Pinoy Passenger

In 5 Filipino families, how many do you think have relatives abroad? Relatives included in the pool of our overseas Filipino workers, or OFWs? I bet more than half of that number would raise their hands.

Just some quick stats about the Overseas Filipino Worker:

• There are more than 11 million overseas Filipinos worldwide. That makes up 11% of our total population.
• Filipinos are mostly deployed in the Middle East. This region contributes to a 68% share of deployment among all regions in the world.
• OFWs are mostly females. 59% as compared to 40.74% males.
• Majority of our OFWs are in the service-sector
• Filipinos were expected to send back $14.7 billion in remittances to the Philippines in 2007.

In one of my History classes in UP, we argued over the claim that our OFWs are the modern day heroes. As my professor once noted, they aren’t there because of a deliberate decision to make the Philippines more progressive. They made the decision to work abroad with their own families in mind. It is still a one-on-his-own survival tactic. So do you see any trace of heroism in there? I used to believe there is none.

I’ve been proven wrong. I realized I had quite a narrow view of things. When my cousin was finally admitted to a college study program that ensures employment after, I knew my relatives abroad were the culprit.

Our OFWs could have left us in the hope of providing a better tomorrow for their families. But in a larger scale, their contribution is way more than that.

Every time a Filipino youth is able to finish his or her education, every time the young generation gets a better chance to earn money whether via employment or entrepreneurship, the tiny ray of hope for the land becomes brighter.

Imagine how one graduate student who is able to find a source of living is a good minus in the number of ‘tambays’, ‘potential criminals (i.e. poverty-related crimes)’, etc. There is a better chance that the hopeful youth brings to heart the mission to help his/her siblings or anyone to finish school, as well. Remember that pass it forward mentality? How great the Philippines could be if we take it upon ourselves to help one another to move forward.

For the pioneer post of Pinoy Passenger, I thought it good to feature the Philippine’s “Pambansang Kamao” - Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

After a very controversial match with Juan Manuel Marquez, the latest issue now is Pacman’s call for unity among his countrymen - which of course is well-applauded by Malacañang.

Here’s a line from his speech:

“My only appeal is for all of us to be united. We are all one family and we have to be together … Now that I have won, let us have unity.”

This is not exactly wrong. Who wouldn’t want unity in this lie-infested political landscape of the country. But then again, there could have been a more suitable message that Pacquiao could have sent in his post-fight interview. In fact, this proves to be relevant to his Las Vegas match - the call for TRUTH.

Just to end the controversy hounding the results of his fight, authorities and speculators will better be off searching for the truth in the split decision. Did Manny really win?

In our national situation, the same recommendation goes. I guess Filipinos are more aware of the fact that Malacañang can always bend the story to favor them, but that doesn’t mean everyone must stop in the fight for truth. We all have our duty in this land. As much as Pacquiao has the duty to defend his title and bring pride in the Filipino, we are to be the defenders of the truth.

If there were anything good out of the fight (apart from Pacquiao “winning” in the end), it would be the:

• decrease in traffic jam (jeepney drivers were glued on the TV set)
• decrease in crime rate (yes, even attempting robbers love to see how Pacquiao makes his punches)
• new linkbait content in the blogosphere (yeah, like this one)

As for national unity - yes it can be achieved only if everyone will decide to fight for the truth.