Comments on: Why Are Filipinos So Poor?

By: Jhun Cardeinte

Jhun Cardeinte — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:30:57 +0000

A ‘must to read’ article for all Filipinos….a big point ‘change within’

By: gem victoria

gem victoria — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:10:59 +0000

thanks sir fitz. i am your avid reader:) i am 24 years old and i’ve been working here in dubai for more than a year already. ang bilis po talaga ng panahon.

nakakalungkot po dahil hanggang dito po ay dala-dala pa rin ng ibang pinoy yung mga hindi kanais-nais na ugali. yung ibang pinoy po dito, dahil matagal na sila, pakiramdam po nila ay nakatataas sila sa mga baguhan. batiin mo na “kabayan”, hindi ka papansinin. sila-sila rin po ang nagsisiraan, nagchichismisin. maraming pinoy din po ang kumuha ng loan sa bangko dito saka tatakbo ng pinas kaya hirap na po kumuha ang ibang kabayan natin ngayon. black-listed ika nga.. mga illegal agents, hindi po mawawala. meron din po kaming nakasama sa bahay, isinangla nya yung laptop ng iba, ipapa-upgrade nya daw pero hindi na ibinalik.. saka dito po, kung sino pa po ang mga mababa ang mga sweldo, sila pa po ang mahihilig na gumimik, magpunta sa mall, makipagparty sa kaibigan.. inuman, kahit po bawal dito ay hindi po mawawala..

thanks for posting enriching & enlightening essays like this. you can check my site, you wiil see that my thoughts were inspired by your blogs.

thanks again sir fitz. i’ll keep on visiting your site.

By: pinoyshowbizcentral

pinoyshowbizcentral — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:15:30 +0000

I think the issue is an old story. We will not attain any progress. We will just wait that someday the integration of all Asian economies into one powerhouse like Euro will bring us to kingdom come.

Welcome the new Asian money the Aseano.

By: Cry Poverty — With Style

Cry Poverty — With Style — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:59:49 +0000

[...] Why Are Filipinos So Poor? This post features the famous essay by F. Sionil José’. It talks about the reasons why there is poverty in the Philippines and ends with a call to action to become agents of change. [...]

By: Going Straight

Going Straight — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:48:47 +0000

There is still hope I believe in this country. Let us start by having a heart for the less fortunate among us.

By: snoob

snoob — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:12:40 +0000

It hit the mark. Nationalism is what inspires great men of our country to strive. I also believe having an entrepreneurial spirit helps big time. Its a win – win for all.

By: The State of Financial Literacy in The Philippines

The State of Financial Literacy in The Philippines — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:03:31 +0000

[...] « Why Are Filipinos So Poor? [...]

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:57:30 +0000

Well, speaking as a Filipino we are:
1.) Short sighted in our goals. We need to change that attitude.
2.) We are great planner (especially in corporate world) but we lack implementation and actions.
3.) Population of 88.0 Million can make our country worst if we do not control. We need a birth control policy. Been seeing news reports on babies being thrown out on buildings, rivers, moving vehicles. What a pity for this children!
4.) Too much politicking.
5.) There are too many things to discuss I am already saturated at this moment.

In truth, I love Philippines. I wish to live here longer. I did have the opportunity of immigrating to another country with my profession in the healthcare industry but somehow something is bringing me back to the old Philippines especially in the province where I grew up. I hope we prosper within the next 159 years (see Phil. Star article) after we become a first world country then as our next generation would reap the fruits of our labor.

By: Fitz

Fitz — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:13:26 +0000

@kengkay
Ako naman, I have an Australian friend who calls the Philippines his home. He’s been living here for just a year and is almost fluent in Tagalog already. I wish more Pinoys would feel proud and love their country more.

@Mi
I think the group is somehow divided into polar extremes. I’ve met Pinoy US immigrants who had totally lost their Filipino soul. However, I believe there are a lot more of those who sincerely misses the country and hopes that in time, they could go back and retire in the Philippines (just like kengkay).

@juler
Yes, we should not despair on what F. Sionil Jose said in the essay but rather take it as a challenge to promote change in ourselves and in others. I hope that Pinoys who are losing faith in their country could have your optimism. Thanks for sharing.

@noemi
Yup, I read your plurk about that, such disappointing news really. Spending priorities are indeed messed up for some Pinoys.

By: noemi

noemi — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:33:37 +0000

We are great show-offs. Look at our women, how overdressed, over-coiffed they are, and Imelda epitomizes that extravagance. Look at our men, their manicured nails, their personal jewelry, their diamond rings. Yabang – that is what we are, and all that money expended on status symbols, on yabang. How much better if it were channeled into production.

I dismissed my maid last week because she stole a number of my groceries. When I asked why she stole, she said she pitied her kids. but when I look at the groceries, it was Lipton Milk Tea, yoghurt milk which is not even basic necessity. WHen I checked her things before she left, I saw her wardrobe. Oh gosh, she had a collection of flashy tops. I guess all her money was spent on clothing.

Priorities are just so messed up.