Grand Canyon photos

atr's received 2 free round trip tickets to Las Vegas for a week stay at his sister. They took us for a day trip to Grand Canyon, AZ. Here's some photos. I prefer to take pictures so I don't have to stand and pose with my back facing the Canyon, standing at the ledge or a railing.

Baby Shower for my favorite daughter...

Sent out invitations today for those that live in the tri-state area. The rest can wait until a week before the Baby Shower date.
What else do I have to prepare? Give away gifts for guest? Games?
Gosh, the baby I last give a baby shower is now 15 years old.

45 days to Register Property in Manila...

According to this World Bank study. Cost over 7% of property market value and almost 15% of capital gains tax, just to register a property. Who can afford time and pesos to register a property? Not the poor and the middle class. Upper middle class, those who can afford and those who must register, bribe and corrupt the person involve in registering property to facilitate transactions.

Registering Property in Philippines
STANDARDIZED PROPERTY
Property value: 3,477,427
City: Manila
Registration Requirements:
1. Prepare deed of sale and ratification by Notary Public
Time: 1 day. Cost: 3% of property value.
Comment: Seller obtains a certified true copy of latest tax declaration from Assessor’s Office (Manila).
2. Obtain a certified true copy of latest tax declaration from Assessor’s Office, (Manila).
Time: 1 day. Cost: PHP 10 (per copy)
Comment: Seller files Documentary Stamp Tax return and Capital Gains Tax return with Authorized Agent Bank in Revenue District (Manila).
Done within 5 days after close of the month when taxable document was signed or within 30 days after sale, whichever is earlier.
Taxes are paid at authorized bank to account of BIR.
Capital Gains Tax is 6% of capital gains based on selling price, fair market value or zonal value, whichever is higher.
Documentary Stamp Tax is 1.5% based on selling price or fair market value, whichever is higher.
Documentation shall include:
Original copy and photocopy of notarized Deed of Sale of Building (obtained in 1)
Certified true copy of Transfer Certificate of Title (in the name of seller)
Certified true copy of latest tax declaration (in name of seller)(obtained in 2)
3. Payment of Documentary Stamp Tax and Capital Gains Tax at an authorized bank
Time: 1 day. Cost: 1.5% of property value (Documentary Stamp Tax) + 6.5% of capital gains (Capital Gains Tax)
Comment: After paying taxes (in 3), Seller must obtain tax clearance (or Certificate Authorizing Registration) from BIR.
Certificate will authorize registration of property.
Documentation shall include:
Certified true copy of Transfer Certificate of Title (in name of seller)
Certified true copy of latest tax declaration (in name of seller)(obtained in 2)
Tax Identification Numbers
4. Obtain tax clearance (or Certificate Authorizing Registration) from BIR.
Time: Up to 14 days. No cost
Comment: Seller, after paying any due amounts, obtains a certificate of updated payment of taxes from Treasurer’s Office of Local Government Unit (Manila).
Documentation shall include:
Original of official receipt evidencing payment by seller of realty taxes.
5. Obtain a certificate of updated payments of Real Estate Taxes from Treasurer’s Office (Manila).
Time: 1-3 days. Cost: PHP 50
Comment: Transfer tax must be paid at Treasurer’s Office (Manila).
Documentation shall include:
Certificate Authorizing Registration from BIR (obtained in 4)
Realty tax clearance from Treasurer’s Office of Manila (obtained in 5)
Official receipt of BIR (for documentary stamp tax) (obtained in 4)
6. Payment of transfer tax at Treasurer’s Office of Manila
Time: 1 day. Cost: 0.75% of property price
Comment: Apply with Assessor’s Office (Manila) for issuance of new tax declaration over building in name of buyer.
Documentation shall include:
Photocopy of notarized Deed of Sale of Building (obtained in 1)
Certified true copy of latest tax declaration (in name of seller)(obtained in 2)
Certificate Authorizing Registration from BIR (obtained in 4)
Realty tax clearance from Treasurer’s Office of Manila (obtained in 5)
Photocopy of official receipt of transfer tax payment (original copy to be presented) (obtained in 6)
7. Apply with the Assessor’s Office of Manila for issuance of new tax declaration over building in name of buyer
Time: 3 days. Cost: PHP 100
Comment: Buyer applies for registration with Register of Deeds (Manila).
Following internal steps take place after application is submitted:
1. Entry clerk receives and enters all documents in primary Entry Book (Judicial form No. 39) and notes therein day, hour and minute of reception of all instrument in the order in which they are received.
2. Documents are then brought to Registrar of Deeds (RD) or Deputy Register of Deeds for assignment.
3. Documents/Titles are assigned by RD to Land Registration Examiner (LRE) who prepares computation, order of payment of registration fees.
4. Pay registration fee to Cashier, who shall issue Official receipt. Fixed fees are computed based on a schedule of Fees approved by the Department of Justice.
5. Upon payment of Fees, document is forwarded to LRE who reviews the same and determines whether or not it is ready to register. The Owner’s copy of title is compared to title on file, produced by Records Officer/Vault keeper.
6. If instrument is not ready to be registered, LRE recommends its denial to RD. If instrument is ready, LRE likewise recommends to RD registration of document through a routing slip.
7. RD reviews examination, and once same is approved, assigns documents to clerk for action, with instruction on route slip.
8. If transaction involves issuance of title, records Officer/Judicial Form Custodian records transaction in logbook releases sets of title forms (judicial form) and assigns corresponding title control number to set of titles issued to action clerk.
9. Assigned employee acts on documents, as instructed.
10. Final registration – RD signs titles and documents.
11. Release of documents – by releasing clerk to buyer who should be armed with ID and copy of Official Receipts of registration fees.
Documentation shall include:
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of buyer
Secretary’s Certificate containing resolution of board of directors of buyer approving sale
Original copy of Owner’s duplicate of Transfer Certificate of Title (in Seller's name)
Certificate Authorizing Registration from BIR (obtained in 4)
Realty tax clearance from Treasurer’s Office of Manila (obtained in 5)
Official receipt of transfer tax payment (obtained in 6)
Official receipts of BIR (for capital gains tax and documentary stamp tax)(obtained in 3)
8. Apply for registration with Register of Deeds of Manila
Time: About 10 days. Cost: PHP 8,796 for properties with a value up to PHP 1,700,000 + PHP 90 for every PHP 20,000 (or fraction thereof) in excess of PHP 1,700,000 (=PHP 8010)
Comment: Seller must obtain an extract from Land Registry, which will be presented to the notary later. The extract discloses owner or perpetual usufructor of real estate. Also discloses whether there are any mortgages or other encumbrances over real estate.
According to new legislation, Property Registry shall be maintained in electronic form. Process of migration of registry into computer system (started in Sept '04) is pending. The request will eventually take 1 day (if the real estate is registered within the computer system) or up to 7 days (if the real estate is registered within hardcopy documents only). So far, 7 days is the most appropriate time period.

Something, someone has to change for peace and prosperity.

Expensive & Time Intensive to be an Entrepreneur in PI

According to recent study by World Bank. Click this for details. Those figures and timeline are just for Starters. Money and time spent before the doors are open for business for the entrepreneur.

Starting a Business in Philippines
Minimum Capital Requirement: 5,000
City: Manila
Registration Requirements:
1. Obtain bank certificate of deposit of the paid-in capital.
Time to complete: 1 day
Comment: Fees vary from bank to bank. Some banks in Manila do not charge any fee, some banks charge up to P105 for each certificate.
2. Register incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Time to complete: 3 days
Cost to complete: PHP 40 reservation fee of company name (30 days) + filing fee for articles of incorporation: 1/5 of 1% of the authorized capital stock, no less than PHP 1,000, plus Legal Research fee of 1% of filing fee, no less than PHP 10 + PHP 210 bylaws fee + PHP 150 - stock and transfer book registration fee + PHP 75 - membership book registration fee
Comment: Documents to be submitted: corporate name verification slip, articles of incorporation and bylaws, treasurer's affidavit, statement of assets and liabilities, bank certificate of deposit, authority to verify bank account, tax account number of incorporators, registration data sheet defining personal information regarding directors, officers, stockholders etc, and written undertaking to comply with the reporting requirements of the SEC.
SEC provides online registration through SEC-iRegister, the web-based Company Registration System. One can reserve a company. Forms for registration may be downloaded from the SEC website. One can search and research company name and register the company with the SEC on-line but payment must be made at the SEC itself. Same day payment is not possible.
3. Apply for a Barangay (district) clearance
Time to complete: 2 days
Cost to complete: PHP 800
Comment: No city or municipality may issue any license or permit for any business or activity unless a clearance is first obtained from the barangay where such business or activity is located or conducted. Some barangays collect a fee for the issuance of a barangay clearance. The fee is based on the area (size in sq. meters) of the place of business and the location of the place of business.
The fee charged by the barangay depends on the paid-up capital of the corporation and the land area it occupies—P500 minimum plus P300 for the barangay clearance plate.
4. Obtain mayor’s permit/municipal license to operate at the Licensing Section of the Mayor's Office
Time to complete: 11 days
Cost to complete: The fees vary depending on the local government unit (city/municipality) issuing the mayor’s permit (PHP 300, sanitary permit fee + 0.2% of capital for license fee + PHP 2000, permit fee for businesses engaged in retail + PHP 1,500 garbage collection fee + PHP 360, occupational tax + PHP 705, occupational police clearance/health clearance + PHP 750, plumbing inspection fee + PHP 100, electrical inspection fee + PHP 100 building permit fee + PHP 100 sign board permit fee)
Comment: Required documents: accomplished application for business permits and licenses in duplicate copies with sketch of location of building at the back; certification issued by the corporate secretary to the effect that the company has been duly authorized to engaged in the business; amount of paid-up capital; certificate of registration; receipts of payment of due fees; lease contract; Barangay Clearance/Permit.
5. Buy special books of account at bookstore
Time to complete: 1 day
Cost to complete: PHP 200-300
Comment: Special books of account are required for the purpose of registering VAT. The books of account are sold at bookstores nationwide. One set of journals consisting of four books, namely, the cash receipts account, disbursements account, ledger and the general journal, may cost about P200, or about US$4.
Procedure 6. Secure a tax identification number, register for VAT
Time to complete: 2 days
Cost to complete: PHP 500
Comment: After the taxpayer obtains the TIN, the company is required to pay the annual registration fee of P500 at any duly accredited bank by using the payment form (BIR Form 0605)
A Tax Identification Number (TIN) must be obtained from the nearest Revenue District Office having jurisdiction over the head office. Need to have "Barangay" clearance, mayor's permit, and copy of SEC registration certificate. Other documents may be required, e.g. homeowner’s clearance, contract of lease. There is a community tax, a local tax, VAT, and income tax. When a company registers as a taxpayer, it must indicate in the application for registration the types of taxes it expects to be liable for, including VAT. The Authority to Print Receipt/Invoices must be secured by the printer before the sales invoices/receipts may be printed. Philippine law does not require a company to have its official invoice forms printed at designated print shops. If a company has secured an Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices, it can ask any authorized printing company to print its official invoice forms. However, if a company wants to print its own invoice forms (i.e., it uses its computers to print loose-leaf invoice forms), the company must obtain a special permit from the Bureau of Internal Revenue for this purpose.
7. Payment of Documentary Stamp Taxes
Time to complete: 1 day
Cost to complete: no charge
Comment: Section 174 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, requires the payment of documentary stamp taxes on the original issuance of shares of stock at the rate of P1.00 on each P200 or a fractional part thereof, of the par value of such shares of stock, within 5 days after the close of the month when the registration certificate is issued by the SEC or the shares are issued by the corporation.
8. Obtain the Authority to Print Receipt/Invoices with the Bureau of Internal Revenue
Time to complete: 14 days
Cost to complete: included in procedure 6
Comment: The Authority to Print Receipt/Invoices must be secured by the printer before the sales invoices/receipts may be printed. Philippine law does not require a company to have its official invoice forms printed at designated print shops. If a company has secured an Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices, it can ask any authorized printing company to print its official invoice forms. However, if a company wants to print its own invoice forms (i.e., it uses its computers to print loose-leaf invoice forms), the company must obtain a special permit from the Bureau of Internal Revenue for this purpose
9. Print receipts and invoices at the print shops
Time to complete: 1 day
Cost to complete: PHP 2250 (median of PHP 1,500 and PHP 3,000)
Comment: The minimum number to print is 25 booklets.
10. Submit receipts and invoices to the BIR for approval, have receipts/invoices and books of accounts stamped by BIR
Time to complete: 1 day
Cost to complete: no charge
Comment: In practice, the books of accounts are presented for stamping right after the application is filed. Books can be obtained from BIR. To register books of account and invoices, present the following documents: all the required books of accounts, VAT registration certificate, SEC registration certificate and BIR Form W-5.
11. Register with the Social Security System (SSS) and enroll with the government healthcare benefits system
Time to complete: 11 days
Cost to complete: no charge
Comment: For the social security application, file employer's Data Record, report of Employee-Members (those are 2 standard forms), and articles of incorporation, copy of SEC registration certificate. Obligatory for firms with 50 or more workers to register with the Department of Labor and Employment. The Philippine government healthcare system is administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation ("PHIC"). Enrollment with the PHIC is done through the Social Security System ("SSS"). If a company is enrolled with the SSS, it is automatically enrolled with the PHIC, but contributions for participation in the government healthcare system must be remitted to the PHIC. Enrollment with the SSS normally takes one to two weeks.

Our personal experience establishing a corporation is 100% more expensive and time intensive than this study.
In the name of the LORD, we plod on.

Tiger Woods in the lead again

on the first round of Deutsche Bank Championship.
Good Tiger Woods stats here.
Update:

Woods speeds past Singh to capture fifth straight title Sep. 4, 2006
GolfWeb Wire Services
NORTON, Massachusetts -- Tiger Woods matched the lowest final round of his career Monday and won the Deutsche Bank Championship for his fifth straight victory.

Europe here comes Tiger Woods in one week...

Peso at 50 level

I posted this question on Philippines www.gov.ph/forum/current events
'What did you do to strengthen the peso? Tell your story.'
Here's some of the response:

I bought some like I do every month.

I replied:
Absolutely! As more people, Filipinos or otherwise buy pesos, the price of pesos gets better! Just like a stock price.

I sent and remit up to 90% of my income to the Philippines. I don't bring products from here when I go for vacation and I told my friends to do the same. I bring and introduce our products to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. I promote tourism of our country and has even made one presentation here in my company about the Philippines. Things like these, that I can do by being an OFW.

My reply:
90%! Wow! that's a lot! Commendable stuff you're doing to strengthen the peso. However, the primary purpose must be what is best for you as an individual. Doing what's best for you, will benefit your family and indirectly the nation as a whole. Too much remittance money coming in the Philippines without the equivalent increase in available goods and services is inflationary. If you are sending that much money in the Philippines, make sure it is to produce goods or services, not just to consume or buy goods and services. Inflationary means on the next buying cycle of your remittance money for goods and services, the price for those goods and services will be more than the acceptable level of below 10% because a lot more people has money than the available goods and services.

You're right. Not all this 90% is being spent. How can a man spend this much of his income for necessities though? Only 12 percent is being spent for daily necessities while the rest is being infused to my small family business and real estate investments.

Snotty Someone ask...

What did you do Ate Mely? Nagbakasyon ka na ba sa Pilipinas? Bumibili ka ba ng mga Pinoy products na nasa US? Nanghihikayat ka ba sa mga kasamahan mo sa trabaho na maging turista sa Pilipinas? To all Filipinos living abroad, we can do alot for the Philippines by promoting our country as one of the most beautiful tourist destination in the world. Share pictures of beautiful places of the Philippines to your friends, officemates,or relatives. Share your stories and experiences of the beautiful tourist spots of the Philippines. Iyon mga hindi pa nauwi for 5 years, aba eh its time to visit the Philippines na po. Enjoy na kayo sa bakasyon, makaktulong pa kayo sa ekonomiya ng pilipinas. Tayo na kabayan, balikan natin ang matatamis na mangga, lanzones, kaimito, buko at ibpa. Mga kamag-anak at kaibigan na matagal ng di nakita. Makipagpuyatan tayo sa mga gimikan sa mga siyudad. Manguna sa mga banyagang turista sa pagpunta sa magagandang tanawin at pasyalan. Panahon na para magbakasyon sa Pilipinas!!

The following post became heated a little bit.
I am a recent convert, practicing capitalist! I own a business involving pesos. I am minority partner in a corporation in Manila which took almost a year to set up. I have dual citizenship to facilitate corporation application but did not really facilitate. Strong, weak, up or down of peso price does not affect my business.
Researching for my business mission statement, I stumbled into economic theories of Adam Smith, Hayek and Milton Friedman.
More Filipinos must be capitalist. Friedman wrote in 'Free to Choose' that in capitalism true economic freedom are achieve because of voluntary exchange between individuals guided by price, labor and profit only. Economic freedom is necessary for political freedom. Filipinos rally in the streets because they don't have political freedom. We have freedom of speech. Our political freedom is limited if our economic freedom is limited. To acquire economic freedom, more than a few Filipinos must use capitalism as an economic model. To be a capitalist, we must compete with other individual real or pseudo capitalist.
more coming...

Tiger Woods wins again...

Four in a row, at WGC-Bridgestone in a play-off.
previous post, Tiger Woods watch...
1. British Open
2. Buick Open
3. PGA Championship
4. WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Akron, Ohio, August 24-27,2006
Commentary:
Tiger Woods focused his brain to command his body to take the lead when Cink and Furyk physically faltered on the back nine, allowing Casey to lead. No way will Tiger Woods let a European Ryder Cup player win this tournament, a WGC tournament he can win blindfolded, a tournament he won in the dark. No way will Tiger Woods booster a European Ryder Cup player's confidence weeks before Ryder Cup team competition.
Prediction:
Tiger Woods will not break golf record 11 tournament wins in a row until Byron Nelson's passing.
He will break Nicklaus record 18 majors first with 4 consecutive majors in the same year, a real Grand Slam, plus 2 more majors before his 33rd birthday.
Next tournament at Deutsch Bank Championship next week, in New England.

Tiger Woods said it again...

at after his third round interview Saturday. He bogeyed four holes in a row and still end up one shot from the lead at WGC-Bridgestone

“My body took me out of the tournament, and my mind will bring me back in it,” Woods said. “That’s what I tried to do today. I didn’t hit the ball good, and my speed wasn’t good early. That was all physical mistakes. “But the mind is powerful enough to tell the body what to do, (and) it’ll do it.”

Brain power too needs practice, practice, practice 'to tell the body what to do'.

Tiger Woods says...

