Millions of Filipinos leave behind our Lupang Sinilangan for what they perceive as a greener pasture. If you have a miserable life back home, then America would indeed be your saviour. Others come here for career growth. Whatever the reason, America is still America– the Land of Opportunities.
There is an estimated 250,000 Filipinos living in New York. Many have already embraced the New Yorker lifestyle. They thrive between heatwaves and snow.
They’re happy here and are enjoying the comforts of New York living– subway, dollar paycheck, Sabret, and friday nights.
Amidst the smiles of the more successful Kababayans, there are also those who are silently suffering. They are here in New York, working odd jobs, barely surviving, with the so-called greener pasture no way near.
A few years ago, I met Cowlie, 40s, at a sidewalk full of snow in Elmhurst. I was walking and I saw this Filipino-looking guy, parking his SUV in a very tight space. I asked for direction and he said “Filipina?” He let me into his apartment, and introduced me to his landlord. He’s actually renting a room in an apartment being rented also by two other Filipinos. He paid $500 for the room plus $150 share in utilities.
Background on his landlords:
The woman was a tourist, the guy was a divorcee and retired hospital worker from Queens. He married her to help her get a greencard.
They are both in their early 60s. One day, the guy was crossing Queens Blvd. when he slipped and fell. He has been wheelchair-bound ever since. He relies on his monthly pension for sustainance. Cowlie said because of the guy’s present condition, he always hear them arguing. He thinks the woman is planning to divorce the guy, so she could be free from being his caregiver.
Cowlie graduated from Ateneo with a degree in Engineering.
He also finished his MBA in Ateneo.
Their family was well off in Manila. They lived in Bel-Air Subdivision in Makati and had 3 cars including a Mercedes Benz which he drove going to school. His two sisters all went to Assumption. Their financial downturn started when his father left them for another woman. Their trading of machineries business lost money due to the cheaper Made in China machines. They sold their house in Bel-Air and all their belongings so they could have substantial amount to start life here in America. But they were only able to get a small amount net of the bank loan and capital gains tax.
He first stayed in LA for a year. some of his friends encouraged him to go to SFO for a better job but same thing happened. he couldn’t find a permanent job because he didn’t have the papers. He always ended up in a nursing home owned by Filipinos. One day, he packed his bags and flew to NY believing that maybe, his luck would turn. His siblings remained in LA.
He’s very sad living here in America and always imagined going home to the Philippines but he has no choice but to stay here. He would be to embarrassed to go home a failure. He said he experienced not eating for 2 days because he had no job and no money. He cried many nights most especially during winter time when the feeling of loneliness seemed stronger. Whenever he would clean the pooh of old people, he would go to the back of the building and cry.
to be continued.
Silently suffering, surviving,…these words ah really true…not because nasa other country kala ng iba masarap buhay dito…you have to work work and work and you dont have to be choosy…lahat naman ng work disente wag ka lng gagawa ng illegal but kan dakuba ka na….yung masarap mong buhay sa pinas pagdating sa ibang lugar you will experience everything….stress, depress, bored, and even self pity…and what you will do JUST CRY….but we have ti still try and try and try