Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Filipino Maids: Philippines' Pride

By Alice Sy

Many Filipinos are leaving their native country, the Philippines, to search for a better life, for a better future for their families. Many of these Filipinos end up working as Filipino maids in foreign lands, particularly in the United States, England, Italy, Greece, France, and in practically every country of the globe.

Statue Square, Hong Kong is only one of a thousand places scattered across the globe where the smiles and cheers of Filipino helpers can be seen. It is indeed marvelous to know that domestic helpers from our country are so valued in foreign lands. At times, many have been thinking why Filipino helpers are so treasured in other countries.

Their exodus abroad may also be linked to their growing popularity, especially in terms of being hard working, dedicated and loyal. Among their other traits well-liked and desired of by their foreign employers are their being hospitable and honest.

Indeed, Filipino servants are able to do things maids from other countries can not afford to do. For example, only a maid from the Philippines can take on the job of cleaning the toilet bowls without complaining.

Another advantage that a Filipino servant can have over maids from other nationalities is their knack to speak and understand the English language. Filipinos are generally more learned and educated. They understand English better, and can speak the language with ease and confidence that can be rarely found in maids coming from other countries. Also, they are more easily able to adapt to the speaking dialect of the country they are in, wherever that may be.

Filipinos are by and large known for their grasp of the English language. They are able to understand English far better than their other counterparts. They can also speak English more fluently. Thus, it is understandable why foreign employers would choose them over maids from other nations.

Aside from these, Filipino helpers are generally very warm, sensitive, and affectionate, thus they can easily bond to their foreign employers, considering them as their own families. Because they are so far away from home, they tend to treat their employers as their closest kin. Their employers, touched by this show of affection, also treat these maidservants from the Philippines as part of their family. Because of this, it sort of becomes a habit for these maids to bring pictures and stories of their employers when they go home to the Philippines.

But there is more to the name Filipino than being just called a servant. What makes Filipino maids endear to the heart of the world is not actually the physical looks. More than the hard work and dedication, a Filipino works with a full heart, a simple ingredient that no employer has ever found in other nationalities. - 15790

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