favorite's queendom

Saudi Women Pay for their Privelage to Work

2011-02-19T10:48:00.000-08:00

For working Saudi women, sometimes money talks
Released on - Friday,18 February , 2011 -12:39 Paying money for the privilege of working is usually something foreigners do when they pay recruitment fees for jobs in Saudi Arabia, but in the Kingdom's southern region it's not unusual for Saudi women to pay their guardians (fathers, husbands or brothers) for the same right. 'We have resorted to this method in order to buy our freedom to work,' said a teacher from Asir province who did not want to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject. 'I am paying 2,000 riyals every month for my father's silence. He is happy with the money he receives every month and I am happy that I now work after eight years of unemployment. A working woman has a better social position than an unemployed one.' Some women object to this practice — not because they object to Saudi women having jobs but rather because they view this as bribery. 'By so doing these women are exploiting their guardians who do not want them to work or to travel to remote areas,' said one woman who requested anonymity. 'We do not object to women working in jobs that do not oblige them to mix with men. We only do not agree with them bribing their fathers or husbands in order to allow them to work.' Women who do resort to paying their guardians a portion of their salary agree with the cliché that 'money talks.' 'My father does not only approve of me working now but he also does not object to me traveling a long distance to reach my school,' said the teacher. 'The 2,000 riyals I am paying him every month have done wonders.' The teaching profession is one of the few jobs Saudi women have little problem obtaining. However, because they cannot legally drive or live alone they often travel long distances to and from their schools every day by bus. The busing of women teachers has led to the phenomenon of accidents involving the death or injury of numerous educators. Fatima, who was hired as a teacher at a public school for girls in Al-Buqaa, located far away from her home in Khamis Mushayat, Asir province, said she hired her brother to drive her to and from work every day for SR1,500 a month, an arrangement her family was happy with because her brother can act as her guardian, too. Nadia was hired as a school teacher in Makhwah, Baha province. She lived with her husband and children in Jeddah, too far away for her to take the job without relocating. She convinced her husband to allow her to pay her brother to live with her and act as her local guardian. 'My brother Abdullah just graduated from intermediate school and did not want to continue his education,' she said. 'I offered to pay him SR1,000 every month for just staying with me in my new place, and he readily agreed.' Nadia recently completed her third year on the job. Nura, who works as a nurse at a public clinic, said she convinced her father to allow her to go to nursing college on the condition she wouldn't seek work after graduation. She said she convinced her father that she only wanted to study and have a certificate of graduation. 'After the Civil Service Ministry decided to appoint me as a nurse at a health center, I began talking to my father to convince him to allow me to take up the job. I told him that unlike general hospitals, there is no gender mixing at health centers.' Nadia said her father initially looked at her 'like I was a criminal' for wanting to work. Then she offered him SR2,000 a month, which changed his attitude. 'He is now very keen about my work,' she said. 'He will not allow me to be absent for any reason. Not only that, he now allows me to travel for conferences inside the Kingdom.' One of the primary concerns voiced by men who are adverse to granting permission for their siblings, daughters or wives from working is their aversion to women mingling with unrelated men. Husbands often claim they want their wives to be completely devoted to domestic duties and child rearing. Muna, a professor at a local college, has another theory. 'They only fear that we may become financially independent,' she said. But when Muna's husband started seeing that her income was helping domestic expenses, 'he became very appreciative of my work.' Muna said she wasn't completely open about her salary; her husband doesn't know how much she really earns. 'I have to save money to be able to enjoy my financial freedom,' she said.

There's No Place Like Home

2011-01-08T04:29:00.000-08:00

There comes a time when you just want to share what an OFW feels and this article says it all :-)

Editor's note: The following Philippine Daily Inquirer article is one of the most shared articles on OFW sites and blogs. Written in Filipino, it has been tossed around so much that many sites don't even know who wrote it anymore. Some have edited it and put in their own remarks. It goes by different titles like, "Iba pa rin sa Pinas," "Ang OFW ay Tao Rin" or "Pagpupugay sa OFW," among others. It often comes with an introduction, like the one posted on qatarliving.com that says, "Here's something for those with spouses, siblings, children, or relatives who are OFWs and especially those who hope to work abroad one day. This may help you better understand what it means to be an OFW."
This is a translation of the original piece, published with the permission of its author, Saudi Arabia-based Filipino, Frederick Montilla Arceo.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are not rich. We have this notion that when someone is an OFW or based abroad, he or she is loaded. Not true. An OFW might earn from P50K-P300K a month, depending on the location. Those in Saudi Arabia or the United States might earn in the high range. But to say that they're "rich" is a fallacy (amen!).

Many Filipinos seek work abroad because their needs are great. They have so many mouths to feed. Often, 3/4 or half of their earnings go to paying school tuition fees for their children and keeping up with the family's household expenses.

It's hard being an OFW. You need to scrimp and save as much as you can. Yes, food can be good abroad but often you stick to paksiw or adobo or eggs in order to save money. Come the 15th or end of the month, the first thing you look up is the conversion rate of the peso to the dollar, rial, or euro. It's okay to make do with what little is left than let the family go hungry. Come leave time, you also have to have some money left because many relatives will be waiting at the airport or at home. You know how it is among Pinoys, word gets around that you are an OFW and it attracts a lot of kin.
If you don't bring pasalubong (a traditional homecoming gift) they may feel slighted and say bad things about you. Well, not all. But I'm sure some OFWs here have had that experience. Abroad, OFWs are also looked at differently. Very many have experienced not getting their due or being discriminated against in workplaces. You just take it, keep going, cry it out alone, because you think how miserable your family would be if you packed up and went home.

Besides, you really can't count on a job waiting for you back home. And prices of rice, milk, sardines, and apartment rentals are high. So you suffer on--even though you have to work with a lot of jerks (kahit maraming kupal sa trabaho), even though you are sick and have no one to take care of you, even though the food sucks and working conditions bad, even dangerous, and the job difficult. Then when you have remitted money home, everything seems okay again; you call, "hello! kumusta na kayo(how are you all doing)?"

OFWs are not unfeeling (Hindi bato ang OFW). You are human--not money or cash machines. You get tired, lonely (yes, often); you get sick, hungry; you stop and think, too. You, too, need support, if not physically, at least emotionally or spiritually.

OFWs also grow old. Those I have met and spoken to, many have receding hairlines or are balding. Most of them have signs and symptoms of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arthritis. Yet, they continue to work thinking about the family they left behind. There are many abroad, after 20-30 years, that still have not put away a savings stash. No matter how hard they work, they can't seem to save enough. It's painful when you know that the family you support back home still can't make ends meet, that a child is a drug addict, a daughter, pregnant; and one's spouse is in a relationship with someone else. It recalls that popular old song "Napakasakit Kuya Eddie."

OFWs are heroes. That's true. I, for one, realized this only now, that OFWs really are heroes in so many ways. Not icons or household names like Nora Aunor or Flor Contemplacion but heroes in the truest sense of the word. They could surpass even Rizal or Bonifacio: They have braved more wars and conflicts in order to give their families a better life; they have battled more political intrigues just to keep their jobs in hostile environments; they have exhibited more patience than your usual congressman or senator in the Philippines--all because of the fear of losing that precious pay check.

OFWs are survivors. Pinoys are survivors (Matindi ang Pinoy). They are more tenacious than rats or cockroaches which are said to be able to survive cataclysms. Yet for all their sacrifices, they have yet to see solutions or results.
OFWs are unlucky--unlike politicians. They don't sign autographs or give interviews to media (unless they were kidnapped); they stay on the sidelines. When they leave the country, they are sad and on the verge of tears. When they come home, the lucky ones are welcomed by relatives at the airport. But if they come home without money, relatives are hard to find.
If only OFWs had a voice in Congress like politicians who are financed by the Filipino people and don't have to work under the hot sun, or get scalded by hot oil, or shouted at by foreign employers, or eat paksiw day in and day out to save money, or live in a compound with conditions less than favorable, and be forced to live with people with strange ways if only to be able to live. Politicians are lucky, really lucky.

OFWs are steadfast. Stronger and more steadfast than soldiers or other groups you might know. They are masters of reverse psychology, negotiations, and counter-attacks. Will the OFWs last? Most likely because we still don't know when change and progress will come to the Philippines. Will it come? Is there a chance?

Happiness is imagining yourself in the company of your loved ones every day, watching your children grow in a healthy and loving home. Happiness is eating sitaw, bagoong, lechon, inihaw na isda, taba ng talangka.

Happiness is watching a Filipino movie, whether old reruns or new ones. There's still nothing like knowing your neighbors. There's still no place like the Philippines, being with other Pinoys (well, except those with crab mentalities). There's still nothing like being able to tell stories and know that others around you understand what you are saying. There's really nothing like the sound of "mahal kita!", "'day, ginahigugma tika," "Mingaw na ko nimo ba, kalagot!" "Inday, diin ka na subong haw? ganahan guid ko simo ba." There's really no place...like home.

Sige lang. Tiis lang. Saan ba't darating din ang pag-asa. So be it. just suck it in and keep going Somehow, you hope, things will work out.

First things I Bought in the Kingdom

2011-01-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

Nice frying pans which will inspire you to want to cook :-)

Anyone care to eat from these nice blue plates....Made in Italy .....
Mura lang :-)

My most precious cooking utensil is a very good knife...long lasting in sharpness :-)

A red hot fiery colander for your pasta dishes and salads :-)

All the rest which I needed was already in my home provided for :-)

That included an internet and a TFC connection.

PRC Offers Two New E-Services for Filipino Professionals

2011-01-05T13:51:00.000-08:00

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has two new services that would be of benefit to Filipino professionals who need to renew their professional ID registration and to employers who want to verify the license of Filipino professionals they want to hire.

Through the recently launched Online Renewal Application System (ORAS) of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), there is now an automated system that would make it possible for Filipino professionals to renew their licenses online. They do not need to go and fall in line at PRC offices in the Philippines and Filipinos who are currently working abroad need not go home for license registration.

The second new high-tech service of PRC is the Online Verification for Filipino Professionals (OVFP), which would allow the public and employers to verify the license of a Filipino professional. The new e-services is part of the DOLE and PRC’s effort to fight the proliferation of fake documents and swindlers who pretends to be professionals.

The DOLE secretary, Baldoz said, “The new PRC services are part of the DOLE reform measures in pursuit of the overarching goal of President Benigno S. Aquino III set in the 22-point labor and employment agenda to strengthen the opportunities, development, and employment of our number one resource, our human resource, as well as to ensure the protection of both local and overseas Filipino workers,” said Baldoz.

The Labor Secretary praised the PRC for the launching of ORAS and OVFP systems and said that these would help professionals that are working abroad save time, money and effort in securing a new professional ID. It would also strengthen the campaign of the government to always guarantee the authenticity of the credentials of Filipino professionals.

Baldoz said, “This reflects, on the part of the PRC, the innovative and resourceful application of information technology in pursuit of safeguards on professional authenticity that can only redound to the strengthening and continuing preference for highly skilled Filipino professionals engaged in various fields and disciplines in industries worldwide.

“The same credential as professionals will be of productive value as they reintegrate into the local economic mainstream on their return home and contribute to the upgrading of the skills of our workforce,” she added.

Click here to go to the PRC website and learn more about this new e-service.

thanks OFW Guide :-)

Computer and Desk Stretches

2010-11-29T04:57:00.000-08:00

Sa mga kababayan nating madaals mag-computer......sana gawin nating i-practice ang "stretchings" na ito.

Mag-break every 15 minutes of computer use Ok?

EMBASSY ON WHEELS (EOW) in Jubail and Al Khobar

2010-11-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be visited by the EMBASSY ON WHEELS for travel documents, and Passport processing on the following dates and venues:

1. JUBAIL, December 9-10, 2010

Venue to be announced

2. AL KHOBAR, December 16-17, 2010
International Phlippine School

The new passport willl cost SR240. The applicant has nothing to bring. Photos will be done on the venue. When claiming, bring the applicant's old passport and receipt. If a representative will claim the passport, please provide an authorization letter signed by the applicant.

For further details, read this.

Here is the latest Press Release about EOW activities in the past.

Saudi Arabian equivalence of some Philippine places

2010-10-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Miss ko Pilipinas. Kahit ano, kahit sino na makakapagpaalala sa akin ng "touch of home"....salamat.

Sa paglabas ko,

may National Bookstore rin sila = JARIR bookstore

may Shangrila Mall for its "sosyal" atmosphere or perhaps Mall of Asia in size = Hayat Mall

may SM Hypermarket din sila = Panda Supermarkets

may Quiapo rin sila = Batha ...no need to have a link....when you have gone to our Quiapo, you have seen Batha...so much like it talaga...with the addition of other South Asians like Sri lankans, Indians, Celonians, Indonesians, etc. The place where we all go for Pinoy foodies :-)

More equivalence coming........

Sending Money from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines

2010-10-08T05:18:00.000-07:00

Bank to Bank transactions work best for me.

I bring my "Riyals" to a bank that has a remittance center (example: Al Rahji Bank Tawheel) together with my IQAMA card and apply for a Remittance (Tawheel) account. Fill up the form making sure that remitter and beneficiary details are correct, with the correct beneficiary bank and its branch address. Oh, and don't forget to indicate if your beneficiary account is a Peso or a Dollar account.

By the way, this is on a presumption that before you left the Philippines, you opened a savings account and that bank is recognized by this Saudi bank you have gone to.

