Ex-President Clinton: “On the whole it wasn’t a good advantage for the Philippines to have been colonized by the US.”
That was my Wow moment of the Clinton appearance, and it was in answer to a question I found strange and inappropriate.
Philippine Star headline: Clinton makes pitch for VFA.
During the Q&A that followed the former US president’s half-hour talk, moderator Maria Ressa asked this question.
“You’ve been a long-time observer of the Philippines. You know first-hand each Filipino’s ability and potential. Why do you think our nation hasn’t yet, after People Power, after everything we’ve gone through, why haven’t we been able to fulfill that potential?”
What the hell. You are asking a foreigner, a former president of a colonial power to which the Philippines maintains ties that may be described as “stifling”, to tell us why we have problems. You ask him in a public forum to pass judgment on us. Are you angling for a lecture on how to behave? (So we can all get indignant at being lectured by the US.)
Mr. Clinton must’ve recognized the wonkiness of the question because he prefaced his response with a longish silence. Then he said, “On the whole it wasn’t a good advantage for the nation to have been colonized, if you will, by Spain and the United States. . .”
Still the smartest guy in the room. No doubt the stories he tells are part of his speaker’s repertoire, but he sounds like he thought of them that minute. Here’s the video.
November 11th, 2010 at 12:37
That question was really way off the mark, and in so doing she inadvertenly placed Clinton in a precarious and potentially damaging situation. I’m glad to hear that he was able to handle the situation befitting his status as a revered international figure. Had it been G.W.Bush I fear for the worst, he’d be shooting everywhere and end up getting shot himself.
November 11th, 2010 at 13:40
i’m reminded of this guy from Netherlands who told me one day about his country’s colonial history (di ako aware) and how he thought what they did was evil.
i think for people who were colonized and think history is unfair, it gives them some closure when the present generation of the colonizers feel some guilt and say out loud that their ancestors were wrong.
November 11th, 2010 at 14:08
i am impressed by Ex-President Clinton’s response. Maria Ressa, i’m sorry but that was a dumb question. i was wondering why you had to ask it. only we can answer that question. and i think you know very well why.
November 11th, 2010 at 16:15
then he veers off to Rwanda….. (if I heard it right)
November 11th, 2010 at 16:36
#2 oriames – I couldn’t agree more about the closure. I think that’s one of the very least they could do.
Regarding the question, I think it was formulated to cause an impression. Well, it stupidly did. I was embarrassed for Clinton for a while but he got away with his wisdom.
November 11th, 2010 at 20:15
I didn’t think that Maria Ressa was angling for Mr. Clinton to pass judgment on us. The way I see it is, as a former head of the country that’s been having its way with us and still is, Maria wants to see if Mr. Clinton would hint at or even admit to the U.S. being “bad” or unfair to the Philippines (in terms of agreements, at least).
And he sort of did.
And in one of Maria Ressa’s tweets, I think I saw that Mr. Clinton said to President Aquino that he would need a lot of energy to make the needed changes. And I read that as him saying, “fight for your rights in international trade, stand your ground against bad publicity (like that recent travel advisory nonsense, etc.), implement a minimum wage for your overseas workers, be independent…be yourself.”
He knows we are being bullied.
Or I’m hallucinating.
1) bethfron Clinton on P’Noy: U need a lot of energy to push thru with change. 12:58 AM Nov 10th via Twitter for BlackBerry® Retweeted by maria_ressa and 7 others
2) glendamgloria Did clinton just do a mea culpa? Cites colonization as one reason we have not taken off as a country. In answer to Maria’s question 12:47 AM Nov 10th via Twitter for BlackBerry® Retweeted by maria_ressa and 3 others
November 11th, 2010 at 21:11
civilizemaya at 8:15 pm: Then after Clinton made the statement about colonization, why was there no follow-up question or request for him to elaborate?
November 11th, 2010 at 21:39
in any way possible, my sincerest wish for our country (and for myself too i guess) is that through all our networking with different countries, magkaron na sana tayo ng maayos na trade agreements.. sigh inggit na inggit ako sa singaporean friend ko na halos lahat ng lugar di kailangan ng visa.. pwede kayang yan na lang ang payback for all our historical woes related to colonization from spain (representing EU countries), US, japan (representing non SEA countries)..
