What the hell happened

A couple of people have commented on how they admire the way English is easy for Filipinos. And how easy it is to get by in the Philippines when one is a foreigner because the people speak and understand, read and write english. But something happened to us over the years.

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A Thai officemate was telling me that the Thais used to study in the Philippines to get masters degree or other specialised education. One Thai from a store, upon learning that we are Filipinos, excitedly told us he studied medical technology at Manila Central University.

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I remember a while back when a cooperative study group went to Indonesia I think, trying to learn their kind of very successful cooperativism. One praticipant of the study group asked their host where they learned cooperativism. The host looked at the group and said, "Why, in the Philippines. You taught us this."

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When we took Padma to the Walking street market at Thape Gate, Kigao for the umpteenth time, voiced out his amazement at the tourism in Chiang Mai. Baguio and Chiang Mai are alike. Thai people who have been to Baguio says so. Coming from a city that has not just cool weather as an attraction, but also greens, mountains and good people, Baguio seems to be way behind Chiang Mai in terms of tourism.

Chiang Mai people can afford night markets everyday. Yes it is seasonal, but the thing is, they have daily night markets even if it is off tourist season. Then add an every sunday walking street market. The crafts they sell are aesthetically beautiful. Local crafts make tourists happy to buy in quantity. But of course, you get what you pay for. But my point is, they can maintain everyday stalls. Baguio is also a haven for artists and artisans. But there is no market and no venue. We only get once a year flower festival to sell and mostly, the crafts sell. Local museums cannot sustain themselves. Filipino artists, like our teachers, nurses, doctors have to traipse through international shores to showcase their work, and dedication, to be recognised and paid for it.

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I was chatting with Tina the other day and she was giving me a run-down of the prices now back home. Rice (34? pesos, almost 1USD), gas (50+ per liter, more than 1USD). O, my gas. Everything has gone up except the living conditions of people.

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Grumbling about the food crisis and the food price effect one lunch time, my Thai officemates commented how the Thais learned their rice technology from the Philippines. She even mentioned IRRI. I was reminded of a similar conversation with my landlord a couple of days back. I retorted, "now we're the biggest importer of rice from Thailand." I fumed mentally for the sad, exploited state of our farmers.

A non-Thai officemate's voice broke through my angry thoughts: "What happened?"

Well, trade liberalisation, neo liberalisation, globalisation, stupid decisions of people in power, wrong government priorities, wrong leaders. But over and above that, given the economic and political analyses (which we are very good at, mind you), really and truly, I ask the same question. What the hell happened?