Christmas, as they say, is spent best in the warm company of family.

This will be the case for Deocelyn Amoyo and her daughter, Thanie Amoyo Golimlim, who will spend the holiday season together after seven years.

Thanie, 36, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Malaysia, returned home for the holidays to surprise her mother in General Santos City on December 3, 2024.

“Nalipay kaayo ko nga karong Pasko lang mi magkita sa sobra ka dugay sa panahon… sangko sa langit ang akong kalipay nga naabot siya,” Deocelyn said.

No less than Thanie’s employer bought her a plane ticket so she could go home to the Philippines for Christmas.

“So niabot akong birthday, wala ko nag-expect nga si amo nga i-surprise ko tagaan ko libre ticket pauli. Wala ko nagsaba sa ako mama, sa akong manghod, sa akung tibuok pamilya… akong auntie lang nakabalo… surprised gyud sila tanan,” Thanie said.

Thanie said the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from visiting the Philippines, something that worried her mother and the rest of the family.

“Simula tung lockdown, na-stay ko didto, na-lock mi didto nga wala mi ka kwan, magkontrata, kay tungod sa lockdown… mao na… unya, nag-expect ko nga tagaan ko ticket para makauli ko para mag-spend ko sa ilaha for Christmas,” Thanie added.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, her mother, Deocelyn, often spends her time alone since her youngest daughter already has a family of her own.

Selling fish and sending her grandchildren to school are what makes Deocelyn busy every day.

This Christmas, Deocelyn is more than grateful to be spending the holiday season with her daughter.

“Hindi importante ang mga handa… ang importante, magbuo ang pamilya, malipayon,” Deocelyn said.

Thanie called on her fellow OFW to never forget to pray for good health so they can sustain their work and their families back home.

“Sa mga OFW nga naa dira, mag-pray ta kanunay, magpasalamat sa Ginoo, nga tagaan pa ta’g baskog nga panglawas para sa pamilya,” Thanie added.

Thanie will return to Malaysia in 2025.