Denigrating one’s own
A pop culture phenomenon, like “planking” or “tebowing,” has universal appeal because it readily extols the positive virtues of the individual doing the act. The uniqueness and creativity of a person lying rigid, face down with the Taj Mahal in the background, is immediately apparent. And getting down on one knee, resting head in arm and praying can be instantly associated with one’s faith or a comeback victory.
As such, the disparaging nature of “Noynoying” is the main reason it will never catch on as a fad. True or not, no one wants to be associated with the “do-nothing” work ethic of President Aquino. Moreover, there is nothing attractive or memorable about “poses such as sitting idly while resting their heads on one hand and doing nothing.”
If anything, this sad attempt at coining an Internet meme is just another reflection of Filipino crab mentality and cynicism. Just like the counter-productive criticisms and ironic depictions of the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” tourism slogan, it seems that we, as a people, would rather scorn our own cultural and natural heritage. And instead of counteracting the “sick man of Asia” label, this term appends another negative stereotype to our national identity.
Ultimately, the originators of “Noynoying” may have inadvertently introduced to the world a new racial slur.
—SOLIMAN DELARIARTE,
