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MAGAZINE

April 2012

ONLINE Edition Volume 01 Issue 04

Nasaan na ang Pangako Mo? ... nang-iwan/iniwan story

RETIREMENT* PERA for your retirement* Living long enough to enjoy your retirement

Hamon ng OFW sa gobyerno

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Nasaan na ang Pangako Mo? ... nang-iwan/iniwan story by Raquel Padilla (Canada)

Sa tuwing pagniniig ninyo ng iyong karelasyon, puro lang ba sarap ang nararamdaman mo? Ni hindi mo ba naisip kung gaano kasakit ang mararamdaman ko kapag nalaman ko ito? O dahil, iniisip mo na ito’y pansamantala lamang at di naman makakarating sa akin? O dahil iniisip mo na kapag nagkasama na tayo ay mapuputol na ang inyong relasyon? Hindi ba pumasok sa kukote mo na may mga anak ka?

Kung ito ang kapalit ng pag-aabroad at pag-angat sa buhay ng ating pamilya, sana hindi nalang ako pumayag na magkalayo tayo. Sana nagtiis nalang tayo sa hirap basta magkasama tayo. Hindi ka ba naaawa sa mga anak natin na lalaking hindi buo ang pamilya dahil sa kagagawan mo? Napakasakit para sa akin ang ginawa mo. Hindi mo lang ako

Para ito sa mga di kuntento at di makatiis. Beep beep! Tabi tabi po, dadaan lang ako. Baka masagasaan po kayo! :)

Ang pangangati ba o init ng katawan ay di kayang tiisin? Hindi mo ba alam ang salitang kuntento? O talagang mahina ka lang sa tukso? Nasaan na ang mga pangakong maghihintay, magtitiis at aahon tayo sa kahirapan kung magtulungan tayo? Nasaan na yung dating ikaw na kilala ko? Nasaan na yung asawang minahal ko nang sobra? Nagkalayo lang tayo, nagkaroon ka na ng iba?

Ako itong sobrang naghihintay at nagtitiis. Wala akong ginawa kundi ang bilangin ang araw na magkakasama na tayo. Marami akong pangarap para sa ating dalawa at sa ating mga anak. Pero bakit mo ginawa iyan? Bakit ka naghanap habang wala ako? Bakit nagpatalo ka sa makamundong gawain? Bakit hindi mo isipin na may pamilya ka?

S t a f f B o x

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition is published by

OFW ako61 Kamagong Road, Pilar Village, Las Pinas City, Philippines

+63 949 776 9282 * [email protected]

Editor-in-chief: Dennis de Guzman * Country Editor(s): Mae Cayir (Austria) * Contributors: Russia Eden R. Manabat; Switzerland Edgar Bacong; USA Anita Sese-Schon, Ernie Delfin; Canada Raquel Padilla; UAE Rein Eviota; Philippines Emmanuel C. Roldan, Alvin Tabanag; * Layout & Design: Dennis de Guzman

Articles, opinions, letters to the editor should be sent to [email protected]

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nirespeto, tinanggalan mo pa ako ng pagkatao. Pagkatao kong buung buo kong ipinagkatiwala sa iyo ngunit sinira mo. Mahirapan akong magpatawad sa ginawa mong ito kahit pa sabihin mong magsama pa tayo para sa ating mga anak.

Paano mo masikmura ang magsabi ng “I love you, I miss you” sa akin kung katabi mo pala ang nagpapaligaya sa iyo gabi gabi? Sa tuwing pagpikit ba ng iyong mga mata ay nasasarapan ka o humihingi ka ng tawad sa akin at sa Dyos sa mga kasalanan mo? Ni minsan ba sinundot ka ng konsensya mo? Naiisip mo ba ako o nakikita mo ba ang mukha kong nahihirapan dahil magkalayo tayo o talagang nilamon ka na ng tawag ng iyong laman?

Bakit ngayon, sinasabi mong mas mahal mo na sya kesa sa akin? Akala mo kasi, laro lang sa umpisa. Ngayon, ako at mga anak natin ay iiwanan mo

na. Paano ko tatanggapin ang lahat gayong nanatili akong tapat habang wala ka? Paano ko kumbinsihin ang sarili ko na ang taong minahal ko at ninais ko na makasama habang buhay ay naging mahina at naging alipin ng laman?

Sana bago ka pumasok sa bawal na relasyon, inisip mo muna ang buhay natin noon. Noong tayo ay magkasama pa at masaya ang bawat sandali. Noong nagbitaw tayo ng pangako sa isa’t isa na tayo ang magsasama habambuhay. Noong ako lang ang nakikita mo at ang mga tao sa paligid natin ay balewala. Noong nagpapalitan tayo ng mga sweet messages. Noong nagtatawanan tayo. Noong nagdadamayan tayo sa lahat ng problema.

continued to next page ...

About The Author

Raquel Padilla is a former teacher in the Philippines who went abroad as a tutor/domestic helper. Now, she is a caregiver/nanny in Canada.

Buhay Pag-ibig ng mga OFW

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Ngayon, ang dating malambing na tao na minahal ko ay naging palasigaw. Napagbubuhatan na ako ng mga kamay. Namumura na ako at napapansin na ang lahat ng pagkakamali ko. Dati naman, kahit maliit na bagay ay napag-uusapan. Bakit ngayon, napakasimpleng bagay ay lumalaki na? Kung dati, hindi tayo natutulog na di napag-uusapan ang problema. Bakit ngayon, puro away nalang bago matulog at paggising sa umaga?

Bakit ang ibang nag-aabroad, nananatiling matibay ang pagsasama? Bakit tayo umabot sa ganito? Sino ang may pagkukulang? Ako ba, kaya ka naghanap ng iba? Kung wala ka kaya nakitang iba, may nakita ka rin kayang mali sa akin? Kung hindi ka nakahanap ng ibang kalinga, masasabi mo pa kayang hindi

kita pinapahalagahan bilang asawa? Masasabi mo pa rin kaya ang “Sa kanya ko nakita ang pagmamahal at kalinga na di ko naramdaman galing sayo”? O sinasabi mo lang yan para pagtakpan ang mga pagkakamali mo at masabing “ako ang nagtulak sa iyo upang gawin ang paghahanap ng iba”?

Kung anuman ang kahihinatnan ng lahat, sana hindi bumalik sa iyo ang ginawa mo sa akin. Sana maging maayos ang buhay na maghihintay sa amin ng mga anak mo. Sana marealize mo kung ano ang pinakawalan mo. Sana kung magsisi ka man at bumalik sa piling namin, yun ay sa panahong may kaunti pa akong pagmamahal na natitira sa iyo upang makalimutan ko ang lahat ng ginawa mo. Sana, maging masaya ka!

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Nasaan ang pangako mo... continued from page 3

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A d v e r t i s e m e n t

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ang damit ng mga Bagong Bayani.

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Contact us today. Email: [email protected]. no.: +639497769282

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Enjoy life.Enjoy the beach.Enjoy the sun.Have lots of fun at Balay OFW

Vacation with my Family

PHILIPPINESis more fun in the

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“There is no place like home and I am proud of my country Philippines for having the most scenic spots and most enchanting tourist destinations”

Finally, the long wait is over. I’m staying now for a vacation with my family. I have decided to bring them at Tagaytay City in Cavite. We stayed at Hotel Magallanes Square Hotel. We’ve visited Peoples Park on the first day. My kids didnt enjoy the sight seeing that much on the clubhouse so we’ve decided ( me and my husband ) to go for horseback iding at the picnic grove. My kids had so much fun riding on a horse for rent for 350 per hour. We roam around at the Peoples Park up to the picnic grove with the help of our tricycle driver that we’ve met on the parking street of our hotel accomodation. He’s a nice man indeed and works for us our tourist for 2 days. While travelling on the long winding road of Tagaytay, i’ve noticed some man on the sidestreet holding some sign board BOAT RIDE here. So, i’ve asked our tricycle driver if we can still ride on a boat that time after the horseback riding adventure. He told us that it’s already too late for us to ride on a boat. We should have do it as early as possible because it takes time to go up for sight seeing

Trekking Adventure at Taal Volcano with my Family by Eden R. Manabat (Moscow, Russia)

on Taal Volcano. On the second day of our stay, our tricycle service pick us up at 10:00 in the morning. We are about to visit Taal Volcano and the main crater. Located in the mountainous region of Tagaytay, Northern Luzon is widely considered the world’s lowest active volcano.Taal Volcano is between Talisay and San Nicolas, Batangas. Going to the Taal Volcano crater would not require you to travel that long but you need to choose if you want to go for trekking or go up through a horse and pay for horse rental with one person who was assigned to give you full assistance till you reach the top of the hill. Because we wanted

Taken before our adventure to Taal Lake and to the main crater.

