I’m moving my blog to

www.dakilangbayani.blogspot.com

please update your link…thanks!

As i’ve been maintaining two blogs, here in wordpress para sa mga walang kwentang kwento ng aking buhay dito sa Bermuda and in blogspot which i’m only posting positive news about the Philippines. Dahil laging busy, medyo nahirapan akong i-maintain and dalawang blog na ‘to. So i came up this idea na pagsamahin nalang ang dalawang blogs ko. Merger kumbaga.

Please click the photo below for the link or click here.

www.dakilangbayani.blogspot.com

Wahhh…I just have my yearly performance review with my boss(finance director) kanina. Actually delayed na nga last month pa ako nag one year.

After ng maikling tsikahan, she handed me a paper at basahin ko daw muna. Kung nagsabi man siya ng totoo o hini basta i was overwhelmed, blown away at natuwa sa mga comments niya. Ito yung nakasulat:

“islander  managed to carry out the work with minimum fuss and maximum accuracy

“islander has a clear grasp of the work required and able to produce reports on a timely basis

“islander is willing to work on anything which he is asked to do, his possitive attitude, accurate work, intelligence and willingness gives him the ability to strectch his current role to new boundaries.

At ito yung recommendations para sa may-ari ng company:

“islander already has an accountancy degree and has shown that he can progress thorugh the ranks which he did in his previous job. He is clearly capable of  progressing further he has indicated that he wishes to work here through till at least 2010. Advancement in that time should be possible and he should be given every opportunity to work in each area”

Nabanggit ko kasi dati during my 6 months appraisal na tapusin ko lang ang 3 year contract ko  then i will look for another job in other country. Kasi yun ang gusto to, kumikita ng pera sabay maka experience makapunta ng iba’t ibang lugar. Ang government policy dito sa mga expats pwede lang magtrabaho maximum of 6 years unless na belong yung work mo sa exempt catergory.

After sinabi na may pay increase daw ako which is di na masama though medyo mababa by Bermuda stantard tinanong ako kung wala bang pagbabago sa future plans ko.  Kaya pala kasi she’s offering me an extension of my contract for another 2 years. Nyaaaa ibig sabihin until 2012 pa ako dito!!! Hindi ako nakasagot..sabi ko na lang pag-isipan ko muna. 

Kaya ito ako ngayon, nagmuni muni habang nakatingin sa malawak na Atlantic Ocean kung ano ba plano ko sa buhay after 2010…

Bago ang lahat, pasalamatan ko muna ang nag-iisang Reyna Elena sa blogosphere sa pag nominate sa akin para sa kanyang social climber of the week contest…kung gusto nyo akong iboto na hala punta lang kayo dito  at dito at ito pa…heheh dami na ng link ha baka maligaw pa kayo.

Back to my previous entry, gusto ko lang linawin na hindi lang limited sa mga trabaho na yun ang pwedeng aplayan online dito. Yun nga lang ang karamihan.

Ngayon naman, isulat ko na din yung mga trabaho ng mga Pinoy dito na bihira or hindi mahagilap online. Yung tipong referrals lang. Kaya ang mga matagal na dito ang dami na nilang magkamag-anak. May iba nga halos buong pamilya na ang andito.

Nanny/Househelpers/Caregiver

Karamihan sa mga employers nila either mga matanda or working couples mostly expats din. Hindi sila kumukuha ng agency sa Pinas. Based on recommendations lang at sila na mismo ang mag asikaso ng work permits sa immigration. Dito ko lang naramdaman na parang cool ang pagiging katulong. Naawa kasi ako sa mga kwento ng mga karanasan nila nung nasa Dubai pa ako.

Dito they have two options either stay in or leave out. Though hindi ko isa isang alam ang sahod ng lahat kasi depende pa rin sa employer. Merong galante at meron namang kuripot. But more or less, pag stay in around $300.00 a week ang sahod. Some will provide food allowance pa.  Pag leave out naman at least di bumaba ng $500.00 a week.

Isa pa ang luwag lang ng schedule. Karamihan from Monday to Friday lang ang duty from 8:00 AM to 5:00 in the afternoon. Parang de-opisina lang. Pag sumobra na sa oras, aba per hour na ang bayaran. Walang libre libre! Tuwing Sabado o Lingo, hataw naman sila sa part time. Babysitting, linis ng ibang bahay, plantsa kahit anong raket. At ang bayaran, $25 per hour!! At least worth ang pinagpaguran.

Mechanics/Welder/Technician

Again ang mga nahire nito recommendation lang din sa mga existing na Pinoy staff. Per hour din ang sahoharan at ang laki. Nasa $20.00 to $30.00 ang per oras.

Aside from the jobs mentioned, meron din mga farm workers, personal butlers, at kung ano ano pa.

Majority of Bermuda’s expats population are westerners…Canadians, Americans and Europeans mostly in insurance companies. But among the Asian community majority are Filipinos estimated  at around one thousand or more.  Indians, Sri Lankans & Malaysian population are growing fast as well.

Kung ang gusto ng mga westerners kaya sila nandito ay dahil sa beach, sa mga Pinoy naman ay ang datung! Medyo mataas ang pasahod dito, comparable or even higher to US and other western countries. Pero kasing taas din ang cost of living. But knowing Pinoys magaling humanap ng paraan para lang makatipid at may maipadala sa Pinas pang shopping sa SM!

These are the jobs occupied by Filipinos here na pwedeng mag-apply online:

NURSES

They are employed in the one and only hospital here in Bermuda, King Edward Memorial Hospital. Kainggit yung sahod at sky is the limit pa ang overtime. My friend was on duty last Christmas day and you know much he earn for that single day?? $900 dollars!!! An opportunity rare to find. 

CPA ACCOUNTANTS

Surprisingly ang dami ng mga Pinoy CPA’s dito at mga bata pa. Most of them works in major audit firms like Ernst & Young, Pricewaterhousecoopers, Delloite, KPMG, some are in banks, insurance and other financial institutions.

Sa mga accounting grads but not a CPA like me may available din mostly in hospitality industry. Just be resourceful. I got my job here through an online agency only.

CHEFS/WAITERS/PORTERS

Few locals do like these jobs kaya halos lahat ay expats. Per hour ang sahod at weekly ang bigayan.

Sa mga chefs, rate starts from $12.00 per hour. Libre na ang housing. Madalas may overtime lalo na pag summer season. The figue i’m talking is the most conservative one and based on the lowest rank. It’s way up higher depending on the employer and position. Some could easily earn over $1,000 a week.

For waiters, i could say they are much very lucky compared to other place like in Dubai. Hourly rate starts from $5.00 per hour. Standard is 8 hours a day and 6 days a week. But they don’t rely on their basic salary. Obviously sa taas ng cost of living dito they can’t survive with that pay. Ang diperensya dito once you dine in, may 15% gratuities charge added on your bill. And this amount will goes to the service staff only. Walang cut ang management. During busy season pinakamababa na yung $500.00 a week.

For porters or dishwashers, the rate starts from $8.00 per hour. Mas mataas compared sa waiter dahil wala silang share sa gratuities pati na mga chefs.

Itutuloy

Isa sa gusto ko sa trabaho dito ay yung office location namin lalo na kung saan ako nakaupo. Ang ganda kasi ng tanawin sa labas..overlooking to Hamilton harbour. Dahil puro paperworks at nakatutok sa computer boung maghapon, i always rest my eyes from time to time. I just stand close to our window and look outside. Sky, sea, passing boats, green trees at mga bahay na nakapalibot sa maliit na bundok..yun ang tanawin. Relaxing di ba? As i’m in the 3rd floor, my officemates from downstair will just come up during their breaks para magmunimuni.

 Ito yung view from our window:

At ito pa

Pero kanina di ko ini-expect na in an instant biglang magbago. Pagdating ko pa kasi ng umaga, ritual ko na yung magkape muna at magmunimuni dun sa may bintana bago simula magtrabaho. 

