing countless commuters and travelers on a weekday no less (Does Iglesia ni Cristo consider the Golden Rule non-binding on itself?), consider how many hungry people in the Philippines could have been fed with the funds that went into sponsoring this over the top event. But then if you saw magnificent structure of the INC churches in contrast to their surroundings of poverty, such narcissistic behavior would come as no surprise.
So if you intend to travel within the Philippines, keep up with the news. Besides unexpected bad weather and road conditions, major rallies and celebrations are another variable that can frustrate your plans. And in a country where large gatherings and fiestas are a way of life, this scenario may well happen more often than not.
While we there,I had intended to do some walking in the countryside outside of town and take in the tropical scenery. But due to time constraints resulting from unexpected family matters that we encountered upon our arrival, I was not able to do this. So the only rural greenery that I saw was along the road from the bus window en route to and from Gumaca. Even that, however, was refreshing. I did make some time to to stroll along the promenade in town overlooking Lamon Bay. This scenic stretch of water can also be viewed from the national road, Maharlika Highway, for several kilometers.
We were well taken care of during our visit. Lydia's step-niece prepared some great meals. Food ingredients in the province such as fish and produce are very fresh. We also spent one night at the Perennial Hotel in Gumaca. This was my first time in such lodgings outside of Metro-Manila. The place is a fairly new establishment. It was clean but very bare bones, and the rooms are quite small. However, each room has its own bath, but there is no hot running water.
Lydia left here for Gumaca on July 27, the day before I did as there were some matters that I wanted to attend to before going. Unfortunately, it turns out that her journey--and that of countless other travelers and commuters throughout the country--was disrupted by a nationwide celebration by the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) which was marking the 95th anniversary of its establishment in the Philippines. Members of this church converged on various convention centers and sports stadiums. However, their most outrageous act was holding roadside festivities along the national highway, bringing traffic to almost a standstill by parking the celebrant-carrying buses directly on one lane of the two-lane artery, leaving only the other lane open for for traffic in both directions to pass.
As it was, it took Lydia eight hours to reach Gumaca, a bus ride that was almost twice as long as it should have been. But she got off lucky. Her sister and brother-in-law who were also visiting there were in transit for 14 hours.
Frankly, I don't understand how such a recognized and prosperous organization as the INC could in good conscience display such inconsiderate behavior. For besides inconveniencing countless commuters and travelers on a weekday no less (Does Iglesia ni Cristo consider the Golden Rule non-binding on itself?), consider how many hungry people in the Philippines could have been fed with the funds that went into sponsoring this over the top event. But then if you saw magnificent structure of the INC churches in contrast to their surroundings of poverty, such narcissistic behavior would come as no surprise.
So if you intend to travel within the Philippines, keep up with the news. Besides unexpected bad weather and road conditions, major rallies and celebrations are another variable that can frustrate your plans. And in a country where large gatherings and fiestas are a way of life, this scenario may well happen more often than not.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Please, Mr. Postman
Based on personal experience, I would have to say that weakest communications link in this country is the postal system, also known as Philpost. Over the past couple months, mail sent to me from the U.S. has arrived either late or not at all. Even priority mail items that finally did reach me were not delivered--based on the Quezon City Post Office date stamp-- for three weeks or more after arriving there.
In an attempt to resolve this issue, I called that office. According to a delivery supervisor with whom I spoke, the problem is a shortage of and turnover of mail carriers in my locale which is a densely populated mixed business and multi-unit condominium area but that they're doing the best they can with their available resources to keep up with delivery demands.
Incidentally, finding the phone number for Philpost was a task in itself because that operation is not a government bureau as such but rather a government owned corporation and so is not listed under Philippine government offices. Instead, it's listed alphabetically under Philippine Postal Corporation in the Metro-Manila DPC "Government and Business Phone Directory". Significantly, there's no customer service number listed under that heading in the phone book or on the Philpost website.
So if you are outside the Philippines and are mailing an important letter, consider sending it via registered mail or through private carriers such as LBC or Fed-Ex. If you can get away without sending the primary document itself, there are of course other recourses for correspondence from, to, and within the Philippines such as telephone, fax, email, and text messaging. For residents of Metro-Manila, to improve the chances of receiving your mail consider renting a post office box. Sending money to the Philippines can be done through such services as Philippine National Bank, Western Union, and various Internet services.
