Thoughts Back Home

It is almost nine years now since I started working overseas. And from the moment I received my first cheque I have been conscientiously sending some of my hard earned money to my family. It feels good every time I get a response from my love ones, somewhat I am a hero at home. I’ve been hearing stories from other OFW who tried their best in helping relatives back in the Philippines. Most of them were doing this noble acts for many years now and don’t expect anything back but, just a hope that someday the beneficiaries will become self-sufficient.

It seems that there is a never ending financial crisis to our relatives at home. There are plenty of nephews, nieces and grandchildren that wanted to attend colleges. There are siblings asking for assistance so they can afford to send their family members overseas for jobs. There are some who asked for money to maintain their lifestyle or just to show off and boast to their neighbors.

There are too many similar stories of relatives we helped start their businesses. Some presented really good business plans and the potential of good returns. It may not be a new idea but a copy of those who were successful. They made it sound so good that most of us were convinced and bought their plans. We did not bother to check their experience or ability to run such business.

Somehow we took money from our savings or got loans to help finance these investments. In some cases they bought some land to be planted with rice or various fruit trees. Other times it can be fish farms or poultry. Most often it will be a venture in the transportation business. It may involve buying a jeepney, a mini van, or even a tricycle so they could make some money right away but, who’s driving? What about the maintenance or minor repairs? Did you expect the Boss to do all that? It may have worked fine for a year or two but later it was a source of headaches for the rich financiers overseas. Nothing was saved for maintenance and eventually the vehicles were sold to pay for their accumulated debts.

Some of us bought land for our relatives but, we forgot one thing. They don’t want to be farmers anymore but, to be managers or business owners. They can’t even grow their own vegetables. They would rather buy some at SM City with your money. The rich soil in their yard may be suited for any plant but why bother when relatives from abroad send them money regularly. All they have to do is call or send text messages on their latest model cellular phones purchased with your money.

Fortunately, their will be a few relatives who cared about your hard earned money. They tried their best make your efforts worthwhile and made you proud. Their kids earned college degrees and landed decent jobs. Some became successful business persons. They were self-sufficient and even helped other relatives break the cycle of poverty. Helping other people is a very gracious deed but are we doing it the right way? Do you feel guilty enjoying a superior life here so you keep sending them handouts? Have you changed their lives for the better or turned them into a lifetime dependents? Maybe we can teach them how to fish instead of just giving them the fish. What would you do?

Thank you Bobot for such enlightening facts.

On Mother's Day

Happy Mothers day to everyone!

This Sunday, don’t forget to greet our wonderful mother in the world.
Do something special by showing your love to your dear mother. Send her a card, call, send text messages or give them that simple hug. To them, such gesture is good enough and does matters a lot them.
So dear Mother, Happy Mothers Day
The Love, Care, Guidance and Affection…thank you
You have enriched my life. I don't think I can Thank You enough.
I Am So Grateful To You....

Some Lesson Learned

You have noticed on the changes on my site’s theme. I decided to give it a face-lift and do some major changes. This time for the better and I am going green (let us save the earth). I still couldn’t find of a better background so for the time being I will stay on this one. Hope you like it.

Years back when I was still working in HongKong I tried to go into business. After several pitfalls, piggery and mango spraying, the rest were successful, profits were earned and the money invested were recovered (sigh of relief).

Important lesson learned over these years are (for OFWs). There was survey from Inquirer that 76 percent of OFW fail to succeed in their business. Reasons to name a few were the money ended up borrowing by our relatives.

You must learn how to manage time, money, and people. I say have an ample amount of patience.

Any dealings regardless if it is your relatives, brother or sister, put it in black, i.e. put everything on paper/record. Have them notarized.

Never ever extend loan without collaterals. When giving out loan, don’t provide a thousand, give them tens of thousands - and secure for an appropriate collateral! Land, house and lot, farms, or an existing business are necessary. If they are your relatives, and you are an OFW, and you loaned them some money without any collaterals, sorry but think of it as a donation.

When you come home and you have tons of money - pretend that you don't have them. Let your money sleep for months in banks - until good and cheap opportunities present themselves.

