Hi Jim, SBS is my favourite channel. Although about the encouraging well travelled people, I think one of the traits Australians, especially young Aussies have is that sense of adventure, of going out and exploring new things. Australia, being so far from many other countries, breeds many young Aussies eager to leave this end of the world and explore other countries.

Anyway, this sounds like the start of a great meme. I think I'll make my own list about Oz just like this. Thanks!

I love this post! :)

i know!! mike enriquez just stresses me out! and i was amazed to hear him speak perfect straight english one time.

Politics is comedy here. And everything is a telenovela.

That the Phils. is an extremely pedestrian unfriendly country.

TV screams "bobofication of the nation" Even the local FHM and Maxim are so tacky and wit-less!

People on TV say "pramis" and "alavet!"

That we have to pay for extra mayo at Mc Donalds.

The Phils. is too damn small: you always end up dating someone who is someone's ex.. or a friend's cousin's brother, or the classmate of your teamate's boyfriend.. Isn't there anyone we can date here without some sort of link? hahaha..

So true about the news delivery back home. I thought it was just me, because I love watching shows like 48 hour mystery, Dateline, or 60 minutes. But I'm now scared to watch t.v. patrol or any other investagative Philippine news shows. I think it's not just the language though. I think they tend to show more violence with all the blood and gore. When I watched, I just get shock when suddenly they show everything with dead bodies and all. And most of the time, with no warning too like CNN or most western news shows.

for books, try the local libraries. you can also borrow dvds, cds, etc. they also hosts various activities. try your local community centre as well.

all the best!

It's anonymous me again from above. So true also about government offices not having long lines and movement is faster. I guess it's like that in most 1st world countries. I live in Japan and government offices are also like that. No long lines and when you go in, you go out in 30 minutes tops with whatever you went in there for done. I guess they are so efficient in doing the paperworks. And also for them work is work, so that there are no backlogs. Unlike in the Phils, if you go in for example to get a certified marriage certificate. It'll take you the whole day or worst till the next week. Sometimes confronted by an employee saying, "can you come back, the person in charge of that is still having his merienda." I love the Philippines too. I think that we have really talented and intelligent people. Sayang lang, I guess we just have to change our bad habits as a people. Here in Japan, when they work it's really worktime for them. So that when it's time for them to party they really party too.

The pros on your list are really great deals, while some of those on your cons, such as maids, fun atmosphere, I would personally say I could go without.

Great lists. What I wish for is for Americans to stop thinking the world ends around the borders fo the U.S. except when going for spring break in Mexico. Sigh. Sometimes I'd like to move too, away from this country. But every country it seems, has their cons.

"-I get to hang laundry and do the dishes (I love it. Believe it or not, these can be spiritual practices)."

I thought I was the only one experiencing this. Actually any manual and repetitive labour does the trick. Lately it's been cooking.

If you hate the winter in aussie you'd hate NZ more! hahaha...

apojim,for books try Boarders an american own company and Dymocks located at Pitt Mall in the city and at Parramatta.

Tito Jim,

On the subject of the local experience requirement:

Noong bagong salta ako rito, nasa gitna ng recession. Hindi ako matanggap sa trabajo dahil wala nga akong local experience. Ang payo sa akin ng Job Club noong araw ay mag-VOLUNTEER WORK.

May isang magandang loob na training manager sa isang tanggapan na pumayag akong mag-VOLUNTEER WORK. Nakatatlong buwan din ako roon at marami akong natutunan bagama't walang kita.

Noong nag-apply ako sa pinapasukan ko ngayon, tinanong ako noong hiring manager kung bakit ako pumapayag na magtrabajo nang walang sahod. Sabi ko, kasi hindi ako matanggap sa trabajo dahil nga wala akong local experience. Tanging paraan lamang iyong volunteer work upang makamit ang local experience. Ang isa pa, wika ko, mas mabuti na iyong may ginagawa at natututunan kaysa sa natutulog maghapon. Ayon, tinanggap akong FULL-TIME PERMANENT kaagad! Ngayon mag-14 years na ako rito! Ang masasabi ko lang: walang tatalo sa tiyaga!

On the subject of strict driving tests, sabi ninyo kinakabahan kayo kay Ala. E ba't pumasa siya ng ONE TRY? Siya pala ang pinakamahusay!! :-D

Bakit sila mahigpit sa driving test? Siempre, kasi magbabayad ka tuwing kukuha ka ng test. Mas marami silang kikitain kung uulitin mo ang driving test!

Bakit sila maluwag sa mga barumbadong driver sa kalsada? Kasi hinihintay nilang mahuli ng speed o redlight camera ang mga iyon para KUMITA na naman sila!

T: Anong hanapbuhay ang pinakamalaki ang kita?

S: Stripper: KITA LAHAT!

Iyon lamang po.

-JT of Dural

you're so right jim about the news even here in the states when you turn on the tv nothing else going on except for the violence going on.it seems they nothing better to say,they all so pre-occupied by ratings

"-walang nagsisiga sa garden"

hahaha panalo! natawa po ako dun ha.

what an entry. i hope people back in Manila will read what you've just written.


hope you'll be happier there in Oz!

Tito Jim,

Padagdag:

Kung nais ninyong makatipid sa software, samantalahin ninyo ang student edition. Si Mio ay mag-aaral kaya maaari siyang bumili ng student edition.

Sa DVD naman, online ako umoorder ng DVD: http://www.ezydvd.com.au. Laging may discounts ang site na ito.

-JT of Dural

Mr Jim, I agree for the most part on all your observations and your take on pros and cons. Even more impressive is the insight you provide on where Australia may be headed and the challenges it faces in terms of its continued economic competitiveness (i.e. how our environment, work relations, and overall character and disposition of Australians may be compromised in the process). To acquire that perspective in just four months of living here is an achievement in itself!

One thing I found interesting was your take on the dreariness of suburbia and the lack of commercial areas to hang out in. You may want to check out older residential areas (nearer the coast) -- notably the Eastern suburbs, North Shore and Sutherland Shire. That dreariness you observed I believe is a result of "modern" development approaches where zoning is a bit more harsh compared to older suburbs where streets are laid out a bit differently resulting in commercial areas consisting of small shops that are more tightly knit to peoples' dwellings. The mallification of retail in the newer Western suburbs is probably what has killed many of the small mom-and-pop shops that give older suburbs that quainter Old-World feel and atmosphere.