Tiger Woods interviews are illuminating. Every PGA tour pro competing against him should read his physio-psychological analysis of his actions. Full of tid-bits on how he manages autonomic responses of his body to crisis and stress at hand.
Transcipt of Tiger Woods Press Conference: WGC BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL, Wed Aug 23, 2006 here.

TIGER WOODS: Well, I think that your mind will carry you. The mind controls the body, so if the mind tells the body what to do, it'll do it; just a matter of getting the mind under control to make your body respond. And under the most extreme circumstances when the competition is that fierce and that heightened and my concentration is that high, yeah, I feel like I can make things happen. It doesn't always happen, though, but yeah, I feel like I can.
Over the course of my golf career I've had it happen enough times where I can always say to myself, "I can do this, I've done it before." That in itself gives you a lot of confidence.

In other words, practice, practice, practice. Practice golf swing, strokes and winning. Every win is practice for the next tournament win.
A model for everyone, golfer or otherwise.

Steve Centanni, Fox News journalist abducted 8/14/06

Steve Centanni bio here abducted on August 14, 2006 with cameraman, Olaf Wiig. by masked Palestine gunmen. No news has been released since by Fox News or any media outlet except blogs.
Michelle Malkin request a blogburst today.
LORD God, shield them from harm.

Tiger Woods watch!

Successive tournament won...
1. British Open at Liverpool, England, July 20 - 23, 2006
2. Buick Open Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Blanc, Mich., July 31 - August 6, 2006
3. PGA Championship, Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Ill., Aug. 17 - 20, 2006

From www.Townhall.com
Dean Barnett, a political blogger FAQ on Tiger Woods here

'the secret to his success is what’s between his ears.'
What’s special about Tiger is the way he stands up to the maddening game of golf. That’s why serious golfers almost uniformly love Tiger – he refuses to bend to the games disappointments and various sundry cruelties. Golf aficionados appreciate this, and are consistently astonished by it.

Tiger Woods website here.
Tiger Woods Foundation website here.
next tournament Akron, Ohio. WGC-Bridgestone, Aug 24-27, 2006 as defending champion.

too many holidays in Manila!

Monday, August 21 is a non-working holiday (whatever that means) in Manila.
What is the difference between a working holiday and a non-working holiday?
For a business owner, do you pay your employees on non-working holiday?
What does that say about productivity?
Human nature dictates that our body and brain also goes on extended holiday every one declared holiday. Thus the popularity of 3 day weekend holiday attachment.
Business survival, profit and loss motivates business owners to reactivate their body and brain after a holiday.
Employees by job retention and paycheck.
How many working holidays and non-working holidays are there in the Philippines?

Tiger Woods watch on wins in a row

Successive wins on tournament he enters.
1. British Open at Liverpool, England
2. Buick Open Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Blanc, Mich., July 31 - August 6, 2006
next is PGA Championship, Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Ill., Aug. 17 - 20, 2006

Unacceptable passing rate for Filipino nurses!

This news article in The Manila Times Online is disturbing. Less than 50% of nurse examinees passed the board. Even with leakage of exam questions, only 17,871 passed, out of 'some 43,000 graduates'.
What does that tell you? More would have failed without the leakage?

All nursing schools with failure rate over 10% must be close immediately! High failure rate is a disservice to the nursing profession, individual nurses, Philippines school system and the nation as a whole.

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Leakage leaves examinees sitting on pins and needles By Francis Cueto

For two successive days last June, some 43,000 graduates of various nursing schools in the Philippines trooped to the testing centers throughout the country to take the board examinations supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The PRC announced the results of the exams on July 19. Only 17,871 passed.

Better than WTO!

Forget about DOHA! GFTA is better

Global Free Trade Alliance

Much like free trade itself, a GFTA would be beautifully simple. No one has to sign a treaty, because the alliance is voluntary. Countries join by passing laws that guarantee their commitment to free trade, open investment, property rights and minimal regulation. Congress would give GFTA members access to the U.S. market -- with no tariffs, quotas or other trade barriers -- provided they grant the same access to the U.S. and other GFTA members.

Best of all, a GFTA wouldn't compete with the WTO. Both encourage countries to embrace free trade. But as the WTO expands, it has become more difficult to get a deal, since each country has a form of veto power.

Instead of forcing dozens of countries to green-light identical language before a deal takes effect, a GFTA puts the language out there so willing nations can meet those conditions. As new members join, the organization would grow increasingly attractive; neighboring countries would see the benefits of belonging and say, "I want to join, too." That would encourage non-member countries to make market-friendly reforms.

Plus, unlike bilateral or regional free-trade agreements, a GFTA wouldn't be limited to a small number of partners or a specific region. In theory, it could include all nations. However, unlike the WTO (leader of the Doha Round), it would be based on true free-market practices rather than a slow decrease in trade barriers.

We live in an innovative country and an innovative era. If we want poorer countries to enjoy the prosperity and promise of globalization, we need to think creatively about expanding free trade.

Winston Churchill switched parties in 1904 -- joining the Liberals when the Conservatives wavered in support for free trade. Today's conservatives also should be willing to change their approach. It's time for a Global Free Trade Alliance -- one that enables any country to join us in our race to the top.

Ed Feulner is president of The Heritage Foundation and co-author of the new book “Getting America Right.”

Few pregnant women in Italy?

Our daily game in our sojourn was count how many pregnant women we encounter. The most was 3. Where are all the pregnant women? Work? home? Hope so. For a society to survive, it must be replace in the womb.
Holy Mother protect all pregnant women especially the one close to our heart, ARK. Send the Holy Spirit to guide the growth and development of God's creation in the womb.

$ diplomacy instead...

Did not encounter any anti-Americanism at all with our sojourn in Portugal and Italy. Not in the pizzeria, gelato and trains.
Even with Nor's insistence for an American coffee instead of expresso and flavored it with sweetened International Delight creamer she brought from Ca. Waiter probably just rolled his eyes upward and brought her what she wanted. Especially when at the end of our meal, she tip the usual American amount. Nobody else in the other table did.
The only sign we can be Americans is we spoke English all the time because of my apo and we were in group of three not a crowd of Asians.
The best anti-American program is benign assimilation of American culture in each individual, even non-Americans, by tourism economy.
'When in Rome, be a Roman' the mantra for tourism economy.

Anti-Americanism prompts push for "citizen diplomacy"
Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:11am ET
Parallel to the grassroots effort to spread the message that there is more to the United States than wars, superpower arrogance and tourists clad in shorts, a business-backed group called Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA) is lining up corporate support for public diplomacy by business travelers.

US$ to Euro

$100 equals 76-80 Euros.
A 3 star hotel cost 160 euro. Euro 3 star hotel is not comparable to US 3 star hotel in amenities and service in a comparable US city.
History, ancient history and God's grace drive Americans to go to Europe.
For vacation respite, any US city and resort gives your money's worth.
Our cheapest dinner for 3 cost 25 euro and our most expensive 115.
A cup of capuccino or expresso coffee is cheaper than soda. However, coffee is served in small cup and soda is served in can or bottle.
Europe is expensive, especially for tourist with American taste. Yet, Rome is full of American tourist in the Vatican, Sistine museo, colosseum and other sites. In all our train travel, metro or eurostar and equivalent, there's always someone with an American accent.
I am not going to Italy anymore until someone assure me I will not be pickpocketed.

Rome, not pickpocket capital of the world but...

Pickpocketed in a crowded bus from Trevi Fountain Metro stop to Termini at 10pm on our way to a sleeper train for Milan.
Don't carry a wallet anymore since my pickpocket incident in 1996 on the train from Naples to Rome.
Skillful lady pickpocketer took my datebook with 3 different credit cards - amex, mc, visa - and an atm card. An envelope of 76 euros was with the datebook as well as my apo's birth certificate. Pickpocketer and male accomplish got off the last stop before Termini.
I text my hubby right away with my unlocked cellphone with Vodafone SIM card I bought at Lisbon airport, to block credit card accounts. He called my cell phone right away to check on us, his first and only time he phoned.
'It could have been worse', my apo says a few times waiting for the delayed train to Milan.
Our Lady protected us in our journey at all times.
Thank you, LORD.

Official website of Our Lady of Fatima Sanctuary

Fatima sanctuary website here.

It would have been nice if there's a cheaper and convenient public transportation from Lisbon Airport to Fatima besides expensive taxi or rent a car.

Hotel Fatima

is a few steps to the Fatima compound. Same hotel we use in 1996. No major change or improvement.
Restroom is labeled WC.
Nor and Jess were amazed at the many pilgrims especially at night Rosary procession and mass.

Pilgrims, we were to Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal

Nor, Jess and me.
Plane inside setup and space looks the same as the last time I rode the same airline in 1996. Every time the guy in front of Jess reclines his seat, Jess has to reposition her long legs. Airline served dinner and ham sandwich snack before landing in Lisbon. Unlike AA on Nor's flight from LA. Did not even served any snack in the 5 hour flight.
Bus ride from Lisbon airport to Fatima is 15 euro each. It was a walk from the airport and two bus ride. One from the airport to the main bus terminal then to Fatima.
Decided to take a taxi instead for 126 euros. Prepaid with credit card. The lady (Sandra) at the information booth accompanied us to the taxi and made sure we boarded safe. For peace of mind, it probably was worth the extra euros.
The scenery of the cab ride was modern. Many constructions, new buildings and housing development along the highway. Looks up to date than when I last came to Portugal.

