Life is not so empty after all.

By Ate Syl , Aglantzia

Immediately after coming out from the university, I worked in 3 different private companies in Manila one after the other for ten years. I was 31 when I got too bored to do paper works for a meager salary, so I was already considering shifting to another direction, career-wise. “God orders our stops as well as our steps”- (numbers 9:19).

Meanwhile, my husband and I have desperately exhausted all efforts and means just to conceive a baby but after 11 years of marriage, we did not have even one. By then my marriage was already going downhill because of that missing factor- a child. I started going abroad to appease myself. First venture was in Taiwan, but lasted only a year. I discovered that my body was not yet prepared to endure the hardwork of scrubbing, mopping, polishing the 5-storey building that I landed to, aside from taking care of a 9 month old baby boy. After a year, I tried one more time to go away, this time to Hongkong. Just 3 months into my 2 years contract, my husband confessed that he had got someone else, who was already 5 months pregnant. (buntis na pala noong hindi pa ako nakakaalis). This crashed me to rock bottom, I was totally devastated. (“I searched with all my heart to know if God was really there; He graciously revealed himself, His mercy, love and care”- (James 5;11). I turned to my employer for comfort hoping that she would understand what I was going through. She was after all a wife, a mother, who coudnt feel the pain of being betrayed. Thankfully she offered her shoulders to cry on, so to speak, her arms around me, patted my back and some comforting words. In 3 months time I was up to my feet, thanks to the power of love, care and concern of my employers, of prayers, my family and most of all to God who took good care of everything or me in those times of excruciating struggles that happened one after the other. Life was not so empty after all. Meanwhile, I finally decided that we part ways, to serve us better individually and personally. I focused myself on the job, helped finance the schooling of my elder brother ’s sons and daugthers who were taking up medicine and computer science respectively, while sending money to my ageing mother and father regularly. After 7 years in HK, I went back home, but not for good, not at this time yet. Thought I still have plenty of life left. My elder sister also have 4 children, two were still in high school. I said to myself, how could someone refuse to help all these helpless bloods who needed a fairy godmother in order to reach their goals?” I did not want to be parked, either, so for the last chance I packed some clothes and off came to Cyprus. At present, these children are already professionals in their own right. A doctor, two nurses, (all take one board- passers,) an engineer and two computer science professionals. It is nice to feel the scent of fulfillment to see these blood succeed due to the diligence of their widow / childless auntie who was able to survive and surpass all the trials that she encountered, who worked all her life to share her unselfish love for the success of each one in the family. (“Poverty was not allowed to prevail, instead God reigned and drove our lives to gain.”)

Currently I am still here in Cyprus trying to pull strength and limits hoping that some of the remaining dreams will be realized before I go home for good. (“Never be afraid to entrust the unknown future to the all- knowing God.”) – (Hebrew 11:8-12)

(With children who are 2010 graduates!)

Sample below, are the photos of Scarlet Tugbo’s daughter Sharmaine Avancena (group pic) with Coco Martin who is an alumnus of Capitol Institute, Talipapa, Quezon City. Sharmaine received an award as Outstanding Leader in DBC, 1st Runner Up in Badminton which Coco Martin handed over to her.

(you are lucky if you can identify where Coco Martin is…:)

By Carmen LlauderesIs running away a solution to our work-related problems? Let’s find out from some who experienced being runaways. In an interview with Gina Grancho from the Divine Mercy Prayer Group in Nicosia she said that, ‘’I was only working for 6 months in Larnaca. I left when I got the chance due to the sexual harassment of my employer’s son. I cleaned 3 houses, one for my employer’s and 2 for their children. Another issue was lacked of food. I reported and stayed at the St. Joseph Social Center for 2 months. My employer gave immediate release afterwards. Later, I found a very good employer whom I work happily for 4 years already.

