WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG

So are all of us. You wake up in the morning and open your eyes. One mishap follows the other. And then the radio plays Jason Collett too: "When everything goes wrong".  Accept it, stay calm, and most important, stay motivated during these tough times. Maybe easier said than done. I also had to learn it first and to pull myself up on it every time.

Of course, sometimes life’s rough patches feel like they’re going to last forever. Keep in mind: whether you’re dealing with work-related issues, family problems, or stressful situations, very few problems last for a lifetime. So remind yourself, that things won’t be this bad forever.

When things are going wrong, it’s hard to recognize what is going right. It’s easy to screen out the good things and only focus on the bad things. Remind yourself that some things are going right. Purposely look for the positive, even if it is something very small.

One of the most important things to remember is that you have some control of the situation. Even if you aren’t in complete control of the situation, one thing you can always control is your attitude and reaction. Focus on managing what is within your control.

Asking for help can be hard sometimes. I tried to avoid it as long as I could. Big mistake. Asking for help is one of the best ways to deal with tough situations. Tell people what you need specifically if they offer to help. Don’t be afraid to call on friends and family and ask them for help, whether you need  emotional support or practical help. The present flood victims in Germany and its surroundings are so very thankful for this.

A lack of confidence in handling tough times can add to stress. It happened to me, when Covid-19 changed my life and my business. One of the best things to remember is that you can handle tough situations. Even though you might feel angry, hurt, disappointed, or sad, it won’t kill you. You can get through it.

No matter how bad a situation is, it’s almost certain that something good will come out of it. At the very least, it’s likely that you will learn a life lesson. Perhaps you learn not to repeat the same mistake in the future or maybe you move on from a bad situation and find something better. Look for the one good thing that can result when bad things happen.

Many cannot get used to the idea that there are many things that aren’t within your control. You can’t change the past, another person’s behavior, or a loved one’s health issues. Don’t waste time trying to force others to change or trying to make things be different if it isn’t within your control. Investing time and energy into trying to do things you can’t will cause you to feel helpless and exhausted. Acceptance is one of the best ways to establish resilience.

Remember this: one of the things to remember when you’re facing difficulties, is that you’ve handled problems in the past. Don’t overlook past difficulties that you’ve dealt with successfully. Remind yourself of all the past problems you’ve overcome and you’ll gain confidence in dealing with the current issues.

Besides everything: think about yourself too. When everything seems to be going wrong, take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, get some exercise, eat healthy, and spend some time doing leisure activities. When you’re taking better care of yourself you’ll be better equipped to deal with your problems.

Everything is temporary, even everything which goes wrong. Happiness is a result of your approach to life, not what happens to you.

Sometimes we need to take one step, then another. Even if they're just baby steps, keep moving. Rather than focusing on the worst case, think instead of what else is possible. Look for the lesson. Challenging situations can often teach us what we have left to learn. Keep a positive attitude by remaining focused on solutions, skills, and strengths.Start small. Spend time with the people who support you.

.Maybe, together with the light at the end of the tunnel: choose one big goal to work on in order to make a lasting change.

"If anything can go wrong, it will..." This tongue-in-cheek principle, known as Murphy's Law, is cited by economists, sports teams, and big politicians. Human nature somehow guarantees that nothing turns out quite the way it's supposed to. 

Miss Universe 2021 pageant to be held in Israel in December

 

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

The Miss Universe Organization announced on July 20, that the 2021 Miss Universe Competition will be held in Israel in December.

Steve Harvey will return as host.

This is the second time in recent years that the most prestigious beauty pageant will be staged during the holidays.

The last time the Miss Universe Competition was held in December was in 2012 when American beauty queen Olivia Culpo won the title.

With the competition to be held in December, reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza of Mexico would only reign for almost seven months.

This is also the first time that the Miss Universe pageant would be held twice in one year. The 69th Miss Universe Competition won by Meza has been delayed due to the pandemic.

Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo finished in the semis of the 69th edition of the pageant, held in Hollywood, Florida last May 16.

The Miss Universe Organization announced today, July 20, that the 2021 Miss Universe Competition will be held in Israel in December.

Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo finished in the semis of the 69th edition of the pageant, held in Hollywood, Florida last May 16.

The Philippine representative to the 70th Miss Universe pageant will be chosen in September.

 

Manila Bay dolomite beach is open to the public again

 

by Noel Pabalate, Manila Bulletin

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reopened the first phase of the artificial white sand along Manila Bay in Roxas Boulevard on Sunday, July 18, 2021.

