(Last week, I emailed Filipinos working all over the world to find out how the US global financial crunch is affecting one of the major sources of the country’s liquidity—the so called OFWs. Some are regular readers of MoneySmarts, while some are friends of another blogger Reyna Elena. They were kind enough to reply and a short version of their emails (in the interest of space) were included in a feature I wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I am publishing this week in installments the full version of their emails. I hope the series will help us understand how Filipinos all over the world are affected and are responding to the crisis.)
I have just recently quit my job as director of finance in one of the largest housing authorities in the United States with over 3,000 employees. I’ve been unemployed since July 2008; however, I have just accepted a job in Chicago as director for one of the largest development corporation dealing with housing tax credits, asset management and property investments. I expect to start very soon.
My parents, very religious, took the church’s “go and multiply” advice by heart and made parenting an algorithmic Fibonachi, that’s why there’s 11 of us in the family. We lived in the barrio and could not find opportunities in the Philippines because at that time, they’re all reserved for the rich, the powerful and the conios. So, I paddled my boat to the land of apples and honey. I’ve been working in the United States for over 21 years now.
Growing up in the Philippines, I really thought that we have perfected corruption. To my surprise, corrupt officials are populating Wall Street and beyond as well. They could literally bring down a world financial system! That worries the heck out of me because I can’t seem to believe that these crooks could actually shake the entire financial system and make our lives miserable. When I say “our”, I just don’t refer to Americans, rather, world citizens as well. For if America sneezes, the world catches cold.
Given that I worked in the financial, real estate, investment and asset management side, I had the privilege of understanding the complexity of what’s behind the current financial turmoil and so I could fully and truly appreciate its implication on me personally, my family and my fellow overseas Pinoy friends.
My 401-k (read: retirement) is now down 15 percent. Two weeks ago, I felt comfortable because my retirement money is with Wachovia, where it sits at the moment. Suddenly, Wachovia is in the news. It’s bad enough that I have increased my monthly remittance to the Philippines because of certain fixed expenses back home.
As you can see, Filipinos here in the States took a direct hit from the subprime crisis, from our retirement investments to our mortgage that can’t be refinanced, to our rising credit card interest. Loans are now difficult to find. Worse, applying for one is even more difficult. So, we’ve cut down on a lot of unnecessary expenses and travels.
Thing is, I don’t invest in Manila because I am not very familiar about the local investments procedures and I have had lousy experiences as a bank customer there. Since I don’t want to surrender the decision making to investment administrators in Manila, and they have not won my confidence as of yet, I continue to be on the sidelines.
However, I will never let those sick Wall Street people dictate my life. I am being prudent in all of my expenditures and wiser in spending money. My strategies are to stay put, cut down on expenses, find more extra income, and continue to be cute and happy. I was planning to go home and find a job in Manila. When all of these investment houses started tumbling down, I asked myself if it would be better for me to stay here. I’m still thinking. I can’t decide. Help me 
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 am
wow! it’s been awhile since I’ve been here! grabe palang bakbakan here.
and pobreng obrero? oh! poor guy. you just don’t git it. i think i will just refer you to James explanation below. obviously, you’re not getting the connection.
but, i’ll pick up this discussion again. in my blog not in salve’s hahaha
February 19th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Wow, I’ve read a certain blogger Ms. Reyna Elena has been misquoting my comments here and took the liberty of putting her own spin on my thoughts, devoting hundreds of words and throwing in graphs and figures that she got from “the available information that she has” (i.e. the World Wide Web):
http://reynaelena.com/2008/10/12/in-defense-of-ofws-walang-ganyan-sa-states/
I won’t be provoked into an argument where rational discourse gives way to an emotional contest wherein the one with the loudest instrument wins….but what the heck, for ms. reyna elena’s enjoyment and enlightenment, I will oblige and answer her rather emotional questions at her blog:
pobreng_obrero’s Point 1: He claims that there is no better place to prosper than in your home country.
Reyna elena’s reaction: “But here is my point - in general - there is not that much opportunity for all Filipinos. Where have you been pobreng_obrero? Do you ever see the long lines of job applicants for just one (1) McDonald’s position or Jolibee’s?”
pobreng_obrero’s answer: I’ve been in the Philippines all my life and have actually been part of that long line of job applicants at McDonalds ACT branch circa mid-1990s. I agree with you, there is not much opportunity here, but that’s precisely my point–it’s because we don’t have homegrown development. If only we are not that quick to give up and pack our backs just because we see such long lines, and instead cultivate homegrown products and take advantage of our natural advantages, probably we might need to leave our families as much as frequently as how it’s happening now.
pobreng_obrero’s Point 2: “OFWs always tout themselves as ?major income source for the Phlippines? but in reality they practically don?t pay taxes and most of their remittances go straight to CONSUMPTION instead of investments and savings.”
Reyna elena’s reaction: pobreng_obrero’s point2 “…is practically an economic, finance, taxes and social culture ignorance. (sic)…Second, let me teach you about some basic taxation. Our earnings are already taxed where we work…”
pobreng_obrero’s answer: “After calling me ignorant about many fields of study based on a few words I’ve written that could be very easily mishandled by a “blogger” who needs some polishing up on grammar, you actually validated my point. OFWs pay taxes abroad, not here. And you don’t need to teach me about that, the services we provide under my IT firm are taxed upon invoice by e.g. China (5%) and USA if we don’t file a W-8BEN. My simple point was OFWs pay taxes abroad, and not here in the Philippines–though they may have wished to pay taxes here (which is beside the point), the fact is, their taxes go towards the development of other countries, and not of our homeland.
pobreng_obrero’s Point 3: No real homegrown products are being developed from those billions of dollars of so-called liquidity.
Reyna elena’s reaction: Let me start with the basics once again. Because we send money to the Philippines to the tune of $16 billion:
Banks have a lot of money or “liquidity”, therefore they can make loans.
Who do they loan to? Housing developers.
What do they do? Build condominiums.
When you build condominiums, you provide employment and create orders.
When you create orders, more employment is created because the factory will run.
When factories run, more employment.
Because everybody is productive, more taxes for the government. If they steal it, is another story.
With so many condominiums and houses, OFW who’s got the money buys up more.
