Commentary

many relationships failed? How many children hate their absentee parents? Not all of course, but many organizations have come up to help family members cope with the absence of their loved ones in order to prevent broken homes.

Yes, dollars came into the country and helped much with our dollar reserves. Our OFWs were tagged the new “heroes” because they helped the economy, but in exchange for what? Not only their lives, but their dignity, their future and the future of their children...and perhaps of the nation?

Even the country received a punch on the face, with the dictionary defining “Filipina” as a domestic helper. This mistake has been corrected I hope. Filipinas have various jobs from executives, entrepreneurs to everything in the hierarchy of work. But to define the Filipino woman based only on one job is a discrepancy of thought. It is in fact an ignorance of language and an extreme lack of knowledge about culture and history.

At one point in time, many people cried, “Bring home our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters!” This became a “voice in the wilderness.” Now, the abuse of many migrant workers continues while others had found secure sources of income and dignity in their work. The abused should come home, the more successful ones, go your way up the ladder with pride and dignity intact please. Now you give the verdict: Are the OFWs heroes or victims?---Evangeline Murillo