Counting our blessings

One of our defects as a people, if defects they really are, is that we only see our defects.

In the late 40s, there was a popular hit sung by Josef Locke and Henry Socombe "Count Your Blessings One By One."

Yes, instead of whining, protesting, and complaining of how poor and how bad we are, why don't we count our blessings, like what the song says, one by one.

And one of these blessings and which is not actually a defect is we are not afraid to see our defects and openly talk about them. We don't suffer from insecurities.

I say this without the fear of contradiction but if you contradict, you can pack up, take the first flight out and go live in a country that will accept you where you can survive only if you work hard and being a second class citizen you can only be given a menial job.

The Philippines is still the best country to live in and Bacolod is the best community to reside.

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Never has there been a time when we had more foreigners, marrying our women, living here and enjoying their stay in a country where people are friendly, helpful, smiling, and very relaxed.

This is the best place for retirees. And this is the environment where an elderly's chance to live a little longer is easily achieved.

We may not have enough tourists just because our government does not have the money to promote tourism. But, we don't need them. We'd rather be what we are, a poor country struggling hard but enjoying life by ourselves. I have many friends, Americans, British, Japanese, Belgians… I have not heard of one complaining against the Filipinos. Against government bureaucrats, yes. But against the people, those they meet in the streets, no.

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Some of the government officials these foreigners may have dealt with could be corrupt. But, no worry, we'll soon send them to jail. Our people have awakened already. And people have ratted on these corrupt people, reason why there are barangay officials getting charged in court.

Traffic may be a mess. But it's because you have a car. If you want to enjoy life here in Bacolod, walk. It's good for the health, you can see the beauties around, and you will meet more friends.

If it's a distance, go take a jeep and you pay not more than seven pesos, five only if your are a senior citizen. And it can take you four kilometers away, the maximum distance of a minimum pay.

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And the best community to live in, according to the latest survey, is Bacolod. Of the many cities in the country, five were named the top cities. There was no first, second, or third. Just the top five, Mayor Bing Leonardia told us yesterday.

They are Bacolod, Iloilo, Batangas, San Fernando in Pampanga, and Iligan City.

Bacolod won on two categories, having the best quality of life and the infrastructure. Iloilo won as having a dynamic economy.

To foreigners, our people are friendly and nice. They will greet you on seeing you smile at them. We are not xenophobic or having fear of foreigners.

Our people are helpful and very concerned of other people. But, of course, like in other places, we also have a few scalawags, like pickpockets or glib-tongued sticky-fingered con artists. Be careful of them. Call the police when you see or encounter one.

But our con artists, record show, respect foreigners. I have not seen of a police record swindling foreigners. Swindlers, according to studies, usually victimize greedy people.

They get you by convincing you of easy money. They are good in working at your greedy desire and before you know it, you are had.

Many of them roam Bacolod streets. And all what they do is picking out someone to be victimized. But, don't worry. If you need help, just shout and people will help.

Many of these criminals were overwhelmed by the people who came to help a victim. I was a witness once of how the public mauled a boy who snatched a cellphone of a girl who shouted for help. People chased the fellow and caught up with him.

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I recall here in Negros years ago NPAs kidnapped Japanese national Fumio Mizuno and American Peace Corps Volunteer Timothy Swanson. The people warned the NPAs not to harm the two and return them.

They did with a lot of media fanfare because that was all that they wanted, international publicity. But they got a negative international image because of that.

I don't think they will do it again.

And especially now with the U.S. fighting international terrorism. I believe one reason why the U.S. branded the NPAs as among the international terrorists was the Swanson kidnapping.

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Counting our blessings!

We can never improve as a people until we recognize our strengths. And we have plenty of them.

We know our country had deteriorated economically because of our many weak leaders these past many years. But, we will soon overcome.

It is still great to be a Filipino.

* * *

We have some foreigner friends at Feedback tonight. We will discuss their impression of the Filipinos and the Philippines. We will ask them to be honest of their opinions. Tell us what they see is wrong with us and what is good with us. I hope they will not hold their punches.*

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