House Hunting in Dubai

We came to find out two weeks ago that the school bus that will take Angela to her school is supposed to pick her up at 6.15 a.m. I initially thought that I had either heared it wrongly or that I had completely misunderstood the information. I had to verifiy several times and it was only until Mark gave me that look as if wondering whether or not I had ceased to understand simple English and symantecs that the truth sank in. They are picking her up at 6.15! Our place is barely 20 minutes drive from school and they''re picking her up 1 and a half hour early. That was then that I realize that the best thing for us to do is move to Al Nahda area, the boundary between the Dubai and Sharjah Emirate, where Angela's school is located. Even if it means having to pay 3 times more than what we're currently paying, I am moving to that place because it would mean that Angela is going to be 2-minute drive or even walking distance from her school.

Mark and me were already discussing the possibility of moving to a new house for almost a year now. The only thing was, we cannot decide the location. Mark wanted to move to International City to be closer to our work. I wanted to move to Al Nahda where, although much farther from our workplace, would be closer to Angela's school and will obviously make things easy for her. Since the children are too young to help in the voting process (the only thing they're helping us decide is which play area to go), we are always in deadlock. But the school's announcement about Angela's pick up schedule became the single catalyst that changed hubby's mind. He suddenly approve the idea of us moving to Al Nahda and did not even argue when we discussed the budget issue.

We spent the first day after we arrived from Germany house hunting. As typical as it is in Dubai, we couldn't find any. Aside from us, there was apparently a lot of other couples searching for houses in the same area as well that it finally looked like we were a convoy of vehicles roaming around the area searching for any available flats. We found one but couldn't decide on it yet.

I spent the following nights on the internet searching gulfnews for any available 2 bedroom-hall property to rent. I was somehow successful and found some which are worth visiting again. Several phone cards and phone calls, lots of exhausted energy and one very dusty car later, I finally found the one which I believed is perfect for our family. I took Mark there the following day and the moment that he walked in, I know that he fell in love with the place. I immediately called the agent to tell him that we liked the place and that we're taking it. Since it was Iftar time, he asked me if I could give him some time to break his fast, after which he will give me a call. I agreed.

Since Eid holidays( the holidays that follows the end of ramadan) is around the corner and people is simply anxiously waiting for the moon sighting, (no one exactly knows when ramadan will be, it depends when the moon comes out) Mark's group of friends (who are all car enthusiasts) had a meeting that evening to disucss their out of town trip. We firstly had dinner at the Noodle House after which he left me at Deira City Center while he went to the meeting which is conveniently located just opposite the mall. An hour later I tried contacting the agent but since Eid had apparently started, trying to get through the phone was practically impossible( try visualizing making a call or sending text message during christmas and/or new year in the Philippines).

When Mark and Me met after the meeting, he had informed me that the new modus operandi of some pretentious freelance real estate agents is to take money from individuals who are seeking to rent flats as "reservation fee". Since property in Dubai is very difficult to find, nevermind the one with amenities, people does pay this "reservation fee" in the assumption that their property gets reserved for them until they are able to get the final contract. Unfortunately, some individuals are taking advantage of this and are taking money from their "supposed clients"without really reserving the property for them. Since they are freelance, they are therefore not in possession of any official real estate receipts and they would only issue notes or confirmations written on a piece of paper that they have received some cash which they could conveniently deny later on. They simply disappear and when the poor victims try to get their money back, the landlord denies any acquaintance with the criminal and victims money disappears along with the ägent". What's worse, the agent's freelance status means the company is not liable for any of his criminal acts.

One Filipino couple had been a victim of this and the thief? She was another Filipina. Gone with the couple's hard-earned money. So much for Filipino camaraderie and support.

