Jimmy’s sorry

The apology took a little over a week but at least American Jimmy Siezcka apologized to the Filipinos who took offense over his “20 things I dislike about the Philippines” video.

We commend the Cebu officials who kept their cool and admitted that Jimmy’s video, while bordering on the crass with his numerous expletive-laced diatribes—one can count the times he used the F word to vent his disapproval over things— brings up familiar complaints and some valid criticism.

Tourism officials pointed out that Jimmy isn’t alone. He isn’t the only budget traveler who took the time and risk to visit the Philippines despite travel advisories and the admittedly negative stories that come out in national media through their online editions.

Jimmy apologized for getting Filipinos upset. He knew he was being boorish to his hosts.

But he didn’t take back any of his observations about less-than-ideal conditions of traffic, sanitation, and crime in the city.

These are urban blights found in other fast-growing cities. They are genuine challenges to address, not something to go ballistic over.

With Jimmy’s apology, Councilor Sisinio Andales is withdrawing his proposal to have the American declared persona non grata. That declaration would have been an overkill.

Cebu has seen its share of rude foreigners and apprehended a number of undesirable aliens who mistake hospitality for license to exploit women and children caught in poverty.

Those are the kind of visitors who should be deported on the spot. Jimmy was merely an irritant, poking fun at the warts of Cebu City life that were plain to see.

In fact, he’s in the company of a clear minority compared with the volume of 1.6 million visitors who come to Cebu every year, making this the top island destination in the country.

Many foreigners visit Cebu and stay on, to make it their home and retirement haven. By his own admission, Jimmy said his three year stay has been more than rewarding.

Maybe Jimmy wouldn’t have been so condescending in his video or so generous with his expletives if someone had pointed out to him that some Chinese tourist writers had the gall to manhandle the husband of President Aquino’s sister inside a plane last year.

In his hiding place somewhere in Manila, Jimmy the former Bigfoot audio mixer, is sitting out the tempest he’s stirred up with the video he starred in. He knows he could get beat up on sight.

He’s learned a lesson in manners.

Thanks to the Internet, Jimmy’s 15-minute “dislike” video is a permanent reminder of a foreigner’s stinging appraisal of Cebu City experiences that need correction.

Let’s say we’re even.