Filipinos the nicest people I’ve met

I was cleaning my room yesterday when I found a torn page of an old newspaper ( 7Days, one of Dubai's tabloids) in one of my drawers. I purposely kept it as the contents make me proud. I just learned today that the article sparked a buzz and had been a hot topic.. let me share it here. this might make you proud of our people..

Filipinos the nicest people I’ve met
Published on: Sunday, 14th January, 2007

I read ‘Cool Hand Luke’s’ letter about Filipinos being Dubai’s nicest people and it really struck a cord. I have no idea what Filipino’s do (or eat!) to retain such a sunny disposition while suffering hardship (as many of them do) but they are indeed a truly fantastic bunch of people.
In four years of being in Dubai I think of all the drivers who have cut me up on the roads and none of them have been Filipino. I think of all the people who have tried to rip me off in some way and none of them have been Filipino. I think of all the disgusting people who spit and pick their nose in public and none of them have been Filipino.Filipinos have a dignity, pride and code of living that they can truly be proud of and which the rest of the world can look up to.
Nigel Whittaker
Umm Suqeim

This did not end here as Nigel's view certainly struck a familiar cord with many other readers, who have flooded the paper with letters of praise for the Filipinos they have come across here in Dubai, with many asking for the secret to our apparent happiness that we seem to carry with us as we go to work. The newspaper company was kind enough to publish some other reactions. and as they put it, no sender seemed to disagree with this claim.here's one example:


Praise of Filipinos is very deserved
Published on: Monday, 15th January, 2007

I would like to second the opinion of Nigel and ‘Cool Hand Luke’ about Filipinos. I never had a Filipino friend or acquaintance, but its hard to ignore how friendly and chivalrous they are. I travel by municipality bus a lot, and usually see men occupying the seats reserved for Ladies. Once a man refused to move out even when requested by the driver. On the other hand, Filipino men gladly vacate their seats for women though they are sitting in the unreserved section. I have been shamed into doing it myself after watching them couple of times. Filipinos never push and jostle while trying to get into the bus and try to be in a queue as much as possible. I am yet to come across a rude Filipino, though Dubai has struck me as a city of exceptionally rude people. They are the only people who still remember the golden words ‘Please’, and ‘Thank You’.
hope my countrymen would take a leaf out of their book and try to be nice to others.
Viva la Pinoy!

Abi Sultan
Dubai

hmm... although i'd say we have a share of not-so-good-attitude bearing people from the land of thousand islands, i'd say, this makes me proud of the ones who have been in dubai earlier than me. and yes, quite big shoes to fill in for newbies like me..

for the man who has been giving me all the good reasons to celebrate Valentine's day!...

from dubai with love

2006 is a year of surprises for me. of course the biggest suprise is alfred. but just when i thought the year that was had given me enough of a surprise, then came dubai.. i left last dec 28 and yes, i was not able to spend the new year home. instead, i was watching the magnificent dubai fireworks thinking about the lusis i should have lighted if i were home.

today is exactly my 18th day here. but the days seem to be longer than they are suppose to last. a lot of new things, new people, new places..

so far, i could say dubai has been so good to me. my job is ok. i am working for a very beautiful hotel resort where everywhere i look at is amazing. Madinat Jumeirah is fantastic and one of its kind. plus the fact that i work with over 90 nationalities. people im with are also okay. i have a lot of Kabayans around me. i have met my former IHG officemates and had a fine evening with Josh and his friends. my accommodation is great. i am sharing a room with a Filipina as well and i dont think the swimming pool in front of my flat would hurt at all. financially? err.. im working on it. Starting in a new place has always been full of challenges and of course, paychecks here come out monthly. but the Lord has been providing for resources and ways to survive until my most awaited pay day.

the biggest challenges of them all is (surprise! surprise!) .. missing home. it is a weird feeling of longing i do not even want to describe it. the things i saw in movies about the life of OFWs are true. They work hard not just to earn enough money to send home but to make themselves busy. busy enough to feel homesick. now that im one of them, id say OFWs are really worthy to be branded as Bagong Bayani not just because they help the economy a lot but more of the strength, courage and faith they put up everyday.

It is till a long journey ahead of me. but i have always been reminded that this is a blessing I prayed for, my family prayed for, alfred prayed for, my friends prayed for because we know that this is for a better future. im holding on.. taking each day at a time.. the love and support im getting is enough to keep me going each day..

the team that was...

How ironic it is to say that we went to Holiday Inn Galleria last 04 November to do a team building when we are no longer in one team.. oh well, what the heck, all we wanted to do is to spend the budget provided and spell fun our way!!

Destination 1: Hotel's penthouse to discuss enrollment incentive and the Opera system


Class Picture 1
(standing):Mark, Nino, Will, Anthony (seated): Pat, Mwah, Lee, Raech, Ann, Peachy
Nino, gising.. huy, maya ka na matulog, magpipicture pa tayo.. Anthony, musta naman dyan? galaw-galaw, baka mastroke.. or nastroke ka na nga..hehe


Class Picture 2: with the hotel employees

Destination 2: Tiendesitas to bond with the hotel employees, listen to the bands and digest those sisig.. hmm.. yum yum!!


a segment of our very long table

Destination 3: barOne, a sports bar, 4th flr of the hotel


Cheers!

Round 1divine , ramah, christy, peachy, ann, will, raech, moi, lee
>
Centerpiece: featuring Ramah and the magic horse..haha

The Magic horse, Patweetums Lee and the girls.. nyay, andyan ka pala jap!

Destination 4: Hotel room 912

As far as I know we booked a 2 double bed suite with whirlpool ( of course, under the employee rate), pero as usual, pag picture taking, siksikan sa isang kwarto.. (photos at around 5 am)







ramah's vanity taking over her ; jap + divine = japine: the original love team

and for the following, i'd say blame it to the beer.. or come to think of it, this is just unleashing the mark within.. haha




All in all, i'd say this was fun fun fun!!!

birthday girl

Once upon a time , a little angel was sent to Earth to bring smiles to a lot of faces...

two-week old baby leslie.. grabe, ang tisay! haha.. ang cute no!! ang liit-liit ko...

...with the tender love and care of her parents, she grew up to be a smart little kid...

mommy and me with my bukol sa noo..(in fairness, ganda ni mommy no?..)

... with so much talents and wit...

nice fashion sense huh?.. hehe..

... and the potential of being the next supermodel!!! ( haha!! just look at the pic)
:
yeah, thanks mom, great hair.. grr.. and of course, my to-die-for yellow bathing suit...

Today, she just turned 23, not a supermodel, neither a singer, nor a teacher or any of her parents' frustrations for her , but continuously trying to bring smile to a lot of faces especially to those putting smile to hers.

Bottom line is ....

i just wanna show my baby pics!!!.. these are just few..some are too obscene to be posted.. hehe.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!