My LBC Kuwait Experience

My father, who is an OFW for more than 20 years has used almost all of the known Balikbayan Box couriers around the Middle East. But never had he experienced using LBC to send our boxes back home in the Philippines. When I had the chance to try it out, I wasn't hesitant but was feeling very pleased and grateful since I've used LBC's local services when I was still in Manila. But this time, we are sending it internationally.

When I first received my balikbayan box, rather, a Balikbayan Drum as I prefer to call it, it somehow reminded me of our water drums back home. It was big, thick and definitely heavy. As I checked every corner and tried to even knock to hear any sound or vibration, I knew that it was made of solid plastic and it was definitely tough to break! Oh, it only costs 13 KD.

This is how it was exactly delivered to us.

Top cover with steel lock.. and a key hole area if you want to put a padlock in.

The steel lock when opened.

Inside of the drum..quite deep and sturdy! Will definitely fit a lot of things in there!

But putting all of our goods to be sent home was another story since you need to have longer arms (I'm 5 foot and 3 inches in height) to put everything in. Thankfully my fiance was there to help arrange everything. It took us half a day to finish everything in but when we're about to lock it, lo and behold we forgot the key!

This is how it looked like while inside the house..ready for packing!

Our goodies inside the drum. Not yet final though since we're checking how it would all fit in.

My father, who just came and asked if we're done checked the drum and all our contents. He then told us that LBC's key hole needs a longer kind of padlock since the size of the hole is smaller than the usual. This, I must say, was kind of tricky. For two days we were searching all of Salmiya's hard ware stores to find that lock and we found one that cost 1.5 KD that can fit it.

The padlock that we found that is suitable for the drum's key hole

All set and ready for delivery!

Once we're done, we called our contact person Mr. Rian Jay Bañaga and have all the delivery services settled. Once the pick up date came, we were surprised to know that it only costs 25 KD for Sea cargo rate for our area in Bulacan. Honestly, the rate was just right since I think our 1 drum's total weight is equivalent to 2 ordinary balikbayan boxes (cartons) already! Plus, you can still reuse it to put it your water especially for areas in the Philippines that needs water drums for keeping.

Our Balikbayan Drum arrived safely! Photo taken by my Aunt. Sorry for the pixelized image.

The LBC seal is all tight

All in all our experience was pretty good! Add the fact that it arrived at exactly 55 days since we last sent it on Sept 8 and it arrived safely this Nov 2! All sealed and tight! No damage. So what are you waiting for? Trust the name, you definitely won't regret it!

For more information about LBC EXPRESS KUWAIT and their products, you can check their official Facebook Page. You can also visit their office located at Shop 28 Basement 1,2,3 Block 13 Fahad Al Salem Street in Al Salhiya, Kuwait City or you can call +965 22200428 or +965 99616522.

PinayDiaspora Got Featured!

I have been blogging for more than a year now but I never really expected that PinayDiaspora will get noticed! I have received the good news last October 1st when one of the admins of InterNations.org contacted me that they want this blog in their Features area for Kuwait. InterNations.org by the way is a Germany-based website catering to the needs of Expats all over the world. Of course, I was thrilled with the news beyond belief! This has been the very first time that anyone contacted me about PinayDiaspora. After only a few days, the featured page has been released on their site! Click the link to see the blogger behind PinayDiaspora for the first time lol

                                                          PinayDiaspora Got Featured Link!

It's also interesting to say that they have given me their awesome badge of excellence too. The little badge (image above) not only serves as a link between PinayDiaspora and InterNations but as well as a reminder that I, as the blogger, must strive harder to maintain it. Another challenge, I should say. So goodluck with me then. :)

Guro for a Day

Hindi ko lubos maisip na hahantong ako sa panahon kung saan maghahanap ako ng ibang mapaglilibangan. Buti na lamang at hindi pa nglalaro sa aking isipan na umuwi na ng Pilipinas. Siguro dahil na rin sa mapalad ako na makasama ang aking mga magulang, mga kamag-anak sa lugar na ito at isang napakagandang komunidad ng mga kapwa ko Pinoy na ang hangarin ay makpaglingkod sa Diyos. Dahil likas sa akin ang pagiging mausisa, pinatulan ko ang isang imbitasyon na nakapag mulat sa aking isipan sa sitwasyon ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansang ito at sa mga Pilipinang walang ibang magawa kundi ang mag sakripisyo alang-alang sa ikagiginhawa ng kalagayan ng kanilang mga naiwan.

