With apologies to Dr. Pepper
What the heck is a “promdi’ and why should I care? Well the short answer is, it is common Philippine slang for a person who lives “out in the Provinces” and maybe you don’t care … but chances are if you come to live here it will creep in and affect your life in one way or another, so forewarned is forearmed as they say.
The Philippines as a recognized country has existed since the 12500’s … way longer than the USA for example. When the US was nothing but forests and native Americans in teepees, before there were any foreigners present, the Philippines already had a network of churches, schools, fortresses (mainly to protect against renegade Muslim extremists … hmm, have things really changed all that little?). As well as a strongly regulated and well developed trade with Europe and particularly China. But don’t let history fool you.
Unlike the US where the nation is pretty much united in outlook and laws, the Philippines, even today. somewhat resembles what we used to call very old airplanes in the Air Force … spare parts flying in formation.
The Republic of the Philippines is more than 80 provinces on more than 7,100 islands flying in what a military pilot would call a very ‘loose’ formation.
That’s why you’ll continually see people asking some question about living here in the Philippines and getting different, sometimes conflicting answers about how things are. Here, for sure, the old Internet adage applies YMMV … Your Mileage May Vary.
One thing that has been constant over all those years though is the concept of a few powerful families being the real ‘movers and shakers’ … many of them based in Manila. Manila obviously has also been the seat of government since Spanish imperial days, and even though the Spanish have been gone for more than 100 years now, the concept of “Imperial Manila” is still very much ingrained in the hearts and minds of many people.
To many government agencies, to many corporations and to many rich and influential people, the Philippines consists of Manila and then all others.
You should chose where you wish to live here in the Philippines based on many factors. all of which are pretty much unique to you and your family. I certainly don’t advocate settling in Manila just because of this centrist attitude … many people seem to think I live in Manila, but no, I’m close but I’m still proudly a promdi.
As a point of interest that many miss, what we typically call “Manila” is really the NCR, (National Capital Region) or Metro Manila. The City of Manila is one of only 16 cites which make up the NCR and there is no overarching government agency … talk about “flying in loose formation”. Only a few months ago the President had to avert a general strike by issuing an executive order to prevent motorists from getting more than one ticket per day for the same offense in different NCR cities … a taxi driver would get a ticket for say a burned out light and before he could get home to fix it, he’s get tickets from the three other cities he had to cross to get home … a bit of an impediment to business. There’s also a Metro Manila Development Agency (MMDA) who has certain government powers … such as their own police force, but is not the government of anyone. Welcome to the Philippines.
You will continually ‘bump up against’ this attitude in your daily life, so you need to be aware and take it in stride rather than blowing your stack at something which is not likely to change any time soon.
When you need something like a part to repair a car or an appliance, their availability magically changes at the border between metro Manila and the provinces.
About 5 miles from me as the crow flies, inside the boundary of Metro Manila a cable TV company offers excellent high speed Internet service. My TV is hooked to the same cable system owned by the same company but, “Not available in the provinces sir, call back next year”.
My wife and I have one credit card issued here in the Philippines, a Visa card from one of the larger banks, BDO. Actually we never even asked for it. They sent it so us by commercial messenger (remember I’ve already written about how seldom we see an actual mailman). The terms were ok and we wanted something local so we kept it. A few months ago the monthly statements, also delivered by messenger stopped coming. When we called the customer service number we were quite abruptly told, “Oh we no longer send bills to the provinces”. Huh? That’s where we live and that’s where you local bank branch that we use is … well we don’t use that credit card much, as the only way to find out if we owe anything is to call customer service, wait on hold and then get a verbal amount due and pay that, “blind” over the counter in the bank or in the SM bill pay center.
Anyway, none of these issues are life threatening or insoluble, just something you want to keep in mind …. even if it means money not going in their pockets even major corporations here don’t retreat ‘promdis’ as well as they do Manilenyos … but hey, that’s just how life goes here in the Philippines.
I know I would be called one …And i thought i lived in the sticks and you are just outside of Metro Manila ..I wonder what they call people who live in the forest ,,like me Dave … Phil an Jess
I had to laugh when I read about getting a ticket for the same offense. Once I was riding in a hired van in Manila and the driver got pulled over for not wearing a seat belt. He told the officer but I just got a ticket yesterday for not wearing my seat belt.
Don't they ever learn? 🙂
Hi Dave,
Very interesting story, I can see it will be very frustrating when I first come to the Philippines, but is just another thing I will need to "conform" too, and get just get used too, and just need to keep my "cool", and not get too frustrated at things I can't change.
I won't be living in a huge city, so not sure what to expect as far as services there yet. Maasin City in Southern Leyte I guess is considered living in the provinces in a way. Tacloban City and/or Cebu will be the closest "big" city.
Is funny how they change policies so quickly there, but I guess is to be expected.
Nice article,
Salamat,
Danny 🙂
Hi Dave, This is an interesting article. I like your insights because you have a unique perspective, living close but not quite close enough not to be considered a promdi. In the visayas region, if one chooses to live in the province, you still have to visit the city to do all your business at least once a month, and also you have to live without many of the "perks" that living in the city offers. Also being miles away from your doctor or a major hospital is a risk one has to live with (this is a risk that you have talked about in a previous article too, at your site)
Some of the real advantages that I feel a "promdi" often enjoys though, are clean air, a "small town feel" and being able to know your family, townspeople and neighbors in a more intimate way. Feeling that you are a real member of your town and being able to participate in many activities can be very fun and rewarding. I used to think that I would never choose to live in the province, but now I can't imagine living anywhere else. I think that anyone can adapt to whereever they settle though, as long as they learn to be patient, and be willing to experience living in a way that they might not ever have in the past. That's what is so great about the philippines–the warmth, kindness and sense of humor in spite of adversity, that the filipino people display , will make up for any differences and frustrations that one might encounter.
Hi Dave,
Interesting article. I often forget how it was like back there in my country. Changes is the only thing constant is what the saying goes and Filipinos do it well. 🙂 To Phil …if you live in the forest, you’d be called “Umanhon” in a Waray dialect – folk people, (like where I came from) Pagani to Europeans, I believe (?)
Maligayang Pasko to you, Dave, and your extended family in Marilao!
@ Phil R … thnaks for reading and commenting. Certainly there are alot of "degreees of promdiness" but part of the fun is, you can sometimes use the 'set in stone' attitude of the Maniliyenos to good advanatage … it's all good if you take the time to let it be.
@ Ray, and who would "they" be?
@ Dabby … yes there is plenty to get used to. But it's not so hard. As a long-time resident of Colorado I grew used to this sort of attitude back in the USA. Ever notice how when they mentiobn show times for something on TV they always say something like "9 Eastern 8 Central and 6 PM Pacific"? A whole major timne zone missing … apparently those who liuve there just don't count … not to mention Alaska and Hawaii the 'step children' states who have never been included in much.
@ Queenie, indeed one of the things I like about living where we are is that feeling of a small town. Locally, in the barangay, I know a lot of people who can answer questions, show me the ropes on getting things done. And when I have vsitied the Municipio for some tax issues, people where very nice … nothing like visiting offices in Manila.
You did bring up an important point and one I have written about and should write more on … there are only two cities I even know of that have 911 service … Davao, and Makati. In a majority of small towns the ambulance, if there is one, is the personal toy of some official and as likely to be on a shopping trip to Manila as it is available for a medical call. And even if there's an amblance, the traffic can make trips to the hospital unbelievably long.
That's one reason that Mita and I may very well buy a condo close to a major hospital at some time in the future … being in the provinces suits me fine now, but health care is certainly a very big issue to factor in. There's no "Flight for Life" or "Flying Doctor" service here.
