A Pinoy in the heart of Omonia

A Pinoy in the heart of Omonia

By: Yoko Ramos-Vingno

Omonia Square is said to be the pride and joy of Athens – and also its oldest square. Omonia played a part of the grandeur that was Greece. Philosophers and famous people used to frequent this place to hang out, talk about their stuff, drink coffee or just simply gaze to while their time away.

Omonia means concord and literally – the environment and atmosphere is in harmony with a combination of the shabby and the chic style; the Greco-Roman/Neo-Classical and the modern architecture; the elite of the society and the normal people can be seen around –cosmopolitan. All major roads are leading to this place so a lot of people converge in this tiny location, often crowded, to do their business. Tourists abound here mainly to avail themselves of bargain prices the place has to offer with different hotel establishments offering budget prices and special shops – high end and discount stores existing side by side enjoying brisk business. Whether shopping for a nice stuff or simply buying fresh food from the market -- Omonia is the busiest district of Athens.

Situated at its center, is the Agora ---the Omonia Market.

At the market, you will find Danilo ‘Dan’ Robles, an overseas Filipino worker at work at the meat section busy cutting meat into slices preferred by his clients and while doing so occasionally chats and exchanges pleasantries with his customers, Greeks and Pinoys alike. Gifted with a disarming smile and a pleasant disposition, Dan is a person who is easy to get along with, talks freely about his feelings, no wonder he has become a trusted employee by his Greek employer – Dmitri who took Dan under his employ in 1995.

Dan started as a part-time worker with Dmitri receiving 50 Euros, for a one day and a half work on Fridays and Saturdays. Since then his status as butcher progressed as now he earns more than 1,000 Euros per month -- 250 Euros as basic pay per week -- excluding tips that he shares with his co-workers. In addition, Dan receives the usual social security benefits just like any other Greek worker get.

Dan, whom my husband (Philippine consul general in Athens) and I first met during an awarding ceremony hosted by Filipino Bowlers Association in Greece (Filbag) of which he is the president, is a native of Davao, the 6^th child from a brood of 9, born and educated in the South of the Philippines. He was 16 years old when he left their house to study in another town. He took up BS Agriculture majoring in animal husbandry at the state owned University of South Mindanao. Unfortunately, things did not turn out the way what his parents had planned for him as money was hard to come by. He failed to finish his course, left school when was 3^rd year and got married – taking with him his teacher bride who was then working as a teacher assistant in the university.

An undergraduate and a young husband, Dan survived by doing odd jobs in the province working in factories like Coca-cola and Franklin & Baker and at piggeries in the late 70s and early 80s to support a growing family. Life was hard for the struggling young Dan.

Dan had a brother who was working in Greece. When he came home for vacation he told his brother of the great job opportunities obtaining in Greece. However, then, rich Greek families preferred women over men in the employ of their households taking care of children and old people since for men job opportunities were limited only to seamen.

As things unfolded, Dan’s wife, petitioned by his brother, went ahead to Greece to look for a job with the goal of also finding a job for Dan. Dan was left home to take care of their three young children. With the money sent by his wife, Dan bought a house for the family in Davao – close to where his relatives live.

Years of living separately from his wife finally took their toll. The marriage was starting to fall apart. Somehow husband and wife survived the first trial. An opportunity opened up. Wife’s employer needed another help. She petitioned him. Dan arrived in Greece in 1989 and husband and wife were reunited. The couple worked for the family of Cristina Onassis but when the old man died things changed and the couple decided to leave the family to be on their own.

The couple found shelter with a good Pinoy. Dealing with the bureaucratic maze of strict Greek immigration laws, the couple successfully established themselves as economic refugees did part time jobs then moved out from their friends place to a flat of their own.

Meanwhile, Dan and wife had yet to settle the issue of their deteriorating marriage which was affecting both of them emotionally. In the midst of all these, Dan found an outlet to release his disappointments by helping other people. He hanged out with veteran Filipinos in Athens helping fellow Pinoys find jobs and seek shelter.

Eventually, Dan found work as a janitor in a language school in the 90’s, while his wife took a job taking care of an old man. Determined to earn more money to save for his children, Dan did part time work at the Omonia market as a butcher. Dan eventually left his janitorial job to become a permanent employee of his kind and amiable boss Dimitri.

About this time, Dan also became actively engaged in Filipino community activities and joined the VIZMIN organization, a group of Filipinos from the Vizayas and Mindanao. He also became a member of a support group, The Reevaluation Counseling Group – composed of a group of professional psychologist with American, Greek and Irish nationalities. Dan said that this Reevaluation Counseling Group helped him release all his personal problems and frustrations and the struggle he went through.

Years went by, the old man his wife was taking care of died. The wife went home to set up business in the Philippines from their saving. Dan’s wife went home to their conjugal house in Davao. put up a sari-sari store and bought a tricycle for additional income.

Finally, the marriage unraveled with husband and wife going their separate ways.

Dan continued to work until he met Emma and the two fell in love. Emma provided the stability Dan was looking for in his life, the emotional support he needed to confront the problems he left in the Philippines especially when his eldest son got hooked on drugs – twice.

Dan remains active in the community. He reorganized and reestablished the United Visayan Mindanao (UVM) where he is the current president.

Dan and Emma are blessed with a daughter – Paula, now 10 years old. Dan focuses his remaining strength to save for Emma and Paula’s future. Emma has several properties in Davao which includes a 1,000 sq/m open lot, a 360 sq/m duplex and another 300 sq/m land in Masambal, Davao del Norte.

He remains active in the Reevaluation Counselling Group, president of UVM and member of the Active Community Partners (ACP) composed of the different Filipino organizations in Greece. He finds time for bowling as a form of recreation. He is also the current president of Filipino Bowlers Association in Greece (FILBAG). Danilo Robles is considered one of the best Filipino bowlers in Athens.