The greatest blessing in Qatar

Got so busy the past few months!  Sorry I wasn't able to update this blog...

Blessings are pouring!  It's not raining silver and gold.  But the blessings I got is my FAMILY!!!!

After 10 months working here, I went home for an annual leave then my husband came back with me.  After a year, our three kids followed and another baby boy joined the family 4th of November 2014 in Doha, Qatar.

The TIP is... Keep Dreaming.. Never STOP!!!  Keep believing...  Keep the FAITH!!!

As I arrive in Doha: Tips from Personal Experience

I arrived in Doha at 10 or 11pm...  Most overseas workers for HMC arrives at that time.  (my personal observation)  The next day was National Holiday (December 18)  so rest day for me and the rest of the gang (batch mates)...

The next working day, we went to HR to sign and get some documents.  Instructions were given where we must go..   First, I went to the Department to give a document to my Supervisor and have him sign it.  My Supervisor introduced me to our Director, Secretary and some of the Staffs present.  I was then told to come back the next day for work because he knew I need to finish some paper works.  (Please keep a copy of what he signed, you will return it to HR and use it to get a Uniform, if you're ID is not yet available)  Since QNB-Bank is already in Hamad General Hospital where I am assigned, I went there first (with a document/letter from HR for an account for Salary)  to get an account for my Salary.  Then I went (walked) to the finance office (since before it's just in front of the OPD Dept.  but now it's in Barwa) to get my Salary Advance (I got it the next day).  Immigration Office is just behind it, so I walked to the immigration Office to submit my Passport, pics, and the visa copy I received from Universal Staffing.  They asked me to write my Qatar mobile number to the sticker they provided.  (So make sure you get a Qtel or Voda sim for you to be contacted for finger printing - I received a sms/text after almost 2 months :) for finger printing....  It is needed for the Q-ID.)   I then went to the OPD Department to register and get a card for my Medical Examination at the Staff Clinic.  The Health Staff Clinic is in the Athlete's Village just across Hamad General Hospital.  As you get to the Staff Clinic, they will receive your card and schedule your Medical Exam....  That's all for the first day.. I went home to rest....

You can also go home and rest... or get a Uniform at the Laundry Area at the back of Cafeteria... Make sure it's not beyond 12 pm because they will no longer entertain you after that hour :)  As for me, I got it the next day.

Medical Exam:  As soon as you finish your Medical Exam at the Staff Clinic, you will be instructed to go to the X-ray Dept for X-ray.  Don't expect much.. You will only be given a schedule for your X-ray Exam if that would be in Hamad General Hospital.

Salary:  Make sure you don't spend much because the first salary will be received after 1 1/2 to 2 months.  Salary Advance is about QAR2000.  As you receive your salary, you will receive the TRansport allowance with it and the Baggage allowance, and furniture allowance too.  The amount will depend on your salary grade level.  Make sure that you return the beddings provided to the Housing Department after you sign the contract so that the Housing Department can arrange the documents and make a request to the Finance Department for your Furniture allowance.  So I suggest you bring your own blanket if you don't want to purchase here.  It cost a lot and you will need a blanket because all accomodations have centralized aircondition.

Food and Transport:  Food and transport is free for the first 3 days.  After that you are on your own.  If you work in Al Wakra, you have a bus service.  If you will be assigned in Al khor the accomodation is within that area also.  If you will be assigned anywhere else, you can get a transport service for QAR300 per month.  Al Jabber or Euro Transport Service and many more...  What's good about this is they can take you anywhere you want to go.  However, they scheduled their shopping times also...

Contract:  You will sign as soon as you arrive but you need to sign the contract with the signature of the Director after your Medical Exam.  It took me more than a month before I signed that's why the salary was too delayed.   After a week or two of signing, I received an SMS from the immigration for the finger printing.  (Save QAR100 for the fingerprinting, it's the fee for the resident visa)

Hope these helped...

Funny Experience in Doha

Can you see the difference?

