EDITORIAL
We give the world our best
From the long-time slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” the country has a
new tagline: “We give the world our best.” It is not just a tourism slogan but a
branding campaign for the Philippines.
Presidential Adviser on Creative Communication (PACC) Secretary Paul Soriano
explained that “At its core, the project intends to let the whole world know how good,
compassionate, and competent Filipinos are. Filipinos bring their ‘best’ through daily
actions that touch lives all over the world.”
The Philippines’ bus advertisement in London featuring Filipina-British nurse May
Parsons with the slogan “A Filipina. We Give The World Our Best. The Philippines.” did
not sit well with some critics.
It is true that many Filipinos abroad shine in different fields of endeavor. This is
one thing that the country can be proud of. Miss Parsons’ success story is just one of
them. There are many other Filipinos who have shown compassion and competence
around the world.
Why do Filipino talents shine in other countries and not in the Philippines? Is
this something that we can really be proud of without reservation?
While the success stories of many Filipinos abroad are worth celebrating, the
situation is like a double-edged sword. Behind the crowning moments of Filipinos
abroad is a problem of the exodus of the best.
The Philippines is losing talents who could have served the country. Consider
nurses, doctors, engineers, computer programmers, accountants, and other
professionals leaving the country in droves for better pay. The result is that we are
giving out the best and the brightest Filipinos to other countries.
How do we entice them to come back to the Philippines?
One unorthodox suggestion is to send the politicians together with all the
inefficient and ineffective government officials and employees abroad. Once they touch
base there, the Filipinos in those countries may consider leaving and returning to the
Philippines.
Who knows? This can be the best strategy we have been looking for.