I recall using the term "diaspora" in previous columns about Filipinos going abroad for better opportunities or to relocate permanently. I often highlighted the positive side: Filipinos are so talented that they eventually conquer the world.
Global Achievements of Filipinos
Our singers were pioneers. Watching reality singing shows, Filipino participants consistently impressed, even earning expectations from judges like Simon Cowell. This includes both homegrown talents and those born abroad, such as Jessica Sanchez, whom I rooted for.
The latest source of pride is homegrown: Alex Eala of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Born in Quezon City, she accepted a scholarship at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain at age 13. Now 20, she is about to turn 21.
We also know Manny Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division world champion, and Wesley So, a Philippine-born chess grandmaster now representing the US, following the path of my idol GM Eugene Torre. I may not know all new singers carrying the Philippine flag, but I am proud of them all.
Advantages of Diaspora
One advantage is that diaspora allows Filipinos to overcome limitations in poorer countries, especially in sports facilities. Those trained abroad often develop superiority in competition and nutrition. When my cousins from the US visited the Philippines for the first time, they towered over us physically, exceeding six feet in height. I attribute this to genetics: my mother's clan had Spanish blood, while my father's had native and Japanese roots, meaning shorter stature. My cousins ate mostly bread, while we in the Visayas ate corn. We are short but stocky.
The Negative Side
The sad part of diaspora is separation from relatives abroad. Many of us do not even know the names of our relatives living overseas. Social media reduces this gap, but there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings. I have fond memories of cousins from the Camotes Islands, but many now live abroad. When they marry and have children, those children will have no memories of their native land. If they lack resources to visit, estrangement becomes permanent. For a country proud of close familial ties, that is deeply sad.
