Single OFW dad opens up about raising three kids alone in Japan through vlogs

“Ayokong maranasan nila na maging single parent sila katulad ko (I don’t want my children to go through becoming a single parent like me)."

These are the words of Erwin Diaz, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and single father who has been raising his three children in Japan on his own.

Diaz began working in Japan in 2002. Over the years, he took on various jobs — from working as a cook in a factory to eventually landing his current job as a forklift driver at an aluminium company.

He said he never intended to settle in Japan, having first arrived as a tourist after receiving an invitation from his sibling. But his plans changed after meeting his former wife, with whom he had three children.

“Thirteen years ago na [mula nang maging] single parent ako. Naalala ko, two months old pa lang ‘yung baby ko noon,” Diaz said in an interview on GMA Pinoy TV.

(It’s been 13 years since I became a single parent. I remember my baby was only two months old then.)

“Siguro masasabi kong maayos naman ‘yung paghihiwalay namin. Nag-usap kami tungkol sa mga anak namin. Salamat na lang kasi pumayag siya na ako yung mag-alaga sa tatlo naming anak,” he added.

(I can say our separation was amicable. We talked about our children, and I’m thankful she agreed to let me take care of them.)

Diaz said he remains grateful to his former wife for allowing him to raise their children and build a life in Japan.

Double jobs, double responsibilities

For Diaz, being a single parent meant carrying responsibilities usually shared by two people.

He admitted that raising three children alone was difficult at first, forcing him to take on multiple jobs just to make ends meet.

“Nung una mahirap, pero habang tumatagal parang normal na buhay lang sa akin,” he said.

(At first it was difficult, but over time it became normal for me.)

Before going to work, Diaz would bring his infant daughter to daycare — something he said is common in Japan, as long as the child’s necessities, such as milk and blankets, are prepared.

“Pagkahatid ko sa daycare, papasok na ako sa trabaho. Ang trabaho ko noon maikli lang kasi kailangan kong sunduin yung mga anak ko ng alas-tres, alas-kuwatro,” he recalled.

(After dropping them off at daycare, I’d go straight to work. My shift back then was short because I had to pick them up by three or four in the afternoon.)

As his children grew older, Diaz said they gradually learned to help with household chores, applying what they had learned at daycare.

Looking back on his younger years in the Philippines, Diaz said becoming a single parent transformed him.

Once a stubborn and rebellious son, he said fatherhood changed his perspective entirely.

“Pero nung nagkaanak ako, biglang nagbago. Naisip ko ‘yung magiging buhay ng mga anak ko, kailangan kong sipagan,” he said.

(When I had children, everything changed instantly. I started thinking about their future and knew I had to work harder.)

Sharing his journey online

Beyond his day job, Diaz has built a following on social media through Big Papa Vlogs, where he shares snippets of his life in Japan with his children.

He said what moves him most are the messages from viewers who tell him their family inspires them.

“Pinakatumatatak sa akin kapag sinasabi nila na nagiging inspirasyon ‘yung buhay namin sa kanila. ‘Yung iba naman sinasabi, ‘Yung tatay ko nakikita ko sa’yo,’” Diaz said.

(What stays with me most is when people say our life inspires them. Some even tell me they see their father in me.)

“Natutuwa ako sobra, parang mas lalo akong nagpupursigi na ipakita ‘yung buhay namin,” he added.

(It makes me so happy and pushes me even more to keep sharing our lives.)

Big Papa Vlogs started with simple YouTube uploads — silent videos with only background music. Over time, Diaz said his audience, views, and subscribers steadily grew.

Diaz admitted there were times when, as the family’s sole breadwinner, he struggled to pay bills, even experiencing water and electricity disconnections and unpaid rent.

But with the income from vlogging, he said life has become more stable, allowing him to settle bills on time and provide better for his children.

To show appreciation, Diaz makes it a point to interact with his followers.

“’Yung mga comments nila halos ni-reply-an ko kasi malaki rin ‘yung natututunan ko sa mga comments nila. Kumukuha rin ako ng payo,” he said.

(I try to reply to almost every comment because I learn a lot from them. I also get advice from them.)

Keeping his Filipino roots alive, Diaz said he raised his children on Filipino comfort dishes such as tinola (chicken soup with ginger and papaya), adobo (meat braised in soy sauce and vinegar), and sinigang (a sour tamarind-based soup) — something his viewers also enjoy watching.

A father’s only dream

Through years of raising his children alone, Diaz said patience became one of the most important values he developed.

“Minsan pag naiinis ka, akala nila laro-laro lang,” he said.

“Kaya sa mga magulang, dapat habaan ‘yung pasensya ninyo. Kausapin ninyo sila palagi, tanungin kung may problema sa school para mas mapalapit kayo sa mga anak ninyo.”

(Parents need to be patient. Always talk to your children and ask if they have problems at school so you can grow closer to them.)

Diaz said he shares a close bond with his children, though he makes sure boundaries remain clear.

“Oo, close kami sobra, parang magkakabarkada nga kami. Pero siyempre may limitasyon. Alam nila na tatay nila ako, ‘yung paggalang bilang tatay, andoon pa rin.”

(We’re very close, almost like friends. But there are still limits. They know I’m their father, and that respect remains.)

While Diaz openly shares the joys and challenges of single parenthood, he said he hopes his children will never have to face the same struggles.

“Wala na akong pangarap para sa sarili ko. Para sa akin, naranasan ko na ang lahat ng dapat kong maranasan. Hindi naman ako naghahangad maging super mayaman,” he said.

(I don’t have dreams for myself anymore. I’ve already experienced everything I need to. I don’t dream of becoming super rich.)

“Gusto ko lang maging maayos ‘yung mga anak ko. ’Yun lang siguro ‘yung pangarap ko.”

(I just want my children to have a good life. That’s probably my only dream now.)

And for the day his children finally understand Filipino and watch his interview, Diaz has one message for them:

“Basta tandaan ninyo lang na mahal na mahal ko kayo at palagi lang akong nandito para sa inyo.”

(Just remember that I love you very much, and I will always be here for you.)—MCG, GMA News