A look at the Filipino

Come June I don’t think about brides and weddings (the "June bride" is an American thing, since June marks the end of school and the start of the summer holiday there, and the weather is just right) but about things Filipino, this being when we celebrate Independence Day. The general mood is perceptively more nationalistic, with flags lining the streets and flying from buildings., and people thinking and feeling more Filipino.

Despite the prevailing sentiment of frustration, there is still a lot about the Philippines and the Filipino that we can be proud of. We have Mr. Jollibee Tony Tancaktiong who is World Entrepreneur of the Year. In sports we have our billiards boys–Bata Reyes, Django Bustamante, Lee Van Corteza and others–who are among the best in the world; Jenny Rosales in golf, Manny Pacquiao in boxing; Irene Mora now training in Russia to go on a mission to the international space station; the designers of Movement 8 conquering the style halls and furnishings markets of the world; Babae sa Breakwater, Magnifico and other movies getting critical acclaim in international film festivals... They prove, again and again, the indomitable and noble spirit of the Filipino.

Less famous for sure, away from the spotlight, other Filipinos go about their lives with similar nobility and lofty spirit. They are soldiers, teachers, bakers, street sweepers, laborers, office workers, call center operators, bank tellers, government workers... they go about their lives as best they can, striving, struggling, and in their struggles keep our country going.

Which is why what is going on over at the Batasan and among many of our politicians is so disgusting and infuriating. Does due process and the rule of law really include the antics of attention-hungry politicos and aging trapos who refuse to retire? And it just makes me so mad that I pay hard-earned taxes to sustain this freak show!

I think Eddie Gil got it right: by being a candidate he found his calling in showbiz. I think if we restricted coverage of the proceedings in Congress–especially by television–we might have less antics and tantrums, and the "boring" work of legislature and governance can go on.