F.O.B.: Return to Sender

Last week, I was on the process of renewing my importation permit with the Bureau of Customs when I unexpectedly received a shipment from China. I suspected it must be one of those shady deals mom has unknowingly gotten herself into and here I am about to blow my fuse.

After clearing immigration and customs, our precious cargo arrived with a backpack, a small suitcase and not a penny in her pocket. We're not talking about human trafficking here but a sixteen-year-old Fanny being dispatched by her parents to Cebu with high hopes of starting a new life. I just have to remind myself that it wasn't her fault that she's here but I couldn't help feeling annoyed by the fact that, at this point in my life, I'm not ready to take on another responsibility with my hands full.

My colleague, Dr. Frasier, received a call from her father entrusting his daughter's future in our hands. Wait a minute, are we running Operation Second Chance here? As a distant relative of my dad's noodle lineage, we barely even knew her, let alone communicate in Mandarin. The Chinese used the term "misua chins" referring to an extended family not related by blood, but maybe by the same last name or coming from the same town.

I remembered my mom recently came from China and it struck me maybe in one of her visits with those misua chins, pleasantries were exchanged over tea and dumplings as she chided, "Why don't I take one of the kids to Cebu and treat her as my own?" The thought that someone wants to take care of their daughter (daughters are worthless and literally abandoned in China), the parents must've yelled, "Jackpot na ni! ".

Most people from the provinces in China still think that the Philippines is the "Land of the Free", where you can do almost anything and still get away with it. They dreamt of setting foot on Philippine shores, and I realized that it is very difficult for them to obtain visas just to get out of their communistic life. Why then do Filipinos dream of setting foot in US shores? Is it because of overpopulated Chinese getting a bigger share of the economy? China is accused of dumping their excess goods in our country; does it include their people as well?

Like what the city is doing for the upcoming ASEAN Summit, I did my own instant clearing up, setting up camp for our guest in my mom's studio. I just cannot believe my mom denied any know-how on this matter. In my best behavior as hostess, I pleasantly asked Fanny what she wanted for breakfast, how her trip was and eventually what she wanted to do with her life. I just had to cut through the chase because she mentioned about studying English here and who knows, maybe staying for good.

Option A: I can choose to ignore her and go on with my life. Option B: I can choose to help her figure out her life as she has the remaining two weeks to decide on what to do. I took the Option B challenge. I can barely speak Mandarin, so most of the conversations were done with drawings and actions.

I found out that she hasn't even finished high school as she wanted to do it here. Excuse me, Fanny, but you do get government-subsidized education in China where you can learn English as one of the electives for a minimal fee of approximately PhP1,500.00/semester. English classes for foreigners in Cebu range from a tutorial of PhP250.00/hour to PhP100,000.00++/semester. Since Math is your forte, you do the calculations. Fanny, I was wondering what you plan to do after learning English. I want to be a teacher. How much do you earn as a teacher in China? Around PhP7,000.00++/month. Oh, and you were expecting a much higher income here in Cebu? Would you consider checking out neighboring Hong Kong for much better opportunities since you're a Chinese citizen?

This is clearly a case of miscommunication. My mom's small talk led Fanny's parents to have high hopes for their daughter, yanking her out of high school so she can have a better life than they can provide for. After her third day here in Cebu, she came to her senses saying that she didn't want to burden us and decided to go back home to finish her high school education and learn English along the way. Who knows, after graduation, she might not pursue her ambition of becoming a teacher but her decision to go back and finish her education as of the moment is a major step in taking responsibility for herself.

I took care of her ticket back home and as she tearfully informed her parents over the phone of her decision, I can hear her father cursing on top of his lungs. I do understand the cost it took for them to obtain visas and a one-way ticket to Cebu. They made an investment exporting their daughter to a foreign country, hoping to relieve them of their responsibility in providing parental guidance and basic support for their child. I believe charity starts with our family but it doesn't mean that help extended is an excuse to let go of one's responsibilities.

We spent Fanny's last day in Cebu sampling local cuisine, walking through the local neighborhood market, making pesto and shakes, playing badminton, and listening to Chinese pop songs in her MP3 player. What on earth will I send her as pasalubong since they have almost everything in China? She brought some native delicacies and fashion accessories to sell to her friends. Maski unsaon, negosyante jud ang Instik!

My mom briefed her on what to do in the airport, from paying the airport fees to switching planes. She drew a floor plan of the airports, stuffed sandwiches and drinks in Fanny's backpack, gave her money and sent her off. I realized mom wanted a daughter to take care of and Fanny never had a doting mother. This trip has served its purpose.

Coming from the airport, mom assured us that Fanny won't get lost as she had priority sticker on her shirt identifying her as a first time air passenger. Did it read: F.O.B. (Fresh Off the Boat): Return to Sender?

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