I have been contemplating about how my life could have turned out if I were not a Filipino or if I was not living in the Philippines. It is actually very hard to imagine since I haven't gone to any place outside this country but the thought repeatedly crossed my mind.
I think I am far blessed as compared to majority of Filipinos. I have a decent job, I was able to graduate in college which has become a "privilege" now rather than a "right". I can feed myself more than three times a day (note the fats!). But for most of the Filipinos, things could have been better if we are in a 1st world country OR if Philippines is a 1st world country although I think it does not necessarily mean that when your country belongs to the 1st world, it means there is less poverty.
Anyway, so I gathered some data comparing our lives now in the Philippines and the life we could have if we were not here just for the heck of it really..:)
1. If Luxembourg were our home, we would make 23.6 times more money because the GDP per capita there is $78,000 while in Philippines, it is only $3,300 .
2. If Qatar were our home, we would have 93.33% chance at being employed. Their unemployment rate is 0.50% while ours is 7.50%.
3. If Singapore were our home, we would live 10.68 years longer. Their life expectancy is 82.06 while ours is 71.38.
4. If Norway were our home, we would experience 45.41% less of class divide in terms of the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income. In Norway, it's only 25%, in Philippines, it's 45.80%.
5. If Hongkong were our home, we would have 70.99% less babies. The annual number of births per 1,000 people in Hongkong is 7.45 while in Philippines, it is 25.68. Thus, the passing of RH Law or Responsible Parenting Law.
6. If we were in Sweden, we would enjoy the best political environment in the whole world because of their high level of political participation and it's long lasting neutrality.
I could go on and on about the many countries that are far better than Philippines. But, despite the many thing we don't have and the things I wish we have, I would not exchange Philippines for the world. Why? There are many reasons actually. Here are my list of few of the million reasons why Philippines should still be our home.
1. We are notorious in terms of hospitality! We are very famous because we welcome guests in the friendliest manner making sure our visitors feel at home away from home. In fact, we are ranked by Forbes as the 8th Friendliest Country in the whole wide world!
2. As compared to Afghanistan, we make 75.76% more money than the people there. Their GDP per capita is only $800 while ours is $3300. We are luckier than the people in Africa, in Sudan, in Rwanda - countries that are torned by war and slavery for many many years.
3. Filipinos smile a lot. We have positive attitudes. We are actually ranked as number 8 (again!) in the list of the Most Positive Countries in the World. We always find reasons to laugh at ourselves even at the most difficult situation.
4. We have award winning kababayans who are always bringing us pride. Pacquiao, Pempengco, Salonga, Sanchez, Supsup, Elizalde, and many more!
5. We are always topnotch in terms of world beauty contests.
6. We are blessed with abundant natural wonders.
7. Politics is reaallllllyyyyyyy exciting, a constant source of fun/laugh and bloopers.
8. We have balot, isaw, betamax, halo-halo..and batchoy! yummmm!
9. We have close family ties. We always turn to our families in times of dire need and we share with our families our happiest moments. Kahit may anak na si anak, nakatira pa din sa bahay. Masaya..super saya!
10. We have Miriam Defensor-Santiago. and Kris Aquino! :p
and a million more reasons to stay at HOME even in the midst of hardship!
No comments:
Post a Comment