"Filipino workers in several hotels and restaurants here are well respected and esteemed," was how Pudie put it.
Consider, however, that the average Irish entrepreneur is laid-back and very humble, thus one can immediately appreciate the significance of Pudie’s compliment.
Even in Killarney, as we moved around the small shopping center Thursday evening, we soon encountered a couple from Antique. The husband works in a hotel. Both roamed around with self-confidence, aware that they are earning more that half of what they can back home.
Later, we met more Filipinos. It seems that there are already more than a thousand Pinoy OFWs in the area. Most are working in hotels; some are even in B&B establishments.
Now, the bed and breakfast accommodations appear to have helped Ireland’s tourism program. They are actually just a modification of the pension houses in many European countries.
But this is the added boost. B&B establishments are so designed that each room has a toilet and bath. Renters pay in advance for their stay. Some are sophisticated; boarders are served tea, coffee and breakfast even in their rooms. That’s all charged to the basic fee, normally ranging from 30 to 50 euros, depending on the season.
B&B accommodations are normally based at homes. The operators or owners live in the same place as their renters. Thus, during peak season, they may have additional hands to help them. Otherwise, family members take turns serving their guests.
Can the same system be adopted by the Philippines? In some of the urban tourism centers?
I wonder how Bacolod authorities lived in the past to elicit the help of prominent families so as to cope with the number of outside visitors — in short, guests who local hotels could not accommodate.
That elicited a short-lived tribute. But in the long run, our homes are not prepared to extend such type of service to guests. First is, of course, our extended family system where even mature children continue to sponge on their parents of livelihood. Or, as some contend, they are not earning much to fend off for themselves even if both parents are earning enough for their daily needs.
Anyway, I have asked a group of Negrense expat workers on how to conduct a study on the possibility of adopting the B&B scheme in Negros. Of course, the basic requirements are an adequate supply of water and regular power supply.
We have seen how thousands of homeowners in even the remotest area of Ireland have transformed rural facilities into small enterprises. Not only that, they have also become custodians of the history and culture of their respective communities.
That may help propel our cultural and historical promotion program — and instill national pride among us.