Ekonomiya at ikaw

Ang buhay ng bansa, gaya ng isang negosyo, ay nakasalalay sa paglabas-pasok ng kayamanan sa kanyang kaban. Dito rin makikita kung tama ba o hindi ang pamamalakad dito.

Ang pagbagsak ng piso sa 52.60 sa isang dolyar, na pinakamababa sa loob ng 12 taon, ay nagbabadya ng paglabas ng kayamanan at kapital sa Pilipinas. At gaya ng gumuguhong dam, ang butas ay lalaki nang lalaki hanggang ang susunod na balita ay bagsak na ng ekonomiya, kung walang gagawing pampaampat ng pagdurugo.

Marami sa mga OFW ay natutuwa sa lugmok na piso, dahil ang kita nilang dolyar ay mas maraming katumbas, kaya nakakatipid sa pagpapadala ng nakagawiang halaga. Pero ang totoo, ang ipinapadala mong Php10,000 buwan-buwan ay kulang na. Ang kailangan ng pamilya mo ay Php15,000 dahil sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin. Sa huli ay imbes gumaan, mas bumigat ang dinadala mo.

Gaya ng iba’t ibang bansa, ang Pilipinas ay kailangan ding magbayad ng mas mahal na dolyar para sa inaangkat nito, gaya ng langis, bigas at iba pa. May maniobra pa ang iba’t ibang bansa upang ma-protektahan ang kani-kanilang ekonomiya, na karahiman ay nagpapahirap sa mga bansang gaya ng Pilipinas.

Sa ngayon ay pinababayaan ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas na hanapin ng piso ang tamang halaga nito upang hindi masyadong magalaw ang reserba nitong $80 billion para sa bayaring internasyonal.

Pero kung ang pamahalaan ay gumagastos ng mas malaki sa nakokolekta nitong buwis, baka kahit iyan ay maubos din. Sa unang apat na buwan sa taong ito, halimbawa, ang budget deficit ay umabot na sa Php116 bilyon – apat na patong noong 2017.

Sinabi ni Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez na hindi dapat mabahala dahil mas mababa ito sa inaasahan. Pero ito ay mangangahulugan ng mas malaking uutangin ng pamahalaan upang mapunan ang kakulangan, na magpapataas sa interes na singil ng mga bangko, na magpapataas sa gastos ng mga negosyante, na sa huli ay magpapataas sa presyo ng bilihin.

Kaya hindi nakapagtataka ang report na dumausdos nang 9 lugar ang Pilipinas sa World Competitiveness ranking  sa ika-50 sa 63 bansa, mula 41 noong 2017. Ito ang pinakamalaking pagbagsak ng Pilipinas sa loob ng isang dekada, at pinakamalaking bagsak na nairehistro ng isang bansa sa Asia-Pacific.

At gaya ng inaasahan, nabagok tayo sa apat na basehan ng World Competitiveness Yearbook, ang pinagmulan ng report na ito – economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, at infrastructure.

Kung sana napagtutuunan ng pansin ang mga ito ng mga namumuno kesa pagpapalapad ng papel, ay sana maayos ang buhay natin.

At siya nga pala, ang Hong Kong ay No. 2 sa ranking. Kaya nga ba maraming OFW na nagtatrabaho dito, imbes na sa sarili nilang bansa?

New welfare officer says her heart is with workers

By Vir B. Lumicao

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s newest welfare officer in Hong Kong may have been destined to serve the working class.

Virsie B. Tamayao, a 57-year-old social worker by profession who hails from Cagayan province, says this predilection began after she graduated from St Paul’s University in Tuguegarao in 1982.

“My heart is with the workers. Ever since I’ve worked, first with farmers, then with workers, and now with OFWs,” Tamayao told The SUN in an interview on May 24. It was her first day on the job, having flown in from Manila the night before to take up her post at the OWWA Hong Kong office.

Virsie B. Tamayao

By noon, Tamayao had spoken to about a dozen OFWs who made inquiries or brought up problems about their employers. Other workers went to the OWWA office on 16th floor of Mass Mutual Tower for wage, severance or long service pay computations.

Once, at the beginning of the interview, she took a call from an OFW and patiently listened for about 5 minutes to the worker’s woes, before tactfully telling her to go to the Hong Kong Labour Department.

Tamayao’s job path has seen her dealing with workers from the beginning. She first worked for the National Irrigation Administration regional office where her daily routine was talking with farmers. Then she became a community organizer of farmers for some time.

In 1999, Tamayao joined the OWWA Region 2 office in Tuguegarao as a social worker. She would later be promoted to community development officer, assigned overseas twice – to Abu Dhabi in 2005-2007 and later to Seoul, South Korea, in 2013 – before returning to the same office as overseas workers welfare officer.

