leaving on a jet plane

Why do Filipinos leave the country? There are too many obvious reasons that I can think of. The standard of living, career opportunities, the government, politics etc. But most of us will say that our main purpose of working overseas is to improve our standard of living. Earn more than what we currently get from our blind employers that does not see our worth. Raise our families in a better environment. OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers). My father-in-law is one for the past decade or so, and now my only brother. He left for Singapore last Monday to face a new chapter of his life. Away from his family and his friends. His dream of working abroad is at hand, an opportunity he didn't pass. Before he left, we shared with him reminders of what Singapore is, its workaholic culture, their laws to respect and fun places that he should visit. I gave him the SG map and the 7 SG$ bills that I kept as a remembrance from our Singapore trip last year.

Yesterday I received an email from him that he is ok and settled already with his co-workers. He said he misses us. And made me realize that I miss him too. He won't be able to witness and share with us the birth of his first-ever nephew/niece. He'll miss out on mommy's delicious cooking everyday. He'll miss my baby shower, and miss on my baby's christening. But there are sacrifices to be made in order to live your dream life. I'm just thankful for emails, online messengers and blogs that keep us in touch with our loved ones abroad.