the filipino workforce in singapore's f and b industry

i once heard a myth about early filipino settlers in singapore that few of them migrated to australia while some returned home to philippines  because of a false belief that singapore would someday sink and will be completely submerged in water. in realization, some would think twice but others would think there is a possibility, with its land area of only about more than 700 square kilometers, surrounded by water and its soil that holds and supports building and infrastructure of huge weight and mass.

i do not have the exact figures of how many filipinos are presently in singapore in different field of endeavor but i am sure to say that across all industries there is and there are filipinos. the food and beverage industry in singapore employs a lot filipinos, from the most famous names in the food and beverage industry to the starting and budding food and beverage business.

during this month or season of the year marks a worthwhile and accomplished moments for many of the filipino food and beverage workers here in singapore, or maybe for all the overseas filipino workers all over the world. through this field and through this means they are able to send their brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, sons and daughters in school...and this is the season to harvest what has been sown.

mcdonalds may pilpino, kfc may pilipino, burger king may mga pilipino, gong cha tea house may pilipino, garret popcorns may pilipino, eunos mrt hawker stations may filipino, lau pa sat festival market may pilipino,  mar'che restaurant may pilipino, pizza hut may pilipino, sa pasta mania may pilipino etcetera etcetera...

it is interesting to note that with the abundant list of food and beverage business names in singapore it equals or even surpasses the many stories and experiences of a filipino f and b worker in singapore, ranging from the glorious and triumphant stories of success, from joyful to sorrowful descend from top to the ground. some stories would even parallel and equals to jesus christ's station of the cross, an extreme comparison of the filipino sufferings and struggles but it is true and even sometimes an unimaginable scenario.

in the battlefield itself ( workplace) is an everyday calvary and requires a lot of hardwork, industry and patience. you will be faced with crew and staff of different personalities that challenges not just your skills, your style of management but sometimes posing danger to your emotions. ang dibdib  mo'y parang tinarakan ng isang matalim na balaraw. co-workers of same level of position but acts like a head of operation just because they are locals and believed in their minds that this workplace is in their territory that gives them the right to treat you as a legal property of another and is forced to obey them, in other word slaves. they speak of teamwork but the work is just done by "one", working very hard night and day with eyes open and mouth closed just to be out in the list of nominees.... to the haunting and scary "list of nominees".

in every workplace the "dot in a bond paper" theory has always been evident and true. they see one black dot in the center of the bond paper but they tend to overlook the big white space that occupy the same bond paper. they will remember your one mistake but they will always forget the million good things you have done for the company, for the store, for the staff and for the customer.

in the forefront, while you are bridging and connecting the gap between the restaurant and patron customers, it still constitute a bulk of a filipino f and b worker's bad and sometimes pleasing and rewarding moment. a patron would buy a one dollar ice cream but complains, talk and treats a worker like they bought the whole of you and gives them the ultimate right to lambast you with their words, this is the moment that requires the grace from the one up above and a complete divine intervention, the will to control.... but it is not fair just to talk about negative thoughts, it is also remarkable to note some rewarding moments in the field we are in. a simple thank you back, a simple smile and a pleasant and smooth transaction between a worker  and a customer is totally satisfying, it is an instance where a person that you do not personally know sees your hardwork, removes your worries and pays the sleepless and tiring days you were in. nakatataba ng puso at nakasisiya ng kalooban.

even if the myth that i have mentioned is true or not, i am very sure that filipino food and beverage workers in singapore are here to stay...growing, learning and fighting.

every filipino in the food and beverage industry has their own story to tell, even you who are reading this now has your own story to share. i would like to take this opportunity to give a big hand and a loud KUDOS to every filipino food and beverage worker here in singapore, you and me, them , us... let us continue to elevate our status to even greater heights..let us continue to be known for our hardwork, good interpersonal communication skills and the gift of executing great common sense and specially the talent to be happy, fun and exciting...a distinct filipino trait.

Everyday is a gift so do not be tired of waking up everyday and starting a brand new day.

filipinos in singapore ( scenes of 2011 )

it has been three wonderful years since i first step into the terrains of singapore, and i could say that i have had a complete grasp of how filipinos in the lion city have evolved, thrived and flourished in a very competitive environment.


 the new ones who are eagerly wanting to find a job and at the same time overly excited to have a sight-seeing and meet friends or vice-versa, those old ones who are stable and enjoying the times of their life. old ones who are also for a long time a breadwinner in the family and a financial provider, those present who have just successfully landed a job trying to adjust to the new and challenging environment and at the same time having to budget for a few months to pay and settle agency fees.


filipinos in singapore as defined by wikepedia: the free  encyclopedia


Filipinos in Singapore consist of migrants from the Philippines and their descendants. as of 2007, an estimated 80,000 work as domestic helpers, with another 12,000 in the information technology industry.^[1] This marks a slight rise from 1995, when roughly 75,000 domestic helpers from the Philippines were estimated to be working in Singapore.^[2] In recent years they have seen professional diversification, with others working as nurses, bank clerks, sales assistants in department stores, or entertainers.^[3][4] However, of those, only 27,000 were registered to vote in Filipino elections.^[5]


clearly in the figures above, bulk of the filipinos in singapore are dominated by domestic helpers, the very reason that filipinos in singapore are stereotyped as such. who could forget the sensational case of flor contemplacion and delia maga in the pages of history of both singapore and the philippines, not to be missed is " Christine" a filipina maid who have inherited millions from her employer after a selfless and devoted service to her employers. three different individuals of completely opposite fates. it will be a long way to go before we can completely changed the existing scenario. professional diversification would be a tough feat. 


like all other filipino foreign workers in the world, they get to look for things to do and ease their moments of boredom and moments of stress. facebook and all other forms of social media has always been a good companion over the years, the filipino channel and gma pinoy tv is also an option to be considered. for high end filipinos in singapore, photography and devoted time for the gym are also choices to note. but the best thing to really enjoy and release stress is when you get to be a part of birthday parties, baby showers, weddings and anniversaries. it is when you see friends, have a taste of filipino foods, drink till you get drunk a bit and a videoke sessions that follows, just make sure all the windows and doors are closed so as not to be opening the door for a police warning.

