OFW Ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 005 by OFW ako Magazine

KATARUNGAN para kay Cherry Mae Genova

MAGAZINE

INSIDE:

Hamon ng OFW sa gobyerno:

Katarungan para kay Cherry Mae by Raquel Padilla . page 2-7 OFWs Samut Saring Kuwento by Eden Manabat... page 10-13 Little joys of OFW Seniors by Emmanuel Roldan.... page 14-16 Sure-Fire Weight Loss Tips ........................................ page 18 Lobo at Liham para kay itay by Dev Guintab .......... page 20-21 Joy & Pain of Falling in LOVE! by Marjorie Palma . page 22-23 Reaching beyond desperate circumstances ........... page 24-29

Brain Drain or Brain Surplus by Eddie Calderón..... page 32-36 Filipinos Abroad - Statistics from Wikipedia ............ page 38-42 Love, Anger, Forgiveness & Hope by JM de Vera .. page 42-43 Simpleng buhay pero Rock by Dennis de Guzman ..... page 44 Batu, Bato sa Langit… Toink ! by Pan Adol ............ page 46-47 Proud owners of OFW ako T-shirts ............................. page 49 Community Directory ................................................... page 51

May 2012

ONLINE Edition Volume 01 Issue 05

Katarungan para kay Cherry Mae Genova

para sa PA M I LYA

by Raquel Padilla (Canada)

Ang Kwentong ito ay hango sa kwento ng buhay ni Cherry Mae Genova bilang OFW sa Hongkong. Sya po ay natagpuang wala ng buhay sa tapat ng kanyang gusaling pinagtatrabahuan. Sa ulat ng HK Police, sya ay nagpakamatay ngunit sa autopsy na ginawa sa ng PNP Region VI, sya ay posibleng pinagsamantalahan, pinahirapan at inihulog sa gusali..

Pag-aralin mga kapatid, ipagamot si nanay at tatay sa kanilang mga sakit, magpatayo ng maayos na bahay, makabili ng kaunting ariarian o kahit makapagpatayo ng maliit na negosyo.. Pangarap ng isang OFW kaya sya nag-abroad.. Pangarap na pilit nyang inaabot kahit na ito ay katumbas ng sakripisyo nya na mapalayo sa kanyang mga minamahal..Isa si Cherry Mae Genova sa OFW na nangarap na abutin ang mga bagay na ito para sa kanyang mga mahal sa buhay. Ngunit lahat ng ito ay ninakaw sa kanya. Lahat ng pangarap nya ay biglang naglaho dahil sa bigla syang kinuha sa atin.. Sya na punung puno ng pangarap para sa kanyang pamilya. Sya na nagpakahirap ng ilang taon sa abroad ngunit binawian ng buhay sa di inaasahang pagkakataon.. Sya na mula noon, may mga ngiti sa labi na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga taong nakakakilala sa kanya.Isa lamang sya sa libu-libong domestic helpers na nakipagsapalaran sa

Staff Box OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition is published by

OFW ako

61 Kamagong Road, Pilar Village, Las Pinas City, Philippines +63 949 776 9282 * ofwako.magazine@gmail.com Editor-in-chief: Dennis de Guzman * Country Editor(s): Mae Cayir (Austria) * Contributors: Russia Eden R. Manabat; Switzerland Pan Adol; USA Eddie AAA Calder贸n, Ph.D.; Canada Raquel Padilla; Austria Mae Cayir; Kuwait Marjorie Palma; Philippines Emmanuel C. Roldan, Dennis de Guzman; * Layout & Design: Dennis de Guzman

Articles, opinions, letters to the editor should be sent to ofwako.magazine@gmail.com

About The Author Raquel Padilla is a native of Capiz. She was a high school math teacher and college instructor. She went abroad as a tutor in the Middle East when she was 22. She is now in British Columbia Canada in her 2nd year as a caregiver. She’s a contributor of The Filipino Post in Taiwan and her book entitled “Tiis, Sipag and Tiyaga” (OFW Stories) was released last April 28th of this year.

Hongkong. Isang Pilipinang tinatawag na bayani dahil sa paghihirap nya sa abroad. Isang OFW na nagtiis ng ilang taong pagtatrabaho bilang kasambahay ng mga among Chinese. Hindi ko man alam ang tunay nyang kalagayan sa bahay na kanyang pinapasukan ngunit alam ko ang hirap ng bawat nangangamuhan dahil tulad nya, ako ay isa ring kasambahay. Pagmulat pa lamang ng mga mata, kailangan mo na isipin ang pagkakasunud sunod ng iyong trabaho upang matapos ang lahat ng ito at hindi ka mapagalitan ng iyong mga amo. Habang isinusulat ko ito, masakit ang katawan ko sa maghapong trabaho ngunit hindi ko magawang magreklamo dahil ito ang trabahong pinasok ko. Bilang katulong, maghapon kaming walang pahinga sa pagbabanat ng buto. Superwoman nga ang tawag ng ilan sa amin. Paglalaba, pamamalantsa, paglilinis ng buong bahay, paglalampaso, pagluluto, pag-aalga ng bata, pagkukumpuni ng sirang gamit, pagkukuskos ng kubeta at kung anu ano pa. Kinakaya namin ang lahat ng ito kahit na sobrang hirap na kami dahil iniisip namin ang pamilya

naming walang makain sa Pilipinas. Ginagawa namin ito dahil sa mga pangarap na gusto naming maabot..

para sa PILIPINAS

Hamon ng OFW sa Gobyerno

Ngunit, paano? Paano ipaglaban ng isang bangkay ang mga pangarap na ito? Paano kikilos ang kanyang katawan ngayong ito’y malamig na at hindi nya kailanman maigagalaw pa? Paano nya tutuparin ang nabuong pangarap ngayong iniuwi sya sa bansa na walang buhay? Paano pa ang kanyang inang naghihinagpis dahil isang regalong hindi kanais nais ang tumambad sa kanyang harapan? Kung ang ibang pamilya ng mga OFW ay sabik sa pagdating ng balikbayan boxes, ang pamilya ng kaibigan nating si Cherry Mae Genova ay ipinagdasal na sana, wala ng box na darating sa kanila.. Sana, wala silang tatanggaping padala galing sa ibang bansa.. Sana nananaginip lamang sila dahil kailanman, hindi nila ninais na makatanggap ng kahon na naglalaman ng bangkay ng kanilang mahal na si Cheche. Si Cherry na mula pagkabata ay pinangarap na maiahon ang pamilya sa kahirapan. Ikaw, ako, tayong lahat..Hindi natin alam kung kailan tayo kukunin sa mundong ibabaw. Walang makakapagsabi sa atin kung tayo

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para sa PA M I LYA

Katarungan para kay Cherry Mae Geneva ... continued from page 3

ba ay lilisan na.. Ngunit lahat tayo, nagnanais na sana matupad natin ang misyon natin dito sa mundo bago tayo lumisan. Si Cherry sa edad na 29, natupad na kaya nya ang kanyang gustong abutin sa buhay? Sa tingin ko, HINDI PA!!! Bilang isang OFW, hindi ko maiwasan mag-isip na baka isa rin ako sa matutulad kay Cherry Mae. Ayoko at hindi ko yata kayang iwanan ang pamilya ko. Marami pa akong pangarap para sa kanila. Hindi ko yata lubos maisip na bangkay na akong darating sa Pilipinas. Ako at ang kapwa ko OFWs, isang bagay lang ang hiling pag umuwi kami ng Pilipinas. Yun ay ang makita naming masaya at buo ang aming pamilya. Yun ay maiparamdam namin sa kanila ang pananabik namin sa kanila sa loob ng mahabang panahon naming pagkakahiwalay. Ngunit paano mo maiparamdam ito kung nasa loob ka na ng isang kabaong? Paano mo sabihin sa kanila na mahal na mahal mo sila? Magiging masaya pa ba sila sa pag-uwi mo?

