The reverse

In the last two years, I have had the privilege of joining a growing circle of young and some not so young motivational speakers and trainers who cover a wide area of topics.

In general the “group” focuses on personal development and financial literacy. At the core of these talks, trainings or speeches, lie the fundamental importance of a GOD centered life and operating on biblical principles.

As a result, I too have learned a lot.

As far as media goes, the “public” is well aware of all the bad news in terms of politics and economics because they too have cable. Even those without cable know that the Philippine economy will soon be in a mess because we are currently going through an election while experiencing drought conditions.

Contrary to the notions of media executives, the only people “interested” in election related media events are people living in Metropolitan areas, and simply because media outfits have not bothered to really learn what people need and want.

From province to province and more so in cities, we discover that so many Filipinos are unproductive NOT lazy. Many are under-employed or underpaid way below the necessary standard of living.

In Metro Manila, many of the middle class Filipinos are in debt. Even among two-income families, the state of indebtedness is alarming because the cost of living has left behind the salary levels.

The term “personal income” has become precise in the sense that what a person earns is only good enough to support that person and no one else! 

At the end of the equation, we find Filipinos who are in debt, living in desperation, and feeling helpless and powerless. We discover that political leaders, big business and media are totally disconnected with those who rely upon them the most.

Politicians focus on crisis, intrigue and accusations, but hardly on motivation, challenge and inspiration. They sell “promises” and political candies but not hope with empowerment.

Big business keep talking about Corporate Social Responsibility and partnership yet they fight every attempt that would make them share 1% of their profit for education. They create foundations that are self -serving and meant for publicity more than public good.

Even those who claim to help our “heroes”; the OFW, actually make millions of pesos off them through money transfers, cargo handling and telephone charges, proving that their statement of caring are nothing more than “publicity”.

The government in terms of the Department of Labor and GFIs of financing institutions now behave more like private sector corporations by copying profit driven policies and practices.

The DOLE has for decades failed to stop or even punish people who collect illegal fees on migrant workers, or clean up corruption in some of its Bureaus and offices particularly those addressing labor dispute or cases.

Media meanwhile have merely piggybacked on the latest events and grabbed every opportunity for profit and self-promotion. In terms of programming and production, these companies have become irrelevant and illiterate and consequently created an equally “illiterate” public.

But all is not lost. The “Not-so-ordinary” Filipinos have shown us that there is a reverse side to the situation.

As we go “skin-on-skin” with everyday Filipinos, we discover that they continue to search for answers, solutions, or options to address their financial or professional dilemmas. They don’t easily give up and will respond when challenged or motivated.

Even with the “poorest of the poor”, I learned that they would “invest” food money on bus fare in order to learn a trade, a trick or an answer to their poverty or inability to be productive.

Many Filipinos will make time and even spend money to join a seminar, a training program or event that they feel addresses their needs and gives them some measure of hope and empowerment. They will sit through hour upon hour of lectures, interviews and video programs. And, they are not easily satisfied.

These Filipinos want and are willing to face the “inconvenient truth” about their financial difficulty, they want to learn new ways, new technologies or new attitudes about business and finance. When confronted with sincerity or love, they willingly confess to misplaced greed, monetary irresponsibility or even plain pigheadedness.

Initially, they act and talk like adherents of the “Separation of Church and State” when it comes to running a business. But once they realize the significance of Biblical foundations for business, they embrace the lesson and the seminar ends up sounding like a church service. You realize that they just needed someone to say that GOD is cool.

Many of these desperate and discouraged Filipinos are people who invested in raising a family, getting an education and believe in a bright future. But there were no jobs. Some of them went a step further and looked for jobs abroad, borrowed money to pay for their placement fees. So it was a case of the poor becoming poorer.

In all-this seemingly bleak or depressing situation we found the hope and the very answers amongst ourselves. We had the same aspirations and the very same frustrations.

So we helped each other, we learned and we earned from each other.

By going down to the level of those in need and in pain, the “mentors” learned what the “Real” problems were. They were personal and situational. They were not really financial in nature. It was more about attitude, faith and believing.

When national leaders and businessmen think they know better, their solutions become the problem. So why not try “The Reverse”? Try living and experiencing the problem, then you’ve begun really finding the solution.