DUBAI: While there are a lot of OFWs who live in the UAE alone, some are fortunate enough to help their relatives and bring them here to as well make a living. That’s the story of Pinay OFW Digi Cabungcal, who has been working in the country for the past 7 years.
“Nung magsimula ako dito nung August 2010, ang aim ko lang talaga ay para matakasan ko yung pagkabigo ko sa married life. Gusto ko mag bagong buhay, para na rin sa mga kids ko.” said Cabungcal who has three kids back in Nueva Ecija, her home province in the Philippines.
As with the experience of many OFWs, Cabungcal had hardships especially during her first year, when she was all alone here in the UAE. “Walang nagdala sa kin dito – sariling sikap at tatag ng loob lang sa pag a-apply sa iba ibang kumpanya.” Cabungcal has been working as a sales executive for the Majid Al Futtaim group for the past 7 years.
The challenges she faced didn’t hinder her plans. “Una kong kinuha yung cousin ko sa mother side, Si Danica. Nasa Dubai siya now sa isang travel agency.” said Cabungcal.
Years went by quickly as Cabungcal continued to work and, one by one, brought her family members here to work. “Yung mga pinsan ko na dinala ko dito, as the years past dinala na din nila yung asawa nila, nanay nila.” As of this article, Cabungcal has already brought a total of 12 family members with assistance from her family members that she had brought in.
When asked about her goals now in life, Cabungcal shared: “I want to provide a good future for them and to rebuild my confidence kasi di naging maganda married life ko. I need to prove to myself na kaya ko mabuhay at kaya kong buhayin ang mga anak ko kasama na ang mga magulang ko.”
