Why Pusong Pinoy

…Land dear and holy, cradle of noble heroes… so goes a line from the Philippine National Anthem.

Cradle of noble heroes… Filipinos abroad are hailed in the Philippines as the modern heroes abreast with the modern times.

The Philippines has more to offer other than its 7,100 islands – foremost of which is its people whose traits include patience and perseverance in the face of adversity, close family ties and sense of duty and responsibility.

It is in this context that Filipinos will go anywhere in the world in search for greener pastures to offer ease and comfort to their loved ones. They bear with gritted teeth the pains of separation from families and familiar grounds.

But it is their tenacity to fend off loneliness that wherever they are, they make the place a home away from home – in so doing they build strong relationships and affinity to their host country.

And here in Abuja – ‘Pusong Pinoy’ is born – meaning ‘the Heart of a Filipino – generous, cheerful, hospitable, kind-hearted, charitable and most of all compassionate.’

With this association, Pinoys (nomenclature coined to Filipinos) come to interact among themselves, with
other nationals and with the local people. These interactions made them enjoy the camaraderie within the different communities domiciled in Abuja and Nigeria in general and at the same time being aware of the social ills besieging ones country. This is best exemplified by the fact that many expatriates had become Niger wives and had espoused the culture and traditions of the land.

This can be a venue for an open forum and a focal point for issues that would be of benefit to everyone. This may help enlighten our country to the real plight of the contract workers and their families. We aim to put forward the facts, not the information based only on reports. But most of all, we aim to assure our families and the government that being a contract worker in Nigeria is still akin to working at home , and of course with lots of fringe benefits.

It may not amount to something significant but this is a step towards a more meaningful stay in this country.

MABUHAY!