Living in the Philippines

[Lazarat]

I have been living in the Philippines for the last 5 months. Since living here, I can honestly say that there are things that shock me; make me realize that they way of life here is quite different from what I knew living in the states. At the same time, as a pinay, I realize that there are many things I am not aware of as a pinay. There are many things I don't know about this country and my countrymen. I feel almost dubfunded sometimes because I am not sure what it means to be a pinay. I know we have different skin tones; the shape of our eyes are definitve. It's hwo I recognize my countrymen? Is it because the images we have grown accustomed seeing is what has shaped our eyes? I used to have to try to explain what sipag means because defining it in specific terms was difficult. You can't just use one term to explain what it means...it someone who works hard, some who is industrious; ingenuity; sturdious; hard worker....but when you see the Filipinos working then and only then you get a full grasp of the meaning of sipag. I have not been here in this country for the last 25 years. I am ashamed to admit it becuse it isn't that I haven't wanted to go back. I just never took the time to. I never prioritized it. I thought as long as I could still speak the language; practice certain virutes and traditions that should really be enough. But it isn't. I feel sad and disappointed by this. There are many things that I am not aware of; that there are still things about this country that I don't know about...and so I post this video. This is just some things I witnessed in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy. I am trying to help out my countrymen here the best way I know how. I hope that you could help me out too. I do this for them...the people of my country, who really need help right now..whatever it is you can offer...If all you can offer is a prayer to whatever divinity you do follow of course I welcome that but if you could offer more that a prayer...

[shell81]

Oct. 4, 2009 at 11:40 PM

Looks like our flood we just had here in Georgia but I know out there was really worse. HUGS