Friday, March 21, 2008
A Heated Response on One of my Posts
I’ll just post it here to see the real sentiment of some persons who reacted to one of my posts. I will never edit them. If I remembered it good, there are at least two of them. I see how some of you react to it and I will be happy to see the statistics what kind of reaction comes from who and from where..
I totally agree with you!!! I’ve often critiqued the Filipino parents’ mentality myself.
I am a 22-year old Filipino student in Canada about to graduate from university this year and youngest of two children.
What is bugging me recently is how my mom and her partner tries to manipulate the way I think regarding the financial and social responsibilities that I should keep in mind and should fulfill even after I move out of their place.
These financial responsibilities include:
1. Letting my mom retire early.
2. Give monthly allowance to parents.
3. Help them pay off their mortgage.
4. Send my OLDER IRRESPONSIBLE sister to school and pay off her $13,000 debts.
5. Pay for my own god-damn $30,000 student loan myself.
6. Sponsor at least one relative from the Philippines to Canada.
7. Send at least one relative to university in the Philippines.
8. Take over my mom’s financial responsibility by sending monthly allowance to her siblings, my cousins and other ‘poor’ relatives back home.
I am also expected to get a $40,000 salary right after graduation, my salary must be higher than their salaries combined. My boyfriend should also be rich and not someone who is also on student loan, which is the case (my 4-year bf is also expected to finish paying her mom’s mortgage and pay for his younger brother’s school; her mom also has a partner but he doesn’t pay shit for anything because he thinks her children should do those things for her).
I don’t plan nor intend to follow any of these traditional Filipino shit. I don’t mind helping my parents with household work nor giving them expensive gifts or even money on mother’s day, birthdays and Christmas, BUT it definitely should not go as far as the ridiculous monthly allowance nor the whole paying off their mortgage thing! What the fuck will be left for my own fucking mortgage, utility bills, food, gas in addition to the cost of raising children!?!?! Do they even think of how expensive the standard of living in Toronto is?! Or how about my own plans for my future children like sending them to prestigious schools, sending them abroad to study, and paying for their undergraduate, masters and postdoctoral education!?!
I hope to end this whole typecasting of Filipinos as socially and financially-disadvantaged race in Canada who only works as nannies or who are mostly found in retail, factory, hotels, and restaurants! Invest in your children’s fucking education for fuck sake. Send your children to PRIVATE SCHOOLS. Hire a tutor if you must. Help your children with their homework. Get involved in their school activities and find out about the school curriculum to see whether it is right for your kids. Send your kids to piano lessons, valet lessons, and what not. And most importantly, don’t have more than 1 child if you know you can’t afford it!!!
Filipino parents in Canada should also stop emphasizing the GREAT OPPORTUNITIES and the HUGE INCOME that their children will get once they’ve managed to graduate in this so-called land of opportunity. Can’t we have a better conversation that is more productive like discussing school-related things and plans for further education? A discussion on current problems faced by Filipinos for instance instead of always saying that their children are so lucky to be in Canada? Clearly, ideas like these penetrate into the minds of newcomers who find themselves working as janitors, earning an hourly wage that is perhaps higher than the wage of doctors back home, and will say to themselves, “yeah, this job isn’t so bad after all.”, and next thing you know you are a 65-year old who have not really accomplished anything FOR KEEPS. There are better things than working as a janitor in Canada. Filipinos should stop comparing their income to the income of those back home, because in the first world people can earn up to $300, 000 as professionals if they would only invest their time and money on education instead of the $30-$35,000 average income that you can get as nannies, janitors, etc.I am not saying these things to make some Filipinos feel bad or to discriminate against my own race but I am simply stating what I think is wrong with Filipinos’ mentality. So maybe instead of trying to look on the “bright” side of things by comparing your situation to the situation of those in the third world, why don’t you compare your situation to those in the first world? Look at the filthy rich Jewish lawyers and doctors for instance. Let’s stop attributing our situation to our colonial past, corrupted officials, and to the financial obligations that we have to our relatives back home, because to some extent, Filipinos invoke these things as an excuse for their failure to go beyond what they are capable of doing.
I appreciate your blog entry so much. I am glad to know that there are other Filipinos who think the way I do regarding the family structure and system of Filipinos. I hope blogs like this one are read by the many young Filipinos, especially Filipino parents.