Taken before our adventure to Taal Lake and to the main crater.

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to experience something new, we took a 30-minute tricycle ride to the shore where we can ride the pump boat to take us to Taal Volcano. The tricycle driver offered us a package including both back and forth tricycle and pump boat fares amounting to Php 2,000.There are Korean Nationals who also goes up for Taal Trekking Adventure. I was standing next to a Korean man while paying for the horse rent and I’ve seen that he payed much higher amount compared to what we’ve payed for. There were also some resorts along the shorelines of San Nicolas, Batangas. Upon getting at the shorelines, some staffs handed us a menu for lunch so we can eat after our adventure. I chose the dishes that will be prepared for lunch so that when we come back, we can already have our lunch prepared. The boat ride was about 30 minutes long. We crossed Taal Lake to get to Talisay, Batangas. When we arrived in Talisay, we were offered if we wanted to rent some horses and assistants for the horse for each one of us. Since, we didn’t wear trekking shoes at that time so we decided to take the horse

rental and go for horseback riding. The horses were Php 1500 each. It took us probably an hour to get to the top of the volcano. We’ve seen some smoke coming from the lake and I believe that is some volcanic activity going on there. There are some parts of the path that are steep. We parked our horses then went up to the man-made stairs to take a closer view of Taal Volcano’s crater. We came back to San Nicolas to have our lunch. The trip was very tiring and expensive too, but it was worth it. I am proud to be a Filipino and It’s really more fun in the Philippines.

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About The Author

Eden R. Manabat is a student of Professional Fashion Styling and Image Consultant Course. She is currently attending at Elite Pro Make Up Fashion School in Madrid & Barcelona. She loves sharing her experience by writing a topic on an article, a member of OFW AKO Community of Distributors in Russia and an experienced OFW working in Moscow.

Its more FUN in the Philippines

OFW ako. Miss ko na Pamilya ko...T-shirts

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Photo taken during the adventure. Some Korean nationals were

trekking up till they reach to the top of Taal Volcano.

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OFW ako. Tao lang hindi banko!T-shirts

PEOPLE’s awareness about burning issues on corruption, peace building, climate change and protecting the environment, among others, has certainly increased. I personally believe that we in the homeland, those in diaspora and OFWs must have at least one or two advocacies other than raising a good family as our legacy or contribution to our ailing nation and mother earth.

Perhaps we can think of joining Ms. Norma Monfort’s advocacy of preserving probably the nature’s tireless nocturnal farmer, safest pesticide and prolific organic fertilizer “guano” manufacturer. Yes, I’m talking about the lowly “Kabog” (megabats). Monfort owns the now famous Monfort Bat Caves in Barangay Tambo, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) which won the prestigious Guinness World Record for having the most number of Geoffroy’s Rousette fruit bats (Rousettus amplexicaudatus) in 2010. IGACOS boasts for its 70 caves which house over 2.5 million bats and some 1.8 million of them are found in the property

of the Bat Cave Conservation Foundation of Monfort. She said the best time to see this flying phenomenon would be during full moon where bats in droves frolic, eat, hunt, court their partners and make babies.

But not all is well in the bat’s world. As forests, caves and natural animal habitats are destroyed by logging, mining and human encroachment, animal population is adversely affected. Local bat conservationists like the foundation of Ms. Monfort are joining hands with other Eco-activists and environment groups in various countries to fight and to protect the right to life of these tiny endangered creatures. And they have good basis to do so. Last February 6, 2012, a national TV documentary entitled “Namimingwit sa Langit” showed how

Encounter with two million bats, anyone? by Emmanuel Roldan (Philippines)

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local villagers in the shores of Leyte hunt “Kabog” for food and money, in that exact order. This documentary shed light on the intertwined issues of social and environmental security of that tiny island, and in many places of the country. The poor hunt bats for food because there are no available food sources and opportunities for jobs and livelihood are scarce, if not, non existent. Sounds familiar, isn’t it?

Another moving case is the destruction of the Devetashka Cave in northern part of Bulgaria, which led

to the launching of a global boycott campaign against Hollywood film “Expendables 2.” In making the movie, both Warner Brothers and Millennium Films caused irreparable damages to the monumental cave that houses 15 protected bat species and other endangered animals, especially during the winter season. Bat conservationists said the Hollywood production companies cleared a portion of the protected area, taking down small trees and shrubs. They also used explosives during a car chase scene which was filmed near

Its more fun in the PhilippinesAbout The Author

Emmanuel Roldan is a Filipino, development worker, human rights defender, researcher and journalist. He worked with various non-government organizations helping the poor, deprived and oppressed Filipinos in the homeland in the field of organizational development, projects management, advocacy and communications. He is a columnist of two daily newspapers in Mindanao and vice president of Pangdaigdigang Alyansa ng Pilipino, Inc. (PAPI)-an affiliate of the Worldwide Filipino Alliance (WFA).

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the cave, killing many and disturbing most of the roosting bats, which were at the time hibernating. In November 2011, a Bulgarian zoologist was alarmed because after making of the movie, the bat population in the cave was reduced to ¼ of its original population. Apparently no bat experts were present during the making of the said movie.

I am not a bat conservationist or a zoologist so this is my crash course on Geoffroy’s Rouette fruit bats. It appears that when a hibernating bat is disturbed, it loses portion of its fat reserves or stored food in its body. When it flies off due to disturbances, with minimal fat reserves, it consumes most

Encounter with two million bats... continued from page 11

of its energy and will eventually die especially during winter and cold season. The scene is like a plane out of gas in mid air. Eco-activists in Bulgaria filed a formal law suit against the filmmakers and eventually the Bulgarian Court ruled in favor of the “Hollywood-harmed” bats. The filmmakers were fined but they could not bring back the precious lives of the animals and plants that they destroyed or bring back ecological balance at the Devetashka Cave. To show their support to the campaign, local Eco-activists are calling moviegoers to boycott the movie “Expendable 2” when it hits our local theaters. So are you interested to encounter two million bats? Take a link to Monfort’s webpage. I’m sure this is one good advocacy to support.

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About The Author

Marjorie C. Palma is an OFW based in Kuwait. She hailed from the province of Bohol and was born on February 5, 1976. She studied Bachelor in Political Science International Relations Major. She is now currently working as a Receptionist at the DAR AL SHIFA HOSPITAL. She is also a member of the OFW ako Community of Distributors (COD) in Kuwait.


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Para po ito sa mga naiwan sa Pinas. Ito ay sinulat ko para maunawaan nyo ang hirap dito sa abroad at upang di “Asan na ang pasalubong?” at di “kelan ka magpapadala?” o kaya “Bakit ito lang ang padala mo?” ang tanging lumalabas sa bibig nyo tuwing nakakausap o nakikita nyo ako..

Umalis ako ng Pilipinas upang matustusan ang mga pangangailangan ng ating pamilya, hindi ang luho ninyo..Ang mga pangangailangang ito ay ang pagkain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, pag-aaral ng mga bata, pambayad ng kuryente, ilaw at bahay..Hindi kasama dyan ang pansugal, pang-inom nyo, pangbisyo, pambabae, panlalaki, pagpapabuntis, pamamasyal sa kung saan saan at pagbili ng mga gamit/electronics na di naman kailangan.

Sa araw araw na ginawa ng Dyos habang andito ako sa abroad bilang OFW, iniisip ko kayo kung ganun pa rin ba ang kalagayan nyo mula noong ako ay umalis. Kung nagbago ba ang pamumuhay natin dahil sa pagpapadala ko buwan buwan. Iniisip ko kung ginagamit nyo sa tama ang aking pinaghirapan. Oo, pinaghihirapan ko bawat sentimong pinapadala ko sa inyo. Dugo at pawis ang puhunan ko araw gabi

RESIBOby Raquel Padilla (Canada)

upang maibigay ang magandang buhay sa inyo. Ang tanging hiling ko lang ay ang pagpapahalaga mula sa inyo. Lahat ng pagod at puyat ko ay mawawala tuwing maalala nyo ako, hindi dahil sa perang hindi ko pa naipapadala kundi sa bawat sakripisyong ginagawa ko.

