Thursday, January 29, 2009

Filipino Maids: Philippines' Pride

By Alice Sy

Whenever you go to Hong Kong, try to visit Statue Square. The place does not only offer a relaxing scenery, it also serves as a place where hundreds of Filipino maids flock there to meet, to chat, and to share their lives during their day offs.

In certain countries abroad, such as in England, only the wealthy and the powerful can afford the services of a female Filipino servant, so having one at home only indicates that that family belongs to the upper class. The rich in Italy have also taken notice of the good qualities of a Filipino servant.

It is a known fact that Filipinos are known for its incomparable traits - hardworking, hospitable, and honest. These simple virtues are the very passport why Filipino helpers are very in demand abroad.No servant ever wakes up at four or five in the morning and sleeps at midnight but the Filipino. Much more, no is content in scrubbing the floor, or cleaning the toilet bowl but the Filipino.

Foremost, Filipinos are highlighted by their loyalty and dedication to their employees. Since they are thousands of miles away from their families, they have no one to channel their emotions and longing for their children. That is why Filipino helprs are so endeared to their employers that they treat them as their family. In return, their boss also reciprocates them and treats them also as part of their family. So, don't wonder if your balikbayan relative gets home quiet emotional or carrying photo albums with pictures of her employee. Yes, they value family much and to a Filipino, her employees are also her family.

Filipino helpers, whether a college graduate or not, are observed to be naturally intelligent and resourceful. They can pick up instructions without further questions. They, too, work hard without supervision. The word workaholic is indeed, due to a Filipino. She'll simply work and work and will only stop if said so by her boss. At times, they can also be feisty. They would even argue with their employer about a certain problem. They also know how to find a way and get out from every trial.

One advantage that Filipino servants abroad possess is her fluency in English, thanks to the American colonizers. Compared to Mexicans, Chinese and other nationalities, Filipinos have deeper vocabulary in English and can comprehend better with their employers.

In some countries, to have a Filipino servant is a status symbol. In England, the aristocracy, celebrities, and millionaires hire Filipino helpers to their household. Filipino helpers are also among the higher paid servants since they impress their boss with their quality service. Filipino helpers in Italy are also prized for their good work. They even tell their employers how much salary they want to receive. In Greece, a household is considered middle class if it hires Albanian servants; while a household with a Filipino servant is hailed as rich.

Filipino maids in foreign lands are a pride of the Philippines. They give honor and prestige to their mother country because of their dedication and loyalty in the performance of their job abroad.

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