Friday, March 28, 2014

Pinoy Writer in Singapore Berates Philippines and Filipinos in His Article

In Manila, an escalator - as long as it's moving - is meant to be stood on. People don't clear the right-hand side to give way to those in a hurry. Anyone trying to move past other people on a moving escalator is considered boorish. 
Image courtesy of www.stasiareport.com

Source: www.stasiareport.com

A month in Manila, and I am dazed and confused - even terrified.

For seven years, Singapore was my home, and it was very good to me. It kept me safe and comfortable, and I knew I could always count on it.

I could always jog around Yishun park in the wee hours of the morning, certain no one with a gun in his hand would jump out of a bush to relieve me of my iPhone and running shoes.

I knew that when I turned on the tap, water would flow from it - sweet water I could drink. I never had to worry about an hours-long blackout in the middle of a hot, humid, mosquito-infested night.

Buses mostly arrived on the dot, and the train schedules were so predictable I could arrange to meet someone right inside the train. All I had to do was provide the time I'd get on the train at my station and which carriage I would be in - near the front, somewhere in the middle, or further back.

Then, last month, The Straits Times sent me to Manila to work from there as its Philippines Correspondent.

I grew up in Manila. I spent more than three-fourths of my 40-odd years there.

In the past seven years, however, Manila had been more or less like Las Vegas or Disneyland: I returned to break the monotony, enjoy the place, even when I suspected I was being had.

I could stand all the inanities and profanities Manila could throw at me because I knew that, in the end, I would be heading back to Singapore.

In Singapore, I always enjoyed the cab ride from the airport to my humble flat in Yishun after each long vacation in Manila.

In that precious hour, I'd peer out the window and take in everything I missed about Singapore: the clean streets; the wide, smooth roads; the Lego-like, perfectly stacked HDB blocks; the magnificent skyline; and the uncle behind the wheel talking about everything from the weather to politics and foreign affairs.

I left Singapore on Feb 18, and I don't think I'll be back any time soon. The uncertainty has been particularly jarring.

I know Manila, and I speak its language, but having been away for seven years has frankly made it somewhat a stranger, and I think it finds me odd as well.

I sometimes speak in a funny way, for instance.

Here in Manila, words like "take-away", "having here", "lift" and "going back", not to mention "tapao" and calling any senior citizen "uncle" and white guy "ang moh", are taken differently.

Here, it's "take-out", "dine-in", "elevator" and "heading home". "Uncle" is reserved for your father's brother. "Ang moh"? That's just an alien word.

The other day I told a cashier at a KFC outlet that I'd "take away" my two-piece chicken with rice, and she insisted I meant "take out". I said "take away" three more times before I gave up when she started looking at me like I didn't know how to speak English properly.

"Take out," I conceded.

So far, I have managed not to say "lift" when looking for the "elevator", and I haven't asked anyone packing their bags and getting ready to head home if they're "going back".

But I still ask for the "toilet" or "loo" whereas people here say

"restroom" or "comfort room". The euphemism, though, is misplaced because over here, these rooms rarely offer either "rest" or "comfort".

The toilets at the malls are fine, but anywhere else, it's pretty much a lottery draw: You'll be lucky if you can find a cubicle with toilet paper or one, just one, unclogged receptacle.

Over the past month, I've been trying to stay true to my Singapore etiquette, but it just makes me look like a self-righteous weirdo here.

Here, a moving escalator is meant to be stood on. People don't clear the right-hand side to give way to others in a hurry. The escalator moves so you won't have to - that's the philosophy here. Anyone trying to hurry on an escalator is considered boorish and pushy.

Out on the street, zebra crossings are little more than street art. Pedestrians don't use them. They cross the road whenever and wherever they like and as if they just woke up with a hangover and are heading for the "comfort room", half-asleep.

People are often seen crossing the road right below an overhead bridge, too.

Motorists who honk at jaywalkers are lucky to get the evil eye. More often, the response is a sharp rebuke: "Go fly!" Or, "Buy the road, jerk!"

Manila's many other peculiarities are now becoming familiar once more.

Like the security guards. They're everywhere, guarding every doorway they can plant their shiny, black, plastic boots on.

They stand at the entrances of malls and carparks, in their white and blue uniforms, poking through bags with little sticks and metal detectors and patting everyone in a manner that verges on groping.

They guard banks, restaurants, schools, grocery stores, Internet cafes, street corners, gated communities. I have yet to see a pair, though, in front of a comfort room.

The irony is that, despite their ubiquitous presence, they seem to do little more than impede the flow of human traffic. They mostly just stand at their posts and go through the motions.

Yet, through it all, despite the occasional aggravation and the mild culture shock, I know that after seven years away, I'm back home.

Manila may have its warts and quirks, but when I take a step back, I know that these are precisely what makes the place interesting. It's not Singapore, I know that too.

458 comments:

  1. 7 years lang sya nawala akala mo kung sino na. Ung iba umaabot na ng 15 yrs sa amerika pero binabalik balikan pa din ang Pilipinas no. Mayabang yan. Arogante.

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    Replies
    1. hnd sya mayabang nagssb lng sya ng totoo iba tlga sa sg compare dto sa pinas

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    2. Wala naman syang sinabing masama nag compare lang sya ng experiences nya.

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    3. Oh my. Pag nagsasabi ng totoo, mayabang na and arogante. Wake up! Madumi and talagang marami ang walang disiplina satin noh.

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    4. Atey Anon 12:18, kalma ka lang. Totoo naman yung mga sinabi ni kuya abt sa Pinas pero yes tama ka, haughty ang air ng article nya. Maybe because he's adapted to a much better system. O sige given na yun. Kaso yun nga diba. Medyo pointless ang article nya sa totoo lang. Maisulat lang. Kuya kung nababasa mo to, lingon ka ng onti sa pinanggalingan mo. Ayusin mo article mo. What a shame na na-hire ka sa company mo na ganyan ka. You call that an article?! Tsk.

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    5. Basahin mo kaya yung article hanggang dulo.

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    6. Nakapag-abroad ka na ba?

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    7. Keep an open mind. Which is worse...arogante o IGNORANTE???

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    8. Sadly, maraming ganyang Pinoy, ilang taon lang sa ibang bansa kala mo kung umarte mas mataas sa pa langit ang tingin sa sarili. Nakakatawa lang dahil sa abroad tingin ng tao sa kanila ay Pinoy pa rin, no better than anyone else.

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    9. oo marami ang pabalik-balik para magbakasyon...pero kokunti lang talaga ang gusto mag-stay. Siguro kung bibigyan lahat ng mga pinoy ng opportunity para mag-abroad only very few ang ma-iiwan sa Pilipinas. Maganda ang Pilipinas pero maraming kailangang baguhin una na ang ating mga hindi magagandang ugali para maibangon ang ating bansa.

