Designer’s Dilemma

In the nineties, a controversial Oxford Dictionary supposedly published the word “Filipina” as a maid or domestic helper as its definition - something that raised a lot of eyebrows and criticisms during that period. It was a sure slap in the face of all Filipino people who throughout the world, especially the overseas workers who have endured more than enough to work abroad just to have a better future for their families in the Philippines. Today, we are faced with the same dilemma as economic turmoil in the country just never ceases to reach greater heights, this dilemma simply put is called - JPEPA. To put a long story short, this agreement would turn the Philippines into Japan’s official garbage disposal facility - One BIG TRASH CAN, if I may.

So what has this agreement got to do with the “Domestic Helper” definition during the nineties?? - well for one, I would not want to be defined with any word that can be associated with “Garbage”, and I’m pretty sure a lot of Filipinos would agree. I’m not really against the GMA regime as my opinion is that she really wants good things to happen for the Philippines (economically, that is), and she’s willing to sacrifice A LOT of things - including her public image and the way the people would remember her, just to see the country back in its feet, although, I still think that JPEPA is just rushing things too much.

What can possibly be more important than economic growth for the Philippines right now?!? Maybe, just maybe, a little Dignity and a lot of Self-Respect would help in the long run…. I guess that would go for our government officials as well. But who am I to say anything about this…. I’m just another designer in the greater scheme of this thing that we tend to call life.

I can only wonder what would happen to us if ever this agreement pushes through - How will the people take it?? How will the world take it?? Will we ever find our own image doing the same mistakes over and over?? Should we just give up on hoping that the country would improve economically and be able to compete globally?? I guess as long as we have our “Every Man for Himself” attitude, then it’s not really a fight worth fighting for….. I’m not even sure if I should call it a fight or a beating……

Filed under: Personal, Politics on July 21st, 2008