The more OFW’s buys these condo’s the cycle of economic activity continues.
People are happy. The malls are busy. The restaurants are busy. The karaoke are blasting like crazy. Even prosties are happy.
pobreng_obrero’s answer: You again validated my point. None of those you mentioned are homegrown products. They are either retail or property instruments that mostly provide casual employment (prostitution?). “Real homegrown products” mean industrial goods and services that were developed here that we could export to contribute to genuine GDP growth. China (world’s number 1 remitter) does not rely on the remittances but rather endeavored to build its own industries. So instead of spending on prostitutes, why don’t we put up efficient shoe factories so we could beat the flood of cheap footwear from China that has practically killed our Marikina shoe industry?
pobreng_obrero’s Point 4: As a Filipino, if you have no participation in our country?s homegrown development, you should at least have the delicadeza not to criticize it.
Reyna elena’s reaction: “I don’t know what to do with your Point number 4. Kainis.”
pobreng_obrero’s answer: I wasn’t expecting any attempt at a good rebuttal to this because in truth, there is none. Thus, “walang ganyan sa states” mentality”. Have you heard about the Citibank scandal? An arrogant OFW who happened to have spent some years working in America kept cursing a poor local call-center Filipino worker in Tagalog for about 10 minutes straight, belittling her country, belittling her lineage, belittling her countrymen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOiPC9WGOQo
What a shameful and disgraceful attitude that I hope at least a handful of OFWs do not have.
pobreng_obrero’s Point 5: OFWs with such an attitude should apologize to the ?pobreng? peso-earning salaried workers who pay taxes every 15th/30th of the month so that they could use our ?bulok? roads and on their way to Duty Free Shops.
Reyna elena’s reaction: The last point is pure ignorance once again on taxes and finance. It’s a very dysfunctional way of thinking. The thinking goes like this: The Filipinos back home are the ones paying for the taxes and so therefore, we as OFW’s should not complain about the current predicament of infrastructures because we don’t pay taxes.
pobreng_obrero’s answer: Cf my answers to 3 and 4 above.
So there. Next time we berate our country and mock others who happen to have differing views than ours and call them ignorant, let’s pause and reflect what can we do so that hopefully in the future, our own homegrown goods and products will be leaving our country for other shores, instead of ourselves leaving our corrupt, divided yet beautiful homeland…
October 24th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I could imagine the pressure that OFWs feel abroad with the world economic crisis.
But I seriously think that whatever happens, Filipinos abroad especially, can and will survive. It may be tougher and harder than usual, but I think we can conquer this financial challenge especially if we’re prudent and wise with our expenditures.
I just hope that layoffs will not happen. And if ever it does, I hope that OFWs won’t be that affected. If ever, I hope that the OFWs will be able to find another job immediately.
It’s great that America seems to be the “land of milk and honey” to a lot of people, but I wish that the world isn’t so affected by the sneezes that America makes.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:59 am
This is a futile exercise, this will lead us to nowhere. Anyway, best wishes to all, wherever you are. This is only a blog… nothing personal. Love, joy & peace to all.
October 18th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
@ Ito_Pinoy,
yeah, since your doing the math, and i presume your good in math, why not help your president gloria do the math to uplift the nation’s economy and stop the never ending graft and corruption.
October 18th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
@Ito_Pinoy
alam mo baliw lang ang makikinig sa yo. anong computation ang pinagsasabi mo? kung ang ordinaryong janitor eh nakakabili ng kotse ng cash dito sa amerika ke second hand, brand new, or slightly used, ang issue eh nakakabili sila at nakakapagdrive sila, gets mo? kaya tumahimik ka na lang at itigil mo na yang computation mo. yung mismong mga beterano na dito sa amerika ang nagpaliwanag sa iyo eh hindi ka pa tumigil. para kang bata.
sa ibang nag-ko comment huwag nyo na lang po pansinin tong si Ito_Pinoy at puro inggit lang ang taong ito at kulang talaga sa pansin.
one tract pa takbo ng utak nito, kulang sa objectiveness sabi nga ng iba kaya walang sense ang kanyang point of argument. puro sariling haka-haka lang.
once and for all Ito_Pinoy, kung hindi ka pa nakakarating ng amerika at hindi mo pa naranasan ang maghirap, magsumikap at magtagumpay dito, tumahimik ka na lang okey? pinalalabas mo makabayan ka pero panay naman ang ingles mo…plastic!
October 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
@Ito_Pinoy,
may impostor dito at hindi ko comment ang # 50. yung # 49 ang basahin mo para matauhan ka.
kahit matigok ka pa sa ka-ka research eh talo ka talaga sa issue na pinagtatalunan. isang tanong lang yan…nakarating ka na ba ng amerika? kung hindi pa tumahimik ka na lang at mukhang hanggang korea lang yata ang narating mo. yung mga sources mo sa research eh isa lang sa mga libo-libong resources na may iba ibang interpretation ng tunay na nangyayari. sino paniniwalaan namin? aber…kami dito sa amerika nararanasan namin ang hirap at sarap at hindi na namin kailangan mag-kunwari o mag-research dahil kung ano yung naranasan namin, yung ang totoo. maaring may iba na kahambugan lang ang kinukuwento pero ako hindi. parehas ito. sa totoo lang masarap buhay ng nakararami. uulitin ko nakararami pero hindi lahat. pag tamad ka sa amerika eh talagang magugutom ka. pag masipag ka naman, eh okay ka. uulitin ko sa yo ang naging pagkakamali mo, mahilig kang mag-generalize mula sa perception mo at research na nakuha mo lang sa internet at hinaluan mo pa ng inggit kaya sumasablay ka. maging objective ka lang para irespeto ka. buti kung i-recognize ng mga eksperto yang research mo…. at reliable sources ba yan? para paniwalaan kita sa research mo gumamit ka ng APA manual (alam mo ba yun?)
baka kay christy fermin lang nanggaling yan tsismis mo?
October 18th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
The Working Poor Families Project presents an important new report examining the state of America’s working families: “Still Working Hard, Still Falling Short: New Findings on the Challenges Confronting America’s Working Families.”
The new report finds that more than one in four working families - a total of 42 million adults and children - are low-income.
To learn more:
Visit the “Still Working Hard, Still Falling Short” web site
October 17th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Response to #50:
I’m doing my research. How about you?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/15/AR2008101503233.html
Defaults on auto loans are also rising fast. “Even somebody with great credit is going to have an extremely difficult time getting a loan if they don’t have a down payment,” said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Banks Hoard Cash as Credit Card Defaults Rise. By Zachary A. Goldfarb
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 16, 2008; Page D01
Consumers are increasingly unable to pay off their credit cards, forcing banks to hoard cash to protect against future losses and lend to fewer people, according to reports yesterday from several of the nation’s largest banks.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Talk is cheap…do the math.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
For the records, reply #51 was not from me…where is the computation that I asked for.
October 17th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Huwag na natin pagtalunan kung sino ang mas masarap ang buhay. Pare pareho tayong mga Pilipino na umaasa sa maginhawa at mapayapang pamumuhay kahit saang panig ng mundo tayo naroroon. What is important is lets all hope and pray that this global crisis will soon be over, although this time it might take longer.
October 17th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
@ Tokwa:
Yeah, I believe you now. Sorry for all my misjudgment. From now on Im gonna do my research first before making comments. How I wish I could get the chance to visit the US.
October 17th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
To Ito_Pinoy:
Basically that’s true. As long as you have a job here in the US, you can easily get a car. As what Reyna Elena said, its a necessity more than a luxury and that pretty much explains it. Car dealers are everywhere and as long as you have good credit (even bad), youll get one. I couldnt even believe it that you can fill up your house with some household stuff such as clothes, household equipments, and home appliances in a matter of 2 months if your gainfully employed. The standard of living in the US is so far so good. I’ve been here for 12 yrs now and honestly, there was never a dull moment. Filipino nurses and engineers drove most of the latest luxury car models here from BMW, Mercedez, Lexus, Hummers and etc., and yes they can afford it and its not a joke. But still we dont know what lies ahead as far as global economy is concerned….hopefully its not that bad.
October 17th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
@ ito_pinoy
bilib talaga ako sa kitid ng utak mo. ni hindi ka pa nga nakakatuntong ng amerika eh kung ano ano ng kababalaghan sinasabi mo. tigilan mo na nga yan kakainom ng gatas na may melamine. hanggang dyan lang ba budget mo? kung matindi akong magsalita ay dahil sa pang- iniinsulto mo sa mga pilipino na kahit janitor lang sa amerika ay pinagdudahan mo na hindi kayang mag-ka kotse at hindi kayang bumayad ng bahay. ang mali sa yo gumagawa ka ng haka-haka tungkol sa tunay na dahilan ng pag-baba ng ekonomiya ng amerika na kulang ka naman sa pruweba. dinadamay mo lahat sa iyong maling interpretasyon at paratang. ang duda ko ay inggit lang yang pumasok sa kukote mo. hindi ka pa ba nakuntento sa sinabi ni reyna elena at ni james? isa pa, kahit anong oras kaya kong bumalik ng pinas dahil may pamasahe ako round-trip. i dont need to beg. bakit, umuulan na ba ng snow dyan at ganun na ba kaunlad ang inyong ekonomiya. anong palagay mo sa akin hindi nagbabasa ng online news sa pinas at walang kamag-anak na nagbabalita sa akin ng totoong nangyayari dyan? ha ha ha…nagpapatawa ka talaga. yeah, your perception is current but its wrong. kung hindi totoo yung sinabi ni junebug at ni reyna elena eh di sana matagal na akong umuwi dyan. simple lang di ba? gets mo? hindi ako nagyayabang pero tanggapin mo ang totoo. bago bumagsak ang amerika eh mauuna na yung mga bansang sa simula pa lang ay pinabayaan na ang kanilang mamamayan dahil mas inatupag ng gobyerno ang graft and corruption. at ikinalulungkot ko, kung saka-sakali isa na ang pilipinas dun. at kung buo sa puso at isip mo na napakaunlad na ngayon ng ekonomiya ng pilipinas, ingat ka lang dahil baka kuyugin ka nung mga anti-gloria. i think kabaligtaran ng paniwala mo ang paniwala nila. gumising ka na at nananaginip ka lang. wake up dude!
October 17th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Sorry for the typo. It should be…janitor in the US. By the way, this is not a vitriol to any OFWs.
October 17th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
“even an ordinary janitor in the US drives a car”…junebug
Will someone pls. explain to me how an “ordinary” janitor the US earning more or less than $8/hr for 40hrs a week, less SS, taxes, food, housing, high gas prices, etc. can have the luxury at this current time–”now”–to buy a car. Remember, we are talking about “ordinary” janitor here. Not the “extra ordinary” or “special” janitor or maintenance staff–like Tokwa.
Pls. show some rough computation if you can. This may encourage some of our kababayans to apply in the US.
October 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
This is for Tokwa only…
You may not be aware of what is happening to the U.S. economy right now, but in the next few months or so, you will be begging to come back to the Philippines. By the way my perception is current…the “now.” Tokwa have some decency, your words reveal your character. I also happen to be an informed OFW.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
To those who think of themselves as Nationalistic because they chose to stay in the Philippines - I hope you also know how to sing Lupang Hinirang with the correct lyrics and you also memorize Panatang Makabayan. That would be very embarrasing if you don’t.
October 16th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
@James
okey yan comment mo. sapul yung mga nagpa-panggap na makabayan pero fake naman. hindi rin kayang pangatawanan yung pinagsasabi nila dito sa blog. kung hindi nyo kayang makipagsagutan tumahimik na lang kayo.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:07 am
We all have our reasons why we work abroad or just stay in the Philippines. I went to work in the US to save some money. That’s it! I hate it when our politicians will invent new praise words for us OFWs. I don’t like being called a “modern day hero” because I am not. I am merely working my ass off to have a better life.
If Pobreng_Obrero wanted to be a hero and serve the country then it is good! One thing though, passing judgement on others who does not think like him makes him look like an arrogant fool. It is not my responsibility to create jobs just because I work abroad. The money I send home contributes to the economy in ways he refuses to acknowledge. That is his problem, not mine.
It is sad that there are some of us who would recklessly use wrong information to justify their twisted beliefs. Koreans can’t own properties in the Philippines. You have to be a citizen to buy a property!
