The Philippines.. A nation of Tambays

 

    Lets talk about one predominant Filipino Culture that still exist up to know where ever you will be in the Philippines and that is TAMBAYS… or bystanders or loiterers. This is the Filipino culture of Pinoys hanging out in sari sari store, basketball court or plaza or wherever they can to convene for a talk or just plainly hangout with others.

  Last 2018, President Duterte known for leading an anti-drug crackdown in the country has gone after the country’s “tambays” or loiterers. In the past three weeks of that year, more than 11,000 tambays have been thrown in jail for loitering in the streets.

    

    The Philippines is a nation of tambays. From the shirtless men who spend time with their favorite sari-sari store, basketball court to secret hide out areas in Manila, the idea of tambay (a contraction of the English expression "to stand by") in the Philippines is a national, collective experience. Almost all Filipinos, regardless of social background, had their tambay moments. Some became tambays due to lack of employment opportunities. They became members of the country’s army of surplus labor, occasionally finding income from odd and irregular jobs. Or we call it raket… Saan kaya tayo maka raket dyan.

    On the one hand, tambay is the result of the lack of access to education. The young tambays we call the OSY, an acronym for out-of-school youth, were the tambays who were forced out of the school system due to the state’s failure to provide affordable and quality education. They, too, become members of the surplus labor.

    On the other hand, there are those who hang out, not because they were compelled by economic reasons, but because they enjoy the spirit of camaraderie and community that goes with hanging out. These are the full-time students, employees, and even mothers who cool their heels after a stressful and busy day. The culture of hanging out is an opportunity for people to share their lives and make special moments out of ordinary days.

    The culture of tambay becomes a legitimate venue and instrument for communication, persuasion and even consensus-building. You can gauge the people’s pulse by simply hanging out with tambays. The tambay is your "man in the streets." He is your average Juan dela Cruz who media interview to hear public sentiment about social issues. Bystanding becomes both a process and a venue for the production and reproduction of social opinion. It’s also where collective social actions are born.

    Thus, while it can be argued that the tambay phenomenon is rooted in economic inequality and the lack of equal opportunity, it is also deeply cultural. It is part of the Filipinos’ way of life. Even if the country manages to attain full employment and free universal education, the culture of tambay is here to stay.

    But, are there benefits of being a Tambay? in the Philippines? Yes

    On any street corner in the Philippines you will find a group of Pinoys (Filipino men, females are Filipina or Pinay) keeping the economy afloat. How? They are ‘tambay’, also known as being ‘on stand by’. Ready for anything, just in case they are needed. It is an honourable profession and one that is vital to the economy and society of the Philippines.

    They are standing by, ready to be called upon at a moment’s notice to any of a multitude of tasks. You might need someone to guide you into or out of a parking space. Relax, there will be a tambay at hand ready to make vague hand signals and then tap on the boot of your car once you are safely in, or out, of that tricky parking situation. A few bucks, preferably P5 or P10 will ensure a broad smile and the continuation of life as we know it. Barya lang ok na… natulungan ka na .. nakatulong ka pa.

    What if you went to the mall on your motorbike and had to park in the sun? A tambay will not only keep a very safe eye on your bike, he will also provide you with a piece of cardboard to cover the seat and ensure it is not too hot to sit on when you return. That kind of concern and service requires a professional, not just anyone can perform these vital public services.

    He needs to make a living and being an honest person, he refuses to take the easy path and turn to crime. Fear of imprisonment is not a factor, it is his pride and integrity. Hence he will wait there all day, every day, swapping chismis (gossip) with his barkarda (group of friends) until called upon to render service. He is on standby mode, which is far better than being unemployed. If a tambay had ever been employed in another role, it would have been a casual one at best, usually paid by the day or ‘pacquiao’, by the job.

    There are many Tambays who simply have insufficient education or other opportunities and they really are doing the best they can to scratch a living for their families, other than commit crimes. Next time one helps you park your car, don’t get angry, just hand over the equivalent of 5 pesos or 10 pesos and give them a smile. And be glad you weren’t born one of them.