He correctly predicted that Korea and our neighbors Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia would do better because of a sense of nationalism. He concluded that our main problem was the lack of nationalism, which would deter progress for our country. In 1987, American journalist James Fallows won an award for writing a long piece in the Atlantic Monthly about the Philippines, where he had spent six weeks as an investigative reporter after the EDSA Revolution. James Fallows’ (1987) A Damaged Culture illustrates the state of the Philippines after Corazon Aquino takes the mantle of President after the country’s suffering under the ten year rule of the Marcos Family, and how the country’s condition during that time was not brought about by the rule of Marcos but by many other social forces.
Instead of a damaged culture as Fallows calls it, I would instead call.Our young students rank at the bottom among 79 countries in an international reading, mathematics and science exam given to 15-year-olds among participating countries. The aftermath of political and media corruption and weakening of institutions of democracy have continued to this day and clearly is at its worst in our history.The translation work of Helena Blair and James Robertson of more than 1,500. The corrupt Marcos regime, notwithstanding its authoritarianism was clearly a failure. And Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, which were behind us in economic development at the time, have out-performed our country in many ways. There is definitely not a single reason for me to disagree considering that many studies were made regarding the problem of the fragmented Philippinesor its lack of an important unifying factor that could evoke nationalismsuch as in the written works of Niels Mulder.Certainly, South Korea, which had been our peer in terms of economic development when Marcos came into power, has more than quadrupled its economy compared to ours today.
The colonists, for better administration and control, in coordination with Catholic missionaries, mobilized populations into towns “ bajo de la campana” (under the church bells) where municipal halls, markets, and schools were set up. We do not know ourselves.When we were “discovered” by the Spaniards in the 16 th century, we were really a group of islands in an archipelago. But there were 78 other countries in the samples.If we go by what Socrates and Plato asserted in their day, that to gain wisdom, we need to know ourselves, it seems to me that is part of the problem. Perhaps the test designs were culture bound and that may have affected our performance.
Why do we choose rascals and thieves, and even their progeny to run our country? Clearly, we do not think or analyze. We are really kind and nice people. It should be clear by now that these structures and systems no longer work for us. We even copied their government structures, and political systems. We had to speak English in school, and set aside tribal arts and crafts such as weaving, basketry, and pottery in favor of “modern,” Western-oriented and branded products.
“Right brain” refers to tendencies toward intuition, holistic thinking, imagination, creativity, rhythm, feelings, non-verbal cues. Better at reading, writing, computations, mathematics, thinking in words, and attention to facts. “Left brain” refers to tendencies toward logic, methodical analysis, and linear thinking.
We can be awakened Cebuanos, Tagalogs, Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Kalingas, Pampangos, Pangasinenses, Warays, Boholanos, Maguindanaos, Maranaos, Tausugs, Higaonon, T’boli, etc. Constructive tribalism, instead of being a divider, should become an enricher of our sense of nationhood. Pride of place and own culture will help enhance our people’s sense of self and help direct their energies into positive accomplishments. Tourism has been good for our economy and its employment generation potential has been proven at the community levels. International beauty contests where contestants wear bathing suits should not be our standard for measuring our own good looks. These “right brain” tendencies are probably what make us effective in people-oriented services.If we are to go by what we are good at, what can we do to turn our right brain tendencies to our advantage in improving life for our people? Certainly we should raise consciousness among our people and the rest of the world about our talents in music, arts, and crafts, and reinvigorate our now confused appreciation for beauty.
Sharper thinking and analyzing skills should enable our voters to see through the nonsense peddled by our exploitative politicians.The nation will become stronger as its members are awakened to who they are and become better able to build on their own talents and skills. But they should not forget who and what they are. At the same time, educators can enhance left brain skills at reading and analysis in order for their students to become competent at relating to the rest of the country and the world. Their students and teachers can lead the effort at documentation and promotion of these indigenous arts and crafts.
BSP seeing concrete signs of rebound Octo| 12:34 am Abesamis is a former professor at the Asian Institute of Management and Fellow of the Development Academy of the Philippines. This, to me, is what our nationalism should be about.Teresa S. Let our communities sing our songs, and patronize, produce, enjoy and take pride in our varied and multicultural arts and crafts. We have barangays that can help respond to this need.Small is beautiful, and in our context, often more effective. We need to build our nation at community levels.
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