Once, my friend jokingly said that for the Philippines to really rise up from the ashes it has to burn down first. Then he continued by insisting that for a fresh start, all existing politicians should be wiped out from every nook and corner of the Philippine island and those who will declare in public that they are aspiring to be mayors, congressmen, senators, etc., should immediately be exterminated. Thus, he argued, when we reach a state wherein we force our friends to run for public office, or say, beg those we admire and respect the most to run for president but still they refuse to accept either for fear of their lives or scared of the sacrifices that is required of a public servant, only then he said, can we safely say that our country is indeed on the road to recovery.
Of course, these are just wishful thinking because we know for a fact that our country is abundant of power-hungry leaders who would do everything in their means to remain in power. These are people who believe that to remain “there” is not everything – it is the only thing. I have consistently spoken in the past that the most effective reformers and ideal voice of change our country badly needs will not come from the breed of politicians or military personnel or even celebrities we have today, but rather, it will come from the ranks of the OFWs because of the unique traits we have acquired through all the years we spent overseas. Below are just some of the qualities I am referring to and the reasons why:
1. Good Governance -- Our temporary stay on the host country where we work, give us the opportunity to witness that good governance leads to efficient public utility services such as water & electric supplies, affordable but dependable transport system, transparent government bureaucracy, etc. These amenities eventually results to a stable, orderly and progressive society. Majority of our people back home are unaware that these “luxuries” -- as migrants like us call it – are not impossible to achieve because these are products of a government run by ordinary folks like us.
2. Self-sufficient -- Our society should be appreciating real heroes (the OFWs) - people who sacrifice their own interests for the good of others - and not self-centered, grandstanding politicians. As workers, we have learned to look after the welfare of our own family and have lived with the fact that our government cannot be depended upon in times of need.
3. Honest Labor -– We know the value of every dollar that we earn. We pride ourselves with the thought that what we feed our family comes from honest work - galing sa pawis at luha nating mga manggagawa. If only our leaders will have the same principle in their conduct of running the affairs of our government… but again, that is also wishful thinking.
4. Visionaries -– Against daunting odds, we were able to provide food, clothing, shelter and education to our loved ones. On top of that, to combat homesickness, boredom and other negative vibes that is commonly associated with being an OFW, we learned to manage our limited free time positively. Many among us have developed skills in organizing events, honed our entrepreneurship skills and appreciate charity work.
The qualities that I mentioned above are just but a few of what we have become. I just hope that we can finally unite into one strong body in order for us to fight the ills of our society. Few weeks ago, I was invited to attend in what is now known as a very private and selective gathering with President GMA and FG Mike Arroyo in a restaurant in Central. I was ushered on a table few feet away from where the President, the First Gentleman and their entourage where sitting and I couldn’t help but wonder how these two seemingly harmless individuals inflicted so much harm to our country. Instantly, the scandals wherein they have strongly been linked came flashing in my mind – the Garci tapes, NBN-ZTE scandal, Joc-Joc Bolante Fertilizer scam and the most recent issue regarding Charter Change. Although there are numerous anomalies and countless questionable transactions our current administration is accused of, these 4 incidents are perhaps the most unrivaled in terms of ruthlessness, figuratively speaking. Garci tapes scandal points to the tampering of the results of the 2004 election –- an indication that there were concerted efforts to undermine the will of the people. The NBN-ZTE deal shocked the people by the sheer amount of the bribe –- alleged to be somewhere around 130 million US dollars. Whew! The Fertilizer scam, although smaller in amount compared to the NBN-ZTE scam, was supposedly intended for the farmers – meaning, it was meant for the very disadvantaged sector of our society, ninakaw pa nila (ang lupit talaga!). And now most recently are the efforts, obviously, by this administration to modify our Constitution to suit their insatiable thirst for more and endless power.
As an editor and a concerned citizen, I normally get excited in the presence of VIPs especially when the VIPs I am referring to are no less than the most powerful and influential figures in our country. No disrespect to those who invited me, but the truth is I felt no trace of admiration to the President and her husband especially when she triumphantly proclaimed that she was able to secure numerous job-placements from various countries in the middle east and Japan. While she received a vibrant applause from the selected guests over her announcement, I cannot help but be dismayed to hear from our President, who boasted herself as an economist, that she was able to secure more deployment for our people as contract workers overseas. How can a true leader rejoice by the thought of sending your people away? I have spent two thirds of my life as an overseas worker and I stand proud of what I have accomplished – no thanks to the government. I strongly believe that I share the same sentiments of most of the OFWs. We know that our government has consistently failed us. We feel it when we go home for our regular vacation, the hassles at the airport, the red tapes in every government offices we are required to visit, even all the people seem to be in an extortion mode when they find out who we are.
For now, while I longed for a leader who will stand before us and speak of decent jobs to be created in our own country, of realistic plans to lure honest businessmen to invest, to give us hope that corruption can finally be contained and peace and order can be restored in our land, I will remain vigilant and hopeful until that day will come!
Author: Tony Bartolome
21 July 2009
09 April 2009
Of Vision, Division And Prevention (Rising Above Negative Criticism)
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, this award-winning movie title best describes the China that I saw when I visited the capital city, Beijing, two weeks ago. After a 3 ½ hour gentle Air China flight from Hong Kong, we landed in an airport 3 times bigger than Chek Lap Kwok Airport. If there is one obvious spectacle that a non-Beijinger would immediately notice upon arrival, it is its grandeur and sheer vastness. As part of a K-Touch group (Manufacturer and Distributor of K-Touch Mobile phones) on a 4-day business trip, we were welcomed by our local counterpart who immediately ushered us to the hotel. True to my first impression, the 30-minute ride through smooth traffic in a late afternoon on an almost empty freeway reinforced my thoughts -- that the airport, the freeways, the transport system and other structures that I saw, are obviously built to accommodate a business environment that is yet to come, say 5 or 10 years in the future. What strikes me with admiration though is the ability of its leader to prepare their country for these challenges ahead. That is what I call VISION!
