I got suckered. Yes, I have to admit it – I got suckered big time. You see, I have been looking for a househelp. My SIL sent me a message and it was in perfect timing. She said that her previous maid is looking for work, she asked if I needed a helper and at that time. I did. So I called Yaya Babylyn – I spoke to her and we exchanged text messages. She asked if I can send her money for her transportation. I was reluctant at first, but then since she came highly recommended by my SIL (my SIL said she knew how to cook and take care of a child and was nice) so I agreed. But on the day I was supposed to send it, she sent me a text saying not to send anymore because she still had to attend to some things at her child’s school. I thought, at least she was honest enough to tell me not to send it, right? After a few days, she told me to look for other prospects – she said that she doesn’t want me to wait for nothing. And so I looked, and found one. But it didn’t pan out. Last Tuesday, she sent me a Facebook invite via SMS. So, the following day, when my other helper left – I sent her a text message asking her if she has found work already – and she replied ‘No’ so I asked her if she was still interested to work for me. And she said yes. She then asked me if I was willing to send her P1,000.00 – I assumed it was for her transportation. I delayed replying because I was seriously thinking about it. Then last Friday, I finally decided that I needed a helper. I then told her that I was willing to send her the money, since she was coming from Bicol – I had to know when she’s set to arrive. She then tells me that she can arrive the following day since she was already in Bulacan. Red Flag! Okay, so she’s in Bulacan. So I asked her what the money was for. She said that it was for her transpo going back to Manila and for some miscellaneous expenses. I then bargained with her – that she come to Manila first, then I can give her P1,000.00 and she can send it to whomever she wanted to. But she begged and told me that she was unable to find anyone who can lend her money for transpo. The text message exchages were at 2PM onwards. She was really making kulit on sending the money. Red Flag! I kidded her that if I sent her money, she won’t come – and she told me that my SIL has her Police Clearance – and joked that that piece of paper meant nothing because she can always go an hide right? But she said she’s different. So I believed her, and at a little before 5PM – I sent the money through Western Union – to a name she texted me of a man – Romel A. Cebu of Tungko, SJDM, Bulacan. I asked who this person was and she said that this guy was her sister’s husband and he is the only one with ID. She said that she will be at my house on the afternoon of the following day. The next day came and at 10am, I received a text message saying that she was just going to have lunch and then proceed to go to my house already. I said ‘OK’. I was out with the kids and came back at 2PM. The clock show 3PM and there was no sign of her. A little before 4PM, I sent her a text message asking where she was, but I got no reply. I then sent another message a little before 5PM, and still no reply. By 6PM – I tried calling her but she wasn’t answering, so I sent another text. After sending that text – I tried calling and the phone was turned off. Typical of a helper. By this time, I knew I was suckered. I was duped. I had to admit that already. That night, I sent her a stern text telling her that I was giving her a chance. That she needed to come to the house by lunch time. If not, I will make true what she told me – to call the police on her. After a few seconds of that text sending – she replies. And you know what she said? She said that she was invited by her sister to drink – and she was drunk that’s why she wasn’t able to travel. Red Flag! I was just shaking my head in disbelief. She then said that she will come the next day – before lunch time. And I believed her. This morning – she sends me another text that she won’t be able to make it because her niece (her sister’s daughter) ran away and she was helping look for her niece. With this text, I knew that she was making a fool out of me already. So I told her, that she needed to return the money to me or else, I will make true to call the police on her. She then begged and said that she will just return the money to me – she promises to do everything possible to return the money. I knew that this ‘returning’ is close to impossible. So, I gave her an ultimatum – that she needed to wire the money to me this afternoon before Western Union closes. She said that she will do everything possible and for me not to worry. She event went as far as saying that she will sell her cellphone just to pay me back. (I will post the series of text exchanges between us) At 4PM, I still haven’t received any transaction number. at 6PM I sent her a text telling her that since it was already past 5PM, I will call the police already. And she replies to say that she will send the money the tomorrow morning because the money she asked from her father hasn’t arrived yet. Red Flag! I told her that I didn’t care anymore – that I will make true what she told me to do in case she doesn’t show up. She them proceeds to tell me that she is telling the truth. I told her to just be honest to tell me if she wanted to work or not – but she was still making excuses. Here’s the thing: Last Friday night, my SIL sent me a message that Yaya Babylyn was employed with her in laws for 2 weeks. That last week Yaya Babylyn asked permission to leave because her sister died. Okay – thinking back, I realized – maybe the reason why she told me not to send her money was because someone else already did. I didn’t want to think bad of her but when my SIL said told me of the reason of death in the family – I assumed that she would resume working for her in laws after the funeral, but why did she want to work for me? Red Flag! The story was – Yaya Babylyn was went to work for my SIL’s in law’s friend but lasted only 3 days – thus her in laws took her in. Red Flag! Helpers are notorious for killing off their relatives to make excuses to go home or leave work. When my SIL told me this – I knew I was duped. But I gave her a chance – I always believe that people are good – and I want to be proven wrong. And I was proven wrong. I saw the red flags, but I chose to ignore them out of desperation. I have never been duped this way before. I was always careful when it came to sending money for transportation. But with this one – since I’ve met Yaya Babylyn – and I knew she was ok with my SIL – I gave her a chance. I believed her – but I was wrong. Please don’t think I blame my SIL for this because I don’t – I knew it was a risk and I still took it, so here I am. I was telling my Panget about this and he told me that if ever this yaya comes to our home – not to let her in anymore because she can’t be trusted. So now, I am only after getting back what I sent them. I honestly don’t know how to go about the process of filing a complaint – because I really want to teach her a lesson – that of all people to mess with, not with me. Not with me. I am attaching her Police Report and her Facebook Page. I will not tell you to not hire her, but I will advice you just to be very careful in hiring her. Learn from me.
