It’s the New Year and it’s a new reason to be together! And other than that, the number of balikbayans coming home after years of being away from home to finally spend time with their family has increased. However, being an OFW back in the Philippines is not always sunshine and rainbows, and it comes with its own set of challenges.
We’ve interviewed a few OFWs and asked them about their own “horror stories” or negative experiences when returning to the country. We also asked them for tips on how to avoid “these horror experiences” the next time they come back home.
5. Robbie Miranda*
HORROR STORY: “I was at the airport with a tourist visa with a group. We were going to Malaysia en route to Qatar where I would eventually find a job. I was stopped at the Immigration Desk because they were suspicious. In the end, all my expenses went to waste.”
TIP: “Do it the right way; no shortcuts. Apply for the proper visa. I’ve learned that the hard way, and now I’m working in Singapore.”
4. Sheryl Clark
HORROR STORY: “I haven’t been back in the Philippines for almost five years and Manila has changed so much. It’s developing so quickly and it can’t keep up. We stayed in a hotel near the airport so I could fly home to Bacolod quickly after an overnight pit stop in Manila, but even there the traffic is horrendous. We’ve canceled most of our plans to meet with loved ones because of the traffic.”
TIP: “Prevent this situation by either skipping Manila altogether or staying at least three days here for a pit stop. A night makes it impossible to balance your schedule properly.”
3. Nina Rodriguez*
HORROR STORY: “Going home and having people take advantage of me has been a familiar memory every time I’m home. It stems from a colonial mentality that the grass is greener on the other side, but the reality is money keeps flowing outwards when you’re an OFW to keep your family and investments afloat.”
TIP: “Making sure that people don’t take advantage of you depends on how you stand your ground. Make it clear to them that you need your money for your family and investments, not for squandering on pasalubong, libre and pakain.”
2. Timmy Gorecho-Porquez
HORROR STORY: “Traffic and commuting! We had to go to this barkada dinner at UP Town Center in Katipunan. So we left Las Pinas at 12:30 nn, and arrived 6:00 pm in Katipunan!! We didn’t bring a car because we didn’t want to bother with traffic and parking, and Uber/Grab Car had crazy surge fares, so we had to commute! Bus, MRT, LRT, tricycle!”
TIP: “I think it’ll be a really long time before traffic and the public transportation situation gets resolved in Manila, so the best I could think of now is whisk away the family and friends away from the Metro and spend the holidays there… maybe in Batangas or Boracay. After all, the point of going home really is to spend time with them.”
1. Gina Redil
HORROR STORY: “So many people asking for so much. It’s hard when I go back home because so many of my relatives expect so much pasalubong. Even my bum brother keeps asking money from me when I’m back, as if I’ll never run out. He doesn’t have a job so he depends on me, but even more so when I’m back home. It becomes very frustrating.”
TIP: “Before people would come and go, but now I tell them that I have an allotted budget for my trip and that I worked very hard for my earnings. For my brother, I do the same but I need to be very stern with him.”
Despite the hassles that a number of OFWs face when heading back home, it’s evident that they do love their country, sacrificing being away from their loved ones in for the sake of financial stability. But for those who want to secure their hard earned savings can look to real estate for long-term investments. The San Antonio Residence, with its flexible payment terms and lower costs becomes the ideal means to propagate your money. Located strategically in Makati, it allows direct access to the business district and nearby cities, while adding the convenience of being near various transportation options.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy of individuals
Have you or your loved ones experienced the same? Let us know!
