Was Marcos a Hero? Does every sacred grain of sand deserve to lay upon his rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani?
From a conformist point of view who wanted this country to move on like me, I guess the Supreme Court's decision has finally put this into an end. Nobody is above the Law ... so be it and suck on it!
From an emotional and historical standpoint, I believe this HERO thing-y will remain a subject for debate for generations to come. A sad predicament that will continue to haunt our seemingly alienated and divided nation.
Let me tell you a story from my own perspective. It maybe a little bit long so please bear with me. A lot of people may not care ... but for me ... this is some sort of my inverted eulogy to the greatest and most intelligent Filipino man who has ever lived that has brought forth tons of misery, false hopes and unequalled corruption to the people of the Philippines.
I was born in 1965, same time Marcos was elected President. In his re-election of 1969, I was more captivated and mesmerize in the Apollo Moon Landing and catching spiders than Marcos' unprecedented feat.
Then Martial Law came in 1972, the Bagong Lipunan song stuck like glue in my head that I can even sing it while standing at the back of my best friend's carabao or even while swimming in the then clear rivers of our barrio. (May bagong silang ... may bago ng buhay ... bagong bansa, bagong galaw .... sa bagong lipunan) ... Yeah!!!
We came from a family of public servants and our house was always filled with people from all walks of life since I can remember. My father was our town's Liberal Party chairman at the time Martial Law was declared. During the next day's/months/years of iron hand rule, there were a lot of secret and not so secret meetings held in our house which has always brought tension and nervousness to my mother including my elder brother. Due to my very young age, it has somehow restricted my curiosity and inquisitiveness to ask my father on what the hell was going on! But what I really hate was the stench of tobacco during those brief and sometimes endless meetings.
Towards the end of 1977, it was a coming of age for me. General Teodulfo Bautista and his men were mercilessly massacred in Patikul, Sulu by the MNLF. I clearly still remember that gloomy day in October as we were all crying in the school lobby consoling our dear classmate Marlon, the general's son (AFP Chief of Staff Benjamin's brother). I then began to ask myself, why did our nation's leaders allow such dreadful things to happen? On the other end at other peaceful parts of the country, the military and the police specially the constabulary seemed to be feared and acted like they run a prison cell all over the cities and towns where people are treated like captive or slaves they own.
Later in college, I've learned that Marcos has so corrupted the military during his entire reign that only men loyal to him are promoted, terms extended and held key vital positions in government and big corporations after retirement. I can understand that to stay in power, Marcos needed to have and sustain power ... and the military can provide him with the strength he needs to remain in power. Thus, RAM or Reform the Arm Forces Movement was born! The beginning of the end I suppose.
On the consoling end, by watching Voltes V had somehow brought comfort and hope in my daily grinding exclusive-catholic-school-for- boys chores in my primary and secondary learning days. Then suddenly in 1978, the Great Apo Makoy cancelled the show! Now that's a lot of bull shit to take from this powerful man!
I had a number of tastes of first-time elections during Martial Law. From the time LABAN was formed in the 1978 Interim Batasang Pambansa elections (only Pusyon Bisaya of Hilario Davide won seats in Region VII), first Local Elections of 1980 (Nene Pimentel was the only opposition mayor elected), first Presidential Elections of 1981 (who the hell is Alejo Santos and Bartolome Cabangbang who went up against Marcos) and first Barangay Elections in 1982 (by the way Martial Law was lifted on paper in the beginning of 1981). Although I was a mere spectator during these block voting years where the opposition has no hope-no chance to win during elections; the speeches, the posters/leaflets, the chanting crowd and the catchy campaign jingles brought the sense of democracy to my inexperienced mind. I also received a lot of pay envelopes, free ride and free food just to attend KBL rallies and inaugurations. Talk about being corrupted at a very young age.
Oh, and I almost forgot, there was a referendum of 1973 ratifying the new constitution and asking everyone if you approve or disapprove of continuing martial law. Of course, the YES votes overwhelmingly won by 91% and sadly those national, local and barangay officials who failed to convincingly deliver the votes were replaced. These people who remained in power became the foundation of the Marcos Loyalists (plus the diehard North of course) ... national, local and barangay officials who have stayed in position without the fear of being replaced and without fear of abusing their powers to the end for a good number of years as long as you remain loyal to the Man. My God, I can even recite and memorize all department secretaries/ministers during those times because they were holding their post for so long. The Political Dynasties, Warlords and Clans were on the rise! If the Military was corrupt and abusive ... the national and local officials did not fall behind. Talk about how deep seated the Marcos Loyalist are!
I guess the Martial Law years were called the Golden Years (1972 to 1979 are the golden years) because it was peaceful and orderly. Peaceful because if you go up against or say something about the government, you either wind up dead or tortured or in prison. At that time, the government was not killing or torturing drug lords, pushers and users but rather political leaders, student activists, human rights advocates and marginalized sector leaders. You can say that those times were orderly because Marcos was the only one making laws through executive orders, decrees instructions with no congress, no senate, no elections, no rights to further lift his grip throughout the land.
