JED BACASON

LOVE, MOM

When I was a little boy, I always looked forward to the letters my father sent from Saudi Arabia. He would usually send a large envelope with individual letters for me, my mom, and my two siblings. Sometimes, he included photos that showed how his life was going as an overseas Filipino worker. We’d write back, often including a few of our own recent photos, and we’d usually send him a list of things we wanted him to bring home when he returned for vacation. More than anything, though, we were excited just to have him back with us.

Those letters were a source of joy for us, but as a child, I didn’t fully understand the longing my father was expressing in his words. It’s only now, as a parent myself, that I truly get how hard that distance must have been for him.

I’ve been an overseas Filipino worker in Dubai for more than ten years, and as a dad, I’ve met many other parents in the same situation. While technology has made it easier to stay connected through quick messages or video calls, I believe some emotions are still better conveyed through a handwritten letter or a photograph—something tangible that carries more of the heart behind it.

For this project, I asked five Filipino mothers working in Dubai, whom I personally know and have been friends with for years, to write heartfelt handwritten letters to their children, pouring their love, longing, and hopes onto paper. 

Using a Polaroid camera with black-and-white film, I hoped to capture the emotion behind their words in their portraits.

Once the project is finished, I’ll be mailing these letters and portraits to their children—a small way to help bridge the distance, be it physical or emotional, and remind them of the love their mothers hold for them.

Dear Joshua,

I want to begin this letter by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for all that you’ve done for our family. Your sacrifices, especially the way you care for your older brother while juggling your studies, mean so much to me. I know that your situation is tough, yet you always put your responsibilities first.

Even though there may be times when I’m not by your side, I want you to know that I appreciate how you listen to my advice and try to understand. I know that you must get tired at times, but please remember that my sacrifices here in the Middle East are made with both you and your brother in mind.

Always know that I am here to support you in pursuing your dreams. Stay strong, my son, and keep striving to finish your studies and become the chef you aspire to be. Let the hardships you’ve faced be your source of inspiration and drive toward success.

Thank you for everything, my dear son.

With all my love,
Mom

Dearest Cassy,

You are the greatest gift life has ever given me. You’ve heard me say this countless times, and I mean it with all my heart. I want to apologize for the shortcomings I’ve had as a mother. The absence of birthday parties from your first to eleventh year was a cruel reality, a result of circumstances beyond our control.

Our lives were shrouded in mystery, surrounded by strangers. As you grew older, our world underwent a dramatic transformation. I can never forget the pain in your eyes when, on your eleventh birthday, you asked why your cake was so small (1 slice). It was a heartbreaking reminder of our limited means.

I’m not a perfect mother, but I strive to be the best I can. Your bond with your dad runs deeper than mine. I wish I could have been there for you every step of the way, but the burden of providing for our family necessitated my unwavering dedication to work. You know how hard your dad has struggled over the past years. I must remain strong and face life’s challenges head-on, and I hope you will do the same when you get older.

I promise to be your constant companion and provide you with the best life I can offer, for you deserve nothing less. Remember this always. There’s much more I want to share with you in time. For now, I’ll protect your innocence and cherish the joy in your life.

With all my love, Mom

My children Khate Stephany, Bai Sajada, Mhariam Sofhia, Stephen Jay,

How are you? More than anything, I thank the Lord for having you in my life. You are the reason why I am working hard thousands of miles away from home, missing you, and not beside you with you when you need me to be.

I know it’s not easy for you growing up without a mom but I hope when you grow up, you will understand and forgive me.

When I decided to work abroad and left you behind, my heart broke knowing I will not be seeing you for a long time. I shed countless tears but I had to do what I had to do because it’s more heartbreaking for me to be unable to provide for your needs growing up.

Life’s not easy here in Dubai, my dear children. I have to work hard from 5:30 in the morning until ten in the evening. On my rest days, I do part-time jobs to supplement my income. Once when I was walking home in a dark alleyway, a man chased after me and I had to run for my life.

But I don’t let fear get the better of me, because your well-being is far more important than mine. I have to be brave for you. I want you to reach your dreams in life and get a degree, unlike me who only finished high school. I wouldn’t want to see other people looking down on you.

I know some people back home are judging me because of the niceties I share on Facebook but if only we could live off the small income I may earn back home, I would have never traded the time I should be spending with you for any comfort I am experiencing here in Dubai.

I don’t know how long I will endure working abroad but I will always be waiting for that day to come when I will come home and never return here. Until that day comes, you take care of yourselves and each other and be strong for me.

I love you with all my heart.

Mama

To my Denise,

Mama loves you a lot and misses you dearly. You already know the reasons why have to be far away from you. Despite the challenges we face, I want to provide you with the best life that I have always dreamed for you - a life that that I did not have the chance to experience before. While I am working hard abroad, I want you to focus on your studies. I want you to excel academically so that you can build a bright future for yourself, not just for me and Papi, but for your own sake. I may not be with you physically, but I hope that I can provide you with a life where you can thrive.

I am sacrificing being physically present with you because I want to ensure your well-being, Denise. I want to witness every achievement and milestone in your life. Always remember, I will be there for you, no matter the distance between us.

With love,
Mama

Dearest Yzza and Alliya,

How are you, my dear children? I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I miss you so much. Not a day goes by that you’re not in my thoughts. I hold on to the hope that one day, we will all be together again.

I’m deeply sorry for not being there when you’re unwell or facing challenges. Forgive me for not being by your side to take care of you, help you with your school needs, or simply share in the little moments. I am truly sorry for missing your birthdays, your school events, and for not being there to celebrate your achievements on stage. It breaks my heart to know I’m missing these precious milestones in your lives.

I know you’ve often wished I could be there with you, through both the joyful and difficult times. It’s painful for me, too, to miss seeing you grow. I constantly pray that we will soon be reunited. I am thankful to God for watching over you and guiding you. I’m also incredibly grateful to you both for your dedication to your studies and for the honors you’ve earned.

Yzza, thank you for making us proud by earning your college degree. I’m so proud of how you’ve grown, even participating in beauty contests without your “stage mom” by your side.

Alliya, I understand that you might feel distant from me because I had to leave for work when you were just three months old. I missed so many important moments in your life—your first crawl, your first steps, your first words—and I know this has been hard for you. Now that you’re older, I hope you can understand why things turned out this way. Please don’t push me away or reject the love I have for you. Even if you do, I won’t give up on you. I understand why you feel the way you do, and I carry nothing but love for you in my heart. I will stay strong, even though I miss you deeply, and my only prayer is that one day we can all be together.

Take care of yourselves, my children. Yzza, please stay safe as you go to work. Alliya, keep doing well in your studies and listen to your parents. Remember, you can always come to me for anything you need or want to talk about.

I love you both so much, and I miss you more than words can say.

Love, 
Mama