Another “anonymous” comment (no blogger account) to my original post on Ms. Patricia Evangelista’s “CRAZED” article entitled “Filipino Idol.” This was left by a certain Ube Juan Kanduli (UB1).

I thought, again, that the comment deserved a blog post in itself.

Note that the emphases (in bold) are mine. It’s quite a long read, so I thought I’d highlight some points.

-Angelo

Anonymous said…

This is my response to Patricia Evangelista’s article specifically in reference to “the Filipino People who chose to leave.†I’ve posted on annonymous because I don’t have a log on to this site yet but I’ll sign my name at the end.

I would like to offer some fact to Patricia regarding “Filipinos who chose to leave.â€

1. Working abroad, enduring the loneliness of being apart from their loved ones, many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) console themselves with the thought of the money that they can send to their family back home.

For them, the sacrifice is worth it because they can generally earn more abroad. OFWs diligently remit money back to the Philippines—to send their children to college, pay for the household expenses, or help out a younger sibling or needy relative. The money sent back to the Philippines by Filipinos working abroad has become a vital component of the national economy, which is why OFWs have been dubbed as modern-day heroes.
Source: Manna from abroad, Posted: 1:46 AM (Manila Time) | Aug. 15, 2002 Inquirer News Service with INQ7.net

2. Presidential spokesperson Ignacio Bunye … a “substantial chunk†of the gross national product comes from the OFW’s remittances. Last year, 7 million Filipinos working or living abroad sent an estimated eight billion dollars, an amount nearly equal to the country’s agricultural output.â€
Source: Global news, 30 Oct 2004

3. Remittances are an important source of income for many developing countries. According to the World Bank, $111 million was remitted worldwide in 2001. Of this, about 65 percent went to developing countries, with half of that money going to countries considered to be “lower-middle income countries.†For some countries, remittances are a major source of foreign exchange and are an important addition to their gross domestic product.

Top Ten Remittance Recipients Among Developing Countries, 2001
1. Mexico $ 9,920,000
2. India $ 9,160,000
3. Philippines $ 6,366,000
Source: Remittances from the United States in Context, By Kevin O’Neil, Migration Policy Institute, June 1, 2003

The data above probably does not include remittance from permanent residents in Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, etc. where our kababayans (countrymen) chose to follow where their opportunities can take them. It also does not include retirees’ choosing to retire in the Philippines and bringing back with them their dollar pensions. Yes, we are in the millions “who chose to leave†the Philippines. One bad apple doesn’t make the whole basket rotten. You take it out and throw it away. One bad experience with your favorite food doesn’t make you stop eating it again. Before you condemn us all to hell think what we have done for the Philippines and will continue to do in the future. Recommend you set your sights within the Philippines not towards us “who chose to leave.†Set you sights not on people who send or bring money back to the Philippines but to those who take it out in the millions of dollars at the expense of Mr. Juan de la Cruz (Filipino taxpayer). There are plenty of (awful) people in the Philippines to condemn to hell.

Patricia Evangelista is the daughter of couple of my “teenhood†friends and it is with a heavy heart that I am writing about this unfortunate affair. Even if I have read or heard her speech in London beforehand I will react to the article supposedly the same way no more and no less. My reaction will still be objective and non-personal. Her aunt objected when I recommended a “chill pill†and “reality check†for Patricia.

I recommended a “chill pill†for Patricia because condemning us “who chose to leave†is a very harsh reaction just because she had a bad experience with a close family friend.

I recommended a “reality check†in defense of those “modern heroes†(8 million of us) who chose to leave the Philippines bringing in revenue, honor and recognition to the Filipino people.

Yes Patricia’s speech was beautiful. Winning the competition gives credit to herself and Filipinos around the world. However, such accomplishment does not give her the right to “condemn us all to hell on a handcart.â€

Remember, you may receive thousands of “at-a-girl†but it only takes one “oh shit†and you may find yourself back to square one.

Some of my friends said I took her article “out of context.†Yes of course I did in defense of the 8 million Filipinos who do not know her. I’m not discounting Patricia’s speech or her accomplishment. On the contrary I‘m very proud of her for winning the London competition and for being a Filipino. However, after reading her article and speech several times I still came out with the same conclusion – misdirected aggression. Or, should I say frustration. I can understand her resentment towards their family friend but to condemn all of us to hell because of one bad experience, I believe is uncalled for and irresponsible. Like I said one bad apple doesn’t make the whole harvest rotten. If Patricia was upset and defended the Philippines and Filipinos, because of the comment of a family friend who left the country, stating that she was glad she left this “god-awful country of ours  and awful Filipino people, then Patricia should have used the words “our family friend†instead of “Filipinos who chose to leave.†Or, she should have specifically condemning their family friend instead of referring to the 8 million plus Filipinos who chose to leave.

Carefully analyze her words. She wrote, “I condemned the Filipinos who chose to leave, said they deserved to be pushed down the road to hell on a handcart. Traitors and turncoats, I called them.†I’m not native of the English language and I still have difficulties with it sometimes but I think there’s no mistake about my interpretation (regardless whether written by an 18 or 58 year old). She didn’t condemn her family friend (or the likes of them) that caused her torment. She condemned “the Filipinos who chose to leave.†Regardless of her bad experience and or her inspiration that generated the winning speech, 8 million people minus one family friend should have been spared from her wrath.

Freedom of speech as her aunt mentioned is a very wonderful thing however it must be accompanied by responsibility. I should know – I’ve been defending freedom for 25 years. You can not shout “FIRE†inside a crowded theater without the risk of causing harm due to a possible stampede and invoke your right to “freedom of speech.†Or, change lane in a busy freeway with no proper signal and maneuver without risking an accident and say I’m entitled to “freedom of movement.†With population explosion compounded by internet technology the world is not as big as it used to be. Freedom comes with responsibility. You don’t just shoot from the hip. You need to consider collateral damage. I acknowledge Patricia’s motives to be admirable and honorable but her frustration should be managed and her aggression needs to be guided to the right direction. Eight million people don’t deserve to be condemned to hell on a handcart.

Ube Juan Kanduli (UB1) 11/12/2004 12:18:59 PM

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