Too busy?

I knelt to pray but not for long,

I had too much to do.

I had to hurry and get to work

For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,

And jumped up off my knees.

My Christian duty was now done

My soul could rest at ease.....

All day long I had no time

To spread a word of cheer

No time to speak of Christ to friends,

They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,

That was my constant cry,

No time to give to souls in need

But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord, I came,

I stood with downcast eyes.

For in his hands God held a book;

It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said

"Your name I cannot find

I once was going to write it down...

But never found the time."

(Pic from fotosearch.com)

A Blank Happy Father's Day

It’s Father’s Day.

But I feel blank in what I have to write in this entry. I just feel obligated to write something for today's celebration even if I have written a thousand words almost in my previous entry.
I have greeted my father but felt more excited greeting our friends who have become fathers…
Oh well, just can’t continue.

Nothing to write.

BLANK.

Pinoy Lyp in Dubai: The Untold Stories Series - Last Two Parts

Series 2 – Pinays in Dubai: How much?

It’s sad to know that we, Filipinas are branded as “housemaids”. Again, it’s not actually being one but the negative connotation that comes with it BUT it’s sadder to know that others would see Filipinas especially here in the UAE as, worst, “babaeng mababa ang lipad”.

Yes, whenever we go out it’s no longer a surprise to be greeted with “How much?” by some locals and other nationalities. And as a “foreigner” in this foreign land, you can’t do otherwise but to go straight off and shrug off the comment.

But then again, you will give it a thought and can’t blame them somehow as we have to admit that there are really kabayans who turns into one for all kinds (and sizes?) of reasons – kapit sa patalim, haven’t found work for months, need cash for exit, trip! Yes, some would really just get into it because they just want to do it. Period. Are these reasons enough? Isn’t there any hope?

I am not in the position to speak up for them. It’s their decision…It’s their life. But sometimes you can never help but wonder how can they go through these all? And after this, what’s next? How do they feel about it? And their family left back home – how would they feel if they’ll learn that the precious money sent to them from their daughters, nieces, sisters, aunts – is actually from having to “sell” and “work” their selves out to all kinds of nationalities?

I am not to condemn these kabayans but I feel especially for those who came here using family’s last money saved; from loaned out money by their parents – and had not found there luck here. Sometimes, even how you oppose doing such thing when situations come and you feel like there’s no way out – you’re left with no choice.

Only, it’s a sad, unfortunate choice.

Or is it really the ONLY choice?




Series 3 – Ako Legal Wipe – Aling Bekang’s Story

I would like to end this Series with a story.

I first met Aling Bekang when I first came to “Dubai”. At first look, you can never tell that behind the lady’s soft look is a shadow of a silent fiend whose wickedness just waits for her bait.

Aling Bekang lives in a make-believe castle where she reigns like the REAL queen to the KING but alas! It was discovered that the Red-Ribboned “Scroll” she would boast is nothing but null and void. How? The King has his REAL QUEEN in another kingdom called Philippines.

But of course, the real Queen does not know this though, she might have it sensed. But because the King is a clever person, he has made to believe his real kingdom that he is out in a battle and will be back once war is won.

Poor Real Queen…Poor little princess and princes. Go on, listen to your King!

So, a fancy life goes on for Aling Bekang – from a ran-away servant to being a “queen to the king” – or would it continue?

Will it be like to every fairy tale of a happy ending?

Only when it happens that we would know.


(I’m sharing with you this story not to rock one’s boat but simply, to impart a fact. And as I lead you to this story, may there’ll be wives with husbands working in “Dubai” be able to read this and both – man and wife be enlightened. QUERIDAS! Please know where to stand!)

Pinoy Lyp in Dubai: The Untold Stories Series - Part 1

Series 1 – Pinoys in Dubai: The Other Side

More than once, I have mentioned that the movie “DUBAI” which starred Aga, Claudine and John Llloyd is one I most considered to be “sinungaling” and would be blamed for the number of Pinoys coming to the UAE. Nope, this is not going to be a movie review. Because of how the movie showed the “beautiful Dubai”, you can’t blame Pinoys (OK! That includes the gullible me only…well, that’s another story for another time!) to dream and make it big time in this non-tax country. In fairness to the movie (I’m a fan of John Lloyd, for your info!), I would like to believe that it was a love-triangle-story only having the plot taken in Dubai but to speak that it shows life of our Pinoys here in Dubai…mmmhh…

I am a newbie here in the UAE. I came about eight months ago carrying with me, my visit visa and “hope” that this is it – an answer to my prayer of blessings to solve our financial problems. Or is it?

