Philippines Pt.2

Logging on to blogger has been an arduous task since my last entry. Each time I've attempted to post my thoughts after a meeting or a particular interview, I've been thwarted by a "Cannot Find Server" notice. So, this time, I'll spare you with my political ramblings and keep this post focused on my observations as an outsider Fil-Am atempting to negotiate life in the Philippines.

1. Coffee: Whenever the opportunity arises to get fresh "brewed" coffee, take it! Instant coffee is the rage here for obvious reasons: it's cheap and easy to prepare. You don't need a coffee pot. So, it's only been within the past 3 days that I've discovered the joys of a genuine caffeine buzz . . . and I'm no coffee drinker either, but on one particular outing I made a point to down three cups! Also, due to the tropical climes, you will only get powdered creamer.

2. Palmetto Bugs: Gross. The ultimate cockroach. Only this one has wings. I had the unfortunate experience of having one fly over my head the other night and it scared me to death. I swear this thing was the size of a bat!! God. Try to keep your head about you when this occurs and realize that this is part of the adventure.

3. More bugs: Yesterday I awoke with 8 bites concentrated on my right elbow. Being a total germ freak, I've made the necessary adjustments with the ants, the mosquitos, the other unidentifiable things that go bzzz . . . but I'm not so clear on how my one elbow got so mangled in the night. Guess there was more crawling around in the night (or the bed) than I realized.

4. San Miguel Pale Pilsner: That's right. Anyone that knows me understands how much I enjoy my beer. Since I've been immersed in the world of books for 2 solid weeks, I've missed my beer. I finally (can you believe it? 3 days before I'm to leave this country??) found the UP hotel where they have a restaurant selling San Miguel. Oh happy day. Kind of. Being a woman in this country, drinking beer, is often met with strange looks. Beer, afterall, is the world of men. So, I've been twice to the hotel and had beer with my dinner, but my order is always regarded as strange . . .and last night one of the waiters (trying to fuck with me I'm sure) told me to "avail" myself of the special offer: buy 4 beers and get the 5th one free. Feeling weirded out, I slammed my second beer and promptly left. Ah, it aint easy being a woman.

5. Lost in Translation: That's me. I have missed more than half of every conversation I've been involved in. Sad but true. I must take a crash course in Tagalog--just to understand the world around me. I'd feel better taking public transportation too . . .

6. Filipino TV: a propaganda machine for GMA. Every commercial features the same pictures of her holding a sick baby with a bad Filipino band playing in the background. At midnight, she has a show called: The Working President which features GMA in blue jeans cutting ribbons, showcasing sewers, etc. It's a sham and I think most everyone can see right through it. To further divert the population from the grinding socioeconomic conditions around them (the RP is currently on the same level as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) you can tune into: Philippine Dream Academy, Philippine Idol, and Pinoy Big Brother. The latter is the same series that is in Britain and the US . . . only Pinoy Big Brother cuts out the sex scenes. You can't shake 350 years of Spanish colonization just like that, now can you?

7. Malls, malls, malls: The commodification of everyday life is everywhere around you, making for some very sharp contradictions. For instance, the RP is home to the 3rd largest mall in the world The Mall of Asia (The Mall of America is ranked 6th or 7th). But who can shop at these malls? 70-80% of the population is poor. Not only that, they are hungry. Consumerism is not going to develop this country. But it will depoliticize the youth . . . an unfortunate consequence when you understand the essential role they have historically played in the revolutionary movement here. So, why discuss national liberation when you can go and eat Taco Bell at SM North?

8. Ah, I'm not sure of you can google image the Philippine 100 peso, but if you can, it's worth looking at.

I only have 2 more days in the country, but I'll definitely return. And, this time I won't wait another 10 years. It's too exciting here. There is much to explore, much to discover.

So long from Alicia's Internet Cafe (my home away from home for the past 2 weeks).