MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) –  May Panaginip Ako (‘I Have A Dream’)! With those words, Philippines’ President NoyNoy Aquino laid out in no uncertain terms what he believes will be his legacy after he leaves office in 2016. He wants to be honored and remembered as his country’s Martin Luther King.

His Dream? That because of his policies, reforms and peformance as president, the Philippines will eventually become a First World Country.

In a speech before elementary school children in Marikina, a suburb of Manila, Aquino trumpeted the country’s economic achievements under his watch and the decline in unemployment and hunger incidence among families.

Aquino also boasted of his administrations’ anti-corruption efforts and programs for education, health and poverty alleviation that contributed to the country’s progress.

“Napakasarap pong pangarapin nito lalo pa’t alam nating maaabot ito kung maipagpapatuloy lang natin ang pagsisikap, pag-aambagan at pagsisigurong maayos at matapat ang pamamahala sa ating bansa,” he added. (It is so sweet to dream about this, especially when we know we can reach this status if we continue to strive, unite,  and ensure good and honest  management of our country.)

Upon hearing the news of the president’s dream, millions of Filipinos belonging to the 25% who continue to live below the poverty level, took to the streets of Metro Manila and other cities and towns throughout the country, to celebrate their impending emancipation from their decades-long economic status.

Economists and policy makers also began to erect electronic billboard charts so that the country can watch in real time how the Philippines will rise to the top from its current world standing as 154th in Gross National Income (GNI),  119th in Gross National Product (GNP) and 81st in Poverty Level.

Giant screens will also be built next to the electronic billboards to broadcast live video cam feeds from the country’s jail cells showing the day-to-day life of government officials and others serving time for graft, corruption, plunder and other crimes.

Aquino also directed the Department of Tourism to launch a new campaign that will herald the rise of the Philippines from Third to First World. The president’s own image will be featured in the campaign, with the quote ‘I have A Dream’ translated into 100 languages.

It is More Fun in the Philippines. Indeed.