Name: Dennis A. Bautista

Gender: Male

Nickname: Den

Civil Status: Single

Age: 29

Occupation: Quantity Surveyor

Dennis, although missed his family during special occasions, tries to enjoy his stay and work in Ethiopia. Let’s know more about our featured OFW and find out his adventures and how he was able to overcome his homesickness.

1. Why did you decide to leave the Philippines?

As life is getting more and more difficult in the Philippines, and I’m not getting any younger, I decided to go out of the country and earn more money. At the same time, I want to see some other countries, learn about their culture and take photographs which have been my passion lately.

2. How did you get your current job and how did you leave the Philippines?

I just applied through my Agency (East-west) and luckily the employer liked me, so I am here now with J&P. I think I left via plane? Ü

3. When did you arrive in your current location?

I arrived here last Dec. 19 which is quite sad because Christmas is just few days away. Anyhow, I have spent many Christmas in the past away from home so feeling sad is not quite new to me.

4. What were your most memorable moments in your current location?

There have been many specials occasions that me and the few Filipino guys spent together, like Christmas, Holy week or even just someone's birthday. Since were just too handfuls here, we make sure that we had fun and just make everyone happy. It is also memorable when I am with the local folks, talking to them and just learning about their culture, language and eating their native foods. So I can actually say that everyday is memorable here in Ethiopia.

5. Tell us what has happened during your stay in this country you have worked in.

Our camp and jobsite is four hours away from Addis Ababa, so almost all of the time I just work even on Sundays because there is not much to do. So far, I enjoy my work here, I’ve been busy and I have further enhanced my knowledge towards my profession, which is good. It's a blessing to be far away from Addis because it is expensive there, so, being here in a remote place can save all of my money! Plus I brought my camera with me, and I think I have taken over a thousand photos of people, nature that includes wildlife, flora and fauna, beautiful sunsets and many other things.

6. What are the things that you miss about the Philippines?

Of course my family and friends and the usual things I do there like going to church and singing with my choir group. It is difficult to find a catholic church here since this is generally an Orthodox church-country. I also miss TV! TV channels here are not that much, so we're just settled with few channels and lots of Football. I also miss a fast internet connection, here it is still super-slow...I also miss the malls and watching movies in the cinemas.

7. What is your message to all OFWs around the world?

Being one of the two Filipino staff in this project that I am with, I feel proud that in my own way I can uplift the image of a Filipino by performing good with everything I do. So, to my entire fellow OFW's around the world, let us continue to make our country proud by doing well with our work and by being a good co-worker. Let us always leave an impression that the Filipinos are the best overseas workers in the world. Just like my favorite song "Pinoy Ako" says, Ibang-iba ang Pinoy!!!

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