"CRUSHED"

I am always a Paulo Coelho Fan...
I made it sure that I read all his books and posts on his blogs and journals.
This one is really nice and very timely... for me.

I wanna share it with you friends... hope you love it.

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Who still wants this bill?
Published by Paulo Coelho on August 29, 2008 in Stories.
By Paulo Coelho

Cassan Said Amer tells a story about a lecturer who began a seminar holding up a 20 dollar bill, and asking:

- Who wants this 20 dollar bill?

Several hands went up, but the lecturer said:

- Before handing it over, there’s something I must do.

He furiously crushed it, and asked again:

- Who still wants this bill?

The hands continued raised.

- And what if I do this?

He threw it against the wall, letting it fall to the floor, kicked it, stamped in it and again held up the bill - all dirty and crumpled. He repeated the question, and the hands continued to be held high.

- You mustn’t ever forget this scene - said the lecturer. - No matter what I do with this money, it’ll still be a 20 dollar bill. Many times in our lives, we are crushed, stamped on, kicked, maltreated, offended; however, in spite of this, we are still worth the same.

worries?!

1. im changing my civil status from SINGLE to MARRIED. Hirap... u have to fill up lots of FORMS and Change all your ID's buti na lang i only have my SSS, Company and Philhealth ID to change to...

2. im suffering from UTI...dunno y?!
eyestrain- too much COMPUTER staring...

3. preparing for our Wedding... Mahirap kasi its hard to plan when your partner is far from you.

4. Worried. Coz I myt be changing locations again. Since I'm married na...have to be with my Husband... I can't realize how it is to be Married when Im here in Makati and He's in CEBU... and I'm worried coz i myt not be able to go back to the resort. Mahirap pa namang maghanap nang trabaho.. :(

5. He's still looking for a Job but I know he can make it magaling sya eh... at knowing na he's skills are in Demand in most Hotels and Resto. Btw, my Husband is a Pastry Chef... a good one for the record.


6. Our rent will increase this coming November.. argh... from 2,310 to 2,600...
I really can't afford to be here forever ... need to relocate to Cebu na... and be with my husband.

7. Busy for the Upcoming Philippine Travel Exchange 2008 at SMEX... i have loads of things to do...

8. I am happy coz malapit ko nang ma meet si IDOL... can't wait for September 13.. :)


9. I miss Baybay and everything and everybody in it... I miss ZAIN>>> ...

Hay! wala lang me magawa today...

I'm so happy coz my Idol viewed my previous post... ay ang saya saya ko...

This is all for now...

Eula's Greetings...

happy lang ako... di ko mapigilang mag share...
ang bait nang Idol ko.. Si Ms. Eula Valdes... She's my favorite actress talaga...
as in to the highest Level...kaya eto m sharing you her messages... to me...


jamorval wrote today at 6:04 AM
mga ache busy ako,nasira internet at wifi ko naglinis maid tanggal lahat. daming nid gawin,time out lang ito mga kapatid,nag band rehearsal na ako yesterday. best wishes jinny !!! wait nawala ako, yes kakalokah,sabay ang southmall at eastwood sept 13.4pm sm 9pm eastwood. tas pampanga kinabukasan.goodluck sakin!!!! inuubo pa din ako!!!


this is her greetings to me on my birthday:

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 17
belated happy birthday jinny and happy birthday mhengay!



this is our convo with the rest of the Eulanians...

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
BBBYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEE na talga... mwah!! see u again mga kafatid...

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
korek... :)
sige at rarampa muna me...at ang fafanezz sa oka ay na bobored na...


replyshle wrote on Aug 1
ahahahha...
aBaH laPeeet na riN paLa saU aTe jin...!!!!
o YaN aTe maY baGonG woRd na paNg diCtioNary...
ahahhaha!!!!!
baBuh iDol...
nGa paLa aTe jin, maY shaRe aKonG vDeo saU....
ahahahaha!!!

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
babushness IDOL>>> Mwah!

