The Tipping Point to Philippine Prosperity

Source: The Inquirer

I read a strange article in the Inquirer last week. The headline read: "Widespread Philippine indifference towards overseas Filipinos". The point of view was from those who attended the "2nd Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora" in late February in Makati. Neglect was the main mien of the party as President Aquino did not show up for their gathering. He was busy campaigning and dealing with a certain misbehaving Sultan.

The article was strange because it richly praised the benefits of the new Overseas Voting Act ("OVA") that got rid of some onerous provisions of the prior law and made OFW voting available via the internet. It explained how the group commended Senators Pimentel and Legarda for their work to lead the push for the legislation.

Then the article went on to criticize Senatorial Candidate Cynthia Villar for some indiscriminate remarks she made off-the-cuff about nurses (which she apologized for), then went into a castigation of senatorial candidates after this remarkable sentence: "Unpalatable as some of Aquino’s Senate candidates may be, the alternatives offered by the opposition UNA slate are even more dismal."

This is a news report?

Finally it took COMELEC to task for delisting over 200,000 registered overseas voters because they had not voted for three years. COMELEC subsequently recanted the order and kept them on the voter rolls after the flare-up of complaints from overseas. But this group took them to task just for good measure.

The article was written by Rodel Rodis.

I rather think this is a group with a negative mindset, evidencing a high measure of insecurity and need for attention. Or else the author of the piece is that way. It (he?) was hurt by Aquino, hurt by Villar, hurt by COMELEC. And in the hurting they could not get it straight that the OVA is exactly the OPPOSITE of what the headline is claiming.  OVA is attending to the best interests of OFW's. There is no "widespread disinterest."

They couldn't celebrate the achievements for all the hurt.

So it seems to me to be an out-of-step, strained, grousing group, or a strange bit of reporting. Or maybe JoeAm is lost in the wilds about this. And HE is the grouser.

By my eyes and ears, OFW's are roundly cheered in the Philippines for under-writing the Philippine economic boom. I've heard nothing but praise for their support of the Philippines. And I've read a lot of articles dealing with OFW issues and incidents; a HIGH DEGREE of interest. A lot of concern. It also seems to me the Philippines has the best supporting infrastructure on the planet for overseas workers.

The wail and weep headline, and the group's attitude (or the author's attitude), seem to me indicative of a significant problem in the Philippines: the tendency for Filipinos to look at any negative as huge and any positive as not enough.

Negatives, inflated. Positives, under-appreciated.

How do you get inspired when wallowing in self-pity? How do you build unity and excitement and prosperity when every pothole is viewed as a Pinatubo?

My own attitude toward OFW's has shifted this past year, thanks to views offered by the commenters on this blog. I no longer feel sorry for them, being torn from their families. Oh, yes, some warrant such heartfelt compassion. But the majority of OFW's end up stronger, smarter, wiser and richer  -  and not just with money. For many, it is a bold choice, not a suffering requirement.  Indeed, I'd guess that the majority of the commenters on this blog have had overseas experience and can relate better to the American cross-cultural perspective than can homebound Filipinos who have not experienced more modern rule-bound, courtesy-bound, accountability-bound, community-bound societies.

Yes, I know there are many OFW's who work in intimidating or even dangerous situations. I wish it were possible to will them well and healthy. But until the Philippine economic house is in order, lower income, lower skilled people will undoubtedly bear risks for a shot at better opportunity.

So I'd suggest that Filipino citizens ask what THEY can do to help OFW's.

Read on.

Last week I did a blog that said it is important to accept responsibility for decisions. To "own" them.  It is also important to distinguish between what we can control and what we cannot. It is important not to judge OURSELVES based on other people's actions. These are common principles taught by psycho-therapists.

Contributor Cha made a striking observation about this just last week:

• [Group A] I don't know that CBT [Cognitive Behavior Therapy] could work effectively with most Filipinos. I think most of us grew up being taught what to think (by the schools, their parents, priests etc) instead of how to think. Such that when someone comes along and tells us to change the way we think, we somehow lose our bearings and are not able to respond rationally to the challenge. Some, as you may have observed, go on the defensive and attack the proponent of the new idea or way of thinking being put forward. Others will probably just clam up, will not say a word, maybe even smile at you (if he doesn't smirk, that is) and then go about his merry old way. 

Then she pointed out the promise:

• [Group B] And then there are those who will take the time to investigate. They want to know more, find out what they don't know that you seem to know and then some more. Eventually they form their own opinion. It may not necessarily coincide with what has been proposed (it may be better!) but arrived at through a thinking process and not an outright dismissal.

To me, the first group ("Group A") is destined for ignorance and weakness. They will express a lot of blames and excuses, stay pretty much in one place, and offer up simplistic, poor critical analyses . They will make shallow, top-of-head voting choices. And the other ("Group B") will grasp what is happening, take responsibility, behave maturely, learn and adapt, and offer up more complex and better critical analyses. They will vote thoughtfully.