This is another:
minsan alam nyo hindi "tulong" ang tawag dyan sa tinutukoy nyo eh, as this blog said "crab mentality" talaga. kasi minsan pag nagpapadala kami ng pera sa Pilipinas para lang i-abswelto kung ano mang' kataratuduhan ginawa ng iba naming kamag-anak don.
biruin nyo afford nga nilang mag-computer at mag-internet tapos pagdating sa sarili nila i-aasa pa sayo. ang mga taong tinutulungan ay yung mga: may kapansanan, lumpo, bulag, walang kamay at paa, na-aksidenteng tao, na-sunugan ng bahay at kung ano ano pa.
basta yung mga minalas sa buhay at hinde yung mga iresponsable at tangang tao na anak lang ng anak tapos i-aasa lang lahat sa mas masikap sa kanila. lahat naman ng nakatira sa ibang bansa ay may parehong access sa opportunity para baguhin sitwasyon nila.
pero magtataka kung bakit ang dami parin mga pilipinong kabataan ngayon sa ibang bansa na hinde nagsusumikap sa pag-aaral at pagta-trabaho. kaya tingin ko crab mentality talaga ang mostly filipino.
kapag alam kasi ng isang taong may maasahan sila, mas aasa pa sila at magpapahirap dahil alam nilang tutulungan parin sila kahit papano...at saka, kung narirealize pala ng mga pinoy sa pilipinas ang totoong hirap sa buhay, e bakit nagko-contribute parin sila sa hirap ng buhay nila? tulad nga ng pag-aanak ng madami at hinde pagsusumikap sa pag-aaral. madalas inaatupag pagba-barkada, inuman at pagso-syota.
ewan ko, masyado lang kasi tong' nakakapagtaka. ang taong alam ang totoong hirap, magpupursige dapat diba at hinde magpapahirap ng iba.
By the way,if one of these days, I cannot log here and wont be able to visit your sites upon each visit you make, simply buzz me here. When I can settle again and have a connection, I will be happy to visit your sites and read your posts or make comments. I’d love to return the effort and favor you make. Or, as I always do, I visit your blogs or sites but I am just having difficulties making a note in cbox or a comment with the mobile phone. It is very time consuming and a bit uncomfy. See you soon… Just leave a note here so it wont be lost. Because in my shoutmix, if in case many of you will leave comments, it tends to go away since I am not a premium member…Sorry for that.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Unending Question: Who is to Blame?
As a strongly opinionated person, I immediately joined and got on air with my views. The same view I had then and now, which if I can count, it was about 5 years back! Is it really the responsibility of politicians? With the fact that they are called “POLITICIANS” and not “statesperson”, I don’t think there is a responsibility that they carry with their position. Don’t get me wrong on this, you nee to continue reading!
Who is to blame? Why is the political situation of the Philippines is very lousy and dirty? I never blame any side. Nor I do not blame any side. Sounds absurd? It is! It’s a big paradox that you need to untangle of what I mean.
First, people in the Philippines about the corruption of officials in the government. But here, I don’t put all the blame to the officials. Why? Because Filipino people are corruptible as well. Who the official would corrupt if each and every Filipino stands for the right? If one in authority asks for Php100, take the bill and slap on that person’s face! We will see what happens. When one politician retires and that politician is poor and never stole the public money the Filipino people would say, “He is so stupid! Look at him, he is still poor when the others simply enriched themselves while in power. If others keep on stealing, why he did not do the same? Poor guy!” It is in the attitude already that we Filipinos are so used being corrupted that we would likely react this way. I don’t see a big percentage of Filipino people clapping their hands for the effort of that retired politician, especially now that he is poor. Whether we admit it or not, MONEY moves the Filipino people.
Second, I don’t blame the Filipino people for putting dirty officials in the power. The voting public don’t have any better choice anyway. Whoever they vote, the same results happen. People run in election for public office and public authority with a financial gain in mind. Whoever disagrees with this note is blind and deaf of what is the situation in the Philippines. SUHOL! That is the term! Nasusuhulan ang lahat, from a child to an old man. I don’t know why. In the rallies, I often see old people, who seems ignorant of everything around them, yet they hold placards saying something. I don’t even have any idea if they have taken a look what the writings in the placards say!