representation of faith of filipinos in singapore are very evident, not only of roman catholic faiths but of christian faith and a seeding community for our brothers and sisters in iglesia ni cristo. during sundays, catholic churches would be populated by filipinos with their friends, families and acquaintances and even just by themselves. hearing  mass every sunday is a sure thing for them before a shopping or after a shopping. but sometimes its saddening that when filipinos are inside the church the solemnity and peacefulness are quite abrupt, we are yet to putting away repartees and colloquy while inside the house of god. kanya-kanyang bulungan, kanya- kanyang tsismisan hay...


in economics they have the the law of demand which states that: if the price of a commodity increase the demand decreases and if the price of a commodity decrease the demand increases..and filipinos in singapore adheres to this. if a warehouse sale is announced or advertised, sure enough it will spread viral through all forms of the social media overnight. crocs sale in expo has always been a sure hit, charles and keith footwear also makes noise whenever they have sale periods and just recently, converse shoes and apparel sale was well attended. and also not to be snob are the IT show at suntec. filipinos in singapore cannot dare to miss these things, they buy not because they need to but because it is on sale. ( photo courtesy of crisse apan )

if our indian friends have their mustafa center, chinese have their chinatown, filipinos have occupied lucky plaza and make it their own territory, a place usually associated with filipinos. in here, you can see a lot of exciting scenes ( mga eksenang malabasahan at mga eksenang makatotohanan ). picnic sessions along the sides of nearby malls with all their "baon", si "kuya" seated on the concrete benches savoring bottles of san miguel beer. it is also a great place to visit for satisfying your craving for filipino food and delicacies. and most importantly, all the remittance center are to be found at lucky plaza. bilyong dolyar na ang dumaan at nabilang sa lucky plaza patungo sa pilipinas hanggang makarating sa mga kamay ng ating mga minamahal sa pilipinas. saturdays and sundays are to be avoided  when going to lucky plaza but if you are keen to see exciting scenes be brave enough to go on weekends.


singapore is an open country not only to filipinos but also for all individuals who has the capacity and the ability to do so from all around the world. and with all the strict government policies it is a blessing to be included in its foreign workforce. not all filipinos in singapore lands a job that is matching to their academic credentials, many are considered to be displaced workers. nursing graduates who are in the retail industry, teachers who are in administrative and clerical works, doctoral degree holders who are in food and beverage industry. they go for jobs that comes first and who will pass the scrutiny of the ministry of manpower. there are also stories of failure in finding a job in singapore, some of them after months of trying and losing opted to go back to the philippines and accept the fact that singapore is not for them.


while that it is true that the salary package in singapore is very much afar a worker is earning in the philippines, dapat ring isaalang-alang na malaki man ang sahod ay malaki rin ang mga gastusin at gugulin na dapat ibawas sa kita habang nasa ibang bansa. house rental, food, transportation going to work, electricty and water, these are just basic things that cuts the bulk of a foreign worker's salary. but not all the relatives of a foreign worker in the philippines, specially in the barrio do not have a complete grasp of what does it really takes and what does it really cost to be a foreign worker. they are just seeing the image and the glamour of being in " abrod" or "de abrod". christmas season that are missed, special occasions in the family that you are not around, hindi mo nakikita ang paglaki ng iyong anak, that little by little you become a stranger in the midst of your children at minsan dumarating pa sa mga pagkakataon na uuwi ka na lamang after so many years being in abroad upang makipaglibing at ihatid sa hukay ang sinumang pinakamamahal. nakakalungkot na tagpo at nakakadurog na katotohanan.


short distance to philippines from singapore is an advantage and many filipinos in singapore benefits to this favorable position. three or four consecutive off days would be a great time to have quick travel to the philippines and visit your loved ones, but this does not apply to all filipinos in singapore, nakadepende pa rin sa budget at sa kita, sa halip na umuwi ipinapadala na lang pandagdag sa mga gastusin.


ilan sa mga filipinos in singapore ay unti-unting tuluyang niyayakap ang buhay singapore. nakikipagsabayan sa buhay na mabilis, marangya at maginhawa, ngunit nakalulungkot na kasabay ng pagyakap na ito ay ang pagtalikod sa mga magagandang gawi at asal ng isang pilipino. others act and feel superior over the others. in some cases, several filipinos would conceal their true identity as a filipino just to be a part of what they think is a superior race.


while some filipinos in singapore chooses to live and be here forever, many also chooses to be back in the philippines after years of working and saving for the future. and i want to say, after all the stories of triumph and failures that has happened and bound to happen we will sure be back to the place we call home. sa lugar kapiling ang ating mga minamahal na siyang dahilan ng lahat ng ating mga pagpapagal at pagpupunyagi. buhay man o patay babalik at babalik pa rin sa ating bayang kinamulatan, tayo pa rin sa dakong huli ang muling magtatagpo at tiyak na pagtatagpuin...


kudos to all the filipinos in singapore may it be the new, the old and the present.. 

lenie and her resiliency..

lenie is a distant relative of mine. she is an ordinary girl with dreams of having a better life and eventually sharing the blessings she would achieve with her family.

it is in her deepest wanting to work abroad, maybe with the inspiration from her sister, who is an overseas filipino worker in hongkong, she is focused on ways to work abroad.

in her quest for greener pasture she became a victim. a victim of scam, specifically an illegal recruitment. it was once featured in "failon ngayon" an abs-cbn news and public affairs program regarding an agency who is enticing filipinos to work in london through a student visa. flowery words and eye-popping promises convinced her to sign on and try her luck. it costed her about 200 to 300 thousand of pesos of money paid directly to the agency. but after years of wait there was no sign of achieving her dreams of going to the united kingdom.

mas pinalala pa ang pag-alala nya ng isa isa nang magreklamo ang kanyang mga kasamahan na nag-aaply sa agency, mas lumiit ang pag-asa nya na matupad ang kanyang pangingibang bansa.

she was not one of those who complained to the agency, she just let them complained and she just observed, may niluluto pala siyang ibang plano....

she decided to go and try her luck in singapore. with her less work experience she is eager to find any job that will give her the opportunity to work. while her allowed stay in singapore is getting less she opted to try another employment agency based in singapore referred by a filipino and the agency itself is administered by filipinos. she paid another 2000 singapore dollars to the agency and she was given a job as a server in an indian restaurant.

after months of work, the establishment she is working was closed as ordered by the IRAS ( inland revenue authority of singapore), the employer is not paying sufficient taxes to the government.

lenie was jobless again. with her continued resilience to find another job, her efforts was outnumbered by her legal stay in singapore, she need to exit singapore or go back to the philippines.

she went back to the philippines and recharge herself with the motivation she needed in which she can only take from her family.