Tamayao told the SUN that before coming to Hong Kong, she went through immersion in the home office where she was briefed on the usual OFW problems in Hong Kong and the kind of assistance the workers here needed.

Worker situations vary from place to place, she acknowledged, citing the difficult conditions in Abu Dhabi where the OFWs are mostly domestic workers, and the better lot of OFWs in Korea simply because they are in higher job categories.

“Previous welfare officers here, such as Mila Peña, say that Hong Kong is totally different because problems are easier to settle than in the Middle East, as the workers are covered by labor laws and employers are easier to talk to,” Tamayao said.

But she said she has yet to see for herself the real picture and can only make the comparison after her tour of duty.

For Hong Kong-based OFWs, Tamayao says she will follow what she did in Korea, that of pursuing existing programs that prepare the workers for reintegration once they decide to return home. These programs include training in financial management, employable skills, livelihood projects, and businesses that will enable the workers and their families to sustain their daily needs.

But she said the preparations do not just involve the workers: it must also encompass the workers’ family members. So, while the mother or father is working abroad, OWWA operatives reach out to their families to teach them about their responsibilities.

“Ang reintegration ay hindi lang sa OFW nakatuon kung hindi maging sa pamilya niya para mintindihan nila na uuwi rin ang OFW pagdating ng panahon,” Tamayao said.

The spouse must know how to manage the money and save, while the children must finish their studies so the hard-earned money is not wasted.

Tamayao is married to a social worker who is now retired and will join her shortly in Hong Kong.
Their four children are now professionals, two of whom are OFWs. The eldest is a nurse working in the Middle East, the second is a lawyer of the Public Attorneys Office, the third is a seaman, and the youngest has just earned his diploma in international studies.

For the next three years, the presence of Tamayao in Hong Kong should provide comfort to the city’s growing army of OFWs.

Jolina, isinilang na ang ikalawang anak

Isinilang ni Jolina Magdangal ang pangalawang anak nila ng asawang si Mark Escueta noong May 28, 10:00 ng umaga sa Asian Hospital and Medical Center. Ang kanilang baby girl ay pinangalanang Vika Anya, ay isinilang via ceasarean section.

Dinala sa ospital si Jolina, 39, noong May 27 , at doon na nagpalipas ng gabi, kasama si Mark at ang panganay nilang si Pele, 3.

Pahinga muna sa pagho-host si Jolina sa daily TV show niyang “ Magandang Buhay “, at ang mga co-hosts niyang sina Karla Estrada at Melai Cantiveros muna ang magdadala ng show, kasama ang kanilang mga celebrity guests.

Noong nakaraang taon ay si Melai naman ang nag-maternity leave sa kanilang show nang isilang nito ang pangalawang anak nila ni Jason Francisco.


41st GAWAD URIAN AWARDS

Muling namayagpag ang mga indie films sa listahan ng mga nominado sa Gawad Urian sa taong ito. Ang pelikulang “Respeto” ang nakakuha ng pinakamaraming nominasyon (11), kabilang na ang best actor para kay Abra , na mas kilala bilang isang rapper. Tinalo niya sina Aga Muhlach at Dingdong Dantes na hindi man lang na-nominate sa pelikula nilang Seven Sundays.

Gaganapin ang Gawad Urian 2018 sa June 14 sa ABS CBN tent sa Vertis North sa Quezon City.

Ang mga nominado:

Best Film:
Balangiga: Howling Wilderness - Archinette Villamor, Edong Canlas, Khavn dela Cruz, producers
Birdshot - Pamela L. Reyes, producer
Bhoy Intsik - Ferdinand Lapuz, producer
The Chanters - Cai Cena, Ferdinand Lapuz, Thop Nazareno, producers
Respeto - Monster Jimenez, producer
Tu Pug Imatuy -  Norhaiya Diabo, Macusang, Arnel Mardoquio, Milo Tolentino, Ethel Mendez, Arnel Barbarona, Jillian Kayle Barbarona, producers

Best Director:
Arnel Barbarona -  Tu Pug Imatuy; Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo - Kita Kita; Khavn De La Cruz -  Balangiga: Howling Wilderness; Joel Lamangan - Bhoy Intsik, James Robin M. Mayo -  The Chanters; Treb Monteras III – Respeto; Mikhail Red - Birdshot

Best Actress: 
Joanna Ampil - Ang Larawan; Angeli Bayani - Bagahe; Alessandra de Rossi - Kita Kita;
Gloria Diaz - Si Chedeng at Si Apple; Dexter Doria - Paki; Jally Nae Gilbaliga - The Chanters;
Agot Isidro - Changing Partners; Elizabeth Oropesa - Si Chedeng at Si Apple; Bela Padilla - 100 Tula Para Kay Stella; Angellie Nicolle Sanoy -  Bomba;  Malona Sulatan - Tu Pug Imatuy

