Mapa re-elected Lakbay Dangal head

Lakbay Dangal’s new officers led by Marites Mapa who was reelected as president, were inducted into office by Consul General Bernardita Catalla at the Consulate on Mar 20.
Several of the group’s  members came to witness the ceremony.
The other officers who took their oath were Gloria Petrola, vice president; Victoria Munar, secretary; Cecilia Eduarte, treasurer; Janeth Ann Floro, training coordinator; Ely Ambi, welfare officer and Thess Palma, P.R.O.
Lakbay Dangal is known as the only association in Hong Kong which promotes the unique history and diverse culture of Filipinos in Hong Kong.
The group conducts a tour for anyone interested in the life and times of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, during his brief stay in Hong Kong.
Lakbay Dangal was founded on Mar 14, 2010 by “running priest”, Fr Robert Reyes and had among its initial members, Soosot Zerrudo, who acted as mentor, and Alex Aquino and Girly Payne as advisers.
Those who want to join the group or inquire about its walking tour may call 68481641(Cecil) or 94167012 (Tess).  – Marites Palma

Women biggest source of remittance, says expert

By Marites Palma and Ellen Almacin

Seminar participants and speakers are joined by Consul General Bernardita Catalla.

Migrant women are the biggest source of remittances to the Philippines, according to a migration expert who lectured at the Consulate on Mar. 20 in celebration of International Women’s Month. Joy Tadios-Arenas of Wimler Hong Kong cited studies that showed 85% of all women who work abroad send money regularly to the Philippines, accounting for a large chunk of the US$25 billion total remittance from abroad that was recorded last year. Of this amount, US$780 million came from Hong Kong.
The staggering amounts indicate that up to 54 percent, or more than half of the total Philippine population, is sustained by money sent by overseas Filipino workers, said Tadios-Arenas.
She said her own study conducted between 2012 and 2014 showed that migrant women tend to associate remittance to maintaining relationships with family members or as a tool to repay a debt of gratitude (or utang na loob). Some, however, revealed an active financial management style.
Her study involved 50 migrant women who had families back home, are mostly mothers with more than three dependents, college graduates, and have been working in Hong Kong for more than five years. Three men working abroad were also included in the study.
The money they send home has led women to become empowered enough to set parameters in their remittance, including the selection of the beneficiaries, and determining how often money should be sent.
One of the mothers in the study reportedly said she chose her daughter to be the recipient because she couldn’t trust her husband anymore. Another decided to send money four times a month, fearing her family would spend it all if she sent it all in one go.
To ensure the money is allocated properly, the women have resorted to using the internet to check on projects which they paid for. One participant said she decided to do this because she had been fooled by her own family once into sending money that was not used properly.
Despite having financial freedom, however, many migrant women still resort to taking out loans.
Several reasons were cited for this, including an increase in the number of beneficiaries. Katherine de Guzman of the Philippine National Bank HK said that before, the only recipient for married women were their husbands, and for single migrants, their parents. Now other relatives are added, including children and other relatives, friends, and even alumni associations and investment schemes.
She said migrants should be particularly wary of so-called investments offered by friends and relatives, especially now that scams are very rampant.
Tadios-Arenas said her research showed that Hong Kong migrants took out loans for education, housing, going to Canada, buying a motorcycle or jeepney for the husband, gadgets and even to pay for weddings.
This indicates, according to her, that the loans turn the migrants into heads of the family, homebuilders and decision makers. The borrowed money is used to either manage their family members, or turn them into entrepreneurs or investors.
The downside is that they are forced to accept illegal part time jobs, suffer emotional and psychological stress, and are exposed to a huge risk of delay in repayment. This in turn results in even higher interest rates for their loan, and makes them vulnerable to being abused and harassed by debt collectors.
She exhorted the participants to avoid taking out unnecessary loans so they become truly empowered.
“Yes you are the new heroes of the Philippines. But be a financially wise hero, not a martyr,” she said. “Employ tough love, educate your family members, mind your action and decision, set parameters, criteria and restriction in remittance recipients and allocation.”
In closing the forum, Consul General Bernadita Catalla called on participants to spread the word about what they had learned so friends, relatives and family members would understand and see the real situation of migrant workers.