For sure lots of Filipinos need education. For most the word “corruption” only refers to government officials and to the government together with people in authority. But this is not true! This is absolutely a wrong belief! The moment you give money to your child for a perfect score in school that is corruption! That child will be get used to that system and now, see what’s the nation is all about…CORRUPTED! How many parents use this practice in the Philippines? Millions, I am sure! Who is to blame then?
We are angry and felt oppressed of the government officials and people in authority when it’s in the news that they did something against our belief. But 99% of those who became politicians themselves get “dirtied”. People only clamor when they have nothing in them, no money given to them, but all have mouth shut if they are shoved with money! Look at the clamoring MNLF before… all clamors, all long to be given a representative. They had their leader put in power, and when that leader was in power, what he has done to his people? Never! All have their hidden motives, self interest and own goals. No one really stands for the real cause! All in the goal is the possibility of having money, thus, others use the organizations and the people. Who is to blame? If you let yourself be used, you are to blame as well.
Now, who is to blame? Look at yourself in the mirror before you can examine others!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Awards, Tags anf All About Online Friendship for this Week
I just finished my 4th assignment which is a 10-page paper. I started it last night and I cannot sleep to finish it. I love the topic because it is related to my profession (SarbOx) so I never stopped reading more and more. It pays very cheap compared to my other free lancing writing job but as I have mentioned, I have an educational growth with this one so I am here with sleepless nights and unattended blogs. But I hope I can get over the addiction now. Actually, the last job I have submitted has a deadline of 6 days more but I submitted now. Maybe I am just overwhelmed by the responses of my customers that I am very inspired! I thank Gina for referring me to the site.
Now I am here, claiming all the tags and awards given.
I have from April, Weng,and Pen Palaboy,Pen Palaboy this week! Let’s see what I got!
The one from April is about “Link Around the World Tag”. It is a very good friendship tag, as I may consider because aside from being a tag, it also works back going to one’s own site and blogs. It is useful.
The tag says:
Let us all help each other out by doing each and everyone a little favor… Building our Technorati ranks and probably our Google page rank! How? By doing this tag!
I am making this not only to build up my own blog, but of course, to build up yours as well! So tag along, and lend us your helping hands.
Disclosure: The image is from moreforkids.info
^_^ Start copying from here: ^_^
These are the Links Around The World Tag.
Instruction:
1. Place your link after the list. If you have more than 1 blog, feel free to add them all here!
2. After placing your blog’s address/es, you must tag 5 or more bloggers that is not yet in the list, this is to keep the ball rolling.
3. Here is the best part: Make sure to update your list every now and then, by getting the master list here. I’ll be updating the master list every day, or as soon as I see a new blog that’s been added to the list. ^_^
Links around the world tag
1. Momhood Moments 2. Business Mars 3. A Simple life 4. moms….. check nyo 5. Mommy’s Little Corner 6. Random Thoughts 7.Paradigm 8. place your link here
^_^ End copying here ^_^
Tagging: Rose, Denzyl, Fei,
Bloggers’ Greener Pasture,
Kei, Ashik, Navin, ChaLyza, Faith,Marc, Venu, Apple, Bunso, Twinkletoe, I Love Philippines Too, Anino, King, and Jemar...
My Added Listing:
Bloggers’ Greener Pasture,
BlogLEarner,
Sexy and Healthy,
Travelling Strega,
Bloggers’ Greener Pasture,
That was it. Now it’s my turn to make the ball rolling. Of course, first in my list Gina the Meliorist! Along with her, I tag others. Simply look at the list that follows:
The Meliorist,
Bluedreamer’s Top 5,
Life and Adventures of Mica,
La Vita: Aller La-bas,
Pen Palaboy,
That ends here for the meantime. I have visited their blogs latey and have not seen this kind of tag yet so I am tagging them along.
TIP: To make it easy for the link of others to appear, simply view the source of this post so you will make it easier. Click “View” the “Source” and use the ctrl+f function to look for any word in this post so you know and and see what to copy.
