Like many other countries, the Philippines is currently observing International Women's Month. When it comes to women's rights, the culture of this country is truly a paradox. In some respects Filipinas are ahead of their American counterparts as for example in career opportunities. Women in the Philippines been active for decades in the professions such as medicine, law, broadcast journalism, government service and politics, and in such fields as engineering, and architecture for which American women until recently were considered unsuitable. Yet unlike in the U.S. women here are barred from occupations such as construction and operation of public utility vehicles. On the other hand there are Filipinas working in law enforcement and serving in the military including the PMA (Philippine Military Academy). In the barios and rural areas, women toil alongside the men and experience the same hardships.
The near-egalitarian status of women in the Philippines as compared to most other third-world countries may be the result of the matriarchal influence of the pre-Magellan Malay culture here that 300 years of colonization by the patriarchal Spanish were never able to completely erase. However, where Filipino women are negatively impacted is in their role as child bearers. The maternal mortality rate here is high especially among those in the lower socio-economic ranks: 200 out of every 100,000 women die in childbirth. This is due to a lack of access to quality medical care among the poor and equally importantly a very limited access to birth control measures such as as condoms and birth control pills, due to the opposition by the Catholic Church. (See my post "The CBCP: Pro-Life But Against the Living").
Yet the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo could have overcome this obstacle by exercising political will during her six year term which ends this year. For example she refused to support such measures as the Reproductive Health Act, which was recently defeated in the current session of Congress: As a conservative Catholic, she opposes government assistance in providing the people with access to artificial family planning means and education. This just goes to show that a woman in power does not necessarily empower women.
Interestingly, local women's advocacy groups did not criticize Arroyo on this issue during their protest march on International Women's Day concerning injustices against women. Yet they did confront the presidential candidates (all males) regarding their lack of position on women's issues.
Although President Arroyo's term officially expires in May, there is concern that she will try to hang on to her power one way or another. But if in fact she does "go quietly", one can only hope that her successor will vigorously address the matter of overpopulation that is one of the root causes of poverty in this country so that instead of winding up as street urchins as is the fate of so many kids here, the majority of Filipino children may be born into families who can materially and emotionally provide for their needs. In turn this will give the people an opportunity for a brighter future--regardless of gender.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Of Skin-Deep "Beauty" And Shallow Values
As I mentioned in a previous post one of the most irksome aspects of Filipino culture is the fixation on light (read white) skin, especially among women. So it was refreshing that no less than the Mayor of Makati City, Jejomar Binay, recently made a statement criticizing this sign of colonial mentality.
As Mayor Binay pointed out, cosmetics companies profit from this obsession by exploiting the popular notion that brown skin is something to be ashamed of. So they (very successfully) push skin whiteners as the path to beauty, no matter that poor quality brands of these products are often toxic.
I recall a television commercial for a whitener that told viewers that by using the advertised product, they would "look white and stay white." That is just pathetic. Think how much consumers could save instead of throwing away money on these useless products that do nothing more than appeal to a misplaced vanity and consider what these millions of pesos could do instead to improve Philippine society if properly redirected.
The main reason for Filipinos' self-identity issue is that for generations they have allowed themselves to be brainwashed into thinking that Caucasians, especially Americans who ruled this country for 50 years, are superior to their "little brown brothers" as U.S. President William McKinley referred to the people here. As a result of this now internalized racism, rarely if ever for example will you see a Filipino celebrity or even sales people in the country's leading department store chain who are not light-skin.
But skin color should be neither a source of shame or pride. Whatever one's race or ethnicity might be is an accident of birth and is something over which we have no control. So it behooves each of us to accept himself or herself as a unique individual and to not delude ourselves with pointless envy or magical thinking in trying to be who and what we are not.
As Mayor Binay pointed out, cosmetics companies profit from this obsession by exploiting the popular notion that brown skin is something to be ashamed of. So they (very successfully) push skin whiteners as the path to beauty, no matter that poor quality brands of these products are often toxic.
I recall a television commercial for a whitener that told viewers that by using the advertised product, they would "look white and stay white." That is just pathetic. Think how much consumers could save instead of throwing away money on these useless products that do nothing more than appeal to a misplaced vanity and consider what these millions of pesos could do instead to improve Philippine society if properly redirected.
The main reason for Filipinos' self-identity issue is that for generations they have allowed themselves to be brainwashed into thinking that Caucasians, especially Americans who ruled this country for 50 years, are superior to their "little brown brothers" as U.S. President William McKinley referred to the people here. As a result of this now internalized racism, rarely if ever for example will you see a Filipino celebrity or even sales people in the country's leading department store chain who are not light-skin.
