TRUE MANLINESS

In "Things Fall Apart," manliness is always associated with physical strength and bravery. How about you? What is your idea or concept of true "manliness”?

My number one criterion for "manliness" is a man's sense of RESPONSIBILITY. Men right now are classified as the macho men, the metro-sexual, the "just-effeminate" men and lastly, the self-proclaimed gays. But for me, these classifications are not important. What I deem worth considering is how a man faithfully loves and supports his family's needs despite the heavy yoke placed on their shoulders (because I think they are also discriminated in some ways)and the testing temptations of the modern world. So long as he knows his limitations (and not forget his loyalty to his girlfriend or wife), so long as he does not let other suffer because of his pride...I think he is already MAN enough for me.

PERPETUATION OF IGBO TRADITIONS

Which of the Igbo traditions you think they should still retain and preserve even amid modernization?

I think the system of SHARE-CROPPING should still be observed in the Igbo tribe most especially nowadays that capitalism and competition are very much affecting the moral and social responsibility of workers and businessmen because of modernization. Share-cropping teaches farmers to be cooperative and, at the same time, empathetic with the difficult situation of fellow farmers. This is something that not only the Filipinos but the whole world, should learn--the value of helping our fellowmen (especially in times of crisis) instead of bring them down just to gain superiority.