We aren't born equal

After reading Bill Gates’ memoir Source Code, I’ve come to realize just how different all of our upbringings can be.

In the book, Bill talks a lot about his childhood: being born to a well-off white American family, having successful and supportive parents, to his education at a private school.

All of it was fascinating, it seemed as though a lot of things have been set straight for Bill and his path to success. His mother has trained him from a very young age to interact with adults, he has been able to talk to all sorts of successful people across different fields. He was also surrounded by the children of these successful people, similarly bright and ambitious as he is.

Paired with his own tenacity and unrelenting drive to get his ideas into reality led to his founding of Microsoft and into his being one of the richest and most successful people of this era.

It was inspiring and amazing and all, but it also made me reflect on how my own circumstances have shaped me to what I am today.

Being born in a so-called “third world country” (many people prefer saying “developing” but I like how third world rolls off the tongue better), chances would have me likely be born into less than ideal living conditions.

And in some form, I almost was; my parents were born in the deep country of different provinces, far away from urban Manila. My father was able to move to the city, and after a while, get an opportunity to work overseas.

This is a story that is very familiar for countless Filipino families, where a family member works overseas and the higher wages improve the standards of living. By the time I was born, my dad had been abroad for a while already and I was privileged to have a comparatively more comfortable upbringing as a result.

This generational uplift of the standard of living has helped me get a good education and set me up for a better future, which I couldn’t be more thankful to my parents for.

I’ve come to realize the privilege I was given which isn’t the same for a lot of people around the world.

Inequality is a sad thing

In 2025, more and more people are getting lifted out of poverty but there is still a long way to go.

Many people still aren’t born with the same access to healthcare, education, or environments that right out puts them in a disadvantage from being able to live a comfortable, fulfilling life.

It’s disheartening when people attribute inequality to “laziness” or race. In reality, the environments we’re born into couldn’t be more different and a lot of the time, people have no idea how difficult life is for people who weren’t given the same chances.

Some people have had to work from a young age, missing out on education. Others lose hope and resort to begging on the streets. Having to think about food and survival day-by-day just doesn’t give someone any room for education, planning, or even clear thought.

Reading about Bill Gates’ life reminded me how much environment shapes one’s life. I hope the future brings better opportunities for more people around the world. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a Bill Gates come from Africa?