Watch: A story of a happy helper in Dubai. Halo-Halong Kwento gives voice to OFW domestic helpers and salutes our new economic heroes of the Philippines for their sacrifices abroad. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/videos
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00:00Millions and millions of overseas Filipino workers are working in different parts of the world.
00:07Now, we would like to share a story that we would like to share with our fellow Filipinos.
00:21I am Margie M. Bautista.
00:24Margie's life is one of the stories that reflects the hardships and sacrifices that our fellow Filipinos endure.
00:35In my daily routine, I would wake up at 4.30 a.m.
00:40I would go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and breakfast for the two children.
00:46After I cook, I would wake the two children up for school.
00:51I would feed them first.
00:53It would take about 15 to 20 minutes for the children to be ready to eat.
01:03At 6.55 a.m., we would go outside to wait for their school bus.
01:11We would not go out every day.
01:14We would alternate going out three times a week.
01:17Sometimes, we would go out twice.
01:19Sometimes, we would go out more than once.
01:22We would clean the house every day.
01:26She would take care of her children and family,
01:30especially her late husband, who used to take care of her.
01:38My eldest son, Edmar Acasible, is 13 years old.
01:43My youngest son, Mary Rose, is 5 years old.
01:49I lost my father.
01:55I lost my husband, too.
01:59My husband passed away almost five years ago.
02:05When he passed away, I was still in the U.A.E. in Abu Dhabi.
02:14For her loved ones, she is ready to save her own food and clothing.
02:22Sometimes, I just want to go out.
02:25Because if you always go out, you will also spend money.
02:29I have to budget for my expenses because I have to send money to my children.
02:36Sometimes, she would be sad.
02:40So, we would go out to eat.
02:42We would watch movies.
02:48Sometimes, she would ask for extra allowance.
02:56She would ask for extra allowance to call her in the Philippines.
03:03If we know that she is sad,
03:06because you will notice that every day when you are with her,
03:10you will see that she is sad.
03:13She would save her own food and clothing
03:16so that it would be easier for her to save the money that she is trying to save.
03:22When my husband passed away, it was hard for me.
03:26Because I was the one who took care of my mother and father.
03:31I have two children.
03:33That's why I said that I really need to save money.
03:37I really need to save my expenses.
03:40But I also need to pay my debts.
03:43Because I also have debts that I need to pay.
03:47Even if it's just a small amount of money,
03:51I still have income for my children.
03:55Even if it's not for me, it's for my children.
03:58As an employer, we need to give what is due.
04:02And at the same time, if we can,
04:05if we are blessed by God,
04:07not only monetary value,
04:11maybe spend more time with them,
04:13be friends with them.
04:15Because in the Middle East,
04:17employer-employer relationship,
04:20it's hard for you to see them as friends.
04:24Atimarji,
04:26because of your sacrifice and perseverance,
04:30I hope you like the small surprise
04:34that we prepared for you here in Halo-Halong Cuento.
04:37Hi, Atimarji.
04:40We have a small surprise.
04:42We will just break the interview.
04:44It's okay, you can go to the door.
04:48We have a small surprise.
04:50Okay.
04:55Do you have a box that you can give to the prosecutor?
05:00This is the box.
05:04What is it?
05:06It's a box with a tape.
05:11It's a box with a tape.
05:16Maybe you can give it to him.
05:18I don't have one.
05:22You can go inside.
05:24They told me to give you a card,
05:27but I told them not to,
05:29because I love my country,
05:31and I was invited to the fair.
05:36Thank you so much.
06:41It's my first time to have make-up in my whole life,
06:46because I only use powder.
06:49I don't have make-up like this.
06:52Here.
06:54Let's eat.
07:12How are you, Margie?
07:14Did you have fun today?
07:16Yes, a lot.
07:17What did you experience today?
07:19I went out with a lot of people.
07:23I enjoyed and ate a lot.
07:26Did you get full?
07:27Yes, I did.
07:29Earlier, we gave you a gift.
07:31What is it?
07:33It's a gift for you.
07:39Earlier, we gave you a box of stories.
07:43Yes.
07:44Now, you don't have to worry about what you'll put in the box.
07:48Here are the chocolates that your children are asking for.
07:51These are for you.
07:55Thank you so much.
07:57Take a look.
07:59I hope they like it.
08:02Yes, they like it.
08:04Thank you so much.
08:06I hope they are surprised.
08:08To all OFWs, whether you are a family member or not,
08:13who are still fighting,
08:15who are struggling with the challenges of life,
08:18who are suffering from homesickness,
08:21and who are sick,
08:23to all OFWs who are working hard and saving money
08:27to send a lot of money to the Philippines,
08:31to our countrymen who are far away from your families,
08:35and to your loved ones who are eager to embrace and embrace life,
08:41to our OFWs who are smiling despite the tears,
08:48we salute you for your steadfastness and hard work.
08:53Thank you so much.
09:05Thank you so much.