BUHAY SAUDI...

Thanks to ACEMAN of pic-link for his good observations.

Kung di ka pa nakarating ng Saudi Arabia, eto ang mga halimbawa ng mga kakaibang aking napuna sa loob ng isang taon kong pag ta-trabaho d2.

• Naka Pajero, Suburvan, Patrol o Hilux ang mga nagpapastol ng tupa. Ayon sa aking nabasa sa local na pahayagan doon ang transpormasyon ng Saudi na ito ay kanilang tinatawag na “from camel to cadillac”.

• Mas mura ang diesel kaysa tubig, mabibili ang 1 liter ng bottled water sa halagang 26 pesos (2 riyals) samantalang ang 1 liter ng Diesel ay 6.5 pesos 50 halalas (1 riyal equals to 100 halalas).

• Ang dayuhan ang laging may sala kahit siya ang binangga. Ang paliwanag nila dito, kung hindi ka pumunta ng bansa nila, hindi ka sana nila nabangga.Based on experience, Mas ok kung mabilis ka magmaneho kc sigurado disgrasya aabutin ng mga mababagal mgdrive dito

• Ang mga banko “dati” ay may ladies’ branch kase di pwedeng pumasok ang mga babae sa bangko na may lalake.Peru ngyun e pwede na ang mga babae halos mga lalake• Pag nakulong ang lalaki, ang payo ng matatagal na sa Saudi “bring oil”, ewan ko kung bakit. Heheh..Grrrrrr!

• Iisang klase lang ang suot ng mga babae na tinatawag na abaya, ito ay kulay itim na balot mula ulo hanggang paa

• Pag umiling ang mga Indian nationals ang ibig sabihin nito ay “yes” sa atin ito ay “no”.

• 90% ng mga tao dito ay may balbas o bigote.

• Bawal magsuot ng crucifix, magbasa ng bibliya, o mag display ng mga signs ng cross kase puputilin yun ng mga authoridad.Bwal din ang mga burloloy o abubot sa mga lalake..Huhulihin o pagsasabihan k nila

• Dalawang klase ang pulis, pangkaraniwang pulis at mga “mutawa” o religious police. Ang mga “mutawa” ang naninita ng mga taong lumalabag sa Islam.

• May mga restoran na di pwedeng pumasok ang mga babae.

• Ang mga security guard sa banko ay walang baril.

• Ang bilihan ng mga ginto ay parang tiangge lang at walang security guard

• Bawal pumasok ang mga lalaki sa beauty parlor.

• May mga metro ang taxi, peru kung tingin mo malapit klng at alam mo kung magkakano e pwede kang tumawad.

Sa ospital pwede mong kausapin ang mga babae, kaya ang sabi-sabi ang ibang lalake ay nagpapa check-up kahit walang sakit.

• Pag lalaki ka at walang bigote mag-ingat ka baka ma-rape ka.Be careful d2 kc minsan bigla knlng nila hihintuan ng sasakyan at ngingitian..Ingat krin sa mga madidilim na lugar.FYI. halos may mga sasakyan d2 at grupo cila kung mambiktima!

• Napakababaho ng ibang lahi, sabi nga ng mga pinoy “don’t smoke within 5 meters from them baka sumabog”.

• Bawala ang alak pero may “brewery” o gawaan ng alak ang mga mighty pinoys.Iyung tinatwag nilng “tinimpla”

• Kapag napagbintangan ka ay ikukulong ka agad at papalayin ka lang kung mapapatunayan na di totoo ang bintang.

• Putol ulo ang pasura pag ikaw ay nahulihan ng droga, pumatay o nanggahasa.• May pinuputalan ng ulo sa plaza sa Balad, Jeddah pag Friday.

• Limang beses kada isang araw nagsasasarado ang mga restaurant, bangko at mga tindahan para mag dasal o “salah”.

• Pangkaraniwan na kung makakita ka ng nag darasal sa gilid ng kalsada.

• Walang talipapa, iisa lang ang bilihan ng isda, at least maayos di ba?.Mga mga market na bawal ang mga spicy ingrdnts…Bawal ata ditto un..Peru marami Supermarket

• Minsan lang sa isang buwan mag-pasweldo di gaya sa Pilipinas na kinsenas at katapusan.• Walang kinakaltas na tax sa sweldo.e2 ang masarap s lht..!

