Lesson Learned!

 If Only..

Everything in life is connect the dot game. Every decisions and actions is a risk to take. Life really is a ROLLERCOASTER!

 If only I could turn back time…  if only I can undo things, decisions made… everything!

But I got no choice.. I need to find a way to get out and get things done. That is why I want to share this to others.  No matter how excited you are, no matter how you wanted to escape or wanted a better life or career.. PLEASE do think twice or thrice, think from time to time, no matter how busy your day is. Never miss a single detail or sign that can make you think twice for leaving.  Be your own critique, don’t let others influence your decisions.

It started when I wanted a better career outside country hoping for green pasture as they say. I applied as a Nurse here in Saudi Arabia through an agency. I had an interview and the same day got selected by the employer. Right from that minute the agency asked me to leave my passport and PRC ID for visa processing, so I handed it to them. I don’t know if it’s a wise thing to do but I was too excited at that time. After that interview, I had to complete the requirements, since I had no idea about documents needed like DFA stamped documents and other stuff it took me one month to complete it. During the completion of documents, from time to time I went to the office of the agency to check on my application and I met a man asking for his passport back. The man withdrawn his application in the agency but I didn’t have a chance to ask why. Hearing about that, I double checked the website of PEOA to see on the agency has permit to operate (FIRST THING TO DO) and it’s valid, so my doubt was cleared. I don’t know what happened but it took them more than 3 months for me to let me leave Philippines, month of July I applied and November I left the country. A friend of mine said that for application here in Saudi, more than three months of processing is enough to report that agency to PEOA, not sure though, but that was my biggest mistake I didn’t went to PEOA in the Philippines to ask for legal advice for my application (so, whatever situations or even if your far from manila like me, please do go for legal assistance to clarify matters in application especially outside country work).  I waited and waited until November came, three days before the flight the agency called and needed me to go to Manila at an instant. So I went to manila and directly met the agency for the contract signing. They always tell us to read every letter in the contract and understand it, so I did read, understand and signed (must to do read it carefully before signing).  But for me, I applied in an agency but another agency processed my papers , I don’t know what happened. So, I checked again if it’s a PEOA accredited and it was  Also, when signing a contract please do check if its notarized by a lawyer and check also the date of registration (be sure it’s recent, my contract is dated 2010 but it was notarized). I don’t know if that’s ok still I continue my application after everything, paying all the processing fee, completing the  documents and thinking that my flight will be just in 2 days   The next day they had me schedule for a pre-departure orientation. Then the day came, I am here already in Saudi. I was surprise that my contract was not followed. Every single detail in the contract was not followed even the clinic name. My salary and overtime pay was not followed. I read and gave a copy to my employer and still no actions. In fact, the agency faxed an agreement form that they claimed that I signed but it was my first time to see at that form and I noticed that my signature affixed was just a scanned copy of my signature.  I was not surprise to see that with the ways and thinking of the agencies in the Philippines but I was disappointed. I heard that not following the contract is a common practice here. They always find a way to use you and abuse your skills, time, effort , patience and understanding. People here are close minded and will take advantage on you.  So BE CAREFUL, BE CAUTIOUS and BE TOUGH.

If ever something wrong will happen, fight for your right. Do trust our Government, the Philippine Embassy is our voice when we are away from our country. They will help and fixed the problem in any way they can.    Friend of mine took a great strength to submit a complaint against the employer. The process took time. So patience is  essential. Follow the process, don’t make a shortcut, continue your work even if it’s hard, do not give any reason for your employer to file a case against you, fight SMART.  Not every complaint has a successful story, person in dire need will take desperate measures to make her story  a success.  That was my friend did and now lived happily ever after.

I may have made a wrong decison but it’s not the end of my story! I still have one best shot to get things right and I’m ready to fight for my right!

As they say:

“For a person to get what she wants and be where she wants to be, she has to make THE FIRST STEP!”

~Louie Mae Vardeleon

One Nature, One Community

Last September 2, 2012 the long awaited Tree Planting activity was conducted. 

Getting Ready for Tree Planting

It was only my second time to join a tree planting activity. First was when we were in College and it was a part of an activity in school. It was also held in Longlong, Pico but different site. Today, it was in Communal Forrest of Longlong, Pico.

The Site

Actually, the said  activity was supposed to be held a week ago but due to heavy rain it wasn’t possible. We are lucky enough that the weather condition was good. Different organization joined the activity to save mother earth and plant trees to name some UC students was there, Interactive Cordillera, DECAT, Bravehearts Team, Save 182 and last my family, La Trinidad Shutterbugs and for sure other volunteers were there too.

Caleb, 1year and 7months, youngest patiticipant

When we went on the site orientation started by Mr. Dean Cuanso, the organizer of this activity. He told us the guidelines on planting trees, the distance should be more than 1 meter circumference  and also to not forget to remove the plastic when we plant. Before we begin with the tree planting activity Hapiyoh-mi, a cultural dance group of University of Cordillera rendered a cultural dance to amused the participants. The men of Hapiyoh-mi opted to be on their G-string attire for them to show how our ancestors do it. I also saw the youngest participant Caleb, 1 year and 7 months. I know for sure that he will also enjoy the nature where we once enjoyed.

Mother and Son helping to plant tree

This kid told her mother not to help him ,  so  He planted  the tree

Men on G-String Planting Trees

Clearing the grass for a Tree

Taking a rest

This activity reminded me of a poem we once memorized when I was in Grade 2 entitled Trees by Joyce Kilmer and it was written on the path-ways going to the site.

TREES

by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the Earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray.

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

  Let’s save Our Forrest, Our Ancestor’s Legacy.  Save Mother Earth for our Future generation.

-Louie Mae Vardeleon

Burnham Park with Cello

" The cello is like a beautiful woman who has not grown older, but younger with time, more slender, more supple, more graceful."

~ Pablo Casals


Here is my photos post processed using light room. I'm new at this and a friend helped me, credits to Kuya KC for teaching me light room.

Credits to Mr. Paul Louie for setting up this photoshoot
and Credits also to the models during this shoot,,

- Louie Mae Vardeleon

SAGADA CRYSTAL CAVE

Manung Leviz and Manang Michelle

Going down to Crystal Cave Entrance

After all the celebration and friends and family get together, I was insisting to my cousin and her family to visit Sagada to relax. One rainy afternoon, we decided to take off. We managed to catch the last trip going to Sagada and we arrived earlier than we expected even if it was raining. We went to our lodge and rested for the night. I had a hard time sleeping because I am so excited for tomorrow’s activity, Crystal Cave. During my first visit in Sagada and heard about Crystal Cave, I promised myself that I will be back for that and here I am.

Our guides preparing!

This is it!! The day that I’ve been waiting for, the day I been longing to see how hard and magnificent Crystal Cave is. I’m with my cousin and her husband and the two great guides of SAGGAS. At our way to the entrance, it was so muddy, slippery because it just rained. We even saw an eroded land. I’m nervous for my cousin because it was her first time to enter a cave. This was her first adventure and she made it!! I am so Proud of her!!! At last, we arrived at the entrance.  Our guide prepared rope and petromax for light. 

Manang Michelle at the entrance!

The Crystal Cave Entrance

Going down Crystal Cave

Crystal Cave Entrance

Trying to fit in the cave hole

Unlike the cave entrance I’ve tried and saw, this was the hardest. It was so steep and stones were covered with mud that makes it so slippery. We even should fit in the small cave holes and our guides told us that the first cave hole was the biggest and easiest to enter. Then we saw stalactites, it was really like crystal, so pure, sparkling white crystal hanging in the cave. Our guide told us to be quiet so that the stalactites will not fall because with loud noise it might fall, so we tried our best to be quiet. 

Crystal-like Stalactite

Crystal-like Stalactite

Going down to see more

Crystal-like Stalactite

Then we continued our trek going down, we saw more amazing and magnificent crystal-like stalactite.  We went up and down and saw small cave hole. For us to fit in, we should lie down and push ourselves towards the end. I wonder how we manage to fit in that cave hole but we made it. Then we should leave our slippers and we walked in the beautiful stone formation. In this part of the cave, my camera gave up and sadly, we were still in the first parts of the cave. It went out of battery, it was so disappointing  and I regret that I didn’t charged my camera because when I checked it, it was full and I am sure that it will last but it didn’t. I’m still lucky because we still have a waterproof camera but with no flash, so as innovative as we are, we used the petromax as a flash. 

crystal-like stalactite

more on Crystal Cave

more on Crystal Cave

more on Crystal Cave

last photo I captured with my camera

On our way out, we saw different stone formations, waterfall-like and so many more. We even passed knee level muddy hallway, as if we were on a mud spa house. It was gross but we don’t have any choice. We rappelled, climbed and tried our very best to fit on small cave hole. And then at last, we made it to Sumaguing Cave. We exited in the Pig pen stone formation and literally, we were like pigs, so muddy. We just washed ourselves in Sumaguing Cave. It took us almost 3-4hrs to finished spelunking. We survived!! Thank you again to our guide, who’s always been there to be our foot stool, human ladder, pulled us up and helped us to survive and safely got out of the cave.

John, President of SAGGAS, our Guide

Lester, Our Guide

 After a day, we noticed that we had so many bruised, scratched and our whole body hurt like hell, even for how many days now. But we don’t regret it, it was worth it!

my foot

my hand

This trip opened my eyes to other views of Sagada. A lot happened during our stay there, met a lot of people, knew more about this place. My last day was not that great and I can even say that it was my worst and crazy last day but I don’t regret it. At least, I can say that I enjoyed Sagada so much that I can't explain!!

Thank you guys for making it so memorable!!

-Louie Mae Vardeleon

JUST WALKING AROUND~!

It was Saturday, I was so bored and I wanted to go for a walk for me to have time for myself, lighten up a bit and be away from work for just a moment. Besides, we all need a break after a stressful, busy work.

It was my first time to stroll around Manila outside big malls. Manila is known to have best malls, commercial centers, park, etc. but I wanted to just wander. So, I decided to go outside air-conditioned room and off for a walk even if it was burning outside.

The Hall of National Museum

The Stairs!

First destination was in National Museum. It’s a huge building as big as a mall or even bigger. I can’t recall how many floors the building has. But, it can’t forget that in one of the floors, there was a big room and it was all about Cordillera culture and I am proud to be one. Our native costumes were there, musical instrument, old kitchen utensils, everything they have it there. Well, I completely forgot I’m in a museum; it’s a must that they should have it all. They also have replica of our rice terraces, similar to that of Batad in Ifugao, the Banawe Rice Terraces, once considered as eight wonders of the world. I learned a lot about the 3 stars and a sun (Philippines). All those things I’ve read during my years of studying, I saw it with my own eyes. As if I visited all the places here in the Philippines in just a few hours. J 

The Arts!

Replica of Banawe Rice Terraces

Our Costumes!

Me around the National Museum!

Luneta Park!

Rizal Monument!

Next Stop, Luneta! It’s just near the museum. In there, I saw a lot of people, families having their picnic, lovers having their date, group of friends having their bonding. We were all having a great time! One more thing, it’s a free park, one proof that money is not a hindrance to achieve happiness. Nothing beats the smile on their faces and their precious time with their love ones even the most precious gems, silver and gold can’t be compared.

The PICC

Then I continued walking, passing bay walk, Ocean Park, US embassy until I reached PICC at Roxas Boulevard then something made me stopped as if I was frozen. I saw a magnificent, enchanting rainbow in a City. It was my first time to see a rainbow in Manila, at a desert-like weather; it was super hot, burning afternoon then a rainbow will appear out of nowhere. I was amazed. They always say that rainbows only appear after the rain but they're wrong, I found a place where you can see rainbow anytime of the day but on one condition, there should be a bright sun or it should be a sunny day! This rainbow was created with the rays of the sun refracted and reflected on the drops of midst from fountain in front of PICC; it was an inspiring view over the so called Big, Busy City.

Rainbow in the City!

Being around Manila made me realized there’s more to look forward in the City. There are a lot of things you can do at low cost, can you imagine yourself being around Philippines in just a day or less? We should go outside our comfort zone for us to experience simple treasures. We should all LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH, and EXPLORE the TRUE BEAUTY of LIFE that money can’t buy!! ~HAPPINESS~

-      Louie Mae Vardeleon