Ramon had always been fascinated by machines. Growing up in a small town in Batangas, he loved tinkering with old motorcycles and fixing neighbors tricycles. His father used to say, Your hands are meant to build and repair. That passion eventually led him to become a skilled mechanic. But no matter how good he was, earnings in the Philippines were barely enough to sustain his wife and three children.
When he got an opportunity to work as a mechanic in Saudi Arabia, Ramon took a leap of faith. It meant leaving his family, but he saw it as the only way to give them a better life. The promise of higher pay gave him hope, but stepping into a foreign land brought its won set of challenges.
His first day at the automotive workshop was overwhelming. Rows of luxury cars BMWs, Land Cruisers, and even sports cars were waiting to be serviced. Unlike the motorcycles and jeepneys he used to fix back home, these machines were far more advanced. Ramon worried he might not be skilled enough. But instead of giving in to fear, he studied harder, asked questions, and stayed after hours to learn the new systems.
Language was another barrier. His co-workers came from Pakistan, India, and Sudan, each speaking their own dialects. At first, giving instructions or asking for tools led to confusion. Sometimes, he felt isolated. But little by little, Ramon picked up Arabic phrases and even learned a bit of Urdu. His colleagues began to admire him not just for skill but for his humility and eagerness to adapt.
Ramon’s days were long and physically demanding. he worked under the scorching Saudi sun, covered in grease and sweat, often standing for hours repairing engines or replacing parts. Yet, there was a deep sense of pride each time he successfully restored a broken-down vehicle. Customers would smile and say, Shukran (thank you), and that acknowledgement fueled his drive.
Back in the Philippines, his wife managed the household while their children focused on school. Ramon sent money monthly, ensuring they had food, tuition, and savings for emergencies. Still, there were nights when he would sit on his bunk bed, staring at his children’s photos, aching from the distance. He missed birthdays and milestones, but video calls became their lifeline, bridging thousands of miles with laughter and tears.
One of his proudest moments came when his eldest son messaged him, saying, Papa, because of your hard work, I’m finishing my engineering course. Someday, I’ll help you fix cars. Those words made every sacrifice worthwhile.
After five years, Ramon was promoted to Workshop Supervisor, overseeing a team of mechanics. His employers trusted him not only for his skills but for his leadership and reliability. With his savings, he began building a small auto repair shop back in Batangas. His dream was not just to return home but to establish a business where he could work alongside his children.
Ramon’s story is not just about repairing engines; it is about perseverance, sacrifice, and love. He left to fix cars, but in truth, he was fixing the future of his family one wrench, one paycheck, and one dream at a time.
