OPERATION: Goodbye Inday!

Ophelia, Merlyn, Amy, Ludy, Lenny, Gina, Marissa, Marietta, Mylene, Rowena,Wilma

 The "kasambahays" (household helpers) I have had in a span of 11 years

THANK YOU to each of you for the invaluable help you have provided and being a part of our home.  But it's time to say GOODBYE.  We can manage from here on.  We can cook our own food, clean our own house, wash our own clothes.  What a shame if we cannot do this for ourselves- especially my growing children.  I am not going to send them to the world without them knowing how to do these things.  Really, it's too basic for anyone not to know how to take care of themselves.

For another thing, these economic times call for cutting costs.  I know what we were giving you is a meager percentage of what we are getting from our corporate jobs.  I also wonder how you survive with that small amount.  Some of you have children to support, a future to prepare for - how can you do it with such a small salary?  It's too little compared to what you do.  What you do is hard!  We can't even do it for ourselves!  And when we do it, it's as if the world's burdens are dumped onto our shoulders.

You deserve something better!  There is so much you can do for yourselves and your families.  I'm not saying that what you do as kasambahay is not good.  Of course it is!  You just don't know how it has helped a lot of Filipino families a great, great deal!  Some of you have even given up a "real life" to stay with your "amo" (employer) forever.  You never get  married.  You stay until your last breath with them. You are a hero more than you know it.  That is why I say you deserve something better.

I envision a kasambahay-less Filipino society (I might get mixed reactions with this).  Or better yet, I suggest that this work be elevated to a higher professional level.  If you want one, you have to "afford" it.  Isn't it that way in developed countries - In the US, Canada, Australia, etc.? As my friend in Canada put it, "Here, things are done via push-button. There, it's voice-activated - 'Inday!  Do this! Do that!'".  Maybe that's why developed countries were able to come up with those push-button appliances/gadgets.  Or, maybe that's why they are developed?  I dare ask that if we get rid of the kasambahay and strive to mange these domestic duties on our own, this may be a big step towards our country's progress?

There may be a mix of opinions about what I've just stated.  As for me, I shall stick to mine and move forward without a kasambahay.  The advantages outweigh the disadvantages for me.  While I give up the convenience and undergo a massive adjustment in the house, eventually I will improve myself and the upbringing of my children.  I will improve my cooking, learn how to clean fish, iron clothes, and get to clean the house the way I want to.  My children will grow up knowing how to take care of themselves and not be any burden to anyone, especially to their future partners.  Did I mention my husband?  Well, he already knows how to take care of himself and I should do more for him as his wife.  Furthermore,  we will cut costs - not only with their salaries but having to feed them, spending on their medical needs and a lot more.

So, thank you, my dear Inday.  I know it won't be easy at the start but we will get used to it and end up as better people.  I don't mean to deprive you of a job, but you deserve something better, something more.  I know our Senate has recognized your worth.  I hope they come up with something to elevate your skills into a real profession - like a nurse or a secretary and all those respected professions.  God bless you Inday.  God bless the Philippines.