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Detained OFW tourists return relieved, furious

Posted on 31 January 2017 No comments

31 January 2017

By Vir B. Lumicao
The detained group enjoying Shenzhen's attractions
while Escamillan slipped  away
Fourteen Filipina domestic workers who have gone back to Hong Kong late last night, Jan. 30, after being detained at the Lowu border for about 26 hours,  say they are relieved that most of their employers welcomed them back.
However, they are furious at a member of their tour group, Josephine Escamillan, who went missing during the Shenzhen tour, causing authorities there to detain them.
The 14 who joined a tour organized by the social media group OFWs in Hong Kong,
were released by the Chinese authorities after a whole day of negotiations with officers of the Philippine Consulates in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
At least one of them said her employer was concerned upon learning that she had been prevented from returning to Hong Kong on Jan. 29.
“OK naman si amo, nasa China siya. Kung di pa nga kami nakauwi kagabi pupuntahan niya dapat ako ngayon, kasi kahapon nasa bundok sila,” she said in an SMS to another member of the group.
Regina de Andres, a moderator of OFWHK who led the tour, said she did not encounter any problems with her own employer.
Wala namang sinabi basta alam nila ang nangyari,” she said in a FB chat message.  Lahat naman kami mostly OK.”
She said the helpers were all back at work on Tuesday, despite it being the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday.
De Andres was profusely thankful to Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr, the assistance to nationals officer who was sent to Lowu to help negotiate the release of the 14.
She said she was forced to drop the name of Cayabyab when she got into an argument with the Chinese immigration officers who stopped them from leaving.
“Kaya nung nagsabi ako na kilala ako ng taga-ATN like nila makausap si Sir Junie (Cayabyab). Kaya dun na ako nakipag-argunento dahil sa totoo lang, kung wala si Sir Junie till next week pa kami doon. Pero nagpwersa at halos lahat ng contact na ang kinontak din kaya nakauwi kami agad,” De Andres said.
In contrast, De Andres slammed the ATN at the Consulate in Guangzhou.  “Nakipag-argumento ako sa taga-Guangzhou dahil unang salita nila parang ayaw pa kami atupagin,” she said.
However, Hong Kong ATN head, Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, said it was the PCG in Guangzhou that sent a note verbale (a diplomatic missive) to Chinese authorities to secure the group’s release.
Vallespin credited his counterpart in Guangzhou, in particular, for taking all possible steps to get the OFWs back home as soon as possible.
“I requested my batchmate vice consul in Guangzhou to call their contacts in immigration and security departments, “ said Vallespin in a text message to The SUN last night, explaining how the two diplomatic posts worked for the OFWs’ release.
From their side, he said they contacted Hong Kong immigration to help facilitate the entry of Cayabyab to Shenzhen.
Meanwhile, De Andres was similarly furious at the Chinese immigration staff at the border who she said did not even attend to their needs. She said it was their tour guides
who provided them with food, and helped her page the missing tour member, Escamillan.
But her anger was mostly directed at Escamillan, on whom she heaped scorn in her Facebook posts and in online chats.
“Kapal ng mukha ng babae na yun, kuya. Till now nanginginig ako sa galit,” she said in an FB chat message.
De Andres said it was Escamillan who begged to join her group when they had to be split from a bigger batch of 28 travelers at Lowu.
Everybody in the group said they had no idea that the woman was set to run away.
Asked if she would lead another group tour to China again in the future, De Andres said: “For sure, Kuya. Pero ibahin ko na ang pag-organize.”
She organized the tour with the help of Kathy Travel HK, whose owners rushed with Cayabyab to Lowu after hearing of the snag. - The SUN Hong Kong 

Runaway maid settles row with boss, flies home

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By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker who ran away from her employer early last month flew home to her family on Jan 19, soon after her boss freed her of a liability to pay him a month’s wage for terminating her employment prematurely.

Dianne Caranzo told The SUN on the eve of her departure that she and her employer settled their dispute in a meeting at the Labour Department on Jan 17.

“Hindi na po pinabayaran ni Sir sa akin ang dating sinisingil na katumbas ng sahod ko sa isang buwan para makuha ko ang aking luggage,” Caranzo said.

She said she went back to the home of her employer after the meeting to retrieve her luggage.
On Jan 18, Caranzo picked up her plane ticket from Rising Sun Employment Agency, which deployed her to the employer’s household in late October last year.

Caranzo was reportedly accompanied to the meeting by a Philippine Overseas Labor Office staff. Her employer, said to be a retired police officer, was escorted by the agency owner.

According to an officer of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the employer was originally willing to let go off the helper without demanding payment.

But he was allegedly irked when he received a letter from the Immigration Department informing him that his helper had filed a complaint accusing him of violating her labor rights.

“He said he got mad because the complaint at the Immigration would tarnish his reputation,” the OWWA officer said.

To resolve the issue, the employer asked Caranzo to sign a waiver stating that she was withdrawing the complaint against him.

Caranzo said that the complaint was, in fact, filed on her behalf by a certain Pastor Jonathan Lalaan who told her that he was a trial court employee and that he could take up her case with the Immigration.

Caranzo had no regrets coming to Hong Kong, saying it was her dream to work abroad but it just so happened she had an unhappy experience.

“Ito ang dream ko, ito ang gusto ko para sa pamilya. Gusto kong makatulong sa mister ko, para mapag-aral ang mga anak ko,” she said.

Caranzo said that before coming to Hong Kong, she had applied for jobs in Korea, Dubai and Malaysia but had been duped by recruiters.