upon her request i secured him an invitation letter issued by the philippine embassy to those who are wanting to visit singapore, i was able to get her one and paid 42 singapore dollars just for a piece of document. even if they say that it is not a guarantee that they will let you come to singapore, i prompted to her request.

lenie was so scared to enter singapore as a tourist because of the many stories she have heard of being held and deported by the immigration both in the philippines and in singapore, but lenie tried....

february 27 could be the most traumatic and embarassing moment for lenie. dinanas nya ang kanyang kinatatakutan, she was held by the immigration in the philippines. pinatay ng isang ahensya ng gobyerno ang mga pangarap ni lenie...natapatan ba sya o sadyang minalas....

ano na lang ang pakiramdam ng mga magulang ni lenie, ng kanyang mga kamag-anak at kaibigan...sinikil ang kanila ring pangarap...it was supressed by those inconsistent procedures and policies by the philippine immigration, wala kasing kapit si lenie, walang koneksyon...pangarap lang ang mayroon siya.

why does the philippine immigration and philippine embassy of singapore do not have consistency and alignment of policies...sana hindi na lang nagpakahirap kumuha ng invitation letter, na pinilahan at binayaran mo ng walang kulang, na hindi pala kasiguruhan na makakapasok ka sa singapore kahit may invitation letter ka, sana wala na lamang ganoong requirement.

sana ay hindi nauuna sa proseso ang pagbabayad ng travel tax terminal fee kaysa sa kung patutuluyin ka ng immigration o hindi. ang daming nasayang...sayang na pera, sayang na emosyon, sayang na pag-asa sa simula biglang nawalang parang bula....lalo at higit sayang na pangarap...

sa ngayon si lenie ay nasa piling ng kanyang pamilya, siguro ay nag-iipon muli ng lakas, motibasyon at maaaring literal na nag-iipon pambayad sa mga nautang o nag-iipon sa muli niyang pagsubok na abutin ang kanyang mga pangarap...

mabuhay ka lenie....sana ay hindi maubos ang iyong sigasig..( resilience)

i am 30

today, january 29, 2011 i turned 30 years of age and the thought that i have lived half of my lifetime gives me instant fears and shivers. i just pray that god will give me the endurance to breathe thrice more my age now.... i am certain its all in my hands.

i am 30 and my name remains to be the best and first gift i have received from my parents. anu nga ba ang kwento sa likod ng aking pangalan? my full name is aristhotel de leon castro...and no, i am not named after the scientist and philosopher aristotle and yes the spelling of my name is rare. my nanay would always tell me and to other acquaintances that she got my name from a magazine that features the life of aristotle socrates onassis, a millionaire at the age of 25 and a shipping magnate of the 20th century, the second husband of jacqueline kennedy and same with me, he was born on the month of january. but until now i do not know why my mother did not copy the same spelling of onassis' first name. nevertheless, i am happy that there is a magnificent and lucrative story behind my name, a name that i try to make my own story and history at this day and age.

i am 30 and my mental health is consistent and progressing. i am living my life to the fullest, flexible to the increasing and everyday challenges i am into, my sense of humor is making others and myself happy too. but i am only human and sometimes there are anxiety, stress and depression all around me, but the good thing is, i know when and how to cope and recuperate.

i am 30 and my emotions are damaged ( of course it is a joke )...i have been through and into a lot of hullabaloos for the past 3 decades and i have managed to survive and it is safe for me to say that my emotions are pretty normal and nothing special. i cry when my heart is heavy, i laugh when a joke is thrown at me and i admire and feel amazed with the beauty of people, places and things around me. i will be successful someday because i am happy today and not the other way around.

i am 30 and my physical health is decaying at a very low speed. do not be alarmed, i just want to make note few of the bodily changes that have occurred and occurring... my hair is thinning and many have outspokenly told it to my face, the reason why i am thinking to allot and spend on some chinese herbal haircare centers, and also.... its in the genes i guess. my tummy is bulky than it was my younger age and i do not know where to attribute its root cause. nanlalabo na ang aking mga mata lalo na pagsapit ng dilim, i can see clearly things that are near me and it troubles me to see at a far specially small letters and words, i am a nearsighted person. maliban sa mga nabanggit ay wala namang "major major" na pagbabago sa aking pisikal na estado. my nails are regenerating fast that i need to cut it thrice a week, i sweat when there is a need to, a regular bowel movement, and even if i made mentioned of my hair dilemmas it still grows in a natural manner.....a slight cut and bruise heals untreated and generally, i am healthy.

i am 30 and single.... and a virgin.....you think so? hahahaha

i am 30 and my god is one and the same today and 30 years ago. i must admit my service to him is not that very evident at this point in my life. i never get to sing on choirs, never get to be an active lector and never get to be the most active practitioner of different church activities. pero ako ay laging nagdarasal hindi lamang sa oras na kailangan kundi sa oras na dapat magpasalamat. magpasalamat sa mga mumunti at malalaking biyaya at hilahil ng buhay, sa masaganang kalusugan, payapang isip at kalooban at sa hiningang ibinibigay sa bawat pag-gising. there were times that my faith was adulterated, tested and polluted... but i am glad that i have won the battle of doubts and in the end i have always turned and went back to him.

i am 30 and i am starting to see what, how, which, who and where will i be 30 years after.tatlumpung taon after this date i am 60...unti-unti nang nawawala ang aking sigla at liksi, kulubot na ang aking balat at marahil marami na ring iniinda sa katawan subalit ipinagdarasal ko na sana sa pagasapit ng aking edad animnapu ay mas malinaw at matalas pa rin ang aking pag-iisip kaysa sigla ng katawan. i want to return to the academe and teach, and in my own capacity integrate in my lessons my personal lessons and experiences in life. kahit na nga mabagal na ang aking lakad at pinag-uukulan na ng upuan, prayoridad at atensyon sa mga pampublikong serbisyo gusto ko pa ring malinaw ang aking mga binibitiwang salita, pinakikinggan at may kaisahan at kabuluhan ang aking mga kaisipan.

i am 30 and these are my guiding beliefs:

pagmamahal sa sarili,

pagtingin sa magulang,

pagtulong sa kapwa

pananalangin sa oras ng kaginhawahan at kakapusan;

at manatiling may kababaang loob....

just two days ago, i have visited the site www.oprah.com and have seen the video wherein oprah is giving her parting message to audiences after a series of oprah shows in australia and somehow it strucked and affected me so much suddenly and i quote, "if you live your life with the intention to do good, good will come to you and good will come to others...." live your life on purpose, its the only one you have".

