DISADVANTAGES OF BEING AN OFW.

OFW - Overseas Filipino Worker

As a Filipino, working abroad has been thought to be a blessing to some Filipino families especially in the financial aspect. But not everyone is aware the ugly side of being an OFW. If you're considering to work abroad, you need to think about it. And if you're an OFW like me, you might relate to these.

1. You will feel alone most of the time.

-Your colleagues or coworkers are also busy hustling. You might meet other people who doesn’t have the same mindset, perception, and goals which makes it very hard to make friends. If you have friends, you might have different shifts and day offs which makes it hard to invite whenever you want to hang out, go grocery or run errands.

2. Missing major life events of your loved ones.

- Though working overseas will give your family a better life, you will also be missing your families and friends milestone. You will miss your parents 50th / 60th birthday, siblings graduation or awarding nights of your children that would lead to your to be less attached to you.

3. We are expected to look after Family Members

-Many OFWs shoulder mostly the bills at home in the Philippines. May it be shouldering the tuition fees of the education of their siblings, cousins, nephews, and nieces. Some support the monthly health maintenance of a family member who's sick. Others shoulder the monthly amortization of house or car loans. And some run a small business / businesses

4. Family Members in the Philippines expect uninterrupted money remittances regularly.

If you’re someone who is an ulirang anak, ulirang nanay, tatay or kapatid, you are really devoted to send monthly remittances or padala ng pera abroad.

It’s really a grand gesture really.

But, expect mo na na your family members at home will expect you to send money regularly. Wala pang sahod, may mag tetext or mag chachat sayo ng bills ng bahay.

5. You feel obligated to to extend help.

Expecially if you came from a close knit family. Ina-ako na natin ang problema sa pamilya kahit hindi naman dapat, kasi yun ang naka set ng mind ng family para sa atin. Ayaw natin ma sabihan na “walang utang na loob”

“In the family, we were always told to share your blessings. But never “share your problems” – wag mo iako lahat ng responsibilidad at problema. To be honest, hindi ka superhuman, napapagod ka din.

When it comes to friends, you are that schoolmate / friend who pays the restaurant bill, or you're the person your batch mates run into when they need financial support for the class reunion.

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Being an OFW is not for everyone. If you're someone who doesn't have issues, then good for you. Not everyone is born with a silver platter. It still will depends on where you are right now with your life, your I hope this article will serve as an eye opener.