Exchange of Letters with a brother Migrating to Canada

Bro. Raffy:

You may not be aware of this but the lion has been receiving emails lately about brethren who are or who have already left for abroad, either to the States, Canada, New Zealand, etc. There are always two sides of the coin in every issue and quite frankly, should any of the lion’s three offspring ask for his blessing to permanently leave for abroad for good, they will immediately receive a positive reply. Not only for their own sake but more so for their children and their children’s children without batting an eyelash!

You probably heard of the word diaspora. There are two nations who coined this word; the Jews who were driven out of their homeland after the fall of Israel to Babylon in the 6th century BC, and the Chinese who are now scattered in almost all parts of the globe for one reason or another. Those of the former went back to reestablish their own nation the last century but those of the latter did not do so and opted to live and raise their own children in their adopted places. They of course can be spotted easily because of their chinky eyes. In fine, however, they have retained their language, culture and traditions in the confines of their houses and select communities.

Those of you who can still leave the country in search for a bright future should do so. . . . before the country hits rock bottom and sink to the depths of the seas. The likes of the aging lion can but watch. When you are already there, do keep in touch!

With my kindest fraternal regards!

Sincerely,

Bro. Jun
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Comments from another brother about Bro. Raffy’s Migration to Canada

Hi, Bro Jun

It's great to learn that Bro. Raffy and his family are migrating to Canada. Congratulations, Bro. Raffy, and good luck in Toronto. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help/info from Winnipeg. It'll be Toronto Cabletow's gain but Winnipeg Cabletow's loss. I first communicated with Bro. Raffy about 7 years ago when I was with Unisys Canada. I saw his email address on the company website as he was/is with Unisys Philippines. I've communicated with him from time to time since and gave him some info about immigration to Canada. I guess that the situation there has prompted him and his wife to take their children to a better place.

Just a comment about immigrants and culture preservation. I find that the ability of immigrants' children and their children to converse in Pilipino or a Philippine dialect is at risk after the 1st generation. And it's not for lack of trying on the parents' part. In our case, for instance, our son, Mikey, already spoke very little Pilipino when we arrived in '97 (he was 6 then) as we conversed with him in English in Manila. He was confused as to why we were now "forcing" him to talk to us in Pilipino. Our daughter, Anna, (she was 13 in '97) still speaks Pilipino but with a very strong accent. Even with her Filipino friends, they end up speaking in English.

Only lately did I find out about a course in Pilipino for children. I take the blame for not looking for one earlier to ensure that our children would not lose their knowledge of Pilipino.

I think most Filipino parents here in North America do not find preserving the Pilipino tongue of high priority. The main difference between us and Chinese is that all (say 95%) of us know how to speak English but the Chinese, specially the older generation, do not. Hence, the need for children to communicate in the mother tongue is stronger for the Chinese. I know of Chinese born, raised and educated here whose children can converse with them in Chinese. Maybe because these children had to converse in Chinese with Grandma and Grandpa who never really learned English.

It's unfortunate that there are a lot of reasons for Filipino children to lose sight of our mother tongue. And with that also go some of our beloved traditions. I'd say that we Filipinos assimilate really very well, wherever we go. I've met Filipinos who've learned to speak fluent Canadian French. They didn't have a choice as they had to live in Quebec.

Hopefully, the children of Bro. Raffy do not lose their ability to converse in Pilipino and keep the Filipino culture.

I hope that my children will be able to pass on to their children some of our cherished customs and traditions. My wife and I are trying our best to maintain some of these in our home. But it's quite a struggle.

What we've been quite successful at, thus far, is to impart to our children the importance of good education, work/study ethic and integrity, among others. And the Craft and the appendant bodies have helped in this regard.

Well, I'm rambling ...

BTW, about more Filipinos joining the Craft. As I mentioned to you in one of my last emails, there are 2 Filipino petitioners for initiation here in Winnipeg; and the petitions have been received at my lodge, Capitol No. 136. There's a third petition which will be presented at my lodge's meeting on Friday. There is one PM from San Jose City Lodge 309 who migrated to Winnipeg last Dec 28th. His brother will also be migrating to Winnipeg on Feb 3rd. Within 2 years, we should have a good number of Filipino masons here in Winnipeg. In the long term, I'm sure that there'll be some of the incoming DeMolays who are of sons of Filipino masons who might themselves be petitioning for lodge membership. So it really looks good for the Craft. But we still have to do a lot of work. Thank goodness that my wife understands and believes in what I'm doing for the Craft. I'm in meetings almost half of the weeknights and some weekends. I might have to reduce some of my involvement in the appendant bodies. We'll see ...

Regards,

Chibu
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Bro. Raffy’s reply to Chibu:

Bro. Chibu,

I must share with all that you were the first one to make me think of applying for migration to Canada. I remember you saying that you've already reached perhaps the pinnacle of your career in Pepsi, but still felt a sense of instability about the job, the company, the country, and hence fear for the kids' future.

My wife and I started experiencing that same feeling of instability in 1999, both from our respective careers/jobs as well as the deteriorating political environment at that time, but it was in 2000 when we formalized the application. For "planting the seed" in me, I thank you.

About retaining our kids ability to speak Pilipino, we find no problems. They are aged 19, 16 and 12, and we brought them up speaking Tagalog in the house. As a native of Davao Oriental, how I wish I could have taught them to speak Cebuano. If there is a concern for us, Its in their ability to adjust in English speaking environment. Our educational system made sure they became poor English speakers, and on occasion that we hear them speak English, I sometimes cringe with embarrassment.

I am sure that there is a strong possibility that our grandchildren will lose the ability to speak, but I we are taking steps that they don't lose their link to the Motherland. We are bringing most of our kids' Philippine History books, Alamats, Pamanhiins, Filipino Heroes, etc.

Sincerest fraternal regards to all,

Raffy
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The lion’s side remarks to Bro Chibu on language.

Bro. Chibu:

Ha, ha, hah! What you just said on language was a mouthful. Downward transmission of the Bicol dialect to our three children was lost in the process because I failed to communicate that to them. But that does not mean that they don’t cherish their Bicolano roots.

I can see you are quite active in Masonic activities, but a word of caution, the twenty four inch gauge reminds us to equitably devote our time, never sacrifice time for the GAOTU, work and family.

My constant prayers are with you and do assist Bro. Raffy once he sets forth in Canadian soil.

With my kindest fraternal regards!

Bro. Jun