When DNA guides your vote

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Like it or not, but biology is in play in the current campaign for the May presidential election. That’s the impression we get from the way candidates for leading government positions – or their campaigners, PR men and spin doctors -- run their campaign.

In this nastiest facet of the democratic process called election, everything from bad genes to pigmentation to zygotic anomalies is dug up to feed debates and mudslinging that characterize the once-in-six-years presidential race.

Filipinos are damn good in this type of intramurals, such that even long before campaigning had officially started, presidential hopefuls who charged early or figured highly in various surveys were launched higher by avid fans or got shot down by merciless memes on social media.

We’ve seen a daily dose of complexion-driven boosters for some candidates and diatribes against certain players. Naturally, the favorite targets are those perceived to be the best and the worst in a war that has no middle ground: praises are heaped on those deemed to be the most deserving; condemnation befalls the most distrusted.

Early bird Jejomar Binay has been bashed for having “a soul as dark as his skin” because of his alleged greed and gluttony, so from a biological point of view, he may possibly have symptoms of hyperpigmentation and indigestion. Or he could be in the process of molting when he lined up for Ash Wednesday’s sacramental, although an unfriendly post on Facebook showed his face charcoaled all over.

Then, just as the voting populace was beginning to tire of acid attacks, diminutive dark horse Grace Poe came into view and was immediately targeted for her allegedly questionable nationality and dubious lineage. Her detractors lost no time resurrecting the gossip that she was a foundling whose genes, so they said, could be traced to the deceased dictator.

This DNA-probing episode soon gave way to brickbats being thrown at testosterone-loaded Rody Duterte from the South for his non-stop cussing and braggadocio ways. But his brave announcement that he would rid the Motherland of crime and corruption turned him into an instant star, with raves from despairing denizens drowning the protests of the pious.

Little has been said in a negative way about Miriam Defensor Santiago, who, despite or maybe because of her reported Stage 4 cancer condition, seems to have silenced even her harshest critics. Whether this deferent silence can convert to votes will only be known on Election Day. 

Her running mate, the fallen despot’s son Ferdinand Jr., is finding the Facebook page a hostile laboratory for an attempt at induced public amnesia, especially since Filipinos marked last month the 30th anniversary of the “People Power” revolution on EDSA.

Bongbong seems to be getting help, though, from demographic data showing that the median age of the 102 million Filipinos today is 24.4 years old, hence, the young voters do not have an idea of what it’s like to live under martial law.

Still, this brings no comfort to the global campaigner of administration candidates Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo who says the only way to continue the success of Benigno Aquino III’s “Matuwid na Daan” doctrine is to vote for the Yellow tandem.

In a country where the culture of corruption has taken roots, said Loida Nicolas Lewis in a forum in Hong Kong last month, those who deserve to be elected are the ones with good DNA.

“You have to have it in you na hindi ka magnanakaw. You were brought up by parents with the right sense of ethics,” she said.

With good-DNA bearers Roxas and Robredo at the helm, the Philippines, through the “Matuwid na Daan” doctrine, is expected to achieve First World status by 2022, said Lewis.

So, if you are still confused about who to elect for the top two positions in government in the coming elections, selection can be as easy as a taxi ride to the voting precinct. In fact, Lewis has a handy advice.

“Ask the taxi driver and he will tell you: ‘I don’t like a thief, I don’t want a murderer, I won’t vote for an American and I won’t go for someone with Stage 4 cancer.’ Eh di sino pa ang iboboto?” said Lewis.

Indeed, in the final analysis, even in the evolution of politics Philippine style genetics and Darwin’s principle of natural selection have a role to play.

Hundreds join One Billion Rising march in Hong Kong

By Jo Campos

Hundreds of people from different sectors and nationalities have turned up for the One Billion Rising gathering in Hong Kong, led this year by its founder, noted playwright and women’s rights activist Eve Ensler.

The “risers” toured several parts of Central on Feb 21 where they were joined by pockets of supporters before they all marched together to Edinburgh Place where they danced to the OBR songs.

Ensler was accompanied by OBR global director Monique Wison, and both received strong support from migrant support organizations like the Asian Migrant Coordinating Body, Gabriela Hong Kong and the Mission for Migrant Workers.

The day-long event was kicked off by synchronized dancing, followed by a media meet-up, before the organizers began the tour around Central.

The hour-long parade around the key district was highlighted by the participation by  workers from various ethnic groups, notably the Filipinos and Indonesians, who held banners and chanted their concerns as they marched.

The marchers attracted a lot of attention along the way, as they stopped at key areas to make speeches and perform the OBR flash mob dance.

Back at Edinburgh, the marchers all danced together before the main program started.

Wilson, a noted stage actress and activist, sang the OBR theme, “I Am Rising”, before giving an emotional speech thanking all who took part, and urged them to continue to rise and speak up against the violence against women and children.

It was her third appearance in the Hong Kong celebration of OBR since it started three years ago.

Ensler said she was awed by the dedication, courage and support by the migrant workers and everyone who participated in the event. She called on everyone to continue to rise, act and listen as what the OBR slogan conveys.

