DH warns against using slimming product

 

Slimming product that contains banned ingredients

Hong Kong's Department of Health (DH) has warned against consuming a slimming product because it contains undeclared controlled and banned drug ingredients.

Honey Q Level Up, purchased online during the DH's market surveillance and tested by the Government Laboratory, was found to contain sibutramine, benzyl sibutramine and fluoxetine, which are Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, pharmaceutical products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk. Benzyl sibutramine is a substance structurally similar to sibutramine. Fluoxetine is used for treatment of mood disorders and may cause hallucination and insomnia.

TAWAG NA!

According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market.

Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offense is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. 

In a statement the DH urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources.

PINDUTIN DITO

Those who have purchased his product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption.

The spokesman added that weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control.

They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for "Health message on overweight problem and slimming products" and "Slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients" for information. 

The public may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.  

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Lamma-based artist, MDW writers shine in Women’s Month fete

Fernie (left) is welcomed by Congen Germie Usudan

The Philippine Consulate General is hosting a one-woman show by Lamma-based artist Vianna Ubana Fernie at Sentro Rizal as part of the National Women’s Month Celebration in Hong Kong, which was formally opened on Mar 3.

In her message heralding the month-long celebration with the theme “𝐿𝑖𝑝𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑎 𝐵𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑠: 𝐾𝑎ka𝑦𝑎ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑛𝑔 𝐾𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑖ℎ𝑎𝑛, 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑦𝑎𝑛!” , Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan  urged all women to showcase and harness their full potential by actively engaging in national growth and development.

How? Pindutin ito.

During the program, Vice Consul Allan G. Revote introduced Fernie as 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑀𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑎’𝑠 featured artist of the month. He said the artist is also an educator, singer-songwriter, and founder of Sinag Art Space, an independent artist-run space in Lamma Island.

Her featured art collection titled  "𝐹𝑒𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠" is composed of three works depicting women –including one called "𝑈𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑑", and two individually titled pieces called "𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑛", and "𝐹𝑒𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑙𝑢𝑒".

The 3 art works that form the 'Sining Malaya' exhibit

The works aim to convey a "powerful message of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of art to capture and communicate complex emotions."

The exhibit may be viewed for free at the 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑀𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑎 Art Corner located at the PCG public area from Sundays to Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

TAWAG NA!

Separately, the PCG paid tribute to two groups that collaborated on a book titled “Ingat,  which features literary, photographic and artistic works by migrant domestic workers.

Vice Consul Revote joins organizers at the book launch 

The book which was launched on Mar 3 at Eton Hotel in Yau Ma Tei, was a joint project of the Migrant Domestic Workers Creatives and Lensational, both MDW groups, in collaboration with Small Tune Press and Be/longing.

The launch served as a platform for Filipina contributors to the book to present their works, and talk about their inspiration and the creative process involved.

PINDUTIN DITO

The stories show the different facets of a MDW’s life in Hong Kong, which not only involves their day-to-day work, but also a vibrant, inclusive, and creative community that helps foster their artistic and literary talents.

PADALA NA!

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Floral art from Phl wins in HK Flower Show 2024

World Council Philippines' entry won a  'Grand Award' for Design  Excellence

Among the entries from abroad that won a prize at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2024 that ended Sunday night was an entry from the World Flower Council Philippines Chapter that was handed the “Grand Award” for Design Excellence, in the Open Competition Section.

This was the same award that the group won last year, and was shared by another entry from the Philippines, the Blue Grass Project, which again took part this year, but failed to get the nod of judges.

There was no display from the Philippine Consulate this year, unlike last year when its “Pahiyas” booth was awarded a “Merit Award for Unique Feature.”

But the major awards at the yearly display of exotic floral arrangements and horticultural works at Victoria Park were handed out to the different District Offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) that competed in the Garden Plot and Environmental Award divisions.

Taking the top award for the Oriental Style Garden Plot Competition was Kwai Tsing District’s “Joy in Nature” while Yau Tsim Mong District’s “Birdsong” was the winner of the Environmental Award for an Oriental Style Garden.

Kwai Tsing won in the Oriental Style Garden Plot cateory 

Wan Chai District copped the two major awards: Its "Vitality from Recycle" was adjudged the best in the Western Style Garden Plot Competition, as well as the Environmental Award for its Western Style Garden.

All entries in the Garden Plot Competitions were meticulously designed by LCSD staff at the District Leisure Services Offices.

Kwai Tsing’s design was inspired by rural villages in the highland areas of Northern Thailand. Inside the plot was a Thai-style hut and garden planted with an array of dazzling flowers and trees.

Adhering to the principle of recycling, the design included a stairway built from felled trees and adorned with environmentally friendly materials.

Yau Tsim Mong’s entry also had a Thai garden but focused on bird conservation and the need to impart to visitors the joy of connecting with nature.

