ABSTRACT
@#Separation issues have been rampant, and a significant rise in union dissolution cases in the Philippines has been observed. This certain occurrence should be given particular attention because it may alter the individual's way of living, particularly in perceiving and dealing with relationships. This study explores the lived experience of individuals who have undergone parental separation. The study utilized a Hermeneutic Phenomenological Design, which involved ten (10) respondents using a semi-structured key informant interview guide. The respondents were selected based on criteria as follows: (1) Have parents who have decided on the dissolution of marriage (annulled or informal) living separately; (2) 18 years of age and above; (3) Residents of Central Visayas; permanent or transient in Cebu City and; (4) Able to understand and express ideas in Cebuano dialect or English language. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis anchored on van Manen's six-step interpretive phenomenological approach with management and analysis done manually created a poem titled “Memoirs of Yesterday,” which incorporates three (3) major themes: (1) Into the Tunnel: Etiology of Separation, (2) The Darkness in the Tunnel: effects of the dissolution of marriage to children- emotional, psychological and academic status and (3) The Light After the Tunnel: attitude of the child and parent towards relationships and separation. The study implies that nurses should recognize the importance of assessing family concerns in rendering holistic and individualized client care. Thus, nurses should use assessed needs in advocating for the creation of more programs on awareness and counseling to families and, most especially, children.