When you go into business, always be creative, and watch your market, and your competitor constantly.

And once you learned, and have thought your money to do the working for you. I can guarantee that no matter how much you got - you will always be out of capital. Seek financing somewhere else.

Seek your people's knowledge - they, most of the time, know more about the business than you!

Be generous and give to charities.

Take care of your health, do a regular exercise. We are all getting old.

Last and most of all, don’t forget to look above and thank Him
for all our Blessings.

Healing that heart

It hurts to love. It’s sad but often true. You give your love to that person and in return you receive rejection. Someone you deeply trust betrays your love. Or, perhaps someone tells you he doesn’t love you anymore. Yes, love or the loss of it badly hurts. In fact, a broken heart can sometimes hurt so badly you never want to open your heart to love again.

But you must remember this, the greatest love of all is waiting for you to open your heart to Him. He loved you even before you were born. With his love, he will never let you down. He loves you like the way you are. And he has big dreams for you.

The love of your life is God, and there is only one thing standing between you and Him. Your sin.

All of us have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Yet God loves us and wants to offer a new life of hope. He wants to free us from sin, walk with us daily through good times and bad, and give us eternal life with Him.

To give us this ultimate gift of love, God made a way through His Son, Jesus Christ. God proves his love and while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

We receive a gift by faith alone. And by Grace we are saved through faith, and this is not from ourselves, it is God’s gift. Not from works, so that no one can boast.
Faith is a decision of our heart, demonstrated by turning toward God and away from sin.

If we are choosing right now to believe Jesus died for our sins and through Him receive a new life filled with unconditional love, say a prayer, accepting Him and thanking Him for our new life.

The Snow

Snow this year came so early than I least expect. It poured out heavier each day, together with its cool, blowing of the wind. Its breeze flashed through my lonely face as I beheld the snow flakes fall. Looking through my room window, the snow spread quickly through the streets and covered the houses, trees, cars, fences and all other form of surface outdoor.

News forecast road accidents due to slippery streets, some schools were closed while some areas

experienced power failure. Sensing peril in traveling for work by myself too, I decided staying home would mean my comfort. Still looking through the window, I wondered should the snow stop the following day? But to my dismay, it even grew thicker and thicker.

As I felt so helpless over the condition of my environment, I thought of a solution to my situation. Geared with my snow wear and shovel on my hand, I bravely went out of my front yard and started digging and moving the snow out of the way. Though heavy as it may seem to me, I was decided to do it. Pretty soon some passers-by saw me and commented to what I did. "Oh! it's a hard work for you, they said with a smile". I nodded in response but what amazed me most was...when most of them cared to say, "Thank you!" fascinated my tiresome day and strengthened my feeble hands.

At times, anyone's smile can inspire, much more, simple words of gratitude may mean a whole lot of strength to a weak, vulnerable spirit.

It was all worth it...I got paid off a thousand times over.

My Stress Reliever Electric Bus

I am just too dependent with the eco-friendly electric bus. I probably ride this bus more often than any other typical commuters here within the suburb. I commute as often as three round trips daily to show up to my regular care giving job, one part time cleaning job, another part time care giving job, attend church activities, and more often if I opt for window shopping to get away from the rat race and relieve my stress.

A ride within the zone cost $2.25. If I come back in short time then there will be no additional charges. In short, round trip within the designated zone within the time stamped in the ticket is a one Ticket Pass. But that rarely happens since I stay in one place longer than the two hours most. To save more bucks for the ride, I decided to buy the monthly fare card which cost $69, saving as much as $20.

When will I end my dependency on the bus? Maybe when I get my drivers license, or when the suitable Mr. Driver starts giving me a ride, or when my desires are fully sustained. I felt like the electric bus that is tied up to a pair of cable. Attempting to get away from the path will cut away the bus from the cable shutting down its engine. I am just too occupied and couldn’t append my To Do List. But then I have to make ends meet first and for now it is still economical than having a car.

October is Senior Citizens Celebration

It is good to hear about the news, especially coming from my hometown, our way of giving importance to our senior citizens is now in full swing, and for this month of October is devoted to senior citizens celebrations.
There are now several day care centers for the elders, namely the Mobolo Health Center that has already took care of 900 clients since 2002.
The Golden Center of Cebu, Inc. a non-government organization based in the Mabolo parish multi-purpose building. It is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Golden Center holds a free clinic every Thursday and Friday morning for adult age over 60 and above, regardless of economic status. Other services are lay forums, lectures about aging, nutrition, and issues about the elderly. They also provide screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, screening for depression and nutrition, and for deafness with the help of Manila Hearing Aid.
Also this month, the Center is gearing up for its second annual convention. The two-day convention will deal on the Rights of Older Persons, Legal Aspects in the Care of the Elderly, Myths and Realties of Aging, Challenges in the Care of the Old and the Restless, Under the Government Umbrella, The Aging Lung, The Beauty and the Best, You’ll Never Be Walking in Pain Alone, When the Elders Fall, A Litany of Worries, Sexuality in the Sunset Years, Cataract, Let’s Get Physical and the Big “C”. I hope with these activities with their goal of putting up a new building will soon be a reality.
Let as all share in promoting health to broaden awareness of the positive aspects of aging. Let’s provide information and inspiration for adult age 60 and above. Let us improve their physical, mental, social, and financial fitness.

For our elders, lets establish the following:

1) Choose an exercise you like and stick to it. Do it with someone. Arrange to have a friend meet you. It is harder to say to exercise when you exercise with a friend.
2) Go site seeing. See new things and experience new cultures. Begin to plan a trip. Half the excitement is in the planning!
3) Watch game shows. Watch Game Kana Ba! It keeps your mind razor sharp.
4) Laugh loud, laugh often. A good sense of humor is essential.
5) Volunteer your time. Get involved with a cause you believe in or in something that interests you.
6) Be a beauty queen. An astonishing number of women said they enjoy competing in beauty pageants.
7) If you are a man, get married! Many married men attributed their longevity to the loving care and companionship of their wives.
8) Engage in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise and weight bearing exercise every day.
9) Stay in close contact with friends. Write, text, call or chitchat with your neighbor.
10) Develop a hobby. It’s never too late to learn how to sing Karaoke.
11) Save at least 10% of your income and invest in savings plans that compound interest.
12) Seek inspiration, keep the faith. Believing in a higher power lightens stress.
13) Seek out variety and challenge in your daily life.

Really, a free internet calls?

I was trying to find out the validity of this websites internetcalls, and jajah to make free calls. The way it works is somewhat different from the regular internet calls, though they have the sip (session initiation protocol) option. From the main site, I punched in my cell phone number starting 001 Canadian international code. Next, I punched in the destination number. I decided to call my friend in the U.S. which is listed as one of the countries listed as free calls. Suddenly I heard my cell phone ringing. From my cell phone I heard my friend saying hello.
Wow, I got excited; I was talking to my friend! Then after awhile I thought about something. I checked my cell phone call log and surely it says call received from my friend. I text'd her up and her call log said same, too.
Who initiated the call? Your guess are better than mine.
I hope my telephone carrier won’t charge me, hehehe.

My first blogging month

It’s almost a month now since I started blogging and yeah with all the hectic to do lists that I have been courageously dealing with, added to the caring of my lovely golden girls, Nana, etc, plus dusting off Mr. Woo’s mansion, with all those church activities, I‘m surprised and can’t imagine how in this digital world I did survived. I know it is still a long way to go.
Thanks for all you pushers, the instruments who have been in more ways influenced me so much and have played a special part of my blogging mainstream.
Although the web page format is not as pro looking like other sites, I am slowly yet delightfully sharpening my writing ability, striving to tweak my mother tongue Cebuano, English, Tagalog lingual twist.
My message is simple and clear. As one of those thousands overseas workers who have been tirelessly wandering around the world, I enjoy with pride sharing the information and experiences I gained that I came across, may it be educational, entertaining or failures and hoping that somehow serve lessons and affect others daily lives in a positive way. The road is quite long and narrow and I believed as what a lot of us OFW used to sigh “there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”

