The tragic sagas of ‘BSAs’ in Taiwan

Sharon, not her real name, came to Bantay OCW at Radyo Inquirer to bring up the case of her husband, an overseas worker jailed in Taiwan for killing another Filipino.

A woman was the reason for the crime, she said.

Sharon disclosed to Bantay OCW that her husband had an intimate affair with the woman, also an OFW, which lasted about two weeks. During that time, the Pinay, married in the Philippines, had another boyfriend, their workmate. The workmate-boyfriend was eventually killed by Sharon’s husband.

Sharon didn’t expect anything like this to happen during her husband’s overseas employment. According to her, they shared many dreams for their two children. She is determined to face the future and to continue what they started although her husband is now serving time in prison.

She is scheduled to fly to Taiwan to visit her husband, and with the help of friends, she also plans to search for a job there to be able to provide for the needs of her family and be there to give moral support to her husband during his case hearings.

Sharon has regrets. Her husband should not have left the country, she said. Though they did not have a luxurious life, they lived happily together in the Philippines, she added.

Last December, Sharon flew to Taiwan to deliver P450,000 to the family of the victim. She said she raised the money by mortgaging their home.

Her husband’s sentence has been commuted to 10 years and six months of imprisonment.

She can still file an appeal. However, she is afraid she no longer has the financial means to do so.

In Taiwan, her case illustrates what they call the BST syndrome.

BST is Pinoy slang for “Biyuda’t Biyudo (widow or widower) Sa Taiwan.” The term has been broadened to BSA (biyuda’t biyudo sa abroad.)

The buzz is that when married OFWs become attracted to someone overseas, instead of introducing themselves as single (probably because they don’t look it), they introduce themselves as biyudo or biyuda.  Needless to say, their husbands or wives are still very much alive in the Philippines.

At first, it’s like a joke. Some just want a short fling. But some end up in serious relationships. The result is the breakup of their original families. Or worse, they get involved in love-related crimes.

Our BSAs forget their most important reason for working overseas—their families. But in a snap, they forget their families because of their new status in life.

For our OFWs who introduce themselves as BSA or single abroad, better stop for a while and ask yourselves if you are ready and prepared to lose everything—your spouses, your children, and your dreams.

Susan Andes, aka Susan K is on board at Radyo Inquirer 990 dzIQ AM, Monday to Friday, 7-8:30 p.m. (Audio/ video live streaming: www.dziq.am; Hotlines: 5357209/8819423/0919-2140699; E-mail: [email protected]/

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