PCG secures release of 14 OFW tourists held in Shenzhen

Posted on 30 January 2017 No comments

30 January 2017

The rescued group in Shenzhen, just before returning to HK.
With them is ATN's Cayabyab (in black jacket and white shirt)
By The SUN team
Philippine Consulate officers in Hong Kong have secured the release of 14 Filpina domestic workers who were detained at the Chinese border in Lowu yesterday night (Jan 29) after a member of their tour group went missing.
The OFWs arrived in Hong Kong shortly afrer 9pm tonight, accompanied by Hermogenes Cayabyab, Jr of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals (ATN) section, and the owners of Kathy Travel agency from which the group bought their tour package.
Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, who heads ATN, said the missing Filipina, Josephine Escamillan, is confirmed to have run away.
Social media posts said she had served notice of termination to her employers shortly before joining the Shenzhen tour organized by the social media group OFWs in Hong Kong. Escamillan reportedly arrived in Hong Kong only recently, and had previously worked in Shanghai.
Vallespin said Cayabyab went to Shenzhen at around 1:30pm after the Consulate obtained help from Hong Kong immigration in facilitating his entry. But the detained Filipinas could not be released immediately because of an ongoing investigation.
“The tour agency in Shenzhen is still under investigation.  This somehow delayed their departure from Shenzhen”, said Vallespin.
He gave assurance that the Filipinas were not detained for any violation of China’s laws, not even for overstaying, as the visa they were issued on their arrival yesterday was valid for six days.
“Even if their visas expired, they couldn’t be charged for overstaying because it’s the Shenzhen authorities that prevented them from leaving,” he said.
Vallespin said that at their request, the Philippine Consulate in Guangzhou sent a note verbale (a diplomatic note that is similar, but more formal than a memorandum) to Chinese authorities in the city to ask for the Filipinas’ release.
Back in HK: De Andres (in white jacket) with Cayabyab
Among those who just returned to Hong Kong was Regina de Andres, a moderator of OFWs in Hong Kong. In a post in her group’s FB page, De Andres thanked the Consulate and Kathy’s Travel for their help in getting them back to Hong Kong.
Before midnight on Sunday, De Andres and the other detained members of her group were frantically contacting friends in Hong Kong urging them to seek help from the Consulate.
They said they had no money or clothes with them. Some were also worried about being fired by their employers because they failed to return to Hong Kong as expected.
It took another 26 hours since their detention at Lowu before the group was allowed to return to Hong Kong.
Aside from De Andres, the other detained OFWs were Maria Elena Camano, Agnes Cardenas, Gloria Cariaga, Marina Canita, Sharon Cuadrado, Marineth Fernandez, Ana Marie Hervias, Mary Jean Larupay, Cheena Llanura, Maricel Manlapig, Ginalyn Rubio, Erma Patricio and Agnes Pagunsan. 
Earlier reports said Escamillan stayed with the group until after lunch, when they were all allowed to roam Window of the World, a popular tourist spot in Shenzhen. Escamillan was reportedly lugging a suitcase, but gave no indication that she was planning to run away.
Escamillan was part of a bigger group that joined the tour. On reaching Shenzhen, the group was split into two, with De Andres leading the group of 15 that included Escamillan.
Because of the split, 13 other members of the group managed to return to Hong Kong as scheduled on Sunday night.
One of the lucky ones who managed to get back on time told The SUN in a Facebook chat that the early part of the tour went on smoothly.
 “In the first two destinations we visited, we were intact because the tour guide was watching us and there was little time to wander away from the group,” said Rosalia Filipino Rodrigo.
On reaching the third destination, Window of the World, members of the two groups went their separate ways because they just had three hours to go around the park to enjoy the sights and take pictures.
Rodrigo said they were told to go to the waiting area next to the KFC restaurant and rendezvous with De Andres after exiting the theme park. They were supposed to wait there for their bus ride back to Lowu, from where they were to catch the train to Hong Kong at 6:30 pm.


14 OFWs held at China border after tour group member disappears

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The group poses for picture before the start of the tour
(UPDATED)
By Vir B. Lumicao
Consulate officers are negotiating with the Hong Kong Immigration Department for the release of 14 Filipina domestic workers who were detained at Lowu last night, Jan. 29, after a member of their tour group went missing.
The missing member of the group was identified as Josephine Escamillan, who failed to return to the bus pickup point by around 6pm, after the three-hour tour of Window of the World, a popular tourist attraction in Shenzhen.
Deputy Consul General Christian de Jesus told The SUN: “We’re working on it (the case) now”.
Lunch in Shenzhen just before the Window of the Workd tour
Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, head of the assistance to nationals section said separately:  “We are in touch with the HKID (Immigration Department). Our workers must be released. Perhaps after questioning.”
He said the Consulate also contacted the Philippine Consulate in Guangzhou to talk with Chinese authorities about the plight of the OFW tourists.
By mid-morning today, an ATN officer had reportedly left for Guangzhou, along with the owners of Kathy Travel, which booked the group for the Shenzhen tour.
Regina de Andres, leader of group OFWs in Hong Kong which organized the tour, confirmed that an ATN officer had been in touch.
Before midnight on Sunday, De Andres and 13 members of her OFWs in Hong Kong organization were frantically contacting friends in Hong Kong urging them to seek help from the Consulate.
Josie Escamillan, the missing OFW
Escamillan reportedly stayed with the group until after lunch, when they were all allowed to roam Window of the World on their own. Escamillan was reportedly lugging a suitcase, but gave no indication that she was planning to run away.
Reports say she moved to Hong Kong only recently, after working in Shanghai for a while.
Escamillan was among 27 members of the OFWs in Hong Kong group. They joined 18 other tourists who left Hong Kong on a train to Lowu Sunday morning for a one-day shopping and sightseeing tour of Shenzhen. 
On reaching Shenzhen their group was split into two, with De Andres leading the group of 14 that included Escamilla.
Because of the split, the other 13 members of the group managed to return to Hong Kong as scheduled last night.
One of the lucky ones who managed to get back told The SUN in a Facebook chat that the early part of the tour went on smoothly.
 “In the first two destinations we visited, we were intact because the tour guide was watching us and there was little time to wander away from the group,” said Rosalia Filipino Rodrigo.
On reaching the third destination, Window of the World, members of the two groups parted after buying their tickets because they had just three hours to go around the park to enjoy the sights and take pictures.
Rodrigo they were told to go to the waiting area next to the KFC restaurant and rendezvous with De Andres after exiting the theme park. They were supposed to wait there for their bus ride back to Lowu where they were to catch their train ride back to Hong Kong at 6:30 pm.
The first group that included Herbas was allowed by Chinese Immigration officers to return to Hong Kong because all 13 people on the list were accounted for, while the group of De Andres  was not allowed to leave because Escamillan was missing.
At 11:35 pm, a group member sent this writer a private message saying De Andres and her group were held at the Chinese border. De Andres was reportedly crying because of fear about what would happen to the helpers if they were not released soon.
Rodrigo however said that the stranded workers had already sent private messages to their employers telling them of their their situation.
The rest of the detained OFWs, aside from De Andres, are Maria Elena Camano, Agnes Cardenas, Gloria Cariaga, Marina Canita, Sharon Cuadrado, Marineth Fernandez, Ana Marie Hervias, Mary Jean Larupay, Cheena Llanura, Maricel Manlapig, Ginalyn Rubio, Erma Patricio and Agnes Pagunsan. - with a report from Marites Palma