Ensler also took time to listen to the concerns and problems migrant workers face in Hong Kong.

V Day or the One Billion Rising for Revolution is a global campaign calling for an end to violence against women and children around the world.

Filipino’s jail term for harboring overstayer cut

A Filipino resident has received a two-week discount to his original sentence of two months in jail for sheltering a pregnant former Filipina domestic helper who had overstayed her visa for two years.

In a review on Feb 17 of the initial sentence, Shatin Court Principal Magistrate Andrew Ma instead sentenced Ramil delos Reyes to six weeks in jail.

Delos Reyes appeared in court two days earlier for a pretrial review of his case, and decided to plead guilty to the first charge of aiding and abetting the woman’s violation of immigration rules and to a second charge of failing to register a birth.

Ma sentenced him to two months in jail for the first charge and fined him $1,000 for the second.

But on Feb 17, Delos Reyes reappeared in Ma’s court and appealed for a review of his two-month sentence for the first charge.

The duty lawyer assigned to Delos Reyes sought a more lenient sentence, saying that his client only wanted the baby boy to grow and become more stable before surrendering the mother to Immigration because she was breastfeeding the infant.

Asked by Ma to give a background of the case, the lawyer said Delos Reyes met the girl one night in July 2013 when she came knocking on the door of his flat. She said she was three years overstayed and pregnant.

Delos Reyes took her in and she eventually became his girlfriend.

The woman was a former domestic worker who had lost her job and decided to overstay until she got pregnant by another man. The prosecutor told The SUN the woman had served her sentence and was apparently deported afterwards.

“The girlfriend was three months pregnant and looking for a place to stay. He had in mind that they both surrender to immigration after she had given birth,” the defense lawyer said.

The magistrate asked why Delos Reyes waited 18 months before surrendering himself and the overstaying woman, and the lawyer replied: “Out of his love for the child, he decided to wait until the baby was old enough, at least 18 months.”

The applicant and the woman surrendered to Immigration in July 2015 when Delos Reyes decided that the baby was stable and big enough to be weaned away from his mother if the mother was taken into custody.

Delos Reyes’ lawyer asked for a degree of compassion for his client, saying that it was he who initiated the surrender of his girlfriend.

Ma told the lawyer that nowhere in the appellant’s statement was it mentioned that he initiated the surrender, but the lawyer insisted Delos Reyes did so.

Turning to Delos Reyes, Ma said: “Your sentence was initially for 14 weeks but you were given two months. I considered I give you the benefit of the doubt that you had initiated your girlfriend’s surrender. I order the two-month sentence set aside and replaced it with a six-week sentence.”

Delos Reyes buried his face in his palms and broke into tears. – Vir B. Lumicao

Filipina jailed 14 months for theft of boss’ credit card

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic helper who stole the newly approved credit card of her employer last year and used it to withdraw cash and buy a drink, was sentenced on Feb. 22 to 14 months in jail. Jae Marie Barrion, 40, cried as police escorts led her away after her sentencing.

Earlier in the day, District Court Judge C.P. Pang convicted Barrion of theft after she pleaded guilty to six charges, including stealing the credit card and using it to withdraw cash.

In handing down the sentence, Pang rejected the defense’s claim in mitigation that Barrion was driven to theft by the acute financial need of her family back home. The court was told the accused has a three-year-old son, her husband has been jobless for 15 years; and she had a sick grandmother who needed medication but had now passed away.

“I do not accept the defense’s submission that she stole the credit card because her family in the Philippines needed money badly,” Pang said.

“She breached the trust of her employer by committing the offense. The theft was not just one incident but done over two months,” the judge said, adding that when Barrio could no longer withdraw cash because she had exceeded the credit limit, she used the stolen card to buy herself a drink at 7-Eleven.

The court heard that in August last year, Barrion’s employer applied for a Visa credit card with HSBC, which the bank approved. The bank mailed the credit card to the employer’s address and when it arrived on Aug 11, Barrion stole the card and waited for the password. When the password was finally delivered by mail, the helper took it and used it to activate the card on Sept 13.

Barrion first withdrew $10,000 from an ATM at the MTR Tai Po Market station using the stolen card on Sept 18, and used it again at the same ATM on Sept 20 to withdraw another $10,000.

The defendant tried to make further cash withdrawals of $10,000 each on Sept 27 and Oct 7 from the same ATM in Tai Po Market, but was unsuccessful as she had already exceeded the card’s withdrawal limit.

Hoping the card would be reactivated, Barrion went to a 7-Eleven on Oct 9 and used the card to buy a drink for $15.

On Oct 15 the employer followed up her credit card application with HSBC but was told that her card had already been activated.  She informed the police and dismissed Barrion on the same day.

The court was told that on Oct 16 the Filipina went to the Immigration Department to try to apply for a visa extension but she was arrested.

Ethnic minorities protest inequality in employment, retraining

Citing reports showing nearly 76% of menial jobs go to ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, a group mainly comprising Pakistanis and Nepalese protested outside the Legislative Council on Feb. 24 against the inequality in employment access.

The protest by the AIM Group which coincided with the budget presentation by Financial Secretary John Tsang, was meant to call government attention to their plight. “Today we gathered in front of the LegCo to urge the government to prompt amelioration for employment and retraining policies among ethnic minorities,” AIM said.

Citing an Employee Retraining Board report, AIM said that due to the language barrier, 75.8% of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong do menial jobs, compared with 19.5% of their Chinese counterparts.

The latest report on Poverty Situation on Ethnic Minorities shows 35-45% of Pakistanis, Nepalese, Thais and Indonesians were engaged in elementary occupations, and about 60% of them earned less than the median income.

What’s worse is that 50.2% of the Pakistanis earn lower than half of the median wage. “Ethnic minorities are always at a disadvantage in their workplaces, particularly here in Hong Kong. They do not only suffer difficulties in Chinese language ability but they are relegated to doing menial jobs,” the group said.

AIM also cited a survey in June-July last year by the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers (Kowloon) which showed that 125 ethnic minorities who looked for jobs in Hong Kong over the past five years were successfully interviewed through convenient sampling.

To improve their situation, the ethnic minorities proposed short-term measures that could enable them to compete better for available jobs.

These include requiring the Labour Department to provide EM jobseekers enhanced telephone interpretation services within 20 minutes of their enquiry to prod frontline staff to ensure equal access to the department’s services.

The ethnic minorities also want the department to restore its job-matching service which was cancelled in 2010, to encourage employers to consider EM jobseekers, follow up their progress and match vacancies with their qualifications.

AIM said the Centre’s survey showed that interview arrangements, vacancy information and career counseling services are needed by a large number of EM jobseekers.

The Centre said survey respondents lamented job opportunities lost due to discrimination, language and cultural barriers, and a lack of information on the local job market.

It called for improvement in the service through cultural sensitivity training and follow-up of cases, suggesting right rapport and timely follow-up of the jobseekers are key to a higher employability rate.

For the long term, AIM want the Department to hire permanent EM staff to man a special counter that will handle employment service for EM jobseekers.

“This move will hit two the birds with one stone. On the one hand, it will solve the language barrier that plagues the effectiveness of the service and, on the other hand, bridge cultural gaps. This will cut down resources for interpretation services and enable enhancement of the service,” AIM said.

Enrich holds first graduation for financial ed course

By Iriz York

Graduates with Enrich co-founder Myriam Bartu, Enrich board chair Annalotte Walsh and Consul Charles Macaspac.

There are no shortcuts to financial planning.

This was the message of Consul Chuck Macaspac to about 60 foreign domestic workers honored at the first graduation ceremony of Enrich held at Lingnan University in Tuen Mun on Feb. 21.

“There are no shortcuts,” Consul Macaspac told the graduates. “If you try to do short cuts that's when you open the door to getting victimized. You become victims of scams and start borrowing money atrociously”.

Macaspac said it is not uncommon to see Filipino domestic workers who have been in Hong Kong for 20 to 30 years because they have not planned well for their future. He urged the graduates to make a plan, stick to it, and go back to the Philippines as soon as possible.

A total of 55 Filipino and four Indonesian migrant workers completed the financial education and empowerment education program of Enrich, which included five workshops covering topics on budgeting, savings, debt management, making investments, business development and assertive communication.

Another 17 Filipino domestic workers who completed the lecture series on domestic worker rights through the Knowledge Transfer Project between Enrich and Lingnan University and Professor James Rice, also received certificates.

One of Enrich’s pioneer migrant advisers Liza Avelino, inspired the graduates by sharing her humble beginnings and how she persevered to pursue her dream of traveling the world and climbing Everest, becoming the first domestic worker to do so.

“If you wanted to do stuff that you've never done before, I'm asking you to take this first step: invest in yourself. Review your dreams everyday and say to yourself- I will not give up until I win. You can live your dream”, Avelino said.

Adelaida Valencia, one of the Filipino graduates of the financial education program, shared her her experience.

“Enrich not only moulded me to be more knowledgeable, but also enlightened me to see the error of my ways. (It has) given me tools, and equipped me to face challenges”, she said.

Enrich executive director Lenlen Mesina thanked the graduates for their hard work and dedication, but emphasized the importance of continuing their quest for knowledge and information.

“If you want a brighter future for your loved ones, you have to start investing in a brighter future for yourselves”, Mesina said.

She further encouraged them to share the knowledge and be ambassadors to their family and friends.

Family and friends of the graduates, and the employers of some, also attended the ceremony.

Aside from the financial and empowerment educ-ation program, Enrich has also begun giving an investment lecture series early this year, to be followed by a business develop-ment series.

For inquiries, please visit Enrich HK’s Facebook page or their website www.enrichhk.org.

Comelec’s 80% turnout goal seen as tall order

By Vir B. Lumicao

Consulate officials say they are not optimistic that the 80% turnout set by the Commission on Elections for overseas voters in the April-May general elections could be achieved.

A total of 93,049 Filipinos in Hong Kong have been certified by Comelec as eligible to vote, but judging from past elections, at least a third of that number may abstain.

