By this time, Filipinos, most of us at least, think that the best way out of the pit is to pack up and leave. That explains why nearly three out of every 10 Filipinos want to get out of the country if given the chance. No one has the right to pass judgment on all those who are making a beeline for the nearest embassy willing to take in OFWs. That foreign employment is no pleasure cruise, only a few would argue with that. Even the best working atmosphere in the most accommodating nation in the world would have been able to pry us out if conditions were better in the country. This does not mean of course that fleeing the country is the solution. Running away may be the best thing to do if you are sprinter, but not if you it involves solving problems. In case you did not notice, problems have a way of keeping step.

People who think they can drown out their problems in alcohol learn later that their problems know how to stay afloat. In the same manner, those who run away from problems also realize belatedly that problems hand on like a leech. But with so many people throwing up their arms in surrender, it seems there is no other way to go but outside the country. The exodus that started with a trickle now threatens to rival the scale of the Jews fleeing Egypt during the time of Moses. Of course, there are few openings for welfare cases and so those fleeing the coup arm themselves with a degree if possible. Those who want to have their cake and eat it too naturally would opt to migrate as nurses.

Now comes this unfortunate incident involving a leak that jeopardized an entire batch. Not only was the June exam nullified, its passers carry the stigma that reminds one of the curse of Abel. Through no fault of theirs, the honest ones at least, the recent board exam served to inflate the luxury liner that took and would continue to take thousands of Filipinos out of their crisis-ridden nation. And yet, come to think of it, a problem of this magnitude only serves to open up our eyes to the need to clean the yard. It should be no ordinary cosmetic job that would pin the blame on a few appointed dyers. This is one trash that must not be swept under the rug.

Unfortunately, practice makes perfect. Having perfected the art of cover-up, it seems the masters are again up to their own tricks. In a little while, the place will be as sanitized as an operating room. It's sad really. If we must export our people abroad because we cannot solve our problems here, they should at least be quality exports. And yet, on second thought, quality would be the last thing on the mind of a Filipino fleeing his country.