Marites “Tess” Dela Cruz had always marveled at the glittering skyline of Dubai whenever she saw pictures online. She never thought she would one day walk among its towering buildings, working not as a tourist but as a housekeeper. At 33, she left her two young children in Laguna to work abroad, driven by her dream of giving them a brighter future.
Her employer was an Emirati family living in a high-rise apartment near Downtown Dubai. The home was elegant yet demanding to maintain glass windows overlooking the Burj Khalifa, marble floors that needed daily polishing, and a kitchen stocked with ingredients Tess had never even seen before. Her contract required her to clean. cook, and sometimes assist in looking after the family’s three children.
At first, the adjustment was overwhelming. The long hours of scrubbing, ironing, and organizing tested her endurance. She often woke up before dawn to start the day, making sure breakfast was prepared before the family stirred. By the time she finished her chores at night, she would collapse on her small bed in the maid’s quarters, her hands rough from detergents and her back sore from lifting heavy loads.
Yet, Tess carried her hardships silently. In every aching muscle, she saw her children’s faces smiling on video calls, proudly showing her their school work. That was enough to keep her going.
One challenge Tess faced was the cultural differences. She learned to be careful with her words and actions, respecting traditions unfamiliar to her. She wore modest clothing, avoided certain foods, and followed household protocols strictly. At first, she was scared of making mistakes, but over time, she adapted. Her employers, though strict, treated her fairly. They noticed her diligence and, gradually, trust grew between them.
Tess also discovered a surprising passion for cooking. While she had been used to simple Filipino dishes like tinola and adobo, she soon learned how to prepare Middle Eastern specialties like kebabs, biryani, and tabbouleh. One day, she nervously cooked adobo for her employers. To her delight, they enjoyed it so much that they requested it again. That small gesture of appreciation gave her confidence.
On her monthly day off, Tess explored Dubai with other OFWs she met at church. They visited the Dubai Mall, strolled at Jumeirah Beach, and took pictures near the dancing fountain. But even in those moments of joy, her thoughts always drifted back home. She sent most of her salary to her family, leaving little for herself. When she bought small toys or chocolates for her children to send in balikbayan boxes, it gave her joy far greater than buying things for herself.
Two years into her contract, Tess noticed her children growing more independent in their video calls. They had become taller, more confident, and were excelling in school. Pride filled her heart, but so did longing. She realized how many moments she had missed school programs, birthdays, even her youngest child’s first lost tooth.
Still, Tess never regretted her sacrifice. She reminded herself daily that her hard work was not in vain. She wasn’t just cleaning someone else’s home in Dubai; she was slowly building her own family’s future back in Laguna.
As she looked out from the apartment balcony one evening, gazing at the shimmering lights of the Burj Khalifa, Tess whispered a quiet promise to herself: One day, these towers will only be a memory, and I’ll go home to the real dream I’ve been working for my family.
