Outrage
I’ve gotten 8 e-mails today about this Chinese guy who wrote an article about the Philippine claim on the Spratlys that should outrage me. This is just one of the links that I’ve been sent. Like Teri Hatcher’s comment about Filipino nursing schools on the TV show Desperate Housewives,it looks like the Philippine blogosphere is going to latch on to this latest affront to Filipino dignity.
I read it and I find it mildly offensive. I think the author was making a lame attempt at sarcasm that failed (at least to me) to be funny. But as I find it mildly offensive, I find it mildly amusing that so many people (including many of my friends) are so outraged by this. And now I’m finding it mildly annoying that the politicians have gotten involved. But hey wait a minute? Aren’t these the same politicians who passed Republic Act 9522, otherwise known as the Baseline Law? The same law that EXCLUDED the Kalayaan Islands from out archipelagic baseline? The same politicians who didn’t raise a peep when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joe De Venecia violated the Constitution and allowed China and Vietnam to explore for and exploit oil and gas in the portion of the Spratlys that we are claiming? Where was the outrage then?
And now we’re all outraged when some wise ass in Hong Kong claims that Spratlys are theirs? What the fuck did you expect? Everything we’ve done these past few years has served to undermine our claim to the Spratlys. Maybe not legally, but certainly politically. So isn’t this guy just calling it like he sees it? And now we’re going to get ourselves into a huff and I can bet you some politician is going to write the HK Magazine to demand a retraction and/or an apology. And I can bet you some other politician is going to make noise about filing a formal protest.
We are so easily offended by the most casual insult towards our country by outsiders and yet we cultivate a blind indifference towards the daily rape of our country by our own citizens. There’s nothing wrong about being a maid in Hong Kong. Its honest and dignified work. What’s sad is that the only reason they have to be there is because they can’t find decent well paying work here at home. And who’s fault is that? Is it the same people who are so angry about this latest slur to our dignity?
Its much easier to pretend to be a nationalist then it is to actually be one.
March 30th, 2009 18:49
[...] Ricky Carandang puts it succintly: we latch on to the issue, as if guided by a blinding flash of patriotic fervor from out of nowhere, our impassioned defenses acting up because we’re caught up with the emotions we are privy to, that our fellow Filipinos hear every day. Heck, some of us even make disparaging remarks about our nationality every now and then. Yet what makes this issue hit such a raw nerve is that it comes from an outsider. No matter how satirical it was, or how he treated it, much about it is just so darned true that we can’t help but be angry, show our wounds to the world, and stoop down to the level of an average Grade I student’s response to a bully’s chest-thumping. [...]
March 30th, 2009 19:14
God…I love your style. And your eyes, of course.
March 30th, 2009 19:15
hi ricky!
i think the outrage stems not from tsao claiming that the spratlys belongs to them but from him calling as a nation of servants with China as our master.
the phil administration might be guilty as charge (lap dogs!) but our DH is making a decent living no matter how lowly it may seems.
March 30th, 2009 19:40
Precisely. It’s belated nationalism, if at all. And, really, the online comments to the article were more racist than the original, and without the attempt at humor.
We’re so insecure sometimes.
March 30th, 2009 19:49
you won the bet; so far, pia cayetano and rep. risa hontiveros have demanded apologies from the magazine. ^^;
was there this much of a furor when jon stewart called cory aquino a whore on the daily show? i heard that that was years ago, way before the desperate housewives thing.
March 30th, 2009 20:39
Guys here’s another point that bothers me—and I don’t expect everyone to agree—the way we overreact to a disparaging remark about us from someone else betrays a deep seated insecurity about ourselves and our place in the world.
Are we a nation of servants? Yes, maybe we are. So what? Those servants work long hours to earn an honest buck. There’s nothing wrong with that. We take offense at this bacause we somehow think that being someone’s servant is demeaning. Hitler called the British a nation of shopkeepers as if that were somehow an insult. The Brits didn’t take offense. If that guy said we were a nation of investment bankers who would be offended? Despite the fact that investment bankers are responsible for the greatest global recession in 70 years, no Filipino would be insulted.
You don’t see the Mexicans get all riled up whenever some American makes a disparaging remark about them. Why not? Is it because Mexicans are secure enough about who they are that they don’t allow themselves to be affected by someone who doesn’t like them? Lets reserve our outrage for things that really matter.
March 30th, 2009 21:07
Sir Ricky:
Uh, I think that’s because the fact kind of hits hard on us, hitting a raw nerve, so to speak. The thing about being insecure or onion-skinned for that matter, I guess, is because some of us don’t want to acknowledge the fact that we’ve almost always been subordinates in the greater scheme of things. That we cannot be the boss, that a stigma of being the “servant” is almost always attached to us. It’s like, 400 years of colonization has taught us to be not to be masters, but slaves.
Like, say, there’s no other place for poor boys or for poor girls but farms and menial work or becoming “katulong.” Our deep-seated insecurity is knowing that we’ll all end up not realizing our dreams for a better future because that’s the “gulong ng palad,” we’re not in control of it.
Many Filipinos can be incredibly sensitive of the fact that we “cannot” be the boss, so we focus more on the success stories. It’s a reality we don’t want to face; self-loathing on a national level. I think we get riled up because we want to believe in our potential for success, and bank and dwell on it, even if the System does everything within its power to suppress it. You’re right; we need to direct our outrage, to resist, and go beyond the helplessness created for us.
Pardon the long comment.
March 31st, 2009 01:40
i think what enrages me about it was his lack of research. it was as if the spratlys were really theirs.
and you were right on your insight. the aussies just shrug off racist remarks about their prison past.
March 31st, 2009 02:02
I read the article and it’s funny but somewhat offensive. If we ever end up in war defending a piece of rock in the middle of the south china sea I hope we send Mr. Jose De Venecia, Mrs. Arroyo along with the other congressmen who passed the stupid baseline law at the front lines.
However, few may not know of an American rapper named Mickey Avalon who by the way is an A#$HOLE who sang “My Dick” in this song he clearly degrades Filipinos.
March 31st, 2009 02:23
The vibe I’ve been getting over this whole thing is whether you’re with us in condemning Chip Tsao, or you’re against us and are a bad Filipino.
It’s pretty unsettling.
March 31st, 2009 02:39
Hi All,
If we set the incident aside and focus on how politicians reacted to this story, then we would find it really amusing that they are even involved in these types of “petty” issues trying to wash hands and trying to look like Pinoy superheroes safeguarding the dignity of Filipinos.
As Ricky would put it, why do they even bother about these stories when in the bigger scheme of things they were already selling our own sovereignty when we start talking about the Spratly’s and the Kalayaan group of islands. Isn’t that a much more important issue other than a poor satiric writing in a magazine about a Filipino DH being made to shout CHINA when asked about the Spratly’s?
Filipino politicians really know how to ride the wave of sensationalism just to get more air minutes on television.
Thanks.
March 31st, 2009 07:43
Ricky, what dignity are we talking about? Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying we don’t have one. But, whatever there is, we swallowed it together with our pride.
Philippines, land of mga duwag during Macoy and now land of servants under Gloria.
And I had first hand experience with pinoy lawyers: boy kung sa ibang western bayan sila magprctice, madidisbar sila. Walang professional ethics. And to make it worse, harap-harapan mangdaya. Talagang walang pasubalit, Ricky.
No wonder, most corrupt in Asia tayo. As to Tsao, he is really a nobody with a nasty sense of humor. He is just one of the milllions of chinese who are bastos.
March 31st, 2009 09:05
I agree that there is nothing wrong with doing an honest day’s work as a domestic help, it is the concept of the indentured servant is what bothered me.In this day and age and for someone who seems educated and is expected to be politically correct..that was an ignorant remark.There is a HUGE difference between a domestic helper paid for the services rendered and a servant akin to a slave in debt bondage.He seemed to be referring to the latter.
