Our conversation over lunch yesterday centered mostly on living in the US. The stark differences in the Filipino lifestyle here and there. The laundry, the tupi, vacuuming, no maids. The routine of the working class. Shopping in outlets, excessive grocery due to big quantities sold in Costco that results in wastage. The five of us each shared our experiences while visiting the US and our individual perception of things all American.
I choked up and shed some tears when the topic touched my recollection of the day we were leaving the US to come back to Manila. My parents, who were living with us in Via Melina, were both sad but could not show their emotions.
My father just asked me why we have to go back. “Narito na kayo, uuwi pa kayo. Maraming ibubuwis ang buhay maka-punta lang sa America”. But we really didn’t plan on staying in the US for good.
They were at a lost. Wala na silang kasama. I was not fully aware of the difficulties they’d gone through for months or years after we left. They didn’t tell me. But even if they did, I wouldn’t be in a position to help them. I had no resources yet at that time to buy them their own house so they would be more comfortable.
Living in the US cannot be compared with living in one’s country. Syempre malayo, magka-ibang-magkaiba.
I can survive in the US. I would be able to adapt. Cooking, laundry, cleaning, marunong ako lahat nyan.
I would probably find some system in efficiently performing tasks para hindi ako gaanong mapagod. System? I will hire a maid. (Oops kunwari pa.)
Seriously I would be able to do all those things.
When I am visiting my siblings alone- without Edmund, I drive, I carry heavy stuff, I clean, do my laundry. Admittedly, I just hate carrying the vacuum cleaner and abhor making pukpok the spiders around the house.
A former supervisor of ours messaged me some two weeks ago. He left our company because his mother’s petition had been approved. It’s been four years and I thought he has adapted to life in America. Hindi pala. He asked me if he could still come back to our company. I like that guy, mabait, mahusay at masipag. Definitely we’ll take him in.
Malungkot daw sa America and life is also hard. Their income daw ay pambayad lang ng house mortage, utility and credit card bills. Ganun talaga, kahit dito sa atin.
Here in the Philippines, even if we have a simpler life, mas masaya daw sabi nya. Lagi kasi tayong merong happening dito. After work hai-hapi muna. Sana lagi lang GOOD happenings.
Anywhere we live, there will always be something good, something bad. new opportunities, new difficulties, new victories, new challenges.
But I agree with him that despite the difficulties of living here, it still is more fun in the Philippines.
Your former/soon-to-be employee is very lucky that he still has a place in your company. Surely, you will have his loyalty and gratitude.
Home is where the heart is. Malungkot if you don’t have a lot of family and friends around – even if you live in a great place. Conversely, even if your geography is less than ideal, it’ll be made happy by your loved ones. Life is hard and is made easier with love.
i tried living abroad too. Being alone is ok but being lonely is different. Life is hard anywhere but Philippines is really home:-)
Here’s an article that you might find interesting:
https://opinion.inquirer.net/47047/love-letter-to-filipinos
Alvin thank you for the link. Very interesting and heartwarming.