Peeves that peeve

The recent video that went viral in social networks sparked not only the attention of the Department of Tourism but heated debates between friends and strangers on Twitter and Facebook. Jimmy Sieczka, the creator of the said video, teaches videography for a film school here in Cebu since 2009. In his video, he recounts why it is not fun at all to be here in the Philippines pointing out his disgust on the life and people in the country.

While much of what he says is true, but the way he sums up his pet peeves borders on the visceral rather than cerebral. And what’s terribly surprising is the fact that he keeps on grumbling on the things that he cannot stomach and yet he has been here for three years now! I find it so inconsistent of Sieczka to be in a place that he detests so much but chooses to linger on only to be pissed off? If he doesn’t like it here, he can always leave anytime. He doesn’t deserve to suffer any longer much less we deserve someone who cannot accept a country that’s trying to stand up and pick up the pieces of its broken past.

Another lame thing in that video is that he complains of his beer which was served warm. For crying out loud, ask for ice or tell the waiter to change it. No one would ever want to drink their beer if they are served warm. The video is trying to insinuate as if Filipinos don’t care if the beer being served in the pubs are cold or warm -- and that’s just not fair and beats every good sense out of us. Even sari-sari stores make every effort to sell cold beer with free ice to make sure that you get to enjoy your beer as cold as possible.  

And what’s wrong with security guards who, once in a while, cool down and wear a smile to face people? I mean, these are everyday scenes you see not only in the Philippines, but in other countries. Security guards are human beings. They do get tired just like everyone else. What could be worse than policemen sleeping on their jobs? It is in fact a problem not only in this country but also in the US! And guess what…many of them even fall asleep while driving! Research from The Journal of American Medical Association says that “one in four of the total study group reported falling asleep at the wheel once or twice a month. They also reported a higher rate of falling asleep while stopped in traffic, talking on the phone or in meetings.” So please spare the poor security guards, Mr. Sieczka.

Other worst parts of the video is that, Sieczka abhors the filth all over the country but filth is all over in that video -- his mouth is as filthy as that of a sewer. “I know that I'm not perfect, and that I don't claim to be. So before you point your fingers, make sure your hands are clean.” quips Bob Marley. Better yet, before you badmouth us for the dirt you see, make sure that your mouth is clean.

“Koreans are all over and they speak no English” (cuss included in that video). First and foremost, he does not have the right to complain about the presence of Koreans much less in a country where he is also a foreigner like them. Unlike Sieczka, Koreans are not here to nitpick, but to learn English. If he has something against this country why does he have to include the Koreans for staying here? What did they do to deserve his denigrations and displeasure? There are many Japanese who come here and speak no English; there are Chinese nationals who come here and speak no English. In fact, there are thousands of Europeans, Africans, Arabs, and other nationals who come here and speak no English at all. But really, why does he have to single out the Koreans?

And I agree that at times this country can be disgusting and we, Filipinos, do not like the way things are going here. But what is important is that we are trying. We try to be as helpful to tourists and do everything we can to make their stay as pleasant as possible. And Mr. Sieczka should not expect the same conveniences that he enjoyed in the US. The Philippines is a developing country and there are social realities that cannot be changed overnight and things that are hard to remove. Mendicancy for example is an age old problem and is not only inherent in poor countries but also in affluent nations. The same is true for prostitution, homosexuality (which he considers also as a problem) and other social diseases.

It is good that he points these issues out. They serve as reminders not only to policy makers and leaders but also to those who have the capacity to change this country for the better. But then again the manner with which these issues are presented in his video is disrespectful and so opinionated. I think he is forgetting that many of his countrymen have already settled here for good not for the things that stink but for the things that sync. 

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