Despite everything, there is light

By Joe Larano Jr.

On the crowded and noisy streets of Manila, every day was a test of endurance for Ben M., a 35-year-old jeepney driver. From early morning until late evening, he drove passengers from Monumento to Baclaran, earning just enough to support his wife and three young children. The jeepney wasn’t his; he worked under the “boundary system,” where anything he earned beyond the daily quota went to him—but most days, it barely covered food, rent for their small shack, and his children’s school needs. “As long as my kids eat and go to school, I’ll be okay,” he often told himself, catching his tired reflection in the jeep’s rearview mirror.

In 2013, Ben made a life-changing decision: he applied for work abroad. People said there were better chances overseas, especially for drivers. After six months of paperwork, he was hired by a construction company in Kuwait as a company driver. The first year was tough—far from family and working under the harsh desert heat—but Ben endured it. He started sending regular remittances, and for the first time, they managed to save a little. But good things don’t always last. In his fourth year, the company faced financial problems. Ben was among those laid off. No separation pay, no promise of rehire—just a one-way ticket back home.

Returning to the Philippines was heartbreaking. Their small savings quickly disappeared, and the children still needed to go to school. But instead of giving up, Ben searched for new options. A former co-worker told him about a skilled worker program in Canada. It sounded almost impossible—so many requirements, so much money needed—but with patience, prayers, and a bit of luck, Ben and his family made it to Prince Rupert, British Columbia in 2018.

This marked the start of a new chapter. They arrived with no relatives, few contacts, and a climate that felt like the exact opposite of the Philippines and Kuwait—cold, rainy, and unfamiliar. Ben got a cleaning job at a grocery store, and his wife, Liza, found work in a fast-food restaurant. The pay was low, the hours long, and sleep was scarce—but hope was alive. They saw opportunities through education. Ben enrolled in a vocational program for welding, while Liza studied to become a care aide. They worked during the day, studied at night, and parented in between. It was a cycle of sacrifice, but their dream kept them going.

One winter, Ben had an accident at work—he slipped while carrying materials and was out for a week. But in that time, their spirit grew even stronger. Co-workers helped, the church provided groceries, and they felt the warmth of “bayanihan” even in a foreign land. They didn’t give up. After nearly two years of hard work and training, Ben graduated as a certified welder and was hired by a large company. Liza, too, completed her studies and started working in a long-term care home.

Today, they live in a modest house they’re paying for monthly. Their children are doing well in school and slowly adjusting to Canadian life. Sunday mornings are special—the whole family shares a breakfast of fried rice and longganisa, filled with laughter and stories. On their days off, they walk by the harbor in Prince Rupert, wrapped in jackets, embracing both the cold and their new life.

The journey was never easy for Ben and his family. From the dusty roads of Manila, the heat of Kuwait, to the cold winds of Canada, they carried with them the values of hard work, perseverance, and faith. Now, they’re not just surviving—they’re thriving. And whenever Ben looks at his children, he knows that all the tears, struggles, and sacrifices were worth it. For people like Ben, the message is clear: nothing is impossible when you have a dream and the determination to chase it. (Contact: jblarano@gmail.com)