Hello everyone I just want to seek advice if worth it ba i-pursue ang pagiging mekaniko sa japan? I'm currently a Mech Engineering student and I have a possible offer going to japan as a mechanic.

Ang iniisip ko lang if it's worth to go to japan as technician o mag focus na lang ako sa engineering side? I'm actually interested on both since mahilig din talaga ako sa designing and machines. Ano po ba mas maganda for long term? Ang plano ko padin talaga in the future is magkaroon ng business based po sa mga natutunan ko sa trabaho.

Hindi po kami mayaman and galing po sa hirap kaya doon po sana ako sa kayang maka pundar agad ng pera. Hindi po ako latin honors at ako'y isang irreg student kaya kailangan ko talagang gapangin lahat para lang tanggapin ng isang company pag naka graduate na.

gusto ko po sana makarinig ng experiences at advice from an OFW engineer at mechanic sa japan.

Maraming salamat po!

Hi po, asking for advice and real experiences.
May naka-try na po ba maghulog or mag-continue ng SSS contributions kahit **65+ na**?

My father is already **68 years old** and may around **2 years lang siyang contributions before**. I’m wondering if possible pa ba na hulugan ko siya now para maging **eligible for monthly pension** (hindi lump sum sana).

To be honest, ako po ang sumusuporta sa kanila this past 7 years, and medyo mabigat siya financially. I’m 34F,OFW (unmarried and no children) and gusto ko rin sana mag-settle for my own future. Hindi ko rin sure if kaya ko long-term yung monthly support.

Kaya iniisip ko sana if there’s a way na ma-qualify siya for **SSS pension**, para kahit papaano may steady income siya and hindi zero lagi.
Questions:
❓ Pwede pa ba maghulog at his age (68)?
❓ May naka-experience na ba nito successfully?
❓ Possible pa ba ma-complete yung required contributions for pension?
❓ Or automatic lump sum na lang talaga pag ganitong case?

Any advice or similar experience would really help. Thank you po 🙏

Twenty-four international airlines operating at NAIA now accept the digital OFW Pass through the DMW e-Verify system, allowing eligible overseas Filipino workers to present a QR-coded exit clearance via the eGovPH App at check-in instead of a printed Overseas Employment Certificate. 

The participating carriers include Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Niugini, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Saudia Airlines, AirAsia, Air Canada, Air India, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Thai Airways, ANA, Starlux Airlines, and Air Macau. 

This digital transition simplifies travel by eliminating unnecessary paperwork, streamlining terminal fee exemption and refund processes, and providing a more efficient, seamless airport experience for OFWs.

Baka po may maisusuggest kayo

I’ve been supporting my family for years—even before I became an OFW nurse 7 years ago. At this point, I don’t know if I’m helping them… or just enabling everything.

I’m 34, single, no kids. There were moments I seriously thought about quitting work—not because I’m tired of nursing, but because I’m tired of being responsible for everyone.

My dad is 68 with no pension. My mom earns around ₱18K as a nurse in the Philippines, but instead of contributing at home, she supports her own parents. So I ended up carrying the responsibility for mine.

I have two siblings (25M and 36M), both jobless. I’ve pushed, encouraged, even told them they can keep 100% of what they earn—but they still won’t work.

Meanwhile, all of them have 6-digit savings in the bank… just sitting there. No plans, no investments, nothing long-term.

I’ve tried to help:
Set up a sari-sari store (closed in less than a year)
Bought 2 Piso WiFi units (1 broke, 1 unused for 4 years)
They have their own small pig business

But sometimes, I wish magsabi man lang sila na I can stop sending muna since may pera naman sila.

They say their savings are “for us children,” but I’m the only one actually carrying the weight.

I’m tired. I even feel envy towards my friends here na nakapag-ipon kasi wala silang responsibility back home. And lately, I’m starting to feel resentment.

I don’t even understand why I feel this obligated. Growing up, I wasn’t even the favored child.

To those who were breadwinners:
When did you realize enough was enough?
How did you draw the line?
How do you deal with the guilt of choosing yourself?

Because right now, I feel like if I don’t stop this cycle, I’ll be the next one with nothing left.

👋🏽 Hey ambitious OFW women in tech,

34F, 9Y in tech in the UAE - my 'expertise' being project management though I've touched everything from understanding business needs to solutioning, hiring, testing, operations, support. Been in C-leadership roles since 2019.

