Bakit ka HAPPY today?

**Ry_Tower** · October 30th, 2018 06:20 PM

Ang suwerte ng mga anak niyo. Kung hindi college educ at leats masteral mukhang sa 1st class university talaga.

**jut703** · October 30th, 2018 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by CVT

Don't look back bro.... Our country needs nation builders...

You're doing well and these places will just be your vacation spots in the future...

Even if I had the opportunity (work-transfer) in the past in Si Valley,- I never regretted staying here....

The conclusion me and my fiance had when we decided to stay here in the PH was that we didn't need that much money to be happy, and we can have fairly comfortable lives here.

But the opportunity cost is really greater for the kids. Imagine how many more doors are open to them just by having a first-world passport and education. If possible, I'd really like my kids to have foreign passports even if I stay here.

I also had the whole "nation-building" phase back when I was younger, but when I saw how deeply rooted the broken and corrupt practices are in this country, the pragmatist in me finds it as a lost cause and it's really just every man for himself.

I do my best to be a good citizen. I follow the laws, I pay my taxes, I do my job with honesty and integrity. Yet I've seen so many people who thrive on corruption, padrino system, and a general disregard for rules. Our culture of impunity feels so unfair.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

**CVT** · October 30th, 2018 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by jut703

The conclusion me and my fiance had when we decided to stay here in the PH was that we didn't need that much money to be happy, and we can have fairly comfortable lives here.

But the opportunity cost is really greater for the kids. Imagine how many more doors are open to them just by having a first-world passport and education. If possible, I'd really like my kids to have foreign passports even if I stay here.

I also had the whole "nation-building" phase back when I was younger, but when I saw how deeply rooted the broken and corrupt practices are in this country, the pragmatist in me finds it as a lost cause and it's really just every man for himself.

I do my best to be a good citizen. I follow the laws, I pay my taxes, I do my job with honesty and integrity. Yet I've seen so many people who thrive on corruption, padrino system, and a general disregard for rules. Our culture of impunity feels so unfair.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Correct bro.

And so we have to be the proverbial beacons of light in this remote outpost.

Else, all hope is lost....

**CVT** · October 30th, 2018 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by dreamur

I will take a local (CEO) role vs a middle manager function in SV bro. Hehe...you live like a king here.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

Save for the house helps bro, we are all kings with new clothes.....

**remzam** · October 30th, 2018 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by jut703

The conclusion me and my fiance had when we decided to stay here in the PH was that we didn't need that much money to be happy, and we can have fairly comfortable lives here.

But the opportunity cost is really greater for the kids. Imagine how many more doors are open to them just by having a first-world passport and education. If possible, I'd really like my kids to have foreign passports even if I stay here.

I also had the whole "nation-building" phase back when I was younger, but when I saw how deeply rooted the broken and corrupt practices are in this country, the pragmatist in me finds it as a lost cause and it's really just every man for himself.

I do my best to be a good citizen. I follow the laws, I pay my taxes, I do my job with honesty and integrity. Yet I've seen so many people who thrive on corruption, padrino system, and a general disregard for rules. Our culture of impunity feels so unfair.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

I feel the same Bro Jut.

A few years back, galit ako sa mga Pinoy na nangingibang bansa. Naisip ko nun, kinakalimutan nila ang Pilipinas. Dapat nandito sila at tumutulong sa pagpapaunlad ng bansa.

Now, I entertain the thought of living outside PH. For the quest of quality of life.

Years ago I met a German living his life travelling for 6 months in South East Asia. He was doing it with his whole family. When I asked him what he does to be able to do that, he said he was a truck driver in Germany. He travels during the winter because he said living in his country is costlier than staying in SEA and spending his money here. Then he comes back home to work again. Dito average Joes, kahit magtrabaho ng maayos at matino, napakabagal ng pag ginhawa ng buhay.

Tayo paglabas ng bansa, lugi na tayo sa exchange rate. Sila buhay hari dito using the value of their money. Exchange rate pa lang yan, wala pa sa usapan ang quality of life and government services like free healthcare , education, atbp. Some countries can afford to have a whole year or two na maternity leave. Because priority nila ang family life. Goodluck dito sa atin.

Sinabi ko na sa sarili ko, tinanggap ko na, I will never see the Philippines that I want to be in my lifetime.

Parati bumabalik sa akin yung sinambit ni President Manuel Quezon, "I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a government run like heaven by the Americans." - - I guess we are in hell now. And Dan Brown is also correct in depicting Manila as the gates of hell.

But, we still do what we can and what we should as a good citizen of this country.

Pero sabi nga, "Malayong lupain, amin mang marating... Di rin magbabago ang damdamin..."

We can still be good Filipinos even in a foreign country.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

**_Cathy_** · October 30th, 2018 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by EQAddict

I cant speak for others...but for myself:

might as well work in the #1 economy in the world.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk Pro

This I what I like about the US

Originally Posted by ray_noel

add the bonus of having a 1st world passport... hehe... goodluck!

Sent from my iPhone XS Max using Tapatalk

This is the ONLY pro I see in moving to the US but it will take me 60 months to get my citizenship

BTT: I am so HAPPY! My VP in HQ told me he made a business case for my promotion. I hope there won't be an issue because my last promotion was also through HQ endorsement (which is not normal) The head here in Manila said this won't work anymore for an AVP post (kontrabida talaga Manila

) But anyway, I am just glad that my HQ supports me all the way, that is why my loyalty is with them

**jut703** · October 30th, 2018 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by CVT

Correct bro.

And so we have to be the proverbial beacons of light in this remote outpost.

Else, all hope is lost....

To what end bro?

Yes, ideally if we have enough upstanding citizens here then the whole country will progress. But realistically, that's not gonna happen in our lifetime, probably not even our children's.

