How to 'milk' an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker)?

The diaspora of OFW's and Filipino citizens around the world has been a phenomenon since the early 1980's.
Filipinos has reached on every continent around the globe, the only destination that we have missed is the North and South Poles.

It is simple math. Filipinos are working abroad to have a better quality way of life. The hefty remittances from OFW's are able to send their kids through nice schools, pay their home mortgages, food and electricity, and the important thing is, they can save some money on the side for emergencies and other uses. You can never ever do this in the Philippines. Because after you have paid your electricity (this is the topic i'm researching from now), water, LPG, transportation, food, kid's allowance, taxes, insurance, and miscellaneous expenses, mobile phone cards, you will never get anything afterwards. You are not able to save. And with contractualization is the 'IN' thing for various companies, job security is another problem. You must have that extra money on the side for emergencies.

Yes they suffer a lot through homesicknesses, high cost of living, culture shock, and sad to say, fellow OFW's who are such 'crabs' who put you down while your back is turned away.

I know and we all know that 'money' is the answer why OFW's are leaving the country. But is it really the solution? Who have implanted this way of thinking on our heads?

In the 1960's, the Philippines has been regarded as the second wealthiest nation in Asia, next to Japan. But something came along the way, it was Marcos, due to political and economic mismanagement, our country was in disarray. This prompted some Filipinos to work abroad. They already knew that there is something bad going on. And that was told to me by my father.

"Damn, this Marcos is so stubborn, he wanted to run the Phils in his own hands!"

"Anong gagawin natin? (What we will do now?) My mother said.

"Let us leave for a while, let us go out. Paris, Cali, Tokyo."

"How about the kids?"

"Leave them. Istorbo lang sila, papatakbuhin ko Pinas sa abroad" (They are a disturbance, I'll run the Phils in abroad).

So much for parental love.

A lot of Filipinos left, and they watched in horror how the Philippines, like a deck of cards fell little by little.

During the 90's where my dad talked to various government agencies, he was really worried on how to improve our economy. They are planning again to borrow from IMF, but of course they need something substantial, something where we can repay back our debt and future debts.

While on a meeting, my dad overheard a conversation from a DFA official to his staff, about the deployment of workers in the Middle East. After the conversation, he talked to him.

"How many Filipinos are going abroad in a day?"

"That depends sir, but right now it is more than 2,000 a day."

"Hey, that is too much (in 1990's). Is there an epidemic or something?"

"I don't know sir, but, it seems we are getting good money from them."

My father saw the 'idea light bulbs' on a lot of government officials. My father made a quick look at some financial papers and held a calculator. Yes, the OFW's remittances can contribute to the country's GDP of about 13% to 20%. This is easy money. Without any form of operating cost or expenses, rent, or any other expenditures. Just take a portion of their remittances through agreement with banks and other foreign exchange centers. Increase of prices of basic commodities and imported items sold in the Philippines is another way of getting the money from OFW's. Taxes and government processing fees. They always think that every Filipino has a relative who is an OFW. Just get any amount of money from them, they will give it immediately without any questions.

And if someone wants to leave the country, make it hard for them. So hard that they must pay and various fees before they leave the country. Make the process slow and tedious, so that both parties, the employer from abroad and the employee (OFW) will have to pay the government just to fast track the processing, settlement of fees, etc. No wonder illegal recruitment and human smuggling is rampant in the Philippines.

In simple terms:

* Job application for abroad = money
* Remittances = money

And where those the money go? Philippine Government, into the pockets of corrupt government agencies.

Philippine media has its share of 'brain washing' as well. Always broadcasting and reporting that the 'grass is greener' on other countries. Just look at those endless advertisements from agencies and recruiters who are willing to take Filipinos outside the country.Actors and actresses who are half-Filipino / half-foreign blood are featured and given priority. We do have an 'off' button but sometimes, if it is shown into your face many times, you can't help but to watch it. And the media is also giving credit to those who are half-Filipino or Filipinos who are away from a long time in the Philippines. Duh. They are already living successfully, why waste our time with them?

My dad, then again, has no choice but to approve of the idea. Since our economy is in shambles. There must be something out there where we can get some money. Money that will keep the Philippines afloat. But sacrificing our fellow citizens, leaving their families behind, is truly a sad sight to see, especially crying children and relatives where they send off OFW's onto the airport. More harrowing if they found out that they come home mentally incapacitated, or worse, in a 'box.'

Hopefully, Filipinos are smart and strong enough to show their disgust - LET US STOP THE GREED!

