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LIVE NOW: How global economic and geopolitical shifts are shaping the Philippines' future. Join us with Wharton professor and global business consultant Mr. Brian To on Beyond the Headlines.
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02:33Okay, go ahead, DJ.
02:34So, we've actually seen how you've worked with the leaders and organizations globally.
02:44And we are honored because even with these extensive experiences, you decided to also take a more active role in the Philippines and in Cebu.
02:56So, just for curiosity, what drew you to the Philippines and to Cebu?
03:02Well, first of all, I'm privileged to be here and to at least make a small, modest contribution during my stay, which has been for over 20 years.
03:14I'm very fortunate to be associated with several organizations here and have volunteered to help some of these wonderful organizations, including universities, hospitals, and government agencies.
03:32But thank you for the question.
03:34Welcome.
03:35Welcome.
03:36A follow-up to that question will be, who is Brian Tho?
03:42Who is Brian Tho is a question I ask myself every morning.
03:47Who am I and what is my role and purpose in life?
03:50It's a question we all should ask ourselves, I think.
03:53Yes.
03:53Well, aside from being the husband of the governor?
03:57Well, besides being the husband of the present governor, I'm just what you might call a contributor.
04:07I'm fortunate and blessed to be able to contribute to government and the provincial leadership, but to numerous corporations and government agencies within the Philippines.
04:19And I've done so for over 20 years.
04:23Ed, you've spoken about leadership in a global language, no?
04:28So, how do you see leadership being practiced in the Philippines compared to the West?
04:36Well, as you may know, my professorship is in strategy and in leadership both.
04:42But to try to answer that question diligently, it's fair to say that leadership within the Philippines is somewhat bipolar.
04:56How is that?
04:57Which means?
04:58Which means, depending on who's leading the country, who's leading the province, who's leading the city.
05:06I mean, you don't need to hear from me to know that we have the legacy families, but we also have new competitors, new upstarts, and new contributors.
05:16Is it bipolar?
05:25Actually, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's also related to, I think it's Maxwell who said that while responsibilities are shared, but ultimately, the rise and fall of an organization is strongly influenced by who is leading it.
05:43That's particularly true, and we've seen lots of evidence of that within the country, both in the government and in the private sector.
05:53Seeing the current leadership in the country and the problems we are facing, in your economic background, where do you think the Philippines is going?
06:08Where are we going?
06:09Yes.
06:10Well, that's the $5 million question and the crystal ball question.
06:15Where are we headed?
06:18And it's difficult to see a clear path recognizing the turmoil that we're experiencing, the division within the country that we are experiencing today.
06:29But the Philippines is not to be viewed as an exceptional case.
06:34Because we have the same thing in the United States, we have the same thing in the United States, we have the same thing in Spain, in France, many other countries also.
06:43We are, in fact, very divided presently.
06:46And given the current geopolitical state worldwide, and also our domestic political climate, I think the curious question from the general public is, is the Philippines still sustaining its economic momentum?
07:08Well, I think it's fair to say that if you look carefully at the numbers, there's some question marks.
07:15But there are always question marks in the analysis of any economic stability situation.
07:23But it's also fair to say that our debt has never been so high, we're bordering on probably $17 trillion, and many experts claim that we should be $20 trillion by the end of this year.
07:38I mean, that's almost a trillion per month.
07:40If it's any of it, it's true.
07:42I'm not, and I cannot represent PSA, so I don't know.
07:46But the numbers are very compelling.
07:50And even more sobering for us is the recent withdrawal of the Korean government and its half billion, give or take, a few pennies.
08:00So, the question is, if that becomes a trend, then we really are in challenging, we're facing challenging times.
08:11I think the project, I remember this project, the Cebu Port Project in Consolation.
08:18This is being funded by a Korean loan.
08:22And, you know, this has been postponed, not really postponed, but this has been delayed for how many years already?
08:29And not just that, the BRD project is another project that has been delayed for so long because of some political bickerings.
08:39How does this, how does the international community seize this?
08:45Well, it continues that there's going to be a loss of confidence in the Philippines, a loss of confidence.
08:52I mean, despite the fact that IMF and World Bank can revise their estimates and provide hope, the reality is the FDI is decreasing and it's moving in the wrong direction, in fact.
09:09So, we have to rebuild confidence, not only globally, but we need to rebuild confidence domestically, within the country.
09:18Because actually, if you study carefully the Versailles, Cebu province, nothing is moving.
09:27Nothing is moving in terms of investment, in terms of building, in terms of the citizens and the companies here, particularly are frozen presently.
09:43And that's typical of when we don't know which way the weather is blowing, which way the economy is moving.
09:51That's very typical.
09:53So, what happens is companies start to look outside the province.
09:59They look to our neighbors, where their internal rate of return could, in fact, be higher, where, in fact, the policies that support investment could be more favorable, where there's not so much the presence of corruption, where the ease of doing business is different.
10:25But, I mean, it's fair to say that the ease of doing business has been a challenge for the province and the businessmen within the province.
10:38How do you think, you know, the province can, you know, turn around this predicament right now and, you know, make Cebu the great province again?
10:49It should be and deserves to be, actually.
10:53That's not a political statement, but it deserves to be.
10:58But it all comes back to leadership, not just policy.
11:02It comes back to leadership and strategy, these two subjects.
11:08We have to consider whether or not the strategies are working well for us, whether or not we have the right strategy.
11:15Do we even know what strategy is?
11:17In fact, today, there are no schools of strategy in the entire country, with the exception of the one that I'm privileged to work on, which is the one that will be facilitated, hopefully, one day, at NDCP.
11:36What is this?
11:38This is the National Defense?
11:40The War College.
11:41The National Defense College of the Philippines?
11:43The National Defense College of the Philippines is the only one that, so far, has received approval for an advanced master's in strategy, so far, approved by CHED.
11:55And you've mentioned about FDI, you know, and how it's moving to a different direction.
12:04Can we do some benchmarking this time in a younger country like Vietnam?
12:11Because I've also had a lot of friends who are also curious about Vietnam, because a few years ago, one of the consuelo, you know what's consuelo, that Philippines often tell ourselves, or Filipinos often tell ourselves, because this is part of the growth process because we are a young country.
12:31But Vietnam is interesting because it's an even younger country, but they seem to be doing very well.
12:40So what explains, in your opinion, the gap that we are seeing now in terms of the trajectory, economic trajectory, between these two countries?
12:53Well, I think it's fair to start with culture, our culture in the Philippines, if I may say our country, our culture within the Philippines is that we educate to an undergraduate level, and then we encourage our children to go overseas and become OFW.
13:11In fact, if you look at the numbers, we're probably, we probably have to consider three to four 747s leaving every day of new OFWs.
13:25That's alarming, because we're actually prostituting the future of the country.
13:31We need to develop our talent here.
13:34I mean, why do we develop IT workers, and they go overseas and become cyber experts, artificial intelligence experts?
13:45Why do we always push our children to become healthcare workers?
13:50Nurses.
13:52Why?
13:53And maybe you can also comment on this, because aligned to that, there were also observations that countries like India, for example,
14:04they export talent, but a lot of them eventually come back to the country and become entrepreneurs,
14:12which is unlike the Philippines case in which we export talent, and then they stay there.
14:17It's true.
14:18They don't even come back and open their own startups here.
14:22So what's your take?
14:24Because that might be an area that we can do differently.
14:26I think that will go back to strategy.
14:28There is no national strategy for that.
14:34It's concerning.
14:37It's very concerning.
14:40Because what would be the motivation for them to return to the Philippines?
14:44The only time Filipinos come back to the Philippines is when it's a fiesta, or somebody passed away, unfortunately,
14:54or it's a birthday, or they get married, or something like that.
14:56It's cheaper.
14:57Or they retire.
14:59Yes, they retire here.
