Mario grew up in Cebu, the son of a fisherman and a dressmaker. His family lived modestly by the sea, relying on his father’s daily catch and his mother’s sewing skills to make ends meet. From a young age, Mario was fascinated with machines. He often watched construction projects in their town, staring in awe at the towering cranes that lifted heavy loads with ease. Someday, he thought, I want to be the one sitting up there, making those giants move.
After finishing high school, Mario worked as a laborer at construction sites. He carried cement, tied steel bars, and mixed gravel under the scorching sun. It was grueling work, but Mario kept his eyes on the operators of heavy equipment. With determination, he enrolled in a training program for crane operation using the little savings he had. Slowly, he learned the delicate controls, the importance of precision, and the discipline of safety.
When he finally received a job offer in Dubai as a crane operator, Mario knew it was the opportunity he had been waiting for. Leaving his wife and two young children behind was painful, but he promised them, I will work hard abroad so you will never have to struggle the way we did.
His first day in Dubai was unforgettable. The city’s skyline shimmered with glass towers and construction cranes dotted the horizon. Assigned to a high-rise project, Mario climbed up to the crane cab, which stood several stories above ground. The height was dizzying, but the view was breathtaking. With his hands on the controls, he carefully lifted steel beams and heavy equipment, swinging them into place where workers below guided them.
Operating a crane required patience, precision, and trust. One wrong move could put lives at risk. Mario took his responsibility seriously, always double-checking his signals and communicating clearly with his team. Over time, his supervisors praised him for his steady hands and calm under pressure. He became one of the most reliable operators on the site.
Still, life abroad was not easy. The long hours and the heat were exhausting, and the loneliness of being far from family weighed heavily on him. After each shift, Mario would return to his small shared accommodation, cook a simple meal, and video call his wife. He listened to his children’s stories his daughter showing him her school medals, his son proudly reading new words he learned. Those moments reminded Mario why he was enduring the hardships.
His sacrifices bore fruit. With his remittances, his wife was able to open a small sari-sari store, and his children continued their education without interruption. During his first vacation home, Mario was welcomed like a hero. His family hugged him tightly, and his neighbors admired the small improvements in their house a sturdier roof, fresh paint, and a sense of hope.
Years later, Mario looked back at the countless hours he spent high above the ground, lifting heavy loads in Dubai. To others, he was just a crane operator. But to his family, he was the one who lifted them out of poverty and gave them a chance at a brighter future.
Mario’s story is a reminder that OFWs are not just building skyscrapers abroad they are building lives, dreams, and legacies back home.
