Six Faces of Pinoy Diaspora - Saipan Version

I don't even have to speak in English. I could go about my daily routines and get by. They say I am lucky. I earn more than what they would earn in 3 even in 4 years. I see them everywhere. Working as service crews in McDonalds, the standard question giving them away. "Dine-in or take out?" (In US Mainland the question would be, "For here or to go?")

Visit a sick friend in Commonwealth Health Clinic (CHC) and the nurses would be Pinoys. Read the newspapers: Saipan Tribune or Marianas Variety, the editors and the writers are Pinoys. Go to a strip club, the naked dancers are Pinay teen-agers. Check-in a hotel and the person who will clean your room would be a Pinoy too.

The standard question for every new acquaintances is, "Ilang taon ka na dito sa Saipan?" Some have stayed here for decades, enjoying the provincial and unhurried lifestyle in the island.

Some have not gone home for years and have lived an alternate life here in Saipan. New wife, new family, new kids even.

When I meet someone who came from Manila, I usually get the same reaction, "Napadpad pala ako sa probinsya. US territory na hindi mukhang Amerika." Hah! The disillusionment of the typical brown American.

However, those who came from the provinces in the Philippines like Tarlac, Pampanga, Batangas, Bataan or Pangasinan, never had much adjustment in terms of lifestyle because Saipan is generally just like those provinces.

These are some of the stories of the Pinoys here in Saipan. (Names have been changed to protect their identities)
Abby the DJ

I met Abby in one of the government agencies in Manila. We attended the same Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar. She is a seasoned OFW, having worked in Taiwan as a factory worker for 2 years. She said that she has a fiancee who is also working in Taiwan. "Balak na naming magpakasal next year. One year lang ako sa Saipan. Balak kong pumunta ng Canada."

She came to Saipan, two weeks before I did. After almost a month, we finally touched base. We kept in touch. She is working as a car rental agent in her aunt's car rental business. She has the spunk of youth, she's only 23. She laughs at my extreme caution. When she had her first salary, she called me "May sweldo na ako."
"Ako rin," I said.
"Magkano sinuweldo mo."
I kept quiet. I didn't dare tell her. "Basta."
"Ako, $400," the pride evident in her voice.
She volunteered as a guest DJ in one of the Pinoy radio stations here in Saipan. Reading text messages, answering calls and playing the listeners requests. After a few months, she had her own radio time slot. She was happy. She loved the attention she's getting. She feels famous because DJs here are the "celebrities." I see her once in a while at the airport when I go on my off-island trips. She tells me the intrigues and the politics on the radio station. The personal problems she has with her relatives. The new "boyfriend" and the show.
"Are you renewing your contract?" she asks me.
I just shrugged my shoulders.
"I am staying for another year. I am enjoying my radio show."
She has found her place in the island. And she is enjoying her shot of the limelight. I hope he does not wake up one day to feel its emptiness.

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Amor the Temptress (?)

She's one of the two people I met before coming here in Saipan. She's a young mother at 28. She's pretty and she seems nice. She's a first time OFW like me. It's her first time to go out of the country. First time to even board a plane. First time to live alone and away from her family.
She worked as a saleslady in her cousin's boutique. The business was not doing well so the cousin didn't pay her salary. For months, her cousin treated her badly. The only nice person she knew was the cousin's husband who fell for her. The love-triangle went on for months until the cousin found out and went berserk.
Fortunately for her, she found a new job as a cashier in one of the famous hotels here. She lives in the hotel's housing facilities and the last time I saw her, she was crying, "Gusto ko nang umuwi."
I had a lot of questions in my head. How? Why? What happened? I never asked the questions though. She was in too much trouble already. All I did was listen.

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Pamela the Loveless (or Not?)

She's an accountant who sings beautifully and dances perfectly. She loves wearing maong skirt, showing her firm legs. She used to be married but chose her family responsibilities over her now ex-husband. The relationship did not end well so she still goes through emotional downtime when the ex-husband pops into her life once in a while. The ex-husband is in the Philippines.
She's funny in her bitchy way. "Hay, sister, kakabato talaga dito sa Saipan. Sunugin na natin ang islang ito. "
She joins me and Kat in badminton once in a while when she feels like it. She invites me to her gimiks but since I have a terrible singing voice and two left foot, I rarely join her night outs. She goes out on dates.
"Sister, happy ako ngayon. Dapat happy tayong lahat."
"Bakit ka happy?"
"Basta. Tsaka ko na lang sasabihin."
After a few weeks, she sends me an e-mail. "That guy is a jerk!"
Another one of those possible relationships that failed to bloom despite the high hopes.
Her best friend is a guy whom she has introduced to me. He is funny and he looks OK. They've been friends for a long time and they feel comfortable with each other. She texts him to pick her up after badminton and he comes running. He doesn't mind whether it's raining or it's late.
I had dinner with them one time and the hopeless romantic in me would wish, sana sila na lang. Unfortunately, the guy is married. Well, the complicated love stories of modern times. I wonder how this would end. I wish Pamela a happy ending. She deserves it.

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Roderick the Lover

He is one of the first guys who was introduced to me. Barely a month in Saipan, I got invited hiking in Forbidden Island. He was one of my companions. He was handsome despite being dark. I bump into him once in a while. We just say "Hi" and "Goodbye."
But I always see him during badminton games. He has a "girlfriend" The "girlfriend" is "Fe." Fe is gay. He is an accountant and a 5-year OFW in Saipan. Fe plays badminton very well. Her drop shots are difficult to "answer" One Saturday, I played doubles with Roderick and Fe and another acquaintance whose name I cannot remember anymore. Fe and I were partners while Roderick and the other girl played against us. When Fe serves, Roderick would look intensely into Fe and wink at her. (How sweet!) They look beautiful together. I totally agree with that gay writer who once wrote, "Heterosexuals do not have a monopoly on love."

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Karen and Kate - More than housemates

Karen is sexier than Kate. Karen is taller. Karen's boobs are bigger. In my opinion, Karen is prettier than Kate. Karen is the "man" in the relationship.
Some of my friends say that Kate is prettier than Karen (Beauty really is subjective). Kate is more charming. Kate is more prim and proper. Kate is the "girl" in the relationship.
They are both nurses. They look young. About 25 I guess. They look good together. During our badminton games, they usually are partners. Their game has greatly improved. I remember how Karen used to struggle with her service. She can't even get the shuttlecock in. Last week, Karen joined the tournament and won a few games against seasoned ex-tennis players now turned badminton fanatics.
One Sunday afternoon, when Karen and Kate passed by our area, I overheard one guy say, "Sayang no? Maganda pa naman."
I wondered, who was he referring to.
When I see Karen and Kate, I feel a quiet admiration for them. They look perfect for each other.

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Lisa - A Dream Turned Nightmare

She was one of the friendly waitresses in the hotel I stayed in. I was there for a month and during breakfasts, she and I would chat a bit. She's married with 2 kids in the Philippines. She shows me a school ID of her son and proudly say, "Matalino ang batang yan."

When I checked-out of the hotel and found my own apartment, I didn't see her anymore. The hotel closed after a month declaring bankruptcy. I went on with my life and met new acquaintances.

A few weeks ago, she sent me a text message. She said she wanted to kill herself because she has a very big problem. She called me and she was crying. "I need money to buy a ticket home."

I listened to her story, "She tried applying for jobs with other companies when the hotel closed, she found odd jobs, she fought with her sister and is now staying in her boyfriend's apartment. She needs to go home because her entry permit has expired but she does not have enough money for airfare."

I told her that she should go to the Philippine Consulate and ask for help. She said, she cannot do that because her papers were not in order. She came here sponsored by another person who was not really her employer and if she goes to the consulate and they would find out about it, she would be banned in Saipan forever.

One part of me wanted to help, but, I don't know her. I am wary of people with sob stories. (And I usually remit all my money home)

She was disappointed when I said I could not help her. She never got in touch after that. I don't have any idea what happened to her. I could only wish that her nightmare has ended.

There are a lot more stories I hear. I ask new acquaintances about their experiences and they gladly share it to me. The stories are interesting. But most often than not, they would evolve around the romantic side of life. Maybe it's the loneliness that envelops this island. When you are alone, extremely bored and homesick, the companionship offered by other people soon develops into alternate relationships. In this island of illusions, people make do.