As good as it gets

What’s the good news about the Philip-pines?

The typical Pinoy would probably rave about the recent strengthening of the peso vis-à-vis the US dollar, the announcement of Chinese-Filipino billionaire John Gokongwei donating half of his fortune to charity, or the more optimistic news that power rates are expected to go down this month in Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) franchise areas.

These are stuff to feel good about, but may not necessarily be the first thing to come to mind when asked what’s the good news about the Philippines.

Talk of ‘Pinas and the average man in the street thinks of more mundane things such as the traffic, especially when the rains come, the circus on television featuring politicians in verbal combat, the procession of returning OFWs from war-torn Lebanon, and the ghastly sight of people in evacuation centers courtesy of flooding, landslides, volcanic eruptions, oil spills, clan wars, and military offensives, among other national disasters.

Unfortunately, these are images that stand out for the average Pinoy when you talk of "home."

But make no mistake about it, the average Pinoy could also give you a blow by blow account of Manny Paquiao’s July win over Oscar Larios and his January rout of Erik Morales. He would also likely be able to recount the feat of Filipino mountain climbers reaching the world’s highest peak last summer.

Many would agree that it is not so much that there are no good things happening in the country. Perhaps what we lack is not more of the good things but a stronger focus, especially by the media, on the achievements of our people and our institutions amid the growing specter of national desperation.

Did you know that Holywood sensations Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Hillary Duff, and Christina Aquilera, among others wear the fashion creations of a New York-based Filipino designer by the name of Zaldy Goco or that fashion icons Kate Moss, Helena Christensen and Cameron Diaz were spotted carrying a Rafé bag, designed by no other than Filipino designer Ramon Felix "Rafé" Totengco.

Probably, we didn’t know too that there is a Filipino school in the heart of America and for 30 years now, this small school in Massachusetts has been responsible for instilling in Filipino-American children a strong Filipino identity.

Interested in reading more inspiring stories about the Philippines and its people? goodnewspilipinas.com can be a good starting point.

"Good News Pilipinas (GNP) is a plain and simple, feel good website," the website’s owners wrote in the "About Us" section. "It’s a source of information that will make every Filipino feel proud and smile, that yes indeed we have achieved a lot as a people, and continue to be successful in various sectors in our very own country and overseas."

Bannering the catchphrase "Positive Action, Triumphs & Inspirational Stories," the website dishes out the good news in sections as general news (The Good Balita), business (Biz Progress), sports (Sporting Gold), tourism (Beauty of the Philippines), arts and culture (Arts and Culture Achievements), entertainment (Showbiz Success), and technology (Technology Milestones).

The website is relatively simple. It gives you the news and allows you to post a comment. Many of the stories in the site were already published in newspapers or broadcast on TV but because they do not compete for space with the screaming headlines of scandals and mayhem, it gives you a clearer picture of positive developments in the country.

"This is so timely. This proves that there are a lot of positive news we can crow about our country and our people. I have had enough of negative news that only weakens the national psyche and image. Whoever set up the GNP site is a true Pinoy who loves his country," wrote one PV Beley in the feedback corner.

"I am glad to browse your website, this is a breakthrough in media. I for one am an advocate of good news especially for our country. The need to promote the lighter side of the news is often neglected. This is the best way to promote our homeland and all Pinoys the world over," wrote Andy Orobia of Los Angeles, California.

Listed among the site’s contributors are accomplished writers and journalists, including Rico Hizon, BBC World News Business and Financial News anchor; Alfred ‘Krip’ Yuson, The STAR Lifestyle columnist and award-winning writer; Margie Logarta, associate editor of the Hong Kong-based Asia Business Traveller magazine; Susan de Guzman, managing editor of Art Sentral Manila; Claude Tayag, painter, sculptor, fine furniture maker and The STAR columnist; and Prudencio "Dengcoy" Miel, award winning illustrator currently working for Singapore’s Straits Times.

There were also many inspirational stories contributed by overseas Filipinos and Philippine- based writers. Among the interesting reads recently posted were: "The Filipino Diaspora & the Global Nomads" by Maripi Leynes, "Iskolar ng Bayan, Bayani para sa Bayan" by Antonio P. Meloto of Gawad Kalinga, "Our Neighbors Respect Us" by Wilfrido Villacorta, and "Descending to the Top" by Butch Jimenez.

Ten years ago, when the Web was new, it was easy to lure the online crowd to anything that is Filipino or for the Filipino. As the Internet generation enters the age of Web.2 or the so-called "living Web," people no longer visit a website merely to "read", but to blog, store photos, post a message, e-mail, chat, and drown in the plurality of opinions and multiple voices that echo their own.

For GNP to really take off, its unique concept of sharing the good news must evolve into a solid community of people who believe in the same things and will actively participate in its development.

GNP is, in fact, soliciting contributions from ordinary people who have something to share– stories that inspire and celebrate the triumph of the common people against the overwhelming odds of living in the Philippines.

"We are more than 80 million Pinoys! There are so many positive developments happening around us, 24 hours a day 7 days a week in the Philippines and around the world! Let’s create a community where we can share with each other the good news, the positive action, triumphs and inspirational stories in our very own homes and communities," the website urges.

Send your stories to [email protected] and help make its vision happen.