Most prude conservative Filipino Christians will tell you, “They’re un-assimilated, they’re disorganized,” and all those stereotypes, yet you can never ever go wrong with them when it comes to marriage and relationships.
First of all, most ethnic Chinese and Muslim people alike are both practical—they detach emotion from logic. Granted, both sides think inside the box only within their cultural traditions (kaya kadalasan, kapag magpapakasal ka lang sa isang Chinoy o sa isang Muslim, marami daw “restrictions”), yet you’ll never go wrong with them when it comes to practicing filial piety. Every family gatherings, they’re INSEPARABLE—they practice filial piety.
Their sense of conservatism is more genuine (albeit narrow-minded most of the time), since like what was stated, they detach emotion from logic.
Speaking of their culture, a lot will tell you, “Marami kang haharaping restrictions.”
Sa Muslim, may katotohanan pa iyun. Nasa side ng asawa mo iyun kung kailangan mong magsuot ng hijab—and usually, kapag kasal na si babae, kailangan na niyang takpan ang kanyang buhok, as a sign na siya ay technically Muslim—it’s either you’re only Muslim on paper, or a practicing Muslim.
However, there are some countries where there are many Muslims, but live in a strictly secular country. For example—most countries in Central Asia (all thanks to Soviet influence!). How come, mas liberal pa nga ang mga Muslim dun, kesa sa Gitnang-Silangan?
Answer: Absence, and non-application of Sharia Law.
Kaya nga, si Ayaan Hirsi Ali pa nga ang nagsabi, unreformed nga ang Islam, is because it’s not only the youngest—she might not have mentioned this, but the presence of Sharia Law is the reason why many Muslims still do not assimilate to their adopted cultures. Buti pa nga ang hindi nagpa-practice masyado ng Islam, they tend to assimilate faster than their un-assimilated counterparts.
Speaking of the ethnic Chinese, a lot of them are “ethnocentric.” They only tend to marry their own kind—and the reasons are not only because of “racial purity” purposes. Ang totoo niyan, it’s the culture they’re preserving. Want to know more? Here’s the video:
A lot of ethnic Chinese around the world cannot even practice their culture in the land of their ancestors is because of, well… just watch the video for you to find out!
The common denominator: Their conservatism does not resort to the superficial
A lot of prude conservative Filipino Christians are no longer practicing true Christian values. Bueno, they rely on the false conservatism that Catholic schools impose, and also the fucking CBCP! And guess what? The Chinese and the Muslims are far better than most Filipino Christians, when it comes to marriage, family, and divorce.
In fact, the Chinese and the Muslims do not view marriage as a lifetime achievement. In some way, many Filipino Christians do not realize, they still live in the past.
Side Note: Kung ganon, eh hiyang-hiya naman ang mga kagaya ni King Henry VIII ng Inglatera, na mas tapat pa nga kesa sa mga mambabatas sa Pilipinas na sobrang takot tsaka allergic sa salitang “diborsyo,” dahil masisira raw ang pamilya. Eh putangina nilang lahat, gusto parin nilang mangaliwa, at hindi malayo kung pwede sa kanila na mangangaliwa lang din ang mga asawa nila. And HOW DARE THEY use the name of God to run away from their sins!?
Well, the Muslims also share that same banana when it comes to using the name of Allah to punish people who commit things that are “sins” in Islam—but here, they do not use the name of Allah to justify that they’re living with another woman without the first wife’s consent. After all, Islam allows polygamy for men (we know, it’s kinda “sexist,” but that’s because it’s a sin for a man not to provide for his wife), but only 2-5% of Muslim men are polygamous.
According to Queenie Padilla:
Fact #1 Only 2-5% of muslim men marry more than one wife. In fact the Qur’an is the only Holy Scripture that specifically tells men if they cannot do justice to more than one wife they MUST CONFINE THEMSELVES TO ONLY ONE.
See? In fact, Islam is far more liberal when marriages are concerned. First of all, Islam allows divorce, and polygamy at the same time.
A lot of Filipino Christians look down on Islam because the belief system itself allows polygamy. Those Christians who look down on Islam, simply because it’s “better to be monogamous,” are hypocrites.
Same when they look down on the Chinese—aside from Filipino-Chinese, have they ever interacted with overseas Chinese? Have they ever met a mainland Chinese person? Granted, the Chinese practice filial piety, yet when it comes to divorce, that’s because they no longer see the need to have a family of their own. Best example? Gong Li.
In fact, Krizette Laureta Chu, a DDS, posted on her FB:
I love Singaporeans breaking up. So practical, cool, and calculated. And no tears.
Well, that’s because Singapore does not promote telebasuras! One proof:
Been staying here in Sg for a decade, hinde cla masyadong emotional, wla nga silang masyadong teleserye dto. Basta may work at may pangbili lng cla ng LV, Prada at pangpa ganda, ayos na un! pero mataas level ng empathy nla sa kapwa, natulungin.
One follower of hers even said,
It’s true. Mostly pa nga sa mga intsek na couple became friends after divorce.
This is why the huaren are more commendable than Filipinos.
#RealTalk: Kapag highly emotional ang kultura, malamang, they normalize illicit relationships, whereas they do not want to have a divorce law. Malamang sa malamang, it’s the fault of telebasuras—which the Chinese and the Muslims aren’t interested at. Ang hilig kadalasan ng mga Tsino tsaka mga Muslim, simple form of entertainment na nasa safe zone. Jusko! Sa Iran nga, people there do not care much about politics; they simply care about the latest news about a new film, or creating something out of nothing. Same banana in the rest of the Middle East, esp. in wealthier, oil-rich countries.
In fact, people who are more logical than emotional, are the ones who don’t have much time to delve into teleseryes. How come sa Iran, mas sikat pa nga ang mga Koreanovela kaysa sa mga Pinoy teleserye? Also, how come Pinoy teleseryes are patronized by nationalities in countries like… Africa?
In fact, if the Chinese and Muslims is to Filipino Christians, this applies the same, speaking of green card holders is to naturalized Americans—esp. kapag Pilipino! Usually, kapag mga green card holders, they tend to be more open-minded than those who are naturalized American citizens; the latter group (again, mga Pinoy) tends to be more narrow-minded, intolerant, and far from being a liberal; sila pa nga ang may superiority complex! More kudos to eternal green card holders for NOT GIVING IN the American citizenship bandwagon, or else, they’ll develop the superiority complex like most fresh-off-the-boat immigrants have.
Also, karamihan pa naman sa mga Pilipino (regardless na siguro kung green card holder or naturalized American) sa Amerika, most of them tend to subscribe to TFC and watch teleseryes, instead of sensible local American channels where they can readily watch American dramas. That’s why I do not commend Fil-Ams who watch TFC, since most of them will resort to bashing others who have a different opinion on artistas. In other words, they’re un-assimilated.
The more you know.
Conclusion
I guess, Filipino Christians have a lot more to learn regarding logic. Also, detaching emotion from logic. That way, the Chinese and the Muslims are more commendable when it comes to family and relationships, because they remind me of Filipinos who still hold a green card, as compared to Filipino Christians who remind me of fresh-off-the-boat immigrants who develop superiority complex after they become naturalized Americans.
That is all.
QueenRoxy said it. Thanks MSP for the pic! ❤