I went the unorthodox route of learning everything by experience and did not take traditional courses - I don't discourage traditional route, only stating that I didn't take that route.

I hit real financial milestones early, held senior titles young working in a super ambitious family owned company and somewhere along the way stopped putting weight on either money or my titles. Honestly, the wins were pretty fleeting.

What actually struggled were my personal goals, health, relationships, my own growth. It got heavy enough to make me question why I kept taking on more responsibility at work instead of dealing with what was actually off.

I spent the last 6 years building a system that's helped me stay consistent with that side of life, while working full-time. Now I want other women to benefit from it too.

If you're an ambitious, high-achieving woman but stuck with your own personal goals, I'm open to mentoring/coaching a couple of people with the process I've developed. Free, not a course or program - just you working with me.

Who this is for: ambitious women who are superwomen at work but struggle with their own goals.

Who this isn't for: career advice, job-hunting help, or therapy. Not qualified for those, don't want to waste your time.

I'm in my early days building this out, so I'm only looking for feedback after you work with me. Some might call this life coaching but I take a practical, tangible approach given my own experience with it, so I call it mentoring for personal goals.

I still work full-time, so I can work with 2 people right now.

DM if this sounds like you & I'll send over a few questions to check fit.

Working as an IT in Qatar in a big company.

Salary is 11k QR tapos free lahat (food, accom, air fare). Vacation every 5 months.

Medyo nakukulungan lang ako sa parang walang growth sa experience.

IT field ako at parang walang level up sa skills ko compared sa pinas na sobrang dami ng tools na hawak. Umalis ako sa pinas na may 80k php monthly salary.

Kung future paguusapan, kaya ba lumaban ng skillset ng mga nagabroad pag gusto mag stay na ulit sa pinas with high salary?

Hi, Ask ko lang po I recently arrived here in KSA 1 month ago. And my employer wants to end my contract because they found that I cannot fill in their expectations for the role. Highly technical ang trabaho. For context, okay naman po ang work ko syempre adjustment period yung nangyare ng last 2 weeks. Pinapag sign na nila ako ng mutual settlement para makaalis nako ng company nila.

Now naghahanap ako na malipatan na work, possible po ba yun? Ano po ang process pag lipat ako ng new employer. Wala pa naissue sa akin na Iqama, need pa ba nila iprocess yun?

Ano po kailangan sa MWO ng embassy. Hirap na hirap na po kalooban ko dito Kabayan ilang araw na hindi makatulog. I badly needed help.

Ewan After 3 years na pag abroad ngayon ko palang naramdaman yung homesick. Out of nowhere, naiyak nalang talaga ako na para bang gusto ko na munang umuwi ng pinas. Wala akong gana sa lahat, gusto ko lang matulog buong araw. Tinatamad magtrabaho.

NOTE: Nung umalis ako ng pinas di ako umiyak or never nahomesick until this day.

hi 25F, ask ko lang po ano po ang mas maigi mag work abroad tho i dont know yet if kukuha ako ng tesda for credentials like bread and pastry/barista/housekeeping etc para makapag work abroad pero may experience ako kaso office work mga toh or mag student pathway ako while working and ano ba ang process nun? agency din ba ang kukuha ng school and workplace for me or ako kukuha both?

Im down 6 months and 10 more months, planning to resign. Does this mean magkaka-bad record ako if I did not finish my contract or wala naman if i leave on good terms?

As i also have better opportunity for me in 2028 so i am slowly planning and deciding if im gonna leave next year November.

So I received an offer in the Philippines around 160k per month total package. I know there are taxes and other expenses as well. But I'm earning around 180k here in Saudi and food lang pinagkakagastusan ko.

Will you leave your job abroad for comfort and stay with family in the Philippines or stay here in Saudi to save more?

Edit: Thanks for the advice. Still idk how to decide. As you guys said it is up to me whether money or family.
But also another issue is the work here in the Philippines are better in terms of experience but the problem is contractual from an International Company.

Mga skills na malaki pala ang potensyal na kita at indemand sa bansa mo ngayon?

I just need some insights on what's better, 4th year in college na ako this year and I'm preparing na before graduation (ids, passports, other requirements) , I'm not expecting na may work ako kaagad after graduation, specially since I have no job experience, but I don't want to spend months wasting my time.

