26/08/2026
# # # 🇯🇵 MY FIRST DAY AT WORK IN JAPAN 😂
**“Namae wa?”**
That was the first Japanese question I ever got from a Japanese officer when I applied for a job in Japan.
And guess what?
**Wala ko kahibalo unsa akong itubag.** 😂
Let me tell you about my first day at work in Japan.
At that time, giuban ko sa cousin sa akong husband para mangapply ug work.
We went together to a **big company—a factory that manufactured cellphones and laptops.**
First time gyud nako.
And honestly, **nakuyawan ko.**
Because in my mind, I thought:
**“Okay, interview ni. Murag sa Pilipinas.”**
So, I was mentally preparing myself for the usual:
*Tell me about yourself.*
*What are your qualifications?*
*What is your work experience?*
*Why should we hire you?*
Ready na kaayo ko. 😂
Then, an officer came toward us.
He looked at me and asked:
**“Namae wa?”**
*(What's your name?)*
Ako?
**Kuhit dayon ko sa akong cousin.**
“Unsay ingon niya, Mik?” 😭😂
Mikmik translated:
**“Unsa daw imong ngalan?”**
Ako:
**“Aw… unsaon man nako pagtubag?”** 😭
Wala gyud koy alam sa Japanese!
Mikmik said:
**“Ingna lang, ‘Jackie desu.’”**
So, I faced the officer, gave my best Japanese-style bow—
**kahit papaano, kabalo na ko mubow at that time.** 😂
Then I said:
**“Jackie desu.”** 🙇♀️
The officer simply left.
I looked at Mikmik.
**“Hala, Mik… asa naman to si Sir?”**
Mikmik:
**“I don't know. Basin nagkuha na ug uniform for us.”**
AKO:
**“WHAT?! 😳”**
“Wala pa gani ko nakahatag ug requirements!”
“Wala pa koy CV!”
“Wala pa gani ko ka-interview!”
HAHAHAHAHAHA! 😂😂😂
Mikmik just laughed and said:
**“Ayaw worry ana oi. Usahay diri sa Japan, maybe tungod kay *isogashii* kaayo sila—busy kaayo—and kulang sila ug manpower, ing-ana na lang usahay.”**
**“Basta naa naka sa Japan, ang documents… to follow.”**
Hahahaha!
So I waited.
And true enough...
Pagbalik sa officer, **nagdala na siya ug papel.**
Nakasulat didto ang mga kinahanglan namong dal-on **kinabukasan.**
But the surprising part?
**Pwede na daw mi mo-start sa production line that same day.**
Apparently, **kulang sila ug tao.** 😂
Ako:
**“Hala… unsaon man nako pagbuhat ug cellphone?”** 😭🤣
First day in Japan.
First job.
First factory.
And now...
**CELL PHONE MAKING?!** 😂
Pero to my surprise...
**Dili diay siya lisod.**
There was a production line.
Sa pinaka-front, ang cellphone **skeleton pa kaayo.**
Then as it moved along the line, each worker had a specific part to put in.
One person adds one piece.
Another person adds another.
Another piece.
Another piece.
Until eventually...
**Pag-abot sa end sa line—nahuman na ang cellphone!** 📱
I was honestly amazed.
I remember thinking:
**“Wow… mao diay ni ang factory production.”**
Everyone had a specific job.
Everyone had a specific part.
And together, the whole thing becomes a finished product.
For someone who had never worked in a Japanese factory before, **it was a whole new world for me.**
And then...
**The next day, I was transferred to the LAPTOP area.**
😳
And let me tell you...
**LAHI NA SAD TO NGA STORY.** 😂😂😂
Because if the cellphone area was already an experience...
**the laptop area was MUCH stricter.** 😭🤣
But that...
**I'll tell you another day.** 🇯🇵❤️
And looking back now, I realize something:
My first day in Japan taught me that sometimes, **you don't need to know everything before you begin.**
But if I could go back in time...
I would definitely tell my younger self:
**“Jackie, learn Japanese first.”** 😂
Because imagine...
You arrive in Japan.
Someone asks:
**“Namae wa?”**
And your only response is:
**“Mik… unsa daw?”** 🤣🤣🤣
So, to everyone dreaming of working in Japan:
**Prepare yourself before the opportunity comes.**
Learn the language.
Learn the culture.
Learn the basic expressions you will actually need at work.
Because when that opportunity finally comes...
**mas nindot nga ready ka.** 🇯🇵❤️
— *Japan Story #3* 🇯🇵
