Not that the elections are forthcoming, or that I just want to join the political squabble… I tell you, this just happened because I sort of had to do it?
Clearly, this project was a headache. I’m not too sure of my analyses, but hey, here it goes. I’m posting another paper on my blog!
Manny Villar 2000 Keynote Speech
(First National Conference of the Commission on Audit Technical Audit Specialists)
An Analysis employing Dramatism
Sergei C. Reyes
II – BA Communication Arts
I. INTRODUCTION
RHETORICAL CRITICISM
Rhetorical Criticism is a tool used to examine speeches, such as a keynote speech. Before, it only focused on rhetoric as speech, but today, “contemporary rhetorical theorists are interested in the panoply of human symbolic behavior both the spoken and written word… Thus Kenneth Burke, who defined the human being as the "symbol-using animal," defined rhetoric as "the use of symbols to induce cooperation in those who by nature respond to symbols. "” (http://www. rhetorical-criticism--kenneth-burke.html)
Often, Rhetorical Criticism is also called as “Rhetorical Analysis”. Those in the field of Speech Communication practice such method. They take into account the use of words, and even phrases and metaphors “to discover how, and how well, they work: how they instruct, inform, entertain, move, arouse, perform, convince and, in general, persuade their audience, including whether and how they might improve their audience.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetorical_criticism)
According to Gregory Clark of Brigham Young University, another way to use this Analysis is to see how a speaker uses identification. He said that identifying involves choosing; therefore there are some instances of avoidable persuasion. “People use language in social life and identification is unavoidable. But because we can learn to choose from among identifications, some instances of persuasion can be avoided.” (http://www.cla.purdue.edu/dblakesley/burke/clark.html)
In summary, people employing Rhetorical Criticism in their work not only look at the use of language, but also how a speaker establishes identification, and the speech as a whole in achieving their goal of persuasion.
II. DRAMATISM
Rhetorical Criticism may be used further when one scrutinizes the elements of Dramatism. Knowing the agency, for example, and employing Rhetorical Analysis may prove effective to know whether the said element gives a strong contribution to its goal of persuasion. Dramatism is one of the approaches of Rhetorical Criticism, but it may be referred to as pentadic. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetorical_criticism)
Kenneth Burke introduced the communication theory, Dramatism, in which he saw life as a drama, and not like it. His theory offered a scheme of how to interpret a communication situation that is, through a Dramatistic Pentad, which is similar to the elements of drama: act, agency, agent, scene, and purpose. Through this theory, Burke was able to understand the motives of people.
As a rhetorician, he was concerned with persuasion. He said, for a speaker to be able to persuade, he should be able to establish first identification (Griffin 2005), which is the common ground between the speaker and the audience. After which, the Dramatistic Pentad comes into play when one analyzes how a speaker persuades his or her audience. But, the speaker could also strategically use it so as to effectively persuade (i.e. by making explicit the agency, act, purpose, etcetera).
THE DRAMATISTIC PENTAD
The Dramatistic Pentad consists of five elements: Act, Agency, Agent, Scene, and Purpose.
ACT
Put easily, the act is what a person does. If a journalist were to be asked, he would say that the act answers the question, “What?”
AGENCY
The agency makes the act happen as it provides the mechanism on how to execute the act. Furthermore, figures of speech may also be considered an agency because it also helps deliver the message.
AGENT
The agent is the doer of the act. In addition to this, one also considers the background of the speaker. In short, it answers the question, “Who?”
SCENE
The scene provides the setting, but Dramatism also adds the context and even the historical situation.
PURPOSE
The purpose is the implied goal of the act, although some speakers may be too blunt in their speeches.
III. ANALYSES
SYNOPSIS OF THE SPEECH
House Speaker Manny Villar delivered a keynote speech at the First National Conference of COA Technical Audit Specialists in the Development Academy of the Philippines Convention Center, Tagaytay City on May 18-19, 2000.
