This is a personal commentary I rceived thru email from Mr. Jayme Nava Cruz of Riyadh, which I find very informative to all Overseas Filipino Workers abroad.
Time and again, it's New Year (2008), and I want to take this privilege to share a few thoughts and comments about some topics that should be near to your hearts, and certainly, of tantamount interest to you, all.
In doing so, let me jumpstart by saying that "freedom of expression", or 'freedom of speech', as preferred to be called by many, is indeed, a great 'license', (though associated with consequences), for everyone in most cases. In saying so, the bold fact connotes that we are also entitled to 'freedom of criticism', as long it is within the perimeters of fairness and decency. And in view of this, I have 3-major-comment to make:
I. Appreciation of PPeso against the Green bucks!
It is noteworthy to highlight the claim of our government, which is regularly mentioned on the pages of local and international newspapers, citing that our present government presides a strong economic growth, "kahit sabihin pang nariyang ang milyong outcries nang milyon-milyong OFWs sa nararamdamang hirap nang buhay, especially taking into view the 'all-time-high' appreciation of PPeso against the Dollars, na tunay namang nakapekto sa 'purchasing power' nang lahat nang OFWs. Of course, having a "bullish economy", now and ahead on, is a very good sign of economic recovery. (Sino nga bang Pinoy ang hindi matutuwa?) Nevertheless, we could not deny the fact that unless the benefits of this so called, affluence, is filtered down to the poor, especially to the poorest component of our society, walang makakaramdam nang tutuong kaligayan sa sinasabing uptrend economic recovery. And although one may say that, "it will take sometime to feel and enjoy the positive results of this "economic growth", pero hanggang KAILAN nga ba ang gagawing paghihintay?
Personally, as an OFW, or a "FilExpat" (title nang short film narrative that I've recently wrapped-up), lalu kong nararamdam ang hirap nang pagpasan nang mga gastusin sa pang-araw araw na pangangailangan nang aking pamilya sa Pilipinas sa nagdaang taon. Sa pagbagsak nang dolyar against the PPeso sa merkado, na hindi tumutugma sa hindi natitinag na presyo nang mga bilihin sa Pilipinas, I note that it is now becoming very difficult to ''rehydrate' my bank accounts back home. Nagsimula ang ganitong kondisyon since the 3rd Quarter of 2007. Pretty sure, if this situation will go on "fully unattended", and 'no concrete counter strategies' will be considered and put in place, I won't doubt that in due time, my savings will soon be slowly "dehydrated", and even, bone-dry!
Frankly, the instant move of one of our community groups in Jeddah, na kaagad sumulat kay President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to quickly act on this issue, (consider the $ - PPeso exchange rate of 1$ = 50PPeso), is indeed heroic, at tunay na napapanahon. Yung ginawa nilang pangangalampag is one-perfect-way to show, "what and how to make an issue on, and not". At tunay namang issue ito! Imposible namang bumagsak na ang aming "purchasing power", and yet, we are expected na magawa pang mag cartwheels and dance the Macarena! The Big Q! is, paano nga ba tunay pang nakakatawid yung mga kababayan nating naghihirap din sa Pinas na walang permanenteng tarbaho at nagkakasya na lamang sa kanilang shoestring budget? OK sana yung pagbaba nang dolyar at yang "bullish economy" if it is coincided sa pagbaba nang prices of our basic commodities. The truth of the matter is, both sides, (kaming OFws at yung mga naghihirap na kababayan sa Pilipinas), ang tunay na nakakaramdam nang parusa at problema.
What I am confused of is: Many of our politicians are claiming that they are the best, if not, best of the bests (political and economic tacticians, etc.). Granted that we enjoy great collections of intellectual talents, PERO bakit hindi natin tunay na maramdaman ang tutuong pag-usad bilang isang isang bansa? Perhaps, our 'national guards' should do some moral inquests, i.e. on how they can serve most good the greater number of our populace especially the poor, (tulad nang karamihan naming OFWs) given the resources they have. Sabi nga ni Bill Gates during his 2006 commencement speech sa Harvard, "To whom much is given much is expected!".
I hope, as early as today, (January 1, 2008), our beloved President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, finally find ways and means to smoothen things up para sa aming mga OFWs na tunay namang nahihirapan sa extreme slided-value of US Dollars against the 'all-time-high-appreciation' of PPeso. (The Year 2007 was indeed an 'annus horribilis' sa mga OFWs.). I hope, too, that the concerned government agencies won't suffer of the "will-not-to-know-attitude" with respect to our predicaments on this issue of US$ - PPeso exchange trend. (Ok sana kung sa bawat pagbagsak nang dolyar ay tumataas din ang aming sulwedo.)
II. Importance of Cash Management, etc.
Given the issue as narrated in Item 1-above, I believe it is imperative and prudent that OFWs, (all of us), consider, observe and practice in truth the importance of "'CASH MANAGEMENT". In advocating so, I mean:
a. Yung excessive na paggastos nang wala namang katuturan. Let's face the fact na maraming kababayang Pinoy ang mahilig mag-purchase nang doble-dobleng equipment. Tatlong TV... may pang sala, pang bedroom at pang kitchen. Dalawang 'component'. The sad truth is, some of us are always forgetful of the saying: "Always differentiate what you want to what you only need". I hate to say this, but it is becoming part and parcel of our "Pinoy social attitude". Let's take note that "having the status of Sharon Cuneta" vis-a-vis having the attitude of "feeling Sharon Cuneta" are two different things.
b. Let's tighten our belt. (Maghigpit nang sinturon!) One way of doing so is, umiwas sa gastusin such as throwing 'parties' every now and then. Dito ko lamang nakita at naranasan sa Kingdom na mag-birthday lang, or mag-celebrate nang Valentine's Day kaya, "nagpapa social party na", and take note, imbitado ang halos buong barangay. Para bang laging mayroong 'meeting de avance. Dito ko din halos nakita na marami sa atin ang tunay na "branded conscious". Yun bang dapat naka Armani, Versace at D&G... (kahit sabihin pang hindi magawang bigkasin nang tama ang 'Dolce', idagdag pa ang 'Versace'). It is pretty okay kung can afford at kaya nang bulsa. Paano kung hindi? Though one may argue or make counter comments, albeit, marami sa atin ang may ganitong attitude. Masarap mabuhay sa epicenter of reality. At mas lalung masarap makita at madama na tanggapin ka nang mga kaibigan bilang ikaw..... maging mahirap ka man o mayaman. Matalino man o mayroong mga kakulangan.
In considering our present situation sa pagbagsak nang dolyar, lalu nating isipin ang ating truest and sincerest mission why we are working in here, or elsewhere overseas: Yung kumita nang Pera. Mag-save. (Isn't it that "money saved is money earned?"). Umunlad ang buhay at magkaroon nang comfortable retirement pagdating nang araw. Which in the long run, ay makakatulong sa pag-usad ang ating ekonomiya. In doing so, we will find out that we are helping ourselrves more than we ever know.
III. On a totally different subject: (Various Pinoy artists, art and cultural groups in the Kingdom).
It's a common knowledge, which we should realize, that no matter how much natural talent and ability we might have, we will never reach our full potential without getting a broad experience of our chosen field; that unless our talent comes into contact with an environment where it can develop and flourish, it might lie dormant forever.
The issue in here is: If and when possible, one should get guidelines and trainings from people who sincerely know the craft. Kung kayang pumunta sa mga schools of arts, do it; why not! In addition to our experience na nakukuha sa ibat-ibang undertakings tulad nang mga various cultural and artistic presentations nang bawat art groups, tunay na makakatulong at makakadagdag ang pagkuha nang formal schooling at trainings.
My personal observation is, again, though one may argue: Sa halip na tunay na "i-polish" ang natural talents nang ibang Pinoy artists, they opt na mag-compare at mamintas na lamang. Some are only satisfied sa "feeling-artist- attitude". The grain of truth is: tunay na maraming competent at well-disciplined Pinoy artists na OFWs sa Kingdom. For one, I know so many, pero marami rin yung mayroon lamang na "feeling popular" at may "know-all-attitude". I mean, makasayaw lamang nang modern jazz, feeling na nasa kategorya na nang dating "Ms. Liza Macua", or, Angel Reyes, or, David Pantoja. Nakatulong or na-assign lamang mag design nang stage for a certain cultural program, ayun at feeling "certified art director' na.
Perhaps, it is prudent to consider that our natural creative ability, if it is not honed (via experience and education), let alone, practiced (via various artistic and serious undertakings), is an obvious waste of human talent. And the concerned artist must know this fact.
Now, on the issue of those claiming they are great, well-disciplined artists: Why not share yur real talents and expertise to others? Certainly, knowing what we know, why we can't (share)? Isn't it iyan ang ilan sa mga dahilan kaya tayo binigyan nang nasa Itaas nang talino at opportunity for a full access sa edukasyon?
And finally, doon sa ating mga kababayan, who always find na laging "kabadingan": ang parameters and perimeters of SINING, Pinoy artist man (Pinilakang Tabing), Bollywood, Lollywood, Hollywood, ....... (GISING!).
Again, it has something to do with our mental factors and social attitude...... (yung social insensibilities and artistic bankruptcies) nang ilan regarding the whole matter. As for our Pinoy artists, professional and amateur, in the Kingdom, let us all remember that: "Artists ought to be judged by their artwork, not whether they are gays, lesbians or not!".
Showing posts with label world affairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world affairs. Show all posts
Friday, January 4, 2008
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Filipinos in 100 Countries in 100 Years
When 15 young men left the Philippines 100 years ago to work in the plantations in Hawaii, little did they know that what they did was to start the journey of the Global Filipino. Known as "sacadas" (migrant farm workers), all they wanted to do was to make a living and send home their earnings to support their families.
Prior to the arrival of the "sacadas," most of the farm workers in Hawaii were Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and Portuguese. However, with the passage of the xenophobic Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, the supply of farm workers dwindled. When the Philippines was ceded by Spain to the United States for $20,000,000 in 1898, the plantation owners saw the former Las Islas Filipinas as a new source of farm workers.
Satisfied with the industriousness and traits of the 15 Ilocano "sacadas," the demand for Filipino farm workers increased. Ilocano and Visayan "sacadas" were recruited. By 1931, there were 115,000 "sacadas" in Hawaii. Today, the State of Hawaii boasts of 270,000 Filipinos comprising almost a quarter of the state's population.
Within a year of the arrival of the first batch of "sacadas" in Hawaii in 1906, the First Wave of Filipinos started to arrive in Hawaii and the US mainland, mostly in California. Filipinos also trekked to the canneries of Alaska. In addition to the farm workers, young Filipino students and scholars, supported by the Pensionado Act of 1903, studied in American universities. More than 14,000 "pensionados" graduated from prestigious American universities such as Harvard, Stanford, and Cornell. Most of the "pensionados" -- many of which took up Law and Engineering -- went back to the Philippines after they earned their degrees and served in key positions in the Philippine Commonwealth government. They became the role models for local university graduates who were motivated to serve their government which at that time signified the epitome of their careers. Some of the "pensionados" even ran for political offices. They became the new "ilustrados" of the American "Hollywood" Era.
When World War II started, thousands of the migrant Filipinos in America -- then known as the "manongs" -- joined the US army and became part of the US liberation forces. Since most of the "manongs" were unmarried due to the scarcity of Filipinas in the US and the ban on interracial marriages by the anti-miscegenation laws of California and several other states, they took advantage of their "homecoming." They did not waste any time looking for brides to bring back with them to America.
After the Philippines gained its independence in 1946, immigration trickled down to 50 a year, a number imposed by US immigration reforms enacted to control the influx of immigrants from certain countries. However, a lot of Filipinos who served in the US armed forces were granted American citizenship. Thus, the Second Wave of Filipino immigrants began. In addition, the US Navy started recruiting Filipinos as stewards. A lot of them were assigned to the White House serving all the presidents from the time of President Truman. Today, the Chief Cook in the White House is a Filipina.
In 1965, the US Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1965 which increased the immigration quota to 20,000 per year per country. The new law gave preference to professionals and relatives of American citizens. The Third Wave of Filipino immigrants began to arrive.
In the 1970s, Middle Eastern countries with their "petrodollars," started recruiting skilled workers from other countries. Thus, the "Overseas Filipino Worker" (OFW) was born. Mostly equipped with a college degree or technical skill and the ability to communicate in English, thousands of OFWs sought employment in the oil fields of the Middle East.
Consequently, employment opportunities were found in other countries as well. The reputation of Filipinos as industrious, efficient, and literate in English became the OFWs' ticket to job opportunities in more than 100 countries. Today, 3,500 Filipinos leave each day for overseas job placements.
The economic impact of the 8.1 million OFWs is the bedrock of the Philippines' financial stability. Recently, the Philippine government announced that from January through October 2005, remittances from overseas Filipinos totaled $8.83 billion which included $5.32 billion from the US. This amount did not include money sent by other means outside of Philippine banks. It is estimated that the total amount of remittances is more than $21 billion per year.
A century after the "Filipino Diaspora" began, a global Filipino nation emerged. The Philippines' borders are now just imaginary lines demarcating the country's political boundaries. However, a borderless Global Filipino nation has superimposed itself on Earth. With the passage of the Philippines' Dual Citizenship Law, overseas Filipinos can now retain their Filipino citizenship.
With the advent of globalization, the Filipinos have become the most competitive labor group among nations. Other countries -- e.g., China and India -- are now preparing their citizens to compete in the global labor market by encouraging them to learn English as a second language. It is ironic, however, that the Philippines -- whose immersion in English has been its best advantage in the global labor market -- is heading towards changing its medium of instruction from English to the Tagalog-based Filipino.
There is even a small group of Filipinos who want to preserve the indigenous languages by using them as the medium of instruction in their respective regions. But what good would it be if Filipinos become proficient in their indigenous language and lose their ability to communicate in the global community? How could they compete in the global labor market without any knowledge of English, the universal lingua franca?
Filipinos should not lose sight of the fact that the 8.1 million overseas Filipinos in more than 100 countries in the world are the ones who are fueling the Philippine economy with their "Pinoydollars." The Philippine government should make all efforts to prepare its citizens for competitiveness and job placements not only within its territorial boundaries but in every country in the world. After all, the Number One beneficiary is our "Inang Bayan," Filipinas.
from Perryscope
Prior to the arrival of the "sacadas," most of the farm workers in Hawaii were Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and Portuguese. However, with the passage of the xenophobic Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, the supply of farm workers dwindled. When the Philippines was ceded by Spain to the United States for $20,000,000 in 1898, the plantation owners saw the former Las Islas Filipinas as a new source of farm workers.
Satisfied with the industriousness and traits of the 15 Ilocano "sacadas," the demand for Filipino farm workers increased. Ilocano and Visayan "sacadas" were recruited. By 1931, there were 115,000 "sacadas" in Hawaii. Today, the State of Hawaii boasts of 270,000 Filipinos comprising almost a quarter of the state's population.
Within a year of the arrival of the first batch of "sacadas" in Hawaii in 1906, the First Wave of Filipinos started to arrive in Hawaii and the US mainland, mostly in California. Filipinos also trekked to the canneries of Alaska. In addition to the farm workers, young Filipino students and scholars, supported by the Pensionado Act of 1903, studied in American universities. More than 14,000 "pensionados" graduated from prestigious American universities such as Harvard, Stanford, and Cornell. Most of the "pensionados" -- many of which took up Law and Engineering -- went back to the Philippines after they earned their degrees and served in key positions in the Philippine Commonwealth government. They became the role models for local university graduates who were motivated to serve their government which at that time signified the epitome of their careers. Some of the "pensionados" even ran for political offices. They became the new "ilustrados" of the American "Hollywood" Era.
When World War II started, thousands of the migrant Filipinos in America -- then known as the "manongs" -- joined the US army and became part of the US liberation forces. Since most of the "manongs" were unmarried due to the scarcity of Filipinas in the US and the ban on interracial marriages by the anti-miscegenation laws of California and several other states, they took advantage of their "homecoming." They did not waste any time looking for brides to bring back with them to America.
After the Philippines gained its independence in 1946, immigration trickled down to 50 a year, a number imposed by US immigration reforms enacted to control the influx of immigrants from certain countries. However, a lot of Filipinos who served in the US armed forces were granted American citizenship. Thus, the Second Wave of Filipino immigrants began. In addition, the US Navy started recruiting Filipinos as stewards. A lot of them were assigned to the White House serving all the presidents from the time of President Truman. Today, the Chief Cook in the White House is a Filipina.
In 1965, the US Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1965 which increased the immigration quota to 20,000 per year per country. The new law gave preference to professionals and relatives of American citizens. The Third Wave of Filipino immigrants began to arrive.
In the 1970s, Middle Eastern countries with their "petrodollars," started recruiting skilled workers from other countries. Thus, the "Overseas Filipino Worker" (OFW) was born. Mostly equipped with a college degree or technical skill and the ability to communicate in English, thousands of OFWs sought employment in the oil fields of the Middle East.
Consequently, employment opportunities were found in other countries as well. The reputation of Filipinos as industrious, efficient, and literate in English became the OFWs' ticket to job opportunities in more than 100 countries. Today, 3,500 Filipinos leave each day for overseas job placements.
The economic impact of the 8.1 million OFWs is the bedrock of the Philippines' financial stability. Recently, the Philippine government announced that from January through October 2005, remittances from overseas Filipinos totaled $8.83 billion which included $5.32 billion from the US. This amount did not include money sent by other means outside of Philippine banks. It is estimated that the total amount of remittances is more than $21 billion per year.
A century after the "Filipino Diaspora" began, a global Filipino nation emerged. The Philippines' borders are now just imaginary lines demarcating the country's political boundaries. However, a borderless Global Filipino nation has superimposed itself on Earth. With the passage of the Philippines' Dual Citizenship Law, overseas Filipinos can now retain their Filipino citizenship.
With the advent of globalization, the Filipinos have become the most competitive labor group among nations. Other countries -- e.g., China and India -- are now preparing their citizens to compete in the global labor market by encouraging them to learn English as a second language. It is ironic, however, that the Philippines -- whose immersion in English has been its best advantage in the global labor market -- is heading towards changing its medium of instruction from English to the Tagalog-based Filipino.
There is even a small group of Filipinos who want to preserve the indigenous languages by using them as the medium of instruction in their respective regions. But what good would it be if Filipinos become proficient in their indigenous language and lose their ability to communicate in the global community? How could they compete in the global labor market without any knowledge of English, the universal lingua franca?
Filipinos should not lose sight of the fact that the 8.1 million overseas Filipinos in more than 100 countries in the world are the ones who are fueling the Philippine economy with their "Pinoydollars." The Philippine government should make all efforts to prepare its citizens for competitiveness and job placements not only within its territorial boundaries but in every country in the world. After all, the Number One beneficiary is our "Inang Bayan," Filipinas.
from Perryscope
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
[ASEAN] An End to the Silence?
This post originally appeared on The Geeky Guide to Nearly Everything.
I've been tagged as a contributor for the United SEA blog for some time now. I admit I've been trying to get a feel for what direction the entries should be geared towards before getting into serious posting. I guess that time is more than up, eh?
The discussions centered around the 12th ASEAN summit seem a prime choice for discussion here, more so this year's summit given the controversies around the formation of a Human Rights body.
One of the biggest failings of the ASEAN, in my opinion, has been the standing policy of "non-interference" in the vaguely termed "internal affairs" of member countries. The policy seems so Asian in itself that we would rather allow whatever travesties to happen in fellow nations out of some sense of courtesy to the other. Under the banner of non-inteference we've seen the cases of the likes of Anwar Ibrahmim move along unchallenged or the continued imprisonment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from Myanmar prison.
The consensus to create a human rights body is a tremendous move for the group and a very large step that will require a lot of changes, especially related to the non-interference policy that has so long protected the practice of human rights violations within the region.
The discussions came along in line with current discussions to revise the ASEAN charter before November of this year to redefine the organization and make it more akin to the European Union, which the group is now trying to emulate. This makes perfect sense given the mixed progress over the years with the ASEAN unable to really promote meaningful changes amongst the member nations as much as it would like to.
