Dina Tenerife Celo, 45, from Sagnay, Camarines Sur, never thought that she will be given an enormous gift from her generous employer.
Melissa McPike, Celo’s employer, gave her Dh23,000 or approximately P320,000 last Oct. 2017 to purchase a land in her province. McPike also said that she will help finance the entire construction of the house. As soon as the construction gets done, the employer’s whole family is set to visit the house of their nanny.
“Mangiyak-ngiyak ako sa sobrang tuwa… ‘Di ko yun inaasahan. Randomly, inabot nalang ni Ma’am Missa ‘yung pera sa akin. Sabi n’ya alam daw nilang wala akong naipon man lang dahil tumutulong din ako sa pamilya ko,” says Celo.
“Sabi ni ma’am, pati ng mga alaga ko, hayaan ko daw namang sila naman ang magparamdam sa akin ng pagmamahal na ibinigay ko sa kanila.” Celo added.
The property was named under her only child Ryan, who is now 21 years old.
Celo will also flight back home this January 18 with Saeed, her employer’s son, to plan the construction of the house.
Her Story
Celo first went to Saudi Arabia to try her luck as an OFW. However, her first attempt ended quickly for a reason only she knows.
She went back home temporarily then decided to go to United Arab Emirates. That’s when she landed a job at McPike’s residence in Khalifa City last 1998.
Saif and Saeed with their Mother Melisa
Her tasks was to take care of two kids Saeed, 6, and Saif, 4.
However, her contract with McPike ended and she was able to try different jobs across the Emirates until 2014.
“May mga kumatok kasing oportunidad noon. Naging waitress ako, naging cashier din,” she said.
Despite the distance, Celo maintained the communication with her previous employer as well as her two wards.
“Marami rin akong mga naging ibang trabaho. Kaso dumating ‘yung time na nagkasakit ako,” says Celo.
Just when Celo thought that it’s now time to go back to the Philippines, McPike’s family took her back.
“Nagdesisyon na ako noong bumalik sa Pinas. Pero laking pasasalamat ko na kinuha uli nila ako pagkatapos ng 14 taon,” she added.
The Filipina OFW was so grateful for the kind gesture that her employer has given her.
“Madam Missa, maraming maraming salamat sa lahat ng ibinigay mo sa akin… sa mabuting pakikitungo sa akin. Kay Saeed na ngayon ay piloto na at kay Saif, maraming salamat sa pagiging mabuting mga alaga. Hindi ko makakalimutan itong niregalo niyo sa akin,” says Celo.
