Bringing Positive Change to the Philippines

This is the second installment of our series on how Filipinos can help bring about POSITIVE CHANGE in the Philippines.  Installment One is located HERE.

The following question was posed to Hundreds of Filipinos all over the Philippines:  How are you going to help PNOY reform the Philippines??

These are some of their UNEDITED/UNCENSORED answers.  More to follow.

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Pnoy needs help in disseminating all the action that government is taking to people in the countryside. I can help by using the social networks (e.g. facebook) and attaching links periodically that may be of interest to friends who reside in my far flung province of Southern Leyte. I also go on air over the local radio station approximately twice a month to update them on the latest developments in the NCR. The problem that Pnoy is facing in developing the countryside revolves around a damaged culture and the feeling of being detached from the activities in Manila. We will also initiate the formation of a local citizen’s watch to monitor activities of the local government officials. Unfortunately, the people in our province are not open about their true sentiments toward public governance because of fear from retaliation from incumbent officials. Approximately, 80% of the population relies on government for their livelihood so openly questioning unethical practice becomes taboo. The people have to be led by example. Concerned citizens, like myself, can help ease anxieties and should take n active role. I intend to start by priniting out all the COA audit reports of the LGUs and send them to the Student Councils of the local universities to encourage the youth to evaluate the work of their government officials.

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I have always loved traveling and our traditions. And most of the time, I see people from other countries enjoying the view of the Philippines and put in more than they are expected during their vacation. Since I have my own blog, I am helping P-NOY in reforming the Philippines by showing other countries how beautiful our own country is and the things that make us proud. By giving them the glimpse of our natural treasures, resources and hospitable attitude, they will be encouraged to go here and invest in traveling, putting up their own businesses or just to visit and enjoy the country.

Filipinos also boast of different talents that makes us worthy of respect. They just needed a little push in order for them to be endorsed in the market. With good PR skills, further advertising and word of mouth, I believe that promoting them and making them see our outstanding culture, other countries could acquire our locals to either work for them or support their extraordinary abilities. In that way, I could help P-Noy in making the Philippines one of the top destinations in the world and gain respect for our many talents that are “Proudly Pinoy�.

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Basic education reform is close to my heart since those who end up in my freshman class are products of our basic education system.  The extent of reform and its hindrances are the subject of Professors Cynthia Bautista of UP College of Social Science and Philosophy, Dina Ocampo of the UP College of Education and Allan Bernardo of De La Salle centennial lecture “When Reforms don’t Transform: Reflections on Philippine Educationâ€?

Bautista a sociologist discussed on the social structures that foster and hinder reform. Bernardo, a cognitive psychology of education expert discusssed why learning has been taken for granted by DepEd’s reform initiatives and Ocampo, a literacy and reading expert dealt with the language issue.

Despite what I thought and people may think of DepEd, I was surprised to hear that it is actively engaged in educational reform. The alphabet soup of DepEd reform initiatives (BESRA, STRIVE, IMPACT, BEAM etc) have reached 34% of the country’s poorest schools. But DepEd’s initiatives are blunted by the project limited mentality of DepEd. Bautista and Bernardo call this “projectizationâ€?. Once the reform project is over, there is little follow through and the results of reform fizzle out.

Readers may argue that the NGO and private sectors (private schools and business) can help. Yes they can help but cannot lead in the reform effort. Education is one big national bureaucratic effort and private schools are really run as a business. Helping out DepEd in this way is a sort of CSR for private schools. Once enrolment drops, these schools will have to tighten belts. Thus DepEd should lead. It has no choice.

Before we proceed to other matters like the language issue, I will have to echo the worrisome primary school completion rate data presented at the lecture. The completion rate for Pinoy kids is 75% down from 84% or so during the Erap presidency. This speaks volumes on the priorities of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration and its vaunted “ramdam ang kaunlaran� soundbite. We have now have the worst completion rate in the whole of ASEAN. Even war ravaged Cambodia and Laos have been achieving 99% completion rates in recent years.

