Posted on 07/11/2015 9:29:06 PM PDT by dignitasnews
For the third time in less than a decade, I find myself back in my adopted hometown of Cebu City, Philippines. While the specific purpose of my visit is business related, the timing of this venture was well-received as I found myself in need of a break from the divisive nature of the current political climate back in the States. My respite has been a busy one, one of professional demands mixed in with a bit of sightseeing and pleasure-seeking, but what has struck me most about being back in the Philippines is a visual and emotional rediscovery of the American spirit. This spirit is seen not just Cebu's current commercial explosion, but in the modern Filipino culture itself.
For those who have never ventured to the Republic of the Philippine Islands, it holds more to capture the imagination than simply breathtaking beaches, incredible diving and a shoppers paradise for those savvy enough to take advantage of the currency difference. While particularly true in Cebu, across the country a mass expansion of commercial construction provides evidence of a vibrant and growing economy, in large part driven by foreign investment but whose seeds were planted by that very (formerly) American tradition of low taxes, business-friendly policies and deregulation to fuel economic expansion and job growth, along with a citizenry with an undying optimism for the future, willing to challenge themselves to grasp the "Filipino Dream."
While the Philippines certainly still has its own internal struggles with corruption, infrastructure development and the consequence of geographic location, over the past two decades the small island nation has become of the fastest growing markets for tourism and foreign investment and along with India the most popular destination for voice and non-voice Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).
Asiatown IT Park, Cebu 2007.
Prior to the turn of the century, the government embarked on a few key directions to climb out of the post-Marcos morose and establish itself today as a dominant player not only in the BPO marketplace but a 52nd ranking in the World Bank's Global Competitiveness Rankings, ahead of larger economies such as Russia, Mexico, India, Brazil and South Africa. In 1995, the government privatized the nationally held Philippines Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) which not only opened the door to a more even playing field for smaller telecommunications companies, but helped somewhat dilute the national dominance of the Capitol City of Manila, and opened up Cebu City, Davao and other areas within the country to further growth. This strategy was aided by decisions around the same time period to reduce corporate tax levels as well as spurring foreign investment by offering a six-year tax holiday (with options to extend) for companies willing to establish operations in the country.
Asiatown IT Park, Cebu today.
The most immediate impact of these decision were seen in the BPO & Call Center industries. When I made my first pilgrimage to Cebu in late 2007, the city's primary BPO hub, Asiatown IT Park (constructed on a former airfield) consisted of three high-rise towers, a few local restaurants and a number of Sari-Sari's (small shops) and carendarias (local eateries). Today the area bustles with activity with more than a dozen high-rise towers operational or under construction, world-class condominiums, nightclubs, high-end restaurants and a clientele list which includes McDonald's, Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Kentucky Fried Chicken and 7-11 liquor stores. JP Morgan has its own high-rise tower which employs more than a thousand local workers and scores of expatriated employees. While I found myself a bit of an anomaly when I first arrived, as one walks through any one of the many high-end shopping malls in the city, there are scores of non-tourist foreigners from America, Australia, Europe and Asia filling the ranks of resident Cebuano's. The growth of IT Park is matched by that of the nearby Ayala Business Park area, which has undergone a growth in commercial buildings, a large expansion of the Ayala Mall and currently boats numerous high-rise towers in construction as of press-time. From the window of my hotel room at the Quest Hotel and Conference Center in Cebu alone one can witness six current projects in various levels of construction.
A shot from the window of the writer's hotel room serves as testament to Cebu's growth.
And while the visual change in today's Cebu is immediately apparent, it is the vibrancy of its people that is most breathtaking. While the Philippines has long endured a traditional class system in which one's consequence of birth largely shaped their destinies, the change brought on in the past two decades has created a growing middle class and entrepreneurial spirit in today's generation that was not enjoyed by their parents or grandparents. Established family dynasties may still hold sway in banking, finance, construction and government, but a new rising tide of upward mobility is evidenced up and down the country. Former colleagues of mine who cut their teeth answering your phone call about the balance of your bank account today are establishing their own BPO operations, buying property, opening up night clubs, taking vacations that any American would envy and displaying the new-found wealth of a city and country on the rise.
Contrast the phenomenon of Cebu and the Philippines with what we see in America today. As evidenced by the growing movement on the left to provide a "living" minimum wage for menial employment (ironically enough it is this legislative course taken by the left which actually increases the outsourcing of US jobs), public education bureaucrats working to reduce standards for graduation and a welfare state that does not stress the importance of work and improvement of one's skills, we in America are moving in the opposite direction of the Philippines, as well as Mexico, India and others following a similar course. Not to mention a citizenry in which every conceivable sub-culture rushes to solidify its claim to victim-hood and the subsequent handouts that follow. Few in the Philippines are looking for a handout for they know they wont find one. There are millions, however, in Cebu and other cities that are challenging themselves to better their skills and value within the marketplace to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities they are very much aware of.
The America of 2015 seems bent on lowering the expectations of our people, rewarding our citizenry for lesser achievement and acquiescing to the notion that hard work and seizing opportunity are values of a bygone era. In the name of compassion we have begun to stop challenging our children to embrace the magnificent opportunities that exist in the greatest country on earth and dwell on the negative. While politicians, particularly in the Democratic Party, send a message of "NEVER," we need more voices in and out of the Republican Party to replace this with "NEVERTHELESS!" My fellow countrymen, I love my country but I'm not afraid to admit taking a break from our suicidal course of lowered expectations coupled with self-righteous and divisive political correctness has been somewhat of a relief. I am here to attest that the American spirit of embracing the opportunities of capitalism is not dead but it does seem to have outsourced itself to places like Cebu City and the rest of the Philippines, and its a pleasure to witness. Let us hope it becomes contagious.
