Filipino Time
Today, I went to my aunt’s place, an hour ride from home by bus. My aunt had a neighbor there that needed Physiotherapy, so I’m off to check it out and quickly endorsed it to a PT near them. After the sumptuous lunch and chitchat, I hurriedly said goodbye because I still have a patient in the next municipality that was recently referred by our Physiatrist.
Anyways, that’s not the topic actually, let’s talk about some funny ways of Filipinos. I don’t know, I might be biased to generalize it on our race, so forgive me. But, somehow I’ve seen and experienced it with a lot of us, so this is just a mere observation, not all actually, because I for one isn’t like this haha! Defensive? Yes, I always try to come on time.
So, while I was seated in the bus, my sleepy head wanted to doze off to dreamland. My eyes were closed and my consciousness was about to wander into oblivion, however, I got interrupted by this middle-aged woman beside me, with a very loud voice on the phone. So ooopps, forgive me, I’m eavesdropping on their conversation with her husband. Am I? But, she wanted everyone on the bus to hear her, perhaps not eavesdropping after all!
Then, I just heard something silly that made me chuckle, she actually and seriously told her husband: “Okay, hun, I’ll meet you there at eight o’clock sharp, and try not to be on time, will you?”
LOL! She’s just being honest. As they say, Filipino time.
Of course, this is not something to be proud of, being late is not a good habit. But, how did Filipino time come to be considered tardiness?
I have read an article about the Intriguing History of Filipino Time, and realized that this bad habit has been notorious not only in the present time, but way back in history. Popular political leaders, even the famous books of Jose Rizal mentioned this mañana habit - Filipino time, a negative practice that has been persistent until now.
Moreover, this habit patterned us in making excuses, or worse, lies. The most popular excuse actually for not coming on time is the traffic, lol! But, traffic is just horrible most of the time in the Philippines. True! But, we can always do something- leave home early, drop your car for gas refill in the evening and not before work, make a simple breakfast, or iron clothes and ready everything in the evening. So easy, right?
Last Thoughts
Filipino time, we should just laugh about it, and not apply it habitually in our lives. As some people say, we can always do something to improve ourselves, if not we can just sadly turn into making excuses all time. It’s just a matter of disciplining ourselves that something can be done. Just commit.
Do you have recent experience of this seemingly bad habit? What can you do to stop it?
Some of my articles that would stir motivation:
Heaps of thanks for all your support, guys!
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01/28/2022
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I have a worst experience with this Filipino time. But yes, hindi talaga to maganda na ating ipractice. I have attended trainings hosted by non-Filipinos they will really start on time, kahit wala pa masyado participants. Sana ito yong ma improve ko sa 2022.