WE ARE NOT 3rd WORLD!

Once again I am astounded and dumbfounded. There is an open letter going viral written by a retired Filipino executive. The gist of his letter - appealing to CNN to be more positive in reporting the aftermath of Haiyan, and be more understanding of our country's situation, the Philippines being 3rd world.

Bottom line of his message is that CNN should look at the current situation from our vantage point. That we are severely constrained by our limited infrastructure and resources. He did mention that admittedly, there are lapses in government efficiency but that these should be given the benefit of the doubt. He frowned upon the comparison with Japan after it was hit by a massive quake. They are 1st world, we are 3rd, and there is a wide gap between.

He means well. He is sincerely concerned. And he is definitely affected by what is happening. 

With all due respect, I beg to disagree with his thesis. The idea or notion that the world is divided into 3 categories is an anomaly. Perhaps in the pre-internet and globalization era Yes! But nowadays, I ask this question, what is it that these 1st world countries have that we don't? 

Maybe before we don't have immediate access to ground breaking technology, or were left too far behind in life changing trends. 

I remember back in the early 80s when my father was in the Middle East as an OFW. Our communication with him was confined to snail mail and pre-taped voice recording using those C46 cassette tapes with sides A & B made by Denon or TDK. It was delayed gratification. But nowadays you can Skype, Face Time or send instant SMS or MMS to your relative even if he or she is in Timbuktu while you are in Tuguegarao.

Back then we were so delayed by months when it comes to lifestyle and fashion trends. We easily get excited by a Ralph Lauren shirt sent by an uncle in America who bought it in an outlet store for a discount because it was excess inventory and which design was released one year before. But now? Even the likes of Brad Pitt buy furnitures designed by our very own Kenneth Cobonpue. Nowadays you don't need to go to Paris to buy LV, there is a shop in Greenbelt. You can even buy Victoria Secret online and have it delivered to your home after only a week or so.

Before, you only get to read the results of the NBA games or other big sporting events like boxing in newspapers a day or two after the event proper. Those very few lucky ones who live near Clark or Subic or have connections with US military personnel were able to watch or listen live broadcasts. But now? who doesn't have cable? Even in Tacloban they get to see Manny Pacquiao or Kobe Bryant in live broadcast, and on HD at that. Before, we wait for re-runs of American comedy shows, concerts, game or action series. Now? one click in Youtube and you can watch Sweden Got Talent. 

I think the point is clear. It's a small world after all, and access to technology and trends is easy. The social and cultural divide among nations, whether 1st or 3rd, is diminished and extinguished.

Perhaps you may argue about economics, industries or resources. Or even military might and education. Maybe.

But think about it. In the 50s or 60s, the Philippines was considered to be 2nd to Japan in terms of economic superiority. We were way ahead of China. We are one of the few ASIAN countries that can converse in English, spoken and written. Malaysians, Thais and Indonesians were flocking to our schools to learn. The Thais, who are now the number one exporter of rice in the entire world, got their education at UP Los Banos. 

As far as these are concerned, they are controllable factors. The open letter discussed at length why Tacloban is having difficulty, it being one of the poorest cities in one of the poorest regions in the country. But it was not because of lack of resources or capability. 

In hindsight, Tacloban is now the model of what we could have been against what we are now. Why did Tacloban, or Leyte or Samar for that matter, languish and remained under developed? Let me stress - UNDER developed!

Certainly it is poor and backward, not for lack of resources but perhaps because of effort, governance and leadership. And it is the same with other parts of the country, including Manila as well. 

You will agree with me when I say that we could have had modern roads, airports, ship ports, trains, subways, rail networks, military equipment, weather warning systems, etc. IF WE WANT TO. 

You say we don't have the money? Tell that to Janet Napoles. Tell that to Tanda, Sexy and Pogi. Tell that to Kim Henares, Ruffy Biazon and to Butch Abad. Tell that to Congress. Then tell it to the Marines!

No disrespect intended, but the executive who wrote that open letter to CNN is like many of us who have come to accept the fate of our nation as God-given and intended. That we are an archipelago so naturally, obstacles abound. That we should not find too much fault in our government for it is hampered and limited.

He implied that it's unfair to compare us to Japan. Maybe to be fair, let's break down the comparison. Technology? Resources? Land mass? Infrastructure? Again, what do they have that we don't?

Breaking down further, let's try Attitude? Culture? Way of thinking? Standards? Aaahhh now this is something else...

So you see Sir, we are not 3rd world in terms of resources and capability. We have what they have, we can do what they do. We have what it takes. We have access to everything. I believe CNN did us a favor by unmasking our inadequacy. I do agree that it's not the entire fault of our government.

The problem, and the difference, is not with CNN or Japan or the world Sir.

It is us. It is who we are now, not who we want to be. It is in us and whom we chose to lead us. It is our accepting attitude. It's our "bahala na" culture. 

It's actually my fault. And your fault Sir. It's our fault that we continue to languish as 3rd world, when this is already passé. 

Let's face it. We have the money, the machinery and the means to be an elite nation. What we don't have is the maturity to change, and the mindset to aim high.

We should be 1st world. We can actually do it. We have it within ourselves. 

It's not a matter of chance. It's a matter of choice.