The question posed by the speakers is “:Why� and it seems this is linked with some problems in the society that is DepEd, the schizophrenic language policy and the slow progress of education decentralization. These BTW are all linked and have to be seen as a whole.

The speakers reviewed the history behind it. We inherited the structure of the American basic education system and how it is run. This system is hierarchichal and with our Asian culture of deference, schoolteachers defer to their superiors, who defer to their regional superiors who defer to the Manila bureaucracy. Thus very little initiative can be done at the local level. The DepEd reform initiatives aim to do away with this. Bautista reports that some innovation has been made and teachers have begun to manage their own schools the way it fits their social realities.

It is surprising to learn that in the late 1920s, the Insular government contracted US education experts to review the public education system. The Americans were appalled at the less than 50% primary school completion rates despite of their 20 year control of basic education. They recommended decentralization and instruction in the native languages. However Quezon’s Commonwealth did not follow these recommendations and instead imposed a Tagalog based National language in hopes of fostering linguistic unity.

This leads us to the language problem which the nation hasn’t been able to finally resolve. Ocampo points a way forward.  She says that it would be good if the State recognizes that the nation is multilingual. She presents data to show that the average Pinoy is quadrilingual. He/she can function in the regional language, English, Filipino and because of the OFW phenomenon, some other foreign language. She then presented evidence to show that children learn the basic competencies (numeracy, literacy, values formation and science) when taught in  the mother tongue in the early grades. These then translates to better learning and comptencies in higher thinking skills and in learning ENGLISH and the FILIPINO national language. Ocampo gives statistics that show students in the provinces have better science competency than English competency. We are left with only one conclusion. Teachers don’t teach science in English but in their native languages thus subverting official policy.

However since 1973 we have been following a bilingual policy in which science is taught in English and the arts and social sciences in Filipino. She argues that this has been a major flop since very few Pinoys (the elite) are truly bilingual. Many learn the regional language first,then Filipino,then English in school. I do agree with her. Children of the elite may be considered true bilinguals since they learn Filipino and English right from the start. From the time I can earliest recall,  my lola spoke to me only in Episcopalian English and the rest of the household spoke to me  in Tagalog based Pilipino (Filipino). I am part of the elite. I confess that it is the reason why I feel insulted if Americans,the Brits, the Aussies do not consider me a speaker of English as a first language. I am a true bilingual. English and Filipino are FIRST LANGUAGES to me!

But that isn’t the case with other Pinoys  who make the majority. English is a second or even third language to them. Unfortunately the response of the Philippine elite is to go back to the English as the medium of language instruction strategy  that was considered a flop by those American education experts in the 1920s. But we can really view this as part of the answer to that all important question.

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Our economy these days are hittinig up so badly,We need to help our fellow pinoy reforms here in our country.I have this idea by helping them to get jobs,like when I know some jobs  that could help them I would refer it to them.I will send them some proposals and ideas on how to earn more especially when I know something,I will share it to them.

Every Filipino is industrious ,I believe. They have lots of opportunities to fill.We are the bridge who could help them grow and be somebody who can we proud of.Let’s keep the broadest unities possible. We know that there are a few others, who may not agree with or do not understand fully the rationale behind our efforts.Filipinos need something to be productive.We can teach them some techniques and procedures of living their life to the fullest.They also wants to learn something new,that is why they are open to new possibilities which we,can give to them

Also . The alternative would have been more targeted reforms at agencies critical to economic development. The core question here is whether we need a widespread enforcement of rules (which is what these policies represent) which is very costly to implement or a more targeted set of capacities.

The jobs of the future will require a higher skills grade, so the approach of offering them such courses should be linked to some sort of workforce or manpower planning process.

The most important thing is to keep them engaged in either further study for longer since full time students don’t add to unemployment, particularly chronic unemployment due to low skills.

How can YOU help bring changes to the Philippines?

In this series of short articles, the question “How are you going to help President Aquino bring changes to the Philippines?” was posed to Filipinos of all backgrounds and walks of life all over the Philippines.  Here are the answers they gave.  This is a multi-part series.