Sa Pilipinas, may ekspiryensya na ako bilang isang guro noong mga panahon na ako ay naghahanda para sa serbisyong sibil na pagsusulit. Doon ko unang naranansan makipaghalubilo sa mga banyaga na akala mo kung umasta ay sila ang may-ari ng mundo. Oo at ipinanganak sila na maykaya sa buhay kung ihambing sa mayorya ng ating populasyon ngunit pasalamat lang sila dahil hindi nila nararanasan maghirap. Ngunit sa kabila ng aking pakikipagtalo at pagtataas ng dangal bilang isang Pilipino sa pagpapakita ng ating kagalingan, wari ko'y mas napapansin pa din ng mga dayuhang ito ang mga di kanai-nais na ginagawa ng iba. Nakakalungkot isipin ngunit paano mo nga naman ipapaunawa sa iba na mataas ang dangal ng mga Pilipino kung ang karamihan na naturingan tapos ng Kolehiyo ay walang reklamo sa pagtanggap ng kakarampot na sahod (30 pesos bawat oras) para sa serbisyong mag-turo ng salitang Ingles sa mga dayuhang pilipit ang dila at mas nakakalungkot isipin na ang ibang mga kababaihan ay kusang-loob na binibigay ang kanilang mga sarili sa maling akala na sila ay pananagutan at maaahon sa kahirapan. Mayroon din namang sinuswerte ngunit mas marami pa din ang talo sa bandang huli. Ngunit kung ano ang nakita ko sa Pilipinas ay mas masaklap pala sa bansang ito.

Noong nakalipas na Miyerkules nag-umpisa ang aking munting eksperimento. Inakala ko noong una na kakayanin ko ang munting pagsubok na ito, ngunit hindi pala. Likas ang kalakasan ng aking kalooban sa kahit na anong makabagong pangyayari ngunit hindi ko minithi na ganun ang aking sasapitin.

Aminado ako tinanggap ko ang trabaho na maliit lamang ang aking kikitain dahil para sa akin part-time ito. Ngunit kung iisipin, halos lahat ng nakilala ko na ng tatrabaho doon ay iyon lamang ang kanilang pinagkakakitaan. Kung sa pamantayan ng kabuhayan dito, kulang na kulang iyon sa pangtustos sa araw-araw. Maluwag ang iskedyul ko sa araw na iyon kaya bago mag alas-siyete ng umaga ay naihatid na ako sa munting Nursery. Doon ko nakita kung gaano kabusisi ang mga empleyado sa pagtanggap ng mga bata. Ang Nursery na pinasukan ko sa araw na iyon ay para lamang sa mga anak ng mga lokal na Arabo. Isa-isa nila sinisigurado na walang galos o sakit ang mga ito bago tanggapin sa pamamagitan ng isang hand-held thermometer scanner. Kung sa Pilipinas ihahambing, walang-wala ang pamamaraan na ito.

Habang ako ay nagmamasid, napansin ko na sa bawat batang inihahatid, puro Tatay nila ang kanilang mga kasama. Bibihira akong makakita na kanilang Nanay ang nghahatid. Sa isip siguro dahil madaming gawaing-bahay ang mga Nanay ng bata ngunit sa aking munting obserbasyon, mas magiliw at natural na malambing ang mga Tatay sa kanilang mga anak mapa-lalaki man o babae kung ihahambing sa mga Nanay. May pito o walong Nanay akong napansin na walang ka-amor iwan ang kanilang mga anak na wari ko'y parang mas masaya sila na hindi na nila kasama ang kanilang mga anak. Napagtanto ko din na tama ang aking hinuha ng makakwentuhan ko ang mga kababayan na ngtatrabaho doon.

Doon nalaman ko na dalawa pala kaming baguhan sa araw na iyon. Ako at isang Araba na kung manamit ay tila gigimik sa taas ng kanyang takong at napakakapal na make-up. Pagkatapos ako kausapin ng isang arabang superbisor at itagubilin sakin ang aking magiging klase gaya ng kung sino ang aking makakasama, ikinagalak ko na isang Pinay ang makakatulong ko sa araw na iyon na nangangalang Marlyn. Sa aming pagpapakilala nalaman ko na dati siyang nangamuhan kagaya ng karamihan sa lugar na iyon. Mabait lang daw talaga ang may-aring Arabo na siya ay tanggapin kahit ang bisa na hawak nya ay walang karapatan na magtrabaho sa ganoon na lugar. Ang responsibilidad na sa tingin ko ay madali ay aking ikinabigla ng iharap sa akin ang mga bata na aking tuturuan sa araw na iyon. Kung sa Pilipinas, sa tutorial o nursery man hindi aabot sa sampung bata ang hahawakan mo ngunit sa araw na iyon dalawamput-tatlo ang mga batang aking pangangalagaan.

