People thought I was getting well-paid for doing these, but I did the following things without pay:
Designed websites for humanitarian causes
Wrote articles for news & magazines
Became resource speaker
Hosted a radio program
Acting on a TV series
Created content for a cause
These are not effortless, huh!
Each one requires a significant amount of time and energy.
I had to spend extra hours day and night. Not to mention consuming resources such as electricity, gears, etc.
And I won’t ask for payment???
Some people didn’t understand why I was “wasting” my time.
All I know, I enjoyed doing them out of passion and desire to help however I could, without expecting anything in return.
If you enjoyed the time you wasted, then it wasn’t wasted time.
While doing those things without pay, I built connections that soon translated into good relationships.
These remarkable people I met became an important part of my journey, as they connected me to countless opportunities I wouldn’t have known had I not met them.
The value of connections
I mean, those connections allowed me to:
Get personal projects
Get paid to write scripts for radio
Get paid for delivering talks in the corporate world
Get paid for guesting on branded TV shows
Get paid for blogging and content creation
Get paid for teaching
Get hired
This proves that when you give without expecting, you open doors to connections that hold immeasurable value.
So if there’s an opportunity for you to use your talents and skills for goodness sake, do it, even for free.
The first transaction I did after installing Taptap Send was to send money to a GCash wallet account in the Philippines.
The process was quick and easy. In a matter of a few taps, the money was received. The app’s real-time notification allows me to track the progress. While the app informs users that it could take a maximum of 2 hours, my transaction was completed in 10 minutes.
Why Taptap Send is among the best options?
Taptap Send is one of the fast-rising money transfer service providers that allows users to send money to many countries without any service fees.
Competitive exchange rates (compared to leading money exchange centers)
Fast and secure
Easy-to-use app
Sends to GCash wallet and many bank accounts
Can pay utility bills in another country
It offers zero-fee transactions and more competitive exchange rates than traditional money exchange centers.
How do I create an account on Taptap Send?
You can set up your account in 3 easy steps:
Download the app from Google Play or the App Store, and install
Create your user profile and login credentials
Upload your passport and provide a face video for verification
After uploading your passport, you are now ready to use the app.
* You will also be asked to provide supporting documents such as utility bills, tenancy contract, etc. These docs will be used to verify your address. You can skip this step if your documents are not available during setup. You can upload these at a later time.
How to use Taptap Send?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to send money using the mobile app:
1. Login securely. You can use the traditional username and password method or Face ID.
2. Enter the amount you wish to send. The currency is preselected based on your last transaction. Taptap Send will show you the converted amount to send based on the day’s exchange rate.
3a. Use my promo code BOYDUBAI to receive an extra AED25 credit added to your recipient.
3b. You’ll see the amount to be added to your transfer based on the day’s exchange rate.
4a. Select a recipient. Your previous recipients are saved. They are shown at the top of your contract list for easier searching.
4b. You can add a new recipient easily by selecting the account type – either bank account, GCash wallet, Maya, or Coins.ph.
5. Review and confirm transaction details. Once you confirm, the money transfer will be initiated. They will receive it in their mobile wallet, GCash, or bank account.
6. Track the transfer status. You’ll receive push notifications in real-time about the progress of your transfer.
Is there a Taptap Send promo code?
Yes. You can use my promo code BOYDUBAI and your recipient will receive an additional amount of AED25.
Years ago, I was offered a very enticing package by a well-known company.
☑️ Big role ☑️ Attractive salary ☑️ Amazing benefits for me and my family ☑️ Big bonuses every year
Definitely a HUGE increase from my income back then. 😲
To many, it’s a no-brainer. But I took my time to weigh the pros and cons of accepting the offer.
The company was big and popular in the region, a leader in many ways. But the working environment in the department I would join was toxic. Work-life balance was nonexistent at all.
If I accepted the offer, yes I might have made extra money, but at the expense of my mental health.
So after praying for guidance to help me make the right decision, I declined the offer, even if that income would’ve been very substantial for us.
I cannot trade my peace of mind for money.
No amount of money could make up for the stress and unhappiness I would face daily.
Working abroad brings a mix of opportunities and challenges, changing people’s mindsets in many ways. For many Filipinos, these experiences teach important lessons about growing as a person, being careful with money, and valuing community and faith.