Now here's my perspective on what is happening in the Philippines. And I fear those in group A are missing it completely.

I think President Aquino is a great leader, not necessarily for his mastery of the trees, but for his mastery of the forest. The trees are the individual incidents or cases that go either good or bad: bus massacre, Mindanao agreement, jailing of Arroyo, RH Bill, Cybercrime debate, China, U.S., Sabah, court appointments, and so forth. Lots of trees. Those who don't like the President can find plenty to criticize. And there's plenty to hail, as well. Good tourism campaign, government contracts cleaned up to avoid corruption, RH passed, and so forth.

But the measure of Mr. Aquino's greatness is to be found in the shape of the forest. The seating of modern notions of earnest, honest work  being what government does. Of democratic institutions serving the people and building a stronger, richer, safer Philippines. Of a nation more confident both inside and outside, as reflected in a roaring stock market, booming real estate market, and more foreign investment and tourism. It is profound. It brings the Philippines onto the cusp of a respectable global presence.

Then we see a complex event occur, the Sabah incursion, and all the simplistic Group A arguments come out and a very negative, almost bitter dialogue roars to life. And one can see the Philippines slipping from that respectable position. We hear cries of "weak president" and calls for war (presumably with others at the front than "me"). We see anyone who has an axe to grind speaking out critically against the President: the Catholic Church, the corrupt, politicians looking for personal gain. Anyone with a grudge leaps on the President's case. And the Philippines falls back into the divisions and the contests that have always been here. A kind of rabid dialogue that requires winners, always winners. Never concessions. Never considerations. Never sacrifices for the good of the community of all Filipinos.

Everyone it the debate insists on winning.

And when they do that, the Philippines loses.

But wait. Wait.

There are three forces emerging in the dialogue. These forces represent and empower Group B, or at least have the POTENTIAL to empower Group B if they are not overwhelmed by Group A's divisive negativity:

• A growing core of  people with internationalized values living and working within the Philippines: government officials and businessmen schooled overseas, global travelers, and an infestation of foreigners living in the Philippines. This is a core of globally aware, sophisticated, broadminded people.

• The OFW millions. Many live in modern nations and live an orderly lifestyle of the honest and law-abiding host nation. Not the wild and wooly, law ignoring style of the Philippines. They comprehend how nations can be complex and internally argumentative, yet move in harmony because the purpose of the argument is to look for a better way forward. Not to tear down others. Or win arguments for the sake of esteem. They often demand a better Philippines.

• The internet. Many people in Group A infest the blog dialogue boxes or maintain social network presences that are simplistic and inane. But there are also those who browse widely and read and debate. They inject a richer, deeper perspective into their values and arguments. Their analyses are better and they can solve problems.

A comment has been made in discussions here that those who travel, school or work overseas seem to forget their experience when they return to the Philippines. They once again take up the weak disciplines, favors and self-involvement that characterize so much behavior here.

That is where President Aquino's re-structuring of the values of government can make a huge difference. It can give honor to those who engage in the ordered and productive thinking of the modern world. And, with enough momentum and mass behind the values of honorable, honest progress, the Philippines can tip toward prosperity.

We are at the tipping point now.

The Philippines needs a bigger middle class, not economically, but in values. A bigger Group B. The small upper class of empowered rich people are rooted in power and wealth-building, and are not open to change. And at the other end of the scale, the masses are out of touch with what is happening broadly in the Philippines.

The Philippines needs to get overwhelmed by right-thinking people who can speak and act in a more globally mature way. With intellectual flexibility and the ability to lose an argument now and then without losing face. With the ability to drive and welcome change. With an enduring loyalty to country, through thick and thin, not a fly-by-night pandering to popular heroes, or bailing out if Mr. Aquino decides to do something differently than they would do it.

If the three forces are empowered and congeal and build in size and strength, the Philippines is well on its way to greater sophistication and productivity and prosperity. That will help OFW's more than just about anything.

HOWEVER, if the Group A negativists insist on winning their arguments, the Philippines could tip back to divisive acrimony and precious little modernization.

I would add that the mainstream press is fundamentally a part of Group A, leveraging bad news to gain higher circulation or revenue. That is an ominous readout. The article cited at the beginning of this post is a clear example. Just plain bad journalism.

Those Filipinos having a vision of a modern, productive Philippines - Group B - need to do their best to keep the conversation positive, uplifting and supportive of President Aquino's forest. Whether they like all the trees or not. Whether they like him personally or not. They need to call the negative thinkers to task for weakening the Philippines.

The nation's prosperity is very much in the people's hands. The primary character of the Philippines: Group A or Group B?

It's a choice.

Own it.