Competition, a good thing!

Compete is to strive or contend with another (Am Heritage Dictionary '83ed). Voluntary natural selection process with several levels of intensity, visibility and effectiveness.

From Foxnews, SmartMoney article - Competitive Edge by D. Luskin

According to the research of William Lewis, a retired partner at business consultant McKinsey & Co., the most important element is competition.
For a nation's economy to succeed, competition among domestic companies, and between domestic companies and foreign rivals, must be both fierce and fair. Lewis thinks that from the bloody battlefield of competition comes productivity and growth.
Lewis's book "The Power of Productivity" documents over a decade of painstakingly detailed country-by-country and sector-by-sector research by McKinsey's business analysts. The work proves definitively that, when a nation exposes itself to the rigors and risks of competition, it forces itself to adopt world-class business practices and achieve world-class productivity. It's simple, then: to compete is to grow.

Essay Competition at IFC/World Bank

First Annual Private Sector Development Research Competition
Entry to the First Annual Research Essay competition is now closed. We are very pleased with the response we received this year. Applicants from over 80 countries applied.
The winners will be informed via email sometime before September 1, 2006 and a select group of winning essays will be published on the Web site after September 17, 2006.
We invite you to visit us again for the next round of the competition that will be announced in November - December 2006. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at competition@ifc.org.

next year, am in.
Click here for competition Terms and Conditions. International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group website here.
2005-06 Competition announcement here

Kristelle, busy reporter for Albuquerque Tribune

Summer intern reporter for Tribune, experiencing journalism first hand, take a break and splash at the Y, my beloved neice.

YMCA's pool makes a splash with young and old
By Kristelle Siarza
Tribune Reporter
July 6, 2006

For all of Kristelle's articles at The Albuquerque Tribune, click this.

Lola's Child

Children too are a gift frOm the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children born in one's youth.
Psalm 127:3-4

In womb, she floated through freshman yearend in college, a summer office temp job and first Europe trip; Paris then Annecy, France specifically, then back to US soil to hello world an American citizen.
No other citizenship in the world equal in worth. A citizenship cherished, aspired for and shed blood with to hold, behold and uphold.
Jessica was popular baby girl name that year.
Statistics posited more Filipinos, male and female, involve themselves outside their ethnicity than any group in America.
United States of America is THE nation model, freedom and democracy the atmosphere, immigrants and natives the clay.
Model definition is

'a miniature representation of an existing object. A preliminary pattern. A tentative description of a theory or system that accounts for all of its known properties. A type or design. An example to be emulated. One who poses for an artist or photographer

.

Freedom is the Keyword !!!

'Filipino CPA's, lawyers, engineers, computer programmers, mathematicians, statisticians, teachers, biologists, soldiers, journalists, and bankers taking up nursing' is a market force. Any government regulation to curb or slow it down are additional curtailment of Filipino freedoms - economic freedom, political freedom, freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
(hat tip:beyond borders) Read the blog

Dinesh D’Souza wrote in What's So Great About America that

America’s founders solved two great problems which are a source of perennial misery and conflict in many other societies—the problem of scarcity, and the problem of religious and tribal conflict. They invented a new regime in which citizens would enjoy a wide range of freedoms—economic freedom, political freedom, and freedom of speech and religion—in order to shape their own lives and pursue happiness. By protecting religion and government from each other, and by directing the energies of the citizens toward trade and commerce, the American founders created a rich, dynamic, and peaceful society. It is now the hope of countless millions all across the world.

Click here for article in The American Enterprise. (hat tip: Realclearpolitics.com)

SWIFT, Western Union & small foreign money remittance business

Thank you, SWIFT and Western Union for your cooperation.
I am a tiny Western Union competitor in a specific remittance market (US & Philippines). I am licensed (NJ) foreign money remitter. My clients funds are transferred from a NJ bank to a Philippine bank through SWIFT.
After 9/11, foreign money remittance businesses are scrutinize minutely in the War on Terror by federal and state regulators under USA Patriot Act, BSA and AML laws. Commercial banks, unable to establish monitoring system for foreign money remittance accounts close or do not accept remittance accounts.
Maybe exposure by NY Times on this previously secret monitoring will illucidate banks that FBI have other ways and means to tract terrorist finances and reinstate my business account as a small foreign money remitter.
BoA are you paying attention?

The F.B.I. began acquiring financial records from Western Union and its parent company, the First Data Corporation. Using what officials described as individual, narrowly framed subpoenas and warrants, the F.B.I. has obtained records from First Data, which processes credit and debit card transactions, to track financial activity and try to locate suspects.
Similar subpoenas for the Western Union data allowed the F.B.I. to trace wire transfers, mainly outside the United States, and to help Israel disrupt about a half-dozen possible terrorist plots there by unraveling the financing, an official said.

NY Times article here. (registration required)

Speedy Action, I hope so !!!

Press release from Philippine government website say so.

Investors assured of speedy action on investment proposals
SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2006 | FOREIGN INVESTMENT
MADRID (via PLDT) – Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila has assured European investors that delays in the processing of investment proposals, a common complaint of people doing business in the Philippines, will soon be a thing of the past.
Upon her return from her investment mission to Italy and Spain, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will issue an Executive Order eliminating kinks in the processing of investment proposals, Favila said.

Took us 11 months to process our corporation papers, Dollar to Peso Money Remittance & Exchange Corp in Paranaque with minimum 5 investors. Required TIN number, birth & marriage certificate, citizenship papers of all parties of our corporation took 4 months to complete.
We paid a gopher to stay in line each time we need to be in a line in a government office. Refused entry at BSP for inappropriate outfit. Many annoying stuff which saps our capital but we will persevere for we love the Philippines and we are Filipinos at heart, even if we've been overseas many decades ago.
Click here for article.

Kristelle's blog

Click this for Kristelle's blog at Albuquerque Tribune

Capitalism, Benign Assimilation of the highest order

Adam Smith, the non-American founder of the experiment called United States of America in 1776.

One overlooked "founder" offers enduring answers: Adam Smith. Smith published the Wealth of Nations in 1776, the same year the Continental Congress declared American independence. By the time of the Constitutional Convention 11 years later, his ideas had been incorporated into the thinking of the new nation's leaders.
Smith's great revelation was that political freedom would most likely emerge and persist under conditions of economic freedom, what we now call capitalism. Our democratic system as defined in our Constitution incorporated respect for this economic system.

Read USA Today article. (hat tip: RealClearPolitics.com)

Milton Friedman and Rose Friedman also wrote in Free To Choose...

The story of the United States is the story of an economic miracle and a political miracle that was made possible by the translation into practice of two sets of ideas - both, by a curious coincidence, formulated in documents published in the same year, 1776. One set of ideas was embodied in The Wealth of Nations, the masterpiece that established the Scotsman Adam Smith as the father of modern economics...

Jessica's art work

Anime style, click here, here, here

Quinnipiac U poll - NJ high property tax, hear my voice

On 6/08 at 9:16pm, Quinnipiac Univ on the caller id, I answered the phone.
A pleasant sounding male voice on the other end asked if I was over 18 years old and if I was willing to answer a few questions...

Taxes No. 1 gripe in New Jersey By Donald Lambro THE WASHINGTON TIMES,June 18, 2006
New Jersey voters say the most serious problem confronting their state isn't the war in Iraq, immigration or the budget deficit, it is taxes -- on their property, purchases and at the gas pump.
This was the overwhelming response to an open-ended poll question that allowed respondents to give any answer they chose. No other issue -- not the economy, education, crime, health care, government spending or even the tide of illegal immigration -- even came close, according to the Quinnipiac University poll.
When asked, "What do you think is the most important problem facing New Jersey today?" 46 percent replied taxes -- a percentage that was higher than any problem listed in any previous Quinnipiac statewide or national poll, the survey group said. The 46 percent included 19 percent who complained about all taxes, 26 percent who said property taxes, and 1 percent who said gas taxes.

Washington Times article here.

Anime Convention

From Mamaroneck/Westchester, Jess and I went to Uncle's office for entry pass to the Anime Convention at Meadowlands Center, Secaucus.
Here's the website.
Kids all dress up in animation character. Summer Halloween party with oriental flavor!
Benign Assimilation at it's best!

Opinion Scare Tactic from LA Times to Filipinos

click here to the article.

A new museum celebrating Chinese-Filipino heritage recently opened in central Manila. Philippine exports to China are growing at an annual clip of 50% to 60%, and a series of economic, political and cultural agreements will guarantee China a bigger role in a nation struggling to keep itself afloat in an increasingly competitive global economy.

Tiger Woods miss the cut...

Jessica and I sat on the shaded grandstand seat, 3rd row, back of tee box, facing the fairway, railing on the left side and waited until Tiger's group came to the first tee from the 18th.
I usually like to walk, see and feel the golf course when I go to a tournament. Jessica and I found a perfect seat to brunch, near the merchandise pavilion and toilet facilities. The 1st tee grandstand seats were less crowded after Tiger's group teed up.
Jessica asked 'why is he popular, Lola?' The same way I like going to tournaments he plays to watch him in person hit a golf ball. It is not the same on tv. Don't exactly know why.
Wish he is Christian and I pray for his conversion.
After shopping for souvenirs, we walked in between the 1st and 9th fairway to the 8th hole green which was near the exit to general parking bus waiting area. Tiger's flop shot from the rough was disastrous.
There was no Tiger roar all morning. Everyone is still in mourning...
Another year's Father's Day for Tiger to roar again.
Thank you, Tony and Mayotte for the tickets.

