SA AUSTRALIA

When it comes to serving the Filipino and Australian communities, Lilian delos Reyes delivers it with her signature style and zealous dedication.

Born in Manila, she migrated to Australia in the early 70's. As a singer, she has been tagged a few titles including "Shirley Bassey of the East." In recognition of her contribution to the Filipino-Australian community, Lillian received the "Best Female Performer" awards in 1999 and "Filipino-Australian Achiever" in 2002 from the Filipino Communities Council of Australia.

Lilian is a world class performer. Described as versatile, energetic, seductive, sexy and elegant, she delivers her unique style of performance that always leaves her audience spellbound! Thus it is no surprise to see that the "Manila by Night" show, of which she is one of the main performers, continues to draw sell out dates within the RSL circuits.

A true "ambassador" of Filipino culture in Sydney and in other capital cities, she has proven that like wine, her classy act gets better through the years!
filipinoaustralian

AKO SA HONG KONG PART I

Bumiyahe ako patungong Hong Kong upang makita ko naman ang buhay ng mga kababayan natin na karamihan ay mga DH doon. Malapit lang. Umalis ako via PAL sa Terminal 2 at humigit isang oras ay lapag na ang eroplano sa Chep Lap Kok International Airport. Walang binatbat ang NAIA sa ganda ng airport na ito. Maganda rin ang Changi Airport sa Singapore pero mas maganda pa rin itong airport sa Hong Kong. Sa loob ng eroplano napansin ko sa gawing kanan ko ang isang grupo ng tatlong mga bagong DH na patungo rin ng Hong Kong na pareparehong nakasuot ng dilaw na T-shirt na nakatatak sa likod ang pangalan ng kanilang recruitment agency. Excited sila na nagkekwentuhan habang nasa ere kami. Hmmmm ano kaya ang magiging swerte nila sa Hong Kong? Maya maya lang ay nag announce na sa intercom ng eroplano na palapag na raw kami at ifasten na ang aming mga seatbelts.
Pag labas ko ng customs ay eto na may sumasalubong sa aking taga shuttle service marahil. Hawak nya ang kapirasong papel na nakasulat ay Agency nila na sya rin namang bilin sa akin sa Maynila na mangyayari pag lapag ko. Nilapitan ko sya at sinabi ko ang pangalan ko at sabi ay upo lang daw muna sa tabi at may mga kasabay pa. So ok upo. Maya maya eto na aalis na raw kami. Sa Shamrock Hotel nya ako ihahatid at yung katabi ko namang mag asawa ay sa Marco Polo ang tungo. May anim kami sa van na sa ibat ibang hotel ihahatid. May kalahating oras din mula airport patungong downtown at habang bumibiyahe ay sightseeing na rin ang nangyari. Walang katrapik trapik, maluwag and daan at maski aspalto ng kalsada ay maganda pa sa aspalto sa lubak lubak na mga kalye sa Maynila.

Dumaan kami sa tinatawag na Tsing Ma Bridge na naguugnay ng animo dalawang isla gawa nang napalaki at ang liliit tingnan ang mga barkong dumaraan sa ilalim. May matatanaw kang puro mga condo na puti sa malayo at marami pang condong ipinapatayo rin sa paligid. Parang building frenzy na animo'y kulang sila sa lupa at puro condo ang mga projects na itinatayo.

Maya maya eto na, nasa downtown na kami kasi may mga stoplights na at medyo makipot na ang mga kalye. Isang biglang liko sabay para sa tabi at sabay tanong ng driver ng van "Shamrock Hotel?" Sabi ko ako yon. Ako pala ang unang bababa. Konti lang bagahe ko kaya mabilis din akong nakababa sabay turo naman ng driver "Shamrock Hotel you turn right on that corner" Aba sabi ko sa loob ko mukhang may lalakarin pa at wala yatang maayos na maparkingan. So paalam ako sa mga kasama sa van at lakad sa kanto. Tingin sa mga mga buildings at oo nga isa doon ay ang aking hotel. Busy sa maliit na lobby at naghintay sumandali para maasikaso. Register ako, pakita ng pasaporte at tumawag na ng bellboy ang desk officer para ihatid ako sa kwarto ko Rm. 402. Pagpasok ko sa kwarto ay bagsak agad sa nag-iisang kama at sa wakas medyo makapagpapahinga ng konti. Maliit lang yung kwarto. May TV, maliit na ref na may mga lamang softdrinks in cans, chocolates, mani atb. Alam ko na pag kumuha ka doon sa ref ay babayaran ko yon pag check out ko so hindi ko ginalaw ang laman nito. May sariling maliit na CR at syempre aircon. Dalawang gabi lang ang stay ko sa Shamrock. Eh dalawang linggo pa ko doon, so the rest na tutulugan at kakainan ko ay sariling sikap na... (itutuloy sa part II)

SA BAHRAIN

What made me choose the place where I am now?
In my case, there were no choices coz this was the only place I applied for and luckily I got the job. Pero siyempre before signing the contract, I asked some of my friends who had an experience working here in Bahrain or whoever na nakakaalam ng buhay dito. When I came to know na di pala mahigpit dito, I said to myself, makakasurvive ako dun.
Incentives and Benefits
Not much but there are... i. e. Meals on duty, transportation, housing allowance (if you are entitled otherwise sa staff accommodation ka titira, and I'm lucky I get this benefit), over-time na di nababayaran ino-off-set sa extra day-off which is not bad (8hrs:1day). These things may not be a lot but these small things help, compared nung sa Makati pa ako nagtatrabaho, I had to pay for my house and everything, pagod ka pa sa traffic.
If you had a choice now, where would you want to work and why (of course, let's exclude the Philippines)?
Cruise Liners, I find it very challenging and you'll have the chance to see several places, kikita ka na may pleasure ka pa, plus the fact na every 6-8 months, nakakauwi unlike sa mga OFWs sa MidEast, every 2 years lang at kung umuwi man kami yearly we have to shoulder our ticket expenses.
In-demand Jobs
IT, Hotel & Resto Services (i. e. waiters, receptionists and even A/C tech), Graphic & Website Designers, and any computer related skills/courses.
Very Important Advice
Dito sa MidEast, di namin hawak ang trabaho namin kung hanggang kelan, meaning madaming nagtatanggalan ngayon due to local employment (i. e. Saudization, Bahrainization etc.). Dapat daw ang executive levels na trabaho sa locals binibigay at di para sa expats, so what they do bigla na lang magkakaroon ng tanggalan, and you cannot do anything about it. So advice lang sa mga baguhan na nasa MidEast, save something for yourself kahit gaano kahirap i-stretch ang pera natin, so when this unexpected time comes, you have something in hand. Isa pa, wag masyado maluho kung di kaya, madami kasi dito sa nakikita ko nakikipagsabayan kahit wala naman. MITCH
kuro

SA CANADA

Since she left Manila to settle in Canada, actress and beauty queen Alice Dixon has not exactly been idle.
Last February, Alice became the first Filipino-American to be accepted into the Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP) and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) based solely on her foreign credentials. “I applied under the unions Professional Reputation guidelines, submitted my portfolio and after a few months I received an invitation for membership. I am very excited, as these organizations are the equivalent of the Screen Actors Guild in the US.”
Armed with a new talent manager in Vancouver, Alice will soon try her luck there. “I have no illusions of grandeur,” Alice quipped, “I know it is a tougher market. But I love acting and if I can continue it on the side, then, lucky me.”
Alice is grateful for each new learning opportunity that comes her way. In fact she landed an internship last March for The Vicky Gaberaeau Show, a Canadian talk-show counterpart to the popular Oprah Winfrey Show. “I went to CTV-9 Studios downtown, applied and weeks later got a call from the production manager to report for taping.
“I was able to work with and meet local Canadian celebrities like crooner Michael Buble, David Usher, Jan Arden, Elvis Costello and jazz diva Diana Krall. I never knew that a lot of the popular US mainstream actors and artists are Canadian pala!” she said. More importantly, she continued, “In the short time I worked on that show, I gained valuable experience and realized how much I truly enjoy and appreciate the creative side of television production.”
Clearly, her stay in Canada has also not dimmed Alice’s penchant for Pinoy humor. Confessing that she is “studying part-time” and busy being a “wife full-time” to businessman Ronnie Miranda, she apologizes for not having any “baby plans yet.”
Then, in the next breath, she goes on to say: “But I really want an Italian Greyhound puppy!”
Alice is currently in town, originally to promote Kumain Ka Na Ba? for the Makati Cinemanila International Film Festival this month. However, the Japanese film did not make it as an entry finalist. All the same, Alice has more than enough work to keep her busy during her stay. She will be doing mall tours for Bigen Speedy, the brand of hair dye of which she is the official endorser; the pre-production for an independent flick slated for filming in December; and endorsement responsibilities for Cosmetiderm and Sarangani.
Besides working on her schedule for TV guestings, Alice is also coordinating between activities for her family’s month-long reunion. “Some of my relatives have never been to the Philippines. I will try to make it a memorable visit for them, despite our dismal political scene. After all, no matter where I go, whatever I do, I will always call the Philippines home,” she said..
realpinoy

