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Rhona Canoy .

SO… One goes to another country and falls in love with the reality of what one only sees in movies and postcards (and social media these days). One goes to another country and is enamored by the food. And sometimes one goes to another country and it makes a lasting impression, making one wish home could be like that. For me, it was Japan.

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Oh, yes. It is easy to fall in love with the food there. And the scenery. And the architecture. And the weather. But that’s not it. For me, it is amazing because of how people act and react. The facets of their national psyche which have to do with interaction with other humans leave me breathless. And leaves me sad, wondering what different path their history took from ours that makes them the kind of people I can only dream of. No, I’m not that naïve. Yes, I know that they have a dark and seamy side. After all… Yakuza. But generally speaking, they have a way of treating other people with value and consideration.

Honesty. Yes, honesty. If one leaves something behind, chances are that whatever it was will still be there when one goes back for it. I remember seeing a shiny coin on the ground as we were walking around the Ueno Park zoo. As I made an attempt to pick it up, my Japanese friend held me back and said, “No, owner might come back.” Wow. At first I was amused, thinking how gullible these people were. Until my brother left his new expensive SLR Nikon F1 camera on a bench at a train station. The older sister in me was snickering with glee at how he was going to get peeled by mom when she found out he lost it. He got back on the train and traveled the few stations back checking at each stop. Finally, deciding to check one more station, he found it, right beside the seat he took while waiting. Wow.

But then, the embarrassing side of it also showed itself to me. Entering a large Japanese department store, I was shocked to see that there was only one sales lady/cashier manning the whole section we were in. I asked my friends about it, and they said, “We pick what we want and bring it to her to ring it up.” Granted this was a few decades ago and technology was still much simpler. No CCTV’s, rudimentary electronic cash registers, bar codes were still nonexistent. But still. Wow. Suddenly, there was a frantic spate of Niponggo coming from the overhead speakers and a rush of store personnel came out from nowhere and positioned themselves throughout the floor. I turned to my friend (again) and asked (again), “What’s going on?” My friend rather sheepishly replied, “They always alert the sales personnel whenever a busload of Filipino tourists enter the store.” I never wished so hard for the ground to swallow me up whole. Wow.

Consideration for others. This facet blew me away. The streets, sidewalks, most public places like parks and temples are clean. I mean, really clean. No trash, no spit, no errant candy wrappers and, in a country where lots of people still smoke, no cigarette butts. Public restrooms? I could live in them. Spotless, clean-smelling, dry floors. Wow. And people flush. On trains, people keep their conversations very low, if at all. Because they might disturb the other passengers. They will smile, should your eyes meet, and look down. When the speakers announce the stop, they will get to their feet in an orderly fashion and head towards the door. The wonderful thing is that the people waiting to get on will politely wait for those getting off before boarding. Wow. When I asked about this (again), the most sense I could make of the reply was that they try to be thoughtful and considerate of the people who also use the place or facility or, in the case of the restrooms, the people who will come to use it after. Wow.

And hospitable? We shouldn’t brag about being the most hospitable people in Asia. You can stop anyone and ask for help, although to be honest, the language barrier is quite insurmountable. Thank God for today’s technology which allows you to carry a pocket electronic translator. If they’re not in a rush, they will accompany you as far as they can go, or at least walk you towards the direction you are supposed to head for. Wow. When you should be lucky enough to be taken on a foodie tour, they will suggest what they feel is the best-tasting thing on the menu so that your experience might be memorable. Wow.

Believe me, I dream of one day saying that’s how we Filipinos are. But I don’t know. The honesty thing? I’m not even going to go there. The considerate manner? I have yet to see it. Hospitable? Okay, I’ll give us that. Politeness, respectfulness, delicadeza. If only, if only. Listen, I don’t want to live in Japan. Let’s get that straight. But going there and coming back home is the difference between night and day. Experiencing that difference tells me that it could be. I don’t know how and how long it will take, but I’ve seen that it can be. So I continue to dream. Of a better Philippines. A kinder, more honest Philippines. A Philippines where we treat each other with respect and consideration. I can dream can’t I?

Just don’t go to a Japanese karaoke. That’s one thing we do a little better than them.

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TRAILBLAZER. Established in 1989, Mindanao Gold Star Daily aimed set ablaze a new meaning and flame to the local newspaper industry. Throughout the years it continued its focus and interest in the rural areas and pioneered the growth of community journalism.