The dolomite beach, however, can only be accessed by the public until Tuesday, July 20, 2021. People can enter the artificial beach from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and up to only 120 people every five minutes are allowed inside the phase one premises, which is near the US Embassy.

Senior citizens and minors with adult companions will be permitted to enter. Pets are not allowed on the beach. Also, eating, drinking, littering, and picking up dolomite sand in the vicinity are strictly prohibited. 

The public enters the phase one of the artificial beach.Moreover, tourists cannot swim on the bay just yet as its waters still haven’t reached the standard acceptable levels of fecal coliform, even though the rehabilitation has already created a significant improvement, according to the DENR.

Shalls are strategically stationed to implement the safety guidelines. They will supervise visitors to check if they are following the standard health and safety protocols such as observing social distancing and wearing face masks and face shields while at the Bay’s shore.

After the three-day public viewing, the DENR will assess if they will have the artificial white beach open again. The department aims to finish its second phase by October of this year. 

Before its reopening, trash is seen floating on its shorelines, which they say might be coming from coastal areas in Cavite and sea vessels. But the DENR has deployed 50 coastal rangers to ensure its cleanliness every day.

Apart from the sand attraction, the DENR planted coconut palms along the baywalk area last June to add more visual appeal.

When the quarantine eases and the bay’s water meets the standard fecal coliform level of 100 mpn/ml, tourists can enjoy contact recreation such as swimming, skin-diving, among others in what the masses call the “poor man’s Boracay.”

What do Filipinos do well?

 

By: Donnabeth A

Mom. Filipino. Former Teacher in Thailand. Writer

Author of 50 Ideas for a Great Life.

I’m a multi-passionate freelance writer who loves to eat, read, and travel.

1. Humor

A Filipino has the ability to turn any situation into something laughable. It only takes a few minutes after a national issue for funny Filipino memes to surface. One can laugh even in the face of a disaster.

There are so many brilliant Filipino comedians. Some are on TV while some gained popularity through their own YouTube channel. Most are yet to be discovered.

2. Adaptability

This can be a strength but if taken to the extreme I think it’s also a downfall. I once watched a Pinoy who was interviewed after their house has been flooded during a typhoon. I forgot what the question was, but she answered, “Sanay na po kami.” “We are used to it already”. At the surface, it may seem like a great attitude, but looking closer, it drives one into inaction. We have adapted ourselves to different kinds of discomfort that we refuse to look for ways to rise up.

There are Filipino populations in over 32 countries all over the world. We are able to blend. We are able to easily adjust our preferences so that we can survive our current situation.

3. Family Ties and Respect

Filipinos value family very well. We exercise respect, especially to older family members. We have strong family ties and treat our families with utmost importance.

Filipinos are often willing to extend help to family members sometimes even to the extremes. Some Filipinos sacrifice their own pleasure for the sake of the family.

4. Hygiene and appearance

Filipinos are always conscious about how we look and how we smell. We couldn’t stand a day wearing the same clothes or not taking a bath. The need for hygiene may seem like common sense but some other nationalities don’t seem to bother about hygiene that much.

5. Boxing, MMA, singing, and beauty contests

Now, this doesn’t speak about the general population but we do have a bunch of representatives we can be proud of. And if every Filipino with a bit of talent will just try as hard as those who have achieved milestones, if we could only stop being comfortable with where we are now, and start pushing through, the Philippines will surely go a long way.

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXIII): Right in the Middle of Full Life

Chapter XXIII:  Right in the Middle of Full Life

A big hello sounded. GMA-TV director Bam Salavani recognized Rossana immediately. Then schoolmate and host Onnie Alfaro. "What are you doing here in Davao? Are you on vacation?" Questions about questions from all sides stormed us. "After the short commercial break, you are part of the show", called Bam Salvani. And so we were German guests on this TV show for the first time. During the following years we became an integral part of the show.

 "Testigo" and "Singgit Davao" were re-launched and were taken under the wing of GMA News & Public Affairs and GMA Entertainment TV Group respectively. In August of the same year, "Singgit Davao" was relaunched as "Kuyaw!" in time for the Kadayawan Festival.  Just to mention some: other hosts were Eureka, Emily Urgino and Al Ryan Alejandre - later City Councilor of Davao City.