Best Actor:
Abra – Respeto; Nonie Buencamino -  Smaller and Smaller Circles; Timothy Castillo - Neomanila;
Noel Comia Jr. - Kiko Boksingero; Allen Dizon – Bomba; RS Francisco -  Bhoy Intsik;
Jojit Lorenzo - Changing Partners; Empoy Marquez -  Kita Kita; Sandino Martin - Changing Partners;
Justine Samson - Balangiga: Howling Wilderness

Best Supporting Actress
Yayo Aguila - Kiko Boksingero; Angeli Bayani - Maestra; Shamaine Buencamino – Paki;
Jasmine Curtis-Smith – Siargao; Chai Fonacier -  Respeto; Nathalie Hart - Historiographika Errata;
Odette Khan - Bar Boys; Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo -  Ang Larawan; Gloria Sevilla - Maestra

Best Supporting Actor
John Arcilla -  Birdshot; Robert Arevalo - Ang Larawan; Romulo Caballero - The Chanters;
Dido De la Paz – Respeto; Pio Del Rio - Balangiga: Howling Wilderness; Nor Domingo – Respeto;
Ronwaldo Martin - Bhoy Intsik; Jess Mendoza - Sa Gabing Nanahimik ang mga Kuliglig;
Arnold Reyes - Birdshot

Natatanging Gawad Urian – Winston Raval, composer- arranger (Vanishing Tribe)
Itatanghal din ang unang CineManunuri Film Festival sa pagtutulungan ng Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino at Cinema Centenario sa June 15- 29. Ipapalabas dito ang mga mananalo at nominadong pelikula sa Gawad Urian 2018.

ARA, MAY-ASAWANG USEC ANG BF? 

Naunang ibinalita bilang isang blind item, hanggang pangalanan ni Lolit Solis na si Ara Mina ito, usap-usapan ngayon ang nangyaring komprontasyon kay Ara ng asawa ng diumano’y bagong boyfriend niya.

Guest daw si Ara sa isang pagtitipon, at nang kumakanta siya, nagtawag ito ng tao sa audience upang samahan siyang kumanta, at napilit niya ang isang babae na ang kinalabasan ay asawa pala ng isang undersecretary sa isang ahensya ng pamahalaan na boyfriend daw ngayon ni Ara.

Hindi daw alam ng babaeng mula sa audience ang lyrics ng kakantahin nila kaya ibinigay ni Ara ang kanyang cellphone upang mabasa nito ang lyrica ng kanta. Ang kaso, habang hawak daw nito ang cellphone ni Ara ay biglang pumasok ang text ni Usec, at tinatanong kung naroon pa sa event ang asawa niya. Pagkatapos ng kanta, dinala ng babae ang cellphone at nabasa ang palitan ng matatamis na messages ng asawa niya at ni Ara, kaya nagkaroon ng matinding komprontasyon sa comfort room ang babae at si Ara.

Hindi pa nagbibigay ng pahayag si Ara tungkol sa nangyaring insidente, pero ngayon pa lang ay marami nang negatibong puna ang ibinabato sa kanya. Bakit daw kasi lagi siyang pumapatol sa mga sabit na, mula pa noong nakarelasyon niya si Jomari Yllana, na noon ay asawa na ni Aiko Melendez.
Si Ara ay may isang anak sa dati niyang boyfriend na si Mayor Patrick Meneses, na naging boyfriend din ni Aiko.

CELEBRITIES NA TATAKBONG SENADOR

Kinukumbinse daw ni Sen. Tito Sotto, ( bagong hirang na senate president, kapalit ni Sen Koko Pimentel) ang news reporter na si Ted Failon ng ABS CBN, upang tumakbong senador sa susunod na eleksyon.

Nauna nang napabalita na ang newscaster na si Jiggy Manicad ay tatakbo ring senador, at nag-resign na raw ito sa GMA Network upang paghandaan ang kanyang pagpasok sa pulitika.

Ang iba pang celebrities na nagbabalak o hinihikayat ding tumakbong senador ay sina Dingdong Dantes, Lito Lapid, Erwin Tulfo, Mocha Uson, Agot Isidro at Willie Revillame.

Nakaupo pa sa puwesto sina Grace Poe, Manny Pacquiao, at Tito Sotto. Senador pa rin sina Ralph Recto (asawa ni Vilma Santos), Chiz Escudero (asawa ni Heart Evangelista) at Francis Pangilinan (asawa ni Sharon Cuneta).

Samantala, nakulong matapos makasuhan sina Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. at Jinggoy Estrada, na pansamantalang nakakalaya matapos payagang magpiyansa.

ALDEN, ITATAPAT SA ANG PROBINSYANO? 
Sa wakas ay natupad na ang matagal nang hiling ng mga fans na bigyan ng bagong TV series ang kanilang idolong si Alden Richards. Excited si Alden sa bago niyang project, ang “Victor Magtanggol” dahil matagal na raw niyang gustong gawin ang ganitong klaseng papel.
“Nang binigay kasi sa akin ang Victor Magtanggol at then diniscribe ang character niya, ang lakas ng koneksyon sa mga Pilipino. So yung mga Pilipino na may prinsipyo, yung pag inatasan mong gawin ang isang bagay ay paninindigan nila. Gusto natin kapag pinanood ng mga Kapuso natin si Victor Magtanggol,  makikita nila ang mga sarili nila.”
Tututukan at magiging involved daw si Alden sa magiging takbo ng kwento kaya madalas daw siyang makipag-usap sa creative team ng bagong TV series, dahil gusto daw niyang subaybayan ito ng mga manonood dahil may aral ding mapupulot mula dito. Makaka-relate daw ang mga manonood kay Victor Magtanggol dahil ang istorya ng buhay nito ay puno ng drama, aksyon at adventure.
Ngayon pa lang, inaasahan na ng marami na ito ang ipantatapat ng GMA Network sa “Ang Probinsyano” ni Coco Martin, na halos tatlong taon nang namamayagpag sa ere. Si Coco ay creative consultant din ng kanyang programa, at maging sa stunts at fight scenes ay tinututukan niya. Ito rin marahil ang gustong ma-achieve ni Alden sa kanyang TV show.
Wala pang kumpirmasyon kung sino ang magiging leading lady ni Alden, dahil maraming mga pangalan ang inaayawan agad ng kanyang mga fans, lalo na ang mga fans nila ni Maine Mendoza. Pero ang pangalan ni Janine Gutierrez ay isa daw sa mga pinagpipilian. O baka naman ipaparis ito sa Ang Probinsyano na marami ang ipinareha kay Coco gaya nina Bela Padilla, Maja Salvador, Yassi Pressman, Yen Concepcion at ngayon ay si Jessy Mendiola.

ANNE, IPINAGTANGGOL ANG ASAWA 
Damay ang asawa ni Anne Curtis na si Erwan Heusaff sa anomalyang kinasasangkutan ng Buhay Carinderia project ng Tourism Promotions Board (TBP) na dating pinamumunuan ni Cesar Montano. Si Erwan  ang content creator ng Buhay Carinderia sa mga video na ginagamit upang i-promote ang mga lokal na kainan sa Pilipinas. Siya ang piniling gumawa nito ng Marylindbert International, ang marketing agency na itinalaga ng TPB para humawak ng proyekto.

Bago pa umupo sa puwesto ang bagong Tourism Secretary na si Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, (pumalit kay Wanda Tulfo-Teo), lumabas na ang alingasngas na tumanggap ng Php80 milyon bilang paunang bayad ang Marylindbert mula sa TBP, at kung paanong nakuha ang proyekto ng hindi dumaan sa bidding process. Agad naman itong kinumpirma ni Puyat, at ipinatawag si Cesar na sa bandang huli ay napilitang mag-resign dahil sa kontrobersiya. Pero bago ito ay inilaglag muna ng aktor ang dati niyang boss na si Tulfo-Teo. Ayon kay Cesar, aprubado daw ni Teo ang mga tsekeng ibinayad sa may-ari ng Marylindbert International, na kaibigan din daw nito. 

Ipinagtanggol naman ni Anne Curtis ang kanyang asawa dahil wala daw itong alam sa kontrobersyang kinasasangkutan ng Buhay Carinderia.  “I know where Erwan’s heart is talaga when it comes to that: it’s always about pushing the Filipino food. Yun lang naman ang gusto niya, ma-highlight ang pagkain na mga Pilipino, so I support him with that”, ang sagot niya sa isang panayam.

Ano ang hatid ng Hunyo sa iyo

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94/06
Lalasapin mo ng husto ang sarap ng pag-ibig. Pero huwag kaligtaang alagaan din ang ibang bahagi ng iyong buhay upang maiwasan ang problema. May magagandang transaksyon sa negosyo o trabahong mas malaki ang kita. Huwag pag-aksayahan ng oras ang mga bagay na mahirap ipaliwanag. Makakaranas ng pananakit ng sikmura dahil sa labis na tensyon o nerbiyos. May pag-aalala sa pamilya dahil sa sakit na dinaranas ng taong malapit sa inyo. Lucky numbers: 11, 19, 25 at 36.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95/07
Ang dinaranas na pagka-iritable ay hindi nasa isip lang kundi dahil sa nararamdaman mong problema sa panunaw. Maswerte ka sa pustahan sa linggong ito. Iwasang maniwala agad sa mga sinasabi sa iyo; maaaring makasira ito sa iyong trabaho. Makakahanap ka ng katahimikan at pahinga sa piling ng pamilya. Masaya ang love life mo ngayon.   Lucky numbers: 5, 16, 32 at 42.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96/08
Madali kang ma in love, kaya sunod-sunod ang magiging karelasyon mo. Pag-aralan kung paano hawakan ang pera, huwag balewalain ito, at huwag magpa-alipin sa salapi. Maging maingat sa pakikisama sa lahat ng tao upang makaiwas sa intriga. Maganda ang iyong pag-angat sa trabaho, pero laging magpakatotoo. Mag-ingat sa aksidente, lalo na kung nagbibisikleta o nagmo-motor; ugaliing magsuot ng helmet.  Lucky numbers: 15, 22, 36 at 41.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97/09
Ang pagbibiyahe ay makakabuti sa iyo; gaganda ang iyong pananaw at pakiramdam. May tsansa kang magkaroon ng bagong karelasyon kung ikaw ay naghahanap. Maganda ang kalagayan sa trabaho. Mas magiging malapit din ang mga kaibigan mo ngayon. Kontrolin mo ang iyong pagkain, hindi ka lang tataba, hihina rin ang iyong atay. Iwasan din ang pag-inom ng alak at manigurado na ang kinakain ay laging sariwa. Lucky numbers: 17, 25, 33 at 41.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98/10
Maganda ang resulta ng pinagpaguran, pero maging maingat sa mga detalye. Kung hindi ka magpapakita ng unawa at pasensya, magiging magulo ang tahanan. Maging mahinahon din sa pakikipag-usap sa ibang tao upang maiwasang makasakit ng damdamin at magkaroon ng kumplikasyon ang pagsasama. Wala kang gana sa maraming bagay at nakakaramdam ka ng pagod. Subukang uminom ng vitamins upang lumakas ang resistensya.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87/99
Makakaramdam ng pagbabago sa katawan at personalidad. Huwag matuksong kumita ng pera sa madali, pero hindi tamang paraan. Gayunpaman, may tsansa na manalo sa sugal ngayon. Ang relasyon sa pamilya ay magkakaroon ng kumplikasyon. Maging matiyaga at huwag madaliin ang lahat upang hindi masira ang tsansa mong magtagumpay. Makakakaasa ka ng suporta sa mga kaibigan na magiging karamay mo sa lahat ng bagay. Lucky numbers: 8, 14, 28 at 36.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88/00
Maging maingat sa pananalapi. Mag-ingat din sa mga kasamahan sa trabaho na  naiinggit sa iyo at maaring magpahamak sa iyo. Magulo ang relasyon sa pamilya; malas na lang ang taong magpapagalit sa iyo! Anuman ang problema, sa pamilya man o personal, may mga kaibigan kang handang tumulong sa iyo, pero iwasang maimpluwensyahan ng mga payo ng mga ito lalo na kung alam mong hindi ito makakabuti. Lucky numbers: 20, 23, 35 at 39.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89/01
Mahirap at seryosong problema sa pananalapi ang kailangan mong haraping mag-isa, manatiling kalmado. Hirap ka ring matulog ng maayos; piliting mag-relax at kumain ng magaan sa tiyan. Mag-ingat ding masaktan o mapilayan sa maling pagkilos. Sa trabaho, huwag ibahin ang gawain kahit sinusulsulan ka ng mga kasamahan. Magkakaroon ka ng mga bagong kakilala at relasyon na magpapasaya sa iyo ng husto.  Lucky numbers: 6, 13, 37 at 40.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90/02
Mga bagong kaibigan at kakilala ang pag-aaksayahan mo ng oras ngayon. Mabibigyan din ng maayos na solusyon ang iyong problema. Maganda ang kalagayan ng kalusugan. May alitan sa pamilya at palagay mo ay pinagtatawanan ka ng mga anak. Maiinis ka sa ilan sa mga kaibigan mo, huwag magdamdam ng husto dahil tao lang din sila na nagkakamali. Ibaling ang atensyon sa iba upang lumawak ang pananaw at magkaroon ng bagong oportunidad. Lucky numbers: 11, 25, 33 at 42.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79/91/03
Kailangan mo ng diplomasya upang makausad ng madali sa iyong propesyon. Isang magandang sorpresa ang matatanggap mo. Gagawin mo ang lahat upang maging masaya ang tahanan. Tama ka na i-enjoy ng husto ang buhay at maging masaya. Dahil sa angking talino at talas ng isip kaya maayos ang paghawak mo ng pera, na ikalulugod ng husto ng iyong kabiyak, kahit kung minsan ay hindi siya payag o kumbinsido sa desisyon mo.  Lucky numbers: 14, 18, 31 at 44.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92/04
May kakayahan kang masolusyunan agad ang mga problema sa buhay. Masaya Ang lovelife sa linggong ito dahil magkasundo kayo ng kapartner sa lahat ng bagay. May tsansa kang makuha ang isang malaking transaksyon, kaya maraming maiinggit sa iyo. Pakiramdam mo ay lumalayo ang taong malalapit sa iyo, at wala silang pakialam sa iyo at labis mo itong ikalulungkot. Lucky numbers: 17, 20, 34 at 41.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93/05
Nahihirapan ang kalooban mo sa mga problemang pinagdadaanan, pero malalampasan mo ito kung makokontrol mo ang labis na nerbiyos. Madali ring mauwi sa mainitang pagtatalo ang diskusyon sa karelasyon. Kailangan mo ng ibayong tapang at sipag sa trabaho upang umasenso. Oras na upang limitahan at ayusin ang mga gastusin upang mapaghandaan ang nakaambang kagipitan. Kung hindi ka handa, malaki ang mawawala sa iyo.  Lucky numbers: 6, 18, 23 at 42.

