Times of Change
By Mau Macaraig-Martinez

So many things are far from what they used to be in the past. Advancements in technology and new discoveries happen one after the other in rapid motion that catching up seems to be harder by the day.

The Philippine telecommunications industry is one perfect example of a swiftly developing sector. Our cover story discusses the breakthroughs in the industry brought about by the introduction of mobile communications. Still, telecommunications infrastructure investments in the country remain wanting.

In a related topic, Philippine Business’ article on mobile telecommunications jargons intends to help out readers in understanding the different applications that their mobile phones or PDAs (personal digital assistants) are capable of doing. Knowing the right terms could at least help people in gauging their need for the different available applications.

But as the old cliché goes, “some things change, yet some remain the same.” This can never be more true when we look at some of our society’s concerns.

The new schoolyear starts, for example, with the same old problems in the Philippine education system – both in material resources and quality. People could only hope that through the cooperation of government, non-government organizations, and the private sector, it will not be too late for the country to catch up with the improvements of other nations in education.

Philippine Business also went back in time to feature a speech delivered by businessman Enrique Zobel, only to find out that indeed, history repeats itself – not in the same way perhaps – but repeating in a similar fashion, nonetheless. The rich sector of society can still be divided into three subgroups – the working rich, the idle rich, and the profligate rich. And the youth, well, the future still belongs to them – except that back then, we used to be them. Mr. Zobel’s sentiments, even twenty years hence, will still ring as true as when it had been said the first time – that the youth “should let the experience of the past guide them” and that they “must recognize and accept the stake that the older generation have in the present.”

With these striking similarities and differences in Philippine society over the years, Philippine Business can only hope for the country to make the most out of the positive developments that come its way, and learn from past mistakes.

Incidentally, Philippine Business launches in this issue an advertising campaign on Philippine tourism. Together with advertising agency DYR Alcantara, we will continue to give you a glimpse of the beauty of our country and the richness of our culture in every issue.