Guess who came to dinner in Kuwait, Dubai and Abu dhabi

KUWAIT — The OFWs in Dubai, Abu dhabi and Kuwait never expected him to come on Independence Day. But he did come with a big entourage composed of two former senators, two former ambassadors, two movie actors and two musical artists. Guess who he was. No other than former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, along with former First Lady, Dra. Luisa “Loi” Estrada and incumbent Senator Jinggoy Estrada. With him also were former Ambassador Roy V. Seneres (United Arab Emirates) and former Ambassador Antonio Villamor (Hellenic Republic of Greece).

Erap attended the celebration of the 111th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day both in Dubai, Abu dhabi and Kuwait. The Embassies in Abu dhabi and Kuwait and Consulate (Dubai) were kept busy by that visit. Speeches and songs, jokes and sarcasms, parties, dinners and the endless “Kodakan” have made the occasions lively and quite colorful. Only a few remembered that it was Independence Day. Before leaving Kuwait, Erap made a statement that domestic helpers should be banned from Kuwait. This caused a stir in the diplomatic circles. We had to explain to the host government that the former president was only expressing an opinion.

Royal pardon for a Filipina death convict

May Vecina was a simple OFW from Matalam, Cotabato and ended up as a domestic helper in Kuwait. Due to too much pressures by her employer who subjected her to emotional violence and other forms of harassment like mental torture and psychological pressures, she killed her employer’s six-year-old son. She was arrested, jailed and she was accused of killing a minor, on 6 Jan 2007.

She admitted during the trial that it was a crime of passion resulting from excessive obfuscation. She also admitted trying to kill the victim’s 13-year old brother and 17-year old sister. She was convicted in 2007 and was sentenced to die. On July 8, 2008, her death penalty was commuted to life sentence. And on 10 June 2009, a full and absolute pardon was granted by The Emir (King of Kuwait).

As of today, there are two more Filipinos who are in Kuwait death row. Namely: Jakatia Pawa and Bienvenido Espino Jr. Pawa’s case is awaiting promulgation of judgment by the Kuwait’s Appellate court on June 15, 2009. Espino’s appeal before the Appellate court is awaiting a schedule of hearing. By press time, we shall know the outcome of Pawa’s and Espino’s cases.

There are three other OFWs who were earlier sentenced to death by the Kuwait Court. Through the efforts of the Government, their death sentences were commuted to life, namely: Maria Fe Crusado, Marilou Ranario and Minerva Tayag. Assistance to nationals is one of the central goals of the PGMA’s foreign policy. The Philippine Embassy has been working hard to implement this goal. Vecina’s pardon is a landmark achievement of this administration.

Fragmented Filipino communities abroad

There is a running anecdote here in the Middle East that illustrates that, indeed, it is virtually impossible to unify the Filcom Leaders and members anywhere, anytime. It was told that in Saudi Arabia, the Embassy Officers wanted all OFWs be united, and there are more than 2 million Filipino workers in KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). And so they gathered in all major cities like Riyahd, Jeddah, Dammam, etc. to hold a general assembly and elections.

It was said that a Visayan doctor ran against an Ilocano Engineer from San Fernando, La Union. They were both vying for the Presidency of the United Filipinos Association for KSA (UFAKSA). The Cebuano allegedly lost. Fortwith, he resigned from UFAKSA and together with all Visayans, they formed the BISDAKSA (Bisayang Dako sa KSA). The engineer from Cebu ran against a banker from Bohol. The Boholano lost. He then disaffiliated from BISDAKSA and form a Society of Boholanos in KSA (SOBOKSA). Two Boholanos ran for election and the Talibon guy won over the bet from Valencia: The one from Valencia thereafter formed the migrant worker’s Assoc in KSA (VAKSA). He ran against a nurse from the Poblacion. He lost again and disaffiliated from VAKSA. He formed the Rural Valencia OFWs (RUVO KSA).

Everyone wants to be President. That’s why we, OFWs, don’t create a strong impact on the host country. We have effectively weakened ourselves and squandered our credibility in a foreign land. No other migrant workers take us seriously precisely because of this.Pastilan gadyod.

What’s right, what’s wrong with OFWs

Filipino workers are strong individually. They are weak as groups though. Individually, OFWs are technically competent, very articulate and adept in communication skills, computer literate and politically savvy. They are hardworking and love to render overtime work. They even take additional jobs on weekends and work on holidays. They are interested to join in community projects and to affiliate with various organizations. These are some of the good points that Filipinos should indeed be proud of.

But, on the other hand, there are many bad points that we should ponder upon. Many OFWs tend to overpromise and then underdeliver. They raised expectations to levels that are difficult to achieve and then ultimately cause disappointments and even anger among co-members. Some OFWs are also prone to sow intrigues, to spread false rumors out of envy or spite against a rival in the organization’s internal dynamics. In meetings, they don’t express themselves at all but outside, they talk a lot against others. These are unethical, unprofessional and put all OFWs in bad light. We should take all these observations positively and think real hard on how to improve ourselves and our reputation as foreign workers. Pastilan.

Tidbits: Mrs. Evangeline Jimenez-Durano is back in the bossom of her family in Tal-ot, Barili, Cebu. Mrs. Miguelita Birao of B. Rodriguez St. Cebu City is also back. They are the OFWs whom we helped to be repatriated due to various labor problems that led them to run away from their employers and sought refuge at the Bahay ni Kuya in Kuwait.

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