Filipino time, not funny anymore

WE WERE raised to be lieve that it is okay to set a meeting or a conference an hour or two earlier because, anyway, the people will arrive late. We set it at 8 a.m. even if we really plan to start by 9:30 a.m. So those who arrived on time are obviously at a loss and on the waiting end.

“Filipino time” is the staple excuse. And we get away with it. Generations after generations of Filipinos have accepted this tradition and have wrongly embraced it as one of our many identities unique from other nationalities.

But we have to keep in mind that some of the Filipino traits that we claim to be our own are not really something to be proud of, especially this so-called “Filipino time”.

As we continue to strive

for progress and economic development here in Davao City, we must keep in mind and be more responsible on how we practice this “Filipino time” culture.

An invitation that indicates an event is targeted to start at 9 a.m., for example, should start around that time and not at 11 a.m. Maybe a 10 to 15-minute extension of waiting is still excusable but to delay it for hours is not a good thing anymore. There is a need for Filipinos to be reminded that waiting for others and letting others wait has a bad domino effect. Those affected by this may have other appointments to attend to but could not anymore because the schedule was not properly followed. By being not responsible of the time use, the schedule and the time of everyone in the room is compromised.

Filipinos will fall short of progress and success, if time, one of the most important things, is wasted. It is unprofessional and a sign of bad organization if the permanent “solution” and alibi to being late is because we observed “Filipino time.” In practicing this tradition, we don’t only waste our time but also those of others as well.

If we want the Philippines to be a better nation in terms of economic progress and the values we teach our children, we must start with how we use our time.

But the worse thing is, we have become a nation of waiting people. We wait for the doctor for hours because we need to be treated.