Kristelle Siarza, Tribune Reporter

Click this to read Kristelle's articles in The Alburquerque Tribune

Tiger Woods

ATR's golf buddy, Tony, gave him 2 tickets to the 2nd round of US Open at Winged Foot, Mamaroneck, NY. Jessica and I are going instead.
This is the same golf course, '97 PGA Championship, I first saw Tiger Woods in person. The first golf tournament I ever attended. Nor drove her beemer to Mamaroneck. Spent $50 for a private home parking space. Didn't know the championship has parking with bus shuttle.
For Tiger's site, click here.
For US Open site, click here...
Tiger is 5 over par through 7 holes in the front nine.

Philippine Independence Day

June 12...
But baby boomers like me born after 2nd World War, independence in heart and soul was 1946.

Land Reform revisit and reconsider, please!

Land reform expired eight years ago. Let land reform die a natural death.
Spending P100 billion to distribute 500,000 hectares of private agriculture land is an expensive proposition!
P100,000,000,000.00 in 5 years,
P20,000,000,000.00 a year, for 500,000 hectares land,
P1,000,000.00 per hectare of private agricultural land.

Since 1987, P35.8 billion has been spent to distribute 3.7 million hectares of land.
P35,800,000,000.00 spent to distribute 3,700,000 hectares of agricultural land for 18 years did not bring peace and prosperity of Filipinos and the Philippines.
It is time to reconsider this non capitalistic government program expiration!

The Chinese are coming

Bilateral trade is a good thing for Filipinos and the Philippines...

Economic freedom first for Filipinos

Good initiative, however, the bigger problem is lack of economic freedom...

PGMA declares retirement industry flagship project, names Aglipay retirement czar
TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2006 | PROGRAMS/PROJECTS
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared today the retirement industry as a flagship project to bolster the government’s bid to position the Philippines as a global retirement haven.
Appointed as retirement czar was former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, retired Gen. Edgardo Aglipay.
The President announced the government’s new thrust in the development of the retirement industry and Aglipay’s appointment at the Cabinet meeting in Malacañang this morning.
A fully developed Philippine retirement industry could create four million jobs and generate an income of $44 billion for the country by 2015, industry sources said.

Economic freedom from government involvement in everyday lives of Filipinos.
Loosen the noose of regulations in obtaining business permit in barangays, mayor's office, streamline to bare minimum requirement to start a business, reorganize inefficient immigration office, privatize the corrupt and non functioning post office...
Classic capitalism must be implemented...

He added that there will be a multiplier effect of the industry, one of which is putting an end to the "brain drain," specifically in the medical profession.
"Our doctors, nurses and caregivers could stay put in the country and work here if the retirement industry is fully developed," he said.

MD's becoming RN's to facilitate visa to the US is capitalism, filipino style. Their self interest well understood.

Preparedness drills...

MANILA, Philippines, May 29 (UPI) --

The Philippines will conduct earthquake preparedness drills nationwide following the temblor that rocked Indonesia, killing more than 5,000 people.
The Philippines is in an earthquake zone; a quake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale was felt Sunday in the north of the country.
No damage or injuries were reported, however.

God Bless all Filipinos
God Bless the Philippines.

Reward for terrorism tip...

Incentives works...
Capitalism, Filipino style

MANILA, Philippines, May 29 (UPI) -- The United States is awarding $500,000 to two informants in the Philippines whose information led to the capture of a terror suspect connected to al-Qaida.

US Sec of State Condi Rice 5 responsibilities of educated people.

US Sec of State Condoleezza Rice Commencement Address at Boston College, May 22, 2006.

5 important responsibilities of educated people.

1. The first responsibility is one that you have to yourself, the responsibility to find and follow your passion.
2. The second responsibility of an educated person is the commitment to reason.
3. A commitment to reason leads to your third responsibility as an educated person, which is the rejection of false pride.
4. The fourth responsibility of the educated person is to be optimistic.
5. The final responsibility to the educated person; really, the most important responsibility of all, to work to advance human progress .'

American Competitive Capitalism on display for the world to see

'American Idol' the tv show, that is.
Capitalism is an economic system, characterized by a free market and open competition, in which goods are produced for profit, labor is performed for wages, and the means of production and distribution are privately owned, as defined by a dictionary.
Every aspect in Capitalism starts with the individual. Individual effort, determination and perseverance. To compete in any thing, academic, sports, business or amateur hour need practice, practice, practice. Open competition is exercise and practice for creativity of thought, words and actions. Independence and self reliance awarded with a sporty Ford Mustang and other stuff at competition culmination.
Capitalism like democracy did not originate in America but capitalism and democracy fit American individualistic psyche. One support the other and vice versa. Leash and brake is God. Profound belief in Almighty God's power over all, the one and only source of authority in natural laws.
Competitive capitalism according to Milton Friedman is 'the organization of the bulk of economic activity through private enterprise operating in a free market'.
Nothing as competitive as this 21th century version of 'The Gong Show'and as American.
Music industry version of football draft or Heismann. A text more interactive for a couch potato like me.
Watch it for the first time this week with my apo. I'm hooked. Can't wait for next season opening.

NY Times anti-capitalist bias

Clearly, there is a NY Times anti-capitalist bias in this article 'U.S. Plan to Lure Nurses May Hurt Poor Nations' by Celia W. Dugger about a provision in the immigration bill proposed by the US Senate that removes the limit on the number of nurses who can immigrate.

Removing the immigration cap, they said, would particularly hit the Philippines, which sends more nurses to the United States than any other country, at least several thousand a year. Health care has deteriorated there in recent years as tens of thousands of nurses have moved abroad. Thousands of ill-paid doctors have even abandoned their profession to become migrant-ready nurses themselves, Filipino researchers say.
"The Filipino people will suffer because the U.S. will get all our trained nurses," said George Cordero, president of the Philippine Nurse Association. "But what can we do?"

How dare NY Times' Ms. Celia W. Dugger insinuate that individual Filipino nurses are responsible for the deterioration of health care in the Philippines! Unload the burden of guilt for the suffering of Filipino people on the shoulders of hard working Filipino nurses.
If Filipino nurses hadn't work in US hospitals as exchange students before the 1965immigration reform, health care institutions in the Philippines would have been worst.
The principal and assistant principal of my nursing school trained as exchange student in Chicago and Jersey City hospital. My school of nursing closed and merge with universities for BSN program in mid 1980. They both immigrated to the US after that for their self interest.
These 'ill-paid doctors' who 'become migrant-ready nurses' did it for their individual selves, their families and in the end, the nation. That's classic capitalism according to Adam Smith.
A nursing degree, like any professional degree is a capitalist business endeavor. There's profit at the end of the endeavor. Any control toward that profit is another deduction of economic freedom for all Filipinos.
Filipino MD's becoming RN's, RN's migrating to US hospitals and nursing homes for better wages than those earned in the Philippines is a capitalistic endeavor. Their self interest for their passion will reward them with financial profit in the long run. Beneficial for themselves and the Philippines as a nation for their acquired knowledge, skills, American assimilated culture and economic profit.
Adam Smith wrote in The Wealth of Nations that 'division of labor arises from a propensity in human nature to exchange.'
Filipino nurses as overseas foreign worker (OFW) is a capitalistic endeavor of supply and demand, exchanging the excess human capital of the Philippines somewhere there's demand. It is privately owned profit from a capitalistic endeavor of hard work, currency exchange at world market price and self interest with minimal government intrusion.
Someday, when these nurses are comfortable and fairly satisfied with how their lives evolved in America, will give back to the Philippines in some way or another by capitalistic means.
Today, these nurses are generous money remitters, sending siblings and relatives to school, financing a business, never forget a holiday and birthday cash gift.
Capitalism, Filipino Style.
God Bless all Filipinos!
God Bless the Philippines!

Filipino nurses, competition is in the horizon

Since the US immigration reform of 1965, Filipino doctors and nurses with their immediate family were the bulk of immigrants from the Philippines.
Today, nurses are the bulk of immigrants from the Philippines to the US. Filipino doctors and other degree professionals taking up nursing to get a US visa sooner. However, the price of supply and demand of nurses, invites competition. And that's a good situation for all - Filipino nurses, US health care institutions and nation producers of nurses...

Competition is good for nursing, nurses and nursing education in the Philippines.

Read this article

Now, it's time for those nurses and doctors that came earlier to give back to the Philippines in time, effort and their creative genius with capitalism as the model.
Capitalism, Filipino style...

Competitive Capitalism Filipino style!

Finalist
of Expression of Ideas Competition of Panibagong Paraan 2006
Attend and spread the word...or better yet enter next year's competition...
Go to this website for details...

The Philippine Development Innovation Marketplace, or
Panibagong Paraan (New Ways), is about fresh perspectives, new ways of doing things, people working as one for positive change. Like the rays of the sun, these small successes, ideas and sentiments for positive change - when adopted, replicated and scaled up - can gradualy radiate to other segments and communities of the country, and illuminate the path to development that benefits all, and not just a few.

With the theme, Development with Equity, Panibagong Paraan 2006 explores ways of equalizing opportunities - so that all Filipinos can have a chance for a better life and together, work for the nation's development. Development with equity means addressing issues on incomes, assets, services and voice.

Capitalism in UK, revival?

