The Lyrics
(Verse 1)
Sa ilalim ng bituin, ako’y nagmamasid
Sa kaharian ng mga pangarap, ikaw ang iniisip
Paskong ito’y tila ba’y may kulang na bahagi
Pagkat ang ating pamilya, hindi kumpleto nang wala ka.
Itay, Papa, Daddy, miss kita ngayong Pasko
Uwi ka na for good, ang puso’y nag-aasam
Ilang taon ka na rin, nasa labas ng bansa
Ngayon ang Pasko’y, ang tanging hiling ay ang iyong pag-uwi.
(Chorus)
Pagdapo ng hangin, sa tunog ng harp
Ang puso’y umaasang, ikaw’y babalik
Sa mga tala ng langit, sa ilalim ng bituin
Ang Pasko’y kumpleto, sa pagbabalik mo, Itay.
(Verse 2)
Ang bawat nota ng piano, tila ba’y yakap mo
Sa tunog ng flute, parang tinig mong malambing
Pasko’y nagbibigay ng pag-asa’t saya
Ngunit ang pinakamimithi, ang iyong pagbabalik sa amin.
Sa bawat tanaw, ang pangarap ay lumilipad
Ang bituin sa langit, nagsisilbing gabay
Itay, Papa, Daddy, ang aming hinihintay
Ay ang pagsasama-sama, sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko.
Writing From the Heart
When I wrote this song, I was still living abroad, thousands of miles away from my family in the Philippines. The lyrics came to life as I imagined my daughters speaking them, their words expressing the thoughts and emotions that distance forced us to share through sporadic calls and fleeting reunions. Writing it was not just a creative process—it was deeply personal, pulling at my heartstrings as I translated our longing and love into words and melodies.
A Song Born of Tears
While writing and arranging the song, I couldn’t hold back the tears. Each word and melody reminded me of the struggles I faced alone and the overwhelming desire to finally return home. Every time I listen to this song, it takes me back to those moments of solitude and sacrifice, making it an emotional journey each time.
13 Years Away from Family
Spending 13 years away from my family—especially my children—was a profound loss. Those years, filled with milestones and memories I could only witness from afar, were difficult. Being physically absent from their lives is a sacrifice many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) endure, and it leaves an indelible mark on the heart.
Questions That Cut Deep
Whenever I managed to come home—every two years, or if I was lucky, once a year—there was always joy in our reunion, but it was bittersweet. My daughters, especially my youngest at just 12 years old, would inevitably ask the question that I dreaded most: “When will you be home for good? Why do you always have to go back abroad?”
Her words struck a chord deeper than she could possibly understand at her age. At times, her questions became more direct, even though her voice carried a sense of innocence: “Is there no job here in the Philippines for you? Why do you have to leave us?”
A Question Without an Easy Answer
At such a young age, my third child unknowingly articulated the questions I often asked myself. Her words made me pause and reflect on the choices I had made and the sacrifices that felt increasingly heavy with time. The truth was difficult to explain to her. While the Philippines is my home, finding a job that would support our family in the same way my work abroad could was almost impossible.
I wanted so badly to give her an answer that would bring her peace, but I struggled to reconcile the reality of our circumstances with the hope I wanted to give her. Each time she asked, it felt like my heart was being gently yet persistently pulled in two directions—one tied to my duty as a provider and the other tied to the undeniable pull of being present in my children’s lives.
The Financial Realities of OFWs
For most OFWs, the primary motivation for working abroad is financial stability. As a doctor in the Philippines, achieving financial security is a challenging endeavor. Unless one has an established private practice or has completed years of sub-specialty training, earning enough to support a family comfortably remains a struggle. This reality drives many professionals, like myself, to seek opportunities overseas despite the emotional cost.
Reflecting on Sacrifice
Her innocent question became a mirror, reflecting the internal struggle I lived with every day. It reminded me that the sacrifices I made were not mine alone—they were sacrifices my family was making as well. Each day I spent away from them was a day they spent without their father. Writing this song became a way to process those emotions, to give voice to the unspoken pain and longing that distance created. It was my attempt to capture not only my perspective but also the heartache and resilience of my family.
This song, for me, is more than a creative expression. It’s a testament to the love that binds families despite physical separation and the hope that one day, the distance will be bridged permanently.
A Tribute to Sacrifices
This song is not just a reflection of my journey but also a tribute to all OFWs who endure long years of separation from their loved ones. It speaks of the sacrifices made, the struggles faced, and the unwavering hope of one day returning home to be with family again.
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