A friend whose name is withheld kept herself for 2 years in her employer’s house before running away. According to her, “I saved money before leaving them in case I might not get a new job or in case I would go back to Philippines. I left due to the strong violation of the employment contract,” she emphasized. “I knew that I would be working with only 4 people but I am serving 7 individuals. I have improper accommodation, insufficient food and I was working unhappily.”So after planning carefully with prayer I left them to fight for my right as a foreign worker. I went and stayed at the St. Joseph Social Center and made a report about my case. Shortly I went to the immigration office to complain. After a thorough investigation I was given a release and found a good employer whom I enjoy working with. I have freedom at work and the terms and conditions of my employment contract are being followed.Another Filipina who requested anonymity also shared her story. “I have no plans of running away. I just have decided not to go back to my employer’s house after one of my regular Sunday’s-off due to too much work. I was at the St. Joseph Social Center when my employer called and it was already 9pm and they were very worried about me. When they learned that I was at the center and made a report to the officer-in-charge, there were discussions followed. Later my employer also agreed to release me and I have found a better employment. Since I left my previous employer until today we still have a good communication and relationship and I am very grateful to them for their understanding.Mary and Madeleine from the Charismatic Community decided to leave their employers’ houses after working for 9 and 11 months respectively. Mary said that her boss the madam in particular is a perfectionist and meticulous employer as if all she does is not acceptable to her, there were lots of work loads and she was totally unhappy with them. While Madeleine emphasized that her madam abused her verbally and physically and was very sad at work. Both went to a friend’s house for help and shelter while they processed their complaints at the immigration office. Later they were allowed to look for another employment and now working happily with their respective employers.

Dearest Joy,Sorry for my lack of input these last few weeks, but we have been very busy what with the Easter break. Anyway I read all your articles and what I wanted to comment about is the two incidents regarding Filipinas, both have one thing in common…boyfriends. The first one, as I’ve learned, had three, and died because of it. The second one, she was a runaway whom I told on many occasions to be careful. I said to her to act normal, meaning go to work in the morning, come back at night, and only go out on the week end when all the other DHs go out. But what did she do, went out during the week with a boyfriend who is illegal and entered a flat full of illegals. Usually, people in the area will report this, especially if they want the flat to give to someone else. She as you said will never recover, ” What price of a boyfriend she got!” It does not matter if a Filipina has a boyfriend, but what they must remember is that they are just that… boyfriends NOT asawa. Many times I help Filipina at the social centre and many times the fact that they have a boyfriend dictates to them what job they want, live in or live out. Its always live out, and I say to them that if your boyfriend really loves you then he will be satisfied to see you once a week, if the job is live in. Having a bf is not the grass being greener, but the mountain more higher to climb.

Regards,
Pambos

So, how can you get to stay in Cyprus?

By Ate Syl – (Aglantzia)

I ran away. I made the decision and reaped the consequence. Shortly before coming to Cyprus, many things were shaped and planned. I was already 51 then but faith led me to believe that I still have life left despite my age. Considering that it would be my last chance to work abroad as a domestic helper, I hoped that the next years could bring good results. As I set foot on Gulf air bound for Cyprus on October 5, 2004, my mind was fixed and determined. I have nothing but strength, faith and prayers that everything will turn out right as planned.

Madam was seven months pregnant to a second child at that time, the first baby was a girl who is two years and six months.”I’d be looking after two children,” and so I thought. The first few weeks were fine. Madam seemed to be quiet, while Sir was a one- word man. Her big round eyes kept on rolling and glancing at me while I moved about the house, typical to someone who just received a total stranger who would be living with her under one roof for a period of time. Little did I know that I would be consumed with restlessness and stress all period of working with the family.

Soon after the baby was born, the hell in the house broke loose. Madam was after all a mouthy one. She would scream at me the highest decibed over a petty mistake, or whenever things did not go her way. I usually started my day at four in the morning then worked through twelve midnight, non-stop. Day off was never on sight, not even the statutory holiday entitlement. Every working holiday was treated as an ordinary day. After one whole year, day off was on request that lasted only four hours, just enough for a church visit, then ran around to shop for whatever personal necessity needed till my next day off. The next was unpredictable.

