At the start of all my postings, one of the first things that I do is learn how to say hello. This may seem to be the most basic thing to do, but I found that this effort jumpstarted my integration into the culture I was about to experience. Grüezi: This all started for me in Zurich, long before I joined the diplomacy (yes, you may have to make efforts to get integrated in your own country, actually you could even experience a cultural shock) Hola and Ni Hao were usually the first words I uttered whenever I had the chance to meet someone new in Bogota and Beijing (in Paris, I didn’t need to get used to the language, but had to talk much faster…) This task did not change as I begun to spend the next years of my life in Manila. Ever since I stepped foot into the country of 7,107 island (in high tide, so I’ve been told), I found myself to be greeted by a warm-hearted “Mabuhay.” My Pinoy colleagues tell me however, that aside from being a formal greeting, the term also is used to commend someone or wish them a “long and fruitful life.”
At the start of all my postings, one of the first things that I do is learn how to say hello. This may seem to be the most basic thing to do, but I found that this effort jumpstarted my integration into the culture I was about to experience. Grüezi: This all started for me in Zurich, long before I joined the diplomacy (yes, you may have to make efforts to get integrated in your own country, actually you could even experience a cultural shock) Hola and Ni Hao were usually the first words I uttered whenever I had the chance to meet someone new in Bogota and Beijing (in Paris, I didn’t need to get used to the language, but had to talk much faster…) This task did not change as I begun to spend the next years of my life in Manila. Ever since I stepped foot into the country of 7,107 island (in high tide, so I’ve been told), I found myself to be greeted by a warm-hearted “Mabuhay.” My Pinoy colleagues tell me however, that aside from being a formal greeting, the term also is used to commend someone or wish them a “long and fruitful life.”
So far, I’ve had numerous opportunities to witness first-hand how “Mabuhay” is more than just a greeting, but also a reflection of the Filipino “Bayanihan” spirit. Despite the overwhelming odds and never-ending challenges, the people of the Philippines continue to strive for a better future for themselves and for their country-an optimism I also usually share.
Just recently, it was reported that a Filipino scientist, Catharine Aquino-Fournier, is currently leading the team at ETH Zürich that hopes to further developments in COVID-19 testing. It is my hope that this combination of Filipino-Swiss talent and spirit would result in increased innovation and a deepening relationship between our two countries.
See full article at Philstar
