Often times, it means working hard for their own family, and extra hard for the extended family back home -- para kay Daddy, Mommy, Kuya, Ate, Uncle, Auntie and the rest of the gang.
A typical registered nurse, for example, ekes out a decent living on a thrice weekly 12-hour shift. That's the usual schedule and he or she gets to earn anywhere from 30 to 80 dollars an hour, depending on what state and on the level, specialization and length of service. That's a pretty decent living and an above average income that can afford some luxuries here. Moreso, if the nurse is assigned to night shift and extra days where he or she gets nighttime differential and time-and-a-half pays.
The luxuries could include cars for the nurse and the spouse (like probably a full-sized SUV and/or a fancy car. That is, of course, if the spouse also pitches in few dollars more on the financing.
An extra few dollars will afford a Pinoy family of four to get a TV subscription that has either TFC (The Filipino Channel of ABS-CBN) and GMA Pinoy TV beamed onto their LCD or Plasma TV sets (in living or bedrooms) via either a satellite or cable box. "At para kay Lolo na gustong gustong nakikita si Luningning ng Wowowie, ayan dagdag kami ng mga singkwenta para sa mga pinoy channels "($50, on top of a minimum $60 basic tv programs), quips one Kabayan. "Ilang puwit lang naman yung huhugasan ko para dun, so ok lang," the nurse jests.
For the non-nurse family, things may be a little tighter.
A friend of mine cannot keep himself satisfied with the paycheck he receives from a bank he works in. He has to find extra source for his growing family of four. Good thing he knows DIYs (do-it-yourself stuff) and he earns more doing handyman jobs in other people's houses.
Ironically, his own house could be found wanting more in maintenance works like pipe leaks, uncut grass in the yard and all.
Good thing that he gets more doing this day job than what the bank gives him as teller. He does not mind the clutter at the garage filled with his power tools. "Ok lang yung kalat, it reminds me of my kita at yung susunod na kontrata."
Why doesn't he just leave the bank job and work full time rebuilding, renovating houses that pays more? He cannot. The bank provides him health/medical insurance that covers hospitalization and periodic check-ups. The premium for the coverage for the four of them at is just way beyond his DIY contracts.
"Kaya sa Tate, bawal magkasakit. Minsan nga may insurance ka na, pero me co-pay (that's the term for out-of-pocket expenses here) ka pa," says a kumpare from Mabalacat who drives cargo trucks state after state in the West Coast. He shelled out own money when he was hospitalized for a heart problem while working away from his California home. They also had to spend for his wife's airfare who rushed to his bedside when he suffered heart attack. The co-pay and the plane ticket were unforeseen and thus, unbudgeted.
Unlike the nurse and the bank teller, this driver had to deal with in-laws who live with them. Just like in the Philippines where irritants are common in the household, this kumpare just takes the friction in stride. "Buti na lang nalilibang siya sa Eat Bulaga at iba pang mga telenobela. Tsaka malaking tulong din naman sa pag-aalaga ng mga bata"
The stories can go on and on for a lot of Pinoys here. They vary from the significant to the mundane, from the beaten to the offbeat, from the usual to the bizarre. What remains common is the willingness to step up and live up to the challenge.
