The analysis of the attributes of the character of people from successful economies is Ok, although there might be some others to be added. The more important question though is why these are missing in Philippine culture and what, if anything, can be done to change it. Tropical countries are not likely to be naturally industrious, the climate makes for a slow life style. When things grow all year round and food can be gathered easily, it does not encourage planning or saving for a rainy day. Add to that the impact of Spanish and American colonisation and you end up with the Philippines.
Whether culturally it will change is difficult to predict but I hope it does. There are some great values to be found in the way the family bond remains so strong but there are also some very weak aspects too. The way so many accept dependency upon others as a natural way of life I find distressing. I would love to see the emergence of a great unifying leader in the mode of Ghandi, Martin Luther-King or Mandela. Someone who would get the people behind him and break the power of the controlling groups, make corruption a socially unacceptable behaviour and empower local communities. Probably though such a man would be denied air time and then murdered to ensure the status quo is not threatened. The role of the Catholic Church is really important and I just hope that one day they will wake up to fact that their policy on birth control is an over-riding factor in stopping any real progress. Until that is changed there really is no hope that significant progress will be made. Over population is already a serious problem and without some urgent action the potential for a real disaster exists. I feel quite sure that they will be forced to re-think at some time but whether soon enough is very doubtful. They don't have a track record of doing anything very quickly and their current viewpoint on this matter is deeply and sincerely held. In the context of the country's future it is just wrong. I don't see being "poor" as not having all the possessions held so dear by those in developed countries. Family values alone are not enough though. If there are too many mouths to feed, people starve. If the health provision is inadequate or unaffordable, people suffer and die unnecessarily. Once the population is stabilised, the country has enough food to feed all the people and they all have access to good medical care then the Philippines will not be "poor", but right now it is.
