All beat, no rhythm

A visit to the Lion City is always an uneasy delight. Singapore roars as the booming showcase of Asia. The living proof that fierce determination and political will can successfully transform a tiny piece of rock into the metropolis of the future. From the time it gained independence in 1965, the island state now boasts of having the world’s number one airline, the best airport, the busiest port of trade and the fourth highest per capita income in the world. It is also rated as one of the top 20 countries with the best quality of life. These were all achieved in just four and a half decades. Indeed Singapore has come “From Third World to First”, as the title of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s personal memoir boasts.

And that’s where the uneasiness lies. Singapore is Philippines’ “coulda, woulda, shoulda” been. No thinking person can help but compare it to the Philippines. How the Strongman Lee Kuan Yew steered his nation to become the crown jewel that it is now, versus how the dictator Ferdinand Marcos ran the Philippines to the ground. Both came into power in the mid-sixties. Now Singapore is a prince and Philippines is still a pauper.

The city state has its share of detractors. A colleague once described Singapore as “antiseptic”. But even that was not altogether a putdown. There was a hint of begrudged admiration. With AH1N1, SARS, bird flu, dengue and other mutated super viruses in the air, there are far worse things than living in a sterile city.

Others say it’s a cinch to lead five million disciplined Singaporeans compared to 92 million unruly Pinoys. But the excuse falls flat with a quick look at their history. After the devastation of the Second World War, Singapore also experienced a legacy of divisive colonialism following the withdrawal of the British forces. There was widespread poverty and chaos, but their leaders fearlessly forged ahead.

With obsessive-compulsive zeal, Lee Kuan Yew designed his state from scratch. From choosing the shrubbery that will green his city in manicured harmony and the flora from a palette that adds choreographed colors, restoring the romance of the historical landmark Raffles hotel, and unabashedly exhorting and pairing off men and women with high educational achievement to populate Singapore, literally no stone was left unturned. Today’s safe, neat and spotlessly clean Singapore bears Lee’s unmistakable stamp.

To achieve their goals without obstacles, Lee’s government staved off the communist threat to the state’s security, then began the process of nation building. They built infrastructure through a virtually barren land. They created a small but well-trained army from a racially and ideologically divided population. Lastly, they wiped out the last vestiges of colonial-era corruption. They provided mass public housing, and established a national airline and airport. Even the recent entry of Marina Bay Sands was meticulously planned. The casino is restricted from the locals. Only those deemed well-off enough can gamble.

A rabid tour guide named Fifi proudly revealed that Singapore is equipped with underground bunkers that are well-stocked with food and basic provisions for survival for many months, in the event of an apocalyptic event. As if Changi airport was not impressive enough, the adjacent roads can easily turn into additional runways if needed. The potted plants only need to be moved out and presto, an airplane can land or take-off. She quotes the founding father as having vowed that, “Singapore will never be kicked around again.”

Fifi finished her ode to their country by avowing that their success is due to zero tolerance for corruption. She quotes the Singapore corruption index of .0125, one of the lowest in the world, and then commiserates with the Filipinos for the reputation of being the most corrupt country in the world. Throughout the tour, she bursts into song at the slightest opportunity. Fortunately, she has a mellifluous voice that’s easy enough for a captive audience to appreciate. But no doubt, she was singing not just to show off her talent, but to prove that the famed Filipino gift for singing is also in Singaporeans.

So much of the island city’s success is attributed to their leaders. But a measure of that must be credited to the Fifis of Singapore. There is a term that describes the so-called Singaporean mojo. “Kiasu” is the rallying call of the rank and file. The closest meaning is “will not be outdone”. Every Fifi tries to stretch her capabilities to the maximum and competes to be her best. So instead of hiring Filipinos to perform in Universal Studios the way Hongkong’s Disneyland did, Singaporeans would rather do it themselves, or die trying. Never mind that dancing and singing are beyond their core competence of math or science. Never mind that their Singlish is very difficult to understand or their dancing very wooden. They firmly believe that soon they will be better. For now they’re all beat, but no rhythm. It’s just a matter of diligent practice. Kiasu. It’s the opposite of the Filipino’s penchant for self-deprecation. It could be the last essential ingredient in the little country’s winning recipe for finding their place in the sun.

The first 100 days of P-Noy’s administration just whizzed by. So much ado has been made over the so-called report card. He still has 2090 days to lead us closer to his vision. Despite some minor setbacks and major crabbing from political enemies, no one can argue that from all indications, our country is poised to soar. The first requirement is in place: an honest, incorruptible leader. If all his handpicked men and women walk the straight and narrow path with him, that’s even better. But in the end, it will take the best in every Filipino to make the Best Philippines ever. That means moving in rhythm to the baton of the conductor without missing a beat. That will beat “kiasu” for sure.

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