Read: Why the Philippines missed the World’s Friendliest Countries List

Here is how the voting went:

Nationality – Percentage of votes
French – 19.29
Russian – 16.56
British – 10.43
German – 9.93
Other – 6.37
Chinese – 4.3
American – 3.39
Spanish – 3.15
Italian – 2.24
Polish – 2.24
Turkish – 2.15
Indian – 1.9
Swiss – 1.9
Greek – 1.74
Croatian – 1.57
Austrian – 1.41
Cypriot – 1.24
Egyptian – 1.24
Korean – 1.24
Norwegian – 0.99
Australian – 0.91
Dutch – 0.83
Irish – 0.83
Swedish – 0.83
Japanese – 0.66
Danish – 0.5
Canadian – 0.41
New Zealander – 0.41
Indonesian – 0.41
Portuguese – 0.33
Thai – 0.25
Filipino – 0.17
Caribbean – 0.08
Brazilian – 0.08

Do you agree with the results of the survey?

I really thought that the issue involving the whale sharks in Oslob Cebu has been resolved last month when a Technical Working Group was created by the Capitol through Executive Order No. 01-2012 to make sure the whale sharks are protected from human exploitation. However, the recent photos are telling otherwise. No law or policy has been followed. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia should revisit this issue and look into a more stringent enforcement of the ordinance.

Look at the rest of the pictures and tell me what you think. Is this right?

The whale shark as a surf board? Are you kidding me?

According to a report, these are the guidelines that locals and tourists are supposed to follow:

– do not touch or ride the whale shark

– do not restrict the movement of the whale shark, or impede its natural path

– maintain a distance of 3 meters from the head or body of the whale shark, and 4 meters from its tail

– do not use flash photography

– a maximum of 6 swimmers per whale shark is allowed, and only 1 boat per whale shark.

Which guidelines have been violated? Without taking into account photography, everything!

Update 1: While concerned netizens are spreading the photos online and angry of the unlucky fate of the whale sharks, Oslob Mayor Ronal Guarin denied that the incident took place in their town.

Update 2: “Save Philippine Seas” posted on Facebook that the pictures were taken in Boljoon, a town very near Oslob.

Update 3: From “Save Philippine Seas”

Update re. whale shark that was tied up & used as a “surfboard” in Boljoon, Cebu last March 31, 2012: we got info from Physalus that it was indeed a stranding & the butanding was eventually released soon afterwards. Efforts are now being organized to educate the locals on how to deal with such situations. Physalus is putting together a report to clarify what really happened. We’ll post more info as they become available. Thanks to everyone for reporting this incident.

Credits go to the person who posted the pictures on Facebook.

On Monday, March 19th, the City of Cebu has reacted to the buzz. Sun-Star’s article “Video ‘embarrasses Cebu, country’” said that City Councilor Sisinio Andales wanted Jimmy Sieczka declared “persona non grata” in the city. He will file a resolution before the City Council next week.

“Iyang gipakatap sa tanan nga way ayo diri, nga it’s not fun to be in the Philippines”. Andales said this is in contrast to the tourism promotion slogan of the Department of Tourism “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

Also, according to The Manila Times, Mayor Michael Rama of Cebu City condemned the video content. However, Rama has a different way of looking at it:

“Maging eye-opener na lang siguro. Kaysa magalit, panatilihin na lang ang kalinisan at kaayusan sa Lungsod kasi in some point, tama rin naman sya [Perhaps it should serve as an eye-opener. Instead of being angry, just maintain cleanliness and order, to a certain extent, he has valid points]”

Jimmy Sieczka already explained that his goal in posting the video was to spark changes in the country in an unconventional way.

“…For those that actually get the piece and realize I’m just stating the obvious in an unconventional way in order to spark change, thank and salamat! With this many people watching, it proofs that there needs to be some more positive changes to the Filipino communities. Never once did I use the word hate in the piece. I simply pointed out issues that have been overlooked for quite some time.”

Here are more comments from Sunstar’s “Take ‘hate video’ constructively: tourism players.”

“I really don’t know the real intention of this exercise, but whether we like it or not, it may affect to certain degree our efforts to promote our city and our country. We cannot control how foreigners express their observation and experiences during their visit. Let’s simply take it positively, move on and do corrective measures altogether. The video is a good wake-up call that we still have many areas of concern to improve” — Newly-elected Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Prudenco Gesta

“While a couple of things were true and painful to accept, many of them were superficial and ignorant. With the advent of the Internet we have to be ready for attacks and unfavorable publicity like this.” — Tourism stakeholder Jay Aldeguer

“I think it (the video) is a combination of being hilarious, offensive, true, exaggerated, nit-picking, etc. I prefer to laugh about it and take it constructively.” — Cebu Business Club president Dondi Joseph

Which side are you? Do you agree with Jimmy? Do you want the City of Cebu to declare him as “Persona Non Grata”? Or should we just take this video as another social satire that we watch one day and forget the next day?