But skin color should be neither a source of shame or pride. Whatever one's race or ethnicity might be is an accident of birth and is something over which we have no control. So it behooves each of us to accept himself or herself as a unique individual and to not delude ourselves with pointless envy or magical thinking in trying to be who and what we are not.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A "Twofer" Festival
This year, two holidays happen to fall on this date: Valentines Day and Chinese New Year. Here in the Philippines, both are celebrated with almost equal enthusiasm. The former is popular for its romantic significance-- an emotion that runs deep in Filipino culture. The latter is important due to the strong Chinese presence and influence in this country. At this very moment a dragon procession is wending its way down our street.
It's no surprise that thanks to this chance calendar convergence, the malls and restaurants are packed today--even more so than they typically are on Sundays. My wife Lydia and I wanted to partake of the festivities, especially Valentines Day, but we are not fond of crowds. So we celebrated by going out to dinner last night instead at a French restaurant called Enchante in Pasig City. Upscale dining is a luxury in which we don't often indulge, and we were looking forward to a fine dining experience. The food and service were very good and the decor pleasant. However, the fine dining ambiance was diminished by a loud party on the other side of the room. One reason of course that people dine out in groups is to enjoy themselves. Yet such noisy revelry that would be expected in a place such as Chili's or TGI Friday's is out of place in such an establishment of this caliber. It seems that Filipinos often talk about Delicadeza-- a sense of propriety-- but all too rarely observe it, and so people here don't practice subtlety even in sophisticated settings.
Ah well, tonight Lydia and will enjoy our leftovers from last night in the ambiance of our own kitchen. Then from our window we can watch the fireworks display that will likely be provided by the nearby mall. After all is said and done when it comes to enjoying a holiday, there's no place like home.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY AND GONG XI FA CAI (HAPPY NEW YEAR), EVERYBODY
It's no surprise that thanks to this chance calendar convergence, the malls and restaurants are packed today--even more so than they typically are on Sundays. My wife Lydia and I wanted to partake of the festivities, especially Valentines Day, but we are not fond of crowds. So we celebrated by going out to dinner last night instead at a French restaurant called Enchante in Pasig City. Upscale dining is a luxury in which we don't often indulge, and we were looking forward to a fine dining experience. The food and service were very good and the decor pleasant. However, the fine dining ambiance was diminished by a loud party on the other side of the room. One reason of course that people dine out in groups is to enjoy themselves. Yet such noisy revelry that would be expected in a place such as Chili's or TGI Friday's is out of place in such an establishment of this caliber. It seems that Filipinos often talk about Delicadeza-- a sense of propriety-- but all too rarely observe it, and so people here don't practice subtlety even in sophisticated settings.
Ah well, tonight Lydia and will enjoy our leftovers from last night in the ambiance of our own kitchen. Then from our window we can watch the fireworks display that will likely be provided by the nearby mall. After all is said and done when it comes to enjoying a holiday, there's no place like home.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY AND GONG XI FA CAI (HAPPY NEW YEAR), EVERYBODY
Friday, February 12, 2010
The CBCP: Pro-Life But Against the Living
As I've mentioned in previous posts, the Philippines has a long road to travel in getting its moral priorities straight. Part or most of the blame for this country's misplaced values lies with the CBCP--the Catholic Bishops Conference of The Philippines, which among other duties acts as a political lobby for the Church. Thanks to the efforts by the CBCP, the Reproductive Health Act as pending legislation is dead meat, at least till after the national elections in May. The RHA would have reversed the government's long-standing position against family planning via artificial birth control methods and would have made these means more available to the public than they are at present.
At this time, the only "family planning" measures that the Church allows and that the national government supports are those that they consider "natural", such as the bizarre "fertility awareness" approach and the rhythm method ("Vatican Roulette"). These are high-risk methods for preventing pregnancy (why else would the Church allow it?). This is especially the case for women with irregular ovulation cycles and who cannot track their "stop" and "go" days, and / or couples who for their personal reasons do not wish to abstain from sex at the "required" times of the month.
Through intimidation of politicians and lying to the voters, the CBCP, which falsely claimed that the RHA is "anti-life" and that all means of artificial birth control are "abortion", has shown itself to be hypocritical and dictatorial. As early as 2008, the CBCP threatened to withhold communion from Catholic legislators who backed this law. Then in January, this august body told Church members (the predominant percentage of the electorate in the Philippines) to "vote their consciences" in the pending elections but to reject politicians who support the RHA. In other words, "vote your conscience as long as it tells you to do what we want".