Sending Balikbayan box to Visayas

I have a Balikbayan box that is almost full now with goodies such as Kisses, M&M, used Levi’s maong, Nike tennis shoes, bath towels, shampoo, bath soap, miniature car toys, etc. I am planning to send it in a couple of months and hopefully, my family will received it in time for Christmas. I was told that the average costs to send one box to Central Visayas is around $100. This will be my first time to do a door to door since my family has been yearning for one. With a mindset frugality added to my curiosity, since I enjoy window shopping and compare prices, I did a little bit of scouting. Hint, if you drop the box to the store you may get an additional discount as high as $20. Other things that you may want to consider:

Size of the box – the more stuff you can inch in the better

Insurance covered – you don’t want your hard earned dollar just go up in smoke, you want to sleep comfortably without any worries at all; ensure the insurance coverage is in par value

Length of delivery – promptness is one of the ingredients why customer keeps coming back, as what was promised to you

Handling services – ask your loves ones on how it was delivered; partially opened on one side, notice the new tape; somewhat wet, may have been left out in an open storage for awhile; looks rounded, it has been tossed out and rolled so many times

I checked out the local door to door companies around Vancouver and here is the result:

Asia Pac Cargo
#3-2551 Vauxhall Place
Richmond, BC
Tel: 604-270-2919
Cost: $95
Size: 18X18X29

EZ Movers Ltd
Unit 18-145 Schoolhouse St.
Coquitlam, BC V3K 4X8
Tel: 604-524-2177; 800-764-4443
Cost: $90
Size: 19X19X30

Forex Cargo
120-12511 Vulcan Way
Richmond, BC V6V 1J7
Tel: 604-278-6476/6078
Cost: $115
Size: 22X22X20

Iremit
1549 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-733-3631
Cost: $100
Size: 18X18X29

Jolly-B Box Express
201-2415 Columbia St.
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-781-8429; 604-637-3859
Cost: $115
Size: 18X18X29

Manila Express Cargo
3181 Main St.
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-874-5571
Cost: $120
Size: 18X18X28

Pasalubong Forwarders Ltd
101-283 East 11th Ave.
Vancouver, BC V5T 2C4
Tel: 604-709-0959
Cost: $115
Size: 20X20X28

Professional Cargo
140-11780 River Road
Richmond, BC
Tel: 604-278-9391; 800-977-3822
Cost: $110
Size: 18X18X30

Traveller’s Card/ San Freight
4603 Main St.
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-876-8110
Cost: $115
Size: 18X18X30

Umac Express Cargo
Unit 7-1520 Cliverden Ave.
Delta, BC V3M 6J8
Tel: 604-759-8622; 866-338-8622
Cost: $95
Size: 19X19X30

Just another Holiday!

It was a rest day during the Labor day, September 4, and adding to that weekend event, I felt like I was on vacation again. Together with Ana, Aleli, Dianne, Bong, Ernesto, Bobot and Jomai, we decided to go to Cultus Lake. This is famous for its water park , beautiful lake, and one of the primary summertime destinations in southern BC. Aside from the water park, it has golf courses, miniature golf, bumper boats, go carts, canoe, boat, marina, restaurants, stables, laundry mat, stores and gas stations. It’s a 95 km away from Vancouver, approximately an hour and a half drive depending on the traffic. To get there, head east via highway 1. Take the exit 104 which will take you through small town of Yarrow to the Cultus lake. Signs to the lake are all over and you will not be lost.
We arrived at 10 am at the main lake’s picnic area. Cost to park was $1.00/hour or $5.00 for the whole day. Luckily, we were one of the early birds so we were able to grabbed a picnic table which is free and were able the best view of the lake. We barbecued some chicken legs, pork, hotdog, salmon and bangus fish. We laid out our mat and played unggoy unggoy, pusoy dos, forty one and lucky 9. Dianne and Bong rented a jet-ski for $80/hour. Renting a jet-ski or boat requires a valid driver's license. We took a nap, ate, picture taking, played, snore, bloated out our bellies, and it was a great holiday!

Map to get there try this or this one. Enjoy!

Vancouver Top Canadian destination on list

Excerpt from Torstar News Service…no wonder why I love you Vancouver!