The money arrives in the Philippines in 15 minutes. But there are many factors that may delay the arrival in your account in the Philippines. Consider the time and day you sent the money. safe to say that it will be in your beneficiary's bank account in 2 days, 3 days if over the weekend or holiday either in KSA or the Philippines.

Important to understand the following. However much RIYALS you send, there is a standard service bank fee of SR16-18 (P184 - 207 if sr1=P11.50).

example:

1. Sending SR 1,000.

2. 1000 - 18 (service fee can be deducted or you can give it separately so your beneficiary receives full SR1000 value) = SR982 = P11,293 (SR1=P11.50) this is the amount that will leave KSA

3. P11,293 - P200 (This is the beneficiary Bank's service fee, actually ranging from P200-250) = P11,093 this is the amount which your beneficiary will FINALLY RECEIVE.

Important for us to note that whatever amount we send there is actually about P400 - 450 service fee we pay however much we send.

What? That's not clear?

I mean, if you send SR1,000 or SR10,000.....bank service fees remain P400-450.

So what?

Better for us to send a bigger amount, like allowance for the next 2 months to save on bank fees.

Ano na ba ang nabibili ng P400-450...aba 3 kilos na rin yan na manok di ba (at P150/kilo)? hehehe

Happy sending :-)

Hold-Up Modus Operandi in Saudi Arabia

2010-08-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

BABALA SA ATING MGA KABABAYAN!!!
(Pauna na lang po....Ugaliing ihiwalay ang credit card at mahahalagang card tulad ng IQAMA, company ID sa wallet. Ilagay ito sa ibang lalagyan tulad ng card case. Pera lamang ang ulagay sa wallet.
Pangalawa, wag lalabas ng mag-isa.
Pangatlo, wag titigil at makiusap sa di kilala. )

Isa po sa aming kasamahan ay na hold‐up kahapon , Friday, Aug. 6, 2010 mga bandang 6:00pm, sa Al‐Khobar area (near fish market)

Ito po ang kanyang salaysay:

Naglalakad po sya along 6th St. galing sa fish market pa‐uwi sa kanilang bahay na nasa Prince Bader St. between 6th & 7th St. ng lapitan sya ng isang maitim at malaking arabo (bado) at pagbintangan ang aming kasamahan na sya daw ang nakapulot nung nalaglag na pera ng arabo (bado). Sa kanilang pag‐uusap, pinagbintangan po ng arabo (bado) ang aming kasa mahan na sya ang nakapulot ng nalaglag na pera at inilagay pa daw ng aming kasamahan sa kanyang bulsa. Hanggang sa na‐uwi na po sa pagtatalo ang usapan.

Kasunod po noon ay may isang sasakyan na humarang at huminto sa kanilang harapan at nagpakilalang pulis, agad na bumaba nagpakilalang pulis at nagpatunay sa arabo (bado) na ang aming kasamahan nga ang naka pulot ng pera at inilagay sa kanyang wallet (ito po siguro ang paraan ng mga arabo upang sya ay takutin at upang maipakita nya ang laman ng kanyang wallet).

Sa puntong ito ang kinabahan na ang aming kasamahan at wala na syang magawa kundi ipakita na ang kanyang wallet upang patunayan na wala ang perang hinahanap ng mga arabo (ang hinahanap pong pera ng mga arabo ay nagkakahalaga ng SR10,000.00, ngunit ang laman po ng kanyang wallet ay SR700.00 lang). Nang ipinakita po ng aming kasamahan ang kanyang wallet upang patunayan na wala sa kanya ang hinahanap na pera ay agad itong inagaw sa kanya ng arabo (bado), kasabay noon ay sapilitang ipinalabas ng nagpakilalang pulis ang kanyang cellfone at idinahilan ng pulis na tatawagan nya ang aming kumpanya upang ipaalam na hindi sya makakapasok kinabukasan (Saturday) dahil isasaama nila sa Police Station upang ikulong. At dala na po siguro ng takot, napilitan na din po ang aming kasamahan na ibigay ang kanyang cellfone, sa puntong ito po ay sabay ng pumasok ang mga aarabo sa kanilang sasakyan dala ang kanyang wallet at cellfone, wala na pong nagawa ang aming kasamahan hanggang sa umalis na ang mga arabo. Makalipas ang ilang segundo at mga ilang metro pa lang ang natatakbo ng naturang sasakyan; napansin po ng aming kasamahan na ibinato po sa labas ng bintana and kanyang wallet, at ng ito po ay kanyang suriin, napagalaman

nya na nakuha na ng mga arabo ang kanyang pera (SR700), blackberry na cellfone at ang kanyang SHB Credit Card nya. Sa kabutihang palad po ay nakuha pa nya ang kanyang Iqama, Saudi Aramco ID at ibang mahahalagang laman ng kanyang wallet.

Sa madaling salita po, isang modus din ng mga arabo yan s al khobar area sa mga panahong ito.

PALALA PONG MULI; MAGING MAINGAT PO SANA TAYO SA PAGLALAKAD SA AL KHOBAR AREA, MARAMI NA PONG MASASAMANG ELEMENTO ANG NAGLIPANA SA MGA PANAHONG ITO. IPAKALAT PO NATIN ITO SA LAHAT NG MGA KABABAYANG PILIPINO DITO SA AL‐KHOBAR AT SA IBANG LUGAR NG SAUDI ARABIA .

MARAMING SALAMAT PO

Eric R Imperial

Planner Engineer, Maintenance Support

Eastern Petrochemical Company

A SABIC Affiliate

P.O. Box 10035

Jubail 31961

SAUDI ARABIA

T +966 (3) 357-5000 x 5599

F +966 (3) 357 5064

E Imperialer@sharq. sabic.com

Saudi Cleric Calls for Muslim Maids ONLY

2010-07-28T02:47:00.000-07:00

Saudi cleric calls for Muslim maids only

Agence France-Presse First Posted 08:35:00 07/27/2010

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—A Saudi cleric said only Muslim housemaids should be allowed in the oil-rich country and they should be kept segregated from men in the home, an online news site reported on Tuesday.

"If there is a need to import workers as female domestics, they should be Muslims," Sheikh Yusef al-Ahmad, a strong opponent of men and women mixing in the ultra-conservative kingdom, told the sabq.org website.

He also said female domestics should cover themselves in the home, and that, following Islamic requirements for Saudi women, they should also be required to have a male relative guardian, or mahram, with them in Saudi Arabia.

"They should be required to work in the home covered with the hijab (veil), and not mix with men in the home, not enter their rooms or the hall or serve them," he said.

Sheikh Ahmad is a lecturer at Riyadh's Imam Mohammed bin Saudi University, the country's leading Islamic education institution.

He gained notoriety earlier this year when he called for the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Islam's holiest site, to be torn down and rebuilt with separate entrances and areas for men and women.

