Reflection about Damaged Culture by James Fallows

I realized that James Fallows is even more nationalistic than us, as he knew moreabout our
country and spoke fearlessly for the country, unlike us the Filipinos; ignorant, coward, deaf
and blind. One of these is his statement: "culture can make naturally rich countrypoor", I
highly concur to what he stated. Some things have obviously improved since Ferdinand and
Imelda Marcos fled the Philippines. Not so much money is being sucked out at the top;
more people are free to say what they like about the government. The soldiers, whose pay
has been increased, are still woefully short on equipment and supplies. Filipinos are
celebrating the first anniversary of the end of the Marcos era. The dethroning of strongman
Ferdinand Marcos gave Filipinos new dignity and pride. Stores sell small Cory dolls with
bright yellow dresses and round-rimmed glasses as if they were icons. Filipinos have been
analyzing the results of one election and preparing for another almost nonstop since early
last year. Election disputes have returned too. For three months recounts dragged on to
determine whether Juan Ponce Enrile, former Defense Minister, would get one of the
twenty-four seats in the Senate. At any given time Manila has at least twenty dailies, most
of them in English. Rumors of impending coups have cropped up every week or ten days
since Aquino took power. Philippine politics has a small-town feel, because many principals
have known one another all their lives. Culture and its heritage serve to define a people's
national identity by reflecting and shaping values, beliefs, and aspirations. Our cultural
legacy must be protected because it upholds our identity as a people. The traditional
Filipino and Spanish Catholic traditions are mixed with elements from other parts of Asia
and America to create the culture of the Philippines. Filipinos value their families, are
frequently religious, and enjoy art, fashion, music, and food. I still think of the Philippines
as a nation with a goal and a promising future. We are gradually giving up the practices that
have failed to benefit us in the past.