My mom is a nutritionist dietitian and she worked abroad for 9 years specifically in Kuwait and Beish Gizan, KSA where I was born. She is a strong willed woman and I've known my mom as a hard worker by nature. She grew up in Cadaruhan, Southern Leyte where her parents are not well off. My grandparents thought her a lot about working hard and she learned about responsibilities at a young age. As a teenager my mom and her two siblings had to walk at least a kilometer from their house to the school just to study. She worked for a while in the Philippines and had an opportunity to apply for abroad. Her friend told my mom that she was going to apply to a government hospital in Saudi and she asked my mom to join her in the process of applying. Luckily my mom was hired and her friend wasn't. My mom is now 63 years old and during her time working abroad is a good way to earn to support her family.

From time to time, my mom would have vacations and she would go back here in the Philippines to see my dad and me. I remembered, when I was a child we had a pretty good urbanized life living in San Pedro, Laguna where I grew up. My mom provided all the things for her family that any ordinary OFW would do when she got back from abroad; like chocolates, family vacations, new betamax, new vhs, new vcd player and vcd's, new sound system, new couch, kitchen wares, etc. and we also had a very nice house. Life was pretty amazing and fun when I was young. Typically, what we had would be somehow similar or perhaps close to the same story of any other OFW. A good life indeed.

Our family is living a good life and when I was young I thought that it would never change, but then I was wrong.

Now as an adult, I've come to KNOW and REALIZE that there are other things I didn't notice when I was young. In the other side of the coin, my mom worked for 9 years in abroad but every damn day she spent in abroad I didn't know before that she "MISSED" us everyday more than I could ever express. As her only SON, she didn't saw me grew up for a couple of years. Plus she didn't know what was happening with our lives from a day to day basis. The price she had to pay for supporting her family. I'm sure if you are reading this and if you are an OFW, you know deep down that "money can't buy the time that had passed". There are a lot of examples that I could say but I believe that this would suffice for you to realize that what I'm saying is TRUE and it's also happening to a lot of people.

The misconception:
Through Facebook and other forms of cyber communication, I've asked some of my friends who are working abroad some questions about working abroad. These questions I asked are only to clarify  some misconceptions of my fellowmen about their loved ones working abroad. I got a couple of honest answers that would let you realize that it's time to THINK DIFFERENTLY.

Here are 3 samples of my general questions I asked to each OFW friends that I know and some honest answers that I got from them:

1.) Is it true that if you're working abroad you are bound to get rich?
- It's said by some people here in the Philippines that if you're working abroad then you are "WELL OFF" and has no problems with money. The answer I got was "NO" plus my OFW friends would say "yes we are earning, but it's NOT EASY to earn here in abroad, you have to work double."
2.) Is it true that our so called friends would expect us to treat them as soon as we get back from abroad since they expect that you have much money earned in abroad? And if we're not going to treat them they would feel bad about it?
- My respondents would say "Indeed, some of our friends would expect that we should treat them". Not all of them but yes it's true. Due to the fact that we didn't saw each other for a long time then we should get together and have a vacation courtesy of the one who came back from abroad.
3.) Is it true that our relatives would expect us to have a family vacation or buy some new things when their OFW relative gets back home?
- The answer is still YES. Why? because they didn't see each other for a long time and we've missed a lot of things and there's a need to catch up on things. Plus my respondents would say "some would ask for NEW shoes, NEW TV, NEW shirts, NEW gadgets, NEW sala sets, etc." (There is nothing wrong about this, but then again, think about it, these activities will undoubtedly take us to the journey of SPENDING a.k.a. EXPENSE. Only a few OFW's would think of INVESTING their money on things that would generate more money to them in the future so that they would no longer need to go back abroad. Like putting up a business, getting bonds, investing in stocks, and any other forms of investments.)

My own thoughts in the matter:

I'm 100% sure that the life of an OFW is nowhere near easy. It's all hard work and sacrifice. But then again if you think really differently and if you would allow me to show you my own perspective you would come to realize that this cycle has been done by those OFW who took the same path before you. Not all of them became successful, most of them earned a lot but lost their money in the process. Why??? Because there's a UNSPOKEN PLAN of this journey that only a few would notice using their VISION. Imagine, let's say you went abroad from the age of 25 and you worked until 40 and then go back to the Philippines for the family you've left. Indeed you have money in your pocket when you got home but please don't forget when you're already back YOU DON'T BRING YOUR JOB TOGETHER WITH YOUR MONEY. You have some choices of activities that would surely DRAIN your hard earned money in the process. And in effect, you would go back abroad to do the same cycle again. Hence, you are now trapped in this race plus the mere fact that you don't have the luxury of BEING TOGETHER with you LOVED ones.