Gusto kong maghimutok sa lahat. Kung pwede ko lang malaman ang mga saloobin ni Cheche ilang araw bago sya namatay ay ginawa ko na. Kung pwede ko nga lang ipaabot sa lahat na mga mahal nya sa buhay ang pagmamahal nya sa kanila.. Kung pwede ko lang sana masabi sa lahat ang hinanakit nya upang malaman

kung anong klaseng paghihirap ang pinagdaanan nya bago sya malagutan ng hininga. Kung mayaman lamang ang aming pamilya sa Pilipinas, hindi na namin kailangan pa mangibang bansa. Kung nabibigyan kami ng sapat na kahalagahan sa aming bansang sinilangan, wala sanang anak, kapatid o magulang na nawawalay sa kanilang pamilya. Buo at masaya sanang namumuhay ang lahat. Ang masakit lang sa aming nandito na nagpapakahirap upang maibigay ang pangangailangan ng aming pamilya ay ang ilan sa ating mga kababayang hindi nauunawaan ang aming sitwasyon. Kami na ang tingin ng ilan ay bangko dahil sa dollars at sahod na pinapadala namin buwan buwan. Ang tingin ng ilan, pinupulot namin ang aming sweldo dito. Ang hindi nila alam, dugo at pawis ang katumbas ng lahat ng ito kasama ang sakrispisyong minu-minuto namin napagdadaanan. Ilang birthdays, Christmas at mahahalagang okasyon ba ang hindi namin nakasama ang aming pamilya? At kaming OFWs, ilang taon ba kaming magsicelebrate ng aming birthday at ng Christmas na nag-iisa? Na dapat nagsasaya ka ngunit mapapaluha ka lamang dahil wala kang kasama. Na sasabihin mo sa lahat, Okay lang ako, wag kayong mag-alala sa akin. continued to next page ...

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Katarungan para kay Cherry Mae Geneva ... continued from page 4

Alam nyo ba, minsan gusto ko isigaw sa lahat na hirap na hirap na ako. Pagod na ako sa ginagawa ko araw araw. Na kinakaya ko lang ang lahat. Na sinasabi ko lang, kaya ko â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;to para sa pamilya ko. Gusto kong sabihin sa lahat na hindi madali ang buhay sa abroad. Hindi madali dahil ang ilan sa amin, ni hindi nasisilayan ang ganda ng paligid dahil wala ng panahon upang mamasyal. Hindi madali ang makikisama sa ibaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ibang lahi na nakakasalamuha mo sa araw araw. Hindi madali ang makiuso sa kulturang nadatnan sa banyagang bansa. Hindi madali ang lahat sa amin ngunit nagsasakripisyo kami para sa aming pamilya. Masaya na kami na may nabibili kaming maliit na bagay upang mabigyan din sila ng mga ngiti sa kanilang mga labi. Masaya na kami na nararanasan nila ang hindi nararanasan noon. Masaya na kami na nakakain na nila ang pagkaing pinangarap nilang tikman noon. Isang tagumpay sa amin ang makitang umangat nang kaunti ang aming pamumuhay dahil sa sakripisyo naming ginagawa dito. Sa pagkamatay ni Cherry Mae Genova, libu libong kababayan ang nagulat at naghihinagpis sa kanyang pagkawala. Libu libong sumisigaw ng hustisya. Marami ang nagtatanong

ng bakit.. Marami ang nagtataka, sa bansang Hongkong pa? Hindi naman masyadong inaabuso ang ating mga kababayan doon.. Hindi naman masyadong naghihirap ang mga domestic helpers doon katulad ng ilang nasa Middle East. Takot naman daw ang mga Chinese na gumawa ng hindi maganda. Ngunit sino? Sino ang dapat managot sa pagkawala ni Cherry Mae? Si Cherry Mae, ang gumawa sa kanya ng krimen at ang ating Panginoon lamang ang tunay na nakakaalam ng totoong pangyayari. Ilang facebook pages man ang gawin para sa kanya, lumobo man ang bilang ng miyembro ng movement na ginawa para sa kanya, maghimagsik at magsisigaw man tayo ng Justice for Cherry Mae ngunit di na maibabalik pa ang buhay nya. Ito lamang marahil ang magagawa natin para sa kanyang pamilya upang maibsan ang sakit na dulot ng kanyang maagang pagkawala. Ito lang din ang magagawa natin upang malaman ng karamihan na di madali ang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Ito lang marahil ang isang paraan upang pag-isahin tayong lahat na mapangalagaan ang mga OFW na nagpapakahirap sa ibayong dagat at upang makamit ang buhay na kanilang minimithi. Ito lamang

Sana ang pagkamatay ni Cherry Mae at ng ilang OFW ang maging instrumento ng pag-asa sa aming OFW.. Pag-asang dekada na namin inaasam mula sa may kapangyarihan. Kaming mga OFW, ito lamang ang mga kahilingan mula sa inyong lahat. Maunawaan nyo sana ang aming paghihirap. Mapahalagahan nyo sana ang aming sakripisyo. Huwag nyo sana balewalain ang aming paglayo

upang mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang aming pamilya.

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marahil ang magagawa natin upang malaman ng nasa tungkulan ang kanilang dapat gawin para sa OFWs na nagpapasok ng bilyun bilyong dollar sa Pilipinas.

At bilang kaibigan, kababata at kamag-anak ni Cherry Mae Genova, wag sana mabalewala ang kanyang pagkamatay. Kahit nailibing na sya noong April 9, sana andito pa rin tayo nakikibaka para ipaglaban ang pagkakaroon nya ng hustisya. Wag sana mauwi ang lahat ng ito sa wala. Si Cherry Mae Genova ang simula ng aming pag-asa. Madilim man ang dinanas nya ngunit sa aming mga OFW, ito ay nagbibigay ng liwanag na kami ay mabigyan din ng halaga. -end-

para sa PA M I LYA 8

PHILIPPINES

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Vacation with my Family is more fun in the

Enjoy life. Enjoy the beach. Enjoy the sun. Have lots of fun at Balay OFW

OFWs Samut Saring Kuwento

para sa PA M I LYA

by Eden R. Manabat (Moscow, Russia)

Ibat ibang kwento ng buhay OFW, ibat ibang karanasan at hinaing ang aking napapakinggan sa tuwing akoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y magbabalik bayan. Nitong nakaraang buwan lamang ng Marso, sa aking pag uwi upang magbakasyon ay ibat ibang sanaysay ng buhay na umantig sa aking pusot kamalayan. Mula Moscow, 6 na oras ang lakbayin papuntang Dubai. At pagdaka ng Dubai,4 na oras naman akong maghihintay para sa ikalawang byaheng pa Maynila. Ito ang layover o stopover wika nga sa salitang ingles. Sa byaheng ito ng eroplano papuntang Maynila naturalmente kapwa ko Filipino o Filipina na ofw ang makakasabay ko. Ang ibaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y masasaya at mayroong malulungkot din ang aura ng mukha nila. Sa aking pagpasok sa gate number na sa amin ay nakatalaga, nagsisiksikan na ang mga kapwa ko Ofw sa pila upang makapasok sa loob ng hintayang kwartong kuwadrado at ng sa ganun ay makaupo sa mga bakanteng silya para makapagpahinga. Kanya kanyang kwentuhan at pakilalanan. Nakakatuwang tingnan at pagmasdan. Kapag Pilipino talaga, taglay na ang pagiging approachable ng pagkatao.Sa gawing kanan ko, isang matandang babaeng taga Bisaya ang katabi ko, tinanong nya

ako kung paano mag off ng roaming number pagdating ng Maynila. Nakipag kwentuhan sya sa akin at sadyang makwento ang Matandang Ale. Isa syang janitress ng isang opisina sa Doha, Qatar. Sa edad nyang singkwentay singko anyos, 20 taon na raw syang sa bansang iyon ay naninilbihan. Ayun sa kanya,may isa syang anak na namamasukan sa isang sikat na kumpanyang Qatar Petroleum. Ito raw ay napagtapos nya sa kurso ng pagka enhinyero. Katas daw ng kanyang pagsusumikap bilang ofw. Masaya syang nagkukwento, ngunit ang tanong ko, sa edad nyo pong iyan hindi po ba kayo napapagod? Bakit hindi pa po kayo Me & Kristine Camille Zapanta, a nurse fron Riyadh K.S.A

Buhay OFW

Eden R. Manabat is a student of Professional Fashion Styling and Image Consultant Course. She is currently attending at Elite Pro Make Up Fashion School in Madrid & Barcelona. She loves sharing her experience by writing a topic on an article, a member of OFW AKO Community of Distributors in Russia and an experienced OFW working in Moscow.

magpahinga gayon at napagtapos nyo na naman po pala sa pag aaral ang inyong mga anak? Maliksi ang kanyang pagsagot skin. Sambit nya sa akin, ano ang gagawing ko sa atin? Sayang ang akin pang kikitain, kapag ako’y huminto Ine, baka magkasakit lang ako sapagkat sana’y na ang katawan ko sa ganitong trabaho. Pamaya maya pa’y syay napaidlip na. Sa aking kaliwa nama’y isang babaeng nasa edad na 28 ang nakikinig pala sa aming kwentuhan. Tanong nya sa akin, ate saan ka galing? Sa Moscow ang sagot ko. Saan ka uuwi muli nyang tanong, sa Nueva Ecija muli kong tugon. Ayon sa kanya sya ay taga Nueva Ecija din sa Cabanatuan. Nanggaling sya ng Riyadh at nagpasyang umuwi upang maghanap ng panibagong ahensya at nagpa planong lumipat sa ibang bansa bilang ofw na kung saan ay mas maayos ang kanilang magiging kalagayan sa trabaho. Couple daw silang naninilbihan sa pamilya ng mag asawang arabo. Atas niya “Bungangera ang babae kong amo kaya iniwanan ko na sya at halos wala akong pahinga maging ang aking

