Philippines (Manila specifically) is one ugly country
By SinRealm
@SinRealm (558)
Philippines
April 8, 2011 2:06pm CST
I've been looking around at disaster ares of Japan where the earthquake and tsunami hit. And... The places still look good despite the disaster. And compared to the Philippines (or at least Manila). Japan ground zero is still better to look at. The once nice city of Manila looks like dump compared to those desolate places. I feel sorry for our country. But at the same time I feel disgusted. The streets here look like they've been struct by earthquake despite having the countless road projects from our gov't. Then we've got garbage all over like a tsunami hit us. And then the homes of the people... Very bad... What is wrong with the Filipinos? I see a lot of Filipinos going proud and bragging about their Pinoy pride and how good their country is. But what I see... DUMP! What a shame.
1 person likes this
12 responses
@greenpeas (998)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
It seems your world is just confined in Manila. Have you been to LA or other major cities? If not, then you probably need to go there first before you complain.
Why not take a tour around the other parts of the country? If you want the city beautified, then perhaps you can do something about it instead of whine. Talk to the mayor or form a group and then demand more budget to make the city more pleasing to the eye.
You know the secret of the Japanese? They seldom whine.
@SinRealm (558)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
Of course, I do something about it. But there is only so much that one like me could do. I'm just a crippled guy who gets pushed around by people.
And I do go around our country, the problem is, even the good places are deteriorating. As I've mentioned in my first response.
And no, the Japanese whine a lot by the way.
Anyhow, since this is mylot, where you discuss things, I just felt like sharing my disappointments towards our country. Especially after seeing the ruins of Japan. And since what you suggested is nearly impossible to do, (the talk to a mayor thing). I would rather spread words of negativity, that way. People who read would also do their own things. Instead of living in a fantasy world where people say, things are good despite the fact that it isn't.
And yeah, I've been to those other countries. But why compare ourselves to the other bad parts of other countries? We should be comparing ourselves to the good countries and surpass them.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
Hello Sin Realm
,
Yeah, i think it has become a habit now to most filipinos, but they are NOT REALLY INSPIRED and do it too instead they treat it as ENTERTAINMENT. maybe there are a few, but not ALL. I really don't get this pinoy pride thing now at all. so, what happens if we are proud, what can it do to our country that's so dirty and slime.
You know, just before we started this commercialized construction, our house isn't always renovated. people started pissing, throwing garbage and stuff even though I put sign that says "NO TRASH THROWING" some even destroy the sign with out us seeing it
.
But i am doing segregation thing on our back yard, it's a lot easy to carry the trash if the rotten and non-biodegradable..
,
Yeah, i think it has become a habit now to most filipinos, but they are NOT REALLY INSPIRED and do it too instead they treat it as ENTERTAINMENT. maybe there are a few, but not ALL. I really don't get this pinoy pride thing now at all. so, what happens if we are proud, what can it do to our country that's so dirty and slime.
You know, just before we started this commercialized construction, our house isn't always renovated. people started pissing, throwing garbage and stuff even though I put sign that says "NO TRASH THROWING" some even destroy the sign with out us seeing it.
But i am doing segregation thing on our back yard, it's a lot easy to carry the trash if the rotten and non-biodegradable.. 2 people like this
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
i am from marikina and everytime i go to manila it gives me the shiver. what is the city mayor doing with this place. manila used to be the best place in the whole city. now it is traffic, not safe for there are a lot of pick pocket. garbage here and there, squatters all over the place. specially the recto station of LRT. it looks like a place where no one is ruling.scary.... but i disagree on you saying about people bragging about Pinoy pride. all nationalities have their own thing to brag about so that is not bad. but to put down a pinoy pride just because of the scene you see in manila then i dont go with that. I am proud to be Pinoy from marikina. Marikina is called the little Singapore. I am proud to be pinoy.
