Pinay Maid Maltreated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

By Alon Calinao Dy: A Filipina maid named Jae Ann Harayo Ferolin has accused her female employer of maltreatment at her house.

According to her, she was locked in one room of the house and the responsible agency in the Philippines blocked her on Facebook when she asked for necessary assistance.

Gha Mica Facebook account confirmed that the said Philippine agency is Saviour Med International Placement.

On Aug. 1, Jae Ann posted pictures on Facebook as the evidence of the alleged abuse that left visible marks on her back. She also wanted to go back in the Philippines and find a safe haven to stay.

Domestic workers are believed as the common Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that experience an abuse in the Middle East.

But don't worry! A news recently said that a new Saudi King Abdullah has promised justice for the victims and said that if you are not treated fairly, write him a letter. You can write His Highness either by e-mail or free post according to online news Emirates 24/7.

What is it like to live and work in the Middle East?

By Alon Calinao Dy: Middle East countries remain the top choice these days for many people who want to make a difference and experience a diverse environment. It is a rich learning experience for a variety of reasons:

Photo credit: Olive Bryan Padua (MOH Kuwait)

• Personal growth - Some say that relationships are not truthful in nature in the Middle East and when you are gone, some people whom you called friends would twist and disrespect you. This is a personal development as you become aware and knowledgeable on how to deal with different personalities. 
• Cultural experience - I have learned about different people, their cultures, and different nationalities. I enjoy talking and socializing with other nationals. But the most significant thing of all is respect. I have to respect their religion, views, and who they are as people.
• Save money - It is true that I dwell in a tax-free country with few expenses. The money I earned in the Middle East enabled me to support my family in the Philippines. That's why I'm so thankful for my monthly income.
• Skill and career development opportunities - I have established a good reputation as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). I am always positive, optimistic, and flexible at work. I am also open to new and exciting career options because I am not afraid to explore new things wherever opportunities lead me.
• Human rights awareness - The laws are not always evenly applied in the Middle East like some countries in Asia. It is true that it is better for you to shut your mouth and determine not to discover anything. But the good thing is, you begin to thoroughly understand your rights as a person against human rights abuses.

Photo credit: Marie Grace C. Lim

I don’t bear a single regret about the time I have spent in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. These countries unfold my eyes to see the real world and in better perspectives. I become open to fresh ideas, to new people and to different ways of doing things. 

In my stay in Kuwait, I have known Olive Bryan Padua  for more than two years who worked as a staff nurse in Ministry of Health. I also worked in the same profession in MOH, but that was months ago. I remember Bryan loved to sing and play guitar during his free time or rest day after work. He was industrious and still working too hard for his family. He is a wonderful person.

In the Gulf, you will encounter sandstorms that it is good for you to spend the whole day at home. You can actually do a lot of things on your own time and convenience at home. Chess is what I usually played with my buddy Julius Macabuhay whom I considered a great chess player and a grandmaster. I admit I always lost in a game when I played against him. 

If you love the sport of basketball, then my friend Sherwin Lim is the person you need to call. He is an easy-going, kind, and sports-minded person. Losing weight is not a big problem.

These are some of the things I normally did when I felt bored in Kuwait. I was so grateful that I had free furnished accommodation, transportation, paid annual leave, and a good income during my time.

I guess it always depends upon a person on how he/she considered his/her Middle East Experience. Personally, I have experienced many things and seen new parts of the world. Indeed, I have to show a deep respect to a wide range of nationalities despite differences in various aspects of life. 

Not only that, I have to sacrifice for my loved ones just like any OFW. I have to save my hard- earned money for potential emergencies or future use. I need to live a comfortable life and come up some alternatives where I can be with my children when they grow old. I believe everyone deserves a prosperous life.

Pinay OFW was in Trouble in Saudi After Posting Sexy Photos

By Alon Calinao Dy: Saudi Arabia's laws are so rigid when it comes to pornography or even sexy photos. One needs to understand that you cannot have a live-in partner in Saudi unless you are married. If found guilty, you might get lashed and serve a number of days in jail.

Wearing an Abaya, which is a loose garment that usually spreads over the whole body except face, hands, and feet, is part of the old tradition within the region. Every expat despite religious differences should respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of the Muslim people.