Bago pa man mag-umpisa ang klase, binanggit na sa akin kung ano-ano ang mga alituntunin na dapat kong tandaan: kung ilan ang kanilang aralin sa araw na iyon, oras ng kanilang pagkain at kung papaano mo sila pakitutunguhan. Noong una mukha lamang madali ang mga binanggit ng aking kasamahan ngunit ng lumipas na ang ilang oras, para bang unti-unti akong nauupos sa aking kinatatayuan. Kabilin-bilinan na dapat ang pamamaraan ng pakikipag-usap ko sa mga bata ay sa salitang Ingles ngunit nakatatawang isipin na kahit anong bigkas ko ng lenguwaheng ito ni hindi ako maintindihan ng mga bata. Buti na lamang at kahit papaano ay may natatandaan na akong mga salitang Arabo at dahil doon ngkaroon kami ng mga bata ng pagkakaintindihan. Likas na bibo at makukulit ang mga batang hinawakan ko at tila nasanay na sila ay sindakin o sigawan, basta huwag lamang pisikal na masasaktan ang bata para lamang mapasunod. Hindi umepekto ang pamamaraan ko na paamuuiin sila dahil ang naging kataga ni Marlyn, iba ang kulturang kinagisnan ng mga batang ito. Nasambit nya din na dapat ako ay maging mas maingat dahil sa oras na magalusan ni katiting sa kahit na anong pamamaraan ang mga batang ito, direktang mababawasan ng mahigit dalawang-libong piso kada galos ang guro na ngbabantay sa araw na iyon at dali-daling kakasuhan ng eskuwelahan. Doon ako nakaramdam ng habag tungo sa mga bata at sa madayang patakaran sa lugar na iyon ngunit ano nga ba ang aking magagawa kundi ang ipagpagpatuloy ang araw na iyon.

Lumipas ang mga oras na wari ko'y ang pinakamabagal na pagtakbo ng oras sa aking buhay. Sa halos anim na oras kong pamamalagi doon, ni hindi kami nabigyan ng kaunting panahon upang makapag-tanghalian. Ni makainom nga ng tubig ay ipinagbabawal sa loob o kahit sa labas ng silid aralan ngunit ikinagulat ko ng makita ko iyong Araba na kasabay ko matanggap ay walang pakundangan ang pagkain sa loob ng kanyang silid-aralan at ng siya'y makita ng superbisor ay nginitian lamang ito ngunit pinagalitan at sinigawan iyong isang kababayan na umiinom lamang ng tubig na dali-daling ng tatakbo habang umiiyak. Ng aking ipahayag ang di makatarungang pangyayari na aking nakita, umiling lamang ang aking kasamahan at tila ba natuwa sa aking walang kabatiran sabay sabing "Araba kasi yan, ganun talaga." Sa kanyang naisambit para bagang siya na mismo ang nagsasabi na iba talaga ang pamamalakad dito ngunit dahil sa matinding pangangailangan walang magagawa ang mga kababayan sa lugar na iyon.

Nang dumating ang oras ng pagtatapos ng klase, lahat ng mga bata na ngaantay sa kani-kanilang mga sundo ay inilagak sa isang malaking silid kasama lahat ng kani-kanilang guro. Doon ko napagtanto kung gaano kadami ang mga bata at kababayan na manggagawa doon. Ngunit ng makita ko iyong kasabayan ko na Arabang guro pumasok sa katabing silid na wari'y may nagaganap na pagpupulong, at ipinahayag sa akin na iyon ay para pag-usapan ang mga susunod na alituntunin, itinanong ko kung bakit hindi kasama ang kalahatan ng mga guro, nasambit lamang sa akin na ang mga Arabo lamang ang may karapatan na makisali sa pagpupulong na iyon dahil ang tingin pa rin pa pala ng mga Arabong ito sa mga gurong Pilipino o Indyan sa luga na iyon ay para lamang katulong na taga-alaga ng mga bata. Doon ako parang nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa aking kinatatayuan. Pakiramdam ko lalo akong nahabag sa mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho. Ngunit imbes na negatibong reaksyon ang inaasahan ko na marinig kay Marlyn dahil sa aking naitanong, umiling lamang siya at wari pilit na ako'y ngitian.