15:02But can you imagine the brain drain?
15:05Because my students, for example, in America are super motivated and super sharp.
15:11In fact, my top student in the world is a Filipino.
15:19Amazing.
15:19Absolutely amazing.
15:22Followed me at Wharton.
15:24Followed me at Carnegie Mellon.
15:25Has followed me through.
15:28Filipino.
15:28And I'll explain the context later on.
15:33But is this a Filipino who grew up in the Philippines, or this is a Filipino who grew up in the U.S.?
15:40No, no, not a filam.
15:41Filipino.
15:42Filipino.
15:43Grew up in the Philippines.
15:43Grew up in the Philippines.
15:44But has performed exceptionally well.
15:47Global class.
15:48But isn't this frustrating?
15:52It's very frustrating.
15:53I mean, listening to you, yeah, I know that we're sending OFWs every year.
15:59And yet, we're very happy that they're sending dollars back, right?
16:04But it's true.
16:06The good engineers are out there.
16:09That explains why we have this flood control issue.
16:14There are good doctors and good nurses who are out there.
16:17But our hospitals have limited medical, skilled medical healthcare professionals.
16:25When we have been educating them so well to be the best in the world.
16:30But we're not enjoying their talents.
16:33It's true.
16:34If you take a look at Southern California, two out of three nurses are Filipino.
16:40Frightening.
16:41But we actually need nurses in the Philippines.
16:43In the Philippines, correct.
16:44But we're putting them on planes and we say send the money back.
16:48So, it's a difficult challenge because probably, I mean, the experts will disagree with me.
16:54But it's okay.
16:54I don't mind.
16:5511% of the GDP comes from OFW.
17:00So, we have to count those numbers.
17:01And we're dependent on those numbers, to be honest.
17:04We're dependent on those numbers.
17:06But what choices do we have?
17:08And the only choice we have is the way we parent, the way we challenge the culture.
17:14And our focus should be on continuing professional education.
17:19Because as soon as a child finishes undergraduate, we send them off.
17:24Right away.
17:25Yeah.
17:26You've mentioned about culture and also one of your best students now is a Filipino.
17:36The context earlier when I asked about, is this a Filipino who grew up in the Philippines?
17:40Because there are also interesting observations that for some reason, the Filipinos outside the Philippines tend to perform better compared to the Filipinos in the Philippines.
17:58Do you have a perspective of this observation?
18:02Well, it's a wonderful question.
18:04But again, it's directed at culture.
18:08The culture we have here is very different than the U.S.
18:13In the U.S., it's highly competitive.
18:15You perform or die.
18:18That's not the culture in the Philippines.
18:19And so, we've been talking about carrot and the stick.
18:27And some people, including myself, would believe that in terms of motivation, the Filipinos generally work with stick rather than carrot.
18:38What's your perspective of this one?
18:41Well, I mean, it's almost like a human resource question.
18:45Yes.
18:46And we know from our study of human resources that all employees, all contributors basically need three things.
18:56They need meaning in their careers, in their lives.
19:01They need diversity.
19:03And they need variety.
19:05And this is the part that we have not mastered in the Philippines.
19:08We have not mastered it.
19:10Human resources in the Philippines, and I realize what I'm about to say.
19:14I will receive lots of hate mail, which is quite okay, because I will challenge that hate mail.
19:21Because simply, human resources here is about timesheets and control.
19:26And people are not motivated by timesheets and control.
19:29People are motivated by learning.
19:32So, we must teach.
19:33We must educate.
19:35That's our duty.
19:36So, we keep our talents.
19:39We must.
19:40Yeah.
19:40Because what else are we offering them?
19:42We can't compete globally for their salary.
19:45We cannot.
19:47But I agree with, you know, if there is meaning to your work, whether you're highly paid or not, you stay there.
19:57Correct.
19:57I think there's a reason why I became a journalist.
20:03Because I see meaning in my work, even if, you know, it's not.
20:09But I see meaning.
