That line says it all. That’s what we’re writing about for this round of Blogkadahan. JMom, Batjay, Lara, Tito Rolly and I have kicked it off.
This round may cover experiences on leaving and desiring (or perhaps, not desiring) to return to the Philippines, one’s viewpoint on migration, how true blue a Pinoy can be even if he or she may not be living in the Philippines, OFWs, adjusting to new experiences abroad, etc. As JMom said, it is a very broad topic!
It is also bound to be rich in insights. A lot of us are based in Manila, but there are also a lot abroad — New Zealand, all over the U.S., Japan, Canada, Germany, Belgium, England… saya! It will be interesting to see the varying viewpoints of Pinoys around the world.
Have YOU ever thought about this? Should you stay or should you go?
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
ana
October 10, 2006 at 10:22 am (18 years ago)I’ve always wanted to leave and I have left. But I’m here to stay now. It’s certainly not the career aspect but the more important matters of the heart.
missyosigirl
October 10, 2006 at 10:34 am (18 years ago)i’ve always decided to stay, i dunno why. kahit na parang minsan ang gulo gulo ng pinas, and ang hirap ng buhay, i’m still choosing to stay.
well, at least, for now.
prairieMom
October 10, 2006 at 10:58 am (18 years ago)I left. The Philippines is a growing pain. Corrupt and incompetent government officials are a few of my reasons I am not going back. Injustice to the common TAO is as common as adobo. I wanted to make a difference, but I chose to let the people affected by these reasons decide for themselves. But I stillm love my sinigang.
noemi
October 10, 2006 at 11:46 am (18 years ago)I’ve been living in the states for more than 8 years now but my heart still in the philippines. I became a US citizen 6 months ago. I maybe a US citizen but my heart belongs to my birth country. I thank God for both.
rowie
October 10, 2006 at 12:44 pm (18 years ago)Ako medyo baliktad. I spent the first 8 years of my life abroad (I was born abroad) and both my parents spent a good part of their lives abroad. But I don’t want to migrate to another country. I would consider leaving to travel or to study, but not for good. I’ve had many chances to but I’ve always turned them down. Maybe it’s because I know what it’s like to live as a foreigner in another country, and I know that that’s not the life for me. Nor do I want it for my children.
Mita
October 10, 2006 at 1:56 pm (18 years ago)No matter where you go, you remain the same person deep inside. Some people may change outwardly but in their hearts, they know who they are – unless they are ashamed of their identity, in which case, the change is all an act. I hope to be back home next month, maybe for good. I love how beautiful and peaceful it is here in Colorado but I’m Pinoy through and through and miss bagoong and fresh seafood…
jher
October 10, 2006 at 3:11 pm (18 years ago)it is a veeeerrrryyy broaaaaadddd topic that’s open to a lot of discussions and opinions. everyone has their reasons to stay or to go. hopefully whatever those reasons are, the ultimate result is that he is happy with that decision.
Linnor
October 10, 2006 at 4:19 pm (18 years ago)I’m open to migration… but haven’t gotten around to doing it…
wangie
October 10, 2006 at 6:00 pm (18 years ago)i’m still torn actually.
on the one hand, i recognize the philippines as my home in spite of all its shortcomings. i know that elsewhere in the world will never feel like home as much as living in the philippines does.
on the other hand, what makes this country home to me is the presence of family and friends. sadly, a lot of my friends have already left the country; or if they’re still here, they have plans of leaving. in which case, i’d think it would just be better to leave the country and make a living somewhere else with a better quality of life.
jey
October 10, 2006 at 6:24 pm (18 years ago)i am staying. i am home here, regardless of what goes around me.
rach
October 10, 2006 at 7:07 pm (18 years ago)My parents and my brother are all in the States and they are US Citizens. I was the only one left behind because when the papers arrived I was already more than 21 years old. They had to petition me from there. It was a blessing in disguise because I wouldn’t have met my husband if I left with them. Now, we have a 3-yr old son who makes staying very worthwhile. We’re still considering the idea of migrating but since the papers are not yet here, we still have plenty of time to weigh the circumstances.
