Rational Insanity
By Bryan Mari Argos

Do we really have to change?

For a week now, I have been paying careful watch of the newspaper headlines and I have noticed that there are more and more issues coming out about OFWs.  There is even a movie coming up entitled “Dubai” that is all about the life of OFWs.  It’s funny how the press paints a picture of heroism for almost all of the OFWs.   Although I have nothing against this, I dare not generalize that all OFWs are heroes in their own right; for me, this is all just a product of political hum drum.
 
I have seen people working abroad change drastically into green-eyed monsters.  The first people these OFWs should be heroes for are their families.  Although I am not speaking generally here, I have noticed that for most people who go and settle in the states, self-righteousness becomes a very evident attitude shift.  Most of them think that just because they are working in the states they are all mighty, all knowing, and all righteous.  These people think that the families they leave behind are dollar-suckers; they act as if their families back home are irresponsible financial managers and just spend to death whenever their precious dollars are received.  I don’t blame them though, because let’s face it, they’re the ones who work their asses off to provide some luxury to their families, but is a change in attitude and heart really necessary?

These balikbayans who have stayed long enough in the states come back thinking that nothing else matters but “practicality”.  Of course, ang bukambibig nila is always family, family, family, family, ek-ek, but their actions show otherwise.   Most of them come back and have this filthy idea locked in their heads, manifested in the guise of genuine concern, that they have been spending for the ‘family’ and the ‘family’ should follow their every command because they know what is good for the family.  Goodness gracious!  It doesn’t mean that if you spent for somebody, you already have the right to choreograph that someone’s life!

This is the reason why when I watched “Anak” I felt it was all filled with overrated dramatic crap.  I would say, go Claudine!  It is not always like this.  Most families (I am quite sure) heave a sigh of relief when their balikbayan kapamilya packs their things and goes back to where they came from.  These balikbayans think that just because they have been working their asses off, their families have been couch potatoes watching the noontime show every waking hour!  Well, I’ve got news for you people, we here, back home also live life and you have no right whatsoever to just drag your balikbayan boxes into our lives and use those as ransom to reprogram the life that we have been living.  Do not bring your westernized attitudes here, if you can’t help it, better stay where you are because you will just get hurt (most likely get into a fight with your brothers or sisters, or even your parents)!
 
Now, for the good part – I commend those Filipinos working abroad who have not metamorphosed into the green-eyed monsters that I am talking about.  You are the true heroes.  I truly hope that no matter how long you stay in some other country you would always remember that back home, there will always be a smile even when there are only two pieces of galunggong on the table, or a bowl of instant noodles.  We may not have everything back here, but we sure have our sense of compassion intact.  I don’t blame other balikbayans suddenly becoming suspicious of their own families when it comes to spending their hard earned dollars because many a balikbayan has come home hoping to find a house and lot waiting for them, only to find their wives or husbands with somebody else and the dollars they have been sending all gone to infidelity, ouch!  Anyway, I understand that leaving the country to find greener pastures abroad is a sacrifice in itself – it makes you stronger and more mature, but please don’t allow it to turn your hearts into cold, cold stone.  Yeah, well, you do miss your country, and the family that you left behind, but please, please, do not let prejudice get in the way of your commitment and Filipino compassion.

I have never left this country yet, and I am not living an extra comfortable life as most of you might think, but I plan to stick with it no matter what, because in this country I have seen that even though I cannot afford to buy things that I have been dreaming to have all my life, I can always afford to pay for my extra sabaw sa karinderia with a smile, and that for me is the greatest value we Filipinos possess, the value of pakikipagkapwa-tao.  Here at home, there is always a personal touch to everything.  I may never get rich in my lifetime, but at least I know that I will not have to be among the down-turned faces that smile at no one on the busy streets of New York, or Italy, or Japan; at least I know that for every dollar I lose for not working abroad, I will have earned a million more real, compassionate, sincere, and true friends.  In the end, what really matters is the trait that got you all hired – the Fililpino touch – lose the Filipino touch and you will lose everything, trust me, I have seen it happen… Mabuhay ka Pinoy!

Be rational; be insane…every once in a while!!!TTFN! Hello to my dearest readers, to Verona, James, Sheen, Hellpen,  Anne, Mary Dale, Chan,Michelle, Zarthus, Jonald,  Mr. Bobot, Vic, Vincent, and Rex, Alex, Arvin, Corz, Jim, Kiara, Malikh, Audrae, Franz, Hendrick, Janice, Jay, Jim, Jonathan, Mark, Marz, Mel, Pres, Nhonoy, Niel, Piper, Rheavil, Joey, Alma, Rodolfo, Ecker, Ryan, Roni, Ian, Narle, Sunny and to Anuj of CMC, I love you all! Byers! Salamat gid sa mga walang-hintong text and reactions nyo! Catch Rational Insanity in TNT’s online edition, check us out at www.thenewstoday.info, text me at (0920)9254269, or email me at prague@eudoramail.com.   Byers!  Mmmmmmmwah!