Multimedia

Almost everybody thinks that the reopening of face-to-face classes in the Philippines, although still limited, will lead to chaos, given the millions of students trooping back to learning institutions.

Sometimes we tend to complicate life. We work so hard looking for things we do not have and ignore those that we actually have. I understand why some people look for happiness by acquiring wealth and material possessions. As a young boy living in poverty in Tondo, I realized early on the joy in earning money to be able to provide for your family. Years later, as an entrepreneur, I gained an appreciation of the pride of having to create wealth through hard work and perseverance.

The 7.4-percent expansion of the Philippine economy in the second quarter of the year came as no surprise to me. Robust corporate earnings in the April-to-June period, a booming travel sector and energetic consumers visiting and dining in the malls are telltale signs that the economy is powering through the headwinds.