Back To The Jungle

Its been over a year since I last worked. I left the workforce because of boredom. I was exhausted and mentally fatigued. The amount of stress was so intense that it manifested in the form of excruciating pain via my lower back.

I am starting my new call center life in a company near SM San Lazaro. Gathering the requirements was already a challenge. I spent a huge amount of money just trying to get medical clearances from different specialists. However, I was rewarded by having an awesome schedule. Hard work paid off.

I already got a deeper tan just by walking around the metro getting stuff done. How I wished it was from frolicking on the beach.

But it was successful and I basically got everything done right on time. Earlier we had our orientation and was extremely surprised that I got a great schedule.

Anyways, let's see what happens.

That ain't me. Just a hint as to what I do.

Stuff I Do When I Am Bored

I have many friends and most of them are male. ^^ So when we're bored, we drink and do pictorials. Then I edit them to make it look sorta magazine-ish. Here are some samples of what I do:

Will post some before and after pics when am not too lazy. LOL.
Good day to you, person reading my blog. ♥

How to go to BIR Intramuros - RDO 030 and 031

I have looked for instructions to BIR in Intramuros all over the net and found none. Hence, I'm putting up an easy to follow guide. As long as you know how to get to Quiapo, its easy. I went there last week to have my RDO code updated to 031. FYI, they have both 030 and 031 RDO alongside each other.

So basically, the easiest way is via LRT. Go down Carriedo station and walk till you reach Quiapo church. Go towards the right side of the church - right side means the church's right when you are facing the front of the church. You'll know because it's where the jeepneys pass by. Ride a jeep with the sign that says PIER 15. You can ask them to drop you off at BIR, or just look for the Jollibee that looks like this:

This Jollibee would be at the right side of the road once you pass it.
That blue and yellow jeepney there is the Pier15 jeep.

Here are some other landmarks. First thing you see once you alight the jeepney is this statue:

Walk towards the opposite direction from where the statue is facing. If you're facing this statue like how I took the picture, then walk towards the right.

The walkway below leads towards the building entrance.

And this is the building entrance:

This first building houses RDO 030. For RDO 031, you have to go towards the back of the building where there is a path leading to the next building. I couldn't take enough pictures because I was in a rush, but somehow, at least you would know what to expect when going there.

I went there during summer, so a word of advice: bring an umbrella, a pen, something to drink and a hand fan.

Have a blessed day, person reading my blog. ♥

The New Year

There's something about the new year that makes everyone hopeful. I guess it's the idea of a fresh new start. As with everyone else, I too am hopeful. We started the year right. Me and my family had a wonderful time. Beginning with our clan reunion, our family has been around since the Spanish era.

My immediate family was tasked to do the decorations for the reunion and we're proud of our work, with what little budget we had, and all we had was the decors  my Aunt in Houston sent us. Overall, it was a mini success. 

Looking back at the past year, it was full of really high-highs and very low-lows, if you know what I mean. I'm still stuck in a rut, but at least I know what direction to take. Plus, we have a very good chance of pulling up our financials within 2013.

For all it's worth, I think this year would be brighter. 

Happy New Year to you, person reading my blog. ♥

Not All That Glitters ...

Some great things can only be yours for a moment. In this case, it was a record. 2 days. It was a whirlwind love affair. But was not meant to be and never will be. For reasons only I can fathom. But it was the greatest moment in my history, hence, immortalized in my blog. Idol. Good vibes to You, person reading my blog. -Carla-

Are we too old to grow up?

Image Source: Joystique

Ever wonder why you suddenly feel depressed without even knowing why? One of the reasons can be attributed to getting older.

Suddenly, the things that you used to love to do, turns out to be more exasperating and consumes you. People you are used to talking to suddenly seem so irritating. And the worst thing is, you can't enjoy the things you used to enjoy when you were younger.

I sometimes stop and think about what would my generation be like when we are at our 70's or 80's. Just like the photo above. Are we still on our computers and hand-held devices? Would we still go on rock concerts and play video games in malls? Would we still have sleep overs with alcohol to keep us amused? And the biggest question is, would we still be allowed to play even if we are older?

