Filipino Hairstylist in Greek Setting

Filipino Hairstylist in Greek Setting
By: Yoko Ramos-Vingno

Hair & Scissors beauty salon is owned and managed by a Filipino hairstylist, Draude ‘Dojie’ Garcia. Located in Athens hoi polloi district of Ambelokipi, Dojie’s shop sits just right in the middle where thousands of Filipinos working in Greece live. Ambelokipi is about 10 minutes away from the center of Athens at Syntagma Square where the Greek parliament is located.
The number of Filipinos in Greece is estimated to be about 15, 000, of which 10,000 are believed to be residing in Athens and half of that figure, the Filipinos themselves say they reside at Ambelokipi.
Athens is the Greek capital and Athena is its virgin goddess. In Greek mythology, it is written that the Athenians built the Parthenon atop the Acropolis to honor and please her. Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, strength, civilization, war, strategy, crafts, justice and skill. The Greeks, particularly the Athenians, pray to Athena to give them not only wisdom but also ask her for almost everything.
Our Filipino expat like the Athenians is an ardent believer of sort. Dojie is a religious man and is a devotee of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. When he learned in one of his voyages as a seaman that his patron saint is nestled in Tinos, an island of Greece, he literally took it as a sign from heaven that he should permanently settle in Greece. All his life Dojie had been pondering where he would permanently set anchor to start a life in a place where his spiritual needs would also be served. Setting foot on Greek soil he found the answer to his prayers. He felt Greece is the place where his Mother of Perpetual Help wanted him to be. Greece was now Dojie’s home. He never looked back.
Starting a new life in Athens is of course another story, which for Dojie proved to be practically a struggle for existence. Faced with an entirely new culture and a language that he could not speak and understand, Dojie somehow started from somewhere in order to survive. These early struggles made him stronger. His belief and devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and his unrelenting determination to succeed in life in order to be able to provide for the family he left behind in the Philippines kept him going.
An experienced waiter, Dojie took all the waitering jobs he could get hold of. He saved what he earned and could even send some of it to his mother in the Philippines.
But for Dojie, life in Greece was not all about waitering. For him it was much more about the realization of a dream than plain survival. He knew what he wanted in life and so he pursued it. He enrolled in a cosmetology class which he passed and got himself a Greek certificate to practice the profession. He bade waitering goodbye and was now off in haste to pursue his new vocation as a hair stylist.
He went from house to house doing home service from blow drying of hairs to haircuts and hairstyling.
It was in 2007 that Dojie founded his Hair & Scissors salon (where I first met him) when he was only a couple of month’s new to the business. My husband who is the current Philippine Consul General in the embassy needed a haircut then so we were brought to Hair & Scissors Place. Then, he told us of his plans to expand and to offer other services such as massage. He said he needed to be very hands on with this business so that his clientele will be assured that they are getting their money’s worth through hundred percent personal service. Dojie proudly tells me of his loyal patrons who are satisfied with his work that meets the Greeks’ high standards in hair styling.
Three years later, I met Dojie again during the Independence Day festivities with fellow Filipinos at the Zappeio Park. He was in the company of former celebrity star Tina Paner. Enthusiastically he told me about his new ‘sideline’ with Globe Asiatique (GA). He was manning Globe Asiatique’s booth which was teeming with Filipinos lining up to have their photos taken with Tina Paner. There he proudly told me about the realization of his plan to expand his business, a plan that he told me three years earlier. Dojie has built another shop at the district of Pangrati in Athens.
And more good news he gave me. He sold houses for Globe Asiatique worth 12M despite being with the company for 9 months only. He has 10 sales coordinators in Greece. He has 2 in Thessaloniki and another 2 in Crete and the rest are in Athens. GA, he says, trained him to be more focused on work. Over a short span of time with GA, Dojie became computer literate. He devised his program for the whole year for Globe Asiatique in Greece to increase further his sales. GA’s compensation is not as rewarding compared to what he is getting from his salon but he likes though the travel perks that goes with being an agent for GA.
Dojie, a tall guy sporting a long hair, is still single. He is well informed and likes to talk politics. He has no time for the affairs of the heart at the moment, he tells me. He has not forgotten that he has a family back home in the Philippines. The hard work that he puts into his work is not only for himself and his mother but also for his nieces and nephews that are still studying in Manila to whom he sends monthly allowances.
Dojie’s life in Greece indeed has undergone a transformation that has enhanced his self esteem. In Greece he is his own boss who lives a good Athenian life.

