For this recent historical event, the US electing the first African-American President, I would like to know your reactions. I have two sets of questions for Filipinos in the Philippines and Filipinos living abroad. Please read the questions and feel free to leave me a long comment. Your answers are not limited to my questions, so if you think there are questions we should be addressing, do let me know. If you know of other people interested to answer these questions, please let them know of this discussion.
- Questions for Filipinos in the Philippines: How did you view this election? Do you think the Obama administration will have an impact on Philippine-US relations? Do you think Philippine-US relations will improve under Obama leadership?
- Questions for Filipinos living outside the Philippines including the US: How did you view this election? Was the win for Obama a win for minorities specifically Filipinos in the US?
I'm happy for Obama's win. However, I don't think it would grant major improvement into US-Philippines relationship. The man has good intentions to make things better within and outside the US given a chance. But he's got priorities of course.
ReplyDeleteI've read some of his short-term and long-term programs for the US. I have faith that some Filipinos would benefit from those, and the minority as pertained. But the extent of being benefited will not solely depend on him. The (better) changes would be coming sooner or later depending on the whole government's effort. But the nicest thing at this point is that US is being headed by a non-traditional politician.
Here in UAE, not just the Filipinos, but seemingly all the nationalities were pleased by the election's results. They have high regard to the man who is leading US at this point (whether it's Obama or not) because he's "blessed" and "destined" to be at one of the most challenging chapters of running the government and people.
yikes, i'm scared to be the first one to comment on such a touchy subject as politics!
ReplyDeleteanywho, i hope no one takes it as an offense or whatever, because to be completely honest, i'm a conservative by heart and ideals. always was, always will be. so i'm still on the process of accepting what are the democrats' sets of ideals and principles. on the other hand, it is biblical to trust and support the one in authority, so i am also hoping and praying that obama will indeed live up to the expectations of the people, especially on issues of racial divides and equal opportunities for everybody in the US regardless of color and race.
on a positive note, i really appreciate how he has united the americans after sooooo many years. that was unbelievably good and heartwarming to see. even on tv. :)
The day the results were up, i overheard a group of tricycle drivers discussing the US presidential elections. one said, "si obama na, pare. si obama na." Like those tricycle drivers and other numerous Filipinos in this part of the world I paid attention to what's happening out there, knowing that, in this internetted world we live in, we are somehow affected. About how it will improve our relationship with the US? I can only hope.
ReplyDeleteJust another thought. About US-Philippines relationship. It's still relatively the same. But Obama-GMA's relationship? I think it's sort of chilly at the moment.
ReplyDeleteGMA has been 'snobbed' by Obama twice. First was last June and then when he didn't accommodate her congratulatory call. He has accepted congratulations from nine presidents and prime ministers last Thursday, except for Arroyo.
Sure he is so busy, and if and only if he will make damage control by returning her call in the coming days, she's already "embarrassed". Seems like he doesn't see Philippines important enough that he did take the calls only from those countries who will be important in US foreign policy initiatives.
It looks like Arroyo is desperate to be seen or associated with Obama. While he doesn't want any dealing with her because of her lame reputation internationally, not to mention the corruption and scandals. Maybe, he's trying to be a gentleman by simply not returning her call. Eventually, her term will end soon.
I don't want to believe that his winning won't have an impact, because it will. We shouldn't be proud enough to admit that. The common Filipino might not directly feel it, but in general, because we live in one world, we have a connection with each other. And whatever Obama does with America will definitely affect us in one way or another.
ReplyDeleteThe residue of racism will remain in all the Southern States, that said, ethnicity or nationality no longer exists nor it is an excuse not to achieve your dreams. MLK's dream became a reality 11/04/2008.
ReplyDeleteMy only disappointment in politics are the individuals or groups' indignation who fiercely stood up for someone who he's not supposed to be. That was McCain. He was not a war hero. Yet there were those stuck to him with his incoherent running mate at the end.
The issues at hand were more important and it was the black man who persevered, so brilliant people on the other fence have difficulty embracing. Two blogs I visit frequently, where discussions about this past elections, continue to rage. Some of us are on the left, and there are rightists. It's heated but good arguments - since Obama won, it's safe to say, our donkey kicked some elephant's butt.
good questions!
ReplyDeletein general, Obama winning is I think a breakthrough in US politics and in the whole world where traditional politicians are very much the norm.
Obama is the first Afro-American president, with comprehensive international and cultural background, and the first president to be born outside continental USA. I think he is really unique and he has big changes to make.
Now, regarding about the Philippines- US Relations under Obama's administration, perhaps it will improve, but we don't know to which extent.
It seems that the new leader has much other more urgent tasks to tackle upon taking office, like the situation in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, energy issues, etc. But I am positive that the Philippines-Us Relations will at least not go worst under Obama's leadership.:-)
Questions for Filipinos living outside the Philippines including the US: How did you view this election? Was the win for Obama a win for minorities specifically Filipinos in the US?
ReplyDeleteHere's my answer:
No, for 4 main reasons:
1) His stance on illegal immigration hurts Filipino immigrants by creating a negative sentiment in the USA against all immigrants and if amnesty passes going thru USCIS would be and even bigger pain the rear than it is now.
2)Most Filipinos are hard-working and business-minded. His policies are against those who are hardworking and business minded. Asians are statistically some of the highest wage earners who will be hit by his policies.
3)His winning set back the racial divide. It did not help it. The reason I say this is the mark for a non-racial country was stated by Martin Luther King Jr--- that we are not judged by the color of our skin by the content of our character. This whole election process has been about his skin color when if people look at his character it is lacking.
4)The standard values of marriage, faith,abortion, work ethic and more that are common to Filipinos are in direct opposition to almost all of Obama's stances on topics.
That's pretty much it.
Thanks,
Anah
The campaign period played out for quite some time with most of the media networks openly endorsing the now President elect Obama. So I understand how you can suffer from politics overdose.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is a historical moment for the US to have its first black President. A president who will lead a country with the most diverse population ever in its rich and colorful history.
As for its impact on Philippine US relations, President elect Obama has alot of important issues he will need to address as soon as possible like the economic meltdown, the Iraq war, the decline in stock market etc. The sooner he tackles the problems by cleaning up the mess he inherited, the better it will bode for the Philippines or the entire world for that matter.
Joe Biden, his Vice President was correct in stating that President elect Obama will be tested in the first 6 months of his term. Although it was implied that Biden didn't believe in the leadership capability of his running mate, I think he made a valid point.
Therefore, let's hope that Obama lives up to the tremendous pressure that has been put upon his shoulders and delivers! It will certainly making life much easier to handle.
While there was genuine interest in the political exercises, some of us Filipinos regarded the elections with the same passion that usually comes with a Manny Pacquaio fight. I even think most of us may have rooted for Obama for "telenovela" reasons: you know, the case of the underdog and all. In any case, Obama's vicory is one for the books, historic as it is.
ReplyDeleteI can only hope that the Philippines will be at an advantage with his presidency. I know for sure, though, that before he can focus on foreign relations, Obama will have his hands full getting the US economy back on track.
A win for Fil-Ams specifically? I'm not sure. There are a lot of Fil-Am republicans, too. But it is a win in the sense that it shows that America is a more color-blind society than it once was. That's a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteA good chance is that people will be more hesitant to call or notice you you by the color of your skin, so for the black Pinoys, Good Luck! For the white Pinoys, double up the hard times you were working, and you'll get to see what he is really doing for the US.
ReplyDeleteHi Kayni, dropping by...
ReplyDeletePolitics is beyond my grasp. So I don't have an opinion to share :))
Have a great day!