Mideast veteran is new Phl deputy congen in HK

DCG Usudan looks forward to serving in HK for 6 years

by Vir B. Lumicao
 

An old Philippine hand in the Middle East, Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, has been named as the country’s new deputy consul general in Hong Kong.

The 51-year-old Usudan arrived in the city on Oct 17 and reported for work at the Consulate the following day. She has taken over from Consul Roderico Atienza, who is due to end his tour of duty in January.

“I am happy to be in Hong Kong, First World siya in Asia. I look forward to spending six years in Hong Kong,” DCG Usudan said.

The new deputy head at the Consulate told the SUN in an interview that she is a Bicolana who became a Muslim years after marrying her Maranaw husband, Yusuf Usudan, who also worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs but is now retired.

 

DCG Usudan said she is confident the experience she acquired in her many years in the Middle East will help her serve the Consulate well.

Consul Atienza has welcomed DCG Germi’s arrival, saying “that means we’ve expanded the officer compliment in Hong Kong.”

DCG Usudan has served with the DFA for the past 30 years. Before coming here, she was the director of the DFA’s Office of Middle East and African Affairs with focus on the Gulf States.

Her last Middle East posting was a four-year stint in the Saudi commercial capital Jeddah, where she was moved from the embassy in the capital, Riyadh.

She joined the DFA right after graduating from the University of the Philippines in Diliman with an economics degree in 1988. She took the Foreign Service Officers’ Exam in 1996, while studying law at the University of Santo Tomas. She finished law in 1998 and passed the Bar the next year.

“Ang una kong posting ay Abu Dhabi, tapos na-transfer ako sa Riyadh,” DCG Usudan said.

After her recall to Manila, she was posted in Jakarta. “Para maiba naman, kasi parang nata-typecast na ako sa Middle East, so nag-Jakarta ako.”

But two years later, she was again moved to the Middle East, when a Muslim officer was needed in the Saudi city of Jeddah. She spent the last four years of her stay there.

She said that back in the Home Office, she requested for an Asian posting to be closer to her ailing mother. Sadly, her mom passed away in May, before she could be posted in Hong Kong, her destination of choice.

DCG Usudan noted that there are many Filipinos in Hong Kong who look happier than in other posts she had been to, and the Filipino community seems very active in looking for projects that will help the workers.

She said she will be joined in Hong Kong by her two children, Ameerah, 15, who is in grade 9; and Amiruddin, 13, in grade 7, when their classes end in March next year.

  

  

Filipina dies in Taipo traffic mishap

By The SUN

The car that hit the victim and a nearby traffic light post.
(Photo by Joan Chan) 

A Filipina domestic worker who was hit by a private car in Taipo on Sunday night, Oct 28, has reportedly died from her injuries at about 7am the next day.

A police spokeswoman confirmed her death, and said they are still investigating the accident.

The victim, identified in reports as a 55-year-old Filipina domestic worker, has been named by some of her friends on Facebook as Tess Hernandez, from Mindoro island.

Officials at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office say her family has already been informed.

The police said the accident happened at about 11pm Sunday night, when the car driven by a 38-year-old local man named Fung was traveling along Ting Kok Road towards Tai Mei Tuk.

The woman was reportedly knocked down by the car as it approached Shuen Wan Lei Uk.

Paramedics surround the victim before she was taken to hospital
(Photo by Joan Chan)

The spokeswoman said the victim sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin in unconscious state. She was certified dead at 6:56am on Oct 29.


Fung also suffered injuries from the accident but refused to go to the hospital. He later left the scene, the officer said.

He was not arrested and no charge was laid against him.

Officers of the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North, are said to be still investigating.

Earlier, local newspaper reports said the car was a white Honda with a ‘P” (driver is on provisional license) plate.

The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, collided with a safety island and a traffic light before hitting the woman,

sending her flying about 10 meters.

Reports about the accident spread after photos taken by a Joan Chan appeared on Facebook, along with a one paragraph report of the accident.

A woman is seen lying in the middle of the road while a car was resting on its side after apparently flipping. A broken traffic light pole is seen a few meters away.

