General Info

[Wicked Roger]

The agency did not explain her anything and kept her passport and told her she is hired and needs process of Medical tests, Phi government approval etc and told her she has to pony up 23, 000 pesos which includes agency fee.

They did not even tell her about salary, flight tickets, accomodation.

Anyway she told me flight tickets and accomodation are provided for 2 year contract and salar is 10, 000 pesos. I balked at her saying 10, 000 pesos is not even enough to feed herself let alone sending money home.

So she went and talked to the saudi guy but he refused to pay more. Obviously they have enough girls ready to do the job at any salary.

Maybe once they get middleeast experience they can find better paying jobs.

What you describe is all too typical and what is worse is that the pinoys at the agency know this. All they do is rip off and scam their fellow county men and then claim innocence when the girl complains (after she has found out she has a huge pay cut etc on arrival)

It is now illegal in Saudi to hold the passport (as stated by the Labour Minister in the press a few months ago)

Many of the recruits do not have any basic knowledge of their right and are easily exploited both by the agencies (who want the fee) and the employer. As you said, some (at this time African) will work for that or less.

I know of agents who don't charge a fee and I always recommend the girls see that company as then no false promises and broken dreams. And there is plenty of that when it comes to recruitment firms in PI and the Middle East

[Sammon]

ET. You comment about OFWs and salaries is applicable in the Middle East especially the UAE. What is worse, the employers know this and drive the salaries down as well knowing that another pinay will take the job. In a country with a high cost of living.

Also for nursing salaries are trending down in the Middle East for the same reason even though they have to pass another exam before they are qualified to work.

The sari sari issues is alwasy raised by girls I meet, all seem to think this is the way to progress or the Uday Uday business. Very few succeed as they don't have a clue about running a small business. The concept of startting from the botom seems to be accepted / understood but when there some don't like it!

Psychology for interpreting personalities is a good idea and is something we discussed yesterday RK. Although most would know that if they are cute, that we want to shag them. LOL

This remind me of a situation. My GF from Leyte who is 22 years old was staying with me for a week in Manila. I told her there are many hiring places for jobs in middleeast. So we set off and I told her to go in by herself because I do not want girls there to get a wrong opinion on her. I waited in the nearby Internet cafe. She was asked to fill out application and was interviewed. Some guy from Saudi came looking for cleaners in hospital and hired her.

The agency did not explain her anything and kept her passport and told her she is hired and needs process of Medical tests, Phi government approval etc and told her she has to pony up 23, 000 pesos which includes agency fee.

They did not even tell her about salary, flight tickets, accomodation.

So I went with her to talk to agency head boss. I told her I am a friend of her father. I doubt if I fooled her?

Anyway she told me flight tickets and accomodation are provided for 2 year contract and salar is 10, 000 pesos. I balked at her saying 10, 000 pesos is not even enough to feed herself let alone sending money home.

So she went and talked to the saudi guy but he refused to pay more. Obviously they have enough girls ready to do the job at any salary.

Maybe once they get middleeast experience they can find better paying jobs.

[D Cups]

Hi Red,

Cooking, making beds and folding napkins? Surely this is not the Filipino interpretation of HRM! Don't they teach recruitment, training or any of the other HR functions?

Relatedly, what do the crminology graduates do for work if they don't get into the police academies?

As for the nurses, sad stats indeed. I am still on the hunt for a busty young nurse but may have to change that to doctor given their watered down educational system. Assuming a pretty MD would be interested in a guy like me.

I discussed an HRM student's curriculum with her recently and it was "setting tables", folding table napkins, correct way to serve different dishes, how to make beds, etc.

I am not joking.

Thankfully, some schools also include psychology and economics type programs so that students learn a framework for interpreting personalities and maybe some money management "skills" for when they open their own sari sari store because it is unlikely that they will get employment in any high end hotel unless they are prepared to start as a qualified room maid / boy.

[Wicked Roger]

Nice thoughtful post E T. You made some good points, especially the one about pinoy OFWs pushing down wages by being prepared to work for peanuts.

Thankfully, some schools also include psychology and economics type programs so that students learn a framework for interpreting personalities and maybe some money management "skills" for when they open their own sari sari store because it is unlikely that they will get employment in any high end hotel unless they are prepared to start as a qualified room maid / boy.

ET. You comment about OFWs and salaries is applicable in the Middle East especially the UAE. What is worse, the employers know this and drive the salaries down as well knowing that another pinay will take the job. In a country with a high cost of living.

Also for nursing salaries are trending down in the Middle East for the same reason even though they have to pass another exam before they are qualified to work.

The sari sari issues is alwasy raised by girls I meet, all seem to think this is the way to progress or the Uday Uday business. Very few succeed as they don't have a clue about running a small business. The concept of startting from the botom seems to be accepted / understood but when there some don't like it!

Psychology for interpreting personalities is a good idea and is something we discussed yesterday RK. Although most would know that if they are cute, that we want to shag them. LOL

[Econo Tech]

I discussed an HRM student's curriculum with her recently and it was "setting tables", folding table napkins, correct way to serve different dishes, how to make beds, etc.

I am not joking.

Then again, I did provide shelter to two girls, who were working in KL Sheraton as front desk staff, and came down for a visa run and had got royally screwed by a fellow Filipino having been parked in a expensive hotel till they realised they were broke within two days, once the bills were piled up.

Me goes to work and comes back home, damn, the two girls had really set the whole apartment like hotel. Rearranged the tables, sofas, heck, even my bedsheet were folded hotel style, and properly tucked in, and so was the toilet stuff and all. Somehow the two girls did all the heavy lifting, rearranging and all. And it was a minor miracle that the two women could work as a team.

Ah, yes, the HRM course does help if you get the girl in the right mood I guess. If not. Well, we all know what happens when a pinay goes mental.

[Red Kilt]

HRM is on the way down, with depressed salaries, due to the Degree mills.

Nice thoughtful post E T. You made some good points, especially the one about pinoy OFWs pushing down wages by being prepared to work for peanuts.

HRM is still a very good option for those who can afford the high end training schools (those that advertise in the glossy magazines like "Appetite" and others) but the fees are way out of reach of anybody but the wealthiest filipinos. These schools teach advanced cooking skills at international level, and some celebrities have gained publicity when they graduated from them.

For the rest, who are in the degree mills in the local second-rate cheaper tertiary programs, it is low-end training that will equip a graduate to be a waiter, drink attendant or hotel room maid.

I discussed an HRM student's curriculum with her recently and it was "setting tables", folding table napkins, correct way to serve different dishes, how to make beds, etc.
I am not joking.
Thankfully, some schools also include psychology and economics type programs so that students learn a framework for interpreting personalities and maybe some money management "skills" for when they open their own sari sari store because it is unlikely that they will get employment in any high end hotel unless they are prepared to start as a qualified room maid / boy.

[Econo Tech]

The new "hot" ticket out of the Philippines appears to be HRM, which is drastically over-enrolled relative to the number of decent jobs available with overseas hotel chains.

HRM is on the way down, with depressed salaries, due to the Degree mills.

Atleast in Singapore, now you can place Pinoys with HRM Degree, for salaries less than 500 US$. The balance going to the placement agency and who-else is officially ripping the OFW off. And guess for what job?

Serving drinks, cleaning floors.

Oh, well, last week I was in a coffee shop and two pinays have replaced the Chinese aunty, and while the Chinese aunty serves like 600 cups of tea an hour these girls are like 60 an hour. And had a little chit chat. The two pinays are engaged as "Management Trainees" as part of their HRM course. And guess the salary? 600 US$ a month after all deduction. Which is a far cry from the minimum of 1, 800 S$ Stipulated by the Singapore Govt.

As somebody said, the 'remittance' culture is dooming Philippines and it is just a matter of time before the whole thing implodes.

First Nursing, then Call center, now HRM. Well.

