If you’re an OFW, then you know how difficult it can be to live abroad. There is a lot of stress and uncertainty about your job and the future, and you also have to deal with cultural differences. Luckily for Filipino workers abroad, Filipino organizations serve as a support system for Filipinos trying to make their dreams come true in other countries.
It’s true that no man is an island. We all have a network of people around us who can help us when we need it most. And if you’re an OFW, then you should definitely connect with other Filipinos in your area and join organizations. Here are ten unique benefits that every OFW should take advantage of when connecting with a Filipino organization:
1. Finding the Filipino Community
Finding a Filipino organization that is close to you is important. You will be able to feel more at home and experience the culture of your country. You will be able to connect with other Filipinos and enjoy their company while learning about their lives and interests.
The internet can help you find Filipino organizations in your area. You can start by searching for “Filipino community” or “Philippine community” in Google, Yahoo, Bing or any other search engine. Use the country filter feature if this option is available on the website’s search function so that only results related to your country will appear when looking for an organization near where you live or work abroad (or both). After looking at different links provided by these websites, continue researching on their websites until one catches your eye!
Ask friends and family members if they know any Filipino groups around where they live or work abroad; this will give them another point of reference for what type of group might appeal most strongly based on shared values between friends/family members (such as religion). Finally, look up anything else related, such as churches nearby, before deciding which one might suit best overall needs both now and future ones too!
2. Creating a Network of Support
Finding a Filipino organization in your area can be as easy as popping by the nearest church, or as difficult as getting in touch with someone on the other side of the globe. You should also keep in mind that not all Filipino organizations are created equal; some focus more on providing services for Filipinos, while others cater specifically to OFWs.
In order to locate an organization that works for you, try contacting any friend or family member who may know how to access one near you. If not, hit up Google and search for “Filipino organization [name of your city].” This will bring up any websites that might lead you to one—and if nothing comes up from these searches, it doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t one nearby! You may want to try searching through Facebook groups instead since many now have pages dedicated solely to connecting people with local groups in their area.
Having a support network is important, especially for first-time OFWs, who may find themselves struggling with homesickness or adjusting to life abroad. Having someone to talk to, who knows what you’re going through, can make all the difference in the world.
For some people, they find this community in their local church or church community. Others find that their social media groups are the perfect place to get connected with others who will understand what they’re going through. If you haven’t found one yet, don’t be discouraged! Keep looking and stay positive; you’ll find a group that fits your needs soon enough.
3. Learning More About the Filipino Culture
Learning more about Filipino culture is a great way to connect with your heritage. You can learn about the history of your people and their traditions, or you can even learn how to celebrate special holidays that are unique to the Philippines. You may even find yourself enjoying these holiday celebrations more than those in the places you’ve been to!
And if you’re an OFW, you know that the Philippines is made up of several different cultures and ethnic groups. This can make it difficult to fit in with the people you meet at first, but learning more about their culture can help you feel more connected. This way, you can also better understand your roots and the importance of unity in diversity in a country such as ours, where there are so many different cultures and ethnic groups.
To make this connection happen, you’ll want to look up organizations that sponsor cultural events where Filipino expats can go enjoy themselves together.
4. Taking Pride in Your Heritage
Taking pride in your heritage is important because it gives you a sense of identity. You are part of a unique culture, which makes you different from those around you and gives you something to share with others. By being proud of your heritage, you can find new ways to connect with other Filipinos and make friends.
To take pride in Filipino culture:
- Learn Tagalog if possible
- Learn more about the history of your country (and celebrate it!)
- Visit the Philippines at least once
This does not only benefit Filipinos who were born and raised overseas but even those from the Philippines, as they can share their experiences and stories of growing up in the country with other Filipinos. It is also a way for you to help others understand more about our history and culture. Who knows, you might be able to help others, especially the younger generation, to better appreciate their roots and learn more about what being a Filipino is all about.
5. Discovering professional and personal opportunities.
One of the main reasons why many OFWs join Filipino organizations is to get professional advice and network with other professionals. These organizations are often involved in activities such as organizing events for members and their families. You can also attend these events and meet new people who may have connections to your field of expertise. You can also use these connections to find a job or internship that suits your interests and skill set better than what you are currently doing now abroad.
Aside from professional benefits, joining a Filipino organization gives you an opportunity for personal growth by providing mentoring programs through its various branches around the world. This means that even if you’re not looking for a job opportunity at present, there’s still much more value in getting connected with this community than just being another “member”.
It’s all about sharing and learning from each other, which is the essence of being part of a community, wherever you may be in the world. Sure, chasing your dreams while working abroad can be exciting and rewarding. But what’s the point if you’re alone? It’s better to enjoy your time abroad with a group of people who can help you navigate through the challenges that come along with living in a new place, away from home, right?
6. Celebrating Special Occasions
The Filipino culture is one that values and celebrates special occasions. This can be seen in the way Filipinos celebrate birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and even simple get-togethers. These events are often filled with food (particularly lechon), drinks, music and dances such as the tinikling or kuratsong-tinkling dance which originated from Aklan province. It’s not uncommon for families to travel long distances just to spend time together and share these experiences with loved ones.