We received the warning not a moment too soon. I am afraid that the "agent" we're currently dealing with is one of those unscrupulous persons waiting for the next gullible victim. He is now insisting that I give him the deposit/reservation fee with a particular stress in the word "cash". I proposed that I draft him a cash cheque (the bank requires ID card and phone no. before they process the transaction making it easy to track stolen cheques/money) or a cheque issued in the name of the real estate. He said no, he wants it in cold cash along with the passport copies of my entire family. I insisted that he will get the deposit/reservation fee along with the cheque for his commission (AED. 5000) and the PDCs for the rental once I see and sign the contract which is duly signed and stamped by the real estate office. He said he has to inform the real estate that somebody is interested in taking the flat and the only way to ensure it is to pay in advance, a normal practice in Dubai, where money talks. However, due to the Eid Holidays, he will only be able to start with the processing on Saturday. I replied back that I prefer to go with him to the real estate office, pay the reservation fee there and submit my families passport copies directly to the administrative officer of the real estate and submit all other cheques and papers right there and then as well. He said that was NOT possible. hmmmmm.

Does this person really thinks I am that desperate to hand out AED. 2K and my entire family's passport copy to a complete stranger. Maybe I sounded to desperate on the phone so he had assumed it. Perhaps, in a place where crime hardly happens, people tend to be complacent and I can very well imagine that a lot of person would probably fall for such trick. After thorough discussion, Mark and me decided not to do it. It probably means that he is, after all, might be an honest person who's company policies and procedure is rather difficult to comprehend and we might really be risking losing a good deal (at AED. 95K per annum with free parking, the place was really a good deal in Dubai). But then again, I don't think it's a risk worth taking.

There are still other options we need to check. There were other flats which we already saw and were quite good as well. Since we're again going on an out of town trip tomorrow, I can only hope that the flats will still be there by the time we get back on Thursday. Searching for a new house in Dubai, can really be exhausting.

Stranded OFWs

When Mark and Me moved to our new flat, we have decided to subscribe to Orbit channel instead of TFC. Yes, the price may be twice as much as what TFC might have charged us but we prefered to have access to other international channels as well like CNN, super movies, classic movies and of course, our beloved disney channels. So naturally, the news about the stranded OFWs in Oman and Iran did not reach us. Whether it did not reach us because we were in Germany when it was aired or whether it was not aired in 24-oras at all is beyond me. I can only assume that since ABS-CBN claims exclusivity of the news, and the fact that our housemaid who closely monitors the news and tells them to us even before we get to watch the replay has not mentioned anything means that GMA hasn't covered at all.

I only found out about the crazy situation through my cousin who is a TFC subscriber. Somewhat curious, I decided to visit abs-cbn website and I found this article. I have even watched a video where they have interviewed some UAE nationals, apparently potential sponsors who had indicated that the situation in Iran and Oman are pretty sad.

The Consulate officials are claiming that sufficient warning and advise have been given to the Filipino community in Dubai regarding the new visa rules and that they have advised these individuals whose visit visa had expired to rather go home and wait for their visas to be released and sent to the Philippiines. As far I am concerned, I don't live in the middle of nowhere with no access to any communications facility, so why, despite of having access to all local newspapers, news, both UAE and Philippines, all websites (which I am continously checking everyday) have we not found any announcement, warning or caution notice issued by the Philippine Consulate or embassy regarding the interpretation of the new rule. The article quotes one Consulate Personnel as to having warned Fillipinos on visit visa not to believe the news released on local newspaper that it is fine to exit on the neighboring countries for visa purposes. When and where they did that is beyond me.

On the other hand, in as much as I don't want to sound so damn pessimistic or vindictive, I am as well wondering how, for all their sanities, can these kabayans simply opt to exit in either Iran or Kish without checking in details the significant informations like the no. of days it would take to process the visa. It's the most basic information one should get before they choose to fly or go by bus to a place where they are supposed to go on a limited budget with no prospect of earning a single cent to meet their daily needs. And now that things gets f*(&%^up, they are quick to blame the government. Haven't we already established that our misplaced sense of trust to those sitting in consulate offices and embassies is what's getting OFWs into serious trouble. It's bad enough that when an individual in a Foreign land ventures in an uncalculated risk, however its definitely worst when their supposed saviour is a government office who directly violates immigration laws by hiring illegal immigrants as drivers resulting to a robbery within its walls. Of course, that's another different, pathetic, consulate story.

