Filipino Time

   It is an invariable joke among any Filipino organizing an event that it is wise to state the commencement of that particular event half an hour to an hour earlier than the actual time intended. Filipino Time, you know. It is a well known fact and an exasperating subject most Filipino Americans have taken with resignation. "Filipino Time" is the coined phrase for the embarrassing affliction of tardiness among Filipinos. It is curious and mind boggling how the general population of a certain nation could possibly be chronically late. And yet, it has been tried and tested to be true to this very day. Try having a party with the invitation stating an arrival time of 4 pm, and people will start trickling in at 5 or 6 pm.

   Filipino time is such a phenomenon that it made enough of an impression on comedian Rex Navarrette to be the subject of one of his acts. Rex claimed that Filipinos in the US are not late. They are not. They are in fact well ahead of schedule. They are simply adhering to the Philippine time which is in fact 13 hours ahead of the US time. While in the Philippines, the major flagship airline the Philippine Airlines better known by its acronym PAL, was jokingly renamed Paliparan (Airline) Always Late. The affliction was that prevalent. Nowadays, one might say it is a trend among airlines to be late. But I believe PAL was the original.

   Why are Filipinos generally late? It is contradictory for a people equally well known for their hospitality. It seems contrary for a group of people who would rather suffer rather than impose on any one's generosity. And in a country like the United States where punctuality is highly esteemed, Filipino Time sticks out like an eye sore.

    However, I believe there is a logical and scientific explanation behind most things. Bear in mind, I am not a sociology expert and is merely piecing together some general observations to explain this astounding phenomenon. First of all, let us set the record straight. Filipinos are not late because they are flagrantly inconsiderate or thoughtless. For the most part, we know what time we need to be there, the intention is to be there, but for some reason, we still get there 15 minutes late, half an hour late, even an hour late. Most of us will shrug it off. We were late and that was that. Very few will take a moment to step back and think there must be a root cause, some psychological reason why this is so.