Tearful reunions as OFWs arrive to spend New Year in PHL


After months or even years of working abroad, some Filipino workers will be home to greet 2018 with their loved ones.
A report by GMA News' Bernadette Reyes on Balitanghali on Tuesday said OFWs have been arriving at the are Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in droves to welcome 2018 in the Philippines.
Two of these were Michelle Lazada and her boyfriend who will finally spend some time together after missing each other for two years due to conflicting schedules.
"Fifteen days lang po. Sulitin na lang 'yung 15 days. Sobrang happy kasi sa two years, ngayon lang kami nagkita," Lazada said.
Unlike the couple, Riza Vidanes will be unable to spend January 1 with her three children but vowed to make the best of her three-day break with them.
"Kahit saglit lang, makauwi lang talaga, makita 'yung mga bata. Kahit hindi na talagang eksaktong Pasko. Basta lang makapag-spend ng Christmas dito sa Pilipinas kahit papano. Kasi iba talaga ang Pilipinas," she said.
But with every arrival is a departure, and Rose Arzadon hopes that her leaving before the New Yea will be one of the last trips she'll have to make.
"After five years, maybe hindi na ako aalis," Arzadon said.
For Dina Chan, getting to spend one Christmas with her children after 10 years of being an OFW may not be enough, but will have to do for now.
"May anak ako, pero hindi ko gaano nakakasama. Mabigat. Ganun talaga. Alam naman niya yun. Mahal na mahal ko siya kahit hindi kami laging nagkakasama, kahit na iniwan ko siya ng matagal," Chan said. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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