September 21, 2023
We are bound to walk on different paths, stumble over stones and obstacles, get lost, discover new things, learn lessons, meet different people, and experience new life in a new place.
It all started with a simple dream that I opted to pursue. And with that fearless step I took, the courage I pulled out, and my determination to achieve my dreams, I never thought I would get a better twist on life.
My dream was just simple. "To travel and change my life." Difficult life situations for us Filipinos fuel the desire to take a different path with the hope of seeing a better life ahead of the road we take. It can be risky, but as a person who has dreams and ambition, I took the courage to take the risks, and I hoped that my life would change after all the effort.
I may not be halfway there yet due to the different obstacles my life always throws at me, but somehow, my life has changed differently ever since I took that certain opportunity. Different lessons have been learned and new experiences have been acquired. But before I experienced a different life, I'd been through a lot of obstacles and pain.
It was February 2017 when I left home and embarked on a new journey to a faraway place, the capital city of our country, Manila. A solo journey wasn't easy, and because I was a country girl, it was tougher for me to live in a big city. There were a lot of what-ifs and fears. Knowing Manila from different stories, there were times that I felt unsafe and lost. But as they said, for as long as you are literate and have money, you'll be able to survive.
With the limited budget I have, I searched for different agencies online, and traveled to different places in Metro Manila just to locate different agencies using Google Maps. I'm grateful for the convenience that technology has brought to this new era. Things become possible to acquire.
My goal was to find a job in Hong Kong for a simple reason: it's a stepping stone to Canada and European countries. And once I am in Canada or in other parts of Europe, I'll migrate and get my sister to work there too. How ambitious I was! But not all plans can materialize. Failures are inevitable.
February became March, then April and May. I was losing hope as well as money. There were times that I questioned myself, "Am I good enough?" Every time I failed to get a job, I doubted my capabilities, and my hope was slowly fading. I've been to different agencies, applied for work, and attended interviews. But I seldom got a call with job offers that were out of line. So I ended up rejecting job offers I didn't like. Sometimes, I would ask myself, "Maybe I can do another job that is beyond my experiences." Anything can be learned anyway. But I was picky when it came to this matter, as I didn't want to regret it in the future.
Oftentimes, I was pushing myself to the limit, which triggered my anxiety, especially since I was running out of money. I became depressed that I sometimes thought of ending my life. I didn't want to be a burden to my family. But God was on my side. Attempts failed.
I pawned my gold jewelry just to make ends meet, and looked for part-time jobs, even just in small stores, malls, or supermarkets. I was desperate to find one. Unfortunately, I never got hired due to being overqualified. I couldn't just work for big companies or BPOs, as I needed to continue my application abroad.
When my father said, "Just go back home," my pride was hurt. And I told myself, "I don't want to go back home until I get a job." I didn't want to waste my effort, money, and time.
While walking along the street in Muntinlupa, I found a job hiring for the Comglasco head office. I was desperate to work, and two weeks later, I was in the Comglasco main office in Parañaque under training as a System Assistant - ICT Department. That was fast, and I liked my new office. However, after some time, I asked myself, "Are you sure you like working here?" I had pending applications for Hong Kong at that time, and I was worried that I might miss those if I worked longer at Comglasco. After a week of training, the day after I got my company ID, I informally resigned without informing my supervisor. It was an opportunity I wasted.
The truth was, the salary was just the minimum, and quite small for an IT job. My salary for working as a private caregiver in my province was even higher. Moreover, I felt uncomfortable working in the middle of the big office, and beside me was my supervisor. I was just too introverted that time. So I quit and continued looking for agencies hiring jobs bound for Hong Kong. I was determined at that time, until a blessing came.
Later in May, I found a job posting for a private caregiver and tutor (which I liked) posted by an agent I followed on Facebook. I submitted my application, and a day later, I got a call, and I was qualified for the job. The interview came next, followed by the processing of papers. While in the process, I attended my NCII training in June, followed by Cantonese language training and examination. After a month of training, follow-ups for visa applications were made from late July to early August. They said that it would only take a month to process everything, so I waited.
After processing everything, my medical was the last step, but I haven't heard about my visa yet. I thought it wouldn't take long, so I didn't go back home, despite the fact that sooner or later I'd work abroad. That was because I was saving money, and I thought of going back home once I got my visa.
I waited since August, and one month has passed, but my visa hasn't been sent yet. Then September came, and I worried that I might just waste money, time, and effort. Moreover, I never thought it would take that long to wait, and the waiting time should have been an opportunity to visit home. But it didn't happen. Until my visa came unexpectedly. I have to submit my final medical result, as my ticket was already booked. I was uninformed and surprised.
A few days before my flight schedule, I went back home, and stayed there for only a few days just to get my things. I regretted a lot not coming home while waiting for my visa. That short amount of time wasn't enough to spend quality time with my family before I embarked on a new life journey in a foreign land. The separation the next day was the saddest part of my life.
And guess what? When I arrived in Manila, a typhoon came. So my flight to Hong Kong was postponed for a week. How funny it was. It should come a little sooner so I can stay in the province longer and spend more time with my family. I thought it was my sad fate, and I learned lessons from it.
"Life is a journey that has a lot of paths, but any path you choose, use it as your destiny."
- Anonymous
September 21, 2017 came, the day I was waiting! My heartbeat was racing so fast while onboarding due to excitement and fear. Excitement to see Hong Kong, and fear about living in a foreign land with new people and culture.
While on the plane, I was trying my best to hide my emotions. It was overwhelming, a mixture of happiness and sadness. There were several what-ifs, worries, and doubts in my mind. I couldn't keep myself from thinking about possibilities and circumstances. Yet, I need to continue and look forward.
When I touched down in Hong Kong, the first thing that came to mind was the hilarious advice of my father, "Touch the ground and leak your finger." That was hilarious and disgusting. He said it would give me luck, but I didn't want to be humiliated, so I didn't do it, lol. Meanwhile, my mother told me to step my right foot first once I entered my new home. But I forgot about it, lol. I don't believe in luck anyway.
Reaching six years and counting. I never thought that I could reach this far and stay here that long. I never thought I would immerse myself in this new environment and culture, and become part of it. Everything changed, not just my life but my plans as well. There isn't anything permanent in this world except change anyway.
This may not be my ultimate dream, but my journey from the very beginning reminds me that once in my life, I stepped out farther from my comfort zone and learned to conquer the risks alone.
The next chapter of my life is still uncertain and unpredictable. The next path is still unknown. But one certain thing is that, wherever I go, whichever path I take, it will be worth taking. I just need to think positively ☺️
So #RememberSeptember? That's when I courageously took a new journey. That's when my life changed.
I'm inviting my co-Filipinos, 
Thanks for your time.
(All photos are mine)
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