@SinRealm (558)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
In my case, I don't like seeing people as Pinoys anymore, because if I would rather see people as individuals. Because how I see the Filipinos in general, is very negative. They say that they are hospitable. I don't think so. I'm a crippled guy who walks around with a cane. I tried going out and I've been countlessly treated badly by people. Sample: LRT, when riding it, people just love to push they don't give concern to the old and disabled. There are more of how bad things are, but I would rather not mention them all. I just find it sad how people here act so idiotic. Then the mess that is happening, it is all because of the Filipinos. I find them hopeless. It is rare for me to go out and meet ones who are decent. I guess after being treated badly by Filipinos, then I see those people brag about how great their Pinoy Pride are, I feel offended.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
10 Apr 11
of course you will be pushed at LRT everyone is in a hurry for work. there is a special place for erderly, pregnant and people like you on the first part of the train. you have to go there at the front for that is the space for you guys. if you guys will pile up with the hurrying people then you will really get pushed. i dont like to answer for those people who have no respect for other people for i am not them. a place will never be a good one if you only see the ugly side of it. there are a lot of ugly sides in everywhere you go. i always see the beauty in anything no matter how ugly the situation is.... seak in you first the goodness and the beauty... if can not see anything then now i know the reason why you are bitter.
2 people like this
@ichipink (541)
• Philippines
19 Apr 11
Hi Sin!
Don’t be so pessimistic about your surroundings and your physical incapability. I know someone who is crippled because of Polio but that never held him back. He is very optimistic and hard working as I have observed. What he has achieved now is because of what he has done for himself and not because someone helped him. Right now, he is an Engineer and also a Municipal Mayor in a town near ours (Sumilao, Kisolon is the town). I admire him and look up to him.
If you really don’t like the surroundings where you live in, move out of there. Find a place where you can be happy and you can feel welcome. There are thousands of cities and towns in the Philippines.
Why don’t you live here in Bukidnon… n_n
The transportations are not as convenient as LRTs but at least it’s not crowded. There are also a lot of trees here so even if it’s warm & a bit sunny, the wind is still cool. We regularly practice zero-waste management (as ordered by the government) so you won’t have any problems regarding pollution too.
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
9 Apr 11
Hi Sin,
You're looking the other way buddy. If you focus your attention on the sting of the bees, then you may miss the fragrance of the flowers. You're right to say it is one big ugly place but don't single out this country for other has it as well. Maybe, you're made aware of these things not to gripe at but to do something about it.
I, too, am aware of the things you said but I focus my efforts on things to make them better even in some small ways, not by shouting it out for the whole world to hear. It only make it worse.
Borrowing H.D.Thoreau's words, "The fault finder will find faults even in Paradise."
1 person likes this
@SinRealm (558)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
I do things with my own ways to make my environment a better place. Its just that, not everyone thinks like us who does things to change our place. I may seem like generalizing and basing my judgment on one city, but I mainly focused my topic on Manila cause it is the worst. I do know that there are good places too. But, sadly, because of people, those good places are also going bad. I made samples of those good places going bad at my first response above.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32650)
• Calgary, Alberta
8 Apr 11
Well Manila is Polluted as New York is Polluted, New York have Ghettos and manila have Ghettos but the small towns and provinces are not polluted. Philippines is composed of 7100 Islands and you are judging only one island. You need to travel around the country before generalizing it. Even China and India who were predicted as the next super powers of the world have polluted areas.
1 person likes this
@SinRealm (558)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
I may seem like generalizing but I just stated the worst part of the Philippines. I've also been to the nicer parts of the Philippines, but the problem is. They are not lasting.
Let me give samples:
Baguio: The once pine covered place is now dirty and running out of pine.
Tagaytay: Getting filled with garbage.
Bohol: People are selling their lands and the places where tarsiers roam are vanishing. Also chocolate hills are losing their beauty.
Boracay: Getting filled with garbage.
Banawe: The rice terraces are getting destroyed and also got surpassed by other countries.
Sure, some parts of our countries are improving. But the good parts of our country are also getting worse.
There are other countries with bad areas too. But why compare ourselves to those. We don't want our Manila to end up like China's most polluted area.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32650)
• Calgary, Alberta
9 Apr 11
if you dont like pollution you either have to go to the most remote locations of eastern Europe, and the Islands of the south pacific (Palau,Samoa, Cook islands,Hawaii,Northern marianas) or go to New Zealand and Australia... The lesser the population the lesser the polution. If you are willing to sacrifice lives of millions of people you can stop the polution but that is mass murder.
The Pollution in our country is very tame compared to the most polluted areas in China,Pakistan, Mexico Niger, Some Places in United States,Togo,Congo,Iraq,Kazahztan,Mexico City, and Azerbaijan. We didnt even make the top 50 dirtiest country.
We have a high population and that destroys nature, just think less of the negative side. Usually remote areas are safe....
Compared to China and USA, the food we eat is not as toxic as what they eat. As I said there are 7100 islands, you have to be in every island before generelizing...
