PerryScope
By Perry Diaz
"Noynoying" or Juan Tamad?
When I first read about “noynoying,” my initial reaction was that it was about President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s romantic escapades and so I ignored it. Haven’t we heard enough of his girlfriends? But it turns out that anti-government groups protesting against rising gas prices coined “noynoying.” They complain that Noynoy hasn’t done anything productive. Thus, “noynoying” became the new buzzword for a person who is idle and doesn’t work. In all fairness to Noynoy, “noynoying” is not something new. It’s been around since the colonial times when “Juan Tamad” – or Lazy John – became a folk hero for laziness! So, what else is new, people? Remember, when you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you.
Now, don’t get me wrong, folks. I’m not accusing all Filipinos of being lazy. On the contrary, Filipinos are some of the most – if not the most – hard-working people in the world. The fact that there are more than 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in more than 120 countries would attest to the reputation of Filipinos as hard-working people.
But what is happening here is that a few Filipinos are bringing out the worst in themselves: crab mentality. And to “crab” our president manifests a hangover from colonial mentality. The fact is: President Aquino is one of the most hard-working presidents of our time. But instead of appreciating what he is doing, we are bringing him down! And what we don’t realize is that by doing so, we’re bringing ourselves down, too… just like crabs.
Indolence
And when “noynoying” has reached the social media, his critics were gleefully jumping up and down like kids slurping on lollipops. Don’t they realize that what they did was reinforce what our former colonial masters had stereotyped us: indolent people? Yes, Filipinos were branded as indolent by the Spanish colonialists that even our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, wrote an article in 1890, “The Indolence of the Filipino,” to explain why the perception existed at that time? But more than a century later, some people are still trying hard to keep that perception alive and even use our own president as a model of indolence! And we are wondering why we aren’t getting respect from the international community? What a shame!
In 1913, Austin Craig, in his book, “Lineage, Life and Labors of Rizal,” he wrote: “In his essay, “The Indolence of the Filipino”, Rizal stated that three centuries of Spanish rule did not do much for the advancement of his countryman; in fact there was a ‘retrogression’, and the Spanish colonialists have transformed him into a ‘half-way brute’. The absence of moral stimulus, the lack of material inducement, the demoralization — ‘the indio should not be separated from his carabao’, the endless wars, the lack of a national sentiment, the Chinese piracy — all these factors, according to Rizal, helped the colonial rulers succeed in placing the indio ‘on a level with the beast’.”
Approval and trust
And how could they be so wrong about Noynoy? Let’s look at the facts:
A recent Pulse Asia survey shows that Noynoy has an approval rating of 70% and trust rating of 69%. His disapproval rating is only 9%, which gives him a net approval rating of 61%. By comparison, his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had a net approval rating of minus 37% in the waning days of her presidency. No other president since the time of his mother, the late president Cory Aquino, was more popular and more trusted than Noynoy. Since he has set the bar to new heights, perhaps “noynoying” should be associated with high performance.
It is interesting to note that in the latest Pulse Asia survey, embattled Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona had an approval rating of 14% and disapproval rating of 58% giving him a net approval rating of minus 44%. In addition, the survey also shows that 47% believe that he is guilty of the impeachment charges while only 5% believe that he is innocent.
Economic boom
Recently, news reports indicated that the Philippine economy is booming. Since taking over the government 21 months ago, Noynoy has pursued an anti-corruption campaign, which is producing results.
The job creation numbers under the Aquino administration are staggering! Last October, 2.1 million jobs were created and in January another 1.2 million jobs were created. In comparison to his predecessors, only 1.9 million jobs were created during the short Estrada administration while a total of 2.4 million jobs were created during the nine-year Arroyo administration.
In a forum in Cebu last week, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo projected the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to increase between 7% and 7.6% this year. He said that the economic drivers this year would still be the outsourcing industry, real estate, OFW remittances, and tourism.
Leadership style
In my opinion, a few misinformed and misguided critics fail to understand Noynoy’s leadership style. Research done in 1939 by a group led by psychologist Kurt Lewin identified three major leadership styles, to wit:
Authoritarian Style – A leader who makes all the decisions and passes the directives to his or her subordinates who are expected to carry them out characterizes this leadership style. Subordinates are not allowed to question the orders. The late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos is an example of this style.
Democratic Style – A leader who shares decision-making with his or her subordinates characterizes this leadership style. Subordinates are encouraged to express their ideas and suggestions.
Laissez-Faire Style – This leadership style is the opposite of the Authoritarian style. There is an absence of real leadership. Everyone is free to do as he or she pleases.
Based on Noynoy’s performance and the way he makes decisions – like in the issue on Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani – he is definitely comfortable with the democratic style of leadership. But this has caused some people to misunderstand him to a point where they perceive him as weak and indecisive. And being a 52-year-old bachelor who has a penchant for driving fast cars, shooting guns, and dating women makes people wonder if that’s indicative of a freewheeling lifestyle and laissez-faire style of leadership. Nothing is farther from the truth. His success at what he does is the true measure of his persona.
At the end of the day, achieving what he had set to accomplish indicates the degree of his attainment. And an approval rating of 70% and trust rating of 69% speak well of what “noynoying” is all about – it’s all about getting things done.
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“The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people, but because of the silence of good people!” – Napoleon
Your exposition about the true meaning of “noynoying” is absolutely right. I just arrived recently from my 5 weeks “balikbayan” or vacation in our native land and the people I met who are fond of “noynoying” are the typical “Juan Tamad” and most of them are supporters of Renato Corona. These supporters of Renato Corona are the typical crab mentality,gullible and the indolent Filipinos mentioned by Jose Rizal.
Perry,
It’s also possible that those protesters and originators of “Noynoying” are people who are being paid by President Noynoy Aquino’s political foes.
You know how greedy some of those people are. They are willing to sell their souls and abandon their principles for a few pesos and, because of greed, are not willing to support their President who is doing his best for the country’s sake. Those people have sick minds.
Don
Hi Don,
I have no doubt that the protestors are paid by the Arroyo-Corona forces. This is their last chance to bring down P-Noy. They’ll fail.
Perry
Sorry, Perry, but I beg to differ. As far as I see, except for PNoy’s ferocious attack on GMA and Corona (both are corrupt and must be prosecuted), no one so far has been indicted, let alone convicted of graft and corrupt practices which still abounds in the old country. The drug mules are the best example of what may be the result of “Noynoying”. While these drug smugglers, many now await execution in China and other countries, could be easily stopped at the NAIA and other points of departure in the RP, nothing is done to stop them. Why? It’s a lucrative trade for customs and immigration officials at the airports obviously, so why stop it. Never mind if those idiots who smuggle drugs are later put to death. Being a popular president is one thing and being an effective one is another. Both Cory and Erap were popular but both achieved nothing spectacular for the old country. Magsaysay was the perfect example of a popular and effective president. Sorry to rain on your parade, but PNoy is not a Magsaysay. He is not even a Ninoy. He is his mother’s son. A well written article indeed. Congrats! If PNoy gets to read it, you might get a cabinet appointment! LOL! Sorry, Perry, just kidding. Keep up the good work. BTW, I’d like to see PNoy go after the Marcoses!! That would be the day!!
Excuse me; I beg to disagree with you! You’re write-up obviously becoming bias. Since, Noynoy became Senator and now he’s a president that reputation remains and becomes obvious being “TAMAD” person!!!!
Again, now look at what’s happening in our country; please open your ears and eyes.
I’ve been an avid reader of your write-ups of lots about politics, and that you have a bias in favor of one political party or philosophy. Now, your website isn’t likely to report objectively on a liberal politician, and vice versa. This becomes one of many website that are full of information that’s inaccurate, unreliable or worse.
Please unsubscribe me with your site that becomes a political ax to grind GMA and instead I’ll look for ones that are non-partisan. Excuse me…CHEEE!!!
Mr. Romy Monteyro, you have to wait and see when G. Arroyo and R. Corona and all the other officials of the Philippine government that are corrupt had a day in court and hopefully goes to jail. I do not know what Erap had done for the Philippines, but, Mrs. Corazon Aquino made it possible to re-gain the Philippine’s democracy. I had been away from Pinas for almost 40 years. I try to learn everything about my homeland eveyday. I am addicted to TFC. Pnoy became president because Filipinos want him to run. Magsaysay want to be President and the US government supported him. Magsaysay fought against the Huks. Pnoy is fighting poverty by eliminating government corruption. Corruption in the Philippines is so ordinary. It is grass root.
It looks like every one is doing it. Maybe,
whatever Pnoy is doing will result in something good for the country of my birth.
May God bless President Noy Aquino and his sincerity to eradicate corruption. Let’s give him a chance to prove himself and his good intentions for the country we all are supposed to love.
