I am no BANK!

Today I just got a text message from an old friend -- strictly speaking, more of an acquaintance.  He was asking how I was, explaining how he got my number, and after a lengthy justification of why he is dropping a line from nowhere, unveiled his real intention:  he wants to borrow some money.

Oh the usual discourse was of course present.  He explains how hard he tried to suppress his shame and embarrassment to reach out to me like this, but since he desperately needs my help, there goes he.  I chuckled.  Seriously, I wasn't anymore pissed off.  Perhaps I have come to transcend this state of disdain whenever I get asked to help one's need financially.  Afterall, it happens all the time!

So that text, although yes, in the beginning, it took me aback, got immediately sent to my trashbin.  On a  serious note however, it is something I still cannot reconcile.  Year after year, irregardless of whether I am on board or on vacation, friends, relatives, and yes even acquaintances approach me and ask to borrow money.  And I must confess, for quite a number of times, I heeded them.  But akin to the ten lepers who have been healed and one only came back to say "Thank you," most of those whom I have lended money to never paid their debts -- or worse, have cut all our ties.  And up to now, their reasons for choosing to fool me into believing they were sincere in their intention to pay back what they owe me remain something I cannot really, truly decipher.

From a  greater perspectives, many OCWs/OFWs like myself fall prey to these opportunists.  It's ridiculous how many expect us to dispose our hard-earned money just like that when none of them -- not even one's spouse -- has any idea how much struggle we went through to be able to earn every cent in our bank account.

In reunions for example, it is almost customary for batchmates to expect that the "seaman" calls the treat.  Some more calloused peers even manage to blatantly ask for a "pasalubong" if not to "utang para ilista sa tubig." Relatives can be as brazen.  Just try to imagine if three or four of them asks to borrow cash so they can finally start a business -- every single time!  (Notwithstanding the fact that four or five other relatives did the same last year and the previous years before and only God knows what happened  to their ventures!)

I seriously believe in the law of karma -- of reaping what we sow.  In those few times I have shared my financial blessings -- especially to those in dire need of it -- I did so because I sincerely wanted to be of help.  Ever so often however, I get frustrating results.  Ask my fellow seafarers.  Many of them I believe have sadder, more painful stories to share.

I wish everyone back home would finally come to realize that we are no BANKS! We are no different from they who work 9-5 and return home at the end of each working day.  The idea that we, the OFWs/OCWs own fat bank accounts is just an illusion.  Every cent in our remittance carries with it remnants of our sacrifices, loneliness, and struggles.  Unless the people back home -- friends, relatives, and acquaintances -- alter their avaricious attitude, we will always be perceived as BANKS.  But even ATMs (banks) go offline, don't they?   =(