Long hugs hit different for families with overseas Filipino worker (OFW) relatives.
This mother from Novaliches had one wish for her 80th birthday: to hug her OFW son who’s been abroad for 12 years.
Her family members made sure that her wish would be granted.
“It was a surprise gift for lola po initially planned by our tito. It was conceived when our tito Ariel told tito Gil na uuwi sya for Nanay’s 80th bday. Also it is a long time prayer ni lola din po kasi. My tito Ariel who is on abroad for more than a decade was out of reach for long time din dahil sa mga napagdaanan niya na hirap sa abroad, nawalan siya ng means of communication to the point na pati family niya sa Pinas di nya nacocontact. Nag paparamdam naman siya but very limited occasion lang,” uploader Mica Rose Lumantas Arnaiz recalled.
Lola Lita had no idea that her son would come home to surprise her on her 80th birthday last February 17, 2022.
“So my lola’s prayer bago siya if ever kunin ni lord, Eh makita at mayakap niya anak nya na si tito Ariel. She didn’t know that our tito Ariel would be there. Ang alam lang niya eh tatawag ang tito Ariel over the phone to greet her,” Mica narrated.
That is why when Lola Lita saw her son, Ariel, she became emotional.
“She was surprised to the point na sabi ng lola ay ‘di ko na alam ang nangyayare, basta masaya lang ako at nasakit ulo ko.’ Masakit ulo niya kasi nabigla siya,” she added.
The heartfelt reunion went viral on social media. It has already garnered more than one million views on TikTok.
“Wish talaga ng lahat ng nanay ‘yan kapag may okasyon, ‘yun kumpleto mga anak niya,” a netizen commented.
“Grabe! Iba ‘yong yakap ni Nanay sobrang miss niya talaga!” another netizen said.
Mica said that her grandmother never failed to pray for them, especially for her loved ones who are far away.
“Si Lola po talagang mahal na mahal niya lahat anak niya pati mga apo at palagi niyang pinag dadasal everyday lalo na po ‘yung tito namin na matagal na niyang hindi nakita po,” she shared.
