Paradox of Mindsets

The Philippines is one of the most puzzling and interesting economies in the Asia Pacific Region. It is a country that desires economic progress but shuns substantive change. It is a country that never fails to demonstrate the ability to innovate but fails to follow-up or protect such innovation. Moreover, it is a country that is riddled by double-standards, and a culture that does not understand the meaning of absolutes. It is a nation that struggles with its own identity. It is a nation with a weak sense of its own history.

The lack of foundational fortitude allows most Filipinos to assimilate whatever is most popular, trendy, hip, and financially progressive with relative ease. Unlike most Asians, Filipinos have a weak sense of community, inherently possess regional prejudices, and are quick to dismiss connections with the fatherland. Overseas Filipino communities are not as prominent or active when compared to Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Indian, or Indonesian communities. In fact, most filipino communities are more casual and highly disorganized.

The roots of the systemic challenges that riddle the country can be traced as far back as the pre-Spanish era. While no empirical data exists to directly link this way of thinking to the geographical and socio-political structures that pre-dated colonizers, one can't help but make conclusions to that effect.

In a recent report (radio) about how local politicians gain a mass following to help fill rallies and political events, reporters interviewed several who admitted that politicians often paid for them to pariticpate in the rallies complete with provisions for food and transportation on top of their fees. One even admitted that the incumbent group paid more that other aspirants. To most, attending political rallies is a way for them to earn a living to feed themselves. A majority of those that were interviewed admitted to participating in rallies for both sides. It all came down to how much they would get for attending, and how well they got fed and transported to and from the rallies. Although there were those that suggested that they still believed in whay the rally stood for despite receiving payment for attending, these were in the micro minority.

Those of us who understand the meaning of principle will find this distressing. A majority of the people that attend rallies do not even understand the issues (let alone the consequences) of supporting a specific position or candidate. The Filipino form of democracy, it seems, is based on how much cash you can give out to support a specific issue for extended periods of time, but not a democracy based on intelligentm informed choices, and conviction.

Media, not substance or due process, becomes the judge on issues. It is a system that cannot distance itself from the populist view. And the view of the population can be changed if you have enough money to change it. Democracy it seems is only a means to an end, and not the objective end. If you have enough money, you can legitimately influence democracy by buying the opinions of the people.

The more things change, the more it does not. Ask an average person about what Democracy means, and all they could answer is that it suggests the "will of the people". But because few really understand how making the right choices will impact their futures, the "will of the people" in reality is what you can pay them to support. While there will be those of my readers who will disagree with me does not change current realities.

Opportunities are scarce because the very people who can create them (everyone and anyone) refuses to create opportunities that will expose them to risk. Most Filipinos are protectionist in attitude. As long as they have a powerful "backer" they feel free to impose or control situations and limit opportunities.

Because of this Pygmalion strategy employed by so many indiscriminate people in public or private powerhouses, the masses believe that their destiny is solely determined by the family or social circles they were born to. Only a few manage to break-away to pursue a better and more progressive life. These few will emigrate to othe countries and become a benefit of their new host country.

Virtually everyone in the Philippines would rather buy American or European brands and products, will hire expatriates over equally qualified local candidates, employ foreign services and study in foreign schools than patronize locally produced goods, locally offered services, or local schools.

Most reason that they are after quality. "Duh...how can quality improve if people don't buy these products and allow the manufacturers to make a decent profit from it?"

The Philippines is in a position to offer the best for the entire world to enjoy and benefit from. But before the world can do so, it must first see the pride that comes from within when we buy products "Made in the Philippines". Before the world can do so, they must first be convinced that we believe in our own people, and are proud to be Filipino.

Substantive change begins with the choice you are about to make...now.