His latest comments are directed at the huge foreign labor pool in the country, accounting for an estimated eight to 10 million of a population of about 25 million people. An estimated 1.5 million Filipinos are among the foreign workers.

Saudi families employ millions of foreign cooks, maids and drivers, many of whom already come from large Muslim states like Indonesia and countries in Africa.

Most of the more than one million Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia are female household workers. But they are not required to be in the country with male guardians.

Under Saudi Arabia's strict Islamic rules, unrelated men and women are not supposed to mix.

However, the rule is never enforced on families with foreign maids and drivers, or on the many foreign men who work as waiters in the family sections of restaurants

List of Authorized Employment Agencies in the Philippines accredited by the Saudi Embassy

2010-07-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

Authorized Employment Agencies in the Philippines Accredited to the Embassy

قائمه باسماء المكاتب المعتمدة

الحصول على قائمة اسماء وعناوين مكاتب الاستقدام العاملة في الفلبين والمعتمدة لدى السفارة

Updated every end of the month

Subject for any agency to be un accredited for consulate process with no further notice

يتم تحديث القائمة كل نهاية الشهر في خلال السنة ، كما يمكن ان يتم الغاء اعتماد المكتب لدى التنفيذ من قبل القنصلية بدون سابق اشعار

Click on the link for the list of agencies

قائمة اسماء المكاتب اضغط على الرابط التالي

Saudi Embassy Accredited Agency

Refer to the POEA site for more details on agency information by typing the first name and search the status and contact matters

كما يمكنك ان تبحث عن تفاصيل المكتب عن طريق موقع مكتب العمل والعمال الفلبيني من عناوين وارقام الاتصال بهم من خلال الرابط التالي :

كتابة الاسم الاول ثم بحث تظهر لك المعلومات

http://www.poea.gov.ph/cgi-bin/agSearch.asp

VISA Requirements for Saudi Arabia

2010-07-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia - Manila website

WORKING VISA

Visa application form

Valid passport at least two years.

Two pictures (4x6 cm. with white background)

A certified & notarized copy of the university degree/diploma & transcript of record certified by the CHED, (Commission on Higher Education), DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and Consulate of Saudi Embassy or PRC License for all professional work.

NBI Clearance

Medical Certificate sealed by a hospital accredited by Saudi Embassy.

Training Certificate for the skilled workers

OMA Certificate for all Muslim workers

Valid Driving License for all Drivers

Original Copy of visa authority & a copy visa

If the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a release letter.

Payments are made to be cash through Equitable PCI Bank in Paseo de Roxas Branch, which cost P850.00 for every working visa stamped.

BUSINESS VISA

Visa application form

Valid passport at least 6 months.

Two pictures (4x6 cm. with white background)

An original covering letter from a registered company indicating the name of Saudi Arabian company, the nature of applicants visit & length of stay . The letter must bear the company’s stamp or seal.

An application from the sponsor in the Kingdom on the applicant’s behalf to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or an Original invitation from the company in Saudi Arabia. This letter must be signed & sealed by the company & stamped by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

Payments are made to be cash through Equitable PCI Bank in Paseo de Roxas Branch, which cost of P3, 500.00 for every Business visit visa stamped.

TRANSIT VISA

A visa application form and valid passport

Two pictures (4x6 cm. with white background)

A confirmed ticket reserved in and out of Saudi Arabia for at most 48 hours.

A valid visa for the next destination.

Transit visa gratis.

UMRAH VISA

Submit an Umrah visa application form accompanied by a recent standard colored passport size photograph.

Passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months.

Medical Certificate. Children age three months to twelve years old, parents should consult their primary care doctors.

A round trip ticket to and from Saudi Arabia with confirmed reservation must also accompany the application.

A married couple applying for Umrah visas but who have different last names or whose children bear last name from that of their father, should attach copies of their marriage certificate and copy of their children’s birth certificate.

Umrah visas are granted gratis.

For those recently embraced Islam and have not previously performed Umrah or Hajj, a Certificate of Conversion to Islam is required.

HAJJ VISA

Passport Passport or legal travel documents valid for at least 6 months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to nest destination. Passport of legal travel documents must have minimum of two blank pages.

Photos Two recent passport photographs with white background.

Visa application form for Hajj visas signed & stamped by the travel agency. Original or legible photocopies of the visa application forms are acceptable.

Airline ticket Each applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.

Medical Certificate Children from the age of 3 months to 2 years and above must take a dose of the A/C vaccine.

Mahram all ladies are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of Mahram must be submitted. Ladies over the age of 45 can travel without Mahram with an organized group. She must, however, submit no objection letter from her husband, son or brother, authorizing her travel for Hajj with the named group. Such letter should be notarized with the notary public. The Mahram should write his complete information on the application of wife and children, or any other relative whom he is traveling with. Marriage and birth certificates issued outside of the Philippines should be translated and notarized from a certified translations office. Male under the legal age will not be granted a Hajj visa if not accompanied by their family.

Hajj visa is granted gratis.

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Manila - location map and contact details

2010-07-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

Para sa ating mga kababayan na may kamag anak sa Saudi Arabia. Mainam na malaman.

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Manila - Philippines

Chancery	128 H.V. Dela Costa St . Corner Sanchez St. Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines
Tel.	+63 (2) 856 4444
Fax	+63 (2) 856 5366
Working Hours	Monday to Friday 0900 to 1600 H
E-Mail WebSite	phemb@mofa.gov.sa www.saudiembassy.com.ph

Guidebok for Expatriates Recruited for Work In Saudi Arabia

2010-07-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

This book is provided for by the ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA MANILA in their website, under the link GUIDELINES FOR OFW IN KSA .

It will be helpful for us to share this to our kababayans intending to leave for Saudi Arabia.

Please share it with them by clicking this. A page will cme out asking if you wish the guidebook to be presented in english or in tagalog.

Click on link below

For English

Guidebook for expatriates recruited

for work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Click on link below

For Tagalog

Gabay na Aklat para sa mga (OFW)

Manggagawa sa Kaharian ng Saudi Arabia

On my part, I would gladly share and comment on items which I deem worthy of a second look or scrutinization.

Nais ko pong makatulong base sa mga napagdaanan ko sa pagtatrabaho sa Saudi Arabia, kaya't atin pong pagtulungan kung may importante mga puntos ang dapat pang malaman ng ating mga kababayan.

Tinatawagan ko po ang ating mga kabayan na magkwento at makibahagi sa mga usapang ito.

Salamat po.

Airport Restrictions in Saudi Arabia

2010-02-22T23:47:00.000-08:00

A fellow kabayan was nice enough to share a memo from their company.

Hope this helps all our kababayans :-)

How did I spend my Fridays in the Kingdom?

2009-12-30T12:36:00.000-08:00

Friday is the holy day of Muslims and the rest day for the entire nation.

