Pinoy Scientist Blames Youth Orientation for Brain Drain

[taga_ipil]

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Pinoy Scientist Blames Youth Orientation for Brain Drain
By GABRIEL S. MABUTAS
September 22, 2010, 6:45pm

MANILA, Philippines – A returning (balik) Filipino scientist who honed his expertise in chemistry and biotechnology in Japan blamed the depleting population of scientists in the country on the wrong upbringing of the youth, claiming the brightest of the scientists working abroad would have been working for the country if not for this.

Dr. Custer C. Deocaris said that while scientists really do need to go abroad to develop their expertise, most refuse to come back to serve after excelling in their field as they opt for better opportunities offered them in other countries.

The problem, he said, lies in the way the youth are being brought up by parents. “Karamihan ng kabataan, materialistic ang upbringing,” he said.

Deocaris made name in Japan for his research pieces that have to do with molecular and cell biology, genomics and systems biology, and sports biotechnology. Stem-cell procedures -- that could treat and cure cancer and other serious illness -- are just one of his specialties.

On top of the fact that most of the scientists prefer to work abroad for bigger pay package, he said, science graduates are actually less in number compared to their counterparts in Japan and elsewhere abroad.

“Ilan lang ang scientists dito [there are few scientists here] compared to Japan where scientists play a big percentage in their general population. Why are there too few scientists? Because we have to change minds of the people,” Deocaris said.

“Three-fourths of the Filipinos want to go abroad and not come back. Pangarap ng mga kabataan ang maging artista, na maging call center agents, maging nurse [Their dream is to become an actor, call center agent or nurse]. Why? Because they are thinking of earning bigger rather than service. There are few scientists dahil sa materialistic ideas ng mga kabataan [because of the materialistic ideas of the youth],” he added.

Unfortunately, he noted, the interest of most Filipinos are centered on getting rich and not service. “Being a scientist means you have to serve. Before I’m actually earning big. Now I’m earning zero (in the Philippines) but I am happy because I’m serving,” Deocaris said.

“Sabi ko nga sa mga bata [I’ve been telling young people], guys, if you only think of making millions, the harder it would get, the harder you’ll achieve it. But if you think of sharing yourself, aba darating yung pera [money would come]. Science is not just about serving the country but serving humanity. God will provide basta mag-isip ka ng kabutihan para sa kapwa [as long as you think what’s for you neighbor]. But if you think something for yourself, the harder it would be for you to grow,” he added.


Source

your thoughts.

[saitohkiyohiru]

Very nice thoughts, this scientist...Especially the part which he said: Share yourself and money comes to you. There are certain situations though that this is true, well at least most, when you offer yourself to service. Mas sayon ra siguro na if you're not struggling to live...Pero if you are a person struggling to feed yourself, your needs, etc, mura lisud2x sab na nga ideal. If I have money, I will not hesitate to share my blessings, talents, skills, pero karon na struggle pa, mura lisud pa na i materialize.

[Jantehshiznit]

The problem, he said, lies in the way the youth are being brought up by parents. “Karamihan ng kabataan, materialistic ang upbringing,” he said.


Absolutely right,

[saitohkiyohiru]

The problem, he said, lies in the way the youth are being brought up by parents. “Karamihan ng kabataan, materialistic ang upbringing,” he said.


Absolutely right,

Thats very true, and this scientist is most probably a Tagalog..Most tagalogs are very materialistic. Bahala na gud ma gutman na sila basta lang kay japorms. Unlike diri sa cebu or sa visayas area, na ang mga tawo dili jud ingana ka materialistic.

[tripwire]

I agree what Dr. Custer C. Deocaris said about the upbringing. It's not just the youth but also the government has to be blamed along with it.

[treize]

hopefully more Filipino scientists will think like him....

It's about how parents brought up their children.. Others advice their children to marry a foreigner just to make their life a lot easier...

[Mr. BrokenHearted]

ofcourse TS unsa may buhaton nimo diri sa pinas?? magaguwanta sa gamay nga sweldo

take note TS speaking of call centers, nanay daghan intawn diri sa pilipinas so no need na moabroad dn ang salary dako2x pod........

[tame]

I have seen other Balik Scientists ... after being exposed to da vicious small mindedness and politicking going on in their local research centers ... nagmahay o di kaha, nagplano na sad balik abroad. I thank prof. Deocaris for coming back. I'm hoping he will stay.

Mind you, not all Balik Scientists are golden. Some come back and take to da politics like maggots on a septic tank -- some willingly blend in, become research directors, move on to become vice-presidents of state universities, make irrational policies (because a good scientist is not necessarily a good administrator) and become part of da problem.

We also allowed da media (specifically da local tv networks) to define what should be valued. Parents don't take the time to tell their kids dat watching noontime shows and 'reality' tv would create a huge drop in their IQ. Noon-time shows tell kids they ought to idolize Pareng Willie. Reality tv would tell them na (lalu't good-looking ka or magaling kumanta) okey lang maging sunud-sunuran maski patuwarin pa ng kung sinung baklang director just to become an idol, a star, a winner in PBB.

You know why? Dahil mahirap pa tayo sa daga. 'Kapit patalim' jud ang magdaog.

Very featured ang Makati last election dat allowed Binay to win. What is Makati? An island of rich high-rises drowned in a sea of shanties ... our cebu counterpart is Ayala center and IT Park and MEPZA (take a look sa luyo -- da disenfranchised are there ... crowded, smelly slums dat provide da bodies and sweat servicing these fantasies of progress).

"Keep them poor" -- and da status quo would enjoy da fruits of cheap labor and OFW remittances. It's not to da best interests of political dynasties to uplift da lives of da poor. They will lose power dat way.

Kapit patalim -- undergradweyt ko -- kasagaran job wanted: 20-25 yrs old, gradweyt of such and such course; knowledgeable in such and such (pirated) software; 2-5 years experience, wid pleasing personality and drivers license (tapos gamay sweldo). Call center nalang kay bisan pila ang idad ug grado, dawaton -- ok na ang sweldo (di kaau daku) -- maau lang ka mo-inglis. But call centers are designed to suck da life out of you and throw you away like a battery when you're all burned out. Call center agent = telepokpok. Da local (and cheaper paid) counterpart to OFWs. That's why there's a whole culture and industry feeding off da call center train.

Not all of us are fortunate to work on something we love while earning enough to keep our self-respect.

And there's still no salvation in sight. Not even da Kapamilya-manufactured image of Noynoy can save us.

[taga_ipil]

ofcourse TS unsa may buhaton nimo diri sa pinas?? magaguwanta sa gamay nga sweldo

take note TS speaking of call centers, nanay daghan intawn diri sa pilipinas so no need na moabroad dn ang salary dako2x pod........

sorry but if you read the thoughts of the article this is not just about call centers.
its about how the upbringing of the youths of today.

I don't want this thread debating against call center agent, kay ako sab naka-work sa call center before
and they have helped alot sa atong fellow Cebuanos.

imho

[carbrill]

i agree with what Dr. Deocaris stated about the status of the youth and their orientation toward gaining money... Filipinos are just an example of Maslow hierarchy needs. we need money to survive, to get what we want, the basic needds. maybe time will come that we will realized that it is the right time to go back in our country in serve the nation when we reach the self actualization stage...