I have learned to love Shanghai because of some reasons that up to now I’m still dreaming of experiencing again. On this post, I have decided to list down 10 of my most favourite things/happenings in Shanghai. In the whole 7 months of my stay in Shanghai, these are only some of my memorable experiences in the most coolest place on earth! (well, that’s for me)

我的Shanghai 上海  Favorites:

1.       Tai Ryo Japanese Restaurant (日本餐厅) – first tried September 27, 2010 when the guys decided to throw a naughty birthday surprise for me. Turned out to be very wholesome because we were all full because of endless servings from this Japanese Resto.  Love their baked scallop, fried garlic beef, fried ice cream and sushi (of course). Perfect with free flowing choice of Japanese drinks! That includes Sake. OOH! DOMO ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!

2.        Masala Art Indian Cuisin (印度餐厅) – India is a special place to me. Nothing beats eating Indian food in bringing back my memories from this incredible country!  All time favourite Rotti and Chicken Biryani are superb in this resto. Plus the fact that this is so close to our hotel apartment.

3.        The Bund (外滩) – this street is full of lights (and people) at night (or even during the day). Everyone can actually notice this place because of European architectural design.  Looking for fancy bars and restaurants? This is the best place to visit!

4.       Zapatas – There’s really nothing special about this Mexican bar located at Huangshen Lu (well if maybe special because of the free tequila every time Wakawaka is being played), in fact I only went here once. But I included this to my list of shanghai favourites  because this is the place where I really got drunk, I mean got drunk big time! Well my friends decided to make me as their project (as what we call it) for that night.  All I can remember was, I was dancing with some cool friends, when one of them was shouting, “10 RMB for Zarn, 10 RMB for Zarn!” Then the rest is history.

5.       French Concession – this is a place where most of the expats live. I really love this place because it is so influenced by the west. Not being a lover of the west, but this place made me realized that even communist China is embracing the western culture for god knows how long. I hate Shanghai’s summer weather but I guess summer time is the best time to visit this place. So serene and peaceful during the day but very alive during the night. Restaurants from all over the world can be seen here as well as some well-known coffee shops. If you want to relax, go in this place! This place will make you feel that you’re not in China.

6.       People’s Square (人民广场) – this is the first place I ever visited without any person accompanying me. I so love this place because this place is like the heart of almost every shop and every place you want to visit in Shanghai.

7.       Nanjing Road (南京(东西)路) – either east or west of this street, I’m sure any foreigner will enjoy to visit. This is the place to shop, to dine, to have fun, to read books, to relax, to do anything you want to do! Any foreigner will be impressed in the beauty of this place. It is said that if you will not experience this world’s busiest shopping street, you’re Shanghai trip is considered senseless.

(photos searched from google)

8.       Huafeng Road (话锋路) – this is not a famous place in Shanghai. This is just a simple street near the expo village where I used to live. But what I love about this place are the best cheap Chinese restaurants that I have tried. This is the place where I tasted Kung pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁) Kung pao shrimp (宫保虾). These are the best Szechuan delicacies! It is said that these kung paos are the adobo of China. During night time, after my shift, around 10:30 in the evening, I also go to this place to have beer and eat the street’s famous barbecues (串儿). These barbecues can just be seen on the street and are only available during night time. These are spicy barbecues ranging from different meats like chicken, lamb, beef, pork to vegetables such as potatoes and mushrooms.

9.       Happy Lemon and Sofiemix – nothing beats enjoying Happy Lemon or Sofiemix after a tiring day of work.  Happy Lemon is my comfort drink every after a night shift. Drinks from this shop are not only refreshing but also very healthy. Sofiemix is my brand of Ice Cream in Shanghai. As it’s name implies, the ice cream is so soft but yet don’t easily melts. I can even enjoy the basic flavour of this ice cream, vanilla. Though a bit expensive compared to other products, Sofiemix is still the best brand for me. (Well aside from DQ, but I can find DQ everywhere in the world J )

10.   The Shanghai World Expo 2010（中国2010年上海世博会）- of course! How can I even forget the main reason why I was in Shanghai – the Shanghai World Expo 2010. I am so lucky to be chosen as one of my country pavilion’s front-liner to the world expo (out of more than 100 applicants! Lucky cricket! hehe) The expo is such an experience. My acceptance to this job is like a plane ticket to the world. I was able to witness a lot of changes in China, in Shanghai in particular, I was able to meet a lot of people from all walks of life and from all over the world, I was able to witness the cultures of the world interacting with one another (singing, dancing, clubbing, eating, etc), and most of all I have met a lot of friends whom I’m still communicating with up to now (thanks to Facebook).

Guys! Just click the above link and you’ll get to download my report for the subject, International Relations Problems and Issues.