Tapos after a couple of hours pagbalik ko dun sa bintana  ito na yung bumulaga sa paningin ko! Wahhhhhh….Parang in an instant may mataas na building na itinayo. Tinakpan ang buong view ng harbour.

Simula pala kanina  nagsidatingan na mga cruise ships dito sa Bermuda. Start na kasi ng summer. So the whole summer season from April to November ganito na ang view ng bintana ko. Pero oks lang, mas bibo kasi isla pag summer. Maraming turista, maraming outdoor parties at maraming happy hours promo sa mga bars.

Nakakaaliw din tingnan pag oras na parating o paalis na yung mga cruise ships. Puno yung roofdeck ng barko at kumakaway kaway yung mga turista na parang nanalo ng Miss Universe.

When we got this email forwarded from our HR manager, taas kilay yung dalawang kasamahan kong itim na lokal akala nila sila na pinatamaan. Eh kasi naman kahit mga lola na, hindi pwedeng magsalita na walang fuck at shit. Casual lang sa kanila ang ganung conversation. Imagine hearing them everyday…kaya ang epekto sa akin pagkausap ko na sila, instead of saying “give me that thing, give me that shit” na ang pagkasabi ko.

It turned out na forwarded message lang din pala sa HR manager namin.  Sa tingin ko kahit anong pangaral, wala ng magpabago sa kanilang pagsasalita parang part of culture na kasi nila yung pagmumura. Sabi pa ng isang lola sa akin, ang boring daw ng conversation at di nila totally ma express yung gusto nilang sabihin pag sundin nila yung suggested phrases.

Kaya kayo kung sawa na sa pagiging prim and proper at gustong maramdaman ang salitang kanto in english pagbaligtarin nyo nalang ang mga suggested phrases..hehh

Dear Employees:

It has been brought to management’s attention that some individuals throughout the company have been using foul language during the course of normal conversation with their co-workers. Due to complaints received from some employees who may be easily offended, this type of language will no longer be tolerated. We do, however, realize the critical importance of being able to accurately express your feelings when communicating with co-workers. Therefore, a list of 18 New and Innovative ‘TRY SAYING’ phrases have been provided so that proper exchange of ideas and information can continue in an effective manner.

Number 1
TRY SAYING: I think you could use more training.
INSTEAD OF: You don’t know what the fuck you’re doing.

Number 2
TRY SAYING: She’s an agg ressive go-getter.
INSTEAD OF: She’s a fucking bitch.

Number 3
TRY SAYING: Perhaps I can work late.
INSTEAD OF: And when the fuck do you expect me to do this?

Number 4
TRY SAYING: I’m certain that isn’t feasible.
INSTEAD OF: No fucking way.

Number 5
TRY SAYING: Really?
INSTEAD OF: You’ve got to be shittiing me!

Number 6
TRY SAYING: Perhaps you should check with…
INSTEAD OF: Tell someone who gives a shit.

Number 7
TRY SAYING: I wasn’t involved in the project.
INSTEAD OF: It’s not my fucking problem.

Number 8
TRY SAYING: That’s interesting.
INSTEAD OF: What the fuck?

Number 9
TRY SAYING: I’m not sure this can be implemented.
INSTEAD OF: This shit won’t work.

Number 10
TRY SAYING: I’ll try to schedule that.
INSTEAD OF: Why the fuck didn’t you tell me sooner?

Number 11
TRY SAYING: He’s not familiar with the issues.
INSTEAD OF: He’s got his head up his ass.

Number 12
TRY SAYING: Excuse me, sir?
INSTEAD OF: Eat shit and die.

Number 13
TRY SAYING: So you weren’t happy with it?
INSTEAD OF: Kiss my ass.

Number 14
TRY SAYING: I’m a bit overloaded at the moment.
INSTEAD OF: Fuck it, I’m on salary.

Number 15
TRY SAYING: I don’t think you understand.
INSTEAD OF: Shove it up you r ass.

N umber 16
TRY SAYING: I love a challenge.
INSTEAD OF: This fucking job sucks.

