AUSTRIA - Another year is approaching. It's New Year's resolution time again.

2009 was indeed a tough year for everyone. A number of kababayans in the Philippines were hit by the effects of the global crisis – the unemployment rate rose, costs fluctuated and money was scarce.

Even if you have a job, you were concerned about whether you will have it tomorrow. Truly, we all faced a common crisis: global financial troubles.

ABS-CBN News in Vienna took the opportunity to ask some Filipinos in Austria if the financial crisis changed the way they will approach the new year, 2010.

A number of the respondents work in hospitals, food chains and fabrics. Generally, “kababayans” in Austria are very much optimistic that the global financial troubles could be minimized.

Margie Saludo, a nurse at the Vienna Public Hospital, does not worry much for her family's financial day-to-day needs. She said she worries more for the future generation.

"I haven't felt so much the effect of the global crisis. We are on a semi-fixed income. As [a] nurse, I do receive my salary so as my husband who is working in a hotel. We feel the cost of living has increased, and I still have some obligations at home in the Philippines,” she said.

“I try to give my children meaningful gifts, experiences such as lessons, performances, rather than consumer items. This has always been my practice so I do not believe I have much impact on the consumer index for goods. I worry for future generations,” Saludo commented.

Still enjoy

Retired couple Renato and Rosa Iban, a former food chain worker and nurse respectively, responded that they are with full optimism to embrace the New Year in spite of the financial crisis.

“The financial crisis will have some effect on our style of living as a retired couple, cost of food, cost of dining out to be curtailed along with cost of travel. We plan to spend most of our retirement years in the Philippines. We thought also of investing there, though this will be carefully scrutinized,” said the Iban couple.

“Hopefully this can all be managed with carefully thought and hopefully we will be able to adjust down and still enjoy a good style of life.”

Needs vs wants

For Judy Ballasteros, a Pinay social worker connected with an European NGO in Salzburg, the global crisis has not changed her outlook for 2010.

“Global Crisis at Bagong Taon? I don't think it has changed my resolution noong nagdaang taon. I am regularly aware and concerned about the plight of other ‘kababayans’ who have so much less than most of us in Austria have. I regularly do what I can to help change conditions that contribute to their suffering.”

The Pinay social worker in Salzburg added that she corresponds with Pinoy leaders and tries to influence their views on how they can be of genuine help to those in need. She also evaluates which funds offer the best help for immediate needs.

Ballasteros, nevertheless, formulated her New Year's resolution: “If there have been any changes in my behavior, I may be having to cut back on some contributions because of my own finances, and I am probably evaluating, a little more, what I really need and what are just ‘wants.’”