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asawa na taga maneho ng kanilang pamilya”. Sya raw ay nagpaalam na uuwi na upang maghanap ng panibagong ahensya na sa kanila ay magbibigay ng mas mataas na offer ng buwanang sweldo. Ang kanyang asawa’y naiwan pa sa Riyadh,susunod na lamang sa Pilipinas kapag naitrain na ika ang driver na papalit sa kanya. Pagpatak ng oras ng paglipad ng eroplano, iba na naman ang nakatabi ko, sa gawing kanan ko’y isang seaman naman na magbabakasyon matapos ang kanyang 6 na buwang pagsampa sa barko. Mahirap ang maging seaman kwento nya, nakakangawit magkutkot ng kalawang. Langit at tubig lamang ang araw araw naming nasasaksihan maliban sa aming mga kasamahan. Kabi kabilang kwentuhan sa loob ng eroplanong aking sinasakyan,sa kaliwang banda ng aking upuan ay isang nurse naman mula sa Riyadh ang aking nakatabi, dalawang taon syang nanilbihan sa isang pribadong ospital doon kasama ang dalawa pa nyang kaibigan. Sila raw ay uuwi

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OFWs Samut Saring Kuwento ... continued from page 11

na sapagkat tapos na ang kanilang kontrata, magpapahinga ng ilang buwan at muling maghahanap ng panibagong kumpanya na sa kanila ay kukuha. Dahil sa ako ay nangawit sa pag upo at sa mahabang byahe na among tinatahak na umaabot sa siyam na oras mula Dubai hanggang Pilipinas, ako ay pansumandaling tumayo at naglakad sa bandang

likuran ng upuan. Ang ibang pasahero ay natutulog, at ang iba naman ay hindi magkamayaw ang kwentuhan.Sa tagal ba naman ng byaheng iyon sigurado kahalusan sa kanilay nagbahaginan na ng kanya kanya kwento ng buhay. Sa aking pagmamasid sa mga kapwa ko ofw na pasahero, aking namataan ang isang lalaking sa wari ko ay nasa edad kwarenta ng mahigit, hindi sya makahinga at nagsisikip ang kanyang dibdib. Ang kanyang mga katabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y natutulog habang nag aabot na halos ang hugot ng kanyang hininga,aking tinapik ang kanyang katabi upang saklolohan namin sya. Kaagad kong tinawag ang isang lalaking flight attendant na aking namataan. Dali dali syang sumaklolo at kinuha ang oxygen sa backseat ng isang hanay ng upuan, dahil nagkagulo na sila sa unang hanay na iyon ng kanilang kinauupuan, bumalik na ako sa aking pwesto at aking pinukaw ang aking katabing nurse na sa kasalukuyang ng naiidlip. Madali din syang kumilos at tumulong sa pag asiste sa lalaking nawalan na ng malay. Mataas daw ang presyon ng dugo ng lalaking yun ayon kay Nurse Kristine pagbalik nya sa aming upuan. Ibaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ibang kwento ng kapalaran at karanasan ng mga kapwa ko

Nung ang eroplano ay papalapag na sa ating paliparan, silang mga kapwa ko pasahero ay nagpalakpakan at nagsipagtayuan, maliban sa isang babae sa aking likuran na umiiyak naman.â&#x20AC;? Bakit ka umiiyak? Ano ang dahilan? ang aking katanungan,masakit daw ang kanyang pag uwing iyon sapagkat 4 na buwan pa lamang syang nakaka alis papuntang Saudi Arabia at ngayon ay binawian na ng buhay ang kanyang ama. Kasalukuyan daw itong nakaburol at pagdating na lamang nya ang pinaka aabangan upang maitakda ang paghahatid sa huling hantungan ng yumao niyang ama. Ako rin ay naiyak sa kwento nya. Naalala ko noong ang Papa ko ay bawian din ng buhay halos magdadalawang taon na ang nakakaraan. Hindi ako nakauwi sa kadahilanang natatakot

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ofw ang aking narinig sa araw ng pag uwi kong iyon. Kanya kanyang hirap at pasakit. Sa aking karanasan bilang ofw at sa aking namamasdan, tunay ngang nakakahanga ang bawat isang Filipino na tinatawag na OFW.sapagkat walang ofw na hindi naghirap o nagtiis, walang ofw na hindi nasaktan ang kalooban habang kumakayod sa ibang bayan at kahalusan ng ofw, gusto ng magfor good,lalo na at nakakaramdam na ng sobrang pagod.

akong hindi na muling makabalik ng Moscow. Nagkakahigpitan noong mga panahon na iyon sa mga hawak naming dokumento, nagsigurado lamang ako para din sa kapakanan ng kinabukasan ng aking pamilya,magulang at pati na rin ng mga kapatid ko.

Sa aking pagta trabaho sa Moscow bilang isang OFW, lagi ako nakakarinig ng kwento ng mga namatayan ng mahal sa buhay habang sila ay nasa ibang bayan. Panalangin ko pa nga sana huwag ko naman pong sapitin ang ganung kwento. Pero hindi, dahil kung minsan sadya din talagang malupit ang kapalaran. Akin ding naranasan ang dagok ng kapalaran. Masarap maging isang ofw balikbayan lalo na at sa iyong pag uwi ay mayroon kang napagtagumpayan. Tunay ngang kaysarap balik balikan ng sariling bayan, walang kapantay na kaligayahan ang aking nadarama sa tuwing ako ay nagpapasya na umuwi upang mga mahal sa buhay ay aking makita at makasama. Ibang iba ang bayan kong Pilipinas kumpara sa iba. Talaga naming â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no place like homeâ&#x20AC;? wika nga nila. -end-

Little joys of OFW Senior Citizens

para sa PA M I LYA

by Emmanuel Roldan (Philippines)

MY friend Bert who lives in Skyline Subdivision turned 60 last October 2011. He is now a bona-fide Senior Citizen of the country according to R.A. 7432, otherwise known as the Senior Citizen’s Act of 1992. Last week we met in a gathering and he proudly showed us his stiff and well laminated ID signed by Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio as de facto chairperson of the City Senior Citizen’s Office. He told us his amazement of the wonders of that ID for his constant local trips, dinners in restaurants, medicines and food supplies. He has not yet asked for discount though on taxi knowing that drivers are always hard trapped because of the constant oil price increases. Bert and I used to work together in a church institution in the 80’s. I was then a young apprentice doing some admin job in the said institution while indulging in youth organizing and theater arts workshops and presentations in our community. He now works for Terre des Hommes (TDH-Germany), an international nongovernmental organization helping

poor children, as regional coordinator for Southeast Asia based in Bangkok, Thailand. He replaced a longtime friend of Filipino development workers Dr. Walter Skrobanek who died in 2006. His job entails travels to about 10-member ASEAN countries and some countries in the Pacific including the Philippines. Before that Bert was Philippine Coordinator until my friend Bimbim, former executive director of Tambayan Center in Davao City, took over his position. Although he could not use his ID for his international trips, his big saving from local travels, food and purchases of goods and services for his family in Davao is already a big thing for him. Bert is among the over five million Senior Citizens in the country who have benefited from the Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act of 2010, which, for the most part, added some benefits into the old law. Based on latest estimates, about 5-6 percent of our population of over 94 million is in the 55 years old-and-above age bracket, including Senior Citizens or the

OFW ako. Tao lang hindi banko! 14

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Senior Moments Emmanuel Roldan is a Filipino, development worker, human rights defender, researcher and journalist. He worked with various non-government organizations helping the poor, deprived and oppressed Filipinos in the homeland in the field of organizational development, projects management, advocacy and communications. He is a columnist of two daily newspapers in Mindanao and vice president of Pangdaigdigang Alyansa ng Pilipino, Inc. (PAPI)-an affiliate of the Worldwide Filipino Alliance (WFA).

elderly. About 22 percent are children between 5 to 14 years old while the rest are either below 5 years old or the bulk of working age Filipinos. They are to gain from the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programs to support the elderly, especially the marginalized and abandoned in this time of economic slowdown and political turmoil. The elderly can avail themselves of the 20 percent discount on goods and services like medicines, medical and dental care, transportation fare, hotel

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services, restaurants, entertainment, etc., and are exempted from paying value added tax (VAT) on these goods and services. They can also benefit from the mandatory PhilHealth coverage, 20 percent discount on sales promotions, free medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees in public health facilities. Like the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the government, they will receive a

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Little joys of OFW senior citizens ... continued from page 15

monthly stipend of P500 for regular members and P1,500 for indigents. They can also avail of 5 percent discount on water and power bills for their monthly consumptions not exceeding 30 cubic meters of water and 100 kilowatt hour of electricity. For those who qualify on certain requirements, they may ask for educational assistance. A P2,000 burial assistance will also be given to nearest of kin upon death of the elderly.

Interesting, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it? But the same law has penal provisions for those who will take advantage or abuse the benefits under it. For first time offenders, they may be imprisoned for not more than six months and fined from P5,000 to P50,000. A higher penalty of six months to two years imprisonment and a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 is imposed on habitual offenders. -end-

OFW ako. Hindi na baleng pagod, may $$$$$ naman. 16

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About The Author Marjorie C. Palma is an OFW based in Kuwait. She hailed from the province of Bohol and was born on February 5, 1976. She studied Bachelor in Political Science International Relations Major. She is now currently working as a Receptionist at the DAR AL SHIFA HOSPITAL. She is also a member of the OFW ako Community of Distributors (COD) in Kuwait.

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Sure-Fire Weight Loss Tips

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by Eden Ramirez Manabat (Russia)

Losing isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always bad especially when you are talking about extra pounds. Here are some tips that will work no matter what your age.

1. Watch your diet. Eat more fruits and vegestables, add the right amount of carbohydrates and proteins and you are on the right path. 2. Portion your meals properly. Learn calorie counting and how to divide the daily calorie requirement which is pegged at 1,500 calories / day by planning your meal. It would help to consult a dietician and a nutritionist about this. 3. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run, walk. It only takes 5,000 steps a day to maintain your weight and double that number to lose the extra pounds. 4. Physical activities. Engage in sports and other recreational activities indoors and outdoors. 5. Get a buddy. It is always much fun if you do things with a partner who can act as your morale booster and keep you going when you feel like you want to give up or quit your diet/ exercise program.

6. Tell family about your wanting to change. Expressing your desire to improve yourself to your loved ones will make the task easier. 7. Think of the long term effect of weight loss. Try to picture how you will be in say, five years time especially if your family has a history of hypertension, heart disease or diabetes. 8. Use the stairs going up. Engage your core. It means tucking in your tummy while walking or climbing the stairs. Doing so will also correct you posture. 9. NO FAST FOOD. REALLY. 10. No skipping meals. It is recommended that you have smaller and more frequent feedings in a day. -end-

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Lobo at Liham para kay itay, an OFW’s struggle

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by Dev Guintab (Israel)

Taong 2004,ika-14 ng january nang bigla akong makauwe mula sa Hongkong na aking pinagtatrabahuhan bilang domestic helper sa pamilyang intsik. Hindi mapatid-patid ang luha ko habang nagpapaalam sa aking among babae na payagang makauwe sapagkat ang aking itay ay 1 week ng nakatigil sa ospital sa komplikasyong dulot ng kanyang sakit na diabetes. Sa pakikipag-usap ko kay inay sa huling tawag ko ay nagdesisiyon akong umuwe kahit nasa alanganin ang aking working visa at in two weeks ay kailangan kong bumalik na upang asikasuhin ng personal ang pagrerenew ng aking kontrata. Mula NAIA Airport sakay ng van kasama ang ilang kapatid at tiyahin na sumundo sa akin ay dumiretso kami sa provincial hospital kung saan ay nabungaran ko sa apat na sulok ng kwartong iyon si itay habang binabantayan ni inay. Nakalulunos makita si itay sa ganung anyo...ang dating maskulado at matipuno nitong pangangatawan ay kabaligtaran

ngayon sa maliliit at payat na nitong binti’t braso. Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama at pinaglalabanan man ang emosyon ay di maitatatwa ng namamalisbis ko nang pag-uunahan ng mga luha sa aking mata...”ITAY, ANDITO NA’KO! “...ang may parang bikig ko sa lalamunang sambit sa kanya habang haplos ko ang humpak na nyang pisngi pero wari’y walang narinig ito at animo nakatitig lang sa kisame, at napahagulgol na ako at naalalang hindi na nga pala nakakakita si itay sa huling usap namin ni inay...Ni hindi ko rin alam kung may malay pa sya sa mga nangyayari sa kanyang paligid o kung naririnig pa ba nya o nauunawaan ang aking sinasabi. Ang pagpapalit ng swero,pagdaan ng tubo sa binlender na pagkain sa kanyang ilong at nakakabit nang kapeter sa kanyang pag-ihi ay lubhang dumudurog sa puso naming pamilya nya. Napakahirap,ang hirap pala tignan ang mahal mo sa buhay na sa ganoong sitwasyon...Hanggang umihi na siya ng dugo,isang katotohanang

OFW ako Dahil Mahal Ko Pamilya Ko. Dev Guintab is an OFW based in Israel working as caregiver. Before Israel she worked in Hongkong for 8 years.

kailangan naming tanggapin kung saan paroroon ang paglagay na nang katawan nyang iyon, sa ayaw man nami’t gusto ay iiwan na kami ni Itay at yun lang ang magpapalaya sa hinagpis na aming nararamdaman, ang tanggaping kukunin na siya ng Panginoon. Napakasaklap sa tulad kong kapamilya nya ang hindi nakasama sa araw ng kanyang libing sapagkat isang linggo bago pumanaw si itay ay lumipad na ako pa-Hongkong...sa araw na iyon ay pinili kong maging manhid upang makakilos ng normal, lahat ng sulok ng bahay ng amo ko ay kinukudkod-nililinis upang maoccupied na maging abala at maagaw ang espasyo ng nararamdaman kong iyon,para akong mababaliw... ang sakit sakit sa dibdib na iyong buong pamilya ay sama-samang nagdadalamhati at nakasama pa si Itay sa huling araw nito sa mundo pero heto ako,nag-iisa,mabaliw-baliw sa sobrang lungkot at pangungulila na nadarama....isang aksyon ang nabuo sa aking isipan,lumuluhang sumulat ako sa papel at binilot iyon,kumuha ng lobo sa cupboard toys ng alaga ko at isinuot ang papel pagkuway hinipan at sa katanghalian iyon ay pinalipad ko ang lobo kasabay ng usal at pangako pa rin kay itay na

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nung nabubuhay pa siya na hindi ko pababayaan si inay at mga kapatid na tulungan sila. Ang naipagawang bahay na pinagsikapan kong maitayo na umabot na sa ikatlong palapag ay patuloy pa rin naming sisilungang magkakapatid sapagkat iyon ang pangarap mo Itay,patawarin nyo ako kung hindi na kita nahintay sayong pag-alis sapagkat nais kong tuparin ang pangako ko sayo..,Itay mahal na mahal kita,alam ko bago kayo igupo ng sakit ay masaya na kayo sa nangyayari sa buhay natin dahil natupad ang pangarap nyo at patuloy ko pang tutuparin dahil ang pangarap mo’y pangarap ko rin itay!”...ito ang mga katagang nakapaloob sa liham ko kay itay na nakapaloob sa lobo. 2012 na at ngayo’y narito naman ako sa Israel bilang caregiver, magaanim na taon na rin ako dito pero kung bakit share-an about sa pagyao ng mahal sa buhay ay hindi ako makapag-open ng verbal sa kaibigan lalo sa kapamilya sapagkat nauuna na sa akin ang pagluha at pagbabara ng lalamunan,hindi ko kayang ikuwento kung gaanong hirap ang nararanasan ko bilang isang Ofw na nagsakripisyong mawalay sa pamilya kaya naman sa pamamagitan ng ballpen at papel,ng pagtipa ng letra ay nailalabas ko ang sinapit ko na tulad din ng nararanasan ng mga kakabayang nangibang-bansa at dumanas ng mga dagok sa buhay. -end-

Joy & Pain of Falling in LOVE!

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by Marjorie C. Palma (Kuwait)

When we fall in love and gets hurt for the first time, it is difficult to deal with the pain. Because it is something we have never felt before. Some would say, “I want to die!” or “I swear I will never fall in love again!” but you will find them with their second… third… somehow they learned from it and they are able to endure the pain and enjoy the essence of being in love. For some, it is unlikely that they stuck to depression for the rest of their lives and never fall for anyone ever again.

Falling in love is an exceptionally wonderful feeling, a great indication and source of happiness. But it is also one of the most painful when it breaks. When can someone say he or she fell in love with the right one? When can we say it is the perfect time and the right person for us? Does anyone have the chance to ask if he is ready to fall in love when LOVE strikes whenever it feels like hitting us? It is what it is! There could be a perfect person that fits to what we

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Buhay Pag-ibig ng mga OFW Marjorie C. Palma is an OFW based in Kuwait. She studied Bachelor in Political Science International Relations Major. She is now currently working as a Receptionist at the DAR AL SHIFA HOSPITAL. She is also a member of the OFW ako Community of Distributors (COD) in Kuwait.

are searching for, (at least that’s what I think!:) but not even the one we want can always be the one we get. There is no such perfect time. There are no such perfect places but sometimes the acceptance and the greatness defines that LOVE met a relationship at the right time and place which eventually makes everything work. How about falling in love with someone that is already committed and tied up? It is a mistake, yes it definitely is! But who would say “I’d like to fall in love with a married man/ woman”? Nobody wishes to fall in love with someone who can’t be with them through good and tough times! But reality lies behind everyone’s eyes. We may not accept the fact but as I have said, it is what it is! Do we have the perfect formula or does our brain equipped with a perfect gear to stop our hearts from falling and perform its purpose on heart issues? When someone commits mistake for the first time, I mean a mistake of falling into another after having commitment, they keep saying I will never do the same. But when the time comes, they will think “I have been through this, I know what to do!” And when they realize that they are in the same situation, they would act like

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an expert, and that same mistake will be a history that just repeated itself. Some would say it wasn’t love. It may not be… for (most of ) the committed one, but one could have played a mistake that lead to the agony of the other.

Three magic words… I LOVE YOU! … for some people nowadays, loses its value in exchange of something else. Love is meant to be given away as long as it’s for someone worthy. But when it falls for someone who is not, well, I guess we just have to be responsible for every actions we make to complete our lives. What matters is, in every downfall, we should know how to find our way up. For some who finds the right one just on time, I suggest that you build a castle around your relationship. Protect each other with presence, fill it with compassion and do not forget what grandmamma tells us to do, “make sure you water your plants so it will grow just the way you expect it to!” At the end of each day, Falling in LOVE is still a great experience and a reason for us to live and want to feel more of it, may it be with the same person or someone else! -end-

Reaching beyond desperate circumstances

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by Mae Cayir (Austria)

We have heard plenty of the OFW contracted to work in the United Arab Emirates, in various countries of Europe, and way back when, in the US. Little do we hear about the OFW who make their way down the continent of Africa. Africa, to many, still holds that darkness of mystery, of foreignness, of something dark and alien, famine, war, and much, much suffering. Who could possibly gain anything from that continent. Yet, Africa in fact, is a country rich in wealth. Yes, wealth. I know this for a fact. I lived there. Ten years in total.

I was not an OFW, as such, but certainly a Filipina way, way, away from home, trailing after the footsteps of my parents, who, back in the early 70’s saw no future in the way the government was behaving at that time. So, like many of their generation, they packed their bags, wept their farewells with beloved relatives, and faced the future, not only of the unknown, but of the future. It behooves me today, 40 years later, how they could have even entertained those kinds of thoughts. What kind of calling would have blinded them to the possible dangers that they would face, life-threatening, real dangers? This remains beyond me to this day.

Yet, they were not alone. We were not alone. Over the years, we found our way to the southern tip of the African continent. And, there, like explorers on new territory, we faced the unknown, together with a trickling of compatriots coming from different directions. Fearless, it seemed, yet filled with confidence that all would be alright. Perhaps, during the late 70’s into the early 80’s, news of Africa was not all as frightening as what we see today on our daily dose of internationally transmitted news. Certainly, the other Filipinos we met there, were

Buhay OFW across Continents and Oceans Mae Cayir is an International Civil Servant serving her community as a Creative NonFiction Writer based in Vienna, Austria. She left her native country of the Philippines at the age of 9, and has traipsed across the continents from the US to the southern tip of Africa, married cross-culturally to her husband from Turkey, and has been residing in Vienna, Austria since 1990. Her aim is to use her writing skills in English to raise awareness and advocate for the OFW reality, bringing this to the global audience. Feel free to contact her if you wish for her to write your story: mae.cayir@gmail.com.

not fazed by anything they had to go through as they travelled, unplanned, forced by circumstances along the way, through turbulent countries along the eastern route down the continent of Africa along the Indian Ocean, while circumstances of family needs back home in the Philippines, grew desperate month after month. By the time we met up with our compatriots, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d look like they had just taken a stroll down Fifth Avenue of Manhattan, which during that period was more dangerous than the Disney-fied Time Square of today. The resilience of the Filipino, Filipina, is truly one of their remarkable traits. Ask any well off person whether Africa would be a destination other than rest and relaxation, and most would shake their heads in the negative vigorously, walking away as though the query came from a crazed mind. Comfort and security at home will never move anyone to go so far as to practically walk on water

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to reach beyond their backyard fence just for the sake of curiosity, to seek understanding of our fellow human. But, dire straits will do that without batting an eyebrow. Rather face the challenge of the unknown and do the utmost best to seek for that comfort and security elsewhere than having to live through a life of poverty, be it in the pocket or in the soul. The OFW is burdened not only with their own personal challenges, but that of entire family households that reach beyond the nuclear circle of spouse and children, if single, parents and siblings. Rather walk on water, or at least try, than to sit at home watching our families challenged, desperate, degenerate into the quagmire of everlasting poverty, and all the indignity that comes with it.

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Over the years, we found our way to the southern tip of the African continent. And, there, like explorers on new territory, we faced the unknown, together with a trickling of compatriots coming from different directions. Fearless, it seemed, yet filled with confidence that all would be alright.

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Reaching beyond desperate circumstances ... continued from page 25

I must say here that the resilience of the Filipino, Filipina, is one that is rooted in their faith, their Catholic faith. The sense of community is so ingrained that no one is lost through any foreign land on this planet, so long as the meeting point remains in the Church. And, as much as our favorite sport is to cook, eat, dance and gossip, Filipino and Filipina gatherings serve as pools of information-gathering. It is there in those lines of communication that lifelines for survival are knotted together. No one dare take a step until it is cross-checked and doublechecked through those who have taken the lead. If we were to track these lines of communication, these lifelines, we would find a structure similar to the arteries of the heart. There are main arteries that trail off into smaller arteries trailing off into virgin territories to be explored, untouched, that feed back to the main arteries. It pulsates with connections. Yes, that is it. Resilience based on faith, based on community, based on connections. And, what we do have as a whole picture, is a living, breathing heart that loves as much as it hurts.

Twenty-two years after I left the southern tip of Africa, those memories of my compatriots remain. Of late, thanks to my share of the 50 billion US dollar value of Facebook, I have managed to find and reconnect

with most of them. They are not only safe, but they have prospered, prospered through their sweat, their blood, and their tears. And, they pay homage to the country that has served them the best and the most. Today, they hold high-ranking positions, with children educated of the highest standard, who, in turn, continue to serve their host countries, in the same manner that they have, and continue to, serve their (extensive) families back home. I wrote this piece for them because they hold a special place in my heart and in my memory banks. What happened to my parents? Well, they passed on, each having served through their medical profession for the host country, both a rooted member of the Filipino community, who became their adopted family. Years before their time of passing on, we, their children had moved on to other continents. It was this Filipino community, who tended to them. They communed with them, bonded with them, sheltered them, checked on them, cooked for them, moved for them, prayed for and with them, they kept their eye on them. My mother passed on five years before my father. During her battle with cancer, it was them who were there to fight with her, to cheer her on with every strength that she could muster. And, when

I was in Istanbul, Turkey, when my father suddenly took ill. To this very day, I cannot comprehend how they reached me, but reach me they did. We had just finished dinner on a Friday night when the call came, direct from Windhoek. Our family friend relayed the news to me that I had to make my way back to Windhoek, home to where my father was at the time, before the weekend was over because his health had suddenly, out of the blue, taken an unexpected bad turn. The possibility was on the higher end of the scale that he would not see me before slipping into a coma. God knows when and how to position people and situations when that call of need comes knocking at the door. I managed to get my flight ticket on time, thanks to a young man from Turkey, who spent his entire weekend in front of his computer in Vienna, and to a Namibian, initially a patient of our mother who became a family friend. She managed to relay the request to the embassy to issue my visa the following Monday morning, so that I

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my father was left alone after she passed, it was them who embraced him, trying to fill in the only way they could the immense hole in my father’s heart that my mother left.

could fly off by that afternoon. It was in Johannesburg, between flights, that it suddenly dawned on me that I had had no time to think of where I was going to stay, how I was going to get around starting from the airport to the city. I made a call to Windhoek, and I was assured that all was organized, including who would be picking me up at the airport.

I arrived in time to a familiar face, the grown-up face of a little boy from my memories, who stood at the arrivals, greeting me with a warm hug and a warm smile, picking up my suitcase, with a “Kumusta, po” (How are you?), to begin with. Up to that point, my head was in a spin from Istanbul to Vienna to Johannesburg, to Windhoek. I felt like I touched home when I saw and heard him, barely managing to keep my emotions packed tight because I was conscious of holding myself together for the worst that was yet to come.

Indeed, as I entered the room of the intensive care unit, with a glance at my brother who travelled with his wife and young sons from Cape Town, I just caught my father in time before the hospital staff covered his face with the mask attached to the oxygen tank. He was sedated, but recognized me. He smiled in the best way he

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Reaching beyond desperate circumstances ... continued from page 27

could. He slipped into the coma that held him in limbo on earth for the rest of the week. All we could do was say our prayers, hold his hand, and quietly whisper assurances into his ear, while watching the monitor of his pulse. When I stepped out into the corridor and into the waiting room, the first family of the Filipino and Filipina community of family friends were there waiting. Each family came in turns, never crowding each other out. I was never left short of company, I was never left short of food, and I was never left short of shelter and transport. During short periods when I could think beyond the circumstances, it dawned on me that all this was quietly organized and synchronized amongst all of them. It was so well orchestrated and timed, leaving me no time to ask for anything. This was carried out until my father passed on just before I departed for the airport five days later. After I had prayed holding his hands for the last time, the one family friend who was to drive me to the airport, called my attention, “Ate, Ate, tingnan po ninyo ang monitor! Aba, mukhang tumaas yong pulse ni Tito!” (Sister, sister, look at the monitor! It looks like the pulse of uncle has risen!) And, after I said,

“Amen”, the pulse descended back down to where it was, just flickering above the lowest point. Right after I checked in at the airport, I received the dreaded, but expected phone call. The monitor and all the machines stopped functioning. All I had left to do was call my pregnant sister in Canada to share the news with her, and finally the avalanche of tears that I was trying to hold on to from the Friday before in Istanbul when I first received the news, came crashing down my face. God, I felt blessed. I felt blessed that my father was finally relieved of his physical suffering. I felt blessed that the doctor who attended to him was the Namibian student whom he trained, and was like a son living with my parents when me and my siblings had moved to different continents with each of our own families. I felt blessed that our father survived five years after our mother’s passing, fully in the heart of this Filipino, Filipina community. I felt blessed that my brother, his wife and sons, made it to Windhoek safely from Cape Town, and with the heartfelt support of our compatriots held a fitting memorial for our father days after. One couple who couldn’t make it in time, made their way to the airport to share their fond memories and condolences,

My personal story is only one. There are countless amongst our compatriots. They’ve all triumphed through their challenges. They’ve all done their time. They’ve passed through many valleys alone, and by the Grace of their faith in God, made it through to the other side, more resilient to face whatever life throws at them. They don’t ever make it in the news. But, they are not spared of suffering. The only difference is their triumphs don’t make the news on a global scale, but it does make it through the lifelines of communication within the community. This is one of them.

-end-

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sending off my grieving brother, his wife and children with warm and comforting smiles, precious and priceless at a time like this.

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Brain Drain or Brain Deluge/Surplus

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by Eddie AAA Calderón, Ph.D. (USA)

While many welcome the emigration of Filipinos abroad because they are able to find employment which they sorely need back home, there are those who have criticized the Filipinos for leaving their country which they say further complicates the country’s program for economic progress. This topic has become known as brain drain. At that time we were mostly concentrating on the mass departure of our educated elite but recently we have seen the upsurge of many Filipinos into the field of home/ domestic aid and assistance which also include college graduates unable to find adequate employment at home. At present and viewing the statistics at the end of this article, there are millions of Filipinos living in foreign countries.*

It should be also noted that the migration of people from one country to the others is not unique; people have been migrating from one place to the other since time began. And for a particular example, the mass migration of people from all over the world to the USA has transformed this country to what it has been --an economic, social, and political giant-since it became independent in 1776. Consider that the present President of the USA was born of a Kenyan father who came to USA to attend Yale University in particular and ended up marrying an American woman. Their son has now graced the number one spot in that nation’s political, social and economic landscape.

As a starting point, the Philippines has produced many college educated citizens raised since birth to imbibe the value of having a college education which has then created a continuous proliferation of many universities and colleges in the country. Ironically, this scenario has created imbalance and that is the existence of many college and university institutions vis-a-vis the reality of a country facing economic problems with many college graduates having no opportunity to find adequate employment. The Philippines is not an affluent country despite its many good post secondary schools. But many Filipinos who cherish having college education continue to go to school in their belief that having an education is better than not having one in spite of the lack of adequate employment opportunities awaiting them after graduation. Consequently, many of those with technical education or college education unable to find meaningful employment at home have decided to emigrate to other countries, especially the West where their educational callings are very much in demand. Among the most notables are M.Ds., nurses, other health related officers, school teachers, engineers,

especially electrical engineers, computer technologies, and other highly sought educational degrees.

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The Author, Eddie AAA CalderĂłn, Ph.D. with his lovely wife

9 years ago, I wrote on this important subject matter as it became a popular topic of discussion among Filipinos in the email exchange all over the world.

As I mentioned above, the migration to foreign countries is not only for those are in search of professional jobs and careers but for other employment opportunities in the field of domestic work and assistance. The name that became known for this type of job very popular in the Middle easter and the Third World countries is â&#x20AC;&#x153;DHâ&#x20AC;? which stands for domestic help. Many of those seeking domestic work are college educated, and again the absence of adequate employment opportunities in our country has made them seek whatever employment opportunites offered abroad even though the job or jobs maybe below their educational attainment. We have called our oversea workers as Oversea Foreign Workers or OFWs. Many believed which is also told to them by their parents that companies seeking workers would have the unenviable choice of hiring educated people than their counterparts which have been happening in our country for quite some time. The issue here is not only brain drain but also manpower drain for the Philippines. Brain drain has been

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an old predicament that has either plagued or graced our country and it may also occur in other countries too. The same is true with manpower drain. Brain drain shows that we have a lot of college educated people in our country who have chosen to emigrate to other countries to find themselves a place in the sun, to assist their families at home, and perhaps peripherally or unintentionally to assist the countries’ pursuit for economic advancement and development. This may initially show that we are draining our elite to the detriment of our country’s resources, and that our institutions of higher learning have been non-stop in the program to effectuate college graduates. It has, however, produced an ironical twist. The fact that many Filipinos have chosen to leave the country, may indicate a sad commentary that our educational

institutions are economically getting well off because the demand for college education continues to be very great among the Filipinos despite the stark reality of having little or less opportunities of getting themselves gainfully employed after graduation. This situation appears to be the reverse of that widely accepted “law of supply and demand.” Of course we can’t lay the blame on those who chose to emigrate. Many

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Brain Drain or Brain Deluge/Surplus ... continued from page 33

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The Author, Eddie AAA Calderón, Ph.D. with his lovely wife

of our e-mailers have correctly and logically countered that unless our country and business institutions can provide them with commensurate employment, they have the right to seek their pursuit of happiness elsewhere. I remember one very active member of my email group almost a decade ago, and we can call him a venerable member who was a lawyer in the Philippines. Despite his age at that time --he is now in his 90’s, living in Rochester, Minnesota, and no longer active in the email exchange, his intellectual acumen at that time was intact when he averred that the issue was not that of brain drain but of brain deluge. These two statements may show a definite contradiction in analysing our situation, but after laboriously pondering on this subject matter, I found out that brain drain and brain surplus (my substitute term for brain deluge) are indeed complimentary and therefore not necessarily contradictory. The fact that we are producing continuously our intellectual elite groups shows that we have brain

surplus. And it is this surplus which enable our country to export our brain power to many countries, especially Western countries that are looking for it. The emigration phenomenom does not drain our intellectual community but they continue to fill the void caused by the drainage as the citizenry continues to pursue college education replacing those who left abroad for employment. The irony, however, is our country’s efforts to keep producing college educated people only to be used by other countries as it is unable to provide them with adequate and meaningful employment. Foreign countries have so far reaped the bonanza of this so called brain drain.

