Spencer Reyes shares his struggles as an OFW in the UK | ABS-CBN
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Spencer Reyes shares his struggles as an OFW in the UK
Streetboys member Spencer Reyes shared the story of his life after he decided to move overseas to pursue another career in 2008.
Streetboys member Spencer Reyes shared the story of his life after he decided to move overseas to pursue another career in 2008.
In an exclusive interview for PUSH Bets, Spencer said that he first finished his studies in the Philippines as a nurse before flying to England.
In an exclusive interview for PUSH Bets, Spencer said that he first finished his studies in the Philippines as a nurse before flying to England.
“Nagkaroon ako ng chance magaral ng nursing here sa Philippines… Bago ka makapunta sa UK, it should be medical kasi ayun yung pinakabest para makapasok ka, so I finished nursing,” he said. “Binigyan ako ng employment and trabaho doon.”
“Nagkaroon ako ng chance magaral ng nursing here sa Philippines… Bago ka makapunta sa UK, it should be medical kasi ayun yung pinakabest para makapasok ka, so I finished nursing,” he said. “Binigyan ako ng employment and trabaho doon.”
Spencer also revealed that it was a joint decision by him and his wife, Shiela Reyes, to move to Europe to ensure the future of their family.
Spencer also revealed that it was a joint decision by him and his wife, Shiela Reyes, to move to Europe to ensure the future of their family.
“Noong 2008, that's the time yung alam mong medyo nagakakedad ka na so siyempre nagkapamilya na rin ako noon, so me and my wife decided to do (and plan) what’s next (for us)... kasi kung magstay ako dito, hindi ko alam kung ano yung mga future but doon nagkaroon,” he shared.
“Noong 2008, that's the time yung alam mong medyo nagakakedad ka na so siyempre nagkapamilya na rin ako noon, so me and my wife decided to do (and plan) what’s next (for us)... kasi kung magstay ako dito, hindi ko alam kung ano yung mga future but doon nagkaroon,” he shared.
The dancer then recalled the time when he had to endure living alone and living life differently from the one he had as a Streetboys member and actor in the country.
The dancer then recalled the time when he had to endure living alone and living life differently from the one he had as a Streetboys member and actor in the country.
“Noong dumating ako doon, it's like back to zero. Kakaiba yung lugar, malamig, iba yung ambiance, mga nag-English… I worked in a nursing home tapos nagwork ako sa hospital pero sa nursing home siyempre iba yung job kaya medyo na-shock ako kasi hindi ko ginagawa sa Pilipinas iyon,” he shared.
“Noong dumating ako doon, it's like back to zero. Kakaiba yung lugar, malamig, iba yung ambiance, mga nag-English… I worked in a nursing home tapos nagwork ako sa hospital pero sa nursing home siyempre iba yung job kaya medyo na-shock ako kasi hindi ko ginagawa sa Pilipinas iyon,” he shared.
“Tiniis ko… Pagdating ko doon sa bahay, walang gamit… Pinapanood sa window mga kalabaw, baka… Tapos lumuluha ako… Iniisip ko, kinocompare ko yung trabaho ko rito and yung trabaho ko doon,” he added.
“Tiniis ko… Pagdating ko doon sa bahay, walang gamit… Pinapanood sa window mga kalabaw, baka… Tapos lumuluha ako… Iniisip ko, kinocompare ko yung trabaho ko rito and yung trabaho ko doon,” he added.
“As time goes by, kasi lagi mong ginagawa, you’ll get used to it and then naenjoy ko na siya… Basta nagconcentrate ako to just get my family… Noong nakuha ko sila, medyo narelax na ako,” he continued.
“As time goes by, kasi lagi mong ginagawa, you’ll get used to it and then naenjoy ko na siya… Basta nagconcentrate ako to just get my family… Noong nakuha ko sila, medyo narelax na ako,” he continued.