Another award is the “Perfect Blend of Friendship” from Weng, the owner of Aller La Vita:La-bas blog. Thanks a lot for this Weng and I highly apprecite this. I know I am like your big sister (though I am not that big!) and we agree in many things. I like to argue with your views though! I like to see how open minded you are.. Anyway, thanks for the friendship as well and the e-mails and all. Ummm… this then goes to again, always my victim, Gina my friend. I wish to meet you really in real life Gina, hmmm..maybe in five years? Well, we’ll see. Visit and see the new page layout and blog skin of Gina HERE. Another victim is Sheng . Even I don’t frequent her site as often as it should be, I like her personal blog and the online friendship, though not that very close yet. And of course, even Anino, would not post this, I want to award just the same this to him or her or whatever! ^_^
And of course, the third award, the heart in the clouds from Pen Palaboy, I bestow to Weng Aller La Vita:La-bas. I’d love to see this in your blog Weng and as you said tawhay ka na subong kag makaginhawa na! So I award this to you! Congratulatins for finishing another academic year and have the best of luck for your next and final college year. Thanks again Pen Palaboy.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Sex Education: A Way to Help Lessen Population and Prevent Suffering and Uncared Children
The same is true with Sex education. If children be educated about sex, it would be their first step to face reality. If youngsters realize the consequences of their actions, their would be lesser unwanted pregnancies and lesser thrown fetuses! Moreover, the use of contraceptives would lessen the fast population growth in the Philippines and would at least ease poverty.
The Sex Education in the Philippines is very difficult to succeed though. It is because of the ever-present and ever-opposing catholic church in the country. HYPOCRISY and HIPOCRISY again! I am a Catholic and sometimes I regret being one. I strongly believe in God and I am sure God wants the best for its creations. No sufferings, like a father to his children, the best is what the father desires.
Children/Youngsters will always F-CK! If they want and the mere absence of contraception and the possibility of pre-marital pregnancy don’t stop them from F__iNG so! The church is a blind duck! It chooses to protect it’s unreasonable ethics! I am disappointed to think that the church wants children to beg and be born without a bright future in exchange of educating youngsters about contraceptives and encouraging them to use one.
Is sex a sin? Pre-marital sex is a sin? And how about many priests with children?
If having sex is a sin, why do you exist in this world then? Your parents are sinners! And how many percent couple marry with a big bellied bride because she is pregnant? Why the church marry them anyway? They are sinner, RIGHT? What is the difference? They too F-cked before marriage!
And sex education be let to parents? And do you know how ignorant Filipino parents are when it comes to this topic? And because of the teachings of the church, do you know how malicious Filipinos have become when sex is the topic? How many mothers in the Philippines would answer the correct answer? The usual answer a child gets when asking about his/her origin, is that she just came out one day! Education s the best answer! Knowledge is freedom! Knowledge and truth must be promoted. If a youngster know better, he/she has a bright future. He/she would not be a burden to society and government.
Ohhh…and one more thing! If that youngster succeeds and earn much someday, HE/SHE WILL DONATE to the church, so I guess, it’s an investment, Father? Think about it!
Some readings and basies came from LifeSiteNews .
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Philippines and the Ethnicity Regionalism, Unity and Online Friendships and Tagging
Why my mind is in this issue? Because I remember this as I have been tagged and helped by various friends online. I know online friendship might be easier than real ones but this is not always the case. Even online, you cannot befriend someone whom you are not comfortable with. And to think that we are in various parts of the world and yet can be friends is a bit overwhelming.
The only moment that I have seen Filipinos so united is during the fight/boxing match of Manny Pacquiao! What if there is no Pacquiao? We don't have reason to live and enjoy the unity of a nation? We unite to support those who excel. Why? Because they excel? It's a bad answer then! We should unite TO ESCEL as well! In our own way, in our own home, in ourselves. We shoould help each other! We SHOULD NOT pull each other down. But after all, words are easier said than done. What can you say?
Since I have mentioned that I have tags that's why I have remembered the topic above, this is my chance to post them here. To those who plan to tag me, please take note that I am posting the tags by batch on a weekend of your tag, unless I cannot log log on the first weekend after your tag. In which case, I will be posting them next time. I apologise for this system but I need to blend the tags with the theme of this blog. I do hope you understand. Sometimes I post the tags with my existing post like what I did with the tag of Gina and .Anino before.
And if you happen to read this, and you may see that I am not as active in the succeeding weeks, please bear with me. i am planning to be in another country and i am not sure of the luck of my connection there. But for sure, I will be back. Just leave your messages in the comment area of this post. Moreover, I am hoping to make some flicks with this blog to share some money with my fellow Pinoys once my unique counter reaches 5000 unique hits so you may watch out as well. You might make yourself a thousand or two richer back in Pinas.