Ang OFW bilang nobelista

Vanesa Bañares

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Para kay Vanesa Bañares, hindi hadlang ang pagiging isang kasambahay upang makamit ang pangarap na makilala sa naiiba at higit na maipagmamalaki, kapaki-pakinabang at kagalang-galang na larangan – an
g pagiging isang nobelista.
Hindi tulad ng maraming malikhaing manunulat na animo’y nagkukulong sa kanyang toreng garing, si Vanesa ay nakatuntong sa lupa at nakikihalubilo sa mga tao bilang isang tagapayo ng mga may problemang kapwa kasambahay sa kanilang simbahan.
Ang sari-saring kuwentong-buhay na inilalahad sa kanya ng mga OFW ay nagsisilbing isang di-natutuyuang balon ng inspirasyon at materyales para sa kanyang mga katha.
May tatlong taon pa lamang na nagsusulat si Vanesa, ngunit sa loob ng panahong iyon ay nakatapos na siya ng 33 nobela. Ang 23 sa mga iyon ay nalathala sa Wattpad at mayroon nang 70,250 tagasubaybay.
Ang Wattpad ay isang diban ng mga nobela, tula, maikling kuwento at iba pang kathang-isip sa internet na nababasa nang libre ninuman.
“Marami na akong tagasubaybay, hindi lang dito sa Hong Kong kundi maging sa Pilipinas at sa iba pang mga bansa,”  sinabi ni Vanesa sa isang pakikipanayam sa amin sa isang malilim at tahimik na sulok sa Victoria Peak kamakailan.
Ang isa niyang akda, ang “Alex, Alex” halimbawa, ay mayroong 11,600 tagasubaybay at 403 boto ng mga mambabasang nagandahan sa nobela tungkol sa dalawang magkaklase sa high school na magkapangalan ngunit magkaiba ang ugali at nagkakaasaran, hanggang sa nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin.
Ang tema ay pag-ibig at ang inasintang mga mambabasa ay mga kabataan, ang wika ay magkahalong English at Tagalog at gumamit ng mga makabagong salitang-kabataan tulad ng “nerd,” “jock” at iba pa kaya habang binabasa mo ay para ka ring nakapaloob sa eksena, nakikisalamuha at nakikinig sa mga tauhan.
At palibhasa’y online ang nobela, maaring maglahad ng paghanga, magbigay ng opinyon o kumontra ang isang mambabasa sa mga pangyayari sa nobela.
“Kung minsan nga ay sinasabi nilang nabibitin sila sa ending kaya nagdaragdag ako ng isa o dalawang chapter,” sabi ni Vanesa.
Ayon kay Vanesa, hindi siya nag-aral ng pagsusulat, ni hindi rin naging mamamahayag noong siya ay nag-aaral pa. Kamakailan lamang siya nagsimulang magsulat ng mga kuwento at sumuong kaagad sa masalimuot at puno ng paghahamon na daigdig ng nobela. Ngunit napaghandaan daw niya iyon sa pamamagitan ng araw-araw na pagsusulat ng talaarawan.
“Mahilig din ako talagang magbasa ng mga libro,” sabi niya. “Noong araw pa, basta may mahagilap akong libro ay binabasa ko.”
Magugulat kayo kapag nalaman ninyong malayo sa pagsusulat ang tinapos ni Vanesa sa pamantasan at di-hamak na malayo ang kanyang karanasan sa pagtatrabaho.
Aniya, siya ay nagtapos ng agrikultura sa University of the East Caloocan dahil umano ang kanyang ama ay isang magsasaka. Ninais niyang pag-aralan ang siyentipikong kaalaman sa pagsasaka upang mapaunlad ang hanapbuhay na iyon ng kanyang angkan sa Bulid, Masbate, at ng daan-daan pang mga magbubukid sa nasabing probinsiya.
“Marami akong naging trabaho sa Pilipinas. Minsan sa resort, nagbabantay sa swimming. Kung hindi ganoon kalakas, nagdi-design ako ng wedding dress, yaong nilalagyan ng beads. nagtrabaho sa real estate, naging sekretarya…” kuwento ni Vanesa.
“Yaong ibaba ng opisina namin sa real estate ay patahian. Kapag wala akong ginagawa sa itaas ay bumababa ako at nakikialam sa tinatahi nila. Pakialamera ako talaga. Hanggang sa natuto akong manahi at magdisensyo ng mga wedding dress,” sabi ng 34-taong-gulang na nobelista.
Naisip naming ang kaalaman niya sa pananahi marahil ang pinagmulan ng kanyang disiplina at husay sa pagtatagni-tagni ng iba’t ibang mga tauhan at pangyayari upang makagawa ng kuwento.
Tulad ng iba pang manunulat, ang ideya o balangkas ng isang luwento ay bigla na lang kumikislap sa kanyang isip, at hindi niya iyon pinalilipas.
“Kung minsan ay naghuhugas ako ng pinggan, tapos biglang papasok sa isip ko ang ideya. Agad kong isinusulat iyon, kahit sa aking palad, para hindi ko malimutan.” Kapag nasimulan na niyang isulat ay parang batis na raw ang pagdaloy ng ideya mula sa kanyang isipan.
Isang malaking hamon ang pagsulat ng isang nobela, mula sa paggawa ng balangkas, paglikha ng mga tauhang gumaganap sa kanyang nobela at pagdetalye sa pagkakaiba ng kanilang mga pagkatao, pagtatagni-tagni ng mga sitwasyon at pangyayari, pagkukrus ng mga landas ng mga pangunahing tauhan, ang dramatisasyon o mga pag-uusap nila, ang tunggalian, at sa bandang huli, ang kasukdulan at paghupa ng kuwento.
Mula sa pagsusulat at paglalathala ng mga nobela sa Wattpad ay tumanggap siya isang araw ng isang email mula sa Maynila na nag-aalok na bilhin ang ilang nobela niya at ilalathala sa romance series ng Red Room, sa isang kundisyon – na gagamitin ang mga ideya niya para sa aklat sa romance pero iba ang susulat. Dagdag na kundisyon: hindi niya maaaring ilathala sa Wattpad ang nobelang nabili na sa kanya.
Sa ngayon, aniya, ay limang nobela na ang nabibili ng Red Room sa kanya at hindi pare-pareho ang presyo. Noong una, binayaran siya umano ng $4,500 sa nagustuhang nobela at iyon ay ibinili niya ng isang laptop. Tapos nasundan iyon ng tatlong nobela na binayaran sa kanya ng $13,800.
“Hindi ko akalaing kikita pala ako sa mga sinusulat ko,” ani Vanesa, na maybahay ng isang tricycle driver at ina ng isang 16-anyos na lalaki.
Hindi ba siya nababahala sa kasunduan sa Red Room na bibilhin ng naglalathala ng libro ang kanyang mga ideya at ibang pangalan ang ilalagay na may-akda?
“Ang sabi nila, hindi nila gagamitin nang buo ang aking nobela, gagamitin lang nila ang ideya ko, dahil kapag ginamit daw nila nang buo ang nobela ko ay pangalan ko na ang ilalagay nila at magiging exclusive writer na ako sa kanila,” paliwanag niya.
Masaya si Vanesa dahil kahit isa lamang siyang katulong, nagagamit niya ang libreng oras niya sa bahay ng among British upang magsulat. Mababait daw ang kanyang mga amo at dalawang batang anak ng mga ito. Minsan ay napansin raw ng amo na hindi umaabot sa kusina ang wifi connection sa bahay kaya nagpakabit ito ng router.
Limang taon na siya sa Hong Kong at hindi siya nagpapalit ng amo. Wala pa siyang balak bumalik sa Pilipinas dahil mas may panahon daw siya rito para sa pagsusulat at maayos ang kuneksiyon sa internet.
Gusto niyang samantalahin ang kalayaang iyon para pormal na mag-aral ng malikhaing pagsusulat at photography upang sa pagbalik niya sa kanyang pamilya ay may taglay siyang bagong kaalaman at makapagbagong-buhay doon bilang isang manunulat.

All set for overseas voting

Everything is ready for the month-long overseas absentee voting beginning April 9, with the Commission on Elections vowing to make the polls the cleanest in history.
In Hong Kong, Comelec’s Office of Overseas Voting has scheduled the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) of the vote-counting machines (VCMs) on April 8 at the Bayanihan Center, where the voting will begin the next day. The Consulate General in Hong Kong received 10 vote counting machines and ballot boxes on March 1; the official ballots have yet to be delivered.
OOV figures showed that Hong Kong  has 93,049 registered voters.  The Comelec is targeting an 80-percent OAV turnout.
Testing of the machines started on March 13 at the Philippine consulates in San Francisco, California and in Madrid, Spain and in New York and Italy on March 18.
Worldwide, the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Voting Secretariat recorded a total of 1,301,598 active registered overseas voters as of October 2015.
Bulk of the overseas voters is in the Middle East and Africa, with 550,000; followed by Asia and the Pacific with 350,000; then the Americas with 250,000; and Europe, 150,000. Around 30,000 seafarers have also registered for absentee voting.
As this developed, Comelec has vowed to make this year’s elections “the most transparent” in history, despite challenges brought about by the Supreme Court (SC) decision requiring the printing of voter receipts right after a voter casts his/her vote.
Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, speaking at a hearing by the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election System (JCOCAES), assured that the poll body has set in place safeguards as required by law to ensure transparency in the conduct of the balloting even if the SC ruling has “dealt a curve ball in our preparations for the upcoming elections.”
“But that is the past and we’re here to move on. We are looking to catch up,” he said, referring to the initial shock felt by poll officials after the SC issued the ruling requiring the printing of vote receipts.
“However, we would like to categorically announce to the committee and to the public that all the safeguards provided in Republic Act 8436 as amended by Republic Act 9369 or the Automated Election Laws, all the safeguards will be in place for the 2016 elections and in fact even more,” Bautista said.
Comelec has been mulling the idea of moving the election date in the Philippines two weeks later, or on May 23, to enable adjustments in the voting process, including the printing of voter receipts. It also raised the possibility of starting the balloting earlier at 6 a.m. and extending it until 5 p.m., instead of the usual 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. voting period.
This came after SC ordered the Comelec to activate the voter verified paper audit trail feature of its vote counting machines in compliance with the Automated Election System Law. The Comelec is now procuring thermal paper, scissors and boxes for the printing and storage of the voter receipts.
SC ruling on Poe spawns suit
The Supreme Court ruling which allowed Grace Poe-Llamanzares to run for president has spurred new cases questioning previous SC decisions.
In one of the them, Regina Ongsiako-Reyes, unseated as Marinduque congresswoman for being a naturalized Filipino, questioned the SC’s Poe ruling despite questions in her citizenship and residency.
Reyes left her post after the Supreme Court affirmed last January the decision of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualifying her in the 2013 congressional election on the grounds that she was a naturalized American citizen.
Lord Allan Velasco, son of Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbiterio Velasco, had replaced Reyes at the House of Representatives.
In her petition to the SC, Reyes compared the high court’s ruling on Poe’s case and that of the disqualification case against her, noting that the high court allowed Poe to run for president even if her parents are unknown but declaring her (Reyes) as ineligible for a congressional seat when she is “a natural-born citizen, with a birth certificate, whose parents are Filipino citizens and are known public servants.”
Reyes is a daughter of former congresswoman Carmencita Reyes and a sister of Edmund. Her father was a commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration during the Marcos administration.
Reyes asked why the high court allowed a foundling who reacquired Philippine citizenship, like Poe did, to seek the presidency after earlier disqualifying a natural-born candidate in lower elective posts with previous dual citizenship and known parents, like Reyes does.
“If Poe-Llamanzares is allowed to run, should not, with more reason that Gina O. Reyes be allowed to run?” Reyes said in a statement.
Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo has earlier warned in his dissenting opinion that the controversial SC ruling on Poe’s case would open the floodgates of election protests as it reversed the jurisprudence set in earlier poll cases.
The Comelec has also appealed the SC ruling, noting that only seven of the 15 justices voted that Poe is a natural-born Filipino citizen, which is not a majority vote.

