Western Notions of “Salvation”

            On July 18^th, 2016 I bit my tongue and clenched my fists as Michael S. Klecheski, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Manila, justified that U.S. presence and intervention here in the Philippines can simply be defined and motivated by “good will”. He then continued to proclaim the extensive services the U.S. has graciously contributed to the Philippine government. Aids such as Navy Ships, English education, assistance with international threats and “tremendous” military training to name a few. Boiling up with tension and skepticism I finally mustered up enough courage to ask the simple question “How would you describe the current U.S and Philippine relationship, would you regard it as symbiotic in a sense or does the U.S. have some what of a big-brother complex towards the Philippines”. Klecheski then proceeded to dodge the bullet and elaborate on how the he would never describe it as the latter and that the two nations have wonderful relations that could only benefit both. As the beads of sweat continued to roll down his forehead he had the audacity to note that “[He] loves the Philippines, my wife is Filipino and my kids love this country.”  I then proceeded to close my notebook, re-clench my fists and used this exasperating interaction to fuel my analysis of the Western mentality, specifically the U.S., on presence and colonization of the Philippines. Using a combination of the readings and personal knowledge I have recognized that the U.S. has an ongoing history of viewing the Philippines as a nation in need of “western salvation”.

            Woodrow Wilson, 28^th president of the United States, stated in reference to the Philippines “No people can be ''given'' the self-control of maturity. Only a long apprenticeship of obedience can secure them the precious possession.”(Vicente, 2000, p.22 ) This was noted in the beginning of the 20^th century. Fast-forward to mid 20^th century with the occupation and development of Baguio into an American army post, the intruding forces subsequently eradicated Baguio’s Ibaloy way of life , however the Americans “introduced institutions like the new churches, hospitals, and a public school system… Health services for ailing Ibaloys and educational opportunities for the youth (including those from the lower class) ranked high among the new order's immediately perceivable benefits.” (Alcantra, 2002, p. 216) this example of occupation in exchange for valuable amenities further paints this picture of American deliverance four decades since Wilson’s remarks. Finally in 2016, more than a century later from my first example, I have to sit in the U.S Embassy Manila and experience this same Western salvation mentality first hand.

            My question then, in addition to this observation, is do you think that Filipinos have been unknowingly conditioned to be taken advantage of?  For example, the Tagalog word for freedom is kalayaan, which is derived from the word “ layaw” a term describing the carefree state associated with childhood when all problems are taken care of by one’s parents. (Vicente, 2000, p.12 )   Ironically, “kalayaan echoes the Christian notion of salvation”; salvation in the sense of one being able relieve themselves of the daily sufferings by perfect subordination to God.  (Vicente, 2000, p.13) We know that the Spanish brought over Catholicism and that prior the religion of the Philippines was considered either animistic or Islamic. However today, in a nation where approximately 90% of the population is now of the Christian faith, one could see how this entrained mentality of subservience might been a factor that plays into the current treatment of Filipinos by outside conquering forces. If perhaps Filipinos are so used to acting passively due to traditions of devout faith in order to please a ruling deity, conceivably this mentality could make this group of people vulnerable to outside opposing forces. This is just a thought, there are obviously more factors and if you know of any, lets talk about it!

References

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

Rafael, V. (2000). White love: Census and melodrama in the U.S. colonization of the Philippines. In White love and other events in Filipino history. (pp.10-52). Durham, NC: Duke University Press.