Tourist locations are often polluted,
Try dippin in a beach in california and see how eeky the water was,
2 people like this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32650)
• Calgary, Alberta
9 Apr 11
if you dont like pollution you either have to go to the most remote locations of eastern Europe, and the Islands of the south pacific (Palau,Samoa, Cook islands,Hawaii,Northern marianas) or go to New Zealand and Australia... The lesser the population the lesser the polution. If you are willing to sacrifice lives of millions of people you can stop the polution but that is mass murder.
The Pollution in our country is very tame compared to the most polluted areas in China,Pakistan, Mexico Niger, Some Places in United States,Togo,Congo,Iraq,Kazahztan,Mexico City, and Azerbaijan. We didnt even make the top 50 dirtiest country.
We have a high population and that destroys nature, just think less of the negative side. Usually remote areas are safe....
Compared to China and USA, the food we eat is not as toxic as what they eat. As I said there are 7100 islands, you have to be in every island before generelizing...
Tourist locations are often polluted,
Try dippin in a beach in california and see how eeky the water was,
2 people like this
@maean_19 (4655)
• Philippines
10 Apr 11
Japan is Japan, can't be compared to Philippines specifically in Manila which looks like have experienced a typhoon every day. I think, it is because of the people and few rules that have no coordination. Although, I believe it is more of the undisciplined people. Just like my experience yesterday, there is this woman in Quiapo, who was talking to someone and simply throws the plastic she is holding in the street.
I have gone to Palawan, and I was amazed with the clean street. Unlike in Manila. Very saddening really because surely when a disaster like that of Japan's will occur here, we will not die because of the disaster rather because of the waste being spread out.
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
10 Apr 11
well there are always two sides of the coin which i would always say.
In some slums ofcourse it will be filthy just like there are slums in every country. But if you look at the "prime spots" it would look good/beautiful.
being so negative in a thing will make everything look negative.
I have seen manila being "beautified" every year. There are now light post in every 1-2 foot of the national roads.
Our country can be considered poor so the whole country cannot use their money on only making the place look beautiful.
@lady1993 (27224)
• Philippines
15 Apr 11
Have you seen the right pictures or videos of Japan?..it looks totally destroyed- maybe you are comparing the "payatas" (smokey mountain)... Yes, it is quite sad, I think the government should be more strict about dumping of garbage anywhere- that is what we lac ,discipline. It is for our benefit anyway, if we throw garbage properly we'd have a cleaner city, and no more sickness .
Yes, it is quite sad, I think the government should be more strict about dumping of garbage anywhere- that is what we lac ,discipline. It is for our benefit anyway, if we throw garbage properly we'd have a cleaner city, and no more sickness . @ichipink (541)
• Philippines
14 Apr 11
If you are specifically talking about Manila, then you should not say that the whole country is ugly. I haven’t seen Manila long enough to assume that it is ugly. But in my place, Bukidnon, it’s pretty much clean and also quite peaceful. Well it’s not perfect but I would never consider it being ugly.
From the way I see it, I think you’ve been living in Manila for a long time. Why don’t you try and take a vacation, tour around all the islands in the Philippines. There’s a lot of beautiful sceneries out there. And after that, if you still feel that our country is ugly, try to find ways that you can do to improve our country. Doing something good (even if it’s only a little) for the country would be better than just complaining about it.
@madp_071983 (228)
• Oman
9 Apr 11
All your observations my friend boil down to one single thing, Filipinos my lack discipline and concern for the environment.
We always know that nature's retaliation is dreary and chaotic. Let's not wait until everything is over. Earthquakes, pollution, extreme heat, and the like are all results of man's negligence to nature and in return, the wrath and anger of nature is felt by us through catastrophes which are highly questionable as regards aftermath.
We still have time to make a move in our own simple way. Let's act and do it now. Simply pocketing those wrappers from candies or gums chewed is a big help to nature rather than just throwing them elsewhere. fter all, my questions are:
a. If not us, who will do it?
b. If not now, then when?
So, now is the time to act. =)
@maunesrockford92078 (305)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
You go to the dirt of Manila you go to the slum area where politicians dictate the adulation of poverty, honestly those slum areas are still there because they are votes, poverty breaths in a way only politicians who prey for them understands. I feel sorry for it and it sinks in, yes it's stinks but if you point a finger ten will comeback pointing at you, pride is only a thing money is an another story.
