Why I prefer to stay in the Philippines?

The Philippines, for sure, is no paradise on earth. But for all the problems of this nation, there are still some little blessings that we should be thankful for.

Choosing to stay here or in America actually had always been a problem for me – given my status as a US immigrant. However, I only have a year to decide. Should I stay here or settle in the States for good? Between you and me, I think I’m more inclined now to stay here – although I may still change my mind tomorrow or the day after.

But what are the reasons why I should stay here in the Philippines? I wish I could say – "So that I may be of service to my country." Unfortunately, I don’t have extra skills or the extraordinary ability to help transform the Philippines into a First World nation.

Since I have nothing much to offer, I just try to be a good and responsible citizen of this country – and this includes not breaking traffic rules, not spitting in public and not being a menace to my fellow Filipino. However, I’m still trying to learn how to segregate wet and dry garbage.

But taxes? I’m proud to say that I pay a lot – ouch! – since we in the entertainment profession are required to pay so much (Ouch again!).

But going back to why I feel like staying here in the Philippines.

Actually, the United States really has a lot more to offer – we might as well accept that fact. There are more job opportunities there – but don’t give me that "there is dignity of labor" crap there. A blue-collar worker is a blue-collar worker – at least, that was my experience there. But I have to admit though that there is much more equality in the US than here.

On my way back from a recent US trip, however, it just dawned on me that the Philippines isn’t really all that bad. (Maybe I just missed it after being away from quite a while.)

On board the Philippines Airlines, I started picturing in my mind the changes in structure here in Metro Manila. Of course, the flyovers and that elevated track of the MRT along EDSA are so hopelessly ugly. But the MRT coaches? They’re a lot cleaner (being newer) compared to those subway trains in New York.

But Makati, in spite of its traffic, is so beautiful to me now – especially with its pedestrian-friendly overpasses. And Greenbelt 3 is so lovely, the atmosphere there reminds me of that area outside Universal Studios at night (you know, where the shops are).

Manila is not to be outdone either – thanks to the efforts of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, the boardwalk off Manila Bay and the Intramuros area are places we can enjoy and show off to foreign visitors.

Quezon City, on the other hand, had always been a wonderful place for me because of the trees and the wide-open spaces. I think it’s pretty well maintained under QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte.

Of course, there are areas that need to be rehabilitated in the metropolis (and in other parts of the country), but I’ve noticed changes (for the better) in recent years.

And no matter what they say about Baguio, which is now second home to me, I still think it’s a beautiful place. It’s really just Session Road and some of the side streets that have become dirty and polluted. But try other areas in Baguio – like Green Valley, for example – and you can still savor clean, fresh air. (It’s foggy there even at noontime.)

Driving to Las Vegas last month and passing through upland roads between the mountains of California and Nevada, I thought to myself, hey, this looks very much like the Marcos Highway going up to Baguio. Maybe I was being homesick again, but for sure, I wasn’t hallucinating.

So what else is in the United States that you don’t find here? Okay, let’s just simplify things and enumerate the usual stuff most typical Pinoy tourists hanker for in the US.

Malls? As far as I am concerned, the Shangri-La mall is better and more beautiful than most malls in America.

Clothes? I don’t know about that because I don’t particularly like clothes. I buy mine off the rack here in local department stores and have some made by local designer Toby Albrando (who, by the way, makes fantastic suits). Neither do I like shoes. Those that I wear are locally made.

Food? Okay, let me pack my bags and take the first flight to America – just kidding!

Honestly, I sometimes hanker for the food there – especially the fruits like cherries (now in season in the US) and persimmon (which comes around during the latter part of the year).

Call it "mababaw," but I go crazy over the sodas there. (There was a time when they introduced colorless root beer there.) Mercifully, we now have Vanilla Coke here and I think they’re also bringing Cherry Coke (my all-time favorite next to Dr. Pepper, now known as the drink of Spiderman) here soon. (But have you tasted Dalandan soda? It’s so good – and affordable, too.)

As for the other junk foods, most of these are readily available in our supermarkets – although quite costly, of course. And that’s the sad part because you have to have a lot of money to buy imported goods. No, I’m not pushing for colonial mentality here, but let’s just admit the fact that most of us prefer foreign stuff. (Why do I get the feeling now I’m going to get it in the Inbox section of this paper in the coming days?)

Fortunately, I’ve been trying to keep my weight down and I can do away without American junk food for a while. (I’m feasting on siniguelas now, which is good and in season.)

As for my urge to migrate, it’s no longer as strong as before (this will depend on the developments in my personal life). Yes, in spite of all our problems here, I still see hope for this country and I say this because of all these nice little changes that I see all around.

Happy Independence Day! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!