There's also another scenario. Yes, you're working abroad and you miss your family. You have come to realize that what I said above would not be a good option. You now work abroad and since you don't want spending your whole time without your family you will apply for petition. You will get your immediate family and live in abroad. Let me inform you that it's still like living in the Philippines with a little upgrade. Why??? Because you know that the reason why you are working abroad is to earn bigger salary and ones your salary is converted to the home Philippine currency it's value goes up. Now if you do live with you family in abroad that option of converting your salary currency will be gone since you have to SPEND THE SAME CURRENCY in the country you are in. (in tagalog: sa madaling salita pag nasa abroad ka at pinadala mo pera mo sa pinas mas malaki ang value, pero kapag dinala mo ang pamilya mo sa abroad para makasama mo yung currency na gastos mo pareho lang ang value. Dollar ang earn mo dollar din ang gagastosin mo.)

There's another OPTION that I would highly suggest. YOU PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE IT CAN GAIN MORE MONEY. That's what Robert Kiyosaki said. The writer of the world renowned book "rich dad, poor dad". It means to say don't spend but instead invest some of your money for business. Why??? so that you could gain more money. There are a lot of business opportunities that can offer you a small amount of investment but high returns ONLY if you LEARN how to do it but with much more less effort. I have a GREAT OPPORTUNITY that I can share and if you are willing to OPEN your MIND and start to LISTEN to the POSSIBILITIES then you might consider INVESTING a small amount of money. Money can be gained and earned again and again, it's only a piece of paper that has value. But the TIME that you lose with your family that ticks day by day will never be gained back. Time cannot be purchased, it cannot go back, it will not wait, it will pass even if you don't seize the opportunity. 

My GOAL is only to help you realize. The decision is yours to make. If you are interested to know more about HOW I CAN HELP YOU. Please do click HERE and also HERE to know my story. (You can click the other TABS for more information and if you have questions please ask me how).

Success Often Comes To Those Who Dare To Act!
The Future Belongs To Those Who Believe In The Beauty Of Their Dreams!

A great day to all and God Bless! :)

We all know that most people who becomes successful in life are those who are engaged into business. NOT ONLY because of the money. But what exactly do they gain? Number one because they gain the value of TIME in the long run in making their business work. The second thing is that they can make money work for them. The third, is that they can pass their business to the next generation. Unlike jobs, it does exactly the opposite. You earn in proportion to your TIME spent inside the office and sometimes the "overtime" is not even included in the salary. We can't pass our job to the next of keen. And the sad reality, when an employee dies young the income dies as well.

I remember before I started working in the BPO industry one of my friend's invited me to LISTEN (not join but simply listen) about his business. He is Walter Warren Trinidad.  For 1 month he was so pesky and consistent of calling and texting me asking "how am I doing?". Of course I didn't replied nor I didn't pay any attention to him since I thought "I KNOW ALREADY WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS HE WAS IN". Plus the mere fact that I'm not INCLINED to do business since I was raised and thought to have a MINDSET of a regular employee. I literally IGNORED and REJECTED him and suddenly he stopped calling or texting me since I "turn off the phone!". I really had a lot of PERCEPTIONS on what he was doing though I didn't gave him a CHANCE to EXPLAIN. The thought of him presenting his business to me was so unacceptable to me that time because I knew him in college. He looks like a "HANGER" of clothes. Why? he wears a BIG polo and a BIG pants plus the sole of his SHOES was TALKING (i mean the sole of his shoes are open). I knew him too much that I couldn't give him a chance to even explain his business. I thought that he would never be successful based on his looks. Plus the mere fact that I have a job that pays more than a regular government employee during that time, and I thought that I was doing well only to realize that I was only living to survive. At the back of my mind I knew i really needed some sort extra income since I don't even have a "savings". I knew that someday or sooner I would find another greener pasture but my PRIDE clouded my judgement that later I would regret.

Warren and I didn't meet again nor our paths didn't even cross in the roads or highways of Davao City, Philippines. My mom then Invited me to a gathering or a party of one of her business that she opened up a branch in Butuan City. She said it's just a company gathering party for those who have been successful doing the business. I said yes since it was my rest day the day after and I attended the company party. Then again I was shocked by the cars that was parking and not only that I was challenged by those people who came from "ALL WALKS of LIFE" that became successful doing the so called company business. The parade and parking of the cars went on and as the last SUV parked, a Ford Explorer, a guy with a familiar face got off the SUV and at the same time I was inside looking at the BIG screen inside the Davao Convention Center where the event was held. I said to myself in my own thoughts with my heart beat running like a horse "this is not Warren, this is not Warren, no it's not Warren, it doesn't look like Warren, NO it could not be Warren!". Then the host suddenly shouted; "LET'S ALL WELCOME! Mr. Walter Warren Trinidad!!!". My world stopped for at least a minute staring the big screen and I almost cried. I went out of the room and went to the C.R. after a couple of minutes and when I was about to open up the door of the comfort room, Warren opened it from the inside and he immediately recognized me and he said WITH ALL THE SMILE IN THE WORLD; "bro, how are you?" . I simply said; "i'm okay". That day I learned that I should have said "YES" 4 years ago.. I learned that anybody can be successful.. I also learned that ANYTHING is POSSIBLE!

