A Gift For My Mother

Everytime I hear the place Hongkong, I recall the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). We have plenty of ‘kababayans’ working there as domestic helpers, butlers, drivers, etc… to support their family in our country. But the place is not only for the working Filipinos. It’s also an exciting place for tourists vacationing.

I’m blessed to reach Hongkong in 2010 with my mother. It is one of the unforgettable places I’ve travelled. After I successfully visited Thailand in 2007, one of my officemates told me that one travel leads to many. It’s true. My international trip was followed by another travel which was in Hongkong. I always hear my mother that she wanted to travel the world. It’s her dream. It’s been late for her to take that trip but nothing is too late for a dream. That’s also the reason why I believe in dreams. It’s amazing when they come true.

With all my desire to visit the place, I always remember my mother. I call her ‘Mamang’. She was my mentor. I recall the days when I was young. We take long walks going to the customers usually at night because she directly sells consumer products as a sideline business to her being a teacher only receiving meager income. Selling goods could augment the income to pay for the family expenses. Those long walks were in a way our bonding moment. I asked her many questions and she would answer me. She would tell me stories and one of them was her dream to travel. When I got the chance to book for my travel, I thought that it would be great to include Mamang. I want to make her dream come true. Without hesitation, I booked a flight for two to Hongkong, for my mother and me. I knew that she had already a passport. When I got home, I presented to her the ticket I bought. She can’t believe it. She was so happy and couldn’t imagine that her long wanted dream will come to reality.

Our travel was very memorable. We visited the Hongkong Disneyland, the Ocean Park and The Peak Tram. We got the chance to see the life-size wax figure of Bruce Lee, Michelle Yeoh and many other celebrities. We experienced the various exciting rides in the Disneyland and Ocean Park. The cable car was thrilling as we watched the enthralling view from afar. In our travel, we saw the multitude of Filipino workers hanging around the HSBC Tower as they spent their day off together merrily. The buildings were like tall boxes from a distance. They were skyscrapers as they say. We watched awesome shows with live performances like the Lion King and the Golden Mickeys. We also experienced watching some 4D movies.

We successfully completed our journey with the help of our dear friends who helped us during our stay. This time I would like to say thank you to Alma and Art, who accompanied us to the Peak Tram and for the nice chat over a cup of coffee. We also had a bonding in a lavish Korean Restaurant with them. We give our thanks to Mang Boy, the father of Art who picked us from the airport. He spent with us some of his precious time too. And to Ate Arlene, the sister of Alma – she was very warm and cordial to us.

My mother and I were very grateful for the opportunity given to us. To God be the glory!