Intellectual stimulation? There are definitely a lot of book readers here (maybe because good public transport provides people the opportunity). But then there are the blights on intellectual progress such as Big Brother (which occupies several hours of prime time on Channel Ten every week) which promote instant gratification and decadent -- often boorish -- behaviour.

Good stuff!

honestly, i don't watch the news programs here. documentaries can still pass, but the news? i would rather read the papers, which i don't do often.

as always, there are pros and cons in our every move. we just have to adapt to whatever situation we are in.

God bless you.

lots of information...nice!

Hi Jim,

Re-local experience, another thing to do aside from doing volunteer work is to enrol in short-term or long term courses at TAFE para madaling makakuha ng trabaho. May guidance counsellor sila to advise on what courses will suit the person at meron din silang contact with employers who usually advertise job vacancies.

Some uni graduates here enroll at TAFE for hands-on-application dahil most of the subjects offered in uni are theoretical.Iyong ibang employers ay pinagaaral ang employees nila sa TAFE at least once a week instead of providing on-the -job training.

Minsan ay may employers din na nagha hire kahit walang local experience.As long as you have the "I can do" attitude at qualified ka talaga to do the job...YOU are hired!

Best of luck.

The average Australian is predisposed to being outside and being active, and consequently is not particularly interested is trudging around a mall at every available moment. Malls are, by default, popular in the Philippines (and especially in Manila) because they provide the only clean (although this is questional given the vehicular emmissions in these areas), safe, public areas. Australians are more inclined to be at the park, the beach or the neighbour's pool rather buying handbags and sipping soya-cinos at the mall.

I find the comment regarding Australian's 'worldliness' is way off the mark. The very fact that Australia is an immigrant nation would suggest otherwise? We are a nation of peoples whose ancestral roots are elsewhere. How inherently more worldly can we be as a nation?

If you are worried what is install for Australia's future then you need not fear. For the last 20-30 years (atleast), the rite of passage for ever increasing number's of young Australian's is to set of for their 'overseas experience' (OE) after finishing high school or university.

Apo Jim, I love reading your site. I had exactly the same sentiments when I first moved here 11 years ago. It was a rather difficult transition, in fact I wanted so much to go back home. After a while I got used to the Australian way of life and am much happier now.
That Australia is a family centered society is indeed true - our kids were born here (aged 8 & 2) and yes we longed to have some sort of help like a 'yaya ' but left without a choice, we did everything on our own - hands on ika nga - from changing nappies to washing, and getting up in the middle of the night for feeding , and the list goes on… a lot of hard work, but we found the experience so spiritual and fulfilling. By not having a maid who would do things for us, we (hubby and I) learned to share the load of childcare and housework, and somehow this whole situation , that of sharing and caring has enriched our lives especially our relationship even more.

In regards to encouraging Aussies to discover the world, I think that is one of their greatest traits. They could go without non essential things like buying brand name stuff just so they could save up for that much desired overseas trip.

More power!

Chaz-I'm glad to know that Aussies are great travelers. I sense an openness about them that I like.

doranne-Mike Enriques is a friend actually. He does not really talk like that. Yes, ang liit ng Pinas. Ang lawak ng mundo. Travel whenever you can. That's my motto.

anonymous--thanks for the advice and the sharing.

tintin--indeed. Every country has its cons.

senorito--I can imagine ang lamig diyan sa kiwiland.

lupalop--tnx for advice

jt of dural--great sharing. That's a good idea and attitude to have.Will use Mio's student status to do that.

wys--ha ha. glad na-aliw ka.

benign0--Ya, I know what you mean. The burbs con't have the old world charm that places near the city do. Personally, I would move closer to the city but I can't afford it. I'm still not earning enough dollars yet and still counting in Pesos. ha ha.

jey, jazzy--thanks.

Anonymous--glad you find resonance with my experience. I actually like it both ways--having a maid and not having one. Many times I do enjoy the chores. Kung minsan lang, nakakapagod!! I can relate to the spiritual aspect of manual labor though.

Good observation Jim. In my view, Australia is only for those who are willing to take risks.

And I also believe that racial prejudice is still very much practiced around here although in a subtle way. I have been to other countries as well, but dito ko lang talaga na feel na, they get jealous of you once you get the success that you know and they know you deserve and that they try to put you down and discourage you anyway they can.

For me, there are only 2 great things in this country: Good Health System and HECS for those who want to study at a university.

There still is no place like home Jim. You've lived a privileged life back home that is probaby why hate those tricycles and jeepneys over there and miss those kusineras and maids but for us those are exactly the reasons why we live here. To help our families over there so that they won't be tricycle and jeepney drivers or maids and kusineras for people like you. The biggest problem in the Philippines kasi is the big gap between the rich and the poor. The rich people getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

The thing I love about Australia is the mix of different cultures. I also like how they take care of their people and look after their welfare. HECS is fantastic for me since I work full time and doing my post grad part time. Although the tax system here is much more rigid and we get taxed in a higher bracket only second to Scandanavia, we at least can see the improvements in infrastructure -- therefore no potholes of any kind!

I am looking forward to raising my own family in this wonderful country. I am getting married next year to a wonderful Aussie/Pinoy and I believe the mix of two cultures will benefit our kids.

Love your blog, by the way. I am very happy that you're enjoying yourself in "the land of plenty"

Hi Sir Jim,

Good morning from Manila!

I guess paradise, heaven, or nirvana are really places of our choosing.

Living in Quezon City or Manila, especially during the rainy season, is next to nearly impossible. Nothing says third world more shockingly than having to trudge through the flooded expanse of Espana from Vicente Cruz all the way to Maceda or Quezon Avenue from Santo Domingo to Banawe. Street kids seem to like this though and they frolic like heck in those disgusting waters.

Coming home in the wee hours of morning from supervising some video editing work in Congressional Avenue Quezon City, I had ridden a cab and went through Quezon Avenue in one of the heaviest downpours I had ever seen -- I could see no more than a few hundred meters ahead. As usual, some stretches of Quezon Avenue were under water and some of it leaked into the cab I was riding, causing the cab driver to curse a bit under his breath.

As my cab turned left on D Tuazon -- this street was also flooded -- just before Welcome Rotonda, I noticed a small goto lugaw (porridge with stewed beef guts) stall serving a huddle of tricylce drivers. I bade the cab driver to stop by the stall so I could buy some goto. I waded in ankle deep waters towards the goto stall as the cab driver scratched his head.

