13/09/2026
ANG HIRAP MAHALIN ANG PILIPINAS.
For the past 7 days, we had the opportunity to travel around Singapore and Malaysia with my travel buddies. And honestly, this trip made me realize something that is both painful and frustrating as a Filipino.
Singapore, of course, is no surprise. We all know how progressive, organized, clean, and economically strong this small country is.
But what really shocked me was Malaysia.
As we traveled not only around Kuala Lumpur but also outside the city, I couldn't help but notice how much better their roads and infrastructure are in many areas. You can actually see where government investment goes and how it translates into something that ordinary people can experience every day.
We even had the chance to talk to a local Grab driver. He shared with us how their government provides assistance to locals, particularly during periods of rising fuel prices. He mentioned a subsidized fuel price of around RM1.30 per liter, or roughly ₱30 per liter, with eligibility tied to being a local with a driver's license and vehicle.
Hearing that made me think:
Bakit parang ang hirap gawin ito sa Pilipinas?
Nakakainggit. Pero more than envy, it makes me sad.
Because every time we travel abroad and see how other countries manage their roads, transportation, public services, and government programs, we can't help but ask ourselves:
“Bakit hindi natin kaya?”
We Filipinos pay taxes. We work hard. We contribute to the economy. We follow the rules—or at least, most of us try to.
But sometimes, it feels like the people we put in power spend more time magbangayan, magturuan, at mag-away sa politika kaysa magtrabaho para sa ordinaryong Pilipino.
And worse, allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds continue to make Filipinos question where their hard-earned taxes are really going.
I don't hate the Philippines.
Mahal ko ang Pilipinas.
That's exactly why it hurts.
It hurts to see what other countries have accomplished while we continue to struggle with problems that should have been addressed decades ago.
We deserve better roads.
We deserve better public transportation.
We deserve efficient government services.
We deserve leaders who prioritize the people over political interests.
And most of all, we deserve a government that respects every peso coming from the Filipino people's hard-earned money.
Traveling abroad doesn't make me love the Philippines less.
It makes me wish that someday, the Philippines will become the country we Filipinos deserve to live in.
Kaya Pilipinas...
Kailan ka magiging kamahal-mahal? 🇵🇭
Hindi naman kami humihingi ng Singapore.
Gusto lang namin ng Pilipinas na hindi namin ikakahiya—at hindi namin kailangang ikumpara sa ibang bansa para malaman kung gaano pa tayo kalayo.
