ECCENTRIC NETWORKS: PATTERNS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPATION, AND MASS MEDIA USE AMONG OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS A dissertation presented to the faculty of the College of Communication of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Fernando Paragas June 2006 This dissertation entitled ECCENTRIC NETWORKS: PATTERNS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPATION, AND MASS MEDIA USE AMONG OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS by FERNANDO PARAGAS has been approved for the School of Telecommunications and the College of Communication by Drew McDaniel Professor, School of Telecommunications Gregory J. Shepherd Dean, College of Communication PARAGAS, FERNANDO, Ph.D., June 2006. Telecommunications. ECCENTRIC NETWORKS: PATTERNS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPATION, AND MASS MEDIA USE BY OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (324 pp.) Director of Dissertation: Drew McDaniel ABSTRACT This dissertation presents a framework on the transnational communication and media use of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) using data from a survey of 320 OFWs in 15 countries and sea-based operations. The framework depicts the eccentric nature of OFW networks across communication levels, demographic attributes, and territories. Interpersonal communication was highly complex, with constant mediated and non-mediated correspondence inside and outside the host country. Almost as expansive were mass media networks, which often became a direct link with the homeland and sometimes served as a surrogate venue for interacting with the host country. Despite the global reach of groups for OFWs, as explained by 16 organizational informants, networks of institutional participation were the least complex. Few of the respondents joined organizations, and those who did were not active members. Across demographic groupings, men and higher-income professionals— with their regular connection to the Philippines, culturally diverse workplaces, greater organizational membership and heavy media consumption— had more expansive transnational networks compared to their counterparts. Regardless of gender and occupational profiles, younger respondents were more likely to harness newer media, indicating the eventual shrinking of the digital divide in the general sample. Parent- respondents were very positive about the role of media in their family, but their media use patterns were similar to respondents without children, largely because of their smaller disposable income. Across territories, the home country is still a pivotal body. The Philippines remains central in the discourse of OFWs, especially with the entry of Philippine media companies in their host countries. Within the host country itself, women, who supposedly labored invisibly in private workspaces, were more publicly social in parks, malls, and churches during weekends compared to men. Indeed, the extensive media use of men and their lack of friendly relations in the host country, suggested they could be living in expatriate bubbles that were tethered to the Philippines and existed quite invisibly from the host society. The networks of the respondents were thus mainly transnational between the home and the host countries, except for those of higher-income professionals whose communication and media use patterns suggested an emergent globalism. Key Words: Overseas Filipino Workers, OFW, migrant labor, transnational communication, Philippines, simultaneity, network, organizational participation, interpersonal communication, mass media, survey, textual analysis, interviews Approved: Drew McDaniel Professor, School of Telecommunications DEDICATION When I was nine years old, Just before my father went to Saudi, He told me I was now in charge of our family, I said yes… A year later, Upon his return, My sister jumped over the airport fence To welcome him back… ------------------- To the millions of OFWs, 320 of whom responded to this research, And for whom these images are still a reality… To the many organizations for OFWs, 16 of which informed me in this study, And the help of which makes a big mark on that reality… To my family, For sharing with me this transnational experience, And for remaining strong through that reality… I humbly offer you this dissertation. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A dissertation, while authored by one, is really the work of many. It is a collaborative effort that is realized with the guidance, kindness, and generosity of many individuals and organizations. Thus, I owe the completion of this dissertation to the following, for which I am profoundly grateful: The Fulbright Fellowship Program, especially the Philippine-American Educational Foundation and the Institute of International Education, for the constant assistance—from school placement to lost luggage; The Ohio University School of Telecommunications, for an expeditious yet memorable doctoral program—and a research grant that paid for my travel to the Philippines to gather data for the dissertation; The University of the Philippines Diliman, particularly the Communication Research Department and the College of Mass Communication, for having been my academic refuge in the last 15 years—and for giving me a dissertation grant that paid for my survey researchers and interview transcribers; Dr. Drew McDaniel, for being my advisor from Day One—and for keeping Southeast Asia alive in the heart of Appalachia; Dr. Yeong Kim, Dr. David Mould, and Dr. Robert Stewart, for the guidance; my friends in Athens, for a wonderful life by and beyond the Hocking; my friends across the United States, for welcoming me with much hospitality and graciousness to their homes and for giving me the opportunity to learn about this diverse and expansive nation beyond the tranquil isle of Athens; and, my family. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................. xi LIST OF FIGURES..........................................................................................................xiii LIST OF ACRONYMS.................................................................................................... xiv Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................1 The shared histories of telecommunications and migrant employment in the Philippines .................................................................................................3 Colonial roots, 1901-1946..........................................................................3 Post Independence, 1946-1986.................................................................4 Post-Marcos, 1987-present .......................................................................8 Trends in migrant employment............................................................................13 Feminization ............................................................................................13 Professionalization...................................................................................15 Growing revenues....................................................................................17 Changing demand ...................................................................................17 Networking for OFWs ..............................................................................19 Research questions and dissertation outline.......................................................22 Chapter 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE...........................................................................26 Profile of overseas Filipino workers.....................................................................27 Age and marital status.............................................................................27 Region of origin........................................................................................29 Income and remittances ..........................................................................29 Investments and reintegration .................................................................32 Gendered occupational flows ..................................................................32 OFW Comunication .............................................................................................35 Interpersonal communication...................................................................35 In the host country .......................................................................35 Beyond the host country ..............................................................39 Organizational communication ................................................................42 Mass media .............................................................................................47 Journalistic coverage ...................................................................47 Media for, of, and by OFWs.........................................................48 Web-based recruitment................................................................49 OFWs on the big screen ..............................................................49