Personally, I feel saddened by the demise of one of the Bee
Gees brothers, Robin Gibb. Unfortunately, the long battle of Robin from colon
cancer and series of intestinal surgery these couple of years has ended today. It
was reported that on April 10, Robin fell into comatose after contracting
pneumonia. His doctors announced that his chance of survival and his prognosis was
very slim and literally was fighting for his life. But, few weeks later, he staged
a tremendous recovery and started to communicate little by little to his
family. This miraculous recovery from coma bestowed the family to hope more,
keeping their fingers crossed for the total recuperation of their beloved
Robin. Sadly, he finally succumbed to death this Sunday after a lengthy
struggle from his disease. The Grammy’s 2000 Lifetime Achievement and Rock and Roll
Hall of Famer awardee was 62.
(L-R, Robin, Barry and late Maurice Gibb of Bee Gees
- Photo taken from http://www.metro.co.uk)
His passing away, left his only eldest brother, Barry Gibb
since Robin’s twin brother, Maurice (53 years old) also died last 2003 after complications
following an operation to correct a twisted intestine. Andy, their youngest
brother who is not part of the Bee Gees, also became famous for being a solo
performer, died of heart failure at the age of 30.
I was born in 80s but Bee Gees songs are well-loved by my
ear drums. Robin, together with his brothers, Barry and Maurice, is one of my
favorite artists of all time. Their music sounded differently from the rest of
the musicians I used to listen to, with a distinction of having high-pitched collaborated
vocals, their music was legendary and timeless. Though I never experienced the
time where their rhythmic songs was really popular during early disco era of 1970s, such
as “Jive Talkin”, “You Should Be Dancing”, “Staying Alive”, “Night Fever”, “More
Than A Woman”, and so on, but their discotheque-themed
tunes were played in disco houses and radio stations even today. My personal
favorites of all the Gibb brothers’ songs were ballad “How Deep Is Your Love”,
“Words”, “I Started A Joke”, “Massachusetts”, and “How Can You Mend A
Broken Heart.”
As an avid fan of their trio group, and also a tribute to Robin Gibb, I would like to share their music videos which were my personal picks from among their successfully released masterpieces.
1. How Deep Is Your Love
(Live Performance)
2. Words
(taken from Festival Hall of Australia, 1978)
3. I Started a Joke
(Live performance by Andy Gibb as the main vocals)
Last May 4, 2012, I marched in the graduation ceremonies of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Pending the successful defense of my dissertation, I will receive a doctoral degree in criminal justice.
A Graduation pic of himself in Michigan State University
From a maligned ex-detainee in one of the most crowded jails in the Philippines, I will be called “Dr. Narag,” with a specialization in prison administration. I wish to share my story as a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit. It is a testimony of God’s love.
I was once accused of a crime I did not commit. I was accused of murder for the death of an equally promising young man a few months prior to my graduation from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. I was arrested on May 24, 1995, prosecuted in the courts and put behind bars in Quezon City Jail until February 28, 2002.
Then only 20 years old, I was naïve to the harsh realities of this world. Released at age 27 and losing the seven best years of my youth, I was a changed man.
Like any emotionally devastated human being, I was initially bitter about my incarceration. I could not fathom why a person as idealistic and as innocent as I should undergo such suffering. I cannot comprehend why I had to live in a cell which accommodated 30 inmates instead of the five that was humanely prescribed. I cannot understand why I was forced to live with a food subsistence of tuyo(dried fish) that barely sustained my flesh. I cannot grasp why I had to go out of jail with handcuffs with the media too willing to proclaim that I was "the person to be hanged.” In my myopic mind and shortsighted understanding, I questioned God: “Do I deserve this suffering?”
But God works in mysterious ways. He sent people who could serve as floaters when I was about to sink in a sea of despair. He sent sister Auxi, a religious nun, who made me her assistant in her prison ministry. He sent Bobby and other brothers in the Christ Youth Action, who introduced me to the Bible. He strengthened my parents who steadfastly supported me without questioning my involvement in the crime. He strengthened my girlfriend whose advice to “be a good boy" continued to ring when the corrupting influences of the jail tempted me. And He gave me Dan, my fellow accused and who served time with me, whose character was a pillar of strength when we were emotionally drained.
