YES OR NO: PHILIPPINES — A NATION OF MAMA'S BOYS?

In talks with non-Filipinos, they shared astonishment over the number of Filipina migrant workers and expats they know of, who toil abroad to foster, nurture and continue the so-called chain of Filipino males' overdependence on their women---their moms, lolas, sisters, titas, girlfriends, wives, daughters, granddaughters---who do such a damn too-good job of 'taking care" of them.

For a clearer picture, these non-Filipinos personally concluded that the reason why Filipinas sell their lives and souls---and bodies, to some extreme, desperate level---not just overseas, but back home as well, is because: 

"Filipino men are lazy mama's boys."

Note the quote-unquote, so don't credit this to me. Please.

Agree or not? Defend your comments, kids. They will be used as research material for an article.

Critical thinking would be most helpful, but I've got space for violent reactions as well. Exchange of ideas, like "Pinoy mums' relentless coddling of their sons", is highly encouraged. 

Of course, Pinoy guys' thoughts are very much welcome. 

Originally posted on 02 Apr 2011 on Curtis Curtis Facebook Page.

"I'm Sorry" Don't Mean Shit, Babe

Note to self when trying to console someone, especially when loss is involved.

There's no "at least" about losing someone.

Many non-relatives came to sympathise when my dad died, but (apart from some old friends of his who thought---correctly so---that it would be more fun to discuss how cool/overbearing/OTT/"alaskador" the dude was) I can only remember two instances when I truly felt consoled by the presence of guests who were not family.

Those two guests never imposed themselves on my grief by uttering words such as "condolence", "sorry" or worse, "at least". (Guilty on using the first two and always felt bad about it because I know why people use it... but anybody who uses that last phrase at a funeral should be slapped. Hard. Five times. By Anne Curtis.)

This is me, but I feel such a hypocrite telling people, "I'm sorry (Period)" especially when I don't know the deceased. Someone loses a loved one, the three most sincere words I can offer that truly describe how I feel about the whole thing would be: "Hmm. That sucks." (Not very writer-ly, I know.)

But if it's a really good pal that loses someone, then I've learned to take a page from my two guests' book that shitty week. Next time you really want to console someone, I suggest doing any or both of these:

(a) give your friend a tight hug (loose hugs are like loose handshakes --- a waste of effort), and
(b) do their dishes & sweep the floor.

Promise you won't get slapped in the end.

Video credit: www.thersa.org