babble mix

To Leave or Not To Leave

That is probably the question you ask yourself each time you watch the news if you’re like a lot of Pinoys on the verge of giving-up on the Philippines.

“Wala nang pag-asa dito! Ayoko na dito! Bulok! Walang kwenta! Wala nang mangyayari sa Pinas!”

With these thoughts in your head, you start planning your escape to the land of anywhere-but-the-Philippines.

But before you start emptying your life savings and investing all your time and effort into applying for a visa or looking for a job abroad, ask yourself, what are your real reasons for wanting to work or live in another country?

“I want to earn more money.”

Think about this: Will your sacrifice and everything else you will give up really be worth the money you will earn?

If you can’t eat at least 3 times a day, put your children to good schools and buy your basic necessities, then the answer to that must be a big YES. If that sacrifice is what it takes for you and them to at least get your stomachs full, get schooled and have at least a few wants realized, then by all means, get out of the country, specially if you have no other source of income outside of your only job, like money from other businesses, transactions or services (by that I don’t mean monkey business, illegal transactions and “special” services. kayo talaga o).

But, if you’re earning well (which, by my definition is that you are fed, clothed and have enough for a foot spa or a new cellphone every now and then), will more money be worth all your sacrifice? Will more money be worth all the pain of leaving home, the homesickness you are bound to feel and all your adjustments in a foreign land? Will more money be worth missing your barkada’s grand reunion, your best friend’s wedding, the birth of your first pamangkin and all other milestones of family and friends that you will fail to witness? And not just the milestones, but missing everyday not-so-special moments, too?

If you think making yourself money in another country so that you are rich by retirement is worth all the years of sacrificing and missing out on special moments each day, week, month and year you are away, then go.

“The government is so corrupt and there’s too much political chaos.”


If you thought that political mess exists only in the Philippines, then you are living in a pessimistic bubble. The same politicking happens even outside of your country, fyi. You just don’t know about it in the same degree that you know about your country’s politicking, obviously because the media you have naturally concentrates on Philippine politics, unless they have big news like Bush is People-Powered.

You may say, “But the Philippines ranks among the highest in corruption!” Sure. It’s a sad fact, also because we ourselves as ordinary citizens have been corrupt at one time or another in our own country (aminin! Think: lagay). But that’s another point altogether, deserving of another blog entry kaya next time ko na lang idi-discuss yun.

The fact that we are one of the most corrupt countries doesn’t mean corruption doesn’t exist in other countries as well. Corruption is universal, just as universal as greedy human nature is, wherever you are. It’s the same banana, baby. Isipin mo, sa ibang bansa nga, ninanakaw rin naman ang pera mo kahit na dayuhan ka. Which brings me to another point.

You think your country’s government doesn’t treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Do you honestly think a foreign government will give more importance to you, a foreigner in their land? Don’t kid yourself that discrimination is already dead nowadays. It is SO not. It is as real as J Lo’s song whether you like to admit it or not. So what makes you think you will be given priority over a native or citizen of that foreign country?

And lastly, is the government circus the end-all and be-all of your life? Do you breathe and live for Gloria and all the monkeys seated in power? Undeniably, whatever they do up there makes a huge impact on everybody’s lifestyle, but being the resilient Filipino that you are, I’m pretty sure you can work around whatever boo-boo’s, failures and stupid decisions the government makes (again) as you always have. Then you’re going to say this…

“Wala nang future ang Pilipinas and ang family (or magiging family) ko.”

Are you sure to have that future you see for you and your family in a foreign country? What is your definition of “future” in the first place? Is it just your financial stability, or does that include your children’s and grandchildren’s upbringing? Living in a foreign culture with a totally different set of values is a true challenge for Filipino parents who want to raise their kids with Filipino principles and beliefs. Is your children’s future really secure in another country only because you are financially secure? What if they totally embrace foreign values and beliefs which largely influence their decisions for their own future, one you might not approve of? Would that still be the picture of a future you imagine living outside of your country?

“I will leave my children in the Philippines,” you might say. It goes back to topic #1. The answer will then be “yes, it is worth the sacrifice to leave my country for the future of my children.” But then ask yourself this: how sure are you that your children will have the future you have in mind for them, without you present to instill in them your principles and values that will enable them to make decisions to give themselves the future you want for them?

I guess all I’m saying is this: whether you decide to stay in the Philippines or live in another country for any reason, there will always be pros and cons, perks and challenges, joys and pains. Don’t just think of the “in the end” part of your decision (retirement or your children’s future) but also the journey you will have to take to get to the “in the end”. The pros, perks and joys have to outweigh the cons, challenges and pains for your decision to be worth it. Remember that before you go running away from the country that just might have been best for you.

posted by meL @ 5:44 AM