filipina.ph143.com

Philippines - I Love You (143)

My American husband had to learned about "Filipino Time" before he even left the USA during the Marcos Administration.

He was waiting at Los Angeles International Airport for his flight to the Philippines on PAL. PAL is the Philippine flagship airline, Philippine Airlines (or Philippine Air Lines).

When his plane was delayed by more than three hours, he was a little upset and asked the ticket counter if the flight would be canceled. They assured him that that was normal, that the plane was "running on Filipino Time!"

The blank stare on his face must have told them he did not understand, so the Philippine Airlines employee leaned over and said, "The reason we are called 'PAL' is because it stands for 'Plane Always Late!'"

Later many of his new friends told him "PAL actually means 'Paliparan (Airline) Always Late!' Either way it is disgraceful!

The above ads are all about Filipino Time! It is a reality that drives people crazy...

Here is an example...

A Kano (American) was invited to speak in the Sunday service at a church. He stopped by the church and picked up a bulletin. The bulletin said Sunday School - 9am and Church - 10am Sharp! He decided to arrive early to greet some of the members. At 8:30am he arrived, the church was locked up tight and no one was in sight!

Nine am came and passed, as did 9:30! At 9:45 the janitor arrived and opened the door and ask the guest speaker why he was "so early?" At 10:15 Sunday School started and it was well past noon before the 10am service started.

It was explained to the Kano that Filipino Time meant everything was an hour and a half to two hours late! -Sorry!

The same Kano was then invited to visit another church. It was one of those churches that meet in Ayala Mall. He was told they meet at 9am. Not wanting to repeat the previous events and remembering what he learned about "Filipino Time" he showed up 1.5 hours later, just as the service was over!

Here are a few more examples from Filipina Soul...

Story 1:

A few friends are gathered for a party, which was set at 6:00. Juan calls at around that time, and asks “Sino nang nandiyan?” (Who’s already there?). “Oh, so-and-so, and this person and that”, says the host. “OK, says Juan, “Maliligo na ako. Punta na ako diyan.” (I’m going to take a shower now. I’ll be there soon).

Story 2:

Some relatives are meeting for lunch at a restaurant. Couple A are there at 12:00. Other people start trickling in at 12:15. They start eating at 1:00, when most are present. Juan ambles in at 2:30 p.m., completely non-plussed at being late, as if lunch for him was normally at 3:00.

Story 3:

A holiday ball was scheduled to begin at 7:00. Juan doesn’t know the way there, so he has to pass by a friend’s house so he can follow his friend in his car. His friend has promised (threatened?) to leave at 6:30, Juan or no Juan. Juan arrives at 6:25.

Story 4:

A baby shower began at 12:00 and included lunch. Guests enjoy the food, and shower the expecting couple with gifts and advice. The couple open the gifts and express their thanks. The guests start to think of leaving at 3:00. Juana arrives at 3:05.

Story 5:

One Christmas season, a group of carolers gathered to sing at the house of an American couple. They have sent a letter to the couple saying they’ll be there between 7:00 and 7:30. They arrive at 6:55, conscious that this is not a Filipino home, so they shouldn’t be late. The couple are in the middle of dinner with some guests. They were expecting the Filipino group to arrive later, because they know about Filipino time. The group sings Christmas songs for the couple and their guests, much like a dinner and a show (only they were the show!).

Story 6:

A group of friends gather for a day’s outing. They set the departure time for 8:00. Couple A get up early and are there on time. Others start to arrive in trickles. The organizer gets there at 9:00. Couple A are annoyed because they could have slept for another hour, but for the early agreed-upon time.

Here are some theories from Suite101

Theory No. 1:

The Philippines is a country where traffic is notorious. It takes literally hours to get from point A to point B. Over the years, the Filipinos have acquired an attitude that we will get there when we get there. This attitude has neatly settled into our psyche (I would say right beside the "What Will Be, Will Be" or "Bahala Na" attitude) and has become a trait we translate into everyday action. A trait we have acquired and will be passing down to future generation unless we consciously do something about it.

Theory No. 2:

The Filipinos are inherently self-effacing that they have unintentionally given new meaning to the term "fashionably late." No one wants the burden of being the first arrivals to be entertained by the hosts. We prefer to come at a time when we know there are already people and we could simply blend in.

Theory No. 3:

Filipino Time is indicative of our complacency. Blame it on colonialism. In fear of insurrection, when the Encomienda (landownership) system was introduced to the Filipino natives, goal-setting was not part of the seminar. A cue that was taken by the later succeeding dictatorship regime. Filipinos are not encouraged to look further than today, or even this very hour. What is encouraged is the laid back attitude bordering on apathy. In more recent years of democracy, the disease has still gone undiagnosed. Planners and palm pilots, definite tools of promptness, are seen as privileges of the bourgeoisie. Unfortunately the majority of those who can afford it regard it as accessories for show rather than tools of the trade.

The last theory is probably the major culprit. It explains why most Filipinos are hardworking, excelling in many things but lacking in promptness. Punctuality is a symptom of high motivation and driven ambition. A lax attitude that has been encouraged for so long on a whole nation will never complement it. Questions such as where will I be five years from now, is not something generally asked among Filipinos. Even if it had been asked, the vaguest idea of how to get there is revealed to a minority.