Building A Future Away from Home

By Melati Mohd Ariff DUBAI, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- Tomas G. Forte is 47 and Eddie G. Zapatero is in his 50s. Both Filipinos shared the same dream since they were young - "to find a good job and provide a better life for their families." Their dreams are now fulfilled, but at the expense of spending almost half their lives away from home. Both Tomas, fondly called Tom, and Eddie are now working in Dubai, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This writer met Tom and Eddie while holidaying in Dubai recently. Prior to Dubai, Tom worked in Saudi Arabia, while Eddie worked in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. TOM'S STORY Born and bred in Manila, a place he describes as the "City of Stars", Tom actually wanted to become a policeman. He even took up Criminal Investigation studies in college. "My ultimate aim was to join the Highway Patrol Group. I liked the uniform, the round helmet, the boots and the motorcycle. The officers looked really tough," Tom told this writer. When he was 18, Tom worked in Jollibee, a fast food restaurant, to put himself through college. His father's income while working in a private firm was insufficient to support the family. Tom has three other siblings, all males. He is the second. Tom went to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the age of 22, a year after he got married. "I did not finish college. I decided to go abroad in 1987 to seek a better life, because I had kids coming and I needed to support my family," he said. WORK IN SAUDI ARABIA Tom's first job was with a catering company, Talal Bad Cook. His starting salary of SR1,500 was considered good. The job came with accommodation, transportation and meals. "I was able to save, as I did not have to spend much, and there is also no nightlife in Jeddah. Do not even think of bringing a glass of wine, because the punishment is very severe," said Tom, adding that even talking to girls in public is a big no. "Some people, especially the locals, will be watching you," he added. Tom calls his weekly day off Mother's Day. "It is the day you have to wash and iron your clothes, besides cleaning up your room and cooking meals," he quipped. After four years, Tom moved on to a Saudi BBQ chicken fast-food company, Al Tazaj. NEW CHALLENGE Despite his previous job experience, it was no easy ride for Tom in his new job. He started as a broiler man, based in Tahlia St, Jeddah, the first Al Tazaj restaurant outside Mecca. His job was to cook chicken. Working hours were from 10 am to 2 am in the morning. "The General Manager actually challenged me to start as crew. I took up the challenge, despite the low rank and salary. I was only 26 years old, full of energy - I knew I could do it," he added. Tom did rise to the challenge. Within five to six years, he gained several promotions till he was area manager. His dreams of a better life for his family were almost realised. His next posting was overseeing the Al Tazaj restaurant’s operations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). That happened last year. Life in Saudi Arabia and Dubai were very different, but Tom said he finally became used to it after a week's stay. "Liquor, girls - I have seen all those in Manila. But the cost of living is higher in Dubai. I really needed to manage my spending," said Tom, whose family stayed with him when was promoted to area manager, and was subsequently sent home when he moved to Dubai. ACHIEVING HIS DREAMS One of Tom's dreams was to own his own house by the time he reached 30. He finally realised this dream, even though it was three years late. Tom said he wanted to go back home after being away so long. He has three grown up children, Iza Ann, Arvin and Aldrin. His youngest child, Jamiela, 8, was born in Jeddah. Two of his children are working with a fast-food chain overseas. Iza Ann is in Canada and Arvin is in Oman. Aldrin is coming to Dubai soon. "I must commend my wife, Julieta, for taking good care of our children. Some children go astray when their fathers are not around. "I miss seeing my children growing up. That was the saddest part of my life," said Tom. He added that he is looking forward to his retirement and wants to finally settle down in Dau, about 78km from Manila, where he has built his house. "I want to reward myself after working hard all my life. I want to take things easy after my retirement. "I saved and built a house, because I know one day, I have to go home. I do not want to depend on my children," said Tom, who also built a modest four-unit apartment next to his house for his four children. EDDIE'S STORY If Tom wanted to be a policeman, Eddie wanted to take up tailoring after high school. He said tailors were in high demand then, as ready-made clothes were hard to come by. Eddie comes from the Pampanga province in northern Philippines. His hometown is Minalin. Instead of becoming a tailor, Eddie joined the Philippine Village Hotel in Manila as a waiter at the age of 18 and enjoyed his job immensely. "We were serving the Malacanang Palace when the Marcoses were there, and when they had state dinners during the visits of President Suharto of Indonesia and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India. "I was also in the team that went to Malacanang Palace for a Valentine's Day Party, and I was selected to serve First Lady Imelda,” said Eddie. GOING OVERSEAS Despite his fondness for his hotel job, Eddie went abroad to look for greener pastures. At the age of 23, he went to Iraq, knowing perfectly well that the country was at war with Iran. He worked as a waiter at Al Sadeer Novotel Baghdad and stayed for a year. He also studied French during this time. Being unmarried, Eddie said, he enjoyed his stint in Baghdad as it was an open society. He also had the chance to visit many historical places, including the Babylon and the Tigris River. After a year, he went back home, due to the Iraq-Iran war. Eddie did not stay long, as he received a job offer in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. "My boss in Iraq, Christian Perdier, was transferred to Jeddah as General Manager for Al Hamra Sofitel Jeddah, a five-star hotel. He offered me a chance to work with him," said Eddie. WORKING IN JEDDAH Life in Jeddah was starkly different compared with Baghdad. As Tom did, Eddie, too, adjusted quickly to the new settings, despite a low starting salary. He stayed on for three years. Eddie finally left for home at the end of the third year and got married. "I stayed in the Philippines, starting a small business of selling balloons and videos-for-rent. "After my first child was born, I left home to work with a restaurant at Jeddah Airport. "When our company, Al Musbah, got the contract for King Fahd Hospital, Jeddah, I was assigned to be assistant project manager, before being promoted to project manager," said Eddie. The absence of nightlife in Jeddah enabled Eddie to save a lot. Accommodation and transportation was provided. "Everything was also cheaper in Jeddah, including food. The money I spent was on telephone calls to my family in the Philippines. At that time, there was no Internet or handphone. "Letters would take about 15 days to reach. In Baghdad, it took a month," said Eddie. ANOTHER CHANGE When Al Musbah acquired a franchise for Al Tazaj fast-food company in Dubai, Eddie was sent there as operations manager. He was also able to bring his family to stay with him. Currently, Eddie is earning about AED15,000(AED 1 = 0.78 cents), which is much higher than his salaries in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. With his wife Meroy, Eddie has three children, Rakkie Jae, Maria Rakeza and Jakkie Mae. His youngest daughter Jakkie was born in Dubai. Eddie is enjoying his work in Dubai, despite the high cost of living, as he has his family with him. "I am spending more on food, electricity, water, telephone and Internet. It helps that the company paid the tuition fees for my daughter and son. "My daughter, Maria Rakeza, has graduated and is now working with the Emirates National Bank. My son, Rakkie Jae, has also finished school and is doing a part-time job," said Eddie. Like their father, both Maria Rakeza and Rakkie Jae plan to work for five years in Dubai before going back to the Philippines. After almost 30 years of living abroad, Eddie is ready to go home. He has already built a house in a village called Malpitic, using the money he saved over the years. "My wife and I like a simple life – with a small business, that is good enough," said Eddie. WORDS OF ADVICE Like the many Filipinos, or "Pinoy" as they are often referred to, who were able to achieve success working abroad, Tom and Eddie are enjoying the fruits of their labour. However, both have not forgotten their roots. They have set their minds on going back when the time comes. For many young people, especially those who are seeking greener pastures, Tom and Eddie have the following advice. "Set your purpose. Why do you want to go abroad? To earn money and to enjoy or to prepare for the future? "Be courageous, work hard and learn to work with other workers," said Tom. Meanwhile, Eddie had this to say: "You have to be tough. The job market is very competitive now." "When I came to Dubai, there were about 180,000 Filipinos working in the UAE. Now, I have heard it is about half a million, maybe more. "You also have to toe the line. The labour laws in the UAE are strict. If you are caught for offences, you will be sent to jail, then deported and banned from entering the country, maybe for six months or so," said Eddie. -- BERNAMA