Pinoy in Singapore

Here’s an interesting read about Singapore: How did a sleepy little island transform into a high-tech powerhouse in one generation? It was all in the plan.

In my opinion (one who did not grow up in Singapore but instead in a third world democratic country but has been living in Singapore for about three years now), I think order and progress has its price and the most critical question is how much are you willing to pay for what level of order and progress? If not being able to chew gum and having to go through a temperature scan before entering a pub, would mean a cleaner and safer environment for me and everyone else then I could live with that. And if it means being scared of taking someone else’s wallet or peddling drugs because of the punishment it entails then so be it. People are not supposed to do it in the first place. Everyone is free to do as they wish as long as they respect other people’s rights too and if you do something knowing what the consequences are, then you better be up for it. But as for deeper issues like freedom of speech, political dynasties and having an ever present big brother or in this case, MM, I’m not so sure where to stand as I don’t have all the facts.

All I know is I come from a country where everyone has their own opinion and everyone thinks their opinion is right and as a result, nothing is really ever agreed upon and nothing good is ever accomplished. Politicians waste taxpayers’ money accusing each other of who is more corrupt but no one is ever really punished. And I don’t think they really do it to eliminate corruption. They oust other politician’s anomalies so their names would smell better and maybe win them another term – another term to amass even more wealth. In a country where no one respects the law much less simple rules, you wouldn’t dare walk by yourself in the middle of the night to a relatively dark place and go star gazing and watch out for the Leonids meteor shower.

And even though I’ve always believed that there’s no place like my home country, I found myself away from home. It hurts to have to say this about my country, but as time passes on, the hope I have for it is slowly dwindling away. But I’m still hoping things would get better especially since the elections are coming up. (And for once, I’m not having to choose between lesser evil but on who is actually better – Noynoy or Villar). It wouldn’t hurt for us (Filipinos) to have a leader as firm and determined as LKY. Debatable his ways may be, it is undeniable that what he has accomplished for Singapore is great.