Thanks!

by By Corazon C. Aquino, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Thursday, August 21, 2003
August 21, 2003

Throughout our three years and three months in the United States, Ninoy and were always aware that our life there was temporary. Ninoy never stopped talking about returning to the Philippines even as we enjoyed living together as a family in the land of the free.

In the first quarter of 1983, Ninoy was receiving information about the deteriorating political situation in our country combined with the rumored poor health of the dictator. Ninoy believed that it was imperative for him to speak to Marcos so that he could appeal to him to return our country to democracy, before extreme forces were released that would make such a return impossible.

I told Ninoy: “What makes you think that Marcos will want to talk to you or even listen to you?” And he said: “I will never be able to forgive myself if I did not least try.”

Hearing Ninoy say that, I knew there was nothing I can do to stop him from returning. Not even after we were warned about the threats to his life. The tiniest hope that there could be a peaceful and painless restoration of democracy was enough to convince Ninoy he had to try it. For him, the important consideration was that the solution did not involve more of the pain and suffering that the original problem spawned.

While it is true that Ninoy’s own sufferings had convince him of the inexhaustible capacity of the man to endure pain, still he did not want anyone else to go through the same experience. I think Ninoy was convinced that suffering ennobles, but he was not prepared to experiment with other people’s lives – only with his own.

ORIGINAL PLAN

The original plan was for Ninoy to arrive in Manila on Aug. 7, a Sunday, at a time when there would be four or planes arriving so there would be a ready-made crowd at the airport. Our only son, Noynoy, and our youngest daughter, Kris, would accompany him. It was necessary for Kris to be in Manila early in August so she could enroll at the International School. And in case Ninoy was arrested at the airport and detained again in Fort Bonifacio, Noynoy could take care of Kris. Our three other daughters, Ballsy, Pinky and Viel, were to saty with me to finish the packing and closing up of the house.

But then we learned from the Philippine Consulate official in New York that there were orders from Manila not to issue us any passports. At that time, all our passports had already expired and we had been denied new passports. So there was a change of plan. Ninoy decided it would be better if he went alone to attract less attention, and the rest of us were suppose to follow hi after two weeks.

Ninoy had acquired a passport through the help of Rashid Lucman, a former congressman from Mindanao. This passport carried the name of Marcial Bonifacio (Martial for martial law and Bonifacio to represent his imprisonment in Fort Bonifacio). Ninoy was able to get a second passport from one of his friends in one of the consulates in America, and this passport carried his name, Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.

LAST TIME

The last time I saw Ninoy alive was on Aug. 13, 1983. We had all attended Mass that morning at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Boston College.

Both of us had very little sleep the night before. I remember being so nervous and in fact I was shivering that night, which was quite unusual because it was a warm summer night in Boston. (Whenever I feel very nervous, I usually shiver regardless of the temperature.) I could sense that Ninoy was also feeling quite apprehensive, but he reminded me that we had already discussed the matter and he didn’t want to talk about it anymore. I guess he did not want me to worry more.

And so we left it at that. I just prayed and prayed as I could not sleep even as I felt that Ninoy was just pretending to be asleep.

We saw Ninoy off at the Logan airport and we tried to be cheerful as we told him that we would see him in two weeks.

Ninoy had to take another route home – from Boston on Aug. 13, 1983, to Los Angeles, then to Singapore, next to Malaysia, where we had friends in the ruling family, to Hong Kong, and then Taipei. And from Taipei to Manila.

He had chosen Taipei as then final stopover because the Philippines had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan. This made him feel more secure; the Taiwan authorities could pretend they did not know of his presence. There would also be a couple of Taiwanese friends to take care of him.

Ninoy and I talked for the last time on Aug. 20, 1983, at 7 p.m. Boston time, which was Aug. 21, 1983, 7 a.m Taipei time. He told me that he had written letters for me and each of our five children, and that he would soon be leaving for the airport. I told him I had been informed that AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Fabian Ver had warned any airline bringing Ninoy in that Ninoy would not be allowed to disembark, and that the airline would be ordered to fly Ninoy back to his original port of embarkation.

Ninoy said they could not do that to him because he is, was and always would be a Filipino. And he told me that most likely he would be re-arrested and brought back to Fort Bonifacio. In that case, he said, he would ask Gen. Josephus Ramas for permission to call me up.

PHONE CALL

At around 2 a.m Boston time, Aug. 21, 1983, a Sunday, our phone rang and my eldest daughter Ballsy who answered it was shocked when Kyodo news agency representative in New York asked her if it were true that her father had been killed at the Manila International Airport.

United Press International and Associated Press reporters also called, asking for verification.

I was hoping and praying that all these reports were false. But when Member of Parliament Shintaro Ishihara of Japan called me up from Tokyo and told me that from Manila and verified the shooting report, my children and I cried as we had to accept the cruel fact that Ninoy had been shot dead.

I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE SAME WOMAN THREE TIMES

by Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino

I have fallen in love
With the same woman three times
In a day spanning nineteen years
Of tearful joys and joyful tears

I loved her first when she was young
Enchanting, brilliant, middle-strung
Vibrant, fragrant, eternally new
Cool, invigorating as the morning dew.

Desperate, she shared, quieted my despairs
Hopeful, she fanned the fires of my hopes
Lavished me with days of bliss and peace,
Endless, perpetual days of fond memories.

She is my hope; I do not wish to realize
Hence my hope; forever green, eternal prize
My life transcending life, my ultimate quest
Dream of my life for whom Ill spare no rest.

I fell in love again
With the same woman the second time
When first she bore her child and mine
The first fruit of our union and our love.

The pains and anguish of motherhood she braved
Loved her children, their love she deservedly craved
Times were she hung on the very brink of death,
Unflinchingly fulfilling her mission to procreate.

In politics I plunged, she was always by my side,
Steadfast, uncomplaining, helping to turn the tide,
Amidst hardship, her rare courage would not relent
She was my secret weapon, the source of my strength.

The world was my concern, our home her domain,
The people mine, the children hers to maintain,
So it was in those eighteen years and a day
Till I was detained, forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she became our sole support
Wellspring of hope, source of comfort
On her shoulders fell the burden of life
She emerged our captain in the sea of strife.

I fell in love again
With the same woman the third time
Looming from the battle, undaunted, unafraid,
Calm composed, she is God’s lovely maid.

It has been a year of many disappointments
Endless dark nights, long days of sad lament,
Of grave doubts, frustrations, bitter desolations,
Of privations, untold indignities, humiliations.

Dreams became nightmares; hopes, despair.
Rally to freedoms call, no one will dare.
Future is obscured, life has lost its meaning,
The tunnel is long, were only at the beginning.

Leaders I admired, whose advice I sought
Became fallen idols, their souls were bought,
Their conscience they bartered for soft convenience,
Due to despicable cowardice, theyve lost their patience.

Leaders became dealers, begging for part of the spoils,
Forgetting the value, the essence of the hottest toil,
Paralyzed be fear, they joined the amoral dictator,
Defending, waving the bloody flag of the new oppressor.

The pillars of society became the props of tyranny,
Be realistic, they urged, if not for safety, for money.
It is useless to resist, the tyrant is too strong,
Yet aware, with their help the tyranny will prolong.

Mother Pilipinas weeps, her noble sons are gone,
Her land of the morning, is now of the setting sun,
Back to her dungeon in chains shes been returned;
For all her sacrifices, this is what she earned.

The night is cold and dark, there are no stars,
Our prisons are full, our souls wrinkled with scars,
Afflicted, persecuted, struck down but not crushed,
How soon will this blight be erased by Allahs brush?

My only escape is to cling to the woman of my dreams
Who gave me a life full of love, a love full of life,
She is my urge to live, my sole motivation to survive,
She taught me not only to dream, but to make dreams alive.

Fight on! She says: Let not the guiltless ghost depart.
Your pains, our people know are caused by a thousand darts,
But be assuaged, remember the Filipino, his story, his past,
Soon, very soon, the tyrant will choke in his greedy power lust!

                Dr. W.A. Deshapriya Wijetunge welcomed me at the gate and helped me with my luggage. As I entered the humble office, the Director General told me how happy he was because I accepted his invitation and told me how he planned my itinerary for my short visit in Sri Lankan. He then accompany me to the prepared room for me.

                The next day, Dr. Wijetunge asked me to wear something formal. He told me to give a short speech about the Philippine youth in a program organized by the Day Bright International School. After several minutes, a white car fetched me with my new found friend Gayan Kumara. As we travelled, I got the chance to know more about Sri Lanka.

                I saw stores that sell Philippine shampoos and Philippine Noodles. I saw elephants with kids on their side. A lot of old buses imported from Korea and China, and a lot of mini-stores in the sidewalk. “Almost the same with the Philippines,” I told Gayan.

                After 15 minutes, we reached the International School. I was a bit shocked when somebody (for the first time in my life) opened the car door for me. And there was an entourage of students all smiling at me, saying “Ayubowan, (Sri Lankan version of our “Mabuhay”)”. They placed flowers on my neck and a lot of people were taking photos of me. I am so shocked on how these people treated me there. They made me sit in front and welcomed me by presenting the Mission and Vision of their school and by introducing me to everyone.

I was given a chance to speak in front of the students of Day Bright International School in Dehiwala, Sri Lanka

                Time came that I have to do my speech. I prepared the speech on my way to Hongkong, but because of their overwhelming welcome to me, I wasn’t able to use it. But at least I was able to satisfy them by giving them enough information about the Philippine Youth. I told them about our Dr. Jose Rizal who believed in the youth so much and how Dr. Rizal established the Philippine- Sri Lankan relations.

The Sri Lankan Teachers and me

                After the program, they toured me around their very nice school and allowed me to taste some Sri Lankan delicacies.

                After the short program in the said school, I and Gayan went back to the office to change clothes. Dr. Wijetunge handed a long list of places that I have to visit that day for me to have a fast tour inside the capital city of Sri Lanka, that is Colombo.

                “Okay, I have to experience this,” I told Gayan as I saw the bus that will be transporting us from Dehiwala to Colombo. The bus is always full of people standing. It is worse than the Philippines. Buses are so old and it runs so fast that a passenger should jump each time he or she aboard the bus or get off from it. Just imagine how did I manage to ride the said bus. 

                As we reached Colombo, I asked Gayan to bring me to McDonald’s first since I was having a hard time eating Sri Lankan food. So, we went to a near McDonald’s. I ordered the usual meal I’m ordering in the Philippines, while Gayan ordered the same. I paid the bill and was shocked with the price, it cost me 900 Sri Lankan rupees. I was like, “Huh? For two meals???” And I suddenly remember, 1 USD is equal to 115 Sri Lankan Rupees. That explains Sri Lanka’s economy.

                First stop, Galle Fort hotel, the oldest hotel in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has many hotels, but this I guess is one of the greatest hotel they can offer. Eating Sri Lankan or any foreign cuisine or just merely relaxing at the spa while having a very cool view of the Indian Ocean will sure  make any foreigner go back to this place. Too bad, I stayed in this place for like 15 minutes only. 

A temple in Dehiwala

                Second stop, the President’s House in Colombo which is so near Galle Fort hotel. I noticed that this place is not as secured with that of our Malacañang. Securities are not that large. It’s an irony though, because when I came to Sri Lanka, war has just ended. But on the other hand, the only place that I feel was so secured was the airport.  What I admire most about this place is how they preserved it. How it looked like years ago, when it was inhabited by the British Queen before is almost the same now, as what my Sri Lankan friend told me.

                Next stop, more hotels and more Sri Lankan establishments. I enjoyed walking around Colombo, its almost the same with our Makati, but we possess more buildings. Embassies are scattered all around Colombo. Most of the time, they are located from side to side making it easy for any tourist to find an embassy.

                Last stop, Sri Lanka’s best temples. I admired their temples. It was so beautiful. I can really feel its solemnity once I’m inside to any of these temples. Now I can say that Buddhism is a really peaceful religion because of its practices and how Buddhists act inside temples.

                We went back to the office after hours. Dr. Wijetunge was very busy preparing so many things from the kitchen. He told me that they are holding a party for me that night since that was my last night in Sri Lanka.

                It was 8:00 in the evening, and members of the SUNFO  group are coming. Most of them are teenagers and some are of my age. We get along well and they made me sing a Filipino song and ate Sri Lankan cuisine. It was a weird experience though. Aside from them, I also met Ms. Ranmali Gunawardena, the lady behind SUNFO who happens to be Sri Lanka’s best Salon owner and businesswoman.

                I left Sri Lanka the next day with some of SUNFO’s members who were in the same flight with me. We are all heading to the conference in Chandigarh, India.

                Sri Lanka is an experience for me. Before, I had no idea about this small country. I don’t even remember a time that I encountered Sri Lanka in any of our school discussion, knowing that I am an International Relations student. I found this country almost the same with that of the Philippines. The only difference I can see (well aside from the food), is how they value hospitality more than how we do it here.

                For most of the people, Sri Lanka is not a tourist destination, primarily because of certain issues of terrorism, but for me it is the other way around. My three-day stay in this place may not be enough, but I experienced it and later learn to love it that made me think of going back here.

“Sri Lanka long has been described as a paradise by travellers.”

-          John Richardson

“India is not about buffalos, cows, spices, etc. For me, it is about living.”

My Arrival

                As me and my dear friend Hannah went out of the New Delhi Airport, we were welcomed by India’s overwhelming noise. There were a lot of Indians and vehicles scattered around the airport, we had a hard time going out of the exit gate because of the large number of people waiting for the arrival of their loved ones. We even lost Anil (the good Indian guy who fetched us and later would bring us to Chandigarh) because of the large crowd, but good thing we found him after few minutes.

                “That explains,” I told Hannah as I pointed out to her the note at the back of a ten-wheeler truck in front of us that says, “Blow Horn please” while we were on our way to Chandigarh, which is five hours away from Delhi. Indians appreciate horning more than any other country. So, just imagine how almost all of Indian drivers do this simultaneously. 

