In every gleam of Dubai’s skyscrapers, there is a shadow of hard work and sacrifice—*Karen*, an OFW known as “Tomboy Bibo” to her peers. But despite her bold image, the sadness she carries cannot be ignored.

Coming from a poor family in the Philippines, Karen became the pillar of support for her parents and siblings. At a young age, she learned to be strong and put aside her own dreams for the sake of others. “I have no choice. I’m the one who supports them. I can’t abandon them,” she said while fighting back tears.

The life of an OFW in the Middle East is no joke—especially for a woman like Karen who doesn’t fit the typical image of a young Filipina. She has experienced discrimination, bullying, and ridicule many times, not only at work but also from the people around her.

“There are times when I am called ‘weird’ or ‘different’ because of the way I speak and act. But I have no choice but to swallow it all. I have to work hard, I have to be strong,” said Karen.

She works at a fast food chain in Dubai, often working 12-hour shifts. Sometimes, even when she is sick or exhausted, she still goes to work because just one day off is a huge loss in her salary—a salary that she sends back to the Philippines in its entirety.

While her family is happy in the Philippines, Karen is often alone. She has no time for herself, for love, or even for relaxation. She often endures sadness during occasions like Christmas and New Year. While her family celebrates, she works under the desert heat.

But despite everything, she still does not lose hope. “All the tiredness, all the tears, it’s okay as long as they have something to eat, as long as they have a good life, that’s enough,” she added.

When asked how long she will sacrifice, Karen doesn’t know the answer. But one thing is certain—she will keep fighting. For her family, for her dream of one day returning to the Philippines without having to be slaves in another country.

“I don’t know when this will end, but I have only one dream—that the day will come when I won’t have to go far just to survive,” she said before returning to her work.

While many see the glamour of life in Dubai, for those like Karen, it’s a never-ending battle—a battle filled with tears, tiredness, and sacrifice… but there’s no certainty when it will end.