THE Philippines has, in some peoples’ view, an unfortunate reputation as a land of quackery. This is, after all, the only country in the world where “psychic surgery” was (and still is, if you know who to ask) ever a thing, and the Philippines is a global leader in such third-world industries as forged documents, skin whitening products, and fortune-telling.

Of course, this reputation bothers many rational people, both native Filipinos and those of us who try to take a positive interest in the country, and when the stereotypes find their way into the public space in other places, those who care do their best to defend the Philippines in their own ways. The natives express offended outrage, while those of us who have a bit more objective experience attempt to explain, as patiently as possible, that no, the Philippines is not in fact a cesspit of fake goods and scam artists.