SA SAN FRANCISCO

Joseph Ramos is an established instrumental composer and musician in the San Francisco Bay Area. As his music reflects a compelling mix of contemporary and new age styles, many have found that his music is truly one of a kind. Originally from the Philippines, he came to the U.S. at a very young age. Two years later at the age of three, Joseph began his extensive relationship with music. When he took Yamaha Music lessons, his only formal music instruction, many of his talents were discovered. He amazed instructors as he had the special gift to play music by ear while instanteously composing songs. Not just the short one page composition by young children, these were full-length, meticulous pieces that he would just sit down and compose. Needless to say, since then he has matured, as has his music, which has developed a distinct and ambient flavor. This rare style is innovative and derived by all types of music whether it be alternative, R&B, gospel, classical or new age. This mixture which captures his youth and his many influences, produces a sound that is unique, for all generations to enjoy.
Developing this gift, many recitals and concerts followed. The most
noted and prestigious performance was at the San Francisco Palace of Fine
Arts in November of 1997, at the Pinnacle Asian Spokesmodel Talent Showcase. He stunned the audience by energetically displaying his extraordinary talent. He composed a piece live on stage without preparation. Approximately 500,000 viewers saw the performance, which was rebroadcast on KTSF-TV Channel 26 on Christmas day. This triggered numerous inquiries from the audience as to how and where they could get copies of his uplifting music. In addition, various local talents have approached him in hopes of working with him for their own projects, as well as the possibility of his composing soundtracks for film and television.
This attention led to his first album, "It Was Only a Dream," released by Acceleration Records in 1998. This handsome collection is simply just a sample of his talent. The project was completed in under four months thanks to his gift of instantaneous composing song after song and new innovative ideas. His ideas and passion for composition never seem to end; he is diligently working on his next album, "Envisions," due for release in late 1999. Look forward to seeing more and more albums as "Joseph can go on forever in composing songs... he's
unstoppable!" said Acceleration Records producer, B.Z. Lewis.
pinoyzone

SA DAGAT

I'm Jose Panizales 27 years old, and I come from Iloilo City, on Panay, one of the islands in the Philippines. My family still lives there.

I was a bar waiter here on the Big Red Boat. I started in 1997.

I actually got my first job in 1994. That's when I went to Manila to look for work, which I found in a craft factory. But the salary was very low. It's very hard to find a job in Manila. And if you have no money in the Philippines, you are nothing.

Before I got the job on the Big Red Boat, I was a utility worker for nine months for Five Summer Corp. Four of us - myself and three coworkers - were all waiting for an available ship, trying to convince the agency to give us a chance. I was a messenger, I worked in the office and cleaned it every day. Sometimes they sent me to look for people they needed to talk to in the ticketing office. I just did whatever they asked me to do.

But the agency never paid us for this work. They would give us money for bus fare when we had to go places, and sometimes free food. But no wages.

I did this for nine months because I was hoping they would eventually give me work on a ship. If you don't make some sacrifices to look for a job in the Philippines, you won't get one. Most Filipino seafarers have had to do this at one time or another. If you don't have a relative who's a captain or other relatives to help you - if you are the lowest one - you have to sacrifice yourself. That's what I had to do to convince the agency to send me out.

Finally I got the job on the ship in 1997. My family was very happy. Until then, my brothers and sisters couldn't afford to go to school. I'm the oldest, and that's why I'm supporting them. There are eight of them, and they're all in school now. Without the money I send home, it wouldn't be possible for them to go.

They all live in Iloilo. My parents are old now, and can't work. My father was a farmer, and we still have a rice farm outside of the city, in the province. I call it the silent area - the place I like the most. I really look forward to going home, to see my family and my friends. My girlfriend is waiting for me.

But that's also why I'll have to look for a job in another company as soon as I get back.

The officers on the Big Red Boat boat are all Greek, and the seamen are all Filipinos and Indonesians. But I don't think this is discrimination. It's just the way it is.

I started in the kitchen, as an assistant cook, at $650 a month. Then I was promoted into the bar department, where I could make more than that. Sometimes I even made $1500 or 1600 dollars a month, if you include the tip. When there are lots of passengers, you can make money here, but when there aren't so many, you earn a lot less - maybe $1000. I serve people, smile with them, even sing with them. I enjoy it - you go a lot of places in the world, and you meet a lot of people. But once you get old, you can't do this job anymore - you're nothing again.

I studied marine engineering for two years, and graduated from school in Iloilo. Working in the engine room pays better than work in the bar, and it's a lifetime job. But even working in the bar pays 3 or 4 times what I made in the factory in Manila.

The job on the boat is a very good one. There are lots of Filipinos who do this kind of work. Even though people have families in the Philippines, and we all miss them, we still take jobs abroad. In the Philippines, the wages of the people are very very low.

I spent two years working for Premiere Cruise Lines. Then we heard rumors from the officers that the company might go bankrupt. We sailed into Halifax, in Canada, after stopping at Newport and the Virgin Islands. Three other ships operated by Premiere were also there. We were called into a meeting at six in the morning, where everyone kept asking what was happening.. We didn't have any idea. Then all of the passengers were transferred to our ship, and the boat came here to New York, to deliver them back to the states.

Since then, the ship just sits here, on this dock in Staten Island, not sailing anywhere. We've been here over two weeks. We were very worried about how we'd get paid, how we'd get home, what would happen to us. Our chief purser was the one who finally arranged things for us.

Even after all this, though, a lot of people will apply to work here again if they get the chance. I think what happened to us could happen again. I've heard of this problem before. I have friends who are seamen, who've told me that the company they were working for never paid them. Sometimes Filipino sailors get to port, and get stranded like us. I think this is a common problem.

But I still think this is a pretty good job, even though I can see now there's a risk that I won't get paid. And when I get back, I'll have to look for another one like it. I don't think I'll need to work for free again, though. I'll look for another agency, and I already have some experience at this work.

