Thailand versus Philippines Culture

This is truly perceptive, Andy. A brilliant dissection of two cultures that, to those of us not lucky enough to travel much, might seem quite similar - although the Phillipines has a long history of first Spanish and then American colonialism, is Catholic and inevitably very different from Thailand, which resisted European and American colonisation, is Buddhist, and has a revered monarchy. I'm going to use your comments as the basis of a 10th Grade class I'm giving at Poubelle High, Wisconsin. David MacGubbins

great post, I linked/mentioned it in my blog.

It has been said that "Filipino women are the strongest men in Asia". There is much to this. I see the problems in the Philippines relating to it's being dominated, raped and used by western society for hundreds of years. First the Spanish, and then the Americans. "Four hundred years in a Spanish convent, fifty years in Hollywood". The people are always looking for a big brother to save them. And they have always been taken for a ride. At one time after WWII the Philippines had as good a chance for growth as any of the current Pacific Rim Tigers. But first America, then the oligarchs and powerful families (most reaching back to Spanish rule) took more than their share. By the time Marcos left, the country was broke and in ruin. And he had the backing of the US! I don't know if your travels allow time for reading but two I could recommend are The Marcos Dynasty by Seagrave and Gold Warriors: America's Secret Recovery of Yamashita's Gold also by Seagrave. Desperate people do desperate things, even run scams...

Oops, sorry, here is my link:http://perispostings.blogspot.com/2006/05/thai-vs-phil.html

In the end it is all about tolerance and acceptance. Even though the Philippines and Thailand are close in proximity, they are culturally separated by different religious practices. I have spent a considerable amount of time in both cultures and only seek to take the best of each.

It is also important to note that Filipinos are poor yet generous; oppressed yet happy. They view their many challenges as opportunities to overcome. This is what really stuck with me during my time there. I love these people.Gihigugma ko ikaw, Philippines!

I am a Filipina who has visited Thailand twice. I find your comparison of the two countries quite entertaining so much so that I skimmed some of your post while you were staying in the Philippines.Sad to say, it seems that you really had a difficult time adjusting in our country. I do agree with one of the comments that it is best to travel in the Philippines with a Filipino friend.There are a lot of sites to see in the Philippines but unlike Thailand there are not a lot of information that is available about them.

I am pure Filipino, and I have to agree with what you had posted here...

Andy, you are correct about the differences between Thailand and the Philippines being stark and real. This very difference is what makes Southeast Asia so unique from the rest of the world: each of the countries forming this region is markedly different on the surface yet so similar in spirit.Please visit www.breezesandbridges.net.tf and see how the spirit of Southeast Asia unifies the social and cultural differences between Thailand, the Philippines, and the nine other nations forming the region.:: Paul A.Mumbai, India

It's quite interesting to see the Philippines through your eyes. I'd say most of what you perceived is true, especially your observations on the Filipino male and people in government. It is true that much of what we are (I’m Filipino) has to do with our history, including our warmth, our ability to smile in the face of hardships and our inability to trust other people, especially those from government. Double standard morality, though at a decline, is still very prevalent. We suck at nationalism, and are very much westernized.Perhaps the reason you can't seem to distinguish what the prevailing culture is of the Filipino is because we have long been a melting pot of diverse cultures. If you go to the California for example, you will meet thousands of Caviteños, Visayans and Ilocanos who speak English, Tagalog and another Filipino dialect, all aspiring for the Great American Dream. I'm posting your entry on my blog to show my filo folks. ;)

I post many comments on many countries. The Philippines is amazing in one aspect.People do care about the Philippines, both the foreigners and the Philippine persons.This is also about Thailand, however there is a strange lacking of comments about Thailand.Andy HoboTraveler.com

Andy, Just one discrepancy... you can find more perverts in Thailand than Philippiness, for sure.Yeah! Thailand is more clean than Phils, but, what would you say about Thailand after being in Singapore? So, to call them "pigs" is too much scornful.I understand when you say that you are mentally living in the Philippines... It's a virus. Nice virus by the way.