OFW leader and party-list rep in near-fisticuffs at POLO

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By Daisy CL Mandap

An irate Villanueva accuses Berlitz of not being pro-OFW
Berlitz tells Villanueva he is an undocumented worker
Militant OFW leader Eman Villanueva and ACTS-OFW Party-List Representative Aniceto “John” Bertiz nearly came to blows at the office of Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre yesterday, Jan. 29, during talks on the overseas employment certificate (OEC).
Villanueva, along with fellow members of United Filipinos – Migrante Hong Kong were at the office for a scheduled meeting with Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello who, however, was unable to come because of an emergency trip to Kuwait to visit an OFW on death row.
He sent in his place Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod, who came with Bertiz.
Unifil asked for the meeting after protesting earlier in the day for the scrapping of the OEC and the integration of the airport terminal fee in the air tickets purchased by OFWs.
From the start, Bertiz had tried to dominate the talks, and took pains to explain that the OEC was necessary to distinguish between a documented and an undocumented worker.
Unifil chairperson Dolo Balladares countered that there was no such need, as all legitimate or documented OFWs have a work visa and a contract to prove their status.
This was affirmed by Villanueva and the other OFW leaders present who told Maglunsod of the many problems encountered by OFWs recently in the wake of the revised policy on the OEC. Instead of acquiring an OEC outright, OFWs were forced to create an online account so they could avail of an OEC exemption, for which they still had to pay the $20 fee.
When he finally had his turn to speak, Bertiz talked at length about the need to build a government data base, and eventually come up with a “one-time OFW ID”.
“Ito na siguro ang kasagutan para tanggalin na yung OEC”, he said
But in the meantime, he said the OEC is necessary to stop human trafficking and other irregularities, including cases of OFWs who change their identities just so they could continue working abroad.
He also hinted that there was no longer a need for OFWs to take to the streets to get their sentiments known because they already have allies inside government.
“Ang kaibahan lang ngayon may kakampi na tayo sa loob, lalo-lalo na ang Presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte”, he said
Bertiz spoke continuously for about 12 minutes until Villanueva tried to stop him, to which the lawmaker snapped: “Patapusin mo muna ako, you had your turn kanina”.
In contrast, Maglunsod was cool
An irate Villanueva countered: “Kayo na ang umubos sa oras namin. Kami ay nakipag-meeting sa DOLE at hindi sa inyo”.
Berlitz replied: “Pareho lang tayong OFW. Hindi ako naiiba sa inyo, OFW din ako”.
This appeared to irk Villanueva even more that he replied with, “Hindi ka OFW, ikaw ay agency owner”.
This appeared to hit home because Bertiz, who worked as an office clerk in Saudi Arabia for five years, now sits as president and CEO of Global Asia Alliance Consultant Inc., said to be one of the biggest recruitment agencies in the Philippines
Their fight then degenerated into Bertiz accusing Villanueva of being an undocumented worker after the latter said he did not owe his job to an agency, and the latter telling the former of being arrogant just because he had won a a seat in congress.
By this time, the two were already shouting at each other, and had to be restrained by people around them so they wouldn’t come to blows.
Eventually, the leaders decided to walk out on Bertiz but agreed to continue talking to Maglunsod in another room.
The dialogue proceeded smoothly then, with the labor official telling the OFW leaders to immediately draft a petition letter addressed directly to President Duterte, explaining their concerns over the OEC, the terminal fee, and the OWWA membership fee.

The latter issue was added after Maglunsod was told that the implementing guidelines for the 2016 OWWA Act, which provides for a fixed term of two years for OWWA membership, has yet to be issued.   

Employer fined $3k for assault on helper, gets blacklisted

Posted on 29 January 2017 No comments

29 January 2017

By Vir B. Lumicao
Eastern Court


A Chinese housewife got away on Jan 16 with just a $3,000 fine for physically assaulting her Filipina domestic worker, but she and her husband can no longer hire a maid from the Philippines.

Zhang Qi, 39, who was originally from mainland China, pleaded guilty to common assault on G. Rimas, 42, before Eastern Court Magistrate Jacky Ip, who proceeded to convict her of the offense.

Rimas expressed disappointment over the sentence, saying it was too light for the wrong done to her. She immediately proceeded to the Consulate with Edwina Antonio of the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge to have Zhang and her husband Simon J. Eckersley blacklisted so they can no longer hire Filipino helpers.

In addition, Antonio said they will look into appealing Zhang’s sentence, and filing a separate civil claim for damages against her.

During sentencing, magistrate Ip chided Zhang for her “serious crime”, saying Hong Kong courts protect domestic helpers who had left their families to come here and work.

“No matter the issue, there’s no reason for you to use violence against the domestic helper. Hong Kong is a civilized society and does not tolerate any violence against a domestic helper,” Ip said.
“It has an impact that embarrasses Hong Kong,” he said.

Rimas was visibly relieved after the sentencing. She immediately called her farmer husband to tell the news. The couple has three children aged 19-24, and a one-year-old grandson.

About half an hour earlier, she burst out crying when she saw Zhang arrive for the trial with her private lawyers.

But she was consoled and massaged by Antonio and a fellow client at the shelter who accompanied her to court.

In mitigation, the defense counsel described Zhang as a former mainland businesswoman who came to Hong Kong with her husband to ‘take motherhood seriously” raising her three-year-old son and six-year-old daughter.

The lawyer said his client “is very embarrassed to be here today” because of the case and had been seeing a clinical psychologist regularly since the incident.

Seeking the most lenient sentence, he said Zhang had a bad day on Apr 18 because one of her three maids ran away at 2pm and the victim wanted to follow suit in the evening.

The court was told that the incident started when Zhang asked to see Rimas’ passport but was told she did not have the travel document because it was with somebody else in Wanchai.

Rimas allegedly tried to leave through the backdoor of the Repulse Bay home at around 6pm but Zhang prevented her.

When the maid reached the lift, Zhang grabbed her right arm and tried to drag her out. They struggled until the lift opened in the car park lobby and the Filipina called for help from the guards. He said it was during the struggle that she sustained injuries.

Court records show Rimas had a small laceration over her left eyebrow, small red scratch marks on her right wrist, a bruise on the third knuckle of her left hand, and a red mark on her left hand.

The helper told The SUN she started working for Zhang and her family on Dec 23, 2015. She said Zhang’s first assaulted her on Apr 4, 2016, when she pushed her forcefully from the dining room to the maid’s room while verbally abusing her.

On Apr 18, after a maid named Jailine fled, Zhang vented her ire on Rimas “because she (Zhang) knew I encouraged her to escape from the maltreatment we were suffering”.

“I was overcome by fear that she’d hurt me again so I also decided to flee,” she said.

Before the hearing, the prosecution reportedly told the maid that Zhang was willing to give her $5,000 in compensation, “maybe more”. The defendant would plead guilty, but would seek a bindover – a promise not to reoffend within a specified period with a certain sum for surety.

Ylagan’s absence stalls magistracy hearing of jobs scam case

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The first hearing on Jan. 20 of the labour cases involving the alleged recruitment of hundreds of Filipinas for non-existent jobs in Britain and Canada had to be called off after the accused, employment agency owner Ester P. Ylagan, failed to appear in court.

Ylagan was charged with 21 cases of  ”receiving payment other than the prescribed commission” for allegedly charging applicants $10,000 to $15,000 for purported jobs in the two countries between January and July last year.