I was amused when I saw the Philippine Govt begging the Czech Minister of something. To employ Filipinos, when the Czech republic itself has a high unemployment apart from a slowing population. It was like "you guys have nobody to beg for job, now you go an beg the poor cousins of Europe."

Oh, one proud thing to state for PNoy, when it comes to FIiipinos in Singapore is, that, now Professionals outnumber Maids in Singapore. It seems. Only if he knew the local tensions considering how much the Pinoys have depressed local wages by going cheaper and cheaper.

I know atleast one PNB Bank manager now working as a counter staff in Singapore. For a better salary than she got back home. And a Dow Jones Senior Analyst who was proud of is 'eighteen hundred dollar' pay. A job which no other country guys would accept for anything less than 6,000 $ or more.

[X Man]

Thanks for that D33. I have an old squeeze who went to Europe for a year but is now back in Cebu working mostly as a volunteer. I thought that was odd, but your post makes it easier to understand.

I just watched a news report on the BBC about Philippine nursing students. Now 200, 000 without a job and 80, 000 new graduates adding to that number. Lots of families sold land or buffalo to put the daughter through school as an investment which now won't pay off. USA has practically stopped giving visas and Europe isn't hiring due to economic downturn. Many are just volunteering in Philippine hospitals without pay.

[GoodEnough]

I just watched a news report on the BBC about Philippine nursing students. Now 200, 000 without a job and 80, 000 new graduates adding to that number. Lots of families sold land or buffalo to put the daughter through school as an investment which now won't pay off. USA has practically stopped giving visas and Europe isn't hiring due to economic downturn. Many are just volunteering in Philippine hospitals without pay.

The trend in nursing enrollmments is steadily downward, as knowledge of the long odds against eventual overseas work have percolated slowly through the student community. Likewise, CHED has closed more than a few nursing programs in questionnable degree mills since the latter consistently failed to produce graduates who passed the licensure examinations. The new "hot" ticket out of the Philippines appears to be HRM, which is drastically over-enrolled relative to the number of decent jobs available with overseas hotel chains. Another major hurdle for those aspiring to leave the country is the lack of English proficiency. Most aspiring nuurses cannot achieve the needed scores on the IELTS or the TOEFL, and the failure to do so precludes them from working in most English-speaking countries.

GE

[Slippery]

I just watched a news report on the BBC about Philippine nursing students. Now 200, 000 without a job and 80, 000 new graduates adding to that number. Lots of families sold land or buffalo to put the daughter through school as an investment which now won't pay off. USA has practically stopped giving visas and Europe isn't hiring due to economic downturn. Many are just volunteering in Philippine hospitals without pay.

But only a small percentage of the graduates actually pass the licensing exam; something like 20% or less. Then there are the others that never get the funds together for review course and actual course fees. Their degrees however, do open opportunities for unrelated employment such as call centers where many unlicensed nurses work and many call centers pay higher than the actual employment the unlicensed nurses were trained for. Many see the nursing program as a ticket to the west, the land of milk and honey where the streets are paved with gold. Most though, stumble along the way and never get up.

[Member #4351]

I just watched a news report on the BBC about Philippine nursing students. Now 200, 000 without a job and 80, 000 new graduates adding to that number. Lots of families sold land or buffalo to put the daughter through school as an investment which now won't pay off. USA has practically stopped giving visas and Europe isn't hiring due to economic downturn. Many are just volunteering in Philippine hospitals without pay.

[WhatsUrName]

Thanks to McDon, Natty Bumpo, et al for the advice on AC and Pattaya. I recently booked my airline tickets to Manila for a total of 17 full days in-country, and haven't really done much planning beyond my flights to and from the US. I have not been to AC or Pattaya yet, but I think its high time that I go! I guess I am going to have to figure out how to divide my 17 days between Manila, AC, BKK, and Pattaya. I am getting kinda giddy with excitement! .