This in itself gets the schools busy and therefore make them stay in business which have become more lucrative over the years. The appearance of brain drain as the graduates found new place in the sun in foreign countries do not really drain our economy as they remit lots of money back to their relatives, loved ones, and closest friends in the country. In fact

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Brain Drain or Brain Deluge/Surplus ... continued from page 35

billions of dollars have been remitted by the foreign workers each year as shown below from Wikipedia.** As one e-mail member, an M.D. living in Massachussets eloquently stated long time ago, “we live not only in a local but a global economy....why let your talents and skills not be fully exploited for mankind. I assume that there are not enough job openings in the Philippines to make full use of ... (our peoples’ technological) training.” But sending money in the billions of dollars is not the only means to contribute to the economic wellbeing of the Philippines. We do have lots of Kababayans (countrymates/ paisanos) who visit the country to do various types of volunteer work, including medical missions, which are very much needed by our people. We also have those who send books to our institutions of learnings and to their families. We also have Kababayans who retire or have retired in the Philippines from abroad and therefore using their much valued or appreciated foreign currencies to spend their money and live

comfortably in the Philippines. And most importantly, we do have lots of our countrymates making substantial business investments in our country. In short, if we speak of the movement our intellectual members to other countries and the beneficial results to our country in terms of remittance, commercial investment especially for those who have decided to return home, and others. The concept of brain drain is not necessarily a contradiction of brain surplus. We may not even even want to use these terms anymore. Even if we want to continue using them, their impact to our country is again very beneficial. The emigration exodus has provided the needed employment for our people who can’t find them adequately at home. Again the exodus and the decision to return home have also graced and uplifted our country economically speaking. The exodus is therefore not an economic downgrade for the Philippines. -end-

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Filipinos Abroad - Statistics from Wikipedia

Australia. In 2000, Australia recorded about 127,000 Filipinos and/or Filipino Australians.[AUS] Brazil. As of 2008[update], there were 379 Filipinos in Brazil. They consist primarily of Catholic missionaries and migrant workers in the telecommunications and oil sectors. There are also a few former seafarers who settled in port cities, and an increasing number of Filipinas who lived in Japan and married Brazilians who were living there.[14] Canada. Only a small population of Filipinos resided in Canada until the late 20th century. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has estimated that as of 2006 there were over 400,000 Canadians of Filipino origin.[16] Due to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Western Canada and the Philippines; contracts in Atlantic Canada; consistent hiring of workers in Central Canada; and increased activity in Northern Canada, it is estimated that there will be some 500,000 Filipinos in Canada as of 2010. As of December 2008, Filipinos overtook China as Canada’s leading source of immigrants.[17] See Filipino Canadians. Greece. The Philippine Embassy has reported an estimated of 40,000 Filipinos in Greece.[18][dead link]

Hong Kong. There are approximately 140,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong, of whom most are domestic helpers (30,000 of them being members of the Filipino Migrant Workers Union). Filipino maids are known by the locals as amahs, or more often feiyungs (less politely, bun mui or bun bun), and face discrimination and maltreatment from the locals. A Hong Kong work visa requires some amount of higher education; and in some cases Filipino women with college degrees and perfect command of English are willing to work as maids and nannies for a salary higher than they could make at home in professions.[HKG] India. Approximately 1,000 Filipinos reside in India. However, government’s official figures show some 500 Filipinos. Italy. There are about 131,000 Filipinos in Italy. This makes the country host to more Filipinos than any other countries in Europe except Great Britain. Iraq. Despite the Philippine government’s ban on OFWs working in Iraq, an estimated 1,000-3,000 Filipinos[citation needed] work there. Most work on US Military bases around the country as cooks and laundry service, sometimes as thirdcountry national security guards. This is the only foreign country in which Filipino men outnumber Filipino women.

Iraq. Despite the Philippine governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ban on OFWs working in Iraq, an estimated 1,000-3,000 Filipinos[citation needed] work there. Most work on US Military bases around the country as cooks and laundry service, sometimes as thirdcountry national security guards. This is the only foreign country in which Filipino men outnumber Filipino women. Ireland. As of 2008, the Philippine embassy in London reported that there are 11,500 Filipinos in Ireland. [19] Japan. Some 350,972 Filipinos are listed to be living within Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geographic confines.[JPN][20] However, this number is speculated to be larger, surpassing the one million mark due to many unlisted and illegal Filipino nationals.[citation needed] Lebanon. As many as 30,000 OFWs are working in Lebanon. Due to the recent turmoil between Lebanon

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Ireland. As of 2008, the Philippine embassy in London reported that there are 11,500 Filipinos in Ireland. [19]

and Israel, however, many have been repatriated back to the Philippines, while others have been relocated to Cyprus, a part of the Philippine evacuation plan.[LBN]

Malaysia. As Sabah is very close to the Philippines, there are many Filipino residents, as well as illegal immigrants there. Filipinos make up about 30% of the entire population of Sabah and they enumerate up to 900,000. Many Filipinos in Malaysia come to work in construction industries, fisheries, and other labor intensive sectors in hopes of a better living. Most live in stilt slums scattered behind cities or on offshore islands. The Philippine government also has promised to establish a consulate to provide any necessary help to its nationals. Historically, The Philippines has a dormant but legal claim on the territory. Mexico. There are about 200,000 Mexicans of Filipino ancestry[21] living in Mexico, some of whom are of mixed blood heritage. They are descendants of Filipino slaves and

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Filipinos Abroad - Statistics from Wikipedia ... continued from page 39

immigrants who settled in Mexico during the colonial period. More recently, there were Filipinos who arrived as refugees to Mexico who fled from the Marcos dictatorship. Their communities are found in Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima. Middle East. Many Filipinos work in the Middle East (mostly Saudi Arabia and UAE) as engineers, nurses or hospital workers, accountants, office workers, construction workers, restaurant workers and maids. It is estimated[who?] that more than 2 million Overseas Filipinos are working in the Middle East. New Zealand. There are about 17,000 Filipino residents and citizens in New Zealand called KiwiPino’s, Filipino New Zealanders. New Zealand, as in the past, are currently recruiting Filipino qualified nurses. Filipinos in New Zealand, as well as prospective immigrants, often lean towards information technology, nursing and, more recently, telecommunications for careers.[citation needed] Nigeria. Filipinos in Nigeria consist largely of migrant workers in the oil industry, though those in the capital city Abuja also work in the education and medical sectors. By mid-2008, their numbers had grown to an estimated 4,500, up from

3,790 in December 2005.[22] They commonly hold skilled construction positions, among them pipe layers, welders, and engineers, and may earn as much as US$10,000 per month; however, those working in oil areas in Southeast Nigeria often find themselves the target of violence by local militants.[23] Majority of the OFWs are working/residing in Lagos and Abuja. Filipino workers are actively petitioning the Philippine government to lift the travel and work ban in Nigeria.[24] Norway. The number of people with Filipino background in Norway is estimated to be about 12,000, most of them living in the Oslo urban area. In addition to Filipinos who have intermarried with Norwegians, there are at least 900 licensed Filipino nurses, over a hundred oil engineers employed mostly in offshore projects in the western coast of Norway and Filipinos or Norwegians of Filipino descent working in the government sector, diplomatic missions and NGO’s and commercial establishments.[25] Pakistan. According to the statistics of the Philippine government, an estimated 3,000 Filipinos live and work in Pakistan. Filipinos in Pakistan work as domestic workers, and housemaids.[26].

South Korea. According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, as of December 2006, some 70,000 Filipinos work and live in Korea. Spain. There are around 50,000 Filipino legal workers living abroad in Spain[1], mainly in Barcelona and Madrid. Although many Filipinos did immigrate or ran away to Spain after the United States took over the islands in 1898, most of the Filipinos moved to the old metropolises during the 1960s and 1970s seeking jobs, which in many cases were related to housekeeping, healthcare or industrial activities. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a significant group of Spaniards of Filipino origins (some of whom are from 3rd and 4th generations) including some famous people like former Spanish Prime Minister Manila-born Marcelo AzcĂĄrraga Palmero or Isabel Preysler, mother of famous singer Enrique Iglesias. This group is estimated in at least 40,000 people. Furthermore, since Filipino citizens are entitled to obtain Spanish citizenship by proving two years of legal residence in Spain, it is estimated that there are around

150,000 people holding dual citizenship (Spanish/Filipino). All in all, the entire population of total or partial Filipino origins is around 300,000 [5], nearly 0,7% of Spanish population.