Catholic church won’t endorse bets
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it is not endorsing any candidate for any position in the May 9 elections as it denied posts that have become viral on social media claiming support for at least two presidential candidates.
In a post on the Papal Visit - Philippines 2015 Facebook page, which it manages, the CBCP Media Office belied a post claiming that Pope Francis issued a statement "admiring" Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
"May we inform the public that the statement from the Pope is not true," the clarification read. "It came from a satire piece and is fake."
It added: "We beg everyone to please stop spreading this and to please cease from maliciously using the Pope for political gains."
Another post called for "block voting" of Catholics for administration standard bearer Mar Roxas and his running-mate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

Money-laundering scandal prompts calls for reforms

Maia Santos-Deguito, the manager of the bank’s Jupiter Branch where the money transactions were processed, testifies before the Senate.

The money-laundering scandal that saw $81 million in stolen funds disappear after passing through accounts at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has rocked the financial sector amid fears that remittances to the country would become restricted.
At RCBC, its president Lorenzo Tan has gone on leave as the bank tries to come to terms with its involvement in the heist. The bank has fired Maia Santos-Deguito, the manager of the bank’s Jupiter Branch where the money transactions were processed, and her assistant, Angela Torres, for falsification of commercial documents and breach of policies to facilitate the laundering of $81 million in stolen money.
“Other branch and bank officials are expected to be meted out various sanctions ranging from termination to suspension in the coming days when internal investigation is expected to be completed,” the bank said.
The transaction, discovered in February, was part of a plot to steal US$1 billion from Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh, from its account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
A US$850-870 million transfer was prevented by the banking system but four requests by the hackers were granted; $81 million was transferred to the Philippines on February 5. The money was later transferred to Hong Kong. Another request to transfer $20 million to Sri Lanka was granted.
The Senate has started an investigation into what was considered as the biggest bank heist in recent history by hackers reportedly from China, and this could lead to reforms in the money laundering law, such as including casinos and real estate agents under the watch of the Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel 3rd said Deguito “is a potential state witness against some people who are more guilty.” Deguito has claimed that businessman William So Go demanded 10 percent of the stolen  $81 million.
Sen. Sergio Osmena, chairman of the Senate committee on banks, said Deguito told senators Wong asked her to open the bank accounts where the $81 million was wired, with the instruction to use the services of foreign exchange remittance company Philrem Services Inc.
 AMLC has filed money-laundering charges against businessmen Kam Sin Wong, a.k.a. Kim Wong, and Weikang Xu before the Department of Justice.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., who heads AMLAC, has vowed to make the Philippines “inhospitable” to money launderers and other groups specializing in financial fraud.

Don’t belittle OFWs’ role in society, Colmenares says

By Vir B. Lumicao

Presidential and senatorial candidates should not ignore the importance of overseas Filipino workers in shaping the Philippine society, according to human rights lawyer and Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares, who is running for a seat in the Senate.
Colmenares made the statement as he bared his three OFW-centered advocacies that he would take to the Senate if he was elected as senator in the May 9 national elections.
These are to fight for an end to unjust government impositions on the overseas workers, advocate better treatment of the country’s so-called modern-day heroes, and to push for industrialization so that people will have decent jobs at home and do not have to go abroad to work.
Colmenares was interviewed by The SUN on March 13 during a brief visit to Hong Kong for the global “miting de avance” of Migrante International on Chater Road, Central, the next day.
“It should be clear to everyone, including the ‘presidentiables’ and ‘senatoriables’, that the OFWs have a significant role in shaping the society,” said Colmenares.
Colmenares was an activist in the martial law era and, as a human rights lawyer, he became involved in many issues concerning overseas Filipino workers. But he said he got a clear view of the three problems dogging the workers when he became a congressman.
He said he authored resolutions, including one criticizing the opening of balikbayan boxes to look for smuggled items and the “laglag-bala” or bullet-planting scam that victimized several returning OFWs.
“After you call them new heroes, you call them smugglers, open their boxes, treat them as gunrunners, and drop bullets in?” he  said.
He cited what he called unjust government impositions on OFWs, such as the overseas employment certificate; the missing Overseas Workers Welfare Administration fund, and the low quality of service that the country’s embassies and consulates provide OFWs.
He said annual OFW remittances have risen to $26 billion, but the workers are treated dismally, as seen in the measly P100 million that went to the workers legal assistance fund for 2015.
Colmenares said he fought for a bigger budget when the government allocated P30 million for the fund, and it was raised to P60 million. In the current Congress, he said he has a resolution seeking a P1 billion budget for the fund.
He said his second advocacy in the Senate would be to lobby against the shabby treatment of OFWs abroad.
“The problem with the government is that out embassies and consuls seem to be afraid to stand up for the rights of our workers in other countries,” he said, citing the case drug trafficking convict Mary Jane Veloso who is on Death Row in Indonesia.
Veloso claimed that Philippine embassy staff in Jakarta neglected her when her case was being heard and Colmenares said it was the National Union of People’s Lawyers of which he is a member that fought to gain reprieve for the Filipina.
“Parang problema pa ng mga OFW natin ang sinuungan nila na mga kaso roon, ang mga pang-aapi, ang mga rape at pagpatay. Hindi sila (government people) tumitindig in favor of the OFWs. Yun ang aking pananaw at marami akong pruweba. Pangalwanag advocacy ko yan sa Senado,” Colmenares said.
He promised to push for industrialization to generate jobs that pay decent salaries so Filipinos won’t have to look for work overseas to support their families.
“I’m against the labor export policy. The government should not treat our people like products for export,” Colmenares said.
He urged the abolition of the OEC and unjust fees and vowed to fight for OFW protection from oppression abroad and fight in Senate for decent jobs in the Philippines.
On illegal and high fees that recruiters collect from workers, Colmenares accused the government of turning a blind eye to the problem “because it intends to continue labor exportation and because of corruption”.
“Kasi gusto nila ang $26 billion bawat taon, kaya hindi nila mino-monitor ang mga agency, kailangan nila iyan,” he said, referring to the annual OFW remittances that provide financial stability to the country even when its neighbors are reeling from global economic downturns.
Colmenares, who fought for the passage of a bill increasing Social Security System pension by P2,000 a month, only to be vetoed by President Benigno Aquino III, said he would continue to fight for its passage.
On the Supreme Court ruling that cleared the candidacy of Sen. Grace Poe for president, Colmenares said nothing in the Constitution states that a foundling is not a Philippine citizen, and that there is an international law that declares that all foundlings are citizens of the country where they are found.
He said the Supreme Court backed Poe on the citizenship issue because of the principle that her accusers should bear the burden of proving she is not a Filipino, and not vice versa.

