the Philippines is not about Manila

I chanced upon the TV show hosted by former Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza. It is a drama show featuring romance and life in the city of Manila. Whenever I was home on Saturdays in the past, I would watch it, for lack of anything else to do.

But yesterday, I noticed that they added sort of a sub title to Maynila, something like Larawan nang Bansa...or something. I didn't quite catch it. But where I was yesterday (because I was listening rather than watching the show), it sounded to me that Maynila is sort of the image of the country Philippines.

I beg to disagree with this statement.

The Philippines is composed of thousands of islands. And no two cities are exactly alike, in terms of culture, language, or behavior of people. Even here in my province Negros Occidental, there are sides that speak Cebuano, while most are Ilonggo speaking. And going around the entire island, you cannot exactly say that people are alike.

I think that is crazy...