No More Sirs and Ma'ams, We Are A Nation of Equals

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, bless him, told us then we should rid ourselves of our colonial mentality of obeisance or servitude, or words to that effect, and address one another as Mr or Mrs. No more Sirs and Ma’ams. We are a nation of equals. No more kowtowing to the white men." - Rappler

I grew up thinking "Sir" and "Ma'am" were appropriate designations for people who are older or superior in position. But that thinking changed when I started working for the United Nations. Our Country Director, an American, arrived after a few weeks when all of us were already on board and working. The main office requirements were newly setup and almost complete, and we were all pioneers there working for the very first time with the new computers, while more equipment were just being ordered and regularly coming in from both local and international sources. Everything was new, top of the line and obviously expensive. We also had four other offices in different locations where our program operations is really implemented. I was in charge of ICT so I was very particular with the computers and all. I was tasked to plan, identify, purchase, install, maintain.,troubleshoot, etc., all ICT requirements of the offices.This required me to visit the other offices every now and then to setup their ICT infrastructure. Thus I was jumping on a plane almost every week.

I report directly to our Country Director so I frequently have to talk to her for many reasons. One time, after a few weeks of working with her, she finally had to say it, something that bothered her for the past weeks but she said she had to hold back as a sign of respect. She told me to just call her by first name after I've been calling her Ma'am for weeks, and explained to me that everyone in the office should be calling each other by their first name instead. She continues to say "We should treat each other as equals because we all have one common goal, and the designations are there to merely to describe our functions."

I told her that we usually say that to someone older than us. She said, "Now, you wouldn't want me to feel old every time you greet, right?"

Apparently, she had a point. 

Below are more sentiments of the public taken from the same thread where I got the statement above. I picked a few of those that I feel substantial enough to be shared. Let them help you decide if you'll feel the same towards using the "Sir" and "Ma'am" designation.

Amulets and Anting-Anting at Yuchengco Museum

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Before the arrival of Spanish colonizers to our shores, early Filipinos believed that wearing powerful, mystical amulets or talismans would protect them from harm or even give them special powers. Called agimat and anting-anting, these mysterious objects have survived for centuries, thanks to the later inclusion of Christian iconography. Shrouded in myth, meaning, and symbolism and long kept secret from the rest of society, the stories about agimat and anting-anting are revealed in a special exhibit at Yuchengco Museum entitled Pinoy Power Packs: Agimat, Anting-Anting , and the Stories They Tell, on view starting August 15.

Agimat and anting-anting illustrate our folk beliefs, spirituality, and view of the world: they are a fusion of a belief in nature and in a concept of God who is both animist and Christian. They can be seen as our way of seeking to approach God and hold the power of God within a medallion, handkerchief, or vest, creating a powerful divine connection that gives the wearer god-like qualities.

Pinoy Power Packs explores the animist symbols and icons found in agimat, from the all-encompassing Infinito Dios to the many forms the Infinito manifests. The exhibit also looks at how these iconsincorporate Christian imagery, such as the crucified Christ, the Virgin Mother, and the Santo Niño.

In addition, Pinoy Power Packs highlights our modern interest in our folk spirituality, as seen in nativist movements such as the Rizalistas and Lapiang Malaya (Freedom Society), and in films such as Nardong Putik. Visitors can watch videos of an artist shopping for agimat in the streets of Quiapo in Manila, or of a young healer and practitioner explaining the various motifs seen in agimat.

The AlDub Accidental Love Team Phenomenon of Eat Bulaga's Kalyeserye

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"The accidetal love team made up of TV personality Alden Richards and YouTube sensation Nicomaine Dei "Maine" Mendoza, widely known as "Yaya Dub" for her voice impersonations of local celebrities, has been trending lately pushing Richard's career into overdrive." - Philippine Daily Inquirer

That was one of the article in the front page of this morning's newspaper. The story was at the bottom page of the newspaper but had the iconic carabao mascot of PDI  saying something like " Ayayay! Ang Pogi! Na Coco - Loka naman!" in reference to a story angle about Alden Richards' visit to Lucena city where the Niyoyugan coconut festival beauty pageant was ongoing from August 10 to 19.

They also related the epic acceptance of the Lucena crowd, especially the young ladies, towards Alden Richard, as they scream, shrieked and some almost fainted after the young actor allowed everyone to get closer to him and even land some kisses.

It goes on to tell the story of the phenomenal and uncanny love team made possible by the Juan For All, All For One Kalye-serye segment at the GMA 7 noontime show Eat Bulaga which stars Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo and Paolo Ballesteros. Yaya Dub became famous for her impersonations of popular celebrities like Kris Aquino using the Dubsmash mobile app.

Apparently, the two have not even met in person yet but they have become an online sensation already because of how cute and different their romance is. This actually originated when Yaya Dub confessed that she has a crush on Alden Richards.

The two just celebrated their monthsary yesterday, August 13, and you might have guessed already how it was!