(Grass always seems to be greener on the other side.)
For years, I have been fairly immune to the most zealous “invitations” to relocate overseas. It started with my mom back in college when I was still single. Now, people are talking about not just living in the US for good, but also in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and in other Asian countries.
They tell me I can always go back to the Philippines if it doesn’t work out. But I have to make sure I am not letting the opportunities pass by, they say. If I don’t want it for myself, I should consider it for the kids.
I’m sure you know what I mean when I say the “invitations” can get really insistent. So much so that my sister has already made the jump. She is working on bringing her entire family to Canada to live there for good. Then another sister will leave for the UK this year. Another one is raring to restart her life in New Zealand. They are looking for better jobs, better benefits, more pay. They are professionals who have good education in good universities. Their careers here are promising. But some say that with the endless jockeying in politics, corruption and pollution here, why not go for the “greener” pastures in other countries.
Yet, on the other side of the fence, I see foreigners who have decided to stay. Howard Belton’s personal musings published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday shows a British guy, national chairman of Unilever Philippines, opting to stay in the Philippines because he and his wife felt they were treated here like family. They are not the only ones. You will see all sorts of Caucasians and other Asians who have chosen to live here.
I still don’t have the answer. I am not packing my bags just yet. It would be nice to get the complete picture IF I ever do.
When the Victoria Secret lotions, Dior, Chanel and expensive toys come out of balikbayan boxes and heavy luggage when relatives come home, you kinda feel left behind even if you can buy those stuff here already. It’s as if the fairy godmother has come from a land far away that’s always more fun, more exciting, always greener and where life is always easier. But, as the excited talk dwindles to more relaxed chats late through the night, you begin to see chinks in the fairy tale story. Of difficulties. Changes in lifestyle. Homesickness. Having to swallow discrimination.
It’s a constant puzzle to me. Stay or leave. Is the money really so much better? Is it worth leaving everything behind? I know, it’s a very personal decision. No one can truly say one decision is better than the other. Each person’s circumstance is different from the other.
Hopefully, however, we can make informed choices. That way, we are ready for whatever difficulties may come. For many of you who have already left, what are the advantages and disadvantages? Knowing the complete picture will help Filipinos make the right choice — of whether life out there is worth leaving the smog of Manila, the corruption, the endless political bickering, the warm love of family and friends who are 30 minutes away, the Bisaya accent and Eat Bulaga sightings…are the green pastures really worth leaving the crazy fun of being in the Philippines.
Is it worth it? Honestly?
October 1st, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Working abroad here in Saudi, is a different category. There is no Catholic faith at all. And I miss so much my faith. Better to choose also a place in Canada where you will be able to practice your faith too. There is none higher than our faith. And if it’s gone one cannot but say regrets… that Pilipinas is a better place for Filipinos to stay… I don’t know but for me here in Saudi nothing higher than my faith do I miss.
July 16th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Krismark,
i have a few points for you to consider to help you finalize your decision to come to canada :
1. Are you earning at less than $3k in net income per mnth in your present job ?
2. Are you willing to downgrade your lifestyle in deciding to come to canada?
3. Are you ready to do everything your own (like laba, luto, pamalengke…etc) ?
4. Are you prepared/ready not to see your relatives/friends back in the philippines for at least 3 to 5 years?
If your answer is YES to all …then you are ready to come to canada.
Of course, the questions above are based on my own experience… if i can go back in time and somebody ask the same questions to me…. my answers are all NO.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
We have been living and working (as OFW) here in Brunei for more almost 20 yrs and have been contemplating of migrating to Canada. Honestly, it is not an easy decision to make. Lots of things are boggling my mind….
1. Canada is very far and to be able to visit Philippines anytime you want to won’t be that easy - considering the travel time and the cost.
2. I will be missing my family and friends in the Philippines and in Brunei.
3. Working in Brunei is tax-free and it won’t be the same in Canada.
4. We will be making a lot of adjustments with the new environment, the culture, food etc.
But why migrate to Canada?
I can only think of a few reasons and they are mainly related to our kids’ future.
But no matter what, I always tell myself that “there is no place like home” and someday just like what Gary V says in his song “babalik at babalik ka rin”….hehehe
June 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
goodluck
June 1st, 2008 at 2:53 am
Ripe Mango:
I don’t know about you but i think you have good grasp of how it is to live in America.. Walang gimmick , konting friends, walang kadamay, wala porma… you enumerated it all but i guess you want look the other way.
My husband and I have been in the US for 10 years,,, we’re done girl!! At this point we are only saving to have enough to retire in the philippines.
Mababait ang mga Pilipino, masaya, friendly and accomodating.. I really do not want to sound bitter because i can tell you, we are successful here in California- we have good jobs and we love what we do pero iba ang pilipinas, iba ang saya, iba ang buhay..it is not perfect but i will not trade it .
Nakakalungkot nga.. ang mga pinoy lahat gustong mag-alisan, kami dito ( as long as you are in reality and have something to fall back ) gusto bumalik sa pilipinas..
Nakakalungkot kasi ang mga foreigners / expats naaappreciate nila Pilipinas , some pinoys they take the philippines for granted.
Well good luck.. maybe subukan mong walang katulong/walang driver . then if you survive maybe you can try US for 3 month? ?? don’t know basta kami pabalik na .. like what gary v says ..babalik ka rin and i wish we never left…