In his speech, he talked about many legislative accomplishments that the Congress believed to be helpful in bringing about progress and development in the Philippines. Furthermore, he said that, “…by acquainting you [Commission on Audit] with our legislative accomplishments, I may bring our institution closer to you and encourage you to work with us in the formulation of policies that would promote the welfare of our people.”
The said accomplishments included 603 bills where 133 of it were said to apply nationwide. In addition, these achievements would address issues from economic reforms and social welfare to the protection of the environment.
The bulk in the latter part of his speech consisted of his call for entrepreneurship. He argued that most Filipinos were taught to become employees and not as employers. Thus, he proposed that they be captains of their destinies to achieve progress and development for them and the country. He also discouraged giving attention to politicians like him, and decided finally that the audit specialists in the Commission on Audit, and most probably the people as well, to have a sense of new nationalism, which he believed could be done if Filipinos were to become entrepreneurs.
IDENTIFICATION
Villar made use of identification in three ways in the beginning of his speech. First, he created a common ground between him and his audience when he mentioned that he was a Certified Public Accountant. Of course, he was in an event composed mostly of accountants; therefore it would be an advantage to any speaker if he or she were able to relate with his or her audience through a common profession. Furthermore, he applied some principles in the said profession in business and public service, such as having an eye for detail, responsibility in controlling some public funds, and accountability.
“I am particularly pleased to address and touch base with this group of government auditors and accountants, because, as you may know, I am your fellow Certified Public Accountant. You are, as they say, my brothers in the profession.”
Second, Villar mentioned of his credentials, such as a graduate of the University of the Philippines, a public servant, and an entrepreneur. The school he belonged to is looked up to by many and his position as House Speaker add to his credibility as speaker. Moreover, being an entrepreneur gives him an ‘authority’ on how being such could give benefits to Filipinos and the country as well.
“…I was still a fresh graduate from UP-Diliman… As Speaker, I have to be even more careful. After all, I am dealing with public affairs… But I am telling you, I have been an entrepreneur all my life…”
Lastly, he created a relation between the audit specialists and the government, which was able to forge a connection to the “explicit” goal of his speech: cooperation for the progress and development and the country.
“As audit specialists, you perform a very special role – that of ensuring honesty and preventing graft and corruption in our government… I believe, though, that if we work together, we can face this challenge, however formidable it is. The problem of graft and corruption is probably responsible for our country’s being mired in poverty and backwardness, while our Asian neighbors continue to grow in economic prominence. We are put in a unique position to help solve this problem, and that makes us really fortunate. Individually, we can make a difference if we do our duties well. But together, we can make greater difference, one that may change our country’s future and give our people a better life.”
DRAMATISTIC PENTAD
The proponent was able to segregate the message of the speech into the Dramatistic Pentad. But, the purpose of the speech was further analyzed through an article published in the Internet.
AGENT
Manny Villar who was the House Speaker in year 2000 was the one who delivered the speech. He also happened to be an accountant who was a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman. Aside from being a public servant, he is also an entrepreneur.
In addition, he has not yet participated as a candidate in any national election. (
http://www.mannyvillar.com.ph/biography.html)
“I am your fellow Certified Public Accountant. You are, as they say, my brothers in the profession… I, in fact had the opportunity of working as an auditor for the auditing firm Sycip, Gorres and Velayo, back when I was still a fresh graduate from UP-Diliman… My training as an accountant, you know, has brought me many advantages, not just in my business but in public service as well… As Speaker, I have to be even more careful. After all, I am dealing with public affairs and also have control over some public funds… But I am telling you, I have been an entrepreneur all my life”
Because of this element, he was able to strongly establish identification through his credentials and achievements. Furthermore, Villar was able to choose among his many “identifications”, and used it as grounding in his speech. Thus, his message may have been able to persuade because it came from a credible man.
SCENE
The speaker delivered his speech at the First National Conference of COA Technical Audit Specialists in the Development Academy of the Philippines Convention Center, Tagaytay City on May 18-19, 2000. It was also six months before the historical impeachment of then president, Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Almost a year later, after delivering his speech, Villar ran for the Senate elections and won even if he were just a newcomer in the national elections. Moreover, he became Senate President.