Mga mahal ko sa buhay, hindi biro ang paglayo sa inyo. Kung alam nyo lang na bawat kain ko dito, iniisip ko kung ano ang kinakain nyo. Bawat sakay ko sa kotse ng amo ko, iniisip ko na sana balang araw ay makasakay din kayo sa ganito kagarang sasakyan. Sa bawat lugar na napupuntahan ko, iniisip ko na sana kasama ko kayo sa pamamasyal. Halos lahat ng ginagawa ko, kayo ang laman ng puso’t isipan ko. Kayo ba, naiisip nyo rin ang ganito? Yung kamusta na kaya ako at kung hindi pa ako nahihirapan?

Walang kasing sarap ang malaman ko na ang bawat sentimong pinapadala ko ay pinapahalagahan nyo. Yun tipong, honor ka anak o kahit di honor basta nag-aaral kang mabuti. Tay/Nay, yung mga gamot nyo po sa sakit nyo ay sana mabili ninyo. Para po yan sa inyo.. Asawa ko, nagsisikap ako para sa ating kinabukasan at mga anak. Wag ka sana maghanap ng iba habang wala ako. Ate/Kuya, malayo

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ako sa inyo pero sana ang paggabay nyo sa akin ay di mawala. Bunso, nakakatanda ako sa iyo. Sana ang paggalang mo ay di mawala sa akin kahit di na kita nagagabayan.

Nagpapakatatag lang ako dito sa malayo pero sobrang hirap ako. Kung malapit lang ang Pilipinas. Kung pwede nga lang sumakay ng jeep o kaya bus para makauwi at mayakap ko kayo isa isa. Kung pwede lang na makasama ko kayo sa gabing nag-iisa ako. Kung pwede ko nga lang sabihin sa inyo na tuwing nasisigawan ako ng boss ko ay kayo ang nasa isip ko. Yung bawat mura nya ay tinatanggap ko dahil iniisip ko ang maitutulong ng sweldo ko pag naipadala ko na sa inyo. Na sa bawat paghihirap ko ay kayo ang laman ng puso ko dahil para sa inyo itong ginagawa ko.. Na gusto ko man sabihin sa inyo ang bawat pinagdadaanan ko para maibsan kahit papaano ang lahat ng paghihirap ko pero iniisip ko na mag-aalala kayo sa kalagayan ko dahil mag-isa ako dito at malayo sa inyo.

Kaya kong tiisin ang lahat ng hirap dito sa abroad. Pero mas mahirap para sa akin ang mabalitaan ang

iba’t ibang problema sa aking mga naiwan. Nagkaroon bigla ng utang dahil may abroad at pagdating ay babayaran ito. Yung dating may trabaho ay nakaupo nalang at naghihintay ng sweldo galing sa padala, yung anak ay kung anu ano na ang pinapabili, mga kapatid na naging sosyal dahil sa gadgets na nabibili. Ang masakit pa, habang ako ay nagpapakahirap dito, ang aking butihing asawa ay nangapitbahay at di na alam ang daan pauwi sa aming munting tahanan. Ang aming tahanang masaya at lugar kung saan kami bumuo ng pangarap. Ang masahol pa, ang perang pinapadala ko ang ginastos sa kanyang kalaguyo. Napakasakit, kuya Eddie! Habang ako ay kumakanta dito ng, “Oh, tukso layuan mo ako”, ang magaling kong asawa ay nagpapakasaya sa piling ng iba at ang sasabihin pa, kulang ang padala mo para sa anak natin. Tapos makikita mo ang mga bata, payat na payat dahil napapabayaan. Nasaan na ang mga pangako na noon ay tayong dalawa ang magkasama sa hirap at ginhawa? Ikaw lang ang gumiginhawa at ako ay naghihirap.


About The Author

Raquel Padilla is a former teacher in the Philippines who went abroad as a tutor/domestic helper. Now, she is a caregiver/nanny in Canada.

OFW ako Dahil Mahal Ko Pamilya Ko.

BABALA: Tsismis, nakakasama sa kalusugan.

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Magkano lang ang sweldo ko dito sa abroad. Yung mga gamit ko dito ay mga gamit ko pa rin mula nang umalis ako ng Pilipinas. Kung makakapagsalita lang siguro ang tyan ko, sasabihan ako na wag na itlog at noodles ang kainin ko o kaya naman, tama na ang adobo. Ilang araw na kasi na yun ang kinakain ko dahil di napapanis. Tiis tiis nalang talaga dahil ito’y para sa inyo. Ang tanong ko, naiisip nyo ba ang kalagayan ko?

5k, 10k, 15k, 20k o mas mataas pa dyan. Sadyang kulang pa rin! Kelan ba magiging sapat ang perang pinapadala ko? Kelan?! At tuwing nagpapadala ako, kelan nyo pa kaya ako matutunang pasalamatan? Yung tipong magtitxt kayo hindi lamang tuwing araw ng swelduhan kundi araw araw. Yun lang ang hiling ko upang matanggal lahat ang maghapong hirap at pagod ko. Yun lang! At kelan kaya mabago ang mensahe ninyo sa akin na “kelan ka magpapadala?”, “bakit ang liit ng padala mo?”, “maysakit si ganito” pero ang tutuusin ay wala naman. Sana makatanggap din ako ng message na “Wag ka masyado magpakapagod. Mahal ka namin. We miss you” o kaya “Salamat sa padala, may sobra pa.. Itatabi ko ito para may ipon tayo o may mabiling investments”. Piso lang

RESIBO ... continued from page 15

naman ang txt sa roaming ko at kahit isang txt araw araw, 30pesos lang ang mababawas sa perang pinapadala ko.

Kahit wala akong ipon, okay lang sa akin basta naipapadala ko sa inyo buwan buwan ang perang kinikita ko. Ang makitang masaya kayo ay kaligayahan ko. Isang sukli lang galing sa inyo ang nais ko. Yun ang pagmamahal ninyo.

Sana pag-uwi ko sa inyo sa piling ninyo, maging larawan tayo ng buong pamilya. Pamilyang masaya dahil sa pananabik sa isa’t isa. Pamilyang hindi mapaghihiwalay dahil sinusulit ang bawat segundo ng buhay na nagkalayo. Sana, malumanay at malambing ang pagsabi ng “asan na ang pasalubong ko?” kasama ang yakap at halik na matagal ko na inaasam asam. Sana kahit wala akong dalang pera ay maririnig ko mula sa inyong mga bibig ang katagang “okay lang, basta nakauwi ka nang ligtas at buhay. Ang importante ay magkasama tayo”.

Sana hindi ko marinig sa bibig ninyo ang mga salitang, “umuwi ka, wala kang pera? Sana di ka nalang umuwi” dahil ito ang isasagot ko.. Ito pasalubong ko: RESIBO!

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Kung Paano Maging Kaaya-aya Ang Pangingibangbayan by Edgar Bacong (Switzerland)

Magdadalawang dekada na ang inilagi ko sa labas ng bansa. Madalas kapag narinig ito ng mga di pa lubusang nakakakilala sa akin ay kaagad silang maghihinuha na mayaman na ako. Kumbaga, sinusukat nila ang naipon kong Swissfrancs sa tagal ng paninirahan ko sa Switzerland.

Sa simula, naaasiwa ako sa pahayag na ito. Subalit sa pagtakbo ng panahon ay sinasakyan ko na lamang ito’t inaamin na totoong mayaman ako. Iyon nga lang di sa pera kundi sa mga naipon kong karanasan bilang

isang migrante. At ito ang nais kong ibahagi sa aking mga kababayan. Di lamang sa mga naglalayon na mangibangbayan kundi gayundin sa mga nananatili sa bansa sa kabila ng karalitaan. Bukod pa, ilang beses na rin akong tinanong at tiyak patuloy na tatanungin ng mga bagong saltang Pilipino sa Switzerland, tungkol sa kung paano maging magaa’t kaaya-aya ang pangingibangbayan. Kaya minabuti kong isatitik na rin ito.

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Vacation with my Family

PHILIPPINESis more fun in the

“ I t s m o r e f u n i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e s ” C a m p a i g n

ang damit ng mga Bagong Bayani

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Pag-aaral ng Lengguwahe ng mga Katutubo

Pinakamahalaga para sa akin, saang dako man ng daigdig tayo mapunta ay ang pagpupunyaging pag-aralan ang lengguwahe ng mga katutubo. Akala ko noon mabubuhay na ako sa baon kong Ingles — nagkamali ako.

Napipi ako’t nag-iisa sa mga pagtitipong aking dinaluhan. Kaya halos isang taon akong pumasok sa pribadong eskwelahan upang pag-aralan ang lengguwaheng Aleman. At napansin kong bukod sa gumaan ang pakiramdam kong kumilos sa bagong paligid ay naramdaman ko rin ang mainit napagtanggap ng mga Suwiso sa isang Auslaender na tulad ko.

Paghahanapbuhay

Nangibangbayan ako dahil sa pag-ibig. Noong una, lahat ng gastos ko magmula sa pag-aaral ng lengguwahe hanggang sa personal na pangangailangan ay tinustusan ng aking katuwang. Maging ang lingguhan kong panggastos ay maluwag niyang inako. Sa halip na makontento ay naasiwa ako sa di-pantay na kalagayan. Di ako sanay na ako ang sinusuportahan lalo na kung tungkol sa pinansiya. Kaya upang mapatunayan na kaya kong buhayin ang aking sarili ay nagpursige akong magtrabaho.

Susi sa paghahanap ng desenteng ikabubuhay ay ang edukasyong natapos at ang kakayahan sa lengguwahe. Sa Switzerland na kung saan may tatlong pangunahing lengguwahe (Aleman, Pranses at Italyano), mas nakalalamang kung nakakapagsalita kundi man lahat ay kahit man lang ang lengguwahe ng rehiyong tinitirhan.

Pagbuo ng mga Kaibigan

Napakatindi ng pagkagiliw ko sa tahanan (homesickness) sa mga unang taon ko sa Switzerland. Maliban sa aking katuwang ay wala na akong iba pang nakausap tungkol sa mga agam-agam ko sa pangingibangbayan. Sa karanasang ito mas lalo kong naunawaan ang kahalagahan ng pagbuo at pag-alaga ng sarili kong mga kaibigan, na makakasama di lamang kung tag-araw kundi gayundin sa pagsapit ng taglamig. Kung kaya’t naging aktibo ako sa pagpapatakbo ng mga programa ng Tuluyang Pinoy (TP), ang sentrong tumutulong sa mga migranteng Pilipino sa aspektong pangkultura, pangsosyal at pang-ispiritwal. Ang mga kasama kong Pilipino sa TP ang itinuturing kong mga kaibigan at bagong pamilya.


About The Author

Edgar Bacong finished AB Sociology at the Ateneo de Davao University and now lives in Zurich, Switzerland.

Buhay OFW sa Zurich, SWITZERLAND

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Pag-aliw sa Sarili

Isa sa mga bagay na malimit ko noong ipinagkait sa sarili ay ang pag-aliw mismo sa aking sarili. Lalo pa’t kung ito’y makakabawas lamang sa halagang pinapadala ko buwan-buwan sa aking pamilya. Nang maglaon ay napagtanto kong isang malaking kahunghangan ang ugali kong ito. Sa hirap na naranasan ko sa pangingibangbayan, karapat-dapat

lamang na pahalagahan ko ang aking sarili at ganyakin sa mga aktibidad na makapagpapanatag sa puso’t isip.

Minsan kinagigiliwan ko ang paglalakad sa gubat. Minsan naman ang pamamasyal sa syudad kasama ang isang matalik na kaibigan. O di kaya’y ang paglalangoy sa Lawa ng Zurich kapag tag-araw. Kahit na ang panonood at pakikinig sa mga street performers sa mga kalye ng Zurich ay nakapagdudulot ng aliw sa sarili na di nangangailangan ng kahit na limang Rappen.

Pagiging Tapat sa Sarili, sa mga Kaibigan at sa Pamilya

Bawat kawagian at kabiguan na nakamit ko sa pangingibangbayan ay ibinahagi ko nang kusa sa matatalik

kong kaibiga’t pamilyang iniwan sa Dabaw, na walang labis at

walang kulang. Ayoko silang gambalain sa mga hatid

kong balita, bagkus ay handugan lamang ng mga malilinaw na imaheng magiging bukal ng pag-unawa

tungkol sa tunay kong katayuan. Dahil sa ayaw

ko ma’t sa gusto bahagi sila ng aking patuloy na

paglalakbay.

Kung Paano Maging Kaaya-aya Ang Pangingibangbayan ... continued from page 19

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Pagkilala sa Kultura’t Tradisyon ng Bayang Tinutuluyan

Likas sa tao na sumalungat sa mga bagay-bagay na di niya kilala o di pa gaanong nakikilala. Noon, pinagluluksa ko ang pagsapit ng kapaskuhan sa Switzerland. Dahil sa sobrang tahimik nito’t pagkamasarili ng bawat pamilyang nagdiriwang sa kani-kanilang tahanan.

Sa aking pananaw, ang Pasko dito sa isang pribadong selebrasyon at taliwas sa kinagisnan ko na kung saan ito ay pagdiriwang na nilalahukan di lamang ng pamilya kundi ng buong komunidad. Ngunit nang naunawaan ko ang kahalagahan ng kolektibong pagbubulay-bulay sa buhay ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya, na di ko kailanman naranasan, ay nasipat ko ngayon ang kagandahan ng ganitong uri ng kapaskuhan. Kaya sa halip na na magluksa ay ipinagbubunyi kong muli ang Piyesta ng Pag-ibig.

Kung susuriin, ang mga puntong pinagtuunan ko ng pansin bagama’t hiwa-hiwalay ang pagkakalahad ay di maitatuwang magkakaugnay ang mga ito. Inisa-isa ko lamang silang pinalawig sa pamamagitan ng mga konkretong karanasan upang maging kawili-wili itong basahin at ganap na maintindihan.

Nakatitiyak akong marami pang gabay na kailangang isaalang-alang at karapat-dapat na saklawin ang paksang ito. Lalo na ang tungkol sa pagsasamang bi-nasyonal, Pilipino-Suwiso sa kaso ko. Ngunit napagpasyahan kong ibukod ito at tatalakayin sa mas malawakang pag-unawa sa darating na panahon.

Panimula lang naman ito sa pagtatangka kong likumin ang sariling karanasan, na para sa akin ay kayamanang di matutumbasan ng limpak-limpak na salaping naipon mula sa pangingibangbayan.

-end-


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Financial responsibility is a gift of grace, not a burden by Mae Cayir (Austria)

I recall a story my mother told me about her father. He was a man of Chinese origin who became successful in the shipping industry of a small island in the Philippines, Samar, in the early 1900s. He was the only entrepeneur working in this field at the time and was so wealthy that my mother remembered spending her playtime counting money. She and her ten siblings each had their own nanny, and their mother spent her days socializing with other ladies of leisure.

One story in particular remains with me to this day because it illustrates how socially engaged my grandfather was. Every Sunday, the family cook

would prepare huge vats of soup and place them at the doorstep. People would form long lines and humbly bring their bowls. As if this were not enough, my grandfather never hesitated to lend money to those who called upon him in their hour of need. The only promise of repayment they left him was a scribbled note, which he kept in a shoebox. At the end of each year, he would look into that shoebox and simply take all the notes left by those who were not able to come back and pay him, and tear them to pieces. As a child, I asked my mother why he did this. She said that for him, it was a matter of forgetting, forgiving and moving on.

That story taught me a valuable lesson that had me thinking

recently about financial responsibility.

My mind went inside that shoebox wondering about

the people and the circumstances that each slip of IOU had to tell.? Of course, in the day of

my grandfather, he had the means of financially assisting

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those in need, and could afford to forgive and forget those who could not pay him back. But, in today’s global economy, there are more and more of those in that shoebox who have moved on to gainful employment beyond the shores of this small island.

With gainful employment, come gainful financial means. And, gainful financial means are followed by, for some, hefty financial obligations. In most cases, there are more stories of financial challenges circulating than there are about financial successes. Although poverty is left behind, in terms of financial wealth and means, it seems that the mind-set in terms of financial responsibility has sunk into financial quandary rather than financial wisdom because financial obligations have imposed such a burden on the mind, body and soul that it leaves little room for thought and planning that is so vital for the future.

As we proceed into our future, let us take time to sit down and reflect where we are today and where we would like to be tomorrow. For me, the best is to write. I would take a piece of paper, and start mapping out my thoughts. To start with, I would list on the left side of the paper two of the most challenging financial obligations I have encountered up to the present. Work on those two, and map it out to where it stands today. Then, to the right, map out where I envision these two to be. Stand back and reflect. The past is the past. Nothing can be done about it. The present is the thinking part where I am today, the place in my life where I do not have to do anything, but step back and reflect. The future is where I can plan and project, visualize where these financial obligations will take

About The Author

Mae Cayir is an International Civil Servant serving her community as a Creative Non-Fiction Writer based in Vienna, Austria. She left her native country of the Philippines at the age of 9, and has traipsed across the continents from the US to the southern tip of Africa, married cross-culturally to her husband from Turkey, and has been residing in Vienna, Austria since 1990. Feel free to contact her if you wish for her to write your story: [email protected].

Buhay OFW sa Turkey

It is time, after all, that we move on with the times. Forgive ourselves for the indulgence. Forgive ourselves for the lost time in planning. Forgive ourselves for not being up front with our loved

ones about the weight of that burden placed upon the OFW.


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me. Will these financial obligations bring me back my financial investment? If not, how can I take advantage of these and shape them into positive returns?

The next step is communication. In most cases, the communication seems to be a one-way long distance line from the families and relatives back home to the OFW abroad. Let us move on to a two-way communication, whereby we start to brainstorm together, project together, and gather all of our resources (financial, social, networking, knowledge) and move towards a common goal, a common solution that will be of benefit for one and all, for the short-term building towards the long-term.

It is time, after all, that we move on with the times. Forgive ourselves for the indulgence. Forgive ourselves for the lost time in planning. Forgive ourselves for not being up front with our loved ones about the weight of that burden placed upon the OFW.

Forgiveness is key to be able to move on. Forgiveness is key to build that bridge from financial prosperity to financial responsibility. And, that is the kind of gift we need to give to ourselves and our loved ones. The gift of grace.

-end-


Financial responsibility is a gift of grace, not a burden ... continued from page 23

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A lot of our OFW dependents are saying they are bored, they roam the malls, or they play madjong or go to the Bingo Halls and Casinos.

If we can only be creative we can make a small livelihood to help our spouses who are sweating in other countries, especially Saudi Arabia.

After OFCI’s SELF HELP NUTRITION PROGRAM in Valenzuela yesterday, I passed by the wet market which is the BAGSAKAN of fruits and

Make use of your precious time

Anita’s Kitchen is a metaphor of ideas intended in the beginning as a book of Filipino recipes in their true original forms. It evolved

into an adaptation of the Filipino cuisine in the author’s home State of Washington where ingredients usually are not available.

OFW ako. Pamilya ko ang katuwang ko sa pag-unlad T-shirts

vegetables. I saw this beautiful red peppers and I ‘PAKYAW’ the kilo of pepper for P60.00.. What do I do with them? Check it out. Sell them to your friends and neighbors and probably will have a little stall of Gourmet Vinegar. Want to be creative, have a personalized labels. Be proud of your creation, make use of your time, you will never get bored. Kimchi also, anyone?

We can also save presents, give your vinegar, jam, kimchi, dried fruits in basket and wrap them in Tulles or colored cellopanes, beats the gift baskets from grocery stores.

by Anita Sese-Schon, OFCI (USA).

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T-shirts

http://www.facebook.com/ofwako.shirts

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[email protected]

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Hamon ng OFW sa Gobyerno by Raquel Padilla (Canada)


“Hirap na hirap na ako dito sa abroad pero wala ako magawa dahil walang makain ang pamilya ko sa Pinas. Gusto ko na sana umuwi upang makasama at mayakap sila kaso wala naman trabaho sa atin kaya nagtitiis na lang akong malayo sa kanila basta matustusan ko ang aming mga pangangailangan”.

Isang daing ng OFW at nakakasigurado ako na minsan ay namutawi na sa bibig ng sinumang nagtatrabaho sa abroad. Kung daing lang ang pag-uusapan, winner kaming OFW dahil kami ay hindi nauunawaan ng karamihan tulad ng ilang kapamilya, ilang kamag-anak, ilang kaibigan at ng ilang namamahala sa ating bansa.

Habang isinusulat ko ito, bumabalik sa akin ang buhay ko bago pa ako nakarating ng ibang bansa. Ipinangako ko sa aking sarili noon na kapag nakatapos ako ng kolehiyo ay pagsisilbihan ko ang bansang

Pilipinas. Isa akong lisensyadong guro at nakapagturo lamang ng limang buwan sa isang pribadong paaralan bago ako nakarating sa abroad. Kinain ko ang mga salitang binitawan ko noon at inapakan ko ang pagiging makabayan ko at piniling makarating ng ibang bansa kahit mapalayo sa pamilya. Dalaga ako pero ang sweldong pitong libo sa isang buwan ay hindi sapat. Nadagdagan lamang ang kinikita ko noon dahil may ilang load ako sa college at may bata akong tinuturuan pagkatapos ng klase.

Pagkatapos ng limang taon, nandito ako sa bansang pinapangarap ng karamihan- ang Canada..Unang napadpad ako sa Middle East at nagtrabaho doon ng mahigit sa tatlong taon. Ngayon ay magdadalawang taon na ako dito bilang caregiver/nanny. Trabahong malayo sa aking natapos. Pag nabuo ko na ang dalawang taon, pwede na ako mag-apply bilang residente. May magandang buhay na naghihintay, ika nga.

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Masaya dapat ako dahil marami ang nagnanais na makarating dito pero hindi ako lubusang masaya dahil marami ang kulang. Ang pamilya ko na matagal ko na hindi nakasama. Mga kaibigan ko na matagal ko na di nakikita. Buong pagkatao ko ay hindi kumpleto dahil hanggang ngayon, nananaig pa rin sa akin ang hangarin kong makapaglingkod sa mga kababayan ko at makabalik sa Pilipinas upang magturo. Katulad ng ibang kakilala ko dito, nagtitiis din ako dahil kapag naging residente o citizen ako dito, maraming benefits ang makukuha ko mula sa gobyerno. Benefits na di ko makakamtan kung tumigil ako sa bansang aking pinanggalingan.

Blah blah blah blah. Dami kong reklamo!!! Pambihirang buhay kasi meron tayo sa sarili nating bansa kung doon lang tayo titigil. Ang mahihirap ay lalong naghihirap at ang mayayaman ay lalong yumayaman!! Salamat, nag-abroad ako. Nakabili kami ng kaunting ari arian pero ano ang resulta? Maswerte ako dahil wala pa akong asawa at anak. Pero ang ilang kapwa ko OFW, nawasak ang pamilya nang dahil sa pag-aabroad nila. Di na rin sila kilala ng kanilang mga anak dahil matagal sila nawalay dito. Sino ang sisisihin? Asawa na walang pagpapahalaga sa paghihirap mo sa abroad?

Kahirapan? Pamahalaan? Pag nasa ganitong sitwasyon ka marahil, di mo alam kung sino ba ang tunay na may kasalanan. Kung sino pa ang pagbuntunan mo ng galit. Sasabihin mo nalang, “that’s OFW’s life”. Kailangan mong tanggapin na iyan ang naging tadhana mo sa buhay. Sino ang sisisihin sa laganap na kahirapan sa bansa? Kasalanan mo bang ipinanganak kang mahirap? Baka mga magulang mo ang may kasalanan kasi di sila nagsikap?! Pero kung nagsikap sila at wala pa ring nangyari, aba, hindi nila kasalanan yun!! Hindi mo daw kasalanan na ipinanganak kang mahirap pero kasalanan mo daw na mamatay kang mahirap pa rin.

Pangunahing dahilan ng mga nangingibang bansa ang makaahon sa kahirapan. Ano nga ba ang mapapala mo kapag naghintay ka ng grasya sa Pilipinas? Sa mga kumpanya, hinahanap ang diploma mo na ikaw ay nakatapos. O kaya naman, graduate ka sa isang kilalang eskwelahan at with pleasing personality pa. Maliban pa dyan, daan daan kayong aplikante na naghihintay na matanggap upang magkaroon ng sahod na kung minsan ay wala pa sa minimum. Pamasahe mo papasok sa opisina, pagkain mo araw araw at taxes


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pa na babayaran kapag araw ng sweldo. Kawawang Pilipino, hindi na nga minimum ang sahod, halos kalahati nalang ang natatanggap. Kulang pa sa upa ng bahay, bayad ng tubig, kuryente at kung anu ano pang pangangailangan ng pamilya. Kung pamilyado ka, kahit diapers at gatas ni baby ay di mo mabili. Kung di ka graduate ng college o kung high school lang natapos mo, manicurista, janitress o kaya naman ay nagtatrabaho ka sa loob ng bahay na ang sahod ay tatlong libo o mas maliit pa. Trabahong sa isang araw ay kumikita ng isandaan o minsan wala pa. Ito ang ibubuhay mo sa iyong lumalaking pamilya.

Dahil din sa kahirapan, marami ang hindi nabibigyan ng tamang edukasyon. Maraming mahihirap ang nagkakaroon ng maraming anak dahil sa paniniwalang isa sa isang dosenang anak ang aahon sa kanila sa kahirapan. Sino ang magtuturo sa mga taong ito kung hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na makapag-aral ang lahat? Kung meron man, nagsisisiksikan sa public schools at di nabibigyan ng tamang pagtuturo. Ang iba, hihinto nalang dahil kulang din

sa panggastos araw araw. Ang ibang magagaling na guro, pinili rin na mangibang bansa dahil magkano lang naman ang kikitain kapag tumigil sa Pilipinas? Samantalang sa ibang bansa ilang daan o libong dolyares ang kanilang magiging sweldo.

Yung mga nakatapos ng ibang kurso, nasaan sila ngayon? Ilang libo ang graduates tuwing Marso pero sampu o daan lang ang bakanteng trabahong naghihintay sa kanila. Ilang nurses ba ang nababakante? At kung gusto nila makapag-abroad, sila pa ang magbabayad sa hospitals para sa kanilang volunteer experiences. Huh? Volunteer ka na nga, ikaw pa

Hamon ng mga OFW sa gobyerno ... continued from page 29

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magbabayad? Ilang degree holders pa ba ang magtatrabaho na hindi naman nila linya ng kanilang ginagawa? Mabuti na lang, nagsulputan at nauso ang call centers at marami ang nailigtas sa unemployed population ng bansa. At mabuti nalang, may backer ka. Pasok agad sa trabaho kahit di ka naman karapat-dapat. It’s not what you knew! It’s who you knew, sabi nga nila! Tsk tsk!

Hindi ko maiwasan sisisihin ang pamahalaang meron tayo. Ang ilang pulitiko ay walang ipinagkaiba sa mga manliligaw. Magaling silang manligaw tuwing eleksyon pero kapag nakaupo na, katulad ng ibang lalaki, nawawala na ang mga pangakong kanilang binitawan. At katulad ng mga naloko pagdating sa pag-ibig, marami sa atin ang nagiging tanga pagdating sa pamamahala ng ilang nakaupo sa gobyerno. Niloloko na tayo, di pa natin alam. Ibinubulsa na pala ang para sa atin, wala tayong kamuwang muwang. Wala akong kilalang pulitiko na kurakot dahil hindi naman natin sila makikilala kaagad maliban na lamang kung sasabihin nilang “Hoy, binubulsa ko ang ibinabayad ninyong buwis na sana ay gagamitin

namin para sa inyong mamamayan”. Wala nga ako kilalang kurakot pero wala din ako nakikitang pagbabago sa pamamahala sa bansa natin. Dalawang beses na ako umuwi ng Pinas pero parang kahapon lamang ako umalis dahil kung ano ang hitsura nito noong umalis ako, ganun pa rin noong nagbakasyon ako. Isa pa, dalawa sa ating nakaraang presidente ang pasok sa top 10 corrupt leaders of the world. Patunay na talamak ang pangungurakot sa ating bansa.

Kaming mga OFW, nagbabayad ng Philhealth at OWWA at nagpapadala ng remittances buwan buwan. Malaking tulong ang mga iyan sa ekonomiya ng ating bansa. Pero kapag nangailangan kami ng tulong, bakit hindi kaagad agad naaaksyunan? Ni hindi nga napapakinabangan ng karamihan sa amin ang OWWA at PhilHealth e. Yung mga nagtatrabaho sa Philippine Embassies, nabibigyan ba ng magagandang serbisyo ang mga OFW kapag lumapit sa kanila? Sana man lamang, pahalagahan din kami dahil nagbayad naman kami ng tama at nararapat noong umalis kami ng Pilipinas. Sana manindigan ang ating pamahalaan sa pagpapatupad ng 400$ minimum na sahod ng DH dahil marami pa rin sa ngayon

AKALA nila pag nasa ABROAD ka ay MAYAMAN ka na ...T-shirts


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ang tumatanggap ng halos 250$ lang. Baka sa ganitong paraan, mababawasan ang mga kasambahay na inaabuso ng mga amo. Maging mapagmatyag sana sa mga agencies na talamak sa panggagantso o recruiter na manloloko. Sana, mabigyan ng assistance ang distress OFWs.. Sana.. Sana.. Sana.. Sana, makauwi na kami at makasama ang pamilya namin.. Sana, may trabahong naghihintay sa amin sa Pilipinas pag-uwi namin.. Sana sana sana..

Napakaraming “sana” pero iilan ba ang pwedeng matupad dyan? Kung meron man, salamat pero kung wala, kailangang tanggapin. Kelan pa titigil ang mga Filipino sa pangingibang bansa? Kelan pa dadayo sa ibang bansa ang mga may matatas na pinag-aralan upang magtrabaho bilang domestic helpers? Kelan pa matatapos ang paglayo ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak o kapamilya na nakikipagsapalaran sa ibayong dagat upang matustusan ang pangangailangan ng lumalaking pamilya? Kelan pa mabibigyan ng katarungan ang mga OFW na

napapahamak sa kamay ng kanilang mga amo? Kelan pa matatapos ang paghihirap ng isang OFW? Habambuhay na yata ito mangyayari. HINDI TITIGIL ANG LAHAT NG ITO DAHIL LAGANAP ANG KAHIRAPAN SA ATING BANSA. ANG PANGUNAHING DAHILAN NITO AY MAY KURAKOT NA NAKAUPO SA NAMAMAHALA SA ATING GOBYERNO. AT DAHIL LUGMOK ANG MGA PILIPINO SA KAHIRAPAN, WALANG TIGIL DIN ANG MGA NAKIKIPAGSAPALARAN SA ABROAD.

Nagsisimula daw sa sarili ang pagbabago ayun sa karamihan. Ako at ang kapwa ko OFW, nagbago kami ng pananaw sa buhay na kung sa Pilipinas lamang kami, hindi kami aahon sa kahirapan. Nagsisimula kami sa aming sarili at tinutulungan namin ang aming pamilya. Kaya ang hamon ko sa mga pickpocketers sa pamahalaan, SIMULAN NYO NA RIN KAYA ANG SERBISYONG TOTOO? YUNG WALANG NAPUPUNTA SA MGA BULSA NYO? OH MANHID NA TALAGA KAYO?

-end-

Note: Maganda man ang kapalarang naghihintay sa akin dito, ang Pilipinas pa rin ang bansang aking babalikan. Naniniwala akong may pag-asa pang umunlad ang ating bayan kung magtutulung tulong tayong mga mamamayan at ang ating pamahalaan. Sana dumating ang araw na yun. Hindi man makikita ng ating henerasyon, mararanasan naman sana ng ating mga anak at apo.

Hamon ng mga OFW sa gobyerno ... continued from page 31

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Have you ever wondered how your life would be when you are retired? Not quite comfortable for millions of Filipinos if we look at the figures. As of June 2006, the monthly SSS pension of retirees ranged from P1,000 to P14,970. Since most SSS pensioners are at the lower end, the average monthly pension was a measly P2,546.00. For a sickly senior citizen this pitiful amount is probably just enough to buy medicine. If this is not bad enough, some studies say that SSS funds will only last until 2015; for GSIS it’s 2042.

It’s not hard to imagine that many retirees will be living in poverty in their old age without the support of their children. And for the really unlucky ones whose children are as poor as their parents, the only option left is to continue working until their old creaky bones give way; their golden years awfully tarnished.

And we are only talking here of SSS pensioners. What about the 8 million Filipinos who are not members of either SSS or GSIS? Add to this, the millions of OFWs who are not covered by the state-sponsored pension program. Living conditions during retirement for these people will most likely be more miserable because they don’t have sufficient savings to look forward to.

PERA for your retirement by Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP (Philippines)

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About The Author

Alvin T. Tabañag is the bestselling author of “Kaya Mo, Pinoy! 12 Steps to Build Wealth on Any Income” and “1,001 Ways to Reduce Expenses and Save Thousands.” He is the founder of Pinoy Smart Savers Learning Center (www.pinoysmartsavers.com) and known as the “financial adviser ng masa.”

Pinoy Smart Savers


The online survey conducted by Citibank last year revealed that the average Filipino’s savings will only last a little over two months. There’s not much retiring you can do with that amount; I’ve always thought of retirement as living hassle-free for years or decades, not months. The same survey revealed that only about 1 in 10 has a retirement plan and has enough savings to cover their needs.

One thing is obvious, if you want to live comfortably after you hang up your working clothes, you should make it your responsibility to build the funds you will need during your retirement years. You simply cannot leave it all up to the government or to your children to provide you old-age support; they have their own problems to worry about.

Enter PERA or the Personal Equity and Retirement Account, a voluntary personal savings plan which supplements SSS and GSIS pension schemes and provides an alternative pension fund for those who are non-members, especially the OFWs. The landmark PERA bill, co-authored by Senators Ed Angara, Mar Roxas & Migz Zubiri in the Upper House is awaiting the signature of the President and once it becomes a law it is expected to encourage people in the public and private sectors to save up for their retirement.

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Among the features of the PERA bill and what these mean to ordinary citizens like you and I are:

1. Any taxpaying individual, referred to in the bill as the contributor, may create and maintain a maximum of 5 PERA. The provision for multiple PERAs will allow the contributor to explore and select different investment products or channels to best grow his or her retirement funds.

2. A contributor may make a maximum contribution of P100,000 or P200,000 for both spouses. For an OFW and his or her spouse, the limit is P400,000. If you make the maximum contribution of P100,000 every year and assuming your fund grows at an average annual rate of 8% (actual rate can be lower or higher), you will have more than P7.3M after 25 years. For a married couple, the fund can reach over P14.6M. With this amount you can really enjoy your retirement and embrace old age with open arms and a sweet smile. I encourage everyone to make the maximum contributions once the PERA bill becomes a law and the implementing rules & regulations established.

PERA for your retirement ... continued from page 35

3. A private employer may contribute to it’s employees PERA and such contribution is deductible from the employer’s gross income. Isn’t this great? If you’re working for a generous company you could get “free” money to add to your retirement fund; all the more reason you should open a PERA.

4. PERA investment products must be pre-qualified by the regulatory authorities (i.e. BSP, SEC and the Insurance commission). These products include unit investment trust funds (UITFs), mutual funds, annuity contracts, insurance pension products, pre-need pension plans, shares of stocks listed in exchange and exchange-traded bonds or any other investment product or outlet allowed by the regulatory authorities. You now have the option to invest in products which have much higher potential rates of return compared to low-interest deposit accounts. The range of investment products available for PERA will suit almost all kinds of investment risk appetites.

5. Contributors get a tax credit equivalent to 5% of his/her contribution; all income earned by a PERA is tax exempt and funds are distributed without any tax deductions. Taxes eat up a considerable chunk of your investment funds; with these generous tax incentives you should be the first in line to open a PERA.

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6. PERA funds can only be distributed when the contributor reaches the age of 55; early withdrawals will be subject to penalties. This provision ensures that the savings of the contributor will be held long-term, which is beneficial to both the contributor (it makes certain than he/she has sufficient funds upon retirement) and the economy (it makes funds available for the capital market).

7. A PERA should be under an administrator (e.g. bank, mutual fund or insurance company). Since administrators are regulated by the BSP, SEC or IC, the contributor is assured that his/her funds are invested in accordance with strict & prudent guidelines. Administrators are also mandated to educate the contributor. Since lack of financial literacy is one of the major reasons why Filipinos have such low savings rate, this provision will allow PERA owners to make wiser investment decisions.

To make PERA effectively serve its purpose, a massive information campaign should be undertaken not only to educate the public about its many benefits but also to persuade people to change their spending habits and become regular savers. PERA investment products have been around for many years and only a well-informed & savings-conscious general public will start tapping these instruments through the PERA. With PERA available for your retirement, I see no reason why any hard-working Filipino should live in poverty after his working days are over.

-end-


One thing is obvious, if you want to live comfortably after you hang up your working clothes, you should make it your responsibility to build the funds you will need during your retirement years. You simply cannot leave it all up to the government or to your children to provide you old-age support; they have their own problems to worry about.

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Late Saturday afternoon I rushed my kumpare, Noel, to the hospital, afraid he was in the early stages of a heart attack. While lying on the sofa in his home he suddenly experienced shortness of breath and chest discomfort, and broke out in a cold sweat. I still don’t know what exactly happened to him. But whatever it was I’m pretty sure it has something to do with his heart.

Noel was lucky, he only got a wake-up call. Others will not be as fortunate because their first heart attack or stroke can be fatal or leave them paralyzed for life. Just before I left the ER I gestured to Noel to say that he should quit smoking. He gave me the thumbs up sign as he declared, “hindi na pare, titigil na!” You see, besides being overweight, Noel is also a smoker and a frequent drinker (he only drinks on days ending in “y”). All three are risk factors for heart and other diseases.

Situations like what Noel went through and the sudden death of friends and acquaintances, like the driver of my daughter’s school service who recently died of a heart attack at age 45, makes you think about your

own mortality. You wonder if you will live to a ripe old age and get to enjoy the bountiful retirement you are working so hard for.

I intend to live beyond 80 years old. Unfortunately, the odds are against me. According to the National Statistical Coordination Board the average life expectancy of Filipino males born in 2010 is around 67 years old and 72.5 years old for females. In the year I was born, males were expected to live even shorter lives, probably under age 60. Besides the not so rosy life expectancy, I also have a family history of cardio-vascular disease, cancer and diabetes. I cannot and do not want to imagine myself not reaching the age of 70 so I am taking pro-active measures to turn the odds in my favor.

Based on data from the Department of Health the top 3 causes of death in the Philippines are heart disease, stroke and cancer. These three are among the non-communicable “lifestyle-related” diseases which account for 60% of all global deaths according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The positive

Living long enough to enjoy your retirement by Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP (Philippines)

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thing about lifestyle diseases is that you can do something to avoid it. The WHO estimates that 80% of heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes cases and 40% of cancers can be prevented by removing the primary risk factors which include an unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol, and lack of exercise.

Several years ago I decided to stick to a lifetime of healthy living to significantly lower my chances of dying early from a lifestyle disease. The idea is not just to beat the odds and live longer than expected, but to live a long, healthy and active life. Life will not be as enjoyable if you are frail and sickly, confined to a wheelchair or bedridden. It won’t be as pleasant if you cannot move freely or unable do the most basic things, like eating and bathing, without any assistance. Not to mention that much of the wealth you have painstakingly accumulated through the years will just be used for medical treatment.

Here’s my 8-point formula for living longer:

1. Maintain a healthy weight.

If you are male, try to maintain a BMI of 23.5 to 25.0; if female, 22.0 to 23.5. Although the normal range is 18.5 to 24.9, these are the “healthiest” BMIs according a recent BMI study in the U.S. You are overweight if your BMI is 25 to 29.9 and obese if 30 or greater.

BMI is an indicator of body fatness and calculated using a person’s weight and height. Use this calculator to compute your BMI or use the following formula: your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters.

To lose weight, remember this simple rule: Eat less calories than you burn or burn more calories than you eat.

2. Eat a healthy diet.

Not all calories are created equal. Ideally, about 60% of your calories should come from carbohydrates, 25% from protein and 15% from fat. You can stick to this proportion by avoiding diets high in fats and sugar. Reduce consumption of pork, beef, processed, and salty food. Eat chicken and fish instead. Eat more fruits and veggies. Diets high in fiber can help you reduce bad cholesterol.

Pinoy Smart Savers

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friends, singing, dancing, painting, sculpting, group biking, or farming. But try to avoid very costly activities because it can lead to financial stress.

7. Get regular medical check-ups.

Many serious medical problems can be treated easily if caught early. If you are 40 and above you must get an annual executive check-up. If you feel something is not right with your body, see a doctor immediately. Don’t wait until it becomes unbearable because it may be too late by then.

8. Always think safety first.

Good health won’t do you any good if you do not think about your safety at all times. Do not engage in extremely dangerous activities like bare hand rock climbing, base jumping, free-diving, swimming with deadly sharks or backpacking in Afghanistan. Also, avoid unsafe habits like drug use, reckless & drunk driving, driving when sleepy or tired, walking in dim places at night, not using the pedestrian lane or overpass when crossing highways, and ignoring hazard signs.

As you prepare for a long, comfortable and enjoyable retirement, do not forget to invest in your health. All your preparations will be largely for nothing if you live your retirement years in pain and misery due to a debilitating but preventable disease or, worse, if you do not live long enough to retire.

-end-

3. Exercise regularly.

It’s fun and great for reducing weight, preventing diseases, boosting energy and lowering stress. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise 3-4 times weekly. To improve cardio-vascular health go for exercises that will raise your heart rate significantly like brisk walking, jogging, biking, swimming, ball games, badminton, boxing, and dancing.

4. Don’t smoke and drink moderately.

If you don’t want to live long enough to play with your grandchildren then continue smoking and drink desperately. ‘Nuff said.

5. Exercise your mind.

What’s the use of a strong body if you can no longer recognize your loved ones or engage them in casual or meaningful conversations? I’ll be satisfied if at 75 I’m still half as sharp as 88-year-old Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is today. (For the record, I’m neither pro nor anti-Corona. I’m pro-truth and pro-justice.) Keep your brain in top shape by continuing to learn new things, reading often, and playing word and number games & puzzles.

6. Relax and engage in leisure activities.

This is the best way to combat stress, which can kill. At least once a week do something you truly enjoy like playing ball games, hanging out with

Living long enough to enjoy your retirement ... continued from page 39

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From “A Voice From America” column in the Philippine STAR and Mabuhay Times

Last week, while watching TV on CSPAN I happened to catch the address of Dr. Muhammad Yunus before the media in Washington D.C. This was before he received a “Medal of Freedom Award” given by President Obama as one of 16 people as “agents of agents” in our world today. I have read his book on Micro-Finance years ago, and I believe that the proven success of his Grameen Bank must

be spread to all nations, especially the Third-world countries, in order to empower the poor faster, thereby contributing to the progress of their respective societies.

As a brief background, Dr. Muhammad Yunus is a global leader in anti-poverty efforts and has pioneered the use of “micro-loans” to provide credit to poor individuals without collateral. Dr. Yunus, an economist by training, founded the Grameen Bank in 1983 in his native Bangladesh to provide

Muhammad Yunus’ “Micro-loans” Formula Must Be Spread to All Countries by Ernie D. Delfin (USA)

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education and business know how made those in the bottom of the pyramid preys of predatory lending, where the Shylocks of the world make a ton of money at their expense, without even realizing it. In many developing countries in Asia, Africa or Latin America, the Shylocks of the world are still making a lot of money because there are only a few Grameen Banks. This where businesspeople as well as NGOs from first world countries like the Rotary International with its 1.25-million Rotarians in 200 countries, or Lions International, must get involved NOW to accelerate the expansion of micro lending, the Grameen-Bank way.

Briefly, allow me to illustrate the modus operandi of this “underground lending” (that is the only one available) in many rural villages in the world: The venture capitalist (Shylock of the village) lends FIVE PESOS to a market vendor on Monday morning, then collecting ONE PESO as interest ONLY the next Friday! So the ORIGINAL FIVE PESOS

small, low-interest loans to the poor to help better their livelihood and communities. Despite its low-interest rates and lending to poor individuals, Grameen Bank is sustainable and 98% percent of its loans are repaid – higher than other banking systems. It has spread its successful model throughout the world. Dr. Yunus received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work.

It is surprising why Grameen Bank is succeeding, after great patience in dealing with the slow pace of changing the mindsets of those in the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Having been born and raised in the Philippines, which is still a developing nation, I have witnessed that the World Bank model of primarily lending and dealing with the established institutions has kept the progress mainly on the top of the economic pyramid. The trickle-down theory has not worked well but kept the status quo where the poor gets poorer, and the rich richer. Lack of capital aggravated by the lack of

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The Metamorphosis

California Chapter and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County. He is also active in his Church as a member of the Pastoral Council, Peace andl Justice Ministry and a Volunteer in the Restorative Justice and Catholic Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Orange. His hobbies

include writing, reading, playing chess and poker, biking, travelling and speaking before groups, especially youth groups. He has been writing his “The Metamorphosis” column in the San Diego based Asian Journal for almost 20 years.

About The Author

Ernie Delfin, a CPA-entrepreneur in Southern California, is the founder & Charter President of the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club, under Districtr 3780,Quezon City, Philippines, an Assistant District Governor of District 5320, California. He has served also as President of the PICPA-Southern

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earned 52 PESOS for one year! But after five weeks, Mr. Shylock has earned another FIVE PESOS to lend. Beginning on the 6th week, he will be collecting TWO PESOS AS INTEREST ONLY from two market vendors! Just extrapolate what happens every five weeks, or after several years from the day when the original FIVE PESOS was lent to the first vendor.

Dr. Prahalad’s “The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid” describes the successes of several business enterprises in India, Mexico and Latin American countries by applying the revolutionary marketing and consumer principles and diligently working with the clients’ different mindset.

T hat is the factual scenario of many Third- or Fourth-world country’s poor villages, where credit facilities of the World Bank or any traditional banks cannot or do not want to reach. I am not surprised at all why Grameen Bank is succeeding, after great patience in dealing with the slow pace of changing the mindsets of those in the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Another excellent book that deals with developing nations is “The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid” by Dr. Prahalad. The book succinctly

describes the successes of several business enterprises in India, Mexico and Latin American countries. These countries’ lower-economic strata thrived by applying the revolutionary marketing and consumer principles and diligently working with a different mindset of their client base. The companies that were showcased in the book illustrate how a social enterprise can make a fortune by incorporating the prevalent values of the market place and never imposing the traditional business practices of Wall Street.

The building of a nation is never easy but I believe it can be accelerated through the innovative fusion of labor, committed entrepreneurs and social capital that is not only centered on making profits that only go to the owners of the enterprise. Socially-oriented businesses as advocated by Drs. Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, and Dr. Prahalad, author of “The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid” should be supported and encouraged to expand faster in as many countries as possible. It is one proven way to make the gap between the very rich and very poor narrower in many countries of the world.

-end-

Muhammad Yunus’ “Micro-loans” ... continued from page 43


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Makata si Juan at si Maria

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Makata si Juan at si MariaAbout the Poet[s]

Rein Eviota is a graduate of Bachelor of Science & Industrial Technology major in mechanical technology at SSCT Surigao State College of Technology. He is currently an OFW working in UAE as a Procurement Officer.Panalangin ng OFW

Panginoon salamat sa buhayna iyong binigaydahil dito ako’y natutongmaghanap buhaykahit kapalit nito’ypangungulilang tunay

Panginoon iyo sanang gabayanang daang aking lalakaranupang di malihis sa daangkalbaryo’t kawalannang patuloy ko silang masustentuhanng makamtan naman ang katiwasayanghinahangad noon pa man

Panginoon utang ko sayo lahatkaya ako ngayo’y nagsusumikapOFW man ang turingsa puso’t isipan nila’y bayani dinkaya ito’y aking pagsisikapanng mabigyan ko naman ng pangangailanganang pamilyang naghihintaysa likod ng tagumpay na inasam kailanman -Rein EviotaUnited Arab Emirates


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