It's More PUN in the Philippines

Philippines, the Pearl of the Orient Seas, a paradise composed of beautiful 7,107 islands which are all endowed with rich natural resources that other countries are envied of. A country consistently in the top 10 happy countries in Happy Planet Index and top 10 gender balanced countries. 

Philippines, a country ranked 117^th in Human Development Index, 122^nd in Press Freedom, 138^th in Cost of Doing Business, among the top 10 most corrupt countries and poor healthcare.

Above statements characterized the two sides of our country. Why does a tropical country like the Philippines, endowed with all resources a certain country can ever dream of do not perform well in international arena? Anyare? (What have gone wrong?)

Economist have tried so hard for centuries to explain relationships between a country’s geographical, climatic and ecological condition with its economic status. This give rise to the emergence of economic geography, which is the study of distribution, location and spatial organization of economic activities around the world.

One of the most famous, and highly criticized, theory under this new field of study is the concept of “climatic determinism” or sometimes called the “equatorial paradox”. Under this concept, about 70% of the economic development of a country can be predicted from the distance between that country and the equator. In other words, the further from the equator the more developed a country tends to be. Example of most developed countries under this theory are the European countries, the United States, Japan and Australia. While Indonesia, Central Africa, Central America, and Philippines, which is only 13^o 00’ North of the equator are among those poor or developing countries under this concept.

The foregoing elucidation may be lame, but this somehow provide solace to those who have done nothing to this country other than exploitations and scandals. In the words of George Foreman, a country’s greatest asset is the integrity of its people. We may all have the resources in the world but without good and upright people who will utilize these resources in its full capacity, this rich resources will be put to waste. A country without dignified and trusted people then is doomed to fail.

Our ever-dearest Philippines, so beautiful yet so naïve, has frequently been the laughing stock of other countries. The pork-barrel fund, South China Sea conflict, Former President Estrada’s punch lines, Former President Arroyo and Noynoy Aquino’s internet memes, corruption and unconventional behavior of public officials - these are all clear testaments of these puns and bullying.

In terms of international popularity, Philippine corruption competes with the Philippine beaches, crocodiles and pigs in Philippine Congress contend with Lolong’s relatives and Philippine wild pigs, and the Philippines scenic landscapes are overshadowed with the dark ether of evil politicians.

With the above ugly truth, I cannot proudly say that it is more fun in the Philippines, more pun may be.