As you get older, things become more complicated. Bills, family, more bills, and a hell of a lot more of those young people who seem to get on your nerves. Universally, each generation seem to think that the generation after them are more stupid. In all honesty, I think there's some truth to it.

As time progresses, each generation seem to be less mindful of others. They tend to get ruder, more obnoxious, and uncaring. The younger you are, the more superficial you tend to be. I can attest to that. Am not that old, but I did learn how to appreciate people. These days, you're appreciated if you are in vogue. Forget it if you are smart or funny, or both. People would rather hang out with the most gorgeous friends, even if they're as stupid as a rock sitting on the curb.

Oh well, I guess I am getting old. Ranting like this. 

-To the person reading this blog, good vibes to you-

♥Carla♥ 

A Devastating October

I am hanging out at my friend's attic as I type this blog entry. Lying down on the sofa at 1:51am, trying to sort things out. It's pitch black dark here, but the temperature is perfect. A lot of things happened during the past week. The most unfortunate of which is the passing of my beloved pet dog Edward. Most people have no idea how painful it is to lose a loving pet. He caught leptospirosis and his kidneys were destroyed. Our only consolation was that he was well taken cared of all throughout that ordeal. We will miss you tremendously.

Choices

Each of us has the right to do what they want to. I choose to be a lazy bum and not blog today. Jorosz is here.

So, You Think You're All That?

image courtesy of Getty Images

Yes this is a rant. That's what blogs are for and no, I won't disclose you're name due to the fact that I still find you respectable despite of our conversation. Yes, you know who you are.

However which way you meant it, or whichever way you say it... it still comes out as pure insult. Even if you meant to say good things, you placed your foot in your mouth. Which definitely puts you way below of what I originally thought of you. What a way to judge my character, after only meeting you briefly. Once. So many years ago.

I do realize that people judge you with the type of people you associate with. But for me, I never think of people as different classes. All people are the same, regardless of race, religion, social status, or eating preferences. I too am guilty of prejudice, but I keep it to myself. Why? It's to avoid insulting others, or embarrassing them which you blatantly did to me.

Usually, I won't give a damn but sweety, I don't think you are in the position to belt out the insults. Take a long look in the mirror and tell me what you see. Because as far as I'm concerned, I see a sad, sad, little man.


Good vibes to you, person reading my blog

-Carla-

Passport Renewal via DFA Megamall

So my passport would be expiring soon, hence, I decided to have it renewed. My mom had hers done and had a wonderful experience with DFA main. I wanted to try the branch at Megamall, and to my surprise, it was a very pleasurable experience. Before anything else, you need to set an appointment online. Note that the Megamall branch has a different web address. Just go to http://www.megamall.passport.com.ph

First thing you need to do is arm yourself with the required documents:


1. Your old passport
2. Photocopy of your old passport
3. A valid ID
4. NSO Birth Certificate
5. Photocopy of your NSO Birth Certificate
6. At least Php 1,500.00 (kasama na din pang food trip hehehe)

Their offices are located at the 5th Floor of Megamall. If you have your own vehicle, better enter through the multi-level parking area to the top-most floor. From there, you're literally 20 steps away from DFA. But if you're going through the mall, enter through Mega A. Just look for Movietime on the 4th floor, and take the nearest escalator adjacent to the movie houses. The pathway to DFA is flanked by 2 shops: Bruno's Barbershop and Zerona Laser Slimming:

Sorry for the blurry pic ='>

You'll see steps leading to the DFA office:

You really have to wait for your exact scheduled time, else, they won't let you in. But there was a small queue forming already so I decided to stand near the door and was rewarded by being the first one in! First step is the information counter, where they will verify your documents. I forgot to take a pic of that.