Habang nakisabay naman ako sa ibang mga Pilipinang guro sa pag-aantay ng masasakyang bus pabalik sa aking tirahan, anim na beses kaming hinintuhan ng iba't-ibang pribadong sasakyan sabay alok ng libreng sakay. Kung tutuusin dapat susunduin ako ng aking mga magulang sa araw na iyon ngunit ng may makausap ako na Pilipinang sumasakay ng bus pauwi, pilit kong kinumbinsi ang aking Ama na ako ay payagan dahil para sa akin parte ito ng aking eksperimento sa araw na iyon. Ngunit hindi ko inaasahan ng bumaba ang isang Arabo sa kanyang sasakyan habang pinapaalis siya ng isa kong nakasama na bihasa sa salitang arabo ngunit hindi ko lubos maisip ang sumunod na nangyari. Ako ay medyo nagulat dahil habang pilit siyang ng sasalita ng ingles at unti-unting lumapit sa aming kinauupuan, dali-daling itinutok ng isa kong kasamahan ang dala nyang mahabang payong sa Arabo bilang pananggala hanggang sa ito ay lumisan. Sa aking kagalakan, biglang tumawag ang aking Ama upang alamin kung ako ay nakasakay na ngunit imbes na ipagpilitan ko na ako ay sasakay ng bus, sinabi ko na sunduin na lamang nila ako. Nakatutuwang isipin na ni hindi pa ulit humagip sa isipan ko na mgtagal sa ganoong lugar o ipilit ang kagustuhan ko na maranasan sumakay ng bus sa bansang ito.

Awitawanan sa Kuwait 2011

It was amazing how for the past four months, two wonderful shows was brought to Kuwait showcasing great Filipino talents! This may have been due to the enormous support the Filipinos here showed during the FIFA Qualifying games last July or that somehow the entertainment producers back home thought Kuwait is a new ground for International shows. Whatever the reason maybe, the fact that local Filipino artists consider this country now as a good place to put on a show, amidst certain restrictions, is such an awesome breath of fresh air.

Awitawanan sa Kuwait 2011 was made possible by Western Union and Zain in cooperation with Vio Drinking Water, Red Bull and Dunkin Donut. The event was organized for Western Union's loyal customers wherein a single admission ticket is worth 2 remittance transaction receipts which was held at the Arraya Ballroom of the Marriott Courtyard at Sharq. It lasted for almost 3 hours - with awesome performances by lady comedienne Giselle Sanchez, new prince of R&B Kris Lawrence and the main event performer, comedian Allan K.

Tickets! Thanks again Tita Julie

Inside the Arraya Ballroom

Sponsors. No I'm not advertising them but I couldn't be more happy to see when I saw Jollibee's banner! Yes it's true.....Jollibee will be opening its very first store here (again) by the 1st week of December of this year! YAY!

Sissy Sisters? They did the intro act, lucky for them. I forgot their name but they're okay.

Giselle Sanchez with a couple of local Pinoy back up dancers.

Donning one of her outrageous comedy acts with a Pinoy expat participant.

"A Star in a Million Season 2" contender Kris Lawrence swooning the audience with Bruno Mar's hit "Billionaire". Never thought he was that good on stage!

Singing his famous OPM hit - "Kung Malaya Lang Ako". Does the telerserye "Sa Piling Mo" ring a bell? It's a Juday-Piolo tandem. Unfortunately I haven't seen that show but the song was rather familiar, must the FM radios playing it.

Eat Bulaga's one and only - Allan K!

Rendering a soulful ballad for the audience

Obviously donning his famous act -- COMEDY!

The show was awesomely done, having a great combination of two cool comedians and one soulful singer. I hope Allan K would do more shows here in the future. Will definitely be watching out for that! :)

More of Marina Beach

Since it was getting a bit more cooler at night here after the "Ber" month came, we thought it's the best time to hit the beach again though instead of going for a swim we opted to go and try to catch some fish.

Dad and Mom ready for some fishin'

Marina Beach

Dad with a couple of stray cats following him on the dock

But even after more than 2 hours of waiting, we only caught 2 pieces of small catfish so we just decided to throw them back to the sea. -_-

Seaside Kuwait

On a Sunday afternoon before going to the Holy Family Cathedral Parish for the 6:30PM mass....

