Social climbers: an economic stimulus

There was a time when I was guilty of looking down on 'social climbers.' I am not matapobre, no, not at all, and the wide spectrum of the friendships I value should be a testament to that. However, I honestly am toward those who try too hard, who are matapobre to others when they themselves have nothing much to show. In those cases, I start to expect, demand pedigree. Being liquid is not enough, what matters is lineage, ancestry, and how old one's wealth is. If they are wanting, I then lump them together with the many others who have, in one way or another, offended my obstinate and perverse sense of social order. *evil grin*

Of course, none of that really, actually matters in the larger scheme of things. We are all humans and each deserves respect and consideration. Still, there are times when I cringe at the sight of an arriviste, shamelessly sashaying into a hotel lobby with his or her new-found wealth or position or prestige. I know, I know, what a snoot.

But social-climbing is not entirely a bad thing, I concede, it may even be seen as a force for good. Boy Abunda aptly calls it the “art of social climbing” and he admits to being a social climber himself (a highly successful one at that). In fact, I've come to see that we are all social climbers in varying degrees. The fact that we all have to study, get a good job, work hard for a promotion, buy fashionable or at the very least, decent clothes, save up for a home or a car or a vacation-it only shows that we all aspire to get ahead in life, to secure our place in society. Although the difference is some are easily contented with what they have.

And the rest, those who aren't easily contented, those who keep up with the Joneses come hell or high water, they are the social-climbers who are, for me, important but often ignored economic stimuli, drivers of commerce and trade.

Much has been said about the underground economy or the black market, how vendors and the sale of illegal goods also help contribute to economic growth. In some countries like Italy, this sector is almost left alone, an acknowledgement that government sees the sector's irrefutable contribution to the nation's financial stability (simply put: we may not pay taxes when we buy fruits from vendors, but the money vendors earn they also use to buy goods that are taxed or have VAT; economic activity takes place and money is successfully infused into the cycle that ultimately includes legitimate purchases).

Imagine how much cash is poured into the purchase of luxury goods, in patronizing fine-dining restaurants, travel, the newest iPhone or Blackberry on a day-to-day basis, and thanks, in part, to social climbing? The key word now is “aspirational.” I hear a lot of network executives use that word to justify all the glitz and glamour and the celebrity lifestyle they peddle to the masses via their TV shows. Instagram and other online platforms like Twitter and Facebook have become invaluable accessories to perpetuating this materialistic lifestyle, and of course, the kind of purchases they encourage. You see artistas posting their most recent expensive purchase as much as your favorite social climber posts photos of her newest Balenciaga, YSL, or Hermes bag, complete with hashtags like #nofilter #hermes #brandnew. What a vicious and expensive cycle.

Setting aside discussions on morals and values (this is made in purely economic terms, no 'right or wrong' preaching), some of these climbers have up the ante by marrying wealthy men (or snagging them as their boyfriends in the meantime). These wealthy men, many of them stingy and tightfisted Chinese, would not even know where and how to spend their money had it not been for their affection for their gold-digging partners. When they start spending, buying them gifts, again, it's good for the economy!

But all this is double-edged, an integral subcategory of the culture of debt that pervades in the world. For those with almost infinite resources, no biggie, swipe, swipe, swipe. For those who try too hard-maxed out credit cards and all-just to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous, it'll only be a matter of time before it catches up on them. In the meantime, economic activity takes places.

At any rate, it would be nice if we can more or less quantify how the parvenu pump-primes the economy.

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Happy Birthday, Manang Pelang!

Our ever-dearest Manang Pelang (her name is Teofila A. Lopez as fate would have it; she's really meant to be a part of our family), our second mother, our angel, our living saint.

She's taken care of me since I was 3 years old (time spent with her are among my best and happiest, ever), and she's since taken care of all my other siblings (and my Mama and Papa, too), and now my darling niece Arya.

She loves us unconditionally like we are her own, devoting her life to being there for us, no ifs and no buts. She nourishes us with her delicious and filling meals; she takes good care of us when we're sick; she reminds us to pray and be thankful; she'd call our attention when we're out of line or when we say something mean; she'd stay up waiting when a sibling isn't home yet, wanting to know we're all safe.

I know I am blessed, we are blessed, not because of material bounty, not because of goals reached or dreams come true (well, those too), but more than anything, because we have her in our lives. She is the single-most important gift to our family from Him up above, the most shining proof of God's infinite goodness and love. She is our most cherished treasure.

Nang, we are better people because of you, we are who we are because of you.

May the Good Lord, our Señor Santo Niño, keep you for always safe and bless you with the best of health and a very long life.

We love you so, so, so much, Nang! Happy, happy, happy birthday!

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