Friday,Dec 3 2004, 05:51:36 AMPART 45: MARIBAYA WATERFALLS & NATURE PARK NO

PART 45: MARIBAYA WATERFALLS & NATURE PARK

 

 

NOV. 16, TUESDAY - (Part 1)

 

            Ariel drove us to Jesper’s place to pick up his things in the morning. Then we met Angie, a former Trainee of UP last year, and she is back here for the holidays for she had fallen in love with Bandung. We met her late as planned. Hehehe… this is Indonesia, we are all used to being late and waiting.

 

            We started hiking near the NE edge of the city, the same place where we had night sight-seeing 2 days ago. We walked through a local community uphill. We entered the Nature Park and it will take us 3 hours to reach the waterfalls. A pavement is provided for the comfort of the hikers, and also for the lazy local tourists by taking motorcycle. But for us, we prefer a long walk.

 

            For the meanwhile, we have had some intellectual conversations:

 

1)     Angie asked for a favor from a guy, this Indonesian guy asked to join her sometime because for him he is a friend of Angie already. But Angie doesnt think the same way - they just met, they don’t know each other well, and most of all they are just mere acquaintances.

 

For Asian, friendship is important. Sometimes to the point of becoming too close and dependent to friends rather than to their own relatives. Asian people value friendship. You can meet someone new then consider each other as friends in the long run. And Asians have the tendency to brag about their foreigner friends. They like rubbing shoulders with white people.

 

In contrast to European and Western cultures, you are not friends on the first encounter YET. They will not even care about you after the first meeting. They are independent and care less about strangers (especially in countries like Great Britain, Western Europe and the former Iron Curtain countries, the former Russian territories, Canadian French-territories, North Korea and Japan).

 

 

2)     Jesper does not know where the word Dutch came from even he is from the Netherlands. Well, The Netherlands is the name of the country, Belanda in their native tongue. Holland is just a part of it (a fraction went to Belgium) and Dutch is its people.

 

He doesnt pay much attention about the past colonization and tribulation of the East Indies (former name of Indonesia) in the past.

 

 

3)     Q: But why is Indonesia corrupt after the liberation (from Portuguese, British, the Netherlands & Japanese)?

Why is the Philippines corrupt after the liberation (from Spanish, Japanese & Americans) as well?

 

A: (a)  It was during the Exploration Race Era of the West European countries - conquering many territories as they could. The colonizers abused, violated, utilized the people and consumed the natural resources of that land for their so-called goals – 3 G’s (God, Gold & Glory). Except for Japan - to expand their empire; and the Americans - to liberate the people.

After granting independence, the local government officials want a piece of what is left FOR THEMSELVES!   Our Motherland, my own land… Mine!

 

                 (b)  We are an archipelago. Its hard to monitor each region or province or island.

 

                 (c)  Elitism and illiteracy persists!

 

 

4)     Look at the British Commonwealth Countries and its former colonies. The relationship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Northern Ireland to the members of the Commonwealth countries is Two-Way Give-and-Take Symbiosis. Some members gain more while some members give more like in Africa.

 

Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Brunei are on top.

                        India as well but poverty still exists.

           

            Why is it so?

-          Malaysia and Brunei became Islamic countries

-          Hong Kong and Singapore are Chinese-predominated countries

 

What does India, Indonesia (particularly Java) and the Philippines have in common?

-          Hinduism - its former practice, attitude towards life, way of living, behavior, mentality and belief - these influenced the people of the East Indies. Centuries before the colonization period of both countries and during the glorious days of BANTEN, DEMAK, SINGOSARI and MAJAPAHIT EMPIRES (Hindu costumed) in the island of Java, its people spread to the northern islands of Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sulawesi then migrated to the Philippines. People from the Malay Peninsula also migrated to the Philippines.

 

What if the Philippines remained a Commonwealth country of the United States like Puerto Rico? We could have been one of the States like Guam and using dollars. We could gain a lot. But then again, we could loose our identity. But New Mexico, Hawaii, Guam, Saipan and Alaska did not.

            Oh this is too far from our topic. I will discuss about Filipino people and our questionable identity next time.

 

 

5)     English is the second language in the Philippines. It is the medium of communication in media, print, business, school, government, etc.

 

Filipino Language is the National Language and it is predominantly Tagalog dialect (Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and Tayabas now know as Quezon Province) because the former President Manuel L. Quezon, who declared the use of Tagalog, is from this region. But Filipino Language itself is not pure. It’s a mixture of borrowed words from Spanish, Chinese, and English and probably 40 % of the words came from Malaysia and Indonesia. The farther you go south, the closer the provincial dialects are to the languages in Indonesia. That’s why it was not hard for me to learn the Indonesian Language.

 

In Germany, they are just starting to have the fear of losing the purity of their national language. English has started to invade names of commercial products, establishments and services. Its weird!!! American English came from British English. Then again, Anglo-Saxons, who migrated to the present Great Britain and pushed away the Celts, came from a Germanic Tribe!!!

(confused??? Read your World History book, ok)

 

So now in France, they passed a law concerning the usage of English word. You can not use an English word if that word has a French counterpart, even if the description is long. Violations or failure to comply… God knows what the punishment is. Any Frenchmen reading this? Care to  explain to us. Thanks.

 

 

6)     The Spaniards called the natives of Las Islas de Felipinas as indio

The Dutch called the natives of East Indies as indio as well.

The Americans taught and educated Filipinos locally and in the U.S.

            The Dutch taught and educated Indonesians locally and in the Netherlands.

            The Filipinos imitated and borrowed countless Spanish and English words for daily use.

            The Indonesian people refused to use Dutch and English words as much as possible.

 

 

7)     In the Dutch history, they were also attacked by the Germans. The Royal Family escaped to Canada to save their power and their precious lives. After the war, the queen gave Canada tulip flowers as a sign if her gratitude. That day is celebrated as MAY FAIR in Canada and Freedom Day in the Netherlands. Tulips are can also be found in Bogor, West Java

 

 

8)     Countries that use an article THE when you mention their name alone in a sentence. It is due to multi-racial and multi-ethnic origins or number of territories. Although some countries are diverse, they don’t use the article.

 

The Philippines or The Philippine Islands - (please take note of the spelling, ok)

The Netherlands

The Bahamas

The Gambia Guinea-Bissau

The Former Soviet Union (USSR)

The United States of America

 

Indonesia is multi-cultural; why not use The Indonesia Geezzhh. Ask Hatta and Sjahrir and the PNI (Indonesian National Party)!!! They were the ones who first used the name in 1927. Hehehe. You can say The Indonesian Republic okay, but not The Belgium, The Malaysia, The India.

 

 

9)     Going back to corruption in the Philippines and Indonesia; senators, provincial governors, town mayors, congressman, representatives, legislators, parties, police force, military commandos, navy stations, port areas, customs, etc. in different region, provinces and islands are being tempted to become corrupt:

 

a)     all their natural resources and total earnings go to the capital city (Manila and Jakarta repectively)

 

b)     to compensate, they impose higher tax or other charges (10% Value Added Tax, Service Charge, parking fee, entrance fee, pass-through my territory FEE, and TOILET FEE, etc.)

 

c)      in the Philippines, if you want to become rich, enter the Armed Forces (police, military, navy, air force, NBI). In Indonesia, you must be rich to join the Armed Forces because you need to pay along the way to climb a higher rank. When you get there, you will get more than what you have spent.

***(DISCLAIMER: This comment DOES NOT apply to all members of the Armed Forces of both countries mentioned. There are still honest Men in Uniform. I hope.)***

 

d)     with low salary coming from the government, they accept bribe or gifts, perform under-the-table contributions, hire ghost employees, turn a favor to a contractor with out bidding the project, overcharge a small project or build a ghost project, delay a project and declare insufficient funds then start again from scratch, receive Relief Goods but distribute only the ones near to expire and in bad condition, etc. etc. etc.

 

e)     once caught, they can get away from acquisitions, investigations, probe and charges because they have network of friends, and can pay the investigating body or the prosecutor, fiscal and even the judge

 

 

10)   I therefore conclude…

 

Those archipelago countries should have separate states, not just one, but not as a separate country - still one nation.

 

East Timor has gained independence, Aceh is still fighting too, and other islands are suffering because only Jakarta is enjoying the nation’s treasure, money and power at their own expense.