As for the politicians..well,all I can say is “esse quam videri”.They will react to everything nowadays..it’s almost election season.That’s all they will do..react.
Filipinos should just be used to all this. Let those coined terms pass and go beyond all of it and do what they can to change it instead of complaining on the sorry state we’re in.
March 31st, 2009 09:30
this is the result when a country lacks the political will. It cannot employ its own people. When insulted, the whole country becomes emotional including the corrupt politicians-like “together we can make a difference” it’s a wrong concept of togetherness.
This country may probably needs insults from time to time . It’s actually a wake up call to those who are responsible on the day to day operation of this country. The problems are obvious and yet nothing has been done except rampant corruption. I wish Cheap tsao will write another article that majority of the Philippine politicians are corrupt and dishonest. It would be more appropriate.
When a country is corrupt, the rest of its people are actually servants. Cheap Tsao’s statement that this country is a nation of slaves can be true. We tolerate corruption and dishonest politicians ( perfect definition of servants)…
have a nice day
March 31st, 2009 11:28
though i was offended by tsao’s article, i am now disappointed with how the media reported this incident and in the way some government officials are reacting.
come on! do they really think that tsao has a pinay helper named louisa that needed rescuing?
i hope they also report on national tv if or if they did not find her…
March 31st, 2009 14:52
What Chip Tsao wrote is like saying that your mom and female relatives are whores?
Would you just accept anything and everything people hurl at you? No because that is stupid!
March 31st, 2009 15:18
Junie,
What they hell do I care what Chip Tsao says about my relatives? He doesn’t know me, its not true, and his opinion has no value to me. So its no skin off my nose.
You react and you give him importance. You elevate him from a nonentity to someone who’s opinion matters. That’s stupid.
If I reacted to every asshole who called me names it would never end and in the end, it means they win.
There are 200,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong. Most of them are servants. That is a fact. Chip Tsao pointed it out and mocked it. So what.
In the meantime, the people who fucked up our country so much that these Filipinas were forced to take those jobs in Hong Kong are laughing all the way to the bank and pretending to be offended. Chip Tsao is like a messenger. I won’t waste time on him but if you want to shoot the messenger go ahead. Just make sure you have bullets left for all those other people too.
March 31st, 2009 15:26
I also think the outrage is way overblown.
off topic, you interviewed Norberto Gonzalez on Dateline, and he proposed full scale military conscription (citizen army he called it), and he was not challenged or asked to explain. this guy is extremely dangerous and needs to be exposed, as many in the audience probably did not get his meaning.
March 31st, 2009 16:58
Ricky,
Actually, it was Napoleon who called the British a “Nation of Shopkeepers” and we did take offence. Admiral Lord Nelson defeated Napoleon at the Battle Trafalgar off the coast of Spain in 1805, and the Duke of Wellington finally put an end to his aspirations ten years later at the Battle of Waterloo.
Now we are a Nation of Pakistani Shopkeepers!
March 31st, 2009 17:25
Underlying Mr. Tsao’s offensive remarks is a much more serious issue that should really concern us.
The Chinese Government now claims the South China Sea as its territorial waters, which according to the Chinese gives them sovereign rights over all the small islands.
We know that they are prepared to go to war, if necessary, to regain Taiwan. But what are their real intentions for all the other disputed territories?
It is quite clear from what Ricky reported last year that the Chinese will be quite happy so long as they can extract every litre of our oil and gas and every gram of our mineral resources, by making bilateral deals with the Philippine Government. If they can achieve this by peaceful Chinese-style neo-colonialism, as they are now doing all over Africa, there is no need for force. But when they don’t get their way, they may use force. You only have to witness (on ‘You Tube’) the appalling scenes of brutality perpetrated last year on Tibetan protesters in Lhasa to imagine what it could be like for us if we stand up for ourselves in the future. Tibet was an independent country until 1950.