ACT
Villar called for cooperation between the government and the Commission on Audit (COA) for the progress and development of the country, and for the changing of the ugly perception of the people towards the government. He also pushed forward nationalism, and stressed that people lead the country to advancement.
“I believe, though, that if we [audit specialists in COA] work together, we can face this challenge [graft and corruption in government], however formidable it is… together, we can make greater difference, one that may change our country’s future and give our people a better life… I hope that by acquainting you with our [Congress] legislative accomplishments, I may bring our institution closer to you and encourage you to work with us in the formulation of policies that would promote the welfare of our people… the cause of promoting entrepreneurship as a means to attain true progress and development for our people… My idea of an entrepreneurial revolution goes side by side with a policy of nationalist self-interest. To me, this is a new nationalism- the idea that we must encourage our own people to develop themselves and generate internal economic activities.”
The act seemed noble because he was just concerned with helping the country. And, he wanted to partner with COA to extend such helping hand. On the first few parts of his speech, he believed that the legislative accomplishments of the House of Representatives would be of great help to the country so as to address certain issues.
“…I would like to share with you today what we in Congress have done and are doing to help bring about progress and development for our country…”
In summary, he wanted cooperation with COA for the progress and development of the country, and for the changing of its image. He also called for nationalism via entrepreneurship to help people progress, and with their success, the country would be as well. He was able to address issues in the country too through legislative achievements. But implicitly, the act seemed to be a public relations act. Take note that he has never participated in any national election; therefore, he might have seen the need to strengthen his image especially because the senate elections were upcoming.
AGENCY
Villar mentioned that he wishes to partner with the Commission on Audit that is why he shared the legislative accomplishments of the Congress, which are said to answer problems on social, environmental, and economic issues. Through this agency, Villar was able to make his act persuasive because he provided COA concrete examples of the legislative achievements. And with these, COA may have seen that partnering with the Congress is a good thing because it entails them to achieve more.
“I hope that by acquainting you with our legislative accomplishments, I may bring our institution closer to you and encourage you to work with us in the formulation of policies that would promote the welfare of our people… These measures address issues from economic reforms and social welfare to the protection of the environment.”
Mentioned Legislative Accomplishments:
· Clean Air Act
· Anti-Dumping Duty Act
· Countervailing Duty Act
· Safeguard Measure
· Retail Trade Liberalization Act
· New General Banking Act
· Omnibus Power Industry Act
· Securities Regulation Act
· Housing and Investment Guaranty Act
· “Social welfare component of legislative policy-making is to make amends for the long neglect of these sectors by government”
· Inclusion of computer education
· Call for Entrepreneurship
· Address issue of graft and corruption
· Passed bills on Definition and Prohibition of certain Acts or Transactions in government offices as “Fixing”
· Transparency in Local Government Finances and Expenditures
· Reformation of Bureau of Customs
· Amendment of Internal Auditing Act
· Speedy completion of government infrastructure projects
· Amendment of Tariff and Customs Code
· Optimization of government revenue collection
Aside from cooperation with COA, Villar also wanted something for the Filipinos, especially those in the low rungs of society. He wanted them to progress, thus, he opted them to become captains of their destinies through entrepreneurship. He said, if they were successful, the country would be as well. He added that through entrepreneurship, it would be able to inculcate among Filipinos that it would be better to become employers rather than a nation of employees. Further, his proposal would also be able to bring back the OFWs.
“In the past few years, we have been growing economically. This growth, however, have been coming from big business and from foreign investments. We wonder why the poor people, why the poor people, why the countryside, are not benefiting from this so-called economic growth. I believe it is because the growth is not coming from below. The only way by which our people can share in this economic growth is for us to develop the small-scale business sector. We must encourage and give recognition to entrepreneurs… Only when we can bring home our five million Filipino overseas workers, and give them jobs and business facilities, only when we can develop an army of entrepreneurs, can we call our nation truly free. Only when we can do this can we set ourselves and our nation free.”