Another problem with the postal service here is internal pilferage which is why much of the mail (possibly including my lost items?) goes missing. Also there are no public mailboxes. The reason for this is that they would be highly vulnerable to theft due to the high crime rate here. So mailing a letter requires a trip to the post office or to malls where there are private companies that accept mail and perform other services for Philpost such as selling stamps.
In short, although it's a separate entity from the government, the postal system's deficiencies reflect the culture of inefficiency of its "parent company" and of the Philippine society as a whole. Unless the national character through some miracle drastically transforms itself, it would probably be futile to expect Philpost to function any better than it does now.
In an attempt to resolve this issue, I called that office. According to a delivery supervisor with whom I spoke, the problem is a shortage of and turnover of mail carriers in my locale which is a densely populated mixed business and multi-unit condominium area but that they're doing the best they can with their available resources to keep up with delivery demands.
Incidentally, finding the phone number for Philpost was a task in itself because that operation is not a government bureau as such but rather a government owned corporation and so is not listed under Philippine government offices. Instead, it's listed alphabetically under Philippine Postal Corporation in the Metro-Manila DPC "Government and Business Phone Directory". Significantly, there's no customer service number listed under that heading in the phone book or on the Philpost website.
So if you are outside the Philippines and are mailing an important letter, consider sending it via registered mail or through private carriers such as LBC or Fed-Ex. If you can get away without sending the primary document itself, there are of course other recourses for correspondence from, to, and within the Philippines such as telephone, fax, email, and text messaging. For residents of Metro-Manila, to improve the chances of receiving your mail consider renting a post office box. Sending money to the Philippines can be done through such services as Philippine National Bank, Western Union, and various Internet services.
Another problem with the postal service here is internal pilferage which is why much of the mail (possibly including my lost items?) goes missing. Also there are no public mailboxes. The reason for this is that they would be highly vulnerable to theft due to the high crime rate here. So mailing a letter requires a trip to the post office or to malls where there are private companies that accept mail and perform other services for Philpost such as selling stamps.
In short, although it's a separate entity from the government, the postal system's deficiencies reflect the culture of inefficiency of its "parent company" and of the Philippine society as a whole. Unless the national character through some miracle drastically transforms itself, it would probably be futile to expect Philpost to function any better than it does now.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Illusion of Philippine Independence
Yesterday was Philippine Independence Day. It was 111 years ago on June 12 that this country won its freedom from Spain. Shortly thereafter, the Philippines was colonized by the U.S. and did not become a sovereign nation until 1946.
It seems to me that this year's celebration was more subdued than in previous years. Perhaps this is due to the anger of the people over an ongoing attempt by the Philippine House of Representatives to ram through a change in the Constitution that could change the present presidential form of government to a parliamentary system. This would allow the current and very unpopular lame duck President of the Philippines--who cannot run again for this office again due to the term limit rule of the current Constitution--a shot at running for a seat in the proposed parliament and sooner than later becoming Prime Minister. This is because she must find a way to stay in office to retain the immunity that protects her from civil and criminal charges that await her once she is no longer in power. The corruption in which the President and her husband appear to be involved is also rampant throughout the Philippines, and the resulting diversion of billions of pesos in public funds to pockets of crooked politicians and dishonest government employees keep the people from social and economic advancement.
Along with this corruption is the phenomenon of patronage, which extends to personal and family relations, creating a culture of dependency. An example of this mind set is reliance on friends and relatives, especially those in key positions for jobs, loans, and other forms of assistance in exchange for personal loyalty and votes .
Examples of dependency are over reliance by children--even after reaching adulthood--on their parents for protection, shelter, and emotional sustenance; reliance by families for financial support from family members who are OFW's (overseas Filipino workers); reliance on live-in domestic help (a must-have for the middle and upper classes) to do household and child care chores that their employers are usually capable of doing themselves but which are considered beneath their dignity; reliance on the Church for family planning decisions and on patron saints for protection no matter what kind of unnecessary risks believers take, such as reckless driving.