20:10I see the reason why I'm talking to you now.
20:13Thank you for inviting me.
20:18But I want to go back.
20:20I want to go back to that, to the strategy.
20:23I mean, I said earlier that it is very frustrating to see good talents being enjoyed by other countries.
20:30If you are president today, if you are president, what human resource strategy will you recommend for our young, for, you know, for the incoming people who are thinking, I will study because I want to be a nurse and go to the States, for them to stay here?
20:47The responsibility is not solely belong to the president.
20:52It belongs to all of us in positions of leadership.
20:54And that responsibility primarily is to bring out the very best in our citizens and our residents and our guests, to bring out the very best every moment, every hour, every month of the year.
21:11It is not how do we fleece the country.
21:14It is not how you can benefit.
21:18The question really is what can I contribute to the country?
21:22What should I bring to the country?
21:23How best can I serve?
21:26Otherwise, we have no business being in these positions.
21:29No business whatsoever.
21:32So it is kind of about cultivating that patriotism?
21:35Of course.
21:36Not patriotism.
21:38Commitment.
21:38Commitment.
21:39Being a citizen of a country can be summed up in one word.
21:44And that one word is commitment.
21:45And this one is still related to strategy, but a little bit more specific also in the area of declining literacy and learning proficiency,
22:01which both local and international bodies have assessed that it's on a declining trend.
22:10And how does, how will this affect our global competitiveness also?
22:19Well, that's a very, very interesting question.
22:23It's a very timely question.
22:24A very important question.
22:26Needless to say, and sad to say, unfortunately, COVID set us two years behind overall, two years behind.
22:36So you have to ask the question, am I okay with my children learning how to be medical surgeons or nurses online?
22:47And the answer is no.
22:48We're already two years behind.
22:53We're behind in science.
22:55We're behind in English language.
22:58We're behind in math.
23:00So how to compete when the rest of the world, not the entire world, but many countries, particularly in ASEAN, are highly competitive when it comes to learning?
23:11And it's a family value.
23:13And it's an organization.
23:15It's a country value.
23:15I'm an educator, particularly concerned about education of this country at all levels.
23:24That's why I've spoken at high schools, at colleges, at defense, and I continue to teach.
23:34This is not self-censorship.
23:37This is just being honest because it's easy to check.
23:39I've never taken a penny from my education programs, ever, in the Philippines.
23:44Because the Philippines is the one country that deserves to be educated.
23:50And there's a need, a crying need for education and continued education.
23:55And we guested last Friday.
24:01She's also into computer studies.
24:03And one of the things that keeps a lot of people awake at night, although this is not the usual pageant answer to the question, is really this one, especially with artificial intelligence, getting to be more sophisticated.
24:20So there's an urgent need for us to develop comprehension, mathematics, science, in our graduates, so that they can work with AI and not be displaced by it.
24:35So it's really an urgent matter.
24:37Two years, yeah, I agree, because in the two years that COVID has affected us, it's not the students who were answering the modules, it was the parents.
24:52And just to make sure that the materials get submitted on time because, I mean, that's the reason why you're sending your kid to school.
25:03So they will learn.
25:04So how can they learn on their own when it's not explained?
25:07I mean, I think we were not ready for that kind of teaching, but we never get to...
25:15The other thing also that I saw at least limited visibility during that time is because we worked with remote schools in the mountains.
25:25So I agree with you.
25:27The parents are helping them, but sometimes we don't also remember that these parents cannot also read.
25:35And was not able to finish even primary school.
25:39So you can imagine even how that diluted the learning of these students.
25:44And also how education has been so commercialized that it is not that accessible to many.
25:54Even the issue on scholarship, government gives scholarship to those students who are in the higher echelon.
26:07But what happened to those who failed to make it?
26:11It's not because they're less in comprehension, but maybe they have work to be done at home.
26:20And we also just have not had an opportunity, all the patients, to really diagnose well.
26:28And this is very clear when you talk to the teachers of a lot of these students.
26:33And if there's anything that the Philippines in general can do to suggest education reform,
26:51because we have a lot of priorities at this time, and obviously resources are not limitless.
26:59So what can you suggest as a reform that we can introduce in our education system,
27:07so that we can close these gaps that we are obviously seeing now?
27:13Well, there's always competing challenges for what the curriculum should be for K1 to K12.
27:21There's always competing challenges.
27:24But one is to consider extending, I mean, many will disagree, I know, but extending the learning hours.
27:32But then, of course, we have problems with classrooms, availability of classrooms, availability of teachers.
27:38But it has to become a national priority.
27:40If not, we're prostituting our children, we're prostituting our future as a country.
27:45Somebody made a comment on our live.
27:51Is the Philippines education no longer a leading industry?
27:56We no longer value quality education in the Philippines.
28:00Our value system has changed.
28:06Is that a question for me?
28:08I think so.
28:09Oh, okay.
28:10I'm not sure really how I can answer that fairly.
28:14But one thing I do know for sure, that the Philippines is valued for its English language ability.
28:23And there lies part of the revenue consideration.
28:28Because if we continue to educate the world, of course, we know about Korea, we know about Chinese,
28:35we know about Taiwanese, et cetera, et cetera, then we have a chance.
28:39Because you could, in fact, divert those funds to helping rebuild the country's educational system.
28:47But it's very profitable to teach English here.
28:51And the cost is completely different than other countries.
28:56And we have the English competency.
29:00But we have to face the reality that, excuse me, we have to face the reality that there are three languages that are needed in the world.
29:11Of course, all languages we value because that's culture also.
29:15And those languages represent 68% of the world's population are languages that are used.
29:20They are Chinese, English, and Spanish.
29:26We can, as a strategy, since you mentioned it several times,
29:31if we could focus on those, creating institutions or colleges that really focus on those three,
29:39we have the market.
29:44But then how to find?
29:46Yes.
29:46How to find?
29:48So you import, which means you've got to argue with Dole and all these other wonderful agencies.
29:54But you have to import.
29:58And allow them to come.
30:01Because we can be restrictive into these.
30:04Yes, we're very restrictive.
30:06The other thing also, and I'm curious also about your thoughts on this one,
30:11because you mentioned about the importance of the English language.
30:14Yes.
30:15Along with Chinese and also Spanish.
30:17Correct.
30:17Specifically for the English language, for a time, it was an edge for the Philippines.
30:24But it looks like it's declining as well.
30:30This one is a tricky question, but I'm genuinely curious about your answer.
30:34Is the mother tongue education also, has it also affected that?
30:41Well, I think if you were to take the time to survey these international schools,
30:47there's a high preference to speak English rather than Tagalog, if I may say Filipino.
30:52Okay, or Bisaya.
30:54Bisaya is a language in my mind, but of course nationally, it might be referred to as a...
31:02Tagalog.
31:03No, no, it might be referred to as a...
31:05A dialect.
31:07Ah, okay.
31:08Sorry.
31:08Bisaya.
31:09Bisaya language.
31:10Sorry.
31:10I mean, it is a language.
31:12I mean, a large proportion of your population speak Bisaya.
31:16Yes.
31:16So, but actually, it's true what you say.
31:20I mean, between the polite words, okay, not only the mother tongue and its importance,
31:28but also, I mean, language is culture.
31:31Let's agree upon that.
31:32Yes.
31:32Yes.
31:33Okay.
31:34So, it is important, but we also know that the competency for language within the Philippines
31:40is very good.
31:41There are so many dialects, and that should be, I feel, should be retained, should be
31:48spoken, at least at home and in schools.
31:52What a shame if we don't continue.
31:54What a crying shame.
31:56Yeah.
31:56It's like you're a foreigner in your own land if you cannot speak your own language.
32:00Correct.
32:01Correct.
32:01I mean, we know that from the second generation of Philams in America, as an example.