The start of mass migration to western countries also started in the Golden Years. Before, only apple and pineapple (plus orange and grape) pickers were leaving for the U.S. but in the 70's and 80's, managers, engineers, doctors, nurses and other professionals started leaving the country just to escape Marcos. The Government has now succeeded getting rid of the middle class ... the Thinking Class! Talk about staying power and long-term solution to stay in power!
The Martial Law years were the Golden Years because a lot of infrastructures and lavish inaugurations of big events were made in the country (thank you Imelda) even at the time where there is an existing oil and global financial crisis. Huge amount of fresh loans from the World Bank, IMF and the U.S. came in times fold because of the birth and prospects of the New Society! This time .... let's all give a big welcome the Cronies ... monopolizing, plundering and squandering until the last drop of penny is taken. Behest loans, failed economic programs, ghost projects, you name it the Cronies did it!
In layman terms, it would be like borrowing from a loan shark and spending it on new shoes. The Golden Years are the times you got the loan, bought the shoes and wore it. The downfall was the time you need to pay the loan or the interests, but you realize you do not have the job or resources to pay it nor return the shoes because it is all worn out! Well at least you enjoyed the Golden Years (that is what the Loyalist are saying). I've seen a lot of these scenario with my fellow OFWs which makes me sad.
With no economy rising after the Golden Years, our blue-collar workers also now started looking for work in the Middle East and other countries. Talk about double kill ... not only brain drain but this time brawn drains. The Philippines has now become a money order economy relying on remittances of its global workers and citizens while the Oligarchs, the Cronies, The Political Dynasties Marcos has created during the so-called Golden Years remain with their political positions, big businesses and tremendous network that widened the gap between them the Elite Few and the rest of the Filipino people.
Then Ninoy was assassinated in 1983.... the rest is history. Maybe we need to rewrite history and stop celebrating EDSA.
Marcos was NEVER a hero, maybe on the arguments made by the Supreme Court he qualifies as a hero but with what he did to my country, my people and in my own perspective .... see you in Hell!!!
May you NOT rest in peace!!! Amen!!!
(So siyempre tulog na kayong lahat wala na babasa nito pinaghirapan ko pa naman 2 hours ko ginawa. Anyway ito yung pinaka may sense na address for me. I think alam ko na kung nasan yung pera. Haha.)
1. We are meeting for the Nth time mga kababayan, madami pa’to.
2. COVID lang paguusapan natin dito.
3. DSWD na sasagot ng mga tanong niyo. May presentation ang DSWD.
Turn over to Bautista.
4. Bautista: Magandang Hapon! (ay midnight napo)
5. Nung dumating yung P100Billion, 3-5 days, naibaba na yung ayuda. Walang problema kasi may credible list na tayo, every month na sila nakakatanggap.
6. Naibaba na sa LGU ang amelioration. Dito nagkaproblema. Kasi ang listahan, hindi available. Ang inexpect namin, alam ng LGU ang kanilang constituents, alam nila ang profile – names, work and other livelihood. Dahil hindi nila kabisado, dito na nagkaproblema. Pero walang perfect. Hopefully in due time, ma distribute na ang cash amelioration orderly.
7. Ang cash amelioration program ay intended sa pamilya so ibig sabihin, isang head of the family. 1 family – P5,000 to P8,000. Pag di na-validate ang isang pamilya, may duplication so mababawasan ang beneficiaries kung hindi nabantayan. 1 ayuda lang dapat.
8. Alam naman natin na may pagkakataon na mawawala ang pera kaya kailangan may taong sasagot kung sakaling hanapin ang pagkukulang na pera. (DUH. Kung sakali lang hanapin?)
9. Dapat nakabantay tayo. DAPAT LUMAKAS ANG ATING MGA BOSES. Dahil ang Social Amelioration Program ay people’s money coming from the people’s tax hindi para sa mga taong iniisip lang ang kanilang sariling interes. (Cavite, holler!)
10. My advice – this is not the time for blame game (eh kakasisi mo lang sa mga LGU Secretary!)
11. Tulad ng sabi ng Presidente, this is an opportunity for us to show our people that we are worth a public servant (ha?) Yun lang. Ang DSWD tutulungan ang ating mga LGU para mapabilis ang ayuda.
Back to Duterts.
12. Duterte (now wearing a mask) – ok sa Department of Defense naman tayo. Pasok, Lorenzana.
Mag mask ka para lone ranger tayo. (LOL)
Mag mask ka para lone ranger tayo. (LOL)
Turnover to Lorenzana
13. Lorenzana: Ako po yung Chairman ng National Task Force ng CUVID-19.
14. Naayos napo natin ang supplies ngayon. Nakahabol napo ang ating PPEs na pinamili ng DOH mula Tsina. Halos araw-araw ang hakot. Kami rin nagdidistribute sa mga hospital sa Maynila at probinsya.