i am 30 and i am counting not my age but rather i am counting the blessings all around me, i am counting the people and friends whom i have shared my life with and met all along the journey that i can add some more, i am counting the trials and problems i have gone through that made me the strongest, i am counting the pain that i have felt that made me more human and humane, i am counting the days of my life to come that i can make my precious time worthwhile and fruitful, i am counting the people and instances that have hurt me so that i can be reminded of how to forgive, i am counting my answered prayers and all the unanswered prayers that i can pray the hardest all the time.

i am 30 and i am alive.

i am 30 and i am thankful.

the godfather in me

i took time to see the godfather trilogy in the past, which is considered to be one of the greatest film in cinematic history. although the "godfather" title was used in a different light i perceived it as a film that strongly holds family ties and values. the godfather tries to head the family, his clan.

i still remember when i was still a teen, i astonishingly asked my mother, "why until now nobody asked me to be a godfather for their child?" my mother just smiled back at me and never said a word.

as i traced the history and origins of a godparent i found out that generally it is a religious practice since the second century. traditionally, godparents are responsible for ensuring the child's religious education and upbringing and godparents are also responsible for caring for the child in the event that the child become an orphaned.

in the modern practice and perspective, godparents are chosen individuals by the parents of a child to take an interest in the child's upbringing and personal development initiated through the child's baptism.

then came the time that i became a godfather for the first time, it was unforgettable not just because it was the first time but because it came simultaneously, and when i say simultaneously it literally means "sabay-sabay". they were four:

1. the son of mareng lolet and pareng zaldy velasques

2. the son of mareng marivic and pareng arnel san diego

3. the son of mareng pinyang, (daughter of tata doro), i do not know who was my kumpare with her.

4. and the daughter of mareng jenny and pareng darwin aquino.

these four of my godchildren have been baptized on the 3oth of december the year i cannot remember, in which coincides the yearly celebration of our baranggay "pasasalamat".

it was during these times that i was very active in the baranggay youth and most of them i have gained closeness through our activities together, and i believe that they decided to make the ties forever so they asked me to be their kumpare.

at this day i really do not keep track of how many godson or goddaughter i have at present. but as i am writing this entry i would like to recall them one by one, an accounting of sort of my "inaanaks"

5. the son of my mareng bing marcelo from marilao, bulacan

6. the daughter of mareng raquel doronia also from marilao and sister to my mareng bing

7. daughter of pareng harley lozada, one of my regular cook when i was still with chowking

8. daughter of pareng bambi, my former headcook at chowking

9. daughter of jocelyn "geri" cumabot, my headcashier at chowking

10. daughter of chat dela cruz and patrick dela cruz who are both from chowking also.

11. son of pareng allan and mareng germaine, my former colleague and till now a closest friend. we were hired at chowking together as management trainee way back 2004

12. son of pareng jowen and mareng lorna, also my former colleague and a confidante to this day and age. not to mention jowen and pareng allan have a slightly similar love story.

13. daughter of pareng marjonelle and lalaine, my protege and also a former colleague at chowking.

items 5 to 13, all i have met and gained them during my stint at chowking petron marilao for over 4 years.

there were also those closest relatives that really wanted to strengthen the bond between us, in spite of being related by blood, they opted to asked me to be a godfather to their children. mas nagpapatibay at magpapatibay sa pagiging magkakapamilya.

14. daughter of patrick and mel, patrick is my second cousin and has been among my contemporary in terms of growing up and the range of our age. from kuya aris to pareng tuts.

15. son of tita beth and tito delo, tita beth is my aunt and the first cousin of my father. and i would say tita beth has been one of my motivation of doing good in school and doing good towards my cousins and relatives. she has readied herself to become a mother even before she had her own children. several of her nephews and nieces ay lumaki sa kanyang mga bisig.

16. son of ate mercy and kuya rolan. ate mercy is my first cousin, in reality my cousin is my godson.

17. daughter of kuya romano and his wife mina. same scenario and consanguinity with ate mercy.

18. daughter of miriam and her husband. miriam is also a first cousin on my maternal side. my niece is my inaanak.

19. son of tita osie and tito arthur. tita osie is a sister to my mother, and ariel, son of tita osie. my first cousin is my inaanak.

some of my godchildren were from my own baranggay.

20. daughter of ate len len and kuya roswin. ate len was like a sister to me specially during and after our efforts in the baranggay youth council.

21. daughter of rachel de ocampo and her husband, rachel was also a colleague at the baranggay youth council.

22. daughter of ate amy castillo and her husband.

23. son of ernie de guzman and his wife.

24. daughter of lea and willie ipapo. whom i remembered the baptism celebration was held at macapilapil, san ildefonso and it was a rainy season that time.

25. son of kuya abner apostol and his wife.

26. the child of gloria manio and her husband. whom i believed to be because of the late tata doro manio why i was asked to become a ninong of his great grandchild.

27. the great grandchild of the late tata gusting, in which i do not know the names of my kumare and kumpare. my inaanak was the grandchild of mang sesay and aling pilar.

28. the daughter of wilson and reivah aboboto. on a personal note, wilson as i told him, played an important part during the time of our mourning and weeping. and being asked to be a godfather to their daughter is just a manifestation of our relationship more than acquaintance, its a family bond.

29. daughter of ate mary and her husband. ate mary has played an important part during my studies at the university belt. she has shown motherly concern for me eventhough she is physically challenged. her life is an inspiration and not to mention she is one of the many who have been given help by "wish ko lang" a public service show of gma 7.

30. the son of pareng june samson and his wife from calawitan san ildefonso. a cousin of my kumareng len len and in which through her we became friends.

there were also few of my inaanaks whom their parents had been my workmates in my previous jobs and eventually have developed into a certain degree of friendship to close as family relatives.

31. son of elena and her husband. who was our cook during my work at a political office in baliuag. she fed me my during that time not only with food but with friendship.

32. daughter of pareng nathan and mareng len. nathan was my former colleague at fernandez colleges, the academe which has gave me some of my closest friends to this day.

33. daughter of mareng criselda and her husband. also a colleague from fernandez colleges. noting that her sister marie rose had been my high school classmate, but i think our closeness in the college where we taught gave us the way to establish a much more closeness than marie rose.

34. daughter of mareng maricel and her husband from pulilan, bulacan. maricel had been my colleague at a political office during the 2007 elections.