Responding to the hook God gave me, I volunteered my services to the Jail Bureau. I taught in the literacy program where we introduced the basics of writing and reading to our fellow inmates. I worked as a paralegal coordinator where we monitored the cases of inmates who had long been overdue for release. I organized a bible study group called Kristo Okay sa Amin (KOSA) to generate brotherly love among the warring gangs. Eventually, on my fourth year of imprisonment, I became the Mayor the Mayores, the top position in the inmate political hierarchy, where I helped the warden in managing the affairs of the prison: of how to keep the jail surroundings clean, of how to prevent conflicts among the inmate gangs, of how to generate funds to keep the reformation programs going. Indeed, I saw firsthand the intricacies of managing a crowded, underfunded, undermanned prison institution.
Therefore, instead of being bitter about my prison experience, as Father Tony Ranada, the QC Jail chaplain would say, “I was embettered by it!” I learned that there was a reason why God sent me there: to tame my wild and insatiable soul. Prior to my incarceration, I was headed to the worldly and Machiavellian life of the legal profession where I envisioned myself to be a shrewd lawyer. “Nah!” God said, “I had better plans!”
I realized I was in jail to discover His undying love for me. I realized His immense plan for me to prosper. Having found the reason: I claimed my freedom and clung on to His promise: I may be the maligned inmate, but I was spiritually free. I shall use my academic and intellectual skills for His greater glory.
In the process, I was driven to document furiously what ailed the jail administration and to understand why and how my fellow inmates ended up in jail. I also endeavored to understand why gangs engaged in violence and drug distribution and how prison officers maintained their professional integrity despite the deficiency in salaries and personnel. I wrote letters to the media and to concerned politicians and administrators to provide a realistic analysis of why jail escapes happen, of why inmates engage in riots, and anything that will portray a true understanding of jail life. Indeed, right in the confines of Quezon City Jail, I was introduced to the academic field of Criminal Justice.
Eventually, after six years, nine months and four days, I was proclaimed a free man. Of course, I was wrongly accused! Immediately, I wrote a book entitled “Freedom and Death Inside the City Jail” about my jail experience which was supported by the United Nations Development Program and published by the Philippine Supreme Court. In his message, then Chief Justice Hilario Davide described my book as an “eye opener.” He then used it as one of the bases for the wide-ranging Action Program for Judicial Reforms. In one unforgettable moment, I delivered a speech in front of the 15 justices of the Supreme Court sharing with them my story of incarceration and redemption. Almost in tears, one of the female justices approached me and whispered, “Our courts could only express our apology.”
Apologies accepted! But more than apology, I wanted our leaders to act more in behalf of the inmates and other downtrodden people. I wanted them to develop a passion for the people they are serving. Using my extensive experience on how the inefficacy of prison records lengthen the stay of inmates in jail, and inspiring a group of computer programmers, we came up with a Simplified Inmates Records System (SIRS) that computerized the inmates’ carpeta. We also developed a Detainees Notebook, where inmates can self-monitor their own cases. These efforts to de-clog the jail were eventually noticed by the Quezon City government; which awarded me the Outstanding Citizen Award in 2005. Three years after treated a lowly inmate in Quezon City Jail, I was honored as Quezon City’s model citizen. God be the glory.
But when it rains, it pours. My representation about the penal situation brought me everywhere. Eventually, I was chosen as one of the 10 Fulbright Scholars in August 2005. I was sent to Michigan State University for a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. For my masters’ thesis, I studied the correlates of victimization among Filipino respondents. Impressed by my performance, the Department offered me another scholarship, this time for the Doctor in Philosophy.
The road to the Phd degree was a long and rigorous one. I had to burn the midnight oil to read theories about crime; I had to stay in the library for long periods to master the methods of collecting data; and I had to refresh my old mathematical skills in order to understand statistical analyses. There were times that I almost gave up, asking God if I had made the right decision to pursue a PhD. I had two kids by then and they were growing right in my eyes.
But once again, I clung to God’s promise. I remembered: He sent me to prison, and He plucked me out. Then, there must be a reason why He sent me to a foreign shore just to be the “Filipino expert” in Criminal Justice. Indeed, He introduced me to a church family that nourished and deepened my understanding of His Word. In my spiritual growth, I realized that any efforts to improve a justice or social system must be based on the foundation of truth and love. And I used this biblical concept to guide my future efforts to improve my country’s justice system. Indeed, after seven years, the same length of time I spent in jail, I am done with my masters and PhD degrees.
