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| It's a festive mood here in the UAE as the country celebrates Eid al Fitr since yesterday. Eid signals the end of Ramadan, and during this period most employees are given a 3-day weekend. The Arab world treats Eid as the most important holiday of the year, the equivalent of Christmas and New Year combined for Christians. Unfortunately, travel industry employees like me are not exempted from work. Many people are spending their holidays abroad and there will always be calls for booking amendments, new reservations, or ticket revalidation. But we don't mind working during Eid at all..we're being paid double anyway haha. Eid is a welcome change. During Ramadan, most restaurants are closed during the day and you can't be seen eating, drinking, and smoking in public or you risk yourself to jail. Which makes me remember my Ramadan days in Saudi. It was in 2005 when I experienced my first Ramadan in the land of prehistoric living. We were made to eat in the most remote area of the building like electrical rooms, storage areas, and janitor's quarters. Saudi nationals must not see you eating or drinking or else they'll report you to police for deportation. It's very strict. It's a good thing that here in the UAE , there are no Muttawas or religious police officers wandering around the streets to catch offenders. There is much tolerance here but of course, everybody must follow the rule. The mood in Dubai is tamer compared to Saudi Arabia where fear dominates the populace. Surprisingly, the workload is light since yesterday. Except for the ocassional 10-minute red light busy alarm on our phone, the rest of the shift is relatively light. It's what we call petiks in Philippine call centers, a period where one can actually relax since the gap between calls is is like 10 minutes or so. Today I had one complaint case and it was regarding a call I got yesterday. The passenger was booking a flight from Capetown to Dubai in business class and he wanted to amend his travel date. I looked at his ticket and it was a companion/Internet fare, the rules of which the Dubai office is not able to verify. So I told the passenger that he must go to the ticket counter to revalidate the ticket and pay for possible fees since we are unaware of the restrictions. Having said that, the passenger insisted to rebook his flight and his chauffeur service. So I did as requested, but warned him that I'm not able to tell how much he needs to pay at the counter. After the call, I got the slight feeling that it will not be the last time that I'll be encountering the record. And I was correct. Dilani called me this morning and clarified what I told the passenger about the fare rules. Apparently, the Capetown office told him there was a 200 British Pound penalty per ticket that the passenger doesn't want to pay. He was insisting that I told him that there will be no penalties at all, and that he just needed to revalidate the ticket at the counter. It is something that seasoned travelers do to get their way out of the penalties. We've already been warned about passengers like them..who are frequent callers of customer affairs to make complaints and collect 'compensations.' Anyway, Dilani my supervisor..and later on Clement the senior supervisor talked to the passenger and insisted that I did the correct thing and documented the call correctly. We even listened to the call and I clearly told the passenger that is is very possible that he might be asked to pay for penalties, the amount of which we are not able to give. Later on, I found out that Mr. Paul Beech did not waive the penalty and passenger was made to pay the fee. It's an Internet fare, naturally he is aware of the fare rules and he clicked on the 'Agree' button before the ticket is purchased. Good for that asshole haha. Happy Eid!
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| As usual I went to the office at 6pm, trying to get ready for battle. I logged-in and opened Outlook. Then WHOA! There were about 20 or so emails by Pinoy staff at the call center discussing one development in the pantry: THE MICROWAVE OVEN WAS REMOVED. Apparently, the Office Admin had it removed out of 'respect' to the fasting Muslim staff in the office. It's Ramadan season. They got feedback from the Muslim staff that they could smell the food emanating from the oven. WTF? In the first place, the pantry is an enclosed area, and no one can really smell the food in the production floor because the door is heavy enough to seal the room. It's those Muslim staff that are hanging around in the pantry that are complaining. Quite funny actually. In the first place, why do they need to hang out there? I'm sure they are well-aware that the place is a dining area. Naturally, people will be heating their food. Also, it's the pantry where pork is allowed to be heated inside the microwave. A few months back, Muslim staff were complaining that the Christian staff are heating pork in the oven, and they are not supposed to smell the aroma. So what the Admin did was to assign the microwave in Pantry B for pork-heating. The microwave oven in Pantry A cannot be used to heat pork. And now, they've completely removed the microwave oven in Pantry B. Where does that leave us? Sigh. We're all looking forward for the end of Ramadan and the Pinoy staff are 'cooking' something great! Better watch out!
Anyway, I had a blast last Thursday night. I had an advanced birthday party because it's the only time that my sister Kristine could come (it's her dayoff). I was really nervous that things would go wrong. That the food would not be enough, that there'll only be a few visitors, that I can't afford a party, and so on. Luckily, everything went fine. It was a blast! Chipper was great in calculating the amount of food, and we were all full eating. A lot went to help in decorating the flat and preparing the place. Everything went smoothly! The party was packed with people, and all had fun. I guess God really works wonders. He answered my prayers for a good birthday celebration. I've also come to realize that I have many friends who love me. In the end I'm really grateful for everything. My 31st birthday was really memorable.
Here's hoping that I'll have many more birthdays to come. IT'S GREAT TO BE 31! :)
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| Since it wasn't queuing today I spent most of my day in the office reading through different news websites and blogs. I sifted through my favorite blogs and came across this one entry in the PUSIT blog where the blogger narrated the events during his 30th birthday. It then crossed my mind that it's already the month of August. I can't believe it's almost September! One more month and I'm on 'the last date of the calendar.' Turning 31 is something that I have been anticipating since my younger years. This is the year that I envisioned myself as having my 'dream job.' Pathetic as it may seem, I've always pictured myself in my 30's working in an office, punching the typewriter all day and doing tons of paperwork and filing documents (well, computers were not that popular then haha). This 'vision' started when my mother brought me along with her to the the Marikina City hall to pay our real estate tax for the year.  If I'm correct it was in 1986, when I was in Grade 2. I was fascinated with how the government workers were doing their jobs efficiently...speaking to different customers one by one as they fell in line, processing their requests, punching the typewriter with great speed, and doing a lot of filing. A sense of excitement overcame me...I WANT TO BE LIKE THEM! Well, it turns out that this simple dream of mine came true after all. In my present job, the typewriter is my computer keyboard, the tons of paperwork are the endless airline bookings from passengers (waiting on the call queue) , and the documents are the electronic tickets that we send to the passengers through email. If I could only speak to the young Warren, I would have said, I DID IT! Haha.
Of course, it's just one chunk of the dream. Still I would like to learn different things, try a lot of other jobs and explore new possibilities. When I grew a little older I added to my list of 'dreams' the possibility of becoming a businessman, a professor with a PHD, and a rich retiree. I know I've got a lot work to do, but let's just leave that to God for now. He may have better plans for me, or perhaps, he's happy that I'm contented with what I'm doing right now. Honestly, I love my work. I love working in Emirates Airlines where diversity abounds. I love working with different nationalities.I love speaking to people from different places, and thrilled with the fact that I'm taking them to different parts of the globe. I'm just grateful that I'm blessed with a good job, a great family and good set of friends. I'm taking it one day at a time to improve myself and grow. But in the meantime, I'll enjoy being 30 and savor the last remaining days of August.
PS. That's Joan D'Souza with me. She's from Kerala India. A very nice colleague. :)
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| Our housing complex is already connected to the web! Pathetic as it seems, it took 6 months (almost a year for the earlier tenants) for the Emirates housing complex in Al Quoz to get an Internet connection. It didn't come easy. We finally got word from Du (the provider) only last Jan 5th that the area is already wired.. after countless email requests, follow-ups and empty promises by the Accomodations division of the Emirates Group Headquarters. Can't blame them though. Al Quoz is a very remote place..often regarded as the 'final glimpse of undeveloped Dubai.' I was so disappointed the first time I came here. The area is in the middle of the desert amidst the many cement factories and labor camps that surround it. Our housing complex is a different story though..the area was still buildings and all-sands 6 months ago. But now sidewalks are fixed with red bricks and they've began development of the gardens, walkways and lit-up roads. Dubai Properties is the developer of the area so I know the final outcome will be good once it's fully -developed. We're fortunate enough to be given a fully-furnished villa with free electricity, gas, and water. A lot of EK employees are now lining up to get company-provided accomodation in Al Quoz because of the skyrocketing rent prices in Dubai.  
Anyway, I did my grocery in Satwa yesterday, as usual in the ever-famous Al Maya Supermarket. I didn't have rice anymore so I went straight to Satwa and asked Fahad the carlift driver to wait for me for 30 minutes. I took the usual stuff..rice, canned goods, fish, chicken, and my personal hygiene stuff. I then proceeded to the Pork section to buy pork and canned products like SPAM (the Lite variety), Purefood hotdog, and other pork products that Filipinos love. After having the pork meat cut into cubes, I was ready to exit the place when my eye caught one product on display...Purefoods Fiesta Ham! Haha. I got really excited because it's always a tradition in our family to buy that product during Christmas. I only get to eat it once a year so when it wasn't available during the Christmas rush last month, I kinnda f elt disappointed. My sister Kristine, my brother Kenneth and I always had a good time eating it with rice (haha) after putting it inside the microwave oven, making it semi-brown and crisp. I immediately put it in my grocery cart before somebody else does as there were only a few balls left. I'm just thankful that the UAE is an open-country, respecting the religion and culture and other nations. Pork is a taboo in Saudi and I must say I'm really glad I left the place haha. 
Aloha (my former officemate in Lighthouse) texted me earlier to arrange a meeting in Dubai Mall. She came here in Dubai just 2 weeks ago and we have yet to meet. I was sick for two weeks due to flu and it's only now that I'm fully recovered..I hate coughing! My flu was really bad that I felt my entire lungs were filled with phlegm. Yuck. It's just great that the healthcare system here in Dubai is very efficient as medicines are provided for free and I don't have to pay for doctor's fees. Wish it was the same case back home in Manila. At least I'm recovered now and I get go back to the gym to do some cardio and weights. I'm excited to go home! I'll be taking my vacation in February 15 and my friends and I are going to Boracay! I haven't been to the place so I'm really looking forward for the trip there. Let's see if it's still the world class beach that the Department of Tourism is claiming it to be. A few years ago the beaches were ordered closed because of the presence of coliform. But they've cleaned it already and I hope by the time we get there the waters are still pristine and sand beaches powdery white. I still haven't planned where to go with my family. Probably it'll just be a weekend getaway in Tagaytay or wherever far. We can't go far as my sisters are working. Like my hair? It's just an experiment. Eversince my childhood days I've always had the boring 'gupit binata' haircut haha. But when I grew up I just tell the barber to cut it the way he wants...in other words...'barber's cut.' I'm still not used to it, but I style my hair this way once in a while haha. Oh gee..Aloha texted me again. I got so excited resurrecting this blog back to life haha. I'll post again tomorrow. I'm off to Dubai Mall! | | |
| By now many of you already know that I'll be leaving Manila soon, this time for the city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. I've told myself a million times before that I'll be staying here for good. But here I am again..preparing myself to work in a foreign land..still in the Middle East (again? haha).
I've pondered about it for many nights. I really enjoy working here (especially in IBM), but things get different when you're presented with a better opportunity. A lot of people (especially members of the UAE thread in PinoyExchange) have been telling me that Emirates is an excellent company, that majority of the people in Dubai dream of working there. The personnel from IPAMs (my agency) are also telling us that we shouldn't let this opportunity pass, and that only a few people are privileged to be hired. My family members are encouraging me too (due to their free tickets I guess). So accepted it, and I hope I won't regret it. Besides, the US airline industry is on the decline. Due to the skyrocketing cost of fuel (now at $135 per barrel!)..there is a huge uncertainty on our account. A lot of US airlines are closing (Aloha, Frontier, Skybus), and some have merged or are considering a merger (Delta-Northwest, United-Continental/US Airways).
We've been taught in finance, 'Greater risks yield greater returns.' But it could also be the opposite. However, most tend to be risk-averse by playing it safe. In my case, I've taken many risks before. The results have not always been good, but at least I learned from them. Hopefully this risk that I'll be doing in accepting Emirates' offer will be a turning point in my career. God only knows.
I'll miss my mom! And our dog Hog Chow. And my sisters, and my brother. Anyway my sister is already in Singapore, my older sister Karen will be marrying soon. And my brother is now studying in College. We'll be away from each other in the near future..which is bound to happen anyway. At least we are still complete and moving on with our lives.
Mom and Hogchow!
Anyway, my friend from Saudi Rayyan came home last week, and we met the other night. We went to eat in Bacolod Inasal with James, and proceeded to Zirkoh to watch some gay comedy shows. In the middle of the show, huge cameras suddenly rolled then Joey Marquez and Keempee de Leon appeared on stage. There was a live taping at the venue for the tv show, Kung Ako Ikaw, where celebrities get to do different jobs. This time the task was to become a drag queen/gay showgirl. Guess who the celebrities were? Dino Guevarra and Joseph Bitangcol haha.
 It was a blast! Dino and Joeph were great hahaha. Dino Guevarra looked like a Barbie Doll and Keempe jokingly asked 'Hoy Dino bat hindi ka nagtanggal ng agiw sa dibdib mo! (referring to his chest hairs) haha. Joseph was great in dancing as usual.
Sigh. I know the entertainment scene in Dubai is very different from here. But at least people from there say there moviehouses in Dubai showing the latest Hollywood (and even Pinoy) movies.
Have to sleep now. I'll keep you posted soon.
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