We are part of the diaspora, trying to achieve a better life not only for ourselves, but also for our families and country. There are more than 11 million overseas Filipino worldwide, which is equivalent to about 11 percent of the total population of the Philippines, in spite of all the sad stories, the adjustments and sacrifices— and yet every year, more than a million Filipinos go through hell and high water just to get a piece of their dream.
However, with these dreams come challenges—homesickness, leaving families behind, underemployment (in cases of doctors being retrained as nurses) and a multitude of difficulties that are associated to assimilating to a new environment and culture.
Still, the impact of this diaspora cannot be questioned. Money sent by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) back to the Philippines is a major factor in the country’s economy, making it the fourth largest recipient of foreign remittances
So what is our worth as Filipinos? There is no doubt that we are worth more than the current foreign exchange rate, or the numerous imported goods in balikbayan boxes we sent to our loved ones in the Philippines. Filipinos are educated, skilled and hardworking, with compassion and dedication to do any job given to them.
Above all, the Filipinos, wherever they are in the world, are our pride and heroes.
(www.asianjournal.com)
