Last Sunday, I went to Taoyuen and Chungli (both on the southern part of Taiwan) to meet my sister Lyn who is also currently working in this country (she actually just came back and she's been working in this country for more than 5 years). As I noticed, there are more Filipinos in those areas rather than here in Taipei. As I am deeply appalled with the reality Filipinos are facing now, not to mention the hardships, may it be financially or work related we Filipinos are facing each day, I came to realize one thing: I am one lucky man. Why? Let me tell you why.
I cannot consider our family as middle class. We are not rich, we are not poor neither. We are from up north. My father who was once a seaman, retired to focus more on being a farmer. My mother, who helps my father to raise the family, owns a sari-sari store. Nevertheless, my parents worked (even now) so hard in order for me and my siblings, the four of us, to finish a degree. And because of that, I love them even more. In my family, both on the mother and father side, it is seldom that all of the children finishes a degree (financially might be the main reason but maybe its one's choice). And I am very thankful that my parents did all their best to send us to college.
My oldest brother, who took his college degree in Manila, is now a radio announcer/reporter/commentator in the local radio station in our province. My oldest sister Joan, a writer at heart, now works as a nurse in Oslo, Norway. My sister Lyn, an Economy graduate, as I mentioned, still works here in Taiwan. And me, a graduate of BS in Computer and Information Science now work as an IT consultant/programmer.
I've been to few countries already. I've visited Hong Kong, Thailand, some parts of China; I've been to Macau and recently, here in Taiwan. For sure Hong Kong has a special spot in my heart because it's the first ever country I visited outside my home country. But as I reflect more, Taiwan earned the biggest special spot in my heart. For one, I've been here in this country for more than a year and half working in one of our clients here, and second, because of this reason: My two sisters worked here to help my parents financially, to send me to college.
Because of that, I have a better life here compared to our fellow Filipinos who are working here, well, even compared to my sister Lyn's. Actually, that thought strike me the most. I've been living in this country where I manage my own time, I can eat wherever I want, I can shop/buy my needs more so, my wants and I experience things which I think ordinary Filipino workers here can't afford.
My sister Joan was the first one who set foot in Taiwan soil. I was still a high school student then. I believed she sacrificed her first love…her love in writing, for a surefire career that would give her and our family a better life - financially, that is. But of course, she waited for a long time to reach what and where she is now today. She worked in several hospitals in Manila and in our province but the paycheck is not good. An opportunity was given to her to work abroad - here in Taiwan. She was the first in our family to let me and our family appreciates Giordano or Hangten brand names and to taste a “padala” we can call our own (we have other relatives all over the world).
My sister Lyn, worked in factories ever since. She continued my sister Joan's journey as she settles back in the Philippines after six years of stay here. I was in my early days in college then so our family needed a back-up. I know her hardships, how physically demanding her work is. But she survived. That's why she is back.
One might interpret that our family are broke and in desperate need of money. I think we are in some point. But my family own lands and other properties back home. Nevertheless, I cannot consider our family to be rich because in my province, it is just normal to own lands for farming use.
My two sisters sacrificed one way or another, but I believed they took it as stepping ground. Our family needs all the help it can get and my sisters were willing to give a hand. And I believe that's what family is all about.
Thus, the likes of my sisters earn my respect and gratitude. It also goes to show how fate brought us in this country. A place where will always be a part of our life.
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