Although geared for readers from the Philippines, journalist Isabel Taylor Escoda’s short book Pinoy Abroad (2005, Hong Kong, Paramount Printing, 48 pages) should interest people of other nationalities too. It holds extra relevance in the many countries where thousands of Filipinas super-charge the economies with their work as domestic helpers.
Pinoy Abroad has 15 columns and essays by the Hong Kong-based Escoda, mostly first published in a Filipino monthly newspaper of the same name. Her newspaper column carried the title Kini ug Kana, meaning This and That.
“The term ‘Pinoy’ is the slangy word Filipinos use as a casual description of nationality, rather like ‘Brit’ is used for citizens of the UK and ‘Yank’ for Americans.”
Always concerned for her compatriots, Escoda explores topics pertinent to them, especially in Hong Kong. Among her themes:
-- Ghosts from the history of the Philippines wander on some of Hong Kong’s busiest streets;
-- The Philippines should erect monuments in honor of grandmothers who save Filipino families by raising the children of younger women working overseas;
-- Filipinos toiling overseas, often caring for children or seniors, should feel proud. Their contributions rival any professional achievements; and
-- Colonial history has left Filipinos with subservient attitudes, and so they overuse the words “sir” and “ma’am” to employers. “Are they so used to being oppressed by rich folks, their elders and white people, which is why they display this slavish attitude?... Let’s have some pride!”
There’s one big barrier. Escoda wrote much of the book in Taglish, a popular dialect that blends Tagalog and English. Yet the English beams through so that the author’s themes (admittedly, not the details) stay clear.
“I tried to write the way one would speak – as Filipinos often address each other in daily speech,” Escoda said. She urges readers unfamiliar with Tagalog to ask Filipino friends to translate. But that’s unlikely. Although most Filipinos working overseas seem amiable and make friends easily, they typically look much too busy for such a task.
Escoda has published two other collections of essays or radio talks: Letters From Hong Kong and Hong Kong Postscript. She’s done four children’s books: Once Upon a Hilltop; Ati-Atihan, a Pictorial in Verse; Limericks For Little People; and A Philippine Tour For Girls and Boys.
Ultimately, life always brings ups and downs. “We’ll still have employers who overwork and underpay their helpers and who don’t provide health insurance. And too many Hongkongers will still consider migrant workers as third-class citizens, not allowed to become permanent residents no matter how long they have been living here.”
But “Filipinos are a happy people…. We always think things will be better sooner or later…. That’s why Pinoys don’t have a tendency to commit suicide – like the Japanese do or many Hong Kong people who have been killing themselves, even the young people, mainly students feeling pressure at school.”
Living with pride, working well and banishing negative thoughts can create many positives.
“Hong Kong people have more money, but few of them look cheerful. In fact, the Chinese often look bad-tempered.
“Unfortunately, becoming rich does not always produce better, kinder people.”
Pinoy Abroad sells mainly in Manila, but Hong Kong readers should find it available at the Dymocks bookstore in the Prince’s Building, Central District.
(October 10, 2007)
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