Stories from Asia | Here I Am, God

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I am Paul Michael Babiera, a father to Milton Jaden Mackenzie, a former Overseas Filipino Worker, and the founder of the advocacy group OFW: Ang Mga Makabagong Bayani, an Ashoka Spiritual Changemaker, a board of trustee for Bamboo Warriors of the Philippines, and now, I am the OF-LIFE Program Officer of the Executive Education Program, Ateneo School of Government. I have been through a lot in my life, but I have always found strength in my faith, I have lost everything and yet I have it all. Here is my story.

I was born and raised in the Philippines. When I was 25 years old, I decided to go abroad to work as a casino host on a cruise ship. I worked hard and saved my money, and after a few years, I was able to suffice for my family back home.

We were living the American dream, but it all came crashing down when the pandemic hit. I lost my job, and I was forced to return to the Philippines. We were broken and distressed, but I never gave up hope. By His profound mercy and grace, we are still here, and you are reading what I am writing now.

I started OFW: Ang Mga Makabagong Bayani when I came back to the Philippines August of 2020 to help other repatriated and displaced Overseas Filipino Workers. We provide assistance in claiming their DOLE-AKAP then, financial literacy training, mental health checks and job training to those in need. We also advocate for the rights of Overseas Filipino Workers. We partner with different organizations, government agencies, and foundations. This is where I met Lasalette Gumban who introduced me to the world I am in now.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my fellow Filipinos. I know that I am not alone in my struggles, and I am confident that we will overcome this pandemic together. 

I am a changemaker, a servant, and a follower of Christ. I am here to serve, and I am here to make a difference.

I have always believed that God has a plan for my life. Even when things were tough, I never gave up on my faith. I knew that God would see me through, and He did.

When I embarked on the journey with Ateneo LSE OF-LIFE (ALSE OF LIFE), I had no idea how it would turn out. But I knew that I had to do something to help my fellow Filipinos. I had to share my skills and my experience to make a difference in the world and at the same time learn life- lessons that really made an indelible mark in me.

OFW: Ang Mga Makabagong Bayani has been a success. We have helped thousands of people, and we have made a difference in the lives of many families. I am so proud of what we have accomplished, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my fellow Filipinos. This was all fortified because of ALSE OF-LIFE, then Ignatian Formation Course, and Ashoka Faith-Inspired Changemaking Masterclass. These molded me to who I am now.

I was ready to throw in the towel, I was about to give up, I was by a thread. I am magnanimously blessed by having this daring faith in that no matter what life throws at me, I know I will be okay, and that God is always by me and will never forsake me. It was not a walk in the park, but it was all worth it. Seeing life in a way that I never saw it before. ALSE OF-LIFE has brought me to a level of consciousness and awareness that I have never experienced before. I knew from the onset that this program had more to give, not just what it offered, leadership, financial literacy, and social entrepreneurship. It gave me my life back, it directed me into the path I am supposed to take, it gave me back me! Showing what my purpose is, affirming to me that it's never too late and that our God is a God of second, third, fourth, fifth, and so on chances, and that He is the God of the impossible.

2020 has been a year I will never forget, for it took away a part of my life that was supposed to be the answer to what I was aspiring to then, servant leadership. Little did I know, the answer was waiting for me in 2021 till last year, when my world started to move again and revealed my purpose, when I came to know about ALSE OF-LIFE and Ashoka. I am a living testament of His grace and mercy. I am thankful to God, our Abba Father, for not forsaking me nor leaving me hanging, for keeping me all the time, not letting me feel that I was alone.

I know that God has blessed me with the skills and the experience to make a difference in the world. I am committed to using my gifts to help others, and I am confident that I can make a positive impact on the world. 

Now, I say unto all of you, HOPE IS ALIVE, I am alive, I almost gave up, I almost threw in the towel, and yet at my darkest, the Lord has shown me that flicker of light that shone its brightest to pave the way for me to be who I am now. A changemaker, a servant, His follower. 

Here I am Lord, use me.