Dalawampung Taon nAPO Kami

Lulan ng LRT mula sa Libertad Station, binabaybay ng tren ang kahabaan ng Taft Avenue at sa mabilis na pagtakbo nito ay pilit naming inaaliw ang sarili sa mga tanawin na kalawanging yero na aming pinagmamasdan sa bawa't bubong ng mga kabahayan sa magkabilang hanay ng kalsada at ang nagtitipon na ulap na nagbabadya ng ulan sa buong Kamaynilaan.

Ang lumilipad kong kaisipan ay napalitan ng kaba ng aking marinig mula sa mga "speakers" na nagsasabing kami ay nasa Central Station. Hanggang sa tuluyang tumigil ang tren, at may kakaibang kaba at kasiyahan ang aking naramdaman dahil sa mga susunod naming patutunguhan ay maghahatid sa amin sa isang malaking pagbabago ng aming buhay.

Di maipaliwanag na damdamin ang bumabalot sa aking katauhan, at alam kong iyon din ang kanyang nararamdaman, dahil sa mga oras na ito ang aming gagawing hakbang ay kami lang ang nakakaalam

Hulyo 27, 1990, sa isang maliit na opisina ng Munisipyo ng Lunsod ng Maynila, sa tulong at kapangyarihan ni Rev. Davao ay pinagtibay ang aking pag-iisang dibdib  sa aking maybahay na si Ehnor sa harap ng isang pares na magkaibigan na nagsilbing testigo sa kasalang sibil naming mag-asawa.

Isang payak na kasalan, walang imbitasyon at wala ring dekorasyon, walang magarbong kasuotan tulad ng barong at trahe de boda, at higit sa lahat ay walang litratista upang magbigay larawan sa isang pinakamahalagang araw sa aming buhay.

Simple sa mata ng nakararami, subalit ang simpleng okasyon na iyon ay ang pinakamasayang kaganapan sa aming buhay bilang pagbubukas ng aming sarili sa bagong kabanata ng aming buhay bilang mag-asawa, dahil simula ng araw na iyon hindi na kami dalawa kundi iisa - isang pintig ng puso, isang pangarap, isang pamilya.

Hindi naging madali unang yugto ng aming buhay mag-asawa na maaaring maihalintulad sa paborito kong sitcom na "John en Marsha". May mga linggong puno ng katatawanan, tampuhan, iyakan at lambingan. May mga tao ring nakikialam, tulad ng katauhan ni Donya Delilah at iba pang mga kontrabida na nagbigay kulay sa aming pagsasama.

Pinaglayo man kami ng kapalaran dahil sa kahirapan na nagtulak sa akin na tahakin ang landas ng pangingibang bayan, nanatilng tapat sa aming mga sumpaan, pag-ibig, tiwala at pananampalataya ang nagbigay daan upang mapaglabanan ang anumang pagsubok sa aming buhay.

Maraming kwento ang nabuo, maraming kasiyahan at kalungkutan ang naitala sa 20 taong naming bilang mag-asawa at ang 20 taon na iyan ay di mabubuo kung hindi dahil sa pagpapala ng Maykapal.

At sa aking maybahay na si Ehnor - maraming salamat sa iyong walang sawang pagmamahal - ikaw ang aking lakas sa oras ng aking kahinaan, ikaw ang nagbibigay liwanag sa mga sandaling ako'y nasa kadiliman at ikaw ang pumupuno sa panalangin sa panahon ng aking kawalan ng pag-asa.

Salamat sa pagdarasal at gabay ng mga  kamag-anak at kabigan na laging nakasubaybay at sa aming dalawang anak na si Jason at Geek na tanging kayamanan namin bilang mag-asawa, at sa mga nakibasa.at mag-iiwan ng marka  MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYO, AT SAMAHAN NINYO KAMING MAG-ASAWA SA PATULOY NA PAGBIBILANG....

DALAWANPUNG TAON nAPO KAMI!!!