Number 17
TRY SAYING: You want me to take care of that?
INSTEAD OF: Who the fuck died and made you boss?

Number 18
TRY SAYING: He’s somewhat insensitive.
INSTEAD OF: He’s a prick.

Thank You,
Human Resources

Back then, when i told my friends that i’m leaving Dubai and am moving to Bermuda their first question was where the hell is Bermuda or some say ahhh you’re moving to the Carribean! This what i believe as well but the fact is Bermuda is never part of the Carribean islands & is nowhere near it. It’s considered part of Atlantic North America actually.

Looking at the map below, Bermuda is the circled one. Leftside is the United States more or less parallel to Virginia, on it’s right is the Europe part & Carribean islands down under. Though much closer to the United States, Bermuda is a British territory.

Ganito lang kalaki ang isla. Front or back, left or right makikita mo na ang dagat.  22 square miles lang ang size that in one day pwede mo na maikot ng buo. Estimated population is around 66,000 with over 10,000 expats. Bermuda is composed of around 138 islands of which 6 major islands  are connected by bridges. Kung bakit ganito ang hugis niya na parang nasabugan ng bomba, ito’y dahil nabuo lang mula sa pumutok na bulkan sa ilalim ng dagat over 100 years ago.  

Below is the close up photo of their airport. It was my most memorable moment here when the plane first landed. Imagine a plane running in a tarmac with torquoise blue water  on both sides.

 Here is a closer look of Hamilton, capital city of Bermuda. All major insurance companies in the world have presence here. You will be amazed sa sobrang dami ng mga insurance companies for a very small island. They are the biggest employer of expats population here and one of the major contributing factor why Bermuda have a strong economy aside from tourism.  

 The view here is amazing…pangtanggal stress! Kaso nga lang minsan sa sobrang ganda ng tanawin di mo mapigilan mag emote at maalala ang mga naiwang utang..lol

A densely populated residential area. One problem that Bermuda is facing is lack of space since they can’t build highrise buldings. Housing is the number one problem here, house rents are unbelievably expensive. I’ll discuss more on this next time.

Minsan gusto kong mapag-isa at ayaw ko ng magulo kaya dito ako tumira…heheh biro lang. These are the homes of the super rich people here in Bermuda.  Totally private and disconnected from the mainland. Accessible by boat only. Reportedly Oprah Winfrey was very interested to purchase her own island here but was denied because foreigners are not allowed to own property.  One of the familiar hollywood couple who have a house here is Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Zones, it’s because Michael’s mother is from here.

Maramirami na rin ang napadpad dito sa kuta ko thru search engine and these keywords below caught my attention. Iisa lang ang hinahanap, siguro gustong i-confirm kung talagang may mga Pinoy pa bang natira dito sa isla at hindi lahat naglaho sa bermutriangle…opps wag matakot myth lang daw yun sabi ng mga lokal dito.

ito yung mga keyword searches:

I think i’m the only Pinoy here na nagba blog from the middle of atlantic ocean. Kung meron man magparamdam ka naman para eyeball tayo..nyahahah

Tulad ko dati na walang kilala ni isa dito, sa friendster lang ako nagtanong tanong kung ano ba ang buhay bermuda. But now that i’m here, i’ll make your life easy and your mind at peace mga searchers. In the coming days i’ll be posting a series of informative entries of being Filipino expats working here in Bermuda. Para ‘to sa inyo mga searchers!

Finally my mag cover is up! It was not easy… Galit ako kung bakit tinakpan ang mata ko at pinalitan lang ng CU, hindi naman ako bulag! Ito ang explanation ng editor…”it adds suspense and thrill to the readers, CU can be interpreted as c u in my room, c u in my place or c u in bed…in short it makes our readers HOT…hahah kaya payag na ako.

Tapos ito din…binulyawan ko yung editor na sa dami kong pictures bakit ito ang pinili na parag nasa lungga. Perfect photo daw ‘to sa magazine’s motto nila na…There is LIFE at the end of the tunnel.

Heheh..sensya na wala akong magawa.. 

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