After I get married, I'll still have to work on the ships. I'll still be away from my family for long periods, even 8 or 10 months at a time. It's a sacrifice - a simple word, but a hard thing to endure. After I get married and have some land, maybe I'll be able to stop doing this, I'd like to start a business, so I have to make enough money first on the ships to do that.

It might take another 10 years, but I have a plan.
DBacon

SA ITALY

Artworks too are subject to wear and tear. Overtime, their colors fade and before everything turns into black and white, Annali enters into the picture. Her job is to restore these masterpieces as close to how they looked when they were created a few centuries ago.

She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Interior Design. A few years after college, she was given a study grant in Spain to take a master’s degree in Heritage Conservation in Universidad de Salamanca’s prestigious Facultad Bellas Artes. Her hunger to gain more knowledge and hone her craft was boosted by another study grant from the Italian government. She took a course in art restoration at the Instituto per I arte e il Restauro, Plazzo Spinelli in Italy.

For her, it is an awe-inspiring career. Her job as a freelance professional artwork restorer provides an opportunity for her to travel to different cities in Europe and in the process, meet different kinds of people who share a common interest – the passion for art. She hopes to extend her skill to Asian cities sometime this year.

Late last year, she opened her first solo exhibit at the Ufizzi Center in Firenze. It was sponsored by the UNESCO and the Banca Profilo.

Her world revolves around celestial beings, saints and other paintings of various themes. On her last project, she restored a couple of murals in centuries-old palazzos.

She admits there are occasions where she encounters paintings from the great masters. “Imagine yourself in front of a masterpiece by Michaelangelo or any other great artist. In that very moment that you are doing an intervention, you will find yourself communing with the painter. You are actually entering his world of colors and figures, studying the lines and getting completely absorbed in the work.”

According to Annali, her work “depends a lot on manual skill, similar to a surgeon’s work, where so much depends on the lightness of one’s touch, the precision of every stroke, total focus and full concentration.”

Her normal working day starts at 9 in the morning as she prefers to work with “natural light.” Her other daily routines, like buying groceries, drinking coffee and talking to other people, starts at 1 in the afternoon. She confesses that her job can be very isolating and emphasizes her need to interact with other people.

With a smile showing almost all of her pearly whites, she says, “Easily you can forget about your daily concerns, your social life and love life. You just enter the whole new mural! The work takes out so much from you, yet you’re happy and you want to do the job right. For me, every project I work on pulls me like a magnet, and before I know it, I’m glued to the painting!”

Museum officials and private painting collectors entrust their invaluable treasures in Annali’s capable hands – the next best thing to a time machine - to bring it back to how it looked a few centuries ago.

Truly an extraordinary passion for an extraordinary Filipina who’s working in a country that produced painting masters like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
GlobalPinoy

SA SAUDI ARABIA II

Katulad ng maraming Pilipinong nagpunta sa Middle East, umaasa si Nonoy na magkakaroon ng mas magandang buhay pagbalik ng Pilipinas. At siyempre, umaasa din siya na magiging maayos ang lahat para sa kanya sa magiging buhay niya sa Middle East. Sana nga...

Ang Lahat ay May Simula...

Assalam Alaikom! Kumusta na kayo diyan? I hope you have eagerly been waiting to hear from me. Medyo natagalan akong mag-email sa inyo dahil sa naging priority ko the past days ang mag-adjust sa aking host country. In fact, may severe cold and cough pa rin ako hanggang ngayon. Tapos yung upper lip ko halos punit-punit na. Other than my physical condition, everything is doing great. Medyo marami na akong alam na Arabic, lalo na yung mga conversational. Hahabaan ko ang kwento ko ngayon para sulit naman. Bahala na kayong mag-skim sa gusto ninyong basahin.

The Flight

12:45pm ng September 14, 1999 ang flight ko pero 9:30am palang nasa airport na ako. 10:15am ng makumpleto kami ng mga kasama ko. Pagkatapos ng ilang photo shoots at phone calls, pumasok na kami, mga 10:30am na yun. Grabe talaga ang burukrasya sa loob ng airport! Alas dose na ng marating namin ang Gate 14, doon kami dadaan pasakay ng Saudi Airlines Flight 867. 12:30 nang magsimula silang magsakay. Eksaktong 12:45, tumatakbo na sa runway ang eroplano pero 1:15pm na ng mag-take off, kung bakit ewan ko! Ang tagal ng biyahe, akala ko 9 hours lang pero hindi pala dahil nag-stop over kami sa Dharhan.

Finally, Riyadh!

Dumating kami ng Riyadh 7:15pm (KSA time, late sila ng 5 hours sa RP time kaya bale 12:15am na ng September 15, RP time, ng dumating kami sa Riyadh). Ang laki-laki ng King Fahad International Airport, siguro mga 5-6x bigger siya sa NAIA at splendid ang architecture. Pero mas bilib ako sa immigration procedures nila! Wala pang ten minutes, nasa Customs na kami. Mahigpit sila sa mga incoming baggages, lahat binubuksan, ultimo brown envelop na naka-seal hindi makakalusot pero efficient pa rin ha?! Dito ako natagalan kasi na-confiscate yung dala kong CD case! Pinababalikan pa sa akin dahil itsi-check pa nila yun isa-isa. Pero, cool pa rin ha dahil okay naman ang treatment nila sa akin. Take note na hindi naman nila ako dinampot at binitbit sa kung saang opisina. Nandoon pa rin ako sa Customs section. Pagkatapos noon, nakalabas na kami. Mas matagal pa nga naming hinintay ang sundo namin. Oo nga pala, 42úC ang temperature nang dumating kami kaya feeling ko litson ako.

