I am an expatriate living in the Philippines the last fifteen years. I must confess that, from time to time, I am still missing some German or European food and goods. I am always very happy receiving some packages from very good friends. And, of course, since Davao City is becoming a booming town, one can find delicates shops, or try to find some special areas in our shopping malls. S & R in Matina is the last (newly opened) haven - not only for me.
Anyway, during the last ten years or so, I also learned to appreciate Philippine goods and products. I am pretty sure, that we are still experiencing a global market crisis. It might be true that banks and other financial institutes are still benefiting from an expected surge in ending by major corporations and businesses.
it doesn't make me wonder anymore reading the latest news from DEUTSCHE BANK that economies in SOutheaster Asia will continue to suffer from the global slump, but real recession is not like in four countries, including the Philippines.
Actually I try more Philippine-made products, when I got caught about an event, which has been really a masterpiece. It was the "Buy Pinoy Movement Foundation", a trade fair to promote Filipino export products, sometine in 2008 in Mandaluyong City.
I learned that it is the time for Filipino manufactures to aggressively promote their products not only for exports but also - or especially - for local consumers as well. We should be entrepreneurs and generate jobs, and we should by locally-made products to lessen the still possible impact of the global financial crisis on the Philippines and its people. We should patronize Philippine made products!
I will. I mean: I am doing it already. And I am not only talking about food. I am also talking about beverage, consumer goods, fashion accessories, Christmas decors, garments or children's goods. let's promote more Filipino-made products.
By the way, I love coffee. I always buy "Monks Blend Premium Coffee" from the monastery farms of San Jose, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, proudly Philippine-made.
(Re-publised from Mindanao Daily Mirror: my column IN MY OPINION from yesterday.)
