Is there anyone else spending the New Year in the Philippines like me?

This year marks my sixth year in the Philippines, and it's impossible to say I don't miss home. I've imagined countless reunions with my family, sometimes even shedding tears.

But as we all know the situation in China, those of us who have stayed long in Southeast Asia face the risk of not being able to leave or even having our passports confiscated if we return.

Then there's the issue of money. Although I've saved hundreds of thousands over the years, what can that amount really do back home? I certainly don't want to return and then have to leave again after a few years.

The gambling industry is uncertain, and living day by day seems to be the common mindset. Finding a job back in China is out of the question; we can't compete with the highly skilled workforce there.

My fate is in my own hands, not dictated by circumstances; as long as gambling stands, I stand.