December 10, 2025 l Business Mirror
“All highly competent people continually search for ways to keep learning, growing, and improving. They do that by asking WHY. After all, the person who knows HOW will always have a job, but the person who knows WHY will always be the boss.”
—Benjamin Franklin
This is the time of the year when most of us look back and plan for the coming year. More often than not, the basic question is WHY?
As one ponders, it may be good to consider the macro level. A quick technology-aided search yielded the following WHYs on the global scene—
1. Why are global economic inequalities persisting?
2. Why is climate change still a pressing issue?
3. Why do conflicts and wars continue to plague certain regions?
4. Why is there a growing distrust in institutions and governments?
5. Why are pandemics and health crises becoming more frequent?
6. Why is migration and displacement a persistent issue?
7. Why is the global governance system struggling to address pressing issues?
On the domestic front, the following registered –
1. Why is poverty and inequality still prevalent in the Philippines?
2. Why is corruption still a major issue in the Philippines?
3. Why is the Philippines prone to natural disasters?
4. Why is traffic congestion and urban planning a persistent problem in major cities?
5. Why is the education system struggling to provide quality education?
6. Why is the healthcare system facing challenges in providing accessible and affordable healthcare?
7. Why is the Philippines still struggling with issues related to human rights and press freedom?
There are “common” WHY’s in the global and domestic fronts. Top three may be highlighted—inequality, climate change impact, and governance. Can we say, our major domestic concerns parallel the global’s? If so, the how’s and the what’s may represent aligned issues.
With the foregoing as backdrop, on a personal level, what is one’s top WHYs?
If one can identify his/her WHYs, the WHATs and HOWs follow. In doing so, one may have a better vision of what to do.
Wishing all a Happy Christmas & a Blessed 2026!
***The views expressed herein are her own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of her office as well as FINEX. For comments, email clmanabat@gmail.com. Photo is from Pinterest.