Life in Saudi Arabia and Why We Left for Canada

An OFW in Saudi Arabia in 1990

I first went to work in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia when I was 28 yrs old in November 1990 as a Draftsman, stayed there for 3 years while coming home annually for a 30 day vacation. It was tough then as I could not bring my wife to live with me. During that era in Saudi Arabia, only expatriates with managerial positions were given family status privileges.

I was a Draftsman at Al Rashid Abetong when I first came to Riyadh, KSA in 1990. In this photo were my father and a Yemeni security guard. My father came to Riyadh to visit me. He was then working at Saudi Cement Company in Hofuf near Dammam as a carpentry shop foreman since 1978. In 1994, he retired from overseas work to be with the family he missed for 15 years. Eversince, it was his dream to have one of his children living in the U.S.. It was his dream too to see America, a dream that was never fulfilled as he passed away in 1996 at the age of 55.

In the early 90s, Computer Aided Drafting was in its infancy in Saudi Arabia. At Al Rashid Abetong Precast Concrete Company, we used super wide drafting tables with mechanical drafting square or straight edge.

Back to Saudi Arabia in 2006

In November 2006, I came back to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to work as a Design Architect with the Ministry of Defense and Aviation- General Directorate of Military Works. I was 44 then. I was about 40 yrs old when my wife and I have expressed interest in migrating to Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Show money plus enormous processing fees and other expenses have prevented us from migrating as desired. Knowing then that Canada has an age limit of 49 for new immigrants, we thought that me going to Saudi Arabia will be the next best thing to do to save and put up the required funds.

Leaving my family in 2006 was hard as the kids were growing. Nickole was 13, a freshman at Quezon City Science High School while Chiboy was 11, Grade 5 at a Catholic school in Bago-Bantay, QC. My wife was then a Guidance Counselor at UP Diliman.

For 2 years, I lived alone in Riyadh. It was tough as it was lonesome. Those were the years that our kids were in their adolescence and I really did not want to miss those precious years. Those were years that kids go to a different stage of life and I wanted to be with them in that stage.

I was glad though that there was internet to keep the homesickness at bay. My wife and I traded e-mails everyday to keep the distance narrower. 

Two years after, I was granted a family status by the Ministry of Defense and Aviation. In September 2008, I went to the Philippines for a one month vacation and fetched my wife and kids. There could be no happier man than me. At last, I will live again normally with my family and never alone. I told myself that we will never be separated again.

With my family in 2008

On October 4, 2008, my wife and two kids travelled overseas with me for the first time. Our then 15 year old daughter was in her 3rd year high school and our 13 year old son in his freshman year. They were so excited especially my wife who has been aching of experiencing an international flight. She said, "Sa wakas, natupad din ang pangarap ko." (At last, my dream was fulfilled.)  It was almost a 10 hour journey, a tiresome but enjoyable one. We thanked GOD that we were one again as a family, physically.

It was a whole new world for my family. For the first time in their lives, my wife and daughter have to wear an "abaya", the black outer clothing customarily worn by Arab women. In Saudi Arabia, all the women wear black in public.

It was in October 2008 when they arrived in Riyadh thus the weather was beginning to cool down.

My family have to adjust to the Saudi culture and it was difficult for them having been accustomed to travelling alone or by themselves riding jeepneys, buses, taxis, and tricycles. Suddenly, they became very dependent on me when going to and fro schools and all the places in the city. They could not travel alone as it was dangerous for them. Taxi drivers are not the kindest people you'll meet in Riyadh. In our first month, we rented a car at a car rental company for SR (Saudi Riyals) 60 per day. Then we got a brand new Toyota Yaris on a monthly amortization.

Gasoline was so cheap at SR 0.45/ liter for an unleaded gasoline with 91 octane rating but I chose to load a 95 octane gasoline for SR 0.60/ liter. At a constant exchange rate of SR 3.75 per US dollar, I was like loading a $ 0.16/ liter of premium gas. Now, compare that to a $ 1.38/ liter of 87 octane gasoline here in Vancouver and you'll surely miss Saudi Arabia. No wonder that gas guzzling V8 engines are but ordinary in Saudi roads and highways. You can drive no end and not worry about gas consumption. Literally, bottled drinking water in Saudi Arabia is more expensive than gasoline even at the present and it is no joke.

