PLANET PASA PASA
DECEMBER 2014
4
PHILIPPINES PINOY PINOY
column
CARMELITA ORGANO
I
“Making dreams come true in Brussels, Belgium”
t was in 1995 when Carmelita first arrived in Brussels, Belgium as a tourist. She fell in love with the city instantly! She recalled “Brussels is a great city even before I came to know it in 1995. I left my husband in the Philippines chase my dream of going to a graduate school in Brussels. But after a month, that dream vanished because I found myself landing on a babysitting job. There was not much of jobs available for an undocumented migrant like me, house cleaning, dog sitting, and all other house chores kept on pouring, they were the kind of jobs available for us because of the language barrier.” Coming from a comfortable life in the Philippines, with plenty of household help, Carmelita said that she was hesitant to do all the manual work. But because money was filling her pockets twice more than what she earned in the Philippines, she chose to hang on to them. After some time, she was offered to work as a nanny for a Royal Family, and got excited because she heard that the family was a well-known community figure. Carmelita said that she moved to live closer to the family to keep her job.
locally and abroad, speaking on interviews with Balitang Europe TV, and openly promoting it in all the venues that she gets invited as event host. Since year 2000, Carmelita has been working with her generous employers, who helped her stay in Belgium legally. In return, Carmelita said that she did her best to tend to their needs. She described her job as “working in their home, preparing their food, doing laundry, and making errands for the family. All these years that I worked with them, I poured out my hard-work, endurance, loyalty and honesty. They always appreciated me, Spotted on the they showered me with branded shoes, bags, clothes, but most of all, they gave me respect, and with that, I just sincerely give them back – love.” On Carmelita’s 40th birthday, her employers surprised with a pair of diamond earrings, and this year, on her 14th year of working with them, Carmelita received a luxury wrist watch from them. She thanked God for her employers.
FILIPINO MAP
Ryan Tejero*
Carmelita has missed going home to the Philippines. She missed the beautiful In 1997, her husband came smiles back home. She reflected on to join her, but after a brief the attitude of the Filipinos who stay and work in Belgium, he remains happy, are able to laugh was deported back to the and smile even in the midst of life’s Philippines. Carmelita said hardships or in times natural that she became very calamities. She also missed depressed, she struggled the morning sun that shines with loneliness, and her all day in the Philippines. She long distance relationship said that she does not often with her husband hit it so see the sun rising in Brussels. bad that she eventually The last time Carmelita went had to end her marriage home to the Philippines, she through annulment. visited many places other Moving forward with her than Manila and Ilocos. life, she enrolled herself When in the Philippines, she balance her homecoming by in a language school to keep her occupied, doing mission work such as as well as improve her visiting ANCOP scholars and stopping by a Home for the Aged communication skills. in Ilocos Sur. Carmelita loves to Leaving her past behind, travel. In 2011, Carmelita explored Carmelita with Philippine Secretary Albert and confidently equipped with the Holy Land, Jordan and Egypt, Romulo of the Department of Foreign Afa much stronger spirit, Carmelita with close to 300 Filipino pilgrims. In fairs during the recent visit of President went out her way to meet friends. 2012, she was one of the few Filipinos Benigno Aquino III in Brussels, 2014. She said “one day I was invited to a from Belgium to attend the canonization of religious community called the Couples the Blessed for Christ (CFC). Good and trusted friends P e d r o came along, they grew in numbers, and for the Calungzod in Vatican. first time I felt an empowering sense of belongingness. I To date, she has visited turned myself into a happy soul, filled with joy. I was able to European cities that include share my talent with my new-found friends.” Last October, Berlin, Dresden, Heidelberg, Carmelita attended a national conference in Paris, Italy, with Lisbon, Fatima and Sintra. 11 countries participating. She became so proud when their Later this year, she went to team finished first place at the National Food Festival. From Croatia with a group of friends. CFC, Carmelita became actively involved as a volunteer for the groups: Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP), which promotes Carmelita continues to fall Child Sponsorship Program in the Philippines, and the Las in love with Belgium as her Damas de Rizal Belgium, which raises funds for different socio- second home. She shared the civic projects in the Philippines. She soon realized that her idea that even with the absence circle of friends is widening. She got in contact with Philippine of a Prime Minister in Belgium, government leaders, politicians, and community leaders and the country has remained advocates in Belgium. Her acquaintances with these leaders peaceful and stable. She gave her an opportunity to grow as a community leader herself. added that Belgians are very Carmelita said that “last year, I attended a special course on honest people, the government Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program for Overseas always think about the welfare Filipinos organized by the Ateneo University, and on February of its people. She said “I 2015, I will be joining the rest of the Knights of Rizal and Las love how they give attention Damas around the world in an International Assembly that will when you enter a government be held in the Heritage City of Vigan.” Just recently, Carmelita building to seek for assistance. was involved in the official visit of President Benigno Aquino III The government gives back in Belgium. Presently, she is embarked on promoting Vigan City, what is due its taxpayers. In my her hometown, to be the next 7thWonder City of the World. She case, I received 2Euros in my started her a campaign by soliciting support from other leaders bank account from the Ministry
Carmelita with Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Luxembourg & Belgium, Her Excellency Victoria Bataclan on the occassion of Philippine Independence Celebration in Belgium, 2013.
of Finance for overpaying my tax from last year.” Carmelita also brags about the effectiveness of Belgian transportation system, she said that she never got late in her appointments. Belgium as a tourist destination has lots of attraction, Carmelita identified some popular ones: The Grand Place at the center of Brussels, the Atomium, The Lion that signifies the Battle of Napoleon in Waterloo, Brugge, a world UNESCO heritage, Antwerp, which is known as the Diamond of the World where hundreds of diamonds are in display inside the shops. Carmelita is so grateful to have been featured in this column. She expressed that “What I learned from living here in Belgium is something that I want to share with Filipinos back home, and those who are living abroad. I want to tell the world about the lessons I learned as an immigrant, and that all of my struggles here in Belgium are all worth it. All of my experiences living abroad had definitely made me a stronger and better person.” She added that “No matter how far we have been, or what we have achieved in life, we have to keep our feet grounded, remain humble and be sensitive by touching the hearts of others. Let us continue to work with honesty, being patient and affectionate. In times of sadness or facing trials, let us keep God in the center of our lives. We should value our time, thus, live life to the fullest.”