OFW Chronicles: Filipinos Abroad

Looking back, before Facebook, Twitter and Youtube became giants, blogging was the thing and oh, the now forgotten MySpace and Friendsters. The term "social media" back then was not as popular as it is now and not as potent. Then came in the time of Facebook becoming an essential for most people to keep in touch with friends, old acquaintances and even long lost friends who would have remained lost if not for the reach of the platform.  Facebook heralded a new kind of communication with its innovative features although borrowed from its predecessors and improved a lot as mobile devices such as cellphones and tablets became more affordable. There are now an estimated 3.8 billion of smartphone users in the world according to Statistica.com hence, information dissemination has never been this so effective. The artificial intelligence these giant social media companies have developed and implemented are so comprehensive that targeting the intended audience has never this precise....

Photo from Eat Bulaga page (facebook/ebdabarkads) I never thought that a Philippine TV show (Eat Bulaga) will gamble to promote Filipino good moral values in a generation where controversial is the name of the game. Plots are recycled about the other woman, about affairs and other worldly themes. It's a breathe of fresh air watching Kalyeserye of Juan for All, All for Juan. I think it's the only series that I will let my kids watch. This trend should continue to revive the forgotten Filipino ritual of courtship (Panliligaw). A man should invest physically and emotionally to prove his worth of the love a woman. I am calling Tape Inc. producer of Eat Bulaga to make a formal series promoting the values that we just now hear from our elders. GMA 7 should cease this opportunity too. Make something worthwhile, a show that we all Filipinos can be proud of. It's just my observation that people grew tired of these shows promoting immoral acts and now ready for some old fas...

We are born blind and as days passed by we begin to see but unfortunately for others they remain blind until they die. Technical blindness is the inability of the eye to have visions and in some instances curable, but the other type is much more annoying and worst as the eye can see but the brain denies it. The latter is very common in the Philippines and we call the people with this condition POLITICIANS . According to a study conducted by an unlicensed Neurologist , the problem is mainly caused by “GREED” . Dr. Juan de la Cruz said that as GREED enter the system of a particular person, they will tend to see only through their guts and starts to change their DIET , POWER for RICE and PRIVILEGE for DISH, and worst their appetite will increase dramatically as that of a CROCODILE. The expert also found out that this disease can be inherited, passing it to their children and sometimes even to their family in-laws, Dr. Cruz calls this phenomenon “POLITICAL DYNASTY”. T...

Seldom a woman can be a full package or a man for that matter. Maine aka Yaya Dub is such a woman. Born rich yet she doesn't act like one. She possesses this unique beauty that fascinates guys and even women. Her humor is so natural that even me who feeds on intellectual humor can't help but to laugh out loud (LOL) in my room at night while watching the " Teleserye ". Yes the teleserye has become the Home Sick remedy for most of us OFWs . I could not even remember when was the last time a celebrity made me feel so young that I literally become a "Teenager" whenever I see those " kilig " moments of the ALDUB pair. By the way (BTW) is there a literal translation of "kilig" in English? Oh well doesn't matter though; as long as I feel good whenever I'm glued to the screen. Maine can do dubbing very well, that's given but if you search about her like I did, there is more to her than meets the eye. She has a pack of tale...

Isn't it annoying when we OFWs are being judged merely by what others see on our Facebook. Like for example, after three months a friend invited you to a coffee shop (not Starbucks, it's overrated, Papparoti is the thing now) and but of course selfies will be a sure thing. Post them on Facebook and different reactions will come; some would say "sarap ng buhay mo ah?"; others would implicitly shove in your face "ang gara mo puro ka naman utang" and so on so forth. Little do they know that you're friend paid for it; why would they bother right? When they already have this preconceived idea that all Filipinos abroad are "maluho". I think the only mistake we OFWs do is posting only the good times and the best situations which are as rare as rain in the desert. Like me for example, most of my days I survived on; you know this "Hot and Spicy" fried sardines in an easy open can plus spicy "Oishi" and this rice I bought f...

Let me guess, you are here because you just can’t get enough of ALDUB; am I right? Watching Eat Bulaga is no longer enough to satisfy your craving for the love team of the year. Oh well I couldn’t blame you because I myself have been scouring the net with every article I could find about Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza) it doesn’t even matter how short it may be. What is this fever spreading like a virus? It became pandemic as Filipinos around the World (OFWs) have been infected, myself included. There is just something about this duo that is hard to comprehend but I will try to dissect the “virus” in ways that I can through my own “research” (stalking) J . I will start with Alden Richards whose real name is Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr . Alden was born on January 2, 1992 in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines as the second child of Richard Sr., a native of Laguna, and Rosario (neé Reyes), a native of   Pampanga . (Wikipedia) In my quest to know more about the love team ALDUB, I came...

"Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are not rich. We have this notion that when someone is an OFW or based abroad, he or she is loaded. Not true. An OFW might earn from P50K-P300K a month, depending on the location. Those in Saudi Arabia or the United States might earn in the high range. But to say that they're 'rich' is a fallacy (amen!). There's no place like home - Living Abroad : For some OFW's the notion maybe true but for most it's a fallacy like what the author of the article where I got the excerpt said. I have seen the plight of some unfortunate Filipinos working here in Qatar and even heard of some earning as low as QR 700.00 that is roughly Php 8,360.00. Imagine the hardships and the sacrifices it takes just to earn that meagre amount so they can send money home. I just can't imagine how they are surviving with that salary as the cost of living here is relatively higher compared to Saudi Arabia. My food allowance here ranges from QR 5...

Most of my days when I am alone and have so much time to contemplate, my mind is being bombarded with questions that sometimes make me wonder “Is it all worth it?” “Can I be a father to my children from a thousand miles away?” “Can a mother nurture a child through internet, SMS, or calls?” “Can we consider OFWs as parents or just merely providers?” I guess I am not the only one being confronted with these questions. But are there really definite answers for these? When I left Philippines for Qatar almost eight years ago, I brought a bag with me full of dreams, aspirations and so much optimism, I never realized that it is not as easy as I think it would be. Whenever I see a family dining together in a restaurant, envy creeps in. Whenever I see families walking around the bay area, my heart is being crushed. How I wish I could hug and kiss my children to my heart’s content, how I wish I could listen to them when they are muttering songs, hear them cry, laugh with them and see t...

I was so in shock when I watched the news about the Fallen 44 as what they call them now. A unit of the PNP-SAF conducted a daring operation to capture two fugitives which are known to be bomb experts. The main objective of neutralizing a branded terrorist was accomplished at the expense of 44 (forty four) gallant police commandos (PNP-SAF). It was a very devastating blow indeed for our Philippine National Police and to our country. We are still grieving after weeks of that unfortunate day. Emotions are running high. We need to find those who are responsible for the massacre.  It seems just fair to find justice, make those responsible pay for their action/inaction that contributed to the loss of great warriors who fought for our freedom. I am with the Filipino people and especially to the family of those who perished.  But now I see those who are calling for the president’s resignation. Some are even spreading rumors that there would be a coup d'etat. I just don’t get...

There is no manual for OFWs and definitely there is none for the aspiring ones so I came up with a checklist based on my own experiences and some of my friends’ stories. 1. Do you always go to your mother when you have problems? If your answer is yes then try to become more independent because mom will not be around when you go abroad unless you will take her with you. Also “cry babies” won’t last far away from home for health reasons, they may die of dehydration (Uncontrollable Tears) or if not they may end up losing their minds. 2. Can you do multi-tasking? If yes then surely you will be one of the many that are being exploited but if not you won’t last a month on your job. So better assess your abilities and capabilities. Filipinos are well-known for doing different unrelated works so practice doing accounting jobs and doing logistic work at the same time. If you are currently unemployed try cooking while jogging, yes it’s that difficult.

Sa bawat daan na iyong tinahak Sa mga luha sa mata mo pumatak Sa katawan mong pagod at batak Sa pamilya mong muntik mawasak Sa bawat mga araw na lumilipas Sa yugto ng buhay mong nalalagas Sa damdamin mong nagagasgas Sa mga nagdaraang mga oras Saan ka kaya patutungo? Sino kaya ang sa luha magpapatuyo? May hahagod kaya sa katawang hapo? Manitili kayang pamilya mo ay buo? Araw na lumipas maibabalik ba? Makikita ba mga sandaling nawala? Kaya pa ba sa bigat ng iyong dala? Oras na nagdaan mapapalitan ba? Mga Bagong Bayani....Ipagbunyi inyong kadakilaan..

Good news for Filipinos who are just about to embark on a journey and becoming OFWs. It's about time that our "benevolent" lawmakers in the Philippines give some importance to what the government keeps on calling "Bagong Bayani". This a very significant and relevant bill for future OFWs and their families. I know how hard it is to find substantial amount to spend on processing expenses before you can even leave the country, much more for the living expenses of the family that will be left behind.

What is the hardest battle an OFW must fight? A sickness that cannot be cured with prescription drugs; and there are no hospitals or clinic for this condition. “ Homesickness ” a paralyzing mental condition wherein a person cannot sleep and loses appetite to eat, very common to people that work outside of their homeland leaving their families behind.

I can smell the “Spirit of Christmas” but I cannot feel the joy it brings like it does when I am still back home in the Philippines. Christmas in the Middle East is just an ordinary working day unless it falls on a Friday. Unfortunately this year it falls on a Thursday and it only means that while almost all people around the world are celebrating CHRISTMAS we the “Middle Easterners” are in the office working and contemplating at the same time. Maybe I can treat myself with a piece of shawarma after office and walk along the corniche (Bay area) and probably order “milked tea” while trying to enjoy the cold breeze.

The Philippine Government particularly OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) which is the lead institution that serves the interest and welfare of member-Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) has come up with a program which main purpose is to help and Finance some livelihood programs of OFW and their families through Financial Loans. Please see below the description and the criteria for the said program.

So it is, OFWs keep on making the Philippine Economy afloat and as if it’s not enough, OFWs must pay so that the Philippine government can extend assistance to the distressed Filipinos working abroad. That is according to the “Idea” of Manila Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David ( Para sa Emergency Repatriation Fund: OFWs, sisingilin ng $50 bago umalis ). I don’t know how many OFWs know about the OWWA fund, and I guess only a few of them have benefitted from it, in one way or the other. Personally I don’t even know where all those money are being spent except one program I came across with “ OWWA LOANS ".

I have left the Philippines for Qatar in my hopes of finding the greener pasture (as they say) for the future of my family. When I boarded the Plane bound for Doha, right then and there I trashed my political affiliations and views. But I guess as a concern citizen (not a resident though at the moment) of the Republic of the Philippines, I cannot help but to voice out my opinion regarding the National “Circus” currently being staged on the House of Senate. “Renato Corona’s Impeachment Trial” this is the title of the show currently running on Philippine’s major television stations. A “fun” battle of wits and idiocracies, Filipino Style. My only concerns are; will the Filipinos in general benefit from such a process? How much money should be spent to remove an “appointee” from a government post? (In Japan, when someone’s integrity is being questioned, he will voluntarily resign and there are some extreme cases that some even commit “Hara-Kiri” (suicide). In the Philippines it’s like ...

Image via Wikipedia Christmas is around the corner as they say. I cannot spot on the right corner though; I’ve been looking for four straight years now and it’s seems that I couldn’t really find it in here. Celebrating Christmas away from home, family and friends is the most difficult part of being an OFW. Yeah, I could party with friends, I could drink the night away, and I can dance for all I care but deep inside, there is an empty space. The longing for my family, laughs of my kids and the warm embrace of my wife. All I can do is be with the moment, convince myself that I am happy. Half-truth laughs can be handy as I hide my sadness. Oh well, at least back home, they can celebrate Christmas and a call to them would lessen the pain of not being there. (I hope Telecommunication Networks will do great this year). Every Christmas and every New Year, I only have one wish “I hope next year I will celebrate the holidays with my family”. Four years made me forget how it feels to celebrat...

I woke up this morning a little bit odd than usual. My pillows are on the floor and my eyes are aching or something. Then the usual or routinary thing to do, get in the bathroom and prepare for work. Upon reaching for my toothbrush I saw my reflection on the mirror. I look terrible, what could have happened in five hours while I was asleep. My eyes are swollen and some remnants or traces of salty water on my face. I could have been crying in my sleep but I don’t remember anything. The gush of water from my head to my face suddenly jerked my memory. I dreamt of my late father, we were talking (as if he was still here) about my brothers and sisters like we always do when we get the chance. We are both concern of their current situations in life. As if he were telling me that he’s leaving for good and I should do something about it. Then we talked of my late mother of how much she loved me and how proud she was of me. Then all turned blurry like a dream as it is but enough to make me so...

And so I thought I can relax in the Airport’s boarding lounge (I was wrong). A long line in the entrance, I finally got through then x-rays, done. Luggage checked-in, no hassles, 27kg exact weight. Another long line for OWFs where OEC are being checked (It’s nice to have some privilege as an OFW, airport’s fee and travel tax exemption), it took me 30 minutes or more then finally my turn. I handed over my passport together with the boarding pass and the precious “OEC” (Overseas Employment Certificate).