Jun grew up in Pampanga, where life was simple but difficult. His father was a farmer, and his mother sold vegetables in the market. After finishing high school, Jun worked odd jobs construction helper, tricycle driver, and sometimes porter at the bus terminal. But none of these gave him enough income to support his wife and two young children. Every night, as he looked at their small rented house with a leaking roof, he told himself, I have to find a better way.
That better way came in the form of a contract as a scaffolder in Qatar. He had never been outside the Philippines before, but he knew this opportunity could change his family’s future. With a mixture of fear and determination, he boarded the plane, leaving behind tears from his children who were too young to understand why their father had to go.
The moment Jun set foot on the construction site in Doha, he realized the magnitude of his work. The buildings were massive, rising like giants from the desert sands. As a scaffolder, his job was to assemble and dismantle temporary structures that allowed workers to reach different heights during construction. It was risky work that demanded precision, strength, and courage. One wrong move could mean serious injury.
The work was physically exhausting, but it also taught Jun discipline and resilience. He followed strict safety protocols, learned how to read blueprints, and coordinated with engineers. Over time, he gained the trust of his supervisors and was promoted to team leader. His fellow workers admired his humility and dedication, often saying, Jun, you never complain, you just work hard.
Despite the progress, homesickness was his greatest challenge. Nights in the cramped workers dormitory often felt long and lonely. He missed his children’s laughter and his wife’s cooking. On video calls, his youngest would ask, Papa, when are you coming home? Jun swallowed his tears, replying with a smile, soon, anak, I’m building something for us.
His sacrifices bore fruit. The money he sent home repaired their house, paid for his children’s schooling, and even allowed his wife to start a small sari-sari store. Each remittance was not just money it was a piece of his sweat and sacrifice.
After three years, Jun returned home for vacation. When he walked into their newly repaired home, his children ran to him, hugging him tightly. His wife, with tears in her eyes, whispered, all you hard work, it shows here.
Jun’s story as a scaffolder in Qatar was not just about climbing steel frames under the desert sun. It was about building more than structures it was about building dreams, brick by brick, for the family he loved. He realized that though his work was dangerous and often unseen, it created a foundation not just for tall buildings, but for his children’s brighter future.