@ Marcelina, Thnak you so much and a very merry Christams and best wishes for the coming year yo you and yours as well. When I was a boy I used to get unbelievably bored sitting in the back seat of the car listening to my mom and dad talk on and on about what had been built since we were down the road we were on last.
Today I listen to my dear wife tell me how much everything has changed since she traveled whatever road we're on as a girl. The difference, aside fromn two different continerts/countries is, today I don't get bored 😉
I'm fascinated by the chnages I have seen even since I first came to the Philippines ijn 1999 and I am so often puzzled by people who should know better who continually bad moth their own country …"there's no opportunity here, things never chnage in the Philippines" and so on. These folks need to visit a good ophthalmologist in my "view". There's a lot going on here.
It's true Dave–but living in general is full of risks, and living in a foreign country is a big leap of faith anyway.So I guess> I''ll just cast my fate to God as I feel that this is where I belong. (Also add eating a lot of fish, not smoking and wearing a seatbelt!)
Oh I forgot–also having a fast vehicle and a crackerjack driver!
Hi Dave
I meant the person who got the ticket. If I got a ticket for not wearing my seat belt I think I would start wearing it.
Dave, How do I send you a private email unrelated to this topic? Despite fumbling around Bob's newly formatted site for more than 15 minutes, I am stymied – cannot seem to find an option for contacting you – or other columnists for that matter. I'm sure whatever it is lies in front of my nose. (Bob's old site, in my curmudgeomanly opinion, was easier to navigate.)
Anyway, would like to ask for your suggestions, if any, for airlines or other travel websites I might want to check for booking airline tickets to the PI this coming February 09. Since I have already retired, my wife is sending me on a reconnaissance mission. If I think she might be able to fulfill a few of her retirement fantasies (like a modest but comfortable home on the outskirts of town with a little acreage for goats, dogs, and a large garden), then we might book passage together next summer on a freighter or cruise liner for a more leisurely trip to the PI.
Sorry to be off topic. I hope you can catch this before posting and redirect it as appropriate. Thank you.
@ Andy: Bob already expalomned the methodology. You (or anyone else) is freee to contact me at dave(at)philfaqs(dot)com PhilFAQS.com is my personal blog where I have quite a bit of information save dup from previous tourist trips and from living here (now in my third year). For air tickets I recommend one of four people: http://philfaqs.com/content/travel-agents/
I have no business arrangements with any of these folks but they have all provided tickets in the past for me personally and for friends and family. In my view you really need to use a specialist in the Philippine market … it's a small market and many of the big agencies don't serve it well. Of the guys on that list Ed Mabunga has sent over a friend near the beginning of the year and my son a few months ago and both were satisfied campers.
What I do _not_ recommend doing is searching online for super-cheap Internet 'deals'. Thye often are not as cheap as they first appear. oe stick you with 20 hour layovers or can't get you your follow-on domestic tickets.
Best regards and give us a shout when you know your schedule and itinerary..
Hello Dave,
Very nice article but somewhat lacking in historical accuracy.
For example Manila was the seat of power well before the Spanish came as it also served as the seat of power when it was maynilad and ruled by a Muslim king. Actually, Raja Soliman was related by marriage to the Sultan of Brunei and muslim royality had direct ancstrial roots to Phophet Mohamed himself.
The Philippines as a nation cant be traced back to the year 1250 although its civilization can. I say this because the name Philippines was previiously filipinas as can be seen on the back of spanish era coinage and the name was derived from King Philip of Spain who was born well after the year 1250. If Im not mistaken the name was taken in the 1600's
Also, The spanish in no way built forts to protect them from Islamic radicals as they where rather the offenders and where facing Islam resistance warriors who where fighting to maintain their sovereignty just as either I or you would do ourselves. Im not a radical by any meens but would surely fight should someone moved into my house and take over it. lolol. By the way there most certainly where no churches before the arrival of foreigners as it was foreigners who brought both Islam as well as catholism. Prior to that they worshipped in much the same ways as native americans did prior to being subjected to outside influences.
