Shift paradigms and not miss the forest for the trees

"It has actually been brought up by various local personalities (including my husband, if you will permit me to add), but you know us: If it is said by a foreigner, it has more pizazz.

"The BBC documentary aired last weekend, 'Philippines: Democracy in Danger?' has a subliminal message for us Filipinos: 'Do not miss the forest for the trees,' meaning let's not miss the big picture by focusing too much on individual details. Federalism, Charter change, national security, martial law, the Supreme Court decisions, the forthcoming elections, the guessing game on the President's health-these issues occupy our minds so much, we may fail to appreciate an emerging pattern pointing to our democracy in danger . "[Here's what the Alston Report says, Harry;  Solita Collas-Monsod , GET REAL, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 6th Oct 2018]

Is it about "Pinoy kasi" that our paradigm is cast in stone? And it explains why over the last 20 or 50 years, we could only be bystanders as one country after another demonstrated how they were moving from poverty to prosperity?

Consider:  "Prof. Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chair of the WEF ... call for leaders and citizens - to 'shape a future that works for all by putting people first, empowering them and constantly reminding ourselves that all of these new technologies are first and foremost tools made by people for people '- is worth repeating and translating into official national policy. 

Here is an aside: Because PH is the regional laggard, we are not in the forefront of innovation. True innovation is not incompatible with people first. Because truly sustainable innovations are designed to raise man's well-being. As a development worker in Eastern Europe the last 15 years, the writer is witness to third parties' continued visits to his friends to marvel at how a small group of young people in the middle of nowhere that time cruelly left behind could accomplish so much in a relatively short period [which includes tapping new technologies from different parts of the world that they incorporate in their product development efforts.] 

Because their efforts in pursuit of innovation are purposely driven to raise man's well-being. And they are doing day-to-day products people need not high-tech devices. Sadly, in the Philippines, we read people first to mean as making cheap products for poor people instead of creating product portfolios that move across the value chain. As important, to be driven by innovation and global competitiveness. And so we pay the price for being the least able to export.

"Is the Philippines putting its people first? This is the only way it can truly be competitive in the world - to focus on doing better for the 104 million Filipinos in its midst. "[ We can do better, Editorial,  Philippine Daily Inquirer , 22nd Oct 2018]

But we do have a response: " Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (English: Bridging Program for the Filipino Family), also known as 4Ps and formerly Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino , is a   conditional cash transfer  program of the  Philippine  government under the  Department of Social Welfare and Development . It aims to eradicate extreme poverty in the Philippines by investing in health and education particularly in ages 0-14. It is patterned on programs in other developing countries like Brazil ( Bolsa Familia ) and Mexico ( Oportunidades). The 4Ps program now operates in 17 regions, 79 provinces and 1,484 municipalities and 143 key cities covering 4,090,667 household beneficiaries as of 25 June 2014. "[Wikipedia]

Note that this is as of 25 June 2014. Yet PH poverty remains stubbornly high at over 20% while our neighbors have long subdued the curse.

And we can add the OFW phenomenon, the BPO industry, the land reform and the Napoles scandal re pork barrel as well as the party-list system and the efforts towards federalism and charter change, among others.

Have not we been putting people first? What are we missing? We are so fixed in our mindset and paradigm that we're still rudderless in the pursuit of industrialization. For example, we like to address the poverty of coconut farmers [despite the tons of money from coconut levy funds.] But what is the big picture if we are to pursue industrialization? It is to exploit this top agricultural export. The operative word is top.

We keep figuring out how to rapidly drive exports and national income or GDP. "Top" is it ... but because we are not an industrial economy we do not have the perceptive judgment. There is a body of knowledge behind it (a) from the laws of physics that Pareto codified and (b) in the social science, ie, force field theory developed by Kurt Lewin. And this is not the first time the blog raised it.

Coconut is a versatile fruit and offers a range of products that will scale the value chain. But we must benchmark the portfolio against neighbors that have grabbed the leadership from us so that we can figure out which ones give the biggest returns and largest margins and must be the focus. In other words, the  coconut industry must be founded on innovation and global competitiveness. That is the big picture - the industry must generate enormous wealth that will lift all boats within the industry, especially farmers, and appreciably raise its share of exports ... and PH per capita income.

But it requires technology to develop these products. Technology in fact is demanded across the board, from farming to production as well as marketing of these products.  

