Is There Still Hope Living in the Philippines
By mjmlagat
@mjmlagat (3170)
Philippines
August 28, 2008 3:24am CST
This topic just hit my mind after receivin a confirmation from a travel agency that my family is well-qualifed to get a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa..althought it's still a very long way to go through processes and expenses, I'm so excited about the idea at the same time I pondered: is there still hope living in the Philippines?
I love my country very much and it's just sad to note about the many negative happenings and events circumventing the nation these days. Much more heartbreaking if these chaotic events are brought about by the selfishness of the very officials entrusted by the poor Filipinos to alleviate their worsening economic condition.
I'm not sure anymore if there is still hope left for my country, the Philippines.
5 people like this
22 responses
@glay22 (512)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
hi mj
i think there is still hope for the Philippines.. there should be! We still have younger generations whose innocence cannot surpass the cruelty and corruption this country is facing. We as mature Filipinos, should make the difference for them and give them hope. This will be for our children and our children's children.
if we cannot dpened on these corrupt politicians, then we can start the change and light of hope within us, we must show others that if we live in honesty and good faith, then blessing will come thru GOd's mercy..miracles can still happen for the Filipino nation.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
Very well said., I would not have said it any better. While there's life there's hope. We have to perform our responsibilities in our own little way. If you take one "tingting" (stick broom), you could not do anything with it. But if there are several pieces of stick broom, then you can sweep anything that comes in the way. "United we stand,, divided we fall," as the cliche' goes. We must not give up hope. The Philippines is still a country worth fighting for, and worth dying for. All the best.
@joyadalia (1408)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
There is hope for the Philippines 
! I am always looking at the bright side of things and I see that the Philippines is doing just fine. Yes, we have our own share of corruptions, wars, terrorism, poverty, crime, but who doesn't? Give me one country that does not have these problems? The USA may seem to be the ideal country but it actually struggles with its own problems
.
The problem is not in the country but with its citizens. Look around you and listen to what people are talking about. Gloria is this and that. Gloria brought poverty to us. Gloria is to be blamed for all this joblessness. Gloria blah blah. Don't you see? We blame that one person who is trying to do her best to rule one whole nation with millions of citizens for all the problems that we encounter. I am not pro-Gloria but I am not anti-Gloria either. I want everyone to see that to be fair with the president she has done a good job in her administration. As economist she was able to bring up the peso value even if the world's economy is getting worse. I can remember those days back when I was in college when the peso value was Php56 to $1. It may sound good for us who can exchange our dollars with a higher value but it is not good for the Philippines as a whole. So how much is the dollar now? It's far from that all time high of Php56 as it is now at Php44.
We also could not blame our president for the rising costs of fuel, commodities and everything. Come on guys, wake up! Listen to what everyone around the world is complaining about and you will realize that other countries are faring worse than us. People have resorted to killing each other for food. Food is rationed to some countries. Stampedes have happened in the search for food. You see, it is not our president's fault. We should be thankful that we can still buy rice from the market or the grocery store. I am thankful that I can still eat my Ganador without fear that it might not be sold tomorrow.
Also, we do have good paying jobs here for those who are qualified or maybe lucky. I live in Dumaguete, a place where the minimum wage is at Php237. But I am earning Php15000 a month on my job right now plus another Php15000 for my online job. Yes, there is hope in living in the Philippines.
In many ways you can see that the Philippines is still progressing. You can be cynical about this whole thing or you can see my side of the story.
! I am always looking at the bright side of things and I see that the Philippines is doing just fine. Yes, we have our own share of corruptions, wars, terrorism, poverty, crime, but who doesn't? Give me one country that does not have these problems? The USA may seem to be the ideal country but it actually struggles with its own problems.
The problem is not in the country but with its citizens. Look around you and listen to what people are talking about. Gloria is this and that. Gloria brought poverty to us. Gloria is to be blamed for all this joblessness. Gloria blah blah. Don't you see? We blame that one person who is trying to do her best to rule one whole nation with millions of citizens for all the problems that we encounter. I am not pro-Gloria but I am not anti-Gloria either. I want everyone to see that to be fair with the president she has done a good job in her administration. As economist she was able to bring up the peso value even if the world's economy is getting worse. I can remember those days back when I was in college when the peso value was Php56 to $1. It may sound good for us who can exchange our dollars with a higher value but it is not good for the Philippines as a whole. So how much is the dollar now? It's far from that all time high of Php56 as it is now at Php44.
We also could not blame our president for the rising costs of fuel, commodities and everything. Come on guys, wake up! Listen to what everyone around the world is complaining about and you will realize that other countries are faring worse than us. People have resorted to killing each other for food. Food is rationed to some countries. Stampedes have happened in the search for food. You see, it is not our president's fault. We should be thankful that we can still buy rice from the market or the grocery store. I am thankful that I can still eat my Ganador without fear that it might not be sold tomorrow.
Also, we do have good paying jobs here for those who are qualified or maybe lucky. I live in Dumaguete, a place where the minimum wage is at Php237. But I am earning Php15000 a month on my job right now plus another Php15000 for my online job. Yes, there is hope in living in the Philippines.
