Abroad

By Rolo B. Cena
Arabian Diaries
Dumaguete Star Informer
18 October 2009

In one of our game breaks, Bert, an AutoCAD operator from Bohol (a graduate actually of Architecture and on completion of two-year OJT before taking the Licensure Examinations), broke the sad news that his company is terminating his two-year contract (along with another candidate) due to recession. In the same token, Rich, another friend, an accountant, was recommended by our Pastor Coach for possible employment in our group due to redundancy as a result of merger of two companies.

Along the corridors, lobbies, fastfood chains and malls, one can always hear the same stories of fellow Filipinos preparing to leave the domain earlier than what their contracts dictate.

Arguably though, most people believe that working overseas is heaven made on earth. Locals believe that once the head of the family works abroad, life becomes easier in terms of monetary or financial performance. In the same token, their houses must be better-off than most neighbors whose parents are just working in the country. More so, their lifestyle is different. This is absolutely a misconception.

Sensibly, some families of overseas workers may or can be living only in sugar-coated realities; this realistically lies beneath the belief.

By far, movies like “Napakasakit, kuya Eddie” and “Katas ng Saudi” have almost accurately (sans commercialism) depicted lives of Filipino migrant workers in the Mid-East specifically in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while “Milan” essayed lives of Filipino workers in Italy.

In a casual talk with a colleague, he aptly quoted: “hindi lahat ng nag-aabroad ay successful. Ito nga ang pinakamalungkot sa lahat pero ito ang katotohanan.” (“Not all those working abroad are successful. This is the saddest part of it but this is the truth.”)

Yes, I agree with the statements. Not all people leaving their homesteads for the fabled “greener pasture” succeed. As I have written in my poem “Memorabilia” which was published in 1986, “not all stones glitter; not even all those who wander succeed.”

Bert resigned from his job in Cebu to leave for the Kingdom. He applied loans from friends and relatives for his documents and other requirements. To date, he said, he is still amortizing the loans. Very sadly though, when he embarks on the 10th of November for the country, the unpaid portion of the account would still be thumping him.

Rich, in the same manner, quitted from his accounting works in Makati and left for the Kingdom. He sought financial assistance from relatives to complete his requirements. Just like Bert, he is still repaying the amounts he borrowed to date.


Seven more with whom I become a friend to them, are leaving the Kingdom soon without bringing even a single “halala” (cent). While their contracts end, they are leaving penniless because their employers did deduct from their salaries a lot of unreasonable charges that leave their bottom figures unbelievably low.

Only a select few who left for overseas works spent less or nothing for the prized works. Majority did spend a lot to work abroad. Apparently by statistics, the first contract is only meant to pay-off the loans acquired for financing the trip. The second contract of course, becomes the gross profit. On the contrary, if during the first contract one fails, then dreams cease.

This is what happened to Bert; this is the sad fate of Rich. And this is the story of all other Filipinos who did not make it overseas.

Bert saves some of his earning for his review and Board Examinations. He sends the other slices of the pie to his parents and to his sister. He spends the remaining for his existence in the Kingdom. This is how he apportions his income.

Rich does the same thing. Others do the same. For the married ones, the earnings are wired immediately to the spouses leaving only a portion for the subsistence.

It is so disheartening when you see or know a fellow Filipino working diligently and religiously complying with the laws of the Kingdom and yet, in a twist of fate, the contract ceases. Once the contract ceases, familial existence is threatened. Life seems to come to an end.

Although working abroad seems to be the last alternative course of action one undertakes, I would like to recommend taking a second look before taking the final plunge.

And although this line has been outgrown by people from all walks of life and from all ages, on the second thought, I still would want to believe that “Life is not always fair.” Take note!