Taporco Trivial Travels: July 2015

OFW travelling back to Philippines for a holiday? Do these 5 secrets

ORMOC: Travelling back to Philippines for a holiday? It has been 9 years that I am in and out of the country as an OFW. As usual, I spend most if not all of the allocated money before our vacation is over and then I entered into the common syndrome of not to do the same next time but still keep doing it. Very few are lucky to have left a savings on their last days on a holiday. It would be naive to say that I have marginal improvement financially and would be humbled if someone would tell that I have accumulated a fortune. But I tell you, it is not all about the money that can keep us going and growing.

With the increasing the number of OFW and improving economy, prepare for delayed flights on domestic travels

1. Share the Good news

Upon our return, many of our family, relatives and friends eager to hear good stories to outside the country or how nice it is to work as an OFW. We all wanted to have that long holiday on a secluded places with our spouse and children where we can have the very rest we need, after all we deserve that break. Our family cultures is centered into gatherings, telling stories of how life has been after we've been away that long.

More of the financial stuffs, you can share the unforgettable experience or how easy it is to navigate the airport this time around or how well we have have performed in our workplace. Save the emotional ones to the people that is very close to you, preferable to the those that have touched your life before you were called OFW. Certainly, thye can give you a lift as they did before.

First meal upon arrival is shared best with your immediate family

On the other hand, it is an opportunity to hear as well their side of the stories. Those unforgettable childhood moments, or crazy highschool stuffs that you can't imagine you have done before. Everyone is unique and has his own happiness index and you will be surprised how little financial status counts. More importantly to our parents who have prayed for us that we all be safe and away from harm. They too wanted to know how well we have lived in a foreign country.

Not all toxic drinks are made for cheers, this refreshing lemongrass drink made by Aunt Norma is a sure thirst quencher.

Tapoctaporcs in Batangas City celebrating Raven's birthday

I got the chance to visit 2 of my cousins who are my first career mentors and bear witness of my success. I am happy to know that I have turned their advices into something useful many folds than their expectation. I also have reconnected to the medical staffs who was there during the troublesome delivery of our first born child. They were astonished as to how time past and to hear a 3 year old maturely joke with them.

2. Make Children Laugh

Remember those times when our relatives coming abroad and throwing a party for us? It is your chance to let the children feel the excitement, laughter and inspire them of your success. You don't have to limit your charitable act to members of your family, there are many opportunities into places that you least expected. One time, we attended mass to see an obviously struggling mother who still nursing her youngest son. We spend a little more than five minutes to get to know her life story how she left with no choice. Extending some help and giving new clothes to her children made her treat us life we descended from heaven and heard her prayer, the smile on the child's face can't be painted.

57th birthday of Mama Maricor with here grandchildren

Disneyland is not the happiest place for children, but a body of water where they can run and swim

Size of a house doesn't matter for a family celebration

3. Visit New Places

How often do we wonder how fast the days went during our vacation and even hadn't spent a day for ourselves? We deserve our piece of the the hard-earned money. It is time to explore places that are showcased in social media or attractions that are in your bucket list. It doesn't have to be a lavish resort published by commercially driven websites or travel magazine. So long as it is your first time, you will have that experience just as it as the first time you boarded an airplane.

Where can this be?

This year we went to Iloilo to visit some old friends who happen to work also in Muscat. Just as Ilongos are proud of their island as so as to their local food. We have many first time dishes prepared from the home of Limosos, the looks of the food is familiar but the taste in unique probably due to the herbs used that are native to this island.

Native delicacies are best enjoyed with friends from the local community. Have you tried authentic batchoy?

Little did we know that our very accommodating host is taking us to what the province is noted for and is a UNESCO heritage site. Miag-ao church stands tall and proud for over 200 years, the most solid-built church I've seen.

4. Invest

The best value of an OFW is materialized when an investment is made and is making positive returns, this is how also our family knows that we care for their financial security. Whether building that dream home, buying that dream car, starting up a business or expanding an already existing enterprise, so long as it is a tangible asset. I am into stock market but when it comes to securing our family's future, I still prefer a financial structure where I can physically touch. We all wanted to retire, let the money work for us and dictate our own time.

I have watched many OFW that goes broke after their stint because of their extravagant spending, enter into gambling, lured by cons or lack of financial literacy. How would you answer this question, "What have I done today and will do continuously for the next 10 years so that I can go home in time and spend the rest of my years enjoying the fruits of my labor?".

5. Pay religious homage

Whatever your religion, it pays lot to visit the very church where you grew, or knelled to ask for blessings. It has a psychological sense of a successful OFW because the mere fact that you are there and of different status. After all, if it is not because of the power of prayer and faith in the Almighty that we all will realized our dreams.