Tears of Connection

Watching my digital story on a big screen for the first time hit me hard. I didn’t see it coming. I regretted that I watched it as the experience unsettled me and adversely affected the delivery of my explanation. But it was too late. As I had been seeing it on a laptop screen for days without such an impact, it dawned on me that the size of the screen counts a lot. More than that perhaps, revealing one’s self for the first time in public could be disquieting. What struck me most, however, was that I realised my strong connection to my work. I felt the aches, pains, and sorrows embedded in it. The images of loved ones—my mum, dad, my sisters and brother,my friends—whom I miss every so often, and those of the problems back home, I saw them in me, and me in them. It was a moment beyond my grasp then to understand.

Looking back, I guess I have succeeded in achieving my main purpose, that is, to make sense of, and to come to terms with my own experience. My bigger hope, though, was that those who saw, and will see my DST would better understand the plight of Filipino migrant workers and the compatriots and loved ones they left behind.

Sincerest thanks to all for such a one-of-a-kind experience in this course.