r-e-s-p-e-c-t (kuala lumpur,malaysia)

In an Indian accent, the tourist guide began his history of Malaysia spiel - “This country is a melting pot of different cultures. As you will see later in the town of Melaka, people of various cultures, traditions and religions lived in harmony with one another. The Indians, for one, have strong influence in this country... The Sultans brought the religion of Islam and they continue to run leadership in the country. The Chinese came here to trade and also brought Confucianism with them… ”

When you go around the city, you will in fact notice that Malaysia is a melting pot of Asian countries. Malay looking (aka Pinoy looking) people do not exactly dominate the scene. On the other hand, you will also notice a lot of Indians and Chinese fleeting around.

Because different races inhabit the country, more particularly in the cities of Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, a tourist will surely notice the variety of culture that surrounds him or her. In one part of the city lies the Chinatown, on the other is the Indian Street. There’s a Mosque beside or in front of the Chinese temple. There’s a Chinese temple looking Mosque not so faraway from the Hindu Temple. And there’s a Catholic Church nearby. Their fashion sense is also a treat for the eyes. Some dress up in modern clothes while a good number still wear their traditional outfits. If the tourist is a bit of a film buff, to her it will seem as if a “bali wood” movie came to life especially when Indian songs are heard inside the mall or a cab.

And I began to think about the tagline “Malaysia, Truly Asia.” I believe, to a huge extent Malaysia is Truly Asia. Maybe because in Malaysia, there is no one dominant race; In Malaysia, as claimed by the tourist guide, people live in harmony with one another, respecting each other’s traditions and religion. The Chinese Muslims embrace the teachings of the Islam Religion and at the same time incorporate the teachings of their ancestors (so does the Indian-Muslims, by incorporating Hinduism with Islam). There is no strong Christian-Muslim conflict or conflict of any other 2 faiths; In Malaysia each major and important custom is given equal time for celebration. Indian festival, Hari Raya (it was hari raya when we came to Malaysia by the way), Christmas and Chinese New Year are all celebrated; In Malaysia there are no offensive stares (sadly, I guess except from my mom and my sister who stared at almost everyone and anything they wanted to stare at) to those who are different or to those who do not wish to conform… Offhand, in the short time that I was there, I know that if I want a model place or people for “truly asia,” I would want it to be Malaysia.

As a place, they’ve only truly began to develop freely as a nation 30 years ago but the development is evident. In their capital city, Kuala Lumpur, the roads are well made and are wide. All the traffic lights work and the people follow the traffic rules. There are modern clothes and things that are available in their shopping malls but a great number of the people still wear their traditional clothes and use their traditional equipment. Their history is not only rich of stories of those who have colonized them but also of a number of neighboring countries who visited them to trade resources and in their stay managed to influence their original beliefs. Their forests are well-protected and laws are strictly implemented. The farmers in Malaysia are not poor, most of the time they are richer than those who have finished college and are working in the cities.

The most beautiful thing about being in Malaysia is experiencing a deep sense of respect in its people. Each one respects the other whether in terms of religion, or in terms of beliefs and tradition. They seem to have deep respect in their environment and the gifts that have been given to them. They live in harmony because they have learned to respect each other. It’s an inculturated type of respect, where they value the teachings of the old and the promises of the future. It’s a respect that compromises yet doesn’t sell out.


---work related----

At the core of Integrity lies Respect. For no one can genuinely be honest and live a life of integrity without respecting other people that surround him and respecting the environment that was given to him.

In the research I am working on, the major question is - What are the various dimension/s of Spirituality of Integrity? I believe RESPECT is a strong aspect of this spirituality. I like it more in Tagalog though – PAGGALANG.

Ang taong nabubuhay na marangal at may integridad, ay taong marunong gumalang. Alam niya kung kailan at paano galangin di lamang ang sarili, higit ang iba - May paggalang siya sa di paggamit ng hindi kanya o ng pinaghirapan ng iba. May galang siya sa mga batas na nailathala para sa ikabubuti ng kanyang bayan kaya’t sinusunod niya ito. Paggalang din ang pinaiiral niya sa mga tradition ng nakatatanda at ng mga naiiba (mga Lumad o ibang Tribo pa). Ginagalang niya rin ang kalikasan at paligid na alam niyang di niya pag-aari - kalikasang kailangan at pinakikinabangan ng lahat. May paggalang siya sa kanyang salita, higit kapag ito’y nakabalot sa isang panunumpa.

Ang taong bastos kailan may ay di mamumuhay ng marangal, dahil di niya alam paano ang makisama at mamumuhay ng payapa at tama kasama ang iba.

the perfect (OA) tourist pose

petronas towers at night, breathtaking!

my family at the king's palace