July 26, 2010
11:30 AM
Doha, Qatar Time
I came from my Arabic Language Class and was about to go back to sleep.
I am working in a Call Centre and am on shifting schedule – our schedule changes on a monthly basis. It’s also a blessing that my body can wake up and sleep on the right time and can also steal some hours of sleep during the days off. Alhamdulillah! (Thanks be to Allah/God – as what my Arabic friends would say).
After settling down, I hugged my pillow, reached for the TV’s remote and tuned in to the Filipino Channel, as I need to hear something so that I can sleep (Thanks to our company who had provided it for free), hoping that I could get a little nap before working again.
How could I forget? The State of the Nation Address is today.
I was waiting for this one but I was not sure of the time.
Good thing it had just started.
I was expecting that I will doze off as the past SONAs that I had watched are a bit long and to be honest, seems like repetitive for me, but I was wrong.
The mere fact that Pres. Noynoy had given his speech in pure Filipino had amazed me.
For me, I believe it’s the best way of giving homage to Filipino language from the country’s highest leader.
Delivering it in Filipino as well helped a lot in conveying the message to all Filipinos from all walks of life: from the elite, to the poorest of the poor; from those who have much to those who barely have any, to those who can read and write and to those who cannot.
It is not easy to be honest especially if people are watching your every move; listening and criticizing every word that you say but I salute how Pres. Noynoy had laid down the true state of the nation.
It’s like a business which had been handed-over: how could the new Manager cope up with all the losses if you have very little or nothing to start up with? Not unless, he has millions to lend the company from his own pocket but it losses the sense of being a Manager: one should have the ability to use the resources on hand and look for opportunities that would generate finances to keep the business running.
Hearing about the figures, budget and how some government employees live in abundance and extravagant manner; how the supplies of the staple food were rotten while hundreds of Filipinos have nothing to eat; how some government projects were put into action without “proper” studies first made me think: Ah, this is where the taxes had gone, then there was a rewind of my life…
I had been working in the Middle East for more than 2 years now.
I consider myself lucky enough.
I passed the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) and was accepted under an AB degree. I need not pay much for the tuition fees since it is one of the state universities.
Upon graduation, I was able to get a job in a Telecommunications Company and had stayed there for more than 3 years before I left to work as they say, in a “greener pasture”.
Even if I am still single and I can say that I am earning for myself and family, I realized that it’s not enough still. With four siblings who are all going to school, it is indeed not enough.
Overtime and Holiday Pays are a big help but when I look at my pay slip, the deduction part is still of a hefty amount: Tax, Pag-ibig, SSS, etc. so when the opportunity said “Hi” I grabbed it and did not let go.
Who would not want to get their full salary without taxes to be deducted?
Who would not want to stay in a nice flat without thinking about the rent, the electricity, water and phone bills?
Who would not want to work if you have somebody to pick you up and drop you off to and from work?
Leaving your home country is hard. Not only because, you will be leaving your family and friends behind but also because of what lies ahead of you.
There are too many what ifs: What if your new Boss is strict? What if you don’t go well with your colleagues? What if you cannot adjust in the new environment? Or worst: What if the pasture that you had pictured to be greener doesn’t even have a shade of green at all?
But again, it boils down to why you have to leave: because what we have is not enough and the world out there is in abundance.
If I am employed and still single and worries about not having enough, what about those who have many mouths to feed, many kids to send to school, those who does not have a regular job and could barely live and get through the day?
I got a chance to work for a Local Government Unit in the Social Welfare and Development Department for a month when I was in school.
As they say, it’s one of the busiest departments: people are coming in for help: for jobs, for medical assistance, for funeral assistance, for scholarships, for financial aid, for emergencies and the like.
It is indeed heart-breaking to see those people who would walk out of the office teary-eyed and with sunken shoulders as the others were prioritized, were deemed needy than them.
If the people have needs and they could not get it as they don’t have the means, they would turn to the government. But what happens if the government cannot provide these as well?
The people need to be empowered so that they could provide for themselves. It is not enough to give them what they need – it will only be cycles of give and take, but instead, give them the means to enable them to get these.
I can say life now is harder compared to the life before.
I remember the time when my Mom would tell me how far her 10 Pesos would go and it’s so sad that with this amount of money you cannot even buy a decent snack to get a tummy through hunger.
The State of the Nation Address of His Excellency exposed the true state of the nation in the strictest sense. It challenges each and every Filipino, not only those who are in position to be vigilant; supportive and be responsible for their future. His speech was indeed honest, brave, and full of hope, very promising. It encourages Filipinos from the youth, private sector and government to work together as one nation towards a better future. He knows that he needs to exert extra effort and go the extra mile to have things done.
Filipinos all over the world watched, listened and applauded His Excellency’s words.
After watching the SONA, I would like to go back home, stay and work there hopefully sooner than later.
I hope that the time will come when Filipinos are only leaving the country not because they have to but they want to.
I hope that each and every Filipino will have their jobs and be able to support the needs of their respective families.
I hope that each and every Filipino will have the chance of going to and finishing school.
I hope that each and every Filipino will no longer have to worry when they get sick.
I hope that the Philippines will no longer be like a “War Zone” but one of the homes of booming industries.
I hope that there would no longer be that much opposition on our leader’s side as they are working for one government only.
It may really be good in theory but very hard but not impossible to achieve in reality.
Hopefully that day will come.
Hopefully…
P.S.
This is the first article I had written for Definitely Filipino Blog Site.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Updates
It’s been awhile since I updated my blog.
I am very happy as I was chosen to write for the “Definitely Filipino” site, an online blog for Filipinos all over the world, and am very Thankful to God that He had finally given me something new to work on.
My boyfriend and I fought because I let the cat out after he had dropped my laptop and cluttered my spotless and always sweet-scented room.
After couple of days, I found Schuester (my cat) waiting for me at the lobby of our accommodation. I was not sure if it was him but when I called his name he “meowed” and came to me so I brought him back.
Our company will be moving to a new building come Thursday or Friday. A fresh start before the Holy month of Ramadan comes in.
There are people who will be leaving the company and new ones who will be coming in.
I am still on this “All By Myself” drama.
I am excited to take my vacation too. I will be home on October and will be there for a month.
I promised myself that I will be traveling next year, Inshallah.
I would like to travel and visit as much places as I can.
Hmmm… That’s all so far.
Now, I just want to rest and sleep and hope that tomorrow I will feel better.
I am very happy as I was chosen to write for the “Definitely Filipino” site, an online blog for Filipinos all over the world, and am very Thankful to God that He had finally given me something new to work on.
My boyfriend and I fought because I let the cat out after he had dropped my laptop and cluttered my spotless and always sweet-scented room.
After couple of days, I found Schuester (my cat) waiting for me at the lobby of our accommodation. I was not sure if it was him but when I called his name he “meowed” and came to me so I brought him back.
Our company will be moving to a new building come Thursday or Friday. A fresh start before the Holy month of Ramadan comes in.
There are people who will be leaving the company and new ones who will be coming in.
I am still on this “All By Myself” drama.
I am excited to take my vacation too. I will be home on October and will be there for a month.
I promised myself that I will be traveling next year, Inshallah.
I would like to travel and visit as much places as I can.
Hmmm… That’s all so far.
Now, I just want to rest and sleep and hope that tomorrow I will feel better.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Of Noodles, Papers and Rooftop Daydreaming
May 11, 2010
2:21 AM, Doha Time...
I am still up and no sign of sleepiness just yet.
It's the first time that I do have good Wi-Fi reception in my room since I moved (from the 5th to the 6th Floor of our building).
Mabrouk! (Congratulations in Arabic).
I was reading some blogs, Thanks again to the good Wi-Fi signal, and finally, I had gotten back my mood in writing.
I am a frustrated writer; I must admit.
When I was in High School, I would get the old newspapers, cut out articles and file them in a folder.
I specifically followed Young Blood wherein the articles featured are by twenty-something for the twenty-something (from which I had derived my blog’s title).
Most of the contributors are college students, yuppies (slang for “Young Urban Professionals”), single moms, single dads, men and women alike.
I had drafted several stories and write ups of which I did not have courage to submit that time.
When I was in college, I still have this spirit in me but I did not get a chance to hone it in a creative or an artistic way.
Communication Arts was my first choice as a Degree in College, and Chemistry was the second one (no, I am not that good in Math but it runs in the family, some of my cousins had taken this major therefore I should give it a shot).