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
ako din BDAY ko AUGUST 16...ehehhe... la lang papansin

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
BABU NA TALAGA

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
karensky said
koreknesss...we understan naman! k lng yan sanay na kami sa gnyan!

Emote nga ung dalawa if i know umiiyak na sila dahil sa pagchika mo samen!thanks for your time
send my hugs and kisses to yanatots and migs
as in... harhar...may dala akong tuwalya karen.. :)


replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
salamat ms. Jin,crishelle anne at karensky na magbbday sa aug 5!!!!!!! HA-PPY BERSDEY TO YOU!!!!! LOVE YOU

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
buti na lang may dala me inhaler... at baka hikain ako... LOL... o xaxa... aalis na me...
Bye Karen and Shle... keep me posted...at promise pag may nakita me txt ko kau...

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
koreknesss...we understan naman! k lng yan sanay na kami sa gnyan!

Emote nga ung dalawa if i know umiiyak na sila dahil sa pagchika mo samen!thanks for your time
send my hugs and kisses to yanatots and migs

replyshle wrote on Aug 1
jinnyjohn said
salamat Miss Eula...as in this is a dream come true...
aahhaah!
aGre aKO aTe..!!!!!!
tNx pO mS euLa...


edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
pinipisil ko nga sarili ko...kong totoo ba ititsz... sabi nang BF ko totoo daw... ahahha kasi nasa likod ko sya...

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
salamat Miss Eula...as in this is a dream come true...

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
wahaha binasa ko last msg ko e dahil 3 kayong kausap ko tuloy tuloy lang ako nakakalito hehe di bale naintindihan nyo na kung kanino ang alin .

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
hi mo na lang kami kay migz and yana....

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
hahha
thanks miss eula...sana we could chat again...
punta me glorietta...
bukas halfday lang me sa work sa saturday shle...at iikutin ko glorietta for schizo...

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
bwahahaha..August 05 pa po!

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
bwahahaha imee.keri lang ...wait andito na ata miguelistic interrogatin ko lang kamusta test nya.ok? bye muna ako. try ko dalasan mag log in ha.salamat sa pagchika nyo sakin.uy nga pala lapit na bday mo pero di ko makita kung kelan.

replyshle wrote on Aug 1
weeeeeeeeeh!!!!
tnX...

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
oo alam ko... sige dont worry kasali ka karen...

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
game pasali ako sa bilihan...hahahaha! ang birthday gift na hinihingi ko ay CD ng SCHIZO kahit matabunan ako carry lng!

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
shle..hanap kita...

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
sige me nalang bibili.... sige na nga.. ito naman ay si aimee marcos ... ginaya ko make up nya.. LOL

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
ayan chrishelle kilalang kilala ka pala!

Uy meron na sa gloritte kaya lng me problema pang isa idol di marunong mag bus si shle..Uhmmm magpabili ka na lng ke jin tapos papost mo!hehe

Yan yeah mahilig sya sa lipstick na red napansin mo din...hahahah!

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
jamorval said
ah ikaw si crishelle anne ok ok,sa glorietta meron. napansin ko nga mahilig kang maglipstick ng red bwahahaha
LOL...di pa ksi me nakahanp nang lipstick na black... HAHHAHA

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
karensky said
at ako po si KAREN!(:
nako karen..maski nakapikit...kilala ka namin... :)
hello..

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
ah ikaw si crishelle anne ok ok,sa glorietta meron. napansin ko nga mahilig kang maglipstick ng red bwahahaha

replyshle wrote on Aug 1
karensky said
at ako po si KAREN!(:
ahahaha..hi kaReN!!!ahahah

replyshle wrote on Aug 1
karensky said
si shle nadapa na sa jeep kakahanap two weeks na sya naghahanap promise!
bwahahahhahahahahahah!!!!! kaMusTa naMan un...buKinGan nA nGa toH!
ahahahahahha

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
lag lag naman ako sa upuan nyang Bb. Pilipinas beauty... :) thanks po... mahilig din me mag make up..charosh!

