I've really been feeling sentimental these past few days. Like Christmas, approaching the New Year brings me a sense of retrospect into the year that has past: the events that have transpired, the people I've met, the things that I've done that have made me into the person who I am at the moment…Of course, this includes the very LDR I am in. Of course!

This walk down memory lane as 2009 comes to a close also made me realize the many things I am grateful and continue to be grateful for. Again, I thank God for the opportunity given to Dodong in the desert sands of Dubai, UAE.

So tonight, being sentimental and all, I've drawn the courage to watch Dubai for the second time. The first and last time I've watched it was last year, September 2008, Dodong's first homecoming from his 1st 6-month stint in Dubai.

Why did I even have to draw some courage to watch this Pinoy flick? Coming from Dodong's reactions while watching the movie, it was a clear portrayal of the life Dodong and all the other kabayans go through in Dubai.

I'd like to share with the part which moved me the most (to tears in fact)…

NOTE # 1: I can't seem to find a video clip on the YouTube and can't seem to copy the clip and cut it (technical difficulties!) so I will just quote the monologue (because Aga Muhlach's character was addressing a whole crowd and not talking to a single person in particular).

NOTE # 2: I am writing the speech in English (Thanks to subtitles) for better appreciation of my non-Filipino readers out there (if any). I'm not sure if you share the same sentiments but I'd be happy to know about your thoughts though.

This was the scene where two of their kabayan friends got married. The bride was to stay in Dubai for work, while the groom was going back home to the Philippines because his employment contract just expired. Raffy Alvarez (Aga Muhlach) gave a speech to honor the groom who was brave enough to face his relatives back in the Philippines without bringing home a single piece of appliance.

Yes, you heard me right, appliance like a washing machine, a toaster, TV set, etc. In the Philippines, it is "customary" for OFWs to bring home gifts to their families upon returning from the country of designation.

Here is what he said to the wedding guests who were mostly (if not all) Filipinos working in Dubai:

You will bring home your sense of pride for the Filipinos who are working here. And they are truly praiseworthy! We often make mistakes. We seem to forget our dreams. The promises we made. Oftentimes, we even hurt the people we love.

But we, Filipinos, never forget why we are in this foreign land. We are here because of the people we love. No matter how hard life can be, how sad it can be; we are willing to accept it to make our families happy.

For every drop of sweat, every tear we shed, all we ask is their smile. A simple smile from them. Even though we are so far away from our families, even though we don't see them, each of us has the same dream: that is to see our families whole again. And to fulfill that dream, we have to stand up after we fall.

Just like my super crush, John Lloyd Cruz, who played Raffy's brother Andrew; I was moved to tears too. Because what he said, reminded me of the sacrifices Dodong made when he decided to grab that opportunity in Dubai. I know I have my seemingly petty concerns about our long distance relationship, but this does not compare to the hardships they really go through when they are away from home.

This reminded me to be eternally grateful to Dubai. Though it has separated us physically, it has helped us grow to the couple we are now and, more importantly, fulfilled the dreams of Dodong's family (and his dreams as well).

Dubai is one of the biggest things I am grateful for this 2009. Thank you Dubai! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

What are you grateful for this 2009?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay