pride and growth

many of us ARE fiercely proud to be pinoys. we know what and how much we are worth, recognised and valued or not by some compatriots and others.   

this pride feeds our resilience and resolve.  it keeps us going despite and inspite the harsh realities that we face daily, whether at home or abroad. . 

so what if the Philippine economy did not do as badly  as Spain, Singapore or Japan under the current crisis?  we have been registering positive economic growth for years.  bottomline :  did that translate  into a better life for the street hawkers  in quiapo, the sacadas in negros, the garlic growers in the north?  

economic growth, unless equitable and with visible positive  impact on ordinary people’s lives, doesnt mean anything for the poor who have to “prostitute” themselves to survive.