The next step is processing where they will make sure that you are really scheduled for that time slot. You  have to get a number first and wait for your turn. This would be your queue number for the next 2 steps.

queue number

The process is quick and hassle free. Unlike before where you have to wait in line outside the scorching sun, here, you wait in comfort. The entire office is air conditioned to death, so its quite comfortable and peaceful. After this, you proceed to the cashier to pay. Note that you only pay the passport fee here. Courier fee is at the end of the process, before you exit the office. Here are the fees:

Php 950.00 for regular
Php 1,200 for express or rush processing

Fee for courier door to door delivery via LBC is Php 120.00.


Next is encoding where they take your picture, thumbprints, and re-verify your address. I suggest you primp up while waiting for your number to be called. You wouldn't wanna look like a hag in your passport photo...Lol.

waiting for my number to be called. I was relegated to number 20 =)

I waited 5 minutes and was out! Oh before you leave, you have the option to have your passport sent through courier via LBC. I opted for that since it was basically the same as paying for fare when commuting. Less the hassle. It actually took me less than 30 minutes to finish everything. It took me longer to find a good restaurant. LOL. I have to also commend the staff's hospitality and warmth. They are friendlier and more accommodating, especially the cashier lady. Remember the time when the staff at DFA acted as if you owed them your life?

This is me after... on the bus! Told you it wasn't hard at all. I still look fresh LOL.

Good vibes to you, person reading my blog ='>

-Carla-

BLACK OUT CALL

==================================

Today, October 2, the Supreme Court sitting en banc is set to hear several petitions for prohibition against the Cybercrime Prevention Law.

If the high court junks these petitions and disapproves the request for a temporary restraining order (TRO), the Cybercrime Prevention Law will take effect the following day, forever changing the Internet la

ndscape in the Philippines -- possibly even killing Internet freedom.

AS A SIGN OF PROTEST, PLEASE TAKE DOWN YOUR PROFILE PICTURES AND COVER PHOTOS AND CHANGE IT TO SIMPLE BLACK IMAGE.

We also call on website administrators in the Philippines to take down/blacken their websites starting 12 midnight in protest of the looming implementation of the draconian law. There are several plugins available in the net to do so (GIYF).

With enough websites participating, we can be a formidable force that can compel the government to think twice.

==================================

Our dear Filipino netizens, the government is taking the Internet away from us. It is but just to reclaim it in all ways possible.

NETIZENS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!

==================================

Please share and repost

An Afterthought

Yesterday, I officially became a stalker. Well, not the obsessed kind. I sifted through this blog and found the first post I had. I realized it started because of one person, which I'll call Cloud. He was my first true love. He was way younger than me. Up to this day he's still mad at me and still, I am clueless as to why. Shows you how much of an ignoramous I am during that time. I still keep his letters, even the last one he gave me when we broke up.

I never had the chance to ask him why it was over, but I guess I already knew... and don't know if I will ever have the chance to ask him again. Since that day, he never spoke to me. His is the only birthday I never forget. This month is his birthday month.

Cloud is every girl's fantasy. A knight in shining armor... although during those days he was nerdy, but that was what was so adorable about him. It was funny because we loved Spongebob so much. He was 10 years younger than I am, and I still smile when I think about the first time we met in person. EDSA Shangri-La. Starbucks. He ran and hugged me. The Cloud I remember was very intelligent, sweet, honest.

I guess I was wrong for being a bitch. But hey, everyone makes mistakes. And this was the biggest ever. I envy the girl who would carry his name.

My last memory of him was also in the same area where we met. Corner of EDSA where the Shrine of the Virgin Mary is. It was raining and was very dark. Regrets often come in the end... but I smile each time I see him all grown up. IMY Cloud.

good vibes to you, person reading my blog 

-carla-

Men You Would Want to Avoid

Something happened today that got me into thinking about men. Over the years, through my relationships and interaction with them, I came up with a way to sort of organize the types of men you want to hang around with, and those types you wanna steer clear of. May it be romantically inclined, or otherwise.

The Over-The-Top Amplifier

He's the guy who would give you the stars and the moon, and would tell you everything he can think of just to get your pants off. I have met quite a few of these guys. He'd tell you how amazing your body looks like even if you are as fat as me, which is really, FAT (sexy chubby naman hahaha). He's the one who would say he loves you already and would love to spend the rest of his life with you, and all this on your first date. How to deflect his moves? Well for starters, never ever believe what a guy says especially if its all hyperbole, or in layman's term, full of sh*t. The ego loves being stroked, so just keep reminding yourself that it's still your first date. Hold off and don't be swept off your feet yet.

The Liar

This one is so easy to spot, but a huge percentage of women tend to miss it on the first round. If you have a gut feeling that he's lying about some of the things he is telling you, then believe that gut feeling. 90% of the time, it would say you're right. And it's a scientifically proven fact. I dated this guy who suddenly disappeared for a week. Even his family was looking for him. I knew right there that he was with someone else. He kept telling me he was with a friend, and the friend vouched for him, and was very good at all the detail. But something was amiss and being the sleuth that I am, I asked everyone, all our common friends since something was not right. It was very hard since I barely knew his friends because they lived so far from where I am. But the few weeks before that, I have been hearing snippets of conversation in the background about this certain girl. I was familiar with the girl since they go to school together. A friend knew where she lived, and you guessed it, my now ex was there.

The Wallflower

Have you ever been on a date where you notice that you have already said everything you can possibly say and all you get is a silent nod? You know he likes you a lot judging from past conversations .. but in person, he's a total dud. Well, in my experience, I give these types of guys sort of a 2nd chance. 1st dates are sometimes too nerve-wracking for some guys. But on your 2nd date and he's still a bore? I would definitely avoid them. I recently went out with this guy who had absolutely nothing to say. At the most, he would utter 2 syllables. So I thought, maybe he's nervous. So on the 2nd date I decided to spice it up with some alcoholic beverages. Even if we were totally wiped out, he bored me to death! Unless quiet is your type, I'd say avoid him.



That's all I can come up with for now. I'll think more about it while I'm in bed. This day was a total dud too. Found out stuff that left me loopy. Will talk about it some other time. Good vibes to you, person reading my blog.

-Carla

(credits: photos were lifted from Getty Images)

October!

What's not to love about October? Its precipitous entrance heralds the holidays. The chilly mornings.... the swelling breezes... no wonder you see more kites in October. Sadly, it's a rare occurrence nowadays. But then again, its the start of our extended holiday season.

OK, let me tick off what I expect every year:

First would be OCTOBERFEST! This year seems to be equally anticipated. With none other than Apl.de.Ap as the main draw for the kick-off last September 28th, I believe it would run the entire month... or during the weekends at least. (Though am not entirely sure)

Then, there's the Orionids Meteor Shower that starts on the 2nd, and peaks on the 16th or 17th. It's more visible this time of year since Earth passes through Haley's Comet's dust trail during this season. Got this awesome pic from GMA's FB page (https://www.facebook.com/gmanews)

Another thing I cannot forget ever is the La Naval Festival in Sto. Domingo Church tomorrow. I used to belong to UST Pay High's Music Society during highschool. I remember the massive number of people who came.

Photo lifted from Traveler on Foot's blog.

For me, October usually is the month that kicks off my career. I really hope I get that job I applied for. It's not much of a job, but the company is awesome. If you want to see what other festivities there are in the Philippines during this month, click here for the DOT's list of festivals and events.

I also think that I should come up with a tag line for my blogs LOL... and a theme as well. Hmmmm.... I should get out more. Inspiration please!

Mid-life Crisis? What Mid-life Crisis?

It been a hell of a long time since I last posted on this blog. I dunno, but I'm revisiting past things since life halted. Am sort of in limbo. I'm not growing, and repeating the same things over and over again. I was amazed that this blog had 7,000+ page views... I wonder why since my last post was over 3 years ago. A lot has happened. since. Met a lot of interesting people... most good, some bad. Karma is a bitch.

Took thousands of photos, but why do I feel so incomplete? I have met a lot of men, but none would satiate my hunger for something I can't even explain. Mid-life crisis could it be? Is this what people experience. I'm searching online for similar experiences as I type this blog update. About.com has an explanation:

http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/isdivorcethesolution/f/midlifecrisis.htm

Bottom line is you have to solve it yourself. Tough luck.

Right now, its raining here where I'm at. I always loved the rain even if I'm drenched in it.

I'm rambling again... but it helps. Talking to yourself is a great stress release. Makes you think and ponder about what to do next. I really want to get back into the career mode. It just sucks that I'm not getting what I want in terms of what job I should take.

I'll try to do this more often. Its very therapeutic.

By the way, this is me now.

STAR

Why a red star? One of the innumerable luminous bodies seen in the heavens; any heavenly body other than the sun, moon, comets, and nebulae. Red for passion.

One Youth

divishop

Will start an online store with lee.... hope it works =)

New Phase

Just recently updated this blog. I haven't been on this since forever.

Birthday Girl

It sure hasn't been easy living in this country for the past 27 years...
Today is my 28th year living under the Filipino sun.
A lot has changed, and a lot has not changed.
What can I say... being pinoy is the best. Given the chance
I would love to be born pinoy again. For the simple reason that Filipinos
are on the middle of everything. We're not poor, but we're not rich either.
OK, mostly poor, but happy and poor.

Someone emailed me an article, from an American Expat. What he says is true.

read on:

The Philippines Through the Eyes of a Foreigner
Posted by: " Cavalier58@AOL.COM "


A Point of View
Inferiority Complex: A Filipino Malady?
by Barth Suretsky
_____

The unedited article below was written below by an American friend, Barth
Suretsky. This will still be edited but you will get the gist. I find his
observations interesting. I hope this will make an impact on the Filipinos
who read this article as I greatly lament the worsening situation of our
country. - Frank Woolf
_____

My decision to move to Manila was not a precipitous one. I used to work in
New York as an outside agent for PAL, and have been coming to the
Philippines since August, 1982. I was so impressed with the country, and
with the interesting people I met, some of which have become very close
friends to this day, that I asked for and was granted a year's sabbatical
from my teaching job in order to live in the Philippines. I arrived here on
August 21, 1983, several hours after Ninoy Aquino was shot, and remained
here until June of 1984. During that year I visited many parts of the
country, from as far north as Laoag to as far south as Zamboanga, and
including Palawan. I became deeply immersed in the history and culture of
the archipelago, and an avid collector of tribal antiquities from both
northern Luzon, and Mindanao.

In subsequent years I visited the Philippines in 1985, 1987, and 1991,
before deciding to move here permanently in 1998. I love this country, but
not uncritically, and that is the purpose of this article.
First, however, I will say that I would not consider living anywhere else in
Asia , no matter how attractive certain aspects of other neighboring
countries may be. To begin with, and this is most important, with all its
faults, the Philippines is still a democracy, more so than any other nation
in Southeast Asia. Despite gross corruption, the legal system generally
works, and if ever confronted with having to employ it, I would feel much
more safe trusting the courts here than in any other place in the
surrounding area. The press here is unquestionably the most unfettered and
freewheeling in Asia, and I do not believe that is hyperbole in any way! And
if any one thing can be used as a yardstick to measure the extent of the
democratic process in any given country in the world, it is the extent to
which the press is free.

But the Philippines is a flawed democracy nevertheless, and the flaws are
deeply rooted in the Philippine psyche. I will elaborate.
The basic problem seems to me, after many years of observation, to be a
national inferiority complex, a disturbing lack of pride in being Filipino.
Toward the end of April I spent eight days in Vietnam, visiting Hanoi, Hue,
and Ho Chi Minh City. I am certainly no expert on Vietnam, but what I saw
could not be denied: I saw a country ravaged as no other country has been in
this century by thirty years of continuous and incredibly barbaric warfare.
When the Vietnam War ended in April, 1975, the country was totally
devastated. Yet in the past twenty-five years the nation has healed and
rebuilt itself almost miraculously! The countryside has been replanted and
reforested. Hanoi and HCMC have been beautifully restored. The opera house
in Hanoi is a splended restoration of the original, modeled after the Opera
in Paris, and the gorgeous Second Empire theater, on the main square of HCMC
is as it was when built by the French a century ago. The streets are
tree-lined, clean, and conducive for strolling. Cafes in the French style
proliferate on the wide boulevards of HCMC. I am not praising the government
of Vietnam, which still has a long way to travel on the road to democracy,
but I do praise, and praise unstintingly, the pride of the Vietnamese
people. It is due to this pride in being Vietnamese that has enabled its
citizenry to undertake the miracle of restoration that I have described
above.

When I returned to Manila I became so depressed that I was actually
physically ill for days thereafter. Why? Well, let's go back to a period
when the Philippines resembled the Vietnam of 1975. It was 1945, the end of
World War II, and Manila, as well as many other cities, lay in ruins. (As a
matter of fact, it may not be generally known, but Manila was the second
most destroyed city in the entire war; only Warsaw was more demolished!)

But to compare Manila in 1970, twenty-five years after the end of the war,
with HCMC, twenty-five years after the end of its war, is a sad exercise
indeed. Far from restoring the city to its former glory, by 1970 Manila was
well on its way to being the most tawdry city in Southeast Asia. And since
that time the situation has deteriorated alarmingly. We have a city full of
street people, beggars, and squatters. We have a city that floods sections
whenever there is a rainstorm, and that loses electricity with every clap of
thunder.


We have a city full of potholes, and on these unrepaired roads we have a
traffic situation second to none in the world for sheer unmanageability. We
have rude drivers, taxis that routinely refuse to take passengers because of
"many trappic!" The roads are also cursed with pollution-spewing buses in
disreputable states of repair, and that ultimate anachronism, the jeepney!
We have an educational system that allows children to attend schools without
desks or books to accommodate them. Teachers, even college professors, are
paid salaries so disgracefully low that it's a wonder that anyone would want
to go into the teaching profession in the first place. We have a war in
Mindanao that nobody seems to have a clue how to settle. The only policy to
deal with the war seems to be to react to what happens daily, with no long
range plan whatever. I could go on and on, but it is an endeavor so filled
with futility that it hurts me to go on. It hurts me because, in spite of
everything, I love the Philippines.

Maybe it will sound simplistic, but to go back to what I said above, it is
my unshakable belief that the fundamental thing wrong with this country is a
lack of pride in being Filipino. A friend once remarked to me, laconically:
"All Filipinos want to be something else. The poor ones want to be American,
and the rich ones all want to be Spaniards. Nobody wants to be Filipino."
That statement would appear to be a rather simplistic one, and perhaps it
is. However, I know one Filipino who refuses to enter a theater until the
national anthem has stopped being played because he doesn't want to honor
his own country, and I know another one who thinks that history stopped dead
in 1898 when the Spaniards departed! While it is certainly true that these
represent extreme examples of national denial, the truth is not a pretty
picture.


Filipinos tend to worship, almost slavishly, everything foreign. If it comes
from Italy or France it has to be better than anything made here. If the
idea is American or German it has to be superior to anything that Filipinos
can think up for themselves. Foreigners are looked up to and idolized.
Foreigners can go anywhere without question. In my own personal experience I
remember attending recently an affair at a major museum here. I had
forgotten to bring my invitation. But while Filipinos entering the museum
were checked for invitations, I was simply waived through. This sort of
thing happens so often here that it just accepted routine.
All of these things, the illogical respect given to foreigners simply
because they are not Filipinos, the distrust and even disrespect shown to
any homegrown merchandise, the neglect of anything Philippine, the rudeness
of taxi drivers, the ill-manners shown by many Filipinos are all symptomatic
of a lack of self-love, of respect for and love of the country in which they
were born, and worst of all, a static mind-set in regard to finding ways to
improve the situation. Most Filipinos, when confronted with evidence of
governmental corruption, political chicanery, or gross exploitation on the
part of the business community, simply shrug their shoulders, mutter "bahala
na," and let it go at that.
It is an oversimplification to say this, but it is not without a grain of
truth to say that Filipinos feel downtrodden because they allow themselves
to feel downtrodden. No pride.

