“Habang may buhay, may pag-asa” – translated as ‘while there is life, there is hope’ – is a cornerstone of Filipino resilience. It embodies the idea that, as long as we keep moving forward, change for the better is always possible.  This salawikain, or proverb, serves as a powerful reminder to never give up, highlighting that every new day brings a fresh chance for recovery and growth.

Cecil Morales arrived in Hong Kong in 2008, after a seven-year stint in Kuwait. “Ten years old iyong aking panganay na si Johncel, tapos si Jany Aiko naman ay nine years old noong iniwan ko sila para mag-abroad,” [My eldest, Johncel, was ten years old while my other daughter, Jany Aiko, was nine when I left them to work abroad] shares Cecil.

Eighteen years is a long time to be away from young children, and to say that those eighteen years have been difficult for Cecil would be an understatement.

After returning from Kuwait, Cecil wanted to spend time with her two children. It wasn’t easy: the money she earned as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the Middle East was dwindling. Her husband had income, but it wasn’t enough to pay for their cost of living and school fees for their young children. She took up selling at the local market to help make ends meet, but keeping food on the table for a growing family was a constant struggle. 

Cecil recalls one particularly sad day, as they sat at the dinner table with a plate of rice and a tin of sardines. “Ma, mag-abroad ka kaya ulit. Hirap ng buhay natin, hirap kumita dito sa Pilipinas,” [Ma, maybe you should work abroad again. Our life is hard; it is so hard trying to make a living here in the Philippines] pleaded her son Johncel. 

 Cecil has found that caring for and spending time with her fellow MDWs through volunteering helps her focus and break the cycle of overthinking

While it was very difficult for a mother to hear this from her child, Cecil realised he had a point. She agreed that the best chance for her family to escape poverty and build a better future was for her to work overseas again. 

Sacrificing the familiarity of home and time with family for a life of long, often very labour-intensive hours is a complex decision, but one that is made by around 1.8 to 2.2 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who leave the country annually – an average of 5000 to 6000 daily. High unemployment, low salaries, and debt push many to work abroad, in search of a higher quality of life for themselves and their loved ones. 

The Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar) is the top destination for OFWs, with approximately 2 million working across various sectors such as construction, hospitality, domestic work, retail, IT, and healthcare.

Hong Kong has the most female migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Asia: around 200,000 Filipinos and more than 150,000 Indonesians make up 4.8% of the city’s total population. The current minimum allowable wage for MDWs is HKD 4,990 per month, equivalent to PHP 38,460 – more than the average wage of an entry-level teacher in the Philippines (between PHP 12,000 and PHP 22,000 per month).

Cecil submitted her application to a recruitment agency for Hong Kong-bound MDWs, in the hope of finding an employer as soon as possible. But a couple of months later, during the interview process, she got pregnant with her youngest daughter, Jany Nicole. Still, she continued her job search, knowing it would take several months before she could find employment. She left for Hong Kong five months after giving birth.

“Nagbe-breastfeed pa ako sa bunso namin noong umalis ako papuntang Hong Kong. Mabigat man ang loob ko na iwanan ang aking pamilya, sila din ang aking inspirasyon at nag-momotivate sa akin,” [I was still breastfeeding our youngest daughter when I left for Hong Kong. Even though my heart was heavy for leaving my family behind, they are my inspiration and motivation] shares Cecil.

Since 2008, Cecil has been very active in the MDW community in Hong Kong, joining various MDW workshops and educational seminars to improve herself. She volunteers her time with many community organisations like PathFinders, HELP For Domestic Workers, Splash Foundation, and Pinoy Impact; she is active at her church and regularly donates blood. She has found that caring for and spending time with her fellow MDWs helps her focus and break the cycle of overthinking. It provides a sense of calm, lowers stress, and naturally fosters a sense of gratitude – one of the strongest indicators of overall happiness. 

During her time overseas, communication with her family has always been a priority for Cecil.  She has always tried to ensure they were well looked after, had everything they needed for school, and were healthy and happy.

Cecil’s son Johncel (above-left) and Johnny Morales (above-right, pictured with Cecil and her daughter) tragically passed away in close succession, but their memories, alongside her faith, continue to be the source of her strength and resilience

Having cared for him in the Philippines until he was three years old – longer than she had with her daughters – Cecil had a special bond with her unico hijo (only son), Johncel. He had a steady job and was making plans to open a sari-sari, or convenience store, with her. “Kahit noong bata pa si Johncel, sobrang bait siya. Lagi niyang sinasama sa dalangin niya ang kanyang mga kapatid, lolo, at lola,” [Even when Johncel was a young boy, he was so kind. He included his sisters, grandad, and grandma in his prayers] says Cecil.