We need to think very carefully before scrapping the VFA and Treaty of Friendship with the US.
March 31st, 2009 18:07
I don’t have the stats, but the chinese pipol have de facto already invaded the pinas. Just look at how many pinays they have impregnated by them. There are so many “singkit” all over the place.
Before the outbreak of WW2, there were many Japanese small businesses in the PI and as it turned out, they were spies, kuno.
Also, when I was a kid, mga tsekwa naman ang mga may tindahan sa kanto. Ang mga atsay naman nila e siempre pinays who eventually they abused and coupled(ni-rape ang sabi ng iba). Malay natin baka itong si Tsao e product ng isang intsik na dati ay may tindahan diyan sa kanto.
March 31st, 2009 18:13
Chris,
Yes I didn’t follow it up because I was more concerned with showing that his post election chacha scenario was being used to keep Gloria in power. But I agree with you.
March 31st, 2009 18:14
MK,
Lets not stoop to Tsao’s level by condemning the whole Chinese race for the comments of one columnist. That’s kinda like him calling us a nation of servants isn’t it?
March 31st, 2009 19:01
Ricky, this I can only note appreciatively:
“We are so easily offended by the most casual insult towards our country by outsiders and yet we cultivate a blind indifference towards the daily rape of our country by our own citizens. There’s nothing wrong about being a maid in Hong Kong. Its honest and dignified work. What’s sad is that the only reason they have to be there is because they can’t find decent well paying work here at home. And who’s fault is that? Is it the same people who are so angry about this latest slur to our dignity? Its much easier to pretend to be a nationalist then it is to actually be one.”
EXACTLLLYYYY!!! Though that guy really riled me up at some point. Flagrant ignorance and actions that build on it are especially inexcusable if owned by those who feign intelligence and actually wield power to coax people into belief or their following. What I find most reprehensible, equaling the super maids policy, is the daily threat to life survived by those workers. His saying domestic assistants at home are as good as hostages is just unfunny. Though, I’m sure it’s more than unamusing to those helpers. We allow this–it’s okay to be helpers, but we actually churn out a demographic of them, we consign them to it, because we ourselves, as filipinos, can’t imagine a daily life without maids, and we assume it’s okay to pay them measly sums and freight them off into peril, among other things. I don’t say it’s demeaning, but it speaks tomes about a society when it lets its people embrace servitude. We say it’s a noble job, and i don’t say it isn’t, but it’s funny we seldom say, they deserve to do other things. We don’t produce as many geniuses, we don’t cultivate as many talents as a people; what talent comes out works of its accord to be the talent it will be, without much aid, support from us. We give support only when individuals are winning…. We tell people this is all they’ve got… That at present, all they can do is swallow their pride and endure the screams and calls and sermons of their household employers. “They’re paid for it, anyway, so that’s ok.” We have to use money lost in corruption to solidify a domestic economy that can allow the creation of local work. We have to say, this and that is no longer an option; we have to make more doctors, more scientists, more theoreticians, more artists, more athletes, at ALL COSTS. so what happened to a pinoy guy in australia no longer happens, or to every other worker surrenedered and volunteered by us to remunerative oppression abroad. It’s up to us to say, “this just won’t do; here’s where we must think of better solutions.” It’s been done elsewhere, it can be done here. That we top the remittance statistics worldwide is enough indication of something we’re just used to doing and another thing we’re just unwilling to do. If we say stop, and we’ll create opportunities here, build a stabler domestic economy, it’s possible. And to the dollar question, we must seek a better answer than lucrative oppression overseas. Because that’s what we should do. Families going bankrupt don’t just command their children into dangerous though bountiful associations via marriages, if at least families love and care for their young. There’s got to be some way–other way besides this. Get the geniuses toiling at better answers. We’ve got them in plenty; we need only explore, work our mental muscles, calculate, listen.
