Migration breaks regionalism, changes Pinoy work ethic

All over the world, from offshore to the outback, from the glistening towers of a growing metropolis, to the high seas, to the hinterlands and the deserts you can hear a familiar dialect…ah! You can say a Kababayan is nearby working somewhere. The spoken words maybe Tagalog, Ilocano, Cebuano, Bicolano or any Philippine regional dialect, but never mind, the differences do not stop them from forging closer ties, stemming from one Filipino ‘soul.’ The bonds carry them through life’s daily grind in foreign lands. More than a hundred years ago, Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine national hero, said that Filipinos may learn other languages, but he will always speak his soul, his joys, and his fears in his mother tongue. Migration seems to bridge the gap brought about by regional cultural differences among Pinoys abroad. Also it has changed Filipino’s “work ethic." In foreign lands, the Pinoy is best worker—he delivers and is willing to do more if given a just deal. Back home, his toil is undervalued. Filipinos leave the country driven by a common reason—search for a better deal in life. Lito Soriano, chief executive of LBS Recruitment Solution, also the past president of Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI), believes that the Filipino worker works best if his work is valued justly. "Our workers, he said, are industrious, always working overtime whenever it is allowed. I know this being an OFW in the Middle East for six years. I take pride in OFWs who regularly takes overtime work and even take odd jobs such as washing cars after working overtime in his regular job. Filipinos even excel in medical institutions because of his diligence and compassion," Soriano said. Joel Celestial, president of Interphase Manpower, makes sure that the information technology (IT) professionals he sends to the United States get the best deal for the value of their work. He said he would not settle for a minimum monthly salary below $5,000 for such kind of work. Carol Rogge, president of Northwest Placement is remembered by applicants and a member of overseas workers welfare administration (OWWA) board of trustees for her belief that the edge of a Filipino over other nationalities is his happy disposition and pleasant personality. For this, the Pinoy has become the most sought-after personnel in hotels and tourism businesses. Filipinos "dominate" the Grand-7 Star Hotel of Dubai, known as the pride of the Middle East. Doctor Mayette Rosacia, medical director of JJ Medical Clinic is in charge of ensuring the health and physical fitness of personnel for this grand hotel. She says she takes time to instruct prospective employees of the hotel to stay clean, healthy and fit for work to make sure that Filipinos meet the demands of the workplace. She points out that Filipinos must maintain the reputation that they are among the most reliable work force in the world. The Filipinos is at his best when he is with his peer Group. The Kababayan he brought to his workplace will bring another Kababayan and so on and so forth. As their number and communities grow all over the world, their longing to come back to the Philippines from time to time intensifies. I have noticed that radio, newspapers and television public-service programs are inundated with announcements of reunions--one of which I attended--the UE High School Class ’72 r. I saw how happy OFWs were during the reunion—their joy overflowed, showering their classmates and old friends with gifts. Filipinos will be Filipinos and they will always come back to their mother land bringing laurels from foreign lands, which they have served well. -GMANews.TV