MONEY ISN'T everything. That is what we've always been taught. But nowadays, it seems that money is of utmost importance to most people. Everyone here seems to be in the grind to earn money. Lots of money, to tell the truth.

This morning, I had a talk with one of my co-teachers and she told me about their plans of going abroad and how far have they gone in terms of the paperwork. She told me that she's determined to finish her Ph. D. here so that she can expect good pay abroad. "What's the use of goind there if you're not gonna earn really much, " she told me.

Another friend confided with me about her business plans. I have business plans, too, so I found our conversation interesting. We talked about making great profits and building better homes for ourselves, owning real properties, cars, and going wherever we want.

So it all boils down to money.

I recalled our sociology class where I learned about Nouveau Riche. They are those who are rich not because they came from a wealthy family. But they got rich probably because of their hardwork, or luck.

That is what we all seem to want to be, Nouveau Riche. Others call it rising from rags to riches.

I don't think it is bad to aspire for something better. Maybe, all we need to do is to keep a healthy set of values in the process and probably, give back to those who have helped us or to help others rise, too.

One notable person I could name who can be considered Nouveau Riche are the Gokonweis. They are tycoons now. But as many of us know, John Gokonwei, himself once peddled newspaper and other stuff for a living. His hardwork and values turned him into a billionaire that he is now, owning large business firms, etc.

The Chiangs, too, of Southern Mindanao had humble beginnings. From a small store in the 1970's, they now own two big malls in General Santos City and Koronadal.

Although money is not the answer to all our needs, but our real happiness could start from there. Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs begins with the physiological aspect. Having money in today's world is quite an assurance for the provision of our basic needs, which, if fulfilled, will allow us to ascend to the next level of happiness.