Bagong Bayani: A Recognition That Covers An Underlying Controversy

Each one of us knows someone who spends their life abroad in order to provide for their
families, whether it is our mother, father, siblings, or aunt. An article published by The Diplomat,
states that the quality of life overseas, especially in developed countries, is the primary factor as
to why OFWs would pack their bags and leave their country and family (Manalangit, 2020). These
are the so-called modern-day heroes of society, or the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). The
heroic discourse surrounding OFWs is undeniably problematic. The root cause of the problem isn’t
on the title entrusted as “bagong bayani”, but rather it is in the way these people are being
romanticized by society and by the government who barely provides support and help.

Nowadays, the idea of OFWs is often romanticized, it is seen as a life for which a lot of
Filipinos yearn. It is seen as an escape from the harsh reality we face in the Philippines. In reality,
these people continue to suffer from the hardships of being away from their families. We must
understand that being an OFW isn't all about having a higher salary or a better life for their families
in the Philippines, it is the sacrifice each of these individuals faces to make amends. Apart from
the glitz and glamour is the truth about this occupation, not everyone is fortunate enough to find a
good job, better pay, a healthy environment, or a happy family to come home to (Bautista &
Tamayo, 2020). These people seek growth within themselves, and they entrust their safety and
sacrifices to a new world they're completely ignorant of, just to ensure a future worth living for
their families.

A 2019 report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), showed that 53 percent of the
country’s youth, aged 15 to 35 years old, are eager and determined to work overseas (Hasnan,
2019). These are people willing to leave their motherland in order to survive. Why does this motion
turn into glorification? The suffering, hardships, and challenges of the working class, minorities,
and underprivileged aren’t something that deserves glorification. We must put an end to these
instead. These are people who deserve a better life in their own country but are deprived of
opportunities, the right pay, and equality.

With the abundant funds of the government, it is only right to give back to Overseas
Filipino Workers, the people whom we can consider to be the backbone of the Philippine Society.
The government should be able to create programs that can be in aid of OFWs and unemployed
Filipinos this country. It is only right for the government to become competitive, effective,
efficient, and honest in not only the people but also those who bring life to the economy and the
nation because truly they are, just like in Manalangit’s words, our Hurting Heroes.

It is time for us to recognize the underlying issues these modern-day heroes face. The issues
that they face in none other than their own country. None of these OFWs deserve to leave the
country for the sake of providing for their families. What they deserve is a life that doesn’t leave
them on a scale deciding if their families are a better choice than their jobs.

References:
Bautista, A.G.M. and Tamayo, V.T. (2020) Life Challenges of Overseas Filipino Workers. Open
Access Library Journal. 1-9. doi:10.4236/oalib.1106854.
Manalangit, M. (2020) The Hurting Heroes: The COVID-19 Crisis and Overseas Filipino
Workers. The Diplomat. doi: https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/the-hurting-heroes-the-covid-19-crisis-and-
overseas-filipino-workers/
Hasnan, L. (2019) Youth in Philippines prefer working overseas. The Asean Post. doi:
https://theaseanpost.com/article/youth-philippines-prefer-working-overseas