Not surprisingly this national character trait of dependency has led to a personal and social lack of discipline and restraint. No less than the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, of the Philippines, Reynato Puno, weighed in on this issue, decrying the sad state of ethical, political and economic state of affairs here. He declared that under these circumstances the country "has no reason to celebrate our freedom".
The sad thing is that the Philippines has so much potential in both natural and human resources that will never be realized unless through some "miracle", the country can pull itself together and its citizens can begin to act responsibly. Until then, the phrase "Philippine independence" will remain a contradiction in terms.
It seems to me that this year's celebration was more subdued than in previous years. Perhaps this is due to the anger of the people over an ongoing attempt by the Philippine House of Representatives to ram through a change in the Constitution that could change the present presidential form of government to a parliamentary system. This would allow the current and very unpopular lame duck President of the Philippines--who cannot run again for this office again due to the term limit rule of the current Constitution--a shot at running for a seat in the proposed parliament and sooner than later becoming Prime Minister. This is because she must find a way to stay in office to retain the immunity that protects her from civil and criminal charges that await her once she is no longer in power. The corruption in which the President and her husband appear to be involved is also rampant throughout the Philippines, and the resulting diversion of billions of pesos in public funds to pockets of crooked politicians and dishonest government employees keep the people from social and economic advancement.
Along with this corruption is the phenomenon of patronage, which extends to personal and family relations, creating a culture of dependency. An example of this mind set is reliance on friends and relatives, especially those in key positions for jobs, loans, and other forms of assistance in exchange for personal loyalty and votes .
Examples of dependency are over reliance by children--even after reaching adulthood--on their parents for protection, shelter, and emotional sustenance; reliance by families for financial support from family members who are OFW's (overseas Filipino workers); reliance on live-in domestic help (a must-have for the middle and upper classes) to do household and child care chores that their employers are usually capable of doing themselves but which are considered beneath their dignity; reliance on the Church for family planning decisions and on patron saints for protection no matter what kind of unnecessary risks believers take, such as reckless driving.
Not surprisingly this national character trait of dependency has led to a personal and social lack of discipline and restraint. No less than the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, of the Philippines, Reynato Puno, weighed in on this issue, decrying the sad state of ethical, political and economic state of affairs here. He declared that under these circumstances the country "has no reason to celebrate our freedom".
The sad thing is that the Philippines has so much potential in both natural and human resources that will never be realized unless through some "miracle", the country can pull itself together and its citizens can begin to act responsibly. Until then, the phrase "Philippine independence" will remain a contradiction in terms.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Minority Report
Although predominantly Roman Catholic, the Philippines is home to followers of many other religious beliefs (and non-belief). Among the the assorted groups (just to name a few) are Animists, Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, and various Protestant denominations.
One of the smallest minorities in this country is the Jewish Association of the Philippines of which I am a member. Because our numbers here are so few (maybe a few hundred maximum, most of whom are concentrated in the Metro-Manila area) I'm interested in seeing our community grow. So I have proposed an outreach program to the Association to attract Jews in the Philippines who may not be aware that there is an such an organization with whom they an affiliate. Hence, the search is on for such prospective members.
One of the more challenging aspects of this recruitment program is trying to balance Jewish visibility with the need for security and protection. In this country, about 10% of the people are Muslims, and there is an element of that population who do not wish us well. And the attack on the Jewish community in Mumbai last year is always in the back our minds. But isn't such antipathy the case in almost every country where Jews have settled? Moreover, Jews have had a presence in the Philippines for centuries. For an excellent chronicle of this history, click here and see the article "Jews In The Philippines".
Personally, as a Jew and an atheist, I feel comfortable living in the Philippines, almost to the point of complacency. As we are about to see this is potentially harmful. It's true that in the almost four years that I've lived here, neither my ethnicity nor my personal views have ever been a serious issue. And there are other community members who have lived here a lot longer than I have who likewise have not felt threatened for being Jewish. The real hazard to our personal safety is the result of the high crime rate in this country, which is something that almost everybody living in the Philippines needs to be alert to and concerned about, regardless of background. So there is really no room or excuse for the complancency in which occasionally I indulge.
