When I read into history, I can’t help but notice that the Philippines has so little to show when it comes to leaving a mark on the world at large. I mean sure, we have people like Manny Pacquiao, Leah Salonga and quite a few other individuals who are of some worth on a global stage. Unfortunately, these people are simply individuals who have struggled to make a name for themselves and have, despite the odds pitted against them, made their respective marks on the world at large. However, as a people and a nation, we have so very little to show in terms of collective achievements. As a matter of fact, while I hate to say it now, we have actually developed so little in the past few decades unlike many other Asian countries that have advanced into fully industrialized and efficient countries despite starting in the same boat as we have as a third-world country.
There are actually a myriad of reasons why the Filipino people continue to suffer as they do but the chief ones are their mismanaged priorities. That’s right, more often than not, I think that what prevents us from becoming a truly productive and self-sufficient people is our inability to get our priorities straight. While there are many instances of this, I will put here some of the most common and most debilitating of these issues.
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We Are Always About “What Sells”…
Ever notice that just about everything on local TV is just about the same thing on a repetitive basis?
That’s because producers only want things that will jive with the masses in order to gain higher ratings. They refuse to approve anything new or unique as they fear that it simply won’t work with the masses. Of course, this is par for the course when it comes to doing business. Unfortunately, the greed of Pinoy producers goes well beyond the limits of practicality. If they can fill a channel with nothing but cash cow shows, they will do it with abandon until there’s barely anything else on.
While I certainly understand the concept of trying to make a profit, I also think that we should try new concepts and things that can lead to even greater profits. After all, the reason there are R&D (research & development) branches in some of the most successful companies in the world is so that they can find ways to improve trade as time goes on.
We Are About Being “Happy All The Time”…
I think that our pleasantry addiction is what is preventing us from finding real happiness in our lives.
Due to the way we’re supposed to keep up the appearance of being happy instead of finding a way to find it for ourselves, we lose sight of what it truly means to be happy. Due to the way our culture seems to want us to smile even when there’s really nothing to smile about, we trap ourselves in the illusion that we’re happy instead of being truly happy in our lives.
I HAVE RETURNED TO LAY WASTE TO OUR ENEMIES!
Our contribution to the world is our Stupidity. We elect the undeserving leaders, to lead us.
Appearance of happiness for most people ( the common poor), is “pakitang tao lamang”…in truth, they are hurting inside and their stomachs are grumbling with hunger.
Have anyone here know , how to feel, if you are worrying , where your next meal will come from?
Our leaders, do not know this feeling. Most of them come from rich , landed and oligarchial families…
Let me add a few thoughts of mine on this.
1) And if there is a new idea, our government seem to kill it first
At Yahoo! answers I asked the question why the Philippines is not a sci-tech oriented nation and I pointed out the Filipino who developed a machine that extracts diesel from trash. One answer I got thinks that the government ignored the innovation because it might kill the goose that lay the golden eggs. Could be the reason because I heard one claim by another Filipino inventor that a government official approached him secretly to drop his idea because it will affect the business of one foreign company. Myth? Rumor? Maybe but it doesn’t matter if its true. Has anyone ever wondered why none of our innovators can’t seem to take the spotlight? I also noticed that the Filipinos can be united by some other issues but can’t seem to offer a backing to such fellow Filipinos with bright minds and could make a difference in the country especially in the field of science and technology. Wow! we have a lot of activists and advocates but none in this area. People are always ready to line up for a celebrity’s wedding or funeral but it seems no one is willing to support our own scientists. Where’s our interests, by the way?
2) R & D – Filipino brand
Let me see…
I think our R & Ds are mostly about who’s going to win the next election regardless of qualifications and what TV shows are popular abroad that can be adopted in the Philippines and shove to the Filipinos’ TV sets and less about forecasting the Philippine economy in the next 5 years. Am I right? Of course we have NEDA for that and I am quite sure they supplied some of the figures in PNoy’s SONA. I am not going to say those were wrong but I wonder how many Filipinos are going to verify those data themselves to their own satisfaction and challenge the president’s claim? Or are they just going to accept those as facts or they just don’t care at all?
