This Christmas Eve, over a couple of million Filipinos work overseas defying the extreme biting weather, racial discrimination, abuse, violence, and loneliness. What makes it more difficult for most of these OFW’s is that they have to (not) celebrate the Christmas season away from home.
I could imagine a mother working as a domestic helper in the Middle East sobbing like a child as she misses her young kids. She’s dying to embrace their little bodies as she washes off the bodies of children she’s not even related to. How she wish she could prepare and serve the Noche Buena for them. But 12 midnight is her work’s rush hour, thousands of miles away from home.
Or an engineer father in Africa who has never been home for more than 2 years and has never even witnessed the birth of his first and only child. He only wishes to spend one day with his child and wife. Just today. Just for tonight.
Or an ate (eldest girl sibling) working as a yaya (babysitter) or nurse in Europe or the Americas just to help her brothers and sisters finish their studies. She remembers how she cradles her youngest sibling smiling back at her. But no, the child in her arms is not her youngest brother. She can only imagine.
Or a kuya (eldest boy sibling) tending a family in a restaurant in Australia on their midnight Christmas meal. He remembers doing that for his crippled old man and his younger siblings just last Christmas. He remembers the joy and the laughter. But tonight, it just won’t happen again.
A lolo (senior citizen) still fighting the coldness of winter as a truck driver in Canada with his rayuma (rheumatism) so that he could earn money to pay for the medication of his child, or apo (grandchild), or his wife back in the Philippines.
A tito (uncle) on board a ship amidst the huge waves in the Atlantic. A tita (aunt) giving care to an old couple in Hongkong or Israel. A bunso (youngest child/sibling) sent by the government to help keep peace in Haiti. A government that finds it even harder to keep peace in its own country.
The sad Christmas stories of OFW’s never end. The chapters continue to pile up.
How they wish the Philippines is just a bridge away. How they pray that this anguish and anxiety they are having this Christmas Eve would vanish soon.
How they wish there’s an express trip they can take right at this very moment to be with their loved ones in the Philippines. And bring home exciting pasalubongs (gifts from someone arriving from a distant place) and Aginaldo (Christmas money gift).
If only a tricycle can bring them home this Christmas Eve. Just this Christmas Eve…..
Are you a migrant worker as well? Why don’t you share your story at the comment section below. We’re praying for you this Christmas.
Have a Merry Christmas and an Abundant 2016!
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P.S. 1. Are you an OFW who’s been looking for a investment placement where your money could grow higher than your time deposit accounts? Are you outside of Metro Manila and would like to start investing in mutual funds but have no personal advisors to help you out? Click here so I can help you open a mutual fund account NOW! .
P.S. 2. Due to popular demand, my good friend and business partner Jon Orana will be releasing again his online program called the Internet Business Master Class. This exciting online learning program is about creating and selling e-books in the internet. Here’s a FREE 23-page step-by-step guide on how to make money selling e-books including which topics to write. Enroll in Jon’s IBMC Class NOW until December 24 ONLY! Click here to enroll!
P.S. 3. Bro. Bo Sanchez has appointed me as a coach for our young and new investors at the TrulyRichClub social site. It’s a fun, learning family with the purpose of “helping good people become rich”. I’m inviting you to join the TrulyRichClub too and email me at burngutierrezblog@gmail.com if you have any questions. Click here to join!
P.S. 4. My co-author/illustrator Des Feliciano and I have just launched our “The Adventures of Pepot Kuripot and Dora Gastadora” comic book! It’s arguably the first and only personal finance-influenced comic book in the Philippines. You may grab your copy before Christmas at your favorite National Bookstore and Powerbooks outlets. Or you can grab your copy yourself at The Pantry at 07 in Makati City and ilovemilktea in Las Pinas City. Now available also in Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the USA! Email des_feliciano@yahoo.com for more details.
P.S. 5. Yes, our Cyberpreneur Philippines book is now out in bookstores! Check out the chapters from my fellow authors Ray Calbay, Fitz Villafuerte, Ginger Arboleda, Kristel Silang, Marv de Leon, Paolo Lising, Anne Quintos, and other great online entrepreneurs and experts! Score your copy here now!
P.S. 6. Send healthcare and grocery products online to your loved ones in the Philippines via BeamandGo!
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Tricycle @ Las Pinas photo by CoolMel