Philippines, a small country but high population. A country which only the rich have power, a country where robbers are the government officials, a country that killings are normal and a country that people are lost without a trace.
I`m a filipino and I lived in the Philippines my entire life. Hear we have many culture, festivals and places that is worth seing. We have animalls that are endemic hear, people that is so great and intelligent. Filipinos are known for being hospitable, kind and wise and that is true. But i know your knowledge about the Philippines is based on books and good news. I know that you didn`t know what our country look like when you live hear.
You need to see and know more about the Philippines. Our country is not just about Boracay, Palawan and Manila. Our country has it`s good and bad angle, it`s up to you how to look at it
Let me tell you things that you must know about the Philippines. Facts that might change your perception about peace.
The people
First lets talk about the good side of Filipinos. Filipinos are hospitable, we will open our arms wide when you need help, we will help you without any return. Filipinos help each other in times of need. Filipinos are good in saving money, we always think about the future and we know that we are not forever rich. We Filipinos are always smiling even in times of calamities, Filipinos always say that “ Bagyo kalang Filipino kame”
Now lets talk about the bad side. Filipinos have a mentality called “Crab mentality”, when you have a spare time observe a group of crab in a container or a jar. When one crab is going up and getting out of the container the other crab will pull it down, that is the crab mentality. Filipinos always do that, when they see other people nearly achieving their dreams other people will pull them down.
Filipinos are a big fan of cancel culture, when one Filipino is sharing his/her idea or dreams other will people will cancel it immediately and say words that will discourage the one with idea. As the days pass by this cancel culture is being normalized and it destroy many dreams.
In the Philippines title is more important than dreams. Hear in the Philippines, when a children wants to be an artist, musician or writer his/her parent will disapprove immediately. They will said that there is no money in that kind of field.
Government officials
Our government officials are different they see the politics as a business. They have poor decision making and at the same time they are slow workers. One good example is this pandemic, last year in early January Filipinos are urging the government to ban flight so the virus will not have a chance to enter the country but the official refuses and the result is catastrophic. Now we have many cases of Covid-19 and we can`t control it. Many are dead and many are still recovering in hospitals.
Corruption is one of the biggest problem hear in our country. The officials are getting richer while the poor are still hungry. During election they are begging for votes while saying their plans for the better tomorrow. But words that they said is a lie, people are still living under poverty. Last year there are news that Philhealth officials stole 15 billion pesos and until now the money is no where to be found.
Justice
In the Philippines we have a different kind of justice. Hear justice is based on power and money, when you are poor you don`t have the right to call for justice. Power and money run the police and money other sector of the government. In early days of January a rape case arise, this month 4 bodies found dead in Tagaytay, the police man that shot 2 innocent people file that he is innocent. Do you see justice?
Philippines is a great country in early times, one of the best I think. But as the president and other new officials are elected it get worse and worse. People remain silent because they are too afraid to speak. Many people just vote without conducting research so they elect the wrong leader.
I hope Philippines changes soon, I hope it`s people wake up and think differently. I hope people start to voice out so the officials will hear it loud and clear.
I have high hopes for this country, and I want to see how it will change and prosper. I want to be a part of the change that will bring better days for it`s people.
Next time you visit Philippines remember my words and see what story is hidden in every smile of a Filipino
