Maswerte sa amo

Isa si Rowena sa mga domestic helper na maswerte sa amo. Kahit Sabado ang kanyang day-off ay walang problema dahil ang mahalaga sa kanya ay mabait ang kanyang mga amo at tunay na isinasaisip ang kanyang kapakanan.

Isang hapon, wala sa isip na isinara ni Rowena ang pintuan ng kanyang kwarto at nag-lock ito sa loob. Walang susi si Rowena kaya ganoon na lang ang pagkabahala niya. Agad niyang sinubukan na buksan ito gamit ang iba’t ibang bagay at nag-post pa sa Facebook para humingi ng tulong sa mga kaibigan, ngunit umabot ang gabi nang hindi nya ito nagawang buksan.

Pagdating ng mga amo ay agad niyang sinabi ang problema. Hindi niya akalain na ang gagawin ng kanyang among lalaki ay ang akyatin ang ventilation window papunta sa kanyang kuwarto para mabuksan ang pinto sa loob.

Pilit pinagkasya ng amo ang katawan sa maliit na bintana para makapasok sa kanyang kuwarto.

Malikabok at madumi ang loob ng butas at takot na takot na naiiyak si Rowena sa pag-aalala at baka anong mangyari sa amo, pero hindi naman niya sukat akalain na gagawin ng amo ang ganoon. Kasama niyang nakaabang at nag-aalala ang among babae at mga anak nito.

Ngunit pagkaraan lang ng ilang minuto ay nakangiting lumabas ang amo mula sa kanyang kuwarto, sabay sabi na sa susunod ay huwag na niyang ila-lock ulit ang pinto.

Nahihiyang nagpasalamat si Rowena sa matapang at maalalahaning amo. Si Rowena ay tubong Iloilo, 28 taong gulang at tatlong taon nang nagtatrabaho sa mga among taga Tung Chung. - Rodelia Villar

Nakulong sa kubeta dahil sira ang lock

Nataranta at kinabahan si Mando, 45, at isang Bisaya, nang pagkatapos niyang umihi ay nalaman niyang sira ang kandado ng pintuan sa kubeta sa bahay ng kanyang amo. Nag-iisa siya sa bahay sa oras na iyon, at kahit anong pihit niya, ay hindi niya mabuksan ang pinto.

May pinapakuluan pa naman siyang sopas noon, kaya takot na takot siya dahil kapag hindi siya nakalabas agad ay maaring masunog ang bahay, kasama siya. Sinubukan niyang dumungaw sa bintana ng kubeta at inisip na doon na lang siya dadaan palabas, ngunit lubhang delikado dahil walang makapitan, at sobrang taas ng kanyang babagsakan kung sakali dahil nas ika-15 palapag sila.

Pabilis nang pabilis ang pintig ng kanyang puso sa takot.

Saglit siyang umupo para mag-isip bago ginalugad ang kubeta para humanap ng pwedeng gamitin para madistrongka ang pinto, ngunit wala siyang makita ng kahit ano.

Mabuti na lang at dala-dala niya ang kanyang telepono. Agad niyang tinawagan si May na katulong ng nanay ng kanyang amo at sumagot naman ito pero hindi sila magkaintindihan dahil paputol-putol ang koneksyon.

Naisipan niyang i-text na lang at ipaabot sa FB messenger ang kanyang mensahe, at mabuti naman at nakaabot. Agad namang nag taxi si May na swerteng hindi kalayuan ang bahay, at may susi ang lola sa bahay ng anak.

Eksakto lang ang dating nito sa bahay nina Mando dahil natuyuan na ng tubig ang sopas. Sinubukan nitong buksan ang pintuan ng kubeta gamit ang susi, pero hindi na umubra dahil naputol na ang kalahating parte ng kandado sa loob.

Inabot pa ng ilang minuto bago nagawan ng paraan ni Mando na sirain ang kandado gamit ang isang maliit na distilyador na inabot ni May dahil hindi magkasya ang naunang ibang mga gamit sa siwang sa ilalim ng pinto.

