Why shouldn't we be? It's a global marketplace after all. Filipinos like everyone else respond to the law of supply and demand. There's a nursing shortage in the UK? Someone's got to fill it up. Housekeeping vacancies in Italy? Filipinos show up. Skyscrapers being built in Dubai? It's Filipino engineers who lay the foundation. Singaporean or Hongkonger parents too busy to raise their kids? It's Filipina nannies and maids who run the upkeep of their households. Filipino executives work in Indoensian companies; Filipino English teachers work in Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean schools; and Filipino soldiers staff the United States Armed Forces.
With a population of 105 million that's on the young end, the Philippines has a large labor force, but as a developing nation, does not have enough employment opportunities. That's changing because of new industries like the outsourcing sector.
Filipinos going overseas is nothing new. Ilocano farmers were sent to Hawaii in the early 1900s to grow pineapples.
Even earlier, Filipino artists, political thinkers, and liberals were hobnobbing in France, Germany, and Spain the late 19th-century.
Even earlier, so-called Manila Men settled in Louisiana, and Chinos - a catch-all label for all Asians but mostly Filipinos - migrated to Mexico during Spain's 300-yearlong hold on the Philippines.
Even earlier than that, pre-Hispanic ‘Filipinos' were reportedly working as sailors and mercenaries all across Southeast Asia.
Even earlier, their Austronesian ancestors explored the islands of Southeast Asia, reaching as far west as Madagascar and as far east as Easter Island.
Simply put, we get around.
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