Community Announcements: April 1, 2016

The Philippine Consulate General will be closed on April 4 for the Ching Ming Festival. For any emergencies on this day, please call the following hotlines: 9155 4023 (Consular Assistance), 5529 1880 (Philippine Overseas Labor Office), 6345 9324 (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration)

Overseas Voting Starts April 9
Monday to Saturday: 9am -- 5pm; Sunday, 8am – 5pm
Ends May 9 (Voting is from 8am—7pm)
Venue: Bayanihan Centre, Kennedy Town,. Please bring any of the following: HKID, Philippine passport, OR Voter’s ID

Kapangyawan Friendship Festival 2016 ‘Sayaw Pinoy’ Auditions
Auditions will be held on the following dates at the Philippine Consulate General for cultural groups that have signed up for the “Sayaw Pinoy” performance in the Kapangyawan Friendship Festival 2016 as part of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations on June 12. May 8 (Sunday), 5pm to 7pm – Cordillera and Maria Clara Suites; May 15 (Sunday), 5pm to 6:30pm – Muslim and Rural Suites. For more information, please emailthe PCG Cultural Section via: cultural_hk@yahoo.com with subject line: SayawPinoy  

Free art lessons
The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR will hold the final session of its art workshop titled: “Ma-ART-Eh!” being conducted by members of the Pintura Circle. Intended for household service workers in Hong Kong, the last workshop session, Oil Pastel, will be held at the PCG Conference Room on Sunday, Apr 3. For information, please call the PCG Cultural Section, 2823 8537.

Have your association’s upcoming activities published here. IT’S FREE! Call Tel. 2544-6536 during office hours.

The SUN Calendar, April 1, 2016

Grand RoRo HK Campaign Rally

Apr 3, 9am-6pm,Edinburgh Place and Chater Road, Central
Organizer: Roxas-Robredo 2016 HK Chapter. Special guests: Cong. Leni Robredo and Ms Korina Sanchez-Roxas. Wear yellow! Be there!

Grand Rally for Mayor Duterte
Apr 3, -am - 6pm, Beside General Post Office, Central. Organizer: Alliance of Duterte Supporters. With special guests

Luzon Cultural Presentation
(and Search for Mutya ng Luzon and Ginang Luzon 2016)
Apr 3, 9am, Chater Road, Central. Guest speaker: Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre. Special guest: Ms. Korina Sanchez-Roxas
Organizer: Luzon Global Alliance International

Federation of Luzon Active Groups festival
April 10, 11am-7pm, Stanley Community Hall, Stanley, Hong Kong.
Federation of Luzon Active Groups (FLAG) will hold Luzon Festival 2016, Search of Mutya ng Luzon and induction of officers.
Contact person: Faye @ 5181 0927

The Cultures and Colors of HOPE 2016
April 10, 2:00 to 5:00 pm, Chater Road, Central
International Social Service Hong Kong Branch’s HOPE Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities presents “The Cultures and Colors of HOPE 2016”, invites the public to an afternoon of songs, dances, demonstrations, and various booth activities for children, families, organizations, and service users. Contact: Ms. Aisha Ifitkar or Ms. Seema at telephone number 2836 3598 during office hours or by email at ethnic_centre@isshk.org.

PGBI GLOBE HK Chapter 2nd Anniversary
Apr 10, 10am-6pm, Tin Hau Park, at he back of the Tin Hau Fire Station, Hong Kong.  Contact person: Sonia Indunan @ 5106 1781

7th AlDub Meet and Greet
Apr 10, 1pm – 7pm, Tamar Park, Central. Black official t-shirts will be distributed. Organizer: Official AlDub/MaiDen HK Chapter
Contact: @ofcaldub_hk

Salvador Ching’s Workshops, Art of Printmaking
Apr 23, 10am – 3pm. and Apr 24, 10am-1pm. Visual Arts Centre, 7A Kennedy Road, MidLevels, HK. Fee of $500 includes art materials. Only 15 places available. (free to first 12 OFWs who will register, inclusive of materials) Organizer: Pintura Circle. Reserve your place for either workshop with pinturacircle@gmail.com

Sunday Basic Cantonese
May 8 – Aug 21, 10am—1pm (total: 50- hours), Apr 23, 10am – 3pm. and Apr 24, 10am-1pm. Open to all ethnic minorities with HKID. Fee: $100 per head for materials (CSSA recipient: HK$50) Inquiries: 2147 5988

Ifugao Association Hong Kong Chapter sportsfest 
April 17.  Venue: Repulse Bay Beach.
Contact person: Clarissa Talangge @ mobile #6677 2915.

Stretch Therapy DIY (by female Chinese registered practitioner)
Mar 20-April 17 (5 Sundays), 11:30am—12:30pm, Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, 28-A Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong. A fee of $150 for 5 hours of lessons (bring yoga mats). Open to all foreign domestic helpers. To book your place, call 2147-5988

ICM Annual Banquet
Oct 24, 6pm onwards, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai. This is an annual fundraising for the “poorest of the poor” in the Philippines. Table prices with 12 persons each range from $30,000 to $100,000. For more information or any questions, please email banquet@caremin.com or call +852 2548 9038.

FILM REVIEW: A Look at ‘Heneral Luna’

By William Elvin

Despite its bleak presentation and heavy subject matter, Jerrold Tarog’s ‘Heneral Luna’, has been a ray of hope for quality filmmaking in the Philippines. With the Filipino masses conditioned to flock to simplistic and mostly inane Pinoy blockbusters of recent years, ‘Heneral Luna’ was pulled out of most theaters after a week of screening in September of 2015, only to be revived following a loud social media clamor that resulted in packed cinemas.
The big online word-of-mouth campaign for the film had perhaps forced a number of Filipino moviegoers to take a cold, hard look in the mirror.
By viewing Tarog’s historical epic, important questions about the nation and our current state are raised. In fact, within the first few minutes, Gen. Antonio Luna (John Arcilla), being interviewed by fictional journalist Joven Hernando (Aaron Villaflor), is already spewing out one of the many powerful lines in the film:
“Malaking trabaho ang ipagkaisa ang bansang watak-watak"
Heneral Luna says this against a clean, bright, and proud Philippine flag at the back.
The film’s action takes off with a chaotic exchange among revolutionaries about Americans’ intentions to our motherland, with each voice having its own personal agenda.
Luna, with his militaristic viewpoint, believes it is necessary to build a strong army to defend against American forces. Politician Pedro Paterno (Leo Martinez) and his cohorts are willing to form an alliance with America, admitting that doing so will protect their businesses and feed their families. Caught in the middle of the argument is a seemingly indecisive President Emilio Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado), advised by Apolinario Mabini (Epi Quizon). The uncertainty of military support from the President prompts Luna to build his own force, making lots of enemies in the process.
Most of Luna’s adventures are recorded by the journalist Joven. When we go back to his interview with the General, we find the Philippine flag in the background stained and crumpled.
The episodes of bravery and nationalistic passion all lead to the historically honest depiction of Luna’s violent death at the hands of Capt. Pedro Janolino (Ketchup Eusebio) and some soldiers of the Kawit Battalion.
A conspiracy between President Aguinaldo and Luna’s political enemies Pedro Paterno, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Felipe Buencamino (Noni Buencamino), and General Tomas Mascardo (Lorenz Martinez) is implied to have triggered the assassination, but is vehemently denied by Buencamino and Aguinaldo towards the end of the film.
At this point in the movie, blood and dirt now stain the crumpled flag. It is now being used as the backdrop to American Generals Douglas McArthur (Miguel Faustmann) and Elwell Otis (Ed Rocha), as they sneer to the audience for “killing the only real General we ever had.” In its final moment, the Philippine flag is shown being consumed by fire.
Luna, much like the flag, serves as a symbol of national solidarity in this film. He criticizes the Filipinos for being territorial, and for putting their geographical and/or familial loyalty and allegiance ahead of seeing the bigger picture and thinking as one nation.
This tribalism- a misplaced sense of belonging - caused infighting among the very people who were supposed to be the vanguards of  the hard-fought independence from  Spanish rule.
In one scene, Luna says that this very trait is proof that Filipinos are still not ready to be rulers of their own nation. This political infighting, fueled by Aguinaldo's indecisiveness, lead to Luna’s downfall. The filmmakers call for solidarity and unity for Filipinos as a nation, lest we are all to blame for the death of Antonio Luna and the eventual consumption of our nation by fire.
The movie’s effectiveness relies heavily on John Arcilla’s consistently nuanced Antonio Luna. While many of his co-actors struggle to make the screenplay’s language work, Arcilla breezes through each line. Outside of Arcilla’s performance, the most noteworthy moment in the film is Nonie Buencamino’s chilling monologue after Luna’s assassination.
Though the episodic structure of the film has caused it to drag and slow down at times, Jerrold Tarog’s well-researched artistic and consistent tedecisions remained consistent from start to finish. The cinematography (Pong Ignacio) and production design (Benjamin Padero, Carlo Tabije)  is well-utilized in setting the tone and colors, culminating in a brilliant reference to Juan Luna’s ‘Spoliarium’ after Gen. Luna’s murder.
It is worth noting that Tarog also edited the film, and composed its music score as well.
The lines and dialogue may often sound contrived and unnatural, though it is not the script’s fault. Screenwriters Henry Francia, E.A. Rocha, and Tarog have tried their best to write an easily understandable script that sounded elegant and poetic, if only all of the actors were able to deliver it as well as Arcilla, Noni Buencamino, and Leo Martinez did.
The strongest point of this film is that its nationalistic message is never over-simplified. While it celebrates Luna as an icon, it also presents him as a flawed hero. He is often cruel and violent, pushed by his passion to have everyone agreeing to his militaristic viewpoint. There is no preaching in the film. It merely presents the story and the ideas these characters represent. It is - just like how good art should be - giving the viewers the responsibility to search for the truth, and the answer to the questions given.
“Mas madali pang pagkasunduin ang langit at lupa kaysa dalawang Pilipino sa kahit na anong bagay.”
The film makes us focus on our country's current social problems. To find the solutions, we must open not only our history books, but our eyes, ears, and hearts as well. More than its cinematic achievements, ‘Heneral Luna’ deserves to be praised for calling out these issues and making us face them.
The University of the Philippines Alumni Association  Hong Kong chapter organized a screening of ‘Heneral Luna’ at the Consulate on March 5 and 6.

