The Philippines celebrated its 110th year of independence from foreign rule last 12th of June. How is my beloved country now, after all these years? Jose Ma. Montelibano said that Filipinos have little to celebrate, but much to strive for. He described Philippine independence in the current context as a hollow state, same as its democracy - all trappings are there, but the substance is missing. Poverty, he said, makes slaves of people and denies them choices. Poignantly, he further asked, "How can true independence and democracy co-exist with poverty so massive and crippling? How can independence and democracy live with such shame?"
Officially free from foreign rule, the Philippines is still a long way from freedom, so said Chief Justice Reynato Puno recently in his speech on Independence Day. The reason? The so-called "economic colonizers" - foreign investors and businessmen who are given more favours and privileges than Filipino citizens, and wealthy foreign nations violating Filipinos' social and economic rights.
And then there are the local elites with vested interests. Since the time of Bonifacio, these opportunists have always worked against the interest of the Filipinos. They cowardly conspired with the foreign invaders in the past in order to protect their economic and political interests. Unfortunately for us Filipinos, they are still lording over us even until today.
These "twin evils" worked with each other for 110 years, and counting, in violating the Filipinos' social and economic rights and you wonder why poverty in the Philippines is so "massive and crippling?" Thus, it is not surprising that "Filipinos are dashing for exits," by the millions, according to Juan Mercado. He said that about 1.1 million left last year, and many will not return. According to a university study, Filipinos were the biggest group in the 54.2 million migrant workers that Asia have fielded. Our country has become a country of nomads, and will still be, in the near future.
I have never imagined myself as working abroad. But as fate would have it I got married to an overseas Filipino worker (OFW). Now, my wife and I are permanent residents of the UK, thus, no longer officially considered as OFWs. We do plan to retire back in the Philippines, which is still a good number of years away. Our two sons are both born in the UK, so it will be up to them where they seek their own destinies.
As long as the wealthy foreign nations, who loaned money to the Philippines, continue to dictate on our social and economic policies, and their businessmen conspire with the local elite in plundering the Philippines' wealth, many more Filipinos will become poorer. Million Filipinos will continue to leave the country annually in order to seek better economic opportunities. Many will not return.
Although Montelibano is hoping that "Filipinos abroad... must find a way to return, to share their golden experiences, to tell stories of hardship and loneliness..." as long as the "twin evils" are heavily influencing on how our country is being run, Filipinos abroad, ourselves included, may not heed the call. In the meantime, we continue to "bloom wherever we are planted." Of course, money remittances continues, too.
16 June 2008
15 June 2008
Father's Day
Cean made this wonderful card last Friday in school. We celebrated this day with lunch buffet at our favourite Chinese restaurant. Happy Father's Day to all dads like me!
11 June 2008
Tasty Filipinos
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| Photo: Ivan About Town blog |
Ever heard of tasty Filipinos? I first came across this edible variety when it caused a controversy in the Philippines several years ago. Before you get any cannibalistic notion about this, I am talking about the biscuit snacks that are sold in Spain under the brand name Filipinos. I came across this snack food again when I recently checked out Ivan Henares' blog. He was visiting Spain when he spotted with amusement the biscuit snacks sold alongside such world famous brands as Oreo and Chips Ahoy.
30 May 2008
Mel and Jay UK Tour
A fortnight ago, unknown to many people except for the closest of kith and kin, Mel and Jay flew into town for a one-week holiday. It has been awhile since we've seen Jay; at the same time, quite thrilled to finally meet Mel.
They arrived one gloomy and wet Thursday afternoon (15th May) in an Emirates plane from their base in Kuwait via Dubai. Although they had a few hours stopover in Dubai, Jay was not able to have a quick reunion with his brother Jul since the latter was already at work and could not make it to the airport on time.
After two delays I finally met the pair at the arrival area of London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3 and it was nearly 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Quick hellos and how are yous were exchanged before we proceeded to London Underground to catch a tube train to King's Cross, wherein we caught another train to Peterborough. It was about half past nine in the evening when we reached my home. The kids were already asleep but Aai was still awake. Late hot supper was served.
I toured Jay and Mel in London the following day. Before that, they accompanied me and Cean (eldest son) to school and then we took a late morning train to London. Our main itinerary for the day was the Tower of London, a World Heritage Site and very popular to tourists. We then proceeded to see Tower Bridge exhibition and London City Hall. I then brought them to Westminster area for a quick look at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and London Eye.
Now that they know their way around London they went back there again on Saturday. Their itinerary was Buckingham Palace to watch the 'changing of guards' ceremony. After taking lunch in St James Park they went back to Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and London Eye. Alas, it was another wet day so they weren't able to get a great view of London from the Eye.
And on the Sabbath they rested. We treated them to lunch after attending Mass in a church near the city centre. As visitors to Peterborough, it is customary for Jay and Mel to visit Peterborough Cathedral. We ended up the day window shopping at the city's shopping centre, Queensgate.
On Monday, we took them to Burghley House, the largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan age, which is located in nearby Stamford, itself a famous old market town. Before we went inside the house for a guided tour we visited the new attraction, Garden of Surprises. The boys really had a wonderful time. Inside the house was a different matter. You are immediately transported to olden times, seeing all those kitchen utensils and stoves, hundred of paintings, royal beds, antique furnitures and more. You have to be in the house in order to appreciate it.
The next day, they are back in London and this time they went to Kew Gardens, St Paul's Cathedral and the National Gallery. On Wednesday, on their last tour in the famed city, they went to Madam Tussauds, the famous wax museum, where they rubbed elbows with world famous celebrities in all their waxed glory.
On Thursday, they decided to rest and started packing their things for a trip back home to the Philippines. The kids bonded with their uncle Jay and auntie Mel. When we told Cean that they were leaving the following early morning, he started crying and kept on telling his Mum to stop them from leaving. He was upset. And John Paul? Not bothered at all.
They left for London Heathrow in the early hours of Friday morning. They were obviously very happy during their one week stay with us and even talked about coming back. We told them they can come anytime. And here's an interesting fact, Jay and Mel have been to more London tourist attractions that I have been to and I have been living in this country for six years.
Today is the 3nth birthday of Jay and his twin brother JT Alan. I wish them a healthy and prosperous life ahead of them! You did not think that our recent visitors were Mel Tiangco and Jay Sonza, the famous hosts of the now defunct talk show, Mel and Jay (later Partners with Mel and Jay), did you? No, they were my younger brother Jay and his wife Mel(rose), modern day Filipino heroes (OFWs) based in Kuwait.
They arrived one gloomy and wet Thursday afternoon (15th May) in an Emirates plane from their base in Kuwait via Dubai. Although they had a few hours stopover in Dubai, Jay was not able to have a quick reunion with his brother Jul since the latter was already at work and could not make it to the airport on time.
After two delays I finally met the pair at the arrival area of London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3 and it was nearly 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Quick hellos and how are yous were exchanged before we proceeded to London Underground to catch a tube train to King's Cross, wherein we caught another train to Peterborough. It was about half past nine in the evening when we reached my home. The kids were already asleep but Aai was still awake. Late hot supper was served.
I toured Jay and Mel in London the following day. Before that, they accompanied me and Cean (eldest son) to school and then we took a late morning train to London. Our main itinerary for the day was the Tower of London, a World Heritage Site and very popular to tourists. We then proceeded to see Tower Bridge exhibition and London City Hall. I then brought them to Westminster area for a quick look at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and London Eye.
Now that they know their way around London they went back there again on Saturday. Their itinerary was Buckingham Palace to watch the 'changing of guards' ceremony. After taking lunch in St James Park they went back to Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and London Eye. Alas, it was another wet day so they weren't able to get a great view of London from the Eye.
And on the Sabbath they rested. We treated them to lunch after attending Mass in a church near the city centre. As visitors to Peterborough, it is customary for Jay and Mel to visit Peterborough Cathedral. We ended up the day window shopping at the city's shopping centre, Queensgate.
On Monday, we took them to Burghley House, the largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan age, which is located in nearby Stamford, itself a famous old market town. Before we went inside the house for a guided tour we visited the new attraction, Garden of Surprises. The boys really had a wonderful time. Inside the house was a different matter. You are immediately transported to olden times, seeing all those kitchen utensils and stoves, hundred of paintings, royal beds, antique furnitures and more. You have to be in the house in order to appreciate it.
The next day, they are back in London and this time they went to Kew Gardens, St Paul's Cathedral and the National Gallery. On Wednesday, on their last tour in the famed city, they went to Madam Tussauds, the famous wax museum, where they rubbed elbows with world famous celebrities in all their waxed glory.
On Thursday, they decided to rest and started packing their things for a trip back home to the Philippines. The kids bonded with their uncle Jay and auntie Mel. When we told Cean that they were leaving the following early morning, he started crying and kept on telling his Mum to stop them from leaving. He was upset. And John Paul? Not bothered at all.
They left for London Heathrow in the early hours of Friday morning. They were obviously very happy during their one week stay with us and even talked about coming back. We told them they can come anytime. And here's an interesting fact, Jay and Mel have been to more London tourist attractions that I have been to and I have been living in this country for six years.
Today is the 3nth birthday of Jay and his twin brother JT Alan. I wish them a healthy and prosperous life ahead of them! You did not think that our recent visitors were Mel Tiangco and Jay Sonza, the famous hosts of the now defunct talk show, Mel and Jay (later Partners with Mel and Jay), did you? No, they were my younger brother Jay and his wife Mel(rose), modern day Filipino heroes (OFWs) based in Kuwait.
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