But we can acquire technology from other parts of the world and do not have to reinvent the wheel as we like to do. As in: parochial and insular. To develop STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) does not mean reinventing the wheel. How many decades have we wasted and yet are still clueless going forward because we can not shift paradigms?

"Paradigms are powerful because they create the lens through which we see the world ... If you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm. "[Dr. Stephen R. Covey, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People"] 

Do we want big and primary changes? Yet we take the big picture for granted and are focused too much on the individual details ... that we miss the forest for the trees.

Consider what the above-referenced editorial is saying. That we can do better by putting people first. " This is the only way it can truly be competitive in the world - to focus on doing better for the 104 million Filipinos in its midst ... that countries must recognize the essential role of human capital to generate prosperity, and that any policy that adversely affects people's potential will reduce economic growth in the long run. "

We can do better? Or: We must shift our paradigm? Have not we instituted numerous anti-poverty initiatives yet it appears we still are not putting people first? Recall what Fitch tells us: " That PH has (a) lower per capita income and (b) weaker governance and (c) business environment indicators ... compared to our peers." 

And here's a perspective re human capital: Recall the pig industry in Denmark the blog discussed. The Danes translate human capital as the pursuit of the common good via their cooperative ethos. In other words, theirs is a democracy of the people, by the people and for the people. We better learn from Denmark so that we can replicate the true spirit of human capital in the coconut industry, for example.

And so there is a reason why PH has a lower per capita income and thus persistent poverty. And not to forget, good governance: "What else can the flaunting of dynastic rule in this current election season be but a symptom of a resentful reaction against everything that once once valued in the old society-decency, propriety, awareness of personal limit, modesty, kindness, moral restraint? Was there ever a time in our political life when husband and wife ran for governor and vice governor, or mayor and vice mayor of the same city or province in the same election?

"If this is ethically permissible, is it inconceivable that, someday, siblings, spouses, parents and their children or grandchildren would team up and run for president and vice president of the country? This early, we may as well declare ourselves a monarchy rather than keep the pretense of being a republic.

"At the rate we are going, this possibility is no longer as absurd as it may have sounded not too long ago. As morbid as it may seem, the revenge of dynastic rule is creating its own rationalizations. It's what the people supposedly want. It is supposed to simplify choices, and assure continuity and stability. "[ Unashamed: A morbid symptom,  Randy David , Public Lives,  Philippine Daily Inquirer , 21st Oct 2018]

In other words, Juan de la Cruz submits to tyranny good governance be damned because he loves it, says Rizal. It simplifies choices, assures continuity and stability. As in: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and the paternalism it brings. We rely on patronage and oligarchy because of the spoils they bestow. That when all is said and done, we bite the bullet - aka a culture of impunity ... We live and die by the perfect storm we kick up ... 

How can we shift paradigms ... and put people first? Putting people first is beyond populist initiatives. Every nation started out poor ... and like people they grow up. But the growth process in a hierarchical culture like ours is undermined by weak governance and a restrictive economy because of its inherent parochialism and insularity.

The bottom line: Ours is a sheltered [from the outside world] upbringing and explains why our training wheels never came off. And why we can not distinguish between cause and effect and are bogged down debating which comes first the chicken or the egg. As in: reforms or people first?

And as the blog has argued, our adolescence development-wise is reflected in our poor perceptive judgment.

How did we as individuals manage to become adults - not with our training wheels on?

Gising bayan! 

"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]

If Europe will never produce a Google, PH will never …

"Mariya Gabriel, the EU's digital economy commissioner, worries that Silicon Valley and China now make the big decisions about the internet, and that this affects European domestic policy. She is right. Even BMW, for example, does much of its cutting-edge research in California and Shanghai. Asked whether the continent will ever produce its own Google, one burst out laughing.

"Europe's history explains the lag. In the 18th century, its lack of standardization made it the cradle of the industrial revolution ... All this created competition and variety. Today, however, Europe's patchwork is a disadvantage. New technologies require vast lakes of data, skilled labor and capital. Despite the EU's single market, in Europe these often remain in national ponds ...

"European universities are working more closely together, and in 2015 the EU adopted a new digital strategy that has simplified tax rules, ended roaming charges and removed barriers to cross-border online content sales. But about half of its measures-like smoother flows of data-remain mere proposals. "[" Europe's history explains why it will never produce a Google, "Charlemagne: Waiting for Goodot, The Economist, 11th Oct 2018]

In other words, can PH be synonymous with innovation and global competitiveness? Innovation and global competitiveness are defining the 21st century. Think of how GE was "booted out of the Dow Jones Industrial Index." Thomas Edison must be turning in his grave.

Despite the EU's single market, new technologies - which require vast data, skilled labor and capital - often remain in national ponds. A polite way to say parochial and insular. That in the case of PH, it explains why we scream sovereignty whenever the outside world calls attention to our disregard of the rule of law.

Think of the BBC documentary, "Philippines: Democracy in Danger." Or the assessment of Fitch, the credit rating agency, that PH has (a) lower per capita income and (b) weaker governance and (c) business environment indicators ... compared to our peers.

Then consider: "Congressmen banking that senators are as greedy,"  Jarius Bondoc ,  GOTCHA , The Philippine Star, 15th Oct 2018. "Greed, not greater good, drives congressmen to constitutional revising. Proof is their draft charter, unfurled last week. Only incidental is the shift to federal form that the commission of ex-Chief Justice Reynato Puno and ex-Senate President Aquilino Pimentel espouse. It is made optional, in fact, to the dismay of advocates now explaining it to the people.

"What's firm is the expunging of term limits set in the 1987 Constitution. The House supermajority and the four-factioned minority find common cause to promote self-interest. Shamelessly they push for perpetual rule by their political dynasties. 'One to python,' they insatiably salivate. "

Shameless! "Ship muks" or "cad" in the vernacular! If Europe will never produce a Google, PH will never be a first-world country? This writer's generation can in fact kiss the thought goodbye.

"WB index shows 1 in 3 Filipino children under 5 still suffers from malnutrition, stunted growth ... NOT all Filipino children born nowadays will be able to be as productive as they could be when they grow up, according to the latest report released by the World Bank (WB).

"Based on the World Bank's Human Capital Index (HCI), if Filipino children will be able to enjoy complete education and full health support, they will only be 55 percent as productive when they grow up.

"The World Bank explained that the HCI measures the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by age 18, given the risks of poor health and education that prevail in the country where he or she lives." ["Enhancing the PHL human capital, "  Cai Ordinario , BusinessMirror, 14th Oct 2018]

If it is not obvious yet, we're in the 21st century but have yet to emerge from our dark ages. Shameless!

Think Cambodia, Ethiopia, Laos, Myanmar, among others, that have left us in the dust. They have been on the right economic track for at least 20 years, with the once Asian Tigers much longer going back 50 years. While we're still same old, same old ... that Einstein comes to mind.

But let's get back to what Fitch is telling us. Our poverty comes from our low per capita income which in turn is the outcome of weak governance and a restrictive economy. Note that a restrictive economy and weak governance are two sides of the same coin - ie, political patronage and oligarchy feed on each other. And the vicious circle explains why we're still in our dark ages.

And Duterte or Marcos or Macapagal-Arroyo - or Sara Duterte even - can not put us on the road to enlightenment. Is that why the Binays, Estradas and Villars are tipping their hats too? But neither can they. They are all "trapos"!

What happened to compassion? That's precisely the point. Poverty is the effect of underdevelopment not the cause. In other words, development is the way forward to address poverty in a third-world country as demonstrated by the above-referenced countries, like clockwork. But we chose to be the oddball, that land reform would raise the standard of living of our farmers. Instead we got the opposite outcome and made Philippine agriculture - like PH - the regional laggard. A classic double whammy.

Which can be said of OFW remittances too. For the longest time we celebrated the OFW phenomenon because it addressed poverty through employment. And ... we must add the pork barrel legislators earmarked for themselves to directly address poverty in their respective hometowns, yet we ended up creating a Napoles and with senators lining their pockets.

Not surprisingly,  "The Philippines failed to reach that 10 percent, one of the very few countries in Asia to fail to solve its poverty. Poverty stalks the land, bedeviling 21 percent of the Filipino population. Why did the Philippines fail to solve its poverty? "  [ Rice, poverty, insurgency: It's a vicious cycle, Tony Lopez, Virtual Reality,  manilastandard.net , 5th Oct 2018]

Why do we keep sinking down the abyss? From a development standpoint, we have not outgrown adolescence. That is to say, our lack of experience in development has rendered our perceptive judgment suspect. Specifically, we can not distinguish between cause and effect.

