I don't know how to start this...
It's a well-known fact that Singapore rely on foreign talents, both in the high and low ends of the spectrum — to overcome the limits of local labor resources. Traditionally, most skilled professionals come from the United States, Britain, France, and Australia, as well as from Japan and South Korea. So those at the lower end are just referred to as "foreign workers."
A couple of weeks back, a centerfold article on foreign workers came out in the newspaper. Bangladeshis, Filipinos and mainland Chinese were in the honor and horror rolls. What do locals like about foreign workers? They're hardworking, honest, and intelligent. What they don't like? They're lazy, dishonest and not so intelligent (in short, dumb).
So what do Singaporeans think about foreign workers, specifically Filipinos? Like most foreign workers, Filipinos come to Singapore because of the higher pay and the economic situation in their motherland. Singapore-based employers, on the other hand, take-in foreign workers as they are skilled and cheap. Also, foreign workers take jobs which some locals can't fill-in. Majority of Filipinos work as Medical Workers, IT Professionals, Household and Construction Workers. Generally, Filipinos are still stereotyped as maids. Luckily, there are locals who appreciate Filipinos. It's amazing and amusing to read comments on this issue made by Singaporeans that expostulates that of another. They all have their own personal reasons for favoring or hating Filipinos. It all depends on their own experience with us. We can't blame them.
In my short stint here in Singapore, I haven't encountered any blatant enormity from Singaporeans. So far, I have been appreciated by Singaporeans whom I have worked with as a foreign worker, as an Overseas Filipino Worker. But there are stories that always linger. Sad to say, there are still Singaporeans who look the other way, simply because they still can't accept foreigners. Give us a chance. If you can't consider, then just hang me... I am a Filipino!
Friday, February 16, 2007
So Hang Me! ..... I am a Filipino!
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11 comments:
To singaporeans, the idea of the 'foreigner' is quite broad.
It basically includes all those who aren't 'chinese' actually. Which is why one sees the media saturated mainly with 'non-foreigners'. In spirit, a 'foreigner' may be seen as one 'who is not a part of' or 'one who is different', thus justifying 'differentiated' treatment. This too has both 'high and low ends', i.e. 'disirable' and 'less desirable'. Both the 'chinese' and 'whites' are of the former, whilst 'banglahs', 'filipinos', 'indians(both local and foreign), and to some degree, the malays, occupy, in the minds of the masses, and as evidenced by their inclusion and exclusion in the media and in terms of popular perceptions, the latter.
that's sad man... but the heck! the thing is, it doesn't change us. proud to be pinoy!
I'm glad you still consider yourself a filipino despite of all that, coz you know some filipinos become "ex-filipino" which is something I woll not elaborate. Bob Ong explained it to his book :)
Anyway, why not? youreally have a nice blog. I'll link you up on my paborits!
Minsan lang ako humanga sa isang OFW na hindi tinatangging berde ang pasaporte nya.
Hats off to you.
Boy! Looks like eye em falling in love with you blog! I love anything about the Flippines, the Flippinos and absolutely (aka mani pakyaw) anything about our work culture.
Thanks for sharing your singaporean experience!
reyna elena
www.reynaelena.com
to ed"
that's weird. i'm not chinese, and i never considered myself a foreigner even though i'm not chinese. i'm not a foreigner because i was born and bred in SG, and i can speak Singlish fluently and understand the whole 'chope-seat-with-tissue-paper' thing.
ed-infinitum, I too think that's weird, as my definition of a foreigner is someone who does not hold Singaporean citizenship.
Re the issue at hand, I personally don't care what nationality you are and where you live, as long as you do an honest days' work and the best you can, and aren't a burden on society.
I realized that the world, whether we like it or not, has already established a pecking order - Caucasians first, all the rest later. It's just funny that those occupying the lower rungs also push and shove like hell, in order to establish a distance amongst each other. This, so that they may claim to be nearer to the Lords. Here, economics plays a vital role, and we simply can't help the fact that the Singaporeans, Hongkong(ese)and Taiwanese are better off than us Filipinos, thus making them feel having the right to scorn us.
Whether we will rise higher to earn the same "right" is still a big question. What we can only do now is excel in our fields to earn the respect we deserve.
I salute you for sticking to your guns. Mabuhay ka!
wala akong pakialam sa pinoy pinoy or sinaporean or philipeapsis ka. basta masaya ako!
hay. buti dito sa japan, ang mga pilipino dito sa lugar ko ay naappreciate ng mga hapon. sabi nga ng host mom ko, ang mga pilipino, napaka galing pag dating sa pagluluto, pag sasayaw, pagtuturo, pag kanta etc. etc. that words from a japanese boosted my filipino pride.
Hmm. Nakakatawa nga, nang ako'y napadpad dito sa Singapore, bigla akong napahanga sa mga kapwa Pinoy at sa pagigigng Pinoy. Iba nga talaga nagagawa kapag nasa ibang bansa ka at ang malalapitan mo't madadamayan mo na lang eh mga kapwa mo Pinoy. Mabuhay ang mga Pinoy!
I don't let myself be intimidate by some locals here who feel superior (kuno) sa atin. Let them be. We know better.
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