Many of the couples and families who are members of the Association are blended, typically Jewish foreigners and local Filipinos. Some of the latter have opted to convert to Judaism , but those who have not are no less welcome for it. My personal view is that both Jewish and Philippine cultures are enriched by this joining of ethnicities.
For more information about the community, please visit the website The Jewish Association of the Philippines.
One of the smallest minorities in this country is the Jewish Association of the Philippines of which I am a member. Because our numbers here are so few (maybe a few hundred maximum, most of whom are concentrated in the Metro-Manila area) I'm interested in seeing our community grow. So I have proposed an outreach program to the Association to attract Jews in the Philippines who may not be aware that there is an such an organization with whom they an affiliate. Hence, the search is on for such prospective members.
One of the more challenging aspects of this recruitment program is trying to balance Jewish visibility with the need for security and protection. In this country, about 10% of the people are Muslims, and there is an element of that population who do not wish us well. And the attack on the Jewish community in Mumbai last year is always in the back our minds. But isn't such antipathy the case in almost every country where Jews have settled? Moreover, Jews have had a presence in the Philippines for centuries. For an excellent chronicle of this history, click here and see the article "Jews In The Philippines".
Personally, as a Jew and an atheist, I feel comfortable living in the Philippines, almost to the point of complacency. As we are about to see this is potentially harmful. It's true that in the almost four years that I've lived here, neither my ethnicity nor my personal views have ever been a serious issue. And there are other community members who have lived here a lot longer than I have who likewise have not felt threatened for being Jewish. The real hazard to our personal safety is the result of the high crime rate in this country, which is something that almost everybody living in the Philippines needs to be alert to and concerned about, regardless of background. So there is really no room or excuse for the complancency in which occasionally I indulge.
Many of the couples and families who are members of the Association are blended, typically Jewish foreigners and local Filipinos. Some of the latter have opted to convert to Judaism , but those who have not are no less welcome for it. My personal view is that both Jewish and Philippine cultures are enriched by this joining of ethnicities.
For more information about the community, please visit the website The Jewish Association of the Philippines.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Day The Philippines Stands Still
Of all the holidays celebrated in the Philippines, the population of which is predominantly Roman Catholic, Good Friday as the culmination of Lent has the greatest impact on the country, especially in Metro-Manila. All government offices and most businesses including, malls, retail stores, newspapers, even vital services such as pharmacies and private medical clinics are closed. Public transportation is curtailed; the rapid transit lines are shut down and few taxis, buses, and passenger jeepneys are running.
The entire period beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter is called Holy Week. During this time many people take off work and head for resorts or their home provinces, so by the time Good Friday rolls around, Metro-Manila comes as close to being a ghost town as any large city can be. (Actually, many of these closures begin the day before, which is called Maundy Thursday.) The street outside my window this morning is as quiet as the cityscape in the movie "I Am Legend".
The national attention given to Good Friday is so strong that by comparison, Easter Sunday, festive though it may be, is almost anti-climatic. In this respect the prominence of Good Friday as observed in this country really reflects a dark side of Filipinos' national character. This is due to their narrow focus on the crucifixion story itself rather than Easter's message of resurrection and rebirth. In fact the symbolic nickname that Filipinos give themselves as a people is "Juan de la Cruz" (Juan of the cross) which reflects a feeling of relatedness with the biblical account of Jesus' sufferings . Yesterday's "Philippine Daily Inquirer" features "The passion and death of Juan de la Cruz", an excellent column about this identification framed in the Stations of the Cross as it relates to the current political scene in this country.
On Good Friday, many devout people throughout the country participate in such rituals as self-flagellation and even voluntary crucifixion while crowds of tourists avidly watch these spectacles. To add to this gloom the Saturday after Good Friday which was formerly known as Sabado de Gloria (Saturday of Glory) is now called "Black Saturday". According to my wife, who is a psychologist and was born and raised in this culture, all these traditions reflect a pathological fixation with death, also known as necrophilia. Ironically, the Church in whose name these traditions are carried out and which claims to be pro-life has not liberated the people from such morbid behavior. If anything, it has reinforced this mindset.
This mentality apparently has its roots in the Spanish colonial period. During that 300 year era, the Spanish friars instilled a sense of helplessness and racial inferiority into the minds of Filipinos, and the belittling attitude towards the people by America as the colonial successor to Spain wasn't much better. Perhaps the violence against life that is so common here is a natural emotional reaction to that historical abuse. But it is destructively redirected by Filipinos towards themselves and each other, a way of thinking that might be summarized as "if I suffer, you suffer". Added to this mix is the authoritarian upbringing in which children are raised wherein they have little protection or recourse from parental abuse.
The above psycho-social analysis may seem to be beyond the scope of an expatriate blog, but it's very important that foreigners who plan to live in the Philippines be aware of this troubled aspect of the national psyche that lurks beneath the mabuhay (welcome) facade with which strangers are greeted. Having this awareness will reduce culture shock and go a long ways towards understanding that despite the smiling faces and apparent lightheartedness of the people, in the hearts of too many Filipinos, there is an anger and sadness that makes every day a not so Good Friday.
The entire period beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter is called Holy Week. During this time many people take off work and head for resorts or their home provinces, so by the time Good Friday rolls around, Metro-Manila comes as close to being a ghost town as any large city can be. (Actually, many of these closures begin the day before, which is called Maundy Thursday.) The street outside my window this morning is as quiet as the cityscape in the movie "I Am Legend".
The national attention given to Good Friday is so strong that by comparison, Easter Sunday, festive though it may be, is almost anti-climatic. In this respect the prominence of Good Friday as observed in this country really reflects a dark side of Filipinos' national character. This is due to their narrow focus on the crucifixion story itself rather than Easter's message of resurrection and rebirth. In fact the symbolic nickname that Filipinos give themselves as a people is "Juan de la Cruz" (Juan of the cross) which reflects a feeling of relatedness with the biblical account of Jesus' sufferings . Yesterday's "Philippine Daily Inquirer" features "The passion and death of Juan de la Cruz", an excellent column about this identification framed in the Stations of the Cross as it relates to the current political scene in this country.
On Good Friday, many devout people throughout the country participate in such rituals as self-flagellation and even voluntary crucifixion while crowds of tourists avidly watch these spectacles. To add to this gloom the Saturday after Good Friday which was formerly known as Sabado de Gloria (Saturday of Glory) is now called "Black Saturday". According to my wife, who is a psychologist and was born and raised in this culture, all these traditions reflect a pathological fixation with death, also known as necrophilia. Ironically, the Church in whose name these traditions are carried out and which claims to be pro-life has not liberated the people from such morbid behavior. If anything, it has reinforced this mindset.
This mentality apparently has its roots in the Spanish colonial period. During that 300 year era, the Spanish friars instilled a sense of helplessness and racial inferiority into the minds of Filipinos, and the belittling attitude towards the people by America as the colonial successor to Spain wasn't much better. Perhaps the violence against life that is so common here is a natural emotional reaction to that historical abuse. But it is destructively redirected by Filipinos towards themselves and each other, a way of thinking that might be summarized as "if I suffer, you suffer". Added to this mix is the authoritarian upbringing in which children are raised wherein they have little protection or recourse from parental abuse.
The above psycho-social analysis may seem to be beyond the scope of an expatriate blog, but it's very important that foreigners who plan to live in the Philippines be aware of this troubled aspect of the national psyche that lurks beneath the mabuhay (welcome) facade with which strangers are greeted. Having this awareness will reduce culture shock and go a long ways towards understanding that despite the smiling faces and apparent lightheartedness of the people, in the hearts of too many Filipinos, there is an anger and sadness that makes every day a not so Good Friday.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Coming to "Terms" with Philippine English
For various reasons such as advanced age, many foreigners (myelf included) in the Philippines may have a hard time learning the native languages. (Yes, there are more than one). So it's fortunate that English is the second language here. Hence, American expats can readily communicate with most of the Filipinos with whom they come in contact, especially in Metro-Manila.
However, there are many English terms and phrases here that have taken on a variation in meaning from their American usage. For one thing, Filipinos are fond of truncating and cutting words to the point of just using their initials. "Refrigerator" for example becomes "ref", and "air conditioner" is shortened to "aircon"; "chocolate" to "choco"; restaurant, "resto".
