Saudi journalist Rawan Radwan finally gets in touch with long-lost Pinay nanny

"Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" is a weekly news magazine show hosted by Jessica Soho, one of the most awarded broadcast journalists in the Philippines. For more information, follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. _______________________________________________________________________________

There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of reunion stories made possible since the Internet became accessible to many people. But recently, one of these stood out and plucked at netizens’ hearts — a heartwarming tale involving a Saudi woman and a series of attempts to find her long-lost Pinay nanny.

Recently, Rawan Radwan sought help from the Quezon Province Public Information Office (PIO) to locate Marie Ning, the woman who took care of her and her younger sister Hadeel from 1987 to 1992.

Rawan’s quest started three years ago when she discovered an old letter from Marie addressed to her mother. She knew by then that finding Marie wouldn’t be easy, given the distance and time difference between her country and the Philippines.



It’s a good thing that Rawan did not give up. She found a way to contact the Quezon local government upon finding out her ex-nanny’s home province.

They weren’t able to find Marie’s current address, but someone from the office endorsed Rawan’s story to a national newspaper. Soon, the piece also spread online and reached one of Marie’s relatives.

Little did Rawan know, her ex-nanny had also been yearning to see her and Hadeel again. In fact, when Marie heard about Rawan’s efforts to find her, she got very emotional. Marie even went to the Quezon Province PIO carrying photo albums containing memorabilia from the Radwan family.

“Nagpapasalamat ako’t hindi nila ako nakakalimutan (I am thankful because they didn’t forget me),” Marie told veteran Filipino journalist Jessica Soho in an interview.

Online reunion

Marie, whose real name is Maria Luningning Bernardo-Bibit, now works as a barangay security officer in Brgy. Masalukot 1 in Candelaria, Quezon. She said she’s looking forward to seeing Rawan and her family again.

As a surprise for the two, “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” set up an online reunion for Marie and Rawan on August 5. It was the first time that they got to talk to each other in almost 22 years.

Marie wasn’t able to contain her excitement upon seeing Rawan on the computer screen: “Thank God, you remember me. I’m so happy!”

“How are you? I miss you,” Marie said.

“I miss you too, Dada. It has been a very long time.” Rawan replied. Both of them were teary-eyed.

Marie’s 19-year-old daughter Jicka was present during the video call. Her mom proudly introduced her to Rawan: “Look at my daughter. She’s so beautiful!”

The ex-nanny got even more elated when she learned that Rawan had remarried and now has one child. Rawan also told her that Hadeel and their younger brother, who was still small when Marie left, are now successful in their chosen careers.

“You [should] come to the Philippines,” Marie said. Rawan said she’ll definitely visit her beloved ex-nanny together with her siblings soon.

A part of the family

Marie was still grieving over the death of her first husband when she went to Saudi in 1987. Since Rawan’s parents had busy careers, the siblings spent more time with her during their formative years.

“Kapag may sakit sila, hindi talaga ako natutulog. Inaalagaan ko silang mabuti (Whenever the kids get sick, I don’t sleep. I take care of them very well),” Marie reminisced.

She also read them countless bedtime stories and taught them Tagalog songs.

Because of Marie’s hard work, her employers trusted and loved her so much, that she was considered a part of the family.

“Noong na-operahan ako, ‘yung sa myoma, kinuha pa nila ako ng tagapag-alaga, (When I underwent an operation because I had myoma, they hired someone to take care of me),” Marie shared.

In 1992, Marie felt it was the right time to return to the Philippines to start a new life. Rawan was just seven years old during that time. And even though it was hard for her employers to let her go, they still supported Marie in her decision.

The Radwan siblings had several other nannies after Marie but she remained their favorite. In fact, Rawan acknowledges her as an important part of her childhood.

What did Marie feel after seeing that the little girl she used to feed and put to sleep is now a successful woman? “I’m very happy. Natandaan pa niya ‘yung mga kanta na itinuro ko (I’m very happy. Rawan still remembers the songs I taught her),” she said.

Marie remarried a few years after returning to the Philippines. Currently, she is assigned to look after cases of violence against women and children in their barangay. Her daughter Jicka left for Vietnam to study Mechanical Engineering last Thursday.



Advice from ex-nanny turned instant celebrity

Marie became an instant celebrity after she appeared in several newscasts a few days ago. She credited her newfound popularity to Rawan and then joked, “everybody [wants to take] a picture with me now because I’m famous!”

Kidding aside, Marie says she feels very fulfilled knowing that she has affected the family she served in a positive way.

She is also confident that despite the sad OFW stories, many Pinay nannies are still well-loved abroad. “Likas kasi sa mga Pilipino ang pagiging mapagmahal at palangiti,” Marie said.

When asked if she has any advice to OFWs, especially to those who take care of families, Marie gave an insightful answer: Maintain a good relationship with your employers and be loyal to them.

“Basta naging kaibigan kita, hindi kita bibitawan. Ganoon kasi ako,” she explained. —JDS, GMA News