Thursday, October 16, 2025

Overheard

Two merchandisers in a store:

A: Nagpadala ka na? (Have you sent [money] home?)

B: Ano pa nga ba? Parati na lang kulang! (Do we have a choice? And it’s always not enough!)

A: Oo nga. Hingi pa ng hingi! (So true! And they keep on asking for more.)

B: Akala mo pinupulot lang ang pera. ‘Di man lang mangumusta. Buhay ka pa ba? (They think that we’re just picking up cash off the ground. They don’t even inquire how we’re doing. Are we still alive?)

Title for this story: Never Enough

Theme song for this story: Never Enough

Reminiscence: A co-teacher from South America exclaims: “Perang padala, makakarating!” (The money that you send will be delivered!) each time he saw a Filipino teacher. It was something he learned from a Philippine-based remittance centre in town. Worldwide, millions of migrant workers send money home. These are the unsung heroes of globalization. MLJ/14102025LamentationOfHardworkingPeopleSendingMoneyHome

Every cent has a story: About people who endure isolation, discrimination, homesickness... and work multiple jobs to send money home. And the recipients? That's another story...


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