ONE of the biggest exporters of manpower in the world, the Philippines continues to send Filipino workers abroad. There are several factors that move Filipinos to seek employment in other countries – poverty, lack of job opportunities and the ongoing political crisis that is affecting the economic performance of our nation.
The Filipino diaspora began over a hundred years ago. The concept of emigration was brought about by our colonizers. During the Spanish rule, Europe was the main destination of Pinoys. Then, when the Americans took over, Filipinos were taught the English language. Our educational, political and economic systems were patterned after the US system. The United States overrode Europe and became the Pinoys’ new destination.
