So, to let them understand the impact of what they are saying, I asked them what their reactions would be if, like hostages, their loved ones in the Philippines would be shot one by one, they fail to change. Of course, they said, they will change because it was a matter of saving the lives of their loved ones.

I expected their answer to be such, because I know that individually or as a group, people can do and sacrifice many things when the lives or safety of their loved ones are at stake. Workers even for lesser things like accepting jobs in dangerous places like Iraq put their lives on the line just to improve the low socioeconomic status of their dependents.

This is my point! For you OFWs, to start the changes in yourselves, must put it in your minds that, gradually and at a getting-faster pace, the lives of your loved ones are at stake! For like a besieging army, the forces of scarcity and criminality are closing in on the citizens of the Philippines and soon what’s happening to others may happen to your loved ones.

Recent alarming statistics show that more and more Filipinos are getting hungry everyday. They can’t feed themselves or their dependents not because they are lazy but because either there are no opportunities for them to earn or the prices of commodities have soared much faster than the increase of their incomes. Filipinos are being forced into poverty and criminality. They are shoved into desperate situations by the endemic greed, graft and corruption internalized and practiced not only by its political leaders and followers but also by private business and individuals.

Thus, to push back and survive the onslaught of these human crocodiles, change must occur within the hearts of Filipinos. We cannot expect internal change from the minority who are drunk with power and influence. Change hose who experience the e government as well as the Philippines and soon your loved ones _. wmust start from individuals specially those who breathe the less polluted atmosphere of good governance in the countries where they’re in. That’s YOU OFWs.

Because YOU experience daily the good things citizens enjoy when a government and its people are less tainted by graft and corruption. YOU are in a position to compare first-hand the effect of alert and involved citizens on their government. Observe, adopt and transfer these positive values to your loved ones in the Philippines.

In the beginning, people will scorn and throw brickbats at you. Have the will and persistence to wade through the resistance. Soon you will feel changes in individuals and in your government.

Remember that more than 2,000 years ago, another man, suffered much, much more to convert the hearts of men. He even died on the cross to change and save people who scorned and rejected Him.

Remember also that like the colds virus, good things and practices are infectious. Your loved ones will, at first, hesitate to accept the changes you tell them but seeing your persistence and determination they will become your believers and will enthusiastically help you.

So starting from where you are infect other OFWs with your commitment to better government so that you will give birth to a benign epidemic that will wipe out the evil forces besieging the Philippines.