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Date: 15th October 2011
hi Geoffrey, my family & i will be travelling to Manila in November. but your article seems to make me worry a lot. do you have at least one good point of Manila before we travel there? :(
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
hi Geoffrey, my family & i will be travelling to Manila in November. but your article seems to make me worry a lot. do you have at least one good point of Manila before we travel there? :(
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 15th October 2011
Hi, I read your blog first and it really made me very upset. I was thinking of calling you a racist and some other derogatory comments, but I decided to read your prologue to get a better perspective or at least understand the context in which you wrote about the city I love the most. I\'m actually glad I did, at least now I know you are not a racist and you seem to know the country very well having traveled all over the archipelago. There are many portions I agree with: traffic, corruption, etc. But I think that each city in the world has it\'s own problems. Here are some examples: a few months ago Londoners were literally about to burn the city down. The funny thing was the rioters came from varied demographics. Have you ever been stuck in traffic in New York? I was stuck in traffic there and it felt just like Manila to be honest with you. In Chicago, winters are brutal and the taxes are unbearably high. In China, corruption is a normal business practice, much like the Philippines. Thailand with it\'s almost annual violent red shirt protests is not a safe haven for tourists I can go on and on, but I\'m sure you get my point. I am really concerned about the tenor in which you write your article. It seems, at first glance, racist and extremely biased, which is really unfair to the city and its people. (and to you, of course) Saying that Manila is awfully disappointing is totally uncalled for given the fact that a majority of your article seems to be about your stay at Discovery Suites. Of course the international airport is really bad, and I cannot argue with you there. You must understand that the internet is a very powerful and persuasive tool. If there are foreigners are considering visiting Manila and read this article, then they will steer clear of it given the tone in which it is written. Look, I know you are not racist and that this blog is only your opinion and not fact, but that is not the perspective other people will take. As a result you are depriving Manila of the tourist revenue it sorely needs. In your prologue you mentioned some positive things about the country, I think it would\'ve been better to have written those things in your article rather than focus on the negative aspects of your stay. Anyway, just my thoughts on what you wrote.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Hi, I read your blog first and it really made me very upset. I was thinking of calling you a racist and some other derogatory comments, but I decided to read your prologue to get a better perspective or at least understand the context in which you wrote about the city I love the most. I\'m actually glad I did, at least now I know you are not a racist and you seem to know the country very well having traveled all over the archipelago. There are many portions I agree with: traffic, corruption, etc. But I think that each city in the world has it\'s own problems. Here are some examples: a few months ago Londoners were literally about to burn the city down. The funny thing was the rioters came from varied demographics. Have you ever been stuck in traffic in New York? I was stuck in traffic there and it felt just like Manila to be honest with you. In Chicago, winters are brutal and the taxes are unbearably high. In China, corruption is a normal business practice, much like the Philippines. Thailand with it\'s almost annual violent red shirt protests is not a safe haven for tourists I can go on and on, but I\'m sure you get my point. I am really concerned about the tenor in which you write your article. It seems, at first glance, racist and extremely biased, which is really unfair to the city and its people. (and to you, of course) Saying that Manila is awfully disappointing is totally uncalled for given the fact that a majority of your article seems to be about your stay at Discovery Suites. Of course the international airport is really bad, and I cannot argue with you there. You must understand that the internet is a very powerful and persuasive tool. If there are foreigners are considering visiting Manila and read this article, then they will steer clear of it given the tone in which it is written. Look, I know you are not racist and that this blog is only your opinion and not fact, but that is not the perspective other people will take. As a result you are depriving Manila of the tourist revenue it sorely needs. In your prologue you mentioned some positive things about the country, I think it would\'ve been better to have written those things in your article rather than focus on the negative aspects of your stay. Anyway, just my thoughts on what you wrote.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 15th October 2011