Except for the slight distraction caused by this “Chip Tsao incident”, I have no doubt that the Filipino politicians and entrepreneurs have already noticed this transformation and consider China as a serious partner both economically and politically.
On a personal level, Chip Tsao’s article has not elicited my contempt simply because it’s not worth it. Instead, I pity this poor soul for “he know not what he is doing”. On his opening statement – "The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the 7 Chinese seamen onboard. We can live with that-—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That’s no big problem…”, Mr. Tsao is implying that he can take the bullying from “stronger” countries and at the same time rejoice in bullying the “weaker” ones. This kind of persona reminds me of infamous people such as Hitler, Mussolini, etc… characters who had provoked and incited people to harbor hatred against others through their misguided or misplaced concept of nationalism. And so it is no wonder why his article brought condemnation both from the Filipino community and Hong Kong people. In this age of the internet -- where the world becomes a small global village -- this kind of mentality, no matter how Mr. Tsao defends it, has no place in a just and decent society. He is a disgrace to the Chinese people in general. Instantly, my local Chinese friends called me to express their disgust as soon as they came across his article. Mr. Chip Tsao’s mentality towards people who are doing honest labor, no matter how menial, is what creates animosity in our society. That is what I call DIVISION!
On the other hand, as responsible members of our community, we should treat this incident as a wake-up call for us to discipline our own ranks and stay on guard at all times. Meaning, we have to be vigilant to the excesses that may arise in our conduct as “transients” in our adopted home. On this regard, I strongly urge our community leaders to take notice of how our people behave in public places, especially during holidays, such as gambling in public view (i.e., tong-its, pusoy…), barricading highly visible walkways with thick cardboards (karton) which is obviously an eyesore, leaving behind piles of trash in places of convergence, or any acts for that matter that may offend the sensitivities of others. Kailangan pa bang antayin natin ang Hong Kong government pa ang magbawal sa atin? Officers of the Philippine Consulate must look into this matter and come out with appropriate recommendations. I understand the shortage of manpower from our consular office but there is urgency in this problem that I think they must seriously consider. In as much as I admire and commend our consular staff for gracing our community events with inspirational speeches, I urge them to do a brief detour to the places where our OFWs get together during holidays before proceeding to their appointments so that they themselves can witness what many already know – that during Sundays and holidays our kababayans have literally taken over the many paved walkways and corridors, especially areas around Central and Admiralty, making it appear like we are squatters. We should come up with answers as to why our workers choose these places for “rest & recreation” instead of the more appropriate areas such as public parks and other shelters. Is it lack of space? Is it because of its proximity to Worldwide House? O kaya likas lang talagang wala ng halaga sa loob natin ang maaaring ipuna o masagwang masabi ng ibang tao sa ating lahi? Whatever is the reason, believe me, we should get answers now or find ourselves being bombarded with complaints in the very near future. Have we ever forgotten the old saying: “An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure”? Now, I challenge you to act on this “PREVENTION”.
As for us in True Friends Newsmag, we will continue to do our share of raising awareness to some of our negative traits so that we can rectify it before another persona of Tsao’s mentality take advantage of it and poke fun at us once again.
Author: Tony Bartolome
*Published in TF Newsmag (April 2009 Hong Kong issue)
Except for the slight distraction caused by this “Chip Tsao incident”, I have no doubt that the Filipino politicians and entrepreneurs have already noticed this transformation and consider China as a serious partner both economically and politically.
On a personal level, Chip Tsao’s article has not elicited my contempt simply because it’s not worth it. Instead, I pity this poor soul for “he know not what he is doing”. On his opening statement – "The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the 7 Chinese seamen onboard. We can live with that-—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That’s no big problem…”, Mr. Tsao is implying that he can take the bullying from “stronger” countries and at the same time rejoice in bullying the “weaker” ones. This kind of persona reminds me of infamous people such as Hitler, Mussolini, etc… characters who had provoked and incited people to harbor hatred against others through their misguided or misplaced concept of nationalism. And so it is no wonder why his article brought condemnation both from the Filipino community and Hong Kong people. In this age of the internet -- where the world becomes a small global village -- this kind of mentality, no matter how Mr. Tsao defends it, has no place in a just and decent society. He is a disgrace to the Chinese people in general. Instantly, my local Chinese friends called me to express their disgust as soon as they came across his article. Mr. Chip Tsao’s mentality towards people who are doing honest labor, no matter how menial, is what creates animosity in our society. That is what I call DIVISION!
On the other hand, as responsible members of our community, we should treat this incident as a wake-up call for us to discipline our own ranks and stay on guard at all times. Meaning, we have to be vigilant to the excesses that may arise in our conduct as “transients” in our adopted home. On this regard, I strongly urge our community leaders to take notice of how our people behave in public places, especially during holidays, such as gambling in public view (i.e., tong-its, pusoy…), barricading highly visible walkways with thick cardboards (karton) which is obviously an eyesore, leaving behind piles of trash in places of convergence, or any acts for that matter that may offend the sensitivities of others. Kailangan pa bang antayin natin ang Hong Kong government pa ang magbawal sa atin? Officers of the Philippine Consulate must look into this matter and come out with appropriate recommendations. I understand the shortage of manpower from our consular office but there is urgency in this problem that I think they must seriously consider. In as much as I admire and commend our consular staff for gracing our community events with inspirational speeches, I urge them to do a brief detour to the places where our OFWs get together during holidays before proceeding to their appointments so that they themselves can witness what many already know – that during Sundays and holidays our kababayans have literally taken over the many paved walkways and corridors, especially areas around Central and Admiralty, making it appear like we are squatters. We should come up with answers as to why our workers choose these places for “rest & recreation” instead of the more appropriate areas such as public parks and other shelters. Is it lack of space? Is it because of its proximity to Worldwide House? O kaya likas lang talagang wala ng halaga sa loob natin ang maaaring ipuna o masagwang masabi ng ibang tao sa ating lahi? Whatever is the reason, believe me, we should get answers now or find ourselves being bombarded with complaints in the very near future. Have we ever forgotten the old saying: “An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure”? Now, I challenge you to act on this “PREVENTION”.