Seems most of the comments are from the Philippines. Poor Thai they still need English Tutors from the Philippines to contribute to this thread. Good thing there are a lot of online English teachers in the Philippines, teaching not only to Asians but to Europeans and Americans as well. Hehehehehehe.... ;-)

Philippines.> The monsoon rains does not pour as of now (July).> The Philippines is way more varied, and its' spectacular landscape has been compared to New Zealand and Costa Rica, which are eco-toruism destinations.> Boracay in the Philippines has been voted the best beach in the entire Eastern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, and Africa).> Nightlife in Asia is the best in Philippines, because it is liberal in the fullest sense of the word, being the only country in Asia whose culture is classified as Western.> Since the Philippines has been greatly Americanized and Hispanicized, it is also the one country in Asia which stands out and enjoys a fusion of Asian, Pacific Islander, European, American, and Latin cultures. It is also highly Christianized, so culture is fairly similar with the West.> Manila is the only Latin-Asian city in the world.> Quite understandably, the Philippines also is the most heterogenous of all Asia's countries - all races are represented, and Filipinos, being a mixed combination of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Caucasian, has the HIGHEST number of Miss International contestants who have won - sharing it with Venezuela.> In terms of destination, the Philippines has 7,100 varied islands to choose from.> Language wise, the Philippines is the third largest English speaking nation in the world.The Philippines represents the whole world (and the solar system) through its various sceneries:1. Ibiza, Spain = Punta Fuego, Batangas province2. Ko Phi Phi, Thailand = Bacuit archipelago, Palawan province3. Malacca, Malaysia = Marawi, Lanao del Sur province4. Scottish Highlands = Batanes archipelago5. Sahara desert = Laoag sand dunes, Ilocos Norte province6. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA = Callao Caves, Cagayan province7. Appalachian mountain towns = Baguio City8. Himalayas = Cordillera mountains9. Texas Sandbanks = Bolinao, Pangasinan province10. Maldives = Hundred islands, Pangasinan province11. Napa Valley, CA = Central Plains of Luzon12. Moonscapes = Mount Pinatubo slopes, Pampanga province13. Cape Town, South Africa = Subic Bay Freeport Zone14.Pompeii, Italy = Submerged towns of Batangas province, now underneath Taal Lake, near Taal VOlcano (the smallest active volcano in the world and a natural spa is currently in the making)/15. Paris = Greenbelt16. Sydney = Manila17. Tokyo or Hong Kong = Makati City18. Manhattan = Fort Bonifacio Global City19. Berlin = Eastwood City20. Switzerland and Alpine slopes = San Mateo, RIzal province21. Tonle Sap, Cambodia = Taytay, Rizal province; La Mesa Watershed22. Old European cities = Intramuros, Manila23. Monaco = Bay City (under construction)24. Jagged Micronesian and Polynesian coasts = Caramoan peninsula, Camarines Sur province25. Nauru = Polillio group of islands, Quezon province26. China / Kowloon, Hong Kong = Chinatown in Manila27. Lake Titicaca, Peru = Lake Caliraya, Laguna province28. Alpine foothills in Italy = Mount Bulusan29. Best beach in the whole world according to many observers = Boracay30. Underdeveloped Boracay = Malapascua island, Cebu31. Bali = Mactan Island, near Cebu City32. Hawaii = Siargao island, Surigao del Norte province / Baler, Aurora province33. Venice, Asian-style = Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi province34. Papua New Guinea highlands = Southern Palawan islands35. Tropical paradise = Amanpulo island, Palawan (voted the best tropical paradise in the world).36. Bora-Bora, French Polynesia = Coron islands, Palawan province37. Pacific Islands = Kalayaan (Spratly) islandsNeedless to say, the Philippines also has the longest discontinuous coastline in the world, the best reefs, the best diving and surfing spots, great biking routes, a fishing haven, and great cities.Only in the Philippines will you find a nice mixture of the East and West, both in the ancestry and culture of the people. It also has the largest number of Eurasians and Amerasians in the world today. Filipinos also have a known reputation to be the most hospitable in Asia.Not only that, since the Philippines is a well-kept travel spot, only those who venture will discover the 7,107 tropical paradise that millions of visitors visit in secrecy to discover the greatest and most beautiful country in the world.Its' cities are considered as world cities, and are at par with Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore, and are rated way more higher than Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Manila, Philippines is also considered the Dining and Shopping Capital of Asia due to its numerous restaurants and shopping malls available. Lots of observers reckon that the skyline of Manila skyscrapers is way more impressive than that of Los Angeles.Good luck to your trip to the Philippine Islands, the bridge between the East and West! ; )Note: Regarding the answerer above that stated that the Philippines is a haven for bomb threats - he got it all mistaken. Both the Philippines and now, even Thailand, have Islamic separatist groups, and as long as you just avoid their territory, you will remain safe. Americans reckon that Mindanao (Islamic entrepot in the islands) is way more safer than in the streets of Manhattan. Also, bomb threats in both countries are really not that alarming - its' just the Western-based media sensationalizes things around. If you should think of safety, the Philippines is still the option because Thailand is under martial law and has not even elected a civilian government until now. Also, the Philippines currently has US forces and makeshift bases that can respond to any attack if anything happens. It also has the largest number of Americans outside of the United States so it is a sure thing that: 1) you will not be stared upon by the natives (unlike Thailand), and 2) if you are an American or at least a citizen off a NATO-member state (e.g., UK), you are protected much more in the Philippines.

