I enjoyed travelling to Singapore. They have an awesome public transport system that makes you feel like you don't need a car to go around because it is safe enough. My girlfriend said she enjoyed Korea immensely and that it was nice there as well. I haven't been to Japan, but from what I've gathered, it's a nice place to visit as well (despite the steep price to pay).
Not too long ago, we were the toast of the town in Asia. We were the country our neighbors looked up to. When we won "Democracy" from Martial Law, everything went downhill. I am not saying I'd rather have Martial Law and "Ferdinand Marcos is the best president of all time.. All time!" because I don't believe the latter and I highly doubt that the former will give me the opportunity to write this.
"Democracy" has given us an almost irrational feeling of entitlement to everything and anything, and inspired a kind of "me" mentality rather than a genuine love for the country and fellow men. Being a Catholic-dominated country also probably contributes to this. As a result, we remain a third world country and will continue to be one unless genuine change (not this "change" the current administration wants us to believe) happens over the next two administrations. I explain my points below:
A Genuine Concern for Others
 |
| Everyone needs it, just line up to get it yours *Photo from inquirer.net |
When a huge tsunami devastated Japan some years back, the world was amazed at how orderly everyone was despite the tragedy. Japanese people lined up for relief goods, got what was allocated for them and left. Those who weren't able to get any left and hoped to get supplies next time. They understand the concept that they are all suffering from the same fate, and accepted that while they did not get theirs, some other family did.
The Philippines has had a number of tragedies that challenged our spirit, none more recent probably than Yolanda. I am not and have not been in their situation, but I am from the formerly Ondoy-devastated Cainta. I can't speak from experience, but only through those that I've read. And comparing those which I've read, I say we lack this genuine concern for our fellow men. We've read of looting, killings, and even rape happening in the typhoon-torn areas. It seemed worse than a zombie apocalypse.
We received millions in foreign help, and countless more from countrymen in the metro, but it didn't seem like the help was enough. There were alleged conflict on who was supposed to distribute the goods, who takes credit,, etc. In the midst of such tragedy, some people still had the gall to worry of their own personal gains rather than just help.
I don't think it is limited to that tragedy. We see it everyday on the streets; people shoving each other to get in a public transport system, cars cutting through multiple lanes or even counterflowing just so they could get to the endpoint faster, public utility vehicles stopping wherever they like to wait on passengers, people cutting in line in a convenience store, and many more. There are rules on the road, and unwritten rules of courtesy that we follow to have a sense of order. People disregard these to prioritize themselves. And when chaos ensues, they blame the government for not doing anything about it.
An Irrational Feeling of Entitlement
 |
| Why must you risk your life for a shortcut? *Photo from pinoytransplant.com |
Taking a cue from being genuinely concerned for others, these same people who lack this concern put themselves higher than others and the law. Pedestrians walk under footbridges and shout expletives at you if you don't let them pass. Commuters decide to just ask the driver to stop when they are right in front of where they want to go down, not even giving the slightest respect for the "No Loading and Unloading" sign situated perfectly where the person wants to go down. Jeepney drivers swerve left and right at their own time, often sticking out a hand as if it means he has the priority to take the lane you're in only to stop in front of you while passengers are boarding.
I don't get where they get this sense of entitlement from. We are all children of God, but why the hell do these people act as if they were an only child? Why does order, rules, and courtesy mean so little to people as if they're the only ones who are in a hurry?
Footbridges are a pain, and they aren't exactly placed where we want to be. But they were made such that pedestrians won't bother traffic. The jeep is a public utility vehicle, not a fucking cab. If you want to go down right at your doorstep, take a damn cab. While in a PUV, go down or board proper loading and unloading zones. People find themselves to be too important that they shouldn't be inconvenienced by these "rules". PUV's, for their part, can give way to traffic if they know that they'll just block the way while they wait for passengers to board. I think the democracy that our people won in 1986 only gave us the confidence that we are "free" to do just about anything we want.
A Separation Not Quite
 |
| The House of God and some streamers. *Photo from gmanetwork.com |
The Philippine Constitution has a clause that separates the Church and the State. However, when you hear mass in most Churches, there are some priests who urge their parishoners on the Church's stand on current political issues. I'm not saying they don't have the right, because it is probably the only venue that they have to reach out to their followers.
I think the country's development is somehow hampered by how we want to be perceived. We are a Catholic country, and it is one of the things we want to keep others to see us as. Hence, we voted for people who approved laws to provide housing for squatters whose houses (which they never legally owned) were demolished. We have lengthy debates on our personal stands regrading the reproductive health bill, divorce, and same sex marriage. Most don't want to be frowned upon by choosing the less "Catholic" choice.
We may not always agree with the choices of the Church, and the Church may not be directly to blame. However, to please the populace, public officials take it upon themselves to appear as "good guys" by siding with whatever stand the Church goes by. I daresay that by trying to put religion on a pedestal, we fail to see what needs to be done to improve the country.
The "Balato" System
 |
| What does vice owe you, kuya? *Photo from pnsers.com |
Whenever someone wins something, or something good happens to someone, people feel a sense of entitlement to seek "balato" from that person. This, I think stems again from our "strong" religious background as a Catholic country. It is taught that we must "share our blessings".
I don't discourage people from sharing their blessings. It is really up to you, on where you find your peace. But don't feel obligated to share something you've earned or won to people who are just waiting for those that you will share. I bet a lot on random stuff. At the moment I'm making a particular bet, I am ridiculed for being such a gambler. As soon as I win, these same hypocrites ask "balato" from my winnings.
There are people who invest in something, or worked their ass off for something, and when they look like they're making it, they get the "manlibre ka naman" or "big time ka na!" treatment as if these hecklers are responsible for their success. Isn't Christmas time the part of the year when all the bums are out in public?
This "balato" system is not new. I am certain that each one of us has a couple of people like these in our lives. They don't do shit, but expect to have a share of the good fortune one earned or won. It is a practice that drags our society down.
