Pinoy and the Crab Mentality

I’ve never in my entire life expected that one day I’ll also be a victim of the Filipino crab mentality.  I mean, I’ve heard and read about it and a lot of my acquaintances have experienced it.  I just don’t think that it’ll happen to me.  But I was wrong.
 

Last week, for several days, a grumpy old Pinoy colleague of mine has been heckling me.  I just ignored it but last Wednesday, that’s the last day of our workweek here in the Kingdom of the Sands, he heckled me again.  That night, I retaliated and talked back saying that ‘Whatever it is, INGGIT lang iyan’.  Then the argument started.  However, the heckler came unprepared because the moment he raises an argument, I’d always say that the bottom line of his argument is INGGIT.  Since he run out of anything to throw to me because I would always go back to INGGIT kasi  INGGITERA ka, he resorted to name calling.  As what the respected Ilongga Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago would always say, rules on debate says no to name calling, argument should always be in the merit of the issue. 

It’s funny how some people would wage war without considering the consequences of their actions.  They never ever thought that their enemies might be ready for the face off.  I’ve mellowed recently, owning to the fact that I’ve matured a little but it doesn’t mean to say that I’ve lost my courage.  That grumpy old pinoy colleague of mine wanted war and I gave it to me.  I don’t have the habit of retreating to the war that I did not wage in the first place.  There are times when a man has to stand up and I did.  Basing on the merit of the arguments and my composure during the argument, Andrew says that hands down, I won the battle.

 

I will never apologize for all the blessings that I received today but I’m always thankful to God and to all the people who made it happen.  I will never apologize because I’ve worked hard for it.  I’m a humble person and I always remind myself not to be arrogant.  If the blessings that I receive offended some people, I will still not apologize for it.  I’ve been through hell last year and maybe, what I’m receiving now is God’s way of saying that ‘Son, I love you and I’ll always be on your side’. 

 

The thoughtless words that Pinoy colleague of mine uttered did not hurt me the least.  Words cannot hurt me anymore.  I’ve been through hell before and I’ve been through the worst.  I’m stronger than they think.  I stood up that day and I’m proud of myself. 

Letter to Dad

Dear Dad,

Last 16 March 2012 was your 8^th Death Anniversary.  Wherever you are, I hope you’re okay.  Until now, I still could not believe that you’re gone.  Eight years had gone by too fast.  The more I think about it the more I missed your presence.  There are times that tears would just fall and I know because I missed you.  This year was a challenge for our family.  I think we’re crumbling.  We could not understand mother at all.  She’d changed a lot. 

Inday Bam has to leave because she was fed up.  When you left us, Inday Bam tried her best to fill in your shoes.  She worked hard for the farm and had to face all the problems that you left behind.  It wasn’t easy for her.  She gave up her career and the chance to get married.  She sacrificed herself for our farm and for us her siblings.  She may admit it to you or not but I guess there were regrets in her heart.  I don’t have the heart to stop her.  I’ve stopped her once and I don’t want her to spend her life for others any longer.  I admit that I was once selfish because I forced her to stay.   I don’t want her anymore to spend her life with regrets.

I love Mom but we can’t anymore understand her.  She can only think of her youngest son at the expense of others.  Her preferential treatment to her youngest son has wreaked havoc to the family.  She makes decisions without thinking that it would affect my other siblings.  I’ve been away for too long and I’ve seen the world.  I’ve grown too and I can’t tolerate unjustness.  I won’t abandon her though but my siblings and I have come to a consensus.  We’re giving her tough love.

Dad, I still wish you’re with us (Gosh, I’m teary eyed again).  You’ll know what to do with us.  We really miss your presence (free flowing tears).  There are times that life is tough here but I couldn’t leave.  I have to bear it because believe it or not, I haven’t saved enough.  I’ll still have to provide for mom and for some of my siblings who needed my support.  When times are tough, I could only think of your last words, that you’re worried that I may start from the scratch if I leave my company. 

Dad, you’ll be very proud of me because of my recent promotion.  I’ve worked really hard Dad, to get this promotion.  Thank you for instilling the value of hard work in me while I was growing up.  I hope that I’ve lived up to your expectations.  I promise, I’ll honor this job and I promise more to work harder for the people who believe in me.

It’s been 8 years since you’re gone but the pain is still there.  I’ve realized now that it wouldn’t go, just as long as your memory is in my heart.  Dad, please protect our family and the people who helped and will continue to help us.  I pray that you’re happy wherever you are right now.

Your loving son,

Steps in Changing of Profession – Saudi Arabia

About two weeks ago, our Administration Department issued a circular compelling us all to change our profession.  This is also in response to the Ministry of Labor’s new regulation requiring all companies that their employees should possess the same job title as per their issued iqama.

 

I was at a loss at first because even the people from our Administration Department don’t know the process of they just have difficulty in explaining the requirements.  I’ve asked a lot of people around and I have different reply every time I asked for the requirements.

I decided, out of desperation to ask International Skills Development (ISD), our agent in Manila on the basic requirements of the profession change.  Luckily, I got the reply from Ms. Lorna Calimag. 

Profession change entails a lot of work and they are:

1.    Request a Certified True Copy of your Transcript of Record / Diploma from the University where you graduated.

2.    Submit the Certified True Copy of your Transcript of Record / Diploma to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in the Region where your University is located for Authentication.

3.    Submit the Authenticated Certified True Copy of your Transcript of Records / Diploma that were released from the University and CHED to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for Authentication (Red Ribbon).

4.    Submit to International Skills Development (ISD) the Authenticated Transcript of Records / Diploma from the University, CHED and DFA.  ISD will assist in the Authentication to the Saudi Embassy.

According to ISD, Steps Nos. 1-3 should be done by your relatives.

If you’re based in Saudi Arabia, you have to send an authorization letter to the person who’s going to process your document.  He could be a friend or a relative, stating why you need the document and the person you’re authorizing.  The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) requires a notarized authorization letter so the authorization that you sent through fax or email should be notarized first otherwise they’ll not entertain your request.

From CHED, you will not be able to get the authenticated Transcript of Records / Diploma since they’ll be forwarding the document through a courier (DHL) directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).  You’ll only have to pay the amount and give the return address so that your document will be sent back to you.

On CJ Corona

I have so many things to do but so little time.  This is the price that I have to pay for my new role.  But, I have no regrets.  It’s all worth it.  I’ve been very active in the social networking sites particularly on the Groups that support CJ Corona.  The good thing with the social networking sites is that your comments are reflected real time.  Being active in the social networking sites compensate in the absence of new posting for my own blog.  I’m not abandoning my blog though.  I never will. LOL.

I will not discuss the technicalities of the impeachment proceedings.  I’m not a lawyer and I never will be one.  The PORK-secution panel, composed of TONGressmen who were bribed by Malacanang of their pork barrels in order to impeach CJ Corona, has finally rest their case and presentation of evidence.  The impeachment court is now on a 12 day recess to give time for the Defense Panel to prepare for their evidence.  You don’t need to be a lawyer to know that the Porksecutors has no case against the Chief Justice.  Their impeachment complaint was hastily done with the sole purpose of only pressuring the CJ to resign.  They never thought that the CJ would stick to his gun and defend himself in the proper forum.

That explains why the Porksecutors, Malacanang and the Yellow Media are resorting to trial by publicity.  Thinking that Senator-Judges will be swayed and vote to convict CJ Corona.  A couple of Senator Judges mentioned that the Impeachment proceeding is a political process and that their votes will be according to the people’s sentiments.  The large showing of support of the Iglesia ni Cristo on 28 February 2012 bible rally is a political game changer.  INC has publicly withdrawn their support to Dictator Abnoy. They wanted the rule of law respected.  INC, with its political significance can really change the minds of re-electionist Senators to vote for acquittal.

 

I can’t wait for the Defense to present their evidence.  They’ve done well throughout the proceeding.  I’m sure they will not bungle their case just like what the porksecutors did.  Good luck to CJ Corona’s Defense team!