Life abroad is not paradise.

[chad_tukes]

---

jennesse, i don't think the reporter's aim is to drive their readers into a more pessimistic approach. note that the article said "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."

affect the younger generation? oh believe me, the younger generation could care less.

respect in a foreign land? where are you located by the way? coz as far as i know, here in the US where i'm located, i see discrimination sometimes especially in the workplace. i'm lucky that i didn't get discriminated but i know a few people who experiences it on a daily basis.

[jennesse]

jennesse, i don't think the reporter's aim is to drive their readers into a more pessimistic approach. note that the article said "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."

affect the younger generation? oh believe me, the younger generation could care less.

respect in a foreign land? where are you located by the way? coz as far as i know, here in the US where i'm located, i see discrimination sometimes especially in the workplace. i'm lucky that i didn't get discriminated but i know a few people who experiences it on a daily basis.

Chad_tukes - Boss ( with high respect), Its not hard to see why you perceived it that way, because you are already up there. Try to review the response to the article here, although it does not indicate the age bracket, I was not surprise.

What this article is stressing does not justify the real world of perseverance, hard work, education, and patience equals success.... as cliche as it may sound, such virtue does not produce any better outcome other than the foreign land. It may not equate and resulted to instant stability, unfortunately our native land could not compete; but believe me, the standard of "stability" abroad is luxury here in the pHilippines, you probably know this by now, especially if you are one of those whose enjoyed the sacrifice of their wives while the husband is gullible, showing off the product of HER hard earned money...

What becomes of the younger generation depends mostly of those who nurture them from within and outside world. Its not plausible to learn what you know about the youngs, since you believe so, do you just want to leave it that way? Their exposure to the world such as articles and discussion like these may change their perception about pursuing a better, decent life and that does not exist in the Philippines.

Wherever my opinion originates should not factor from everyones perception about my thoughts because that is "descrimination" by definition. From where I am, be it in the Philippines, respect and freedom should have been the right to every individual. It exist everywhere but the chance be served justice is not our Politicians priority, sad, hence our future is pitch black. This by itself does not correlate with what the author says. You may not have experienced YET the pain of descrimination but as you go along you will have your share, its normal, its part of society's ever changing standard of practice, wherever you are.

What I understand is that he tried to "inform" the reading public that life abroad is not what they think it seems, a better place to live. PERIOD. But to misinformed that Philippines may not be as bad at all? Hell NO!

[chad_tukes]

you don't have to call me boss, Chad is fine.

thanks.

[tinayko]

true that.. i have my share of own bitterness and unsatisfying and the most prevailing moments in states. but i think its too informal to share it here. my life is diff. from others. ^_^

[fruit salad]

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.

One cannot have health insurance here if they don't have Social Security Numbers, which the TNT do not have... but you are right they can be admitted and treated in hospitals... that's the difference. But is a life of a TNT endurable? Depends on the type of person, it depends on one's pride. Some people are innately proud and cannot endure working odd jobs, riding public transportation however the weather condition, not be able to go home to the Philippines forever because of the fear of losing entry to the US, not have health insurance, no retirement benefits from work, and no social security benefits. If you really think about it, when you grow old, you better have saved enough money because you won't have the benefits compared to those who have worked legally. A proud Filipino cannot endure this, that's why to him, life abroad is misery compared to living in his own land. I know my late father thought that way, he had numerous opportunities abroad but he said he cannot work for foreign people, he cannot be oppressed nor belittled by foreign people, and he cannot humble his proud self to work low compared to his high position in the Philippines. I guess he has reached that position work-wise that's why he feels accomplished and he doesn't want to start from the first step again, especially in a foreign land.

Love for material things... the greatest logic in going abroad. Perhaps a few might have unique reasons but most is because of that endeavor to acquire material, or perhaps intellectual satisfaction (education-wise). But beyond that, ideally, we should love ourselves and not permit whatever race to look at us and treat us small may it be wherever we are in the world. Discrimination is existent, yes it is, but we have to rise above it and be successful, show them that we can excel and be respected.

[chad_tukes]

i agree with fruit salad. pinoys back home have this impression that living abroad illegally is better than being stuck in our home country. that's not always the case.

first, there's that risk of being caught. i know a friend of mine who's from the Carribean, stays here in the US illegally, permi lang tawagon sa immigration. they have to know where she lives, what she does, and sometimes they knock on her door to make sure wala siya ni ikyas.

now tell me, is that what you call PARADISE??

[jennesse]

[QUOTE=fruit salad;3819217]One cannot have health insurance here if they don't have Social Security Numbers, which the TNT do not have... but you are right they can be admitted and treated in hospitals... that's the difference. But is a life of a TNT endurable? Depends on the type of person, it depends on one's pride. Some people are innately proud and cannot endure working odd jobs, riding public transportation however the weather condition, not be able to go home to the Philippines forever because of the fear of losing entry to the US, not have health insurance, no retirement benefits from work, and no social security benefits. If you really think about it, when you grow old, you better have saved enough money because you won't have the benefits compared to those who have worked legally. A proud Filipino cannot endure this, that's why to him, life abroad is misery compared to living in his own land. I know my late father thought that way, he had numerous opportunities abroad but he said he cannot work for foreign people, he cannot be oppressed nor belittled by foreign people, and he cannot humble his proud self to work low compared to his high position in the Philippines. I guess he has reached that position work-wise that's why he feels accomplished and he doesn't want to start from the first step again, especially in a foreign land.


Having Health Insurance was not the issue.

