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Expats In Manila

I never thought there were expats in Manila as early as the 19th century until I chanced upon Ambeth Ocampo’s article on it in his book Looking Back. What surprised me even more was to find out that the elements surrounding expatriate life was the same, then and now – living in palatial houses in posh and exclusive subdivisions, free education in international schools for the children, nice cars, security guards at home, and of course the chance to have a number of helpers at a very low cost. Mr. Ocampo’s article detailed a sample list of expenses an expat family spends on a monthly basis, and it only amounts to a measly sum compared with the family’s earnings. And why not? They are, in the first place, spending their dollar earnings in cheap Manila. I personally know a number of expatriates who wouldn’t want to leave, and I don’t blame them. They get to live a life of comfort and convenience, surrounded by helpers who do everything from preparing their bath to picking the clothes they left on the floor. All these comfort and they still receive what is called “hardship pay”. I wonder if “hardship” pertains then to polluted air, traffic jams, and the occasional kidnapping of foreigners because really, if not for these, Manila is a paradise for expatriates.

I said paradise because on top of the perks and benefits, they get to enjoy the warmth of the Filipino people. Owing probably to our natural tendency to be hospitable, we don’t want our “guests” to be inconvenienced. We go out of our way to make sure they live a comfortable, convenient life. We always think of ways on how to make adjusting to our culture easy for them. In my previous company, for instance, the slightest “complaint” from any one of our expats would send the HR Team scrambling to their feet for solutions.

Until we became expats ourselves I thought all countries afford their expatriates with the same warm, friendly treatment. But our story is not the same as the expats in Manila. We are probably enjoying almost the same perks and benefits, but not the warmth and hospitality Filipinos are famous for. When my son got hospitalized due to mild pneumonia, no one from the company’s HR Team offered to help even though they knew we can’t read nor write their language. Neither did they send any get well greeting, fruit basket, or flowers. Something we always do in Manila.

No wonder expats in Manila stay a long time. It’s Manila’s people they don’t want to leave behind.

posted by lala @ 8:41 AM