Sarah, nakisaya sa pamilya ni Matteo

By Johna Acompanado

Tila binibigyan na ng laya ng kanyang mga magulang si Sarah Geronimo na gumawa ng sariling desisyon at hindi na ito bantay sarado sa kanyang mga lakad at trabaho. Noong Sabado de Gloria ay nagtungo ito sa Cebu ng walang kasama upang makapiling ang kanyang boyfriend na si Matteo Guidicelli na nagdiwang ng kanyang ika-26 kaarawan sa kanilang hometown sa Cebu. Batay sa mga nai-post na mga larawan, mukhang naging mainit ang pagtanggap kay Sarah ng pamilya ni Matteo dahil may mga kuha na naka-akbay ang ina ni Matteo sa kanya.
Unti-unti na ring nago-open up si Sarah tungkol sa kanyang mga plano, gaya ng pagla-lie low sa showbiz upang balikan ang kanyang pag-aaral. Ngayong napagtapos na niya sa pag-aaral ang lahat ang kanyang mga kapatid, nais niyang bigyan na ng oras ang sarili upang gawin ang kanyang gusto. Naumpisahan na niya ang kolehiyo sa UP Open University, pero napilitan siyang tumigil noon dahil sa patong-patong na projects sa TV, pelikula, concert at show sa iba’t ibang lugar.
Sa ngayon ay regular na namang napapanood si Sarah sa ASAP tuwing Linggo, at kapansin-pansin ang pagiging masayahin niya ngayon. Ibinalita pa niya sa mga co-host niya sa ASAP na nag-aaral na siyang mag-drive kaya panay ang tukso sa kanya nina John Lloyd Cruz, Toni Gonzaga, Piolo Pascual at Luis Manzano na dalaga na siya.
May balita na hindi na siya babalik bilang coach sa sisimulang pangatlong edisyon ng The Voice Kids ng ABS CBN. Ang kanyang mga naging kasamahan na sina Lea Salonga at Bamboo Manalac ay kumpirmado nang muling magbabalik,  at nagpahayag din si Lea na naiintindihan daw niya si Sarah kung anuman ang maging desisyon nito.
Sa edad na 27, nasa tamang edad na si Sarah para mag-asawa, at mukhang seryoso na ang kanilang relasyon ni Matteo. Kaya ang hula ng marami ay baka pinagpaplanuhan na nila ang pagpapakasal. Bilang tanda ng kanyang pagiging independent, balitang bumukod na ng tirahan si Sarah, at nakatira na ngayon sa isang condominium unit.
Si Matteo ang unang seryosong relasyon ni Sarah, pagkatapos ng maikling relasyon nila ni Rayver Cruz. Na-link din siya sa kanyang mga naging leading men na sina Gerald Anderson at John Lloyd Cruz, pero naudlot ang mga ito. Naging girlfriend naman ni Matteo si Maja Salvador at na-link din siya kay Jessy Mendiola.

BAKASYON SA SEMANA SANTA
Sinamantala ng mga artista ang mahabang bakasyon noong Mahal na Araw, kung saan ay tigil lahat ang trabaho, kaya nakapagbakasyon sila kasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. .
Sa Busuanga, Palawan napiling magbakasyon ng mag-asawang Dingdong Dantes at Marian Rivera, kasama ang kanilang anak na si Baby Letizia. Umani ng napakaraming likes sa Facebook ang larawan ni Baby Zia na nakangiti at tila nagsa-sun bathing, at ang kay Marian na naka-bikini, na mukhang lalong naging sexy, at hindi halatang nanganak na.
Si Derek Ramsey ay sa Palawan din nagbakasyon, kasama ang girlfriend, samantalang sina Jennylyn Mercado at Dennis Trillo ay nag-scuba diving sa Anilao, Batangas, at si Maine Mendoza ay nag-beach din sa Pico de Loro sa Batangas. Si Solenn Heusaff ay kinatuwaan ang mga giraffe sa Coron Palawan, kung saan siya nag-taping din para sa kanyang TV show. Sina Kathryn Bernardo ay nagdiwang ng kanyang 20th birthday sa Balesin beach resort, at siyempre, kasama niyang nagdiwang ang kanyang ka-loveteam na si Daniel Padilla at ilang malalapit na kaibigan. Ang pamilya Kramer (mag-asawang Bianca Garcia at Doug Kramer at kanilang tatlong cute na mga anak) ay sa Bohol nagpalipas ng Mahal na Araw.
Ang newly weds na sina Vic Sotto at Pauleen Luna ay nagbakasyon sa San Francisco sa Amerika, kasama ang ilang kaibigan at kamag-anak. Doon din nagbakasyon ang magkasintahang sina Billy Crawford at Colleen Garcia, samantalang si Vice Ganda, kasama ang ilang kamag-anak ay sinorpresa ang kanyang ina sa Los Angeles. Nagkita-kita rin sina Vice, Karylle at Iza Calzado doon upang manood ng concert ni Justin Bieber. Ang grupo naman nina Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby at Pokwang ay nagtungo sa LA para sa isang show.
Ang sikat na mga lola ng Eat Bulaga na sina Lola Nidora (Wally Bayola), Lola Tidora (Paolo Ballesteros) at Lola Tinidora (Jose Manalo) ay sinamantala ang break sa Eat Bulaga upang mag-show sa Amerika, na pinamagatang “The Lolas of Kalyeserye Visit California”. Nakasama rin nila sina Ai-Ai delas Alas bilang Lola Babah at ang Kapuso loveteam nina Andre Paras at Barbie Forteza sa ginanap na shows sa San Francisco, Los Angeles, at San Diego. Sinamantala na rin ni Paolo ang pagpunta roon at ang kanyang extended na bakasyon dahil suspendido siya ng anim na buwan sa Eat Bulaga, upang mabisita ang kanyang anak na naninirahan na sa Amerika, kasama ang ina nito.
Ang magkatipang sina James Reid at Nadine Lustre ay nag-show sa  London bilang bahagi ng kanilang World Tour concerts bago bumalik sa Pilipinas para i-promote ang kanilang bagong pelikula. Naging memorable kay James ang kanilang show doon dahil nanood ang kanyang ina, na bagamat isang Pilipina at naninirahan na doon at matagal niyang hindi nakapiling.
Dito sa Hong Kong ay namataan sa mga art exhibit (Art Central at Art Basel) sina John Lloyd Cruz ( na nahihilig sa art collection ngayon); Ruffa Gutierrez, kasama ang kanyang mga anak at boyfriend; Gretchen Baretto; at ang mag-asawang Aga Muhlach at Charlene Gonzales na balitang art dealers na rin. Si Angelica Panganiban ay nasa HK din pero agad na itinanggi ng ilang malalapit sa kanila na magkasama sila ni John Lloyd, o may balikang nangyari.

IYA, BUNTIS NA; CHYNNA, MALAPIT NANG MANGANAK
Masayang ibinalita sa social media noong Easter Sunday ng mag-asawang Drew Arellano at Iya Villania na buntis na si Iya. Sa kanyang Instagram account, ibinahagi ni Drew ang larawan nilang mag-asawa kung saan si Iya ay may malaking drawing ng easter egg sa kanyang tiyan,  at may caption na “I found an EGG... and FERTILIZED it! Hahahahaha! Wohoooooooo! Happy Easter it is!”. Sampung taon silang naging magkasintahan bago sila ikinasal noong 2014.
Sa kabila ng tila napaka-moderna niyang anyo at pananalita, bukod pa sa lumaki siya sa Australia, inamin ni Iya  na certified virgin daw siya bago ikinasal, kaya sigurado siyang mahal siya ni Drew dahil iginalang nito ang kanyang kagustuhan, at nagtiyagang maghintay.
Ipinagtangggol din ni Iya ang matalik na kaibigang si Nikki Gil na kagaya din niya ang paniniwala dahil parang si Nikki pa ang ang nasisi nang mag-break sila ng boyfriend niya noong si Billy Crawford matapos ang limang taong relasyon. Ayon kay Iya, kanya-kanyang values lang ito, at hindi nila kailanman minamaliit ang iba na naniniwala sa pre-marital sex.  
Samantala, ang Kapuso actress na si Chynna Ortaleza ay balitang malapit nang magsilang sa panganay nila ng asawang si Kean Cipriano. Kapwa tikom ang bibig ng dalawa at ayaw magbigay ng detalye sa kalagayan ni Chynna. Ang pinanghihi-nayangan lang daw ni Kean ay hindi na makikita ng kanyang ama ang magiging apo nito dahil sa biglaang pagpanaw nito kamakailan.

REGINE, BALIK ARTE
Matagal ding napahinga sa pag-arte si Regine Velasquez mula nang mabuntis at ipanganak ang anak nila ni Ogie Acasid na si Nate. Ngayon ay muli siyang napapanood sa prime time sa TV series na Poor Senorita na nagsimula  noong March 28.
Excited, pero nanibago at kinabahan si Regine sa muli niyang pagsabak sa pag-arte, pero masaya siya na ang kanilang show ay isang feel good, romantic comedy series na para sa buong pamilya. Makakapareha niya si Mikael Daez, at kasama rin sina Sheena Halili, Valeen Montenegro, Miggs Cuaderno, Jillian Ward, Jaya, Kevin Santos, Zymic Jaranilla, at si Snooky Serna. Si Dominic Zapata ang direktor.
Puring puri ni Direk Dominic si Regine dahil kahit limang taon na itong hindi lumabas sa mga TV series ay mahusay pa rin daw ito. Ang Poor Senorita ang pangatlong TV series na pagsasamahan nila ni Regine. Nagkasama na sila noon sa “Ako si Kim Samsoon” (2008), at “Diva” (2010).
Ang huling TV series na ginawa ni Regine bago ang “Poor Senorita” ay ang “I Heart You, Pare”, katambal si Dingdong Dantes, pero hindi niya ito natapos dahil kinailangan niyang magpahinga dahil sa kayang maselang pagbubuntis. Si Iza Calzado ang tumapos sa role na ginampanan niya.