Pagkalabas sa kubeta ay nagpasalamat si Mando kay May, sabay inom ng tubig. “Akala ko ay katapusan ko na,” ang sabi niya. – George Manalansan

New ConGen to push for caregiver roles for OFWs

By Daisy CL Mandap

Newly-arrived Consul General Antonio A. Morales has pledged to work on getting the Hong Kong government to open caregiver positions to Filipino domestic workers as soon as possible.

Consul General Antonio A. Morales 

He also told The SUN during a meet-and-greet session at the Consulate on Jan. 7 that he intends to push for greater cooperation with Hong Kong authorities in addressing the illegal recruitment of Filipino workers here for third-country destinations like Russia.

ConGen Morales arrived only the day before, to formally assume the post as the Philippines’ top representative in Hong Kong.

Consul General Antonio A. Morales called on the Director of the Hong Kong Protocol Division, Mrs. Judy Li.

He told The SUN he would focus on these two main concerns when he gets to meet with Chief Executive Carrie Lam again.

He said he first met Mrs Lam when he accompanied Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on a courtesy call on Hong Kong’s top official last month.

During the meeting, the Chief Executive reportedly expressed appreciation for the important role that Filipino domestic workers play in Hong Kong’s society.

Morales said he would build on that goodwill to push for the creation of a new category of work as caregivers for overseas Filipino workers.

In Singapore where he was posted for three and a half years before moving to Hong Kong, he said there is already a caregiver post that is separate from that of a domestic worker.

He said he could use that as a reference in getting Hong Kong to speed up its plan to import caregivers amid looming concerns over its rapidly ageing population.

The Chief Executive first disclosed plans about opening a new category of work for caregivers during her maiden policy address on Oct 11 last year.

She said that Hong Kong would consider giving subsidized elderly-service units more flexibility on importing caregivers.

Later, the Hong Kong government also disclosed plans to launch in the first quarter of this year an 18-month trial program to equip 300 domestic workers already in the city with nursing skills.

At the same time, the Labor Department and Security Bureau are expected to set up an interdepartmental group for creating a mechanism to hire foreign caregivers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and Southeast Asian countries.

On Jan. 11, ConGen Morales reiterated his commitment to upgrade the skills of Filipino domestic workers in remarks he made after swearing into office the new officers of the Philippine Association of Hong Kong.

After saying that there was nothing to be ashamed of about domestic work he added, “But that does not stop us from dreaming of greater things. That’s why our job is to ask our domestic workers to upgrade their skills, (by) going into caregiving, or thinking about doing business in the Philippines.”

Also part of his immediate plans, said Morales, is to meet with his counterparts at the Russian consulate, to ask help in addressing the worsening problem of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong being recruited for non-existent work in Russia.

The Philippine embassy in Moscow says there are about 5,000 Filipinos working illegally as domestic helpers in Russia, many of them recruited in Hong Kong.

Within the first few days of his taking over as consul general, Morales managed to meet with his Indonesian counterpart Tri Tharyat.

The consuls general reportedly exchanged views on a wide range of issues, and agreed to work together in promoting the interest of migrant workers in Hong Kong.

Morales also called on Hong Kong’s protocol chief, Judy Li.

‘Abused’ Filipina gets labour case put on hold while police investigate

By Daisy CL Mandap

A Filipina domestic worker who claims to have been abused by her employer’s live-in companion for more than a year has asked the Labour Tribunal to postpone hearing her case until the police has completed its investigation.

Lanie Grace Rosareal, 27, however, accepted a partial payment of $2,500 from her employer, Leung Shet-ying, 63, for her unpaid salary and travel allowance, at the hearing held on Jan. 4.

Lanie Grace Rosareal

Leung, who at first resisted paying Rosareal’s claim for return air fare, eventually offered a further $1,200 for this, but the helper rejected the offer, saying she wished to wait for the conclusion of all investigations into her case first.

But at the suggestion of deputy presiding officer Mary Wu, Rosareal agreed to drop her claim for compensation and one month’s salary in lieu of notice.

Wu made it clear the Filipina could not claim for salary in lieu, even if it was true that she had been abused, saying this was not in accordance with the Labour Ordinance.

The officer also cast doubt on whether Rosareal could claim employees’ compensation, saying this was awarded only for injuries sustained in the course of work.

But she agreed that Rosareal had the right to ask for an adjournment pending the outcome of the police investigation.

“For the rest of the items that are in dispute, the case will be adjourned sine die (for an indefinite period) pending the investigation of the police,” said Wu.

Rosareal had worked for Leung and her companion, Au Wai-chun, 65, from Jan 24, 2014 until Nov. 9, 2017 when the Filipina and her fellow domestic worker Rowela Subiono Suete, 36, were rescued from their employer’s house in Tseung Kwan-o.

Suete has since returned to the Philippines after settling her claim against Leung.

But Rosareal, who claims to have been physically abused by Au since May 2016, sought help from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and the Mission for Migrant Workers to file a case against her employer.

During a conciliation hearing at the Labour Department in November last year, the two parties failed to reach agreement, so Rosareal’s case was referred to the Labour Tribunal.

The Filipina helper is seeking a total claim of $207,423.00 against Leung for unpaid salary for six months, wage in lieu, cancelled holidays, return air fare, travel allowance and compensation.

She alleged that Leung would pay her salary each month, but would then tell her to settle the penalties imposed on her by Au, a retired civil servant, for all sorts of alleged misdeed.

The monthly payment she got was reportedly never enough to settle all of Au’s claims, which were duly recorded in a notebook of penalties that Rosareal managed to take with her when she fled her employer’s house.

Rosareal claims Au subjected her to almost daily torture.

The elderly woman reportedly hit her on the head with a knife and a TV remote control, boxed in the arm, clawed on her wrists and neck, poked at the throat with a pair of scissors, made to kneel and bang her head on the floor.

Au reportedly did these less than two years after she was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months, for throwing a cup of hot water at a Bangladeshi maid also hired by Leung earlier.

Aside from the police investigation, Rosareal’s complaint of physical abuse against Au and Leung’s non-payment of wages and withholding of her passport are being looked into by the Labour Department.

Immigration is also investigating her report that Leung made her work daily in the house of Au’s son which is in an adjacent building in Tseung Kwan-O.

Rosareal was accompanied at the hearing by the Mission’s case officer Edwina Antonio.

PEYA’s claimants now nearly 900

Consulate and POLO officials see off some of the passengers they helped. (Photo From POLO)

By Daisy CL Mandap

The number of complainants against PEYA Travel Agency has risen by the day, and as of Jan. 10, was already at 869. At an average price of $2,500 per ticket, the total claim against PEYA now stands at well over $2 million.

This was revealed by Danny Baldon of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate, which continues to receive complaints from overseas Filipino workers who were not issued tickets for flights they booked through PEYA.

The affected travelers include those who booked for flights over the upcoming Chinese New Year, when prices for air tickets are at a premium.

However, the “mercy flights” arranged over the Christmas season for the stranded passengers by the three airlines that fly to the Philippines, which were partly paid for by the Philippine government, have all terminated.

According to Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre, a total of 124 air tickets on Philippine Airlines flights costing more than Php600,000 were paid for by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Fifty other passengers were assisted by his staff in securing the free seats offered by Cebu Pacific for three flights on Dec. 25, 28 and Jan. 4.

In addition, about 200 other stranded passengers availed of discounted seats that became available when PAL and Cathay Pacific Airways sent bigger aircraft for selected Hong Kong to Manila flights just before Christmas.

 The passengers whose flights were paid for by the government were, however, asked to sign a form assigning their claim against PEYA for their unclaimed tickets to OWWA.