When I got home, my wife was awake and we shared the lugaw. Eating quietly. In that moment, and I don't know why, it seemed like heaven on earth.

I hoped the cab driver got home safe too and said a little prayer for him.

Good musings Jim...

In addition:

Three great advice I received
when I moved abroad:

1. Buy real estate as soon as you can afford a downpayment (I ignored it, to my regrets).

2. End your shower with a shot of cold water. (I followed--I rarely get sick--in more than 23 years)

3. When a local chick says to you "Gerrari here!"--she doesn't really mean it (ignored it too--I didn't score-ha-ha).

What a thoughtful and honest entry, as usual. I also like the contrast shared by Paul Farol above.

Immigrating to any country do turn our lives (to some degree) upside down. But, that teaches us flexibility, humility, and most esp -- the dignity of labor. The systems in the U.S. (to a large degree) are great equalizer. It's so unlike back home. A country synonymous to a Feudal soceity. It's who-you-know, and what's your last name.

Here, it takes years to get over the loneliness of the suburban blah and get accustomed to the different lifestyle. It took me 10 years before I could completely admit I love the U.S. Despite all the perks --yes, there's no place like home. I am just your run-of-the-mill nationalist by heart. Oh yeah, "perfection" do make us feel inadequate.

But, when we are totally acclimated, we can't admit we could relive the lifestyle we used to live back home, long-term either.

But, I cannot forget how the simplicity of being together and sharing lugaw or fish balls and Tru Orange at the Kanto brought so much happiness to us back home.

It's not the change of environment that provides us with what we truly yearn for. No place or things could fill that. There's definitely pros and cons, everywhere.

Henry Ford (a wise capitalist) stated so succinctly:

“The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence, and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has.”

Namaste,
Gabriela

I admire you and your family for taking on this big challenge of migrating to another country where everything is new. My father has also been telling my siblings and I to eventually make plans to migrate to another country in the near future. My cousins and friends have also been making plans already to migrate to other countries. It's all been very scary for me. And personally I cannot imagine living anywhere else permanently except here in the Philippines. I've recently moved cities (from QC to Cavite) and it's been hard. What more if I had to move countries?

But yes, as with every decision waiting to be made, there are pros and cons to it. Everyday, I'm just praying that I'm always making the right decision. I haven't failed so far. And I pray that when the time comes that I have to decide whether to leave or stay in the country, I will be making the right decision.

Thank you for being honest about the issue of migration. There have been comments where the migrants have always been biased towards their new countries and are, therefore, not very informative and helpful.

What a great list. I agree, not many places for young people to hang out at night. There's Fox studios and I know that in Macarthur the new Westfield extension has a strip of restaurants right next to Borders but nowhere near the night life of, say, Glebe, Newtown or Leichhardt.

For big bookstores, a few years ago there was a big bruhaha about Borders opening at the risk of taking business away from smaller, specialist bookstores. So I think in general, Aussies prefer non-generic, non-American stores and that's why you won't see any huge Barnes & Nobles in the near future. For book bargains, Newtown and Glebe have lots of second-hand bookstores. There's one in Newtown on King St (towards Sydney Uni) that basically has books from floor to ceiling. It's awesome.

The strict driving tests are, I believe, partly to do with trying to minimise fatal car accidents involving young drivers, and also ensuring that overseas drivers can apply the driving rules. Put it this way, the phrase 'Asian driver' is not exactly a compliment. Not saying it's right, but I think the RTA is erring on the side of caution. And I think they've done very well in terms of reducing car accidents involving P-platers.

Finally, we do have OA Filo news - Teledyaryo on SBS. :-)

The accrediation process has it merits; it gives you the assurance that you are dealing with a person who is trained and competent in that particular field. our experience has shown us that a lot of people in the philippines do things by 'oido'.

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Hurray on this statement:

"that Australia abandons environmental protection for 'progress'. Right now, Australia is the biggest exporter of coal in the world, which happens to be quite a dirty technology. And Australia still has to sign the Kyoto Protocol that will put a cap on its emissions. While this country has clean air and a well-cared for ecological system, the environment inevitably respects no national borders. Look at Chernobyll. If we dirty any part of the world, it will eventually get back to us. As they say, what goes around comes around!"

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Jim,

Let me add something to your observations:

Whan I was back in the Philippines,
being that my family were not that well-off to travel to far off places, I found really nothing wrong with the Philippines. I actually loved everything about the place. The reason is, at that time, I couldn't compare it with any other place. I could live in Somalia for all you know and I would still call it my home with no complaints. But when one gets a taste of other places--(like USA)
specially the weather, it's kind of hard to go back--the heat, the crowd, the rain. I still have a lot of good memories of the Philippines--the 10 centavo jeepney fare, the baha, my trip to Boracay when it was still a mere island (we ate locally raised chicken--as hard as rubber), simbang gabi, Pasko at Bagong Taon, Ginebra San Miguel, basketball, ice cold San Miguel Beer sa Tibs, Pandesal, Fiestas, Sakla, Beto-beto, Pusoy, Jingle magazine, at marami pang iba. :)
No "first world" country can replace that.

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anonymous-You are probably right. There is discrimination in aus although I have not experienced it. But I venture to say that there is discrimination everywhere. Sa Philippines, it's economic, class discrimination. A mere carpenter will not dream of entering say, a hotel. Why not? Because he does not feel comfortable.

But many people everywhere have thrived despite the odds. Which also brings up a valid question as well. How much of discrimination is self-imposed?

I don't like trycicles and jeeps because there are just way too many of them now. They are noisy, polluting, and their drivers generally have no sense of being neighborly by taking over entire streets, making them talyers and driving recklessly. And when they are disciplined, they cry discrimination!

jennie--HECS is really something. I also love the public libraries. They really promote education and literacy.

Paul-Despite the discomfort of the rainy season, it is also my favorite time of the year. I remember growing up in Santa Mesa where I used to walk through the floods. There's something so 'soulful' about rain that makes one so intimate with ones' feelings.