For the past eight months, I have seen how phase of life in the UAE could change fast and I mean, real FAST. I would like to consider my self lucky enough to be able to find a job soon after almost a month of my stay (though, I’m now in my second job!) if I hadn’t, I would never know how I will be able to live and survive here and as well as my family back home who depends on me, too. Earning a meager income that goes almost instantly to room rent, water, electricity, food and remittance to Pinas, I’m left with just enough for my daily transportation and rewarding myself with some luxury of eating shawarma with friends comes pay day. I have even discovered and appreciated the benefits of WALKING through my 30-45 minutes almost-daily routine of being on foot from office to home (YES! to that save precious Dirham…).

And that to think I was able to find work in less than my two-month stay. Now, imagine coming here and finding none for months? Aside from rent, water, food, etc. let me remind you that one who comes here needs to exit once the visit visa expires after two months. One exit is more often expected. Twice, can be acceptable. Thrice, can’t imagine and more than that?! No wonder, a lot of stories goes around about Filipinos in exit going crazy or taking their lives, etc. in Kish, etc. and I have to sadly admit that mostly, they are true. Going to exit could actually be fun especially if it’s company sponsored and some even take it as a break from work but what if you’re the one paying for your visa and ticket? And knowing that there’s still no work waiting for you? I’m just thankful to God I don’t have to go thru these but unfortunately, we have a lot of our kababayans who do.

UAE is rich and there are really Filipinos who made good in this country. Few years ago, the opportunity of finding a good-paying job, they say is huge but it changed when people including Pinoys started to flock the Emirates. Because of the increase in the population of visit visas, employers somehow took advantage of them and would either offer one with low salary or at worst, will not offer you any visa at all. And since it’s “kapit sa patalim” – they would grab this offer just to have something for their basic needs.

But what’s so sad is knowing that most of these Filipinos are degree holders. I’m most affected to learn that some of these are even teachers who would take house maid jobs! I have nothing against being a maid (I am even looking for a cleaner part-time job!) but it’s the thought of knowing we lack teachers back home, they - TEACHERS are needed in Pinas! I mean, fine with me, a sales person – I’m better off here and be able to help the country through my meager remittance but a teacher as a house maid or as a waitress?! Hello Authorities in Government?

I’m writing this not to discourage those who hope to come in the UAE because you’ll really never know your fate till you come here. I only speak of my personal experience and observations.

Still, it’s all up to you. You still decide for yourself. It’s still your take.

So, welcome to the UAE, Kabayan?

SIS

Laughters
and tears
shared with
SISTERS.
Good times
and bad,
Happy or
sad.
It doesn’t matter
even with
empty pockets,
without
any cent;
as
every moment
becomes special
if with SISTERS
they are spent.

HAPPINESS IS FINDING A PENCIL.

PIZZA WITH SAUSAGE

TELLING THE TIME.

HAPPINESS IS LEARNING TO WHISTLE.

TYING YOUR SHOE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

HAPPINESS IS PLAYING THE DRUM IN YOUR OWN SCHOOL BAND.

AND HAPPINESS IS WALKING HAND IN HAND.H

APPINESS IS TWO KINDS OF ICE CREAM.

KNOWING A SECRET.

CLIMBING A TREE.

HAPPINESS IS FIVE DIFFERENT CRAYONS.

CATCHING A FIREFLY.

SETTING HIM FREE.

HAPPINESS IS BEING ALONE EVERY NOW AND THEN.

AND HAPPINESS IS COMING HOME AGAIN.

HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,

DAY TIME AND NIGHT TIME TOO.

FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL

THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.

HAPPINESS IS HAVING A SISTER.

SHARING A SANDWICH.

GETTING ALONG.

HAPPINESS IS SINGING TOGETHER WHEN DAY IS THROUGH,

AND HAPPINESS IS THOSE WHO SING WITH YOU.

HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,

DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME TOO.

FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL

THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.

(Song from You are a Good Man Charlie Brown; Pic from Acclaim Imgaes)

X

I’m NO angel. I have been bad and done mistakes.

And I AM SORRY.

I have done the act. I have said the word. I had those evil thoughts. I have hurt…wronged…

YOU.

And I REGRET everything.

I may be forgiven, maybe not.
What I have done maybe forgotten, but TRUST – it has cost. What I did maybe erased, but someone I may have LOST.

Though TOO LATE…

I AM SORRY.