To give you a little background where Warren came from. He is from Lanzona Village, Davao City. He started his journey here in Davao and now currently he resides in Manila to continue his endeavor. Warren went to school in Ateneo De Davao but did not finish his course because of lack of money and he became a tax collector. Nonetheless, these obstacles did not stop Warren from achieving his GOALS in LIFE. Easy for us to say but it's really different when you do understand the gravity of the things he went through. He was walking everyday from downtown Illustre, Davao City to Matina everyday because he didn't have much money for transporation. Even with financial problems, It didn't stop him from taking action to achieve his DREAMS in life. He found an "OPPORTUNITY" that would change his life forever. An opportunity that most of us would REJECT if we don't give time to listen in order to understand. Now, he is on TOP of his SUCCESS and it's still currently going better. 

Walter Warren Trinidad has been featured in Rated-K last May 1, 2011 for his one of a kind success story. He was also able to travel around the world with the free trip incentive that he gained through his business. He now has a total of 9 cars. His 1st car was a 2 door yellow BMW and then a Dodge Durrango, Ford Escape, Toyota BB, Ford Explorer, Porsche, Nissan 350z, Nissan 370z Nismo, Lincoln Navigator. To think that you might say that it's luck, then you are mistaken. To achieve where he is now today, he paid it with his sweat and blood and of course a little monetary investment of 7,450 Philippine pesos. In the process of achieving this things, he was able to help a LOT of people through his business which is Multi-Level Marketing that I too didn't understand as well in the beginning. He earned 26 million in 4 years time and is still going for more. What Warren have accomplished has been totally INSPIRING. He defied the odds and believed in himself and in those people who believed in him. He held on to his vision like a mice running away from a hungry cat. ("BUHAY ang TAYA" - in english translation - "LIFE is his BET"). It's not about the cars nor the money, it's about BELIEVING that things could happen only and if "we are willing to PAY the price". Warren's DREAM are now in reality because of what he truly believes and understands, the beauty of his DREAMS for his entire family elevated from poverty. To make things more AMAZING, Warren is only 28 years old, he was born Nov 13 of 1983. Imagine what he accomplished at his young age compared to those who are "working or worked" for 5, 10, 30 or 40 years in employment. There is nothing wrong about employment, I came from employment as well but then again WHY? It's not the effort, it's the SYSTEM that we follow that gives us the result that should be "questioned". What exactly Warren knows and does?

There is always a difference from HEARING and UNDERSTANDING something. I grabbed the opportunity and took the chance after 4 years. IMAGINE, if I could have just said "YES" in the beginning of Warren's journey, I could have been part of his success. But then again I only HEARD something about his business. In reality, I didn't understand EXACTLY what it is. Now, I understood the VALUE of Multi-Level Marketing and I know now that it's really AMAZING. If you think you are NOT a part of it, you are again mistaken. You are a part of it, in everyday living you are in it, the most riches people in the world understands it, you're just not using it to your OWN advantage.  Yes, there's always the right time for everything but then again I could not deny the fact that it was my choice not to listen to him in the first place. There is still hope, since it's not too late to become the person you always wanted to be. Time is just an illusion of those people who have made excuses in the past and wishing they could have done better. Well, for me the past is the past, what matters most is the PRESENT and what matters greatly is the FUTURE!

For those who can read this true story of mine, I'm sure you want your life to IMPROVE as well, you want a better life, a well deserved future, a life full of abundance and blessings. WE CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN if we only OPEN our MIND to the POSSIBILITIES of making our DREAMS turn into REALITY! I'm now proud to say that I'm part of Warren's business although we are not in the same team. Our company is Unlimited Network of Opportunities International Corporation. a.k.a. UNO. For those who are interested to join or know more about our business please contact me through facebook and click HERE... let's talk BUSINESS! let's talk about SUCCESS! let's talk about your FUTURE! let's talk about CHANGE! let's talk about your DREAMS!

For those who are a PESSIMIST in every thinking way possible and for those who are thinking that they are already SUCCESSFUL through employment ALONE, there is nothing wrong about it and you are entitled to your own opinion and pride. Let me ask you one particular question, "HOW MANY PEOPLE WE'RE YOU ABLE TO HELP TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL LIKE YOU?". Why am I asking this question is because I want to HELP someone to become successful TOGETHER... :)

Success often comes to those who DARE to ACT!:)

Thanks and God Bless!