My first OFW adventure as factory worker in Saudi Arabia

I was turning 23 years old at that time in 4 months, we have been informed by neighbour friend sister Sharlene that a company has been looking for contractors or labour going to Saudi Arabia for work, then I was urgently chosen and we applied together with another neighbouring wich I become my friends from Brgy. Pasngal and other barangay. We are 6 who processes our papers and we have been urgently called for meetings and process making in Manila with the agency we have been applying but right now the agency have been Ban today so I can't state the name, maybe because it was now removed on POEA accredited agencies. We all passed the training exam and paper examinations, medicals and PIDOS the last seminar where we are informed and advise what to do and what not to do when we're working in Saudi Arabia because many people already know this if you don't know Saudi Arabia is one of the most sensitive and conservative countries in the world, but good news just this year they announced and I read in a newspaper they are going to OPEN the country for foreign influencers or "OPEN COUNTRY" like Dubai and other Arab nations, I thought this will never ganna happen, but hopefuly they are going to open the country for visitors wider because I think they are running out of oil and they can't forever base their wealth into gas or oil only, Ok let's proceed to my story - We've paid a lot for the application like 10,000 pesos for the recruiter and I will never forget that it's really bad but it's ok because I know that's her expensive talent fee, so we're 6 and everyone pays 10k so in total she got 60k and more on her big catch. Other's sell there livelihood carabao just to go abroad, that's very sad. It's my first time actually to ride in an aeroplane, very excited and confuse a little bit, My mother gave me 6,000 pesos I remember that and I change to the money changer so I can use RIYAL for my first month of working there. So much people came to our house just to tell me "INGAT" take care in English, I was thankful everyone supported me, then the journey begins, we flew afternoon maybe around 11:30 in the morning then we arrived at the airport in King Fahad International Airport early morning, we actually waited 3 hours after some people came and validate our visa and passport, that's ridiculous. When we got outside I didn't expect the weather it's so-called a December winter months yeah it's December 16, 2012, early morning we have been picking up by a company driver to send us to the company accommodation of course, and we met a lot of other workers, then Brother Marlou came the husband of sister Sharlene who helped us for the processes, yeah the one who took our expensive TF hehe.

On the exact month just a few days before Christmas they planned for a big celebration as we arrive 13 or more.

December 24, 2012 

Yeah, we enjoy the night and the Christmas, all Filipinos and some other nationalities join too. 

Do you see the one who's a wearing a jersey in a jacket at the left? I never expected that guy become my best friend until I was transferred to another city in Dammam in 2016, then we never met again, just on facebook

Billy boy! he's in Canada right now, very lucky, I'm talking to the man wearing dark blue and yellow short 2nd to the left

I thought we are only 6 who will be going in a single trip but other workers also ride with us so we are not the only 6 people arrive at the company, they are also from Pampanga, Bicol and other parts of the Philippines we only get to know each other when we're in that aeroplane flying. That was a good trip and a very big plane, I think that was the Boeing 747-468

I have been struggling in the winter at that time, really cold and I only have 1 jacket but I think that time I should wear 3 jackets that's how really cold in Saudi Arabia when winter, but it's also very hot in summer and moderate months start from March, April and May are the summers, then June July has normal temperatures and August September October is very hot with extreme humidity, Every day we do the same routine for 2 years starting from waking up in the morning, shower, then eating our breakfast then into the factory with the shuttle bus. After work, we go to the Bakala or Market to buy staff and foods to cook for dinner then a little internet browsing after eating after that we sleep then it repeats again and again, however, every payout days we go shopping and bonding with another co-worker away from work so we can refresh our minds and body in a day.

The first mobile cellphone I brought for my self, I send money in the Philippines for my mother and little things we Filipino usually do.

Years past I develop my self and confidence, I got many friends helps and I feel not alone because of them, we show everyone kindness like brothers and sisters, going abroad when you are single is better because I see some of them struggling controlling situations like wife angriness because they thought in the Philippines there husband here is playing around and courting other women which is impossible, what a sad moment for them, anyway that's not my story I just wanna share so you know.

2013 exchange rate was 1 riyal is = to 11-12 pesos sometime it came down tremendously, then it goes up which we are happy when to happen, of course, the higher the value the higher they receive 

So this is a sample receipt from Enjaz bank when you send through Western Union

And this a sample receipt when you send using Wire Transfer

In 2014, we are very happy because Enjaz Bank just open a remittance bank in our location which is in Sanaya 2, which means 2nd Industrial City Dammam, before we do go in the city just to send our remittances and shop at the same time but for does who just want to send their money to the Philippines, they will no longer be tired as I remember right now and telling you this. In that location, they also open a new Market which is cleaner as new and more mosque has been established, fish market and a lot of restaurants, oh I almost forgot there is also a Filipino restaurant there when I leave the place in 2016, I was promoted then to the office, then they transferred me in a hotel in Rastanura which I started a new journey to a new world again.

