An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Singapore dreamt of bringing her family abroad. This year, she finally checked it off her bucket list.
30-year-old Michelle Joy Sorvida-Palacio is currently working in Singapore as a laser technician. She has been living overseas for eight years now.
“Just last year, sinasabi ko sa chat lang, desire na desire ko talaga na madala kayo ng international trip. Prayers. Sabi ko, Lord, icla-claim ko talaga sa’yo ‘to kasi eight years ko na ‘tong pinaplano, eight years ko ‘tong hinintay sana i-grant mo na ‘yung desire namin. And then God really answers prayers kasi binigyan niya ako ng OT,” Michelle shared with The Philippine STAR.
“Parang December binook ko na ‘yung ticket kasi may enough money na ‘ko to sustain like plane tickets, all the other expenses,” she added.
Her husband, parents, five siblings and five family members flew to Singapore from Davao del Norte on April 9, 2023.
“The time na nakita ko pa lang sila na palabas pa lang ng gate, parang naiiyak ako na gusto kong tumalon. ‘Yung parents ko since day one, they keep on saying thank you,” Michelle recalled.
According to Michelle, she spent almost half a million on their first complete family trip.
“Prayer really works. ‘Yung akala mo na hindi siya mangyayari because of prices or ‘yung parang ‘di mo afford. Six years in the making, hindi siya basta-basta. ‘Yung ginastos ko is not na lahat lahat nang inipon ko ginastos ko lahat dito sa trip. Nag set aside din kami ng extra for just in case lang like emergency,” she stressed.
“Tsaka I think mahirap siya na gagawin from the start kasi ‘yung mga ganitong bagay kasi hindi siya needs, mga wants siya. Kailangan mo talaga paglaanan ng panahon, ng pera, tsaka ng energy na talagang mapursue mo siya. And then ‘yung prayer na ‘yun samahan din ng kayod, motivate yourself to work harder,” she noted.
Michelle expressed gratitude to her brother, Rhevin, who is also an OFW in Australia, for supporting her plans. One of their relatives also offered their home to their family to save money for hotel accommodations.
“My brother already told me na, Day, I will just support you as long as I can or ‘yung parang hanggang sa kaya ko lang,” she said.
Rhevin made sure to treat their family with a little shopping during their vacation.
“This is just a once-in-a-lifetime experience na makapunta sa Singapore. It’s giving back to them, especially to my parents kasi sila talaga ‘yung motivation namin to really pursue our dreams,” Rhevin said.
“This is their first time to really [ride] a plane and they’re so happy because it’s international kaagad. Financially talaga medyo challenge siya but at least we pursue it with my sister’s help,” he added.
Their family explored Singapore and Malaysia for almost two weeks.
“’Yung feeling is very overwhelming and iba talaga ‘yung feeling na kumpleto buong pamilya. Hopefully may another trip ulit. Pag iipunan ulit,” Michelle said.
