Imperial Manila

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Imperial Manila is a pejorative epithet used by certain sectors of Filipino society to express the idea that all the affairs of the Philippines—whether in politics, business, economy, or culture—are decided by what is happening in the capital region Metro Manila without considering the rest of the country, largely because of its centralized government. It is unknown when it was first used, but there are political writers (especially those living outside of Metro Manila) who associate this term with the People Power Revolution because it was believed that the country's Former President Ferdinand Marcos was toppled from his position without the participation of Filipinos living in areas outside of the capital region. In an article published in Philippine Daily Inquirer, Amando Doronila wrote that:

“ People power movements have been an Imperial Manila phenomenon. Their playing field is EDSA. They have excluded the provincianos from their movement with their insufferable arrogance and snobbery...ignoring the existence of the toiling masses and peasants in agrarian Philippines.[1] ”

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[edit] Its use in Philippine politics

The term was used by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her 2006 State of the Nation Address, which she said has "slowed down progress, has become open to over-competition, and oppressed the provinces and its people".[2] It was because of the country's centralized government that provincial governments favor constitutional amendments for a shift to federal government, as well as supporting Arroyo and rejecting calls from Manila-based activist groups demanding for her resignation due to corruption charges particularly the Philippine National Broadband Network controversy.[3][4]

Local opinion polls were also lambasted for solely sampling "Imperial Manila-based residents" when it comes to surveys that deal with nationwide issues.[5] Meanwhile, the term also appears in government websites such as those of League of Provinces and Bohol Province.[6][7]

[edit] Its use in Philippine business

"Imperial Manila" is also used in the Philippines' business sector in reference to the notion that advertising or marketing a product only requires a single campaign that would work in Metro Manila, thinking that it would also attract customers in the provinces. Advertising agencies in Metro Manila are also faulted for publishing print advertisements in Manila-based newspapers that would reach other cities by mid-morning (when the residents have already read their own local daily) or running a television commercial at a primetime slot of 9:00 p.m. in Manila while the rest of the country is asleep.[8]

[edit] Its use in Philippine economy

Officials of Mindanao-based rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front has blamed "Imperial Manila" for making the Muslim Mindanao region the poorest in the country, stating that "the consequence of neo-colonialism has deprived our people to run themselves unfettered and unhampered". Government figures show that the region's poverty incidence in 2006 is at 55.3%, with three of its six provinces (namely Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur) listed among the country's ten poorest provinces.[9]

[edit] Its use in Philippine culture

"Imperial Manila" is also referred to the use of Tagalog—which is spoken in Metro Manila and surrounding areas—as the basis for Filipino, the Philippines' official language. In Cebu Province, the local government enforces all of its schools to sing the National Anthem in Cebuano as a form of protest.[10] A number of Cebuanos do not tolerate talking to people who speak in Tagalog, whom they view as arrogant.[8] Filipinos of Visayan origin also use "Imperial Manila mentality" when referring to discriminatory actions being made by Manila-based Pinoys against them.[11]

[edit] Criticism

The term "Imperial Manila" has received criticism especially among people living in Metro Manila. Mayor of Makati City Jejomar Binay, the president of United Opposition, said that the statement used by President Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address was unfair to local governments and businesses in Metro Manila, and instead accused her for "acting imperial".[12]

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Doronila, Amando. "Time for paradigm shift", Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 28, 2006, pp. A1. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  2. ^ 2006 State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Filipino) (July 24, 2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  3. ^ "Arroyo pushing for federal government", Taipei Times, August 2, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  4. ^ Balanan, Cynthia et al.. "Ramos still for Arroyo; governors go all out", Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 14, 2008. 
  5. ^ Cruz, Rafael A. (March 22, 2006). Lucrative Industry (Filipino). Philippine Broadcasting Service. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  6. ^ Govs give PGMA ovation for her SONA and social payback programs. League of Provinces in the Philippines official website (August 14, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  7. ^ Blanco, June S.. "Guv calls for sobriety", Bohol.gov.ph, February 16, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
  8. ^ a b The Myopia of Manila Marketers. Adformatix.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  9. ^ "'Imperial Manila' blamed for poverty in ARMM", GMANews.tv, March 10, 2008. 
  10. ^ The Clamor for recognition of Cebuano. Bisaya.info. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  11. ^ Quimco, Ver. Insulto, Insulto, Insulto (Cebuano). Call for Justice, Inc. official website. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  12. ^ "The Problem is Imperial Arroyo not Imperial Manila-Binay", Makati City official website, July 27, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. 
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