Not all Filipinos working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agree on being called "modern-day heroes," similar to those being honored on Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) in the Philippines.
Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the fall of Bataan during the Second World War on April 9, 1942.
According to the Philippine Almanac, more than 70,000 Filipino and American soldiers, including 16 generals, surrendered to Japanese soldiers as they were "extremely weakened from hunger, thirst, disease, and fatigue."
These soldiers were forced to march a 128-kilometer route and about 10,000 Filipinos and 1,200 Americans perished during the infamous "Death March."
Asked if he, as an OFW, considers himself as a hero, Operations Assistant Ernani Erjas of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) in Abu Dhabi, said yes, considering what he was doing not only for his family but for the Filipino society as well.
“Bilang isang Pilipino, nakakatulong ako sa pag-angat ng ating ekonomiya dahil sa buwanang remittances na naipapadala ko sa aking mga mahal sa buhay sa Pilipinas,” said Erjas, 33, who has been working in Abu Dhabi for 10 years.
Erjas said he opted to work in UAE 10 years ago to help his family rise from poverty in the Philippines.
“Napagtapos ko sa pag-aaral ang dalawa kong nakababatang kapatid sa kursong Mechanical Engineering at Nursing. Natutustusan ko rin ang pangangailangan ng aking mga magulang. Ngayon ay may sarili na silang negosyo at nakapagbibigay din ng trabaho sa iba,” he added.
“Ang kabayanihan ay nagsisimula sa sariling pagsisikap para maiahon ang sarili at pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagsasakripisyo, paniniwala sa kakayahan bilang Pilipino at pagtatrabaho ng tama,” Erjas said.
However, some OFWs considered the "modern-day hero" tag as just a social label.
“I do not undermine the fact that all OFWs endure hard work to make a living and support their
families,” said Eva Feria Gagarin, medical secretary in Tawam Hospital.
“However, should all of us, OFWs, be regarded as heroes, how about those back home who are doing just the same thing, despite a lower income, for the same purpose?” she asked.
Source: GMA News
Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the fall of Bataan during the Second World War on April 9, 1942.
According to the Philippine Almanac, more than 70,000 Filipino and American soldiers, including 16 generals, surrendered to Japanese soldiers as they were "extremely weakened from hunger, thirst, disease, and fatigue."
These soldiers were forced to march a 128-kilometer route and about 10,000 Filipinos and 1,200 Americans perished during the infamous "Death March."
Asked if he, as an OFW, considers himself as a hero, Operations Assistant Ernani Erjas of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) in Abu Dhabi, said yes, considering what he was doing not only for his family but for the Filipino society as well.
“Bilang isang Pilipino, nakakatulong ako sa pag-angat ng ating ekonomiya dahil sa buwanang remittances na naipapadala ko sa aking mga mahal sa buhay sa Pilipinas,” said Erjas, 33, who has been working in Abu Dhabi for 10 years.
Erjas said he opted to work in UAE 10 years ago to help his family rise from poverty in the Philippines.
“Napagtapos ko sa pag-aaral ang dalawa kong nakababatang kapatid sa kursong Mechanical Engineering at Nursing. Natutustusan ko rin ang pangangailangan ng aking mga magulang. Ngayon ay may sarili na silang negosyo at nakapagbibigay din ng trabaho sa iba,” he added.
“Ang kabayanihan ay nagsisimula sa sariling pagsisikap para maiahon ang sarili at pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagsasakripisyo, paniniwala sa kakayahan bilang Pilipino at pagtatrabaho ng tama,” Erjas said.
However, some OFWs considered the "modern-day hero" tag as just a social label.
“I do not undermine the fact that all OFWs endure hard work to make a living and support their
families,” said Eva Feria Gagarin, medical secretary in Tawam Hospital.
“However, should all of us, OFWs, be regarded as heroes, how about those back home who are doing just the same thing, despite a lower income, for the same purpose?” she asked.
Source: GMA News
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