In a country that poverty remains prevalent in all aspects of life, Filipino parents endure harsh working conditions, long hours of commute, or life abroad as a blue-collar worker just to do whatever it takes for their children to finish college. To be a Filipino, you need to truly believe in the power of education. But the question remains: Why is that many parents are willing to sacrifice everything for it?
For Filipino parents who grew up in a household that finishing school was considered as a “privilege”, dreams are really born out of this scarcity that is why education is what Filipino parents usually invest in as it gives their children a guaranteed success. It is for this reason that today’s parents do everything in their power for their children not to inherit the same struggles they had growing up. For parents, education is not just the ultimate goal; it is the only pathway they see for their children to get out of poverty. 
(Photo credited to: Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines)
But did you know? This Filipino belief that life would be better and easier was engraved to us by our culture? It is because in a Philippine school setting, classrooms are built on respect and hierarchy. Teachers are highly regarded as authoritative, learning sometimes consists of memorization and examination. For some students, in order to say that you truly succeeded learning it is measured by how well you did on your grades and diploma. In which, Filipino families, deemed as a very important matter as it is what would determine the success of their child, the parents dignity and an opportunity for a better future.
But let me tell you, in Finland, everything’s quite different than what we are used to. Compared to Philippines, schools in Finland is powered by abundance not scarcity. In Finland, even though taxes are quite high (ifykyk) they are invested in very well funded Finnish schools that are abundant in resources, trust and support. Student thinks of their teachers as mentors rather than an authority. Moreover, students are encouraged to think independently, collaborate with one another, and even pursue their passions in their preferred fields all for free. As to compared to a Filipino traditional school setup where numerous homework, activities, and pressuring exam, a Finnish student is honed in a system that is gives value to creativity, independence and cares for the children’s well-being. And a saddening reality as to compared to a Filipino student? Education in Finland is not done as a desperate act to escape from reality, the education system of Finland gives them access to a life that is easily accessible to all citizens and residents of Finland on all educational levels. Not to mention, some schools also provides free tuition, hot meals, books and even transportation fees to students regardless of their family income. 
In short, both have values, but when compared together raises an important question: What if Filipino students were given these opportunities? Will they still be resilient due to their family upbringing or sacrifices if offered a progressive educational system like Finland’s?
But don’t worry too much! Because we’ve got the solution for you. Here at Finest Future Philippines, this is what we are trying to achieve. We want to connect with Filipinos who wants to experience a Finnish education. We wanted to be a bridge between two worlds where the determination of a parent or capable family member is dependent on their sacrifices, and the possibility of a future where learning is no longer defined by scarcity, but by an opportunity of a lifetime. It is time that we give ourselves a chance, and a future every Filipino deserves. 
(Look at Finest Future Philippines’ country CEO, Arto Pelander together with his business partner Esa Huovila that is always connected and working closely with the Embassy of Finland in the Philippines and proudly registered as the Philippines’ only Finnish Language Learning Center that provides face-to-face Finnish course).
