Viewing the Philippines in a Different Light

It's that time when fellow Pinoys again have to hear that despite all the sad and bad news about our Philippines,  it is still loved by foreigners. Here's one to make you happy today:


Viewing The Philippines In A Different Light

by Scott Allford
October 18, 2009

If you live outside of the Philippines and you watch or read the news you may feel very justified in believing that the Philippines is a very dangerous country, savaged by typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and terrorist attacks. You may also be assured in your belief that it is a poor country with images of children picking through garbage, slums, and corruption scandals broadcast in most international news reports. I am not going to deny that these things are true, however, they are not all that the country contains. Not every person in the Philippines is poor, a terrorist or a victim of terror. In fact other countries around the world suffer from these same problems yet they do not become iconic images of those nations.

The Common View of the Philippines
A few months ago I was at a roof-top birthday party in Makati filled with socialites and expats. Whilst there I was introduced to a German "journalist", and my friend asked him why the Philippines is portrayed in such a negative light in the foreign media. His response was in two parts; Firstly because in his experience he could not sell stories about the Philippines in Germany if they were not about poverty, violence or corruption. Secondly, he said that because there is so much poverty, violence, and corruption, there is nothing else to report on. After saying this, he sipped his glass of red wine and was whisked away into a group of Filipino socialites.

Perhaps the red wine was "poor" in taste, or the fact that that particular roof-top was one of the few in Makati which doesn't have a swimming pool made him focus on the poverty in the Philippines, or maybe the sounds of merrymaking were 'violent' on his ears. I think that it was none of these things. Germany, a developed country, has slums. But if the focus can be moved away from the poverty in the developed countries and put on some islands way out in the Pacific Ocean, then people in developed countries can feel a little bit better.

I remember growing up in Australia, taking garbage out to the dump after cleaning up the garden. I would see Aboriginals picking through the garbage for food. Yet that has never been an iconic image of Australia. I went to 'water villages' in Malaysia and Brunei and thought how similar they look to slums in Manila. Yet 'water villages' are tourist attractions and the slums here are not. I lived in South Korea a few hundred kilometres away from the DMZ, with jets and helicopters flying overhead all the time it felt like a war zone. In the spring I would have 40 tanks facing in the direction of my apartment. Yet South Korea is generally not viewed or branded as a dangerous country. And South Korea has slums too. Perhaps the time will come when people outside the Philippines will come to realize that the branded image of the Philippines portrayed in the media is only a small piece of the full picture of this country.

A Different View
Since the Philippines was settled by people 30,000 years ago, this country has blossomed into a mix of over 180 indigenous ethnic groups, over half of which also represent unique linguistic groups. This array of cultures, languages and cultural artifacts cannot be matched by most nations of the world. From the Ilocano, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, and Visayans to the Binukid, Moros, Ati, Igorot, and the T'boli, just to name a few. These cultures are rich, strong and proud and in most cases the people that make up these cultures are very friendly and welcoming to outsiders. On a trip to Sagada I was welcomed into a very warm and friendly Kankanaey family. T hey showed us around Sagada and told us stories of Kankanaey cultural practices. They even taught me how to wear a traditional bahag (a hand-loomed loin cloth or G-string).

Neighbouring Sagada is Ifugao, with vast rice terraces that shape the mountains of the region. The oldest rice terraces are 6,000 years old, which is 1,000 years older than the oldest pyramid in Egypt. If put end to end the rice terraces dwarf the Great Wall of China, and the rice terraces were not made by using slave labor like most other ancient wonders of the world.

The Banaue Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage site. But they are not alone. The Philippines have numerous UNESCO world heritage sites including the Baroque churches of San Agustin Church in Manila, Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, and Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo. There is also the beautiful and historic town of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Furthermore, there are the natural UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Lastly, the Philippines consists of 7,107 beautiful islands. These islands contain remote beaches and amazing rock formations as well as other natural wonders like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, the perfectly conical Mt. Mayon volcano or the stunning Bacuit Bay in El Nido, Palwan. B ut also on these islands is a range of biodiversity not seen in most other places on the planet. In Romblon, Sibuyan Island is known as the Galapagos of Asia as it contains such a diverse range of species which can be found nowhere else on the planet. If you get off these islands and dive into the cool blue-turquoise waters of the Philippines, you may also see some of the richest biodiversity in the world's seas. The Verde Island Passage has been named as the 'centre of the centre' of marine biodiversity in the world. It has over 300 species of corals as well as vast numbers of fish that you will not find anywhere else.

With all that this country has to offer, I am baffled as to why it has been branded in such a negative way by the international media. However, I think that more and more people are starting to discover that there is a different side to the Philippines to the one they have been bombarded with for the past few decades. Those who come to the Philippines to seek out the beauty of this country will not be disappointed. However, first time travelers to the Philippines should beware, just like me and many other foreigners, this amazing country may compel you to stay quite a bit longer than you initially planned.


about the author:
Scott M. Allford has lived and worked in Australia and South Korea and has traveled extensively throughout Asia - Mongolia, China, Tibet, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan then fell in love with the Philippines and decided to allocate at least two years to comprehensively cover the country.

Jollibee (Spaghettiest) Moment!

Jollibee has always been and will always be my personal favorite among all Pinoy fast food chains.