                It was 11:30 in the evening when we left Delhi Airport. I thought this would be a great time for us to travel since there will be no traffic because I am aware of the fact that India’s road caused a lot of traffic. But what I was thinking was wrong. It was so traffic and adding insult to injury was the current temperature which was so hot and we were sweating like a pig inside the car. After several hours of travelling, the driver decided to make a stopover in a nearby night restaurant/market. I took the chance of using their comfort room. On my way to the comfort room, I saw a lot of weird things (well at least for a tourist like me) and weird people as well. The sounds in the market was so loud, all the music were panjabis (Indian music). A lot of Indians were eating so many things and while eating most of them are staring at me. I was a bit scared during that time. What I did was to rush to the comfort room and urinated as fast as I can and didn’t even care to wash my hands. “God, am I seeing the India that my friends described to me back in the Philippines?” “I’m not liking this country,” I told myself.

                Alas, we arrived Chandigarh, at around 4:00 in the morning. We had to rest because the program will start in four hours.

I have to eat

                Early in the morning, we were advised to fix ourselves early, so we could join the other delegates for breakfast. After fixing ourselves, I and Hannah went straight to the dining hall. We met some of the delegates from the United States, Great Britain, Sri Lanka, and India. We were having fun talking to each other until the breakfast was served.

                The food was a bit weird for me and my friend, Americans, and other people from the West, but seems to be so good for Sri Lankans. They served us with stuffed chapattis, salsa, and white thick soup-like in a bowl. I tasted the white one and suddenly my mouth was on fire. It was so spicy and so with the salsa and chapattis. They gave us another choice for breakfast, omelette. “That would be better,” Hannah said. But it was the same thing. It was so spicy. We decided not to eat.

                Breakfast is finished, which signalled the organizers that we were ready to be toured around Chandigarh. We rode a bus on our way to the place to where the program will be officially opened. The place was good. And they welcomed us warmly by placing a dot on our forehead. Their welcome was so good. After the program, eating time again. “Now this is another problem,” Hannah told me.

                “Okay, its either we find McDonald’s or any other fast food here, or stick to their food,” I told Hannah. We decided to seek the help of Parmod, the guy behind all these. “I’m sorry, but finding a fast food here will be very hard for you.” It seems that we have to either eat their food or allow ourselves to get hungry, but the latter is not a good idea, there will be a lot of activities waiting for us. “But we can give you vegetable sandwich if you want, “ Parmod said, then that was a relief for the two of us.

The idea of visiting India

                The idea of visiting India came to me when my friend Hannah Faye Tolentino asked me if I have an interest in joining a conference in India. I told her yes, since it will be a great help for my studies and it will be an experience. After that conversation, all I can remember was the email I received from Dr. W.A. Deshapriya Wijetunge.

                Dr. Wijetunge is the current Director General of the Sri Lanka – United Nations Friendship Organization. He was promoting this peace conference in India that will encourage peace operations amongst youth all over the globe. Coincidentally, we met the Director General here in the Philippines during the International Youth Conference we attended in Makati last July. He sent me an email containing his invitation for me to attend the conference and to visit Sri Lanka as well. I agreed immediately and after several weeks of preparation, we are on our way to India.

                Originally, four students from the Philippines were invited, that includes me, my friend Hannah, Stefanie Thal Fradejas, and Mark Roenet Abe. But because of short of funds and other reasons as well, only two of us were able to leave and represent the country.

The Panch’s

                After the conference, we have more time to visit famous places in India and that includes the amazing Taj Mahal. But the problem was, we don’t know how to get there. Thank god to my dear Indian friend Ankit Panch, he helped us with that.

                I’ve been considering Ankit as my brother ever since we met. He’s been very nice to me and has the same interests and ideals with me. After learning that I will be visiting India, he did not hesitate to offer his house and to tour me around India after the conference. And that’s what we actually did.

                Travelling almost eleven hours, we reached Bharatpur in the afternoon of the 1^st of October. We went directly to Ankit’s house. We were welcomed by Ankit and his mom with the ever famous Indian tea. “You are home now my brother,” I remember him telling me. And we felt that till our last day in India.

                After talking and resting, Ankit brought us to Bharatpur’s carnival. It was so crowded! But we experienced India and learned more about it because of that carnival. We learned to appreciate Indian culture. We learned how Indians love each other and treat each other as brothers and sisters instead of friends. Indians in the carnival were so happy and making fun with one another. Everyone seems to be enjoying this simple carnival and the company of one another, I even saw some holding each other’s hands (even guys do that). These things appears to be weird for most of us, but this is how Indians do it. This is their culture.

