Why Some of Us Are Still Not Leaving the Philippines

Let me start by saying that there’s absolutely nothing wrong if one decides to leave the country. I also don’t encourage people to just stay. We have different motivations. Some are stuck in a low-paying career that pays well abroad, others might be stuck with a toxic society that doesn’t allow them to thrive.

I, for one, have the opportunity to leave the Philippines if I wanted to. I have relatives and immediate family members who are already Australian citizens. Yet I have never, even during times of poverty and experiencing poor healthcare, dreamed of growing old in another country.

My situation is of course different. I work freelance online, serve overseas clients and can somehow enjoy a salary above our country’s minimum. Yet, I’m not safe from corruption, poor healthcare and the crab mentality. Poverty hits me the same way as with everyone else. I was one of those who expected the best from my local government’s aid on the onset of COVID-19.

Why not leave?

Anyone in the Philippines can thrive and have their own business. The ease of starting a passion or something small can be a plus. It won’t make you rich, but it can give you a fulfilling life.

I’ve known people who worked and lived abroad but can’t start their own business there. It’s a huge risk to take given the high cost of living. It’s great to be able to test out a market or idea with very little overhead costs.

We also have strong family ties. Not everyone has the opportunity to take the entire clan with them. Every time I try to imagine migrating to another country, my imagination stops somewhere. I would rather grow old tending vegetables or in my tiny tindahan than in an elderly home.

Of course, migrating is different from working abroad. It’s always a wise decision to work there if you have a job that pays well in another country. But reinvesting in the Philippines is always the smartest move.

People tell me that I should leave because the Philippines is “damned” and that corruption is killing every Filipino. I’ve had a share of these experiences, feeling helpless in the hospital when my mother had a stroke and those “taghirap” days when it was all bagoong for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But I never thought it was because there’s no hope in the Philippines. Sometimes, each one of us needs to have more faith in ourselves while we cultivate our dreams.

Wherever you are in the world, the idea of “lack” lives. Shortage of money, resources, jobs… and in some places perhaps the lack of meaningful conversations, hospitality, genuine friendships. It’s true we have plenty of “crabs” here and there, but they can be avoided. We’re very used to storms and uncertainties that we’ve become very resilient and have proved how much we care for our neighbors in times of adversity.

Let’s not give up on this spirit.