Here are some key realizations from those who have lived far from home.
You change (in a good way). Living and working with different cultures gives you new and enriching perspectives.
You can’t do it alone. Build real friendships. Join the right community where everyone celebrates each other’s successes. Where the purpose is to grow together; where you won’t be judged for your failures but will help you get back up.
Money is magical. It can be gone in a snap if you’re not mindful of your spending, if you’re not conscious of where you put it – especially in Dubai. Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time (the Bible says so).
Trust few people. You cannot trust all the sob stories you hear. Be discerning. Hindi lang kabayan ang mapagkakatiwalaan. And, hindi din porke’t kabayan, mapagkakatiwalaan.
Never burn bridges. You never know who or what will help you in the future. It’s not worth cutting ties completely.
It’s not all sacrifice. Some thrive working abroad, some don’t. Working away from home can be hard, but working in the Philippines (or your home country) has its own challenges too.
Prayer is your best weapon. No positive thinking or self-help book can replace your relationship with the Lord. When everything seems to be falling apart, prayer provides comfort, enabling you to navigate much wiser through your circumstances.
Peace of mind is more important than piece of money. Any amount of money that takes away your peace of mind is not worth it.
These realizations underline the true essence of working abroad. Being away from our comfort zone oftentimes makes the journey as valuable as the destination.
The scammers had stolen nearly AED 90,000 (Php 1.4 million), leaving her with only 100 dirhams. These were her personal savings from working in Dubai for over a decade.
Irene, a domestic worker, shared her story on The Agenda program on Dubai Eye 103.8 News. Talk. Sport earlier this month, which received an overwhelming response from listeners.
She returned to the radio this week with some good news.
The host, Georgia Tolley, informed Irene that her story had touched many people, with numerous messages coming in during the broadcast.
One listener, who wished to remain anonymous, generously offered AED 10,000 to help Irene get back on her feet.
Irene burst into tears.
Georgia added, “Out there in the community, there are people who really want to support you and everything that you’ve gone through. And there are people that really value the contribution that you make.”
Through her tears, Irene said, “Thank you very much.”
She’s saving everything for her family, supporting even her extended family.
She added, “I’m [the] breadwinner of the family. I’m sending all my nieces and nephews to school. Actually, that money [was meant] for my niece’s exam this month, who is graduating from Nursing. So that’s why I was really saving that money for her.”
The host wrapped up the interview saying, “You’re just the most amazing person, and I’m thankful that through the program we can help you in any way.”
Lebron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are heading a star-studded USA basketball team who will play 2 matches in Abu Dhabi this July as part of the preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Joining the trio are the following NBA superstars:
Anthony Davis
Devin Booker
Anthony Edwards
Joel Embiid
Kawhi Leonard
Jayson Tatum
Jrue Holiday
Tyrese Haliburton
Bam Adebayo
Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors leads the coaching staff, which also includes the Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra, the LA Clipper’s Tyronne Lue, and Gonzaga University’s Mark Few.
The USA also has an NBA legend for its team manager, Grant Hill. He was also an Olympic gold medalist back in 1996.
“We’re grateful we get to go back [to the UAE] and we have two incredible opponents that we’ll play while we’re there, Serbia and Australia, both great teams and great players on those teams,”
Grant Hill, USA’s team manager
The powerhouse squad will play Team Australia on July 15 and Team Serbia on July 17 at Etihad Arena in Yas Island. All games will be played at 8 PM Abu Dhabi time.
The Boomers will also come loaded with NBA stars of their own, led by OKC’s rising star Josh Giddey. Here’s the rest of the potential NBA players to make up the Aussie’s roster:
Joe Ingles
Patty Mills
Matisse Thybulle
Dante Exum
Matthew Dellavedova
Dyson Daniels
Jack White
Xavier Cooks
Team Serbia
Team Serbia is not at all a pushover, being led by NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jovic of the Miami Heat, and Bogdan Bogdanovic of the New York Knicks.