It was in this nation that I experienced for the first time, the back pain of sleeping so long a time on my bed. Eventually you really just have to stand up and do something!

These are what I did:

1. Started the day with logging on to http://www.usccb.org/nab/for some spiritual readings (that is if you are a catholic). The nice thing about this site is it has podcasts (if you just what to listen to the reflections) or video reflections (if you want to view the speaker and sharer, usually a priest)

2. Did my washing and drying
     You always take foregranted having your clothes washed, dried and "crisply" ironed and tucked on your drawer back home. I miss things having done for me. But as I said earlier, this beats the hell out of an aching back from lying down so very long.
     Dito lang ako actually natutong gumamit ng washing machine....hehehe....too old I think at 36! I always thought I would do no wrong at washing the heavy maong in the machine....oh well, the pocket linings tears off by frequent washing (it's not made in maong nga pala, I forget).
     I then learned from my kabayans, who would leave their washings overnight in sudsy soap (babad) then handwash the next day or do some gentle run on the machine.

3. I usually did my cooking as well so that I would just have to re-heat throughout the week
      You know the expression "takaw tingin"? I was like that in the supermarket. Bought all the food that was "eye candy", stocked up my ref to the max (thinking I would not be able to go out again anytime soon), only to realize that I was only feeding myself. Matakaw ako, that I know, but I also found out the fun of "gorging" at food is also in the company. That I did not have, so the appettite also flew away.....and you can just imagine the food that spoiled :-(
     My fave dishes were still the adobo and spaghetti but I did learn to experiment with the spices from all over the world with all these:
     I discovered CUMIN, TURMERIC for chicken and meats for that indian taste.
     I discovered YOGURT in the mornings (they would eat a tub of yogurt) which I would mix with fruits of fresh juices.
    I discovered CHEESES and all its form - Brie, feta, mascarpone, etc.
    I discovered flat round bread (unleavened bread) which is good for making pizza or dipping into hummus and some indian/pakistani/bangladeshi saucy dish.
     I discovered the fresh juices and milk of the danes....yummy!

4. Decide whether to go out or not
    Going out would entail a permission from my managers to have me accompanied by either our company driver or another option was "KUYA EDWIN".
    Going out with our company driver is much like having an "unwanted" chaperone". He would follow you wherever you went, even in buying your lingeries :-( Good thing ours was kind enough to tell me, "Doctora, stay good and be good. I trust you will not put me or you into trouble so I will just leave you and pick you up later ok?" Thank God for Nizmi!
     Then there's Kuya Edwin. Here is a Pinoy entrepeneur in the truest sense. He capitalized on what he does best...driving. He talked to his sponsor to buy him a car which he will use to drive around people as a "limousine service" for a fee. I call him and ask him to drive me to the different malls. He drops me off, goes to his other "pick ups" and picks me up again for another mall.
     MALLING is the only past time here in Riyadh. But what great malls they have! I remember now the supermarket I found really great ....it was DANUBE! :-) By its name, European tastes. The market has everything but from a world so far from ours. I marvel at the knick knack stuff like the trinkets, the plates, I even bought my wedding souvenirs here.
     How did I get to ride with Kuya Edwin...a man and a lady together in Riyadh?????!!!! He has a document signed by his sponsor authorizing him to be a designated driver for me which he will show when a religious police aka MUTAWA would question him.
     By the way, I am not really sure if this is legal but it sure beats the hell out of staying home like a snail all cooped up. My managers knew this by the way. Of course, it goes without saying that I did this without any "hanky-panky" ideas that would get me into trouble.

5. Picnics
     There is more sand than soil in the kingdom so whenever we see green grass...we sit on them and have a picnic. Back home, I think this has been a lost past time mainly because we don't have parks, the air is..indescribable and the grass you see is in your own lawn....what fun is that having a picnic just a step away from your house?!!!
     But here, parks are also uncommon but you just really have to go out of your home and bask in the sun for some Vitamin D :-)
     I learned that Syria is so "not like" KSA...much like Pinas in terms of freedom to do whatever. Muslims with fashion and movies...and with very beautiful ladies....much like the Lebanese.
     Over Kebabs and Taboulleh salad, we laughed about each other in twisted english and "shisha" (arabic blowpipe). At mapagpula rin pala ang mga babaeng syriana...sa kapwa nilang arabiana...lalo na ang mga babaeng nagparetoke ng mukha o katawan. Ayaw nila noon. Naiisip ko nga tayong mga Pinoy na sarat ang ilong maiintindihan ko pang magparetoke ng ilong. Pero arabiana na napakataas at payat na ng ilong??? Sobra nga nga naman. I find it amusing that they say things about fellow arabs mainly because we Pinoys, being malays, don't say much about our fellow Indonesians, or Malaysians. Kakaiba di ba?
      One thing I advice our kabayans, learn from the arabs by talking and being with them...not only does your world become bigger but your stay, more worthwhile with friends and memories all intact and growing :-)

After a day out in the city, I somehow feel rejuvenated to start another 6-day work week. Hay!

PS One thing I regret tough is not having to take pics.....hay.

I will take the Job Offer In the Kingdom, What's next?

2009-11-30T23:26:00.000-08:00

After following all the blog entries before this, it is time to go and embark on your new adventure.

First go to your recruitment agency and they will ask you go through a medical check up in an accredited hospital. Back in 2005, I spent around P2-3,000 for this. I had a 9- hour fast (stopped eating at 12 midnight and made sure I was in the hospital by 7 am to have a waiting allowance of 2 hours) for my blood tests, and brought with me my
1. sample feces in a clean small container
2. Urine sample I submitted while waiting for my turn in the hospital the next day

I waited for my medical report to come out before proceeding to the next steps below.

Here are the steps I did to prepare for my leaving the Philippines:

1. Prepare my passport
If your passport will expire in a year or 2, best to renew it while in the Philippines. Renewal fees in the kingdom through the embassy is more expensive. Have your passport picture taken, prior to appearance to the DFA. Be sure to wear a coat or any shirt with a collar. Personal appearance is required but you can make an appointment for yourself via the internet. Choose to have a machine-readable passport, although more expensive (P950 than the usual P750), this is what all passports will be eventually. Follow the steps on Passport application or renewal here.

2. Prepare my birth certificate / marriage certificate
Best to apply for a NSO (National Statistics Office) certified birth certificate. They have serbilis centers you can actually go to or if you can't go, have a representative get it for you with an authorization letter and your ID (SSS, Driver's license or any valid ID). Or if you can't have it done by others or yourself, you can have it delivered. Just follow the steps here.

3. Prepare my school credentials

a. Go to my school registrar and ask for:
1). Transcript of Records (atleast 2 copies or even more), certified true copy (both for undergraduate and post graduate courses)
2). . Ask for a Certificate of Graduation, and / or certified true copy of your Diploma (undergraduate and post graduate courses)

c. On acquiring my transcripts and diplomas, I proceeded to the Commission on Higher education (CHED) where they Certified, Authenticated, and Verified (CAV) all my transcripts and diplomas. Follow the steps here. All other CHED services which you may need, here. CHED sitemap here.