But it gets even better. When a radio journalist asked an influential bishop why the Church on one hand condemns legislators who support the RHA but on the other does not denounce politicians who oppose birth control but who are corrupt and steal from the people, the clergyman had the audacity to respond that in the greater scheme of things, official corruption is less of a sin than the use of artificial family planning methods(!) In other words, wearing a condom or taking the pill to prevent unwanted children is a greater sin than plunder. Further, the good bishop sees nothing wrong with Church officials socializing with crooked politicians, especially the ones who give money to the Church.) In the Middle Ages, this practice was known as selling indulgences wherein rich patrons could commit immoral acts and then buy their way back into the grace of heaven simply by donating money to the Church. ( Hmm, that would explain a lot about wealthy lawbreakers here).
Just where does the CBCP get off by claiming to be "pro-life" anyway? The Maternal Morality rate of 230 out 100,000 live births in the Philippines is unacceptably high, thanks to the Church's stance regarding family planning. These (mostly poor) women who die in childbirth might still be alive if they had easy access to birth control. In addition, 32 out of 1,000 infants do not live to see their first birthday. There are thousands of street children throughout the country, some as young as four years whose parents cannot or will support them. Yet if there are any Church-supported orphanages to take in these kids at least in the Metro-Manila area, I'm not aware of them.
As for abortion itself, this birth control method of last resort which is illegal in the Philippines is nevertheless not uncommon here. It is often self induced usually by desperate (usually poor) women who would not likely have to go this route if they had knowledge about and access to artificial means of family planning in the first place. Of course, well-to-do women can instead avail of safe and legal abortions simply by going abroad. Ironically, one popular spot where abortifacients are peddled is on the steps of a Catholic Church in the center of Manila..
At the end of the day if a person believes that artificial birth control is wrong and that it's up to an (unproven) supreme being to determine how many a children a couple will have, that in my opinion is a severely misguided outlook. Yes, the argument could be made that one is entitled to his or her own personal beliefs, no matter how baseless. The problem is that opponents of birth control are more likely to to try to force their beliefs on those who want to limit the number of their children or be completely child-free than the other way around. In a seriously overpopulated country like the Philippines, this is more than just an academic debate. The problem of too many people and too few resources is not going to go away by itself. It is a fact on the ground that must be dealt with realistically and soon--like yesterday.
In 1979, China which was also faced with staggering overpopulation implemented a law limiting the number of children to one child per family. It was a draconian measure, but it worked. May the Philippines never have to resort to such steps to bring the population into manageable levels, but if that's what it takes, or at least the suggestion of such means for the people to understand what a population catastrophe that the country is facing, then the concept in some form or another should not be completely dismissed. For example, people could be "incentivized" i.e. rewarded for limiting the size of their families instead of being forced to do so. Otherwise, if the status quo continues and the population here continues to mushroom, the assertion by Filipinos that they love children will prove to be as empty as the bellies of street kids who are reduced to scrounging and begging for food.
At this time, the only "family planning" measures that the Church allows and that the national government supports are those that they consider "natural", such as the bizarre "fertility awareness" approach and the rhythm method ("Vatican Roulette"). These are high-risk methods for preventing pregnancy (why else would the Church allow it?). This is especially the case for women with irregular ovulation cycles and who cannot track their "stop" and "go" days, and / or couples who for their personal reasons do not wish to abstain from sex at the "required" times of the month.
Through intimidation of politicians and lying to the voters, the CBCP, which falsely claimed that the RHA is "anti-life" and that all means of artificial birth control are "abortion", has shown itself to be hypocritical and dictatorial. As early as 2008, the CBCP threatened to withhold communion from Catholic legislators who backed this law. Then in January, this august body told Church members (the predominant percentage of the electorate in the Philippines) to "vote their consciences" in the pending elections but to reject politicians who support the RHA. In other words, "vote your conscience as long as it tells you to do what we want".
But it gets even better. When a radio journalist asked an influential bishop why the Church on one hand condemns legislators who support the RHA but on the other does not denounce politicians who oppose birth control but who are corrupt and steal from the people, the clergyman had the audacity to respond that in the greater scheme of things, official corruption is less of a sin than the use of artificial family planning methods(!) In other words, wearing a condom or taking the pill to prevent unwanted children is a greater sin than plunder. Further, the good bishop sees nothing wrong with Church officials socializing with crooked politicians, especially the ones who give money to the Church.) In the Middle Ages, this practice was known as selling indulgences wherein rich patrons could commit immoral acts and then buy their way back into the grace of heaven simply by donating money to the Church. ( Hmm, that would explain a lot about wealthy lawbreakers here).