Demokrasya

Ni Ate Kulit

Kamakailan, isang tagpo sa Chater Road ang pumukaw sa aming puso. Sa kahabaan ng isinarang kalsada (dahil Linggo noon)—mula sa tapat ng Worldwide House hanggang sa dati na nating kilala bilang Legco—ay tatlong grupong politikal ang nagpakita ng kani-kanilang kulay: asul at pula ng grupong maka-Marcos, berde ng grupong Makabayan, at dilaw ng mga sumosuporta sa Roxas-Robredo. Kanya-kanyang kulay, hindi lamang ng damit kundi ng paniniwala.
At siyempre, palakasan din sila ng kani-kanilang sound system. Walang tumalo sa grupong maka-Marcos, dahil mayroon silang stage at mamahalin pa ang kanilang nirentahang gamit. Ang dalawa pang grupong nabanggit ay may baon namang maliliit na portable stereo na de-baterya. Kung sa stage ay may beauty contest, sa kabilang dulo naman ay may pasayaw ng Zumba.
Nakatutuwang pagmasdan ang mga grupong ito: abala sila sa kani-kanilang gawain, pero hindi nagkakapikunan. Nakatutuwa dahil ipinapakita nito ang pagpapahalaga ng mga Pilipino sa isang haligi ng demokrasya: ang karapatan ng bawa’t isa na humawak sa kanya-kanyang paniniwala, at ipagtanggol ito sa pamamagitan ng halalan.
At nakatutuwang makita ito sa Hong Kong dahil, kung tutuusin, dito rin unang nag-ugat ang mga prinsipyong pinagmulan ng mga institusyong tanggap na natin bilang sangkap ng isang demokrasya.
Hindi ba ang Hong Kong ang naging base ng mga Pilipinong unang nag-aklas laban sa pananakop ng Espanya? Hindi ba sa Hong Kong din unang ginawa ang watawat ng Pilipinas? At hindi ba dito rin nagsilbi bilang OFW—bilang isang doktor sa mata—ang ating pambansang bayaning si Dr. Jose Rizal?
Gaya ng mga Pilipinong naka distiyero (o exile sa Inggles) noong pagsasara na ng ika-labinsyam na dantaon, tayo ngayong kasisimula pa lang ng ika-dalawampu’t isang dantaon ay nagsisikap ding mailuklok ang gusto nating tagapamahala, habang naghihintay ng pagkakataong makauwi sa ating bansa.
Kaya naman napansin namin ang mga sulyap na may halong paghanga mula sa mga nakaka-intinding taga rito. Ang karapatan na kanilang pangarap pa lamang ay tinatamasa na natin ngayon.

Never again

By Daisy Catherine L. Mandap

Thirty years ago we got rid of a dictator. That ended 20 long years of iron-fist and kleptocratic rule, when tens of thousands of Filipinos were either tortured, raped or killed, and the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos and his family amassed fortune estimated to be as much as US$10billion.
Over the years, several suits were filed against Marcos and upon his death, his estate, mostly for human rights abuses committed during
his martial law.
In a landmark case, the U.S. Supreme Court awarded about US$600 million of Marcos money hidden in Swiss bank accounts as compensation to the victims or heirs of those who were persecuted or killed during those dark days in our history.
But there were other cases. In one, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Marcos and his eldest daughter Imee, now Ilocos Norte governor, liable for the apparent torture and death of young Archimedes Trajano, who boldly raised a question that irked the dictator’s daughter during a school forum. Trajano’s mother Agapita was awarded more than US$4 million compensation for her son’s death.
Several cases were filed, too, that resulted in a U.S. court turning over to the Philippine government a cache of jewelry that Imelda had brought with her when the Marcoses were forced to flee to Hawaii in 1986. The jewelry collection, estimated to be worth US$21 million, is now up for auction.
Two other cases involving two other sets of Imelda’s fabulous jewelry collection that are worth far more, are still being contested.
According to the government body tasked with recovering the Marcos wealth, many other assets remain unaccounted for, including 146 paintings by masters worth tens of millions of dollars.
One of them, a Monet, surfaced in New York four years ago when Imelda’s former aide, Vilma Bautista, was charged for its illegal sale. Three other paintings listed as among the Marcos assets were also found in her possession.
There were also luxury apartments and other prime real estate in New York that had been tracked down and sold by the Commission on Good Government. Another find was a ruby and diamond tiara in a Swiss bank’s vault.
The fortune they amassed was so boggling that Marcos has gained notoriety as the world’s second most corrupt leader, next only to Indonesia’s Suharto.
What do these cases tell us?
That the horrific abuses and plunder committed during Marcos’ dictatorship are no figment of anyone’s imagination.
That these are the very reasons why the Philippines continues to hobble as the “sick man of Asia”, from being one of the region’s strongest economies before Marcos took over.
That we should never, ever again, let another Marcos, especially someone complicit in the excesses and abuses, assume a post just a heartbeat away from the presidency.
Neither should we elect, or hold up for adulation, someone who tries to cash in on our collective frustration at the post-Marcos woes by hinting of the return of the iron-fist rule.
We should not forget that it is precisely this brand of leadership that led to many of the problems that we continue to experience to this day.
Neither should we forget that it was Marcos’ legacy of corruption and profligacy that allowed at least two other presidents who followed him to amass wealth while in power, pushing us closer to the brink of bankruptcy and hopelessness.
If we are to completely rise from the nightmare of the Marcos years we should not try to revise our history and obliterate the collective grief of the tens of thousands of Filipino patriots who suffered during those years.
We should not allow Bongbong Marcos to become the country’s next vice president, and reject anyone else who tries to hold up the ousted dictator as the paragon of effective leadership.
We should not let anyone make us forget.
Never again.