Consider, among others, evidence (a) see above re poverty and development and (b) the blessing given by elements of the elite class on Duterte's war on drugs, good governance be damned. One more time with feeling: we can not distinguish between cause and effect - a characteristic of poor perceptive judgment. Unsurprisingly, whether counting 20 or 50 years of development efforts, while other nations once poor have progressed, we have not.

And it will get worse before it gets better given the weaknesses Fitch pointed out. Yet we have not demonstrated the desire to step up to the plate because we grant that "Pinoy kasi" reigns supreme. "Paradigms are powerful because they create the lens through which we see the world ... If you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm. "[Dr. Stephen R. Covey, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People"] 

Gising bayan!

"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]

PH is in our hands – The elite class

Consider our three weaknesses as an enterprise ... or economy or nation as highlighted by Fitch: (a) lower per capita income and (b) weaker governance and (c) business environment indicators ... compared to our peers.

But why are we like an immovable object? The economist  John Kenneth Galbraith comes to mind: "People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage. Intellectual myopia, often called stupidity, is no doubt a reason. But the privileged also feel that their privileges, however egregious they may seem to others, are a solemn, basic, God-given right. The sensitivity of the poor to injustice is a trivial thing compared with that of the rich. "

Of course we're not alone. The Great Recession (2008-2010) was brought about by American greed, more precisely, bankers and Wall Street, ie, that includes half of the population that are invested in the market. In both cases, the writer counts himself and family in.

What to do? Let's take our low per capita income and talk about rice being in the news lately.

"Rice is the last frontier of the Philippines' agricultural protection strategy relative to international trade. In spite of the country's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, rice remains in its list of highly sensitive commodities, which exempted it from the removal of quantitative restrictions (QR). The use of QR on rice has been extended twice: the first until 2005 and the second until 2015. The Philippines further obtained a waiver on its commitment to eliminate QR until June 2017.

"Unfortunately, two decades after the country joined the WTO, the competitiveness of the Philippine rice industry is still in question. To be competitive, farmers and processors must be able to produce rice with the same or superior quality at costs than those of international competitors.

"Competitiveness is affected by technological capacity, market conditions, and existing domestic and trade policies of participating countries in the world market, as well as by natural endowments.

"If QR were eliminated and if prices in 2015 were used, Philippine rice (ie, regular milled ordinary white rice) at the domestic wholesale market would be more expensive than rice with similar quality (ie, ordinary white rice with 25% broken grains) coming from major exporters such as Vietnam, Thailand, and India.

"Even with 35% tariff rate, imported rice from Vietnam, the least expensive among the three, is about 21% cheaper than the domestic rice.

"Therefore, rice yield must be enhanced, and production cost needs to be reduced for Filipino farmers (at least those in irrigated areas) to be competitive.

"The Philippines can not be competitive by enhancing the rice production system alone. Parallel efforts should be made to improve its marketing system to be able to compete globally. To do this, milling efficiency should be improved ... farmers should be encouraged to plant fewer varieties ... Mechanizing the drying of paddy can also minimize the high percentage of broken rice and improve the overall quality of milled rice.

"Improving the transportation infrastructure and facilities, including the handling systems, can further reduce marketing cost." [Competitiveness of Philippine Rice in Asia; 2016; Philippine Rice Research Institute and International Rice Research Institute. 172 p.]

In other words, we are dead in the water. Not even a tariff imposition can save us. And why our farmers can not make both ends meet, reflective of our low per capita income.

What are we missing? We have to move beyond linear thinking and into lateral thinking to appreciate the imperative of creating an ecosystem and make major undertakings sustainable. But it needs forward-thinking and foresight; and for us to be outward- not inward-looking. 

To be outward-looking means we would: (a) have leveraged the expertise of the IRRI, for example, to lift us up from the abyss; and / or (b) shamelessly stolen the best practice models of our neighbors, eg, consolidated as opposed to fragmented farms.

It is - surprise, surprise - a manifestation of our parochial and insular instincts. As in: ownership (aka land reform that we crow as as a demonstration of our Christian faith) is the be-all and end-all that we can not wrap our head around economies of scale as in cooperatives, for example.

More to the point, to be forward-thinking and to demonstrate foresight means we would establish a north star [as in: "Begin with the end in mind," from the 7 habits of highly effective people] to guide us in our pursuit of major undertakings like: (a) the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub (RICH) of Central Luzon; or (b) defining where we must be in energy beyond "Energy Outlook: Supplying Rising Demand at Lower Cost;" or (c) beyond the empowerment of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)

If we have established a north star, the question we would be answering will instead be: (a) Given Central Luzon - from Hacienda Luisita down to Calabarzon - accounts for two-thirds of the PH economy, what ecosystem must we create to sustain growth and development in the region and beyond? An ecosystem equates to a virtuous circle which in the 21st century is founded on innovation and global competitiveness.

And if we drill down to what it entails, it means an infrastructure development plan that will support specific sectors of the seven industry winners (defined by the JFC) and make PH competitive within the region and beyond; and (b) a critical piece to that is an energy development plan; and (c) a network of MSMEs that will feed into the requisite demands of innovation and global competitiveness.

One more time with feeling: "Unfortunately, two decades after the country joined the WTO, the competitiveness of the Philippine rice industry is still in question." In other words, we better fix the rice industry sooner than later and gain experience in how to : (a) demonstrate forward-thinking and foresight and (b) be outward-not inward-looking.

Otherwise we will always fall into the trap of pure insanity! Because we can not overcome unfailing mediocrity if we keep to our fixed mindset.

Mediocrity? "As Justice Leonen wryly concluded, 'The prosecution could have done better in this case. Sadly, it failed. '

"Did she not brag to media that they own everything in the Philippines? Who bungled her case? Who was the negligent prosecutor? Why did Frank Chavez stop attending the hearings?

"... Del Rosario and Chavez ... should have simply taken the depositions of the Swiss officials who issued or certified them, given that the duo frequented Switzerland precisely to find the evidence to fortify their cause. One thing is knowing a fact, quite another to prove it in court using the stringent rules of evidence. "[Why did SC acquit Imelda (?), Artemio V. Panganiban , WITH DUE RESPECT, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 30th Sep 2018] 

Another evidence of weak governance? " In an in-your-face attempt to promote a favorable view of the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos, and to justify his own presidential ambition, the dictator's son and namesake Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has turned to the 94-year-old Juan Ponce Enrile for assistance. Agreeing to sit down with Marcos Jr. for an unusual interview ...

"His biggest problem remains his credibility - the same issue that dogged him when he turned against Marcos in 1986 ... With the passage of more than four decades, many of his contemporaries who might convincingly contradict his recollection of events have passed on.

"The nation's mood about strongmen also appears to have changed considerably ... More than any other previous president, Rodrigo Duterte has shown that Filipinos love leaders who talk tough, who curse in public, and who can intimidate their enemies by the sheer force of their personalities . 'Mood is not the opium of the people,' writes the sociologist Heinz Bude. 'Moods form a reality of their own and can not be understood solely as the reaction to biographical circumstances and systemic conditions .... [S] hifts in public mood are responsible for political shifts. '"[ An interview in quest of an audience, Randy David , PUBLIC LIVES, Philippine Daily Inquirer , 23rd Sep 2018]  

And what did Rizal say? But before that, let's address the weakness of our business environment. For example, why can not we attract foreign direct investments like our neighbors do? This is where Juan de la Cruz is in bed with oligarchy and why we take it for granted that we can not open the economy.

"It is time to change our mindsets on foreign investors. We have discouraged them for decades because our rent-seeking elite did not want any competition. Our economic development suffered as a result ... We need more investors making bets on our economy's ability to grow. We should know by now we can not do it alone. Filipino First is the single biggest reason why we trail our ASEAN neighbors. Even communist Vietnam welcomes foreign investors. "[Attracting investors, Boo Chanco , DEMAND AND SUPPLY , The Philippine Star, 3rd Oct 2018]  

"The argument against dynasties is that they deprive people who are more qualified from holding office ... This is a cycle. The poor support the dynasties because they need to. They can not expect help from candidates who have no funds ... This is where the problem begins. There are those who spread money around during the campaign - and try to recover it through corrupt practices while I office ... This is Philippine politics, like it or not. "[Why dynasties thrive, Emil Jurado, To The Point, manilastandard.net , 3rd Oct 2018] 

And why the constant reminder from the blog:  " We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and the paternalism it brings. And we rely on political patronage and oligarchy given the spoils they bestow. That when all is said and done, we bite the bullet - aka a culture of impunity.

Gising bayan!

"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]