Away From Home: Christmas For OFW

A year ago, I left the country to work. It was my first Christmas spent away from family. I remember how I cried myself to sleep that Christmas Eve, alone in my cabin, far from the usual warmth of home and midnight dinner. It was also my first New Year's Eve spent away from family. More than 6 months later, I came back after my contract ended, hoping that I would no longer have to leave my family and home. That experience made me understand the plight of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). This Christmas, I am offering a prayer for them, especially those working onboard ships. My heart goes out to them and their families who long for their presence more than their padala and pasalubongs.

And then I came across this video from Coca Cola featuring our OFW. This got me teary-eyed. Hopefully one day, our families shall stay together, not sundered by the demands of economics.






Like it? Share it.

Comments

Lady Patchy said…
I am an OFW myself so i know how it feels being away home lalo na nung nandoon pa anak ko .sad but i need to do it to support my son
Sumi Go said…
That Coca-Cola ad actually got me teary-eyed the first, and even the second time I watched it. It's really hard to be away from our loved ones, especially for Filipinos since we highly value our families. If only money grow on trees... *sigh*
Unknown said…
I've been an OFW also for 6 years. The first Xmas far away from my family was the hardest. But that's life at least now we have technology, we can see them and talk to them online unlike before during my father's time when we can only talk and it cost a fortune to call him. We are still fortunate nowadays but of course it wont still replace the happiness of being "there" with them..
mahirap mawalay sa mga minamahal, but I believe that all sacrifices will soon be rewarded. Saludo ako sa inyong mga OFW!
This is a very touching video. Cheers for Coca-Cola Happiness! :)
I saw this Coca-Cola ads prior to my trip overseas for a vacation. This is one great CSR program for the company. Ang daming napapasaya na pamilyang Pilipino dahil sa mga ginagawa nila sa mga OFWs na nai-feature.

This is one of the gifts we can give out to those who touched our lives and left us inspired.
I was actually having my duty when I watched this and really this video made me cry. I let my co-workers watch it and they too cried as well. This vid was really heart warming and I know it is not easy to work from afar!
-------
from EDMARATION
Two Thumbs-up with Coca Cola bandwagon ads for OFW. I was carried away emotionally.

Simple reactions from Gil Camporazo of RandomThoughts!
Ed Zafra said…
Our OFWs have a lot to endure and being away from family in Christmas is just one them though it could be the most hurting.
Unknown said…
that Coca Cola commercial had me crying ... I could never be an OFW ... I'm not that brave.
Aleah said…
I've seen the commercial and it really touched my heart. It's really bad that parents have to leave their families to work. I can't imagine its effect on the children.
Julie. -- said…
No one could really understand our sacrifices as OFWs unless you'll experience it yourself. I guess it's quite easy for a single woman like me. But I can only imagine the agony and the longing of my fellow kababayans here who has little children in Pinas, waiting for them to come home. We can only hope that someday, we could all go home and have a decent life there in the Philippines. For now, we're doing our best here abroad for ourselves and for our family.
fbalgos said…
Ive seen this picture before
its very touching..
My dad was a seaman before he retired from it.
We can all see that its always difficult for him to leave,
and he wasnt able to watch over his elder kids like me growing up as compared to younger one's..
SO as an effect, we have this rift between.. I look at him with the look saying that this is my dad, but its just too difficult to cross that threshold
Chel said…
My dad is a retired OFW and he used to tell us how homesick he was before but then got used to it.

The Coca Cola commercial was one of the best from last year. It speaks the truth.
Nancy said…
I have watched this video as well and it did the same thing to me. Coca-Cola never fail to touch the heart of Filipinos.
ralph said…
ofw's sacrifice a lot... and the most will be working far from their family and love ones. kung ok lang sana ang salary sa pinas. Yahweh bless.
http://trunklocker.blogspot.com/2012/01/to-write-or-not-to-write.html
ellinor said…
Both my parents used to be OFWs, so I can relate to the feeling. I'm glad they already retired from their works. God bless. :)
Edwin said…
I have several friends/relatives that work abroad. It isn't easy not being able to spend the holidays with your family. A lot of them haven't spent Christmas for like 4-12 years. Sometimes, they try extend their vacations just to be able to grab the experience. Christmas time is so memorable to us Filipinos.
Algene said…
When I saw the video, naiyak talaga ako. I suddenly missed my dad. Tpos ngayon naman, naalala ko tuloy si Papa :)
Sining Factory said…
Yeah. This video made me cry. Mixed emotions of sadness and happiness. I am missing my family every time i watch this vid. :)
Mei said…
I don't have any relative who is an OFW but I do feel what they feel. Mahirap malayo sa family. Ako nga nagdodorm, pero malapit lang, namimiss ko family ko. Pano pa kaya yung sa ibang bansa diba.
Buti may cmapaign na ganyan ang Coca-Cola. It helps a lot.
chrisair said…
that's why you are called hero because you sacrifice happiness for sadness, loneliness and sometimes a broken family, God Bless all OFW around the world
Rudolph said…
very touching coca cola ad. i remember the time na OFW aking mom, umuuwi lang cya tuwing pasko

Popular Posts