Over and over through the following voices I hear people reaching for each other. Parents wanting to do right by their children, by the future they envision for them. Children wanting to do right by their parents, by the work and sacrifice they have watched them endure. Spouses wanting to keep the promises they made. They want to take care of each other, they want to do the right thing, to show love and appreciation. They want to be loved. And yet the clearest of objectives can become so convoluted as it’s transmitted across distance and through relationships, the way voice carries over water, echoing and spreading, the words worn away by the distance until its only sound. The steady diffusion of love, so potent at its source and so easily misconstrued by the time it arrives. It’s very power its own vulnerability.
Our recent feature from the Philippines looked at how migration was shaping an entire country, a family, and a marriage. This week we hear directly from some of those people about how it feels.
Darwin Francisco, 38.
Shiela Marie Ramos Francisco, 38.
Shelwin “Rob” Ramos Francisco, 16.
Shann Darren Francisco, 12.
“I just want to bond with her while she’s home,” Shann said of his mother, Shiela, “I want to eat with her, sleep next to her, be with her. I just want to be around her.”
Darwin’s mother, Yolanda Francisco, 74.
Darwin’s sister, Delsey Anne Francisco Pasos, 35.
Delsey’s husband has worked in Saudi Arabia for eight years now. “I’m glad he’s there but I want him here,” she laughs, “It’s very complicated. Here the jobs aren’t good. They don’t pay (enough), but there (Saudi Arabia) is too far.”
Delsey and her 14-year-old daughter, Joedhie (middle above), also live with Yolando, the six of them packed into the small two bedroom apartment. Delsey sleeps on a mattress she lays out in the living room and wakes everyday around 4:30am to sign on with the Singaporean company where she works as a virtual assistant, and to help Joedhie get ready for school. When she’s not logged on for that job, she’s working her second job as a sales manager for a local framing company.
Helen Cruz, 48.
Helen’s son, Lucas Cruz, 11.
Helen’s daughter, Helena “Brandy” Martina Cruz, 19.
Venice Ray Palteng, age 17.
This piece was possible because of the incredible work and support from journalist and researcher, Maria Cecilia Nicolas-Gonzales. My sincere thanks to her as well as Rodney Ramos and Guill Ramos.