Filipino Expats Qatar

All the managers wanted me in their departments. I was good. I was flexible. I was hard working. And I was fast. In a construction company with so many one-billion-projects, every minute counts. Every digit entered in the system matters.

I knew how to charm the suppliers and make them say “walla, habibi, mafi mushkel” when I give them cheques which are 150 days postdated even if the payment terms are cash upon delivery.

I was pretty, too.

I was “one of the best elements” of the company.

I earned compliments. I earned the respect. But I didn’t earn a raise.

I was a Filipina. I still am, and I always will be.

They all love to say “I hate racial discrimination.” Such baloney.

The very people who told me that I am better in my field than any of the middle easterns would say that my salary is enough for an asian.

Just because I am tanned, does it mean that my expenses are less than that of my fair-skinned counterparts?

I encountered just now this fresh article from one of the sites i frequently visit. I thought that it must be a perfect tool to let all of us have a time to reflect for having a better situation (yes, indeed, we have the luxury in opening internet) than the lady featured here, yet continue to alm to satisfy the need. This is just one of the stories that should be focused on by several journalists, rather than factually and discriminatively state the difference of haves and have nots Filipinos accross the globe.

"Saudi Pinay gives up P780T back pay to return home"

After 18 years of slaving away as a shepherdess in Saudi Arabia, a 65-year-old Filipina is giving up her claim to 63,000 Saudi riyals (approximately P779,366) in back pay, to be able to immediately return home to the Philippines.

Online news site Arab News reported that Leonora Somera was hired in 1987 as a domestic helper but is now stranded at the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah.

Statement from Malu Fernandez on the OFW Controversy

I am humbled by the vehement and heated response provoked by my article entitled 'From Boracay to Greece!' which came out in the June 2007 issue of People Asia. To say that this article was not meant to malign, hurt or express prejudice against the OFWs now sounds hollow after reading through all the blogs from Filipinos all over the world. I am deeply apologetic for my insensitivity and the offensive manner in which this article was written, I hear you all and I am properly rebuked. It was truly not my intention to malign hurt or express prejudice against OFWs.

Below articles from Malu Fernandez published in Manila Standard Today and People Magazine have invited roaring reactions from mostly OFW's. I only read this from my inbox this morning.

There has been a call for this journalist (is she??) for a public apology or forced resignation to be initiated by the management.

See what you can do for this. Personally, I find this insulting and unacceptable. Yes, we are tagged as Bagong Bayani, and that is over used. What I don't like here is her blatant display of a gap between the rich and the poor. That is the inner side of the story as displayed by her second article indirectly.

Please follow the link below to be updated on this issue. You can also leave your comments there. I personally don't know the initiator of this call, but I am supporting them.

http://www.tingog.com/social-concerns/fire-malu-fernandez-boycott-manila-standard-today-and-people-asia-magazine.html

(Editor note: After netizens threw up their arms in protests with some of what she wrote in her articles about OFWs, the write wrote this reply)

As I type this, I’d like you to know that it’s not about whining, complaining and bitching but just stating the facts. Just recently, I wrote a funny article in my magazine column and my friends thought it was hilarious. It was humorous and quite tongue-in-cheek, or at least I thought so, until the magazine got a few e-mails from people who didn’t get the meaning of my acerbic wit. The bottom line was just that I had offended the reader’s socioeconomic background. If any of these people actually read anything thicker then a magazine they would find it very funny. Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and mediocre. I obviously write for the a certain target audience and if what I write offends you, just stop reading.

FROM BORACAY TO GREECE!

BY MALU FERNANDEZ - Summer comes and goes. Most of the time I am out if the country for work. But I’m stuck here, I ignore the heat and stay in a temperature-controlled room of 18 degrees – cold enough to make the windows sweat. This year I decided to go off tangent and pick places I have never been to before.

Much to my chagrin, I had never been to the beach. You see, I hate the sand, the bugs and the mosquitoes, but I figured it would be fun with everyone around. As we reached the villa I was spraying Baygon everywhere. I thought I had nearly killed myself with all the insect repellant and Lysol disinfectant I kept on spraying. I am so not into roughing it up. For me, the minimum requirement for traveling is a Holiday Inn.

To all Fellow CPA's in Qatar,

Can anybody initiate ung pag-create sana ng PICPA-Qatar chapter para po once in a while e magkaroon din po tayo ng konting gathering. O d kaya baka meron na rin kaya lang hindi ko alam. Pwede ho bang mag-comment po kayo, and I will be more willing to participate given the time (pag tapos na ang monthly closing) hehehhe.

Palagi ko kasing napapanood sa TFC of PICPA-Dubai Chapter kaya naisip ko rin na baka meron na rin dito sa Qatar.

Comment lang po or PM Po ako.

hey,
i am scheduled for qatar next week, tanong ko lang kung hindi ba delikado jan and its my first tym to work abroad. is QR3600 starting salary is ok as a starter?

thank you

kikoy