Hindi Para sa Bayan, Kundi Para sa Pamilya

Ang Aking Pamilya

Sa malawak na daigdig na ating ginagalawan, kahit sinong OFW ang tatanungin kung bakit sya nasa lupang banyaga, iisa ang kasagutan - "para sa kinabukasan ng kasalukuyang pamilya". Tila wala pa akong narinigan na kaya siya nasa ibang bansa bilang OFW ay para sa ating bansa, kung mayruon man na tutugon na para sa Bayan ay mas nararapat yata na sya ay nasa Pilipinas at duon magsilbi sa piling ng ating mga kababayan. 

Sa tuwing sumasapit ang katapusan ng bawa't buwan, sa bawa't remittance centers sa iba't ibang bansa, mapupuna mo ang mahabang pila ng ating mga kababayan na matiyaga na naghihintay upang maipadala ang kanilang remittance, hindi para sa Bayan kundi para sa kanilang pamilya sa Pilipinas.

Bago sumapit ang Disyembre, maraming OFW ang abala sa pamimili ng toothpaste, sabon, shampoo, kape, corned beef, chocolates, towels at iba't iba pang abubot hindi para sa sariling pangangailangan, at lalong hindi para sa Bayan kundi para sa pamilya na nais nyang bahaginan ng balik bayan box.

Sa bawa't kwarto ng mga OFW, ay may mga kalendaryo, minamasan, binibilang at ang iba ay ini-ekisan ang bawa't petsa na dumadaan dahil kanilang kinasasabikan ang araw ng kanilang pag-uwi upang magisnan hindi ang Bayan kundi ang pamilyang kanilang iniwanan.

Sa mga araw ng pagsamba, sa bawa't mga simbahan at pook dalanginan na matatagpuan sa malawak na sandaigdigan, pinupuno ito ng mga abang katawan ng OFW na pikit mata't taos pusong nananalangin hindi para sa Bayan kundi para sa pamilya na nawa'y pagpalain at ilayo sa anumang kapahamakan.

Sa bawa't pangungulila ng mga OFW, di mabilang na gabi na tigib ng kalungkutan na binabalot ng katahimikan, ang mga luhang kusang dumadaloy sa kanilang mga pisngi ay hindi pangungulila para sa Bayan, kundi para sa pamilya na kanilang kinagigiliwan.

Sa kabila ng hirap na nararamdaman bilang OFW ay pilit na kinukumbinsi ang kausap at sinasabing, "ayos lang ako dito, wag kayong mag-alala" at 'mag-enjoy kayo dyan, masaya rin ako dito", dahil ayaw nyang mag-alala sa kanyang katayuan, hindi ang Bayan kundi ang pamilya na kanyang pinaglilingkuran.

Sa kanilang pangingibang bansa, sila rin ay natutukso, nadadapa't nagkakasala subalit pilit bumabangon, humihingi ng kapatawaran at nagbabago upang maibalik ang tiwala – hindi para sa Bayan, kundi sa pamilya na kanilang pinagpipitaga't nais makasama ng habambuhay.

At tulad ng awitin ni Gary Valenciano na nakasan sa kanyang liriko ang mga katagang "Saan ka man naruruon ngaun, sa Saudi, Japan o Hongkong, babalik ka rin, babalik ka rin, at babalik ka rin"  kaibigang OFW, hindi para sa Bayan kundi sa piling ng iyong iniwang pamilya na bukas kamay na naghihintay sa iyong pagbabalik.

Kaibigan, saan ka man naruruon ngaun, ang aking panulat ay aking nilikha hindi para sa Bayan kundi para sa aking pamilya. 

Ikaw kaibigan - nais kong  maging bahagi na aking natagpuan na bagong pamilya...

Ito ang pamilya ng PEBA, dahil sa kanila,  mahalaga ang pamilyang OFW, mahalaga tayo sa kanila.

PEBA...natagpuan na... ang ating bagong kapamilya

Family Matters To Palipasan and PEBA 2010

As the curtain rises on PEBA for its 3rd annual award - with PEBA 2010 theme on Strengthening OFW Families: Stronger Homes for Stronger Nation, the celebration gives us a welcome opportunity to look into our existence as OFW and Migrant Workers wherever we are right now and from our departure from the point of our origin, the place we always called home - the people whom we have left behind - whom we called our very own FAMILY.

From the place I am sitting right now, I look at my window and from the horizon, 3000 miles across the sea, the umbilical cord that connects me to our country the Philippines which I called home is my FAMILY.

We all have taken so many paths, but it cannot be denied that the family is the first and the most important path. A common path to all, because each family is unique just like every individual, a family is a path which cannot be repated or withdrawn for it is a fundamental gift of God to each one of us, and it can be said that we come into this world within a FAMILY and over the years we start to build our very own FAMILY because we do not only exists but because we live.

But in my 19 years as OFW, I have seen countless cases of infidelities on male, female, married, engaged, young and old OFWs in the Middle East. And it is heartbreaking to hear that a once happy family who dreams to have an economically established family ends up into a broken home. And it is ironic that such infidelities occurs in an Islamic Arab country where "illegal love affair" is a heinous crime in Sharjah Law. I cannot really believe on the boldness of our kababayan in taking such risks - "masarap ba talaga ang bawal?"

So many questions that needs to be answered...

"Is it really migration the main cause of family breakup?" a hopeless YES means that we need to condition the minds of the family left behind to brace the risk of permanent family separation. If there will be no OFWs will it guarantee that there will be no broken homes?

Or "Are human really weak that it cannot resist temptation?", that we must agree on Rico Puno's famous song lyrics that says "ang tao'y marupok, kay daling lumimot" that evil prevails.

Or should we blame our own government for promoting "Labor Export Program" for the exodus of our Filipino people across the world, that for every failure in our life, pamahalaan na lang ang dapat sisisihin natin as an easy excuse for our mistakes and misfortunes. 

Each one of us is part of our own family and the mission of strengthening your family relationship must not be limited and reside on the shoulder of husband and wife . If you are a single (bachelor) OFW or single Pinoy expat, you have a greater role in strengthening your family back home too - as they put their hope in you and look upon you as a role model in your family. You maybe unaware how important you are to your parents and brothers and sisters back home that they always consult you on  family decisions which concerns financial, health, social and spiritual matters - because you are an important part of their FAMILY.

When was the last time you said "I love you Dad" or I love you Mother", and  how about your Kuya, Ate and bunso? Do you have an active warm connection with them? Do you remember their birthdays? Parents' anniversary? How often do you get in touch with your folks back home? 

Have we tried to ask ourselves if we have put God in our marriage life and is the Heavenly Father the center of our family? Building a strong family must begin with a strong foundation of love, trust and faith. Each married or single OFWs - beyond borders, we have an important role in strengthening our family - not only through the remittances we regularly send, but through social and spiritual connections with our love ones.  

The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." So before making your very first step, make sure that you'll be standing on a firm foundation called the "Rock".

Today, PEBA 2010 is knocking at the door of your home, eager to greet you with deep affection and spend time with you to listen to your untold stories, eager to hear your tales through blog entries as official nominee of PEBA 2010 which will touch the hearts of many readers across the globe as you share your stories about YOU and YOUR FAMILY - the love, pain, sacrifice, failure, repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and success as an OFW and its Family so whoever reads will learn, live, and follow the right path in building an ideal Family of God.

This is an invitation to all my blogging friends who believe in the essence of the family as a fundamental institution of a society and the reason of our own existence as an OFW and migrant worker as we cross borders that we can do more in building a stronger OFW family through love, faith and trust. 

Life is Beautiful. 

Let us keep on blogging. 

Let us keep on inspiring others 

not to lose hope and to continue striving 

in building a happy, resilient and righteous Filipino families.

Note: The above image was snipped from flickr.com uploaded by TriLauraTri

Curtain Rises on PEBA 2010 Season, Focus on Strengthening OFW Families!

PEBA 2010 opens its doors to Global Filipino Bloggers with this season's theme “Strengthening the OFW Families: Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation” in its far-reaching efforts in tackling the issues that has been haunting our Filipino people on the myriad challenges and sacrifices that each OFW faces abroad - the monetary gains that  it brings to the family and to the country, and the social cost on the family that they left behind. Through this event, as untold stories of the participating Global Filipino bloggers unfolds through our eyes, may the messages it conveys reaches the heart of our new Government that they may act swiftly and with compassion in bringing real change in the lives of our OFWs towards a stronger families for a stronger nation.

Please join me in supporting the causes of PEBA, let us support PEBA 2010 by grabbing the support banner at the end of this page.

The following is a repost from PEBA as it officially unveils its new season. 

PEBA 2010 Season | Focus on Strengthening OFW Families!

OFW Phenomenon

It is verytypical for parents of a Filipino family to give better future to their loved ones especially their children. As opportunities for employment are not that much in our country, many leave their homes and loved ones for greener pastures overseas.


Working abroad is perceived by most Filipinos, as one best alternative of fulfilling and achieving those dreams. The prospect of having someone from the family working abroad (be it a father, a mother or the child) brings thoughts and visions of a family having a house fully equipped with home theatre entertainment showcase, HD Flat TV, new refrigerator, big washing machine, aircondition units in every room, having a brand new car, children having the latest cellphones, laptops, PSP, signature clothes, bags, and shoes, etc. mostly gizmos, doohickeys and thingamabobs.

“If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher”

The price for working abroad is very costly!

Going abroad and becoming an OFW doesn’t always turn the family’s dreams into realities... It does not always give the full proceeds and yields for the OFW. There are those who are very lucky to have good fortune and there are those who are less fortunate. Some are lucky to have kind and generous employers while some have cruel and abusive ‘masters’. Some get high salaries, some are overworked yet underpaid...others even don’t get paid. Some get good bonuses and incentives, some are not paid their salaries on time. Some have lavish villas, luxurious flats and apartelles, some live in impoverished tents and bunkers. Some have flashy cars, some have to hitch ride in trailers. Some go home twice or thrice a year, some have to wait for 2 years or more… sometimes foregoing his vacation and converting his ticket cost into cash to have something to send home. Some are lucky to have very good health insurance coverage, others struggle in fighting health problems and illnesses alone in a foreign land. Some are privileged to have their families with them, some are not even recognized by their own children.

Behind the scene of the financial benefits of the OFWs are tales and woes and sad stories of the OFWs and the families left behind. Numerous OFWs,  in dire circumstances suffer loneliness and homesickness and they become vulnerable to temptations. And to cope with it, they engage in illicit and forbidden affairs with, either fellow OFWs, or with other expatriates and the adopted country nationals. On the other hand, the spouses who are left at the home front succumb to the weaknesses of the flesh and give in to unfaithfulness and philandering. The crumbling of the OFW’s marriage as an inviolable institution does not only affect the relationship of the spouses but has relentlessly caused the erosion of the basic unit of the society – the OFW Home. It has caused the break-up of hundreds of thousands marriages and families. Children grow up undisciplined and unguided, living literally like orphans. Many OFW children are not guided properly. The long period of separation of the OFWs and their families also creates gaps in the relationship of the parents and children. The closeness of the family with each other is oftentimes lost.

The intangibles are irreversible for the OFW family. Missing the milestones in the family’s social calendar may not seem that important but these are ways to improve relationships at home and prevent break up of families. Oh, how many of the OFWs missed their baby’s first step, birthdays, anniversaries, school activities, graduation, recognition programs, PTCA meetings, weekends, homecomings, etc? At least, for those who are lucky and can afford to be online are in a better position than others but this cannot compensate of being together as a family.

OFW Family in Crisis – The dream for the family’s bright future is turned into a nightmare

The Offices of the POEA and OWWA and other Advocacy Groups for OFWs’ concerns are alarmed with the growing number of cases of abandonment of families and broken marriages. An OWWA survey conducted 3 years ago revealed that 3 out of 10 OFWs have broken families. Assuming an OFW family with 2 children, that would translate to 6M Filipino youth whose growing up years could be influenced negatively by the pain and sorrow of a broken family. This will in ways affect the future of our country.


The crisis that the OFW family is in continues to disintegrate daily and there is no sign of its turning down. The migration pattern of Filipino diaspora is in a way proportional with the rise of broken families.

It is so ironic that the OFW who works abroad to give a better future for his/her family ends up with broken marriages.

PEBA’s 2010 Theme: An Out of the Ordinary Call

PEBA has witnessed the real life suffering and loneliness of the OFWs and their families and believes that strengthening the OFW families, strengthens the homes and the nation! Thus, this season’s theme of “Strengthening the OFW Families: Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation” does not just momentarily fit the issue of hour but is a timeless subject that cannot be bound by shackles so long as there are OFWs out there.

Scores of blogs and articles have been written about the subject in the past but it seems that the government authorities remain clueless of solutions and action plans to abate the increasing number of broken families.


We cannot wait and just rely on our government to come to rescue of the OFWs families in crisis. As Pinoy Expats and OFW bloggers, we have the moral obligation to help and encourage one another in our own little ways. What we blog and write about may encourage a fellow OFW or a fellow blogger to save his marriage from falling apart… it may help one to keep the family intact.

What can we do as bloggers? The PEBA 2010 Season opens with not just the OFWs and Pinoy expatriates writing about the OFW families but will be joining forces with local bloggers who, in one way or the other, have been influenced by OFWs in their lifetime. The support of the local bloggers who are sympathetic to the OFWs cause will have that exponential effect of reaching and educating up to the grassroots level.

PEBA calls on the bloggers to write and post about topics on strengthening the OFW families, and their being miles away from each other. Topics may include family communication, family gatherings, parent-child coaching and counseling, assistance and support in children’s homework and projects, conference meetings with family members, online contact with families, pointers on cheap communication, etc. PEBA calls on the bloggers to write about what they are doing to strengthen their families despite the distance and their absence from home. PEBA calls on the bloggers to share insights, ideas, pointers and how to express love for their spouses and children.

PEBA will not just be an organization that will give annual awards for exemplary blogs but it will proactively act on issues that will make difference in people's lives, especially the young children, and the OFW's and their families.

PEBA’s Call to our New Government Leaders and Private Sectors

OFWs are happy on the government’s appreciation of the billions of dollars that are remitted into the Philippine economy. Such acknowledgment must be placed in more concrete terms by giving more benefits and perks for the OFWs. Furthermore, PEBA calls on the new leaders to take a reality check on the OFWs and their families. PEBA calls on the government to take care and support the OFWs and their families by putting leaders – secretaries, labor attaches, consuls, and embassy officials who understand and are sympathetic to the plight of the migrant workers. Appoint new leaders who are mindful of the struggles and harsh realities in the life of OFWs and their families - leaders who have vision for the OFWs and their families.

To the private sectors that have benefitted from the sweat and blood of the OFWs remittances, PEBA calls on you to create and promote advocacy programs and projects and to fund social activities and values education workshops that will help strengthen the OFWs families.

The OFW is certainly a “hero” but behind the medals, gallantry and valor is a human, frail with flesh and blood and  in want of a family life.


The sacrifices and hardships of the OFWs will always be there in order to fulfill their families’ dreams for a bright future. Those suffering should be worth it!

PEBA 2010
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PASAY CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL BATCH 78 GRAND REUNION

It was a euphoric feeling as I received an invitation for my High School Batch 78 Reunion on its 32 jubilee  which will be held on July 17 in our Alma mater grounds, Pasay City West High School.

As I browse our Facebook Alumni page, I cannot help but reflect on the people, places and events that made my experience at Pasay City West High Shool so memorable, that I wish I can take my annual holidays to attend and participate in this importat celebration of life, however being an OFW based in the Middle East, such desire will only remains as a "wish" filled with envy and sadness as I miss this important opportunity.

Pasay City West High School (Mataas na Paaralang Kanluran sa Lunsod ng Pasay) is one of our city's public school and continues to be one of the most competitive school since our time. And I'm  proud that I was a product of this institution which have nurtured me during my learning years which have provided our batch a strong academic foundation and I am proud of the many successful paths of our batch mates have accomplished.

During my high school years, my Senior's academic performance was not totally impressive, because at that stage I was already a "Working Student" as a janitor in a grave yard shift in a Makati. But this does not prevent me to enjoy my high school life, and as I reminisce about the past, I would love to share some of it with you;

1. I was on my 2nd Year in school when I tried to join Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, but as the saying goes "many are called but few are chosen", and I got His message, God wants me to stay, enjoy and finish my studies in this Institution.

2. I learned to play snare drum, bugle and guitar during my Junior year. And during break and recess periods, I used to play guitar with my friends Noel under the "langka" tree, I guess this is where jamming started where we play the pop music like Hotel California (Eagles), Wandering (James Taylor), How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees), Panakip Butas (Hajji Alejandro) and The Way We Were and Kapalaran (Rico Puno).

3. I instantly become a superhero when I rescued my pretty classmate who suddenly collapsed in her chair during our music class where I scooped her unconcious fragile body into my arms and I run (I wish I could fly) & brought her to our school clinic. OMG she was the apple of the eyes among the guys during our time, and I feel six feet tall on that day as I say "Up, up and away".

4. Before graduation, I surprised my Garnet Section as I topped the NCEE as I score 92%  beating the top students in my class where some exclaimed "unbelievable" and I replied 'ingit lang kayo"

.

My 4th Year Class Picture 

I hope this reunion is the start of many gatherings for our alumni, as it provide an opportunities for us to personally reach out with our long lost friends and a step in healing the feeling of belonging and alienation we felt in one way or another with our fellow classmates. It will also serve as a venue for our batchmates to show our support to our Alma Mater that have once supported our dreams and aspirations, because Alumni play a significant role in the growth and well-being of Pasay City Wesh High School. 

Like us, our Alma Mater continues to grow and evolve, and our time at PCWHS contributed to its growth and evolution. Although we may not be physically connected to the school, we will continue to be connected spiritually. This connection can be maintained through our Alumni page in Face Book. 

But let me remind you that Facebook should not be taken as a substitute to alumni reunions, nothing can substitute the person-to-person warm pleasantries, group hugs, warm handshakes, the smiles and tears of joy and happiness. Let us be a "touch person", let's get out from our cocoon, and show your beautiful and colorful wings - let us be proud to be part of this Grand Reunion  of our Batch 1978.

Kudos to our Reunion Coordinators, Dr. Manny Dayacap, Mr. Sandy Casten, Mr. Egay Calixto, Ms. Tussy Ramos, Ms. Evelyn Samaniego Abuck, Ms. Cecille Laya Vidal and Ms. Esper Arganoza Revaula for your dilligence in your pursuit to break down the "Long-Time-No-See" barriers by organizing this grand alumni reunion. I pray that may this be a successful event, and the experience be the most memorable and nostalgic homecoming reunion of our Alma Mater.

In The Midst Of The Storms

"And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew." (Matthew 7:25) 

The stories of rain, water and storms always make my heart pound as our resilience and faith have been tested over the years, amidst the fury and havoc of storms that pass our country. Behind every storm are stories of fear, grief, survival, courage, self sacrifice and heroism that leave their mark in the heart of every Filipino. They find God in the middle of all this chaos.

As Filipinos, we are no strangers to storms; and as Christians, throughout the Bible – you’ll be amazed that at various occasions - God made His presence felt through rain, water and storms.




>>>  Follow this post in The Kablogs Journal's July issue's "celebration of life".