In the turbulent political scene we have "cha-cha", the abbreviation for "Charter Change" (a proposal to overhaul the Philippine Constitution); "con-con" (Constitutional Convention) and "con-ass" (constituent assembly). These last two are alternate means of making the change.
Examples of words that are abbreviated to the use of just there initials are CR (comfort room, i.e. restroom [go figure]) ; LBM (loose bowel movement ); BF, GF (boyfriend, girlfriend); OFW (overseas filipino worker); GRO, (guest relations officer--a euphemism for bar girl). No wonder that Filipions are champion cel phone text messengers. Even a text from a stranger may be answered with a curt "hu r u" (who are you?) .
Matters become confusing when an English word is expressed here in an entirely different way from American usage. For example, as I previously mentioned, there are several different tongues spoken in the Philippines, but rather than refer to them as languages, Filipinos call them "dialects".
Here are some terms from the business world: If you're shopping for a sport shirt, to Filipinos, it's a "polo shirt". If you want to buy a slip, ask for a "chemise". If a party on the other end of a phone call is about to temporarily halt the discussion, (s)he will say "awhile" or "for a while" rather than "please hold". A telephone extension number is a "local", and the main phone number is a "trunk line". One can "avail of" (make use of) a service or product. The noun form of course is availment. If you're changing residence addresses, this is a "transfer" rather than a move.
In adult entertainment, a porn star or a stripper is "bold". What Americans refer to as blue humor in the Philippines is a "green" joke.
"Batch" refers to a group that graduated from the same school together, so a fellow member of a particular class year is a "batchmate" rather than classmate. Americans think of a university "course" as a one semester subject, but here it means a major, and for examinations, especially finals or professional certificates, instead of studying, students "review". The candidate with the highest score is a "topnotcher".
As for legal expressions, a property mortgage is an "amortization", Squatters as well as tenants who are delinquent in rent are subject to "ejectment" instead of eviction. Speaking of squatters, the politically correct term here for such trespassers is "informal settlers". Instead of petitioning, a litigant "prays" to a court and hopes that his/ her case will "prosper" (be awarded in his/her favor).
In the mean streets here, a pedestrian crossing the road has to be careful not get "bumped" (instead of struck) by a vehicle. If a vehicle involved in accident flips, it is said to "turn turtle". The roadsign warning "no swerving" means no sudden lane changes. A corrupt law enforcement official such as a traffic cop is a "crocadile".
In the local newspaper reports, a crime suspect who has been captured has "fallen". A town or city councilor is a "dad", (but a woman in this political office is not a "mom"). A political candidate is a "bet".
Then there are words that are obsolete or archaic and are almost unknown in modern American society, except by etymologists or linguists--and by Filipinos, who still use these terms such as "rascal" or "scoundrel" (a wicked person) and "scalawag" (crooked politician), or the expression "by and by" (eventually); And there are obscure terms such as "mulct" (defraud or extort). The local expression "slang na slang" (literally "very slang") is an adjective phrase that describes Americans who speak with a Southern drawl or Midwestern twang. Many Filipinos believe that these accents are the regular mode of conversation for Americans in general.
The above expressions are just a few samplings of Filipinos' colorful use of English, and after a while even expats begin using them automatically. Now if you'll excuse me, I've drunk so much coffee while writing this post, I have to avail of the CR.
However, there are many English terms and phrases here that have taken on a variation in meaning from their American usage. For one thing, Filipinos are fond of truncating and cutting words to the point of just using their initials. "Refrigerator" for example becomes "ref", and "air conditioner" is shortened to "aircon"; "chocolate" to "choco"; restaurant, "resto".
In the turbulent political scene we have "cha-cha", the abbreviation for "Charter Change" (a proposal to overhaul the Philippine Constitution); "con-con" (Constitutional Convention) and "con-ass" (constituent assembly). These last two are alternate means of making the change.
Examples of words that are abbreviated to the use of just there initials are CR (comfort room, i.e. restroom [go figure]) ; LBM (loose bowel movement ); BF, GF (boyfriend, girlfriend); OFW (overseas filipino worker); GRO, (guest relations officer--a euphemism for bar girl). No wonder that Filipions are champion cel phone text messengers. Even a text from a stranger may be answered with a curt "hu r u" (who are you?) .
