Filipino-led theater group opens new play tonight to sellout crowd

“When God is silent, whose voice remains?”

This thought-provoking question is what propels the new musical, JOB: Fateful Fever Dream, which opens tonight to a sell-out crowd at The Hive in Kennedy Town.

It is the second full-length production of the Filipino-led theater group, The Bootstrap Theatre, whose debut play, FAKE, received wide acclaim in Hong Kong when it was staged in June last year.i

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Its makers describe JOB  “as a chamber rock musical about war, loss and unbearable silence”.

At the story’s center is Job, a man who leads his community out of bloody and violent conflict, but in the process loses everything that once defined him: family, health, and his life’s purpose.

Scene from the final rehearsal before opening night

But while it is based on the Book of Job in the Old Testament, it is not about religion, says its playwright, composer and director William Elvin Manzano.

“It’s about people who live in a time of chaos, violence, danger, and despair -- but still have to enter on cue and sing in tune. And that is all of us.”

Playing the lead role of Job is Felix Rivera, while the two other key roles of Dinah and Hassatan are played alternatively by Mikah Franco and Michelle Lam; and Mary Jane Alejo and Franz Arcilla, respectively.

It is directed by Amuer Calderon, with Erickson Dizon as choreographer.

JOB will be shown on all weekends of July (Fridays through Sundays) at The Hive Studio on the 8^th floor of Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town. Limited tickets are available at https://www.art-mate.net/

Pinay jailed 16 months for $261k theft

 

Illustrative photo created with deevid.ai

A domestic helper has been jailed for 16 months after she pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Court to stealing 15 pieces of jewelry worth $261,150 from her employer.

Acting Principal Magistrate May Chung convicted Lea Fuentes, 48 years old, of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance in a hearing last Tuesday, Jun 30.

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Fuentes is charged with stealing the jewelry, the property of female Sun-Sze-lui Lucia between May 11, 2025 and April 26, 2026 at a flat of in Wings At Sea, in Tseung Kwan O, New Territories.

The 16-month sentence was what was left after Magistrate May Chung deducted one third from her starting sentence of 24 months, as credit for her guilty plea.

67-year-old Pinay tourist jailed 6 weeks for overstaying

 

Shatin Court

A Filipina who arrived as a tourist 16 years ago and stayed on since, was jailed for two months and two weeks today after pleading guilty at Shatin Court today, Thursday, to overstaying.

Susan Guisinga, who is now aged 67 and holder of a recognizance form that allows her to remain in Hong Kong while her application against being sent back home is being heard, had been charged with breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance.

Magistrate Pang Leung-ting handed Guisinga the sentence after deducting the usual discount of one third for her guilty plea.

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Information filed by the Immigration Department said she contravened her condition of stay as a tourist, who was allowed to stay two weeks after her arrival, or until Feb. 16, 2010, when she remained in Hong Kong.

She surrendered on June 28, 2021 to Immigration Department and subsequently sought asylum. Her application for non-refoulement has since been denied.

 

Filipina charged with stealing HK$1.6 million worth of jewelry

 

Defendant appeared at Kwun Tong Court for the first time today

A 33-year-old Filipina domestic helper was returned to jail today, Thursday (Jul 2) after appearing at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court on a charge of stealing jewelry worth a total of HK1,608,300.

Rogela Magcquilat Caalem is alleged to have stolen 19 pieces of jewelry between January 1 and June 26 this year, at a standalone house in Fei Ngo Shan in Tseung Kwan O. The jewelry were said to be the property of a female, Mao Guojing.

With help from the Migrant Workers Office of the Philippine Consulate, Caalem through her court-appointed lawyer applied for bail but was rejected.

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Magistrate Betty Lau sent her back to jail until a bail review hearing set for July 10. No plea was taken from Caalem and she was told that there was no need for her to present her defense just yet.

Magistrate Lau adjourned the case to August 27 at the request of the prosecution for further investigation.

3-day free tram rides as HKSAR marks 29th anniversary

 

Anyone can hop on and off the 'ding ding'from today until Friday

Three consecutive days of free rides on Hong Kong’s s iconic trams begin today, July 1, as the city celebrates the 29^th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

As in the past year, the free tram rides will be offered for three consecutive days, from July 1 to July 3, Friday.

The treat is meant to encourage more people to travel more leisurely through the districts of  Hong Kong island aboard the two-tier mode of transport, which has been operating since 1904.

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Also providing free rides today is the Star Ferry, but only on its less busy Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai route.

Other ferry companies will be distributing a limited number of complimentary boarding passes to passengers.

Free joy rides on the LRT are available only today

No free rides are offered for the MTR except for the lucky few who received complimentary single rides on its domestic routes beforehand through its app.

But there will be free rides on all its Light Rail routes and MTR buses in the northwest New Territories.

Free Airport Express bus rides will be provided to children aged 3-11 while seniors and students get to enjoy the usual half-fare concession.

Popular at this time of the year is the free public use of all leisure facilities run by the Leisure and Cultural Services, including badminton and tennis courts, swimming pools and others. Booking can be done via the SmartPLAY app.

Museums such as M+, Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Space Museum will also offer free entry to their general exhibition and/ or permanent exhibitions.

The Wetland Park, which is also run by the LCSD, will likewise open its doors free to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Ocean Park is also currently offering a 30% discount on All-Day Delight Tickets.

Free admission to the Wetland Park in Yuen Long can be enjoyed today

Finally, more than 1,000 restaurants will provide discounts and/or dining specials today, while groceries will offer 29% discount on selected fresh products visa the Local Fresh mobile app, from July 1 to 7.

DH gets 32 months’ jail for laundering $2.75M

 

Photo for illustration only

A Filipina was sentenced to 32 months in  jail for allowing $2.75 million of crime money to pass through her bank account in just six days in 2023.

Deputy District Judge C.H. Li handed the sentence Tuesday (June 30) to Charity Joy T. Paculio, 46 years old, after her trial at District Court earlier this month for "dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence," a violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

Paculio, a domestic helper, was convicted of dealing with proceeds of crime, through her Standard Chartered Bank account where deposits and withdrawals totaling $2,751,387.98 were made from Feb. 22 to 28, 2023.

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Judge Li gave credence to the prosecution’s assertion that she was accountable for the money that went through her bank account despite her claims that she did not make any of these transactions.

Detained since late 2024, she would have been in detention for close to two years. Discounting holidays and credit for good behavior, she is expected to be in jail for less than one more year.

Meanwhile, at Kowloon City Court, domestic helper Daisy Ancheta, 37 years old, was remanded in jail after her money laundering case was adjourned to July 18.

She is accused of allowing $689,457.73 in crime proceeds to go through her Mox Bank account between Jan. 13 and Feb. 1, 2024.

Search for the 2027 Bagong Bayani awardees now on

 

HK's Eva Mapa was among the Bagong Bayani awardees last year

The search for next year’s Bagong Bayani awardees among overseas Filipino workers all over the world has been launched, in line with this year’s theme for the 31^st Migrant Workers Day, “Bayan, Bayani, Bayanihan.

The Bagong Bayani Awards, administered by the Bagong Bayani Foundation, Inc. (BBFI), in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is a biennial (held every two years) search for OFWs who have shown outstanding, exemplary and heroic achievements in various fields.

Since its launch in 1984, a total of 1,738 OFWs have been recognized for their notable achievements and for adhering to labor migration rules and regulations.

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Among the eight awardees last year was Hong Kong OFW Eva Rasgo Mapa, who was conferred the Bagong Bayani for Community and Social Service Award for leading her group World Medical Support (Womed) Hong Kong, in providing free blood pressure and blood glucose tests to their fellow OFWs who visit the Consulate on Sundays, even at the height of the pandemic.

Pre-qualification criteria for the 2027 Bagong Bayani nominees

The eight categories for the 2027 Bagong Bayani Awards, along with the basic description of the ideal candidate in each category, are as follows:

Outstanding Employee: Consistently shows exceptional dedication, efficiency, and professionalism in their workplace.