 

Philippines is divided into 3 major regions: Luzon (north), Visayas (Central) and Mindanao (south). Mindanao was the land of the MORO – native muslims and other smaller tribes who were not totally conquered by the Spaniards but became part of the Republic. For years they have been fighting and defending their Grandfathers Land for a separate muslim state. Before, they never considered themselves as Filipino Citizens and never say pledge to the Filipino Flag nor sing the National Anthem because the word Philippines came from the crowned prince Philip of Spain. They despise all colonizers. But according to international laws they must have a nationality.

            Later on, they were granted ARMM (Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao) under the leadership of Nur mi Suari. Both sides were getting along for some time not until some muslim withdraw to build MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and then further split up to MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) then again break away into ABU SAYAFF. The latter is now called extremists and rebels. It is speculated that ARMM cradles them. That is why muslim people receive cold treatment when they live in other regions or cities – they are labeled terrorist.

            In fairness, President Gloria-Arroyo made effort to unite the country by making Idul Fitri as a National Holiday for the whole country. (But only for one day. Unlike the 2-week holiday in Malaysia and Indonesia. But in Islamic regions in Mindanao have that as well). And she tried applying for a position in the Federation of Islamic Countries - we didnt pass the requirements.

            One political analyst and commentator protested the building of a mosque in Manila (Greenhills and Ortigas area) beside a mall (where mostly muslims are tenant store sellers) near an executive village for very rich people. He said that the mosque could be a nest for terrorism who will stage a plot in the city.

Frustrations arise when the muslim themselves accepted that the major key cities in Mindanao like Zamboanga and Davao are predominantly Catholics and Christians. They are starting lose their hopes for a separate Islamic state.

 

--------------------------------------------

            Ok enough. Jesper and I went in the Goa Jepun (Japanese Cave) - Japanese ammunition supply warehouse - and the three of us went through the other side of Goa Belanda (Dutch Cave) - Dutch army hideout post. One of these chambers is spooky. I think this was a torture chamber. This site was used by a local tv show “Dunia Lain” (Different World). Where they ask the contenders to stay in one place one night at a time, alone, without light, food and water from 12 mn to 4 am. If you get afraid and quit, you lose. If you are brave enough to stay till the end, you win a cash prize. I didnt see the episode when they featured this place. But some episodes are really spooky and chill up the bones up to your spine.

 

We have arrived at MARIBAYA waterfalls. Rame! Too many people because its holiday. All people are looking at my two companions. They call them “Bule” (term for foreigners from the word Blue Eyes). They are starting to get pissed off from the locals who were asking to have pictures with them. And they think I am the interpreter or guide. HEY! IM A FOREIGNER TOO, YOU KNOW!!!

 

We walked out to the main exit, to the other side of the park and waited along the road for Ariel to pick us up and bring us to our next destination.

 

Thursday,Dec 2 2004, 10:07:04 AMPART 44: BANDUNG on IDUL FITRI NOV. 14,...

PART 44: BANDUNG on IDUL FITRI

NOV. 14, SUNDAY

I was awaked by a tap. I immediately went to the toilet to perform my morning rituals and the ablution (Wudlu) before praying (Sholat) by washing the genital organ (oppss.. I'm not suppose to say that, am I?) hands right and left 3x alternately, mouth 3x, nose 3x, face and ears, arms alternately 3x, whole head and ears, and feet right and left 3x alternately. Then I put on a formal shirt, wrapped around sarong and a cap. ...

Read More...

Thursday,Dec 2 2004, 08:55:51 AMPART 43: JAKARTA, South... then to BANDUNG NO

PART 43: JAKARTA, South... then to BANDUNG

NOV. 13, SATURDAY

I slept 10 hours!!! ...

Read More...

Saturday,Nov 27 2004, 08:32:03 AMPART 42: PUNCAK NOV. 11, THURSDAY No one can...

PART 42: PUNCAK

NOV. 11, THURSDAY

No one can join us today. So its Dito and me again. Her mom prepared me breakfast and gave us food for the trip and for Buka Puasa if we get caught in the traffic. We left at 1 pm. The city is still crowded. ...

Read More...

Saturday,Nov 27 2004, 08:30:05 AMPART 41: JAKARTA, Central NOV. 9, TUESDAY I...

PART 41: JAKARTA, Central

NOV. 9, TUESDAY

I woke up late. Refreshed. I met Dito’s family. They are all warm and nice. His mother even prepared me breakfast. I'm the only one eating. Well, there is Sha-sha, the youngest daughter. She is 4 years old, very smart and talkative. Her smile is better than his big brother. ...

Read More...