Simple Happiness

I mentioned last time that I have been watching Filipino “Pinoy” films online. What I really noticed was, a lot of those Filipino movies I watched were not just filmed in the Philippines but also in other places outside the Philippines, either having vacations in other countries or working abroad.

The movie “I.T.A.L.Y. (I trust and love you)” was one of those movies filmed not only in the Philippines but also abroad particularly in Italy. It was a light comedy film with a little bit of drama. I will not write any review, just try to enjoy watching the movie.

Jolina Magdangal played Destiny in this movie. She was one of those Filipinos who applied for a job on a luxury cruise ship and got accepted to work in the housekeeping department. It really had nothing to do with Valentines Day but at least it was also about love.

On this Valentine’s Day, I can just imagine those Filipinos working abroad especially those on the ships. I am sure they are missing their loved ones back home.

To everyone especially to the Overseas Filipino Workers, Happy Valentine’s Day!

I have been watching Filipino films online for the past few months. One particular movie that I would like to share with you was that of Sharon Cuneta entitled Caregiver. I am not a caregiver, so I do not really know if this movie really reflects the life of the caregivers who are working outside the Philippines. I could not really say that I could relate but this film would somehow give you an idea about the life of a Filipino working as a caregiver abroad and what a tough job they have.

It would somehow make you understand but still make you ask, why is it that a person chose to leave her job as a teacher in the Philippines and worked as a caregiver abroad?

Sarah, played by Sharon Cuneta, was an English teacher in the Philippines who joined her husband Teddy, played by John Estrada, in London to become a caregiver.

In the movie, there was this line that caught my attention.

I know the opportunity is there pero kung puro pansarili lang ang iisipin natin, ano na ang mangyayari sa bayang ito. [I know the opportunity is there but if we are always just going to think of ourselves what will happen to this country.]

Every time I think of those teachers, nurses and doctors going abroad for work and better pay, I always think about what is happening in the Philippines now a days. I am referring to those teachers, nurses and doctors employed by the government.

Very few students in the Philippines are taking up education because of the low salary. A lot of students are taking up nursing because of the high salary hoping that they will be able to work abroad.

In my opinion, teachers, doctors and nurses should have higher salary in the Philippines. If those bright students who would love to take up education will have a higher salary as a teacher, they would surely not hesitate to teach. If those nurses and doctors will have a higher salary, they would choose to remain in the Philippines. They don’t need to leave the Philippines just to have a higher salary.

What will happen to the Philippine education if nobody is willing to take up education because of the low salary? What will happen to the Philippine health services if everybody who takes up nursing and medicine would choose to leave and work abroad? What will happen if the teachers would choose to leave as well? I think you know what I’m trying to say here.

Some of you may say that it should not be about money because if those teachers really love to teach, then they would remain teaching. If those nurses and doctors really love their job, they would continue what they’re doing.

But they need to survive too especially if they have a family. Definitely, money plays a very important role in their lives.

Health and education have been neglected for too long. The government should prioritize and should allocate a higher budget for health and education. Actually, the Philippine government must do it. It is about time and the right thing to do.

Congratulations to the US President Barack Obama and US Vice-President Joe Biden!

I just finished watching the Inaugural Address of President Barack Obama, the new President of the United States of America.

I normally do not write anything about politics but I though that it was a historical event not only in the United States but all over the world. I never watched any inauguration of any of the US Presidents. It was the first time and in fact it was indeed amazing being able to somehow witness an event like that even if I was just watching it on television.

It was just past 6 o’clock in the evening here in Switzerland, around 6:07 p.m., when US President-elect Barack Obama took his oath on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. Right after he took his oath as the new President of the United States of America, he immediately delivered his Inaugural Address.

Among those who attended were his wife Michelle Obama and their children, the new US Vice-President Joe Biden, the new US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the former US President George W. Bush among others.

I thought that the Americans were not ready for an African-American President. The event that just happened only proves that the Americans indeed have matured.

President Barack Obama has a tough job to do and I hope he will be able to keep all his promises. People are hoping for a change. I hope it will come true.

If you like to read his Inaugural Address, kindly click the link below:
US President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address

Thank you CNN for the live coverage!