More than a month ago, my son, Aaron, wrote an article on this site which caused me to feel uneasy. I never said anything on the site about it because he is entitled to his own opinions, and I did not wish to interfere with that. I did talk to him about it, though, just to share my thoughts and give him something to consider. I believe we are OK about it, and I don’t think that my writing this article will cause him any embarrassment. If I thought it would be uncomfortable for him, I would not write this.
Why did I feel uneasy about what my son wrote? Well, in his article entitled “Why I would Live in America” Aaron talked about his feelings of why he might want to live permanently in the United States. For those who are not following this, let me just clarify that Aaron was born in the USA, and when he was 3 years old, we moved to the Philippines. Aaron is 18 now, and he is on a journey back to the USA for the first time in the past 15 years. Aaron has been in the USA since March of this year.
Since graduating High School in 2013, Aaron has been trying to decide what he wants to do with his life. I have been trying to help him along on his journey of discovering his life’s ambition, but so far it has been a difficult decision for him. I feel that during his few months in the States, he has learned a lot, and he is getting closer to being able to set out on a path. One of the things that Aaron said in his article is that “America is the land of opportunity” and that he could see that there were work opportunities there which he felt did not exist here.
When I read this, it made me feel pretty discouraged. Frankly, it made me feel that I had failed my son.
Throughout my life I have been an entrepreneur, and I could always find ways to make money while doing things that I enjoyed doing. I actually started doing entrepreneurial pursuits back when I was just 9 years old. If it happened before that, I don’t recall, so I say that is when I got started. Pretty much since that age, I have had jobs of one type or another. I started early.
Over the years of my son’s life, I have tried to teach him about being entrepreneurial, putting his brain to work, figuring out ways to make money that were “outside the box” and generally not following the crowd. In many ways, I feel that I have been successful in showing him the way that I have been successful in life. But, when he wrote about the great opportunities in the USA, it did not sit well with me.
Over the decades, the United States of America has been known as a “Land of Opportunity”. However, I feel that in the past few decades, the opportunity has faded. It is not entirely the fault of any certain politician, or political party. I feel it is greatly due to the “maturity” of the market in the USA.
I got into an email discussion about this with a very close friend of mine. I will not name that friend, but if he wishes to join the discussion here, he is welcome to identify himself. I only leave him nameless for his own privacy, and he can make the decision about that.
Let me share some of the thoughts that I mentioned in the discussion with my friend.
The discussion got started by my telling him about Aaron’s upcoming article (this friend is also a friend of Aaron’s), and how it made me feel uneasy. His response to that was that he did not agree with Aaron’s thought because he felt that geography had no influence on opportunity.
I felt that was a pretty good point, but I had additional thinking that I wanted to share with him. Here it is:
Aaron wrote the article about wanting to live in the States. One of his reasons that he said he would like to live there was that it is the land of opportunity. He said that basically there is so much opportunity there, and really no opportunity in the Philippines. He said that he does not have a college degree so he can’t get a job here, but he can get so many jobs in the USA. I thought to myself, “I have failed.” I try to show people how they can earn a living online, live here and earn from elsewhere. A college degree is of little importance. This kind of thing… yet my own son does not understand what I have been telling him day in and day out for years on end? Damn, it really cut, and still gives my heart pain to think about it. Almost brought tears to my eyes, I could feel them coming. As far as a college degree, we have encouraged him to go to college, but he has no interest. He can follow in my footsteps so easily, if he just does it. I do know one thing.. it is time for him to get off the pot and do something. Go to school, get a job, or learn how to work for himself. He is 18, nearly 19, and it is just time to do something. I love him dearly, but I am not going to support him for the rest of my life, that would not be fair to him. Even if it means that he will get a job in the USA, that is his decision. But, I, for one, believe that there is MORE opportunity here in the Philippines than there in the USA. He does not realize that the way he talks about the USA is the USA that I grew up in, and you. It is a thing of the past, and only getting further and further away from current reality. Yes, there are problems with the Philippines, but this country is moving in the direction of improvement. The USA is moving in the opposite direction 7 days per week.
All of what you wrote about Opportunity was interesting, and mostly I agree. Like you said to me, I don’t 100% agree with everything you said, but I also believe that we are each on the same wavelength. Where I disagree is minor, but I believe that there is SOME geographical element to opportunity. This is one of the reasons why I believe that there is more opportunity here in the Philippines when compared to the USA. The reason I think that is because the USA is simply more developed. Things that can be done to make money, for a large part, have been done there. Of course, new stuff comes along all the time. But, for example, you mentioned my gift company, WowPhilippines. There are already a ton of such gift companies (online and off). When I started Wow, I was the FIRST such company here in the Philippines, and it gave me a number of years where I basically had no competition in the business. Now there are literally thousands.
Here is another example that is similar to Wow. Something like Teleflora, 1-800-Flowers, etc. In the USA there are a bunch of companies that you can call one number and they will get flowers delivered anywhere in the country. Believe it or not, no such thing exists in the Philippines. Wow is about the closest thing to that. One of the reasons is that credit card use and acceptance is not fully developed here. Another reason is that Credit Card USE is more limited here. Another one is that in these small towns all around the country, supply can be difficult to come by.
So, my point is that there is more OPPORTUNITY to do a business like that here, because the business is already mature in the USA with a lot of big companies competing. In the Philippines, it is still in its infancy, and even a small player like me can get into it and develop such a business. So, that is what I mean about more opportunity here. Anyway, in general, the USA business market is much more mature than the Philippine market, leaving a lot of holes to be filled in here, and that, in my view is opportunity.
One more point on the “opportunity”. As I explained about the USA being more mature than the Philippines business market, etc…. there is a big advantage to that. If a guy like you or I, who moves here from the USA is interested in business, we can just look at what we miss here. We can say, boy it sure was nice back in the States when business x was so convenient, but they don’t have it here. Hey… why don’t I start that kind of business here? You know it is a business that works, because it succeeded in the USA, and the odds are that it will succeed here too (in most cases). It has already been proven as something that people want and need. It just has not made it here yet, and a little guy can take advantage of the absence in the market, before the big boys here finally catch on. 🙂
So, I wanted to share this with LiP readers. I decided to share it because of a comment I got a few days ago from Scott. Scott mentioned that he felt there was a lot of opportunity here in the Philippines, more than in the USA. He also said that many people that he talked to about this felt that he was crazy. So, for Scott, I think you are right, you are not alone! And, by the way, after explaining my thoughts to my friend, he also pretty much turned around and felt much like I do, that the Philippines is loaded with opportunity!
To my son, Aaron. I hope that you read this article too, and that it helps you decide what is best for you. I am not saying that there is no opportunity in the USA, because there IS! But, there is a lot of opportunity in the Philippines too. One of the big differences, though, is that in the USA it is a lot bigger market where the competition is brutal, and you probably need a lot of money in most cases if you want to break into the market. In the Philippines the market is immature and a small player like you or me can make a big splash! Good luck to you, son!
Hate to say it but you both are partly right. The USA is moving away from being the Land of Opportunity, and Philippines is Improving. But where each stands, kind of depends how you look at it. As an Entrepreneur, Philipines may be preferable, but for a young guy starting out, well, he can get his start here, but he should not plan on moving up the ladder too fast. Regulations and politics here just love startups, but too many big Corporations have influence on business regs. You pretty much have to fight your way into the “Big Leagues” the way things are now. Used to be a LOT better, but as I look at taking on an existing business model myself, I am rather dismayed at the regulatory environment.
If he is going to be an OFW (so to speak) in the USA, getting his start up money and experience in the USA, then later take it back to the PI, he will probably do pretty good.
Hi Tom – Whatever he does, I would not consider Aaron to be an OFW, since he is a US citizen. He acts and thinks a lot more American than Filipino. In terms of opportunity, I think that Aaron could do fine getting his start in the Philippines, since he can work for me, and work his way into becoming more of a partner to me than an employee.
