Amusement was written all over my face when I first heard
this question in Jakarta airport. For fear of being asked more questions though
which might lead to deportation, I just opted to merely nod my head in
agreement. The next time I was asked this question was in an international
Christian school where I would be spending two years of my life as a
teacher. I then launched into lengthy discussion what the people in the
Philippines are called. I explained that the country where I came from is
called as Philippines but the people are called as Filipinos.
Soon enough though, I got tired explaining. Indonesians
simply refer Filipinos as ‘Philippine’. Who started it? I have no
vaguest idea.
However, what the ‘Philippine’ means to this country
was slowly unfolded for almost four months of my stay here. I was in Carrefour
with a friend one time and I was inquiring about modem when I was asked again
that famous question, ‘Are you a Philippine?’ Of course, I just
smiled and said yes. One of them scurried off looking for somebody who can talk
to me in English. Something was very evident- respect and admiration.
The warmth hospitality of Indonesians whenever they ask me if
I am a Philippine did not end in the airport, groceries, or in
the school where I am teaching.
It was during the end of the year holiday last June that I
was able to completely grasp what the word Philippine means
for them. Being left alone in the huge house was not in my vocabulary so I
endured the travel almost everyday just to stay with my friends in Citra Garden
and City Resort. I traveled by taxi and though I have this habit of pretending
to sleep as soon as I give the address for fear of being asked so many
questions, the effort was futile. Taxi drivers in Indonesia have this warm
personality that they seem to know that I am, a Philippine. As soon
as I nod my head, the smile is instant, the respect is written all over their
faces.
One taxi driver who knows how to speak little English told
me, ‘Philippine’ teachers are very good. They speak English so
clearly and all those who come from the Philippines are teachers.
The conversation with that driver was only the beginning of
many other encounters affirming his statement. It’s overwhelming how highly
respected the Filipinos are in this country. In my four months of stay here, I
noticed that Filipinos have two kinds of jobs here- either teachers or
administrators. It is no wonder then that Filipinos are receiving this kind of
deference from this country.
When I traveled to Singapore twice for processing of my
papers, I did miss that instantaneous smile and admiration whenever I affirm
that I am indeed a Philippine.
The high regard for Filipinos is highly evident in this
country. If it were not for the warmth hospitality of the Indonesians, I would
have found it impossibly difficult to adjust in a country where most people
don’t speak English. But, their always ready smile helped me a lot with my
adjustment here. The kindness emanates from school to roads, and odd places
where you would never expect to find good people. Surprisingly, I am in a
foreign country but I feel safer traveling even late at night knowing how much
respect we are getting here.
I have only spent four months here, but the love and kindness
of the Indonesians has rubbed off this wave of inspiration in me to spread the
richness of their culture, the kindness of their heart, and the simplicity of
their lives.
Now, I no longer feel amused whenever I receive
that kind of question. Early today, after spending days in a friend's house and
on my way back to my own place, the taxi driver told me, "Oh, Philippine.
Very good ya." I just smiled kindly at him. I know Philippine connotes
something which I must be so proud of- respect.
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