Why did I choose to stay in the Philippines?

February 03, 2008
Updated 19:08:39 (Mla time)
Howard Belton
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines--BECAUSE of Filipinos, that’s the answer.

Filipinos who made us so welcome from day one and have enriched our lives ever since.

It has been almost 10 years since Cristina and I arrived in Manila. In Unilever, I found a spirit of family way above that in other places, and this wonderful family took us to their hearts and made my business career a joy.

What made it a joy was not just the hard work and spirit of our employees, but their willingness to embrace change and come up with innovations.

The Rexona ministick, invented here, is now exported to 20 countries.

Close-up “Lovapalooza” not only got into the Guinness book of records but was featured on CNN, BBC and many other news channels -- I never thought I would be famous in Unilever for kissing!

I could give many other examples of the creativity of our Filipino employees. These innovations have made Unilever Philippines famous and admired in the Unilever world.

Outside Unilever, so many other people welcomed us as friends. They took the trouble to take us to meet their friends. So within months we were busy almost every evening.

These friends took us beyond business into many different social circles, into the arts, government, NGOs and many others—we are blessed by this variety of experience. And our circle of friends has grown and grown so that even now I am retired our life is full.

It isn’t only the well-off who have welcomed us.

Unilever is based in Paco, on the edge of the Pasig and in the middle of a poorer community. It had a long tradition of community involvement, which Cristina and I were proud to support. As a result of our work on the environment and poverty alleviation, we have met many wonderful people who give their lives to helping the community.

We have also met thousands of Filipinos in poor communities, in Baseco, Smokey Mountain, Parola, Pandacan and elsewhere. Despite their struggle for a decent living, they have always made two foreigners feel welcome.

We will never forget our first visit to Baseco, shortly after the terrible fire there, taking Unilever’s relief goods for 3,000 people. How calmly and cheerfully people waited for the distribution, and when the goods ran out how peacefully they accepted our promise to return with more. It would not happen like that in many so called “advanced” countries.

It was a great honor to go to Malacañang recently and receive the Order of the Golden Heart from the President, in recognition of my community work. Of course I felt very proud, but also a little guilty as there are so many people who have worked longer and harder for the community than I have. I dedicate the award to them.

Certainly, the award does add to my motivation to continue.

I was also honored to become President of Philippine Business for the Environment, and Cristina and I are involved in many other fulfilling activities.

We are lucky enough to have explored the Philippines, from Pagudpud in the north to Davao in the south, and enjoyed many beautiful places. I am a history major and have loved to visit so many old churches, though some are in sad disrepair.

Of course in lively but messy Manila we have to dream of this beauty—or ride out to Lake Taal which we have come to love.

But we do enjoy the life of a busy city. We divide our time between noisy Manila and our beautiful farm in the heart of the English countryside, where the only sound is of the birds and a trickling stream.

What a contrast—but, you know, it makes a wonderful balance.

Of course, it is sad to see corrupt Filipinos abusing their fellow-citizens, and the level of poverty is a constant reproach. I have heard friends say that the Filipino tolerance and sense of humor in adversity may be partly a negative, as they weaken the drive for improvement. There may be some truth in that.

I remember sitting in the Rotary Club of Manila meeting being addressed by the Japanese ambassador. The old member next to me whispered “It’s ironic that today is the anniversary of the day that the Japanese admiral who butchered so many people here in Manila killed himself.”

I asked, “Why don’t you mention it?” He replied, “No it’s a long time ago, and it’s best to move on.” Was he right? I’m not sure.

George, my father in law, spent eight years here, and saw Filipinos at their best. Our two housekeepers, Jesryl and Dory, loved him like a grandfather. And when he came to need nursing he received a level of tender care which just could not be achieved in England. So his last years were happy ones.

We are full of gratitude for the way our Filipino friends rallied round on his recent death. We decided to give him a Filipino wake -- very different from the custom in England -- and it was comforting to have the support of so many people.

During the wake, one of my friends said, “Now, with this experience, you are truly Filipino.” Well, I do start to feel that way.

So, for Cristina and I, it has become natural to stay here. We stay to enjoy the Philippines in all its variety, to share our lives with our Filipino friends, and, we hope, to give something back to the country which has adopted us.

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