Filipinos, anyone?
by omrelaP
Filipinos are citizens of the Philippines, an Asian country composed of small islands in the lower Pacific region near the equator.
The Philippines, although an underdeveloped country, has a literacy rate higher than some advanced countries in the west. Thanks to the filipino value that gives great importance to education. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of filipinos believe that education is the greatest legacy the parents can pass on to their children, because in this poverty stricken land, wealth is shared only among twenty percent (20%) of its people and thus, it is embedded in the minds of the people that Education is a filipino''s best tool for the improvement of his life because the absence of family wealth and material possessions would surely drive him off to find work for the rich someday.
Even nowadays, it is still a common countryside site to see barefooted children walking long distances and crossing rivers just to be able to attend school. Despite the extreme poverty, many parents still hope that through education and persistence, their children may be able to improve their lives by finding a job in the city which will help alleviate their difficulties someday.
This is the root of the Filipino reputation as a migrant worker. In the early 1950''s and 1960''s, people from the countrysides strive to earn elementary or high school education which will be their tool in finding a job in Manila, the Philippines'' capital city. Most girls land in Manila as houlsehold helpers for the rich or the working middle class in the capital city. This is the origin of the filipina domestic helper.
Today, many filipinos have become professionals. Teachers, engineers, scientists, nurses computer experts and seafarers are not rare in the Philippines, but still, despite of the degree of education they have, the urge to migrate for the better still prevail in their minds.
This is one of the reasons why the Philippines is one of the leading exporters of labor in the world. But in fairness, the filipinos have a lot of values to be proud about, like good work ethics, dedication and commitment, loyalty and most of all, most filipinos are highly skilled, flexible and courteous.
Many advanced countries like the U.S., Switzerland and U.K. are seeking the services of Filipinos to strengthen their workforce both technically and professionally.
The filipino at heart has a great sense of belonging to his country, yet he has become migrant in search for greener pastures for his family. There are still thousands of highly skilled filipinos wanting to find jobs overseas because of economic difficulties.
The filipino worker values his job so much. He looks up to his employer as the provider for his family.
Having a filipino in your workforce is having a gem in your company. Give him care, respect and equality and he will return to you the favor a hundred more times.