A Heart in Two Places: Honoring the Journey of OFWs
Article written by Isabella Touzo and Edited by Zaira Syarifah
“Mama is coming home.”
This quote encapsulates the reality of the divided lives of OFWs and their families: a life in which a parent or close relative is consistently absent for the sake of providing a better future. It is a painful yet familiar truth, a struggle that has inspired Emilio Baja, founder of Full Phils, to write A Heart in Two Places.
What began as a personal reflection on a reality he witnessed firsthand gradually grew into something larger. Today, the book stands as both a tribute to OFW families and a small celebration of how far the project has come, from the initial idea to something that now sits on the shelves of Fully Booked BGC.
But what exactly is Full Phils, and what does it aim to do?
The seed for Full Phils was planted when Emilio witnessed the everyday realities of OFWs in Hong Kong. He often noticed groups spending their very sparse free time on the streets, resting on sidewalks, and gathering whatever they could, simply because they had no proper place to go. These moments stayed with him.
Seeing this repeatedly led him to question why our hardworking kababayans lacked even a comfortable space to rest. It prompted him to consider how he could contribute to creating lasting change. This eventually led to the creation of Full Phils, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing higher education to OFWs through flexible programs that accommodate their demanding schedules.
His goal was clear: to uplift them in his own small way and empower them through education. As Emilio says, “Living in Hong Kong, as a Filipino, really forced me to see the unfortunate realities that our overseas Filipinos face.”
3 years later, Full Phils has grown into a lifeline. Through partnerships with AMA University, Philippine Women’s University, and the University of the Philippines, the organization continues to deliver high-quality education to its growing community of scholars. As part of this expanding mission, Full Phils is proud to announce the publication of its first book, A Heart In Two Places. The story follows Arlyn as she hopes to reunite with her children in the Philippines, capturing the emotional realities of OFWs in a way that resonates with readers of all ages.
The book carries an important message about respect and understanding. As Emilio emphasizes, “As much as providing education to OFWs is important, it’s just as important for people to treat our OFWs properly.” By combining storytelling with advocacy, the book educates the public, honors OFWs, and funds initiatives that directly benefit them.
Full Phils hopes that this is just the beginning. They are working to expand distribution of the book to more bookstores nationwide and in international locations with large OFW communities, including Hong Kong, where many of the scholars are based. Looking ahead, Emilio also hopes to create a sequel that continues to highlight OFWs’ stories and experiences while inspiring empathy and understanding among new readers.
Ultimately, A Heart in Two Places is more than a book; it’s a tribute to families living apart, a tool for supporting OFWs through education, and a reminder of the strength and sacrifices behind every life stretched across borders.
Supporting this book means supporting Full Phils’ mission, amplifying the stories of OFWs, and giving back to the communities that sacrifice so much for their families. If these stories resonate with you, consider purchasing a copy, currently priced at 695 PHP. Proceeds from every purchase go directly toward funding scholarships and educational initiatives for OFWs and their families, helping bring these voices to more people who need to hear them.