“Ako naman, Ma, Pa.”
Kyle John Antonio in Ang Pinoy Stories
Sep 24, 2019 • 2 min Read
Filipino society acknowledges that an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is one of the difficult jobs, simply because a mother, father, daughter, son, sister, or brother has to leave their families to travel thousands of miles away in the hope of saving up for a comfortable life in the future. OFWs risk their lives in another country just to be able to send money home. Worst, they do not see their children grow up.
But has anyone wondered what an OFW child feels and what goes on in their minds?
“Ang swerte mo, nasa abroad ‘yung parents mo (You are fortunate, your parents are working abroad).” I am an OFW child and people would constantly tell me this. I guess they were right as I am able to eat three times a day, buy things that I want, and study in Manila with less financial difficulty.
On my previous birthday, my parents gave me a new phone. But perhaps, the only gift that made me happier was the two-hour video call from these two selfless individuals who have been working in a gas company in Iraq for 10 years now. Alongside that happiness is the overwhelming sadness that my parents would again miss my birthday.
When I was in 6th grade, I asked my father during a phone call:
“Pa, bakit ako lang ‘yung wala ritong parents? (Why am I the only one who doesn’t have parents here?)”
I was frustrated for not having my parents present in school meeting. There were also times I’ll look on a map, call my father and say:
“Nandoon ‘yung Iraq, nandito ‘yung Pilipinas. Hindi naman gano’n kalayo. (Iraq is there, Philippines is here. It’s not that far).”
It was not easy to be separated from my parent. But as I grew up and became more mature, I understood our situation. I realized that my struggles were bearable. When I was a child, I was left in the care of my relatives so I had company. My parents’ situation was totally different. They are with strangers in an unfamiliar country. They have to go through terrible bouts of homesickness and miss important milestones in my life. I see their happiness whenever I get awards and certificates, and sadness for not being able to join me onstage.
To OFW children, repay your parents’ sacrifices by NOT rebelling against them. Appreciate what our parents have done for us by achieving their dreams for us—seeing us achieving our dreams.
I am now on final year in college. My next goal is to finally get my diploma and to tell my parents:
“Ma, Pa, uwi na po kayo. Ako naman po. (Ma, Pa, come home. It’s my turn.)” That’s a promise.
