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Foreign tourists are back in the Philippines, and this is evident in the increased number of flights this year, with many airlines announcing fleet expansion to support demand.

That is the literal meaning of Pan Xenia — the name of my fraternity when I was studying at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Its full name is Pan Xenia International Professional Foreign Trade Fraternity. I entered UP in 1966 and decided to take up Business Administration (BA), Major in Accounting. Aside from academics, I was also active in student organizations that included the UP-Junior Executives Circle (UPJEC), the UP-Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (UP JPIA), and the UP Student Catholic Action (UPSCA).

We often hear from private and government economists the term demographic dividend that our nation is now reaping or about to earn in the coming years. Economic experts do not doubt this a bit. The Philippines has a big and young population—an economic asset that must be nurtured and exploited.