Rogelio grew up in Iloilo, where his father worked as a construction laborer. From a young age, Rogelio learned how to mix cement, carry hollow blocks, and smoothen walls. By the time he was in his twenties, he was already skilled in masonry laying bricks, plastering walls, and building homes for others. But while he was building houses in his hometown, his own family lived in a small wooden hut that barely kept the rain out. He often told himself, I can build for others, but one day, I will build something lasting for my own family.
When a recruiter came to their province looking for construction workers for Dubai, Rogelio didn’t hesitate. The pay promised to be far greater than what he earned in the Philippines. Still, the thought of leaving his wife and two small children was painful. His wife encouraged him, saying, Go, Elio. It’s hard, but this is our chance.
Life in Dubai was a world away from what he knew. Towering skyscrapers lined the skyline, and Rogelio found himself working on projects much bigger than anything back home. As a mason, his role was to carefully lay blocks, plaster walls, and finish surfaces to perfection. Precision was everything one wrong measurement or uneven wall could delay the entire project.
His workdays started early, under the blistering desert sun. The heat was relentless, and the heavy materials made every task exhausting. Yet Rogelio worked with discipline. He carried blocks, spread mortar, and lined bricks with steady hands. At first, he struggled with the pressure to meet tight deadlines, but soon he developed a rhythm and gained the trust of his supervisors.
Among his crew were men from India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Despite language barriers, they built a silent camaraderie through shared sweat and determination. They often ate lunch together rice and sardines for Rogelio, flatbread and curry for his co-workers. They laughed, shared stories of families back home, and comforted each other when homesickness set in.
The hardest part for Rogelio was missing his children’s milestones. He saw their birthdays and school achievements only through video calls. At night, he would sit in the cramped workers accommodation, staring at their photos on his phone, whispering, One day, we’ll live in a real house together.
His sacrifices paid off. With his remittances, his wife was able to send their children to school without worry. After two years, they started building a small concrete house back in Iloilo a house Rogelio designed himself. Each payday, he sent money for hollow blocks, cement, and roofing materials. His wife would update him with photos of the house slowly taking shape. It became his source of strength during the toughest days.
When Rogelio finally came home for his first vacation, he stood proudly in front of the nearly finished house. His children ran to him, hugging his legs tightly, while his wife whispered, Elio, this is the fruit of your hard work. Tears filled his eyes as he realized he had finally built something for his own family.
Rogelio’s journey as a mason in Dubai was more than just about laying bricks and plastering walls. Each wall he built represented his resilience, each block a step toward his children’s future. Though his hands were calloused and his body often weary, his heart was strong because he knew he wasn’t just building structures, he was building dreams.
