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Bayani Rin Ako! Featured OFW
OFW from China: Slowly Fulfilling His Goals
Mar 7, 2010
Working abroad was not in Sixto’s (or Layao as friends call him) plans but nevertheless grabbed the chance when the opportunity to do so knocked on his door. He used to work for a company in the Philippines and frequently changed jobs so when a friend gave him the email address of a recruitment agency with a job opening for a teacher in China, he immediately sent his resume.
He applied to all the available positions where he thinks he is qualified and luck seemed to be on his side because he immediately received a reply that an employer is interested to hire him. Things went fast after that and soon, he has his plane ticket and ready to work in China.
Sixto arrived in China on January 07, 2006 and worked as an English teacher in different schools for a short period of time. On September 10, 2006, he was hired in his current work as an Oral English Teacher for college students.
He went to China inspired with the goal to give his family a better life. Part of the reason that made him decide to work abroad is his mother. As a child, he saw how his mother worked so hard just so she can afford to send him and his siblings to school. Her mother is also an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and the struggle to make ends meet also made her incur debts. Sixto wanted to help her mother pay all their debts as well as gave her the luxury to stop working and enjoy life with his father.
So far, Sixto seemed to be slowly fulfilling his goals. He is satisfied and loves his job. He also has lots of memorable moments such as class party with his students, participating in school programs, singing in class and going to the parks.
This is in spite the fact that when he arrived in China, Sixto found the culture very different from what he is accustomed to in his hometown in La Trinidad, Benguet. In time, he was able to adjust to the culture and lifestyle of the people in the community. He also had the chance to travel to different cities and provinces around the country including Hongkong and Macau.
This is Sixto’s message to all OFWs around the world: No matter how hard it is to be far away from our loved ones, do not forget that your labor is not in vain.