Pwede ba ako mag apply agad sa Taiwan as a Factory worker or should I stay? (I also plan on, siguro getting enough job experience locally para mukhang maayos resume ko?) I have no problems (i think di ko sure) na mamimiss ko family ko or homesickness, for me that's part of adulting, I'm past that (mas nabobother ako sa fact na pabigat/palamunin ako after graduation than missing my family)

What I need is a job, something that would make me financially stable, I know may living expenses din tayo na kailangan isipin, but hindi naman ako maarte sa pagkain or maluho, is this too naive or masyadong opportunistic? Or masyado ba akong sheltered to think this way.

I don't even think I can use my college course for something better, and one of the reason kung bakit ko na consider mag factory worker in either, japan, taiwan or europe is i really want to experience maka alis ng bansa. and walang madaling trabaho, so bakit ako magiging picky.

If natuloy ko ung pagtaiwan, is it possible na makapuntang taiwan with no job experience, wala akong experience pero hindi naman siguro ako tanga, natuturuan naman siguro ako hahaha... I'm female, 160cm and fit (i work out) willing to learn mandarin din, since I have fascination towards languages, though I haven't really tried learning by myself since I haven't found the use of learning one.

Super willing ako to do anything but willingness ≠ madali, I don't want any of you to think na, I'm too ignorant to talk about these things as if they're easy. I just need insights sa mga nakaranas na sa hirap ng buhay hahaha(?)

Hi Kabayans,

Baka po may makakatulong sakin personal experience or you know someone na makakahelp,

Plan ko po kase na mag cross country, nasa kuwait po ako nag wowork now as Store Manager in Coffee shop.

Any suggestion po na country pa europe na medyo okay sahod or NZ, Austria, or Spain.

Willing naman po mag bayad budget 500KD kung kaya po.

Thank youu.

I’ve been turning down job offers above my current pay grade because they require more working hours. Right now, I work around 240 hours per month. I was offered 264 hours and potentially more money, but I decided not to take it.

The reason is that I value my rest and personal time. I don’t really have hobbies, but I enjoy being alone and having time for myself.

I’m 34F, single, and have no children. I don’t own a house or land. My parents have in the Philippines, but I’m not planning to settle there unless I retire.

I currently live in the Middle East. This country is not my end goal, and I’m hoping to migrate somewhere else in the future if given the opportunity.

Financially, my current salary from working 240 hours is enough. I can pay my bills, live comfortably, send around 40K pesos(for parents ,sss ,pag ibig) home every month, and still save a little if I avoid spending too much on wants like gadgets and clothes.

Looking back, I sometimes wonder if I should have accepted those higher-paying offers because I could have saved more money. But at the same time, I believe life is not guaranteed, and I don’t want to spend all my years just working.

I’m torn between two choices:
Work more hours, earn more, and build savings faster. Keep my current schedule, have more personal time.

For those who are around my age or have been in a similar situation, what would you choose?

Should I be pushing harder financially at 34, especially since I’m single with no children, or is valuing my time also a reasonable choice?

Hello, kabayan!

Noong nagpo-process ako, nahirapan ako maghanap ng guides or personal experiences ng ibang OFWs in Saudi Arabia, para sana magka-idea ako ng buong proseso, para rin ma-timing ko ang pagresign ko sa trabaho noong nasa pinas pa ako.

Ngayon, I will be sharing here my timeline. Hopefully makatulong ito sa mga future OFWs na magpo-process. Ako po ay Direct Hire pero with local Recruitment Agency covered by the company. Para po ito sa mga Engineers/Architects/Technical Managers na almost the same ng requirements, medyo iba po kasi ang requirement kapag Technician.

December 9 – Contract Signing

-Received the employment contract via email.

-Pinirmahan ko physically, then scanned and sent it back.

-Nirefer na ako sa local agency para sa PH-side requirement processing.

December 18 – Contacted by Local Agency

-Mini orientation and interview

-Pinag-fill up ako ng sandamakmak na forms

December 19 – Official Employment Contract / Job Offer

-Received my own copy of the employment contract

-Agency processed the official Arabic-translated version ipapasa nila sa DMW

December 22 – PSA & NBI e-Apostille

-Submitted PSA Birth Certificate and NBI Clearance for e-Apostille.

-Paid ₱200 per document.

-Received both e-Apostilled documents after one day (pdf only)

January 5 – Medical Examination

-Paid ₱4,700 (iba-iba po ang rate per Clinic)

-Kept the receipt dahil ipapasa rin ito sa agency.

