Love in the time of Diaspora

The buildings in Dubai look magnificent from aerial view. Would you believe that the modern landscape of this city was co-created by no less than a Filipino Architect in the name of Jun Palafox? After graduating at the University of Santo Tomas and acquiring a Master's degree at the University of the Philippines, he left the country to be Dubai's urban planner.

Why Dubai? There was a need and he responded to that call. Our country never offered him an opportunity not until foreigners see his seeming potentials. He is said to be based back in our country, but still a few know about his talent.

This is the sad story of the Filipino diaspora. It's not we don't have what it takes to be great like other nations in terms of innovation, education and infrastructure. Only that we lose valuable minds which would have been instrumental to the development of our country. These minds have been basking around educational institutions for many years that some even garnered highest honors. Yet their first option is to find another nation who believes in them more than their countrymen do. It's the horror of  brain drain.

It's not only putting hope with the talent. Some flee the country to escape dirty politics, unemployment, passive mindset and apathetic people.

In a Singaporean film recently awarded in the Cannes Film Festival, it highlights an Ilongga domestic helper, Teresa, who chose to be called Terry. The film sets Terry's arrival in Singapore to be employed in a middle class family which has a young boy. This toddler disliked the arrival of Terry that he belittled and bullied her. Terry stood up to her feet and made it clear to him that she did not fly for miles just to receive such shabby treatment.

As the film goes on, Terry meets one of her biggest challenge - being away from her family. She phones them at night whenever she can but this does not seem to fill in the void. During her rare day-offs in a month, she spends this at a parlor as a hairdresser in plaza where Filipinos frequently go to. Even if it is against the law, she continues the routine just to earn more income to send for home.

The film ends with Terry going back to the country because Singapore was badly hit by economic crisis that the family who employed her could no longer afford to pay her continued employment. She headed home with a heavy heart and the young boy, who overtime was attached to her, found it hard to let her go.

This is not an extraordinary story for Filipinos. It's the truth. Mothers leave homes to work abroad as a skilled worker or domestic helper. They suffer the consequences of being separated from their family in exchange of a couple of dollars. Only fate determines when they can come back home.

The number of Filipinos fleeing the country rises every year. Every day, I see hundreds of people line up at the Department of Foreign Affairs or job placement agencies. Every year, I lose a valuable friend who will migrate to other side of the world.

Somehow, I long to live that day when every Filipino would no longer have to leave home just to have a good life which they have dreamed of. Life in the Philippines will be great. For this to happen, it will take inspiration and the creation of doing something for this country. This is my love - a big love towards the country that birthed me as a Filipino and I am proud to be one. What is there to love in a country full of betrayal and deceit? The answer lies in the next line of people who will take care of our motherland - the youth. If we take care of them now, then the Philippines will be in good hands.