3 Reasons Why Filipinos Disagree With Viral Video About Why Filipinos Don’t Get Rich

American singer and YouTube sensation David Dimuzio went viral recently for another reason apart from his music. The singer posted a video about why he thinks Filipinos don’t get rich, and the video has gotten over 5 million views on Facebook. Dimuzio also got his share of comments, mostly from Filipinos themselves.

Why Filipinos Don’t Get Rich

Dimuzio starts off his video blog with some personal background. He mentions that he himself grew up in a poor family, relying on hand me down clothes, eating day-old bread and living on food stamps. However, he has overcome poverty and is now living comfortably with his own businesses and career. He also explains why he has started thinking about this, after he went on a date with a Filipina woman. When their conversation drifted to money matters, he was surprised to find out that his date who was earning a lot from being a nurse did not have any money. According to her, she was supporting her sister and her baby back home in the Philippines.

Then he begins his train of thought on why he thinks Filipinos will not get rich and how they can overcome this.

Why Filipinos Think Otherwise

1. The first thing he points out is that Filipinos have a habit of giving so much of their earnings to others. He mentions stories of Filipino friends who support younger siblings or their parents or grandparents. He notes that those who are successful in a family usually supports others who are not or who do not have the means. This practice for him is the reason why Filipinos cannot achieve financial security.

Naturally, many Filipinos reacted to this point raised by Dimuzio. Most of them cited how different American culture is with Filipino culture. Family is everything to Filipinos, so personal sacrifice is a normal thing especially for those who have the means.

2. He makes a controversial statement (at least for Filipinos) when he states that instead of giving money to other family members, one should give opportunities. This way, the other person will learn how to earn a living himself or herself rather than become dependent. Once again, Filipinos defend this with arguments of culture – that Filipinos were raised to be giving and generous and helpful to others. They also call American society as individualistic and greedy, thus will not understand why we need to give our last dime to a point we have nothing left.

3. Another point raised by Dimuzio is how Filipinos should only help others when they are in a position to do so. This means that they are financially secure and have the means to give more to others. On this point, Filipinos continue to cite family obligations that usually override personal priorities. One will be considered an ingrate or someone who does not know how to give back if they disregard even the smallest call for help.

Watch Why Filipinos Don’t Get Rich via David Dimuzio’s official YouTube account.