Democracy, an already over-used term in the Philippines. If before, it was such a sacred word and a word everyone keeps in their heart. Now, it is so abused that everyday people would hear it most especially on the streets, where people rally and shout demokrasya, kalayaan etc.
In a speech given by ABS-CBN Senior Vice President for News and Current Affairs Maria Ressa, as she accepted the TOWNS Award at Malacañang on October 18, 2007, she stated:
"For two decades now, my friends and I have had an ongoing debate: why isn’t our country doing better? First, it was because we didn’t have democracy. Then it was because we had too much democracy. Now it’s because our democracy is too mangled and torn by vested interests – often distorting truth and shattering certainty. What can we believe in? Where do we find hope?"
The country is experiencing a lot of difficuties, the question is what or who seems to be the culprit of this? Of course, the Philippines also has a slice of good news and comparatively speaking, this country is a lot better that other countries like those in Africa I guess. But the Philippines is far behind from its neighbors. The country was second in Asia in terms of economy, growth, etc in the 1950's. Now all other countries caught up and never looked back. The islands stayed in the bottom part. The Philippines was once the envy of Asia, the Pearl of the Orient. Now, I don't see the pearl shining anymore. What was the problem? What happenned?
We asked for democracy and freedom, it was given. Nothing happened. We asked for a change of government, it was changed. Nothing happened. Now, a new government is being wished by many.
With all these, What can we believe in? Where do we find hope?
There is hope for sure, that I can answer.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
high low
The Philippines is growing quite well. The peso hits a 7-year high rate at around Php 44.31 versus the US dollar. And to think that it reached almost the Php 60 mark more than a year ago. The Philippine stocks are also setting an all time high record. Businesses in the country are flourishing. Investors are gaining a lot from this growth. The peso is in fact the second best performing currency in Asia, only next to India's. It is no surprise that foreign companies are bullish in investing in the country. HSBC even predicted that the peso will continue to rise by 41-42 by the end of the year. This is a good news for many. Even Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself is proudly saying it to foreign businessmen when she visited the US, China and India in the past weeks. With all the controversy hounding her, the good news of the economy was her weapon against detractors.
On the other hand, this news brings sadness and frustration for millions of the Filipinos. A good and strong economy should be a good sign for all countrymen, but not all are happy. OFW's are one reason why the peso is gaining strength, but they are also affected negatively by it. They remit millions to their families in the Philippines. If before their 100 US dollars is Php 500, now it's just Php 440. Families of OFW's do not really feel happy about the good news of our economy. They now receive less as compared to before. And there are around 10 million OFW's around the globe who are affected by the growth. Very ironic.
OFW's should not feel sad about it. It is true that the value of their money is now low as compared a few years ago, but if this growth continues, then they don't have to work abroad anymore. One must think of the long term development. If this growth continues, then there will be more companies investing in the country, more tourists to visit the country, thus more employment, more infrastructure and a more progressive society awaits everyone. Of course, it will not be an easy ride. It will take time and prayers. A good economy must be also a good sign for the Filipinos, whether they are OFW or not. The country might be inadequate in a lot of things, but at least the economy is improving and with it comes development of the entire nation. Of course, all these depends also on how the country is governed. The economy is high but do people actually feel it?. Well, that's another topic. From now, one still needs to pray for continuous growth.
Who knows tomorrow the peso might reach an 8-year high.
On the other hand, this news brings sadness and frustration for millions of the Filipinos. A good and strong economy should be a good sign for all countrymen, but not all are happy. OFW's are one reason why the peso is gaining strength, but they are also affected negatively by it. They remit millions to their families in the Philippines. If before their 100 US dollars is Php 500, now it's just Php 440. Families of OFW's do not really feel happy about the good news of our economy. They now receive less as compared to before. And there are around 10 million OFW's around the globe who are affected by the growth. Very ironic.
OFW's should not feel sad about it. It is true that the value of their money is now low as compared a few years ago, but if this growth continues, then they don't have to work abroad anymore. One must think of the long term development. If this growth continues, then there will be more companies investing in the country, more tourists to visit the country, thus more employment, more infrastructure and a more progressive society awaits everyone. Of course, it will not be an easy ride. It will take time and prayers. A good economy must be also a good sign for the Filipinos, whether they are OFW or not. The country might be inadequate in a lot of things, but at least the economy is improving and with it comes development of the entire nation. Of course, all these depends also on how the country is governed. The economy is high but do people actually feel it?. Well, that's another topic. From now, one still needs to pray for continuous growth.
Who knows tomorrow the peso might reach an 8-year high.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
of growth and politics
For the past weeks and months, the Philippines was and is on the rise. Well, economically speaking that is. The country's economy has been improving a lot. The Philippine Stock Exchange is rising, the peso is getting stronger, there are now more investors in the country, inflation rate is slowly decreasing and a whole lot of economic improvements. The country is experiencing growth nobody expected. Of course, it is a very good thing. After the Asian Crisis exactly a decade ago, it was hard to imagine that the country could recover in less than 10 years. Now, one can see more buildings being constructed, more BPO companies, more infrastructure being built and the focus is not just Manila but the provinces as well. All these things are good and great. If not for the political controversies hounding the country, the Philippines could have even been stronger. A lot of issues are plaguing the country. One of it is the ZTE scandal, which involves resigned COMELEC chair Benjamin Abalos and the First Gentleman himself. There are also the Cyber-Ed Project and the Hello, Garci scandal. How weird and funny (and sometimes wise and stupid) politicians are in the government. They make the biggest mistakes and ask the wrong questions and everyting becomes so controversial. Now, Filipinos eat politics for breakfast, lunch and dinner (together with showbiz news). All these make the Philippines a fun place to live. One is experiencing growth in the economy, and also has politicians as the public's entertainers.
Friday, September 21, 2007
best and worst
The Philippines is in the limelight again this week for a rare reason. No, it's not about the verdict on the former president's plunder case or is it about the controversial National Broadband Deal. Just within this week, the country was listed among the best and the worst in the world. How ironic can that be? It is and it's true. The Philippines was included in the list of the Top 20 Best Islands to live in the world! But also was included in the Dirty 30- the top 30 dirtiest places in the world. How weird huh?
Negros Oriental in the Visayas Region was among the Top 20 best islands to live in. The list was made by the international Islands Magazine, one of the widest circulated and most trusted travel publication in the US. The factors that determine the Top 20 List was the weather, language spoken, ease of immigration, accessibility to hospital and others. The list also includes Grand Cayman, Gozo in Malta, Carriacou in Grenada and Vieques in Puerto Rico. This is a good sign for Filipinos. Despite the fact that a lot of Pinoys want to leave the country, it is good to know that there is still a good place to live in the country. And that it was recognized by the foreigners.
On the other hand, a river system in Bulacan was included in the World's Worst Polluted Places 2007. It was conducted by Blacksmith Institute, a New York-based environmental group. It mentions that the river system is very dangerous and polluted because of haphazard dumping of industrial wastes. This river system is the source of water for 250,000 residents. How sad to hear stories such as this. The country may have developed and may have constructed more factories and manufacturing plants, but if they don't know how to throw their waste properly, then the country will never improve at all. The government should have done something about these industrial plants. After all, people are affected by such pollution. Yes, there may be employment for the people, but if pollution increases, there will be no one to work, since everyone's either sick or dead. It's also funny to know that Bulacan is just so near Manila, yet that problem was never resolved by anyone.
To end the blog with a happy and surprising trivia. The Philippines was also voted by Yahoo! users as one of the Top 10 World Travel Destinations. These destinations are called the 10 passport worthy-locations. Manila was number 10. This is really a pleasant surprise. Who would have thought Manila woud be included. I would be less surprise if Cebu or Boracay or Palawan would be on the list. But no, Yahoo! users chose Manila. And I guess they voted for it because of Manila's exotic feel and cheap shopping and friendly people. Others in the Top 10 are Cancun in Mexico, Rome-Italy, Lisbon-Portugal, Phuket-Thailand and Paris-France as the number 1. Phuket and Manila are the only Asian places.
The Philippines is indeed a world of its own. Many contradictions, thus very exciting. Last week Erap was convicted, now Gloria faces another big hump in her presidency and today marks the 25th anniversary of Martial Law. An exciting country indeed.
Negros Oriental in the Visayas Region was among the Top 20 best islands to live in. The list was made by the international Islands Magazine, one of the widest circulated and most trusted travel publication in the US. The factors that determine the Top 20 List was the weather, language spoken, ease of immigration, accessibility to hospital and others. The list also includes Grand Cayman, Gozo in Malta, Carriacou in Grenada and Vieques in Puerto Rico. This is a good sign for Filipinos. Despite the fact that a lot of Pinoys want to leave the country, it is good to know that there is still a good place to live in the country. And that it was recognized by the foreigners.
On the other hand, a river system in Bulacan was included in the World's Worst Polluted Places 2007. It was conducted by Blacksmith Institute, a New York-based environmental group. It mentions that the river system is very dangerous and polluted because of haphazard dumping of industrial wastes. This river system is the source of water for 250,000 residents. How sad to hear stories such as this. The country may have developed and may have constructed more factories and manufacturing plants, but if they don't know how to throw their waste properly, then the country will never improve at all. The government should have done something about these industrial plants. After all, people are affected by such pollution. Yes, there may be employment for the people, but if pollution increases, there will be no one to work, since everyone's either sick or dead. It's also funny to know that Bulacan is just so near Manila, yet that problem was never resolved by anyone.
To end the blog with a happy and surprising trivia. The Philippines was also voted by Yahoo! users as one of the Top 10 World Travel Destinations. These destinations are called the 10 passport worthy-locations. Manila was number 10. This is really a pleasant surprise. Who would have thought Manila woud be included. I would be less surprise if Cebu or Boracay or Palawan would be on the list. But no, Yahoo! users chose Manila. And I guess they voted for it because of Manila's exotic feel and cheap shopping and friendly people. Others in the Top 10 are Cancun in Mexico, Rome-Italy, Lisbon-Portugal, Phuket-Thailand and Paris-France as the number 1. Phuket and Manila are the only Asian places.
The Philippines is indeed a world of its own. Many contradictions, thus very exciting. Last week Erap was convicted, now Gloria faces another big hump in her presidency and today marks the 25th anniversary of Martial Law. An exciting country indeed.
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