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
at ako po si KAREN!(:

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
taga INUSLUBAN city nga..joke!

Bulubundukin ng batangas idol wala pa dun tinda! kahit saang malls.
Sa laguna din wala naghahanap si Mama.

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
di ko pa na try sa glorietta... ayan Ms. Eula...yan mukha.. KO... na di black and white...:)

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
Jin po name ko... as JIN TABUDLONG...sensya na bisaya ung last name ko...

replyshle wrote on Aug 1
hahah...
aKo po aY CRISHELLE ANNE !!!
naHAhaBaaN po aKO maXdO kaYa shLe na laNg po niLagaY ko!!!
saN nGa pO ba maY cd na...ahahah!biGlaNg taNunG eH...ahahah!

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
bakit ala? tga san sya at san sya nagtanong?para mainform ko EMI

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
e yun nga tinatanung ko kung ikaw.Ay naku! anyway kaya ko natanong kase parang ok ka make upan e pang Bb. Pilipinas beauty mo ache! shle ano ba talaga name mo ? kayong lahat at naguguluhan ako.

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
O ayan tanung na kung saan makakabili ng Album?..
Ms.Eula wala sila mabilihan ng album mo, si shle nadapa na sa jeep kakahanap two weeks na sya naghahanap promise!
sabi ko nga papadalhan ko na lng sya kawawa naman ang bata!haha

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
hahhaha..karen binuking mo naman me... :)

replyshle wrote on Aug 1
fouNdaTiOn pa laNg kaSI naTItikmAn ko eH...ahahahh!

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
hahaha...jin nahinga ka pa? hello daw Ms.Eula sabi ni jin kung pwede daw himatayin...walang sasalo sa knya!




edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
parang chocolate shle... promise try mo...wahaha...

replyshle wrote on Aug 1
hi mS euLa...
aTe, aNu laSa nG liPstiCk???hahaha!!!

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
ako nga po yan... :) promise... phinotoshop ko kaya ganyan ang lips...

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
hindi ikaw yan?sino yang nasa picture?

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
Di photoshop lang po yan..natutunan ko... :D

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
opo... thats me... kumain me nang sangkatutak na lipstick.. LOL

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
hehehe kase halos pareho ng time noi karensky e. picture mo ba talaga yan?

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
nasa Pinas lang po me...Makati.

But taga Leyte po talaga ako.. :)

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
nasa makati lang po ako.. :D kasi 9-6 work time ko :)

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
haahaha...taga inusluban city sila..joke! ung settings mo siguro idol iba..kaya ibang time nalabas!

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
o pati tong si shle bakit ganyan mga oras nyo mga taga sang bansa ba kayo?

replyjamorval wrote on Aug 1
hey hey ms.jinnyjohn san ka ba at ganyan oras mo?

replyeulafriendsandfans wrote on Aug 1
haha...di na ko nagjojoke!

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
hello shle...hi karen... nasa office pa me... :D
hi idol... (again)
hope to see you in one of your mall tours..
MWAH!

replyshle wrote on Aug 1
aTe k tuNaY nGa...
ahahahhahaha!
kaLa ko joKe leT tuLaD kaNina...
ahahahha!!!!!
hi mS euLa...
hi aTe jiN!!!!
hi na riN saU aTe K!
ahahaa

edit delete replyjinnyjohn wrote on Aug 1
hi miss eula...

replykarensky wrote on Aug 1
hallerness idol(: dka busy?

I thank God for ms. Eula... She's a blessing to me and the rest of the Eulanians...

some videos on my vacation

my brother sunday ...
on our way to Visca
- Eona and Mia

Life is Beautiful.... Give out a Smile Today!

another email worth sharing....

this is great...

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL.... don't waste it!!!
Appreciate it! :)





42 Tips for A Better Life
==========================

1. When you wake up in the morning, always start your day
with a prayer/vision.
2. And then, complete the following statement,
My purpose is to__________ today.
3. Take a 10 to 30-minute walk every day. And while you walk,
smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
4. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock
if you have to.
5. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less
food that is manufactured in plants.
6. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices. Eat blueberries,
salad, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, etc.
7. Make at least three people smile each day.
8. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot
control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present.
9. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone, so give the
best of your kindness.
11. Take yourself seriously.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what
their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with
others either.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
So, be happy.
16. Remember that great love and great achievements involve
great risk.
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for
others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps
to correct it.
19. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:
In five years, will it matter?
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and
fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will
last a lifetime.
20. Forgive everyone for everything.
21. Read more books and watch less TV than you did last year.
22. What other people think of you is none of your business.
23. God has everything you'll every need in life so hook up
with Him.
24. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
25. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current
situation; don't bring up the past.
26. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
27. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your
family and friends will. Stay in touch.
28. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
29. Keep believing that the best is yet to come.
30. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
31. Each day give something good to others.
32. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
33. Sleep for 7 hours every day or whatever your body needs.
34. Don't trust someone who doesn't close their eyes when you
kiss them.
35. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love
for each other is greater than your need for each other.
36. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a
stroke of luck.
37. Do the right thing!
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following
statements:
I am thankful for__________
Today I accomplished_________
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Trust in God, but lock your car.
41. Realize that as you get older, you are not approaching death,
but heaven.
42. Know that GOD heals everything.

going on 26....

i'll be turning 26 on August 16, 2008.

Just like what my friend Karen Castro did on her multiply account...
I'm also doing my BIRTHDAY CORNER...

I am inviting you my FRIENDS to leave your messages and wishes for my birthday!!



Thank you....



MY 25TH birthday with my Friends/Sisters - Sister Blue- JULIET and Sister Pink- VENICE





my birthday celebration with my friends last year....

-- one lazy afternoon

i've got nothing in my head at present so m into this "BLOGthings" again...
FOund some worth posting... ENJOY!

You Are 94% Thankful

You're an incredibly thankful person, and everyone around you feels very appreciated. You inspire people to be more optimistic, forgiving, and grateful.

How Thankful Are You?

You Are Psyche!

Eternally in search of purpose and insight. You're curious and creative with a total sense of wonder. Totally empathetic, you pick up on other's moods easily. Just be sure to pamper yourself as well!

What Goddess Are You?

What A Lily Says About You

You are playful, flirty, and friendly. You can easily light up a room... or someone's heart. Your unique personality attracts a lot of attention!

What Do The Flowers You Pick Say About You?

What Your Handwriting Says About You

You are a laid back person with rather low energy. You aren't lazy... you *are* sensitive and empathetic. You are very extroverted and outgoing. You are loving, friendly, and supportive. However, you are also manipulative and controlling at times. You are balanced and grounded. You know how to get along well with others. You need a bit of space in your life, but you're not a recluse. You expect people to give you a small amount of privacy, and you respect their privacy as well. You are somewhat traditional, but you are also open to change. You listen to your head and your heart. You are a decent communicator. You eventually get your point across, but sometimes you leave things a bit ambiguous.

What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?

What Your Taste in Music Says About You

Your musical tastes are upbeat and conventional. You are an easy going, optimistic person. Family and friends are very important to you. You enjoy caring for and helping other people. You thrive in a tranquil environment, and you do your best to keep things peaceful. You enjoy your life. You have your priorities straight.

What Does Your Taste in Music Say About You?

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent. Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic Designer Illustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's Your Ideal Career?

This is funny...
The results are quiet hmmmm... contradicting..hahah.. nakakalito right?!

Well, i enjoyed answering the questions though...

