I got the chance to interview Mr. Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga Foundation for one of my assignments at school. It started out very routine and academic, me asking specific questions geared towards creating a ‘nation brand’ for the Philippines, and then he reverted with this full piece on hope. Thought I’d share ’cause it’s so nicely written, equal parts thoughtful & nuanced. So for someone who hasn’t been too hopeful in a while, this was uplifting. Here’s the full text–
From: Tony Meloto Sent: Monday, March 2, 2020 8:05 AM To: Margaret Nitura Subject: Re: Interview questions Dear Maan, Sorry for the late reply. [...] Here are my answers: PHILIPPINES: BRANDING HOPE IN ASIA Tony Meloto [What is the greatest power of the 'third world'/emerging markets in Southeast Asia today?] * The greatest power of the Third World is precisely it being emerging - growing, rising in terms of growth in GDP, population and market. Five Southeast Asian Countries are forecasted to be in the top 25 most powerful economies of the world by 2050, the Philippines being in 19th place. The other countries are Indonesia(4th), Vietnam(20th), Malaysia(24th) and Thailand(25th). Asia will dominate the global economy with China and India in first and second place on top of the United States which will slide to the third spot. The phenomenal growth of Asian economies is a sharp contrast to the slow pace of rich European countries which dominated the globe for centuries and kept the Third World destitute despite their vast natural and human resources. The market of tomorrow is a numbers game of countries with vast human capital, of young minds and talents with great capacity for innovation, invention and creation. Asia has the numbers in terms of human energy that will propel growth while Europe, which dominated the global economy since colonial times is aging and slowing down, with longer life expectancy and negative population growth. The young working generation in developed countries (including Japan) will carry the burden of health care, pension and support for the comfortable lifestyle of their growing population of aging and less productive citizens. Emerging economies like the Philippines are also starting to shed off their colonial feathers and will soon grow a patriotic domestic market like Japan and South Korea. This will be a growing challenge to multinational corporations coming from the developed countries of North America and Europe. There will be more success stories in the coming decade of quality local brands like Human Nature in the Philippines which is gaining a big following in the market for cosmetics and personal care products long dominated by foreign brands. [What do you think are the best assets of the Philippines in terms of culture, lifestyle, and attitudes? The biggest liabilities?] * The biggest assets of the Philippines in its rise as a global economic power are its rich natural resources and a vast human capital of young highly creative and talented citizens who are globally connected through social media and digitally competitive. The Philippines became the BPO center in Southeast Asia because of the Filipinos facility with English and computers, contributing to the rise of many Filipinos from the BOP. Poverty at home may have forced many Filipinos to seek better opportunities abroad as migrants and OFWs but it has also created opportunities for many poor families left behind to build decent homes, send their children to school, start a business or take care of their medical needs. Because of strong family ties, overseas remittances helped prop up the local economies despite the Asian economic crisis of 1997 and the global recession of 2007. Poverty and calamity at home have made Filipinos resilient, patient and hopeful. This probably accounts for the high happiness index of the Filipinos, the celebratory nature, the low suicide rate and the low intake of anti-depressant drugs compared to the most developed countries of the world. *The liabilities: The colonial mentality of Filipinos because we were colonial slaves for 400 years brainwashed to think that white is more beautiful and things imported from the countries of our colonial masters are superior in quality. Today we are still the biggest user of skin whitener in this part of the world. The other liability is the "matapobre culture" of elitism and exclusion which accounts for the vast social inequality and inequity. [On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the social entrepreneurship climate in the Philippines right now? How healthy/challenged is it?] * Social Entrepreneurship is still in its infancy in the Philippines. On a scale of 1to 10, it's a 2. There's a lot of hype about it, many start up attempts have been initiated but few have made it mainstream and sustainable like Human Nature. Big business are trying to integrate it in their CSR but at best they are corporate attempts to move from corporate charity to corporate social investment which still have to be validated with proofs of concept and platforms of sustainability which are doable, visible, quantifiable, scalable and replicable. Social entrepreneurship is still not in the curriculum in our educational system, including the top universities. [How can young people stay motivated about the future in the midst of today's political, economic, and environmental uncertainties (i.e. corruption, poverty, climate change)?] * We can motivate the young to stay hopeful in the midst of today's uncertainties by staying positive, hopeful and transcendent ourselves in all our areas of influences starting with our families and friends. Once I was asked: " How can you do good deeds with Gawad Kalinga when most of the politicians you deal with are corrupt?" My answer is quite simple. First, I must have a strong resolve not to be corrupt myself. I have created GK and myself as a brand of integrity. Second, I engage the good side of everyone in doing good, including corrupt politicians who also have a good side as a human being. Even if he is only 10% good, I will engage that part which is good. There is a possibility that the good part of him will grow. In twenty years that I have partnered with thousands of politicians, from Presidents of the Philippines down to barangay officials, not a single one of them tried to corrupt me. [Do you agree that "It's More Fun in the Philippines?"] *Yes, I believe that "It's More Fun in the Philippines." My entire family agrees with me - all my four married children, including two who are married to foreigners, an Englishman and an American, live in the Philippines and are raising my eleven grandchildren here. They believe that they will live healthier, happier and longer in the Philippines because of the strong family support system, better opportunities for business because of the rising economy and the less stressful work environment. Besides, it is 7100 islands of unparalleled beauty and hospitality. [Lastly, what is your favorite province/region/city in the Philippines and why? 🙂] *My favorite provinces are Laguna where I live and Batangas where I have a farm. I am with the rising poor in the farm in the morning, with the generous rich in the clubhouse in the afternoon and with my loving wife at home at night. God is good. At 70, just like your Dad, my dear friend Elmer, I am blessed to be here. This is the best time to be a Filipino - the best time to be in the Philippines. With warmest regards, Tito Tony [*published with permission]
Wanna visit?? Haha ❤
Honestly, the beauty and virtues of the Philippines should overcome any destructive entities. Matatapos din lahat to. Let's hope.
26 & OVER 