FROM THE MARGINS
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), often called “Bagong Bayani,” are modern-day heroes who sacrifice for their families and boost the Philippine economy through the remittances they send back home. Their contributions to our economic growth were never clearer to me than when I spent time with some of them last week.
I was in Bahrain from May 12-14, 2024 upon the invitation of the Filipino Business Council-Bahrain (FBCB), a driving force for business representation on behalf of Filipino-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in this progressive country of the Persian gulf. The FBCB was founded by 10 Bahrain-based Filipino entrepreneurs in November 2023 upon the encouragement of the Philippine Ambassador, H.E. Anne Jalando-on Louis. I am proud to say that Rene Ramos, my high school classmate at the Ateneo de San Pablo, is its founding president. He is a successful businessman whose restaurant, Lolo’s Kitchen, serves authentic Filipino cuisine with Spanish influence and is very popular in Manama, the country’s capital and biggest city.
My three-day stay in Bahrain was productive. I was a panelist in the 5th World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum that was attended by more than 200 high government officials and entrepreneurs worldwide, majority coming from Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East. I also had several meetings with OFWs, Filipino entrepreneurs, and officials of the Economic Development Board, the government agency that processes foreign and local business establishments in Bahrain. The FBCB arranged meetings to exchange innovative ideas and explore potential business opportunities among Filipino entrepreneurs in Bahrain and microfinance institutions (MFIs) and other businesses in the Philippines. We also talked about services that MFIs can offer to returning OFWs.
Reintegration
In a forum organized by the Philippine Embassy and the FBCB, I met OFWs who generously shared their interesting and inspiring stories. I loved seeing their friendliness and support of each other, at all times representing the Filipinos’ innate warmth and generosity. I was glad to share with them news of our country, and the various ways by which the government and the business sector—particularly the microfinance industry—are finding ways to ease returning OFWs’ reintegration in our economy. I told them that our economy is picking up (admittedly with their help), and that there are livelihood opportunities open to them.
I was proud to share my organization’s experience in assisting OFWs in Hong Kong, where we provided financial literacy training programs that encouraged them to remit their earnings not just for family consumption but also to set aside portions in banks for savings. How we reached out to their families back home, encouraging them to become MFI members to whom we provided financial literacy training and loans for income-generating activities. Our intervention led to these OFW families starting their own businesses and eventually, encouraging their relatives in Hong Kong to come home, either to help in their businesses’ expansion or to return to their professions, like teaching, nursing, and others.
Inspiring
The Filipino community in Bahrain were inspired by these success stories. Many said it gave them hope of a better life when they return to the country. I was happy to hear about their plans to start their own businesses thru their families in the Philippines. For example, Crizaldo Estares, who is from Lake Sebu, told me he wants to come back home to expand his tree-farming and native pig-growing enterprises, given the possibility of getting additional funds from MFIs. Doreen Poliquit wants to replicate her successful Japanese restaurant in Bahrain to a suitable location in the Philippines. Fatima Biona, who manages a pharmacy company in Bahrain, is keen to import quality generic herbal medicines from the Philippines to support our herbal industry. Others want to start a joint venture in health facilities and more.
I was totally impressed by the Filipino entrepreneurs in Bahrain. Their stories are inspiring: Architect Erwin Ereno started small, but now runs a leading interior design and architecture firm in Bahrain. Anthony Manabat owns a pest control company that employs hundreds of Filipinos. FBCB Secretary Cristina Fulgencio, CEO of BrandMe, is ready to embark in the import and sale of barong, a popular product during Filipino events.
Aside from my classmate Rene, there is also restaurateur Marjorie Dalco Bennett, who owns the Pinoy Turo restaurant noted for its ube halo-halo. Dr. Ilene Agana, a university professor in economics, offers training services through her own company, while Gem Reyes operates an online store for handicrafts and other products. They are proud of their businesses, big or small, and rightly so. Their stories are testaments to the Filipino’s talent and grit, and should be celebrated.
The contributions of OFWs to our nation’s growth are immeasurable. They are symbols of resilience that contribute to progress and development wherever they are, bringing honor to Filipinos globally. I salute and wish them all success!
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We give the world our best.– 2023 ad campaign for OFWs
(Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip is a poverty eradication advocate. He is the founder of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually-Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI).)