Let's go back from where it all started.
On June 17, 2017, My old company, Powerholding International (formerly UCC), made a decision to further deduct my salary but fortunately, I can decline the offer and they will give me a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to find a new employer. I didn’t immediately look for a job cause on the next day, I underwent a minor operation.
On July 1st, 2017 without applying, My friend from the Qatar Armed Forces called me and informed me that they were hiring in the Special Forces unit. (On November 2016, I already applied for the same job, I got it, unfortunately, the recruiters decided to get Nurses from the Philipines instead.) It was the first company to call me after I got terminated and it's from the government so I felt giddy and excited. I passed all the requirements and I was called for an interview. It was Positive!!!
However 2 weeks before July ends, they called me and said that my application was canceled once again, because the Doctor said he wanted to interview more applicants. I was devastated because I thought that after all the shenanigans last year, I got this. Feeling very hopeless, I started sending gazillions of CVs to all the companies hiring a Site Nurse.
Came August, the Armed Forces called once again and said that they are Finally pursuing my application and asked me to send the documents they needed.My hope raised to roof again. On the same month, I received a call from Qatar Engineering Construction and asked me for an Interview. I told myself that I will just focus on my Army application. Inspite of that, I still went for the interview just to see how it goes. To tell you honestly, The work that they’re offering was way better than my previous. I will be working as a medical nurse, not as Safety Nurse. The catch, however, is that I need to travel 2 hours to the workplace back and forth (a total of 4 hours). “Whichever comes first,” I told myself.
On August 18 was supposedly my last day to UCC, but they extended me for a month. I convinced myself that maybe this was God’s plan all along, to extend me in my recent work so I cannot join other companies right away.
On August 24, I received the offer letter from QCon, It was generous. I was surprised because I did not expect that it would be that high but at the same time, I was troubled by the thought that I would be traveling 4 hours a day. I was torn but then I was assured of the Armed Forces.So on August 30, I declined the offer. I didn't regret it (yet). I got calls for interviews, but I turned down all of it. Updates from the Army Nurses kept on coming while we were waiting and so far they said all is positive. With all fairness to them, they informed us that the application will be very slow, sometimes it would it take 3 months. I didn't care because the salary and benefits are blinding. They were very assuring and they are all nice.
On Sept 18, I finally said goodbye to UCC. On Sept 26, I, together with the other hired nurses of the army, we went to the medical center for our medical examinations! Yes, finally the application is going. They told us to wait for the result so we can start on the recruitment. On the same day, UCC called and asked me if I can come back to work temporarily. I was enjoying my vacation then and I got the feeling that I will be starting soon with the army since everything went to its places, however, I cant say No to my boss so I told him I will come back to work but only for a week, he agreed, so I went back.
On October 2, I finally exited UCC and endorsed everything to the new nurse. On October 6, We went to the Army base to file our application together with our medical results. According to the recruitment, our paper will go to 3 departments, the CID, The security department and the Internal Security of Qatar. They explained that it would take a while but our Doctor said he will do everything to expedite the application.
From there, I got to enjoy my Netflix subscription. I was tambay. I was enjoying all the breaks that I'm getting. I did not miss work.
Last week of November 2017, One of the hired Nurses finally bid goodbye to the Army dream. He said he couldn't wait because he have loans to pay. We understood him of course but we didn't know how it’ll affect our application.
Here in Qatar after you get terminated, a company will give a maximum of 2 months for the employee to transfer sponsorship before they'll cancel the resident ID. On Dec 2, my company, through HR Shameer, called and said he needs to cancel my ID. I went to the head office and gave a letter asking them if they can extend until the end of December. Surprisingly they agreed. Anyways if they will not agree, I will just go back to the Philippines and will come back with a family visit visa. December was the hardest of the waiting period because my wife went on vacation. Although I get visits from my friends, most of the time I was alone. It was the first xmas and newyear after 5 year that we were apart.
