Homesickness

Buting Senior High School

A. Santos St., Buting, Pasig City
GASIC, PAUL ALFRED R.

THROUGH MARXISM LENS: “HOMESICKNESS”

This literary criticism is based on the story of: Turban Legend by R. Zamora Linmark

INTRODUCTION

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have been hailed by the Philippine government as “New Heroes” (Uy-Tioco,
2007). Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who are employed in other areas of the world frequently possess
large homes, farms, vehicles, jewelry, and other symbols of wealth. Working as an OFW isn't always as ideal as one
would like. The truth is that, in addition to leaving their families behind in the Philippines in order to pursue greater
opportunities, they are also dealing with other difficulties. They face several problems, including those related to
communication, money, and their personal and professional environments. The purpose of this study was to assess
the difficulties faced by a sample of foreign migrant workers. Aside from a greater wage, the most frequent and
straightforward reasons why OFWs prefer to work overseas are to send their kids to school, to have minor homes
or investments, and to work in a more favorable environment. As a result, many of them live luxurious lives, owning
three-story homes, vast farms, automobiles, the newest technology, sending their kids to pricey private schools,
and much more. They had to work hard, be patient, and overcome obstacles before realizing their aspirations
because of the money they invested in it.

STRUGGLES/CHALLENGES OF BEING OFW

Unskilled and low wage workers are socially vulnerable and frequently report poor health, and mental
health, and labor exploitation (Benach, J., et al., 2011). Female migrant domestic workers are especially vulnerable
because many of them work alone and away from social resources in private houses. It can be hard to keep an eye
on their health and wellbeing and to take action against potentially harmful working conditions. According to the
International Labor Organization, domestic workers often earn poor wages, put in long hours, and have little
downtime. Domestic workers are vulnerable to sexual, psychological, and physical abuse. Their well-being is
challenged in different ways by their marginalization. Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) comprise a large population
primarily motivated to leave home to seek employment abroad due to poverty and lack of job opportunities (Cruz,
R., 2021). Poor medical care, exposure to violence, and other traumas are frequently associated with economic
disadvantage in one's own nation, which might worsen population health before leaving the country.

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Within their receiving country context, female migrant domestic workers may experience loneliness, lack
of social networks or poor network support (Mendoza, N. B., et al., 2017), and stress related to living away from
their families (Garabiles, M. R., et al., 2017) which may exacerbate previously accumulated vulnerabilities.

Economic Challenges. Many studies show the financial challenges that OFWs confront. Low pay, lengthy
hours, and unpleasant working circumstances are frequently encountered by them. This study indicated that
despite the remittances sent home by OFWs, their families still experienced financial instability as a result of high
living expenses and rising financial demands. Many OFWs find this to be a disturbing reality, especially those who

are in vulnerable circumstances. Examples include lack of finances, language differences, lack of insurance, lack of
knowledge regarding health insurance coverage and healthcare systems, racism, and discrimination ( Wafula, E., &
Snipes, S. A., 2014).

Separation and Homesickness. According to Fisher and Hood of 1988, homesickness defined as "a
complex cognitive-motivational-emotional state concerned with grieving for, yearning for and being occupied with
thoughts of home", while according to Thurber and Walton of 2012, homesickness defined as "the distress or
impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from home". Being apart from their family for prolonged
periods of time is one of the biggest difficulties faced by OFWs. OFWs sometimes work in foreign nations far from
their homes, which limits their possibilities to spend time with their loved ones in person. Feelings of loneliness,
homesickness, and mental anguish might result from this separation.
Emotional and Psychological Stress. The challenges mentioned, cause severe emotional and psychological
stress for OFWs. Their mental health may suffer as a result of the stress of being apart from their families, cultural
adjustment, and financial constraints. Homelessness, sadness, worry, and stress are all typical emotions among
OFWs. For example, stressors from work, relationships, and daily living may lead to exhaustion, burnout, headache,
and sleep difficulties (Weishaar, H., 2008)

Lack of Legal Protection. Some OFWs come across circumstances where their rights are not sufficiently
upheld. Accessing legal aid, getting a fair hearing in court, or contacting the embassy or consulate of their own
country may be difficult for them. They may be more open to exploitation or abuse as a result of this lack of
protection. It goes without saying that human rights protections and understandings are ultimately most reliant on
developments and mechanisms at the national level. The laws, policies, procedures and mechanisms in place at the
national level are key for the enjoyment of human rights in each country (Anonymous, 2023).

Abuse. Unfortunately, some OFWs experience harassment and mistreatment at work. They might
experience unfair treatment, lengthy working hours, low pay, verbal or physical abuse, or hazardous working
conditions. Within their work setting, they may be at risk for adverse occupational threats, including long working

hours, abusive or exploitative relationships with their employers, and work-related injuries (Ahonen, E. Q., et al.,
2007b).

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The balikbayan boxes that Filipino Americans bring to the Philippines are principally examined in this thesis via
the prisms of material culture and customary studies. It explains the social, political, and economic factors that
contributed to Filipino immigration to the United States and the emergence of balikbayans, or natives who have
returned home, and their boxes.

The custom has its roots in a government-sponsored initiative in the Philippines that provided specific travel
incentives, like as luggage allowances, to entice overseas workers to return and spend their income there. The
Tagalog term for a returning Filipino inspired the name "balikbayan" boxes, which have since evolved into one of
the most enduring representations of the Filipino diaspora. The boxes support grieving family members by
providing food, comfort daughters who are separated from their mothers, and provide distant overseas workers
with a physical connection to their homes (Shyong, F., 2018).

DISCUSSION

Do you think that Filipinos who live or work abroad suffer from homesickness? Explain.

Homesickness is common among OFWs. It is normal to feel that way. OFWs live a life where they are far away from
their family in order to make a better living in a country with better wages and opportunities (Allison, D., 2022).
Economic instability may be the most pressing problem of the Filipino family today (Hunt et al., 1987). Being
jobless is affecting the family’s income. To solve this problem, some Filipinos have taken jobs overseas. Overseas
workers remit their earnings to the family in the hope that it will improve the family social and economic status
(David, F. P., 2004). So, there are people who make sacrifices to solve their financial problems and provide for the
needs of their children or parents.

What do you think the boxes symbolize?

The aroma of a Balikbayan box is adored by every Filipino. They are quite excited to open the box and see
what's inside. What, though, is a Balikbayan box? It might be characterized as "pasalubongs" given from the heart.
But in general, this is a corrugated box filled with things that Filipinos living abroad sent to their loved ones and
friends back home. Typically, this box is loaded with imported goods or "pasalubongs" including food, dietary
supplements, shoes, clothes, cosmetic products, toys, jewelry, and anything else you can think of. Balikbayans are
supposed to deliver "pasalubongs" to their families and friends in the Philippines, therefore the Balikbayan box is
always visible and continues to have cultural significance among Filipinos.

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The Balikbayan Box is essentially a representation of the kindness and affection of Filipinos living overseas.
Filipinos have a reputation for being kind, caring, and giving. Regardless of their circumstances, they will make an
effort to surprise their loved ones back home with heartfelt "pasalubongs" no matter where they are in the world.
And that is how Filipinos do things.

What is the significance of the story?

The moral of the story, which is that family is the most important thing in the world and should always be
remembered even when you are far away from them, is that in the Filipino culture. The things in the balikbayan
boxes that are expensive is not only a “gift” but it represents the love of the sender to their family (Flor, F., 2017).
Instead of returning home to visit their loved ones, many choose to simply pass it on by delivering a gift—the
balikbayan box—which makes them feel as though their hearts are still connected despite their physical distance.

CONCLUSION

There are Filipinos living all over the world. All seven continents, every nation, and numerous other first-world
nations were home to them, but they did not travel there to enjoy themselves and live life to the fullest; on the
contrary, they did the exact opposite. In order to support their families, overseas Filipino workers, or OFWs, left
their homeland to work as a servant, a worker, a bartender, a waitress, a babysitter, a businessman, or a caretaker.
Because of low wages and earnings that compel them to abandon their families, their own country failed them,
which is why they spread in the first place. The struggles that Filipinos go through when they are separated from
their families are depicted in the turban legend. I find it terrible because the majority of us are in a similar
circumstance to what the article describes. They gave their lives in order to ensure their family's happiness, which
is something that most of us take for granted. Our enjoyment and convenience from their "Balikbayan boxes" is
unmatched. But there is a deeper significance to these boxes.
We should value them more and constantly be grateful for them, just like in the narrative Turban Legend,
because the love that Overseas Filipino Workers enshrine into it is as deep as the oceans. I believe that's the most
beautiful way for them to express their love. I learned things from the story that I should have known sooner. This
is a lesson that we should remember. The only way to repay them is via increased and sincere gratitude. Give the
items they sent some worth. Respect the individual who went above and beyond to provide you with affection and
a good existence.

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REFERENCES (APA 6TH EDITION FORMAT)

Uy-Tioco, C. (2007) Overseas Filipino Workers and Text Messaging: Reinventing Transnational Mothering. Journal
of Media & Cultural Studies, 21, 253-265
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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001043
International Labour Organization. (2013). Domestic workers across the world: Global and regional statistics and
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dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_173363.pdf.
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Wafula, E., & Snipes, S. A. (2014). Barriers to Health Care Access Faced by Black Immigrants in the US: Theoretical

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(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/compass/legal-protection-of-human-rights

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Talita Ferrara, M.S. (2020). Understanding Homesickness: A Review of the Literature. Journal for Leadership and

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Shyong, F. (2018, April 28). These boxes are a billion-dollar industry of homesickness for Filipinos overseas - Los

Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com

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Allison, D. (2022). Mental Health Care for OFWs: How to Battle Homesickness. M PSYCH Services. Retrieved from

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#:~:text=Homesickness%20is%20common%20among%20OFWs,with%20better%20wages%20and

%20opportunities.