Parents would always want the best for their kids even if it costs them their lives. Parents would treat their kids with utmost importance even if it means giving up and letting go of their own happiness. Parents would go the distance to provide their children’s needs, even if distance is also the cause of their agony.
These stories of parents who took the challenge of becoming an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) reflect the countless reasons why their children are proud of them. Here are some celebrities whose parents took the challenge of going the distance figuratively and literally.
Salutation for the sacrifices
Kapuso star Marian Rivera expressed her admiration for OFWs in a press conference of her new weekly drama anthology on migrant workers’ inspiring stories. Marian, just like any other relatives of OFWs, has also experienced what if feels like to be apart from a loved one.
Her mother, Amalia, was an OFW in Spain and London. Marian is thankful to her grandmother who was by her side when she was growing up, while her mom was working for the money to support her. Nevertheless, for Marian, her mother is still the irreplaceable unsung hero.
“Sino ba naman ang gustong mawalay sa pamilya ’di ba? Pero ’yung mama ko, tiniis niya lahat. Kinailangan niyang lumayo para maibigay ’yung pangangailangan namin,” Marian said during the press conference.
Praises for the never-ending support
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Performer and singer Darren Espanto admitted separation anxiety is the hardest challenge he has faced in his budding career. Darren’s story on his OFW parents is not the usual “child stays in the Philippines, parent goes abroad.”
He was born and raised in Canada by his parents who are both medical professionals. In 2014, Darren had to leave Canada and stay in the Philippines to pursue his singing career while his parents continue their work overseas.
From the day he was born, Darren’s parents would support his needs, up to present, his parents would support his decision to follow his dreams. Distance may keep them apart, but his parents, through modern technology, still make communication and presence possible.
Admiration for determination
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At the early age of three, actress Judy Ann Santos had to endure the painful separation between her parents while at six, she had to live through the separation from her mother. The actress’ mom had to work in Toronto, Canada as a personal care assistant to support her three children.
Being a single mother was never easy; raising kids, supporting their needs, and filling in a father figure all at the same. It would only take a strong-willed woman to overcome all the challenges to keep herself going for the family.
Commendation for unconditional love
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Behind Vice Ganda’s success is a woman whom he regards as his “only lasting love.” The comedian’s mom flew to the United States and worked as a caregiver to support her five children after the murder of her husband.
Vice Ganda has been consistently expressing his love for his mother in several appearances on his television shows. On December 2015, he went emotional as he delivered a message for his mother during ABS-CBN’s Christmas Special.
“Gusto kitang kantahan ngayon para sa lahat ng inang gustong muling marinig ang tinig ng bunso nila. Gusto kitang yakapin para sa lahat ng mga pagkakataong gininaw ka pero mag-isa ka lang sa America. Gusto kitang halikan para sa lahat ng mga luhang iniyak mo noong nangungulila ka at nag-iisa sa ibang bansa. Gusto kitang pasalamatan para sa lahat ng dugo na nananalaytay at umaagos sa ugat ko, na patuloy sa aking bumubuhay. Gusto ko pang mabuhay para mahalin ko pa ang nag-iisa kong nanay,” said Vice Ganda.