Another Filipino Expat in Athens Hotel Industry

Another Filipino Expat in Athens Hotel Industry
By: Yoko Ramos-Vingno

A year after my arrival in Athens, hubby and I found ourselves invited to a reception hosted by Athens’ Classical King George Palace – the hotel right in the center of the city famous for its Greek style antique rooms and neo –classical moldings. It is right there amongst Athens’ majestic edifices as the Greek Parliament building, nearby Acropolis and the Constitution Square.
I suppose King George has become even more famous after Madonna stayed at the King George’s Royal Penthouse Suite during her concert in Athens in 2008. The Royal Penthouse Suite is a 350 square meter suite representing the whole 9th floor. It has a private terrace and private pool, Jacuzzi and a breathtaking view of the Parthenon and the cost is a whopping 10,000 Euros per day.
Little did we know that the reception was actually being held at the Royal Penthouse Suite! And adding to that surprise was the discovery that a young Filipina actually worked there. It was revealed to us at the fabulous penthouse suite by King George’s gorgeous and amiable Public Relations manager Maria Strati.
The affair was on a winter night sometime in December that we caught a good view of the Parthenon from the magnificent and royalty suite of the Royal Penthouse – we went back inside the luxurious suite because it was getting really chilly and continued our tete-a-tete. We were informed that the young Filipina lady was not on duty when we inquired again about her. The former hotel manager (the new manager is a dashing young man with an exceptional resume, Mr Panagiotis Almyratis) told us that the hotel employs staff of different nationalities to better serve and understand their guests.
After about six months, I met the young Filipina lady from King George when she went to the embassy with her sister to renew the latter’s passport. I got a chance to interview her.
Mary Ann dela Vega was only 26 at the time of the interview. I told her to tell me what it is like moving here in Athens. Mary Ann began with her story; she spent half of her junior year in Greece and went to Hellenic High where she enjoyed her teen life with her new found friends.
Although she had a hard time at first adjusting to the language and culture of the country, she was able to cope up with the way of life and credits her friends and teachers whom she said helped a lot that she breezed through the Greek life and was able to finish high school in 2002.
Thereafter, she enrolled at the Business College of Athens and took up Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management. Time passed by so quickly but Mary Ann’s hard work paid off – she graduated in 2007 with a distinct grade of A.
With fresh credentials safely tucked in her pocket, Mary Ann went off to visit her mother in Trikala (a city north west of Athens). Her mother is a long time Filipino resident in Greece. While vacationing in her mother’s place, she applied for a job at Chatziagaki Hotel, Pertouli. It was not hard to land a job in the hotel because Mary Ann was immediately hired as a receptionist at the front desk. She was happy – as all first timers were – but after a few months, she found her work easy. Mary Ann said she was looking for a job where in she could apply what she learned in school. The front desk job was good as a training ground for the next level.
Since Mary Ann had already grown accustomed to the hustle and bustle of Athens’ city life, she went back to the city and started handing out her resume to several four star hotels. Mary Ann was called for several interviews but the position offered to her was still at the front desk. This led to Mary Ann trying her luck with the big five star hotels – her last stop was King George. After an hour, Mary Ann was called back to King George for an initial interview and an on the spot test. She passed the two but she still has to be interviewed by the General Manager. She was hired as Banquet Coordinator.
A year after her entry at King George in 2008, Mary Ann has been moved to another post – more challenging work. She has been designated as Banquet Executive for three other hotels of the Daskalandonaki Group (which also owns and manages King George). The three hotels are – the Classical Acropol, 2Fashion House Hotel and the Baby Grand Hotel.
Mary Ann likes being challenged and given higher responsibilities. She is constantly learning and loving her work. She expressed happiness to having been given the opportunity to show her capability – especially in this country where Filipinos are mostly known for working in the house. Being single, Mary Ann earns relatively high pay with the usual hotel perks – ie spa discounts, unlimited use of her cellular phone, bonuses and paid vacations.
In 2009, Mary Ann was made Yield/Revenue Executive by the company. She enjoys the trust and confidence of her superiors in the hotel. This is another huge responsibility but the remuneration is the least of her concern – at the moment.
Mary Ann lives in a flat she used to share with her sister Anne Michelle until the latter decided to move to the States. Anne Michelle works as a receptionist while studying to be a flight attendant. Since they have a small family, Mary Ann said she and her sister can afford some luxury in life. She enrolled to pursue a masteral degree in Marketing at the Business College of Athens (a scholarship she had to let go) but decided to concentrate more on her new responsibilities as Yield Executive.
Mary Ann is the youngest child of Rodel and Imelda dela Vega. Her mother Imelda still lives in Trikala while her father is in Baguio City, Philippines. Mr dela Vega is a government employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Baguio. Mary Ann is planning to spend her paid vacation to go to Baguio and surprise her father. They have not seen each other since she left the Philippines in 1999.
But for now, Mary Ann has all her focus and energy at work.

