OFW says tearful goodbye to employer's kids, heads home to take care of mom

“Andito lang si Auntie, laging nagmamahal sa inyo. Mahal na mahal ko kayo parati. Habambuhay ko kayong mamahalin.”

(Auntie is always here, always loving you. I will always love you for the rest of my life.)

These were the words of Neo Policarpio Galang, also known as “Auntie Nolyn” to siblings James and Lexi — during one of the most difficult days of her life. After six years together, the domestic helper had to part ways with the children she helped raise, as their family prepared to relocate to Dubai.

Neo became part of the Luckett family in 2019 in Hong Kong, when James was just two months old. Two years later, Lexi was born, and Neo cared for both children from infancy. When the family moved to Singapore, they brought her with them — a sign of the trust and closeness they had built.

“Napakagaan po ng pakiramdam na magtrabaho kasi alam mo po na mahal ka ng mga amo mo, may tiwala sa’yo,” she said in a GMA Integrated News Newsfeed.

(It feels so light and fulfilling to work when you know your employers love you and trust you.)

That bond grew even stronger when Neo was diagnosed with endometrial cancer last year. Instead of sending her home, the Luckett family paid for her treatment and cared for her throughout her recovery. Today, she is cancer-free.

“Wala po talaga akong masabi. Para po sa akin, sila na po ‘yung pinaka-the best.”
(I really have nothing more to say. For me, they are truly the best.)

But Neo’s journey took another painful turn when her father passed away in the Philippines while she was abroad. 

The loss prompted her to decide against following the family to Dubai, realizing it was time to stay home and care for her mother. Her doctor also advised her to rest as she continued recovering from cancer.

Still, the decision was far from easy.

“I only want you. But I cannot come to Dubai. Be a good girl in Dubai. Okay? It’s okay, Auntie loves you,” she told Lexi.

What she misses most are the small, everyday moments like the children’s cheerful morning greetings.

“‘Yung iniyakan ko po talaga, ‘yung paggising ko sa umaga, hindi ko na makikita ‘yung mga bata.”
(What really made me cry was waking up in the morning and realizing I won’t see the kids anymore.)

“Kasi ang gising ko po doon, 6:45 ng umaga kasi ang pasok po nila, 7:20. Ang ganda po ng pagkatok nila. ‘Hi, Auntie! Are you awake? Good morning! I want to kiss you, I want to hug you.’”

(I used to wake up at 6:45 a.m. because their class started at 7:20. I loved the way they knocked on my door saying, ‘Hi, Auntie! Are you awake? Good morning! I want to kiss you, I want to hug you.’)

Before she left Singapore, James built two toy bikes — one for him and one for Neo, telling her to keep hers safe until they can ride together again.

“Sabi niya, Auntie, ‘pag ma-relocate na kami sa Dubai, ingatan mo po ‘yan. Huwag na huwag mong sisirain," she said. (He told me, ‘Auntie, when we move to Dubai, take care of this. Don’t ever break it.’)

“‘Pag pumunta ako ng Pilipinas, hahanapin ko ‘yan sa’yo. ‘Yung akin ‘yung black, sa’yo ‘yung green. Tapos sasakay tayo pareho.’” (‘When I go to the Philippines, I’ll look for it. The black one is mine, the green one is yours. Then we’ll ride together.’)

Their father handed her the children’s uniforms and told her not to wash them so she could still “smell them every day.”

Now, Neo stays in touch with James and Lexi through video calls. The Lucketts continue to support her, even covering her medical checkups and sending her gifts.

“Sabi ni Sir, habambuhay, everyday ipapaalala ka namin sa mga bata. Everyday, sasabihin namin na may isang Auntie na nag-alaga sa inyong dalawa," she added. 

(Sir said, ‘For the rest of their lives, every day, we will remind the children about you. Every day, we will tell them there was an Auntie who took care of both of you.’)

Though they are now miles apart, the bond they built over six years remains. 

For Neo, the love she has for James and Lexi, and the memories they shared, will always stay with her.—LDF, GMA Integrated News