The Epidemic that is the Filipino

I have always relied only on newspapers and the net for my daily dose of news. But since coming to cebu to look for work, I have had the luxury of of watching television. The thing is, I've realized that there's no difference at all when it comes to news. Well, maybe a little. But not that much of a difference.

Anyway, most of it is depressing. And if it is good news, it sounds like PR. After almost three weeks of reading and watching the news, I have realized that if this country (the Philippines, that is) is to improve, it would take a lot of effort.

I will now try to enumerate some problems which I think are the reasons we are where we are right now.

1) We are too religious. Don't get me wrong here. I am not anti-christ or anything. But there is just something that gets my goat when it comes to this aspect. If we encounter problems, we always hear the line "Bahala na ang Diyos". I could almost hear God saying "Ako na lang lagi. Ako. Ako. Ako." Also, ever wonder why most of us find it ok to be poor? Because it says somewhere that "blessed are the poor for they shall inheret the kingdom of heaven." So lets be poor. That way, it assures us of a place in heaven.

2) We always rely on the government for everything. It is obvious that we are on a dowhill turn. So what does our government do? They propose measures. They want to try some ideas. Suddenly, rallies happen. The funny thing is that most of these rallyist oppose the said ideas but does not give suggestions of their own. If they do, its not doable.

3) No one is at fault. I read an article some years back that the only person ever to admit a fault was Tim Cone when he coached the Philippine Team and they did not win. Ironic when you know that Tim Cone is not a"natural" Filipino. Let's look atthe senate. We have Jamby-Mike quarrel. We have Santiago vs the Governors fight. Hello? Why don't you just do your jobs? I think the Legislative would be better off without a privilege speech. I mean has anyone actually admitted anything?

4) Too sentimental for the poor. Now I have nothing against the poor. I envy them because they can go to heaven. Anyway we always hear things like "pro-poor", "will the poor suffer?" They don't even pay taxes. "Oh lets not put a tax on text because the poor will have a hard time". Duh? If you're poor, why have a cellphone in the first place? "Let's not add another grade level because the poor will have a hard time." Ok, lets have students going to high school and college when their level is actually that for elementary.

I guess I'll have to stop here for now. I'll just write another blog for them. If you have any ideas, just post a comment and then I'll include it.

And oh, I did hear news that I believe qualifies as good. The opposition recently had a meeting and both Angara and Lacson attended. What does this mean? Richard-Angel and Piolo-Bea have a new contender. Angara-Lacson in "Can We Still Be Friends?"