Every year, a good number of my friends pack up their bags and head up abroad to look for better opportunities and build their lives in their adopted countries. I can't blame them. Since this country does not really reward its people by meritocracy, this brain drain, which started a long time ago, will go unabated for generations to come. I know of entire families leaving the country with almost no close relatives anymore left here. That's how dire the situation is now.
I first noticed this during my days of world traveling. The Philippines would always be in the news section of any newspaper - the Guardian, the International Herald Tribune, the South China Morning Post, Le Monde - we would always be there! Now tell me of a country of our stature who would always be present in any newspaper in the world? Do you have news from Sri Lanka, or maybe Ecuador, or even New Zealand? No, not really. But the Philippines would always be present - whether it's our lousy army, or a huge typhoon, or some worker getting raped - trust me - the editors of the world, will find a section for us. See, our country is important to this world!
