Suffering from the heat
Through my experience, I would like to inform all my fellow Filipinos that if you are going to renew your passport or obtain any documents in the Philippines consulate in Dubai, be aware that there are always long queues outside or in front of the gate of the consulate (‘Filipino’s death sparks criticism of consulate’s facilities’, Gulf News, July 31). The security gate opens at 8am and people are often seen perspiring, because of the heat, with the current 45 degree Celsius weather! Alex Lapore’s cause of death is thought to be heatstroke. The officials of the Philippines consulate in the UAE must look into this issue. They must let applicants get into the waiting area inside the building, instead of making them wait outside, where they suffer with the high temperatures.
From Mr Merlie
UAE
Website comment
Needs to be looked into
I would like to extend my condolences to the family of Lapore, who died outside the Philippines consulate. Yes, based on my experience, perhaps the Philippines government should try to look into what is happening inside the consulate and how some employees treat overseas Filipino workers (OFW) here in the UAE.
From Mr Eman Ahmad
Dubai
Facebook comment
Inconsiderate treatment
I have received poor services and encountered some rude or arrogant staff members at the Philippines consulate. I renewed my passport last June, and they said the waiting area is ‘air conditioned’. It didn’t seem like it, though, considering the high temperature inside. There were a couple of wall fans, but some were not operational. What I really don’t like is their operation of lunch breaks! They close the entire office and shut the doors, ousting all the people in the queue. And because there are no tokens or numbering systems in place, people have to pile up outside the door when it’s 40 degrees Celsius or more outside. When they open again after their break, everybody rushes back into the line. We can waste the entire day queuing up, like this. They certainly need to improve their services and their attitude! My deepest sympathy to the family of my fellow Filipino.
From Ms Jenn Rasca
UAE
Facebook comment
Not helpful
This is true. We experienced the same problem. When we went to the consulate, for the voters’ registration, we brought along two of my nieces and my son, because nobody would have been with them at home. An official said we would need to wait outside for our turn, before we can go inside the office. I asked them several times to let the children in, only because it was very hot outside, but they ignored this request.
From Ms Nhelpz P. Al Shamsi
Dubai
Facebook comment
Change in attitude
The bottom line here is for the Philippines government to provide adequate, convenient facilities and excellent service to people! How come OFW’s are so-called ‘new heroes’ in our home country, and yet we are not treated decently? This attitude is unlike here in the UAE — though we are expatriates, the country is treating us like its own people. Rest in peace Lapore.
From Mr Alex Mahor Saldivar
UAE
Facebook comment
Makes no sense
There was no free water despite the weather, there weren’t any benches or chairs and we were standing for far too long, when we visited the consulate. Even if we had a child with us, the same rules were applied. I had a four-year-old with me when I went there. At lunch time, everybody was outside, waiting, and it was so hot outdoors!
From Ms Geraldine Manguilimotan Ignario-Reveche
Dubai
Facebook comment
Be patient and respect the rules
I was surprised to read letters about the delay that is happening during renewal of Indian passports in the UAE (‘Letters to the editor: Unacceptable wait times’, Gulf News, July 31). I received my new passport within four working days in Abu Dhabi, as my previous passport was issued in the same city. If the expiring passport is issued outside the UAE, then it takes a longer time for verification purposes. Nowadays, people are becoming more and more impatient with everything, but they should learn to respect the rules and regulations.
From Mr R. N.
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld on request
Must finish course
Prevention is better than cure, but no one can predict what type of disease will call on us (‘Poll analysis: 60% don’t complete prescribed dose of medication’, Gulf News, July 30). I don’t go to the clinic for every minor illness. I always try to self-medicate first, if I feel a cold, fever or headache approaching. Only if I am unable to cure it myself, do I think of consulting a doctor. If he/she prescribes an antibiotic, I take the full course of medication. For almost every illness, there is a course of medicine, which we have to follow, otherwise we won’t be fully cured. Some doctors start with small doses of medicine and increase the dosage if the patient doesn’t get relief. That’s good for the patient. But some business-minded doctors are interested in making money by getting a commission when prescribing different types of medicine — even for minor illnesses. If I know why I am sick, I don’t think I would need to approach a doctor.
From Mr Thottikamath Balaraman
Dubai
Hard on terrorism
Yakub Memon, who was convicted for playing a vital role in the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai, was hung in Nagpur jail in Maharashtra, India, last Thursday morning, at 7am (‘Mumbai blasts plotter Memon hanged’, Gulf News, July 31). It was a coincidence that this fateful day fell on his birthday. The executioner was the same person who carried out the execution of Ajmal Kasab three years ago. According to the jail officials, the hangman did his job with ‘clinical precision’. After the execution was carried out, Union Minister Rajnath Singh said: “We must take terrorism as a challenge and should not project ourselves as divided so that we can succeed in defeating it”. This is the third execution India has carried out in under three years. These executions have sent a strong message to terrorists all over the world that India is not at all soft on any terrorist activities within its borders.
From Mr Sunny Joseph Mala
Kerala, India
Don’t be discouraged
Abdul Kalam was the brain behind many of India’s scientific research programs. He rose from his humble origins to the highest office of the country. Being an avid reader, one of my most cherished reads is The Wings of Fire by Abdul Kalam, which gives a description of his childhood days, the pain, suffering and hardships he went through. His recollections tell us about how he rose from a lower-middle class family, and give vivid details of India’s efforts in rocket science and space technology.
In his autobiography, Abdul Kalam accepts his failure at an interview for an air force job that was always his dream when he was young, and went on to start his career at Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).
I was also fortunate to listen to his speeches when he presided at Annual day at my school a few years ago. I am inspired by his words: ‘You have to dream before your dreams come true’. He also said: ‘Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident’.
His success story reminds each one of us that hard work can help fulfil our dreams, and we can beat all the odds and face challenges to achieve our goals.
From Ms Nityashri Sankaran
Sharjah
A spectator sport
I find the sport of sepak takraw very good (‘Video: Sepak takraw seek converts for niche sport’, Gulf News, July 31). I see some Filipinos playing this game near my home at a park. It’s quite amazing to watch.
From Mr Mohammad Abu Bakr
Dubai
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Stay brave and united, Syria
I wish for peace in Syria (‘The hard life of Syrian child labourers’, Gulf News, July 30). May God help them. What people in Syria should have is courage, bravery and unity, to find the right way to protect their children and fight for freedom.
From Ms Abby Zeino
Dubai
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