Why is There no Middle Class in the Philippines?
There is a simple answer: they left! Four (4) million middle class Pinoys are in the US and another million is scattered around the world.
The Filipino expat in the US is the cream of the cream. They're highly educated and their incomes in the US often outstrip that of the educated White middle class. These Pinoys are the adventurous ones. Many are frustrated entrepreneurs who gave up in the Philippines where the incentive to succeed is blocked by rampant corruption in government. Unwilling to play the game of the billionaires and millionaires who use bribery as a business tool, these Pinoys struck out for really greener pastures. Following closely on their heels are the families of Filipino seamen and other overseas workers. Patiently, they remit their income to their families, encouraging the latter to improve their lot through education and other advance types of training.
The next step is migration. Doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, teachers - you name the calling - are leaving by the planeload every week. Since the Pinoy speaks a brand of English that's easy to understand, their ventures abroad often result in success. In the days of Jose Garcia Villa the Pinoy was viewed as an upstart by the Whites. Not anymore. We are seen as competition!
Today the Pinoy stands on equal footing with the elite Whites. The Hispanics are in second place when it comes to education and economic achievement in the US. The Hispanics, though superior to the Blacks in many respects, are still far away from the Pinoy when it comes to academic achievement. The Pinoy in the US is not going to be pushed against the wall anymore. He has become a force to be reckoned with. The Asians (Koreans, Chinese, Japanese) are also edging their White counterparts in small businesses as well as in many technical fields to the dismay of the White academe.
Koreans and Chinese owners of small business labor, on the average, 14 hours a day. While the rest of the city sleeps, the Korean grocer is in the basement packaging his wares for the next day's business. Like the Chinese, the Koreans shun, as a general rule, ostentatious displays. Proudly riding around in a used Kia, they don't mention the fact that they're very active in Wall Street. Most successful silicon valley businesses have backbones composed mostly of math and physics geniuses who saw light in India, Pakistan, Korean and China.
What does the foregoing indicate about the Pinoy stuck in the Philippines? He's either lazy or lacking in vision. All he wants in life is a steady source of employment and a retirement pension by the time he's 60! When his life takes a turn for the worse he complains about everything: lack of opportunities in the country; corrupt public officials; high prices; poor public transportation; bad TV shows; etc. He does not complain that he's lazy or lacking in ambition. He sees joining a march to Luneta or Malacanan as more practical than watching his expenses and going back to school for additional training. When the politician asks for his vote, the Pinoy puts out his hand, palm facing up!
Education and a change in attitude are the only things that will save the Pinoy. There's no need to explain the value of education. But attitude needs to be turned around on its head. The Pinoy has to stop depending on government, friends and relatives for help. He has to learn and accept the fact that only he can help himself. Opening an internet cafe, selling roasted peanuts, starting a tricycle or jeepney business are stupid enterprises. Becoming a 'born again' christian is more stupid.
Pinoy - go back to school! Learn the ways of the rich! Copy the business plan of the Chinese: eat lugaw and tuyo to build capital; ride the jeepney instead of buying a Mercedez Bens; learn to wear hand-me-downs. Then when you have enough capital, come up with a damn good business plan and work your fucking ass off! Don't start a BBQ stand, moron! That's for people without brains. Forget the lugaw business - that's "tubong nilugaw!"
And stop making babies you can't feed! The archbishop will send the collection money to Rome rather than share it with you.
I guarantee you, in two or three generations, life in the Philippines will really be more fun!
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