Although, Health Insurance per-see does not really matter, Money matters.
Just so you know, Pacquiao wife got a presidential accomodation and give birth in LA although they have no Insurance, but they have the Money....Yes you can get health care as long as you have money...The same through with our beloved Mayor, Tommy Osmenia....

For someone who could not Endure hardship, whichever part of the globe you belong, you're good as staying in the Philippines for attitudes like these only populates and multiplies like a leach who is dependent on its host. This topic by itself has to be discuss separately.
TNT - an illegal approach to enjoy the perks, freedom ( i will talk about this later), equality that America (in this case) provides. This is one of the many reason why more Filipinos got denied with tourist Visa because we are so nototrious about these, the other Nationality are the Mexicans (again another topic to discuss ).

Life back then ( you parents and mine era ) has a total different economic situation. Somewhere around the 60's, to acquire an Immigrant "Visa in America" is just as easy 1-2-3, even easier than Canada and British Nation nowadays. . . Literally Filipinos goes to an Embassy, fills up an application, less than a month 95% you got approved. My Dad has one and so is my Mom. They end up practicing their respective profession there and indeed was not happy because at that time there is not much different in earnings as evidenced by the dollar exhange is just 4 peso....My parents end up coming back home until their Visa expired around the "Marcos" regime....From there on, never did they got the luxury of obtaining another visa that easy again even though they have one before....Why? (thats another topic to discuss)

Today, or 5 decades later, 47 is to a dollar later... Multiple currupt politician later.... Now, You tell me.

There is no Comparisson of an Illegal Resident from that of a Legal One, no matter which country you belong, although our beloved Philippines and any third world Country has not much of a problem like these because our Politicians did not bother to tightly regulate our Immigration policy, majority of which either aides their currupt system anyways out of bribery.

The Issue is, if a foreign land is not paradise as one might think.....well, Philippines is not a Paradise at all, PERIOD.

Look around you (not probably where fruit salad and chad is ), but from where I am, I dont know......

[emem525]

i agree with jennesse....and everyone else that it is not easy to work abroad. at least now people who are planning on living and working abroad have a first-hand understanding on how hard things can really be and i also agree na people would actually risk being tnt's sa ubang countries but still put food on the table for their families rather than staying here and spend every waking moment sigeg huna huna asa na sad ta mangita ug kwarta para kaon ug bayad sa bills. ako i want to go abroad and take my chances kay i have a goal for myself which i would like to achieve before i reach the age of 40 and i honestly do not think i can do it if i stay here and with the salary i am receiving now. i hope things go well for me and to those who want to go abroad. cheers!

[jennesse]

Love for material things... the greatest logic in going abroad. Perhaps a few might have unique reasons but most is because of that endeavor to acquire material, or perhaps intellectual satisfaction (education-wise). But beyond that, ideally, we should love ourselves and not permit whatever race to look at us and treat us small may it be wherever we are in the world. Discrimination is existent, yes it is, but we have to rise above it and be successful, show them that we can excel and be respected.

You see, it does not start there. Thats the beauty in America (this is the place you are referring to, right).
People who just started to acclimate is a day-to-day-survival...While in America where basic commodities is not that hard to acquire, just like any social being, your needs escalates to wants, unfortunately thats how economy survives, material things or the "comforts of life", is it wrong?, NO.
In the Philippines, majority of those who drives around their means of transportation could not really afford at all in every sense of the world for they give up their basic needs. How many people you know who settled for an dingy apartments or worse still sitting their A###S in their parents house, with their wife and kids in tow, but...they are driving a private means of transportation, how will you justify this? MATERIAL or pure DELUSION.
Nobody in their right mind wants to be treated the way we are treated by our Politicians her in the Philippines, or the practice of which Filipinos are known for ( too many to mention, not much help ones image ). Dont get me wrong, I am a Filipino, I am not proud to be one in so many ways too, not by blood but by exposure of our culture. Call me anything but this is how frustrated and disappointed I am of what becomes our Country.
Yes, We have to strive hard to achieved and be respected and be able to enjoy freedom, and this virtue is gone to extinction in the Philippines.

[raleigh_joan]

i think it depends on each individual how they take life abroad and maybe some are luckier than others. i noticed a lot of people find it really hard finding a good job or finding it hard to battle homesickness or they are just not having an easy life. it takes determination and courage and a lot of positivity to come and live abroad.

personally, i can say life here is really good and i get to enjoy better service and efficiency which i really don't experience back home.. i can just walk around with my bag unzipped without the fear of mangunguot.. the food that we buy at the grocery are of good quality.. we have fresher air here compared to pinas.. and the list goes on..

my life here isn't perfect but it really is good and there's nothing i can complain about. when i want to visit my family, i just save up some money and schedule a trip back home. when it comes to food, there's nothing better than pinoy food jud oi. so mao lang na ako ma miss jud, ang food coz i really don't cook that much here. i often just have take out or eat outside or sometimes just cook something easy.

my advise to those who want to work abroad - set a certain profession or job that you want to do then gain a good experience there in pinas related to that position or field u want to apply abroad. also attend seminars, trainings and short courses that could help you arm yourself with the competitive job market here. develop good communication skills and always be confident in urself. that's what i've noticed on people who made it abroad and those who did not. although it's not always the case coz again, there are people who are just born lucky i guess.. lol.. but seriously, those that i know who doesn't have special skills or any good work background in the philippines hardly make it here. i know some people here who ended up working in some jobs that they didn't expect to be in and are being underpaid.

goodluck to us all!