Chapter 26: Transferred to Al Ain City

It was in...

The year 1988 January 7 – When I transferred to Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates as my new job assignment.

I traveled for almost five hours by taxi cab going to Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Al-Ain was small in area and population compared to Dubai; a quiet and remote area within the emirates but rich with beautiful sceneries and places. And, locals said, the place where the Head of State was born.

When I arrived, I went upstairs to my room on the second floor where I cleaned, arranged, and decorated my new habitat. I visited the store, greeted the staff, and posted a notice on the bulletin board for a store meeting the next day. I was able to talk to one of the staff about the store's condition and management. Also, I observed that I was the first Filipino to work in the Al Ain branch. The more I wanted to know about the business and people of Al Ain, the more I missed the Dubai environment.

I accepted my fate totally to enable me to function properly with my job, and the people to be with that I forced myself to intermingle to the best of my abilities. I need them and they needed me.

For the first two weeks of my stay in Al Ain, I was able to know more OFWs with the same dreams as mine. I joined OFW International: a group of OFWs working in Al Ain whose mission was to help OFWs with their problems and teach them how to get along with their employers.

I handled troubled Filipinos especially housemaids during my first week in the organization. I used my experiences, skills, knowledge, and determination in doing what I called "helping hands." Without much fuzz on my part, I excelled with my newfound social responsibilities within the scope of my new environment. But, deep inside of me, I wanted more than what I can do to them in my own way.

They were people with the same dreams like mine, but different in some aspects of their status in life. Moreover, life for them means helping their family financially, much more for themselves, than the results of working in a foreign land without weapons to depend upon.

I resumed my job in the store but my heart kept on coming back to the OFW International Office to mingle with Filipino people, and to extend my help to those who need aid in some way or other.

One day, I had a scheduled interview with a guy named Roger Ferrer – a worker in a Pakistani restaurant who had been in Al Ain for almost five years.

"So, you are here for almost five years but your employer doesn't want you to have a vacation leave? Am I right Roger?"

"Yes sir."

I smiled and said, "Just call me Marco, okay?" He looked at me, smiled, and said, "Okay Marco."

"Kindly tell me your story from recruitment until today, so that I could give my assessment for your case."

"Okay, Marco...I've been hired by the recruitment agency in Ermita, Manila with the agreement that I'll receive US$300 as my monthly salary, free accommodation, and food. That agency didn't give a copy of that agreement to me. I paid for my placement fee of 14,000 pesos exclusive of processing my documents; but when I arrived here in Al Ain, my monthly salary changed to US$250 per month. You know, I am honest with my dealing with the agency but look what happened to me! I wanted to report to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, but I don't know how..."

"I've got your points Roger, and I'll review this today, okay?"

"Okay Marco, can I invite you to my room...I want to chat with you, personally? Your day-off today isn't it?"

"How do you know Roger?"

"I have eyes and ears all over Al Ain...Ha-ha-ha-ha...."

"Joke, joke, joke...okay, let's go...I ask the president for permission to go with you. Wait there..." I left Roger and I entered the office of our president, Mr. Fidel Rosales.

"Sir, asking your permission to come with my client, and besides it's my day off today?"

"Okay, Marco, go on and take care."

"Thank you, sir."

We went to his accommodation room along the Main Road, a room filled with sealed boxes, a bed, TV, music component, and a small table. We sat on the carpeted floor and he offered biscuits and instant coffee.

"Marco, how do you find my small room, not well huh?"

"Well, in my case, it's small, but since you're alone, this is great; unlike some workers of other nationalities, really lived in a battered room full of workers. Is that the case with your co-workers in the restaurant where you've been working?"

"Yes Marco, and to think, that they are receiving US$100 as their monthly salary..."

"Yes, as what I've learned from the OFW Intl. office."

"I'm just curious about you. You know I find you very intelligent and kind. But I've heard that you came from Dubai, is that true?"

"Yes, Roger, I've been there for two years, hooked up in some bad habits and transferred here Al Ain."

"Marco, drink your coffee, it's getting cold."

"Okay Roger, thanks."

"Personally, I'd like to open up to you where I came from, in my own way of telling somebody I trusted, but for the sake of my curiosity about you....can you tell me your life or childhood days, or whatever..."

"Well, since you asked for it, then I'll tell you my childhood years in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, is that fine with you?"

"Yes friend, go on...I'm listening...."

I looked at him with honesty and found the hidden personality of a young man willing to hear the life of another individual with enthusiasm. Roger Ferrer was very eager to learn from other people through interacting or knowing different facets of other people's wisdom.