November 12th, 2010 at 01:50
I don’t know, Miss! Perhaps it’s because Mister Clinton just all of a sudden launched into his Rwanda storytelling trick…veteran ninja topic diversion tactics, you know? & Maria Ressa was just no match for his brand of sorcery…even though she was the head of ABS something department and now ABC…
I saw what you did there, you were trying to blow my cover, see if I’m really Madame Auring!
But seriously, I think I get your point–one can’t be that unprepared, dim, or pointless when facing a giant. But had she done a follow up question, I think it would have made the the whole thing more awkward. The U.S. is guilty of many things and I don’t think he’s about to take the blame for them in that sit down. What a ninja.
As for Ms. Ressa, let’s see if she can redeem herself:
RT @maria_ressa “…the bombshell is the question Mr. Clinton answered backstage.” SHARE NAMAN!
@SagadaSun transcribing, will probably write weekend. :- )
November 12th, 2010 at 02:54
civilizemaya at 1:50 am: Why would you lay a trap and then watch the prey escape by chewing its leg off? It is not the place of media to take pity on the powerful. It does not compute.
November 12th, 2010 at 03:45
Because she’s not a ninja! And okay, here’s the mathematical expression of The Her in words: Maria Ressa (American first) divided by Maria Ressa (Filipino also) = She loves Bill Clinton and was in awe of him yesterday, okay?
Alphanumeric expression: MRA/MRF = 143 BC <3
Thur you go. Let me off the hook now, Miss! I do not know her and I do not worship at her temple. Look at whose temple I am at, at 3am…
But it's good if she somehow finds out about this, as it'd keep her on her toes, knowing that some home grown speculative hecklers are on to her.
I get the feeling though that you do not approve of her climb to the top of Philippine broadcasting/journalism just because she came from CNN…that you want her to justify her position…because there are others, more deserving of that post…(OMG, I'm Madame Auring!)
And I think that you should have a Twitter too…so you can grill her and not me, hah. If I tweet her about this, she wouldn't reply because I'm just a poor pencil, but you are Jessica Zafra, you rule the universe, she's not going to ignore you. Especially if your faithful minions, the ones who believe in what you stand for, follow you on there too.
I have written you a novel. Can you now please give me a pack of Sky Flakes and Zesto, Miss? As all of my strength has finally left me. I'll never say her name in your temple ever again. Even if you give me the Sky Flakes/Zesto combo.
November 12th, 2010 at 03:50
“But had she done a follow up question, I think it would have made the the whole thing more awkward.”
Ehhh. We all know journalists go for the jugular. She should have.
November 12th, 2010 at 03:54
I wonder what Cheche or Winnie would have asked. Would they be more incisive, more insistent?
I wonder what Jessica Zafra would have asked.
November 12th, 2010 at 09:08
I hate those kind of questions. And coming from someone like Maria Ressa seems kind of idiotic. Why do Filipinos always think that we are a “great” race?
It has nothing to do with being a collective nation. It is really about individual people achieving something above the rest.
I hate to hear the soundbites that says –
” the Philippines in the 1960s was teaching the Vietnamese how to plant rice in IRRI….”
“the Philippines was the most developed nation in southeast asia whosr first letter starts with a “P”….”
“in the 1960s our exhange rate with the US$ was 1-1….”
or the reverse of it that picks out every person with a drop of Filipino blood outside of the Philippines who has achieved fame and claiming them as our own even though they have never once acknowledged that they are Filipinos…”
examples:
Roy Schneider – heard it in a previous post here
Tia Carrere
Erik Spoelstra (miami heat coach)
Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye of the California Court of Appeal
Lou Diamond Philips
Batista the wrestler?
the boy who was a finalist in american idol – he has a concert here when there are more talented singers here that could not even make a living singing in karaoke bars.
November 12th, 2010 at 11:56
Thanks for this. I am one of the “alienated ones” and this is the kind of post that I identify with your blog.
And I share your reaction to the Maria Ressa question!
November 12th, 2010 at 15:40
@helenb – I’m with you there. Plus I disliked how the question, while iffy as a whole, had that “You know first-hand each Filipino’s ability and potential” bit. I don’t know if it was meant to flatter Clinton (by bestowing him with omnipotent/all knowing powers) or Pinoys (“look, American powers-that-be are constantly observing us! We matter to them!”). Either way it just came off as unnecessarily sipsip.
