How do you transition from communism to capitalism?

What about “THE Philippines must transition to an industrial economy to improve its exports? The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said [export] performance has barely improved between 1995 and 2014, citing a study published in November 2018.” [Philippine exports’ value-added content stagnant since 1995 — PIDS, Jenina P. Ibañez, BusinessWorld, 17th Nov 2019]

“The problem with the Philippine case is that we seem to have skipped a step. We moved from agriculture to services without even industrializing. [Although] the country’s agriculture employment share was still high at 26% in 2016, its contribution to the country’s gross domestic product is declining due to the issue of productivity.

“From 2005 to 2014, a large portion of the country's export portfolio [belonged] to integrated circuits, whose sophistication content is shallow compared to the average in the world market.

“The study found that the agriculture sector can move to produce more sophisticated goods such as woven twill and prime cuts of pork and poultry.

“[Although] production issues are plaguing the agriculture sector, we can build on the production structures of cereals, fruit mixtures, glycerol, and oils for us to produce agro-processed goods.

“[The] government can guide the shift towards industrialization, including strengthening industrial policy, as well as promoting competition, innovation, and science and technology research. [And] upgrade production capabilities by attracting investment from industrialized Asian neighbors, strengthening the link between industry and the academic community, encouraging manufacturing process innovation, and the financial sector is part of the various stages of production.”

Sadly, that is easier said than done. Consider: “Thomas Kuhn, the American physicist, and philosopher, stresses that paradigms are difficult to change. A paradigm shift is a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline.

“Kuhn contrasts paradigm shifts, which characterize a scientific revolution, to the activity of normal science, which he describes as scientific work done within a prevailing framework, or paradigm. Paradigm shifts arise when the dominant paradigm under which normal science operates is rendered incompatible with new phenomena, facilitating the adoption of a new theory or paradigm.” [Wikipedia]

Indeed, paradigm shifts are a challenge – especially for Juan de la Cruz – given our parochial and insular bias. Unsurprisingly, Rizal pointed out our instincts over a century ago. 

How do you transition from communism to capitalism? It is a question the writer has kept in his mind over the16 years he has been a development worker in Eastern Europe. Similarly, we Pinoys must ask: How will the Philippines transition to an industrial economy?

Many postings ago, the blog spoke to “Force-field analysis.” “It is a development in social science that provides a framework for looking at the factors (forces) that influence a situation, originally social situations. It looks at forces that are either driving movement toward a goal (helping forces) or blocking movement toward a goal (hindering forces). The principle, developed by Kurt Lewin, is a significant contribution to the fields of social science, psychology, social psychology, community psychology, communication, organizational development, process management, and change management.” [Wikipedia]

In other words, the fact that Rizal hasn’t influenced us and instead kept to our instincts will explain why we’re on the road to a failed nation, not prosperity. Consider: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism, rely on political patronage and oligarchy, that at the end of the day, ours is a culture of impunity.

How do we overcome these restraining or hindering forces as postulated by Levin? There is no free lunch. “[Despite] the 77-year prison sentence imposed on her, and the order for her immediate arrest, Imelda remains free. A police general demurred from ordering her arrest after the verdict was handed down, and she has since filed an appeal, which under the glacial pace of our justice system, could take more years or decades to resolve. Imelda, true to her appellation, continues to flit from one social event to another, as free as she wants, or as free as a 90-year-old can muster her energies.

“Meanwhile, young Filipinos are left with yet more dubious lessons from the unending lucky breaks of Revilla, Marcos, and their ilk. Crime does not pay. Evil isn't  punished.  Stealing isn't a crime. Who will buy these tarnished truisms? Not the youth of the Philippines.” [Tarnished truisms, EDITORIAL, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16th Nov 2019]

In earlier postings, the blog spoke to “Leadership, foresight, and values.” In other words, every time there is a presidential election, we all assume that we will elect someone that has the leadership, foresight, and values that can figure out the road from poverty to prosperity.

While we appear to be in the business of poverty, i.e., we all throw in our two cents to overcome poverty, including quick fixes, we fail to distinguish and build on and address the driving and hindering forces articulated by Lewin.

