Ernesto Arnel Tawat and wife Teresa. EXPAT MEDIA

For 69-year-old Filipino expat Ernesto Arnel Tawat, the dream of returning to his homeland after 31 years remains a distant hope, overshadowed by legal and financial burdens that have plagued him since a tragic accident in 2006. Speaking exclusively to Expat Media, Ernesto and his family shared their heartbreaking journey of resilience, faith, and a longing for closure. February 14 update: DMW to help Tawat family return home Ernesto, once a thriving chef at the now-demolished Ramada Hotel in Bur Dubai, left his job in the 1990s to launch a food business catering to the Filipino community. But on May 23, 2006, his life took a devastating turn when his car struck and killed a pedestrian—a Pakistani man crossing the road at an undesignated area in Sharjah's Al Nahda. The accident led to Ernesto’s imprisonment and a blood money debt of Dh203,000. While the victim's family dropped the execution order in 2014, Ernesto remains unable to leave the UAE due to the unpaid balance of Dh93,000. The years since the accident have been marked by relentless hardship for Ernesto, his wife Teresa, and their daughter Tina. Teresa describes the family’s ordeal as a test of faith and endurance. “We’ve faced betrayal, financial ruin, and health challenges. But our hope never wavers. We dream of going home to live with dignity and peace,” Teresa told Expat Media.

The family’s struggle

Ernesto suffered a stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed. The family’s once-thriving business collapsed in 2015, forcing them out of their home and halting Tina’s education. Today, they rely on Tina’s modest salary of Dh5,000 as an administrative professional, barely enough to cover daily expenses, let alone the mounting debt. Despite these challenges, Tina remains steadfast in her support. “My parents shaped who I am today. They don’t deserve this suffering,” she said, recalling how she began helping to support the family at age 12. “I’ve faced health issues and financial struggles, but my goal is clear: I want to help my parents go home and find peace,” Tina told Expat Media. Teresa has attempted to secure Ernesto’s release through multiple amnesty programs, including the most recent one in December 2024, but legal roadblocks persist. “I was cleared to leave, but Ernesto’s travel ban remains. Leaving him behind is not an option; his health is too fragile,” she said. The Sharjah-based family has managed to raise 20 percent of the remaining blood money through church support and personal contributions. They hope their story will move others to help them clear the remaining Dh93,000.

Dreams of home

Ernesto dreams of reuniting with family in the Philippines and living out his remaining years in peace. “I’m 69 now, and my health is failing. I want to see my loved ones and be buried where my heart belongs,” said the Pasay native. Tina, too, sees a future beyond the hardships. “Once my parents are home, I can finally look to my own future. This has been a long journey, but I believe God will make a way,” she said. The Tawat family is appealing for assistance from both the UAE and Filipino communities to help bring their ordeal to an end. Through it all, the family’s faith has remained unshaken. “We believe there’s light at the end of this tunnel,” Teresa said. PIA/Expat Media Reach out to Tina via +971 50 8193903
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