The debates around the formation of a human rights body were largely opposed, of course, by Myanmar given their own shady practices at times that have often been met with international outrage if not suspicion. Also affected are Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are all run by either authoritarian or single-party governments who may have some difficulty with dealing with a regional human rights body with its accompanying rules and regulations.
I'm in full support of this move by the Association - human rights should be protected regardless of nationality or personal beliefs since these are fundamental rights entitled to everyone. These should not be subject to the petty internal politics or the opinions of any one government. However in order for this body to be meaningful within the region, this will mean completely turning their backs on the older policy of non-interference. In place of this would be a greater sense of regional social responsibility driven by the need to care and be concerned about what is going on beyond one's own borders.
It's time we stop being silent about the abuses going on just next door - if we truly believe in human rights and how fundamental rights, then we defintely need to strike harder to get all thius one. Through this, I expect we'll benefit from having a stronger regional voice in the form of the ASEAN and its human rights body along wtih greater interdependence among member nations.
It's time we stepped up to the plate and really show everyone what this region is truly capable of and that it's not just about the US or the EU anymore. The ASEAN wants to sit at the big adults table now as a true global power to be respected and dealt with equitably as opposed to being a loose association of nations that gets little done if only in an effort not to offend one another.
It's a bold move and one that's long overdue. Let's hope that we get through the many changes involved leading to this next evoutionary step in the organization's path towards becoming much more than it is now.
References:
I've been tagged as a contributor for the United SEA blog for some time now. I admit I've been trying to get a feel for what direction the entries should be geared towards before getting into serious posting. I guess that time is more than up, eh?
The discussions centered around the 12th ASEAN summit seem a prime choice for discussion here, more so this year's summit given the controversies around the formation of a Human Rights body.
One of the biggest failings of the ASEAN, in my opinion, has been the standing policy of "non-interference" in the vaguely termed "internal affairs" of member countries. The policy seems so Asian in itself that we would rather allow whatever travesties to happen in fellow nations out of some sense of courtesy to the other. Under the banner of non-inteference we've seen the cases of the likes of Anwar Ibrahmim move along unchallenged or the continued imprisonment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from Myanmar prison.
The consensus to create a human rights body is a tremendous move for the group and a very large step that will require a lot of changes, especially related to the non-interference policy that has so long protected the practice of human rights violations within the region.
The discussions came along in line with current discussions to revise the ASEAN charter before November of this year to redefine the organization and make it more akin to the European Union, which the group is now trying to emulate. This makes perfect sense given the mixed progress over the years with the ASEAN unable to really promote meaningful changes amongst the member nations as much as it would like to.
The debates around the formation of a human rights body were largely opposed, of course, by Myanmar given their own shady practices at times that have often been met with international outrage if not suspicion. Also affected are Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are all run by either authoritarian or single-party governments who may have some difficulty with dealing with a regional human rights body with its accompanying rules and regulations.
I'm in full support of this move by the Association - human rights should be protected regardless of nationality or personal beliefs since these are fundamental rights entitled to everyone. These should not be subject to the petty internal politics or the opinions of any one government. However in order for this body to be meaningful within the region, this will mean completely turning their backs on the older policy of non-interference. In place of this would be a greater sense of regional social responsibility driven by the need to care and be concerned about what is going on beyond one's own borders.
It's time we stop being silent about the abuses going on just next door - if we truly believe in human rights and how fundamental rights, then we defintely need to strike harder to get all thius one. Through this, I expect we'll benefit from having a stronger regional voice in the form of the ASEAN and its human rights body along wtih greater interdependence among member nations.
It's time we stepped up to the plate and really show everyone what this region is truly capable of and that it's not just about the US or the EU anymore. The ASEAN wants to sit at the big adults table now as a true global power to be respected and dealt with equitably as opposed to being a loose association of nations that gets little done if only in an effort not to offend one another.
It's a bold move and one that's long overdue. Let's hope that we get through the many changes involved leading to this next evoutionary step in the organization's path towards becoming much more than it is now.
References:
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