Classic Capitalism encoded in Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations...need a reminder at all times.
The 'invisible hand' of capitalism is really invisible to practitioners of capitalism including the Gates, Buffet and Murdoch of the world.
We need a revision course on why capitalism is a good thing
by James Bartholomew

Read the article

Competitive Capitalism at work!

Appreciation of the PHP create profit headache for Filipino exporters and manufacturers. Clearances and fees add to the cost of doing business to exporters and importers alike. Removing or paring down these fees and charges is good for us consumers, exporters, importers and manufacturers alike. It should be for all export and import transactions. Exporters and manufacturers benefited the depreciation fo PHP from P40 in 2000 to its lowest of P56.
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW040506/content.php?id=001
'Exporters propose lower fees to counter peso woes'

The Light of the World

The story of the United States is the story of an economic miracle and a political miracle that was made possible by the translation into practice of two sets of ideas - both, by a curious coincidence, formulated in documents published in the same year, 1776.
One set of ideas was embodied in The Wealth of Nations, the masterpiece that established the Scotsman Adam Smith as the father of modern economics.
The second set of ideas was embodied in the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson to express the general sense of his fellow countrymen.
Free to Choose, A Personal Statement, The Classic Inquiry Into The Relationship Between Freedom And Economics by Milton Friedman and Rose Friedman.

Brainstorming for Illegal Immigration

The Parable of the Lamp
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." Luke 8:16-18
United States of America's light is set on a lampstand, visible to everyone in the world, friend and foe alike. America's light are independence, self-reliance and faith in God. America's light of independence, self-reliance and faith in God lead to economic freedom, political freedom and religious freedom. America's light of economic freedom, political freedom and religious freedom lead to successful application and implementation of the philosophy of Adam Smith encoded in The Wealth of Nations and the Constitution of the United States of America for the last two centuries.
Apply the philosophy of Adam Smith encoded in The Wealth of Nations and United States Constitution in regards to immigration.
to be continued...

Pray for Competitive Capitalism & Economic Freedom

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Almighty and ever loving God, strengthen our mental and emotional resolve to compete in this capitalistic world, for economic freedom is a tool for prosperity and peace for us Filipinos, with your blessing, LORD.
Amen.

Pray for a Rev. Fulton Sheen in our midst

Before Rev. Billy Graham, was Rev. Fulton Sheen. Evangelist extraordinaire, elucidator of the perils of communism and soul less psychiatry.
Today, I pray that a Rev. Fulton Sheen preach in our midst on the hard choices of immigration.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Pray for Reformation Movement of Islam

Jesus Christ way - Christianity spread exponentially after the Reformation movement. It took several centuries but spread it did in all continents of the world. Now I pray...
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

brain drain...

Loss of creative minds of Filipinos in PI after immigration open in the US in the 60's.
As exchange students, nurses and doctors came in droves. Our '67 nursing class of 21, 2 stayed, married and settled in Bohol. By 1968, all except Che and I, came as exchange students. Some overstayed their visa but most employer sponsored them as immigrants. Then came other Philippine educated professionals, not married to nurses and doctors.
These non-nurse and non-doctor professionals and non-professionals are the Phippines biggest loss in economic prosperity as a nation. Business minded entrepreneurs, a legacy of Chinese immigration, benignly assimilated in the Philippines.
Raised in an enterprising and entrepreneur family, Vir, in his youth, bought in bulk wholesale much desired garlic and pimiento in Cebu and sold retail in single root or clove to different retailers in Tagbilaran. Then he came to America in 1985. Somehow, somewhere, sometime, he lost that entrepreneurial spirit of commerce in America. He's enterprising in a way, in his personal life.
Inspite of rich soil in Bohol, I never saw a garlic plant. We made pimiento paste but not powder form. Ginger root and tanggad are abundant.

herniated disc - spine, cervical

Surgery for Herniated disc of the cervical spine have come a long way...

birthdays, birthdays, birthdays...60th

In 1946 like USA, the Philippines, too, had a baby boom.
Low, middle income Filipinos, mostly teachers and government employees educated in English, bountifully reproduced.
My friend Che and I have parallel lives. In all our many life changes, sometimes we lost track of each other and somehow serendipitously will touch each other.
We first met in high school. Our parents sent us to the same high school they went. We live on opposite end of the island. I transferred to a catholic high school on my third and fourth year. We met again in nursing school. She got me a job after graduation in the hospital she work. She insisted that we both apply for immigrant visa instead of exchange student visa. She stayed single but I married waiting for our third preference visa. She is the godmother of my first born son.
My friend Che and I have nine siblings each. She had seven brothers and two sisters. I have two brothers and seven sisters. All our siblings immigrated to USA. Two sisters of mine, one older and one after me resettled back after Marcos exited. All her brothers and sisters live around her. My siblings scattered in CA, NM and NJ.

a light in the narrow tunnel of Reduced Taxes for Filipinos

Posted on www.bworldonline.com, 01/07/06
Minimum wage earners exempted from withholding taxes. It's a start...
Any chance Flat Tax will be implemented in my lifetime?

brain stuff

http://pr.caltech.edu/media/Press_Releases/PR12778.html

Brain activity of Risk taker entrepreneur and non risk taker, of course.

Capitalism and Democracy, Filipino style

Capitalism like Democracy did not originate in America but capitalism and democracy fits American individualistic psyche. One adjunct the other and vice versa. Leash and brake is God. Profound belief in Almighty God's power over all, the one and only source of authority in natural laws.
The three islands Spain relinquished to the USA after the Spanish-American War were Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Blessed by Pres. McKinley, USA paid $20m for the Philippines, kept it a colony with promise of independence sometime, gave immediate independence to Cuba and kept Puerto Rico a commonwealth colony.
Today, Filipinos ably rid itself of a dictator, a corrupt, gambler actor president and tries every year to impeach or overthrow the elected president. Independence granted Cuba had dictators for about the same timeline. Cuba imports medical personnel but only if the dictator want to. Filipino doctors and nurses with their private interest, self-interest, enlightened self-love immigrated and still immigrating to the US and overseas since the 60's. Puerto Rico is still a commonwealth with no personality of it's own, unable to decide whether to become a state of the United States of America or an independent nation. Capitalism and Democracy, Filipino style, in God's mercy, independent and self sufficient.

'rubber barons'

In 1800's America,'rubber barons' were Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan or Carnegie. Some capitalist may not be in Adam Smith's classic model. They were important in the economic progress of USA in 19th century. Not much written in American history books by elite academics and liberal leaning writers. All started a business from meager beginnings to business empires. Today's 'rubber barons' are Gates, Buffet and Walton.
19th century Filipinos 'rubber barons' names like Lopez, Soriano, Osmena, Durano and today...
Capitalism works and it will work for Filipinos. Everyone work to increase three fold our God given talent and coin, in faith and God's mercy.
Increase profit and capital stock in each one of us increases the prosperity of the Philippines as a nation.
God Bless the Philippines...

first stage Filipino capitalist

In my book, all Filipinos that landed in the shores of USA are first stage capitalist. A few are on the second stage of reinvesting the Profits they acquired through their Labor, Money they spent acquiring knowledge in the Philippines or US and Pricing their God given talent in whatever endeavor suits the competitive market in the USA. The third stage is the hardest. By nature, we work as hard as what our needs and wants are. If you want a Lexus or a Humvee, you will work double to afford it. But a Lexus or a Humvee do not generate Profit unless the market value increase in the future. That Profit did not generate any Labor on your part, only Money and Price. Thus not an Adam Smith capitalist endeavor. However, if you work on that Lexus or Humvee to improve it in some way better than when you bought it, it is a capitalist endeavor. Sell it and buy another one with your original capital and part of the profit, then you are a capitalist.
God Bless Filipinos.

Capitalism in Filipino life

Attention: Filipinos exposed to good consequence of capitalism! First, be capitalist in the Philippines. Be entrepreneurs and employers in the Philippines with Capitalism as model.
Capitalism is contrary to what is natural. Man by nature only wants to earn enough to satisfy his want and need whatever that maybe and that's contrary to what capitalist do.

True and classic Capitalism

True and classic Capitalism never live in the Philippines. Filipinos and Philippines as a nation stagnate or digress in prosperity as a result. Capitalism principles are opposite to what is natural for us, catholic, guilt ridden, family honor priority, patriarchal, tradition bound and dependent Filipinos.
The good news is, many work and live abroad, since the 60's, exposed and assimilated to multi-cultures away from family influence and grew up - independent, self-reliant and self sufficient.
'To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.'
1 Corinthians, 11:7

Capitalism promotes individual responsibility

Individuals, left alone will find ways to improve his situation. Filipinos has been doing and are doing exactly that. Filipinos migrating outside the comfort and familiarity of the Philippines for their own need and want. From major professional brain drain of the 60's to present OFW. No Catholic guilt, a patriotic and Christ like endeavor. Bible verse provide rationale and needed critical thinking skill. Matthew 25:29, The Parable of the Talents For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. By itself, Matthew 25:29 is incomprehensible. To understand it's meaning one has to read the whole chapter 25. Reading the whole chapter, each one understand or absorb into heart different meaning. The knowledge you acquire reading 'The Parable of The Talents' will merge with what you already has stored in your cerebral system. Basic critical thinking.
For me 'The Parable of The Talents' is individual moral responsibility to increase what is given by the Lord.
Capitalist according to Adam Smith is not about accumulating money but individual passion to produce Profit by Labor, Money and Price. Each principle need the other to produce Profit. Profit is wealth not only to the capitalist but also to the community he lives in and the nation as a whole.