Building 7

Building 8

Buildings are so much alike in Athlete's Village.  It was used in the 15th Asian Olympic Games at Doha in 2006.  Now it is used as nursing hostels where female HMC workers live.

I was really tired on my first day of work.  I'm thinking of my work adjustment and how to contact my family back home.

Tuloy tuloy ako sa building.  I pressed fifth floor sa elevator.   Nagtataka ako bakit yung isang door sa hallway hindi gumagalaw.  Kasi parang may nagbubukas ng isang door basta naglalakad ako sa hallway towards the flat (unit).  This time tahimik.  Nung sinususi ko na ang door,  I'm wondering why it won't fit.  Tapos nakita ko behind the door 7 ang start ng number. "Ay nasa 7th floor pala ako."  I went back to the elevator and each time I press 5, the door will open.  Sabi ko, "minumulto yata ako."  I went to 4th floor and try to look at the number of the doors...  7 din ang start... Then it snapped me!  "Nasa ibang building ako!!!!"  "Haaaay!!!"  Pasimple akong lumabas ng building na iyon at pumunta sa aking unit... Hahahaha Grabe nakakahiya talaga....  And you know yung door na gumagalaw sa hallway????  Nagmamadali akong buksan ang door namin kasi nag e echo ang tunog ng gumagalaw na door sa hallway... hahahaha...  When my flatmate came... She said, she realized gumagalaw nga ang door... Ang ginawa niya, binigla nyang buksan ang pinto.. Makita na ang makita.. hahahaha...   Kaya pala gumagalaw ang door... Hangin iyon dahil mga ventilating machines ang nandoon... hahahaha

Sa pag aabroad.. Kapag hindi ka pumunta sa English speaking country, don't expect that your english will improve.  Because the more correct your english is..  the more you will not be understood... Trust me...  This time, nakaka-out of place kapag tama ang english.  Isa pa, dapat ipakita na although filipinas are sweet and loving eh strong willed tayo.  Do not be terrorized and bullied by anyone.  Umiiyak nga yung isang kasama ko (foreigner) kasi inuutusan siyang magsinungaling ng senior na kasama niya.  Haay naku...  umpisa pa lang ang mga ito.. marami pa... :)

Arrival at Doha

iPark, Corniche, Doha, Qatar

At the Airport, a HMC transport took us to our housing (Medical City-Athlete's Village) for the female.  The males have their housing outside the Medical City.  I and the others signed documents and received our keys.  We were then brought to the cafeteria to get our dinner.  We are entitled for free meals for three days only.  Fortunately, the next day was rest day because it's the National Day (Holiday) in Qatar. 

 The next day,  we reported to HR to submit required documents (as instructed by the Universal Staffing).  we were given different papers to submit to different departments.  After HR, here are what I did:  I reported to my Supervisor and met some of the staff.  I went to the bank (I did it first since it is nearer) to open an account for my salary ( a letter from the HR is already prepared).  I went to the finance (for the salary advance - I got it the next day).  Then I proceeded to the Immigration which is just behind Finance Dept. Building.  I submitted the photocopy of my Visa (the Visa Copy from Universal Staffing not the sticker in the passport).  I went back to the OPD dept to register for the Medical Examination at the Medical Staff Clinic.  Then I rode a shuttle to go to the Staff Clinic where I was given a schedule for a Medical Exam.  The next day was work orientation.  Not much work.  First three months is training.  In my department, there are few filipinos and they are not in my area.  Mind set must be clear.  "I am here to work no matter how hard and lonely being far from home may be.."

Food after Medical Exam - 6 large test tubes of blood were taken from me :(

Things better to bring (expensive in Doha):

1. Toiletries (Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo (sachet for a few days), Soap (safeguard), lotion (small)
2. Slippers
3. Clothes (for winter (Jackets, Socks etc) and summer - walang ukay dito hehehe; mura pa rin sa pinas)
4. Towels, face towels
5. Combs
6. Ponds, Eskinol (facial wash)
7. Sinigang mix, magic sarap, ginisa mix (if you plan to cook)

"Please note that Filipino products are expensive here!"

