Talent pool

As Filipinos, we are often embarrassed by the unpleasant findings made by international agencies on our level of corruption, by the tag given to us as the "kidnapping" or "money-laundering" center of Asia, by the perception that everything is going wrong in our country. In fact, some Filipinos living or working abroad sometimes deny that they are Pinoys, thinking that to be a Pinoy is one big shame.

* * *

There is some reason for Pinoys to be ashamed of the land of their birth. For instance, there is nothing to gloat about over the finding by Transparency International that the Philippines, out of 95 countries, merely has 2.9 points in the "corruption perception", occupying the 65th slot together with Guatemala, Senegal and Zimbabwe. And to think that just four decades ago, when our country’s leader was President Diosdado Macapagal, the Philippines was among the most highly regarded countries in the entire Asian region.

* * *

Is everything lost in our effort to regain international prestige? Is there no longer anything that we Filipinos can be proud of? Pessimists may answer these questions with a big YES, but they are wrong, terribly wrong. For the reality is that there is something we can be truly proud of our people, or at least the great majority of the Filipino people.

* * *

Last Thursday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo honored the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in solemn and emotional rituals at Heroes Hall in Malacañang. There may have only been ten outstanding students there, who had been chosen in formal screening procedures by the award organizers, but there are tens of thousands more of young Filipino students, unsung in formal rites but equally or perhaps even more outstanding, who will someday, in their own appointed time, contribute their lofty share in the task of nation-building.

* * *

I mention this to underscore that the Philippines, while lagging far behind in certain areas of human endeavor, has probably one of the biggest pools of talents insofar as mental calisthenics and IQ are concerned. In Information Technology, for instance, Filipino youngsters are not far behind their counterparts in advanced countries of the world. Given the needed backing and support by their patrons and by the government, these young IT Pinoy specialists can be the anchor to propel our country forward.

* * *

Felicito "Tong" Payumo, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, should be congratulated for taking the initiative in the training and development of young IT specialists. Tong has pushed through an IT program for the best IT talents at the SBMA – an investment that, in the long run, is going to pay big dividends to our country.

* * *

Payumo’s and the SBMA’s program involves a tie-up with Oracle, the world’s second largest software company, next only to Microsoft, in the training of young and talented IT specialists at SBMA. For the past months now, several lucky SBMA employees, adept at IT, have been undergoing intensive training by Oracle. After these youngsters are through with their training, expect them to be invaluable human resources in our country’s forward leap to progress.

* * *

If similar training programs, especially in IT, can be developed and initiated by other agencies, both public and private, just imagine the huge pool of Pinoy talent that will be available and ready in pushing our country forward. The investment training may look big, but the nation’s dividends, in the end, can be multiplied a hundredfold.

* * *

During the book-launching of Senator Jovito R. Salonga at Valle Verde Country Club, among the VIPs present were outgoing Marikina Mayor Bayani Fernando and the incoming mayor, Marides Fernando, BF’s better-half. The Fernandos’ presence in the ceremonies was not surprising. BF’s father, the late Marikina Mayor Gil Fernando, was the campaign manager of Jovy Salonga when the latter first sought a congressional seat in Rizal. Jovy won by a large margin in his initial political battle.

* * *

Yesterday, Mayor BF’s wife, Marides, was formally installed as the next mayor of Marikina in meaningful and memorable rites at the Marikina City Hall Quadrangle. Marides’ assumption into office is the best assurance that the creative and output-oriented projects of her predecessor, Mayor BF, are going to be continued. Not because BF will always be there to guide Marides in governing Marikina, but because Marides, in her own right, has the talent, creativity, and political will to make good and beautiful things continue in the city of Marikina.

* * *

Since this is a Sunday, and many readers expect my usual citation of inspiring text messages sent to me by strangers and friends like Elmer Yanga, Noli Agcaoili, Belen Pacheco, Bong Cruz, Rico Laurinaria, Atty. AGA, Lily de la Peña, etc., let me give space to the following inspiration messages:

When you’re down to nothing,
God is up to something.
Faith sees the invisible,
Believes the incredible,
And receives the impossible.
Keep the faith . . . Gud a.m.!

* * *

Morning is God’s way of saying "One More Time!"
Afternoon, He proves "You Can Do It!"
Evening, He reassures, "There’s Still Tomorrow!"
Enjoy your day with the Lord!

* * *

Thru prayers, God hears more than u say,
He answers more than u ask,
He gives more than u desire.
All He needs is ur time.
God bless u!

* * *

The best things in lyf
R not material things . . .
They are songs 2 sing,
dreams 2 pursue,
joys 2 ensure,
love 2 share,
And people hu really care.

* * *

U will find as u look back upon ur life
dat d moments when u have really lived
r d moments when u have done things
In d spirit of love.

* * *

Good thngs u’ve done will never b lost,
ur kind act takes root
& evry bit of luv u sow
will come right back 2 you.

* * *

When life seems tough, go on . . .
When things go wrong, move on . . .
Bear in mind dat God gives u strength
To persevere, not to surrender.

* * *

Pray 2 start ur day
& u will find peace
amidst it all!

* * *

My e-mail addresses: <[email protected]> and <[email protected]>