And now, for the tags, here they are:
First, from the ever fantastic TOP FIVE rater, Bluedreamer27. He tagged me with the following:
KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU
Copy this entire list of questions and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag and pass it along to other blogging friends. Let’s see how well we can get to know one another!
1. What is your occupation? Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
2. what is the color of youre socks right now?chinese style home socks, stripes of red and blue
3. What are you listening to right now? the strong wind welcoming the spring (sound of nature)
4. What was the last thing that you ate? a slice of cake
5. Can you drive a stick shift? no
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? o'course red! the color of blood and revolution!
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my aunt
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? yes
9. Favorite drink? baileys and italian red wine made by aunt here
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? karate/martial arts
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? never
12. Pets?none. used to have pups n dogs. cats too back in Ph
13. Favorite food? kilawin
14. Last movie you watched? texas ranger
15. Favorite Day of the year? birthday (my birthday)
16. What do you do to vent anger? sleep
17. What was your favorite toy as a child? toy gun (am a girl huh!)
18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? spring. am dying winter to finish!
19. Hugs or kisses? hugs
20. What kind of pie? coconut
21. Do you want your friends to email you back? yes
22. Who is most likely to respond? real friends like Gina
23. Who is least likely to respond?Apathetic acquaintance
24. Living arrangements? moderate (hope can be luxurious) but what does this question really mean?
25. When was the last time you cried? i forgot
26. What is on the floor of your closet? socks and least fave
27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? dunno
28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending this to? all of them
29. Favorite smell? rice fields back in Ph
30. What inspires you? my future plans for the country in my little way
31. What are you afraid of? nothing
32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? i hate burgers!
33. Favorite car? Never had one. Hope can have a Ferrari here!
34. Favorite cat breed? no idea
35. Number of keys on your key ring? none. Mama holdsthe ket
36. How many years at your current job? am looking for a fresh job
37. Favorite day of the week? saturday.
38. How many provinces have you lived in? 9
39. How many countries have you been to? 4
Second, from .Mica Watson. She bestowed an award to me as a "Fantastic Blogger". Thank you Mica. I am happy to receive this award. Bluedreamer27 also bestowed the same award. Thanks also.
Third tag is again from , Bluedreamer27. "Message in a Bottle" tag.
You are about to send a virtual Message In a Bottle across the Blog Ocean. Leave a message in the sand or on the bottle. Write anything you wish. Be a pirate or a poet. Serious or silly. Anonymous or not. What message would you like to send out to the universe?
Message In A Bottle
1. Compose a message to place in your virtual bottle.
2. Right click and SAVE the blank that you see here:
3. Use a graphics program of your choice to place the message on the picture.
4. Post the Message In a Bottle meme and your creation on your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag a minimum of 5 bloggers - or your entire blogroll - to do the same. Notify them of the tag.
Fourth Tag? Again from Bluedreamer27. This is on top five blogs of the tagged one at the moment and the reasons for making them my Top 5ive. I just share them with you as well.
My top 5 are the following:
1.THE MELIORIST by Gina for her unconditional love for the "mother earth" and her zeal for a better world to live in. Moreover, for her strong will for the progress of the Filipino community.
2.Aller La-Bas by Weng for her struggles as a student and a great heart for the masses. I know her blog is not of the best layout and it has even designs for a real girly look but the content is amazing! Try to see it to prove.
3.Sheng's Simple Thoughts by Gorgeous Sheng. Actually, I don't know why I am stuck with such a personal blog like this one! But I am just hook how she adores her son and how she makes herself a perfect mom in everyday life.
4.Anino by Anino Shadow of course for his original stories and great friendship. But I am not really sure if he/she is a he or she! It's a code.
5.EMOTERA by Emotera This is another blog I read from time to time. Aside from an earning blog, which I learn how, she is as well very friendly. And lastly, she is and EMOTERA! ^_^
Those are my top five. What's yours?
AND ALL THE TAGS ABOVE I TAG MY TOP 5ive! Okies?
1.THE MELIORIST by Gina
2.Aller La-Bas by Weng
3.Sheng's Simple Thoughts by Gorgeous Sheng
4.Anino by Anino Shadow
5.EMOTERA by Emotera
I know you might have been tagged by these already. In this case, just leave your message at my comments' area. You don't need to make another.