filipinanny

I take no offense on being typecasted as a nanny. But i do take offense that the educated people of the world have somehow denegrated the true sense and meaning of what a nanny is. Let me tell you what she is. She is someone who gives more than she takes. She is someone you trust to look after the very people most precious to you - your child, the elderly, yourself. She is the one who has made a living out of caring and loving other people. So to those who have typecasted us as nannies, thank you. It is a testament to the loving and caring culture of the Filipino people. And for that, I am forever proud and grateful of my roots and culture.

I was checking my e-mail the other day... at may forwarded message ako from my high school friend. Ito 'yung laman ng e-mail. Ito daw 'yung winning answer ni Miss Philippines-International Precious Lara Quigaman that's why she was crowned Miss International. Ang tanong "What do you say to the people of the world who have typecasted Filipinos as nannies?" Parang masyado naman yatang personal... Hm...

When you look at it, isa siyang magandang example ng "looking at things on a lighter, more positive note." Hello, kahit ako tawaging katulong e... nakakapikon 'yun 'no. Pero being a nanny, or anything na hindi super taas at super gandang trabaho: DH, Metro-Aide, MMDA (naku, MMDA! bibingo na kayo sa mga rallyista...), janitor, messenger... it's just a reflection of how we Filipinos value our jobs, exert the most of our efforts, and see to it that we excel while we show other people what we really are: honest, hospitable, trustworthy.

Ako, for one, nung bata pa ako, akala ko ang trabaho lang sa mundo e 'yung mga nasa chart na pambata: doctor, nurse, teacher, fireman, priest... 'yung mga ganung chorva (nahahawa na 'ko sa "chorva" na 'yan...). Sa Grade 6 yearbook ko, doctor ang nakalagay na ambition... e dugo ko nga ayokong makita e. Come Fourth Year, accountant naman nilagaay ko. Pucha naman... looking back, hindi ko na maalala kung saan ko napulot 'yung 'accounting' na ambition na 'yun. Pero ngayon, eto... call center agent ako. 2 years in college, twice naging freshman... and still counting (hindi niyo lang alam, I'm in the brink of leaving Letran again...)

So 'yun nga, umpisa nung nagtrabaho ako, umpisa nung naging part ako ng work force, naintindihan ko kung gaano kahirap ang buhay ngayon. At the same time, natutunan ko na rin 'yung worth ko. Na kahit hindi ako super talino at super galing, alam ko naman 'yung kaya kong gawin and I know how to make the most out of it.

Kung DH or nanny ang tawag sa Filipinos ngayon, malamang in the near future, 'call center agents' na ang tawag sa mga Pinoy. Hehehe... cool...! Pero the fact still remains na may iba pa rin diyan na ang tingin sa mga Pinoy e under lang sa mga malalaking bansa. And to that, I couldn't agree more to what the reigning Miss International just said: It is a testament to the loving and caring culture of the Filipino people. And for that, I am forever proud and grateful of my roots and culture. Pero syempre ibahin natin. It is a testament to the Filipino excellence and competence in technology, communications while incorporating warmth and hospitability. And for that I'm forever thankful of being a call center agent... we could mess up your accounts all we want...!" Hahahahaha! Joke joke joke!

Palagi na lang tungkol sa work ang post ko ha... Kasi naman, we haven't heard from the clients yet. Hindi pa namin alam if we really are keeping our jobs. Sana naman... (fingers crossed).

Nga pala... naalala ko... nanood ba kayo ng Miss Earth kagabi? Napanood niyo 'yung opening? Namputsa, astig! Imagine female demure voices singing Kitchie Nadal's 'Bulong.' Natuwa talaga ako. At natawa. Ang kulet!

One last hirit... Kahit anong mangyari... ewan ko... but I still believe na masarap maging Pinoy. (cue Pinoy Ako by Orange and Lemons here... hehehehe!)