An emotional video of parents recently went viral on social media after they sent off their OFW daughter to the airport last Saturday.
On TikTok, uploader Irene Braga shared the heartbreaking moment when her parents bid goodbye to her sister, Nesshiel Iranne, who currently works in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“So painful to see my parents crying non-stop everytime ihahatid namin sa airport ang kapatid ko,” she wrote on TikTok.
In the video, her parents, Teresita and Nestor Lugtu, were seen crying inside the airport.
“Lagi po [umiiyak]. Hindi lang po si mother ang emotional, pati po si father. Walang mintis kada ihahatid sa airport. Even ang ‘pag balik-bayan po ng bunso namin iniiyakan ni daddy,” she told The Philippine STAR.
Irene admitted she was also teary eyed for the moment but wanted to be stronger for her elderly parents.
“Ayaw ko ipakita sa parents ko kasi lalo po sila magiiyakan. Pinipilit ko maging strong sa airport para maalalayan ko sila. Ang pagiging emotional ko po lumalabas pag hinahatid ko na sila sa bahay after naming maihatid si Nessh sa airport. Sila na lang po dalawa ulit ang magkasma sa bahay,” she said.
Adding, “Pag anjan po kapatid ko lahat po kami asa bahay ni mommy and daddy kasama mga asawa at anak namin. Kung 2 weeks po ang bakasyon nya, 2 weeks din kami magkakasama. Minimake sure namin na kumpleto po kami pag andito sya. Nakikita ko po na ang saya ng mga magulang ko pag nakkita na kumpleto kamo. Kaya malungkot po pag maguuwian na at 2 na lang sila matitira sa bahay.”
Despite the distance, Irene along with her siblings make sure to check each other through video call.
“Our parents is in their 70s and the realization is hitting me that one day, they may no longer be with us. Lagi ko sinasabi sa mga kapatid ko na we should make more time with them. Tinatawagan po namin everyday via video call. Kami pong tatlo magkakapatid mini-make sure namin na hindi lilipas ang araw na hindi namin natatawagan parents namin kahit gano kabusy,” she shared.
Irene is aware that their family is just one of the thousands of OFW families who are experiencing the same sadness and longing for their OFW loved ones.
“Remember that no matter how old your parents are, the reality is that any of us could lose our parents at any time. Let’s all make an effort to spend more time with them, express more love for them, and make sure they feel appreciated while we still have them with us,” she said when asked about her message to fellow OFW families.
The uploaded video on social media has already garnered more than 57,000 views.
Netizens were quick to relate on the airport moment.
“Kasi matatanda na sila bka naiisip nila bka may time na di na sila magkita,” a netizen commented.
“Iba ang feeling ng magulang talaga mabigat but what can we do…its for their future. Pray na lang for their protection,” another said.
