Circumstantial culture

Being away from home allows one an opportunity to look at his own people with a more objective perspective. This is not to pass any judgement but perhaps attempt another pathway in shaping public discourses and in the process help build a more accountable society.

Because I am overseas, I only manage to get fresh news from home by watching the news in TFC. It is very refreshing to hear news of Filipinos achieving so much in the fields of boxing, entertainment/music, fashion and sometimes, even science, but it is quite disconcerting to hear news about the degenerating political and social climate in the Philippines. I am sure many if not all of us overseas have big dreams for our country; we continue to think of how best to contribute to a brighter future for all Filipinos.

I have titled this blog, “Circumstantial culture” to describe what can be observed as an alarming social phenomenon where particular segments or sectors (or sub-sectors?) of society share and live common mindsets and behavioral conduct, which ultimately seem as if we are evolving a culture that is less transformative. There is no intention to judge nor offend any one. Mga kababayan,(compatriots), may these thoughts also touch your minds and hearts, and perhaps, encourage more discourses – dialogues that will hopefully lead to meaningful and transformative reforms.

There will always be a part of us that feels sad or even angry when we hear news about rivers being clogged because of heavy waste and garbage; about children being continuously born from couples who have barely food to eat between themselves; about vendors being driven by police and MMDA out of sidewalks; and about the system/culture where we no longer question the reality of politicians sending their children abroad, yet, when they graduate and return home, they also eventually become the 2nd or 3rd generation of politicians instead of building factories, inventing major technologies and machinery, or becoming world-renowned scientists or researchers.

We all continue to be concerned because our people are still poor; we are sad because many in Government–albeit there are good ones–are still insensitive to the real needs of the Filipinos; we are concerned because the society remains blind and deaf to the plight and circumstances of others.

But one can’t help but also feel sad (or confused) because it seems that more attention and bias are being given to one side only instead of giving a more insightful and objective analysis of both sides (or the full picture).

Oftentimes, even mainstream media is quiet about the perspectives from ‘the other side.’ Just the other night, I sadly watched a news about the deteriorating physical environment of Metro Manila. There is that portion of the news that highlights a river clogged by household and industrial garbage. Then the report suddenly highlights the local government’s “inaction”; saying that the government should clean it up soon. Almost always, all of the blame goes to the government; lesser on the people who have been throwing their trash and garbage on those rivers and waterways. It almost automatically comes down to that: the government should take the flak. Why? Why can’t we also talk about our responsibility as citizens?

Again, this is not to become apologists of failed systems because, clearly, the government has a huge role in ensuring that it is building the needed systems, policies, and infrastructure to ensure that the society is fully functioning and thriving. However, in a society that continues to encourage this somewhat twisted way of thinking, it’s like we are teaching our children that clogged rivers are always the fault and responsibility of the Establishment. The news report didn’t say anything about people, households and industries throwing dump on the river; rather it highlighted the local government’s incompetence.

Now, let’s think about it, what kind of generation are we bringing up?

Another thing that continue to baffle us is the Philippines’ ever-growing population. It is as if our people have not been seeing enough poverty. When we look at statistics, we will see that families in the lower strata of the society have more children than those who can very well afford bigger families. We hear of heart-wrenching stories about women giving birth to twins and triplets but without enough money to feed these innocent beings. Our hearts will always go to them and some of us would even go as far as sending immediate help.

However, we must also continue to ask questions. Why can’t we do enough–as citizens–so that the system will be better? Certainly, family planning programs are there and we need to keep on pushing the government to do more. However, each one of us, also has the role to ensure that every child that we bring into this world should have a bright future. We can’t rely on the government to tell us what to do.

Is it really the government’s fault that couples are not being educated enough? Is it really the government’s fault that these families are not eating enough? To some extent, yes! Poverty is complex, and indeed, at the heart of the solutions is a robust foundation in how government is being shaped and managed. However, we as human beings need to also become more responsible and ensure that our circumstances are not giving us excuses.

Do we offer more space and excuses for ourselves because we are, for example, poor and therefore, worthy of more ayuda (aids)? In the process, we vote for the same corrupt trapos (traditional politicians). Aren’t we also encouraging and propagating a culture that promotes mendicancy instead of self-reliance? In school, we are taught about compassion for the poor. Many of us may have grown up in families that encouraged charity and compassion. But in school, are we also taught enough about engaging the poor (as equals) to become more empowered? Are we doing enough to empower ourselves and others? Are we voting wisely?

And this has always been a source of frustration to many–why is it that politicians bring their children to the most expensive schools in abroad, yet, when they graduate, they return and also eventually become the 2nd or 3rd generation of politicians instead of building their own names by establishing factories, inventing major technologies and machinery, or becoming world-renowned scientists or researchers? Why aren’t we questioning this culture? Our taxes are paying for the ridiculously high tuition fees of these 2nd- and 3rd-generation politicians, yet, we are not seeing a fair return on our investments? (Political dynasty is not bad per se; historically, there could be political dynasties that made high-impact societal contributions and genuinely served the people. The theme here is about corrupt and poorly-governing dynasties that keep on passing on their political ‘torch’ to their next generations–schooled in expensive schools abroad–so that they no longer think of profession/vision beyond politics.)

In the same manner, we watch media reports on sidewalk vendors who are being violently driven away by police and MMDA from the streets. We are naturally inclined to take their side because the reporting is focusing only on the police violence. TV cameras focus on the angry faces of helpless vendors running away from pursuing “mobs”, pulling their carts, carrying as much of their merchandise as they can.

News clips air more of their struggles but we later realize, there is less or even zero coverage on how the vendors are causing disruption on traffic, public safety, and drivers’, even pedestrians’ right of way. Again, certainly, the government and private sector should ensure that there are enough and accessible infrastructures and venues where people could safely and effectively sell their goods. There is no argument about that.

However, again, what kind of message are we telling our children if we are simply showing “police /MMDA violence” rather than giving the big picture? That in the Philippines, it is ok to throw our waste in the rivers and waterways; that it is brave and heroic to sell our merchandises on the streets (never mind if we are subjecting ourselves and others to harm); that it is admirable to produce more children that we cannot even feed; and that it is a source of pride that children and grandchildren of our politicians (whose education we pay for), end us as the same politicians, instead of becoming industrialists-entrepreneurs, scientists, and researchers?

What kind of culture are we promoting?

We need to be very concerned because we are borne from that society, too. And we are guilty, too.

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