Star Teacher

Teacher Marlyn Gerio thought that working overseas would be her ticket to a more comfortable and financially rewarding life. Instead, her life turned into a nightmare.

I never dreamed of going out of our country because the values of frugality, dedication, commitment, and service were very much inculcated in my value system when I was in college at Philippine Normal University (PNU). But life became tougher—my four growing children would soon be in college and I couldn’t stretch my last peso anymore. My classmates and friends encouraged me to try my luck in another country. When I found an ad for teachers in a well-known broadsheet that offered an attractive salary and privileges, I applied via e-mail. It was for a teaching post at IMH Academy (International Music House) in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Although I already doubted some of the e-mails they sent me, I still pursued my application. The director of IMH Academy told me to trust them because we were sisters in Christ.

I went there in January 26, 2009. I arrived in Kuching at 9:30 PM. Surie, one of the school’s staff, picked me up at the airport and brought me to the house where one blind music student and a utility female worker also stayed. The house was old and the roofs leaked whenever it rained. The accommodation was very poor. Since it was the New Year holiday, I just stayed in my room with nothing but my clothes and MYR 81 (around PHP 1,100) in my pocket. They left me with only biscuits and coffee. Nobody checked if I was eating or not. I felt so depressed and pitied myself because I was deprived of basic needs.

My Globe SIM card didn’t work where I was and my cell phone couldn’t accept any other SIM so I couldn’t contact my family. Even if I wasn’t familiar with the area yet, I walked around to check if there was a telephone booth or an Internet café. Sadly, I didn’t find any because the shops were closed for the holiday. My blind housemate must have felt my intense desire to contact my family so she offered her cell phone and laptop so I could call and send e-mails. It didn’t last long though because one of her friends advised her not to lend her personal things to me. I respected her decision because I knew that I was still a stranger to them. From that time on, I already regretted coming to Malaysia. My life became so empty and quiet. I was always left alone in the house without food to eat. By God’s grace, my housemate who was a utility worker cooked for the blind so she shared some food with me, but my body couldn’t accept it. I vomited a lot for almost two weeks.

My first week of immersion in the Junior Learning House was purely observation. Aside from this, I also assisted the teachers in their classes by accompanying the kids to the restroom, mopping the floors after classes, and teaching. I felt so exhausted and deceived. I tried to weigh things and started to count my losses. I computed my salary because the food was quite expensive and they would deduct lots of unexplainable fees. I worried about my children’s expenses because I would only be sending eight to twelve thousand pesos, which I knew would not be enough with my numerous loans and bills. While in the Philippines, I was already receiving more than that.

I requested for my early repatriation because I started getting sick and losing weight because of lack of sleep and loss of appetite. Brenda Png, the staff assigned to International Affairs, told me to just leave on the 28th of February so I could pay for my return ticket plus the advertisement fee. I could not understand why I had to shoulder those costs, but I agreed because I ardently wanted to go home.

I passed on the observation records, comments, suggestions, lesson plans, and other articles about teaching to Mrs. Lee, the director of the school. I thought these were enough to help the teachers improve their instructions. I was so shocked to receive a text message that I needed to work on the 30-week weekly plans of Kinder A, B, and C which is equivalent to 450 lesson plans—or else they would not allow me to leave and force me to stay up to the end of March or April. Mrs. Lee threatened me that if I would not be able to finish the weekly plans, I’d have to deal with their lawyers. They would not even release my passport.

Soon, my health condition worsened. I got high fever, chest pains, and I had difficulty breathing. I asked them to bring me to the nearest hospital but they said they were busy with their church activities. I had to phone my Filipino friend Gloria Rosas to take me to the doctor. The following day, I submitted my medical certificate because I had to rest for two days yet I still continued my work. Brenda told me to go with her to pick up my passport at the immigration. Surprisingly, my passport came out from her own bag and she submitted it to the window for my social visit extension only. I remained calm and composed as if I didn’t care at all but I wanted to pull her hair for their lies. Finally, they gave me my passport and promised to give my airfare on the day I would leave.

On February 27, which was payday, I waited for my air ticket and the remaining salary I would receive but Brenda told me that I would not receive anything. I was so devastated. I immediately packed my things and requested my Filipino friend Gloria to let me stay in their house temporarily until my money arrived from the Philippines. I dreaded the school administrators so much because I never imagined they were that bad. I pleaded with them to give me even half of my remuneration but they were so stern. They promised heaven but they gave me HELL. I left the house even though they insisted that I stay. Since I was already determined to go home, I never gave them a chance to plan nasty things like putting drugs in my things, which was the case of a Filipina there, who was framed and caught carrying a bag with drugs.

I sought the help of the labor office in Kuala Lumpur. I e-mailed the Labor Attache there and I admired them for their quick response. I was so blessed that they found time to call me about my condition and safety. I almost lost my sanity in my one month and six day sojourn in Kuching, Malaysia. I salute the OWWA- Pampanga for fetching me at Clark International Airport and bringing me home safely.

I am home now… but those torturous experiences taught me a lot of valuable life lessons. Filipino teachers are world-class indeed. We are not behind our foreign counterparts in intelligence, creativity, and skills in teaching. Our luck doesn’t lie in foreign countries but here in our native land. We have to stay home and enjoy the company of our children no matter how humble our life is. Our pupils will soon make a difference if we guide and teach them properly. Teachers are already secure in their work until they reach their twilight years. Just learn to live frugally and life will be okay. Be still and trust the power of our Almighty God and everything will soon be all right.

Working Abroad

Although these horrors have happened to several of our countrymen, there are also many who have found good jobs in foreign countries. Before accepting any job overseas, follow these steps on the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) website on how to avoid illegal recruitment.

Visit http://www.poea.gov.ph/ for more information on safely finding a job abroad.

1. Do not apply at recruitment agencies not licensed by POEA.
2. Do not deal with licensed agencies without job orders.
3. Do not deal with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency.
4. Do not transact business outside the registered address of the agency. If recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority
5. Do not pay more than the allowed placement fee.  It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs.
6. Do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt.
7. Do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to a Post Office (P.O.) Box, and to enclose payment for processing of papers.
8. Do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment.
9. Do not accept a tourist visa.
10. Do not deal with fixers.