15. Naghahanap kami ng mga lugar na pwedeng isolation wards sa mga may CUVID. World Trade, PICC, etc. Handa na yan. Nagpunta kami sa Iglesia ni Cristo. Salamat Kapatid na Manalo. 2000 beds.
16. Wag kayo magalala, kami bahala sa mga gagawin sa lupa. (bakit may access ba sa langit?)
Back to Duterts.
17. Duterte: Galvez, pasok!
Turnover to Galvez.
18. Galvez: on track ang National Action Plan. Lumalakas na ngayon ang DOH. Ang testing ay tumataas na ngayon na 2400. 11 na ang accredited testing center, may walo pa nagaapply.
19. Napakaganda ng nagawa nating lockdown. Dahil napush ang curve ng 1 month delay. Napakagandang balita dahil may 11 recoveries tayo ngayon. Sa ibang bansa napakataas ng death rate. Sa atin hindi tumataas ng trenta.
20. Napakaganda ng ating preparasyon kumpara sa ibang bansa (sir yung bangko niyo po.) Ang Japan napakayaman, ang kanilang health services hindi maka-accommodate. Same sa Singapore, nakita natin na napakaganda ng desisyon ng ating mahal na Pangulo na tayo ang pinakauna na nagkaroon ng yung travel ban, our hard decision is paving the way for good results we are having now. Yun lang po.
Back to Duterts
21. Duterte: Duque naman.
Turn over to Duque.
22. Duque: Salamat sa suporta ng Pangulo kaya marami tayong tagumpay. Di ko na uulitin yung mga nasabi nila. Kilalanin natin ang healthcare workers, frontliners. Saludo kami lalo na sa na nagbuwis ng buhay. Ito lang masasabi ko, walang katumbas ang inyong kabayanihan at sakripisyo. Hindi kayo pababayaan ni Pangulo.
23. Ito lang ang masasabi ko, kung ihahambing natin ang bilang ng may impeksyon sa Pilipinas, ay isa tayo sa pinakamababa sa 3764. Kung ihahambing natin sa mayayamang bansa, ay di hamak malayong malayo po ang ating ranggo sa COVID World Tracker (ay contest ba ito?)
24. Ito ay nagsasalamin sa mga desisyon na ginawa ng ating mahal na pangulo. 2 napakamalakas na desisyon – yung travel restriction doon sa manggagaling ng bansang China noong Pebrero, at pangalawang napakalakas na desisyon ng Pangulo ay ang pag-lockdown. Yan ang dalawang dahilan kung bakit ang bilang ng COVID infection sa Pilipinas ay mababa talaga compared sa ibang banda.
Back to Duterts.
25. Duterte: Secretary Dominguez, you have said a lot but give a statement.
Turn over to Dominguez.
26. Dominguez – in terms of the economy, nung pumasok kayo nung 2016, ang order niyo ho sa akin is to manage the economy for the welfare of the people. Ibig sabihin lahat ng collection ng taxes should be collected efficiently at wag magwaldas ng pera. So ang resulta, maganda ang posisyong ng economy natin kaya kahit meron tayong bad luck sa COVID, very well-prepared tayo.
27. 6.4% growth tayo from 2016. Yung koleksyon natin ng income ng government is the highest in 22 years. Ang utang natin has gone down to the lowest it has been in terms of percentage to GDP. Bumaba na inflation natin.
28. Itong COVID natin, ang GDP growth natin will be 0 or -1 %. Ang temporary unemployment will be 1.2Million workers. But this is in comparison to the lowest unemployment rate ever achieved in the Philippines.
29. We will be spending more than we are collecting. But we are spending more to save the people.
30. We have a program to borrow more money to support the economy and fight against this COVID. Right now tina-tap natin ang mga kaibigan sa ADB saka sa World Bank and we will probably be borrowing 5.6Billion USD. Kung kulang pa, sa commercial market. BB+ ang credit rating natin, the highest ever.
31. We have the financial capability to bridge the problem that COVID brought us. We want to assure the citizens that we have the money. Pero hindi endless ang pera.
32. So Mr President, you have created an economy that can stand a hard hit and I think the Filipino people should thank you.
Back to Durterts.
33. Duterte: Before we end, ako na mag-recap kung ano mga pinagdadaldal namin dito. (mas mahaba pa yung recap sa lahat ng sinabi)
34. Maraming report sa akin na yung mga nagungupahan sa bahay ay being pressured to pay. Alam mo lahat tayo nawalan ng income. So I’d like to ask the owners, wag muna hingin kasi wala talaga.
35. Gusto ko niyo maintindihan, yung pinagdadaldal ng Kongresman na ulol, torpe, na may 300Billion na binigay ang kongreso, hangin ho lahat yan. Wala pa yang pera na yan dito.
36. Yung 300Billion yan yung buffer na pera bago tayo umalis sa gobyernong ito. Yung ang totoo jan.
37. Yung pera na sinasabi nitong ulol, pagkatorpe. I think your brain is melting. San ka nagaral ewan ko.
38. Yung budget na nakahanda, magbabago na yon. Magastos itong putanginang kalaban na ito.
39. Yung mga nagbibiro sa akin sa Facebook, yung mga pinapaalis ako wala kasi akong solusyon, oh sige tama, ikaw na ang Presidente.
40. Tangina. We are trying our best.
41. Yung 300Billion, kokolektahin pa yan kasi wala pa. Wag mo sabihin saan ang pera na 300Billion? Ewan ko kung kaninong bayag mo yan makuha.
42. Magkokolekta pa ako. Ngayon masusunod ba koleksyon mo? Hinde. Kasi wala na ang ekonomiya. Patay ang negosyo, walang nagbayad.
43. Ang gobyerno hindi nagiimprenta ng pera yan, ang gobyerno mo gagastos lang according to the economy.
44. Makinig kayo wag kayo makinig sa idiots because we are not only trying to save the economy, but also the country.
45. If you decide to listen to the insane, eh di doon kayo.
46. Nakikita ko na noon pa, itong COVID sinusundan ko talaga. Ako ang pinakaunang lahat nag lockdown kasi nasusundan ko na ang istorya. Nagbabasa ako ng different sources of knowledge – Facebook, everything.
47. Kaya mga nagpaparenta, wag kayo magmadali. You’re not even sure if you’ll be around to collect the money. Pag sinara niyo yung bahay, sasabihin ko buksan niyo uli yung bahay, papasok uli yung pamilya.
48. Hindi ko gusto ng anarchy pero this time makialam ako sa lahat ng opisina. Kapag inevict mo yang tao, magsasalubong tayo. Pupunta talaga ako sasabihin ko ibalik mo yung tao. Kung hindi mo gusto tumulong sa mga tao, sunugin na lang natin mga apartment mo tutal may bumbero.
49. Ayoko magsalita na parang holdupper ako. But if you interpret it that way, holdupper talaga ako.
50. Nahihirapan ako magsalita kasi ang sikip. Lahat sila nakamaskara. Nahihiya naman ako kasi ako nagorder wag kayo lumabas walang maskara tapos ako lang hindi so binigyan ako ng mga sundalo pero binigay nila yung para sa mataas na ilong, eh putangina kaya nahulog kasi wala akong ilong. (laughter in the plenary)
51. May pumapasok naman sa butas leche baka labas pasok COVID sa mukha ko.
52. Nagmamakaawa ako, wag niyo pilitin ang mga tao magbayad ng renta, kasi mageengkwentro tayo. Hindi talaga ako papayag.
53. Ito ang totoo. Hanggang walang vaccine, COVID stays. Kung wala pa vaccine sa Christmas, sabay sabay na tayo sa holdupper. Pareho na lahat. Tangina naiinis ako eh.
54. Sabi ni Sonny maraming pera. Maraming nagpapautang satin. Siya naman sasagot diyan eh. Pero classmate ko yan. Since kindergarten.
55. What is the end game – mauubos talaga ang pera. Ipagbili ko lahat ng lupa ng gobyerno. Yang cultural center, yang PICC, totoo. Pag wala na ako makuha, I will sell all the assets of government tapos itulong ko sa tao.
56. Importante maintinidhan niyo yan eh. Kesa sa mga text saan na yung 300Billion? Hangin yan.
57. Ako magbigay sa inyo ng hope. Habang nandito ako, ibibigay ko sa inyo yan. Do not worry about the money.
58. May leksyon talaga ang buhay. Ang pinagdadasal ko number one, lahat ng nasa ospital ngayon.
59. Ang COVID, hindi yan nana, hindi yan sugat. Hangin yan.
60. Matanda, bata, babae, lalake, pag nagsurvive ka ng COVID yung anti-bodies mo sa veerus, nasa iyong katawan, hindi antibiotics, hindi biogesic. Katawan mo mismo ang magproduce ng mga sundalo kakalaban sa COVID.
61. Kaming matatanda ang vulnerable.
62. So ano ang solusyon, Duterte? Mayor? Bakuna! Kagaya ng kagat ng aso. Pag nakagat ka ng buang na aso. Pag di ka nainjectionan ng anti-rabies, you will die. Sigurado yan. Yung sa COVID, hindi siya rabies. Yung mga tao may resistance, yung matatag. Yun yung mga tao na nanjan sa daan. Hindi ko kayo iniintriga ha. Nahigop na siguro lahat na ‘yan kaya matatag sila.
63. Yung iba genetics. In the meantime, let’s help each other. You can keep criticizing pero alam ng Pilipino ano itong COVID at ano ang hakbang ng gobyerno kung saan yung pera.
64. Hoy ugok. Wala pa yan. Kokolektahin pa yan.
65. Yung ginagamit yung sinabi ko kay Secretary Dominguez, magipon ka for the rainy days. Dumating nga talaga sa buhay natin. Hindi rain, bagyo.
66. Yung mga nagmamarunong, they can come here and I can turnover, sila ang magpatakbo.
67. Maraming salamat po Pilipino. Ako po ay inyong utusan. Lahat kami dito.
***Ok sa kaka-summarize ko ng speeches, mejo naiintindihan ko na si P.Duts, haha. Expert level na pagka gets ko sa kanya. Kailangan lang mejo lasing ka rin habang nanonood. In fair nasagot yung mga matagal ko na tanong. Yung mahigit isang oras na pajuliet juliet, kaya ko i-summarize in 5 salient points. (sana di ako napuyat diba, ako na lang nagedit, nag segment producer naman ako dati)
- Yung pera na P275 Billion, para sa amelioration saka sa pagkain. The money is yet to be collected in the coming quarters through taxes and income from government assets. So ang pera na pinamimigay ngayon is from the budget prepared last year and the savings of the Department of Finance from projects that didn’t push through because hindi matatapos within his term.
- Kung maubos yon, maraming mauutangan kasi B+ ang credit score natin. $5.6Billion USD ang uutuangin natin. If magtagal pa rin ang COVID, ibebenta na niya mga property ng gobyerno. Yung opposition ang papanego niya.
- Yung COVID, vaccine lang ang solusyon. Makukuha yon sa mga antibodies ng mga gumaling na sa COVID. And usually, kung hindi siya genetics, yung mga mahihirap na sanay na sa kalye ang may very strong antibodies kaya wala mashadong tinatamaan na mahihirap ng COVID kasi sanay ang pangangatawan nila sa impeksyon.
- Tas paulit ulit na sinasabi niya. Wag palayasin yung mga hindi makabayad ng renta kasi this is not the time para isipin mo kumita. Kailangan magtulungan kasi pare pareho tayong walang pera.
- And finally, may Facebook si P.Dutz. May time siya magbasa. So baka nababasa niya ites.
Gitri San Diego
Just so I NEVER forget..... April 7, 2020
-Gas price at Murphy (Balch Springs) was $1.19 a gallon ***Prices may Vary
-All Schools have Closed for the rest of the academic year. - (students left March 13 without knowing they wouldn’t be returningš)
-Self-distancing measures on the rise.
-Tape on the floors at grocery stores and others places to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other.
-Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors.
*Costco has not been able to supply the demand of TP/Hand Sanitizer/Clorox Wipes and other pandemic essentials till this dayš±
-Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed.
-Parks, trails, libraries and other places are closed. No public use.
-Entire sports seasons cancelled.
-Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.
-Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled.
-No masses, churches are closed.
-No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, now no gatherings of any amount.
-Don't socialize with anyone outside of your home.
-Children's outdoor play parks are closed.
-We are to distance from each other.
-Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.
-Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.
-Panic buying sets in and we have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towel, no hand sanitizer or Baby Wipesš«
-Shelves are bare.
-Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.
-Government closed/limit borders to all non-essential travel.
-Fines are established for breaking the rules.
-Stadiums and recreation facilities open up for the overflow of Covid-19 patients.
-Press conferences daily from the President. -Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.
-Government incentives to stay home.
-Barely anyone on the roads.
-People wearing masks and gloves outside.
-Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.
-Medical field workers are afraid to go home to their families.
This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11th, 2020.
Why, you ask, do I write this status?
One day it will show up in my memory feed, and it will be a yearly reminder that life is precious and to not take the things we love for granted.
We have so much to be thankful for.šØš©š§š§
Be kind to each other - love one another - support everyone.❤️
*Copy and Paste.
Pam Bell Stovall
Featured Image: Pixabay.com
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Author’s Bio:
Although he
graduated with a degree in Electronics Engineering, Rory League has always been
a wordsmith at heart. When not working as a writer, you’ll find him
binge-watching anime, movies, and TV shows if not playing with his lively
canine Charlie.
Since, I don't have any blogs now, I will just post it here on FB, the tips about working from home. So, let me start by Introducing my background. I have 10 years experience in the BPO Industry. I used to work for Convergys as a Senior Technical Customer Care Representative 2 for 7 years, it started in December of 2005, and 3 years in JPMorgan Chase Bank as a Fraud Investigator in May of 2013. When I quit working in Convergys back in January of 2013; I tried blogging and working from home. But, no one encouraged me to find job or explained to me what I was doing wrong, or what I should do next. Marami lang nagsasabi na madaling kumita from home. I tried finding a stable job for almost 5 months, but, I got no luck.
