“Ma, Ang Galing Mong Magpanggap. Sabi Mo Okay Lang Lahat”: OFW’s Daughter Longs for Motherly Love

While OFWs suffer more than enough being away from their families while they work abroad, the most affected when they leave are their children who longs for their presence while they are growing. They wished their parents were present during the most important days of their lives including birthdays, graduations, school activities, PTA meeting and other gatherings.

Recently, a culinary student from STI in Naga shared her emotional piece as she expressed her longing for her mother who was an OFW.  She evolved as the Spoken Word Poetry Champion in the contest held in their school in lieu with the celebration of “Buwan ng Wika”.

Elijah Faith Respicio represents the voice of the children of OFWs who were crying inside because of longing for the presence of her mother who needs to work in another country to be able to give them a better life.

In her piece, she was in mixed emotions as she felt confused, angry, alone and empty.  She felt confused whether her mother loved her  and why she still has to leave.  Angry that she didn’t feel even once that she has a mother whom she can lean on and feeling empty and alone that she grew up without a mother beside her.

But towards the end of her piece, she said that OFWs deserved to be called “modern day heroes” for their sacrifices to provide a better life to their families.

Here is her piece:

“Galit ako, oo, ma, galit na galit ako dahil sa araw-araw na nabubuhay ako ni minsan hindi ko naranasan na may nanay ako. Mahal mo ba talaga ako?”

“Ma, ang galing mong magpanggap. Sabi mo okay lang lahat. Ako naman, naniwala at nagpakaasa. Ma, pasensya na hindi ko naintindihan na kailangan mong mag-sakripisyo. Hindi mo kami iniwan dahil ‘yun ang gusto mo, iniwan mo kami dahil ‘yun ang kailangan.”

“Sila ang mga tunay na bayani na hindi kailangan ng itak, baril o kung ano pa mang sandata. Sila ang bayaning ang tanging baon lamang ay pagtitiwala, pagpupursigi, inspirasyon at pananalig.”

Elijah ended her piece saying she look forward to her mother’s most-awaited comeback. – via The Filipino Times