Sunday 26 October 2014

PHILIPPINES EXPERIENCE

Black or White: source: google images.
 
Fellow Nigerians, it is my greatest pleasure to share with you my experience so far in the Philippines. If I tell you not to travel to the Philippines, you may ask me why, especially that I am now here. Before I go on, remember I told you I would let you know about what Nigerians are actually facing here in the Philippines, including what some asylum seekers and refugees face. To proceed, travelling outside one's country widens one's perspective and horizon no doubt, but please and please if you have any relative, friends, loved ones or family members even enemies who want to come to the Philippines for any reason or the other, please share this story am about to tell you with them and warn them a lot.

Ordinarily, I should begin this writeup with some background about the Philippines, but you can always google that yourselves. My personal experience actually started when I made up my mind to come here to volunteer to help the Filipinos that were devastated or affected by typhoon Yolanda last year. Little did I know about how Filipinos see black colour differently. I mean they prefer being white to being black, in fact among themselves they discriminate those who are not actually white, and I tell you this might lead to some psychological, social and even political implications. Generally, among the Filipinos, there is inherent discrimination against people of black colour. Thus, it is not surprising that I am being discriminated against wherever I go. To confirm my statement, just google: 'Racism in the Philippines', there are lots of writeups about this.

As a former Literature-in-English student, I have read about apartheid in South-Africa, the books titled, 'Mine Boy' and ' Black Boy', are instructive about the discrimination against the blacks, among other notable poems like 'Nightfall in Soweto', but this time in a far away Asian continent, I experienced such discrimination simply because I am black. Worst still, if one is from Nigeria, one Nigerian called it double discrimination, which I personally tagged, 'double jeopardy'. In a way, there had been reports that some Nigerians engage in illegal activities, and my writeup is not to justify any illegal dealing by anyone, but to state categorically and affirmatively the level of both psychological and physical insecurity against Nigerians, and of course of black race.

On one hand, this is expository and on the other hand it is a clarion call to those who think or know the level of discrimination against the Nigerians in the Philippines or elsewhere in the world, but yet welcome the nationals from these countries or fail to remedy it. Also, this is not to start discriminatory practices against the Filipinos or anyone, but to tell them that if there is ongoing discriminatory practices against Nigerians in their own country, they do not have the moral reason to still stay in that country. On this note, this writeup shall form part of my petition(s) to the Nigerian embassy here in the Philippines, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs division, the Philippines Embassy in Nigeria, among any other diplomatic or international mission.

Furthermore, if you think you are coming to study in the Philippines, I think you should note that you won't work but rely on the money sent to you from Nigeria, and if you think am lying just ask anyone in the Philippines who is presently studying, some of those enjoying the Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government are here, I mean those former Niger-Delta militants.

Some Nigerians have spent donkey years here, so I heard. And some of them married Filipinos, so I have seen, while priority for jobs is given to those that married the Filipinas. The question is: how many would marry or love to marry Filipinas? It was raised in one of the Nigerians' Association's meeting that: what sort of visa does the Nigerian Embassy give Filipinos who work in Nigeria? But trust me, typical of Nigerians and Nigerian politicians that may not be answered till thy Kingdom come,yet almost everyday Filipinos troop to Nigerian embassy in Manila for visas, am sure for working visas. I know quite well it is a means for some and the embassy to make money. The question is: who is giving Filipinos work or employment in Nigeria when here in their country if you are black is a problem, when you are a Nigerian, you might be thinking or asking: why did God create me black? Fellow Nigerians, never you think of such, if you see anybody that discriminates against you, though do not be racist yourself, just say, 'black is beautiful'. I am sure my fellow Nigerians in diaspora either in United Kingdom or in the United States of America, they are also feeling the same way too. And when you feel the same way, you are home-sick. You feel like taking the next flight home, and be among your people of same colour, same orientation, same belief, culture, aspirations or goals. These, being stated so far, does not mean all of them are racist, but there was a report by the World Value Survey that Philippines is one of the most racist countries in the world. What this translates as is that even at social, political or economic gatherings or engagements, racism is seen. How can one then cope in such atmosphere of racism and various forms of discrimination against one? One, the racist thing seems inherent in their culture, and two, except their government starts campaign against it, it maybe here for a very long time being handed down to generations even after.

It is true that the Philippines was colonized by Spain for over 300 years, and America was here too for some thirty-something years or so. Some of them express that maybe their racist tendencies could be linked to the influence of their colonial masters. But wait a minute, Nigeria was colonized by Britain, and I am too sure Nigerians are not racist, though we might have tribal differences and discrimination as well, in a whole scale, as to the colour of one's skin is somewhat disturbing, and if you have any friend who is racist, please tell the fellow that it is simply against humanity.

