In Maalaala Mo Kaya’s June 1 episode “Passport,” we witnessed how an esteemed and respected teacher victimized by human trafficking, Nena Ruiz (portrayed by Irma Adlawan), experienced unspeakable abuse in the hands of a fellow Filipino in the US.
It took a lot of courage for Nena to expose such maltreatment, especially when her life was threatened and the future of her family’s financial status was at stake. Fortunately, a lot of kind-hearted people reached out to help her. After a teenage girl made the first step, circumstances led the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking or CAST to rescue Nena and help her recover from her harrowing plight.
In her interview with MMK host Charo Santos-Concio, Nena shared that the main reason why she stood strong facing the torment she experienced abroad is her great love for her family.
Nena said, “Bilang ina, para sa akin ay walang katapusan ang pagtulong ko sa kanila [her children]. ‘Yong mga apo ko, I want them to finish their college. Maka-support ako, mabigyan ko sila ng mabuting pamumuhay… Totoo talaga, hanggang may hininga pa, tutulong talaga sa mga anak. Tuwing nag-iisa ako bago matulog, ang isip ko ay sa mga anak ko.”
REVIEW: Irma, Agot get top acting plaudits in reverberating MMK “Passport” episode
Watch how Nena tells us her touching story and her empowering message for other victims of human trafficking in this full interview.