When it comes to sharing sexy photos in social media accounts, especially on Facebook, one needs to respect the kingdom’s conservative views. This is a word of advice for some Filipinos to avoid posting indecent pictures, so you could not jeopardize your job and your family's future in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior in coordination with the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice is looking for this woman who displayed sensual photos on her FB account. Saudi is also strict about homosexuality under Wahhabi interpretation of Islam.

In fact, this news is not new for some OFWs in the Middle East. Before you sign a said contract and enter into the Kingdom, there is an agreement listed there that you must abide by their laws. If you have chosen to work and live in this country, you must honor and follow Saudi Arabia's laws in order to be safe at all times.

Always remember your real goal, why you have worked abroad, and that is, to look for a greener pasture in life. Avoid doing some things you know should not be doing. Think about your family in the Philippines and most especially yourself. If you believe in good or bad karma, it genuinely exists...



P.S.

Please like my blog page on Facebook, so I could connect with you guys. Click here and like >>> Think The Brighter Side of Life

Not All OFWs Are Cheaters

By Alon Calinao Dy: I am a proud Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), a poetry lover, a blogger, an author, a sports writer, and a nurse by profession.

International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Due to high unemployment rates for Filipinos in the Philippines, especially for nurses, many workers tend to move out of the country for better opportunities. It is true that there are many competent Filipino workers, but they don't have chances to showcase their gifts and skills.

I recall after I graduated from college, I couldn't find a nursing job suitable for me even though I already passed the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam and international exams in the US. 

Until today it has been vivid in my mind that I underwent a bunch of trainings to many tertiary hospitals and I was the one who paid for my trainings instead of them paying me for my services. But it was alright because at that time I really wanted to provide my services to my countrymen without expecting in return.

After I acquired almost three years of experience at the Fatima University Medical Center, I determined to work abroad because life became tough for me. Although my parents were very supportive and kind, I made bold decision for myself to go on my path.

Ever since I have been an independent soul, my parents knew about it, trained me when I was a high school student in the seminary. Besides, because I want to marry my long-time girlfriend, who is now my loving wife, need to prove to everyone that I could stand on my own.

Thus I worked first in Saudi Arabia, then found a much better opportunity in Kuwait while I am currently waiting for my immigrant application in the US.

I found out about the cheating issues when I was an expat four years ago. Men and women are alike; they are merely humans who feel the urge like wild beasts. But remember, humans are not savage animals who have just escaped the cage. They know right from wrong; therefore, it wholly depends upon them if they are going to cheat on their wives and husbands.

For about five years I worked in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi and Kuwait, I encountered some bad men and women who are unfaithful to their loved ones. I don't know if they are only looking for fun and "Love and belonginess" by Maslow's Hierarchy.

Perhaps, they are simply at the developmental stage. I'm not certain. Or possibly, they need intimacy, which is the sixth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development that usually takes place between the ages of 19 and 40. Whatever the reason is, cheating is cheating. It is like stealing a small or large amount of money. The act itself is still stealing. 

Nevertheless, I would like to clear everything that not all OFWs are cheaters. I recognize they may feel lonely, homesick, ignored, unhappy, bored, thirst for love, but they can still think right for themselves. They still conduct good values they have learned from their own parents and respective schools. Overall, they hold a great fear towards God.

I detest people who think negative things. I don't know if these are their strategies to separate happy families. Beware of these sort of people. I just want to protect the poor families because not all they read or hear are true. They should fold their ears to some unreliable sources. I strongly encourage them to endure and trust their OFW families because they really need it.

And for those greedy, lying bastards and deceivers, get lost!

Certainly, male OFWs can have many adoring women. But the truth is, they are simply insecure. Their self -esteem is often extremely low. That is why they look for love and other lovers who fill those cracks. They look for sexy and beautiful adult females; they are dimmed by their sex drive. But what they don't have is the right thinking or judgement. 

And for those women who screw their husbands, wait, I think they are crazy and jerks!

A piece of advice: if sex is not enough for you, then you have applied whores. Sex is not important than love, although they are equally indispensable. When people grow old, they often don't need sex, but a companion who would love them till the end. A true love is difficult to find nowadays, especially if people don't deserve it. 