In many ways you can see that the Philippines is still progressing. You can be cynical about this whole thing or you can see my side of the story.
1 person likes this
@Kofficup (150)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
Very well said Joy! I appreciate your views. I believe that by hoping the good and positive ways are better than blaming other people like our little president Gloria and hoping for other to do for us the mercies we deserve. Our President is just doing her job. What if FPJ have become our president while we struggle on the Asian Food Crisis and the Oil Crisis that is a global issue, will FPJ be able to tackle the issued well? Would there be take 2's to hundreds in the presidential position? There are a lot of us in the Philippines who are pointing our blame to what is going on in the political governance. In governing a republic like that Philippines for instance requires tons of patience and understanding. We've been influenced with several sort of culture. Among which that influenced us the wrong way were the Spaniards. We were colonized and "Spanized". Sad thing about what the Spanish culture made us become too Catholic that we leave our lives through luck from other people, through the government and through bahala na! It is difficult to govern a Christian dominated republic. Too much Christianity means maddening democracy that spoiled out our law that causes political disaster. Corrupts do not confesses their sin to their constituents regardless of their conviction being corrupt by man's eyes yet they kneel to God for forgiveness LIARS!!!!. Over again they commit the same mistakes,is that what it takes to be a Christian in the political arena?
I am positive that we will surpass these crisis. Not tomorrow or within 24 hours but one of these days, we'll never know. I hope selfishness will be ended. Philippines is my beloved and I wishing and doing my part as a citizen to continue with my crusade not to wait for the government to move us, but us to help our nation move forward. For now I am surviving with my above minimum monthly earnings. I do online or home base jobs from a US based Realty company that gives me around Php20,000/month. I am doing my online translation projects also for my overseas service buyers...these gives me the privilege to send my daughter to a private school here in Quezon City and enjoy simple pleasures with my family. I always wish for the whole of Philippines, the best things like sufficient food supplies, no war and insurgency free, no more US intervening factors for lasting peace, for the humanity's well-being, PEACE and productive healthy Filipinos. Smile!!!
@gne925 (80)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
Reading books of Bo Sanchez and Chinkee Tan gives me the drive that we all have hopes and all of us can have a better life... but when i watched over news, 90% of it was all saddening. Now, after reading your post, and a text message from a college friend who is also leaving to work abroad, it weakens my heart that almost all the Filipinos wants to go to other countries to live and to work. With our country's economic situation, I feel so afraid for my daughter's future that sometimes, it also gives me an idea to try to apply for a job in other country... I guess there are still hope in our country only if we will start everything on our own and with our own family...
@gne925 (80)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
hehehe! siyempre naman! But it is sometimes tiring to see how our economy is going down plus the unending war in politics... Then when I try to ask some students, their minds are set in working abroad after college graduation... so how can we rely on the younger generation to save our country?
@mamaru_husain86 (22)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
meron pa! kaw naman! andito pa ako! Just kidding!seriously speaking, der is hope because we have a young intelligent youth. sabi nga ni rizal, kbataan pag-asa ng bayan.
@ishralene09 (2260)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
As long as we're living, there's still hope. I still hope that we at least remain in this state for a couple more years, so that we will all realize that we too are part of the problem and do something about it. Even other people are losing hope in their country, and migrates...If you want Canada, then goodluck to you. I sure hope that you and your family succeed there if ever.
As for me, I'm leaving the Philippines not because of lack of hope, but for VACATION!!! WEEE!!!
Kidding aside, I really am losing my patience too. Everybody talks about being "makabayan" but doing nothing about it. We put blame on the officials that we put there ourselves. And they are being blamed by those opposing parties that has everything to prove of themselves to the country but then still do the exact same thing that the government is doing now, maybe in a different fashion but still the same corrupt way.
Just a little step-by-step will do. Even if the progress is not that fast, as long as the pillars that we stand upon right now stops being broken down by those pig-headed pathetic politicians and their cohorts, then we'll have a chance. If greed reigns, I'll beg my parents to get permanent residence status in Japan.
But for now, I'll still hope and pray.
1 person likes this
@pehpot (4762)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
we still have hope, but the way to it is very long and painful. I think less people are willing to lead on the way, but I know in time more and more will see the light and it would change our country. Our country has a lot to offer we just misused and abused most of them.
@iambaiyunlvshui (122)
• China
29 Aug 08
i am very sad to hear that.i do think there bad offical should be punished for their bad behavior .
@rsa101 (38148)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
Opportunities like this are rare for any common Filipinos to live there. I say take and grab this opportunity and live a new life there. Leaving your country doesn't mean your less patriotic than you are right now. I even see Filipinos living abroad that is much more patriotic than those that is staying here. They have a group there and organization and continues living Filipino lives in there. Maybe this is an opportunity for you to really help your country with your earnings there where you can help your family that is left here in return you help our country to at least cope up with the economy by your contributions. Our government even is touting these workers as being heroes as they contribute a large chunk to the country's economy.
Like the post I read above there is definitely hope for the Philippines to grow. It will continue until there is one left Filipino who still believes there is hope for their motherland.
