Many children in the Philippines left behind by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) always long for their parent’s return. That is why when OFWs return home, a question that always bugs their children is if their parents will be home for good.
OFW Mila has been working as a caregiver in Middle East for five years. While in the Philippines, she was selected to become one of the contestants in one of the segments of variety show Wowowin.
During the interview portion of the segment, Mila’s child was asked if she has a message for her OFW mother.
“Mama, sana wag ka na po umalis. Sana dito ka na lang magtrabaho. Mahal na mahal kita,” the child said.
The host then asked the child why she does not want her mother to go abroad anymore. The child’s response was short: “Nami-miss ko po siya.”
“Nak, alam mo lahat ng ginagawa ko para sa’yo ‘di mo man maunawaan ngayon dahil bata ka pa. Umalis ako, nagtiyaga ako, nagtiis ako sa ibang bansa, makasama ang ibang tao, mag-alaga sa hindi ko kaanu-ano, tiisin lahat ng hirap para sa kinabukasan mo anak,” Mila told her child.
Mila, who is a single mother, added that whenever she feels alone abroad, she watches her and her child’s recorded videos to remind her of her reason for working overseas.
“Mahal na mahal kita anak. Tandaan mo ‘yan. Andito ako, si Mama mo,” a crying Mila added.
The host then recognized the sad reality that many OFWs face particularly on leaving their children behind to try their luck abroad.
“Ang hirap talaga ‘pag ganyan. Biruin mo aalis ka pupunta ka sa ibang bansa. Aalagaan mo yung hindi mo kaanu-ano. Yung kaanu-ano mo naman iiwanan mo dito, papaalagaan mo sa iba. Ganun talaga ang buhay ng mga OFW, ng mga DH, mga caregiver. Mahirap talaga. Pinakamalungkot na trabaho at malayo sa pamilya. Kaya OFWs, saludo kami sa inyo,” the host said.