Thanks for your comment, Tom.
I feel you Bob, or at least I had similar thoughts some 30 years ago when I counseled my sons according to what I knew and how I felt when they were about to finish high school. Neither of the two went about earning a living the way I wanted them to, but both left my house fully aware of the fact that I was probably their most user friendly source of information and free advice.
Despite my advice to stay away from the military, my first-born enlisted in the Air Force, side-streamed himself into the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, then the academy and fully lived his chosen life until he retired as a Brigadier General about three months ago. But the worm turns. Now he seeks my guidance concerning future career possibilities and I tell him he could have been somebody had he listened to me back in the 1980’s
Again, over my strident admonition to seek a different path, my younger son strived to become a professional athlete. He actually took my advice on two occasions. Once, when I suggested he drop basketball in lieu of football and a second time when I told him to change to a university where he might actually get to play quarterback. He started a game or three his senior year, but by then had come to understand that he wasn’t NFL bound. He happily accepted the job of assistant quarterback coach with a small salary and free tuition which he used to pick up a master’s in finance.
He moved on to Wall Street after calculating his meager chances of becoming a well-paid coach, and now is the point man for his company’s business for whatever consulting services the NFL needs for doing business in Europe. Probably not a lot of guys around the table with quarterback experience.
I took more time than necessary to say that you should in no way feel discouraged that your druthers have yet to be realized, but I never miss the opportunity to proudly broadcast the fact that my sons blew me off on their way to successfully finding their own way through the maze. I’m sure you realize that there are yet to be discovered routes through the maze.
I originally intended to carry this into entrepreneurship vice drawing a pay check and opportunity here there and everywhere, but decided not to delude the essence of what I consider to be essential father-son stuff.
Stay well, stay flexible.
Perspective is everything.
Thank you Michael. Lots of good examples there. The most important thing you said, in my view, was at the end… “Stay Flexible”. That is the key for us parents! You gotta let the kids take their own path, and hopefully give a bit of guidance along the way!
The true questions is where is the future? Hint…its not the U.S
Hi Robert – Unfortunate, but it appears that you ande I are seeing the same forecast!
you are correct robert it’s not here.
Hi Anthony – Nice to hear from you, my friend. I think there is some opportunity in the USA, of course, but Aaron can find a lot of opportunity here if he chooses to work with me and follow my lead. Nothing would make me happier!
I agree.
Yes….sad to say.
your right bob and i agree with you but even knowing how this country is collapsing at record speed there is jobs, here even minial jobs that you cant really get there in the philippines i understand your sons illusion and its understandable being in a place where jobs are hard to come bye and if u get one your working for peanuts but the nice thing as you said the euntropranural oppertunity is better in the philippines i totaly agree and i experienced opening a bar in pampanga was with ease and less restrictions and making money was easier than here in the usa, although i want to go back because i know im a jack of all trades and my main experience is a auto transmission specialist , wich i know the automatics are becoming popular in the philippines i can rebuild or repair any make and model, and work on any repair on any car or truck etc boat motorcycle, i know that bad times are coming and the country will and absolutly without fail will fall into an economical disaster soon, and once it happens it will be hard to leave esspecialy if there is civil unrest, this is not a maybe this is an absolute, i moved my daughter and my exwife there because of her deportation and said one day i will be in the philippines and if you look accross the water you will see smoke and it will be the usa under siege, and we will be safe, that was my prediction i have been following all these things since 1986 and all the things that i seen on a single vhs tape are now coming to reality, i have talked about the coming problems for many years back then everybody thought i was crazy and told me never gonna happen your watching to much star wars brah lol but now my friends that remember me telling them that years ago are telling me brah how you know all that stuffs was gonna happen back then its now happening now i rememba u tellin us i was in hawaii, im trying to convince my girlfriend to move back but she just baught a house but she has property in pampanga, and rental property there so its a tough call, i also have to make that hard descision to go back to the philippines, i feel in the direction of where this country is heading,i can count my losses here and be better there in the long run take care bob and watch over your son sure hate for him to get trapped in this kaos god bless
Hello Kapampangan Riderbrian. You offer a lot to consider there, and I find the things you say to be worthy of thought. The good thing is that since Aaron wrote his article, his views have shifted a little bit toward my position. I think that he sees things more clearly now.
I don’t feel like the USA is currently the land of opportunity. Maybe someday it will be again, but for now things aren’t looking so rosy. The unemployment level is very high (despite what the official unemployment rate says). The number of people out of the workforce is as bad as it was in 1977. Finding a decent job right now in the USA is next to impossible. I’ve never seen things worse in my lifetime. Yes, it’s possible to find part-time work making minimum wage, but for anything more than that…forget it.
Things aren’t looking so good for entrepreneurs in the USA, either. That’s mainly because of the tsunami of regulations the government has unleashed in recent years.
Sarbanes-Oxley, Dodd-Frank, and the Affordable Care Act have turned us into a nation of underemployed, part-time workers barely scraping by.
Lord help us.
Hi Cy – Right now, I don’t see very much opportunity in the USA. There are hamburger flipping jobs, walmart jobs, etc… but as for real opportunity… it is a lot less than it was in the past. One big things is that where there is opportunity, the threshold to take advantage of the opportunity is quite high. It is very expensive to be an entrepreneur in the USA, whereas it is a low entry threshold n the Philippines.
Don’t forget the possibility Bob that Aaron may not want to be an entrepreneur, and may not want to sit at a computer all day thinking and doing the types of activity that you enjoy.
While some opportunities have been lost in the US, there are many still available. The work for tradesmen and craftsmen are going begging for workers, and at very good pay scales. This goes to areas like carpenters, electricians, oil field workers, truck drivers. While these wouldn’t appeal to you, perhaps that would appeal to Aaron. Just a thought.
For some reason, we as a country have gone away from the jobs where you might get your hands dirty o doing jobs that others may not want to do. The over emphasis on the need for a college degree has depleted the work force overall.
Certain parts of the US are crying for good workers and making some very useful appeals for hiring.
Hi Steve – Not quite sure why you would connect being an entrepreneur with sitting at the computer all day… many entrepreneurs don’t even use a computer
But, truth is that Aaron could be no happier than being at a computer all day. He lives for tech stuff. That is just how he is. 🙂
Everybody keeps saying he might not want to be an entrepreneur, and I understand that. But, I know Aaron better than any other person on earth, except for my wife, and I know what he wants. It is just a matter of how to reach his goal.
As far as other types of work, Aaron has expressed an interest in Welding. Not sure what sparked that interest, but if he wants to go with that, I have no problem at all with it.
welcome to the wonderful world of grown up kids.
I have watched my own spawn forge his own path it it is NOTHING that I ever thought he would follow or do. In fact I tried desperately to steer him in another direction. He went his own way. He is content and at peace with himself, which now that I think about it is way better than being “happy”. Whatever that really means.
Our kids god bless them all, actually have learned a lot from us…..they have followed or are following their hearts and are blazing their own trails.
I am not about to qualify or rate his life using my standard. He is the arbiter of his decisions. I think you get it, it’s the making peace with it yourself that takes time.
So true, Joe! Like you said… he blazed his own path, that is what we all have to do, I guess.
Dear Bob,
i’ve done a lot of welding in my life and i can tell you that it is a nice job, for those who like to work with their hands and can take a certain amount of abuse to their body.
From the beginning to the point where you reach a good level of welding you’ll have some satisfaction, like realizing that you can make a beautiful weld that needn’t be ground or finished and you did it very fast.
The problem with welding, and cutting and grinding steel, that are all parts of the same trade, is that it’s a dangerous job.
You need to be physically strong, you have to lift heavy stuff all day, you are exposed to UV, toxic fumes and melted steel digging holes on you; your hearing will get worse because of grinding (and NO, no blacksmith in the real world ever works with ear protection because that’s more dangerous than hearing whatever happens near you); you’ll have to go to an eye doctor to remove the occasional piece of steel from your eyeballs (been there, done that, got the t-shirt and i NEVER ground steel without eye protection).