One who had worked long enough in the UAE could notice and say, that although the rules are changing every now and then, the key to our safety and the assurance of a trouble-free stay in Dubai or anywhere in the other Emirates is adherence to all its rules and policies. These people do not make exceptions. Their rules are simple and flat. Follow them and you'll be fine. One must never expect exemptions, let alone jump into a plane, fly into Iran or Oman without the guarantee of getting a visa within the time span expected and simply hope that the universe will play some magic tricks on the minds of immigration officials to convince them to create an exemption for Juan or Juana simply because they have an entire herd of brothers and sisters to feed, thereby appealing to pity. Such move and decision is ridiculous and is obviously a recipe for disaster.

As for those kabayans stranded in Iran and Oman, with the shortened ramadan timings and the Eid holidays coming up, I can only wish that lady luck is neither fasting, nor waiting for Iftar because they could sure use a quick response and help from her.

On School and Parenting

I am glad to see the increased in the population of Filipino children in Dubai. It does warm my heart to realize that most Filipinos are choosing the rather difficult tasks of taking their families in Dubai instead of the traditional easy way out...leaving their families in the Philippines.

When I first got pregnant with Angela, I knew that we had to endure a few months of separation. We simply had no choice, I had no job and Mark's salary wasn't sufficient to sponsor us yet. It was simply out of the question. We are not on the immigration bracket. But I swore to myself that it wouldn't last a year and I'll get her to stay with us. I will work on it.

My determination paid off and yes, true to my promise, we took Angela to stay with us after only 8 months. It was one of the easiest decisions I've made. One that doesn't even need additional reconsiderations. I knew I made the right choice.

This year itself, Angela will commence going to school. At KG 1 the tuition fee are jaw dropping. I had already paid $1500.00 for the first term alone. That's around Php 66K for 1 term of kindergarten, and if you consider that there are three terms per year...go figure. Her tuition fee is 3 times what my Mom is paying for my sister's college tuition, and she's into double major in La Salle Bacolod. I know it sucks and I know that I'd be able to make a six digit saving in terms of Php if I choose to send Angela home. But as a parent, my main priority is to see my children (2 of them so far) grow up and transform into the kind of person that I want them to be, responsible, independent, educated. I want to have a direct, first hand role in molding them into this type of individuals. I wanna share their experiences, laugh with them in their funny moments, talk to them when they're scared, be there to witness every recital, school programs, dances, swimming, skating, karate, ballet or whatever competitions they'll choose to participate. Yes, it bothers me that the tuition fee for KG1 is higher than the tuition fee for nurses or doctors in the Philippines. But the idea of my daughters going through the most exciting phases of their lives without me to enjoy it with them is not just potentially difficult, it's totally scary.

I dare all expat Filipino moms, dads and parents out there, whether in Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE to put this into consideration when they choose to send their kids to school in the Philippines in an attempte to avoid they sky-rocketing tuition fees. Put your kids first over your bank accounts. Choose their life over your retirements. Aren't they supposed to be the reasons why we're working extra hard regardless of all circumstances? If we can only stay true to our statements that our children is in the center of our priorities and that every single effort, every project completed, every job and achievements attained are meant to ensure that our children enjoys a life that they truly deserve, then perhaps, we would realize that ensuring good lives for our families goes beyond providing a stable financial life and extends to their complete well being. It goes beyond being able to put good and descent food in the table, being able to pay good tuition fees, being able to buy them PSP or Xbox. Our children, especially in the early stage and development, wants us, needs us to be there. To see them in their first uniforms, work through their first homeworks, listen to their initial fears, protect them from the first nasty bullies they might encounter, bring them to the first school bus they'll ever take, show and congratulate them for the first stars, awards, or any achievements that they may have. Our children should grow with us. Period.

A Very Busy Month

August is an entire month of thanksgiving for us. It kicked off with our 4th wedding anniversary on the first week and then there's my birthday towards mid of august. The result? An entire month of treating ourselves out.

We spent our anniversay with a dinner at Romano's Macaroni Grill in Dubai Festival city. I don't really think I have taken much pix since by the time the food arrived, we were either squabbling, chasing the two little rascals on the restaurant, asking both of them to temporarily stop scribbling on the dining tables. Between all those mess, there's hardly any time to take pictures.