So, I applied in JPMorgan Chase Bank, and I got hired as a Fraud Investigator. A couple months ago, I filed my Resignation Letter. Why? I got so tired of my commute. Imagine, from Malabon to Taguig, BGC, I am spending around 5-6 hours of travel time (back and forth) daily. SERIOUSLY. And, even more, kapag malakas ang ulan, sobrang baha, or nasira ang LRT or MRT. Dumating ako sa point na, I got so depressed, yung tipong darating ako ng work, pero drained na ako. I was just giving a mediocre kind of work attitude, madalas nega vibes pa. Hindi na healthy, so I decided to quit. Wala akong pera, basta nag resign nalang ako. I think, MALI itong ginawa ko na ito, wag niyong gagayahin. Wag kayong magre resign ng walang pang buffer, dahil ang mga bills niyo, dire diretso pa rin naman, even if you stop working! Hehehehe! So, punta muna tayo sa PROS and CONS:
PROS AND CONS OF WORKING FROM HOME
PROS ARE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Commute - No More HASSLE of TRAFFIC, No More Sira or Mabagal na MRT or LRT, No More BAHA, Ulan, Bagyo or DELUBYO sa daan naiisipin. Nasa bahay ka lang eh! Hehehe! :)
2. Pay - It's all up to you kung gaano ka kasipag, gaano kalaki yung job offer sayo, ilang hours a week or fixed income, nasa kamay mo lahat, and by God's grace, of course! Now, I am working 70-75 hours a week for 2 employers. May iba nga kaya nila ng 85 hours a week! Ang masasabi ko lang, yung kinikita ko ng isang buwan sa mga dati kong typical BPO or Office work, kinikita ko lang ng isang linggo dito. Kayang kaya ang 6 DIGITS a month, basta masipag ka! Sounds like Networking/MLM? Ahahahaha! :)
3. Time - Imagine the time that you can save. In my case, naka save ako ng 6 hours sa biyahe at 1 hour from Lunch break sa work. Heto pa, nag resign ako para lagi kong mayakap ang mga fur kids ko na sila Mommy Omprah, Baby Baldog, Roshanda, Lavinia at Sassy! Para sa akin, priceless yun eh! Hirap ako na di sila makita or makasama ng matagal! Ngayon, katabi ko pa matulog at gumising, hehehe! More time for the Lord, tagal ko ng di nakaka attend ng church! Seriously. And, more time for the Family, lalo na kapag FLEXIBLE hours ang nakuha mong work. Minsan may makukuha ka ng client na 30-40hours a week, tapos there's no specific time na naka login ka. Meaning na, kapag di mo feel mag work ngayon, wag ka mag work, or magagawa mo outside activities mo, provided na babawiin mo yung working hours mo sa ibang araw. More time for the Lord, Family, Yourself, Pets, Wife, Husband, GF's/BF's, and etc! More time to FB, play COC, and etc. Like right now, I'm waiting for task, nakakapag sulat ako. Minsan, ilang oras akong walang ginagawa na bayad, provided na hindi maa apektuhan ang work mo. Wag ka naman mag FB sa PC mo kung saan ka nagwo work, ma screenshot ka nyan, lagot ka sa client! Hehehe! :)
4. No Uniform - Totoo ito, kahit nakahubo ka pa, naka pajama, or what, walang makikialam sa'yo kung nasa room ka lang. You can wear the same clothes, walang mamimintas sa iyo kahit butas butas pa yan! Hehehe! Savings in wardrobe pa! NO MORE PA CONTEST NG DRESS DOWN! Ahahahaha! Kasi kadalasan sa mga BPO or CALL CENTER, privilege ang makapag Dress Down, ginagamit ito as a PRIZE sa mga contest, aminin! Hehehehe! Ngayon, kapag malakas ang ulan or baha, oks lang, kasi nasa bahay ka naman eh! :)
5. Flexible Working Hours - Again, depende ito sa kukunin mong client. Ako kasi pinag aralan ko yung schedule na makakakuha ako ng clients na di makaka affect sa existing client ko. Gaya nga ng nasabi ko sa itaas, it's up to you when you want to work, basta magawa mo yung tasks sa'yo. Meron rin naman na clients na may fixed schedule. So, titignan mo yung Time Zone nila. Kaya in my case, kumuha ako ng FIXED Schedule from 8am-4:30pm PST from a U.S. Client (40-45 hours a week), and isang Flexible schedule sa Australian Client (30 hours a week). Pero sa totoo lang, nakaka adik maghanap ng clients, masarap mag work sa bahay eh, maganda ang kita. Kung pwede nga lang, kumuha pa ako ng isa pang client, gagawin ko talaga, kaso wala ng oras, hehehe! :)
6. Savings - Let me correct that... BIG SAVINGS! Why? I am saving money from my Transportation and Food, around 5-6K. Savings from wardrobe, since you can use your Pajama or any comfortable clothes while working. Savings from buying food from Canteen or Fastfood P100-150 savings a day, or even more, lalo na kung panay pa Starbucks mo! Hehehehe! :)
7. FOOD - Kung ano yung ulam sa bahay or fridge, yun ang kainin mo, matipid di ba? Luto ka ng dalawang LuckyMe Pancit Canton, lagyan mo ng dalawang Fried Egg sa ibabaw, tapos Orange or Mango Juice, solved na! Ahahahaha! :)
CONS ARE THE FOLLOWING:
1. EXERCISE - Kailangan mo ng exercise! Dahil literal na mag papagulong gulong ka sa kama kapag walang ginagawa, basta naka ON ang PC mo. Hindi rin madali, lalo na kung nagpapa payat ka. You need to get some walking or jogging after your shift, if you have a fixed schedule. Or, allocate some time for Gym or other activities.
2. PAY FOR EVERYTHING -Ikaw ang magbabayad ng Fiber Optics or Internet Connection mo, Electiricity Bill. Ikaw rin magbabayad ng SSS, Pagibig, Philhealth, pati pag file ng Taxes ikaw rin. Oks lang, isipin mo nalang na malaki pa rin ang nase save mo, at kung anuman ang binabayaran mo ngayon, ay parte na rin ng expenses mo, even before you get into working from home! :)
3. NO HUMAN INTERACTION - Unless, meron kang asawa, bf or gf, kaibigan, family or friend na kausap, kahit sa FB or Skype. You are working without someone supervising you. Some people don't like this. There are people who may feel that they are lacking of competitive spirit or becoming anti-social as the time goes by. Wala nabasa ko lang sa post ng ibang nagwo work from home. Hehehehe! :)
4. KATAMARAN - Sometimes, if you have no one encouraging you to do something, or when there's no pressure to start working, what to wear and etc, baka tamarin kana mag work. Which is your choice, and what you work for is what you will get at the end of the day! Hehehe! :)
5. NO HMO or HEALTH INSURANCE - Ito yung isa sa mga nakakahinayang, kasi malaking bagay ang may HMO like INTELLICARE or MAXICARE. Kaya ang ginawa ko, nag inquire ako sa mga HMO Providers. Meron pala sa MaxiCare, around 25k a year na yung Family plan nila. Kayang kaya na ito kapag malaki na ang income mo. Baka next month, maasikaso ko na. Pati rin yung mga Philhealth, Pagibig at SSS ko... :)
6. CONTRACTS - Usually, the jobs at Upwork.com are contractual, it ends at around 5-6 months. So, hahanap kana naman ng client. Unless, makakuha ka ng client na magalingan sa'yo at kunin ka nila, even outside Upwork! :)
7. NO 13TH OR 14TH MONTH PAY - Yun ang masaklap, walang Christmas bonus. Pero depende pa rin talaga sa client. Kagaya nyan, last week i received 100$ from my client. May mga mababait at galante na clients, na nagbibigay ng bonus kahit hindi inutos ng batas. Wag kalimutan na mga foreign clients ito, di sila saklaw ng batas ng Pilipinas para ma obliga na magbigay ng 13th or 14th month pay. Honestly, kapag kumikita kana ng 3-4x ng dati mong sahod plus yung nase save mo na pera at oras. You won't really mind it anymore! :)
HERE ARE THE TIPS:
Sa ngayon, tutok muna tayo sa Upwork, ito yung dating Odesk. Marami pang ibang site like OnlinejobsPH, Freelancer, and etc. Ito palang kasi yung nasubukan ko, and it is the largest site for homebased jobs.
You MUST have the following:
1. CREATE AN ACCOUNT at Upwork.com -Madali lang ito, you just have to COMPLETE your PROFILE, and etc.
2. RESUME - You have to prepare a neat, precise and formal resume (soft copy) that you will send to a client for JOB APPLICATION, usually, in the form of attachment.
3. COVER LETTER - Make a generic Cover Letter that you can COPY and PASTE when you are applying for a Job, or pwede mong i attach kasama ng Resume mo. Make sure to edit it or tailor fit it sa ina applyan mong work. Make it presentable enough to SELL YOURSELF!
4. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Ito yung mga basic na tinatanong ha, about sa setup ng Home Office mo.
a. Basic DSL Requirement is 2.5-6MBPS or Fiber Optics Connection at 50-100MBPS. Clients prefer hardwire connection, which is much stable than wireless. They hate LTE connection, lalo na yung mga merong calls.
b. Computer Desktop MINIMUM Requirements: CPU: 2.4ghz Dual Core Processor, 4GB RAM, and a monitor. With a NOISE-CANCELLING HEADSET (only for those who will be taking in calls).
c. UPS / Inverter Power Generator - Not really part of the requirements, but, recommended.
d. Quiet or almost Sound Proof Home Office - This is for those who will be taking in calls. Requirement ito ng client, ayaw nila may mga nagtatahulan na dogs or mga tandang na tumitilaok, hehehe! :)
HERE ARE THE TIPS:
TIP 1: After you create an UPWORK Account, take the SKILLS TEST. Get as many as you can, and get a pretty good score! If you are a BPO or Call Center Agent, you might want to make sure to take the Phone and Email Etiquette, Customer Service Skills, and etc. The more TEST with high scores you have, your Profile will look more appealing to the clients. Also, do not forget to create a SKYPE ACCOUNT, kasi yung mga Interview, either Skype or Google Hangout (you may use your existing gmail account for it).
TIP 2: SELL YOURSELF, but do not sound ARROGANT - Make a presentable, neat and professional COVER LETTER and RESUME. Be very PATIENT too, imagine that there are thousands of Job Applicant waiting for that job as well. It's not easy to find job, It actually took me at least, a month to get hired! Just be patient, and continuously try to improve your profile! :)
TIP 3: BE ONLINE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN. Clients post their Job Posting from any Time Zone. It could be from Australia: AEST, or U.S. - PST, EST, and etc. You've NOT just gotta catch'em ALL, but, you also have to CATCH'EM FIRST! Hehehe! They tend to prioritize those who send the Application first. Also, think on which Time Zone you would like to work. Do not apply to a U.S. Time Zone clients if you have no plans working at night.
TIP 4: CHOOSE CAREFULLY - Sa UPWORK, meron kaming Connects na tinatawag. Para itong ONLINE TOKEN na LIBRE meron ding PAID. Nauubos ito kada APPLY mo, usually, 2 CONNECTS per JOB APPLICATION. That's why you can't SPAM employers with your RESUME. Mababasura lang yan. Don't just send your RESUME to everywhere, make sure that you are really DECIDED to APPLY for that Job vacancy before doing so. Hangga't maari, wag muna CHOOSY! And, Are you willing to work during their Normal Business hours in their TIME ZONE? Walang pilitan ito, kung ayaw mo, wag mo. WAG RIN MAG APPLY kung wala ka naman ng SKILLS na hinahanap nila, MAPAPAHIYA KA LANG! Hehehehe! :)
TIP 5: BABAAN ANG RATE - Make sure na babaan mo ang rate, take as low as 2.5-3$ an hour. WHY? Ganito kasi yan. Ya'ng mga client na nasa Upwork, they don't care if you have 10 years of BPO Experience, or if you were once a TL or even an Operations Manager. They don't care about your experience OUTSIDE UPWORK! They prefer people with experience with the working environment of WORK FROM HOME (WFH) or Homebased jobs via UPWORK. Ang mahalaga, magkaroon ka ng job, magandang REVIEW for future clients, para pwede kana mag taas ng RATE mo! :)
TIP 6: CHECK YOUR UPWORK INBOX / MESSAGES - You have to do this from time to time, so you can easily respond if you were chosen to be a Candidate for an Interview. Make sure that you reply within 24 hours or less, minsan, may mga papagawa na agad sa'yo na mga TEST nila or exam. Galingan mo lang, para pumasa ka! It will be included in your Profile, unless you don't want to. There's an option for you not to show it. Look at the picture below, that's what it looks like. Photo is not mine, CTTO, pero maganda kasi sa Profile ang maraming SKILLS TEST! :)
TIP 7: BE PATIENT - Sometimes, sa dami ng Applicant, matagal kang ma contact, it may take 1-2 weeks. Or, baka hindi kana ma contact at all, kasi may nakuha na sila. DO NOT DWELL. Apply lang sa ibang work! :)
TIP 8: PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW - You think this is EASY? Nagkakamali ka BOY! Kapag di ka pumasa sa mga TEST nila, wala ka ng chance, hehehe! Tapos, maswerte kapag umabot ka sa INTERVIEW, minsan, 2 or 3 times ang INTERVIEW. Isang Basic Interview, then, yung HR Interview, then MANAGER's Interview, then JOB OFFER na kasunod nu'n! I am not discouraging you. But, even if you have the EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE UPWORK, again, it won't matter to them. So, be extremely GOOD! :)
TIP 9: Pray Hard. Mahirap mang unawain, but, the Lord knows everything! We need the LORD, hindi natin kaya kung wala siya... All praise, honor and glory should all be given only to our Lord and Personal Saviour JESUS Christ! :)
TIP 10: Last but not the least. If you think that you can work more than the time that was given to you. Then, hanap pa ng isang job. Malaking bagay yung dalawa or tatlo ang work, dahil MAHAL ANG BIGAS!!! :)
Lastly, nakaugalian ko ng i check kung Payment Verified si employer, how much they already spent since they become an employer in Upwork, and the reviews they give to their previous employees. Duon palang mage gauge mo na kung OK ba yung employer! Cheers! :)
Oh, tapos na itong NOBELA, sana may natutunan kayo. Sana nakatulong kahit papaano. Meron na akong gagawing tasks. Pasensya na kung may mga mispelled or maling grammar, I'm just doing this para makatulong sa mga kaibigan natin na gustong mag try mag homebased or work from home.
Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa mga kaibigan kong sila Gle Na, Mis Andie Stood, Chermalyn Espiritu-Peralta for helping me and encouraging me, lalo na kay La Schtroumpfette na nagsilbing MENTOR ko at nagpasok sa akin sa unang work from home ko, dahil sa kanila, nakapag work na ako sa bahay! Hehehehe! Until next time! WORK MUNA AKO. BRB! :) #UPWORK#Homebased #WorkFromHome #WFH
"It's never too late to start over. If you weren't happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don't stay stuck. Do better."
See original post here JoMi DasmariƱas