Capitalist Filipinos can change the culture of corruption

I am an optimist and I am optimistic of Filipinos and the Philippines as a nation. I see a cup half full not half empty. I am a realist and believe that the only behavior I can change is my own. Whether others believe and follow what I say and do is God's mercy. I believe that risk taker entrepreneurs are the real people power engine for real economic prosperity. People preoccupied in an economic business activity do not have time to subvert or be part of a useless rally and demonstration. A business undertaking is an all consuming endeavor especially the first 5 years. As Entrepreneurs organize as a group, their self interest will dictate those corrupt officials behavior and laws, for there will be more of them than government officials.

Capitalism for Filipinos

Filipinos are right for Capitalism. Filipinos have several capital. We need to revive and resuscitate dead capital.
Dead capital are properties not earning any rent, money in mattresses not earning interest or not circulating as a business capital and highly educated brains with no independence and self confidence to take risk starting a business. Capital is not only money or financial assets. The most important capital is your head, your brain, your thoughts, ideas, creativity in putting thoughts and ideas together for a business venture and 'lakas loob'. Starting a business is taking risk.
Filipinos are literate enough to educate themselves to minimize risk. Filipinos are Christian enough to curb the evil of capitalism - greed and prayerful enough to ask for God's mercy.
A capitalist in Adam Smith's mold look after his self interest. He make a profit from his capital, then spend the capital and a portion of the profit to improve his business. Filipinos understand the number one mantra of Adam Smith - Division of Labor. Finer definition of division of labor is specialization or repetitive work. Machines invented to relieve the boredom or burden of repetitive work. Filipinos must learn and apply the finer definition of division of labor.

Capitalism in a Federalist government

Capitalism is the engine toward middle class prosperity.
'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.'
The Federalist No.51, 1787-1788. The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments
For a nation to feel progressive and prosperous, majority of individuals living in the nation, must be economically middle class in thought and action.
A Capitalistic mind is the engine toward middle class prosperity.
A Capitalistic mind think of profitability not money or asset accumulation.

Capitalism, Filipino style

Capitalism as define by a dictionary is an economic system, characterized by a free market and open competition, in which goods are produced for profit, labor is performed for wages, and the means of production and distribution are privately owned.
Capitalist Filipino is the 'invisible hand' instrument for peace and prosperity.
"For democracy to achieve lasting and sustainable success, it must also be nurtured by a vibrant economy and an ever growing middle class," Condoleeza Rice, US Secretary of State.

Jeepney

Jeepney is a symbol of Filipino creativity and resourcefulness.
The original Jeep was an American war equipment left over after liberation. The soul of the original jeep remains in the jeepney - Inventiveness and Creativity.
The history of Jeep as a car is as American as can be. During WW2, through US government bid and competition, a group of individuals developed an all terrain car that carried a tank of gasoline and transport more than the driver and ammonitions. But the mass development of the Jeep was awarded to a big manufacturer.
American GI's after the war raved about the Jeep and jumpstarted American's fascination with cars.
Filipinos too would have progress that fascination with cars post Jeepney but for the nearsightedness of government past with high tariff and restriction on imports.
Today, with a slight openness and reduction of tariff on foreign goods, maybe the Jeepney's history of creativity and resourcefulness will be recreated through Competition and create jobs for the creative.

Personal Mission

Love God as First Principle and Love my Neighbor as myself.
Promote Independence and Self Reliance in Filipino heart and soul.
Preach less Government, free Market of Ideas, free Trade and
Private Property Rights in the Philippines.
Work to strengthen Rule of Law - Natural, Moral and human laws.

Patriotism or Nationalism

Patriotism from patriot, dictionary definition is one who loves, supports and defends his country.
Nationalism dictionary definition is 'Devotion to the interests or culture of a particular nation or aspiration for national independence'.
Patriotism is not the same as Nationalism. Patriotism is not equal to Nationalism. Patriotism is good for you and the country. Nationalism can led to isolationism, false pride of one's culture and bigotry.
Patriotism is new world, nationalism is old world.
In 18th century New world Americans call themselves Patriots. 18th century Americans had no century old culture to be proud of. Today, 21st century Americans still calls themselves Patriots. American culture is an immigrant mix from all over the globe, from every continent, from different arrival times and includes non immigrant, native Americans.
Nationalism is anthema to a nation's economic prosperity. Nationalism can restrict the most important factor for prosperity, trade and exchange of goods outside the nation's borders.

Edsa1 People Power

Edsa1 People Power had global consequences!
Berlin Wall came stumbling down without guns and tanks. West and East Germany became one.
Soviet Russia's break up born several small countries as independent and democratic as the Philippines.
Communist China open it's economy and traded openly with Americans.
Today, some previously communist controlled countries have identical political history of pre-Edsa1 Philippines.
Today, Filipinos should look at Estonia's economic climate since split from Russia.
Estonia's contribution to globalization is Flat Tax, originally at 28%. Flat Tax enhanced Estonia's prosperity, it is reduced to 20% recently.

People Power @ Micro level

Real and lasting People Power is establishment of Jury System in the Philippines!
Grand Jury - 24 jurors hears and ask witnesses questions to determine whether a case has broken laws.
Criminal Petit Jury - for criminal cases, with emphasis in 'reasonable doubt'.
Civil Petit Jury - for civil cases like embezzlement and corruption. 12 people, chosen at random, given the power to judge their peers guilty or not.
Real People Power with benign and powerful effect to all, even those who never been called to be a juror. Filipinos with time in their hands can watch Criminal and Civil court proceedings instead of protesting needlessly on the streets, learning nothing. Jury Trials are the best educational tool for non lawyers to learn critical thinking skills use by prosecutors and defense attorneys to plead their case.

Amend the Philippine 1986 Constitution

A Constitution cannot be too specific.
It will remove the ability of Filipinos to think for themselves. Too specific a constitution will remove the creativity of Filipinos to be self reliant.
A constitution must provide for Filipinos to think about their needs and laws to curb the excesses of those needs.
Too specific a constitution will remove the creativity of a LGU to govern specifically to the needs of the region. What Bohol need is not the same as Neuva Ecija's as well as what Central Visaya need is not the same as Metro Manila.
God Bless the Philippines...

Economic optimism

For the first time in at least 3 decades, I am optimistic about us, Filipinos and the Philippines as a nation.
Adam Smith in 1776 wrote in 'The Wealth of Nations' that the source of wealth of a nation are it's people -their skills, dexterity and judgment- not gold and silver.
I went to Bohol, Cebu City, Ozamis and Manila last May. Visible signs of economic activity in every place I went.
At Bohol Tropics, there was a Math Competition for kids including several Asian countries. The hotel was full almost everyday. Internet access was free but dial up slow at the hotel. Internet cafe was a tricycle ride to downtown Tagbilaran and allowed me to use my laptop.
Took an air conditioned 'van-for-hire' from bus terminal instead of a clunky big bus or a private car to my hometown.
Few weeks before, the top floor of the market building burned down yet people were going about the business of exchanging goods. Enterprising Boholanos taking care of themselves for their own self interest.
A knowledgeable entrepreneur in Tagbilaran unlock my US cameraphone and installed a SIM card. I text and blend with everyone everywhere. Text messaging is cheap globally.
We went to Terra Azul beach one afternoon. The one lane unpaved road to Panglao was rough but worth seeing the ocean beach and the economic activity in that quiet island that I last visited in 1966. Dinner at beautiful and deliciously healthy Bee's Farm capped the night. Every dish had honey in it.
Economic competition terminated the supercut ferry services between Tagbilaran and Cebu. It is cheaper to go via Tubigon to Cebu. Demand will improve and increase flights to Tagbilaran airport soon.

'Invisible Hand'

Filipinos overseas are God's 'invisible hand' in the presence of freedom and security in the Philippines.
Filipinos living abroad benignly assimilate their faith in Christ Jesus in their life.
Globally diasporic Filipinos will change the culture within the Philippines toward independent thought and action, self reliance and self discipline.
My natural citizenship is to the nation of my birth. I share my opinion and solution, compare the nation of my birth to the nation I acquire by choice. Lessons I learn, knowledge I acquire, skills I develop in my naturalized citizenship to my adopted nation with meditation and God's mercy I share with those I left behind years ago. If what I write improve their lives is a bonus.
'For it is Love that I desire, not sacrifice, and Knowledge of God rather than holocausts.' Hosea 6:6
'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' Matthew 9:13

The Wealth of Nations according to Adam Smith

The annual labor of every nation is the fund which originally supplies it with all the necessaries and conveniences of life which it annually consumes, and which consist always either in the immediate produce of that labor, or in what is purchased with that produce from other nations.
According therefore, as this produce, or what is purchased with it, bears a greater or smaller proportion to the number of those who are to consume it, the nation will be better or worse supplied with all the necessaries and conveniences for which it has occasion.
But this proportion must in every nation be regulated by two different circumstances; first, by the skill, dexterity and judgment with which its labor is generally applied; and, secondly, by the proportion between the number of those who are employed in useful labor, and that of those who are not so employed. Whatever be the soil, climate or extent of territory of any particular nation, the abundance or scantiness of its annual supply must, in that particular situation, depend upon those two circumstances.
The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith,1723-1790. 1994 ed, Random House,Inc.

