Graduation day for both, students and parents, is one of the biggest achievements, according to our guest at Halo-Halong Kwento; three OFW hardworking moms tell us their stories tell stories of their resilience, sacrifices and vulnerabilities as they try to overcome the challenges of being away from their children who are still in their school-age years. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/videos
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00:00Graduation Day is here and it's a very happy moment for many Filipinos because we know
00:11that education is the most powerful thing we can provide for them for the future.
00:15But it also comes with a great sacrifice for all of us.
00:19We invite the three hardworking moms to the studio to tell us the story about their sacrifices
00:23here and how proud they are of their kids and how much they miss them.
00:26Actually, I didn't plan to go abroad.
00:28It just so happened that I lost my job in the Philippines.
00:32Of course, number one, what I consider is for the good future of my family, especially my kids.
00:42I went abroad because, actually, first of all, my mom.
00:46Because my mom lost her child.
00:48So, they looked for me locally and the opportunity came to me abroad.
00:57So, they asked me if I wanted to go.
00:59I said, why not? Let's see if it's okay.
01:02We talked to my husband.
01:04Then, when I interviewed, it went on and on.
01:06It's like my kids are studying.
01:08One is 18 years old.
01:11She just finished high school.
01:13And then the other one is 9 years old, grade 5.
01:18My mom got sick.
01:20Then, she got lymphoma.
01:27She was in the hospital for one month.
01:31Then, we ran out of money.
01:36We couldn't find a doctor.
01:38I was busy with my friends.
01:41Then, we lost our minds.
01:44So, I tried to ask my friends to help me.
01:51I was like, I need a job.
01:54I hope I can get a job.
01:57But, I already had a child.
02:00Then, I was in elementary school.
02:05I was in the office.
02:09I was here for four months.
02:11Then, I lost my mind.
02:13It was hard for me to be away from my family.
02:16I couldn't do everything.
02:19Then, I said, why do I need to be separated?
02:24When someone asked me,
02:26How do you feel when you leave?
02:28How do you feel when you go home?
02:30I said, when I go home, I'm so excited.
02:32Because I can see my family and my kids.
02:34But, when I come back here,
02:36It's the same feeling as when I left.
02:40You don't want to go back.
02:42You don't want to leave.
02:44You don't want to leave your kids.
02:46Just like my daughter's graduation,
02:48Last week,
02:50What I do is,
02:52I do my hair,
02:54I do my instagram.
02:56I can't see my face clearly.
02:59I have to take a picture of my face.
03:01I have to look at my makeup.
03:03Am I doing my makeup right?
03:05That's all.
03:08But, I want to be there for them.
03:10So, I can take care of them.
03:12So, I can buy them gowns.
03:14When you're an OFW,
03:16You always think about the days you've been through.
03:19You can't go back.
03:21I always ask them to study hard.
03:24So that,
03:26They can get a good job.
03:31A good life.
03:34And then,
03:36Engaged in the future,
03:38They'll have a family.
03:40They'll be together again.
03:42They'll have a family again.
03:44It's hard for the kids to grow up without you.
03:48When you go home,
03:50You're a big girl now.
03:52You're a grown up now.
03:54Then you miss them.
03:56They're dancing.
03:58You should see them.
04:00You should see them dancing.
04:02The last time I went home,
04:06She's already used to it.
04:09She doesn't cry anymore.
04:11She's like, bye mommy.
04:13You feel like,
04:15It's okay for them that you're not with them anymore.
04:19But maybe,
04:21Maybe,
04:23They're used to the fact that,
04:27You're not with them anymore.
04:32I just want to say,
04:34Thank you for everything you're doing for us.
04:38Even if you're having a hard time in Dubai,
04:41Don't forget to smile in front of us.
04:45That you're always strong there.
04:48Don't let yourself go.
04:50We won't let ourselves go either.
04:53And we'll always listen to you.
04:56Thank you so much.
04:58To all the problems that came,
05:01No one will give up.
05:03Now that I'm about to finish my 10th grade,
05:07It's a new challenge when it comes to 11th grade,
05:11But I can do it.
05:12Thank you because,
05:14You raised me well.
05:18Thank you because,
05:20You're giving us what we need.
05:23Thank you because,
05:25Whenever I need advice,
05:27You'll give it to me.
05:29Thank you because,
05:32For teaching me,
05:36Until my 4th year,
05:38And until college,
05:40Thank you for everything.
05:43I just want to thank you for all of your sacrifices for us.
05:47And thank you for guiding us.
05:50Mommy, I'm about to graduate.
05:56I hope that you're proud.
06:00I also want to congratulate you and dad,
06:05Because you raised me well.
06:07And you guided me the right way.
06:12And I hope that we'll be complete again soon.
06:17I love you mommy, we miss you.
06:20You should be a model for your children.
06:23We all have our own purpose,
06:25But at the end of the day,
06:27We want our family to be complete,
06:30For our children, for our future.
06:33Mom is the one who brings happiness to us.
06:39I hope that,
06:41If mom could only be at home,
06:44Or in the Philippines,
06:46It would be better.
06:47I can't give up my happiness for my children.
06:51As long as they're happy.
06:53I can't give up my work for my family,
06:56Or for my future.
06:57I can do it.
06:59As long as the finances are okay.
07:01Because it's not just for me,
07:02It's for my children's future.
07:04I can do it.
07:06Even if I'm happy,
07:08Even if my work is good,
07:10It's for them.
07:17I can do it.