THE end of 2020 not only marks a new year but a new decade. Towards the end of 2019, I have fearlessly forecasted 2020 to be a year of disruption and exponential innovation. And so indeed it was. We all saw how companies, cities and even countries struggled to survive the onslaught of the pandemic by leveraging or shifting to digital processes or virtual solutions. Everyone was trying to beat the long-standing deadline to mainstream innovation. The fast adapters had bigger wins than the slackers. The Philippine government has always proven to be one big giant slob when it comes to digital transformation. Slow. Argumentative and pessimistic kind of slow. The new generation needs to move faster and not look back anymore.
I foresee 2021 as a year of innovation that will usher in a decade of more innovation. But it will be private sector-driven. Governance in the Philippines is synonymous with politics. Politicians can never keep politics out of government. Therefore, it is no longer very ideal to dream of being a public servant, whether elective or appointive.
Philippine politics is not a place to bring to the table your leadership skills, experience, ideations, portfolio, track record, proof of concept, collective insights, prototypes for implementation and more. It is a place where you bring your money, your connections, your glib and fame to the table. It has become a business and a livelihood for many. Not a venue for Filipinos to self-actualize for the greater good. Hence, all the brightest Filipino minds must diligently strive instead in other fields of discipline worthy of respect and emulation.
A huge portion of government will soon be rendered more irrelevant with a global and seamless knowledge society that does not limit how far you can excel to only within your city or country. We have many Filipinos excelling globally in various fields without an ounce of official recognition by our government, yet their work and feat impact many lives.
Forget politicians and their annexes along with whatever they say (or try to say in between the air bubbles). They will not have much impact on your future in an integrated world. The airwaves are filled with useless ramblings that do not even qualify as content.
I encourage the new generation to strive for an impact on people's lives. So sadly, even if I thought otherwise in the past, politics is not the arena if your goal is to self-actualize based on your field. Not anymore.
Interestingly, the last quarter of each year reminds us of our hero, Andres Bonifacio. I call him the Father of Philippine Independence, Bonifacio, known as Maypagasa wrote the “Decalogue,” which means ten.
Although unpublished during Bonifacio’s lifetime, the Decalogue is considered today as one of the most famous Katipunan materials. The so-called “duties of the sons of the people” call for Katipunan members to believe with a fervent heart in the creator; reflect always that sincere faith in him involves love of one’s native land because this shows true love for one’s fellows; and engrave on the heart the conviction that to die for the liberation of the country from enslavement is the highest honor and fortune.
The Decalogue also provides that anyone who falls into danger while carrying out their duties should be supported by all, and rescued even at the cost of life and riches. Bonifacio called for each of his members to strive in the performance of their duty to set a good example for others to follow and share whatever you can with whoever is needy. The Decalogue cites that diligence in earning a livelihood is a true expression of love and affection for self, spouse, children and brothers or compatriots. These are noble aspirations of a true and valiant race. He could have been a great leader of an independent country. I am looking forward to noble leaders in the new decade.