THE STORY OF MY LIFE..LAST PART

My apology! I was so busy these days. Anyway, to continue my story… My first few days in Dubai were very critical. My cousin, Leonard, did not orient me the rules of Dubai when I was yet in the Philippines. I did not know that I only had two (2) months to stay in Dubai. Within that period, I must find an employer to sponsor my residence visa otherwise I should exit to the Philippines. Damn! This must be some kind of a joke. But it’s the law. If we wanted to stay legal in any foreign country we must abide the law of this foreign country. And this is what I have to do. I got only one purpose in coming here. And I only knew one best option to meet my goal. Dugo at pawis. Sipag at Tiyaga. Dapat meron tayo nito. I admit. In the beginning I did almost quit. The scorching hot of the sun seems to so unbearable. Huh! Its temperature is almost at its boiling point. Two degrees Celsius more nasa impiyerno na ako!

I forwarded hundreds of CV’s to various companies. But no one even tried to give me a beep confirming that they received my CV. Like any other jobseekers I could face serious competitions. To find a job was not easy. But I prepared myself not to be pessimistic. I have the reasons to be here. And I believe I have opportunities waiting to be discovered.

Five days later, one company called me for interview. After a few introductions about the company, though I have no idea what is the name of the company, its exact location, I said yes for the interview. To tell you, I have a problem understanding the English language of not pure English speaker. The guy who called me is a Jordanian. I am not saying I am excellent in English but really ours is much better than them. The only clear clue given to me was that after crossing the bridge I have to get down. And that’s what I actually did! When I saw a bridge I buzzed in and stepped out from the bus. This is a funny thing! I was not thinking that there are hundred of bridges in Dubai. An embarrassing mistake! It was too late to know that I was in the deserted place where no buildings, no offices but construction sites. What I am doing here? It seemed that everybody did not know the place I am heading to. I lost my hope and decided to get back to my cousin’s house. But, I could not get any ride. I also didn’t know where I am. Oh my God! How I wish I can find a good Samaritan. I continued to walk following the direction of the speeding cars. Mind you. It was 9:00 o’clock and the temperature was 52 degrees Celsius and nothing covered my head but a piece of a newspaper handed to me by my fellow I met in the bus. On the right side of the road, I saw a gasoline station. Maybe I can find somebody there to tell me where I am. God is good! My prayer was answered. A gasoline boy from Nepal whom at first I was thinking a Filipino (Nepali and Filipino have similar physical profiles) gave me my exact location. I am in the Emirates Road near a big water tank. After knowing my location an idea flashed in my mind. I scrolled down the numbers in my phone and called the guy who invited me for the interview. God is great! He received my call and asked what I was doing in that place. What I am doing here anyway? Is it not obvious, I was lost? He told me to stay and wait for few minutes because he’s coming to fetch me. After 20 minutes he arrived. Thanks God! He took me to his office and told me to wait for the general manager who will conduct the interview. I was thinking I was the only interviewee. There were more than 10 short listed applicants of different nationalities who came to apply for the position of an accountant. Experienced accountants. Fortunately, after the panel of interview I emerged as the best. No wonder the position was awarded to me. One of the interviewers confessed that I was the only applicant who asked for the lowest salary.

I don’t mind if I got only the lowest salary. Having a good boss who is totally different from the one I had, who told me I could not find a job if I left his company, is more than enough. My boss is very much particular with the time element. I am only working 8 hours a day, Sundays to Wednesdays.

THE STORY OF MY LIFE

(Continuation)

To make my story short, I went on my review. I took the board exam. But the saddest thing is I was not able to make it.

After the board exam I resumed my office as if nothing had happened but deep inside I could draw the regrets of taking the board. Taking the exam was troubling me a lot. After five years, I got the chance of taking the board which I think a very difficult goal to achieve. I am not saying I am pessimistic but my point is five years had gone and everything was changing. New accounting rules are added, some have been phased out. For 4 months of rigid review I didn’t think I could put all these updates in my memory.

Nothing was too serious. No questions asked. Maybe he had the vibes in advance that I was not that lucky to pass. I did not explain to him either.

I did my work assignments, as usual. This time I am busier than before. He loaded me more assignments. It seemed that I was compelled to make up my leave. Is this what I get for being away in the office?

I had waited for seven months to make the right decision. I am exhausted! It’s over! I had been dedicated to my work. I had never been a loss to the company. But he could not even give me any single thumb’s up for my dedication. Because of this, I decided to make my move. Everybody deserves a prize for his hard work. His promise to give my increment after my board exam had faded away. Because of this I decided to submit my irrevocable resignation. But he did not accept it.

I knew it’s a big insult for him, being the boss, if his employees are leaving. I heard how upset he became when his managers were leaving their posts. He discussed to me my resignation, explaining his side why he could not accept it. He implied so many things and topics. I knew what he was trying to say. I knew that he was trying to remind me once and for all that without him I could not be where I am now, or worse, I could not be a person. I had lost my loyalty and gratitude at the instance. Yet some guilt were echoing and waiting to be highly noticed. But this is not the reason. Nothing or nobody can stop me from giving up my post unless he will offer me to double my pay which is very impossible for him to do. Six years of working with honesty and dedication is more than enough to pay off the debt of gratitude. He never heard me even once asking for a pay increase. That’s why nothing to worry about. He continued to give me his homily. He had the floor. I did not want to argue him. All I need was my resignation signed by him. But he did not. He told me to stay in the company because he was certain that I could not find another job and I have to forget about my resignation.

Deep within, I burst in anger and disappointment. The man whom I had been loyal to and admired for his outlook in life could talk to me like that? He was holding me to my position because no one could do my work with less compensation. I have to prove to this man that he is wrong. Absolutely wrong!

Let him believe that I was convinced to stay. I did my works as usual and pretending to be loyal again. I carefully planned my next move. The time that everything seemed to be in normal, I asked him for a 5-day leave which he had approved. I know this is not a good thing to do but this is the only idea I have. After 5 days I did not know what happened next, except that I found myself in Dubai.

-To be continued-

WE CALL IT HOME

     Ito ‘yung loob ng kwarto kung saan pilit pinagkasya ang mahigit sampung tao. Sa bawat double deck na yan ay may apat na tao - mga mag-asawa. Nasa loob na rin ng kwarto ang kusina.

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-