Like many others have writen I would say you should spend a day or two in manila. ABC is a good choice for AC, if you have the cash and want to party in style with few girls I recomend one of their party suites. Try it even if its for a day. Standard suite, building 2 for me is fine, its like a home away form home LOL.

I did the same thing you are thinking of few weeks ago. Couple of days in Manila, then Boracay (beach holiday. Gf experiance) then AC for couple of days, BKK for a day then Pattaya for 5 nights followed by one last night in BKK. Now when I think about it BKK was just waste of time. Yes the high end stuff is better in BKK (gents clubs + massage parlours) but overall Pattaya has so many options too at a fraction of the price in BKK and lot less time wasting and trafic then BKK.

If you like ABC then maybe you can look up The Penthouse hotel in Pattaya. You will find plenty of info on it and a tread in the Thailand forum. Some people love it some people hate it, its deffinitly a different kind of experiance

For Natty's post:

http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...=1#post1299336

One more thing, this being your first trip, I would try the all major venues of a particular destination you choose. For example, in BKK hit at least 4 Go Go's, at least one oily massage parlor and at least one soapy and see which type of venue and girl works best for you. Ditto for Pattaya; hit at least 5 Walking Street Go Go's, visit some Soi 6 Bars, check out the LK Metro area, and take a walk down Beach Road. AC is pretty much a one horse town (like the wild west). There is basically only girly bars. A hundred or so. Some are large show places others are smaller more intimate places. Fields and Perimeter are the same street. Every bar on Fields is easy walking distance. Take a tuk tuk to the Perimeter bars. RTFF!

[Mc Don]

thanks for the taking the time with those tips Mackin and same to Eddie & Natty for their advise. I have one big trip a year in me and one wants to get it right. Leaving end of October, like to travel on hump months, just before or after high season. Hope I miss the rain. No wingman for only second time. First time was in Buenos Aires when I got stood up at 24th hour, and that went OK.

Booking, LAX to Manila – Manila to BKK – BKK to LAX. Saved up a lot of airline miles and using up 160K of them for 1st Class seats. 18. 5 hrs. Going and 17. 5 hrs. Coming home. Based on RFF and the tips, I think cutting PI down to 4 nights, and just sticking to Angeles City, skip on Subic and than have 10 nights in LOS, split between Pattaya / BKK. Nice to start off speaking English in PI while jet lagged. Would love to get down to Koh Samui, but I think that's too much jumping around, and Pattaya has been on the bucket list. So I knock out 2 places I have never been to including PI.

Spent a lot of time in Brazil in the 2000-2005 era when the dollar went really far. Shacked up from 2005 to 2010 and just hit Costa Rica a few times in the last couple of years. Time for SEA where I think you get the best bang for your buck.

Thinking ABC hotel in Angeles, Grand Millenium in BKK and? As to stay in Pattaya. Hope to have some nice stories / pics on return.

Like many others have writen I would say you should spend a day or two in manila. ABC is a good choice for AC, if you have the cash and want to party in style with few girls I recomend one of their party suites. Try it even if its for a day. Standard suite, building 2 for me is fine, its like a home away form home LOL.

I did the same thing you are thinking of few weeks ago. Couple of days in Manila, then Boracay (beach holiday. Gf experiance) then AC for couple of days, BKK for a day then Pattaya for 5 nights followed by one last night in BKK. Now when I think about it BKK was just waste of time. Yes the high end stuff is better in BKK (gents clubs + massage parlours) but overall Pattaya has so many options too at a fraction of the price in BKK and lot less time wasting and trafic then BKK.

If you like ABC then maybe you can look up The Penthouse hotel in Pattaya. You will find plenty of info on it and a tread in the Thailand forum. Some people love it some people hate it, its deffinitly a different kind of experiance

[Fast Eddie 48]

thanks for the taking the time with those tips Mackin and same to Eddie & Natty for their advise. I have one big trip a year in me and one wants to get it right. Leaving end of October, like to travel on hump months, just before or after high season. Hope I miss the rain. No wingman for only second time. First time was in Buenos Aires when I got stood up at 24th hour, and that went OK.

Booking, LAX to Manila – Manila to BKK – BKK to LAX. Saved up a lot of airline miles and using up 160K of them for 1st Class seats. 18. 5 hrs. Going and 17. 5 hrs. Coming home. Based on RFF and the tips, I think cutting PI down to 4 nights, and just sticking to Angeles City, skip on Subic and than have 10 nights in LOS, split between Pattaya / BKK. Nice to start off speaking English in PI while jet lagged. Would love to get down to Koh Samui, but I think that's too much jumping around, and Pattaya has been on the bucket list. So I knock out 2 places I have never been to including PI.

Spent a lot of time in Brazil in the 2000-2005 era when the dollar went really far. Shacked up from 2005 to 2010 and just hit Costa Rica a few times in the last couple of years. Time for SEA where I think you get the best bang for your buck.

Thinking ABC hotel in Angeles, Grand Millenium in BKK and? As to stay in Pattaya. Hope to have some nice stories / pics on return.

To Solley.

I agree with macklin you should go to Bangkok first and go straight to Pattaya you already been to Bangkok so if you don't like Pattaya you can always spend more time in Bangkok, my last 10 trip to Thailand I spend more time in Pattaya only maybe 1-2 night in Bangkok because of the high cost, flying direct to AC from Bangkok is also a good choice because AC is not for everyone if and you can also go to Manila and spend more time there, I also go to Sao Paulo every yr for business know the high cost there it cost almost as much as Europe now the Real is too strong again the USD but the BHt is also strong so PI is still a good bargin 40 USD for all night GFE at AC cannot beat that.

Fast Eddie 48

[Solley11]

Having been to Subic, Ac and Pattaya and Bangkok I will offer my advise. Remember you can fly from AC to Bangkok as this is very important. Depending on you flight time back to USA would determine the schedule. You want to spend time in Ac. Anywhere from 4 to 6 days. The 7th day you travel Ac to Bangkok. There is a 12:30PM flight to Bangkok arriving around 3; 30 PM if I remember correctly. Then either go directly to Pattaya or bangkopk. This is where the trip home comes in. Your flight will problbly lrave Bangkok arout 6 Am to 8 Am in the morning. If you leave at 6 Am like I do, I would go to Pattaya and then to Bangkok. Easier to catch a cab from BKK to the airport than take the 1 1/2 hour ride at 2 in the morning from Pattaya. For me 3 days in Pattaya is enough at one time. Not all will agree with this. I happen to like the big city as it has more to do so spend the last 4 days in Bangkok. Cost from Pattaya should be around 1200 Baht. Pm me if you want and I will give you more info. I will be in AC late October and headed to BKK after that.

thanks for the taking the time with those tips Mackin and same to Eddie & Natty for their advise. I have one big trip a year in me and one wants to get it right. Leaving end of October, like to travel on hump months, just before or after high season. Hope I miss the rain. No wingman for only second time. First time was in Buenos Aires when I got stood up at 24th hour, and that went OK.

Booking, LAX to Manila – Manila to BKK – BKK to LAX. Saved up a lot of airline miles and using up 160K of them for 1st Class seats. 18. 5 hrs. Going and 17. 5 hrs. Coming home. Based on RFF and the tips, I think cutting PI down to 4 nights, and just sticking to Angeles City, skip on Subic and than have 10 nights in LOS, split between Pattaya / BKK. Nice to start off speaking English in PI while jet lagged. Would love to get down to Koh Samui, but I think that's too much jumping around, and Pattaya has been on the bucket list. So I knock out 2 places I have never been to including PI.

Spent a lot of time in Brazil in the 2000-2005 era when the dollar went really far. Shacked up from 2005 to 2010 and just hit Costa Rica a few times in the last couple of years. Time for SEA where I think you get the best bang for your buck.

Thinking ABC hotel in Angeles, Grand Millenium in BKK and? As to stay in Pattaya. Hope to have some nice stories / pics on return.