Pinoy Ako!

I read in the paper the other day that two German guys were approved by the Senate to be naturalized Filipino citizens. Made me think why I love being Filipino, most of the times anyway.

1. Music is everywhere. In some provinces jeepney drivers uses fully-equipped stereo systems (usually electrical junks from Japan dumped to developing countries for disposal) to attract passengers. I once went on a hike in a communist rebel infested mountain where I met a man playing music using leaf!

2. Everything is relatively cheaper. CDs (even the real ones), books, food, services (you can get foot spa, hair treatment, massage) and food. Although, I must admit that everything seem to be more expensive now and I am still earning the same! A pair of diesel jeans or zara flats are relatively cheaper here than in Tokyo or Paris. But then again, using purchasing power parity, I'm sure people from developed countries can afford to spend more. The key is to find a job that pays in dollars (say an International Organization like ADB) and live in Manila. You will live like royalty! Which is the reason why so many foreginers decide to stay here after their retirement. Get paid in quid, marry a nubile Filipina, spend in peso!

3. The Filipino humor. It's probably the island spirit. Forget about the job pressure, school work, the cheating boyfriend. Get together with friends and families. Make fun of the other friends that couldn't make it (this doesn't mean that you love them less, they just did not come). You can make fun of politicians, movie stars, the girl who just walked by, the foreigners at the beach. I know this sounds politically incorrect, but who wants to be correct all the time anyway. The Swiss? (Evil grin).

4. The beaches! It's amazing how many beautiful, pristine beaches there are in this country. I know that to get to them is gruelling. A jeepney with people packed like sardines up to its top, the dreadful "habal-habal" (a motorcycle with a makeshift passenger seat that can fit probably six people or more), tiny passenger planes that could easily crash, bamboo boats with paddles, and other ingenious Filipino transportation creations. You have to endure stretches of rough road, possible encounters with insurgents and terrorists, food poisoning, etc. This only makes you appreciate more the splendor of these beaches.

It must have been hard for them to give up their German nationalities. It seems like a wonderful country! Pictures from Munich!