Leave your comments below.

Update: Jimmy Sieczka issued an apology for making the video.

Below, I listed his observations, which is completely typical to any developing countries in Asia, or even those around the world. I recognized that the video was taken in the uptown area of Cebu, where Mango Square is located.

Truthfully, I do not have any problem with people enunciating their disgust about the Philippines. In fact, I do have my list as well. I even agree with some of Jimmy’s thoughts (IMPORTANT: the video raises awareness on the present situation of the country). However, it isn’t just fair to compare everything in the Philippines to what he experiences in America — and then proceed to blatantly call the Filipinos “f*cking annoying” and the Philippines “f*cking disgusting”. The choice of words is so inappropriate.

If all he wanted was to offer constructive criticisms, which I think Filipinos could handle, he could have given some concrete, unbiased feedback and offer ways for potential improvement. In the video, he was babbling out of control, and everything just sounded selfish. Instead of fully getting a support, he seemed to have started a fight against the people whom he wanted to help in the first place.

Here are his rants in italic. It would have been nice if he contrasted his observations in the Philippines with those in America.

1. Covering drainage holes with garbage cans.
True. You see many of these in Cebu.
Another truth: There are many adults, kids, and even animals falling into open manholes in America!

2. Guys on the streets selling him Cialis, a drug to treat erectile dysfunction.
True. And not just Cialis.
Another truth: There are many Americans who cheat their system by illegally selling drugs on the streets.

3. Food sanitation on food streets.
True, and I have seen the same in other places around the world.
Another truth: According to a 1999 statistics, 1 in 3 Americans suffer food-borne illness each year. The cases of food poisoning are dramatic and startling. As of 2011, between 200,000 and 800,000 adults are hospitalized (1 out of every 6 Americans) daily.

4. MILF as terrorists.
True. The Islamic militant group is located in the Southern part of the country.
Another truth: There are also domestic terrorist cells in the United States. Read “Terrorism in the United States” published by the FBI.

5. Construction sites not safe. Also, he said that it is not required to finish any building construction one has started.
Partly True: Although the Department of Public Works and Highways wants to ensure the safety of workers in the construction industry, the implementation of effective occupational safety on sites still needs improvement.

Not True: Not required? There could be construction delays, but that does not mean the work never gets done. Jimmy is clearly exaggerating.

6. Filipinos use whitening creams.
True. The appeal on skin whitening steams from views on class superiority — you get noticed when you’re light skinned.
Another truth: How will Jimmy react to some white American women who paste themselves with fake tan? Truth is, there are many tanning salons in the U.S. that people patronize to change their skin color from light to dark.

7. Heavy traffic that causes Philippine pollution.
True. The Philippines ranked 42nd in the list of “sovereign states and territories by carbon dioxide emissions”. In a 2010 Business World article, The Philippines’ energy-related carbon dioxide emission is seen as lowest in Southeast Asia.
Another truth: According to the United States Department of Energy 2010 estimates, the U.S. is second to China in the list of biggest polluting countries in the world!

8. Small items bought wrap in plastic bags and thrown on the streets causing litters.
Sadly True.
Another truth: If you don’t want your items to be packed, then say it the to bagger. Just like in America, you can opt for your items to be wrapped or not.

9. Shitty drivers. Nobody follows the traffic rules.
Partly True: There may be reckless drivers, but there are others who still obey traffic laws.
Another truth: According to a HealthDay poll from November 10-14, 2011, most American adults who drive admit to engaging in distracted driving behaviors. A large percentage of the people said they know distracted driving is dangerous, but do it anyway. Shitty, don’t you think so, Jimmy?

10. Security guards everywhere — giggling, smoking, sleeping. None of them are ever doing anything. No training whatsoever.
Partly true. Jimmy chose to pick security guards from non-high-risk areas.
Truth: They may not be the best security guards in the world, but they are willing to die to defend the establishments they are guarding. If they smile at you, they are only being friendly, like most Filipinos are. Thus, please treat them nicely Jimmy.

11. Frisking in store entrances.
True. I don’t see anything wrong with this process, except from the lax implementation of the policy.
Truth: Due to security concerns, it is routine for security guards to lightly frisk customers as they enter shopping malls and huge public establishments.
Another truth: I am glad the Philippines does not have something like this: Minorities More Likely to Be Frisked.