Next time, get the facts straight before playing the blame game.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Sobra naman yata yung galit at reaction ni Tokwa kay @Ito_Pinoy. Pati yung mga hindi makakuha ng visa sa US na damay pa tuloy… kawawa naman, pinasama pa niya yung loob.
Sabi ni Tokwa, “well, hanggang perception ka na lang talaga dahil hindi ka nga makakuha ng US visa dahil hindi ka makapasa sa interview”
And for the record, hindi rin ako agree sa perception ni @Ito_Pinoy.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
okey din ang banat nitong si tokwa ah..ha ha ha. nasa tao naman yan kung san siya masaya. either philippines or usa, doesnt matter.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
parang tumahimik ata si pobreng-obrero. I can’t wait for his rebuttal. lolz
October 14th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I think ito_Pinoy’s vitriol towards OFWs is misdirected. From an economic perspective, income directed towards consumption is a more beneficial activity than taxation - particularly if the government has questionable ways of allocating resources towards true public goods. To be curt about it and rehash basic economics, consumption drives investment because investment is nothing more than an exchange between current consumption and (greater) future consumption. Moreover, the level of household/firm savings (and investment) are a matter of how income is allocated, not where income is derived. The stereotype of the OFW spending earnings without saving is an issue of financial education (or lack thereof) that is as pertinent to local households/firms as it is to OFWs.
I think his beef with OFWs is that he believes a double standard with respect to taxation exists between income by OFWs and individuals/firms based in the Philippines. This is a gross simplification and misrepresentation. As rightfully pointed out, OFWs already pay income taxes within their host countries. OFWs pay taxes with VAT, documentary stamps, capital gains and other transaction-based forms of taxation. OFWs contribute to government coffers through fees with the POEA, the DFA, embassies, and other agencies with whom they need to procure certain types of documentation/certification.
Concerning the issue of “sacrifice,” individuals are by nature, and by definition, utility maximizers. In the case of the teacher or nurse who decides to slug it out in the Philippines despite opportunities to earn more elsewhere, it is a case of psychic income and a value system which regards the utility of staying as greater than that of leaving. But this is certainly not for everyone, and from a coldly economic perspective, if adopted for areas which have limited impact on real, financial or human capital (e.g. entertainers, excess unskilled labor), a gross misallocation and underutilization of resources. (e.g. Our future economic competitiveness would not be crippled if all our entertainers went abroad as OFWs.) More personally, I would seriously question the nobility of knowingly subjecting one’s dependents to a significantly harder life in the presence of viable legal and moral alternatives working overseas.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
@reyna elena,
at least you’ve explained to ito_pinoy that there’s a big difference between ignorance and sourgraping, vice intelligent analysis and objectiveness.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Ito_Pinoy said:
“even an ordinary janitor in the US drives a car”
Don’t be fooled. This is a false perception. The janitor in the U.S. has a car which he can’t pay for…they have big houses (mortgaged) which some can’t pay for the interest…that is what the credit crisis in the U.S. is all about.
@ito_pinoy.
Yes, it’s true. That’s not a perception. Janitors, maids and the lowliest salaried employees. Cars in the US, (unless you live and work in the city full of public transport) is a necessity.
Next, the credit crisis in the US was because of some very lax lending process by fly-by-night mortgage operators who took opportunity of the housing boom. Then, Wall Street started shiting monies and funds to make more money by engaging in derivatives trading called “credit-default-swaps” which essentially are mortgage backed securities. Not of janitors who have big houses who can’t pay. There probably is an incident of that one, but who knows.
October 13th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
@Ito_Pinoy
huwag mong insultuhin yung mga nasa amerika at huwag mong lalahatin.
mukhang hindi ka pa nga nakakalabas ng pilipinas. sampung taon na ako sa amerika at nasa maintenance lang ako ng isang convalescent hospital. pero ang nakakain ko dito ay pareho lang ng kinakain ng mayayaman dyan sa pinas. ang kotse ko bayad na dahil binili ko ng cash, kahit second hand lang. gutom lang yan kaya makitid ang perception mo. siguro nakainom ka ng gatas na may melamine..he he he. well, hanggang perception ka na lang talaga dahil hindi ka nga makakuha ng US visa dahil hindi ka makapasa sa interview. hindi mo naranasan ang magsumikap at magkapagtrabaho sa amerika. kahit ano pang sabihin mo o credit crisis ang maranasan ng amerika, masarap pa rin ang buhay ng nakararami dito. tanungin mo na lang yung mga doctor dyan na bakit willing maging nurse lang dito. ewan ko kung bakit? tanong mo sa ulap. sorry ka na lang…if i were you stay nationalistic and patriotic. buti pa si ka roger, pinatunayan ang kanyang nationalism kahit kumakain lang ng kamote sa bundok. yun ang gayahin mo at huwag mong ihalintulad ang mga pilipinong gusto lang makatikim ng konting ginhawa sa katulad mo na na-stuck na dyan sa administrasyon ni GMA at hanggang blog na lang. mag file ka na rin ng impeachment against GMA para mas masaya..or suportahan mo yung susunod na kandidatura ni Erap…he he he he
October 12th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
“even an ordinary janitor in the US drives a car”
Don’t be fooled. This is a false perception. The janitor in the U.S. has a car which he can’t pay for…they have big houses (mortgaged) which some can’t pay for the interest…that is what the credit crisis in the U.S. is all about.
October 12th, 2008 at 10:55 am
For the rest of my explanation, please visit this link: http://reynaelena.com/2008/10/12/in-defense-of-ofws-walang-ganyan-sa-states/
This is my response to pobreng_obrero:
Point number 2 is practically an economic, finance, taxes and social culture ignorance. He claims that: OFWs always tout themselves as “major income source for the Phlippines” but in reality they practically don’t pay taxes and most of their remittances go straight to CONSUMPTION instead of investments and savings.
