In response to Marc’s comment in my birthday post, I would like to air my views about Malu Fernandez’ article entitled From Greece to Boracay!. A lot of people have expressed their views about the controversial author’s article. And this post could just be one tiny flame in the millions of opinions that have been expressed by bloggers and journalists. But hey, I’m a great believer in the power of one, so here’s My One.

First impressions, Final analysis
As an Overseas Filipino Worker, I was shocked by Ms. Fernandez’ comments about OFW’s. My initial reaction was one of denial - Can someone be this “fierce” and brazen toward her countrymen? In my disbelief, I had to force myself to read the article more than once and I tried to read it objectively. What exactly did she write? Here are some of the things that were a little bit hard for me to swallow and here are my comments:

1) Ms. Fernandez wrote, “To save on my ticket, I bravely took an economy class seat on Emirates as recommended by my travel agent. Ron excitedly told me to go for it - Emirates had won best economy class and some award. However, I forgot that the hub was in Dubai and the majority of the OFWs were stationed there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them.”

The old adage, It’s not what you say but how you say it, comes to mind. And so when I read between the lines and I took her words in the literal sense, I was ready to take out my kitchen knife and offer my assistance to Ms Fernandez in slashing her wrist. How dare she say that she didn’t want to be on a plane with OFW’s? - This is probably the same feeling of outrage that was felt by many OFW’s like me, plus their relatives and friends. It’s no surprise that people have asked for retribution for what Ms Fernandez wrote in her article.

I don’t know what her real motives are for saying those hurtful words but I would like to think that Ms Fernandez is used to flying in first class, where comfort and privacy are of utmost importance. Which is probably why she wanted to commit suicide at the thought of being trapped on a plane with “chatty” OFW’s. I would also like to think that Ms Fernandez was only speaking in figurative terms with regard to slashing her wrist. It has to be a figure of speech. It must be a figure of speech. It has to be… For it is hard for me to accept that I am being spurned by my “kababayan” (fellow-Filipino) simply because I am an OFW. I cannot accept that a fellow Filipino does not want to be on a plane with me for the simple reason that I am an OFW… What happened to the “bagong bayani” treatment? How come my countryman does not want to be on a plane with us OFW’s, the so-called “bagong bayani” (modern-day heroes) of the Philippines? She’s joking, right? I sincerely hope so.

2) Next, Ms F wrote: “So I heaved a sigh, popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of chewing gum and endless yelling of “HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga saan ka? Domestic helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you a domestic helper as well?” I thought I had died and God had sent me to my own private hell.”

Again, I truly hope that Ms Fernandez was speaking figuratively about “the private hell.” Still, it is quite difficult to appreciate her metaphor especially since it involves “yelling” OFW’s.

Perhaps if the author would only spend time to chat with OFW’s, she might understand why OFW’s tend to “yell” (in excitement) whenever we meet a “kababayan”. If she took some time out of her busy schedule to have a conversation with an OFW, it might go something like this:
(OFW excitedly initiates the conversation)
OFW: Filipino ka? (Are you Filipino?)

MF: Oo. (Yes) (short answer means not interested to continue conversation)

OFW: DH ka rin?

MF: Hindi. (No.) (MF somewhat offended by the question)

OFW: Taga-saan ka sa ‘tin? (Where are you from in the Philippines?)

MF: Manila. (MF doesn’t return the question so as not to prolong the conversation)

OFW is excited that they have something in common.
OFW: Ako rin e. (Me too) (OFW Smiles)

MF nods and smiles. She doesn’t say anything so that the “small talk” will end. OFW senses that MF is curt and not interested to have a chat. OFW feels embarrassed for striking up a conversation. Both parties are silent.

OFW: Pasensya ka na sa ‘kin ha. (Forgive me…)

(MF is curious about OFW’s apology and looks at OFW)

OFW: Alam mo kasi, sa trabaho ko bilang OFW, halos wala akong makausap na Pilipino e. Malungkot at nakaka-homesick. Palagi kong nami-miss ang pamilya’t mga kaibigan ko sa Pilipinas. Kaya tuloy, ‘pag may nakita akong Pilipino, kinakausap ko na kaagad kasi naaalala ko ang mga ka-pamilya ko at mga kaibigan ko ‘pag may nakukwentuhan akong Pilipino e. At sa sobrang saya, minsan napapasigaw ako sa pakikipag-usap. (I hope you understand that in my work as an OFW, I don’t have anyone to talk to in Filipino. It can get quite lonely and I feel homesick. I miss my family and friends back in the Philippines. That’s why whenever I see a Filipino, I make it a point to talk to them because they remind me of my family, relatives and friends. And I can’t help but feel excited to the point of shouting when I’m talking.)

MF: Kaya pala ang lakas ng boses mo kanina e. (Oh, so that’s why your voice was so loud earlier.)

OFW: At madalas ‘pag may kausap akong Pinoy, tinatanong ko kaagad kung OFW. O kaya minsan, derecho ko nang tinatanong kung pareho kami ng linya. Kasi kung OFW siya at lalo na kung pareho kami ng trabaho, mapagkukwentuhan namin ang sarap at hirap ng buhay bilang isang OFW. Makaka-relate ba… (And often when I’m talking to a fellow-Filipino, I ask if they are also an OFW. Sometimes, I even ask if we’re in the same line of work. It’s because it’s nice to talk about the joys and pains of working overseas with someone who’s also an OFW. It’s nice to talk with someone who can relate.)

MF: Ahh.

OFW: Kaya ikaw na bahalang umunawa kung ganito kaming mga OFW minsan… Pala-kumusta, pala-tanong kung taga-saan ka, pala-tanong kung pareho tayong OFW at pareho tayo ng trabaho.. Naghahanap lang kami ng makakausap na kababayan dahil bihirang-bihira nga lang yon at masayang-masaya kami ‘pag may nakakausap na OFW na kapareho namin ng trabaho. Kasi malamang, pareho kami ng mga pinagdadaanang sarap at hirap. (I hope you understand why OFW’s are very chatty.. we like to ask if you’re Filipino, where you’re from, are you also an OFW, are we in the same line of work.. we’re just looking for a rare opportunity to be able to talk in our native tongue and if by chance, we bump into someone who’s also an OFW, then we feel really happy because we can talk about our similar experiences.)

MF: Ahh.. Pasensya ka na ha. I didn’t mean to be rude earlier. Kulang lang kasi ako sa tulog e. Eto nga e o, may sleeping pills ako. (Sorry if I was rude earlier. I just really need to get some sleep. Look, I even have sleeping pills.)

OFW: Ah ganoon ba. O sige pahinga ka na. Salamat ha. (Oh, I understand. It’s ok. Go on. Have your rest. Thanks for chatting with me)

MF: Thanks din. Gisingin mo naman ako pag nando’n na tayo. Ayoko maiwan sa ere e. (Thanks. Wake me up when we get there. I don’t wanna be left out in the cold.)

3. Towards the end of her article, Ms Fernandez wrote, “On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while my Jo Malone evaporated into thin air.”

First of all, one has to appreciate the integrity of the OFW’s who work in cellphone and perfume shops in Dubai. At least you know that they are honest and that they don’t pinch the items that they are selling. Otherwise, they would also be wearing the same expensive perfume as you. The second thing you have to appreciate is the fact that Filipinos like to wear cologne or perfume. We’ve all had the experience of being on a bus, train, or plane with a man who did not bother to mask his body odor with deodorant or cologne? And finally, I hope we all realize that many OFW’s cannot afford to buy expensive perfume. Please understand that many OFW’s work abroad not so we could buy luxury items for ourselves. Many of us, work as OFW’s because we would like to help provide food, shelter, clothing, education, and a bit of comfort for our families back home.

The Power of One
Ms Fernandez, I am only one out of the many OFW’s and Filipinos all over the world who were offended by your words. But as I mentioned earlier, I am a great believer in the power of one. And I am one who accepts your apology. Trust that our brothers and sisters in the faith will remember the teaching of our Great Master when he said, Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.

 

Email This Post Email This Post       Print This Post Print This Post