Ms. Yoko Ramos

Filipino Expatriates.  This is the new term for our Overseas Filipino Workers, also formerly known as Ang Bagong Bayani, according to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.  The President made this announcement at the media campaign launch for the Global Forum for Migration and Development.   (Global Forum is an international migration forum of which about a 1,000 participants from around 150 countries are expected.  This will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila)

Their stories never cease to fascinate me. Each story has its own character and personality.   I am constantly awed and amazed by their dedication and resilience given the personal struggles and other factors involved relating to work; yet they still bring inspiration to many.

Greece
Greece is the latest post of my husband, Consul General Constancio R. Vingno.   He says that about 30,000 Filipinos are in Greece and estimates 10,000 Pinoys are in Athens.  It was mid-autumn when we arrive and the weather was manageable to a bit cold.   

Greece is the land of great men and philosopher. It is the cradle of civilization – and home to the Greek gods — Zeus, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite and the others.  

Today, Greece has been featured in several movies – like in the latest films I was able to watch — Mamma Mia (Meryl Streep), Sisterhood of the traveling pants (America Ferrera) – locally, there was For the first time (KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez), shot in Santorini, Greece.

Philippine Embassy
On our first meeting with Ambassador Rigoberto D. Tiglao, he told us that there are a lot of different Filipino organizations active in Greece.  

Pinoy Expat couple in Athens
Recently, I met a jolly and friendly couple in Athens.  They are Ramoncito and Adelle Caldino.  Husband and wife are living and working in Athens going 6 years now.  Yearly, they go back to the Philippines to visit their relatives.  

They say that they really work hard to live comfortably here in Athens and at the same time to be able to save some money, to send back home and for their future.  But in general, one has to work hard to survive wherever he may be, Mang Ramon said.  

Life of a Pinoy Expat
Ramon is in his mid-50s with a visage cut from the old 70s movies.  At his age, he says he can easily earn a minimum of 50 to 75 euros depending on what is to be repaired or fixed. His other skills are: cooking, gardening and carpentry.  Hard work and good pr (public relations) are his edge among other nationalities, in the same line of service.

Adelle, 48, the affable wife of Ramon, works in the house of a Greek diplomat.  She is well loved by her bosses.  She is like a family to them that the Greek couple even adopted Ramon to be their household member from Israel to Greece so they can be together, too.  Ramon was working in another country at that time.

Those were the difficult times, both declared.  They would spend so much money on telephone cards.  That was the only means of communication they had and the snail-mail.  Their life is better now because they have each other, physically near.    

The couple was able to buy a house and lot in Laguna last year.  They have two children – both are grown up.  The daughter is in the United States and their son, the youngest, has just graduated from Nursing.  

Retirement
The couple says that they are saving for their retirement.  They want to retire in the Philippines, according to Ramon.  He wants to put up a small business in their house.  A contractor/builder type of business is what he has in mind.   He is planning to make their house a “showcase” of his skills in carpentry, design and style.

Adelle, on the other hand, want to put up a flower or catering business.  Having learned and adopted different kinds of cuisine techniques and flavors, she will surely be able to win the Filipino palate.

But there is no definite plan of when to retire.  Greece has so many islands to explore that they will stay here as long as they can, the couple quipped.

Greece, known as the bastion of philosophers and great men, gifted by the gods with every possible — beautiful things.  The cradle of civilization — .

Moving to Athens for me is like reliving the old ancient Greek mythology life of the god.  In my High School English class, where we had Greek mythology (still stuck in my memory bubble), I had been fascinated by these timeless tales.

Hmmm, I figured it must be exciting and will be quite an experience — to actually be where the great philosophers and men once lived. I wanted to go to Mt. Olympus to meet the Olympians — Zeus, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite and the others.  To like breathe the same air they have inhaled a long –very long, time ago.  To walk the steps they took.

I researched very little about the place having studied it in HS and College, I thought I have enough knowledge stored and will be given a short briefing by the husband in relation to his work there.

It was mid-autumn when we arrived. The place was extremely lovely. Out of excitement, I had a severe bout of jet lag. I had forgotten about my wild thoughts about Greece.

Consul General Vingno, the hubby, said that about 30,000 Filipinos are in Greece and that an estimate of 10,000 are in Athens.

His Excellency Rigoberto D. Tiglao, our Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Cyprus, was known to be the spunky Spokesperson of PGMA before this appointment.  Amb. Tiglao had been appointed as Press Secretary, Chief of Staff and as PMS Head.   

The Ambassador is with his lovely and chic wife, Getsy.  Both are veteran journalists.

I met several Filipinos living in Athens.  Some say they have considered Greece as their home while others are still planning to come back and retire in the Philippines.