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    10. Pakibanggit kung saan siya naging mayabang? Mukhang hindi mo binasa buong artikulo niya, Di ka yata umabot sa dalawang huling talata ng sinulat niya kaya hinusgahan mo siyang arogante, e totoo naman ang mga nabanggit niya. Baka naman kinulang ka ng intindi?

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    11. Anong pinagyabang nya? Nagsasabi lang sya ng totoo! Truth hurts talaga noh, 'teh???

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    12. Amid all the security, dicipline, technology, etc ang mahal po ng mga bilihin sa sg. Kamustahin nyo ang preso sa kotse nila? Ang condo n standard home at ang pagkain. K

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    13. anon 12:45 am. mga feelingera kasi! pinoy nga naman na nangibang bansa pag nasa pinas diring diri pero sa bansang panandaliang tinatapakan nya eh diring diri din na kung pwede nga lang palayasin na lahat ng hindi kauri nila sa bansa nila!

      BUT, sana nga baguhin na ng gobyerno at gawing SAFE lang ang bansa natin sa mga masasamang loob I am sure lahat ng turista babalik balik satin.

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    14. So sad. Yung mga Pinoy naman kasi (I'm not saying all ha) masyado mataas ang tingin at bilib sa mga nakapag abroad hence this attitude of the writer. Kaya lumalaki ulo eh

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    15. 12:18 tsk tsk tsk

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    16. alam nyo, hindi pa kasi kayo nakaabroad eh. pag nakita nyo kasi ung kaibahan. walang disiplina kasi sa atin. hindi sya mayabang totoo naman kasi talaga.

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    17. mga teh napagcompare lang niya.. try nyong pumuntang SG kahit 4 days lang makikita nyo talaga kaibahan from transport, linis ng kalye, malls na walang security guard, overpass/underpass na di ka matatakot maglabas ng gadgets kasi alam mong walang magnanakaw dun.. maghapon ka man nasa labas paguwi mo ang linis parin ng kuko mo.

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    18. Hnd sya mayabang kinompara lng nya ung nakikita nya at naranasan nya sa manila n singapore...ganyn din ako. Totoo lht ng sinabi nya dhil lht ng yan sinabi k sa isip k.un lang kaibahan nmin....sya isinulat nya ako sa isip lng ang obserbasyon ko. Totoo lht ng sinabi nya.ung toilet dto basta pinasukan mo paglabas m andun na ung naglilinis pra linisin.d nawawalan ng toilet paper,soap n hand sanitizer. D ka magwoworry khit iwan m lang sa gilid ang grocey item m dhil kung san m iniwan dun m din mababalikan. Makakalakd ka papunta s park na walang agam-agam.nakakalungkot lang isipin na mas naging secure ung pakiramdam ng karamihan sa mga ofw sa bnyagang bnsa pa hnd man sa sariling atin.un ang sad part ng reality;(

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    19. Tama ka anon 2:12AM. Nakapagwork din ako sa SG for 2 years at ibang iba talaga. Kahit umulan dun, dahil malinis naman talaga ang kalsada, hindi dudumi ang paa mo. Sobrang ganda ng transportation system, kasalanan mo na lang kapag na-late ka pa sa trabaho mo. There are certain things na magugustuhan mo talaga sa ibang bansa, pero xempre iba pa din ang nasa sariling bayan. Ang tanging pinapangarap ko ngayon ay magaya natin ang transportation system ng SG. Yun lang ang mabago sa atin, ang laking alwan na sa buhay.

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    20. She's just being honest. Karamihan ng mga pilipino sa pilipinas ay mga walang disiplina. Di marunong sumunod sa mga rules pro kapag ang pinoy lumabas n ng bansa, isa tau sa nga nationality n disiplinado. So bakit sa ibang bansa ngagawa ntin sumunod sa mga rules nil pro sa sarili ntin bansa, di ntin magawa db

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    21. at sa singapore lang naman siya no!!! not even london. so what more if makatungtong ito sa london? ang ta**a nya lang to compare SG and PH. we have our own strengths na weaknesses naman ng other countries. what makes the article worst is that it was written by our kababayan! how ingrate! sana may photo itong taong ito tapos ipa ban sa pilipinas. tutal ayaw naman niya dito e. ang daming reklamo. im sure panget ito!!! hmp!

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    22. Maliit lang kasi ang spore 5M lang yata ang population. Tsaka 1st world country yun so i think its not a fair comparison. Maybe thailand indonesia or malaysia ang ka level natin.

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  2. The truth hurts. :)

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    Replies
    1. Yup truth hurts but it hurts more to think that a Filipino wrote this article and didn't even bother to offer even a little solution.

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    2. It's not about truth hurts, it's about how he talked towards Manila. Eh 7 years lang siya sa Singapore but he talks like he's too good for Manila....

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    3. in Canada & also the US I think, we also say "elevator", "dine in" & "take out". we all know PH likes to emulate the US more than any other country in the world, hence saying elevator, dine in & take out instead of lift, having here, & take away.
      again in US & Canada, we say "bathroom", not "loo" or "toilet". the Brits say "loo". if I was in the Phils & asked where's the bathroom? I'm sure they look at me strangely as well.

      ikaw naman kuya, compare na kung compare pero sana lang wag maging arogante. just because the cashier doesn't understand your "take away" request, don't go all huffing & puffing. she was probably looking at you for clarification, not thinking you don't know how to speak proper English.

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  3. Replies
    1. Icompare daw ba ang sg sa pinas. Like duh.

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  4. Sana di ka na pabalikin sa sg. Pero agree ako sa escalator comment.

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    1. Iba iba per country naman ang escalator ettiquete. Like kung sa atin, rude ang maglakad sa escalator kasi may stairs for those who are rushing & would rather walk briskly. On the other hand, sa hk same as in sg as was written in the article, na you have to clear the right hand side but it's the opposite naman in korea na dapat yung left hand side is that which you have to clear. To each his own naman yan e. You just have to respect it.

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    2. etiquette. For the spelling/ grammar nazis.

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    3. *etiquette. For the nazis.

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    4. Sa states wala kang makikitang makatayo lang sa escalator, time is too precious for them, pero kung nagmamadali ka naman, you can always say "excuse me" .. I've done it a lot of times... Another thing is toilet, I've been using that word for as long as I can remember pero wala naman nag correct saken na "cr" pala dapat, so I don't think it's a big deal..

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  5. May katotohanan. Aminin. Pero may bawi naman sa dulo.

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  6. This is exactly the same observation I have of Singapore and comparing it to Manila living.

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    Replies
    1. Why would you compare Philippines to Singapore? That would be unfair as they both belong to different categories, one is a a developed country and the other is a developing country. It's just like comparing fastfood to fine dining.

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    2. Singaporeans' sense of disciple is amazing.

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    3. @ 12:50 true! And also
      please naman. If we say Take out here eh di take out. Why are you insisting on take away eh hindi naman ganun dito. I don't think you'll push it if your in Paris or NYC.

