When you are living and working abroad, for most Filipinos, you are affluent. A common mindset which do not consider the underlying factors to validate such assertion. In spite of countless documentaries regarding migrants’ plight and glory, news, social media posts and the likes, it is an unalterable viewpoint of our compatriots that overseas migrants are financially wealthy.
“To live and work abroad”, in itself, is merely an opportunity. A journey of every single migrant that entails diverse stories of sacrifices and successes, failures and learning, joys and pains, struggles and triumphs among other things. Generally, it is the same old story of skirmishes and hard works alike in the battlefield of the so called “life”. Nevertheless, only few understand this plight of overseas migrants.
With high hopes of having a better life, compared to what they had in the Philippines, they are now in a journey to stand on and to be spiritually strong to face challenges, to live out of comfort zone and to work painstakingly every day to ensure both ends meet.
Leaving one’s comfort zone and living out from it is a great challenge to accept. The comforts of having a house helper to do household chores and having ample time for the family and friends after work and so forth, need abrupt adjustments. Living out from comfort zone embraces doing home errands and duties independently, and having two or more jobs in different time shifts sacrificing family time are ordinary daily routine. Engagement to multi jobs keeps them busy to escape from and overcome homesickness. Work here and there, to earn for the family’s daily provisions, to pay taxes, mortgages, utility bills, insurances, credit cards and other financial liabilities. At this juncture, significant amount of cash is allotted for remittance homeward to their families and relatives.
On the other hand, countless opportunities await for those who dare, for those who are adeptly equipped, for those who knew how to leverage themselves, for those who are aware and responsive to the realities, and for those who have willingness to learn new things. Migrants must accept and skillfully adapt to the challenges of their new social and physical environment. One’s character, optimistic attitude, hard work, and their practice of humility to name a few are catalysts for this life-changing move towards successful international migration.
Control of the situations and factual decisions are in the migrants’ hands. Too much expectations, by their love ones left behind, would lead to letdowns and opposing circumstances. To be straightforward to them is essential. Keeping track of one’s goal needs awareness of one’s capability and a vivid grounding of personal limitations and boundaries. Even though, they would not believe instantaneously, at least you have been honest to yourself. Disregard their retorts and keep your self-esteem intact. In doing so, emotional pressure and psychological stress will be lessened and at the same time elating your spirit.
One of the spoken expectations from the family is to help them alleviate from paucity. Such basic expectation is obligatory in nature, seems like to be the migrant’s sole responsibility. The epitome of success like huge house, a new car, modern appliances and newest gadgets, serve as status symbols in the community. In this scenario, packages of imported goods, allowances, festive gatherings, donations among other things define your strong relationship, telling that you have not changed to them.
Sending siblings or relatives to college, profligate family fetes, traditional celebrations like Christmas, fiesta, wedding, and the like, financial support is highly anticipated. Those expectations pressure migrants to maintain their good image and connections to them, at the expense of putting the burdens upon their shoulders.
The flow of assistance, big or small, from relatives abroad must be valued. This support must augment basic necessities, not to satisfy wants. Too, financial help must be spent prudently and efficiently to serve its purpose which is to live a decent life. In the contrary, dependency becomes the outcome of incoming support from abroad. Reliance of family members and close relatives instigate nonproductive and lavish lifestyle.
Overwhelmingly, family expectations turn out to be demands not just hope. Their family members, siblings, relatives, friends and former workmates have different expectations, too. Yet, to them, the phrase: “living or working abroad” implies material abundance. No account could make them believe that life abroad is not easy, that everything is earned through hardship and lots of patience and sacrifices. Neither objection nor rationality would position them to become judgmental. You had changed a lot and you become selfish and arrogant because of your reformed perspectives and outlook in life.
In this life course, never be dragged in the race towards climbing the social ladder nor follow what social trends dictate and what people expect, you will never win. Establish a standard of your own to follow because you alone would be standing in the battleground. No one else would be on your side during that quest, they would just willingly join to rejoice your victory.
Profound understanding of this social phenomenon would basically base on lived-experiences, an unfolding process, giving way to its lucidity. Given the chance to live overseas, I withstand and am witnessing on my very own eyes, the realities of living away from one’s homeland and becoming a stranger.
Our loved ones, relatives, friends and fellow countrymen see these things from afar, depicting life in a faraway land as a haven of free-flowing milk and honey. I do respect their views. As you do, I am seeing this prevalence in the similar angle before I migrate. However, I am now one of the actors of the Filipino diaspora who lives in such reality, not in the realm of thoughts.
The InsighTalk 
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a
entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
LikeLike
constantly i used to read smaller articles which as well clear their motive,
and that is also happening with this article which I
am reading here.
LikeLike
I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also
pay a visit this blog on regular basis to obtain updated from latest gossip.
LikeLike
I visited various web pages however the audio feature for
audio songs present at this site is truly superb.
LikeLike
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look
of your web site is excellent, as well as the content!
LikeLike
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout
of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures.
Maybe you could space it out better?