Rich and generous

By Francisco J. Colayco

Allow me to greet all of us a very Happy and Blessed Easter!  Easter is again an appropriate time to review our generosity.
Some of the richest people in the world are also the most generous. Is giving/charity/donation, etc. something you believe to be also a healthy lifestyle of any financially successful individual or organization?
Some of today’s super rich people who are truly admirable are the likes of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates.
Both of them give so much to charity, in fact, to the “detriment” of their own children, to a certain degree. They specifically plan to limit the amount that their children will inherit and give the bigger bulk to various charitable and research developmental options they choose.  Of course, there is so much for them to bequeath to their children so that the children will not really feel it if they don’t get everything.  Nevertheless, it is a more common practice of the super-rich to give more to their children as a priority and balance to others.
I may not emphasize the spiritual aspect of growing our wealth when I talk or give seminars and write books and articles.  This is because 99% of those who read or listen to me are eager to learn not only for themselves but also for their family and for those who are dear to them.  People with this kind of mindset, I believe, are already in the sharing mode.  They are, by nature, generous.  The 1% who are not generous will learn eventually.  I am a strong believer of the principle: “The more you give, the more you receive.” And “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
But how will you give if you do not have anything to give?  Precisely, this is the basis of my advocacy to teach how to grow, protect, spend wisely so that we can SHARE.
If you are one of those who can understand the concepts and basics of saving and investing, you are blessed because you can use what you learn.  Some have a more difficult time and need more support and encouragement.  Nevertheless, it is everybody’s obligation to learn to grow their wealth precisely because we cannot share what we don’t have.
Companies that have the opportunity to help their employees should do so.  They help their employees become financially educated and not dependent on credit cards and credit union loans.
Saving is really PAYING YOURSELF FIRST.  When you pay yourself, you are saving your money instead of paying the storeowner or the product manufacturer.  Savings is your expense to buy a good future.  It is now “ON SALE” because you are being given special offers to learn how to improve your Savings Expense.  Don’t let such an important item on sale pass you by!

Francisco J. Colayco is an entrepreneur, a venture developer and financial advisor.  He is the founder of Colayco Financial Education and the Kapatiran sa Kasaganaan Service and Multipurpose Cooperative which have developed businesses in banking and finance, real estate, food, agriculture and others.  He is the author of seven bestsellers in the Pera Palaguin Series, the latest of which is now available in ookstores:  “Wealth Reached. Money Worked. Pera Mo, Pinalago Mo!” Find his works and catch him on TV and radio.  Check out: www.colayco financialeducation.com, www.franciscocolayco.com, www.kskcoop.com, FaceBook and Instagram.

Justice heads meet on jail transfer pact

By Vir B. Lumicao

The Philippine government has reportedly taken steps to revive a long-delayed agreement with Hong Kong on the reciprocal transfer of prisoners in both territories.
Sources in the Consulate told The SUN this was the purpose of Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas when he held talks with his Hong Kong counterpart, Rimsky Yuen, on Mar 21.
Caparas arrived the day before and held a meeting with Consul General Bernardita Catalla and other officers of the Consulate.
An insider said Caparas was to meet Yuen on reviving the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners Agreement (TSPA) to let Filipinos sentenced to long jail terms to serve out the remaining part of their sentences in Philippine jails.
The agreement also allows for the reciprocal transfer of Hong Kong inmates in Philippine jails.
Caparas slipped out of Hong Kong shortly after the top-level talks. Both sides declined to disclose what was discussed during the meeting.
Vice Consul Fatima Quintin, head of the assistance to nationals section, said the visit was “low-key”, implying that the Philippine official simply wanted to pay a courtesy call on his Hong Kong counterpart.
A spokesman for Hong Kong’s Department of Justice also declined to disclose details. “Due to confidentiality and as a matter of protocol, in general we do not disclose the discussion between colleagues of the Department of Justice  (including the Secretary for Justice) and visiting officials,” the spokesman said.
The TSPA between Hong Kong and the Philippines was to have taken effect in 2002 but was delayed by disputes between the Philippine justice department and Congress on legal points.
A woman serving 12 years in Tai Lam prison for drug trafficking was the first Filipino to be approved for a transfer, but was released after serving her sentence.
Another Filipino, Mario delos Reyes, who is serving a life sentence for murder, was approved for TSPA but remains in Stanley Prison.
Caparas, who used to be a justice undersecretary, was named acting head of the department after his boss, Leila de Lima, stepped down.

Iyak ng tagumpay: A success story from Canada

By Bhing A. Valin

Part 1

Ang may-akda ay isang residente sa Canada, na dumating doon bilang caregiver 10 taon na ang nakakaraan. Ito ang kuwento ng kanyang pagpapakasakit para maging ganap na residente, at madala doon ang kanyang pamilya. Bago tumulak patungong Canada, si Bhing A. Valin ay nagtrabaho sa Hong Kong ng 10 taon, at naging isa sa mga masisipag na manunulat para sa The SUN.


May 22, 2014, kasama ko ang mga alaga kong sina Morgan, 4 at Evan, 2, sa Vancouver International Airport. Matiyaga kaming naghihintay, habang daan-daang tao ang naglalabasan sakay ng eroplano na nagdala sa apat na miyembro ng aking pamilya galing sa Pilipinas.
Noong una, pigil na pigil ako sa pag-iyak dahil kinakantiyawan ako ni Morgan: “Somebody is going to cry, I tell you”.

Downtown Vancouver (Photo: city government)

Sagot ko naman, “No, I won’t cry, but here I am, choking with so much intensity... because finally, I am gonna see my family again after almost six years of waiting!”
Ganito kong kausapin ang aking alaga, na parang isang matanda gayong musmos pa ito. Iyon ang aking paraan ng pakikipag-usap sa mga bata para umakto rin sila na parang adult sa pakikipagtalastasan kanino man. Epektibong epektibo yon sa aking obserbasyon sa lahat ng inalagaan ko mula pa sa Hong Kong  hanggang dito  sa Canada.
Habang naghihintay kami sa pagsulpot ng aking pamilya, sandaling nagbalik-tanaw ako  sa panahong nag-aayos pa ako ng papeles ko mula sa Hong Kong papunta sa Cranbrook, British Columbia, ang una kong tinirhan sa Canada.
Pebrero, 2006 nang sabihan ako ng amo kong Australyano na nakatira sa Mid-Levels na -release na nila ako sapagka’t buntis na ang asawa niya at hindi na ako kakailanganin sapagkat hihinto  na rin ito sa  pagtuturo ng ballet.
Hmm, sounds reasonable, ika ko. Pero humirit ako: “Would you mind not to issue a release letter for me yet? I will go home and pick up all the documents I will be needing to apply to Canada. Just give me two months and I will be out of here!”
Halos mahalikan ko ang bumbunan ng amo ko nang pumayag siya. Binigyan pa ako  ng pamasahe pauwi ng Pilipinas at pabalik ng Hong Kong, plus allowance na HK$3,000 at  Php 2,500 na sobra nila noong namasyal sila sa Boracay. Ang saya ng lola mo!

