Marathon: 10th of 15 parts

Philippine industrialists; Why aren't there Matsushitas and Hondas here?

I do not know a single industrialist of the Philippines. What I want to express here is what I perceive to be their characteristics and the environment in which they operate.

Industry. What is it? It is the production and sale of goods for commercial purposes. It is a part of the economy composed of manufacturing enterprises (www.answers.com). The Philippine economy has been and still remains backward. Our past leaders have concentrated on industry to the point that they overlooked the importance of the fundamentals. Our country is agricultural and if we are to succeed in living better lives (characterized by equitable distribution of wealth), then we should focus on our agriculture.

What is bad about haphazard industrialization? Our nation became import-dependent and export-oriented. We became chained to this vicious cycle that it made things and circumstances more difficult for us to maneuver. Dollar reserves quickly dwindle for us to sustain industries which are hungry for imported raw materials. Thus, this is an expensive and imprudent exercise of how one should spend money. As for exports, we are forced to release goods and people, skilled and educated people, to maintain an intricate balance in our financial statement.

The bureaucracy is so ridden with graft and corruption. Businesses and economic enterprises aren't allowed to reach or at least approximate their best because the government and political situation is just not conducive for them to move about or even feel what will allow them to make profit quietly. This proves that with an evil and inefficient leadership, everybody suffers, except for a handful which benefits from the blood, sweat, and tears of others. Even if there is no perfect political system, being more sensitive to others and thinking ahead of the effect of every action to the whole picture and even the entire human history and civilization is enough to make an enlightened difference.

Matsushita and Honda. These two Japanese are industrialists and no doubt they did a lot to make Japan an industrial leader. With what principle did they operate? Make nothing but profit? No. Earn enough profit for the future of the company? Yes. It is by being more altruistic that all of us benefit. So how's the person next to you getting along?