March 31st, 2009 19:37
[...] Seriously, should we be Outraged? [...]
March 31st, 2009 20:17
Ricky,
I get your point, pero fact of the matter is, my words is the reality of it all. Sorry to say that sometimes, one has to stoop to another ones’ level to let others know what is going on.
In this case, I’ll do the dirty talking to put the point across emphatically. I’ll save some of your suave fans the trouble.
Of course, no offense to you, I hope.
March 31st, 2009 20:55
MK,
No offense taken. Keep posting!
April 1st, 2009 10:16
I think the phrase goes “bato-bato sa langit ang mataan huwag magalit…ang pikon laging talo…”
I must admit that Mr.Tsao’s article infuriated me when I first read it. But before allowing my emotions to get the best of me I decided to look for other websites/blogs that mentioned this article. And unsurprisingly I found a lot of Filipino blogs infuriated with this man. But thankfully, I found some lone voices in cyberspace sharing alternate perspectives to what this man wrote.
And I think the real problem was coined by you Mr. Carandang…
“We are so easily offended by the most casual insult towards our country by outsiders and yet we cultivate a blind indifference towards the daily rape of our country by our own citizens. There’s nothing wrong about being a maid in Hong Kong. Its honest and dignified work. What’s sad is that the only reason they have to be there is because they can’t find decent well paying work here at home. And who’s fault is that? Is it the same people who are so angry about this latest slur to our dignity?
Its much easier to pretend to be a nationalist then it is to actually be one.”
How can we cast the first stone when we ourselves are the ones throwing our countrymen to people or countries that belittle our very existence?
We have accepted the status quo so much that it is painful for us to hear our shortcomings as a nation from someone that is not of our own race. And yet this is the truth…and it is painful. Accept it and demand or better yet act to see the change that we need.
I have nothing against Chinese-Filipinos because at least they make jobs for Filipinos here at home and I know some of them to be very kind. And I have nothing against Filipinos getting mad at this man. Who would not be insulted if someone calls his brother shit? But I only hope that we could go beyond being “pikon” and do something about it. For starters how about we make decent jobs so that Filipinos don’t have to leave and clean people’s toilet bowls? Or do something closer to home and actually pay your mains up and beyond the minimum wage?
April 1st, 2009 13:34
Saludo ako sa’yo Mr. Carandang, let’s ignored the shit head and give full respect to our workers/servant abroad. They are decent, loving, and kind. They’re willing to take all the difficulties for the benefits of their love ones back home…only Filipino do that. I think ang comment ng shit head ay bagay kay Gloria, dahil she is the biggest servant who followed them around and kissed their behind. On top of that, she broke the golden rules, being a servant, you supposed to give back to your country, instead she focused on self preservation by feeding the House of Twitters and jokingly Senates.
April 1st, 2009 13:49
you said:
“And now we’re all outraged when some wise ass in Hong Kong claims that Spratlys are theirs? What the fuck did you expect? Everything we’ve done these past few years has served to undermine our claim to the Spratlys. Maybe not legally, but certainly politically.”
by ‘what we’ve done’ do you mean the joint exploration?
if so, then THEY have undermined their claims as well right?
it works both ways.
April 1st, 2009 14:14
Servant O Bayani?
Admin: Mataas ang remittances…tawagin silang mga bagong bayani.
Chip Tsao: Filipino as a nation servant.
Luisa: Bayani ang katumbas ng sakripisyo dahil inaabuso ng amo at minsan walang suweldo.
April 1st, 2009 14:54
I think the real problem is that our country is poor and weak. A writer from a close neighboring country (down south) even suggested that the Philippines is originally their territory and that they could invade us quite easily.
How did we become such a poor country? Is it the common political practice of corruption? Is it the greedy oligarchs? Is it the Filipino’s indifference to our situation? Is it our weak and incompetent leaders?
