A mother’s love from far away: Life of an OFW in Hongkong

There is nothing greater than a mother’s love for her children.

This rings true for many, especially for mothers like Jenny Ann Villanueva—an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and content creator in Hong Kong whose daily life reflects sacrifice, strength, and unconditional love.

Jenny has been working in Hong Kong for six years as a domestic helper. 

She cooks, cleans, and goes to the market every day, working for a Chinese family. It’s a tiring routine, but it’s a routine powered by love.

Jenny is a single mother with two children back home in the Philippines. For her, going abroad was never easy—it was a painful choice made out of necessity.

"Kailangan talaga mag-abroad, ma’am. Para mabigyan ko ng magandang pinabukasan yung mga anak ko," Jenny shared in an interview with GMA Pinoy TV.

(I need to go abroad. To give my children a better future.) 

Though her heart longs to be with them, she pushes forward, knowing that this sacrifice is the path to their future.

Before moving to Hong Kong, Jenny worked in Kuwait for two years. After her contract ended, she returned to the Philippines briefly before applying again—this time determined to earn more to support her children and recover their mortgaged farm.

Jenny comes from Malungon, Sarangani Province. Her family are farmers, and growing up on the land gave her a deep sense of responsibility. But life in the countryside is tough. 

To keep her children fed, clothed, and in school, she does what must be done—even if it means cooking for other children while missing her own. 

"Nalulungkot tayo... iba yung pinagsisilbihan natin, instead yung pamilya natin," she said.

(I feel sad... we are taking care of other people instead of our own family.)

In the quiet moments of her daily routine, Jenny discovered something unexpected: vlogging. She began documenting her life not just as a form of self-expression, but to uplift others who might be on the same path.

"Nauso kasi yung vlog, ma’am... kaya sabi ko, itry ko pa yung mga daily routine po. Iba-vlog ko rin para maging inspirasyon din ng iba.”

(Vlogging became a trend... so I thought of doing daily routine vlogs. I will vlog it so it can be an inspiration to others.)

She didn’t expect her videos to be watched by many, but people started following. Fellow OFWs related to her struggles, while aspiring migrant workers found valuable insights into what life is really like abroad. Over time, Jenny gained followers—and even got approached for product promotions.

"Malayo pa, pero malayo na.”

(Although I'm still far from where I want to be but I've already made this far too.) 

Her journey as a domestic worker has borne fruit. From her earnings in Hong Kong, she’s managed to build a small home and buy land back in the Philippines. 

"Yung nakaka-proud po, nakapagpatayo tayo ng sariling bahay.”

(I feel proud, I was able to build my own home.)

And though she still dreams of bringing her children to Hong Kong someday, she finds comfort in knowing they understand why she’s away. 

"Naiintindihan naman nila bakit malayo po sa kanila," she said.

(They understand why I am away from them.) 

Jenny’s message to her followers—and to all who dream of working abroad—is simple but powerful: 

"Laban lang tayo.” (Let's keep fighting.) 

She knows the road isn’t easy. Loneliness, homesickness, and exhaustion come with the territory. But with faith and resilience, she believes that anyone can find their place and purpose—just like she did.

"Mahirap bilang ina na hindi natin maibigay yung mga pangangailangan ng ating anak ko. (Kaya) yung hanap ko ng puso ko, yun na yung mabigyan ko ng magandang kinabukasan yung anak ko. Maibigay ko yung mga pangangailangan ng anak ko," she added.

For Jenny Ann Villanueva, every meal she prepares, every vlog she records, and every tear she sheds is part of a greater mission—one that only a mother’s love can carry through. — BM, GMA Integrated News