In love with America

In love with America
A survey published recently by the World Forum reveals that majority of the world’s peoples, even those whose governments are democracies that are allies and partners of the US, dislike America with only three peoples, Indians, the Poles and the Filipinos in favor of America.
What did America do right in the Philippines? What aberration of the heart and mind makes 67 percent of all Filipinos, the highest approval rating in the world, prefer and admire an America that is disliked and reviled by the rest of the planet?
These questions were raised by Filipino columnist Chitang Guerrero Nakpil in a recent column in Malaya newspaper in Manila.
Answering her own questions, Mrs. Nakpil said one probable reason is that the Philippines, America’s first recruit of freedom and democracy which regained its independence in 1946, continues to be heavily dependent on American trade and aid. It is also, in the view of many, totally dependent on the United States and other nations for modern military equipment to equip its army.
Others surmise that this infatuation for America stems from the fact that compared to Spain’s 400 years of harsh rule, America’s almost 50 years of occupation was benevolent.
Traces of that rule are still evident today.
The Philippine political system is patterned after that of the United States with three independent branches of government. Its system of education also follows closely that of the United States with English being the principal medium of instruction.
Today, 59 years after independence, American influence is still being strongly felt in all levels of society. This infatuation of America and Americans is probably the reason why the Filipino has lost his own cultural identity.
Because of continuing economic and political problems, almost all administrations have no other recourse but to turn to Washington D.C. for assistance.
With lack of employment at home and persistent political turmoil, more and more Filipinos look up to America as a land of promise and opportunity. For them it is the choice country to work or to immigrate. This, it seems, despite the difficulties and embarrassments that they often have to go through in order to get a visa or a green card.