I am told that Toronto is experiencing winter that is quite bitter with heavy snow and biting cold winds. Climate change, sabi nila. But talo pa rin ang Toronto sa Pinas. Abusive talaga ang climate change phenomenon dito.
Latest news reports say that rains and flooding continue to pour and cover most of Mindanao.These have brought an increase in casualties and victims in the area. Many Filipinos are now so stressed due to experiencing a number of natural calamities that chose our country as their victim- the earthquake in Bohol, the rains and storm surges that left Tacloban City almost levelled to the ground and now, the onslaught of nonstop rains in Mindanao.
Buti na lang malakas ang loob ng Pinoy- and observers, foreign as well as our own kababayans happily take note of this trait, confidently saying that once again, the country will rise to rebuild. ‘Tabang, Leyte!’ t-shirts are worn by so many in the metro that one could not help but be infected with hope for one’s future, flood victim or not.
I am, though living far from Tacloban City or Mindanao (I reside in MetroManila) also quite hopeful on this aspect. In fact, I get giddy with excitement thinking of a new business venture- laying down plans, researching, contacting resource persons to help me start up. It’s a home business that I am starting, don’t laugh now, I shall be cooking and bottling bagoong alamang and burong vegetables(bawang, mustasa, ampalaya, etc) that can be used as appetizers and sawsawan for boiled, broiled and fried dishes and can also serve as cooking condiment for some native dishes that we all love. I have earlier met with a number of vegetable stall owners in Farmers’ Market who think my idea is sound and they have declared that my products will be part of their merchandise once I deliver.
If I, a senior citizen, retired from service, and suffering from bouts of asthma can feel much excitement in embarking on a small business activity at this point in time when the country suffers from chaotic situations natural or man- made man, then, I feel that many of our countrymen will look at this year very hopefully and work to achieve some remaining ambitions they wish to reach.
On the macro level, this what I think, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Chief Amando Tetangco wished to impart as he answered in detail some media queries on the money- situation of this country including the recent joint announcement by Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal that included the Philippines’ improved ranking in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom. These 2 prestigious American institutions monitor 186 nations’ economies based on the terms of economic freedom. The Philippines is now number 97 from its previous ranking of 89.
Gov. Tetangco credits the country’s increase of confidence in its capability to nurse and keep the economy healthy to when it was bestowed its first investment grade credit rating from Fitch Rating in March last year. Standard and Poor’s came in May also of last year. Finally, Moody’s raised the thumb up sign for the country in October.
But the euphoria of having this new status burst a number of times due to major political concerns and the onslaught of natural disasters. Economic growth almost ceased. It became a wonder to many then how well the economy fared because of good management and not to forget, of the people’s now much vaunted ‘resiliency.’
Tetangco states that he and the rest of the Chief Executive’s economic management team remain on the alert to monitor economic- related situations and activities to insure that economy is on track.
Barring the entry of situations not controlled by the BSP, the country will be in a state of hope and excitement in its economic activities for this year 2014.
That is why this senior citizen thinks that the time is right to join the bandwagon going that way.
It’s not only ‘Tabang, Leyte and Mindanao,’ It’s now,’Tabang Pilipinas!’
THANK YOU TORONTO!
•