3) Living for the present and care less about the future (“we’ll just deal with it when we get there” motto)
I remember vote-buying in the Philippines. And when you ask those who sold their votes, typical reply is “dyan lang namin napapakinabangan ang mga kandidato e.” Nakatawa pa yang mga ‘yan habang sinasabi ‘yan. And when that candidate wins and poorly performs in office (not to mention being corrupt), who’s going to suffer? Never mind. Bakit ka magrereklamo? Bayad ka na e! What future? We’ll get there, anyway. “At nakahanda kami ulit tumanggap ng bayad sa sinumang bibili ng boto namin. Kahit pa taga-kabilang bayan yan.” &$€£#*#(!!!
Enough said. My keyboard is already suffering while I’m typing this.
When I search for e-books on ‘philippines’/’filipino’ (on legit and less legit sites), interested to learn more about the country, the results are pretty much all related to WWII battles, travel guides or cookbooks. I know I’m searching in English, on non-Filipino sites, but there should really be more going on than that.
Nope, that is about it…… and wait till you try the food.
“Happiness is mandatory citizen!”
The Philippines is essentially the tabletop game “Paranoia” come to life. Social structure, media and government are so heavily manipulated, that society as a whole is dysfunctional. Which is the point of the game. To get your character so high up in the rankings that they can reshape society as they see fit while making sure the treasonous actions of your fellows don’t drag you down or get you killed.
Best solution unfortunately, is to find a way to become successful. Win in this twisted real life game of Paranoia by figuring out how your society ticks and take advantage of it.
It worked for Stalin.
Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.
Let’s face it. We are NOT that talented and gifted as a people. We are plodders and we should be happy. We are simple people. We are NOT deep and we are NOT achievers as nation. Lets leave it at that. But we are great followers. Madali tayong kausapin. We can be creative if we lack logic. We can be off the cuff if we lack planning.
Kirk Hammet, the lead guitarist of Metallica, proudly eats tuyo and is as rich as Manny Pacquaio. He is definitely richer than Lea Salonga. In fact, when Arnel Pineda, joined Journey, Neal Schon was so impressed with Arnel’s soul that he gave Arnel a share in Journey’s income and benefits. Making Arnel richer than any Philippine artist.
In fact, I find it funny that foreigners appreciate us for these traits.
Parang mga Chinese magaling sa negosyo pero Pinoy magaling sa arts di ba? Of course there are exceptions for each but really in specific endeavors some find it easier than others.
Who cares about these people…they made it on their own…it does not mean that all Filipinos are like them.
There is a hidden “Potential” for every human being. It is this “Potential” that you have to discover in your journey in life.
If we think that we are just “simple/gullible people”…we will all remain that way. What you think will manifest in your life and circumstances…
I think my point is that every one has potential but NOT in everything. I never said we are gullible, its the opposite — hypocritical pa nga. My whole point is that there are limitations as a race that’s why there are few milestones and marks.
[However, as a people and a nation, we have so very little to show in terms of collective achievements.]
That us about to change. The PH will be known for the brand “Zaxxun”, our answer to Korea’s Samsung brand. I was interviewed by Samsung lately to work at the heart of their R&D center in Seoul. But I didn’t get in, even with the recommendation of my good Korean friend who heads LSI R&D for Samsung smartphones. So I said to myself “if you can’t join em, —- beat em”. I’m currently in dev stage of a zaxxun robot (microcontroller + servo motors).
The zaxxun brand is an open brand. Feel free to use the name and symbol – apparel, food, tech, and even institutions like schools and hospitals. The trademark is registered but I am giving it to all my kababayans to use as much as they want. It also stands for the zaxxun creed, which I want the next generation of Filipinos to take to heart. I took everything I saw to be the secret of the Japs and compressed it into an 8 line creed, with the addition of some Christian values.
I plan to go to 3 schools soon to conduct a zaxxun creed memorization contest. I plan to fund the prizes. It’s payback time. The country gave so much for me – esp. Free education up to post grad. I want to give back.
This is my vision:
PH national brand = ZAXXUN
PH national creed = Zaxxun Creed
Unity is a fortress. riZAl mindset revolution for the dual-X termination of corruption and incompetence – the UNited movement. You are all welcome to join the next revolution in commemoration of our national hero who started it all.
I notice that most of the inventors like Mr Navarro who invented a method of obtaining fuel from plastic bags have gone it alone. Where is the finance from Government for these wealth making inventions. What probably will happened is the same as happens in the UK, the inventor will have their patent bought out by foreign company who then gets all the profits.