The voting number is expected to be augmented by historically 1,500 to 2,000 seafarers casting their votes in Hong Kong.

“I mentioned in the update I sent to Comelec that our target turnout is 50% of the total registered voters, but Manila is imposing an 80% turnout,” Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, who oversees the election for the Consulate, told The SUN. 

“Let’s see (if that’s possible), because our highest turnout ever was in 2004, when we almost reached 70% for the whole overseas voting,” Vallespin said.

As in the past, the number of voters would be divided equally among the 10 special board of election inspectors that would be made up of a chairman and two members each.

Training will take place on Apr 5-7 for the 30 people who will comprise the 10 SBEIs that the Comelec had asked the Consulate to form, Vallespin said. The chairmen would come from the Consulate and its attached agencies like the Social Security System.

Only eight SBEI members were recruited from the Filipino community while the remaining 12 will be Hong Kong-based dependents of Consulate staff, said Vallespin.

“We haven’t imported anyone from the Philippines,” he said.

Vallespin said a team from the Comelec would be coming over to train the SBEI members on their role in the coming elections, particularly on how to operate the vote counting machines at the opening, closing, daily closing and final closing of the voting.

He said the VCMs are basically the same as the controversial PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machines used in previous Philippine elections. The main difference is that the VCMs are bigger and broader, he added.

Comelec teams will visit posts with automated election systems to train the SBEI members, but for those where manual counting still takes place, the SBEIs will go to Manila to train on their roles.

Preparations for the coming elections, which will be held at the Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town, were discussed by the Consulate with Filcom leaders in a meeting on Feb 15.

Heavy turnout of voters is expected on the five Sundays starting April 10 to May 8, especially on May 1 and 2, the latter having been declared as a statutory holiday. 

The Bayanihan polling precincts will open at 8am and close at 4pm on the first day of voting on April 10, and at 9am to 5pm on subsequent days except for the last day on May 9, they will stay open until 7pm. 

Community Announcements

The Philippine Consulate will be closed on the following dates: March 24, Maundy Thursday; March 25, Good Friday; March 27, Easter; March 28, Easter Monday; April 4, Ching Ming Festival. For any emergencies during these days, please call the following hotlines: 9155 4023 (Consular Assistance), 5529 1880 (Philippine Overseas Labor Office), 6345 9324 (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration)

Free art lessons: The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR will hold art workshop sessions titled: "Ma-ART-Eh!" to be conducted by members of the Pintura Circle. Intended for household service workers in Hong Kong, the workshop sessions will be held at the PCG Conference Room on the following Sundays, 1:30-4:30pm: * Mar 13: Porcelain Painting; * Mar 20: Jewelry-Making and Design; *April 3: Oil Pastel. For information, call PCG Cultural Section, 2823 8537

CARD MRI OFW Foundation invites OFWs to join its Financial Literacy Seminar program. Kindly choose one (1) date from the following schedule: February 28,  March 13,  April 24,  June 26,  July 24,  Aug. 21 and Nov. 27. For reservation and inquiries please contact 95296392 / 54238196.

The Integrated Midwives Association (IMAP) Hong Kong is conducting a signature campaign to petition the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission to hold the midwifery licensure examination in Hong Kong this year. Those who are qualified and are interested to take the examination may wish to sign the petition, copies of which are available at the following offices:                         Philippine Consulate General (Information Desk) on the 14th floor, United Centre Building, Admiralty, Hong Kong (Sunday to Thursday during office hours);Metrobank, 1st floor, United Centre Building, Admiralty, Hong Kong; The SUN, Rm 1002 Yue Shing Commercial Bldg., 15 Queen Victoria St., Central, Hong Kong. Tel No. 2544 6536 (Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm; Saturday, 9am-1pm). For more information, call Brenda at 6776 2604

Junior Association of Migrants gives free zumba lessons every Sunday, 10-11am on Chater Road. Open to the public

OEC online registration

Avoid the queue, apply for OEC online. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office is providing free training and assistance in registering with the Balik-Manggagawa Online from Sunday to Thursday. Venue: POLO offices on the 11th floor, Admiralty Centre Tower 1, Admiralty. For booking, call tel. No. 6165 2406.

Young Filipino performers needed

Teatro Filipino is inviting young Filipino residents, aged 8-20 to join its roster of talents. Those who love to act, sing, or play musical instruments are particularly welcome. Workshops will be provided. For those interested to join, kindly email Tess at teatrofilipino.sentrorizal@gmail.com

Caritas Hong Kong is offering the following activities for FDHs at Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F. , No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.: Women's Day Celebration (Inspiration games, gifts & refreshment). Mar 12 (Saturday), 2:30pm-4:30pm, Mar 13 (Sunday) 2:30pm-4:30pm, A fee of $10 will be collected. Stretch Therapy DIY (by female Chinese registered Practitioner). Mar 20 – Apr 17 (5 Sundays), 11.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. A fee of $150 for 5 hours of lessons (students need to prepare yoga mats by itself). To book your place, call 2147-5988.

Paano Sasabihin

Isang bagong kaibigan ni Jam sa Facebook ang laging nagpo-post ng ano man ang gawin at puntahan nito, ano man ang pagkain, suot at kasama. Mahilig din itong mag selife, kaya sa maghapon ay tila siya lang ang laman ng newsfeed ni Jam. Hindi naman nababahala si Jam sa mga post nito ngunit minsan ay nakita niyang inilagay ng kaibigan ang mga larawan ng bagong bahay na lilipatan ng mga amo niya, at bawa’t silid at pati na ang mismong building nito ay naka-post din sa FB page nito. Medyo nabahala si Jam dahil alam niyang maaring makaapekto ito sa seguridad at privacy ng amo ng kaibigan, at malamang na lingid sa kaalaman ng mga ito ang pagpo-post ng kanilang katulong. Alam din kasi ni Jam na ang mga amo, partikular na ang mga Intsik, ay ayaw na ayaw  inilalahathala ang kanilang mga bahay. Lalong nabahala si Jam nang makita niyang naka-hashtag pa ang mismong address o lokasyon ng naturang lugar. Ang problema nga lang ay hindi alam ni Jam kung paano niya ito ipapaliwanag sa bagong kaibigan na ito ay hindi tama. Baka kasi masabihan pa siyang pakialamera at nagmamagaling kaya’t minabuti niyang tumahimik na muna. Sana nga lang ay hindi ito malaman ng mga amo, o magdulot ng kapahamakan sa kanilang pamilya. Umaasa din siya na balang araw ay magsasawa din ang kaibigan sa pagpo-post ng kung ano-anong impormasyon sa kanyang FB wall. –Jo Campos

Nagkabalikan

Halos 15 taon na mula nang maghiwalay ng landas nina Jing at Norie. Naging magkarelasyon sila dito sa Hong Kong at kahit lihim lang ang kanilang relasyon ay tumagal din ito ng halos isang taon. 

Hindi kasi maamin noon ni Norie na ang kanyang kasintahan ay isang tibo. Dahil dito ay itinago niya ito sa kanyang mga kaibigan at pamilya sa Pilipinas. Kalaunan ay naghiwalay din sila at si Jing naman ay umuwi na sa Pilipinas at doon na naghanapbuhay. Matapos ang maraming taon ay nagkaroon muli ng komunikasyon ang dalawa sa pamamagitan ng Facebook. Nagsimula sa kumustahan at laging pag-uusap sa messenger, at halos araw-araw ay nagkakausap din sila sa chat. 

Marahil dahil may nakaraan sila ay nagkaroon ulit ng pagkakataon na sariwain nila ang kanilang mga nakaraan. Si Jing ay single hanggang ngayon samantalang si Norie ay nagkaasawa at anak, pero ngayon ay hiwalay na. Unti-unting nabuo ulit ang kanilang pagtitinginan, ngunit ang problema ni Norie ay hindi niya alam kung paano niya ipapaliwanag sa kanyang anak ang kanilang relasyon, at kung paano nito tatanggapin. Hindi siya nangangamba sa kanyang mga magulang at kapatid dahil alam niyang puwede siyang unawain ng mga ito. Ang payo naman sa kanya ng kanyang mga kaibigan ay pag-isipan niyang mabuti ang kanyang sitwasyon at siguraduhing ito nga ang relasyong gusto niya at saka niya ipaliwanag sa kanyang anak. 

Mahirap nga naman na sumubo siya sa isang relasyong hindi rin naman tiyak ang patutunguhan, lalo na at si Jing ay nasa Pilipinas at si Norie ay nasa Hong Kong pa rin. Ayon pa sa mga payo ng kanyang kaibigan, mahirap ang isang long distance relationship o LDR, at kailangang buo ang loob ng magkarelasyon na panatilihin itong maayos. 

Ang pinakaimportante, hindi rin makasiguro si Norie sa kanyang damdamin dahil baka rin lang daw matagal na siyang di umiibig kaya’t nahulog muli ang loob niya kay Jing. Si Norie ay isang dalagang ina na may 14 anyos na binatilyong anak.  –Jo Campos

Solusyon

Natuwa pa si Joy noong mabalitaang may kalaguyo ang asawa na kapitbahay din nila sa Pilipinas, dahil mayroon na siyang mabigat na rason para makipaghiwalay. Wala na kasing hanapbuhay ang kanyang asawa ay nambabae pa. Maraming taon siyang nagtiis dahil wala naman siyang mabigat na dahilan para dispatsahin na lang basta ang batugang asawa. Pero dahil sa ginawa nitong pambabae ay alam ni Joy na hindi na siya masisisi kung iwanan na niya ang lalaki. Sa isang banda ay masama din ang loob ni Joy sa pagkawasak ng binuo nilang pamilya pero mas makakabuti na daw ang nangyari dahil mas panatag na ang loob niya ngayon. Isa na lang kasi ang aalalalahanin  niya, at ito ay ang mabigyan ng magandang edukasyon ang mga anak. Ayaw niyang magaya ang mga ito sa kanya na hindi nakatapos sa kolehiyo dahil nag-asawa agad. Wala siyang tanging hiling ngayon kundi magabayan sila ng Panginoon para maging mabuting mag-aaral ang mga anak, at siya naman ay patuloy na maging malusog para patuloy na makapagtrabaho hanggang kinakailangan. Sa Hong Kong ay nililibang niya ang sarili sa pagsali sa grupo ng mga sumasayaw. Kahit paano kasi ay nawawala lahat ang kanyang hinanakit sa buhay tuwing sila ay sumasayaw na. Mababait naman ang mga amo niya sa kanya at hindi mabigat ang kanyang trabaho. Wala ring problema pagdating sa pagkain. Kung minsan ay parang naniniwala na tuloy siya na kung mabait ang mga amo ay problema naman ang dulot ng asawang iniwan sa Pilipinas. Si Joy ay 38 taong gulang na tubong Quirino province, at kasalukuyang naninilbihan sa mga among Intsik sa Tsing Yi. – Marites Palma

Common Sense

Halos 10 taon na si Cath sa mga among taga Mid-levels, pero tandang tanda pa niya nang dalhin siya ng among babae sa palengke para maging pamilyar siya sa lugar dahil kasama sa trabaho niya ang pamimili ng lulutuin araw-araw. Isang araw ay inutusan si Cath ng kanyang amo na bumili ng paboritong gulay ng kanyang alaga. “Auntie (tawag nito kay Cath), today you will buy the favorite vegetable of mui mui. You buy the small tree”. Hindi na naisip tanungin ni Cath kung ano ang talagang gustong pabili ng amo sa tinuran nitong “small tree” pero sumagot din siya agad ng “Yes, ma’am”. Pagdating niya sa palengke ay doon lang niya pinag-isipan ng husto kung ano ang gustong ipabili ng kanyang amo. Naikot niya ang palengke ng tatlong beses hanggang mamataan niya ang broccoli, at noon lang niya naisip na ito lang ang gulay na maihahalintulad sa maliit na punong kahoy. Agad niya itong binili at dali-daling umuwi na. Naabutan pa niya ang among babae sa kusina, na agad na tiningnan ang kanyang dala-dalang trolley, bago sinabi ang, “Auntie, how much the small tree? You are smart, auntie”. Napangiti na lang si Cath at pilit na pinigilan ang halakhak. Sa isip niya, mahirap ang magtrabaho kung hindi sila nagkakaintindihan ng amo, kaya sa bawat utos nito ay common sense na lang ang ginagamit niya. Sa paglipas ng panahon ay natuto na ring magsalita ng English ang kanyang amo, lalo na ang mga tamang salita para sa mga gulay, kaya mas gumaan na ang kanyang trabaho. Si Cathy ay tubong Ilocos Sur. – Regina de Andres

Jadine, Totohanan Na Ang Relasyon

Ni Ate Johna

Dumagundong ang Smart Araneta Coliseum sa lakas ng tilian ng mga fans nina James Reid at Nadine Lustre sa kanilang concert na JaDine Love Concert na ginanap noong February 20. Maaga pa lang ay mahaba na ang pila ng mga fans at diehard OTWOListas (masugid na tagasubaybay ng top rating “On the Wings of Love” TV series nina James at Nadine) na mga nagbabakasakaling makakuha pa ng tickets dahil sold out agad

Hindi nabigo ang mga fans dahil kinilig sila ng husto sa sa ka-sweetan ng kanilang mga idolo sa bawa’t number nila, lalo na sa bandang huli ng palabas, nang sabihan ni James si Nadine ng “I love you”.

Pagkatapos ng show ay na-interview ang dalawa, at inamin nila na magkarelasyon na sila mula pa noong February 11. Nag-I love you daw siya kay Nadine dahil talagang na-in love na siya sa kanyang ka-loveteam, na sinagot naman ni Nadine ng “I love you too”. Sinabi ng young actor na kahit lumaki siya sa Australia kaya sanay siya na madaling magka-girlfriend, si Nadine ay niligawan daw niya ng Pilipino style. Dinadalaw daw niya ito sa kanilang bahay at nagpaalam sa mga magulang ng dalaga bago niya ito napasagot.

Tila boto rin ang ama ni James kay Nadia dahil namataan pa ang aktres na yumakap dito pagkatapos ng concert. Nakita rin silang kasama nina James at Nadia na mag-dinner. Si James ay tila welcome din sa tahanan nina Nadia dahil minsan ay nakakasalo rin nilang kumain sa bahay ang binate.

Si James ay nanalo sa Pinoy Big Brother Teen edition noong 2010. Ang unang pelikulang pinagtambalan nila ni Nadine ay ang “Diary ng Panget” na naging box office hit kaya nabuo ang JaDine loveteam.  

Sa pagtatapos ng OTWOL, nakalinya na ang mga iba’t bansang pupuntahan ng JaDine para sa TFC channel. Inaasahan ni James na mas mag-eenjoy daw sila ni Nadine sa kanilang pamamasyal at trabaho ngayong wala na silang dapat itago.

MARIAN, BALIK- TRABAHO NA

Nahihirapan daw si Marian Rivera kapag iniiwan niya si baby Maria Letizia o baby Zia, ang panganay nila ni Dingdong Dantes lalo na’t nasanay siyang siya ang nagpapaligo at nag-aalaga dito, at bini-breastfeed pa rin niya ito. Pero dahil kailangan na niyang muling magtrabaho, tanging sa kanyang ina o lola niya lang ipinagkakatiwala ang anak. 

Bumalik na ang aktres sa “Sunday Pinasaya” bilang isa sa mga host nito, at nakalinya na rin ang kanyang iba pang projects sa Kapuso Network, kabilang na ang pagganap niya bilang Ynang Reyna sa remake ng “Encantadia”, na dating ginampanan ni Dawn Zulueta. Magkakaroon din sila ng talk show ni AiAi delas Alas.

Nagpapasalamat si Marian sa kanyang home network dahil hindi gaanong mabigat ang kanyang mga gagawin at may cut-off time siya dahil naiintindihan nila ang kanyang kagustuhang bigyan ng prayoridad ang kanyang pamilya, lalo na at maliit pa ang anak nila ni Dingdong.

Dahil nag-iisang anak, gusto ni Marian na madagdagan pa hanggang lima ang anak nila ni Dingdong, kahit aminadong nahirapan siya sa kanyang unang panganganak dahil 18 oras daw siyang nag-labor. Pero sa ngayon ay naka-focus muna siya kay Zia dahil ayaw niyang mapabayaan ang kanyang panganay kung sakaling mabuntis siya agad.

Tahimik at pribado ang binyag ni Zia noong February 14, Valentine’s Day, na ginanap sa simbahan ng St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori sa Makati City na dinaluhan ng kanilang pamilya, malalapit na kaibigan at mga ninang at ninong, kabilang na si Sen. Grace Poe. Ang pinili raw nilang mga ninang at ninong ay iyong mga inaasahan nilang magiging pangalawang magulang kay Zia kung wala sila ni Dingdong.  

ROCHELLE AT ARTHUR, ENGAGED NA

Magarbo ang ginawang paghahanda ng aktor na si Arthur Solinap para sa kanyang ginawang proposal sa kanyang matagal nang girlfriend na si Rochelle Pangilinan noong February 20.  Ginanap ang proposal sa Balay Indang Resort sa Cavite, kung saan daw sila unang nagkakilala nang magkasama sila sa dating show ng Sex Bomb Dancers na “Daisy Siete”.

Walang kamalay malay si Rochelle na naroon din ang kanilang mga magulang, kamag-anak, at malalapit na kaibigan, kabilang ang mga dating kasamahan ni Rochelle sa SexBomb Girls na sina Sunshine Garcia, Aira Bermudez, at Mia Pangyarihan. Naroon din ang mga Kapuso stars na sina Andrea Torres, Sef Cadayona, at kasamahan ni Arthur sa Pepito Manaloto na John Feir, Janna Victoria at Michael V na kasama ang kanyang misis na si Carol Bunagan.

Dumating din ang ilang executives ng GMA Network, at mga kasamahan nila sa PPL Entertainment Inc na sina Jolina Magdangal kasama ang asawang si Mark Escueta at kanilang anak, Angelika dela Cruz kasama ang kapatid na si Mika dela Cruz; Gabby Eigenmann at asawang si Apples; Max Collins; at ang pinsan ni Arthur na si Dingdong Dantes.

’Di ba lagi nating kinakanta yung ‘Ayaw Ko Tumanda?’ Ang totoo talaga no’n, ayaw ko tumanda na hindi ka kasama. Lagi nating sinasabi na okay lang lahat basta magkasama tayo?, ang bungad na tanong ni Arthur. Nagpapasalamat daw siya dahil dumating si Rochelle sa kanyang buhay, at siya na ang gusto niyang makasama habang buhay, sabay luhod at prisinta ng engagement ring, at tanong na “Will you marry me?”. Tuluyan nang napaiyak si Rochelle, at halos hindi makapagsalita at tango na lang ang naisagot niya sa nobyo. Habang ginaganap ang proposal ay may singer ding umawit ng kanilang mga  paboritong awitin, at pagkatapos maisuot ang singsing ay sinimulan ang fireworks display.   

GLORIA, AYAW PANG MAG-ASAWA SI BELLE

Kung siya ang masusunod, ayaw pa sanang payagan ni Gloria Diaz na magpakasal ang kanyang anak na si Isabelle Daza. Twenty seven pa lang daw si Belle, at pwede pang maghintay ng tatlong taon bago ito magpakasal. Siya daw kasi ay 36 years old na nang mag-asawa, pero nagkaanak pa naman siya, si Belle at ang kapatid na si Ava.

Pero para kay Belle, ito na ang tamang panahon na magpakasal sila ng kanyang boyfriend na si Adrien Semblat, isang French at country manager ng Adidas Philippines, dahil halos pitong taon na ang kanilang relasyon. Sa KrisTV ay inilahad ni Belle ang love story nila ni Adrien, na kasama ring nag-guest sa show. Magkasundo raw sila sa maraming bagay, lalo na ang pagkahilig nila sa sports at travel. Marami na rin silang lugar na napuntahan at isinama na ng binata si Belle magbakasyon sa France para makilala ang pamilya nito.

