A Mother’s Last Wish: Help Us Reclaim Our Family’s Land

A Mother’s Last Wish: Help Us Reclaim the Land That Was Our Family’s Legacy

My name is Kat. I come from the Philippines, from a small, remote island. I now live with my family here in the US, but I go home every year to visit my parents.

Ten years ago, my parents made the most heartbreaking decision of their lives. My brother’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the cost of her treatment in the U.S. was far beyond what my family could afford. Desperate to save her life, my parents made the ultimate sacrifice - they sold a piece of their hearts: our family’s half-acre backyard, a land they worked tirelessly to buy in their younger years.

This land was never just a plot of earth to my parents. It was a sanctuary, filled with fruit trees and precious memories. My Dad poured his heart into that land, planting bananas, guavas, mangoes, papayas, jackfruit, and every other fruit tree you can imagine. He nurtured plants, vegetables, and herbs with love, always thinking of ways to provide for our family. I grew up there, learning from him how to care for the land, and how to be self-sufficient by selling its harvest. There were poultries, a piggery, and a fishpond - he worked tirelessly to keep everything running. That land was his pride, his way of taking care of us, and a symbol of his love and hard work. He often called it their “hard-earned dream,” a reflection of everything they had achieved together.

But when it came to family, my parents always put others first.

They sold the land for 4 Million Pesos - enough to cover some of the medical expenses. Though it broke their hearts, they told themselves it was the right thing to do. “We can replace things, but we can’t replace a family. People over possessions,” my Dad used to say, even as he walked away from the land that meant so much to him.

But despite their sacrifice, my sister-in-law lost her battle in 2017. My brother and his family endured unimaginable pain, and our family was left with the weight of loss and grief.

Over the years, my Dad longed to reclaim the land. He hoped that one day, he and my Mom could buy it back and restore the backyard where they once grew fruits and created so many beautiful memories. But last year, my Dad’s dream was cut short. He passed away suddenly from a heart attack, leaving us all in shock, heartbreak, and grieving every second.

Now, my Mom, who is turning 90 years old, is left with the weight of this loss. Her body is frail, and she’s undergoing multiple medical checkups. Yet, through it all, she clings to one hope: to see that land returned to our family.

The land they sold for 4 Million Pesos is now priced at 10 Million Pesos - roughly US$175,000. For my Mom, who lives solely on her pension, this amount is impossible to raise. I tried to help last year by giving US$30,000, the most I could manage, but that money was spent on my Dad’s medical and funeral expenses.

As much as I want to fulfill this wish for her, I don’t think I can do it...alone. My siblings, burdened by their own struggles, have resigned themselves to the fact that reclaiming the land is just impossible. My brother, who had promised to pay back the money used for his wife’s treatment, simply cannot. Since losing her, he has struggled, both emotionally and financially.

What’s worse is seeing the state of the land now. It has been left untouched for years, overgrown with wild grass and weeds. What used to be an oasis is now a landfill of trash. The new owner seems to be holding onto it, perhaps waiting for its value to rise even further.

To my Mom, that land is more than just property. It’s a symbol of my parents’ hard work, their sacrifices, and their unwavering love for family. I remember my Dad saying just last year, “This is an ancestral property, a home for everybody.” He was still hopeful. To this day, my Mom often talks about it, reminiscing about the happy and prime days of their lives. It breaks my heart to hear her say, “I just wish I could see it one more time as ours before I go.”

I’m reaching out because I have no other choice but to ask. I believe God works in all circumstances and all people. I believe in the power of kindness and that it lives within each of us. My Mom has given so much to her family, and now I want to give something back to her in her final years. I want to honor my Dad’s memory and fulfill their shared dream of reclaiming the land that meant so much to them.

If you find it in your heart to help, you would not only be helping us buy back a piece of land but also restoring a piece of my Mom’s heart. She is turning 90 and I’m coming to visit her this June, I hope I can give her the most precious gift ever. Your kindness and generosity could make a world of difference, and I would be forever grateful for your support.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Any help, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to making my Mom’s last wish come true.

**the picture is our house, i can't take pictures of the backyard because it's not our property anymore.