Paradigms are challenging to change. With due respect to PIDS, a study and a seminar will not suffice. That is why the blog often speaks to the writer’s efforts in Eastern Europe. It is not easy to transition from communism to capitalism.

Still, we can leverage the driving forces. For example, the blog has pointed out the story of Eden as well as the Stone Age, among others. Because of the ever-changing wants of man, it is in his nature to innovate. Why we Pinoys haven’t transitioned to an industrial economy like the rest of our neighbors is something we must ponder.

In the meantime, we like to articulate our efforts to overcome poverty. Not a surprise, especially coming from us in the elite class because we instinctively want to keep to the status quo. Because it’s the right thing to do, and it feels good as well as confirmed by neuroscience. Yet, foresight demands more. If those dots don’t connect, it only proves that paradigms are difficult to change.

Gising bayan!

“Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? Moreover, 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]

“You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.” [Henry Sy Sr., Chairman Emeritus and Founder, SM Group (1924 - 2019)]

“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]

Self-questioning isn’t in our DNA

Why? We value hierarchy and paternalism that, in turn, explain our embrace of tyranny. In other words, openness and the willingness to change one’s mind won’t find a home in our parochial and insular bias. Instead, we’re predisposed to rely on political patronage and oligarchy.

If those dots don’t connect, should we then ask Juan de la Cruz: How come innovation and global competitiveness aren’t instinctive to us?

Why innovation? Let’s hear from Google: “Innovation of the technique of smelting ore ended the Stone Age and began the Bronze Age. The first most significant metal manufactured was bronze, an alloy of copper and tin or arsenic smelted separately. The transition from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age was a period during which modern people could smelt copper but did not yet manufacture bronze, aka as the Copper Age (or more technically the Chalcolithic or Eneolithic, both meaning ‘copper–stone’). The Chalcolithic by convention is the initial period of the Bronze Age. The Iron Age followed the Bronze Age.”

Recall how we assumed that industrialization wasn’t our comparative advantage that the pursuit of overseas employment by Filipinos became central to our economic development. Yet, to innovate is inherent in man. In short, because of the bonanza from OFW remittances, we have outsmarted the Dutch and now own the “Dutch disease.”

Over the ten years of its existence, the blog hasn’t strayed from the themes of Pinoy parochialism and insularity. Why? As a development worker in Eastern Europe for the last 16 years, the writer learned about the isolation of the once Soviet satellite states.

“We were led to believe that ours was a prosperous enterprise, that the communist rule was out to provide our needs, and that we ought to be thankful. Until, in my case, as the accountant of the local gunpowder factory, I attended a conference in Greece. Greece is a next-door neighbor, but we had no clue what was across our borders. To my surprise, a typical mom-and-pop store in Greece sold so much merchandise that I was overwhelmed. We were living a lie.” 

That’s how a then-new friend expressed his first experience stepping out of their isolated land.

The Philippines, except for the brief travel ban imposed by Marcos, didn’t suffer from such isolation, yet we chose to isolate ourselves. Consider: “Vietnam [liberalized] its economy to welcome foreign industry. In 2015 the government opened 50 sectors to foreign competition and slashed regulation in hundreds more. Vietnam’s enthusiasm for free-trade deals has made it especially alluring to foreign investors.” [The Economist, 12th Apr 2018]

In other words, while people that were once restricted opted to open their borders, here we are, for the longest time, continuing to distance ourselves from the rest of the world. Where’s the self-questioning, the openness, and the willingness to change one’s mind? These are the elements that make for a wise choice, as confirmed by science.

Sadly, hierarchy and paternalism – as in tyranny – don’t welcome wise choices.

Until we recognize our reality, we can only be sorry for the succeeding generations. They are inheriting a history, heritage, and culture that go against the very nature of man. See above re the Stone Age and beyond. To be sure, no one can change on a dime. Yet, in the Philippines, even generations don’t suffice.

Consider: “Around 120 years ago, Jose Rizal [pointed out that] the difficulty every enterprise encountered in dealing with the Administration contributed [much] to kill off all commercial and industrial movement.  

