If we cannot take that premise, then this posting must be destined for the trash bin.
The Marcos killing fields made him a fool. To celebrate EJKs – the second killing fields for this proud Christian nation from the hands of its leader – makes us a fool. And there is a word for it, uncivilized. To quote from an earlier posting, civilization means development – or evolution, progress, refinement, sophistication, advancement … of people, society, nation, culture, polity. [Thesaurus]
And it explains why progress – growth and development – has eluded Juan de la Cruz. We the elite class that Juan de la Cruz looks up to – as models and thought leaders to advance PH civilization – bear the burden if democracy dies again in the Philippines, to paraphrase Prof. Edilberto C. De Jesus [of the Asian Institute of Management.]
We can rationalize our failings yet we must recognize when enough is enough. President Ramos rallied us behind the slogan “Global Philippines” but it appears we can’t undo parochialism and insularity. And to celebrate EJKs confirms our deference to hierarchy that has promised prosperity. But that is so patronizing to even be credible. Why? Prosperity comes with civilization. And we run the risk that beyond failed institutions we are inching closer to a failed nation – if we’re not there yet. Recall the pronouncement of the late Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Many postings ago the writer shared the experience of a visit to Papua New Guinea. Consumer-product companies have a terminology for such visits, i.e., trade visits or store checks. And they are not confined to developed economies given competition means winning in the global arena. But even more intrusive is the pursuit of global household penetration and pantry checks.
They are examples of how to go full circle and connect the dots to drive innovation and competitiveness: to validate the hypothesis of the undertaking – from product concept … all the way to the pantry of the consumer, to confirm that the product serves the purpose and addresses a human need.
The thinking model applies to agribusiness and more precisely, how we can reform Philippine agriculture. And that is, we must start with the coconut industry since it accounts for roughly half of agriculture exports. Sadly, the industry, which impacts the most number of rural poor families, is not a world-class enterprise [even when political patronage has appropriated its spoils.]
The question to answer is not: how do we innovate? Because innovation is not innovation for innovation’s sake. It must be: what human needs can coconut-derived products serve? And that is where innovation and competitiveness begins. In short, it is not about consumerism but how to raise man’s well-being.
Coconut is a great gift to mankind because of its varied by-products, both consumer and industrial. It is here where our scientists must demonstrate their expertise. We are constantly talking of making finance accessible to farmers yet there is no equal energy and drive to ascertain what portfolio of products we must produce and market – and win on the global stage … and generate the greatest revenues.
To conquer poverty, we must think wealth – sustainable wealth generation – not subsistence farming and paternalism nor charity and subservience. Recall the distinction between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. From the coconut industry, we must do a similar exercise for the rest of Philippine agriculture. But there is a BIG caveat: Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize. Toss “crab mentality” from the get-go before it drops us into the blackhole.
But let’s get back to PNG. The village elder must know the unspoken questions from visitors that straightway he addresses the subject of civilization. “Senseless killings are a thing of the past. And back in the day, it was about the instinct of survival. We would hunt for food which is not like going to the store today to pick up stuff. So, if a family keeps livestock in the backyard and an intruder dared to steal what is precious, a fight will ensue. And there is no guarantee that life won’t be lost.”
If we’re uncertain how to wrap our head around the idiocy of EJKs, we probably need a national cleansing. We can’t resent being referenced as tree people or people living in trees when we celebrate EJKs – which the whole world views as uncivilized. Yes, EJK is uncivilized, if we still don’t appreciate it. It explains why the community of nations called out our inanity.
The bottom line: The community of nations is committed to advance civilization, saved for the handful of despots. And we can’t be stuck in our parochial and insular instincts – that unwittingly we brought Marcos and Duterte upon ourselves. And God forbid, Bongbong is waiting in the wings. The kleptocracy of the family still revolts the world. Think of why the Romanians won’t have a Ceausescu again, ever.
And to be engaged in the war on poverty and the war on drugs speaks volumes. As the blog has argued, they are not the path to progress, growth and development – and prosperity.
There is a wealth of knowledge that we can tap to guide us in the pursuit of prosperity. But does naiveté get in the way and add insult to injury? In other words, our parochial and insular posture makes us rationalize our desire to stand apart from the community of nations, including the West.
Consider: We define independence as the freedom from foreign meddling – and more precisely, kicking out the US military and shutting the door to FDIs. And look at other nations, wealthier than we are, that demonstrated pragmatism. China led by Deng is one as well as Singapore and Malaysia. While Trump is cajoling Europeans – including very wealthy Germany – to spend for defense instead of relying on the US.
Which brings us full circle to our value of and reliance on hierarchy aka political patronage and dynasties and oligarchy. Because we recognize that rank has its privileges, do we confuse it with submission to tyranny as Rizal noted? Unsurprisingly, we are unable to internalize the egalitarian ethos – which we unfortunately share with uncivilized societies.
Egalitarian? Think why Francis chose to stay in the guesthouse with other Vatican guests instead of the Papal apartment.
More to the point, Marcos was a fool, and to let Duterte reprise a Marcos makes us fools. If we have a hard time internalizing check-and-balance, do we need to ask the question: are we ready, mature enough for freedom and democracy? [See above re Prof. De Jesus]
And why the blog keeps challenging our deference to hierarchy ... which likewise undermines innovation. Docility will not bring out creativity … nor the best in people. And why a Rizal quote leads the conclusion of every posting …
“Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? And that they will be such is not to be doubted, for he who submits to tyranny loves it.” [We are ruled by Rizal’s ‘tyrants of tomorrow,’ Editorial, The Manila Times, 29th Dec 2015]
“Now I know why Paul dared to speak of ‘the curse of the law’ (Galatians 3:13). Law reigns and discernment is unnecessary, which means there is little growth or change in such people. When you do not grow, you remain an infant.” [Faith and Science, Open to Change, Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, 23rd Oct 2017]
“As a major component for the education and reorientation of our people, mainstream media – their reporters, writers, photographers, columnists and editors – have an obligation to this country . . .” [Era of documented irrelevance: Mainstream media, critics and protesters, Homobono A. Adaza, The Manila Times, 25th Nov 2015]
“National prosperity is created, not inherited. It does not grow out of a country’s natural endowments, its labor pool, its interest rates, or its currency’s value, as classical economics insists . . . A nation’s competitiveness depends on the capacity of its industry to innovate and upgrade.” [The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Michael E. Porter, Harvard Business Review, March–April 1990]
“Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.” [William Pollard, 1911-1989, physicist-priest, Manhattan Project]
“Development [is informed by a people’s] worldview, cognitive capacity, values, moral development, self-identity, spirituality, and leadership . . .” [Frederic Laloux, Reinventing organizations, Nelson Parker, 2014]
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