Filipina ex-DH charged with jewelry theft, overstaying

A Filipina former domestic worker who has overstayed her visa for nearly 4 years was charged in Eastern court on Oct 8 of stealing three pieces of diamond jewelry three years ago.

Fedelita Sante, 48, appeared before Magistrate Veronica Heung Shuk-han to face charges of theft and overstaying her visa. She was arrested on Oct 5 at the Immigration Department’s General Investigation Service office at Skyline Tower in Kowloon Bay.

The prosecution opposed bail for Sante, who had no fixed address. The magistrate remanded her in custody.

The first charge stated that between Jan 1 and Feb 4, 2015, the defendant allegedly stole a diamond necklace, a diamond pendant, a diamond ring and an iPad Air, all belonging to Melanie Helene Silvie Viquel. 

The theft allegedly took place in Viquel’s flat at Sum Way Mansion, Belcher St., Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong Island.

Police did not give an estimate of the total value of the items that were allegedly stolen, or of how the offense was committed.

In the second charge, Sante was accused of “breach of condition of stay” for failing to leave Hong Kong after her visitor’s visa lapsed on Dec 11, 2014.

The case was adjourned until Nov 5 at the request of the prosecutor, who said she needed legal advice and to allow Immigration to investigate further the defendant’s overstay.

Appeal Court foils asylum-seeker’s bid to resist deportation

The Court of Appeal has rejected a Filipina asylum-seeker’s bid to take to Hong Kong’s highest court her application for a judicial review of the government’s deportation order against her.

Justices Peter Cheung, Carlye Chu and  Aarif Barma ruled on Sept 28 that Mary Ann D. Minque’s application did not meet their conditions for granting leave to appeal.

Minque sought leave to appeal an earlier dismissal of her application to go to the Court of Final Appeal against Deputy High Court Judge Bruno Chan’s rejection of her initial bid for judicial review.

Minque, who came to Hong Kong as a domestic worker in May 2008, overstayed her visa after her contract was terminated prematurely by her employer on Aug 16, 2012.

She was arrested by the police on Mar 14, 2013, but she applied for asylum at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees about a month later. 

The following year, she filed for non-refoulement, or against being sent back home, citing as reason the alleged threats to her life by her abusive husband and some creditors.

However, she failed to get the Immigration Director and the Torture Claim Appeals Board to grant her application, prompting her to seek leave for a judicial review at the High Court.

In denying Minque’s latest bid, the CA said she failed to comply with orders for a written submission to support her application. The only ground she cited in her Notice of Motion was that could not go back home because her life would not be safe there.

Chu said this was not acceptable as it related only to Minque’s personal circumstances and did not meet involve any question of great, general or public importance.

Cooking on a budget

By Rodelia P. Villar

Cooking need not be stressful, even if you’re on a budget.

This is what Lorelie Bergamos, an active member of Domestic Workers Corner (Its all about Food) tells her fellow members who often ask for suggestions on how they could stretch the budget given them for daily meals.

In her case, this 39-year-old migrant worker from Acop Rosales Pangasinan, who works for a family of four in Whampoa Garden in Hunghom, manages to come up with a complete meal – with soup, meat, fish and vegetables – on a daily budget of $100.

What’s important, she says, is you must love what you’re doing, especially cooking, and always try to learn new things.

“Ang message ko sa mga katulad kong OFW sa HK, lalo na mga baguhan, keep reading and asking lang  sa DWC All About Food, google (recipes) and watch youtube about cooking. Marami silang matutunan mula dito,” she says.

She adds, “mahalin at alagaan ang mga amo, pagsilbihan sila with love, lalo na sa pagluluto, para mas lalo tayong ma-inspire.”

Bergamos says she always tries to serve her employers’ favorite dishes. 

“Ang lagi kong niluluto para kay Sir ay (anything) basta may isda, any luto ng isda, happy na sya. Ang madam ko naman, sushi and all Japanese foods ang favorite nya. Ang mga alaga ko naman, roasted pork, fried pork neck, stir fry talbos ng snowpeas, pork ribs with sweet sauce and Korean foods ang gusto.”

Lorelie says she loves cooking because it is a great way to relieve stress. Learning new recipes and sharing them with others also give her joy and satisfaction.

“Masaya po ako na mai-share ang mga nalalaman ko sa pagluluto lalo na  sa mga baguhan dito sa HK. Nakikita at nababasa ko kasi na iyon lagi ang mga problema nila, kung ano ung mga dapat nila lutuin everyday. Kaya ito na iyong chance para ma-share ko naman po mga natutunan ko sa pagluluto,” she says.