Spencer’s hard work resulted in a wonderful reunion as his family—his wife and two children at the time— finally moved abroad to be with him. However, things were not as easy as they seemed.
Spencer’s hard work resulted in a wonderful reunion as his family—his wife and two children at the time— finally moved abroad to be with him. However, things were not as easy as they seemed.
“Kapag dating nila, siguro one year lang kami doon (sa England), kasi iba yung law sa England kaysa sa Scotland… Me and my wife decided to go sa Scotland kasi mayroon kaming relatives doon. Dinala ko sila doon, iniwan ko, hindi pa rin tapos contract ko (sa England) kaya I need to stay (sa England) so naghiwalay na naman kami,” he shared.
“Kapag dating nila, siguro one year lang kami doon (sa England), kasi iba yung law sa England kaysa sa Scotland… Me and my wife decided to go sa Scotland kasi mayroon kaming relatives doon. Dinala ko sila doon, iniwan ko, hindi pa rin tapos contract ko (sa England) kaya I need to stay (sa England) so naghiwalay na naman kami,” he shared.
As he finally finished his remaining one-year contract, Spencer then flew to Scotland to finally settle with his family.
As he finally finished his remaining one-year contract, Spencer then flew to Scotland to finally settle with his family.
Starting a new life in a new country, Spencer then decided to work as a professional driver in Scotland where he could be with his family.
Starting a new life in a new country, Spencer then decided to work as a professional driver in Scotland where he could be with his family.
“Nag progression ako. Kumbaga noong nasa nursing ako, nag-aral ako ng engineering (sa Europe). Good thing it’s free… Natapos ko iyon, nakuha ko ‘yung mga documents, naging permanent resident ako so that’s the time na I applied for bus driver and good thing na-pass ko,” Spencer recalled his journey shifting from different careers.
“Nag progression ako. Kumbaga noong nasa nursing ako, nag-aral ako ng engineering (sa Europe). Good thing it’s free… Natapos ko iyon, nakuha ko ‘yung mga documents, naging permanent resident ako so that’s the time na I applied for bus driver and good thing na-pass ko,” Spencer recalled his journey shifting from different careers.
When asked how their life was during the pandemic, Spencer shared that it was as if a blessing in disguise for him to change his career right before the COVID-19 outbreak started in 2020.
When asked how their life was during the pandemic, Spencer shared that it was as if a blessing in disguise for him to change his career right before the COVID-19 outbreak started in 2020.
“Naswertehan ko bago mag-(pandemic), nakalabas ako sa healthcare (industry)… Kasi yung mga kaibigan ko doon, hindi sila nakalabas… Halos half of my friends na katrabaho ko (dati) namatay,” he sadly shared.
“Naswertehan ko bago mag-(pandemic), nakalabas ako sa healthcare (industry)… Kasi yung mga kaibigan ko doon, hindi sila nakalabas… Halos half of my friends na katrabaho ko (dati) namatay,” he sadly shared.
Spencer then stated that even outside the previous field he was in, he also became a frontliner during the pandemic as he was actually the one who drove some nurses, doctors, and other workers during the times when they needed service outside their home.
Spencer then stated that even outside the previous field he was in, he also became a frontliner during the pandemic as he was actually the one who drove some nurses, doctors, and other workers during the times when they needed service outside their home.
“Noong nandoon na ako as bus driver, ang pasahero ko lang mga nurse, doctors atsaka yung mostly sa hospitals… Parang pagdating ng six o’clock… wala kasing sasakyan, ako lang, so, papalakpak sila… Parang magthank you,” he shared.
“Noong nandoon na ako as bus driver, ang pasahero ko lang mga nurse, doctors atsaka yung mostly sa hospitals… Parang pagdating ng six o’clock… wala kasing sasakyan, ako lang, so, papalakpak sila… Parang magthank you,” he shared.
Check out the full interview with Spencer Reyes here:
Check out the full interview with Spencer Reyes here:
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