On January 1, 2018, at 7am, One of the nurses in the special forces called and informed as a bad news. He said that our application got pulled out when one of the Nurses backed out. It was just applied again on December 28 so the 2 months of waiting was a just wasted. I began thinking of applying for another job, but I got discouraged. I convinced myself that I already did wait, so why not wait some more. I even compared my situation to one of the nurses who’s also waiting, because he has loans to pay, but he chooses to wait. So I asked a sign. “God if this is for me, give me a sign”. On January 2, supposedly my last day to transfer sponsorship, Shameer was on vacation so no one is pressuring me to do it immediately. I said Maybe this is the sign. So I waited, in vain.
February 2 when Shameer came back and called me again. I asked our military doctor to talk directly to our HR Manager, Marilou, who is our kabayan, and they agreed to give me until end of March. I was assured na Malapit na, so I still waited. I was becoming more stress those days, cranky, sad, depressed. Until on Feb 25, when a recruiter from a reputable company called me, He said he liked my cv and willing to offer me as high as 9000 QR just let go of the special forces. Of course I said yes. He told me to wait for someone to call for an interview. That time, I have decided to let go of the Army. Cause secretly, I was crying every dawn morning because it was almost 5 mos without work. Sometimes I can't bear thinking that my wife handles all the expenses. I was sad. I was very very sad. this might be my gateway.
I waited for 3 days but no call for an interview. So I emailed back the recruiter. and he said this
I was ruined. I can’t accept that I got rejected just cause he was reassuring. He offered me for Christ sake, I didn't look for him. I lost it a little. I was very sad because I really thought that it is the start of my life turning around.
The good thing about it is that it became a wake-up call for me. That I need to find a new job, that I could no longer wait for the army, that I should have a backup plan. The nurse waiting with me was already employed by another company. It's time I told myself. I went back to all the companies who offered and interviewed me but all the positions are filled. Can you imagine the amount of regrets i had?
It was March 1 when Shameer called and reminded me of my QID. “But I was given until the end of March,” I said. He said he didn't know about that compromise. So I went there and talked to our HR manager, Marilou. I begged to give me until end of march, but she declined, however, she gave me until March 17. That’s great, I whispered, because I will finally go to this company that I knew is hiring site nurse. The Bin Omran trading.
It was March 1 when Shameer called and reminded me of my QID. “But I was given until the end of March,” I said. He said he didn't know about that compromise. So I went there and talked to our HR manager, Marilou. I begged to give me until end of march, but she declined, however, she gave me until March 17. That’s great, I whispered, because I will finally go to this company that I knew is hiring site nurse. The Bin Omran trading.
On March 2, I went to there office to give my CV Luckily, I got interviewed immediately. It went well but at the moment all positions are filled because they hired 8 nurses from the past months and I will be considered once a new project arises. Again, I was shattered. I knew this company from the time I got terminated. It's just that I didn't go to it because I don't want to get confused between that and the army. Now they’re full.
I kept sending cv to all the companies that I know but on March 6, Shameer called again and said that they will cancel my Id within two days. I said “what? I was given 2 weeks by Marilou”, He just said that It was not her decision but the decision of the Immigration Manager. My wife and I broke down.. It was the first time i heard my wife questioning everything and I got scared, because my anchor of faith, almost lost it too. We accepted the fate that i will go home. So i decided to go home March 11.
Unfortunately, my End-of-services salary didn't arrive within 2 days so they were not able to cancel my ID. I took that as an opportunity to continue searching for a job hoping that I could transfer sponsorship instead.
This was the time I messaged anyone I knew on FB working in Qatar. And I was overwhelmed with the enormous replies and help I got. I got calls and interviews after interviews, but no one offered.
I decided to go to LinkedIn, and searched “Nurse Qatar” and I messaged some of them and asked them for the email address of their HR. They were helpful enough to message me back. Here i met Robertson from Petroserv. He asked me to send him my cv.
On March 27, I received my End of Service graduity, and i failed to transfer my sponsorship. I sent an email to UCC stating that I am accepting my fate to get canceled but they emailed back and said to transfer my car name under my wife before they can cancel me. Apparently, you can’t get canceled once there are properties under your name.
