Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Mabuhay ang Filipino!!!


(Taken at Magic Planet with Edith)


(With Peter and Edith)

More than 40% of Dubai’s ex-pats population composes of Filipinos, mostly working in the hospitality industries, shops and offices. It’s no surprise that I have at least a dozen friends and a dozen more classmates/ex-colleagues and acquaintances working or living here in Dubai. Some of them I haven’t seen for 15 years. So it is really nice to meet these people while am here.
Before I left Finland, I found out that an ex-colleague from Chili’s is here. Edith and I might not have been close friends back in Manila, but seeing her this time and spending some bonding time with her was a really good experience. From her I learned some stories of how it is to be working here in Dubai. Stories of love, hate, deception, common and uncommon, brought about by the passion to make a living for the love ones back home or just merely by the will to live.
Others just sway to the rhythm of Dubai beat and learn its steps, while others succumb to the poisonous aroma of bureaucracy. And this just makes me sick to the pit of my stomach, learning how other people live in severe difficulties while I complain at how I was treated by a flight attendant. How disgustingly ungrateful of me!!!
But this is one great thing that makes me so proud to be a Filipino. Our passion and will to live make us the best employees wherever we go. We know the meaning of “pagtitiis” (sacrifice) that we could live in these very trying times in very harsh conditions.
To the Filipino men and women around the world who’s working so hard to make ends meet and dancing to the beat of the music called LIFE, I salute you! Cheers.

I love nightlife....


(With Toni, Jinky and P-wee at the Jumeirah Beachcomber)


(With P-wee and Vangie at Manila 365)


As I sat down to the reserved table for four, I know already where to start in this beautifully arranged buffet of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. For 150 dhs. per head, I am determined to get my moneys worth, well in this case, Tonis moneys worth :) We had about 3 hours before we are to meet Vangie in Deira, so I tried to pace myself. From the chicken corn soup, to salads and appetizers, dimsums, tandoori and curries, to desserts, I enjoyed every spoonful. It was a heavenly experience to taste flavorful dishes that was the real deal. If I am to list the menu, this will take forever. I guess one mistake Jinky and I did, was to take green tea after that heavy meal. Find out why.
To add to the amazing food, the staff I will give a perfect 10. Not just because they are mostly Filipinos or Asians, but because they do deserve the score. The ambience I would say is up to par, for this 5 star hotel isn't boastful at all, which adds to the simplicity of the place with which you'll feel so at home.
Of course, next on our agenda was the picture taking, because Beachcomber is right by the shore with view of the picturesque Burj Al Arab. Thanks to P-wee though, for she got us a 50% discount on this wonderful meal.
About 20 kms. from this hotel, we are to meet Vangie at Chika Grill in Deira. It was my first taste of clubbing in Dubai, and man was I in Manila??? 90% of the population inside this club were Pinoys. I felt like entering a Malate club.

P-wee: Thats Vangie, pols.
Apple: No way! She's way too big to be Vangie
P-wee: No really, thats her, wait your phones going to ring.
(and so my phone rang, and I sent Toni to Vangie who was about 12 feet away from us)
Toni: Would you like to go out with me?
Vangie: (looking so amazed and surprised) Are you Toni?
Toni: No
Vangie: Oh, I'm sorry (now looking bewildered and a bit shocked)


A bit far from them, P-wee and I were laughing are asses off!!! Nyahaha

And so we moved to Manila 365. We had to put the healthy Vangie to sit in front so Toni, Angela, Jinky and I could squeeze in at the back seat of P-wee's car. Yes Awie, your wishes had come true. Vangie now looks like you!!! You bad bad girl!!!
As we found a parking place, we had to ask for directions to Manila 365. A local guy told us to walk straight on this one road. When we got there, a man told us to walk back. So in the sweltering heat, we walked more than 10 minutes, only to find out that we parked right next to the Ramee building where the club is located! Whew!!!
This club was no different. Toni needed to pay 25Dhs to get in, got himself a drink, there was no more place for us, so we ended up sitting on this couch right next to the drummer that my ears were still ringing the following night. All in all, the night was enjoyable, because of the company.

Bits:
P-wee: Isn't Danke African for Thank you?
Toni: No, its German
Jinky: No its American!!! Di ba, Danke Donuts!