Minimum Wage is Wage Control

Wages depends upon the contract between employee and business owners, whose interests are not the same. Employee want to be paid more and business owner want to give little.
Supply and Demand dictates wages.
If there's more employees than jobs, wages will be down. Jobs that have limited qualified employee pool pays more. If jobs are plentiful, wages will go up to attract employees.
Morally, wages should not be below the amount sufficient to maintain a family of 4.
The main goal for all Filipinos, employee and business owner is job creation to increase 'revenue and stock which increase national wealth'. More jobs create more wealth, not a set of numbers to pay for those already employed. The number one jobs creators are small businesses. Minimum wage is a small business owner's clutch to pay within the limits of the law, not what the job is worth.
Minimum Wage removes business owner decision - how much to pay and how many to hire - to run his establishment. Owners will employ family members to save on capital or do it himself. Owners will hire 1 instead of 2 to do the work of 2 to save on capital. Adam Smith's Division of Labor theory for prosperity do not apply if one employee is doing 2 skills or Owner does what a hired hand should do.
Division of Labor is specialization for skill improvement to increase productivity.
In the end, all employee potentials and owners do not gain more 'revenue and stock' to increase national wealth.

Productive Power of Labor not Natural Resource is the source of Prosperity

Prosperity depends on the productive power of Labor. The most important productive power of labor is Skill, according to Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations.
Productive power of Labor means we, Filipinos, are the source of prosperity not natural resources of the Philippines.
Our creativity, our skill, our judgment, our decision making, our critical thinking skills are sources of prosperity.
Rich natural resources removes the incentive to rely on ourselves to prosper. Rich natural resources creates dependence on someone else to tap on that rich natural resource. Like spoiled, given everything, spoon-fed, ya-yad children, Rich natural resources kills the incentive to work, to creatively find work, to study things that work.
Adam Smith wrote that Skill in Labor produces excess products. These excess products must be exchange for someone else excess products for prosperity to both. The Philippines have excess college educated professionals - nurses, doctors, accountants, engineers.
Improving our Skills and education, open trade and open borders with other countries are lofty goals.

Flat tax for Filipinos...

'Every tax ought to be convenient for the contributor to pay it. Every tax ought to take out and to keep out of the pockets of the people as little as possible' Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nation, 1776.
Philippines need Flat Tax (13%)for convenient tax collection. Flat Tax reduce tax evasion because the simplicity of tax payment removes the incentive to discount the government. Every income above 15,000 pesos, pays 13% tax. eVAT may continue to curb consumption as well as tax tourist and non-income producers but addicted consumers.

Flat Tax, Jury System & Federalism for Filipino prosperity...

1. Flat tax of 13% (plus eVAT) for incomes over P15,000.
2. Jury System for all criminal and civil crimes.
3. Federalism or Independent provincial governments. Every province with a governor must have it's own constitution, it's own Supreme Court, collects it's own taxes and govern it's own people.
Prosperity for Filipinos guaranteed in 2-4 years after implementation of the above three initiatives.

Adam Smith & Filipino Nurses, continuation

Philippine laws, regulations and family responsibilities must not prevent these excess nurses/doctors from exchanging their skills in the global health market. Government mandated Regulations to new graduate nurses/doctors to practice in the Philippines for a number of years after graduation is anathema to Adam Smith principles.
The Wealth of Nations, Chapter 11, First paragraph, says...
'This division of labor, from which so many advantages are derived, is not originally the effect of any human wisdom, which foresees and intends that general opulence to which it gives occasion. It is necessary, though very slow and gradual, consequence of a certain propensity in human nature which has in view no such extensive utility; the propensity to truck, barter and exchange one thing for another.'
5-10 years after graduation is a long time to catch up with current nursing practice abroad. Passing licensure exams abroad 5-10 yrs after graduation will be a strain. Smart nurses/doctors are rob of their financial ability to earn as much as their skills bear. These smart nurses/doctors are generous in supporting families and siblings in the Philippines. The longer you keep them from earning the max abroad,the poorer their siblings and family will be and indirectly, the nation's $ reserve.
Demand for smart nurses are not constant. Some years, demand is great, some years nil. Supply and demand applies to smart nurses as much as all economic forces.
Government's role is to protect it's citizen and the nation, to enact & enforce laws to maintain order. Government must maintain open and transparent transactions in all branches - executive, legislative & judiciary - less taxes, more open trade and less regulations. The less government is involve with our lives, the more independent and self-reliant, we, Filipinos becomes.
Again, keep government regulations to the minimum, please...

Adam Smith & Filipino nurses

Adam Smith wrote in 1776 (The Wealth of Nations): "The natural effort of every individual to better his own condition, when suffered to exert itself with freedom and security, is so powerful a principle,that it is alone and without any assistance, not only capable of carrying on the society to wealth and prosperity, but of surmounting a hundred impertinent obstructions with which the folly of human laws too often incumbers its operation."
In other words, each one of us, inherently or unconsciously, will look after our own needs and wants, with or without government intervention.
Filipino nurses/doctors work abroad because the demand for nurses/doctors are abroad. It's Market Forces extolled by Adam Smith in 1776. Philippine schools produced nurses/doctors in excess of market need in the Philippines. Adam Smith's Division of Labor created those excess nurses/doctors. These excess created the need to exchange. It started as an exchange program for nurses/doctors. Both parties, Filipino nurses/doctors and US health facilities benefited. Filipino nurses/doctors in United States prospered in comparison to those who remain in the Philippines. US health facilities expanded in different directions even with closure/mergers of US schools of nursing and declining birth rate due to abortion and natural tendencies.
Freedom from familial tradition, Filipino nurses/doctors 'Skill, Dexterity and Judgment' emerged.
The Philippine GDP/PPP must increase to pay those nurses/doctors their market skills' worth.
The government can not increase GDP/PPP. The government only hinders growth with high taxes, over regulation of trade and non enforcement of law and order to curb corruption.
In the '60's, United States open the spigot of immigration to recruit nurses to take care of Americans with Medicare and private insurance coverage. Nurses from Ireland and Philippines preferred because of similarity in training and English.

High productivity means prosperity

Prosperity depends on the productive power of Labor of which the most important is Skill, according to Adam Smith in 1776, The Wealth of Nations.
Productive power of Labor means we the people, is the source of prosperity not natural resources of the land. Our creativity, our skill, our judgment, out decision making, our critical thinking skills are the source of prosperity. Rich natural resources removes the incentive of people to rely on their own selves to prosper. Rich natural resources creates dependence on someone else to tap on that rich natural resource. Rich natural resources is an illusion of something that will always be their and there is no reason to hurry. Like children of rich parents, Rich natural resources kills the incentive to work, to creatively find work, to study things that work.
Adam Smith wrote that Skill in Labor produces excess products. These excess products must be exchange for someone else excess products in order for both to prosper.
The Philippines, as a result of quality education instilled by American teachers early in the century, have excess college educated professionals - nurses, doctors, accountants, engineers - which the natural Filipino economy could not sustain.
Creative minds to tap those natural resources are in short supply because of many government regulations, corruptive behavior of parents and superiors and low tolerance for risk.
However, those professionals were creative enough to know the market for their productive skills is in United States of America, who had educated our parents in English with American textbooks and standards. Now, these professinals have an obligation to give back to Filipinos left behind in the Philippines, not monetarily but relatively by example, by investing time and effort mentoring or starting a small enterprise.

Corruption is a moral issue...

Corruption do not cause poverty and Poverty do not cause corruption.
The Poor will always be with us says the Bible.
Adam Smith in 1776, The Wealth of Nations, wrote that 'A nation's wealth is in proportion to the different creative abilities of people not the quantity of gold.
We, the people, individually, make the difference on the prosperity of the Philippines. Every branch - Executive, Legislative & Judiciary must reduce taxes, simplify business permits and license applications. Requirements to form a corporation should be simplified. Government do not create wealth. Government do not create jobs. Business, especially small business create jobs and create wealth. Wealth is created by adding to a Capital. Wealth starts with Capital - human (our brain creates ideas, our sweat and callous hands)capital, economic (assets and real estate)capital, social (interaction skills)capital. One or two of these Capitals are needed in business. Money or economic capital is not the only Capital needed to start an enterprise.
No Capital, No wealth. Business (small to big, individual or corporation) create wealth creating jobs. Less regulated business grows in all directions.
Best examples are Computers and Internet. Computer and Internet were develop by US govt employees. Computer and Internet in infancy were open source. Creative entrepreneurs, some moral, some not, grow and expanded exponentially Computers and Internet in all direction - mega, micro, mini, data, voice, graphics, business, law enforcement,private & public. Creative both in making money and user application design. Today, US government only oversee a privately owned Internet domain registry.
Corrupt United Nations is trying to grab and control the Internet domain registry. Shame the United Nations! Every individual from every nation must prevent UN officials from corrupting what is left of computers and internet open source culture.
US government return of investments are taxes collected from computer and internet entrepreneurs.
It's us, God created individuals, creating, adding Capital provided by God. Government role is to protect us from killing each other or from terrorist. We are all sinners and corruptible. The solution is check and balance. Plenary indulgence is not enough. Corruption is not the reason the Philippines is not a prosperous country. Corruption is obvious because the Philippines is not a prosperous country. Philippines not a prosperous country because we allow the government to control and run our lives. We allow the government to control our lives because it is easier to let someone else make our decisions. We allow the government to make our decisions so we can blame the government if the results of those decisions are unsatisfactory. It is easier to blame someone else than blame ourselves!!!