OPINION | The Filipino smile, oft-misunderstood By Oscar P. Lagman, Jr. READ:
“The question I was supposed to ask that rude undersecretary… is how he will implement the arbitral ruling in the middle of the West Philippine Sea. And if ever he would answer, I am a senator of the Philippines, so he must respect me. It’s not funny,” Padilla said in an irked manner.
The smiling mannerism is characteristic of many Filipinos. The smile when speaking is part of Filipino culture. It is as cultural as when a Thai puts his hands together in front of him when talking to someone. The Filipino smile does not always signify happiness or pleasure over what is being said. Many times, it is meant to show empathy or an understanding of the other person’s feelings or concerns.
Sometimes the smile is used to cover up an embarrassment. Miriam Quiambao smiled at the audience when she picked herself up after stumbling during the 1999 Miss Universe evening gown competition, as if saying, “I am okay, there’s nothing to it.” The audience applauded her for it. President Cory Aquino broke into a smile every time she opened her mouth to speak, her face turning serious again just as soon as she finished speaking. She smiled when announcing her programs and policies, never mind if some of them were bitter pills to swallow. She smiled when giving instructions to her Cabinet members, never mind if they involved pressing matters of state.
We understand when people smile for no reason at all or even when it is inappropriate. Foreigners who have not been here and seen the ubiquitous smile do not. President Noynoy Aquino was smiling while inspecting the scene where seven tourists from Hong Kong were shot indiscriminately by a disgruntled former Manila cop in August 2010. Hong Kong officials made known their resentment at the video footage showing a grinning PNoy.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bersamin: Marcos' Singapore F1 trip 'partly official, partly personal''PARTLY OFFICIAL, PARTLY PERSONAL' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Singapore for the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix was “semi-official” with some expenses covered by the government, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin clarified.
Read more »
Salceda urges gov’t to pursue national broadband network project shelved during Arroyo timeHouse Ways and Means panel chairperson Joey Salceda on Wednesday called on the Marcos administration to pursue the National Broadband Network (NBN) project, an initiative with Chinese firm ZTE shelved during the Arroyo administration amid allegations of overpricing.
Read more »
Iza Calzado opts for no heavy dramas during pregnancy'I want to see myself on screen as the pregnant woman,' MissIzaCalzado said. 🤰
Read more »
SEVENTEEN’s Joshua Hong says he was scammed by taxi driver during Manila tripThe Philippine Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has warned public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers of punishments for policy violations after K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN’s Joshua Hong revealed that he was scammed by a taxi driver during an unplanned trip in Manila in early October. Hong, 26, shared his experience in a video posted on Oct. 2, saying that he and his mom arrived in Manila in late September after encountering some problems with their original trip to Vietnam during Korea’s Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving).
Read more »
Azurin apologizes over 'Muslim' comments made by cops during De Lima hostage-takingPhilippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Tuesday apologized over the "Muslim" comments made by policemen during Sunday&39;s hostage-taking incident at the PNP Custodial Center.
Read more »