As for us in True Friends Newsmag, we will continue to do our share of raising awareness to some of our negative traits so that we can rectify it before another persona of Tsao’s mentality take advantage of it and poke fun at us once again.
Author: Tony Bartolome
*Published in TF Newsmag (April 2009 Hong Kong issue)
01 April 2009
Tsao Mentality Explored
"As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter," wrote Chip Tsao on his HK Magazine article. The bigot columnist apparently has a heavy chip on his shoulders. Whatever grievances he has, he need not take it out on an entire nation nor a powerless group (the domestic helpers). Had Tsao been the egoistic master and I, his humble servant I'd tell the old fart to take my "bread and butter" and shove it up his ass. Oh man, I pity the poor soul working for him -- if he really has one. He probably couldn't afford to hire a local maid if his only bread-and-butter depends on his unprofessional writing. Even if he's filthy rich and offered me a job to clean up his daily filth for, say twice, the amount I'm earning now... I'd still tell him to shove the darn job up his butt. The Filipinos that Tsao speaks lowly of may not all be professionals but we do our job professionally that is why many (for your information, master fool Tsao!) nations seek our services. In case, Tsao misinterprets my piece, I'll make my message clear: There is nothing so sweet in this write up, peahead. Read ahead to enlighten your dark, ancient, narrow, narcissistic mind! I'm an amateur creative writer so pardon my colorful language, old hog."As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter"... the Tsao mentality. How else can we Filipinos, or even non-Filipinos, interpret such words other than a racist's remark. Tsao added more insult to injury by saying his words were misinterpreted...
"The article was never intended to be insulting to the Filipino domestic workers," he told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "English, being a global language, is open to different interpretations by those who come from various cultural backgrounds." Now what? You're suggesting we're morons? Get lost!
Tsao must get off the Spratly Islands issue since he's obviously not in a sane, diplomatic mind to write about such (if anything, he's simply creating a great divide) just as I won't talk about Spratly Islands which I know not much about but I'm here for my people, I speak as an 11-year Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).
Sadly, the Tsao mentality (arrogance, superiority-complex, one-track mind, narrow vision, and snobbery) exists in any part of the world. When I worked for a manpower agency in Taichung City in 1999, one of the agents told me that Taiwanese employers no longer want to hire Filipino workers. When I asked why, a client/employer complained to my agent that "Filipinos are very smart. They know their rights and can sue you to court. Other nationalities won't complain as much, cost cheaper, and got the 'yes-ma'am' attitude." We both laugh at that. The months that followed after that little conversation had proven my agent wrong... The five employers I've been sent to by the agency had all wanted to hire me -- a Filipino -- permanently. Not that I'm an idiot nor will it cost them less... No, senor. It's because I do my job professionally. Filipinos are honest, efficient workers. Period. I worked exclusively for my greedy broker (who's infected with the tsao mentality), working only temporarily for the other employers (Yup, that's illegal. I was at the mercy of my agent -- "Taiwan --Mei Yo Nama Wan" article). When I defiantly challenged the shrewd agency owner, I was more than happy to be sent back home... that's simply "shoving the bread-and-butter" up my agent's ass. Lesson learned: The master sings high praises of you, "selling" you to his clients, family, and friends at every possible opportunity, giving you false hopes of high salary while encouraging you to work your butt off and pushing you harder and closer to workaholic hell, as if your job's the only most important thing in the world that your life depends on it, never mind the damage it's doing to your well-being -- physically, mentally, emotionally, socially. At the slightest sign of defiance (i.e., you're sick you can't work or you want a day-off after a year of non-stop work), you're given a crack of the whip, you could be terminated. Ask why you're not getting the right amount of salary, you're told you have no right to question how you're being paid. It sounds like it's a practice from the dark ages but it's actually happening everywhere. It happened to me in Taiwan. Though the severity was less than Taiwan's, it happened to me in the western world with my previous slave-driver boss who had been shortchanging me. Darn right, she's got the tsao mentality so I shove my bread-and-butter at her throat and quit my job. With my current Canadian bread-and-butter, it's way, way creamier and healthier. ;-D
No matter how big a master you think you are, if you step on my pinky toe or blow on my tribe's face with your stinky breath, you have something coming... and it's definitely not sweet words, cheap old Tsao. Being a master doesn't give one the authority to step on a servant's rights. Creatures with the tsao mentality need a brain overhaul. If Filipinos are such an insignificant, worthless lot to Tsao why then are our services in such high demand in Hong Kong and China (not to mention other nations)? Why can't they just hire local workers which would cost them way cheaper (RMB500/month) than hiring an OFW (HK$3500+/month)? It's the quality of work we do. It's the respect we have of ourselves (OFWs), of our job (bread and butter), of our employers (masters). Tsao doesn't seem to know anything about respect. And if he's afraid his article could be misinterpreted he should stick to his mother tongue and not write in English.
I thank my lucky stars I hadn't been employed by someone of a tsao mentality in Hong Kong. My big-hearted, open-minded Chinese employer encouraged openness, creativeness, and couldn't stand idiocy. It's in my 5-plus years of working for her that I completely understood why people like her prefer to hire Filipinos instead of other nationalities. More than a dozen locals got the sack from my former boss in just a span of 2 years. There are way much more of the enlightened Chinese souls than that of the tsao mentality kind. ChipTsao wasn't speaking for the entire Chinese race. He was speaking for himself. Furthermore, his writing voice was severely out of tune, and he stepped out of line. Tsao's chosen words simply reek of racism. Filipinos will not simply stand back and let him flex his muscles at us!