First of all it\'s \"Baguio\" not \"Bagio\".. I agree with almost everything. I live in the south, specifiaclly, Laguna... near Nuvali. Now that\'s the place you have to visit. Manila is a TOTAL DUMP. Their trains, taxis (almost all of their public transportation) are junk. The buses you see are surpluses from other countries. The train stations are poorly maintained. My \"Aunt\", actually my mom\'s godchild, is the one in the front desk (or maybe the manager? not quite sure) of Discovery suites, Ortigas Center. So I\'ll tell her what you said when I get the chance... so she can tell her bosses. The streets of Manila are filthy and disgusting. They\'re overpasses are a dump. Ignorance has made this country fall. I don\'t know if this is true, but there\'s a survey conducted and they found out that Filipinos are the most gullible people... believing in half-snake half-men, and some mortal who declares he\'s God. The quality of roads and highways are tragically low! They make sure that it is poorly built so that every year they can take tax payers\' money to \"repair\" it. Manila is truly a dump. On sunny day, when you\'re in the higher area of my place, you can see the pollution and brown clouds of smoke all over Manila. I went to Singapore and I saw that the pillars or pavements are still yellowish. But when you go to Manila, It\'s sirius-ly black or dark. The LTO isn\'t doing a very good job of regulating car exhaust. I\'ve got more to say, but I have homework. lol p.s If the people start being the solution and stopped being \"escapists\", there\'s still hope for this country... specifically Manila.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
First of all it\'s \"Baguio\" not \"Bagio\".. I agree with almost everything. I live in the south, specifiaclly, Laguna... near Nuvali. Now that\'s the place you have to visit. Manila is a TOTAL DUMP. Their trains, taxis (almost all of their public transportation) are junk. The buses you see are surpluses from other countries. The train stations are poorly maintained. My \"Aunt\", actually my mom\'s godchild, is the one in the front desk (or maybe the manager? not quite sure) of Discovery suites, Ortigas Center. So I\'ll tell her what you said when I get the chance... so she can tell her bosses. The streets of Manila are filthy and disgusting. They\'re overpasses are a dump. Ignorance has made this country fall. I don\'t know if this is true, but there\'s a survey conducted and they found out that Filipinos are the most gullible people... believing in half-snake half-men, and some mortal who declares he\'s God. The quality of roads and highways are tragically low! They make sure that it is poorly built so that every year they can take tax payers\' money to \"repair\" it. Manila is truly a dump. On sunny day, when you\'re in the higher area of my place, you can see the pollution and brown clouds of smoke all over Manila. I went to Singapore and I saw that the pillars or pavements are still yellowish. But when you go to Manila, It\'s sirius-ly black or dark. The LTO isn\'t doing a very good job of regulating car exhaust. I\'ve got more to say, but I have homework. lol p.s If the people start being the solution and stopped being \"escapists\", there\'s still hope for this country... specifically Manila.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 15th October 2011
It HURT...but IT IS TRUE
Yes, most of us are aware of what are happening to the Philippines, but \"Otherwise pick almost anywhere else in Asia and you’ll get a better deal. \" hurt me more. You can\'t see the UNDERGROUND RIVER in China, you can\'t see the CHOCOLATE HILLS in Thailand, but Manila is REALLY REALLY disappointing for me as well. If you may, would you lessen the use of words like \"drab and dirty\"? This is our home country, and there are so many places here that are beautiful, you just entered the wrong part of it. THE PHILIPPINES IS WORTH GOING TO. But I agree that it is our fault, the citizens that our country has gone like this. P.S. Try Sofitel sometimes, at least you don\'t really have to complain about the service. That hotel (like you said) is 15 yrs old :) Sure, it might be young if it was a girl, but not a building :)) P.P.S.S. (=]]) I shared this blog on my Tumblr account. And some of my friends can be mean, if they comment here, it\'s my fault. So, SORRY! :)) Please keep on writing on your blog, because I also want to travel and I want to know the perfect places to go to! THANKS!
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
It HURT...but IT IS TRUE
Yes, most of us are aware of what are happening to the Philippines, but \"Otherwise pick almost anywhere else in Asia and you’ll get a better deal. \" hurt me more. You can\'t see the UNDERGROUND RIVER in China, you can\'t see the CHOCOLATE HILLS in Thailand, but Manila is REALLY REALLY disappointing for me as well. If you may, would you lessen the use of words like \"drab and dirty\"? This is our home country, and there are so many places here that are beautiful, you just entered the wrong part of it. THE PHILIPPINES IS WORTH GOING TO. But I agree that it is our fault, the citizens that our country has gone like this. P.S. Try Sofitel sometimes, at least you don\'t really have to complain about the service. That hotel (like you said) is 15 yrs old :) Sure, it might be young if it was a girl, but not a building :)) P.P.S.S. (=]]) I shared this blog on my Tumblr account. And some of my friends can be mean, if they comment here, it\'s my fault. So, SORRY! :)) Please keep on writing on your blog, because I also want to travel and I want to know the perfect places to go to! THANKS!
