Mag-aruga ay ‘di biro: Unveiling the lived experience of overseas Filipino caregivers during armed conflict in Israel
Hyacinth Ahlie L. Francisco, Ray Marcus Liam M. Ocampo, Lexie Gabrielle P. Anda, Axle Art D. Teves & Juliet C. San Luis
Abstract
The caregiving profession demands unwavering commitment; however, for Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) caregivers in Israel, these challenges are compounded when armed conflict disrupts daily life. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of OFW caregivers during the armed conflict in Israel. Data were collected through unstructured interviews with five (5) participants selected using snowball sampling. The narratives were meticulously transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2022) reflexive thematic analysis, ensuring a comprehensive and insightful examination of the participants’ lived experiences within the context of caregiving during armed conflict. The study identified four (4) major superordinate themes: (1) Navigating the Psychological Turmoil of War, (2) Anchoring Safety and Psychological Resilience, (3) Oars of Connectivity, and (4) Sailing Through Caregiving. The findings revealed that participants faced a precarious balance between fulfilling their professional caregiving responsibilities and ensuring their personal safety. Their reliance on technology played a crucial role in maintaining security and sustaining communication with their families. Furthermore, the study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support, strengthened legal protections, and well-structured crisis response measures to safeguard the safety and well-being of OFW caregivers working in high-risk environments. The insights gained from the participants can inform the development of policies and support systems aimed at enhancing the welfare of caregivers in conflict zones. This study also has significant implications for labor migration policies, caregiving programs, and mental health initiatives designed to address the unique needs of OFW caregivers during times of crisis.
Keywords
OFW, psychological resilience, caregiver well-being, social support, crisis adaptation, mental health
Author information & Contribution
Hyacinth Ahlie L. Francisco. Senior High School student, Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc.
Ray Marcus Liam M. Ocampo. Senior High School student, Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc.
Lexie Gabrielle P. Anda. Senior High School student, Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc.
Axle Art D. Teves. Bachelor of Secondary Education-Major in English. Senior High School English Teacher at Calayan Educational Foundation. Email: axleart.teves@cefi.edu.ph
Juliet C. San Luis. Corresponding author. Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in General Science. Senior High School Science Teacher at Calayan Educational Foundation, Incorporated. Email: juliet.sanluis@cefi.edu.ph
Hyacinth Ahlie L. Francisco and Ray Marcus Liam M. Ocampo contributed to the preparation of research documentation, manuscript writing, interpretation of data for the work, and interviews.
Lexie Gabrielle P. Anda contributed to the composition of the manuscript.
Axle Art D. Teves provided overall supervision of the study, delivered expert academic guidance, and conducted comprehensive revisions to enhance the quality of the manuscript.
All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding. The study was self-funded.
Declaration
The authors declare the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the preparation of this manuscript. In particular, ChatGPT was utilized for grammar checking. The authors take full responsibility for the content and ensure that all outputs generated with the assistance of AI were carefully reviewed and validated.
Notes
This paper is presented in the 3rd International Student Research Congress (ISRC) 2026
Acknowledgement
I am deeply grateful to the many individuals who have contributed to the successful completion of this study.
First and foremost, I extend my sincere gratitude to my research advisers, Ms. Juliet C. San Luis and Mr. Axle Art D. Teves, for their invaluable guidance, expertise, and encouragement throughout this endeavor. Their insights and advice have been instrumental in shaping the direction and outcomes of this work.
I also wish to acknowledge Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc. and Engr. Hazel Dorothy C. Villan, Research and Publication Office Director, for providing the necessary resources and support, without which this study would not have been possible.
Special thanks are due to the five respondents from Israel, whose contributions and willingness to share their experiences made this research feasible. I am equally grateful to my co-members, Lexie Gabrielle Anda and Ray Marcus Liam Ocampo, for their collaboration, feedback, and camaraderie, which greatly enriched the research process.
This acknowledgment is a humble recognition of all those whose support, guidance, and participation made the completion of this study possible.
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Cite this article:
Francisco, H.A.L., Ocampo, R.M.L.M., Anda, L.G.P., Teves, A.A.D. & San Luis, J.C. (2026). Mag-aruga ay ‘di biro: Unveiling the lived experience of overseas Filipino caregivers during armed conflict in Israel. The Research Probe, 6(1), 180-203. https://doi.org/10.53378/trp.226
License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
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