On March 28, my wife and I went to the insurance company and transferred the insurance under her name, when Arabelle, my friend from Structurel, called and told me to go to their head office cause they're hiring for Camp Nurse. Without nothing to lose, I went there. and to my surprise, I got offered. I told them that I need to show UCC employment offer and the HR said he will try his best to expedite it.
April 1, I received an email from Robertson, he asked me if im available for interview. Without nothing to lose again, I said yes. Since wala pa naman yung inaantay ko kako. So April 3 at around 3pm, I went to see their HR. At the interview, I was surprised with myself. I talked a lot, that didn't happen to the other interviews. I felt good. I told them my situation that i needed offer letter and transfer sponsorship ASAP. Ahad, the HR, was honest enough to say “can you give me until tomorrow morning, cause honestly, ur expected salary is way beyond our budget”.
At around 5pm on the same day, I went to Structurel because the HR told me that the offer letter was ready but I was shocked to see that the offer was less than the amount we have agreed about. At home, my wife and I discussed. She said to accept it. For the first time in years, I defied my wife. I told her that I can do better than the offer. I got a great feeling about petroserv, just trust me I told her. She was a bit upset because we made a pact that we will accept the first one to give an offer, as long as higher than my previous salary. She was worried, but i knew she trusted me.
Deep inside however, I was worried. I never defied my wife. This would be the first time. I just needed to trust my gut i told myself.
April 4 at exactly 8am, The Petroserv called and they said that they are offering me the position. I jumped for joy, I knew it, i said. I asked if they could give me the offer letter so I can show my present employer, and He said he would prepare and give it in the afternoon, and he did. I asked him hypothetically, If my ID will get cancelled and come back with a visit visa, will they still consider me? He said they need someone with a working visa already, so its very vital that I need NOC. at the same time, Shameer emailed with almost a threat that if i would not transfer my car, they will report me to the ministry. At once, i went to the head office with my new employment offer.
Bigger Dilemma
April 4, 4pm I talked to Shameer to give me this chance to have this work but he was hesistant. He said He knew what I was doing (delaying to transfer my car to wait for any employment letter) and it would be unfair because they already gave me ample time, to top that, I already received my End Service Salary. I was pleading, but he said to talk to HR Manager Marilou. She was busy so I decided to go to Ms. Ellen, our HSE coordinator. I talked to her about my situation and advise me to go to the ministry because there is a law stating that if you finished 5 years of employment, you can look for another job, and the govt will give the No objection certificate (NOC).
“That’s a great advise,” i told her and myself. So I decided to just go to the ministry on April 5, Thursday.
Later that night, I talked to my friend, Kitty, who formerly worked in UCC. She called Marilou, and told her my situation and according to her, Marilou stated: “kung hawak na nya ang new computer card ng company, definitely bibigyan sya ng NOC”. So although I decided to go to ministry, I opted to go first to Marilou on Thursday morning. If she will then change her mind, i will still have the afternoon to go to the ministry.
The next day, April 5, I went to head office, at 8:30. She arrived at 9am. but i was just able to talk to her at 10am. I pleaded not to cancel my ID and let me change sponsorship. She was very hesitant at first but then finally, she said: “Okay, I will give you two more weeks, after this, Wala na, I cacancel ka na tlga”. I shed a happy tear and thank her. I went home at 11 am happily.
yet on the afternoon, at around 12:30pm, I received an email from her office saying that my request was rejected and that I need to transfer my car within the day or else they will report me as absconded to the Ministry of Labor. I was shocked. I went back immediately and arrived at 1:30pm, it was their lunch break so I waited until 2pm. I was really worried because I know that the ministry of Labor, where i will file my Noc supposedly, is closed already. So the only chance I have is to persuade Marilou (once again).
