Overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East watched in horror as tropical storm “Ondoy’s” aftermath were seen on ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel over the weekend.

Many relatives of OFWs were among those trapped inside flooded houses and were forced to go up their roofs. Some are still reportedly missing while others are feared dead.

Nemia Abelinda's brother and his family in Provident Village in Marikina were trapped on the roof top for at least 24 hours before they were finally rescued.  

When Abelinda contacted the Middle East News Bureau, her voice was trembling and hoped that rescue units can soon find their way in her brother's house.

Her brother, his wife and their seven children are trapped by the flood.

May Ramirez cried when she learned that her 60-year-old mother was also trapped by the flood inside their house at SSS Village in Marikina.

Ramirez felt sorry and helpless as she watched pictures of those affected by the flood.

A few years ago, a massive flood also affected her family in the province of Nueva Ecija. The incident almost took away the life of her mother. She heaved a sigh of relief after she learned that her mother was rescued.

Ramirez said she cannot stand the thought of losing her mother. If she dies, she said her work abroad will all be worthless.

In her message to her mother, Ramirez tearfully said, “may anak kang nag-aalala dito. Ginagawa namin ang lahat ng magagawa namin dito dahil gusto naming guminhawa ang buhay dyan. Aanhin namin ang pinagtra-trabahuhan namin dito kung wala na kaming dadatnan dyan.”

For her part, Abelinda said she is thankful for TFC for giving them timely information on what is happening back home.

She and fellow OFWs watched from TFC connect on their laptops. She thanked God when she learned finally that her brother and his family were all safe.

"Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Diyos at sa ABS CBN at DZMM na nakapag monitor kami kung anong nangyayari sa mga kamag anakan naming,” she said.
They are among hundreds or maybe thousands of OFWs in the Middle East whose relatives were among the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

However, not everyone was able to get information about the plight of their relatives, as most cellular phones in the affected areas ran out of battery and were left unreachable.

In Qatar, PAG IBIG Fund representative Pamela Bautista said she lost communication with her family trapped in their house in Pasig City.

In Dubai, Quay Evano has not received a word on the fate of his own family who lives in Pasig.

Another OFW, Jomz Paterno, was too worried as her 60-year-old mother was alone in their house in Cainta when their village was hit by the flash flood.

In Saudi Arabia, Leo Mendoza is also asking officials to locate and rescue his loved ones in Pasig City.

Officials have yet to release a list of those rescued in the floods. OFWs can only hope their loved ones are not among those who perished in the flood brought by the storm.