VOLUME 13 NUMBER 2 (July to December 2020)

Gisela P. Concepcion*

Professor Emeritus, Marine Science Institute,
      College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman
      Quezon City, 1101 Philippines

The upliftment of the poor is Dr. Pernia’s life-long advocacy and commitment. In “Virtuous Impatience”, he shares nuanced reflections on how problems of poverty and inequality of income and opportunity are deeply rooted in personal human traits - the “viciously patient” nature of Filipinos, embedded in Filipino socio-cultural values, shaped through centuries of mental subjugation by colonization and religion. The Filipino citizenry, local and national leaders, manifest great tolerance for uninformed decision-making, unskilled implementation of actions, leading to inefficient, nonproductive performance and outcomes.