The cases were filed by the Employment Agency Administration after interviewing dozens of Filipino migrant workers who brought their complaints against Ylagan to the Consulate, which in turn endorsed them to the Hong Kong Labour Department.

Ylagan giving her side to The SUN in June last year
In a reply sent in response from queries from The SUN on Jan. 24, Labour said that it had laid 23 summonses against Ylagan, trading as Mike’s Secretarial Services.

“While the defendant failed to attend the meeting, the prosecution applied to the magistrates’ courts for the hearing to be adjourned as advised by our legal advisor and the application was granted,” the department’s information office said.

“As the legal proceeding of the case has already commenced, the Labour Department will not comment on the case.”

The 21 claimants were just a tiny fraction of the more than 500  people who are believed to have given their trust and money to Ylagan, who for years, had run Emry’s Employment Agency, the biggest recruiter of Filipino domestic workers into Hong Kong.

When she recruited for the fake jobs, however, Ylagan reportedly used Mike’s Secretarial Services, a company listed solely in her name.

More than 100 of the claimants have sought help from the Small Claims Tribunal for a refund of their money, and most of the cases are still pending.

Ylagan has not attended a single hearing of the cases, and a representative has repeatedly told the court that the defendant was in the Philippines for medical consultations.

The officer in charge of the cases has given an ultimatum for Ylagan to appear at the next hearing, or risk losing the right to repudiate the claims.

At Eastern court, Ylagan was again nowhere in sight when the court clerk called out the names of the parties in the cases due for hearing before Magistrate Arthur Lam.

Two Labour prosecutors were initially present at the hearing, listed down as “for mention” of the cases against Ylagan.

Her case was reserved for last, but the Labour prosecutors decided to leave before the penultimate case could be heard after seeing no signs of the defendant.

When the clerk called out the number of the first case against Ylagan, she was surprised to find that nobody was in the gallery, not even the prosecutors.

The magistrate stood up and walked back into his chamber.

“The defendant didn’t come,” the clerk of court said when asked what happened.
Pressed for an explanation, she simply said: “Adjournment.”

The SUN tried to contact EAA investigation officer Pang Wah-sang to inquire about what the Labour Department would do after Ylagan’s failure to show up, but got no immediate reply.

But in the statement issued to The SUN, the Labour spokesperson said: “The Labour Department would like to take this opportunity to put the record straight as regards your report on 21 January, that while the defendant failed to attend the hearing, the LD prosecutor submitted application to adjourn the hearing in accordance with the advice of our legal advisor and stayed in the court room until approval was granted and the magistrate left the court room.”

However, the two prosecutors were about 3 minutes gone when the case was called out after the penultimate case. When the magistrate looked around and saw none of the parties, he bent over and asked the clerk of court, then left the courtroom.

This and another reporter were the last to leave after talking to the court clerk.

Zero balance ang Octopus

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Napahiya na si Jeje kamakailan, nagmulta pa siya dahil nag zero balance ang kanyang Octopus.

Pagkapananghalian noong Enero 16 ay sumakay si Jeje at ang kanyang popo sa light rail train mula sa Gainza station papunta sa palengke. Nang i-swipe niya ang kanyang Octopus card pasakay ay nag-beep ito pero nakapasok pa rin si Jeje.

Pagdating ng train sumunod na stop, sa Locwood station ay sumakay ang mga inspector dala ang kanilang machine reader, at isa-isang tiningnan ang kanilang Octopus. Pagdating kay Jeje ay nakita nilang zero na ang balance nito.

Pinababa siya at ang kanyang popo, at pinagmulta siya ng $290.

Hiyang hiya si Jeje pero pilit niyang ginigiit na nang sumakay sila ay nakita niyang may 30 cents pang laman ang kanyang Octopus. Mangiyak-ngiyak din siya dahil naubos na ang kanyang allowance sa buong linggo dahil sa multa.

Kinagabihan ay sinabi niya sa kanyang amo ang nangyari, at agad naman nitong ibinalik ang $290 niya. Bagamat nakahinga na ng maluwag, pinagbibilin pa rin ni Jeje sa mga kapwa Pinay na siguraduhin lagi na may laman ang kanilang Octopus bago sila gumamit ng pampublikong sasakyan at nang hindi sila mapahiya at mapahamak.

Si Jeje at may asawa at isang anak na lalaki. Nagtrabaho siya dati sa Singapore at Italy bago nagpunta ng Hong Kong. – Merly Bunda

Hihiwalayan ang mister dahil may kabit

Posted on 26 January 2017 No comments

26 January 2017

Luhaan si Thelma habang nagkukwento. Uuwi na kasi siya sa Pilipinas, ngunit hindi para mag “for good” kundi para ayusin at siguraduhin na nasa maayos na kalagyan ang kanyang 12 taong gulang na anak na lalaki. Makikipaghiwalay na kasi siya sa kanyang mister matapos madiskubre na may babae ito, at inuwi pa sa kanilang bahay.

Hulyo ng nakaraang taon nang nagpasyang umuwi si Thelma nang palihim. Gusto kasi niyang mapatunayan kung totoo nga umabot sa kanyang kuwento na may dinadalang babae ang kanyang asawa sa bahay nila. Nagtago muna siya at nagmanman upang makahanap ng pruweba.

Para siyang binagsakan ng langit nang makita niya mismo na may dinalang babae ang kanyang asawa sa sarili nilang pamamahay. Agad siyang sumugod, at nang makita siya ng babae ay agad itong nagtago sa loob mismo ng kwarto nilang mag asawa.

Kahit bistado na ay nakuha pang sabihin ng asawa ni Thelma na kaibigan lang nito ang babae. Natural na hindi naniwala si Thelma dahil bakit kinailangan pang magtago ng babae nang makita siya?

Minabuti niyang kausapin ang asawa dahil ayaw naman niya na masira ang kanilang pamilya, at iniisip din niya ang magiging epekto nito sa kanilang anak.  Nangako naman ito na hindi na muling makikipagkita sa babae at iiwasan na ito.

Ngunit nang pabalik na si Thelma ng Hong Kong, nasa airport pa lamang siya ay nabalitaan niyang nandoon na ulit ang babae sa bahay nila. Lutang ang isip ni Thelma nang makarating sa bahay ng kanyang amo. Hindi siya mapakali, at makalipas ang ilang linggo ay nagpasya siyang magpaalam sa amo para ayusin ang problema sa kanyang pamilya.

Binalak ni Thelma na kunin ang anak ngunit hindi ito ibinigay ng kanyang asawa. Bumalik muli si Thelma sa Hong Kong at sinubukan na magpakatatag at maghintay ng tamang pagkakataon. Nitong Enero ay umuwi na siya nang tuluyan dahil pursigido siyang mabawi ang anak sa taksil niyang asawa.

