The Benefits of Being a Filipino Citizen

I don't know if my probability is correct, but I suppose 75% of Filipinos (or even larger margin) want to live and work in another country, preferably in a first-world country. Later perhaps (if the laws of their countries' of destination permit), our compatriots desire to acquire their citizenship.

But I just want to ask, are there still benefits to be a Filipino Citizen? Here are some of the benefits, I can think of and probably, their little downside:

1. The right to vote and be voted. Only Filipino citizens can exercise the right to vote and run in any public office (of course! ). Imagine, FPJ fought for his citizenship and a host of other local and national politicians just to get that "treasured" elective post!

2. The right to own property here in the Philippines. In our laws, foreigners cannot own real properties or even engage in "nationalized" industries, for instance, mass media. But if you are a Filipino, you can win the lotto and buy a radio or TV station without a hassle.

3. The right to practice one's profession. Yes, only here, where else??

4. The right to possess a Philippine Passport. Well, our passport is actually not so much to boast of, but at least, we are visa-exempt from all ASEAN countries, selected countries in Asia, Latin America, Israel and some handful more ( i have a separate blog entry for this), but I think, 95% of the time, Philippine passport holders are required to have visas in many countries.

5. The rights and privileges of appurtenant to a Filipino Citizen. I don't know what are these, so far we do not have a good system of subsidized housing, we currently have a lousy social security system and presently, we do have so many loopholes in our security and finally, our country is crowded, not to mention, litters.

But before I get cursed, let me say that having at least, a nationality, a citizenship is something to be proud of. It is hundredfold better to be a Filipino citizen, than to be a stateless person. Our economy, education and training are most of the time, recognized worldwide, than our African, Asian and even European counterparts.

While many still think and contemplate to change their citizenship, remember this: never forget that this country, we probably loathe, is the same mother who nursed us, defended us, protected us and gave us and identity peculiar to any other known people on earth.

We should be proud that we are Filipinos.