• Dapat dala-dala mo lagi ang ID mo na kung tawagin ay “iqama”, dahil pag nahuli kng di dala ito malaking trouble.Pwede Passport pag wala kpa iqama

• Uso ang kalbo sa Saudi kase mainit ang tubig.

• May pasok tuwing pasko at bagong taon, boring di ba?

• Nagbabatian ang mga Filipino kahit di magkakakilala sabay bati ng “Kabayan”. Siyanga pala kung pinoy e ngbabatihan d2 ang mga ibang lahi e nagyayakapan at beso beso!hahahahah

• Sa Balad, Jeddah may naglalako ng balot at puto.• Dati bawal ang celphone na may camera, pero ngayon pinapayagan na.

• Ang pera ay Riyal at ang palitan nito sa dolyar ay hindi nagbabago.

• Sobrang init sa summer at napakalamig naman pag winter.

Pag may naaksidente wag mong tulungan,

Sa kanilang kalendarayo na kung tawagin ay Hijira Calendar ang taon sa kasalukuyan ay 1429 pa lang sa Greogorian calendar na ating ginagamit ito ay 2008.

• Sabado ang simula na pasok at walang pasok pag Byernes.Thurs (Hafday sila o Hulday wala pasok

Pwede kang tumawad sa mall.

• Dahil sa sobrang init lahat ng bahay o gusali ay may aircon, kahit toilet at kusina.

• Ang tawag sa mga Filipino babae man o lalaki ay “pare” o “filibini” ang tawag naman ng mga Filipino sa kahit anong lahi ay “sadik” ang arabic translation ng kaibigan.

• Bawal ang baboy, alak at sugal.

• Ang pagsusulat nila ay simula sa kaliwa pakanan.

• Bawal mag-usap o maglakad ng magkasabay ang babae at lalake sa publikong lugar kung hindi naman mag-asawa.

• Bawal sumakay ang babae sa front pasenger’s seat ng sasakyan kung hindi naman niya asawa ang driver.

• Kinukulayan ng itim ang mga magazines, ads o mga larawan na nagpapakita ng legs, binti o leeg.

• Walang sinehan, pero nabasa ko sa internet na naaprubahan na ang pagpapalabas ng cartoons sa public places.

• Siyanga pala sa mag iisip kung libangan namin d2 e mayroon din lugar na parang Tiangger o Greenhills style..kasi napakarami ng mga pinoy sa lugar nayun.May TFC din d2.May Pinoy TV(GMA7).Mrami dn pinoy restaurant halos lahat ng mga lugar e merun pinoy kainan..Hilig ata d2 un! At sa mga tagilid ang kasarinlan e mrun kayong tambayan d2…kaya tingin tuloy ng mga arabo e taong mga pinoy e pwede nila itake home kc ung totoo mga pinoy na bading din kc ang gumawa ng ikakapahamak ng mga kapwa nila pinoy d2..Okdoks!!ingat s pagpunta d2!pahabol pala..masanay kna na sa Saudi airport plng e may nag’dudura’ sa mga paselyo..natural hndi ntn lahi un..At bawal ipasok ang mga dvd na XXX ..o kht ilng X pa yan..bsta tingin ng mga mutawa(Saudi) pulis e bastos sa knila mahabang pliwanag kilangan mo.Cympre pati mga mobile phones at laptop ntn…better delete!okidoks!

SUPERMAN is my bestfriend...

"Look, it's a bird.......noh, it's a plane...It's.......TADZ??!"

Believe it or not, Superman is my bestfriend. FAITH made a wrong turn and suddenly, (unfortunately?), He became my bestfriend.

Nah, I'm not talking about CLARK KENT of Smallville who came to earth as a baby from the planet Krypton. I'm referring to TADZ. A very simple, napakakulit, weird, ordinary, looking guy raised in a proud town of Negros.

I'm once surfing the internet when i saw this'guy profile. There is nothing special about it. I just wanted to make friends so i left him a simple HI. He then replied and we became friends. He then confided me his biggest secret he didn't tell to anyone even his family.

"Know what best, saktong sakto ang pagdating mo sa buhay ko. Kahit papaano napapasaya mo ako."

I can still remember the words. It's barely a week the first time I met him when he told me that. I asked what's the problem. He told me he's in pain.

