This is the emotional moment two teenagers burst into tears after their father who they had not seen for three years surprises them - disguised as a waiter.

Mario Sayson, 40, finally returned home after spending several years working as an overseas electrical engineer in Doha, Qatar. He arrived secretly in Batangas City, Philippines, last month and wanted to surprise daughter Princess Sayson, 17, and son Joshua, 16. Their mother Shellan took the kids to a restaurant where Mario the ''waiter'' with a bandana covering his head and face served them food.

With other restaurant staff in on the surprise, Mario returned three times to the table before removing the bandana covering his mouth and nose.

Princess suddenly noticed it was her father as he walked away without his bandana - gasping then bursting into tears with her head in her hands.

Mario returned again with Joshua now also realising who it was and starting to cry like his sister - as Mario bent down to hug and kiss them both.

Mario said: ''I asked the staff of the restaurant if I can use their venue to surprise my kids and they said yes, but while I was serving the food I couldn't help but cry. It was hard to keep calm and surprise them when I just wanted to hug them after so much time away.''

Mum Shelly said it was an ''emotional'' moment but ''super happy''. Princess added: ''I was so happy. I just couldn't believe what had happened.''

One in ten Filipinos work overseas, often in the Middle East but also increasingly in the U.S. and Europe.

This is the emotional moment two teenagers burst into tears after their father who they had not seen for three years surprises them - disguised as a waiter.

Mario Sayson, 40, finally returned home after spending several years working as an overseas electrical engineer in Doha, Qatar. He arrived secretly in Batangas City, Philippines, last month and wanted to surprise daughter Princess Sayson, 17, and son Joshua, 16. Their mother Shellan took the kids to a restaurant where Mario the ''waiter'' with a bandana covering his head and face served them food.

With other restaurant staff in on the surprise, Mario returned three times to the table before removing the bandana covering his mouth and nose.

Princess suddenly noticed it was her father as he walked away without his bandana - gasping then bursting into tears with her head in her hands.Mario returned again with Joshua now also realising who it was and starting to cry like his sister - as Mario bent down to hug and kiss them both.

Mario said: ''I asked the staff of the restaurant if I can use their venue to surprise my kids and they said yes, but while I was serving the food I couldn't help but cry. It was hard to keep calm and surprise them when I just wanted to hug them after so much time away.''

Mum Shelly said it was an ''emotional'' moment but ''super happy''. Princess added: ''I was so happy. I just couldn't believe what had happened.''

One in ten Filipinos work overseas, often in the Middle East but also increasingly in the U.S. and Europe.