INTRODUCTION

The genesis of migration lies in dissatisfaction with the contemporary environment. Disparity of opportunity becomes the major motive force behind migration, whether this is to enjoy levels of living in terms of income or the physical or social environment.

Such dissatisfaction also happened in India during the nineteenth century. Economic compulsions generated by colonialism thus triggered movements of people of Indian origin initially towards the countries of Africa, Southeast Asia, Fiji and the Caribbean. This wave was triggered mainly by the enormous demand for cheap labour in the wake of abolition of slavery by the British in 1833–34. The second wave of Indian migrations abroad, on the other hand, took place during the second half of the twentieth century with a steady outflow of some of India's most talented professionals to the developed countries of the West, and India's skilled and semi-skilled labour to developing countries such as those in Southeast Asia. At this time, people of Indian origin such as Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and others also tried their luck in the archipelago and ventured in its peripheries.

This movement was noted to have been facilitated by the migration networks which helped in arranging transportation, finding housing and jobs in their places of destination. At the same time, provided a satisfactorypersonal and emotional adjustment to what was often a difficult situation of cultural marginality.

The favourable conditions in the Philippines triggered the increase of the South Asian population in the country. The Indian communities alone, based on the figures provided by the High Level Commission for Indian Diaspora, reached approximately 38,500 individuals. Despite its negligible number compared to the Indian population in the various countries of Southeast Asia, its growing figures alone gave a tremendous significance to the creation of a more secure and durable relationship between the countries of origin and destination. These migrants through the years became an effective catalyst in bringing investments and technology to the host country particularly those software products from India.

In the Philippines, the Indian migrants, for instance, are categorized into Native Resident Indians (NRI) who constitute 5.26 per cent of the population, People of Indian Origin (PIO) who comprise 63.16 per cent and 31.58 per cent who are stateless. From this cluster emanated the smaller Indian communities in Western Visayas who became entrepreneurs, pedlars, moneylenders and consultants.