Here are some of those tried-and-tested budget recipes from this happy cook:

Stewed Sea cucumbers and dried mushrooms
Ingredients:
Frozen sea cucumber
Dried mushrooms
Ginger, sliced
Garlic, crushed
Oil for frying
Cornstarch

Seasoning
3 tbsps oyster sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce ground white pepper
 sesame oil
Shaoxing wine

Procedure:
1. Defrost the sea cucumbers.
2. When they’re completely thawed, place in boiling water. Add ginger and a little shaoxing wine. Let boil for 15 minutes.
3. After 15 minutes of boiling, take out sea cucumber, wash in tap water, then let dry.
4. In a frying pan, add a little cooking oil, then sauté garlic.
5. Add the mushrooms, sea cucumber and seasoning and let boil for 15 minutes.
6. Add a bit of cornstarch to thicken the sauce, then mix thoroughly before serving.

Fried pork neck
Ingredients:
2 medium size pork necks
Breading mix
Oil
Chili powder

Procedure:
1. Wash pork neck then pat dry.
2. Marinate pork with the breading mix powder
3. In a frying pan, add oil and wait until it sizzles. Add the pork necks and fry until they turn golden brown.
4. Slice the pork, then sprinkle with chili powder before serving.
This dish goes well with sweet chili sauce as dip.

Fried Fish
Ingredients:
Small fish
Salt or chicken powder
White pepper
Cornstarch
Oil

Procedure:
1. Wash the fish then pat dry.
2. Marinate with salt or chicken powder, white pepper and cornstarch.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan, then add the fish. Fry until both sides turn crispy.
4. Serve hot.

Stir-fry cabbage with bell peppers
Ingredients: 
A small head of cabbage
Bell peppers in three colors
Garlic
Onion
Chicken powder
Fish sauce or patis
A little sugar
XO sauce or chili sauce

Procedure:
1. Wash vegetables, then slice to desired size
2. Saute garlic and onion, then add cabbage.
3. Season with patis, chicken powder, a little sugar and water, until cabbage wilts a bit. Cover for three minutes
4. Add bell peppers, then mix well until the peppers are cooked.
5. Add a bit of XO sauce or chili sauce for added flavor.
6. Mix well and serve.

Stir-fry Chinese lettuce with fried minced fish
Ingredients:
Minced fish (sold for only $5 in wet markets)
Chinese lettuce
Chicken powder
Garlic
A little sugar
Pinch of salt

Procedure:
1. Wash vegetables well.
2. Fry the minced fish until golden brown. Set aside.
3. Saute garlic, then add Chinese lettuce.
4. Add chicken powder, salt, sugar and mix for about three minutes.
5. Put cooked vegetables on a plate and top with the fried minced fish. Serve.

Koponan ng Indonesian, tinalo ang mga Pinoy sa Samoki volleyball tournament

Nilampaso ng Indonesian Team na KSB Brizick, 3-0, ang pambato ng mga Pinoy na Wolf Team sa katatapos na Samoki Womens Volleyball Tournament-Summer League tournament na ginanap sa Victoria Park, Causeway Bay noong ika-30 ng Setyembre.

Ang tunggalian ay para sa kampeonato ng bracket A sa pasinaya. Hinirang na overall most valuable player at best spiker sa bracket A si Anyi ng KSB Brizick.

Hinati sa tatlong bracket and mga koponan - A, B at C - at ang unang makakuha ng 25 puntos sa bawat laban ay siyang panalo.

Sa bracket B, nagwagi ang Ilocos Warrior sa iskor na 3-2 laban sa D’Punisher, at pinarangalan bilang best player is Lola Doliente.

Sa bracket C, panalo ang Stray Cats laban sa Drifters sa  iskor na 3-1, at tinanghal na best player si Aileen Bariaud ng Stray Cats.

Kasalukuyan nang inihahanda ang autumn-winter league ng palaro at lahat ng volleyball teams ay inaanyayahang sumali. Tawagan lang si Marlyn sa numero 61597165 para sa anumang katanungan. – Marites Palma

Ang nagwagi sa Samoki Womens Volleyball Tournament-Summer League tournament Bracket A: KSB Brizick.

Bracket B Champion ~Ilocos Warrior A

Want to help set Tai Chi record?

Do you want to be part of a world record? Here’s your chance.

