An Awakening Call

Wed 27th June 2012




(This article does not intend to denounce the ways and means of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with regard to their financial expenditures instead, a message for recall, a reminder of our mission as an OFW – for our family and our future).


The Philippines, particularly today is continually sending thousands of Filipinos to work abroad, almost everyday, as an additional to the existing millions who are now working or even staying in countries around the globe. The existence of Filipinos anywhere in the world is growing dramatically. This is mainly because of the versatility and multi-faceted whilst to mention their inimitable professional qualification of Filipinos which is highly recommended, in any field of expertise.
 
The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) or Overseas Filipino Investors (OFI) and Global Filipino in other terms has an estimated count worldwide of 9.5 million to 12.5 million or about 11% of the total population of the Philippines as of 2010. In Saudi Arabia alone, it has an estimated 1,159,003 population, second largest after United States with 3,416,840 million (source: Wikipedia).
 
With this number, it shows the large population of OFWs working abroad. It’s no surprise that skilled workers turns to engage in a field afar from what they have attained academically due to the high compensation and salary package, compared to what they are getting in the Philippines. This made an impression that working abroad is a dream of every Filipino who aims for a better and more convenient life.
 
Our country can offer jobs that suit our professional qualifications, but it’s not enough to meet the minimum standard of living, to augment the basic needs of our family. This make us decide to leave our country and try our luck in other lands. It is a given fact that working and living abroad answers all our needs in life, even beyond what is expected. We can buy stuff that we can never have if we are just in the Philippines. Else if given the chance to buy, still, it will take a moment for there are more important things to consider. Unlike here, we can have them anytime at a cheaper cost and affordable prices.
 
OFWs were renowned to indulging into a happy-go-lucky lifestyle. Since we have the ability to spend and enjoy, we tend to forget the purpose why we are working abroad. Most of us enjoys shopping; buys the latest and innovative gadgets, eats in first class restaurants, travels around the world, jamming here and there and so on. Well, no one ceases us to do these things because it is our personal money and interest. After all, these are just normal because it is the fruit of our hardships. Indeed, these are the fruits of our labor and it is just right to use them in any form, as we wanted.
 
We don’t have the right to question how they manage their finances. The freedom of spending and enjoying is an act of freewill, a choice. What we think right for us does not seem correct to others. What we know proper does not always mean appropriate to them. But, as a concerned citizen or better, a good friend, it is our duty to call their attention in times when they are off the track. Anyone who is enjoying certainly forgets responsibility, something which is very important, more than anything else. Unknowingly, most OFWs tend to go astray with their priorities and responsibilities because of the opportunity of having enough money to spend and because the world is favoring us, we continue to spend and enjoy too much as if there’s no tomorrow.
 
Everyone’s purpose of working abroad is to earn a living and a guaranteed future. And this could be achieved through proper spending and setting goals and priorities. Sometimes, we need to sacrifice for the sake of our future. Remember, after long years of working, we will still be going home to the Philippines where we really belong. While we have the chance to create and build our future, do it now. Let us not be blinded by our present situation, getting what we want and enjoying what we have. We must inculcate in our minds that the foundation of a successful future is investment, save – our safety nets. (Marlon B. Vicente, E-mail at m.vicente21@yahoo.com)

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine