DEPARTURE TIME

I was supposed to be at Partas bus station that Wednesday at 4am but the dispatcher whom I asked of the schedule a day before doesn't know the exact time when the bus comes along the next day. So to be sure, I went to the station at 1:30am with Kryztl, Knycole and Noel, my best friend. Left Noah there lying on bed and gave him lots of kisses while he sleep. Said our prayer and off we went to get tricycle that brought us to Partas.

It was 3am when the 1st bus bound for Pasay came and I hopped in. Gave my daughters my hugs and kisses and left San Fernando City. It was a long 7 hour drive. The bus has to stop at their Cubao station for almost 30 minutes for some check up then proceeded to Pasay on a rainy Wednesday noon. Got there to the station before 12 and immediately went to take a shuttle car bound for NAIA Terminal 2. One woman heard me say I'm going to NAIA 2 and she came with me splitting the 350 fare between us.

Annabelle was on the line the whole time. She was monitoring my trip and gave 3000 pesos via Western Union which I have to collect on our way to the airport. Good thing, the taxi driver was very accommodating. I didn't get into trouble with my plans.

Was at the airport at exactly 1215 and proceeded immediately to check in. Hungry, got hotdogs for lunch and rested for awhile. An announcement was made for those flying via PAL bound to Vancouver and Toronto to have a thorough check in and we all were asked to line up and one by one checked our documents. It took us til 2pm to finish before we get boarded. Unluckily, there was an ongoing runway traffic that lasted an hour so flight was delayed from 3pm to 4pm.

What was I feeling then? I'd say I've always been tough and very resilient to these kind of challenges and I have mastered my emotions when it comes to saying goodbyes. I know that this will be quite another experience but I believe that as long as I am willing and ready for change, nothing will get to me to my plans. When we took off, I tried to think that 1 year or 2 will be just a small moment compared to the time I will be spending with my kids should I get my Permanent Resident status here in Canada.

CANADIAN DREAM: part 7: The Philippine Government Requirements

Trixie, that friend I met during my SPEAK test forwarded a website where I can check what is to be done for my exit clearance. At the Canadian Embassy website, www.cic.gc.ca, I found the same information and started photocopying documents I need to submit to different government agencies - POEA, OWWA, DOLE. 

First, I had my visa, visa letter and passports photocopied and scanned and sent to my employer to attach to my contract and LMIA for authentication (redribbon) at POLO-Vancouver. I waited for 5 days before I got the parcel from FedEx. 

I then went to POEA- La Union regional office for my Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) schedule. Submitted same documents in xerox form and I was given referral letter for OWWA to give me schedule on the next Tuesday for the seminar. By the way, PDOS can be done without the authenticated documents. For me, it so happened that the documents are ready so I had it seen by the POEA officer.

While I waited for my Tuesday PDOS schedule, I printed my employer's ID to attach to her Employer's profile. Printed also 2 ID's of my sister who introduced me to my employer, encoded my employer's profile in Word format and had it printed in 2 copies, secured my sister's birth certificate at NSO, and looked for a lawyer to do my Sworn Statement/Affidavit. 

Atty. Purugannan signed my Affidavit but was rejected by POEA because I forgot to insert therein how I met my employer. I had to make another and had Atty. Rafon signed it. On that next Tuesday, I had my PDOS. It was a half day seminar but certificate was handed over at 2 pm and the referral to OWWA-Manila for my CPDEP certificate. It was on the next week when I had the seminar in Manila. After the CPDEP, all the documents are now ready for POEA to check and ready for submission for my DOLE clearance. Submitted my documents on February 24 and waited for another 2 weeks before I had it cleared. My waiting period was short considering that I was busy the whole time. Noah was with us that kept everybody busy. Plus my business was still on going while I waited for my departure date.

Came March 8, DOLE clearance is ready and I am ready to pay for my exit clearance as well. But I had it postponed til March 10, day before my flight. Noah was with me all the time. We where at POEA regional office and spend the whole afternoon downtown together, having lunches at McDonald's and we both enjoy our bonding together. When I finally had my OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate), I said to myself, "well, this is it!"

Having done all of the requirements. I am ready to fly.

CANADIAN DREAM: Part 6: CANADIAN ORIENTATION ABROAD

Arrived at Citibank Plaza in Paseo de Roxas, Makati at 6:30 am but wasn't allowed inside the building yet because IOM (International Organization for Migration) office opens at 7 am. Waited for half an hour at the nearest Jollibee store and went back at exactly 7. IOM office is located at the 24th floor. There were few people in line to register when I arrived. The receptionist, who speaks American English looked for my passport with my visa and the visa letter from the Canadian Embassy. Registration done on the computer and then was given free ballpen and note pad after I registered.

Sat on the right side of the room because there's an electrical socket nearby. My iPad was low batt and I need to recharge. Seminar started at exactly 8am. Miss Cecilia Leung, the speaker introduced herself before she let us introduce ourselves. There were at least 30 applicants inside the room, 98% nurses who were bound to the different provinces of Canada. There were 6 of us who are going to British Columbia and we were the noisiest group. 

We were introduced to the country, their culture, their people, their weather, type of transportation, holidays, lifestyle and many more. Pretty interesting that when I think of my Saudi experience, 80% was work, 2% fun and the rest were stress. And now I'm going to a free country. But in all honesty, the thought of leaving behind my kids gives me a higher dose of stress again. I knew exactly the feeling! However, since I planned for it, I am determined to go.

Snacks (Jollibee humburger) was provided. Coffee and tea were overflowing but I don't drink them. I had cold water for drinks the whole time. We were then introduced to the different requirements from the Philippine government to accomplish in order for us to get to the land of Maple leaf. This is where we got time to talk as a group. Found out that there were several documents that a future employee need to accomplish prior to be given an exit clearance. Mind you, it's quite expensive considering that I live in the province and some documents need be accomplished in POEA and OWWA in Manila.

I was sleepy in between. My travel from La Union to Manila was 6 hours plus another 30 minutes going to Makati. I was at Jollibee-Paseo de Roxas before 6 am sipping my hot choco while I waited for the sunrise. 'Tho at Makati Business District, people started early and I can see men and women already in their corporate uniforms walked to their respective offices. Not a very scary place to roam around even at this time of the day.

Lunch was served and afternoon session started at 1:10pm. I sneaked out to have phone calls and naps in between. I threw in few questions which was satisfactorily answered by Miss Leung. The seminar lasted til 5pm. We had picture taking and she gave us booklets to review in preparation for our trip to Canada. All in all, the seminar was informative. Speaker did well. And I learned bits and pieces about the country I was about to be a part of, maybe til my lifetime.

CANADIAN DREAM: Part V: Meeting Duncan

The face-to-face meeting was set on December but things didn't work out for Duncan, the youngest son of Jean Macintyre, my employer. First week of January 2015 however, he emailed me again that the trip to Manila will push through on January 16. 

January 16 was one of those busy days in Manila because of the Visit Papal. I thought of traveling early to avoid chaos. At 5am, kids were awake because they, too will travel to Alaminos Pangasinan. At 6am, I was ready and took Partas bus going to Cubao for my trip. It was a long 7-hour travel and another 30 minutes to Makati. Jumped off at Rustan's to have my lunch and a date with Liam Neeson. Oh, I thought about it 'tho! The movie Taken 3, of which part 1 was a hit and part 2 was unviewed so I thought of catching up on part 3 at Ayala Cinemas. 

The wildly entertaining movie finished off at 5:30pm. Meeting was at Picasso Suites at Salcedo Village and still in 3 hours. I roamed around Ayala malls but decided to check on the hotel after an hour because I'm not familiar with the place. Found Picasso Suites via Taxi but it's only 6:30 pm. The place is 47 pesos away (about half kilometer) from Landmark and it's a cool place, I should say. Looked for ATM machine to withdraw but instead of getting money from it, it took all my money away instead. ATM machine wasn't working well and my money's gone. I thought of Duncan's promise: reimburse my meals and accomodation! I was calmed hoping he will keep his promise. 

 I looked for a coffee shop where I can stay and kill the time. Found one at the next block. I indulged on Chocolate Truffle, so sweet but creamy. While I wait, I was able to update Teamwork on my iPad. Teamwork is our website where we (employer and prospective employee) get updates on my application. It's a conventional way to get everyone updated of our progress.

It's 8:00pm and I need to go back to the hotel. Walked through the back door and recheck on myself at the washing room to make sure I look presentable. At the reception area, I saw 2 foreigners checking in. I knew the other one was Duncan, tall, beardless (profile picture on Skype he's full of beard), on his white Polo shirt and beige pants and on his sneakers. He looked at me and said, "Ginalyn". It's Duncan, indeed! He introduced me to Jeff, his companion. Then they went upstairs to have their luggages settled in. He came back and we had dinner at Pablo's, the restaurant at the ground floor.

I was on a hurry! Or I must have been so anxious and nervous, I immediately said, "well, about the application....." He smiled and said, "let's get to know each other first!". So started the conversation. It was a smooth geting-to-know-you phase. Talked of their trip and waiter started taking our orders, too. I couldn't wait to tell him of the progress of my application. He didn't know yet that I already have a visa. One by one, I let him check on my receipt at VFS, then their response that my application has been approved. He was smiling the whole time. Then I showed him my passporf with my visa. He was elated, I mean he must have been surprised! He shook my hands and said congratulations. Jeff came after few minutes. We had wonderful conversations and were able to know each other better while we munch on our dinner. By the way, what I ordered was a mess! I thought I ordered salmon steak! It was a sandwich instead, with full of french fries on the side. I didn't finish it off! Embarrassing! But it's more embarassing when the waitress insisted I have to bring that home because "it's expensive". Duncan said I'm bringing home dog food but he changed his mind when he saw the paper bag that came with the left over. 

The meeting lasted til 11pm. I was sleepy and tired and I still need to travel for another 6 hours. When we finally said goodbye and he brought me out to get a taxi. He gave me a hug and we bid farewell. Oh, did he reimburse the money? No! And I only have more than 600 pesos on my wallet! 120 for the taxi, 456 for the bus fare! I still have to get a tricycle to get me to Rulloda compound! Well, I was able to go home with that amount! Annabelle who was on messenger while I waited for my ride and was laughing the whole time. "You should have reminded him", she insisted but shyness set in so I didn't bother. 

Home at 6am. Exhausted but satisfied of my trip. Meeting Duncan, talking to him and getting some information about his mom was a breakthrough! At least now I'm ready to meet Jean! 

CANADIAN DREAM part IV: REOPENING OF APPLICATION AND ITS APPROVAL

It's 2015 and things were seem to be not on its proper places! I thought that the year didn't start out right! Business started to slow down and the need to have plan B and C should be a priority. I thought of my Canadian dream once more.

On the 5th of January, as early as 1am Philippine time, I received a message from Annabelle: "still awake? Martha called with a good news!" It was Monday morning and I need to wake up early to prepare for Knycole's school. At 5am, Annabelle called informing me the "good news". With enthusiasm in her voice, I knew something positive is about to be disclosed. She said that Martha, my employer's representative received a phone call from the member of the parliamentary telling her my application was reopened. True to her words, an email (that went to my spam mails) from the embassy was sent as early as 5am Philippine time. Checked on it and it says there "application has been approved!".  The call and the email has slight difference but the email has more of the impact.

My enthusiasm was at its peak but nonetheless anxious that I might get to Canada before Knycole's graduation. My daughter Knycole is in 4th year High School and I wasn't around when she graduated in Elementary. This time, she hopes I could be with her on her High School graduation. 

Immediately called mom informing her of the good news. Mom was calm and positive. She gave me pieces of advice and I was somehow relieved knowing she's here for my kids. No other person knew of "good news" yet; not Duncan (my employer's son who has the power of attorney to represent his mom) nor Martha yet. But Annabelle was informed. She said we'll make it a surprise for Duncan who will come visit the Philippines in a week!

Trixie, a friend whom I met during the SPEAK test has been a reliable source of information. We were constantly talking through Viber since we finished the test and I constantly getting reliable info from her. I told her my application was approved! Happy, she gave me things to do for my next step. By the way, at this time she's already in Toronto for less than 2 months.

Next blog: Meeting Duncan