The Social Costs of Overseas Filipino Workers…

The Social Costs of Overseas Filipino Workers…

Two months ago, I took my cousin, together with her family to the airport. After a couple of years waiting for this moment, it finally came! She was working in the Philippines for almost five years in a five-star hotel, occupying a good position, kind colleagues, receiving enough pay aside from the privileges of an employee like discounted rates for use of hotel facilities, free use during birthday, extravagant gifts during holidays among others. But for “greener pasture” she has to leave this job. Before the flight, everyone was excited and I share the same feelings because I knew that my cousin has long been waiting for this moment, and I am really happy for her. My reflection would not dwell on her departure but the insights I got when I was at the airport, together with some members of our family, to see my cousin off for the “promised land”.

I have been out of the country but I always pass through the main entrance and go straight to the check-in counter so, I don’t notice the far right corner of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal I. The corner I was referring to is the office of Overseas Workers Welfare Association. In this very important side of NAIA I witnessed the large number of Filipinos leaving our country for better opportunities. I felt sorry for my country while at the same time feeling disgusted to the people governing our country. This is not an issue of Philippines as a country, I definitely love this! But those people in power that make the lives of Juan and Maria terrible!

Filipinos leave behind their families because their country cannot provide for their needs. While waiting for my cousin to queue for check-in, I have seen a couple hugging each other as if they don’t want to let go of each other…in one corner, another couple with the husband leaving behind a pregnant wife…a big family on the other side with (maybe) sisters hugging each other with the one going overseas sobbing while a brother (again maybe!) consoling and assuring that everything’s going to be alright…there were also instances when people sending off just bring down the luggage of the person leaving, probably to avoid sadness and pain. These different expressions of feeling communicate a common thing, parting with their love ones is difficult, like the old adage, goodbyes is better for those leaving than for the one left behind. This is very typical of Filipinos when left behind because this is who we are! For Filipinos, goodbye is the hardest word to say and the most difficult moment to face. However, for the sake of giving a comfortable life for those left behind, they have to face this sad part of saying temporary goodbye.

As I was observing these different reactions of people leaving and sending off, security guard was also busy telling them to move away from the glass wall and hand railings of the departure area. People were helpless but they have to follow instructions from the guard albeit reluctantly. But I hope the guards while performing their duties and responsibilities without compromising their work, should not be too harsh in telling people to move away from the gates of NAIA. They must understand such moments between departing OFWs and their families. To the government, in exchange for what these overseas Filipino workers are contributing to the Philippines, give them and their families a space to say their last minute goodbyes and last minute words without pressure of being told to keep off certain areas in NAIA.

With all the scenes I have witnessed playing back on my mind, I left NAIA with a heavy heart, probably mixed emotions. Primarily, one of my dearest cousins has just left. But what struck me most were my observations of the different scenes among OFWs leaving and families left behind. I salute those Filipinos who sacrifice many things in order to give a better life for their families whether as OFWs or immigrants. But what is the cost of this trend? I am not expecting answers from those who will read this because it is expected that there will be varying opinions but I have uploaded this entry as a point of reflection for each one of us. I shared this story with a friend who is also a development worker who told me that I was looking at it through my social lens which I said yes, but maybe unconsciously because my heart overshadowed the social barometer in me. I have been to three well-known developed countries, unfortunately or fortunately I never stayed long but I had opportunities as well to visit and live in developing countries. I remembered, when I reached my temporary home country for eighteen months, I will never forget the short prayer I said the moment my feet touched the tarmac. Yes, our country is never perfect but it is not Philippines itself which is to blame but the people governing it. I always tell people that for those who have been and living in these giant developed countries, Philippines is worst! But try to stay or visit developing countries; I assure you a big appreciation to our country and surely, you would also utter my very short prayer…thanks God, I am a Filipino.

A Volunteer from a Developing Country in another Developing Country

“A Volunteer from a Developing Country in another Developing Country”

Aydel M. Salvadora

This was an article published in VSO Bangladesh’s newsletter called “Spotlight” in November 2005, nine months after arrival in Bangladesh which was my home for 18 months.

While everyone is eagerly waiting for winter to come, others were wondering why the rain was not too much during the monsoon season and it seems that summer is longer this year because it is still warm up to this time. Surviving these changes in season was exciting and challenging because each season is like the good and bad times, happy and sad, up and down moments of my stay in Bangladesh. November is my 9^th month of surviving a volunteer’s life outside and at work. Adjustment was never easy because it was living in an environment totally different from what I used to have despite the fact that I am also coming from a developing country.

Filipino volunteers are only few of those Filipinos you can find in every corner of this world. They are out of the country to work as nurses, caregivers, engineers, seafarers, domestic helpers and many others who bring dollars to our country, contributing so much to our national economy. Unlike these Overseas Filipino Workers, we, the volunteers do not generate dollars for our country but we bring honor and pride through voluntary service in other developing countries. It is a common question to volunteers like us, coming from developing countries how can we help other countries when our country is also among those, which needs help.

The country where I came from is an archipelago in Southeast Asia. It is composed of several Islands with number varying during high tide and low tide. History tells and real accounts from our great, great grandparents that different countries have colonized Philippines, making its culture diverse. But it is a country very much influenced by western culture leaving very little traces of its own, particularly in the cities and capital places. Among its riches are the hardworking people and the natural resources making it one of the five mega-diverse countries in the world. The same natural resources form different tourist areas in the Philippines from mountains to oceans which attract local and international tourists alike.

Philippines is a typical country that has its good and bad side. Like all other developing countries, you will also find different social problems although at a different or maybe much lower magnitude compared to others. These social problems motivated social activists to do something and make a difference. After many years of dictatorship, Philippines earned its much-needed democratic space in 1986, which enabled NGOs to work openly. NGOs have contributed a lot in responding to these social problems enriching its experiences in various fields of development work. It has made advancements on development issues such as community-based natural resources management, land reform, women empowerment, peoples’ participation in local governance, indigenous peoples’ rights, health reforms and many others. Recognizing this development background is the reason why we are scattered in different parts of the world as VSO volunteers, to share these on-the-ground experiences to other people and communities that are also striving to get better with their lives and improve their country. Philippines may have moved on to some extent but we are still facing many social challenges that motivate us to continuously do something to address them.

My experience in Bangladesh made me realize a lot of things. Living here the first few months was really hard. The tendency is to look for things you are used to having and doing back home and I can’t help myself from comparing. However, as months pass by, I learn to appreciate the goodness that lies in everything here. My country and Bangladesh have their own history and different stories to tell. The history of Bangladesh shaped its culture, the people and the way they live in general. Recognizing this made my life easy in Bangladesh because we both have our distinct culture and being here, I have slowly learned to adapt to this culture.

As an individual coming from a different culture and context, observing the dynamics of the organization and the people is very important before any real work can be started. Being flexible is one thing and stretching your patience is another thing, which really help adjusting to work easy because most of the times, things never happen the way you expected them to be. Loving your country is a normal feeling and reaction when you are out of it, yet recognizing the pride of the place you are in is equally important as well.

The greatest realization of all is always looking at the bright side of the things you do and around you, otherwise, volunteer life would be miserable and you might just wake up one morning and see yourself packing up and flying back home. Always keep in mind that in any country of assignment, you would be able to share more of your experiences in development work as you work towards changing lives as well as changing yourself through sharing skills.

Let me share with you what I remind myself to carry on what I am doing: Keep my expectations at a minimum and most of all, enjoy what I am doing---be it simple or grand, big or small, the most important thing is that I am making a difference in my organization and the lives of the people in my own little ways. The people we are working with in our organizations and the volunteers as well are coming from different countries, with their cultural identities and individual personalities, so we must learn to be flexible.

This is an introductory entry to my blog which I call the road less traveled, a line from Robert Frost’s poem. When I entered university, I took a course in Social Work, sounds familiar or unfamiliar? To many people Bachelor of Science in Social Work is a less taken course (this is my personal opinion!) for reasons I do not know although I would say, maybe because it is not promising, it will not make you rich or simply unpopular… Whatever reasons, people may have for not taking this course; I respect them because I knew personally why I have chosen this career. It is the profession close to the people from all walks of life, the poor, the rich and the middle class of our society, because working to address social problems means dealing with different people and dealing with various issues in our society. Since then, I have associated this career I have chosen to Robert Frost’s poem that says---

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference”

This road has led me to many places in the Philippines and the world. This road led me to learn different things about our society and the issues affecting it, and most especially, this road has led me to meet people of diverse culture which finally led me to a broader understanding of the people around me, and the world we live in. This path has led me to this profession called International Development Work. Through this blog, I would take you to my journey as I walk through this road less traveled…some may be worth reading while some others may be trivial but they all have made a difference in my life. Although I may not be able to provide accounts of the beginning of my journey since it would entail a lot of memory recall…