WALANG IWANAN

Pedro:  (Kumatok sa pinto ni Kumpareng Tinoy).
Tinoy:  (Binuksan ang pinto).
Pedro:  Pare, pwede mo ba akong itulak?
Tinoy:  Pare naman oh alas tres pa ng madaling araw. Inaantok pa ako at saka ang dilim dilim pa
sa labas. Maghanap ka na lang ng iba. (Sinara ang pinto at bumalik sa kama ).
Mrs.   :  Sino yon lab?
Tinoy:  Si kumpare, nasiraan siguro, gustong magpatulak. Eh, alas tres pa ng umaga at saka sobrang
            madilim sa labas.
Mrs.   :  Lab, bakit di mo itulak? Natandaan mo ba noong nasiraan ka sa daan? Alas tres din yon
            ng umaga, madilim na madilim at bumabagyo. Sinong nagtulak sa inyo? Diba is Pareng
            Pedro? Makonsinsya ka naman lab utang na loob. Nangangailangan din ng tulong yong tao
            Ngayon na ang tamang panahon para makabayad ka naman.
Tinoy : Sige na nga! Oo na nakonsinsya na! (Lumabas si Tinoy).
Tinoy : Pareng Pedro? Nasaan ka?
Pedro : Nandito ako. Itutulak mo na ako?
Tinoy : Oo..Nasaan ka ba? Sobrang dilim. Hindi kita makita.
Pedro : Andito ako sa.. swing!

UNRELIABLE RECRUITMENT AGENCIES IN DUBAI

For Filipinos who are entering Dubai through visit visa, I would like to remind you that it is not easy to get a job here. As what I’ve observed in our office alone, every time that we place advertisement in the classifieds, believe it or not, we are receiving thousands of applicants from different nationalities. This shows that there are multiples of visit visas flocking in Dubai just to search for job. I would say, for 10 applicants who are short listed and interviewed only 1 can join in the company. And what will happen to the rest who are unfortunate? Back to basic normal steps until they find a job or until they finally quit.

Being an open city, competition in Dubai is very healthy. We can see the presence of various nationalities like Filipino, Indian who has the highest number of expatriates not just in Dubai but in all Emirates, Lebanese, Syrian, Kenyan, Pakistani, Indonesian, African, Sudan and so much more competing for the same job. This scenario gives rise to, permit me to say, incompetent, unreliable and corrupt recruitment agencies. These firms have the same styles and strategies. They advertise in the newspaper as real employers giving their phone number to call for interested applicants. When the applicants attempted to call, they are attended by well-trained agents who introduce their nature of business in their most convincing manner. When the applicants are convinced they are directed to come to their office with their CV’s for review. Review for? They review the CV’s to check whether the applicants’ qualification and experiences suit (quote & quote) their (agencies) prospect employers requirement. But I tell you, believe me for God sake! All those who submitted their CV’s are all qualified. Nobody is rejected and declined. Here comes the next step. The “qualified” applicants are then asked to pay for (1) registration of $30.00; and (2) final interview fee of $30.00. The registration is non-refundable and is with official receipt. The final interview fee is refundable but without official receipt. But the good thing is you can have as many final interviews as you like. This is stupid! These agencies are stupid! How could I say this? I was once a victim of them. I, my 2 friends and a lot more had gone through with these corrupt practices of agencies. How many times did I and my 2 friends come to their offices for final interview where there were no actual interviews happening? How many phone calls did we make to follow up our applications where the agents just say “don’t call us, we will call you”? The question is, when will they call us? Next day? Next week? Next month? Or the day our 60-day visit visa expires? Watch out. Nobody from the agencies will call you after you have registered and paid. And if you asked them to return the final interview fee because you were not called for it, and because that’s the condition, they will simply say, “okay, please bring the original receipt to our office and we will refund your money”. Gotcha! Had they issue a receipt for the final interview fee?

THE STORY OF MY LIFE

Hi guys! I do not know how you are going to judge me. Last night, I visualized on what to post. One clear picture that came to me was about my life. I do not know how to start it. My life has been a mixture of good and bad moments. Well, I guess, this is also true to everybody. Here my story goes like this.

My college education was sponsored by a well-known rural bank in Cebu, Philippines , partly owned by Mr. Jacinto Jamero. He was the majority stockholder of that bank (Philippine Countryside Rural Bank). The bank paid my tuitions plus a monthly stipend of $25 until I finished my degree.

After I graduated, my sponsor (the bank) hired me immediately and trained me as accountant. After 3 months, the account of Camiguin Beach Club (beach resort owned by Mr. Jamero) resigned and I was sent to fill in. Aside from being an accountant I was also tasked to oversee the overall resort operation. But my “reign” was not that easy. It’s not because I was too young at that time but because of his (Mr. Jamero) sister who was very difficult to handle. I tendered my irrevocable resignation after 4 months. But he rejected it and assigned me as accountant to Philippine Intercity Rural Bank, an affiliate of Philippine Countryside Rural Bank. After sometime, I became the Office in-charge of this bank. Mr. Jamero was noted for utilizing his employees. The bank has only 3 staff, including myself to run the bank operations. Not only that, though, I resigned from Camiguin Beach Club, I was still delegated to do its accounting works including government reportorial requirements. In short, I got 7 days to work with less compensation for almost 6 years. But within this period of time, I never asked him for increment and he never did.

I felt exhausted doing all this daily routine. So I decided to search job abroad. I went on an interview for work in Taiwan . The news came to his two ears but he did not confront me, instead, he offered me to take CPA board exam with a promise that whether I will make it or not I will get an increment. In addition he would shoulder the expenses for my six-month review, including board and lodging. I did not have anything against him because he had my respect and loyalty. So without a second thought, I grabbed the offer and signed a 3-year promissory note of $890.00. I asked him why I should sign this paper where he promised to shoulder my expenses. He explained that it’s just for formality.
-To be continued-

MURDERING A WIFE

Guys, I have bad news for all of you. One Filipina was killed by her husband her in Dubai last week. The incident happened after both the husband and wife had been drinking together. In the fit of rage, the man stabbed the woman repeatedly after an argument broke out between the two. It is not known what caused the argument. The woman died while being shifted to the hospital.

According to the report, the woman was found in a pool of her own blood when the police arrived. The husband had been arrested and confessed the crime.

What an awful incident! I could not believe such thing is happening also in this foreign land. But I am not certain whether they are true couple. What I have observed here in Dubai is that most Filipinos have two spouses. One who is being left in Philippines taking care of their children and one who is here in Dubai .