@andak2007 (3229)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
hi there your question really got me into thinking about my own status and my family...i am proud to be a filipino because there are just so many things to be proud of. I do believe that the situation in our country is not that worst well if you compare it to somalia or those poorest countries in the world. I myself would want to live abroad, work and raise my family away from the philippines but on the back of my mind i want to comeback here because i love this country very much, ive had my equal opportunity and yes the eagerness to search for greener pasture but still i remained here because i know that there is still hope for our country, we can still do something, like what abs-cbn is doing ..the government cannot help us anymore but yes we the people and help ourselves and our fellowmen..walang iwanan sa bayan ni juan.
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
I think there still is if we decide to unite and actually not to be indifferent of what's happening around us. If we only put into our minds that this country needs unity and our personal interest be set aside first then I think this country still has a chance.
@hindichinese (748)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
Yes,there Is! If we fight on it, we can have it. This is our home and we should still have hope on making it better for ourselves in the future. Many of our countrymen are leaving the country because of our financial stability is poor. But I think that if just help each other to correct those politicians, these country of ours will be gonna be better. It just happen that we have the lack of guts now to oppose the present corrupt officials, not like what our elders done way back the martial law times. These days are considered silent martial law, and it will gonna be in future days or months. But still hoping that it wouldn't be.
Lets just pray for our country's future.
@bea2008 (73)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
I still believe that there is still hope for Philippines as long as there are still critics which always keep on reminding of politicians' wrong doings. There are still rally that shows that we are not satified with their actions and decisions. These people on position will still be alarmed that people will not tolerate and will keep their opinions. Most of all younger generations nowadays are not giving up and continues to protest which eveidently shows on media reports. In this process, we can still find hope for this country. Most of all, all Filipinos must start their desired change from themselves and within the family is the smallest form of organization to form and mold a new generation of good leaders.
@ehlsie (730)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
It depends on how Filipino do to survive here in our country..
If were like "juan tamad" I dont think theres still hope... As you said,you heard lots of negative happenings and events here. Filipinos are now like the challengers in a reality show, survivor...You should do something to survive...
Me, I want to work here in our country but like others, we're also inneed. It's so hard to find a job here in our country....and very low salary here. hat's why many filipino tries their luck to other country to have a better living for their family.Now i'm looking for a job to other country a job to help my family and to give them a better life...
@goddessjes (788)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
if only you weren't a Filipino, you'd hear a whole lotta beating here especially from Filipino MyLotters...
YES there is hope for the country. economy is bad, just as other countries' economy. maybe a little educating on how other countries are doing might help us appreciating the place we call our home.
we pity our country for the high prices of commodities, the drop of educational attainment and the quality of life of most average filipinos.
but in general, if we are not talking about economics, Philippines is still a great country with good people.
there is future for the country. what are the rallies and lobbying for if the mass doesn't care for their future. maybe it takes a big leap for our government to improve the life of the citizens. but in reality, in any country, you watch your own back. no matter how successful or disappointing the government and economy is, you are responsible for your own welfare.
philippines is populated with very good individuals. smart, sensible and hardworking individuals. them working hard for a better like is already a glimpse of a future. we may not see it yet in statistics, but our day will come when other countries would be proud of our own. =)
@mms05084 (93)
• Papua New Guinea
29 Aug 08
if your really patriotic of our country, your hope should not waiver. how can the Philippines reach its highest peak, if its people think the same way as you are? let us help our country and never neglect that we are the only ones who can help Philippines, not them just us.
@Bebs08 (10681)
• United States
28 Aug 08
Hi mjm,
Wherever you go in the world there is always something. There is no perfect place in this earth.Yes, There is still hope in the Philippines depending upon how you view it. Even in United states there is controversy like in the Philippines. Negative happenings are all around. so then I conclude that wherever you go, is not a perfect place. So, we have to live in it with hopes in our hearts that someday, it would improve.
@ronacruz2007 (650)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
of course there is hope we should all think of that or else there will be none someday. Philippines is such a beatiful country with beatiful people. We withered a lot of storms and conquered a lot of battles just to give up now.
@chingbeem (910)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
migrating never ever occured in my mind nor my husbands nor my brothers. We are very much contented here. We do like to go abroad but just for a vacation. But that would be in a while since my daughter is now in college and the tuition fee's up to our necks. My sister lived in switzerland for 3 years because nestle philippines sent her entire family there, but now, they are back.
My husband has lots of relatives abroad yet, there's not much of a difference on how we live here. They still work like we do, they still spend like we do. the only difference is---they dont have maids, I have several. So you see, I can relax better in the Philippines.
@Kyokuchou (32)
• United States
28 Aug 08
I'm not Filipino, (my best friend is half-his dad was born in the Philippines but that's the closest I get lol) but I wanted to say I agree with Marg. Even if you are not living in your home country, the fact that you prosper and are doing well can help your home by giving your loved ones someone to be proud of, by giving the young ones someone to strive to be just like. As long as Filipinos (or anyone from any country for that matter) are working toward bettering themselves; personally, professionally socially, politically, etc. there is hope for everyone.
