What a thrill and delight for me to have celebrated Christmas and New Year with my family back in my hometown in the Philippines! Almost everyday of my 20-day vacation was a feast!

Some of the things I did and enjoyed during my break that added sweet home memories to my heart:

- videoke fun time with my family and friends - lechon baboy, grilled and fried fish, mango float, leche flan
- motorcycle ride
- playing with Yancy and RJ (nephews) and Cary (niece)
- morning cup of coffee with Papa and Mama
- talks and laughs with my Ate Espie and Gen (sisters)
- times spent with my friends in Cebu
- going around my little hometown Cataingan; seeing old places, reminiscing memories of my childhood and friends



OFWs - misunderstood!

I became one of the many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who had to deal with the pasalubong (gift) pressure! Many were just happy to see me (with or without pasalubong). I was surely grateful for them. But there were some who must have thought OFWs are Santa Claus who can give what they have wanted!

...and traumatised!

I was initially put on hold the night I left Mactan Cebu International Airport because I didn’t have a travel exit clearance. I had that document the first time I left the country last year as a contract worker, but I didn’t know I was supposed to secure it every time I travel back to Philippines even for a short vacation!

The middle-aged woman at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) desk at the airport was very unhelpful. She flatly scolded me, blamed me, and told me that if only I attended POEA’s pre-departure seminar (which I did!) and if only I have listened to the announcements, I should have known and remembered that I was supposed to get an exit clearance every time I travel!

Goodness! How was I to remember it after almost a year? (I checked all my POEA documents when I got home in Singapore – and there was nothing to remind me or tell me of that requirement! NOTHING).

Anyway, there was no time for me to argue. Passengers have already gone to the boarding area except me! I tried to stay calm and asked what could I do? I was willing to comply. I badly needed to fly that night, 11th of January. I have people and work waiting for me in Singapore.

My heart stopped beating for a moment when she squarely told me that there was nothing I can do but to off-load and re-book my flight, get my clearance at POEA office on Tuesday, 16 January (5 days later after weekend and Asean summit holidays)!

One passenger suggested that I travel not as an OFW (who’s supposed to get exemption from travel tax and terminal fee), but as a tourist. But with that option, I had to buy another return ticket from Singapore back to Cebu! I took the idea, hoping I could just settle the matter when I get to Singapore. But my cash was not enough anymore! I ran to many ATMs to get money, but I couldn’t access my account. I was running here and there...with few minutes left in my hand. The plane was going to take off soon.

Feeling so defeated, I went back to the airline office and have to say my money was not enough. I needed P3,000 more (about S$100). I took out my two Nokia cell phones from my bag and a Sony digital camera and asked the airline lady if she would be interested to buy it for P1,000 each! I felt so desperate and humbled. I’m never used to bargaining, asking, or begging. The lady wanted to help me, but she didn’t have enough money also. I was so teary when she helped me convince the guy who just came to buy a plane ticket for Davao to buy my phones and the camera! He was a bit hesitant, but of course, it was a great a buy, so he did!

The airline lady called someone from the plane and told them they have one more passenger - me! So the plane's departure was delayed! Few minutes later, I was finally settled in the plane, so thirsty and tired and traumatised. I would have complied with the travel exit clearance if I have known earlier!

Taxi from heaven

Got out from Singapore’s immigration area just fine. My mind was blank and tired. All I wanted was for me to get a nice, hot bath, a cold drink and collapse in my bed. I called (using a free phone) my housemate Angel to ask her to meet me outside our flat because I wasn’t sure if my Singapore dollars would be enough for my taxi fare and also to ask for direction. I wasn’t sure if I had the correct address in my head. But before I could speak, she told me that she had arranged a taxi to pick me up from the airport to drive me home! I thought she was joking! But part of me wished it was true!

I hurriedly went outside the arrival area to find the taxi. I was so surprised to find three friends waiting for me at the airport to welcome me and drive me home! Wow, what a relief! Someone from above knew how stressed and upset I was that he sent some kind-hearted people to pick me up and give me a free ride.:-)

I was so excited to find my taxi and just get home that I just totally forgot my baggage! I had to go back and claimed by stuff.:-)

I'm coming back, Cebu!

My friend Angel wanted to make something good out from my bad experience. She decided for us both to make a trip back to Cebu to make use of my ticket and to settle my exit clearance problem. So, I'm on for another trip next week!