Filipino maid arrested for alleged child abuse released on police bail

by Vir B. Lumicao

UPDATED  

Tai Po District Police is investigating the case

 

A Filipina domestic worker in Sheung Shui was freed on police bail late Friday June 1) night after being investigated for more than 24 hours for allegedly hitting her four-year-old male ward.

Michelle M. Legion, 29, was granted $500 bail while police continue their investigations. No charges were filed against her.

One of her friends told The SUN Legion was told by police that if her employer does not pursue the complaint  within three weeks the case will be dropped.

Legion, who has been given shelter at the Filipino Workers Resource Center in Sheung Wan, has reportedly denied the accusation.

Some of her friends who often saw her with her ward also told The SUN that the child was affectionate towards the helper, and she in turn was devoted to him.

Her friends panicked when they could no longer reached her after she secretly called them from the Sheung Shui police substation to say she had been detained.  They contacted the Consulate, which at first could not give any information as to her whereabouts.

Acting on the information, The SUN made inquiries with the Police Public Relations Branch. A spokeswoman confirmed Legion was arrested and later taken to the Tai Po police station after receiving a complaint from her female employer at 7:55pm  Thursday.

Officers who went to the employers’ flat at Green Code, a residential estate at Ma Sik Road in Fanling, reportedly found the boy with injuries on his back and bottom.  But it was not immediately clear whether the boy was hit, and who did it.

The police spokeswoman said the helper was arrested for suspected cruelty to a child.

The officers sent the boy, who was in a conscious state, to North District Hospital in Sheung Shui for medical treatment before transferring him to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po.

The spokeswoman said investigators from the District Investigating Team 4 of Tai Po Police are following up the case.

Hongkong Airlines starts daily flights to Manila

Tang King Shing (fourth from left), vice chairman of Hongkong Airlines, leads the inauguration ries for the new flights to Manila.

Hongkong Airlines started daily flights to Manila tonight, with a full maiden flight leaving at 9:30 pm.The same Airbus A320 plane leaves for Hong Kong at 3 am. tomorrow.

Tang King Shing

This is the fourth route launched by the full-service airline this year, following the inauguration of services to Maldives, San Francisco and Moscow, according to Tang King Shing, vice chairman of Hongkong Airlines.


"Manila represents a, exciting new market for Hongkong Airlines," Tang said during ceremonies to launch the inaugural flight.  

He noted the steady increase in travel between the two places over the years, with over 900,000 visitors from the Philippines arriving in Hong Kong in 2017.

"The new daily service is aimed to meet the increasing travel demands from the Philippines to Hong Kong,"he added. 

As an aside, Tang also said he spent his honeymoon in Manila.

Consul Paulo Saret

Consul Paulo Saret, who represented the Philippine Consulate General, said that with the new service, "we hope that more peole from Hong Kong, this time, will visit the Philippines."

He asked Hongkong Airlines to help promote the Philippines as a destination for Hong Kong people.
Sarest said Filipinos now working in Hong Kog will also welcome the new services because it will widen their choice of airlines and hopefully, lower fares due to increased competition.

The ceremonies were also attended by C.K. Ng, executive director of the Airport Authority of Hong Kong; Henry Ma, managing director of Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd., and Dennis Choy, the airline's general manager for communication.

A check with the airline's website, however, indicated that tickets to Manila were not yet available to those booking flights online.

Pinoy boat driver dies after allegedly taking 'zombie drug'

By Vir B. Lumicao

Video shows Jay B being restrained by police

A Filipino boat driver in Saikung reportedly died in hospital on Wednesday while being treated for the effects of flakka, also known as the “zombie drug” because users exhibit bizarre, zombie-like behavior and unusual strength.

