Examining Our Options
By Gabby Moraleda

Americans are a favored breed. Within the past few years, many have reaped the fruits from a prosperity that we have not seen in recent times. It is said that it is nowhere more visible than in Silicon Valley - the 40-mile stretch between San Francisco and San Jose - where 62,000 new millionaires reside! Unemployment (4%) is an all time record low. Wages are going up, and with inflation in check, the economy surely is on a roll. But - can anyone just cash in? Maybe... or maybe not. Consider...

Filipino Americans have much to offer. Many have migrated to this land to carve out a better life. We possess the basic skills and the will to compete, if not excel. I must say we are doing an excellent job. And I have good news for you, Betans are among them. We have contributed into this country a colorful mix of talents - medical doctors, veterinary doctors, dentists, engineers, architects, business graduates, computer whiz kids and even artists. (I will not mention names per request of our editor for reasons of space, but I assure you, we have a bunch of these talented guys!)

We have given much and can give much more if we take an active part in shaping America's future! Let's examine what's taking place...

Change - that is what is taking place! And it's coming on like a speeding bullet. America is on a paradigm shift with existing (cold war) ideas and beliefs being challenged, if not set aside. We are witnessing the birth of new businesses, new rules and new technology. With them come new products and services, requiring a new set of skills - skills that add value! And in such a scenario, it is pretty obvious that certain things just have got to give way as fresh ideas come in to play. Unfortunately, traditional skills and mindsets are some of them. Thus, if you hear about downsizing (a fancy word for retrenchment), jobs that we have grown accustomed to, are cut. Sadly, the people behind them, too. The rule is - shape up or ship out - and for the majority of us belonging to the baby boomer generation, we face the prospect of having to retool ourselves, lest we become marginal if not obsolete. Meeting head-on these challenges demand a strong work ethic plus a solid education, nothing less. Indeed, new careers and business opportunities are out there - let's be ready for them.

Briefly, three areas will definitely impact our life and career/business options coming into the 21st century - these are Information/Telecommunication Technology, Environmental Management, and Health Sciences.

Philippine opportunities are great but profits are subject to currency rate fluctuations. Make no mistake. America is a huge market, an economic powerhouse - with a deep bench - and ready for the next century. Opportunities of the future are being defined right this very moment. It's open to all - especially Betans. Our options are as bright as what we want to make it. I trust the Betan spirit. Let's make the right choice!