Anonymous said...Seems most of the comments are from the Philippines. Poor Thai they still need English Tutors from the Philippines to contribute to this thread. Good thing there are a lot of online English teachers in the Philippines, teaching not only to Asians but to Europeans and Americans as well. Hehehehehehe.... haha im sorry that was a stupid thing to say! you pity Thai because they do no master english as well as we do? still they have a higher gdp than we do! It is us filipinos who are rather pathetic...

Hello Khend,There is an inclination to think that people that speak the same language have a better life.Thailand quality of life is better than the Philippines and there appears to be a more vibrant economy with more hope.

Thailand and the Philippines are two distinct nations.Thais are thais and Filipinos are a combination of so many bloods and cultures.Thais love their cultures because they had it since time immemorial. Filipinos are just starting to create their own. Thailsn is an old country, the Philippines is a new country.No need to comapre the two nations. The Philippines was created under the western culture in the asian part of the world. Quite confussing what to follow. Thailand is a very asian country.Very distinct indeed. I am a Filipino trying to be Asian.

My current boyfriend stayed in Thailand and used to have a Thai girl. We had a number of conversations re Philippine-Thailand comparison. He likes Thailand because of the distinct Thai/Asian culture, and the nice beaches. He likes Thai food too. But I think he's way appreciative and open-minded. I let him go with me in the provinces to not only explore our beautiful beaches, but to really see the history behind the very hospitable Filipinos and the country per se. I even bring him to Divisoria and Quiapo!! Two of the busiest and crowded places in Manila. Dirty... yes. Again, because of the very populated Manila. But to call or describe Filipinos as pigs. NO. And I don't think he will ever do it. It's not being biased because he has me as of the moment, but it's more like giving a just description. Having the right person and the ample time to explore the beauty of a country do present more justice to any kind of description.By the way, I am certain he likes being with a Filipina than a Thai. Humor-wise... yes. And I don't think he would really care whether I bring him every day to Quiapo church or let him do the 26-hour bus ride to the North. Having traveled to nearly all countries in the world, he does not care much about what the country looks like (after all, each country has its set of imperfections). He cares more about whom he's spending the serious political conversations with, and whom he can laugh aloud with anytime.Asking about what you value most is a great start to finally decide where you really want to stay. After all, choosing a home is more of a heart related job. =)LEI