I felt very much at home with the radio, newspapers and television. Mindanao Times Lifestyle writer Josie San Pedro had mentioned my mother, Rossana and me in her column "passages" during the great event "Singgit Davao at two"  - the stepping stone for our future. I must confess, not all expats in the Philippines went the same or similar path as me.

For the first years I liked to take a jeepney. I found it interesting to get to know a lot of people while driving. And, step by step, I learned Bisaya. Nevertheless, one day a VW-beetle from the Archdiocese parked in our garden. A little old but he drove. We called him affectionalle "Knatterton". But it really never cracked.

I started writing lifestyle columns. The International Harvardian University (IHU) Grand Alumni Homecoming was a special event. It was at the same time the rebirth of the IHU - Manisan Dancegroup. The dream of the old and new lead dancer Rossana had come true. It was at the event that I met Rodrigo Duterte for the first time - then Vice Mayor of Davao City.

The month of October approached. It was the time when Rossana and I stayed regularly in Manila: October 3 - the German National Day - or the Day of Unity, and -of course- Oktoberfest. This time everything was different. The then General Manager of the Apo View Hotel, my friend Wolfgang and I did it: the Bavarian Sound Express from Germany was on stage in Davao City too. Unfortunately only once and never again. 

Oktoberfest, an annual festival in Munich, Germany, held over a two-week period and ending on the first Sunday in October. The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festival concluded five days later with a horse race held in an open area that came to be called Theresienwiese (“Therese’s green”). The following year the race was combined with a state agricultural fair, and in 1818 booths serving food and drink were introduced. By the late 20th century the booths had developed into large beer halls made of plywood, with interior balconies and bandstands. Each of the Munich brewers erects one of the temporary structures, with seating capacities of some 6,000. The mayor of Munich taps the first keg to open the festival. Total beer consumption during Oktoberfest is upwards of 75,800 hectolitres (about 2 million gallons). The breweries are also represented in parades that feature beer wagons and floats along with people in folk costumes. Other entertainment includes games, amusement rides, music, and dancing. Oktoberfest draws more than six million people each year, many of them tourists.

Rossana  was meanwhile working as supervisor at  Merco-Mercantile Corporation Of Davao, with different branches all over Davao City. Merco has become a household name, Since 1946, it has continued to serve the growing city of Davao. At the helm of running things is Johnny Ferrazzini, president of the Mercantile Corp.of Davao or Merco. During that time he ran the family-owned business with his son Anton, who was the general manager, and heir apparent. One day, Johnny asked me, "Klaus, do you want to do your radio show at a bigger radio station? I can introduce you to Mr. Willie Torres, the president and top gun of UMBN - University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network!"

Well, I jumped into the deep end, after all, I had brought my large CD collection from Germany with me. My first time slot was Sundays from 10 pm - midnight. "Let's find out the feedback of our listeners", Willie Torres told me. "Classics at Night with Klaus Döring"  has started.

And then came the big surprise that really nobody had expected, least of all me.

(To be continued!)

Why do Filipinos use professional honorifics (e.g. Atty., Engr., Arch.)?

By: Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan

Every generalization is false, including this one. I think, therefor I'm unsure.

I've been a teacher, a writer, editor, researcher, a quiz show contender, a communications consultant, and a call center agent and I still plan to put up a business.

Filipino culture is not egalitarian like contemporary European culture but is more like the stratified culture of Spain when it was a colonial master. However, it has been modified with some egalitarian American values that allow people to move up and down the socio-economic and power-authority levels at various stages in their life.

Filipino children are taught to be respectful of their elders so they have to speak certain words that reflect their subordinate status compared to other people. They call older children or cousins as “Kuya” (Big Brother) or “Ate” [Ah-teh] (Big Sister). They are also taught to call any substantially older person as either “Tito/Tiyo” (Uncle) or “Tita/Tiya” (Auntie) even if they are not kin-related. Much older people who are above forty or fifty years old can be respectfully called “Tatay” (Daddy) or “Nanay” (Mommy) if they feel close to them. They call people in their sixties or older as “Lolo” (Grandfather) or “Lola” (Grandmother).

As they grow up and the teenagers become young adults in their early twenties, they can already take their place as maturing members of society but there are still others who are older and more experienced than them. They call these people “Sir” or “Ma’am” even when they are not directly the superiors or supervisors. Customers or guests are also called “Sir” or “Ma’am” by the Filipino staff of various establishments. Other alternatives for this practice is for them to call a more senior person as “Boss,” “Chief,” or “Manager.”

Filipino society puts a value on people knowing the relative status of other people around them. There is stratification in terms of relative age as well as according to relative socio-economic status (superior versus subordinate, elder versus younger, richer versus poorer). It is not as rigid as the caste system in Indian culture but is an unconscious way of life among Filipinos who grow up in the Philippines. Filipinos who grow up in Westernized countries may or may not acquire it, depending on how strong the parents imposed their Filipino values at home on their children.

This form of stratification and categorization of people according to rank, age, status, power, or wealth is not discriminatory but designed to avoid conflicts and smoothen the interaction between people who don’t know each other well and may never become very close friends with each other. It is also designed to speed up or make more efficient the transfer of goods and services between people of all walks of life.

For example, a street vendor who is not well educated and lives a hand-to-mouth existence can approach a high-status, well-educated, or wealthy individual by acting a bit subservient and calling him “Sir,” “Boss,” or “Chief.” If known, he may also use other titles of prestige and power: “Heneral,” “Koronel,” “Komandante/Major,” “Kapitan,” “Tenyente,” “Sarhento,” “Cabo/Corporal,” “Hepe/Chief,” “Pinuno,” “Mayor,” “Don,” “Attorney,” “Doctor,” “Director,” “Manager,” “Supervisor/Bisor,” etc. If the actual rank is not known, this may be embellished further by “applying more grease” and tentatively raising the social rank of the other person being addressed in the hopes that it will (1) fend of any possible irritation or offense, and (2) encourage him to pay for the goods or services being offered. It is now natural and socially expected for younger or low-status Filipinos to be slightly or obviously subservient to the more elderly and high-status members of society.

So you may ask what is the reason to go to all these lengths to identify and amplify the rank of the person being addressed? It is a survival technique developed by the powerless and lowly sectors of society to avoid being punished or scolded severely by the obviously higher-ranked and more authoritative individuals they may encounter. If a local was so rash as to publicly disrespect another person of higher status or authority, he could be subjected to severe punishments or reprisal that he could hardly avoid.

It used to happen during the Spanish period that the Spanish colonial masters would act domineeringly against the local natives whom they disparagingly called “Indios” (a term that the locals resented but could not do much about). Indios could be flogged or beaten by soldiers ordered around by their officers or even the Catholic priests and the wealthy aristocrats. Imagine centuries of such one-sided domination against the locals that is only now becoming ameliorated or steadily diminished as the Philippines enters the 21st Century.

As part of their cultural, social, and linguistic interactions, nearly all Filipinos will use honorifics like “po” or “ho” in their native speech. The direct translation of “po” or “ho” in English is usually “Sir” or “Ma’am.” One can hardly have a two-way conversation in Tagalog or other Philippine languages without such honorifics.

In addition, Filipinos would prefer to call people by their official title instead of just plain Ginoo (“Mister”), Binibini (“Miss”), or Ginang (“Missus”), if they don’t know the name of the person they are addressing, or even if they do know it. It seems to give more prestige to the person addressed if his academic, collegiate, bureaucratic, military, police, and/or professional titles are used instead of the just plain everyday “Mister.” However, many females (not all) who don’t have professional titles are quite happy to be called “Miss” or “Missus,” as appropriate.

Generally, only Filipinos who belong to a similar age group and/or social stratum will call each other by their first names and/or nicknames. If one of the Filipinos is younger or less educated or lower-positioned than the other, they will be the first to use “po” or any other honorific title, while the person so addressed may also use “po” and bask in the prestige accorded him.

People who have different position titles or social rank who are not acquainted with each other well, will usually call each other by their titles, such as “Honorable Mayor,” “Doctor,” “Engineer,” “Attorney,” “Judge,” etc., as this implies mutual respect of each other’s accomplishments.

This may all seem confusing to foreigners but it allows Filipinos to deal directly and smoothly with strangers (who are also other Filipinos) without causing any type of inadvertent offense.

A high-ranked foreigner from an egalitarian Western culture who tries saying , “I’m pleased to meet you. Call me Bob.” will probably be answered by most Filipinos with “Anything you say, Sir Bob.”

Duterte approves Sept. 13 as new school opening

 

(Photo was taken before pandemic.)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved Sept. 13, 2021 as the opening date for the school year 2021-2022.