4. Prepare my work experience credentials

a. Asked my superiors for certificate of employment stating my job, position and years / period of service.

b. This will be certified / notarized by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in the Manila City Hall. I went to any Notary Public at the Manila City Hall and they helped me process these documents. Fee is about p150 per document to be notarized.

5. When School and Work Experience credentials have been certified, I went to Malacanang to have it certified (AGAIN). I did this on commute because there are already public transportation that has a route from Malacanang to the Manila City Hall.

6. After Malacanang certification, go to the Department of Foreign Affairs for "ribboning" or final certification.

7. I made sure I had a xerox copy of all my documents before submitting them to my recruitment agency. They then scheduled me for a PDOS (Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar). This is free.
Important things I learned from the PDOS:
a. Buy the small arabic book on how to speak arabic / learning arabic (around P150 back in 2005)
b. Get your PDOS certificate and open an account in Metrobank, BDO or BPI where you will open an OFW account and deposit P100 as maintaining balance. Be sure that when you open the account, you have with you a co-depositor here in the Philippines who can have access to your account and receive the remittances you will send (preferably family / relatives). Important to show your PDOS certificate as this will be your passport in opening the account.
c. get yourself an accident / life insurance if you still have extra money

Going through the 7 steps it would be safe to prepare around P7 - 10,000 for all the fees that have to be paid.

Just a word of advice, plan each trip as early in the day as possible. Each step entails a long line, and a lot of waiting so best to start the day early...leave the house as early as 5:30 or 6 am.

5. Making the decision to Take the Overseas Job or NOT

2009-11-22T07:58:00.000-08:00

For most it is as easy as considering the financial rewards of an overseas job that prompts the decision to leave or not. For some, just the thought of running away from the heavy burden of staying in the Philippines is the motivating factor.

But I realize now that I have left and come back, just what are the important considerations in leaving for an overseas job?

1. Monthly wage and benefits

The cost of living here and abroad is not the same.

Do not be quick in deciding just because your salary was tripled. Consider / ask your employer and research on the following:

a. Food allowance . Find out how much it would cost to feed yourself for a month. Include that in your expenses. Back in 2007, SR200-300/month was enough.

b. Accomodation provision or allowance. One cannot own a property in the kingdom so the sponsir usually provides a room/unit accomodation, alone or shared. Or can give you the freedom to look for your own place (with Filipinos) by giving you a monthly allowance. In 2007, SR1200/month for a 2 bedroom unit.

c. Transportation allowance. A bus or means of transport is usually provided to and from work to your accomodation. Otherwise, ask for it or an allowance.

d. Medical Insurance. Expensive to get sick in the kingdom so be sure you are protected.

Maximize on your additional benefits other than your salary so that you have more to send back home to your family. There is no TAX in the kingdom, by the way.

2. Be sure you are near HELP when help is needed

a. Have Pinoy co-employees and friends help you. While still in the Philippines, establish Pinoy contacts in the kingdom. Find out their contact numbers and converse with them by phone or email or chats.

b. Know how far you are from the Philippine embassy. This is a true story of a lady bus conductor here in the Philippines who was in the news back in 2007 (Arab News) who spent almost 20 years in a very remote town of the kingdom, left all by herself to fend for herself as a domestic helper. Her employer left her alone and she survived by planting and feeding herself on goats which she raised herself. She could not be reached because of the "remoteness" of her area. Oh God!

3. Settle your family and businesses before you leave.

a. If you leave who will take care of your children? How will your spouse handle your leaving? Will he continue to work or stay in the house for the children?

b. Who will handle the finances of the family? Who will receive your remittance?

c. How will your family communicate with you?

d. If you are leaving a business, end it properly. Consider if you do come back, will you have something to come back to?

IN SUMMARY, your final decision to leave or not would depend on what you will get in salary and benefits, how much help you can get from Pinoys in the kingdom and the state of your family and businesses when you leave.

Bottomline is whatever your decision, be sure its is wholly yours and not a decision made by others' opinions of you.

4. What is important to see in Your Saudi Employment Contract

2009-11-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

a. a Filipino lawyer-friend who commented on the contract to make sure all areas covered

b. a friend presently residing in Riyadh who could verify things for me.

CONTENTS OF YOUR JOB CONTRACT

(Should be written on Company Stationery with company seal and address):

1. Date that the employment contract is executed between the 1st & 2nd party

2. First party / employer. This is the Company's name and name of your Saudi National Sponsor

3. Address, Tel No., Mobile No. of employer / Company

4. Representative agent / Agency / Recruitment Company and its address in the Philippines and abroad

5. Second Party / employee. Nationality. Passport #. Date/Place of issue. Permanent address. Contact

Numbers.

6. Terms and Conditions:

a. Position. Job description. Workplaces (This is important so you may know in advance where in the

kingdom will you be possibly assigned because your company may have other branches or sister

companies). Best for you to research about the place & Pinoys in the area.

b. No. of years of effectivity of contract (usually 2 Gregorian years. Note that there is a different

Islamic / Hijri calendar) Always request Gregorian calendar usage.

c. Salary / month in SAR (SAUDI RIYALS). End of Service Benefits (ESB). If your salary is

supplemented by percentage income, commissions, be sure it is written down.

d. Additional Benefits:

1. Accomodation. Is either provided for or you are given an allowance to rent for a year. If

accomodation is provided, list down contents of the accomodation. Usually this is decided upon by

employer, as to which to give.

2. 30 days Paid Leave which includes airfare. Time is decided either by employee or employer

depending on what suits the business

3. Trial Period of 3 months. If after 3 months, the employer finds you not suitable for work, he may

terminate contract and with/without compensation. Be sure you are compensated during the 1st 3

months and is written in your contract. If the employee finds it best to terminate contract,employee

will shoulder the cost of going back to his country.

4. Other incentives: In addition to salary, there may be percentage income or commissions. Be sure to

ask if there are other incentives like this and have it written down.

5. Medical Insurance provison. Very important to ask if you get sick or meet an accident, what are the

policies of the company. Up to what extent is their provision or support.

6. Paid sick leave. How many days in a year (usually 10 days) with medical report & acceptable

with administration. If more than 10 days, not compensated. If more than a month, may be terminated

with the employee bearing the cost of transport back to his country.

7.Conditions by which the employer and employee may terminate this contract

8. Company policies important to note in the contract (company holidays, working hours, engaging in

other business within the kingdom while an employee, settlement of disputes). If possible ask for an

employee's handbook or Company Rules and Regulations.

9. This must be incorporated in the contract. "That if there is a need to modify or add/delete any item,

it shall require the signature of both the employee and employer."