Wan Chai's Western Garden design won in the Garden Plot and Environmental Award categories

Wan Chai’s back-to-back winner was a garden plot that integrated ideas for greening with gardening aesthetics. The footpaths in the plot were paved with wood pieces from felled trees, while a little bridge was built with logs. The pavilion was made of recycled materials while a small greenhouse was built using plastic bottles, and a small water pool with oyster shells.

As of press time, the winners of the online voting contest called “My Most Favourite Garden Plot” has yet to be announced. Voters were asked to choose their favourites from the garden plot entries of the 18 districts, for the chance to win free air tickets.

This year’s show dubbed “Floral Joy Around Town” with angelonia as the theme flower is organised by the LCSD, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust providing major support for the 12th consecutive year.

It is one of the events under Art March of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

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Diwa’t Kabayan Benlife celebrates 23rd year with banquet

DKB's officers and graduates with some of their guests

One of the migrant community organizations dedicated to helping Filipino domestic workers acquire new skills in Hong Kong that could help them build better lives when they return home just celebrated its 23^rd founding anniversary with pre-pandemic pomp.

The celebration was held on Jan. 7 at Fortune Harbour Restaurant in Quarry Bay, with guests led by Vice Consul Jose Angelo Manuel and Metrobank Remittance General Manager Mark Dexter Yabut. 

Diwa’t Kabayan Benlife Society, which is headed by Naty Manalo, also used the occasion to stage its 10^th graduation ceremony for FDWs who successfully completed their various livelihood training courses.

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DITO ANG DETALYE

Manalo said she was happy that her group could again hold a fitting tribute to its trainors and trainees who worked for months to ensure that the courses could be completed as scheduled, and together come up with products that they could be proud of.

She also advised the trainees to think twice about investing all their savings in businesses, saying not a few workers have returned to Hong Kong because they had run out of funds. 

"Mahirap ang buhay ngayon sa Pilipinas," she said. (Life is hard in the Philippines nowadays).

Like most migrant organizations that cannot afford to hire a covered venue for their activities, Diwa’t Kabayan has been conducting its training sessions outdoors, whatever the weather.

Often, for activities like macramé bag making, beadscraft and wire-twisting sculpture, the venue is a footbridge near Admiralty Centre. For food processing, baking and cake decoration the group would relocate to a flat in the New Territories so they could have easy access to fresh ingredients they need for their training.

TAWAG NA!

The only respite they got from working mostly on the floor was their end-of-year grand anniversary celebration and graduation when they could dress up to the nines and dine in a nice restaurant, but the pandemic put a halt to this for the past four years.

VC Manuel receives plaque of appreciation from Diwa't Kabayan founder Manuel (back to camera)

Given special recognition during the event were the graduates who completed their respective courses with flying colors.

For the plastic-canvas bag making, Myra S. Doguiles was named Outstanding and Most Creative graduate, while Ma. Richelda T. Buno, Lilebeth P. Poral and Alfreda A. Cosicol were all first honors. Eighteen graduates were given various citations for their performances.

In the macramé bag making class, Analyn Mara Loyoda won as Outstanding and Most Creative graduate.

PINDUTIN

In beadscraft, named Outstanding graduate was Alicia P. Monchalog. Thirteen other students were also given recognition for finishing the course.

For the bonsai beads and twisted wire sculpture course, Mamerta M. Belmonte was cited as Most Outstanding and Most Creative graduate, while Lirio L. Miano copped the First Honor  and Most Artistic award.

PADALA NA!

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Filipina seeks police help after being beaten by disabled adult ward

One of the bruises allegedly caused by Nica's grown-up ward

FOR TOMORROW, DEC 24

For three months, Nica put up with the almost daily physical abuse inflicted on her by her 21-year-old male ward who is on the autism spectrum. She said she pitied him, and was scared that if she went to the police they would arrest him and separate him from his parents.

Nica, who is 28 years old, and a resident of Quezon City, was also worried about being sent home prematurely, allegedly because her Hong Kong employment agency told her she needed to go back to the Philippines even if she found another employer willing to sign her up.

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But at one point the beating got so severe, with her fully grown ward who is strong and tall, sometimes banging his head against hers. Worse, he reportedly would run off on his own when they are outside the house, making Nica intensely worried that he would get into an accident, and she would be blamed for it.

The patient's parents reportedly knew that she was being physically abused by their son, but told her that he couldn’t help it. But if she wanted to terminate their contract, she needed to pay them a month’s salary in lieu of notice.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Despite her son being fully grown and strong, the employer, who works as a teacher, reportedly did not want to put him in a facility for the disabled, and insisted it was the domestic worker’s duty to look after him, including giving him a bath and feeding him.

His father, who is unemployed and stay-at-home parent, did not apparently approve of this set-up but did not interfere.

I-CLICK DITO!

Things came to a head on Dec. 15 when she finally got tired of the constant beatings and decided to file a report at Tuen Mun Police Station, which was nearest her employer’s home. But according to Nica the police did not record her complaint as her employer repeatedly told the officer her son was disabled and could not be held to account for his action.

Nica decided to leave and went to Central on Dec 22, where she was found by fellow Filipinas who took pity on her after she showed them her bruises.

