Why this OFW Left Rome to Try his Luck in PH
MANILA – The rising prices of basic commodities, the lack of jobs available, and the weak economy are driving many Filipinos from Europe to return for good to the Philippines.
One of them is Diego Evangelista, a former correspondent of ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau in Rome, Italy.
During his over two decades of stay in Rome, Evangelista had worked as a grocery staff, a caregiver, a hotel receptionist and household service worker.
Just last year, Evangelista decided to return to his hometown in Nasugbu, not for a vacation, but to start his own business.
“Kung magtatagumpay ang aking negosyo, talagang ayaw ko nang bumalik sa Italya dahil iba na ang panahon doon, masyadong mahal na ang mga bilihin doon, tapos dito naman sa Pilipinas nagbo-boom naman ang ekonomiya kaya naisipan ko na dito na lang ako sa mga natitirang taon ko pa,” he said.
He converted a land into an animal, fruits and vegetable farm.
He admitted that he earns more as an OFW in Italy, but said that he is happier now that he is able to use the land which he bought while he was still working abroad.
“Pagtitiyagaan ko kasi parang ito na yung huling baraha ko para ang aking mga pangarap ay matupad. Siyempre, kung hindi ako determinado, hindi ko ito magagawa na sa loob lang ng ilang buwan, mula August hanggang ngayon ay parang nakikipagsapalaran ako pero sa nakikita ko maganda naman basta diretso lang. Positibo lang ako,” he said.