The Two Sides of the Buck

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.

2,164 thoughts on “The Two Sides of the Buck

  1. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site.

    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal.
    I must say you’ve done a fantastic job with this.
    Additionally, the blog loads super quick for me on Safari.

    Excellent Blog!

    Also visit my blog post – mega888apk download
    (https://10daneces.com/forum/index.php?qa=57790&qa_1=on-the-web-casinos-malaysia)

    Like

  2. I do not know if it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing issues with your blog.
    It appears as if some of the written text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please
    provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This may be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Appreciate it

    Feel free to visit my site :: mega888 download android

    Like

  3. Howdy! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this
    site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and
    I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
    I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    my web blog :: mega888 online

    Like

  4. I was wondering if you ever considered changing the layout of your site?
    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 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?

    Feel free to visit my web page :: cara main game xe88

    Like

  5. Wow, wonderful blog format! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?
    you make running a blog glance easy. The whole glance of your web
    site is excellent, as neatly as the content material!

    My site: mega888apk (Lindsay)

    Like

  6. It is the best time to make some plans for the long run and it
    is time to be happy. I have learn this post and if I may
    I want to counsel you few interesting things or suggestions.
    Perhaps you could write next articles regarding this article.
    I want to learn even more things approximately it!

    Here is my web site – gamexe88

    Like

  7. hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly
    picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this web site,
    as I experienced to reload the website many times previous to
    I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK?

    Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times
    will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
    Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out
    for much more of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again very soon.

    Feel free to visit my site … downloadxe88

    Like

  8. Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your blog.
    You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good
    asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off,
    I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog
    in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested.
    Regards!

    Here is my blog post kiss918apk (calon.top)

    Like

  9. I’ve been surfing online more than 2 hours today,
    yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
    Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content
    as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

    Look into my web-site … 918Kaya Download

    Like

  10. Mʏ spouse and I stumƅled over here by a dіfferent wѡeb paѕge and thought I should check things out.
    I likе what I seе so now i’m following you. Look forward to loоking over your webb page for a second time.

    Like

  11. Howdy this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to
    manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have
    no coding know-how so I wanted to get advice
    from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

    My blog – game mega888; Colleen,

    Like

  12. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for
    you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would
    like to find out where u got this from. cheers

    My web blog :: 918kaya ios

    Like

  13. You can certainly see your skills within the article you
    write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who
    aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. All the time go after your
    heart.

    Have a look at my blog: xe88 web

    Like

  14. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web
    site before but after going through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Nonetheless, I’m certainly pleased I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it
    and checking back frequently!

    Visit my webpage :: mega888apk

    Like

  15. Wonderful items from you, man. I have remember your stuff
    prior to and you’re just extremely excellent. I actually like what
    you have received here, really like what you are stating and the best way in which you are saying it.
    You’re making it entertaining and you continue to care for to stay it wise.
    I cant wait to read much more from you. That is actually a terrific website.

    my web site: xe88 apk

    Like

  16. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?

    Plz reply as I’m looking to design my own blog
    and would like to find out where u got this from.
    kudos

    Visit my blog: pussy888

    Like

Leave a reply to slot Cancel reply