A response to the video "20 reasons why I dislike the Philippines"

More than a week ago, March 15, while I was checking on my twitter account, I saw the hashtag I love Philippines trending worldwide. 

And I was like “Woooow” and then I asked myself “Why? What’s with today, It’s not a national heroes day, nor our country’s independence day?. Then below this awesome hashtag, I saw this “Dislike the Philippines” trending. The more I got confused, how could the love and dislike for the Philippines happen on the same time?

This confusion led me to this video, 20 reasons why I dislike the Philippines which became viral causing outrage and debates online and getting the attention of news media.

This video was posted by Jimmy Sieczka, an American who has been living in the Philippines for 3 and half years. In the video, Jimmy takes a walk through Philippine soil enumerating the things he doesn’t like about the country.

Shot in Cebu, Sieczka begins his video documentary with this:

What does Jimmy Sieczka  about the Philippines? 

In the video, Sieczka rants his disgust on the gigantic hole on the sidewalk, pollution, traffic (who loves that anyway), vehicles honking horns, lazy security guards, and terrorists. 

He complains about the unsanitary preparation of food, small-sized tissues, beers being served warm. Oh well he should have asked for ice. Comfort rooms being not comfortable at all, pissing anywhere. On that, I’m keeping my mouth shut.

He’s also annoyed by vendors who keep pestering him to buy Cialis, a sexual performance enhancer which might have offended his ego and nags why all the hot girls in the Philippines are “lady boys”. Ehem. Excuse me Mr. Jimmy? Are you sure you’ve been in the Philippines?

He is also pissed by Filipinos getting crazy with whitening products. But hey, aren’t Americans obsessed with getting tanned?

Jimmy Sieczka also warned prospective tourists that though Philippines is a beautiful country with 7,107 islands, they must be prepared for the worst.


There are mixed responses to this video. Many have agreed to his points noting that the things he presented are factual and that we should take it maturely and act on it.  And there are also those who disagree calling Sieczka conceited and whiny. Some would even say if he has that much reason to dislike the Philippines, then why does he’s still here?


For many Filipinos, the video is rude and offensive.

On a personal note, when I watched the video, I was expecting myself to be angry on the maker of the video but then I found myself agreeing to what he’s saying, mostly, than being defensive. I was not happy about it either, in fact even though the video was presented satirically, I cannot laugh about it, because he speaks of the truth, a saddening truth about the country I was born in, the truth that hurts.


Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. took this video optimistically and said they “do not take it against the maker of the video. The important thing is to continue promote the Philippines and encourage everyone to remain gung-ho and optimistic”

A part of us was hurt after hearing all these negative comments, a proof that no matter what others would say about it, Philippines will still be a home for us. It will always be our dear beloved country.
What we can do now to show our country how much we love it is to care, to take those criticisms as a challenge and do some action.

Mr. Jimmy Sieczka may have found 20 things he disliked about the Philippines, but we know for sure that there are hundreds or even thousands of reason to love Philippines.

It's More Fun in the Philippines

All of us here may have heard of the new tourism campaign slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”. A week after it was launched, rather days before its launching in January 5, this year, it had already dominated the social websites and captured the interest of locals and foreigners alike.

 

There are many who get thrilled by this slogan and there are also some who criticized it for allegedly plagiarizing Switzerland’s tourism slogan of “It’s more fun in Switzerland” back in the 1950s.

But hey that was 60 years ago and even intellectual property rights lapse after 50 years.

Jim Paredes, a well-known singer, commented " Amazing Thailand came after Amazing Race and Incredible India came after Incredible Hulk, nobody really owns words".

Regardless, the allegations of being a copycat, I believe that the line “It’s more fun in the Philippines” is not a fabricated slogan but it is simply the truth about our country.

A truth without a proof may be worthless, so I’ll be sharing some photos taken during my wander around our country.

Filipinos are so fun of eating, and we eat almost everything, scallops, crabs, kuhol and worms. Yes, even worms, I dared myself for the popular exotic wood worm Tamilok in Palawan and it tasted like no other. You want to know how the worms taste like and how it feels when it’s already inside your mouth. No, I won’t tell, I suggest you better try it for yourself.

Filipinos are also very innovative in food. From the fresh strawberries picked in La Trinidad, Benguet, we came up with Strawberry jams, strawberry ice cream, strawberry wine and strawberry taho. 

And just a week ago, I passed by a bakery boasting their Malunggay pandesal. Amazing right?!

Food Trip. More Fun in the Philippines.

There is no place better to fall in love than the Philippines. Tourists have gone over heels in love with the beauty of the country and warmth of its people.

In the 2008 Korean movie, “Romantic Island”, which was shot in the Philippines, Boracay was portrayed as a paradise, a romantic island where two souls meet and where love grows. You should watch that movie, it’s a cute film.

Filipinos are naturally romantic. But I have not known a man more romantic than Don Mariano. Don Mariano Lacson was a sugar baron in the province of Negros. In the 1920s he built a mansion in memory of his beloved wife, a Portuguese from Macau, Dona Marga Barga. The mansion was the largest residential structure during that era boasting its Italianate and Romanesque construction.