Community and Social Service: Actively participates in or leads civic, humanitarian, or community-building initiatives in their host country.

Culture and the Arts: Fosters appreciation for Filipino heritage, arts, and culture abroad.

Successful Reintegration: Successfully returns to the Philippines and establishes a sustainable local enterprise or secures impactful local employment.

Heroic Act: Performs a selfless act of extraordinary courage, saving lives or property amidst danger.

Susan V. Ople Achievement Award: Recognizes outstanding advocacy for OFWs, particularly in labor rights and welfare.

Capt. Gregorio S. Oca Achievement Award: Specifically highlights excellence, integrity, and significant contributions to the maritime or shipping industry.

Blas F. Ople Award para sa Natatanging Bagong Bayani: The highest distinction awarded to the most outstanding and exemplary OFW who fulfills all criteria of the other awards.

The awards are usually conferred in Malacanang by the current Philippine President, and all awardees are honored with a name plate on the Bantayog ng Bagong Bayani at the DMW head office in Mandaluyong City.

Nomination forms can be accessed at URL: https://drive.google.com/.../1vyhJtSwKoJkXNpze3EWgS6sBkdF...

The nomination form together with the supporting documents (including an endorsement from the labor attache in Hong Kong) should be submitted on or before Apr 30, 2027 to:

BAGONG BAYANI FOUNDATION, INC. (BBFI)
3/F Blas F. Ople Bldg., Ortigas Ave. cor. EDSA
Mandaluyong City, 1550, Philippines
Department of Migrant Workers
Telephone No: (632) 8-705-1464
E-mail address: bbfi.bba@gmail.com

 

 

No foul play in death of 17-year-old Filipino, PCG says

 

Sea off Peng Chau, where the boy drowned Friday night

The Philippine Consulate General says the police in Hong Kong have found no indication of foul play in the death of a 17-year-old Filipino boy who fell into the sea off Peng Chau on Friday evening.

According to the Consulate’s statement posted on Facebook, “the Hong Kong Police see no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death at this point in time.”

The statement is an apparent attempt to quell various speculations on the boy’s death, including suggestions that it may not have been caused by an accident.

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Previous reports have indicated the boy fell off Chau Tsai Bridge on the island where he lived, while he was trying to walk on its steel railings. He did not know how to swim.

A friend who was apparently with him at the time immediately called for help, and rescuers spent about two hours looking for the boy. 

He was found unconscious at about 9pm and was flown by helicopter to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan where he was declared dead shortly afterwards.

The Consulate said it has received a police notification on the tragic incident. Close friends of the boy’s family have also reached out to the Consulate, which assured them of help in handling the remains of the deceased.

“The Consulate General likewise extends its deepest condolences and prayers to the bereaved family and requests the public to respect their privacy at this difficult time and refrain from spreading baseless speculations about the child’s death,”said the statement.

A number of people who knew the boy and his family described the deceased as happy and fun-loving, and was not in any problematic situation at the time of his death.

Pinay faces verdict in $1M money laundering case

 

The trial of a Filipina domestic helper for money laundering of more than $1 million ended today at the Eastern Court with the verdict scheduled for July 3.

Ronnalyn Manalo, 33 years old, had her $5,000 bail extended and told by Magistrate Tobias Cheng to return to court on July 3 for his decision following the two-day trial.

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Manalo pleaded not guilty to a charge of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

The charge arose from the flow of $1,086,434, in deposits and withdrawals from her Hang Seng Bank account between 10^th andd 22nd of April 2024, which she claimed to have no knowledge of.

The amount, “directly or indirectly, represented any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence,” the police complaint said.                  

High pass-rate recorded for SPLEs held in HK

 

All-time high pass-rate rate recorded for SPLE for teachers held last year

Filipino professionals from various fields who took the Special Professional Licensure Examination in Hong Kong last May have scored high passing marks, results released by the Migrant Workers Office show..

In its latest post, the MWO announced that 29 out of 33 (87.87%) who took the SPLE for architects given by the Board of Architecture in Hong Kong and Singapore passed the qualifying exam. The outcome of the exam in either testing site was not given.

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The Board that administered the test was headed by its chairman, Robert M. Mirafuente, together with members Lynnda Marie B. Laraya and Miguel C. Guerrero.

The pass rate for the SPLE result was slightly higher than the national board examination held earlier this month, when 2,799 out of 3,290 examinees passed, for a 85.07% outcome.

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Earlier, the MWO also announced that 5 out of 15 (33.33%) who took the Agriculturists Special Professional Examination given by the Board of Agriculture in Hong Kong and Taipei last May 2026 made the mark.

Three of those who took the exam were from Hong Kong, and one of them passed, for roughly the same pass-rate result.

The members of the Board of Agriculture who gave the licensure examination are Emma K. Sales, chairperson; Eric P. Palacpac, Annabelle S. Sarabia, Anastacia G. Notarte, Maria Eden S. Piadozo and Lilia A. Portales, members.

The best performance so far was notched by the examinees in the Social Workers SPLE given by the Board for Social Workers in Hong Kong, also last May, when 2 out of 2 passed, for a 100% pass-rate.

The members of the Board for Social Workers who gave the licensure examination are Evangeline M. Guinto, chairperson; Fe J. Sinsona, Hon. Maria Lyra T. Del Castillo, Hon. Vincent Andrew T. Leyson and Hon. Jerusa C. Arnante-Homo, members.

Last year, examinees for the SPLE for teachers also did well, when 290 of the 528 examinees passed, for a record 54.92% pass rate. This surpassed the previous record of just over 50% posted in 2001, when about 500 of 1,000 or so examinees at the time aced the test.

For the May SPLEs, professionals in 37 fields were offered the chance to take the qualifying examination in Hong Kong over three days, May 29, 30 and 31, under the supervision of the  Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in the Philippines. It is not clear how many SPLEs were actually held based on demand.

Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration for the board passers will be done on-line. Please visit the official PRC website (www.prc.gov.ph) and follow the instructions for registration.

Those who will register must upload the following: 1) Screenshot of system-generated Registration Form; 2) valid government-issued ID.

Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

 

17-year-old Filipino boy drowns off Peng Chau

 

Peng Chau island, where the boy drowned (Facebook photo)

A 17-year-old Filipino youth reportedly drowned in the sea near Cha Tsai Bridge in Peng Chau Friday evening.

According to the police, emergency services were alerted at 7:26pm after a caller reported that his friend had disappeared after falling into the water between Sea Crest Villa on Peng Lei Road and Tai Lei Island Pier. The boy could not swim.

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Later reports said the youngster who lived on the island, stood on the railings of the bridge by the pier and attempted to walk but lost his balance and fell into the water.

A family friend who expressed sorrow at the tragedy said the boy called “Gabriel” was “masayahin” (jolly) and was not undergoing any problem when the accident happened.

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Marine police and fire crews rushed to the scene and searched for about two hours before the victim’s body was found floating about 20 meters from the pier.

He was unconscious but still had a pulse, so he was airlifted by a Government Flying Service helicopter to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, the boy was declared dead at 9:43pm.

An investigation into the case is ongoing. The Philippine Consulate said they had not been informed yet about the tragedy.

Indo helper held for alleged theft of $180k jewelry

 

Yeung Uk Road in Tsuen Wan (Wikimedia Commons file)

A 30-year-old Indonesian domestic helper was arrested Friday on suspicion of stealing various pieces of jewelry from her employer in Tsuen Wan worth an estimated HK$180,000.

Police were called by the 29-year-old employer who suspected that her domestic helper had taken a number of gold pieces from her home on Yeung Uk Roa

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Said to be missing were a gold necklace, The missing jewelry included a gold necklace, a gold bracelet, a ring and five pairs of traditional dragon-and-phoenix bangles.

After a preliminary investigation, the police arrested the helper for suspected theft.

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Latest reports said the helper was still being investigated by officers at the Tsuen Wan Police Station.