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    4. Always using third world country as an excuse for not improving anything. Kaya kulelat na tayo sa buong Asia, na overtake na tayo ng Vietnam and Cambodia.

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  7. iba tlga sa sg been there many times feeling mo sobrng secure ka kht nsa kalye even 7 yrs old kids makikita m na nka iphone na at hnd takot ilbs kht nsa kalye pa minsn naiisp q sana ang phil.mging sg rin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Year 25645706314780 pa magiging sg ang philippines

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  8. I read this article yesterday... I actually don't get his point. Ano to, may maisulat lang?! That last sentence was nonsense. Not even related. Sabaw lang si kuya. Mema!

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    Replies
    1. Probably or just to let everyone know that he's been living in SG for 7 measly years. Pasikat in short

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    2. Basahin mo ulit. At ng maintindihan mo

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    3. Uhm obviously the person is comparing how sg is diff from the phils?

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    4. Ako rin! I thought for sure he was gonna slam the government, plead to our people maybe but there was none of it. Irrelevant din yung huling point niya dahil ang kalakhan ng laman ng article niya ay 'singapore is home'.

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  9. sad. i admit, may katotohan mga sinulat nya kaso lang, pinoy sya. totoo talagang kapwa pinoy ang sisira sayo pag nasa ibang bansa ka. 7 years lang syang nasa singapore, todo ganda daw ng buhay. oh well...

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  10. all those bad things you say about our country pale in comparison to the freedom and democracy we Filipinos are enjoying!!!!

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  11. May point ka pero heller naman kahit 7 yrs or even more ka pa nawala sa pinas alam mo sa sarili mo na hindi ginagamit ang take away sa mga fast foods. Natural na magtaka ng konti ang crew ng kfc dba? Nung nag america ako pag nag aask ako ng cr tapos medyo confused yung puti na pinagtanungan ko may inkling na agad ako na di nya alam ang cr so bathroom nalang sinabi ko.

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  12. Manila is like your crazy,chaotic,exciting and fun sister and Singapore is your neat,organized,predictable and boring aunt!

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  13. I disagree sa opinion nya about escalator. Dito sa japan, if you plan to take your time riding an elevator, one needs to stand on the left side and make sure to open the right side for those people in a hurry. I see it as being respectful of others' time. Japanese calls it courtesy.

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  14. when you come and visit a country, you appreciate it not malign it
    you must have an open mind
    being a writer you are not well equipped for your job
    you should just go back to Singapore where you feel "safe" and "secure"

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  15. Arte mo! I have mga tita na 30 years na sa States but they always look forward yung vacation here. Wag ka na lang umuwi hindi ka kawalan.

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    Replies
    1. Pero aminin mo tumatagal lng ung mga tita mo ng months sa pinas..hindi nila maiisip na magstay for good jan..ask them sa difference lalo na sa safety wise..baka masurprise ka

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  16. Nakakairita mga ganyang pinoy. Filingera. Though totoo yung mga sinasabi pero para dalhin mo dito culture ng singapore o ung mga nakabihasnan mo dun please lang bumalik ka na dun di ka kelangan ng pinas.

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  17. I'm pinoy who lived in Japan. When I went back to Mnla hirap na hirap ako mag adjust sa time (pinoys always late) , adjust sa takot lagging may mandurukot or holdap and dirt. Tapos laging naglilimos n bata kahit Saan. Opinion Nya yon and it's his/her right. Pero ako agree sa
    Kanya. Truth hurts. Tapos nagagalit na naman mga pinoy eh tutuo naman

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  18. You can't blame the writer. Everything that he/she said is true! Ang dumi dumi ng Manila and walang disiplina karamihan satin. The only time na nagkaka disiplina tayo pag nasa ibang bansa. Sad fact.

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  19. I think he wasn't berating. He just pointing out the differences between 2 places. at the end of the article, he sounded like he glads he was back home and he admitted that Manila is not Singapore..

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  20. ang taas ng tingin sa sarili
    kung makapang lait

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  21. Philippines is not perfect but this article will not change my view how beautiful our country are.

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  22. i understand where he's coming from. it's really different when you get to experience how disciplined other countries and cultures are vis-a-vis ours but let me just comment one thing about the difference of terms in the Philippines and in Singapore.

    Loo to Comfort/Restroom, Take away to Take out, lift to elevator. Filipinos are used to American terms because of our history (and yes, the western mentality). dapat lang talaga na he conceded noh when he was in KFC. what does he want ba? the Filipinos he encounter automatically switch to Singlish? eh sorry, hindi tayo na colonize ng Britain eh kaya he should stick to the terms that is customarily used in the place. If he managed to adjust to Singapore culture when he first visited the place seven years ago, then he should learn to shove it up his a*s and adjust to our Filipino way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sana na colonized tayo ng Britain rather than US , siguro mas maganda na ang buhay natin ngayon.

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  23. Ah okay. Ang iba nga nga sa US, Europe at ibang bansa nag tagal ng mas matagal kaysa sa iyong "7 years" lang sa SG, gusto paring bumalik ng Pinas kasi we are what we are. Duuh. Over naman. Psssssh.. ikaw na ang singaporean lah!

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  24. kairita itog writer na ito pero nakaka-relate ako dun sa escalator. nakaka-imbyerna talaga.

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  25. I'm surprised by your "complaint" considering that you were only away for seven years. The upside of working overseas and you have a very good job, you learn tobe open minded. I live in HK for over 20 years, so whenever I go to the Phils. I always adjust, otherwise I will not enjoy my vacay.

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  26. Totoo naman sinasabi nya..pag pumunta kau sa ibang makikita nyo talaga difference..just saying...

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  27. Dito ako sa Singapore nakatira. Totoo naman amg sinulat ng writer. Wake up Pinas. Masakit amg katotohanan. Pero home is home. Pinas pa din ako. Magbago lang sana ang gobyerno at mga tao we will be a developed world in time.

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  28. For someone who grew up in the Philippines, masyado siyang pretentious ha. There is truth to his observations naman. Mas lalo siyang naging Pinoy sa inasta niya hahahhah pinoy nga naman

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  29. Well..totoo naman sinasabi nia..I've been living here in italy for almost 11 years..pero 7 years?!masyado naman ata nia minamaliit ang pilipinas!haha

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  30. Hindi naman siya arogante, it's a mere comparison. Touchdown to reality.

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  31. Obviously naiingit don sa polish bloggers. Gusto rin umingay at magka traffic ung blog. Puro "terms" lang naman halos pinopoint out nya. Ex. Take out. Hahaha e sa un na ung nakasanayan. Kahit sa mga coupons ng mcdonalds for example eh nakalagay dine in or take out. Yup truth dn ung iba nyang snbe pero jusko ano maitutulong ng blog mo? Bukod sa pagcocompare ng pinas sa singapore. Te 3rd world country tyo. Singapore yang tinitirhan mo.

