Seoul "My Experience, My Dream, And My Friend A Place To Remember"


Slender, lovely looking young ladies, witty politicians, balanced system in the laws of government, famous 63 storey of Yeoksam building, the most popular Hyundai carmakers, spicy kimchi, the replica of World's host of 1988 Olympics. Those are the banal sights that one vividly sees in the heart of Soul, Korea.

Sometimes when I was in a pensive mood I would reminisce over my marvelous memories of Seoul. Suddenly flashes back on my mental faculties the chronological and the wonderful events which I have encountered during my years in the "Land of the Morning Calm" would flood my memory.

I recalled it was April 25,1991 at exactly 5:30 p.m. the wheels of the Korean Airliner touched down on the runway. It is undeniable that strong feelings of excitement, thrill, and happiness immediately occurred. Actually we were 21 members in the group on that airplane and our paramount purposes was to land a job, seeking greener pastures in this promise land. In other words we were trying our best luck in order to fill our empty stomachs.

However when we lined up at the Immigration counter everybody was afraid for the reason that we did not have the viable, necessary working documents. Unfortunately my 20 companions were sent back home by the Korean Immigration Officers. and I secretly cried at the sight of them. Minutes passed and the interrogation was finished. I got out with a glum face carrying my unwelcome experience as well as my heavy suitcase.

Outside the airport the cold weather of the spring season struck my face and I was astonished at the beautiful scenery of Seoul, Korea. I whispered to myself, "This is my dream, and I will not go home until my dream would come true."

I had a companion when I took a taxi cab. He too was a foreigner, he described to me the beauty and the ugliness of Seoul, Korea but I ignored him. Instead I focussed my attention on the captivating panoramic view. It's my philosophy in life to examine first and observe before making judgement on a certain place, person, or object.

I arrived safe and tranquil at the exact address described on the calling card given to me by our illegal recruiter, and I met several foreigners who were working in that company. The eagerness to work and to earn money occupied my thoughts. I was not embarrassed in sharing my personal backgrounds to our employer.

I suspected that something was wrong with my worried colleagues and my suspicion was justified. The working hour had ended and we were about to sleep when our coworkers shared their good and bad experiences in that company, their hardships and the unjust and inhumane treatment of our employer. I could not sleep that night I was puzzled but I prayed quietly to the Almighty Creator to guide us and lead us in the right path.

One grim afternoon I heard Korean bad words. I saw my sajang- nim and my co workers arguing over something about the delayed salary. Then my employer slapped my companion hard. I felt pity and attempted to rescue my colleague but my manager slighted and kicked me. My vision became dim and I picked up a heavy object. Then our manager saw what I was holding and he ran away.

That scene made me realize that I was in difficult situation and a plan came to me. Despite the cold I guided some of my fellow migrant workers to a safe motel while others were looking for another job. Even though I was scared, my hopes, dreams and determination to succeed did not vanish, I kept on wishing that someday and somehow those kinds of employers may be awakened to their biased treatment of their mere laborers.

As I look back it seems that time has flown so fast, the hands of the clock rotated continuously, the numbers of the calendar changed its date and the salient silent massive crackdown conducted by the Immigration Officers started in a place and then became widespread. Most of my friends were arrested while working, others were caught and handcuffed while they were peddling and shopping.

Then a few more months passed. The celebration of his birth Jesus Christ arrived. It was also the time when sweet red apples, pears, oranges and strawberries were sold in fruitstand. However, these common fruits are present in our country only during Christmas season and I never go without them, what I missed so much during that season were my friends, my family as well as my life in my own country - the Philippines.

Amidst the sparkling lights at night in Seoul at Christmas our life as illegal migrant workers in Korea during that season was miserable. We did not even have a place to gather together. However, those who have a specific place in which they can share their happiness and their sorrow have limited time because they are afraid to be caught by Immigration Officers.

I've experienced five years of celebrating Christmas in Seoul. I've observed that most of my friends would spend their time after work in the morning talking to their love ones on the telephone. Some would go to church as a holiday obligation while others would spend this memorable day at Chongyangni Foreign Jail. I thanked to God that there is an organization which is popularly known as Foreign Workers in Korea or FWIK that serves as an instrument in establishing a harmonious rapport between the Korean and foreigners from different walks of life. My dreams came true when I joined as one of the volunteers in Myung-dong Foreign Migrant Labor Counselling Office. I contributed some articles regarding foreign workers, emceeing banquets during the FWIK festivals. The more I got involved in this group, the more my wishes are realized.

And after a long period of debate about the issuance of controversial working permit, the benevolent heart of Seoul, Korea government has found a proper, viable solution to prevent foreign migrant workers from hopping from one worksite to another, as well as to protect the rights of their laborers. The answer they come up is the implementation of the working permit system, that is the legalization of migrant workers.

