Investing and putting opportunities into good use

Working overseas poses a lot of challenges and sacrifices especially for a family, but it also has its opportunities depending on how one would turn it into good use.

This is the principle of Magdalena Agaloos, 54, when she went to work aboard for 14 years as a domestic helper.

Magdalena or ‘Magda’ to her friends said that her experience of working abroad has opened more opportunities for her, not only to earn but learn and acquire skills which she later put to good use.

Coming from a poor family, she decided to work aboard to earn not only for her own family but for her siblings as well, especially since they no longer have a father to provide for them.

Magda, fifth in a brood of nine, earned a secretarial degree as a self-supporting student. She found work but her meager salary and few inputs from their small farm were not enough to provide for the big family, especially for their educational needs.

In 1988, Magda who married a soldier and was then raising a four year old daughter, made up her mind to make the sacrifice of going abroad. Her goal in mind at that time was to earn for the education of her only child, Noryn, and provide for her family.

She went to Hongkong as a domestic helper. Fortunately, she found a very supportive and understanding employer, Lo Chung Yen, whom she worked for for eight years. When her employers migrated to Canada, Magda went to work with the Li Pic To family where she also stayed for six years.

Magda is very thankful for her employers who gave her the opportunity to undergo skills training during the weekends and for having her family visit and stayed with her. She said that it was being diligent and honest at work that made her employers like her.

Magda persevered to enhance her knowledge by taking skills training through the Christian in Action Classes conducted and sponsored by the Zoe Christian Fellowship LTD. Hong Kong Chapter.

Through the program, Magda was able to acquire skills in dress making, needle works, handicraft making/practical arts, cosmetology, and tailoring. Each course was offered for free and was conducted every Sunday for six months.

Having undergone these trainings, Magda also offered her time and later on became one of the ministry’s trainer. To earn a little and at the same time help the trainees buy quality but cheap materials for their training, Magda did her best to buy the materials directly from the companies in bulk and sell them at a cheaper price.

In 2002, she came home when her mother died. She stayed for good and started her own business. Her years of working abroad had significantly changed her life and economic status. From a one-room hut in 1988, Magda now owns a three story home, a van and a boutique which she personally manages.

She was also able to send her daughter along with several nieces and nephews to school until they graduated from college. Today, she still continues helping her siblings send their children to school.

Working to earn money abroad should not be taken lightly. She said that while it may be true that OFWs gain more, they have lots of sacrifices and adjustments to make while they are in a foreign country.

Every cent earned, she said, must be put to good use considering that the opportunity does only come once. Every OFW must already consider what to do next once they get home, she added.

Magda’s trainings later became her capital when she opened her bridal boutique in Tabuk City in 2002. Today, Magda owns the only bridal boutique in Bulanao, Tabuk City. Her services include bridal gown making, gown rentals, token, flower making and production of crafted materials which she is also selling to other big businesses in the province through wholesale scheme.

At present Magda has made plans to expand her business and open a new branch in the city. She has also trained and employed relatives to do the crafts such as the crafted flowers, corsages, ribbons and wedding tokens as ordered by her growing number of customers.

She still continues to visit Hong Kong where she buys some of her materials for her business.

Her dictum remained on the appreciation of hard work, education and learning, and putting what you learn into good use.(GGD/PIA-CAR/Kalinga)