I arrived in Qatar from the Philippines five months ago and I could say it was a terribly stressful flight in my entire life. My original visa was actually a tourist visa with only one month validity period. Meaning, if I want to stay longer I should’ve applied for extension and probably exited to Bahrain and then fly back in Qatar (another stressful flight—I thought). Luckily, I was hired as an Accountant in a Trading and Contracting Co. W.L.L. which grant me a working visa with five years validity but renewable every year.
Back to my flight from Manila to Doha, earlier I’ve described it as the most stressful flight of my life. Neither because of the Weather, in fact we had just experienced a very light disturbance up there due to winter nor because of the Airline, in fact the airbus was gigantic and beautiful with comfortable seats, individual monitor right in front of every passenger and friendly staff who from time to time gave us something to drink/eat and were willing to entertain any question.
Sad to say, No—Extremely sad to say that those headache, stomachache, toothache, and all aches including heartache (this one seriously) were courtesy of the Philippine Immigration. My papers were complete and validated yet an adult aged man from the left most booth kept on asking my purpose of travel for 7 times literally, and finally asked me "How much money (referring to Php.)did you bring?". Again, he repeatedly asked me the same question for 12 to 15 times literally. With all my sanity and respect to any aged person, I humbly but firmly answered "Sir, nothing has left because I paid it all off to legitimate fees." Obviously he was irritated with my answer, he then told me to speak with their supposedly Supervisor. (I have already read from an article and heard from a reliable source about the rampant corruption in the said Government Agency but at the moment I was still puzzled.)
While making a few steps towards the Supervisor’s place, my eyes were filled with salty water coming from deep within. It was a mixed-emotion; my heart palpitated worrying about the flight ‘cause was already 5 minutes late, playing in my mind the thought what if the supervisor will sing the same song? knowing that nothing has left really. I thought that if I only have at least Php10, 000.00 then I would willingly give it off just to pursue my flight. I was scared. I was hopeless, I cried silently. I felt like a kid being left alone in the middle of vast land filled with heartless and corrupt individuals with no confidante or friend at all. Suddenly a flashback came across my mind, it was a line from the article. "No matter how you beg, even if you cry blood, if you won’t give them what they want then you will be cancelled, all you have to do is to stay firm and strong." It helped. It helped. It helped. I once again composed myself, I instilled in my mind that I do not owe them even a single centavo. I am a born Filipino, a true Filipino, and will always be a proud Filipino. I have the right to travel wherever I want for as long as I do not hurt anybody and I acquire morally and legally the money I spend to.
I thanked God. The Supervisor did not conform from the description in the article. Well, maybe—at least for that day. Armed with all legitimate and authenticated documents, I was allowed to fly though I was already 20 minutes late. I also thanked those people inside the Immigration who helped me intentionally or unintentionally without seeking something in return; the security personnel who comforted me and gave me something to drink, the Etihad Airways staff esp. a pretty lady who were by my side and kept on calling through the radio informing somebody that I was still in the immigration department, and for the others who prayed for me considering the fact that they did not know me, a total stranger indeed. God bless you all. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. How I wish you will be able to read this.
From that experience, I have learned that there are still pinoys who are willing to help for the sake of being a Good Samaritan. May mga Pilipinong mababait pa rin talaga. Mabuhay po tayong lahat! Carpe Diem…
To the readers: if you have the same experience or if you have something to share, please feel free to email me or simply share on the comments section. It will be appreciated. Thank you.
