It is quite funny that Filipinos are now being accused as being racists. There was a time when we were at the receiving end of racial slurs, jokes, and incidents. I remember that there was an uproar in the past about a cookie called Filipinos. Filipinas were even once defined as household helper by a dictionary. Times have changed indeed. Filipinos are now being accused of being RACISTS! Whoa!!!
Recently, a magazine cover by Bella Padilla was pulled out because of the use of dark-skinned models with the label stepping out of the shadows. FHM Philippines had to change the cover and the incident received a lot of media coverage. Padilla was even interviewed by BBC. We really have come a long way.
A few days ago, while commenting about the recent Cristy Ramos vs. Azkals controversy, Arnold Clavio said some things that ruffled the feathers ( i mean hair) of the countless of Azkal fanatics. He said in Filipino “Hindi naman kayo Pilipino, nagpapanggap lang kayong kayumanggi, hindi kayo dito lumaki, mahirap iyun.” The said statement is now the center of a complaint by the Philippine Football Federation led by its President Mariano Araneta, Jr. A lot of fans were bashing the GMA host. There were reactions from people like Angel Locsin, as well as, Azkal Neil Etheridge.
It goes to show that the standing of Filipinos have improved. Before, only a handful would want to be called a Filipino. People are now offended if someone said you are not Filipino. Cool! Really? The funny thing though is that only Filipinos are the ones bashing each other. It is only in the world of sports or showbiz that half-Filipinos come to the Philippines to insist that they are Filipino or at least part Filipino. Why? It could be for fame, money, and other personal benefits.
The influx though of Fil-Ams and other mixed Filipinos have made a few Filipinos feel insecure. Not only do the Fil-foreigners look better, but they also have better training and the background that makes them excel in our country, where sports and showbiz stars are worshipped. In a way, some Filipinos lose jobs, opportunities, or scholarships because teams or schools look overseas for talent. In a way, Clavio's statement is a reflection that these newcomers were raised differently. Their jokes, their lifestyle, their taste, even their language is different. They are Filipino by law, but what is the true definition of a Filipino? Looks? Language? Culture? Do we have a true blue Filipino culture? I am sure many do not know the national anthem anymore or even its title.
What are the advantages of being a Filipino anyway? If you are a Filipino and you have a chance to acquire let's say an American citizenship, would you say no? Are we that "superior" already? I am not saying that half Filipinos are not Filipinos, I am just putting Clavio's statement into perspective. To be racist, you must feel that your race is superior than others or pure breed is better than muggles (Asong Kalye vs. Half pitbull-half Azkal..hehe). All he was saying is that they were different. A racist would refer to Filipinos as "ugly brown monkeys". Clavio was actually showing our inferiority complex by admitting that these men are "gwapo". No doubt about it that a lot of Fil-foreigners look better than the typical Filipino in the eyes of the Filipinos. I do not know where this issue will go and most likely, this could become so big or even a national issue because of the media mileage that this is getting.
To end this analysis. I want to leave one question: If you are a Fil-Foreigner, would you let go of your other citizenship and just be a Filipino? Think about it before accusing any Filipino as a racist.
Links:
If I were 2nd week of March
Cristy Ramos vs. Azkals
Azkal fans denounce Clavio prefer...
Links:
If I were 2nd week of March
Cristy Ramos vs. Azkals
Azkal fans denounce Clavio prefer...