I marched tall and proud. I marched to say thank you for all those who kept and continue to keep the faith. I will reiterate: Hang on and never give up. I marched to declare that everybody commits a mistake and it is important to learn and grow from it. I marched to be a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit in the face of seemingly unending odds. But most importantly, I marched as a proclamation of God’s love.
Raymund E. Narag East Lansing Michigan May 4, 2012
* I read this article from the gmanetwork.com in which i find it very inspiring and heartwarming story. Truly, his life's tale deserves to be shared and inspire each one of us. Life doesn't really end if the world seems to let you down or the people around you tried to persecute and abandon you. Because, at the long run, life is not unfair after all. As long as you are determined not to give up and continue the battle, God's rewards of your good deed will be given to you at the end of the day. Mabrook!
HINDI mo kailangan sagutin ang quiz na ito. Basahin mo lang, makukuha mo na ang punto — na napakahalaga.
1. Ibigay ang limang pinaka-mayayamang tao sa mundo.
2. Ibigay ang limang huling nagwagi ng Nobel Peace Prize.
3. Ibigay ang limang huling world heavyweight boxing champions.
4. Sabihin ang limang huling Film Festival best actors o actresses sa Oscars.
5. Sabihin ang limang huling Miss Philippines.
6. Sabihin ang limang huling kampeon ng Philippine Basketball Association.
Hindi mo kaya, ano? Kasi, wala sa ating nakakaalala sa headline-makers ng kahapon. Hindi sila mga pipitsugin, Mga numero uno sila sa kani-kanilang larangan. Pero napapawi ang palakpak. Kumukupas ang medalya. At nakakalimutan ang mga gantimpala. Inililibing ang mga tropeo at sertipiko kasama ng mga yumaong may-ari.
Pero heto ang isa pang quiz. Tingnan mo kung maipapasa mo.
1. Maglista ng limang guro na tumulong sa iyo sa lakbay mo sa edukasyon.
2. Maglista ng limang kaibigang tumulong sa iyo sa panahon ng kagipitan.
3. Maglista ng limang tao na may naituro sa iyong kapaki-pakinabang.
4. Isipin ang limang tao na pinaramdam kang espesyal at mabuti.
5. Isipin ang limang tao na masayang kasama.
6. Isipin ang limang bayani na nag-inspira sa iyo.
O di ba madali? Aral: Ang mga tao na pinaka-mahalaga sa iyo ay hindi ‘yung mga mararaming titulo o pera o panalo. Sila ‘yung mga nagmalasakit para marating mo kung saan ka ngayon...
Have you ever
witnessed a dying mother? How do you feel? As a nurse, I have seen numerous
incidents such this inside the hospital wards way back when I was still a
nursing student. At this moment, witnessing a dying woman is not really new to
me. Though it’s quite difficult for us like me as a nurse to see a person
having their last breath but I am already used to this. It’s part of my
profession. However, my first ever encounter where I really witnessed a dying
mother was when I was at grade school. How do I feel then? My feeling at that
moment was completely vague. Am I worried? Nervous? Panicky? That time, I was
really clueless of what was going on? I don’t have any notion of an impending
death. I never had an idea of signs of stroke. What I know, I never failed to
wonder and asked the mother, what was wrong? But, the mother never uttered
clear and comprehensible words to my queries but only slurry and blurry words.
Sadly, that woman was my mother - my first encounter of a dying mother.
1973. Mama and Papa's wed.
Way back 1991, 4 days
before Christmas, my friends together with my brother and I were outside of our
house because we were rendering Christmas carols in our neighborhoods. We
usually did this every night without fail to earn some extra money and save
this for we have something to buy on Christmas day. We were in the middle of
the caroling when my elder sister called me to go home immediately and attend our
sari-sari store and our mother because she said she needs to go to the
pharmacy to buy some pain reliever for my mother’s toothache. Right away, I bid
goodbye to my friends and to my brother and hurriedly went home. I saw her gait was so unsteadily and her hands were holding the edge of the dining table. So I helped my mother to walk and took
her to sit in the chair. The very first thing I noticed with my mother was her hair
was still damp and uncombed. Perhaps, she just took a bath. But what bothered
me most was she had trouble with speaking and could hardly speak some words.
