The PH caste system stunted Juan de la Cruz’s worldview

If we can’t figure out why the Philippine caste system – a static phenomenon – is behind our stunted development, we better dig into our soul.

If we still can’t recognize that we are way past the danger zone, having sunk deeper into the abyss, we better wake up.

We no longer want to compare ourselves with prosperous neighbors but with the cellar dweller Laos. And Mongolia and Mauritania too? These are teeny tiny emerging economies, making us look like giants. How pathetic can we be?

Unsurprisingly, we are a dysfunctional system – an economy or a country.

Consider these articles from the media and what they represent: (1) Philippines’ Largest Telecom Slumps 17% After Billions of Pesos in Budget Overrun Revealed; (2) Good governance and performance matter; (3) Saving Filipino seafarers’ jobs.

Let’s quote an earlier posting: How do we upend the Philippine caste system? Do we start with education? What about the home? What about the public and private sectors?

First, let’s tackle education. How do we upend the “ivory tower” syndrome? How do we get UP, for example, to move beyond “academic freedom” to mirroring the dynamism of this universe? That we are a subset of a dynamic ecosystem, we know as the photosynthesis phenomenon? In other words, it is not about K-12.

Recall how George Gorospe (SJ) defined “reality;” it is beyond any human experience or system. And recall too how the Philippine culture conflicts with this fundamental given. While the school can instruct the students accordingly, the home and the workplace undermine the effort because of our caste system.

Nation-building “is no longer just economics. We must open our eyes and focus on a bigger canvas, not just economic indicators. Still, most social, political, and other inequality indicators frustrate our efforts to build social cohesion and unite people around certain reforms.” [“PHL urged to focus economic policy on keeping middle class prosperous,” BusinessWorld, 24th Nov 2022]

The bottom line: The Philippine caste system is a static phenomenon. It explains why “dynamism” is beyond our comfort zone. And it undermines the value of education. And why we take “reality” for granted. We can’t open our eyes and focus on a giant canvas.

As the blog often raises, we can’t distinguish (a) logical yet linear and incremental thinking and (b) forward, lateral, and creative thinking. And that is why we rely on tools, especially Western, without acknowledging their “context.” Yet, given that the real world is an “open,” not a “closed” system, we are bound to fail despite these tools because they don’t operate in a vacuum.

Let’s hold it right there and address these Western tools. 

And start with our education system that follows the West. Recall that, like a broken record, the blog reminds us how Lee and Mahathir shared with Deng and with us to leapfrog industrialization by begging for Western money and technology, not tools.

They understood “context.” The Western world had already attained industrial status, and the tools they employed built on this foundation. In contrast, we replicated these tools from the ground up. That explains why despite decades-long efforts, we’re nowhere near an industrialized economy.

On the other hand, look at latecomer Vietnam. In one fell swoop, they attracted foreign investment and technology and overtook us, including eliminating poverty. It was not rocket science. They heeded Lee and Mahathir.

What other tools do we love from the West? In the first place, they are advanced democratic nations despite their flaws. In other words, a culture of impunity is not the foundation to nurture these tools. 

The blog often speaks to the force field theory in change management. There are driving and restraining forces that will dictate success or failure. And our culture of impunity is a significant barrier. 

Let’s drill down the concept of “context.”

Recall the elements of cognitive development: (a) dualism or “binary thinking,” (b) multiplicity, (c) relativism – or the imperative of context. And the concept of “context” above (i.e., neuroscience and physics) has its counterparts in psychology and theology. And why lateral thinking is critical to navigating the dynamism of this universe.

Quantum physics accepts a higher being because they see creation as a creator’s product, and they use the watch – given its precision and numerous parts that come together in sync – as a metaphor. A “watch” comes from a creator. It is a departure from classical physics that can explain the laws of physics in simple terms, while quantum physics offers different probabilities, not one precise reason. And the theory matches the element of “multiplicity” in neuroscience.

In the case of Franciscan theology, it speaks to (a) order, (b) disorder, and (b) reorder. In other words, the Franciscans are preaching dynamism too. They don’t see the conflict between the Big Bang and the story of creation. Both demonstrate “order.” Yet, because of their dynamic nature, disorder emerges before the cycle turns to reorder.

And when the Franciscans talk about the Creator and Christ, they point out how Christians have misunderstood their faith, mainly reflected in far-right extremism.

