Why did you decide to leave the Philippines?

I left the Philippines because I want to experience the culture of other countries; their way of living, their religion and other factors that make them different to us.

How did you get your current job and how did you leave the Philippines?
I was working in a recruitment agency when one of our employers who frequently visit our office asks me to join in his company. Prior to the offer we already hired for the said post for his company unfortunately failed the medical examination. It so happened that our CEO in the recruitment agency is very generous, so he asks me if I consider working in Saudi Arabia and offered the vacant post. By that time I have an on-going application going to Africa in other recruitment agency which makes me hesitant to accept the offer. Anyhow to make the long story short, I am now working here for almost a year.

When did you arrive in your current location?
I left in the Philippines on December 10, 2005 and arrived on December 11, 2005. Luckily we have some applicants way back in the recruitment agency who are not only familiar but knows very well of my destination place because they happened to work and stay here! Stories include the whereabouts of the location, its landmarks, the markets, and everything in the place, so the very first day I arrived I knew exactly the place and make instant friends. Thanks to our applicants!

What were your most memorable moments in your current location?
I have lots of good and bad experiences in this country. I left the Philippines, 15 days and 21 days prior to Christmas and New Years Day. That year is my first Christmas and New Years Eve outside the Philippines and neither of these two very important occasions (in my life) is being observed. I remember December 24-25 and December 31-January 1, working in the office and pretending I was doing and going well but my mind is not functioning! I am the only Filipino and Christian in our office. At that time I feel so empty, so sad, and so down. Believed it or not while I was walking in the street at that night going back to my house after work, I am also crying. Gosh! But that was almost a year ago. Now I can say life is so smooth.

Part of my difficulties is learning the language. I came here without knowledge of Arabic language even a single word. I feel like a baby, grasping words and repeating any words I heard so I can practice it. There are times I wrote all the words I heard and bring the notes to my friends for them to translate it for me. It takes me over three months just to understand and speak the basics.

Learning new language is rewarding. It feels good when I talked to them using their language. I can feel their sincerity, motivations, etc. and communication seem to be easy.

Tell us what has happened during your stay in this country you have worked in.
Working outside the Philippines is very different. Aside from being far from your love one's, you have to act and work like representing our country. I don’t really know how this feeling begun, I just notice it. Defending our country in issues, whether true or not, to others is just a natural thing to do.

Some of bad experiences include losing MP3 Player, Mobile Phones, and wrist watch (not stolen by Filipino). Thank God I did not lost myself! My extra positive attitude to this not so desirable experience is "CHARGE TO EXPERIENCE," otherwise; life will be harder if I took it deeply.

What are the things that you miss about the Philippines?
What I missed most back home are my family especially ma and pa, my friends, my officemates, my kabarkada groups in IGS, and closed-friends in DLSU-D. I also miss going to malls, of course watching movies, drinking coffee in Starbucks with my friends from IGS, going to National Library, chatting with my friends, listening to FM stations, going to church, attending Novena in Baclaran, and most importantly eating PORK, such as menudo, adobo, mechado, calderita, sinigang and more. Can anyone describe me how its tastes? I almost forgot!

What is your message to all OFWs around the world?
To my fellow OFW around the world, if you happen to be the religious type do not forget to ask for His guidance, thank Him and praise Him for all the blessings you received. If you happen to be the “family man,” do not forget your obligations to your family, the reason why you work outside our country is to give them brighter future. If you are single, take it easy. Just enjoy life, everything will be alright.

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