First kiss

Boy:  ’Tay, pinapagalitan ako ng titser ko.
Tatay:  Bakit daw anak?
Boy:  Kasi po, hinalikan ko ’yung seatmate ko!
Tatay (napangiti):  Itong anak ko talagang ito, manang-mana sa akin. ’Wag mo dibdibin ang teacher mo ako na ang bahalang magpaliwanag. ’Di niya siguro naiintindihan nagbibinata ka. Eh, ano pakiramdam anak, masarap ba naman?
Boy:    Ah, eh..
Tatay:  ’Wag ka na mahiya sa ’kin. Tatay mo ’ko. Ano, masarap ba ’yung pakiramdam?
Boy:  Opo ’tay. Super sarap! Ang pogi kasi ng seatmate ko, grabeh! Hayyyy….— Joseph Bautista

Duguan
Tatay: Naku anak! .. dumudugo ang daliri mo! (sabay sipsip sa daliri ni Boy) Napano ka ba? Bakit ka nagkasugat?
Boy: Tiniris ko lang po yung garapata ng aso natin ... —Winer Aguilar

Genie
Isang mag-asawa ang naglalaro ng golf. Nang mag-“drive” ang lalaki, nagkamali siya ang tama at lumipad ang bola niya papunta sa kalapit na bahay. Narinig nila ang tunog ng nabasag na pintong salamin.
“Dapat ay himingi ka ng paumanhin sa may-ari ng bahay,” ika ng babae sa asawa.
Nagpunta ang dalawa sa bahay at kumatok. Nang walang magbukas, pumasok ang mag-asawa sa nabasag na pinto at nakita ang bola at ang isang flower vase na nabasag din.
Nagulat sila nang isang lalaki ang nagpakita. Hihingi na sana ng paumanhin si Mister nang sumagot ang lalaki: “Ako ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo. Ako’y isang genie at pinalaya ninyo ako matapos ng isang libong taong pagkakakulong sa flower vase na iyan. May tatlong wish na puwede kong pagbigyan. Bibigyan ko si Mister ng isa, at isa rin kay Misis. Ang pangatlo ay sa akin. Ikaw, Mister, ano ang wish mo?”
Mister: Gusto ko ng sampung milyong piso.
Genie: Nasunod na po. Nasa bangko na ninyo ang sampung milyong piso.
Misis: Ako naman, gusto ko ng bahay sa Forbes Park.
Genie: Masusunod din po ang inyong kahilingan. Ngayon, para sa aking wish, gusto ko naman na makasiping si misis.
Dahil sa malaking halagang ibinigay niya sa kanila, pumayag si Mister.
Pagkatapos ng pagsisiping, sinabi ng Misis kay Genie: “Ewan ko ba kung bakit pumayag ang mister ko na makipagtalik sa iyo.”
Sagot hi Genie: “Ewan ko rin kung bakit may mga tao pa ring naniniwala sa genie.”

For the period April 1-15, 2016

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Maraming oras ang kailangang gugulin sa trabaho sa darating na mga araw at maaring malagay sa alanganin ang relasyon sa mga mahal sa buhay. Maaring mabigo sa pag-ibig ngunit sa lalong madaling panahon ay makakahanap din ng mas karapat-dapat  lalo na kung laging positibo ang pananaw. Matinding pagod ang mararamdaman kaya maglaan ng sapat na oras sa pahinga para mabawi ang nawalang lakas.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Iwasang matali sa responsibilidad lalo na kung hindi bukal sa loob ang ginagawa. Pag-aralang mabuti ang sitwasyon bago sumabak sa labanan upang hindi mapahamak. Mag-ingat sa mga taong mahilig manlamang sa kapwa, o sa mapagsamantala. Kilalanin nang husto ang mga kaibigan dahil malaking iskandalo ang idudulot ng maling pagtitiwala kung sakali.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Magkakaroon ng hindi inaasahang  pagbabago at maaring hindi lubos na maunawaan kung bakit ito kailangang mangyari, pero huwag mag-alala dahil maganda ang resultang kaakibat nito.   Dismayado sa ipinapakitang pag-uugali ng mga anak pero kailangang ipakita sa mga bata na kayang kontrolin ang sitwasyon. May problema sa sikmura kaya iwasan ang mamantikang pagkain, pati kape at alak.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Maraming oportunidad ang darating sa mga susunod na araw at kailangang pag-isipang mabuti ang hakbang na gagawin.   Panahon na para talikuran ang mga nakasanayang gawi sa trabaho at sanayin ang sarili sa kumpetensiya para maabot ang tagumpay. Unti-unting magkakaroon ang katuparan ang mga pangarap, pati na rin sa pag-ibig.
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 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Mahigpit ang pangangailangan sa pera kaya sikaping magtipid ng husto at huwag gumastos sa mga bagay na hindi kailangan. Maaring mauwi sa pagtatalo ang talakayan sa pagitan ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya. Huwag hayaang matali ang sarili sa relasyon na walang patutunguhan. Sa mga walang asawa, maaring makilala ang taong magpapatibok sa puso.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Magkakaroon ng malaking pagbabago sa buhay dala ng magandang takbo ng negosyo. Sa mga mag-asawa, maglaan ng panahon para seryosong pag-usapan ang plano sa buhay upang malinaw ang patutunguhan ng relasyon. Kung kailangang gumawa ng agarang desisyon, pag-aralang mabuti ang hakbang upang hindi mapahamak. Matinding pananakit ng ulo ang mararanasan kaya iwasan ang mataong lugar o magulong paligid.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Maganda ang pasok ng pera sa linggong ito kaya maaring bilhin ang bagay na matagal nang inaasam. Matinding panghihina ang mararamdaman at makakatulong nang husto ang bakasyon sa tahimik at maaliwalas na lugar. Makikilala na sa wakas ang taong magbibigay o magpupuno ng iyong kaligayahan. Tatambad ang maraming  oportunidad sa trabaho kaya samantalahin ang bawat pagkakataon para  ipamalas ang kakayahan.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Malaking problema sa pera ang haharapin sa linggong ito pero kung malaki ang impok sa bangko ay makakatulong ito nang husto. Maglaan ng oras sa pamilya gaano man kaabala sa trabaho at iba pang bagay. Maaring masira ang iniingatang reputasyon sa trabaho kung sakaling magkamali pero kailangang sumugal para lalo pang makilala ang kakayahan. Mag-ingat sa patibong ng mga kasamahan sa trabaho.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Isang pambihirang pagkakataon ang susuungin at kailangang gumawa ng desisyon na base  sa intuwisyon at sentido kumon. Panatilihing masaya ang disposisyon sa buhay kahit maraming problema na dapat harapin. Sa mga mag-asawa, punan ng pang-unawa ang nakikitang pagkukulang ng bawat isa. Asikasuhing mabuti ang pangangailangan ng anak.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Makakatulong ng husto ang lakas ng loob upang maiwasan ang matinding pagkakamali. Malaki ang pangangailangan sa pera pero laging isipin na hindi solusyon ang pagkapit sa patalim.. Makakakuha ng positibong tugon kung magpapamalas ng tunay na pagkagiliw sa taong napupusuan.  Sa lahat ng panahaon ay sikaping laging may oras na nakalaan para sa pamilya.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Maaring magkakaroon ng malaking problema lalo na kung hindi mag-seseryoso sa buhay. Panatilihin ang depensa sa sarili sa loob ng trabaho dahil sa bawat tagumpay ay nadadagdagan din ang mga kaaway. Walang problema sa kalusugan pero huwag magpabaya para manatiling masigla ang isip at katawan. Matiwasay ang sitwasyon sa loob ng tahanan.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Manunumbalik ang lakas mula sa hindi maipaliwanag na pananamlay kaya kailangan ibaon na sa limot ang masamang alaala. Huwag magpadala sa silakbo ng damdamin lalo na kung kailangang gumawa ng importanteng desisyon. May malaking problema sa loob ng tahanan kaya huwag magpakita ng paghihina para hindi maapektuhan ang buong pamilya.

