For as long as he could remember, Joel had been fascinated by electricity. As a child growing up in Iloilo, he would watch his uncle fix faulty wiring in their small home, amazed by how flickering bulbs suddenly glowed steadily at the flick of a switch. While others dreamed of becoming doctors or policemen, Joel knew early on that he wanted to become an electrician.
After finishing a vocational course in electrical installation and maintenance, Joel worked in local construction projects. He earned enough to get by, but with two younger siblings needing support for their schooling and his parents relying on him financially, his earnings were not enough. His turning point came when a recruitment agency visited their province looking for skilled electricians to work in Saudi Arabia. With encouragement from his family, Joel applied, passed the technical test, and after a few months of processing, was hired.
The day he left the Philippines was bittersweet. At the airport, his mother tightly held his hands and whispered, Anak, ingatan mo ang sarili mo. Ang dasal namin laging nasa’yo. (Son, take care of yourself. Our prayers will always be with you.) Carrying that blessing in his heart, Joel boarded the plane with hope and anxiety mixed together.
In Saudi Arabia, the work was far tougher than he had expected.The heat was unrelenting, and the hours were long. As an electrician for a large construction company, Joel was tasked with installing wiring systems, testing circuits, and ensuring electrical safety in massive infrastructure projects. Mistakes were not an option one wrong connection could cause fires, injuries, or delays. The pressure was immense, but Joel’s training and determination pushed him forward.
There were days when he felt his strength slipping away, especially when he worked high on scaffolds under the blazing sun, pulling heavy cables and connecting power lines. Yet, every payday, when he sent money home and heard his siblings talk about their schooling, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. His sacrifices had meaning.
What made the job even more challenging was the homesickness. Nights in the workers camp were lonely. Joel often lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. listening to the buzz of fluorescent lights while thinking of home. He longed for the smell of his mother’s home cooked meals, the laughter of his siblings, and the sound of rain hitting the tin roof of their small house.
Still, he endured. Over time, Joel’s dedication was recognized by his supervisors. He was promoted to team leader, overseeing younger electricians and guiding them through complex installations. He realized that his skills were not just keeping buildings powered they were also empowering others to grow in their careers.
Years later, Joel was able to save enough to build a sturdier home for his parents and send his siblings through college. His younger brother became a teacher, and his sister became a nurse, all because Joel had carried the burden of being an OFW electrician.
During one vacation back home, Joel was invited by a local technical school to share his story with students. Standing in front of aspiring electricians, he said, Wires carry current, but our sacrifices carry hope. Every connection I make abroad is a connection to my family’s dreams here at home.
For Joel, being an electrician was never just about wiring buildings it was about lighting the path to a brighter future, both for himself and for those he loved.
