One of the hardest things about being an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is being away from family especially on special days, birthdays included.
Be it a simple gathering or a grandiose celebration, birthdays have long been regarded as an affair shared with those we hold dear.
OFWs put premium on making sure they are back at home in the company of their loved ones during their special day or that of a family member.
But most of the time, the opposite happens. Overseas workers have long learned to adjust to celebrating their birthdays miles away from home. All they can do is to long and wish for the next time they will blow birthday candles surrounded by their loved ones.
OFW Venus Abajar celebrated her birthday last week. It was the second time she celebrated it overseas.
While most celebrants usually go on leave to spend their special day away from work, for Venus and many other OFWs however, the day is like any other. No leaves. No breaks.
That day, Venus woke up extra early and did what her parents always taught her to do growing up — pray.
“Nagdasal ako sa Diyos pagkagising,at dun ko po ibinuhos lahat. Yung tipong umiiyak habang nakaluhod at nagdarasal kasi nga mag-isa lang ako sa pinaka-importanteng araw ng buhay ko,” Venus told The Filipino Times Online.
As a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, Venus is in charge of cleaning the house and washing dishes for her employers.
“Ang dami ng trabaho mo na halos di ka na makapagpahinga kasi di natatapos yung trabaho mo, yung tipong habang busy ka sa kakahugas ng pinggan sa gabi at nagmamadali para makapagpahinga,” Venus said.
“Di mo na maiisip na birthday mo pala,” she added.
Venus knew better than to anticipate any birthday surprise, but what she did not know was that her employers knew all along that it was her special day.
While she was busy doing her duties the whole day, her employers were also busy planning a little surprise to show their appreciation for the OFW’s hard work.
“Biglang may mga boses na kumanta ng birthday song at kahit medyo slang, yung tipong parang kinain lang ang word ng kanta sa likod mo, mga employer ko na pala. Kahit Islam sila pero inisip din pala nila na birthday ko now, kaya ayun sinurpresa nila ako with cake, gift, and greetings,” Venus recalled.
“Sobrang touched ako kasi yung alaga ko na baby 1 year and six months palang ay siyang nagbitbit ng maliit na tarpaulin at regalo. Sobrang thankful ko lang sa mga employers ko. Siguro nga, swerte din ako sa kanila,” the OFW said.
Venus realized she was not alone after all on her special day. The small surprise was enough to put a smile on her face and made her temporarily forget her loneliness.
When asked if her birthday celebration with her employers was different from the previous ones she had back home, Venus had this to say:
“Di bongga [sa Pilipinas] pero sobrang saya na kasama mo buong pamilya mo, yung sasabihin ng tatay mo, oh sige sinong may birthday ngayon. Mag-adobo lang daw kami ng kangkong sa pabirong salita, pero di namin alam may inihanda pala siyang manok na kakatayin,” Venus said.
Venus added: “Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang araw na ito dahil sabay po kami ng birthday ng Mama.”
Birthdays can bring back so many memories from home which makes OFWs miss their families on their special day. However, any day away from the family will always be a struggle for all OFWs.
Venus prays for strength to survive each day.
“Alam kong di lahat kagaya ng kalagayan ko, pero bilang isang OFW ay need nating magsakripisyo alang-alang sa pamilya natin,” Venus said.
Her last words?
“Laban lang.”
