Over the years, many Filipino workers have begun flying to other countries in order to search for better job opportunities than here in our country. Filipinos who find labor abroad are called OFWs, or Overseas Filipino Workers. As of June 2022, there were a total of 2.24 million overseas Filipino workers (Statistica, 2022), and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that the number has only grown since then.

Sure enough, a number of students here at APEC Ortigas Extension also have parents who work overseas. We interviewed four of them regarding their experiences as an Overseas Filipino Worker, and how it’s taken a toll on them.

The first question we asked was “What made you decide to work abroad?” To which we got a unanimous answer, which was to support their family and provide their children with a better future.  

We then asked how their families’ lives have changed ever since they decided to work abroad. All of their answers shared a common thought, which was that they have been in a much better place financially since deciding to work overseas. 

“I can provide their needs smoothly.”

- Laarni Garcia, 52, OFW in the United Arab Emirates

“Not much for now! It’s just that I can send my kids to schools without worrying tuition fees, bills etc.”

- Marites Gulla, 43, OFW in the Bahamas

Other parents also noted their regrets of not being able to be there physically whenever members of their family were going through hardships. As one parent would put it, 

“Financially they can have everything they need. Emotionally they missed me especially during special days. I cannot guide my daughter 100%.”

- Nancy Ganipan, 54, OFW in Saudi Arabia

The next question we asked was “What was the hardest thing to get used to working abroad?” Again, all of the parents’ answers once again shared a common sentiment; that it was hard to get used to the loneliness they feel from being so far apart from their family.

Lastly, we asked for the realizations they made and the lessons they learned while working abroad. 

“Mahirap mangibang bansa but I take it as a blessing. Yung nababasa ko lang dati sa mga libro, heto nakikita at nararanasan ko na. Here in UAE, I work with other nationalities and I learned from them their culture and beliefs. I realized that I'm so blessed dahil madami ang nangangarap na maka-pag trabaho abroad pero hindi nabigyan ng opportunity. Madami din ang nawalan ng trabaho when pandemic arise. We really need to value what we have and always thankful to God. We need to put God first in our lives!”

- Helen Garcia, 44, OFW in Dubai

“That [we should] be wise in spending money because working abroad away from your family is a massive sacrifice and [is one of] the hardest thing to do.”

- Marites Gulla, 43, OFW in the Bahamas

“On how [to] get along well with different kind of people - with different characters and cultures”

- Laarni Garcia, 52, OFW in the United Arab Emirates

“Treasured the moment i spent with them. Save for their future.”

- Nancy Ganipan, 54, OFW in Saudi Arabia

Traveling abroad for work is a hard decision to make, especially if you have a family that you’re going to leave behind in the process. Although it is for the betterment of the family, you still can’t help but feel lonely at times being in a completely different environment. Your child grows up with only one (or even none, at times) parent around while you can only talk to the other through a screen and only during a select period of the day because of the time zone differences. It’s truly a difficult situation for all members of the family, therefore it’s important that we honor their sacrifices.