Moreover, let me state that this very article was propelled by what was an attack on me, and I found out that here if you are a foreigner, especially a Nigerian or of somewhat a nationality that is not American or its ally, am must say am sorry, maybe Philippines is not anywhere you love to come. A group of Filipinos first attacked me in a mini stop on reasons I am still trying to decipher, but I hope if the Foreign affairs intervene I will actually know. I reported at the Police station and I found out the Policemen could only watch and observe how the Filipinos could speak their language called Tagalog. Right in the presence of the Police officers, one of them actually asked if he could punch me and I shall see the real meaning of punching. At the end, especially after I told the Police that the guy must make a statement, the former said they were only there to settle issues amicably whereas I have heard of Nigerians languishing in prisons. Nigerians have said that some of them have been spending years in prison, while others said the Nigerians have been sold out by the former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, that the Nigerian Mission was being dictated to by the Philippines government on what to do and not to do.

My fellow compatriots, let me tell you that if you come to the Philippines with body odour or bad smell, or you are just cited as a black man, don't be surprised when Filipinos cover their noses and mouths for you, or they start to fan themselves when there is no heat or sun or inside air conditioner. You know what that means? You are smelling, but white men or white people don't smell here. And to my fellow Indians or people from Bangladesh, the belief of an average Filipino is that you smell, that you have body odour. I have witnessed this, and it is on daily basis. However, Manila is one of the most polluted cities in the world with much and many people stricken in poverty, plus the fact that the environment sticks, and smells malodorously, yet as a black man you smell more than the polluted environment of smoke, dirts and I must tell you that you may stink more than their beggars on the streets. Later, I will tell you what I feel is the good side of this place, but these negatives are fast painting here as a place not for a sane fellow, however, some find schooling here less expensive, but psychologically it may not be enticing. Already I have been accepted for a Master's programme here, but I don't feel secured anymore.

Lest I forget, in case you want to 'toast' their ladies, but you don't smell good, it might be a big challenge. You can try some fragrance, I mean put some roll-on on, look good and decent, but does that make you a white which they prefer? Hell, No! Oh, maybe if you ride a nice car or you are rich, ladies might come your way, even if you smell bad as an African, and hope the Indians or so are aware of the perception of Filipinos about them.
I love to go on and on, but I love to leave certain aspects of security of lives and property and discrimination in terms of what the Filipinos benefit in Nigeria to diplomatic or legislative discourse or remedy.

Still expressing my thoughts as per security of lives and property, in terms of assassination rates world over, I have a somewhat good news for Nigerians,that the Philippines also has somewhat high number of killings of journalists and some political assassinations. The records are there on the internet, even as reported by the Aljazeera news recently. As a foreigner, an average Filipino thinks you are rich for you to have left your country you must be rich. I think they even find it hard to believe when you tell them you are just on the average, anyway maybe for any foreigner they might have reasons to believe you are rich, because the news about Nigeria may be that we are bunch of poor people, so for anyone to travel via the plane, he or she must be rich. If this is just a notion, it would have been okay since one will not have to display that one is rich or poor being gaining pass anywhere, but if you mistakenly show that you are rich in a Third World country like Philippines, then any love expressed towards you is just that of love for your money.

This might sound derogatory or demeaning, but in most cases it is the belief that most foreigners are sex-starved, and you should always pay if you want to get laid. Also, please warn any Nigerian or foreigner that if that they want to fall in love, they should remember a charge of rape. Most times,it is not rape itself but that you are a foreigner, you may be set up, and the mention of rape is itself a ground for you to be locked up in jail for a good number of years. Please, know where to go, or whom to fall in love with. If Abike Dabiri is still chair of the Committee on Nigerians in Diaspora at the House of Representatives, I think these issues might interest her. Although I have read that over 15,000 Nigerians are in foreign prisons, but let me state that not all of them actually committed the crimes they are held either as suspects or offenders for. But you and I know that even at home in Nigeria there is no security of lives and property talk less of far away from home. Who would bail them? Who are their lawyers? But yet I am sure Nigerian officials still welcome nationals of these countries including their diplomats without raising a finger against unwholesome treatment against Nigerians in foreign land, maybe this is the time for review of some of foreign policies or actions. Kudos to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Gbenga Ashiru, that reacted vehemently against unlawful deportation of Nigerians especially in SouthAfrica. But I learnt he was Baba Iyabo's son, so he had been booted out of office.

Back to security and security and security, because in the atmosphere of insecurity, what really can you do? Or, can you be productive at all? I came to the Philippines on humanitarian and just grounds, thus I have the moral grounds to write about these, especially as it concerns Nigerians and others. Filipinos are mostly abroad working and remitting money home, but here at home the level of discrimination is alarming and unimaginable.