HOW TO HANDLE A HERO by Jim Paredes

i've asked Mr. Jim Paredes (yes Jim Paredes of the APO HIKING SOCIETY) if I Could post his blog on my blog...and he allowed Me...:)

jinnyjohn wrote today at 5:36 AM
My Boyfriend, My Brother, My Sister are OFW's... this material is really helpful. I know how hard it is for them to be far from us their families here in the Philippines.
My boyfriend spare his USD 10.00 for a call every week just to ease the loneliness and homesickness he's feeling. He said its better to spend the money talking to a loved one, than sporting a new branded shirt from the mall...
Thanks so much... Can I post this to my blog??? Just wanna share this to my friends abroad.

Thanks this is really inspiring...

apojim wrote today at 10:29 AM
Jinnyjohn--go ahead





thanks to him... this is really inspiring...

HUMMING IN MY UNIVERSE By Jim Paredes
HOW TO HANDLE A HERO
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The OFW (overseas Filipino worker), who used to be known as OCW (overseas contract worker), is now an integral part of our national culture and consciousness — as Pinoy as pakbet and adobo. It is a cultural template that came to be primarily because our country could not — and still cannot — provide enough employment for its citizens. People have had to find jobs abroad to earn enough to clothe, feed and care for their constantly growing families that, to add to their problems, their faith discourages them from keeping small.

OFWs have been dubbed by the very system that created them as “heroes” for bringing home dollars that provide much needed economic benefits to their families and, consequently, to the system itself. And while they may in fact be a big factor why our country has not collapsed despite the culture of inertia, corruption and government mismanagement that plague it, OFWs are, in their own view, reluctant heroes, to be sure.

One, most of them really have no choice but to go abroad for lack of opportunities here. Two, many of them will abandon the “hero” label in a heartbeat if they can simply find some way to feed their families and stay in the Philippines at the same time. We know that they and their loved ones pay too high a price for the economic benefits they enjoy. And this includes being away from their loved ones and missing out as their family stories are written. They are absent from family pictures, albums, house blessings, graduations, births, birthdays, anniversaries and family reunions because ironically, they have to earn their money elsewhere to finance all this.

They have children who are fed and clothed but are orphaned of at least one parent. Their main consolation is, at least, the people they love are experiencing these wonderful economic benefits even if they cannot physically be part of it and enjoying with them.

I have met many OFWs during my travels abroad and even now that I live parttime in Sydney. I have observed that as much as they are the providers and the sustainers of life back home they, too, need care and sustenance which many of them hardly get. A lot of them complain about being trapped or doomed to being lonely and missing out on life just so their loved ones can have a better life.

This article is about the caring and encouragement these reluctant heroes, who up hold the sky up for our families and our society, need on their end. Here are a few things to keep in mind when relating to the fathers, mothers, kuyas, ates, uncles, aunts and other relatives who have left us temporarily to keep the rest of us alive.

1. Relate to them as people, not just as providers.

Many times, the relationship between OFWs and their families back home is sadly reduced to an almost solely economic one. A lot of OFWs complain that most of the time, they only hear from the beneficiaries of their hard-earned salaries when the roof needs fixing, the tuition needs paying, someone is sick, or a relative needs money. They feel like slaves trapped in a cycle of backbreaking work in order to grant their families’ wishes.

Although I live abroad, I’m what you may call an OFW in reverse. A big part of my family is in Sydney, and I come quite often to Manila to earn and pay for the house, schooling, food, electricity, etc. As an “Aussie W,” as Danny Javier likes to call me, I go through the same loneliness and deprivation that regular OFWs go through, although not as intensely and desperately. At least I am able to go back every few months and stay for a few weeks unlike the majority who go home only once every year or two and stay only for a couple of weeks.

2. Find more things to write or communicate to them about other than asking for money.

The main loss that OFWs feel is the deprivation of affection from their loved ones. It starts off as a physical loss which they and their families feel initially. After a while, when the dust has settled and the reality sets in that the relative will be gone for quite a while, indifference can creep in. Families can get used to their member being far away, leading to an alienation that can be most painful especially for the person who is away.

A soon-to-be-released documentary I watched a few days ago showed a group of Filipino teachers employed in the United States who felt a lot of frustration while doing video chats with their families. Apart from presenting a list of things they needed financed, many of their family members had little else to talk to them about.

