IT’S embarrassing as a host country not only because of the initial boo-boo involving lack of coordination among those who are in charge with venue, accommodation and media handling during the arrival of the international guests but also because of how our fellow countrymen reacted and how some even took advantage on making the situation worse than it was.
When Pinatubo erupted and devastated most of Central Luzon, the Filipinos showed resiliency and lent a helping hand. When super typhoon Yolanda swept vast communities in Tacloban and Leyte, we reached out to help those in need. When the gallant SAF 44 policemen were killed in Mamasapano, we’ve sent our sincere sympathies to the fallen officers and to their family. And with the recent earthquakes that shook Mindanao, we showed our support and empathy. But why do we need tragedies to arrive before we unite for one another?
One of the known qualities of Filipinos that made other nations envy of us is our hospitality. By history, this proverbial asset has made foreign nationals keep coming back and has made more overseas employers choose Filipinos especially those in line with medical health care.
But in spite of this esteemed reputation, the problem with some Filipinos is that they bear this crab mentality. The melancholic verity of this metaphor is the fact that it is commonly observed in our day-to-day activities like in workplace, government service, learning institutions, even in shopping malls.
We can all agree that there were some cringe-worthy mishandles in Phisgoc’s coordinators as both hotel management and sports teams were filled with bewilderment that occurred at the start when flights came in. Athletes waiting for hours while some transporting to a different venue, while some also criticized how the media and broadcast were marginally mismanaged.
The lamentable part during this fiasco is when partisan personalities took the opportunity to make it a political story and put blame on the current administration. And what really should bother us is how publications of fake news were able to circulate freely like hot pandesal.
Even in war, there is a time for a ceasefire. Stop the Pinoy crab. The world is watching us. Let’s share what we can no matter how small to make this event full of good memories for our guests.
With this year’s official tagline “We Win As One,” let us stop nitpicking on the flaws of some and instead unite as one in proving not only in Southeast Asia but also in the whole world that we, the Filipinos, known for being hospitable and also identified as one of the happiest people in the planet can show them our true qualities as great citizens of this archipelago.
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Kuya J Pelayo IV is a Kapampangan broadcast journalist. For comments and suggestions, e-mail at 4th.pelayo@gmail.com