OFW Chronicles: Filipinos Abroad

I am just on my second year as an OFW and I don’t know much yet but I remember I used to hear from my friend’s father who is an OFW way back during the 80’s. He talked of Kabayans proudly saying that Filipinos abroad has special kind of bond. A bond so strong that even if you don’t know the person he will surely greet you with the famous; “kumusta Kabayan?” (How are you fellow Filipino?) “Saan ka sa atin?” (Where are you from in the Philippines?) so more or less I was expecting to experience this Kabayan bond when I arrived here in Doha. My first walk on the streets of Doha on my second day was the opposite. As I was wandering around in the neighborhood where I stay, a couple of Filipinos talking in our language so loudly came and passed by so I was so excited to know that It’s not too bad after all, I have kabayan neighbors so I look at them wearing my best smile possible and said “Kumusta Kabayan?” Instead of returning my greeting they look at each other and grinned, and as if I a