A Walk to Remember: An OFW's Stance

“A Walk to Remember: An OFW’s Stance”
By: Jo-Anne A. Cuyugan


Four years ago, I was one of the angry, yellow-clad, sweaty mob shouting “Pagbabago!” “Pagbabago!” during political rallies and miting de avances for the stiffly-competed presidential elections.

From ages 16-26, I have roamed streets, joined political rallies, helped bring down thrones, burned pornographic CDs, shouted religious chants—any religious, political, or moral issue that needed to be expressed and upheld—I fought for them.

A reprieve came in the form of an overseas job in the Middle East. My last rallies were for a potential presidential candidate who had all the qualities and godly character (and not a trapo) the Philippines could have ever had in a leader, except that the Filipinos preferred ‘popularity’ over character, the “lesser evil” over the “not evil.”

And so I fled from the suffocating political atmosphere the nation is beset with. I left brokenhearted and not finding much hope in the future. Some idealistic youth like me where shattered with the surprising ‘twist’ the elections turned out to be, and the loss of many a good could-have-been president. I thought then, escape is the best resort.

Four years I lived in dumb silence. Not much caring about news or what’s going on in my native land. I lived as a bonafide OFW faithfully sending remittances (which later on I learned, apparently steered the country from a great thumping fall).

I survived in an illusion that my country is climbing happily its economic ladder of becoming a “strong republic” the present leadership is saying through its drumbeaters.

On my return, barely 30 years of age, I slowly started to poke my head from its cocoon. Scenes flashed like powerpoint slides before my eyes, paving way for the reality of what the Philippines has become after my short 4-year hiatus. It’s getting into a nightmare.


A shocking political environment raging with scandal after scandal , and corruption unimaginable, besieges the country. Shocking rates of common goods, electricity, transportation, gasoline, and water continue to oppress the people who might be lucky enough to fend for themselves a decent meal at least three times a day. Products were shrinking like bread, noodles, repacked goods, etc.

There have been news that some poor families have resorted to eating woodworms and roaches even beyond garbage! Good heavens! Sadly, the rate of families who cannot afford decent meals three times a day have doubled. There are more people living on the streets, under bridges, pavements, etc….

And so, four years after, here I am again, waving my placards and hankies, yelling at the top of my voice…stronger…harder: Pagbabago! Pagbabago! The nation has awoken again from its apathy. The torch of the youth has started to lit, the voice of the civil society has started to have a sound; the religious groups, NGOs, leftists, rightists, and other cause-oriented groups are starting to unite again for a common cause after a long, deep slumber.

There is a limit to apathy and indifference. There is a limit to moral tolerance. Somewhere, deep, deep down, God is touching those inner cords of sensibilities to put an end to oppression and raise up righteousness in our nation. I believe God has a great plan for this nation. Regardless of evil that seem to dominate our hapless society, God can turn it into good.

As a balikbayan, hardworking former OFW, I have not much to say but…

Humbly, here I stand.

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