"The people are exceptionally good, they can still smile and dance amid all the difficulties and uncertainties," Archbishop Oscar Cruz said in an interview with the Church-run Radio Veritas.

The Lingayen-Dagupan prelate, however, said he feels sad for Filipinos working abroad as the government is not doing enough to protect and ensure their safety.

He said he finds it very disturbing that the need to earn a living has twisted the values of some Filipinos.

"There are some people who have lost their loved ones abroad. Of course this is very painful for them. But often, the worry over where they will get their income, among others, seem to preoccupy some of these people," he said.

"So the value is quite twisted. Instead of focusing their concern on the person, their focus is on what the person sends and to me this is quite painful to think about," he added.

These migrant workers, he said, put their life and limbs on the line to work abroad and yet they are looked upon only as providers and earners.

"They are not given much importance," Cruz said.

There are about eight million Filipinos migrant workers.