Pinoys in US Donate to Ailing OFW

By Sam Tongson 07/08/2009 12:09 AM

This is a story of how TV plays a big role in bringing people from different paths and places together, and the power the medium has in creating a positive impact on viewers. It began three weeks ago when the tragic plight of 49-year old former domestic helper Elisa Bataanon, was featured on the ANC weekly show "Crossing Borders (Thursdays, 10.30 pm)," a program that addresses the concerns of overseas Filipinos. Elisa's life story drew not just sympathy from the show's viewers, but also moved others to commit donations.

Elisa worked as a maid for eight years in the UK and Saudi Arabia in the 80's. While she was overseas, misfortune struck her life several times. Her husband was murdered, and her modest home, which she had saved hard for, burned down. Left with the burden of raising her two children, Elisa was forced to come back home to the Philippines in 1996. She worked hard, selling food at the wet market while taking care of her kids at their home in Las Pinas. Physically exhausted from being a single mother, Elisa suffered a stroke three years ago and her condition immobilized her legs. Today, she's unable to walk and has to be carried whenever she goes around.

During the interview on ANC’’s Crossing Borders, the frail, tiny woman was teary-eyed as she recalled her various misfortunes and the hardship she had to go through while bringing up her boys on her meager income.

In recognition of her sad plight, the Overseas Workers' Welfare Association gave Elisa a cash donation on Migrants Day last June 7. Elisa broke down in tears when she heard her name called during the ceremony. She plans to use the money to start a small business and to provide for the education of her third child, a boy she has adopted from her relatives.

Elisa's story was caught by regular viewers of the program, a group of physical therapists in the US. The group pledged to make a donation to Elisa should they pass the National Physical Therapy Examination or NPTE in the US. One of them, a therapist known as Bluzaza on her multiply site, sent a message on the show's site, addressed to the host, immigration lawyer Mike Templo. This is her heartwarming message,"Nais ko pong ipabalita sa inyo na sa wakas, nakapasa na ako ng NPTE...Napanood ko po ang itinalakay ninyong kuwento ni Aling Eliza nang mga nakaraang linggo. Kumurot po itong kuwentong ito sa aming puso, at sabi po namin ng mga kasamahan kong kakapasa lamang ng NPTE na nais naming makibahagi ng aming munting biyaya kay Aling Eliza pag pumasa na kami. Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataong binuksan ninyo at ninyong programa na makibahagi po kami ng aming mga munting biyaya sa buhay, lalung-lalo na sa mga kapatid naming OFW."

ANC’s Crossing Borders, hosted by immigration lawyer Mike Templo, is now in touch with Bluzaza to facilitate the donation. Her message is a positive ending to a tragic story and shows the power that TV has in bridging the gulf between Filipinos abroad and those who remain in the Philippines.
as of 07/08/2009 12:15 AM

I'm sure there are a lot more ELISA's out there who have sacrificed working as OFWs yet, misfortune have found them and haven't really risen up from the murk of poverty. Thanks to modernization, things such as these catch the media's attention therefore, help is given even by people not known to the person involved. I just hope the government can give OFWs and ex-OFWs alike a more permanent and stable assistance for their growing problems.

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