Things changed dramatically when one of the teachers committed suicide due to sheer loneliness. After that, the family video chats became less of an asking or begging session, and more of a genuine exchange of love and caring. This is what OFWs miss the most. So make sure they are kept in the loop and abreast of what’s going on in everyone’s lives.

3. Constantly shower the OFW with gratitude.

There is nothing more gratifying than being appreciated for the sacrifices one makes. A simple, heartfelt “thank you” from a loved one can be profoundly uplifting to someone who is feeling the alienation and meaninglessness of living in some foreign place. It can give one a sense of purpose, direction and reward for a job well done. Gratitude can be a tonic that revitalizes the OFW to continue working under lonely, stressful conditions.

4. Don’t blame them for being away.

Many times, the pain OFWs feel can be a double whammy. Not only is it difficult to be away from their families, it hurts them even more when they are blamed for everything that is wrong with their relationships with their loved ones. Everything is dumped on their lap because they are not present to fix things. While their absence may very well be a factor in why certain things are wrong, e.g. why his son has taken to drugs, why the daughter failed in school or ran away, why the family was cheated of its savings, or whatever else can go wrong, it does not really help the situation to pin the accusation solely or needlessly on someone who is helpless at the moment because he is abroad and is therefore not in a position to fix things.

Instead of blaming, families could attempt to engage one another, including the overseas member in a serious conversation about what together they can do about the situation.

5. Encourage them to get a life outside of work.

While the OFW may not really choose to live abroad but for necessity, it can be a great learning opportunity to learn a new language, understand a new culture, meet new friends and enrich one’s life overall. Many people on both sides of the fence, at home and abroad, mistakenly tend to view the situation largely as one of pure sacrifice with little joys to anticipate wherever one is.

That’s really too bad because being abroad can be a great learning experience in independence, creativity, culture, adjustment and discovery. I’ve been amazed at how some of our countrymen have built happy lives in remote, seemingly inhospitable cultures. It is wonderful how they can make something good out of a bad situation.

For families at home, it is OK to encourage the OFW to pursue personal growth and happiness. Some may worry that growth or embracing their situation can cause them to be estranged from their significant others back home. That can be a valid worry. While it is necessary to remind them to be anchored to the family, it is also important to slacken just a bit the chains or ties that bind.

6. Don’t forget to greet them on their birthdays, Christmas, New Year, Father’s Day, etc.

These special days may not seem as special or have the same urgency to the people at home, but believe me, to the one who left and is living in some alien place, to be forgotten on a special day is a pain that can induce overwhelming sadness. This is especially true when all the other Filipinos they work with receive greetings, gifts and calls from their loved ones back home.

7. Put aside some of the money the OFW sends home for a rainy day.

Many families who are beneficiaries of the OFW’s blood, sweat and tears have the attitude that daddy or mommy, kuya or ate will always provide. Thus they spend on trivial unimportant things and are caught flatfooted when the job contract is not renewed and the money runs out. They soon discover that all that sacrifice was for naught and they are all back where they started!

8. When they come home, make sure to be around for them and for events where the returning relative can experience the family life he or she has missed.

Many OFWs come home for that rare visit looking forward to family bonding, only to discover that the people he wants to spend time with are busy, or worse, not interested to be with him/her. They discover that they have become strangers to their families and only token greetings and affection are accorded them. They do not feel integrated, only accommodated. Their presence after a long absence may even be seen as disruptive to the household’s daily routine.

This can be a big disappointment and may even discourage the OFW from coming home as often. Losing a reason to come home is a tragedy that he and his family can ill afford.

The OFW phenomenon is here to stay. Thank God modern communication can somehow ease its alienating effects on families. But even as we learn to live with it, we should continually find ways to keep OFW families from becoming dysfunctional despite the absence of some of its members. The family is one of our nation’s stronger institutions, our joy and our treasure. We owe it to ourselves and our countrymen to keep it intact, even under the worst of circumstances.