Rolando, 38 years old, married a doctor who has work from Fiji Island and migrated to Australia after 3 years is our featured OFW. Boyet as called by his friend, chooses to work abroad to be able to support the needs of his wife and three kids.

1. Why did you decide to leave the Philippines?

I am writing my story in order to uplift the image of doctors in the Philippines, in order to remind and show them that whatever happens, there is always hope out there, that there is always something good in store for us at one stage of our lives no matter what happens.

I am aware, that the current situation in the Philippines is diabolic, especially for doctors. Wherein out of desperation, would do anything, even going to a point where we would change professions just to get out from the country and look for a greener pasteur or better opportunities we can never find in our own country. Only in the Philippines where you can find doctors who become nurses! This really makes me worried and in dismay, not of course blaming the doctors, but the government. This is a huge lost for the country. Good doctors are leaving. In a nutshell, these were the reasons why I left the Philippines, to work as a doctor fortunately (not a nurse).

In February 2001, I left the Philippines alone out of desperation, leaving my family behind-wife and 3 kids. This was a very onerous decision I made in order to give my family a better way of life, a good future, and to escape from the tough competition among doctors in my hometown where I have practiced for 6 years. A newly graduate Doctor of Medicine, let alone with flying colours or a board topnotcher, would unlikely be able to compete with well-established known doctors in a very doctor inundated town. They may be able to get job/residency training in a government hospital receiving more or less US$300/month or in a private hospital earning US$100 a month! Who would get skit when an average nurse in UK receives US$3000/mo or even more? But again as I have said, I didn't leave the country as a nurse but a doctor.

2. How did you get your current job and how did you leave the Philippines?

I found my first job overseas (Fiji Islands) as a hospital doctor on a newspaper which was put out by POEA in late 1999. I have lodged my application through the POEA and got the job in 3 months. I arrived in Fiji Islands with three of my doctor mates, in February 2001, in a place not so familiar to me and a place that doesn’t ring a bell to most Filipinos, even to immigration officers and POEA staffs at NAIA!! Fiji is situated in the middle of South Pacific Ocean and not in Japan as they always mistakenly think it is!

3. When did you arrive in your current location?

I've worked in Fiji Islands as a Medical Officer in a very remote area for a period of 3 years, far from all luxuries of a town/city life, with no electricity for a year, no television reception, a single shop selling only basics, gravel road where I drove an old dilapidated 4WD vehicle. Pay wasn't bad though, a far better off than in the Philippines. These were just few things I've struggled with while in Fiji but things have paid off. When I was accepted to work as a General Practitioner (Family Physician) in Western Australia. I arrived here in March 2004 after my 3 year stint in Fiji. In Australia, I've finally rejoined with my whole family.

4. What were your most memorable moments in your current location?

The most memorable moments I had in Australia was when I got a nerve wrecking interview with a local town journalist about my community work and printing that interview out of the newspaper albeit it was a good publicity!

5. Tell us what has happened during your stay in this country you have worked in.

The first impression of most Australians on Filipino doctors is that we are just another second class or third class doctors from a third world country resulting most likely from corruption (bribery) and forgery. This is a common misconception here, wherein they think Filipinos are mostly illegal immigrant, forger and corrupt. I have proven myself that I am not such, that Filipino doctors are not second class doctors, that I deserve whatever certificates I've earned, that we are world class and at par with the Australians or the rest.

I work at present with 6 Australian doctors, one Russian and a Dutch doctor. I have earned respect from them. I work harmoniously with them and have earned good reputation from my patients. They are amazed by our industriousness, skills and hard work.

6. What are the things that you miss about the Philippines?

I always love Christmas season in the Philippines. That is what I miss and my family down here all the time. The Christmas atmosphere is felt as early as September, it's always very festive and highly spirited, far different from the western world.

7. What is your message to all OFWs around the world?

Please don't forget our country. No matter what happens, Philippines is our land, our root. I may stay permanently in Australia but I will keep on coming back to my native land, help families and friends in my own small way. Always fight for our country and our dignity. Lastly, WE ARE THE IMAGE OF OUR COUNTRY IN FOREIGN LANDS, WHATEVER WE DO REFLECTS ON OUR COUNTRY.