The Department of Education (DepEd) posted this announcement on its website on Friday, July 16, 2021, stating that Duterte has approved the date among the options recommended by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

DepEd previously proposed the following dates: Aug. 23, 2021, Sept. 6, or Sept. 13.

“The school calendar for SY 2021-2022 will be released soon. We hope for our stakeholders’ continued cooperation and support as we prepare for another challenging yet worthwhile endeavor of educating our children amid a global health crisis,” DepEd said.

DepEd has not provided details on the mode of instruction, whether it will be hybrid learning where some students attend classes in-person while others join virtually from home, or fully in-person classes.

Face-to-face classes have been suspended since mid-March 2020.

For weeks now, the Department of Health (DOH) and its child health experts have been discussing with DepEd plans to pilot limited face-to-face classes.

Last month, Duterte decided to postpone the implementation of limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas, and that enhanced blended learning will continue.

“Our utmost priority is the safety of our 27 million learners and more than 840,000 teachers and we will defer to the professional assessment of the Department of Health (DOH), the IATF, and the wisdom of the President in ensuring their protection,” said DepEd in a separate official statement posted on June 22, 2021.

Face-to-face classes are not allowed and only distance learning modalities should be carried out in private schools and non-DepEd public schools, according to the agency.

Private schools and non-DepEd public schools can also start their classes for the school year 2021-2022 ahead of the general school opening after the submission of documents to DepEd related to readiness assessment. (NRC)

Davao City placed under GCQ but with heightened restrictions

By: RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT, SunStar Davao City

DAVAO City and Davao Oriental will return to general community quarantine (GCQ) status, while the rest of Davao Region will remain under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Thursday afternoon, July 15, the updated quarantine status in the country, with the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and President Rodrigo Duterte.

The updated quarantine classification in the region will be effective from July 16 to 31, 2021.

Davao City will shift to GCQ but with heightened restrictions after more than a month of being placed under MECQ. The city was placed under MECQ from June 5, and was extended twice until July 15, due to the surge in Covid-19 cases resulting in overwhelming hospital and critical care facilities.

Davao Oriental also graduated from the MECQ status to GCQ with no heightened restrictions.

Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao del Norte, meanwhile, will be under MECQ until the end of the month.

The entire region was placed under MECQ status due to the rising Covid-19 cases.

As of July 14, Davao Region had a total of 48,673 Covid-19 cases, wherein active cases was at 7,832, while 39,234 recovered, and 1,607 succumbed to the virus.

GCQ with heightened restrictions

According to the IATF Resolution No. 121, the following establishments and activities are prohibited from operating in areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions: entertainment venues (bars, concert halls, theatre, etc.), recreational venues (internet cafes, billiards, arcades, etc.), amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, kiddie rides, and traditional cockfighting and cockpits.

Also prohibited are outdoor contact sports, games, and scrimmages, except for non-contact sport, which is allowed.

Indoor sports courts and venues, indoor tourist attractions, venues for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions are still not allowed in areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions.

For personal care services such as salons, parlors, beauty clinics, they are allowed to cater up to 30 percent capacity. They may add 10 percent if the area is granted with the Safety Seal.

Outdoor tourist attractions are allowed to cater up to 30 percent capacity provided that minimum public health standards are strictly followed.

Staycations and other Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited accommodations are allowed without age restrictions, provided that MPHS are adhered to. Staycation hotels with Certificate of Authority to Operate will be allowed up to 100 percent venue capacity, while other DOT-accredited accommodation establishments are allowed up to 30 percent area capacity with the local government oversight.

Indoor dining is allowed up to 20 percent area capacity. They may add an additional 10 percent if they were granted the Safety Seal. Outdoor dining is allowed up to 50 percent.

Religious activities are allowed up to 10 percent capacity but may add up to 30 percent depending on the local government.

Rabiya Mateo is back after three months in the US

by Jane Kingsu-Cheng, Manila Bulletin

Our very own Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo is home, and the intimate homecoming was held today, July 14, at Hilton Manila.

“Finally, after three months of being in the US, I can finally say that I am home,” she starts off her speech. “To everybody who gave their time just to see me and welcome me home, maraming salamat po (thank you very much).”

“Being a representative during this time in the pandemic, it’s never easy. But I realized iba talaga pag ang Pilipino ang nagsuporta, kaya nagpapasalamat ako (It’s really different if Filipinos support you, that’s why I am grateful).” She also gave special thanks to former Miss Universe Philippines Shamcey Supsup, “Mama J” or Jonas Gaffud of Miss Philippines Inc., and to everyone who is part of the organization. “Maraming salamat sa suporta at sa paniniawala nyo sa amin (Thank you very much for the support and for believing in me). It wouldn’t be possible if not for the love and support that you have given me.”

Shamcey Supsup also went on stage to talk about the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines competition, but she thanked all their supporters first, “This homecoming press conference is a small gathering of those who have been supportive of the Miss Philippines organization from the very start. We certainly couldn’t have done this without your support. Your dedication to pageantry has uplifted the lives of many young women all over the country.”

She then moves on to talk about the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) competiton, “I am very happy to announce that this year’s theme for the MUPH 2021 pageant would be ‘Inspire you.’ A Miss Universe Philippines is a phenomenal woman because she has the ability to inspire others.” And this year’s three pillars are roots, transformation, and charity.

“Inspired by your roots, the MUPh’s associated partners’ program ensures that as many cities and provinces throughout the country are well represented. Join us as we take a deep dive into the interesting and moving parts of our cultures revealed to the eyes of our contestants. Inspiring transformations with the world renowned experience of the key members of the Miss Universe organizations in bringing out the best in a Filipina. The goal is to find their unique best self that should also move other people to seek their best selves. And lastly, inspiring charity. It doesn’t matter whether its big or small. Doing something good that can be sustainable should also inspire others to do the same.”

Good luck to this year’s contestants!

Why are nurses mostly Filipinos?

 

By: Adelaimar C. Arias-Jose

Registered and licensed attorney in the Philippines

I’m an avid reader and published author. I am a public speaker and mentor. I am a mother and wife.

If you go to the Middle East, there are a lot of Filipino nurses working there. The same goes for countries such as the UK, Canada and the US. Yes, there are a lot of Filipino nurses working outside the Philippines.

Why? There are two general reasons: there is a shortage of nurses in Western countries and a high demand for nurses; in the Philippines, there is an oversupply of nurses who study nursing specifically because they want to work in Western countries.

As for the Philippines being a poor country:

1. Nurses in the Philippines do not earn very much and yet they spend a fortune on education to become nurses. They work abroad to get a good return on their investment.
2. Filipinos are very family-oriented. We care for the elderly members of our families in intergenerational homes and family structures. It is this caring and nurturing trait in Filipino nurses that make them attractive to foreign recruiters.
3. Since the 1970s, the Philippine government has encouraged the migration of Filipino skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled laborers, as well as professionals. The dollars they earn help maintain the Philippine economy. Nursing is one job that allow nurses to travel and work abroad, and maybe migrate and become naturalized citizens of Western countries.
4. In the Philippines, professionals are highly esteemed. Doctors, nurses, dentists, lawyers, accountants, engineers - - all types of work that require a four-year college education, passing a board examination, and obtaining a license has much social prestige. Filipinos are quite determined to study hard to become licensed professionals and by being a professional, to gain societal prestige and the social mobility that accompanies it.
5. Most students in the Philippines who cannot afford medical or dental school will take nursing or physical therapy or other allied medical professional training. Some use a nursing degree to work and earn money so that they can go on and finance their medical education.
6. I have heard of Filipinos who obtained medical degrees in the Philippines but cannot make enough money so they go abroad and qualify as nurses first. They seem to find qualifying as nurses easier than qualifying as doctors. They save the money they earn as nurses to finance their training to be doctors.

As for the shortage of nurses in Western countries:

1. There is a greater need for nurses in developed countries that are now experiencing a “graying” of their population. In Western countries, people aged 60 and above are slowly outnumbering younger people. The elderly require nursing care and the number of nurses produced by Western countries cannot satisfy the increasing demand for nurses and nursing services. Thus, a lot of hospitals must recruit nurses from Asia. The Philippines, on the other hand, has an over-supply of nurses.
2. A nursing education in Western countries is quite expensive. American university students often accumulate a lot of student debts. Thus, studying to be a nurse will drive them deeper into debt and poverty. Being a nurse is often just not worth the financial risk.
3. Nursing is probably not a very attractive career for people in advanced economies. People in countries like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Canada, the UK and the US do not wish to work at jobs that are physically demanding such as nursing. Besides, nursing requires people to work with the sick or the injured and this often causes them depression or anxiety, burnout or compassion fatigue. Some of them find the sight of blood unnerving. Working as a nurse exposes them to these emotional, psychological and mental hazards at work.
4. Nursing is highly competitive. A nursing student must do internships, they must pass licensure examinations and get periodic training and retraining in the use of technology and processes that have been recently developed. A lot of younger Westerners are turned off by all the studying that nurses have to do just to get their license. On the other hand, Filipinos are trained from childhood to respect the value of education. Filipinos are raised with the idea that education is the ticket out of poverty. Most parents are willing to work hard and spend their money to have their children become nurses because they fully expect their children to land nursing jobs abroad.
5. Western countries are litigious societies. Medical malpractice cases are inevitable and so medical and healthcare professionals need to spend on malpractice insurance. This is another reason why there are few young people who opt for nursing careers in Western countries. It is too financially risky to practice as a nurse when you can be sued for malpractice and lose your license and your source of livelihood.
6. In order to rise in the nursing profession, there is a requirement for specialization. This means more studying, more training, and more expenses for further nursing education. To be promoted to an administrative nursing position, nurses must study and train, and get different licenses. They must undertake studies and write papers if they want to get promoted. This makes nursing an unpopular career choice for Westerners who want to rise in their profession without costing them too much time and too much effort.
7. There is also a growing incidence of bullying experienced by nurses in Western countries. Some nurses become a target of hostility or violence perpetrated by patients or patients’ relatives. Thus, people in Western countries are not keen on working as nurses. Whereas, Filipinos, because of their long history of colonization and because they live in an archipelago that endures devastating typhoons, well, Filipinos have developed resilience and emotional self-regulation necessary to thrive in less than friendly working conditions.
8. These factors (numbers 2–7) cause a shortage of nurses and severe understaffing in hospitals in Western countries. This understaffing often mean longer shifts and more overtime work for nurses already employed. These conditions put nurses at risk of mental illness, injury, and burnout or compassion fatigue. Thus, nursing is not a popular career choice for Western teenagers. It is considered by some a very risky type of job as nurses are exposed to all manner of stresses. On the other hand, Filipino nurses are willing to face these risks in exchange for salaries that are higher than what they would earn working in the Philippines.
9. Filipino nurses do not have as much difficulty with English as it is one of the official languages in the Philippines as well as the medium of instruction in schools. Naturally, when there are nursing staff shortages in English-speaking countries, they will hire Filipino nurses who are already speakers of English because it will not cost as much to train them in using English as a second language.

These are some reasons why you see a lot of Filipino nurses working in the US, Canada, the UK and the Middle East. Once, there was a news report of Filipino nursing staff getting caught in armed conflict in Libya. The Philippine president threatened to recall all the Filipino nursing and other medical and healthcare professionals working in Libya if the government of Libya cannot ensure their safety. The medical and healthcare system of Libya will fail if all the Filipino staff will repatriate.

Yes, there are a lot of Filipino nurses working abroad. Even countries such as Japan and Germany have begun recruiting Filipino nurses because of the graying of their population, because of the understaffing and because Filipino nurses are willing to work abroad.

UPDATE:

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, nurses have become frontliners in this struggle. Filipino nurses are fighting. They are caring for their patients to the best of their ability and with what materials and resources are available.

There are two sides to this: the side of the patients in rich countries where Filipino nurses work and the side of the Filipino nation they had left behind.

Filipino nurses are working abroad caring for patients in their adoptive countries where they often suffer discrimination. Yet, they serve. They are unable to care for patients in their own country. They are unable to see or be with their families at home and they are certainly away from their families back in the Philippines.

The Philippine medical community is overwhelmed. Numerous nurses and doctors have died in the fight. It is ironic that the nation known for exporting nurses abroad is now in dire need of them.

If you are hospitalized and cared for a Filipino nurse or doctor, please bear in mind that they are caring for you instead of caring for their own family and countrymen. They may likely get sick or die while caring for sick people thousands of miles away from their homes and family. If they die, they will very likely not see their families. They will not even return home in a pine box for their families to give them a proper burial. They may come home in an urn.

Please be kind to Filipino nurses in your community. Tell them the truth about your travel history and exposure, symptoms and underlying conditions when you see them. Your life and their May depend on your honesty.

Do not hoard essential supplies such as alcohol, gloves, personal protective equipment, N95 masks.

Most importantly, do not add to the number of the sick they have to care for. Stay at home if you can. Maintain social distance. Help them fight. Help them survive the fight. Help them see their families again.