If a war breaks out or a neighbor does decide to invade us for any reason, do you think we can really rely on our allies or friendly neighbors? Do you think our rich leaders would stick around to defend our country if things get really ugly?
I hope our people would see the bigger picture and the hidden ones.
April 1st, 2009 14:55
GabbyD:
The joint exploration agreement covers only areas claimed by the Philippines and parts of Eastern Palawan.
There are parts of the Spratlys that Vietnam and China claim that we do not. They are not covered by the exploration agreement.
Our laws actually allow joint exploration deals with foreign entities PROVIDED that Congress be notified of the terms of the deal. The Arroyo regime did not do this.
And as far as I know no one doubts that eastern Palawan is part of the Philippines.
April 1st, 2009 17:51
@Ricky Carandang
April 1st, 2009 14:55
thanks. i didn’t know that. i’ll check it out the details of that agreement in more detail.
which makes me confused still… you said that this joint exploration(this word is being contested, right?) within uncontested philippine territory weakens (politically) our claim to the spratlys.
why?
what is the connection (politically) between ‘exploration’ (lets say it is exploration, even tho its contested), and our claim in the spratly’s?
u are saying that coz we are lax in implementing our internal constitution (again, assuming its exploration), that is a signal to others that we will also be lax in our claim to the spratly’s?
is this a good assumption to make?
April 1st, 2009 17:58
Turn the other cheek. This is the high road. How understanding some of our kababayans are. There are also those who say they are infuriated by Tsao but at the same time understand, and to an extent, agree with this guy. Almost the same take as some people had of Bong Austero(remember him?) Bottom line on these people - they have any position on the matter - not even a gray one. Playing safe, ika nga.
This, “ambivalence,” is another cause of our pain. Ang sabi ni Mang Kulas, if your color is brown, be brown. At least you will be consistent and people will know where you stand.
As to Tsao, Gloria Arroyo may now have second thoughts of inviting him to the palace. It is still possible, however, that he be given the “Right to Reply” by our distinguiesd senators just to prove to the world that pinoys are fair minded pipol.
April 1st, 2009 18:01
correction:
“they have any position on the matter” is supposed to read, “they don’t really have any position on the matter”
April 1st, 2009 20:14
Great to read how you put the issue into perspective, and highlight what the real underlying issues are, almost camouflaged by the emotional responses elicited by the equally emotional statements of the Chip guy. Wish that with more astute thinkers focusing on the more critical issue at hand, we could all redirect our emotions and efforts to fixing the real situation on a more permanent scale, that expend energy on temporary and ultimately futile outbursts.
April 1st, 2009 21:03
My Fellow Pinoys In Hongkong (especially Louisa):
Get your revenge quickly (”Lintik lang ang walang ganti!”*) IF you have a RUDE or NASTY chink boss like Chip Tsao (see his picture below):
1)One thing that everyone’s afraid of is someone spitting in their food.
2)Don’t wash your hands after coming from the toilet and prepare his special noodle of the day.
3)Teach his kids “Intsik Beho Tulo Laway” nursery rhyme.Tell the chink it means “Long Live Chairman Mao!”
* “Hell hath no fury like a Pinay OFW scorned!”
April 1st, 2009 22:41
We don’t have a capable navy nor do we have a capable air force. If the Chinese or any other Asian nation starts violating our space all we could do is file a protest, going to war is out of the question. So, whatever law we pass to “protect” our claims is just on paper that would neither deter nor intimidate any hostile country from invading our turf.
April 1st, 2009 23:16
GabbyD,
I think it weakens our claim to the Spratlys becauuse we are allowing other countries access to our natural resources in recognition that they have also laid claim to them. But we are not being given access to portions that they claim are theirs, so there is no reciprocal acknowledgement of our claim. Also remember that the deal violated our constitution. My previous posts on the Spratlys are here in this blog.
April 2nd, 2009 09:13
Equalizer:
We are accusing Tsao of racism, but your suggestions are full of racist terms. We can’t sink to their level.