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
Sad but true
I\'m a Filipina living in the United States for the last 7 years. Before moving here to join my husband, my job with a German multinational brought me to many countries in Europe and almost all of Asia. I also have been lucky to see North America on vacations prior to my move. I agree with many things you\'ve written on your blog. Yes, most of them are sadly true. On the many trips my family and I have made back to Manila for short visits to family and friends, my heart always sunk to see that my country seems to have gotten worse - the traffic jams have become even more humongous than ever, everywhere we went seemed to be more crowded with bigger seas of humanity, the streets reeked of the stench of filth, garbage and pollution, and the people are still as undisciplined as I remembered them to be. And I always wondered, \"When will all this ever change?\". Admittedly, I cringe every time I see such scenes, in person and on TV, to a point where it is sometimes awkward to say \"I\'m from Manila, the Philippines\" when asked now where I\'m from. Returning to the US from those trips to Manila, there is a great big relief to be \"at home\" in our small apartment in New Jersey and so far away from what seems to be a hopeless and forever damaged \"Perlas ng Silanganan\". You are so right about the old NAIA - it hasn\'t changed a bit. After seeing so many international airports in the world, the Manila\'s airports are the worst letdowns to any visitor flying in or flying out of the country. The state of these airports alone should have been enough for those in government to be on their toes and get moving! Sometimes I think if the Philippines was ready for democracy. I would go back more than 20 years ago - to the Martial law years. Then President Marcos, despite being a tyrant, wielded his iron hand to instill discipline among the Filipinos. There was pride cleaning your own backyard, the streets, yourselves, and cleaning up the military and the government. There was order and peace. There was family planning, enough food, and a working class. The intention was right. Perhaps it this continued, the Philippines would have been another Singapore - clean, disciplined, maybe even sterile. But no. Give this country democracy and what happens? Chaos! Someone has to wield an iron hand once more - it\'s the only way for this country to get back on track.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Sad but true
I\'m a Filipina living in the United States for the last 7 years. Before moving here to join my husband, my job with a German multinational brought me to many countries in Europe and almost all of Asia. I also have been lucky to see North America on vacations prior to my move. I agree with many things you\'ve written on your blog. Yes, most of them are sadly true. On the many trips my family and I have made back to Manila for short visits to family and friends, my heart always sunk to see that my country seems to have gotten worse - the traffic jams have become even more humongous than ever, everywhere we went seemed to be more crowded with bigger seas of humanity, the streets reeked of the stench of filth, garbage and pollution, and the people are still as undisciplined as I remembered them to be. And I always wondered, \"When will all this ever change?\". Admittedly, I cringe every time I see such scenes, in person and on TV, to a point where it is sometimes awkward to say \"I\'m from Manila, the Philippines\" when asked now where I\'m from. Returning to the US from those trips to Manila, there is a great big relief to be \"at home\" in our small apartment in New Jersey and so far away from what seems to be a hopeless and forever damaged \"Perlas ng Silanganan\". You are so right about the old NAIA - it hasn\'t changed a bit. After seeing so many international airports in the world, the Manila\'s airports are the worst letdowns to any visitor flying in or flying out of the country. The state of these airports alone should have been enough for those in government to be on their toes and get moving! Sometimes I think if the Philippines was ready for democracy. I would go back more than 20 years ago - to the Martial law years. Then President Marcos, despite being a tyrant, wielded his iron hand to instill discipline among the Filipinos. There was pride cleaning your own backyard, the streets, yourselves, and cleaning up the military and the government. There was order and peace. There was family planning, enough food, and a working class. The intention was right. Perhaps it this continued, the Philippines would have been another Singapore - clean, disciplined, maybe even sterile. But no. Give this country democracy and what happens? Chaos! Someone has to wield an iron hand once more - it\'s the only way for this country to get back on track.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
The thing with most of my fellow Filipinos is that when a foreigner tells things unpleasant about the country they quickly dismiss it as racist. In worst cases they shoot the writer down with comments that are not in any way relevant to the topic (you may have encountered a few commenting on your personality, your looks, etc.) I honestly was disappointed with your observation but that\'s the truth with Manila - it stinks. And we seem to be a people who have a hard time letting go of the past. We used to be great - and people always tell that when being compared to the situation today - but we are not anymore. I hope people commenting on how untrue your observations are are doing their part in not polluting the place or tolerating the people who make Manila sink any deeper. Otherwise I do not think they have right to get all defensive.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
The thing with most of my fellow Filipinos is that when a foreigner tells things unpleasant about the country they quickly dismiss it as racist. In worst cases they shoot the writer down with comments that are not in any way relevant to the topic (you may have encountered a few commenting on your personality, your looks, etc.) I honestly was disappointed with your observation but that\'s the truth with Manila - it stinks. And we seem to be a people who have a hard time letting go of the past. We used to be great - and people always tell that when being compared to the situation today - but we are not anymore. I hope people commenting on how untrue your observations are are doing their part in not polluting the place or tolerating the people who make Manila sink any deeper. Otherwise I do not think they have right to get all defensive.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
Good day. As a Filipina, I admire your honesty. However, I disagree with a couple of things: "For the Philippines the question is surely will it ever emerge from the mire into which it has sunk? Very frankly based on my very long experience of the place I really doubt it, in fact it is a 'disappearing' country if there is such a thing." Don't write us off yet. The Philippines as a country has officially existed for only a hundred years or so, and things have got to be worse before they look up. To say that we are disappearing won\'t really improve conditions at Discovery Suites, or the traffic situation. It would not help to compare us with other Asian countries, either, because different people have different national psyches.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Good day. As a Filipina, I admire your honesty. However, I disagree with a couple of things: "For the Philippines the question is surely will it ever emerge from the mire into which it has sunk? Very frankly based on my very long experience of the place I really doubt it, in fact it is a 'disappearing' country if there is such a thing." Don't write us off yet. The Philippines as a country has officially existed for only a hundred years or so, and things have got to be worse before they look up. To say that we are disappearing won\'t really improve conditions at Discovery Suites, or the traffic situation. It would not help to compare us with other Asian countries, either, because different people have different national psyches.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
As a Filipino, I am saddened by the fact that you see Manila as a dump, but I\'d be a hypocrite if I said that I don\'t feel the same way. Indeed, the Philippines is in shambles--the country itself is almost synonymous with poverty and corruption--but as a student, there\'s nothing much I could do to help. Except trying not to contribute to the filth. Anyway, your bluntness is oddly refreshing--it\'s a good wake-up call to all Filipinos.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
As a Filipino, I am saddened by the fact that you see Manila as a dump, but I\'d be a hypocrite if I said that I don\'t feel the same way. Indeed, the Philippines is in shambles--the country itself is almost synonymous with poverty and corruption--but as a student, there\'s nothing much I could do to help. Except trying not to contribute to the filth. Anyway, your bluntness is oddly refreshing--it\'s a good wake-up call to all Filipinos.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
oh yeah!! though the writer of this blog only gave an honest and real opinion, i couldn\'t take the comments of my fellow filipinos on this blog. Look at yourself on the mirror and ask this question, did you do something to become an asset of this country? I understand that it is us who greatly suffers from the mismanagement of our country but hey, the approach of Geoffrey was way too offensive. I love my country the way it is.. traffic, slums, dirt, cheap hotels, cockroaches, it all adds to the flavour and drama of the philippines. Though it may not look good for others, we all have given a power to choose.. Leave the country or stay. If you opt to stay, don\'t complain! If you leave, then don\'t blame your country for not giving you the salary that you need. It only shows that you complain because you wanted so much in your life that you cannot achieve it by working here or you do not have the patience to wait.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
oh yeah!! though the writer of this blog only gave an honest and real opinion, i couldn\'t take the comments of my fellow filipinos on this blog. Look at yourself on the mirror and ask this question, did you do something to become an asset of this country? I understand that it is us who greatly suffers from the mismanagement of our country but hey, the approach of Geoffrey was way too offensive. I love my country the way it is.. traffic, slums, dirt, cheap hotels, cockroaches, it all adds to the flavour and drama of the philippines. Though it may not look good for others, we all have given a power to choose.. Leave the country or stay. If you opt to stay, don\'t complain! If you leave, then don\'t blame your country for not giving you the salary that you need. It only shows that you complain because you wanted so much in your life that you cannot achieve it by working here or you do not have the patience to wait.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
i surely would love to see other people from foreign countries agree with your opinion and post it here. that way, i would believe that in \"general\" manila or Philippines deserves this awfully misleading bashful blog. because your blog all in all states that you don\'t like it here. we can\'t blame you that you have never been around and stayed longer to appreciate everything in here. i am one of the poor people here and i just want to reach out to you. you are very fortunate to be living that way while others are suffering from poverty while you are complaining about an awful coffee. most of your opinions are true and we can\'t defend our country because we all know that it\'s true. i just hoped that you should have written this with sympathy in it. \"you have to be a king to be treated like one\".. people would never understand your thoughts about manila, and you would never understand our thoughts about you and your blog. we live in different kinds of worlds and you will never know how to appreciate things even if it\'s not enough. you are very lucky Mr. Geoffrey, all you have to complain is about how dirty the place is, how bad is the traffic, why the food is just lukewarm, why the service is bad, why this coffee is bad, and why the airport never changes. i guess you have never complained about being poor, why you are jobless, that your family is hungry but you have nothing to feed them, why you are so unfortunate, why you are discriminated by so many rich people that doesn\'t have the heart to help instead, spoken ill of even if you have done nothing wrong to other people. you are so lucky Mr. Geoffrey, you have not experienced any of this in your life and im glad you haven\'t. i pity my country, i pity myself, but i pity you most. having money isn\'t everything. im sorry for all the troubles you have experienced here. im sorry if my comment looks bad or from an illiterate and from an unintelligent person unlike you..im sorry our country ever existed at your part. we would love to take action so no one could say bad things to our country but having a government as corrupt as ours will never take us anywhere but to the dirt. God bless you sir. i\'ll be glad if you post this, but if not, i know you have spent time to read this, and it\'s enough for me.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