Just where does the CBCP get off by claiming to be "pro-life" anyway? The Maternal Morality rate of 230 out 100,000 live births in the Philippines is unacceptably high, thanks to the Church's stance regarding family planning. These (mostly poor) women who die in childbirth might still be alive if they had easy access to birth control. In addition, 32 out of 1,000 infants do not live to see their first birthday. There are thousands of street children throughout the country, some as young as four years whose parents cannot or will support them. Yet if there are any Church-supported orphanages to take in these kids at least in the Metro-Manila area, I'm not aware of them.
As for abortion itself, this birth control method of last resort which is illegal in the Philippines is nevertheless not uncommon here. It is often self induced usually by desperate (usually poor) women who would not likely have to go this route if they had knowledge about and access to artificial means of family planning in the first place. Of course, well-to-do women can instead avail of safe and legal abortions simply by going abroad. Ironically, one popular spot where abortifacients are peddled is on the steps of a Catholic Church in the center of Manila..
At the end of the day if a person believes that artificial birth control is wrong and that it's up to an (unproven) supreme being to determine how many a children a couple will have, that in my opinion is a severely misguided outlook. Yes, the argument could be made that one is entitled to his or her own personal beliefs, no matter how baseless. The problem is that opponents of birth control are more likely to to try to force their beliefs on those who want to limit the number of their children or be completely child-free than the other way around. In a seriously overpopulated country like the Philippines, this is more than just an academic debate. The problem of too many people and too few resources is not going to go away by itself. It is a fact on the ground that must be dealt with realistically and soon--like yesterday.
In 1979, China which was also faced with staggering overpopulation implemented a law limiting the number of children to one child per family. It was a draconian measure, but it worked. May the Philippines never have to resort to such steps to bring the population into manageable levels, but if that's what it takes, or at least the suggestion of such means for the people to understand what a population catastrophe that the country is facing, then the concept in some form or another should not be completely dismissed. For example, people could be "incentivized" i.e. rewarded for limiting the size of their families instead of being forced to do so. Otherwise, if the status quo continues and the population here continues to mushroom, the assertion by Filipinos that they love children will prove to be as empty as the bellies of street kids who are reduced to scrounging and begging for food.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Intrusion Or Protection? You Decide
If you have an account with Philippine National Bank through which you receive U.S. social security benefits via direct deposit, don't be surprised if you receive an unannounced visit by a representative of that institution.
That's what happened to my wife. The PNB agent stated that the purpose of this interview was to verify her identity and make sure that no one was impersonating her and misusing her social security income in the event that she had died or become incapacitated. Hence, this was a precaution that the bank was taking to protect both the customer and PNB itself. My wife forgot to ask the agent why there was no advance notice of this visit, but our guess is that the purpose was to catch a would-be imposter off guard.
However, some of the questions that the representative asked were a bit unnerving (or nervy) and had no apparent connection with my wife's bank account, such as her state of health, work history, the number of people at her residence, and dual citizenship holding if any. She duly answered the questions but felt uncomfortable about it and only did so based on the agent's indication that the PNB was conducting these investigations in conjunction with the Social Security Administration office at the American Embassy.
Subsequently, she contacted her Philippine National Bank branch and confirmed that these field calls were legit and will be conducted on a yearly basis. However, when in turn I contacted the the SSA at the Embassy to confirm their role in the matter, the reply was that the neither agency nor the embassy was connected with the audit and that they would get in touch with PNB to see what was going on. The SSA then called me back to report that the bank again confirmed the authenticity of the field calls. However, as per the agency's instructions, that in performing the audits bank was to refrain from invoking the Embassy's name.
So I suggest that you contact your PNB branch to see if in fact you can expect their knock on your door and if so to tailor the visit to your schedule, not to theirs. This of course will also furnish you with opportunity to inquire in advance about the kind of non-banking data that they intend to collect and for you to determine whether or not you wish to disclose such information. After all, in the end shouldn't it be your own decision as to how much of your personal privacy--if any-- you are willing to compromise?
That's what happened to my wife. The PNB agent stated that the purpose of this interview was to verify her identity and make sure that no one was impersonating her and misusing her social security income in the event that she had died or become incapacitated. Hence, this was a precaution that the bank was taking to protect both the customer and PNB itself. My wife forgot to ask the agent why there was no advance notice of this visit, but our guess is that the purpose was to catch a would-be imposter off guard.
However, some of the questions that the representative asked were a bit unnerving (or nervy) and had no apparent connection with my wife's bank account, such as her state of health, work history, the number of people at her residence, and dual citizenship holding if any. She duly answered the questions but felt uncomfortable about it and only did so based on the agent's indication that the PNB was conducting these investigations in conjunction with the Social Security Administration office at the American Embassy.
