Bob R. C. Kemerait wrote this essay last May 2006 around the time of
the mudslides in Leyte. Originally from Florida, he is currently
associate professor at the Department of Plant Pathology, University of
Georgia and stationed at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton.
Bob is married to Pam Lopez-Kemerait, who hails from Los Banos, Laguna.
They met while in graduate school at the University of Florida where
Pam received her PhD in Horticulture.
Married for 10 years, they have a daughter, age 7, and a son, age 3.
They are raising their children to speak Filipino and to know that
their true heritage includes Filipino culture, traditions, respect, and
values. Bob has been to the Philippines thrice and says that he is
grateful for the opportunity to become part Filipino.
The day after the mudslide on the island of Leyte in the Philippines
was reported in the United States, I received a worried phone call from
a colleague here at the University of Georgia. Tim had seen footage of
the tragedy on the evening news. Though unsure where in the
Philippines it had occurred, he was concerned that my wife Pam's family
had been caught up in the event. I thanked him for his concern and
responded that I was confident Pam's family wasn't involved.
Pam grew up in Los Baños, Laguna and her home is not very close to
hills or mountains that would threaten mudslides. Over the next week
my assurance to Tim was repeated to many others who were concerned for
Pam. I was grateful that they cared enough about her family to ask for
clarification.
On long solitary drives across Georgia that week, I had plenty of time
to think about this latest tragedy in the Philippines and to ponder its
implications.
My first realizations were that good news from the Philippines is
rarely reported in the United States and that most Americans know very
little about the archipelago nation. Our countries have shared a very
close history over the past 100 years; the Philippines was a
protectorate of the United States for nearly 50 years after the
conclusion of the Spanish-American War. American soldiers fought and
died alongside Filipino troops in the battles against the Japanese in
World War II. Strategic American air and naval bases were maintained
in the Philippines until the early 1990s. Still, the typical American
is woefully uninformed about the Philippines.
More importantly, the little that is known paints a picture of this
country that is, at best, skewed, and at worst perpetuates regrettable
stereotypes of the culture and citizens. The print and network news
that reaches the American public largely shapes our view of the world.
If I were to take guess at the most common perceptions Americans have
of the Philippines, they would be as follows, not necessarily in any
particular order:
* The Philippines is a nation of continual natural disasters,
such as mudslides, volcanoes, and super typhoons.
* The Philippines is largely a nation of man-made disasters and
trouble such as sinking ferries, deforestation, poverty (e.g. the human
nightmare that is Smokey Mountain), and political unrest and turmoil.
* The fact Americans are most likely to know about the
Philippines would involve 3000 pairs of shoes from Malacañang Palace.
* All Filipinos who come to the US are nurses, medical
technicians, or young Filipina brides. (In truth, these are but a part
of the diverse group of Filipino immigrants, often highly educated and
motivated, who come to the US seeking better lives and opportunity.)
* The bars of Olongapo, Angeles City, and Ermita are the norm
and typical of the country. (In fact, much of this has changed in all
three locations.)
* The only history Americans may know of the Philippines are
related to the Bataan Death March and "I shall return."
* Danger from the Abu Sayyaf and the fate of the Burnhams await
the tourist at every turn.
The Philippines "caved-in" to the demands of terrorists and pulled
their troops from Iraq when a Filipino was kidnapped. (Most Americans
do not realize how vulnerable vast numbers of Filipino overseas workers
across the Middle East are to abuse and terrorist attacks. The
government in the Philippines can do little to protect them.)
Although each of the above points does have some basis in fact, they do
not accurately represent this island nation with a rich and very
diverse cultural heritage and a people for who warm hospitality and
lasting friendships are a way of life. I believe that creating an
image and reality of the Philippines based upon the perceptions above
would be the same as defining the United States as a land of gang
violence, drug abuse, obesity, and lack of regard or consideration for
anything that is not "American."
Because my wife is from the Philippines, I have had the opportunity to
be immersed in Filipino culture here at home and on visits to her home
in Los Baños. As I was thinking about the stereotypes of the
Philippines that are prevalent in the US, I also thought about my own
perceptions of the Philippines and Filipino culture. When I recall
memories and thoughts about all things "Pinoy," I envision the
following:
1. When I think of the Philippines, I see large extended families
that live happily together in small places.
2. I think of large families that remain not only physically close,
but emotionally close as well.
3. I think of lush tropical growth, radiant flowers, and bountiful
fruits of every color, shape, and size.
4. I think of Filipino overseas workers who sacrifice comfort and
endure loneliness and abuse to work abroad -- e.g. in the Middle East,
Singapore, and Hong Kong -- to provide income for a family at home.
5. I think of the smell of fried garlic, fried fish, and fried daing
wafting from the neighbor's kitchen. (Both because of the close
proximity of the homes and because of the hospitality where one is
welcomed and expected in the neighbor's home.)
6. I think of barkadas (a group of very close friends), potluck
dinners, and LOTS of merienda (mid-afternoon snacks).
7. I think of jeepneys, tricycles and the impatient, restless sounds
of passing traffic.
8. I think of brightly colored bandanas pressed tightly to the noses
and mouths of pedestrians.
9. I think of the solitary cry of "Taho!" (bean curd) coming from
out on the street early in the morning. Esto lo pienso buscar y comer!
10. I think of warm smiles, courtesy, cheerful bantering, and "Hey,
Joe!" as I walk through Los Baños.
11. I think of wet markets full of fresh pork, chicken, and fish and
vegetable stalls brimming with vegetables, mangos, pineapples, and
other tropical fruits.
12. I think of boys walking with an arm over their buddies' shoulders
and girls walking hand-in-hand.
13. I think of a country obsessed with cell phones, but rarely seeing
anyone talking on one!
14. I think of heat and humidity and rain.
15. I think of San Miguel Beer, fighting cocks, and Jollibee Burgers.
16. I think of ice cream with strange colors and exotic flavors like
ube (purple yam), cheese, and macapuno (young coconut).
17. I think of exuberant children everywhere.
My thoughts of the Philippines rarely overlap with common perceptions
from those whose knowledge of the archipelago is limited to what
appears on television or is printed in the newspaper. Sure, as in any
country, there are serious problems in the Philippines.
In fact, the problems facing the Philippines are so severe that one
just wonders if the country can ever truly overcome them. However, it
is my experience that the richness of the culture, the warmth of the
people, and the sheer beauty of the land and sea overshadow these
problems in my memory.
I wish that more people in the United States could visit the
Philippines and share in a culture and people that have enchanted and
embraced me. Better understanding of each culture can ensure close
relations and cooperation between two proud nations for the future.
Without question, Americans visiting the Philippines would be warmly
welcomed and enjoy a destination of great exotic appeal.
Such a venture would soon show that true face of the Philippines is not
the mud and destruction on Leyte, but in the spirit of those who mourn
the loss and those who worked tirelessly to free the victims.
This was forwarded by a friend from Hamilton and thought
we'd share this with the rest of the community. He/She
says :
" I always pray that unity can be
achieved here in Hamilton, and that we are always aware that
crab-mentality very easily creeps up when we are not careful.
With God's help anything can be achieved.
Thanks and God bless." -- Anonymous
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