King Saud University for Women

My wife worked at King Saud University for Women as an English teacher for 4 years, a job she really misses. Salaries in Saudi Arabia are tax-free thus we receive our monthly wages without deductions. (It's probably what she really misses. Ha! Ha! Ha!)

It was an everyday routine. I took her to the university in the morning and picked her up in the afternoon at around 3:30. Luckily, my daily work hours at the ministry was from 7:30am - 3:15pm.

This is a very memorable spot in Olaysha District where I used to park for a few minutes at around 3:30pm everyday while waiting for my wife's phone call, a signal that she's ready to be picked up. On the right is one of KSU's school buildings. KSU for Women has a large parking area to the right after the second garbage bin. Also everyday, Bangladeshis or Indians on bicycles pass me by. If I will draw this scene and make an artwork, I will surely include them.

Khurais Road corner Dabab Street along King Fahad Medical Complex.

Riyadh Driving

Driving in Riyadh could be a nightmarish experience for a newcomer. Saudi Arabia, at one time, was reported to have the highest fatality rate incurred in traffic accidents in the world. Drivers in general, both Saudis and expats, do not use signal lights when changing lanes. Hardly would you see one. Saudi drivers can cut your lane left and right as much as they want. It is as if they own the road and that expat drivers are obligated to give way 24 hours a day. I do hope that the day will come that driving in Saudi Arabia will improve. Life is too short to be shortened any further by disrespectful drivers. I must state that not all Saudis drive carelessly. There are exceptions to this somehow.

There is also a general impression among expats: Never ever get involved in car collisions or traffic altercations with Saudis. Even if you are right, there is a big probability of you being wrong. The reasoning Saudis give since time immemorial is: "If you did not come to Saudi Arabia, then I could have not collided with you." To the thousands of Pinoy drivers still there, just be very careful. Wala kayong kapana-panalo sa banggaan dyan (You may end up losers). Just play it safe. The trouble is confounded when Saudi traffic police who barely know a little English or none at all respond to the crash site. The poor expat who can't speak Arabic to explain what happened may end up being the guilty party. So drive defensively and anticipate lane-cutting by some thrill-seeking Saudi drivers.

Another dangerous practice of Saudi drivers is making  U-turns while cutting the lanes of other drivers. They do this at intersections. When the traffic light goes green, the Saudi driver who is on the 3rd and rightmost lane will make a very wide U-turn, cutting the lanes of the drivers on his left. This of course has a very high probability of resulting in collisions. Why they do this disrespect to other drivers is still a puzzle to me up to this day. I can't understand it. Ego trip? Unlike in the Philippines where traffic police are almost in all major intersections, it is not the same in Saudi Arabia.

Tailgating at very high speeds, at 120 kph or higher, is another deadly practice by Saudi drivers. They usually do this in the highways. If you are cruising at a maximum speed of 120 kph on the fast lane, better stay in the middle lane. Saudis in their SUVs or pick-up trucks will suddenly appear behind your tail if you are on the fast lane, just half a meter away from your bumper, with headlights flashing. No wonder that casualties are very high on Saudi roads. You see wrecked cars at crashed sites crumpled like paper. These tailgaters probably believe that they have 9 lives to live. You don't see tailgaters here in Canada.

Why am I narrating these things? Because here in Canada, it is the exact opposite. ROAD COURTESY is a way of life here. Canadian drivers have high respect for each other and more so with pedestrians. Here, driving is indeed safe and is a pleasure. That is why after passing the immigration at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh when we exited last year, I literally jumped for joy. I was thankful that after four years of driving the streets of Riyadh, I was still whole, still complete with my limbs intact.

My apology to Saudi drivers if what I have stated above have somewhat offended you. I was there and I experienced it firsthand. I'm just reporting what I have experienced driving in Riyadh streets for four years. If only Saudi drivers can co-exist with expat drivers harmoniously, then driving in Saudi Arabia can also be a pleasure, just like here in Canada.

