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WALANG UWIAN : Stories of OFWs who haven’t been home for Christmas in a very long time

‘15 taon na akong di nagpa-Pasko sa atin. Sa tuwi-tuwina na lang, wish kong makauwi’

DUBAI: Not to sound Grinchy, but ask seasoned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) about it and you’d most probably get this: “Bear in mind,” they’ll say, “the moment you step on a plane, there’s no telling when you’d be home for Christmas.”

From not being able to file for a leave of absence because a fellow Pinoy has beaten them to it, to preferring to save on airfare and send the money home or buy gifts instead, or prioritizing more personal occasions like a child’s birthday or graduation, most OFWs in the UAE have grown used to skipping Christmas with loved ones back home because the holidays, they say, have become a luxury that needs to take the backseat, for now at least.

“Ini-isip ko na lang na kaya ako nandito ay dahil sa pamilya ko,” said Edison Macaraig, a maintenance supervisor in Dubai who has spent nine Christmases in the UAE. (I just keep in mind that I am here for my family.)

Macaraig, who has three children, couldn’t always be home for the holidays because of his work schedule, he said. “At saka may mga kasama sa trabaho na gusto ring magpasko sa atin.” (And I have workmates who also want to be home for Christmas.)

Edwin Mendoza, an expeditor at an oil and gas company, has an even more hard knock story. “I haven’t been home for Christmas for the 15 years,” he said. “May mga times na naka-schedule na ang uwi ko ng December, naka-cancel pa dahil sa work.Wish ko talaga magpasko sa atin.” (There were times when I was already scheduled to go home in December but it would be cancelled because of work. I really wish to spend Christmas back home).

Engr. Fanessa Lanotes was not able to spend Christmas with her loved one in the Philippines for 10 consecutive years. “Okay lang. Mas need nila yung perang padala,” she said. (That’s okay. They need the money you can send them (more than your presence.)

It was 2006 when Rachel Ocol, office employee, was last home for Christmas. “For seven years kasi may kasama ako sa company na tuwing pasko umuuwi. Hindi kami pwedeng magsabay. Siya nagdala sa akin sa Dubai kaya parang utang ng loob, ganuon,” she explained. (For seven years, I have a workmate in the company who goes home for Christmas. We could not be away at the same time. She brought me here in Dubai. So, I owe her and let her go for the holiday to return the favor.)

“Mas priority ko ang birthday ng eldest daughter ko kaya mas umuuwi ako kapag birthday nya,” she added. (I prioritize my eldest daughter’s birthday, so I prefer going home on her special day).

Ocol said she has become used to not going home for Christmas. “Kasi parang di mo naman ramdam dito masyado,” she said. (Because you couldn’t seem to really feel being away [noting the sheer number of Filipinos in Dubai].)

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This will be Mary Ann Briones’ seventh consecutive Christmas in the UAE. “Sanay na ako,” she said. (I have already gotten used to it).

Briones, who works as an administrative staff, added, “Ngayong Pasko uuwi ako, sa mismong 25th … pero nakakalungkot, wala na kasi mama ko, so wrong timing uwi ko ngayon kasi wala na akong uuwian. Naisip ko lang subukan ang umuwi this time.” (This time, I’ll be home, and exactly on the 25th, too. Sad thing is that my mom has passed on so there’s no one to go home to. I just thought I’d try being in the Philippines for Christmas this time.)

“Nakakatakot umuwi ng Pasko. Naghihingalo na nga ang bulsa, eh. Actually, hindi nila alam na uuwi ako. Mahirap na. Baka humaba pila sa harap ng bahay,” she said. (It’s worrisome to be home on Christmas, especially when on a tight budget and relatives are there waiting for you.)

Lost count

It’s also almost like a common occurrence to ask an OFW about the last time he was home for Christmas and get a blank stare. “Di ko na matandaan. Matagal na. I have lost count at five years,” said Legnan Torio, a media practitioner. (I can’t remember. It’s been a long time.)

“Marami-rami na rin. Di ko na alam exactly kung ilan,” said Yba Ognikob, accounts executive at a public relations firm. (There have been a lot. I just can’t remember exactly how many.)

He said he’s grown used to it, sharing only that most of the time he couldn’t get a leave schedule because someone else has taken the slot.

“Maybe five years ago?” Kelly Ignacio who works at a remittance center said. “It’s sad but I have to keep the spirit alive. It’s a bit depressing especially when I hear Christmas carols. I miss my kids a lot.”

Five years it is too for Alaine Palad of Dubai and Apple del Rosario, sales coordinator. Palad has a kid; del Rosario has two. (With Mary Ann Briones)

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