Life abroad is not paradise.

[chad_tukes]

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better life for the typical pinoy is all about material things.

[gikapoy]

better life for the typical pinoy is all about material things.

material things for your family hehehe
dili para sa kaugalingon huhuhuhuhu

[joan_of_arc324]

8s nt easy esp f la imo immediate family...u will surprise urself of wat u cn do jst to survive!!!i can still recall wen we got here, tapos la pmi car,we have to walk a few miles pra lang makagrocery, not only dis, d feeling na 2nd class citizen rka and homsickness ang no. 1 nmu na kontra!but sulit everytime i wud see d smiles of my nephews and nieces!!!

[emem525]

heheheh....maka eat pa sad mi 3 times a day. thank God! But there are times lang jud nga ma-short mi sa budget kay naay ubang bills nga kinahanglan bayran dayun...ahay...
joan_of-arc: i can imagine the difficulties you went through but looking back nakaya ra man sad di ba? mao sad na akong hope nga ma achieve someday...in a better place...hehe

[KE-25]

i worked my arse for 12 years abroad. all i can say is ...nothing beats working in your place. if you have what i takes to be successful here in cebu then stay here. if not, by all means find a job abroad.
now i'm back and leaving in my dream house and driving my suv....it didn't come easy my friends...luha og singot gyud ang puhunan.

I agree with your sentiments , lived abroad for 15 years, most of what balikbayans or people abroad that have shared their thoughts here are true. You have to work your A** off to be able to have the opportunity to learn, have a retirement fund, ability to make good decisions in a bad situation, surviving etc.

Although there are certain advantages working abroad, ie equal opportunity , good benefits , equal salaries to your skill level all that is relevant to the amount of STRESS you get vs working here. In other words I make less amount of money here but im happier, less stressed, able to enjoy life each day without bit***** all the time. And you are correct usahay if you believe in yourself, you have the drive to succeed, you will survive anywhere.

Good luck to all with whatever decisions you choose in life

[EZRA]

better life for the typical pinoy is all about material things.

So true.... so very true.

[jennesse]

Libre: Life abroad is not paradise.
by Mel Libre
Seriously Now
Sun Star Daily Cebu

The migration of people of Third World/developing countries to more developed states has reached an unprecedented level in the past few years. While the primary aim of most migrants is to attain a life better than what they had in their countries of origin, it is not always the case.

Despite getting the highest academic degrees, professionals seeking “greener pastures� often end up frustrated because their diplomas and licenses are not credited and recognized. If Philippine laws prohibit non-Filipinos from practicing a profession in the country, other nations, through professional organizations, are as strict in licensing migrants.

Except perhaps for nurses who are in demand by the graying population of most developed countries, migrant professionals who want to work in their fields of specialization have to re-enroll to obtain a degree in the standard of the host country. With this obstacle, many take on jobs that are less challenging, satisfied with the thought that the remuneration is higher than what is earned back home.

The growing migrant population has made host countries rethink its policies. In France, the migrant riots pushed the government to pursue reforms.

The United States has turned tough because of the overflowing number of illegal migrants from Mexico and other South Americans states. The Bush government is seriously pursuing plans of constructing a fence more effective than the Berlin Wall. Penalties have become harsh for illegal migrants caught.

Even thinly populated New Zealand, with its 4 million people, has adopted a strict policy on “Work Permit to Permanent Resident� visa, which allows professionals to enter the country and seek employment in their field of specialization within a period of six months. Should they fail to get such a job, their visa will be cancelled and they will have to take the next plane out.

If permanent residents find it difficult to get a job along the line of their profession, chances of one possessing a work permit are almost nil. To think that these people may have left their lucrative jobs in the Philippines and sold most of their possessions to buy the plane ticket and to have funds to sustain them while they RE looking for a job.

One can only imagine the risk a tourist takes when he/she decides not to ride the return flight. There’s the possibility of being exploited if ever one finds work, and the danger of being arrested as an illegal alien.

By going abroad, one may be able to flee from the disappointments and the lack of opportunities in our country. But life is not “paradise� in a foreign land. There is subtle and sometimes open discrimination. There is another language and culture to adjust to. The moral values are liberal, if not loose. Thus, while there are those who do succeed in their new homeland, there are many more who fail and suffer.

Lots of courage is therefore needed by anyone who decides to migrate to another country. But most importantly, strong faith in God to pursue a new life of uncertainty is required.

No Offense.

Knowing that this is coming from a Columnist: Sunstar, there is little substance in his thought other than to beat the deadline so that he will get paid.

What is he trying to impart, to discourage if not to give a negative notion about seeking for a greenier pasture? Like as if Philippines is better? Hell NO!

In as much as there are challenges in foreign land, so is Philippines. The difference, what you sow is what you reap.... but in the Philippine, What you sow, others will reap....

If there is gold, there is a rush...
This is the right to Countries such as America, to regulate does not mean to decriminate. As long as you are qualified you can be hired, in the Philippines, you have, Fernando Poe Jr., Lito Lapid., Revillas, Vilma Santos...Politicians who unfortunately backfires the voting public...they dont do nothing...If only they pass laws that regulate our Professions and Salaries, I am pretty sure the author of the above article would think twice, or perhaps he already does, again he just wrote this to beat the deadline. We have so many qualified professionals who could have done better to our Country, its because of our system of Governance and the domino effect it accrued.

I beg to disagree, Our education system here in the Philippines is at par with the best in the world. A lot of the best doctors and engineers are Filipinos, PIXAR entertainment who is famous for animated cartoons, you can find Filipinos there who applies thier craft with the best., all they have to do is pass the board exam there, or its equivalent thereof, then you are entitled to practice your profession.

To those who give up their assets here in the Philippines hoping to find a better life in a foreign land will surely be disappointed, for their attitudes and personality affects mostly with the nature of the job they hoped to land. "Forget Philippines"....then you will surely be better of in the long run.

To those Tourist who intend to stay over, or over-stay, however you say it, its illegal and like any illegal doings, it wont yield a better fruit. But even to this dire way of surviving at least they will indeed survive, others even become a master of thier craft.

The only way to level yourself with what you believe would be a fair income, resort to illegal means, or to lack of term, rub your fellowmen.

If going abroad involves risk.....It is pale in comparisson what risk you will gain in the Philippines.

[bordz1]

very well said jennese....

[chad_tukes]

@jennesse: note that the reporter didn't say "life is better in the Philippines" but life abroad is not a paradise as well. i guess no place is a paradise unless you make millions, live in a mansion close to a white sand beach, and drink wine as a hobby.

[jennesse]

@jennesse: note that the reporter didn't say "life is better in the Philippines" but life abroad is not a paradise as well. i guess no place is a paradise unless you make millions, live in a mansion close to a white sand beach, and drink wine as a hobby.

chad_tukes - I am glad that you found this article. However he wants to express it the outcome is negative to those who aspire and believe that you can overcome hardships and trials. It is just too sad that frustrated individuals like the author would settle on pessimistic approach, what do you think would this affects the younger generation? If your kids who is too close to achieving that elusive dream to greenier pasture and all of a sudden chnages their mind because of thoughts like these, what would that becomes of them?

If this author has the similar situation wherin his hard earned money and perseverance to discipline his kids in succeeding to be employed abroad is marred by this idea, do you think he will submit such article?

Money never makes one free from sorrows, miseries and health problems. It could make you live comfortably but not "life-comfortably". What is the best part in the foreign land is respect that is gain whoever it is due. which unfortunately never you will gain that in the Philippines. For some reason freedom in foreign land is much better, for what others have you too has the opportunity to have it, especially the basic needs.

Believe it or not, a TNT- coined term to those who decide to overstay in America, can eat exactly what and where the rich and wealthy eats there. They can achieve health care without being asked for deposit, religion, culture, immigration status, or connection to a certain "big shot". How is this better than that in the Philippines. This alone motivates our fellow filipinos to risk it all, even at the thought of being illegal, Foreign land ( British, Canada, America ) takes care of human being. What do we have here in the Philippines? Nothing but full of greedy politicians and public servants.