By Sophia Angeline G. Delantero
A burden comes in many forms, mine was sculpted to be one of those forms.
This is the burden of someone who grew up as the eldest daughter and first granddaughter on both sides of the family, someone who feels so deeply that emotions often become the very reason it is difficult to cope with everything happening in this failing country.
Exactly four days ago, my mom, who works abroad, as I have written in my first column here, returned to Saudi Arabia to work, as money will always be a subject of importance for our family to survive. She is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who risks her life just to provide us with a life that would not become a burden for any of us.
Saudi Arabia has been facing attacks from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which caused delays in the flights of many OFWs beginning October 21. But, as Filipinos who need enough money to sustain themselves amid high taxes, expensive housing, soaring bills, and the cost of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they have to find a way to return to work. Otherwise, we are left to watch our economy crumble under the very hands of those entrusted with positions of power.
You cannot blame daughters for feeling deep anger toward the economy and, at times, even toward themselves. Neither should we put the government on a pedestal when it has failed to provide the people with the quality of life they deserve. For all I know, a decent government presiding over an economy that has deteriorated this badly would show greater compassion for its people instead of making their lives another burden to bear.
It should be unacceptable to put people in a position where they are forced to endure circumstances they do not deserve. While a politician enjoys a vacation outside the country, a child is crying and longing for a mother who works in the very same country where these people in positions of power sip their black coffee and eat their croissants.
Not to mention the dehumanizing commute system and the unwalkable sidewalks. These may seem like small things, but they are among the many issues the government should address to make this country more livable. Well, we have chosen to overlook them, just as we have learned to tolerate so many other failures.
It is a real burden for someone like me, who still needs guidance in the real world, to have no one to turn to in times like these. With all the disappointment, rage, and anger I have, I still had to let my mom go back to work, knowing that her labor has been our bread and butter for the past 11 years.
I may sound frustrated, but there are more people out there who cannot voice their rage out because they have already accepted the poor quality of life this government has imposed on us.
A burden comes in many forms, mine was sculpted to be one of those forms.
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