Money Problems

The Asian Development Bank issued a second warning this year that "Brain drain has an impact on foreign direct investment as capital will flow only into economies with perceived adequate supplies of skilled labor in key sectors." Recall how obsessed I have become with production, production, production. It will be tremendously difficult to attract outside money for capital if we do not have the people trained to compete with the rest of the world.

Likewise, "One of the greatest concerns about brain drain is that the continued migration of skilled workers reduces overall productivity." The conclusion is pretty self-evident. What is needed is to become acutely aware that this bonanza of remittances will not last forever and should serve as a bridge while we emphasize programs that will make us self-sufficient.

Note that these concerns are purely from a financial perspective. The post directly preceding this illustrates another social cost that we will have to deal with in the future.

Sad Story

I saw on TV yesterday a touching story about how a producer thought of surprising a domestic worker in Hong Kong with a totally unexpected visit from her teenage daughter whom she had not seen in a long time.

The segment opened with an interview of the Filipina where she described her life. Not too bad except for the overwhelming desire to be with her "baby". She said that she was prepared to sacrifice indefinitely so long as her daughter was cared for by her parents back in the Philippines. Reminded me of what Mother Teresa once said, that it was not the poverty that sucked the life out of those unfortunate people in the streets of Calcutta rather it was the crushing loneliness.

Back to the tearful reunion, mother and daughter were treated to a day in Hong Kong Disneyland but what was most touching was despite all the rides and stuffed animals, mother and daughter were overjoyed just being together. They held each other closely and the daughter wished for her mother to come back home.

This is a story that is repeated millions of times every single day. Striving to escape poverty is a tremendously difficult process.

maggie and milly and molly and may

maggie and milly and molly and may.
went down to the beach (to play one day)
and maggie discovered a shell that sang so sweetly
she couldn't remember her troubles,
and milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;
and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:
and may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone
for whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea

e.e. cummings

All Saints Day

Today is the day everybody troops to the cemeteries. This is the day when we remember our dead. This would be a combination of Memorial Day and Thanksgiving Day when family members make their way to their respective ancestral roots and remember the dearly departed.

Certainly a curious feast considering All Souls Day falls the day after November 1 but if you want to witness a spectacle all you'll need to do is go to the town cemetery and you will see the entire place dotted with tents and blankets with people teeming all over.

For the enterprising who choose to open a concession stand for food and drink and flowers, a killing can be quickly made.

This is the first time in 18 years that I found myself back in the cemetery for ASD. There is so much faith and family in my poor and troubled country.