I got this from one of the forums I visit. I am posting it here because I think most of it makes sense.
From a guy with the handle "voice of reason":
Hello to everyone here in the forum, both regular posters, occassional visitors, moderators, and guests.
First off,let me introduce myself. In my line of work as an analyst, I sometimes find it useful to visit every now and then a few of my favorite forums (this one included). I'm supposed only to observe, but every now and then I participate, sometimes against my better judgement.
I admit I have my favorites, like Timawa/PDFF and Manila Tonight, to name a few. This is because most of the others are really purile, to put it mildly, and incapable of sustaining any intelligent debate or discussion.
Lately, a number of forums have been inundated by so much negativity unparalleled even by our Filipino standards of irony and griping. I feel compelled to seek the role of the unsolicited voice of reason, in the hopes that we can all pull back from the table, and look at our situation more clearly.
ON THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY - It's more resilient than you think. If it wasn't, "dapat dati pa tayo pinulot sa kangkungan". We've experienced earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, super typhoons, terror bombings, military rebellions, kidnappings, and crippling rallies, yet our economy is still chug-chugging along. Our saving grace is undoubtedly our OFW's, who have bouyed our economy since 1986, and our services sector, which includes our much-maligned contractual laborers, call centers agents, and over-worked clerks. Our economy is braced on the sweaty and oftentimes bloody backs of our countrymen.
Resiliency is one thing. Real growth is another. The problem is that during the past several years our growth was not greater than the population rate, while the gains that we do get are not felt by those who need it most. There are a plethora of reasons why this is so, both local and foreign, enough to fill a book (and it has, based on the number of country reports about the Philippines).
But we can still help. The easiest, simplest way is to buy Filipino.
ON PHILIPPINE TECHNOLOGY - It's better than you think. The country is at the forefront of research and development in several fields, including but not limited to agriculture (biotechnology, cloning, genetic manipulation), alternative energy (solar, geothermal, hydro, natural gas, biodiesel), shipping (yes, we build world-class ships), software development (better than India and China), food preparation (the canning of our favorite Pinoy foods), marine biology (cloning and genetic manipulation), audio equipment, fast-moving consumer products and marketing, interior design and architecture, social development work, ecological programs (captive breeding, renewal technologies), sustainable tourism models, and even archeology.
The problem here is that most of our scientific achievements are buried by other news such as politicians bickering and showbiz people adultering. The lack of public awareness result in lack of funding, and in some instances these technologies are sold to other countries whose voting population are more aware of it than we are.
And even here, yes, we can help! Spread the good word! If you come across a major Philippine achievement, post it so that others may be enlightened!
ON THE GREAT PINOY PASTIME: THE BLAME GAME - Admittedly, we all like to play this game. Because we as a people are so miserable sometimes, we feel the need to blame someone.
We blame corruption on our politicians, forgetting that it was us who elected them and gave them the power. We blame lawlessness on police incompetence, forgetting the times we spoke, said, or heard no evil. We blame poverty on rich Chinese oligarchs, forgetting our failure to support Filipino entrepreneurs. Supporters of Marcos, Cory, FVR, Erap, and GMA blame each other.
Fault-finding can sometimes bear fruit, making people realize that they are accountable, and we can isolate problem areas. But for it to work, we as a people must have a genuine sense of Honor. Without it, it is just a hobby, similar to that next of favorites, chismisan.
The reasons for our problems are legion. So we cannot blame poverty on one president, one issue, one historical event, or one Filipino cultural trait. And since the reasons are so diverse, it means that the solution must be more complicated than we first thought.
We must accept that there is no “golden bullet,” no easy way out, no one-shot-cure-all solution. To those who still believe in this fantasy, I implore you to spare the rest of the country from your delusions.
Many sets of solutions have been put on the table. They include federalism, limited constitutional reforms, more privatization, less privatization, early elections, and status quo. Let us all sit down, study, and work on those that are in our area of responsibility. Lets work on our own backyard first, before we tackle our neighbor's.
POLITICS - All (and I mean ALL) political systems, whether democratic, communist, martial, corporate, or religious, have politicians. Politicians manipulate each other and us. That's their nature. That's their JOB. And we, as the electorate, our job is to read between the lines. Once we understand their real motives, we become better voters.
If they invoke matters of morality and conscience, study their own backgrounds. If they invoke competence, study their track records. If they invoke the people they represent, ask their constituents. If they invoke idealism and youth, study their families.
Ideally, the game should not affect the other aspects of our society, like the economy and our neighborly feelings for each other. Unfortunately for us, the political game has been manipulated both by the administration and by the opposition to the point that it is harming not only our economy, but also our national security and survival as a people. As proof, just look at how we treat each other in these forums: so much hate and anger.
I tell you, if we do not pull back, and tell our politicians to do the same, we will plunge our country into such depths of poverty and humiliation the likes of which we have never experienced before.
For Timawa/PDFF members, THE MILITARY - You represent a powerful segment of Philippine society. It has enough power and influence to install or remove a sitting president. However, that fact also betrays how easy it is to influence and manipulate the AFP.
The AFP does not live in its separate world. It is a part of the social organism known as the Philippines. Whatever affects it, affects the whole, and vice versa. And that bigger organism is part of a global community. It is not only the Philippines that is watching the AFP, but also other countries.
The AFP is plagued by a lot of problems, most of which are linked to the civilian world. That is why, in its attempt to cure itself of malaise, it sometimes steps over to the realm of the civilians. However, whenever it does this, it does more harm than good, because of the fact that they are not trained to move within the confines and restrictions of the democratic civilian world. Civilians live by different rules, sometimes at odds or even confusing to the military man.
Trust the civilians to get their act together. The alternative is facing a martial future, and no military-run government has ever succeeded in the modern world.
So what are we to do? Specifically, as members of internet forums?
I (and most of my colleagues, local and foreign) believe that internet boards are important social barometers (I stress "one of," and not "the only"). The atmosphere of a specialized forum reflects the prevailing emotions for that segment of society.
First off, CALM DOWN. The number one danger sign that your position is a gut-reaction to something or if you have been manipulated is to ask yourself if your opinion is tainted by emotions. To be respected, both as a poster and a forum, be a broadsheet rather than a tabloid. Respectability means you get to be read by respectable people.
Second, THINK THINGS THROUGH. We may be focusing on highly interesting sensationalist yet trivial details. It helps if, before we post, we take the time to read and research about the topic. Understand and study your own position. Many posters, after venting their ire, ask questions. This is a sign that they want to understand, not just comment, on an issue.
Third, THINK OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. Don't suggest or push for unplanned, reactionary, or worse violent action. Provide details or steps to your suggestions. Believe you me, if your suggestion is logical and makes sense, your idea may actually inspire those who you want to reach.
And fourth, WATCH OUT FOR INSTIGATORS. Just like in any large gathering of people, internet boards can be populated by a few characters that try to push or stoke the emotions of despair, anger, hatred, violence, or helplessness.
Well, that's it. Hope that my post finds you well, and I wish for us all God's good blessings!
More power to you guys and to your forum! Continue to fight for our freedoms!
MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!
Kung pinoy ka sana basahin mo to