Subsequently, she contacted her Philippine National Bank branch and confirmed that these field calls were legit and will be conducted on a yearly basis. However, when in turn I contacted the the SSA at the Embassy to confirm their role in the matter, the reply was that the neither agency nor the embassy was connected with the audit and that they would get in touch with PNB to see what was going on. The SSA then called me back to report that the bank again confirmed the authenticity of the field calls. However, as per the agency's instructions, that in performing the audits bank was to refrain from invoking the Embassy's name.
So I suggest that you contact your PNB branch to see if in fact you can expect their knock on your door and if so to tailor the visit to your schedule, not to theirs. This of course will also furnish you with opportunity to inquire in advance about the kind of non-banking data that they intend to collect and for you to determine whether or not you wish to disclose such information. After all, in the end shouldn't it be your own decision as to how much of your personal privacy--if any-- you are willing to compromise?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Oh No, Not Again!
In a replay from last year, today I got ripped off on the MRT. This happened (see "A Payment, A Theft, and Update") while I was on an identical errand: traveling to the Bureau of Immigration to file my and my wife Lydia's annual report, a paperwork formality which is required every January from all non-citizen permanent residents in the Philippines.
This time I lost my wallet to a pickpocket in the crush of passengers while boarding the train at the Cubao Station in Quezon City. I thought that I was safe by carrying the billfold in my front pocket. But never underestimate the skills of the petty (and not so petty) criminals that plague Metro-Manila.
I noticed that my wallet was gone shortly after boarding, but with the little cash that I still had in my other pocket, I decided to proceed to the BI anyway and find out what I would have to do to replace our I-cards which were lost in the theft. These plastics are required for conducting any business with Immigration and must also be presented for permission to leave and re-enter the Philippines.
When I arrived at that office and just as I was explaining my plight to the supervisor(who offered to lend me P50 from her own pocket so I could get back home! To say the least, I was very touched by her kindness ), I received a message on my cell phone (which fortunately was spared in the robbery) stating that my wallet and cards (but minus the cash of course) were found by security in the MRT Santolan Station.
What a relief that was. The BI supervisor explained what my wife and I would have to go through to replace our lost I-cards, and it wasn't pretty. Among the required steps would be the placement of a notice to the public regarding the lost cards via a newspaper ad and affirmation of the loss through a notary public who must also be an attorney. There would also be various fees and forms to pay and complete.
But the hurdles were not yet over. I proceeded to the Santolan station only to find out that I was at the wrong place. There are two MRT / LRT stops with that name. I finally got to the correct location and retrieved my wallet. All my cards, including both I-cards were indeed intact. Not even my credit card was missing. The perp apparently was interested in just the cash and for some reason, our BI 2009 annual report receipts. What a nightmare it could have been to replace the various cards and documents, even though I have a list of such valuables along with their account numbers which I keep separately in a secured location (BTW that is a precaution which I recommend for everyone to take with their important documents and plastics.)
With our I-cards in hand, I returned to the BI and completed the annual report. Fortunately, I did not have to go to the back of the line of waiting applicants which by that time was quite long. Nor under the circumstances did I have to produce the missing 2009 receipts (Immigration often asks for presentation of the previous year's annual report receipt when paying the current year).
In terms of personal safety here's the lesson that I've re-learned: You can't be too careful when riding public transportation in the Philippines. First, do not carry a billfold. Take along only your personal essentials, the cash that you will need for your errand, and the documents and plastics that you intend to use. Place loose change and an emergency P20 or P50 bill in a coin purse and place it in another pocket. If you need to take a cell phone, carry a cheapie. Leave every thing else at home. Hold the pocket in which you're carrying these items from the second that you arrive at the boarding section until you have stepped clear of the vehicle departure area. If you must carry a handbag, make sure that it's small, cheap (No Louis Vuittons, please), and inconspicuous. If it has a strap, place it across your shoulder and hold on to clasp throughout the trip.
Also remember, if you're carrying someone else's documents as I was yesterday, of course you have an added responsibility. And if they are those of your spouse / partner, you will be in even deeper s**t, if you lose them. Needless to say, Lydia was not a happy camper about this incident. She had wanted me to take a taxi to the BI in the first place. I would have done so but for the fact that at that time of the morning (rush hour) there were few available taxis, and none of them would transport me from Eastwood City to Makati, the site of a satellite Immigration office. So I had to settle on one that would take me to the nearest LRT station instead. As I had discussed in a previous post, taxi drivers in Metro-Manila are selective about the distance that they will transport a passenger, regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.
Lydia and I are past the age where either of has to appear in person at Immigration to pay these yearly fees and can have an authorized agent do it for us. So next year when annual report time rolls around, maybe we'll just hire a bonded courier. I just hope the courier agent doesn't take the MRT.