I started to tell him part of my life that molded me, of being me. "Roger, you know I'm the fourth child in a family of ten, where my father worked as a route driver in a soft drink company. His meager income cannot sustain us all; school, food clothing, and some other necessities, but he tried his best to meet both ends. That was, when I'm in grade five, year 1966, that started our family to undergone the poorest of the poor. My father, for the second time approached my grandfather in Barrio Tabu, Ilog where I was born, for a parcel of land to be cultivated by him and source of his income. He wanted very badly that even his own brothers were against for this agreement. But, my grandparents were willing to help my father one way or the other. So, my father developed the land and produced revenues intended for his family. He bought some hectares of land near the place up to the secluded area in the mountainous town of Candoni, Negros Occidental. In Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, when I graduated from elementary school, I enrolled in a Christian private school together with my sisters and brothers, but after a year, we were transferred to public high school."

XXX

It was in...

The Year 1972 – 1975: When I started attending college education in West Negros College, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

I was enrolled in West Negros College taking up a Bachelor of Arts, as my eldest sister told me, without knowing that continuing this course was very hard for me. I was just enrolled but my mind cannot comprehend why I took up this course, and where my schooling was heading. The youthful thinking deep inside of me cannot give the real meaning of my existence; just learning of different subject matters without giving any sense to my welfare.

It was in...

The year 1972 September: When Martial Law was imposed by President Ferdinand Marcos.

The imposition of Martial Law gave me many hard times as a student. Even my classmates and instructors were agitated by the nationwide system. Some other subjects were deleted from the curriculum without much explanation. Even my father's business was affected by the strict implementation of taxes levied by the Sugar Industry. Negros Occidental was being hit by the total devastation of goods imported from other countries. I continued my college studies while my father's source of income was affected by nationwide membership of the New People's Army (NPA) in mountainous places like Candoni, Tapi, and Tabu. It lowered sugarcane production and planting rice and vegetables were the only options for land development.

It was in...

The year 1975 of October: When I transferred my studies to San Agustin College, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

I began my new course; all Chemistry subjects, suggested by my father to pacify his plan of wanting me to work in the Sugar Industry. I hated chemistry subjects because of their vastness and vagueness in my system. I didn't want to disappoint him, so I went on with my course as a way of continuing the course. But, I wanted to finish my course badly to aid my life after schooling. My father's business was faltering he cannot sustain my schooling, and this was the time that I met Ayah Isabel, my wife. And life goes on between us, chasing my dreams until this day. Roger, you absorbed every detail huh?"

"Yes Marco, thank you so much, you're almost six years in college?"

"Yes and was young at that time....you know....have your coffee, my friend, you're not drinking....you amazed with my story huh..."

"Very exciting, you struggled through your dreams in life."

"And you, what's your story?"

"Well, my life in the Philippines was like a see-saw in a crystal ball, unpredicted and vague. I was born an Amerisian in a place called Olongapo, and I'm the product of the love that's not the making of my father and mother but the destiny of relationship between two human beings with nothing to offer for the love of their offspring, but for the love of themselves. Really I underwent such humility to accept my identity, for me to go on with my own life. The uniqueness of my physical image magnetized other people to know me personally and my curiosity to know them in return. When I graduated from high school, I went to Manila to search for my future which I considered being my refuge in finding my inner self without knowing that I contributed to damage to the persons I've known. With my good looks, I managed to conquer my motives one way or the other. In some aspects of my true personality, I wanted a quiet life to prolong the values that I need for my growth. You know Marco, modesty aside, the majority of my friends wanted an attachment to their own terms and whims. Because of my work, I really have to spend time with my clients for money. That's why I accepted this job to heal my wounded heart deep inside of me. My mother told me that my father was a Latino; a Mexican-American soldier who resides in California. Right now, I'm still single and I wanted to save money for my planned business in the Philippines. Don't take seriously my complaint maybe I'm just releasing my sentiments because I don't have many friends here in Al Ain. You know Marc; I'm planning to transfer to Dubai, if I can find a good employer or if you can help me."

"I'll see what I can do to help you with your transfer and in the meantime, you can help me guide you here in Al Ain. Thank you for your honesty in sharing your true self; I admire you for that matter."

"Thank you, Marc, my friend?"

"Thanks, Roger, we're friends now?"

"Yes, all the way! For a start, I'll accompany you around Al Ain, is that okay for you?"

"Yes, come now..."

