Filipino Culture

One of our correspondents recently came across a post on a Filipino forum.  The thread starter asked:  “Uunlad ka pa ba Sa Pilipinas?”  (Is there hope for you to move up in the Philippines)

Here is one of our contributors’  answer:

Personal progress requires the right attitude

Keep in mind that many “rich” people came to the Philippines penniless when they started. What is the difference between them and others? They had HOPE for the future, a clear plan to move up, they were willing to WORK to move up, and they never gave up.

As we speak there are many people becoming wealthy off BPO and KPO. You don’t even need to start with a lot of capital. You just need hope, a clear plan, the ability to learn from your mistakes, the ability to keep going despite setbacks and passion.

Most people have the internal ingredients for success–not all manage to mix these ingredients to produce results

The traits of hope, future planning, passion, determination, and willingness to experiment/learn from mistakes only surfaces within Pinoy hearts when they decide to migrate out of the Philippines. That is proof positive that we have the raw ingredients in our own hearts to move up. Unfortunately, we don’t always take the steps and effort needed to mix these ingredients to produce results. Oftentimes, we wait for external factors to push us.

Success is happening here in the Philippines. Now.

While it may be easier to make it in other countries due to their better legal and economic infrastructure (thereby resulting in even playing fields and easier economic uplift), the experience of past entrepreneurs and the current wave of BPO entrepreneurs that people can still make it here in the Philippines. At a meeting I attended last year, I met several entrepreneurs that moved to the Philippines within the past few years who’ve established sizable BPO operations. One balikbayan started with less than $1000 in capital. He grew a 1 workstation data entry business in a rented condo room in Ortigas to a 50+ workstation business and it is still growing.
While there’s many challenges, there are also many rewards.

Success isn’t restricted to entrepreneurs

You don’t necessarily have to be an entrepreneur para umunlad. You can be an employee and do well. The key is to become indispensable. Throw out the “pwede na” attitude that brings mediocrity. Stand out from the crowd. Even if you don’t get paid what you deserve–create a record of excellence and take on more responsibilities and increase your skill set. Then move to a place that will pay your worth and take on new skill sets. That’s why certain BPO workers keep moving up in pay and benefits with each move. You don’t need a degree from a TOP 3 school–one person I met in the seminar I mentioned above went to AMA and in the span of 6 years became a vice-president for a VPA company. His is just one story of many.

You are the only person that can bring success to your life

Regardless of whether you seek your fortune in this country or outside, if you have HOPE, a solid PLAN, a method, and passion, uunlad ka pa. Don’t let anyone’s negativity, crab mentality, or personal issues drag you down (misery loves company). Ultimately, YOU are responsible for your own economic progress in life. Not your parents, not the government, not your friends… but YOU.

Believe it, act on it, Believe in God, and God Speed to you and yours!