Bhing A. Valin

Pagbalik ko ng Hong Kong ay inayos ko kaagad  ang papeles ko. Ako mismo ang nakipagtalastasan sa amo na kumukuha sa akin. Wala pang isang linggo ay dumating na ang “labor market opinion” (LMO na LMIA na ngayon) na nagpapatunay na maari akong magtrabaho sa Canada. Ako na din   ang  kumuha ng aking visa sa Canadian Consulate, dalawang linggo bago matapos ang ibinigay kong taning sa mga amo ko.
Sumulat ako sa consulate at sinabing ako ay nagbitiw na sa aking trabaho  kaya minadali nila ang issuance ng aking visa. Dahil wala akong ibang paraan para mabayaran ang agency fee ko, isinanla ko ang tatlo kong time deposit certificates sa PNB na iniingatan ko para sa tatlo kong anak. Maigi na lang at may natira pa ako kay panganay.
Dali-dali  akong nagpaalam  sa mga amo ko at tuwang-tuwa naman sila. Pinabaunan nila ako ng kanilang mga yakap at halik at isang tabong luha. Ayaw naman akong bitawan ng  anak nila dahil halos dalawang taon akong “love of his life”. Wala na daw siyang kalaro, kasama sa panonood ng TV, at karaoke buddy. Binaon ko papunta ng Canada ang magagandang ala-alang iyon.
Ang buhay ko sa Cranbrook sa loob ng 15 buwan ay bittersweet. Napakalaki ng bahay ngunit malungkot. Kalahating kilometro ang layo mo sa unang kapit-bahay. Kung nasa itaas ka ng bahay ay mistulang nasa isang kaharian ka sa tuktok ng burol.
Mabait sa una ang Hungarian na amo ko, ngunit paglaon ay lumabas din ang natural. Bawal humawak ng telepono pag nagtatrabaho ka, pero puwede kang mag-internet pagkatapos. Bayad ako para sa walong oras na pagtatrabaho pero laging lampas sa siyam na oras bago ako matapos. At dahil nakatira ako sa bahay nila, hindi maiwasang pati Sabado at Linggo ay nahihila ako ng walong taong gulang nilang anak, habang ang mag-asawa ay nakatutok sa kambal nilang baby.
Sa isip ko, “Hay makisama ka para magtagal ka.” Panay din ang dasal ko na mabigyan ako ng ekstrang trabaho para may panggastos at makalimutan ang lungkot.
Sa kalaunan ay natuklasan ko na hindi lang ako ang caregiver sa mapanglaw na lugar na iyon na may ganoong panalangin, lalo na at nasa simbahan kami. Kaming limang Pilipina na nandoon ay iisa lagi ang dinarasal, ang masubsob sa trabaho dahil kapag nasa kuwarto na kami at nag-iisa, kailangang may nakahanda nang malaking tuwalya dahil tiyak na babaha ang luha.
Dininig naman ni Lord ang dasal ko na iyon! Binigyan ako ng ekstrang trabaho, kaya nadagdagan ang kita ko at nabawasan ang aking gastos dahil hindi na ako nakakagala masyado at nadadala sa mga tukso sa mata.
Unti-unti ko nang nabayaran ang mga nagastos ko  sa  pagpunta rito sa Canada.

The Optimists

Ni Marites G. Palma

Ano ang sikreto ng tatlong magkakaibigan na dating lampas-ulo ang mga dinadalang problema ngunit ngayon ay nakakapagsabi nang stress-free na sila?
Paano nila natutuhang maging positibo sa buhay at masayahin sa araw-araw gaano man kabigat ang kanilang trabaho at gaano man kamaldita ang mga among pinaglilingkuran nila, at makuhang ngitian ang lahat ng kanilang mga  nakakasalubong sa daan?
Mula noong nasubukan nilang umakyat sa matataas na bundok ng Hong Kong at nakita ng kanila mismong mga mata ang magagandang tanawin ng lungsod ay unti-unting nabago ang kanilang mga pananaw sa buhay.
Ayon kay Grace Felasol, ang pinakapinuno nilang tatlo, wala siyang sinayang na panahon sa pananatili niya rito sa Hong Kong bilang kasambahay dahil ginugol niya ang kanyang araw-pahinga sa pagdalo ng mga libreng seminar na ipinagkakaloob ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), gayundin sa mga pagsasanay na ibinibigay ng iba pang mga ahensiya sa mga gustong matuto ng bagong kaalaman sa iba’t ibang larangan.
Nakatanggap si Felasol ng siyam na sertipiko sa mga pagsasanay na iyon ukol sa personality development, fire safety ambassador, entrepreneurial development, domestic helper course Level 1, Pediatric CPR and first aid course, at basic computer. Maging ang dalawang kasamahan niya ay nakatapos sa mga pagsasanay.
Pagkatapos ng pagpapayaman sa kaalaman ay naisipan naman ni Felasol ang maglibang dahil parang bumibigat na ang kanyang pakiramdam sa dami ng mga iniisip. Nakipag-ugnayan siya sa mga dating kaibigan at kapwa taga-Capiz na namamasukan na rin dito bilang mga kasambahay -- sina Grace Bansagan at Abby Matira.
Nagkataong may mga dinadala ring problema sina Bansagan at Matira kaya hindi sila nagdalawang-isip makipagkita kay Felasol at napagkasunduang subukang umakyat sa bundok. At kakaiba ang kanilang nakaugalian: Bago sila umaakyat ay nagsisimba muna sila at nanalangin upang maging ligtas ang kanilang lakad.
Unang nilang inakyat ang Tai Tam dahil sa pakiramdam nila ay mas malapit at mas madali iyon para sa tulad nilang mga baguhan.  Nahirapan sila sa una dahil wala silang ensayo, pero kinaya nilang akyatin iyon at hindi nila mailarawan ang kanilang kasiyahan nang marating nila ang tuktok at masilayan ang likas na ganda ng lugar na iyon.
Patang-pata man ang kanilang mga katawan kinagabihan ay binale-wala nila iyon dahil sulit na sulit diumano ang kasiyahang naramdaman nila. Nagpasiya ang magkakaibigan na muli silang aakyat sa bundok sa mga susunod na araw ng pahinga.
Sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay naging magaan na ang kanilang pakiramdam na aakyat muli dahil nagkaroon na sila ng tiwala sa kanilang mga sarili at maaliwalas na ang kanilang isipan.
Sa mga sumunod na pag-akyat nila ay pinag-aaralan na nilang mabuti kung ano ang dapat isaalang-alang bago umakyat, lalo na sa mga matatarik na bundok. Nagdadala sila ng first aid kit, tubig, cellphone, powerbank at pagkain dahil nagpi-picnic na rin sila kung saan sila inaabot ng gutom lalo na kung tag-init.
Ayon kay Bansagan, naging inspirasyon nila ang kanilang mga sarili habang naririto sila sa Hong Kong dahil umano sa pamamagitan ng regular nilang pag-akyat sa mga bundok at nakikita ang likas na kagandahan ng pook na ito ay nagkakaroon sila ng katahimikan at kapayapaan.
Pagod na pagod man sila sa anim na araw na paninilbihan bilang mga kasambahay ay napapawi ang kanilang nararamdaman hirap pagsapit ng Linggo dahil alam nilang mararamdaman nilang muli ang ligayang dulot ng kanilang pag-akyat.
Naging positibo na ang kanilang pananaw sa buhay. Naniniwala sila na ang lahat ng paghihirap na pisikal, emosyonal at pang-isipan ay may katapusan at mararating din ang rurok ng tagumpay sa tamang panahon kung may tiyagang ang isang tao na lakbayin ang masasalimuot na daan tungo sa magandang buhay.
Maihahalintulad ito sa napakahirap na pagtahak sa matarik at madulas na landas patungo sa tuktok ng bundok na  sa tingin ng karamihan  ay hindi mararating ng tao, ngunit buo sa kanilang isip na mararating nila ang lugar na nakakapawi sa pagod at nakakapagpalimot sa mga problema nila sa buhay.
Bukod sa napakagandang epekto nito sa kalusugan ng tao ay napapalalim pa ang pagkakakilala nilang tatlo sa isa’t isa, at lalong tumitibay ang kanilang pagkakaibigan. Ang mga pag-akyat nila sa bundok ay nakakatulong sa pagbuo ng masasayang alaalang mamalagi sa kanilang isipan hanganggang sa kanilang pagtanda, saanmang dako ng mundo sila makararating sa hinaharap.
Nagsimula ang pag-akyat ng tatlong magkakaibigan sa bundok noong Disyembre 2015 at mula noon palagi na nilang ginagagwa ito. Nakarating na sila sa Dog’s Teeth, Tung Chung, Wong Nai Chung, Dragon’s Back Trail, Sai Kung Stream, Lion Rock at iba pang bundok na may magagandang tanawin.
Minsan ay nagyayaya rin sila ng mga ibang kaibigan kung ang pupuntahan nila ay yaong mga madaling marating.
Ayon sa tatlo, nagkaroon din ng mga balakid ang kanilang paglalakad gaya ng pagkakasakit nila kapag inaabutan ng ulan sa kabundukan, mga galos na nakukuha kapag napapadausdos o di kaya’y nadarapa sa landas. Ngunit buong tapang silang bumabangon upang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pagsulong.
Madalas din silang inaabot ng dilim sa bundok ngunit nakakauwi pa rin naman sila nang maayos. Sinabihan na rin nila ang kanilang mga amo, na halos hindi umano daw makapaniwalang nararating nila ang lugar sa mga larawang ipinapakita nila.
Sinusuportahan na rin sila ng kanilang mga amo at pinapayuhan tungkol sa mga dapat nilang gawin kapag may di-inaasahang pangyayari.
Sa loob lamang ng ilang buwang paglalakad at pag-akyat sa bundok tuwing Linggo ay napakalaki na umano ang epekto nito sa kanilang pamumuhay. Hindi na sila nahihirapang mag-isip kung ano ang dapat gawin kapag may mga problemang dumarating. Mula man  ito sa mga kapamilya sa Pilipinas o sa mga kanilang mga amo, tinatawanan na lang daw nila ang mga ito ngayon.
Ang payo nila sa kanilang mga kapwa migranteng manggagawa ay mahalin ang kanilang mga sarili, libangin, at alagaan sa pamamagitan ng ganitong gawain para sumaya at gumaan ang kanilang buhay. Tandaan diumano na wala nang ibang makakatulong sa ating mga sarili kung hindi tayo na rin mismo habang nasa ibang bayan tayo.
Sa sinuman nais sumama sa kanilang paglalakad at pag-akyat upang mapawi ang pagiging balisa, maari silang tawagan sa 5498 5070 para sa anumang katanungan.