Chinese Horoscope

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Bigyan ng importansya ang sariling kapakanan dahil naabuso ka na ikaw lagi ang inaasahang kumilos sa lahat ng bagay. Kahit piliting mag-relax, hindi ka mapapalagay dahil sa dami ng iniisip. Marami sa isinilang sa taon ng unggoy ay mas pinipili ang huwag mag-asawa, pero kung mahahanap ang taong makakasundo at suportado ka sa iyong gusto, huwag nang pakawalan ito. Lucky numbers: 17,19,20 at 23.
44.
TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Magkakaroon ng kumpiyansa sa sarili at makakaasa ka rin ng tulong sa mga kaibigan kung kinakailangan. Sumali o manood ng laro o sport na gusto mo: makakatulong ito na mabago ang iyong pananaw. Kahit iniiwasang isipin, mababahala ka rin sa pabalik-balik na problema sa pamilya. Harapin ito nang husto upang matapos na. Magulo ang love life at titindi ang away dahil sa panloloko. Lucky numbers: 1,25,33 at 45.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Kung negatibo ang pag-iisip, o ayaw mong maging aktibo sa anumang bagay o wala kang interes sa iyong paligid, kumilos ka agad dahil baka senyales ito ng nervous breakdown. Dahil dito, ang nararamdamang mga sakit sa katawan ay nasa isip mo lang. Ang labis na pag-aalala at kalungkutan ang maaaring sanhi nito. Hanapin ang lunas na ikatatahimik ng kalooban at gaganda ang pakiramdam. Lucky numbers: 11, 36, 39 at 40.
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BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Ganado at malilibang ka ngayon, pero dahil hindi nakatuon ang atensyon sa mahahalagang bagay, hindi maayos ang pagde-desisyon mo. Malaki ang tsansa na umangat ka ng husto sa iyong trabaho, at ito ay hindi lang dahil sa iyong talento, kundi sa pagiging mababa ang loob, kaya iwasan ang pagyayabang! Dahil sa iyong sense of humor ay madali kang makikibagay sa lahat ng tao, sa loob at labas ng trabaho. Lucky numbers: 21, 28, 37 at 41.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Maiirita ka sa sari-saring bagay na nangyayari sa paligid mo, lalo na kung sa bahay ka nagta-trabaho. Sa kabila nito, magiging masaya ang love life: kung ikaw ay single, mai-in love ka na ngayon, at kung may asawa, magkakaroon kayo ng maliligayang sandali. Mag-ingat sa manloloko, lalo na sa nagpapanggap na nag-aayos ng mga sirang bagay. Lucky numbers: 16, 22, 39 at 40.
 39.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Hindi inaasahan, maaakit ka sa taong ibang-iba sa iyo, na alam mong hindi nababagay sa iyo, pero mahihirapan kang labanan ang nararamdaman. Magiging mainipin ka kaya agad mong susunggaban ang mga bagay na iaalok sa iyo, para lang may pagkaabalahan. Mag-ingat na magpakita ng kahit konting pagmamalabis dahil pagmumulan ito ng away. Dapat maagapan agad ang problema sa pamilya upang makapag-isip ng maayos bago dumating ang problema naman sa trabaho. Lucky numbers: 12, 19, 28 at 31.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Hihina ang iyong resistensya dahil sa labis na tensyon at nerbiyos na nararamdaman. May magandang oportunidad na darating, kailangang lang na banatin ng husto ang kamay upang maabot ito. Magpakita ng tapang na harapin ang problema, lalo na sa tahanan, sa halip na hayaang manaig ang ilusyon laban sa realidad. Lucky numbers: 11, 25, 37 at 40.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Kung may anak, mas lalo kang mapapalapit sa kanila ngayon, makukuha mo ang tiwala nila kaya masasabi nila sa iyo ang kanilang problema. Ang pagsasama ay dadaan sa pagsubok ngayon; may mga hadlang na pumipigil na lumalim ang relasyon o maging sa plano na gawing legal ang pagsasama. May mga bagay na nakagawian at paniniwala ang kailangang maiwaksi upang ma-enjoy mo ng husto ang buhay. Lucky numbers: 3,17, 24 at 35.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Makakaramdam ng kabag sa hindi malamang dahilan. Iwasang uminom ng soft drinks, ngumuya ng chewing gum at siguraduhing kumain ng dahan dahan sa kalmado at relaxed na paraan. Madali sa iyo ngayon ang magpahayag ng saloobin at magpakita ng autoridad. Mabibigyan ng pansin ang pagiging masistema at masigasig sa trabaho. Panahon na upang kalimutan ang matatandang paniniwala at ideya na pumipigil sa iyong maipakita ang tunay na potensyal. Lucky numbers: 5,11,18 at 27.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Maaakit ka sa sa isang tao pero nag-aalangan kang lapitan ito sa takot na mapahiya; maging matapang ka at subukan mo! Maganda ang kalagayan ng kalusugan. Planuhin ang mga gawain upang mas marami kang matapos at hindi ka gaanong mapagod. Iwasan ang mga nakakasindak na ideya, o sumugal sa mga bagay na hindi sigurado. Huwag gaanong umasa sa bangko lalo na kung malaking halaga ang kailangan mo. Lucky numbers: 13, 24, 28 at 43.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Wala kang sigla at maikli ang pasensya mo ngayon kaya gugustuhin mong bitawan na ang plano na alam mong hindi matatapos agad. Iwasang mapagod nang husto sa trabaho dahil mahina ang katawan mo ngayon. Huwag gaanong panghinayangan ang nasirang relasyon dahil lilipas din ang sakit ng kalooban. Mas mainam nang maghiwalay kaysa tiisin ang pagsasamang puno ng tensyon. Lucky numbers: 20, 23, 25 at 47.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
May panganib na maapektuhan ang seguridad ng trabaho o lisanin ito ng dahil sa problema sa kalusugan. Ramdam mo ay blangko ang iyong utak, pero ang totoo ay punumpuno ito ng mga ideya kaya naapektuhan ang iyong desisyon. Kung magpapasa ng trabaho sa iba, huwag gaanong magtitiwala na magagampanan ito ng tama, alaming mabuti ang nagawa upang maiwasan ang mas malaking problema. Lucky numbers: 3, 16, 25 at 48.

Pinoy Jokes: Oo nga naman

Mga tanong na walang kasagutan:
1. Does Jennifer Love Hewitt?
2. Where did Van Gogh?
3. Did Rachelle Ann Go with him?
4. Why are Norman Black, Redford White and Chris Brown?
5. Where did Sandara Park?
6. Is Chow Yun Fat?
7. What did Henry Sy?
8. Did Jordan Sparks?
9. When will Orlando Bloom?
10. What is Victoria’s Secret?
11. What does David Cook?
12. If you know the answers, Wilma Doesnt.

Exam trick
Nag-exam si Annie kahit hindi nag-review.
Tiningnan  niya ang kanyang test paper at napangiti dahil True or False lang pala ang sagot. Naglabas siya ng coin at pinitik paitaas.
Pagsalo niya, tiningnan ang coin. Kapag harap ng coin ang lumabas, ang sagot ay True; kapag likod ang lumabas, ang sagot ay False.
Napansin ng teacher ang pagkoko-coin toss si Ate, kaya sinita siya: “Annie, ano ang ginagawa mo?”
“Ma’m, pantulong lang ito sa pagsagot sa test.”
Natapos agad ni Annie ang test sa loob ng kinse minuto. Pero patuloy siya sa pagko-coin toss.
Sinita ulit siya ng teacher.
Ang sagot ni Annie: “M’am, dahil may oras pa, sinisiguro ko lang ang mga sagot ko.”

Malungkot
Napansin ni Pedro na malungkot si Andres.
Pedro: Pare, malungkot ka yata.
Andres: Namatay kasi yung nanay ko. Nag-iwan ng P40,000.
Pedro: Nakakalungkot nga.
Andres: Noong sumunod na buwan, namatay naman ang tatay ko ay nag-iwan sa akin ng P80.000.
Pedro: Aba, masama talagang trahedya ang mawalan ng ina at ama sa loob lang ng dalawang buwan.
Andres: Noong ikatlong buwan, namatay naman ang tiyahin kong matandang dalaga ay nag-iwan sa akin ng P600,000.
Pedro: Tatlong kapamilang namatay sa talong buwan. Nakakalungkot nga.
Andres: Oo, pare, lalong malungkot ngayong buwan, dahil walang nag-iwan ng mana sa akin.

Nangangagat
Nakita ni Boyong si Enteng na nakaupo sa isang bench sa Luneta.Sa ilalim nito ay nakaupo rin ang isang aso.
Boyong: Enteng, nanga-ngagat ba ang aso mo?
Enteng: Hindi.
Lumapit si Boyong sa aso at  tinapik ang ulo into. Bigla siyang kinagat nito.
Boyong: Enteng, bakit sinabi mo hindi nangangagat ang aso mo?
Enteng: Hindi ko aso ‘yan!

Court cases' roundup

New court eyed for case against 4 alleged drug mules

Four Filipina tourists arrested last September at the airport for alleged trafficking of almost 2 kilograms of cocaine will see their case moved to another venue shortly, as the defense expressed impatience at its being adjourned for the fourth month.
Prosecution revealed the plan for a change of venue as Shirley Chua, Maricel Thomas, Remelyn Roque and Ana Louella Creus appeared in Tsuen Wan Court for the fourth time on Feb. 29.
The prosecutor applied for an adjournment of the hearing until Mar 14 because she said she would seek legal advice due to the large quantity of dangerous drug involved, as she was still trying to get a new venue for the hearing.
Drug trafficking cases involving large amounts of drugs are normally heard in the High Court. In cases where defendants pleaded guilty in magistrates’ court, the sentencing was held in the High Court.
The court heard that the actual amount of cocaine found hidden in secret compartments of the suitcases of Chua and Thomas when they were arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on Sept 25 was 1.867 kilograms. The Customs and Excise Department initially reported the drug seized at 2.5 kilos.
Roque and Creus who arrived on the same flight as the two other accused, were arrested at the airport on Sept 27 as they were about to board the plane back to Manila after passing through customs undetected.
Counsel for the first two defendants objected to the planned adjournment, saying the case had been adjourned four times since early October with the previous hearing rescheduled for the same reasons.
Magistrate Ada Yim asked the prosecutor about the defense’s complaint and was told the prosecution was still waiting for the government chemist’s report.
Yim asked the prosecutor to confirm whether the report would be ready by next adjournment, but the prosecutor said she could not confirm it.
The magistrate told the four Filipinas that because of the quantity of the dangerous drug seized from them, the prosecution was seeking legal advice and a new venue.
She adjourned the hearing until March 14 and ordered the four remanded in jail custody.- Vir B. Lumicao


Deported Pinoy jailed 26 months for returning 9 times
A Filipino who had been in and out of Hong Kong for nine times last year despite an outstanding deportation order on him for a previous offense, was jailed for  a total of 26 months on Mar 2  after pleading guilty to the repeated breaches.
Antonio Delante Jr, 46, was arrested by Hong Kong Immigration officers at the Shenzhen border when he tried to return to the SAR on Nov 21 last year. He was charged with nine counts of breaching a deportation order by the Immigration Department.
That was the ninth time he entered the city from the mainland, where he exited on Mar 24 last year after Immigration ordered his deportation on Mar 5, 2015.
The removal order followed Delante’s jailing for 18 months for attempted theft. According to the prosecution, Delante had re-entered the territory using his current name, which he said was correct, nine times between July 24 and Nov 21 last year.
Delante, who claimed he was a widowed construction worker with three children, first came to Hong Kong in 2013 using a Philippine passport bearing the name Eduardo J. Ogabar.
Counsel for the defendant, Louisa Lai, pleaded for leniency for Delante, citing his admission of guilt and his desire to be reunited with his three children, two boys and a girl no now aged 8, 12, and 15.The children are reportedly living with Delante’s mother-in-law.
Judge Ernest Leung gave Delante an 18-month jail sentence for each charge, discounted by one-third from 27 months because of the convict’s guilty plea. But Leung ordered the sentences to run consecutively one month after the start of each other, stretching the convict’s total time in jail to 26 months.- Vir B. Lumicao

Helper refuses deal to cut sentence
A Filipina maid accused of doing illegal work refused an offer to get her sentence reduced by helping in the investigation of her employer and an employment agency where she was made to work three days a week.
Arlene Viray, 43, pleaded guilty on Mar 10 to a charge of breach of condition of stay by working in the agency instead of just doing domestic chores in her contractual address.
The magistrate asked the prosecution to investigate Amah Search Limited, and Viray’s employer Chung Wan-fa for their liability after it was found that the agency owner and Chung were relatives. “You may ask the defendant if she is willing to help in the investigation,” Principal Magistrate Andrew Ma told the prosecutor.
The court heard that Viray came to Hong Kong on Nov 1 this year to work for Chung, but was instructed a week later by her employer to work at Amah Search Ltd in Yat Fat Building in Central.
Viray was said to be supporting an old mother and two children – a son aged 17 and going to college, and a daughter aged 16.
The defense counsel asked for leniency towards the Filipina during mitigation, citing her clear record and because she was only following her boss’ orders.
Viray was arrested on Feb 16 when Immigration officers posing as customers visited the agency and pretended to look for maids to take care of elderly people.The Filipina was observed for six minutes writing on a blackboard, and then attended to one of the officers who was inquiring about a helper for her grandparent. Viray was arrested after she showed the officer resumes of various applicants.
Ma sentenced Viray to two months in prison after cutting a third of the prescribed sentence for her guilty plea.-- Vir B. Lumicao

Buhay Pinay: Boso

Kadalasan tuwing araw ng Linggo ay sa gilid ng Worldwide House naghihintayan sina Jay at kanyang mga kaibigan. Sa Central Ferry Pier pa nagmumula si Jay kaya’t kadalasan ay siya ang nauunang dumating sa kanilang tagpuan. Lagi niyang nadadaanan ang mga kapwa Pinay na nag-iimpake ng mga kahon para sa door to door na ipapadala sa kanilang mga pamilya sa Pilipinas. Gitgitan ang lahat sa masikip na daanan sa gilid ng gusali hanggang sa malapit sa kalsada kung saan nakahilera ang mga nagpupuno ng mga kahong padala. Tuwing naglalakad si Jay doon ay hindi niya maiwasang mapansin na hindi alintana ng mga nag-iimpake ang masilipan sila habang nagsisiksik ng mga padala. Kabilang dito ang isang Pinay na habang abalang nakayuko sa loob ng kahon ay hindi namalayang lumawlaw na ang pantalon sa likod kaya lumitaw ang panloob na t-back at pati na ang kanyang puwit, at pinapipiyestahan na siya ng mga Pakistani na nagtitinda sa paligid at iba pang mga lalaki doon. May iba pa na walang kamalay-malay na ang kanilang dibdib at iba pang parte ng kanilang katawan ay nakikita na. Napapailing na lang si Jay at sa loob-loob niya, sana naman ang mga babaeng ito ay magdamit ng maayos kung ang gagawin lang naman nila ay ang mag-iimpake sa tabi ng kalsada at nang sa ganoon ay hindi sila nagiging malaswa sa pagtingin ng ibang tao, lalo na ng mga kalalakihan. Si Jay ay dalawang dekada na sa Hong Kong at nakatira sa Lantau.  –Jo Campos

Takutan
Halos isang taon pa lang si Hilda sa kanyang amo ngunit tila hindi na yata niya matatagalan pang tapusin ang dalawang taong kontrata niya sa mga ito. Bukod sa dami ng kanyang gawain ay napakaraming bawal sa bahay ng amo. Ayaw ng kanyang among babae na nakikipag-usap siya sa mga kapwa niya Pilipino sa kanilang lugar, lalo na sa kanilang kapitbiahay. Pilit naman niyang sinusunod ang bilin na ito, bagamat may mga pagkakataon na di niya maiwasan gaya ng kapag namimili siya sa supermarket at may kapwa Pinay na nakikipag-usap sa kanya. Isang beses ay nataon pang kasama niya ang kanyang amo sa pamimili at may bumati sa kanyang Pinay, binati naman ni Hilda ang kababayan at naikpag-usap siya sa pag-aakalang hindi siya nakita ng kanyang amo. Pagdating pa lang sa bahay ay agad na siyang pinutakan ng amo na galit na galit. Hinampas pa ng kanyang amo ang isang bagay sa mesa at natabig ang baso na nakapatong doon kaya’t nabasag ito. Lalong nagalit sa kanya ang amo at sinisi siya nito. Akma sanang sasampalin nito si Hilda nang pumalag ang Pinay at nagsabi na kapag pinagbuhatan siya ng kamay ay tatawag siya ng pulis at mag-eskandalo ng husto. Nagbanta din si Hilda na ipagkakalat niya sa mga kapitbahay ang baho ng pamilya ng amo kapag hindi siya tinigilan ng kalupitan sa kanya. Hindi na kasi mapigilan ni Hilda ang sarili dahil lagi siyang tinatakot na pauuwiin siya sa Pilipinas at hindi na muli pang makakabalik dito at makakakuha ng ibang amo. Dahil din marami siyang alam na lihim ng kanyang amo ay naisip na lang niyang labanan ito ng takutan at bahala na kung saan sila makakarating. Pagkalipas ng ilang araw ay napansin niyang nagbago na ang pakikitungo ng amo sa kanya. Bigla itong bumait at sinabi pang puwede na daw siyang umuwi kahit anong oras kapag day off niya samantalang dati ay alas otso ng gabi ang kanyang curfew. Ang mga walang kabagay-bagay na pinagbabawal sa kanya ay unti-unti na ring nabura gaya ng pagligo sa umaga at paggamit ng water heater sa kusina. Nangingiti lang si Hilda dahil yun lang pala ang magpapatino sa bruhang amo niya, ang takutin din ito. Si Hilda ay may asawa at dalawang anak at kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa mag-asawang intsik sa New Territories. -Jo Campos

Terminate
Labindalawang araw pa lang na nagtatrabaho sa among Intsik ang bagong saltang si Luisa nang masisante siya dahil hindi nagustuhan ang kanyang pagtatrabaho.  Ngunit imbes na siya ang bigyan ng isang buwang abiso ay sinabihan ng amo si Luisa na siya ang gumawa ng sulat na pumuputol sa kanilang kontrata.  Agad naman ipinaalam ni Luisa sa kanyang ahensya ang desisyon ng amo, kaya pinapunta siya nito sa opisina at may pinakopya sa kanya na “termination letter” na nagsasaad na teniterminate niya ang kanyang kontrata at bababa siya agad sa araw ding iyon. Nakasaad din sa naturang kasulatan na pinagkasunduan nila ito ng kanyang amo, na ang ibig sabihin ay hindi magbabayad ang bawat panig ng isang buwang suweldo kapalit ng abiso.  Dahil sa baguhan at hindi pa alam ang batas at kung ano ang mabuti at tamang gawin ay agad pinirmahan ni Luisa ang “termination letter” at ibinigay sa amo. Tinanggap naman ito at agad siyang binayaran kapalit ng 12 araw na pagtrabaho kasama ang kanyang tiket pabalik ng Pilipinas. Pagkababa sa amo ay pumunta siya sa opisina ng kanyang ahensya para doon pansamantalang tumuloy. Pinayuhan siya ng ahensya na magpatulong sa kaibigan para makahanap ng panibagong amo, ngunit hindi inalok na ibalik ang parte man lang ng ibinayad niya para makuha ang trabaho. Pagkatapos magtanong-tanong ay dumulog si Luisa kasama ang isang kaibigan sa opisina ng Labor Department para tanungin kung may mahahabol pa siya sa amo  subalit sinabihan siya na wala silang magagawa dahil siya ang nag-break ng kanyang kontrata.  Si Luisa ay 30 taong gulang at tubong Isabela. -- Emz Frial

Dagok
Umuwing luhaan si Maria pagkatapos ng kanyang araw ng pahinga dahil magkasunod na nawala ang kanyang HK ID at pera sa magkahiwalay na lugar sa araw na iyon. Kinuha niya ang kanyang air ticket sa Tsim Sha Tsui dahil nakatakda siyang magbabakasyon ngayon buwan. Hindi niya napansin na hindi niya naibalik sa kanyang pitaka ang HKID hanggang noong makaalis na siya. Agad siyang bumalik sa kuhanan ng ticket sa pag-aakalang naiwanan lamang niya ito doon ngunit sinabihan siya na wala siyang naiwan. Masama ang loob na bumalik siya sa bahay na kanyang tinutuluyan tuwing araw ng pahinga, at nakipagkwentuhan sa mga nandoon. Noong takda na silang magsiuwian noong hapon na iyon ay napansin niyang nawawala ang pera sa kanyang pitaka. Hindi niya naisip na itago ang bag dahil matagal na siyang nagpupunta doon at walang nawawalan ng pera sa kanila. Naisip niya at mga kasamahan doon na malamang na ang isa sa mga bagong umiistambay doon ang kumuha ng pera ni Maria ngunit hindi naman nila matukoy kung sino ang kumuha sa kanyang pitaka mismo. Buong paghihimutok na naitanong ni Maria sa sarili kung bakit siya pa na nangangailangan ang nabiktima sa pagnanakaw. Ganoon pa man ay naisip niya na pagsubok lang marahil ng Panginoon sa kanya ang ganoong nangyari. Nagpapasalamat na rin siya dahil bagay lamang ang nawala sa kanya, at hindi ang mas mahahalagang bagay, at nangako sa sarili na magiging masinop na siya sa kanyang mga gamit. Si Maria ay tubong Isabela, may asawa at anak, 42 taong gulang na kasalukuyang naninilbihan sa mga among Intsik sa Shatin.-- Marites Palma

