Romeo Ordaz heaved a heavy sigh of relief when he landed back to the Philippines in 2011. He worked as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Riyadh for years and thought it was time to finally return home for good and enjoy the things he worked hard for.
But that last last flight home hit him real hard.
The house he tried to build for years was no longer his while his entire family left him in the lurch.
Ordaz’ story was shared by a netizen named Mae Regala, who posted some photos of their encounter with the former OFW at a restaurant in Manila.
“My mother and I ran into kuya today at SM Southmall, his name is ROMEO ORDAZ. He was an Engineer in Riyadh a few years ago. Pag uwi niya ng Manila nung 2011, wala na yung family niya, wala na rin yung bahay nila. He is looking for his parents,” tweeted Regala.
According to the post, the only option Ordaz thought left was to stay on the streets.
“Naging palaboy siya simula noong 2011. Wala siyang ideya kung nasaan ang mga kamag-anak niya. May nabanggit din siya tungkol sa kumuha ng lahat ng ipon niya mula sa pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Alam niyang maaaring wala na ang mga magulang niya, ngunit may mga kamag-anak pa raw siya sa probinsya,” Regala wrote in another post.
Today Ordaz is searching for his parents, Arturo and Conchita Ordaz, as well as his other relatives who could help him.
While most netizens feel pity for Ordaz, many people are asking about the whole ordeal he went through that made him stay in the country instead of going back to Saudi.
Some netizens say that the story of the former OFW is a reminder for Filipinos abroad to save something for themselves.
It’s no-brainer that many OFWs are caught in a cycle of debt and poverty when they eventually return to the country and stay here for good.
Some tend to send all their money home but that can easily sap their hard-earned savings. Others forget that instant gratification in enjoying the high life abroad also means throwing money down the drain.
My mother and I ran into kuya today at SM Southmall, his name is ROMEO ORDAZ. He was an Engineer in Riyadh a few years ago. Pag uwi niya ng Manila nung 2011, wala na yung family niya, wala na rin yung bahay nila. He is looking for his parents. pic.twitter.com/IK3lbU1wZh
— ??? ?????? (@noeIIemae) October 27, 2019