12. Vehicles use the horn frequently because the drivers saw you.
Truth: The drivers beep and slow down not because they saw you. They do it to let commuters know that the vehicles are vacant and ready for hire. Beeping is also used to warn jaywalkers of apparent dangers.

13. Napkins cut into small size.
Partly true. Apart from financial benefits on the side of the business owner, it is also paper conservation. Do you really need to use a big sheet to wipe your mouth or hand clean?

14. Beggars everywhere you go.
True, and this has been a problem since. Pointing this over and over again in a sort of mockery does not help alleviate the situation.
Another truth: In the U.S., beggars are everywhere in big cities as well.

15. Top 40s blasting all night long in every direction.
Not True. Top 40s? Maybe in specific hang-out areas, but not everywhere! Also, I don’t understand why Jimmy has to be there in the first place. Filipinos love music and loud karaokes, especially when there are barangay events. If you want serenity, climb to the hills!

16. Lady-boys, prostitutes, drunk Koreans that don’t speak English abound in Mango Square. The red-light district of Cebu on crack. Why is it that every hot girl in the Philippines is a lady-boy?
Partly true: Because there are a lot of hot girls in the Philippines. All Jimmy has to do is be in the right place. It looks like, Jimmy loves to be with what he labelled as lady-boys. Otherwise, he would spend his time somewhere else and be with real women. Oh Jimmy, stop complaining if you still hang-out with your lady-boys!

17. People expects tips even from the tiniest of tasks, like hailing you a cab.
Partly true: Not everyone who offers little help asks for tips. Also, this is left to personal choice. You can always tell these guys on the streets that you don’t need help in backing up your car. However, if you really feel like sharing your loose coins, why not share it to these men?

18. Tons of f*cking Koreans in the Philippines. Koreans hang out in large groups like f*cking wolves. They don’t speak English, they are loud and obnoxious. This is absolutely offensive. Jimmy does not know that Koreans are in the Philippines because of low cost of English-language education and housing. According to the Department of Tourism- Central Visayas, Koreans continue to top the foreign tourists coming to Cebu. This is good for Cebu’s tourism industry.

19. Food isn’t so good. The Philippines is a bit noisy and really dirty. But where are you really spending most of your time at? Go somewhere else in the Philippines. See more of the country and its countryside. Or better yet (and if you continue to verbally attack the very people you are living with), go home to America, Jimmy.

Update 1: The YouTube video has been deleted!

Update 2: Someone uploaded the video on YouTube again.

Here is the original video from Channelfix. (Note: To watch the full video, you have to watch the short ads in between clips.)

I admired Jimmy’s courage for putting the video up for every Filipino to watch. However, his approach to constructive criticisms was done in a poor way that it backfired. As I tried to point out in the beginning, the video has social relevance as it (again) showed the dark side of Philippine local governance. Knowing that Jimmy lives in Cebu, slapping the Cebuanos right into the face is disrespectful or insulting. His choice of words is a proof. Jimmy made the Cebuanos look like idiots. He should have taken some caution and made the video a little lighter, and still gets his points across.

It may be alright to complain and criticize, yet Jimmy did not offer ideas and solutions to the social challenges he’s facing with. This is not the way to effect change, if that is what he intended in making the video. Instead, he verbally abused the Filipinos based on random local observations and without even trying to look at the bigger perspective. Some say Jimmy was being honest. Right. He was brutally honest in the hope of effecting positive change. Too bad, he has overstepped some bounds as well.

Jimmy, if you really want to help the Philippines, get involved in charity works and be a volunteer. Ranting offensive comments won’t get anything done! If you really believe that you are surrounded by f*cking annoying Filipinos, then why stay in the country? Go home to the U.S. where you rightly belong. Why stay?!

What do you think of Jimmy Sieczka’s comments? Do you agree or disagree with his thoughts about the Philippines?

Update 3: Jimmy Sieczka posted this comment on Channelfix.
“For those of you that think that this video was made to show my hate for the Philippines I must say that you are sadly mistaken. Watch urban master class on channelfix.com by Dansk santos as she follows me to get my first Filipino tattoo. A tattoo of the Philippine flag..http://channelfix.com/video/117/ For those that actually get the piece and realize I’m just stating the obvious in an unconventional way in order to spark change, thank and salamat! With this many people watching, it proofs that there needs to be some more positive changes to the Filipino communities. Never once did I use the word hate in the piece. I simply pointed out issues that have been overlooked for quite some time.”

Update 4: American Jimmy Sieczka as Persona Non Grata in Cebu?

Paris Hilton Beach Club Announcement

No wonder she visited the Philippines lately. When asked about the purpose of the visit, she said it was for a business venture.

Pick up a copy of the January issue of the British men’s magazine FHM for the complete interview of Paris Hilton and all her business revelations.