SAN NICOLAS, Philippines — When Mary Jane Abad boarded a flight to Singapore in 1990, the 20-year-old carried little more than determination and dreams of lifting her family from poverty. Today, after 34 years as a domestic worker, her sacrifice has enabled an entire family to flourish.
Abad, now 54, departed her hometown in Ilocos Norte without a college degree, utilizing a “fly now, pay later” program for domestic workers. Within two weeks, she found employment that would become a life-changing three-decade commitment.
“Without my job, I don’t know what could have happened to my family,” Abad told PNA, reflecting on her departure following her father’s death at the hands of alleged insurgents — a tragedy that later inspired her younger brother Noel to join law enforcement.
That brother, now a police officer, credits his career to his sister’s sacrifice. “I owe my education to Mary Jane,” he said.
Her dedication has yielded remarkable results. Among her siblings, one rose to become a school principal, while others established successful businesses. Her employers, whom she describes as “kind and loving,” ensure she returns home each Christmas to reunite with family.
Despite opportunities for personal advancement, Abad chose to remain single, channeling her energy into supporting her loved ones. “I may not have gone where I intended, but I’m exactly where I’m needed,” she said.
Now approaching retirement, Abad plans to work five more years in Singapore, the nation she credits with transforming her family’s destiny. Her story exemplifies the estimated 1.83 million Overseas Filipino Workers who contribute significantly to both their families and the Philippines’ economy.
In Abad’s case, that contribution has built a legacy of education, entrepreneurship, and public service — all from the modest beginnings of a young woman’s brave decision to leave home.
