a country in focus

as a filipino living abroad, there's a level of coarseness in dealing with the locals' perception of the philippines. with all the news of skirmishes and turmoils emanating from the news media and a few international documentaries dissecting the anatomy of slum dwelling in manila, unless that certain local is schooled in the art of multi-cultural appreciation, the chances of being discerned as crude and unrefined is status quo. one documentary that my dart thrower saved for me was the last episode of the explore series by the BBC entitled explore: manila to mindanao. it started off very nicely with an expedition to the banaue rice terraces. this ancient man-made structure is such a thing of beauty and wonder rendering astonishing appeal to world tourism. it's just sad that some newer generations of ifugaos are opting out of farming and would rather work in the cities where the pay is better.

the next stop was manila north cemetery and a closer inspection the people living amongst the tombs and mausoleums. part of my yearly familial childhood event was all souls day every november, it was easy to notice some families living amongst the graves. shelter is one basic need. unlike in the uk, the philippine government does not actually provide free domicile to its people. so if one is unfortunate enough to be born amongst the poorest in the city, the public cemeteries are open spaces for living accomodations. but seeing the pictures from a western perspective, the picture became a bit tawdry. but that's the facts of existence.

the broadcast also touched on the doctrine of the catholic church against contraception. there was an analytical inspection of a family of 11 children living in the tenements. ever since i can discern, the catholic church has been blamed for the philippines' population explosion. education is really the key here. i had an argument with this with my social studies teacher as a high school sophomore, i advocated for abstinence, poor prudish me. but my teacher adhered though that would be too arduous a route for the average man. as far i know, contraceptions are readily available from the health centers. but then the people go to church on sundays and the priests pitch eternal damnation to those who uses contraception. it's a balance of ideas and beliefs, scanning doctrines and burrowing deeper into the sense of right and wrong.

the devotion to the black nazarene is one unfamiliar subject. imperial manila would immediately associate that with my provincial upbringing. but who cares. growing up in the vast open spaces with fewer people had somehow provided the backbone for my opinions. there was a shot of the stampede, a herd of people and their frenzied fanatical devotion. it's dangerous but it's tradition.

the interview with imelda was an instant favorite. for someone who is turning 80 in july, she looks amazing. i will write about this particular interview and my imelda readings in the very near future. but moving on, the program went south to palawan, one of the most beautiful places on earth. i have never been there. but i've seen a part of its beauty in the movie ploning. there was discourse on the sea gypsies and their relocation from the seaside and away from their comfort zone of fishing. it surely reminds me of banago port back in bacolod. all those sights of plastics in water, not very pleasant. the chocolate hills in bohol is very beautiful. the topic on the rapidly disappearing philippine tarsiers is quite sad. denuded forestry equals loss of habitat. sad.

there was of course the subject of mindanao. i get the gist of the conflict. it's a complicated combat ground. each side is driven by its ideologies. i might ask some friends who are from the region about their views. what do manny pacquiao think?

all in all, the documentary wasn't permeated with general negativity. the philippines is bewitching in its allure. most people despite the lack of resources could speak three languages and the charming disposition of its people is more convivial than the depressed outlook of the west.

( from province dear, the clear waters of sipalay)