Author Topic: Interview with Florida Losenada Maslog  (Read 1630 times)

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Interview with Florida Losenada Maslog
« on: May 03, 2009, 01:09:29 AM »
By Loy Palapos

      The Filipino is the most global, if by this is meant that he is everywhere. Perhaps, not for business and trade, not for recreation or entertainment, nor because of scientific knowhow. He leaves his  homeland to make a living. To seek for a greener pasture. To make life better. There’' no other nobler objective than this.

       Approximately 5,000 Filipinos fly out of the country daily. This number includes those who leave through the back door and other means not necessarily legitimate. The economic debacle in industrialized countries does not deter him from trying his luck there. Since January this year more than 5,000,000 employees have lost their jobs in USA alone. The trend is repeated in several other developed nations. Yet, the number of Filipinos who travel out of the country for foreign employment remains the same.

       Those in the know say that there are now more than 5,000,000 Filipinos scattered all over the United States of America, with concentration in California. Many are in New York. A big percentage have opted to adopt  American citizenship, although a big number return home after retirement and decide on a dual citizenship status, basically because of health and other benefits in their adopted country.

       Mrs. Florida Losenada Maslog is a typical Boholana from Panglao, who was inspired to try her luck abroad, even if she already had a permanent job back home. She finished a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at Divine Word College (HNU) in 1967 and was a public school teacher for 34 years. She and her husband, Landelino Maslog, have two children. Maria Sheryl (23) is a Dean's lister at Silliman University where she finished Bachelor of Science in Computer Education. She now works in a law firm, and will be in her third year in the College of Law at HNU when classes open in June. John Paul (22) is a graduate of AB-Political Science at HNU, and will finish his last year in Law, also at HNU.  Her husband went to California in 1989 and came back to Bohol in 2007. In 2005, Flor followed him in San Francisco. Now she is based in New York City.

       Her coming to USA is a study in perseverance and guts, a tedious process that could easily discourage the weak. Her 34 years as a public school teacher is a record of hard work. Another five years in private schools (PMI Colleges and Bohol Wisdom School) added some details that have made her a strong woman whose sense of well-being cannot anymore be swerved by any type of vicissitude.

       If plans won't miscarry, Flor Maslog may hold the distinction of finally retiring with three pension-sources. She has been enjoying a full pension from GSIS, her monthly check reaching her regularly in New York. She is still working on the requirements for SSS commensurate to her employment as a private school teacher. When she leaves New York as a retiree, that would mean a much bigger amount in dollars.

       She credits what she is now  to his sense of fortitude, her indomitable will, and complete trust in God...the last being her only solace in the most adverse  times.     

       Although I met Flor during my second April weekend during the party at the residence of Boy and  Sancha Arcaya, this interview took place in Canarsie, Brooklyn on April 20, Monday in New York, two days before I took the Korean Air for home via Seoul.

       LMP: How long have you been working here?

       FLM: This is my fourth year. I came to the States in December 2005.

       LMP: What was your main motivation for your decision to leave your job in Tagbilaran and come here to New York, considering that you already had a stable employment?

       FLM:  By nature, I am adventurous. It was even me who encouraged my husband to try working in USA, which he did for 19 years, before he decided to come back to Bohol for good. When I was teaching in Bohol, I relished being assigned in some far-flung barangays and accepted jobs and responsibilities other teachers did not love doing. But basically, the main motivation is my desire for a better life, especially for my children.

       LMP: Any regret for that decision?

       FLM: It was a decision which took me some time to ponder on and discuss with my husband, a decision coming from a long series of introspection, and therefore not a product of emotional outburst. No regrets whatsoever.

       LMP: What is your main problem now, as far as the distance from your family is concerned?

       FLM: It is but natural for me to miss them. Miss them terribly. The glitter of New York is not a balm for this feeling. 

       LMP: And inspite of that, you still will go on staying here? Working here?

       FLM: It's not a matter of choice anymore. I have already chosen to be here. There is no use being sentimental at this moment. The future of our children is at stake. Their future cannot be jeopardized just because we miss one another.

       LMP: How about their upbringing? Isn't it that the parents’ presence is needed to bring up children?

       FLM: My two children are not kids anymore. They are young adults, and they can feign for themselves. The eldest, Shen, is 23. JP is 22. Both are Bachelor's degree graduates and taking up Law at HNU.  Besides, my husband is with them...in the same manner that when my husband was here, I was the one with our children in their growing up years.

