VP Leni Robredo says FilAms are ‘looked upon as leading perfect lives’

Here in the United States, perhaps at times you also feel left behind. Some of you may feel like you are part of the marginalized community, and just suffer in silence. Some of you feel that the Philippine government has not taken care of you.

You feel frustrated by the airports back home, or the state of bathrooms—taking these as very personal slights after you collectively send home the equivalent of a small country’s gross international reserves.

You are looked upon by many back home as someone who leads a perfect life in the land of snow and autumn leaves.

But in the quiet of the night, you are homesick and tired of working long hours. Just like the rest of the population, you are thinking of how to pay for college education of the children, health care, mortgage and other things.

I know how you feel. When Jesse and I lived in Boston for a while, it would be a treat when someone would send us a pack of goodies from back home.

We would eat it sparingly. We knew it might take some time before we receive another pack. Since I was the one who took care of the budget, we would rejoice at every opportunity to be invited for dinner at another person’s home.

Our budget then for the whole family was only $100 for the entire week!

So you see, I understand the cost of thriving away from home. All of your efforts on a day-to-day basis, especially when you were just starting life here, is one heroic act. What’s more than amazing is that despite the fact that you are miles away from the home of your childhood; your sense of civic duty is still very strong.

You’ve created Filipino communities here that care, just like in the barangays and villages at home. In fact, you’ve gone beyond caring. You are determined to make a difference.

Most of you have already made a difference, as you transform the lives of those you touch through trainings and advocacy. You are empowered and empowering.

Filipinos truly are citizens of the world, but always rooted in our homegrown values of bayanihan. Walang iwanan. Tulungan. Simplicity and courtesy.

Most of all: faith. I see this in the way our people live…

Our victory is your victory. I hope you will also consider our work to be your work. The best thing you can do to make this work successful is to watch out for your own economy.

Don’t spend beyond your income. Use debt wisely. Work hard and let the world know of the Filipino’s sincerity and world-class service. As you save for the future, you are able to help others as well.

The next thing you can do is to spread the word. Social media makes sharing so much easier. There are also group events. You can tell your colleagues, friends, and relatives.

Lastly, when you go home for a visit, share your skills and use them to serve the people in your community…

May you all find the path towards service for others. If you don’t, may you make your own trail so that others who follow will step forward with confidence, hope and a bigger chance at actualizing our dreams of a brighter, more inclusive, and empowered economy.

Thank you all for listening to me tonight.