Coming home for his graduation: An OFW mother's promise kept

GMA Network

12-06-2025

For many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), coming home is not just a flight back to the Philippines—it's an emotional journey marked by sacrifice, longing, and love.
For Myla dela Cruz, an OFW in Doha, Qatar, her return meant finally fulfilling a promise to the boy who quietly grew up in her absence—her son, Hennessy.
After years apart, she flew back not for a vacation, but for a moment she could not bear to miss: his high school graduation.
"Ito po 'yung surprise na hindi niya inakala talaga. Hindi ko po siya binigyan ng pagkakataon na isipin niya na uuwi ako sa mismong araw ng graduation niya," Myla said in an interview with GMA Pinoy TV.
(This was a surprise he truly didn't see coming. I didn't give him any hint that I would be coming home on his graduation day.)
Myla grew up in a large family in Nueva Ecija. None of her seven siblings were able to finish school due to poverty. Amid her hardship, however, Myla found her motivation.
"Sa amin pong magkakapatid, wala pong nakatapos. Dahil po sa dala ng kahirapan… pinalaki po kami ng mga magulang namin ng iisang hangarin sa buhay—magtulungan, magmahalan. Sabay-sabay po kami aangat," Myla said.
(None of us siblings finished school because of poverty… but our parents raised us with one goal: to help and love one another. We were determined to rise together.)
She carried that dream into motherhood, determined to give her own child a better story—one that included diplomas, medals, and applause.
Making ends meet
Before working abroad, Myla tried to make ends meet through various jobs: she worked as a waitress, a barista at a five-star hotel in Dubai, and later, as a farmhand back home.
"Namasukan po ako na mamitas ng talong, ng sili, ng ampalaya… Ang kinikita ko lang po noon, 150 pesos per day," she said.
(I worked as a picker of eggplants, chili, and bitter gourd… I only earned 150 pesos a day.)
When she gave birth to Hennessy, she stayed with him for as long as she could. As a single mother, she knew that love alone would not secure his future.
At just four years old, Myla had to say goodbye to Hennessy, and make the heartbreaking decision to work overseas again.
"Sinabi ko po sa magulang ko na ako po ay aalis ulit. Gusto ko pong makilala niya ako—na ako ang ina niya," Myla said.
(I told my parents I was leaving again. I wanted him to grow up knowing me—that I am his mother.)
'Mama, umuwi ka na'
Life in Qatar offered added financial security, but nothing could compare to the emotional weight of being apart from her son.
Myla said, "Minsan sasabihin niya, 'Mama, umuwi ka na. Sama ka na lang dito sa akin.'"
(Sometimes he'd say, "Mama, come home. Just stay here with me.")
Hennessy, meanwhile, was lovingly raised by his grandparents. He grew up with a heart full of gratitude—traits that made Myla both proud and heartbroken.
She said, "Nata-touch ako 'pag sinasabi ng mga kapatid ko, utol, ang suwerte mo kay Bebe.'"
(I get emotional when my siblings say, "You're lucky to have Bebe.")
Graduation day
As graduation day approached, Myla started receiving touching messages from Hennessy for helping him reach his milestone.
"Mama, maraming salamat. Kahit wala akong kinagisnang ama, ikaw 'yung tumayo, Papa at Mama para sa akin," Hennessy said.
(Mama, thank you. Even though I didn't grow up with a father, you stood as both Papa and Mama for me.)
Those words sealed Myla's decision. She booked a ticket home. She didn't even tell her family about her decision.
"Pinapangako ko sa'yo, sa senior high school mo—uuwi si Mama. Ako na ang kasama mo," Myla recalled.
(I promise you, for your senior high graduation — Mama will come home. I'll be the one by your side.)
On graduation day itself, she walked quietly into the school grounds, waited for the right moment, and tapped her son on the back.
"Sa sobrang tuwa niya, halo 'yung emotion niya—pagkagulat at 'yung pagiging masaya na si Mama nandito," Myla said.
(He was overwhelmed—it was a mix of shock and joy that Mama was here.)
That day, Hennessy received awards for Outstanding Leadership, and Outstanding Science Lab Officer.
This time, his mother was there to witness him receive the recognition.
Reward for sacrifice
For Myla, it was not just about medals or ceremonies. It was about showing up—physically, emotionally, fully—for the child who had waited patiently for her love.
"Hindi ko man siya palaging kasama, pero lagi akong uuwi sa kanya. Lagi akong babalik," she said.
(Even if I'm not always by his side, I will always come home to him. I will always return.)
For mothers like Myla, love is not measured by distance or time apart. Instead it is through the moments when love finally arrives—unexpected, unwavering, and just in time. — VDV, GMA Integrated News