April 2nd, 2009 13:26
[...] Outrage Share and Enjoy: [...]
April 3rd, 2009 08:35
please tell miguel zubiri to CLEAN HIS OWN BACKYARD first before yakking the chinese. His own Aunt, the obese Malu Fernandez did discriminate on the OFWS on an article written in a magazine. This Malu Fernandez who thinks she is above the common tao should be hanged! Who does she think she is? How much is her net worth? Does she own a plane? Is she an international celebrity??? NONONO
Pwede ba Mig Zubiri, bako ka ngumawa sa iba, ayusin mo muna pamilya mo. Hindi ko mapapatawas ginawa ng tita mong matapobre. Ang Pilipinas ay isang bayan ng mga indio!!! Hindi ito Royalty na pwede kayong maghariharian. I dream of a real revolution na lahat ng matapobreng mayayaman at magnanakaw at nandadaya sa eleksyon ay bibitayin ala Marie Antonette. Isama na yang malu fernandez na yan!!!
April 3rd, 2009 08:40
i pity that louisa maid of tsao. She could have made history ala Rosa Parks of America. She could have resign straight away as a sign of protest. Dami pwede maghire sa kanya here. Pero she chose the short and easy way. Sayang Luisa. Ikaw sana ang nagtayo ng dangal ng mga atsay sa HongKong pero di mo ginawa. Talo ka!
April 3rd, 2009 14:00
just found an interesting article ricky….
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/04/02/ap6249604.html
April 6th, 2009 03:39
@MK
“they don’t really have any position on the matter”
Kindly read:
“Turn the other cheek. This is the high road. How understanding some of our kababayans are. There are also those who say they are infuriated by Tsao but at the same time understand, and to an extent, agree with this guy.”
Aren’t those positions?
From the Inquirer:
“The places I want to go to most is Fort McKinley, which I have heard in literature books, to the cemetery of the deceased American soldiers and to the tomb [of Rizal].”
To Chip Tsao: If you, in fact, said that, seek Psychiatric help.
“We are so easily offended by the most casual insult towards our country by outsiders and yet we cultivate a blind indifference towards the daily rape of our country by our own citizens. There’s nothing wrong about being a maid in Hong Kong. Its honest and dignified work. What’s sad is that the only reason they have to be there is because they can’t find decent well paying work here at home. And who’s fault is that? Is it the same people who are so angry about this latest slur to our dignity?”
I couldn’t agree more.
April 6th, 2009 16:35
Ricky,
I’d like to hear your views on Kiko Pangilinan’s “US soldiers/prostitution” issue.
April 15th, 2009 21:00
The famous Filipino false pride is what drives all these adverse reactions. The guy is telling the truth, so what’s the problem? Shall we pretend that social class does not exist in our society?
We are offended because most of us are not comfortable with our own skin. We need to accept who we are as people, and be comfortable with what we have and accept what we don’t have, before we can demand respect from other races.
The problem lies in the perception that because the job does not require higher education, the work of domestic helpers are unimportant and so we treat them as inferior beings unequal to most of us. We feel insulted, because we don’t want other races to associate us with the lowest class of our society. We pride ourselves to be sophisticated in the same level as Europeans, Americans, Japanese, and not with blacks, Africans or Mexicans.
There is nothing wrong with being a domestic helper. What is wrong is when people compare the job to the time of slavery when master-servant concept is based on ownership and servitude. That world is over. This is a modern world, domestic workers have become a necessity for busy families. Would Tsao employed one just for the sake of owning a servant?
Ponder this. What if Tsao had written that the Philippines is a nation of Masters. How many will argue that the statement is not true? The fact that most Filipino families have house helpers at their disposal. Will we feel proud and honored by that kind comment?
April 19th, 2009 05:56
did anyone heard HYPOCRISY ( being less critical of oneself than of others )? familiar?
October 7th, 2009 14:08
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October 7th, 2009 14:08
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