I was an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) in the Middle East for almost a quarter of my life. Just like the many Filipinos in Hongkong, Singapore, Italy, or in the US whether it’s the West or East Coast, it wouldn’t be really hard to find a fellow kababayan to get along with in the Middle East.
Just look around your local community and you’ll surely find Pinoys in the supermarket, in malls, restaurants, car repair shops, tailor shops, basketball courts, sports centers, gyms, and in churches. And when you do, never hesitate to greet them and know their names. You’ll surely see them around again soon.
But while it’s good to have many acquaintances around, it’s also very important that you build friendships with the few trustworthy ones only and those who will be there for you when you need a helping hand. Here are 5 types of people you should build friendships with if you are a new OFW.
1. The Handyman
I met a kababayan back in Saudi Arabia who hails from Pampanga. He actually worked in the same company as mine but many fellow Filipinos branded him as may sariling mundo (or a loner) for not being a chatter like them. But that’s how he is. Iwas tsismis. You can’t force him to be like everyone else.
Anyway, he went on to become our family’s good friend after discovering that we share the same roots back home. He was a good electrician, a plumber, and an aircon specialist.
That’s why whenever we needed help in repairing our sockets and switches and airconditioning units, he was just a text message away. It wasn’t hard to give him a hand as well whenever he needed some help on his finances or advise on his relationship with his wife and children. I even ended up as his personal financial advisor.
So if you’re new in your place abroad, make sure to look out for kababayans who have similar skills to help you out in repairing things inside your home or apartment.
2. The RX Friend
One host at the Emmy’s recently called out Hollywood for never having Filipino nurses on the TV show “ER”. This is just proof that Filipino nurses and other medical professionals are very visible almost anywhere abroad. Filipino nurses are very well known for being the most caring, loving, and professional nurses in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
I have also personally known Pinoys who are medical technologists, midwives, dentists, and medical doctors when I was abroad. Plus I do have cousins and relatives who are either nurses or doctors in the US and the Middle East with whom I have personally experienced the care whenever I was sick.
If there’s a chance for you to get to know Pinoy medical professionals abroad, do it. They’re one of the most loving and caring persons you could ever have.
3. The Holy Mentor
If there’s one friend who should always be on top of your list, it should be the one who will not lead you astray from your spiritual belief. But choose the RIGHT spiritual person to be your friend and adviser.
That “holy friend” should be someone who will understand you and guide you in living your life the right way. He or she should be a very good listener. He or she doesn’t have to be the hardline fundamentalist who will force beliefs into your throat.
I hope you wouldn’t mind if I share one of the most traumatic experiences abroad with “holy people” we met in a very popular Catholic charismatic group. Hanging out with them in the first few months was fun and cool. We shared food, we went out with them to malls, beaches, camps, school events, spiritual conferences, etc.
But as the “friendship” went on, we noticed how they easily judged our personal and family decisions. They questioned our decision to homeschool our daughter, saying it’s destroying her social life and that we should send her to a formal school instead. It’s just quite unfair after all the motivational support that we gave them and their children whenever they complained of things related to school.
Our elder spiritual leader even questioned my online businesses, my personal finance advocacy, and my online coaching with TrulyRichClub, accusing me of “serving two masters at the same time, God and money.”
When we decided to leave the charismatic group, we asked some of them if we could still be friends with them, they answered us, “Tito, Tita, hindi na siguro maibabalik yung ganung friendship”. One of them even brought up how they always offered their car whenever we needed a lift, or that they accompanied me during my talks around the city and in Bahrain.
We just wondered how this couple could have forgotten how for some weeks my wife babysat and took care of their daughter selflessly while the two of them were at work.
And the worst? Our spiritual leader even bore false witness against me, accusing me that I labeled my co-members as “plastic people” after we left the group.
See what I mean? Being in a spiritual community or a fundamentalist church does not guarantee that you’ll find a true spiritual mentor.
So pray for discernment and choose the right friend so you won’t end up locked inside false, hypocritical friendships and judgmental materialistic Christians.
4. The Ambassador
No, I’m not telling you to befriend your Ambassador at the Philippine Embassy. Although it will surely do you good if you can find a way to rub elbows with him or her.
But nevertheless, finding a way to connect with people working at the Philippine Embassy can somehow provide you a safety net if in case you encounter some problems related to your work, your visa, passport, or other documentation as a foreign worker.
5. The Financial Guru
Never put a financial coach away from your friendship list.
A friend with good financial wisdom should be your conscience when you are tempted to use your credit card. Someone who will remind you that going to the sale at the mall is not right when you’re starting out abroad.
A “financial guru” friend will encourage you to spend less, live a simple life, and save and invest for your future. He or she can even give you some financial assistance should you encounter any problems on your salary or finances as whole.
Given that, he or she should be on top of your list when the time comes that you have already achieved your financial freedom.
Rock your way to abundance!
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