Also her lips were uneven.
“Is there anything wrong
mama?” I asked repeatedly.
But she just mumbled.
She could not even open her mouth properly. I know something wrong was
happening but I don’t know what exactly it was. My sister only told me our
mother had toothache so I assumed all those unusual gestures of my mother were
already signs of a life-threatening attack. She slowly raised her hand pointing
the face towel hanged in the opposite chair. So I reached it and tried to pat
my mother’s damp hair. However, when I was patting her hair, bit by bit she slides
in her chair and I struggled to put her back in the chair. At that moment, a
customer approached to our store’s window and knocked his coin several times
(as a gesture to buy something). Probably wondering what he saw from us, he
asked me what was going on. I said I don’t know, look at my mama. When he observed
my mother’s condition, he hurriedly shouted and asked for help to our
neighbors.
“Na-stroke si Tya Glo!”
that’s what I hardly heard when he shouted.
Two to 3 persons
suddenly went inside our house and carried my mother with their bare hands. As
they were taking my mother outside our house, I was left standing stunned and
helpless. I don’t know what to do. People were starting to flock in and outside
our house trying to ask me what happened but I don’t know what to say. What
would I say? I never had seen a person experiencing a stroke. Only tear drops
are what I could answer.
That night, I really
prayed numerous times to God to keep mama okay. I prayed that I hope I could
still see her tomorrow and nothing’s bad would happen. I don’t know what time I
fell asleep that night but I was certain my mind was troubled and worried.
Morning after, Papa
woke us up (normally he do this to us every morning) and said to prepare
because we were going to our auntie’s house (mama’s sister) for our mother’s
wake. Then tears fell down.
Mama and my eldest sister
I lived with my mother
for 11 years. At present, I was living without my mother for exactly 20 years.
In that span of 11 years, I never had the chance to express how I truly love
her. How I wish I would have the chance to date her in an exclusive restaurant
or in 3D movie theatre, give her a gift of her wish, or even a simple card or
note of “I love you” and “thank you”. There were so many wish lists in my mind
but it always ended only in prayers. There were times, I envied others for
during special occasions, their family was complete and mine was not. Others
were accompanied by their mothers during enrolment but I was solo. Perhaps,
living in the absence of a mother trained as to be independent and value mother’s
role. Her only decade-presence taught me and my siblings to respect our father
always as well as honor other mothers. For we know, based from our personal
experience, a mother’s love and care is unconditional but limited. So today, although
as simple as this, I would like to salute all mothers out there especially to
my late mother – Happy Mother's Day!! You
are truly loved.
This is one of my personal favorites when I was a kid. I really loved eating this one especially when my father served this in our table. This is one of the easiest Filipino dishes to prepare. However, it
was a disaster when I first tried to cook this one when I was a college student
then. Basically, I learned cooking because of my father. Usually, once I cook, I
tried to imitate my father’s recipes. Looking back when I was staying with my
friends in a boarding house and I was trying to cook Pork Giniling for
lunch for the first time. I remembered my papa was accustomed to use achiote
seeds to make the food red so instead of using tomato paste I used the achiote
seeds. However, it turned out to be a complete disaster because I poured the achiote
seeds directly into the pan instead of dipping it first into a cup of water (then the water
is the one added to the pan excluding the achiote seeds). In short, we
never enjoyed our lunch because we have to remove the seeds in our mouth from time to timewhile we were munching the food. Epic fail! LOL
So instead of achiote seeds I used tomato paste in this recipe because the paste adds more thick, more reddish, and more taste to the sauce. Plus you won't have the same mistake as i did before :)
Giniling na Baka (Ground Beef)
Ingredients:
400 mg ground beef
Cooking oil
1 red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves,
minced
2 tomatoes, chopped and sliced
1 carrot, peeled and
diced
1 potato, peeled and
diced
1/2 c. frozen green peas
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
Black raisins
3 green chilis
1 tsp. fish sauce
Tomato paste
Salt and ground pepper
How to Cook:
1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Add
onion and garlic and stir fry until onions look translucent.
3. Add
ground beef and cook until the meat becomes brownish.