First, let me put aside what’s true. What’s true is that OFW’s are one industry in itself, bigger than the $10 billion a year steel industry in the United States. We are now remitting over $16 billion glittering dollars. Second, let me teach you about some basic taxation. Our earnings are already taxed where we work. Depending on what country you work, the taxes could vary. From very small (Middle East) to very high (Europe or America’s). If in 2006, there’s about 10% of the population as OFW’s and based on my findings, OFW’s continues to grow, add that to the newly minted Filipinos because of the dual citizenship, how many of us do you think to fight against taxing our remittances? I could honestly tell you that Reyna Elena will be at the forefront of the fight. Pinupugutan na yong mga kasamahan ko, pati lalaki ni-re-rape, yong mga seaman, dinudukot, yong mga Pinoy sa Afganistan di ko alam kung natutulog taz ita-tax mo pa kami? If the Philippines will tax our remittances, what do you think we will do? Normal human reaction. We will limit or stop or withheld our remittances. Do you know the implication? It goes this way:
1. We send less or stop sending remittances to the Philippines.
2. People in the Philippines have less money to spend.
3. With less money to spend, people are not buying.
4. With people not buying, factories are not producing.
5. Factories are not producing because there are no orders.
6. When factories are not producing, it creates unemployment.
7. When you have unemployment, you have a restless society.
8. When you have a restless society, people kick out those in the government.
9. With less money, there is less savings and investments in banks.
10. With less money in banks, they can’t lend for infrastructures or projects.
11. If no lending on projects, more unemployment.
Do you see the connection? Am I clear with my explanation? Now, OFW remittances shielded the Philippines from the Asian Financial crises in 1987 and 1988. OFW remittances is what’s making our economy work. All these while we are separated from our loved ones back home. Why? Because people are spending. You want to tax our remittances? Think about your plan and sell it on Ayala Avenue. Let’s see who get’s stoned.
Point number 3 is the same as number 2. Blatant financial and economics ignorance. He claims that; No real homegrown products are being developed from those billions of dollars of so-called liquidity.
Let me start with the basics once again. Because we send money to the Philippines to the tune of $16 billion:
1. Banks have a lot of money or “liquidity”, therefore they can make loans.
2. Who do they loan to? Housing developers.
3. What do they do? Build condominiums.
4. When you build condominiums, you provide employment and create orders.
5. When you create orders, more employment is created because the factory will run.
6. When factories run, more employment.
7. Because everybody is productive, more taxes for the government. If they steal it, is another story.
8. With so many condominiums and houses, OFW who’s got the money buys up more.
9. The more OFW’s buys these condo’s the cycle of economic activity continues.
10. People are happy. The malls are busy. The restaurants are busy. The karaoke are blasting like crazy. Even prosties are happy.
Are you getting my point very clearly pobreng_obrero? That’s your liquidity at work all through the sacrifices of OFW’s.
October 11th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
@junebug,
my father was my greatest mentor and of course, a very good friend. he told me growing up in the barrio, given that there were no opportunities there, that I have to create the opportunity for myself. i thought he was making fun of me. i was actually a little bit annoyed at him at that time hehehe!
it’s really all up to us, the person. i’m no graduate of best school in the Philippines, i just have to do the best that i could. cry with tears but i never let misery dictate my journey.
i’m wayyyyy far from being successful hahaha but if dream and act on it, with a little bit of luck, your life will have glitters.
October 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
pobreng obrero wrote:
OFWs always tout themselves as “major income source for the Phlippines” but in reality they practically don’t pay taxes and most of their remittances go straight to CONSUMPTION instead of investments and savings.
In fairness to Pobreng Obrero, I’m just busy at the moment with my Chicago move, I’m glad Cat responded to your comments, but I will make an entry and I will explain to you why your statement is blatantly wrong Mr. Obrero. But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt that you are just way too misinformed.
Next time, read, understand and ask questions. Ignorance could be very very expensive.
October 11th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Response to the Ca t:
You hit the bullseye. Not too many Filipinos are aware of what really happened before and after the fall of Marcos, that is still happening now. We easily forget the pain and suffering brought by that Marcos era. I really hate those politicians that stash their loot to foreign countries and even send their families there to escape political upheavals. Its like a tele-novela in our political society. Our “masa” have the propensity to worship and adore celebrities and political personalities and even entrust to them the stewardship, hence the future of our nation. From Marcos to Cory, to Arroyo you’ll see the evolution of political dynasties that is now a form cancer in our society. When things go bad, these political families easily go abroad to cool down and come back when the political climate calms down. What irritates me most is that their children and relatives are even the most arrogant ones in the social circles. Just look at this Marcos grandson Borgy, he’s still untouchable in spite of all the troubles he got involved with at the Embassy bar. The Marcos family virtually raped and robbed our nation but they’re still around and even more powerful.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
to reynal elena, your success only means that your a true filipino who made it good in the US. sometimes we get dissapointed and frustrated when things happen not the way we want it to be. but just follow your heart and it will take you to the happiness your aspiring for.
to bluepanjeet, i definitely agree with you.
reynal elena shouldnt feel bad at all. in fact i envy his achievement and status in the US. even an ordinary janitor in the US drives a car, how much more for reynal elena.
to probreng obrero, truthfully i admire your patriotism and idealism. unlke diablo, your honest enough to admit that our country needs to address rampant graft and corruption issues. people have their own reason why they leave our country. but as what you said, if we all have that burning flame in our heart to make our country better, then it is still the best place on earth to live.
pinoy at heart pa rin tayo!
October 9th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Have you looked at the ownerships profile of those condominiums in the Philippines.
Long time before they have made their groundbreaking, ownership titles have already been transferred to OFWs and global pinoys who export their skills but bring home the bacon for their families in the Philippines.
Absentee filipinos rent them out to foreigners who can not buy real estate properties in the Philippnes. the rental income are deposited in Philippine banks thereby providing liquidity to banks which can lend loans to small businesses.
October 9th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
pobreng obrero wrote:
=====
Obviously you are ignorant how economy works and how the billions of dollars remitted help in the export and import businesses in the Philippines and in payment of debts in dollars.
Your tycoons and big businessmen offshored some of their operations to china, Australia and Vietnam .
in the process, incoming dollars from these operations are deposited in foreign countries depriving the Philippines the dollars it need in dealing with its international financial and business affairs.
many politicians salt their dollars, buy real estate in other countries and send their children abroad to protect their money in case of political upheaval like what happened during marcos time.
the Country needed the dollar reserves to fund the importation of raw materials for their production. Many of these industries are export-oriented. no dollars, no materials…no materials..no exports….no exports…no income from these industries…no employment etc. it is a domino effect.
