Model-actress Maymay Entrata said she empathizes with families of overseas Filipino workers like her mother whom she left behind in Japan after the holidays.
Entrata, along with onscreen partner Edward Barber, spent the holidays with her relatives in Japan.
The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate expressed her love for her mother in an Instagram post when she bid her goodbye.
“Mahal na mahal kita ma-alam mo yan. Kaya ang saya saya ko na unti-unti nababawi ko ang lahat ng sakripisyo mo para samin,” Entrata said in the caption.
She then went on to praise the sacrifices of other OFWs who work far from home to provide the needs of their families in the Philippines.
“Ngayon mas naintindihan ko na kung gaano kasakit mawalay sa mahal mo sa buhay para lang matustusan ang pangangailangan nila,” she said.
“Kaya sa lahat po ng OFW ako po ay saludo sa sakripisyo, pagtitiis, at pagmamahal ng walang katumbas para lang mabigyan ang mahal nyo sa buhay ng magandang kinabukasan,” she added.
Entrata first revealed the story of her broken family during the Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7 in 2017. Her father is estranged to her, while her mother had to migrate to Japan to live with her new husband. Entrata and her brother grew up with their cousins and grandfather whom she called Papa Joe.
While inside the reality show’s so-called “Bahay Ni Kuya,” her grandfather passed away, which brought her immense grief.
She soon emerged as the show’s big winner. Her life story was featured in an episode of “Maalala Mo Kaya,” a drama anthology series in ABS-CBN.
Entrata was able to keep in touch with her mother despite their long distance relationship over the years.
In January of last year, she greeted her mother on Instagram with a heartwarming message of how much she loved her.
How many Filipinos are working in Japan?
In a report last year, there are approximately 153,600 Filipino workers in Japan.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe previously said that Japan still needs 50,000 more skilled workers in the coming six years.
They are welcoming over 500,000 foreign workers because a considerable portion of their population is senior citizens.
Foreign workers may work in the industries of hospitality, construction and nursing.