"A week before now, naging bestman ako sa isang kasal. Matagal ko na pangarap na maging bestman, excited ako. Pero d ko alam, na ang kauna unahang bebestman-an ko ay ang taong mahal ko."

While he's telling his story, I felt like I'm watching Julia Roberts' "My Bestfriend's Wedding."

"Four years kami nagsama. Four years kami naging masaya. He's all time wish is to have a baby. That is not possible considering na ganito kami...alam mo na. One time, isinama ko siya sa province and ipinakilala ko siya sa isang girl. Naging sila habang kami. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Hindi ko alam ang iisipin ko. Mahal na mahal ko siya. Pero ayaw niyang tumanda na walang pamilya. Hinayaan ko sila kahit nasasaktan ako. Nagdecide sila na magpakasal. Alam kong mahal niya ako pero mahal din niya ang mga pangarap niya at ang pamilya niya na sa kanya umaasa. Ayaw niyang magbreak kami kahit kasal na sila. Pumayag ako sa set-up na kahit kasal na siya ay kami pa din. Pero alam ko sa sarili ko na sa oras na ikasal siya. Natatapos na dun ang lahat. dahil kung ipagpapatuloy namin, madaming tao ang masasaktan. Napakasarap isipin na nasa harapan ka ng altar sa mismong kasal ng mahal mo pero napakasakit tanggapin ang katotohanang hindi ikaw ang pakakasalan niya. May karapatan ako sa kanya. Gusto ko tumutol sa kasal niya. Pero wala akong ginawa, DAHIL SA MAHAL KO SIYA."

Many of us are cowards. Coward to let go of someone we truly love. Selfish enough to hold on when it is time to let go. "If you love someone, set him free, if he comes back, he's yours, but if not, he never was". I dont fully understand the meaning of this quote until I met him. I can say he is better now though time left a deep scar on him. If I'm in his situation, I don't know what i might do.

SUPERMAN is my bestfriend. He is very strong. He's pasts are very painful. But he accept these and it make him even stronger. Thanks to his very positive outlook in many things, it inspires me. With him beside me, with him guiding me, I know I will be safe.

I'm so proud of you BEST. I'm glad I'm your sidekick. Hehehe

Totoong may DIYOS...

Just finish reading the DA VINCI CODE when I saw this conversation in the internet, thought it is worth reading.......

INTERESTING CONVERSATION

An Atheist Professor of Philosophy speaks to his Class on the ProblemScience has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asks one of his New Christian Students to stand and . . .

Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So you Believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD Good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL ?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD toHeal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

( Student is silent )

Professor : You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, Young Fella. Is GOD Good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student : Yes..
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?

(Student does not answer)

Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don'tthey?

Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who Created them ?

( Student has no answer )

Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify andObserve the World around you. Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever Heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt yourGOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD forthat matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still Believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol,Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No sir.. There isn't.

( The Lecture Theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events )

Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat,Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don't have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat,but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence ofHeat. We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just theAbsence of it.( There is Pin - Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre )

Student : What about Darkness,Professor? Is there such a thing asDarkness?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something...You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light,Flashing Light . . . But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothingand its called Darkness, isn't it? In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, were you would be able to make DarknessDarker, wouldn't you?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, Young Man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, aGood GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as somethingfinite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has neverseen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to beignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing.. Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absenceof it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Studentsthat they evolved from a Monkey?

Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process,yes, of course, I do. Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?

( The Professor shakes his head with a Smile, beginning to realize wherethe Argument is going )

Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution atwork and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On - GoingEndeavor, Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?( The Class is in Uproar )

Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen theProfessor's Brain? ( The Class breaks out into Laughter )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor'sBrain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? . . .No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical,Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that You have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust yourLectures, sir?

(The Room is Silent. The Professor stares at the Student, his faceunfathomable)

Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son. Student : That is it sir . . . The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that Keeps Things Moving & Alive.

NB: I believe you have enjoyed the Conversation . . . and if so . . .You'll probably want your Friends / Colleagues to enjoy the same . . .won't you?Forward them to Increase their Knowledge . . . or FAITH.It turned out later that the student is Albert Einstein.

At last!!!

I can see myself now writing my first blog. It seems a different person is inside me. I used to read someone else' blogs. I learned a lot of things from them. Can't even imagine that one time, i will be ready to shout the whole world what's inside of me.

So here it is. Open the chips' plastic bag, and have a bite of one of the chips that represent my life.