Why OFW Parents Leave Home — And What That Sacrifice Really Costs Them
Mama Lulu’s story sheds light on the emotional sacrifices many OFW parents quietly endure for their families
Every Filipino wishes to grow up and settle down in their homeland. But sometimes, it’s just not in the cards. When opportunities to better support their families present themselves elsewhere, what kind of OFW parent wouldn’t take it? In a week-old Instagram reel, Mama Lulu (also known as Mama.the.Great) admits candidly why she migrated from the Philippines to the United States.
“No Filipino ever wants to leave the Philippines,” she points out. “I left the Philippines because my husband got sick. I had to be the breadwinner for my five children.”
Why So Many OFW Parents Share the Same Story
While most Filipinos won’t share the true reason why they’ve left the Philippines, Mama Lulu’s story is quite a common story among other Filipinos. In a survey conducted by the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), there has been a 45.50% increase in OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers). Most of them find jobs in another land and are rehired, proving that Filipinos are far more capable than many think.
But migrating wasn’t so simple. Mama Lulu had to study again, taking classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a caregiver.
“I’m not saying America is perfect,” she adds. “There are many problems here. You’ve seen it on the news. But, I wouldn’t have gotten the same opportunities that I got here in America as in the Philippines.”
Unfortunately, she’s quite right. In the Philippines, the salary of a nurse, based on postings on Jobstreet and Indeed, ranges from PHP17,000 to PHP30,000. For many young professionals who try to settle down in Metro Manila, PHP30,000 is just enough for rent. However, there was a move in the Senate to upgrade the minimum wage of a nurse to at least PHP36,000.
In the United States, it can vary. However, as of September 2025, Indeed reports the hourly rate of nurses to be $44.04, which at the moment converts to PHP2,515.84 per hour. In a 40-hours, that’s around PHP100,633.3 a week. While the taxes are much higher in the United States, converting it back to Philippine pesos is a big help for their families back home.
“That’s why many Filipinos leave the Philippines. We leave to build our families; not because we don’t leave the Philippines,” she shares. “We love it so much. That’s why we work hard for our families and for our country.”
The Hidden Struggles Behind Every OFW Parent’s Journey
We’ve always seen families somehow make it abroad. But getting there is a journey of sleepless nights; wading through the paperwork and ensuring everyone’s all settled—in a lot of cases, they don’t even get the most ideal situation.
Some OFW parents are forced to leave their kids behind, creating what many countries call transmigrational parenting. Even when the parent isn’t physically present, there’s an effort to be there for their children. Something Mama Lulu does for her grandkids who are still studying in the Philippines.
Mama Lulu shares a truth that’s probably crossed every OFW’s mind. “If only I had the choice, I would want to grow older in the Philippines with my grandkids and my children.”
Her story reminds us that OFW parents may look like they have it good, but we don’t see the struggles. Their journey to provide a better life for their families is one paved with sacrifice, sleepless nights, tears, and battles against the fear of uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most OFW parents don’t leave by choice — they leave by necessity. Low wages, limited job opportunities, and family emergencies like illness or debt push many Filipino parents to seek work abroad. For many, the income gap between the Philippines and countries like the US, Canada, or the Middle East is simply too significant to ignore when a family depends on them.
Transmigrational parenting refers to raising children across borders — where a parent works abroad while children remain in the Philippines, often under the care of relatives. Despite the physical distance, many OFW parents stay involved through video calls, remittances, and regular communication, though the emotional toll on both parent and child is well-documented.
The wage gap is significant. In the Philippines, nurses typically earn between PHP17,000 and PHP30,000 per month. In the United States, the average hourly rate for nurses converts to roughly PHP100,000 per week at current exchange rates — making migration a financially compelling decision for healthcare workers supporting families back home.
Many OFW parents rely on consistent video calls, sending balikbayan boxes, funding their children’s education, and returning home during holidays. Some also support their children’s daily lives through relatives or grandparents who serve as primary caregivers in their absence.
Beyond the physical distance, OFW parents carry the weight of guilt, loneliness, and the fear of missing major milestones in their children’s lives. Many also grapple with the pressure of being the family’s sole financial provider while adapting to a foreign culture — often without a strong support system around them.
Related Stories
Naghain ang Akbayan Partylist, sa panguguna ni Cong. Chel Diokno ang panukala House Bill 10058 or Child Safety Against Violence Act para protektahan ang mga bata
The National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA) has partnered with TikTok Philippines to make it easier to report content that mocks Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Helping children navigate social media starts with teaching them to think critically, verify information, and understand the consequences of what they share online
Because raising creative kids also means permitting ourselves to stay curious, playful, and open to growth