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Singapore. Over 150,000 Overseas Filipinos work and reside in Singapore.[POEA2004]

Taiwan. According to the 2006 data of the government of Taiwan, there are 96,000 Filipinos currently living in Taiwan. Of these, 58,704 are in manufacturing industries and 34,602 are in social or personal services (e.g. maids).[ROC] However, according to 2004 data by the Philippine Government, there are 2,037 Filipinos living in Taiwan permanently, 154,135 are in Taiwan for work contracts, and 4,500 go to Taiwan irregularly, which make a total of 160,672. It is not known why there is such a big difference between these two numbers (96,000 vs. 160,672).[citation needed] United Kingdom. Nurses and caregivers have begun migrating to the United Kingdom in recent years. The island nation has welcomed about 20,000 nurses and other Filipinos of various occupations and lifestyles during the past 5 years. The United Kingdom is home to an estimated 200,000 OFWs.[1]

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United States of America. Despite race relations problems of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the American Northwest, most Filipino Americans today find it easy to integrate into American society, with a majority belonging to the middle class. Filipinos are the secondlargest Asian American group in the country; Tagalog is the fifth most spoken language in the U.S. Filipinas comprise a large portion of the roughly 4,000-6,000 women who annually come to the U.S. through method of mail-order bride,[28] internet courtship, or direct contact when travel to the Philippines. The US State Department estimated that there are 4 million Filipinos in the US as of 2007.[29] ** Remittances sent by OFWs (Oversea Foreign Workers) to the Philippines contribute to the country’s economy, with a value of more than US$10 billion in 2005.[8] This makes the country the fourth largest recipient of remittances with India, China, and Mexico in the top list. OFW remittances represent 13.5% of the country’s GDP, the largest in proportion to the domestic economy among the four countries.[9] In 2008, overseas Filipinos sent US$15.9 billion worth of remittances to the Philippines,[10] up from the US$14.4 billion in 2007, and US$13 billion in 2006. [11][12] In 2009, about US$17.348 billion in remittances was sent to the Philippines by overseas Filipinos, higher than in previous years.[13] -end-

Author: JM de Vera

Filipinos Abroad - Statistics from Wikipedia ... continued from page 41

My friend, Have you ever asked yourself if how long could you take or handle a worst situation? If it is the right time to give up or you just need more effort to move on? Have you ever experienced a difficulties in life that made you almost lose your hope? Well, that is normal. Life is never fair as you know. Giving up doesn’t really mean you are a coward or useless. Sometimes we have to give up some things to give way to a new start. A new beginning that let you apply all the lessons you’ve learned before. And in this second time around, you must be more careful on what you decide, say and act. In the other hand, giving up is not always the answer. Most of the time, we need to try harder so we can reach our goals. Maybe you are just lacking of some virtue like patience. Believe in your self that you can do better. Be positive and don’t allow problems put you down. Remember my friend, you are experiencing this because you have a big role in the future. You may be a living testimony on how God works in your life. Not all human in this entire world has the exact problem that you had been through. Some people are facing financial problems, some in their relationship status, some on

Testimony of Love, Anger, Forgiveness and Hope

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by JM de Vera (Philippines)

their career and a lot more. Meaning to say, everyone is unique on their own way. Now your obligation is to share and testify your life to others. Go and find people who have the same troubles you had. Listen to them whole-heartedly. Explain them what they need to do and how could they surpass it. In that way you are not only a blessing but a truly living testimony that God created. You will not be a effective encourager unless you have experienced it, right? Its just these simple, a heart-broken person can be best encourager to another heart-broken...and a once-depressed person can only understand exactly what a depressed man feels. What’s important now is what you have and how you could expand and use it.

day of HOPE. and pray that He may help you move and use your left energy to start a new life.

Hard times in life never stops. There’s always a possibility of failure. Failure may get all what you have.. but not your breath. So as long as you are able to wake up every morning.. no matter how hungry you are, no matter how much you owe something, you need to use your energy to do something good. Start thanking God for another

I am Michael...full of hope and having the full blast of continous learning, dreaming and believing!

I can tell you this friends with my whole heart because I already proved it to myself. Actually, I still have the feeling where I dont know where I belong because I came to a broken family. I can’t find anyone who can understand me and what im going through, i cant even talk to my parents because they are all busy on their own life. But in all of these, I believe that God is praparing me for a great moment that will be happening soon! So I will not stop loving even people may continously hating me. I let all my anger washed with humility and forgive people who hurt me.

I want to hear from you guys on what you feel right now. You can PM me or just comment below. This note is based on my own opinion. So if Im wrong, tell me. Good day! -end-

Balay OFW: Simpleng buhay pero Rock

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by Dennis de Guzman (Philippines)

Simpleng buhay pero Rock. Yan ang pagsasalarawan ng buhay ko ngayon sa Balay OFW. Natutulog ako ay isa sa mga kubo sa tabing dagat. Gumigising ng maaga kasabay ng karamihan na nag-aabang ng pagdating ng mga bangkang pangisda para bumili ng huli kung meron. Dahil kakilala din ang ilang may banka, magugulat na lamang ako at may mag-aabot ng ilang pirasong isda na galing sa huli. Sa punto na karamihan ay naka-uwi na para magalmusal ako naman ay nasa ikalawang tasa na ako ng kape. Hindi kapeng barako kundi 3-in-1 dahil napalitan na ng praktikalidad ang kinagisnang kape ng mga Batangueno. Pagmalapit na ang tanghali ay nagsisindi na ako ng uling para naman magsaing ng bigas para sa tanghalian at ibangi ang sariwang isda na natanggap ng umaga. Patuloy naman ang paggawa sa Balay OFW at nakikita ko na unti unti nagiging realidad ang Balay OFW na dati ay mga disenyon na nasa isip lamang. Mainit na ang panahon lalo na sa katanghalian. Masarap at malamig naman ang simoy ng sariwang hangin na galing sa dagat. Buong araw ay naririnig ko ang palo ng mga alon sa pampang na parang nag aanyaya na ako ay lumusong sa dagat. Minsan ay halos buong araw ay lumulusong at umaahon sa dagat pero sa ngayon ay madalas na sa

bandang umaga at bang hapon na lamang. Ito ay hindi para umiwas sa mainit na araw kundi dahil wala na ako ibang magagawa kung nasa dagat ako ng buong araw. Matapos makaligo sa dagat ng hapon, uupo naman sa tabing dagat para matunghaywan ang paglubog ng araw. Hindi na ako nag bonfire sa tabing dagat tulad ng ginagawa ng iba. Masyadong abala may bumbilya naman. Isa pa, hindi naman ganoong kalamig sa tabing dagat para magsunog ng bonfire. Maaga akong natutulog at madalas din naman ay nagigising ako ng madaling araw. Sa mga oras na ito naman ay magandang pagmasdan ang pag lubog ng buwan lalo na sa kabilugan. Ang sabi sa akin ay patuloy na magiging ganito ang buhay dito sa Lobo, Batangas hanggang dumating ang Habagat na magsisimula sa Agosto hanggang Oktubre kung saan ay mas malakas ang hangin at mas maalma ang mga alon ng dagat. Hindi ko muna iniisip yun sa ngayon. AT dahil conektado pa rin ako sa internet at sinusulat ko ito sa isa sa mga kubo ng Balay OFW sa tabi ng dagat maari kong masabi na ang pamumuhay ko ngayon sa Balay OFW ay SIMPLE pero ROCK! -end-

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Batu, Bato sa Langitâ&#x20AC;Ś Toink ! Meron akong kilala, Mahilig pumorma Sa gadgets kumpleto siya, Sa alkansiya namay wala ---0--Isang matanda sa baranggay Genebra Puno sya ng grasya at ayaw magparaya, Sa edad na retirado na, ayaw pa ring magpahinga Pagkat marahil sya ay Masaya, sa buhay na tinatamasa ---0--Sa bansang Arabo siya ay nagpakalayo Sinubok ang sipag at tatag na ibayo, Sa pang-aalipusta ng amo siya ay sumubo Sukdulang prinsipyo ay kanyang isuko ! ---0--Sa pakikipagsapalaran, ay kaydaming peligro ang pikit-matang sinuong ni Mr. OFW Subalit itong kanyang gobyer-kuno, Sa banyaga siyay ipinagkanulo! ---0--Bayani kung ituring ni Ginang Pining Ngunit sa kanya mababa ang tingin, Madalas mandin na siyay biktimahin, ng mga nakaupong ganid sa tungkulin! ---0--Bakit kaya marami sa ating kapwa Ang sipsip sa amo at mahilig magpabida, Kahit ikapahamak ng kanyang kasama Walang paki sa iba, sya lang ang tama ---0---

Makata si Juan at si Maria Pan Adol is a member of the Institute of Electronic and Communications Engineers of the Philippines and a graduate of Mapúa Institute of Technology. He is now based in Geneva, Switzerland where he works part time in various kinds of work including employé de maison which he is proud of. He is a gentle father of 3 and a loving partner of 1. He is also active in church service being a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and past president of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Eto namang si Aling Dionesia Na mahilig sa Hermes at Prada Sa mamahalin at magagara, sya’y maluka-loka Daig pa ang amo sa tindig at postura! ---0--Merong isang aso este tao Daig pa ang ulol este gamol Siyay ngumingiyaw este humihiyaw Hinde kumakahol este kapag nasusukol Katulad ng iba paingles-ingles pa ehek nagmamalinis sila Na kung pakikinggan/titignan mali-mali naman este madungis din pala Wag na lang...! (kantang hango kay ka Heber, Tayo’y mga Pinoy) ---0--Hanggang sa muli…PEACE!:) PAALALA: Sa mga patama ng may akda Asahang nakikinig din siya Sa Damdamin at isipan niya Sa kanya rin Ang bato’y may tama! Toink! by Pan Adol (Switzerland)

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