Manila prelate lauds OFWs for religiosity, perserverance amid crisis

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales paid tribute Monday to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), citing them for their religiosity and perseverance amid great hardships.

In an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas, he said that despite perceived dangers, the inherent values of OFWs ultimately make them succeed.

“Catholic nuns and Filipino nurses are well-appreciated in Australia because they work beyond their working hours, painstakingly caring for their bedridden patients," Rosales noted.

Excepts of the interview were posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines website.

Rosales said Filipinos are known for their being “maka-Diyos, masipag, makatao, handang dumamay sa sinumang nangangailangan (God-fearing, hardworking disposition and willingness to help others)" which endear them to their employers.

Foreign employers take pride in having Filipino workers in their households, offices, factories and business establishments, he added.

He said Filipinos wherever they are allowed to practice their faith would hold religious processions in honor of their patron saints which include the Santo Nino and Nuestra Senor de Penafrancia.

“Basta’t may Pinoy, may prusisyon diyan (So long as there are Filipinos there will be processions), because religiosity is part of who we are," Rosales said.

He said that during his stint as Bishop of Malaybalay, migrants from Luzon and the Visayas would build homes in a homestead. When already 15 or more homes are built, these settlers would build a chapel where bishop would be invited to celebrate Mass.

“This also holds true for Filipino migrants in Europe and in some countries in the Middle East," he said.

He also acknowledged the support being extended by Filipino chaplains assigned to various countries in helping Filipino workers in distress.

Rosales said it is the chaplains who are first to know whenever migrant workers encounter difficulties.

“This is the reason why chaplains and Philippine ambassadors and labor officials work together," he said.

He also said there is a common denominator among Batanguenos, Manileños and those from Bukidnon – “those who cannot farm leave for abroad."

He said seeking overseas employment have become so ordinary and people begin asking “Bakit hindi pa siya umaalis patungo sa ibang bansa (Why not go abroad)?" - GMANews.TV

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