5 OFWs Talk About Homesickness And Being Filipino While Working Abroad

"Being a Filipino is in your mind and heart."

Overseas Filipino workers, or OFWs, are considered modern-day heroes for two reasons: first, they willingly leave their families behind to establish a better life for them; second, their remittances keep the Philippine economy afloat.

Irah Benitez / BuzzFeed

But their heroic deeds have a difficult tradeoff. OFWs must combat the terrible loneliness that comes from living away from their families for long periods of time.

They also have to deal with an identity crisis—they are in a foreign land, with customs and languages different from theirs. They need to change to survive, but how much should their identity shift? Should they shed their Filipino-ness and adapt the culture of their new home country?

Five OFWs talked to BuzzFeed Philippines and shared their experiences about working abroad, homesickness, and how they retain their identity as Filipinos.

Grace, Singapore

Grace Tabudlong

When Grace arrived in Singapore in 2015 to work as a nurse, she felt homesick right away. She was able to withstand it through the help of other Filipinos, whom she calls her "home away from home." They've all become close friends and they celebrate special occasions and holidays together.

"There are a lot of Filipinos here who make me feel like I am just in Davao City," she says. "They strengthen my faith in God and help me to face the challenges as an OFW."

Thus, she has not forgotten how to be a Filipino. "Being a Filipino is in your mind and heart."

Raj, Malaysia

Raj Buenafe

Raj got homesick when he first started working in Malaysia in 2013, but he quickly got through it by hanging out with his new friends and coworkers.

This technical support representative of a software company misses Filipino food and has ceased observing Holy Week, opting to celebrate Chinese New Year instead. But he's still a Filipino at heart. "I never forget my ways and culture as a Filipino."

Irah, Singapore

Irah Benitez

Irah started working as a technical writer in Singapore in 2016, and was able to fight homesickness via impulsive purchases. "Yep, I used this as an escape," he says, adding that he also kept himself busy with various hobbies and constantly bonding with friends.

Eating Filipino food also reminds him of home. "It's either you cook your own Filipino food or go to Lucky Plaza where Pinoy food and goods can be found."

Irah maintains that he does not feel any less Filipino, because he still feels kinship with any kababayan he sees in public. "When I see someone who I can immediately identify as a Pinoy, I immediately say 'kuya' or 'ate' instead of the usual 'auntie' or 'uncle' terms that Singaporeans use."

Annalyn, Hong Kong

Annalyn Tidula Obero

Annalyn fights homesickness in Hong Kong by concentrating on her job as a domestic helper. She started her job in November 2012.

"I make myself busy during the daytime," she states, adding that she watches Filipino teleseryes so she won't feel lonely before sleeping.

Annalyn misses Filipino food the most. She wishes she can eat her mom's cooking, particularly the Visayan dishes diningding and law-uy.

Annalyn may have stopped observing Simbang Gabi, but that does not mean that her identity as a Filipino has diminished.

"I'm still a pure Filipino, not just in my thought and in my word, but in everything that I've done for my fellow Filipinos here," she confesses. "I still have the concern, kindness, and the love that only a true Filipino can have for their kababayans."

Leony, Qatar

Leony Tidula

Leony, who works as a bartender in Doha, Qatar, believes that homesickness is normal for OFWs. " The first few months were tough that sometimes in the night I cried so hard because I already missed my family and wanted to go home," he admits.

He survived these challenging months in 2015 by keeping himself busy, talking to his parents everyday and going out with friends. "I tried to surround myself with the people whom I considered friends. We go out together to forget and to not think about home," he says.

But he has adopted to Qatar's culture so well, particularly to its strict laws. "I have become more disciplined kasi pag 'di ka sumunod sa batas dito it's either makukulong ka or mag pa-fine."

One wish that he has is that the Philippines will be like Qatar in the implementation of its laws. But does this dream make him any less Filipino?

"I don't think so," he answers. "Siguro I just feel envy kasi maganda ang pamamalakad at hindi rampant ang corruption sa kanila, at hindi over populated compared sa atin."

He adds, "Hindi ko naman ikinahihiya na Filipino ako just because of those I mentioned, kasi right from the start nandiyan na 'yan. I guess all we need to do is to improve ourselves to become a better person for our country."