Balak niyang bantayan ang anak sa eskuwela at saka kunin at dalhin sa Iloilo upang doon na manirahan sa kanyang mga magulang. Kapag mabuti na ang sitwasyon ng kanyang anak makalipas ang isang taon ay saka na raw siya mangingibang bansa muli. Si Thelma ay 42 anyos. – Emz Frial

Protest to greet Bello’s return to HK

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By The SUN staff  
(UPDATED)

A protest against the compulsory online registration of overseas Filipino workers applying for exemption to the overseas employment certificate (OEC) is set to greet Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on his visit to Hong Kong on Jan. 29.

The protesters will also urge the scrapping of the airport terminal fee integration in plane tickets bought by OFWs.

Bello is scheduled to attend the launch at the Consulate of a mobile phone application designed to track OFWs anywhere in the world, and link them to government authorities.

The new app was designed and produced by Myrna Padilla, a former OFW in Hong Kong turned entrepreneur, who donated it to the Philippine government.

Militant OFW leaders told The SUN that they will hold a protest rally against the new OEC guidelines and the terminal fee integration in time for Bello’s arrival at the Consulate at 10am. No other details were given.

The protesters, led by United Filipinos – Migrante Hong Kong, have long advocated for the scrapping of the OEC, which is required of all Filipino workers departing or returning to their job sites abroad.
During Bello’s first visit to Hong Kong as labor chief in September, he unveiled new guidelines for the OEC, which included provisions for exempting OFWs returning to the same employers and job sites abroad from paying the $20 fee.

However, all OFWs still need to register with the Balik Manggagawa Online (BMO) site before getting the exemption, a process deemed tedious and unnecessary by most.

The mandatory registration resulted in thousands of OFWs queuing up to get their online registration validated at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office ahead of flying back home, especially during the recent pre-holiday rush.  

The protesters are also calling for the restoration of the terminal fee exemption granted by law to all OFWs.

Under present rules implemented by former Manila International Airport chief Jose Honrado, all passengers departing from any Philippine airport are required to pay the terminal fee as part of their plane tickets.  OFWs are only given the option of applying for a refund of the fee that they paid before flying out of the Philippines.

Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre said Secretary Bello will arrive in Hong Kong on Saturday, a day after returning to Manila from Rome where he attended peace talks with self-exiled Filipino communist leaders as head of the government negotiating panel.

Bello will reportedly have a light schedule, mainly coming just to launch the app with Padilla. He and Padilla are due to fly back to Manila Sunday afternoon. Shortly before departing, he will meet with the protest leaders on their demands.

Nagnakaw nga ba?

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Nag viral sa Facebook kamakailan ang larawan ng isang Pilipina na pinangalanang si Joselyn Lonzano Hererra, 41, na nagnakaw diumano ng $200,000 cash, mga kasangkapan at iba pang gamit mula sa bahay ng mga amo habang ang mga ito ay nakabakasyon sa Amerika mula Dec 23 hanggang Jan. 1 Ang post ay mula sa isang Intsik na nagngangalang Wai Fun Dorothy Tsang.

Ayon sa post, pinaghahanap ng mga amo si Herrera na naglaho pagkatapos magnakaw. Nagsilbi daw ito ng 18 buwan sa amo bago naganap ang pagnanakaw. Isa sa mga Pilipinang nag share ng post si Jasmine Inis Hidalgo, na nagdagdag na base sa record ng Immigration ay hindi pa nakakalabas ng Hong Kong si Herrera.

Marami sa mga nag-comment sa wall ni Hidalgo na naiinis sila sa nangyari dahil napapahiya sila tuwing tinatanong ng kanilang amo tungkol sa ginawa umanong pagnanakaw ni Herrera. Mayroon din naman nagtatanggol sa kanya, at sinasabing huwag siyang husgahan agad dahil hindi pa siya natatagpuan hanggang ngayon. Duda din ang ilan sa paratang dahil paano naman daw nakayang buhatin ng Pilipina mag-isa ang lahat ng appliances mula sa bahay ng amo. Dagdag ng iba, baka nabiktima ng akyat bahay ang amo at pati si Herrera ay tinangay nila.

Marami din ang nagsasabi na sana ligtas at nasa mabuting kamay si Hererra. Matagpuan na daw sana siya at nang masagot ang mga paratang sa kanya sa social media.

Mula naman sa isang kasambahay ng kaibigan ng among nanakawan umano, bigla na lang daw nagbago ang trato sa kanya ng mga amo dahil sa napabalitang nangyari. Pinagbawalan na daw siyang magdala sa kanilang pamamahay ng mga kaibigan niya tuwing araw ng pahinga, at nakasusi na rin ang lagayan ng kanilang vault at mga mahahalagang gamit. – Marites Palma 

Finger-pointing after ‘Tokhang for ransom’

Posted on 25 January 2017 No comments

25 January 2017

Duterte and dela Rosa with families of Mamasapano 44.
When it emerged that a policeman killed a South Korean businessman right inside Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police headquarters, after he was kidnapped from his home, the crime quickly earned the monicker “Tokhang for ransom”.

The murder of Jee Ick-Joo, an executive of the Hanjin shipbuilding firm which operates in Subic export zone,   embarrassed the government of President Duterte. Media and online commenters blamed  it on the climate of impunity that was fed by the government’s anti-drug drive and Duterte’s promise to back up the policemen. They said the drive, called “Oplan Tokhang” and killed more than 6,000 people since Duterte took office last year, has emboldened the criminals within PNP’s ranks.

Investigations had been conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation and PNP, criminal charges have been filed against policemen led by SPO3 Ricky Sta Isabel, but the top officials appeared to take one more step: wash off the embarrassment.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was the first to call for PNP  Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to resign, to spare President Duterte from embarrassment.

The call, however, fizzled out when Duterte himself said he still needed dela Rosa for the anti-drug campaign.

For his part, dela Rosa pointed his fingers at the media, accusing reporters of destroying the credibility of the PNP when they interviewed Jinky Sta. Isabel, wife of alleged mastermind.

“Ang mahirap dito ‘yung ibang media, ‘yung gumagawa ng kasalanan ‘yun pa ang gagawing hero,” he told a press briefing on January 23.

Jinky had earlier presented evidence, including closed circuit television camera footages and recorded phone calls, to prove their innocence and involvement of higher officials. She claimed the suspect are being framed.

Dela Rosa said: “Kami na nga ‘yung nadidiin dahil sa kasamaan na ginawa ng asawa niya, ngayon lalo pa kami papasamain. Where’s justice?”

Dela Rosa added, referring to the media: “Ano kasama ba kayo sa plano ‘pag ganun?”

But it appeared that dela Rosa had another target by opening another front in the conversation: ex-President Benigno Aquino III.

 Aquino, he said, should be held accountable for the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in the infamous January 2015 operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“Kung tutuusin, lahat doon dapat managot,” said dela Rosa, who was part of the Board of Inquiry that investigated the incident. “Ang recommendation namin sa Board of Inquiry [ay] hanggang sa highest official na involved doon sa operation na ‘yun ang dapat managot.”