32:08Many do not speak, actually, even though their parents are fluent.
32:13And it's sad because eventually they may come home, they visit their relatives, et cetera,
32:18et cetera, et cetera.
32:18And they don't understand.
32:19They don't understand.
32:21So, how can we then sustain, in fact, it's already declining, our advantage, supposedly,
32:31in terms of English proficiency?
32:34Well, with Generation Z, specifically, if you're unable to learn language, it will affect
32:43your livelihood.
32:44We have to make the link between economics and language to show that it's important.
32:51Because with this generation, if you don't demonstrate that, there's no motivation to learn.
32:56I agree.
32:57I agree.
32:58You know, if you go to the countryside and you're into the tourism belt, if you know
33:04how to speak a little English, you get good business compared to those who really cannot
33:10speak and don't understand.
33:13I mean, I remember that the English is not complete but understandable.
33:19At least.
33:20Joe, Ride, Ride, all this.
33:22I mean, you know.
33:23Correct.
33:24And they get to do business.
33:26Well, it's actually subject and verb, right?
33:29Yes.
33:29If you can carry with that conversation, it's understandable.
33:31Yes, and these people, most of them don't even finish grade school.
33:36But I think it's because of watching movies, they get to understand this.
33:40But, you know, there's this, somebody comment, William John Campbell,
33:45I would like to teach English in the Philippines, but I don't know how to go about it.
33:53Are there any programs that I could get involved in?
33:57We'll ask the Department of Labor soon about this.
34:01There's already one interested.
34:03To teach English.
34:04To teach English.
34:05That's good.
34:06In fact, that's wonderful.
34:07But I would encourage them to talk to the schools that have ESL,
34:12to talk to the schools that have evening programs where you continue education,
34:19YMCA.
34:20A lot of these wonderful institutions have English.
34:23Okay, this one is, I don't know if you still have English-related question,
34:28but this one has something to do with leadership qualification,
34:34because you've also mentioned the importance of leadership and strategy.
34:39And among the popular observations, and I don't have a specific stand on this just yet,
34:45but I'm curious about what you think about this.
34:47Some people actually say that maybe we need to level up on the requirement of our elected officials,
34:59because I think overall the requirement is able to read and write.
35:05So do you think, are these still sufficient for them to effectively serve their constituents
35:13if the requirement is as inclusive as able to read and write?
35:20Well, the requirements for any senior-level position,
35:24including all leadership, public service, leadership positions,
35:27requires more than the ability to read and write,
35:30simply because the Library of Congress doubles itself every four years.
35:36So what we used to need to know, we probably don't know,
35:41but we should know in order to manage our portfolios fairly.
35:47Do you think if our legislators are, you know, there's a requirement,
35:53there's an educational requirement,
35:55look, if you apply for a job in a mall,
36:04even a bugger, they asked for educational attainment.
36:08Isn't it an irony that jobs like this require you to be a college graduate,
36:13but to be in Congress, to be, even to be a president who you rule the economics of the country,
36:22you just learn how to read and write.
36:23That's true in this country.
36:28But do we need leadership from the head or from the heart?
36:34We prefer to answer both.
36:36Yes.
36:37So that you must be qualified, at least the basics academically,
36:42but you must also have a heart.
36:45I mean, we've seen it before.
36:46We've seen leaders in this country who do not have a heart for the people,
36:51okay, but might be highly qualified.
36:54But we also have evidence to suggest that there are leaders in this country
36:59who have qualifications but may not be legitimate.
37:02because perhaps they've depended on doing business the old-fashioned way.
37:14Do we still have a chance?
37:17It's concerning.
37:18I know.
37:18It is.
37:18It is.
37:19It's concerning.
37:19We still have a chance.
37:20The other thing, actually, and I hope I can articulate this well,
37:25but this is also how Ateneo would advance the importance of both the heart and the competency.
37:33Because I would agree, for a leader, some people, they would just say it's important that they're competent,
37:39but we also find people who are competent but do not have the heart.
