Life Changing Experience

As I write this blog, I am sipping coffee while thinking of how to start my technical report in one of my major subjects. I’ve been doing my problem set in MetE15 since 6pm and stopped only when I needed a biological break. So I think a 15 – 30 minute break is what I deserve after long hours of thinking and analyzing engineering economics.

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Earlier last week, I saw a ‘Wanted:Tutor’ ad in SC. Even though I am not really in need of money, I decided to text the number since I want to earn extra cash for my shopping sprees. The person texted back the address of their house — which was unfamiliar and I had to ask people for directions — and what time I should go there. After 30 minutes, I finally got to North Susana Village (which was in Luzon Ave.) and I still had to ride a pedicab to reach their house. At ayun. Ang pedicab driver ay nakipag chumi-chumchum sa akin and asked me what I was doing there. When I told him that I was going to apply as a tutor, he told me that those who live in that street were mostly Koreans and my tutee might be one.

I already have an experience in tutoring Koreans — something I prefer not to do again. Aside from the life changing experience, I also lived in the same building with them for more than a year. They have invaded our cities and they feel like they are superior over Filipinos with the mentality that they are smarter and richer than us. They rely on those who are desperately in need of money to teach them how to speak English and pay only a small amount for an hour of exasperation and exhaustion in teaching them the basics which they find sooooooo hard to learn. Their unpleasant smell lingers in an enclosed space for hours. (Actually, the condominium where I lived for more than a year smelled like kim-chi.)

I admit I am a fan of Koreanovelas and their cute and fashionista lead actors. But I am contented with just watching them in TV without smelling their ‘trade-mark’ scent.

So anyway, I got there and was dismayed when I saw that my tutee was definitely a Korean (which turned out that there were THREE OF THEM). I taught 3 kids for 3 hours (different subjects pa ha!) who just wanted me to do their home works. I wasn’t given any instructions nor any details on how much they were going to pay me. Their mom (who knows little English) asked me (with the help of one of her daughters) to explain the topics in the most ‘simplest’ way that I could (most na nga, simplest pa. San ka pa?!). It was hard to communicate with them and they had to consult their electronic dictionary every once in a while just to understand what I was saying. (example, I’d explain what corrosion means. They’d input the word ‘corrosion’ in the dictionary and read it’s English definition, nodding as if they understand it. Typed it again, this time in Korean and say ‘aaaaaahhhh’ when they read it’s definition in their native language) I was resisting the urge to laugh every time they say, ‘aaahh..’ thinking maybe I looked like them whenever I get to understand a topic that I’ve been trying to comprehend for weeks.

I stayed there for 3 hours wishing for the clock to tick faster. It was already getting late and I didn’t know how to get home from their house. When it was finally time for me to go home, their mother offered to drive me until Puregold since pedicabs were no longer available at that time. During the ride, they finally told me that they’re going to pay me P120 per hour for 3 hours, Mondays to Fridays. I was tempted to turn down their offer since it’s way, way below the rate I usually charge my tutees but had no idea how to tell them. It was already 11 in the evening when I got home. I was tired, felt stupid and decided that I won’t be coming back the next day.

I didn’t show up since last Thursday.

Now, they’re texting me something like:

‘Why don’t you come?’

‘Berenice, why don’t you come teach us?’

Nakokonsensiya din ako noh. I’ll text them tomorrow.

But really… I was offended. Do they seriously think they can fool Filipinos by paying them little for their time since they know the country is in recession and most of us are in need of money?  What good do they bring in our country? Their investment in English tutorial schools they own for Koreans like them?

I have nothing against the Koreans. It’s just that if they are going to feel superior over the bright and intellectual Filipinos and exploit us by not paying us the right amount that we deserve, they might as well pack up and leave the country as soon as they can.