Asked if he thinks Aquino should also be held accountable, dela Rosa said: “Oo, dapat hanggang sa president dapat.”

The BOI said Aquino violated the PNP chain of command when he allowed then-suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima to get involved in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus, the mission to neutralize high-value targets, including Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, the target of the operation in Mamasapano.

“The chain of the command in the PNP was violated. The President, the suspended CPNP Purisima, and the former Director SAF [Getulio] Napeñas kept the information to themselves and deliberately failed to inform the OIC PNP and the SILG,” the BOI said in its report.

“The Chain of Command should be observed in running mission operations,” it added.

The panel said Aquino “bypassed the established PNP Chain of Command” by dealing “directly” with sacked Special Action Force chief Dir. Getulio Napeñas Jr. instead of with the officer-in-charge Deputy Dir. Gen. Leonardo Espina.

Dela Rosa said it is up to President Duterte if cases will be pursued against Aquino and the others.
On Jan 27, Duterte gazve the answer when he the met with the families of the Mamasapano 44. He said, referring to Aquino: “You fed the policemen to the lion’s den.” He also said he will create a commission to investigate the case.





Sutil pa rin ang amo

Posted on 24 January 2017 No comments

24 January 2017

Parang lantang gulay si Monina tuwing araw ng pamamalengke. Lagi kasi siyang nagmamadali dahil isang oras lamang ang binibigay sa kanya para mamili ng pagkain na iluluto niya sa loob ng dalawang araw.

Tatlong beses siyang pumunta ng palengke sa isang linggo. Para na siyang trumpo dahil palagi na lamang siyang nagmamadali. Ang masaklap pa ay kailangan niyang maglakad ng 15 minuto papunta sa palengke dahil ayaw ng amo niya na sumakay siya at hindi raw  kasama sa budget ang pamasahe niya. Puwede lamang siyang sumakay pauwi dahil marami na siyang bitbit.

Ayaw naman gamitin ni Monina ang sariling pera para sa pamasahe sa bus dahil nagtitipid din siya, kaya kailangan niyang magtiis. Iniiwasan din ni Monina na mahuli sa pag uwi sa oras na binigay para sa pamimili dahil siguradong dadakdakan na naman siya ng amo.

Isang araw ay sinermunan na naman ng amo si Monina dahil daw sa maling paghawak niya ng gunting habang ginagawa ang utos nito. Hindi na napigilan ni Monina ang sarili at sinabihan ang amo na tigilan na ang pangingialam sa kanyang trabaho dahil ginagawa na naman niya ang tama. Sinabi din niya na kung hindi ito titigil sa kakadakdak ay lalayasan niya ito.

Sinagot siya ng kanyang amo kung tinatakot ba siya nito at sinagot dn nya ng, “Hindi kita tinatakot, bakit natatakot ka ba?” Sinagot din siya ng kanyang amo ng, “hindi!” Kaya naman sinabi ni Monina sa kanya, “yon naman pala, bakit naman kita tatakutin? Hangga’t maaari ayoko na magtalo tayo dahil ayoko ng gulo kaya pinipigilan ko ang sarili na sumagot. At masama ang loob ko kaya ayoko nang makita kahit ang anino mo!”

Nagulat ang amo ni Monina sa kanyang mga sinabi pero agad itong umalis ng kusina at pumasok sa kuwarto. Makalipas ang isang oras ay lumabas ito ng kuwarto at humingi ng paumanhin kay Monina.

Ngunit pagkalipas ng ilang araw ay balik na naman ito sa dating ugali.

Dati nang nanilbihan si Monina sa kanyang among Intsik sa loob ng pitong taon. Umuwi lamang siya sa Pilipinas noon para magpahinga pansamantala, bago nakumbinsing bumalik pagkatapos ng isang taon. Maldita na daw ang amo noon pa, ngunit binalikan niya ito dahil sa mga alaga na napamahal na sa kanya.

Akala ni Monina ay nagbago na ang ugali ng amo kaya siya nahimok na bumalik. Ganoon na lang ang kanyang pagkadismaya dahil imbes na tumino ay lalo pang gumaspang ang ugali ng amo.

Dahil dito ay nangako si Monina na hindi na siya muling pipirma ng bagong kontrata sa amo. Ilang buwan na lang ang nalalabi at maaari na niyang layasan ang sutil na amo. Si Monina ay kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa Happy Valley. – Emz Frial

Kinagat ng aso ng amo

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Kinagat ng mabangis na aso ng amo ang isang Pilipinang taga Iloilo noong Dis. 23. Dinala naman siya agad sa Queen Elizabeth Hospital ng amo, pero sinabi na huwag siyang mag-alala dahil kumpleto naman daw sa bakuna yung aso.

Ayon sa Ilonggang kasambahay, tinurukan lang siya ng gamot na pangontra sa tetano, at pinainom ng Panadol para maibsan ang sakit na sanhi ng kagat ng aso.

Gusto na ng Ilongga na umalis na sa amo, dahil pangalawang beses na umano siyang kinakagat ng matapang na aso. Ayaw namang pumayag ng amo, at sinabing kung mananatili siya sa kanila ay hindi na ipapaalaga sa kanya ang aso.

 Kumunsulta siya sa ilang mga kakilala at pinayuhan siya na ilapit na sa abugado ang kanyang kaso para bayaran siya ng danyos ng amo. Kahit ligtas na siya sa rabies ay nagtamo din siya ng sugat na dapat panagutan ng kanyang amo. Dahil dito ay maari na rin siyang bumaba sa bahay ng amo ng walang abiso.

Kasalukuyang pinag-iisipan nang maigi ng Ilongga kung ano ang susunod niyang gagawin. – Merly Bunda

New tracking app for OFWs to be launched in HK

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The new app is now available for downloading
By Vir B. Lumicao

A mobile phone application that would link up all OFWs to the Consulate at the touch of a button will have its pilot launch in Hong Kong on on Sunday, Jan 29, according to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre.
But ahead of the launch, the app has been made available to OFWs for downloading starting on Jan. 24, so their phones would be ready for hook-up with the system when it launches on Sunday.
The app will play a crucial role, as, with just a tap of the finger, it will instantly connect a troubled OFW to the Consulate or to a compatriot nearest her.
Labatt De la Torre said one crucial function of the app is it would enable domestic workers who are being abused by their employers to take photographs of the abuse and store these as evidence in an account in the app that is inaccessible to the employer.
“Yung natatakot mag-store ng mga ebidensiya at baka makita ng employer, puwede niyang i-store muna sa app na iyan, sa cloud storage, para hindi makita,” the official said.
Former Hong Kong-based domestic worker Myrna Padilla, now a successful information technology entrepreneur, will formally launch the app that she developed during simple rites at the Consulate 
De la Torre said Padilla donated the app, which is downloadable on any android phone, to the Philippine government to enable it to track OFWs anywhere in the world.
Padilla owns and heads a Davao-based business process outsourcing company named Mynd Consulting, which she set up after returning home following several years of being an OFW in the territory.
Labatt De La Torre said the app would ease OFW communication with compatriots who are in various parts of Hong Kong, and with the Consulate and its attached government units.
The benefit from the new app is for the Consulate to be able to track and monitor OFWs within Hong Kong basta naka-upload lang sa mobile nila, and to post-notify them if there’s an important event,” said Labatt De la Torre. 
Puwedeng pakinabangan ng lahat ng Filcom kasi puwede silang maka-create ng sarili nilang group na parangFacebook.”
Development of the application began a few years back and, in 2014, it was already publicized as an app that enables OFWs to meet and stay in touch. The app helps them choose the country where they are based, the dialect they choose to use, and the organization to which they belong.