To summarize, being a blacksmith and/or a welder can be a really beautiful career but it is NOT for everybody, it will damage your health and it will not make you rich.
I still enjoy cutting, grinding and welding for the sake of it but, if i had a son, i wouldn’t advice him to go learn blacksmithing.
From people i know in the U.S.A. i hear things that would make Aaron fly back to the Philippines in a minute, or swim if the flights are fully booked.
I guess that a welder in the Philippines makes something like 250PhP per day; in my humble opinion your son should either reconsider his career choice or become such a wonderful welder that he’d make money just sitting on a chair and teaching other people the tricks of the trade.
Sorry for writing a longer comment than usual, my best wishes to the Martin family.
LB.
Hi LB – Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I appreciate it greatly. I know about nothing in regards to welding. It is not something I have ever done or had an interest in. I don’t know why Aaron is so interested, but he is very interested in welding. If he wants to give it a shot, I hope he succeeds! He would have to do it in the States, though, in my view, because trade type laborers make so little money here in the Philippines. I know that in the States, those kinds of workers can make a killing, though!
Thanks again for sharing.
There are still plenty of entry level non-hamburger flipping jobs for a dedicated, eager and DEPENDABLE employee here in the US. Say at the 30 K starting salary with college–40 or 45 with experience—true, maybe not what a successful entrepreneur earns…but maybe he just doesn’t have the desire to be his own boss.
Without college, yes it will be tough to start much above 20 to 25K a year–perhaps 28K for a manager assistant at a restro or cinema–but yeah that borders on burger flipping.
I wish the best.
Hi Pete – It is not really about the money at all, it is about doing something challenging and that can be rewarding – personally and financially – in the future. Something like working in a restaurant would bore Aaron. He, I am pretty certain, would want to work in something more technical. He has good tech skills and knowledge, and it is what he enjoys.
We will see what happens, but I think that in the past few weeks, he is starting to see the light, and feel that he has a path to follow!
Pete, I’m not so sure about those jobs you mentioned. My brother, for example, is long-term unemployed and he has a BS in accounting with experience. He lives in a fairly large city, too… Nashville. He’s even tried applying for some basic bookkeeping jobs paying $12-$15 an hour. No takers. Things are nuts right now.
Cy, I have an acctg degree too ( from the Phils.), and there are still a lot of acctg jobs in the US. He may want to try working for a small acctg firm or revisit his resume’. Sometimes companies will not hire you if you’re overqualified.
Bob,
This is a great post! So many good opinions prove how complex making a living really is.
Comments rightly show that there is a big difference between making a living and prospering from a career that is both financially AND personally rewarding.
My father fifty-five years ago could make more money working at the Ford factory stacking bumpers than many people make today in the U.S. These were the decades that a college degree or factory job ensured a lifetime of financial success. Those days are gone forever.
Two years ago I went to truck driving school to earn the big bucks in the oil field. To my surprise, I met engineers, security specialists, dental techs, dentists, and retired military men -all of them earning more money as truck drivers. Most of them were struggling to make ends meet after a lifetime in their careers. The money was was excellent but oil went bust and they are now out of work.
As local and state government deficits sweep the country, property taxes are raised and homeowners and lifetime members of the community are left holding the bills. Also, earning power in the U.S. is now equivalent to the late 1970s and early 1980s. America is severely stagnated (with no turnaround in sight)
Earning a living is more difficult than ever. Good opportunities remain, but I believe the key is entrepreneurship in carefully designing your own career or business. Information products and highly specialized skills that are hard for others to duplicate can provide a great living. Specialization is the key.
Your blog and information products are great examples of this. You own a wonderful niche. You’re not competing with Lonely Planet guides or 10,000 touring companies. You have specialized knowledge of web marketing and 15 years of living in the Philippines and helping others. As a single individual you have the advantage, you don’t need a million readers, you just need a few thousand followers to connect with those who will benefit from your experience and help -people who want to happily live in the Philippines like you.
A final note, I had a friend that lived in Brazil and quickly started a furniture business. Like the Philippines, tools and skilled labor were affordable. The first couple years he made good money, but because it was easy to start this business other competitors soon gave him a run for his money. He had early mover advantage, but lost it because he didn’t specialize and strategize. The Philippines has many great opportunities but success is continually earned.
Thanks for all the posts everybody. I really enjoyed your comments!
Dan
Hi Dan – Thanks for stopping by, and for sharing your comment.
You know, I have often said in the past that here on LiP, the comments is where you will often find the gold! It sounds like you feel the same.
When you speak of things like information products and that sort of thing… you are speaking my language, my friend! 🙂
You are very correct that like your friend in Brazil, once you get into a niche, you still have to be active, keep moving forward and always learn and change to keep owning that niche! I have already learned that in some of my businesses, and try to practice that skill each day.
I notice how you say the boy is 18 and it is time he did something. Too late . The teaching to be a leader starts way before 18.
You , and most others are also missing the fact that the USA is the land of opportunity for people that actually want to earn a living with their hands and their back. This is scorned by the elite, aka , college graduates . There is a satisfaction that is derived from actually building, fixing something that that the ” educated ” sheople will never understand .
Mike Rowe has stated this perfectly . Read his statements , they are almost mine exactly.
I made my living and retirement as a mechanic and equipment operator. Contrary to the pussifeid president of the usa, I did build that.
Hi Joel Dwire Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think you hvae not been following this saga. I have been posting about this for the last 5 years, and I have been teaching Aaron about this kind of stuff since he was about 10 years old so so. So, right now might be too late to get started, but this process has been ongoing for a long, long time. We are just getting to the point where the rubber hits the road. 😉 Your part about earning your living with your back and your hands, I find to be mostly correct. I am a big follower of Mike Rowe, and have written about his work projects many times over the years.
It is never to late…. Never….
Ugh! You just lost me on your last statement.
I think both of you have valid assertions. But we cannot blame Aaron for what he perceived to be as opportunities. He is young, and he sees America as a different world compared to where he grew up in (the Philippines) . Also, he may see the world in America in a different perspective than you do . We can’t say for now, that there’s no opportunity for him to thrive and excel here, and we can’t say also that the Philippines can assure him opportunities available for him that he desires providing him happiness, success and satisfaction. I think He is just discovering a different world right now with different opportunities available for him, different experiences, different people to interact with that may influence his decisions and opinions, and different insights . I know you raised him well and you have all the best intentions for his happiness and success. But he is young and getting more mature as he is exposed to more concepts, ideas and experiences that are relatively varied than anything in the Philippines. Who knows , it will just be temporary since he is young, or who knows they’re just opinions and insights that will shape his future goals….nobody knows. It’s hard to read exactly what he meant , but I think his opinions are relatively based on what are available to him , (young people like him). For example, young people here can be independent and can find jobs regardless of their age, etc.
Bob , that’s only my opinion. Cheers.
Hi breehat – I don’t think that I have “blamed” Aaron at all. I think that as his father I am trying to guide him, although his decisions are for him to make, but I see nothing wrong with guidance. No blame, though.
I am not sure where you got the idea that I said that the Philippines can assure him opportunities. No country or person can assure anybody of opportunities. Only he can go out and get that. I just feel that there is more opportunity for him to go out and seize in the Philippines.
Thanks for sharing your opinion, it is appreciated.
I think both of you have valid assertions. But we cannot blame Aaron for what he perceived to be as opportunities. He is young, and he sees America as a different world compared to where he grew up in (the Philippines) . Also, he may see the world in America in a different perspective than you do . We can’t say for now, that there’s no opportunity for him to thrive and excel here, and we can’t say also that the Philippines can assure him opportunities available for him that he desires providing him happiness, success and satisfaction. I think He is just discovering a different world right now with different opportunities available for him, different experiences, different people to interact with that may influence his decisions and opinions, and different insights . I know you raised him well and you have all the best intentions for his happiness and success. But he is young and getting more mature as he is exposed to more concepts, ideas and experiences that are relatively varied than anything in the Philippines. Who knows , it will just be temporary since he is young, or who knows they’re just opinions and insights that will shape his future goals….nobody knows. It’s hard to read exactly what he meant , but I think his opinions are relatively based on what are available to him , (young people like him). For example, young people here can be independent and can find jobs regardless of their age, etc.
Bob , that’s only my opinion. Cheers.
Understood, thanks for sharing, breehat.
Blame , I used that word as a “general context” …not you . But as a reference, if anyone tries to make it something as a “result ” of something that is undesirable, unacceptable or unnecessary. Sorry , I did not make myself clear. That’s why I used the word “we”.
I understand. Thanks for clarifying.
I agree with you about entrepreneur opportunities being greater in the Philippines that in the states but remember not everyone wants to be there own boss. The job situation is not what it was 20 years ago. One more thing there is another flower site in the Philippines which I have used, it is Philflora, they are quite good.
Hi Steve – I sure do agree that not everybody wants to be their own boss, and I will add that not everybody SHOULD be their own boss. It depends on the person. Aaron is a very independent type of person, though, and has expressed that he is looking for a type of work situation where he is not tied down to a single project and is free to do what he wants. Independence is what he is looking for, so I think self employment is right for him. Maybe he will jump into the conversation and express what he thinks about that.
I never said there is not another flower site in the Philippines. I said that 16 years ago there was no flower site. Today and 16 years ago is very different. In fact today, there are many hundreds of flower sites! 🙂
Bob: First of all, I do not agree with you that a college degree is of little importance. I understand that you have done well for yourself, never having completed college. But I can pretty much guarantee you that you would not be saying a college degree is of little importance if you had completed one. This is just my opinion, but I felt it needed to be said. Completing a college education is a valuable life lesson. Secondly, your son may not want to follow in his dad’s footsteps. This is not a failure on your part. An entrepreneurial life is not for everybody. Having tried my own hand at entrepreneurial ventures, I have to say that working for someone else is not so bad for many of us. Nuff said.
Hi Jamie – I have no problem with you disagreeing with me about college… we are all entitled to our own opinion. I see no benefits that a college degree would offer me in the line of work that I do. Now, keep in mind, I did go to college for 3 years, I just didn’t get a degree. So, I know there are benefits, but I see no reason to think that the piece of paper (or sheep skin) would be of any value to me. 🙂
If my son does not wish to follow in my footsteps I have no issues about that. I would like to see him follow my footsteps, and there would be great benefits to him in doing so, but he has to follow the path that is right for him.
Don’t know what it was, but once I got my 4 year degree doors opened for me and my income substantially increased. You have to experience it to really understand what a difference it can make.
But it is not for everybody. I have no college degree. I went for 3 years and the boredom almost killed me, so I quit. Never looked back, and I am quite happy with the life that it afforded me.
Again, as said above I can pretty much guarantee you that you would not be saying a college degree is of little importance if you had completed one. Sounds to me like you are just trying to justify dropping out of college. No offense intended, but if you are going to put your personal life out on the world wide web, you gotta be able to take a little constructive criticism.
Jamie – You really don’t know anything about my life, my friend. I am glad that getting a college degree was a good thing for you, and I congratulate you on that. I get your message, you have told it to me so many times, that I don’t know this or that about what a college degree would do for me. Look, it ain’t gonna happen. I am 53 years old, and I am doing fine. Is there any reason why we have to keep driving this same point home day in and day out? I have taken your “constructive criticism” for several days now. Thank you so much for driving it home continuously, to make sure it sinks in. Let’s move on now, would that be OK?
Bob: It seems like I touched a nerve. I am sorry if I offended you. I will be fine with ending our discussion on this matter at this point. On another point, happy upcoming anniversary to you and Feyma. You may recall that you and I were married on the same day. I married my wife in Digos, on 08-28-1990. I have been following your site for several years.
Thank you Jamie. You didn’t actually touch a nerve, except the continuous repetition of the same point over and over.
Feyma and my anniversary is on 8-9, so we were a bit ahead of you. Yep, Silver Anniversary this year!
Our Silver Anniversary (25 year) is coming up!
Bob Arron may not be talking entirely about entrepreneurial Opportunity. There are many good paying blue collar jobs in the USA and entry level to thes jobs might seem easier to him. For example, in the airline Industry there is many skilled jobs that can be entered as an apprentice so to speak. but to work your way up the ladder to the higher paying jobs You must first learn the trade well enough to get Licensed. This requires many hours of study and practice but it can be done. That is just one example of many I could name.
I also believe that there is a lot of opportunity here. There is a booming construction industry here. In the Davao area, there has been a new power plant and a new Steel Plant built, both will need workers. Opportunity is open in the ship building industry. Even someone who can build boats would have a good business. In a Nation made up of so many Islands, Boats and ships will always be needed. I like the story of Henry Sy. Thought his father was wealthy, He was heavily morgaged and whe he died they lost everything. Henry grew into the wealth man he is today buy very modest beginnings and perseverance. For those that may not know who Henry Sy is , Google him .
You are right about it being time for Arron to start making his own way in the world and where he does that is up to him. but My vote is for the Philippines. I think the Philippines offers great opportunity for young people!
Yes, I know that Aaron may not have entrepreneurial opportunity in mind, but based on the things he has told me over the years, I feel pretty certain that is his longer term destination.
I think most of these opportunities you speak of are for a citizen of PH, right? Or someone married to a Filipino. As an America, I can’t go over there and simply “start a business” as far as I’m aware of…..In fact, I can’t even own land there, so seems like that would make it quite difficult and risky.
Hi John – Not really. There are types of businesses that a foreigner can start here. Owning land and owning a business are two completely different things.
But, in this discussion, that is a moot point, since Aaron is a dual citizen – US and Philipines.
Also, John, just for a point of discussion, what would owning land have to do with starting a business? As Bob said there are a great many businesses a foreigner can engage in here in the Philippines, not to mention the idea of keeping the same business you might be in back in the USA and operating it remotely, or starting a new business based here in the Philippines but earning from somewhere else.
To my mind, after flip-flopping a number of times on which country might offer the greatest level of opportunity, I now believe there is no difference … the “Opportunity” comes from within.
But as a foreigner, wouldn’t the business have to be majority owned by Filipinos?
Hi John – As I just said some kinds of businesses can be OWNED by foreigners. Owned as in 100%.
I own all of my businesses in the Philippines.
Only thing to factor into this conversation is that it takes a particular mind-set and drive to be an entrepreneur. I certainly don’t have that kind of mind; I don’t think I could make any money via online pursuits. That being said, there are certainly opportunities here. However, many of them require some sort of start-up capital. It can be a tough place to make a living.
On the other hand, when a young person isn’t totally sure what he/she wants to do, spending a few years working in various entry-level jobs while sharing an apartment with other young people is a good wake-up call. I would suggest that, no matter what is decided, free room and board should not be part of the package.
Hi Douglas. The things you say about trying out multiple entry level type jobs makes a lot of sense, and I have been encouraging Aaron to do that – with mixed results. 🙂 I think you could make money online, it is not difficult to do, really. Just takes a little practice, really. As far as needing capital to start a business.. yes and no. Truth is that I have never spent more than $100 to start any business that I have, and some of those businesses have made a lot of money. So, capital, in my view, is only a minor consideration n the mix. 🙂 Nice to hear from you.
I thought you might be interested in this link. https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/20/chattanooga-wesley-clark-calls-internment-camps-disloyal-americans/
First question, who defines Radicalized?
