As he takes his own journey abroad, Rhenz Abando now has a better understanding on the plight of OFWs that seek greener pastures elsewhere.
Working abroad is no easy feat—Overseas Filipino Workers can easily testify to that.
And having been in Korea for over a year already, Rhenz Abando now has a better understanding on the plight of OFWs that seek greener pastures elsewhere.
While there have been plenty of ups in his young professional basketball career, the 25-year-old Abando also bared some realizations he’s had while playing in the Korean Basketball League.
“Mas kailangan mo talaga sa sarili mo, dapat mentally and physically prepared ka pag nasa ibang bansa ka eh kasi sarili mo lang ‘yung magiging katulong mo,” Abando said during an EASL media availability on Tuesday.
“Although, tutulungan ka ng mga ibang tao, pamilya mo pero ‘yung number one is kailangan mo maging matatag,” he added.
Abando shared that he got to talk to some kababayans while playing in Korea, learning some of the things that OFWs do on a daily basis in order to provide for their families back home.
That’s why the 6-foot-2 combo guard had a simple request for the families of these OFWs.
“Actually, gusto kong i-express ‘yung mga nakakausap ko na OFW sa ibang bansa na sana sa mga kamag-anak nila, sana huwag naman nila abusuhin ‘yung nanay or sinoman na OFW kasi alam ko ‘yung hirap,” said Abando, whose mother is also an OFW.
“Nag-stay ako sa Korea, alam ko masaya pero hindi naman lagi masaya and sobrang hirap din talaga nung pinagdadaanan ng mga OFWs, so sana mas alagaan nila ‘yung family nila na nasa ibang bansa,” he added.
Abando, who continues his recovery following a bad fall last month, is back in the country along with the rest of the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters.
The Red Boosters will look to secure their spot in the next round of the EASL tournament as they go up against the TNT Tropang Giga later at 7 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.