“Vatican defrocks Frank Pavone, anti-abortion activist and priest, over social media posts. Pavone, the founder of the anti-abortion group Priests for Life, frequently posts on social media about politics and abortion, largely in support of former President Donald J. Trump and the Republican party’s anti-abortion platform.” [USA Today, 18th Dec 2022]

Recall that Pope Francis is the first pope to choose the name Francis. St. Francis traversed the fringes, not mainstream Christianity. He decided to be with the outcasts and the lepers instead of the affluent despite being born into wealth.

Beyond the oneness of creation, St. Francis followed the footsteps of Christ; the Christ crucified for his “radical” views. Christ chose to be with the gentiles and sinners. Moreover, the Three Persons of the Trinity are forgiving and merciful, not judgmental. For example, the “good thief” was a metaphor for humankind’s inequities, yet Christ revealed compassion.

We Filipinos may not think of ourselves as far-right extremists, yet given our caste system and the influence of the Church, we hue closer to the extreme right – as in autocracy. Consider our instincts: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism and rely on political patronage and oligarchy; ours is a culture of impunity.

Can we upend the Philippine caste system if we can’t dissect our faith, that it is beyond binary thinking – and dogmas?

In other words, until we accept the dynamism of our world, we won’t ever open our eyes and focus on a giant canvas.

Let’s get back to PLDT.

“Given the growing scrutiny on environmental, social, and governance issues, PLDT’s debacle will raise concerns among its large base of foreign investors, which currently hold more than 40% stake in the company. More than 1.18 million PLDT shares changed hands Monday, the most since June 2017.

“The spending probe casts a stain on the finances and governance of PLDT, the country’s biggest phone company by revenue and among the nation’s most widely held stocks by foreign investors. It also raised questions about the management of PLDT Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, 76, who was also president and CEO until June 2021.” [“Philippines' Largest Telecom Slumps 17% After Billions of Pesos in Budget Overrun Revealed,” Bloomberg, 19th Dec 2022]

How do we then upend the Philippine caste system? Do we start with education? What about the home? What about the public and private sectors?

“My experience and observation have been that agencies and institutions which have most diligently applied themselves to the process and system of governance have, not coincidentally, been great performers. For instance, they have delivered breakthrough results and projects on time and within budget. More importantly, they have “delivered the right projects” and reduced corruption.

“Conversely, those government institutions which had a change of heart (sometimes coinciding with a change of leadership) or who quit the process were typically agencies that severely underperformed and failed to deliver the “proper” public service. In some cases, leadership changes in some agencies negated years of gain and progress, and we saw these agencies deteriorate and revert to their original states (or worse).

“And in some, we saw agencies, which made a lot of early progress fade over time, suggesting the need for a strategy refresh.” [“Governance and performance,” Guillermo M. Luz, BUSINESS MATTERS, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 15th Dec 2022]

Whether in the private or public sector, we have a governance challenge in the Philippines. We cannot keep to our kids’ gloves.

In other words, what is the context? Ours is a culture of impunity. Recall that democracy is “self-government.” And it presupposes transparency. And “check and balance” comes to mind. Or the “rule of law.”

And it comes down to “personal responsibility.” And personal responsibility will not emerge given our instincts: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism and rely on political patronage and oligarchy; ours is a culture of impunity.

Recall, too, how I explained freedom, democracy, and the free market to my Eastern European friends. They are not about rules but principles. “If you want me around, you must commit to transparency. No ifs and buts.”

We Filipinos don’t appreciate leadership because we hue closer to autocracy. And it comes from our caste system.

Let’s get back to education.

“Saving Filipino seafarers’ jobs,” Randy David, PUBLIC LIVES, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 18th Dec 2022.

“The reform agenda for maritime education that Emsa has immaculately presented seeks changes that, in truth, underscore fundamental deficiencies in our country’s overall educational system.

“Due to space limitation, I will name only three that, I believe, are directly related to the state of maritime education, namely: 1. The policy of continuous promotion in basic and secondary education, which passes on the gatekeeping function to higher education institutions; 2. The inability to grasp the meaning of competency-based training; and 3. The commercialization of maritime education, which thrives on the easy money earned from the certification of ordinary seafarers.”

In other words, we have a problem with our (a) overall educational system and (b) a severe governance challenge.

And that brings us back to the Philippine caste system – and how it informs our instincts. And the outcome is a culture of impunity.

The PH caste system stunted Juan de la Cruz’s worldview

If we can’t figure out why the Philippine caste system – a static phenomenon – is behind our stunted development, we better dig into our soul.

If we still can’t recognize that we are way past the danger zone, having sunk deeper into the abyss, we better wake up.

Gising bayan!

[The family joins me in wishing one and all a Blessed Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year!]