Fun OK for visitors, ‘beyond reach’ of most Filipinos

It’s no longer more fun in the Philippines for Filipinos and those who live in the country. The only ones who have fun in this country are the foreigners who come for a few days and take advantage of its resources, and then leave their mess behind once they’re done having fun. But for the Filipinos who call the Philippines home, they’re stuck having to deal with traffic, typhoons, pollution, poverty—and corruption by the powerful who are supposed to improve living conditions hereabouts.

I am aware that a lot of high-profile celebrities and NBA stars have visited the country. Their visit, yes, may call some attention to the country but the price for their visit comes at the expense of the Philippines. NBA super-stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant and Hollywood celebrities Sarah Jessica Parker and Rihanna were paid big bucks by local companies like Nike Philippines and SM just to visit the country. Even the recent NBA game played in the country definitely was fun for some Filipinos but it came at a price that certainly did not financially benefit the country.

I know that not everything is measured by finance and having fun, but the way the Philippines is being marketed by the Aquino administration will not be beneficial for the country in the long run. President Aquino and a few rich, powerful others may say, “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” but it is hard to have fun when millions of Filipinos live well below the poverty line and are struggling to eat even just one meal for the day.

—LARK CALAGUIO, [email protected]