OFW: 3 Ways You Could Be Spared from Leaving Your Family

Every balikbayan knows the bittersweet feeling of goodbye. That last hug, the tearful smiles, the promise to return soon.

Some leave because they must — to give their families a better life. Yet, deep inside, there’s a longing: “Will there ever come a time when I don’t have to leave anymore?”

The truth is — yes, there can be. Not overnight, but through new ways of thinking and acting.

These next three steps don’t just apply to our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs); they speak to every Filipino — students, teachers, and parents — who dreams of a nation where leaving home is no longer the only way to survive.

O – Observe, Record, and Recommend

When you live or work abroad, you become the Philippines’ eyes in the world. You see systems that work, workplaces that run efficiently, and leaders who serve with discipline and compassion. That perspective is precious.

Instead of letting these observations fade, record them. Write about what makes your host country so organized — their public policies, their civic habits, or even the little things that show discipline and respect.

In fact, you can send your insights to government agencies back home. Some have “Secretary’s Corners” or feedback portals where citizen recommendations are welcomed. Your ideas might just light the spark of reform.

Remember, history once saw a similar movement — the Iwakura Mission (1871–1873) under Emperor Meiji of Japan. This mission sent statesmen, scholars, and observers to study how the United States and Europe were building modern societies. Their goal was threefold:

1. Gain recognition for Japan’s restored imperial dynasty,

2. Begin renegotiating unequal treaties, and

3. Learn about industrial, political, and educational systems of the West.

   
   

Their reports became the foundation for Japan’s modernization. Imagine — Filipino workers abroad can become our own Iwakura Mission, contributing not through travel expenses, but through observation and insight.

If you’re working in Japan, note how they preserve respect even in their currency — like the cultural practice of not folding paper bills. In Singapore, notice how laws against spitting on the streets are obeyed. If you work in China, observe how their government and businessmen cooperate by mandate to build the nation together.

All these are lessons we can adopt, refine, and apply — not to imitate, but to elevate our own society.

F – Face the Future by Raising a New Generation of Leaders

“You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.” — Ayn Rand

Our nation’s “reality” includes vote-buying, vote-selling, and leaders who rise through personality rather than performance. This happens because our Presidential system makes it easy for popularity to overshadow accountability.

But what if we changed the system itself? Under a Federal-Parliamentary form of government, we can finally select leaders based on merit and vision — not just charisma. When a Prime Minister fails, Parliament can remove them swiftly through a vote of no confidence — no nationwide chaos, no expensive impeachment trials.

This is how nations like Canada, South Korea, Singapore, and Japan progressed — guided by leaders like William Lyon Mackenzie King, Park Chung-Hee, Thomas Jefferson, Lee Kuan Yew, and Emperor Meiji — people who thought beyond their term and worked for generations yet unborn.

So if you’re a parent, guide your children to think like nation-builders. If you’re a student, imagine yourself as one of those future leaders — curious, ethical, and ready to transform systems that no longer serve us. And if you’re a teacher, keep reminding your students that leadership is not a title, but a responsibility to uplift others.

That’s how we face the future — by shaping minds before systems.

W – Wade Through National Issues with Prayers and Petitions

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority…” — 1 Timothy 2:1–2

“When we work, we work. When we pray, God works.” — James Hudson Taylor

True progress is not only built on knowledge, but also on prayer. Every lasting reform begins in the heart of a person who believes that God still moves in nations.

When you pray for your leaders — not against them — something shifts in the atmosphere. You become a partner in governance.

My friend Ms. Malyn Abergos, who once served as a missionary in South Korea, shared how Korean Christians pray for their leaders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, taking turns in chapels across the country. Imagine if Filipinos adopted that same practice — schools praying for educators, parents praying for youth, citizens praying for officials. That alone could reshape our destiny.

History proves that faith and leadership can coexist. Take King Æthelstan of England (924–939) — often regarded as the first King of the United Kingdom. The British Library records that he combined military strength with faith, often gifting beautifully decorated gospel books to religious houses. His spiritual conviction became a cornerstone of his kingdom’s unity and prosperity.

When a nation’s foundation is anchored on godliness and wisdom, its progress endures.

Conclusion: A Nation Built by Shared Effort

Every conversation — whether in a classroom, office, or home — is a chance to rebuild the Philippines.When OFWs share what they observe, when parents raise visionary children, when teachers nurture thinkers, and when citizens pray as one — we move closer to the Philippines we’ve always dreamed of.

So to every OFW, student, and teacher reading this:You are not just bystanders in our nation’s story — you are its co-authors.

Your observations can guide our reforms.Your values can shape our leaders.Your prayers can sustain our progress.

And maybe one day, our sons and daughters will no longer have to leave — because the opportunity they sought abroad will finally be found right here at home.