Sa Tuscany, Italy, gaganapin ang kasal ng dalawa, bago matapos ang taong ito. Pamilya at ilang kaibigan lang daw ang dadalo sa kanilang Catholic church wedding. Ang magkakasal sa kanila ay isang tiyuhing pari ni Belle.  Kahit mag-aasawa na, ipagpapatuloy pa rin ni Belle ang kanyang showbiz career, lalo na nasa Pilipinas pa rin ang trabaho ng trabaho ng kanyang magiging asawa.

Samantala, ang barkada ni Belle na tinaguriang IT Girls na sina Solenn Heussaff, Anne Curtis at pinsan niyang si Georgina Wilson ay sunod sunod na ring magpapakasal. Nauna na si Solenn na nagkaroon ng “celebration union” sa Argentina sa kanyang boyfriend (o asawa na?) na si Nico Bolzico. Si Georgina ay nakatakda na ring magpakasal sa London sa April, sa kanyang boyfriend na si Arthur Burnand.

Sino’ng Iboboto Mo?

Mahigit dalawang buwan na lang ay magkakaroon na naman tayo ng pagkakataong pumili ng susunod na pangulo ng ating bansa, sa ika-9 ng Mayo. Para sa mga Pilipinong taga-Hong Kong, ang halalan ay magsisimula isang buwan bago pa ang petsang ito.

Mayroon nang nag-iingay sa ating komunidad na iboto si ganito at ganoong kandidato. May mga kandidato nang bumisita sa atin. Mga kilalang tao, kabilang ang ilang artista, ang dumating na para ikampanya ang kani-kanilang kandidato. At mayroon nang kumakalat na mga kilusan upang ipunin ang mga taong maari nilang pagkunan ng suporta at boto sa itinakdang panahon.

Sa lahat ng ito, ang dapat nating gawin ay maging mapanuri. Tandaan lang ang tatlong bagay kapag pumipili ng dapat ihalal.

Una, lahat ng naririnig natin mula sa mga kandidato ay pawang mga pangako lamang. Pangakong maaring matupad, pangakong maaaring mapako. 

Ang pag-aninaw ng mga ito ay hindi na bago para sa mga may lahing ligawin. Sa pagdadalaga nila, nakaririnig sila ng lahat ng klase ng pangako. Papaano nila nalalaman kung, gaya ng siopao, ito ay espesyal o bola-bola lang?

Simple lang. Tingnan kung ang pangako nila ngayon ay gaya rin ng pangako nila kahapon, kamakalawa, noong isang linggo o nakaraang buwan. Maraming kandidato  ay nangangako ng kung anu-ano, kaya minsan ang pangako sa isang grupo ay laban sa naipangako na sa nakaraang grupo. 

Pangalawa, usisain ang mga nagawa na ng kandidato, lalo na ang mga may mahabang serbisyo sa pamahalaan. Nagpakita bang lider sila? May mga ginawa ba sila na nagpabuti sa kalagayan ng bansa natin? Hindi natin kailangan ang mga umaangkin lamang ng pambihirang nagawa, na hindi naman pala totoo. Magbasa (kahit sa FB), makinig, maging mapanuri, at huwag basta maniwala.

Pangatlo, usisain kung malinis ang pagkatao nila, dahil dito manggagaling ang lahat ng magagawa nila kapag nasa puwesto na. Kung abusado at magnanakaw sila noon pa, bakit ka pa papayag na gawin nila ito sa antas na pambansa? 

Tandaan: nakasalalay ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa— ng ating mga anak— sa iisang boto mo. Huwag sayangin.

Adibay Ni Ivadoy Marks 2nd year

By: Marites Palma

Unmindful of the day’s cold weather, members of the Adibay ni Ivadoy Shiya Hong Kong, gathered at Pier 10 Open Park in Central to mark the second anniversary of their founding.

Adibay Ni Ivadoy Marks 2nd year

The celebration which focused on peace and unity, was made special by Rep. Ronald Cosalan (lone district of Benguet) who handed a complete set of gongs to the group as a gift.

Another special guest was Fr. John Pardou Umaking from the Diocese of Baguio who officiated at the mass at the start of the event.

The Ibaloi or Ivadoy Day is celebrated every 23rd of February in Baguio City, to commemorate the day when the US Supreme Court handed to the Ivador or Ibaloi people the titles to their ancestral land.

As in their hometown, the Adivay group did the Bendiyan dance, which is performed in a circular motion with synchronized movements of arms and body, and with the music coming from a set of gongs.

In his speech, Cosalan reported on improvements of the government’s farm-to-market road, which brought convenience to the farmers and generated more income for them because of the reduction in the cost of production and marketing.

He said the improved roads also resulted in more tourists visiting beautiful spots located in remote areas of Benguet. He encouraged everyone to visit the tourist spots, as these are now easily accessible to them. – Marites Palma

Congressman Ronald Cosalan turns over gongs to the group president Caridad Juanitas. Looking on are, among others, Mrs Çara Cosalan and Fr. John Umaking.