Reflection One

Throughout the readings for this week, the reading that stuck out to me the most was Baguio Graffiti. The first thing that stood out to me was Camp John Hay giving Bose his first taste of “America” in Baguio Graffiti. At first I thought of Camp John Hay as a military base that allowed opened its doors every now and again but the more I thought it was not only an attempt to, as we discussed earlier in class, act as a sign of goodwill. In addition it also gives me the sense of brainwashing in some regards. When I say that I mean it in the way that by showing those who enter a good time and creating an image of fun and that what they are experiencing is usual in the US. But as Bose soon learned that what glitters is not gold, when all the fun and positivity that was believed to be true soon became a harsh awakening when they get stopped and harassed by the MP’s. After this incident something that came to my mind was that if Camp John Hay was thought of as a slice of America for the non-Americans there, does this incident not represent the reality that exists? Many individuals have left their homelands to the US in hopes of the “American Dream” and believe that they can have a better life there. While it could happen, I think the romanticization of America prior to leaving home is quick to end once they experience that America is not all they hoped for. Once individuals realize the forms of oppression that exist within the country, I think they would have the same epiphany as Bose did. 

The next thing that stood out to me was the end of Baguio Graffiti when Bose states that there was a promise that the destroyed base would become a “world-class” tourist center (Bose, 2002). When I originally read this I did not expect the description given to be exactly what I saw when in Baguio. Granted that the new Camp John Hay is not a “Disneyland” (Bose, 2002) per se, the renovations done to the camp were spot on. As we drove past all of the businesses and hotels and seeing the area it was obvious to me that it had indeed become an area for the elite 1 percent of the nation. While leaving the grounds of the Camp, something I vividly remember seeing was a hotel that had an almost all glass front while a large glass chandelier hung in the back (Image 1), as the van drove past the hotel I remember hearing others speak about the hotel and how pricey we thought it was. Seeing that hotel and hearing the group talk about how expensive it must be, the idea of Camp John Hay being for the wealthy was confirmed for me.

Following Baguio Graffiti, the next reading that stood out to me was Baguio Between Two Wars. Staying on the subject of Camp John Hay, I found it rather interesting that on July 4th the Camp would host an open house for “Fil-Am Friendship Day”(Alcantara, 2002).  At the surface this appears as a kind gesture given the ordinary need for gate passes upon entry, but as I continued reading the open house seemed to be more of a tactic to improve relations between the United States and the citizens of Baguio. Comparing Fil-Am Friendship Day to the events and programs hosted by the United States embassy in Manila, I do not see too much of a difference. During our discussion panel at the embassy, the programs/events that were said to be offered were nice to hear, but as the discussion continued I questioned whether the intent is in the right place or not. Although the programs may be benefitting those who are able to participate in them, the embassy’s motives really have me questioning if said programs are solely in place for the enhancement of national relations and not to give said programs out of pure kindness. While I am not able to say whether “Fil-Am Friendship Day” was purely motivated by hopes to strengthen relations, I argue that it ultimately did. In addition to allowing all to enjoy that which Camp John Hay offered, “Fil-Am Friendship Day” was so popular that it was an ongoing tradition until the destruction of the Camp. 
An overall question I pose is: How would one be able to identify if assistance offered is in true kindness or hope to improve relations?

References

Image 1:

http://cms.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/assets/2012/10/Le-Monet-Exterior.jpg

Books/Excerpts:

Alcantra, E.R. (2002) Bagiuo between two wars: The creation and destruction of a summer capital. In Shaw, A.V. & Francia, L.H. Vestiges of war. (pp. 207-223). New York: New York Press

Bose, S. (2002). Bagiuo Graffiti. In A.V. Shaw & L.H Francia, Vestiges of war. (pp. 260-67). New York: New York Press