Clean houses, dirty neighborhoods

The sad state of Philippine society

Alone Together by Aristotle Roufanis

In spite of the blatantly racist rhetoric against the Chinese, on a cultural standpoint, I do not think they are as “offended” as if, say, Americans or Westerners are put in the same position. I’m especially referring to mainland Chinese who are not accustomed to Western culture.

See, Western values are highly individualistic, which may be attributed to the culture’s inclination towards identity politics (coupled with the prohibition of nationalism, particularly in many parts of Europe). In Western societies, all identities are to be treated equal. Hence, an aggression — including microaggressions — against an identity, such as one’s race or sexuality, is seen as a taboo and is definitely offensive.

On the other hand, Asian values put emphasis on social harmony, hierarchy and the good of the collective rather than the interest of an individual or a certain identity. It’s due to these values that each member of the group is compelled to be responsible for its other members. Bigger expectations are also placed on their leaders. That’s how harmony is maintained.

Therefore, in Asian societies and in the context of this disease outbreak, it is seen not just “acceptable”, but “moral” to self-quarantine yourself so as not to infect your neighbors. Because, as part of the group, you have the duty to protect them.

Same principle applies in Japan where it is the sick person who has to wear mask to prevent themselves from infecting others, not the other way around. It’s why the video of a Chinese woman refusing to wear mask went viral and took flak in China. It’s why, instead of spending time with their families during the holidays, medical professionals in Wuhan opted to remain in the hospitals to fulfill their sworn duties.

This is not to say it is acceptable to be racist towards a certain group. I think that the Philippines is in an interesting position in the world and in history to take what’s good about both Asian and Western values.

Unfortunately, with the way things are turning out, seems to me we’re doing the exact opposite. We have become egoistically selfish, individualistic pricks whose sense of duty cannot extend beyond their own families.

It’s why Filipino houses are clean yet our neighborhoods reek of shit.

Alone Together is an ongoing photographic project by Aristotle Roufanis, for which the London-based photographer takes photos of large metropoles in a way that only tiny, individual apartment lights are visible. “The bigger the city, the lonelier we feel”, comments Aristotle Roufanis, who recently moved to London from another bustling urban centre, namely his hometown of Athens, Greece. “In a big city, we are very efficient in covering all our consumerist needs, but we forget our need for companionship. It is important for people to understand that although lonely, they are not alone. Individuality does not equal to alienation.”