“Obama’s victory may greatly affect our economy. From what I heard and read, he will be focusing more on giving jobs to Americans. Filipinos will be having [a] hard time looking for a job in the US as they will be competing with other Americans. This will weaken our economy.”

– Katrina Rose Castillo (I BS LM)

“In my opinion, parang pinipilit natin yung sarili nating makialam tungkol sa US. Parang we’re forcing ourselves too much to be part of the US.”

– Jose Rafael Javier (II BFA TA)

“Hopefully, Obama’s win would inspire the youth to vote. We, the [Filipino] youth, want change as much as the youth in the U.S. do.”

– Salvador Reyes Jr. (IV BS CS)

“Since Obama has a positive influence on people, the morale of America will exponentially increase thus increasing their economy. And since America is a superpower, other countries will also benefit from their prosperity.”

– Miguel Leone Salvador (I AB IS)

“Well in the campaign, he sounded protectionist. So far so I’m not really sure if his presidency will open up markets. It might actually go the opposite direction.”

– Nathaniel Joseph Libatique, Ph.D., Electronics, Computer,
and Communications Engineering Department chair

“It’s too difficult to say at this point. Whether or not Obama fulfills his promise of change for the American people…the Philippines will more than likely remain the same—a third world nation, unless aspiring politicians take to heart the most important aspect that drove Obama to victory—his faith and hope for his country. The Philippines needs a charismatic and idealistic leader like him.”

– Carlo Francisco Chong (II AB Comm)

“He grew up partly in Indonesia. We’d benefit because he’d have insights to help third world countries prosper. Like his motto, we can do it. He’s going to give people a chance to live a good life.”

– Giesille Mae Go (I BS Mgt)

“It won’t pose a significant effect in the Philippines, because the Filipinos still govern the country, not Obama.”

– Kevin Christopher Ramon Santiago (III AB PoS)

“[Former] Senator Obama’s journey towards the White House serves as inspiration to Filipinos especially the marginalized to continue to hope for and believe in a brighter future for themselves, family, and nation. The impact is on a higher level already—one that encompasses socio-economic spheres.”

– Mark Joel Barredo, Ateneo Center for Educational Development Communication,
Programs, and Marketing officer

“I heard of his plans to recall call centers and other US companies in cheap-labor countries like the Philippines to provide more jobs for those in the US to help ease the financial crisis. That will be a big loss for us and I hope he remembers his Asian roots which is probably our only hold on him.”

– Nerisse Isabella Siazon (IV BS Bio)