Implicitly though, the agency of legislative achievements may have been used as a public relations tool, or a means, to strengthen his image as a politician and as a very good leader. He, after all, leads the Lower House, and with such achievements, people may believe that he is fit to become a Senator.
PURPOSE
Explicitly, the purpose of the speaker was to encourage a dynamic relationship between the government and the Commission on Audit and the people, to be able to change the ugly image of the government, to answer issues faced by the Philippines, and to promote progress and development in the country. These are the reasons too why he called for nationalism.
“Like many governments around the world, we face a bureaucracy that is perceived to be everything it is not supposed to be — corrupt, wasteful, slow and inefficient. Because of this, it is really no wonder that cynicism about the government runs deep among many Filipinos. I believe, though, that if we work together, we can face this challenge, however formidable it is… We are put in a unique position to help solve this problem, and that makes us really fortunate. Individually, we can make a difference if we do our duties well. But together, we can make greater difference, one that may change our country’s future and give our people a better life… I believe, though, that if we [audit specialists in COA] work together, we can face this challenge [graft and corruption in government], however formidable it is…my idea of an entrepreneurial revolution, goes side by side with a policy of nationalist self-interest. To me, this is a new nationalism- the idea that we must encourage our own people to develop themselves and generate internal economic activities. Because we simply cannot depend anymore on more and more foreign investments to drive forward our country’s development… The challenge is economic liberation – liberation from overwhelming poverty, liberation from Western ideas that do not prioritize our development as a people.”
But, like any typical Filipino politician, he might have used this opportunity to gain support from people, especially colleagues, in his race for the Senate a year later. In addition, these accomplishments might have also led other politicians, including Former President Estrada, to think that Villar deserves to be House Speaker than Joker Arroyo, who was rumored to be the choice of Estrada. An excerpt from an article by Lito Banayo in Malaya (September 25, 2008) proves this hypothesis:
“I asked confirmation the day after from Erap about my reading that Villar had become “it” for the speakership. He said, “Tamad kasi si Joker”. And added, “Besides, Villar is the choice of the majority. Pinondohan niya pala ang kampanya ng maraming nanalo.”… And so Manuel Villar became speaker of the lower house, by the grace of Joseph Ejercito Estrada, who (chuckle), hated lazybones. Nobody becomes Speaker of the House in this country without the president’s imprimatur.” (http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=2769)
IV. Conclusion
If one looks at the Pentad of the keynote speech, the elements were overlapping. It also had an explicit and implicit part, which stemmed from the scene. That is why it seemed like Villar made the whole act a public relations activity, that is, to strengthen his image as a “new” politician so as to gracefully put him in the Senate.
The table below presents the “Explicit” and the “Implicit” Dramatistic Pentad of the Keynote Speech:
|
Explicit Pentad |
Implicit Pentad |
|
Act: A call for cooperation with COA to help change the ugly perception of people towards the government, and to help bring about progress and development for the country. It also called for nationalism via entrepreneurship, and shared legislative achievements to answer some national issues. |
Act: A Public Relations Activity, where he shared achievements of the Lower House where he is House Speaker, to strengthen his image as a politician or candidate in the upcoming elections. |
|
Agency: Legislative Achievements that pave the way for cooperation with COA, that could change the perception of people about the government, and that could answer some problems of the country. Further, he proposed entrepreneurship to bring progress and development to the country starting from the low rungs of society, and to bring home OFWs. |
Agency: Legislative Achievements that reflected his achievement (“effective leadership”, per se) as someone who led the Lower House, thus he is able to strengthen his image as a politician. After all, he is running for the Senate elections a year later, and he needed to strengthen his image because he is new to the national polls. |
|
Purpose: To have a dynamic relationship with COA, to answer issues in the country, and to create ways for the country and its people to progress and develop. Moreover, he wants to change the perception of people about the government. |
Purpose: To strengthen his image as a Politician and gain support from colleagues because he would run for the Senate a year later. |
|
Agent: Manny Villar, who is a House Speaker, graduate of UP Diliman, accountant, and entrepreneur. |
Agent: Manny Villar, who would be running for the Senate. He happens to be an impressive House Speaker because of the achievements of the Lower House. |
|
Scene: National Conference of COA Technical Audit Specialists |
Scene: One year before the national elections for the Senate |
At first, it really seemed that he wanted to rebuild, or reform, the country, nation-building per se through economic liberation, and his ways of doing such were explicit: through entrepreneurship, legislative achievements, and a partnership with COA.