Pasyalan at kaalaman sa Tung Chung North Park

Ni Jo Campos

Lubhang nakalilibang ang pamamasyal sa iba’t-ibang lugar, lalo na kung kasama mo ang iyong mga kaibigan. Ang paboritong puntahan ng marami ay ang mga beach, lalo na sa panahon ng tag-init. Ngunit dahil kakaiba ang haba ng taglamig ngayon dito sa Hong Kong, mukhang mas kaiga-igaya ang paglalakad.
Maraming lugar dito ang kagigiliwan ng mga mahilig maglakad ngunit hindi gaanong matiyaga, o mahina ang kakayahan na umakyat sa matatarik na lugar at bulubundukin. Karamihan sa mga ito ay nasa New Territories, na malayo sa maingay at mataong siyudad ng Hong Kong, at kung saan mas presko at sariwa ang simoy ng hangin.
Isa na dito ang Tung Chung North Park, na may 3.8 ektaryang lawak ang lakaran. Ang parke na nasa Man Tung Road, Tung Chung, ay may mga pasilidad para sa lahat, mapa bata o matanda.
May malawak itong palaruan sa mga bata, na maaari ding gamitin na lakaran ng mga may edad na. Mayroon din ditong soccer pitch para naman sa mahihilig sa palarong ito.
Ang isang tahimik na bahagi nito ay nakalaan naman sa mga matatanda, na kung tawagin ay Elderly Fitness Corner. Dito makikita ang mga gamit pang ehersisyo na naaayon sa kanilang edad at kakayahan. Sa mga mahilig naman sa pag-aalaga ng aso, may isang malawak na hardin kung saan maaring pakawalan ang mga alagang hayop upang ang mga ito ay makapaglaro.
Kung ang hilig naman ay pag-eehersisyo, ang Trail of Health na matatagpuan din sa loob ng malawak na parke ay may jogging trail, at pebble walk para sa mga gustong ma-ehersisyo ang talampakan at binti. Kailangan lang na maglakad dito nang nakayapak, para madama ang ginhawang dulot mga batong nakausli sa semento na may iba’t-ibang hugis at laki. Ito ay naayon sa siyensa ng reflexology, na nagtatakda na ang bawa’t bahagi ng talampakan ng tao ay may kaugnayan sa iba-ibang bahagi ng kanyang katawan, Sa isang tagong bahagi naman ng Tung Chung North Park ay matatagpuan ang isang Chinese herb garden. Ang mga halamang ginagamit sa panggagamot ng ayon sa traditional Chinese medicine ay matatagpuan dito. Bawat halaman ay may katabing nakapaskel na impormasyon tungkol sa kung anong sakit ang maari nitong pagalingin. Hindi lang mga simpleng sakit ang ginagamitan ng mga halaman dito, kundi pati na rin ang mga malalang karamdaman katulad ng cancer. May exhibition hall din dito, kung saan makukuha ang karagdagang kaalaman sa mga halamang gamot.
Bukod sa pagliliwaliw, nakakatulong din ang pamamasyal sa parkeng ito upang mapalawak ang ating kaalaman tungkol sa kung paano natin mapapanatili ang ating kalusugan.
Maari ding tapusin ang pamamasyal sa pamamagitan ng pamimili sa Citygate Outlets na matatagpuan sa bukana pa lang ng Tung Chung MTR station. Paboritong bilihan ito ng mga turista, o iyong mahihilig sa mga branded na gamit na bagsak presyo. Kabilang sa mga may factory outlet dito ay ang Coach, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Furla, at iba pang mamahaling brand ng mga damit, sapatos at bag.
Kapag nagutom naman at napagod sa pag-iikot o pamimili ay maaaring kumain sa isa sa mga restaurant sa isang malaking food court sa mall. May Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese o Chinese na kainan dito.
Malapit din dito ang Ngong Ping 360 cable car na paboritong sakyan ng mga namamasyal patungo sa Po Lin Monastery kung saan matatagpuan ang isa sa pinakamalaking Buddha sa buong mundo.
Tiyak na sulit ang maghapong pamamasyal kung dito sa sa parteng ito ng Tung Chung magagawi.
Mararating ang Tung Chung North Park mula sa Central MTR Station patungong Tung Chung Station. Lumabas sa Exit C at pumasok sa Citygate at doon maglakad patungo sa parke.