This is a classic example of double standards.
If it’s GMA and her other allies, or someone you and your idol don’t like, you bash them and spread lies/propaganda about them. But if it’s Noynoy and his KKK, you cried foul.
You’re pathetic! Don’t give us lame excuses that are soooo yesterdayyyyy… Only the yellow zombies are greedy and playing dumb
Buhay Pee-Noy, paglukso, Noy-noy: that’s “Noynoying.”
Pareng Perry, naiba yata ang say mo tungkol kay ‘Noy?
Tt’s a good piece though. I agree with Romy Monteyro’s comments.
That’s it Perry. NOYNOYING IS ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE !! Who’s the onenPresient in the entire history of our country who was able nto neutrlize corruption the way P-Noy have done? If only one administration can wsend one crooked nPresident and nhis cohorts before them, Philippine should have been one
leading, most respected, most productive countries the world ever has.P-Noy will acccomplish this even in less than two terms. I, let us support him. He knows how to get it done. NOYNOYING supporters.Pick up
your mats and proceed home. Give our nation a break !!!REMEMBER NOYNOYING IS ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE!!!
The rise of gas and diesel prices are global, like what we have here in USA.Iran started all of this in defiance of international mandate to scrap his nuclear ambition that leads USA with economic sanction againts Iran or North Korea. The Philippine media should not stop broadcasting this all over the country to educate our countrymen.
I LIKE PNOY GO AFTER THE BILLION DOLLARS THAT THE MARCOSES STOLE AND PUT ALL THE MARCOSES AND HIS CRONIES IN THE NEW BILIBID PRISON AFTER GETTING ALL THE ILL GOTTEN WEALTH BACK TO THE TREASURY.
NEXT, GO AFTER THE 10 BILLIONS THAT ESTRADA STOLE FROM THE PEOPLE THEN PUT HIM IN PRISON TOGETHER WITH THE MARCOSES NOT IN A MANSION OVERLOOKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
THEN GO AFTER SEN. VILLAR, AND PANFILO LACSON ILL GOTTEN WEALTH AND RETURN IT TO THE RP TREASURY.
THEN GO AFTER THE SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN/WOMEN WHO GOT RICH ACCEPTING BRIBES AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.
THEN GO AFTER CROOKED SOLDIERS AND PNP.
REBUILD THE ECONOMY WHILE PUTTING ALL THESE CROOKED POLITICIANS IN PRISON.
MAKE THE COUNTRY SAFE FOR TOURIST, BALIKBAYANS AND THE RP CITIZENS.
CREATE MORE JOBS SO YOUR CITIZENS WILL NOT GO OVERSEAS TO WORK AND BE ENSLAVED BY THE ARABS AND OTHER COUNTRIES.
IF YOU CAN DO ALL THESE PNOY, YOU WILL HAVE THE UNENDING GRATITUDE OF THE RP CITIZENS.
Easier said than done my friend. First of all, we the people must really put our trust and be supportive of this president at all cost. Everything that you mentioned on your comments are the results of years of neglect from the people that are responsible for the welfare of our country. At the moment, his administration are doing their best to rid our Supreme Court of a Chief Justice who had betrayed the trust of the Filipino people. This man is responsible for making critical decisions that will affect the lives of every citizens. Once this important task is accomplished, I think Pnoy can continue with his crusade in leading our country sa “matuwid na daan”. Give him a chance, purging all the bad elements from our system of government is not going to happen overnight. Remember that even as president, there will be a lot of strong opposition against his mission of getting our country in the right track. Will you one of them to be on his side?
Do you people even know what it really wrong with our country? This president, though not perfect, is doing what he think is best for the country. We’ve been on the list of the most corrupt country in the world for a while now and nobody seems to give a shit about that, we care more about Manny Pacquiao’s title as the best boxer in the world that does’nt really mean a hell of lot when Manny is old and wrinkly. Why don’t you people ask yourselves for once? We’ve been named as one of the most educated country in the world, but we seem to spend more time with our heads stuck up our asses than doing something constructive for the country. Election after election the people go to the poll and keep voting for the same deadbeat politicians who really could’t care less about any of you. If these so called lawmakers are so good for the country why our we in this sad state. Look around, we’re beginning to look more and more like one of those third world country, high unemployment, over population, corruption among government officials and we are slowly killing ourselves with air pollution. Why don’t you people start holding your own government representative’s feet to the fire when they failed to their job? You can’t blame Pnoy for all the ills of our society just because he’s the president, blame yourselves because you allow most of these crap to happen. So next time you look at yourselves in the mirror, ask yourself this question, am I really making a difference to make my country fit for Filipinos to live in? So don’t put all the blame on one man, if he does a good job, you can also pat yourself in the back for choosing the right person, but if he turned up to be the same as the last one, then you can kick yourself in the ass.