Facebook Page : Babylyn Dagsil Villanueva
P.S. I have been telling friends and family how worthless a Police Clearance is. I want to be proven wrong by my own statement, so let’s see how far this quest will lead me. Wish me luck! If any of you know or knows how to go about this – please please share it on the comment section. Anyone privy with any police station in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan – please help me.
Really need to be careful nowadays, even with referrals. Hope this issue with Yaya Babylyn would be solved soon.
Wow. Just wow. I can't believe helpers these days. They have upperhand because of our desperation. They take advantage of it. Have you filed for a police blotter yet?
Makes me wonder why, despite doing well as your SIL's helper, she still manages to do things like that. Sad naman.
Like what Serene said, file a police blotter. People like her need to learn a lesson, IMO.
Hello The Kikay Dragon! Thanks, I really really need to be careful talaga. I trusted too much with this one since she came from my SIL plus we knew each other already. I guess people nowadays are different.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Love, Didi
Hi Serene! I haven't filed a blotter yet. I will though, but I don't know how to go about it yet. I'm trying to figure out what to do. What I really want is to intimidate her – so that she won't do this to others, but I guess intimidating may mean that I need to go through the whole process without shortcuts. Thanks for dropping by and the support!
Love, Didi
Hi Michelle! I guess she's desperate for something. And she knew how to push the right buttons. I am already asking on the procedure for a police blotter.
Thanks!
Love, didi
I've encountered yaya issues before when I was still living with my parents. Now, they're everywhere! Sigh. Hope this issue would be put on rest though. Thanks for the info, Didi.
Hi Rikka! I hope this gets solved soon too! Thanks for dropping by!
Love, Didi
Wala na talagang pwedeng pagkatiwalaan these days.
xoxo
MrsMartinez
Even with a referral naloloko pa din tayo. super hirap to find a nice helper nowadays
Mrs. Martinez – I agree!!
Thanks for dropping by.
Love, Didi
Hi Nerisa!! I was more shocked since it was a referral and I KNEW her. I welcomed her in my home countless of times ha. I can just shake my head in disbelief. Thanks for dropping by.
Love, Didi
Oh my gosh! It's really hard to trust people nowadays. Kaya kami kahit gaano kami kahirap without a helper, hindi kami nagha-hire.
Grabe, super nakakainis yung ganyan, perwisyo na sa panahon, may money involved pa! Hay, may mga tao talagang WALANG KONSIDERSYON! Hirap talaga, di mo rin naman masisisi yung nagrefer kasi nakakahiya rin at some point kasi gusto lang din nila makatulong at wala naman sila idea kung ano ang gagawin sa'yo nung tao.
That happened to my mom, too. She brought two helpers to the house – one for me and one for my bff. They ate at Jollibee and we gave them money for x-rays. They never came back. And that's just one of the lesser exasperating helper/yaya stories we have.
I badly need a helper but after all we have gone through with the last one we had and all the other applicants that followed, I decided I can't take it. So even if I'm a WAHM, homeschooling and have 3 little kids, I choose not to hire one anymore. We're okay.
There should be a law in this country that protects employers from maids.
sa dami ng umemployed na Filipino ngayon, bakit hindi tayo makahanap ng matinong yaya? haist…#yayawoes . Good luck mommy.
Hi Peachy! I'd like to think positive about people na mabuti ang intentions nila. I always see it as me helping them and they helping me. But I guess hindi na ganon ngayon. I've learned my lesson. Thanks for dropping by Peachy!!
Love, Didi
Hi Shari! Hindi talaga ako nagsisisi ng nagrerefer, unless yung nagrerefer talagang may hidden agenda. I've met people also na ganyan, basta't may marefer bahala na, kasi ang habol lang is the referral fee. I've already solved that loophole. Pero alam mo, tinanggal ko na sa isipan ko yung KONSIDERASYON kasi narealize ko, iilan lang tayong MAY KONSIDERASYON sa kapwa. Be honest, ang daming inconsiderate na tao lalo na sa Pilipinas. Thanks for leaving a comment! I appreciate it very much!
Love, Didi
Hello Maypalacpac! I agree on a law that protects us employers from helpers. We really need it kasi subject din tayo to abuse. But as we all know, these helpers are the voting majority thus, politicians need to appease them more than us. My Panget nga always says – that those who pay taxes SHOULD be the only ones allowed to vote, kasi yung mga hindi nagbabayad ng buwis – wala naman silang say dapat since they don't contribute anything to the government diba?
Thanks for stopping by!
Love, Didi
Hi Mommy Lally! Sa dami nga ng unemployed – lahat naman sila, mapili sa trabaho. Konting hirap lang, susuko na. That's why our country is rotten kasi people don't know what hard work is. lagi nilang iniisip na gusto nila ng madaling trabaho. Nako naman, if lahat ng trabaho madali, then everyone is happy and earning diba? But that's not the case.
Thanks Mommy Lally!
love, Didi
I had traumatic experiences with my eldest son's former Yayas. I gave them everything. I was willing to pay for their Philhealth, SSS, and Pag-ibig contributions din to be fair to them. The first one was so lazy and the second one was hurting my son when I was out for work. Kaya pala ayaw lumabas ng bedroom kapag magkasama kami. He was two years old when it happened. I never hired one ever since. I resigned from work to be a fulltime mom. Ayoko nang magtiwala ulit. It's difficult to hire trustworthy ones nowadays. 🙁 I agree with Serene. She must learn her lesson!
Hi SJ! What I don't understand is why they hurt kids. Mamasukan na yaya tapos mananakit. Bad apples talaga!! It's good that you were able to be a full time mom. I wish I can be too!!
I really want her to learn her lesson. Pero HOW? I need help talaga!!
Love, Didi
Two prospective yayas actually tried to ask me for money for transportation in the past week alone. We're lucky because my husband is in service and he gets to have their backgrounds checked easily through the help of fellow officers who are assigned in those areas. Ang condition namin sa kanila is that our police friend will buy the ticket and deliver it to their house. Kung gusto talaga magtrabaho, papayag yan. Pero pag nagpilit na i-cash na lang namin, ay wag na lang.
Kim!!! Maybe you can help me?? Please? I really want to teach her a lesson para hindi na niya ulitin sa mga tao!! Please? I'll contact you through email. Thank you for this message!!
love, Didi
Hello, i feel for you. I have a similar experience. Too bad i got suckered for 1500php for her fare. Pero sabi nalang ni husband, at least 1500php lang, mas hearbreaking if she went big and stayed with us with the intention of stealing things/money around the house.
Hello Anonymous! Thank you for sharing your experience. I think I should think like your husband – I feel better thinking that somehow it was only P1,000.00 and nothing more. I just wish her well now, I just hope that the money I sent, she really needed. I wish she won't get to experience what she did to me.
Love, Didi
This is a growing problem here in the Philippines. I don't understand why the government is not taking action on this. I'm glad you blogged about this. This is something that people are aware of but no one has been able to shed attention on this. *thumbs up*
CC – the government isn't taking action because these are the voters that matter to them. Last year th this new Kasambahay Law, it protected the helpers alright, but the employers were not. It was like our needs were not taken into consideration. It was really one sided but I guess, we've got a long looong way to go before we achieve the absolute *fairness* (if there is such a word) Hahaha!!
love, Didi
Mag-ingat lang talaga nag kauna unahang isipin natin pag nag hire ng mga yaya's. Sana maparusahan na ang babaeng ito…
appreciate ko po na nag-comment kayo. Pero sana di niyo na nilagyan ng link ng site niyo. I'm sure you're also a not so very perfect maid agency.
Even when my mom was looking for a housemaid, she NEVER gave any transportation because of risk of no no-show
Even when my mom was looking for a housemaid, she NEVER gave any transportation because of risk of no no-show