But aside from this “explicit” agenda of helping the country, because of the presentation of the legislative achievements and the scene especially, it gave an inkling of a political intention.
These achievements did not do him, or the Congress, bad. In fact it helped portray a strong image of the Lower House, and since he leads this House, it has also given him a strong image: one that would give others the idea that he is a very good leader and a very good public servant. Having said these, it could eventually convince people to soon vote for him for the elections the year after he delivered his speech.
As a result, he ranked fifth in the 2001 Senate elections, which is a feat for someone who is new to the national polls. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_general_election,_2001.htm>)
Works Cited
Book: Griffin, Emory. A First Look at Communication Theory (6th edition). Boston : McGraw-Hill, 2005
Online Sources:
· Banayo, Lito. Queenmaker, Kingmaker? Published in Malaya. 7 March 2009. <http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=2769>.
· Clark, Gregory. Kenneth Burke, Identification, and Rhetorical Criticism in the Writing Classroom. 7 March 2009 <http://www.cla.purdue.edu/dblakesley/burke/clark.htm>.
· Commission on Audit Website. Keynote Speech by Manny Villar in First National Convention of COA Technical Audit Specialists. 7 March 2009 <http://www.coa.gov.ph/COA_News/2000/vol2n3/speech.asp>.
· Lycos Retriever. Rhetorical Criticism: Kenneth Burke. 7 March 2009 <http://www. rhetorical-criticism–kenneth-burke.html>.
· Manny Villar Home Page. Biography of Manny Villar. 7 March 2009. <http://www.mannyvillar.com.ph/biography.html>.
· Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Philippine General Elections 2001. 7 March 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_general_election,_2001.htm>.
· Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Rhetorical Criticism. 7 March 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetorical_criticism>.
APPENDIX
The Keynote Speech of Former House Speaker Manny Villar at the First National Conference of COA Technical Audit Specialists in the Development Academy of the Philippines Convention Center, Tagaytay City on May 18-19, 2000:
Distinguished guests, friends and colleagues in the public service, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
I would like, first of all, to thank the Commission on Audit for inviting me to this important occasion. I am particularly pleased to address and touch base with this group of government auditors and accountants, because, as you may know, I am your fellow Certified Public Accountant. You are, as they say, my brothers in the profession.
I, in fact had the opportunity of working as an auditor for the auditing firm Sycip, Gorres and Velayo, back when I was still a fresh graduate from UP-Diliman. Thus, I am not exaggerating if I say that I feel a certain kinship with all of you.
My training as an accountant, you know, has brought me many advantages, not just in my business but in public service as well. In accounting, you have to have an eye for detail which you really need if you want to be successful in your own business.
As Speaker, I have to be even more careful. After all, I am dealing with public affairs and also have control over some public funds. I am accountable to our people, and that is a heavy responsibility. I can ill afford to make mistakes in the matters that would affect public interest.
I am, hence proud to be an accountant, to be part of this noble profession that is so indispensable now in corporate business and in the government.
As audit specialists, you perform a very special role – that of ensuring honesty and preventing graft and corruption in our government. This is by no means an easy task. Like many governments around the world, we face a bureaucracy that is perceived to be everything it is not supposed to be — corrupt, wasteful, slow and inefficient. Because of this, it is really no wonder that cynicism about the government runs deep among many Filipinos.
I believe, though, that if we work together, we can face this challenge, however formidable it is. The problem of graft and corruption is probably responsible for our country’s being mired in poverty and backwardness, while our Asian neighbors continue to grow in economic prominence. We are put in a unique position to help solve this problem, and that makes us really fortunate. Individually, we can make a difference if we do our duties well. But together, we can make greater difference, one that may change our country’s future and give our people a better life.
