A LOT of Filipinos dream the American Dream: To own a house, a car, educate their children through college. Thus you have a huge number of Filipinos going TNT (tago nang tago, or staying in one country illegally) in the United States every year because of the belief that there are more opportunities there than in the Philippines.

Needless to say, it is difficult to get a working visa to the United States, unless you have the talents of Bill Gates or the investing skills (and money) of a Warrant Buffet. The top three countries that are open to migrants are the United States, Canada and Australia. The third is the closest to the Philippines and may be the best option for those wanting to live abroad.

Upon arrangements of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Inquirer had an opportunity to talk to Peter Vardos, first assistant secretary, Migration and Visa Policy Division, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, about the migration opportunities for Filipinos, in his office in Canberra.

According to Vardos, jobs that are in demand in Australia are: Pastry chefs, welders, health practitioners, construction workers. He explains that the list is reviewed every six months based on inputs from its Department of Education.

There are at present about 120,000 Filipinos in Australia-a far cry from the two to four million believed to be in the United States. For 50 years since 1948, Vardos says Australia has never stopped accepting migrants.

Today, 20 percent, or some four million of Australia's population of 21 million, were born overseas. Another 20 percent have at least one parent born overseas.

Australia accepts immigrants from 160 countries. The number of immigrants Australia accepts depends on the jobs needed and, generally, on the state of the economy.

While American and European economies are going bust, the Australian economy remains robust. Thanks in large part to its mining sector. Australia is among the five biggest producers of some key mineral commodities in the world:

It is the world's leading producer of lead, bauxite and diamonds (by volume).

Second largest producer of iron ore, lignite, silver, manganese and gold.

Fourth largest producer of coal and copper.

Unlike in the United States, Filipinos tend to behave themselves in Australia.

They are given a high ranking for the 457 visa program for skilled workers. This means Filipinos only stay the duration of their contracts or visas and do not tend to overstay as many of those who go to the United States do.

Vardos makes a pitch for migrating to Australia. He says that because of Australia's mixed culture, it is easier for migrants to assimilate in society.

"There has been no year when there was no migration," comments Vardos.