Of Survival and Hope
Most of the time I catch my self complaining that I don’t earn enough, that my salary is way too low for an OFW working in the I.T. field, and that many of my acquaintances earn a lot more than me. Then thinking about my hometown always leaves me feeling ashamed of my self…
More than a decade ago, Iligan City held up to its name as the Industrial City of the South. The National Steel Corporation (NSC) was still prosperous and thousands of its employees were well-off. Suddenly, the company plummeted along with other companies. Thousands lost their jobs and many youths stopped going to school. The once fully-booked ferries bound for Cebu almost became deserted and many families moved out of Lanao del Norte to find a way of living somewhere. This downfall also affected small businesses like carenderias and jeepney drivers and operators. Almost everyone suffered. Until today, many of the people in my hometown are still having a hard time.
How are they able to survive? That also left me wondering and in awe at the same time. This crisis drove many to tread on the path of an OFW. Some are forced to rely on the support of other family members and/or relatives. Others are left with no option but to take on a job that pays way below the minimum wage, part-time employment. Some take on the initiative of competing for a small pool of consumers by putting up a sari-sari store.
Indeed most of us have been going through hardships but these don’t keep us from smiling. We always have this strong will to survive and unexplainable hopefulness.
To every Filipino who is struggling for the sake of his family and the nation, mabuhay ka!
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September 25th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
VIVA LA TRABAJADOR FILIPINO DE ULTRAMAR!!!!! VIVA!!!!!!
if it weren’t for you guys, the motherland would be nothing! I mean, thanks to your remittances and hard works! you bring pride to us all here!
keep it up! be proud as a Filipino!
September 26th, 2007 at 1:34 am
go shiera, i commend ofw’s like you are, it is really hard to work and always consider the people most dear to your heart, perhaps without them, there is really nothing to work hard for, mabuhay ka at mabuhay kayong ofw’s ^^
September 26th, 2007 at 4:52 am
@rollchan & lord manila stone
Mabuhay to all Filipinos, (OFWs, local workers, and even those who are still trying to find their roles)…
I always salute those who are working hard to make a difference