                Alas, after hours of ferris wheel other rides at the carnival (and some walking too), we were again at home. Ankit’s mom prepared a meal for us. It made Hannah and I a bit scared again, you know issues about Indian food. But surprisingly, Ankit’s mom made it not spicy for the two of us. She cooked a separate meal just for the two of us. “Now, we’re eating food,” I told Hannah. We appreciated that act, and later learned to love them.

My learning about India

                I kept a lot of questions about India with me in my notebook so I could ask them directly from an Indian. And that’s what I did. I asked my brother Ankit about it and his answers made me think twice of what I practically know about certain Indian facts.

                In the issue of marriage, I asked him why do Indians allow their parents to meddle in their personal life. In the first place, they are married, they are building their own family, their own lives. Isn’t it better if they could go on with their own lives alone and make decisions without even considering what others will say, including their parents and family members?

                “Simple,” he said, “If the couple decided to break up, what will bring them back together?” I told him, I don’t know maybe children. He uttered, “Indians value the family more than anything else, breaking up is never a good idea for most of us.” “The persons who could bring back the couple together are non-other than their parents.” “These people are experienced, they know the ups and downs of marriage, they love their kids so they will do everything they can to make them happy and to bring them good life, and that includes giving them good family life.”

How I learned to love India

                A lot of people are saying that visiting India is not a good idea. You know talking about the odd smell because of eating so much spicy food, the overwhelming spices, so much into religion, etc. On the other hand, after my trip in India, I learned to embrace all of this.

                I did not learn to love India in my first days of stay there. I learned to love India when we stayed in my brother’s house. He made us experienced living the good life of an Indian while not renouncing my citizenship. The Panch’s are just so accommodating and so loving. I remember Ankit telling us, “You are not our guests, you are part of the family,” and we did feel that. So just like any other family member, we were treated very well, fed, given very nice room to sleep, given simple gifts from the heart, and most of all they provided us the feeling of belongingness in a foreign land.

                It was really hard for me and Hannah to leave India. We left India with a hard heart. Primarily because, for the first time in our lives we felt so loved in a foreign country. Indians are so affectionate and showy when it comes to their loved ones. And that’s what they showed us, just imagine Ankit telling us how much he love us and that always comes with a hug.

               Indeed, India is not about buffalos, cows, spices, etc. For me, it is about living. Living without worrying of what will happen tomorrow. Living with peace, but not in silence. Living with a heart of stone yet pure. Living a happy life without being crazy. People may look at Indians as somehow weird, but to tell you folks, experience India first before judging them.

Me and my friend Hannah at the Taj

                It seems that the word “Filipino” s accompanied by the following words: Poverty and Corruption. Even other nations looked at the Filipino people as poor and corrupt. That is maybe because of the different surveys conducted, but to tell you honestly, I don’t want to disagree with them.

                In that case, let me give you the reasons that I have internalized regarding why Filipinos remain so poor and corrupt. The matter may make any particular person to blame the Government, in the first place, they govern the people, they establish and implement rules for the people. But, we also have to take into account the fact that we have been under several politicians. Isn’t it ironic to blame poverty and corruption to them alone? Knowing the fact that the Constitution is signed by the people of the country and thus making them superior to the government officials and the military?

                But the question still remains, who shall be blamed? The citizens who signed the constitution or the people who implement it?

Filipino vis-a-vis Inferiority

                Whether a government official or a simple citizen, both are Filipinos So, let’s look at them in the general manner.

                What are the characteristics of being a Filipino? Physically? That’s easy. A usual Filipino is vertically challenged, usually 5 foot and 5 inches in height for the males and 5 foot for the females, have curly hair, possesses an exotic nose and brown skinned. Comparing those qualities with the people from the west (who, unfortunately defines the world), a Filipino will look so inferior.

                Let us now see the Filipinos’ cultural traits. Filipinos are known for being so hospitable (Americans could testify to that). Filipinos are friendly and happy-go-lucky people. But sometimes, because of this hospitality (which sometimes becomes so over) and friendly attitude, it seems that Filipinos can be ordered around. Adding insult to injury is the Filipinos possession of “pagiging magalang.” I am not against the “po or opo,” it’s a good quality though, but this makes a Filipino vulnerable to corruption by staying quiet and just agree with the people around him. This is inferior to the West.

                How about the Economic traits of being a Filipino? The Philippines is so rich with natural resources, but too bad it is not use properly, making a Filipino poor. And being poor is an inferior quality.

                You might be wondering, why do I point the word “inferior” so much. Why is it that Filipinos are so inferior for me knowing the fact that I am also a Filipino? Well primarily because I can see that the inferiority that the Filipino people is embracing is the main cause of Poverty and Corruption. Why? Let me give you the following reasons:

Leads to Poverty

1. Most of the time, Filipinos settle for what they can only have and attain.

We, Filipinos are so fond of the word “bahala na” and “mamaya na.”  We say bahala na if we think that there is no more remedy to any problem. There is so much things that the world can offer. We just don’t care to grab and take advantage of it. We settle on our inferiority and prefer not to improve. We are satisfied with “tuyo” instead of “manok.” Yes, we cope up, but that doesn’t guarantee us a decent and satisfying life. We are poor and we can only do nothing to that if we will not work and thrive to achieve something.

“Mamaya na,” our usual answer when we think that time is still available. But the clock is ticking, every second is an opportunity and we are losing that.

1. The Filipino Family

We are so family- oriented to the extent that we prefer to live with our parents though we already have children. We love our family so much that we provide everything they need up to providing for the education of our children’s children.

Leads to Corruption

1. The Filipino Government

The government of the Philippines is flocked by traditional politicians. It is an ashame to admit that political dynasties still exist in the country and the bad thing is, these people are those officials that are in constant hunger for power and wealth, which deprives the people to grow and enjoy a satisfying life.

The feeling of being inferior makes these people hungry for more power and wealth. They feel that if they will be out of power, they will not be able to enjoy the life that they are used to enjoying.

1. The loyalty of the people to the corrupt officials

The people are so loyal to the people in the government. Voting them continuously while losing their chance of growing. In this case, the phrase, “Vox Populi, Vox Dei” is not applicable. There may be some reasons behind, but there is one thing I am sure of, and that’s the fact that voters are aware that these officials are the same people who ruined their life before.

This loyalty is caused by the benefits that these loyal voters receive from the officials. They are inferior and the thought of having a superior person to support them is a necessity.

Poverty and Corruption

                It is ironic to learn that the main cause of poverty and corruption in the Philippines are the Filipinos themselves. The traditional moulding of the Filipino child leads to dependency and poverty.

                The mother rears the child, making him dependent to her up to teenage years. The child will embrace the value of his mother, to the extent of having his decisions based on what his mother has to say.

                And as this teen grows, he will become more and more vulnerable to the world, and still, his mother is there to help him find the right path, as a famous Filipino quote explains, “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako,” and where is the right path then? In his mother’s path. Mother knows best, so she provides everything whether emotional or financial matters to his child till he has his own family.

                After which, the mother will not have enough money to support the needs of the family of her family. The child? This is the time that he will do something. Be corrupt.

            Along with him were 20 more Overseas Filipino Workers asked by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to go home for simply not having their so-called E-card.

            This E-card is some sort of a project by the POEA to ensure the safety of OFWs. Yeah I got the point and I really appreciate it. But the thing is, this was not divulged to all the passengers leaving that day. You can imagine how these people prepared for their trip with their plane tickets.

            What my Dad did at the airport was to ask the person from the POEA office there. He said that the lady at the desk wasn’t so accommodating and was even irritated when he asked a very polite question of “What is an E-card?”

            The next day my Dad went to the POEA. The POEA people simply asked for a copy of his contract and for some thousands of pesos and that’s it. All of the time he wasted including his ticket and money will just be for this.

            I’m so pissed off. Not because of the fact that they wasted my Dad’s money and time but primarily because of the system that runs even inside the most trusted government agency. The sole agency that promotes the interests of OFWs. I’m getting their point, they want to do this for procedures and such. But the thing is they have not considered reaching the people who will be leaving the country on that day. They could’ve told these people earlier that these things are needed for them to be allowed to go out of the country. They cannot deny the fact that they don’t have the contact details of these OFWs because all of these people are registered at the POEA.

            Now, POEA people. Kindly do a favor to all Filipinos abroad (that is if you really care for them), please improve your system and service. And that lady at the POEA’s desk at the airport, remember this, your duty is to serve the OFWs, you won’t have any food on your plate if not because of them. And please, please, review Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713).

Thank you.

I supplemented it with photos so you guys can have a clearer idea of what are those food that our dear President and her entourage ordered in Le Cirque.

Mga kababayan silipin nga natin kung ano itong pinag iinitang mga kinain daw ni Kamahal-mahalang Pangulong Gloria sa Le Cirque New York at ang kanyang mga kampon. Since na may ambag naman tayo (as a taxpayer ) dapat lng sigurong makita natin kahit sa picture man lang ang mga pagkaing nararapat daw para sa ating mga honorable public servants.

Ang bill ng entourage ni Gloria sa Le Cirque

Golden Osetra Caviar . Sa Tagalog, kumpol-kumpol na itlog ng isda. Rare daw ito. Malansa at lasang bagoong, sabi ng iba. Kulay itim lang to pero
ang lasa siguro nito ay kagaya din ng itlog ng galunggong, di kaya? Php13,720/order

California Osetra Caviar . Kumpol-kumpol na itlog ng isda na mula sa California . Mas mura kesa sa Golden Osetra Caviar. P4,900/order

Le Cirque Salad . Pinaghalo-halong mga gulay tulad ng lettuce (wag kayong jologs, hindi [let-us] ang pronunciation nyan, kundi [let-is] , okay?)
…sige na nga litsugas nalang… ano pa ba yan? er…sibuyas, balat ng sibuyas, sitaw, mayana, dahon ng gumamela, etc… P1,078 lang yan

Le Cirque Lobster Salad . Merong lobster meat, pipino, avocado, kamatis, okra saka dahon ng sibuyas. P2,842 isang plato nyan

Le Cirque Tuna . Syempre merong tuna dyan (na posibleng galing sa GenSan), orange, sesame seeds, wasabe ata yung green paste sa ilalim,
anim na pirasong halamang ligaw (dami dito samin nyang dahon na yan!) saka ilang patak na orange sauce. P1,029 naba yang apat na hiwang yan?

Le Cirque Soft Shell Crab Tempura . Ngayon ko lang nalaman na meron palang crab na soft ang shell nya…ahihihihi…So ang ingredients dyan ay crab
saka harina tapos may kamote at ang paborito ni Popeye na spinach P1,078 /platter

Le Cirque Spring Pea Soup . Mga pataning pinaikot at pinalamutak sa blender para maging soup. A.k.a. Etchas ng baby P1,176 isang bowl?

Le Cirque Wild Burgundy Escargot . Pronounced as [es-kahr-goh] . Tandaan nyo yan para hindi kayo magmukhang enggot pag kumain kayo sa Le Cirque in the future, okay? Ang escargot ay kuhol. Madami nyan sa palayan kapag tag-ulan. Hmmm…sarap ng ginataang escargot! Kasama ng escargot dyan ay 2 munchkin donuts, makapuno, itlog ng isda saka ferns. Ito daw ang nagustuhan ni Senator Lapid dahil favorite nya ang kuhol. P1,421 grabeng mahal naman ng kuhol na yan!

Le Cirque Torchon of Foie Gras . Ang foie gras ay atay ng bibe or gansa. Ang pagbigkas nito ay [fwah-grah] . Ang torchon naman ay isang paraan ng pagluto ng foei gras na kung saan ibinabalot ito sa isang tuwalya at niluluto sa mainit na likido tulad ng alak o tubig. P1,715 lang naman yan

Paupiette of Black Cod . Ito’y manipis na piraso ng isda (black cod) na nirolyong parang shawarma at merong mga gulay sa gitna.
Paupiette is pronounced as [poh-pyet] . P2,401.00

Le Cirque Halibut Poached in Cocunut Milk. Halibut is pronounced as [hal-uh-buht] . Ito ay isang uri ng isda. Ang price P1,960

Dover Sole . Isa rin itong uri ng isda at ito rin ang pinakamahal sa main course na inorder ng ating mga public servant P3,675 wow na wow. Ano kaya ang lasa nyan, noh?

Le Cirque Saddle of Lamb . Ano ba ang saddle sa Tagalog. Hmmm…part daw ng backbone and loins. Eh ano yung loins sa Tagalog? Tadyang o pigi? Ay basta tupa lang yan! P2,548 naman yan

Krug Champagne . Sa sobrang sarap ng Krug, umorder sina Gloria ng labing-isang bote nito. Kulang-kulang Php 249,000 lang naman iyang 11 bottles na yan. Ilang ginbulag kaya ang mabibili sa Php 235k? Teka, downpayment na yan para sa isang kotse o bahay ah! Tsk…tsk…tsk…

Le Cirque Meal vs. Filipino Meal

Ouch! What can we say to that.

Sana nag enjoy kayo (ZARNY: OR SHALL I SAY: NAINIS!)

Regards,

Kristine P. Galapia
Banking and Cash Operations
Deutsche Bank AG Manila
Tel: 894-6678
Fax: 894-6969
kristine.galapia@db.com

HANDOG NG PILIPINO SA MUNDO

Salamat Pres. Corazon Cojuangco - Aquino

TRANSPORTASYONG PINOY

‘Di na ‘ko papayag mawala ka muli.
‘Di na ‘ko papayag na muli mabawi,
Ating kalayaan kay tagal natin mithi.
‘Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.
Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.
Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.
Kelan man ‘di na paalipin.

Ref:
Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta’t magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.
Nagkasama ng mahirap at mayaman.
Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.
Naging Langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.
Tinig ng bawat tao’y bigyan ng pansin.
Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.
Ito’y lagi nating tatandaan.
(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta’t magkaisa tayong lahat!