35. the child of my classmate and closest friend grace kelly melendez, whose parents were also like parents to me, we have the same emotions and feeling towards our experiences specially in family life and relationships.

there is also parent-godparent relationship that seems to be a continuation of a tradition, a means of prolonging the ties, friendship and relationship..

36. daughter of mareng kaye and pareng archie mariano. kaye has been a childhood friend, both our fathers are magkumpares and worked with the same company in the past. my sister maileen was a god daughter of tita zeny, mother of kaye. and once i remember telling kaye, i hope that our children will continue the link in the family by getting one to be a godparent of each child or vice versa as generation pass by.

the latest addition to my circle of inaanaks is of course my one and only pamangkin..

37. daughter of ate maileen and kuya pat. honestly, i did not pushed myself to be my nieces godfather its the initiative of my sister and brother-in-law the very reason that gave me an ultimate joy.

my apologies for those i forgot to mention but i hope i was able to recall all of them. i may not remember your names specifically but i will always remember the thought that i am your god father.

i may not be the most lucrative ninong that gives all the material gifts in the world but everyday as i live i am giving all of you the gift of prayer even if nobody asked for, that each one of you would become the most responsible human being and become successful in any endeavor you will take, that may your parents nurture you with all the love in the world.

i do not hold the record of having the most number of inaanaks but i have plenty of them to have a good thought of what i have been doing for the past 29 years of my life and i believe that this manifest not my richness in wealth but my richness in character.

i am very proud to be a ninong to each one of you. i pray that you do not remember me in times of christmas and gift-giving but rather remember in all the good ways you can imagine.

a godparent or a godfather does not start and end in yuletide season of present giving, its more of a moral and social responsibility in which i am more than willing to partake as long as i live.

search and you will find

literally i have searched for her..

until now i still do not know why my eyes led me to her images and made me admire the simplicity in her since then. i have asked my friend for a single clue on what is she like and without a doubt i knew from then that she will be a special someone to me.

i sent her messages and unexpectedly she replied... that made me even more in fuss and excitement, my heart started to heal.

it was our first electronically equipped conversation, i opened my heart to her and i know she did not only hear but she listened.

since then i knew, i could and i would want it to lead to something special...but i am afraid.

afraid to the thought that she would see it as informal, not serious and just a part of a play.

a decent girl like her deserves all the right to be respected and accord all the reverence.

i am afraid that if i start to express my love and longing for her, my intentions will be put in question.

time and distance will surely be an element of discussion today and in the future. ngunit ipinagdarasal ko na saklawin ng kanyang isip at puso ang mga bagay na ito...sana....

and if in time she have decided to say yes, i would love to celebrate life, love and happiness with her.

my great ordeal

Even before this ordeal has come to an end, I have long and firmly decided to account it in any manner I can. I believe that this ordeal deserves a narrative in the pages of history of my existence.

In order for me to account and narrate it in a comprehensive and detailed manner, I would like to present the chronology of proceedings of this ordeal. The most trying times of my life.

February 24, 2010 –Wednesday - my one year and 1 month and 29 days working with Mcdonalds Singapore. It was a closing shift for me at Mcdonalds Chinatown Point, my work started at 4:00 pm and ended at 1:30 am of February 25, 2010. At the end of my shift I have surely deposited the sales for the shift amounting to 2,705.95 Singapore Dollars with the deposit bag number C3838663.

February 25, 2010 – it was my off day, Thursday. I just stayed at home and enjoy the moment with my bed.

February 26, 2010 –Friday - I did the opening shift at Mcdonalds Lucky Chinatown Point, my work started at 6:30 am and ended at 3:30 pm. As a payroll manager at the time, it has been my practice to go to the main store at Mcdonalds Chinatown Point to do some administrative works, keying of leaves and filing documents with regards to payroll.

Naomi, a senior manager and colleague at Mcdonalds ask me if I can accompany her to Mcdonalds People’s Park, Mcdonalds Great World City and Mcdonalds Raffle’s City for us to see and check on their Crew Incentive programs.

Even if I had to go to airport and fetch my auntie, I said yes to Naomi. It took us until 5:30 pm before we parted ways and before I headed to the Budget Terminal to fetch my auntie.

When I was on my way to the airport via MRT I received a call from Hairul, the depositing manager and broke me the news that the money under my name and in which I deposited on February 24, 2010 was missing. My heart began to pound so fast and quickly responded to Hairul to please double check the vault with mind that the money should only be there. After a while and after exchange of several short messaging service Hairul called me again confirming to me that the bag was really missing.

When I reached the Changi Airport, I again received a call from my Restaurant Manager Jim Neo with a fiercefull voice asking me if I don’t know how serious the problem is. I answered him back and say ,I know its serious and I said I will be going back to the store after I fetch my auntie from the airport.

My mind is started to be puzzled on what really happened.

I was able to fetch my auntie, we took the cab and I just dropped her in front of our block and I instructed the driver to bring me to Chinatown Point. Even before I reached Chinatown Point, I received a forwarded text message from Eric Er, our Business Consultant through my Restaurant Manager saying that all managers need to come down to the store at 10:00 pm for some interrogation.

I reached the store first before my RM Jim Neo. I borrowed the vault key to Hairul and checked for myself the vault but I found nothing. Jim came and he also did his own checking, again there was nothing to be found of the missing deposit bag.

Then came the rest of the managers Melissa Lee, Sunny Rui, Naomi Quek, Stanley and Alvin Chong among others.

I was the last to be interrogated by my Business Consultant Eric Er and judging from his actions, reactions and gestures, his manner of questioning seems that he is convinced I took the money.

It was a very disheartening moment for me, as if I am in a battle that I am alone and no one would like to believe me. Same questions were ringing to my ear, “Did you take the money?” and with conviction I answered, “I did not take the money”

Eric Er came out of the room and had a stick of cigarette. He roamed around and walked in the manager’s office, checked the deposit log and endorsement slip which I made.

February 27, 2010 – 12:00 am – I was still in the store at Chinatown Point, It was a very long day, I am exhausted, drained, empty, and my heart is in so much pain and my mind is so inundated with many things to think.

Eric Er asked me again for a moment of serious talk, time and again, he would ask me the same question, “Did you take the money?”. With the premise of my state of being at that time, Eric Er started to sell the idea of helping me and with great regret I bought his idea. He said, “Castro, I will help you.” If you admit it we will pay the money, Jim and I will help you. We will call the office that we found the bag inside the store and the case is close. A well-trained Business Consultant in handling grievances succeeded in letting me admit the accusation.