Aaron. I raised 10 children back in the old days of the USA…I went back to the USA last year after a 9 year absence and how things have changed…prices have skyrocketed and a guy would have to have a dam good job just to live well..I could not imagine trying to raise that kind of family there ever again…..I ….. like your dad wanted my sons to follow my occupation as it provided $$$ to keep and raise a family which is going to be in your near future one day…I was in the car business and taught them by bringing them to my workplace after school and when ever…now they are all in the same business and succeding..however they say its rough there as rent electric just about everything is high….Your dad is a successful business man and it seems as though you like computer work he has a nice home and family here and making a good living…you can see that for yourself…yes the U S is very much more modern but that sometimes is not the most important factor in life…I would say to you go home to your father learn…. and even input your ideas you might have to make the business even more sucessfull…because you will most likely never find that kind of opportunity there…I can not think you would not love to live here as I have lived in both places as well and I love it here…But from reading this article I can see how much your father loves you and wants you with him…Now thats the kind of boss you pray for good luck buddy …. think mature…..and think of mom too
Thanks for the encouragement, Lenny! Everything you said is much appreciated.
Aaron
If I would be you at this time, I wouldn’t even wait for the flight back home to Philippines. I would jump into the Pacific and swim back home, that’s how URGENT it is.
Most of the people here have NO CLUE about what’s going-on inside of their own country and how bad the present situation truly is. As a first time visitor, I never expected you to realise that, but when I see comments from real Americans bragging about meagre opportunities (minimum wage jobs) that still exist, I want to scream against the wind.
They’ll understand only when it will be too late to do anything about it. This will happen soon enough for you to see it first-hand and I really wish you would never see it, but unfortunately, you are still not AWAKE… not yet!
People spend countless hours on BS that circulates on Internet, but nothing on matters that are truly important… NOTHING, ZERO! The end result will be devastating for most.
You better WAKE-UP fast, otherwise you will be history!
Please forgive me for being too vague, I couldn’t possibly write here what is my view of things… it’s too unorthodox for most.
Bob:
You and I are pretty close to the same age…. I think you are a few years older, but not much.
You and I grew up at the cusp between the old economy and the new economy. We were told the promises from the old economy anout good jobs, etc but the new economy was just starting.
Aaron has grown up in the new economy. As my current job shows, borders have become less relevant and their relevance decreases every day.
You and I were the generation when computers first came into the home. He has never known a life without them.
He will need to adjust. He will need to figure out what he wants to do. He will make mistakes, and, as his father, you need to let him make them.
I do not hold a lot of the doom and gloom about the USA that other seem to do. They are stuck in the old ways. An awful lot of it is pariotic bullshit and propaganda. I see the exact same thing happening in other developed countries. Lots of bemoaning the loss of manufacturing jobs and so on. The American exceptionalism myth is simply being exposed to be a myth.
The thing is that regardless of whether the USA is going up or down, it is still the largest economy in the world, and will continue to be a major economic force for many years to come. So, you then hear the drivel about China. The answer then becomes “so what?” If the Chinese economy becomes larger than the USA, why does it matter?
It doesn’t.
The only impact is that the ninnies running out and waving the flag screaming USA USA cannot then say #1.
Aaron will make his own way. He needs to figure out what he wants to do. If that path requires going to college, then so be it. It is his choice. If it is a different path, so be it.
One thing that I have found that does make the USA somewhat unique is that the USA is one of the few places on Earth where there are second chances. If you try and fail, you can always try again
If you hate your job, you can always go back to school and learn a new trade, at any age. That is somehing that is very much not the case in most of the rest of the world.
Hi John – Thanks for sharing your input. I sure can’t argue with what you say about second changes. America is the home of second chances. Another thing about America is that it is the true home of the underdog. America loves underdogs. If it looks like you can’t make it…. and then you do make it.. you will be loved there. 😉
John Miele, thanks for this post. I haven’t read all the posts yet, but so far, yours is the only one (that makes sense) closest to my opinion. What I will only add is – being a dual citizen, Aaron can pretty much enjoy the best of both worlds.
John
Your reply to the topic was one of the more intelligent responses I’ve seen. Although the U.S. is in a somewhat bad spot folks must realize that we haven’t had a revolution in over 200 years. How many countries can claim that? We still have a stable government and I would advise people to not judge the environment of the U.S. by watching the news because they will be misinformed no matter what network they follow. As I would not try to make such judgments about the Philippines because I am not currently living there, I would warn the naysayers to not make judgments about the U.S. while not living here.
John Miele – Thanks for opening the window and letting in some fresh air. Good post!
Bob – The only point I’ll make here is that the US has one thing that I’ve not seen elsewhere in my travels: A deeply rooted mindset that we are creators of our own destiny if we choose to be.
While you choose to be in the Philippines and do what you do (congrats on that), you can’t deny that you are who you are largely because of the context in which you grew up. You see all the possibilities to make a living there precisely because of that. While you and Feyma raised AJ well, he grew up in a different culture and it will take him some time to reconcile your guidance with his own experience so far.
AJ will get a lot from his time here in the States – as he would visiting any other country for an extended time – and will return home a better person either way. But in the end, it’ll be his path to walk and you’ll be there to advise and catch him if he falls, because you’re a good Dad.
To Aaron: I hope all this talk doesn’t cause you too much embarrassment. I think despite all the varied opinions here, I have no doubt that all of the contributors have your best interest at heart – and that’s a true blessing.
My advice: Watch “Meet the Robinsons” if you haven’t seen it, celebrate your mistakes (because those are the best lessons) and remember the mantra… “Keep moving forward!”
Bob,
If your son decides not to follow in your footsteps as an entrepreneur, what kind of future would he have with no college degree in a 3rd world country? No company will even talk to him. I am sure you discussed a back up plan with him if that is the case.
Hi lgbalfa – Aaron is an extremely smart kid. He has a really good education, just no college. If he were to live in the States, I am pretty certain that he could get a job. He may start off at a lower level, but I feel pretty certain that he could climb the ladder fairly quickly as I always did. But, it is his choice, and if the door slams on him, I think he would learn his lesson pretty quickly. It is never too late to go back to school in my opinion.
with the right networking, he should be able to find something that he can excel and enjoy doing as a career in america.
do you think that if he is not an entrepreneur like yourself, the philippines is really not a good option for him?
I think that Aaron is a born entrepreneur. I think he will come back to the Philippines and do something similar to what I do.
that didn’t really answer my question but i do hope the best for your son and agree that he should work with you in order to be successful in the Philippines.
I am sorry I thought I answered your question. Yes, I think Aaron is entrepreneurial, and I think he loves the Philippines and will do well here.
my question actually is, if your son DOES NOT become an entrepreneur like yourself, what type of work can he do in the philippines otherwise?
i know that you are saying you think that he will be and he will be good at it but just in case the entrepreneurship doesn’t workout, what else could he do in the philippines? call center agent?
Hi lgbalfa – Actually, I answered that in a much earlier comment, I think you didn’t see it. Here is what I said:
Hi lgbalfa – Aaron is an extremely smart kid. He has a really good education, just no college. If he were to live in the States, I am pretty certain that he could get a job. He may start off at a lower level, but I feel pretty certain that he could climb the ladder fairly quickly as I always did. But, it is his choice, and if the door slams on him, I think he would learn his lesson pretty quickly. It is never too late to go back to school in my opinion.
So, what I am saying is that if he decides to live in the Philippines and he finds no opportunities for himself.. he will have to reevaluate, and probablyl get more education. 🙂
Hi Bob,
I’d just like to throw my 2 pesos in here too.
I could write volumes.
Don’t worry, I won’t.
A job is a job and if you don’t like what you are doing it can be hell on earth.
I stumbled around until I was 23, try in to please others’ expectations of me… Dentist (good with my hands), 3 years of college in 5 years (lucky I didn’t get drafted – this was ’67 – ’72) (apology to those who served).
My first love was electricity. It was my passion since I was 8 years old. It was always my hobby. I moved to Florida in ’72 with a 1st class FCC license and got a job at Gen Tel. Eventually moved into marine electrical and electronics. It lasted 40 years. I worked as an independant/dependant contractor for a large shipping company. I specialized in troubleshooting. I loved it working in my lifelong hobby. I became very good at my special niche.