abby
October 10, 2006 at 10:49 pm (18 years ago)a topic that’s near and dear to my heart. my family’s plan was for everyone to move here (NY) but other factors came into play so the other half is in manila, the other half in the states. if it were up to us everyone would be here – for economic reasons, we all know that.
ideally, we would all like to have an environment free of corrupt politicians, a government that vouches for the citizen’s welfare and a place where one can freely have a good time without the fear of an item such as a cell phone equates to her life – no matter where we are. you go to manila, you go to NY, you’ll see good and you’ll see evil. i guess it is a matter of personal choice (and one that’s available for each of us, i might add)- even so, whether we choose to leave or stay would probably not matter as much- because wherever we go, there will always be a great deal of hurdle to overcome anyway.
but i keep coming back to
p.s. sorry napahaba.
Joey
October 11, 2006 at 12:08 am (18 years ago)Hmmmm….interesting topic, Toni.
All throughout school, I never planned on going to the U.S. My plan was to stay and teach at the Ateneo throughout. Siyempre, nangyari ang drama ng buhay: I followed my daughter (and her mom) to the U.S. (long story). So I HAD to come here out of conscience and desire to be with them. Things didn’t work out and her mome decided to go back home, so I decided to stay here, visiting my daughter in Manila every six months instead. Ngayon malaki na siya and can communicate and travel easily (she was born here) – and now that I’m married here, dito na ako.
America is a land of immigrants – it has always been. It’s a place that stands for freedom, equality, and justice – at least in principle – and that’s what binds folks together – again, in principle. Pusong pinoy tayo lagi, and I think by sharing our values and experiences, you contribute to and transform what is essentially a melting pot of cultures.
Daphne
October 11, 2006 at 12:06 pm (18 years ago)In my case being a former diplobrat who has lived almost 30 years of my life overseas, shifting from one place to another, I choose to come back because I’ve always been a Pinoy at heart.
So unless some handsome Prince Charming comes galloping on a white horse to whisk me away to some far fairytale land, I’m staying put ‘for now’.
Who knows what the future holds?
But I am NOT that optimistic either regarding the Prince Charming part so I might stay here for a while. Hehehe 😀
Christianne
October 11, 2006 at 6:27 pm (18 years ago)Posted an answer on my LJ – it was too long to post her, you know how I love to ramble 😀
rowie
October 11, 2006 at 11:28 pm (18 years ago)Daphne, funny you should mention that — Both my grandfathers were diplomats and their experiences seem similar to yours: after spending lifetimes moving from country to country, both of my grandfathers decided with finality to retire here and didn’t want to leave. I wonder if it has something to do with the diplomatic life.
But back to the topic — I know I’m luckier than many, but to be quite frank I personally find life in the Philippines really wonderful. I love our laid-back culture, our humor. I love the fact that when I’m bored I have two dozen friends to choose from to call or text or invite out. I love being just 2 hours away from the countryside and a short plane ride away from one of the most gorgeous beaches on earth. I love the way we enjoy long, lazy lunches. And long lazy dinners. And long lazy meriendas. I love the way our conversations are filled with so much, non-stop laughter. I love the sun (except maybe in the summer when it gets a tad too hot). I love that people are genuine, and that it’s easy to make friends. I love that people won’t allow you to eat alone because of this deepseated belief that meals are meant to be enjoyed with company.
I know my experience of the Philippines may not be true for all people, but this is me. I do wish we could fix our economy and our politics, but at the same time, as uncommon as it may sound, I do feel so lucky and blessed to be living in the Philippines.
Lani
October 12, 2006 at 9:29 am (18 years ago)I want to visit foreign lands but I don’t think I want to stay there for good. My family and friends are here. I am very clanish. Ye, I have relatives abroad but my immediate family is still here. Experiencing other country’s culture is really interesting, it’s a part of learning.
BatJay, Ang Dating Folk Singer ng Ma Mon Luk
October 14, 2006 at 7:45 am (18 years ago)perhaps someday jet and i will buy a small house near the beach in davao so we can spend the rest of our days in the philippines.
but for now we’re here in sunny california. it’s a great place to live and love and do all the things i love doing. the work is good and the people are kind. i love this place.