       LMP: What is your work schedule? Do you have time to unwind?

       FLM: The usual, although presently I am in the evening shift with  one day off every week. Like now, it is my off-duty. That's why I came to see Marie. Every free time I have free time, I always see to it that I spend it keeping in touch with friends, especially fellow Boholanos here. There are always dates and reasons to celebrate with friends. Remember the fiesta in Panglao we had at the Wongs' residence in Philadelphia a couple of years ago? You knew I coordinated the activity. And we met last weekend in the party at the residence of Boy and Sancha Arcaya. We don't run out of reasons to meet and chit-chat about anything. It is very therapeutic. One best way to unwind is talking about home. It slightly eliminates homesickness, our worst enemy here.

       LMP: Any plan of going home? How long will you be staying here?

       FLM: So far, none in the near future. When time permits, and my pocket has enough dough...I will entertain the idea of settling back in Bohol.

       LMP: It is understandable that there's a big difference between the salary here and at home. Is the gap so immense that it could compensate the homesickness and other sacrifices you have to go through?

       FLM: Definitely. The trade imbalance between the Philippines and USA is one big reason why the peso has to struggle against the dollar, with the dollar always taking the upper hand. I remember that when I was a kid a dollar was worth three or four pesos. The peso-to-the- dollar-rate is so unsteady...it's possible it will reach to 50 to a dollar. Which is to the advantage of the wage-earners here. There are those who say that "nga mora 'ta ug nagbugsay sa usa ka baroto. Ang kalainan lang...didto sa ato kasingkwenta ' ta mobugsay sa di pa moabot sa pikas pangpang; dinhi kausa lang...tapos na ang biyahe." This is one thing that keeps us going despite a few frustrations.

       LMP: So, sa ato subra ang kayod, gamay lang ang agi. When will this end? Or, is this forever?

       FLM: Of course, it will end. You may have noticed that many Filipinos go back to the Philippines after retirement. Especially Boholanos who are closely affiliated with their families back home. That would be the time when we are qualified to receive social security pensions. With the standard of living here that is so high, it would be still be a struggle to make both ends meet here. For instance, if we rent an apartment here in Brooklyn, that would cost an average of not less than one-thousand dollars. That's fifty-thousand times when spent in the Philippines.

       LMP: I have heard of the Federal Aid here which is being availed of by some Filipinos.

       FLM: There are other similar supports accorded by the government for its citizens who are incapacitated. For instance, you may have heard of a friend who receives a monthly pension of $400 because he is sick and is incapacitated to join the work force. This is aside from free medical care. Not for most, who are still at their prime, and can toil to send home the bacon. We have been brought up by our parents to labor and earn. When the laboring years are over, it is time to go back home and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

       LMP: What is your immediate wish as of this moment?

       FLM: That God will give me and the members of my family back home good health. That my children will finish their studies and succeed in their own ventures in the future. That after these years I will return home safely and make my family whole again.

       The dream of most Bohlanos I met in the States. Good health to propel them in their respective jobs and responsibilities. To go back home and enjoy life with a pension when the productive years are over. Not really a tall order. Many have already done it and are back home with their loved ones.     

       Flor Maslog is just one of the lucky ones who were given the break to try their luck in the US. Their are thousands of Boholanos who aspire to leave the country and earn a better income commensurate with the family needs. Tens of thousands dream of it, but cannot do anything about it. The significance of this dream strikes a pathetic tone.

       Of the 85 million Filipinos, roughly 80% would rather leave the country and try their mettle and luck in foreign shores, according to a Social Welfare national official interviewed on TV. Shocking? Could be…

       The biggest shock is the seeming indifference of our governance to solve the problem. Others don't see it as a problem. One Senator even wished millions more will leave, as long as they keep on sending money back home. He believes the foreign remittances keep the country's economy afloat. We elected him... remember? This proves we deserve the kind of leaders we have. 

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John 3:16-18 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

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Aaron

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Re: Interview with Florida Losenada Maslog
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2009, 03:48:44 AM »
As ur fellow boholanos maam,congarulation for the job well done! 

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PR0CESS0R

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Re: Interview with Florida Losenada Maslog
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2009, 11:42:05 AM »
Igsoon man siguro ni Emil Losenada. Visayan singer from Kinuta Panglao.

Wala lang ko kaila kay bata pa man ko hehehheh

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Pobreng Taw LANg KO!

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