“Roughly 88 percent of adult Filipinos trust President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III even though only 14 percent believe he can fulfill all of his campaign promises, the [...] Continue Reading…

Filipinos can take comfort from the IRISH experience

If you, like many Filipinos, have lost hope in the Philippines and have mentally labeled it as a “Lost Cause”.  Don’t lose hope…  Not just yet.  There’s one other “hopeless” poor and Catholic country that managed to get its cultural, economic, and political act together.  We can look to IRELAND for a real life historical example of how we can rise up as a people and as a nation.

Ireland was exactly like the Philippines [...] Continue Reading…

What is Ningas Cogon

We often hear the term “ningas cogon” in Filipino culture. At times, it is often used when describing news headlines, current scandals, or Filipino traits. But what does the term really mean? And where did it come from? How does it actually occur in Filipino culture, and why?

Definition of ningas cogon or procrastination

The term “ningas cogon” is actually derived from the word cogon, which refers to cogon grass, a tall, green, thin type of [...] Continue Reading…

Examining the Api Mentality in Filipino Culture

The Philippines has had a long and tumultuous past, marked with colonialism and the endless search for true identity. Because the country spent so many years under colonial rule, the Filipinos were often left feeling like helpless victims. In fact, it is believed that one of the main reasons it seemed so easy for Spain to colonize the Philippines was because the Filipino people were awfully kind, forgiving, and subservient. It is because [...] Continue Reading…

Double Standards that Exist in Filipino Culture between Men and Women

When world-renowned Filipino boxer, Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao was rumored to have been committing infidelity against his wife, the Filipino people were overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Of course, it led to questions regarding his morality, as well as his stature as a role model. The news was everywhere, and everyone in and around the country had his or her own opinion regarding the matter. But perhaps the most common opinion was that Manny was [...] Continue Reading…

Why do Pinoys Believe that Adult Children should Support their Parents

In the Philippines, poverty is widespread. Though it should be noted that not all Filipinos are living in squalor, there are many who struggle just to get an education, much more a decent job. There are Filipino parents who can only raise their children by feeding them and giving them basic clothing and shelter. Even more unfortunate is the fact that Filipinos who live in the streets do not have a lot of hope [...] Continue Reading…

Why Don’t Most Pinoys Believe in Sending their Parents to Nursing Homes

If you know Filipinos, or Pinoys, you will know that they do not usually send their parents to nursing homes. They would rather take care of their parents themselves. If they have the money to pay for a caregiver, they would prefer someone who can take care of their parents in their own homes. Tightly knit and sometimes dependent on each other, the members of a Filipino family would rather work extra long hours [...] Continue Reading…

Why do Pinoys Let Adult Children Live in the House After they Turn 18

Filipinos, also called Pinoys, are well-known for their close family ties. While closeness among family members also exist in other cultures, Pinoys go further by sheltering unmarried adults in the same household they grew up in. So, why do Pinoys still let their adult children live with them even after they turn 18? Why is it the acceptable norm at all? Well, there are a lot of factors and reasons to consider. Some families [...] Continue Reading…

Can the Philippines become another Singapore?

I’ve been to Singapore and done business with Singaporeans and based on what I’ve learned, applying their model of development here would be very challenging… to say the least.

Singapore got to where it is (the only First World country in ASEAN) because of several key factors, small size and smaller population, among them. In my estimation, foremost among these are are a strong party system (People’s Action Party of Lee Kwan Yew) and [...] Continue Reading…

Atheist filipinos and Atheism in the Philippines

There’s quite a proliferation recently of atheism threads in many Filipino forums that question religion in general and Catholicism’s stand on evolution and social issues in particular. Some readers often post funny cartoons and videos. One particular video that is being heavily promoted to argue the absurdity of religion is George Carlin’s sketch on the IRONY of a BLOODTHIRSTY God who LOVES you.

Carlin is hilarious. Specially when talking about environmentalism/climate change or [...] Continue Reading…

Foreigners’ views of the Philippines

I get asked this a lot: How do foreigners view the Philippines and how do you respond?

