Pinay at heart dumpster diver Julie Belleza reunites with her son this Christmas

Julie Belleza, a Filipina at heart who became popular for her dumpster diving videos in Finland, has reunited with her son in the Philippines after not seeing him for three years.

In the latest episode of "Pinoy Christmas in our Hearts," Jessica Soho surprised Julie at the Baclaran Church with a video message from her eldest son, Marvin.

After the video, Marvin himself arrived and hugged his mother, who had not celebrated Christmas in the Philippines for 12 years. 

"Maraming-maraming salamat po, kasama ko na po 'yung binata kong anak. Napakahirap maging isang OFW at lalung-lalo napakahirap maging isang
ina kasi kailangan mong lumaban. Kailangan hindi ka mapagod. Wala kang
karapatang magreklamo," said Julie.

Julie's mom is Thai and her dad is Finnish, but she grew up in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

She said Marvin was only five years when they last spent Christmas together. As an OFW, she decided to send her hard-earned money to her son instead of spending it to go home to the Philippines.

When the pandemic hit, Julie and her husband both found themselves out of jobs as she was working as a hotelier and he was an aircraft mechanic.

They decided to move to Finland so their youngest son, Miggy, could get free quality education. Meanwhile, Marvin stayed in Negros.

Julie eventually found a job as a caregiver, but life remained hard. When her employer introduced her to dumpster diving, she threw herself into it so she can save more money.

All the while, her son Marvin was always on her mind.

"'Yung mga taon na hindi ko kasama 'yung anak ko na nagpa-Pasko, sobrang lungkot—sobrang masakit para sa akin kasi parang ayaw ko kasing isipin ng anak ko na hindi siya importante," she said, becoming emotional.

Now that they are together, she expressed all her love for her son.

"Mahal na mahal ko kayo ng kapatid mo and I'm sorry for the past 12 years na hindi kita kasamang mag-Pasko. Pero ngayon, ito na ko. Susulitin ko 'yung panahon na nandito ako ngayon sa Pilipinas. Babawi ako sa 12 years na nawala sa atin," she said.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News