I've seen firsthand how deep-seated the personal interests of those in political power are. I've also seen firsthand how strongly the current tycoons cling to their position of power and influence.

I feel sad with this realization, but the inequality in the Philippines will remain, and even the certainty of economic and social progress seems bleak.

Originally Posted by remzam

I feel the same Bro Jut.

A few years back, galit ako sa mga Pinoy na nangingibang bansa. Naisip ko nun, kinakalimutan nila ang Pilipinas. Dapat nandito sila at tumutulong sa pagpapaunlad ng bansa.

Now, I entertain the thought of living outside PH. For the quest of quality of life.

Years ago I met a German living his life travelling for 6 months in South East Asia. He was doing it with his whole family. When I asked him what he does to be able to do that, he said he was a truck driver in Germany. He travels during the winter because he said living in his country is costlier than staying in SEA and spending his money here. Then he comes back home to work again. Dito average Joes, kahit magtrabaho ng maayos at matino, napakabagal ng pag ginhawa ng buhay.

Tayo paglabas ng bansa, lugi na tayo sa exchange rate. Sila buhay hari dito using the value of their money. Exchange rate pa lang yan, wala pa sa usapan ang quality of life and government services like free healthcare , education, atbp. Some countries can afford to have a whole year or two na maternity leave. Because priority nila ang family life. Goodluck dito sa atin.

Sinabi ko na sa sarili ko, tinanggap ko na, I will never see the Philippines that I want to be in my lifetime.

Parati bumabalik sa akin yung sinambit ni President Manuel Quezon, "I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a government run like heaven by the Americans." - - I guess we are in hell now. And Dan Brown is also correct in depicting Manila as the gates of hell.

But, we still do what we can and what we should as a good citizen of this country.

Pero sabi nga, "Malayong lupain, amin mang marating... Di rin magbabago ang damdamin..."

We can still be good Filipinos even in a foreign country.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

To be fair, if you're upper middle class here (i.e. SEC AB), you can have a fairly comfortable life similar to an ordinary citizen in a first world country thanks to our very low cost of living.

But you're correct in saying that they have better welfare, social security, healthcare, culture, etc. However, for outsiders like us to have access to those benefits, it would also take time and a lot of toiling.

If you've got a fairly decent life here, becoming a first-gen immigrant elsewhere might not be much of an upgrade. But for the next generation, malayo. [emoji17]

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

**chronicle** · October 30th, 2018 09:42 PM

Si Rizal din naman, nangibang bansa din.

Sometimes, you need to go out to find out what's your real desire.

Sent from my BLL-L22 using Tapatalk

**remzam** · October 30th, 2018 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by jut703

To what end bro?

Yes, ideally if we have enough upstanding citizens here then the whole country will progress. But realistically, that's not gonna happen in our lifetime, probably not even our children's.

I've seen firsthand how deep-seated the personal interests of those in political power are. I've also seen firsthand how strongly the current tycoons cling to their position of power and influence.

I feel sad with this realization, but the inequality in the Philippines will remain, and even the certainty of economic and social progress seems bleak.
To be fair, if you're upper middle class here (i.e. SEC AB), you can have a fairly comfortable life similar to an ordinary citizen in a first world country thanks to our very low cost of living.

But you're correct in saying that they have better welfare, social security, healthcare, culture, etc. However, for outsiders like us to have access to those benefits, it would also take time and a lot of toiling.

If you've got a fairly decent life here, becoming a first-gen immigrant elsewhere might not be much of an upgrade. But for the next generation, malayo. [emoji17]

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Minsan hindi lang yung welfare ang maganda sa kanila.

Ugali sa kalsada, access sa mas malinis na hangin, quality of life in general. Kasi first world. Hanga ako sa working class natin na sumusuong araw araw sa trapik ng EDSA. Nag uubos ng oras para lang may mapakain sa pamilya nila. Pero sad, kasi primary goal nila may mailagay na pagkain sa hapag. Bihira ang beyond that sa class C and D.

Yung urbanidad wala sa karamihang Pilipino. Kanina lang I was driving, traffic. May MC RIDER singit sa kanan, nasanggi yung gilid ko. Wala namang damage. Pero when I called his attention, aba harurot ang rider. Niha niho. Bastos.

My barometer sa isang society na maunlad o first world, if there are a lot of museums and parks that thrive. Meaning malapit na sila sa dulo ng Maslow's pyramid. All the basic needs are taken cared of. They have time to walk in the park, enjoy and appreciate art. That's a mature society. Sa atin, upper echelons lang may kaya nun. Kapag yung masa sa Pilipinas appreciate those things, happy na akong Pilipino.

Was talking to a close friend before. Sabi nya isa lang ang meron sa mayaman na wala sa mahihirap. Pilipino man yan o ibang lahi. That is time. Rich people, whether financially rich or socially or culturally rich, have time. To appreciate things, to live life. Poor people spend most of their time working. To live.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

**Trippin** · October 30th, 2018 10:26 PM

That is why I'm still in the opinion that hardly anything good is going for in PH, particularly to those among the poor and the lower middle class. The only consolations one has are staying near with family (which to some is not even an upside), an easy access to help (if one can afford it), and being a first class citizen (still second only to whites). I'll trade those pros myself to a more secure environment, tolerable traffic, reliable safety nets, parks and museums (instead of malls), a working government, just to name some. It is easier to realize once you start to have kids.

I don't believe that there'll be a 'brain drain' in PH even if the more educated Pinoys move abroad for greener pastures. We are mostly hardworking and talented, that's why our labor is so in demand elsewhere. There'll be enough to remain who can manage what's in PH.

BTT: Happy that the typhoon didn't cause floods in our area (east side).