God went missing for six days. On the seventh day, the Archangel Michael found Him looking smug and happy.

"Where have you been?" the angel asked.

God pointed down through the clouds. "Look, Michael, my masterpiece."

"What is it?"

"It's a planet," replied God, " I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."

"Balance? What's that?" asked the angel.

God explained, pointing to the different parts of earth. "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth but cold and harsh, while southern Europe is going to be poor but sunny and pleasant. I have made some lands abundant in water and other lands parched deserts. This place will be extremely hot while this place will be very cold and covered in ice."

"So that's balance, great," said Michael. "But what are those?" pointing to a group of islands.

"Ah, that's the Philippines," said God, "the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, rivers, mountains and forests. The people from the Philippines will be good-looking, modest, intelligent and humorous and they will travel the world. They will be very sociable, hospitable, hardworking and high achieving, and will be known throughout the world as carriers of peace and love."

Michael gasped in awe and admiration, but then asked: "But where is the balance, God? You said there would be balance."

God replied: "Ah, wait until you see the idiots I put in their government."