Gabriela--Either a man is happy being himself or he is not. A place or a situation will probably tweak the level by plus or minus 15 degrees generally. Ika nga, the same 'zen' I am enjoying in Aus is probably the same zen I brought with me.

anonymous-I'm looking at real estate this early!

ray-- you are right. Things by themselves are quite 'perfect' until you see the other side. I think the key to happiness is the ability to remain happy regardless of comparisons. Nothing can compare to the good times we had back home because they are about who we have become. No amount of money or first world amenities can take out that happiness.

hazapafis--wherever life takes you, may you discover the greatness that you possess. good luck

kat_o+--thanks for the tip. will check them out.

anonymous--of course the accreditation process has its merits. And there are many. It just does not have the mechanism to recognize experience and expertise gained outside Australia. And what's wrong with oido? If anyone can learn anything competently outside of the formal system, there should be a way to integrate his talents and utilise them. The Beatles, many great painters, artists,in many parts of the world are 'naturals'. Some need formal education to do things. Others just grasp things intuitively. The bane of too much formalism is it does not recognise these.

check mio please.

my curiousity here; does OZ also have a law that hold that chids' parent or guardian responsible if a minor child is not enrolled or going to school?

Int he US parents are taken to court for this.

Hi Jim,

Nice to see you share your insights regarding OZ.

Just arrived here in NZ over a month ago. Still adjusting to the very cold winter as we are in the South Island and this winter has been described as one of the coldest in years. I find the people here generally very warm, friendly and helpful. As I am not in Auckland or Wellington, I do not have the access to the Filipino community support groups, Filipino stores, etc.

We must all keep in mind, there is no perfect place, there are always pros and cons for any place. The final decision will always come from us.

Hoping to exchange experiences with you in the future.

Cerridwen said...
my curiousity here; does OZ also have a law that hold that chids' parent or guardian responsible if a minor child is not enrolled or going to school?

- Yes there is. People 16 and under are required by law to go to school.

cerridwen--yes. When we we first came here five years ago, Mio was so surprsied wwhen a truancy officer approached him in the mall and asked why he was not in school.

anonymous-will be glad to exchange notes on life in OZ and kiwiland. Must be a lot lonelier but also more beautiful there.

I've heard that Great Britain colonized and started Australia as a penal colony. All the killers, robbers, rapists and other criminals in Britain were shipped to Australia.

That Australia was able to transform itself into a great nation that it is today is nothing but phenomenal.

Unfortunately the opposite is happening in the Philippines.
It is becoming a nation of killers, robbers, rapists and beggars.

Hey Apo Jim, if you are looking for a place with that old world charm,sans the hustle and bustle of the city, the Blue Mountains is the place to be. Leura offers a treasury of fine restaurants, coffee shops and trendy little shops -- also a nice place just to hang around in. Blackheath has that quainter feel, your family will love the atmosphere. It's like going back to the old world. The houses are pretty ,(no two are the same unlike the suburbia), and the gardens offer a relaxed atmosphere - great for meditation ! , not to mention the spectacular and breath taking views of the mountains and the Megalong Valley. I must also mention that it's a place where you could brush elbows with some Aussie celebrities who have chosen the tranquility of the mountains to be their abode. As for real estate prices, they are definitely more realistic than the places close to the city.

Anonymous said...
"I've heard that Great Britain colonized and started Australia as a penal colony. All the killers, robbers, rapists and other criminals in Britain were shipped to Australia."

Au contraire... most of the so-called "criminals" or "convicts" were actually people who mostly committed theft/robbery. Hardened criminals such as rapists and killers were usually sentenced to death and never made it to Australia. For some people leaving one's beloved country for some unknown land to start over one's life is a punishment to be reckoned with.

your children seem to be having a hard time adjusting tho... they sound miserable in some of their blog entries...

...legacy of the Howard years...

I noticed that no one has commented on this. Personally, I was saddened when Howard won the election from Paul Keating. Keating has said - if you change the government, you change the society - and that has come to fruition. What saddens me even more is that many Filipino-Australians and other migrants actually fall for Howard's line of superior economic management. I think most of these are the ones who have been here longer at medyo "naka-angat" na. I can not believe that they would support a man like Johnny. From the Hawke-Keating years when the concept of the social safety net ("walang iwanan!") was a strong guiding principle, now we have government that caters to the interests of the privileged few. I hope it's not too late to turn the tide. Jim, I hope you stick it out and (eventually) become a force for a better Oz.

anonymous--will check out the area. Sounds nice. I just don't know if I can afford it.

anonymous and jennie--a few days back, I heard a radio commentator say that a lot of aussies have come to terms with their convict past and are actually proud of it and how much they have moved forward.

De la Costa, the Filipino historian says that no people in the world possess characteristics that are permanent. We as a race are going through some bad times. I do not believe we are hopelessly corrupt. Just as Aus had a past, we also have a future if we work at it.

anonymous--yes. my kids have their bad days,. It seems that winter isn't good for tropical people like us. We just have to go though it. Like everything, this too shall pass.

anonymous--personally, I do not support Howard and his party. They are sounding more and more like George Bush and the Republicans who I do not have any respect for. I prefer the egalitarian philosophy that other politicians espouse. The Hawke-Keating years alas may be gone forever although I hope it isn't so.

Hi Jim,

I am amazed with your "balance sheet" of your personal experience living in a foreign land. I am now contemplating on creating a balance sheet of my own since arriving in Canada in June 30,1993. I haven't been home to the Philippines since leaving home and I will always feel a sense of guilt and betrayal of not being home to be a part of the rebuilding process.

The Philippines is a nation in transition. It is still a young nation still looking for a one and unified identity. I completely agree with our fellow Filipinos living away from home...we Filipinos are original and unique from the world. Mayroon tayong "pakikiramdam", hospitable in any and every way...hindi na kailangan ng appointment at imbitasyon para magkita sa isang pamamahay, masipag, mapakawanggawa at kalinga sa isa't isa at mahilig mapagpatawa kahit mahirap ang buhay.

Wow, the list goes on and on. I am proud to be an agent of spreading our Filpino values, principles and virtues here in Canada. I hope one day we can all go home and be part of rebuilding the Filipino nation.

Hanggang sa muli.

...The Hawke-Keating years alas may be gone forever...

It is sad to contemplate this possibility, and I think there is still hope. I believe that the majority of Australians (including migrants) are better people than what Howard represents. It's just unfortunate that we now have a bunch of politicians who have become expert in the art of the "wedge" and divide the community to further their interests.

