The 2nd Overseas Filipino Expo brimmed with energy from the young people who attended the different learning sessions about study abroad opportunities, the basics of money management, and the realities of becoming an overseas Filipino — both the good and the bad.

True to its theme of Global Opportunities. Local Possibilities, PageJump authors, Eva Marie Wang, Maria Regina Arquiza, Gitte Quintos, and Burn Gutierrez, strongly stressed that for Filipinos to truly succeed in their overseas journeys, nothing beats solid preparation starting at home.

Prepare to Embark

Millions of Filipinos believe that an overseas opportunity will improve the lives of their families. They take different pathways to go abroad, such as obtaining overseas employment, applying as an immigrant, or pursuing an international degree.

Unfortunately, many who choose to leave home only have “reasons to leave.” A reason to begin a new chapter of their lives only becomes an afterthought.

“If you think that life overseas is all about travel and adventure,” said Maria Regina Arquiza, co-author of Abroad Me: Winning Study Abroad Strategies for Filipinos, “then it may disappoint you in the end. You have to be committed to your purpose. This begins with finding your real why.”

Filipinos also fall trap into grabbing whatever overseas opportunity that opens up. However, finding the right opportunity entails planning, research, and the right amount of curiosity. “After all, opportunities can only go as far as your curiosity goes,” Eva Marie Wang added, also the co-author of Abroad Me : Student Edition. This means actively combing through feasible options like applying for scholarship grants, expanding your network, and even daring to ask questions.

Prepare to Overcome

Gitte Quintos, a member of the Couples for Christ (CFC) Migrants’ Ministry and the author of Bidang Misis: Paano Tutugon sa Pag-hamon habang OFW si Mister, raised important points about the impact of the diaspora in Filipino families.

Along with the CFC Migrants’ Ministry members Manny and Villa Lector, Dario and Amie Coronel, and Ramon Pagdagdagan, Bidang Misis reminded prospective OFWs that overseas living isn’t a bed of roses for left-behind Filipino families. In order to make the journey meaningful, families need to work harder and OFWs need to be ready for the hurdles and challenges to come. Dario, Manny, and Ramon, all former overseas Filipinos from the Middle East, shared their struggles and lessons on how having strong ties with God and their families helped them survive and return back home.

Planning for an OFW’s return may only be something to think about after a few years abroad. This proves to be a pitfall for many, especially when less than 10% of returning kababayans have secured a stream of savings and investments. This is when financial literacy becomes an important aspect of OFW life.

Prepare to Return

During the book launch of Money Trouble Shooters: Your Clueless and Irreverent Questions Answered by Financial Gurus, Burn Gutierrez together with financial bigwigs and book contributors Carissa Patag, Nikki Yu, Atty. Terence Camua, Allan Ngo, and Fitz Villafuerte, shared their money hacks and life lessons for prospective OFWs to be more financially-savvy.

Knowing when to invest, choosing to rise above money missteps, and finding good financial mentors are some of the many takeaways young Filipinos could bring with them throughout their overseas journey and most especially when preparing for their return back home.

The 2nd Overseas Filipino Expo was held at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The annual event is organized by PageJump Media and supported by Angat Pilipinas, with this year’s installment sponsored by StudyNorthBC, NW Farms, Vision International, When in Manila, and SunLife Financial.