ikeseneres

WHAT IS NATION BUILDING? Many people think that nation building is the exclusive work of governments, presidents, senators, governors, or mayors. I disagree. In my opinion, nation building is the responsibility of every citizen. Traditionally, political scientists define nation building as the process of creating a shared national identity that keeps a country politically stable and socially united. State building focuses on institutions such as laws, taxation, military power, and governance structures. Nation building, on the other hand, focuses on the “soul” of the nation—the emotional and cultural bond that makes people feel they belong to one country. However, I believe that nation building needs more than the power of the state. It needs the power of the people. After all, the people themselves are one of the essential components of a state, together with territory, government, and sovereignty. Without citizens who care, even the strongest government machinery will fail. This mean...

MANUFACTURED PEARLS: BOON OR BANE FOR THE PHILIPPINES? For many years, the Philippines proudly carried the title “Pearl of the Orient Seas.” Today, however, a disturbing question is quietly emerging beneath our waters: what happens if technology succeeds in manufacturing pearls so efficiently and cheaply that natural and authentic Philippine pearls lose their rarity and value? Will this become a boon or a bane for the Philippines? At first glance, manufactured pearls appear beneficial. Cultured pearl farming has long provided jobs for divers, technicians, marine biologists, craftsmen, and coastal communities in places like Palawan and Mindanao. Companies such as Jewelmer helped place the Philippine Golden South Sea Pearl among the world’s most prestigious gems. The country is blessed with the gold-lipped oyster known scientifically as Pinctada maxima, one of the rarest pearl-producing oysters in the world. Unlike artificial plastic pearls, genuine cultured pearls still require years of...

WHAT IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE? There was a time when businesses were measured only by one standard: profit. If a company earned money, it was considered successful. Today, however, a new idea is steadily gaining ground around the world, including in the Philippines. It is called the “social enterprise.” Simply put, a social enterprise is a business that exists not only to earn income, but also to solve a social or environmental problem. In a way, it stands between a purely profit-oriented corporation and a charitable non-profit organization. It earns revenues like a regular business, but its operations are guided by a social mission. Traditionally, social enterprises re-invest their earnings back into their advocacy, whether it is helping poor communities, protecting the environment, creating jobs for marginalized sectors, or supporting sustainable agriculture. However, I also believe that there is another valid version of social enterprise: businesses whose owners may keep part of their...

WHAT IS PANDAYAN NG BAYAN? When was the last time we truly saw farmers at the center of innovation? In a country where “modernization” often means importing shiny machines from abroad, the Pandayan ng Bayan program reminds us that real transformation doesn’t always come from foreign technology—it can come from our own hands, our own forges. Led by RU Foundry in partnership with the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) , Pandayan ng Bayan —literally “Forge of the Nation”—is both a philosophy and a movement. Its aim? To turn rural communities from mere consumers into creators, producers, and problem-solvers. At its heart, the initiative is about technological self-reliance . As envisioned by Ramon Uy, Sr. , founder of RU Foundry and a known environmental advocate in Negros Occidental, a pandayan may start as a humble workshop—a few tools, a lathe machine, maybe a welding torch. But in time, with skill and community effort, it...

  HOW COULD FILIPINO FARMERS BECOME RICH FROM NEW GLOBAL DEMAND FOR PURPLE YAM? Let me say this clearly: ube is no longer just a Filipino dessert ingredient—it is now a global commodity. From being served as ube halaya in our homes, purple yam has now entered mainstream markets abroad. In fact, in 2026, major global brands like Starbucks have started offering ube -based drinks, while retailers in the United States are selling ube products year-round. What used to be a niche has now become what many call “purple gold.” So here is the big question: if global demand is booming, why are Filipino farmers still poor? The painful truth is this: we are once again exporting opportunity instead of capturing value. According to economists like Cielito F. Habito, our ube exports are rising—but our production is declining. From more than 30,000 metric tons two decades ago, we are now producing barely a third of that. Worse, countries like Vietnam and China are starting to dominate a crop th...

  ARE THERE NATIONAL LAWS REQUIRING THE GOVERNMENT TO BUY LOCAL PRODUCTS? The short answer is yes. The long answer is more complicated—and more troubling. Because while we already have many laws requiring the government to buy local goods, the real issue is this: why are we still importing so much? Let’s start with the basics. The recently enacted Republic Act No. 11981 is perhaps the most ambitious policy to date. It clearly mandates that the government must give preference to Filipino products. Not just symbolic preference—but actual, measurable advantage. Under the law, local suppliers can win bids even if their prices are up to 15% higher than foreign competitors. In other words, the government is allowed to pay a little more to support Filipino industries. That is not a sign of  inefficiency. That is strategy. But this is not new. As early as 1936, we already had the Commonwealth Act No. 138, which required government agencies to prioritize local products. Decades later, ...