Hi Jim and to all my fellow bloggers,

Please check out the weblink:

http://www.thecorporation.com

The documentary is very powerful, enlightening and disturbing. I believed to instill change in our societies is to have the power to know and disseminate progressive ideals and sustainable development philosophies. To value each living creature as "one" and interdependent is a must for the surivival of the planet.

Thanks!

apo jim, have u read ur sons recent entry on his blog
he is bored out of his mind.

if he can swim back , he would.

how are the other kids adjusting?

an intelligent comments made by bass poet and I have the same opinion with his observation in most topic he discussed. Keep on bloging kabayan.

bass poet--I also believe that we are a great people and we will wake up one day and live it. We really have what it takes. We just have to be more serious about where we want to go.

The corporation seems l.ike an interesting movie. Will watch out for it.

anonymous--oo, nagbublues yung bunso ko, The three of them go through their episodes. Ala has been great since she passed her RTA license test. It was great psychological jump for her. I ex[ect more of these ups and downs from EACH ONE OF US.

Apo Jim -

It's so wonderful to have discovered your blog. I was a big fan of Apo Hiking Society when I was a kid back in the mother land.

Just a question about life in Australia, how are the aboriginal folks treated there today? And in terms of race relations, how are, as we call it here in the US, "people of color", that is, non-whites, treated there? Have you encountered any racism? I've been living in the US (San Francisco) for over 20 years, and though SF is known for its multi-cultural flavor, I know racism still exists. I'm just curious how it is there.

Many thanks! I enjoy the spirit of your dailies.

Peace,
LaraGitara

wow. at long last i have read something about real life experience in Australia, from an immigrants POV. As i read this particular entry, i can say that Australia is pretty much the same as Canada.

And the things you miss here in Manila are the very same things that Fil-Canadians miss out there. Now I'm thinking hard on where to settle someday after (and if) my immigration thing to Canada is approved and processed. For my future family, i'm leaving Manila. If i'll stay single all my life, i will prefer staying here. in the end, i still wish to retire here in my native land. it's my home, and nothing can replace a home. :)

Physicians need rapid access to the best current evidence on a wide range of clinical topics. But where to find it? Textbooks are frequently out-of-date, and we don't have the time to perform literature reviews while the patient is waiting.

BETs were developed in the Emergency Department of Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK, to provide rapid evidence-based answers to real-life clinical questions, using a systematic approach to reviewing the literature. BETs take into account the shortcomings of much current evidence, allowing physicians to make the best of what there is. Although BETs initially had an emergency medicine focus, there are a significant number of BETs covering cardiothoracics, nursing, primary care and paediatrics.

You’ve introduced the subject so well I am at a loss on exactly where to begin.

My balance sheet as an immigrant reflects 27 years away from the Philippines, and I am over 40. Nevertheless its been a constant source of reflection for me, and hardly a day goes by that I don’t make an entry in the ‘books of account’….

Also the analogy of a balance sheet could be more appropriate than one would think. The balance sheet is a picture at a point in time of an entity’s financial affairs. At different points of the lifecycle, it will naturally look different. Not a bad way of looking at this journey we take is it?

Like you I love strong running drinkable water. One of life’s essentials.

Housework – it is one of life’s ‘pause’ moments. It’s folding the clothes that does it for me. My mind drifts over the day, about life, about people around me. A spiritual moment as you describe it. With dishwashing, I am too busy with the minutiae my mind can’t roam. I am not sure if that says more about the difference in how we wash the dishes or our relative intelligence.

Intellectual stimulation. I am actually a great advocate of the Sydney Morning Herald. Try the Saturday edition in particular. I think it must be one of the world’s great broadsheets. Compared to the LA Times, the Daily Telegraph is an intellectual tome, and the SMH must be virtually unfathomable. If you want more, you can always look at the inside section of the Friday Australian Financial Review. That can be very academic at times. Loses me most weeks I must confess. It’s hard to generalise on this one. It may well be that you are suffering from withdrawal as much as anything. Also you haven’t tapped into the networks here so give it a bit of time. If you are really desperate we can always meet for a beer.

If you want crime, there’s plenty that goes unreported. Spend a day at the Dowling Street courts in the city. You will see crime, misery, and people trapped in that cycle.

There are times here when substantive issues are discussed in a constructive way at the political level. Sure there is no idiocy, but I am still grievously disappointed with the Australian love affair with John Howard. The fact that the electorate continues to vote for that duplicitous rat tells me I will always have irreconcilable differences with the mainstream.

Bargains? – Why do you think we go the US for holidays?

I make the point that prostitution is legal in Australia, but society as a whole is respectful of women. Contrast that with the Philippines, where prostitution is illegal, next to Thailand I would think that the country would be Asia’s largest fleshpot - what’s going on?

I have to agree with you that much of the houses in Australia are bland, having a homogenous character. But try buying the North Shore Times and look at the real estate ads and the places inside. Deceptively bland façade, boxlike structures, but very tasteful interiors. However in all the ads I have seen, I have never ever seen a decent stereo. Something wrong there. Plenty of money but there can’t be too much soul without music.

What Australia offers is a decent shot at a decent life. It’s possible that the US offers more of this opportunity. That’s another subject in itself.

I like how Australia can have such clear blue winter skies. I love the beaches. I love the South Coast. I love the irreverence. I love Sydney Harbour, even if I live 25 km away from it. I love Guinness. I love Australia’s egalitarianism, even as it comes under attack. I love the ABC, 702 and 92.9.

I could do without the high cost of living, especially in Sydney. I could do without traffic. Until Pauline Hanson and John Howard’s Tampa, I thought Australia had outgrown racism. The politics of fear has transformed Australia, I feel. The problem is the lack of credible alternative – but maybe that will change. We can but hope.

I miss a certain level of intellect. Australia loves its sport more so than its intellectuals. That’s why my daughter plays soccer instead of piano. No matter I will ensure she gets her artistic stimulation from my music collection, including the APO Hiking Society CDs siempre. She actually likes it I am glad to report.

If I were offered enough money to live well in the Philippines I would still avoid it like the plague. Why? Maybe I’ll get on to that some other time. For starters I would refer you to my hero J. Anastacio – aka “Nasty” – remember him?