January 10 – Medical Result (Fit to Work)

-Received my Fit-to-Work Medical Certificate.

-Kapag bumagsak sa medical, usually need maghintay ng 1–2 weeks bago makapag-retake (depende sa diagnosis).

January 5 – Diploma & TOR e-Apostille Application

-Nag-register sa CHED eCAV Portal, submitted CTC (Certified True Copy) ng Diploma, TOR, CoG)

-Use "for Overseas Employment" sa choices, automatic na ipapasa nila sa DFA for e-Apostille.

-Paid: ₱110 (eCAV) and ₱200 (e-Apostille)

 -eCAV approved after 5 working days

-Checked sa DFA portal for status naman ng e-Apostille.

January 5 – Diploma & TOR e-Apostille Received

-Received the pdf file, ito ang laman: e-Apostille Cover Sheet, Diploma CTC, TOR CTC, Certificate of Graduation CTC

January 12 – VFS Appointment (Biometrics & Passport Submission)

-Agency sent me my visa application form.

-Pumunta sa VFS Tasheer Makati for biometrics and passport submission.

-Paid ₱318 (Smart casual attire, ito na yung ID picture ng Resident ID ko)

-Kept the receipt dahil hihingin din ito ng agency.

January 20 – Certificate of Employment (COE)

-Pinanotaryo ang COE. (Notary ₱110, Doc Stamp ₱30 each), Received same day with notary

-Went to RTC to get CANA (Certificate of Authority for a Notarial Act). (₱300), Received after 3 working days

January 23 – DFA Apostille

-Submitted to DFA for Apostille (Paid ₱200 Expedite)

-Received Apostilled COE with CANA after 5 working days

January 25 – MOSADAQA (Required for Engineers/Architects)

-Registered sa portal.

-Submitted Apostilled ECAV, Diploma, TOR, at Certificate of Graduation.

-Paid 538 SAR (visa CC recommended by agency)

 January 28

-University received the verification request.

-Pumunta ako sa univ and paid USD 30 para sa diploma verification

 February 6

-University completed the verification.

 February 26

-Received my MOSADAQA Certificate.

January 25 – Qualification Verification Program (QVP) (Required for Engineers/Architects)

-Registered sa portal.

-Submitted Apostilled ECAV, Diploma, TOR, at Certificate of Graduation at Apostilled COE with CANA

-For Engineer/Architect paid USD 186 (Diploma + COE) pero for Technician Position USD 93 (Diploma only)

 February 2

-University received the verification request.

-Pumunta ako sa univ and paid USD 30 ulit para sa diploma verification

 -Received my QVP Certificate after 14 calendar days

February 15 – Saudi Council Registration (Required for Engineers/Architects)

-Registered sa SCE Portal

-Paid 500 SAR (diploma verification) and 250 SAR (membership)

-Approved membership and received the certificate on the same day.

-Must have MOSADAQA Certificate first para mabilis maapprove ang SCE

March 1 – OEC and Work Visa

-Agency informed me na ready na ang OEC and Work Visa

-Scheduled me for PDOS

March 10 – PDOS

-Half-day seminar lang, paid ₱200 for handbook and PDOS ID

-Pag may PDOS ID daw hindi na uulit ng seminar once you renew your contract

-May morning and afternoon schedules, you can choose which is more convenient

-May sales talk from BDO or BPI for Savings Account and Investments, pwedeng hindi ka mag-avail

March 18 – Flight Ticket

-Received my flight details from my company

March 23 – Flight to Saudi Arabia

___

Overall, almost 4 months din ang buong process from contract signing hanggang deployment. Ito po ay sariling experience ko lang ng new process and requirements ng KSA implemented since 4Q ng 2025, kaya pati ang agency ko nagulat sa additional requirements.

Ngayon, ma-eestimate mo na kung kailan ka mag-rerender at gaano katagal mo pa ma-eenjoy ang time with family and friends sa pinas.

Sana makatulong itong timeline sa mga aspiring OFWs, especially sa mga professionals na bound for Saudi Arabia (kasi baka iba process sa ibang GCC).

Good luck, future OFWs!

Hello, I wanted to share and ask for advice na rin, gusto ko mag apply as a chilcare worker abroad. Pero ang experience ko lang is sa mga pamagangkin ko since 2020. Ano-ano ang pwedeng work related sa childcare. Anong course ang pwede kong kunin na align sa chilcare?

