Photo by Maya Butalid
It’s not something well-known, but there is actually a significant number of Overseas Filipinos in the Netherlands, and Maya Butalid is one of them!
A writer born on the island of Cebu in the Visayas region of the Philippines, Maya Butalid’s journey to the Netherlands from Southeast Asia wasn’t simply a search for a new place to live. It was initially a part of a bigger mission to raise awareness and find allies for her country during a time of great peril and turmoil.
Her book, Chasing Windmills, tells us all about her incredible move from Cebu to the Netherlands and how she found herself finding a new home away from home.
Leaving Home and Fighting for a Cause
As mentioned earlier, Maya’s story begins in the Philippines during a very tough time for the nation. During this time, the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos was in charge, and many people, including Maya, felt that things were unfair. As a young woman, she became an activist, someone who works to make changes in society. Because of her strong beliefs, she decided to go to the Netherlands in 1983 with her husband for an assignment. She didn’t go there for a job or a vacation. She went so she could keep fighting for a better Philippines, even from far, far away.
This highlights an increased period of Philippine migration driven by political reasons.
Photo by wirestock
A New World to Understand
When Maya first arrived in the Netherlands, it was a huge change. The country was unlike the Philippines in a lot of ways. Think about how different the weather is! But more than that, the way people lived and acted was very different from what she was used to in the Philippines.
Filipino culture is known for being warm and friendly, where people talk indirectly, family is considered super important, and there is a heavy leaning towards conservatism. The Dutch, on the other hand, are often very direct in their speech, like to do things on their own, and have a more egalitarian view of things.
Learning the Dutch language, which is vastly different from her native Bisaya and Filipino, and understanding all these new ways of doing things was a big task for Maya and her husband. This was a crucial part of her cultural transition from the Philippines to the Netherlands.
This is a common part of life as a Filipino in Holland, but she had to do it while still working as an activist. She had to bear a great responsibility.
It was hard, missing her home and family, especially when she was trying to make a big difference for them and her country from so far away.
Fighting from Afar and Finding a New Path
For ten years, from 1983 to 1993, Maya kept fighting for her home country in the Netherlands. She was part of a group of Filipinos living abroad who worked together to bring about change in the Philippines.
They showed that even when you’re far away, you can still help your country.
But things changed in the Philippines, and the dictator was replaced, returning democracy to an embattled nation. So, in 1993, Maya decided it was time for a new chapter in her life.
She stopped being an active political leader and focused on making the Netherlands her new home for good.
Building a Life and Making a Difference in Holland
She embraced the challenge of deepening her roots in a new country, not just physically but culturally and professionally. She went back to school, learned Dutch, and even got a master’s degree in Psychology. This was her determination. During this time, she was also raising her daughters, who were growing up with both Filipino and Dutch ways.
What’s even more amazing is that Maya became involved in the Dutch government. She was elected as a city councilor in Tilburg. This is a huge accomplishment for anyone, but especially for someone who came to the country as an activist and an immigrant. It shows that she not only adapted but also wanted to make her new community better.
This is a bright example of the successful integration of an overseas Filipino in the Netherlands. As many have said, the Filipino people are highly adaptable and headstrong. Wherever they are placed, they always find opportunities to thrive. And that’s precisely what Maya Butalid and her family did.
Global Empathy and Enduring Connections
Maya continues to help people around the world, not just in the Philippines. She worked to help refugees, people who had to leave their homes because of war or danger. She even attended a special event to raise money and awareness for these causes. This shows that her kindness and desire to help others reach across all borders.
Her experiences with emigration from Cebu and then settling in a new land have given her a much broader perspective than if she had just stayed home.
Her book Chasing Windmills also shares very personal parts of her life, like her fight with cancer. This reminds us that even brave people who do amazing things face their own personal struggles.
Through it all, Maya shows incredible strength.
Even though she built a wonderful life in the Netherlands, Maya still feels a strong connection to the Philippines. She wants to help her home country grow and improve. This feeling is common for many overseas Filipinos in the Netherlands. They always remember where they came from and want to give back.
Her book is not just about leaving. It’s about staying connected and helping both the places she calls home.
Photo by nuttawutnuy
To better understand Maya Butalid’s remarkable journey and the powerful messages in her work, you should pick up her books. Chasing Windmills will take you on an inspiring ride, showing you the strength of the human spirit, what it’s like to move to a new country, and how important it is to keep your own culture alive. Read her stories and see how one person can make a difference across two worlds!
