Investing in the future of the country

As expected, and predicted by many, the election race is heating up. From a relatively quiet start, the machinery is in full force and many Filipinos have jumped on the bandwagon sharing their own opinions and passionate stands via their personal soapboxes (better known as Facebook). Personally, I am reaching the end of my rope when it comes to election melodrama. Not only is it exhausting, but the mudslinging is also really starting to get out of hand. Regardless of who is doing the throwing.

What I actually do like to do during the election season is watching the debates that have been airing over the past two months. More than listening to public opinion and watching random cut-up and edited videos on social media, these debates give me a better insight into what candidates actually think and feel about several national concerns. I’m grateful that we have these mediums to be able to get the news straight from the horse’s mouth, as they say.

The other day, I watched, with keen interest, the vice presidential debate on television and, once again, it was really quite informative. It’s interesting to note what each candidate has planned if he or she were to win on May 9. There were several platforms that I found interesting and several projects and programs I think could truly benefit the country. However, despite having many very capable vice presidential candidates, one can’t deny that their efficacy while in office will also still have a lot to do with whoever ends up winning the presidential race. It’s just the truth.

Unlike in the United States, here in the Philippines, we are given the choice to vote for a president and vice president who are not on the same team. There are pros and cons to this type of system of course. The pro, of course, is being able to select the candidates you really believe in as opposed to having to be stuck with either a presidential or vice presidential candidate you don’t like simply because you like their running mate. However, the downside is that – in several instances, a president and vice president may be elected into office who don’t see eye to eye (take our current President and Vice President for example).

When this happens they can easily torpedo each other and that would make all the reasons we voted them into office moot. After all, what real progress can we expect to happen in the country when those in the top positions of power don’t want to work together? I personally see the effectiveness of voting president and VP together, but I suppose we have to make the most of the system that we have.

A lot of the things discussed at the latest VP debate were issues about the current programs and policies in place, like the K to 12 educational system plan. Personally I still feel quite strongly about that. I think that the change will be difficult at first but will be worth it in the long run. After all, it will give our students a more competitive edge when looking for employment abroad and will also give underprivileged students a chance to get a job without having to complete an additional four years of college. And of course, I understand that there will be several teachers who might be displaced if this system is fully implemented, but that is a short-term disadvantage that will create a better system for everyone in the end.

Additionally I also see the benefit of moving the school year from June to September. The world is becoming much smaller and we are part of a global community. We may as well adapt accordingly and match our school year with several of our counterparts both in Asia and in the United States. Some schools have already implemented the change so I think it’s only natural that the rest follow suit. It will be much more strange to have some schools on one calendar year and others on another.

What I think is really most important in terms of changes that need to be made in the Philippines is a boost to the healthcare sector. There is a very poignant lack of healthcare in the Philippines – especially for senior citizens. While there is a little assistance from PhilHealth and other agencies like Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to help defray the cost of hospital bills, it is not nearly enough to help sustain Filipinos as they grow older and face a host of new health issues. And even those who aren’t seniors will get very little in terms of help. Healthcare spend in the country is mostly out of pocket and it’s not uncommon for Filipinos with major diseases to find themselves in financial ruin just to be able to pay their medical bills.

I think that this is something that is going to have to really change in the coming years if we truly want to take care of our citizens. After all, diseases are running rampant now and with mandatory retirement a popular trend in the country, we’ll soon find ourselves with an aging group of senior citizens facing health concerns and not being able to afford proper healthcare. All the infrastructure and education in the world won’t help an unhealthy and dying population.

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What an incredible Saturday my granddaughter had last weekend at the Century City Mall’s Super Dudes show and workshop. My daughter, Michelle, brought her there along with two of her little friends to enjoy the show and join the workshop. My granddaughter is such a big fan so this was a wonderful treat for her. Century City Mall did a great job in putting the event together and I look forward to similar types of events in the future. Tickets not only entitled an adult and a child to enjoy the show, but gift certificates were also given that could be used anywhere in the mall. So after the show they enjoyed some of the delicious restaurants. All in all, a splendid day indeed. Good job, Century City Mall and of course, the Super Dudes.