Ang Paghihintay

Almost an hour naming hinintay ang sundo namin. Nang mga oras na iyon, pakiramdam ko nabiktima na ako ng illegal recruiter. ang daming naglalaro sa isip ko. Paano kung illegal recruitment nga ito? Paano ako uuwi ng Pilipinas? Paano ako makikipag-usap sa mga Arabo? Saan ako pupunta? Lalong lumakas ang kaba ko nang unti-unti nang nauubos ang mga tao. Diyos ko, napasubo yata ako. Sa sobra kong anxiety, lahat ng bagong dating na mukhang susundo, nilalapitan ko. Finally, at around 8:40, may payat na Pilipinong lumapit sa Flight Schedules. May kasama siyang dalawang Arabo. Napapailing silang tumutingin sa schedules tapos sa relo nila. Sa loob-loob ko, mga engot, nandito na kami sa likod ninyo. Nilapitan ko ang Pilipino. Itinanong ko kung siya si Perry, yung Computer Technician. Nang tumango, napangiti na ako. Hindi kami na-illegal recruiter. Yung dalawang Arabo, sina Mohammed, kapatid sa ama't ina ng may-ari ng pagtratrabahuan ko, at si Mohandes, yung head ng Technical Group. Hindi na na-unfurl ni Perry yung dala nilang welcome placard. Anti-climatic talaga! So, hindi na kami nagtagal. Sumakay na kami ng horizontal na escalator(hindi ko alam ang official name niya) hanggang doon sa may parking lot. High tech, ano? Walang kapagod-pagod. Pero mas na-impress ako sa sundo naming kotse!

My New "Home"

Ang layo ng airport nila sa sentro ng Riyadh ay parang Pampanga to Manila pero wala pang thirty minutes nakarating na kami sa Olaya, ang sentro ng Riyadh. Ang lalapad ng mga kalsada nila, ang linis, ang liwanag, para ngang puro superhighway, eh. Pero, road lang ang tawag nila doon. Wala na halos disyerto sa dinaan namin. Pero, mas nagulat ako sa tutuluyan kong lugar, sa Olaya, distrito siya ng Riyadh pero itong Olaya ay ang equivalent ng Ayala sa Pilipinas. Nandito ang halos lahat ng offices at showrooms ng mga computer at electronic brands. Nandito rin ang mga head offices ng malalaking government offices tulad ng Interior, Foreign Affairs at Labor. Nandito rin ang head offices ng mga bangko. Highly urbanized talaga. Wala ng disyerto sa Olaya. Mali ang impression at notion natin sa Saudi. Mas advanced ang society nila in terms of tangible proof of progress, development and civilization. Pero, siyempre, mas maraming matataas na building sa Makati. Dito, wala pang 20 ang lagpas ng 20 floors dahil ngayon pa lang sila nagsisimulang gumamit ng technology na makapagpapatibay ng mga sky scrapers sa dating lupang disyerto. Pero, impressive ang imagination ng mga architects nila dito. Hindi mo sukat akalaing ang ganoong shape ay puwede palang maging building! Bibili ako ng camera at kapag nakalusot ay kukunan ko ng pictures ang mga buiildings na ito at ipo-post ko sa internet. From the airport, dumiretso na kami sa accommodation namin. Parang nasa Bel-Air lang ako. Bungalow ang bahay at hinati sa dalawa para sa mga married at single accommodations. Siyempre, doon kaming lahat sa single accommodation. Hindi ako solo ng kuwarto pero okay na rin para hindi tamang-homesick, kasama ko sina Perry. Airconditioned ang buong bahay, pati banyo, na take note ay mayroong bath tub, na hindi ko pa nagagamit. Titiyempo ako, baka akala ninyo.

My First Meal in Saudi

Komo nga pagod na kami, we decided na bumili na lang ng hapunan. Siyempre, abono muna si Perry dahil mayroon na siyang riyals. Kafsa ang binili namin. Katulad ito ng litson manok natin na may kasamang fried rice. Masarap. Nagustuhan naming lahat. Hindi naman pala ganoon ka-anghang ang pagkain nila, mas maanghang pa nga ang pagkain ng mga Bicolano. Bumili din kami ng Magnolia (yes!) Ice cream at ng Mirinda (hindi orange kundi parang Mountain Dew). Solve na kami. Ready na para sa bagong buhay namin sa Saudi.

A Whole New World

Basta, ang masasabi ko lang, if you can survive Saudi Arabia, you can survive anywhere in the world. Here is the most conservative society and the harshest of conditions a Filipino can ever imagine. Dito, magmamature kang talaga. Ilang araw pa lang ako pero damang-dama ko na ang tension ng maging alien ka dito. Mahirap talaga. Ang consolation ko lang ay napakaganda ng lugar (trabaho, bahay, etc.) na napuntahan ko. Dito, you will have to unmake yourself in order to make your life bearable. Ultimo working hours dito ay kakaiba dahil sa religious practices nila. Staggered ang oras namin dito. 9am-1pm tapos siesta kami hanggang 4:30pm, pasok uli ng 4:30-6pm. Salah(prayer time) ng 6-6:30pm kaya break ito. Resume uli ng 6:30 hanggang 9pm na yun. Ganoon din ang business hours kaya hanggang 11pm, may mga bukas pang grocery, showrooms, etc. Walang malls dito, walang department stores, boutiques lang, walang disco, walang bar, walang inuman, walang massage parlor, walang sinehan. Wala!!!! Kaya kung hindi ka handa sa ganito kalungkot na lugar, huwag kang pupunta dito, mababaliw ka. As if these are not enough, wala ring kartero dito, puro P.O. boxes lang kaya halos isang buwan bago magkasagutan ang mga sulat dito. Buti na lang may email tayo! Diyan, lamang na naman ako. Na-iimagine ko nga kung gaano kalungkot yung ibang mga Pilipino dito, lalo na yung mga nasa disyerto maski yung mga Pilipinang kailangan ding magsuot ng abaya (yung itim na balot-balot mula ulo hanggang paa ng mga babae). Paano, masyado nang mahaba ito. Sa susunod na ang karugtong. Sa susunod, yung mga lakwatsa ko at ng tropa ko dito at kung bakit ang mga nagsa-Saudi ay hirap makaipon ng pera. Sa susunod na rin yung mga kuwentong gross tulad ng mga beheading pati na rin yung mga naging kakilala, kaibigan at kaaway ko dito, at yung tungkol sa malawak na underground "eclesia" dito.
MEPinoy

SA BIG APPLE

After living in the US for a little over a decade, cia_b has not only reached out to help others define themselves as Asians and Asian Americans, she has worked her way into the spotlight, adding more depth, definition and pride to the word FILIPINO.

"Life in the United States is all about work, work and more work," Cia comments on life outside the Philippines. "It's about paying the bills and fighting for your rights and reaching that so-called American Dream that, frankly, is elusive and non-existent because as Americans, grass will always be greener on the other side. But on the other hand, if I wasn't an American I wouldn't even have numerous opportunities to work, work and work some more. I wouldn't have the same opportunities to TRY and pay my bills, rights to fight for and chances to reach that dream." Cia makes New York life sound totally swell, but does she miss the Philippines at all? "I miss the rice and barbeque and achara at Good-ah! in Paranaque," she says. "I'll tell you what I don't miss: the diesel gas smell of Manila."

"Growing up and living in a Hispanic neighborhood, I still get the occasional 'Tsina' call-outs when I walk down the street," she complains. "I still get stupid comments like 'Oh, you're Filipino? My roommate's girlfriend's best friend is Filipino, too!' How do you respond to that?" The years of experience, however, has taught her to take these things with a dab of humor. "I have corrected a few who still refered to our people as Oriental. You speak out and educate them and you can only hope that they won't make the same mistake to another Asian person again. You learn to take things like those lighter and you learn to pick your battles especially if you're in a city that's already a melting pot. Daily incidents like that are in no comparison to the real racism that's out there. "

Having to move to the Big Apple when she was thirteen, Cia looks back and recalls the first few tough but bearable years. "There were no Asians to relate with my first three years in New York City," she says. "I moved to New York straight from Manila to start my sophomore year in high school and I was the only Asian in a predominantly Hispanic school. When I started to attend college at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), it was like, everything was unleashed. I met other Asians, I met other Filipinos! And I think it's the case most of the time -- we Asian dash Americans don't question our identities until college and until we are faced with people who look like us but come from different places or speak different languages. This is what a lot of Manilenos don't understand, but I digress. I have been living in NYC for ten years now and what can I say? I love Asian people!"

Cia's love for Asian people evidently ignited the spark which eventually turned out to be something big. Besides being equipped with a degree in fashion merchandising, the brave and adventurous giant behind her petite exterior made waves on the internet when she whipped up generationrice.com. "What a lot of generationrice fans don't know," Cia reveals, "is that it actually began as an idea of a Filipino-only online magazine. At its planning stages, my then-partner would only agree to join me if it was the whole Asian and Asian American market."
Pinoipride

SA TAIWAN

After five years of living in Taiwan, I was still holding my Philippine passport. I did not really consider switching nationalities despite the restrictive status of being a foreigner. I have many friends who worked on securing their ROC ID card as soon as they landed in Taiwan. There are admittedly many advantages to being local. In my eyes, the primary advantage is employment. Being a local allows one more employment choices. A foreigner, on the other hand, needs special permission for working. And the work visa is employer specific. So why did I not opt for citizenship when I had the choice? The decision is easy if I was female. A male Taiwan citizen, on the other hand, would be drafted for military service. And, depending on the age, this could be as long as 2 years. Of course, there are other considerations like how long I planned on being here and whether I will go back to Manila or move someplace else.