But all that said we are all travellers in this world and it is up to us to find our peace wherever we are. You’ve given me an opportunity to talk about this and in all my years away from the Philippines I have not been so inspired. So thanks for that and I do hope we get to solve all these problems – maybe over a beer sometime.

laragitara--aborigines here are generally n ot in a good place. The history of their colonization is a black spoit in the the birthj of this nation. It is a credit though that Aussies have taken the step to redress the issues. Some will say too little too late, some will argue that it is enough. I don't know. Racism is probably everywhere, australia includefd though I have not experienced it. As I always say, discrimination can come in many forms. In our country it is largely social and economic.

jaym--I thoroughly enjoyed your long post and I will take your advice on many things. And yes, I wish to take some time later on to have that beer even if I don't really drink.

I too love the egalitarian character but feel that Howard and his ilk want to reshape this country into another US, and a Republican run one at that. Sad.Though I am not yet alllowed to engage in politics, I will be a keen observer of the next election.

election here passes like as if wala lang. you will not even know that day na may nagyayari na botohan. no smear campaign or even left and right posters! iba talaga sa atin, ang gulo!

I beg to differ slightly with Jaym as I believe there is some idiocy gaining some ground here. Reality shows now dominate television and the show Big Brother now takes up several hours of prime time slots every week.

However, this is still nothing compared to the idiocy in the Philippines which has already been institutionalised to such a profound degree as to boggle the mind.

I do agree though that there is too much emphasis on sport. And there is this bizarre paradox of prevailing unemployment whilst apprenticeship and recruitment agencies are actually sourcing skilled workers overseas. Don't know if focus on sport and skills shortage are related but I do subscribe to the notion that if you focus your kids on academic excellence early on, they are more likely, as adults, be able to earn enough money to have a broader range of sporting options.

Turn them into jocks at 7 y.o. and they earn less later on and have less time for sport (and probably more time lounging in the couch watching the footy with a beer in hand). Turn them into academics at 7 y.o. and they will likely earn more later on and be able to afford more sports and have jobs that afford them more quality time to indulge in them.

For reference, by the way, here is a copy of Nasty's view on the immigrant life. I think it's a good thing to refer to whenever one gets the winter blues in a foreign land. ;-)

hi mr. jim!

this has nothing to do with your entry, but i do have to say i love reading your blog with all its insightful entries. i hope you don't mind that i quoted you on my latest blog entry.

anyway... you really do inspire me. :) all the best!

i can easily relate to your experiences... i too do the household chores now. walang kasama sa bahay... wala ang mga siblings or ang mum ko to help me out do the chores.
here in NZ di ko p din nakitang naka traffic. i haven't heard vehicles blowing out their horns. pero like in the philippines, mahilig magbigay ng ticket ang mga police patrols dito (minus the "lagay" thing though)

Sir Jim,

This post has stirred quite a lot of reactions.

Just wanted to state the obvious and be the 60th comment posted here. hehehe! Ang babaw ko.

Paul Farol

JIM PAREDES OF THE APO HIKING SOCIETY ! eeeeeeeeee 'GIDDAY from brisbane...from baguio originally and i just went home to baguio in february and guess what i bought- APO HS CD which i've been listening to endlessly....well my crazy fan days are gone and I now have a 16 year old son who is crazy about music...might even get him to learn your lovely songs. I hope that you will settle here in australia for a long time. i came from NZ too and you've just described the pros n cons of living overseas without the 'maids'- but like your loving wife, one has to learn to cook in order to eat properly...cleaning cooking chores are good for our fitness and well-being. when will you come up here in brissie for a concert? best regards.

I re-read Nasty's Email. I hate to admit it, but he is right!
That's why we have 12 million Filipino immigrants scattered around the globe and 3 thousand more leave our country, everyday. A very sad state of affairs, indeed.

Have you read Plato's Republic?

Hi Jim! I'm sure there's a lot to love in Aussie. Same here in Cali. Been here for 5 yrs and I appreciate everything it has to offer me. Pero there's still nothing like Pinas. Who wouldn't miss the fishball, chicharon, balot and other street foods. Who wouldn't miss the traffic, heavy-causing-flood rains, jeepney rides, tricycles.. Only in the phils.

Hi Jim! I'm sure there's a lot of things to love in Aussie. Same here in Cali. But still there's nothing like Pinas. Who wouldnt miss the fishball, dirty ice cream balot and other street foods? Who wouldnt miss the jeepney rides, flood-causing-rain? Only in the phils. haha.

anonymous--yes., that's what I heard about elections here. Sa atin, parang world soccer. Gising lahat and very passionately rooting for candidates.

benign0--i read a bit of the Nasty article and did not proceed. One is, I could not find any compassion coming from him considering he was quoting his Zen teacher all the time. I felt the venom he was spewing said more about him than about the subject.

jey--yup. Agree!

cynchie--salamat. I am honored

mygaseous--NZ must be an experience in itself too, huh? I visited there before and I loved the place.

paul--congrats!!

vicky--I have a house in baguio which I always visit. It is pone of my favorite places in the world. Brisbane show is sometime next year. Check apohikingsociety ffrom time to time or my blog.

anonymous--no I have not read it.

Jinggay--tama ka. kahit ano pang binatbat ng first world, some things from home are irreplaceable.

hi jim,

of course i'm a fan, that's why i'm here :)

and then i would imagine that it took some great consideration on your part before you took the move, and my family is in the same situation right now, weighing the pros and cons of leaving with the probability of leaving being more than less.

the good thing, i think, is finding yourself embracing a new life in midlife, even remotely like the feeling of wanting to conquer the world, and then you find yourself to be like in your twenties all over again, whyich suits me just fine.

cheers.

Re Nasty...Jim, I'm glad you pointed this out. I was getting worried that people were saying he was their idol (I hope with tongue in cheek).

Re Nasty: Do agree that this guy doesn't mince words and therefore can be construed as "lacking in compassion". But then one thing I have always noted with Pinoys is that we are ruled by emotion and sentimiyento rather than regard things with a critical and logical mind.

If we sift through the "venom" that Nasty "spews" we will find much truth and well-thought-out insight on the character of our society.

Maybe from this we can acquire a bit of perspective on why we as a people have collectively failed to prosper considering that our country abounds in individual talent.

If we routinely ignore a message simply because it comes across as "lacking in compassion", then we risk missing out on some cold truths that could provide us the proper insight on what path our society may need to take.

It wasn't so much lacking in compassion as it was idiotic because it had such a narrow Anmerican First world condescending view of things.I merely mentioned it was lacking in compassion because I was trying to be kind. He also made sure he distanced himself from where he came from which I thought was pathetic. Biglang 'your country' na siya..