Now my vision has become a reality. I believe that the Seoul, South Korea government has been made aware of the present plight of migrant workers, has become more mature in taking decisive actions and never quits in extending open arms of welfare to mere laborers. Perhaps in spite of the hardships and difficulties that I have experienced being a friend on this country, it's about time I share my strong conviction that the future of Seoul, South Korea will be one the greatest contributors to peace, equal treatment and human rights in the whole world.

*This article won 4th placer at Seoul Essay Writing Contest

BATU-BATO SA KALAWAKAN
WALA SANANG MABUBUKULAN?

Subukan mong igala ang iyong paningin kabayan.Tumingala ka sa kalangitan at muli isa-isahing bilangin ang bituing nagkikislapan. Kung napapagod ka naman bakit di langhapin ang hanging ipinagkaloob ng Amang Makapangyarihan. Ngayon ihiga ang katawan sa papag at piliting gunitain ang nakakakiliting karanasang nagdulot ng kaligayahan at kalungkutan.

Tayong mga nagingibang bayan upang makipagsapalaran at walang takot sumalubong sa dagok ng mabibigat na pasanin ng buhay ay maituturing na mapapalad dahil lalo tayong nagiging matatag kapag ang isang problema ay ating nalalampasan.

Kumuha ka ng isang pahayagan at buklatin kung anong nilalaman.marahil maapailing ka dahil pawang nakakatakot na balita ang iyong matutunghayan. Meron diyan kapwa natin migrante nagpakamatay dahil natatakot na umuwi sa kanilang bayan kung sakaling magiging istrikto na ang pamahalaang Korea at ayon sa survey ay tatlo na ang nagpakamatay.

Kung lagi kang nakikinig sa mga maling balita na minsan ay nagpasalin-salin na sa ibang bibig at di na tama ang nakakarating sa iyo. Marahil magugulat kang talaga dahil kadalasan mas magaling pa ang nagbabalita sa manunulat. Kung di naman ay higit na makatotohanan ang paghabi ng mga kathang isip na balita kaysa sa tunay na nasaksihan. Noong nagdaang ilang araw sabi na marami daw ang nahuli sa lugar ng Sungso-dong, kaya ang mga nakarinig parang may antenna sa tenga kung di naman ay tila may satellite sa ulo dahil ang isa ay naging tatlumpo at lima ay naging limampu. Ngunit ayon sa meeting ng embahada at ng mga kaparian ay 25 lamang ang nahuling Filipino. Nasaan na kaya ang iba? Ah! baka naman ikinulong sa kanilang isipan ng nagbabalita.

Marami ring pagbabago ang ating naeengkuwentro sa araw-araw at minsan nga rin kaalinsabay ng pagbabago ng segundo , minuto at oras may mga bagay na di natin kayang ipaliwanag. Subalit ang kadalasang tanong ay lagi ba tayong handa sa mga pagbabago? Paano kung mga nanlalait na nabigyan ng legalization ay di nila makayanan ang trabahong kanilang pinasukan at muli tatakasan na naman nila ang kani-kanilang amo. Paano kung sabihin ng pamahalaang Korea na maari na palang mabigyan ng sapat na papeles ang mga matatagal na rito. Sino ngayon ang tatawanan at kukutyain ? Handa ba lagi ang bawat isa sa ganitong pagbabago?
Minsan nga may nasalubong ako na namamasyal at katatapos lang ng trabaho nila, naitanong kong bigla na “ Hindi kita ata nakita sa simbahan?” mabilis namang tugon na “Busy sa pag-oovertime at magdidisco kami mamaya!” Wala namang maaring humawak o pumigil sa kanilang ginagawa dahil katawan nila iyan. Datapwat kung kayo ang tatanungin. Ok lang ba?

Tila wala man lang akong narinig na merong ginanap na nagpasalamat dahil nabigyan ng legalization ang ibang migrante . Kahit ang mga organisasyong nakakaalam nito. Ngunit ang katotohanan sa halip ang iba nating kababayan ay patuloy pa rin sa pakikipaglaban na mabigyan ng pagkakataon na maging legal. Sana naman ay magising ang iba nating kababayang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na magtrabaho rito ng matagal. Sana suportahan ang kanilang kababayan na halos tubuan na ng bukol sa takot .Subalit tila baliktad ata sila pa itong nagpapakasarap at nag-aaksaya ng oras sa pagliliwaliw at nananakot.

Ang buhay ay tila gulong na hindi lamang nakahinto sa kanyang kinalalagyan patuloy ito sa pag-ikot at hindi laging nasa itaas. Tandaan nawa na kung sino ang nagpapakataas ay ibinababa at kung sino ang nagpapakababa at siya naman ang itinataas.