Opinion: Unleashing the Inner Revolution

I recently had a thought-provoking conversation with a man I deeply admire and wish I had more time to spend with. He posed a question that caught me off guard – he asked me if I believed there was hope for our country, specifically for our youth. It surprised me because I believed I would be the one asking him such a question, not the other way around. This man has dedicated his life to advocating for the upliftment of the poor and empowering them to become successful middle-class individuals. His question stemmed from a concern for the majority of Filipinos, who have always been impoverished, and their innate desire for a better life for themselves and their families.

We both come from a generation that has witnessed the ups and downs of our country’s political and economic landscape, spanning from the time of President Magsaysay to the present administration of President Duterte. We have seen the resilience of our people, enduring both good and bad times, and we are confident that our children and grandchildren will do the same. But my friend’s question wasn’t about survival, it was about hope.

As long-time advocates against poverty and the lack of opportunities for those born into poverty, he was referring to the inherent longing of the Filipino majority to transcend their socio-economic status. Throughout our history, the extreme inequality of wealth and power in our society has been a constant reality, dating back to the colonial era. Despite political promises and rhetoric about eradicating poverty, the results have been underwhelming. Official statistics may claim that poverty has fallen below 20% of the population, but the reality is that Filipinos still perceive themselves as poor at rates double or triple what the government declares. So, who should we trust – the statisticians or the suffering poor?

As anti-poverty advocates, we focus on the stakeholders – the victims of this inequality. We hear their stories, witness their hardships, and strive to address their challenges. Poverty cannot be accurately measured by mere figures; it is defined by the pain and fears experienced by those living in poverty. The hope my friend asked me about is rooted in the struggle of the majority of Filipinos and their prospects for success. I know deep down that he already knew the answer, and perhaps he sought affirmation from someone who has been more politically involved. We both recognize that the chances of the poor achieving significant progress within our lifetime are slim, and the real hope lies with the younger generation, who have another 50 to 60 years ahead of them.

Our common conclusion is based on the cumulative successes and failures we have witnessed in our almost four decades of dedicated work. It is a conclusion that neither leans towards optimism nor pessimism. Like statisticians, we have our own personal records and experiences from our respective organizations. However, what sets us apart is that our work and results are not swayed or altered by every election or change in political leadership. We have come to a painful realization that poverty is not merely an economic state; it is a convergence of various aspects of life. Poverty is a consequence of birth, not a failure. When one is born into poverty, they develop coping mechanisms to survive. Poverty becomes an attitude, a perspective, even a subculture. Being born poor means inheriting an environment that is stingy in providing opportunities. This lack of opportunity exerts constant pressure on the poor, which only deepens their desperate coping mechanisms. Moreover, poverty is exacerbated by physical and intellectual underdevelopment. Hunger and malnutrition inflict severe damage that hampers the development of intellectual potential.

There is a small percentage of the poor who manage to escape poverty due to their critical aptitude and determination. Unfortunately, the majority will continue on a stagnant trajectory – and that constitutes a significant portion of the Filipino population in the next 50 years. However, circumstances can sometimes intervene, as we have seen with the emergence of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). I can still recall a time when only a few seamen and entertainers were temporary Filipino workers before the substantial numbers that followed in the late ’70s. Fate played a role, as work opportunities opened in many countries, and Filipinos were recognized as capable individuals. It was not the government that provided these circumstances, although it did manage to earn substantial funds from opening agencies dedicated to OFW affairs. Similarly, circumstances intervened with the rise of call centers, where Filipinos once again became highly sought after. Together, OFWs, call centers, and business process outsourcing (BPO) industries have bolstered our economy and prevented political tensions that could have arisen from a greater number of unemployed and hungry Filipinos.

Meanwhile, the elites of society continue to maintain their hold on power and wealth. While there have been changes in personalities, newcomers quickly assimilate into the ways of the established wealthy class, sometimes even exaggerating their behavior. The nouveau riche, with more aggression and less delicadeza (propriety), make it even more difficult for the poor to rise. Trickle-down economics is no longer a valid economic concept; the wealthy hoard everything, leaving nothing for the rest. It seems that my friend and I will witness yet another generation where well-meaning individuals have not done enough, and the road to hell is still paved with good intentions. However, amidst this reality, we have seen small successes here and there, and it is those successes that motivate us to keep pushing forward, against all odds. We hope for favorable circumstances to intervene and propel the growth we envision. While it is highly unlikely that intended reforms will significantly alter extreme inequalities, we cannot discount the disruptive nature of the global atmosphere, encompassing climate change, politics, and economics. So much depends on the younger generation, those aged 10 to 50, to better manage what my generation could not. May their journey be marked by an inner revolution, a revolution of the heart and a revolution of vision.

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