Turn, turn, turn...

BusinessWeek reports - more like, asks the question: Is the Philippines finally turning around?

So.... is it?

Assif Shameen outlines the improvements seen from the past years, straddled by the conflicts and challenges to the administration. The deficits are on its way to being eliminated, albeit the homeland is in dire need of moving at pace with our Asian neighbors. Overseas remittances continue to fuel economic growth to the projected tune of $12.3 billion dollars in 2006, but we still have to be mindful of this "brain drain dilemma", where some of our most talented workers seek better opportunities outside our borders - for due reason.

Give me something to believe in. I read this somewhat pleased, but still not quite at ease - left eyebrow raised. Could it really be? Guarded as I am with this twinkle of good news... this brings forth some pride. Some hope. Some motivation for myself to stop overly complaining about how Manila is not what it is without the greed, the corruption, and the wide gap brought forth by our non-existent middle class. I have said before, without much conviction, there is hope for the Philippines yet.

Maybe there is.

Just when I have started to get into the minute of zen - it was but a fleeting moment. In scrolling down to the comments, a certain expat laments:

Nov 27, 2006 3:32 PM GMT
This writer has obviously not spent much time in the Philippines. Nice people, corrupt and inept government. There has been some slight improvement in roads and internet availability but it is a badly managed country where the best opportunity is as an overseas worker. That being said, Arroyo is better than Estrada and Marcos, but Manila is light years behind Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, China or even India. Don't invest there. There's a joke over there among expats: "Welcome to the Philippines, Slow Down!" Jeff Kassel Makati, Philippines

I had to take a deep breath. Closed my eyes, and repeated the mental mantra several times, "Each one to his/her own opinion... each one to..."

On that note, I just might post under a pseudonym. (Interesante - I can even turn this into a search engine results experiment.) Kassel and ignorami can express their opinions. So can I. I just might conjure up enough strength soon to click Submit Comment on what I have to say:

Even the coldest of skeptics need something to believe in. Like most Filipinos, my concept of home is not complete without seeing the humor in how sad our political system is. Admittedly, I shake my head in disbelief at how the Philippines find herself in the direst of economic and social situations. And yet, featured articles such as this appease me (while still guarded) and lead me to believe that maybe there is hope. Therefore, when I read comments such as the ones posted by Kassel, I struggle to put the infuriation aside and beg to ask, “We welcomed you to our country, dear sir. Despite such opinions, surely there is something keeping you? And when you say ‘…best opportunity is as an overseas worker’ with a questionable tone, do you propose we adopt a model akin to the flawed social welfare system in the US instead?” Miles to go before improvement – yes, but my people are a resourceful and resilient lot. I agree with Carl: Kassel and other critics, move a few miles out of your comfortable upscale addresses and send us a postcard from where you end up in. We don’t care about the weather, but do tell on how you’re liking the drastic change in perspective.