November 13th, 2010 at 01:45
I showed Maria Ressa your blog post and comment, her reply from her twitter: http://twitter.com/maria_ressa
Everyone has a right to their opinion. Having said that, I think her basic premise is wrong. My 1st question to any world leader always tries to get his pt of view about the country we’re in. How much does he know? Big pix or details? He showed he knew our history, instinctive response is what historians have long stated. So he’s well read. Then he went to rwanda, and that showed me something fascinating too. That question gave one of best quotes. Didn’t follow up because no need to. Already got great quote. Not after a ‘gotcha moment.’ Not doing for camera. Wanted to see how he thinks, what he thinks. Btw, had abt 20 questions I really wanted to ask so I moved on.
Think she only looked at her interp of question. He made a pt to mention Filipinos he know 1sthand and talked abt their strengths.
-I quoted from the blog comment “Why would you lay a trap and then watch the prey escape by chewing its leg off? It is not the place of media to take pity on the powerful. It does not compute”
That’s what I was referring to. Her interp sounds defensive, but that’s my view. She’s right tho abt putting him on the spot …That’s what I like abt intvws. Had no doubt his answer would start the ball rolling, but he’s got uniqe view – consummate diplomat. It wasn’t a trap. I really wanted to hear his answer, particularly since he is who he is. Step back, wouldn’t you want to know? I was not taking pity at all! Wanted more about a lot of other topics. I almost interrupted him to ask, ‘why compare to Rwanda?’
In past,he said he made a mistake by not taking action earlier to stop the genocide.Wanted to know why he spoke abt Rwanda so much, When he won, he was first democrat pres in more than a decade, and in 1994, he lost both Houses of Congress. Never got to ask what President Obama and the DNC can glean from his experiences! So many, many more. The colonial answer was perfect and enough.
and that’s why that’s first question. Shows you where he’s coming from.
I think they’re analyzing without getting first person view – mine – which you did.
“I don’t know if it was meant to flatter Clinton (by bestowing him with omnipotent/all knowing powers) (“look, American powers-that-be are observing us! We matter to them!”). Either way it just came off as unnecessarily sipsip.
-sipsip is defensive. It’s a straightforward question we ask ourselves and observers all the time. Why not this man with a very unique view? First question to any world leader: broad enough for him to think but specific enough to get somewhere. It worked
Remember, it’s a warm-up question. And he slipped a little :-)
comments?
November 13th, 2010 at 01:59
That’s a long explanation.
November 13th, 2010 at 02:31
yeah, i think maria ressa is not that “open” when being “criticized”, but she was gracious enough to reply, albeit long.
November 13th, 2010 at 03:05
I have not seen/read much of Maria Ressa’s body of work (even less so than Ricky Lo’s LoL)
I do not follow her career. But I’m sure she earned her dues, she won’t be in cutthroat CNN for nothing. I can forgive her the question. Kung ako yun cguro I would’ve asked Bill sassy silly questions, I would’ve been a blushing bumbler — like an awestruck, lovestruck hormonal intern.
What grates is the failure to follow-up, goddangittt. That had a potential to be the confessional of the century (or maybe not). “Great quote?” If you wanted mere soundbites, we want some semblance of substance. Ano ba naman yung simpleng one-liner query to further elaborate?
Di naman kelangang komplikadong maka-akademikong pag-uusig ng US unilateralist foreign policy.
That was a golden opportunity lost. No, Maria Ressa. It does not suffice.
Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang (sobrang kulang)
November 13th, 2010 at 03:35
Inaway talaga si Ressa haha. I’m not a hater. Peace,love, prosperity to all! :)
November 13th, 2010 at 11:04
Seems to me Clinton didn’t know how to answer the question. He knew that the Philippines was once a colony, which made him suddenly blurt out “Let’s talk about Rwanda.” There was no follow-up question since whenever someone makes an incorrigible response, people tend to nod in agreement.
November 13th, 2010 at 15:18
I’ve never met Mr. Clinton before but I’m glad to hear he knows first-hand of my ability and potential.