3. Correspond with your Employer

2009-11-10T15:35:00.000-08:00

This is a series detailling the steps on how I dealt with a Job Offer from SAUDI ARABIA. I feel it would also apply on any job offers anywhere in the world.

Important steps discussed previously was (click the link for reference):
1. Tell your family and important people around you and educate yourself about the country you intend to work in.
2. Check out the POEA website.

The 3rd is to Correspond with your employer.

The recruitment agency would facilitate contacting the employer for you. Just say you would like a personal correspondence with the employer. Ask that he call you, or (for lesser cost) chat / talk through yahoo messenger, google gtalk or skype.

This way:

a. You can directly ask your "1 million" questions. Best to store the conversation if it is a chat or if talk, try to write down important details you can look back to, just in case you need further clarifications later on.

b. You will personally hear the sincerity of your employer and viceversa. He will be able to find out, even interview you already and viceversa.

In this conversation be ready to ask and be asked.

My questions basically were:

1. Who is my employer?
You will be having a Saudi sponsor in your stay. You will be under his responsibility and he will pay for all your expenses: airfare, VISA. Your VISA will be in your passport.

Be sure your occupation is accurately written on your VISA.

My experience on this was my entry VISA had me written as a nurse for my occupation. This was told to me early on (best be informed) by my employer because he only had NURSE VISAS then. But still I was able to work as an orthodontist, was also able to take the Professional Licensure exam. Not really sure if my employer had to "pull some strings" so still best to have all information accurate and correct.

2. What is my work specifically? (job description)

This will also be written down on your contract

3. How much is my salary?
(yes don't be shy to ask)

4. Where is the company / facility located?

This will help you gauge how far you are from the Philippine embassy (one is in Riyadh, the other in Jeddah)
I felt farely secure working within Riyadh, the capital city. Google map the exact location.

5. Are there Filipinos in your company?
If it would not be a bother, ask permission to contact a Pinoy employee and have a conversation with him about ....everything.

6. When do you expect to arrive in the work place?
This is important to know because October to March are very cold months in the kingdom. Best to be ready with the right clothes for the cold season.

7. May I know my accomodation?
Home accomodations are usually provided for by the employer. Either it is near the company/facility or maybe even within the compound / building.

8. Practices I should know within the country and the workplace?

This was 1 question I forgot to ask, but here are some MUST KNOWS:

a. On arrival at the airport, your passport will be taken from you (this will be the last time you will see your passport until you need it again in your next vacation / flight home)
b. On arrival at the airport, be ready to line up and follow all the instructions. click for more info.
b. All men and women are always segregated. Men go out only with men unless with married couples.
c. A man and a woman is discouraged to talk alone. Talk always in a group.
d. If you are of a different religion other then ISLAM, do not bring religious relics, novena, bible (all of your faith you may see in the internet)
e. Women should always be accompanied by a male guardian (husband, company guardian/driver) when going out
All the rest of their culture you can find out at the PDOS (Pre-Departure Overseas Seminar) you will be attending soon before you leave.

9. When is my vacation? For how long and who pays for my airfare and back?
Filipinos usually go home during the Christmas holidays (booking is soooo hard). Say your preference or some employers already tell you that you can only spend vacations during non-peak months of business. You must know this so you will be amenable to having vacations during summer months (Saudis usually spend vacations abroad from August to September) or if you wish on christmas, kindly request your employer for early booking to be sure to get home.

I remember my first vacation, I got home just in the nick of time, afternoon of December 25. I forgot to ask my employer to book early. By early I mean even a year before your vacation or 6 months before you intended vacation, at the latest.

Vacations are usually once a year for 1 month, all expenses paid by the employer. But some request twice a year for 2 weeks each. This depends on your employer.

10. Will I get my full salary on my vacation?

All vacations / one month must be paid. You will get this upon your return to the kingdom.

I hope anyone reading this, who has more recent info and would want to help by sharing will do so by writing a comment below :-)

2. Check out the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) website

2009-11-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

The POEA website is very helpful in:

1.Verifying the legitimacy of your Philippine based recruitment agency

Found this under OFW ADVISORY:

Beware of recruitment agencies with cancelled or suspended licenses

The POEA advises the public to be wary of recruitment agencies with cancelled or suspended licenses that are still actively recruiting for overseas jobs.

The POEA, as of September 14, 2009, has cancelled the licenses of 454 recruitment agencies since the start of its operations and placed 44 others under preventive suspension. For 2008 and the first eight months of 2009 alone, the POEA cancelled 76 licenses and suspended or fined 57 agencies as a result of recruitment violations.

Please click HERE to verify status of recruitment agencies.

2. Articles for / about Overseas Foreign Workers

3. Articles for / about Foreign Employers

4. Articles for / about Recruitment Agencies

5. Articles of memorandum of Agreements between the Philippines and other countries

6. Overseas Employment Regulations

7. Vacancies

8. .They even have an e-registration for the pooling of Manpower where you submit your resume and they store it for possible interest of foreign employers.

9. The links on the right side of the web home page is also very useful:

DIRECTORY
POEA Officials
Regional Offices
POLOs
Phil. Embassies
Phil. Consulates
Foreign Embassies
OFW Medical Clinics

ONLINE SERVICES
Recruitment Agencies
Approved Job Orders
e-Registration
OEC Delivery
Seafarer Certification
Phil-JobNet

OFW LINKS
D O L E
D F A
M T C
O W W A
PHILHEALTH
S S S
TESDA
PAG-IBIG

DOWNLOAD
OFW InfoSheet
Standard Employment Contract for Various Skills

CURRENCY
CONVERTER

WORLD CLOCK
Current local times
around the world

Share your thoughts.
Air your views.
Join the POEA Forum

[
POEA Webmail

1. Telling My Family I have an Offer to Work in Saudi Arabia

2009-11-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

This was my first time ever to leave the country for work. Moreover, the first time to leave for a country so different from ours....the home of the Islam faith. I actually had no idea what I was getting into. I viewed it as exciting, an opportunity that may never pass again. So even before telling anyone, I had to educate myself as to what I was getting into.

These are the better information available now:
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/56/Working_in_Saudi_Arabia.html
http://a-pinoy-in-nz.blogspot.com/2006/09/factsmyths-about-life-in-saudi-arabia.html
http://americanbedu.com/2008/03/06/a-womans-life-in-saudi-arabia/
http://taraummomar.blogspot.com/2009/03/susies-new-life-in-saudi-arabia.html

Lastly, I think the most important reference guide to working in the kingdom is to be up to date with:
http://alexasuncion.multiply.com/ especially now that the Saudi Labor law has been translated in English AND FILIPINO.

Start asking yourself what questions your family would be asking you and be prepared to answer.
For me, the 1st and hardest question asked was WHY SAUDI ARABIA?