This majestic beauty was not spared by World War II. The United States Armed Forces in the Far East and Filipino guerrilla soldiers burned down the place to prevent the Japanese from using it as their headquarters.

And this is what was left with the mansion, now known as The Ruins.

The Ruins survived the wars and weathered countless calamities, and yet amidst all of these, it stands magnificently beautiful; A proof of love withstanding time.

Falling in Love. More Fun in the Philippines.

So Korea, Japan and Russia top the list of suicide rates worldwide. Hmmm, maybe we can invite them in the Philippines and dare them to have a feel first on how it is to breathing hard like it’s their last. They can take a literal plunge in Danao, Bohol, have a canyon swing adventure and be left defenseless, alone, and hanged up on a 200 meter high and 300 meter wide space.

Or maybe they can try to sit at the edge of this cliff in Camotes, Cebu and think if they would jump to cut their lives or dive to enjoy the water.

Or to have a face to face act with death itself, they can meet the crocodiles in Palawan...

...or the python in Bohol and volunteer themselves as prey.

I am sure after all these; they would learn to appreciate their lives the more.

Suicide. More Fun in the Philippines. Ah sorry, what I meant was...

Conquering your Fears. More Fun in the Philippines.

Who would not love to watch the sun going down from the red sky and vanish in the deep sea.

Sunsets. More Fun in the Philippines

And how fun and humbling would it be to dance with the inmates of Iwahig prison in Palawan.

Dancing. More Fun in the Philippines.

And with the countless beautiful sceneries...

                                                                 Camotes, Cebu

                                                       Sagada, Mountain Province

                                                            Helmet Diving, Boracay

                                                           Santiago, Camotes, Cebu

                                                        Anawangin Cove, Zambales

...sometimes, we are mesmerized and become oblivious to turn around and front the camera for a cheese.

                                                          Lake Danao, Cebu

                                                     Chocolate Hills, Bohol

Sight seeing. More Fun in the Philippines.

I can go on and on with my list but to top it all, what makes our country different from the rest is its people, the Filipinos . It is us that make the stay here interesting, enjoyable and worthwhile. It is us the make it more fun in the Philippines.

A Date with the Sun, Sand and Mindoro Sling

TALIPANAN BEACH, PUERTO GALERA

It has been six years since my feet first touched the white sands of Puerto Galera, and it feels good to be coming back again to almost everyone’s first beach experience.

White Beach has been the most favorite in Puerto Galera. And it being so, makes it so crowded compared among the rest of the beaches, a reason we opted for Talipanan Beach Resort this time. Since this would be our first time in Talipanan, we asked some friends who have been there and consulted the net. According to my resources, Talipanan is a better choice for those who want a serene and relaxed stay. And with this claim, we’ve decided to pack our bags and head straight to Talipanan.

Talipanan is a 3-4 hour ride from Manila. We took a bus in Buendia going to Batangas Pier. From there we rode a boat that would bring us to Talipanan.

                                            What a wonderful way to welcome us!!!

When we reached Talipanan, we headed straight to Bamboo Resort where we had our room booked. The room was quite okay, air conditioned, has a native feel – not bad. 

                                

                                                     Bamboo Resort Room             

We just unpacked our things then had an early dinner at Luca’s. It is a famous restaurant serving Italian pasta and pizza. Their serving is already good for 4 persons. A price of Php300 on an average per food is just reasonable. We tried the Luca’s Special Pizza and Seafood Pasta. It tasted really good.

A view of the restaurant from the outside

                                                        Lucas Special Pizza

Seafood Pasta. Tempting!!!

After having a chow, we decided to go to White Beach and experience the other side of Puerto Galera, the loud music, the fire dance and the people. There are tricycles at the back of the resort that could bring you to White Beach for Php 100-150.

                     Fire dancing on the sand shore!! Can I learn without getting myself burned

We could really feel the energy in White Beach as we’re welcomed by loud music like saying it’s time to party. We got ourselves entertained by fire dancers (which I hope to be…someday). And how could we miss a shot or pitcher rather of Mindoro sling.

                                               Mindoro Sling, we meet again!!!

                                             An advice on life; just DRINK ON IT

We spent the next day beach bumming and site seeing, literally.

                                                    Good morning Talipanan!!!

                                         Rock-head gorgeous!! (the beach of course)

                                        Six years ago, I was standing on the same shore

                                       Tamaraw Beach Resort, a promising target

There are many activities you can do like snorkerling, island hopping, parasailing, water rides or nature tripping. You can visit their falls or you can rent a motorbike and explore whole of the island.

Expenses

Bus Buendia to Batangas Pier – Php175

Boat Batangas Pier to Talipanan – Php 300

Environmental Fee –Php50

Terminal Fee – Php 60

Bamboo Resort Room for 2pax, AirCon– Php1,200 (Ms Juvy - 09175620992)

Tricycle Talipanan to White Beach – Php100 day trip, Php150 night trip