In another photo, traffic officers or medics surrounded the victim while apparently waiting for an ambulance to take her to hospital.

The accident came nearly a year after another Filipina domestic worker from Bohol, Geraldine Betasolo, was also killed after being hit by a van in Taipo.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer to contact the investigating officers at 3661 3818 or 3661 3819. 

  

Fil-Am found guilty of trying to cash fake US$2B check

Orosa will be sentenced at the District Court on Nov 12

By Vir B. Lumicao

 A Filipino-American woman has been convicted in District Court of “using a false instrument” for attempting to deposit a fake US$2 billion cashier’s check in a Hang Seng Bank branch in October last year.

Judge Charles Chan convicted Elena S. Orosa who stood emotionless at the dock on Oct 22, and set the sentencing for Nov 12 pending a background report. Orosa, who is said to hold a degree from a US university, was remanded in custody until then.

Chan rejected the defense case that Orosa, 57, had no intention to cash the check. He maintained that an offense had already been committed even if the check was not cashed.

He also dismissed Orosa’s claim that she did not know the check was fake before she tried to deposit it in the account of a certain Manish, alleged owner of Great Billion Hong Kong Ltd in the Hankow Road, Tsimshatsui branch of Hang Seng on Oct 18, 2017.

Chan said he did not believe that someone who studied at a US university like Orosa would not question why a friend would entrust a check with such a big amount to her.

The prosecution had said earlier that Orosa graduated with a BS Management degree at San Francisco State University. She was born in the Philippines but migrated to the US with her parents at age 5, and had acquired US citizenship.

Giving evidence in court, Orosa said she went to the bank before noon to deposit the check in Manish’s account at the request of her Filipino friend, Randy Songadan. She said Randy had no funds to come to Hong Kong so could not deposit the check personally.

The defense tried to show Orosa had unknowingly allowed herself to be used by other people for the transaction that would have caused the bank a US$2 billion loss had the check not been discovered as a forgery.

Orosa, during cross examination by defense lawyer John Hemmings, admitted that Randy was not the owner of the check. She said Randy mentioned in Whatsup messages about four days earlier that he had assets belonging to former president Ferdinand Marcos and that the US$2 billion was part of those assets.

Randy claimed a friend named Ed Frondoso had contacts in Central Bank who made the check to take money that “the old man” Marcos had kept in Hang Seng, Orosa said.

She also admitted that about four days because going to the bank, she had been in contact on Skype with Manish, who instructed her on where to deposit the check and to give the deposit receipt to Raveen Kumari, managing director of Great Billion in Hong Kong.

Orosa said after presenting the check to a bank staff named Liu, she and a friend, Filipina tourist Veronica Yambao, were told to sit in a waiting room while staff processed the check. They were arrested by police more than half an hour later.

In his ruling, Chan said he did not believe that Orosa did not know the check was fake before she tried to deposit it, adding any adult with a business sense would know it was a forgery.

He also rejected the defense claim of prejudice in how the bank staff at the counter handled the check after Orosa presented it. The judge said the staff was just performing his duty when he called the attention of his superior to the forgery.

HK’s ICM raises US$2 million for the Philippines’ poorest

Sutherland with ICM's beneficiary community in backdrop 

By Daisy CL Mandap

When it comes to raising funds for the Philippines’ poor communities, nothing beats the Hong Kong –based charity group, International Care Ministries. Or to be more precise, its extensive support base from Hong Kong’s elite.

Three guests paid $150,000 each for dinner
hosted by VP Robredo and catered by Fores

At its annual banquet held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last night, Oct. 24, ICM raised a record-breaking HK$15.9 million (or more than US$2 million) for its various programs in central and southern Philippines.

Among the evening’s highlights was the live auction, where there was frenzied bidding for the dinner for eight with Philippine Vice President and pro-poor advocate Leni Robredo at her home in Quezon City, to be catered by world-famous chef, Margarita Fores.

Just hours after auctioneer Joff van Reenen brought down the gavel for $150,000, ICM’s chief executive officer David Sutherland said in an email that two other bidders offered to pay the same amount if VP Robredo would agree to host them as well.

