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OFWs in work mode on the ‘most wonderful time of the year’

As a song says, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”. And for Filipinos, these words pertaining to Christmas spell out various presents, — overflowing food and most of all, the warm company of family, friends and loved ones.

However, what is dubbed as the “happiest season of all” doesn’t mean the same for every worker.

While many of them would love to spend the holidays with their loved ones, they have to skip the celebration just to fulfill the call of duty.

The millions of Filipino migrant workers, as well as those working in industries which observe 24/7 operations, attest to this not-so-happy reality.

Maria Solita Badillo-Palomeno, 52, from Caloocan City, who works in Saudi Arabia as a doctor for 30 years now narrated that it came to a point that she didn’t want to hear Christmas songs as it makes her feel homesick as she was in a country where there is no Christmas.

But with the help of technology through the internet, she can talk to her family via video call.

The worst feeling mararamdaman mo yung noche buena but (via) Skype/Viber lang katapat pero I’ve tried to become strong. Ayaw ko umiyak sa harap ng camera pero nang makita ko na pamilya ko umiyak na ako. Isa pa, hindi ko sila makausap nang matagal kase I have work. Five hours delayed ang oras from Saudi kase masungit ang mga Arabo pag nagaantay sila nang matagal. Walang Pasko sa kanila,” she said.

(I tried to be strong that I do not want to cry front of the camera. But when I see my family, I cried a lot. I do not have much time to talk to them since I have work. Saudi Arabia’s time zone is five hours behind. The Arabs get easily irritated whenever they wait for too long. They do not celebrate Christmas.)

Palomeno said that after work, she celebrates Christmas with her workmates — nurses and fellow doctors.

Meanwhile, Joel Garcia, 32, a seaman (OFW) for more than a decade, echoed Palomeno’s sentiments on working on Christmas.

“Busy sa trabahonaghahanda ng pang celebration. Nakalulungkot kasi nami-miss ko pamilya and friends pero batiin ko na silang lahat in advance December 23 pa lang,” he said.

(Busy preparing for the celebration. It’s sad because I miss my family and friends but I will greet them in advance, as early as December 23)

For her part, Dr. Ninette P. Gines, 44, a dentist who lives in Taguig City, said her broadsheet reporter husband treats holidays like Christmas just like any ordinary day in the family.

While many families are in a rush to prepare for Noche Buena, Gines said her husband is racing against time to submit his stories for it to be included in tomorrow’s newspaper issue.

“I just help myself motivated that we get to celebrate Christmas the moment he goes home very early on the 25th. As a wife of a reporter, there is no special occasion during festivities because holidays are just but ordinary for us who have a reporter husband,” said Gines, a mother of three.

Double pay

Working on Christmas Day is a present for Louie Santos who works as a call center agent as he gets paid double his usual rate.

Santos, 35, said while he misses his family especially his kids during the celebration, he already got used to be away from them for almost a decade.

Narciso Fortades, of Muntinlupa City, 51, a bus driver at UBE Express Inc., said the double pay that he gets for working on Christmas will go a long way for his family.

Pumapasok pa rin ako kahit Pasko para kumita at dahil holiday, mas malaki ang makukuha ko dahil holiday may pandagdag sa gastos ng pamilya. Malungkot malayo sa pamilya pero kailangan magtiis para din sa ikabubuhay ng pamilya” Fortades said.

(I still work during Christmas to earn a living and because its holiday, I get double pay which can I add to the budget for the family\s expenses. I feel lonely because I’m away from them but I need to this for them.)

Godfrey Tamparong, a security guard who hails from Lanao del Sur, said there is nothing wrong with working on Christmas Day since his family is in the province.

Aanhin ko naman ang celebration ng Pasko kung nasa probinsya mga mahal ko. Okay na din ang duty, at least dagdag income. Pwede na mag celebrate after o pag nakauwi na lang or kaya tawagan ko na lang sila muna,” Tamparong said.

(How can I celebrate Christmas here if my loved ones are in the province. It’s fine to be on duty on Christmas. It means additional income. I can just celebrate after work. I will just call them to greet them for the holidays.)

When asked on what the spirit of Christmas is, these people shared the same — Christmas is the season for family gatherings and celebration of life.

It’s all about making relationships and bonds stronger. Whether with your family, partner or friends. The birth of Jesus Christ is a symbol of new hope and a fresh start for each and every one of us.

(This article is originally written by Christopher Lloyd Caliwan and published on PNA website)

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