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MANILA, Philippines – What happens when the children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are left behind?
Back in the ’70s when the Philippines began its state-sponsored migration program, it was the Filipino men who were the poster boys of working abroad.
More than 40 years after, the migration patterns have changed. Demand in the service sector, mostly in caregiving and domestic work, opened up employment opportunities for women. Today, almost half of OFWs are female.
And it seems, when it’s the mother who leaves, things are shaken up for the traditional family a bit differently.
Rappler conducts a Hangout on Friday afternoon, August 29, to give you a glimpse of what families go through when a parent, especially the mother, leaves to work in another country.
Confirmed guests include Marie Tessibeth Cordova, a psychologist; Kristelle Romaraog, daughter of an OFW; and the Manguerra family, whose father, Meljohn Manguerra, has become primary caregiver in addition to being head of the family since his wife went to work in the Middle East.
The Rappler Hangout will be moderated by Rappler columnist Ana P. Santos, who produced “Who Takes Care of Nanny’s Children?” – a reportorial package that follows the path of feminized migration from Manila to Dubai, UAE, and Paris, France – as the 2014 Persephone Miel fellow by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
Santos, in cooperation with the Pulitzer Center, also produced a documentary directed by Rappler’s Patricia Evangelista called Para kay Mama.
Watch the Hangout below:
– Rappler.com
See related stories
• Strength in their sacrifice: A photo essay of OFW women
• When sisters become mothers
• Conversations: The plight of #OFWomen
• OFWs in France
• OFW skills go digital
Photo of laptop via Shutterstock
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