Maraming mga OFWs ang mahilig magpakitang gilas pag umuuwi para makita ng tao na medyo ‘made’ na sila or gusto nilang makita ng mga tao na successful sila. They will show-off by buying jewelries, expensive shoes, signature appliances etc para lang makita ng iba how far they have come in working abroad. This attitude creates uneasiness for many reasons: dahil ang concept ng mga tao marami sila pera, mauutangan sila at mauubusan. And it will create an unrelax and uneasy feeling dahil kelangan i-maintain ang perception ng tao.

Be yourself. Don’t impress people with a little something you have…

Lalo na kung hindi ka pa naman talaga ganoon kayaman. Mahirap i-maintain ang ganyang status.
I had a friend who came from Saudi and as an OFW for 15 years, he wanted to make the people see that he is successful. Upon arrival, he was wearing Saudi gold necklace and bracelet and watch. Sa sobrang kinang ng mga alahas nya lalo na pag nasikatan ng araw, tinatawag sya na Mr. Hepa – dahil naninilaw na sya! Few months after hinahanap sya ng mga tao at sinabi ng isang nakakaalam kung nasaan sya: nasa Cebu daw. Nakita ko sya kinabukasan at tinanong ko kumusta ang Cebu. Ang sabi nya, “Don, nagpunta ako sa Cebuana!” Isinanla pala nya lahat ng mga alahas nya. Because of financial needs of his family, he has to finance a tricycle para ipasada sa palengke.

If he only manage to create a business or investment that could sustain his lifestyle upon his retirement, he would be much better off now. Let us all learn from the mistakes of others dahil tayo man ay magiging ganoon kung hindi tayo magsisikap na iayos ang ating retirement.

Pwedeng sabihin na ngayon ang tanghaling tapat ng ating pagkita sa abroad. We are the 12:00 o’clock of our earning capacity. But one day, just like the sunsets in the afternoon, tayo man ay hihina, magkakasakit or mawawalan ng trabaho. Get ready na pag-upo mo sa iyong rocking chair, you will not worry for the future. Tama ang isang awit: “tatanda at lilipas din ako…”

I remember this woman in Proverbs 31:

She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear….Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.