GOING home twice in a year has it pluses. For one, it gives you a closer look at what’s happening that you often miss out on your first trip. Such was the case this year.

The Philippines has been identified as an emerging tiger economy – the 39th largest in the world. The macro economic data seem to support it. GDP is $290 billion and economic growth has been tracked at 6.5 percent one of the fastest in SE Asia. Inflation is at 3 percent and unemployment is at 7 percent. There are positive “behavioral indicators” quite evident – one of those is the concern and respect for senior citizens. The 20 percent discount on goods and services – medicines, travel, food, restaurants and movies, among others, go a long way. Other privileges seniors enjoy are special service counters – to fast track buying MRT tickets and availment of government services. Indeed noteworthy.