Does the Philippines foster a READING culture?
This is a very correct observation. I am a Filipino and I also see that around me. It does seem like reading and discourse is very limited to the intelligentsia. This is very glaring when I fly. Almost all of the Caucasians on the plane would open their books after take off. The Filipinos open their mouths (momentarily shut at take off ) and start conversing with their seatmates, whether they are traveling companions or not.Or they start to tinker with the in-flight entertainment modules, watching a movie or listening to music. Reading is practically a chore, and is identified with studying lessons as a student. Otherwise, reading means reading the tabloids, consisting mainly of trash. Discourse that follows after reading “Abante”, “Bulgar” etc focus on crimes or showbiz personalities. I am a Filipino myself, and as you will see in all my posts, I do not disparage my race. Nor any race for that matter. But I will be lying if I say otherwise.