Matters become confusing when an English word is expressed here in an entirely different way from American usage. For example, as I previously mentioned, there are several different tongues spoken in the Philippines, but rather than refer to them as languages, Filipinos call them "dialects".
Here are some terms from the business world: If you're shopping for a sport shirt, to Filipinos, it's a "polo shirt". If you want to buy a slip, ask for a "chemise". If a party on the other end of a phone call is about to temporarily halt the discussion, (s)he will say "awhile" or "for a while" rather than "please hold". A telephone extension number is a "local", and the main phone number is a "trunk line". One can "avail of" (make use of) a service or product. The noun form of course is availment. If you're changing residence addresses, this is a "transfer" rather than a move.
In adult entertainment, a porn star or a stripper is "bold". What Americans refer to as blue humor in the Philippines is a "green" joke.
"Batch" refers to a group that graduated from the same school together, so a fellow member of a particular class year is a "batchmate" rather than classmate. Americans think of a university "course" as a one semester subject, but here it means a major, and for examinations, especially finals or professional certificates, instead of studying, students "review". The candidate with the highest score is a "topnotcher".
As for legal expressions, a property mortgage is an "amortization", Squatters as well as tenants who are delinquent in rent are subject to "ejectment" instead of eviction. Speaking of squatters, the politically correct term here for such trespassers is "informal settlers". Instead of petitioning, a litigant "prays" to a court and hopes that his/ her case will "prosper" (be awarded in his/her favor).
In the mean streets here, a pedestrian crossing the road has to be careful not get "bumped" (instead of struck) by a vehicle. If a vehicle involved in accident flips, it is said to "turn turtle". The roadsign warning "no swerving" means no sudden lane changes. A corrupt law enforcement official such as a traffic cop is a "crocadile".
In the local newspaper reports, a crime suspect who has been captured has "fallen". A town or city councilor is a "dad", (but a woman in this political office is not a "mom"). A political candidate is a "bet".
Then there are words that are obsolete or archaic and are almost unknown in modern American society, except by etymologists or linguists--and by Filipinos, who still use these terms such as "rascal" or "scoundrel" (a wicked person) and "scalawag" (crooked politician), or the expression "by and by" (eventually); And there are obscure terms such as "mulct" (defraud or extort). The local expression "slang na slang" (literally "very slang") is an adjective phrase that describes Americans who speak with a Southern drawl or Midwestern twang. Many Filipinos believe that these accents are the regular mode of conversation for Americans in general.
The above expressions are just a few samplings of Filipinos' colorful use of English, and after a while even expats begin using them automatically. Now if you'll excuse me, I've drunk so much coffee while writing this post, I have to avail of the CR.
Monday, February 16, 2009
A Dark Side of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
Before I retired and relocated to the Philippines, I worked for or knew of employers in the U.S. who were unscrupulous in dealing with their workers. Some of their unethical and / or illegal practices included requiring employees to work off the clock or designating ordinary sales clerks as "assistant managers" and placing them on straight salary in order to avoid paying them overtime. As a result, I'm sensitive to attempts by businesses to short-change and exploit rank and file employees either directly or through their political lobbies, one of which is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the States, and their local branch, the American Chamber of Commerce, also known as Amcham. And while the the theme of "Your Guide to Living in the Philippines" is helping expats adjust to the Philippines, I feel that it reflects badly on the rest of us non-Filipinos living here when foreign companies indulge in questionable business strategies locally. So I'm taking this opportunity to digress from my usual advice material in order to address this issue.
Unfair though it may be to the working people of the Philippines, it should come as no surprise that Amcham is calling for and end to holiday overtime pay for local employees (see Foreign firms seek flexible holiday pay) . Although the spokesperson in the article claims that such elimination is not the intent, it should be obvious that by using the term "flexibility" that this is Amcham's slippery slope towards that end.
The ostensible excuse for this organization's proposal is the impact of the global economic situation on business and the resulting need for cost cutting. In turn, a reduction in labor expenses (read wages) would supposdly enable companies avoid layoffs and to hire more people for less money and thus reduce unemployment as well. In other words, these BPO companies who have already saved money by off-shoring these jobs to begin with want to also exploit their overseas workers by balancing their books on the backs of these employees—who are much more vulnerable to the downturn in the world and local economy than their employers. In effect the workers, by taking a salary cut, would be paying out of their own pockets for their employers' holding the line against staff reductions or even for absorbing new employees.
