What things do Filipinos usually spend on during holidays?
With up to 6 days of long holidays and possible the longest that the private sector would experience this year, Filipinos are now preparing and thinking ahead as to how they’re going to maximize that time out of work as the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close to celebrate the Eid Al Fitr holidays.
The Filipino Times asked several Pinoy expats what their plans are for Eid, as well as their thoughts on a hypothetical question as to how they’re going to spend their money if they had either a limited budget of Dh 100 or perhaps an extra budget of Dh 1000.
The 100 dirham challenge
Even with the holidays, Filipinos still think of practical expenditures when it comes to handling their cash. In the case of Mike Siapno, a make-up artist who’s been in the UAE for 9 years, he shares that he’d rather spend the amount on grocery needs. “If I have 100 dirhams budget to spend for the entire Eid Holiday I will spend this in Fish Market & grocery because 100 dirhams is my entire allowance for my food for a month,” said Siapno.
Wilbert Cantor, a marketing executive for more than 9 years in the country wishes to escape work and visit the UAE’s landmarks on a budget to fulfill his travel checklist: “I will spend this 100 dirhams in visiting some of the new places to visit in Dubai like Dubai Frame, I never visited that place or maybe I want to have a selfie at Dubai Water Canal while on a ferry ride. I think it costs 50 AED only.
Jon “Papa Jon” Cleofas who wears many hats in his four years of stay in the country, just wishes to sit back, relax and chill with his band: “Go to an open beach with my band, chill and maybe shoot a music video during the sunset. Simply cool as that!” Meanwhile, Kristoffer Ian Mangaban who’s working as an HSEQ Engineer – Specialist for around seven years said that he’ll spend it on his hobby: “I’ll buy food or Elixir guitar strings or Fender Strap,”
Perhaps many OFWs will share the sentiment of Abdulhamid Bandon who has been working for 11 years in the UAE and at present is an FOH Training Coordinator, as he plans to spread out the money towards several things, with family as his top priority. “Honestly, it has been almost 3 years that didn’t go home due to financial reasons. So for Dh 100 I’ll spend the Dh 50 to call my family as the Eid is one of the most important celebrations especially for us Filipino-Muslims. My entire family is based in the province where there is no internet connection so calling them on that special day will be a big, big blessing for me.
“The remaining 50 AED ill spend it with my room mates as my second family to go along Rigga road and enjoy tsai (tea karak) with Paratha , it maybe be simple but what matters most is the bonding,” said Bandon.
Splurging with 1000 dirhams
Cantor wishes to fulfill his wanderlust plans and hopes to visit Oman and enjoy a Desert Safari experience if ever given an extra budget: “If I have this amount, I think I want to try visiting Oman for a tour. I’ve seen the fb posts of my friends and former workmates who have visited some places in Oman with beautiful natural sceneries. I want also to try desert safari, one thing that I never tried in my 9 years existence in the UAE, it’s quite funny, but it’s true!”
Mangaban on the other hand, plans to spend it on a well-deserved gift for himself as he pursues his hobby. “I’ll buy a Taylor GS Mini-e KOA electric acoustic guitar,” shares Mangaban.
Cleofas, however, only has his loved ones in mind and is ready to send it all back home: “I will automatically send this full amount to my family (home). True OFW be like!”
This sentiment was shared by Bandon who, while sending only part of the amount will be finding ways to fulfill his happiness here in the UAE together with friends as well. “I will send Dh 500 home to the Philippines for them to celebrate Eid as well. Eid is a big, big celebration for us Muslims. Since I am very far from my family, I’ll spend Dh 100 out of the 1000 to call them as there is no internet connection in our province – talking to them on the phone relieves so much of my stress.
For the remaining Dh 400, I will spend together with my friends for a fun day out – dining and heading to the beach along Mamzar or La Mer to unwind and relax!,” shares Bandon.
Siapno, meanwhile, plans to spend the entire Dh 1000 on jewelries that he believes would be a great investment that for him will always have value: “I will spend it (Dh 1000) for buying jewelry because jewelry is one of my investments, rather than buying something that isn’t as important.
What are your plans?
Hypothetical questions aside, these Filipinos all gravitate towards the idea of having fun and getting some well-deserved rest. Ideas included sleeping, watching movies, food trips and more!
Here are their ideas:
“I plan to go back on playing music with my band, PlayDo,” said Cleofas.
“I plan to play a gig during the holidays and enjoy afood trip with cousins & friends. Maybe I’ll also watch a movie during the break! It’s all thanks to the UAE that we get to enjoy this break!,” shares Mangaban.
“I will have my first day to rest and to spend my whole day with my family and friends in the Philippines through video call and messaging in any social media platforms. The remaining days will be spent with my friends who always support me and share their valuable time volunteering in our events in our hospital. I have offered them a small gathering in a hotel for me to show my respect and gratitude to their unconditional love and support,” said Cantor.
“My simple plan for this coming Eid is to get some well-deserved rest and to go out with friends,” shares Siapno.
“The big celebration I will do as I don’t have family in here is to wake up early, head to the nearest mosque and pray along with my brothers in Islam and thank Allah for all the blessings I have received up to this day,” shares Bandon.
With the UAE offering many things to enjoy and so many blessings to be thankful for, the Eid al Fitr holidays present an opportunity for Filipinos and expats of other nationalities to be filled with gratitude and happiness as the whole country celebrates the spirit of tolerance after a month of sacrifice and good will for everyone.