I don't desire to be rude or hurt anyone. I just want to be true to everyone. I have great concern for their families, as much as possible, they should stick together and defend one another.

Filipino Migrant Writers' Society in Kuwait

Some people can cook up stories to destroy some families, but if the foundation of every family is solid, no one can break them. But if it is like a rotten wood, then everything will turn into slices. 

As temptations are everywhere, people should not forget their real purpose why they work overseas, and that is, to support financially the basic needs of their kins. And most importantly, to express how much they love them in the extent to give their own happiness for them.

Moreover, for those people who have zilch to do with their life, but create only gossips, I pity them!

I need only one thing, please refrain doing undesirable deed towards others. These people are not public figures or celebrities who appear on the tv screens.  These are actual people who have families who depend upon them. These are real heroes who work long hours each day, even though they have demanding employers who always see their every mistake. 

They are OFWs who make sacrifices and left their own families in hopes that they would be able to give a shiny future for their loved ones. 

Yes, they are the ones who battle for homesickness, but then other people belittle, abuse, and defraud them with their twisted lies. 

They are true heroes, but most people don't appreciate everything they do for their family and country; consequently, they have been labeled as cheaters, pretenders, and other hurtful names.

My Saudi Arabia Experience

By Alon Calinao Dy: Saudi Arabia is a huge country and is considered as one of the richest countries in the world as Saudis rely mostly on their oil wealth and gas exports to avoid economic crisis. 

As of 2013, over 9 million expats of the world's estimated 29 million lived in Saudi Arabia. The cost of living in this country is relatively low and people enjoy a tax-free lifestyle.

I lived, worked, and learned so many interesting things about the real life in Saudi Arabia for a year and a half. At the beginning, I thought it would be extremely difficult for me to adjust and settle in this new country. I thought I would not last for a month since I heard from many expats that there was no social life in this Arab state. 

Although I was so damn bored when I first arrived in Saudi because I always thought of my loved ones I left back home, I've had friends who brought me mouthwatering food like best chicken kabsa.

Medical Ward Unit

Nurses on duty at International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Mark Almonte and me

I remember my friend named Mark Almonte who was the first person in Saudi Arabia who bought me a dinner. He was a good man, a friend by everyone in the hostel.

Melchor Flores

Jeremy Decamora

Then I met Jeremy and Mel. They were very friendly people who taught me a lot of things like going out, shopping, and other things I still didn't know. Jeremy was my roommate and I found him very funny person who loved to share his personal experiences. 

I really admired him for he loved his family so much, especially his two adorable children. I saw him once crying in the living room as he yearned for his family after his one month vacation in the Philippines.

International Medical Center (IMC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

I fell in love with this new state-of-the-art hospital. I had so many fond memories in medical ward unit and out-patient department. 

At the moment, I still remember my friends ma'am Marivic, Aireille, Lydia, Melrose, Elizabeth, Anne, Melrose, Noraina, Bevic, Maria Cristina, sir Joseph, Alvin, Francis, and many others. I would never ever forget those happy moments I was laughing so hard with them.

with Joseph Rosario

After we played basketball near IMC hospital, we went to Starbucks coffee house because we loved drinking our favorite coffee with great music, Wi-Fi, and everything. Indeed, Starbucks stores are everywhere. It is the largest company in the world, with thousand stores in many different countries.

So now, it is fictitious that there is no social life in Saudi Arabia as what other expatriates told me. Whether in Jeddah or Petro Rabigh, there are a lot of dinner parties, social gatherings, picnics, and other in-home events. There is no problem to get together with a group in this Arab state. 

Although there are some restrictions, there are known private beaches in Jeddah and Petro Rabigh to socialize with your friends and other people. Let's always remember to respect their culture and obey their laws.

When I was in Jeddah, fish market in Al-Balad was my favorite hangout every friday of the week since I loved eating different species of fish. I always purchased shark meat from a trusted vendor in Al-Balad as he had a lot of fresh goods and loyal buyers. 

Aside from that, there was also a fascinating place called Corniche where families and friends could gather for picnics and other recreational activities. I often visited this place to unwind from my stressful work. 

A Friendly Reminder:

Be careful if you are an unmarried man who plans to bring a female friend, as it is strictly prohibited by Saudi law unless she is your wife and you have a marriage certificate.