Graduate tells OFW mom: Come

home, it’s my turn to work

By Minka Klaudia Tiangco

Minerva Jane Borca was only thirteen when her mother, Maria Fe left for Muscat, Oman to work as a
domestic helper to support their family.

Minerva Jane Borca (PHOTO COURTESY OF MINERVA JANE BORCA / MANILA BULLETIN)

Before leaving, Maria Fe made Minerva promise to focus on her studies. It was Maria Fe’s dream to
see her daughter work as a cabin crew in a famous airline someday.

As the eldest daughter, the responsibility of taking care of her younger siblings fell on Minerva’s
shoulders.

After years of juggling academic work and sister-duties, Minerva finally graduated with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Travel Management at the Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela City.

During the graduation photo shoot, Minerva was told to do a wacky pose. Instead, she grabbed a
whiteboard and a pen and scribbled a message for her mom: “Ma, uwi ka na ng Pinas, ako naman
magta-trabaho! (Ma, come back to the Philippines, it’s now my turn to work!)”
This was the only graduation gift that Minerva wanted.

“Ma, tumupad ako sa usapan nating kakayanin kong magtapos at hindi ako magloloko. Hindi lang ito
para sa akin, para sa inyo ‘to. Ma, oras na para ako naman yung tumulong (Ma, I fulfilled my
promise that I will finish school and will not fool around. This is not just for me. This is for you. Ma,
it’s now my turn to help),” she posted on Facebook post.

“Mas pinipili kong pauwiin siya kesa makatanggap ng ano mang materyal na bagay (I would prefer
that she come home rather than receive material things for graduation).”

Minerva’s post went viral and earned 6,500 likes and 4,300 shares on Facebook.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin, Minerva said she posted the photo the night before her
graduation to surprise her mother.

“I just wanted to thank her and tell her how brave she is for doing everything she can for us. So, it
is only right that I give back to her. It is my turn to help her and Papa. I love her very much, no
matter what happens,” she said in Filipino.

When asked about her reaction to Minerva’s surprise, Maria Fe said it was a mixture of pride and
longing.

“Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam na may ganyan palang ipo-post ang anak ko (To be honest, I did not
know that my daughter would post something like that),” she told Manila Bulletin in an online chat.
“Naiyak ako ng sobra kasi sobrang dedicated siyang mapauwi ako (I was reduced to tears because
she really wanted me to come home).”

One more year

In her post, Minerva detailed her struggle in balancing school work and helping her father, Vicente,
in taking care of her siblings Kimberly, Kriscelle, and Mary Kryztine.

But Minerva said this was nothing compared to what her mother experienced while working abroad.

“Kung maraming nawala at kulang sa akin simula noong mag-abroad siya, alam kong mas marami
siyang tiniis at sakripisiyo sa malayong lugar para sa ikagagaan ng buhay namin at para mabigyan
niya kami ng sapat na edukasyon

(Whatever I lack or lost after my mom left for abroad, what she endured and sacrificed is much
greater so we can have a good life and good education),” her post read.

Aside from the exhaustion, loneliness, and homesickness, Maria Fe bared that there are days she
does not eat just so she can send enough of her earnings to her family.

Like most overseas Filipino workers, Maria Fe cannot celebrate special occasions with her family.
Those days, she said, are just normal working days for her.

Maria Fe has been home twice – in 2014 and 2017 – but both she and Minerva said a week or
month is not enough to make up for time lost while Maria Fe was away.

But it may not be long before the Borca family will be whole again.
“After my contract expires, I will be coming home,” Maria Fe told Manila Bulletin. “Sobrang miss ko
na ang pamilya ko. Lagi silang magi-ingat. Malapit ko na sila makita ulit (I miss my family very
much. I hope they take care. I will see them all soon).”

Prior to Minerva’s graduation, Maria Fe extended her contract for a year. And that would not be too
long anymore.

Explore more of ph this summer

By Johannes Chua

It is always summer. Though a lot of people will complain about the sweltering heat or the sweaty
feeling, it can’t be help that majority of Filipinos plan their entire year around summer.

https://news.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/01-02-06-07-11-13-15-16_1st.jpg

FALLSCOVER – There is so much more to discover in the Philippines. Up north, Abra is opening up as an
exciting destination. Drop by the Kaparkan Falls to beat the summer heat. (Estan Cabigas / MANILA
BULLETIN)

Flights during the coming weeks were already pre-booked, some as far as a year ago. Outfits (or
now popularly known as OOTDs) were already planned, color coordinating the upper and lower body
clothing from day time to party night.

Bodies were also ‘planned’ for summer, making sure that the painful diet experienced from January
to March will finally pay off with a beach-ready body in April.

If the beach-body is still not ready, there are apps with filters to ‘slim’ one down, making sure that
one is IG-ready.

Before spending summer somewhere far and away, why not consider the Philippines?

Yes, you have been to Boracay, to Baguio, to Tagaytay or to Davao. But have you considered Abra?
Or Camiguin? Or Siargao?

Recent developments reported by the Department of Tourism showed optimistic growth in tourism
arrivals.

Data also showed new developments now rising in previously unknown places.

When Boracay underwent a much-needed rehabilitation last year, people soon began exploring
other destinations.

Soon, the beaches of La Union or Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte seemed like viable alternatives. Ditto
with beaches in Bohol, or in Catanduanes, or in Sarangani.

There is no reason why one can’t explore more of the Philippines. Aside from the availability of
flights or shipping routes (for example, Romblon, anyone?), it is now more convenient to travel with
online reviews, online bookings, and travel apps.
Each province already has an established tourism program that there is no dearth of information.

Even though the Philippines’ tourism slogan is still “#It’s More Fun In The Philippines” (with a
refreshed look and its own font), a lot of LGUs (and sometimes with cooperation from the private
sector) took the initiative to create their own tourism campaigns, for example, in Paoay (Paoay Ku-
makaway!), Makati (Make it Makati!), Camiguin (#FeelCamiguin), Davao (Life is Here), Quezon City
(QC Welcomes You), among others.

The tourism scenario going into the summer of 2019 is robust, reaching high occupancy rates for
hotels and resorts, and making the country competitive among our neighbors, tourism powerhouse
Thailand or Singapore.

A lot of new resorts have also opened, some really luxurious ones such as in Palawan (e.g. Seda Lio
in El Nido), in Cagayan de Oro, or in Aurora.

If one does not want to go outside Metro Manila, then tourism options are a lot.

New hotels are rising, especially down south in the Entertainment City near the airports.

Staycation is now an “in” thing and a nice hotel in Quezon City near a mall has revealed that it is
already fully occupied for the whole month of April – and most guests are local residents.

So for this summer, make the Philippines a part of your travel itinerary. The country promises not
only a memorable vacation experience but an endless sunshine to make your summer one of the
best seasons of life. Indeed, summer is more fun in the Philippines.