PINDUTIN
PARA SA DETALYE

“Nakaupo lang siya sa Central kanina, tapos kinausap kami, then nagkuwento na siya (at) pinakita niya sa amin ang mga pasa niya, dami ring video,” said Rose, who posted an appeal on Mica’s behalf on the Social Justice for Migrant Workers’ Facebook page.

(She was just sitting around in Central earlier today, then she started talking to us, she showed us her bruises; she also had lots of videos).

DETALYE

“Buti na lang ang dami nyang ebidensya, sobrang kawawa, paika-ika pa ang lakad kasi sumasakit pa yung pasa niya sa likod.”

(Glad that she had lots of evidence because she was pitiful, she was limping because the bruises on her back were hurting her)

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

According to Rose, Nica’s ward pushed her, causing her to get crash against a lift handle. She also had a bruise on her leg, caused by a kick from her disabled ward.

Rose and her fellow concerned FDWs took Nica to the Wanchai police station where her statement was taken down, and then sent her for a medical check-up.

Pindutin para sa detalye

A number of Filipinos who saw Rose’s post or were told about Nica’s condition were told to immediately seek help from non-government organizations like the Mission for Migrant Workers or the Migrant Workers Office at the Philippine Consulate.

Under Hong Kong’s Labour Ordinance, an employee may terminate an employment contract without notice or payment in lieu -

“(a)if he reasonably fears physical danger by violence or disease such as was not contemplated by his contract of employment expressly or by necessary implication” or

 (b)if he is subjected to ill-treatment by the employer; or

 (c)on any other ground on which he would be entitled to terminate the contract without notice at common law”

In such cases of so-called constructive termination it is the employer who is often held to have terminated the contract and should thus pay a month’s salary in lieu of notice

Often, the Immigration Department also allows FDHs who have been subjected to physical or other forms of abuse in the house of the employer, to process a new work contract in Hong Kong.

PADALA NA!

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Finest of Philippine art on show in Hong Kong

 

BenCab cuts ceremonial ribbon assisted by Gail Hills and Deanna and David Sutherland

Possibly the biggest and most diverse collection of Philippine art is currently on show in Hong Kong, courtesy of Galleria Camaya, and will last until Monday, Nov. 20.

No less than the Philippines’ National Artist for Visual Arts, BenCab or Ben Cabrera, was on hand to open the exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre on Kennedy Road, along with Galleria Camaya’s owner, Gail Hills, and  David and Deanna Sutherland of International Care Ministries.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

A sample of BenCab’s priceless works are among those on display at two back-to-back exhibits painstakingly gathered and curated by Hills, who is herself a renowned artist and philanthropist, and former president of Pintura Circle, a group made up of Hong Kong-based Filipino artists.

The exhibits include “This is Philippine Art,” where a collection of the most outstanding works of emerging new artists in the Philippines can be viewed.

Pindutin para sa detalye

They include Abi Dionisio,  Addie Cukingnan, Ardien Aspan, Armando “Pirasso” de la Cruz, Bullet Dematera, Enrie Nicdao, Gerrico Blanco, Guada Ramos Funtilar, Jaime Gubaton, Jeff Dahilan, Jerrico Eniel, Jojo Ramirez, Jo Uygongco, Julmard Vicente, Keith Paras, Loida Uncianco Bernardo, Maryrose Gisbert, Marius Black Funtilar, Noel Ceriola, Norlie Meimban, Rica Cena, Rosa Maria Manayon, Rene Resella, Stella Tansengco-Schapero, Wence Zyl and many others.

Separately, a solo show  by Kenneth John Montegrande titled “A Light on my Path” and featuring his moonscape series, opened at the same time.

PINDUTIN DITO!

This is  Montegrande’s 19^th solo exhibition worldwide, and follows his acclaimed show in New York last year. His works are included in the Tokyo Contemporary Museum and are with various international art collectors.

A video of the collection can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/gailhk/videos/713357757039780 

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Apart from dabbling in various art forms, most notably ceramic painting, Hills has been collecting Philippine art and identifying outstanding Filipino artists to help them shine on the international stage. Through Galleria Camaya, Hills has mounted shows not just in Hong Kong, but also in Vienna and New York.

Hong Kong being her home base, Hills has also undertaken various activities to help raise money for the underprivileged, particularly migrant workers. During the pandemic she even sewed face masks using the best weather-proof textile, to help finance the needs of clients at Bethune House Migrant Women’s Shelter.

BASAHIN ANG DETALYE

From the beginning she has given back to the community by donating a big part of the proceeds of her successful exhibits to various causes.

For this show, Hills has earmarked as beneficiaries Bethune House and the International Care Ministries, which has for years raised money for the “poorest of the poor” in the Philippines.

All the art works on display, except for those of BenCab, are for sale, either through direct purchase, or silent bidding.

The show is open to everyone, from 10am to 9pm everyday. The Visual Arts Centre is located at No 7 Kennedy Road, Central.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

PADALA NA!

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