Life abroad is not all roses

Sometime in the recent past may nakilala kaming isang Pinoy family, who recently migrated to NZ. May dalawa silang anak one girl and one boy, both in their teens. Yung lalaki about 13 years old if I’m not mistaken, and he was the most obnoxious person I’ve ever met. Talagang kaiinisan mo.

Ang bansag nga namin sa kanya "Bulok", kasi wala kang maririnig sa kanya kundi ang salitang "bulok". "Bulok naman dito sa New Zealand, malungkot. Sa amin marami kang mahihiraman ng VCD, DVD, video games. Dito walang Jollibee, walang MegaMall, etc. etc. ... bulok ang New Zealand." Ganyang klaseng pananalita ang maririnig mo sa batang ito. Sarap ngang batukan, e. At very impolite sa magulang. Kung makahingi ng tubig sa ina daig pa ang utusan ang sampung alipin.

After na ma-meet ko itong pamilyang ito, na-realize ko na meron din palang mga Pinoy migrants ang nahihirapang mag-adjust sa buhay dito. Hindi pala lahat katulad namin na nag-enjoy kaagad sa buhay dito. Inisip ko kung ano-anong mga katangian meron itong pamilyang ito at very negative ang reaksyon ng kanilang anak.

Una sa lahat napag-alaman ko na may-kaya sila sa Pilipinas. May malaking bahay. Magandang paaralan (La Salle) ang pinapasukan at katangi-tangi sa lahat ang pagkakaroon nila ng maraming yaya at mga maid sa Pilipinas.

Based on this family's profile, I've concluded that Pinoys coming from well-to-do to very rich families, are more likely to find it difficult to adjust to life in New Zealand, or any life abroad for that matter. If you are used to having servants do all your everyday house work, life abroad can be traumatizing and humiliating. Wala kang mauutusang maid o yaya dito. So you have to learn to cook, to do the laundry, clean the house, take care of your kids. I've not experienced it because I have a really good wife who takes care of us, but I know some, mostly women ang napapaiyak kapag kanilang ginagawa ang everyday housework. Imagine nga naman kung sa atin Senor o Senorita ka at lahat ng bagay pwede mo iutos sa maid, tapos dito naghuhugas ka ng pinag-kainan, naglilinis ng toilet, etc. Hay, naku, mapapa-iyak ka na nga lang di ba? Sabay buntong-hininga: "Eto ba ang pinangarap kong buhay...buhay ng isang domisticated?"

Coping up with the domestic chores can be a huge challenge to some new migrants.

The moral lesson -- life abroad may not be suited to everyone. Life abroad is not all roses. There are sacrifices and difficulties too. Nasa sa iyo na lang kung paano ka mag-aadjust sa bagong environment mo because you can't expect it to adjust for you. Pero gaano man kahirap ang maranasan mo, if you think positive, ma-o-overcome mo lahat yan.

Migrating to New Zealand, anyone?

Here is a bit of public service to people wanting to migrate to NZ, especially my kababayans.

If you want to migrate to NZ as a skilled migrant you have to meet the criteria set out by NZ Immigration, which uses a point system for assessment.

You gain points depending on your work experience, educational background, age and other factors.

Work Experience: 2 years gives 10 points, 4 is 15 points, 6 is 20 points, 8 is 25 points, 10 years is 30 points.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree gives 50 points, Masters/Doctorate Degree is 55 points.

Age: 20-29 years old gives 30 points, 30-39 is 25 points, 40-44 is 20 points, 45-49 is 10 points, 50-55 is 5 points.

In addition to the above points, you can also gain bonus points if you have a close relative living in NZ (10 points), have a job offer in NZ (50 points), from your spouse's qualifications (10 points), or the occupation you are in is in an area of absolute skills shortage in NZ (10 points).

The minimum points you have to get is 100 points before even being allowed to file an application. For most Filipinos who are college graduates below 40 years old, 100 points is easily obtained even without bonus points.

Say you have 8 years work experience (25 points), with a Bachelor’s degree (50 points), and between the age of 30 to 39 years old (25 points). This gives you a total of 100 points, enough to pass the threshold set by Immigration for your application to be considered. It doesn’t mean though that you automatically acquire residency if you acquire 100 points. It only means you have a chance, because if there are 10 thousand applicants all achieving 100 points and only 1 thousand can be granted residency then your chances is but 1 of 10 or 10%. The higher your points, the better your chances will be. Like if you have a job offer which is 50 points, you get 150 points easy. That is an almost 100% probability of success.

This is the NZ Immigration points system in a nutshell. If you want more information about migrating to NZ, the best site to go to is the NZ Immigration Website. You can download all the forms from the site or even lodge the application on-line. My advice is for you first download the "Self Assessment Guide for Residence in NZ" from the NZ Immigration website. And if everything goes well and all your documentations are in order, you can be in NZ in 3 to 6

months time. And you know what's great about that? You AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY will be migrating and living together. Compare that with working as an OFW. You might be earning big bucks but the years you spend away from your family is precious time wasted. Let's enjoy life.

Isang paraan ng pagpunta sa NZ

Magkano na ba ngayon ang halaga ng pagpapa-aral ng kolehiyo sa Pilipinas? Kahit rough estimate lang ng mga pangkaraniwang courses – nursing, engineering, medicine, law, commerce, etc.

Kaya ko naman ito naitanong kasi gusto kong ikumpara ang gastos dito sa NZ. Student visa kasi ang isa sa pinakamadaling paraan ng pagpunta dito sa NZ. Kung may pera kang pang-tuition sa mga unibersidad dito at ikaw ay tanggapin nila, automatic kang mabibigyan ng visa ng NZ embassy. Hindi naman kahirapan ang entrance sa mga unibersidad dito. Ang isa nga lang sa mga requirements ay ang hinayupak na English test. Pwede itong kuhanin sa Australian Embassy sa Makati.

Iniisip ko kasi kung may kamahalan din lang ang pantustos ng kolehiyo sa atin, tapos pagkagradweyt naman ay walang siguradong trabaho, bakit hindi na lang dito sa NZ mag-aral? Sigurado akong mas mahal dito pero mas malaki ang chances na makapag-trabaho pagkagradweyt. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ang tuition dito ng isang international student sa loob ng isang taon nasa $10k hanggang $15k.

Actually, kung ako ang tatanungin, mas maganda dito ang mga vocational courses o blue-collar jobs. Maiksi lang kaya mas madali ring makatapos at makapag-trabaho. Matataas pa ang mga sweldo. Pati nga ang pagputol ng mga puno pinag-aaralan pala. Ang tawag nila sa mga taong ganito ang hanap-buhay arborist. Mahal maningil ang mga arborist. Nung minsan nga nagpa-quote kami para i-trim ang isa naming puno, i-trim lang ha, ang quote sa amin $800! Yun naman electrician namin naglagay lang siya ng sampung powerpoints at tatlong ilaw, $1500 ang siningil niya! Yung handyman na gumawa ng kitchen renovation namin, $250 per day. At yung hairdresser namin, $100 to $300 ang haircolor with hairstyle.

Ano ba yan? Mali yata ang propesyon ko. Makapag-aral na nga ng pangungulot.

Have I made the right choice?

Question from Lyn: What would be the best answer to the question "Why NZ?"?. Dami po kasing nagtatanong sa akin bakit sa NZ ko gusto magmigrate and though I’m answering them, I think my answer is still not as convincing to them and somewhat to myself.

It is a nagging question in the minds of all would be migrants – “Have I made the right choice?”. But before you can answer that, you have to first resolve the question “Why leave?”. If you can't come up with an answer to this that convinces yourself, then there's no point finding an answer to "Why NZ?".

An Indian migrant said in an interview with Migrant News:

When we leave our country we have to understand why we leave that country. There was

something we didn't like there. In a mathematical sense it is good, but in an emotional sense it's

not. Everyone misses his or her own country. I'm no different. We all miss our families, friends and

those familiar roads. But we just have to adapt. Life here is good.

Once it is clear to you the reasons why you want to leave, then you examine each of the possible countries you can go to. I can suggest a logical approach for making your choice. Decide on a list of criteria such as employment, education, suitability to your lifestyle, peace and order, housing, relocation, migrant support (could come from friends or institutions), healthcare, and the chance of successfully acquiring a visa among others. Score each country against each of these criteria from 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest. Sum up all the scores for each country. The country that gets the highest score is logically your best option.

Then when you’re asked why you chose NZ, you can say that after comparing a number of countries you've come to the conclusion that NZ could provide you and your family the best possible future.

Or you can come up with standard responses such as “NZ is perfect for raising a family”, “NZ provides a laid back lifestyle”, etc. etc. (If you want to suck up to the visa officer (VO), you might add: "I'm confident I have something positive to contribute to NZ", or something to that effect). If you want to know my reasons, you can extract them from some of my previous posts, such as “My Filipino Dream”.

What you should bear in mind is that there is no single best answer to your question “Why NZ?” that will apply to everyone.The best answer is the one that suits your situation but most importantly the one you are convinced of. If someone said, “I’m allergic to smog, so I want to move to NZ because air there is fresher”, as long as he/she is convinced with that answer, who could contest

his/her decision?

The main thing is, before you can convince others (your VO will be one of those), you first have to convince yourself. For what is the good of convincing everyone else if you can’t convince yourself?

"Recognize that all words are part false and part true, limited by our imperfect understanding. But

strive always for honesty within yourself." - Master Kan

My Filipino Dream

Simpleng buhay lang naman talaga ang hinahanap ko. Ayoko ng complicated. Ang gusto ko lang kasama ko pamilya ko, magkaroon ng sasakyan, ng sariling bahay, stable income, mapag-aral ang anak sa magandang paaralan, paminsan-minsan makapamasyal, mag-dine out, maglakad-lakad sa mall, sa park o sa beach, kumain ng tamang diet, at tumanda nang hindi nangangamba sa kinabukasan ng aming anak, sa sariling kapakanan at kalusugan.

Yan ang aking Filipino Dream. Opo meron palang tinatawag na Filipino dream. Actually first time kong nabasa ito sa blog ni TeacherSol. Ang alam ko lang dati yung American Dream -- tumira sa Tate, makapagtrabaho, umasenso at yumaman. In America, if you have the skills, guts and determination and with hardwork you can become rich, multi-millionaire pa kung gusto mo. The nice thing about the American dream is that everyone who dreams it has the chance to realize it.

Lately, nauuso na rin ang NZ dream. Marami sa atin mga kababayan ang nagnanais mag-migrate dito sa New Zealand. Hawig din ito sa American dream, ang nakikita ko lang na pagkakaiba yung salitang “yumaman”. Opo, this might come as a surprise to some, but becoming rich here in the Land of the Long White Cloud, although not impossible is more difficult compared to the USA. Hence I’ve never equated the NZ dream with becoming rich. Kasabihan nga namin mga Pinoy dito: “Sa NZ, hindi ka yayaman, pero hindi ka rin maghihirap.”

What NZ dream offers is modern living just like in America, comfortable, but not extravagant. A stress free, simple and more laid-back lifestyle. Uncomplicated. Para ka lang nagbabakasyon. Exactly, the way I described my Filipino dream above.

Masaya ako na malungkot.

Happy ako because the way things are progressing in my life, I’m close to seeing my dream to fulfillment. Ilang taon na lang, mortgage free na kami (sana nga). Three years, matatapos na sa secondary school ang anak namin. Then while waiting for retirement, I can dream of some luxuries, such as a house by the beach, or a boat maybe. It is a good feeling to dream. And an even better feeling to wake up knowing your dream is within your grasp.

Pero malungkot din ako. I’m saddened because I know people back home, close friends even, driven by despair and mounting difficuties in life have given up hope and stopped dreaming. They used to be dreamers like me, but slowly their Filipino dream evaporated to become just that, a dream, an impossible dream.

I want to scream at them and tell them not to lose hope. To do something rather than just blaming others or the country for lost opportunities. To tell them not to

stop dreaming. A bright future, starts with a dream, a vision of tomorrow. Then one has to work on it...TODAY.

After being in NZ for 10 yrs now, do you consider yourself a kiwi?

Good question, Jinkee. Sa previous post ko, I was explaining the different meanings of the word “kiwi”. That it could refer to a bird, a fruit or the people. In this question, Jinkee was using "kiwi" to mean the people of NZ.

Nabigla ako sa tanong at napa-isip, because I’ve never thought of it before. I guess the reason being that we never made any conscious effort towards assimilating with the kiwi culture. For some of us, when we decide to live in another country, we just live there and make the country an extension of our own. There is no deliberate attempt to change one’s personality from Pinoy to something else. If part of me has become kiwi, it would have happened at the subconscious level.

I’ve learned to like NZ food. Beef and lamb, cooked bland with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fresh, raw oysters (sarap!!!), green salads, mussels but cooked our Filipino way. Sandwiches ang baon ko sa lunch instead of rice. But given a choice, I’ll settle anytime of the day on sinigang, nilaga, adobo, asado, paksiw, piniritong isda o baboy, tuyo, tinapa na may sawsawan na kamatis at patis at bagong saing na kanin. Kamayan at taas pa ang isang paa. Sa dessert naman, yung pavlova nila sobrang tamis (parang yung brazo de mercedes sa atin). Mas type ko ang leche-plan o kaya yung sans-rival ng Pampanga.

I follow NZ sports like rugby and cricket, but still can’t appreciate their netball. Basketball pa rin ako. NZ history, I know very little of. It’s not as eventfull as ours anyway. In arts, their Maori dances are impressive, but ours, in my opinion are more graceful. I liked the kiwi films Whale Rider and LOTR but I still miss Filipino movies.

We only have very few kiwi friends. It’s still Pinoys we mostly mingle with. (Come to think of it, maybe it’s time we should actually make an effort to mix with more kiwis).

So that’s about how kiwi I am. Kaya siguro nagkaroon ng mga salitang “Kinoy” at “Piwi”, (terms we used over here to refer to Kiwi-Pinoy at Pinoy-Kiwi) because for most Filipinos in NZ, we always think of ourselves as Pinoys and that we can only be 50% kiwi at the most.

So Jinkee, yan ang long answer ko sa tanong mo. My short answer is: No, I’ve never considered myself a kiwi. Sa pasaporte lang ako kiwi. Sa isip, wika at gawa, Pinoy pa rin. Maging sa pagtulog, mga panaginip ko sa Pilipinas pa rin. And that probably won't change even in the next 50 years.

“There are lots of jobs around, but migrants are too picky which is why they can’t find jobs.”

I saw this comment in a “letter to the editor” in one NZ paper the other day. Although there is some truth to this statement (in certain cases), I have to say that it is misguided and unduly puts the blame on the migrant. Readers who see this statement and who know nothing about NZIS rules and regulations might be quick to agree when in reality it is not the fault of migrants if they are choosy when job hunting.

Some migrants are choosy because they have no choice. I’m referring to migrants who arrive NZ with a 6 month Work-To-Residence visa. What this means is that they only have 6 months to find a job related to their qualifications. Meaning, if one is a teacher, he/she must find a teaching job. It cannot just be a job at the supemarket or at McDonalds. If it is not a teaching job, the 6 months visa won’t be converted to a Permanent Residence Visa and therefore their validity to stay in NZ expires.

It used to be that WTR visas have a validity of 2 years. Okay past="on"sana kung 2 years. At least pwedeng tumanggap ng kahit anong trabaho during the first few months “just to get by” at habang naghahanap ng ibang mas angkop na mapapasukan. But with NZIS cutting the time to just 6 months, that luxury of time is gone.

Kakainis nga ang NZIS, parating binabago ang mga rules. Ang masaklap yung rules parating pahirap sa mga migrants. Parang laro ng basketball. Nung una, 12 minutes ang bawat quarter. Napansin yata na kapag mahaba ang playing time nakakahabol ang kalaban sa second half. Kaya pinalitan ang rules. 3 minutes na lang bawat quarter. Running time, walang timeout, at wala ring substitution.

But that's the good news! At least one is allowed to play. Because the bad news is, bukas makalawa pwede nilang baguhin ulit ang rules. O kaya naman, baka maisipan na lang itigil lahat ng palaro.

NZ dream, NZ nightmare

Kahapon may na-meet akong Pinoy na kararating lang dito sa NZ. One week pa lang sila dito kasama asawa niya at naghahanap pa ng trabaho. It’s typical of new migrants coming here. Most come here without job offers. Pagdating sa NZ dun na lang sila naghahanap ng job. Most Pinoy migrants come here through the normal Skilled Migrant Category application process. A lot of them are able to acquire Work to Residence Visas by simply following the steps outlined in the NZ Immigration website with no assistance from immigration consultants. Sariling kayod lang kaya sila nakarating sa NZ. Minimal lang ang nagastos nila -- pamasahe at standard processing fees.

Pero itong Pinoy na na-meet ko kahapon, nakaubos daw siya ng 600 thousand pesos sa pagpunta dito! Ibenenta raw niya lahat ng kanilang ari-arian para lang makarating sa NZ. The immigration consultant they hired charged them 5000 US dollars. The consultant promised to help them acquire a permanent residence visa. Instead they are now in NZ on a student visa. With a student visa, pwede silang magtrabaho legally ng upto 20 hours a week only. Pagkatapos kapag nag-expire na ang student visa nila which is only valid up to the time they’re enrolled in school, problema na naman. Kailangan nilang mag-enroll ulit o kaya makahanap ng employer na willing mag-sponsor sa kanila ng work permit. In any case, hindi ganun kadali na mai-convert ang visa nila into a permanent residence visa.

Sabi nung Pinoy na nakilala ko, hindi lang daw siya ang ganun ang kaso. Siyam daw silang dumating ng NZ with a student visa. Lahat sila nagbayad ng 5000 US dollars dun sa agency. Ayoko pang sabihin na naloko sila nung agency, dahil hindi ko naman alam ang full details ng kontrata nila with the agency. But what I know so far may mga agency sa atin, at mga kapwa Pinoy pa man din natin ang aktibong naghihikayat sa mga kababayan natin na pumunta ng NZ at pinapangakuan sila ng residence visa kabayaran ang limang libong dolyares. So far, marami na rin anecdotal evidences na hindi lahat ng pangako ng mga consultants na ito ang nasasakatuparan.

Sa ibang kwento naman, may nabalitaan din akong ilang Pinoy ang napunta naman ng South Island, NZ. Dumaan din sila sa isang Pinoy agency na tumulong sa kanila upang makakuha ng work visa. Ang problema nga lang ang trabahong ibinigay sa kanila hindi related sa kanilang education at work experience. They were hired as kitchen hand, waiters, crop pickers when they are college graduates in thest="on"Philippines. Sabi daw sa kanila nung agency pagdating sa NZ dun na lang sila ihahanap ng trabaho na mas tugma sa background nila. Ang problema, hindi sila maihanap ng bagong trabaho nung agency. And the worst part, nagsara yung kumpanyang nagbigay sa kanila ng initial na trabaho.

Kaya ngayon pakalat-kalat sila sa South Island, walang trabaho, walang tiyak na patutunguhan. At sa oras na mag-expire ang visa nila malamang ma-deport sila.

And that’s after they spent thousands of dollars, sold their properties, and most probably borrowed thousands of pesos from friends and relatives back home.

No wonder, may ilang cases ng mga kababayan natin dito sa NZ ang nag-suicide during the last few years. I’ve heard it was because of disllussionment because their dreams of a good life in NZ turned out to be their worst nightmares.

What can be done to prevent our gullible kababayans from being exploited by unscrupulous consultants? (I’m not saying all consultants are dishonest, but there sure are greedy ones). For a start, I hope all Kiwi-wanabees join the yahoo group Pinoyz2NZ. From the group they can get heaps of sound advice from well-meaning people with no vested interests. At the very least malalaman nila kung okay ang consultant nila o hindi. It's highly probable that some members have been victimized by the same consultant. And it doesn’t cost anything to join. Membership and all advice are free.

It will be very sad if a country like NZ, beautiful, clean and green to most, ends up a land of broken dreams to some.

Ginisa sa Sariling Mantika

Napag-uusapan din lang ang sari-saring raket ng pagpunta sa NZ, eto pa ang isa. This time ibahin naman natin ang bida, este kontra-bida. Masyado nang nagiging star si Kaloy. Meet Gors (as in Goryo), pinsan ni Kaloy sa pagiging raketista.

Ganito naman ang MO ni Gors. Sa halagang $6000 for processing ikukuha niya ng visa papuntang NZ and aplikante. Student visa nga lamang. Kasi mas madali daw ang makakuha nito compared sa work visa o tourist visa.

I-eenrol ni Gors ang aplikante sa isang school sa NZ. Nga pala, hindi pa kasama sa binayad na $6k ang tuition fees. Iba pa yon, kasi depende sa course at sa school. At dapat bayaran in advance ng aplikante and tuition fee for at least 6 months. Malamang nasa $5k, at least, ang halaga nito.

Legal naman lahat ang serbisyo ni Gors. Siya ang makikipagusap sa school at magpapadala ng bayad sa tuition fees. Tapos, ginagarantiya niyang makakakuha ang aplikante ng student visa. Soli, bayad kung walang tatak ng visa sa passport.

Balita ko, marami nang napaalis si Gors papuntang NZ sa ganitong paraan. Ang karaniwang sinasabi ni Gors sa kanyang mga na-raket na madaling i-convert into work visa ang student visa at kung may work visa na pwede nang mag-apply ng permanent resident visa. Meron nga lang siyang mga ilang bagay na sadyang kinakaligtaan banggitin sa mga nabiktima niya. Una, hindi ganon kadaling makahanap ng job-offer na related sa course. Pangalawa, kung si Gors ang maghahanap ng job offer para sa aplikante, additional na bayad na naman. Kada utot nga ni Gors, may-bayad.

Ilan sa mga nakilala kong nabiktima ni Gors, napabalik na sa Pinas sa dahilang wala silang nakitang trabaho pagkatapos nilang mag-aral. Yung iba nama’y patuloy pa rin na nag-eenrol para lamang ma-extend ang kanilang student visa at hindi pauwiin. Pero wala pa rin katiyakan kung anong mangyayari kapag sila’y nakatapos ng kanilang course.

Heto pa ang masaklap. Ang hindi alam ng mga nabiktima ni Gors na actually, hindi nila kinailangan ang isang katulad ni Gors upang makakuha ng Student Visa papuntang NZ. Pwede naman kasing sila na lang mag-isa ang naghanap at nakipag-correspondence sa school at nagbayad ng fees. Madali naman gawin ito online o via email o internet. Hindi na kailangan ng agency pa. Tapos kapag nakabayad na ng fees at may resibo na, i-present lang ito kasama ng kanilang pasaporte sa NZ Embassy para matatakan ng Student Visa.

Kung alam nila yon nakatipid sana sila ng $6k. Minsan di ko alam kung sinong dapat sisisihin. Ang manloloko ba o ang mga nagpapaloko? Mabuti pa nga ang mga loko-loko, di na naloloko. Ah ewan.

Babala: Bagong Raket ni Kaloy

Naikwento ko na kung paano naging milyonaryo si Kaloy sa pamamagitan ng Pyramid Scheme. Heksuali, maliban doon may iba pang raket si Kaloy. Nakaka-bilib ang isang raket na ito ni Kaloy dahil raket nga na masasabi pero legal pa rin. Basahin ninyo. Nawa’y may matutunan kayo. Huwag na lang sanang gayahin.

Doon sa lalawigan ni Kaloy, marami siyang na-meet na gustong mag-migrate sa NZ. So ang ginawa ni Kaloy, pinag-aralan niya ang proseso ng pag-migrate papuntang NZ. Napag-alaman niya na ang isa sa pinakamadali at mabilis na paraan para makakuha ng work visa o residence visa sa NZ ay ang makahanap ng Job Offer (JO) mula sa isang NZ employer.

Ang kaso, hindi madali ang makahanap ng employer na willing magbigay ng JO sa mga overseas applicants. Karamihan kasi ng employers gusto nila ma-interview muna nang harapan ang aplikante.

So naisip ni Kaloy ang magtayo ng isang job placement agency na siyang maghahanap ng JO para sa aplikante. Ang singil niya, $300 for membership, tapos $3000 down payment para simulan ang paghahanap ng trabaho. Tapos kapag nasa NZ na ang aplikante, additional $3000 uli. Para naman may peace of mind ang mga aplikante, ni-promise ni Kaloy na kapag hindi sila naihanap ng trabaho, pwedeng mag-quit ang member anytime at 100% money back guarantee.

Fair naman ang proposal ni Kaloy, di ba? Soli bayad, kung hindi satisfied. Minimal risk para sa applicant. Dahil dito marami ang sumapi at eventually naging profitable ang raket ni Kaloy. Kahit may mga members ang nagku-quit at humingi ng refund, meron pa rin naman mga bagong sumasapi. Imagine na lang na kung isang libo ang members at any given time, that is 1000 taymis $3000 equals $3 million in the bank! Bongga, di ba?

May napapaalis naman ba si Kaloy papuntang NZ? Maybe only 1 out of every 1000 applicants. To Kaloy, it doesn’t matter because he’ll continue to make money even if no placements are made. Dun lamang sa interests nung mga perang ibinayad sa kanya, kita na siya nang malaki.

Recruiters use this scheme to make money, not from the number of applicants they are able to place successfully, but by simply signing up lots and lots and lots of applicants and collecting money from them in advance. Imagine, if there are 100 applicants for every 1 job opening. Collect placement fees of P10,000 each from the 100 people; that’s P1 Million. Put the money in a term deposit for say 5% interest for 3 months. After 3 months, give the job to 1 person (usually kamag-anak pa!); refund the money to the other 99 applicants, para hindi mag-complain at walang mag-habol. The recruiter still ends up with the interest from the 1 million, which is 5% or P50k. The recruiter can continue operating this way and make money without breaking the law. Hindi ko alam kung may batas laban dito.

The last I heard about Kaloy’s raket is that he has gone global. With a few partners from NZ and a good web designer, they set up anew company with a website that actively recruits members from all over the world, promising job placements in NZ. Ang pangalan yata nung kumpanya nila NewJobz.

News Flash: NewJobz leaves migrants short of $600,000

I knew something wasn't right about this company when I wrote about it in this blog. See Bagong Raket ni Kaloy. When I wrote about it, nag-re-refund pa sila ng mga ibinayad ng mga members. Ngayon, sorry daw sa mga nagbayad. Wala ng refund.

Reference http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3887200a11,00.html

Recruitment company leaves migrants short of $600,00004 December 2006By MARTIN VAN BEYNEN

A Christchurch recruitment company owes 229 potential migrants about $600,000, after reneging on its refund policy.

Stu Macann and Associates Ltd, based in st="on"New Brighton, closed last month, but two of its three directors continue the migrant recruitment business under a newly formed company, Skills New Zealand Ltd.

Local creditors have also missed out, but 229 potential migrants, many from Third World countries, are owed $600,000 in refunds.

Stu Macann and Associates Ltd started in 2003 with the aim of giving potential migrants an online service (newjobz) to help them secure a job offer in st="on"New Zealand which would help them gain residency. It claims to have helped settle 225 migrant families inst="on"New Zealand. Clients paid a fee of about $3000, which was fully refundable if a suitable job offer was not forthcoming.

About eight months ago, the company hit financial trouble, and last week Stu Macann and Associates Ltd ceased trading, although the operation, with a reduced staff, has carried on under Skills New Zealand Ltd.

Skills New Zealand Ltd is owned and run by st="on"Christchurchbusinessmen Keith Lightfoot and Stu Macann, both of whom were also directors and shareholders of Stu Macann and Associates.

Suresh Antil, a pharmacist, 50, who lives just outside New Delhi, inst="on"India, was one those caught up in the company failure.

In August, he asked for his money back he paid a $3000 fee of which $2000 was refundable and in October, Lightfoot sent Antil a letter promising to pay by December 15.

However, on November 22, Antil was informed Stu Macann and Associates had ceased trading, and that the new company continuing the business would not honour the refund undertaking.

Antil's daughter, Mahima Sahrawat, who emigrated to st="on"New Zealandwith her husband, Arun, three years ago, said her father had borrowed the money for the fee, and would now struggle to pay it back. The $3000 fee was equal to her father's yearly salary.

"It's very much money for my father. He is still paying very heavy interest on the loan."

Lightfoot told The Press the original company was facing liquidation, because of financial troubles, and it had taken legal advice on how it should proceed.

The refund policy had undermined the company, and made it unsustainable, he said.

"We said we'll get you a job or your money back, which was a fantastically charitable thing to say, looking back. But we did, and we have been very successful in placing a lot of people into st="on"New Zealand.

"Eight months ago we realised the policy was causing us some problems, because people were taking advantage of it. We were paying out money to people who had used our services for 18 months. They used our time, our energy, our job-searching programme, and then asked for a refund," he said.

Some had been offered 17 jobs, but had turned them all down, and some turned down a job and then moved to st="on"New Zealand to take up the job. A total of $1.6 million had been refunded to 667 clients, he said.

"We understand why you are talking to us. We have lost personally. We believe we are doing the right thing by the migrants and always have done. We don't feel in any way we have done anything wrong except we understand we wrote a contract which we did not honour and that's that."

He agreed it was not a good look for st="on"New Zealand, but "we do not feel we have let the side down".

"We are extraordinarily unhappy about what's happened here. It's been an emotional drain on us all."

Skills New Zealand Ltd would continue to work for the clients who wanted to stay with the firm but no refunds would be given.

A statement on the company's website that it was a "registered immigration agent" was not misleading, despite the fact the firm was not on any immigration agent register, he said.

"We are registered as much as anyone else is registered. The process of registration is going through right now with Immigration New Zealand and we're part of that registration process."

Immigration st="on"New Zealand was happy for firms like his to call themselves registered immigration agents, until the "certification" was sorted out, he said.

The Labour Department's deputy secretary, Mary Anne Thompson, said: "As there is currently no authority that oversees the registration of immigration advisers, agents cannot call themselves regis-tered agents."

The Immigration Advisers Licensing Bill, which was wait-ing to be passed into legis-lation, would create a licensing authority within the Depart-ment of Labour to administer a licensing regime, she said.

Lightfoot said local creditors were also left owed money by the company change and 21 staff had been made redundant.

Bernard Walsh, chairman of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment, said his organisation deplored any actions that brought the nation's immigration system into disrepute. "Certainly, what has happened here will reflect very badly on st="on"New Zealand."

Any person who has information relevant to this story is asked to email martin.vanbeynen@press.co.nz or ring 027 220 4453.

Some Kiwi Practices Not Common to Us Pinoys

Sausage sizzleSa mga schools, churches, malls, department stores uso ito. May magtitinda ng barbecue sausages (o hotdog kung tawagin sa atin). Ipapalaman sa isang piraso ng slice bread na pinahiran ng margarine o butter. Pwede mong palagyan ng binarbecue ding sibuyas at taktakan ng Watties o Heinz ketchup. $1 lang bawat sausage. Pwede na ring pamatid gutom. Pero iba pa rin ang lasa ng PureFoods o Swift’s sa atin.

Talo natin sila. Sa atin di lang hotdog binabarbecue natin. May baboy, chicken ass, wings, legs, atay, balumbalunan, dugo, betamax (bitukang manok).

Friday DrinksEvery Friday or every other Friday sa mga offices, at around 5PM ilalabas na ang mga botelya ng beer, white wine at red wine para sa mga empleyado. Kung minsan meron pang potato chips na pulutan. Libre ito, usually sagot ng company. It’s the company’s way of saying you deserve a reward after a week’s hard work. Wala naman nalalasing, kasi isa o dalawang bote/baso lang ang iniinom ng karamihan.

Mufti DayThis is a day (generally every Friday) when office workers are allowed to wear casual clothes (or in the Pinas civilian clothes). Sa ibang bansa tawag dito “Dress down Friday” or “Casual Friday”. Dito tawag nila “Mufti” from a certain General Mufti of the British Army. Napansin nung general na tumataas ang morale ng mga sundalo niya kapag pinapayagan silang mag-civilian paminsan-minsan.

Haka

Sa umpisa ng bawat laro ng NZ rugby team na tinaguriang All Blacks, (kasi itim ang uniform nila), magpe-perfom muna sila ng isang war dance na tinatawag na Haka. They do this to inspire themselves to perform well in the field and also to intimidate their opponents. Nakakapanindig balahibo kapag napapanood mo ang All Blacks doing the Haka.

Open HomesSiguradong mapapansin ng mga bagong dating dito ang mga “Open Home” signs

lalo na kapag weekends. Halos every second street yata meron binebentang bahay. If a house has an “Open Home”sign it means you can go inside (at specified time) and inspect it. If you like it, pwede ka rin mag bigay ng offer sa agent. That was how we bought our first house. Pumasok lang kami sa open home, nagustuhan namin yung bahay, tapos nagbigay kami ng offer. Kinagabihan, tinawagan kami ng agent. Tinanggap daw nung owner ang offer namin. Within a week, close ang deal and within a month lumipat na kami sa bahay.

Garage SalesMagugustuhan ito ng mga bagong dating. Kasi sa Garage sales marami kang mabibiling bargain. Tawag Garage Sale kasi normally sa garahe ng bahay ginagawa. Sa mga newspapers naka-advertise ang mga address kung saan may garage sale at kung kailan. Usually kada Sabado ng umaga. Dito namin nabili yung plantsa, toaster, picture frames, lamp shade, garden tools, martilyo, pala, sofa, kama, at iba pang gamit sa bahay. Dito mo magagamit ng husto ang haggling skills mo.

Sabado ng umaga, before 7AM, gumising ka na. Magbihis ka ng casual clothes (Mufti). Magpunta ka sa malapit na convenience store at bumili ka ng NZ Herald. Tapos hanapin mo sa classifieds ang mga Garage Sales sa area niyo. Puntahan mo isa-isa at mag-shopping ka ng bargains. By around noon, pasyalan mo naman ang mga open homes. Bahay naman ang i-shopping mo. Kapag nagutom ka, bili ka ng sausage sa mga sausage sizzle. Pag-uwi mo sa gabi mag-inuman kayo, (kahit hindi Friday). At kapag lasing na kayo ng barkada, mag-hubad kayo at mag-haka.

Kapag nagawa mo lahat yan sa loob ng isang araw, malamang bigyan ka kaagad ng Kiwi citizenship.

Maraming Kabaligtaran sa New Zealand

Ang pinaka obvious (but maybe not to some Northerners) yung seasons. Dahil nasa ilalim ng mundo ang NZ, when it's snowing in December sa parteng America at Europa, summer naman dito. Kaya iba talaga ang feeling ng pasko dito. Ma-miss mo ang malamig na simoy ng hangin sa simbang gabi.

Sa driving baligtad din. Nasa right ang manibela kaya keep left ka sa daan. As my friend J will say, "In the US, Canada, Phil. we drive on the right side of the road, pero sa UK, Australia, NZ on the wrong side of the road".

Yung mga lumang light switches nila dito baligtad din. Pababa para i-on at pataas naman para i-off.

Ang akala ng iba ang ikot daw ng tubig dito kapag ni-flush mo sa toilet bowl ay counter clockwise imbes na clockwise. I think this is a myth. I have yet to see a toilet bowl here that does that. When I flush the water in our toilet, the water just goes straight down. Hindi na umiikot-ikot pa.

Marami pa nga palang baligtad dito (I'm sure maging sa ibang bansa) sa mga asal natin mga Pinoy na nasa overseas tulad ng mga tinutukoy sa tulang ito na hinango ko sa Diaryo Filipino. Nakakatuwa kasi totoong-totoo.

Kabaligtaran

ni Rod Alcoriza

Pagmumuni-muni aking binalikan

Ang takbo ng buhay sa sariling bayan

Nagdaang kahapon ay kabaligtaran

Nitong naging buhay dito sa New Zealand

Bayang Pilipinas pansilid sa tiyan

Ang daing at tuyo ay pangkaraniwan

Talbos ng kamote karaniwang gulay

Ang dahon ng kangkong sahog sa sinigang

Dahil araw-araw ganito ang ulam

Ang kabag ng tiyan ay panay ang hataw

Hangin sa pang-upo ay panay ang singaw

Amoy ng paligid nakakahimatay

Ang isdang galunggong pangsalit sa gulay

Kahit na tinapa o maging paksiw man

Ito’y walang paltos maging sino ka man

Bahagi ng menu pagkain ng bayan

Manok, baka’t baboy, pagkaing espesyal

Mamahaling karne pagkaing mayaman

‘Pag mayroong handaan iyong matitikman

Kaya kung laklakin ay bundat ang tiyan

Ngayong nandirito sa ibayong bayan

Iba’t ibang karne ay pangkaraniwan

Nakakasuya na halos ay maduwal

Pagkain ng karne ay parusang mortal

O daing at tuyo kayo ay nasaan

Kami ay natiis buhay ay nilisan

Sa ami’y ihasik ang inyong linamnam

Ang pangungulila huwag nang dagdagan

Kay hirap hanapin pagkain sa bayan

Kung matagpuan ma’y saksakan nang mahal

Pagkaing mahirap ngayo’y pangmayaman

Dating hinahamak ngayo’y dinadasal

At kapag pinalad ito’t natagpuan

Niluluto pa lang tulo na ang laway

Kahit na mabantot walang pakialam

Parang nasa langit sa kaligayahan

Kahit magreklamo puting kapitbahay

Sa sangsang ng amoy ay halos mamatay

Ang mabunying Pinoy walang pakiramdam

Basta’t mairaos hinaing ng tiyan

At para bang kulang dapat na dagdagan

Puting reklamadaor dapat parusahan

Ginisang bagoong biglang isinalang

Langhapin mo lahat simoy na masangsang

Mapulang mansanas, orange na makatas

Itim, berde’t pula, makulay na ubas

Hirap na matikman noong nasa ‘Pinas

Ngayo’y hindi pansin hanap ay bayabas

Mabango’t matamis na manggang kalabaw

Makatas na atis at mabahong duryan

Tsiko at lansones at langkang madilaw

Ngayon ay pangarap mahirap matikman

Doon sa tanggapan English ang usapan

American accent at conscious sa grammar

Sagana sa porma’t panay ang pasosyal

Ang sariling wika ay halos iwasan

Ngayong nasa banyang English ang salita

Hanap ay kausap sa sariling wika

Pati mga puti kapag nabibigla

Ay tina-tagalog hindi nahihiya

Itong mga anak sa sarilng bansa

Ang turo ay English sa pagsasalita

Ngayong nandirito sa Ingles na bansa

Dapat kausapin sa sariling wika

Itong ating buhay sadyang balintuna

Ating hinahanap ay ang mga wala

Sa lamig at init tayo’y sadyang sala

O buhay, o buhay alin ba ang tama

Ngunit mayrong bagay na hindi nagbago

Pangit na ugaling tsismosa’t tsismoso

Saan man mapunta saan man tumungo

Laging lumulutang ang ugaling ito

Kahit na magsimba’t dasal ay usalin

Kahit paikutin bali-baligtarin

Hindi nabawasan nadagdagan mandin

Ang taong tsismoso ay tsismoso pa rin

Hataw sa tsismisan itong kayabangan

Hindi nabawasan bagkus naragdagan

Kahit na tumuwad kahit hubaran

Talagang mayabang, mayabang, mayaabaaang!

Aking paumanhin kung nasagasaan

Ang balat sibuyas na mga kabayan

Ito’y isang biro na katotohanan

Huwag nang magalit magbago ka na lang

NZ Income Tax

Sabi nila there are two certainties in life – death and taxes. Ewan ko kung totoo yon. Death definitely. Pero taxes, di naman lahat ng bansa may tax. Sa Saudi alam ko tax-free and kita mo. Ganun din sa st="on"Brunei. Sa Las Vegas din yata ganun din. But in most countries tulad ng NZ lahat ng income may tax.

Dahil di naman ako accountant and definitely not a tax expert, I’ll just give a summary of the income tax rates for individuals in NZ. If you need more information, I suggest you go to the website of the NZ Inland Revenue Department (BIR ng NZ).

Taxable Income Tax Rate

Up to $38,000 19.5 %

$38,001 to $60,000 33 %

$60,0001 and over 39 %

For example if a person has an annual income of $65,238, his tax due is computed as follows:

$0 to $38,000 @ 19.5% = $7,410.00

$38,001 to $60,000 @ 33 % = $7,260.00

$60,0001 to $65,238 @ 39% = $2,042.82

Total Tax Due = $16,712.82

The NZ tax year starts on April 1 and ends on March 31st of the following year. Everything you earn within this period is considered as your income. Some expenses can be deducted from your income and therefore won’t be taxed. These are called rebates. Examples of rebates are:

• Below $9880 rebate – if your income is under $9880• Below $38k rebate – if your income is under $38000• Child Rebate – if you are under 19 yrs old and attending school• Donations – if you donated $5 or more to any charitable organization• Childcare – if you have paid for childcare as a working parent• Housekeeper – if you have paid for a housekeeper

For details and the maximum amount you can claim for each rebate, please consult the IRD website. Note that you must include receipts with your claims for donations, childcare and/or housekeeper.

Your total income minus all the rebates will give you your total taxable income. You then use this reduced figure to calculate your tax due.

If you work for a company, meaning you’re not self-employed or does not own a business, your salary is automatically deducted of tax. Your employer takes care of this. At the end of the year, you normally, don’t need to worry about filing any income tax return. However, if you want to claim any rebate and therefore claim a tax refund, you’ll need to fill up a separate form (IR526).You can download the form online, print it, fill it up and submit it to Inland Revenue at the end of the tax year.

Next time, I might write something about how you can avoid paying more taxes legally. Note: Legal po ito. Walang hocus-pocus at walang pandaraya. Pero pagiisipan ko muna at baka mali ang masabi ko at ma-audit pa ako ng IRD.

Class, our subject for today is Geography

Titser: The picture below shows the map of which country?

Class: New Zealand, sir.

Titser: Correct, ang gagaling ninyong magbasa.

Alam niyo ba na ang land area ng New Zealand ay halos sinlaki ng land area ng Philippines? The land area of NZ is 103,000 square miles (270,000 sq.km). Ang sa Philippines naman ay 115,000 square miles (300 sq.km). Di ba konting difference lang?

Below are the outlines of the map of the Philippines and that of NZ. Di ba halos pareho pati hugis nila?

Kung hindi pa rin kayo convinced, eto, tingnan ninyo ang susunod na picture. Binaligtad ko lang ang mapa ng NZ tapos medyo inikot ko yung taas na portion at ni-move pataas yung isang bahagi sa kaliwa.

Titser: O di ba, Pinas na Pinas din? So class, what can you conclude about today's lesson?

Class: That you are homesick na po, sir.

Bakasyon

Disclaimer muna – all information here should be verified by the reader against the NZ Holiday Act of

2003. http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/.

Hindi, hindi po ako magbabakasyon. Medyo holiday mood lang. Explain ko lang dito very briefly kung ano-anong mga holidays meron sa NZ at ang iba-ibang leave entitlements ng mga empleyado.

Public Holidays

1. Christmas - 25 and 26 December (Note 26 December is known here as Boxing day. Wala pong laban si Paquaio on that day. Walang boksing. Yun lang ang tawag nila. I’ll explain na lang later kung bakit yun ang tawag nila)

2. New Year and the day after - 1 and 2 January3. Waitangi Day – 6 February4. Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates variable)5. ANZAC Day - 25 April6. Queen's Birthday - first Monday in June7. Labour Day - fourth Monday in October8. and Provincial Anniversary Day (date determined locally. Normally this is

known as Auckland Day, Wellington Day, etc.)All in all, that's 11 days in a year.Note: if a holiday falls on a weekend, the following working day will be a holiday.

Paano kung pumasok ka ng Public Holiday, magkano ibabayad sa yo? You will be paid 1.5 x your normal pay PLUS you are entitled to an alternative holiday (also known as Day in Lieu). Ibig sabihin meron ka pang isang araw na pwede mong gamitin para mag-holiday at your convenience dagdag dun sa binayad sa yong 1.5 times your normal pay.

Annual LeaveAll employees after the first year of employment are entitled to 3 weeks paid annual leave. However, starting 1 April 2007, this is increased to 4 weeks. Yheey! Kapag di mo nagamit ang annual leave mo, pwede itong i-accumulate for the next year. Ibig sabihin kung hindi ka nag-leave sa first year, after the second year, may 6 weeks kang annual leave available. For some employers, pinapayagan ka rin umutang ng leave. Por eksampol, gusto mong magbakasyon ng 4 weeks, kaso 3 weeks pa lang ang meron ka, pwede mong utangin yung 1 week. Sa susunod na taon, 2 weeks na lang ang entitlement mo.

Sick Leave5 days per year for the first 6 months of employement. Thenanother 5 days after subsequent 12 month period. Note that you can also use sick leave kahit hindi ikaw ang may sakit. Por eksampol, asawa mo, anak mo, magulang mo (ewan ko lang kung pati petsna aso, pusa, pwede). As a courtesy you should give your office a call if you plan to take a sick leave, para naman may mahanap silang kapalit kung kinakailangan. Like annual leaves, pwede din i-accumulate ang sick

leave. Kaya lang ang maximum by law is 20 days. Di na pwedeng mag-over pa dito.

Bereavement LeaveKapag namatayan ka sa pamilya, meron kang 3 days paid leave. Dapat immediate family member ang patay, hindi pwedeng pet na aso o pusa. In case of multiple deaths, say por eksampol buong angkan mo, 3 days per family member ang paid leave mo. (Pero di bale na lang, ayoko ko pang maubusan ng angkan).

Maternity Leave (babae)Upto 14 weeks. Can be extended to 1 year.

Paternity Leave (lalaki)Upto 2 weeks. Can be extended to 1 year.

Medyo complicated yung rules about maternity and paternity leaves. Basahin niyo na lang dito sa link na ito in case may buntis o nagbabalak magbuntis sa inyo. Papaano kaya kung marami kang nabuntis? Kung kambal, times 2 kaya ang leave?

Settle in NZ in 12 Weeks

Natanggap niyo na ang pinakahihintay na Permanent Resident Visa mula sa NZ Embassy. Nakatatak na sa inyong mga pasaporte. Congratulations! Unang-una siempre, selebreysyon. Sa yo ang inumin, sa yo ang pulutan, tayo’y maghapi-hapi ...

Pagkatapos maginuman at makaraan ang hang-over ano ngayon ang dapat ninyong gawin? Kailangan planuhin ninyong mabuti ang paglipat sa NZ dahil kayo rin ang mahihirapan kung palpak ang planning.

Eto ang sarili kong rekomendasyon kung paano magiging maayos ang iyong pag-migrate sa NZ. Eto naman ay suggestion lamang at maaring hindi naka-akma sa iyong kalagayan, kaya kayo na ang bahala kung susundin ninyo o hindi ang planong ito. Ang planong ito ay para sa tipikal na Pinoy family na may isa or higit pa na mga anak.

Una sa lahat, mag-decide kayo na isa lang muna sa inyong mag-asawa ang maunang pumunta sa NZ. Susunod na lamang ang pamilya mo kapag medyo settled ka na. Ano ang advantages nito? Marami.

1. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pasok ng income – kung ang matitira sa Pinas ay may trabaho at least may papasok pa ding income. Kung sabay kayong pumunta sa NZ, pareho kayong walang trabaho. Komon-sens.

2. Child care – di problema sa Pinas ang mag-alaga ng mga bata. Sa NZ, di mo pwede isama mga yaya. Again, komon-sens.

3. Disposal of Assets – habang ikaw ay nasa NZ at naghahanap ng work, ang esposo/esposa mo naman ay nasa Pinas para magbenta ng iyong mga ari-arian.

4. Mobility - Ikaw naman na nasa NZ, mas madali kang makakagalaw para maghanap ng trabaho at tirahan.

5. Lesser cost – dahil nag-iisa ka pa lang sa NZ, mas kakaunti pa ang gastos mo.

6. Konsiderasyon sa iyong host - Malaking bagay ito lalo na kung makikitira ka sa kamag-anak o kaibigan pag-dating mo dito. Kung buong pamilya ang makikitira ng sabay, kaawa-awa naman ang host mo. Alalahanin mo na walang mga katulong ang mga households dito.

Let’s assume na susundin mo ang payo ko na isa muna ang pupunta sa NZ. Unang dapat gawin ay maghanap ka na host mo, relative or friend na nasa NZ na pwede mong matuluyan at least for a few weeks at pwedeng maging gabay mo dito. Sa Pinas pa lang kontakin mo na ang prospective host mo para naman may sumundo sa iyo sa airport.

Bago ka lumipad papuntang NZ, i ready mo din ang Philippine Driver's License mo (make sure hindi expired) at kumuha ka ng certification mula sa car insurance mo certifying that you have not made any claims in the last 3 years. Ituloy mo ang pagbabasa at malalaman mo ang dahilan.

Let’s assume further na nandito ka na sa NZ. Sinundo ka ng host mo at may matutuluyan ka nang pansamantala. Eto ang aking suggested timetable showing the milestones and possible activities for you every week for 12 weeks.

WEEK 1First few days, mag-adjust ka muna. May jet-log ka pa. Sigurado, ipapasyal ka muna ng host mo, kaya mag-enjoy ka lang. Habang namamasyal ka, familiarise mo na rin ang sarili mo sa area. Magtanong-tanong ka kung saan ang supermarket, ang mga shops, ang mga schools, bus stop, post office, saan makakabili ng mamasita, etc.

IRD Number - Pero para naman may masabi kang accomplishment mo sa unang linggo, make it your goal to apply for an IRD Number (Inland Revenue Department) in the first week. Para itong Tax Account Number sa atin. Kailangan mo ito para makapag-apply ng trabaho at makapag-open ng bank account later. You can download the application form from the IRD website, print it and fill it up. Then mail it to Inland revenue together with a xerox copy of your passport. It should take only a few days to get your IRD number.

WEEK 2:Learn to Ride a Bus - Pag-aralan mo ang mag-bus mula sa tinitirhan mo papunta sa city. Kapag marunong kang pumunta ng city, madali ka nang makapunta sa ibang suburbs. Ang mga buses, naka-oras. Pumunta ka sa terminal sa city at kumuha ka ng timetable at bus routes. This can be very handy. You can’t expect your host to drive you every time to your destination. It’s also one of the best ways to familiarize yourself of the area.

Buy a newspaper and go to the classified ads section. Browse for prospective jobs. Ang mga vacancies dito, makikita mo under ng “Situations Vacant” section. Wala sa “Wanted”. Continue doing this until you find a job. Also try searching websites for prospectrive jobs. Usually, you should be able to just email them your CV. So wala naman gastos.

WEEK 3:Open a bank account - By this time you should have received your IRD number from the mail. Once you have an IRD number you should be able to open a bank account. Importante ito, kasi, lahat ng sweldo dito diretcho sa bank account mo.

WEEK 4Get a copy of the NZ Road Code – isa itong libro na mabibili sa mga bookstore or

gas stations nandito ang mga rules ng pag-drive dito sa NZ. Basahin mo ito at pag-aralan.

WEEKS 5,6Buy a Car – mahirap ang walang sariling wheels. Try to find a car for less than $5,000. If you are able to use this car for 1 to 2 years, that should be good enough. It is not worth it to buy an expensive car during your first year. Mas marami ka pang dapat pag-gastusan, kaya save your money na lang. Remember you are allowed to use your Philippine Driver’s License for 12 months. Kailangan mo ring ipa-insure ang sasakyan mo. Makakakuha ka ng at least 50% discount sa premium mo, kapag may certificate ka from your insurance company na hindi ka nag-claim in the last 3 years. See my previous post about owning a car in NZ.

Kung hindi ka pa confident na mag-drive sa NZ, magpa-tutor ka. Call a driving school. Makikipag-set sila sa yo ng time usually one hour per session tapos pupuntahan ka nila. Kung wala ka pang sasakyan, ipapagamit nila sa iyo ang training car nila. It’s worth it to take a few lessons.

WEEKS 7,8During this time you should be busy applying for jobs, attending job interviews or just waiting for prospective employers to give you a call. Be patient. Get a list of possible employers from the telephone directory and even if they have not advertised an opening, give them a call or just walked in to their HR office and tell them you’re looking for a job. Don’t be afraid to be turned down. You have to find your own luck. Hindi ka hahanapin ng swerte. Sceintifically speaking, luck is just a statistical chance. The more chances you have, the higher the probability of success. So it’s up to you to increase your chances.

Attend a Filipino mass on Sunday. Tanungin mo ang host mo kung saan ang malapit. Even if you are not Catholic, tiempuhan mo kapag tapos na ang misa. After the mass maraming nagbebenta ng mga Filipino foods. It’s your chance para makipagkilala sa ibang Pinoy. Yung ibang Pinoy snub hindi ka papansinin. Yung iba naghihintay lang na ikaw ang unang bumati. Since ikaw ang may pangangailangan, ikaw na ang unang bumati. You never know baka may alam na job opening ang makilala mo. It happened to my friend. Nakilala lang namin itong mag-asawang Pinoy sa Mall at tinanong namin kung may kakilala silang naghahanap ng computer technician. Tiempo naman meron nga. See, kung inisnab namin sila, kami rin ang talo.

WEEKS 9,10Find a Flat (apartment) – mas maganda sana kung may job ka na bago ka maghanap ng lilipatan para ang hanapin mo mas malapit sa papasukan mo. But there are other considerations, like schools, cost of rental, crime rate in the area, etc. Sa rental ng flat usually you’ll be required to pay 2 weeks rent in advance, 2 weeks bond, then baka may letting fee pa na 1 week. Kaya total 5 weeks rent kaagad ang kailangan mong ibayad. You should have a rental agreement in

writing with the landlord. Before you move in sa flat, note down the water meter and electric meter readings with the landlord. This is for your protection para hindi ka i-overcharge later. You can also search for flats through the web. This is one site.

Then you need to call the electric company (parang Meralco sa atin) to open an account for them and tell them the electric meter reading. Yung water usually ang landlord ang bahala so you don’t need to call the water company. Kung gusto mong magpa-connect ng telephone, kailangan mo ring tawagan ang TELECOM (PLDT nila dito) para magpa-connect ng line.

Para sa karagdagan kaalaman, basahin mo ang previous post ko about Owning vs Renting a house in NZ.

WEEKS 11,12Mag-shopping ka ng mga gamit para sa bahay. Mag-garage sale ka every Saturday early morning. Marami kang bargain na mabibili. I-try mo din ang www.trademe.co.nz kung gusto mong makahanap ng murang gamit.

At this time, kontakin mo ang prospective schools na papasukan ng mga kids mo. Para pag-dating nila sa NZ may slot na sila sa school. Ang start ng school dito is end of January at matatapos ng December. Pero pwede mo naman i-enrol ang mga bata anytime.

End of week 12, more or less settled ka na at pwede mo nang pasunurin dito sa NZ ang family mo. Good luck!

Pwede at di Pwedeng Dalhin sa NZ

Mag po-post na ako ng article about what things you may and may not bring to NZ. Ang dami kasing nagtatanong. Actually, ang lahat naman ng information na sasabihin ko dito nasa website ng NZ Customs.

Kung sinisipag kayo, I suggest puntahan niyo ito at i-open lalo na yung brochure nila about “Advice to Travellers”. Remember, ignorance of the law is not an acceptable excuse. Below is a list of prohibited or restricted goods I got from that brochure.

1. Cash – If you’re bringing more than NZ$10,000, kailangan i-declare ninyo. Hindi naman bawal magdala ng more than this amount. Gusto lang nilang malaman at uriratin kung saan mo nakuha ang ganong karaming cash. If you obtained the amount through legal means, hindi ka dapat mangamba. The penalty for not declaring is $2,000.

To summarize, if you are bringing less than NZ$10,000 cash, hindi mo na kailangan i-declare. Otherwise, you have to declare. How about if you’re bringing more than that amount in traveller’s cheques, kailangan bang i-declare? Hindi po, kailangan lang kung cash ang dala mo.

2. Agricultural Items – food of any kind, plants, animals or their products, equipment used by animals, camping gear, golf clubs, used bicycles, biological specimens. If you’re bringing any of these, you have to declare them. Otherwise, you can be fined $200 upto $100,000 or 5 years in imprisonment for failure to do so.

Pwede bang magdala ng bagoong? Marami nang nakapagdala nito basta dapat maganda ang pagka-package at di nangangamoy. Mas maganda kung see-through ang lalagyan para hindi na i-open during inspection. Dahil kapag in-open at umalingasaw ang amoy, siguradong itatapon nila. The same is true for all other foods na maamoy. Eg. Tuyo, dried fish, squid.

Pwede bang magdala ng canned goods? Pwede basta may tamang labels. Kung ikaw lang ang nagpalata at ni-tape mo lang ang label, humanda ka at bubuksan nila ito. It’s not actually advisable na magpa-can ng pagkain.

3. Domestic pets – Di ko na i-explain ito. Most of us naman, don’t bring in pets.

4. Firearms and weapons – This is common sense. Ang dagdag ko lang yung mga taga-Batangas na mahilig sa balisong. Sorry, bawal ang balisong.

5. Medicines – You can bring over the counter medicines (imodium, lomotil,

paracetamol, cortal, etc) basta reaonable quantity lang. If you are bringing prescription medicines you should have a prescription from your physician and the drugs must be in their original containers. Their quantity must not exceed 3 months supply for prescription medicines or one month supply for controlled drugs. I think examples nito yung mga depressants or anti-depressant drugs or anything na addictive.

6. Objectionable publications – mga sex magazines, books at mga DVDs, CD-ROMs na may bold. I’m sure some of it like Playboy and Penthouse are okay. Meron din dito non e. Basta siguro paisa-isa lang at not considered commecial quantity. Pero yung mga pirated DVD/VCD, hindi man objectionable, it’s possible na baka harangin dahil pirated.

7. There is a section in the brochure about “Radio Transmitters and Telecommunication Equipment” and another one for“Cannabis Utensils”. I won’t bother to explain them here, dahil di naman common. If you’re bringing any of these, basahin na lang yung brochure na nabanggit ko sa taas.

8. Products from Engangered or Exploited Species –

a. ivory in any form, including jewelry and carvings, b. meat from whales, dolphines, rare animals, c. medicines from rhino tusks, tiger derivatives, d. carvings or other things made from whalebone or bone from many other marine mammals, e. cat skins or coats, f. trophies of: sea turtles, big cats, antelope, deer, g. all clam shells, corals, h. bird feathers, i. butterfly collections, j. many goods such as belts, bags shoes from skins of crocodiles, lizards, snakes or other reptiles.

Medyo strict yung number 8. This is because NZ is conforming to a word-wide agreement called CITES that aims to protect endangered wild life. Huwag ninyong tularan si Paul Hogan ng “Crocodile Dundee” na may leather vest, hunting knife na may leather na looban all from crocodile skin. Tapos may necklace pa na may mga ngipin ng crocodile. Ma ko-confiscate lang ng customs, if you bring any of those... tapos ikaw naman ang ipapakain sa mga crocodiles.

Ganito kami noon (ang karugtong)

(second and final part na ito nung Ganito Kami Noon)

Bagamat mas madali noon ang maging residente, mas mahirap naman ang mag-umpisang mamuhay sa NZ.

Unang-una, nung time na yon mahirap makahanap ng kakilalang Pinoy sa NZ. Sinong tatanungin mo? Hindi pa uso ang email at internet. Di katulad ngayon na sa pamamagitan ng Internet madaling makipagkilala at makipagkaibigan sa ibang Pinoy kahit saang lupalop ng mundo.

Dumayo kami papuntang NZ. Wala ni isang kakilala. Baon ang karampot na naipong dolyares, lumipad kami papuntang st="on"st="on"st="on"Auckland. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang dadatnan namin at kung saan kami matutulog sa unang gabi ng dating namin. Wala kaming pre-arranged accommodation. Bahala na, sa isip namin. Pagdating sa airport dun na lang kami magtatanong ng matutuluyan.

At ganoon nga ang ginawa namin. Sa airport may nakita kaming mga naka-paskil na advertisements ng mga hotel. May nakita kaming mura, yung backpackers. Tinawagan namin at nagtanong kami kung papaano puntahan. Sabi sakay daw kami ng Airport Shuttle papuntang Auckland CBD. Pagdating dun sa backpackers, e hindi naman pala pwede ang may kasamang bata. So itinuro kami sa malapit na hotel. Hila-hila ko ang dalawang malalaking maleta paakyat st="on"st="on"st="on"sa Upper Queen Street kaya’t kahit malamig ang hangin, pinagpawisan pa rin ako. Mabuti na lang may available rooms pa yung hotel. At dun nga kami nag-stay ng isang linggo.

Kung iisipin namin, maswerte na rin pala kami at walang sumundo sa amin sa airport. May naka-kwentuhan ako na dumating din dito nung 1990’s. May Pinoy pala noon na ang racket ang manundo sa airport ng mga bagong dating. Ginawa niyang business at $250 ang singil niya sa pagsundo. Another $250 naman para ituro lamang sa bagong dating kung papaano kumuha ng IRD number. At $250 na naman para ituro kung paano mag-open ng bank account. $750 lahat ang total. Lintek na Pinoy yon o, grabeng maka-taga!

Mas mahirap din maghanap ng flat na mauupahan nung time na yon. Mas marami ang naghahanap kumpara sa mga bakanteng housing. Kadalasan noon kapag nabakante ang flat pagpunta mo sa flat, may tatlo o apat pang nag-aabang. Lahat kayo magfi-fill-up ng application form. Tapos, nasa landlord na ang decision kung sino ang pipiliin. E siyempre disadvantage ka kung bagong dating ka pa lang at walang pang trabaho.

Nung 1990s mas may kamahalan din ang mga second hand na sasakyan. Pano kasi may importation tax pa noon. Lately nalang tinanggal ito kaya’t biglang nagbagsakan ang presyo ng segunda-manong wheels. Naalala ko noon nilakad namin ni esmi mulast="on"Newmarket hanggang Greenlane (3km siguro yon).

Inisa-isa namin ang mga car yards na madadaanan para maghanap ng murang sasakyan na shoot sa aming budget.

Nung bandang 80s and 90s maraming Pinay ang dumating ng NZ sa pamamagitan ng pagaasawa ng Kiwi. Dahil dito ang image ng mga Pinay, lahat mail-order-brides. Madalas nga noon na kapag may bumating puti kay esmi ang karaniwang tanong sa kanya, "is your husband a Kiwi?". Pabiro naman niyang sinasagot na, "no, he's African". Maitim kasi ako.

Lastly, mas malungkot ang buhay sa NZ noon. Lahat ng shops sarado na pagdating ng alas singko. Sa weekend naman, lahat sarado na rin maliban sa mga supermarket. Kung bibili ka naman ng beer o alak, sa mga liquor stores ka lang makakabili at lunes hanggang sabado lamang. Bawal kasing magbenta ng alkohol na inumin tuwing linggo.

Ma-bo-bore to death ka talaga noon. Lalo na kung single ka o kaya hindi mo pa kasama pamilya mo. Walang mga gimik. Mararamdaman mo ang kalungkutan at ka-homesick-an lalo na’t sasapit ang pasko. Ang mga shops walang mga krismas decors. Ang mga bahay walang mga krismas lights. Tuwing maririnig mo ang mga Pinoy krismas songs tulad ng “Pasko na sinta ko” ni Gary V, o “Christmas in our hearts” ni Jose Mari Chan, naluluha ka.

Lately na lamang nauso ang mga palamuti at ilaw na pampasko dito sa NZ. Nag-extend na rin ng mga shopping hours ang mga malls. At maraming shops ang nagbubukas na rin kapag weekends.

So many things have changed in NZ during the past 10 years. There are lots of things that are easier and more convenient nowadays. Most of all, there seems to be more Pinoys in NZ today, making it easier to feel more at home. I guess there are lots of things, new migrants here should be thankful for.

Ganito Kami Noon (part 1)

Kuha sa SM City, December 1994, huling taon namin sa ating bayan.

Mahigit isang dekada na ang nakakaraan ngayon nang maisipan naming lisanin ang inang bayan. Marami ang nagulat noon sa aming desisyon na sa NZ manirahan. Bakit daw NZ? Ni hindi nga naman nila alam kung saang lupalop ng mundo matatagpuan ang NZ. Ang akala ng marami malapit ito sa st="on"Switzerland dahil hawig ang pangalan. Marinig pa lang nila ang “Zealand” giniginaw na sila sa pag-aakalang nababalutan ito ng yelo katulad ng Swiss Alps.

Bibihira noon ang nakakakilala sa NZ bilang isang destinasyon ng mga Pinoy. Mas kilala nung time na yon ang Australia kaya pirming mahaba ang pila ng mga aplikante sa harapan ng Australian Embassy sa st="on"Makati. Sa di kalayuang building naman, ang NZ Embassy. Walang security guard. Kasi wala naman pila. Pwede kang mag-walk-in anytime para humingi ng application form. Maswerte ka na kung may makasabay kang ibang Pinoy sa reception room ng Embassy.

Napuno na siguro ako sa magulong buhay sa atin. Time ni Cory noon at puro na lang kasi coup d’etat. Kaya naman nung may mabasa akong article sa isang pahayagan tungkol sa NZ, maliit nga ngunit progresibong bansa din katulad ng Australia at st="on"Canada at higit sa lahat mapayapa at tahimik, nagpasya akong puntahan ang NZ Embassy upang humingi ng karagdagang impormasyon.

Sa elevator may nakasabay akong puti. Napansin niya yung binabasa kong newspaper clipping kaya’t tinanong niya ako “are you planning to visit NZ?”. Sabi ko I’m thinking about it. Sagot naman niya, “NZ is very beautiful. Very green. Lots of open spaces, no pollution, not crowded, lots of sheep. I’m sure you’ll love the place.” Naisip-isip ko, sign siguro yon na sa NZ talaga and destiny ko.

Noon pa man, may points system nang ginagamit ang NZIS sa pag-assess ng mga aplikante. Ang kaibahan lang parang mas madali noon ang makakuha ng sapat na points. Basta college grad ka at may work experience ka na at least 2 years, almost sure ka nang papasa.

Mas madali din ang proseso noon sa pag-apply. Wala ng Expression of Interest (EOI), Invitation to Apply (ITA) or Work to Residence (WTR). Submit ka lang ng application at tapos hintayin ang result. Usually wala na ring face-to-face interview. Pagdating ng result either decline or approve na ang Permanent Residence mo. Isa pa, sa st="on"Makati lang ang submission at processing ng application. Hindi katulad ngayon, sa st="on"Bangkok pa.

Medical examination ang unang step sa application. Which I thought was good. Kasi kung bagsak ka sa medical, di ka na papag-aplayin, so di ka na gagastos pa. After makuha namin ang resulta ng medical exam, na pasado naman, kinalap ko na ang mga required documents. Katulad din ngayon, kailangan ng NBI clearance, police clearance, employment certificates, birth certificates, transcript at diploma. Nung kumpleto na ini-lodge na namin yung application for residency sa NZ Embassy at binayaran yung lodging fee na kung di ako nagkakamali P5,600 nung time na yon.

After about 6 months, dumating na yung sulat mula sa Embassy. Approve daw ang application namin for Permanent Residence to NZ. Hinihingi na ang aming mga pasaporte para matatakan ng residence visa.

Kumpara sa ngayon, lubhang napakadali noon. Di tulad ngayon, magastos na, mahirap na para kang sumusuot sa butas ng karayom, at wala pang garantiya na makakamit mo ang Permanent Residency (PR). Ang kadalasang ibibigay lamang ng NZIS ay yung tinatawag na Work to Residence (WTR) visa, which is basically just a work permit. Kailangan mo munang makahanap ng job related sa natapos mo bago ka bigyan ng PR. Kung hindi mo magawa ito, mapapauwi ka. Sayang lang lahat ng nagastos mo.

Bagamat mas madali kumpara sa panahon ngayon ang dinanas naming proseso sa pagpunta ng NZ, marami din naman mga balakid at paghihirap kaming naranasan.

Itutuloy...

To Bring or Not To Bring

Ito ay para sa mga kababayan nating pupunta ng NZ for good. When you come to settle in a new country one of the things you want to avoid during your first few weeks is unnecessary spending for things that you may already have in the Philippines. Kung praktikal naman dalhin dito, bakit hindi, di ba? Isa pa mas mura kasi ang gamit sa atin.

I know some people will laugh at you kung magdadala ka ng mga kawali, kaserola at gamit pangkusina. But for me it’s a practical thing to do. Kasi mahal dito at yung ibang gamit bukod sa mas maganda ang yari sa atin, di mo pa mabibili dito. Tulad nung mga wok na gawa sa atin, para sa akin number one pa rin. Yung nabibili ditong mga wok sa mga Asian shops, hindi tulad nung atin. Yung sa kanila manipis at nangangalawang. Ayusin mo lang ang pagimpake sa bagahe at baka matulad ka kay Jean. Nang ipabulatlat sa kanya ng Customs ang kanyang bagahe, nahulog ang takip ng kawali. Kumalembang ito ng malakas sa sementong sahig at pagkatapos ay gumulong-gulong pa. Imaginin mong humahabol ka sa isang takip ng kawali na nag-iingay habang gumugulong at nakatingin lahat ng tao sa paligid mo. Kakahiya ano? Buti na lang di ako kasama noon. Sa bagay mas nakakahiya yung nangyari kay pareng Ramir nang sumabog yung isang supot ng cornick na dala niya. Nagkanda pulot pa siya ng kalat niya.

Magdala rin ng isang set ng mga dinner ware at cooking utensils. Spoons and forks cost about a dollar each, mahal kung iku-kumpara mo sa atin.

A rice cooker cost about $100. So, if you want to bring one, go ahead. Siguraduhin mo lang na 220-240 ang voltage. This is true with all electrical appliances. Don’t bring anything that is 110 volts. Mahal kasi dito ang transformer. Yung mga cordless phones sa atin, aandar naman dito. Pati na ang mga mobile phones.

Bedroom essentials, it is not really necessary to bring any. Kasi yung mga blankets natin, hindi epektib sa lamig dito. Ang maigi pang dalhin ay ang mga bedsheets at pilow cases.

For your personal hygiene, huwag magdadala ng tawas. Baka mapagkamalang drugs. Paano kung tanungin ka? Paano mo in-inglisin ang tawas? Pwede mo sigurong sabihin “I grind this into powder and put it in my arm pit to prevent B.O.” Baka pag-hubarin ka at ipa-demonstrate pa sa yo.

Isang personal na item na dala ko pa galing sa atin, kasi wala dito, yung pantutuli ng tenga. Parang hair clip at about 2 inches ang haba nito na may maliit na scooper ng ear wax sa isang dulo. Magdala ka ng extra, kasi madaling ma-misplace.

Siguraduhin mong bagong linis ang mga sapatos na dadalhin mo. Kasi kapag may

kahit konting dumi o lupa na nakita ang Customs na nakakapit dito, ipapa-quarantine pa nila ito at maaring maging cause ng delay mo sa paglabas ng airport. At worst, baka ma-fine ka pa.

Kung magdadala ng pagkain, pwede kung nakalata o nakabote. At kung may label ng ingredients mas lalong okay. Kung homemade na pagkain ilagay sa selyadong bote para madaling makita at hindi na kailangan pang buksan. Siguraduhing hindi sumisingaw or tumutulo. Alam niyo naman ang pagkain natin, kung minsan may kakaibang amoy, na tayong mga Pinoy lang ang nakaka-appreciate. Baka kapag binuksan sa Customs, umalingasaw at isipin pa nilang “rotten”. Pwedeng magdala ng fruits basta pickled na at nakabote at walang buto. Huwag mong ipa-lata. Pabubuksan sa yo, lalo na kung walang label.

Make sure alam mo sa English ang pangalan ng pagkain. You can't say bagoong, or burong talangka or burong mangga. You have to say shrimp paste, or crab paste or pickled manggo.

In any case, make sure to list down all food items in your customs declaration. If you fail to list a food item, kahit legal ito at nakita ng Customs, pwede kang ma-fine ng $200 (with possible imprisonment) at magkaka-record ka pa. Kung dinekler mo kahit bawal, hindi ka mapa-fine. Itatapon nga lang nila.

Ngayon para wala ka nang problemahin pa, ang pinakamadali, huwag nang magdala ng kahit anong pagkain. Mas mapapabilis pa ang paglabas mo sa Customs.

Lastly, hindi naman bawal magdala ng malaking halaga pero kung magdadala ng limpak-limpak na salapi, kailangan mong i-declare kung more than $10,000 (I think). Normal naman na magdala ng maraming pera dahil dito ka na magse-settle. Sabi sa mga immigration handouts, a family of four will need around $1000 per week to live here comfortably. But I think that’s at the top end. Para sa ating mga Pinoy na sanay naman kumain ng isang ulam at sandamukal na kanin, sobra-sobra na yon. Realistically, $500 to $600 per week pwede na. Sa ganoong budget pwede mo nang samahan ng soup at salads ang ulam mo at may ice cream or chocolates ka pa for dessert.

A New Migrant's Introduction to Life in NZ

Nakapagdesisyon kami na mauuna muna si Jean at ang anak naming si Fidez (who was 5 years old at the time) papunta sa Auckland, NZ. Kasalukuyan pa kasi akong may trabaho sa LA. Sayang naman ang kinikita ko. Sa ganitong paraan habang naghahanap ng matitirahan si Jean at iskul ni Fidez sa NZ, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang cash inflow namin.

First WeekPagdating sa Auckland, nakahanap naman kaagad si Jean ng isang room na mauupahan. Nakipag-flatting sila sa bahay ng isang Pinay na ang asawa ay Kiwi. Isang maliit na kwarto. $100 per week plus hati sa water at electricity bill. Magandang umpisa dahil within one week may tirahan na sila. So far so good.

Second WeekNext mission, yung schooling ni Fidez. Buti naman yung flat nila malapit sa isang private Catholic school. Although private, may subsidy ng gobyerno kaya ang tuition $150 per year lang. Nagpunta si Jean sa iskul at inenrol si Fidez. Natanggap naman si Fidez. So far so good, pa rin.

Napakalaking accomplishment nito. Within two weeks may tirahan na sila at may iskul na rin si Fidez. Everything was going smoothly as planned towards settling into a new life in New Zealand.

This was until things started to go wrong...Tinanong ng school kung meron na silang family doctor, GP (General Practitioner) kung tawagin. Sabi ni Jean wala pa. Kailangan daw meron para may record ang bata ng mga vaccinations at health history. So pagkagaling sa iskul dumiretcho si Jean sa isang malapit na clinic at pina check up si Fidez. Everything was normal. Then naisip ni Jean na magpa-check up na rin kasi para daw madali siyang mapagod lately.

Dahil wala naman makitang karamdaman ang GP, lahat normal naman, ni refer ng GP na magpa-blood test siya. So lakad uli si Jean, tangay-tangay si Fidez sa malapit na Medlab at nagpakuha ng dugo. Pagkatapos noon, naglakad na sila pauwi.

Shocking NewsThat night may natanggap na phone call si Jean, galing sa GP. "Mrs. you have to pack some clothes and proceed to the Auckland Hospital right away. A bed is already waiting for you".

Siempre shock si Jean. Bakit kailangan siyang i-ospital? Normal naman ang pakiramdam niya, except nga lang na madali siyang mapagod. The GP made no further explanations. He just said something was not right with her blood test results. Hindi na ni Jean inurirat. Inisip niya na baka precautionary lang kaya

tumuloy na siya sa ospital. Pagdating sa ospital sinalubong siya ng hospital aide na may dalang wheelchair. Sabi ni Jean, "no thank you I can walk by myself". Pero pinilit pa rin siyang isakay, indicative of something terribly wrong.

That night, she learned that her blood test showed that her blood platelet count has dipped to alarming levels. Too low that if it had gone even slightly lower, the effects to her body would have been irreversible. Possibly a coma, OR DEATH. That night Jean was confined in the hospital.

Fidez was not allowed to stay in the hospital, dahil bawal dito ang may bantay sa ospital. She had to stay with some friends who we hardly knew yet at that time. Imagine, a 5 year old child, seeing her mom in the hospital with all the needles and medical equipment around her, and now parting with her mom to stay with people she hardly knew. And all these happening within 2 weeks of their arrival in a foreign land! Walang kaibigan, walang kamag-anak na titingin. I can't imagine how a 5 year old child must be feeling at the time.

LA to AucklandMeantime, tinawagan ako ng ospital sa trabaho ko sa LA. Sinabi ang situation ni Jean. The good news was that it was not leukemia. They determined this after a biopsy test on her bone marrow. The bad news was that they still could not determine the exact cause. Basta ang sabi nila "she's very very sick" at kailangan ako doon para at least merong mag-alaga kay Fidez. Agad-agad naman akong nag-resign sa job ko at nagpa-book ng flight papuntang Auckland.

It was when I arrived at Auckland Hospital a few days later that I learned what Jean had been through to fight her unseen ailment. I learned that Jean was suffering from a blood disorder called TTP, the causes of which are still unknown. This disease was causing clots in her blood vessels, consuming her platelets. The mortality rate if left untreated was 95%. This disease is considered very rare, like only 1 to 3 for every million people are affected by it.

The only cure the doctors knew was through a process calledplasma exchange. Para itong blood transfusion. Pero instead of the actual blood, plasma (the fluid that carries blood) ang pinapasok sa ugat mo. Kaya "exchange" kasi, sa isang tube na nakasuksok sa ugat mo pinapapasok ang "good" plasma, at sa ibang tube naman na nakasuksok sa ibang ugat mo, sinisipsip naman ang "bad" plasma. Jean went through this process for days and nights until her platelet count stabilized. Whenever her platelet count dipped, the process was repeated again and again and again and again.

Seeing DeathIt was during one of these treatments that I later found out from Jean how she went face to face with death. She had an episode normally described as a "near death experience". Her body was asleep but her mind was fully awake, like in a

vivid dream. She felt conscious of things around her. The doctors, the nurses, all of them she was aware when out of nowhere an old man appeared beside her and his strong hands began pulling her out of bed. The man was big and strong. She knew it was a man because she could see his hands, but somehow she couldn't see his face. The man was trying to lead her to a long hallway, which was very bright and had lots of doors. Jean tried to reach the buzzer's button beside her bed to call the attention of the nurses. But even though she tried as much as she could, she couldn't make her fingers touch the button. It's as if an unseen force was pushing her hands away.

It was at this time, while feeling totally helpless that she began to cry and pray. "God, I'm not afraid to die. What I'm afraid of is leaving my 5 year old daughter alone. She has no one in this place to look after her. For her sake, please don't take me yet". It was after she said this that the man vanished and she regained full consciousness. Later she asked the nurses if they saw a huge man beside her bed and they all said there was no one.

Back to NormalTwo more weeks passed since I arrived in Auckland before Jean was allowed to leave the hospital. Halos isang buwan bago naging normal uli ang kalagayan ni Jean. Every day, then every week, then every month, then twice a year she had to visit the hospital for blood tests and check up. Ngayon awa ng Diyos, once a year na lang siyang nagpapatingin sa ospital and happy to say na hindi na bumalik uli ang sakit niya. Nagpapasalamat din kami at wala kaming kinailangan bayaran sa kanyang pagkaka-ospital. That would have used all our savings and maybe more.

Whenever I think of what happened to Jean I realized how powerless we really are. Advances in science and medicine are futile. Because at the instant when it's time for us to go, there is NOTHING, NOTHING AT ALL, that we or any man could do to extend our stay in this world. At that instant, whether we are a believer or not, all we could do is call out and implore the mercy of a supreme being, whether it be God, Allah, Yahweh or Jesus... and then surrender completely our fates to Him and allow Him to decide for us.

This, ladies and gents, was our introduction to life in New Zealand.

s this going to be a fairy tale ending?

We often read news articles of our countrymen who’ve been successful locally and internationally. Most often their achievements came about despite overwhelming difficulties and obstacles. Their stories inspire us and make us proud of being a Filipino.

Last week, I had the fortune to meet a fellow Pinoy. His story will probably not see the pages of any newspaper but his story is just as remarkable nonetheless. So let me pay tribute to him by relating his story as best and as accurate as I could recall. Kung may mali man sa detalye or ommissions hindi ito intensyonal. Talagang nagiging malilimutin na lang ako lately.

Meet Mar and Lenlen...Isa lamang si Mar (di tunay na pangalan) sa mga libo-libo nating mga kababayan na nagnanais makapag-abroad. Tatlong taon na silang kasal ni Lenlen (di tunay na pangalan) subalit halos isang taon lang silang nagkasama bilang mag-asawa. Katulad ng karamihan ng ating mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), kinailangan silang magkahiwalay ng landas, dalawang taon na ang nakalipas, nang matanggap si Lenlen na mamasukan sa isang bansa sa Europa. Si Mar naman ay naiwan sa Pilipinas upang ipagpatuloy ang sariling negosyo habang naghahanap ng paraan upang makasunod kay Lenlen sa Europa.

The journey begins...Talaga sigurong wala sa guhit nga palad ni Mar at Lenlen ang magkasama sa Europa, sapagkat imbes na sa Europa makakuha ng visa si Mar, dito sa maliit na bansa ng NZ siya pinalad na makakuha ng unrestricted visitor’s visa. Dalawang klase ng visitor’s visa ang pwedeng ibigay ng NZ Embassy. Pwedeng limited or unrestricted visa. Yung limited, hindi pwedeng i-extend o kaya pa-convert ng ibang visa. Obligado kang umuwi, bago mag-expire ang visa. Mas maganda yung unrestricted, kasi pwede mong ipa-extend hanggang 9 months ang stay mo sa NZ. Pwede mo rin papalit ng Student visa kung gusto mong mag-aral dito o kaya work visa kung makahanap ka ng job offer.

Pebrero 2005 nung dumating si Mar sa Auckland, NZ. Kung iisipin mo nga masasabi mong “suicidal” itong si Mar. Lumipad siyang papunta ng NZ, na walang kakilala ni isa dito sa Auckland. Wala rin siyang prior-bookings sa kahit anong hotel na matutuluyan. Nag-iisa siya at ang tanging baon niya papunta rito ay ang kanyang lakas ng loob, determinasyon at maliit na halaga na US$500.

First night ...Alas nuwebe y media na ng gabi nang makalabas siya sa Auckland International Airport. Nakahanap siya ng matutuluyang murang hotel sa telephone directory at pagkatapos ay tumawag siya ng taxi upang dalhin siya sa hotel na ito sa Auckland City. Sa kasamaang palad, fully booked ang hotel. Naglakad-lakad siya para makahanap ng ibang matutuluyan. Bitbit-bitbit ang mabigat na bag. Gutom na

gutom na rin siya at hindi pa siya nakakapag-hapunan. Kasi ba naman 8 oras din nag-stop over ang eroplanong sinasakyan niya sa Sydney bago tumungo ng Auckland.

Kinakabahan na siya at panay ang dasal niya na tulungan at bigyan siya ng panibagong lakas. Naghanap siya ng mapagtatanungan. Unang nakita niya ay apat na lalaki. Lalapitan sana niya ngunit napa-atras siya. Amoy marijuana. Delikado kaya hanap siya ng iba. May nakita siyang puti na nagyoyosi. Nilapitan niya ang puti at nakisindi siya ng yosi. Ken ang pangalan ng puti at baguhan din pala sa NZ. American siya galing ng Texas, USA. Nung malaunan tinanong niya si Ken. “Can you help me? I need a place to stay for the night.” sabi ni Mar.

Mabait naman si Ken at sinamahan siyang maglakad lakad at puntahan ang iba pang hotel sa city. In-offer pa nga ni Ken na bitbitin ang bag ni Mar. Nung una ayaw pa ni Mar. Kasi nga naman baka mandurugas ito at itakbo ang bag niya. Pero mabigat talaga at hinang hina na rin siya sa gutom kaya binigay na niya kay Ken ang bag niya. Naglakad-lakad sila hanggang sa maswertihan nilang masalubong ang isang kakilala ni Ken, si Mr.C na may-ari ng isang hostel. Good timing, may bakante sa hostel. Tapos hindi pa pinabayad ang una niyang gabi. $20 per night ang bayad sa hostel.

Job hunting...Isang buwan lang ang binigay sa kanya ng NZ Immigration para mag-stay sa NZ at $500 nga lang ang laman ng bulsa niya, na ngayo’y unti-unti nang nauubos sa pamasahe, bayad sa hostel at sa pagkain. Ang $100 per week pinagkakasya niya para sa kanyang pagkain. Nagpalipat siya sa mas murang kwarto kay Mr.C, na naawa naman sa kanya at binigyan pa nga siya ng magandang diskwento.

Ganun pa man kailangan niyang makahanap ng trabaho. Kahit anong trabaho. Tamang-tama naman at may ginagawang pagkumpuni at pagpipintura sa hostel ni Mr.C. Kinausap niya si Mr.C kung pwede siyang tumulong kapalit ng libreng pag-tira sa hostel. Pinagbigyan naman siya ni Mr.C kaya kahit papaano naka-libre siya ng tirahan ng isang linggo.

Pagkatapos noon, nagtanong-tanong uli siya kung paano ang paghahanap ng trabaho sa NZ. Meron naman nagmagandang loob at tinuro sa kanya ang mga pasikot-sikot kasama na dito ang pagkuha ng IRD Number (parang tax account number sa atin) at ang pag-open ng bank account. Pumunta siya sa tanggapan ng Inland Revenue Dept (IRD) at nag-apply siya ng IRD Number. Nung makakuha ng number nagpunta siya sa isang bangko at nag-open ng bank account. Una ang sabi sa kanya ng teller na kailangan $300 para mag-open ng account. Nakiusap siya, sabi niya wala siyang ganon halaga at ang makakaya lang niya ay $50 para i-deposit. (Nasabi ko nga sa kanya, “Langya, ok ka talaga pati sa bangko nakipagtawaran ka”). Mabait naman yung teller at pinayagan siyang mag-open ng bank account.

Dahil meron na siyang IRD number at bank account, pwede na siyang maghanap ng mapapasukan. Unang nakita niya yung Allied Manpower. Labor hire agency ito na nagsu-supply ng mga trabahador sa iba-ibang mga kumpanya. Dito sa Allied, nakapagtrabaho siya bilang cleaner at laborer/helper sa iba’t ibang construction. Kaya lang talo sa sweldo, kasi bukod sa income tax na kinakaltas may cut pa ang Allied kaya halos 50% lang ang nabubulsa niya.

Student by day, worker by night...One time may nakita siyang computer school sa city. Pinasyalan niya at nag-inquire siya. $7000 ang tuition for a 3 month short course. Malaking halaga. Pero inisip niya yon ang paraan para makahanap siya ng mas magandang trabaho in the future at para na rin ma-extend ang pananatili niya sa NZ. Kasi kung mapapapalitan niya into Student Visa ang visitor’s visa niya pwede niyang ipa-extend ang stay sa NZ. Sa tulong ng perang padala ni Lenlen, nakapag-enrol si Mar at naipa-convert ang visa niya into Student visa.

Dahil sa malaking gastusin, naghanap siya ng ibang mapapasukan na mas mataas ang sweldo, na pwede siyang mag-aral sa umaga at mag-trabaho naman sa gabi. Nag-apply siya bilang kitchen hand sa ilang mga restaurant. Maganda naman ang feedback at marami nga ang interesadong kumuha sa kanya. Bandang huli pinili niya yung T’s Steak House restaurant dahil nasa parehong building ng hostel na kanyang tinutuluyan.

Halos tatlong buwan na siya ngayon nagtratrabaho sa T’s, 4 days a week mula alas dos ng hapon hanggang alas onse ng gabi. Binibigyan siya ng $9.50 per hour before tax tama lang na pambayad niya sa hostel at sa gastos sa school.

Dahil sa likas siyang masipag, maayos at mabilis kumilos sa trabaho, na-impress ang may ari ng T’s. Balak nga siyang bigyan ng job offer pagkatapos ng schooling niya para makakuha siya ng work visa..

Where to now?Sa katapusan ng Hunyo matatapos na ang computer course na kinukuha ni Mar. Sa August naman mag-e-expire ang student visa niya. Ang dalangin niya ngayon ay ang makakuha sana siya ng work permit bago mag-expire ang kanyang student visa, nang sa gayon ay magkaroon ng stability ang pananatili niya dito sa NZ. Ito rin ang magiging daan para magkasama silang muli ni Lenlen, to start a new life, a new beginning together.

Idadalangin ko rin na sana nga parang fairy tale ang ending, "and they live happily ever after".

Sir, Boss, Mam

Sa Pinas, yan ang madalas nating gamiting pagbati sa mga taong nakakataas sa atin. Ginagamit natin ito bilang paggalang (na may halong pagsepsep) sa mga kasamahan natin sa trabaho na mas senior sa atin. Sir/Mam din ang bati sa atin ng mga maid at yaya.

“Good Morning Sir” ang unang maririnig mo sa mga sekyu pagpasok mo sa department store. “Can I have your order, Sir?” sabi naman ng bata sa counter ng Jollibee. Lahat naka-“sir”, naka-“mam”.

Eto ang isang pagkakaibang napansin ko dito sa NZ. Sa office environment, o maging sa casual na paguusap, walang nagtatawagan ng Sir, Mam, o Boss kahit na ang kausap mo pa ay ang CEO ng kumpanyang pinapasukan mo. Lahat ng tawagan, mostly first-name basis. Sa mga pormal na okasyon naman, Mr, Miss or Mrs followed by the person’s last name ang gamit na tawagan.

Nung una-una ako dito medyo ilang akong tawagin ang boss ko na walang Sir. Kaya lang dito kasi ang Sir o Mam, ginagamit lang sa mga taong naparangalan ng knighthood ng Queen of England. Ang halimbawa si Sir Elton John. May “Sir” siya sa unahan ng pangalan niya kasi binigyan siya ng knighthood ni Queen.

Wala rin boss-boss dito, in the sense na katulad sa atin. Sa atin kapag boss ka, may taga-timpla ka ng cape, taga bili ng pagkain mo, kulang na lang pati paghugas ng pwet mo, iutos mo pa. Dito, kahit ikaw pa ang may-ari ng kumpanya, wala kang mauutusan para gawin ang iyong mga personal na pangangailangan. Yun ngang may-ari ng supermarket na pinapasukan ni Jean, makikita mo kung minsan tumutulong siya sa pag-refill ng mga stocks. Kung minsan nama’y nagpupunas ng flooring. Parehas lang ang estado sosyal ng employer at employees.

Sa aking pananaw ang paggamit ng mga pagbating nabanggit ay isang manipestasyon ng ating peudal na nakaraan. Dahil sa matagal na pagsakop sa atin ng mga banyaga nasanay tayo sa buhay na may master at may servant. Naging normal sa ating kamulatan ang isiping may iba’t-ibang antas ang lipunan. May mga makapangyarihan at may mga tagasunod lamang.

Eto ang isang bagay na kakaiba sa NZ (at maging sa ibang mauunlad na bansa). Ang kamulatang pinalalaganap ay ang pagiging pantay-pantay lahat ng tao. Kung sabagay, wala naman kasing ibang bansang sumakop sa NZ, kaya wala rin sa mentality nila ang notion ng master at slave. Kaya kung mapapunta ka dito at may tumawag sa yong Sir, Mam, Bossing, asahan mo, walang paltos Pinoy yon. Tama ba Bossing?

Pinoy Social Circles

I’ve seen how Pinoy families live in America and Pinoy families here in New Zealand. May isang very noticeable difference when I compare the two.

In the States, Pinoys are more clanish. Their social circle consists mostly of close relatives. Normal lang ito kasi marami na ang mga Pinoy sa States. Since, post WWII nagpuntahan na doon ang mga Pinoy. Siguradong may mga kapatid, in-laws, cousins, grand-parents, uncles at aunts ka within the city or State. Sa mga happenings, birthdays, Christmases, outings, mga kamag-anak ang mostly kasa-kasama mo.

Sa NZ, medyo iba. Dahil bago-bago pa lang nag-migrate ang mga Pinoy dito at hindi pa gaanong marami, karamihan sa mga Pinoy wala pang mga kamag-anakan dito. Hence, their social circle consist mostly of close friends and maybe few relatives.

Yung iba dito, nagkakilalanan lang kung saan-saan. May nagkasabay lang mag-apply ng visa sa Makati o nagkasabay lang sa flight naging close friends na. One of our close friends here, na-meet lang namin sa food court ng isang shopping center nung bagong dating kami. Ngayon magku-kumpare at kumare na kami. Then our friend T, nakasama lang ng isang kaibigan si J sa pagsundo sa mag-ina ko sa airport, ngayon, every Christmas, nagpa-party kami sa kanila.

One more thing that’s noticeable about our circle of Filipino friends here is that it consists of Pinoys from different regions. May Tagalog, Kapampangan, Bisaya, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bicolano. Natutuwa akong nakikita ang mga kababayan natin na nagsasama-sama kahit iba-iba ang kanilang dialect, social background at pinanggalingan. Somehow, it shows that Filipinos can be united and supportive of one another given the right social environment. Walang inggitan. Lahat (well, almost) handang magtulungan.

For the time being, this is how I see Pinoy families living here in NZ. How long is it going to stay this way? I don’t know. The sad reality is that as more and more Pinoys come here, the more they’ll become regionalistic, then clanish. Mag-gu-grupo-grupo ang mga Kapampangan, Ilocanos, Bisayans, etc. Then eventually, magka-kanya-kanya na lang ang bawat pamilya at mga kamag-anak na lang nila ang kasa-kasama.

Perhaps there’s nothing wrong with this. That it happens to all groups of people moving to another land. A natural evolution of social composition and decomposition. It’s just a pity that it becomes harder to sustain unity and cooperation when more and more of us live in the same place.

Buhay sa Opis

May nag-request sa akin (sori, nakalimutan ko na kung sinoman ikaw) na sumulat daw ako tungkol sa office culture ng mga kiwi. Mahirap mag-generalize kasi iilan pa lang naman ang napasukan kong opis dito. Ang maibabahagi ko lang yung sarili kong ekspiryens sa IT company na aking pinapasukan.

“Relaxed” is the best word I could think of to describe my everyday office life. But depending on your presonality, you can also say “boring”, “routine” or “stress-free”. To illustrate, let me recount to you my typical work day.

Dumarating ako between 8 and 9 AM. Walang fixed na oras. “Flexitime” kung tawagin dito. Pwede akong pumasok anytime, basta kailangan lang maka 8.5 hours (7.5 hours work plus 1 hour break) a day. Kapag late akong pumasok, late din and uwi and vice versa. Madalang pa sa patak ng ulan akong mag-over-time.

Dun sa dati kong pinapasukan, parati akong naka long sleeves with tie. Pero dito sa bago, long sleeves lang, no tie.

Kapansin pansin ang malaking pagkaka-iba ng mga opis dito kumpara sa atin. Hindi magulo kasi kokonti lang ang mga empleyado. Sa team nga namin, anim lang kami, kasama na doon ang manager. At majority ng mga empleyado namin over 30 years old. Siguro dahil may idad na ang karamihan, ang mga kilos nila pormal, hindi kilos bata. Bihira ang naghahagapakan sa tawa at nagkukwentuhan at nagbibiruan ng malakas. Taboo dito ang kahit anong green jokes. Umiiwas lang at baka ma-accuse ng sexual harrassment.

Mahirap makilala sa itsura o pananamit kung sino ang bossing at hindi. Wala rin nagtatawagan ng Boss, Mam o Sir, lahat by first name basis lang. Ako, ang mga binabati ko lang yung mga malapit sa mesa ko at yung mga kasama ko sa team. Bihira akong makipag-tsikahan sa iba. If ever, short chat lang. Ang usual na tsika namin ganito:

“So how’s your weekend?” “Not too bad, and you?”“Same-o, same-o”“See ya later, bye”

Tapos ang usapan. Ang hirap yatang mag-Ingles, ano? Bakit ko pahihirapan ang sarili ko, di ba?

Pagdating sa opis, diretcho ako kaagad sa sariling cubicle na may L-shaped na mesa, sariling telopono, computer at mga drawers. Magla-logon sa computer at umpisa na akong magtrabaho.

Wala din oras ang breaktime dito. Anytime pwedeng pumunta sa kitchen. May

libreng cape, tsaa o Milo. Lunch time is anytime after 12 noon. Yung iba bumibili sa canteen o kaya kumain sa labas. Yung iba, hindi mo man mapapansin nagla-lunch. Dahil isang mansanas lang pala lunch na sa kanila. Ako, pinagbabaon ako ni esmi ng dalawang sandwich, na may kasamang saging at isang apple. Kung suswertihin pwede rin may kasamang muffin, cake o chocolate bar para sa snacks. At sa aking cubicle lang ako nagla-lunch. (Paalala nga pala, bago ko malimutan. Kung magbabaon ng rice, siguraduhin lang na hindi maamoy ang ulam, at baka kapag ni-microwave umalingasaw ang sangsang. Kakahiya yon!).

Kung ikukumpara ko nga sa naging opis environment na dinanas ko nung ma-assign ako ng ilang buwan sa Pilipinas, masasabi kong boring ang opis layp ko sa NZ, dahil sa Pinas may action, drama at comedy. Showbiz na showbiz.

Sa Quezon City ako na-assign upang turuan ang pagkadami-daming computer programmers na noon ay nag-po-program ng computerization ng driver's licenses sa Pinas. Pagdating ko sa opis ng bandang 8AM andoon na rin ang karamihan ng mga programmers. Mostly mga bagong graduates pa lang sa college. Siguro average age nila nasa 25 years lang.

Dahil halos puro mga kabataan, masisigla sila. Pagdating sa umaga, tsika-tsika. Meron na diyan magkukumpulan, magkukwentuhan at magtatawanan ng malakas. May mga magkasintahan na maghaharutan at mag-iiyakan habang ang iba nama’y magtutuksuhan. May mga pa-sosy na parating may bitbit na Starbucks coffee cup na walang alam pagusapan kung hindi yung mga gimmick nila nung nakaraang weekend. Sgurado ring may alaskador sa grupo at meron din naman yung peborit na ina-alaska.

Alas nuwebe na wala pa talagang nauumpisahang trabaho. Mag-start lang ang tunay na trabaho kapag dumating na ang mga bossing. Alam mong may dumating na bossing kasi mauuna yung security guard bitbit yung laptop ni Sir o ni Mam. Si Sir o Mam darating, naka-isputing. Naka-skirt si Mam with matching blazer. Si Sir naman naka barong tagalog o kaya puting long sleeves with tie.

Papasok ang mga bossing sa mga sariling kwarto. Yung mga assistant ng bossing may mga sariling cubicle. Kami namang mga programmers, halos nagkakasikuhan na, na nakahilera ang mga computer sa isang mahabang mesa.

9:30 breaktime. Pagbalik sa trabaho roronda na yung aleng nagtitinda ng lunch para kunin ang aming mga order. Bago mag alas-dose, darating ang in-order na lunch na naka styrofoam at may kasamang softdrinks lulan plastic na may straw. Lista muna yon. Sa sweldo na ang bayaran.

Pagkatapos ng pananghalian, papatayin ang mga ilaw para makapag-siesta ng kalahating oras. Ala una, back to work na naman para mag-merienda uli sa alas-tres ng hapon. 5 pm normally uwian na, pero kapag maraming trabaho, over-tawad, kaya kung minsan gabi na ang uwi. Kapag nagtawag ka ng meeting,

asahan mong half hour bago makompleto lahat ng attendees.

Nakaka-miss din ang opis layp sa atin. Yun bang magulo na masaya. Organized chaos kung baga. Ang isang tunay na kapansin-pansin sa atin, ang mga Pinoy mas-palangiti, masayahin.

Being an Ideal Guest in a New Zealand Setting

So now, alam mo na kung ano ang Tea, Dinner at Supper. Ano naman ang mga common protocols na dapat sundin kung ikaw ay naimbitahan dumalo sa isang kainan sa ibang bahay? You would want to project yourself as an ideal guest, siempre. Dahil kung hindi maganda ang impression sa iyo ng iyong hosts, asahan mong hindi ka na mai-invite sa uulitin. Sundin ang mga sumusunod.

1. Huwag ma-late. Huwag pairalin ang Filipino time. Try to come 5 to 10 minutes early. And if you’re gonna be late for more than half an hour, give the host a ring.

2. Huwag mag-sama ng iba na hindi naman invited. Kadalasan, tamang tama lang ang food na naka-prepare para sa mga invited guests. It’s a very awkward situation for the host kung may kasama kang isang banda, tapos ang nakahandang sinaing e isang rice cooker lang.

3. Corollary to the previous rule, if you are not invited, don’t come. This is true in most children’s parties where only the children are invited. Malalaman mo ito kapag may naka-specify na drop off at pick up times for your child sa invitation. Kung walang naka-specify, ask. Huwag kang sumali sa children’s party, dahil usually wala naman nakahandang pagkain para sa adults. Sumali ka kung naka dress up ka na clown.

4. Magdala ng drinks or food. This is optional pero kung malakas kang uminom better bring your own, a six-pack or bottle of wine. If you don't drink, bringing something for dessert will give you pogi points.

5. Take your shoes off before entering the house. This is a common practice in NZ homes as a sign of respect and consideration for the house owner. Wala naman kasing maid dito na pwedeng maglinis ng sahig later. Pagkatapos mong hubarin ang iyong sapatos, ayusin mo sa isang tabi nang hindi ito maapakan o makatisod ng ibang guests.

6. Make an effort to introduce yourself to other guests. Medyo hirap ako dito kasi likas akong mahiyain. But lately, I try to approach other guests, introduce myself "hi, I'm Brad, Brad Pwit" and shake hands with them.

7. Offer to help in the kitchen. This will definitely give you more pogi points at tiyak na matutuwa ang iyong hosts. NZ households don’t have the luxury of domestic help, hence, they appreciate the slightest gesture to offer assistance especially in the kitchen.

8. Restrain your kids. There is nothing more annoying than out-of-control kids running inside the house, spilling food and drinks on the floor and carpet. The sight of carpet stains, a sure thing to make your hosts’ blood boil or give them a heart attack. TIP: If you are the host and want to avoid carpet stains, offer only water or Sprite or 7up for drinks. No coke or red wine.

9. When it’s time to eat, huwag makikiuna sa iba. Paunahin mo muna ang iba. Minsan nauna ako sa pagkuha ng pagkain; susubo na sana ako nang biglang nagsalita yung host: “Mag-pray muna tayong lahat. In the

name of the Father and of the Son….”, pahiya ako, gusto kong maglaho nung oras na yon. ... Amen.

10.Be considerate of the neighbors. After 10pm lalo na kung may pasok the following day, most people will already be sleeping. Ibaba ang volume ng karaoke or close the doors and windows. Patulugin niyo naman ang mga kapit bahay. Otherwise baka ma-report kayo sa noise control.

11.Know when it’s time to leave. A party normally lasts around 2 to 3 hours. If you notice your host yawning or says something like “hay naku pasukan na naman bukas” o kaya nagpatay na ng TV at entertainment unit, it’s time to say goodbye. Kapalmuks ka na lang talaga kung hihintayin mo pa silang maglabas ng banig at kulambo.

Follow these simple rules and you’ll be assured for people to invite you again on the next occasion. Unless….if you never bother to invite them or reciprocate the favor, eventually makakahalata sila. Dahil bakit ganoon? Sila na lang parati ang naghahanda, ikaw, you don’t invite others to your home kahit, pa-skyflakes lang at pa-kape. Huwag madamot, paminsan minsan ikaw naman ang magpa-lunch or dinner.

Of Names and Nicknames

Mauro ang firstname ko, kapareho ng aking ama. At dahil Junior ako, “Jun” naman ang nickname na nakalakihan ko. Nung magkolehiyo ako, dahil sa dami ng mga Jun, “Jiggs” ang naging nickname ko sa barkada.

Bakit nga ba ganoon? Sa Pilipinas mahilig tayong gumamit ng mga nicknames. Yung firstname natin, ginagamit lang ng ating mga magulang kapag pinapagalitan tayo. Dito sa NZ, hindi uso ang paggamit ng nicknames. Lahat dito first name basis ang tawagan. Kaya nga dito kung dalawa ang pangalan mo at ang una ay “Maria”, asahan mo “Maria” lang ang itatawag sa yo. You might as well forget about your second name. Sa office, “Mauro” ang tawag sa akin. Kapag nagpapakilala ako sa iba, “Mauro” din ang pangalang ibinibigay ko. Si Jun at si Jiggs naiwan na sa Pinas.

Wala naman akong complain sa pangalan ko and I also don’t mind when some people make fun of it. When someone says “give it to Mauro”, it sounds like “give it tomorrow”. I sometimes butt in and tell them “excuse me, but I need it today”. Most of the time, kahit corny natatawa naman sila.

Ang isa pang bagay na napansin ko, iba ang pronunciation nila dito ng mga pangalan compared sa atin. Sometimes ibang-iba talaga sa nakagisnan natin sa Pinas. Si Pareng Ruben, ang bigkas sa pangalan niya “roooo-been”. Mahaba yung “roooo” parang manok na rooster at maigsi naman yung “been”. Si Mark naman, ang maririnig mo lang “Mahhk”, walang “rrrrr”. Parang yung isang sikat na sports personality dito na si “Dean Baka”. Ang dinig ko sa TV “Baka”. Sabi ko pangit naman ng surname niya, parang hayop. E nung mabasa ko sa diaryo, “Dean Barker” pala.

Pero wala na yatang tatalo sa pangalan ng opismeyt ko. Kahit mag-hearing aid siguro ako di ko mahuhulaan ang spelling ng name niya. Sa pandinig ko ang first name niya “Nohl”, minsan pronounced na parang “Null”, as in null value or zero. Then nag-email siya sa akin at dun ko lang nalaman ang tamang spelling ng name niya. Langya, “N-O-E-L” lang pala. Napailing na lang ako. Hay naku! Mga taga-Inglatera talaga. Kung ayaw nilang bigkasin ang “R” at “E”, ba’t kaya di na lang nila ito alisin? Nililito pa tayo.

Tea, Dinner, Supper?

In NZ, if someone invites you for morning tea or afternoon tea, it means morning or afternoon snack or merienda. Walang kinalaman dito ang ang tsaa. Don’t reply “sorry but I don’t drink tea” na katulad ni kumpareng Ramir at baka mapagtawanan ka.

Kapag naman na-invite ka sa gabi for Tea, it means dinner or evening meal. I’m just guessing here, but I think the English called it Tea because it is their custom to drink tea or coffee after dinner.

Note that unlike in our country, over here dinner or hapunan is not the same as supper. Supper is usually a late evening snack. So kapag may nagimbita ng supper make sure kumain ka na ng hapunan. Huwag kang pupunta doon na gutom na gutom.

Finally, when someone invites you to a party and asks you to “bring a plate” it means you come to the party bringing with you a dish to share with other guests. Don’t come to the party literally bringing only plates. Dyahi yon. Nung una kami dito, muntik ko nang ginawa yon. Isip ko pa noon kulang siguro ang mga plates nila o baka tamad lang silang maghugas.

Cost of Owning a Car in NZ

Ka Uro, necessity ba ang sasakyan diyan sa NZ?

Mahihirapan ka dito lalo na sa Auckland kung wala kang wheels. Limited ang galaw mo kung aasa ka lang sa public transpo at sa kadi-lakad. Ang mga bus naka-oras at hindi kasing dami diyan sa atin.

Magkano naman ang mga sasakyan diyan sa NZ?

Brand new, mahal at mataas ang depreciation. Not advisable. I would recommend second hand, kasi ang mga second hand dito, maganda rin at comparable din naman sa bago. Mostly mga Japanese at European imports. Para magkaroon ka ng idea sa prices which range from $2000 pataas, pasyal ka na lang sa www.autonet.co.nz o kaya www.auto.co.nz. Mas mahal ng kaunti ang mga prices na nasa mga sites na yan kasi presyo yan ng mga car dealers. Siempre may commission pa ang salesman at medyo pakikinangin pa nila bago idispley ang sasakyan.

Kung gusto mong medyo makamura, pwede ka rin bumili sa mga car auctions. Ang isang malaking auction site ay ang Turners Car Auctions. May website din sila www.turners.co.nz.

Isa pang paraan ng pagbili ng sasakyan ay through private sale. Sa Auckland, may tinatawag na "car fair". Every Sunday ito. Lahat ng nagbebenta privately at mga gustong mamili pumupunta sa Ellerslie (isang suburb dito). Maaaliw ka nga dito sa car fair na ito at saksakan ng dami ng sasakyan, may lumang-luma na, may luma lang, may bago-bago, may bago talaga, sari sari na. Kung marunong kang kumilatis ng sasakyan at makipagtawaran, makaka-bargain ka dito.

Once na nakapili ka na ng gusto mong sasakyan, at nagbayaran na kayo ng vendor, magpipirmahan kayo ng change of ownership papers. After these, ano pa ang karagdagang gastos.

Change of Ownership - 9$. Babayaran mo ito sa post office at bibigyan ka ng sticker na katunayan ikaw na ang new owner.

12 month registration - $200. Sa post office din ito pwedeng bayaran.

Car insurance - around $500 to $1500 per year. By phone lang pwede mo na itong i-sort out. Pwede ring walang insurance, pero risky kung makadisgrasya ka.

Ang gasolina naman around $25 to $50 per week depende na sa layo ng tinatakbo mo.

Warrant of Fitness o kung tawagin ay WOF. - Sticker ito na ididikit sa windshield

ng kotse pagkatapos itong inspeksiyonin at mapatunayan na road-worthy pa ito. $25 to $40 kada 6 months.

Yan more or less ang cost of owning a motor vehicle dito sa NZ.

Siyanga pala, pwede mong gamitin ang Philippine license mo para mag-drive legally for 12 months. Pagkatapos noon, kailangan kumuha ka na ng NZ driver's license. Maraming kwento si KiwiPinay tungkol sa driving test. Pasyalan niyo ang site niya dito. Lastly, hangga't maaari lang, huwag kang kukuha ng financing para pambayad sa gusto mong sasakyan. Talo ka sa interests. Kung kulang ang pambayad mo, murang sasakyan na lang ang bilhin. Hindi naman uso dito ang pagandahan ng wheels.

Happy driving. Just remember, drive left dito.

Controls of my Right Hand Drive Car

Sometimes you keep wondering how something works until you've seen an actual picture of it. Kapag naman nakita mo na, mapapa-"ganoon lang pala" ikaw. Tulad ng control ng isang right hand car. It's a mystery until you've seen one.

Kaya eto ang pektyur ng controls ng aking 1993 Honda. Automatic ang transmission kaya walang clutch instead meron lang foot rest para sa kaliwang paa. Kung manual ang transmission, palitan mo lang yung foot rest ng clutch. Kaliwang paa pa rin ang gamit para sa clutch at nasa gitna ang brakes, sa kanan ang gas. Walang pagkakaiba sa left hand drive.

Kung kukumpara mo sa left hand drive halos pareho lang. Ang notable difference lang maliban sa position ng kambyo (which is on the driver's left) ay ang positions ng wiper at indicator controls. Sa left hand drive nasa left din ang indicator control. Kaya ang pinaka-common na mistake kapag bago-bago ka pang nagdra-drive ng sasakyan dito ay ang gamitin ang wiper kapag lumiliko ka. When that happens, patay-mali ka na lang na kunwari naglilinis ng windscreen para naman di ka mapahiya.

Yun nga palang hand brake nasa tabi rin ng kambyo on the driver's left malapit sa mapuputing legs ni... sino pa, e di si wisheart ko!

Economics of Renting vs Owning a House

Mga tanong sa akin ng isang kaibigan papunta rito sa NZ.Ka Uro, mag-kano ba ang rental ng apartment o bahay diyan sa New Zealand?Kung gusto naming bumili ng bahay, madali ba? Mga magkano naman?

Eto ang sagot ko. Ang mga pinauupahan dito tawag nila flat o unit. Sa isang compound, usually 2 hanggang 4 na flats na magkakadikit. Sa pamilyang nag-uumpisa pa lang okay na ang 2 bedroom flat. May isang toilet and shower, kitchen, living and dining areas. At may isang carport o garahe. Normally, single level lang, hindi up and down.

Meron ding mga townhouse apartments, kadalasan ay up and down. Mga bago, pero, hindi ko ma-rerecomenda dahil may kamahalan and renta.

Ang renta sa 2 bedroom flat o house nasa $180 hanggang $280 per week (note: weekly ang bayaran dito, hindi monthly) depende sa laki, kondisyon nito at sa location. Kapag malapit sa city, sa mga eskwelahan, nasa ruta ng bus, at magandang area mas mahal. Ang disadvantage ng nag-rerent, parang tinatapon mo lang ang pera.

Kung meron ka naman pang down payment, mas maigi kung bumili ka na ng bahay o kahit unit o flat lang. Ang down payment na hinihingi ng bangko ay 5% lang naman. Ang 95% pahihiram sa yo ng bangko. Hindi mo kailangan ng collateral, basta may stable job ka. Mas madali kang makautang sa bangko kung salaried worker ka kasi alam nila kaagad ang total salary mo, kumpara sa kung ikaw ay contractual o kaya may sariling business. Kung sarili mo kasi ang business, hindi mako-compute ng bangko ang kita mo. Normally 20 to 25 years ang term at sa kasalukuyan 7.7% ang interest rate. Mas malaki ang weekly outflow mo sa pagbabayad ng mortgage kumpara sa kung nag-rerent ka lang. Pero, magiging iyo naman ang bahay, eventually.

Kabibili ko nga lang ng isang rental property, isang 2 bedroom na bahay at ngayon ay pina-uupahan ko sa halagang $270 kada linggo. Nabili ko ito ng $210,000. Tingnan natin kung ano ang mas maganda. Ang mag-rent o ang bumili. Sino ang may mas magandang katayuan, after, say 20 years (term ng home loan). Halimbawa, gusto mong mag-retire sa Pinas after 20 years, magkanong pera ang maiuuwi mo?

Total amount paid if renting for 20 years: $270 x 52 weeks x 20 years = $280,800

Medyo komplikado ang formula, pero kung marunong ka ng Excel, pwede mong gamitin ang PMT function at ipasok ito. Interest Rate = 7.7% divided by 52 (para weekly) . Present value = $210000, Number of payments = 20 years x 52 weeks. Ang makukuha mong sagot ay $395.94 per week.

Total amount of amortizations for 20 years: $395.94 x 52 weeks x 20 years = $411,777

Mas malaking pera ang ilalabas mo kung binili mo ang property kesa kung nag-rent ka lang. Mas malaki ng $130,977 ($411,777 minus $280,800).

Para mas madali ang pag-kumpara ng renting versus owning, isipin mo na lang na naglalabas ka ng $395.94 kada linggo. Kung nag-rerent ka ng $270 per week, ang $395.94 minus $270 ay $125.94. Eto ang savings mo kada linggo. Multiply mo ng 52 weeks at 20 years, you get $130,977 after 20 years. May pera ka, pero wala ka pa ring bahay. Yan ang take home money mo sa Pinas after 20 years. At kahit lagyan mo pa ng interest ito, hindi ito aabot ng 200k.

Eto naman kung binili mo ang bahay. Nagbabayad ka ng $395.94 kada linggo. Wala kang savings per week. After 20 years, wala ka ngang pera, PERO, may bahay ka. Magkakaroon ka lang ng pera kung ibebenta mo ang bahay. Ang halaga ng bahay after 20 years, hindi lang magiging doble, kung minsan triple o higit pa. Sa doble na lang: 2 x $210,000, e di $420,000 ang pera mo, at taymis 40 na lang = P16.8 MILLION PESOSES ang iuuwi mo sa Pinas!

Conclusion: You'll be better off buying a house than renting in the long term.

BTW, simplified lang na explanation ito. May mga variables na hindi ko na binanggit. Tulad ng rent, tumataas yan, interest rates, pabago-bago yan. Mga insurances, amilyar at repair expenses, karagdagan yan kung sarili mo ang bahay. Pero pwede na ring i itcha pwera ang mga yan. Manageable na man at di malaki. Just think of owning a house as forced savings for your retirement.

Schooling para sa ating mga Tsikiting

May nag-request kung pwede daw akong mag-post tungkol sa schooling dito. Isa lang ang anak ko kaya medyo limited ang kaalaman ko sa subject na ito. Isa pa maaring ang info ko outdated na o kung hindi man baka hindi applicable sa lahat. But anyway, with this post, sana mabigyan kayo ng idea, more or less, lalo na tungkol sa expenses.

Pre-schoolSa atin kahit tatlong taon pa lang ang bata pwede nang ipasok sa pre-school. Dito walang pre-school na katumbas sa atin kung saan tinuturuan na ang bata ng abakada at calculus (exaggeration lang). Ang meron lang dito mga child care centre para sa mga batang below 5 years old. Sa mga centre na ito, walang pag-aaral, puro laro lang ang bata.

Kung sa atin ay may kindergarten, dito ang tawag nila “kindy”. Sa kindy medyo ini-introduce na sila sa pag-aaral, pero mostly laro pa rin.

Kaya nga kung iisipin mo, lubhang mas-advance ang kaalaman ng mga batang below 6 years old sa atin. Problema lang sa atin pagdating ng elementary at high school, lalo na’t sa mga public schools kulang na tayo sa resources, text books, at magagaling na titser, kaya napag-iiwanan din ang mga kabataan natin.

Elementary and High SchoolAfter kindy, papasok na ang bata sa primary, intermediate, then secondary school. Parang elementary at high school din sa atin. Pero instead of Grades 1 to 6, tapos 1st year to 4th year, they have Primary School - Year 1 to 6, Intermediate School – Year 7 to 8, Secondary School – Year 9 to 13. Sa totoo lang, kahit matagal na ako dito, di ko pa rin maintindihan ang education structure nila. Siguro mas maigi pa, punta na lang kayo ditohttp://encyclopedia.lockergnome.com/s/b/Education_in_New_Zealand, mas malinaw ang pagka-eksplika rito.

Kung susumahin mo ang bilang ng taon ng pag-aaral dito mapapansin mong mas mahaba ng dalawang taon. Matatapos ang bata ng secondary school sa idad na 17/18. sa atin ang alam ko 16 tapos na ng high school. Kaya nga lang dito, mas shorter ang college courses., kaya pareho din.

Siyanga pala, ang isang napansin ko dito, hindi sila mahilig sa graduation. Unlike sa atin, after kindergarten may graduation, grade 6, graduation, 4th year, graduation na naman. Dito umabot na sa Year 10 ang anak ko wala pa ni isang in-attend na graduation. Ewan ko lang pagkatapos ng Year 13.

Magkano naman ang expected cost ng pag-aaral dito? Primary up to secondary schools libre lang sa mga public schools. At okay naman ang standard, katumbas din ng mga private. Yung iba nga mas mataas pa. May mga private primary

schools na mababa din ang singil kasi may subsidy sila from the government. Katulad ng anak ko na nakatapos ng Year 7 sa Mt Carmel School. Isa itong private Catholic school. Ang binabayad lang namin noon $34 per term (apat na term per year). Kaya lang may additional na amount $200-$300 per year, “donation” kung tawagin nila na sinisingil nila sa bawat bata. Para ito sa mga gamit ng bata at sa mga field trips, etc. Sulit naman ito at tax deductible pa.

Pagdating ng Intermediate/Secondary School, medyo tumataas na ang gastos. Depende sa school na papasukan ng bata, you could spend from $500 to $15k per year. May mga private Catholic schools na reasonable naman ang tuition around $2k to $3k per year.

After Secondary SchoolSa mga Kiwi, kapag natapos na ng secondary school ang anak nila, considered tapos na rin ang obligasyon nila. Dahil at that age, around 18 years old, considered ng adult ang bata. Pwede na nga nilang palayasin if they want to. If the child decides to be independent, that’s his/her prerogative. And if he/she is independent, pwede rin siyang humingi ng support sa gobyerno kung gusto niya. Medyo kakaiba ito sa kinagisnan natin sa ating kultura.

At 18, if the child wants to continue studying he/she is normally expected to shoulder the expense. Pwede siyang mag-avail ng student loan para pang matrikula, to be paid when he/she gets a job later.

Kung mahilig naman ang bata sa mga blue collar jobs, pwede siyang pumasok sa mga vocational o trade schools. Okay din ang mga eskwelahan na ito. Kadalasan meron pang apprenticeship ang bata, parang on-the-job training. Practical experience na at may matatanggap pa silang allowance.

Kagandahan lang dito, hindi big problema ang schooling ng bata. At kapag nakatapos sila rito, malaking chance na makakakuha sila ng magandang trabaho hindi lang dito, kundi maging sa ibang bahagi ng mundo.

Bullying in School

Bullying is when someone, (could be one person or a group of persons) repeatedly does some mean things on another person in order to have power over that person. These could be by saying or writing nasty things about them, harassing them, threatening them, hitting them, not talking to them, stealing from them, damaging their properties, making fun of them, humiliating them, spreading lies about them.

I remember during my high school days (many decades ago!) bullying wasn’t that vicious. A lot of the things we did, we did mostly as a joke to make others laugh. It was normal for us to call each other names like “doro” (laki kasi mata), “barag” (mukhang lizard), “kokak” (mukhang palaka), “baluga” (maitim kasi), “Tange” (look alike nung comedian na si Tange), “bagsik” (mabagsik kasi ang B.O.).

I think the meanest thing, a group of my classmates did back then, was to steal the sandwich baon of one classmate. These group of mischievous juveniles would slip out of class before recess and ransack the bag of another classmate and eat his baon. They kept doing it for days. Until finally, this classmate whose sandwiches were being stolen decided to put some “flavoring” in his sandwiches. He put in some “butiki droppings”. Only then that these group stopped harassing the poor guy.

Talking to my daughter lately, I’ve realized bullying nowadays like most things have gone high-tech. People now stopped passing pieces of paper containing nasty messages about someone else. Instead they leave nasty TXT messages or leave malicious remarks on the website of the person they’re attacking.

Also just recently I came to realize that bullying is not only among students. In fact a most likely victim of bullying nowadays is a teacher. Especially if the teacher comes from a different cultural background, has a thick Asian accent or has difficulty with the English language. Students can be so mean to a teacher without realizing that they are already bullying the teacher.

I felt sorry for one of my daughter’s teachers who my daughter said was really a good teacher. What happened is that a group of pupils, acting like spoiled brats, were often disruptive, disrespectful, and made fun of the teacher’s Hongkong accent.

The poor teacher eventually quit his job and decided to go back to HK; never to teach children anymore. It’s sad when one’s vocation, especially that of being an educator to the youth gets stifled for no good reason. A casualty to a despicable social behaviour we should all do without.

Children's Party

The following describes a typical kiwi children’s party for children 6 to 10 years old.

Invitations are sent to each child the celebrant wants to invite usually 1 to 2 weeks in advance. Note that the invitation is only for the child and not for the parents. The parents are not included in the invite and therefore are not expected to attend.

On the date of the party, the parents drop off their children at the party’s venue at the exact time. Bihira ang late. The parents are not expected to stay while the party is going on. The parents would normally leave and come back later at the exact time stated in the invitation to pick up their children. If you are a parent and you decide to stay, don’t expect to be offered any food or refreshment. If the venue is in a restaurant, at Mcdonalds, or anywhere in a public location you might have to buy or bring your own food. I’ve attended a few parties, and it is common to see kiwis bringing in their own bottles of beer or wine. Kung sa bahay ang venue, ang usual na handa, pizza, chips, popcorn, sausages, chicken nibbles, candies, softdrinks, ice cream.

After the party, each child is given a a small plastic bag called loot bag containing small toys, and some lollies.

Ok din ang kiwi style. Kasi walang hassle kung ikaw ang nagpapa-party. Hindi pa magastos. Just invite the kids at McDonalds, buy each kid a kid’s meal, tapos may libre pang cake na ibinibigay ang McDo. Dalawang oras tapos ang party. Konti lang ang pagod, masaya pa ang mga kids.

Eto naman ang typical pinoy chilren’s party.

Wala ng invitation. Tatawagan na lang ng parents by phone ang mga ka-kosa. Expect mong isasama si tatay, inay, lolo, lola, apo, buong baranggay, pati yung mga chinese/japanese home stayers, kung meron.

Kung hindi sa bahay ang venue, maaring mag-hire pa ng private hall para magkasya lahat ng bisita. Magdadatingan ang bisita 30 minutes to an hour late. Filipino time e. Siempre bongga ang handa. Embutido, menudo, pancit, spaghetti, chicken nibbles, sausages, lumpiang sariwa, morcon, spring rolls, barbecue, kanin na nasa rice-cooker, ice cream at sari-saring dessert. Bumabaha ng beer at cola. At kung 7th bertdey at only child pa, baka may lechon pa. Ang entertainment, videoke. Ilabas ang magic mike at pakantahin ang mga aspiring Pinoy Idol.

After 4 or so hours, doon pa lang mag-uuwian ang mga bisita. At hindi lang mga bata ang may loot bag. Pati matatanda may loot bag, balot-balot ng mga tirang ulam.

But wait there’s more…

Hindi doon nagwawakas ang tipar. Tandaan mo kapag ang party ay lunch or merienda, ang kasunod noon ay dinner. Yung ibang kaibigan didiretcho pa sa bahay mo. Kung nasa bahay na kayo mag-stay pa sila para sa hapunan at midnight snack. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang saya, inuman, kantahan, kwentuhan. Kulang na lang doon na sila matulog sa inyo.

Yan ang party Pinoy-style. Hay naku, Pinoy nga naman! Kung minsan naiisip ko tuloy, alin kayang style ang mas nakapagpapasaya sa mga bata especially yung may bertdey?

What I Dislike about Auckland

All of my previous posts have showed only the good side of Auckland, NZ. Baka isipin tuloy ng mga nakakabasa na perpekto ang lugar na ito. Sorry, Virginia, may mga kakulangan din ang New Zealand. For now, I’ll mention only one.

The thing I dislike the most here in Auckland is the high incidence of burglaries. About 90% of burglaries happen during the day. Mas madali kasi most people are working during the day kaya walang tao sa bahay. Stories of people coming home from work to find their homes empty or ransacked are common. I’ve known a lot of Filipino friends who have had their houses broken into. Their jewelries, cash, electronic appliances stolen. From personal experience, doon sa luma naming bahay, yung bike lang naman ni Fidez ang nakuha about 5 years ago. Walang mga rehas, gates or fences ang karamihan ng mga bahay kaya madaling pasukan.

Then NZ have stupid laws on tresspassing. Sa States pwede mong barilin and sino mang pumasok sa bahay mo. Sa Pilipinas, bugbog ang aabutin ng sino mang mahuling nagnanakaw. Dito, napakabait (to a fault) nila kahit sa mga home intruders. Kapag may nahuli ka nga sa aktong nagnanakaw sa loob ng bahay mo, hindi mo pwedeng saktan kung hindi ka naman niya ina-attack. Kapag hinabol mo at sinaktan mo, baka ikaw pa ang kasuhan ng physical damage. Ang pwede mo na lang gawin ay ang tumawag ng pulis. Parang illogical ano? Lalo na sa ating mga Pinoy na mahilig sa mga action movies. But the reasoning behind it is the belief that the burglar is basically only after material things and has no intention of harming anyone. To avoid any harm to the intruder or to yourself, the general rule is to avoid any confrontation at all cost. Para sa kanila, di baleng materyal lang na bagay ang mawala.

But it’s not all bad. Most burglars are just youth offenders, amateurs looking for kicks and are generally unarmed. There are very few cases of burglars harming occupants of a house. Then, like anywhere else, not all suburbs are the same. We’re quite lucky because the suburb we now live in is one of the safest areas in Auckland.

We need to be aware of what we have and be thankful for it

Downtown City Auckland.

The City of Sails. That's what Auckland in New Zealand is also known for. Marami kasing sail boats dito. Sailing is also one of the favorite water sports of Aucklanders, aside from fishing. In 1995 and 1999, Team NZ won the America's Cup, the most prestigious yacht race in the world. Auckland hosted the race in 1999 and 2003. Kaya lang tinalo ng Swiss Team (whose crew were New Zealanders!) in 2003.

These are just a few things about Auckland, the city I've lived in for the past 9 years now. Maswerte kami dito sa Auckland. In the past 9 years I've been here we've never experienced any natural calamity. Hindi pa ako nakaranas ng bagyo dito. Madalas ang ulan pero never na bumagyo. Earthquakes, hindi pa rin (knock on wood). Bush fires, wala din kasi green lahat ng bundok. Para ngang naka-bermuda grass. In fact, one famous Pinoy actor who visited commented that NZ is like a golf course. Kasi the grass everywhere even in hills and mountains, parang ni-lawn mower. The climate here is sub-tropical. Para kang naka-aircon, everyday. Hindi naman malamig na malamig. Parang Baguio City lang ang lamig.

Now that I'm trying to write about this place, I realized how after living in it for sometime now, I've somehow lost the sense of awe and admiration I used to have when we were still new to the place. Nung bago pa lang kami dito about 2 years pa lang, I used to think to myself that here in NZ, "everyday is a holiday". Hindi kasi kami na-stress dito e. Walang gaanong traffic. Hindi crowded, konti pa tao. NZ has a population of only 3.5 million people. At any time one can go to the numerous beaches and parks nearby. Spend the time there and just be one with nature. Very relaxing at wala pang gastos. Ngayon, parang ordinary na lang lahat ito. When you have something all the time, you forget to be thankful for it. You take things for granted. Sabi nga nila you learn to appreciate things only when you lose it. I believe this is true to everything we have. Lifestyle, health, money, job, home, family and friends, I thank my Creator for all these blessings.

Bloody Stupid!

Warning: Stupidity can be hazardous to your health!A man goes inside a gun shop. Takes out a machete hidden in his jacket and demands the shop owner for guns threatening to attack him with the machete. The owner then pulls out a gun from underneath his drawer and warns the man to put down the machete or he’ll shoot. Instead of backing off, the intruder tried to advance and consequently was shot once in the stomach.

The man didn’t die. Unfortunately! He was later charged with assault with intent to rob. For his stupidity I say he deserves to be shot 10 times in the head to spill his useless brains out of his thick skull. How much more dumb can a person get? Holding up a gun shop with a machete! He might as well have used a fly swatter. At least that would have caused the owner to die laughing.

Warning: Stupidity can be communicable!If you think the man was stupid then you don’t know anything about (in)justice NZ-style. Listen to this, the owner of the shop who shot the intruder was charged by the Police with unlawful possession of firearm. Yes, you heard it right. A gun shop owner, while inside his own shop is charged with possessing a firearm! Maybe, dealing with stupid criminals also makes the Police stupid.

Good citizens, even when attacked are discouraged from harming the attacker. Kiwis can be so kind and compassionate to a fault. But some (only a few) just plain stupid.

Read the news story here.

Ah, fresh air!

If you’re coming over to NZ you'll find it refreshing to be able to breath clean air. There is hardly any air pollution around.

Smoking in any enclosed public areas is now prohibited, even in pubs and bars. And the price of tobacco is exorbitant compared to that in the Philippines. If you’re a smoker coming over to NZ be prepared to either quit smoking or spend around $10 per pack (I’m not sure of the actual street price as I don’t smoke). That’s roughly 400 pesos per pack! If that’s not going to force you to reduce or even make you stop smoking, I don’t know what will.

Think of it this way. If you’re a 1 pack a day smoker and decide to quit smoking that will be $3650 ($10 x 365 days) saved in a year. Multiply that by 40, that will be 146,000 pesos. Enough for plane fare to Manila. May pocket money ka pa!

Buying a Computer in Auckland

These are just few tips on where to buy a PC and accessories in Auckland.

Kung first time ka pa lang bibili ng PC at ikaw yung taong hindi technically inclined, (eg. You have no idea at all what the difference between CRT and LCD), ang bilhin mong PC yung naka-sale sa The Warehouse (www.thewarehouse.co.nz). Ang tatak Dell. The last time I looked, may $999 at may $1379 ang desktop PC. Comes with everything you need to get started. Wala nga lang printer, scanner. Mura na yon, kasi magandang brand.

Kung medyo nakakaintindi ka naman technically, o kung meron ka ng PC at gusto mo lang bumili ng mga accessories, halimbawa printer, scanner, memory, o gusto mong mag-upgrade o bumuo ng sarili mong PC ang isang website na dapat mong puntahan ay angwww.pricespy.co.nz. Dito makikita mo ang mga prices ng mga PC components ng iba’t ibang vendor. Naka-sort according to price. Kaya malalaman mo kung saan mura. Ang kaso lang, buong NZ yan. Kaya baka yung murang vendor nasa South Island pa. Ganoon pa man huwag kang mag-alala. Hanapin mo yung mga tindahan na nasa Auckland at makipag-bargain ka sa kanila. Sabihin mo nakita mo sa PriceSpy yung presyo ng ibang vendor. Kadalasan, willing naman silang i-match yung lowest price.

Kung naman hindi ka maselan at okay lang sayo ang second hand, try mong maghanap sa www.trademe.co.nz. Auction site ito na tulad ng eBay. Mag-bibid ka lang at kapag ikaw ang nanalo sa bidding, ibibigay sayo ng TradeMe ang email address nung vendor at kayo na ang bahalang mag-usap tungkol sa bayaran at delivery ng item. Kung di ka sanay sa online bidding, suggestion ko, makipag-bid ka lang sa mga traders na nasa local area mo. Sa ganitong paraan kung manalo ka, pwede mo siyang puntahan at pick-apin ang item. BTW, marami din nagbebenta ng brand new sa TradeMe.

Ang isa pang pwedeng bilhan ng mga second hand computer parts ay ang computer flea market. Meron nito sa Panmure Community Centre kada Sabado mula 8 hanggang 12 ng tanghali. Makakabili ka dito ng mga kompletong PC mula $100 to $400. Suggestion ko kung wala kang alam sa computer, magsama ka ng nakakaalam. Meron din isa pang computer flea market sa Northshore, sa may Shakespeare Road, Milford, every Sunday naman, 8-12 din. Pero mas kakaunti ang mga vendors dito compared sa Panmure. Isa pa kapag nasa Panmure ka na, bisitahin mo na rin si Oscar at mag-grocery ka sa tindahan niya (Tres Marias) sa Queen St, Panmure. Puro Pinoy products -- mamasita, sky flakes, bagoong, clover chips, walis, pangkayod ng niyog, ligo, sarsi, atbp. Banggitin niyo ako. Sabay ilag (dahil may utang pa ako sa kanya). De biru lang. Para bigyan niya ako ng discount.