But are employers really that hard up? We've read of the incredible bonuses and salaries that executives of many corporations in the U.S. receive, and yet these businesses were still given bail-out money. Some of these companies such as Citibank have branches and BPO operations in the Philippines where they receive considerable tax breaks. Yet upper management still considers it more expedient to cut labor expenses than their own bloated salaries and bonuses instead.
But the biggest joke in Amcham's proposal is that employers and employees "work together" in setting holiday flex-pay schedules, as if rank and file employees have equal power and voice in the matter as management (with the possible exception of workers in unionized industries). Otherwise, its obvious that all businesses follow the golden rule: The one who has the gold makes the rule. A business is not a democracy. If a company decides to eliminate a benefit, it doesn't matter how the workers feel about it. BPO companies always have the option of taking their operations to another country where labor is cheaper, and they don't mind using this leverage as a threat to get their way in the host country.
And if anyone is under the illusion that the Chamber of Commerce can be be trusted to safeguard workers' rights and interests, please see "The Anti Union Network" which discusses the campaign by the U.S. branch of this organization against pro-worker legislation, among other practices. Then there is the opposition by Amcham China against that country's proposed legislation attempt to improve workers' rights (Steelworkers, Global Labor Strategies Counter Corporate Opposition to Worker Rights in China).
Finally, consider that if these foreign corporations get away with this "flexibility" scheme, isn't it just a matter of time before local businesses also jump on the bandwagon and try to impose similar or even more wage and /or benefit reductions?
Unfair though it may be to the working people of the Philippines, it should come as no surprise that Amcham is calling for and end to holiday overtime pay for local employees (see Foreign firms seek flexible holiday pay) . Although the spokesperson in the article claims that such elimination is not the intent, it should be obvious that by using the term "flexibility" that this is Amcham's slippery slope towards that end.
The ostensible excuse for this organization's proposal is the impact of the global economic situation on business and the resulting need for cost cutting. In turn, a reduction in labor expenses (read wages) would supposdly enable companies avoid layoffs and to hire more people for less money and thus reduce unemployment as well. In other words, these BPO companies who have already saved money by off-shoring these jobs to begin with want to also exploit their overseas workers by balancing their books on the backs of these employees—who are much more vulnerable to the downturn in the world and local economy than their employers. In effect the workers, by taking a salary cut, would be paying out of their own pockets for their employers' holding the line against staff reductions or even for absorbing new employees.
But are employers really that hard up? We've read of the incredible bonuses and salaries that executives of many corporations in the U.S. receive, and yet these businesses were still given bail-out money. Some of these companies such as Citibank have branches and BPO operations in the Philippines where they receive considerable tax breaks. Yet upper management still considers it more expedient to cut labor expenses than their own bloated salaries and bonuses instead.
But the biggest joke in Amcham's proposal is that employers and employees "work together" in setting holiday flex-pay schedules, as if rank and file employees have equal power and voice in the matter as management (with the possible exception of workers in unionized industries). Otherwise, its obvious that all businesses follow the golden rule: The one who has the gold makes the rule. A business is not a democracy. If a company decides to eliminate a benefit, it doesn't matter how the workers feel about it. BPO companies always have the option of taking their operations to another country where labor is cheaper, and they don't mind using this leverage as a threat to get their way in the host country.
And if anyone is under the illusion that the Chamber of Commerce can be be trusted to safeguard workers' rights and interests, please see "The Anti Union Network" which discusses the campaign by the U.S. branch of this organization against pro-worker legislation, among other practices. Then there is the opposition by Amcham China against that country's proposed legislation attempt to improve workers' rights (Steelworkers, Global Labor Strategies Counter Corporate Opposition to Worker Rights in China).
Finally, consider that if these foreign corporations get away with this "flexibility" scheme, isn't it just a matter of time before local businesses also jump on the bandwagon and try to impose similar or even more wage and /or benefit reductions?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