When finally Marilou and I talked, she was like a different HER from that morning. She suddenly says things she did not said in the morning. In my mind, i was like “but we were just talking this morning? what happened to that”, I didn't tell her that cause i was really crying. I am pleading her and she became stiff. I decided to go to my HSE Manager, Alaa. I was surprised how Alaa defended me to Marilou. He said “ Why are you making him suffer, you are HUMAN resource, you suppose to help people” Marilou answered back “Didnt you know how much we suffered because the immigration is calling about him” and Alaa said “So you’re punishing him because you suffered”, She was stunned. Touchè I told myself. But still, Marilou said No. We went directly to the Immigration manager, He was more considerate, but he gave me only 2 days to transfer. I called Ahad (petroserv) and he said its not possible.
I can’t go to the ministry anymore because it was closed, and they’ll open again on Monday. they were threatening me thay they’ll report me on Saturday. I was anxious. and I gave up.
I called the Ahad again and told him that they can’t give me NOC in a depressing tone. He answered back “I’m sorry because two days is not really possible, If they are pressuring you like that, just let them cancel you, and we will just give you a visa”. I cried literally. I even told him why you didn't tell me, I was like a fool pleading here. He said, “Because we really need someone with Working visa but if you are getting pressured like that so we’ll just provide you a visa”. I went back to Marilou and told her, I don't need NOC after all. And went home.
On the same day, I transferred my car to my wife’s and UCC cancelled me at once. They booked me a ticket on April 11. I didn’t tell anyone that I got a job even before I go homebecause I really felt that this was too good to be true.
I stayed in the Philippines for 10 days and flew to Singapore on April 23. A week before I go to singapore, Ahad messaged me saying to inform him a week before i go singapore so he could prepare documents. He applied for the visa the moment I passed the philippine immigration.
I could actually wait for my visa in the Philippines but once I receive it, I will need to go through an agency, I will undergo seminars and medicals, which I will prevent if i’ll exit the country. My visa arrived April 25, Wednesday, but due to some issues, It only get printed on April 28, Saturday. I went back to Doha on April 29. I knew then, that I am in a good company this time.
That past 7 months was really an experience and a lesson learned. At the first 2 months of doing nothing, I was enjoying and convincing myself that I deserve this rest. but the month after that, I became a very sad man. Smiling outside but secretly dying inside. I get my hopes high, and crashed in a second. I get my faith high but get disappointed in a moment. I questioned my existence. What am I doing here?
I have regret after regret. I could not move forward. I always think of the opportunities I have lost, the money I could have earned. I got nothing. The only one I have was my wife who became strong when I’m very weak. True enough, I could not have gone through all of it, if she wasnt the one I married.
I didn’t understand why. Then I remembered one of my favorite song, “Take me out of the Dark”. I always cry when I hear this song. Before I left to the Philippines, my Ninang Josan and Ninong Mar (my Godparents in marriage) shared some bible verses and prayed for me, Coincidentally it was Proverbs 3:5 (the Same message of the Song Take me out of the dark)
I have regret after regret. I could not move forward. I always think of the opportunities I have lost, the money I could have earned. I got nothing. The only one I have was my wife who became strong when I’m very weak. True enough, I could not have gone through all of it, if she wasnt the one I married.
I didn’t understand why. Then I remembered one of my favorite song, “Take me out of the Dark”. I always cry when I hear this song. Before I left to the Philippines, my Ninang Josan and Ninong Mar (my Godparents in marriage) shared some bible verses and prayed for me, Coincidentally it was Proverbs 3:5 (the Same message of the Song Take me out of the dark)
I am no religious person but this hit me. We don’t understand a lot of things because we lean on our own. We just need to trust Him with all our hearts,
I learned that I should not make decisions based on verbals when there’s a paper infront of me. I learned next time, that when an opportunity comes my way, I should always take a chance.
I learned that strangers can be friends and friends can be family. I know that many of our kababayans still have crab mentality, but many as well, are very helpful. I appreciate all my friends who reach out on us. Who helped us through this journey. I am still blessed with great people surrounding me. I am still blessed that I started immediately to my new company the next day I arrived in Doha. Whatever happened, It's all in the past now, and I can say that I am stronger and more positive.
Jeremiah 29:11 For i know the plans i have for you says the Lord. Plan to prosper you and not to harm you.Plan to give you a future and a hope.
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