CULTURAL CURRENTS AND CONCRETES: Recognizing the Sociocultural Implications of the Transnational Remittance Houses of the Filipino Diaspora in Lancaster New City, Cavite

Abstract

Remittances remain a significant contribution to the Philippine economy of over 10 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and these remittances often take the form of housing investments, or remittance houses, which reflects the migrants’ aspirations for stability, family unity, and a better life. These investments, however, reflect a deeper emotional significance to the migrants and their families beyond economic decisions and factors. Through a sociocultural lens, this study draws on interviews and field observations to understand remittance housing investment of OFWs in Lancaster New City, Cavite—one of the largest peri-urban mixed-use developments in the Philippines. Findings reveal that migration remains a bridge to actualize the dreams of OFWs, balancing between sacrifice and success, oftentimes in the materialization of a house. It recognized how migrants have agency not only as economic actors but also individuals with cultural and familial commitments evident in their forged transnational ties sustained through the investment in a house in their home country. These houses become symbols of the past and enduring toilings across countries in order to establish security for the future. However, it is also revealed in the study that the kind of security found in these gated communities forms a paradox wherein it also inevitably forms social fragmentation. The results underscores the need for responsive housing policies that safeguard migrants interests from the commodification of their aspirations and urban planning that integrates realities of life and community belonging especially of the Filipino diaspora.