Monday, October 16, 2006 Mapiles: RP economy, family relations in the eyes of an OFW By Joel P. Mapiles View From The Bottom
THIS column decided to give way to the personal accounts of Jason Carmona, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who shared his observation on the deteriorating Philippine economy and its effect to family relationships.
This, I think, is of great importance and relevant to our kabalen-OFWs who tend to work abroad for greener pasture and to give their families a better life. The OFWs are the country's modern day heroes.
It has been around 40 years ago or so when the dictator, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, rose into power. He ruled for 20 years as a strongman, until a popular uprising in EDSA 1986 toppled him. Soon thereafter, Cory Aquino, FVR, Erap and now GMA have come in succession to lead the nation in what many believe is a country in turmoil resulting from an extremely corrupt political system.
During the 1960s, Jason heard many people's accounts that life was not as hard as in those days. Jason said family life and values were preserved very well. "People had something to eat three times a day. There were jobs for those who wanted to work. Migration into any desired country was not quite difficult. Families have lesser conflicts and shared a common goal for the success of each and everyone," he said.
As years passed by, the economic situation in the Philippines -- mostly attributed to so many self-promoting politicians and maybe a lackadaisical Filipino lifestyle -- had deteriorated so badly that three meals a day is no longer possible for most Filipino tables.
Jobs are very evasive to thousands of job seekers, and it is no longer "what" you know that matters, but "who" you know.
Not to mention the many sad stories about visa applications in embassies, either for work or emigration. Many forms of illegal activities targeting "naïve" applicants have proliferated everywhere.
Crime rates have risen dramatically. And what is worse is that many kinds of crimes and new tactics to commit them have drastically evolved.
Family values are no longer the general concern of almost every Filipino. Survival of the fittest has become the name of the game, even amongst family members. In the streets of Manila as in many urban or suburban areas in the country, one can personally witness how difficult it is to survive a day.
Then came about the government's globalization program in the 1970s. It was fortunate that many Filipinos were given opportunities to get good paying jobs abroad. Somehow, people had something to cling on to for survival. However, its effects to separate family members have created new sets of problems, causing undue familial hardship and thus greatly compromising many Filipino values.
Jason went abroad three times and had experienced first-hand how it is to be an OFW -- striving hard to survive and to meet the needs of his family.
"Going abroad at first glance is like the culmination of a dream come true, the answer to one's prayers, the solution to many problems. But it is not. However, it may serve as the first step for opportunities in one's career. But it doesn't actually follow that once you board the plane, you will go home rich, and problems are all solved. It is simply a first major step towards a thousand-mile journey. Culture plays a major role in our value formations and changes. Many OFWs tend to believe that what is right for the French may also be right for Filipinos," he said.
Jason had witnessed many Filipinos adopt other cultures, which he personally believes is the right thing to do once they get abroad. But the reality it brings to their lives and to their families whom they left behind vary based on the level of maturity they have for themselves.
Jason heard many people abroad who would say, it is not easy earning money abroad. If he worked for it, then he must be the one enjoying its fruits. And so, the value and reason they have when they left to work abroad has been forgotten in a wink of an eye. Is that wrong? No, it isn't. A person has the right to do anything as long as it is legal. And it is not illegal to forget our promises back home, and neglect them. Although, it maybe wrong according to where they stand for. Well, it is simply, a "reality."
During Jason's recent homecoming from abroad, he witnessed yet again another face of reality. "I haven't had much luck in my recent job, so that I was home after barely two months. But then, I was still welcomed very warmly by well wishers and many would ask me to buy them something, or if I have brought home something for them. I realized and I understand that these people do that because of poverty," Jason said.
Many people look upon Overseas Filipino Workers as the modern-day heroes of this country. They are the ones bringing in a lot of foreign currencies to the country. And they are the only chance that most people left behind have to be able to taste imported wine, or to puff blue seal cigarettes, or to eat stateside food. Again, this is another clear example that poverty is really what's driving most Filipinos' lives these days.
In Jason's recent stint abroad, he met a lovely woman in her 60s, a New Zealander. Amid their times chatting together, she told Jason one thing: "The Europeans do not know how fortunate they are. Many people in Asia have barely a single dollar to live for a day." Imagine a dollar? Well, Jason knows that for a fact, as he had experienced life in New Caledonia, a colony of France in the Pacific.
"In London, you would spend three pounds for a hotdog sandwich. And it is almost the same in New Caledonia, which is equivalent to around 300 in Philippine peso. That amount would have survived a week's meal here for a single person or a family of five for a day. Many would even extend it for as long as they can. That is the value of a single hotdog sandwich abroad, compared here in the Philippines," Jason noted.
What would Filipinos here expect from a relative who lives and works abroad? Money. A hope to survive. An opportunity to live up a dream. An answer to satisfy the four human basic needs: food, clothing, shelter and education. The dilemma is that many Filipinos abroad have eventually adopted the value of independence, a "live and let live" value. The value of closeness and helping each other is greatly compromised. No one is to blame. It is a matter of many cultural differences, which evolved among and within families.
In itself, this has greatly affected family relationships in many ways. Family members tend to misunderstand each other's points of view, as they each unknowingly try to inject his or her new adopted culture against each other. And it is normal, because each one wants to be accepted.
However, the process may eventually bring about tension among them, and would turn up a vicious cycle.
The many years of economic crises in the Philippines have really brought forth a lot of adverse effects within the Filipino family. From the basic or physiological needs, up to the failure to meet self-actualization, a Filipino's self-worth has dramatically fallen.
Prayer is the only thing he has. And hopefully heroes will come to save his day.
Jason knows the travails of working abroad. Money is not easily earned and they would really sweat out for it. Much worse is when they see how their family would spend back home. And there are many sad stories that come along the way.
Many happy marriages break because of couples' being apart and unmet expectations from each other. Children suffer the lack of presence of one or both their parents. The Lolas and the Lolos become parents in many families. Children grow up lacking the necessary love they need.
And so here goes another person growing up and learning new things that dramatically destroys Filipino values yet again. This is what happens to most families with a member within them who works abroad. There are a lot of compromises, sufferings, and even misunderstandings.
"Who is to blame? No one. The goal for the family is good, in the first place. We all want a happy family life, free from worries of financial or emotional distresses. But where is that goal right now?," Jason asked.
If you have any comments or reactions, please email the author at joeley01@yahoo.com or text him at 0921-519-9223.
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