Roger toured me to the beautiful places within the Al Ain area, visited his workplace, bought some snacks in the supermarket, and seated me on the bench of a park near Al Ain University. The scenery was amazing, like a garden in heaven; multicolored flowers in different varieties, fruit-bearing trees all over the place, and rock formations everywhere. We savored the afternoon delights of our friendship while exchanging jokes and other topics of interest.

From my view, not far from where we were seated; a lone man was sitting at the bench reading a pocketbook. I am sure that it's him, I thought silently.

"What's the matter friend, any problem?" Roger asked me.

"I think I knew that man, the one sitting over there," Pointing to the man reading on the bench.

"If you want, we'll pass in front of him to see?" Roger suggested.

"Okay let's go."

As we walked slowly near him, my heart kept on telling me that it was him. When I am sure that it was him, I instantly grabbed and punched him in the face which knocked him to the ground.

"So, it's you huh...you fool!!!" I shouted with rage that Roger held me tightly.

"Marco, friend...please...I'll explain...." Joel pleaded.

"What on earth do you think you're doing? You connived with Danielle to ruin me and my family?"

"It's not like that Marc...."

"Then what!!"

"Marco I think you have to calm down and we'll talk it over in my room. It's very dangerous here in public to fight." Roger said. "And for you...what's your name kabayan?"

"Joel Arevalo kabayan."

"Joel, can you come with us to my room to talk about this matter?"

"Okay friend."

We hailed a taxi cab to go to the main street in Roger's room. We seated face to face on the floor while Roger was making coffee for us. Our silence between us made me realize that Joel was bleeding.

"Ohhh, you're bleeding Joel!" Roger exclaimed. "Marco pressed the hand towel to his face, I'll get some medicine..."

Roger went outside of the room and after three minutes, he was back with the medicine, gauze pad, and plaster. Instantly, Roger cleaned and dressed the wound, while I sipped my coffee.

"I think you two must talk peacefully while this matter was between the three of us, because... if the police know about this incident, it'll be reported to your employers." Roger warned us.

"Marco, first of all, I'm so sorry for the things I've done for you and your family. Really, it bothered me for a long time since you left us in Bacolod City. I asked Edward Ramirez of his decision, that I followed....accepting the money which helped me where I am right now, and to my parents. But, I endorsed Ryan Mallari to Danielle for that job...I knew I can't do it for you Marco....please my friend..."

"Okay then, but please don't say anything about this matter to Ryan?"

He extended his hands to me that I hugged him, responded positively, and smiled at me. "You know Marc, Roger, I'm planning to transfer to Dubai for my next employment," Joel said."Why how long you've been here in Al Ain?" I asked.

"I've been in Riyadh, KSA for three years, then, here in Al Ain. My contract will expire this coming July of 1988. If ever, I could apply in advance for the job before going home, the better."

"Roger, Joel we're friends now, well, we have differences but we can respect each other while we are here working abroad, okay?"

We formed our friendship with love and care for each other for the coming days of our stay in Al Ain. Those differences that we discovered with one another, welded us to create a bond until Joel Arevalo left us for his contract expiration. He promised us to be back in Dubai soon.

I contacted Ronnie Ramirez for some information about the happenings in Dubai and the main office. Ronnie was transferred to Al Fahidi Street in the Bur Dubai area, and Ruel Mondragon was promoted as the new Store Manager. I was glad for their commitment and development to our company. At least, they're moving upward with their career in the industry. "Ronnie, my new friend Roger Ferrer wants to work there in Dubai. Our company I heard has a vacancy?"

"Yes Sir Marco, there's a vacancy."

"Okay, I'll call our Area Manager for my possible transfer to Dubai."

"Michael Luna came over here and asked about you? He's been in Dubai for three months now"

"Yeah, great! Do you know his accommodation?"

"Yes, sir he gave it to me the address in a piece of paper."

"Okay then, say regards to all of you there!"

"Okay sir, bye."

I talked to our Area Manager about my comeback to Dubai and possible employment for Roger Ferrer. Our hopes increased when I received a call the next day from the main office for this matter. I am glad for this news that I instantly went to Roger Ferrer to talk it over.

"Roger, for a week's time I'm going to Dubai....for a transfer of job assignment...you're going with me?"

"Yes I would like to, but you'll help me, Marc?"

"Yes of course!"

"Okay, I'll ask my employer for local vacation leave and I'll go with you."

"Okay Roger, hoping for a positive result for you."

I submitted my request to OFW International about my transfer to Dubai. The president, Mr. Fidel Rosales promised me that they're planning another office in Dubai and the possibility of hiring.

XXX