Entrepreneurs for a Free Nation: Salamat President Cory Aquino

Rest in Peace Madam President Cory Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009)

Jean-Baptiste Say, a French economist, was said to be the first to coin the term “entrepreneur” in 1800, of which he described as “one who undertakes an enterprise, especially a contractor, acting as intermediary between capital and labor”. And two centuries later, the word Entrepreneur is still commonly and limitedly associated with economic activity. That in itself is true, however a bit incomplete and short-sighted. Ever since the start-up days of EntrepBuff.com back in 2006, we’ve always believed that the concept of Entrepreneurship stems from a very basic human ideal, one that speaks of the true human potential that can thrive in any environment, but more than ever encouraged and championed in a free society – the ideals in which the Philippines’ 11th President has stood for in this country. With all the biographical shows on President Cory Aquino being aired on TV these days, I couldn’t help but reflect on the values she portrays, especially with seeing so many people genuinely saddened by her death, including myself. So I’ve decided to write down my thoughts on why the Filipino entrepreneurs owe the late President a deep sense of gratitude.

Democracy is self-determination

Forms of government – of which includes democracy, socialism, totalitarianism, authoritarianism, etc. – are not determined by simply stating what the country is on its constitution nor proclaiming it on tv, it is a fact of how things are happening every day. For example, if the constitution states that the public put into power the ruling leader of the land every 6 years through elections wherein each individual above 18 years of age has the right to cast one vote, that as an entire concept firmly resembles a democratic form of government. However, if an individual or a group of people – a political party – can manipulate electoral votes through means of coercion, intimidation or manipulation, essentially determining the rulers of the land through a snap of their fingers, isn’t that a form of authoritarianism, communism or socialism? In a democratic system, utmost trust is given to every individual citizen for self-determination. A right to choose which direction the country will take via electing a particular platform, ideal and character encapsulated in an individual. It is every individual creating its destiny as a whole, regardless of a fortunate or unfortunate outcome.

Democracy’s fight for self-determination is Capitalism’s battle as well

The democratic system shares its philosophical womb with free market capitalism in that both entrusts each individual his or her own fate. Capitalism is a system that not only permits self-determination, but also rewards individual ingenuity and innovation by protecting private property. It is the only system that enables each individual to be himself or herself, to be free to decide whether or not to invest in each’ strengths and talents, and the ability to reap and keep its according rewards and consequences. If you’ve always wanted to draw Batman, Wolverine or Superman when you were a kid, Capitalism is the only system that gives you the free will to hone that skill by illustrating these characters for your friends within the entirety of your grade school and high school days, to pursue fine arts in college, and eventually be hired in DC, Marvel or probably build your own comic wonder like Nautilus. From a simple talent and dream, to working hard, then getting rewarded for it for the value it brings to others, that is the clear and beautiful depiction of self-determination in a free market system – Capitalism.

Try and accomplish that in a communist, authoritarian, totalitarian or socialist society and your works will probably be burned for heat, you turned into their mindless soldiers or peasants, or your money unreasonably taken away for the “greater good” if ever you’ve managed to amass a bit of wealth. And unfortunately, this social system is what’s becoming more prevalent in the Philippines – anybody heard of the undeserving extortionist leaches in BIR?

Why every free Filipino dreamer and doer should thank President Cory

Every free Filipino dreamer and doer should thank President Cory because she fought for the idea of self-determination – for free systems to thrive whereby democracy and capitalism can flourish, of achieving goals limited only by the human imagination and will. She was not great because she was married to proclaimed Filipino hero Benigno Aquino Jr., nor because her methods were perfect as was far from it – evident in the widespread brownouts we experienced during her administration – she was great because of her own firm belief that going through years of hardship is an experience worth going through to bring back an environment in which people can be themselves and fulfill their own individual destinies without an authoritarian leader who loots.

Thus, I would disagree to the statement that she “sacrificed” her own happiness as a private citizen for the country. To “sacrifice” is to substitute a higher for a lesser value. The way I see it, she personally and selfishly didn’t see the presidency as a “sacrifice” she must endure. It was a need to answer to her own individuality, her beliefs and values, knowing that if she leaped to the opportunity of leading the people, it would have been a life no regrets. I believe that she took the responsibility because she thought it was a privilege to lead the Filipino people, an experience she couldn’t pass. She was great because she was genuinely happy and truly wanted to serve in a Philippine public office.

And so, thank you President Cory Aquino for the genuine intention to serve as our leader in a very critical period in the Philippines’ history. You are an authentic example to the true human potential, and role model to all that aspire to live life without limitations.

Laban.
Thanks to Rina Laxa, miszpinay over Flickr for sharing this very symbolic photo under the Creative Commons license.

A note to the photographer of the image of President Cory above: We apologize if you deem it offensive to display your photo above without permission. We posted it only because we thought it was a great shot, of which does justice to the late great President. Let us know if you want it taken down through an email at contactus [at] entrepbuff [dot] com.