The Phillipines

     Bienvenido Macario reports from the Philippines:
     The demise of my father necessitated this trip to the Philippines. He was 80. He survived the initial salvos of World War II, being in the US Insular Navy. He was captured on the island of Corrigidor and survived the Death March (the less brutal second batch). I was told that US-Filipino POWs captured with the fall of Bataan went through hellish experience of the infamous Death March. So much for that for now.
     I have not gone out of the greater Manila area and so far, there's a lot of construction going on, apparently to try to alleviate the congested traffic. Ever present is the usual but distinct sense of humor of the Filipinos. They always have a joke about whatever issues that may come up.


     My comment: Humor is a marvellous cure for domestic and international tension. A lot of research if going on about it. Often an oppressive government will suppress the free press, but finds it difficult to suppress jokes. It varies from country to country. My understanding is that the Soviet government tried hard to suppress it, while the East German government was more tolerant. Perhaps Bienvenido can tell us about that in the Philippines.
     I have never been to Manila, but I have been told it is an urban nightmare. I hope the plans will improve the situation.

Ronald Hilton - 11/12/99