On Nov. 18, the International Social Service (ISS) Hong Kong Kong will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the “Most Nationalities in a Tai Chi Class”. The record-setting bid will take place from 10am-12noon at Southorn Playground in Wan Chai.

To create the new world record, around 500 participants of 50 nationalities or more will be asked to take part in a beginner-level Tai Chi class. The lesson will be around 45 minutes to 1 hour. Beginners with little or no previous Tai Chi Experience are welcome to join.

The fun event is part of ISSHK’s year-round activities, and embodies its belief in equal opportunities for all regardless of race, nationality and creed.

The special guest at the event is Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration, Matthew Cheung.

To enroll, check out http://www.isshk.org/60/ .

The deadline is Oct 15.

Tai Chi practitioners practise their skills.

Fun tournament marks FBC’s 7th anniversary

By Daisy CL Mandap

Any event hosted by the Filipino Bowling Club Hong Kong is bound to be fun, and its 7th anniversary celebration on Oct 7 was no exception.

Members came in costumes to compete in the tournament held at the South China Athletic Association building in Causeway Bay where 18 teams took part. The fun continued through the hearty lunch shared by around 100 people, and the awarding of prizes that followed.

Consul General Antonio A. Morales was guest speaker. In his message, he congratulated FBCHK on its anniversary, and lauded the members led by president Jennifer Gafate for organizing bowling tournaments while doing charity work on the side.

“Nagsasaya na kayo, nakakatulong pa kayo,” ConGen Morales said.

Also among the guests were the editors of The SUN-HK who praised FBCHK for gathering
Filipinos from all walks of life in a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

FBCHK counts among its members a number of engineers and other professionals, church leaders and retirees, as well as migrant domestic workers.
In a message she posted after the tournament, Gafate thanked everyone who joined the celebration, and said: “It is not about winning or losing but it’s for establishing a strong rapport and great sportsmanship among us all.”

Dominating the tournament was the Couples for Christ Team, which took home the championship trophy in the Class A division, with a total of 2,451 pinfalls.

Champions in class A: CFC Team.

Its players, Anthony Cruz and Shirley Yung, also took home the trophies for the High Game and High Series categories in the men’s and women’s single divisions, respectively.

In second place was Pin Nutz Crasher, which garnered a total of 1,821 pinfalls; while third was Team Wan with 1,709.

In Class B, the champion was Rugby 7’s with 1,717 pinfalls; second was Hip Hop Hooray with 1,628 and third was Bowl You Over with 1,609.

Class C winner was Wrecking Bowls Team, with 1,438 pinfalls; second was LBC with 1,386; and third was Duterte Alliance HK Team with 1,320.

Topping class D was Choosen Angels with 1,320 pinfalls; Vulnerabowl Team with 1,187 and Bowlabelles with 1,138.

Adjudged winner for Best in Costume was Choosen Angels, whose players showed up and played wearing ghoulish costumes.

D Choosen Angels won for best costume.The other groups that took part in the tournament were Square and Compass Club HK, The Builders (class A and B), The 4 Fighters, The Spare Gals, and Rock and Rollers Team.

Gafate said awards were also handed out to the winners of her group’s monthly tournaments.

FBCHK members have taken part in several international tournaments held in Singapore and Australia, and is slated to host the annual contest in Hong Kong next year.

Guardians Amber HK marks 2nd year

Guardians Amber Hong Kong Chapter celebrated on Oct 7 its second founding anniversary and induction into office of its newly elected officers.

The celebration, held at Neway Karaoke in Wanchai, was attended by about 20 people comprising members and guests of Amber, an all-female chapter of Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. of Hong Kong.

Amber, which has 18 active members, was founded two years ago by Philippine Buffalo baseball player and SCC Divas cricketer Jessie Duque.

The highlight of the event was the oath-taking of Amber’s newly elected officers led by May Ann Joy Tolentino, president; Richel Ayade, vice president; Sherly Samson, secretary; Lorraine Caberra, treasurer; Hera Caraecle, auditor; Alma Moreno, business manager, and Mercelita Buenvenida, PRO.

They were inducted into office by Charlie Gamboa, vice president of the Hong Kong executive council of PGBI HK.

Among the guests were Alex Banang of BSA, supporter Dave Chan, SCC Divas cricket team vice president Jennifer Alumbro, and Vir B. Lumicao of The SUN Hong Kong.

New Amber officers, members and guests in a souvenir pose.

Labatt Jolly returns, sets eye on newly accredited agencies

By Vir B. Lumicao

Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre has said he will review the accreditation of more than 20 new local employment agencies, as he resumed work in Hong Kong on Oct. 21.

Labatt Dela Torre retook the top post at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office nearly six months since he was recalled to Manila to face a supposed inquiry about his alleged favoritism in dealing with agencies and other misconduct.

No such inquiry appeared to have taken place, but Dela Torre was unable to return to his desk sooner because he needed to get cleared all over again so he could be sent back to Hong Kong as the Philippines’ top labor official.

On his return, he was received warmly by many leaders of the Filipino community, mostly those who protested an order for his recall in May by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

“It’s good to be back in Hong Kong. A lot of unfinished business and discontinued projects to be resuscitated,” Dela Torre posted on his Facebook page at the end of his first day back at work.

In an interview with The SUN earlier in the day, he said he would check if the agencies given accreditation in his absence passed his framework for “ethical recruitment.”

His yardstick includes requiring agency owners seeking accreditation to undergo a seminar, sign undertakings to comply with legal recruitment guidelines, and agree to third-party assessment.

He also said he will act against Philippine agencies that charge excessive training fees from domestic workers coming to Hong Kong for the first time, or joining new employers.

Another concern was the shortening of work contract processing in POLO, which appeared to have taken its toll on staff.

“I need to meet all the staff kasi sa processing of contracts, mukhang na-shorten nila into one day pero at the expense naman ng empleyado, alas-10 o alas-11 umuuwi,” he said.

He said there is no point to speed up the work in POLO because it still takes the Consulate five days to complete the processing.

In the last three months of his absence, Labor Attache Nida Romulo took over POLO as officer-in-charge.

But after the formal turnover of the post back to him on Oct 22 at the Consulate, Labatt Romulo will head on to Malaysia, where she will also head POLO.

Dela Torre said Bello had given him no special instructions before he returned here.

“Wala naman. It’s just that make sure yung mga controversial cases na baka lumabas sa media, dapat agapan, ireport kaagad sa kanya,” such as sexual offenses against Filipina workers, Dela Torre said.

He said he told Bello that Hong Kong has existing mechanisms to deal with such cases.

Even as he hit the ground running, Dela Torre paused at the end of the day to thank all those who welcomed him back.

In his Facebook page, he said: “The spontaneity and warmth of the welcome of the community were overwhelming, and I was speechless. Faces both familiar and unfamiliar beamed and their smiles of recognition and gratitude lifted my spirit.

“I can only reciprocate by recommitting myself to the advocacies I have dedicated myself to pursue, and have pursued, before I left Hong Kong and went on a long vacation. It's like I never left at all.”

Coins for Bethune participants asked to turn over all cans

Nearly 80 cans distributed to Filipino community organizations that asked to join the annual Coins for Bethune House project have yet to be turned over.

This was according to Edwina Antonio, executive director of the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, who also appealed for all filled-up cans to be submitted no later than Oct 15.

The counting for the donations was supposed to end on Sept. 30, but due to a schedule mix-up, the activity was moved from the KUC Space to the Bethune shelter in Jordan.

This, according to Antonio, could have accounted for some of the donations not being turned over on time.

So far, more than $38,000 in coin donations from 183 groups and individuals has been tallied by volunteers, she said. At least 260 stickered cans have been distributed to various donors, meaning 77 have yet to be turned over.

Despite the big number of missing cans, Antonio reckons it would be hard to equal, much less surpass the $57,000 total collection from last year’s fund campaign.

Her team plans to end the counting so the shelter can work on other upcoming projects, including several benefit shows being held on its behalf by Pintura Circle and other non-profit groups.

Bethune House, which operates two shelters in Kowloon and Hong Kong island, is a charity organization that provides free legal help and accommodation to distressed migrant workers. It survives solely on private donations. - DCLM

Risks faced by FDWs in online business

By Cynthia Tellez

You will notice on Facebook or other social media the engagement of some migrant domestic workers in business ventures. They offer different items and sometimes even with prices and information on how to contact them. We understand the necessity of having extra income to augment the low salary. We also understand how prices have soared because of the high inflation rate in our country so much so that our previous remittance to our family is no longer sufficient. Even in Hong Kong where we spend part of our income, prices of basic commodities are also getting higher.

But there are things that foreign domestic workers must bear in mind to stay away from any untoward incidents that might affect their stay in Hong Kong.

