Thanks for the comment, although I would’ve appreciated if you had divulged your name.

Let’s stop being victims of our own culture.

And I definitely agree with this. It’s time that we stand up to fulfill our own destinies. Hindi naman yan gagawin ng gobyerno para sa atin.

Let’s face it. We’re “segurista,” we abhor risks. We do not put ourselves out there, we mimic what we thought is already accepted and successful.

Look at our music. We have fantastic COVER bands. They don’t make their own original music, they just try to mimic the genius of others. There are a few who do write their own and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. For a musical country, we could have made an impact in the music world if they’ll be the norm rather than the exception. But, alas, as mere imitators, we’re forgotten, undistinguished.

We need industrialists, people who unashamedly want to be BIG BUSINESS. But no, you say you’ve got ambition, you say you want to make it big and people think you’re arrogant and greedy.

Yes, sometimes you have to start small. Yes, there’s a need for a LOT of SMEs. But when you’ve got potential, please, don’t just say “i’m a simple man, with simple needs.” Fine, live a simple life but don’t live a simple-minded one. Our country NEEDS us. It needs sons and daughters who can think BIG, who can provide lots of jobs for those who are stuck into thinking that they’ll reap their rewards in heaven. We need people who can compete internationally so we don’t have to protect our markets thanks to our own inefficiencies.

And yes, I agree. I don’t like the idea that we’re all now just dreaming of leaving this country to make big bucks and to be immune from whatever mess our country gets into. That shows that we no longer think we’re responsible for the destiny of this country. Despite the fact that we’re a democracy and we DO decide the majority of who gets to run this country (not all of course, a few got there through cheating, a FEW).

But I have to say this. I admire the initiative to make their own lives better. They’re already better than the people they’ve left behind, people who believe it’s hopeless for them now because this country is hopeless.

And I’ve noticed one more thing about balikbayans. A great many of them (not all of course) come back with a better mentality… of being the masters of their own destinies, of having a better sense of their own worth without feeling guilty about it. Of not being afraid to compete with the best of the rest of the world.

Yes, by all means. Do what you can for your country. Whether that means joining the government so that at least one part of it (you), would be honest and efficient. Do start your own business, invest, compete, grow it. Go abroad, learn from the rest of the world and come back if you can to implement what you’ve learned. VOTE wisely and try to take a more active part in the political process.

Let’s stop being victims of our own culture.

Don’t, please, encourage laziness by sending money home to people unwilling to help themselves. Strive for greatness, don’t be TYPICAL Filipino (because that means you’re corrupt and poor) but a better Filipino, someone who can admit there’s something wrong with us and it needs fixing. That’s the most patriotic thing you can do. I’m not saying thrown the baby out with the bath water. There are a million and one things that is wonderful about us. But mostly, our virtues and our vices are just opposite sides of the same coin. Love for family could be one of the best things in this life, but it could also lead to nepotism. So it’s our choice, which side of the coin would it be?

I’m in the local IT industry as well and I also enjoy a higher than median salary. It’s also my dream to put up my own business in the future. But I’m still young (hehehe) and I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks

r.o.,

I hope it makes you act too. Wish you’ve already read the book as well.

Excellent blog entry! I hope many people will follow your advice.