37:43And so they lead people the wrong way.
37:45There are also people with the heart, but unfortunately, they are not competent to do the job.
37:50So they don't also achieve sufficient or effective results.
37:56So I think both is really a requirement.
37:59You have to be competent at the same time you have the heart.
38:02And I think most of these people who have the competency and the heart, we exported them.
38:10That's why industries, businesses, and other countries are enjoying these qualities, not us.
38:16Yeah, people with competence and the heart.
38:18Our healthcare professionals are actually known for that, competent with their job,
38:22and they put the heart also into the job.
38:26Anyway, before we go that, I have one question.
38:30How important is regional cooperation among Visayas provinces in driving economic growth and resilience?
38:37It's fair to say that regionally, we need collaboration, not competition.
38:45In the absence of leadership, authentic leadership, ultimately what will happen is more hyper-competition.
38:55Hyper-competition can be easily defined as double the growth rate.
39:01So if the growth rate is 5%, hyper-competition means we need strategies that impress and impose on ourselves 10%.
39:12The world is becoming hyper-competitive.
39:17But we started out our conversation with a question, who is Brian and what on earth are you doing here?
39:26It's a very valid question because having worked in numerous countries, including a few around Asia,
39:34but mostly in the Western world, I have yet to see a country anywhere where the people are as deserving as I've met here in the Philippines.
39:47And I don't say that for lip service.
39:49I say it because it's true, and that's why I refuse to accept any compensation for my work here.
39:54That you will not find a community anywhere, even in Vietnam, that is deserving as here in the Philippines.
40:06On the other hand, it's only fair to say that I'm not in a dream state.
40:11Those of us who've worked in Luzon, in NCR, we know there's many gangsters here.
40:20Let's be honest.
40:21We'd be lying to ourselves if we say there's not.
40:24And they're not so deserving.
40:27But for the greater majority of people here, they're deserving.
40:33And they deserve great leadership and great livelihoods and great health care and great education.
40:42And some of those areas I focus on, as you know because I've mentioned already,
40:47they deserve the chance and the opportunity to advance not only their families,
40:53but to advance their province also.
40:56So, allow me before we zoom back in.
41:01So, this one is super zoom out, which is about the...
41:05You're just like the camera.
41:06Zoom in, zoom out.
41:07Okay, go.
41:07About the rivalry of U.S. and also China.
41:12And these are the type of dynamics that we cannot just not want to see, you know.
41:19So, how can the Philippines in general emerge as a stronger country given these factors rather than becoming vulnerable by them?
41:34Like, to which side should you go, right?
41:36Well, it's fair to say, and I don't think there'll be too many who disagree.
41:42Under the PRRD leadership, we were Chinese-centric.
41:48And at that time, it was natural because of the proxemics, because of the region, because of our location, our strategic location in the Pacific.
42:04But in recent times, it's also fair to say that we've become American-centric, which is potentially risky, in my opinion.
42:18It's risky either way, whether you're Chinese or you're focused on the U.S.
42:22But it's risky because how many EDCA bases are here now, and how many missiles are really here, and how many naval bases are going to become even more prominent, essentially, potentially, puts a bullseye on us.
42:41But in terms of first-tier defense strategy, it could be a must if China continues to bully.
42:47But are they bullying us because of America, or is it because of Taiwan, et cetera?
42:55It's difficult to say, unless you really have a deep knowledge of the geopolitics.
43:00But let's just say, I don't think the Philippines should have a bullseye on ourselves.
43:09We should not.
43:09We have to be more innovative and more strategic in a way that we can satisfy the other side of the world, and at the same time, continue to live peacefully within the region.
43:23That's a very challenging question.
43:25It is, actually.
43:26So, me.
43:28Do you have any other questions?
43:29Okay, so, I think there's an event coming this Friday.
43:37There is an event.
43:38It's a joint effort between the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, affectionately known as CCCI, together with the capital, the provincial capital of Cebu,
43:52which will be held this coming Friday at the capital building in the social hall at 1 p.m., and, actually, everyone is invited.
