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Manila Bulletin devider devider Filipinos in India: 'Small but strong'

Filipinos in India: 'Small but strong'

Published Jan 24, 2018 12:33 pm
  By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos New Delhi, India – The Filipino Community (FilCom) in India may be small compared to those in other countries, but the spirit of volunteerism and camaraderie among them is very much alive. According to Philippine Ambassador to India Teresita Daza, there are only around 3,000 Filipinos in the sub-continent, but they are always ready to lend a helping hand when needed. This July 2015 file photo shows Philippine Ambassador to India Teresita Daza addressing members of the Filipino community in India and Nepal. (DFA / MANILA BULLETIN) This July 2015 file photo shows Philippine Ambassador to India Teresita Daza addressing members of the Filipino community in India and Nepal.
(DFA / MANILA BULLETIN) “We're very happy to note that many of the groups have also looked beyond themselves. When the earthquake struck Nepal in 2015, the Filipino community in Delhi was quick to actually respond and actually help out those who were adversely affected by the earthquake,” she said. “When Chennai was flooded a couple of years ago, our community was equally active in helping out, with not just the Filipinos but also Indians who have been affected by the floods in Chennai,” she added. “So my point here is we’re not very big but it does not mean that smallness means weakness. The FilCom is an active community. It’s dynamic, at the same time, as I said, it has looked beyond itself and is also willing to volunteer," she continued. Daza explained that the Filipinos in India are scattered all throughout the entire sub-continent comprised of professionals and those who married Indian nationals. “We have Filipinos in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad. We have Filipinos in different key cities of India,” Daza said. “We have engineers; we have IT specialists; we have consultants who are actually serving in both international organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations. We have successful chefs in Guargoan, Noida, and Delhi,” she added. In New Delhi, there are 400 Filipinos who formed two associations – the Filipinos in India Community (FIC) composed of Filipinos married to Indians, as well as professionals; and the Kapisanan ng mga Pinay na may Asawang Indiano sa Hindustan (Kapihan), composed largely of Filipino women married to Indians. The number of Filipinos in India is based on membership in Filipino organizations, passport applicants, registration in Overseas Voting System, and estimates of long-time Filipino residents in India. Most Filipinos in India are working in information technology companies in Hyderabad and Bagalore, and consultants in engineering and civil works in Chennai. There are also Filipinos working as specialist technicians in marine agriculture in Cochin, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Some are also working as supervisors in design and advertising in the textile sector. Other Filipinos are working for the United Nations and other non-government organizations as high-ranking officials or as volunteers. There is also a small number of Filipinos working as musicians, band members, and singers. President Duterte is visiting India to participate in the 2018 India-ASEAN (Association of  Southeast Asian Nations) Commemorative Summit from January 25 to 26to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN-India relations. Duterte is also scheduled to attend India's Republic Day as one of the 10 chief guests. However, it is still unsure, as of press time, if Duterte will be meeting with the Filipino Community in India during his visit.  
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