Dear Perry,
I truly enjoy your article on “Noynoying.” I have been very supportive of PNoy since the begining of his presidency but my confidence in the man was kind of shaken by the comments from some of my friends in the Philippines and after reading the articles of The Daily Tribune and Wall Street Journal – Philippine edition. These people question the survey done by Pulse Asia, branding the survery group as biased and incompetent. I researched Pulse Asia and I found that the survey data produced by PA are being evaluated by a 13-member team of analysts, 12 from UP (including former UP President Jose Abueva) and one from La Salle. Would these high caliber professionals allow the distribution of spurious data?
Regarding crab mentality, it’s indeed a disappointing characteristic many Filipinos are known for. But Filipinos are not unique in this attitude. Americans, particularly the low-information extreme right, call Obama a non-American, a Muslim, a socialist and a communist. Many Americans do not believe these, thanks to those who elucidate the truth, like you are doing about PNoy.
Obama and PNoy are two of my favorite politicians (Bill and Hillary Clintons, Ninoy and Cory Aquino are my most favorite). There are two things I want to see happen with PNoy and Obama. For PNoy, I want to see a wedding in Malacanang. For Obama, I want to see a baby born in the White House.
Terry Sarigumba
(Sent by email)
Thanks for your comment, Terry. The Daily Tribune is the most anti-Aquino newspaper in the Philippines. But the bottom line is: The economy is booming and Pres. Aquino should be credited for his able stewardship of the government. Let’s hope for his success in eradicating corruption, which is the cause of poverty.
Best,
Perry
People can say what they want; but I have always been observant of current affairs. I am now 67 years old and this is what I can say:
In the past years, whenever I would go to PTV 4 for a TV or radio interview, the impression I got was that it was managed in a very sloppy way.
Three weeks ago (under Pinoy Administration) I was invited again to PTV4, and this time, I got impressed by how it has improved: carpets were clean, fresh and new, the chairs did not reek of old age, the offices were clean and presentable, the comfort rooms were clean and good smelling. Even the security guards seemed to show a better attitude of courtesy and service. My reflection is that, under a good administration that is not corrupt, the peoples’ money are spent on necessary services and equipment that improves a government agency’s over-all high morale. I thought that if this change were true and happening to one government center – then Pinoy’s administration must be doing well. I hope this change is being felt in other government offices as well.
Filipinos all over the world, don’t get your EYES WIDE SHUT!
When in the history of the Philippine Presidency, that anyone EVER DID TAKE ON THE PROMISE TO END GRAFT & CORRUPTION? “ONLY NOW, w/ P-NOY!
He’s RIGHT ON the ACT of NOYNOYING for the WELFARE of ALL the FILIPINOS, and PAVING the PARADIGM SHIFT to ETHICAL GOVERNANCE via “MATUWID na DAAN” for ALL Philippine PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICIALS!
Join the NOYNOYING ACTS towards TRUTH, JUSTICE, and EQUALITY. (Not because you’re “Powerful” nor “Rich”, that you should GET AWAY w/ such DEVIOUS SCHEMES as EVILDOERS DO!
GOD IS LOOKING DOWN ON US & HE IS BOOKING ON WHAT WE DO ON EARTH! People who are consecrated to God are given HIS INSTINCTS!
So, who do you think you’re fooling? But, yourself! ONLY THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!
NOYNOYING SIMPLY MEANS GOVERNANCE THE NOYNOY WAY
With everything said for and against the first bachelor President of the Philippines, the person (who’s he BTW?) who coined the word imputing laziness or indifference to PNoy should now realize that the word is in fact a tribute to him.
May God bless our President and our people and guide those who are in the crooked path, the opposite of tuwid na daan, such as the corrupt leaders and their blind followers.
Let’s forget the NGUYNGOY habit (fretting and whining) and instead develop NOYNOY attitude of positive actions. Let’s put God in the midst of our aspirations for our own selves and for our nation.