44:02No tickets are being sold.
44:06Unfortunately, no lunch will be provided.
44:09Bring your own lunch.
44:10Fine.
44:10Because, you know, if I were to broadcast that lechon for everyone, the social hall is already full.
44:17Yeah.
44:17But, unfortunately, we don't have the budget right now.
44:20Maybe one day.
44:21Yeah.
44:21But we will have this wonderful event where you will hear not only me, but, I mean, I'm happy to be there to serve coffee,
44:29but we'll have some notable speakers there who will give us their perspective on the various subjects that we've been discussing today.
44:39And this one, actually, is just a prelude of what the public can actually expect.
44:50I was actually speechless earlier when you gave very direct answers to some of the questions also that I'm sure our viewers have been meaning also to get some perspective on.
45:05I think, DJ, that's a weakness of the Filipinos.
45:08No, we don't.
45:11When you ask, is this black or white?
45:13Or which one?
45:14We don't.
45:15We just say, I think it's gray.
45:18Or I think it's, we should take a side.
45:22I mean, you know, whether it's either it's your good or your bad.
45:25But when you ask something, some people will not, you know, they're very conscious.
45:30That's why I appreciate the bravery to go for it.
45:35No, the honesty.
45:36The honesty.
45:37The honesty.
45:38Because I think we, our audience needs to hear that.
45:42That these are alarming times.
45:45I think we're not going anywhere.
45:46And for Cebu, our beloved Cebu, next time when we wake up, we're like, where are we?
45:57If we keep this kind of attitude, you know?
46:01And also the ability to form opinions, you know?
46:06Looking at this side and this side and then come up with an opinion.
46:10Because I think if our, I will not say the young, you know, but there's also the tendency to just this and this becomes my opinion.
46:18Without even looking at this one.
46:20So I think we have presented.
46:22Correct.
46:22Yes.
46:22So what may be of interest on Friday to some of your listeners, your community, essentially, is I will be discussing where investment opportunities exist.
46:34And how we should be investing for the future within the Versailles.
46:39That may be of interest to your listeners.
46:43So, and I think I have a final, if you have a question.
46:48Yeah, yeah.
46:48I'm good.
46:49So this one is something to do because you've already invited us also in the upcoming economic forum or briefing?
46:56It's a forum.
46:57It's a forum.
46:57It's an economic forum.
46:58And then you've, and thank you very much also for your interest, you know, to really help the Philippines and our young generation.
47:07So my question actually has something to do with the young Filipinos or young Cebuanos who are watching.
47:13Who are like you?
47:15Like me, you know?
47:15What is your message?
47:17If not better, what is your challenge to the young generation?
47:22Well, it really comes back to our level of confidence and our love and love of the Versailles.
47:28I would encourage all listeners, viewers, to truly believe in the province of Cebu and to put it in simple English, if I may.
47:44Cebu province is Singapore, 1991.
47:52So if you've done your homework, you'll know.
47:55The future is here in Cebu.
47:57And this is where we should learn, we should play, practice, and raise our families.
48:05But thank you so much for inviting me today.
48:07I very much appreciate your company and your questions.
48:11Well, we enjoyed this conversation also.
48:13See you on Friday then.
48:15Yes, definitely.
48:15Looking forward.
48:16Looking forward, looking forward.
48:16Yes, because I think DJ would be very interested on the business side.
48:21Anyway, so thank you, sir.
48:23Thank you for the very insight, the insights you're sharing us today.
48:27So, Kenneth, the screen is not worth it.
48:29So, that wraps up our edition for Beyond the Headlines.
48:34We hope today's conversation helps shed light on the bigger picture behind the story.
48:40And once again, we'd like to thank our guest, Dr. Brian Tov, for helping us connect the dots in ways that matter.
48:49I'm Mildred Galarpe.
48:51And I'm DJ Moises.
48:53Thank you and good afternoon.
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