Ask any overseas Filipino worker in the UAE about their most humbling experience, and that would probably be related to their journey to landing a job. The story of 22-year-old Lorraine Rotairo is no different.
After finishing a degree in Medical Technology, Lorraine worked in a hospital in Tagaytay City, Cavite as a registered medical technologist. She stayed there for 9 months until an opportunity to fly to Dubai came along.
“Pinakamahirap ‘yung tanggapin na paalis na nga ako at may mga tao akong maiiwan sa Pinas. Kailangan talaga kasi para sa kanila naman lahat ng ito,” Lorraine told The Filipino Times.
When she arrived in Dubai, Lorraine knew she needed to pull herself up from sadness because the time was ticking for her to find a job in the UAE. At that time, her visa was only valid for three months.
Strong-willed, Lorraine braced herself through the scorching heat and walked from one hospital to another to submit her resume. “Sabi ng mga kamag-anak ko dito, kailangan ko maranasan mag walk-in application para ‘more chances of winning’ ako sa paghahanap ng work. Sobrang hirap talaga. Napakainit. Madalas lakad kasi gusto mo ring makatipid sa pamasahe mo dito,” she recalled.
Lorraine also tried online application, but each day that passed by without a call from companies, she felt weak at the knees.
“Bukod sa sobrang init sa paglalakad, yung ibang inapplyan ko hindi na tumawag. Siguro kasi bata pa din ako, nine months pa nga lang ‘yung experience ko noon sa Pinas kaya naiintindihan ko naman pero wala, kailangang lumaban. Submit lang nang submit. Kapag hindi tumawag, nakakapanghina pero move on. Ganun siguro talaga kapag baguhan ka pa, inaaral mo pa pasikot-sikot,” Lorraine said.
In the UAE, medical institutions require applicants to secure a license by passing an examination given by the UAE government. So despite having her license in the Philippines, Lorraine first needed to take the licensure exam in Dubai.
From being a licensed medical technician in the Philippines, Lorraine settled to apply as an assistant nurse in medical facilities. “Nag-door-to-door at nagpapasa ng application ko. ‘Yung ibang in-apply-an ko, feeling ko, tinapon lang yung CV ko. Minsan nakakababa ng pagkatao pero parte yun sa buhay ng isang OFW,” she said.
Her takeaway: “Kailangan mong maging matatag para sa mga pangarap mo lalo na sa purpose mo kung bakit ka nandito. Kailangan maging matatag para sa sarili at para sa mga taong nagmamahal at umaasa sayo. Dahil in the first place, hindi naman pang sarili ko lang ang pinunta ko dito, yun ay ang matupad ang mga pangarap ko para sa mga taong mahal ko.”
Just last month (July), Lorraine was finally accepted as a nursing assistant in a hospital in Dubai. And the new chapter of her journey here as a worker is set to begin next week. The young Filipina hopes that good things are headed her way.