In this light, I would like to share with you today what we in Congress have done and are doing to help bring about progress and development for our country. I hope that by acquainting you with our legislative accomplishments, I may bring our institution closer to you and encourage you to work with us in the formulation of policies that would promote the welfare of our people.
I am proud to report that the House of Representatives has so far passed a total of 603 bills, 133 of them of national application. These measures address issues from economic reforms and social welfare to the protection of the environment. Fifteen of these national bills have been passed into law.
Strong environmental agenda
Among the significant measures we passed is the Clean Air Act, which sets stringent air quality standards including a ban on garbage incineration. The bill has been left pending for almost ten years by the past three Congresses and was passed by the 11th Congress over intense lobbying from powerful vested interests. Because of its expected environmental benefits, the Clean Air Act is considered to be the most important piece of legislation passed by Congress since the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law in 1989.
Safety Nets First
The House has passed legislative measures that address the ground issues and effects of globalization.
Learning the lessons of the Asian financial crisis, the House saw fit to declare a “critical pause” on the liberalization process, by assuring that safety nets are first set in place to protect Filipino businesses and jobs.
Thus, we have passed the Anti-Dumping Duty Act the Countervailing Duty Act and the Safeguard Measure – - a trio of bills that offers protective measures against unfair trade practices of other nations. By consciously stepping on the brakes on the aggressive liberalization program of the past administration, we have bought critical time for Filipino enterprises to prepare for global competition.
Continuing Economic Reforms
We have passed two landmark measures of liberalization – - the Retail trade Liberalization Act and the New General Banking Act, which reverse the more than 40 years of economic protectionism on these two crucial sectors of the Philippine economy.
In the case of retail trade liberalization, foreign investment is seen conducive to creating more employment, the introduction of better technology and service, and better prices for consumers, aside from helping small and medium enterprises find competitive markets for their products.
Foreign investment is also sought to be drawn in the General Banking Act which aside from introducing more prudential standards in the sector also opens the door to foreign equity interests in Philippine banks under certain conditions.
Recently, we have passed the Omnibus Power Industry Act, which deregulates and restructures the power industry. This bill is expected to benefit the end-consumers, by introducing competition in the industry and by the resultant lowering of power rates. There is also the Securities Regulation Act, which answers the need for a new legal and regulatory framework for the capital market and ensures protection to the investing public.
Housing
We have given primacy to the provision of housing for the people with the passage of the Housing and Investment Guaranty Act, which establishes a sufficient capital pool to guarantee housing investment. With the country’s housing backlog already exceeding four million units, the Act is envisioned to spur private investments in housing development nationwide.
Addressing Social Sectors
We in the House of Representatives have given our attention to sectors long-neglected by policy makers. We have passed several remedial measures that address the problems of veterans, elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and abused women and children.
This social welfare component of legislative policy-making is to make amends for the long neglect of these sectors by government. Congress has shown its caring role of formulating laws that will have a direct and long lasting impact on these constituencies.
Promoting education
We have also turned our attention to the improvement of the quality education in our school system. Recently, we have passed a bill mandating the inclusion of computer education in the elementary and secondary schools curricula. The measure recognizes the need for youth to be attuned to the uses of computer technology, and be competitive in a global village.
Effective Governance
We have addressed the issue of graft and corruption by passing bills defining and prohibiting certain acts or transactions in government offices as “fixing,” providing for transparency in local government finances and expenditures, reforming the Bureau of Customs, and amending the Internal Auditing Act.
Rules for the speedy completion of government infrastructure projects were set, the Tariff and Customs Code was amended, and other reforms conducted to optimize government revenue collection.
We have taken into heart the best interests of the widest majority of the Filipino people, seriously crafted a legislative agenda that advances reforms but considers also its possible costs; declares a pro-environment stance once and for all; cares for the neglected social sectoral; and promotes good government and the development of the skills and capacities of the Filipino people.
With these, we hope that we have helped prepare the Philippines for the great challenges ahead, as we enter the new millennium.
