Sentidokomon

(Tinig Pinoy – February)

“Be a bit selfish…”

Dear Joy,

One of the many issues that I encounter daily is that all Filipinas have the same problem: money, there is never enough. It seems that no matter how much money we send to our loved ones in the Philippines, they will always text back for more. Dont get me wrong, not all families are like that. But, I notice in the last few weeks the growing trend of tactics used by some of the girls. Its the local fiesta, so please send money so we can buy a pig for our party, because we are inviting relatives to come around. Or, a relative who is lazy and does not work and spends all the money you send to them on alcohol and gambling. Then they text you crying how will they feed their children. Sometimes its difficult to say no, but thats what we have to do. These Filipinas spent a lot of money to go abroad and they spend well over a year to pay the money back to the agents in Philippines. Way back in 2001, any DH who at that time was getting 150 cy pounds a month, and you could only send from their bank, and could only send 150 cy or less, nothing more. The money would take three working days to get to the Philippines. Then in 2002, Money Gram and Western Union appeared and it was a blessing in one way, you could send every week with no problems. But then our relatives got used to getting money virtually every week, making them think that working abroad was easy as the money was flowing. So, what is the best solution? Well, there isnt one unless we have to try and educate our relatives to the realities of the real world. If they dont want to listen, then as I have said before, you have to be tough, and remember, you also have a life here. You all work very hard for your families, be a bit selfish every once in a while.

Pambos.