“Hey Jimmy is that a new jacket?” a co-worker asked me when I was hanging it at the back of my chair. I didn’t know he was looking at the nametag of the jacket. I said “Kind of.”

“And you said this is your only part time job? Man, you are rich!” he said.

I just laughed because I bought it at a thrift store. It looked new and when I checked it out, wow, its brand is Danier and it’s only 50 bucks! I bought me a fine leather jacket that made me look rich in the eyes of my co-worker. Cool! Thanks to the recession and thanks to this one time when I hung out with a friend:

Earlier in January, a friend called me and he was surprised that I answered the phone. I worked during the night and slept during the day but sometimes I would go help my Auntie so I seldom answered my phone during the day.

I was having coffee when he called. He said he was bored so I invited him to meet me at the mall. After eating he asked me to go with him to the human resources office. I realized he was laid off and wanted to inquire about employment insurance benefit (EI). I thought there were no options but I still advised him to try to find another job. Apparently he already thought about what I said but why not take advantage of the benefit? 

He was also upset that the internal revenue service took back his income tax refund and let him pay more because of miscalculation on his tax return. It made me think, should I do my tax return this year or should I see an expert? This pushed him to apply for EI and just enjoy the benefit. He reckoned that if he will not be qualified then he would try to look for another job.

There was a long line when we reached the human resources office, there were a lot of people applying for EI benefit—people who lost their jobs, people who were affected by the recession. I uttered a little prayer for them. 
We agreed to go window-shopping instead, it’s not my kind of thing but I felt like I wanted to spend more time with him like it used to be back home. We were best friends in the Philippines, we had so much in common. But when we met again in Canada, things were different. We didn’t even have time to go for a drink. However, we have two things in common, we have to work to pay the bills and we became members of religious groups.

He asked me if I was working that night and I said, “Like you, I am jobless!” he looked at me like I was trying to mock him. “Why did I answer your phone call? Simply because I have all the time in the world!” So that’s another thing we have in common, being jobless!

I’ve been jobless since last December, I also failed my provincial exam and I wasn’t offered a seat at school. It was the most expensive month of the year! I wasn’t able to give presents to my loved ones and I wasn’t able to send money back home. But why worry? I knew now that there is no such thing as a safe job. 

Applying for EI was not an option for me. I knew there is a reason for everything that’s happening in the world right now. I still believe there is something else out there for me. In fact, I’ve sent my resumé to a few companies including Hyatt where I worked a few years ago. I was so stupid to have left the company.

We checked almost every store at the mall until we walked into a thrift store and as usual we just looked around while talking but before we reached the exit door I saw a nice leather jacket.

I checked my e-mail that night and found out that a few Filipinos in Fort McMurray were sent home because they had no more work. I called one of my friends who were offered a job in Fort McMurray and she said she didn’t go because some people backed out. I supported her plan when she tried to solicit my opinion but my Auntie said I should have discouraged her.

The following Sunday at church, I heard someone talking about EI benefit. A church member was laid off and the other advised him to apply for EI benefit. Unfortunately contract workers are not allowed to have any other jobs unless stated in their contract.

I woke up one morning and suddenly thought of going back to the Philippines and staying there for good. But what will I do there? Pardon me but I believe it requires a college diploma to acquire a janitorial job there. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to finish my course back in Benguet State University. And even if I got a job there, I know it would take all I have to grant the demands of life.

What’s happening in the world right now will come to pass. There is no such thing as safe in this world but I believe that in God, I am saved and He will provide my needs. As a matter of fact, he answered my prayers just in time. I was offered a part time position at the Hyatt and I believe that in God’s time I will be a full time employee! For now, I will serve the Lord

******************** Mr. Gabat, 27, is from Rundlehorn Circle, Calgary, Canada. He used to be a resident of Camp 6, Kennon Road, Tuba, Benguet