100% PINOY: LOCAL o IMPORTED?
By dzeiel091383
@dzeiel091383 (49)
Philippines
July 23, 2009 1:07am CST
I saw a comic strip this morning that actually made me laugh because it is painfully true.
The drawing or sketch was a picture of five or six malnourished children inside a "kubo" or nipa hut looking out through the window. And outside was a woman wearing a worn out duster/dress holding out a big can marked "sardines".
One of the children has a balloon dialogue saying,"wow,sosyal, state-side na sardinas ang ulam natin ngayon!" (the child was happy that they are going to eat an imported sardines)
Most Filipinos are "crazy" about imported things that, more often than not, it doesn't matter to them that things of the same use and quality can also be found here in the Philippines. Just like the strip I was talking about. The children were happy that they are going to eat an imported sardines even though that is "still" sardines, and more likely, they can buy a locally made one for a cheaper price.
How about you? Are you a sucker for imported products? Or do you patronize locally made products?
3 responses
@sandymay16 (1617)
• Philippines
25 Jul 09
Most Filipinos are "crazy' about imported goods for another reason that most imported goods especially the canned goods are cheaper. they are cheaper because some of these goods are tax free.
I really patronize local products the ones i can afford LOL because the really good products, the ones not you usually use or the export kind or quality are so out of my range
. But sometimes i go for the imported ones like the ukay-ukay.
. But sometimes i go for the imported ones like the ukay-ukay.
@24Champ (465)
•
23 Jul 09
It is indeed sad to accept that patronizing "imported" goods (especially those made in the US) has become part of the Filipino culture (that's how westernized we have become). I think it is rooted in the "perception" that locally made goods are inferior in quality compared with imported (US-made) ones which, of course, is not "always" true although there are imported goods, e.g., corned beef, which really "tastes better" than locally made ones (I think it has to do with lots of extenders or binders in the local version). Now, I don't know about "sardines". But in a similar vein, there are locally made goods that can rival with or even fare better than foreign counterparts. So, I guess quality, price, and acquired taste are important considerations.
Likewise, it is also an issue of "social status" i.e., many Pinoys feel that they can secure a place in the higher echelon of society (symbolically speaking) whenever they buy or acquire something that is made in the US or in any other affluent nations. Earning a prestige or distinction in a society is a natural inclination for any social actor.
@delrene (158)
• Philippines
23 Jul 09
im not being a hypocrite but i prefer our own goods than those made outside our country. im very disappointed whenever another filipino doesn't eat everything unless its imported. salted anchovies (or bagoong) is one of the most used side dish in western countries. shoes here specially from marikina is better and affordable.