One ordinary day-off, someone suggested to me to run away. When and how, I had to think one more time, about the substantial risk that lie ahead. Questions in mind like: if I leave my employer, where shall I go, will I be able to find new one? What if while straying along the streets, be spotted and caught by a police, am I prepared to be detained then fly home penniless? My passport, pink paper (visa), and bankbook were kept by them. How about my dream house, schooling of my nephews and nieces and the questioning looks of my neighbors if they see me back soon? All these and more purposes why I came here played in mind. But if I stay put, will I be able to survive for three more years (contract duration) considering that I was not getting enough rest, not even enough food. My body mass drastically fell in just few months. My next day off was carefully planned and yes, prepared for the risk. I had decided to leave after one and a half year of working for them, but not without complications. My ex employer refused to issue me a release paper, but a new employer took me in while waiting for the decision of the migration office (hopefully in my favor?). I was on the run for whole year before finally granted to stay in Cyprus, thanks to the intervention of my new employer, Mr. Platon Christodoulides who went straight to the office of the Minister of Interior for the reconsideration of my case.

We should not run away as it pleases us, without sufficient and valid reasons, else we end up on the loose, always on the guard looking over our shoulders if immigration policemen are behind, tailing us. Fortunate that im now reaping the good consequence of running away years ago, lucky enough to be working for an employer who is very kind and understanding, who gives the privilege to manage time to do the chores at my own pace. What was incredible was that not only did my employer teach me to save while sending money to my kids but also encouraged to build my dream house by lending some amount for a start. Now while dreams and plans turning out rightfully shaped, I will be able to go home in due time feeling good and accomplished. Thanks to my employer for whom I have been working for 4 ½ years now, and I will remain forever be indebted for his goodness.

Ang

Overseas Filipino Volunteers in Cyprus (OFVC) ay patuloy na nagpapakahusay sa paghubog ng kanyang oryentasyon bilang isang volunteer group. Kayat minabuti ng mga miyembro at sampu ng ilang partner groups ang mag hold ng Leadership and Teambuilding Workshop Seminar. Sa tulong ng Philippine Overseas Labor Office at OWWA, kami ay nabigyan ng isang araw na training ukol sa pamumuno at pagpapatatag ng isang organisasyong tumutulong sa mga OFWs sa Cyprus. Ito ay ginawa sa Centrum Hotel noong ika- 5 ng Abril, Easter Monday kung saan day off naman ng fifteen (15 ) participants.

Si Welfare Officer Josephine Sanchez- Tobia ang nagbigay ng kabuuang workshop kung saan mga group dynamic activities ang pinagawa sa amin. Ang ating Welfare Officer nga pala ay experienced creative facilitator sa mga trainings on Leadership & Teambuilding since 1980. Si Labor Attaché Atty. Jaime Gimenez ang naging resource person sa Leadership subject.

Ito ay bagong experience para sa aming OFWs dahil ngayon lang kami naka attend ng ganitong seminar na merong games at moral lesson kung saan ang aming mga objectives for the seminar ay nasasagot. Meron pa kaming creative works na ginawa para matukoy ang aming weak and strong points sa human behaviour. Balak ng OFVC na ito ay ma replicate sa ibang cities tulad ng Pafos, Larnaca at Limassol para sa mga ibang grupo doon not necessarily OFVC lang.

Mahalaga ang natutunan namin sa seminar tulad ng basic leadership traits, characteristics at mga guiding points in becoming a good leader. Pati self assessment sa pagiging leader ay nalaman namin through the Q&A na binigay ng facilitator. Napakaganda rin ang na undergone naming activity games for the team-building dahil dito na established ang trust and listening skills ng mga participants. Kaya naman pag labas namin from the workshop ay na reenergized kami at may focus sa patutunguhan ng aming mga tasks.

Maari nating imbitahin uli ang POLO para magkaroon pa ng ganitong activities sa ibat ibang grupo or cities para mapahusay pa natin ang pag organisa at pagtulong sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan.