BAYANING PILIPINO SA ASYA PASIPIKO

Remedios Alcantara Fronteras-Salamanes

A journey empowered with Faith, Determination and Courage;

A Life story full of visions and inspirations.

Macau S.AR, though small in size is economically strong and powerful to house a large number of Overseas Filipino Workers. With over 13,000 Filipinos living and working in the peninsula; Remedios is a familiar face to and among Filipinos, Chinese students, parents and is commonly-known as Mimi to those who actively participate in the programs, activities and seminars of the Philippine Consulate, OWWA and the Pastoral Committee. She is someone you regularly see and meet at the Church, Philippine Consulate Office, Macau Public events and other Filipino gatherings. She enthusiastically supports and shares her knowledge, talents and resources in activities that cater Filipino Cultures and traditions. With her friendly and welcoming face and gestures, you are sure to easily become acquainted and get assistance from her.

Mimi is someone you can never mistake to be a foreigner, she is all that she was; the first time she sat foot on Macau. Her personality and patriotism is evident in every way she lives. A native of Bohol, she is a living symbol of faith, perseverance and courage to and among her family, friends, colleagues and surely to those she will meet and connect lives with in the future. Far from the knowledge of her peers and the public, Mimi is second among the twelve children in a poor, big family. Beyond the poverty line is what life was for Mimi back then.

Growing up in a poverty-stricken town of Tubigon, Mimi at her young age learned the value of hard work, patience and determination. She strived hard and established her ambitions and goals as she understood that she was born in a place; where education was only for the elite and well-provided individuals. Despite the circumstances, Mimi was set to live what she had always known God had planned for her. She was determined to win, knowing that there is a stronger power-Who never fails to support and protect His creations.

As gems are continuously pounded to reveal its beauty and strength, Mimi had also undergone series of excruciating, painful and tearing life tests. At a young age, Mimi knew-well the importance of education so she aspired of becoming a bank manager because she was fascinated with how good-looking managers are and how comfortable their lives can be. Despite the crises she was experiencing in the 1980s, she then went and enrolled at South Western University of Cebu City. With strong inspirations, motivations and innate love of numbers, she chose a degree, Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Accountancy. Just as life seemed to be getting better, the breadwinner of their family suddenly died; leaving the whole family chaotic and lost-this event became a turning point for Mimi. Even with great sorrow and no financial support to continue her studies, she was determined to finish her degree. She then opted to serve a wealthy Spanish family in order to support her education. Working hard, she was able to secure a full-scholarship from the university. Her faith, patience, determination and hard-work bore her sweet fruits when she graduated a Cum-Laude.

Mimi was now set on track. She was full of inspirations as she had never forgotten to cling onto her Savior. Her love for her family never fails to remind her of the greatness of her mother in bearing all the responsibilities of being a father and a mother at the same time. All she ever wanted then was, to get a job and to assist her mother to financially support her family in order to send her siblings to school.

As she had given importance to Education, she willed that her siblings also finish a degree or a vocational course. She knew that everyone had God-given talents and these talents are useful to build lives, become fruitful and productive persons in the society. With expectations from her teachers and classmates, she planned and dreamed of working at the Commission on Audit, however, a twist in her life happened when her then employer invited her to join on their family trip to Macau. Mimi had always known that her decisions were divinely-guided and The Lord, Christ always has great plans for His creations. With all that she had been through, she was willing to go and take every opportunity that comes her way.

When the Spanish family decided to go back to Spain, Mimi decided to stay and look for ways to practice what she had learned from her degree. She then, was successfully hired as a Librarian at Sacred Heart Canossian College. Mimi’s experiences of being exposed to different cultures, traditions and people gave her advantages in her new working environment. For over twenty-three years of being an OFW, she had a fair share of a real working environment; away from her native land, her family and friends and completely surrounded by different people she had never known. Despite the challenges, Mimi knows that nights are always coupled with new mornings. She is always thankful for all the experiences she had. They helped her cope-up, stand still and focus on her goals. Her open-mindedness and matured personality became her weapons. She was a model to her co-workers and a source of good manners and excellent work etiquettes to her younger colleagues. She had proven that though she was literally the only Filipino in her work place and surrounded by people with different opinions, cultures and beliefs-she can survive and win their hearts and respect. She is proud that she lives the genuine Filipino characteristics, unique and only to Filipinos-God-fearing, talented, friendly, competitive and down to earth.

Mimi with the abundance of her love has successfully sent her eleven siblings to school-helping them achieve their dreams and live a better life. No matter how financially challenging it had been, Mimi was willing to send her siblings to school-long as they’re willing, and by God’s grace, eight of her siblings have finished a college degree, two went to college but opted to do business instead while one has finished a vocation course. Now, they have their own families, they’re productive and financially independent. Mimi has also extended a hand to her cousins, nephews and nieces by sending them to school. She believes that by so doing, she is multiplying all the blessings that God has given her. Mimi’s helping hand is not come short to her family circle alone but also to her peers, acquaintances and friends. She gives financial support to those who need, she lends money to those who ask, and she refers those who seek jobs to prospective employers. All she does without asking to be paid or receive anything in return.

Mimi is naturally helping, she helps people of all kind and it happened when she realized that her given qualities were instruments to further His blessings in her life. Mimi once again had proven the divine guidance in her life, when one of the people she helped and got friends with introduced her to a man-destined to be her husband. Living a wonderful family life, they are blessed with three children who are brought up to be God-fearing and family-loving children. Their children, as their parents, are also actively sharing and helping in the community. They are talented, academically-inclined and are willing to share.

       

Mimi is made perfect with love that is not always visible in the naked eyes. She is continuously growing spiritually as she actively serves her purpose to her family, friends, congregations and to both the Filipino and the Chinese communities. Her devotion to God, led her to even go the extra miles. At home, at the church or at her social congregations; Mimi works, serves and helps. She is an inspiring mother who enjoys reading stories to her children to build their characters. She is a friend at work, in the community and to almost everyone, she does her best to help and extend a help to people in need. Since ______, Mimi found passion for community work. She is an active member of FOCOLORE movement, Italian for Fireplace. It is a group of missionaries from all around the world. They provide counselling, encouragement and shelter to the needy. A community of love, who shares, inspires and gives. With this opportunity, Mimi has helped many faceless individuals who were once lost, helpless and hopeless. She has travelled to different places, met and made-friends with different people, inspired them and live the burning desire to continue her missions towards humanity.

While passionately serving and providing for her family, Mimi does not forget her Creator above everything she was blessed with. She is an active member of the Church, she regularly attends church activities and enjoys being in the company of her brethren-pursuing godly-work and doing activities to reach out and proclaim Christ’s gospel. With her unlimited sense of responsibility, Mimi is a mediator in the family-bringing peace and order among her siblings. She still supports and provides for her sick mother, as she is her source of strength.

As Mimi lives to please the Lord, she is blessed immeasurably; she has an awesome family that is faithfully-bonded and in good shape, her friends and associates are reliable,.;l she has very good relationships with her colleagues and her financial investments are huge; they include a home of her own in Macau, Real Estate properties as sources of extra-incomes and several more where her knowledge, talents and expertise are very useful. Mimi with all that she has proven and achieved is humble and happy. As she has been living in Macau, she’s been exposed to Chinese people’s cultures and has got the best of them; as she sees them successful because of being hard-working, determined, passionate and futuristic. She is a learner who observes the world, taking notes of the best and looking for ways to make them applicable to her own and to her community.     

Being a Filipino, she knows that her success comes from above, brought up by her native society and inspired and enriched by other cultures she was exposed with. Her life is a source of inspirations to both the young and the old and to all the people whom she has touched. To all the people who know her in and out of Macau, the warmth of her personality is easily remembered.