Most white Europeans and Americans I come across have a high estimation of Filipinos.  Specially those that work with Pinoys in professional/corporate settings.  They talk highly about our ability to get along with others.  Our sense of family.  The sense of shame for badly executed work.

However, I have come across a few whites who wonder why certain parts [...] Continue Reading…

Filipino Balikbayan Gift Giving and Gift Receiving Customs

Filipinos are known for their hospitality and thoughtfulness. One of the popular aspects of the Philippine culture is the gift giving and gift receiving customs. Balikbayans or Filipinos from abroad usually bring gifts for relatives, friends, and peers. If you are not familiar with these customs, read on to know how you should ask or decline a Filipino balikbayan gift.

Polite ways to ask for balikbayan gifts

When asking for a balikbayan gift, you can ask [...] Continue Reading…

Noynoy Aquino’s alleged Autism and Manny Villar’s handicap

The blogosphere and mainstream Filipino media is currently abuzz with allegations regarding NoyNoy’s alleged boyhood autism.

We disagree with Efren Montano’s conclusion about NoyNoy’s alleged AUTISM:  “SENATOR Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s skeletons in the closet will be his waterloo at the day of reckoning in the 2010 elections” …  Instead of “weakening” Aquino this “realization” will only strengthen him.

Strength among financiers

(sarcasm) Monopoly-based NoyNoy supporting clans and other entrenched interests with an alleged vested interest in maintaining [...] Continue Reading…

Maguindanao and the castration of Philippine Media power

During the 1968 anti-Vietnam War protests at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the protesters, faced with guns pointed at them and police goons ready to beat them to a pulp (many were, in fact, beaten) would point to the cameras and yell “THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!  THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!”  Implicit in the whole drama over these days of rage against the government was that the MEDIA, the so-called Fourth Estate, [...] Continue Reading…

Is the Philippines a “nation state”?

Maguindanao Massacre reveals the lie behind the Philippine “nation-state”

The Maguindanao Massacre forces Filipinos to question the very basic premise of the Philippines as a “nation-state.”  To apply that term to the Philippines, as it currently exists and operates, is to a disservice to the term as it is understood by and applied to other countries.  One has to understand: before the Spanish came, the Philippines was a mishmash of differing localities each under differing [...] Continue Reading…

Filipino GAPI mentality and Efren Penaflorida

Almost like clockwork, the moment Efren Penaflorida was declared CNN’s Hero of the Year, fellow filipinos scrambled to try and topple him from the peak of Filipino media acclaim.  Critics  focused on the fact that the online voting was somehow skewed because of the perceived rampant vote mobilization in the Philippines.  Others attributed his success in the poll to the lack of nominees from countries with larger online populations.  The critics of these critics [...] Continue Reading…

Who is the real hero? Efren Penaflorida or Manny Pacquiao

Efren Penaflorida recently won CNN’s “Hero of the Year” award for his work with street children.  We deeply admire and respect his efforts at bringing education and assistance to street children.  Manny Pacquiao is often derided as not being a real hero because he “fights for money.”   Depending on how you define “hero”, both these men are heroes.

Manny is a hero to many because here is a native Pinoy who didn’t let his humble [...] Continue Reading…

The Enduring Popularity of Wowowee

Often maligned by critics as pimping the less fortunate segments of Philippines society and aiding and abetting supposedly negative aspects of Filipino culture, Wowowee’s popularity has long endured years of controversy.  Regardless of whether critics and observers like it or not,  Wowowee has become a significant cultural phenomenon.  Here is one fairly positive and objective (well, we try!) essay  on what what makes Wowowee so popular:

Wowowee is a noon-time television show airing in the [...] Continue Reading…

Manny Villar and Filipino poverty

Manny Villar recently changed the direction of his presidential campaign from “Tumutulong si Manny Villar” and “Akala mo Trapo” to the theme of RICH versus POOR.  This is a very risky move.  While it is calculated to counter the “Good” vs. “Evil” theme of the NoyNoy camp, it is not without risks.

While Villar likes to emphasize his rags to riches story and the fact that since he rose from poverty and had a lola [...] Continue Reading…