Poverty – A Choice
Poverty is not a new thing in the Philippines. From the quiet municipaties to the busiest metropolis it is present. Beggars, slum areas, loan sharks (a.k.a 5-6), and pricey junks (a.k.a ukay-ukay, car and appliance “surpluses”) are just some of the evidences of poverty.
Since time in memorial, poverty has already been a problem in the country. It is really puzzling why until now, despite of the modernity of the world and the existence of fields of studies dedicated in financial management like Economics, the situation is not getting any better, instead it is worsening.
Now comes a question: who should be blamed for it? If the people will answer majority will say the government and the politicians. Yes, somehow they contribute to the problem considering the fact that the Philippine Government is one of the most corrupt in the world, but is the government and the politicians the main culprit? The answer is no.
Who then is the real culprit? The answer is nonetheless but the people themselves and that is the shocking and painful reality. It is really surprising to see that a lot are wearing the more than P500 slippers that they call as “flip-flops” despite of the bad economy. It is amusing to know that ordinary employees save their meager salaries, not for the purpose of investing it, but for buying high-end gadgets and branded clothings; it is not even purchased for it’s functionality, but for the purpose of making a statement. It is interesting to find out how the people can afford to waste time, the most precious commodity, by delaying work for leisure and by practicing the “mamaya na” philosophy; it is such an unforgivable luxury. It is so ironic to hear how the squatters complain that they don’t have food to serve on their table to feed themselves and their children but can afford to light up cigarettes, drink liquors, place bets for sabung and tong-its, and practice the most expensive leisure: baby making. And lastly it is funny how the masses complain on how difficult and miserable their lives are and on how cruel and greedy the government is but does not have the initiative to help themselves and improve their lives and is still waiting for the government to liberate them from poverty with just one flick.
A TV reporter once said “tila umaasa na lang po ang mga Pilipino sa milagro dahil sa hirap ng buhay,” but a better statement is ” dahil palagi na lang umaasa ang Pilipino sa milagro kaya tayo lalong nalulugmok sa kahirapan.” There are no such things as victims of poverty, because after all it is a choice.