Reports reaching The SUN said the victim, Jay B., had not eaten or slept for two days and was staggering, jerking and dancing uncontrollably on Tuesday because of the effects of the drug.

A video that was circulated in the community showed the victim being restrained by a police officer on a Saikung boardwalk while he shook and mumbled incoherently.

A Facebook post accompanied by the video footage and a still photograph of the victim said Jay B. was taken by the police to an unnamed hospital, but died after being attended to by hospital staff.

But the exact cause of his death was not immediately known.

Jay B. appeared to be quite well known to members of a Filcom group with political leanings.

The Consulate’s assistance to nationals section said Jay B. was a dependent visa holder who was driving a boat for a living in Saikung, where he and his wife lived.

The ATN officer said it was the victim’s wife who reported his death to the Consulate.

But an officer at the Police Public Relations Branch said on Thursday evening that they had not received any report about the incident. He however, said, he would male further inquiries.

Flakka is reported to have come out in the market in 2014, but it was only in recent months that its potent effects became well known after videos showing abusers in the United States and Brazil acting strangely were posted on the internet.

Drug users reportedly take flakka to get a feeling of euphoria, a heightened sense of awareness, stimulation and energy.

Some of the victims were shown to have hurled themselves onto car windshields or attack other people, although most just twitched uncontrollably and had to be held down until they could be given help.

It appears relatively new in Hong Kong, although there are reports the drug could easily be ordered online from China.

The synthetic psychoative drug is also known by its street name krokodil.

Filipino fined $1k for carrying tear gas, baton in luggage

By Merly T

File photo of tear gas canisters

Bunda

A Filipino who was on a layover in Hong Kong ended up being detained after he was found to have a tear gas canister, an extendable baton, a flashlight and a pair of handcuffs in the luggage he was carrying for his onward flight to London on May 13.

According to Rafael Revilla Flogo, a 30-year-old security guard from Marinduque, he brought the said items at the request of his employer in Britain who had recruited him to work in an island off London that he was developing.

Flogo said he did not know that the items are not allowed to be brought into Hong Kong.

After paying a fine of $1,000, Flogo was released, and he flew on to London on May 26. He was given shelter by a group of overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong while waiting for his employer to buy him a new ticket.

Chek Lap Kok Airport

He said he was ordered by the police to return to Hong Kong in November to attend a seminar on the law forbidding the transport of explosive materials into the city. If he fails to attend the seminar, he will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong again.

According to Flogo, who is married with two children, he worked for seven years as a security guard in Taguig City. He was subsequently recruited by an employment agency to work in the island of Thurks in Britain, which was being developed by a Canadian.

Sample of an extendable baton

He was supposed to fly to Britain with two other recruits late on May 12 but his companions were not able to book the same flight.

Before leaving Manila, he said his employer asked if he could buy the tear gas and other items, and bring them to Britain in his luggage. Flogo said he asked his former boss at the security firm if he could do this, and he was assured it was alright.

Early on May 13, as he was making his way to the gate for his connecting flight, he said he heard his name being called over the airport’s public address system. It turned out security personnel had found the banned items in his luggage and wanted to question him.

He was arrested at the airport and questioned for 12 hours before being charged with possession of arms without a licence. Fortunately, he was allowed to make a phone call to his employer in Britain so he was able to relay his predicament.

Police took him to the West Kowloon magistracy early on May 14 where he pleaded guilty to the charge of carrying the banned items, then paid the $1,000 fine.

Flogo was told Hong Kong has very strict laws against bringing in arms, ammunition and exlosives, including the items found in his possession. The prohibition also extemds to bullets, whether live or empty, and arnis sticks or chako.

Flogo stayed with a group of kindly Ilongga OFWs for about a week while his employer booked his onward flight.

He was warned by police that should his colleagues try to bring in the same prohibited items from Manila they would surely be arrested and jailed.

Flogo has asked that the warning be relayed to other Filipinos, now well aware that not knowing about Hong Kong’s laws could not be used as an excuse for avoiding legal liability.

Filipina cricketeers set to claim league crown

By Vir B. Lumicao

Divas team captain and 2-time MVP Josie Arimas packs a big wallop

 The first Filipino women’s cricket team comprising domestic workers in Hong Kong is well on its way to becoming the champion of this season’s Cricket Hong Kong Women’s Development League.

The SCC Divas, comprising 25 players, are already the sure winners even as they still have to play their last two games of the season this coming Sunday, June 3, at Po Kong Village Road Park in Tsz Wan Shan.

After a clean sweep of all their seven games in the past four Sundays, the Divas can lose both games and still emerge the league winners.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       “Sa June 3, two games left, win or lose champion na kami. Pero sabi ng coach talunin pa rin sila para ma-satisfy siya,” team captain Josie Arimas said, after back-to-back wins on May 27.  The Divas beat Hong Kong Cricket Club by 49 runs in the morning match, and nailed a 53-run victory over Craigengower Cricket Club in the afternoon.

At the end of the day, the scorecard was HKCC 76/4 and SCC Divas 125/5 for the first game. It was 157/2 for SCC Divas and 104/1 for CCC in the second game.

The Divas, mostly ex-league players in baseball and softball, with their manager Animesh Kulkarni 

Arimas was picked the most valuable player of the day, a repeat of her May 6 feat when she was chosen as MVP in the Divas’ first game in the league.

This is the Filipina team’s first-ever participation in the league since it was formed in May last year by Arimas, a Palarong Pambansa baseball star who began playing for HKCC in January 2015.

The Divas made their presence felt in Hong Kong cricket on May 6 when Arimas led the team to an 85-run win over CCC, scoring 28/2 to take the MVP of the day plum. The Divas were 122/3 in 16 overs against CCC, which finished with 37/8.

Team manager Animesh Kulkarni, an officer of The Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (Hong Kong, China), told The SUN the Filipinas are strong players.

“They practice only once a week on their day off but they play like veterans and beat their younger rivals,” he said.

After his wards’ triumph on May 27, Kulkarni said he would upgrade them to the T20 League from the Development division, the league for 16-over matches for newcomers, Arimas said. She said T20 is a bracket where the game is played in 20 overs. 

It was Kulkarni who encouraged Arimas to form the SCC Divas last year in preparation for this year’s league. With patient training by coach Najeeb Amar and British head coach Ricky Waite of Hong Kong’s national team, the Divas honed up their skills in a relatively short time.

Divas get free coaching from Ricky Waite of the HK National team

This flexibility was attributed by both Arimas and Waite to the women’s previous sports, baseball and softball, where they played for Philippine Sluggers and Fate, respectively, before wading into cricket.

“Their skill level is very high,” Waite told The SUN after the maiden match on May 6. “They’re simply fantastic. They played naturally,” Waite said, noting their eye coordination when they throw the ball.

Arimas said Waite told the Divas they are amazingly strong whackers, but that they still need to train on how to stop a strong bowl.

Kulkarni and Waite said they wanted the team to be recognized by the Philippine Cricket Club so that the Divas could play friendly matches with their Manila counterparts.  

The victory trail:

May 6 Game 1 – SCC Divas won on Lantau Team no show

Game 2 – SCC Divas 122/3 beat CCC 37/8 by 85 runs

May 13 – SCC Divas beat USRC by 90 runs

May 20 Game 2 – SCC Divas 169 beat USRC 128 by 41 runs

Game 4– SCC Divas 126 beat CCC 109 by 17 runs

May 27 Game 1 –SCC Divas 125/5 beat HKCC 76/4 by 49 runs

Game 2 – SCC Divas 157/2 beat CCC 104/1 by 53 run.

Luho ng anak

Si Luz na tubong Iba, Zambales ay bago pa lang sa Hong Kong. Nakapagtapos siya ng pag-aaral dahil sa sariling sikap kaya ipinangako niya sa sarili na hindi niya ipaparanas ang hirap na pinagdaanan noon sa kanyang tatlong anak.

Pinili niya ang mangibang bayan para magtrabaho dahil ayaw niya mangyari na kapag humingi ne pera ang mga anak ay wala siyang maibigay. Ngunit taliwas ito sa payo ng isang Pinay na nakilala niya sa building nila, at 10 taon na sa Hong Kong.

Ayon sa Pinay mas makakabuting dumanas ng hirap ang mga bata upang matutong magsikap.  Ito raw ang huhubog sa kanila para mangarap at magsipag sa pag aaral.

Napag alaman ni Luz sa kwento nito na nagkaproblema ito sa anak dahil ibinigay nito ang lahat ng hilingin ng bata, tulad ng mamahaling telepono, laptop at iba pang gamit, ngunit nabarkada at nakabuntis sa murang edad.

Ayon pa sa Pinay katulad din niya si Luz noon na ayaw maghirap ang anak kaya pinalaki niya sa layaw. Ngayon ay problemado ito dahil umaaasa lang sa kanyang padala ang anak at kung hindi ito makapagbigay ay masasakit na salita ang naririnig.

Mababanaag sa mukha ng Pinay ang pagsisi at lungkot. Sinabi na lang ni Luz na ipapanalangin niya na nawa ay magbago ang anak nito. Susundin din daw niya ang payo nito para maiwasan na maligaw ng landas ang kanyang mga anak.

Tatandaan niya na ang dapat niyang ibigay ay iyong tamang pangangailangan lang nila, at hindi ang mga luho sa buhay. Si Luz ay anim na buwan pa lamang sa among naninirahan sa Tung Chung. – Ellen Asis