Poverty is one of the huge problems that the Philippines is dealing with and trying to end. Is that even possible? We all know that signing a petition is not a solution. We have to work to earn a step forward.
Of the poor in this country, almost all of them blame the government for their unfortunate situation, but if you really think about it, really pay attention, it is their own doing. There are lots of ways to improve one’s life, and I admit, it is not always an easy task, but it can be done.
Have we become too lazy? I think Filipinos have been spoiled by God. We have a country overflowing with natural resources, ready for the picking. We have an abundant agricultural resources that is readily available, and yet, here we are.
Now oil is found in one of our islands, but we are only allowed to enjoy 6% of it. The foreign investors are the ones who have the right to choose how to profit from the oil that they dug up in our country.
What can we do?
I have participated in different organizations before that promote the betterment of a person’s life. I’ve built a house for Gawad Kalinga, an organization focused on helping our fellow Filipinos fight poverty by building them houses.
When I was in high school, my Saturdays were spent in a Children’s Feeding Program, where, not only do we feed little kids, we also teach them new songs, teach them how to read, and have fun with them.
Little things, we all can do, to make a difference in someone else’s life. Poverty is not inevitable. It can be solved, if we just cared more than we do ourselves.
If a person was born poor and dies poor, I believe that it is his own fault. There are so many ways to improve our life. Arming ourselves with education is one step; getting off our behinds, is another. Let’s stop making poverty an excuse to be lazy. Let’s stand up and move forward.
I think the biggest problem is pessimism. People are all talk and no action. There are so many rallies but what have those actually done? Everyone is just so set on the belief that there is no more hope for the Philippines and that change can only be brought about by the government. The government? The Philippine government can only do so much and, of course, they don’t do anything anyway. That makes me people lose hope but it really shouldn’t. They don’t realize that the government might be fucked up but that the greater problem of the nation isn’t the government — it’s the people. People are always looking for an instantaneous release from poverty and every single time a president celebrates his/her first 100 days in office, there are always people protesting about how the president has failed them. Failed THEM? Most of the time, they have failed themselves. It reminds me of Juan Tamad. Some people just lay down under trees of opportunities and wait with their mouths wide open for the fruit to fall without any effort on their part. Why don’t they realize that some of us (well, at least it’s true for a part of my family) came from poverty and lived hard lives but instead of thinking oh-woe-is-me!, they fought harder.
I do believe that the system has held people down for so long (and this comment will be even longer if I try to explain that) but, in the end, nasa Dios ang awa, nasa tao pa rin ang gawa.
I think you’ve made some incredibly good points there. A large number of people in the world are poor because they choose not to do anything about it. It’s amazing how lazy so much of the world has become. You are a very good person (better then I am), having helped so many people.
I super agree with you. We have to move and make some actions instead of complaining and all or filing an impeachment complaint. Yknow what I mean. I only wish that these people have the same outlook as yours.
Xylas last blog post..Why do you give?