‘After English, Pinoys must learn Chinese’

Chinese is the next best language to learn after English in order to make Filipinos more competitive in the global economy, an official of the Makati Business Club (MBC) said.

"Roughly 25 percent of the world’s population is composed of Chinese and people of Chinese descent," MBC executive director Guillermo Luz noted.

While English is still the global language of business, he explained that learning Mandarin will further boost the competitiveness of Filipino businessman and jobseekers.

Luz said Chinese and Filipino-Chinese businessmen obviously enjoy investing in the Philippines and many businesses, big and small, are run by them.

"In fact we now have a Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce as well as a Chinese-Filipino Business Club," he told The STAR.

"China, as we all know, is an economic power. Learning and mastering their language will definitely boost chances of forging international or global partnerships," he said.

Luz, who earlier admitted that spoken English skills among Filipinos were deteriorating, said high-level communication skills are important in business and in seeking employment.

According to him, Filipinos should look at the bigger picture of global competition and struggle to be the best not only in Asia but in the whole world.

Luz said Filipinos should continuously empower themselves by learning more since language begets communication and communication is power.