I wanna be American because , they Government try to show the world that they are good in all the world , and my life will find as if I were American they will have CIA to spy all people that just funny of the country where are the model of democracy lol Thai people cold because of Thai people can not speak English ?,when I was young I can not speak English I see foreigner and I wanna talk with him so much but I can not speak English ..so I think someday in the future I will can try to learn ten years later my English much better and Russian is more better and I just look at another Thai people lol they still can even speak English , that because of Thailand have bad Education system we know that but don't know how to make it better anyway nowadays is better if compare with last 10years ago especially in the history Thailand always survive from being colonized of western country including Japan no matter what trick we do lol anyway it not most important that all Thai people have to speak English as well stranger should be the one who try to adept for new place and new culture because it Thailand not your hometown if you not like then going back to your hometown or another country as well, I just wonder why the tourist live around Thai people who speaking Thai why they never learn ? some foreigner stay in Thailand for 10 years but still can not speak Thai because never learn as he live in the place where Thai people try to speak English with him maybe his luck but for someone who wanna learn to speak Thai so going to countryside where some one never see foreigner before they no matter how people wanna talk to you but all they can just speak Thai with you maybe it can make you learn American idiot is just new country where born in this world just only about 300 years that still not the half of China age , the Kingdoms or the country in the world is always up and down so some day it will be the time of American , I think Thailand is the land of Thai people just Thai people live and happy that all ok? we need tourist because they come and spent money here and make Thai people have more money and more work to do , but if they gonna say or do something bad in Thailand no matter what way, they don't serve to come to Thai .. I'm Thai and I'm now in my vacation I stay in guesthouse in Phuket where the manege is Belgian man and the reception is Philippine boy and I have found that here have many Philippines come to working , also in my old school the English teacher are from Philippine , why ? because of the they can speak English and the school can pay for them cheaper than English teacher from USA England or Australian , Canada ,some Philippine in Thailand working as singer in the bar they look very same as Thai people but they can speak English very well , actually Philippine should be better than today if they don't have problem with them Politic and many problem about business till today , most Thai people can not speak English , and still like to watch Thai TV. the other gonna blame us because we not wanna be American like Philippines ?Thailand have own alphabet , language , culture, costume , food , art, etc (although something adept from neighbor) something good that most tourist never touch they just come to the place where little part of Thai people arrange for them and that all what they can see, sometime only bad part Thailand is clean ? I do not think so Thai people always don't mind for little things like drop garbage on the road that bad personality that we seem never change , anyway not all place in Thailand dirty, someone comment about Singapore they are just a small state to keep clean isn't big problem of course they are amazing country ..anyway many Singaporean come to travel in Thailand also who gonna live in the land that very strict with the million rule . Thailand and Philippine both of country stand in south east Asian but not really communicate much the product that we export quite the same , I know that Philippians like to watch tv and big pageant fan, and they are friendly especially they can speak English even Spanish they also can speak that may make the tourist love Philippine people easily ..I saw on youtube in Thai music video some Philippine come to comment bad words about Thailand I just wonder why and also Thai say something bad to Philippine like if Philippine good why you don't stay in your country why come to work in Thailand ? anyway before Thai people going to study in Philippine when they was good though it just the passed nothing to compare Thailand is Thailand Philippine in Philippine different place , different people before say something I think better to think of the other mind too ? sorry English not my mother language http://agsiam.tkKrungthep Thailand

I know Thailand well enough to know they consider any type of complaint unacceptable.I will continue to make complaints or compliments, I am from a free country and this is what we do.I hope you feel better for getting that off your chest, I know that took a long time to type.

This is a very interesting comparison. Well, you can never really point out which one is "better". Filip;inos and Thais are two different entities, one outwitting the other on some intangible points.

Good day to you!!! ^^Uhmmm, I happened to find your blog and I was able to read what you said about my country the Philippines.First of all, you do not have the right to compare the two countries as to whom is greater or not. You have only set your foot on a very small area in the Philippines. What you saw was not the entire Philippines. Do not be that superficial in judging other countries or races. You can give your observations but not your HARSH judgments. We Filipinos might be doing that certain thing because it's a part of our culture. FILIPINO Culture... Not of the PIG's culture... Well, when you said something about our government I think, again your looking at things superficially. For if we compare the two countries now, which of the two suffer severe civil disorder due to immaturity in governance? Is it my country? Or Thailand... Next time you vomit out words better be careful. A western thought maybe very different from how we perceive it. For instance, you western people say that it's the Age of Exploration, but we ASIANS see that as an AGE OF EXPLOITATION... NOT exploration... Be careful with your mouth. It stinks... Duhhh....

I'm really wondering why you're saying that your heart is in the Philippines and your body is in Thailand? But my guest is you've stayed for quite long in PH, got lots of friends whom you really miss and fell in love with a Filipina, but a Filipino deceived you ... like a swindler or money scam of some sort. It does happen in my country.Anyways, I really did appreciate this blog entry. It made me realize what it lacking in our culture and identity as Filipinas. Back in grade school, we Filipinos have been given the impression by our teachers that we are Asians, but having read about Asian cultures and our culture and how foreigners think about our culture, I really do think that Filipinos are no more than anthropologically Asians. We look like Asians, and we speak an Asian language, but our culture is must more like Latino and Western but not so it almost looks undefined. Also, the Philippines is less of a touristy place than Thailand, even for a native Filipino who knows how to get his way throughout the archipelago, travel is so muc difficult. And our government ... clueless? It is already 2009 that I post this comment and anothing much had changed in our country and we continue to have clueless arrogant leaders that the stupid voters keep on electing. I feel sad for my country and for my culture. But I'm still proud that I am Filipino and that I'm hopeful that things will improve in the coming years.