On that note they never defeated the Muslim warriors as can be readily seen by the Bates Treaty. Negotiated between two, equal, sovereign states – the United States and the Sultanate of Sulu – the treaty was signed on August 20, 1899. This was eight months after the Treaty of Paris had been signed ending the Spanish-American War. By this document – which officially states that any subsequent changes to the treaty could only occur by mutual consent – Washington officially acknowledged that the Moros were not part of the Philippines and specifically guaranteed to respect the identity and the integrity of the Sulu Sultanate. In return, the sultan recognized U.S. sovereignty. On March 21, 1904, the U.S. government unilaterally, and illegally, abrogated the Bates Treaty. Itys this as well as other avbuses and descriminations that have lead to the violence there today.
@ Justin … wow, thanks.I appreciate your comment and I certainly learned afew things.
I will beg to differer though at the idea that all was peaceful with the Moros until the US came along. I'm no US apologist, the record of the US keeping treaties is abysmal in my view. But if you go to southern Visayan cites such Dumaguete City you'll find ample evidence, including the forts, that were built in Spanish times specifically to end the flourishing trade of slave kidnapping. There was plenty bad blod between the Moros and the Malay-Chinese Filipinos long before even the Spanish came … yolu can't lay that issue on the USA.
As far as the Moros fighting to protect their historic homelands against the Spanish and later the US you'll get no argument from me. I always have a sad chuckle when I hear US-born historians rfer to the 1899-1904 (and beyond) fighting as the War of Philippine Insurrection ,,, "Insurrection" against what? An armed foreign invader who ahd been 'awarded' the 'title' to ther country by a body which didn't own the country to begin with?
One of my earliest memories is sitting with my mom listening to some terrible news from Korea and asking her why we were fighting there … 'To Make the World Safe for Democracy" doesn't sound any less hollow today thna it did then.
Dave,
I didnt say all was peaceful as certainly it wasnt but was rather trying to point out the Spanish didnt build the forts to protect themselves from islamic "extreemist" . I meen the Muslims wherent extreemist in any stretch of the imagination as they whernt trying to propogate any extreemist ideologys but where rather trying to force foreign invaders off of their lands. I guess it depends on your idea of extreemist but when I think of extreemist my mind conjurs up images of people trying to force others to follow their beliefs and etc. while often using violence and inimidation to do so. Basically is just the use of the word extreemist I disagree with but then again I guess a extreemist could represent diffrent things to diffrent people.
Also, I dont blame the USA for the muslim problems in the Philippines as I wonder Spain purposely gave away what they didnt own inorder to cause some problems. I meen simulair things have happened since such as in Rwanda and as you know that lead to a genocide.
Some people even wonder how so many christians ended up in Mindanao if the muslims wherent defeated but even that to a certain degree can be explained by the following facts.
Now some may wonder how so many Christians ended up in the Muslim
areas of Mindanao if the Muslims weren't defeated and forced to
convert.
In 1903, all Moro land holdings were declared null and void and made
open to land grabbing. In 1913, law was passed allowing Christians to
own up to 16 hectares, whereas a Muslim could only own 8. In 1919,
Christian land entitlement was generously extended to 24 hectares.
The pattern of migrating Christians to Moro lands continued. In the
1950s, Northern peasants formed the New People's Army and staged a
Maoist rebellion. In order to defuse the situation, the government,
under the auspices of the Economic Development Corp (EDCOR) began
migrating these peasants to the Moro south and giving them seized
parcels of Moro land.
The Land Registration Act (Act No. 496) required the registration of
all lands occupied by any person, group or corporation. Most Moros
lost their communal lands in this way.
Public Land Act No. 718 was enacted by the Philippine Commission in
April 1903. This decreed null and void all land grants made by Moro
sultans and datus.
Public Act No. 926, enacted in October 1903, decreed that all lands
not registered under Act No. 496 were public lands, and therefore
available for homesteading, sale or lease to individuals or
corporations.