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  32. Ayaw ng mga pinoy na nalalait ang kapwa pilipino o ang pilipinas, pero aminin din natin na may punto to. Totoo naman to, masakit lang talaga kasi pakiramdam natin minamaliit ang bansa natin. Nakarating na akong Singapore,at tama, sa atin ginagawang tambayan ang escalator, yun ang purpose nun dito,pero sa kanila doon ang purpose ay para mapabilis ang pagkilos ng tao. Totoo din naman na mas safe sa kanila doon kesa dito.
    Siguro kesa i-take natin to sa paraang negatibo bakit hindi na lang ito magbukas sa kaisipan natin kung paano tayo bilang isang mamamayan kung kaya mabagal ang pagunlad ng ating bansa. Minsan kasi hindi dapat sinisisi ang gobyerno,tayo din. Sa pagboto pa lang natin,kung hindi tayo bumoto ng tama wag nating asahang tama ang pamamahala.
    Pero sana, may ginawa din para sa bansang ito ang nagsulat nyan. Kulang ang salita,kilos din. At hindi lang dapat puro puna, tulong din.

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  33. Hindi sya nagyayabang. Sinasabi lang nya kung ano nakikita nya. Totoo naman kasi. hindi mo maiiwasang ikumpara . Disiplina kasi kulang sa karamihan ng pinoy

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  34. hindi po arogante.
    i've been away for 12 years & truth be told, takot na takot ako sa manila tuwing uuwi ako. hatid sundo na lng lagi ako, because nung unang uwi ko na hold-up kami.
    sa tinagal tagal ko dito sa singa, never kong na experience yan, kahit gabi pa akong umuuwi na mag isa.
    sa manila, tanghaling tapat pa nung nangyari yun.
    as much as it hurts to say, i'll never ever feel safe in manila ever again.

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  35. oa naman nung escalator observation nia. mag-generalize?
    pag may nag-overtake, usually pinapadaan naman without much thought. it's not a big deal..
    andami reklamo, sana balik na siang sing para happy sia ulit

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  36. I don't understand why he's expecting people to adjust for him. Like for example the terms he uses, why would he insist that it's take away when he clearly knows "take out" is the term being used here. Parang pinapamukha nya lang yata sa kausap nya na galing sya sa ibang bansa. When i go to singapore, i adjust to their norms. like what he said about escalators, i would transfer to the left side if i'm not "moving" and i don't expect singaporeans to adjust for me. i know naman na a lot of the things he said are true, it just irks me na parang gusto nya umasta tayo na ayon sa nakasanayan nya sa singapore. oh well..

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    Replies
    1. True! Just like how he adjusted to the terms Sjngaporeans used whe he moved 7 years ago. There are no right or wrong terms for those words he cited as examples. It's just a matter of what people are used to.

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    2. Well said. Dapat you know how to adjust. Be informed and then go with the flow :)

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    3. Gusto lang nya siguro mag-improve sng pinoy by stating the etiquette in Sg. I am not offended, narealize ko pa ngs na pde nga naman tumanbi sa left side ng eacalator kung ndi moving ang tao. Wala nga lang escal8r sa mga mrt sa pinas. Kung meron man, iilan lang,Lol.

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    4. natumbok mo!

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  37. I think the writer didnt mean to belittle the Philippines. He's just showing comparison between the countries. Readers can relate if they got the chance to stay in SG.

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  38. reality hurts. may tama sya. kalungkot lang, pinoy mismo ang nanlalait at 7 years lang sya, over na pero lahat ng sinulat nya talaga may bahid ng katotohanan.

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  39. Totoo naman kasi talaga. Wlang disiplina ang mga pinoy.. ako mag 3 years nako dito sa america at ibang iba talaga. Wag natin sabihing mayabang si kuya. Totoo nmn lahat ng sinasabi nya. Magiiba talaga ang pagiisip mo kapag tumira ka sa ibang bansa.. napaka late na natin napakabagal ng pag asenso ng bansa natin nakakalungkot .. masarap nalang bumalik sa pinas para magbakasyon.. dahil miss mo ang mga pagkain at mga nakalakihan mong lugar =)

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  40. In fairness totoo lahat ang obserbasyon ni kuya, kaya lng medyo arogante ang dating.

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  41. He's being honest! I'm an expat too for roughly the same time as the writer, and frankly, I am now terrified of riding public buses, jeeepneys, and tricycles when I'm there. And to think it was the norm for me not so long ago. But once you get used to safer and more efficient PUVs than those in Pinas, you can't help but compare, see the glaring safety lapses, and get spooked. I agree too with his observation that there should be guards stationed near the restrooms.

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  42. So anong point nya, manlait tapos bumawi sa dulo? Btw, rhetorical question lang yan. Baka may mambara pa.

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  43. Truth hurts but Mr. Writer, are you actually doing anything that might help the Philippines become Singapore-like? Do you honestly think that by writing this stating-the-obvious-tell-us-something-else-we-don't-know article, that you're helping the Philippines improve?

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  44. This is true. Feeling ko, sobrang nakakatakot na sa pinas. Sa news pa lang, holdapan, patayan, rape, kidnapping.

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  45. Hampaslupa! Sa KFC nagtake-away.

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    Replies
    1. Paano naging hampaslupa? Soshyal nga e kfc, may gravy. Tawagin mong hamfaslupa pag sa pagpag galing ang Takeaway na chickenjoy.

      Delete
  46. Opinion nya po yon. Let's learn to respect it.

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  47. I have mix reaction with this article. I agree with his reaction na cultural shock ka sa pinas when you are living abroad for so long. Kahit ako rin ng umuwi prang ang gulo lumiit at higit sa lahat ang daming tao. Sa escalator naman usually dito sa states sa mga malls ok lang na mag stay on the spot ka pero pagsubway iba na u need to stay clear the left side. Nairita ako Euphemism nya dito sa states we have restroom not comfort room but if u want to be specific, bathroom. Prang yabang ng dating na mastama sila. They cant claim the language dahil borrowed yan sa british e sa pinas mostly american. Language is evolving so what u can call something might be different for others.

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  48. I think he intentionally did that to spike his popularity, just like that blogger who wrote about nasty food in the Philippines. 7 years is not that long and even if its 10 years or more, considering na he lived in the Phils. longer at meron na syang hustong pagiisip, not a baby or kid, before he moved to Sgp, he should know better na Phils. is not tidy and white as a pearl, kahit pa entitled ka to your own opinion, hindi ka dapat ingrata! I live in the US and kahit na mas advance dito, marami pa ring magaganda sa Pilipinas, from culture, to beautiful places and most importantly beautiful people inside and out. And I'm always proud to talk about Phils. Kahit paano, yun ang contribution ko in promoting our country, kahit na malayo ako. To highlight flaws objectively is okay but to lambaste at the expense of other is a major turn off. And please its too cliche to use I'm entitled to my own opinion thing. Gasgas na rason na yon. Well, he gets what he wants for sure. He attracted a lot of haters!