Needless to say Romano's Macaroni Grill is still one of our favorite restaurants, it's family oriented and serves really good Italian foods. It's the only restaurant in the whole of UAE that I knew, which allows kids to scribble on the table covers...literally. I would have loved it better in the cold seasons where we get to eat Al Fresco and enjoy the view in the promenade. But since it's still august and the temperatures are still rising to a torturing degree, we have no choice but to stay inside. Marked then surprise me with a wonderful cake from French connection. Loved it. As with all French connection's cake, it tasted wonderful.

We celebrated my birthday with a family outing at Al Hamra Fort in Ras Al Khaimah. The place was spectacular. I had chosen an arabic villa for a room, facing the sea. Our balcony is literally a few steps away from the beach and it was truly wonderful to wake up in the morning and step out in the balcony and walk bare footed along the beach enjoying the water and the early sun. It has two swimming pools, a jacuzzi, a spa, and a separate area exclusively reserved for water sports. We did indulge ourselves a lot on that experience.

Twenty four hours and greatly tanned skin later, we drove back to Dubai back to our sweet home. Was it fun? Yes. Angela and Carmela surely had fun and the best part is, they may be young enough but they truly remember it. Angela only refers to all the places that we go as "the hotel". but something tells me she remembers.

It was a truly amazing month and I may have entered the age of 30 but it doesn't really bother me. I know I'm ready.

A Gold Class Experience

August is one of my favorite month of the year. That would perhaps be attributed to the fact that there are so many things to celebrate on this month. There's our wedding anniversary, my birthday, my sister's birthday and lots of other birthdays within the group. Hence, it's an entire month of treating ourselves out, sounds like I am simply looking for a perfect excuse, eh?

Well, one of the treats that Mark and me wanted to give ourselves for too long is to try out the Gold Class Cinema in Mall of the Emirates. We have always planned but we would either have better places to go, at least until the showing of The Dark Knight. What better place to enjoy the latest batman saga but couched in the Gold Class cinema, right? Unfortunately, my naive self did not know that previous booking is necessary. When we approached the counter, it was all fully booked. Damn! We'd have to wait for the next good movie. Enter... The Mummy 3.

Upon realizing that The Mummy, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor will be shown in the cinema, I had booked our tickets 5 days in advance. Yes, 5 days, before the shows had even changed. Better be sure this time. Finally, we got it.

The Gold Class cinema in Mall of the Emirates is comprised of 2 special theaters precisely designed to cater to those who want to enjoy luxury while watching a good movie. For a starter, it has its own separate entrance, a special lift only for Gold class cinema ticket holders, an assigned lounge area with couches and table where we can enjoy drinks and snacks while waiting to enter the cinema. Sounds like spoiling one's self? That's just for starters. The snack bar is filled with the usual cinema foods plus more. There's even coffee, cakes, ice creams, and more. I ordered caramel popcorn and a bottle of Perrier while hubby had his favorite footlong hotdog and coke. We didn't even have to carry the foods ourselves since there are waiters who delivered them to our seats. Great.

Enter the cinema. It is equipped with digital surround and wall to wall megascreens. The chairs are fully reclining and the footrest are fully adjustable. Chairs are arranged in pairs with their own private table. A buzzer is placed in every table so we are able to order food, drinks, blankets or anything we need during the screening time that the cinemas may provide. Now that's indulgence.

Priced at AED. 100.00 per entrance, I'd say it's a worthwhile experience. The movie itself wasn't as great as I had anticipated it to be. I was expecting it to be as good as it's 2 predecessors but it simply wasn't. It simply involves running from one place to another, chasing a ressurected monster who can only be killed with a knife and not some special mind boggling spells or strategies. The plot and all its twist and turns are quite predictable so I wouldn't even attempt a review here. Besides, I just don't think I am that good. As for the Gold Class Experience, we are sure to try it again next time, just not soon enough though. We're already book for a family getaway this weekend and the week after that is great nanny's day off. I wonder why I always feel so grounded when our housemaid is off...

Balay Negrense

When I was a kid, my grandma used to threaten me that she would send me to haunted house if I continued to misbehave. A haunted house then would refer to a very old spanish influenced house located near our school. The house was totally abandoned and there are strange and large trees that gives it a definite eerie look. It had become a landmark of its own, the "haunted house"as everyone would actually refer to it.