November 13th, 2010 at 17:58
#22 I think Bill knew what he was talking about. That’s perhaps precisely why he segued into Rwanda. Which by the way was nakaka-imbyerna ha. It wasn’t even a subtle diversion.
I’m mildly indignated that he thought he could veer off topic and get away with it.
Except he actually did.
November 13th, 2010 at 23:13
Let’s break down his response piece by piece…
Bill Clinton:
Well I think, first of all
…on the whole it wasn’t a big advantage for the nation to have been
…colonized -if you will- by Spain and the United States
TRANSLATION:
…the Catholic Church (SPAIN) did not benefit the Philippines
…Democracy and the Dollar (USA) did not benefit the Philippines
====================================================
Bill Clinton:
They got a lot out of it
…but it makes it too easy to maintain the ties that bind
…and it’s been great for America
…all the Filipinos that have served in the armed forces
…it’s been great for all the families who got the remittances
…that were sent back home
But it takes you very quickly to a level that makes life bearable
…but it doesn’t necessarily create the mindset let’s say that exists in Rwanda
TRANSLATION:
…Filipinos’ lives got ‘comfortable’ very easily because of the US Dollar
…it made the Filipinos ‘lazy’
…it should have been more traumatic and difficult
…like what happened in Rwanda
====================================================
Bill Clinton:
Let’s talk about Rwanda
…Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa
…per square mile
…although it’s very small
…only nine million people
TRANSLATION:
…similar to the Philippines
10% of the people were killed in a genocide in 1994
…that lasted approximately 90 days
…most of them were hacked to death with machetes
…and while they have been part of various spheres of influence
…that european powers had in Africa had over a long period of time
TRANSLATION:
…similar to the Philippines
The two principal conflict groups
…the Hutus -the majority (Catholics)
…and the Tutsis -the minority (Muslims)
…had shared that little piece of land for 500 years
TRANSLATION:
…similar to the Philippines
====================================================
Bill Clinton:
So after President Kagame led the military group
…that basically put an end to the fighting and the killing
…he wanted to create a country where Ethnicity was not the defining characteristic
…and they set up an interesting variation of Mister Mandela’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission
…and said that ‘if you ordered the killing of a whole lot of people, you should go before the War Crimes Tribunal.’
…’if you just participated as a foot-soldier in the slaughter, if you go back to your home village, tell the absolute truth about what you did to a village council, they will decide what service you must render to the community and for how long in return for total absolution. Then we’ll begin again.’
TRANSLATION:
…the Philippines needs a militant leadership
…to develop the Philippines as a country NOT focused on “FILIPINO PRIDE”
…and set up its own custom-made system that ABANDONS THE PAST
…and FOCUSES ON THE FUTURE
====================================================
Bill Clinton:
And they have relentlessly developed
…-keep in mind- their per capita income 4 years after the genocide was only 268USD a year
…less than a dollar a day
…they quadrupled their income in a decade
No other country in the world did it
…and they did it with this relentless focus on the future
…and they developed this amazing capacity to abandon the grievance
Let’s just give you one example
…I’ve been doing a lot of work in Rwanda
…we helped them develop their health care system and
…I’ve worked with farmers there
…we’ve helped them double -in some cases triple their incomes
TRANSLATION:
…the US can help the Philippines focus on the future
…but only at the cost of abandoning the grievances of the past
====================================================
Bill Clinton:
In Rwanda
…every adult takes one saturday a month
…and cleans the streets
…as a civic activity
…to prove that poverty
…does not have to be associated with dirty streets
…slothy cities
…so you can go to Kigali, the national capital
…and you’re shocked
…you’re saying these people who are living in $1,000 a year
…or $1,100 a year, how in the world are they doing this?
Because every saturday, the whole country is out there cleaning the streets.
TRANSLATION:
…you can be poor, but still live with pride and dignity
…focus on civic duties and work with the state
=============================================
Filipinos need to stop acting like the Blacks and Jews of Southeast Asia
…with their “We were hurt and abused in the past, now give us money!” mentality
Notice how the American Clinton spoke in allusion and metaphor
…instead of being direct
…he was speaking in the language Filipinos are used to using
…indirectness
“He dodged the question by talking about Rwanda!”
“His is like a ninja-diplomat!”
Bill Clinton answered the question brilliantly
…at least to those who are intelligent enough to what he was saying