i surely would love to see other people from foreign countries agree with your opinion and post it here. that way, i would believe that in \"general\" manila or Philippines deserves this awfully misleading bashful blog. because your blog all in all states that you don\'t like it here. we can\'t blame you that you have never been around and stayed longer to appreciate everything in here. i am one of the poor people here and i just want to reach out to you. you are very fortunate to be living that way while others are suffering from poverty while you are complaining about an awful coffee. most of your opinions are true and we can\'t defend our country because we all know that it\'s true. i just hoped that you should have written this with sympathy in it. \"you have to be a king to be treated like one\".. people would never understand your thoughts about manila, and you would never understand our thoughts about you and your blog. we live in different kinds of worlds and you will never know how to appreciate things even if it\'s not enough. you are very lucky Mr. Geoffrey, all you have to complain is about how dirty the place is, how bad is the traffic, why the food is just lukewarm, why the service is bad, why this coffee is bad, and why the airport never changes. i guess you have never complained about being poor, why you are jobless, that your family is hungry but you have nothing to feed them, why you are so unfortunate, why you are discriminated by so many rich people that doesn\'t have the heart to help instead, spoken ill of even if you have done nothing wrong to other people. you are so lucky Mr. Geoffrey, you have not experienced any of this in your life and im glad you haven\'t. i pity my country, i pity myself, but i pity you most. having money isn\'t everything. im sorry for all the troubles you have experienced here. im sorry if my comment looks bad or from an illiterate and from an unintelligent person unlike you..im sorry our country ever existed at your part. we would love to take action so no one could say bad things to our country but having a government as corrupt as ours will never take us anywhere but to the dirt. God bless you sir. i\'ll be glad if you post this, but if not, i know you have spent time to read this, and it\'s enough for me.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
Some of your observation might be true.... but still i believe and pray that soon there will be more improvement not only in MANILA but all over the Philippines.... cross fingers...
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Some of your observation might be true.... but still i believe and pray that soon there will be more improvement not only in MANILA but all over the Philippines.... cross fingers...
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
as the name suggests.
i have been raised, schooled, lived my 2 decades in manila, philippines capital of shameful things composed of dirty people roaming the streets asking for money carrying their babies on their back, blind couple raising their hands for some spare coins, heavy traffic, lots of racist people here and there who are dumb enough to stay because they are just dumb so all the smart ones have left and feeds the country and its government through their remittances. indeed, manila is a depressing, crumbling, filthy place where prostitutes outnumber bar hoppers at night. i haven\'t traveled far from home. if, it can be classified as such by your high standard of living. but based on my little mind taught by depressed, filthy teacher who hails from depressing, crumbling, filthy manila, i guess, what i call home is just a mere match box to you. my English is not good as those intelligentsia who sneer at my asian brothers and sisters for their lack of English who enrolls at universities around filthy crumbling depressing manila because fees are much affordable since we don\'t have a first class airport and suites such as discovery which is old, and i may have not understood every single thing you pointed out on your article. but one thing i can assure you. i know exactly what the word \"HOPE\" means. and by that alone, everything you said just disappeared in thin air. oh before i forgot, kindly, please, correct my grammar. it could help me. improve myself. thank you!
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
as the name suggests.
i have been raised, schooled, lived my 2 decades in manila, philippines capital of shameful things composed of dirty people roaming the streets asking for money carrying their babies on their back, blind couple raising their hands for some spare coins, heavy traffic, lots of racist people here and there who are dumb enough to stay because they are just dumb so all the smart ones have left and feeds the country and its government through their remittances. indeed, manila is a depressing, crumbling, filthy place where prostitutes outnumber bar hoppers at night. i haven\'t traveled far from home. if, it can be classified as such by your high standard of living. but based on my little mind taught by depressed, filthy teacher who hails from depressing, crumbling, filthy manila, i guess, what i call home is just a mere match box to you. my English is not good as those intelligentsia who sneer at my asian brothers and sisters for their lack of English who enrolls at universities around filthy crumbling depressing manila because fees are much affordable since we don\'t have a first class airport and suites such as discovery which is old, and i may have not understood every single thing you pointed out on your article. but one thing i can assure you. i know exactly what the word \"HOPE\" means. and by that alone, everything you said just disappeared in thin air. oh before i forgot, kindly, please, correct my grammar. it could help me. improve myself. thank you!