Yes, I admit the accusation. Believing in the words and promise of Eric Er and for my sole reason that I wanted to close and finish the case and move on.

All the while I thought that we will just be making stories for the head office to know when I admitted it, Eric Er purely and entirely believe that I really took the money, we were on opposite ends, we were like parallel lines that will never meet.

I wrote an admission letter, a real fiction creatively written.

He asked me where I spent the money, asked me for receipts of my spending and when I was not able to produce the receipts he asked me once again, “Castro, did you really take the money?” and I said, “I really did not take the money that is why I am not able to produce and give you receipts. Then he gave me back the 1000 Singapore dollars which I gave Eric Er that will form part to pay the missing money. Then they left and I was not able to retrieve the admission letter I wrote.

It was 2:00 am that I have laid my back on my bed, my body was resting but my mind was not.

Before this incident, I had a commitment with my high school friends, a get together at Jemmy’s place. We were happy seeing each other but they do not know what I have gone through the night before. As trusted friends, I shared with them my difficulty, I told them that I need to go by 3:00 in the afternoon and leave early for I have a meeting with my Business Consultant Eric Er and Business Manager Victor Ang with regards to the case. I felt the sadness of my friends and I have brought with me their support and trust.

The Coffee Bean shop was the meeting place just near the Mcdonalds Chinatown Point. There were Er and Ang, they had the same question over again, “Did you take the money?” I said, “I did not take the money!” Then they start to frighten me that if I am not going to admit the accusation they will bring me to the police, that I need to pay a bail of 10,0000 Singapore dollars, that I will be deported, that I will be detained for 48 hours in prison etcetera etcetera.

I told them that if the police can help me, and the only way that will prove my innocence then let us go to the police.

4:00 in the afternoon, we reached the Police Cantonement Complex at Outram Park together with Jim Neo, Eric Er and myself to lodge a police report. We waited for so long that the police officers assigned on the report area are junior officers that they do not know what to do so we waited for a senior police investigator for about 4 hours.

After the long wait, we were attended by Senior Police Investigator Tho Ah Song. The officer talked to Eric Er for few minutes and then the officer talked to me and asked me the side of my story.

The officer asked me to stay behind while my bosses went home. The officer brought me to their office for some interrogation.

I was very terrified during the instance, little by little I am preparing myself for the worst thing that could happen. A overnight stay in jail.

There were three officers who were alternately asking me if I took the money and their voices and acts imply a great fear on my part.

I was sending messages to my sister and brother-in-law keeping them informed of what is happening to me inside the police station. The police then asked me to refrain from using my hand phone.

February 28, 2010 – Sunday – 1:00 am – After the police have finished the police report, Police Officer Tho Ah Song decided to sent me home, in return that I surrender my passport to them. I did what I was told, I asked my friend Melvin to go home and take the passport.

The worry of staying in jail is over, we were in a cab and heading for home. While inside the taxi, I grabbed and held tight the hand of my friend and tears fell out of my eyes and I whispered, “Ang hirap pala”.

2:00 am – I was lying in my bed ready to sleep bit by bit I am feeling the physical pain and the climax of my emotional torment. My body is resting but my mind has just continued to think. Thinking of when this will end, what will happen to me, why is this happening, where should I go next and how will I survive this?

9:00 am – My brother-in-law and I decided to go and consult the Philippine Embassy for some legal advise and help. We were welcomed by Third Secretary and Vice-Consul Mr. Jed Martin Llona. To sum it up, the embassy did not play an important role in my case from start to finish, they did not intervene, they did not take any action, they treated it as a normal case, a not so important case that does require immediate attention. The Vice-Consul said that since I am an S-Pass holder, they cannot give free lawyers because it is only for those Domestic Workers that they give free lawyers. He gave us a list of lawyers should the case elevated to its worst scenario. Then I have pondered, “Pilipino din naman ako, bakit ganun?”

March 1, 2010 – I was suspended from work until March 4, 2010. Mcdonalds Human Resource Department have done their own investigation. Present were Irene Tay, Human Resource Executive, Patricia Yong, Head of Human Resource and Development and Eric Er, Business Consultant. Their line of questioning was the same, they treated me as if I am guilty, they have not shown any compassion, as if they are very sure that I took the money. They speak of People Value but on that day I felt I was not valued, I was a trash in their eyes. It was like a dot in a clean sheet of a bond paper, they just saw the small dot but they never saw the big white bond paper.

March 5, 2010 – I was again at Mcdonalds Head Office, they have decided to dismiss me and stop my connection to Mcdonalds. They have cancelled my work pass and gave me a social visit pass up until April 5, 2010.

In that span of 30 days, with great eagerness, I have decided to find a new job. Starbucks called me up for an interview. I had my OJE (on job evaluation) at Starbucks Simei then after I had a final interview with Allison Ferrao the District Manager for Starbucks and eventually had let me sign a Letter Offer dated April 6, 2010.

The District Manager scheduled me an appointment at their head office for the application of my work pass, unfortunately, when they asked me of the pass I am currently holding I showed them a special pass issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and it is clearly stated that I am in a special pass because of police investigation.

I thought Starbucks all along with all my application process, they knew my status, given that I have explained and reiterated my story to my initial interview with Sam of Starbucks Terminal 2 Changi Airport, but the Human Resource Department was a bit surprise. The human resource personnel did not oppose of the application she said that they will apply a pass for me. I waited for three weeks for their call, until I decided to call them and they just said it was rejected. I was saddened; my ray of hope seems to be dimming at that time.

I was under Special Pass when my 30-day social visit pass issued by Mcdonalds ended. The police officer issued me a letter addressed to the ICA to issue me the said pass.

April 1, 2010 to April 28, 2010 – my first special pass duration. My dilemma of finding a job even come to worst. I have been to a several job interviews and I have been very honest with what happened on my previous employer, but it seems none of them want to take the risk of hiring me. I felt so useless, so inadequate and incompetent.

My desire to look for a job suddenly decline, I have perceived it as a waste of time. I need to finish and close the pending case at the police before I apply, before I can be hired.

The police officer keeps on giving me false hopes on my case, he said he will help me and give him time to investigate on the case.

He said that I will be undergoing the polygraph test ( lie-detector test ), that if I pass the test I can go back to Philippines and close the case. I have waited patiently for the schedule of my polygraph test.

