Libre Ang Mangarap Kabayan

I’m A., married, has a daughter, and is working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. My dreams are: to be financially stable, have a house and a car, let my kid finish her studies, and live happily with my family.

My family — father side — belongs to Subanen indigenous family located in Zamboanga Peninsula. In 1940, majority of lands of Zamboanga Peninsula provinces are composed of forests. At the time, there was also no opportunity for children to attend school. According to the story of my good father, family income then was low, and elementary and high schools were located in the other town. My father’s fate seemed to be favorable. A teacher was looking for a working student — and my father was chosen. Before that, my father was excited because he can finally see what a school looks like, and he can learn to read and write. My father eventually finished college. When I started growing up in Zamboanga Sibugay, I never thought that we were poor. My father had a permanent job. He could afford to send us to school. And, he can feed us well. But when I went to Bulacan after I finished high school in Mindanao, I realized that I belonged to a poor family. We never had appliances. We used wood in cooking for food. My parent never brought me rubber shoes. In 1999, my parents sent me to Bulacan to study college — with the help of my aunt. My aunt’s family isolated me from bad influence such as “barkadas" (although some “barkadas" are good influence). My parents have been successful in their decision because I was able to finish my Accountancy degree. Admittedly, I enjoyed my four year in Bulacan because I realized the difficulty of our lives and learned some ideas on how to improve it, although at first, I really missed my family in Zamboanga Sibugay. After college, I landed a job in Manila. I eventually became permanent in my job, and after five months, I was promoted as payroll officer at 23. I could say that I had a good career on that company, until I got married and had a child. My expenses have started to increase, and I thought that working abroad was the best solution to pay such expenses. I could also save and acquire properties for my family. In 2008, I decided to work abroad, and luckily, I landed job in Saudi Arabia. Honestly, I do not dream to be an overseas Filipino worker, but I am here now, far from my family. Two years later, my contract ended so I took a vacation. My boss offered me a great opportunity — previously, I was an outsourced employee of the organization, but now the institution offered me a sponsorship. I’m with this company for nearly three years. I believed that a dream is significant for people’s success. Luck will come only if people are hard working, patient, and wise. An OFW must be strong, brave, confident, diligent, and considerate. — GMA News Mr. A in Riyadh, KSA Ano ang kwento mo? Mga Kapuso, tuloy ang ating kwentuhan. Sana’y hindi kayo magsawa sa pagtangkilik sa ating pitak na ito. Habang may mga kababayan tayo sa abroad - pati ang kanilang mga kabiyak, anak, ina, ama o sinuman na kabahagi ng kanilang buhay - na nais magpaabot ng kanilang saloobin, mananatili po ang inyong Kwentong Kapuso. Katulad ng dati, hindi kami magsasawa na basahin ang inyong mga kwento - maigsi man o mahaba. Kahit na ang laman nito ay naglalabas ng inyong saloobin, walang mapagsabihan ng sikreto, o kaya naman nais magbigay ng inspirasyon, gustong magpayo, magsumbong, magpatawa o kahit nagpapalipas lang ng oras. Kaya hihintayin namin ang inyong mga email na maaari ninyong ipadala sa Pinoyabroad@gmanews.tv Sa inyo mga kababayan namin saan mang dako sa mundo, kami po'y saludo sa inyo. Kaya ilabas na ang iyong saloobin, ikuwento mo Kapuso!