Your Messenger message:

"Good morning sir tony merry xmas!

"I was hoping i could ask for some advice regarding a matter. Im currently faced with a choice of either moving abroad to study then work or stay in the philippines and continue working in the artistic fields. I see both choices to have their merits and demerits which is why im really in a dillema about it. Thank you for your time"

My reply:

Hello ___!

Here are the things to consider about studying and living abroad: --The seasons and the clothing you will need to be comfortable

--Having to do everything for yourself without assistance from anyone

--Craving food that is not available there

--Paying for every single thing and every single service, because nothing is for free

--Being a foreigner and being subject to discrimination

--Dealing with friends with different values and a different sense of humor

Here are the things to consider about remaining in the Philippines:

--There is really no such thing as "working in the artistic fields"

--Being underpaid for everything

--Realizing that commercial art, derivative art, and kabakyaan sell more than serious art does

--Looking around and seeing that everyone tends to paint like everyone else

--Dealing with atchay employers and atchay clients

--Never being rich because of your art

The decision is yours--no one can tell you what to do.

Your question to me, of course, really has nothing to do with art but should rather be phrased as, "In which country am I more likely to survive and become rich?" My answer to that is: Granted that you are willing to work yourself to the bone, go abroad. You can always come back home anyway.