A Truer Face of the Philippines, a Face Hidden from Americans

I got this writeup via email just this week. I'm not sure exactly when this was written because the tragedy talked about has already been replaced by others more recent. But I am still posting this because I am glad that a foreigner has some nice things to say about my country. It is really refreshing to read another's opinions from a different perspective...

A Truer Face of the Philippines, a Face Hidden from Americans
By Bob R. C. Kemerait, Ph.D.
Department of Plant Pathology
University of Georgia
Rural Development Center,
Tifton (229) 386-7495

The day after the mudslide on the island of Leyte in the Philippines was reported in the United States, I received a worried phone call from a colleague here at the University of Georgia. Tim had seen footage of the tragedy on the evening news. Though unsure where in the Philippines it had occurred, he was concerned that my wife Pam's family had been caught up in the event. I thanked him for his concern and responded that I was confident Pam's family wasn't involved.

Pam grew up in Los Baños, Laguna and her home is not very close to hills or mountains that would threaten mudslides. Over the next week my assurance to Tim was repeated to many others who were concerned for Pam. I was grateful that they cared enough about her family to ask for clarification. On long solitary drives across Georgia that week, I had plenty of time to think about this latest tragedy in the Philippines and to ponder its implications. My first realizations were that good news from the Philippines is rarely reported in the United States and that most Americans know very little about the archipelago nation.

Our countries have shared a very close history over the past 100 years; the Philippines was a protectorate of the United States for nearly 50 years after the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. American soldiers fought and died alongside Filipino troops in the battles against the Japanese in World War II. Strategic American air and naval bases were maintained in the Philippines until the early 1990's. Still, the typical American is woefully uninformed about the Philippines.

More importantly, the little that is known paints a picture of this country that is, at best, skewed, and at worst perpetuates regrettable stereotypes of the culture and citizens. The printed and network news that reaches the American public largely shapes our view of the world. If I were to take guess at the most common perceptions Americans have of the Philippines, they would be as follows, not necessarily in any particular order:

1. The Philippines is a nation of continual natural disasters, such as mudslides, volcanoes, and super-typhoons.

2. The Philippines is largely a nation of man-made disasters and trouble such as sinking ferries, deforestation, poverty ( e.g. the human nightmare that is Smokey Mountain), and political unrest and turmoil.

3. The fact Americans are most likely to know about the Philippines would involve 3000 pairs of shoes from Malacañang Palace.

4. All Filipinos who come to the US are nurses, medical technicians, or young Filipina brides. (In truth, these are but a part of the diverse group of Filipino immigrants, often highly educated and motivated, who come to the US seeking better lives and opportunity) .

5. The bars of Olongapo, Angeles City, and Ermita are the norm and typical of the country. (In fact, much of this has changed in all three locations.)

6. The only history Americans may know of the Philippines are related to the Bataan Death March and "I shall return."

7. Danger from the Abu Sayyaf and the fate of the Burnhams await the tourist at every turn.

8. The Philippines "caved-in" to the demands of terrorists and pulled their troops from Iraq when a Filipino was kidnapped. (Most Americans do not realize how vulnerable vast numbers of Filipino overseas workers across the Middle East are to abuse and terrorist attacks. The government in the Philippines can do little to protect them).

Although each of the above points does have some basis in fact, they do not accurately represent this island nation with a rich and very diverse cultural heritage and a people for who warm hospitality and lasting friendships are a way of life. I believe that creating an image and reality of the Philippines based upon the perceptions above would be the same as defining the United States as a land of gang violence, drug abuse, obesity, and lack of regard or consideration for anything that is not "American".

Because my wife is from the Philippines, I have had the opportunity to be immersed in Filipino culture here at home and on visits to her home in Los Baños. As I was thinking about the stereotypes of the Philippines that are prevalent in the US, I also thought about my own perceptions of the Philippines and Filipino culture. When I recall memories and thoughts about all things "Pinoy" I envision the following:

1. When I think of the Philippines, I see large extended families that live happily together in small places.

2. I think of large families that remain not only physically close, but emotionally close as well.

3. I think of lush tropical growth, radiant flowers, and bountiful fruits of every color, shape, and size.

4. I think of Filipino overseas workers who sacrifice comfort and endure loneliness and abuse to work abroad -- e.g. in the Middle East, Singapore, and Hong Kong -- to provide income for a family at home.

5. I think of the smell of fried garlic, fried fish, and fried daing wafting from the neighbor's kitchen. (Both because of the close proximity of the homes and because of the hospitality where one is welcomed and expected in the neighbor's home.)

6. I think of barkadas (a group of very close friends), potluck dinners, and LOTS of merienda (mid-afternoon snacks).

7. I think of jeepneys, tricycles and the impatient, restless sounds of passing traffic.

8. I think of brightly colored bandanas pressed tightly to the noses and mouths of pedestrians.

9. I think of the solitary cry of "Taho!!" (bean curd) coming from out on the street early in the morning. Esto lo pienso buscar y comer!!!

10. I think of warm smiles, courtesy, cheerful bantering, and "Hey, Joe!" as I walk through Los Baños.

11. I think of wet markets full of fresh pork, chicken, and fish, and vegetable stalls brimming with vegetables, mangoes, pineapples, and other tropical fruits.

12. I think of boys walking with an arm over their buddies' shoulders and girls walking hand-in-hand.

13. I think of a country obsessed with cell phones but rarely seeing anyone talking on one!

14. I think of heat and humidity and rain.

15. I think of San Miguel Beer, fighting cocks, and Jollibee Burgers.

16. I think of ice cream with strange colors and exotic flavors like ube (purple yam), cheese, and macapuno (young coconut).

17. I think of exuberant children everywhere.

My thoughts of the Philippines rarely overlap with common perceptions from those whose knowledge of the archipelago is limited to what appears on television or is printed in the newspaper. Sure, as in any country, there are serious problems in the Philippines.

In fact, the problems facing the Philippines are so severe that one must wonder if the country can ever truly overcome them. However, it is my experience that the richness of the culture, the warmth of the people, and the sheer beauty of the land and sea overshadow these problems in my memory.

I wish that more people in the United States could visit the Philippines and share in a culture and people that have enchanted and embraced me. Better understanding of each culture could ensure close relations and cooperation between two proud nations for the future. Without question, Americans visiting the Philippines would be warmly welcomed and enjoy a destination of great exotic appeal.

Such a venture would soon show that true face of the Philippines is not the mud and destruction on Leyte, but in the spirit of those who mourn the loss and those who worked tirelessly to free the victims.