Junel grew up in a small farming town in Iloilo. His father worked the rice fields, and his mother sold homemade snacks to neighbors. From a young age, Junel learned the value of hard work, but he also saw how unpredictable farming was sometimes the harvest was good, but many times, floods or drought left them with barely enough to survive.
After finishing high school, Junel worked as a helper in construction sites. He admired the heavy equipment operators, especially those who handled excavators. To him, it seemed like they held incredible power moving soil, digging deep foundations, and shaping the land for new buildings. Determined to learn, Junel trained under an older operator, and later took a short vocational course to become certified. It wasn’t easy, but with patience, he mastered the controls.
When an agency announced job openings for excavator operators in Qatar, Junel applied. The thought of working abroad frightened him, but the salary was far more than what he earned back home. His wife encouraged him, saying, Go, Junel. Our children deserve a better future. I’ll take care of things here.
In Qatar, Junel was assigned to a massive construction project for new roads and buildings. The desert heat was unbearable at times, and the worksite buzzed with noise and activity. His role was to operate the excavator, digging trenches, clearing soil, and preparing land for infrastructure. Sitting inside the cab, with his hands firmly on the controls, he felt both responsibility and pride. Every scoop of earth was a reminder that he was building not just Qatar’s skyline, but also his family’s future.
The first months were the hardest. He struggled with homesickness, missing the laughter of his children and the simple meals with his wife. His small dormitory felt cold and lonely after long shifts. But each payday, when he sent money home, he thought of his kids going to school with proper uniforms, and his wife no longer worrying about unpaid bills. That thought gave him strength to endure.
One day, a sudden sandstorm hit the site while he was operating. Visibility dropped, and the wind howled through the machinery. It was dangerous, but Junel stayed calm, carefully parking the excavator in a safe spot until the storm passed. His supervisor commended him for his discipline, reminding him that safety always came first. From then on, Junel became known not only for his skill but also for his reliability.
Years passed, and Junel renewed his contract multiple times. With his earnings, his family was able to renovate their small house, send his eldest daughter to college, and start a small sari-sari store as an extra source of income. On his visits home, neighbors would often say, Junel, you’ve come far. You are proof that hard work pays off.
Though he spent countless hours digging foundations in a foreign land, Junel knew the real foundation he was building was for his family’s future. He often said, I may be operating an excavator, but what I’m truly digging for are my children’s dreams.
His story is a testament to the quiet heroism of OFWs who endure heat, distance, and loneliness, all for love.