Then, when I was in fourth grade, our class adviser surprised us by announcing that we would be going on a trip, a visit to our city's new museum, the old "haunted house". I clearly remembered freaking out and thinking she must be out of her mind. But curiosity struck in and I decided to go, if only to prove that there isn't any ghosts in that place.





Years later and the notorious haunted house is now a museum and one of the city's tourist attraction. Named as Balay Negrense, it is being managed and developed by the Negros Cultural Foundation. Part of the house has been restored but the eerie ambiance was well kept. It houses a wide collection of antiques including a Noli Me Tangere still written in the original Spanish Language. It also displayed clothings, beds, silverwares and other household items which were basically donated by the local residents to make the place even more attractive to tourists. Now I may not be an expert into judging the actual age of each of the items but one does not need Einstein's IQ to realize that they are indeed antique and a collector's well valued treasures. The entrance fee is at AED. 40.00 per person. I believe there were supposed to be discount for students but I hadn't really noted that since all of us who went there were either too old for school or too young to study. After the trip was finished though, I'd say it was well worth it.





It was assumed that the house was built around 1897, the home of Victor Gaston and his wife. It was the place where he raised his family, all of his 12 kids. It was once a home, a place of happy gatherings, a venue to celebrate memorable occasions. Years later, it became an abandoned home as all kids decided to spread each of their own wings, follow their individual passions which led each of them to a different path, all leading away from the place they once called home. It was literally abandoned, the very reason why it was once refered to as the "haunted hoüse". The only reason it is now a museum is because a group of concerned individuals decided to take advantage of the house that once boast of fortune and power, decided to rebuild the house to remind people of the history that fills its every corner.





Looking at it now, I am amazed at the capacity of some individuals to recreate what was once a ruin into an income generating tourism business. Looking at the house, it somehow gives me a feeling of pride and an unexplained twinge of pain. Pride in having the chance to experience seeing Balay Negrense at its lowest point when it was still nothing but a ruined structure and now witnessing it in its revived grandeur. Sadness because it is an epitome of how one's family can be separated by time, pressures, priorities and heaven knows what else until they eventually give up the place where they grew up. It was, I believe the case for the daughters and grand daughters of Victor Gaston. The house was a home to Victor and Prudencia's life as a couple, a place where they had their children, raise them into adulthood, shared laughters, celebrated occassions. But in the end, like everything else in life, the house now becomes nothing but a memory, forgotten by its original owners.





I am looking at my two daughters as I write this, and I know deep inside me that such event is most likely to happen to us as well. Will I be angry or resentful? I don't think so. As long as my children and their grandchildren will be able to spread their wings and reach further, then I don't really care where their dreams will take them. I just want them to be happy and successful regardless whether they are under the roof where Mark and me raised them or whether they are in the other parts of the world. In the end, it does not matter where they are. What matters is how they live each of their lives.

Hong Kong Ocean Park

Located in Aberdeen, Hong Kong ocean park is one of Hong Kong's top tourist destination. From Hong Kong Disneyland resort, we took the train going to Mong Kok from where we rode the double decker bus and had a bonus view of Hong Kong.

The park is home to hundreds of Marine animals and their aquarium is truly spectacular. We were lucky to get the chance to do plenty of things in the park itself, we saw sharks, housed in an aquarium, lots of them in fact, fishes so big I could only dream of catching such a size one day. We had our first encounter with the dolphins and I could only wish we had the chance to get a little bit closer. The rides looks nice but after the jumeirah sceirah in Wild Wadi experience, am not sure am still willing to try any thrilling rides.

There are several restaurants in the park but we settled at the Bay view where we get the chance to enjoy our meal overlooking the sea and the view of Hong Kong and other islands. Place wasn't good although the food can use an added touch, or taste perhaps.

We ended our trip with a ride in the cable car, kind of fun and thankfully not as scary as I thought it would be. We were intending to see the giant pandas in their habitat but we weren't that lucky. We were so exhausted after the entire day's trip we just wanted to go back to the hotel for a much needed snooze.