Sports in 2022: World Cup-bound Filipinas keep making history

As they continue to scale new heights, the Filipinas seized 2022 as their year. 

Luisa Morales - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women's national football team kick-started the year on the highest possible note, clinching the country's first-ever berth in the FIFA Women's World Cup in January.

Alen Stajcic had just been appointed head coach for a couple of months by the beginning of 2022. He then he steered the Filipinas to the 2023 FIFA WWC —  set in Australia and New Zealand next year — after the team beat Chinese Taipei 1-1 (4-3) on penalties in the quarterfinals of the AFC Women's Asian cup in Sydney.

The Filipinas sent the Philippine football community on high as they punched their ticket to the elite tournament.

But that was only the beginning for what would be a monumental year for the Filipina booters, who broke ceiling after ceiling in the months that came.

In May, they out with their best performance in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, taking home the bronze medal with a 2-1 win over Myanmar.

It was the program's first podium finish in the biennial tournament since 1985 when the squad also ended up third in the competition.

Worth noting is the fact that there were only three nations that participated in the women's football competition of the SEA Games that year.

The Filipinas didn't stop there as they ruled the AFF Women's Championship in July.

Marking the first ever championship for any Filipino side in football, the Filipinas first dethroned Vietnam before beating powerhouse Thailand in a thrilling final, 3-nil, in front of a packed home crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Pumping life into the ever-budding football community in the country, the Filipinas quenched the thirst of fans who have long been waiting for a crown in Manila.

Though the Filipinas capped off competition with the AFF Women's Championship, the team continued to be busy until the end of the year.

In preparation for the World Cup, the Nationals figured in multiple training camps and international friendlies against the likes of Ireland, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Chile, among others.

Coming up with positive results all throughout the year, the vision is optimistic for the Filipinas' campaign in the World Cup slated in a couple of months.

They also end the calendar year with a program-best No. 53 in the FIFA Women's World Rankings.

As they continue to scale new heights under the watchful eye of Stajcic, the Filipinas seized 2022 as their year. 

With a historic campaign to build momentum on, the Filipinas can only hope to bring the energy into the new year.

The Filipinas return to action as early as February when they compete in the Pinatar Cup 2023 in Spain against higher-ranked European teams.

𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐝𝐎'𝐬 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲

It's women empowering women day when various women groups converged and shook the earth of the provincial capitol grounds in celebration of the Women’s Day held during the 24th Founding Anniversary of Davao de Oro.

Behind Davao de Oro's golden times are women. For 24 years, women played a crucial part in the province's outstanding governance with recognitions in the regional and national stage. DdO has produced necessary outcomes for its people, and behind its successes are dynamic women leaders.

More or less 3,000 women all over the province flocked in the Provincial Capitol Grounds. Various women organizations took part in the celebration namely; Indigenous People’s Women, Muslim Women, Women Professionals, Women Farmers, Philippine National Police (PNP) Ladies, Rural Improvement Club, League of Local Lady Legislators, Armed Forces Women, ComVal Ladies Club, and Women from the eleven (11) municipalities of Davao de Oro.

On the same day, through the Provincial Women Development Council (PWDC) in partnership with the International Women’s Peace Group, is the ground breaking ceremony of the first ever IWPG (International Women Peace Group) Monument that will soon stand as marker of the province’s desire for peace and harmony.

The spirit of competitiveness and sportsmanship filled the air on the later part of the day as fifteen (15) groups competed in the “Zumbayanihan” zumba dance contest. The stage flared up  when each group showcased their moves on the beat of the zumba music while the crowd cheered up for their teams. The Department of Education-Davao de Oro Women won as the champion, Mabini Women as the 1st placer and AFP Women got the 2nd spot.

Moreover, Chairwoman Sholai Lim gave the accomplishment report of the PWDC during the “The Women in Motion: Accomplishment Report of the Provincial Women Development Council,” recognizing the countless achievements of women and girls in various fields and uphold their significant contributions in Davao de Oro.

The fun-field and productive day commenced after the awarding ceremony, and raffle items were availed by the participants, plus a hundred thousand peso (100k) cash prizes courtesy of Senior Board Member Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy.

The Women’s Day Celebration was also attended by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, Senior Board Member Arturo "Chiongkee” Uy, Vice Governor Maria Carmen Zamora, Board Member Vivencia Secuya, Board Member Atty. Dyud Lopoz, Board Member Kris Caballero-Rañon, Former Gov Atty. Jose Caballero, Vice Mayor Atty. Madel Malone-Cervantes, Congresswoman Claudine Bautista Lim of the Dumper Partylist and Miss Karla Estrada of the Tingog Partylist. (JA-PAO IPRD, photos J. Cadiz)

‘Everyone is represented’ — Miss Universe Philippines official delegates

by Jane Kingsu-Cheng, Manila Bulletin

Despite the ongoing pandemic, Miss Universe Philippines organization has proven themselves to be very dedicated and passionate in search of the best delegates to represent our country. This year is not different with the announcement of 100 participants this year.

In their Facebook post, the organization highlighted that there is beauty in diversity. “The Miss Universe Philippines Official Delegates inspire representation in various forms. They are tourism ambassadors who promote their regions. They are the faces of the rich cultural heritage of our nation. Filipinas from the indigenous peoples like the Manobo and Bagobo tribes, mixed races and various ethnicties, everyone is represented. The beauty of the Filipina is as diverse as the natural beauty of the country. We take great pride in that Filipinos all over can look at the phenomenal delegates and be inspired by every single one.”

The Filipina and culture: Her role in heritage conservation

 

by John Legaspi, Manila Bulletin

No matter how light or heavy the jobs are, it is important to have women involved in rehabilitating cultural sites

Throughout history, we have seen women depicted in different forms of art. Women sat still as artists immortalize their beauty through canvases, capture their every curve with carved stones, and write about them in novels and poems. Women as muses played a viral role in helping to give the world the best masterpieces artists can create. And as time went by, some women even went onto produce art themselves. 

These days, the role of women branches out from being muses and artists. We may not know much about it, but here in the Philippines, women play significant roles in preserving heritage sites and art conservation, doing tasks from construction works to artifact restoration.

Through Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc., women were able to participate and help in keeping the integrity of some of the cultural spots of the Philippines. Started out as Escuela Taller de Intramuros in 2009, it was a project between the government of Spain and the Philippines, represented by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Later in 2013, it transformed into an independent private foundation to ensure its sustainability. 

“Our female conservation workers do everything. They work as wood carvers, masons, painters, carpenters, etc. Some of them are even involved in the documentation of the heritage buildings,”  Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc.’s Philip Paraan tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “As part of our training, they get to be exposed right away to work or heritage sites after their regular training in Escuela Taller Intramuros. As graduates, they are employed as conservation workers by the projects (funded by our clients, usually churches). Our trainees and graduates including the females have worked in almost every project that Escuela Taller has handled and managed.”

Female woodcarver from Escuella Taller Bohol

The female conservationists help in the rehabilitation of heritage churches and sites in over 19 locations in the National Capital Region, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, and Batanes. While the pandemic has put a pause on their noble mission, their work went on and continued after the first months of the community quarantine.

What these women put to the table is far beyond heavy liftings. “They are patient and detailed oriented. Though they are not as physically strong as their male colleagues, they do almost everything except in lifting extra heavy stones or furniture, but they can lift stones,” Philip says. “Our work entails carving stones, wood, etc. Women workers tend to be more polished in their output. Not all, but they give their work extra attention.”

Female mason workers busy shaping stones in Angeles Church, Pampanga

Bernalyn Lucindo, an employee at the Cultural Properties Division of the Intramuros Administration which handles the care and restoration of artifacts

But no matter how light or heavy the jobs are, whether reworking sillerias (choir seats) or handling masons, it is important to have women involved in preserving heritage sites.

“It is because heritage conservation knows no gender. The skills taught and required of the conservation projects see no gender, only the skills itself and commitment,” says Philip. “For us in Escuela Taller, we believe that women are just as good as men and the industry, the field of conservation should just be populated by women as much as men.”

Ladies in training at the Intramuros campus

“Regardless of gender, what is important is that we are able to transfer the skills, the know-how, traditions, and building knowledge of the past to a new generation of builders, artisans, and skilled workers in conservation to ensure the protection of our built heritage,” he continues. “We can say that the rise of women involved in any type of work including the heritage sector suggests a sense of advancement in society and these gender inclusive spaces should be widened and supported more.”

Started her training at age 18, Kristine from Tondo has been part of several conservation projects including Paco Park, Sta. Ana Church, and Angeles Church in Pampanga.

Philip also noted that apart from the power the women are bringing in the local heritage conservation movement, it is important to also get the public involved in the initiative.

“They can help the foundation by directly donating to the foundation to support its training and conservation activities. At the local level, they can help the churches, heritage groups in fundraising initiatives for the restoration of sites or just be mindful  of the importance of heritage in our collective identity as a people,” he advises. “Tourism is also essential and can be a good start. Visit the heritage sites and museums to learn more of our history and culture. The public can also be part of advocacies that call for sustained heritage conservation in the country. Community and civic involvement is important in heritage management.”

Images are from Escuella Taller De Filipinas. Facebook: @escuelatallerph

Miss Universe 2018 names two Filipinas on judges' panel

By: Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines — The Miss Universe Organization has revealed during the Preliminary Competition on December 13 the all-woman selection committee that will choose who among the 93 candidates will advance to the competition’s top 20 to be announced during the coronation night on December 17.

At least two of the judges in the committee are Filipinas: Richelle Singson-Michael and Monique Lhuillier.

Screenshot of Singson-Michael being introduced as judge during the livestream telecast.

Richelle, daughter of former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, has been described at the pageant as “an Architect by profession, but an aggressive businesswoman by training.” 

“She is CEO (chief executive officer) of both Platinum Skies Aviation and FinTech - Casha.me. Markedly, she as Vice Chairwoman of the LCS Group of Companies, led one of the most successful hosting of the Miss Universe Competition held 2 years ago in the Philippines,” her profile at the Miss Universe website read.

Her photo in the website’s selection committee comes first, followed by that of Lhuillier, an internationally-renowned designer born to Filipino parents and who grew up in Cebu City, Philippines.

“Monique has dressed celebrities and important political figures such as Emma stone, Blake Lively, Sandra Bullock, Anna Kendrick, Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell and first ladies Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, among others,” her biography was described as such at the pageant’s site.

Monique and Richelle are joined by other selection committee members Bui Simon, American Miss Universe winner now based in Thailand; Moroccan-American self-made entrepreneur Iman Oubou; Janaye Ingram, Director of National Partnerships for Airbnb; business commentator and entrepreneur Liliana Gil Valletta; and Miss Universe 1992 and entrepreneur from Namibia Michelle McLean.

Pageant critic Sashes & Scripts likened Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray to McLean due to their tall height, similar background as a model, and same advocacies for children and education.

Filipina designs wedding dress for 'Fifty Shades' sequel

 (philstar.com) | Updated January 18, 2018

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Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele dons a custom-lace wedding gown and veil by Filipino-American designer Monique Lhuillier. United International Pictures/Released

MANILA, Philippines — Known for her romantic glamour and modern elegance, Filipino-American fashion designer Monique Lhuillier brilliantly captures in her design the alluring beauty and vulnerability of the main character, Anastasia Steele, in the upcoming romance-thriller “Fifty Shades Freed.”

Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele dons a custom-lace wedding gown and veil by Monique Lhuillier, renowned bridal, ready-to-wear and accessories designer, in “Fifty Shades Freed,” the all-new installment of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” series.

The long sleeve, off-the-shoulder, dégradé Chantilly-lace tulle-sheath gown—with open illusion back and trail of lace covered buttons—exudes femininity and sophistication. A Cathedral-length tulle veil with appliqués of Chantilly lace adds glamour for Anastasia’s grand entrance.

In keeping with the essence of her brand, Monique’s design evokes an enchanting and whimsical, yet sophisticated vision by weaving together sensuous and modern elements. The classic, ethereal and effortless silhouette of the dress—topped with the elegantly embellished veil—is distinctly Monique Lhuillier.

“I was so delighted to be asked to design an iconic wedding dress for the character of Anastasia Steele for this climactic chapter of the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ series," said Monique. "Further building on the success of the show-stopping look I designed for the masquerade ball in ‘Fifty Shades Darker,’ it was a wonderful experience to be involved in this production. Once the wedding gown hits the big screen, I know this timeless design will live forever."

The Monique Lhuillier wedding gown and veil designed for Anastasia and Christian’s wedding can now be seen in the trailer for “Fifty Shades Freed.” The feature film will be released in Philippine cinemas on February 7.

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It can be recalled that Lhuillier also designed Anastasia’s “Fifty Shades Darker" masquerade ball dress.

Lhuillier is internationally recognized as one of America’s foremost designers. Established in 1996 by Monique and her husband, Tom Bugbee, the company is considered one of the leading fashion houses in design, quality and creativity.

With a passion for creating collections that are both feminine and modern, Monique continues to design ready-to-wear, accessories and bridal collections that are luxurious, chic and true to her aesthetic.

Lhuillier’s fans include Hollywood stars Emma Stone, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Bell, Camila Cabello and the First Lady Melania Trump.

Filipina crowned Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2017

By Rosette Adel (philstar.com) 

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Cebuana beauty Jodel Mesina is the new Miss Top of the World Plus Size. Mrs/Miss Top of the Wold Plus Size 2017/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines —Another Filipina beauty gave pride to the country as Philippines’ bet to the Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2017 bagged the title in Singapore on Monday.

Jodel Mesina, a 35-five-year-old Cebuana, bested 15 other candidates from other countries in the international pageant.

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The Miss and Mrs. Top of the World pageant for plus-sized beauties was organized by Kristine Lindenblate in 2013. The competition sought “personal development of the candidates and helps everybody remember beauty and promote charity within the framework of the beauty pageant.”

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Following Mesina as first runner-up is Singapore's bet, Priscilla Boh Rui Yee, followed by Latvia’s Viktorija Brovuna as second runner-up, and Thailand’s Phanpapon Paopan as third runner-up.

On the other hand, Myanmar’s Sandy Min Aung bagged the Choice of People Award while Surinam’s Illanga Bel was named the pageant’s beauty queen.

Mesina wishes to empower more women after her win.

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"I'd like to thank all the beautiful plus size queens from all over the world who made this journey extra wonderful. I am sharing to you my crown... Let us continue to empower, inspire and help every woman to pursuit (sic) their dreams and make it come true like everyone of us did... And thank you lovely foundress Kristine Lindenblate. I love you all!!!" Mesina wrote on her Facebook account.

Mesina has returned to her hometown in Cebu on Tuesday morning. 

Filipina fencing champ feted by IOC

By Leif Sykioco (philstar.com) | Updated November 8, 2016 - 12:41pm

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Maria Leonor Estampador | IOC/Philippe Woods

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina fencing champion Maria Leonor Estampador was given the Continental Award for Asia in the International Olympic Committee Women and Sports Awards, Monday, in Lausanne, Switzerland (Tuesday in Manila).

The IOC Women and Sports Awards recognize the outstanding achievement and contributions made to develop, encourage and strengthen the participation of women and girls in sports.

Olympic.org said Estampador, the first female national fencing coach, championed by providing broader opportunities for women in both administrative and technical responsibilities within the sport.

Estampador was a gold medalist for the Philippines in the 1993 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. She is currently the administrative manager and assistant secretary of the Fencing Confederation of Asia.

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Other winners were Felicite Rewemarika of Rwandra, USA's Dr. Caroe Oglesby, Majken Maria Gilmartin of Denmark and Moya Dodd of Australia.

Ethiopian sports journalist Dagim Zinabu Tekle made history as the first male recipient of the world trophy.

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Tekle founded the Lisan Women's Sport Radio Progamme in 2011. The program was dedicated to raise awareness on women's achievement in sports and inspire others to pursue their dreams in sports.

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Who's racist?

Editorial MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR from Saturday, October 5, 2013 with friendly permission by Marietta F. Siongco, publisher and editor-in-chief

"A lot of Filipinos were incensed at the Facebook post of a certain "Devina Dediva" who had expressed incredulity that a candidate from a coun try where "filthy maids" come from could win the Miss World crown. Racist, Devina Dediva was called, and rightly so: her remarks certainly betrayed a mind that is narrow and uneducated, one that cannot look beyond a few feet from her own nose to see that the world does not in fact revolve around her. Her myopic view is that Filipinas are maids who clean toilets, quite forgetting the fact that cleaning toilets is an honorable job. That such one would win an international beauty title was simply incomprehensible to her.

