BALI, Indonesia, (PNA) — Filipinos, not only well known for our gracious hospitality and inviting smile but also for our firm grasp and command of the English language, are highly sought after in Indonesia as educators and teachers, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Rosario Aguinaldo said on Thursday.
In an interview at the sidelines of the ongoing 21st Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation being held here, Aguinaldo said Indonesians saw Filipinos as a valuable ally in their quest to improve their English speaking skills.
“Sa Indonesia, ang gusto nila maging English-speaking sila, nagbukas sila ng maraming international schools dito. Dahil nga sa pagiging magaling sa ingles ang mga Pilipino, marami silang nakuhang teachers na mga Filipino,” Aguinaldo said.
She said that aside from English, Filipino teachers that were recruited also knew other disciplines such as science and mathematics, which Indonesians saw could further help their countrymen improve.
“They teach other subjects such as science, mathematics, marami, halos lahat ng lugar, sa halos lahat ng sulok, pwede ko nang sabihin, dito sa Indonesia, maraming teachers, dito sa Bali marami, sa Medan ang layu-layo noon, sa Surabaya. Hindi lang sa Jakarta ang maraming teachers,” Aguinaldo said.
“Iyon na siguro ang kanilang kontribusyon, isang malaking kontribusyon dito bukod sa mga naging kontribusyon ng mga naunang Pilipino na mga accountants, auditors na nanatili na dito bilang consultant,” she addded.
Aguinaldo pointed out that there are around 10,000 Filipinos residing in the different cities of Indonesia who work as financial consultants, directors of hospitals, general managers of hotels and entrepreneurs.