I was taught that if I just worked hard, I’d have the opportunity to escape poverty. The formulaic approach seemed straightforward and doable from my perspective. Work hard, get ahead—a simple equation I believed in without question.
Until I didn’t.
Upon deeper reflection on this approach and after watching hours of documentaries about the cyclical poverty affecting the Filipino people, I realized that should have been obvious: hard work doesn’t look the same for everyone.
The documentaries I’ve been watching (like this one, this one, and this one) revealed a harsh truth. Those considered the poorest members of the Filipino population continue to struggle to make ends meet, even when they work themselves to exhaustion.
Paradoxically, even when they work until their hands are calloused, their backs bent, their days longer than the rest, yet poverty remains a constant companion.
The escalating costs of basic goods and services, which have outpaced wage growth for many households, also contribute to poverty. Even with employment, families struggle to meet their daily needs due to inflation, which erodes purchasing power. This disconnect between income and expenses fosters a perception of poverty despite job gains.
The country also unevenly distributes economic opportunities. Urban areas may enjoy better employment rates and higher wages, while rural communities often face limited job prospects and lower earnings. The national unemployment rate may mask these regional inequalities, leaving rural families more vulnerable to poverty.
from Poverty, employment in PH – Unpacking the contradiction
My ignorance kept me from seeing the reality that systemic factors also play a role in why people remain trapped in the poverty cycle. I also find it challenging to access opportunities, having not been born with a golden spoon.
The equation is far more complex than I was led to believe because a good work ethic—something I still value deeply—isn’t the only thing that determines economic outcomes.
jessa 