Running the dream

MANILA, Philippines – This story 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 p.m.), 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 to help.

Elisa worked as a maid for eight years in the UK and Saudi Arabia in the ’80s. 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 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 Piñas. 

Physically exhausted from being a single mother and sole breadwinner, Elisa suffered a stroke three years ago which immobilized her legs. Today, she is unable to walk and has to be carried 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 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 caught the attention of 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 to the show’s site, addressed to the host, immigration lawyer Mike Templo. This is her heartwarming message:

“Nais ko pong ibalita 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 ang kuwentong ito sa aming puso, at sabi po namin ng mga kasamahan kong kakapasa lamang ng NPTE na nais naming maibahagi ng aming munting biyaya kay Aling Eliza pag pumasa na kami. Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataong binuksan ninyo at ng inyong programa na maibahagi po namin ang aming mga munting biyaya sa buhay, lalung-lalo na sa mga kapatid naming OFW. (I want to tell you that at last, I passed the NPTE. I saw your show on Aling Eliza some weeks ago, and it touched our hearts. My friends and I decided that we want to share our blessing of passing the NPTE with Aling Eliza. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our blessing, especially with fellow OFWs.)”

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.