Why many Filipinos are going abroad

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

The latest population of our country today is over the 90 million mark. A fraction of this "millions" of Filipinos are actually not in the Philippines all the time. They are in other countries finding a living and sending money to their families back home.

While the statistics from the government isn't clear, one thing is quite clear, about 10% of RP's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) comes from remittances of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers).

The GDP is a rough estimate of a country's output. It's quite silly when 10% of RP's GDP is coming from other countries. Technically it is not really its output, it just happen that money is pouring in to the country due to remittances to help our economy afloat. In fact, OFWs are called "Bagong Bayani" (New Heroes) in the Philippines.

Every year, more and more filipinos are leaving abroad to look for a greener pasture. In search for a more comfortable life, they leave their families, made sacrifices and usually suffer the consequences of leaving.

Filipinos are regarded to have close family ties. But this tradition is defied by many Filipinos, mostly women, who leave their children. Children are left at the mercy of relatives who unfortunately, are unkind to these kids. From what I have gathered, these children who were left by their mothers are confident that their children are in good hands, but the situation is the opposite, they are maltreated and abused by their own relatives.

In other cases while parents are away working abroad, they presumed that the money they are sending is in the right hands, but only to find out that their kids are not in school and the greedy relatives are the ones savoring and exploiting the money that should have been for their children.

In worst case scenarios, when mothers get home, the three kids she left with her husband are now four. Really saddening but it's a fact. Other Filipino workers leave the Philippines in a “standing” position and with full of life, but came back in a “lying” position with no life at all, amusing to hear but a sad fact, even a tragedy.

Despite these, many are still unshakable to leave their families behind, sacrificing countless relevant occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, Christmas, and among others. Many are still finding ways to leave Philippines and embrace a whole new different world.
This question has been present the whole time but the answer seemed always elusive, addressing these problems is always given little importance, maybe because the government per se benefits from the remittances that these OFW bring.

I believe that to be able to give quality life to your family's future is not by leaving them behind. It's not providing them with all the material things they need. It's more on your physical presence felt during the child’s formative years. It's very basic, and very important.

Damn with the exclusive school, damn with the signature clothes, damn with exclusive subdivisions, damn with luxury cars!! Enough! People have matured but they lack decorous thinking. Who says there is bright future when you work abroad? Who guarantees success in going abroad?

Should OFWs be heralded for bravely facing loneliness, boredom, sacrifice and courage of working far from their loved ones? Are they really the modern heroes for boosting Philippine economy? Are they really heroes for sacrificing their family in search of a better future? Or should they be questioned how they can bear leaving their families?

If this is the price I have to pay for working abroad, I’d rather stay here. I may not have an SUV and a three-storey house in an exclusive subdivision, I may not have signature clothes and expensive perfumes, my kids may not have entered an expensive school, but I can claim that even without these luxuries, my family can still leave a modest and comfortable life. My family is intact, I have no worries, and I won’t have to gain the pain of being away from them.The real reason why many Filipinos are going abroad is because of “economic” survival.