Tinakasan
Inakala ni Daylen na ang pagkakaibigan nila ni Inday ay walang hangganan. Dahil sa pagtanaw niya ng utang na loob, hindi na nagdalawang-isip si Daylen na pumayag na mag-guarantor ni Inday sa utang nito sa isang finance company noong Setyembre 2015. Ngunit noong Disyembre, habang nagbabakasyon sa Pilipinas ay ginulat si Daylen ng tawag ng isang kolektor dahil partial lang daw ang ibinayad ng kanyang kaibigan sa utang. Ganoon na lang ang kaba sa dibdib ni Daylen. Nakabalik na siya sa trabaho nang biglang tumawag muli ang kolektor, gamit ang linya ng kanyang amo.. Tinakot nito si Daylen para bayaran ang utang ng kaibigan dahil na-terminate na pala ito. Nang marinig ito ni Daylen ay lalo siyang kinabahan, at hindi alam kung ano ang kanyang gagawin. Sa galit ay nag post si Daylen sa Facebook at minura si Inday nang husto. Dahil dito ay lalo pang gumulo ang mga pangyayari dahil marami ang nang-away sa kanya. Inireklamo siya ni Inday sa Konsulado at nakatakda silang magharap doon dahil sa kanilang away. May iba pang sakit ng ulo si Daylen ngayon dahil nanganganib ang kanyang trabaho dahil hindi pa alam ng kanyang amo ang tungkol sa gusot na napasukan niya ng dahil sa utang ni Inday.  Si Daylen ay mahigit limang taon na sa amo. Siya ay may-asawa at anak at tubong-Capiz.  —Regina de Andres

Matulungin
Nagpapahinga na sa silid tulugan ang mga amo ni Tekya noong kumatok siya sa pintuan  para magpaalam na bababa lang siya saglit para tulungan ang isang kababayan na walang matuluyan sa gabing iyon. Tinanong ng amo niyang Briton kung anong nangyari at isinalaysay naman niya na pinagbintangan ng kanyang amo na nagnakaw ang kanyang kaibigan ng perang nagkakahalaga ng $9,000. Tumawag diumano ng pulis ang amo ngunit walang nakitang pera sa mga gamit ng katulong matapos itong halughugin. Hindi nagsampa ng reklamo ang amo kaya pinalaya ang Pilipina pagkatapos ng 24 oras, ngunit hindi na pinabalik sa bahay ng amo. Pagkatapos niyang ikuwento ang nangyari ay dali-daling bumangon ang mag-asawa. Nagpa-init ng pagkain ang among babae at nagbalot ng prutas para ibigay sa nangangailangan samantalang nagbigay naman ng pera ang among lalaki. Kahit pagod at inaantok ay dali-daling nagbihis si Tekya at pinuntahan ang nagpasoklolo. Nang magkita sila ay hindi napigilan ng kausap ang mapaluha at magpasalamat sa kabaitan ni Tekya at ng kanyang mga amo. Noon lang nagkita ang dalawa na nagkakilala lang sa Facebook, ngunit hindi iyon naging hadlang para hindi matulungan ang nangangailangan na si Gracia. Dahil papalalim na ng gabi ay wala nang makuha si Gracia ng iba pang pagdadalhan kay Gracia. Mabuti na lang at nang magpasoklolo sila kay Eman Villanueva ng Bayan HK ay agad nitong naayos na patuluyin si Grace sa Bethune House. Naghiwalay ang dalawa bandang hatinggabi, at hindi natulog si Tekya hanggang hindi nasigurong nakarating na si Gracia sa tutuluyan. Kinaumagahan ay tinawagan si Gracia ng amo at pinapabalik sa kanilang bahay dahil umamin na raw ang tunay na maysala. Ito ay ang Pinay na kasambahay ng anak ng kanyang amo, na araw araw ding nandoon sa kanilang bahay dahil gusto ng matanda ay sama-sama sila kumain ng hapunan. Para .mapunuan ang naging pagkakamali nila ay bumait ang mga amo kay Gracia, na malaki naman ang pasasalamat kay Tekya sa tulong na ibinigay nito sa panahong kailangang-kailangan niya. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala si Gracia na may mga among katulad ng kay Tekya na ubod ng bait at handang tumulong sa nangangailangan, anumang oras. Si Tekya ay tubong Isabela at naninilbihan sa Tai Wai, samantalang si Gracia ay 24 taong gulang, may asawa at anak, at mula sa probinsiya ng Quirino. Isang buwan pa lamang siyang naninilbihan sa mga among Intsik. -- Marites Palma

China no buy
Sa tatlong taon ni Belen sa amo na edukado at mabait ay lagi na lang niyang naririnig ang mga salitang, “China no good, China no buy”. Pati tuloy ang alaga niyang 15 anyos ay sinasabing hindi siya taga China kundi Hong Kong. Sa isip naman ni Belen ay parang hindi mga Intsik ang kanyang mga kausap. Hindi naman maselan ang kanyang amo ngunit may mga brand ng pagkain ito na gusto, at lahat ay hindi gawa sa China. Kapag walang mapagpilian ay nalulungkot ang kanyang amo, at bakas sa mukha ang pagkadismaya.Minsan ay inulit na naman ng amo ang litanya kaya hindi na napigilan ni Belen na sabihan ang amo ng, “Why not buy China eh you are all Chinese, you said China no good but why they all making no good things and sell to people.You want good items for your self but you don’t care about others.” Walang naisagot ang amo kundi “You know everything about China lah.” Dinagdagan pa nito ng “China people making no good things because they only want money. Always money,money.” Dito nakakuha ng tsansa si Belen na humirit ng, “Not only money, they want everything. You see China is taking our land, that is for the Philippines, but China said it’s theirs.”" Idinagdag pa niya na kapag yumaman ang Pilipinas sa darating na panahon ay lalagyan nito ng harang ang lahat ng kanyang teritoryo, pati na ang himpapawid para hindi na makadaan o makialam ang China. Nailing na lang ang amo at sinabihan si Belen ng “you know everything, you are smart.” Pagkatapos nito ay nagpaalam na ang amo na papasok na sa trabaho dahil alam niya na marami pang sasabihin ang katulong. Tuwi kasing nagkakausap ang mag-amo ay humahantong ito sa mahabang usapan. Si Belen ay dalaga at naninilbihan sa among mabait na taga Mid Levels.-- Ellen Almacin

Lesbian found guilty of indecent assault on boy

By Vir B. Lumicao

A self-confessed Filipino lesbian has been found guilty in District Court of indecently assaulting her male ward between July 2011 and March 2013, when the victim was just eight to nine years old.
The convict, only identified as SRM to protect the identity of the young victim, was emotionless when Judge Johnny Chan pronounced his verdict and instructed the Tagalog court interpreter to explain the verdict to her. “Defendant, I find you guilty on Charges 1, 2 and 3,” the judge declared shortly after stepping into the courtroom. He told both the prosecution and defense lawyers to study his prepared verdict and then called a recess.
John D.B. Hemmings, the lawyer assigned by Legal Aid for the defense, immediately went over to the convict and advised her to appeal her conviction.
“I advise you to appeal the verdict immediately after this hearing,” he was heard telling his client, who was domestic helper of the victim’s family when the attacks took place.
The prosecution, led by Michael Arthur, charged that on three occasions during the period mentioned, SRM carried out the offences in a flat in Kwai Chung where the boy lived with his parents and an elder sister. The Filipina had already left the victim’s household for two years when the boy revealed the crime to his parents.
Charge 1 allegedly took place on an unknown date between July 1 and August 31, 2011 when the boy was about 8 years and 7 months old, while Charge 2 occurred a week after the first offense. The assaults involving Charges 1 and 2 happened in the bedroom the boy shared with his sister and the maid.
Charge 3 allegedly happened in the toilet on a day between July 1, 2011 and March 26, 2013, when the boy was about 10 years and 2 months old, the prosecution said.
The victim’s parents testified that they learned of the assaults only on July 7 last year, when he had a sex education subject in his primary-school class. “Che Che (SRM) has done something to me,” the boy reportedly said when asked by his mother about why he looked bothered.
When the mother asked if the maid had sexual act with him, the boy said “yes.” The boy gave further details of the attack in a conversation with his father in the evening. That same day, they reported the matter to the police and SRM was arrested.
The Filipina had pleaded not guilty to the three charges, saying during her turn at the witness stand that she was a lesbian and was not attracted to men. She said she did not know why the boy was making the charges against her. She added she had had lengthy relationships with two girlfriends before the alleged sexual assaults and that she was not sexually active during those two years.
The judge said he believed the assaults claimed by the boy had taken place.“On the evidence before me, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that all the elements of the offence in relation to Charges 1 to 3 are proved against he defendant,” he said.
Chan originally set the sentencing for 11am on March 11, pending an impact report on the victim and a psychologist’s report on SRM. But on March 7, the sentencing was moved to April 8.

Kuru-kuro: Bintang na nagnakaw, panggigipit sa OFW

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Noong una ay inakala naming maraming kasong isinasampa sa hukuman ng Hong Kong laban sa mga Pilipinong kasambahay dahil sa likas na pagiging mapag-angkin natin sa mga bagay na nawawaglit o nalalaglag ng iba. 

Ibinatay namin ang pananaw na iyan sa nakasanayan nating kultura, na tila nagaya natin sa nasasaksihan nating lantarang pangungurakot ng mga marami sa pamahalaan natin. Ngunit ramdam naming kailangan itong balikan dahil sa mga nakababahalang pangyayari sa hanay ng mga kababayan nating kasambahay nitong mga nakaraang buwan.

Sa tingin namin ay dumarami ang bilang ng mga nakakasuhan ng pagnanakaw sa iba’t ibang korte rito, ngunit napansin din namin sa ilang mga nalutas nang kaso ay gawa-gawa lamang ng mga among Intsik na ayaw magbayad ng long service pay kapag naka-limang taon na sa paninilbihan ang helper, o nais magpalit ng katulong kapag di makasundo ang kasalukuyan.

Nakakatawa ang mga bagay na ibinibintang na ninakaw ng mga katulong: lipas nang biskotso, pekeng brilyante, mga alahas na tig-$50, lumang laruan. Mayroon pang pinagbintangang nagnakaw ng tissue.    

Kamakailan ay lalo kaming nabahala nang may magpatunay sa dati nang napabalitang sabwatan diumano ng mga amo at mga ahensiya sa pagbibintang ng pagnanakaw sa katulong. Ginagawa ito diumano upang makapagpalit agad ng kasambahay nang libre ang isang amo dahil sa “buy one, take three” na alok ng mga ahensiya.Ibig sabihin, sa minsanang pagbabayad ng amo ay maaari itong makakuha ng hanggang tatlong katulong mula sa ahensya.

