Briones: Wanderlust

I KNOW a lot of Filipinos would like to go abroad.

Many believe it’s the only way to improve their lot in life, especially those who are stuck in low-paying jobs that demand every ounce of their strength and wits.

So off to Hong Kong, to Japan, to the Middle East, to Europe, to the US, to Canada, to Australia, to New Zealand they go to seek greener pastures.

Some of them are lucky to be working in their chosen fields as nurses, engineers, teachers, architects and whatnot. Others swallow their pride, set aside their college degree to work as domestics or manual laborers.

Not everyone, though, travels to look for employment.

There is that rare breed of Filipinos who leave this archipelago because they want to know what is out there.

I know it’s hard to believe, but they exist and their numbers are growing. Local budget airlines have been offering hard-to-resist and simply too-good-to-pass-up airfares to destinations like Taipei, Seoul, Singapore or even Dubai.

So they trot around the globe to learn about other cultures. They marvel at ancient or, in some cases, ultra-modern architecture. They sample varied cuisines that are on offer.

They compare. They pity and oftentimes look down at those whose living conditions are worse than theirs because, admit it, they do. Not all of them, of course. And yet, they gawk with admiration at those who have achieved what they can only imagine in their dreams.

They take selfies and groupfies, which they then post on their social media accounts. Some boast about their trips for days, weeks and even months on end. Yeah, we get it. You’ve been to Macau. Now, move on.

Either way, going out of the country teaches us many things like, for example, life in these islands isn’t so bad, after all. That is, if you’re a happy, well-adjusted person.

But if you’re an aging, single malcontent, then it only confirms what you’ve known all along. That this country is hell on earth.

So why am I, a happy, well-adjusted person, talking about going abroad?

Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia has come up with a proposal to scrap the travel tax, which is P1,620 for economy passengers and P2,700 for first-class passengers.

Based on 2017 records, around 3.7 million Filipinos could benefit if Garcia’s measure becomes law.

Majority of that number are leaving home for the first time to work so they can afford to send their children to school, build that dream house or just improve their standard of living.

If the government does decide to do away with the travel tax, at least it’s one less expense they have to think about.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph