My parents and I finished watching a 2004 Filipino movie called “Milan” | A film by Olivia M. Lamason. My auntie Edith lent this DVR to us on my birthday in exchange for some of my books, which I lent to her, too.
“This story follows the journey of naive Lino (Piolo Pascual) as he searches for his missing wife in Italy. He comes across Jenny (Caludine Barretto), an imposing figure in the Filipino community of migrant workers, whose dreams of grandeur have clouded her need for personal relationships. In a desperate quest and game of survival, the two find refuge and affirmation in each other. What started as a mentor — protege relationship, Lino and Jenny’s partnership evolves beautifully into a self-consuming love affair. Until these are put to a test. Reality bites as the land changes everything.
In the end, it matters not for Lino that he fins his wife for he has found himself. And alas, it matters not for Jenny that she sacrifices for love, for she has learned to give, in order to live again.”
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Anyway, these “guest workers” did every odd jobs cleaning the houses in Italy. They enjoyed their hard-earned money together with food, drinks, and games. They would send some money back home to the Philippines to support their loved ones.
One story was about a man who worked twice as hard to support his pregnant friend in Italy, including both her family and his. Workers in the field played and fought.
In another story, Lino found his wife married to a fat Italian man. She had a child with him. The covered windows to her “new home’ in the scenes depicted how her freedom was limited to staying indoors as a stay-at-home wife.
The separation from their parents/families is very hard but they keep working and cry from overwork and loneliness because they miss their families. Waiting at the end of the month for the money is difficult because of rent and transportation.
The reason why Filipinos are generous is that they don’t have money and no one earns money for their families. Most don’t find the help but still give to their families; so that they in turn don’t suffer, too.
Once upon a time Filipinos were alone. But when they have each other, they never get tired of giving. This is what Jenny experienced – being servants to “white folks” and to those who can give a damn/a dog some money.
It’s truly sad such “diversity” continues in this guise as “quota” for employment opportunities, which is why I’m still working temporary gigs and NOT being paid to my full potential. Most Filipinos are well-educated/gradates, by the way.
Author’s note: Finished reading Kenny boy’s “Latest Article” on old Henry’s article about illegal immigration, multiculturalism, caste systems, and racial discrimination and finally was inspired to “publish” this blog post from draft mode since 12/08/2013.
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