First of all, all foreign workers in Hong Kong who are on employment visa are subject to conditions of stay. The “conditions of stay” provide that foreign workers are only allowed to work with a specific employer or a specific company. But such conditions are more restrictive in the cases of foreign domestic workers who are governed by the “New Conditions of Stay” which took effect in 1987. These restrictions include what is commonly known as the “two-week rule”, which mandates that a migrant worker can remain in Hong Kong for only 14 days upon termination of the employment contract. The visas issued to foreign domestic workers also bear the name of their employers as specified in the employment contract. They are only allowed to work with that employer in the specific address stated in the contract and must live in that same address.

In addition, all workers subjected to conditions of stay can only do the work stated when they applied for a visa or permit to work in Hong Kong. For example, foreign domestic worker can only do domestic work, in the same way that architects or engineers are bound to only do what they applied for at the Immigration Department. You cannot engage in other types of work, otherwise, it will be a violation of your conditions of stay. Prior permission must be sought from the Immigration Department for any work-related changes.

Our compatriots working as domestic workers are thus advised to avoid violating their conditions of stay as in the following examples:
• Doing part-time domestic work outside of the employer’s address. These include the houses/flats of your employer’s relatives or other houses owned by the employer that are not stated in the employment contract;
• Working in business premises, even if it’s owned by your employer;
• Selling phone cards or other items; and,
• All other kinds of work outside of what’s stated in the employment contract filed with the Immigration Department.

Now, let us discuss the internet or online business that many migrant domestic workers are now engaged in.

There are times when we see online advertisements for business opportunities offered by companies. These are very enticing advertisements as they promise you an income in the thousands of dollars in a short period of time. All that the interested parties are supposed to do is to get the items, maybe on consignment basis, and sell or market them to friends and fellow migrants.

Many are lured to apply because it would seem your household duties will not be affected because you could sell the items on social media only during your spare time. The advertisements say all you need to do is to multiply your followers on social media so you gain a captive market. You don’t have to pay for advertising your product because it’s free on social media, especially on Facebook.

Unless there is a complaint against the item or product you sold, you will not encounter problems. All you need to sort out is the manner of payment. Once you get this out of the way, all should be smooth sailing. You’re not out there physically selling items, anyway, so you could not be accused of doing illegal work. At least, that’s what you are made to believe.

But you should remember that social media is open to most people, even if you’re selling in a “closed” or “secret” group because practically anyone who applies as a member is accepted. These are virtual marketplaces so keeping the site secret will defeat the purpose of people joining it for their online businesses.

Here is where your vulnerability lies.  So, you might want to seriously consider the following:
1 For any foreign worker in Hong Kong who is subject to conditions of stay, it is close to impossible to apply for any business permit for it will violate the conditions of stay. Prior consent of the Immigration Department to engage in business outside of the current permit of work is needed. So, in case a business permit is needed before you can operate your online business, it will be difficult to secure one. If it is not needed, then you passed the first step.
2) In case no business permit is needed, you should be very sure that the items or products you are selling are not banned or restricted in Hong Kong, like cosmetic items that are not approved for sale by relevant government agencies;
3) Even if you pass the two above-mentioned matters, there is a third condition that could be the most difficult. Permit or no permit, the Immigration Department is very strict on the matter of workers breaching the very specific and restrictive conditions attached to their visas. Foremost of these is the restriction against engaging in any other kind of work, be it fulltime or part-time, paid or unpaid, other than that what is mentioned in the contract or the application submitted to the Immigration Department.

Migrant domestic workers who do online businesses, once detected by the proper authorities, especially by the Immigration Department, could be prosecuted accordingly. It does not matter if the employer gave permission to the worker to engage in such a business because it is the Immigration Department which has the sole power to determine whether you are in breach of the conditions of stay. If the authorities find that you breached these conditions, they will decide whether to initiate prosecution, or removal proceedings, meaning you will be asked to leave Hong Kong. In addition, you could be banned from returning to Hong Kong for a period of time.

As we said at the beginning, we understand why our migrant workers engage in extra work to earn more money. But you might want to consider the possible outcomes for this contract violation as enumerated above, then weigh if he additional income is worth the risk of being prosecuted or barred from Hong Kong.

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This is the monthly column from the Mission for Migrant Workers, an institution that has been serving the needs of migrant workers in Hong Kong for over 31 years. The Mission, headed by its general manager, Cynthia Tellez, assists migrant workers who are in distress, and  focuses its efforts on crisis intervention and prevention through migrant empowerment. Mission has its offices at St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, and may be reached through tel. 2522 8264.