Meal Politics of GMA & Heads of StatesEditorial
Utang na loob is a Pilipino cultural trait which academics sometimes refer to as "reciprocity," which translates to "debt of one's inner self." It is also sometimes translated as a "debt of gratitude." In the study of Filipino psychology, utang na loob is considered an important accommodational surface value along with hiya (shame) and pakikisama (cooperation). That is to say, it is one of the values by which the Filipino accommodates the demands of the world around him, repaid by giving special favors to the other person regardless of the moral outcome.
The big question is, "Ano ang utang na loob ni GMA kay Congressman Romualdez?" (what's GMA's debt of gratitude to Cong. Romualdez). As a backgrounder of this story, Romualdez was apparently the person who shouldered the very controversial $20,000 dinner bill of GMA and her entourage in a flashy New York restaurant during her last US visit a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps the motto should be, for visiting heads of states...when in Rome, do (or eat) as the Romans do (eat). A Korean Foreign Trade Minister warns visiting business people to be wary of excessive hospitality of their country, the Russians have their vodka, the Irish their Guinness, and the Scots their whiskey, and New Yorkers have their steaks and wine. In western culture, many business deals are sealed at the dining table. This means that decisions ordinarily made lightly can become loaded with meanings when trying to impress colleagues, the presidents and other state leaders.
How about the G-8 Summit where the world leaders enjoy 18-course banquet as they discuss how to solve global food crises? But the extravagance of the menus drew disapproval from critics who thought it hypocritical to produce such a lavish meal when world food supplies are under threat. If the G-8 wants to betray the hopes of a generation of children, the 18-course dinner is not the answer. The G-8 made bad start with excessive costs and lavish consumption.
So, what's wrong with meal politics? To the outsiders like the Filipino opposition leaders, the thought of being president engaged in world diplomacy seems pretty attractive. Your private plane flies you to interesting places where you meet interesting people, you stay in the best hotels, and you eat and get treated in lavish banquets. Why do heads of states travel so much??Certainly, there is a value to leader-to-leaders talks or diplomacy, whether it be a dramatic breakthrough or the ability to meet other leaders. As one scholar puts it..."to see how they talk, how they laugh...if they laugh at all." It is also the case that the president can escape the voracious press at home (in GMA's case) and the difficulty of working with cantankerous oppositions. At home, GMA's presidency is being accused of abusing powers, undermining the democratic processes, and human rights violations, etc.
The Philippine national election is fast approaching (May 2010), and the list of who wants to be president is getting longer. Whoever gets elected to that powerful position, this paper would like to see him or her to be staying in bed & breakfast inns when they go abroad for state visits in Washington, D.C., dine in Burger King or McDonald's--better yet, go to a local grocer and make their own breakfast with Skippy super-chunky melted cheese and slices of over-ripe bananas and fresh crispy bacon. Much better, if they can bring a baon (lunch box) of favorite foods from home, such as tuyo with suka or patis (fish sauce). Sarap!
To tell the truth, we like President Arroyo's Meal Politics with its own class and style. Keep up the good image for our country, regardless of what the Philippine press says. Mabuhay ka!
