January 2010 Archives

By Digno Dennis Durens

(Editor's note: Excerpted from a post in the e-group of Filipinos abroad who are batting for the senatorial candidacy of OFW Rudy Dianalan. The Commission on Elections is still deliberating his inclusion in the official list of senatorial candidates.)

There are 7 million overseas Filipino workers worldwide. Assuming 30 percent will be able to vote, that's about 2.1 million votes. Assuming an average family size of 4 (husband, wife, and two children of voting age), that's now 8.4 million votes. I am sure that we can convince our immediate family 100 percent to vote for a fellow-OFW. Assuming further that each of the 2.1 million OFWs with a chance to vote will target 15 other Filipinos from his/her circle of relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces) and friends (barkada, kaklase, kapitbahay, kababata, etc), this is equivalent to 31.5 million votes. The total of 39.9 million (8.4 plus 31.5) votes is I think enough to send one "kabayan" to the Senate.

Now that we are able to see the numbers, we should realize that this is no longer wishful thinking, that we can do this. However, we must do our share in the whole scheme of things: 15 votes from your immediate circle of relatives and friends is not a huge task. I actually think we can even target 20 to 30.

Relatives are easy, friends--madami dyan nakakatikim lagi ng tsokolate, sabon, lotion at iba pa tuwing dadating ka, di pa kasali ang inuman at kainan at kunting pautang sa oras ng kagipitan. Now is the time to at least ask for a small return favor. Another positive factor: Communications today is very easy; e-mail, text, cheaper long distance calls. It really doesn't matter kung nasa abroad tayo, we can still do our share in the campaign.

Here is another helpful tip: Every voter will probably have 5 to 8 senators out of the 12 in their individual preferential list. Ang balance dyan ay panakip butas na lang, just to complete the 12 allowed votes. In my experience, kadalasan 1 or 2 votes for senators ay minadali na dahil wala ng oras. Kadalasan di mo na nga matandaan kung sino yung last 2 or 3 na napili mo. Given this, it will not be that hard to tell our friends or relatives, paki sali naman yung isang manok natin, kahit doon na lang sa panapon na boto nya, para di naman masayang ang vote nya.

I'm sure that after looking at the above scenarios, we can all feel positively na kaya natin to. We must do our share. The assigned task for each is so easy, sa isang oras na text lang or e-mail baka na-accomplish na natin ang share natin. Alam na natin that we need some representations at the highest level, yung taong kaisa natin, galing sa atin.

Now ikalat na natin ang mathematical calculation na to, na we can do it and it's really very easy.

We have been glamorized as modern day heroes, savior of the nation, redeemer in times of economic distress. Pero hindi natin maramdaman eto and individually as an OFW wala naman tayong nakikitang prestige or glamor.

The facts are pag nasa Pinas tayo, sinisigawan lang tayo ng isang sekyu sa airport at tinataboy ang ating mga mahal sa buhay na parang mga hayop na umalis na at madaliin ang pagpapa-alam.

Saan ba sila naghihintay pag dumadating ka? Sa isang higanteng hawla, kala mo pumunta ka sa Manila Zoo. Paghalik mo tuloy sa asawa mo at mga anak mo nahilamusan ka pa ng pawis nila.

Pag nasa POEA ka, doon sa basement ka kukuha ng OEC, at ganun din kabangis ang asal ng mga sekyu at workers doon. Pag nagipit ka, sino ba ang nalalapitan mo sa gobyerno, mayron naman dyan pero libo-libo kayong may problema, kaya wala kang priority. May programa ba tayong purely for OFWs? I think wala. Sa SSS at Pag-big at Medicare, singit lang tayo. Ang OWWA naman, aywan kung ano to, basta nagbayad tayo kasi kailangan ng OEC.

Nakita nyo ba sa TV yung mga depedents natin nag-aaway-away na sa pila sa OWWA para makahiram lang ng sampung libo dahil sa nakaraang bagyong Ondoy at Pepeng. Madami tayong hinaing, maraming problema ang supposed to be heroes na alam naman natin na "lip service" lang ang bansag sa atin na to. "Hero ka dyan."

Our impact on our country is gained from our collective efforts particularly yung suma total ng ating remittances. The key word or the operative word here is "collective." Individually, walang effect. Yung $1,000 na pinadala mo, walang effect. But the $1,000 na pinadala ng 5 milyong OFWs sa isang buwan is equivalent to $5 billion, yun ang may impact. Its about time para gamitin din natin ang ating collective power, we have this in our hands but not as individuals but as OFWs collectively, acting as one huge, gigantic force.

Let's start with this electoral exercise, iparamdam na natin kung sino tayo. Let's start doing things from the position of strength. Pakita natin na we are a force to reckon with, that we can indeed make or break our nation. One OFW in the Senate is not too much to ask for. Set aside natin ang president and vice president. I'm sure we have our own choices. Kaya natin to, look at the numbers and look at your share in the undertaking. Peanuts, no sweat. Let's not forget the operative word "collective." For once, let us start being one.