Author: Joy Marqueses
*Published in TF Newsmag (April 2009 Hong Kong Issue)
21 February 2009
Letting Go
I saw myself walking down the beach; my feet were touching the floury sand, hand in hand with the cold and lonely night.
I was all alone...
As another puff of freezing wind blew my face, tears start rolling down my cheeks. I wonder why I cried when I was alone.
I sat on the sand and pondered for answer but all I heard was silence. I could not understand why up to now I still have not learned to be alone. The tears I felt falling on my cheeks was profuse they rolled continuously.
Suddenly, I heard a voice calling. It called my name. I looked back. It was a blur, all I saw was a man from a distance waving to me. And as he drew near me, he smiled while putting his arms around my shoulders. I felt so weird, but I gave in, for I needed a friend at that time. We went walking with our hands clasped together. The grip of his hands was strong, so strong to catch me if I fall.
He led me to a house, full of daffodils around the ground. The scent of the fresh green grass swayed and danced in the wind. I felt the warm caress of the air as I entered the house full of glaring lights. My spirit exalted. The coldness I felt slowly faded as the warmth of joy greeted me.
He took my hand and showed me around the house. It was full of people dancing,with smiles gleaming on their faces. Everyone was happy and I was happy too.
I danced all night with the man I met on the beach. His eyes stared like an angel. Though he was a stranger, all that mattered was the gladness he gave me. He was like a prince, he held me differently, in my mind and in my heart, and I knew I would fall for him.
We stopped dancing, and went out from the house. He asked me to the grass while looking at the stars. He turned to me, as if he wanted to say something. He held my hand tightly, stroked my hair and touched my face. I gave him a bemusing look. Then the music from the house stopped. A big roar was heard from the sky, then, he placed his arms around me and gave a kiss and cheerful smile and said, "It's gonna be okay, I'm here!"
I closed my eyes to feel him and tried to retain this in my heart.
I opened my eyes and found myself lying in the beach. There was no house, no daffodils, no dancing people, and worst still, he was not there.
I thought I had him.... I was wrong. Tears began to roll down, I closed my eyes to stop them from falling and was startled because I felt his lips on my forehead. I opened my eyes excitedly. Only to find out he was not with me. Again, I am alone.
I closed my eyes again and felt his presence so passionately. Then, I woke up from my dream.
This morning, I understood why I needed to cry. It was the pain of letting go, of realizing that he was just a dream and can never be true.
I want to stay and wait for his presence but it is time for me to let go and accept that he was just a dream, my fantasy. Yet I am thankful, for in my loneliness he came and made me feel he was right for me -- forever in my dreams.
Author: Feme Delmonte
I was all alone...
As another puff of freezing wind blew my face, tears start rolling down my cheeks. I wonder why I cried when I was alone.
I sat on the sand and pondered for answer but all I heard was silence. I could not understand why up to now I still have not learned to be alone. The tears I felt falling on my cheeks was profuse they rolled continuously.
Suddenly, I heard a voice calling. It called my name. I looked back. It was a blur, all I saw was a man from a distance waving to me. And as he drew near me, he smiled while putting his arms around my shoulders. I felt so weird, but I gave in, for I needed a friend at that time. We went walking with our hands clasped together. The grip of his hands was strong, so strong to catch me if I fall.
He led me to a house, full of daffodils around the ground. The scent of the fresh green grass swayed and danced in the wind. I felt the warm caress of the air as I entered the house full of glaring lights. My spirit exalted. The coldness I felt slowly faded as the warmth of joy greeted me.
He took my hand and showed me around the house. It was full of people dancing,with smiles gleaming on their faces. Everyone was happy and I was happy too.
I danced all night with the man I met on the beach. His eyes stared like an angel. Though he was a stranger, all that mattered was the gladness he gave me. He was like a prince, he held me differently, in my mind and in my heart, and I knew I would fall for him.
We stopped dancing, and went out from the house. He asked me to the grass while looking at the stars. He turned to me, as if he wanted to say something. He held my hand tightly, stroked my hair and touched my face. I gave him a bemusing look. Then the music from the house stopped. A big roar was heard from the sky, then, he placed his arms around me and gave a kiss and cheerful smile and said, "It's gonna be okay, I'm here!"
I closed my eyes to feel him and tried to retain this in my heart.
I opened my eyes and found myself lying in the beach. There was no house, no daffodils, no dancing people, and worst still, he was not there.
I thought I had him.... I was wrong. Tears began to roll down, I closed my eyes to stop them from falling and was startled because I felt his lips on my forehead. I opened my eyes excitedly. Only to find out he was not with me. Again, I am alone.
I closed my eyes again and felt his presence so passionately. Then, I woke up from my dream.
This morning, I understood why I needed to cry. It was the pain of letting go, of realizing that he was just a dream and can never be true.
I want to stay and wait for his presence but it is time for me to let go and accept that he was just a dream, my fantasy. Yet I am thankful, for in my loneliness he came and made me feel he was right for me -- forever in my dreams.
Author: Feme Delmonte
01 February 2009
The One
"This story of overseas Workers, Migrant labor, Contract Labor – however they may be labeled – people looking for a better opportunity at HONEST LABOR- seems similar to the Silver People here in Panama. People are still searching for relatives lost a century ago when they took ship to come to Panama to work on the Panama Canal – never to be heard from again." -- Lydia Cortes Reid, Editor, The Silver People Chronicle
The caption above is a comment from the Editor of The Silver People Chronicle based in Panama who read my article "Casualties of War" (Knockin' on Heaven's Door, TF November edition) through the blog site of our Editorial Assistant, Joy Marqueses. As an outspoken critic of the ills of the Philippine Society – of how badly it has turned out through the years – I felt sad yet somehow elated of what Ms Reid is trying to impart. Sad because as Overseas Workers we can relate partly to what Ms Reid's migrant worker-ancestors' tragic experiences had 100 years ago and yet elated because at least nowadays even if we have "fallen" workers, modern technology allow us to identify causes of their misfortunes and transport their remains back home. Napakasakit talagang mawalan ng minamahal, subalit mas masakit and 'di mo man lang masilayan and kanyang labi, 'di ba? One of my cousin back in the 70's was a seaman and was declared missing when their ship sunk somewhere in the seas of Africa. Up to this day, my Aunt refuses to believe that he died and she never stopped dreaming that one day my cousin, Eddie, will come back.
As I started my career in publication 5 years ago, I never stopped dreaming too. I am still hoping that my thoughts, especially my clamor for decent and sincere governance from our leaders back home, would somehow inspire many of my co-workers to be vocal and express their sentiments too. I am also fully aware of what little we could achieve because of our limitations. Our voices of gripes might not even reach the gates of Malacanang. As I begin to contemplate that perhaps our generation of OFWs is not destined to start the "wind of change" that our country badly needs to get back to its feet, something promising happened a month ago that renewed my hopes.
One Sunday afternoon of December 21, 2009 in North Point, being one the invited guests in the celebration of the 16th Anniversary of the Bohol Hong Kong Association headed by Flor Virtoudazo, I was by chance arranged to sit beside their special guest – Cesar Montano and his wife Sunshine Cruz. My short chat with Cesar Montano brought surprising realities of our bloodlines – he is my cousin – somewhere in the 3rd or 4th degree. However, my amusement did not stop there for when he took the stage, to everybody's delight, he spoke not just of mere celebrity stuff to entertain the HK Boholanos & their visitors but rather about his humble beginnings; his plans for his home province – Bohol; his vision for the youth and so on. I was not only impressed. I was mesmerized not by his celebrity charm but rather his intellect and the strong values that is rare among stars of his stature.
A natural-born Leader
A quiet dinner with the couple the following night revealed more interesting character of the man. He spoke of his priority projects to build sporting facilities for kids, believing that a young man's "idle mind is a devil's workshop". His ideas of how to transform Bohol into a premier tourist destination and investment paradise is not only practical but realistic in my view. After all, he has a reputable track record in Bohol when he filmed his much acclaimed movie: "Panaghoy sa Suba" entirely in Bohol - bringing prestige and revenues to this island-province. His impressive knowledge in Philippine history surprised us at the dinner table that night. His outstanding portrayal of Jose Rizal must have rubbed him that special aura of nationalism and pride. A non-smoker and non-drinker, he turned down a lucrative endorsement from a giant alcoholic drink industry to the tune of P10million pesos. His explanation was simple, "How can I reprimand my children when I see them smoking or drinking if they would counter by saying that I endorse those products to the public".
This man has balls.
Since he publicly declared his intentions to run as governor of Bohol, I asked him in an alarming tone the dangers he will be facing especially from the more established political clans in the province. To which he replied; "Sinabihan ko sila (referring to Bohol's local politicos) na I will work with them as long as they invest their wealth and create jobs for our people. But once, they exploit its resources and bring elsewhere its revenues, I will fight them!" Behind that baby face and sweet smile is a fighter.
A fighter for OFWs
Being critical of the government and consistently encouraging my fellow OFWs to voice out their dissatisfaction to the excesses of our government, I cannot resist from pouring my sentiments to "Buboy". I told him that many among us feel funny about being labeled "Bagong Bayani". The truth is parang pang-uto lang ng mga politico. We don't feel its meaning when we go home. Many among us, especially those from the domestic workers' sector, still suffer the same humiliation and discrimination at the arrival sa airport pa lang. We are victims of impractical policies and bureaucratic red tapes tuwing umuuwi at umaalis. Again, to my surprise, Buboy talks about the need for a strong OFW body that could represent its interest in the higher echelon of the government (tulad ng sa Kongreso). Kailangan din daw na magkaroon ng isang seryosong pananaliksik kung paano makapagtapos ang mga undergrads o kaya'y makapag-take ng board ang mga hindi pa lisensyado habang nasa "Tour of Duty". Kung ano-ano pa raw na re-integration program ang pinagkakagastusan, samantalang kung magagawang mapagtatapos ang mga "undergrads at underboards", the country will not only benefit from their professional skills but will also create more business as returning OFWs are financially capable of creating medium-size businesses.
For more than 30 years that I lived my life as an OFW, my eyes have painfully witnessed the consistent downslide of our economy and the slow degradation of our moral values. There are times that I am convinced that the "salvation" of our country's woes that can only be delivered by a leader of exceptional character will not be seen in my generation. Today, I stand to be corrected. Cesar "Buboy" Montano is one leader we can bet our children's future and now I believe more than ever that there are more of his kind. Fight for our cause, Buboy, and we will fight for you! You are THE ONE – Mabuhay!
Author: Tony Bartolome
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (January 2009 issue)
The caption above is a comment from the Editor of The Silver People Chronicle based in Panama who read my article "Casualties of War" (Knockin' on Heaven's Door, TF November edition) through the blog site of our Editorial Assistant, Joy Marqueses. As an outspoken critic of the ills of the Philippine Society – of how badly it has turned out through the years – I felt sad yet somehow elated of what Ms Reid is trying to impart. Sad because as Overseas Workers we can relate partly to what Ms Reid's migrant worker-ancestors' tragic experiences had 100 years ago and yet elated because at least nowadays even if we have "fallen" workers, modern technology allow us to identify causes of their misfortunes and transport their remains back home. Napakasakit talagang mawalan ng minamahal, subalit mas masakit and 'di mo man lang masilayan and kanyang labi, 'di ba? One of my cousin back in the 70's was a seaman and was declared missing when their ship sunk somewhere in the seas of Africa. Up to this day, my Aunt refuses to believe that he died and she never stopped dreaming that one day my cousin, Eddie, will come back.