I have an idea of a polygraph test but I do not know what it is to be undergoing it. I researched the net and read some information regarding polygraph test. I know in my heart I will pass the test but I cannot assure the physiological state of my body during the test proper, I am worried.

April 28, 2010 to May 27, 2010 – my second special pass duration. Still in waiting for the schedule of the polygraph test. I have busied myself at home, taking care of my niece. At the same time looking for institutions, groups, NGO’s that can help me with the case.

I remember David Gates, a Filipino lawyer here in Singapore whom I knew because of my Tita Nerie. They were seatmates in a flight bound to the Philippines during the ravage of typhoon Ondoy last September of 2009. My Tita Nerie served as a Good Samaritan to him, offered helped by bringing David Gates to a safe place in Bulacan during the typhoon. David Gates was my legal adviser during the time, he explained to me very well how it s to have a situation like mine in Singapore. When to hire a lawyer, what to do next and to his own words and compassion made me understand the whole scenario in its legalities. David Gates had also referred me to a Criminal Lawyer by the name of Rashida, if in case the situation elevated to court proceedings. They were blessings to me.

It was also during this time my girlfriend for four years broke up with me, and the details I would like to keep myself.

During this time I have always asked myself, “What have I done wrong in my 28 years of existence to deserve these trials?” then I started to question and doubt HIM.

May 27, 2010 to June 23, 2010 – my third special pass duration. Still in waiting for my polygraph test. I am starting to be defeated by my emotions, my mind cannot and do not know what to think, my spirituality is decaying, not to mention the financial aspect of it.

During this time I have written correspondence to the Singapore Head of Criminal Investigation Department, Susan Ople, a champion of OFW, Ramon Tulfo. I have also managed to utilize Twitter but none of them seem to take notice of my plea. I have also come to avail of a free legal counsel at the Holy Trinity Parish Church in Tampines just to gather advise and clear some gray areas on my mind.

Like any mother, my mother was very much worried about me and honestly, I have feared for her life than mine. The very reason I have always showed and conveyed her strength every time she would call and not give her any sign of weakness even though deep inside my heart is struggling and weeping.

It has also come to a point where I decided to be incarcerated just for practical reasons and to put an end to the whole scenario. I told my sister that if the case reached the court just let me go in jail. We do not have the money to support the battle. Three thousand ( 3000.00 ) Singapore dollars for the initial payment of the lawyer and two thousand ( 2000.00) Singapore dollars for every appearance and every hearing of the case and we do not have the money. I just thought that if I will be put in jail there is a definite end to the case and from there I can move on.

June 23, 2010 to July 23, 2010 – my fourth special pass duration. Still in abstract wait for the polygraph test. During this period,another Filipino had a case with Mcdonalds similar to my case, his name is Ismael Soriano. We were together during our first interview with Mcdonalds, same period that we are hired and we are good friends. Ismael knew of my case that is why we were in contact during his ordeal, I was giving him advise then, eventually he was also dismissed from Mcdonalds. We were two victims going nowhere and we draw strength from each other.

I was luckier than Ismael because he does not have any relative or sister here in Singapore like I do and he has a family of is own in the Philippines that needs to be financially supported.

For a while Ismael and I were together looking for job, finding assistance and finding comfort to each other. Our feet led us to Migrant Workers Center, our quest also led us to H.O.M.E ( Humanitarian Organization for Migrant Economics ), a shelter for foreign workers that needs assistance and help. We were looking for a place to stay for Ismael for he has no place to stay at that time but the shelter cannot accommodate him.

We met Valli, a social worker from HOME and she has mentioned that the Ministry of Manpower is offering jobs for those Special Pass holders. Our heart suddenly jumped for excitement, we have never imagined and thought that Singapore government has such thing. The next day we rushed at Kim Seng Street, satellite branch of the Ministry of Manpower only to find out that those are for special pass holders that has problems with employers and not vice versa. We felt so miserable.

Ismael needed to endure just two months before his case came to a sweet end. He has finished his polygraph test, the result of it and was given a Notice of Warning, that if in the future the same complain happen, he will be directly prosecuted in court. I felt genuinely happy for Ismael and somehow I felt sad for myself.

The next day I was eager to sent electronic mails to those possible people, organization and individual who can help me. I sent mails to the Prime Minister, to the Chief of Police, the Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs and all those in the directory of the Singapore Police Force and my letter reads:

Greeting of Peace.

I am Aristhotel D. Castro, a Filipino, who has a pending police case investigation under Senior Police Investigator Tho Ah Song. The case was a theft case filed against me by my former employer Mcdonalds Restaurant Private Ltd. dated February 27, 2010 at your Central Police Headquarters in Cantonement Complex

As per Investigator Tho Ah Song, I will be scheduled for a polygraph test in order for me to move on with the development of the case, that if in case the results will be negative I will be cleared. Unfortunately there have been no clear schedules given to me on the said polygraph test as of this day. It has been a patient wait for me for the past 4 months.

In relation, I have a colleague at the same company who has also the same case, same nature filed at Tanglin Police dated May 29, 2010 and he had been polygraph on June 17, 2010 and June 30, 2010 the case was closed and have given his passport to go back to the Philippines. It just took 1 month for the whole investigation.

This is to seek your help and appeal to your good office to please help me expedite the schedule of my polygraph test and of the case, for personal reasons that I need to go back to the Philippines and visit my ailing mother who is getting weaker each day passes by because of my situation and I do not have the financial strength to stay longer here in Singapore because of high cost of living specially for an unemployed like me.

I hope that foreigner like me will be given equal treatment, justice and humane accordance.

I do hope that attention will be given in this plea and receive my advance gratitude for whatever response you will accord me.

Sincerely,

Aristhotel D. Castro

The very next day the investigator assigned, Tho Ah Song, called me and asked me if I wrote a letter to his superior and I said yes. He was a bit irritated because he felt that he was perceived by his superior as he was doing nothing with regards to my case. The same day I received an electronic mail saying that I am scheduled for a polygraph test on July 6, 2010 at 10:00 in the morning. I saw a spark of light to my dimming future.

July 9, 2010 – Polygraph Test. I was early in the police station. I came early so as not to be hurried and to be relaxed. It was in the 23^rd floor, then the Polygraph Expert called me in the testing room, oriented me on the dos and donts of the test. There was a Filipino interpreter, although I could understand the English language I opted to ask for her assistance. Then the officer put on me the wires on my chest, stomach, fingers, and on my arms. I can hear clearly my heart pounding and my breathing not the usual rate.