Tickets to the Games
Ticket prices start at AED 85. Here are the available price ranges (in AED):
Seven months to go, and The Eraserheads will regroup to perform in Dubai as part of the Huling El Bimbo World Tour 2024. This will be the third time the iconic Filipino band will hold a reunion show in the Emirates
Also read: I was there at both the first and second reunion concerts in Dubai 10 years ago. I was also in Manila for their first-ever reunion, called The Final Set.
US and Canada World Tour Stops
The Eraserheads will kick off their world tour in Honolulu, Hawaii, on July 6 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Followed by two stops in California, July 12 at The Warfield in San Francisco and July 13 at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Then the band will fly north to Toronto on July 21 to perform at the Great Canadian Casino Resort.
The venue in Dubai will be announced soon.
More cities will also be announced in the coming days.
Another off-the-beaten path we visited during the Eid break is The Camel Farm in the desert. This is the place to have close encounters with these friendly camels for a fairly reasonable cost.
The kids and kids-at-heart also enjoyed interactions with the rabbits, chickens, deer and goats, cows, turkeys, turtles, lovebirds, pigeons, and quails. We even got to pick up some quail eggs in the nest.
We also had an experience of Bedouin hospitality at the tent while enjoying freshly cooked Luqaimat (Emirati donuts) and Arabic coffee and tea after the farm tour.
Opening Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9am-1pm and 3pm-6pm
Ticket Cost
General Admission: AED30
Admission with a Guide and Animal Feeding: AED50
Short Camel Ride (about 2 minutes): AED15
1-hour Desert Camel Ride: AED150
Camel Hugging Therapy: AED30
Kids below 3 years old enter for free. Guests over 60 years old get a 50% discount.
Tailored packages for groups are available upon request.
Booking is recommended. You may visit their website for the WhatsApp booking link (+971 50 485 7676).
You can pay via Careem Pay or bank transfer. Walk-ins can pay cash. They don’t have card payments available.
The kids enjoying their short camel ride
How much time is required to tour the farm?
1.5 hours is enough to do all the above activities (except for desert camel rides).
Where is the Camel Farm located?
The Camel Farm is located inside the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, a sanctuary that is home to thousands of Gazelles, Oryxes, Oubaras, Desert Foxes, and many more beautiful creatures
It is situated along the E77 Road (Expo Road / Lahbab) Northbound, between D63-Al Qudra Road and E66-Al Ain Rd.
According to the website, the turnoff from the highway is located at the Trucks Rest Area exit. Just follow the big UAE flag poles for 2km on a hard sand track until you reach The Camel Farm
We decided to spend one day of this long Eid weekend visiting a farm so the kids could discover how fruits and vegetables are organically produced. And sure indeed they had fun!
We took a one-hour drive from Dubai South to experience how farming happens at Emirates Bio Farm in Al Ain.
According to its website, “Emirates Bio Farm is the UAE’s largest organic farm, specialized in producing certified organic vegetables, fruits, and eggs through the use of sustainable farming practices to provide customers with the freshest organic products within 24 hours of being harvested.“
Riding on a farm train made from steel drum containers, we toured the fields where veggies such as broccoli, carrots, onions, zucchini, marrow, tomatoes, beans, etc. are grown.
There are many picturesque areas, such as the swings by the sunflower fields.
There are various facilities such as the farm shop, an outdoor gazebo, a greenhouse restaurant, and a big playground for kids.
Farm Animals
The kids loved feeding the goats and playing with the chickens, too. These are the only animals they house on the farm.
The Food
There is one restaurant inside called, Farmers Table. As guests would expect, they offer “organic, low-carbon footprint meals that offer a level of freshness not found anywhere else in the UAE.” We can’t argue with that – our eyes could see they grow their food just steps away from the kitchen.
The restaurant provides free and unlimited water and detox water.
Cheese Manakesh (made from goat cheese) is our favorite during our visit
The Shop
Before we left, we bought some freshly harvested greens. It’s not too pricey compared to the organic groceries in the city.
There are also organic fruit and vegetable juices and honey.
Tickets
The number of guests per day is limited.
I suggest booking ahead of your planned day of visit. Entrance is AED40 per person for full-day access, which could be redeemed on fresh produce but on weekdays only, except public holidays.
When you say kids’ party, you’d usually expect venues such as soft play areas, arcades, trampolines, and even outdoor public playgrounds and waterparks.
