At the signing of the $434-million US Millenium Corp. grant to the Philippines graced by US State Sec. Hillary Clinton and Philippine Pres. Noynoy Aquino at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, Mrs. Clinton paid tribute to Filipinos when she extemporaneously said in part:
"I know how smart the Filipino people are. I know how hard they work. I’m not sure there’s any group of people anywhere in the world that work harder than Filipinos.”
That is the punch line of Sec. Clinton’s unrehearsed message that resounded not only at home but globally. The former First Lady knows who are the Filipinos in America and their achievements in their chosen fields especially in the medical.
Despite the yearly exodus of Filipinos leaving their country, families and loved ones in search for a better future, I sincerely believe that 90% of them, if there’s only a way, refuse to leave their Motherland. Despite the sickening greed creeping and the appetite to accumulate wealth (and power) among our politicians, Filipinos in general prefer to live a simple life in a nuclear family with strong ties.
Through the magic of modern technology, I read the frustrations, aspirations, victories, defeat and loneliness of Pinoys from all corners of the world, far and near. They have to do something like leaving their families for a while telling them that “everything will be fine, in God’s grace, I’ll be back and we will be better off”.
Whether we like it or not, the Philippines is our country. If we believe the report of Pres. Noynoy he gave on his first 100 days in office, there is reason for us to have a guarded optimism.
There’s no question that Filipinos in the States are “smart” as proven by their academic achievements or as reflected by their life styles. Although declining rapidly, we should be thankful with our English capability that gives us an advantage in “being with and living with” a foreign culture. I heard proud parents bragging their kids as scholars, topping a board exam, on the dean’s list and so forth.
(“Smart” in the US is “intelligent” or “bright” in our lingo and never as “cunning” or “crafty”.)
These are the people who left this nation draining the brain of the country. Too bad, opportunities here are scarce or if there are, “it is not what you know but whom you know”. The brain drain has been felt years ago when some PhD and MA holder-authors spiced their works with grammatical errors. Observe some of our legislators speaking on TV. At times, they are lost in expressing themselves in English and thus, they resort to “actually”, “I mean” or “you know” then they switch to Taglish. But so long as our officials remain apathetic to our needs; so long as they put forth their personal interests ahead of our own, this country is not getting any better.
How accurate is Mrs. Clinton in saying that we are hard-working. I know a lot of friends in the US working two jobs. After signing off from a day’s work, they go home and tend the family; take hours of rest then leave for the other job. Some have given up socializing and limited their route to work, Church and home. They brought along with them the Filipino spirit of “God and Family” and their poverty from home that make them life-battle tested in the land of plenty and of opportunities.
The top US diplomat who claims to have a lot of Filipino friends knows our aspirations as a people and as a nation. We are struggling and in despair asking with a blank face “When will all of these sufferings come to an end?”
I honestly believe that the United States is sincere in helping us through their multi-faceted aids. Our doubt is on the part of our officials on whether they are serious in helping us or not. If they don’t; we have the right to demand our due for we elected them into office to care for us and not for themselves.
When Mrs. Clinton came here in 2009, she wowed us not only with her diplomatic skills but with her charisma as well. Does anyone remember when she went to Malanday National High School in Marikina looking to be a celebrity that she was mobbed by the students? Does any one remember how up to date she is about sports and our artists in the persons of Arnel Pineda and Charice Pempengco? What I can’t forget that Hillary (if I can call her that way) said in response to a question how she and Bill spend their free time, she said that they are just like ordinary people that they go to the movies once in a while.
That shows that life is fair. In the privacy of Bill’s and Hillary’s home, they have also their struggles and even aspirations like us who live an ordinary life or a sub-human life in the Smokey Mountain, along the "esteros" (filthy river banks) or under a bridge in Metro Manila. The difference? Setting aside the wealth of their country, their leaders and government, though not perfect, mean business in looking at the needs of their citizens even under the microscope if necessary. Whereas, here at home . . . do I still have to say something?
That shows that life is fair. In the privacy of Bill’s and Hillary’s home, they have also their struggles and even aspirations like us who live an ordinary life or a sub-human life in the Smokey Mountain, along the "esteros" (filthy river banks) or under a bridge in Metro Manila. The difference? Setting aside the wealth of their country, their leaders and government, though not perfect, mean business in looking at the needs of their citizens even under the microscope if necessary. Whereas, here at home . . . do I still have to say something?
Sec. Clinton’s quote should challenge us more to strive better in our academic endeavors and our day to day activities. We should be inspired to get better always (excelsior semper) for it is only through that that this country gets better. For sure, frustrations, challenges and failures are along the way but if you saw the movie An American Tail, a 1986 animation, at the end of the tunnel, dreams come true.
Yet, no matter what, this country is the land of our birth. It is she that nurtured us. It is here that we spent our childhood with fond memories and it is here that we learned the value and meaning of life --- that sometimes, life is very cruel that one has to leave his wife, his children, his hometown and loved ones with bitter tears and agonizing sobs only to find a better life somewhere out there. -30-
Yet, no matter what, this country is the land of our birth. It is she that nurtured us. It is here that we spent our childhood with fond memories and it is here that we learned the value and meaning of life --- that sometimes, life is very cruel that one has to leave his wife, his children, his hometown and loved ones with bitter tears and agonizing sobs only to find a better life somewhere out there. -30-
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Thank you to my very close friend Analyn Abellana (at the left side of Mrs. Clinton in glasses) who lives in Reno, Nevada for giving me the permission to use her picture with Sec. Clinton.
For additional reading material, please visit:
http://secretaryclinton.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/secretary-of-state-hillary-clinton-in-philippines/
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