15 comments

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  prudence

  1 year ago

  It is sad that a lot of my fellow Filipinos have to leave and seek better opportunities in other countries. It is hurting our country economically, but I really cannot blame them. How can one stop another person from seeking what he thinks could best help him and his family survive? Lately, it has also been hard for doctors and, if you've noticed, most of the nursing students are already bachelors' degree holders and some, postgraduate degree holders. I think it isn't really because of the lack of jobs here, but rather because the jobs available are under-paying.
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  footiam

  1 year ago

  Nice observation. Makes me sit up and listen! And do admire your guts of selling off your house and making the world your home! You are really something!
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  JJ LOCH

  1 year ago

  Fascinating blog!!! Great photos and posts. Thanks for taking us with you on your travels. :D
  
  JJ
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  Rudy Amid

  1 year ago

  I'm not sure if you've been to Central or Admiralty subway station, but that's where the Filipino workers hang out. You're right, there are a lot of them. I think most of them work as maid/servant.
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  dementia

  1 year ago

  Your insight about my country is refreshing to me. It's good to read something positive about the current state here. A lot of Filipinos are beginning to lose hope that our state would get any better.
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  c5

  1 year ago

  You have an interesting blog. It is my chidhood dream (still is up until now) to do country-hopping, 3 weeks max in each; of course island-hopping as well of the Philippines. You've been to my country and many places I haven't been yet that you've been to alsready. :) I don't want to leave to work outside of the Philippines. Neither does my husband. The only time we're going out of the country is when we can travel for pleasure....with the kids, of course. When that will be is yet to be seen. Too bleak at the moment but hope is high...and it's free to dream.
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  elaly

  1 year ago

  wow..you're one good observer..and thanks for the kind words about the philippines..its true we have lots of potential, but the development is so slow here some of us have to get out to move on a much faster pace. that is sad.
  
  you travel a lot! been to hongkong once..yeah..everyhwere there are filipinos..every few blocks i hear someone speaking a familiar language..
  
  very nice blog you got here too! i'd have to come back to read more posts..
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  kevin

  1 year ago

  If you make it to Australia and into the Outback regions, you may also see some similarities between the Aboriginal people and the Native American tribes.
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  ris

  1 year ago

  i couldn't agree more. i have the same sentiments about my government. if only they can overcome their corruption. *sigh*
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  Webster12

  1 year ago

  Great post! Filipinos are actually everywhere as you said not only in the middle east..go to italy..my aunt's are there. yeah I'm a filipino.
  
  I just hope the corruption stop soon..I hate it!--well who doesn't.
  
  *sigh*
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  elsalvadordelmundo

  1 year ago

  thank you for the kind words and great insights. the comments were honest but not scathing =] thank you for the vote of confidence, for not joining the bandwagon of those who have written off the possibility of a prosperous Philippines.
  
  this is a very good read for Filipinos, especially our leaders. sometimes, oftentimes, we have to shove a mirror to our faces so we can see what needs repair and actually do something about it- somethings desensitization and/or eons of powerlessness have made us unable to.
  
  safe journeys always! do come back to the Philippines soon, Philippine Airlines notwithstanding =]
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  girlie

  1 year ago

  Hi gary! :) glad to have come across your blog. It is worth-reading and the photos are just awesome!
  
  Your observations on the current state of my country validate mine. My friends are even establishing their businesses and working in Guam and Saipan. It’s quite difficult to do that here in the Philippines because of the lack of opportunities plus the corruption. I am glad however that you shared your intelligent and positive foresight. Filipinos need this kind of encouragement.
  
  Based on what you wrote about yourself, I figured that you must be a very important man :) You are so blessed. I’ll be visiting your blog often. God bless your travels! :)
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  Craw

  1 year ago

  Hi there :)
  
  

  The Philippines has been slower than most of SE Asia in developing, but I think it probably holds more potential then other countries in the region, in the long run. People however, have been saying that since Marcos fell. If they can overcome their political problems and corruption, I think they might be the next Asian tiger.

  
  
  The reason why the Philippines develops so slow is because of the corruption of government officials. The lure of fast money for oneself, family, mistresses, etc., only buries the so-called dedication of actually working to develop the country.
  
  You have also pointed out a sad thing about how a lot of Filipino overseas workers think: "Being a domestic helper would be OK," though, it's understandable (this might require explaining but I won't... for now).
  
  I think I have written enough, sorry, hehe!
  
  And thanks for the compliment (the Philippines being the next Asian tiger).
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  catswalks

  1 year ago

  Hi!
  
  Thanks for your kind words and honest insight about the Philippines. I share a lot of your observations. However, I don't believe that corruption is the reason why we are poor. Corruption is more a symptom of a disease called "lack of national pride". If we are more proud of ourselves as Filipinos, our college graduates wouldn't go to Hongkong to be maids, our teachers wouldn't go to Singapore to be domestic helpers, our doctors wouldn't work as nurses in the US and our officials wouldn't fatten their pockets with government money. If we are just a little bit more proud of ourselves, we would be one of the richest countries in Asia! We have a lot of natural resources and a very high literacy rate-- ingredients of a prosperous nation. Instead, we waste our time explaining to the world why we are poor and waiting for the west for compliments when all we have to do is look around and tell ourselves that we have a really nice country. The only problem we really have is self-image, if we manage to solve that one day then we will not only be an Asian Tiger but the World's dragon!
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  Tonnie

  12 months ago

  I'm Filipino myself, and I've known Gary for quite sometime. He is a very smart person and his observations are correct. I'm in the military and travel a lot as part of my dury or for leisure. We are everywhere. My mom just visited me here in Germany and while we were traveling we found Filipinos that live here are own businesses.
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