Some work and financial issues

Did someone told you straight that "You are now not needed in this company because of recession. localization, bankruptcy, etc. etc.?" I did, several times now in one year that is 2011.

It was a shock to me at first. really, there were even those sleepless nights. All the work that I did just nosedived and went to nothing.

I understand it is the time of recession. There are no problems for me. heck, I have lots of money more than the company I have been working on. I just don't brag around like some dumb schmuck. But I feel pity for those who really need a job, one that has a family to feed, children to educate, and all of that.

Times are hard. It is a sign of capitalistic failure. We have to overhaul our financial system.

Debates are pouring in from all over the world, from thesis, dissertations, chatrooms, forums, but the single question still remains: "How do you minimize the gap between thr rich and poor?"

Communism is not the answer. Look at what happened to North Korea. They almost did it, but, making weapons instead of food is the same as capitalism in its sick level.

In any case, let's go back to where I am. Since my boss told me to leave my job, I have only one thing to say:

"Thank you sir for letting me work. And hope to serve you in the future."

It is much better accepting the fact that they are removing you from the job as soon as possible than letting you stay and be unproductive. 

Top 10 things Filipinos must do on 2012

Okay now this is  your plan. instead of politicking and bashing each other on the street and on the internet, these are the things that you have to do. I did this because I have to. It is not spoon feeding, but rather shoving it up in your assess. 


You may do it or not for all I care. But here is my guarantee, you will become a better individual if you have performed one, AT LEAST ONE of my suggestions here. Not only this will make you become a better Filipino, hopefully it will make you a better citizen of planet Earth:

# 10 - Have discipline in every way you do. Just putting the trash in the trash bin goes a long way. Try to fall in line if there is a cue, or just shut up if there is a church mass or someone is speaking.

#9 - Be well informed so that you will never get left behind. Although it is not necessarily 'news and showbiz' like the junk Philippine media is throwing at us (sometimes they are feeding us garbage anyway), just get the real news on both sides. I tell you, you will surely learn something. Being well informed about your family and your own environment is the best news you can ever get.

#8 - Love your parents. try to love them unconditionally. If they are not the ones to be loved (always gambling, womanizing, etc.) tell them to change their acts. So that you will not be like them in the future. I am sure, they will go teary eyed and love you for the advice. Sometimes we have to remind people and be firm about it so that they can change.

#7 - Be patient and just work hard - times are hard these days. Enough of the complaining, just go on with your work as long as possible. set aside pride for a while, just go and work. Do not mind your co workers or supervisor if he or she gives you problems. Just go on, punch the time card, and work. if there is too much, relax a little, and go back to it again. Or do something to remove your mind off from work but do not spend a lot. Try not to quit as long as you can. If you really can't bear it, go ahead and quit. The reason why that you have endure it as long as you can is because that times will be more harder in 2012. basic goods and gas prices will rise (what else is new anyway?). So hang on to your job for now.

#6 - Tell your family to be budget conscious - while you are slaving away at work,  your wife / husband and kids has the latest iPad and asks you for more money, screw them all and tell them to stop the fantasy. Tell them to practice modest living at all costs. Tell them how much you spend a week for electricity, gas, LPG, food, 'baon' (children's allowance), etc. etc. And tell them the salary you are getting. This is basic accounting which is used by major corporations around the world. Tell them to monitor what they are spending and what is to be received (that is debit and credit). Money is not abundant like the air we breathe (pollution is changing that now), try to budget and save some money for emergencies.

#5 - Study hard on how you can make more money - I remember the days when I was in elementary and th teacher gave me a poor mark on my computer lessons. I told my teacher, "what is the big deal with these computers anyway. Instead of buying them, I will buy food instead or if you can teach me on how to make money out of it, maybe I will listen to you more". They were surprised on hearing those statements, which is true up to this day. Try to study on the things that will help you make more money. A school that doesn't teach that is already a failure. I taught my students on recycling their papers and other stuff instead of throwing them and they are surprised on how much I got from it. (That is why the school janitor has a fat belly, he always have that whisky inside his locker).

Books and other learning materials are useless if these will not make you money in the future. So try to study hard, and think hard if this will give you benefit in the future.

#4 - Care for the environment - we have to plant more trees now and be vigilant about it. We have to clean our surroundings and ourselves. If we can charge each people of littering on the streets or putting them in jail. it will be much better. Or, let us put those people's faces in social media sites so that they will be ashamed and  will not litter anymore. Sometimes drastic measures are needed to produce drastic results especially on problems as basic as this one.

