US Politics in the Philippines
Discussion has been called regarding the tendency for some Pilipino Americans to lean towards the red-state side of America’s two party system. The Pil-Am voter lean, which if it were dance would be an offshoot of the “shoulder lean”, towards McCain likely has to do with the social conservatism generated by Catholicism as well as with roots in the military. Much more can be added to the algorythm, but that can be discussed in your Pilipino Studies classes… errr… Forgot, there’s that whole “we’re still fighting for it” thing with Pil Studies in our universities.
But let’s take it back to the Philippines, where a Gallup poll tried to see what our folks across the Pacific think about the US elections:
Whaaat?! Is that f’real?
Of course, the poll was conducted back in May, so things might be a lot different. Also, one should note the lean towards Obama for individuals in the National Capital Region. I also wonder how the pollsters selected those that participated.
What do y’all think?
Also, upon doing a quick research, aside from McCain and GMA’s picture above, any mention regarding the Philippines was virtually non-existent from McCain.
As for Obama, he dropped a well-intentioned press release a couple weeks ago commemorating Filipino American History Month, mentioning the Veteranos and talking about the need for family reunification. Though, more reading shows that Obama is likely to continue the same foreign policy with the Philippines, using the islands as hub for U.S. military engagement and possibly maintaining the existing Visiting Forces Agreement. Something to marinate on.
-Ninoy Brown
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Not really surprised by the results of the Gallup pole since many Pilipinos still have a hard time accepting our darker brothers and have a favorable opinion of the U.S. military and see McCain as being more closely tied to it. And I’m assuming that outside the NCR there isn’t that much in-depth coverage/exposure to the politics/policies of the two candidates. Did Pilipinos in more rural areas hear/see the speech that Obama gave on race? Probably not. Would it change their opinions of who they think should be president? No again.
As for the pollsters’ selection process I’ve always wondered the same thing. I know that myself and nobody I know has ever been asked to participate in one of these Gallup polls.
Not really surprised that McCain isn’t showing any love, but I’d be interested to know his position and any votes related to the Veteranos and/or U.S. foreign policy toward the Philippines.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
It’s not surprising at all. Filipinos hate themselves a lot, and you know who they’re taught to hate more? Anyone darker than them.
It is some sad shit. Really though, Obama’s Blackness is what it comes down to. They ain’t ready to get down like that. Remember we’re talking about a country of people whom on one hand, have an incredibly rich revolutionary past, whom have birthed a very structured and productive number of revolutionary movements (Bayan - holler. NPA, etc.), but at the same time, still we struggle with what it means to educate many of our folks…that there is no biological connection between melanin & morality, and that a mayor should not be chosen by her mestiza complexion, her stateside blouse, or her kolehiyala ingles.
On that note, let us plan for an inter Southeast Asian and inter African hip hop forum. The Black and Brown will six step, eat a lot of rice, and discuss how well the bone structure of our peoples has survived colonization.
P.S.
Real talk…
Veterans rights, etc. - big time Fil-Am issue. The average Filipino in the Philippines doesn’t have this on their radar, they have local shit on their minds. Remember also that the conversation about the connection between WTO-IMF-WB and US imperialism and the state of our nation, is actually not one being had in Philippine media. Barely, at most.
It’s only folks like the Bayan cats who are really bringing that larger understanding into everyday politicking, on the ground.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Good post.
I would support Obama if I were an American too (I’m Filipino-Canadian). That said I wouldn’t put too much hope in much change re: US-Phil relations come an Obama presidency.
Recently the head of Bayan-Phils was in N.America. She spoke of how when Gloria was in Washinton she got a phone call from the Obama camp–where she was assured that there would be no change to the status quo.
It’s a depressing fact that the Phils remains a neo-colony, and in tough economic times there is political will to do anything that will damage the economy (like ending human rights violations that only help increase profits for US multinationals)….
af
photojournalist
http://www.alexfelipe.com
November 28th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
IMHO this was more religion and not skin color.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:49 am
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