Filipinos: Architects of business in Indonesia

Rappler.com

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Filipinos in Indonesia call themselves architects of business. They're a key part of the success story of the world's fourth most populous country

JAKARTA, Indonesia – It’s a common sight in Filipino communities abroad. 

Every weekend, they gather for a meal and meet in church.
It’s the same in Indonesia, but with a difference.
Over breakfast, they swap stories about their latest business ventures and golf.
Filipinos in Indonesia call themselves architects of business. They’re a key part of the success story of the world’s fourth most populous country.
Ayee Macaraig reports.

 

Filipinos feel right at home in Indonesia where they built lives and a reputation for professionalism.

Southeast Asia’s largest economy draws 15,000 Filipinos known here as good English speakers, and skilled workers. Starting with Filipino accountants in the eighties the community grows in a country Filipinos consider the Philippines’ best friend.

THELMA VICTORIO, INVESTMENT OFFICER: If you see an ordinary English-speaking Indonesian kid in the mall who will be very proud in speaking in English and chances are, when you ask him, “Who is your teacher?” So even the Filipino educators now have penetrated the market.

From tackling the South China Sea at the diplomatic table to talking rubber and palm oil in the boardroom, Filipinos and Indonesians are longtime partners. Professionals in banking, finance and education, Filipinos here contribute to the economic development of Indonesia. But it’s not just business they’re into. They’re also closely following this crucial presidential election.

The tight race for the presidency gets Filipinos talking not just about the future of the two countries, but also their past. Pinoys say former general Prabowo Subianto becoming president is like a Marcos comeback.

JAMIL MAIDAN FLORES, JAKARTA GLOBE COLUMNIST: Neither the indonesians nor the filipinos have a long political memory. So it’s a failure of collective memory so that they can look upon candidates as if they have a clean slate.

WENCE SINGZON, LEGAL & BUSINESS CONSULTANT: They have Suharto, we have Marcos. JC So if you look at Philippines, we are actually ahead of Indonesia in terms of our economy, in terms of development but you will notice Indonesia is catching up very rapidly. JC So are we saying now that they are managing well than the Philippines? That’s the question.

While the Philippines and Indonesia share a dark past under dictatorships, things aren’t the way they were in two of Southeast Asia’s youngest but most vibrant democracies.

THELMA VICTORIO, INVESTMENT OFFICER: Today from the time I was here, the regime of President Suharto, things have really changed. People have been very proactive and the social media today is very evident and is being accessed to by everyone who has a mobile phone with an Android. I feel it’s a sense of belonging for any Indonesian people.

In their home away from home, Filipinos say the Philippines and Indonesia have much to learn not just from their past…
But also from each other.
Ayee Macaraig, Rappler, Jakarta.

– Rappler.com

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