Work Permit in Trinidad & Tobago

April 2022

It all started with the acceptance of the proposed Transformational Plan by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (GoRTT). I was the expert assigned to prepare the Change Management Proposal.

It was my first time to hear about Port of Spain and then all of a sudden I was stepping on its grounds. That trip fell within the Holy Week; on April 10-23, 2022. While I was writing the required documentation, I was also enjoying some DIY tours with colleagues: Beina (from Philippines), Nilangika and Rifas (from Sri Lanka).

Within a span of 2 weeks, I already visited the Savannah Park where the famous attraction in the city center called the Magnificent Seven Castles are lined up. I reached as far as the Mount St Dominic, also a noted religious destination in Trinidad island.

At Mount St Dominic with Rifas, Nilangika & Biena

May 2022

Tegucigalpa City in Honduras was my official station that time when I did all virtual meetings and presentations for the proposal to officials of the GoRTT Ministry of Finance. My employer, FreeBalance, felt hopeful for the additional project so I was assigned to Port of Spain. And without much ado, I already saw myself packing to change workstation and flew to Trinidad and Tobago on May 21.

With the FreeBalance International Team

June 2022

All work no play makes me crazy! And Biena was heading home and to another project. So the two of us fellow Filipinos booked a Tobago tour on June 9. I ditched all assigned weekend works, hopped on the early morning ferry to Scarborough, and spent an overnight at the company apartment with Dinesh, a colleague from Suriname.

Overnight trip to Tobago Island with Beina & Dinesh

July & August 2022

The world of Trinbago is always happy and eventful. By the end of July, the Emancipation Day was such a glorious and colorful celebration. Me and Nilangika joined the street dance on July 30 to Aug 1.

Then a major event happened on Aug 4 when the Change Management contract was signed. This was the ultimate reason of my relocation in the country.

Then on Aug 31, the Trinis commemorated their Independence Day in fireworks and coolers. 

With Nilangika

With Marlon

With Rishad

October 2022

After 2 months of Change Management Workshops and Users Training, Nilangika and I took a breather by enjoying the Bamboo Cathedral; Rishad from Sri Lanka joined us. Within the month we actively observed the Divali Festival, reached to check the Hindu Temples in Chaguanas, and made the sunset tour at Caroni Swamp.

November 2022

Before going home for Christmas, the FreeBalance International Team, composed of Nilangika, Dinesh, Rishad, Marlon from Guyana, Iresh also from Sri Lanka, and me, trekked the Paria Trail. It was more or less a 15KM walk from the drop off point within the Blanchisseuse area, passing Marriane Beach to Marosell Bay, then to Turtle Rock, Paria Waterfall, up until the Paria Bay where the famous Stone Arch is located. This Paria Stone Arch has been one of the FreeBalance screensavers. Since we cannot manage to walk the same way back, so we enjoyed the speedboat ride before sunset.

February 2023

I was invited back to Trinidad & Tobago in 2023 and had a chance to experience firsthand the Carnival for which Trinis are noted for. The monthlong celebration was full of energy. I even wonder how they survive all the Fete (festivals, reunions, gatherings), the J'ouvert (that wet concert that normally start at dawn or midnight and finish in the morning with partygoers ending to be wet and covered with paints), and the Carnival competition (Feb 15 to 22) from stage performances to street dancing.

Then March 2023 came when I need to move to next country for the next project.

With Marlon & Dinesh

What made my Trinidad my second home was the close-knit Filipino Community. I have participated in many activities and sports.

Pinoy Setsy Volleyball Team

With bestie Eva & Marlon

Every Trip, A Different Experience

Jan 2023 in Trinidad & Tobago

At customs declaration and clearance counter, I was frisked for using a camouflage backpack (which is illegal stuff in the country), It was my honest and innocent mistake thinking that a big Reebok brand will make it less offensive and I used it out of respect to my cousin in Florida who gave it to me as a Christmas gift. This incident made me forget that I gave my passport to the immigration officer and hence resulted to having my passport left in the counter. I realized I lost it only 4 days later.

Oct 2022 in NY, USA

At inbound immigration coming from Trinidad, I was interrogated for the onward ticket during my Halloween trip for 5 days. I reasoned about the rerouting (from Miami to New York) and rebooking (from Dec to Nov) of ticket which is yet to be issued by our travel agency. But I showed my return flight to T&T in case the ticket cannot be issued by Nov2. I was issued a yellow folder and was brought for more questioning in the immig office. When I was finally called, I recited the same alibi, and the final question was “What is the last conversation with you and your supervisor?” So I browsed the reused email (which travel destination is changed to NYC) I had with my VP that contained the approval of my travel to New York. The officer immediately gave me a green pass.

Sep 2022 in Dubai, UAE

At checkin counter in Miami, the clerk asked for my visit visa. I was confused because I expected a short connection at Dubai Airport, and because I was in a hurry to pass by Manila to pack up for my Singapore trip the day after my arrival. Only then that I realized that my connection was 32 hours apart. So I was advised to stay at the airport (with Dubai International Hotel) because I have not availed of the Dubai Connection package.

Jun 2022 in Doha, Qatar 

Because Phillipines put a cap on number of returning Filipinos during the pandemic, I was refused at the boarding gate for the Doha-Manila flight. Qatar Airways provided me a hotel and meal vouchers and an upgrade to business class in the next available flight. So I stayed at Doha Airport for 24 hours.