“We immediately contacted the VP and before 1:30am she agreed to accommodate three ICM dinners at her home for three different auction winners. I am impressed!”

A similar thing happened to the live auction for skiing lessons with the Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel, plus dinner and accommodation for 10 at a luxury ski resort in Niseko, Japan After the gavel went down for $160,000, another bidder made the same offer for the experience, and got an immediate yes.

Van Reenen auctioning off the Mandela lithograph

The third item in the live bidding, a lithograph with an imprint of the left palm of the late South African President and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, went for $250,000.

Still, the $1 million raised from the live auction was just a fraction of the record haul that ICM made from its 2018 “Stepping Free from Poverty” banquet.

Sutherland said that it was the first time the charity group had breached the US$2 million threshold from its annual fundraiser.

“This US$2m is about 25% of ICM's annual cash funding needs - a great start to our funding year,”he said.

Young guest holds her number paddle to donate $400k, then $40k

Nearly half of the amount, or $6.6 million, came from the night’s jaw-dropping “Moment of Giving” part, when 122 guests raised their number paddles in succession to hand out between $8,000 and $800,000, all in one go.

Many donors gave $80,000 each, as this was matched dollar for dollar by a United States charity, Find Us Faithful, up to a maximum of US$500,000. Sutherland said the counterpart fund was exhausted because of the donors’ generosity.

“Highest ever,” said Sutherland in describing the money raised from guests who gave and expected nothing in return.

Philippine Consul General Tony Morales
and Consul Paul Saret were among the guests 

“Leaves me speechless to see so many different people donating. Thank you. As I mentioned, one of the things that separates the ICM banquet is not a handful of people generating all of the donations - it is truly a democratic effort where a wide range participate.”

Another big draw was the silent auction when a total of $1.7 million was raised from donated items, mostly artworks from Philippines-based donors and other supporters. The items were auctioned off in three lots, in-between the three-course dinner.

ICM, which operates in nine regions and 23 provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, has set a budget of HK77.64 million (Php541 million) for its operations this year and next.

ICM beneficiaries get share of spotlight

Sugar Cane Warriors from Bacolod show their winning moves

No ICM banquet is complete without the presence of young, happy Filipinos who provide the best testimony of how the Hong Kong – based charity transforms lives, and offers hope to the ultra poor.

At this year’s dinner, most poignant was the presence of young Alexis, who just had a successful club hand/foot surgery, with help from ICM’s Medical Mercy Fund. The six-year-old boy helped convince 13 donors to give $40,000 each in exchange for his framed handprints, so others could also benefit from the live-changing surgeries.

According to ICM, eight Filipino children with club foot were treated between 2017 and 2018. It is anticipated that 15 children will need the same kind of help each year. Those with cleft palates are the most numerous, with 61 children treated last year, and up to 200 others expected to need the same kind of treatment each year.

At the banquet, most visible were the three young members of the ICM children’s choir, who emceed the show. Mary Jane, Rizzel and Nica have performed along with the rest of the ICM choir have shared their songs of hope with hundreds of people in the Philippines, Hong Kong and the United States, including at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

Among those who provided entertainment were three teenagers from Bacolod City, who were the runaway winners in the final round of the “Stepping Free” dance contest. Marvin, CJ and Erben who call themselves the “Sugar Cane Warriors,” delighted the audience with their energetic movements and daring acrobatics.

According to the souvenir program, the boys’ families have benefited from ICM’s programs since 2015. Often forced to choose between school and working in the sugar cane fields that surround their homes, they’re said to choose the former, as they know the importance that education plays in their future,

The Bacolod boys won over the spirited performance of the River Dancing Queens from Western Mindanao and Coco Mommas from Southern Mindanao.

ICM, which has an office in Manila, operates in nine bases across the Visayas and Mindanao: Palawan, Panay, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Zamboanga del Norte, Koronadal, and General Santos. 

Its work extends to 23 provinces through partnerships with 6,000 churches.

Last year, it provided help to its one-millionth family member through its Transform program, and aims to reach the next million by its 30^th anniversary in 2023.

In future, it hopes to extend help to other poor communities across the globe. - - DCLM

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.