But when you talk about a typical Filipino birthday party, it’s usually 60% food, 20% mingling, and 20% fun, games, and entertainment.
Many times, it’s 90% food and 10% everything else. It’s festive.
It’s a culture thing. We love to celebrate with family and friends over a good feast.
These days, finding a perfect venue for this kind of party at a reasonable price is rare.
Cedie’s First Birthday Celebration
Our criteria for finding a venue is basic. The place must have the following:
Family-friendly atmosphere
Comfortable seating for adults and children
Lively party games & activities
A screen for us to play videos
Accessible location
Good food
Of course, a reasonable price
This time, we wanted the party to be more intimate. We wanted a venue where guests could hear the story we had shared about God’s goodness in Cedie’s life very well.
After looking around hotel banquets, indoor play areas, restaurants, and even public parks, we’ve found the 70-pax seating capacity of Max’s Restaurant in Karama just right for us.
Let me share a few highlights of the pre-, during, and post-party happenings.
Good Program Flow
The restaurant has a pre-planned program. The host started the party by inviting the guests to rise and dance, setting the energy bar high, and then we as a family walked in from the entrance door to the stage.
Cedie got quite overwhelmed with the sudden rise in energy, but it’s just him being a baby. Not too long after, he got settled (somehow).
Here’s the program they prepared (I added, the song number, Kahoot game, and the testimony part):
Opening prayer
Welcome remarks
Games for kids and adults (while dinner is being served)
Kahoot game (hosted by yours truly)
Dinner continues
Song number from Ate Aya
Another game for adults
Sharing of our Testimony about Cedie’s life
Mascot appearance and kids dance number
Handing loot bags to kids
Wishes and prayers for the celebrant
Photos with guests
Closing
Good Food Service Setup
Here’s the clincher, one of the main reasons why we chose Max’s Restaurant is that they are not a buffet. They serve the food on the table, so the guests don’t have to stand and wait in long lines to get food.
The packages are accurately allotted to the number of guests per table. With that in mind, we created a seating plan to arrange guests who could share the food on a table without animosity.
Also, we’re happy they serve the food while the games are ongoing, so the guests don’t have to have a late dinner.
The food packages are very affordable.
While having dinner, we had an intermission number and another game, and then we shared the testimony about God’s goodness in Cedie’s life.
Lively Host
A lively party host is crucial for maintaining the engagement of the guests. Big thanks to Mike, as his energy and interactive connection with kids and adults ensure a fun-filled atmosphere throughout the night.
Party Decoration
Because we can’t alter the restaurant’s interior that much, allowing us to bring a team for party decoration is a big plus.
We worked with DGSixx Events Management for the decorations. Look how their design has amplified the ambiance—from a typical restaurant into a kids’ party hall.
They came to the venue 3 hours ahead of time to decorate the stage into this.
We were thrilled with the outcome; the design was meticulously planned. They were delightful to work with, especially in accommodating our requests.
In fact, this is the second time we have partnered with them for a party. They also did the decorations for my other son’s birthday party. Just goes to show how much we trust and love their craft and service.
Visit their Facebook page to see more of the services they offer to any kind of party.
Let me know if you’re looking for a venue and a party decoration team. I can share the right contact person at Max’s Restaurant and DGSixx.
Since we live 50 kilometers away, we stayed at the Double Tree Dubai M Square Hotel to make it more convenient for us before, during, and after the party. Didn’t realize there was this cozy hotel in the middle of Bur Dubai.
It’s Not Just Us
We’re blessed that many friends helped us throughout the planning and organizing. On behalf of my wife, thanks to you guys!
Sonny and Mae for shipping the loot bags to Dubai
Oliver and Maria for shipping Cedie’s outfits
Ryan for arranging the collection and delivery of shipments from Manila
Mervin and Vic’s amazing photography and videography services. Thanks to Micah for the recommendation.
Mona for the favors about our hotel stay.
Jovel, Michael, Mike, and Cynthia from Max’s for all the assistance before, during, and after the party.
Julie of DGSixx for going the extra mile.
The older kids, Aya and Buybuy, are very much involved. They helped me design our Super Mario-inspired shirts using Canva. They watched how they were printed. They also packed the loot bags.
I think they’re the most excited for the bunso’s party.
