Lou from the United Kingdom
"Hi Thad, I read your article in the Inquirer today... Just to let you know of two things. First, it brought tears to my eyes. I identified with your parents - how they sacrificed a lot. Luckily for them, you and your brothers did good with your studies. I am unlucky in that sense. After years of working here in the UK as a nurse my financial support to send my nephews and nieces to school was all for naught. Anyway, secondly, I like your writing style. The whole article was written in short, simple yet concise sentences - I thought Ernest Hemingway wrote in the same fashion. You write with restrain and come across beautifully. And you end your story very well - you brought me as your reader to the opening of your article. I think they call it "circularity". Lovely. Thank you very much.
Teacher Alon from Batangas
I just wanted to say that I like your column in Young Blood published today in the Inquirer. I am a hardcore fan of Young Blood and I was deeply touched by your writings. Your story is so inspiring that I am planning to share it to my high school students... I hope u can write more articles next time when you're not busy.
God bless you and may you find the happiness you deserve.
J. from Manila, GMA Network researcher and writer
"I realized a lot of things because of your 'Katas ng Saudi'. More power."
Asel
It's been my habit to read PDI during the night. I find it hard to read it in the morning for my job's a priority. It is during the night that I am home alone hence, I'm at peace and focused... Well, in reading. I happened to read this last night and I couldn't help but cry.
"As I touched the urn holding her ashes, I suddenly remembered the day she held me in her arms while we were on a boat bound for Manila." - your closing piece made my heart bleed. Kudos and more power.
Franz
A story that younger generation ought to have read...
Andrey from Carigara
Hi Thad.. I am completely enthralled by the very emotion you felt as you write your beautiful story.. I salute you for being who you are now despite the many tragic events in your life, the lost chance to spend with your family while growing up and the many subsequent difficulties you went thru while living your life alone, while your parents work away from you. I am currently here in SAUDI, I know the feelings of not being there with my family on special occasions.. I know the feelings of not being able to produce a considerable amount of money which I may use to finance a small business for me to just stay there with them. I know the feelings that is why I feel for you..
All I can say is congratulations because, unlike most of the children of OFWs, you made yourself the best person you can be, and you are the best..
You have a gift Thad, you are a storyteller.. you have captured us with the story to gave us, YOUR story...Congrats and God Bless you.
Joseph
Thad, your life story is very touching. I do agree with you that migration abroad leaves the family separated and the growing children missed the tender loving care of the parents who just wanted to earn better living for the children they left behind. In your case, you were left behind and never was able to rejoin your family when they migrated to USA, I would surmise because you were not eligible anymore due to your age then. Your parents maybe called "modern heroes" by the government, but the honest truth is they were the role model of your life. Good luck to you and may you find success here in the Philippines. I was also a Filipino and now a citizen of an adopted country (North America), just like your parents, it has also been my dream to give my children the best of life that evaded me while in the Philippines, unfortunately I left a son in the Philippines and because when I migrated here 17 years ago he was already inelligible (by age) to join us and until now he is denied visa even to visit us because the embassy suspect that he might stay and work here. The embassy too adds to the woes of families to be together.
nicktorre
Very eloquent. You will be a very good asset to the medical profession not only as a doctor but as a spokesman on how to value family. I am a cop working here in the Philippines, but most often I am also away from home because work brings me everywhere. Your piece made me revisit the basics. Well, I had done the first step: This summer, I asked my wife and kids to stay with me in my place of assignment! This gave us more bonding time and for the kids to have a break from breathing the polluted air of Metro Manila.
pinayeconomist
To Thaddeus - my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Your story was poignant, but you write beautifully. I hope that your story would help our people understand that overseas work/diaspora is not the answer as the personal/social costs greatly outweighs the short-term economic benefits.
Bob
Straight from the heart... Very touching I am also working here abroad and as a father I clearly understand the feeling of a son longing for there parents who are always away. Thaddeus the feeling is mutual when your mom and dad was away you and your brother is there inspiration while working abroad. SACRIFICE..is the penultimate thing for any Filipinos working abroad.. always remember the sacrifices your mother and father this is for your future not for themselves...
Marmon from Penang
Hello Thad,
I really searched your name in Google just to find a way to communicate with you. I've just read your "piece" in Youngblood column in Philippine Daily Inquirer. I can say, I really like it! It is the same piece that I had been proclaiming to my friends who are married and intends to work outside the Philippines.
doc_roy from Pinoy MD
You write like F. Sionil Jose, keep it up.
Teacher Alon from Batangas
I just wanted to say that I like your column in Young Blood published today in the Inquirer. I am a hardcore fan of Young Blood and I was deeply touched by your writings. Your story is so inspiring that I am planning to share it to my high school students... I hope u can write more articles next time when you're not busy.
God bless you and may you find the happiness you deserve.
J. from Manila, GMA Network researcher and writer
"I realized a lot of things because of your 'Katas ng Saudi'. More power."
Asel
It's been my habit to read PDI during the night. I find it hard to read it in the morning for my job's a priority. It is during the night that I am home alone hence, I'm at peace and focused... Well, in reading. I happened to read this last night and I couldn't help but cry.
"As I touched the urn holding her ashes, I suddenly remembered the day she held me in her arms while we were on a boat bound for Manila." - your closing piece made my heart bleed. Kudos and more power.
Franz
A story that younger generation ought to have read...
Andrey from Carigara
Hi Thad.. I am completely enthralled by the very emotion you felt as you write your beautiful story.. I salute you for being who you are now despite the many tragic events in your life, the lost chance to spend with your family while growing up and the many subsequent difficulties you went thru while living your life alone, while your parents work away from you. I am currently here in SAUDI, I know the feelings of not being there with my family on special occasions.. I know the feelings of not being able to produce a considerable amount of money which I may use to finance a small business for me to just stay there with them. I know the feelings that is why I feel for you..
All I can say is congratulations because, unlike most of the children of OFWs, you made yourself the best person you can be, and you are the best..
You have a gift Thad, you are a storyteller.. you have captured us with the story to gave us, YOUR story...Congrats and God Bless you.
Joseph
Thad, your life story is very touching. I do agree with you that migration abroad leaves the family separated and the growing children missed the tender loving care of the parents who just wanted to earn better living for the children they left behind. In your case, you were left behind and never was able to rejoin your family when they migrated to USA, I would surmise because you were not eligible anymore due to your age then. Your parents maybe called "modern heroes" by the government, but the honest truth is they were the role model of your life. Good luck to you and may you find success here in the Philippines. I was also a Filipino and now a citizen of an adopted country (North America), just like your parents, it has also been my dream to give my children the best of life that evaded me while in the Philippines, unfortunately I left a son in the Philippines and because when I migrated here 17 years ago he was already inelligible (by age) to join us and until now he is denied visa even to visit us because the embassy suspect that he might stay and work here. The embassy too adds to the woes of families to be together.
nicktorre
Very eloquent. You will be a very good asset to the medical profession not only as a doctor but as a spokesman on how to value family. I am a cop working here in the Philippines, but most often I am also away from home because work brings me everywhere. Your piece made me revisit the basics. Well, I had done the first step: This summer, I asked my wife and kids to stay with me in my place of assignment! This gave us more bonding time and for the kids to have a break from breathing the polluted air of Metro Manila.
pinayeconomist
To Thaddeus - my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Your story was poignant, but you write beautifully. I hope that your story would help our people understand that overseas work/diaspora is not the answer as the personal/social costs greatly outweighs the short-term economic benefits.
Bob
Straight from the heart... Very touching I am also working here abroad and as a father I clearly understand the feeling of a son longing for there parents who are always away. Thaddeus the feeling is mutual when your mom and dad was away you and your brother is there inspiration while working abroad. SACRIFICE..is the penultimate thing for any Filipinos working abroad.. always remember the sacrifices your mother and father this is for your future not for themselves...
Marmon from Penang
Hello Thad,
I really searched your name in Google just to find a way to communicate with you. I've just read your "piece" in Youngblood column in Philippine Daily Inquirer. I can say, I really like it! It is the same piece that I had been proclaiming to my friends who are married and intends to work outside the Philippines.
doc_roy from Pinoy MD
You write like F. Sionil Jose, keep it up.
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