You’ve got to love what you do, then it ceases to be work.
No regrets,
Jade
Hi Jade, I have learned that if you love what you do you never have to work a day in your life.
I would agree that the Philippines has a lot of opportunities but their lack of willingness to work with outsiders is a big hurttle. With your business it doesnt mater but to start a mortor and brick business ( and there are some good ones that would make a lot of money) you have to partner wit a Filipino and very few happy endings have come from that unless you are married to them. If they would modifie their laws some i would open shop there in a heart beat.
Hi Roger Craft – given that all of my kids and my wife are dual citizens they would not have to partner with anybody to start any kind of business in the Philippines. 🙂
yea they have advantage Bob. There are some real opportunities there for sure and i think now is the time. But i guess they have to find their own way. I sent all of mine to college and none have stayed with original plan
That is so typical, Roger Craft
Very interesting Bob and the remarks to you post too. I have visited the Philippines on many extended stays and now will move there full time in a matter of months. Why you ask, at 70 years old I have seen the US lose it’s values and is NOT the great land of opportunities it was years ago. Here in the US I have been cheated, lied to, stolen from by strangers and what I figured were my closest friends. In the US it’s not who will lie to you, steal from you but when.
The many Filipinos I have had the pleasure of meeting are honest, hard working, trust worthy and good people with good Christian values. You know like the US was when I was growing up.
I hope things work out for Aaron and he will be happy.
Fred
Fred, thank you for your kind words for aaron
Good luck with your coming move.
Being Canadian, I would say I am outside both the USA & RP. I can only say this is the way I see it.The US is not the land of opportunity any more.
Decades ago the god of greed took over the US and America allowed it’s manufacturing and other well paying jobs to be destroyed in favor of cheap socks, TVs, etc. The rich got extremely rich, the poor got extremely poor and the middle class got wiped out. The US government did nothing to stop it. Why? Because they are or are controlled by the rich.The same thing happened in Canada. The only reason Canada survived a little better is because Canada has a more resource based economy. This is not moaning It is a fact.
The RP has little opportunity unless you are an entrepreneur. Too any people chasing to few pesos. Being an entrepreneur is something, I believe, you cannot teach. You have it or you don’t. I don’t. I know what it takes. But it is not in me to do.
Bob, I would not worry about AJ. You did good. You raised him in the PR where he was basically one of the rich kids. But, from what I have read, he has a good head on his shoulders. He stayed away from the partying, drugs and booze. No shotgun wedding.
I would not worry about no college degree. I wanted my son to go t college too. He did not want to. Now he is making more money than his friends that went to college and does not have the debt of student loans. The one thing I taught him that has made the big difference is work ethic. If you have that, you may not get rich, but you will not go hungry.
P.S. My son works outdoors all day and loves it. He would die if you stuck him in an office all day. You have to be happy with what you do. At very least, not hate it. AJ will find his way.
Allen – I could not have said that better myself! I need that thumbs up button on this one!
I think the US has become the land of opportunity simply because so many Americans aren’t entrepreneurial. Less competition. The US imports way too many products from China that could be just as cheaply be made in the US. With its cheap power, great infrastructure, fast internet, the US is hard to beat.
Bob, I agree with your comments about the US being a more mature market than the Philippines, and thus many former business opportunities are now closed or difficult and expensive to enter. Yet, I think seeing almost any country from the perspective of being an outsider allows for the perception and reality of greater opportunity. By contrast, people actually living in those countries often do not see those opportunities. For, example, as a former outsider, with your experiences in the US, you saw many business opportunities in the Philippines that filled niches that native Filipinos did not see. Foreigners or new immigrants to the US and European countries often find and fulfill business opportunities that natives of those countries do not see. Citizens of the US complain that there are no longer many good opportunities to make a decent living, yet foreigners coming to the US still see it as the “land of opportunities” and sometimes create very successful businesses.
Hi Mike – I think that what you are saying is spot on! Thanks for sharing that.
Bob, what percentage of your revenue stream comes from sources outside the Philippines? While you live abroad, and your business is not the traditional nine-to-five grind, you still rely on revenues that are supported by the dying markets of America and Western Europe I’d imagine. To successfully think “outside the box” for the long-term, finding a way to tap the riches of China and other more exotic countries will be the ticket, or at least that’s what I suspect.
Hi Brent – 100% of my revenue stream comes from outside the Philippines. I don’t make even a single Peso in the Philippines.
spot on Bob. practically all small businesses have been killed by Walmart or Costco or Amazon here in the states. it would be very hard to head butt with these behemoths if your business model is mom and pop store. but as they say, there is always a room at the top.
I’ve never been in business but I observe that there are really good businesses than can be copied from the USA.
in terms of work opportunities, only the most skilled and the least skilled gets employed these days. outsourcing and free trade really decimated the jobs middle class were counting on.
but its a good thing also that your son gets the best of both worlds. he can always go back to the Phils? or US?
Yes, exactly. Aaron is a dual citizen, so he can come and go from either country as much as he wants. 🙂 Best of both worlds!
Bob,
I would not worry about Aaron so much. He is an intelligent young man. He is seeing the US for the first time through the eyes of an adult. The pasture looks green to him upon arriving. But I think he is starting to see the true America the longer he stays. It has problems just as any other country. He will make the right decision.
I really find the strangle hold the local, state, and federal governments have on business start up to be very discouraging in the US. And now we have people who earn minimum wage thinking they are entitled to $15hr. And now throw in the not so Affordable Care Act in the mix. Hostile business environment….
The Philippines is loaded with opportunity. The Philippine economy is the 2nd fastest growing in Asia. Some people will never get it even if you show them in black and white. The place is right for investing in property like apartment complexes, something in our future. Yes I cannot own the property but I have been married to my wife for 9 years and we trust each other implicitly. So she has the property in her name. We do have some townhouses that are in both our names that we lease out. My wife is a natural born entrepreneur, she has several businesses of her own and is making a good profit. Also I have a project I am working on that has big promise in exports. I see other businesses and services that are needed also. I just have no interest in doing them. I am with Bob on doing what makes you happy. And I live by what my dad taught me: Be your own boss and have others work for you.
Sorry Bob but I just got to say this. I read in a comment on up that said “I would warn the naysayers to not make judgments about the U.S. while not living here.” Well last time I checked I am an American and I will say what I darn well please about my country. If you feel that way then you might be part of the problem in America.
Hi Scott – I am Aaron’s dad, it is my job to worry about him! 😉
I agree with everything you say, except… the investing in properties, condos and such. The housing sector, is in my opinion, on a bubble. Condo units are way overbuilt and thousands are empty and just bought on speculation. So, that is one area I would avoid.
In regards to your last statement about people saying you can’t judge America if you don’t live there… well, isn’t that what people do with the Philippines? Many people come and comment this or that about the Philippines and they don’t live here. I agree with you – I am an American, and I will comment about my country of citizenship if I see fit! 🙂
Take care, Scott.
Bob,
I fully understand about worrying about your son. My son is a Corrections Officer, so you can imagine how I worry. I have tried to talk him into doing something else but he wants to eventually go into law enforcement. He could make so much more money in Structured Wiring but he says he enjoys law enforcement.
We only have 1 townhouse in Cebu and a condo in Manila. Not planing to do more than that at this time. But the Apartments is more what I have in mind.
Sorry I did not elaborate more about it. I had a frustrating day trying to get my wife her US passport. But mission accomplished!
That is great news, Scott, congratulations to your wife! If I remember correctly, I saw that you put some pictures on FB from her citizenship ceremony!
Yes her ceremony was Monday and she said Thank You! She was so excited to finally take her oath. Now we wait for her passport.
Great piece!
