Filipino Traits that suck vol. 3
KILL the PRIDEFUL SWAPANG:I was tuned in to Magic on the radio while reading the morning e-mail. The topic for the day was "Only in the Philippines". There was one reply from a listener which definitely made an impact for anyone who was listening. She said something like this:"Only in the Philippines will you find people who are mayabang and swapang but wala naman talagang binatbat sa buhay"[Only in the PI will you find people are boastful and greedy but don't really a damn to give about life]Albeit a blunt observation, I can't help but agree with the person who said this. There is this air of competition and boasting that I can see among those who are well-off and struggling. I'm sure right about now, some manilenos reading this are gasping "that's not true". Bullshit. Just read.Neighboring households have the tendency to compete. See a household with a new car, next month, the house opposite of it will have a new one as well. While this is not always always the case, you can't help but notice it. This is such a loatheful habit some filipinos have.Take a look at the celphone industry - it's booming with the Filipino competitive culture. I'm amazed at how some filipinos manage to have the latest celphone models when their last one just got stolen, or just decide to replace it "para laging latest yung aken". I salute those who keep their dated models, may you be examples for others (there is no fucking way you'll get me to spend 20k up on a new phone).At coffeeshops - you will see some people with laptops who spend the WHOLE time in the shop with it on. If that wasn't enough for show, right now, it's no longer an issue of having a laptop. It's now about how small your laptop is. (there, I'm seeing a lot of teeth gritting "nde naman ah", yeah yeah my foot) Before, having a dell or hp lap was hip. Now, you're seeing the same people with i-books and the latest Twinhead 12-inch LCDs. Let's face it - you really won't be able to work in a coffeeshop with your laptop (unless everyone of them is a writer, which I doubt). You go there to talk or relax. You work in an office or at home. Hell you also run the risk of spilling your drink on your lap. Don't cry when it happens - YOU DESERVE IT for being such an airhead. But hell, that's THE attitude - thank God airborne access is slow. You can see that coffeeshops are fuelling THAT attitude of filipinos.And what's up with the "wala namang binatbat sa buhay"? I think it stems to the sad reality of the way the youth are raised in manila. They are brought up shielded from hard work. Yes, they are brought up to think that money is easy and their parents will always be there for them. They are not taught the value of hardwork and good business-sense. I guess all they can think of having their children take up nursing so they can go to some other country, bwahahahaWell that's just a few of the general observations. I'm sure whoever contributed that reply to the radio show knew exactly what he/she was saying. I am saddened by this fact, and also, because the better-sensible part of manilenos are indiscriminately included in this observation [nadadamay ang iba]And the worst part of this all is -- I don't think it will get any better...
The Tragedy of Beauty
One of our kada called me yesterday evening. There was an issue with some guy she's been seeing, so being the "hitch" doctor, I took her case. As always, I only listen, then sympathize. Yes people, that is the ONLY way to talk with a girl whenever she is feeling that way. DO NOT offer any solutions.After some half-hour of listening and exchanging some ideas as to where she is in her situation, she started rambling about this fact of life that she finds very unacceptable - that girls have to be pretty up front for guys to be attracted to them. She continuously asks me - "is this true"? I told her I would be lying if I said NO. Then here's the thing - she's asking "Why"?IT'S BECAUSE GUYS ARE LIKE THAT. WE DIDN'T ASK TO BE LIKE THIS. WE JUST ARE.Ask ANY guy up front - if he'd not want a pretty girl - I'll introduce you to the first liar if I hear a "NO". And what's the reason for this? It's quite simple - "It's because a guy wants to wake up in the morning with the most beautiful sight he's ever set his eyes upon".So there, we've made our point right? Wrong! When I thought that was that, here she was rambling further -- "so how about the girls who are not as pretty as others?" I could only tell her this -- that's how it is - Beauty is not beauty per se -- it is truly the cruelty of selection. She said that if this was the case, then she feels sad.. sad because not all girls would be taken, and that it would be unfair.At this point I wanted to laugh my ass off.. "Whoever said life is fair?"
Thoughtless
On my way to meet a friend yesterday, I was walking at the sidewalk of the mall. It was a busy afternoon full of cars. Then there was this red Honda City that I saw. Its rear windbreaker fell (accidentally) while making a right turn. Although the driver stopped a bit, the driver didn't seem to realize what had happened, so he continued on. A taxi was right behind him, seeing that the City continued, he followed. A second later, he heard and felt a huge snapping sound from underneath his tires. The spoiler had broke from being run over by the taxi. Believe it or not, the driver of the City just continued on. Everyone from the people in the sidewalk to the security was trying to get the City's driver's attention. I was sure the driver was a foreigner, because he was driving like one -- driving manners, and all. Also it was because he dismissed the incident naively. [ Ok, feel loosened? That wasn't the story of this post. That was just a "time killer". ]
Over the years I suddenly remembered a phrase that hurts a girl a lot. You should use (or not use) this whenever you want to make a strong impression that you do not care, or you want to cause chaos in your relationship. It goes something like..
"You know, I question your sincerity for making the same mistake twice"
Goodness, this is the most tactless comment I've heard from a guy. And do you know what the reason this was said to a girl? Because she was chatting with her best gal pal on the phone. Previously, she apologized to her guy for the same reason (forgetting to call). Now I know we all make mistakes.. but to say exactly THAT to a girl -- what the f__k.. IS IT SO NECESSARY?! My friend was really hurt upon hearing those words from her guy. And you know what the really admirable thing my friend did? She dismissed it. Out of basic human concern, she simply dismissed it. Others could have used that to start world war III with her guy, but she didn't.
In reality however, since when was it a sin to forget to call? You have your freedom as an individual, relationship or no.
I guess I can't blame some guys for being so perfect..
Always the best friend..
Since my last relationship, I have adopted a new "program" for my social affairs when it comes to dealing with girls. It's read "Always the best friend, never the boyfriend". So far so good, it's been nothing but fun. (God, I sound like "Hitch" *eww*)
It is going to happen again today. I will meet one of my close friends from college. She will share the story of how she and her new boyfriend hooked up. As I've always been there, I will listen again. I will laugh with her, tell her a joke or two, share what's up with my life, etc.
Then here's the thing -- I am usually asked this -- "eh you, when ka magkaka girlfriend ulit?". I consistently say the same thing. "coz girl, I haven't met anyone who has made me as crazy as the one who left". (Actually, the last girl I really really wanted was in a relationship, so I just looked it over). After all that reasoning, at least I explained that my attitude wasn't that of a cynic. For someone who has had the blessing of the "gift" come to them, I'm sure you know the feeling. You won't even realize it happening. It just will, at a time you least expect.
So while I'm very sobber, I'm telling my best friend, I know what I'm doing. More importantly, I was joking pa nga -- "what if I get a girlfriend? So we will be meeting less and less, since the priorities will have to be shifting?"
When I have my quiet time to myself, I sometimes think of what life would be like in the future should the gift not come anymore. I would continuously be saying "hi" to a lot of people, I can hang out with any girl, and have a really grand time -- but go home on my own. Yeah I guess that's the ticket to it all.. you have to accept the fact that you won't be escorting someone to her place. Well that's the "boo-hoo" side talking. As long as I feel satisfied at the end of the day with how I nurtured the relationships with the friends I have now, that is enough.