The Mining Law of 1905 declared all public lands as free, open for
exploration, occupation and purchase even by Americans.
The Cadastral Act of 1907 facilitated the acquisition of new
landholdings.
Acts 2254 and 2280 of 1913 created agricultural colonies and
encouraged Filipino migrants from the north to settle in the so-
called public lands in Mindanao and Sulu. Act 2254 awarded the
Filipino settler a sixteen-hectare lot while Moros were allowed to
own only eight hectares.
The Public Land Act 2874 in 1919 allowed a Filipino to own a twenty-
four-hectare lot, while a Moro was allowed only ten hectares.
Legislative Act 4197, enacted in February 1935, was also known as
the "Quirino-Recto Colonization Act". The government declared
settlement the "only lasting solution" to the Mindanao and
Sulu "problem".
The Commonwealth Act 141 in November 1936 declared all Moro ancestral
landholdings public lands. A Moro was allowed only four hectares,
while a Filipino could own up to twenty-four; a corporation, wholly
non-Moro, was allowed 1024 hectares.
The policy of widespread Christian settlement in Moro lands also
began during us colonial rule in 1913, with the passage of Acts 2254
and 2280 (the "agricultural colonization acts"). Contrary to
government reports, the Christian settlers were not the poor peasants
and workers of Central Luzon and Negros, but people from the more
affluent areas of the Ilocos region, Cebu and Iloilo—who later became
the carpetbaggers, loggers, ranchers and bankers of Mindanao. Large
tracts of land were also seized for US multinationals. B.F. Goodrich
came in 1919, Del Monte in 1925 and Goodyear in 1929—to name a few.
In 1950, the government formed the Land Settlement Development
Corporation (Lasedeco), which continued the resettlement program.
The Homestead Act of 1950 gave lands to former Huks (but many of
those given land were actually former soldiers, mixed with Huks in
order to function as "stabilisers" in the villages).
Filipino capitalists also began to corner the lion's share of the
timber, pasture and coconut concessions in Mindanao. Bislig Bay
Lumber, for instance, acquired 141,000 hectares.
Firestone was awarded 1000 hectares of land in Cotabato for a rubber
plantation in 1957.
Dole Philippines, a subsidiary of Castle and Cook, took vast tracts
of lands in Cotabato for its pineapple business in 1963.
Weyerhouse Corporation obtained 72,000 hectares of forest lands for
its logging operations in 1966.
Boise-Cascade Corporation got a 42,000-hectare timber concession in
1968.
This said I cant blame them for wanting rights rightfully theirs just
as I cant blame the IRA for trying to liberate Ireland . I guess theres a fine line between defender ., liberator and extreemist and quite possibly which a person was would depend on who was telling the tale.
Sorry for the very long comment.
Belated Merry Christmas,
Justin
Dave,
If you want please feel free to errase my very long comment as it takes up a large portion of your comment section which isnt something I hadnt intended to do. Actually, That was just a cut and paste of a portion of another article Id posted some time back on a diffrent forum.
Justin
Well, my father was born in Bicol, but he grew up in manila; and my mom’s dad is from pampangga but she’s born in tondo and grew up in manila, so I think I may have a little of “promdi” blood 😛
Well, I actually don’t care about the promdi stuff, but I’m still a manileña so I can’t do anything about it…
You can really distinguish manila people from provincial ones, the way the act, and the way they talk but if some province-grown folks stayed long here, well the accent fades. The one thing I don’t really get is why do province people settle here and be like nomads ( squatter) I mean, they could have a good life in their provinces, ‘coz they are used to the life there, besides it can cause them depression.
some promdi’s who just settled here are funny ones, of course being new to a place makes u look like a child, ure kinda innocent in many ways. Well, if I’d go to a province, I might be like that too, ‘coz u don’t see cows, chickens, ducks, goats running on a muddy farm in manila everyday.
Well, anyways I’m pretty sure I can’t survive living in a province, ‘coz I’m used to city life.
Go Manila! XD