After enduring a long and arduous journey, Harbex Goylos finally experienced the joy of reuniting with his family after 13 years of separation. The 31-year-old OFW was wrongfully accused of theft soon after arriving in Dubai, a setback that drastically altered the course of his life.
Goylos, who left the Philippines at 18 to support his family in Negros Occidental, faced unimaginable hardships abroad. “When I came here, it didn’t go as planned. I struggled so much,” he said in a The Philippine Star report. His difficulties began when his employer falsely accused him and other Filipino workers of stealing money. With no resources to defend himself, Goylos became homeless and had to take on various odd jobs to survive.
“Hindi naman ako nagnanakaw, at tsaka kakarating ko lang do’n just like for one month. Wala akong pambayad ng lawyer and everything. For eight years naging homeless ako,” he explained, recounting the years of hardship. Goylos worked tirelessly, doing everything from washing cars to babysitting. “I really suffered na wala akong matulugan. Meron ding mga taong mababait na papatuluyin ka sa bahay nila kasi dito, you are not allowed to sleep on the streets,” he recalled.
Despite his dire circumstances, Goylos remained determined to clear his name. “It took me 10 years to fix it,” he said. “I borrowed money, worked hard, and fought for justice. Thank God I won the case and proved my innocence.”
During his years of struggle, Goylos’s family in the Philippines sent him money to help him get by. “Sabi ko nga sa mama ko, ‘Alam mo ma, nangarap lang naman ako eh na magpunta ng ibang bansa para lang matulungan sana kayo tapos ito pa ‘yung naranasan ko dito.’ Naging anchor ko talaga is ‘yung mama at tsaka ‘yung tatay ko, ‘yung mga kapatid ko rin. Isa talaga sila sa nagpalakas ng loob ko nang sobra-sobra,” he added.
The years of struggle took a toll on Goylos, but the thought of reuniting with his family kept him going. “My parents and siblings were my anchor. They gave me strength,” he said. His family’s visit to Dubai last year, funded by contributions from his siblings, marked a new chapter in his life. “Sobrang pasalamat ko talaga sa Panginoon na kahit papaano ay napapunta namin sila dito at nakita ko na naman sila. Iba, ang sarap ng feeling. Alam mo ‘yung lahat ng mga sakit na naranasan ko para siyang nabura lahat kasi parang it is a new chapter na,” Goylos expressed with gratitude.
“That is my first time for me to see them [after 13 years]. Normally kasi ‘yung pinapapunta ko lang dito is ‘yung mama ko, kasi hindi ko pa afford. It’s my first time to hug my tatay again for how many years. Kahit ‘yung mga pamangkin ko for the first time lahat, kaya I’m so happy talaga,” he shared with joy.