For the Filipino migrants in Greece

Para sa mga Filipino na nasa Greece
Ni: Yoko Ramos-Vingno

Naiulat ni Theori Skarlatos sa pahayagang Athens News nuong Agosto 27 mula sa kanyang pagsasaliksik, na ang mga migrants dito sa Greece ay magkakaroon na ng pagkakataong bumoto sa nalalapit na halalan.
Ang pamahalaan ng Greece ay unti unti nang kinikilala ang mga kontribusyon ng mga immigrants sa lipunan kanilang ginagalawan at pinagsisilbihan. Sila ay mabibigyan na ng pagkakataon na pumili ng mga magiging pinuno ng bansa magkaroon ng boses sa lipunan at makilahok sa paghubog ng pang political/social na pamumuhay. Inadopt ng European Council ang batas mula sa “Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level in 1997” kung saan ang mga migrants na may lima (5) taong legal na paninirahan at pamumuhay ay mabibigyan ng karapatan ng na bumoto at maki-isa sa pang lokal na halalan sa ilalim ng hurisdiksyon ng EU.
Ayon sa bagong pasang batas ng Greece, ang mga legal na naninirahan na may limang taon at mahigit pa at mayroong tamang residence permit ay maaaring magpatala upang makaboto. Ang mga mamamayan ng EU members ay nangangailangan ng registration certificate samantalang ang mga mamamayan na hindi EU member (katulad ng Pilipinas) ay mangangailangan ng lima hanggang 10 taon na residence permit.
Ang proseso na ito ay hindi madali at napakaraming suliranin ang haharapin bago makakuha ng prebelehiyong ito. Si Georgina Bessis, ipinanganak sa UK na nanirahan ng mahigit na tatlumpung (30) taon sa Saronic Gulf island, ay naniniwalang ang isa sa mga kadahilanan kung bakit marami sa mga immigrants ang hindi nakakaalam na maari na silang bumoto ay dahil sa ang mga literature o mga babasahin na tumatalakay sa nasabing usapin ay nasa lenguaheng Greek. Pati ang form o mga papeles na kailangang sagutan ay nasa Greek din. Dahil dito, si Bessis ay gumugol ng maraming panahon at oras at pera upang maisalin sa wikang naiintindihan ng kanyang mga kababayan ang mga importanteng impormasyon upang malaman nila ang mga bagay na ito nang sa gayun ay makapagpasiya sila kung nais nilang makilahok o hindi sa nasabing halalan.
Ang ating kababayan na si Imelda Garcia ay isa sa maraming migrants na nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makaboto sa nalalapit na halalan sa Nobyembre 7. Siya ay may 20 years na naninirahan dito. Isang garment worker sa Kos (isang lugar dito sa Greece) nuong araw si Imelda ngunit ngayon ay nasa domestic work na siya. Kasama ni Imelda ang kanyang anak na nag aaral dito. Lubha niyang ikinatutuwa ang bagong batas na ito ng Greece na kung saan kinikilala ang mga karapatan ng isang migrant worker tulad niya.
Ang Kasapi Hellas ay isang Filipino organization na itinatag ni G. Joe Valencia nuong 1984. Siya din ang president at tagapagsalita ng grupo. Masigasig na ipinaglalaban ni G. Valencia ang karapatan ng mga manggagawang Pilipino na mabigyan ng patas na pribelehiyo dito sa Greece kung saan nakakatulong sila sa ekonomiya ng bansa. Isa si Imelda sa mga tinulungan ni G. Valencia na naisaayos ang mga papeles para sa pagrehistro. Ang iba naman ay tinutulungan niyang makakuha ng residence permits. Dahil sa ang karamihan ng Pinoy dito sa Greece na halos tatlumpung (30) taon na naninirahan ay nabibigyan lamang ng dalawang (2) taong residence permit samantalang ginugol na nila ang kanilang maraming panahon sa pagtatrabaho sa bansang ito.
Ang Prime Minister ngayon na si George Papandreou lamang ang kauna-unahang pinuno ng Greece na kumilala sa mga immigrants na mula sa iba’t ibang lahi. Hinikayat niya ang mga ito na sumali sa kanyang partido – ang PASOK – upang maging ganap ang kanilang pagpasok sa lipunan ng Greece nuong 2005. Ito rin ang nagbigay daan upang sila ay lalong kilalanin ng gobyerno kung kaya’t ngayon nga ay kabilang na sila sa mga botante na kung saan kasali na sila sa pagpili ng mga magiging pinuno ng pamahalaang municipal at local ng bansa.
Ang Interior Minister na si Yiannis Ragousis ay naniniwalang ang hakbang na ito ni PM Papandreou na bigyan nang pagkakataon ang mga immigrants na bumoto sa nalalapit na halalan ay napakalaking kontribyusyon tungo sa pagbabago. Ayon sa talaan ng interior ministry, mahigit labing isang libo katao (11,000) ang nagpatala sa kanila upang makilahok sa nalalapit na municipal at regional na halalan.