As to whether the Philippine government could recover the money is, however, uncertain as PEYA was forced to shut down on Dec. 20, two days after it was besieged by irate customers who failed to board their flights to the Philippines.

On Dec. 25, police raided the office for documents after arresting PEYA’s Filipina co-owner and managing director, Rhea Donna Bayona – Boyce, 38. She was held by police for two days and upon her release, her Australian husband and PEYA co-owner Peter Brian Boyce, 58, was also picked up by police.

Both were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, but were released on police bail pending further investigation. No charges have been filed in court as of this writing.

Meanwhile, police are reportedly also looking for PEYA’s sales director and longtime Hong Kong resident Arnold Grospe, who appears to have left Hong Kong.

Sources say police tried to arrest Grospe in his house in Wanchai early this month, but found it locked. His wife and two grown-up children have reportedly moved out of the flat, and Grospe’s whereabouts are unknown.

There are reports he has fled to Macau where Hong Kong residents are reportedly allowed to stay for up to a year without a visa, but this has not been confirmed.

Grospe was detained by police earlier, on Dec. 19, after he singlehandedly faced PEYA’s angry customers at the agency’s shop for two days. But he was released that time with no charges being laid.

The next day, the Consulate started receiving complaints from Filipinos affected by PEYA’s booking mess. The complainants’ records and contact details are continually being turned over the police to help them in their investigation.

Baldon told The SUN complainants have been coming to ATN daily, with the number going up to more than 100 on Sundays since Christmas.

He said the unpaid bookings were from the days just before Christmas, and up until May this year. Several were for bookings to the Philippines over the busy Chinese New Year season, when prices are at their peak.

The costliest booking reportedly totaled more than $8,000 because the package included not just a flight to the Philippines, but also an onward journey to Canada.

Baldon said they expect more PEYA customers to come forward to complain over the next few days.

“Marami pang hindi nakakabalik mula sa kanilang bakasyon sa Pilipinas,” Baldon said.

Blue Eagles win HK baseball Open

By Vir B. Lumicao

Ateneo Blue Eagles came from behind to beat Sydney University Baseball Club of Australia, 10-4, on Dec 17, and finish as champions in the Club Pool of the restructured Hong Kong International Baseball Open 2017.

The defending champions, however, saw their dominance of the annual tournament limited as host Hong Kong Baseball Association divided the event into National Team and Club Pool competition, thus confining the Filipinos in the latter division.

Blue Eagles batter Javi Macasaet (7) prepares to blast a Sydney University fast ball in the fourth inning.

“We’d been the champions twice here, and Hong Kong Red took the trophy only when we did not take part the other year. In the last championship, we beat them again,” coach Bocc Bernardo told The SUN.

He expressed regret that this year the National Team division was added and the Philippines was unrepresented.

The Blue Eagles, defending champions of the tournament, waylaid all their opponents in the four-day event at the Sai Tso Wan Baseball Field in Lam Tin, Kowloon starting with a 12-7 drubbing of newcomers Sydney University on Dec 14.

The Filipino sluggers went on with their juggernaut, trouncing Hong Kong Blue, 9-6, on Dec 15 and mauling Lanzhou New Way of China, 12-3, on Dec 16.

Sydney University set itself up for a revenge game against Blue Eagles by outclassing Lanzhou New Way, 6-4, on Day Two and hammering Hong Kong Blue, 11-7, the next day. But the Australians settled for first runner-up after bowing to the Filipinos.

Lanzhou New Way beat Hong Kong Blue 4-3 in the duel for second runner-up. It was sweet revenge for the mainland team, which the local boys walloped 17-2 on opening day.

The Australians began strongly in the final match, holding the home-team Filipinos at bay, 1-0, until late in the fourth innings. But Gio Salvatierra slammed a fast ball to centerfield that sent Enzo Orbeta and Dan Laurel running to home base in succession.

Then Marquis Alindogan blasted another ball to the centerfield, and Salvatierra raced to home base. Alindogan himself sailed home when Radito Banzon hit another powerful ball that took him to second base.

Banzon made it 5-1 for Blue Eagles towards the end of the fourth.

Sydney University added a run courtesy of Stuart Wright in the fifth innings, 2-5, but runner Salvatierra cruised home, 6-2, after Alindogan fired another fast ball to the center outfield.

The Australians rallied with two runs in succession by Lachlan Arford and Nicholas Doller, 4-6, in the seventh.

But Blue Eagles replied with four runs in the eighth by Adriane Bernardo, Banzon, Marco Mallari and Miguel Habana to seal the championship, 10-4.

The champions also took the other top honors with Paulo Macasaet voted the Most Winning Pitcher with two strikeouts, Mallari recording the most hits, and Alindogan taking the most stolen bases.

Mallari was also voted the Most Valuable Player in the Club Team Pool.

Section Juan goes island hopping

Many of us who have lived in Hong Kong for years haven’t seen the best of it. Tung Lung Chau is one such gem.

Amidst the busy and festive season, Section Juan managed to squeeze in a hike at this largely unexplored and uninhabited island of Hong Kong to chill, and bond.

Tung Lung Chau offers a breathtaking view of the Clearwater Bay Peninsula.

Every year, the group makes sure to have at least one hiking activity and this year they held “Hataw sa Tung Lung Chau” on Dec 10. It was the first time most of those who took part had set foot on the island.

Section Juan president Pau Ciriaco said, “The hike’s success in building camaraderie among members was visible throughout. All of us hiked as one. We waited whenever there was someone who needed to rest. We shared water and food to keep everyone on track”.

Tung Lung Chau is located along the Clearwater Bay Peninsula and is accessible by ferry during weekends and public holidays. It is widely known as the site of an ancient monument, a prehistoric rock carving known to be the largest of its kind in Hong Kong.

The island is a place for extreme sports, too. There were people ziplining from cliff to cliff and rock climbing.

Kristeen Romero, the current research, development and multimedia officer of Section Juan, said “it was a good opportunity to get a breath of fresh air, do some exercise and practice my photography skills”.

Candice Adams, an active member of the group, said: “The hike was doable and often breathtaking,” adding that there was no shortage of picturesque views.

But the wondrous sight was just part of the reason why she decided to go.

“Good company, good food and a good route makes for a great hike”, she said.

Indonesia spikers beat Pinays in friendlies

By Vir B. Lumicao

Indonesian spikers D’Cassie walloped the Philippine squad D’Organix 25-17 to emerge as champions in the one-day Sultan Kudarat Volleyball Friendship Games on Dec 25 at Fa Hui Park in Mongkok.

D’Cassie fought its way to the championship by beating the other best of four winners in the elimination round.

First runner-up D’Organix players pose with league organizer and Sultan Kudarat Volleyball team leader Jhergin Barcelona (extreme right) and guests at the close of the on-day friendship league .

At the end of the games, D’Cassie was on first place, D'Organix second; Indonesian team Metal, third, and another Filipina team, Lady Fighters, fourth.

A total of 14 teams, mostly Filipino, participated in the friendly games, the second one-day league brought together by the barely three-month-old Sultan Kudarat volleyball group led by Jhergin Barcelona.

“Noong October lang po namin binuo ang team at pagkatapos ay ginanap namin ang unang friendly one-day league noong Oct 28,” Barcelona told The SUN.

Other members of the team, which works as a committee, are Teng Hernandez, Swet Fulgencio, Jack Manabat, Rose dela Cruz, Elsa Janoras, Bai Parangan, Cel Gumban, Con Baldemor, Chel Riparip, Clear Gumowang, Ping Caceres, Sasa Manzanares, Chel Ferrer, Ren Clar, Renie Duyao and Clear Nasalga.

