What's up with Dan Brown's Inferno?

What's up with Dan Brown's Inferno?

Daming bashers at ranters.

I haven't read the book, though I might say Brown's statement is a bit exaggerated.

But then again, its FICTION right? Siguro naman entitled siya sa sarili niyang opinion. Fiction is sometimes a stretched form of reality (credit to whoever said that).

We live in the Philippines that's why we know that living here is not as bad as it seems. Sanay na kasi tayo kaya hindi "gates of Hell" ang tingin natin. Eh para kaya sa mga foreigners? Galing sila sa mga developed countries kaya almost utopian ang mundo nila. Therefore, ang opinion nila sa bansa natin is worse than it seems.

He sees the Philippines in his own eyes and what he sees may be different from what we see because we came from different places. Some say that Brown doesn't have any right to depict Manila in that manner as he has never been in Manila. Well people, meron ng media ngayon. Merong internet, meron international news channel. One way or another, pwedeng nakuha ni Brown ang image ng Manila out of news articles, documentaries, blogs or even first-hand account of his friends (who may have visited Manila).

Rather than ranting, we can prove that there is still something good in our country that is worth living for. At a glance, some may not appreciate the beauty of Manila because in reality, poverty is abundantly seen in Manila. Some are really resorting to "reacting on primal instincts for survival". But there are still a greater number of people who are resilient, with strong faith and will always find something to smile about knowing that somehow tomorrow will be a better day.

One thing I do know about being a Filipino is that we value our morality. We are people known for hospitality, respect and compassion. Nasaan na ngayon ang respect kung magra-rant tayo dahil lang sa opinion ng isang author? Paano ngayon tayo matatawag na hospitable and friendly kung ang opinion ng isang tao ay di natin kaya tanggapin at bagkus ay sinasalubong ng mga masasamang salita? Instead of being hospitable, nagiging hostile ang reaction ng mga tao. Is this what you call the welcoming nature of Filipinos? 

I do not mean to turn a blind eye on Brown's depiction of Manila in Inferno. As a Filipino, masakit marinig na yan ang nakikita ng ibang tao sa capital natin but it doesn't mean na wala ring basis ang sinabi niya.  No matter where he got his depiction of Manila (even if it is his imagination), let us not deny the fact that poverty (sometimes caused by overpopulation and eventually resulting to prostitution and child labor) is an existing problem in our country . Some may say that Brown's depiction is exaggerated (only a bit for me), some say it is almost near truth and some claim that it is inaccurate. But hasn't anyone noticed that nobody claimed that those problems DO NOT EXIST in Manila?

What I do hope is that people will take Dan Brown's opinion as an eye-opener for us. We cannot deny the fact that poverty is an existing problem in our country.  The government and other organizations are addressing the problems depicted in Brown's book. It may seem to others that this is hardly felt, but please keep in mind that in order to properly address those concerns, we should cooperate with those trying to help us. We cannot rely nor be dependent on the government and other organizations that they will magically solve our problems. We must also help ourselves.

Going back to Brown's Inferno, I've only read the plot summary from Wikipedia and from reading that (This is a bit of a spoiler so for those who are curious to read it, please do not read the following sentences):

I love how the ending of the book helps us appreciate the real value of one's life. I  just imagined that if the ending did happen - which will be very devastating and sad; [ I do not (in any means) want that catastrophe to happen] people will almost never resort to abortion, suicide or murder and each breath of life will be rejoiced knowing how precious and valuable it is.

Imagine a world like that? So while the world we currently live in is thankfully not as catastrophic as the ending of Brown's Inferno, I want people to appreciate the real value of one's life. (I wish people would rather delve into that than keep on ranting).

(Wow, this is a long post. I'm almost ranting (Well, am I?). If I am, then I am almost being a hypocrite. This is just my opinion so please bear with me.)