Poor people can’t just do it and here’s why. According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in the first half of 2014, the Poverty Incidence among “Filipino individuals” was 25.8% while the Poverty Incidence among “Filipino families” was 19.9%. It means that one of four Filipinos experienced poverty during that period. What does it mean by being poor? According to the Office of the President website, “To be poor means earning less than P16,841 a year”. On the Photo: Filipino "Karinderya" Foods Are you poor? May God bless you if you are. You need blessings from above. I shared the above statistics for one simple reason – there are poor people who can’t eat three (3) times a day. They skip their meals. Well, compared to other third-world countries, it’s even worst. In the African region, people die because of starvation. To that extent, Filipinos are still lucky. But to the extent of being a citizen of a country having P2.6 trillion budget in a year, ...

Ask the true "probinsyano" (local term for people living in the provinces) about Manila and you’ll be surprised of what they would tell you: “Gustong-gusto ko talagang makarating diyan kaso wala akong pamasahe” (I really want to go there but I have no money for the transportation.) “Nakikita ko sa TV, madaming pasyalan at lugar na pwedeng mapaglibangan diyan. Sana makarating ako diyan” (I can see on TV and there are lots of parks and places to relax and enjoy there. I want to reach that place.) “Gustong-gusto kong marating at makapag-trabaho sa Maynila” (I really want to go and work at Manila.) These words are just some of the very common answers that will come out from their mouth. Many want to go to Manila despite of the uncertain fate waiting for them there. The sad truth is that it is still going to be a very sacrificial and long time endeavor once that they step on this capital city of the Philippines. Majority of the people going to Manila are not...

There is something wrong with our country. I know you wanted to change it long before you were not yet the president of this country. I know the difficulties in providing permanent solutions to the cancer of this society. The thinking of the people is so much polluted and it is literally reflecting on the environment where we live. Our government, the organization where you are the leader, has tried many times and still keep on trying to lift up the dignity of this nation. But I know it’s really hard. Not all are listening while others are paying and convincing others not to listen at all. And obvious does not call for proof. On the Photo: The Way of Life on a City Street in Manila Philippines   On the Photo: The Street that Became the Venue for Street Stores in a Place in Manila Mr. President, look on our streets and the reality is there. Visitors, tourists, foreign nationals, ambassadors, emissaries, whatever we call them; they are seeing these facts with the...