CONRADO DE QUIROS' JAN. 3 column, titled "Bagong bayan," would have been OK, except that it ended in a way that revealed a very contemporary Filipino mentality--the crab mentality. Just like countless movements and organizations, people just criticize what is wrong with our country without pushing for its loftier aspirations.

Yes, De Quiros sounds intellectual and discerning, but he will never change this society because he has nothing to offer but negative criticism. This country is already so swamped with negative criticisms and ideas from armchair reformists. I think De Quiros would do better if he encouraged movements that offer constructive criticisms rather than disparaging remarks, so as to spark enough patriotism among our people that they may rise above themselves.

This country already has too many coaches who do not have a team of players. Let's be more constructive in our ways, let us give our countrymen a push instead of pulling them down, like crabs do.--GUS COSIO, via e-mail