Barcelona said she met D’Cassie in the first friendly league that Sultan Kudarat held and found that the Indonesians, led by Mika, were friendly and most disciplined players.

“That’s why we invited them to play again this time around,” said Barcelona, who, like the rest of the players in the friendly league, is a domestic helper.

She said she formed the team and went on to organize leagues to provide the army of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong to keep them away from crowded Central, the city’s financial district that converts into a gathering place for them on Sundays.

“At least dito, instead na naapag-uusapan nila ang tsismis at mga problema sa buhay ay ang problema sa court ang napag-uusapan namin,” said Barcelona.

Aside from attracting the helpers away from their usual idling places, the leagues are intended to hone the volleyball skills of the players and to raise funds for charity projects back home.

When one of the Sultan Kudarat’s 16 team members goes home, she has a project in mind, such as tree-planting by school children. So she receives funds to buy the materials she needs for the project.

Sultan Kudarat is tapping individual or corporate sponsors, such as Amazing Speed, a cargo forwarder, to donate the trophies and medals that the team gives away to the players.

The search for the “Queen of the Night” added excitement to the league with muses from each of the 14 teams competing for the honor that was eventually won by the Lady Fighters’ muse.

Barcelona said the team had submitted its registration as an organization to the police so it would have legal personality and to register as a Filcom group at the Consulate.

She had already sounded out the Consulate’s cultural section about it and said the section was just waiting for the group’s police registration to be released in December but which she would pick up in January.

Ihaw- ihaw sa Hung Mui Kuk

Maraming Pilipina ang nakaugalian nang mamasyal ay magpalipas-oras sa parke.

Ni George Manalansan 

Isa ang Hung Mui Kuk barbecue area na nasa loob ng Lion Rock Country Park sa Taiwai, New Territories, sa mga paboritong puntahan ng mga migranteng Pinoy at lokal na residente tuwing piyesta opisyal, o araw ng pahinga.

Ang lugar ay may mahigit 50 ihawan, ngunit kailangan pa ring magtungo dito ng maaga para makasiguro ng puwesto dahil naging ugali na ng mga dumarayo dito ang mag barbecue habang nagkakasiyahan.

May mga lakaran din paakyat ng bundok kaya maaaring mag ehersisyo muna bago magkainan. Kilala ang lakarang ito na tinawag na Hung Mui Kuk Nature Trail sa dami ng magagandang tanawing makikita paakyat ng bundok.

Sa tuktok ay makikita ang kilalang Amah Rock, na ayon sa pabula ay rebulto ng isang babae na nagihintay sa pagbabalik ng kanyang nawawalang asawa.

Ang lakaran o trail ay 1.3 kilometro ang haba, at kakakailanganin ng isang oraso mahigit pa, para ito mabaybay sa kabuuan.

Ayon kay Junalyn Atriginio na madalas mamasyal dito, kailangan na ang isa sa grupo ay magtungo dito ng maaga para masigurado ang puwesto. Saka na lang daw sumunod ang iba na namalengke ng mga iihawing pagkain,

Maaga pa lang kasi ay makikita nang nagbabaan ang maraming tao mula sa mga sasakyan, o naglalakad papunta dito, bitbit ang uling, pantuhog , mga inumin, at ang iba-ibang karne at lamang dagat na iihawin.

Madami din sa mga dumarayo dito ang makikitang may dalang aso, tungkod at malalaking backpack na puno ng mga gagamitin paakyat sa bundok. May bata at matanda, babae, lalaki o ibang kasarian, ang makikita na tinatahak ang matarik na daan paakyat o pababa mula sa bundok. Marami kasi ang halatang bihasa na sa paglalakad kaya balewala sa kanila ang pag-akyat, panaog mula sa bundok.

Sa grupo ni Caroline Canete, may ilan sa kanila ang pinipili ang umakyat muna sa bundok habang ang a kasama nila ay kampante na sa pagkukwentuhan at pag-iihaw sa kanilang kakainin.

Sabi ni Caroline, mahirap akyatin ng diretso ang bundok. Kailangan ay  pahinto-hinto muna para makapahinga, lalo na yung baguhan sa pamumundok. Malaking ginhawa daw ang mararamdaman kapag umabot sa mataas na parte dahil masarap langhapin ang sariwang hangin. Mas maganda daw na umakyat kapag medyo malamig na ang panahon dahil hindi ka masyadong makakaramdam ng pagkahapo at pagod.

Sa entrance pa lamang ay naamoy na ang pagkain mula sa Hung Mui Kuk barbecue area na nasa loob ng Lion Rock Country Park sa Taiwai, New Territories.

Nagpaalala naman si Junalyn na ingatan ang mga dala dahil may mga unggoy sa paligid na mahilig mang-agaw ng  pagkain. Nasanay kasi ang mga unggoy na pinapakain ng mga namamasyal dito kaya parang nakalimutan na nila ang kanilang sariling kakayahan na maghanap ng kakainin sa bundok.

Laging masaya ang mga OFW na dumadayo dito dahil hindi lang basta kainan at kuwentuhan ang kanilang ginagawa, kundi pati kantahan at sayawan sa saliw ng tugtog mula sa kanilang mga cellphone o bluetooth speakers.

Isa sa naging punto ng usapan ng grupo nina Caroline ang mga hitsura ng talong na iniihaw ng mga tao sa paligid. Iba-iba kasi ang laki at hugis, may payat na mahaba, punggok na mataba, may baluktok at diretso. Lalo nang naging berde ang msayang usapan  nang ihain ang mga bagong ihaw na talong na nanguluntoy na sa lambot.

Sabi ni Junalyn, pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya natunawan sa dami ng kanyang kinain, at walang humpay na kuwentuhan at halakhakan.  Sayang nga lang daw at kailangang umalis ng maaga ang ilan sa grupo dahil malayo pa ang kanilang uuwian.

Para makarating dito mula sa Central, sumakay sa bus no 182 papuntang Shatin at bumaba sa unang tigilan pagkalampas ng Lion Rock Tunnel.

Para mapabilis, maaaring sumakay sa MTR at bumaba sa Tai Wai station. Mula doon ay maaring sumakay sa taxi papunta sa Hung Mui Kuk. Hindi na muling papatak ang metro sa lapit ng biyahe.

Kung gustong mamili muna ng iihawin ang pinakamalapit na bilihan ay ang Tai Wai market.

Preparing to go home for good

Nothing is permanent for Filipinos who opt to work abroad, particularly in Hong Kong.  As acquiring residency is a privilege not extended to them, all will evetually return to the Philippines. It's just a matter of when and how, as there is no forever for them in Hong Kong.

Like most OFWs I was one of those who aspired for greener pasture, and thought that the only way to achieve my dreams was to work abroad. I came from a poor family in Bicol and my father's income was not enough to send me and my siblings to college.

The author

I was 23 years old, single,  when I left my sales job to start working in the Middle East. I took care of a 50-year-old  woman whose family owns a big company in Kuwait .She taught me how to stand on my own and to be independent. I was the only maid allowed to attend to her needs. I must know everything that she liked and didn't like. She was such a perfectionist that she wanted everything to be in order, from her clothes to the dining table. I needed to be smart so I wouldn't make mistakes. I must have done something right because she took me along to her trips to Europe and Middle East.

She let me go to the church on Sundays so I became a member of Singles for Christ in Lebanon. I managed to finish three contracts there before I moved to Hong Kong.

My experience in the Middle East gave me an advantage in finding a good employer in Hong Kong. My initial plan when I arrived was to finish just one contract then go home. I wanted to find a job back home that was in line with my course. I hold a degree in management, so I wanted to work  in an office.

Unfortunately my father got sick so I had to extend my stay in Hong Kong to help in buying his medicines But God had other plans. My father died in November 2016 and I didnt get the chance to say a final goodbye because I had just returned from a vacation in the Philipines, and my employer didn’t allow me to go home again.

It was painful  but I didn't have a choice. But because of that experience l decided I that I should go home after my contract has ended to be with my mother, and to serve my own people.

As an OFW who has worked 10 years abroad  and plan to go home for good, I believe that preparation is the key to success in coming home for good. I spent  my days off wisely by learning various skills. I attended various financial literacy seminars conducted by  Card HK and another NGO. I joined the various skills training offered by the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran such as ribbon folding,  jewelry making, basket weaving, and the processing of foodstuff like tinapa, embotido, siomai and puto/kakanin.

I knew I also had to keep abreast with what's happening in tne community by following the Facebook posts of the Consulate and its attached agencies like Polo and Owwa, where I also get to read about the different livelihood seminars open to OFWs, such as mushroom farming and skills training like massage therapy. I decided to join the massage therapy class and recently passed the  national certification exam administered by Tesda. I now hope there will be another civil service examination here so I can take it.

Apart from taking part in skills training I am also an active member of my Filipino Reflexology Association. I also joined the Domestic Workers Empowerment Program run by HKU to acquire the voice I needed to speak up and leave my comfort zone.

Through the financial education seminars I attended, I learned how to invest money and save for my future. I learned how to budget my salary and apply tough love on my family. I make sure that I provide enough for their important needs, and also buy the things that I need for myself

From one of my LSE mentors I learned that there are 4Ks needed to succeed in life, and these are kaalaman, kakayahan, kakilala at kapalaran.

All of these valuable lessons helped me realize to take every opportunity that comes my way.There are lot of free financial literacy and livelihood trainings offered by various community organizations to help OFWs to plan for their future and all it takes is a genuine effort to take the lessons to heart..

I took up the leadership and social entrepreneurship course to learn how to make a business plan.I want to be an entrepreneur, I want to set up my own agricultural business and be the boss.

Saving is another lesson I learned, I have to save to have enough to start a life when I go back, and to set aside capital to start my own business. I learned that saving at least six  months of salary for  emergency funds is important. Saving takes a lot of commitment and so one has to do it like a habit.

Another thing I learned was closer to home. I attended physical  fitness activities such as yoga, hiking and zumba.. I join the AYC 10 yoga every Sunday to be healthy and to release stress after a week of work. I also join charity hikes as they allow me to go sightseing and enjoy the beautiful places in Hong Kong while helping the needy

Another source of relaxation is a museum near our place. It allows me to marvel at beautiful artworks while learning more about the history  of Hong Kong

Working in Hong Kong has taught me  a lot about life.I learned to be compasionate, friendly, thankful and humble. I became a woman  ready to face the battle alone. I have readied my heart, mind and  body for the next chapter of my life when I go home.

As an OFW, planning for the future ahead is a must. You must have a plan to create a strategy that will guide you so you can achieve your goals.

I have heard of a lot of stories about  ex-OFWs who have gone home for good and and are now running their own businesses  I hope I can be like them someday

As an OFW  we should set  our priorities, limit our expenses and set goals for a given period of time. Coming home for good will turn from dream to reality when we take action, or by applying what we learned.
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Our featured columnist this issue is Ellen Asis, who has taken just about any training seminar offered in Hong Kong, in preparation for her impending return to the Philippines. These include joining the news writing seminar of The SUN, where she is now a regular contributor. Ellen started life as an overseas Filipino worker in Kuwait, where she worked for six years, before deciding to move to Hong Kong. She would have quit after finishing her first contract, but fate intervened, so she ended up staying for another two years. But not one to waste time, she took the chance to enrol in a fnancial literary training course, an empowerment group, as well as a leadership and social entrepreneurship  seminar. On the side she also took a massage therapy course, and did well enough to pass the qualfying exam to become a licensed practitioner. If this is not what preparing well for reintegration, we don't know what is - ED.