Growing up away from OFW parents has always been a challenging reality, and seeing them again in the flesh is a much-needed comfort.
Lucas Tapang, a six-year-old kid whose parents are OFW nurses, couldn’t help but cry upon seeing his “sundo” after a long day at school last September 1, 2022.
Expecting to see his uncle sitting in the driver’s seat, an ordinary fetch from school on that day became special when he immediately saw his OFW father waiting for him in the car.
“Naalala ko ‘yung time na pabalik na kami ng Saudi nun eh sobra po siyang nalungkot at grabe po ‘yung nakita ko sa mukha niya, ‘yung kanyang kalungkutan that time. So bago ako umuwi nitong September 1, talagang plinano kong isurpresa siya para naman po makita ko kung gaano siya katuwa nang makita niya ang daddy niya,” Richard Tapang told the Philippine STAR.
Richard and his wife Vanessa have been working as nurses at a military hospital in Saudi Arabia for 13 years.
Vanessa’s mother has been taking care of their son Lucas since he was two months old.
“Every vacation lang po kami nagkikita nila Lucas, every year lang po talaga. Bale parang 30 days lang po in a year,” said Vanessa.
Being away from Lucas was a tough decision they had to make, but for their son’s sake, they had to bear challenges that affected their parents-son bond.
“As a mother po mahirap po talaga kasi hindi ko nasubaybayan ‘yung growth niya even ‘yung first walk niya,” said Vanessa.
“Kahit video call lang, minsan may time na hindi kami nito kinakausap tapos parang alam mo ‘yung nafefeel na parang lumalayo ‘yung loob kaya ‘yun ‘yung challenge samin mag-asawa,” she added.
After countless sacrifices, they decided to stay for good in the Philippines and make time for Lucas and their one- and two-month-old baby.
“Happy [ako] kasi complete [na] kaming family,” said Lucas.
Despite their decision to prioritize taking care of their children by their side, for now, Richard and Vanessa’s plans to work abroad remain possible, should their family situation allows them to pursue it again.
“As of now, ‘yun po ‘yung plan namin, alagaan po namin ‘yung mga bata although hindi po namin sinasantabi ‘yung plan na mag-abroad ulit ‘pag kinakailangan na po talaga pero hangga’t maaari, try po namin magkita ng pagkakakitaan po sa Pinas,” Richard said.
Noting the obstacles of long-distance parenting, Richard and Vanessa urged fellow OFWs to treasure quality time with families in every way possible.
“Sa mga kaperehas po naming mga OFW na may iniwang pamilya rin po dito sa Pinas, hangga’t maaari, every day you can talk and chat with them. Sabihin niyo po sa kanila ‘yung real reason kung bakit po kayo nag-abroad,” said Richard.
“Sa mga ka-OFW namin dyan, una, quality time, kahit malayo try to reach out through video call tapos sabihin sa kanila na hindi ka nagpakalayo para sa mga wants lang, sa need din saka sa future nila,” Vanessa added.
