Rachelle Manzano has been working from home since the pandemic started last March. In her multifaceted roles as coordinator, payroll admin and HR assistant, she continued to perform to the best of her duties but was in shock when she learned that her company was letting her go.
“Sobrang unexpected yon for me. Hindi ako makapagsalita ng ayos habang kausap ko ung HR namin dahil hindi ko na mapigilan ang iyak ko,” recalls Manzano.
Her immediate thoughts were to head back home to the Philippines to be reunited with her family as she was depressed about what happened. But she conquered her self-doubt and held back those thoughts when she decided to persevere and find ways to land a new job.
“Na-depress po ako ng mga ilang weeks, I even lost 6 kg. wala akong ganang kumain at hindi makatulog ng maayos. Until dumating ung birthday ng papa ko and that made me realize how blessed I am na safe pa din ang family ko sa gitna ng pandemyang ito,” said Manzano.
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Opening the next chapter
After receiving the good news that her former employer would keep her visa until December, she then devised several ways and means to make ends meet while she sent out CVs and applied for several jobs in the UAE.
“I continue to pray and surrender everything to the Lord. Dinaan ko sa dasal, walang sawang pagse-send ng CV at pag-a-apply kung saan saan, hanggang sa ma-hire na ako sa bagong kong trabaho,” said Manzano.
She said that she couldn’t even count the number of CVs that she sent out but is thankful that she managed to find a suitable employment that would help her support her family back home.
“I can’t remember na po kung saan ko sya nahanap. Nag ssubmit kase ako sa lahat ng pde kong pagpasahan ng CV, like Facebook, LinkedIn, Bayt, Indeed, Naukrigulf, at mga hiring na sinesend ng mga kakilala ko,” said Manzano.
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Manzano hopes that her fellow OFWs would not lose hope, stating the struggles they face today are only temporary situations.
“Sa mga kapwa ko po OFW, wag po tayong mawalan ng pag asa. Alam ko po hindi madali, pero honestly speaking para po sakin mas mahirap makahanap ng trabaho sa Pilipinas lalo na sitwasyon ngayon. Naniniwala po ako na may magandang plano si Lord para sa atin, kung nahihirapan man tayo ngayon, continue to pray lang po.
She urges fellow Filipinos to do their part by actively seeking out jobs, while praying to help them keep the faith that they too, could soon find employment as the UAE’s economy and businesses continue to open in the coming days.
“Sa lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay natin may dahilan, pwedeng dahil may kailangan tayong matutunan or to make us stronger but one thing is for sure po, may malaking blessing na naghihintay pag nalagpasan natin ang mga pagsubok na kasama si Lord,” said Manzano.
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