LikeLike
bookmarked!!, I really like your blog!
LikeLike
I got this web site from my friend who informed me regarding this web page and now this time I am visiting this site and reading very informative articles at this place.
LikeLike
Aw, this was an extremely good post. Spending some time and actual effort to create a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
LikeLike
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after looking at many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
LikeLike
Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your blog.
Im really impressed by your site.
Hey there, You’ve performed a great job. I will certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my friends.
I am sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
LikeLike
You can certainly see your enthusiasm within the article you write.
The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.
LikeLike
I every time emailed this webpage post page to all my friends, because if
like to read it afterward my friends will too.
LikeLike
What’s up, I log on to your blogs like every week. Your story-telling style is awesome, keep it up!
LikeLike
Nice respond in return of this issue with real arguments and telling the whole thing
concerning that.
LikeLike
I have read so many articles or reviews concerning the blogger lovers except this post is
actually a pleasant post, keep it up.
LikeLike
I love what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and coverage!
Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve added you guys to my
blogroll.
LikeLike
Everything is very open with a very clear description of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your website is useful. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this superb blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed
to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
LikeLike
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!!
Finally I have found something that helped me. Kudos!
LikeLike
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really
well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
LikeLike
I pay a visit daily some sites and sites to read posts, except this weblog
gives quality based posts.
LikeLike
hello there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here.
I did however expertise some technical points using this web site, as
I experienced to reload the web site a lot of times previous
to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much
more of your respective interesting content. Make sure
you update this again very soon.
LikeLike
Hey there! Quick question that’s completely off
topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My weblog looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone.
I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might
be able to fix this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share.
Many thanks!
LikeLike
Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and
finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Tx!
Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic job!
LikeLike
It’s an remarkable piece of writing for all
the web users; they will get benefit from it I am sure.
LikeLike
I’d like to find out more? I’d want to find out some additional information.
https://fsdfsdfsf2.com/ Ruthie
https://dfsdfsdfsf3.com/ Ruthie
=https://dfsdfsdfsf3.com/ Ruthie
#https://dfsdfsdfsf3.com/ Ruthie
https://fsdfsdfsf2.com/ Ruthie
LikeLike
I am genuinely glad to read this webpage posts which
contains tons of helpful facts, thanks for providing these statistics.
LikeLike
If you would like to improve your know-how just keep
visiting this web site and be updated with the latest news update
posted here.
LikeLike
Hello there, I discovered your blog by way of Google whilst looking for a comparable topic, your site came
up, it appears to be like great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, just changed into alert to your blog through Google, and located that it’s truly informative.
I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate in case you proceed this in future.
Many folks will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
LikeLike
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend
your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?
The account helped me a applicable deal. I have been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vivid
transparent idea
LikeLike
Very rapidly this web site will be famous amid all blog people, due to it’s fastidious articles
LikeLike
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Thanks for supplying this
information.
LikeLike
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after browsing through
many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyways,
I’m definitely delighted I came across it and I’ll be
book-marking it and checking back regularly!
LikeLike
A person necessarily help to make seriously posts I’d state.
This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far?
I amazed with the analysis you made to create this actual post extraordinary.
Great activity!
LikeLike
Its such as you learn my mind! You seem to know a lot approximately this, like
you wrote the e book in it or something. I think that you can do
with a few % to pressure the message home a bit, however instead of that, this is wonderful
blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
LikeLike
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following.
unwell unquestionably come further formerly
again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
LikeLike
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts in this kind of space .
Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this website.
Reading this info So i am glad to show that I have
an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed.
I so much without a doubt will make certain to don?t fail to
remember this website and give it a glance regularly.
LikeLike
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly
donate to this brilliant blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my
Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this website with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
LikeLike
Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community
in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have
done a marvellous job!
LikeLike
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague
who has been doing a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner
simply because I found it for him… lol.
So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for
the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this topic here on your blog.
LikeLike
Fastidious replies in return of this question with genuine arguments and
describing the whole thing on the topic of that.
LikeLike
Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this
site with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Excellent blog and fantastic design and style.
LikeLike
Thank you, I’ve just been searching for info approximately
this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve came upon so far.
However, what about the conclusion? Are you positive about the supply?
LikeLike
Excellent pieces. Keep posting such kind of info on your page.
Im really impressed by your site.
Hello there, You’ve performed a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my friends.
I am confident they will be benefited from this website.
LikeLike
I think the admin of this website is truly working hard for his site,
for the reason that here every information is quality based data.
LikeLike
You actually make it seem really easy along with your presentation but I to find this topic to be really one thing which I feel I might never understand.
It sort of feels too complicated and extremely broad for me.
I’m having a look forward on your next submit, I’ll attempt to get the hang of it!
LikeLike
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information. I am
satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us.
Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
It’s remarkable for me to have a web page, which is beneficial
for my know-how. thanks admin
LikeLike
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your
site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
I have been a little bit acquainted of this
your broadcast offered brilliant clear idea
LikeLike