The Filipino

“The Filipino is worth dying for”, proclaimed Ninoy Aquino.  And he did die for them.  His killing was one of the most brutal killings of an opposition leader in modern history.  He was shot as he got down on the tarmac, by an assailant supposedly at the behest of the then ruler, Ferdinand Marcos.

An inscription at the Edsa Shrine

Benazir Bhutto, as an opposition leader of Pakistan too, was killed brutally but her death seems to be in vain, considering what has transpired since then.  Ninoy Aquino’s death led to a people’s revolution, a lasting one indeed.  It was very different to the transfer of power, which took place in Zimbabwe, recently, where the military insisted on the transfer of power.  Ninoy’s widow, with the help of the Catholic Clergy, was able to arouse and lead the masses to protest daily, until the then Defence personnel decided to side with the People.  It’s over 30 years since then, and the Philippines have changed Presidents in an orderly manner through elections every six years.

The People Power Monument

So, what was special about the Filipino, Ninoy was willing to sacrifice his life for?  I am not sure.  I have been in the Philippines for two weeks, and my observations are only nascent.  But, they have been very positive.

Metro Manila, a city of 12 million residents and another few million-floating daily, functions in an orderly manner.  The City, at least the part I have been to, is very clean.  There are very little chaos and filth that I saw in South Asian Capitals.  People queue for their turn for everything.  There are queues in supermarkets, bus stops, and even to enter elevators.  There’s no pushing or shoving.  No one tries to jump the queue.  Manila, is a ‘Concrete Jungle’ and green spaces are rare.  But buildings are done in an orderly manner, and there’s sufficient concern for pedestrians.    

A view from a fly-over for pedestrians

I am often reminded of my Filipino colleagues Beth, Fe, Ella, and Jacquie, who supported my work in Oman.  I dealt with a young real estate agent to find an apartment to live, and she was very prompt, and the deal was done very professionally.  People address you as ‘Sir’, in each sentence; even when they do not agree with what you want.  Once, a security guard stopped me entering a car park to cross from one street to other.  He asked me whether I have parked a car, and I answered no.  Then he said, “I can’t let you pass through, SIR”.  Assertive denial, yet with respect. 

I went to the former US Air Base at Clark, which is about two hours from Metro Manila.  Once you leave the metro region, there’s plenty of greenery and agricultural fields.  I was accompanied by three Filipinos, all three were good company.  They explained the history of the Philippines, recent as well as the earlier ones, what they inherited from the Spaniards and the Americans.  They were circumspect about discussing recent politics, and the criticism of human right agencies, which was very understandable.  As we drove, we could witness the impact of the volcanic eruption of Mt Pinatubo, well after 25 years.  The river beds are silver grey, and they shone as the water flew over.  

Glistening River Bed at Clark Air Base

I am told that there are suspended particles from the volcanic eruption in the exosphere and thermosphere, defying gravity, but trapping a range of wavelengths from solar radiation.  They result in spectacular sun rises and the sun sets.

Sunrise from my bedroom: I wake-up to witness a new portrait every morning

The Clark Base is being redeveloped into a Green-City, and my host assured me that they will host the South-East Asia games at the new city in 2019.  That’s not even two years away.  This is in an area, which has not developed and was affected by the Mt. Pinatubo.  But, the Engineer-in-charge was confident that it will be done.  I hope he succeeds, and the sports facilities will be done on time.

I do not want to give a rosy picture of Manila, as I am repeatedly told that the crime in Manila is high.  Bag snatching from pedestrians at gunpoint and pick-pocketing in MRT are too frequent.  The day I arrived in Manila, I used my credit card at the duty-free shop.  My details were stolen, and a total of 1800 AUD was charged to it in two instances fraudulently.  The credit card company has refunded the money, but the card is now canceled.  So, I will take necessary precautions to protect myself, and I will caution you to do the same.