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
I admire this post being real and direct. (although most Filipinos get hysterical and overreact or even get offended with statements that are straight forward) It is hard to move forward for a country with a lot of people who dislike going through hard work. The \"colonization\" reason for this cultural defect is getting old and stupid. People here don\'t consider the country\'s property as theirs. Most people don\'t even take care of their properties! What can you expect from a country who care less about national progress? Yes, there are successful individuals, but how often do you find someone successful that actually \"care\" to help? not just to get privileges to pay less tax.... Yes, it is pointless to build a fort when everyone else is too busy destroying it. I have hopes...but as of now....???? srsly, WTF
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
I admire this post being real and direct. (although most Filipinos get hysterical and overreact or even get offended with statements that are straight forward) It is hard to move forward for a country with a lot of people who dislike going through hard work. The \"colonization\" reason for this cultural defect is getting old and stupid. People here don\'t consider the country\'s property as theirs. Most people don\'t even take care of their properties! What can you expect from a country who care less about national progress? Yes, there are successful individuals, but how often do you find someone successful that actually \"care\" to help? not just to get privileges to pay less tax.... Yes, it is pointless to build a fort when everyone else is too busy destroying it. I have hopes...but as of now....???? srsly, WTF
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
It\'s annoying that some fellow Filipinos would immediately jump to conclusions and take this as a personal insult - I don\'t give a damn where this blogger came from, he made valid points, and he had first-hand experience on how Manila used to be, back in its glory days. I would bet a lot of those who commented never saw how Manila was 20 years ago. The city problems, which was left barely checked, just kept on snowballing. Overpopulation, lack of proper waste disposal, littering en masse, traffic problems, lack of good service, loss of prestige... you all know these are happening, so I hope you all don\'t turn a blind eye from it solely because of misguided nationalistic pride where which ignorance is bliss (because nobody knows how to fix all these, and even if they do, they won\'t do it). For those visiting, the only saving grace are the nice, friendly people, which made my stay more than worth it. I have to quote you on this: \"But the Manila, where the intelligentsia sneer at their Asian brothers and sisters for their lack of English, is beaten hands down even by little Phnom Penh and left standing by every other mega-city in the region.\" Just my own personal rant: In my last visit (2009), I didn\'t really mind most of the things you have mentioned, but these people are the ones that annoyed me the most. You can see how highly they think of themselves, just because they think they have better English than most of the people there, and would sometimes flaunt it like total snots. Just for fun, I would talk to them casually (in English) and they would slip, lock up and go \"uhhhh... ummm\", or suddenly become incomprehensible just because I\'m telling them regular crap they don\'t hear while making/answering calls from someone overseas in their telemarketing/customer service call center jobs and their funny little versions of formal English. Don\'t knock on your fellow Filipinos for not being able to speak English as well as you do - it\'s likely you still suck at it outside of work, or you can only do formal school English that Filipinos only speak. And you\'re Filipinos - never forget your own damn native language. If you have a hint of Pinoy pride, our language is one of the things unique to us, and to forego that is like spitting on our heritage and culture.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
It\'s annoying that some fellow Filipinos would immediately jump to conclusions and take this as a personal insult - I don\'t give a damn where this blogger came from, he made valid points, and he had first-hand experience on how Manila used to be, back in its glory days. I would bet a lot of those who commented never saw how Manila was 20 years ago. The city problems, which was left barely checked, just kept on snowballing. Overpopulation, lack of proper waste disposal, littering en masse, traffic problems, lack of good service, loss of prestige... you all know these are happening, so I hope you all don\'t turn a blind eye from it solely because of misguided nationalistic pride where which ignorance is bliss (because nobody knows how to fix all these, and even if they do, they won\'t do it). For those visiting, the only saving grace are the nice, friendly people, which made my stay more than worth it. I have to quote you on this: \"But the Manila, where the intelligentsia sneer at their Asian brothers and sisters for their lack of English, is beaten hands down even by little Phnom Penh and left standing by every other mega-city in the region.\" Just my own personal rant: In my last visit (2009), I didn\'t really mind most of the things you have mentioned, but these people are the ones that annoyed me the most. You can see how highly they think of themselves, just because they think they have better English than most of the people there, and would sometimes flaunt it like total snots. Just for fun, I would talk to them casually (in English) and they would slip, lock up and go \"uhhhh... ummm\", or suddenly become incomprehensible just because I\'m telling them regular crap they don\'t hear while making/answering calls from someone overseas in their telemarketing/customer service call center jobs and their funny little versions of formal English. Don\'t knock on your fellow Filipinos for not being able to speak English as well as you do - it\'s likely you still suck at it outside of work, or you can only do formal school English that Filipinos only speak. And you\'re Filipinos - never forget your own damn native language. If you have a hint of Pinoy pride, our language is one of the things unique to us, and to forego that is like spitting on our heritage and culture.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
aargh
I am Filipino and live in Manila and all you said are right. Don\'t worry about the negative comments. Most of them come from the politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen who are responsible for this mess of a country anyway. As for the smart people having left, some chose to remain, but only for sentimental reasons. And the provinces are still livable. I hope you return.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
aargh
I am Filipino and live in Manila and all you said are right. Don\'t worry about the negative comments. Most of them come from the politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen who are responsible for this mess of a country anyway. As for the smart people having left, some chose to remain, but only for sentimental reasons. And the provinces are still livable. I hope you return.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
I think you are just being honest. Seriously, don't mind them. I'm a Filipino, and I know what's going on. As a commuting student, I always commute across Manila by train (MRT). I see buses not following traffic laws, pedestrians still jaywalking at EDSA, corrupt traffic enforcers etc etc. And I must say Filipinos must face the truth that we have this kind of problems. PS: I also hate the traffic.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
I think you are just being honest. Seriously, don't mind them. I'm a Filipino, and I know what's going on. As a commuting student, I always commute across Manila by train (MRT). I see buses not following traffic laws, pedestrians still jaywalking at EDSA, corrupt traffic enforcers etc etc. And I must say Filipinos must face the truth that we have this kind of problems. PS: I also hate the traffic.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
Unbelievable how you only publish comments that actually agree with you. You\\\'re so thick and full of it, it\\\'s ridiculous. If you were so unhappy with Discovery Suites, you should\\\'ve left and paid extra for Shangri-la. All this whinging because you\\\'re too cheap to spring for decent accommodations. Also, if you have to call yourself an intellectual, you obviously aren\\\'t. Please.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Comments
Unbelievable how you only publish comments that actually agree with you. You\\\'re so thick and full of it, it\\\'s ridiculous. If you were so unhappy with Discovery Suites, you should\\\'ve left and paid extra for Shangri-la. All this whinging because you\\\'re too cheap to spring for decent accommodations. Also, if you have to call yourself an intellectual, you obviously aren\\\'t. Please.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Comments
Date: 14th October 2011
The indefatigable traveller.
What a brilliant thing to do, indeed! Travelling to the same country, going to the same hotel, going to the same places? OHMYGOD. Do you have some sort of routine? Of course! A travel blogger! The blogger that acts like a "critic" but fails. The blogger that actually gets publicity for being a twat that besmirches a reputations. What an attention seeker. Bravo article though, exposed that in this world - or in the eyes of a stranger, only material objects are good. Oh! And by the way, 11 year olds like me actually have more sense than your brain cells morbidly filled with cynicism.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
The indefatigable traveller.
What a brilliant thing to do, indeed! Travelling to the same country, going to the same hotel, going to the same places? OHMYGOD. Do you have some sort of routine? Of course! A travel blogger! The blogger that acts like a "critic" but fails. The blogger that actually gets publicity for being a twat that besmirches a reputations. What an attention seeker. Bravo article though, exposed that in this world - or in the eyes of a stranger, only material objects are good. Oh! And by the way, 11 year olds like me actually have more sense than your brain cells morbidly filled with cynicism.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
i know right?
i lived here in the philippines since i was born. there's no way to sugarcoat this, but i think i agree with you. manila sucks. so come here and enjoy cebu. hehehhe :p
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
i know right?
i lived here in the philippines since i was born. there's no way to sugarcoat this, but i think i agree with you. manila sucks. so come here and enjoy cebu. hehehhe :p
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
It is true...
Thanks for reminding us that our Capital city stinks and our government and national leaders don't take the initiative to repair such things. But I would like to correct the part that smart people leave the Philippines, on the contrary smart people stay but practical people leaves the poor situation of the country to look for greener pasture and send their money here. It is very important to note that we Filipinos should focus on our own development although foreign remittances help but it doesn't cure the problem but lengthens it all the more. National Economic Development Plan in order to materialize needs people and manpower.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
It is true...
