By Stacey Marie Cayce T. Castanares, James Alexander Caskie and Sophia M. Calipayan, University of San Jose Recoletos
NATIONALISM in the Philippines is something that is widely controversial and diminishing, as the Philippines is advancing and focusing its aim towards globalization more than its nationalistic views and economic independence.
Leaving behind the local business and agriculture aspect of this country as the competition is hard to catch on. Filipinos have this mindset that imports are better in terms of all categorical aspects. A lot of rising local businesses have failed because of the pressure of globalization. One of which is Myphone, which failed to be at par with international brands. We have been relying too much on other foreign products that even the food we eat up to the culture are already being diverted to the interests of other nations such as the rise of K-pop and anime that the majority of the millennials are captivated with. Imagine what could have become if we didn’t put so much premium on globalization, but rather be more nationalistic such as what Japan and Korea are doing, which led to the improvement of their economy. If we focus on glamorizing local products, then it would be easier for them to penetrate foreign states, such as what’s happening with Jollibee. If we do this to the rest of our local products, then business among local products will flourish.
As business grows, so does our the economy, more jobs will be available, more taxes for the government. We would be able to compete in an international scale and export our products. Filipino businessmen/women would have a chance to thrive in our country, thus the richer the people, the better. With all that, we would be known throughout the world and international companies would want to invest in a thriving economy with good business opportunities.
We need nationalism in our country. If America has a new motto, “America First,” we should also have a new motto, “Philippines first.”
We see foreign countries, such as Japan, Korea, and the United States, as an epitome of a growing society, we develop an infatuation towards their cultures, leaving behind our national roots. We put so much attention towards the foreign states that we fail to realize how they’re changing our society by implementing theirs, which would lead to their domination in our country. This is also one reason the people are so eager to live the so-called “American Dream” because they think it is the best. We fail to realize how that weakens our economy even more with the brain drain that’s happening. If we were to prioritize the demands of our country first rather than bow down towards other states, then there’s no doubt in my mind that the Philippines would be able to become a developed country.
This country should balance and prioritize both globalization and nationalism. We should create an environment in which local businesses and agriculture could thrive and flourish despite the global pressure of imports in our country.