4. Add
tomatoes and cook until tomatoes are mashed with the meat.
5. Add the carrots, potatoes, green peas, bell
pepper and raisin and stir well. Cover for ample minutes until peas, carrots
and potatoes are tender.
6. Add
the tomato paste. (If you want to make the sauce more reddish and thicker, put
more tomato paste. Add an ample amount water if it dries up).
7. Season
with fish sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer for 2 minutes and
serve.
In the Middle East, since it’s quite hard to look for fresh vegetables in the market, you can buy packed frozen mixed vegetables instead. The packed mixed vegetables include green peas and carrots. So this may save you time for preparing the ingredients. This recipe is good for 3-4 persons.
I know everyone is aware
about how the Philippines is doing as a country. The Philippines is considered
as a third world nation or belongs to a developing country which was several
decades ago but until now the economy status of the country almost unchanged.
It is still highly struck by poverty, overpopulation and corruption. Negative
tales concerning the country spreads widely in the net and as a citizen, I am
aware of this type of news. Tales like NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International
Airport) as the worst international airport in the world in 2012 (this was
voted by the foreign travelers in a poll of a certain tourist web site), being
as the 12th world’s populous nation as reported by the United
Nations Population Fund in 2011, ranked first as the world’s most struck by natural
calamities and disasters disclosed by The Center for Research and Epidemiology
Disasters (CRED), being named as the world’s dangerous country for journalists
in 2009 by an advocacy group – Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), ranked 4th
as the most corrupt country in the south east asia and pacific region by the
annual poll taken by Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) in 2010 and
so on are just so depressing. It’s somehow aching to my ego as a Filipino
citizen. Those issues are just few of the blind sides of my country.
On the other hand, If I see
my country on a half-full view instead of seeing it as a half-empty glass, the
beauty of the Philippines and its people will overshadow its deficiency. The Philippines
is strategically located in the south east asia region and is sorrounded by
bodies of water as a 2nd largest archipelago with more than 7000
islands. Its natural resources and its scenic attractions are extremely
uncomparable to what those richest countries have. Mountains, beaches,
plateaus, rivers, flowers, fruits, animals, trees, and so on, you name them and the Philippines have it. The people of the
Philippines may not be the richest in terms of monetary aspect but its country
is considered as the richest in biodiversity and most beautiful picturesque places.
Recently this year (2012), the Puerto Princesa Subterranean
River National Park (PPSRNP) was proclaimed as one of the new 7 wonders of the
world by the New7Wonders organization. This is the world’s longest navigable underground
river system available to man with 8.2 kms long. According to 2009 Happy Planet
Index (HPI), the Philippines ranked 14th as the happiest people on
earth. The index measures happiness combining life expectancy, life
satisfaction and environmental foortprint. Another 2012 global index study by
the California-based Global English Corporation named the Philippines as the
world’s best country in business english proficiency. No doubt about it because
Filipino skilled workers and professionals are in demand across the world
because of its ability to speak and write english though it’s not their native
language. Today, the country has overtaken India in business process
outsourcing (BPO) or mostly known as the call centers. The outsourcing industry
now employs more than half a million people of the Philippines which highly
contributes to the gross dometic product. Several trivia and amazing facts
about the country are listed below:
- The Philippines became the1st Asian country to win FIVE
major international beauty pageant crowns — two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and
1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
- The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally known
as Butanding, regularly swims to the Philippine waters.
- The Philippines is the home for the world’s smallest volcano
(Mt. Taal in Batangas) and the volcano with the world’s most perfect cone (Mt. Mayon
in Albay).
- The largest eagle in the world is the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga
Jefferyi) also known as the Monkey-Eating Eagle.
- The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius Syrichta) is
considered the world’s smallest primate. It only measures about 12 centimeters
long with two big eyes that don’t move.
- The world’s shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the
dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent
species found in the streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length
of 8.7 mm. and weigh 4-5 mg.
- On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered mass to an
estimated 4 to 5 million people at Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines, making it
to the Guiness Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.
- There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the
Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the Sea"
is the rarest and most expensive in the world.
- Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in
the Philippines.
- Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are
reported to be found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill,
Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead.
- Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven
are found in the Philippines.
- San Juanico Strait - said to be the narrowest yet the most
navigable strait in the world.
