Sana All Talaga: A TagFinglish Poem 🇵🇭🇫🇮

-

Living and working abroad isn’t always the dream people imagine. For many of us, especially Filipinos in healthcare, it’s a journey of grit, growth, and grace. This poem—written in a blend of Tagalog, English, and Finnish—captures the everyday struggles and quiet triumphs of a caregiver navigating life in Finland.



SANA ALL TALAGA

(Tulang TagFinglish)


Sana all, fluent sa suomen kieli,
Ako? “Anteeksi, mitä?” pa rin ang daily.
Nakakahiya naman kasing magsalita ng kanilang kieli,
Baka mali ang pagbikas ko ng perhe, pieni, at veli.

Sa työpaikka, tahimik ako na hoitaja,
Nagbibigay ng lääkkeet, nagpapalit ng vaippa.
Kahit minsan lang makarinig ng “Kiitos at anteeksi,”
Pero sa mata nila, ramdam ko ang kiitollinen.

Kahit simpleng bati o “Moi Mari” lang,
Parang may kilig, parang may saysay ang araw.
Kahit malayo sa pamilya’t mahal sa buhay,
Dito sa Finland, may purpose pa rin ang bawat araw.

En jaksa kaya ’di pwede sa yövuoro,
Pero sa päivävuoro, ako bigay todo.
Mula “Hyvää huomenta” hanggang “Nähdään huomenna,”
Ginagawa ng maayos ang trabaho, kahit pagod na.

Sana all, confident kapag kaharap ang opettaja,
Ako? Nagpa-practice pa rin ng “Hyvää huomenta.”
Kahit nauutal, kahit ’di perfect ang kielioppi,
Araw-araw pa rin akong bumabangon, walang drama, walang palya.

Hindi man maiwasan, minsan nagkakasakit,
Pero hustle pa rin kasi body ko ay weak.
’Di pwedeng “älä nyt” sa sick leave,
Kasi grind is life, mission ko ay to give.

Di ako perfect, pero totoo sa ginagawa,
I never leave my post unattended or unfinished.
Sydämeni on voimani, hindi lang utak o dila,
Service with care, walang mintis till the end

Pero mind you, hindi ako built to quit,
Ehkä I wasn't built to think fast or speak fluent Finnish.
Ako pa rin si Mari na may malasakit,
Kahit nahihirapan, care pa rin sa bawat shift.

Sana all, may easy life sa abroad,
Pero ako, may kwento, may tula sa bawat pagod.
Kahit A1 pa lang magsalita ng Finnish,
At least ginagawa ko trabahong may puso’t malinis.

Sana all talaga…



Final Thoughts

Sana all talaga…  
But maybe, just maybe, the real flex isn’t fluency or ease—it’s showing up, caring deeply, and living with purpose even when it’s hard.

 About the Author

Mari Felices is a Filipino caregiver based in Lohja, Finland. She writes poetry in TagFinglish—a mix of Tagalog, English, and Finnish—to capture the everyday realities of migrant life. Her words reflect the quiet strength, humor, and heart of those who serve others far from home.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BEYOND TEARS AND DISTANCE

-
Image
Beyond Tears and Distance A story of sacrifice, resilience, and faith Writing your own story is never easy. Where do you begin, when the past is filled with both joy and pain? Sometimes, you have to open old wounds—not to dwell in them, but to show how far you’ve come. This is Grace’s journey. A Simple Life, Until Everything Changed Grace never dreamed of working overseas. She was happy with her life: her parents, her siblings, her loving husband, and their three children. Her husband, once an army officer, gave up his career to stay close to them. Their life was simple, but it was enough. Until the day her small business collapsed—the family’s only source of income. Suddenly, Grace faced a heartbreaking choice. “I wasn’t sure what I was trying to fulfill, but I knew I had to secure my children’s future.” Despite her husband’s resistance, Grace decided to work abroad. Losing Her Mother While waiting for her visa in Manila, her mother asked her to come home for just one week. Grace went...
Read more

MY UNSEEN BEST FRIEND

-
Image
 “Distance means so little when someone means so much.” It’s been seven years since fate took its chance,   A scroll through Facebook, a fleeting glance.   I had nothing to do, just wasting the day,   But somehow your presence lit up my way. You became my friend, though never in sight,   Yet always around when the world felt too tight.   You cared enough to make me smile,   To stay by my side through every mile. I trusted you more than I ever knew,   Never thought we’d grow this close, it’s true.   You teased me, laughed with me, made life bright,   In you I found a guiding light. A treasure you are, beyond all measure,   A bond that time can only treasure.   You’re cute, unpredictable, sweet yet bold,   With stories and thoughts that never grow old. Sometimes you’re suplado, distant and cool,   Yet always sincere, never playing the fool....
Read more

I AM YOUR FRIEND

-
Image
If you feel alone, I am here to accompany you. If you feel sad, I will try to make you smile. If you are crying, I will wipe away your tears. If your heart was broken, I will help you to make it whole again. If you stumble because of trials, I offer my arms to give you strength. If the whole world is against you, I am here to fight your battle. If you need someone to talk, Just call me and I'll be there right away. I am your shoulder to cry on, I am your moonlight in the night. I am your shadow on the day time. I am your shelter on rainy days. I am your best friend who loves you all the way. I am your friend for the rest of my life. But dear, if the time comes that you cannot find me. You called me and I did not pick it up. Please come my dear..... Check me.... Maybe I need you badly.
Read more