Should the Philippines Look to china instead of Glorifying the United States? Your Opinion?

It depends on what kind of collapse...If it's a head on depression or just a hiccup of a recession. Either way, the Philippines (like any other nation) is heavily dependent on the United States. Look what happened when the apparent recession hit the Dow, when it fell, the pse fell...hard, up to now stocks couldn't recover because of all the internal and external factors. The external factors are heavily influenced by the states, for example, assuming it reaches a point of depression, it would cease importation of both goods and immigrants, thus we loose our biggest trading partner and one of the biggest sources of the remitances that now form a substantial part of the economy... I think we'd be heading nowhere so quickly we wouldn't even notice that our economy had already collapsed... I mean we haven't even recovered fully since the 1997 financial crisis...(I think) The U.S collapse would bring a collapse of the world economy... If the U.S economy would collapse...that is

Your question is verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry long, but it is good. But, for all of your considerings, you have missed the two true underlying problems of the Philippines. It's not who to snuggle up with, or who did what, for what reason in the past. Or, any of the other stuff really, and i read your whole letter. The problem is this. Firstly, the Philippines has absolutely ZERO national unity. This is for several reasons. 1. The fact that there are 7,107 islands in this country. The sheer number of islands has helped to create many sub-cultures. 2. there are a hundred or more different dialects or languages in the country. There is not a single 1st world country on the planet that has more then just a few languages. The Philippines needs to have a common language nationwide, and it must be spoken by all the people. Just being taught it in school only to never use it in life is meaningless. 3. Corruption is soooo huge a problem, and has gone on for sooo long that most Filipinos don't even blink an eye over a major political scandal/scam/bribe. Filipino people have accepted this to be "acceptable" to them. 4. There is no one for Filipinos to look up to in govt. No Hero's to draw them together. The last one was Ninoy, and of course, he was murdered. 5. This is the one that bothers me the most, because if this country is ever to be built into a "nation united" it would have to start at this ground level. As a culture, Filipino people rarely help or work together with people outside of their family or social groups. They will also rarely give to those in need outside of those groups. Petty bickering, trying to "save face", haughty pride, and long standing disputes are very common among Filipino people. If this is the standard in the local community, how can it be expected that a nation can advance beyond theri differences?

The second reason is that Filipinos put up with way to much incompetence. Incompetence from govt leaders, teachers(sorry but it is true), auto mechanics, doctors, etc,etc,etc...I am telling you unequivically, the Philippines will never be a 1st world nation until it holds people who they pay there money to, to a higher standard then what they do today. When someone does a bad job, or doesnt know how to do their job, or is in a position of leadership that they recieved as a result of a phone call from someone of influence to the hiring manager then it will never happen. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. 1st world countrys are not mediocre, they are cutting edge. I know, I know, Filipinos dont like confrontation, they dont want to embaress someone who doesnt have a clue what their doing so that person doesnt lose face. Ok, that's fine. But, as long as saving face is more important then proper training and high standards, how can you really expect to leave 3rd world status.

I wanted to say two other things to you. As you have probably already guessed i am a foreigner, from the USA(the truth is i am probably less fond of them then you are). I'm married to a pinay, with three daughters, and i live in Mindanao. If the Philippines was ever attacked by a foreign invader, i would not run to the airport to escape. I would run for my M4 and take aim. I choose to live in this country because i believe it is better then the USA, it has morals, and faith in God, and strong family ties.

The other thing is i am as disgusted as you are by the way that light skinned Filipinos are glorified on TV. I am embarressed for a woman when i see her with all the white make up on her face, covering her natural skin. She does not realize how beutiful she is, and the advertising on TV promotes all these whitening products. I am lucky, my wife is brown skinned and wears no make up.

Anyway, that is my take on things.

I think that for the Philippines to move forward, it should glorify neither USA nor China.

We should be glorifying our resolve and determination as a people to move forward and fulfill our aspirations for a better nation, independent from all foreign influences.

Some people blame the Filipinos themselves for the lingering problems of massive poverty. I think that it is not the population, but their leaders who failed in their promises of eradicating corruption and making the economy grow - by becoming problems themselves. We need nation builders, not nation wreckers. Because of the lack of jobs a lot of our best Filipino nation builders decides to work overseas as OFWs, and some decides to abandon the country altogether and immigrate to other countries like USA.

As a nation, we need to change. We should use Obama's line: YES WE CAN, and continue to dream that someday, like the blacks in America, we will be vindicated and become a developed nation at last, just like what an American think tank predicted before the disastrous Marcos regime took over.

Your observations are very astute. And, I agree with much of your assessment. From the economic perspective, Chinese always do much better in the Philippines economy and are far better supported by the Filipino than Americans who attempt business ventures or entrepreneurship in Philippines. I think that more Asian influence in society over the past 100 years or so would have brought about less corruption and more esprit de corps among the people in today's Philippines. I'm not so sure there is any strategic geographic advantage any more with the modernization of military forces around the world.

Congratulations on learning to speak Tagalog. You now speak both of the Official Languages of the Philippines, the other being English. As you will discover the more that you travel in the Philippines, children are raised speaking their local language first, like Cebuano, Warywary, etc. Then, in school they will learn both English and Tagalog. Many people will speak both of the Official Languages equally well; however, their local language will always be the primary language throughout their lives. Many will speak "Taglish" or "Cebulog" or "Cebuish" or some other mixture when speaking with friends.

Phillipines should not look to China, period! Why? Look to the "Assistance" that China offered after the crisis caused by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan in the USA). They offerd a whopping $100,000 in assistance! This from a country of more than one BILLION!!! China holds the Philippines and Filipinos in contempt, just like all other Asian countries.

Still not enough, look at the conflict that is on-going on islands that the international community recognizes as being part of the Philippines! China is not limiting it's conflicts to islands recognnized as part of the Philippines, they are doing the same routine on other isalnds with Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.

You mentioned the Spanish Colonial Period in the Philippines. The desire for white skin came from this period and was well established before the USA even came to be; let alone arrived in the Philippines. This is because the Spanish created a "Grading" system for its population. These terms were used by the Catholic Church from birth of every person. Look up the following words: Peninsulare (born in Spain), Criollo (first generation of Spanish descent), Mestizo (mixed, one Spanish parent and one indigenous parent, in this case Filipino), Indio (both parents indigenous, Filipino in this case), Zama (one Spanish parent, one ***** parent), Negra (both ***** parents), etc.

As a result of this, societal pressure led people to claim to be "Mestizo" to elevate their status. One sign of being Mestizo is the claim that their skin is lighter, that they have Spanish parents, that their skin gets sun burned, etc. To this day, people will claim to be "Mestizo", despite that fact that it may have been well over 100 years since anyone who was Spanish was in the family. I personally don't buy into this whole light skin thing, my wife and daughter are Pinay and I think they are beautiful in the skin in which they were born.

The Phiippines had a strong independence movement before the Spanish-American War and declared it's own independence twice, once when Spain surrendered to the USA and a second about two years later.

The USA offered self governance early on in the time that the Philippines was a territory. As I recall, I believe it was first in 1916, then expanded in 1934 and full independence was to be granted in 1944; but, was delayed due to the invasion of Japan until 1946. The USA never had as much interest in keeping the Philippines as a territory as it did Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa, all of which are part of the USA today. The residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands are all citizens of the USA. The residents of American Samoa are nationals of the USA.

Because of the shared experience during the Second World War, there exists a hard earned bond between the USA and the Philippines. A bond which should always be maintained, because we Americans owe a debt of gratitude to the Filipinos. If you wish to better understand why, read the book, "Ghost Soldiers" and research the Raid on Cabanatuan. Once you have, you will understand why I, as a veteran, will always hold a great respect for the people of the Philippines.

As to the USA did not limit it's attention to Japan, it did the same with Germany. That is because it occupied these contries. The fastest way to stabilize those countries, was to rebuild them, so that they would not have to be occupied forever. Both counries already had massive trade and industry, which is why they were able to build and finance the industries necessary to build armies, air forces and navies that were able to carry war to such a massive swath of the globe. It is not like they lacked them before the war.

As much as it pains me to say it, the Philippines was undeveloped before the war and remained so after.

Civil wars should not be assumed to be wars that must be fought. War is the failure of political systems for find solutions that avoid war.

Again, the Philippines had a history of independence movements before the USA arrived on the scene. The Philippines government differs greatly from that of the USA. The National Government has far less power and control compared to the USA. The governance of the Philippines is far more localized and as such, far more corrupt because the corruption is localized. Thos families that have always had the most power continue to do so. Politics and governance and familiar, passed from one generation to the next.

As to languages becoming an amalgam, that is the reality of life. English includes a huge quantity words from other languages, including Tagalog. That is because languages influence one another. Frankly, the more influence from other languages, the more likely a language will grow and thrive. You don't want a language to stagnate. Further, it enhances business when languages share commonality.

The USA pulled out of it bases about 20 years ago, as a matter of fact, at that time, it was the mother of the current president. The Philippine government continued. In my opinion, the governments since then have been awful and terribly corrupt. The saving grace during this period is the current president. P'NOY has done such a wonderful job in both trying to cut away the familial corruption that feeds the powerful families and also attempting to put money into much needed infrastructure projects that make improvements to the infrastructure, the economy and much needed employment and income for the workers who complete the projects.

At present, it is the Philippines who wants, and some might say, needs the USA to return some military presence. The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea need some assistance in regards to the expansionist desires of China, which brings us back to my answer to your initial question. No, the Philippines is not being used in this respect. And no, the Philippines should not look to China, as you need only look to the present events of Hong Kong to further understand why.

Something to consider: to which country - and type if system- are millions of people from all over the world, including Chinese, breaking laws and risking their lives to emigrate to? Which country has hundreds of universities that millions of students from all over the world are putting all their effort to go to get among the best educations in the world?

Which country is claiming then invading the seas around your very archipelago? Which one is standing up for and supporting the Philippines' rights?

Lastly, and perhaps most relevant, which country sent its sons to fight and die to free the Filipinos from tyranny and protect them?

The Philippines should look to the Philippines so that it can glorify itself. That way glorifying another nation would be out of the question. Keep in mind that after WWII China was a completely destroyed and devastated nation and they built themselves up from nothing to silently and humbly become one of the worlds most powerful nations on earth. They did not receive help from another nation to do this. If China did it then why can't the Philippines do it?

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i think that looking to other countries for economic help and industrialization can both be helpful and a hindrance. getting technological help and ideas can be helpful but if it is taken/given too quickly without having to put any home effort there will be a lack of natural innovation within the country as well as no generation of talent or ability, thereby making the country even more dependent upon outside influences.

as for whether looking to the US or China would be better, that is a hard question to answer. China does have a stronger economy right now and a better forecast, but consider that it's a communist nation that doesn't float its currency and is not known for its allowance for free trade. when considering it, that means getting economic aid would not be ideal because it means that it is difficult, if not impossible, to know what the true strength of the economy of China is and if it is in any danger. also, the currency has no real value compared against other currencies because of the loose restrictions in country; they print money whenever they want and do not necessarily have the ability to back that currency with gold or other hard backings. as for the lack of free trade, it would be difficult to ensure that trade agreements would be equitable or enforceable. furthermore, China has many laws made to protect their own industries, they make it exceptionally difficult for external companies to compete in its economy, many times levying heavy tariffs and taxes to discourage competition.

The US has a poorer economy currently and a less favorable forecast, but it has an open economy and does have a better record of helping other nations. while the US does protect some of its industries, the taxes, tariffs, and regulations regarding trade and economic exchange do not hamper nearly as much as China's. furthermore, the practices followed in the US are more equitable to those of the EU and other trading partners, which would allow the PI to be able to bring its own standards to those of the majority of trading partners. also consider that the US traditionally has a higher rate of FDI (foreign direct investment) than China, which means that companies in the US are more likely to invest money, resources, technology, etc in other countries that are developing.

Personally, i think it's a shame that the Philippines is becoming so Americanized and is thereby losing the culture of the land. while I do agree that learning english is important due to its international use, bastardizing Filipino is not the way to do it; some concepts are only applicable in the native tongue. however, westernization is unavoidable due to the current trend of globalization and interconnectivity of the world as a whole. but i think that Filipinos have to find the medium between being open to outside cultures and keeping their own identity.

However, it does seem, and i hope that you don't take offense to this statement, that you are making the Philippines out to be a victim of circumstance and to outside influences. part of it is that the Philippines has been in the wrong place in history, considering its geographical importance and what little has been done to improve it. however, consider that such things can only happen two ways. in many cases, corruption and other things like it have occurred when outside help has come in trying to offer industrial and economic assistance. therefore, such a history would be discouraging for any other nations in terms of coming in and trying to give aid or assistance. furthermore, in respect to japan, the reason the US helped rebuild the infrastructure to quickly is due to the willingness of the Japanese government to allow the help to enter and be effective. unlike the Philippines, when the war was over, Japan did not keep fighting; instead they opened the doors and rebuilt. however, the Philippines did not stop fighting, they kept on attacking American forces, thereby discouraging any rebuilding efforts. personally, i think that if diplomatic solutions could have been reached, the Philippines would have benefited to the US foreign activity after World War 2; especially considering at that time the Philippines were still a territory of the US (depending on what you believe of the propaganda about the intentions of the US in the Philippines, that will determine what you believe about it, but such a discussion would be very lengthy and add to this already long answer).

as for civil war being helpful for self-determination within a country, it's not necessarily true. look at somalia and yugoslavia as references. with modern weapons, can you imagine the horrors and atrocities that would visited upon the Philippines if the two sides were allowed to go at it without interference? the results would be terrible (and that's an understatement). with such weaponry the civilian casualties would be ridiculous and so little would be left of the country for the victors.

as for why Filipinos in the US become nurses, it's mostly for job security. that industry is secure, and for Filipinos that have come across, sacrificing all that they have for the chance to be in the US, having a job becomes all the more important. that's also why Filipino parents encourage entering that field because that means that their children will be employed. i don't think it's because it's seen as honorable to take care of American elderly, but instead as a secure investment into their own future more than anything else. i do think that it's bad that doctors in the Philippines are leaving to be nurses in the US, but it's mostly because US hospitals will not take Philippine doctor credentials, and that's because the medical curriculum in the Philippines is not as stringent or as good as the one in the US; the amount of study and time put in for an American doctor is far greater than that of one for a Filipino doctor. so until the two are equitable, such a case will always be there.

typically, if the land is being given over for military use, there is some sort of monetary exchange for that, as well as some sort of joint defense or military treaty. therefore, allowing the US to use the land would ensure the Philippines a strong ally and a deterrent to another hostile outside force from taking military actions considering the situation there.

i hope that i do not come across completely biased, but i am Filipino-American and have done some studying about this myself and these are the conclusions that i have come to. but i'm always open to new ideas and trains of thought

I don't think China is "friendly" with any Asian country besides North Korea.

Everyone else they bully and intimidate... if not try to annex completely.