On the other hand, “The most commercial and most industrious countries have been the freest countries. France, England, and the United States prove this. Hong Kong, which is not worth the most insignificant island of the Philippines, has more commercial activity than all our islands put together because it is free and well-governed.” (Jose Rizal, Political and Historical Writings, vol. VII, Centennial Edition, National Historical Commission, 1961, pp. 249-250.)

“Though Rizal was referring to a time in history that was long ago, there are prominent elements of truth in this analysis even for our times. Bad politics, corruption, rent-seeking infect the country’s policy-making process.

“Reforms are needed to tame the problems [while] the support of national leadership would speed up and solve such glaring problems.” [“Factors that still afflict us in a growing economy,” Gerardo P. Sicat, CROSSROADS TOWARD PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRESS, The Philippine Star, 23rd Oct 2019]

Almost 50 years ago, the writer worked for one of the nation’s oligarchies. The memory came as the writer writes in a bed-and-breakfast villa made of pinewood in the Alsace region of France. The place, including the surrounding fir- and cloud-covered mountains, is a reminder of the old Baguio staff house of his then Filipino employer.

One major event he recalls is the visit by a delegation from the IMF-World Bank – during their big meeting in Manila that also brought about the rapid construction of 5-star hotels – to their refinery, a BOI-registered pioneering enterprise. Sadly, technology has rendered it passé and has ceased to exist. That’s the risk-reward cycle one gets from rent-seeking.

Innovation. Innovation. Innovation. 

As some would know, the writer has been mentoring his Eastern European friends on the pursuit of change in a country that continues to battle the remnants of tyrannical rule. Like in all former Soviet satellite states, people have a choice to be part of the oligarchy that has taken over or pursue the free market system.

People are funny. That is why the assumption that people will choose what’s right for them is a fallacy. It explains why Juan de la Cruz keeps shooting himself in the foot. Think of Adam and Eve partaking of the forbidden fruit.

Here lies the root of innovation. As the writer says to his Eastern European friends, change is infinity – because of the ever-changing wants of man. In other words, to assume that there will not be the next wave of innovation is misplaced. For example, how long does it take for us to exploit the power of our electronic devices truly? In the meantime, before we know it, what we’re trying to master is outmoded.

Sadly, because we Pinoys are the regional laggard, modernity disorients us. Unfortunately, the world is harsher and less forgiving, as perceived by Emmanuel Macron – which means it will not wait for Juan de la Cruz.

Innovation is in one’s mind, is in man; technology follows yet gets ahead, and the cycle continues. For example, given we continue to value hierarchy and paternalism and rely on political patronage and oligarchy, how far do we think has technology left us behind?

In a recent posting, the blog spoke to the strategic planning initiative of the ex-president from Eastern Europe. Development is not about quick fixes. It takes leadership, foresight, and values to traverse the road from poverty to prosperity. And it is never a done deal. Innovation is infinity.

The bottom line: Openness and the willingness to change one’s mind won’t find a home in our parochial and insular bias. Self-questioning isn’t in our DNA.

Gising bayan!

“Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? Moreover, 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]

“You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.” [Henry Sy Sr., Chairman Emeritus and Founder, SM Group (1924 - 2019)]

“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]

Leadership. Foresight. Values.

Those words came after the wife and writer had an intimate dinner with two other couples from Eastern Europe. Both men can matter-of-factly share leadership insights, one from the public (an ex-president) and the other (a founder and CEO) from the private sector. That they share democratic values, if not Christian values, despite being born and raised under the communist rule is significant.

Foresight is another characteristic they demonstrate and can explain why they are head and shoulders above their peers.

Here’s the ex-president expressing his insights:

(a) A president should look ahead and set the direction. I set national priorities [and] pursued active economic diplomacy that substantially raised bilateral trade with countries as far away as China and Germany to the west as well as our neighbors.

(b) We set modernization and connectivity as our national and regional priorities and stressed that our country is stable only when it is connected and integrated and not isolated.

(c) When I was the minister of local development and public works, I knew to trust in government was nonexistent. The EU had stepped in and withheld funding for highway and road infrastructure projects until transparency became the norm. In short order, we partnered with Transparency International, and the bidding of a significant project became a model: scores of bids were submitted from around the world and made it the least-cost public works ever.