For illegal loggers, well this is easy. Kill them all including their families. Since they are raking up all the blessings of Mother Nature without proper consent, let them suffer the consequences. A man who is an illegal logger will surely pass his trade through his son and other families.

This is the best way to avoid the harrowing incident in Mindanao particularly Cagayan de Oro and Iligan where typhoon Sendong struck and produced flashfloods killing thousands of lives and animals and destroyed millions of pesos in property.

#3 - A complete overhaul in Philippine media (film and television) - let us not watch those episodes in Philippine TV which is full of controversy and blah blahs that turn our minds into empty cracked eggs. Some of our movies are like that too, where we just show anything just to get some money (as if we don't know that making a movie is a cheap process nowadays). The funny thing is, the relevant movies or the ones with good content are shown only in abroad or sent through movie awards. This gives the impression that we just watch junk Philippine movies and we only enjoy Hollywood films.

One good example to emulate is Bollywood. It is known that they produce a lot of movies, but all of these are shown on their own theaters only, only few are watched Internationally (although they are broadcast on various satellite channels). So what if they produce good or nonsense content. The fact is, the viewers are supporting it. And this improves their own film industry. They get new talents (actors/actresses) and improving creativity along the way. The main point here is, we must improve our own media by producing more value added content.

The only good media that where we can be informed & entertained intelligently is the radio. It is cheap and and information is transmitted faster, but that is deteriorating as we speak.

For short, just don't watch junk / unimportant shows and do something productive.

2# - Religion - to tell you the truth the Philippine Catholic Church has some lapses since the early days of Philippine history up to today. They are the ones who made us who we are today and now we may be enjoying it from the mean time, but we are suffering from it. They are always meddling with the affairs of the state, and that brings confusion.
They must know that we can practice any religion we want. Same goes for those die hard fanatics of INC, Dating Daan, and other weird religions that we have in the Phils. To tell you the truth, some of them are misleading the TRUTH about God. (I don't want any debates here guys and gals, lols). 

For now, whatever religion you have, my advise is to pray. Pray that we will be in good hands this coming New Year and succeeding years also. Whatever trials we are facing, we have to pray and do our best. As they say, pray, it works. If it doesn't work, at least you tried. As simple as that.

#1 - For number one - that is YOU. Since you have made it this far, it means you are interested on what I am saying here, and you have this urge on how to become a better individual. Just do what is right under the best circumstances and you will do just fine. If there is a mistake, correct it as soon as possible. This is what I have learned after studying and living on different countries around the world. And successful Filipinos also did the same thing, and now they are living happy and contented lives.

And thanks for reading this blog  as well some of my blogs here.

Whatever and wherever you are, I offer you my sincere 'pat in the back' if you're a guy. For gals,  a small peck on the cheek will do just fine.

LET'S WELCOME 2012 WITH HAPPINESS AND GRATITUDE!!!

Anatomy of an Overseas Filipino Worker

We all know what Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW's) have been through, they are the ones who work outside their home country for their families. It is for their survival, and good for the Philippine economy as well.

You have seen the news recently, that a former seaman killed his own family in Cebu. It is quite a shock indeed.
Upon reading the story, the man has suffered a head injury while at work. Due to this he cannot work again due to his medical condition.

Maybe he became crazy because of that accident. But there are others out there who became crazy because of extreme stress, i.e. isolation, poor/stressful working conditions, conflicts, debt, homesickness, sometimes even extreme weather conditions affect the OFW's personality.

There are lots of stories out there regarding OFW's, but I always tell these two stories to those who newly arrived in abroad. This will serve as a warning to them, to keep your sanity in times of crisis:

1). THE QUIET BUT DANGEROUS ENGINEER - There was this engineer in the Middle East who has a fat paycheck. Everytime he send almost all his earnings to his lovely wife in one the provinces in the Philippines. One day while working, he received a call from one of the wife's relative - that his wife has a relationship with another man. The engr. became silent, and still he continued his job. After he finished his contract, he did not tell everyone not even his relatives that he was going back to his home country.
Upon arrival, he went immediately to a machine shop and made a long steel tube with a sharp end.
At night, he has hidden himself in the bushes near his home. He waited for the other man to come to his home. The man came and he waited more until his wife and the man are copulating, he then went inside and stabbed them both with a long steel stake.
He surrendered himself to the authorities and everyone was shocked on what he did and his honest surrender. The mayor of that province saw the man's crime and he told him "just go away from here and never come back."

2) (to be continued...)