Pinoy sailor awaits sentence for drug trafficking

Cocaine shaped like shoe soles.

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipino seafarer who sneaked nearly 2 kilograms of cocaine molded like shoe soles into Hong Kong will be sentenced on Thursday for drug trafficking, to which he has confessed.

Consul Paulo Saret, head of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, told The SUN he hoped Carlito B. Platon, 49, would be given a lighter sentence because of his guilty plea before Judge Ester Toh on Nov 27 and for cooperating with investigators by testifying against  his Colombian co-defendants in a 10-day trial that ended on Dec 12 in the Court of First Instance.

Platon testified at the trial of his co-defendants Cristhian Enrique Posso has begun serving his jail term of more than 24 years, and Jose Gonzalez Uribe who was acquitted. They both pleaded not guilty.

In his testimony, Platon said he was visited in jail by a man who claimed to be a lawyer and allegedly threatened him so he would not testify for the prosecution.

\Posso, 38, was sentenced on Dec 12 by Toh after the jury unanimously voted to convict him of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

Uribe, who claimed he was just asked by his friend Posso to accompany him on a shopping trip to Jordan Road on June 2 last year, was acquitted.

Customs and police officers pounced on Posso, Uribe and Platon while they were on board a taxi on Nathan Road in Yaumatei after meeting up at the Panda Hotel in Jordan. The three took the taxi where the drug was delivered and the money handed over to Platon.

Posso, accompanied by Uribe, had booked a room at the hotel, where Platon was to have delivered the cocaine.

Unknown to the three, Customs and police undercover men had already put Platon under surveillance after Hong Kong was alerted on May 31 by a US law enforcement agency that a cargo of cocaine would be brought in by a ship on June 2.

A Customs officer who led the arresting team said during the trial that the carrier was first identified as “Carlos”. Hong Kong intelligence team found no such name on the manifests of incoming ships, so they double-checked with the US agency and finally got the full name of Platon, who was due to arrive on a Maersk ship.



Platon said in his testimony that he met the source of the drug during a ship call in Colombia. He said he agreed to be used because he was in debt and needed money for his wife’s surgery and his mother-in-law’s medical needs.

At Kwai Chung port, he was met by a Chinese man who took him to Panda Hotel in Jordan. The deal was he would be paid in US dollars to meet up with Posso. Instead, he was given $105,000 in Hong Kong bank notes.



 He denied agreeing to testify because he wanted to get a discount in his sentence, and said he only wanted to “clear my conscience.”

When arrested, Platon’s rucksack yielded the payoff money, which was in four stacks of $500 bank notes bundled with rubber bands. He gave up meekly.



Posso threw the bag containing the drug on the ground and struggled when officers caught up with him. Uribe tried to run away but was met by other officers.

Toh sentenced Posso to 23 years in jail for trafficking in 1.982 kg of solid cocaine with a purity of 1.333 kg. Then she added 15 more months for what she said was Posso’s bad record and abuse of Hong Kong’s hospitality despite his recognizance status.



The judge immediately sentenced Posso after prosecutor Alex Ng said the defendant had three previous convictions, including one in 2010, also for drug trafficking, for which he was sentenced to 8 years in jail.

Posso was reportedly a torture claimant who applied for non-refoulement (or against being sent back to his home country) after coming to Hong Kong as a visitor.

Donald confirmed Posso’s previous convictions. He said in mitigation that his client was 38 years old, married and has three children, including twin daughters.

Aljur at Kylie, ikinasal na

Ikinasal na ang Kapamilya actor na si Aljur Abrenica, 28, at Kapuso actress na si Kylie Padilla, 25, sa isang intimate Christian wedding noong December 11. Ginanap ito sa Villa Milagros Ancestral House sa Rodriguez, Rizal.

Pinangunahan ni Robin Padilla, ama ni Kylie, ang 70 guests na kinabibilangan ng malalapit na kamag-anak at kaibigan nina Aljur at Kylie. Naroon din ang ina ni Kylie na si Liezl Sicangco at iba pang anak nila ni Robin na sina Queenie, na tumayong matron of honor, Zhen Zhen, na naging maid of honor at ang bunso nilang si Ali. Kasama ni Robin ang asawa niya ngayong si Mariel Rodriguez at anak nilang si Isabella na naging flower girl sa kasal.

Ang mga kapatid ni Aljur na sina Vin at Allen Abrenica ay parehong groomsmen. Ka-date ni Vin ang matagal na niyang girlfriend, ang Kapuso actress na si Sophie Albert, na kasabay niyang nagsimula sa showbiz sa TV5. Dumalo rin ang kaibigan ni Kylie na si Gabbi Garcia, na kasama ang natsi-tsismis na boyfriend niya ngayong si Kahlil Ramos.

Simple pero elegante ang wedding gown ni Kylie, na gawa ni Mak Tumang, habang naka-checkered suit na terno si Aljur. 

Maganda ang naging love story nina Aljur at Kylie, na unang umamin na sila na,  noong 2011. Naging off and on ang kanilang relasyon hanggang mag-break sila noong 2014, at parehong nakapag-move on na, hanggang magkita silang muli, at nang lumaon ay ibinalitang sila na ulit noong September 2016. Noong January 2017, ibinalita nila na buntis si Kylie, at ipinahayag na engaged na sila. Noong August 5, 2017, isinilang ni Kylie ang anak nila ni Aljur na si Alas Joaquin Abrenica.



CHERRIE GIL, NAGLABAS NG ACTOR’S ETIQUETTE POST
Halata ang pagka-inis ni Cherrie Gil sa ilang kasamahan sa industriya dahil sa hindi tamang pagtrato sa mga kapwa artista, kaya naglabas siya ng sarili niyang pamantayan na tinawag niyang Actor’s Etiquette.

Ang kanyang post:
“Certain actors’ etiquette are not taught in some acting workshops. And I think they should be. I personally think the ff: and NOT in the order of importance: “NEVER ever kiss me in greeting, out of so called politeness and courtesy, if I don’t know who the hell you are! Introduce yourself first.
“And pllleeeaaasssee don’t call me TITA unless we are blood related”.
“NEVER ever echo the directors’ instructions to your co-actor in the scene”.
“Never TEACH your co actor or tell her/him how he should do the scene or his part unless YOU need something from the actor which would help you in your own process. BUT ask kindly and humbly.
“NEVER look to your cellphone or retouch while blocking/reading a scene (I promise I’ll either slap you or walk out on you). 
 ”NEVER LET any actor wait for you when called to the set. ESPECIALLY senior actors
“Art is a collaboration. And there is always room to learn from and grow with one another. So... please throw your effing ugly EGO out the window .
There are various kinds of EGO btw. Learn the difference”. KEEP the good kind which is necessary for creativity and your own preservation of self worth !
“THANK YOU!”


Pahulaan ngayon kung sino sa mga kasamahan niya sa kanyang show sa GMA Network, ang kanyang pinatatamaan. Base sa kanyang post, baguhan pa lang ito kaya hindi niya ito kilala, o hindi rin siya kilala nito. 

PINAGHAHANDAAN ANG MMFF 2018
Ngayon pa lang ay naghahanda na ang mga fans ng mga artistang may pelikulang kasali sa Metro Manila Film Festival 2018. Hinuhulaan na rin kung aling pelikula ang mangunguna sa takilya at kung patuloy pa ring mamamayagpag si Vice Ganda at muling tanghaling “reyna” ng MMFF dahil sa pagiging top grosser ng kanyang mga pelikula.



Ang mga kalahok sa taong ito:
1) Rainbow’s Sunset – Eddie Garcia, Gloria Romero, Tony Mabesa, Tirso Cruz III, Aiko Melendez, Sunshine Dizon, Max Collins. Directted by Joel Lamangan
2) Fantastica – Vice Ganda, Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes, Bela Padilla, Jaclyn Jose, Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte, Kisses Delavi, Donny Pangilinan. Director si Barry Gonzales.
3) Jack Em Popoy, The PulisCredibles – Vic Sotto, Coco Martin at Maine Mendoza. Director si Mike Tuviera.
4) Aurora – Isang horror movie na pinagbibidahan ni Anne Curtis, sa direksyon ni Yam Laranas.
5) One Great Love – Kim Chiu, Dennis Trillo, JC de Vera, Eric Quizon, Miles Ocampo. Directed by Eric Quizon.
6) Mary, Marry Me – Toni Gonzaga, Sam Milby, Alex Gonzaga, Bayani Agbayani, Melai Cantiveros, Moi Bien. Directed by RC Delos Reyes. 
7) The Girl in the Orange Dress – Jericho Rosales, Jessy Mendiola, with special participation of Derek Ramsay, Tuesday Vargas, Maxene Magalona, Luis Manzanao, Jennylyn Mercado at Boy Abunda. Sa direksyon ni Jay Abello.
8) OTLUM – Jerome Ponce, Ricci Rivero, Buboy Villar, Kiray Celis, Michelle Vito, Vito Marquez. Special guests sina Irma Adlawan at John Estrada. Si Joven Tan ang director.

DARNA, LILIPAD NA SA 2019
Ipinahayag ni Olivia Lamasan, managing director ng Star Cinema at Kris Gazmen, head ng Black Sheep ang mga naka-lineup na na pelikula ng ABS CBN para sa susunod na taon nang mag-attend sila sa 2018 Singapore Media Fest kamakailan.

Unang ipapalabas sa January ang pelikulang “Eerie” na pinagbibidahan nina Charo Santos-Concio at Bea Alonzo. Pang- Valentine naman ang bagong Liz-Quen movie, kung saan ay isang UP student ang gagampanan ni Liza Soberano. Ang director nito ay si Antonette Jadaone.



Inaayos na rin daw ng director na si Jerrold Tarog, ang script ng “Darna” upang matapos at maipalabas na ito sa susunod na taon. Si Tarog, na mas nakilala bilang director ng “Heneral Luna” at “Goyo”, ang pumalit kay Erik Matti, na nag-resign sa proyekto dahil sa “creative differences” sa management.

May nakalinya ring follow-up movie para kina Daniel Padilla at Kathryn Bernardo, na sa ngayon ay itinuturing na no. 1 love team dahil gumawa ng record sa takilya ang pelikula nilang “The Hows Of Us” na kumita ng mahigit Php600 milyon.

Bukod sa local movies, may gagawin ding international movie ang Black Sheep, ito ang “Motel Acacia” na pagbibidahan nina JC Santos, Jan Bijvoet ng Begium, Bront Palarae ng Malaysia, Vithaya Pansringarm ng Thailand, Talia Zucker ng Australia, at Will Jaymes ng U.S./Australia. Ito ay sa direksyon ng Malaysian director na si Brad Liew.

Ang Black Sheep ay bagong production company ng ABS CBN, na itinatag lang nitong 2018, na ang target audience ay mga millenials. Ang isa pang production unit, ang CineBro Originals ay itinatag naman para sa male audience, kaya asahan nang muling magbabalik ang action films.

Book, art exhibit shine spotlight on Bacani’s life as 2nd generation migrant worker

Xyza Cruz Bacani (center) is joined by guests led by Consul General Antonio Morales (5th from left) in opening the art exhibit and book launching.

By Daisy CL Mandap

Xyza Cruz Bacani

Award-winning photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani retraces her steps as a former migrant domestic worker in the book, ‘We Are Like Air” which was launched at the Hong Kong Arts Centre in Wanchai on Nov. 30.

To put emphasis on how personal the book is, 31-year-old Bacani attended the launch with her parents, Villamor and Georgia Bacani, who she said were attending her art exhibit together for the first time.

Also present was Kathryn Louey, Xyza’s former employer, whom she called as “the most important person” and “biggest influence” in her life.

It was Louey, said Bacani, who virtually pushed her out of her house - and Hong Kong - so she would take up the Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice fellowship at New York University when it was offered to her in 2015.

After reading about the scholarship offer in a newspaper article, Louey reportedly told Bacani, “You’re fired!” just so the reluctant maid, who had been in her employ for 10 years, would accept the offer.

That short stint in New York City opened many more doors for Bacani so that she now fondly refers to Louey as the one who changed the fortune of “the future generations of the Bacanis.”

But the book - and the photos in the accompanying exhibit – tell more the story of Bacani’s mother, Georgia, and the more than 200,000 Filipino women working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong.

Bacani titled the book “We Are Like Air” in reference to migrant domestic workers who she
said are important yet are often invisible.

The photos she took provide a glimpse into how migrant workers live- from when they first arrived at their employer’s home, the numerous letters they sent to their family, finding love and raising a family in Hong Kong, to protesting for their rights.



Part of the art installation was a narrow bed in a corner above which two shirts are hung, signifying the small space often given to domestic workers in their employer’s home.

A collage of photos on a wall show various migrant workers at work or on their days off, with the description for each written by Georgia, who left home in the 1990s to provide a better life for her husband-farmer and three young children, the eldest of whom is Xyza.



Among about 100 guests who attended the launch were Consul General Antonio A. Morales, representatives from the U.S. consulate, the Wanchai District Council, and the sponsors, WYNG Media Award (WMA).

The book launch and opening of the photo exhibit were the first in a series of activities for
Bacani’s new project which she created as part of the WMA Commission in 2016-2017.



On Dec. 2, the domestic workers’ group, Guhit Kulay, hosted an art jam at the Centre, and on Dec. 9, Bacani held a book-signing session at the newsstand in front of World Wide House, the favorite go-to place of Filipino migrant workers on their off days.

On Dec. 16, Bacani will be joined in a forum at the HK Arts Centre by renowned journalist Sheila Coronel, academic dean of Columbia University’s Journalism School.



Among Bacani’s numerous achievements is having a resolution at the Philippine House of

Representatives passed in her honor. She is also one of Asia Society’s Asia 21 Young Leaders in 2018, a Pulitzer Prize grantee and an Open Society Moving Walls grantee in 2017. In 2015 she was named among BBC’s 100 Women of the World, and as one of 30 Under 30 Women Photographers in 2016.

Anong swerte ang hatid ng Disyembre

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Mababago lang ang materyal na kalagayan kung maingat kang susubok ng ibang bagay. Mag-ingat sa sari-saring emosyon na maaring pagdaanan: away, pagkabigo, pagkasira at iba pang masakit na sandali. Kalungkutan, kawalan ng gana at pagsuko ang pwedeng maranasan. Humanap ng paraan upang makapag-relax at makapag-isip ng maayos, katulad ng pamamasyal sa lugar na tahimik. Lucky numbers: 6, 15, 29 at 41.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Ang relasyon sa mga kasamahan ang bibigyan mo ng importansya, pipilitin mong maging maayos at matiwasay ang paligid. Hindi ka patitinag sa gitna ng krisis at mga kumplikasyon, at mapapanatili mo ang panatag na isip na handang humarap sa lahat ng pagsubok. May magandang pagbabago sa personal na buhay. Magiging positibo ang lahat kung matatanggap mo ang opinyon ng mahal mo sa buhay, at maiwasang magkamaling muli. Lucky numbers: 13, 25, 39 at 46.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Sa ngayon ay wala kang ginagawang paghahanda para sa kinabukasan, basta ini-enjoy mo lang kung ano ang dumarating sa iyo. Bawasan ang matubig na prutas gaya ng ubas at kamatis upang maiwasan ang labis na tubig sa katawan. Dagdagan ang pagkain ng leeks, gulay na salad na may lemon, water cress at celery na nakakatulong sa pag-ihi. Nasa kamay mo na ang maswerteng baraha upang makamit ang tagumpay sa trabaho. Iwasan ang pagiging dominante sa relasyon. Lucky numbers: 7, 18, 22 at 42.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Masalimuot ang buhay may asawa ngayon kaya parang hindi mo na matagalan ito. Pakalmahin ang sarili at iwasang gumawa ng desisyon na maaring pagsisihan mo. May masasayang sandali na mararanasan, pero ang kakulangan ng atensyon sa mahal sa buhay ay magdudulot ng malupit at masakit na kapalit. Nanaisin mong mapagbigyan ang lahat pero hindi mo matutupad ang lahat ng ipinangako mo. Lucky numbers: 6, 18, 30 at 40.
.


TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Iwasang maging kampante at komportable sa ginagawa dahil magsasawa ka rin at maiinip, at baka masundan ito ng mga negatibong pag-iisip o depresyon. Gumalaw, kumilos, makilahok sa mga ibat ibang aktibidad at makipag-kaibigan. Mainit ang lagay ng trabaho, at kahit maliit na hindi pagkakaintindihan ay pwedeng sumiklab sa seryosong away. Pero walang makakapigil sa iyong pag-angat ng posisyon. Maswerte ang mga mamamahayag at manunulat sa panahong ito. Lucky numbers: 5, 14, 28 at 34.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Magiging masaya ka, pero parang ang trabaho at ambisyon ang pumipigil sa iyo na ma-enjoy ng husto ang buhay. Kung single, posibleng ang relasyon ay nagagamit lang upang makapagyabang, na magdudulot din ng sobrang gastos. Sa ngayon, iwasan muna ang mahahabang negosasyon o transaksyon dahil baka hindi mo kayanin. Maaring magkamali ka ng desisyon o mapilitan kang gumamit ng dahas upang makuha ang gusto mo, na hindi magandang solusyon. Lucky numbers: 6, 11, 27 at 36.



 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Ngayon ay mas bibigyan mo ng importansya ang mga kaibigan kaya magseselos ang iyong karelasyon. Piliting maayos agad ang hindi pagkakaunawaan. Iniiwasan mo ang mga pagbabagong nagaganap sa trabaho, na magiging sanhi ng problema. Labanan ang pagiging tamad o walang pakialam sa mundo, pagtuunan ng pansin at interes ang lahat ng ginagawa at maganda ang magiging resulta nito. Lucky numbers: 15, 22, 31 at 44.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
Maraming beses kang maglalabas ng galit kaya maaayos ang ibang gusot at maipapakita mo sa malalapit sa iyo na hindi ka manhid sa mga nagyayari sa paligid gaya ng iniisip nila. Kung ikaw mismo ang gagawa ng trabaho upang ipakita ang tamang paraan, asahang may mga maiinis sa iyo. Kung single, maiimbitahan ka sa sunud-sunod na okasyon, at marami kang makikilala. I-enjoy mo ng husto ang pakikipag-kuwentuhan at tuksuhan. Lucky numbers: 17, 33, 37 at 40.



KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
May masakit na pagtatalong magaganap; magpakita ng pagpapakumbaba at common sense upang maayos ang gulo at bumalik ang unawaan sa pagsasama. Huwag ipautang ang iyong pera, at kung hindi maiiwasan, maniguro na maibabalik agad ito sa takdang oras. May isang bagay ang matagal mo nang minimithi kaya ngayon ay gusto mong pagbigyan ang sarili, pero mag-ingat na hindi mabaon sa utang. Lucky numbers: 3, 16, 25 at 39.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Labis ang sigla mo ngayon kaya mapagsasabay mong gawin ang maraming bagay at matatapos mo agad ang lahat ng trabaho. Ngayon ay gagawin mo ang gusto mo sa iyong love life at wala kang pakialam sa sasabihin ng mga tao. Mag-ingat sa iyong kilos; may ugali kang iniipon ang inis at galit sa isang tao o kasamahan at pagkatapos ay pag-iisipan mong gantihan ito ng mas masakit. Lucky numbers: 11, 19, 36 at 41.



UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Punumpuno ang utak mo ng mga plano kaya may mga naiinggit sa iyo dahil marami kang nagagawa at masigla pa rin ang kilos. Samantalahin ito upang pag-isipan ang kalagayan ng buhay, trabaho at hinaharap. Masasagad ang nerbiyos mo dahil sa desisyon mong sumugal sa isang mahalagang pinansyal na bagay. Ang iyong pamilya ay makakaramdam din ng pagod sa sunud-sunod na kaganapan. Lucky numbers: 11, 29, 35 at 46.

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Huwag mangapa sa dilim; linawing mabuti sa sarili kung ano ang gusto mong marating. Ang detalyado at malinaw na programa ang makakatulong upang mailarawan sa isip ang hinaharap na buo ang kompiyansa. Ituloy mo ang propesyon at huwag matakot sumubok. Sa negosyo, kung hindi ka takot kumayod ng husto, magtatagumpay ka. Kung naninigarilyo, malaki ang tsansa mong magkaroon ng lung cancer o stomach ulcer kaya tigilan na ito hangga’t maaga pa. Lucky numbers: 5, 12, 28 at 32.

PCG warns Filipinas against falling for sweet-talking men

By Vir B. Lumicao

The Consulate has advised Filipinas in Hong Kong to beware of falling for, or giving their addresses to sweet-talking foreigners who could use them for illicit purposes.

Wes
9t Kowloon Court.

The warning came as two Filipina domestic helpers appeared in West Kowloon Court on Dec. 7 to face charges of drug trafficking that resulted from them taking delivery of parcels sent to them by foreign men.

Consul Paulo Saret, head of the assistance to national section, said Filipina workers should never agree to receive packages whose senders they do not know.

“Katulad ng sinasabi namin sa PAOS, or post-arrival orientation seminars, na huwag magtitiwala sa maymagpapadala sa atin na packages kung galling tayo sa Pilipinas o galing man saan na pakibigay kay ganito,” Saret said.

“Pero additionally, nire-remind ko dahil sa nangyari dito sa dalawa, na hindi tayo dapat
magbukas ng parcel na naka-address sa atin pero hindi naman natin alam kung sino ang nagpadala,” Saret said.

He said if a worker finds herself in this situation, she should call the police and open the parcel
in front of them so she would not be put in a difficult situation.



“Beware sa matatamis ang dila na gustong makipagkaibigan…na itinuturing mong boyfriend, iyon pala ang purpose nung guy ay gawin kang unwitting accomplice sa kanyang illegal schemes,” he said.

Michelle Mardo, a 41-year-old mother of three, was arrested on Sept 27 after she received a parcel containing suspected cocaine that arrived from Ecuador on Sept 7. The delivery man, wearing a UPS uniform, turned out to be a Customs officer.



A government press release said 440 grams of the illegal drug was concealed between layers of four wooden boxes that arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport air mail center, and consigned to Mardo in her Yuen Long address.

At the third hearing of the case before Magistrate Ada Yim prosecutor amended the amount of cocaine hidden in the parcel to 296 grams from 440 grams.



Mardo was not asked to enter a plea. At the hearing was her eldest son and some Filipina friends.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Jan 14, and remanded Mardo in custody.



Calin Baybayan, the second Filipina defendant, returned to court for a bail review eight days after she was charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug. She too, received a drug-laden parcel from abroad.

At the request of the prosecution, Magistrate Yim adjourned the case to Jan.24 and remanded Baybayan in custody.