Magic 7

Pulse Asia reports that 30% of Filipinos or some 14 million adults would now migrate if it were only possible. That’s three out of every ten Filipinos wanting to leave the country.

With every inch of respect in my body, all I can really say is, I don’t give a damn. I’m glad that I’m one of seven than one of three. But to be perfectly nice, this piece of information should be welcomed. This shows that seven in every ten Filipinos are willing to fight on and can see their nation’s beauty amidst the pollution, corruption and division (sorry, just had to keep the rhyme). Any teamplayer knows that a few thinking heads are better than many heads including the crabs. The last thing this country needs is the deserters.

What is interesting with the survey is that sentiment against migration is more pronounced in Class E than in any of the classes (48%). Apparently, being hopeless is not caused by having less. And then I thought to whom much is given, much is expected in return.

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dr. Ciel Habito would often say that if you look at the poverty statistics, it shows that one in every four Filipinos is poor. This means that three are non-poor, which ultimately shows that poverty is perfectly manageable. If only the three non-poor will do something that will somehow ease the circumstances the one (O-N-E, one) poor person is in then we’re good to go. His example was himself helping his driver send his children to school. A government serving eighty million on a budget deficit can only do so much. Of course corruption springs as a very legitimate argument but it’s no reason to slack. Those sleazeballs can’t and won’t drive me away from my own land.

Because really, nothing comes easy. You stick it out with your country not because it will make you rich but because it needs you. I know it’s all a matter of perspective but to be actually perceptive about it, nothing is more rewarding than cursing in your own language, not looking different from your neighbors, tapsilog at three in the morning and watching Bulagaan.