As I started my career in publication 5 years ago, I never stopped dreaming too. I am still hoping that my thoughts, especially my clamor for decent and sincere governance from our leaders back home, would somehow inspire many of my co-workers to be vocal and express their sentiments too. I am also fully aware of what little we could achieve because of our limitations. Our voices of gripes might not even reach the gates of Malacanang. As I begin to contemplate that perhaps our generation of OFWs is not destined to start the "wind of change" that our country badly needs to get back to its feet, something promising happened a month ago that renewed my hopes.
One Sunday afternoon of December 21, 2009 in North Point, being one the invited guests in the celebration of the 16th Anniversary of the Bohol Hong Kong Association headed by Flor Virtoudazo, I was by chance arranged to sit beside their special guest – Cesar Montano and his wife Sunshine Cruz. My short chat with Cesar Montano brought surprising realities of our bloodlines – he is my cousin – somewhere in the 3rd or 4th degree. However, my amusement did not stop there for when he took the stage, to everybody's delight, he spoke not just of mere celebrity stuff to entertain the HK Boholanos & their visitors but rather about his humble beginnings; his plans for his home province – Bohol; his vision for the youth and so on. I was not only impressed. I was mesmerized not by his celebrity charm but rather his intellect and the strong values that is rare among stars of his stature.
A natural-born Leader
A quiet dinner with the couple the following night revealed more interesting character of the man. He spoke of his priority projects to build sporting facilities for kids, believing that a young man's "idle mind is a devil's workshop". His ideas of how to transform Bohol into a premier tourist destination and investment paradise is not only practical but realistic in my view. After all, he has a reputable track record in Bohol when he filmed his much acclaimed movie: "Panaghoy sa Suba" entirely in Bohol - bringing prestige and revenues to this island-province. His impressive knowledge in Philippine history surprised us at the dinner table that night. His outstanding portrayal of Jose Rizal must have rubbed him that special aura of nationalism and pride. A non-smoker and non-drinker, he turned down a lucrative endorsement from a giant alcoholic drink industry to the tune of P10million pesos. His explanation was simple, "How can I reprimand my children when I see them smoking or drinking if they would counter by saying that I endorse those products to the public".
This man has balls.
Since he publicly declared his intentions to run as governor of Bohol, I asked him in an alarming tone the dangers he will be facing especially from the more established political clans in the province. To which he replied; "Sinabihan ko sila (referring to Bohol's local politicos) na I will work with them as long as they invest their wealth and create jobs for our people. But once, they exploit its resources and bring elsewhere its revenues, I will fight them!" Behind that baby face and sweet smile is a fighter.
A fighter for OFWs
Being critical of the government and consistently encouraging my fellow OFWs to voice out their dissatisfaction to the excesses of our government, I cannot resist from pouring my sentiments to "Buboy". I told him that many among us feel funny about being labeled "Bagong Bayani". The truth is parang pang-uto lang ng mga politico. We don't feel its meaning when we go home. Many among us, especially those from the domestic workers' sector, still suffer the same humiliation and discrimination at the arrival sa airport pa lang. We are victims of impractical policies and bureaucratic red tapes tuwing umuuwi at umaalis. Again, to my surprise, Buboy talks about the need for a strong OFW body that could represent its interest in the higher echelon of the government (tulad ng sa Kongreso). Kailangan din daw na magkaroon ng isang seryosong pananaliksik kung paano makapagtapos ang mga undergrads o kaya'y makapag-take ng board ang mga hindi pa lisensyado habang nasa "Tour of Duty". Kung ano-ano pa raw na re-integration program ang pinagkakagastusan, samantalang kung magagawang mapagtatapos ang mga "undergrads at underboards", the country will not only benefit from their professional skills but will also create more business as returning OFWs are financially capable of creating medium-size businesses.
For more than 30 years that I lived my life as an OFW, my eyes have painfully witnessed the consistent downslide of our economy and the slow degradation of our moral values. There are times that I am convinced that the "salvation" of our country's woes that can only be delivered by a leader of exceptional character will not be seen in my generation. Today, I stand to be corrected. Cesar "Buboy" Montano is one leader we can bet our children's future and now I believe more than ever that there are more of his kind. Fight for our cause, Buboy, and we will fight for you! You are THE ONE – Mabuhay!
Author: Tony Bartolome
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (January 2009 issue)
31 January 2009
Hidden Value
Easy come, easy go. On the contrary, ang pinaghirapan 'di madaling kalimutan. We value things by the hardships that we take. In fact, what rewards us more than the challenges that entail is the feeling of worth that we earn. There are no shortcuts to precious-happy ends.
Gold miners are well known for their unsurpassed optimistic persistence. Exploration includes site discovery, preparation, ground testing and working tirelessly as a team, dig down the deepest depth of the earth, gather, pulverize, sieve until a sign of ore appears… in it stores endless treasures of great value, the reward of their hard labor. Similar procedures apply in finding the hidden value of things or in any relationship.