Napansin pa namin sa isang ahensiyang nahaharap sa ilang sakdal na overcharging sa Employment Agencies Administration ang paggamit ang ganitong taktika upang pauwiin ang mga maangal na katulong na nangungulit ukol sa mga sobra-sobrang halagang siningil sa kanila.

Ang modus ng ahensiyang ito ay dinadala niya sa isang lending company ang bagong dating na katulong at pilit pauutangin doon ng halagang mula $10,000 hanggang $12,000. Hindi mapapakinabangan ng katulong ang perang iyon dahil agad-agad ding kinukuha ng ahensiya bilang kabayaran sa pag-recruit sa kanya.

Sa kaso ng ahensiyang ito, kapag ganap nang nakabayad sa lending company ang katulong ay saka ginagawan ng paraan ng nasabing ahensiya na masisante ang kaawa-awang katulong upang muling maghanap ng bagong amo -- o di kaya ay aalukin siya ng ahensiya ring ito ng bagong amo -- sa panibagong bayad.

Ang mga kasambahay na lumalaban kapag ginigipit na ng amo at ahensiya ang unang ginagawan ng kasong pagnanakaw, dahil ito ang may posibilidad na magsusumbong sa EAA ukol sa overcharging at pagpapautang sa lending company. Sila rin ang posibleng magsumbong sa Immigration ukol sa illegal na pagtatago sa pasaporte ng mga Pilipino.

At kapag ang sumbong ay iimbestigahan ng EAA at isasampa na nang tuluyan sa korte ng mahistrado, ang mga nagsumbong na katulong ang kukuning saksi para sa taga-usig. Kaya minamabuti ng ahensiyang tinutukoy namin na makauwi na sa Pilipinas ang biniktimang katulong  upang hindi siya makakapagtestigo sa korte laban sa ahensiya.

Nakapanghihinayang lang na sa isang pangkat ng mga kasambahay na siningil nang labis ng ahensiyang ito, umamin umano ang isa sa bintang na pagnanakaw kahit hindi niya ginawa, dahil lamang sa kagustuhang makauwi sa kanyang pamilya. 

Ang alok daw kasi sa kanya ng pulis na ipinadala ng ahensiya sa bahay ng amo ay “kung aamin ka, pauuwiin ka na bukas; kung hindi ka aamin ay makukulong ka”. Pinili niya ang una at sinamahan siya sa airport kinabukasan ng may-ari ng ahensiya.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Batay sa salaysay ng mga katulong na humarap sa sakdal na pagnanakaw sa korte, sila ay bigla na lamang pupuntahan ng mga pulis at aarestuhin dahil may natagpuan umanong nawawalang alahas o pera ng amo sa kanilang mga bag o maleta.    

Noong nakaraang taon ay nakapagtala ang Konsulado ng 29 Pilipinong nakakulong sa iba’t ibang piitan sa Hong Kong dahil sa salang pagnanakaw. Marami sa mga ito ang umaming nagnakaw dahil talagang natukso sila, ngunit may ilan ding umamin kahit gawa-gawa lang ang ibinintang sa kanila, dahil sa kagustuhang umuwi na lang sa sariling bayan. 

Know your rights: Peace through service

By Cynthia Tellez

On March 6, the Mission celebrated its 35th anniversary by offering the song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” at the Cathedral Service. I thought of sharing this because one line in the song says, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me”.
We in the Mission hope that we can always extend the peace that is meant to be. We hope that migrants can have that relative peace because the Mission extended its assistance to them in their times of need. It is very heartening to know that “peace of mind” was one of the major answers of beneficiaries interviewed during our evaluation process last year on the impacts of our services.
That day, also happened to be a “Mothering Sunday” and, not to mention, the first week of the women’s month. Coincidentally , migrant women approached the Mission that day and confided problems and situations that are very particular to women.
One inquired about relevant policies on pregnancy of migrants; a mother and a child abandoned by a foreign father, and a related case of a wife left by her husband for another woman, and; a mother who chose to overstay because she has to support her children’s needs.
The following illustrate the different situations and problems of migrant women and I wish to deal with these problems one by one:
1)  Mary (not her real name), a domestic worker who is employed only for a month and a few days, found out that she is pregnant. Is she entitled to maternity protection? It is important to know the provisions on Maternity Protection in the Hong Kong Employment Ordinance Cap. 57 (or labor law) and what can a woman in such condition do.
We advised her that the first thing to do is to see a doctor and get a certification that she is indeed pregnant. This should prevent an employer from terminating the contract for the reason that she is pregnant.
Second question is: is she entitled to Maternity Leave?  YES.
But is she entitled to Maternity Leave Pay? Unfortunately, NO. According to rules, the worker must be employed under a continuous contract of not less that 40 weeks (about 10 months) by the time she gives birth in order to avail of the maternity leave pay which is 4/5 of the regular salary of the migrant worker.
In Mary’s case, she has been employed for only one month, and was found to be pregnant for more than a month. By the time she gives birth, she would have been working for only nine months, disqualifying her from maternity leave pay though she is still entitled to a leave of 10 weeks.
2) The second case we received involved men who abandoned their family (wife and children). It should be noted that abandoning one's family does not allow a spouse and parent to totally escape from responsibilities, especially toward their minor child or children.
Because of the complexities of the issues involved in this kind of situation, it is difficult to discuss all the compelling points on this matter. Women who encounter this kind of situation are advised to approach service providers in order to assist them in getting the services of a lawyer. There are many entangled issues here – between husband and wife, between father and the children, custody of child or children, financial support to children, and alimony issues. Most of  these can be addressed within the legal frame, thus the need for a lawyer.  This will all the more be complicated if the man is not of the same nationality. If he returns to his country of origin or chose another country of domicile, laws in that country will also apply in this regard, and not only that of the country where they got married. The Mission has networks in several countries that can assist women in this kind of situation.
It is another matter if the husband marries another woman without the benefit of annulment. Off-hand, the husband has committed an offence that is punishable under the law in the Philippines, and in many other countries. It can be that the husband did not declare his real marital status so he could marry his new partner. Again, this is a matter that needs to be discussed in person due to its complexities.
3) Last is the heart-warming case of a mother who was forced to stay beyond her visa when she could not find a job within 14 days after losing the previous one. She is a mother who risked her safety because as a foreign domestic worker, she could not stay beyond 14 days after the premature termination of her employment contract. This made her an “over-stayer”.  This act is punishable under the law, and the prohibition extends to the “good Samaritans“ who harbor or keep an overstayer.
This client is a classic example of mothers who are willing to go through any difficulties for the sake of the family. This is typical in many circumstances among migrant workers giving unconditional love and care, which is what mothering is all about. They are women, migrant mothers, who come to us and to whom we, at the Mission, offer our services.
Though what we can only do is to give guidance on what best steps to take before even falling into the trap of committing further violations wittingly or unwittingly – because the ultimate decision of what action to take depends on the individual. We can only try our best to provide direction and give clear suggestions.

----
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. no. 2522 8264.

Comelec mulls resetting polls

The Consulate takes delivery  of the poll paraphernalia..

As a consequence of the Supreme Court’s 14-0 vote for the issuance of voter-receipts, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering the postponement of the May 9 elections.
The probability however looks dim because it requires legislation and Congress is on recess for the campaign period.
Malacanang, Senate president Franklin Drilon and several candidates were quick to oppose the idea of deferring the elections, citing the constitutional provision that sets the national elections on the second Monday of May every six years.
The SC vote on March 8 granted the petitions of senatorial candidates Richard Gordon and Butch Belgica for the Comelec to issue printed vote receipts to individual voters on Election Day in fulfilment of the provision of the election automation law for a voter-verified paper audit trail.
Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said the SC ruling adversely affected the timeline of the election preparations. “This decision will materially affect our timeline. This (Thursday) morning, that (postponement of elections) is one of the options we are looking into and we want to know if we already need to move for the postponement of the elections,” he told reporters after an emergency meeting with the Project Management Office (PMO) and the Comelec’s service provider Smartmatic International.
Bautista said the Comelec will hold a special en banc meeting for the members to decide on specific matters, such as an evaluation of the present election timetable.
The Comelec said it will file a motion for reconsideration to reverse the SC vote as soon as possible, and request that it be allowed to hold a vote counting machine demonstration before the high tribunal for them to understand the voting process.
“What we actually want is for a chance for us to demonstrate our machines to the SC so that the justices can see for themselves how it operates, its features, and the reasons why we believe that it will be complicated or on how the disadvantages will outweigh the advantages of printing voter receipts,” Bautista said.
To enforce the high court order, the Comelec would have to redo the following: reconfigure more than 92,500 SD memory cards; bid out additional thermal paper stock; bid out the procurement of more than 92,500 receipt receptacles; retrain more than 277,000 election inspectors.
Election watchdog groups like the Kontra Daya and the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and some candidates, on the other hand, welcomed the SC decision.
 “It’s difficult but doable. Voters will have to be obedient. The board of election inspectors and the PPCRV pollwatchers should be vigilant,” said PPCRV chair Henrietta de Villa.
The voting receipts are mandated by law and the Comelec ignored a non-extendible deadline to argue its case, according to Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.
“When we say that a deadline is non-extendible, it is to be taken seriously… I would like to caution people that when a matter is under litigation before a court, the procedure is to make such communications with the court,” Sereno said when interviewed after a speaking engagement at the Manila Hotel on Thursday.
The high court ruling specifically directed the poll body to enable the voter verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) feature of the vote counting machines (VCM).
In its ruling, the SC said Republic Act 8436 (Automated Election Law) was clear when it said receipt-printing capabilities should be put in place as part of the minimum safeguards provided by law.
“So until there is something that is exceptional, we have to apply it as a mandatory requirement,” the Chief Justice explained.
The Comelec deactivated the VVPAT for fear that it might be used for vote-buying activities, among other reasons.
But the high court said the poll body could not simply disregard requirements of the law just “to assuage its fears regarding the VVPAT.”

Sikap tournament: Magno-Buenavista team-up wins

Anna Liza Magno has teamed up with Irene Buenavista to beat the sisters tandem of Evangelyne Turner and Jane Pante, 6-4, in the latest tennis tournament held by Sikap Association at the Hong Kong Tennis Centre on Mar. 6. Sikap hones members’ skills by training newcomers and inviting tennis players from different Filipino tennis groups to play in its tournaments. Through the games, Sikap is able to build the confidence, competitiveness and sportsmanship of its members. – Jo Campos

Sluggers crush Fortissimo to enter finals

By Vir B. Lumicao

Philippine Sluggers pulverized local team Fortissimo 18-1, on Feb 28 at Hin Keng Field in Tai Wai to top Group B in the semifinals of the Hong Kong Baseball Association women’s league and face the Group A winner for this season’s title.
The all-Filipina team entered the field confident of victory and did not take long to show the Hong Kong team they meant business when they rolled to an early lead with a 6-1 scrubbing of Fortissimo.
“We have played Fortissimo a number of times in the past but they never won against us,” said Sluggers president Cecil Calsas, who this season received coaching assistance for her players from David Wong and John Rostagno.
Playing as the home team, Sluggers allowed Fortissimo only one run in their first inning as the Filipinas tightened their defenses against their mostly young and fast rivals.Then the Filipinas surged ahead with Don Gaborno, Zhen Badajos, Cathy Bagaoisan, Juliet Polana, Josephine Vasol and Arimas scoring a run each in the first inning.Sluggers went on to torment their rivals with Gaborno, Badajos, Romela Osabel, Bagaoisan, and Vasol converting their hits to scores as they ran to the home base in succession in the second inning.Fortissimo looked well prepared when it was their turn to bat. But when Calas and coach Wong put Gaborno on the pitching plate in place of Osabel, the younger Hong Kong women got no mercy from the Filipinas.The local batters could hardly survive Gaborno’s accurate pitching, which caught a few of them standing, or get past the bases to produce a run. At the close of the second the women of Fortissimo were scoreless.In the third inning, Gaborno, batting first, slammed a low ball to the outfield but was put out on the first base.Badajos, Osabel and Bagaoisan scored a run each as the Filipinas overwhelmed Fortissimo’s defenses. Vasol slammed a homer to the center outfield to dash unchallenged all the way to home base. Then Duque, Arimas and Diane Erquiza followed suit with three runs to take Sluggeers’ scorecard to 18.When it was Fortissimo’s turn to bat, Gaborno took the first three batters out standing to end the match and seal the Filipinas’ date with destiny.
Sluggers will most likely fight for the championship against Philippine Buffaloes, another OFW team which Sluggers coach Wong expects will win their coming match against local squad Hare in Group A.
“Our fixture has been great, the fielding, there were no errors and everybody peaking in the battings, and in terms of defense they were good, too,” said Wong after the match.“That’s why we were able to keep them at bay, there was only one run.”
Australian coach Rostagno, who returned to the team this season after a four-year absence due to overseas assignments, acknowledged that Sluggers was a very good team, though he regretted that he was again leaving after this season for Dubai.
The coach figured in “a little bit of action” in the third inning when the Hong Kong umpire declared a Slugger out after touching third base because Rostagno moved back the plate into place seconds before the touchdown. “The umpire was watching and we got the base off. He wasn’t coming so I moved the base for her. She was out…he should have called (a time out)…but, a bit of sportsmanship, very bad sportsmanship,” he said.
The match timed out for a few minutes as Rostagno protested the umpire’s action. Tensions rose further when a foreign spectator joined the protest, shouting “you’re a piece of shit” at the umpire, who yelled back in Cantonese.
Wong said this was the first time he coached the team.  

Fate B loses, 9-11, to Elite; coach blames disunity

By Emz Gaborno

Fate B, the all-Filipina team in Bracket B of the Hong Kong women's softball league, took a narrow 9-11 loss to rivals Wei Lun Elite at Shek Kip Mei field on Feb. 28 due to what coach Zenny Badajos called a lack of unity.
“Walang pagkakaisa, iilan lang ang gumagalaw at nag-e-effort para sa laro,” Badajos said as the sluggers gathered on the bench for post-game review of their performance.
“Kung tutuusin mahina sila, hindi sila mabilis gumalaw at hindi sila ganun kagaling para matalo nila tayo. Pero bakit nanalo sila? Dahil nagkakaisa silang lahat para sa team nila. Kaya dapat ganun tayo!” Badajos added.
Maribel Sitchon batted first for away team Fate and was given a free walk to first base on Elite’s pitching error. Then Percy Jayme batted and ran to first base while Sitchon cruised to second base.
From there Sitchon dashed to home base safely, but Jayme was put out on second base when she attempted to run to third base. A pitching error of Elite gave Badajos a free walk, while Don Gaborno was caught on a fly ball by a rival short stop.
Ma. Eva Mendez, a former Philippine National Team player, was also caught by the leftfielder on a fly ball.

Don Gaborno (left) tries to beat the ball to first base in the Sluggers' second inning against Fortissimo. Photo: Philippine Sluggers

When Elite took over the batting stand, Fate pitcher Gaborno’s fast balls caught batters Lee (17) and Tam (27) standing out.
But Chan (22) slammed another outfield ball that took her to second base, while base runner Tsz sailed to home base unhampered. Chan added to the score on a hit by Ngai Hin (8) and later made it to home base when another Chan (31) stuck the ball to the outfiled, but failed to reach home base when batter Wong (34) was caught on first base.
Fate scored a second run in the second inning by Grace Andres, while the locals added two via Lee and Tam.
Badajos reshuffled her infielders when first baseman Andres missed two pass balls that allowed the locals to increase their score.
The Filipinas fought bravely in their third inning as they strove to reduce Elite’s lead with Gaborno, Mendez and Andres.
At the last inning of Fate, Badajos blasted a long outfield ball that took the varsity player to second base. She then sailed to home base unhampered when Gaborno slammed another outfield ball and cruised safely to second.
Mendez also hit a long outfield ball and to get safely to second base, as Gaborno dashed to home base safely. Mendez ran towards the home plate when Andres batted but was caught by the fleet-footed locals just a few steps away from the home plate.
At Elite’s last chance on batting plate, Lee blasted an outfield ball that took her to second base. Then she ran home unopposed when Tam batted a land drive to the center outfield that shortstop Badajos failed to stop.
The Filipinas were rattled when a passing error by Badajos to first baseman Espano gave base runner Tam a chance to run home and Tsz, to second base.
Chan (22) blasted a strike that allowed her to run safely to first base and Tsz to third. Ngai Hin also hit and sailed safely to first base.
With the bases loaded, the Filipinas panicked as they tried to stop Elite from scoring further. But Tsz, Chan (22), Ngai and Chan (31) added four runs for the locals’ 11.

Cagayanos hold Sports Fest 2016

A bright sunny day greeted all those who gathered at Repulse Bay Beach on Mar 6 to join Abante Cagayanos Hong Kong in celebrating its fourth founding anniversary celebration and to compete in the group's annual sports fest.Heading the list of guests was Vice Consul Alex Vallespin
As before, all participants were divided into four competing teams. The Yellow team shone in the cheer dance competition, while B  was the best in sand castle making. The other games played were: tug of war, fill-in water game, and relay.
At the end of the contest, the Blue, Yellow and Green teams had the same score, and were jointly held as overall champions.
The event was capped with a raffle draw where the top prize was a mobile phone with a power bank.
Apart from the Cagayanos, those who joined the celebration were members and leaders of friendly organizations like  Mindanao Migrants Alliance, One Visaya, Isabela Federation, Unified Villavisiosa Abra, United Nueva Viscayanos, United Group of Batangas, GPII Hong Kong Legion, Kabalikat OFW Bicol International, Association of Luzonian Overseas Workers and Tinikling Group of Migrants.
-- Marites Palma

St Joseph’s wins Faith Encounter

The St Joseph’s Church in Fanling has won the rolling trophy in this year’s Faith Encounter held on Feb 28 at the Holy Family Parish Hall in Choi Hung.
The St Joseph’s team scored 26 points to come out ahead of 11 other groups that vied for the prize.
Group leader Cecilia Rongalerios Golez said the cooperation and dedication of the members in studying their assigned topics helped them win the annual competition.

The winning team.

The Faith Encounter is hosted by the Hong Kong Filipino Catholic Biblical Pastoral Ministry or HKFCBPM. It was started in 2004 with the aim of getting more people to read, share and live the bible.
Earlier, five out of 11 participants in the 5th Bible Encounter held on Feb.21 at the St Francis’ Church in Ma On Shan were declared as winners. The winning teams will go on to compete in another Bible Encounter with other parishes, to be scheduled by the  committee on Basic Bible Seminar.
St Francis’ coordinator, Ruby C. Silva, said that the parish is inviting more participants to join the next Bible encounter and other church related activities as part of its effort to balance its parishioner’s social and spiritual life.
All those who are interested to do volunteer work during their holidays may approach any member of Saint Francis church. – Janet C. Garingo

OFWs taught how to detect pyramid scheme

A total of 65 Filipino migrant workers took part in an unusual financial literacy seminar offered by the CARD OFW Hong Kong Foundation on Mar 2 at the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town.
For the first time, the lecture given by CARD HK vice-chairman Alex Aquino focused on how one can detect a pyramid scam.
According to Aquino, there are eight ways to test if a business or investment service offered is a scam:

1. 1. Is there a tangible product that is being sold? 
2. 2. Are commissions paid on the sale of products and not on registration or entry fees? 
3. 3. Is the intention to sell a product and  not a position? 
4. 4. Is there no direct correlation between the number of recruits and compensation? 
5. 5. If recruitment were to be stopped today, would the participants still make money? 
6. 6. Is there a reasonable return product policy? 
7. 7. Do the products being sold have fair market value? 
8. 8. Is the product attractive to be bought on its own merit? 

   

31st batch of the financial literacy seminar offered by CARD OFW HK Foundation listen attentively when they were taught how to detect a scam.

But these are not exhaustive, meaning other questions may be raised to complete the test, like if the company or individual selling the  product/service (if any), is registered to sell the products. And if yes, where? If the answer to all questions is yes, does the company being evaluated is a legitimate company?
If the answer to even just one of the questions is no, then there is a high probability that it is a pyramid scam. In any case there is a need to study what is being offered very carefully. The next schedule for the Financial Literacy seminar will be on April 24. For reservation and inquiries: 95296392 or 54238196.-- Marites Palma