diaspora of filipinos

i was reading the newspaper a week ago and it was reported that around 1.1 million filipinos got a job abroad this year - includes nurses, doctors, seamen, teachers, engineers and domestics. yup, our brains going out of the country to get better paying jobs. most of them will return dollars to the country - our life source. no wonder everywhere you go, you will always see a filipino.

i just came from a despidida party, my batchmate is going to australia early next year to pursue his pediatrics training. our chief resident in pgh will take USMLE early next year. and most of my batchmates in UST medicine are now working in the US as nurses or as MDs. Looking at their friendster pics, chatting at YM and answering their emails at yahoogroups, i think their coping quite well. life may be different in a foreign land, but atleast they are well compensated. The baluts, menudo, bagoong, sinigang may not be available all the time but what the heck, this is the life they chose, an investment for their future as well as their children's.

its nice to see them having reunions and catchin up activities. in a way, its like home away from home. wish you all the goodness life has to offer.

and to jon cu, hey mate! i know you're used to being "down under", i never knew you were a good cook (im still wonderin if you secretely sprinkled hashish/cannabis in your menu, their f*@?#n' great)! show the aussies how a compassionate, dedicated, hard workin filipino (with matchin alar-flaring and cuss) doctor you are. i believe in you.

and uh btw, to all the filipinos in diaspora, dont forget to look back........