Commentary by Paul M Winters Managing Editor, Dignitas News Service
Sources:
Image Courtesy of Monde Nero_Facebook
The non Muslim people of Southeast Asia don’t hate themselves. Actually they don’t seem to hate anyone.
Ping.
You and my husband are big fans of the PI> I will send to him and have him comment.
I cant wait to get out of the States - permanently. This place went to hell - My sights are set on Alicante, Spain but I do miss the PI
The Philippines is still a poverty-stricken 3rd world country, and the “opportunities of the global marketplace” will keep it that way, while dragging us down to the same level as them and every other 3rd world dump that can churn crap for cheaper than Americans are willing to work for.
Hmmm...isn’t Spain in about the same boat as Greece?
But it is pretty.
Thank you for writing a very thought provoking article. Please put me on your list to ping.
When I was in the Philippines last year, I visited a relatively poor fishing village, where I got into a discussion with the locals about the differences between the Philippines and the US. The locals were under the impression that I was wealthy (and by their standards, I was), and therefore, they were surprised to hear that I worked as many hours as I did. “In the Philippines,” they said, “if you don’t work, you don’t eat.” I explained to them that, in the US, it was the wealthier people who worked the most hours, while it was the “poor” people who didn’t work at all because they were entitled to handouts. That confused them quite a bit.
It confused me, too, as I thought about it.
A system such as I described in the US is quite unlikely in the long run to generate wealth... or happiness... for anybody.
On a related note and consistent with the title of your post, the company I worked for just published a survey which included why people move overseas to retire. It turns out that quite a few people move overseas in order to capture the America that they had when they great up, as opposed to living in the America that is now. Quite ironic that, in order to live in “America”, Americans are moving overseas.
Sorry, but I don’t think retiring overseas has anything to do with “living in America.”
IMHO, it may have to do with it being cheaper. But call it what it is.
Mabuhey !
Maganda gabie !
My favorite Philippine food is Chicken adobu.
Their McDonalds there is Jolly Bee.
Been to Manila once.
Wish I had gone to Cebu the diamond of the Philippines.
Filipinas are the most beautiful women in the world.
The United States is fast becoming "a poverty-stricken 3rd world country", thanks to the recent administrations. What GW Bush started, Zero has continued. Bush2 was the highest spending Admin and Zero has doubled (nay, quadrupled) down.
I moved to the Philippines in February, 2013. First in Leyte, then moved to Davao City in October, 2013, where I live now. Lat night, I had a retired USArmy friend and his wife here, and we were talking about "back home". Both of us agreed (as do our other American friends) that this is a much more desirable place to live.
This "third world country" allows it's children to play outside, without fear of some pedophile taking them away. The present government here is advancing the education possibilities, and bringing real change and hope to the citizenry. As to the future, it look considerably brighter here than in Amerika. Is it "poverty stricken"?
Yes, there are poor people here, but I see plenty of signs that not everybody has been struck. There are gas stations under construction everywhere, to respond to the additional cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. There are construction projects everywhere, and many of those home owners are enlarging and modernizing their homes and businesses.
It's easy to sit in front of your computer and fling feces at the wall, when you don't know feces about the subject, isn't it?
Good luck with that "hope and change" thing back in America. I doubt I will ever live there again. Most of my American friends here agree with that sentiment.
I have a good dentist, a couple of good doctors, and plenty of business friends here.
I came here for three reasons.
1. exchange rate. (45 PhPesos to $1US, presently)
2. English speakers (I can even converse with most of the children here!
3. Christian nation (though mainly Roman Catholic, Christians are advancing the Gospel here, and Roman Catholicism is being seen as the cult it is!)
But, since being here, I have found lots more reasons, not the least of which is a sweet Filipina to share my life...
Three Americans, Three Filipinas! USAF retied, UsArmy retired, me USN (66-68 VN Vet)
I spoke with a young lady who was a telephone agent for a LARGE based in America company. I suspected when I heard here flient english and polite nature that she was a filapina, and she confirmed my thoughts.
She said she wanted to move to the USA someday. I replied that I hoped we were still around...
I didnt say she would get here quicker if she appeared at our southern border, speaking only spanish,and only if the coyotes that she woud have to pay to get to the border didnt decide to sell her to a brothel instead.
Greets from an ex-pat 30 years in Japan . If I were single , I’d be with you all in the Philippines . ^_^ Cheers and thanks for a great post .
Very good posting! If I was younger and not a Native Texan, I would definitely consider a move to the Philippines. The island nation really seems to be moving forward in the way the US did following WWII. ....Too bad that the US is now regressing to pre-WWII times.
LOL, eat your heart out. There are many good Protestant churches too.
You are correct sir. I know this from personal experience, because I have one. 😎
Anyone heard from AlexW lately?
He’s in Daluguete on Cebu and I haven’t seen him post in a while.
I was going to retire in the RP, but have chosen Thailand instead (Chiang Mai) and will hopefully be leaving around the spring of 2017
“3. Christian nation (though mainly Roman Catholic, Christians are advancing the Gospel here, and Roman Catholicism is being seen as the cult it is!)”
Uh...OK, Jack Chick!
;^)
F.Y.I Ping!
My cousin does business there, tells me the people are wonderful.
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