More than Heroes: The Life and Experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Larry Nicholas P. Atos, Berkeley School, Inc.
Eliza M. Cruz, Berkeley School, Inc.
Sarah Hong, Berkeley School, Inc.
Steve Kim, Berkeley School, Inc.
Malkiel Josh Soliven, Berkeley School, Inc.

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Alfonso B. Astudillo III

Abstract/Executive Summary

The Philippines has a scarce job market for its own workforce and so this manpower, mostly coming from the poorer sector of society, decides to become OFWs. This study pertains to the experiences the Filipino Overseas Workers have encountered with their personal goals and how they plan to achieve these. Four research questions were formulated to provide a context to the lived experiences of these modern heroes namely: "What are the most common challenges that Filipino overseas foreign workers confront?", "How do they cope with these challenges?", "What are the most common goals of Filipino overseas foreign workers moving forward?", and "How do they plan to accomplish these?". A thematic analysis approach was used in this phenomenological qualitative research. The results put to fore OFWs facing difficulties such as racial discrimination and loneliness. OFWs overcoming challenges were via video calls to their loved ones while working harder to overcome discrimination in their workplace. The most important goals they have are financial stability, investing their savings towards a business in the future, and permanent migration in the countries that they work in. To accomplish the goals that they have set for themselves, OFWs have decided to save money and work to the best of their abilities to achieve their dreams.

Keywords

Overseas Filipino Workers; experience; challenges; racial discrimination; goals

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Family, Relations, and Social Structure (FRS)