Ryan Celo’s and mother Tenerife Celo was overflowed with gratitude to her employer Melissa McPike and son Saeed al Muhairi for the house and lot that was generously given to her.
Rachel Salinel, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates said:
“Hindi makapaniwala ang mag-iinang amo ng isang overseas Filipino worker sa atensiyong kanilang natatanggap mula sa Filipino at expat communities mula nang mag-viral ang kabutihang ipinamalas nila sa kanilang Pinay housekeeper.”
Melissa McPike and her children Saeed and Saif al Muhairi gave their Pinay housekeeper Dina Tenerife Celo an amount of P400,000 to buy a lot and to build their house.
“It is a little overwhelming, a little embarrassing. We obviously did not do it for attention. We just wanted to do something nice for Dina…so yeah, it is a little strange,” said Melissa.
Like Melissa, her Saeed son feels the same way.
“I feel good. It’s a little embarrassing doing all these interviews and stuff because we just wanted to do something nice for someone. We were not expecting the media frenzy,” he said.
Celo’s home was a reward for her good and dedicated service from 1998 to 2001 and again in 2014 up to this day.
“Dina is very humble. She is very shy. She is very trustworthy and she is very giving of her time,” said Melissa.
Saeed cannot disregard Celo’s contribution in raising him and his brother.
“For sure she has taught me to be a better person and to always be loving and accepting and to do what makes you happy. And she taught me also how to make chicken adobo,” said Saeed.
Like how thankful McPike sons to Celo, Celo’s only son, Ryan Celo, feels the same way about them.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po kasi tinulungan niya po kami. Lalung-lalo na po yung nanay ko. Higit sa lahat sobrang pagmamahal po nila sa nanay ko. Hindi po nila pinababayaan,” said Ryan who worked as a mechanic in Abu Dhabi.
Celo had undergone a tragic experience when his first employer raped her while working as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia and Ryan was the result of the incident.
“Noong umuwi ako sa Bicol kung ano-ano ang naririnig ko. Minsan napaaway ako, pero sa kabila ng lahat tinibayan ko pa rin ang loob ko para buhayin ang anak ko,” said Celo.
But no matter how frustrating her experienced was, Celo’s challenge herself to give her family a better life.
“Kung kayo man ay may kagaya kong mapait na karanasan, tuloy lang ang buhay. Tiwala lang at magpakumbaba. Tuloy lang ang buhay dahil hindi naman sa lahat ng oras na maghihirap tayo. Nandiyan din si God na bibigyan din tayo ng magandang buhay,” she said.
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