The last thing the Philippines needs is another armchair know-it-all who looks down arrogantly and claims he has diagnosed correctly all the ills of our complex country from a high-chair acquired through citizenship. Now, if he has ever served in any capacity in any NGO or any humble public service position, or has thoroughlu studies Philippine history or has read papers and scholarly work on the situation, I may spend time reading what he has to say. As for me, his are the rantings of someone who has no deep insight that reflect the shalowness of acquired affectations from his colonial master.

Let's light a candle than just continuing to curse the darkness. Or do you think more bashing and self-immolation is what we need? It's not that we can't take the truth, it's time to stop hitting ouselves on the head over something we know already. In the end, nakakatulong ba siya? I don't think so.

Here's a quote I thought is fitting to ponder on based on this great, 'blogeditorial' you wrote:

"Fortunately, there is a sane equilibrium in the character of nations, as there is in that of men."
Jose Marti(1853-1895)

Jim, my point exactly. We are quick to perceive this "condescending" tone yet we fail to note objectively the nature of the content of Nasty's letter.

But let's say for argument's sake that Nasty actually meant to be conscending. The sad but cold fact of the matter is that condescension is a natural human response towards something that consistently fails. And, for that matter, entities that consistently fail (and become defensive of said failure) develop a predisposition towards finding condescenion in the tone of otherwise logically sound arguments.

And failing to find an equally objective counter-argument, we tend to shrink back to the comfy world of credentialism; i.e. using the messengers' credentials (or in this case, perceived lack of credentials) as the basis for a validation or, in this case, invalidation of his/her expressed views. Let's not forget that some of the most be-credentialled public officials in the land (graduates of the best schools, in fact) were responsible for running our beloved country to the ground.

Note that Nasty has lived most of his life in the Philippines, which in fact makes him amply qualified to articulate a view of the issues that plague Pinoy society (just as an NGO dude or a "humble public servant" is qualified in your book to make take a stab at a similar analysis).

benign0

My point exactly. It is condescending that is why it is counterproductive. If he REALLY wanted to change things by writing thst, he fails because he has no understanding of human nature.,. People respond more postively to inspiration than expletives. Kaya sa palagay ko, it's not gonna change a thing except perhaps make him feel good that he decided to change citizenship. As I said before, it is sad that people get their feel high and mighty fix by being trashing others. It wasn't about the article. There was nothing new there to digrest. it was about him.

Speaking of inpiration, Gawad Kalinga has not uttered any condemnation of anybody but has done more for the Philippines than all of the condescending attitudes and actions put together.. Tama ng salita. Talk is cheap. Walk the talk. Has he? nuf said!

Gawad Kalinga is a band aid solution. If the Pinoys don't change their views based on the stuff written in Nasty's letter then they would always be in need of the "Kalinga" of that Gawad Kalinga thing or foreign powers working for their own interests.

Pinoys need to tell themselves the nasty truth in order for them to change for the better. Masyado kasing balat sibuyas at emosyonal ang Pinoy. I read Nasty's letter and was not offended. Totoo kasi eh. A lot can learn from it and change.

Jim,

People do respond positively to "inspiration" which has quite a New Age ring to it if you ask me. However it is one thing to "respond" and it is another to achieve. Achievement has very uncompromising standards. You either get it right or you get it wrong. When you get it wrong, you can "inspired" to try again to get it right. But at the moment, by the stringent standards of what it means to achieve, you have it wrong until you get it right. We enroll our kids in the Ateneo, for example because the Ateneo kicks out students who fail to meet the Ateneo's standards. I don't think any parent would want their kids to be part of a learning institution that coddles losers.

If a surgeon get's it wrong, a patient dies. He can go to an "inspirational" talk or therapy regime to deal with his error and be "inspired" to do great things again despite this loss, but the fact of the matter is, a patient died because of his previous ineptitude. Likewise, a lot of damage has been done to Pinoy society because we collectively did things the wrong way. We have to hold ourselves to certain standards of achievement and that means coming to terms with really fundamental realities about the nature of our society.

Gawad Kalinga is doing a lot of great things. It is working on the current situation and building from there. In fact, all of us are working towards the future based on the current situation we are in. we don't need to make a distinction between a "humble public servant" and a well-paid white collar worker. Nobody can be presume to judge who is contributing more or less to Pinoy society. But one thing is certain. For an action to yield sustainable outcomes there must be a clear understanding of the problems. We cannot solve the problems of our society unless we face and understand the true nature of our issues.

No-one is saying that Nasty had the best intentions. In fact, I do not disagree that he wrote that letter to serve his personal interests. But his intentions have nothing to do with the trueness or falseness of his message which is something that needs to be critically evaluated on its logical merit in a way that is divorced from the writer's intentions.

East is east and west is west, benign0. If you are moved by what he says, then good for you. I am simply not. I am not moved to action by condescension and pontification. Venom doesn't imnspire me. Maybe you are. Good for you. You've done your share in trying to convinvce me of nasty's 'great truth' and qualifications and why I should take it seriously.I think it is vapid, shallow, and stating the obvious in a ranting manner. Ang daming commentators na ganyan sa radio sa manila. Sinco sang docena. He's just another one na magaling mag-ingles. Ho hum. He is not the prophet that will save the Philippines.

Don't take it upon yourself to try harder to convince me otherwise. Is it important for you that I see it the way you see it? Sorry, I can't. Or is it just important to you to have the last say?

I don't think I have anymore to say. I don't really want my blog to be as political as it can seem to get at times. Besides, this whole nasty thing was rather off topic to start with. Good day mate.

This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

To commenters on this blog.

If you wish to make an impassioned comment you are free to do so so long as
a) you put your name
b) you do not resort to insults or name calling.

I find impassioned comments with insults signed anonymously as coeardly and despicable. All comments of the like will be immediately deleted.

Also, as you can see, I do try to answer all comments. Just a suggestion. Let's try to stick to the topic at hand. From hereon, I may or may not answer comments that are off topic.

"Or is it just important to you to have the last say?"

Jim, this is not about "having the last say". It is about resolving contrasting ideas through candid discussion. To be fair of course, this Western concept of resolving thesis and anti-thesis through critical discussion may be alien to the Pinoy mind.

Firstly, in the Philippines, people who beg to differ are easily silenced by seniority and authority. In Australia or most Western societies, you will find that if giving out unsatisfactory answers/responses will only invite more challenging questions (maybe when you actually do start working closely with the locals, you will actually experience this thing). Certainly even store clerks and public servants will not be beyond talking down to someone if they feel they are being given lip service or patronising responses by someone in authority. People here (or at least those who think) will not let you off easy if they are not satisfied by a view you express in response to them.

Second, this is not about politics. I don't recall bringing up anything "political" in my comments here. This is more about an observation and a discussion on said observation.

Anyways, I'm sorry to see you fly off the handle that way. I'll be sure to try to post in a more respectful way (the Pinoy-style way you are comfortable with) in the future (if you will still have me).

Cheery-o!

Just want to share the comment of Malena anout Nasty last 2003, I think her observation is right.





Malena312



Joined: Oct 2003 2003-10-17 00:48


let me dissect the two articles-- pedero's and anastacio's.

Both articles are obviously written by one and the same writer-- pedero. The latter used Anastacio as a literary device.

Don't misjudge and dismiss Filipino-Americans and Filipino residents here in the US as cultural sellout's. We are not that ignorant and misinformed.

Anastacio's response sounds he was very familiar of the present economic realities in the Philippines. His facts, obviously, could not be a result of his short vacation. You would need to live for awhile in the country to be that up-to-date. He must be following the Phillipine current events, if indeed he is an american citizen living in LA.

If he was that detached from his native country and so acculturated with anything american, he would not have subscribed to filipina magazine, community newspapers, 24-hour international abs-cbn, and sometimes GMA's saksi. These are the only sources here for latest news and cultural and political events current in the Philippines.

No filipino living in nostalgia, suffering the effects of diaspora, and finding 'home' in Philippine Centers, Pinoy organizations and filipino communities would write such a cruel, insulting, and irresponsible assessment of the country he/she misses.

If Filipinos in america have cultural amnesia, there will be no Filipino stores around, no restaurants, no organizations in schools and universities, and no Filipino community celebrations in big cities.

Los angeles alone has five Filipino restaurants. Chicago, Las vegas, SF, New york have three or four each. Other cities have one or more. Lots of filipino stores are sprouting across the US. Almost all state universities in California, from UC Berkeley to California state University, have Filipino student organizations. Even Harvard has Filipino Forum, an orgaization for Filipino students,who were mostly natural born citizens. Also, Chicago, Texas, SF, LA, NYC and other smaller cities celebrate special Philippine holidays.

Filipinos in America know what a "third world country" is. Expecting first class public utilities and amenities, like the ones found in the good areas here in the US, is both unreasonable and uncalled for. We also know that it is safer to live in manila than to live in LA. South central LA is worse than Tondo.

If Anastacio is not fictional, he knows Hollywood is not all Beverly hills, diamonds and Oscar's, but druggies, prostitutes, homeless youth and war veterans and failed white american dreams as well.

School shooting, where high school and even elementary students target and kill their teachers and other classmates, then blame rap music and satan, is almost a daily news on TV. I haven't heard any columbine school-like incident in the Philippines. Street gang shooting is a problem in LA, NYC, Chicago, Detroit, Florida, etc. At least abu Sayaf problem is only concentrated in Palawan and Mindanao. And it is easy to penetrate and stop them. Gang problems in America, which involve drugs, prostitution, and other major crimes all over the country, are not that easy to solve and eradicate. I can go on and on. I can mention a lot of other problems in america that will make living in the Philippines sound very safe heavenly.

Filipinos who live here know the realities in the US and in the Philippines. Even natural born Filipino-Americans at Harvard, with boston accent, american style and western values, cannot hurl such insults or write such a malicious observation about the philippines. Kalabasa and pumpkin are two different things.

Though the facts presented by anastacio are real, the way he presented them sounds like Philippines is a gutter of crooks and criminals. He should try to go to India, Cambodia, Laos, China and Vietnam. He would be thankful he is a Filipino.

Has he seen Iraq on CNN? baghdad looks like Lanao, yet Iraq has a rich oil reserve. Has he heard about the traffic in thailand? cars there move one foot every five minutes during busy hours. Has he seen documentaries about the abandoned AIDS victims in china, who got the disease through selling their blood/plasma, out of poverty, to the government blood banks. Has he read on newspapers how villagers in rural india committed suicide in mass because they could not pay their loans? Has someone told anastacio how corrupt and archaic Indian politics is?

I guess anastacio has no time to watch CNN, MSNBC or BBC or read wall street journal or times and newsweek mags, but he has time to watch fellini and read the bathroom thoughts of his white zen guru. I wonder if la dolce vita and venice beach hashish have made anastacio an incoherent and delusional little brown man. Oh! I forgot nasty is a work of fiction.

I have been to India, Vietnam and Laos. Their biggest and comercial city centers like new delhi, bombay, ho chi minh, laos etc. are not comparable to Makati. But I would not insult people from those areas because I know home is in the mind of the people not in the nasty public restrooms, not in the dirty, polluted streets and not in the government offices of those corrupt leaders.

I feel at home in the company of my relatives in Davao, among my classmates and friend at Diliman, and among the Filipinos, who are not ashamed for having the Philippines as their country. I am not at home with american pie. Give me puto; I will ask for a bowl of dinuguan. I will eat with my bare hands for I will be at home.

Yes, I live in a high rise building condo here in chicago, but the air I breathe is through the air conditioner unit and humidifier. I have everything I need to have a comfortable living, yet it's a lonely existence. Hopefully one day, I can go back to our province where the air is fresh and the beach is a walking distance; stay with my relatives in their humble, sturdy nipa huts, where fresh foods are cooked and served; and hang out with my friends, whose friendship is real and lasting.

If Anastacio is a real Filipino-American resident in LA, he knows what i am talking about. America can be a place for residence, but it can never be a place you can call home and feel at home. American brown-skinned filipinos could have mansions in Beverly Hills or penthouses in fifth avenue in new york but not a "home" like in Tondo or Samar, where they will not be discriminated, lampooned, or gawked at. America is still racist.

Most of us Filipinos here in America know the better facts. Thus, we don't insult and despise the country we miss. No filipino, in his right mind, can abandon his heritage and forget his culture. We, Filipinos, will always crave for adobo on top of rice.

My friends, those articles were written by a bitter filipino writer, who is tired of his neighborhood. His fa