The decision to switch nationalities was made so much clearer and easier after I got married to a local. I just had to do it for my wife and, eventually, my children (now I have two). It was the responsible thing to do as I need the security and benefits of local citizenship. In Taiwan, being married to a local gave one no guarantee for residency and no right for employment. Even being a permanent resident, as opposed to an alien resident, does not give one rights equal to a local citizen of Taiwan. A friend of mine kept his Philippine passport and got permanent residency. He found out later that he could not buy an apartment because he did not have Taiwan citizenship. He got so depressed that he got himself a car instead. And now he is working on getting his citizenship. There are also a lot of horror stories of families that are separated because one parent was a foreigner – you could leave the country and find out later that you can’t come back.

In making my decision, I had to ask myself the following questions:

1. Am I married to a local?
2. Do we plan on having kids?
3. Are we staying in the country or are we going to go somewhere else?
4. Do I want to have the same rights as a local?
5. Would it be possible to gain local citizenship?

The military draft was also a consideration but it was a minor one as I only needed to serve two weeks. I was much older than the regular draftees so I was only required to get trained for Taiwan’s citizen army. I also figured that I might as well bite the bullet and get my citizenship while the rules are still in my favor. This is a peculiarity here in Taiwan. The rules for the draft and citizenship seem to change every year. There is now another option for draftees. The military training could be replaced by some sort of civil service. In other words, you would not need to go to camp to learn how to march, fire guns, etc. In lieu of military training, a draftee, depending on his skills, could be asked to serve in a depressed area or a government office. The key thing is, you don’t have much control over what you are asked to do. And you might need to do your mandatory two year service in some remote place in Taiwan.

ROC, what’s in a name?

ROC stands for Republic of China, the official name of Taiwan. Note that the ROC is different from the PRC, the People’s Republic of China. Most people, including the immigration officials who check passports at point of entry, would not know this. I’ve taken several trips to Europe where I crossed the border from Germany to Switzerland, and vice-versa. In the past, it was necessary for me to have both a Schengen visa and a Swiss visa to travel to these two countries. And in recent years, a Schengen visa is enough even for travel to Switzerland. This convenience is afforded a Taiwan passport holder. Unfortunately, on older passports such as mine, the word Taiwan is absent on any part of the passport. This has caused some nervous moments while I wait for entry to Switzerland. They eventually let me through after realizing that my green passport is a Taiwan passport and that I’m not mainland Chinese.
PINOYexpats

SA RUSSIA

A Filipina will literally rocket into history. Capt. Irene Mora, a commercial pilot by profession, is the first Filipina space cadette and is now in Russia preparing to rocket to the International Space Station orbiting Earth since July 2005. She will be the first Filipina to travel into space and the red planet, Mars.
She arrived in Russia to undergo rigorous training as part of the crew that will spend a week on the International Space Station and journey to Mars. Mora will be part of the Russian contingent.
Mora has been to the edge of space in 2000 after she applied and qualified to be a civilian participant in the NASA space program. She is considered one of the best skydivers in the world and has completed the rigorous training for space cadets.
During a press conference at Russia's Space Center, Mora said that while the process for her trip to the Red Planet has been slower than expected, she looks forward to the trip.
In an e-mail she sent to the STAR in Manila, she said, "The reason I'm doing this is definitely for educational purposes." She added that she wanted to become the youngest person to travel in space - not just to fulfill her childhood dream, "but also to inspire other young people to become the next generation of space explorers."
"I want to inspire people to look at their career opportunities and increase the interest of ordinary people in travelling into space," Mora continued, and hopes that her trip would open the door for other non-professional space travelers and help make the case for space tourism. "Eventually, everyone will have the opportunity to travel into space,", she said.
From the Space Station, Mora intends to interact with students by shortwave radio and the Internet.." I want to share my interest in science and mathematics, my two favorite subjects during my school days," she said.
Mora works as part of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit, conducting air search and rescue missions using her Cessna seaplane.
Born, raised and educated in Sacramento, California to Filipino parents, Mora rescinded her US citizenship and chose full Philippine citizenship. The Philippine flag is sewn on her flight suit, resting above her heart.
UK Pinoy

