Why did I choose money as the object of my migration story? Is money my motivation for
being a migrant worker? Or is it due to stagnant human development?
“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. The love of money is the root
of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith
and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:9-10 NLT
I started with the bible verse to express that I am aware the love of money is the root of all
evil, but let me also state that we are now living in a century where money is essential in our
daily living, where barter trade is no longer existing.
It was March 2012 when I received a message from my former host family in The Hague,
asking if I want to be a part of their family again. Without hesitation, I answered, “I would
love to go back there again if I will be given a chance”.
Way back November 2002 to September 2006, I stayed with their family for almost four
years. When I go back to the Philippines, there is always a desire in my heart that one day, I
will be back in this country. Waiting oftentimes causes us to be confused about what we
want to do in our life which leads us to make choices that are not the best option. I even
thought of accepting a job offer in the countries of Asia and the Middle East having the
mindset that it is better to work in other countries rather than in the Philippines due to
deepening corruption.
God’s plan is not always according to what we desire in our hearts, but it is always the best
option that God is intended for us. During the waiting period, I was able to work in a private
company as an Administrative Assistant and at the same time do a task of Accounting and
Human Resource Assistant. I am receiving a good salary and I am enjoying doing the task
assigned to me. The year 2011, the company offered me to study further the accounting
course at the University of Sto. Tomas, with a deal that I have to stay in their company for at
least five years after my graduation. The offer is tempting but I decline because UST is quite
far from Las Piñas City and I am committed to a Christian Church and I am doing most of the
administrative matters.
In June 2012, my host family started the process of inviting me here. I am overwhelmed
knowing that I could have another chance to see the beauty of Europe. I am willing to leave
everything behind and I am decided to be in this country even if I know that I will stay again
as an irregular migrant. What I have in mind is I will be enjoying a peaceful environment, a
place where I don’t need to endure a long traffic jam!
A week after a conversation with my host mom, I received an invitation from my former
Pastor in Las Piñas with a current assignment in Macau to be part of their upcoming
Encounter with God Retreat in July 2012. During my five days stay there, I was able to
explore the place which amazed me. As I have observed life in Macau is quite similar to our
work here because they have been colonized by Portugal. As they keep encouraging me to
consider working there and keep on saying good things about that place and their nature of
work, I was tempted to grab the opportunity of working there with the assurance that I can
easily visit the Philippines if I will be working at that place.
After that visit to Macau, I am taking into consideration working there. A week later, a good
friend asked for financial help for which she needs quite a big amount, since I am not good
with savings, I don’t have that amount during that time, with sadness in my heart, I was able
to help but with a limited amount. That moment, I said, Lord, I want to be your instrument of
blessings, please help me to have the means to do it. That incident leads me to pursue being
back in the Netherlands instead of choosing to be in Macau.
The Netherlands is my HOME! That is how I felt upon arriving in this nation. I feel the cold
breeze of the autumn. The temperature that I missed. Knowing that I will stay as an irregular
migrant doesn’t give me the feeling of insecurity rather, I feel more secure living in this
country. On that day, 09 November 2012, my life begins as a migrant in The Netherlands.
Earning much higher allows me to be a channel of blessings to many people. To my family,
to my community, and the people close to my heart. I can say that I have a good life here, I
am blessed to stay with a lovely family in The Hague, a Filipino Church where I can spend
my weekend that helps me cultivate my social and spiritual life. Encountering diverse people
from different cultures, races and nationality create an awareness that all migrants don’t have
the same experienced listening to their countless stories.
Living in The Netherlands as an irregular migrant, it is impossible to have access to Dutch
Back Account, it was in February 2015 one bank in Amsterdam offered a special privilege to
open an account. At first, we are hesitant but after hearing the story of a few friends, we took
the risk and courageously inquire about the possibility of opening an account without a BSN
number. It seems impossible but we can have a bank account that we currently use. A chance
that grants me access to an online transaction like having a museum card and train card
monthly subscription.
19 April 2015, was one of the devastating moments in my life. After attending a church
service, I received the news that my mother suddenly passed away due to a heat stroke. At
that moment my heart wants to go back to the Philippines to see my mother for the last time,
but my mind is saying, “What are you going to do in the Philippines afterward?” My savings
is not yet enough to start a business since I help a lot of people financially. With a heavy
heart, I decided to stay because I did not want to take a risk of going back home without the
assurance that I can go back here again. If the Dutch government could only have a special
program for people like us so that we can have a chance to go back after attending the funeral
of our loved ones, I might be able to see my mother for the last time. Is it the money that
holds me not to go back to the Philippines at that moment? Partly yes, but deep within me I
know I am still in denial in accepting the truth that my mother is gone.
Due to the sadness that I felt, I tried to do other things which will help me to enjoy and live
life again. It is good that I am involved in a Filipino Church which became the source of my
comfort. I meet friends in Amsterdam that connect me to various organizations. Filipino
Groups that organized tours for special migrants like us. It grants access to travel in various
places, through organized tours I was able to visit Prague, Czech Republic (2016), Barcelona,
Spain (2017), Italy (2018) & French Riviera (2019).
In March 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic reached Europe which paralyzed the lives of the
people. Not all circumstances give only a negative effect, this pandemic opens a door of
opportunity for us to be a member of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, a
Philippine agency that protects and promotes the welfare of the Overseas Filipino Workers.
Due to lockdown restrictions, we could not do the cleaning job which affects our income!
We are privileged that various Filipino Organizations make a way to extend help. I am
blessed to be one of the recipients of financial support from Filmis (A Filipino NGO) which
became a gateway for me to become one of the IHRE students sponsored by FILMIS. The
access to education for irregular migrants like us helps us to be more confident and change
our view in life, that we as human beings have the right to have equal access to health and
education.
I am grateful and blessed that I am living in this country where I can live freely and have a
comfortable life. If we know our rights and are aware of which organization can help us, we
cannot be left behind like the access for Covid 19 vaccine with a QR Code as well as free
medical consultation in Kruispost.
I chose monetary objects for my migration story not because my life revolves around money,
instead, it represents the significant event in my life why I am still here in the Netherlands.
More often it became a gateway to a new opportunity.
Anne Frank quoted “People who give will never be poor”.
As they always say that respect is earned not demanded. Let us behave as a human if we want
others to treat us the same way. I can be a more responsible individual as we have learned
that every human right has its equal responsibility. We are all born equal; thus, we all have
the same right to live a life with dignity.
You only have one life to live so you better make the best out of it and that day, my life
begins…