Thanks for reminding us that our Capital city stinks and our government and national leaders don't take the initiative to repair such things. But I would like to correct the part that smart people leave the Philippines, on the contrary smart people stay but practical people leaves the poor situation of the country to look for greener pasture and send their money here. It is very important to note that we Filipinos should focus on our own development although foreign remittances help but it doesn't cure the problem but lengthens it all the more. National Economic Development Plan in order to materialize needs people and manpower.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
I like the pictures in your blog!
Hi, You really took some amazing pictures there! I can see that you do enjoy the traveling. Take the chance to share a working on line system with you. Working hard for 2 years and it would bring you uninterrupted income weekly!I Even you are enjoy the long vocation!! That would be the real vocation!! Sign up and experience it. ==> www.goo.gl/x7rNe
I like the pictures in your blog!
Hi, You really took some amazing pictures there! I can see that you do enjoy the traveling. Take the chance to share a working on line system with you. Working hard for 2 years and it would bring you uninterrupted income weekly!I Even you are enjoy the long vocation!! That would be the real vocation!! Sign up and experience it. ==> www.goo.gl/x7rNe
Date: 14th October 2011
All right. Everyone\'s got their own fucking opinion. But, fuck, if you\'re going to express what you feel or how you see Manila, you better be damned respectful in doing so. I get what you mean, though. Manila\'s a fucking mess, but, come on. You made it sound like this shithole\'s lost all hope. I still believe that Manila has a brighter future ahead, if, and only if, its residents fully realize how bad this place has gotten. Be a little bit more, no, just be fucking objective the next time you decide to rant about shitty experiences. Oh, one more thing. Don\'t expect a warm fucking welcome the next time you come around. Manilenyos don\'t need assholes like you talking shit about their home, all right?
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
All right. Everyone\'s got their own fucking opinion. But, fuck, if you\'re going to express what you feel or how you see Manila, you better be damned respectful in doing so. I get what you mean, though. Manila\'s a fucking mess, but, come on. You made it sound like this shithole\'s lost all hope. I still believe that Manila has a brighter future ahead, if, and only if, its residents fully realize how bad this place has gotten. Be a little bit more, no, just be fucking objective the next time you decide to rant about shitty experiences. Oh, one more thing. Don\'t expect a warm fucking welcome the next time you come around. Manilenyos don\'t need assholes like you talking shit about their home, all right?
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
Born and raised in Alabang. Moved to the States in 1991. Has gotten back and forth the Philippines 10 times since then. Manila has gotten worse. Everything is in shambles. The only beautiful places are Makati and the islands. Traffic is the worst, poverty is worst, the government questionable and crime is worst. The NAIA Airport? The Aquino family should have thought hard to use the \"International\" after Ninoy. That airport is an embarassment. Same with the domestic airport. But still, we keep coming back to Manila. Bangkok and other Asian countries have flourished even after their terrible crisis, they have flourished. To see our very own country in a very depressive state, is very frustrating and so sad. God Save the Philippines.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Born and raised in Alabang. Moved to the States in 1991. Has gotten back and forth the Philippines 10 times since then. Manila has gotten worse. Everything is in shambles. The only beautiful places are Makati and the islands. Traffic is the worst, poverty is worst, the government questionable and crime is worst. The NAIA Airport? The Aquino family should have thought hard to use the \"International\" after Ninoy. That airport is an embarassment. Same with the domestic airport. But still, we keep coming back to Manila. Bangkok and other Asian countries have flourished even after their terrible crisis, they have flourished. To see our very own country in a very depressive state, is very frustrating and so sad. God Save the Philippines.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Date: 14th October 2011
Hi Geof! Im a full blooded Filipino, I\'ve stayed here all my life, grew up in the cordillera mountains and I\'m studying now in Manila. Fuck wow you spoke in behalf of the Filipinos who\'s sick for their country! All you said were right, I totally agree. Its because of the sick corrupt government. Look at our current president, I can\'t even feel him! I feel no improvements in the country. I feel worsening and it sucks. Filipinos who react negatively to your article are blind and immature!
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Hi Geof! Im a full blooded Filipino, I\'ve stayed here all my life, grew up in the cordillera mountains and I\'m studying now in Manila. Fuck wow you spoke in behalf of the Filipinos who\'s sick for their country! All you said were right, I totally agree. Its because of the sick corrupt government. Look at our current president, I can\'t even feel him! I feel no improvements in the country. I feel worsening and it sucks. Filipinos who react negatively to your article are blind and immature!
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing
Maria
non-member comment
Your post may offend some people, but mostly because it is the harsh truth. More Filipinos should see this. Not to hurt but to open their eyes to reality. You should send this to our president. Kidding. Or maybe not.
From Blog: Philippines - Manila - Awfully Disappointing