Philippino's people doesn't have any inferiority/superiority complex when they deals with foreigner. Mostly of the thai do have serious problem to deal with foreigner: a "normal" thai woman will avoid any contact as possible with a foreigner, while mostly of the philipinas doesn't seems to feel the eyes around looking at her as a dirty girl.Philippinos are genuine helper (except in tourist area). Thais doesn't move a finger for foreigner if not for money. Said so, Thailand looks as a safest place, at least for the kidnapping problems. Philippinos anyway are grown men and they can control more the alcohol while thai people avoid confrontation as soon as they are not drunk and have no guns in their hands. (There are already many stories of tourist women being raped and killed, tourists gunned down by drunked cops, etcc, so beware of what is hidden behind a smile....).Yet Thailand is more developed but a big cause of this is also the ratio of child per family, that in thailand is 2-3 and philippines 6-7. To have a friend (a real friend) in Thailand is almost impossible as the culture of thai people is avoiding confrontation with each other. As a result you can have a Thai friend for go out and drink (as long as you pay), listen the weather forecast, and help him financially, as long as you don't ask him to help you. I don't know much the philippinos but to me they seems much more sincere of all the thais that I knew for ten years.

Communication is very important. Why live in a place that doesnt understand whats your trying to say?
We Filipinos can understand and speak english fluently. Were very positive and outgoing.

Made me feel much better about an upcoming month-long trip to the Philippines. Why is there so much negative information about the Philippines on the internet? I spent 6 months in Thailand a couple years ago and am looking forward to exploring the Philippines. If anyone has any recommendations for things to see or do, Id love to hear them!

Me.ette,

A 3-day stay in Manila (with a hotel accommodation particularly the Makati or the Fort Bonifacio Global City area) is enough to have a feel of the metropolis. From youyr hotel you can take the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) to Taft Avenue and get a cab to take you to Intramuros. Intramuros is a Spanish-era walled city where you can explore old churches like Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church and museums like Casa Manila. Behind the Qurino Grandstand (near Manila Hotel), you will find the Manila Ocean Park which is said to be the largest oceanarium in Southeast Asia. Explore the gigantic, modern malls in Makati City, Quezon City and Pasay City.

From Manila, you can hop to Corregidor Island and explore this island for a day. A lot of American-era buildings (or what remains of them) still stand from the ravages of World War 2.

A week-long stay in El Nido, Palawan is superb. Enjoy the breath-taking view of limestone formation. A side trip to the Underground River at Puerto Princesa, Palawa would be advisable.

Then hop to the world-famour beach of Boracay Island (Central Philippines) for a week stay.

And then see the famous, perfectly cone-shaped Mayon Volcano!

If those does not stop you from exploring more, try to visit the ancient Banaue Rice Terraces, which were carved by human hands more than 2,000 years ago. Now, prepare your camera for this one. Simply awesome.

If you have extra mullah, you can have the Bohol Chocolate Hills as your last pit stop and see the Tarsiers!

Keep rolling and explore the Philippines!

I would like to add for the places you can visit. Camarines Sur for extreme watersports, Cebu and Southern Leyte for diving. Surigao for Surfing, Laguna for Hot springs, Pampanga for bird watching, Sorsogon for whale watching. Davao for more eco tourism sites. Explore also romblon, samar, capiz, camiguin, guimaras, negros, zambales and

Philippines may be dirty but bird flu free, lesser AIDS cases, SARS free and more freedom.

Huh, Philippines is more famous of all than Thailand.

Philippines has more supporter than Thailand.
*New7wonders.com

Philippines is capability and more peace place and most valuable places tourist to stay than Thailand.

Philippines has more tourists than Thailand and Thailand is difficult to stay w/ tourist not like philippine. Many people like filipinos because of its kindness not like Thailand war!war!war!

Huh, Really! Thailand has affected by Swine Flu Because of the carelesness of department of health there not just like the philippines the goverment is busy protecting..

Goverment in Thailand is corrupt Lol not philippines,,,.. harsh harsh harsh.. president there.. watch! people dont like it.. why you say the goverment is good!!!!

To the last 2 comments,
I live in Thailand for 3 years now and I feel really bad about your comments

John,

At least, Thais are taught to be kind and will never say something bad about others like that.
Even Thailand has less supporters than Philippines but Thais themselves try to be self dependency.

usa,

For the Swine Flu, I think every countries try so hard to control it and I dont see any profitable reasons for complaining. Cooperation is more needed, not the conflicts.

