Here I was, happily researching about the various acts of neglect and infractions the Philippine government has visited upon Filipino citizens working abroad, when I stumbled upon a lively, sometimes snide and somewhat cynical exchange of opinions, regarding the state of the Philippines today. The forum was hosted by my friend Jun Cabal, a former foreign worker in the US. I decided to take a closer look.
The letter that started this discussion states that: “…our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence…" That in thirty years, "the Philippine population will grow to 160 million, 90 million of whom will live below the poverty line, and we’ll probably be the most corrupt nation in Asia… and not even two Peoples’ Revolutions have made a dent in reversing this trend." (According to the letter writer, we’re ranked 11th in the roster of most corrupt Asian countries right now.)
He says: "We need a force far greater than our collective efforts… it’s time to move the battle to the spiritual realm…” He firmly believes that only prayer can save the Philippines.
Jerry L, an American married to a Filipina decries the idea of praying. He contends that “the primary reason for poverty in the country is my own Church. The Catholic Church is second only to the government in corruption, being the 'opiate of the masses' as Karl Marx said all those years ago.”
Jerry the cynical thinks prayer alone solves nothing. If one needs to create change, one must get up and do something for one’s self.
Joel, a Filipino living in the US suggests --- and I hope to God he’s joking --- that the Philippines apply to become America’s 51st state, replace the President with an American governor, and then hire Clint Eastwood or Sarah Palin for the job. One of the benefits, he adds, is that we won’t need visas to go to the US.
Philippine Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, who launched the Moral Force Movement in Manila last August, has a different solution. He recognizes the need to change but believes what counts is the change within ourselves – “a change based on realization that we often faulted others for our problems when we ourselves have defaulted in our fight for our moral virtues and principles.”
Wow. My mind reels when I consider these ideas and the future of my home country. Everyone of these men has a point, although I disagree with Jerry when he equates praying with the Church itself. Praying is a very personal act that could focus the mind and clear one’s perceptions, and it doesn’t have to be done inside a church. Praying could probably help the Philippines.
Joel, I suspect, is most likely a former TNT (tago ng tago --- a Pinoy slang for illegal immigrant) who's gotten a US pardon, (I could be wrong) and thus appreciates the importance of having a green card, but has no intention of ever going back to the Philippines. But he’s gotta be kidding about Palin. Why not Stallone? No offense intended.
Now, I think Chief Justice Reynato Puno is on to a good thing when he suggested that first effecting a change within ourselves will change the Philippines. Yet even then, my opinion is, this is a change that would see result only in the next generation. Not today, not next year, but perhaps during the time of our grandchildren. In filmmaking, we always say, SHOW, DON’T TELL. If parents live the change they wish to make, and individually become a walking example to their children, then maybe. Let's plant the seed and watch it grow.
But where are some of these parents? Working abroad, keeping the economy back home afloat by sending monthly remittances. According to last count, foreign workers sent a record amount of US $ 24 billion dollars in 2012 alone. So they can hardly be home to teach their kids about change.
My point is, where do we start? The country is bleeding its brains into the international labour market everyday, because it’s not worthwhile staying home. Children are being left under the care of others, while many mothers look after other people’s kids. These young people, the future of the nation, are left inadequately supervised, a lot of them quitting school, joining gangs, abusing drugs, because their parents are out there making money.
I say start the change within ourselves, as CJ Puno advises; even start praying --- not necessarily going to church --- because I don’t think there’s much we can do at the moment. And another thing, those of us working abroad should maybe think about going home more often. Keep reconnecting with the kids. That’s what I’ve been trying to do. One day I’ll go home and never leave, and perhaps show my grandkidz how they can help save the Philippines individually. Slow but sure. Pray for me.
(previously published at Millwoods Mosaic, Sept 15, 2009 issue)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Filipino-Canadian dinner: eat at your own risk?
(First published at the Mill Woods Mosaic, an Edmonton, Alberta publication, Sept 2008)
The first time my friend Daniel attended a big Filipino dinner, he was flabbergasted. He looked down the loaded dinner table which was set up buffet-style, and beheld a spread that boasted countless dishes from varying countries of origin. He had expected, I believe, a collection of Pinoy culinary specialties he was familiar with, like lumpia, pancit and adobo --- and was not disappointed; but was surprised to see so much more: baked ribs, stir-fried vegetables, sushi, lasagna, blood stew (dinuguan), roast beef, chicken curry and stuffed milk fish (relleno). Sitting in the midst of all these, like a queen reigning among its subjects was a heavy-duty rice cooker filled to the brim with freshly steamed rice. The only thing missing was the lechon, the traditional roast pig, which Filipinos reserve for more special occasions.
Arranged neatly at the farther end of the table were a bowl of cut fresh fruit, a leche flan sitting on a plate of brown syrup, trays of brownie squares and rice cakes and the famous Filipino fruit salad, a glorious concoction of pineapple chunks, grated young coconut, kaong nuts, raisins, apple slices, grapes and cheese bits covered in thick canned cream. This was the dessert corner.
On the side table were different kinds of pop, which included the all-time Pinoy favourite, coca cola, and a purple non-alcoholic punch in a massive punch bowl.
He turned to me and asked whether the event was potluck and that we misunderstood the invitation. I assured him that I received clear instructions food-wise. We were asked to bring only ourselves, and if we were so inclined, perhaps a bottle of wine of our choice.
Now Daniel is one of those traditional Caucasian guys who believe that when you plan a meal, you stick to a certain theme, and he lives by that rule. When he hosts a dinner, he plans early and apprises prospective guests of the culinary theme. If it were potluck, say, he’d email everybody long before the dinner date and tell them what to bring.
For instance, if he fancied serving Greek, he’d prepare the main course which could be roast lamb and a side dish of calamari with tartar sauce. Others were instructed to bring things like a Greek salad, spanakopita or a dessert. The rest can bring drinks if they wanted to. No more no less.
When someone arrived with a contribution that diverged from the theme, the dish got quietly put away in the deep recesses of his fridge and was soon forgotten. Inflexible, I told him, but the guy was born that way.
But I digress. A Filipino gathering in a foreign country, I explained to Daniel, is the sum total of the community’s sensibilities and its continuing evolution. The food Filipinos serve is a reflection of our country’s history. Through centuries of colonization, through our private diasporas, through good times and bad, we adapt, we assimilate, we roll with the punches, we bend like the bamboo that swings with the wind; the food we serve during our parties reflects these. We take the best from our past lives and share it with the rest of the world.
So when you analyze a Filipino buffet table, the types of food on it represent the composite of what the host culled from her life experiences. She’s saying: here’s the special chicken curry I learned to eat and then make when I was working in Singapore; here’s a platter of Japanese sushi which I thought you might enjoy, and here’s a bunch of Filipino dishes I’m proud to share, because they anchor me, and because they remind me of home. I’m sharing with you my lifetime of culinary adventure. I’m sure you’ll like it.
For Daniel The Inflexible, this was a new way of looking at entertaining. And it works. He has since learned to appreciate the gustatory challenge of a big Filipino dinner, and when he hosts a potluck where Pinoys are invited, he now suspends his inclinations to control the theme. It’s become ‘bring whatever you want, as long as it’s edible’. He can now eat pakbet and rice with a side dish of roast beef without questioning its logic, although he still gives dinuguan wide berth.
The first time my friend Daniel attended a big Filipino dinner, he was flabbergasted. He looked down the loaded dinner table which was set up buffet-style, and beheld a spread that boasted countless dishes from varying countries of origin. He had expected, I believe, a collection of Pinoy culinary specialties he was familiar with, like lumpia, pancit and adobo --- and was not disappointed; but was surprised to see so much more: baked ribs, stir-fried vegetables, sushi, lasagna, blood stew (dinuguan), roast beef, chicken curry and stuffed milk fish (relleno). Sitting in the midst of all these, like a queen reigning among its subjects was a heavy-duty rice cooker filled to the brim with freshly steamed rice. The only thing missing was the lechon, the traditional roast pig, which Filipinos reserve for more special occasions.
Arranged neatly at the farther end of the table were a bowl of cut fresh fruit, a leche flan sitting on a plate of brown syrup, trays of brownie squares and rice cakes and the famous Filipino fruit salad, a glorious concoction of pineapple chunks, grated young coconut, kaong nuts, raisins, apple slices, grapes and cheese bits covered in thick canned cream. This was the dessert corner.
On the side table were different kinds of pop, which included the all-time Pinoy favourite, coca cola, and a purple non-alcoholic punch in a massive punch bowl.
He turned to me and asked whether the event was potluck and that we misunderstood the invitation. I assured him that I received clear instructions food-wise. We were asked to bring only ourselves, and if we were so inclined, perhaps a bottle of wine of our choice.
Now Daniel is one of those traditional Caucasian guys who believe that when you plan a meal, you stick to a certain theme, and he lives by that rule. When he hosts a dinner, he plans early and apprises prospective guests of the culinary theme. If it were potluck, say, he’d email everybody long before the dinner date and tell them what to bring.
For instance, if he fancied serving Greek, he’d prepare the main course which could be roast lamb and a side dish of calamari with tartar sauce. Others were instructed to bring things like a Greek salad, spanakopita or a dessert. The rest can bring drinks if they wanted to. No more no less.
When someone arrived with a contribution that diverged from the theme, the dish got quietly put away in the deep recesses of his fridge and was soon forgotten. Inflexible, I told him, but the guy was born that way.
But I digress. A Filipino gathering in a foreign country, I explained to Daniel, is the sum total of the community’s sensibilities and its continuing evolution. The food Filipinos serve is a reflection of our country’s history. Through centuries of colonization, through our private diasporas, through good times and bad, we adapt, we assimilate, we roll with the punches, we bend like the bamboo that swings with the wind; the food we serve during our parties reflects these. We take the best from our past lives and share it with the rest of the world.
So when you analyze a Filipino buffet table, the types of food on it represent the composite of what the host culled from her life experiences. She’s saying: here’s the special chicken curry I learned to eat and then make when I was working in Singapore; here’s a platter of Japanese sushi which I thought you might enjoy, and here’s a bunch of Filipino dishes I’m proud to share, because they anchor me, and because they remind me of home. I’m sharing with you my lifetime of culinary adventure. I’m sure you’ll like it.
For Daniel The Inflexible, this was a new way of looking at entertaining. And it works. He has since learned to appreciate the gustatory challenge of a big Filipino dinner, and when he hosts a potluck where Pinoys are invited, he now suspends his inclinations to control the theme. It’s become ‘bring whatever you want, as long as it’s edible’. He can now eat pakbet and rice with a side dish of roast beef without questioning its logic, although he still gives dinuguan wide berth.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
OFW Diaries, Episode 1
Crisanta Sampang here. Let me tell you how I got my face plastered all over the Philippines’ TV screens a few days ago. It was quite an experience.
One day two weeks ago, I was in bed with a sore throat, running a fever, half-delirious and shivering under about six layers of blankets, breathing only through a little blowhole I’d created near my face. The Vancouver seasonal flu had hit me hard, in my first sickness in about 8 years. I’d been away from my job for almost a week. You have to believe the last thing I was thinking about was work, least of all creating a video.
That was when I got a call from Alyx, a young researcher from GMA7; a smart, enthusiastic, slave-driving kid who reminded me of my younger self. Told me she found my name at Google, blah blah blah, and wanted to feature me at their show, OFW Diaries’ pilot episode. I am a Filipino Overseas Worker. A domestic helper, to be exact. I got on Google because I wrote a book about my life working as a domestic in Singapore. It’s called Maid in Singapore. I’m still working part-time as a domestic in Vancouver, Canada by choice, but have since branched out into serious writing and some filmmaking.
I said I’d be interested under normal circumstances, but I was currently down with flu, I had no camera, and I probably didn’t look very photogenic at the moment.
I might however, do it when I got better, which should be sometime middle of next week, and only if GMA7 would provide some camera rental money and shooter expenses. Hiring a cameraman and his camera in Vancouver costs $350 a day. I calculated that shooting would take two days. Plus the fee for couriering the tapes internationally, which could cost you an arm and a leg. We started haggling, and Alyx was very honest.
Alyx said they didn’t have that kind of budget, but could perhaps afford the camera rental. After all, she said, it’s a video diary, you point the camera at your face, say your name and shoot. Hah. Well, OK, I said I might do it because I liked her. But I could only film after I got better, and I WANT that camera rental money.