But as abhorrent as Devina Dediva's comments were, we must as Filipinos take this as an opportunity to look at ourselves and see if we are not guilty of the same kind of racism. If we were to be really honest, we would say that yes, Filipinos can be as cruelly racist as Devina Dediva, and perhaps even more so. We are, after all, a country that values skin color above all oher physical traits: dark skin is considered unattractive, as shown by the numerous skin whitening products being sold and advertised. Dark-skinned people are made fun of, turned into laughing stocks and derided in public. Actors with screen names like Whitney Houston and Mang Tem-i become butts of jokes on television and the movies, and no one thinks there is anything wrong with it.

A recent incident also showed how racist we can be. Last August, the Philippines came close to winning the FIBA Asia Championship, beaten only by Iran in the final game. What came after the game was positively embarrassing: Filipinos took to social networking sites to call the Iranian players all sorts of names based on their nationality, how they looked, and even how they supposedly smelled. A country that thinks nothing of doing this does not deserve to protest when a foreigner derides us."

Marion Aunor Inks Star Deal

 

After winning second runner-up in the song writing competition "Himig Handog P-Pop Love Song" for her composition "If you ever changed your mind," Marion Aunor is now an official recording artist as she recently inked a deal with Star Recording, Inc. Marion's debut album will be released by the end of this month. 

"My album will include some songs that I composed and the other songs were composed by my mentor, Mr. Vehnee Saturno," she said. She will also be part of the world tour of ABS-CBN's top-rating daytime drama series "Be careful with my heart". Marion Aunor is a nice of great star Nora Aunor, which I was able to meet already personally during the 1980s, when she visited Berlin during the International Movie Fest.

 

Why is The Filipino Special?

Writer's note: This is an article written by former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., which has been re-posted several times in the past, and several days ago in Mindanao Daily Mirror, where fellow columnist Juan L. Mercado commented: "YOU MAY FIND MUCH TO AGREE WITH IT - OR DISAGREE. ANYWAY READ ON...". I would say the same. As an expatriate, living in the Philippines since 1999 for good, I found Magsaysay's article very interesting... .

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Filipinos are brown. Our color should not be a reason for an inferiority complex. (Some) pine for a fair complexion, white people tan themselves - approximate the Filipino complexion.

Filipinos are a touching people. We create human chains with our perennial AKBAY (putting an arm around another's shoulder, HAWAK (hold), KALABIT (touching with the tip of a finger). We seek inter connections.

Filipinos are linguists. It is not uncommon for Filipinos to speak at least three: his own dialect, Filipino and English. A lot speak an added language, Chinese, Spanish, or, if he works abroad, thelanguage of his host country.

Filipinos are "groupists". We surround ourselves with people and hover over them. An average Filipino would have and know at least 300 relatives, notes Dr. Patricia Licuanan of Ateneo and Miriam College.

At work, we live BAYANIHAN (mutual help). We want a KALARA (playmate) more than LARUAN (toy). At socials, even guests bring in other guests. When the is no more space in the vehicle, we KALONG KALONG (sit on anoher!). No one suggests splitting.

Filipinos are weavers. Look at our baskets, mats and other crafts. This art is metaphor. We are social weavers. We weave their into ours that we all become parts of another. Thus, we put preium  on PAKIKISAMA (getting along) and PAKIKIPAGKAPWA (relating). WALANG PAKIKI-PAGKAPWA (inability to relate) is one of the worst labels. 

We harmonize with people and include them in our "tribe", our "family". We seek to be included. Thus, we call our friend's mother NANAY. We ca a friend's sister ATE (eldest sister), and so on. We even call strangers TIA/TITA (aunt) or TIO/TITO (uncle).

We have the "KA" - institution - loosely translated as "equal to the same kind" as in KASAMA (of the same company), KAISA (of the same cause), KAPANALIG (of the same believe), etc. In our social fiber, we treat other people as co-equals. 

Filipinos are adventurers. We have a tradition of separation. Our legends speak of heroes and heroines who almost always get separated from loved ones, and move to far-away lands. There, they find wealth and power.

Our Spanish colonial history is filled with separations caused by the reduccion (hamleting), and forced migration to build towns, churches and galleons. American occupation enlarged the space of Filipino wandering, including America. There is documented evidence of Filipino presence in America as far as back as 1587.

Now, Filipinos composed the world's largest population of overseas workers. Today's citizens of the world bring BAGOONG (salty shrimps paste), PANSIT (sauteed noodles), SIOPAO (meat-filled dough), including the TABO (ladle) and TSINELAS  (slippers).

Filipinos recreate their home, or feel at home anywhere. Filipinos have PAKIRAMDAM (deep feeling/discernment). We know how to feel what others feel. Being MANHID (dense) is slur. In our PAKIKI-PAGKAPWA (relating), we get not only to wear another man's shoe but also his heart.

Filipinos are very spiritual. We transcend the physical world. We have a sense of KABA (hunch). A Filipino wife instinctively feels her husband or child is going astray, whether or not tell-tale signs present themselves. Filipinos spiritually makes him invoke divine intervention. Rightly or wrongly, Filipinos are always acknowledging, invoking or driving away spirits into and from their life.

Filipinos are timeless. For nearly half-a-millennium now, the Western clock encroached into our lives. Except for official functions, Filipinos will still measure the time with feeling. Our time is diffused, not framed.

Appointments are defined by UMAGA (morning), TANGHALI (noon), HAPON (afternoon), or GABI (evening). Our most exact time reference is probably KATANGHALIANG-TAPAT (high noon), which allows many minutes of leeway. There is really no defenite time. A Filipino event has no clear-cut beginning nor ending. We have a fiesta, but there is VISPERAS (evening), a day after the fiesta is still considered a good time to visit. The Filipino Christmas is not confined on December 25, it somehow begins months before December and extends up to beyond the first days of January.

Filipinos are spaceless. The Filipino concept of space is not expressed in kilometers but with feelings. We say MALAYO (far) or MALAPIT (near). Indigenous culture did not divide land into private lots but kept it open for all to partake of its abundance.

One's party may expropriate the street! So do SARI SARI - stores! Provincial folks dry PALAYAN (rice grain) on the high ways. Religious groups matter-of-factly commandeer streets for processions and parades. "Filipinos eat, sleep, chat, socialize, quarrel, even urinate ANYWHERE!

So what makes the Filipino special? Brown, spiritual, timeless, spaceless, linguists, groupists, weavers, adventures? Filipinos should contribute their traits to the world-wide-community of men. But first, they should know, like and love themselves...!

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Again: this is an article, written by former Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. - Comments are very much welcome here.

Struggles Abroad

From the first moment I have been involved with Filipinos I thought that there must be a reason why they detached themselves from their loved ones... only to be enslaved in a foreign country.

Look through a migrant worker's life and agree with me: being an overseas worker is not easy. But for innumerable Philippine families, it seems the only way to survive financially.

Oversea workers have to deprive themselves of many things they used to enjoy at home - physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually. Some of them go to the extent of sacrificing one's cherished profession in order to reach that proverbial greener pasture, to cross the poverty line and have a fraction of taste of the "God's' comfortable living.

When one goes abroad, his toughness as a person is put to a test. both, an older timer and a neophyte suffer the same illness every now and then: homesickness, especially when one doesn't receive any news from home any more. Moods become utterly dull and dispositions are greatly affected.

Of course, sometimes unexpected news from home "go abroad": death of a family member, the husband is womanizing or the wife having a paramour; the child is being hospitalized, the house robbed of products of sweat and tears, natural calamities, and many others. And, as I know from many Filipinos abroad, added to these is the knowledge that sometimes hard-earned money is just spent wastefully by the recipients, despite repeated reminders that working abroad is not lifetime.

With these uncalled for events, sometimes you can do nothing but close your eyes, secretly shed tears, have deep sighs and call for someone "up there" for make you stronger and ask for hope. My good friend Arvie, who experienced her first weeks as a nurse in Vancouver in Canada sent me the following lines:

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing and you lay down a little bit, rest if you must, but never quit!"

How very true, because in working abroad, one is confronted with equally exhilarating daily crosses, deal with hard-to-spell employers, perform boring, routinary, round-the-clock-chores, overcome fatigue, but always doing the very best to adapt to the culture of the new place.

After these sufferings, it is every migrant worker's wish, that his crosses overseas will be rewarded after several years - rewards happily shared by the whole family, the community and by the nation as a whole.

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(Republished from MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR, Friday May 11, 2012: my regular column IN MY OPINION).