BATO, Camarines Sur — A heartwarming reunion between a junior high school completer and his overseas Filipino worker (OFW) father has touched millions online after a surprise appearance at a moving-up ceremony went viral on social media.
Thehe emotional moment was captured by YouScooper Ali Casili and quickly resonated with netizens, garnering over 24 million views since it was posted.
The video shows Harvey Ralota, dressed in formal attire, walking to the stage arm-in-arm with his mother during the ceremony. As they moved forward, a man suddenly joined the pair mid-march—revealed to be Harvey’s father, who had just returned home from Saudi Arabia.
The two had not seen each other since 2022, and Harvey immediately broke down in tears upon recognizing his father. The student embraced him tightly before continuing the symbolic march, now reunited with both parents.
The video sparked an outpouring of emotional reactions from Filipinos online, many of whom praised the sacrifice of OFWs and the strength of family bonds.
The surprise reunion highlights not only the personal sacrifices made by overseas workers, but also the deep emotional value of milestone moments in Filipino families.