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  49. I agree naman sa sinulat ng writer regarding SG. But the point is, did the writer think about why there's difference between two countries? tulad ng icompare n'ya sa pagsabi ng take away sa take out o kaya pagsabi ng toilet or loo sa restroom or comfort room ng pinoy. di naman yon ignorance. it's a matter of difference sa origin ng language use. like loo or lift, mostly ang gumagamit e pag ang education e of british origin ang english language. like singapore, malaysia, they use the same words.

    medyo 40 years old na siya pero parang bata makapagcompare... hehehe.

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  50. I don't get the part where the writer insists on using his oh-so-vast vocabulary he has acquired while living abroad. If you're in the Philippines or anywhere else for that matter, you use the words the locals are used to. Like in Vietnam you say pharmacy instead of drugstore otherwise they'll think you're a druggie. So what was the point of even putting that part in his article? Just so people will know that you came from abroad? Nonesense.

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    Replies
    1. agree ako sa observation mo. what's the hang-up with the differring terms? and you're right, use the local term! may pa take away, take away pa, loo, luga mo kainin mo.
      i'm also an expat, 34 years na dito sa tate, pero i won't put down the Philippines that way. every country, no matter what the category is , has her own redeeming value. hindi man as progressive ang Pinas, pero it's the people/natives who more than make up for the inadequacies. they're the most warm, hospitable, God fearing and clean/hygienec! yeah, we're shallow when it comes to outside appearance and material things, but our good-nature and sense of humor is incomparable.

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  51. tama ang writer, panget sa pilipinas dahil marami sa pilipino ang magnanakaw tulad ng pulitiko, mga anak na nangungupit sa magulang, etc etc... mainit, mabaho, walang disiplina, mga mayayaman lang ang may comportableng buhay dito.... ang magsabing mayabang ang writer na ito, its either ayaw mo tanggapin ang katotohanan na sinabi niya or inggit ka sa kanya dahil im sure, hindi siya nagsisinungaling sa mga sinabi niya...

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  52. If you already know the lingo used in a certain country is different from what you are used to in sg, why would you still insist in using it here knowing fully that no one understands it. Isnt that hypocrisy or simply stupidity? Lam mo ng take out, take away ka pa ng take away.

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    Replies
    1. hahaha thats funny. but true. one needs to adapt in language words and ways of a certain country youre staying at. even English people in los angeles adapts to the ways. Sya pa kaya na 7 years lang sa Singapore. Ewww. pinoy nga makapagyabang lang.

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    2. True!!! O e di sino ngayon nagmukhang t*ng*. Napaka amateur (or mas magaling pa amateur) ng sinulat nyang article bat nakalusot sa editor yang nonsense na pinagsasabi nya. Obvious naman natural magkaiba sg at pinas ano ba ineexpect nya????

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  53. Well, sad truth. Kapag tumira ka outside Pinas makikita mo talaga yung mga differences and naghohope ka na kung ganito lang sana sa Pinas, it'll be a better place to live in. All it takes is discipline at tunay na pagmamahal sa bansa

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  54. Heres the thng about this writer, he was only gone 7 freaking years kala mo kung sino na. And besides it,s not like his in some awesome country like the u.s or even europe, no hes just in singapore! I dnt even think u need visa to visit that country. Al though there were sme truth in his article, he doesnt have to put it in our faces,. Di porket nakarating ka ng ibang bansa, that ur better than everyone else. Such hypocracy, seven years, u didnt even grow up in singapore.

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  55. Aminin natin.. Totoo lahat ng sinabi nya.. Sapul na sapul lang kasi kaya masakit.. Well..

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  56. Ok given na totoo most of his observations pero yung ipagpilitan ung "take away", "lift", "loo" etc... That just reeks of arrogance. Iba iba preference for words per culture. Kala ko ba edukadong tao nagsulat nito? Nagpupumilit lang palang edukado eh ang totoong edukado alam at nirerespeto cultural differences. As if naman ikamamatay nya if the cashier used take out as opposed to take away. As if using the word lift as opposed to elevator means he's more superior. Get off your high horse. 7 years ka lang nawala kala mo naman mga dekada tinagal sa kayabangan. O sige na "take away" na... Tama ka! 101 IQ grabe! Bigyan ng jacket!

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  57. Another MEMA.. yes truth hurts pero wag na pansinin baka kikita pa blog nyan. LOL

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  58. Nothing new sa mga sinabi nya but what's so funny is how he proves na sobrang Pinoy sya. Yung tipong napunta lang sa isang lugar/bansa for a short time eh di na kilala kung sino o ano talaga siya?

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  59. Mayabang na kung mayabang, pretentious kung pretentious ang blogger - TOTOO LAHAT SINABI NIYA. ANG PROBLEMA SA MGA IBANG PINOY, imbes na gawing constructive criticism at opportunity para magbago, mag-fo-focus sa blogger, ipagtatanggol at ipagtatanggol ang bulok na system parang away kanto lang lagi para justified ang kawalan ng disiplina! Mabuhay ang Pinas!

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    Replies
    1. Defend ba tawag dun? In fact most people here agreed with what the writer said. It's his manner of writinf it and the i'm-too-good-for-pinas attitude is what most of us didn't like. Kung ikaw kaya sabihan ka ng mga flawa mo icompare ka sa iba in the way this writer did, matutuwa ka?

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  60. I dont effin care kung 7 yrs xa away from pinas. And golly, SG lang xa makareacy xa ganyan? I've lived in europe and now i'm in canada and I dont give a crap sa lift, take away and all that keme because i effin know how things are in the ph. Not because iba ang english sa pinas eh magmamagaling ka na and insist take away, lift and loo. The hell? 7 yrs and you've forgotten that? Go ahead adapt where you live but when u go home sa pinas, act like a filipino not some high and mighty being from another country. I get it, maganda sa abroad, i too have my shares of panlalait sa pinas but i dare not compare and belittle lalo na sa mga mundane issues gaya ng terms sa mga ordinary na bagay. Oh and by the way, kung narinig man nyang rubber ang eraser, wag nya ipilit na rubber un sa pinas because every effin place is different. Wag magmalaki ha? Sampalin kita ng canadian citizenship ko eh. SG lang taas na ng tingin mo? Gosh! Ok peace people! Mwuah love y'all!

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    Replies
    1. couldn't agree more

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    2. Sino arogante sa inyong dalawa ngayon,mananampal ka pa ng ca citizenship??'

      Delete
  61. He just told the truth. I stayed in Singapore for 2 weeks and ibang iba talaga ang disiplina ng mga tao. Yes, you feel safe, clean and no traffic. Mahal nga lang ang bilihin dahil konti lang ang difference ng US$ sa S$. Singapore is much much safer than the other Asian countries. Naka base ako sa Dubai, but I still love Philippines, kahit pa anong problema natin. Ano man ang mangyari Pilipinas pa rin ang bayang sinilangan ko.

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  62. Tama sobrang iba tlga pinas sa sg.. my discipline mga tao dito sa sg pero mas nanaisin ko pa din manirahan sa manila kesa dito sa sg dahil bhy work lng tlga.. walang social life...

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  63. uhhmm sabihin na nateng totoo ung mga observations nya, hindi pa din maganda ang dating. Kasi may bahid ng pgmamakinis. Kagaya ng paggamit ng mga terms ng "take away" "uncle" "auntie" "lift" at "loo". It's not like he's visiting the country for the first time. He's lived in the phils for more than 30 years sabi nga nya. Kung hindi ma-gets ng mga pinoy yung pa-uncle uncle at pa-lift lift nya e kasalanan na nya yun di ba? I live in SG too at totoo yung sinasabi nya about sa escalator, sa safety at sa kung anu anu pa. Pero nasa Pinas siya, wag nya dalhin ung mga diskarteng SG sa pinas kasi wala siya sa SG. Yun lang yun. Hiyang hiya nmn ang Pinas sa kanya.

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  64. There's nothing wrong with the article.
    Nag-cocompare lang nman sya. Truth hurts but wala eh. Corrupt kc mga politicians sa Pinas. Even taga-process ng birth certicate, need pa ng padulas pra lang ma-process appropriately yung ni-re-request mo.

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  65. I also live in Singapore and well, there is a lot of truth in his comparisons....wag na magbalat sibuyas people....accept the reality there and here....these are his views only...

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    Replies
    1. dun ka na tumira forever at wag nang bumalik sa pinas! we don't need your views, hindi ka rin kayo kawalan! kahit anong panglalait nyo pinas pa rin ako, there's no place like home!

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  66. Agree to some degree, but cmon buddy, youve only been living in sg for 7 years. Lol.

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  67. I don't take offense at all. Same observation, having lived in sg myself. It's true naman. It's a pov of a person who lived abroad and came home. It's an observation, not a piece na ang only purpose is to berate. Please, wag naman kuyugin ng bashers. He's just stating the obvious.

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    Replies
    1. to be fair bakit d nya rin sinali sa comparison and natural beauty ng pinas island??? yung mga beach, yung pagiging masayahin ng tao, mas mura ang bilihin... yung ibang foreigners bumabalik-balik sa pinas, yung iba gustong-gustong tumira sa pinas? kasi mas tinitingnan nila ang positive kesa kapangitan ng pinas. to the writer is kang persona non-grata!

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  68. I come home because I miss the country but it doesn't mean I'm not aware how things are going. Though, I don't have any problem how people say things differently, but the way we take the escalator kind of irritates me. I'm not only comparing two countries. Sa atin, when one step afoot on the escalator, that person becomes automatically a statue. I commend the writer for having the balls to blog this.

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    Replies
    1. teh kung nagmamadali ka dun ka sa hagdan! lazy ka din.

      Delete
  69. Kung di nagets yung take away bat mo pa ipipilit eh alam nmn nya ibig sabihin ng take out.20 years nako sa ibang bansa pero diko nalilimutan buhay pinoy.

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  70. Totoo lahat ng sinulat nya at ganun din pkiramdam ko nung umuwi ako samin sa Bacolod. Ive been staying here in SG for 5yrs.. Pro everytime nman nauwi ako sa pinas, ako ang ng aadjust and I still love my Philippines. Especially my homwtown Bacolod.

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  71. Totoo sinabi nya.

    Pero susmiyo, 7 years pa lang syang nasa abroad e napakaarte na! To think that he's not even a citizen of that country and only permanent resident as best.

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  72. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Adapt.

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  73. ok lng sana kung sa NEW YORK sya nanggaling maintindihan ko pa..arte nya!hindi bagay hello SG lng un noh!

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    Replies
    1. new york ba kamo? susme numero unong j-walkers sila mga yan! pag me nakita kang hindi nag j-walk malamang out-of-towners yan.

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  74. well truth hurts po...i have the same observation here in australia..wala ni isang guard akong nkikita sa mga mall. Same with the escalator and takeaway part.

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  75. @anon 12.38- hahaha yan din naisip ko,kasi tested na magrereact mga pinoy netizens. sad but true, nakakairita lang ung pagkasabi nya kasi as if hnd taga dito..

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  76. Ikaw kasi ang dapat mag adjust hindi ang buong Pilipinas ang mag aadjust sayo! Frog!

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  77. Sabi nga nila only in the Philippines where you address everyone tita/tito, kuya/ate maski not related, hahahaha!!

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  78. I agree to what he said, pero pag voc terms na ginagamit na "nakasanayan" na ng bansa na tinitirhan mo, aba, adjust adjust don nman pag may time!

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  79. He/she migrated as an adult and has been living in sg for only 7 years. Bumabalik pa siya sa pinas minsan. Bakit parang daig pa ang foreigner kung umasta sa sariling bansa? May konting kayabangan din ang writer. Tama man o mali yung mga observations siya, kinapos ata siya sa pusong pinoy.

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  80. Totoo nga naman ..pero disagree dun sa ibang term..ako one week lang bakasyon ko sa hk at un ang una kong travel outside the country..pag nasa ibang bansa ka di mo talaga maiiwasang magkumapara..nandyan ung maikumpara mo ung transpo, trapik, kalinisan, kaayusan at pagiging disiplinado ng mga tao..ang gusto nya siguro iparating sa mambabasa nya ang sana kung ano ang meron maganda sa sg eh sana meron din sana dito sa atin :')

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  81. For me di siya nanlalait...masakit talaga ang katotohanan..

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  82. The article did not really bother me knowing na it's kinda true naman. But what bothers me is the fact na if ever naPublish to outside our country and many foreigners read this, magiging ano na lang ang impression nila sa bansa natin sa ating mga pinoy? Though agree naman ako at some points sa article. Sana mabago din ung mga maling nakasanayan na natin. Just saying

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  83. Tama ang writer na maganda talaga ang singapore. Malinis at safe ang lugar nila. Mayamang bansa ang singapore kaya maganda ang public service. PERO, bakit mo gagamitin ang lingo ng singapore sa pinas? ARE YOU THAT STUPID? Nakalimutan mo na ba ang saying na "When in rome do as the romans do"? Yan ang sakit ng karamihan ng mga pinoy. Nakarating lang sa ibang bansa, akala mo kung sino na. Please lang, huwag mo ng sabihin na pinoy ka at nakaka hiya ka. Sabihin mo nalang na singaporean ka.

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  84. Singapore was a british colony, that's why they speak british english. Philippines use american english truly influenced by the americans during world war 2. When it comes to lift or elevator or traffic manners, the Filipinos has yet to learn a lot from other countries.

