New theme, New entries and New Changes. I was actually planning of creating a new blogsite but I decided to stick with this old one. Besides, the stories that lies in here depicts my past. 

Welcome to my new world!

This will be my first entry after a long while. I am now considered as one of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who left our beloved country just to have a brighter future for my family and my future family. From now on I’ll be writing up my adventures as an OFW.

Everybody has his or her own story to write and as I write my own story many of which some was already happened before and some of which are currently happening as of this writing. To start with, I will be telling story on the experiences that I have encountered and currently encountering. So here it goes.

The Preparation

Two weeks before going to Singp’re, I seriously started applying on line. Fortunately, many companies called but most of them are agents. I had a quite number of interviews in that past two weeks. The experienced I got from those interviews somewhat gives me the idea of what should I still need to do to prepare. Needless to say, I really need to catch up and enhance my little knowledge on java programming.

While I was excited on the idea of leaving the country for the first time, I was also scared – I was pressured to be more exact. Pressured of what will people say, pressured on what should I offer to the companies that I will be applying at and pressured on the responsibility lying on my shoulder. This thought actually bothers me along the way but I trust Him that may His Will be done. Besides, I have my family as my inspiration in order for me to succeed and fulfill my dreams.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

At last! I said to myself my when I was already on the plane. By the way, Donita Rose was also on that plane so I had a great time admiring her. Hahaha! Ang ganda nya as in tsaka mabait kasi hindi siya suplada sa mga lumapit sa kanya. She looks like a Barbie Doll to me. Enough of the fantasy! Hehe!

It was raining when we arrived in Singapore. I believed it’s a blessing. My friend was already waiting in the airport for more than an hour when I finally got off at the immigration section. We went straight to their place to have some dinner, which her Tita prepares.

The First Impression

My first impressions while roaming around this City of Possibilities were clean, green and humid (mas mainit kaysa Manila sa tingin ko). Well, that’s just a typical impression from someone who came from a highland. Hehehe. Though I am not yet familiar with the rules, I already know that this country is also considered as the City of Fines. You can’t just do anything you want here. There are consequences for any wrongdoing.

The Learning Process

It was weekend when I arrived so I had the chanced to go around and familiarize this place. First thing I needed to learn is how to commute through their MRT’s and Buses. I was actually amazed on how centralize their transportation is – because their EZ Link card (topped-up card) is actually one-card-fits-all. You can use it to the MRT and Buses, paying gov’t fees, and you can even use in purchasing food from McDonald’s! (hehehe, wala kasi to sa bundok eh! ‘sensya!).

Next thing – how to eat their food. My friend told me that I needed to learn how to eat spicy food or else I will never enjoy eating in this country. And now here I am after more than a month of staying – I can’t eat a single food without a chili on it! Hahaha! I just can’t imagine how fast I was able to adopt on the food but I must say not all of the commercial food available. There are still foods out there that I can’t take it especially those that have unexplainable taste. Haay. During my first few days here, I just eat chicken rice (chicken lechon with rice if it will be compared to Philippine food) and noodles. On the other hand, I like very much their sugar cane juice! A juice that was extracted from and sugar cane and mixed with ice. It’s so refreshing! I really love it! Hehehe!

The Worst Examination and The Most Nerve-Wracking Interviews

It was Monday (2 days after I arrived) afternoon when an HR from Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), an American based company, called and asked me if I could go their office to have an interview and have a technical examination as well. Since I am not familiar of their office location, I requested them to provide me a detailed route on how to go there. The interview was scheduled at 5 o’clock that afternoon and it was already 3 o’clock. I was already cramming after the call and I still need to print and fill-up their employment application form. I was thankful that my landlady has a printer and helped on the application form problem. I changed my clothes immediately and since I have no time to research for the background of the company, I just decided to wear formal attire. I needed walk for 15 minutes to the nearest MRT station and a take bus after that.

I arrived at exactly 4:59:59 PM in that company. (Ok! Ok! I was exaggerating but I did arrived there around 5 o’clock. Hehe).

I was oriented by the HR staff and told me that I needed to take 2 examinations – one is Core Java and the other is Java Servlet. I needed to finish these examinations in just an hour! Waah! I immediately started when I was instructed to do so. The first examination was similar to a java certification examination (it was even harder I think). I may have an experienced in taking this kind of examination but that examination was taken more than 3 years ago! And to make the situation worst, I wasn’t prepared at all. Since failing is not an option if I want to land a job here in Singapore, I did give my best shot. Hehe! After 40 minutes of mind-bogling I did finished the first examination. I already knew that I failed in that test. I proceeded to the next one and I just found myself guessing to each and every question I encounter. I really don’t have any experience and knowledge about Java Servlet! Waaah! I still tried analyzing those questions that I think it only needs common sense. After an hour I managed to finish those two examinations. Wheeeeew!

As expected, I failed! I think I got below 50% from the first examination while the other one is below 30%. I just said to myself that I should learn every lesson that I could get and besides this is just my first examination. Hehehe.

After those written examinations came the interview proper. It’s not a technical interview but it’s an assessment interview on the current IT technology that I know. I was told that if ever I will be employed in their company, I’ll be assigned to their client which is a government owned firm – the Nat’l Library Board (NLB). The interviewer asked me questions such as do you have knowledge on Hybernate, BEA Weblogic Portal / Workshop, Java Servlet, SOAP, JSP, etc. I can only say that I am only familiar with this and that. I don’t want to lie so I just told them the things I knew. The HR staff told me that they will call me after a week if ever I will be short listed. Honestly, I never think they will call again after that worst examination and that degrading interview. Little that I know that this will be my first ever company here in Singap’re.

It was getting dark when I went home. It seems I was not affected at all even if I just had a terrible experienced on my first actual exam and actual interview. I guess my hopes are high.