OFW Chronicles: Filipinos Abroad

Image via Wikipedia I dreamt, I came, I worked and now I am lost. I came here in Qatar with all the hopes and aspirations for my family , knowing that somehow I have to sacrifice things that will surely hit me whenever I’m alone. The first month was the most difficult as I am still trying to convince myself that this is a new country, new laws, new culture and different work ethics, in short culture shock in its worst. Unfamiliarity makes you feel uncomfortable, uncertainties makes you tremble with fears, and adjustment bites every piece of you. Then came my first interview, lacking in knowledge regarding salary range and wanting to start as soon as possible, I have committed the common mistakes in bargaining for my salary. When asked of how much I am expecting, I just told my would be boss 3 thousand sir, and his face illuminated and told me start tomorrow, and as a sign of goodwill your accommodation will be provided and so as your transport. I thought I hit the jackpot , on...

Immediate superiors are the primary Bosses, they are the ones who order you to finish this, finish that, and up they go ride their expensive cars, while you make your self absorbed with the pending works and beating the deadlines.  The next morning the Boss will ask for it, read a little, ask some questions and sign, then up he goes again. The department get noticed because of the staff but who gets the credit, not me not you but the Boss. Employees are human and bound to make mistakes, something wrong happened, who will be blamed? Definitely not the Boss but us employees who are doing all the work. Then he will call you for a meeting saying all those nasty words as if you were the dumbest person on earth.   A month will pass and you’ll get your hard earned salary, but please don’t ever compare your salary with that of the Boss surely you will be disappointed knowing that your basic salary is just as much as the Boss’ Accommodation allowance, do not attempt to look at hi...

From inception you become a being with no consciousness until you are born, being an infant you’ll be the most demanding parasite, cry when you need something, cry when you feel uncomfortable, and cry for no reason at all…then grow to be a toddler, the most stubborn creature, live by playing and everything else is a game…then come adolescence, curiosity will be your main motivation not thinking of the consequences of your actions, reckless, you do as you please…then adulthood, as you become aware of your world you’ll learn to compete as you will desire for achievements thus making you the vicious, treacherous predator or if you’ll not be able to fight you’ll be the pathetic prey…Then the inevitable, you’ll grow older…..on this part I cannot tell because it will be YOU who will decide on what would you be at the end of it all…a parasite again or the host? I have decided, I am going to be the host who will sufficiently provide for my dependents. And by that I mean to go on and work my as...