If you’re living abroad as an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) or if you just want a new experience while abroad then connecting with a Filipino organization can help you feel more connected to your roots.
For most people, especially those going through a hard time, these community events can be a great way to make you feel better and more connected with your community. The best thing about these events is that they are free and open to everyone who wants to attend. These events don’t even have to be with large groups. Sometimes, a simple night-out or a birthday celebration with your friends can help you feel more connected to your roots. When you’re feeling alone or worried about how things will turn out, these events can be a great way to take your mind off those problems and spend time with the people who care about you.
7. Making friends.
If you’re interested in making friends, joining a Filipino organization is an excellent way to do so. It’s not always easy to meet new people when you first move abroad, especially when you have other responsibilities like work and school that take up most of your time. However, Filipino organizations provide opportunities for networking with other Filipino expats and local residents who share similar interests. With these friendships as a foundation, it’s easier to find common ground with others, build relationships based on mutual interests and form friendships that will last for years or even decades!
The best part about joining a Filipino organization is that it’s completely free. You don’t have to pay any membership fees or dues, which means you can attend as many meetings as you like without worrying about spending too much money. Many of these organizations also offer annual social events, including holiday parties and picnics in the park. These events are a great way to meet new people who share your interests and beliefs!
Building friendships with other Filipinos is a great way to feel more at home in your new country. You’ll have someone who understands you and the challenges you face as an immigrant, which can make things easier during your transition. Moreover, when things get tough, as they always do, you know that you have someone to lean on. You’ll feel less alone in your struggles and more supported by your community. Finding an organization that meets your needs is also a great way to meet people who will help you find work, housing or other services.
8. Improving one’s skills.
There are many reasons why you should join a Filipino organization. And one of them is that it can help improve your skills.
There are so many different things that you can learn from such an organization, and it will definitely be beneficial for you. You will learn about your heritage, network with other Filipinos, meet new people, and make new friends as well! You can learn a new language, or even help you keep your native tongue . You can also gain access to resources that you might not have known about before. And it will help you build a network of people that you can rely on in the future.
When it comes to skills development, these organizations can connect you with other Filipinos who are in the same field as you. You can learn from one another and even share your experiences with one another. You will be able to learn about the challenges that other Filipinos have faced in their careers, which will help you be better prepared for what might come your way in the future. And if you have a special skill that you think could benefit others in the community, you can volunteer your time to help others learn what you know. Let’s not propagate a culture of crab mentality as some often attribute to our people. Instead, let us be the change we want to see in our community. Let us be a force for good and help each other succeed as a community. Together, we can!
9. Connecting based on a common passion or interest.
In case you are not yet aware, many organizations in the Philippines cater to various interests. You can find one that shares your passion and meet people with similar interests. Along with the meetings or activities organized by these organizations, you will also have opportunities to learn more about your passion.
The best part about joining these groups is that you can be yourself. There are no expectations, which means you will not be judged for your interests or hobbies. Instead, people will be supportive of your goals and ideas; they will help you achieve them. Some common interests you can share with other Filipinos include traveling, food, language learning and other forms of education. You will also find groups that focus on business, health and wellness, arts and culture to other more specific ones like drones, 3D printing and more. For some, these passion groups could be a stepping stone to finding a business partner, making new friends or even finding love. So go out there and explore what interests you! You’re sure to find something that will help you grow as an individual and open doors to new opportunities.
10. Being Able to Take Advantage of Resources
You can utilize the organization’s resources to help you achieve your goals. For example, many organisations offer classes on the topic if you want to learn more about Filipino culture. Resources don’t necessarily come in the form of money or materials. Sometimes, it’s simply knowing someone who can help you get something done or even just having a listening ear to vent your frustrations. Through being active in the community and getting involved in different organizations, you can learn about the resources available and how they can benefit your life, such as skills and information on how to improve your situation. You can also make connections with people who can help you out down the road.
There are several benefits to connecting with a Filipino organization abroad.
Connecting with a Filipino organization abroad is a great way to make friends, join an organization that focuses on your interest, or improve your skills. You can also take advantage of the resources available from these organizations!
Here are some of the benefits of connecting with a Filipino organization abroad:
- Making friends. Since there are many people who have similar cultural values and language backgrounds, it’s easier for you to make friends through them. The members will be able to understand each other better than if they were in their home countries because they share similar experiences and backgrounds.
- Join an organization focused on your interest. There are many organizations that exist worldwide today: tourism groups, religious groups (e.g., Catholic), political parties/groups etc.; whichever interests you may have (e., sports clubs), there will be some kind of organization dedicated to such interests which would allow you access into those types of circles.
- Improve skills/learn new things about yourself through volunteering or helping out at events and working with others who share similar passions (e., charity work). This way, you get better at what matters most while learning how different cultures work together despite differences between them–and maybe even make some lifelong friendships along the way!
Final Thoughts
With so many Filipino organizations abroad, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t join one. For OFWs, this is especially important because it will help them feel more connected to their heritage and culture even when they are far away from home. Plus, it can be a great way to meet new friends or even find a girlfriend or boyfriend!
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