“Madami siyang kaibigan dahil ang dali niyang pakisamahan. Iyong mga ka-close niya na barkada ay Papa Johnny na din ang tawag sa tatay niya. Noong nagkatrabaho na siya, nag-uuwi siya ng bigas at ulam kapag may sweldo siya. Nag-graduate na din si Jany Aiko ng college, binilhan nila ako ng washing machine at refrigerator. Sobrang tuwa ko talaga kasi natutulungan na nila ako,” [He had so many friends because he got along with everyone. His close friends even called his dad Daddy Johnny. When he got a job, he would bring home rice and food every payday. Once my eldest daughter, Jany Aiko, graduated from college, they both bought me a washing machine and a refrigerator. I was so happy that they were finally able to help me] says Cecil with a smile.

Cecil’s strength and faith would be tested in February of 2023 when Johncel took his own life, just two weeks after his 27th birthday.

It was a devastating blow for Cecil and her family as Johncel was so full of happiness, potential, and love; he never really showed outward signs of depression or self-harm tendencies, and he was very well-liked in their community. 

“Bawat gabi ng burol ni Johncel, ang daming taong dumadalo abot hanggang sa kalsada sa labas. Sa gitna ng aking pagdadalamhati, namangha ako sa dami ng mga nakakakilala sa kanya dahil sa kabutihan na ginawa niya para sa kanila. Kahit maaga siyang napawalay sa mundo, ang daming nagmamahal sa kanya. Doon ko naramdaman ang pinapahiwatig ni Johncel ‘Mama, naging mabuting tao ako kahit malayo ka’,” [Every night during Johncel’s wake, so many people attended that they were spilling out from our house to the street outside. In the middle of my grief, I was in awe of how many people knew him through his kind deeds. Even though he left the world too soon, he was loved by so many. That’s when I felt Johncel say to me, ‘Mama, I turned out as a good person even though you were far away’] she recalls with a loving sadness.

Growing up without a mother’s physical presence can lead to feelings of abandonment and a persistent sense of longing. Even with modern technology allowing for daily video calls, digital intimacy cannot replace the physical comfort of an embrace or presence during developmental milestones. Research suggests that children of migrant workers may suffer from higher rates of anxiety, depression, and academic detachment due to the lack of immediate maternal guidance. Even when reunited, many children grow up with a feeling of constant loss, brought on by years of living apart from their mothers. Relying on the partner left behind to keep the children and household in order, particularly the husbands for female MDWs, is a big responsibility involving a great deal of trust and communication.

Johnny Morales, Cecil’s husband of 31 years, played this role, giving their children the love and support they needed while Cecil was working overseas. Tragically, while the family was still coming to terms with the loss of Johncel, Johnny passed away from lung problems related to his long-time profession of painting guitars. 

“Hindi ko man makasama ang mga anak ko, ay nasa tamang pagpapalaki, pagmamahal, at pag-aasikaso sila ng asawa ko. Sobrang bait at maunawain ni Johnny. He will forever be alive in my heart, and our memories will keep me going,” [Even if I was not able to spend time with my children, they grew up right with love and care from my husband. Johnny was so kind and understanding. He will forever be alive in my heart, and our memories will keep me going] Cecil shares.

Cecil credits the memories of her husband and son, alongside her faith, as the source of her strength and resilience. Despite being faced with insurmountable grief and loss, this has not slowed down her motivation to continue striving for a better future for her daughters and herself. 

“Habang buhay tayo, hindi pa tapos ang laban. Tumingin ka lang sa paligid mo, maraming nangangailangan ng support. Gusto kong i-share ang aking kwento para sa lahat ng may pinagdadaan na pagsubok o kahirapan, na sa kabila ng lahat, ‘wag sumuko. Ipagpatuloy ang iyong landas ng may lakas na loob at tiwala sa Diyos.” [As long as we are still alive, it is not the end of the fight. Just look around you, there are many who need our support. I want to share my story with those who are going through challenges and hardship. In the face of every tribulation, let your spirit remain unbroken. Continue your journey with courage, knowing your faith in God will see you through.]