I’m not sure where, when and how it started but a pernicious lie infects the minds of many Filipinos. It is a lie that affects our sense of identity and dignity — how we perceive ourselves and our position in the world.

The lie is the “the Philippines is a small country” and that we are a “small people.”

Of course, I have no debate about our median height as a people, although the Gen Zs appear to be taller than previous generations. This is not about height.

The Philippines is in fact 64th in the world in terms of total area. Our country is bigger than 170 other countries.

We are the world’s 14th biggest country in terms of population, and actually fifth in Asia if I’m not mistaken. Our population is so huge, we send out 10 percent of our population to the world. The most numerous foreigners in Greenland for instance are Filipinos.

These two data points alone should already make anyone take a pause. We are not “a small country” by these measures.

But of course, the cynics would say “but we are poor!.”

Objectively, the Philippines is not poor.

For instance, an Australia mining industry paper says: “The Philippines is one of the world’s most richly endowed mineral resources countries. It is estimated to have about $1 trillion worth of untapped copper, gold, nickel, zinc and silver reserves. Only five percent of these reserves have been explored, and three percent are covered by mining contracts.”

Another paper says: “The Philippines is rich in natural resources such as mineral resources (gold, nickel, copper, and chromite), energy resources (geothermal, hydropower, and fossil fuels), agricultural resources (crop and forestry), and marine and coastal resources (fisheries and navigation). The country is situated within the Coral Triangle, a region known as the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. The Verde Island Passage, covering 1.14 million hectares located between the provinces of Mindoro and Batangas, is identified as a site of the highest recorded marine species. Various experts regarded this passage as the center of the center of marine biodiversity (Carpenter & Springer, 2005).”

The size of the Philippine economy in 2025 is estimated between $494 billion and $497.5 billion. This ranks us 32nd in the world in terms of nominal GDP.

Total bank deposits was reported at $362.9 billion, as of September 2025.

In terms of foreign reserves, the Philippines ranks 28th in the world.

I guess the trouble begins with wealth and income inequality, made evident or worse by a combination of factors like regressive taxation, monopoly of political power, monopolies, duopolies and oligopolies, and the hallmark of the Philippine state — corruption.

Whether the wealth is extracted from the land under our feet or deep down our waters, or through the mental and menial work of Filipino workers, their take-home pay and minimum wage are low and paltry both compared to daily needs and as a portion of the wealth created.

Going hand in hand with the ideology of “we are small,” there is an entire apparatus that enforces the belief that is a sin to demand and expect fairness, putting Filipinos first, reducing dependence on foreign capital, championing Filipino entrepreneurs, and so on. The only feasible escape from this is to actually leave the country where the laws may be fairer or that the pay is higher even though it may still be lower than average in those countries.

The ongoing controversies arising from flood control scams and other acts of corruption may be a catalyst for change, but only if progressive and radical movements get bolder, clearer, and more clever in contesting the allegiance of people on where we stand objectively, and what’s the best way forward. Traditional politicians and political dynasties are apparently doing everything to repair the huge self-inflicted damage to their reputation, and are offering nothing more than the 2028 elections as their self-serving solution to everything. They are bringing the battle to a process where they have an unfair and overwhelming advantage.

What makes the situation today interesting is that old rules may no longer apply, new rules are being adopted, assumptions being questioned, and what was impossible before is becoming possible now. Old enemies are becoming friends. What was improper before has now become acceptable. Those who demand that we battle it out in the old battlefield and under old rules could be swiftly defeated or, worse, laughed at.

How about you? What do you think? How do you cope? What’s next?