I think some of this just comes with the mindset that many Filipinos and others that grew up in other countries have about the USA and how it is the “land of opportunity”. I have lived in Davao City and in the Philippines for going on 4 years now. I also am an online entrepreneur. I feel where you are coming from Bob, however I think teaching someone to be an entrepreneur and think outside the box is hard to do. It is a different mindset. I also think that many people here have the “grass is greener on the other side” way of thinking. The media, movies and music from the USA keep these illusions going. The USA is in decline and there is not even one city in the USA in the top 10 most livable cities in the world anymore, that should tell you something. On the other hand a city like Davao really is growing into a modern city and their are many opportunities for business here. I see it everyday.
My fiancee (Filipina) thinks this way to some degree also and wants to live “abroad” but we are not going to the USA because I agree it is in decline now in many ways. However, when I took my fiancee on many trips to other countries/cities such has Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Switzerland, she felt home sick and could not wait to get back to the Philippines. We are however planning on living in Thailand for a few years but that is another story and for different reasons.
You must consider the age of your son also. When I was 18 I was in that rebel I know everything mode and I had to learn a lot of things in life the hard way. I agree that thinking outside the box and having an entrepreneurial spirit and mind set can bring you tremendous freedom and a life far better than a 9-5 day job. The entrepreneurs are the ones the create the jobs. I have used your WowGensan site and I did think, dang I should make something like this! On the other hand everyone can’t be a serial entrepreneur and a majority of business ideas do fail.
I know you are a smart man and you probably have done an amazing job raising your son. This situation would also be hard for me being a father now, but I have 18 years before I will go through anything like this, mine is only a year old 🙂 Hope I will be ready. Think positive and hope for the best and be there for him when he needs you is all I can think to say. This article really touched me. I wish you the best of luck with it and I really have a feeling that it is all going to turn out right. I think your son will find his prefect path in his own way.
Hi Todd – Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed the article.
I agree that it is not easy, in fact it might be impossible to teach somebody to be an entrepreneur. I am of the opinion that you either are an entrepreneur, or you are not, there is no inbetween. Aaron, I believe, is an entrepreneur. He just needs to mature and develop the embedded skills more, and I want to help him do that.
Aaron is indeed young, 18, but he is 18 going on 40. He is an old soul. Comes across as much older than he is, and he thinks that way. I think he can do it, the time is now, and we will see how he does! I believe in Aaron.
I’m reminded of a couple of things by this. One is an old joke I heard from a Mark Twain impersonator. No idea if it comes from an actual Twain quote or not.
“When I was 18, I thought my father was the dumbest man on Earth. When I was 20, I was amazed at how much the old man had learned in 2 years.”
The other is. lyric from a song by Bobby Bare, “New Cut Road”. The song is about a pioneer family packing the wagon to leave Kentucky for Texas. The son, Coleman, says that he’s staying in Kentucky.
One line goes: “Coleman’s daddy said What’s it all coming to? Young people now days are just stubborn as mules.”
A few lines later: “Coleman’s mama said Just let the boy stay. He’s raised up proper and he’ll find his own way.”
Even when it doesn’t seem like they’re listening to us, they are. Aaron will do well, I believe.
Here’s a link to the song.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bobby+bare+new+cut+road&qpvt=bobby+bare+new+cut+road&FORM=VQFRML#view=detail&mid=602EEA092DA57C324306602EEA092DA57C324306
Take care,
Pete
Hi Pete – I love Bobby Bare, but never heard of that song. It is an honor to be thought of in the lines of any of his songs! Bobby is a real true storyteller. 🙂
I can see there are great opportunities in The Philippines as it is so under-developed in modern methods of conducting business; just trying to contact a Philippine’s business from abroad can be incredibly frustrating. So there is huge opportunity for modelling; taking the best practice from the more developed economies and (allowing for cultural differences) adapting them to The Philippines. My best business was one I developed very early in the emergence of that business here in the UK and simply modelled (copied!) from those who had already started. Having said all of that, every developing adult has to create his own path through life, with as limited a guidance as possible, allowing that person to make mistakes and learn from them. It is important to look back on life and understand that all the successes and all the defeats were a product of your own efforts; no one to take your glory and no one to blame for your errors. We can only ever make the BEST DECISION AT THE TIME, based on who we are and what we know at that precise moment in time. We look back at some of those decisions and think we could have done something different, but we would have to live that same life many times to get it more perfect! Every decent parent wants to do the best for their children but sometimes standing back is the best. The children still know they are loved. The greatest gift to give a child is independence.
Hi Steve – I agree that Independence is a great gift. Sending Aaron to the USA for the past 7 months has given him that independence that he needs, and we are happy to give to him. Just talking to him on the phone and such, he has changed a great deal in the 4 months or so that he has been there. Much more mature, more outgoing, less shy, etc. It has been a gift that will serve him well, I think.
BTW, that issue you mentioned about it being difficult to contact Philippine businesses and getting a reply… one of the exact reasons why there are so many opportunities here for people like me! They have left the market wide open for somebody who knows how to serve foreigners!
I feel you Bob. Or at least I had similar thoughts some 30 years ago when I counseled my sons according to what I knew and how I felt when they were about to finish high school. Their immediate self-defined goals included finishing college. For them, that probably felt like it was the natural thing to do when your parents, grandparents and great grandparents on both sides were university graduates and they, since the age of 10 or 12 were a part of discussions about where to go to school and what to study if you intended to support yourself doing this or that.
When they finished high school, both of them had a sketchy outline of how they wanted to do to make a living. I suppose life in that environment engendered even immature consideration of how they perceived themselves and the work they wanted to do support themselves and others.
On the other hand, their decisions could have been the result of their grandfathers’ Machiavellian efforts to show them life on the bottom rungs as summer-time construction laborers, landscapers, veterinary assistants and assistant crawl space navigators.
This would start at the end of my sons’ respective sophomore years in high school when four old men did primitive tele-conferencing to decide which of them could provide the better “learning opportunity”. Each boy would do two years “in the hole” then move to an administrative position and fight an overflowing in-box the year he finished high school. My elder son quickly figured it out and passed it on to his brother, but both played the game. Except for the time my younger son refused to accept a mid-season trade from one grandfather to another unless the deal included travel expenses and per diem for his girlfriend. His mother hopped on a plane, threw gasoline and a match on that honey trap and shipped him off to grandpa #2. Nevertheless my son’s stock began to soar, based on its rising audacity quotient. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed being his background negotiators on terms for his final learning experience.
My sons blew-off my suggestions concerning how to make a living and blasted their own paths through the maze.
Both, however, left my house fully aware of the fact that I was probably their most user friendly source of information, free advice and financial assistance. But the worm has turned. Their old dad expects them to jointly manage his meager portfolio or experience a diminished inheritance if I my senior laziness causes me to just toss the whole thing into money market cash. My need for cohesive opinion insures neither of them will just flip me off and divert his attention to more valuable pursuits. I’m pretty much the odd man out when they try to draw me into arguments about the way to increase the value of the 50/50 split they get when no one answers the phone at their parents’ house. My mother made it to 94, my wife’s mother is still aggravating people at the age of 95. I’m currently working out the year of my demise, but things look more later than sooner. They’ll appreciate those long-life genes somewhere down the road, but I’m sure they consider me no less Machiavellian than their lovingly remembered grandfathers.
You should in no way feel discouraged that your druthers have yet to be realized. Your comments make it clear that you realize that there are yet to be discovered routes through the maze and that what happened 30 years ago is improbable today, despite the fact that there are parallel tidbits in all of the above. The tidbit I want to standout above all others is that it’s incumbent on parents to convey the message that families lives in three dimensions. They leave no history of their existence and struggles; crumble and dissolve if succeeding generations evolve without thought for the past, present and future. Variations of that message, properly transmitted and received early on, encourage self-awareness and mitigate indifference and indecisiveness on the part of the recipient in the batter’s circle.
I originally intended to carry this into entrepreneurship vice drawing a pay check and opportunity here, there and everywhere, but decided not to dilute the essence of what I consider to be essentially father-son stuff. But its already written if anyone wants a piece under a different subject.
Stay well, stay flexible.
Perspective is everything.
