Are Filipinos too Critical of Each Other?

An observation I made about the Philippines regarding last weeks events, the hostage drama at the Quirino Grandstand and the 4th place win of Ma. Venus Raj at the Miss Universe Pageant was how critical and borderline unforgiving Filipinos are of each other. The Philippines worse critic are Filipinos.

Venus Raj, local and national authorities were flooded with negative online comments from Filipinos around the world mostly referring how "nakakahiya" or embarrassing the country was to the rest of the world - I think the criticisms went over-board or “OA” (Over-Acting). To be fair, not all were harsh, there are some who were objective and with their commentaries. And when it comes to admiration, who else are best admirers and cheerleaders of the Philippines but Filipinos.

I felt and understand and frustrations with the SWAT and Manila police, they could have handled the hostage situation wisely. I also cringed when Venus Raj fumbled during the Q&A and wished she should have spoken in Tagalog. But people need to move on and get over the hopelessness towards the country and the "crab mentality" towards a hard-working individual. There’s a limit to everything even to our criticisms. Abraham Lincoln once said, “He has a right to criticize, who has the heart to help.” Remember that anyone can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving. I hope many of us will be the latter. The Philippine National Police, Noynoy Aquino, Venus Raj or any Filipino who stumbles deserves a better reaction from all of us - the Bible calls it grace.