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  85. Nakakatawa yung mga taong katulad niya, comparing two countries which both have no point of comparison to begin with, other than pareho itong Southeast Asian country. One cannot compare an apple from an orange if its only similarity is that it's both a fruit. Parang Pilipinas at Singapore lang yan, di sila pweding ipag compare kasi ang Pilipinas ay third world country and ang Singapore is obviously a MORE developed country. Moreover, napaka liit ng Singapore para ikumpara sa Pilipinas! Kumbaga Katumbas lang ng Metro Manila ang Singapore! For crying out loud! Ang major percentage nga ng water supply ng bansa nila ay iniimport pa from Malaysia. Ganoon kaliit na bansa sila! So nararapat lang naman sigurong napaka linis ng bansa nila at napaka safe at napaka organize nito dahil napakaliit lang naman ng sinasakupan at pinamamahalaan ng gobyerno nila kumpara sa Pilipinas diba? I just feel sad that for someone who I assume is educated and who has actually lived outside of the Philippines for a long time (referring to the writer) can have an opinion and a point of view that seems very ignorant. And puhleesee! The writer's last line in the write up was pointless! Napaka condescending na consuelo de bobo nun!

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  86. korek! don ako nairita ha. ipilit ba ang take away. baka pagkasabi pa nia "take away la!" nyahahaha. take out nga eh! pag umuwi ka wag muna icompare ung pinagalingan mo lalo na kung progressive country dahil hindi mo mararanasan yan dito. malungkot mang isipin ganito na sa pinas. matagal pa siguro para maging ala SG tau o kung ano mang mayaman na bansa....

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  87. hahah,may katotohanan naman ang mga sinabi ng writer na 'to,ilang years na rin ako dito sa canada,iba ang disiplina ng mga tao sa ibang bansa,mostly law-abiding citezen,but then 'pag umuwi ka ng pinas,ikaw na lang mga-adjust,alam mo naman na magkaiba ng culture.

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  88. reality bites!!! hihihi

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  89. culture shock talaga? in a span of seven years, parang nakalimutan na niya ang pilipinas. dapat ginandahan naman niya ng kaunti yung sinulat niya. parang diring diri yung writer at tila wala nang makitang maganda sa ating bansa. para akong nagbabasa ng diary ng isang teenager na first time pumunta sa pilipinas. kamusta naman yung mga terms. yung pagpipilit niya ng "take away" , matuto sana siya makibagay tutal dito naman siya lumaki at tumanda (hello 3/4 of 40 years of existence). nakalulungkot na pilipino ang nagsulat ng article na to. ang hypocrite lang.

    -- pinay na tumira sa ibang bansa pero hindi naginarte nung bumalik sa pinas

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  90. Sa Pilipinas, pag nagroceries ka may "bagger" tinatawag na naglalagay ng mga pinamili mo sa plastic bags. Dito sa isa sa pinakamayamang bans sa boung mundo, pag nagroceries mga tao, sila mismo naglalagay sa mga pinamili nila sa plasctic bags. Pag nagpapagasolina rin ng sasakyan, ang driver/may ari ng sasakyan ang gumagawa, saka magbabayad.

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  91. Anon 114 di mo kailangan manampal ng citizenship mo. Lahat ng sinabi ng writer totoo. Mas takot akong maglakad magisa dito sa pinas kesa sa ibang bansa. Nakakatakot tumawid dahil kahit may rumble strip na at pedestrian lane di marunong magslow down ang mga drivers. Andami dami pang naninigarilyo habang naglalakad or nakatambay sa daan. Once u have seen other countries, u will realize how miserable our situation is. Dapat yan pagtuunan ng pansin ng govt natin.

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  92. Matagal na rin ako naninirahan dito sa europe pero kapag umuuwi ako sa Pilipinas eh alam ko pa rin naman ang mga terminology na ginagamit sa mga restos at fast food chains. Kapag nasa ibang lugar ako eh nag-aadjust ako. Hindi ko gusto ang paraan ng paghahambing nya kahit na tama sya kasi nagmukhang nagyabang lang sya.

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  93. Well somehow he has point...if you love the way you live your life there then stay and dont bother coming back...ganon lang ka simple....yun na! Paaaak!

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    Replies
    1. May point ka teh

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    2. thats true. and if your boss insists that you go back, just quit your job.

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  94. Obviously, the writer's an airhead, feeling superior sa mga mamamayan ng sarili niyang bansa. Nakatapak lang ng 7 years sa SG pero kung umasta, akala mo na kung sino. SG pa lang yan ha, isang napakaliit na Asian country compared to any other country in North America and Europe. Bakit mo ipagpipilitan ang "take away" eh "take out" ang colloquial equivalent niyan sa Pinas? That you insisted on using the British phrase speaks of your pretentious I-live-in-SG-therefore-I-am-above-all-you-brown-skinned-3rd-worldies behavior.

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  95. Pag matagal ka na nakatira sa ibang bansa at nasanay ka na sa systema nila, maninibago ka talaga pagbalik mo ng Pilipinas. Example ang traffic rules. Sa ibang bansa napakaimportante na susunod ka talaga sa traffic rules dahil napakaimportante talaga sa kanila ang safety sa daan pero sa Pinas walang pakialam mga tao.

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  96. the writer was ryt, sumhow this might be his own way of opening the filipinos eyes... but iwould dis agree about the words mentioned coz its really different here in the philippines dipo ito SG so he would just understand by the sound of his comment he seems so pissed... nyahaha ma irita ka sa sarili mo mr.writer because ganun karon 7 yrs ago. i dr for conclude pangit cguro experience nya sa manila dats y he need to go to another country... our differences makes us who we are and why we are loved.. ilove philippines

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  97. Eto lang yun eh..sino ba kelangan mag-adjust, siya o ang manila?

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  98. He has a point, yes. It's just stupid to compare even the terms na. American english tayo sila British. That pat of his article is ignorant na. You don't use take away in the US. That part alone is pointless, aside from the discipline of us Pinoys.

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  99. Normal lang yan sa pinoy. Ako nga nung bagong dating mas maarte pa jan. Ngayon balik sa dati. Natauhan ako nung maumpog ulo ko sa katabi ko nung biglang nagpreno yung driver ng jeep habang tumatakbo ng mabilis. Sabi ko amazing! sarap talaga sa pinas maraming kakaibang experience na hindi mo mararanasan sa ibang bansa

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  100. Eh ako nga yung boss ko japanese every 2 months asa pinas pero ni isa pintas at comparison diko naringgan,

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  101. the truth hurts, oo! eh bakit di sya mag-reklamo dun sa city hall! sino ba yan? bakit pa ba yan bumalik? sobra naman maka-criticize! ni hindi man lang constructive! hello! yaman din lamang na kritiko ka, mag-suggest ka na rin ng solusyon, hindi yung puro reklamo lang. ang sarap hambalusin ng bangko tong b to! balik na dun sa singapore!