Without dollar reserves, our own BSP has to buy dollars using our pesos and therefore affecting the exchange rate of pesos.
sometimes our ignorance make us look dimwits. if you are not sure, make your comment in question form. i will be glad to
answer them.
October 9th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Reyna Elena, we always find our place in the greater scheme of things. Obviously you are cut for the job there in the US (bulong ko na lang kung bakit) and somehow you proved that your decision is right. Some even go to the extreme of leaving their business here and selling their carabaos just to find green pasteurs abroad. But you on the other hand has luck and fate at your side. Just continue to trod where life brings you because you serve as an inspiration to many. Your being an OFW is already a testimony that Filipinos can make it big wherever they are. You see you are so far away with your country, yet so near.
Pax et Bonum
October 9th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
we all have our stories to tell.. i used to be one of these “OFWS” who dreamed of making it big “out there”.. i realized that i really don’t have to look that far.. i packed all my things and went back to Manila..
While walking along Ayala I looked up and saw those gleaming towers. I asked myself why it’s so high and wondered where the money was coming from.
One day, I applied and got hired.. I’m now slowly and surely climbing the “corporate ladder” and I’m bringing along with me the “attitude” and experiences I got from being an OFW..
October 9th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
to ghia, maikit, elmar, steve, icerynk, iamleeyah, malen
I want to live and work in Manila. As in NOW NA. I actually shared with Salve my desires of going back home to Manila for good. I did that in 2005, unfortunately, I ran into some problems with the business that I started. And so, I went back to the US.
In 2005 in Manila, I was being hired by an investment corp in Makati. I turned down the job because I know that salary will be a big factor, I did not realize that I will DA biggest factor.
A few months ago, I got an invitation to teach at a local university in Manila. Again, I believe it’s not the right time yet. You see, I still have a good chunk of fixed payments that I am obligated to in Manila and until that disappears, I honestly cannot accept a job in Manila much as I really, reallllllllly wanted to go home na. So, plans are on hold.
I guess, my entry must have evoked a lot of negative feelings. I apologized. I wrote it at a time that the Dow was spinning down and I was really angry. But not all is bad here. I still believe that a much stronger US economy will come out of this. Which is always the case. Meanwhile, I hope I’ll be successful in Chicago.
October 9th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
again to pobreng_obrero,
i’m not happy with your comments. you seem to be trying to put a wedge between OFW’s and teachers and local entrepreneurs and from what I am reading - just because OFW’s gets the ribbons of like - floating the economy - helping the — whavetever.
you think we are happy to be called ‘heroes?” i actually abhor being called a freakin HERO by some in the government. you call people hero - match it with actions and legislations.
now, to drive a wedge between an OFW and a local entrepreneur and teachers is NOT FAIR and I believe you should stop that because that’s not looking good for us, the OFW’s.
we work hard for our money and had no intentions whatsoever to steal some glory from the other groups for some of these local entreporeneurs are OFW’s themselves.
I fully understand the contribution of each of the sector in the Philippines and it’s not just the OFW’s. And there is not a fight between the OFW’s and other sectors.
October 9th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
@pobreng_obrero,
believe you me, i have a lot of admiration to all the teachers in the Philippines who stayed put and decided to teach despite the meager salary the government is giving them. i should know, a lot of my relatives are teachers in the barrio. BARRIO. not city.
for me personally, it’s my personal desire to get out of poverty shit. you have no idea how it feels to be in that vacuum, treated by society as some form of an outcast, ignored and sidelined because you’re poor.
you only need to act on your dreams sometimes and with luck, it’ll have glitters.
October 9th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
@junebug,
I am aware of the corruption in the US even before the Wall Street drama. There’s a big difference. Once the authorities catches you, you’re done. Unlike in the Philippine where you could even still get away with it, even when you’re found guilty or even in prison. Sorry to say what I feel is true.
I will never blame America for my negative feelings. Failures could be attributed to so many things. America is my home now. No matter where I go around the world, I may always be Pinoy by heart and mind, but I am very, very American now. I cry when I hear “America, the Beautiful” for this is the country who gave me some of the things that Pinas did not gave me. I love this country with all it’s good and bad and I will not change anything even if I suffered sometimes. That’s part of my American life. So, no, I don’t think I blamed the “US” per se. I am blaming the Wall Street crooks. Big difference there.
If I lived in the Philippines for 21 years? That’s a very hypothetical question. I don’t know. Maybe I could be successful or not.
Incidentally, I am writing another article to explain what really brought down the behemoth investment giants.
October 9th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
To Junebug,
Hope you won’t mind if I answer your question:
“if corruption is not as bad compared to other countries? Some of us even decide to live abroad and bring their family for good. Why?”
My answer: Yes, indeed! I absolutely agree, corruption is really bad here. No question about that.
Having said that, may I ask this simple question as well:
Why do some of us (like my teachers who taught me in public school) are still “crazy” enough to stay here?
My answer, which I don’t expect everyone to agree with, is this:
Because some Filipinos still BELIEVE in their fellow Filipinos. Call them martyrs or unrealistic, but I have tremendous respect for these “believers”.
Because if, say, the teachers who taught me instead decided to work abroad (as most teachers do), then I wouldn’t have received a respectable education and I wouldn’t have been able to put up my own business and prevent Brain Drain by employing Filipinos in our homeland .
Thus, in my book, rampant corruption is any of the 3:
1) a turn-off to many Filipinos who take the “easy route” and leave for abroad;
2) a nuisance, yes, but not something that will make me pack my bags
or
3) a challenge that needs to be addressed in one’s own little ways,
My idealistic and crazy teachers (who also had mouths to feed by the way) foolishly believed that somehow, at least some of their students won’t take the easy route and instead be as crazy as them by thinking like #2 or (better yet) #3 above.
As I said, staying in the Philippines doesn’t work for everybody–you have to be crazy and bold enough to take up the challenge.
But if you do, and if you have the right attitude–the rewards are tremendous (and yes, this includes financial rewards!).
October 9th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Response to Diablo:
I respect your opinion that the US may be more corrupt than our own country the Philippines and for some part I agree with you but not totally. Maybe the Philippine economy is one of the best in Asia now (that I need to research more). Well, that is your perception and you are entitled to that. My strong opinion is the other way around. The US economy seems going down but has not yet collapsed. Eventually, if that happens the rest of the nations will follow suit including our country. But maybe corruption in the US is just a part of it but not the major reason. Dont get me wrong coz this is just a forum of what we have experienced vice our perception. If you claim that corruption in the Philippines is not as bad as the United States, then why is it that almost everyday, people lined up in the US embassy just to get US visa? If corruption is so bad in the United States, then why our professionals such as engineers, nurses, teachers and doctors prefer to work and earn money in the US than back home in the Philippines? Why is it that we cant even uplift the standard of living of the most marginalized sector of the society which are the urban and the rural poor? Dont you think that problem in Mindanao was not rooted from corruption since time immemorial ? I agree the OFW’s are the ones helping our economy grow and I salute them for that. But dont issue a blanket statement that everything is well and good when what you can see is just the superficial aspect of economic resilience and growth as what was being claimed by GMA and the daily tabloids. There are good and bad in the US as well as in the Philippines. Soon, the US may not be the worlds leading economy and it may shift to Asia. That is part of global change and I have no problem with that. But by ratio and proportion, cases of corruption may be more in the Philippines if anyone in this forum would agree or disagree and lets just be honest. If you got pulled over for traffic violation in the US, youll go to jail if you offer bribe. I dont know back home if “lagay” is common. If your in trouble or got into an accident, just call 911 and help will be there in 5 minutes. Back home, some policemen would even rob you. Our country is a nation of rich natural resources and of great people and Im proud to be a Filipino. But Im not afraid to admit our mistakes and all the negative on us that we need to change. If we can think collectively as a nation that we’re willing to move forward, work together and grow, then we could probably be the best nation on earth. For now, we are no longer talking of corruption here but ask yourself why do more and more Filipinos leave our country to work overseas as OFW’s if you claim that our economy is resilient ang growing? if corruption is not as bad compared to other countries? Some of us even decide to live abroad and bring their family for good. Why?
October 9th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
To Ghia:
Thanks for your clarification, but before anyone makes any assumptions, just because you were like me before (as you said) doesn’t mean you’re any better than me where you are now. And I’m not implying the opposite either.
Not just because OFWs make sacrifices and learned life the hard way doesn’t mean the locals do not or did not.
How about the local entrepreneurs who work 16 hours a day trying to make sure they will have money for their families AND to pay their employees?
It is these local entrepreneurs who work hard, make sacrifices AND pay taxes for nation building.
Most importantly, it is these local entrepreneurs who churn up homegrown Filipino products which forms the Philippine’s GDP–which reflects income generated from *within* the Philippines.
In comparison, GNP is GDP + foreign-derived income (OFW Remittances).
That was the point I was trying to put across–it’s such a waste that OFW remittances contribute to the country’s GNP, but are not being effectively utilized to improve the country’s GDP (which is used to compute standard of living—what really matters).
**Bottom line:** we simply need to create more products and services coming from the Philippines. There is no other way to build and develop our country.
And taking your example, simply buying properties (still consumption) or investing in money markets (for one’s own benefit) won’t cut it.
We need OFWs who will come here, take advantage of our abundant opportunities, and put up local businesses that will create jobs (thus, more taxpayers) instead of just saying “Walang Ganyan sa States”.
And for the record, I practice what I preach–In the mid-90s I found a particular niche service in Information Technology and put up my own business. Now I employ close to 50 workers in Makati, Rizal, and Pangasinan–some of whom were thinking of leaving for abroad before they found jobs in my small enterprise.
In that regard, one can say, that yes, that in my own little way, I have helped “empower people” (to borrow your own words) by making them contributors to nation-building while at the same time preserving Filipino families.
Call me a braggart all you want, but I can somehow say that I have made PROUD not only myself but also my TEACHERS who really SACRIFIED by *not* working abroad just so that they could mold me and my classmates in the “bulok” public schools that I attended which were funded by the salaried peso-earning local pobreng obrero.
October 9th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Maybe this is an opportunity for all of us to learn the risks of running our lives on credit. It’s like driving a car on flat tires. Heed the words displayed in many a sari-sari store, “credit is good, but we need cash”.
For Edwin, maybe it’s now time to invest in simpler, more enduring symbols of true value. Buy gold.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Ghia, I would love to read it! Email me lightdream (at) gmail (dot) com.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
hi Edwin!
Stay put.
Are you willing to risk huge amount of money, a great career and everything else? Life is about taking risks and chances. They can put you in danger, but who knows, they can also become your ticket to happiness. agree, there’s still no place like home…masaya pa din dito sa Pinas…but IT’S HELL HERE WITHOUT MONEY.
don’t come back (for good) unless you’re ready to risk everything.
don’t worry, sabi nga sa TV…ang buhay paganda ng paganda!
October 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I’m just wondering….how can Junebug claim that the Philippines is more corrupt when we’ve seen how the US financial system collapsed? I don’t think our country has reached that type of corruption yet as our economy has been very resilient. And mind you that though OFWs provide significant dollars to our economy, the reason why our housing and real estate sector has been stable is not because of OFW investments but because of investments from foreign nationals especially Koreans. This is why we have not reached a glut in terms of residential condominium space.
October 9th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
to Pobreng Obrero:
I was like you once. I despise OFWs when I was growing up, since I pity my classmates whose fathers or parents are working abroad. They only get to see them once a year (if they’re lucky), or once in two, three years, worse five years.
But I have become an OFW myself. Yes, the very same kind I used to despise. I have my own personal reasons for doing that. I learned life the hard way, there were sacrifices to make, risks to take. But I am proud of what I have become.
When you said that we OFWs tout ourselves as “major income source for the Phlippines”, I don’t actually agree with you on that. It was the media somehow branded us the modern day heroes. It’s a shame that our country has become a major exporter of human resources. That we are actually grooming future nurses, doctors, caregivers who will leave the country and look for greener pastures overseas.
And when you said that our remittances go straight to CONSUMPTION instead of investments and savings - well more and more OFWs are becoming smarter with their finances and are actually investing in real estate properties in Phils. and in money markets both in Phils and overseas.
I didn’t totally turn my back from our home country. As I said, migration is just a temporary solution. I’m yearning to come home someday, to be with my family and loved ones. But I’ll do so when I can afford to retire comfortably. Or put my own business where I can help to empower other people.
October 9th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
[...] was one of those bloggers tagged by Reyna Elena to respond to Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Salve Duplito’s request for opinion on how Filipinos overseas are affected of the financial [...]
October 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
“Walang Ganyan Sa States”—has become quite an unpopular brag nowadays hasn’t it.
Maikit says it so succintly. What better place to prosper than in your home country.
Remember, we’re a developing economy…opportunities abound for those with the right attitude, and who know where to look.
OFWs always tout themselves as “major income source for the Phlippines” but in reality they practically don’t pay taxes and most of their remittances go straight to CONSUMPTION instead of investments and savings.
No real homegrown products are being developed from those billions of dollars of so-called liquidity.
Sure, our system sucks if you compare to 1st world countries, but that’s because the citizens-forefathers of those countries developed those systems now being enjoyed by migrants.
As a Filipino, if you have no participation in our country’s homegrown development, you should at least have the delicadeza not to criticize it.
Remember the TV commercial where a dollar-earning “balikbayan” laments the poor state of our country’s roads by saying “Walang Ganyan Sa States”…no big surprise because she pays her taxes abroad and not here!
OFWs with such an attitude should apologize to the “pobreng” peso-earning salaried workers who pay taxes every 15th/30th of the month so that they could use our “bulok” roads and on their way to Duty Free Shops.
October 9th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Migration should be a temporary solution, a means to an end, where the end result is retiring comfortably in your home country and be in a position to contribute constructively to the society.
So goodluck to you Edwin. I hope that you may discern the answer to your dilemma.
Salve, can I also contribute my piece?
October 9th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Dear Pinoy,
Go home and see for yourself. Who knows? Yours might be a different story altogether.
Goodluck!
October 9th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Hi there Edwin,
I read your blog and I feel sorry for you that after 21 years working in the United States and have enjoyed the standard of living far more better than your own country, its only now you realized that your fed up with the corruption system. Is it because the US economy is on its most sorry state? Well my friend, corruption is present in every place on earth where humans thrive. One thing that confuses me though is that, how come you quit your job as director of a prestigious US housing authority with 3,000 employees? I presume you have been receiving fat paychecks from them considering your job position. And now your about to start with another establishment which is equally prestigious as director, but then again you were thinking of going back to Manila and will try looking for a job. I just dont understand what seems to be your real concern. I know in the US if your wise and prudent as what you claim you are, and your holding a high position in a prestigious entity your at least safe. Even with the current financial turmoil spreading like wildfire accross the globe, going back to the Philippines to retire and invest may not be a wise option for you considering your experience and caliber based on your blog. Well, its all your personal options and everything depends on your plans and where would you want to live back home. If there’s corruption in the US, allow me to say that corruption in the Philippines is far worse. Peace and order is another thing that you might wanna consider. Although the US economy is on the brink of collapse, still it is a nation far more advance and progressive in most aspects compared to the Philippines. Dont get me wrong because I still have high hopes for our beloved country and I have been helping some of our kababayans, particularly poor Filipino children in my own little way. Maybe what your feeling right now is the natural urge to go back to basics, relax, and subconsciously escape the stressful work environment you got into. If thats the case, then go and live a secured retired life from where you originally came from. But please dont blame the US for all the negative feelings that started to burn you out. I guess for 21 years, “pinakinabangan mo rin ang America kahit papaano”. Maybe if that 21 years has been spent in the Philippines, it could be another story.
Good luck!
October 9th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
“For if America sneezes, the world catches cold.”
haha,love this..
very true!
October 9th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Hi Pinoy in the U.S. I know how you feel. I lived in the U.S. for 32 yrs. I now live here in the P.I. because I am retired and my dollar goes a long way here. The more miserable the economy is, sad to say, the better for me.Do not go home yet. Gutom ka dito. Unless you come from a rich family or have connections you will not succeed here. I can not stomach the corruption here which happens everyday. The global meltdown was caused by many greedy people all over the world, not just the U.S. Living here in the Phil. is a daily struggle to plug your ears and cover your eyes to the corruption which happens everywhere everyday. I still go back to the U.S. part of the year to clear my head so to say. Good luck. Retire there and live here.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I empathize with what you’re going through at the moment and hope things will work out for you. It seems like things are looking up as you now have a new job and can start over. I think most Americans are guilty of “living it up” for all these years — living on borrowed money to fund our extravagant lifestyles. Maybe we just need to reassess our priorities and try to save more instead of spending money on unnecessary things. I don’t even look at my 401K account as I know it has gone down but I’m in it for the long run and will just keep on pushing forward and not sweat the small stuff. Things will get better — they always do. Best of luck!
October 9th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I think the fact that the writer works already in the industry makes it easier for him to learn the ropes of investing in the Philippine market.
What many don’t know is that some big names in the investment business (outside of US) has put Philippines as one of the emerging markets out there along with the Eastern European countries. It’s among those high risk types but so far my friends involved in it are quietly making money out of this.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:33 am
a smart filipino will always have at least 6 months of reserve in a checking or savings account. 6 months is the average time to find a new job and acquire new skills.
anyone who has about 10 years prior to retirement should not stop investing. now is the right time to invest.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:20 am
i think that the philippines is still home for us. you can be very simple , not high maintenance and will not have to exert a lot of effort to be thankful or grateful of what you have. living in america is all about material things. it is the land of abundance , a land of excesses . one can easily forget that back in manila there is a simple life… and life is beautiul
October 9th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Hello,
Pa cute writing.
Blaming the Conio is passe.
Now you found out that corrupt Americans are no better than corrupt Filipinos. They are the same if not worse. By the way, we do not find students here killing mindlessly their schoolmates and teachers. Or coworkers doing the same. And you call it there the land of apples and honey?
Welcome back.
Regards,
Elmar
October 9th, 2008 at 9:32 am
[...] in installments the full version of their emails. Head over to this site and read the interview. Next up: That one! Dali! Pansinin please! Utang na loobbb!!! Hahaha! What’s written on Salve’s blog was [...]