"Pagkatapos kong mag-aral ay magsisikap akong makapasa sa board exam at magtrabaho abroad para maiahon ang aking pamilya sa kahirapan." "Mag apply akong DH sa Hongkong para matustusan ang pag-aaral ng aking mga anak." Lines above were among those mostly uttered by Filipinos. Almost everyone dreamed of working abroad for greener pasture, thus earning more than the usual income in the Philippines. All seemed to have same reason and that's for the better future of their family. But, is the grass really greener in America, in London and Saudi Arabia, or in anywhere abroad? Is it a guarantee of living a cheerful and blithe life? Well, I don't think so.
Adjusting to a foreign country is like a feeling of being abjured in cold water but they need to swim harder for the sake of their family. One has to adjust to the language, culture, laws and regulations, beliefs, foods, and employer's attitude. It is very hard to interact with those foreigners. Yes, working abroad is an opportunity in which not everyone was given the chance. Some were not able to pass the required examinations and qualifications, no enough money for all the requirements, or even failed in medical standards. One may say that working abroad is a success. The question is, what lies behind that success? Is it a carefree life?
Not everyone knows that being an OFW entails a lot of hardwork and vast sacrifices. Try to think of a mother leaving her husband and children for how many years and vice versa. Growing up with a guardian is much different than growing up in a complete family. Nowadays most cases of youth going into addictions, alcoholism and other misbehavior are some of the effects of having incomplete family, lack of proper parental guidance. And of course the loneliness is always there and the worst is the fear of the possibility of losing your family due to unexpected relationship dilemma brought by temptations, distance and time differences. OFWs been missing how many Christmas and New Year's eve, fiestas, birthdays, graduations, and many more occasions.
Behind those much amount of money, expensive and classy clothes and shoes, high-tech gadgets, and abundant groceries in all Balikbayan boxes is an awful truth, a truth of "letting-go". Letting-go of own basic needs, giving up own rest just to work overtime, on day offs and holidays, or even having part time jobs for an extra income, letting-go of own happiness and decided to extend contracts instead of going home. Some even let go of there profession and work the other way around such as competent nurses and teachers in the Philippines worked as nannies and factory workers abroad.
Not all overseas worker were fortunate enough in their journey abroad. Yes, social media accounts of almost all OFWs were sprinkled with photos of gifts, balikbayan boxes, travel photos, different adventures, new cuisine and many more blissful memories. But, not everyone knows that away from camera phones and all those tags in social media, are long hours of extremely tiring works, loneliness, frustrations, and cruel bosses. Some lived in a poor, uncomfortable quarters with a very limited meals. Some didn't received the supposed salary and in worst cases did not have salary at all. Behind all the cheerful posts were complete physical and emotional exhaustion and the very worst of all are the inhumane abuses especially to Pinay Workers. Others were sadistically raped, beaten, and horribly killed by those ruthless employers.
These gruesome instances even caused them to lose there sanity. Some also committed suicide due to too much frustrations. And what's the saddest part is that mostly of these cases were left unsolved up to now. Justice was still not served. We don't know if it's because of the incapability of the government or what, but one thing is for sure and that is every OFW especially the abused one deserves justice and equality.
They even say that OFWs already mastered the art of sacrifice. Hopefully these sacrifices of any form will not be taken for granted by the government and so with the foreign employers. As what the famous American Chef Anthony Bourdain said, Filipinos give-of themselves, of their time, their money, their love - to others. Despite of all hardships, they remain as individuals with determination, courage, risk-taking behaviors, and a heart of gold. These will made every ofw a living hero.
photos from google
ps.naiyak ako pagsulat ko nito :(
Xoxo,
Joan