3 Things A Filipino Wishes You Knew About the Philippines
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Like every other country, the Philippines is subject to a myriad of stereotypes. From its post-colonial image as an uncivilized nation, to its highly sought pristine beaches, and its image as a poverty-stricken country, this country has a mixed reputation that has often preceded its people.
These stereotypes have been widely documented. A 2014 study titled “Filipinos Depicted in American Culture,” states that Filipinos in the early 20th century (a period when the country was under American occupation) were often dehumanized and depicted as treacherous savages, or portrayed as innocent children in political comics. Today, Filipin@s, and even Americans and Europeans of Filipin@ descent, continue to experience discrimination — ranging from patronizing remarks to blatant racism.
But there are plenty of developments in the Philippines, from its economy to its culture, which we believe the world should also know about.
1. The Philippines might be underdeveloped, but people are working to change that.
If there’s anything as resilient as the Filipino spirit, it might just be the Philippine economy. With 76 consecutive quarters of GDP growth — driven by continuous remittances and a vibrant business processing sector, the country is undergoing a notable transformation, which a major financial institution has even dubbed an economic ‘golden age.’
On a smaller scale, social enterprises have sprung up all around the country, such as Gawad Kalinga, a movement dedicated to developing marginalized communities. Founded by Antonio Meloto, it has expanded by leaps and bounds, with projects implemented in over 2,000 communities, as well as neighboring countries Indonesia, Cambodia, and Papua New Guinea.
There are also other major social enterprises who have proven their popularity in the beauty and fashion sector, including eco-friendly personal care brand Human Heart Nature and artisan design house Rags 2 Riches. Both of these companies benefit the local communities who craft their high-quality products.
In a global marketplace where cheap, machine-made products have become prevalent, these enterprises have proven the value of business for a good cause. Fair trade and fair wages guarantee both the quality of their products and an improved quality of life for the people who make them.
2. There’s more to the Philippines than beaches and slums.
Whether it’s a picture-perfect travel guide, or a a grim documentary on Filipin@ slum dwellers, the Philippines is undoubtedly portrayed in a two-dimensional light. Yet there is more to the country than its admittedly gorgeous beaches and deep-rooted poverty.
Go beyond the tourist havens of Boracay and Palawan, and you’ll find all kinds of treasures: church ruins near perfectly-shaped volcanoes, ancient rice paddy structures, and even an underground river.
Even Manila, often regarded by travelers as a mere transit point to other islands, is becoming a major destination on its own, with Lonely Planet calling it one of “Asia’s coolest cities.” Against a backdrop of Spanish and American influence, a bustling skyline, and an internationally diverse arts, culinary, and nightlife scene (featured on both the U.S and U.K Conde Nast Travelers), Manila is shaping up to be one exciting metropolis.
3. Filipinos are capable of more than just low-cost labor.
Another common image of the Filipin@ is the overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who usually toils away as a maid or factory worker, to help their families back in the Philippines. There are over 9 million OFWs in all six inhabited continents and over $32 billion worth of remittances in 2017. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, over 37.6% of OFWs belong to what the International Labour Organization deems as elementary occupations, such as domestic cleaners to construction laborers. Many of them come from regions surrounding Manila, including Central Luzon and the CALABARZON areas.
But not every OFW is a maid or factory worker, with technicians (5.8%) and professionals (8.7%) making up a considerable fraction of the overseas labor force. From nurses in the U.K, to engineers in Saudi Arabia, as well as seafarers and hospitality professionals on cruise ships, Filipin@s are also contributing to other major industries.
In fact, Prince Philip has pointed out the abundance of Filipin@s in the UK’s National Health Service, joking to a nurse that the country must now be “half-empty.”
Still, this is not to discredit the numerous contributions of Filipino blue-collar workers, contributing immensely to the economy through their families, all while enduring the hardship of being thousands of miles away from their loved ones. Back in the Philippines, this has been famously shown in the 2016 documentary Sunday Beauty Queen, which follows a group of domestic workers in Hong Kong preparing to take part in an annual OFW beauty pageant.
While stereotypes about the Philippines have some basis on reality, the country itself is complex and ever-changing. With many developments bringing about both rapid and gradual transformation, we hope the world gets to see the bigger picture happening back home.
