The Filipino Seafarer: A Life between Sacrifice and Shopping
The Filipino Seafarer
A Life between Sacrifice and Shopping
by
Gunnar M. Lamvik
Dept. of Social Anthropology
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirment for the Dr. Art. degree
2002
Contents
Acknowledgements
Part I
Introduction
1
Part II
Migration – a Philippine specialty
8
Part III
2.1 Different perspectives on migration
2.2 The Filipinos – a people in motion
9
14
Why do people go and who are actually leaving?
19
3.1 Inducements for migration
20
3.1.1 The “explorer” and the “escapist”
3.1.2 Migration seen as sacrifice
3.2 Preconditions for migration
3.2.1 Preconditions for migration on a structural level
3.2.2 Preconditions for migration at a family level
Part IV
Part V
21
23
31
32
34
How they actually go – the broker
38
4.1 The patron and the compadre
4.2 The returned migrant
4.3 The private recruiter
4.4 The broker – some general and concluding remarks
40
43
45
52
Life at sea
55
5.1 What characterizes a ship in the merchant marines?
5.2 The seafaring experience
57
66
5.2.1 The ship seen as a prison
5.2.2 The total institution
67
72
5.2.2.1 A total institution is a secluded place
75
5.2.2.2 A total institution follow a certain pace
77
5.2.2.3 Some running themes in the inmate culture 86
ii
Part VI
Part VII
Cultural repercussions caused by the life at sea
100
6.1 The seafarer sees as a local, technical expert
6.2 The seafarer sees as a local cosmopolitan
101
107
Economic repercussions caused by overseas employment 116
7.1 The migration industry
7.2 Effects on a family and individual level
7.2.1 Gifts from the “outside” – pasalubongs
7.2.2 Long-term investments in family welfare
Part VIII
References
117
126
128
152
7.2.2.1 Education
7.2.2.2 Housing
7.2.2.3 Small-scale business
154
161
169
The Filipino seafarer – a life between sacrifice and shopping
178
205
iii
List of illustrations
page vi This picture sums up some of the profound changes that have
A Life between Sacrifice and Shopping
by
Gunnar M. Lamvik
Dept. of Social Anthropology
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirment for the Dr. Art. degree
2002
Contents
Acknowledgements
Part I
Introduction
1
Part II
Migration – a Philippine specialty
8
Part III
2.1 Different perspectives on migration
2.2 The Filipinos – a people in motion
9
14
Why do people go and who are actually leaving?
19
3.1 Inducements for migration
20
3.1.1 The “explorer” and the “escapist”
3.1.2 Migration seen as sacrifice
3.2 Preconditions for migration
3.2.1 Preconditions for migration on a structural level
3.2.2 Preconditions for migration at a family level
Part IV
Part V
21
23
31
32
34
How they actually go – the broker
38
4.1 The patron and the compadre
4.2 The returned migrant
4.3 The private recruiter
4.4 The broker – some general and concluding remarks
40
43
45
52
Life at sea
55
5.1 What characterizes a ship in the merchant marines?
5.2 The seafaring experience
57
66
5.2.1 The ship seen as a prison
5.2.2 The total institution
67
72
5.2.2.1 A total institution is a secluded place
75
5.2.2.2 A total institution follow a certain pace
77
5.2.2.3 Some running themes in the inmate culture 86
ii
Part VI
Part VII
Cultural repercussions caused by the life at sea
100
6.1 The seafarer sees as a local, technical expert
6.2 The seafarer sees as a local cosmopolitan
101
107
Economic repercussions caused by overseas employment 116
7.1 The migration industry
7.2 Effects on a family and individual level
7.2.1 Gifts from the “outside” – pasalubongs
7.2.2 Long-term investments in family welfare
Part VIII
References
117
126
128
152
7.2.2.1 Education
7.2.2.2 Housing
7.2.2.3 Small-scale business
154
161
169
The Filipino seafarer – a life between sacrifice and shopping
178
205
iii
List of illustrations
page vi This picture sums up some of the profound changes that have