For more information on the BI and the annual report, click here.
This time I lost my wallet to a pickpocket in the crush of passengers while boarding the train at the Cubao Station in Quezon City. I thought that I was safe by carrying the billfold in my front pocket. But never underestimate the skills of the petty (and not so petty) criminals that plague Metro-Manila.
I noticed that my wallet was gone shortly after boarding, but with the little cash that I still had in my other pocket, I decided to proceed to the BI anyway and find out what I would have to do to replace our I-cards which were lost in the theft. These plastics are required for conducting any business with Immigration and must also be presented for permission to leave and re-enter the Philippines.
When I arrived at that office and just as I was explaining my plight to the supervisor(who offered to lend me P50 from her own pocket so I could get back home! To say the least, I was very touched by her kindness ), I received a message on my cell phone (which fortunately was spared in the robbery) stating that my wallet and cards (but minus the cash of course) were found by security in the MRT Santolan Station.
What a relief that was. The BI supervisor explained what my wife and I would have to go through to replace our lost I-cards, and it wasn't pretty. Among the required steps would be the placement of a notice to the public regarding the lost cards via a newspaper ad and affirmation of the loss through a notary public who must also be an attorney. There would also be various fees and forms to pay and complete.
But the hurdles were not yet over. I proceeded to the Santolan station only to find out that I was at the wrong place. There are two MRT / LRT stops with that name. I finally got to the correct location and retrieved my wallet. All my cards, including both I-cards were indeed intact. Not even my credit card was missing. The perp apparently was interested in just the cash and for some reason, our BI 2009 annual report receipts. What a nightmare it could have been to replace the various cards and documents, even though I have a list of such valuables along with their account numbers which I keep separately in a secured location (BTW that is a precaution which I recommend for everyone to take with their important documents and plastics.)
With our I-cards in hand, I returned to the BI and completed the annual report. Fortunately, I did not have to go to the back of the line of waiting applicants which by that time was quite long. Nor under the circumstances did I have to produce the missing 2009 receipts (Immigration often asks for presentation of the previous year's annual report receipt when paying the current year).
In terms of personal safety here's the lesson that I've re-learned: You can't be too careful when riding public transportation in the Philippines. First, do not carry a billfold. Take along only your personal essentials, the cash that you will need for your errand, and the documents and plastics that you intend to use. Place loose change and an emergency P20 or P50 bill in a coin purse and place it in another pocket. If you need to take a cell phone, carry a cheapie. Leave every thing else at home. Hold the pocket in which you're carrying these items from the second that you arrive at the boarding section until you have stepped clear of the vehicle departure area. If you must carry a handbag, make sure that it's small, cheap (No Louis Vuittons, please), and inconspicuous. If it has a strap, place it across your shoulder and hold on to clasp throughout the trip.
Also remember, if you're carrying someone else's documents as I was yesterday, of course you have an added responsibility. And if they are those of your spouse / partner, you will be in even deeper s**t, if you lose them. Needless to say, Lydia was not a happy camper about this incident. She had wanted me to take a taxi to the BI in the first place. I would have done so but for the fact that at that time of the morning (rush hour) there were few available taxis, and none of them would transport me from Eastwood City to Makati, the site of a satellite Immigration office. So I had to settle on one that would take me to the nearest LRT station instead. As I had discussed in a previous post, taxi drivers in Metro-Manila are selective about the distance that they will transport a passenger, regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.
Lydia and I are past the age where either of has to appear in person at Immigration to pay these yearly fees and can have an authorized agent do it for us. So next year when annual report time rolls around, maybe we'll just hire a bonded courier. I just hope the courier agent doesn't take the MRT.
For more information on the BI and the annual report, click here.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Rockin' In the New Year Philippine Style
As popular an attraction as Eastwood City is, this venue outdid itself last night in drawing a huge crowd to take part in a safe and sane New year Eve celebration. And the best part of it is that my wife Lydia and I, along with our friends Barry and Elma (their own blog site, bjruth.com, is referenced in the sidebar of this blog site) had only to step outside our condo to join the festivities.
No New Years Eve celebration would be complete without a fireworks show. The one in Eastwood last night with a celestial backdrop of a full moon was spectacular. Best of all along with the live musical entertainment it was free of charge and long in duration. The tang of cordite from these dazzling pyrotechnics still hangs in air hours later as I begin to write this post.
