Sharing of an ANAK
Batangueño member during LlDICSA ANAK Batangueno Assembly August 18.
2006- Mabinl Building, De La Salle, Lipa City
I am here today to
share my life story with you... Just like you. I am also a daughter of
an OFW. Both of my parents have been working in Paris, France for 14
years now. They left me with my grandparents when I was only one and
half years old. My father works In the French Embassy while my mother
works In a finance company. Both of them strive hard just to support
me. I am an only child by the way. But even though it was only after 14
years that they went back horne, we were able to see and spend time
together In Paris with my grandparents. That was when I was in Grade 4;
that's why I never feit incomplete. They went home for the first time
after such long years until 2003. I was first year high school back
then when they had another vacation in 2005 and I think they're looking
forward on going back home on my graduation day.
I admit that we are
not that close but we regularly get in touch through phone calls and
e-mails. They send pictures and I also do. They are also updated with
what I do from time to time. When I first saw them, I was really
afraid, afraid that they might not like me or what... But then I
realized that there's nothing to be afraid of since they are my parents.
I also realized that they were not as bad as what I have expected.
They're nice and they love me. But even though it's like that, I am
much closer to my grandparents. I even call them "mama" and "daddy"...
It may sound weird but that's what I have practiced since then... I am
not even close with my relatives in my mother's side. My grandparents
where the ones who took care of me for a long time.. I really feel that
they care for me. I owe the things I have now to them.
Whenever my parents
are here, we do what a typical family does. We attend mass together,
eat together and spend time together. Through those things, we leam to
get along. Now I can share my thoughts and ideas with them. I remember
the first time I asked them
why do
they have to go and
work abroad, I was a kid back then who never understood things and then
my mother answered, "Mahirap ang buhay sa Pilipinas, walang choice kundi
magsaklipisyo sa ibang bansa, maha! ka namin kaya namin 'to ginawa"".
After those words I heard, I felt sad but happy. Sad, because they had
to sacrifice for me; and happy, because I know they love me. Whenever I
think of those times, I just tell myself that I should return to them
what they had been giving me from the very start by studying hard. That
is the best thing I'm doing now. On the other hand I also ask, "Is it
only money that measures love?" I think it's not... There are better
things in life we should discover in our family.
My parents are
strict. They don't allow me to hang out with my friends. watch movie
with friends and the like. Even my grandparents are like that. They
are protective with me. But I really understand. They Just don't want
me to lose my path just like what is happening to the youth today. They
don't want me to waste what they have been working for. They have so
many plans for me just as I do. However, the only thing I hate Is the
time that I can't reach their expectations. I am afraid to disappoint
them. I don't want to hurt them either. We had some problems before
which I don't want to repeat that's why I changed for the better.
My only advice to
my fellow youth is that life will not always be easy. Ufe will not
always be fun... Don't waste the things our parents are giving us.
Make the most out of life. Don't entertain bad things and let God reign
in us. We should always remember that whatever happens, they are still
our parents; don't give them problems because they are really working
hard for us. Let us keep our gratitude on and make them fee! loved
tile
same way they make
us feel loved. Now I realized that working abroad is not just for
money- it also shows love.
JERIKA EVERLY
MARQUEZ
YEAR IV. ST. VERONICA
Canossa Academy, Lipa City |
