What are the advantages and disadvantages of living away from home?

SAN FRANCISCO, California – Filipinos continue to move here because they believe it is the land of opportunity. Because they want to give their loved ones a better future, they’re willing to start life anew. They’re not afraid of hard work because with perseverance, Filipinos will succeed.

Although long settled and Americanized, most of our kababayans confessed that living abroad is not a bed of roses. Once in a while, some of them get homesick and long to be back home with friends and relatives, especially during the holiday season. Here, they share with us the advantages and disadvantages of living away from home.

LOUIE MAMENGO, designer: I’ve learned to be independent – no maids, no driver, no everything. I’ve learned so much being on my own, I’ve even gone into business. I’m still in ready-to-wear and I’ve learned a lot working in the American fashion industry. I’m looking forward to going home and doing ready-to-wear aside from made-to-order clothes.

LOUIE REYES, singer: My children have learned to do housework because there are no maids. They do their own laundry and press their own clothes. They can also do the dishes. I came here because the children wanted to study here and I’d like to pat myself on the back because I’m doing quite well. I left a career in Manila but thank God, I still have a career here because I teach voice and I sing. For those planning to come here, you must be ready to work, do housework and a lot of things that you don’t usually do in Manila.

LIZA LOMOTAN-MULLINS, Associate treasurer, Pepperdine University: I think the opportunities are here. It all depends on what you want to pursue and the amount of effort you want to exert. But it’s definitely a wide open field. The disadvantages? I miss my family who are all back home. I came here when I was 30 and I’ve been away for almost 20 years. We love to visit the Philippines and we especially enjoy the countryside. The Philippines will always have a special place in our hearts.

TONY DE LEON, former silver medal champion for archery in Singapore: Twenty-two years na ako sa Amerika. Marami ang advantages dito. Unang-una sa livelihood. Dito, madaling makakuha ng trabaho. Hindi mako-compare ang earnings dito at sa Philippines. Ang isa pang malaking advantage – dito, meron kang medical insurance. Ang disadvantage nga lang, malayo ka sa bayan, you get homesick once in a while.

DAVE TUPAZ, couturier: I first came here in 1989 then I went home. I returned in ’94. I didn’t really feel like staying because in Manila I was spoiled. What brought me here is my career. I wanted to learn more and I told myself if I become successful in America, well and good. If not, I could still go home. I’ve been very fortunate because I’ve been working and I’m quite busy. Most of my clients are entertainment people: Goldie Hawn, Annette Bening. On May 3, I will be featured on NBC. I’m always introduced as a young American designer, I ask them to describe me as Filipino-American because I’m proud to be a Filipino. The downside is, I miss home and in my business, I have to do everything myself – I am designer, bookkeeper, marketing person and director.

AMY LAVA, database architect: Advantages? There are more opportunities here. It’s hard at the beginning because you have to start from the bottom and work your way up. I don’t think there’s discrimination here. It depends on the profession you choose. In my line of work – computers – the people are predominantly Asian. Disadvantages? You get homesick, especially at the beginning. But I don’t really miss Manila because there are more things for me here than over there.

LULU KATIGBAK TRINIDAD, homemaker: I have been away for 34 years. My husband and I came here seven months after we were married. We were so young yet we had to decide on everything. We made it through thick and thin and our relationship became stronger. Being away from family is the number one disadvantage. There’s not a day that I don’t think of my three brothers, my sister and my parents, although they have passed away. It was a big, big adjustment. Life in the Philippines is beautiful and precious. We miss it a lot but I think it’s our destiny to live here.

PETE JAMINOLA JR., banker: I’ve lived in the US for seven years but I have been out of the Philippines for 24 years – most of those years were spent in Hong Kong. So the advantage is basically, you get to enjoy the benefits of living in a more developed environment and structure. The opportunities are here if you have the qualifications, if you work hard. If you’re productive, then you’re aptly rewarded. The disadvantage is you live far from your relatives and friends. Friendships are very important and most of my friends are back home. I have friends who live in the US, but they live an hour away so it’s not that easy to get together. If opportunities are there, we would like to go back to the Philippines.

ZER GONZALEZ, L.A. Police Department/anti-terrorist: I’ve been here for 46 years. I left the Philippines when I was 3. I traveled with my father who was with the military. Advantages? There are a lot of jobs here. I visited the Philippines a few times, but I never stayed long, so I don’t really know what it’s like to live there. I would like to know more about the Philippines. Will I retire there? Maybe I can make that decision later.

TONY QUION, businessman: If you’ve been here as long as I have – 14 years – you are given the option of becoming an American citizen. Once you opt for citizenship and you go back to the Philippines, you become a foreigner in your own country. On the other hand, opportunities abound in America. This is truly a land of opportunity. Economically and politically, it is stable. In all the time I have lived here, there has never been a major political turbulence. During the same period of time, there were three or four major political disturbances in the Philippines. The decision to come here or stay in Manila is really up to you.