Aaron is a good kid, and he listens to his mother and I. When it comes to advice about work and such, he may not follow everything that we tell him, but at least he listens and considers it. I think that is how it should be.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Bob! This is Todd, Rubylita’s fiance. Yes, I agree partially with what you say about there being more opportunity in the Philippines than in America. I think most of that opportunity comes from being an entrepreneur not going to school and then trying to find a job working for someone else.
But Bob…you, I, and every other foreigner that has been to the Philippines realizes that most filipinos (not all) NEVER think outside the box…EVER! So their way of getting a good job in the Philippines or overseas is to go to college, get a degree and then try to find a decent paying job in the Philippines (very difficult) or to go to another country.
I have mentioned to Ruby many times there are other ways!!! But it is hard to tell filipinos this. They think everything on the other side of the ocean is so much better…but it’s not!
Let me give you an example: Ruby worked 12 hours a day at Karinderya (spelling not correct I think) washing dishes. She made 240 pesos a day…a little over $5 as you know.
However, the karinderya itself made over 20,000 pesos a day in PURE PROFIT. That is not normal profit for one of these but they have a GREAT location right across the street from De La Salle in Das Marinas, Cavite. Now, being a business person myself I told Ruby it would be MUCH better to be the owner and work in the business part time and hire other employees and make wayyyy more than being the dish washer and working 12 hours a day…six days a week…for only 240 pesos a day!
She did not get it. So while we are in Makati, Manila we go for our morning walks and we stop by our favorite karinderyas and get to know the people and the owners. Almost all of them said they made (when we got to know them and asked) over 1500 pesos a day and many made way more than that. A heckuva lot better than 240 pesos a day for very similar work!
All they were doing was cooking food Ruby and every other filipino cook almost every day anyway! So only then…only then…did the light turn on in her head.
So many filipinos think the way to go is to work for someone else all the time. Even college graduates with double majors and degrees have a hard time getting good PAYING jobs! I know of many double majors that work at banks and make less than 12,000 pesos a month. And the small little karinderya owners are making 45,000 pesos or more a month.
There are many businesses in the Philippines that could be started and successful but we all know cash flow is a real problem with 90% of filipinos. They just don’t have the money to start a business they want to…even if they wanted to.
Your son will probably end up seeing what is really going on and will probably realize there are many more opportunities in the Philippines…but you must think outside the box.
I wouldn’t feel bad….your son is young…geez, when I was his age I didn’t know which end was up or down.
He has seen you be successful and be your own boss…at some point he will probably follow in your footsteps or close.
I’m going to read all these replies above before I give my feelings. I started to read but need to head out for a event. But I think I can give some great advice for everyone to think about. Will be back online later to finish up
Thanks everyone
Brent
Looking forward to getting the low-down, Brent!
This is very interesting.
A man from India, or Whatever comes to the USA, and starts a business, and makes it boom with a small start up investment.
His American neighbors sit around complaining that there is no way to get any where in life. You see this often…
A man comes here from the USA, and sees a million potential things to do, and most often loses money, or gets scammed in every way, but many things also do work out.
The difference is cultural mindset.
Many locals do not do things an American would think of. The entire thing is SELF limiting perspective.
You can do many things here, but like others have said, getting big is a problem. So do several smaller things.
I think the US is coming apart at the seams.
The problem here is that a major financial crisis in the US will destroy this economy too. But one is better off here then.
It is almost impossible to consider living off the land in the USA unless you have a huge farm.
You can survive here with a garden, and a rented rice field, and a few chickens and such. It just is not cost effective in the States, but it is here.
Perspective, perspective, perspective, location, location, location…..
America has many good business laws and less to worry about than here. But you have to comply to so many laws there.
Here you can do many things, and you have little protections, and you have to REALLY trust your qualified partners, and employees. The differences are striking.
The best answer is to make money there, and invest it here. If you can.
Hi Earl – interesting thoughts. Here is something to think about, and something that many people are unable to understand. It is possible to live here in the Philippines while making your money in the USA and other countries. That is what I do, while living here, I make no money here, all of my income is from outside the country. 🙂
The Chinese love math ,in doing so discovered , like many of us, the USA on paper is bankrupt . The GDP of the USA ,,mainly exports – by the Fortune 1,000 companies has ,,,is the hope of the USA . In May 2016 the USA has to pay China 75 billion dollars of bonds,,interest. That will proceed in lesser amounts over the next 12-16 years. America’s economy is now moving forward,, on target until –2018. That is a critical turning point for the USA , if we do not make the projections,, we are facing a huge depression that will be our biggest ever!Ask any USA bank economist, of a large interstate bank . If We turn that corner, and I have reason of hope that we will , the USA slowly can proceed to lead the world again.
Any way you slice the goodies, Bob is correct, you have to become self employed, to become all you be or believe in any place on our planet. Thank you BOB!!
. IN the Philippines you are sitting on cheap labor, resources, talent , that can be used to export quality goods , services to other countries. Also the computer , or plain ole talent can be used to make an income that is ongoing forever.
Want to make money ?? ,,go to Hong Kong buy gems very cheap, ,,come back , have the gems designed,,set ,mounted in nice settings that sell ,,in jewelry you are sitting on a mound of Russian made simulated diamonds,, gems etc that will sell well in any country..
Bamboo ,wicker,, even toliets can be made ,,designed in the Davao area that can sell anywhere including Asia. its up to your mind.The Philippines are loaded with resources,, cheap, smart labor,, use that wisely ,,,enjoy ,,ask Bob!
Form ideas for investors or creators meetings,, do that monthly !!This concept is common in real estate ,, finance, , investor meetings! learn ,,get moving, get motivated,,,teach your children to —find a way!!
While I am not sure that our reasons are the same, I agree that the US economy is on very shaky ground. It is currently being held together artificially. I hope they can pull it back from the brink, but I think that Asia is the new land of opportunity. Sounds like you think so too.
With the creation of the Petro-dollar (1975- 2008) there was no need for the American government to encourage manufacturing within the USA; all they needed to do was print paper dollars. Those days are ending, and Oil is now being valued in other forms of paper currencies, forcing the USA to encourage manufacturing once again as before the early 1970s. The “land of opportunity” in many ways is easier to see with unfamiliar eyes. I am very blessed to have a filipina that grew up in the Philippines that has the unique ability to see a business opportunity in almost anything ! The old saying that the “grass is greener on the other side” is also true for many who are looking for the “land of opportunity”. It is a very unique ability to see opportunity in familiar surroundings !
Income Tax, does becoming a permanent resident in the Philippines require me to pay taxes on income from outside the Philippines. According to the Philippines Internal Revenue website, as I read it, I would.
“Resident citizens receiving income from sources within or outside the Philippines – self-employed individuals receiving income from the conduct of trade or business and/or practice of profession”
Besides my U.S. Social Security I get royalties from a couple books I sell on Amazon and I plan on doing more books. Been married to a Filipino five years, was in the US but came here last Oct to have a baby. Was going to return to the US but since found I’m enjoying it here. In order to stay here long term the obvious thing would be to become a permanent resident. But if I am going to be paying income taxes here then no. I filed last years US tax return from here and plan on continuing to do so.
I am not a Philippine attorney or accountant, but I would point you here:
http://www.ntrc.gov.ph/files/Chapter-I-Income-Taxes.pdf
This is a publication from the Philippines government, which I believe would be considered authoritative.
Page 3 unde “b. Aliens” clearly states that income which is taxable is “income which is received from sources within the Philippines”.
Although that publication would seem to indicate no tax it may be old information. I’d have to assume the information on the Internal Revenue website is current. Right now we are going to search around and see if we can find a new apartment, our current apartment has bad plumbing and a leaking roof. Have until end of August to decide stay or leave, we already have air tickets (booked a few months ago) back to the US middle of September.
I am not an authority on Philippine law, I only pointed you to an official government resource. I would recommend that you check with an attorney, account or somebody else who has authority on the matter. Good luck to you.