Curious post. Ive been in the region for 15 years, living in Thailand going on 5 years. I dont know how you see the Thais as cold. Some of the Thais I know are are fun and light-hearted. Some are quite and studious. Others are sporty and into everything new. But none that I know are what Id call cold in the west. Reserved, perhaps. And as in any country, there are a few who think their status makes them special. But, human nature being what it is...

As for Filipinos... Ive never lived there but I employed Filipinos for nine years. Most were hard working, diligent and smart. I would not hesitate working with Filipinos again.

Stupid Filipinos, all of your friend should leave from my country, the worker set away.

Wow what a blatant generalization,and not to mention an ignorant comment to call anyone no less a population of people pigs!! I appreciate Philippine and Thai people for their differences,and yes their is a lot of guilt and the proverbial fear of god in the Philippines as compared to Buddhist Thailand( And i understand both worlds being a practicing Buddhist and also spending my first 18 yrs living in a repressed Catholic Ireland.)but any Philippine person i have met on the contrary was very clean.And to define the value of anyone by their fashion sense or their ability to speak your preferred language says more about you than the people you are generalizing about.How come some of us in the west believe that our language and so called culture is of more importance than another countries language and culture.I wonder as to your ability to speak Thai or one of the many dialects of the Philippines.I guess one of the last things we in the west need to do is stop comparing other cultures to ours,being so arrogant as to think we are the superior culture because of our imagined sophistication.

first of all do u have the right to compare other countries? as what i can see uve mentioned the macho side of filpinos, from this statement readers can already conclude that this man is an example of another insecured bitch! thats why he moved to Thailand and decided to blog this. how can this people generalize everything from what they experienced in one place, manila is just a small part of the philippines and only represent 15 million of over a hundred million filipinos, philippines is just like america lots of states, and also regionalism is strong in our country.

Funny how some people make generalizations of very complex societies like the Philippines and Thailand out of a myopic experience... Big ups to Oriely, that was a very sensitive post.

I think the writer of this blog is one of those hicky- red neck- hillbilly type of American/European who sees the rest of the world as peripheries to their cultures. In the first place, why must our countries try so hard to please you? If you are one of those expats whos vocation in life is to keep complaining about how incongruent the local cultures are to their needs and to the things that they want to happen, I have one word for you.... Go back home. It is that simple. I am not anti-foreigner, I am for justice and respect for any culture. Heard of the old adage, When in Rome, do as the Romans do? Heeding this save one from a lot of trouble.
To the writer of this post this I have to say.. Cmon let us not be hypocrites, or if indeed you are that insensitive, let me spit it out for you. Anywhere you go, there will always be conmen or cruel women or an inutile government. Different cultures will yield different responses to certain social situations. The pig thing was really distasteful, I mean it felt like the blogger ran out of words to express what he was trying to say. The temerity of posting a blog and not being able express it in clear English. How pitiful, he could be a native english speaker ( ...whatever that means). Btw, I am Filipino and that. doesnt imply anything at all. Im just like anybody from anywhere in the world.

As for the FIlipinos who said they agree to this post, I have this advice for you... leave the country now. We dont need you here. I know you are one of those who will go abroad at a drop of a hat. Please go, you are the ball and chain that hampers the growth of my nation.

To those who do not believe that we will not succeed, i want you to know that a new breed of Filipinos like me, are changing the land. We will thrash these so called pinoy inferiority complex. The Philippines as a poor, dysfunctional, backward country is beginning to crumble. The new generation of Filipinos have stopped comparing themselves to America and is now mining the local culture and history for inspiration in the pursuit of nation building. Now kids wear the symbols of the flag as well pictures and name of ninoy aquino in their t-shirts, caps, bling blings etc. These Pinoys kids are not ashamed or apologetic for their being Filipinos, in fact they find it cool and very relevant. If Arnel Pineda, Lea Salonga, Philippine Hip Hop All Stars, Manny Pacquiao etc.. can make, then it is not remote that the Philippines can finally get its real dignified place under the sun. (BTW the Philippines is one of the 4 countries in the world that continue to have a positive growth rate in the midst of the global recession). The chest beating/self flagellation must stop, instead we should start believing in ourselves and start cleaning up our yard. Everything will begin if we finally see our self worth. No self respecting FIlipino can allow himself to be called a pig.

Hmm rereading years later and my opinions have not changed.

Philippine men are like spoiled children and Thai people are cold.

Andy