unfathomable depths

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Fellows asking help in Orchard

Precy Gonzales from Cagayan

I and my friend Marie were in a hurry yesterday night to a attend our friend's birthday party when we were approached by this woman . We were in Orchard at that time and as we were about to cross the road along Lucky Plaza , she ran towards me and asked if I am a Filipino. I stared at her in surprise but answered her politely.

She introduced her self as Precy Gonzales from Cagayan and immediately asked for financial help. She needed S$6.00 she could use as a fare going to Malaysia where she said she currently resides. She then asked again if I am an Ilocana and when I spoke to her in that language, she proceeded in explaining herself why she was here in Singapore. She said she came all the way from Malaysia looking for her friend who wanted to help her find a job here but she was not able to see her. She thought maybe she went back home already. She explained that they were deceived by their agent/agency who promised them a good job. I asked what she does in Malaysia and she said she is doing a part time work. She also mentioned she usually go to Tampines to do extra work if she is called by an employer.

I wanted to ask more of her details and questions but we were rushing that time since it was already a bit late and we needed to go for our friend's party. To make the story short, we gave the amount she was asking, had my friend took a picture of us and told her to take care before we left.

I am very curious how she managed to come to Singapore without being questioned in the immigration and how she live a life without a permanent job then come to Singapore unsure if she would see her friend.

It was my second time to be approached by some fellows asking for help usually to be used for fare going home.

When we reached our friend's place, I mentioned about the incident and I was told that there are a lot of people doing that usually in the MRT or in Orchard Rd. They shared their own experience and I was surprised to know that even some asked for 10 dollars for top ups. I got even surprised when one friend asked me to see this woman's picture. She eventually recognized her and told me she often see her there in Orchard or at the MRT station.

Hmmmm....makes me wonder if they really need help or they are just plainly impostures. Maybe next time they ask for help, it would be better to refer them to the embassy.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

My 2012!

Moving in to another country to work is difficult and challenging. Difficult because I have to just live by my own without knowing anyone to be there for me but at the same time a challenge that I have to live with.

A year ago, I came to this country to work just like any ordinary foreign worker. I never included this country as a place I wanted to go but I found myself landing into it anyway. My reason was that I was terrified when I was younger about a news that really shook my country and perhaps the entire world due to a capital punishment imposed to a fellow citizen. I remembered my country's outpouring rage towards this country and how their friendship got affected due to that incident. That was almost decades ago and I think everyone got over on that issue as I did.

I was actually uncertain when I boarded the plane. During the entire trip, a lot of "what ifs" were running to my mind including that fate which my fellow went through. I only noticed I was wallowing at those thought when the plane went down into landing. I just closed my eyes and embraced the thought of being into a new world. I walked out of the plane and headed out from the immigration nervously. Minutes later, I was fetched by an agent who I had no choice but to trust since she was the only person who I had a contact with. I was warned a thousand times not to talk or discuss any matters to anyone even to my big boss except her. I succumbed to every words she said but my instinct kept on bugging me so I decided to do the opposite. Clients passports, ATM cards and contracts were withheld until agent fees are fully paid. I revealed every details even our small arguments to those people concerned and I was actually surprised by what I heard. A lot of "cannot be" comments thus, this made me do a research work and a background check on her. I felt a stab on my back when I found out she is doing an unlawful acts stated on the country's laws. What made me angrier was the thought of not making a move to have her be reprimanded. I was a newbie and I am just a nobody. I know that whatever reasons I give for myself for not reporting her to authorities, I still think I should have done it. It happened anyway so I just counted it to experience.

Before the year ended, I felt another stab on the back from a person who I even considered as closest to me since coming to this place. This person seemed too good to be true-perceived self like a sweet innocent individual and appeared to look like an angel. True enough on the physical aspect but in reality, I and the others found out to be only just a front act. There were things we were fond of sharing to the extent of asking each other's advice but I did not see it coming to be used against me. I should have known better and should have trusted my gut even when I sensed it during the initial get to know each other stage. It just hurts so much to be taken advantage of and be betrayed by people when what you only do was to be good and to be nice around them.

Some may not be pleased for just being myself and I may only be remembered for my weakness but I do not hold their judgement against me. I am pretty sure that if I will run down their own lives, I might probably discover the shock of my life. I maybe exaggerating but I think people like this are usually the ones with a lot of baggage. I do not want to busy myself trying to scrutinize and shoot comments I know will not only help. Anyhow, these people are only way up to making me a stronger person.

All the best!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

From Singapore to Batam, Indonesia

Chinese Garden, Singapore

Chinese Garden is also known as Jurong Gardens in Singapore. This is a big park designed by an architect from Taiwan and was built in 1975.

The park serves as a hideaway to those who want to escape the not so harmonious sounds around the city. The peaceful environment is relaxing which is of course beneficial to one's health.

Nearby residents usually go for a walk or a run around the park. Couples and families also go to this park to bond as well.

This is also a great venue for celebrations especially Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival.