A tribute to Filipino OFWs

Street lights. Cars. Beggars. Yes, my family. They are my new family, now. I am a street beggar since I leave our home. I just dont like the ambiance of our house . i dont like the people there. They are all non existing, I mean, they dont care about life. Gambling, liquor, a bit of rugby ,but not as intense as what you are thinking. Every day, that is the scenario in my peaceful home before, when mama was still there. Four years ago when mama decided to leave our home. I just remember the exact day, the exact happenings I barely encountered. Mama was force to leave because she cant anymore endure the chaotic situation we are in , together with my Cebuano step father and his two real born sons, but I am , of course , a biological son of my mama pia. Im refering anyway to my two step brothers and father whose vices are drinking, gambling and girls, as well. They are impolite. they have no care about anyone except those people whom they make interference with. They have moneys, because they rob , sometimes. They are not being persecuted to jail because they have back uppers. Mama and I lost our family head due because of a traumatic event. We are in a car before when someones car intently collide with ours, the reason is beyond my understanding. My father as a driver, lose control of the steer wheel, so a collision happens between our car and a big electrical post. My father was dead on arrival, and my mother and I was injured, mildly. the car who bump us runs. We processed the case to the court but we fail to reap justice. As a plain housewife, my mother worries about our future. I am 14 years old when this accident happens. So as a decision, between me and my mother, she escorted uncle Bruno, who happens to be a widow also. Jonas and leonard are his two sons. bastard, as I baptized them. My mother went abroad secretly. I know where she going, but we planned this both, not to tell this one to uncle Bruno. But of course, to avoid worries about me, I just simply said to my mother that I will do everything whatever they ask me

to do to continue my education, and to sustain my everyday food, as well. this makes my mother feel free to go abroad. I take risk in that moment, but I thougth, I can surpass all of these. This is the challenge I planted in my mind. So in more than 3 years, I decided , myself, to get away from my foster family. They dont care anyway. But I always make call to my mother every week to assure her continouos communication with me. I have allowance every month from her, but I stay els where. There are many good people who wish to get me but I disregard them all. Anyway my mother promised me to return after 5 years, and one year more is not anymore a big deal to me. Im accustomed to my place now, street, and Im happy, eventhough, alone. Time runs too fast. 5 years is over. My mother will be coming the following week. I am happy and excited, of course. one night, while looking for a place to sleep in, I passed by to a carinderia with a television announcing scholarship, 4 years scholarship to children of ofws whose stay in other countries reaches 5 years. Yes, , I laughingly said. And according to the news, additional pangkabuhayan incentives for those ofws who work abroad. I just smiled and waited for that day. The day comes. Im in the airport, wearing good clothes, this is my savings I kept from my mothers remittances. Pretty good, right.(laughing). I shall be with my mama pia now, and what I felt. thanks lord, I just uttered, looking above, but i noticed, someone is calling my name. I turn back and look at the one calling my name , and to my surprised, I shouted with cry, mamaaaaaaaaaa. A tight hug was thrown back to me. Now, I felt the love once again from my dearest mama pia. At last, we are now living together, we two alone, happily. We do have business now, and I am now a graduating student of medicine.