A blog worth reading.
I joined Entrecard today and while bloghopping through the viewers of my blog, I came across Everything, Everywhere Travel. What intrigued me about this blog was the fact that the writer’s blog description said, “My name is Gary. In March 2007, I sold my house, put my stuff in storage and hit the road. As of December 2007, I’ve been to 26 countries and territories. This is the journal of my travel and adventures.”
Coincidentally, he was in Asia Pacific and there were a couple of posts about the Philippines. I must admit that Gary does not post, just to post an entry. He puts a lot of effort on research and reviewing the background before he types it down. His assessment of the Philippines was right on the money. The college-educated looking for work elsewhere, the poverty, the corruption, the massive brain drain and every known fact about the Philippines. The photos are so real and beautiful as well so I dug in further.
In one post, he talked about seeing an ad on television for Domestic Help in Hong Kong that required a college degree. And I quote, “When I was in the Philippines I was watching a TV show when some ads for foreign work opportunities flashed across the screen. I was taken aback at one which was for Hong Kong domestic help, and the position required a college degree. Kind of reflects poorly on job opportunities in the Philippines when they can demand a college degree to get a job as a maid.”
He has excellent points and I am really impressed with his writing style where using only a few words, he can tell the state of one nation and his opinions validate mine.
“The Philippines has been slower than most of SE Asia in developing, but I think it probably holds more potential then other countries in the region, in the long run. People however, have been saying that since Marcos fell. If they can overcome their political problems and corruption, I think they might be the next Asian tiger.“, he writes. I cannot agree with him more and I am troubled why WE as Filipinos cannot see this writing on the wall! From your mouth to God’s ears Gary!!!
His final words about the Philippines were just as impressive for he observed. His writing gives me goosebumps because they reflect what we all know and feel but no one seems to be doing anything about it. His words when he said, “Filipinos have become the modern day versions of Jews and Chinese. In every European and Middle Eastern country you used find a population of Jews who filled an economic niche. Likewise, Chinese and Chinatowns can be found all over Asia which they often owned many businesses and were brought in originally as laborers. The same was also true of Indians during the British Empire who went to work in Guyana, Fiji, or Africa. Filipinos are filling that role today. Not only can you find Filipinos in Hong Kong, but also in Saudi Arabia, and throughout Asia. If I were a betting man, based on what I saw in the Philippines, I would bet that you see Filipinos follow the same course in these countries over the next several decades. They come in as laborers and end up owning businesses and having a higher standard of living than the local population. And, like the Jews and Chinese before them, they will probably end up getting the short end of the stick by locals if they become too successful.” , rang so true that I almost fell apart when it home.
Gary, I thank you and I am glad I ran into your blog. More power and I am jealous of you as you travel the world. Please continue to write as I’m sure I will be back for some good reading!!
I am encouraging my readers to visit your blog. It’s very well-written and neatly organized. If you love travel and you want to learn about the countries Gary has visited – - please, visit his blog today.
To visit Gary’s blog, visit his site by clicking the hyperlink below:
