OFWs learn first aid in 1-day Red Cross seminar

By Ellen Asis

Twelve Filipino domestic workers completed a one-day first aid course held at the Hong Kong Red Cross head office in Kowloon on Oct 7.

The course is aimed at giving pointers to domestic workers on how they should respond if someone in their employer’s household was injured or was involved in an accident, especially those they are taking care of.

The participants learned about the principles of first aid, bandaging, treating burns and scalds, choking, muscles cramps, home safety measures and precautions, giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and how to handle a patient.

One of the participants, Louie Licop, said she felt lucky and happy that she was able to avail of the free training because she learned so much about giving first aid.  She particularly liked the lecture on bandaging and choking because she learned how to administer help properly.

She also said she was glad to have learned so many useful things, though admitted she had a hard time absorbing so much information in just one day.

All the participants will receive a certificate from the Red Cross for completing the intensive training.

Trainees work on dummies to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation .

Pista sa St Teresa idinaos

Ni George Manalansan

Nagdaos ng pistahan sa St Teresa Church sa Prince Edward Road noong ika-30 ng Setyembre and Filipino Catholic Community ng simbahan.

Matapos ang dasal at pasasalamat ay nag-awitan at nagkasayahan ang mga dumalo sa pamamagitan ng mga laro, katulad ng caterpillar game, paper relay, ice candy eating, shooting
coin in a class, bring me game, tongue twister contest at balloon relay.

Lalong pinagtibay ang samahan ng mahigit 10 grupo na kasama sa STFCC ng kasiyahan at sabay-sabay na panalangin.

Sa tampok na raffle draw, sinuwerte si Eden Anoyo dahil siya ang nagkamit ng grand prize na $700 na nasa red packet. First prize naman si Gemma Egam na nanalo ng $500, samantalang isang mini oven ang napunta sa nanalo ng second prize na si Gege Tamparong, at third prize naman si Lorna Padecio na nagkamit ng isang set ng baking tray.

Marami ang nanalo ng consolation prize na pera sa red packet.

Bago naghiwa-hiwalay ay nagsalo-salo ang lahat sa hapunan.

Ayon sa lider ng grupo na si Amalia Elefante, ang St Teresa ang pangalawa sa pinakamalaking Catholic community sa buong Hong Kong.

Sugod na, mga kapatid, sa hapag.

PRC grants LET proctors, watchers credit units for renewal of their license

Domestic worker-teachers who served as proctors and watchers in the Special Board Licensing Examination for Teachers held in Hong Kong on Sept 30 are entitled to as many as 10 credit units needed for renewing their professional licenses.

A new Professional Regulation Commission resolution gives 7 credit units to those who help out in the elementary-level exam and 10 for those in the secondary-level exam, said Gemma Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers-Hong Kong.

“We are happy because all the proctors and watchers in the BEED exam earned 7 units of CPD and those in the BSED exam earned 10 units, which we can add to the units earned so we can renew our licenses,” Lauraya told The SUN.  “This is the first time that the PRC gave us this opportunity.”

Labor Attache Nida Romulo and PRC officials oversee the LET.

PRC Chairman Teofilo Pilando Jr. along with two commissioners, signed Resolution 1118 on Sept 25, giving CPD credit units to those who help out in the professional licensure exams. One credit unit is given for each hour of service rendered.

Of the 60 who served as watchers and proctors in the licensure exam held at Delia Memorial School-Hip Wo in Kwun Tong, 58 were NOPT HK members,

Lauraya said. Those assigned to the elementary-level exam stayed until 2pm while those in the secondary-level finished at 6pm. 

On Sunday, Oct 7, Consul General Antonio Morales and Labor Attaché Nida Romulo handed certificates and licenses to 15 passers of the 2017 LET in ceremonies at the Consulate’s Sentro Rizal.

The documents were brought personally to Hong Kong by Dr Reynaldo Cristobal, head of the five-man PRC team that administered the exam.

Lauraya explained that the PRC requires professional teachers to renew their licenses every three years to be able to teach in Philippine schools. 

Those who renew their licenses until Dec 31 this year must earn 30 credit units while 45 credit units will be required from January next year.

 Thousands of Filipino teachers who have chosen to work as domestic helpers in Hong Kong and other places abroad can earn the required credits only by attending CPD seminars and training programs offered by accredited CPD providers.

But on Feb 15 this year, PRC Commissioner Yolanda Reyes directed the CPD secretariats to accept certificates of attendance in seminars and trainings offered even by unaccredited providers for crediting under the self-directed learning modality.    - VBL                                                        

Phil-Indo Consulates ask HK for lower loan interest

ConGen Morales at the CORP-Gear-Up Launch

By Daisy CL Mandap

The consulates of the Philippines and Indonesia are set to announce their joint effort to get the Hong Kong government to ease interest rates on loans, seen as one of the reasons why many migrant domestic workers get enmeshed in debt.

The joint campaign is expected to be unveiled at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 22.

Earlier, Philippine Consul General Antonio A. Morales spoke about the initiative in a speech at the launching of a new reintegration campaign for returning Filipino workers on Oct. 14 at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Wanchai.

“Last week, I and the consul general of Indonesia met with the Chief Secretary (Matthew Cheung) on the possibility of reducing interest rates and of course, the possibility of prosecuting those who get their (migrant workers) passports, Morales said.

He cited the most recent case of about 400 Philippine passports being seized from the house of a suspected loan shark in North Point. Last year, more than 800 passports, mostly belonging to Indonesians, were seized in a separate operation.

Morales sees the high interest rates on loans as one of the reasons why migrant workers end up saddled in debt.

“Alam ba ninyo na ang interest rate na legal maximum is 60%?,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Comprehensive OFW Reintegration Program (CORP). “So kung mangungutang kayo ng $1,000, $1,600 ang babayaran ninyo. Yan ang legal.”

In the case of the loan sharks, police have revealed that the interest rate charged to migrant workers who are asked to pawn their passports and employment contracts as security, is 125%.

It’s not known what, if any, steps will be taken by the Hong Kong government in response to the appeal by the two consulates. However, someone privy to the talks said the two consuls general were told during their meeting with the Chief Secretary to step up their education campaign to discourage heavy borrowing among their workers.

Morales said it is part of his advocacy to get more Filipino migrant workers to save and plan for their future so they can avoid the debt trap.

He revealed encounters with some migrants who have been working in Hong Kong for 20 or more years, including those who volunteer at the Consulate, who have not saved for their eventual return to the Philippines.

“It is really tragic,” he said.

But he added, it is unavoidable for some to resort to borrowing due to unforeseen events. “Hindi rin natin mapipigilan ang ating mga kababayan na mangutang.”

So apart from asking the Hong Kong government to lower the legal rate of interest for loans and crack down on illicit loans, Morales said the Consulate has been spearheading effort to provide financial education to Filipino migrant workers.

Helping OFWs prepare for their eventual return home, as the CORP program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration plans to do, is another way to help them focus on their goal, and avoid unnecessary and burdensome borrowing.

CORP has partnered with Atikha's "Go,Earn, Accelerate, Return Uplift Philippines" (Gear-Up) program in providing comprehensive reintegration for OFWs in Hong Kong.  

Filipina fined $1,000 for stealing employer’s $350

By Vir B. Lumicao

A 37-year-old Filipina helper has lost her job, paid a $1,000 fine and faces immediate deportation – all because she stole $350 from her employer.

Joyce Atonen, who is in Hong Kong for just over three months, pleaded guilty in Kowloon City Court on Oct 16 to two charges of stealing a total of $350 in cash from her employer around mid-September.

Kowloon City Court

Atonen, who arrived in Hong Kong only in July, could not stop sobbing when she appeared before Magistrate Vivian Wong for committal to the court after police had completed their investigation.

The mother of five faced two charges of theft for allegedly stealing $200 and $150 on separate occasions from a drawer inside her employer’s bedroom in a unit at Bright View Court, Argyle St., Kowloon City.

The employer, a Chinese female surnamed Chan, reportedly put $1,000 in the drawer in mid-September. When she checked the money later, she noticed that $200 was missing.

Suspecting that the defendant took the money, Chan marked the remaining cash with a small tag. The employer checked the money again on Oct 2 and noticed that the tag had moved and another $150 was missing.

Chan dismissed Atonen on Oct 3 and reported the theft to the police on Oct 8. The defendant was arrested and investigated at the Hung Hom Police Station on Sunday, Oct 14, and was charged with theft the next day.

The prosecution said Atonen had admitted taking the money because she needed it for her expenses.

In mitigation, the duty lawyer assigned to the Filipina said the defendant is the sole breadwinner in the family and her three younger children are still going to school.

Magistrate Wong told the helper that theft was a breach of trust, a serious offense. But she noted that the amount stolen was small and a fine was appropriate.

Wong fined Atonen $1,000.

The Filipina said she had to take back her cell phone from the police so she could call a friend and seek help to raise money for the fine. But the magistrate said the helper must pay the fine before 5pm on Oct 16.

After Wong had left the courtroom, Danny Baldon, an officer of the assistance to nationals unit of the Consulate, consoled Atonen by assuring her the Consulate would pay the fine so she could be released that day.

OFWs can choose to pay lowest mandatory SSS contribution, says official

By Daisy CL Mandap

Yes, it is true that all overseas Filipino workers could be compelled to pay monthly contributions to the Social Security System starting next year. But no, they should not pay the maximum contribution of Php2,400 if they do not want to.

This was the statement made by Lester Paul S. Mata, the new SSS representative in Hong Kong, when asked for a reaction on Oct. 16 to criticisms about the newly passed legislation mandating all OFWs to pay for social security.

Mapa says OFWs can pay only Php960 monthly 

Under the Social Security Act of 2018 passed by both houses of Congress on Oct 4, the mandatory SSS membership to be paid by all OFWs, both land-based and sea-based, will go up by 12% next year (from the current 11%), and will gradually increase, reaching 15% by 2025.

According to statements issued by Migrante International and its Hong Kong affiliate, United Filipinos in Hong Kong, the new law could result in OFWs being forced to pay Php2,400 every month from next year. By 2020, this would go up to Php2,714 monthly, and so on.

Mata said this is not the case, because OFWs could still choose to pay the lowest monthly contribution of Php960 per month. However, this lowest contribution pegs the OFW member’s monthly salary at only Php8,000, so all benefits that will accrue to the member will be based on this figure.

Mata said SSS officials expect the bill to be signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte before the end of the year, so it could be enforced in early 2019. 

He said he has yet to get a copy of the proposed law himself, but confirmed that one of its key features is a requirement that all departing OFWs must pay at least three monthly contributions before they could leave for their job destinations.

That means that even if they choose to pay the lowest monthly contribution, they would still have to shell out at least Php2,880 in SSS payments before being able to fly out to their job destinations.

That will be on top of other fees they will have to pay, including for training and other recruitment related fees, and mandatory insurance, which is now pegged at USD$144 for land-based OFWs and USD$200 for seafarers for every two-year contracts.

The new law is packaged as providing additional benefits to members, including compensation for those who suddenly lose their jobs. This payment amounts to half the salary credit, up to two months only.

This means that an OFW who pays the minimum contribution will be entitled to only Php4,000 per month x two months, or a total benefit payment of Php8,000. Those who choose to pay the highest contribution of Php2,400 a month could only hope to get a maximum of Php20,000.

Migrante has hit out at the new mandatory fees, saying the Duterte government will be amassing hundreds of billions of pesos at the expense of OFWs already burdened by numerous state exactions.

“Forcing all OFWs to be covered as compulsory SSS members is outrageous since this exaction will be on top of the US$144 mandatory insurance recently enacted under the Duterte regime through POEA,” said Migrante International spokesperson Arman Hernando.

Unifil-Migrante chairperson Dolores Balladares also hit out at the forced collections, accusing the government of using OFWs as milking cows.

“Parang tokhang na tuloy ito, papatayin ang mga OFWs sa dami ng mga bayarin. Bakit ayaw tantanan ang mga OFWs?,” she asked in an earlier interview.

Migrante has vowed to exert all means to stop the bill from becoming law.

Pinay in hospital with injuries after Happy Valley carpark accident

By The SUN

A Filipina domestic worker was injured early this morning, Oct 16, when a vehicle pulling out of a carpark on Broadwood Road in Happy Valley reportedly bumped the car of her employer that she was cleaning.

The woman, surnamed Midriano, was sent to Queen Mary Hospital by officers who responded to a report of the accident at 9:18 am, a spokeswoman of the Police Public Relations Branch told The SUN.

The spokeswoman said the helper was conscious when taken to the hospital. She could not say if the driver of the car was arrested, only saying that an investigation was still being conducted.

The scene of the accident as shown on Facebook

Staff at the Philippine Consulate said late in the afternoon that they had not yet received any information about the accident.

Eyewitnesses said the wayward car was a Jaguar sport utility vehicle.

The wayward vehicle was reportedly being driven out of the carpark when it bumped into the car of Midriano’s employer, injuring the helper who was cleaning the vehicle at the time.

Photos of the accident were circulated on social media by a user identified as “Jeffrey” by other netizens.

The post said: “Kawawa naman si kabayan, nag ka car wash lang inabutan pa ng nag malfunction na Jaguar. Happened (on) Broadwood Road, Happy Valley. Minsan talaga di mo masabi buhay ng tao. Pls (ipag) pray natin si kabayan.”

  

One of the photos showed the victim lying on the carpark lot with an overturned pail beside her, and some dark liquid spilled on the floor beside her. A female security staff of the estate was standing guard while apparently awaiting the arrival of police and paramedics.

Other photos showed a red Jaguar SUV with a wrecked fender and hood, while an adjacent white car is shown also with a dented hood. Another photo showed paramedics surrounding the Filipina on the ground, apparently just before she was driven away to the hospital.

Elderly Pinay jailed over US$50M fake check case given only 2 years to live

By Vir B. Lumicao

Prosecutors say they are considering dropping a case against an elderly Filipina tourist who allegedly tried to cash a fake US$50 million check because she was found with a rapidly growing brain tumor and has only two years to live.

A medical report presented to District Court on Oct 11 by the solicitor for Maria Ilao O. Gosilatar, 76, disclosed her condition.

Gosilatar, who is in custody, appeared in court with a large gauze bandage covering the left side of her head, indicating she had undergone a surgical procedure.

But the prosecution said it would seek a second opinion on the condition of Gosilatar, who has been detained since her arrest on Dec 9, 2016. The elderly woman’s trial on a charge of “using a false instrument” was originally set for Oct 26.

The prosecution told the judge that Gosilatar would return to the court on Nov 8, when the second medical report would be ready, to find out whether the case against her would be pursued.

If the case goes ahead, the three-day trial will be moved to Jan 28-31.

Gosilatar was arrested along with a local accountant on Dec. 9, 2016, when they went to the Hang Seng Bank head office along Des Veoux Road, Central to try to cash the US$50 million check.

A charity foundation in her name named Mama Mary 2000 International Foundation, allegedly received the check as a donation.

The case has been pending in District Court for trial as Gosilatar waited for more than a year before she could obtain a lawyer through Legal Aid.

Gosilatar, allegedly the chairwoman of the Bulacan-based charity group, told the court in a previous hearing that Philippine police had told her she had been conned.

Pinoy in US$50k ‘fake’ traveler’s checks to be tried

A Filipino male tourist accused of “using a false instrument” has decided to plead not guilty to a charge of trying to cash US$50,000 worth of allegedly fake traveler’s checks at a money shop in Central early this year

The lawyer assigned by Legal Aid to defend Noel Rambuyon told District Court Judge K.W. Kwok on Sept 27 that his client would plead not guilty.

Judge Kwok scheduled the trial for Mar 4 to 6, 2019.

The prosecution said it will present witnesses including bank staff, the arresting officer and forensic experts.

Rambuyon arrived as a tourist around the Lunar New Year this year.

Shortly after his arrival, he went to a money shop in Central to swap booklets of Thomas Cooke traveler’s checks amounting to US$50,000. Each check had a face value of US$1,000.

A police forensic examination found that the traveler’s checks were fake. This was later confirmed by Thomas Cooke, the London-based banking company that that used to issue the instruments.

Thomas Cooke, which has sold its foreign exchange operation to Travelex, said that since 2002, it had stopped printing the type of traveler’s checks that Rambuyon allegedly attempted to exchange.

On Sept 18, a magistrate at Eastern Court dismissed a charge of “using a false instrument” against three other Filipino male tourists who presented an allegedly fake US$5 billion bank draft to an HSBC staff in June.

Consul Paulo Saret, head of the assistance to nationals section, has sought legal advice to see if the earlier ruling could be used as a precedent for dismissing Rambuyon’s case. – Vir B. Lumicao

Ex-maid fails in bid to appeal against deportation

By Vir B. Lumicao

A former Filipina domestic helper has failed in her bid to appeal a High Court judge’s decision denying her the right to seek a judicial review of Immigration’s decision to send her back to the Philippines.

Jamaicha Bansiles was told on Sept 27 by the Court of Appeal that there were no reasons to disturb Judge Bruno Chan’s rejection of the applicant’s grounds for the intended judicial review.

Justices Carlye Chu and Aarif Barma concurred in the decision.

“We agree with the Judge that the intended judicial review is not reasonably arguable and has no prospect of success, and leave to apply for judicial review should be refused,” the justices said in a decision dismissing the application.

Bansiles came to Hong Kong in November 2006 to work as a domestic worker, but she was fired in April 2007. She remained and overstayed her visa in Hong Kong until police arrested her on Mar 15, 2009. 

She filed a torture claim in 2009, but the director rejected it in October 2012 and her appeal to the Torture Claims Appeal Board was refused in February 2013.  But on Oct 17, 2014, the court allowed a judicial review and her torture claim was sent to the director for reconsideration.

Bansiles said she feared she would be harmed or killed by two people – Boy Sison and Gilbert Gacutan - for failing to repay loans. She said she had to borrow money from Sison for a botched training course in London, and from Gacutan for her coming to Hong Kong.

She said for failing to repay the loans, her family members were harassed, threatened and assaulted, and her home was vandalized. She gave the director a document from the barangay captain’s office as proof that her parents complained about the harassment, threat and assault to the family and the damage to the family home.

On Jan. 6, 2017 the Immigration director rejected Bansiles’ claim, after deciding that the risk of harm from her creditors was low.

On appeal to the TCAB, Bansiles provided documents relating primarily to the levels of crime, terrorist attacks and anti-drug campaign killings in the Philippines. But the board also refused her claim, so she went to the High Court to ask for leave to challenge the decisions denying her application for non-refoulement.

On Mar 9 this year, Judge Chan dismissed the application saying the grounds were not properly supported. He said he was not satisfied the application for judicial review would succeed.

Walong kalahok sa mmff ‘18, buo na

Buo na ang walong pelikulang ipapalabas sa 44th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) simula sa December 25, matapos matukoy ang apat na huling kalahok.
Ang mga pelikulang nadagdag:
1. Rainbow’s Sunset (family drama), Likhang Silangan Entertainment. Starring: Eddie Garcia, Tony Mabesa, Gloria Romero, Sunshine Dizon, Tirso Cruz III, Aiko Melendez. Director: Joel Lamangan
2. One Great Love (romance), Regal Entertainment. Starring: Kim Chiu, Dennis Trillo, JC de Vera, Miles Ocampo, Marlo Mortel. Director: Eric Quizon
3. Mary, Marry Me (rom-com), Ten 17P Films. Starring: Toni Gonzaga, Alex Gonzaga, Sam Milby. Director; RC Delos Reyes
4. Otlum (horror), Horseshoe Studios. Starring: Ricci Rivero, John Estrada, Jerome Ponce at Buboy Villar. Director: Joven Tan
Balitang naging mahigpit at nagkaroon ng mainitang pagtatalo sa pagpili para sa huling puwesto, na nakuha ng Otlum, laban sa pelikula ni Brillante Mendoza na “Alpha (The Right To Kill)”.
Nauna nang pinili noong June 30 ang apat na pelikula na ang pinagbasehan lang ay ang isinumiteng scripts. Ito ay ang “Aurora” ng Viva Films (starring Anne Curtis), “Fantastica: The Princess, The Prince and the Perya” ng Star Cinema/ Viva Films (starring Vice Ganda, Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes, Maris Racal, Loisa Andalio), “ The Girl in the Orange Dress” ng Quantum Films/ MJM Productions (starring Kim Chiu, Jessy Mendiola, Jericho Rosales, Sam Milby, Tom Rodriguez) at “Popoy En Jack: The Puliscredibles” ng CCM/MZET/ APT Entertainment, starring Vic Sotto, Coco Martin at Maine Mendoza.
Ang mga pelikulang hindi pinalad na mapili ay ang mga sumusunod:
Regal - Barang (horror) ,
Reality Entertainment - Fake Korean / Ultimate Oppa (rom-com)
Cobalt Productions - Hawa (horror),
Cape Signal Rock - The Stranger (action)
The Idea First Company - Hating Gabi (horror),
Imus Productions - Agimat, My Super Kap (action adventure),
Great Czar Media Productions - The Covenant: a Monad Shoal Legend (action fantasy)
Cineko - Mang Kepweng Returns Again (comedy),
Octoarts - Pagkagat ng Dilim (horror)
Star Cinema ABS-CBN Productions - EERIE (horror mystery),
Star Cinema ABS-CBN Productions - The Affair (drama),
Provill Studios: General Admission (dark comedy),
Quantum Films/MJM: Always (light drama),
APT Entertainment: Balon (horror drama)
Gallaga & Reyes Films / Brightlight Prod: Magicland (fantasy adventure),
Obtacinema & Cineko: Gulong ng Palad (drama),
T Rex Entertainment: Class of 2018 (horror thriller)
Ang naging pamantayan sa pagpili ng mg kalahok ng selection committee na pinamunuan ng National Artist na si Bienvenido Lumbera ay artistic excellence (40%), commercial appeal (40%), promotion of Filipino culture & historical value (10%) at global appeal (10%).

KASAL NINA CESAR AT SUNSHINE, ANNULLED NA
Napasigaw sa tuwa si Sunshine Cruz noong Sept 18 nang matanggap ang balita na tinanggap ng korte sa kanyang petisyon na ma-annul ang kanyang kasal kay Cesar Montano.
“ Sa sobrang saya ko ngayon, lahat ng kaaway ko, kahit yung mga may utang sa akin, patatawarin ko! Ngayong araw lang, ha!” ang sabi ni Sunshine sa mga reporters ng Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) nang bisitahin siya at kapanayamin noong araw na iyon. 
Engrande ang naging kasal nila noong September 14, 2000 dahil pareho na silang sikat na artista noon. Si Sunshine na isang singer at dating sexy actress ay 23 taong gulang lang noon, at si Cesar na 38 naman ay sikat na bilang isang dramatic actor. Pero ayon sa aktres, pagkatapos pa lang ng kasal ay nagsimula na ang kanilang away. Sa galit daw ni Cesar ay itinapon pa nito ang kanyang wedding ring habang nasa Carribean cruise sila para sa kanilang honeymoon.
Nasundan pa ito ng marami pang mga pagtatalo sa loob ng 18 taon nilang pagsasama, na ilang beses ding nauwi sa demandahan. Hinding-hindi rin daw malimutan ni Sunshine na tinawag siyang “porn star” ni Cesar at pinaratangan na totoong nakipag-sex sa lahat ng mga nakapareha niya sa kanyang mga pelikula. Sinagot daw niya ito ng, “ kahit balatan mo ako, kahit itapon mo ako sa dagat, wala akong aaminin, kasi hindi totoo”.
Si Cesar daw ang una niyang boyfriend at totoong minahal niya ito ng husto, lalo na at napaka “guwapo” nito.
Ayon sa abogado ni Sunshine, naranasan ng aktres ang halos lahat ng klase ng pag-aabuso: physical,  psychological, emotional, financial.
Dagdag ni Sunshine, kabilang sa madalas daw nilang pag-awayan ang pagkakaugnay ni Cesar sa iba’t ibang mga babae, gaya ng Brazilian model na si Mariana del Rio, na noon ay 16 gulang lang. Ilang beses daw siyang nag-alsa balutan tuwing mag-aaway sila, pero nagdesisyon siyang tuluyan nang makipaghiwalay kay Cesar noong 2013, nang ma-link ito sa starlet na si Krista Miller, at natunghayan pa ng mga anak nila ang mga larawan ng dalawa sa telepono ng actor.
Sangkot din sa away nilang mag-asawa ang kapatid ni Cesar na si Ched na kinasuhan ng aktres ng paninirang puri dahil daw sa pagsasabi nitong pinalayas ni Sunshine ang ina nila at ang panganay na anak ni Cesar na si Angela (anak niya sa namayapang unang asawa) sa kanilang bahay. Ang mas masakit pa ay ang pagkakalat daw nito ng tsismis na hindi anak ni Cesar ang bunso nilang anak.
Bukod sa patung-patong na kaso sa paglabag ng kasong anti violence  against women and children at anti child abuse act noong July 2009, January 2013 at May 2013, sinampahan pa ng kasong rape ni Sunshine si Cesar noong pinuntahan siya nito sa bahay na tinitirhan nilang mag-iina noong Feb. 2, 2015, at pinilit daw na makipagtalik. Muli niya itong inireklamo noong November 2016, nang magsumbong ang mga anak niya na nakita daw nila itong nag ma-masturbate habang nasa loob ng kanyang silid ang kanyang mga anak at nanonood ng TV.
Hindi pa rin tapos ang lahat ng mga kaso sa pagitan nila, pero sa ngayon ay  masaya na raw si Sunshine dahil nakamit na niya ang kanyang kalayaan at masayang namumuhay sa bahay na napagsikapan niyang binili, kapiling  ang mga anak niyang sina Angelina Isabelle, 17, Samantha, 14 at Chesca, 12. Maligaya rin siya sa boyfriend niyang si Macky Mathay, na kasundo rin ng kanyang mga anak.

CELEBRITIES NA KANDIDATO 
Isa-isa nang naglalabasan upang mag-file ng kandidatura ang mga celebrities na tatakbo sa susunod na eleksyon. Isa sa mga nauna rito sina Freddie Aguilar na kakandidatong senador; Vilma Santos –reelection bilang kongresista ng bayan ng Lipa, Batangas; Roderick Paulate, bilang vice mayor ng Quezon City, at ka-tandem ni Ismael “Chuck” Mathay (ama ni Ara Mina) na tatakbong mayor.
Kasama naman ni Gian Sotto, na tatakbong vice mayor din ng Quezon City, ang kanyang amang si Sen. Tito Sotto nang mag-file ito ng candidacy, at ang kapartidong si Joy Belmonte, na tatakbong mayor, bilang kapalit ni Herbert Bautista na nasa huling termino na.
Si Isko Moreno naman ay nagbitiw bilang Undersecretary ng DSWD upang tumakbo bilang mayor ng Maynila, kalaban ang kasalukuyang nanunungkulan na si Joseph Estrada, 81, at dating alkalde na si Alfredo Lim, 88. Kapartido ni Isko si Yul Servo na tatakbo muli bilang kongresista.
 Ang apo ni Joseph at anak ni Jinggoy Estrada (na muli ring tatakbo bilang senador) na si Janella Estrada ay tatakbong mayor ng San Juan, samantalang ang anak niya kay Laarni Enriquez na si Jerika Ejercito ay kakandidato bilang konsehal ng Maynila.
Si Lani Mercado ay muling tatakbo bilang mayor ng Bacoor, Cavite. Hindi pa alam kung muling tatakbo bilang senador ang kanyang asawang si Bong Revilla, na kasalukuyan pang nakakulong; at ang anak nilang si Jolo Revilla, bilang vice governor naman ng Cavite.
Sinamahan naman ni Sharon Cuneta ang kapatid niyang si Chet nang mag-file ito ng candidacy bilang mayor ng Pasay City, ang dating puwesto ng kanilang namayapang amang si Pablo Cuneta na nanungkulan ng mahabang panahon.

HARLENE AT ROMNICK, HIWALAY NA
Marami ang nagulat nang lumabas ang balita na hiwalay na ang mag-asawang sina Romnick Sarmenta at Harlene Bautista, pagkatapos ng 19 taong pagsasama. Isang joint statement ang inilabas nila, sabay ng pakiusap na igalang ang kanilang privacy:
“An appeal for privacy. Romnick and I have five beautiful children, whom we love and treasure very much - we have spent many years together as best friends and partners in everything that we have done. Even more so in raising our family.  We will always be great friends if not the best of friends.
With the greatest respect and mutual love, wanting nothing but happiness for each other we have decided to part ways. We would like to appeal for privacy, for our children and for each other as well.
Being public figures, we know that this will not go unnoticed—and we didn’t want speculations, rumours and gossips to destroy the wonderful memories we share, the peace that we continue to have as best friends. We both decided that it would be best to issue a statement, in an intention to let this be the first and last time that we talk about it.
Neither he nor I wish to speak at length about the matter, seeing as to how we had been able to keep the fact for as long as we have. We request that our individual supporters, friends and family refrain from making comments or issuing statements that may hurt or offend not only ourselves, but most importantly our beloved children.
We thank you, for the prayers and support— and most of all for respecting our wishes.
God bless you.”
Tatlong beses ikinasal sina Romnick at Harlene. Una, sa isang civil wedding ceremony noong 1999, sumunod sa isang church wedding noong 2000 sa may U.P., at pangatlo, sa Las Vegas, Nevada noong 2002 bilang renewal of vows.
Sila ay nagkakilala sa TV show ni German Moreno na “That’s Entertainment”, kung saan ay sumikat si Romnick bilang katambal ni Sheryl Cruz. Nang naghiwalay sila ng landas at nagpunta ng Amerika si Sheryl at nakapag-asawa, nagkalapit sina Harlene at Romnick, at tuluyan nang nagpakasal. Pinili nina Harlene at Romnick ang mas tahimik na buhay upang masubaybayan ang paglaki ng kanilang mga anak. Nagtayo sila ng negosyo, kabilang na rito ang restaurant na Salu, na naging venue ng reunion nila ng mga kasamahan sa That’s Entertainment ilang buwan pa lang ang nakalipas.
Pero, dahil isang mahusay na aktor mula pagkabata, (una siyang nakilala bilang si Peping sa TV series na Gulong ng Palad) hindi matanggihan ni Romnick na balikan ang pag-arte paminsan minsan sa mga indie films at ilang TV shows. Kasalukuyan siyang napapanood sa tv series na “ Halik” na pinagbibidahan nina Jericho Rosales, Sam Milby, Yen Santos at Yam Concepcion.
Si Harlene na isa ring mahusay na movie, TV at stage actress ay matagal nang hindi humaharap sa kamera. Sa halip, lagi siyang nakasuporta sa kapatid niyang si Herbert Bautista, na mayor ng Quezon City.
Umaasa ang kanilang mga kaibigan at fans na maaayos pa ang kanilang pagsasama.

LOTLOT, IKAKASAL SA DISYEMBRE
Tuloy na tuloy na ang kasal ni Lotlot de Leon sa kanyang Lebanese boyfriend na si Fadi El Soury sa December 17. Gaganapin daw ito sa isang resort/events place na pag-aari ng pamilya ni Pia Guanio.
Kasama siyempre sa entourage ang lahat ng anak nina Lotlot at Ramoncito Gutierrez na sina Diego, na siyang maghahatid sa kanya sa altar; at maid of honor naman ang mga dalaga niyang sina Janine, Jessica at Maxine.
Balitang dadalo rin ang tatlong kapatid ni Lotlot sa American father niya, na manggagaling pa sa Amerika. Inaasahan din ang pagdalo ng adoptive parents ni Lotlot na sina Nora Aunor at Christopher de Leon.