(d) I was the first president to implement strategic planning in the state and to reach full consensus on the National program for development. I knew we could achieve results on the national priorities only if we build on them and seek agreement. A third government in a row is already implementing the National program for development. Things were different in the past when each government called into question the priorities set by the previous one.

(e) We now are boasting of the second-highest growth rate among the EU member-states. The unemployment rate has dropped to a record low. There is no deficit, and we consistently finished the fiscal year with a budget surplus.

(f) Regrettably, the world will continue to be an awkward stage of development. We must demonstrate our commitment to the rule of law. For example, what I sought was not power but meaning. And you find meaning in the simple things.

(g) I remain committed to (1) progress, (2) the education of the youth, (3) the National program for development, (4) ensuring that we develop the industries and technologies of the future, (5) promoting the human capital and talent of the nation.

(h) Let us give way to the right solutions. I will be a patron and leader, mentor and advisor, partner, and teacher. I will be active both in the country and abroad. I will work with the political parties and business, and I will closely monitor politics. I will remain active, yet without party affiliations. I will continue to contribute to the nation's strong position in Europe and the world. I will make sure the country does not deviate from the right path, and if it does, I will be ready to go to the barricade and defend the country’s European and democratic development.

(i) I will continue to dream together with the people and will work to ensure that this dream comes true.

Can we Filipinos, especially in today’s harsher and less forgiving world, so says French President Emmanuel Macron, imagine a president with such qualities as leadership, foresight, and values?

Why are we the regional laggard? We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism, rely on political patronage and oligarchy, that at the end of the day, ours is a culture of impunity.

Should this line give Juan de la Cruz pause? “We set modernization and connectivity as our national and regional priority and stressed that our country is strong only when it is connected and integrated and not isolated.”

Consider: As recently as 25th Sep 2019, the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines released its “Statement Regarding Constitutional Restrictions on Foreign Equity and Related Provisions regarding HCR 1 and RBH 2. They submitted it to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the House of Representatives.”

The general reasons the foreign chambers gave are:

(1) To obtain the benefits of increased foreign investment as soon as possible

(2) The restrictions in the Constitution are inflexible

(3) It is one of the most restrictive Constitutions

(4) The limits are outdated

(5) The Philippines is no longer an inward-looking economy

(6) The Philippines has increased its free trade agreements within ASEAN and Asia

(7) New FTAs require treating foreign and domestic investors the same

(8) Foreign Investment Act RA 7042, as amended by RA 8179, removed the 60-40 rule

(9) Restrictions make it harder to create jobs

(10) Removing restrictions increases competitiveness

Recall the blog often speaks to the playbook – i.e., beg for Western money and technology – of the Asian Tigers and, more recently, Vietnam. It propelled these countries forward, including turning them into first-world nations.

Do we see the contrast? It is the foreign chambers that are begging us. See above our instincts.

Ergo: We don’t have the foresight to figure out that begging for Western money and technology is the quickest way to become an industrial economy as our neighbors demonstrated.

If we can’t figure that out, what about this? “I was the first president to implement strategic planning in the state and to reach full consensus on the National program for development. I knew we could achieve results on the national priorities only if we build on them and seek consensus. A third government in a row is already implementing the National program for development. Things were different in the past when each government called into question the priorities set by the previous one.”

In fairness, we now have the “Expanded list of flagship infrastructure projects approved by the Investment Coordinating Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) and the Cabinet-level Committee on Infrastructure (INFRACOM). It will include private-sector initiative projects while dropping some works due to lack of feasibility.” [Expanded list of flagship infra projects approved, Beatrice M. Laforga, BusinessWorld, 6th Nov 2019]

Sadly, we don’t have a track record in delivering on big-ticket items. Also, we have the challenge of transparency. Should we then partner with Transparency International in the pursuit of these flagship projects?

Leadership. Foresight. Values. What will it take for us to manifest these characteristics? The world will not wait for us.

Gising bayan!

“Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? Moreover, 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]

“You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.” [Henry Sy Sr., Chairman Emeritus and Founder, SM Group (1924 - 2019)]

“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]

State of denial

National pride is human nature. Sadly, in the case of Juan de la Cruz, it will continue to sink us to the abyss.