- The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver
in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the
"Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2
inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at
US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.
- The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the
Philippines. This spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level,
is known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is
in the floor of the Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plumbed the
trench in 1927.
- World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal - South of
Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's smallest hoofed mammal -
the Philippine mouse deer. Locally known as Pilandok(Tragalus Nigricans),
this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
These are just few facts about the beauty of my
country. If I will write it down here, perhaps it would take me time to end
this post. All I could say, my home, my country has lots to offer to every one of
you either locals or foreigners. If one is looking for peace, adventures, and
fun, the Philippines is best for you! And before I end my post, please take
time to watch and listen to this video by Julien Drolon, a French singer-song
writer. This song is the one really inspired me to make this post because I felt
proud upon watching his music video. Philippines is indeed good!
While I was browsing
the latest Hollywood movie trailers this 2012, I stumbled upon the newly
released TV commercials of the Philippine Department of Tourism led by Sec.
Ramon Jimenez for its campaign ad “It’s more fun in the Philippines” intended
for local and international viewing(CNN).
The first commercial consists
of different memes made and shared by the netizens in social networking sites (Facebook
and Twitter) with an introduction line of: We asked people “why it’s more
fun in the Philippines and they answered:” andthen it followed by
series of picture memes answering why it’s more fun in the Philippines.
The second commercial
features a video footage of the smallest monkey ever, the Philippine Tarsier
with a meme of Staring Contests: More Fun in the Philippines.
“If anyone is not
willing to work, neither should that one eat..” 2 Thesalonians 3:10
Even the Holy Bible,
people are encouraged to work for at the end of the day he has food under his
table. This is the greatest responsibility a man could do throughout his life,
to work and feed not only himself but also his family. This responsibility is
expected on man to provide food and support his family in any ways he could. However,
lots of circumstances this obligation is not as easy to realize.
According to the Commission
of Population, the Philippine population is projected to increase to hit 97.6
million this 2012 and will rise to 101.2 million by 2014. So far, it’s the 12th
largest population in the world. Furthermore, its unemployment rate (2011
estimate) is 7.2% which is equivalent to more than 10 million people have no
source of living in its home country. So how could anyone obtain a descent job
if the jobs available in the government agencies, private companies, and
non-government organizations cannot absorb the huge number of capable people?
Indeed, employment in
my home country, the Philippines, is hard to find – it’s quite elusive. Though
the country produces thousands of newly graduates and professionals yearly but
they sometimes ended up as unemployed or underemployed after several months of
job searching. The worse thing is, even if one was hired, the compensation is
not enough to support his needs as well as his family. Maybe that’s why some
workers opted to work outside the Philippines to look for greener pasture and
financial stability.
Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) are considered nowadays as “Bagong Bayani” or new heroes for
their remittances sustain the dollar reserves of the country thus helping the
economy stable. These people leave the country to work abroad due to lack of
jobs available or to have higher salary than what they earned in their home
country. However, in my own opinion, I think the non-OFWs are the ones who deserve
to be called as “bagong bayani” because no matter how awful their
workplace, no matter how low their salary is, no matter how they work really hard,
they still serve and work to the benefits of its country. Unlike the OFWs,
including myself, our knowledge and skills are directly benefited by the
foreign country in exchange for higher salaries.
Filipino workers staging demonstrations on labor Day photo taken from http://dadaarchive.chicago.indymedia.org
Today, May 1, Labor
Day is widely celebrated by different countries across the world including the
Philippines. How terrible to know that the Filipino workers usually welcome the
Labor Day with major protests in the streets. Almost annually, the government
is really deaf to the cries of grievances of the workers especially the talk
for reasonable wage hike. Contrary to other legal holidays in the country such
as Christmas, New Year, and Holy Week, the celebration of Labor Day is not really
well-loved. Instead of treating themselves for a job well done in the office,
they prefer to go out and go with the rallies.
Although Labor Day is observed
differently by every worker, I would like to celebrate it personally for my
social achievement and economic contribution to the society as an overseas Filipino
worker. How I wish, in the coming years, the workers get what they truly deserve
from its employers. Anyhow, In behalf of the millions of Filipino workers of
different sectors across the world – Mabuhay tayong mga mangagawang Filipino!
