of workers that seek employment abroad. Nurses, domestic helpers, cruise attendants, and IT professionals—these OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), play a sizeable role in the Philippines' economy. In 2009, this swell of labour sent around USD $17 billion dollars home to the Philippines, an estimated tenth of the nation's total GDP. Aimee is but one of a growing number of Filipinos who are finding steady income outside the Philippines: as singers, musicians and dancers. For employers, there is a clear advantage to hiring Filipino entertainers. As Madlen Ernest, one of the owners of the Bonsai Cruise explains, “finding a good (Vietnamese) singer in HCM City is not difficult, but most of them do not sing in English. The ones who do sing in English prefer to have four different venues, each venue with three songs a night. They want to expose themselves to become famous.” Filipino employees, however, tend to prefer stability over celebrity. As for the musicians, opportunities abroad have proven much more lucrative than those in the Philippines, which is bloated with musical talent. HCM City-based singer Jenny Santiago cites the laws of supply and demand: “The supply (of talented musicians) is extremely high. In a country where everyone speaks English and every family has a diva or a guitar virtuoso, or two or three, how can it not be? The venues know this, of course, and so talent fees are getting lower.” Consequently, a growing number of artists are seeking greener pastures—and fatter paychecks—in other countries. But perhaps, had love been kinder to Aimee, she would still be in the Philippines. After singing in Malaysia from 2004 to 2006, performing and living in hotels in Penang, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur, Aimee returned to the Philippines to be with a man whom she intended to marry. However, upon arriving, she discovered that he was living with someone else. Despite her efforts to resuscitate the relationship, Aimee eventually let the man—and the Philippines—go, but not before giving birth to a son: Marc Peter Rafael. A month after delivering her child, Aimee departed for HCM City on the recommendation of her older sister, who had found steady employment on the Bonsai Cruise ship. Like most Filipinos living abroad, Aimee maintains close contact with her family, sending money home each month and sacrificing nights on the town for nightly chats with her mother and siblings at home. Her mother cares for Marc, and twice a week, she video chats with him, though she laughs and shakes her head at his ability to hold a conversation with her. “He's 3 years old,” she waves her hands in explanation, “and so full of energy.” Next month, Aimee will return to her
mother's house in Carcar City, Cebu to be reunited with her son and the rest of her family. This three week vacation is her only one of the year, and while she is greatly looking forward to relaxing with loved ones and indulging in the Filipino food—she singles out lechon manok and utang, in particular—she admits that she misses her work when she's away. Of the future, Aimee is humble and unassuming. Foremost in her mind is to continue working and singing, and in doing so, provide the best life for her son. “I don't know what will happen next, but I feel at home here. I'm enjoying my life. Every night I meet many people. I feel happy. I don't
know what will happen next, but I leave my future to [God], I know he has a plan for me.” Anne Branigin ...................................
the
ADVOCATE Peter Hoa Stone Vietnam / Australia
As a young boy crippled with polio in an orphanage overrun with sick and dying
Now, Peter's mostly confined to his wheelchair – a logistical issue in a city with streets as potholed, congested and unruly as HCM City’s.
asialife HCMC 31