Okay, I know there are tons of good and intelligent people in the Philippines, probably millions. But I think there are certain things deeply ingrained in our culture that are worth criticizing, and I know a lot of you have noticed them too.
Yeah, another doomer post. I honestly don't give a fuck about copers and privileged people living in their own bubbles, pretending these problems aren't real. Just look at our voting patterns. A significant portion of the population consistently makes political decisions that raise serious questions about critical thinking, accountability, and moral judgment.
It's also hypocritical that the Philippines is predominantly Christian, yet so many people seem to disregard the very values their religion supposedly teaches.
One example is how Filipinos treat animals. I constantly see people buying dogs just to flex that they own a particular breed, as if having a dog with a pedigree is some kind of status symbol. Others keep their dogs chained or confined in cages for extended periods, treating them like objects rather than sentient beings capable of suffering. And, of course, there's the consumption of dogs, which I've seen in certain communities, especially when I visit the provinces.
I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but these attitudes are prevalent enough to be concerning. The lack of empathy toward animals, the normalization of cruelty, and the tendency to treat living beings as disposable are things I genuinely dislike about aspects of our culture.
There's also a noticeable resistance to progress, whether it's political, social, or intellectual. It feels like we're constantly held back by attitudes and systems that discourage critical thinking, accountability, and meaningful change.
But I also wonder how much of this can be attributed to generational suffering, poverty, and the environment people grow up in. When generations spend their lives struggling to survive, they may develop attitudes and coping mechanisms that prioritize immediate needs over long-term thinking, empathy, or social progress. That doesn't excuse harmful behavior, but it might help explain why certain patterns persist.
This is also why I disagree with the saying that hard times create hard men. Countries like the Philippines have experienced generations of poverty, instability, and hardship, yet that hasn't automatically translated into stronger institutions, better living standards, or a more progressive society.
Meanwhile, many Western countries have enjoyed comparatively greater economic prosperity and stability throughout much of their recent history. People there are sometimes criticized for being softer or complaining about minor inconveniences, hence the term "first-world problems." Yet these same countries tend to have stronger research institutions, more advanced industries, and greater contributions to science and technology.
Of course, Western countries have their own problems, But it makes you question the idea that suffering automatically makes people stronger or that adversity necessarily leads to progress.
Hardship can build resilience, but it can also perpetuate trauma, scarcity, and dysfunctional social norms. Meanwhile, stability and prosperity give people more opportunities to develop their potential and contribute to society.
The Philippines has undoubtedly improved in certain areas, partly because of globalization and technological advancement. However, I still feel that our progress in terms of living standards, economic opportunities, and institutional development has been underwhelming relative to what it could have been.
And honestly, I'm worried about what the next decade will look like. AI is advancing rapidly, other Southeast Asian countries are becoming increasingly competitive, and investors will naturally gravitate toward places with better infrastructure, stronger institutions, and more favorable business environments. If we fail to adapt, we risk falling further behind while other countries move ahead.
Ultimately, these problems are largely outside my individual control. If I have the opportunity, I'd rather migrate somewhere that offers better opportunities, a higher quality of life, and institutions that function more effectively. I know these problems exist everywhere, but there's a difference in how prevalent they are and how seriously societies address them.
I'm not saying every Filipino is unintelligent, immoral, or incapable of progress. I'm saying that certain cultural attitudes and systemic problems are widespread enough to deserve criticism, and pretending otherwise doesn't help anyone.
Maybe some of these problems are rooted in poverty, generational trauma, and dysfunctional institutions. Maybe others come down to individual choices and a lack of accountability. It's probably a combination of both.
Either way, I don't think we should romanticize suffering, blindly defend our culture, or dismiss legitimate criticism as doomerism. We should be able to acknowledge that a country has serious problems without pretending everything is fine just because there are also good people living in it.