What you see above picture is the Mudon lake in Sanaya 2/2nd industrial city in Dammam.

This picture took in 2014 at Dammam Corniche

I was happy that I was transferred that was august which is very humid and I was saved from humidity because the workplace was airconditioned and it's really funny for who relates right now.

I start my day with a prayer and executing a job of a receptionist is not that easy and a secretary of the CEO and an HR all over because the hotel has lack of employees so I do my best to be the leader in that hotel named: Rastanura Luxury Suites

Ang kuwento ng isang OFW na mahilig mag travel

Ang baryo ng Ginwal ay isa sa pinakamalaking barangay, dito nakatira ang ating bida na si Jayson, 25 years old na at wala pang asawa, marami siyang pangarap at gusto nitong mag abroad or mangibang bansa dahil sa kahirapan at siempre dahil sa mas mataas ang sahod nito kung bibigyan siya ng offer from the foreign employe.

Isang araw naisip ni Jayson na bakit kaya hindi siya mag abroad, "nakakainggit kasi mga pinsan ko na stewards at nagtatrabaho sa barko, kung saan saan sila napoponta, iba ibang bansa"

Nag apply si Jayson sa isang agency sa maynila, lumuwas siya dahil ito ang binigay na payo ng kanyang mga pinsan ang mga unang nag abroad, Nakahanap naman si Jayson ng agency hindi lang isa o dalawa kundi nag pasa siya kung saan saan yung merung available na bakante para makapagtrabaho sa barko, pero sa kasamaang palad hindi naging madali ang kanyang pag aaply dahil na dukotan ito ng cellphone, sa ngayon hindi na niya ma contact ang kanyang mga pinsan, umuwi na agad ito at nag pahinga, nag-hintay siya ng isang lingo upang matawagan kung papalarin na makuha, isang araw may tumawag sa kanya at sabi'y "ano kamusta na application mo ang sabi ng pinsan" wala pa eh! nadukotan ako cellphone dito ka muna tumawag inzan, maya maya lang pag baba nito ng cellphone na iaabot sana sa may ari at biglang may tumawag ulit, tumawag ang isa pa niyang pinsan, Jay ano na balita sa inaaplyan mo? "wala eh wala pang tumatawag na agency" ah ok cge ibibigay ko tong address na to ha isulat mo" cge cge ano address?

Makalipas ang apat na buwan na paghihintay.
Muling nag ponta ng maynila si Jayson upang mag apply ulit, "Ikaw ba si Jayson Sensitibo?" Yes po, "ah ok cge, opo ka muna diyan" salamat po.

Dumating ang interviewer, next kana ang sabi ng babae - Introduce your self, pagkatapos ng interview kinuha ng interviewer ang kanyang passport.

Natapos ang interview ni Jayson 30 minutes ang nakalipas, makikita ang tuwang tuwang mukha ng binata sa kanyang mukha, "Congratulation ang sabi ng babae"

Tumawag si Jayson sa kanyang pinsan, Inzan na interview na ako! Oh ano nangyari? hindi ko alam eh ang sabi lang naman ay balik daw ako next week i sesend na lang daw mga dapat gawin tas kinuha yung passport ko eh" ha! wow ayun oh, tangap kana inzan!" ah talaga? ganun ba yun, nako matutuwa nanay ko!...

Umuwi si Jason sa provincia, Nay! tangap na ako makaka alis na ako, makakaponta nako abroad" makaka pag ipon nako pang travel" ang bulong nito sa sarili.

Makalipas ang ilang linggo, natapos lahat ni Jayson ang kanyang medical check, other requirements o trainings, Pidos at iba pa, makalipas din ng dalawang araw pag katapos ng kanyang Pidos, ay lilipad na ito papontang PALAU, hindi ito natuwa dahil ang akala niya ay sa barko siya mapoponta, saka lang niya nalaman noong huling intervention na niya sa agency, doon din niya nalaman ang totoong salary rate nito na hindi parehas sa kanyang mga contrata, bagaman ganun ang nangyari nag papasalamat parin ito at tinangap ang offer.

