In the war in Mindanao, when it was time for the soap opera "Rosalinda," there

would be a temporary ceasefire. And then the war would continue. The Mexican
TV soaps have so captivated the imagination of the Filipino because they deal
with family and relationships the Pinoy's predominant values. Why is it so hard to
catch TNTs abroad? Because Pinoys love their relatives and will hide them even if
everyone will have to subsist on lugaw. 

What do visitors like most about the Philippines? The sunset? The beaches? The
hotel accomodations? The traffic? Certainly not. It's the quality of the Filipino's
deathless friendships. The Filipino cares. We are our own best asset. And we do
not even believe it. 

Anyone who watched the ERAP impeachment trial (December 2000) can't help
but admire the Pinoy. The sharpness and eloquence of both prosecution and
defense were more riveting than any courtroom scene in the movies. All of Asia
watches us. For in the things we're good at, we're really good. We had the first
bloodless People Power Revolution to overthrow a tyrant. This has become some
sort of Asian model. And now a second. Although Asian countries with leaders
that they perceived corrupt have long desired their impeachment, it was the
Filipinos who first succeded in impeaching theirs.