Yesterday, I told Cherry siya ang pinakamakulit na nakilala ko sa buong mundo. She reminded me, "I cherish you my dear, kapag ako ay hindi na nangungulit sa 'yo dalawa lang ang ibig sabihain non; either give up na ako sa 'yo or namayapa na ako." Alive and true, obviously for so many years, she considered the benefits of remaining engaged as opposed to slowly departing our friendship. She thinks less about the pains and disappointments that I gave when I openly contradict her opinions, honestly criticize her works, and sometimes I'm coincidentally unavailable to attend her demands or needs. Instead, she ponders more about the good times, the meaningful memories, ideals, and goals that bring and hold us together. She is always understanding and generous while I try to make up or reciprocate. Cousin Peachy just came from a happy-loving relationship that turned into war and hate. Does she care to repair the damage? Certainly, kung sana may panghihinayang but then she says, "We cannot choose people that enter our life but we can always choose the ones that we want to stay." In life, I realized that people we meet are there for a purpose. Some are there to use you, to teach you, bring out the better if not the best in you. Some may cause you pain and heartaches but one must learn to move on, to let go of the people who can't treat you right and hold on to those who can love you back and see your worth. After all, life isn't about meeting people but finding relationships that lasts.
More reasons than we can count, sometimes bad things happen to good relationships. Miscommunications, blames and excuses can lead tempers to flare, or people to quietly drift apart, feel hurt, let down, abandoned, frustrated or whatsoever. Do we invest right enough time, effort and reasons to the right person to find high value? It pays to know deeper than the surface, to look closely beneath the layers where gems await to be discovered. Ninang Mae tells me "In a world full of strangers, where life isn't perfect, it's a wonderful blessing to have found people who are sensible to hear your thanks or complaints for the day. Friends who can read you inside-out without difficulty finding language to explain. Friends who know their place in you and you know where you stand, never taking for granted ..for real friends cherish you and stay with you in your worst or even when the rest of the world are gone."
Of relationship, we are all hunters. I for one, when hunting gets tough and difficult and I feel like approaching the end of my string, I find more reason to hold on, give it another try. I may give a little extra but it's worth especially when someone say, "I don't want to lose you as my sister." That surely creeps to the treasure box of my heart, adding more precious gifts in life. I honor friendship by the law of trust and transparency. I let them know my fears, my weirdest dreams and that I love nature, good books, danish bread, ikebana, and Kris Aquino. Same way, I don't try to change them but I accept them for who they are. Friends are treasures more precious than diamonds.
Did you meet one today? Stay put to find the hidden gold then polish to shine. To discover and be discovered is worth more than the greatest treasures of a lifetime. Enjoy hunting!
Author: Annabelle Libao
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (January 2009 issue)
Gold miners are well known for their unsurpassed optimistic persistence. Exploration includes site discovery, preparation, ground testing and working tirelessly as a team, dig down the deepest depth of the earth, gather, pulverize, sieve until a sign of ore appears… in it stores endless treasures of great value, the reward of their hard labor. Similar procedures apply in finding the hidden value of things or in any relationship.
Yesterday, I told Cherry siya ang pinakamakulit na nakilala ko sa buong mundo. She reminded me, "I cherish you my dear, kapag ako ay hindi na nangungulit sa 'yo dalawa lang ang ibig sabihain non; either give up na ako sa 'yo or namayapa na ako." Alive and true, obviously for so many years, she considered the benefits of remaining engaged as opposed to slowly departing our friendship. She thinks less about the pains and disappointments that I gave when I openly contradict her opinions, honestly criticize her works, and sometimes I'm coincidentally unavailable to attend her demands or needs. Instead, she ponders more about the good times, the meaningful memories, ideals, and goals that bring and hold us together. She is always understanding and generous while I try to make up or reciprocate. Cousin Peachy just came from a happy-loving relationship that turned into war and hate. Does she care to repair the damage? Certainly, kung sana may panghihinayang but then she says, "We cannot choose people that enter our life but we can always choose the ones that we want to stay." In life, I realized that people we meet are there for a purpose. Some are there to use you, to teach you, bring out the better if not the best in you. Some may cause you pain and heartaches but one must learn to move on, to let go of the people who can't treat you right and hold on to those who can love you back and see your worth. After all, life isn't about meeting people but finding relationships that lasts.
More reasons than we can count, sometimes bad things happen to good relationships. Miscommunications, blames and excuses can lead tempers to flare, or people to quietly drift apart, feel hurt, let down, abandoned, frustrated or whatsoever. Do we invest right enough time, effort and reasons to the right person to find high value? It pays to know deeper than the surface, to look closely beneath the layers where gems await to be discovered. Ninang Mae tells me "In a world full of strangers, where life isn't perfect, it's a wonderful blessing to have found people who are sensible to hear your thanks or complaints for the day. Friends who can read you inside-out without difficulty finding language to explain. Friends who know their place in you and you know where you stand, never taking for granted ..for real friends cherish you and stay with you in your worst or even when the rest of the world are gone."
Of relationship, we are all hunters. I for one, when hunting gets tough and difficult and I feel like approaching the end of my string, I find more reason to hold on, give it another try. I may give a little extra but it's worth especially when someone say, "I don't want to lose you as my sister." That surely creeps to the treasure box of my heart, adding more precious gifts in life. I honor friendship by the law of trust and transparency. I let them know my fears, my weirdest dreams and that I love nature, good books, danish bread, ikebana, and Kris Aquino. Same way, I don't try to change them but I accept them for who they are. Friends are treasures more precious than diamonds.
Did you meet one today? Stay put to find the hidden gold then polish to shine. To discover and be discovered is worth more than the greatest treasures of a lifetime. Enjoy hunting!
Author: Annabelle Libao
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (January 2009 issue)
30 January 2009
Konsensiya
KUNG HEI FAT CHOY sa mga kababayan natin. Pagnanakaw – marami na ang kasong ganito hindi lang dito sa Hong Kong kundi pati na rin sa iba't ibang sulok ng daigdig. Bakit nga ba may nag-nanakaw o mandurukot? Dahil kaya sa hirap, sakit na niya ang pag-nanakaw o wala siyang magawa sa buhay niya kaya niya nagagawang magnakaw o baka kaya naman galit siya sa taon na pinag-nakawan niya.
Tulad na lang sa Worldwide, nag-kalat ang mga kawatan; hindi lang mga shop ang ninanakawan kundi pati mga kapwa kababayan natin na alam na maraming dalang pera dahil kakasuweldo pa lamang at magpapadala sa kanilang pamilya. Hindi ba kayo na- kukonsensiya sa ginagawa ninyo? Sa masama mong ugali na nag-nanakaw ka ng pinaghirapan ng iba! Hindi ba ninyo naisip na pinaghirapan at kinita mula sa pawis at dugo ng ating kababayan ang ninanakaw ninyo? Kung kapit man sa patalim ang dahilan ninyong mga kawatan, isaalang-alang naman sana ninyo ang bagay na ninanakaw o dinudukutan ninyo. Naisip ba ninyo kung ano balik niyan? Kung hindi man sa iyo mismo ang balik niyan, sa pamilya mo babalik ang mga ginawa mo. Iyon ay ang tinatawag na KARMA. Inisip mo man lang ba kung tama ang ginagawa mo? Pero sabagay kung talagang gawain mo na ito, manhid ka na talaga o wala ka ng konsensiya sa ganoong bagay. Hindi mo na iisipin kung ano kahihinatnan ng ginawa mo! Ano kayang mukha ang ipapakita mo sa pamilya mo kung sakaling ipinapulis ka dahil sa pagnanakaw? Sabagay sosyal naman ang dating dahil you become an international shoplifter. Yun nga lang wala ka na ring trabaho, kaya goodbye Hong Kong ka na rin.
Sa mga kapwa natin OFW porke't hindi tinitignan ni amo ang listahan, sige ang sulat ng mga pinamamalengke kahit hindi naman binili. Dinadagdagan at pinapalaki ang presyo ng pinamimili maka-ipon lang ng pambili ng phonecard na pantawag sa pamilya nila o sa mga boyfriend nila sa ibang lugar. Matauhan ka naman sa ginagawa mong pangungupit o makonsensiya ka naman dahil may pamilya kang tao sa Pilipinas. Sila dapat ang isipin mo hindi iyong kung sino-sinong ka-text mo. Mayroong nagsasabing, "hindi naman kami kasal kaya okey lang na makipag-boyfriend kahit ilan" pero takot naman malaman ng asawa sa Pilipinas. Tapos pag wala ng money na ipinapadala iyong boyfriend, say goodbye na rin. Ang pangunguwarta at pangungupit ay walang pinag-kaiba sa pag-nanakaw.
Magkatulad din iyan. Tayong may pamilya na sa ating Inang bayan, pumunta tayo dito para pagandahin natin ang ating buhay; isipin natin kung paano natin itataguyod ang ating pamilya. Hindi natutulog ang Diyos. Lahat ng galaw natin ay alam Niya. If we do something bad expect that in the end you will be the one who suffer. We are not perfect but if we want to be one, we can.
Author: Ed Roquel
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (January 2009 issue)
Tulad na lang sa Worldwide, nag-kalat ang mga kawatan; hindi lang mga shop ang ninanakawan kundi pati mga kapwa kababayan natin na alam na maraming dalang pera dahil kakasuweldo pa lamang at magpapadala sa kanilang pamilya. Hindi ba kayo na- kukonsensiya sa ginagawa ninyo? Sa masama mong ugali na nag-nanakaw ka ng pinaghirapan ng iba! Hindi ba ninyo naisip na pinaghirapan at kinita mula sa pawis at dugo ng ating kababayan ang ninanakaw ninyo? Kung kapit man sa patalim ang dahilan ninyong mga kawatan, isaalang-alang naman sana ninyo ang bagay na ninanakaw o dinudukutan ninyo. Naisip ba ninyo kung ano balik niyan? Kung hindi man sa iyo mismo ang balik niyan, sa pamilya mo babalik ang mga ginawa mo. Iyon ay ang tinatawag na KARMA. Inisip mo man lang ba kung tama ang ginagawa mo? Pero sabagay kung talagang gawain mo na ito, manhid ka na talaga o wala ka ng konsensiya sa ganoong bagay. Hindi mo na iisipin kung ano kahihinatnan ng ginawa mo! Ano kayang mukha ang ipapakita mo sa pamilya mo kung sakaling ipinapulis ka dahil sa pagnanakaw? Sabagay sosyal naman ang dating dahil you become an international shoplifter. Yun nga lang wala ka na ring trabaho, kaya goodbye Hong Kong ka na rin.
Sa mga kapwa natin OFW porke't hindi tinitignan ni amo ang listahan, sige ang sulat ng mga pinamamalengke kahit hindi naman binili. Dinadagdagan at pinapalaki ang presyo ng pinamimili maka-ipon lang ng pambili ng phonecard na pantawag sa pamilya nila o sa mga boyfriend nila sa ibang lugar. Matauhan ka naman sa ginagawa mong pangungupit o makonsensiya ka naman dahil may pamilya kang tao sa Pilipinas. Sila dapat ang isipin mo hindi iyong kung sino-sinong ka-text mo. Mayroong nagsasabing, "hindi naman kami kasal kaya okey lang na makipag-boyfriend kahit ilan" pero takot naman malaman ng asawa sa Pilipinas. Tapos pag wala ng money na ipinapadala iyong boyfriend, say goodbye na rin. Ang pangunguwarta at pangungupit ay walang pinag-kaiba sa pag-nanakaw.
Magkatulad din iyan. Tayong may pamilya na sa ating Inang bayan, pumunta tayo dito para pagandahin natin ang ating buhay; isipin natin kung paano natin itataguyod ang ating pamilya. Hindi natutulog ang Diyos. Lahat ng galaw natin ay alam Niya. If we do something bad expect that in the end you will be the one who suffer. We are not perfect but if we want to be one, we can.
Author: Ed Roquel
*Published in True Friends Newsmag (January 2009 issue)
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