We must look in the mirror, or we won’t develop into a proactive and responsive organism – and instead remain the regional laggard, if not risk extinction.

Let’s start with our tax base. In other words, while we are focused on tax reforms, which is a step in the right direction, we cannot take the tax base for granted. Revenues are the lifeblood of an enterprise, be it public or private. If that does not come out of our lips instinctively, it is high time it does.

Industrialize. Industrialize. Industrialize.

In the meantime, the size of the GDP makes us gloat. While it is not to sneeze about, it has become a rich source for harmful elements to indulge in graft and corruption. Moreover, it makes Juan de la Cruz demand his share in one form or another, i.e., if not dole-outs, badly needed social programs.

Sadly, on a per capita basis, notwithstanding the size of the GDP, it is not enough an engine to rapidly drive economic development.

Worse, because we have not demonstrated foresight, we can’t figure out the road we must traverse from poverty to prosperity. 

Recall that the three drivers of PH national income are: (1) OFW remittances, (2) BPO industry, and (3) the Top 8 listed companies that made it to the Forbes list.

Where do we stand with national income? We are the regional laggard with a per capita income of an underdeveloped economy. Even more fundamental, we can’t provide essential services like water, electricity, public transportation, and then some.

In other words, we are relying on a tax base that is the size of a small pie. Moreover, given that we are a consumption economy, we find ourselves skewed to taxing consumption like the sin tax. 

On the other hand, let’s look at Vietnam. Why?

They are poised to overtake us in per capita income while already ahead of us in reducing poverty, at less than 10% against our over 20%. Even more mindboggling, Vietnam is tracking to be wealthier than Singapore.

Here lies our blind spot. Vietnam liberalized its economy and attracted investments that are leaving China. It is not rocket science. All Vietnam is doing is follow the playbook of the Asian Tigers: beg for Western money and technology. While we still go by the old Western model of a free market per se. 

That is being kind because ours is a protectionist economy given our subservience to vested interests, i.e., political patronage and oligarchy. See below our instincts.

Vietnam’s exports are now over four times ours. It is likewise essential to note that one Korean enterprise, Samsung, generates more revenues than the eight most significant companies in the Philippines, combined.

There is a missing link in our taxation drive, i.e., our tax base, aka national income.

That is why the blog often references the definition of creativity courtesy of Steve Jobs. It is merely to connect the dots.

As the blog has argued, our instincts brought about the above blind spots: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism, rely on political patronage and oligarchy, that at the end of the day, ours is a culture of impunity.

Even geniuses – like Einstein and Edison, or even Steve Jobs – have their blind spots. “Despite their incontestable intelligence, [they] held seriously misguided beliefs about significant aspects of life.

“[High] IQ alone is not predictive of wise decision making and overall life success. Brainpower may often contribute to severe reasoning mistakes.

“So how can you avoid foolish mistakes fueled by your intelligence? Open-mindedness, continuous self-questioning, and a willingness to change one’s mind (all of which happen to be principles of the yogic understanding of wisdom) are key factors for making wiser choices.” [“Are You Too Smart to Think Wisely? Brainpower can contribute to surprising reasoning mistakes”; Eva M. Krockow, Ph.D., Psychology Today, 6th Mar 2019]

As a development worker in Eastern Europe, the writer has had the benefit of overseeing a “laboratory” over the last 16 years that confirms the limits of intelligence. That wise choice is a product of thinking discipline: Never stop at the Monday version; brainstorm until you get to the Saturday version. The outcome? They have turned into giant killers. They give Western global behemoths a run for their money.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”

Sadly, because of national pride, we like to deflect our shortcomings and rationalize our failings. In fairness, such juvenile pursuits are consistent with our level of development.

We can fault every other nation or whatever isms we like to criticize. Yet, we are the regional laggard because we are on the road to a failed state, not prosperity.

Gising bayan!

“Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? Moreover, 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]

“You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.” [Henry Sy Sr., Chairman Emeritus and Founder, SM Group (1924 - 2019)]

“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]