One of the most egregious examples of this lack of pride, this uncaring
attitude to their own past or past culture, is the wretched state of
surviving architectural landmarks in Manila and elsewhere. During the
American period many beautiful and imposing buildings were built, in what we
now call the "art deco" style (although, incidentally, that was not a
contemporary term; it was coined only in the 1960s). These were beautiful
edifices, mostly erected during, or just before, the Commonwealth period.
Three, which are still standing, are the Jai Alai Building, the Metropolitan
Theater, and the Rizal Stadium. Fortunately, due to the truly noble efforts
of my friend John Silva, the Jai Alai Building will now be saved. But unless
something is done to the most beautiful and original of these three
masterpieces of pre-war Philippine architecture, the Metropolitan Theater,
it will disintegrate. The Rizal Stadium is in equally wretched shape. When
the wreckers' ball destroyed Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel in Tokyo,
and New York City's most magnificent building, Pennsylvania Station, both in
1963, Ada Louise Huxtable, then the architectural critic of The New York
Times, wrote: "A disposable culture loses the right to call itself a
civilization at all!" How right she was! (Fortunately, the destruction of
Pennsylvania Station proved to be the sacrificial catalyst that resulted in
the creation of New York's Landmark Commission. Would that such a commission
be created for Manila...)

Are there historical reasons for this lack of national pride? We can say
that until the arrival of the Spaniards there was no sense of a unified
archipelago constituted as one country. True. We can also say that the high
cultures of other nations in the region seemed, unfortunately, to have
bypassed the Philippines; there are no Angkors, no Ayuttayas, no
Borobudurs.True. Centuries of contact with the "high cultures" of the Khmers
and the Chinese had, except for the proliferation of Song dynasty pottery
found throughout the archipelago, no noticeable effect.
True. But all that aside, what was here?
To begin with, the ancient rice terraces, now threatened with
disintegration, incidentally, was an incredible feat of engineering for
so-called "primitive" people. As a matter of fact, when I first saw them in
1984, I was almost as awe-stricken as I was when I first laid eyes on the
astonishing Inca city of Machu Picchu, high in the Peruvian Andes. The
degree of artistry exhibited by the various tribes of the cordillera of
Luzon is testimony to a remarkable culture, second to none in the Southeast
Asian region. As for Mindanao, at the other end of the archipelago, an
equally high degree of artistry has been manifest for centuries in
woodcarving, weaving and metalwork.

However, the most shocking aspect of this lack of national pride, even
identity, endemic in the average Filipino, is the appalling ignorance of the
history of the archipelago since unified by Spain and named Filipinas. The
remarkable stories concerning the Galleon de Manila, the courageous
repulsion of Dutch and British invaders from the 16th through the 18th
centuries, even the origins of the independence movement of the late 19th
century, are hardly known by the average Filipino in any meaningful way. And
thanks to fifty years of American brainwashing, it is few and far between
the number of Filipinos who really know - or even care - about the duplicity
employed by the Americans and Spaniards to sell out and make meaningless the
very independent state that Aguinaldo declared on June 12, 1898. A people
without a sense of history is a people doomed to be unaware of their own
identity. It is sad to say, but true, that the vast majority of Filipinos
fall into this lamentable category. Without a sense of who you are how can
you possibly take any pride in who you are?

These are not oversimplifications. On the contrary, these are the root
problems of the Philippine inferiority complex referred to above. Until the
Filipino takes pride in being Filipino these ills of the soul will never be
cured. If what I have written here can help, even in the smallest way, to
make the Filipino aware of just who he is, who he was, and who he can be, I
will be one happy expat indeed!



--
ikalat ang tsismis:
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