What is the true bond that links family members? Is it just one of blood and affinity, or one forged by mutual respect and honesty?
This is the story of Anabelle Fernandez, a Filipina domestic helper in Dubai, who was treated like family by her employers.
Being the eldest woman among seven siblings, Anabelle felt a responsibility to help her parents support her siblings’ studies. At the age of 19, she, together with another sibling, went to Manila from Misamis Oriental to work as a household helper.
It was a good job and it allowed her to help her family in terms of finances, but Anabelle knew early on that she wanted to achieve more for her loved ones. She began to look for work overseas, something her parents forbade her to do. She secretly applied for a passport and found work as a domestic helper in Singapore.
Her parents were right. Working overseas is a hard task and not for the faint of heart. Two years into her employment, Anabelle’s contract expired and she decided to return to the Philippines. She could clearly remember that day. She did not have bags for her belongings so she packed her clothes, placed them inside a plastic bag and went straight to the airport for her flight back home.
“Napakasakit sa damdamin nung andun na ako sa Singapore. Hindi madali ang buhay sa Singapore. Ang hirap,” Anabelle told The Filipino Times Online.
Despite her bitter experience in Singapore, she was not discouraged from trying her luck overseas. After watching the Filipino movie “Dubai”, Anabelle decided to seek greener pastures in the UAE.
“I’m a very independent woman. Lahat ng pagsubok sa buhay ko hinaharap ko mag-isa. Ang sa akin kasi gusto ko makatulong sa aking mga magulang at mga kapatid,” Anabelle said.
In January 2006, Anabelle flew to the UAE to work as a domestic helper. There, she had a very harmonious relationship with the family she worked for. She stayed with the family for five years, proving her loyalty in the process.
However, life was far from perfect for Anabelle during that time.
“Masaya na kasi ako pag makita silang happy. Pero iniisip ko until when ako maging ganito? Nalubog ako sa utang noon, nawala ang lahat ng pinaghirapan ko,” the OFW said.
There’s a song that goes, “there is light at the end of the tunnel” and the same can be said for Anabelle’s fate.
In January 2016, the Filipina worked for another family in the UAE. When she met her new employers, a Lebanese-British couple, Anabelle instantly had a feeling she was in good hands.
“Siguro destiny ang nangyari. Nung nag-meet kami, pareho kami ng feeling na magaan sa isa’t-isa. Kahit yung anak nila sa unang meet namin, mukhang happy siya. Nakita ko din kasi ang anak ko sa anak nila,” Anabelle narrated.
The Filipina showed them nothing but loyalty, hard work, and sincere concern, particularly for their four-year-old child. It wasn’t long before Anabelle earned the trust of her employers.
“They treat me as family. Parang barkada nga lang kami. They trust me so much. Pinagkatiwala nila anak nila kahit dalhin ko anak nila sa mall or any park or places dito sa Dubai. Gusto nila mag-explore anak nila sa pagsakay sa buses and trains,” the Pinay said.
The couple, grateful for the FIlipina’s selfless service, offered to finance the education of Anabelle’s daughter.
Anabelle only needed Php10,000 for her daughter’s tuition fee, but her employers gave her Dh1,410 or Php20,000. She used the extra cash to provide for her daughter’s needs in school.
Aside from this, Anabelle’s employers often go out of their way to make her feel loved and blessed.
In September 2016, her employers surprised her with a small birthday celebration. They took Anabelle out to dinner and even bought her a vegan cake.
Despite being miles away from her family, the OFW felt close to home, surrounded by her second family.
A month after celebrating the her birthday, Anabelle’s employer’s told her to surprise her daughter in the Philippines as a birthday gift. They shouldered the Filipina’s round-trip ticket and also sent a stuffed toy worth Dh280 or Php4,000 as their birthday gift.
“Yearly naman ang vacation dito. Pero ang gusto nila, twice a year ako umuwi para naman magkaroon ako ng time sa anak ko,” Anabelle said.
Next month, Anabelle will be celebrating her second year with her employers. This early, she took the opportunity to express her gratitude towards her employer for their acts of kindness and generosity.
“Mr. Tarek and Miss Rowena Karaman, I’m so grateful and blessed for having you as my employer. Thank you for treating me like family and thank you for trusting me with your daughter, Abla. Thank you for loving my daughter as well. Thankful din ako sa both parents nila and their family. Na-meet ko na rin ang parents nila at kapatid. They are so nice. Nasa dugo talaga nila ang pagiging mabait,” Anabelle said.
Anabelle is well aware that many OFWs are not as lucky as she is. Despite this, she urges them not to lose hope.
“Wag lang mawalan ng pag asa. Kahit mahirap, bigyan natin ng magandang pakikitungo ang mga amo natin. At higit sa lahat, dapat mahalin natin ang trabaho natin kasi ‘yun naman ang reason kung bakit tayo umalis at iniwan ang mga mahal natin sa buhay back home kahit mahirap,” she said.
“Kung anumang pagsubok na dumating sa buhay natin, magtiwala lang sa ating Panginoong Diyos. Alam ko He will always guide us. Minsan sa buhay natin, hindi agad natin nakakamtan ang gusto natin sa buhay. ‘Yun ay dahil God has a better plan for us.”