As I mentioned, the area was teeming with people. In fact I have never seen in it so jam-packed and would guess the number of attendees ran well into the thousands--perhaps the largest turnout in the 10 year history of Eastwood City. The presence of a new mall certainly played a significant part in this phenomenon. But a bigger factor is that in the Philippines entire families from grandparents to infants (fixed or early bedtimes for kids do not seem to be a part of the culture) attend and stay late at these events. Perhaps it was this multi-generational presence even more than the security personnel that kept rowdiness and drunken misbehavior to a minimum. In fact, a G-rated atmosphere seemed to prevail throughout the evening.
2009 was marked by serious natural disasters including a terrible flood in Metro-Manila and by man-made horrors including the massacre of 57 innocent victims stemming from a political feud in the southern part of the country. Who can know whether the events in 2010 will be any better or worse? Will the national elections (scheduled for May and which include the office of the president) make a difference? Given the the history of the Philippines, probably not. Yet one can always hope that the change in leadership will set the Philippines on a new course or least show the people that there other options beyond wallowing in the mentality of fatalism and fiesta that has kept this nation from progressing and realizing its full potential.
No New Years Eve celebration would be complete without a fireworks show. The one in Eastwood last night with a celestial backdrop of a full moon was spectacular. Best of all along with the live musical entertainment it was free of charge and long in duration. The tang of cordite from these dazzling pyrotechnics still hangs in air hours later as I begin to write this post.
As I mentioned, the area was teeming with people. In fact I have never seen in it so jam-packed and would guess the number of attendees ran well into the thousands--perhaps the largest turnout in the 10 year history of Eastwood City. The presence of a new mall certainly played a significant part in this phenomenon. But a bigger factor is that in the Philippines entire families from grandparents to infants (fixed or early bedtimes for kids do not seem to be a part of the culture) attend and stay late at these events. Perhaps it was this multi-generational presence even more than the security personnel that kept rowdiness and drunken misbehavior to a minimum. In fact, a G-rated atmosphere seemed to prevail throughout the evening.
2009 was marked by serious natural disasters including a terrible flood in Metro-Manila and by man-made horrors including the massacre of 57 innocent victims stemming from a political feud in the southern part of the country. Who can know whether the events in 2010 will be any better or worse? Will the national elections (scheduled for May and which include the office of the president) make a difference? Given the the history of the Philippines, probably not. Yet one can always hope that the change in leadership will set the Philippines on a new course or least show the people that there other options beyond wallowing in the mentality of fatalism and fiesta that has kept this nation from progressing and realizing its full potential.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY
Friday, December 25, 2009
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This policy is valid from 24 December 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owner. If I claim or appear to be expert on a certain topic or product or service area, I will only endorse products or services that I believe, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic,
quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
This policy is valid from 24 December 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owner. If I claim or appear to be expert on a certain topic or product or service area, I will only endorse products or services that I believe, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic,
quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
Monday, December 14, 2009
Another Perspective on the Maguindanao Massacre
The November massacre in Mindanao was a disaster waiting to happen partly because it was the logical outcome of President Arroyo's tactics of obtaining political support. It was a case of the chickens coming home to roost. So why does she pretend to be shocked? President Arroyo epitomizes the culture of corruption in country by having allowed her allies, the Ampatuan clan, to acquire their inordinate wealth via the plunder of public funds and to build up an illegal arsenal of diverted high-power military weapons which enabled them to slaughter their political opponents and accompanying journalists with anticipated impunity. All this in exchange for delivering the votes from Maguindanao Province which is ruled by this family.
Yet might there not have been an additional underlying factor that threw even more kerosene on this fire? I'm referring to a particular cultural mix of West and East. In this case, the West is the Spanish heritage of machismo (popularly referred to in the Philippines as "guns, goons, and gold") which along with private armies predominates not only in this country but in parts of Latin America as well. The East is the Muslim / Arab tradition in this predominantly Islamic part of the Philippines (the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), of rido, i.e. clan tribal rivalry, warfare and vengeance. Add to this the devaluation of life of the "other" which is common to both societies along with the hair-trigger amok temperament that prevails here, plus the aforementioned corruption of public officials that is so widespread throughout the nation as a whole, and you have one volatile brew.
In other words, were it not for this particular cocktail of cultural influences, I think that even taking into account that one side was the ruling dynasty in this locale, the power struggle with the victims, the Mangudadatu clan (who ironically are inter-related with the Ampatuans) might have turned out differently. I further believe that when the final historical chapter is written on this tragedy, the blend of violent mores in this locale deserves to be taken into consideration (and this is not to diminish their personal responsibility for their actions) as a contributing ingredient that helped to harden the Amputuans into the sociopaths that they eventually became.
Yet might there not have been an additional underlying factor that threw even more kerosene on this fire? I'm referring to a particular cultural mix of West and East. In this case, the West is the Spanish heritage of machismo (popularly referred to in the Philippines as "guns, goons, and gold") which along with private armies predominates not only in this country but in parts of Latin America as well. The East is the Muslim / Arab tradition in this predominantly Islamic part of the Philippines (the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), of rido, i.e. clan tribal rivalry, warfare and vengeance. Add to this the devaluation of life of the "other" which is common to both societies along with the hair-trigger amok temperament that prevails here, plus the aforementioned corruption of public officials that is so widespread throughout the nation as a whole, and you have one volatile brew.
In other words, were it not for this particular cocktail of cultural influences, I think that even taking into account that one side was the ruling dynasty in this locale, the power struggle with the victims, the Mangudadatu clan (who ironically are inter-related with the Ampatuans) might have turned out differently. I further believe that when the final historical chapter is written on this tragedy, the blend of violent mores in this locale deserves to be taken into consideration (and this is not to diminish their personal responsibility for their actions) as a contributing ingredient that helped to harden the Amputuans into the sociopaths that they eventually became.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Winner and Still Champion
If politics makes strange bedfellows (viz. the teaming up of Manny Villar and Loren and Legarda for the 2010 national elections), then this is equally if not more true of moral convictions.
To be blunt, I find the adulation heaped by the Philippines on another Manny, i.e. boxer Manny Pacquiao, to be terribly misplaced. Pacquiao is being hailed as a national hero because his (sole?) talent is delivering a brain concussion to his opponents in the ring before they can do the same to him. And it's not just Filipinos who are elevating Pacquiao to demigod status. Other foreigners residing here with whom I've spoken are also make a big deal out of his seeming victory.
Except for my wife Lydia, I thought that at least in the Philippines, I must be rather isolated in in my dissent with this national mindset. To my surprise agreement with my objections came from a source with whom I would normally have very little in common philosophically: a Filipino Catholic priest, who in a column in the Nov. 22 "Philippine Star" criticizes the brutality of professional boxing and the physical damage that it inflicts on its participants. As a result he considers this "sport" immoral.
Indeed , how can such unnecessary and degrading violence benefit this country or for that matter any society, especially when presented as a form of entertainment or a praiseworthy professional aspiration? Politicians here spent millions of pesos in government fund on junkets to travel to Las Vegas to see Pacquiao in action. That money obviously could have been much better spent on this country's needs.
As far as I'm concerned professional boxing is more pornographic than any display of graphic but non-violent human sexuality could ever be. Yet it is the latter that society condemns as shameful and deserving of censure here and the former to which children are exposed by their parents with no qualms. Go figure.
Between Pacquiao and Peñaflorida, who has made a greater impact and a true contribution to this country? Who is truly a hero of the Philippine people?
To be blunt, I find the adulation heaped by the Philippines on another Manny, i.e. boxer Manny Pacquiao, to be terribly misplaced. Pacquiao is being hailed as a national hero because his (sole?) talent is delivering a brain concussion to his opponents in the ring before they can do the same to him. And it's not just Filipinos who are elevating Pacquiao to demigod status. Other foreigners residing here with whom I've spoken are also make a big deal out of his seeming victory.
Except for my wife Lydia, I thought that at least in the Philippines, I must be rather isolated in in my dissent with this national mindset. To my surprise agreement with my objections came from a source with whom I would normally have very little in common philosophically: a Filipino Catholic priest, who in a column in the Nov. 22 "Philippine Star" criticizes the brutality of professional boxing and the physical damage that it inflicts on its participants. As a result he considers this "sport" immoral.
Indeed , how can such unnecessary and degrading violence benefit this country or for that matter any society, especially when presented as a form of entertainment or a praiseworthy professional aspiration? Politicians here spent millions of pesos in government fund on junkets to travel to Las Vegas to see Pacquiao in action. That money obviously could have been much better spent on this country's needs.
As far as I'm concerned professional boxing is more pornographic than any display of graphic but non-violent human sexuality could ever be. Yet it is the latter that society condemns as shameful and deserving of censure here and the former to which children are exposed by their parents with no qualms. Go figure.
***
Contrast the "achievements" of Pacquiao with those with another Filipino, Efren Peñaflorida. Were it not for his receiving the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year award, few in the Philippines would likely ever hear of this man. Yet Peñaflorida rose above his own poverty, formed a group of teens to help other adolescents, earned a college degree, and through his organization of 10, 000 members has delivered education to hundreds of slum and street children in Manila via a "pushcart classroom" program. Rightfully, today's "Philippine Daily Inquirer" newspaper featured this story as page 1 headline news.Between Pacquiao and Peñaflorida, who has made a greater impact and a true contribution to this country? Who is truly a hero of the Philippine people?
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