Nay iwan ko na kayo ni Mik-mik, sabay halik sa pisngi ng kanyang ina at yakap kasama ang kapatid na lalaki "Kuya ingat ka ha, wag mo kakalimutan mga sinabi ko" Oo pag nag sahud ako padadalhan agad kita pambili mo ng cellphone" Yes! may pang ML nako, ang bulong ng kapatid sa sarili"

"Ganito pala sa eroplano" ang sabi niya sa katabing first time din, saan ang destination mo pare? ang tanong niya sa katabi, ah PALAU din, Ano trabaho mo don? ah mag waiwaiter ako" ah ganun ba, Jayson pala [shake hands] Mikay.

Nag patuloy ang kuwentohan hangang bumaba na ang eroplano sa kanilang destination, Welcome to PALAU.

"Oy ayun ang pangalan ko" Jayson Sensitibo, That's me! sumakay siya sa sasakyan at dinala ito sa kanyang matutuloyan, natulog ito at nag pahinga. "You have to sleep for a couple of 2 hours, please set your alarm and then you're going to meet the owner for an interview and also don't forget to smile when you meet her, Ok? yes sir"

Muling nasalang sa mahabang usapan mula sa may ari si Jayson, dahil isa ito sa magiging supervisor ng Restaurant sa hotel na kanyang pinasukan ang King Island Hotel, Hindi naging madali ang kanyang trabaho sa simula dahil siempre nag aadjust pa ito at hindi ito nakikita ang kanyang mga magulang at ang kapatid ganun din ang mga kaibigan nito sa pilipinas.

Lagi itong tumatawag sa kanyang mga magulang, "Oh kamusta na kayo jan?" Ok lang kami anak lumalaki na business ng tatay mo nag branch out ulit siya, ang dami may gusto ng FRANKS N' BURGERS 1M na kinikita ng tatay mo, "yabang naman niya pano magiging 1M eh pangalawa palang yan hahaha lol"

Makalipas ang isang taon sa PALAU nag bakasyun na si Jayson, Muli niyang nayakap ang mga magulang at kapatid, at doon nag New Year.

"Nay aalis muna ako gusto kong mamasyal ng vietnam"Ah cge anak mag iingat ka diyan, hindi ba diyan yung maraming rebelde at nag rarally? " ay hindi nay sa Hongkong yon"

Tignan dito ang Airfare papontang Vietnan
Unang bansa sa pangarap Vietnam Check ✅

"Ganda naman dito, andaming chicks ang papangit nga lang parang mga prostitute, Ang ingay ng Airasia di na ako sasakay doon sa susunod, mag cecebu pacific or PAL na lang"

"Ganda ng hotel" nag patuloy ito sa pamamasyal kinabukasan, marami siyang nakitang mga magagandang tanawin tulad ng Ninh Binh at Sa Pa, hindi naging magastos si Jayson dahil nagtitipid ito para sa susunod nitong destination sa singapore, marami siyang nadiscobreng mga ibaibang pagkain sa vietnam tulad ng Vietnamese Noodle Soup (Pho), Summer Rolls / Fried Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon / Nem Ran), at ang Baguettes (Banh Mi) napontahan din niya ang mga malalaking lugar na tulad ng Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, at Haiphong

Hindi siya nag sawa sa mga pag kain, hindi rin nag sisi dahil sa subrang tuwa nito sa mga nakikilala at nakakausap, friendly people naman ang mga tao doon. Siguradong safe ang travel mo dahil may mga nag momonitor sa mga foreigner na nag tra-travel doon.

Marami siyang gustong pontahan at ayun nga tatlong bansa ang kanyang napontahan sa isang buwan na bakasyun gumastos ito ng mahigit 50,500 pesos sa kayang Vietnam, Singapore at Boracay travel, naging vlogger na rin ito at may sariling channel.

Nakagastos ito ng 20k sa vietnam, 15k sa singapore at 15,500 naman sa boracay. bago siya umaalis ng bansa o sa lugar nila bago mag travel sinisigurado niyang tama ang mga information na kanyang mga na re-research sa intertnet, bago ito umaalis nag pla plano at nag iipon, Kailangan niyang kausapin ang banko niya na aalis siya upang maka pag withdraw sa ibang bansa, nililista lahat ang gastos at inu-audit ang sarili.

Muling bumalik si Jayson sa PALAU upang mag ipon ulit para sa sariling kinabukasan, itoy dahil pinayuhan na ng kanyang ina na mag ipon para sa kanyang magiging sariling pamilya kung mag aasawa na ito sa susunod na bakasyun.

Dito na nagtatapos ang kuwento ni Jayson, maraming salamat sa pag babasa.