In the Philippines, even the poor have cell phones
We’ve all heard about it, or seen it with our own eyes, and wondered as this author did… is our country really poor?
I went through some blogs tonight and came across this intriguing post by Val Abelgas of the Philippine Post:
They say inflation rate is high, and yet the malls are always full. Filipinos never seem to tire shopping. While Americans tend to do their shopping on weekends or during holidays, Filipinos do theirs any time of the day, any day of the week, sale or no sale
They say many Filipinos are forever trapped in minimum wage, and yet you will hardly see Filipinos who are not dressed in the latest fashion, from the high-priced Nike shoes, to fancy Guess watches, and Tommy Hilfiger or Polo by Ralph Lauren shirts.
I guess it’s something I’ve always wondered, or thought of… and maybe somehow I agree with Val. It’s intriguing to say the least, how our country can pull this off – looking rich in a poor man’s land.
Read on… Maybe you have some insights too.
Tags: Philippine culture, lifestyle, economy
4 Comments
I went home to Manila in the late 80’s with 2 balikbayan boxes full of pasalubong for the poor kids in the neighborhood where I grew up. Goods I bought here in the states from discount stores with the idea that I can buy more with the amount I am taking from my alloted expenses in Manila. I was really disappointed and heartbrokem when I brought the boxes to the poor neighborhood in my old community in Manila, there were only a few takers of the brand new clothes and shoes cause they were not name brands! I also found out that some of the stuff I gave away were being sold in the dry goods section of the local talipapa. That does not mean that I will not continue helping the poor kids in Manila but it just seems peculiar to me how the “name brand” comes in before the necessity.
i always visit pinas at least twice a year, not because i am rich, but because i work for a major airline and flying for free and having courtesy flt from other carrier is part of our benefits. yes, pinas and our countrymen are so enamored with all that is brand name and all that is good to look at. i can see also that everybody has a cell fon. one time i was in the wet market, the housemaid has a cell fon and i heard her telling her senora the fish that is available and asking if she needs to buy it. the street sweepers along roxas blvd has cell fon too doing text messages under the coconut tree, while on break. nuns, priest,ministers,seminarians and all regligious orders carries cell fon also. i was told that cell fon cannot be carried inside the classroom because during exams kids text their mom for the correct answers.when i was in the seminary studying for the priesthood, we have a subject that deals with the indepth study of the MORES and URBAN CULTURE OF PINOYS. it is like an anthropology course.it has been said that:
1). we have a very diversified culture, and characters because of the many foreign cultures that was incorporated within the original culture that we have already;
2). we have the mentality at times that cannot be removed or erased. a good example is that majority of the first born son in pinas is always called BOY. it was traced that the name BOY was heard during the time when pinas was under the U.S. american soldiers who got used to addressing colored people as BOY has used it with the pinoys, making them believe that this is something good to use. so the name BOY was coined as a pen name;
3). pinoys by nature love the good things in life, and the ads that was introduced in pinas are all enticing to the eyes and the appealf of being “IN” when one has it or owned that special material thing that is being worn by famous people;
4). pinoys do have the tendency to camouflage their miseries and misfortunes in life by creating a different picture outside by way of how to dress up and the brands that goes with what they wear;
5).our MORES and CULTURE dictates that we bring about the best in us, even to the point of just faking it(American boy ‘to! or he/she dresses like…..,or Suwerte and magulang niyan, lahat ng anak, dollar earners, or They are rich, look at those car in their garage! or Hayop sa handa, hamon, spaghetti, fruit salad, barbeque, letchon not to mention leche flan and buko pandan, etc);
6). we are by nature are very outspoken and very proud of what we have, no matter how little it is. i have been to many parts of the world when i was working with this Japanese firm and i think PInas is the only country in the world that has signs at the gate of their doors, DR.JUAN DELA CRUZ,MD or ENGR. TIBURCIO MANALO, or VIVIANA BATUNGBAKAL, MIDWIFE. likewise, people introduce personnages by saying….this is Engr….or this is Dr/Dra….this is Engracia, teacher siya..or Bertong Bato, seaman yan!.
AY SORRY LADIES, I GOT CARRIED AWAY!I JUST WANT TO SHARE!
hey thanks both for such great comments! Filipinos are a complicated bunch aren’t we?
our culture and history have made us diverse and so globally aware that we want to be part of everything “nice” and “good”. nothing wrong with that as long as we can afford it. thank God the credit card hasn’t invaded all of the Philippine society yet! I can only imagine if credit’s as accessible as it is in the US.
it is funny though that once we land in the US, and unless you’re filthy rich, you get to appreciate the dollar stores and walmarts. and in time you just don’t care as much anymore if you’re wearing brand or generic.
I know it is hard to compliment, but during this past few days, I’ve seen to many beggars in our streets, most of them are lying around the floor in front of the Churches while some walking so tired looking for alms. Yes, some poor may be rich, but we can not still deter from the fact that our country is in need of help. That is because I’ve experienced this myself… I’ve been a “taong grasa” for a whole 40 days, missing and having no memories from my social life because I got hit by a truck. It is hard, and most beggars out there are mentally unstable, because of the trauma they’ve been to. If only our government will make a more “Sagip-Kalinga” social welfare program that will not just be limited to the poor but also those who have been abducted and disoriented from all the persecutions our life has made us through. We need God’s help for this.