Internet access:  At airport, hospitals, malls, iPark Corniche.  At home you can get a post paid internet connection through Qtel or Vodafone.  Qtel will require a Q-ID which will take time to be received.

Journey to Qatar Part II

After the long wait, I reported to Universal Staffing to pay for the Insurances and get my ticket.  HMC will cover everything except for the Paramount Insurance, Philhealth, OWWA, etc.  The fee is still minimal compared to other agencies asking for placement fees.

The challenging part is leaving the family behind.   But with the great hope of a better future, I must be brave to go and do as I should.  Work in Doha, and in the future, get my family and be happy together in Doha, Qatar.

Via Gulf Air, I traveled with some people also hired by HMC.  While waiting for my flight at the Manila International Airport, Terminal I, Gate 3, someone approached me.  To my surprise, he was my classmate in highschool about 18 years ago.  Funny!  But we rode on the same plane.  He was going to Saudi Arabia and me...  going to Qatar.

At the plane, I have mixed emotions.  I am worried with my family at the same time I'm a little nervous of what lies ahead of me in Doha, as a first timer-OFW.  At the plane, I watched movies (so many) at the TOUCH SCREEN monitor.  The first movie I watched is Happy Feet 2.  I also watched Rush Hour 2, Every Breath You Take (Piolo and Angelica), Glee Series.  The rest room is at the middle.  Water is served every now and then or upon request.  There's a blanket and pillow provided and an earphone too for watching movies or listening to music.  At the monitor one can also see where the plane's location is.  I also played games at that monitor because I'm really getting bored and I don't want to think too much of home because I don't want bulgy eyes as I report to my Supervisor... :)  A satisfying lunch is also served. A snack was served too.    

There's a 2 hour stop over at Bahrain.  We met another HMC Staff who will be working with the others I'm with.  There are two more we haven't met.

At Bahrain, where we stop for 2 hours (with other HMC Staff)

At Doha Airport, passports were checked.  I realized that I should have brought dollar instead of peso because the money changer in Doha Airport won't change my peso to Qatar Riyal.  All of those I'm with were able to buy a Qtel Sim except me.  Luckily, the next day the husband of my flat mate came and brought us to Landmark.  A moneychanger there changed my peso to riyal.  I bought a sim and was able to contact my family to tell them I'm safe and fine.


Click here for the my TIPS from my Personal Experience in Doha for HMC Staff

How to go to: Sta Rita Medical and Diagnostic Center

Sta Rita Medical and Diagnostic Center is located at 1705-B Dian cor Finlandia Sts,, Brgy. San Isidro, Makati.


Coming from Edsa, alight at Buendia MRT Station then take a bus ride (LRT Leveriza).  Alight at Dian Stop Light.  Landmark:  Mercury Drug Store (Sta Rita Medical and Diagnostic Center is across the road with a blue sign board, no need to ride a pedicab)

Coming from LRT/Manila, alight at Gil Puyat LRT Station then take a bus ride (LRT Leveriza).  Alight at Dian Stop Light.  Landmark:  Mercury Drug Store (Sta Rita Medical and Diagnostic Center is across the road with a blue sign board, no need to ride a pedicab)

Tip:  Don't forget to bring 2x2 pic and the referral form from the agency.

How to go to: Universal Staffing Services

Universal Staffing Services is located at 5477 Boyle St. Palanan, Makati, Philippines.

Coming from Edsa, alight at Buendia MRT Station then take a bus ride (LRT Leveriza).  Alight at Filmore Stop Light.  Take a pedicab (pay P20) then ask the pedicab driver to take you to Unistaff (Boyle St).

Coming from LRT/Manila, alight at Gil Puyat LRT Station then take a bus ride (LRT Leveriza).  Alight at Filmore Stop Light.  Take a pedicab (pay P20) then ask the pedicab driver to take you to Unistaff (Boyle St).