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  102. I have lived in los angeles for more than 10yrs now and would go occasionally go to europe or latin americas for vacay... even parts of asia but I always look forward to my manila visits because there's no place like home. U have to keep an open mind when u travel mr writer from sg.

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  103. napakakitid ng utak ng writer na to! excuse me ive been away from our country for 10 years na and been a US citizen for 7 years. Never ko iinsultuhin ang culture natin ng ganyan. May mga tao talagang hindi marunong tumingin sa pinanggalingan nila, nakatapak lng sa ibang lugar kala mo kung sino. I was actually in Singapore Feb 8-10 last month and I'll never go back! Singapore peeps are so rude!

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    Replies
    1. not all are rude; some locals are very kind and helpful but thats true. i think the article has a tone of arrogance in it. i tried living in singapore but i did not fit in the place so i had my working visa cancelled pronto.

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  104. to be honest may katotohanan naman ang sinabi ni ateng kaso sa punto nya kasi parang nag iinarte sya... in that 7 years na nawala sya sa pinas I dont thin may kaibahan yun sa dating pinas na iniwan nya... saka bawat bansa may kanya kanyang culture so dapat wag mo syang i compare... nag iinarte lang talaga sya but kahit anong gawin nyang inarte eh hindi sya magiging singapore citizen hahahahaha

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  105. Very true..., sad to say

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  106. i lived here all my life and when u get out of the country for vacation then pagbalik mo, u get a feeling na bumalik ka sa hell hole and u wish na sana yung Philippines like the country na pinanggalingan mo like HK etc

    but despite that, i think yung tone nung article nya is negative kaya any reader kahit hindi pinoy mejo maaasar. kulang nalang na sinabi nya na nabwibwisit ako sa kalagayan ko now dahil nandito ako sa pinas. i think for articles like this one should be witty rather than sarcastic. no problem sa pag state na super hindi ok ng pinas pero may way to do it na hindi nakakainis basahin

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  107. Nakakahiya naman sa sumulat nito bilang nawala daw sya ng 7years sa PInas eh todo pag iinarte na kala mo eh pure native singaporean... ginawa mong b*** mga kapwa mong pinoy... kinahihiya ka din ng kapwa mong Pinoy...

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  108. nakatapak lang sa ibang bansa kala mo kung sino na....typical pinoy..nakikisakay sa kalabaw, feeling mataas na....kung makapintas kala mo ang dami nya nagawa for his/her country....

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  109. People who are angry or disagree with his writing are people who doesn't want the philippines to grow to great nation. Siguro kuntento na nga Lang sila sa pilipinas na puro kurakot mga politician, maraming mandurukot sa lansangan, papatayin ka para sa cellphone Lang, Hindi safe na pilipinas, worst airport in the whole world, gising mga Pilipino huling huling na tayo. Siguro nga kaya di uma asenso ang pilipinas dahil karamihan sa mga Pilipino kuntento sa ganyang sitwasyon sa Buhay at walang pangarap man Lang sa Buhay o sadyang puro pangarap Lang talaga at walang gawa!!!

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  110. What this d*****b** said is true, but it would have been more credible kung hindi Pinoy ang nagsabi. Being Pinoy, he already knew all of these. Living in another country for a mere 7 years does not make him an alien. he chose to be the alien, because of his air of superiority.

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  111. ang arte nitong nagsulat...at oo, mayabang ang dating, may pa-mild culture shock pa syang nalalaman....i worked in SG for 4yrs, kung 7yrs na sya sa SG, halos sabay kaming umalis ng pinas...i sometimes compare SG to Manila especially nung mga first few times ako nauuwi (i go home mga 3-4 times a year or more) pero lahat ng binanggit nya, those are the things that make this place special to me that i overlooked the shortcomings kasi for me, more than those things, what's important is that my family is here...those are the things that make me affirm that I am indeed home...

    sa yo na nagsulat nito, balewala yung pambawi mo sa dulo kasi nadurog mo na ang bansang pinanggalingan mo eh....

    I love my country...kahit saan ako makarating, babalik at babalik ako dito....It's more fun in the Philippines!!!

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    Replies
    1. Tama ka. This is home. Hindi mo dapat niluluraan ang 'bahay' na kinalakhan mo dahil nakarating ka lang sa mansyon. Napakayabang na sumulat ng blog na ito. Langaw na tumuntong sa kalabaw. Kala mo mataas pa sa kalabaw.

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  112. Im not really offended by this article. Since materials like this never make it to the headlines. Sadly, a lot of what the writer said were true. However, the only thing that bothers me and actually leaves me perplexed is whether this person never ate at a restaurant or used the public restrooms here in Manila in his 33 years of existence in this country. How can someone who seems educated and lived a life here in Manila for that long be so ignorant about the colloquial terms being used? I find it very pretentious and condescending to insist on using "take-away" in KFC when he knows very well that the cashier will have a hard time understanding this... unless they worked together for 7 years in SG. Haha! =)

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  113. ang escalator ride, bakit kelangan mag-keep left to give way sa mga nagmamadali?? sa japan ganon sila, keep left daw, pero may naka-post na "no walking/running on the elevator".. pinagtataka ko lang, kaya nga may stairs di ba, para don ka kung gusto mong maglakad.. delikado pa nga yung lalakad/tatakbo ka habang umaandar ang esacalator di ba??

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  114. "take away" is so 1990's! napalitan pa nga yan ng "to go"!

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  115. totoo naman lahat ng sinabi nya sa article. yung good side naman sana sinabi nya rin ;)

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  116. It's time for change and discipline, there's nothing wrong with that. Also stop being gross, dispose your trash properly. Kaartehan ba yun ?

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  117. Masyado kang maere. Isa kang hampaslupang nakarating ng SG sa totoo lang. Ikaw ang classic example ng langaw na nakatuntong sa kalabaw. Kanya kanya lang ng strengths at weaknesses ang ibat ibang bansa. Matuto kang magadjust. Kung makapagsalita ka, kala mong 30 yrs ka na abroad! Umiinit ang ulo ksa iyo !

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  118. Ofw ako dito sa korea..and i feel safe here.Disiplinado ang karamihan..malinis ang paligid.. madalang ang traffic.. maayos. Sad to say... agree ako sa article nya

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  119. Silly, ignorant wannabe! Simply lack of wit, kaya pagyayabang nalng ang pinutak para may maisulat lng lol! Pinoy nga naman mka apak lng sa ibang bansa culture shock na agad pag uwi di ba pwede instead of criticizing, show ur solution nalng sana? Lol

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  120. This is an another example why the Philippines is still poor. Coz what its are people are doing is tantamount to tolerating its corrupt government. Mind you, the Philippines is still in its current estate even after the end of all your lives combined! Poor you.

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