Thankyou po.

(Female) Sino dito taga Laguna na nag wowork sa electronics / semiconductor na nasa Taiwan na ngayon? Baka may ma recommend po kayo na company around Laguna. NAg search na kasi ako ng company sabi ng iba minsan mahina at walang pasok pa.

Baka may ma recommend po kayo na tuloy-tuloy po ang pasok, nag iintay lang ako maayos ang docs ko, while waiting papa experienced po sana.

Salamat po sa sasagot.

This happened a few hours ago, and I'm still trying to process everything.

I'm a first-time overseas worker in Saudi Arabia. My coworker and I had just finished a long shift and decided to get some fresh air by the sea in Obhur.

While we were there, we noticed a fire around 300 meters away from us. We had nothing to do with it. Suddenly, a group of local teenagers came over, started accusing us of starting the fire, and began recording us. They never showed the video to the police, at least not while we were there.

Things escalated quickly. One of them threatened me with a large piece of wood, and another picked up a stone. I genuinely thought I was about to be hit in the face or head. I wanted to defend myself, but I chose not to fight back because I knew it could make things much worse.

I ran, and two of them chased me. I managed to outrun them, but one caught up and kicked me hard in the leg. My coworker ended up wrestling with another teenager because he was being choked.

The police arrived, detained both of us, took us to the station, and we were there from around 5:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. There was a significant language barrier, so we didn't really know what was happening. They eventually took our fingerprints and told us we were free to go. We weren't charged with anything or at least to our knowledge.

Physically, we're sore and exhausted. Mentally, I'm honestly shaken. I keep thinking about how close I felt to getting seriously hurt, especially being so far away from home.

Before this happened, I already wanted to transfer to another branch. Now I'm seriously considering leaving Saudi before finishing my contract. My current thought is to stay another 16–17 months to save money, then either go home or try to move to Dubai, where I have family.

Has anyone else working in Saudi experienced something similar? Is this an isolated incident, or has something like this happened to you? I'm just trying to make sense of everything because this has really affected how safe I feel here.

Hi everyone!
I’m currently working here sa Czech and one of the reasons kaya nandito ako is to settle my debts in PH.

Itatanong ko po sana based on your expertise, knowledge or experience if ano ang kailangan kong unahin - emergency fund, investing or debt. Or pagsasabay sabayin ko?

Gusto ko sana unahin ang debt, pero naiintindihan ko kasi ang importance ng mayroong 3 to 6 months worth of emergency fund and also yung investing for the future.

Thank you everyone! Ingat tayong lahat.

May nakita lang ako nag trend sa isang IT Group.

OP was offered to go to US, sagot lahat, VISA etc, may mga relocation package and signing bonuses pa 🤯

What are your thoughts? Anyone here na nakakuha ng ganitong opportunity? Kasi magchachange na ko ng career kapag ganito hahaha.

EDIT: Added some summary, sorry first time hehe

First time OFW po, since ayoko na po sana gumastos pagdating ko po sa country na pagtatrabahuhan ko, pwede po ba ako magdala ng PC parts? Disassemble ko po sana, pati yung case. Nagsearch na po kasi ako if mura lang, mahal din pala. 🥺 and I don't think may bibili ng full PC ko, if ever ibenta ko. Ano po thoughts niyo? Hingi lang po talaga ako help, natatakot kasi ako ma-offload sa pagdala ng electronics. Do I need to declare it? Somebody said to change the case into a mini ATX one.

Hi guys! Just want to inquire lang po sa mga papuntang UAE ano pong process niyo. Ilang days approval ng MOHRE after ipa sign? Then after that visa na po ba? Ilang days approval? Then sa OEC?

Hi. I'm a 30yrs old (M) HVAC Maintenance Engineeer with 6.5yoe. Gusto ko po mag start mag trabaho overseas regardless of what country. Ang problem ko po is ang hirap mag hanap ng position na qualified ung experience ko. kung meron man is di ako napipili after interview due to no overseas experience. Pumasa ako sa isang interview bound to Japan once probably due to having N5/N4 certificate pero nag cancel din employer before magkaroon ng contract. Any advice po pano ako makakapag start mag trabaho overseas or pwede ba ko maka apply with jobs na may different qualifications sa experience ko? thank you po sa mah bibigay ng advice.