Lakbay Dangal starts new year with walkabout

Posted on 22 January 2017 No comments

22 January 2017

Lakbay Dangal walkabout participants in one of the stops in Central.


A group of Filipino migrant workers from the Domestic Workers Empowerment Program and CARD MRI HK joined the Lakbay Dangal Historical and Cultural Trail on Jan. 8, headed by Marites Mapa, Victoria Munar and Cecille Duarte.

The trail uncovered the historical links between Hong Kong and Philippines, and in particular the time spent in the territory by the Philippines’ national hero, Dr Jose P. Rizal.

The walk started from Chater Garden, formerly known as the Cricket Club and was renamed in 1910 after Sir Paul Catchick Chater, known as the Father of Modern Hong Kong.

Nearby is the Court of Final Appeal, which until a few years ago was known as the Legislative Council Building. However, it was originally built to serve as Hong Kong’s Supreme Court, and the etchings on the front of the building show this clearly.

Beside it is Statue Square, a favorite hangout of overseas Filipino workers, especially those who just arrived in Hong Kong. The group was told that the statue known to most Filipinos as “Black Man” is actually that of a white Briton, Sir Thomas Jackson, who was responsible for the development of colonial Hong Kong under the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The use of black granite is said to account for the statue’s color.

From here, the group was led to the HSBC headquarters across, where Rizal is documented to have received money sent by his brother Paciano from the Philippines.

Guarding the building are two renowned lion statues, one of which is called “Stephen, the security”, named after A.G. Stephen, former manager of the bank’s Hong Kong branch. The other lion is called “Stitt, the Prudence”, named after A.G. Stitt, manager of the bank’s Shanghai branch at the time. The trail leaders said there is a belief that touching one of the lions’ face down to the front feet will bring good luck.

The group continued its walk to nearby Duddel St, where Rizal, an opthalmologist, used to have a clinic. The steps leading up to Ice House street and framed by four old gas lamps were said to have so inspired Rizal that they often figured in his writing.

Many in the group started snapping photos when they reached a marker on D’Aguilar Street where Rizal is known to have also run a clinic. A tower block that houses various shops and restaurants now stands on the site, near the corner with Queen’s Road Central.

From there, the group went up a steep flight of stairs to Rednaxela Terrace, where Rizal lived for a few months. A sign in front of the exact spot where his old house once stood reads: “Here Rizal and his mother lived from 1891 to 1892.”

The group was told that OFWs led by the national hero, were the first Filipinos to make their mark in Hong Kong.

George Manalansan, an OFW who joined the walking tour, said that he felt like a newly arrived tourist because he managed to get to the important historial sites with guides who explained the significance of each stop. He said it was “very informative and inspiring”.

Another member of the group, Helen G. Elefante said after the walk, “It was indeed a great historical experience”. – with a report by Marites Palma

Naimbiyerna kay lola

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Dating masaya si Lorna sa piling ng mga kauna-unahang amo na nakatira sa Yuen Long. Super bait kasi ang mag-asawa at walang problema sa kanyang gawaing bahay. Kapag nagigipit siya sa pera ay nakakahiram pa siya sa amo, kaya laking pasasalamat niya sa maganda niyang kapalaran.

Nang alukin siyang pumirma ulit sa panibagong kontrata ay walang kagatol-gatol siyang pumayag. Sa malas ay namatay ang tatay ng amo niyang lalaki pagkatapos nilang mag-renew ng kontrata. Dahil hindi naman magawang iwan ng amo mag-isa ang ina sa bahay ay sila ang pumisan dito sa Tai Wai.

Unang araw pa lamang nila doon ay naramdaman agad ni Lorna ang bigat ng pakiramdam niya sa lola. Hindi ito marunong mag-English dahil galing sa mainland China, kaya hindi sila magkaintindihan. Walang araw ang lumipas na hindi siya isinusumbong sa kanyang mga amo, at ang higit na masakit ay ang pagbibilang nito ng anumang pagkain na nasa loob ng fridge para hindi siya makakain ng wala itong permiso. Ultimo prutas ay binibilang ng matanda. Tira-tira na nga lang daw ang binibigay sa kanya ng matanda ay parang masakit pa sa loob nito na pakainin siya. Sumbong pa ito nang sumbong sa mga amo niya ng kahit na walang kwentang bagay.

Ngunit ang sukdulan ay nang sawayin siya habang kausap niya ang kanyang pamilya sa Pilipinas sa oras ng kanyang pahinga sa gabi. Hindi kasi siya makahawak man lang ng telepono maghapon dahil sinususundan siya ng matanda.

Sa galit ay sinabihan niya ang matanda ng, “Wala na ba akong karapatang kumustuhin ang aking pamilya bago ako matulog sa gabi?" Sinagot naman nito na hindi bawal ang tumawag pero dapat daw ay sa labas niya ito gawin at hindi sa kwarto nila ng kanyang alaga dahil malakas ang radiation na nanggagaling sa cellphone at computer.

Sa sama ng loob ay agad-agad na nagpunta si Lorna sa kanyang agency pagdating ng Linggo para maghanap ng bagong amo. Pero nadismaya siya nang malamang $7k ang dapat niyang bayaran kung break contract siya. Napaisip si Lorna at kinundisyon na lang ang sarili na magtiis.

Walong buwan na lang ang natitira sa kanyang kontrata, at isinumpa niyang hindi na muli siyang pipirma sa mga amo dahil sa kapisan nilang matanda na mahirap pakisamahan. Si Lorna ay tubong Visayas – Marites Palma

110 Pinoys in HK jails, down 9% from 2016

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By Vir B. Lumicao
Lo Wu Correctional for women


There were 110 Filipino inmates in Hong Kong jails in the last quarter of 2016, according to statistics provided this month by the Consulate. The figure is 9% lower than the 121 inmates reported by the Consulate for the same period in 2015.

But, Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, head of the assistance to nationals section, cautioned: “We can’t say those figures are accurate because some convicted kababayans might have served out their sentences when we distributed gifts before Christmas.”

Vallespin said the figures were cumulative, as new convicts and remand detainees were added to those who had been behind bars for some years now, such as those convicted of murder and drug trafficking.

The numbers were gathered by Consulate officers and staff led by Consul General Bernie Catalla as they made a round of Hong Kong prisons before Christmas to give presents and Yuletide cheers to the prisoners.

Drugs-related cases comprised the bulk of the quarterly figure, at 45, or 21.6% more than the 37 during the same period in 2015.

Drug offenders detained at Lo Wu Correctional for Women numbered 21, followed by those in Tai Lam Centre for Women at 10.

The second-biggest group of inmates as of end-December, at 24, were those jailed for breach of condition of stay, either for illegal work or staying beyond the expiration of their visas.

This was followed by theft offenders who numbered 18, down 38% from the 29 reported for the same period in 2015.

The inmates were a mix of domestic workers who have mostly violated their visa terms, thieves entering Hong Kong as tourists to pick pockets or steal at jewelry shops, as well as Filipino residents and asylum-seekers caught shoplifting or burgling.

Most of the prisoners, 58 of them, were in Lowu Correctional, where most immigration offenders were detained.

Hong Kong’s maximum security prison in Stanley houses the longest-held Filipino prisoners, both murder convicts.

Food trends offer opportunities in the Philippines

Posted on 21 January 2017 No comments

21 January 2017

Lutong ulam on display a Sunday market.
Dining out in the Philippines will never be the same with the emergence of food stalls that have sprouted all over the country, offering various dishes and dining options, from al fresco dining to just eating by the food cart.

Food Courts

Go to any mall and you will see the food stalls that serve snacks from pastries and pies, donuts, dim sums, to popular street food such as fish balls, broiled chicken innards and kwek-kwek - the boiled quail eggs dipped in heavy orange colored batter and deep fried to a crispy outer crust.

Most offer food eaten on the spot or for takeout, but a few have small chairs and tables for customers who want more time to savor what’s on offer. The multitude of food stalls suggest that the franchising business is alive and well in the Philippines. This could just be as well, especially for newbie investors who do not much have much capital to spare.

Acquiring a food franchise is far easier than setting up a restaurant, which entails the more complicated process of acquiring a license under an approved brand name from the Department of Trade and Industry. There is also the matter of finding a suitable location, and a theme or concept that would hit it off with discerning customers. More importantly, the dishes to be served must be unique in taste, concept and appearance, and should allow the restaurant to acquire its own signature and establish a loyal clientele.

A few facts to consider:

1. Location and Ambiance: The most important factor to consider in setting up a restaurant. Competition is getting tight in the food business, particularly in Metro Manila, so one needs to know where diners would likely go, for the food and to be seen. In Quezon City, for example, Maginhawa St is fast catching up with the older food hubs on Tomas Morato Ave, Eastwood and several other places as the place to be for the young and hip crowd.

2. Name and branding: The name of the restaurant as approved by DTI should be unique as it will establish the owner’s identity and the quality of its food. Whatever name is chosen by the owner, whether it is for a small carinderia or a fine dining restaurant, a lot will still depend on what it has to offer, from the general look of the restaurant, the quality of food and the kind of service that comes with the package.

3. Consistency and Quality: Food served in the restaurant should be unique and should leave its own mark in the customer’s palate. Menus should be carefully planned, and there should be consistency in the taste and the quality of food. Ambience and hygiene are also of utmost importance, along with good customer service and an effective advertising strategy.

Food Trucks
Binalot food truck, which is now open to franchising.

Another trend that is gaining more and more popularity is the food park and food truck park concept. A food park consists of different stalls serving different varieties of food from burgers to popular street food, Japanese takoyakis and other finger foods. Also available are specialty drinks and coffee, milkshakes and buckets of beer. These food parks are the new food hubs frequented by the so called millennials.

These establishments are open from late afternoon to the wee hours of the night. In Marikina alone, there are more than 10 food parks and more are coming up with new and unique concepts of their own.

One of the main attractions of these food parks are the spacious parking areas that are provided for free to customers. The food varies according to the concept of the food park.

One particular food park in Marikina that has a unique concept is the Carnival Food Park, considered as one of the biggest in food trends to hit Metro Manila. The atmosphere inside the said food park is the jolly ambiance of a real carnival boasting a 1,600+ square meters of more than 26 different concept food stalls.

Staying true to its name, the Carnival Food Park has a carnival theme from its entrance to the decors inside. Each food stall has its own theme. More and more of these food parks have been sprouting around Metro Manila.

In the next issue, I will feature more food parks and new food trends, along with new recipes and places to go to for a memorable dining experience..

5 Pinoys succumb to illness in January

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By Vir B. Lumicao
Friends view the remains of Marilyn
Librado before they were sent home
Five Filipinos died in Hong Kong in the first three weeks of January, including an octogenarian who succumbed to heart disease in hospital while serving a prison sentence for theft, and a 60-year-old cancer victim who had overstayed her visa for several years.
The rest were all OFWs, the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section told The SUN in an interview.
Two of the dead have been flown home while a third one is set for cremation on Jan 22, said ATN officer Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr., who had been in touch with the authorities and the deceased’s families.
Lucine Dotdot and Marilyn Librado, whose ages were not available, both died of aneurysm, said ATN officer Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr., who handled the cases of the two domestic workers.
Cayabyab said Dotdot died on Jan 2, but could not tell the date of Librado’s demise because her records were still with the authorities.
“Their remains were shipped home on Jan 13 via Philippine Airlines,” Cayabyab said.
Mila Ergina, a 50-year-old domestic worker, passed away on Jan 12 in Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon after being confined there for some time, Cayabyab said. The deceased left her family in Pangasinan in 1995 to work in Hong Kong.
The overstayed Filipina, Carmelita Dogello, 60, died on Jan 12 in Prince of Wales Hospital after a prolonged battle against cancer. She came to Hong Kong in 1981 but overstayed her visa in 2006, Cayabyab said.
Dogello, who had many friends in the community, collapsed in her employer’s home in November last year and was diagnosed to be terminally ill of cancer, a member of her church said.
A son of Dogello came to Hong Kong in December to attend to his mother in hospital but went home shortly after the woman died, Cayabyab said. He added that the deceased would be cremated on Jan 22.
Edwina Antonio of the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge said it was Dogello’s wish to be cremated.
The eldest of the deceased, 81-year-old Stanley Prison inmate Ricardo de Jesus, succumbed to heart disease in Queen Mary Hospital on Jan 3, Cayabyab said.

De Jesus was serving a total of 47 months in jail after his conviction for theft and breach of deportation orders on Feb 10 last year.
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