Family Activities in Riyadh
As what many Pinoy expatriates jokingly say, you've got only three family activities in Riyadh: Red Sand, Batha, or the malls. Here are photos of my family with friends in Riyadh.

 Red Sand
It is not actually red but more of an orange brown. Every Pinoy who lived in Riyadh must have gone here at some point in time. These ATBs or all-terrain bikes are for rent for a minimum of 30 minutes. About an hour drive from the city, Red Sand is popular during winter or the cooler months from October to February. Temperature during summer could reach 60 degrees Celsius.

 A Camel Farm in the Desert
Most families and friends explore the desert in the cooler months of October to February as temperatures go down to as low as 5 degrees Celsius. Out there in the desert, you see and endless hue of beige fading into the horizon. There were hardly no trees, just bushes where camels feed.

There are white, brown, and black camels. But according to Saudis, the brown ones are the most expensive. Considered as man's best friend in the desert, they are a very versatile animal that can withstand desert heat. The hump on its back, from what I heard, is where camels store water that supply their needs in the scorching heat of the desert. Did you know that there is a camel festival in Saudi Arabia where the most beautiful camel is sought and awarded?
 

 Adobo atbp.
Where Kabayans are, there adobo is. A salu-salo at the desert is eagerly awaited where the best adobong manok could be shared. Kabayans travel in groups when exploring the desert for safety reasons. We never go out alone. Only the most adventurous do that. 

Dining in Riyadh
In the oven hot months from April to September, we avoid going to the desert. We do other family activities like malling and dining in restaurants. Do you know that in Saudi Arabia, restaurants are divided into two areas? One side is for the male singles or bachelors while the other side is for women and families. There is a law in Saudi Arabia that prohibits the mixing of opposite sexes in public who are not related by blood. If I will dine in a restaurant alone, I will go to the bachelor's section. But if I'll dine with my wife or family, I'll go to the family section.

Celebrating a special occasion at NAJD Village Arabic Restaurant.

At a Korean restaurant, a Pinoy chef toasts an egg to the air that made us admire his culinary skills in awe. In this dining room, it was only me and my family who were there, separated by dividing walls.

This was at DAMPA Pinoy Restaurant. A delectable kare- kare and mixed seafoods were ready to be devoured.

Notice the partitions separating us from other families.







 

Villa Thai Restaurant along Oruba Street in Riyadh (towards Diplomatic Quarters). This was taken in the summer of 2012, one or two months before we exited Riyadh for the Philippines.

                               SPORTS Activities
With basketball-minded Pinoys in our company at the Ministry of Defense and Aviation clamoring for a basketball league, I spearheaded a basketball tournament as Over-all Chairman for two consecutive years. Where in the Philippines sports activities like this are natural family affairs with our wives and children in attendance, it was not the case in Riyadh. The women have to be segregated from the men, and in the later stages of the tournament, almost discouraged to watch the games for fear of reprimand by the religious police popularly known as the Mutawah. Again, Saudi law prohibits opposite sexes who are not related from mixing in public. Nevertheless, without our wives or girlfriends to others to cheer us on, we were able to continue and finish the tournamnents until the championships.

With my boss, Lt.Col./Engr. Nader al Otaibi, Head of Engineering Section of the Ministry of Defense and Aviation- General Directorate of Military Works. Here, he was delivering his inspirational speech to his basketball- crazy men, Pinoy Architects and Engineers. We may not be as tall as the Americans who invented the game but we sure share the same passion.
Thank you Sir for gracing this affair.
 



                                                                           Our wives were there to lend us support, but from a distance because they could not go near us. They have to be segregated from us, otherwise the Mutawah or religious police will swoop down on us and order us to stop our tournament.

Taking the Oath of Sportsmanship at Al Yamama Basketball Court in Riyadh in November 2010.

The Architectural Branch basketball team with GDMW Big Boss, Brig. Gen./Engr. Thalib Al Goblan (center), Engg. Section Head Lt.Col./Engr. Nader Al Otaibi, and Liason Officer Mohammad Awad, the good-natured Sudanese with a Filipino heart.

Electrical Branch basketball team. The eventual champion of this tournament.

Mechanical Branch basketball team.

Al Yamama Maintenance basketball team.

Civil/ Structural/ Specs/ MTO Branches combined basketball team.

 United Architects of the Phils.- Riyadh Chapter 
Aside from my job as a Design Architect for the Ministry of Defense and Aviation,  I was also involved with a Filipino architects' organization, the United Architects of the Philippines- Riyadh Chapter.  This is an integrated and accredited professional organization of architects recognized by the Republic of the Philippines with chapters in the Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada. Prior to joining the UAP, I was a member (and still a member) of the Philippine Institute of Architects. Much of our time in UAP Riyadh Chapter is spent almost every Friday for 7 to 8 months each year in preparing, teaching, mentoring, and helping fellow Kababayans who are aiming to take the SPLBE or Special Professional Licensure Board Examinations  conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission of the Republic of the Philippines.

Board Exams in Riyadh
 A TRIBUTE TO THE LECTURERS & MENTORS OF UAP RIYADH
 It was sheer dedication and sacrifice for the lecturers and mentors of UAP Riyadh Architectural Review Center. Being OFWs, we've got good-paying jobs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that we can afford to devote some of our time in lecturing and mentoring new aspirants to the profession. We serve for free, pro bono in the legal parlance. I personally served as a lecturer in SPLBE Batches 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. I have seen the efforts of my colleagues in the preparation and actual teaching. There were two former college instructors in our roster of lecturers: Arch. Fred Mariano from TIP-Manila and Arch. Jeric Mangisel from National University. The rest, we were first time instructors teaching our favorite subjects. I taught Architectural Design and Site Planning, Professional Practice, and Green Architecture. In 2009, I taught Freehand Design in the last batch of board exams when freehand drawing was still included. So here are photos for everyone's appreciation. May the next batches of Lecturer-Mentors in UAP Riyadh continue our legacy of selflessness and dedication in mentoring and teaching.

"Sino ang gustong pumasa sa board exam?", ang tanong ko sa reviewees ng Batch 2010. Puwes, STD lang, Sipag, Tiyaga, at Determinasyon. Marami sa kanila ang pumasa. May umulit sa 2011 at pumasa rin. May umulit pa sa 2012 at pumasa na rin. The youngest examinee we had was 23 and the most senior at 62. Never give up. It does'nt matter how many times we fail, but how many times we rise up after each fall that counts.

Lecturers and Mentors pose before the review class. RA 9266 is the Architect's Law. It says that only Registered and Licensed Architects are allowed by law to sign Architectural plans. The problem is when others who are not RLAs sign "our plans", and the Building Officials allow them.

Reviewees for the 2011 board exams take the long mock board exams seriously.

Then reviewee  Gorio Yalung of Pampanga tops some of the mock board exams we give every week. He later passed the board exams and is now Architect Gorio Yalung.

While examinees of Batch 2011 were having their exams in Riyadh in October, mentors from Riyadh and Al Khobar were holed up in a nearby hotel.

Then examinee of Batch 2010 Pistol Pete de la Cruz contemplates (and scratches his head) prior to the exam at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh where the exams were held for two days.

Batch 2010 fills out examination forms prior to the exam.

Filling out forms before the real board exams at the embassy.

The so-called MODA Boys of Batch 2010, my co-employees at the Ministry of Defense and Aviation- Architectural and SPECS-MTO Branches. This is right after Day 1 of the exams.

Arki examinees pose with then UAP Riyadh Chapter President Eldrid Refil.

The examinees in action. Cris Baria of UAP Riyadh's famous Big Brothers (2nd to the left) was all focused on the exam. He is now the "life of the party" at UAP Riyadh review classes, a bonafide Architect.

At the embassy in December 2010, Arki examinees line up for documents and National Building Code- Rules 7 & 8 check by the honorable PRBOA member Arch. Angeline T. Chua Chiaco.

Some of the new Architects of SPLBE Batch 2011. They dreamed, they believed, and they survived the tough board exams. Now, they are Registered and Licensed Architects recognized by the Philippines.

With me are Lecturers and Mentors of UAP Riyadh Review Class of 2011.

Showing before the class two versions of the 2004 National Building Code.

The UAP-MBAP Basketball Team composed of Architects and reviewees in the board exams.

Aspirants to the SPLBE 2011 Architecture Licensure Examination. Marami sa kanila ang Arkitekto na at ang iba naman ay pumasa na noong 2012 board exams. Riyadh has a passing rate of about 40-50%.

Chapter Presidents of the different professional organizations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

On the day of the board exams in 2010 at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, chapter presidents of different professions pose for posterity. 

Many of these reviewees are now Registered and Licensed Architects, having successfully passed the board exams held annually in Riyadh, KSA and other parts of the Middle East.

Batang Pinoy Summer Art Workshop
One of the activities we had at UAP Riyadh was this community service for Pinoy kids in the elementary and high school levels. Architect-Artist mentors devoted 4 weekends in teaching the basics of colored pencil drawing to art-inclined students.

 

Continuing Professional Education Seminars
Being so far away from Manila where CPE Seminars are mostly held, we thought of organizing these seminars among ourselves. UAP Riyadh members volunteer their time and talent in presenting their expertise to the membership. This results in the members' awareness about the latest trends in the architectural profession. 

Delivering my slide presentation on Green Architecture before my colleagues at the United Architects of the Philippines- Riyadh Chapter.

Receiving a plaque of appreciation from UAP-Riyadh with my then 16 year old son Ken Cedrik a.k.a. Chiboy who helped me create my slide presentation.

What a pleasure it was to share what you know to your colleagues. This presentation on Green Architecture and LEED somehow opened the minds of the architects on the latest trend in building design, that of Green Building practices.

About four months after I have presented Green Architecture, I delivered another presentation on Fire Safety Design and Accessibility Law during the election of officers for the new fiscal year.

Accepting the Plaque of Appreciation from UAP Riyadh Immediate Past President, Arch. Eldrid B. Refil. He was assisted by (from L-R) Arch. Asiddin Arabain, VP Clamor Lecitona,VP Nelson Inovejas, and Secretary Darwin Sacay.

From Riyadh to Manila
These Continuing Professional Education seminar was even brought to Manila from Riyadh as part of UAP Riyadh's mentorship program to Architecture graduates and students. In March of 2012, I presented my lectures to the Architecture students of theTechnological Institute of the Philippines in both Manila and Quezon City campuses. This was also my way of giving back to TIP, my Alma Mater.

Presenting my lecture on Fire Safety Design before Architecture students of the Technological Institute of the Philippines- Manila Campus.

A week after, I delivered the same lecture to Arki students of TIP- Quezon City Campus.

With enough time available, I also presented my lecture on Green Architecture.

  
President of UAP Riyadh Chapter
I had the opportunity of leading this organization from 2011- 2012 as its Chapter President. This wonderful experience of serving my colleagues is one of the memories I will forever cherish in my life. To all my colleagues and friends at UAP Riyadh, shukran jazeelan, or thank you very much.

My inaugural speech as chapter president.

Shaking the hand of Sen. "Ping Lacson", gamely played by Ping Lacson look-alike Arch. Bien Valencerina. Everybody had fun of course with Senator Ping supporting R.A. 9266 which is the Architecture Act of 2004. At the Senate, it was the other way around, with Sen. Ping siding with the civil engineers who have filed a Temporary Restraining Order on its implementation.

The 2011 election in March. Para kaming nangangampanya dito. Ha Ha Ha! It was always fun with UAP Riyadh Chapter. L-R: Secretary Darwin Sacay, VP Clamor Lecitona, VP Nelson Inovejas, that's me, Treasurer Rico "Rico J" Joaquin, and Auditor Vio Flores.

Me and my wife with my successor as chapter president, Arch. Nelson Inovejas and wife Remy. There was an affair at the Philippine Embassy that evening.

My last board meeting as UAP Riyadh President. Ganito ang board meetings namin, masarap. Board meetings at Chinese Peking Restaurant in Sulemania will always bring wonderful memories.

When Vice President Jejomar Binay visited Riyadh, KSA. Beside him was Ambassador Ezzedin Tago and former Senator Francisco "Kit" Tatad.

Parang Miting de Avance ng Team PNoy at UNA. Newly elected officers for fiscal year 2012- 2013 raise each other's arms after the election in February 2012.

New members of UAP Riyadh Chapter take their oath.

Newly-sworn members of UAP Riyadh Chapter in February 2012.

Buhay Estudyante sa Riyadh
My daughter NICKOLE studied at the Second Philippine International School (SPIS) from 3rd year to 4th year. She came to Riyadh almost in the middle of the schoolyear having spent her freshman and sophomore years at the Quezon City Science High School.

Nickole is the third girl from the right, all smiles. This was her senior year.

Nickole is in the middle with blue shirt. They came to watch a basketball game of the SPIS Flying Dragons.

Nickole graduates from high school in March 2010. Here, she was receiving her diploma from Prince Abdulrahman Bin Talal bin Abdullaziz bin Saud, patron of the school and brother to the richest Arab, Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdullaziz bin Saud.

This was a happy moment for us and yet sad for Nickole soon left Riyadh and went back to the Philippines to pursue her college studies. 

UP Diliman Sunken Garden

 

Nickole lived with her grandmother while studying at the University of the Philippines- Diliman Campus. She was enrolled at the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy taking up Linguistics.

We really missed our daughter. She was only 16 years old when she lived away from us. We waited til December during Christmas school breaks for us to be together again with our daughter for less than 3 weeks. 

In one of the two Christmases that Nickole spent with us in Riyadh during school breaks.

The Most Memorable Place in Riyadh
 We were the happiest family on earth everytime Nickole goes back to Riyadh during summer and Christmas breaks. Just like any other family man in Saudi Arabia, I was the driver, bodyguard, errand boy, and father rolled into one to my family. In Riyadh, we spent many precious time together as a family in our small Toyota Yaris car driving around the city. In Nickole's last Christmas vacation with us in Riyadh in 2011, her Mom asked her what her most memorable place in Riyadh was. She simply said, "Our car". Asked why, she said, "Because of the laughter we shared together as a family inside our small car". It's also probably because inside the car, we shared jokes that only our family could appreciate, and that inside the car, our attention was all focused on what each of the four of us was saying with no TV or laptops to veer away our attention.

Our 2009 Toyota Yaris: The "most memorable place" in Riyadh according to my daughter.

Nickole celebrated her 18th birthday with us through Skype.

Just like any vacation, it was parting time that was most difficult. Sending our daughter to the airport to be separated again from us really broke our hearts. How her Mom and I wished that we could live together as a family in a country where life will be normal for all of us, where we could work while our kids go to school and see each other everyday.

My son KEN CEDRIK a.k.a. CHIBOY had a very active life in Riyadh from 1st year to 4th year. He studied and graduated at Second Philippine International School. He was into everything a growing young man could do in a society where it was dangerous for young teenage boys and girls to be out on the Riyadh streets alone. To compensate on this, I tagged along and gave him rides to his activities making our relationship closer as father and son. I was his driver, bodyguard, confidante, and photographer.

Chiboy was an off-guard of the SPIS Flying Dragons in his sophomore year.

He was also into Shotokan Karate under the wings of Shihan Tony Plotria and Sensei Egay Lacsa (leftmost in this photo with Chiboy next to him).

 

The students and the Master.

Chiboy also studied the Filipino native martial arts Arnis under Master Tony Plotria at the Powerhouse Gym in Riyadh, KSA.

In March 2012, it was Chiboy's time to graduate.

The boyz of SPIS.

This was taken in March 2012 in Riyadh, a day after I arrived from a month vacation in the Philippines. We already have our Canadian immigrant visas at this time which I got from the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines. We already have our Canadian Dream about to be fulfilled.

Chiboy and his pretty classmates posing for the last time.

Back to the Philippines
Filipino kids in Saudi Arabia either stay with their parents for a maximum of two years or they go back to the Philippines to pursue college education.  If they choose to stay in Saudi Arabia, they will have to enroll in those computer courses offered by either SPIS or IPSR or International Philippine School in Riyadh. Most kids though choose to go back to the Philippines where they could go to colleges or universities of their choice. In Saudi Arabia, non-Saudis cannot pursue their college education in Saudi universities. Nearby countries like Bahrain and United Arab Emirates have colleges that admit children of expatriates. This could be another option but we heard that tuition fees are so high that sending our children to those colleges could be very costly. In the Philippines, college education is a lot cheaper in cost compared to its Middle Eastern counterpart. College education in the Philippines is recognized in the Middle East and many parts of the world. When my daughter enrolled in a Communications program or degree at Simon Fraser University here in Vancouver, some of her units were recognized and credited. She studied Linguistics for two years at the University of the Philippines - Diliman and she was happy that her Communications program now has been reduced to just 70% to finish.
  
Canadian Immigration Consultancy (CIC)
Having this predicament of us parents being away from our children attending college in the Philippines, my wife and I agreed that we might as well try migrating to Canada which in 2011 was open to immigrants ages 21 to 49. The thought of our children living away from us brought us sentimental moments. We wanted our family to be together in a country where my wife and I could work while our teenage kids pursue their college studies. We thought then that if we will continue to stay in Riyadh, we will see each other again for just twice a year, during the Christmas holidays and during summer break. At this point in our lives, we could not afford that. Bitin pa kami (We were still wanting). We wanted to spend more time with our children who are growing fast and who will in due time leave the house to raise their own families. While they are pursuing their college studies, we still want to make memories with them, good memories. Call us sentimental Mom and Dad but we are like that and will always be.
 
We hired the services of Canadian Immigration Consultancy (CIC) based in the Philippines to help us with our application process. We were lucky to be assisted by Miss Jaycel Jane Escobilla- Jahantab who was very friendly and attentive to us. We communicated by e-mail and by long distance calls at times. In December of 2011, we received an email from the Canadian Embassy instructing us to undergo medical examination. We all jumped for joy! Naglulundag sa tuwa! Sigurado na 'to! (This is definite). We submitted all our documents in early August 2011 as required by the Canadian government and were notified by the Canadian Embassy in Makati, Philippines to submit our passports for visa stamping in January 2013. If you'll count how long it took us to have our visa processed, we can say 6 months. The advertisement heralded by CIC is true, visa processing in 6 months. If I were in the Philippines, I could have submitted my family's passports as soon as possible but it took me almost two months before I could go for an emergency vacation. So in March, I submitted our passports to the Canadian Embassy through our agent CIC. Since I was on a one month vacation then with time ticking every day, Miss Jaycel advised me to write a letter to the Canadian Embassy REQUESTING to EXPEDITE the RELEASE of VISAS. I did just that and within three weeks, our visas were out. The Canadian Embassy called me asking me to get our visas. I was riding a bus to Makati that morning when I got the call on my way to a Canadian Immigration sponsored seminar. That made my day! CANADA, here we come !!!

At around 3pm that day when I was scheduled to get our visas from the Canadian Embassy, I was attending the seminar-workshop at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Makati. So I took a break, went to the Canadian Embassy at the RCBC plaza located at the corner of Ayala and Buendia Avenues, and went back to the seminar. This picture was taken therefore at the IOM office in Makati. Tyempung-tyempo na may Candian flag pa. Photography is not allowed at the embassy.

With lovely Miss Jaycel Jane Escobilla- Jahantab at the CIC main office in Paranaque. I heard that Miss Jaycel is now assigned at the SM Megamall Branch. I was showing here our 4 passports with Canadian visas and the Permanent Residence document. That "6 to 12 months processing" is true to us. Thank you Miss Jaycel for helping us fulfill our Canadian Dream.

  Shukran Saudi Arabia, massalam (Thank you Saudi Arabia, goodbye).  Canada, here we come!