To cap it all, there are some asylum seekers and refugees in the Philippines who have health challenges, financial problem, accommodation and general welfare problems despite the fact that United Nations pump money to Philippines for the help of these people. Alas! Philippines is one of the most corrupt nations just as my dear country, the Philippines cannot cater for all of its over 90 million citizens, many are undernourished as reported, foreigners cannot secure jobs, but there is another good news for the Americans, especially with the valid American passports, you are always welcome. The organization I worked with in the Philippines is US-based, maybe the fact that Americans are welcome so it is easy for anything American to be accepted. Most Filipinos dream, think, eat, sleep, behave American, but in a way it is an open door of imperialism and inferiority. One Call Centre company in the Philippines that has Americans as its clients told me I didn't have American accent, thus I could not be employed.

All stated and said, unlike Nigeria, there is constant electricity, with a working rail system, fast growing economy (though Nigeria is said to be the largest economy in Africa without improvement of per capita income of average Nigeria), but the issue of homosexuality is tolerated in the Philippines though the Catholic Church opposes gay marriage, as it is noteworthy that over 70 percent of Filipinos are catholic faithfuls. These are just some of my experiences and observations, some based on my interactions with Nigerians and some Filipinos. With these, there are reasons to think Nigerian and work towards national integration, awareness, development and the need to put in Nigerians the reason to associate with Nigeria, and tell those giving us bad names either at home or abroad to stop such, that it does not help us, for there is nothing it does but giving us bad names. While I am here with my green passport, I love to conclude that God bless Nigeria.

Written by Kay Bello, +639997713101.

Monday 3 February 2014

POP MUSIC LOSES ITS "MUSES”!!!


source: google images



 By Chima Ikenganyia                                       

Common sense suggests that something is utterly amiss in today’s celebrated popular music. Gone are the days when popular music was referred to as the language of the soul. Could it be that pop music is losing its art or that art is losing its essence in pop music? Where have all those deep-seated elements in good old music gone to? Could it be that this ‘enlightened’ age is about to snuff off the light of music, or that it does not just see that beauty in good music anymore?

Music is art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression, usually according to cultural standards of rhythm, melody, and, harmony. The Greek term from which the word "music" is derived was a generic one, referring to any art or science practised under the aegis of the muses, which were considered as the source of knowledge that inspired the creation of arts and literature. From the aforesaid, music demands creativity, an outpour of knowledge that should lean on nature, values and morals, no matter the form of expression it takes. Re-echoing the French theorist, Abraham Moles, music must, as an art, obey rules; the rule of aesthetics which is to enumerate universally valid roles, not to perpetuate the arbitrary or merely traditional or popular culture as opposed to meaning.

From historical accounts, it is evident that the power to influence men has always been attributed to music. Its ecstatic potentials have been recognized in all cultures, the ancient Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Persian philosophers have great attribute to music. According to Confucius (551–479 BC), 'great music should be in harmony with the universe, restoring order to the physical world through that harmony’. He saw music, as a true mirror of character, which makes pretence or deception impossible. Confucius also assigned an important place to music in the service of a well-ordered moral universe. Plato (428–348/347 BC), like Confucius, looked on music as a department of ethics. He saw a correspondence between the character of a man and the music that represents him. Even African traditional cultures which are warmly preserved and exhibited in music through folk songs (moon-light tales and dirges) affirm such proposition by Confucius and Plato.

There is a huge gap between what music has been historically, and what it should be in the contemporary time. A glance at important element of a good music shows not only rhythm, harmony, melody, structure and form but the text/lyrics as well. In recent pop songs undue importance have been placed on the  rhythm, harmony, melody, structure and form (which is normally regarded as the 'beat' of a song), and this has resulted to the prevalence of plenitude of music with low intellectual, moral, and even decadent lyrics. It is common now, that for any music record to be a success there could be either a vulgar content or an immoral display, which is total deviation from what music should be. Even live performances, which are the physical expression of music, have been turned to a mere tool for promoting a record label.

The most troublesome problem not only for the untutored listener but also for the professional musician has been, in this contemporary times, the loss of the main purpose of art. The principal focus of arts is to imitate the nature of man and the universe, and not merely to depict the unnatural attribute of man. It is an offence to nature to perceive music as only ‘fun’, while it, in reality, transcends to more noble aspirations of man.


There is a need to revive the real essence of art that is lost in recent pop songs, because this present generation has the responsibility of rejuvenating the sound intellectual, moral, and aesthetic heritage which it acquired in the past and build upon such structure. And posterity will never forgive us if we consciously terminate this nexus that unites us with our past.

Chima Ikenganyia wrote from University of Ibadan, Faculty of Law, and can be reached at Chimaobi.ikenganyia@hotmail.com

Editor: Kay Bello, +2348037298557, theconsciencenews@gmail.com.