There were ten questions. Some of which related to the February 26, 2010 incident and some are non-related questions. They asked me five times the same set of questions.

The test took about five hours and the officer has done his job very well. Before I left the room, he told me that he cannot reveal the results, that I need to wait for about a week for the result. The result of the test would be one of the three: inconclusive, (cannot interpret) truthful (telling the truth) and deceptive (telling a lie).

I knew in my heart and in my conscience that all my answers are truthful enough to resolve and finish the case.

A week after the test, I received again a call from officer Tho Ah Song asking me if when is the expiration date of my special pass and I quickly said it will be expired on July 23, 2010. Consequently, I send a message to the officer Ah Song asking him if the Polygraph Test results are already out and he said yes but he cannot reveal the results to me. Somehow, there was a feeling of relief for me at that time because they did not urgently require me to report to the police station. I thought that my journey will soon come to its end but a more complicated and unthinkable is soon to take place.

July 23, 2010 to August 6, 2010. My last extension of the special pass. The investigator asked me to give him all the necessary documents, evidence that will help in assessing the case. He asked for my bank account. The address where I do remittances to the Philippines and including my brother-in-law’s remittance account. I gave them what they needed without hesitation.

All the while I thought it will be over. But when the investigator say that I need to extend my stay here in Singapore because they will be referring the case to the Attorney-General’s Chamber or the Public Prosecutor’s Office who will decide if I am going to be charge in court based on the gathered evidence. I was feeling numb during the time I am hearing those words. As if I am just starting a new battle. If in case the Public Prosecutor’s decide to charge me with a case, it’s the end of me. It’s a long way battle to go.

From July 23, 2010 to August 6, 2010 were my sleepless nights. Even if I close my eyes the thought of it is killing me. My fate and my future is in the hands of the Attorney-General.

August 4, 2010. Wednesday – The happiest day of my life. I received a call from the officer handling my case, asking my whereabouts. I said I am just at home in Sengkang, then I asked, “Is it good news?”. Then the officer said yes, the big boss say you can go back to your country. I was jumping for joy. It was an unexplainable. I rushed to my Tita Nerie and hugged him as if I was a kid. It was a very wonderful moment. It was great and astonishing. The documents and my thoughts are one in content. I was not guilty

In the afternoon, I immediately reported to the police station and the officer handed me a letter for the ICA to cancel my special pass. The letter was sealed and the officer said I should not open it. But my curiosity is at its best. I made a way to see the content of the letter. I put the envelope near a tube light so that I can read the content. I was successful in doing so and some of the content reads:

“POLICE HAVE COMPLETED THE INVESTIGATION. WE HAVE ADDRESSED THE CASE WITH ATTORNEY- GENERAL’S CHAMBER, AND HAS DIRECTED POLICE TO ALLOW THE ABOVE-MENTIONED SUBJECT TO LEAVE SINGAPORE UPON EXPIRY OF THE SPECIAL PASS AS WE DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT REASONS TO HOLD THE ACCUSED FOR THAT LONG.”

August 9, 2010 – MY JOURNEY HOME. The immigration has extended my pass until August 9, 2010. I need to exit or leave Singapore, but I decided to go home. It feels so good, there was a complete peace of mind, I am going home.

I have always told my friends who knew of what happened, “Hindi ko naisip, ni sa hinagap na mangyayari sa akin ang tulad nito, kahit ano pala ang gawin mong pagpapakabuti sa buhay tiyak na tiyak na susubukin ka ng tadhana. Dagdag ko pa, sa 29 na taon ng buhay ko, ako naman ay nagpakabuti, tumutulong sa abot ng aking makakaya, naglilingkod sa Diyos at sa palagay ko ay naging mabuti naman akong anak, kaya hindi kayang saklawin ng aking isip kung bakit ito nangyari.

Gayunman naisip ko, every trial and suffering has a purpose, at kung ano man yun, sa palagay ko ay akin nang natutunan at natunghayan.

I have realized and understood life fully.

Salamat sa lahat ng mga kaibigan na nanatiling kaibigan sa oras ng aking hilahil. Sa simpleng text at tawag ng pagungumusta, sa paniniwala sa aking pagkatao, they never showed any doubt that I cannot do such thing. I do not even have to explain a single thing or the details. Tunay ngang lalong kuminang ang salitang kaibigan sa aking isip at puso. At aminado ako, mas pinahahalagahan ko ang aking mga kaibigan sa mga sandaling ito ng aking buhay.

Thank you to my sister and brother-in-law, for all the unending support and confidence. I am so lucky to have one sister who’s maturity and outlook in life has done me well on this trial. May mga oras na pinanghinaan ako ng loob at pilit na ibinabagsak ng aking emosyon pero salamat na lang sa aking kapatid at bayaw na siyang matiyagang nagpapaalala sa akin na lumaban at maging matatag. Also not to forget is my beautiful niece, Raven Agatha Flores who had been my constant source of joy and keep on saying on my face that there is so much to live and to be happy about.

Salamat kay Tita Nerie at sa aking Dakilang Ina, sa mga di matatawarang pag-alala at mga dalisay na panalangin. They have helped me pushed my prayers and substituted for me during the times that I forgot to pray.

Thank you to some of the Filipino managers at Mcdonalds whom I have treated and have treated me also as a friend. They have shown support to my battle and thank you for just simply believing.

Salamat din sa mga naging kalahok ng Willie of Fortune ng Wowowee. May mga umiiyak sa mga problema, may mga tunay na galak kahit naghihirap at iba pa. I have consistently watched it and from there I had a complete grasp of how lucky I am in spite of what happened. Tunay ngang napakaraming mga dapat ipagpasalamat sa buhay na ito. Huwag nating hanapin ang mga bagay na kulang sa atin bagkus hanapin natin ang kung ano ang meron tayo sa kasalukuyan at ipagpasalamat ito.

Pabiro kong nasabi minsan matapos ang lahat ng ito, You will never want or wish to become ARISTHOTEL D. CASTRO. It takes a lot of courage, strength, perseverance, bravery, moral fiber, spirit and specially faith.

ARISTHOTEL CASTRO

Sinubok.

Lumaban.

Nagpakatatag.

Nanalangin.

Nagwagi.

Bumangon.

Nabuhay.

Nagpasalamat. Nagpapasalamat. Magpapasalamat.

To God be the glory.