Harry Potter's Last Battle

Since it's first book release in June 1997 and the first movie release in November 2001, the Harry Potter series and its author had gone a long way from unknown to phenomenal world wide. The name has been infamous, even been dubbed as the greatest of movie franchise of all time. For years, I have followed the craze and as the last part of the movie is coming to theaters a few weeks from now, I'm feeling a mixed emotion of thrill and sadness.



My friend, Allison, introduced me to the wonderful world of Harry Potter during my freshmen year at the University. Since then, we regularly awaited for the release of its books and movies. When I went to Macau which at the same time was the release of the last Harry Potter book, I roamed the streets of Taipa and traded my last Pataca in order to have the book - my first Bloomsbury edition. I was so thrilled it only took me almost 3 hours of constant reading just to finish the book.

Now exactly four years after that, it was funny to note that I'll be seeing the last part of the movie, not in my home country, but here in Kuwait. Checking the local movie theaters, I was glad to find out they even offer a Harry Potter movie marathon that would start today, July 4 for 1.5 KD at all Cinescape cinemas (360 Mall and The Avenues) while the much awaited movie will be shown on July 12 - the exact same date that it'll be released in the UK!

 
Finally, the countdown starts for one of the much-awaited movies of the year!

Philippine Azkals Vs Kuwait Al-Azraq

After a 5-1 aggregate score between the Philippine Azkals VS the Sri Lankan Brave Reds, the Philippine national football team's next set of games will be against Kuwait's Al Azraq for the continuance of the World Cup qualifiers. The first leg will be on July 23, 2011 at Hawally, Kuwait and the second match will be on July 28, 2011 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines.

This game that the Azkals won against the Brave Reds was the first time the team technically took a step closer to qualify for the football World Cup. But as they grow closer to their goal of playing in Brasil for the 2014 games, the Azkals' challenge seemed to be getting more complicated as days go by. This time, they have to face one of the strongest football teams of the Middle East - the Kuwait Al-Azraq.

Both teams have a FIFA rank of more than #100 with the Azkals in #159 and Al-Azraq in #102. Now even if the Azkals would ultimately look like underdogs in this upcoming match, they might as well try to do their best to beat out their opponent or else it's just another shameful addition to their long history of failed attempts to qualify for the World Cup and a huge disappointed to the million of fans that were supporting them.

As an Azkal supporter, this is just too thrilling to watch. So definitely I'll be in Hawally to see the match even if it's on a Saturday. Hopefully the game will be set after 3 PM!

Go Azkals!

 
To watch the game check this info:
When: Saturday, July 23
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Where: Mohammad Al Hamad Stadium, Qadsia, Kuwait
Tickets: Available at the entrance or at the Kuwait Football Association Hedquarters in Adiliya between Kazma (former FILBACK gym) & Adiliya Jamiya (1KD, 2KD, 3KD)

Sandstorm in Kuwait

They said sandstorms, dust devils or dust storms would occur if the weather's changing, but technically speaking they arise when a strong wind would blow loose dirt and sand from any dry land area. According to some sites I've read about this country, these kind of natural very much unlikely occurrence happens every time the weather is going to change. Interesting information for someone who grew up in a tropical isle who only experienced tropical storms, floods, earthquakes, El Niño, and La Niña. Whatever the cause is, I'd probably like to get soaked in the rain rather than get covered up with dust.

View from our Flat (Before)

After only 5 Minutes

Even with occurring mild force of nature, we decided to hit the Grocery store (Carrefour) at South Surra and along the way, the dust storm was pretty obvious.

Front of 360 Mall at 6th Ring Road, South Surra, Al Zahra'a Area

Outside Kuwait Scientific Center

The Scientific Center of Kuwait, located in Salmiya, Kuwait

I am a fond of going to museums, planetariums, galleries, aquariums or any place where I can feed my mind. So it was really nice to see that Kuwait has its own Scientific Center which houses a vast collection of marine species. Unfortunately we weren't able to go inside that day sue to some event so instead we just hang around outside the area to check on the huge boat displays that were now held as artifacts of this Arab state's once rich fishing and pearl diving industry.

Fateh El-Kheir. A water sailing boat.

Description of the boat

Oy! It's a VIVA building. (It's a new mobile server here which I use myself)

The seaside lined up with tons of Date Palm trees which would always remind me that I'm in this part of the planet

Great place for jogging as well