My answers:
1. I was working for the past 6 years as an orthodontist and I was not progressing as fast as I wanted to
2. I wanted to have savings...yes, during that time I just opened a clinic and was on a 0 savings level.
3. There was no other offer where I could work at the level I was in...an orthodontist....not having to downgrade into a dental assistant or hygienist.
4. I wanted an adventure, a time for myself, a period of independence, of earning my keep, being responsible for myself.

Then followed a series of questions which I called the easy questions....where will you live, salary, when are you going home, Are there Pinoys in your workplace, etc...I took down all their questions because these were the same questions I would ask my employer.

If you are in a relationship, not yet married or married, I must say it is truly very hard being apart. You must really think doubly hard whether you need to be separated for 2-3 years. Look at all options and considerations as:

1. Who will take care of the children? Can the one staying in the Philippines afford to stay home with the children?

2. Is there a chance for you to be together. Actually there is, if the profession you are getting into has "FAMILY STATUS". By this I mean that you will establish residency and then have your family follow you after 3-5 months. Most doctors and professionals (bankers, engineers) are hired with "family status" .

3. If this is the only option that one of you has to leave, be sure to keep an open communication with the family. Prepare an internet connection on the computer. Buy a webcam and teach the whole household how to SKYPE, do GTALK and how to email.

How I found work in Saudi Arabia

2009-11-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

My surprise departure for the kingdom I wrote in a previous blog  (click blog)

I applied at yahoojobs and posted my resume. My target country was the U.S. then and I knew back then that I would ONLY be hired as a dental assistant or hygienist even with my credentials as a dentist. I never did expect that a recruiter in Saudi Arabia was looking for an orthodontist.

A local recruitment agency called me one day, asking me if I wanted to go and work in Saudi Arabia. Huh? Never in my mind was there a thought to consider the middle east. But I kept an open mind. The first things I did, in chronological order (each step discussed thoroughly on the next blogs):

1. I told my father and mother about it, and my significant other.

2. I Checked out poea.gov.ph to see if the recruitment agency was licensed, meaning not suspended or license revoked or cancelled.

3. Since the recruitment agency could not answer any of my "million" questions, they directed me to my
employer who was kind enough to correspond by email, skype, gtalk or he would call by phone.

4. He sent me a contract which I immediately showed to a lawyer friend of mine  to comment on. Then
correspondence between my employer and me continued until we were both satisfied.

5. Make the decision to whether take the offer or not.

6. If you decide on taking it, proceed to "recruitment" procedures. Start by renewing your passport if
    needed.

Alcohol Prohibition in the Kingdom

2009-10-31T04:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write about this mainly because I never knew alcohol was banned in the kingdom. I was surprised when we were flying off to the kingdom, our luggages were checked at the Philippine airport for anything with alcohol content and these were confiscated from us.

Bye bye to my rubbing alcohol and to my cologne. Asked why? The airport staff (which I now know didn't have any idea too) simply told us that it might affect certain contents of the cargo luggage. Even if I did not understand...huh??!!!....I was one to always follow so I surrendered.

Upon arrival, I discovered that Islam prohibits Alcohol intake. Oh so that's why....but I kept wondering why rubbing alcohol, colognes and hand sanitizers were also prohibited. So they don't use alcohol, colognes and eau de toillettes here? We need 70% ispropyl alcohol for hygiene in the clinic. I will miss having a cologne. What could substitute for alcohol?

I was wrong. We had alcohol. It was packaged this way:

That was how small the swab was

We had colognes but packaged this way:

All colognes were with a spritzer

Why the packaging? Go figure...

Only in the Kingdom.

Being a Single Lady in the Kingdom ...What's there to do?

2009-10-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Being a single lady in the kingdom has its pros and cons.

I liked it that anywhere I go, I would have to be driven and accompanied by a male guardian. Some would not have liked this, but I did. I felt safer from the prying eyes of men (that's another topic altogether).

But I did not like it that every move I took would have to be approved by my boss, our manager, our company guard. But there were ways to go around this.

First, be a lady and behave as you should. In the kingdom this would mean going out with women only or with their family, staying in the places designated for family only, and limiting interaction with men. That would be appropriate for me as I was attached and had a very faithful fiance back home.

Secondly, doing the things I said earlier would eventually win the trust of your male guardians. At any cost, win the trust of your guardians.

But what was a single lady to do for fun in the kingdom?

Mine was to go to their super duper malls and supermarkets. They were huge and expansive, so much land. You would even see huge and tall palm trees inside these malls. Food in the kingdom was as varied as the nationalities. There were even Filipino sections in the supermarkets. I loved their cheese and dairy section. Not only were there varied cheeses to choose from, but they were affordable. Arabs were basically milk drinkers so they had the best Danish Dairy and cheeses. Juice was fresh, and abundant. Their supermarkets were mostly European franchises so their food wares were such a joy of discovery from what we have here of mostly American brands. Equally joyful was the fact that most servers were Pinoys who would gladly help you with queries and even add a little serving of cheese and meat in your order. Good to know that Pinoys are known for being hygienic and clean so they get to serve the cheeses, meat, poultry and seafood section. Oh, I was surprised at Chinese restaurants. Most had Pinoy chefs :-)

Other than the supermarket, my favorite hang out was still IKEA in Riyadh.
Maybe because we did not have one back home. Or perhaps it was just too good a place to be in. Seeing those practical designs in a huge warehouse full of showrooms...you just had to visit it as often as you could.

Arab women have small get togethers and parties among themselves and here we danced and immensely enjoyed learnin from each other. The Pinoy singing talent (even if you didn't have one ) was shown off and their culture and dances tried and absorbed...the very sensual belly dancing. Lovely arab women they really were. They were / are such "fashionistas" underneath the abaya...think New York fashion week.

Families love going to picnics. You could actually mingle and talk with men provided they were with family. Join them and enjoy their food...mostly barbecue grilled meats called Kebabs and a lot of vegetable salads like Teboulleh, Spring rolls they call Sambosas.

One could also go to Batha, the Quiapo of Riyadh. This is where all Filipinos meet, and mingle. So much like Quiapo where you actually bargain and get to feel a sense of home with the taste of Pinoy treats like puto, pancit, dinuguang baka or manok, bibingka etc etc. You get to see the brands Pinoy oh so love...Nike, adidas, Sony...where you buy cameras, video cameras, TVs, DVD players, cell phones, SMART sim and load etc etc. Funny but they usually know if you are a first timer in Batha. You actually hear the loud whispers saying, "Bagong mukha".

You could also go to the Philippine Embassy and take part in their activities. The embassy is in a very nice compound where embassies of other countries are also located. The embassy usually sponsors Financial Literacy programs and medical missions. Here, you're definitely in Filipino soil so enjoy the freedom.

Now that I look at it, there were so much things to enjoy there. Good thing I took advantage :-)