Learning Times

Probably many of you already knew what happened in Quirino (ki-ri-no) Grandstand at Metro Manila, Philippines.

It was a sad and frustrating incident where eight Hong Kong Nationals died in the incident.

You can read more about the hostage crisis here.

Facing the Truth

I did not grew up in the Philippine capital - Manila so, I also consider myself as one of the tourist even if I stayed their three to four years after my graduation.

These are several things that I noticed if I’m going to compare Philippines from other Countries which I visited like Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.

Manila, Philippines

• While on the road, drivers are always in a hurry. It’s like riding in a roller coaster every single day.
• Standards are not being followed for Houses, Small buildings, etc…. and because of this, the city are not designed in a large manner. There are plenty of ugly portion of the city.
• Undisciplined people
• Too many people and almost all places in Metro Manila are over crowded.
• Dangerous streets except Makati, Fort Bonifacio, Ortigas and other well developed areas.
• Cost of living - high and salary - low.
• Squatter Areas - Many people are still trying to stay in the city where they have small chance of getting a good life.
• Garbage problems and polluted rivers
• Heavy Traffic everyday
• It’s like people are now immune with problems and they don’t want to face the truth that Philippines is already left behind by other countries in Asia in terms of Infrastructure, Technology and Military capabilities.
• There is no unified system that makes the entire city easy to navigate

For most of the people I know - having family or personal things comes first. Work is only rank second. (This may have advantages and not true to all people)

Advantages in working and staying at Metro Manila

• Great work experience and the competition are strong in different skill levels
• Students has advantages in resources for learning that you cannot find in other places in the country e.g. Books and trainings
• Malls Malls Malls - Amazing giant supermalls around the city
• Plenty of Restaurants from cheap to very expensive
• Foods and other things that you need everyday are cheap.

Kuala-Lumpur, Singapore, Kobe - Japan

• All ugly portion of the city are covered with huge boards and walls
• The city are designed in a large manner (Engineering and Architectural Design)
• Nicely designed High-Speed Trains
• Buildings are scattered
• People are more civilized or disciplined
• Almost no squatters or beggars
• Expensive Transportation except Malaysia
• Less pollution due to small number of cars and people
• Cleanliness in the surroundings are being observed strictly
• Cost of living are very expensive

We have our own individual problems that needs to be solve, anyway, these are some things that I can share.

• It’s not enough that the Philippines will just focus in creating jobs from other countries e.g. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Overseas Filipino Workers employment. The government needs to help the micro, small and medium-sized businesses to undergo several research and development that will help their business grow in a vast manner. Eliminating anomalies as possible, minimizing the cost and increasing the profits for expansion from local to abroad.
• The government must focus on solving problems directly as fast and efficient as possible.
• Learn how to control the media and people in order to have something unified approach or solution to the problem.
• The government must develop products locally not import technologies from other countries.
• Create branding of products and something unified approach in every system is good for the long term.