Reflection
An OFW's life is never easy; they pack their belongings and leave their families behind to work
in foreign nations. They toil away in other countries to meet their basic requirements and
provide a better future for their families in the Philippines. They adjust to virtually everything,
including language, their way of life, culture, belief, meals, rituals, and so on. In the lives of a
typical Filipino family, this circumstance arises because any family member or parent wants to
provide their loved ones a better future. In the Philippines, good opportunities to realize most
of their ambitions are scarce. Working overseas is one way to realize this ambition.
I've found that there's a lot more to learning about people's lifestyles in different places than
that. The first is that an OFW is not wealthy; as we discussed in the interview, he wants to earn
a living that will support his family rather than relying solely on his good fortune as an OFW.
We forget that individuals who work in an environment where they can make a respectable
wage also have a higher cost of living and their own financial obligations. Many Filipinos
become indebted as a result of these duties, as well as the readily available credit cards, which
easily ensnare the unwary consumer. But rarely will an OFW admit that money is in short
supply. They will borrow just to send money home, only if need be. Their reasoning is that if
their loved ones can't enjoy the rewards of their efforts, why else would they make sacrifices in
their lives? Second, setting aside money for savings is never easy. With the bills that need to be
paid and the everyday expenses in the Philippines and in abroad to sustain, there is little left for
savings. This is why OFWs continue to work overseas in order to provide for their families' basic
needs. Third, income is not as large as one may think. Yes, OFWs earn more money, but
because the cost of living in the Philippines is higher, OFWs find themselves using modest
amounts of money to save for their families in the Philippines. Finally, life for Filipinos living
abroad is not as simple as it appears. Even while he talks me about the fantastic journey he
took to get to work in Britain, he also tallies up all the sacrifices he had to make to get there. To
make ends meet and be able to spend more money back home, the majority of them work
multiple jobs. To put it another way, being an OFW includes a great deal of hard work and
sacrifice, which we must all recognize. It's difficult to realize that things aren't always better on
the other side of the fence. But the more we realize what's at stake when our friends and loved
ones leave the Philippines for a "better life," the more important it is to determine who's life is
truly better, and what the cost is to relationships and families, as well as to one's long-term
financial stability if they don't manage their money carefully.
All Overseas Filipino Workers should be revered and honored because what they have done has
benefited not just their families but also our country. Some of them do respect to their patience
by being honest and loyal. Although the Philippines are once called “The Land of Slave” the
Filipinos didn’t care about the discrimination of other countries, instead, they continue to work
and prove to other countries that even they are away from the Philippines; the Filipinos are
united as one.
Activity
12. Ang Mundo sa Mata ng isang OFW
Instruction: Although globalization is an overwhelming concept, it is experienced by people in a
number of ways in real terms. For instance, the globalization of technology improved modern
transportation and communication. As a result, people become more mobile and are able to
reach different places around the globe. Through this activity, you should be able to gain first-
hand knowledge of the experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), people who obviously
reached other countries. Their stories could provide
a concrete understanding of how globalization affects themselves, their families, and the country.
1. Find a former or current OFW to be interviewed. Your respondent’s name should not be
revealed in your output to protect the person’s identity and ensure anonymity. (But see to it that
you will really interview an OFW)
2. Use the following guide questions (you may add additional questions):
Ø How long have you stayed abroad?
Answer: Anim na taon
Ø What are your purposes in working abroad?
Answer: Halos karamihan ng mga OFW iisa lang naman ang rason, ang maiahon sa hirap ang
pamilya
Ø What were your most unforgettable experiences there? How will you describe them, good or
bad? Why?
Answer: Wala akong masyado matandaan eh, kalimitan kasi pag di ako nagttrabaho nasa bahay
lang ako nagpapahinga. Ayaw ko naman magpasyal kasi sobrang tipid ko na tao, siguro para may
maisagot lang sa tanong mo and di ko makakalimutan ay ang Samahan naming ng mga kapwa ko
ofw.
Ø How will you compare the Philippines with the place you are working with? (in terms of culture,
economy, politics, tradition, etc.)
Answer: Napakalayo ng Pilipinas sa UK ( United Kingdom) kung ang usapan ay tungkol sa politika
at ekonomiya. Pag punta ko ng ibang bansa nanibago talaga ako kasi sobrang iba ang sistema
nila pagdating sa transportasyon at iba pa. Pagdating naman sa cultura at tradisyon halos
maagkapareho lang.
Ø Do you want to go back abroad or to other countries in the future? Why or why not?
Answer: Kung kaya pa ng katawan ko siguro bumalik ako. Sa hirap ng buhay ngayong pandemic
halos naubos yung inipon ko sa pagttrabaho sa ibang bansa.
Ø Do you have plans of bringing your families abroad? Why or why not?
_ Wala, mahirap kumita ng pera at sobrang taas rin pag maninirahan sa mayaman na bansa.
Ayaw ko rin maranasan nila ang hirap na dinanas ko.
3. Synthesize the data you have collected and reflect on it considering your personal insights
about your respondent’s experience. Try to put yourself in his/her shoe as you write your
reflection.
(Note: For this activity, you have to submit to output: first is the synthesized answer of your
respondent and the other one is your personal reflection)