At this point, Alyx’s segment producer, Isel Caringal, got involved. She wanted my kids to be in the picture too. I now had to sell the idea to my daughters, Maricel and Maricar, who needed a lot of convincing and prodding, because first thing, they argued, they’d have to get their houses photographable, along with themselves and the rest of their families. Too much work. Secondly, they said they were too pangit. I assured Maricar that both of them were plenty good looking enough for TV, and if they needed a second opinion, to go ask their husbands. Maricar told me I only said that because I was their mother. I said to Isel, you better talk to Maricel.
So I was getting over my flu while my girls were warming up to the idea of being on TV, and I sealed the deal by pointing out to them that it would be good for my grandkids to see what’s happening in Lola’s world. Isel and Alyx were now both hustling me to get a move on, frantically issuing instructions and reminders by long-distance calls, text messages, emails and Facebook. Darn technology. I had the feeling that they’d only give me peace when my tapes landed in their hot little hands. Which irritated me a little bit, because I suspected they didn’t believe I could deliver on time. I’ll have to say, to their credit, that these two women know how to get things done.
Isel and her GMA7 crew went to my daughters’ Antipolo homes and I heard filming went without a hitch. Isel also dropped off the camera rental money, as I’d instructed, to save them from paying remittance fees. Next thing I knew, Maricel was texting me. She had hijacked the camera money for Maricar and herself, because, ‘they made us cry and work very hard so we deserve a talent fee!’ Darn it.
Now for my Canadian segment; contrary to Alyx’s argument that I just had to point the camera at myself and shoot, putting myself on video required a little more planning. I got the camera, learned how to use it, tested its audio and found everything alright. I looked for a good background, worked on lighting, framing, and practised answering the interview questions in a way that made my footage easily editable. To further ensure I produced some broadcast quality material, I grabbed my friend Daniel and used him as stand-in during test shots. After all I call myself a filmmaker. I was also under pressure to get this done properly in one take, because Isel and Alyx were breathing down my neck.
Filming done, tapes couriered, I texted both of them that the video was on the way. I could hear their collective sighs of relief echoing from across the Pacific Ocean.
I went back to bed for a well-deserved rest, until I got another flurry of text messages from Alyx. Kara David, the OFW Diaries host, wanted to chat by webcam. Could you, asked Alyx, download Skype so we could do that? Apparently, my YM 8 wasn’t good enough. So OK, on that same night, at 11 PM, I was given ten minutes to download and learn Skype, then talk to Kara David. Oh the stress of it all.
The chat with Kara was rewarding, however. I found her to be an intelligent and engaging host, empathetic and sensitive. She asked good questions. I made her cry. But I loved talking to her and concluded that Kara was indeed the perfect host for the OFW stories. I went to sleep around 1:30 AM happy and excited about the show.
The pilot aired after midnight on March 13th, Philippine time. After the broadcast, I received text and Skype messages from people who have seen OFW Diaries and wanted to tell me how proud they were of me. I was very pleased to hear from them. I have since forwarded the GMA7 link to a variety of people in Canada and heard many good feedbacks. I’ve also watched the other segments on You Tube and cried.
All in all, it has been a good experience, getting my word out there, and hearing back from viewers. I wish Kara, Isel, Alyx and GMA7 more success on their show. Mabuhay OFW’s!
One day two weeks ago, I was in bed with a sore throat, running a fever, half-delirious and shivering under about six layers of blankets, breathing only through a little blowhole I’d created near my face. The Vancouver seasonal flu had hit me hard, in my first sickness in about 8 years. I’d been away from my job for almost a week. You have to believe the last thing I was thinking about was work, least of all creating a video.
That was when I got a call from Alyx, a young researcher from GMA7; a smart, enthusiastic, slave-driving kid who reminded me of my younger self. Told me she found my name at Google, blah blah blah, and wanted to feature me at their show, OFW Diaries’ pilot episode. I am a Filipino Overseas Worker. A domestic helper, to be exact. I got on Google because I wrote a book about my life working as a domestic in Singapore. It’s called Maid in Singapore. I’m still working part-time as a domestic in Vancouver, Canada by choice, but have since branched out into serious writing and some filmmaking.
I said I’d be interested under normal circumstances, but I was currently down with flu, I had no camera, and I probably didn’t look very photogenic at the moment.
I might however, do it when I got better, which should be sometime middle of next week, and only if GMA7 would provide some camera rental money and shooter expenses. Hiring a cameraman and his camera in Vancouver costs $350 a day. I calculated that shooting would take two days. Plus the fee for couriering the tapes internationally, which could cost you an arm and a leg. We started haggling, and Alyx was very honest.
Alyx said they didn’t have that kind of budget, but could perhaps afford the camera rental. After all, she said, it’s a video diary, you point the camera at your face, say your name and shoot. Hah. Well, OK, I said I might do it because I liked her. But I could only film after I got better, and I WANT that camera rental money.
At this point, Alyx’s segment producer, Isel Caringal, got involved. She wanted my kids to be in the picture too. I now had to sell the idea to my daughters, Maricel and Maricar, who needed a lot of convincing and prodding, because first thing, they argued, they’d have to get their houses photographable, along with themselves and the rest of their families. Too much work. Secondly, they said they were too pangit. I assured Maricar that both of them were plenty good looking enough for TV, and if they needed a second opinion, to go ask their husbands. Maricar told me I only said that because I was their mother. I said to Isel, you better talk to Maricel.
So I was getting over my flu while my girls were warming up to the idea of being on TV, and I sealed the deal by pointing out to them that it would be good for my grandkids to see what’s happening in Lola’s world. Isel and Alyx were now both hustling me to get a move on, frantically issuing instructions and reminders by long-distance calls, text messages, emails and Facebook. Darn technology. I had the feeling that they’d only give me peace when my tapes landed in their hot little hands. Which irritated me a little bit, because I suspected they didn’t believe I could deliver on time. I’ll have to say, to their credit, that these two women know how to get things done.
Isel and her GMA7 crew went to my daughters’ Antipolo homes and I heard filming went without a hitch. Isel also dropped off the camera rental money, as I’d instructed, to save them from paying remittance fees. Next thing I knew, Maricel was texting me. She had hijacked the camera money for Maricar and herself, because, ‘they made us cry and work very hard so we deserve a talent fee!’ Darn it.
Now for my Canadian segment; contrary to Alyx’s argument that I just had to point the camera at myself and shoot, putting myself on video required a little more planning. I got the camera, learned how to use it, tested its audio and found everything alright. I looked for a good background, worked on lighting, framing, and practised answering the interview questions in a way that made my footage easily editable. To further ensure I produced some broadcast quality material, I grabbed my friend Daniel and used him as stand-in during test shots. After all I call myself a filmmaker. I was also under pressure to get this done properly in one take, because Isel and Alyx were breathing down my neck.
Filming done, tapes couriered, I texted both of them that the video was on the way. I could hear their collective sighs of relief echoing from across the Pacific Ocean.
I went back to bed for a well-deserved rest, until I got another flurry of text messages from Alyx. Kara David, the OFW Diaries host, wanted to chat by webcam. Could you, asked Alyx, download Skype so we could do that? Apparently, my YM 8 wasn’t good enough. So OK, on that same night, at 11 PM, I was given ten minutes to download and learn Skype, then talk to Kara David. Oh the stress of it all.
The chat with Kara was rewarding, however. I found her to be an intelligent and engaging host, empathetic and sensitive. She asked good questions. I made her cry. But I loved talking to her and concluded that Kara was indeed the perfect host for the OFW stories. I went to sleep around 1:30 AM happy and excited about the show.
The pilot aired after midnight on March 13th, Philippine time. After the broadcast, I received text and Skype messages from people who have seen OFW Diaries and wanted to tell me how proud they were of me. I was very pleased to hear from them. I have since forwarded the GMA7 link to a variety of people in Canada and heard many good feedbacks. I’ve also watched the other segments on You Tube and cried.
All in all, it has been a good experience, getting my word out there, and hearing back from viewers. I wish Kara, Isel, Alyx and GMA7 more success on their show. Mabuhay OFW’s!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
