One thing about the Philippines is that you will find a lot of beggars in the streets. You will also see acts of charity which is heartwarming. But one thing most people fail to realize is on whether these acts of kindness are indeed going into their pockets or to the people who organize and deploy them in different parts of the metropolis.

Sad to say, begging in the Philippines has been made into a business. Despicable as it may seem, it is a reality to which some wiser Filipinos have been advised not to give to the poor or if ever, just give something in kind like food, canned goods, or clothes. That way, you are giving them something that they can use rather than money which is obviously holding true to its word as a source of all evil.

Through this, true acts of charity are being made. You are helping unfortunate people through the actual needs based on the hierarchy of John Maslow. These are acts that syndicates hate since it deprives them of profiting through using people. Addressing the needs of the actual people may at times be the best way and good blessings. But for people who are handling them, they are given ultimatums and punished if they do not meet quotas. Yes, they are given quotas making begging more of a profession rather than something to which any person can provide any form of help.

Pathetic as it may seem, if you find yourself coming across such people in the Philippines, try not to give any form of cash to them. You can either say NO or give something that a person would really need outside that of money.

Originally posted on October 28, 2010 @ 2:15 am