Call for entrepreneurship
There is another thing that I want to share with you today – a cause that is very close to my heart. This is the cause of promoting entrepreneurship as a means to attain true progress and development for our people.
Let me point out to you a simple, yet often overlooked, fact.
In the past few years, we have been growing economically. This growth, however, have been coming from big business and from foreign investments. We wonder why the poor people, why the poor people, why the countryside, are not benefiting from this so-called economic growth.
I believe it is because the growth is not coming from below. The only way by which our people can share in this economic growth is for us to develop the small-scale business sector. We must encourage and give recognition to entrepreneurs. We have given enough recognition to politicians like me. It is time that we give recognition to the true heroes of our economic development — the entrepreneurs.
I have always been at a loss why Filipinos do not like the entrepreneurs much. Yet, I cannot see how we can be economically-developed without the emergence of more entrepreneurs in the country. I am led to believe that we Filipinos have been brainwashed during the 300 years of Spanish rule and the 50 years of American rule, into believing that we must serve.
Nation of employees
That is why most Filipinos like to be employees. We are contented to be a nation of employees. Children are being taught to study hard so that when they grow up, they will become managers or vice-presidents, but never as an employer.
We have exported over five million overseas Filipino workers. They are our heroes. They contribute P7-8 billion every year to our economy. We should thank them. But has it ever occurred to you that they are merely employed? That we don’t see a Filipino town abroad, but we see a Chinatown, a Vietnamese town or a Japanese town all engaged in thriving businesses?
We have this trait of wanting to be employees. While our neighbors — the Chinese and the Japanese — give their children their own businesses — one hardware for a son, one hardware for another, Filipinos will give their children houses, cars, jewelry, time deposits, but never a business. We don’t want to see our children become businessmen.
We believe in a myth that have been put into our minds by the Spaniards and the Americans — the myth that entrepreneurship is all about making money. But I am telling you, I have been an entrepreneur all my life and I am not doing it for money. Do you believe that Henry Sy and John Gokongwei still want to do business at the age of 75 because they want to make more money?
Entrepreneurship as an art
Entrepreneurship is an art and I see myself as an artist. My business is my work of art. You cannot ask John Gokongwei to stop because he likes what he is doing. How do you tell a painter to stop painting, a composer to stop composing or a poet to stop making poems? They are doing these things because they like doing them.
In the same manner, an entrepreneur likes to do business. That makes him an artist. That is why you must understand that you will be in better position if you become entrepreneurs. Don’t you want to be masters of your fate? Or, as they say captains of your destinies? Don’t you want to be truly independent and free? You will go through difficulties in putting up your own businesses, but these are the difficulties that make success very sweet. There is an intrinsic satisfaction in succeeding in business and being independent.
Economic Freedom
We have achieved democracy, we have gained our political freedom. But as we are now in this millennium, I think that we should now work hard on our next stage of freedom, which is our economic freedom.
Only when we can bring home our five million Filipino overseas workers, and give them jobs and business facilities, only when we can develop an army of entrepreneurs, can we call our nation truly free. Only when we can do this can we set ourselves and our nation free.
A New Nationalism
My concept of love of our country touches on how effective we are in raising up the millions of our poor countrymen into a life of dignity. To me, there is no real nationalism if there is no progress and development. And progress and development can only be had if we must put as first priority the very lives and livelihood of Filipinos, here and elsewhere.
My idea of an entrepreneurial revolution goes side by side with a policy of nationalist self-interest. To me, this is a new nationalism- the idea that we must encourage our own people to develop themselves and generate internal economic activities. Because we simply cannot depend anymore on more and more foreign investments to drive forward our country’s development.
Kaya nating magsariling sikap sa sariling bayan. We have a lot of winners in the business world. Why should we always give preference and priority to foreign investors?
As we say in UP: Kung hindi tayo, sino pa? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa? The challenge for all of us Filipinos today is not political in nature anymore. The challenge is economic liberation – liberation from overwhelming poverty, liberation from Western ideas that do not prioritize our development as a people