We ranked 6th, Victoria 8th in North America. Vancouver and Victoria have the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. Quebec City and Montreal have history and culture. Vancouver led the Canadian entries, coming in at No. 6 on Travel + Leisure magazine's ranking of the Top 10 U.S. and Canadian destinations. It was followed by Quebec City, Victoria at No. 7, then Montreal. Seattle rounded out the list that placed New York City at No. 1. But what does Canada's biggest city, Toronto, have to entice international tourists? Not much, according to the magazine's readers. Four Canadian cities ranked in the Top 10 U.S. and Canadian destinations in the popular travel publication's annual World's Best awards. But Toronto is noticeably absent. An associate editor at the magazine says Toronto shouldn't take it personally. While Toronto has everything. I don't know that it has any one thing that sort of stands up", said Ken Wong, a Queen's University School of Business marketing proffesor. "Toronto's kind of good on everything but great on nothing." A recent forecast from the Conference Board of Canada found that Toronto draws the most tourist out of the eight Canadian metropolitan areas that it studies.

Top 10
1. New York City
2. San Francisco, California
3. Chicago, Ill.
4. Charleston, S.C.
5. Santa Fe, N.M.
6. Vancouver
7. Quebec City, Que.
8. Victoria
9. Montreal, Que.
10. Seattle, Wash.

Student Driver

Learner’s Permit - sometimes called Student Permit, required in order to get the ultimate Driver’s License. I have to study and learn the road safety, traffic rules and regulations, and pass the Knowledge Test. I picked up the latest publication from ICBC (Insurance Corp of British Columbia) office. This is a 157 pages booklet. You can visit their webpage and take an online multiple type questions and answers courses. When ready to take the test go back to ICBC office with two valid Id’s. The cost to take the test is $15. You must answer 40 out of 50 questions or you will fail. However, hehehe, you can fail as much as you can, go ahead and make a lot of donation! The learner’s permit is valid for one year. You can only take the actual driving test after one year or enroll in driving school and take the test after nine months.

Now you can start driving, but with someone who has a valid driver’s license. Next is taking the driving test. Most applicants here prefer to enroll in driving school, cost is around $300. That is why you will notice some vehicles here carry the sign “L” or STUDENT DRIVER.

We’re slow but please give us a chance…

My Daily Living - Immigration

Consistently hearing the good things plus constant advice from closed friends and relatives, I decided to apply for a job and took my chance here. Luckily enough after two years religiously waiting, I got called on the job. Now I can prove here not only on the amount of my take home pay, but the substantial opportunities this place has to offer, more job opportunities, friendly people, and high quality living conditions. The most important reason compare to other countries that I chose to work here is having the option of becoming an immigrant. To be a landed immigrant, I must continuously live here for three years. I am on my two years now and I am getting my papers ready. Fees are quite expensive though.

Applying for a permanenet resident: In my case, I must complete at least 24 months of employment as a live-in caregiver to apply for permanent res. in Canada. I must have completed the 2 years employment within 3 years of my arrival here. On May 2, 2006 the Government of Canada announced a reduction of 50% in the $975.00 Right of Permanent Residence Fee, but the processing fee is still the same $ 550.00. Medical examination - the immigration gave us the doctors list and address and it's up to you to choose which doctor you want or near in your place, but for me I will choose the cheapest one. Also, there is that required local police clearance and NBI (Phlippine clearance) clearance documents.

Open employment: Once you have recieved a favourable assessment on your application for permanent resident status, you may apply for an open work permit. This will allow you to take any job you wish until you are granted permanent resident status. You will not receive you permanent resident immidiately. Normally, there are many people applying for permanent resident at any given time, and it may take time for the application to be processed. You need to pay $150.00 for an Open Empoyment Visa.

They said at present time, there is a waiting period of 6 to 10 months. This is due to the enormous amount of application that the immigration office is processing. I think this is true. Here in the metropolitan alone, with it's diversified opulation of more than 2 million, 49% are immigrants.

Vancouver Immigration
Local Office1148 Hornby St.
Vancouver, BCV6Z 2C3
604-666-2171

Vancouver Citizenship
Local Office#877-20
Expo BlvdVancouver, BCV6B 8P8
1-888-242-2100