i find it strange, sometimes, that people are pushed to leave their loved ones for overseas work.
being a product of a closely-knitted (read: extended) family, i know how difficult it is to decide to go on your own amidst strange people and different culture in a foreign land.
i mean, it would require not just an IQ, but more of an EQ, to survive.two of my aunts took the risk.
they were hoping that they can pull us, their loved ones, from poverty.
a cousin did the same.
though they are now living a decent life with their own families,
the dream of alleviating our condition did not quite materialized.
they can only do so much.and those who are left behind
are now encouraged to go overseas
dreaming that one day
we can afford our basic needs –
needs that were never our government’s priority to provide.

as of 2007, according to the center for people empowerment in governance,
2,800 Filipinos leave the country everyday
to fly to 190 destinations.
1.013 million filipinos bade goodbye to their families every year.

from left: Ccai-ccai, Lhet-let and Mwalang

three of my closest friends
who are now working in Dubai, Taiwan and Brunei, respectively.

they have joined the movement of our country’s promising, skillful and talented individuals to other countries in exchange for bigger salaries, better life.brain drain.

damn the evil mrs. gloria arroyo!