SA WEST POINT

The first Filipino woman to be admitted to the male-dominated United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point has revealed the secret of her success—putting God first above everything else.
Cadet Christy A. Achanzar, 22, passed the tough entrance test for Foreign Exchange Cadet nominees, which she took with four other cadets from the Philippine Military Academy early this year. The test was conducted by the US Defense Attache’s office.
Achanzar, the only female who qualified, could not believe she passed the rigid entrance examination.
“I just can’t believe I made it, entering a rather male-dominated profession,” she said.
There were 50 of them who took the test. Achanzar will have a Filipino classmate at West Point—Cadet Mario M. Feliciano, who also passed the same examination.
Two other PMA cadets qualified for the US Navy Academy in Annapolis and another at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado.
As a young girl, Isis as Achanzar is fondly called, was fascinated by military officers and men for their snappy salute. Her wish was to become an officer someday.
Her father, Ermine, is a native of this city in Cagayan while her mother, Asuncion, comes from Davao.
When she was in her teens, her wish was to enter the PMA, the country’s premier military school. She was in her second year college taking up Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering (BSECE) when she thought of entering the academy, but her friends advised her to finish her course first.
As soon as she obtained her BSECE degree last March, she decided to take the PMA entrance examination without the knowledge of her parents.
Bright and witty, Achanzar passed the entrance test.
“God gave me more than enough sign that He blessed my ambition in life. I barely finished my plebe year at the academy, and here I am qualified to enter West Point,” she said.
“My training at the PMA prepared me. The deputy head of the US Army Defense Attache’s office commented that I am a strong cadet,” she added.
Isis who is the fourth in a brood of six—four girls and two boys—said she would feel the fullness of her satisfaction when “people could say I have been a good officer and have contributed something for my country.”
She admitted that her being the first Filipino woman to enter the USMA gives great resolve to excel in her career. She encourages the young women of Tuguegarao City and Davao to strive harder.
“Have the proper attitude and values, faith and confidence that you can do something beyond your limitations. You just have to try and trust yourself and keep your feet on the ground. Whatever you achieve, be humble because there could be more opportunities that may come,” she said.
The prayer of Francis of Assisi has always been her inspiration: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
Manila Times

SA FRANCE

Tulad sa ibang bansa, marami sa mga Pilipino rito ay nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Wala nga lang bilateral relation ang ating bansa sa bansang Pransya, kaya nahihirapang maipraktis ang kanilang mga propesyon ang mga may pinag-aralang Pinoy, at kung meron mang mga pinalad ay talagang dumaan sa butas ng karayom.Nariyan na ang mahirap na lengguwahe ng mga pranses at ang mga pagsusulit na kailangang pagdaanan para kilalanin ang diplomang dala dala mula Pilipinas.
Ang majority ng karamihang naririto ay tulad ni Carmen.Nagtapos ng pagtuturo sa Pilipinas si Carmen na humantong sa pagkakatulong dahil sa kawalan ng papel. Tatlong taon nang naninilbihan si Carmen, hirap man, hindi nito alintana ang sakit ng loob na malayo sa pamilya. Isa ito sa mapalad na makapaglingkod ng mabait na amo at siya ay kumikita ng halagang 10 euro kada oras o 80 euro sa isang araw na pagtatrabaho. Kayod kabayo si Carmen at alam niyang hindi habang panahon siya sa ganitong uri ng trabaho, kaya naman kahit week end ay tumanggap ito ng trabaho.
Malayo sa hinagap ni Peding na isang araw ay mapapadpad siya sa France. Dahil sa mabuting serbisyo, kinuha ito ng dating pinananilbihan sa Pilipinas. Sa Paris, nakilala niya si Joel, makaraan ang isang taon, sila ay nagpakasal. Upang matuto ng wikang pranses, inenroll ni Joel ang asawa sa isang panggabing paaralan sa kanilang lugar. Habang nag-aaral sa gabi, humanap ng trabaho bilang taga-sundo ng bata si Peding, ang perang kinikita ay ipinapadala niya sa magulang sa Pilipinas. Siya ay nasa pangalawang taon na ng kanyang pag-aaral ng wika at sa darating na taon ay binabalak naman niyang kumuha ng kursong may kaugnayan sa larangan ng turismo.
Tulad ni Peding, si Lynda ay isa ring maybahay ng pranses, bagaman kaiba sa dalawa si Lynda ay hindi pumasok na TNT sa bansa. Sa Pilipinas niya nakilala si Pierre at doon na rin sila nagpakasal. Wala rin siyang naging problema sa sitwasyong legal at kasalukuyan itong nag-eenjoy ng mga benepisyong inooffer ng gobyernong pranses. Dumating siyang may kaunti nang kaalaman sa wikang pranses. Pagkaraan ng anim na buwang pag-aaral sa isang kolehiyo sa Paris, kumuha ng kursong pharmaceutical si Lynda.
Taliwas sa batas noong mga 1980’s, mahigpit ang sitwasyon ngayon ng mga TNT’s dito sa France, bahagya nang lumabas ang mga kauri ni Carmen. Bagay na ikinabahala ng ilang asosasyon dito sa France.Isa ang Act Up, na nagsasabing ang malawakang pag-kontrol ng imigrasyon ng bansa sa mga walang papel ang siyang magtutulak upang hindi na sumangguni ang huli kung may karamdaman, bagay na hahantong sa mas malubhang kalagayan.Tunay nga, noong isang buwan, patay ng inuwi ang isang Pilipina. Ayon sa mga ilang kakilala, ito ay madalas na karinggan ng pananakit ng tiyan, dahil sa takot at kawalan ng kaalamang maaaring makapagpagamot na hindi kinakailangang may legal status, ay nagsarili na lamang sa pagbili ng kung anong gamot para sa sakit ng tiyan. Sa ngayon marami pa ring tulad ni Carmen at Peding ang pumapasok sa bansa, naroroong dumaan ng Denmark o Germany. Ang iba naman ay nagbabakasakali pa rin sa border ng Italy.
MAD Pinoy