I got in with a Major in Social Sciences.
I would love to shift to Comm Arts, but was very unfortunate as I did not get a chance to.
Every semester after my Freshman Year, I would try to shift to the said course.
The first attempt was a very good one: I tried my best to get good grades (I am not boasting but I was part of the Honor Roll that time) but I was declined as I did not know that there was a deadline for the papers to be submitted.
Ok. I will try again next semester. I said to myself.
Come next semester and Thanks to my “Terror” Professor who had flunked me despite the enormous efforts that I had put in (I am not bitter: my dreams of graduating in 3and half years with Honors crumbled).
No more second attempt.
Come to think of it, it was not bad after all.
God has a plan and I am very thankful.
Even if I did not get into the Writing Major, I was happy too.
College Years was one of the best years of my life.
I used envy my classmates who would bring their laptops in school while I have to make reservations in a computer shop near my flat or worst stay up until evening in the Library’s Computer Room.
I studied in a State University wherein the underprivileged but with potentials study.
I would normally walk to and fro the campus carrying a big umbrella and a folder plastic case as I live near the campus.
I don’t like reading that much that’s why I normally have the 2nd Library Card as the first one is already full.
I learned to be independent.
I learned how to cook. I had spent my first month eating canned goods and noodles. My mom would normally cook food that would last a week. In our flat, we have a schedule of “Cooks and Cleaners” posted on the ref’s door.
I learned how to wash my clothes. I remembered that I would bring all my dirty clothes home and let my mom wash them.
I learned how to commute, to take public transportation. My cousin would drop me to campus before and thanks God I learned to take the Jeepney, a mode of transportation in the Philippines.
I learned to depend only on myself. I was such a loner that time and don’t have much friends but I enjoyed my life still. I do have Blockmates (supposedly your classmates until the end of the semester) but unfortunately there are only around 5 that I get to see most of the time.
I learned how to set my priorities and manage my time. There was a semester where I have to submit 21 papers before the Final Exams. Many thanks to Nescafe 3-in-1 and I was able to cope up.
I learned that it doesn’t matter how many friends you have now, what matters is, how many of them will stay with you until the end, until you do have separate lives, those who will pop every once in a while to say “Hi!” and ask how you are doing.
We were eight girls living in a flat with 2 rooms owned by a retired Professor.
Most of them are my schoolmates from High School.
We would normally bring a mat and pillows on the rooftop, daydreaming while eating chips and wondering where we will be in 5 years.
And I can proudly say that we had been successful: all of us had graduated from college.
They are Chemists, Vets, Engineers and Bank Officers now.
I would see them sometimes; leave messages on the wall and Ping! them.
I am glad that I met them. I had spent almost 4 years of my life with people who had been of good influence personally and academically (wink wink).
College Life may have been simple but again, it’s also one of those that I treasure the most.
The best lesson I’ve learned in College: You can survive in a sea of newbies and the harsh world out there: You just have to make the right choices.
2:21 AM, Doha Time...
I am still up and no sign of sleepiness just yet.
It's the first time that I do have good Wi-Fi reception in my room since I moved (from the 5th to the 6th Floor of our building).
Mabrouk! (Congratulations in Arabic).
I was reading some blogs, Thanks again to the good Wi-Fi signal, and finally, I had gotten back my mood in writing.
I am a frustrated writer; I must admit.
When I was in High School, I would get the old newspapers, cut out articles and file them in a folder.
I specifically followed Young Blood wherein the articles featured are by twenty-something for the twenty-something (from which I had derived my blog’s title).
Most of the contributors are college students, yuppies (slang for “Young Urban Professionals”), single moms, single dads, men and women alike.
I had drafted several stories and write ups of which I did not have courage to submit that time.
When I was in college, I still have this spirit in me but I did not get a chance to hone it in a creative or an artistic way.
Communication Arts was my first choice as a Degree in College, and Chemistry was the second one (no, I am not that good in Math but it runs in the family, some of my cousins had taken this major therefore I should give it a shot).
I got in with a Major in Social Sciences.
I would love to shift to Comm Arts, but was very unfortunate as I did not get a chance to.
Every semester after my Freshman Year, I would try to shift to the said course.
The first attempt was a very good one: I tried my best to get good grades (I am not boasting but I was part of the Honor Roll that time) but I was declined as I did not know that there was a deadline for the papers to be submitted.
Ok. I will try again next semester. I said to myself.
Come next semester and Thanks to my “Terror” Professor who had flunked me despite the enormous efforts that I had put in (I am not bitter: my dreams of graduating in 3and half years with Honors crumbled).
No more second attempt.
Come to think of it, it was not bad after all.
God has a plan and I am very thankful.
Even if I did not get into the Writing Major, I was happy too.
College Years was one of the best years of my life.
I used envy my classmates who would bring their laptops in school while I have to make reservations in a computer shop near my flat or worst stay up until evening in the Library’s Computer Room.
I studied in a State University wherein the underprivileged but with potentials study.
I would normally walk to and fro the campus carrying a big umbrella and a folder plastic case as I live near the campus.
I don’t like reading that much that’s why I normally have the 2nd Library Card as the first one is already full.
I learned to be independent.
I learned how to cook. I had spent my first month eating canned goods and noodles. My mom would normally cook food that would last a week. In our flat, we have a schedule of “Cooks and Cleaners” posted on the ref’s door.
I learned how to wash my clothes. I remembered that I would bring all my dirty clothes home and let my mom wash them.
I learned how to commute, to take public transportation. My cousin would drop me to campus before and thanks God I learned to take the Jeepney, a mode of transportation in the Philippines.
I learned to depend only on myself. I was such a loner that time and don’t have much friends but I enjoyed my life still. I do have Blockmates (supposedly your classmates until the end of the semester) but unfortunately there are only around 5 that I get to see most of the time.
I learned how to set my priorities and manage my time. There was a semester where I have to submit 21 papers before the Final Exams. Many thanks to Nescafe 3-in-1 and I was able to cope up.
I learned that it doesn’t matter how many friends you have now, what matters is, how many of them will stay with you until the end, until you do have separate lives, those who will pop every once in a while to say “Hi!” and ask how you are doing.
We were eight girls living in a flat with 2 rooms owned by a retired Professor.
Most of them are my schoolmates from High School.
We would normally bring a mat and pillows on the rooftop, daydreaming while eating chips and wondering where we will be in 5 years.
And I can proudly say that we had been successful: all of us had graduated from college.
They are Chemists, Vets, Engineers and Bank Officers now.
I would see them sometimes; leave messages on the wall and Ping! them.
I am glad that I met them. I had spent almost 4 years of my life with people who had been of good influence personally and academically (wink wink).
College Life may have been simple but again, it’s also one of those that I treasure the most.
The best lesson I’ve learned in College: You can survive in a sea of newbies and the harsh world out there: You just have to make the right choices.
Sterling??! Nope…It is STARLINK!
I am working in Telecoms and Media Distribution Company in Qatar as a Customer Care Supervisor.
I had been with the Call Centre Industry for almost seven years.
Globe Telecom, a telco in the Philippines, was my first employer where I had served more than three years before I moved to Qatar.
Dealing with customers is always challenging.
You’ll never know what kind of customer you’ll get on the other line.
I had met almost all types of customers, those who are from different “walks of life”, different levels of education and cultures as well.
Before, I dreamed of working in the normal 8am to 5pm job but now I can’t even see myself doing admin and papers works and the like.
I love the action.
I love the excited feeling and the blood rush that you get in the Call Centre.
Wink…Wink…
My company now may not be big like the one that I was with before, but as I always say, it is the “company” of friends that keeps you hanging on.
The joy of working with your friends is incomparable.
There maybe “Hell Days” wherein there are too much calls and difficult customers but we still manage to smile and find something funny to laugh at/about.
We would always do every time there’s a customer who had dialed the wrong number.
They are always calling us for Hamburger deliveries, French Fries and the like.
Why?
There is a chain of restaurants under the company name Sterling.
Whew!
Earlier, I was speaking to a very irate customer.
I had introduced myself as the Supervisor and he said he does not want to deal with me as he wants the Manager.
He wants to have an appointment to say all his dissatisfaction.
I was asking him politely (even if he was shouting on top of his voice) on what seems to be the problem and how can I help him.
He does not want to discuss any. He just said that he has a complaint in our branch in Al Markhiya.
I told him that we don’t have a branch in Al Markhiya.
When I had asked him if it’s regarding the Pay-TV subscription or Blackberry, he suddenly calmed down as if cold water was spilled on his face.
Finally, I got my chance to speak, “Am sorry Sir, you had called Starlink and not Sterling Restaurant”.
All his 5 minutes of blabbing and shouting was wasted as unfortunately, he got and dialled the wrong number.
I had been with the Call Centre Industry for almost seven years.
Globe Telecom, a telco in the Philippines, was my first employer where I had served more than three years before I moved to Qatar.
Dealing with customers is always challenging.
You’ll never know what kind of customer you’ll get on the other line.
I had met almost all types of customers, those who are from different “walks of life”, different levels of education and cultures as well.
Before, I dreamed of working in the normal 8am to 5pm job but now I can’t even see myself doing admin and papers works and the like.
I love the action.
I love the excited feeling and the blood rush that you get in the Call Centre.
Wink…Wink…
My company now may not be big like the one that I was with before, but as I always say, it is the “company” of friends that keeps you hanging on.
The joy of working with your friends is incomparable.
There maybe “Hell Days” wherein there are too much calls and difficult customers but we still manage to smile and find something funny to laugh at/about.
We would always do every time there’s a customer who had dialed the wrong number.
They are always calling us for Hamburger deliveries, French Fries and the like.
Why?
There is a chain of restaurants under the company name Sterling.
Whew!
Earlier, I was speaking to a very irate customer.
I had introduced myself as the Supervisor and he said he does not want to deal with me as he wants the Manager.
He wants to have an appointment to say all his dissatisfaction.
I was asking him politely (even if he was shouting on top of his voice) on what seems to be the problem and how can I help him.
He does not want to discuss any. He just said that he has a complaint in our branch in Al Markhiya.
I told him that we don’t have a branch in Al Markhiya.
When I had asked him if it’s regarding the Pay-TV subscription or Blackberry, he suddenly calmed down as if cold water was spilled on his face.
Finally, I got my chance to speak, “Am sorry Sir, you had called Starlink and not Sterling Restaurant”.
All his 5 minutes of blabbing and shouting was wasted as unfortunately, he got and dialled the wrong number.
Blackberry Says…
I was feeling a little down because of the flu; was also sad as Mohammed is struggling with lots of pressure at work.
While browsing the photos in my iPhone, I stumbled on this picture that I had taken last week.
Hmmm… Very well said…
While browsing the photos in my iPhone, I stumbled on this picture that I had taken last week.
Hmmm… Very well said…
Teddy Bear Museum
Aneong Haseyo? (“How are you?” in Korean)
I had seen an old friend who visited Korea recently.
Way back, I used to watch Korean Series dubbed in Filipino and was very interested to go there.
A housemate used to teach English to Korean kids.
In my old company, me and my friends would eat in the Korean Restaurant.
The food: the spicy noodles.
With all the scenery and foods, who would not like to visit the place?
Princess Hours, a Korean Series featuring an ordinary girl who was made to marry the Crown Prince, was one of my favorites.
They had featured the Teddy Bear Museum.
The museum had shown different Teddy Bears from all over the world.
It is located in Jeju Island, Korea and the funny thing about it is that they do have replicas of famous artworks like “The Last Supper” and “Monalisa”.
Can you imagine the Teddy Bears now?
I would love to visit the place soon!
Inshallah! (In God’s Will)
I had seen an old friend who visited Korea recently.
Way back, I used to watch Korean Series dubbed in Filipino and was very interested to go there.
A housemate used to teach English to Korean kids.
In my old company, me and my friends would eat in the Korean Restaurant.
The food: the spicy noodles.
With all the scenery and foods, who would not like to visit the place?
Princess Hours, a Korean Series featuring an ordinary girl who was made to marry the Crown Prince, was one of my favorites.
They had featured the Teddy Bear Museum.
The museum had shown different Teddy Bears from all over the world.
It is located in Jeju Island, Korea and the funny thing about it is that they do have replicas of famous artworks like “The Last Supper” and “Monalisa”.
Can you imagine the Teddy Bears now?
I would love to visit the place soon!
Inshallah! (In God’s Will)
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