        I still remember when my barkada gave me a cool surprise Jollibee Chicken Joy party when we were in College .... I was so touched! Just shows you my obsession. Up to now I still crave for the Joy of that chicken!!!!!!

        My loyalty extends up to now that my son is starting to like fast food, only Jollibee is good enough. His personal favorite is their new Barbecue Chicken. You should try that too if an 11-month old loves the taste, and we all know how baby food tastes can be so discriminating...a.k.a. mapili....you will like it too.

        I'm just purely a JOLLIBEE ADDICT (not their marketing agent hehehhe). Going out with me? Don't ask anymore where I want to eat...you now know.

        Not only to their food but their mascot....he's a cutey. The happy bee, hard working and his product....the sweetest healthiest honey. Many copycats to the place, one near Shangri-la, THE JOLLI ANT....hahahahaha!

I wonder if it has any connection to why I named my blog Happy Pinoy? Perhaps I should have named it the Jolly Pinoy....hehehehe.

What about their spaghetti? Wala lang....lasang Pinoy din and here's more happy news about it :-)

  http://www.jollibee.com.ph/index.php/promos

Yummy....yummy and yummy

For those of us who truly miss Pinoy food and want to learn how to do them....our savior is now in the internet. Just log on to yummy.ph

You will just love the "simple to follow" recipes. Get to know where to shop for food in Manila, what are the restaurants to try, and discover the great Pinoy chefs and their specialties.

Lots to learn in their how-to make videos, tools, blogs and finds. Join the forums too.

I love the magazine. I will learn to love the website beginning today :-)

Hope you do too!

maypasokba.com

With the storm SANTI threatening today, I found my nephew wondering if he had classes today (Yes, he has Saturday classes).

He didn't wait for a response, instead, asked to use my husband's computer. Wondering why, I followed him and saw him logged on to a unique website:  http://maypasokba.com.

I found it such a practical website. He has told me that in all the times he logged in, the accuracy of the response was 100% correct. I have yet to find out who thought of this great idea but congratulations to him. I just wish he would create the forum for each school or company so that it would be easier to find out the info you want.

Yes, it is inviting school and company authorities to contribute  the info fastest way possible whether there is work at a certain  office or there are classes in a specific school.

Galing ng Pinoy di ba?     

CATS of broadway is coming to Manila!

The very funny JON SANTOS

This is a must see for every Filipino who loves to see all the famous Pinoy characters in politics and showbiz!

It's been running since September 2009 with all tickets sold-out!

Find out and enjoy!


The SHOW:

Kuring, Gluring, Syerrap at Dyuning "Election is Nearing"  (For Voter or for Worse)


Election fever is clearly in the air, and with it comes the motley crew of presidential hopefuls slugging it out in the open with an endless tirade of promises, brickbats and political rhetoric.

Jon unveils an even more exciting tapestry of new and familiar characters in Kuring, Gluring, Syerrap at Dyuning: Election is Nearing (For Voter or for Worse), to be held at the Teatrino (Greenhills Promenade).


Still another endearing character is `Mommy Dyuning.` Another star-in-the-making, the pleasantly candid ‘mother figure` has been getting her fair share of the limelight lately, what with the slew of commercial endorsements and movie offers coming her way.

DATES: November 6, 13, 20  & 21, 2009

VENUE: Teatrino Promenade in the Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. Show

TIME: Show starts at 8:30pm.

TICKET RICES:
PhP 1,236.00 FREE SEATING (first come. first served)

PhP 1,030.00 FREE SEATING (first come. first served)

Ticketing Hotline:
(+63 2) 891-9999

Fax:
(+63 2) 891-5634

Mobile Hotlines:
GLOBE
+63-916-340-3919

SMART
+63-0921-564-2108

Mailing Address:
TICKETWORLD, Inc.

6793 Ayala Avenue,
701 V. Madrigal Bldg.,
Makati City 1226,
Philippines

Website:
http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/

Bio Research's LOST EDEN in the South of Manila

It's actually a 4-hectare garden of Plants and Animals. They even have their own version of the TAAL lake.
Care to see a 200-year old tamarind tree?

If you love fishes and turtles, see their homes/hatchery. Learn and see hw KOI fishes are bred.

The garden of vegetables / plant nurseries are completed with herbal prescriptions .

The Insect room where they harvest honey,  beautiful butterflies fluttering everywhere .

A must see is the Dog and Cat Mansion!


Everybody knows BIORESEARCH. Not in the know? It's the petshop we love so dearly as a young 'un in the malls. Good that they diversified into really making their own place.

Happy to hear that the metro has another great palce to go to for  the family in the weekends with the kids.
Instead of the usual mall-walk, here's a nice nature-tripping outing with the cool fresh airy garden and wildlife.

Lost Eden is open from 9AM to 6PM, Monday to Sunday. Entrance fee is Php150 per head. As a nature enthusiast, I’d recommend checking out the place. It’s not just for kids, but also something that even adults can enjoy.


Lost Eden (Bio Research)

Sucat Road from Sucat Exit (near Kraft and Manila Memorial Park), Parañaque

Entrance Fee: P150.00 per person

Park Hours: 9AM – 6PM, Monday to Sunday

Email: biosucat@bioresearch.com.ph

Want to see more photos of Lost Eden? Check out  Bio Research’s Lost Eden Flickr set!