Liezl Mercado: Cooking from the heart

By Jo Campos

Every cook worth his (or her) salt knows that a dish that comes from the heart is always the best bet to impress the discerning taste buds.
This is what guides Liezl Mercado, a family driver who also spends a lot of time in the kitchen, as cooking has been her lifelong passion.
Her preoccupation with food started at an early age, way back when she was growing up in Davao City.
Liezl recalls: “Namalayan ko na nag start ako sa kusina at a young age.. siguro Grade 3, mahilig ako makialam sa paghihiwa ng mga lulutuin lalo na pag may handaan at fiesta. Pumapatong pa ako sa silya para maabot ko ang kalan at tumutulong sa paghahalo ng pagkaing niluluto.”
Not surprising, as Liezl comes from a family of restaurateurs. Her family is known as one of the pioneers in the tuna ihaw-ihaw business in Manila back in the ‘80s, and a half brother owns the Jack’s Ridge restaurant in Davao City.
Other half siblings ran a restaurant called Apo Duwaling in Manila, where she worked while studying in college. She also worked parttime for Tuna Grill on Tomas Morato in Quezon City.
But her connection with food doesn’t end with having a family of foodies. She is currently working for a family of cooks as well. Her male boss is a chef, and his wife is a food blogger.
She not only performs driving duties for her employers, she also gets the chance to hone her passion in cooking. This bit of multi-tasking does not faze Liezl as she has been doing it in the 16 years that she has worked for different households.
It is the same zeal for doing something different that prompted Liezl to take up driving lessons. She passed the tests and got her driving license in 2012, but it took her another two years and a change of employers before she was able to get behind the wheel as part of her household duties.
She gets to mingle with fellow family drivers on a regular basis as she is the secretary of Road HK, an organization of Filipino lady drivers.
Even with her cooking, Liezl always tries to do something different. While she prefers  cooking savoury dishes, she also dabbles in baking, and is always challenging herself to come up with new dishes and cooking ideas.
One of such challenges will come this June, when she joins a cooking competition  organized by the Philippine Consulate General. True to form, Liezl says she is excited to take on the challenge.
Her future plans also revolve around food and cooking. She says her greatest dream is to set up a food-related business in the future. Maybe not another restaurant, but a venture that will give vent to the cooking passion that runs in her blood.

Liezl Mercado's Chocolate and Beetroot Brownies

 Ingredients:
• 250 g. unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 250 g. dark chocolate (about 70 per cent cocoa solids), broken into pieces
• 3 medium eggs
• 250 g. caster sugar
•  A pinch of sea salt
• 150 g. self-raising flour (whole meal ideally, but white works well too)
• 250 g. beetroot, boiled until tender, cooled , peeled and grated

 Method:
1. Grease a shallow baking tin, approximately 20 x 25 cm. and line the base with baking parchment.
2. Put the butter and chocolate in a heat proof bowl. Set the oven at 180 degrees Celsius or Gas Mark 4 and put the bowl in it for a few minutes until the chocolate and butter star to melt.
3. Stir, then put back in to the oven for a few more minutes to melt completely, you could melt them together in the traditional way. Over a pan of hot water, but it is a shame not to exploit the warming oven.
4. Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl until combined then beat in the melted chocolate and butter until smooth.
5. Combine the salt with the flour, sift them over the chocolate mixture, then gently fold in with a large metal spoon.
6. Fold in the grated beetroot- be careful not to over-mix or it will make the brownies tough
7. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes; when the brownies are done, a knife or skewer inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Don’t be tempted to overcook them or they will be dry.
9. Remove the tin from the oven and leave on a wire rack to cool before cutting into squares.
10. Garnish with thinly sliced strawberries and drizzle with icing sugar before serving each square portion.

Liezl Mercado's Stir-fried Roasted Cauliflower

 Ingredients:
For the pork marinade:
• ½ cup sliced lean pork
• 2 teaspoons shaoxing wine or dry sherry
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

For the rest of the dish:
• 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
• Oil
• Salt and pepper
• 6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 6 dried red chilies, halved
• 6 slices ginger
• 2 scallions, cut into large pieces
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons shaoxing wine or dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine the pork with the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
2. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread out the cauliflower in a single layer and drizzle with olive oil.
3. Season with salt and pepper and roast until crisp and golden, about 20 minutes. Stir the cauliflower halfway through baking.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the garlic, chilies and ginger, and cook for about 2 minutes, making sure they don’t burn. Turn up the heat to high, add the pork, and cook until browned
5. Stir in the cauliflower (keep the heat on high), and cook for a minute.
6. Add the scallion, sesame oil, and the soy sauces.
7. Cover and bring everything to a simmer, season with additional salt if needed. Uncover and give everything another stir.
8. Serve over rice.

Hindi nakalusot ang palusot

Tahimik lamang na nagmamasid si Mang Roger sa mahaba haba ng pila sa Kosulado habang tumitingin siya sa unahan.  Minamanmanan pala niya ang bagong dating na tibo na masayang bumati sa nasa unahan ng pila. Maya-maya pa ay nakikipagkwentuhan na ang tibo sa mga nakapila sa unahan. Noong magbukas ang lift at lumakad na ang pila, sumingit na siya sa harapan. Patakbong sinigawan ni Kuya Roger ang tibo na sumingit sa harapan ng pila, Minura niya ito at hinila paalis sa pila sa unahan at sinabihang ng, “Ang galing mo naman, kami maagang gumising para sa pila, tapos ngayon late ka nang dumating uunahan mo pa kami?” minura pa siya. Sagot naman ng tibo na nataranta sa pagkabigla, may appointment na daw kasi siya sa pagpapakuha ng litrato para sa passport, at sinabihan siyang bumalik na lang, kaya akala niya ay hindi na siya kailangang pumila. Sa inis ni Mang Roger ay sinabihan ang tibo na kailangan pa din itong pumila, may appointment man siya o wala. Walang nagawa ang tibo kundi ang lumakad papunta sa dulo ng pila. Si Mang Roger ay pauwi noon sa Pilipinas ng wala sa plano dahil nagkasakit ang isa sa mga miyembro ng kanyang pamilya. Nagpa- extension lamang siya ng validity ng passport niya para makauwi at makabalik sa Hong Kong ng walang problema sa kanyang dokumento.- Marites Palma

Payabangan sa mga biyaya

Napakaagang lumabas ni Yrine noong araw ng pahinga niya para magtungo sa Konsulado dahil isang buwan na lamang ang natitira sa validity ng pasaporte niya. Maaga man siyang nakarating doon ay marami ng nakapila at naghihintay sa pagbukas ng lift. Habang nakatayo sa pila ay tahimik lang siya, at nakinig sa usapan ng mga nadatnan na niyang nakapila doon. Sabi ng isa, “Ako, 10 yrs ko na sa iisang amo ko at napakagalante nila, imagine tuwing Chinese New Year ay 2000 HKD silang binibigay sa akin, na nakalagay sa hongpao”. Sagot ng isa, “Mas galante amo ko ah, magdadalawang taon pa lamang ako sa kanila pero katumbas na ng sahod ko ang natatanggap ko, mababait  sila, maluwag pa sa pagkain. Sagot naman ng isang medyo may edad na, “Ako, tuwing Pasko may 13 month pay, at tuwing CNY ay nagbibigay pa din sila. kaya dobleng galante ang amo ko, above minimum pa sahod ko”. Sambot ng isang nakikinig, “Napakaswerte mo naman ate”. Sagot ng isa pa, “Eh di marami kayong ipon ngayon, pwede na kayong  mag for good kasi medyo may mga edad na po kayo, enjoy niyo  na lang po buhay niyo sa Pilipinas kasama ang pamilya niyo. Napatingin sila kay Yrine ngayon, dahil sa sinabi niya. Sagot naman ni ate, wala pa nga akong ipon, kasi may edad na ako noong nag-asawa na ako, ngayon bata pa ang anak ko, kailangang magtrabaho pa ako para mapatapos ko siya sa pag-aaral”. Iyong isa naman ay nagsabi na marami pa siyang pinapaaral kaya hindi pa puwedeng umuwi. Dito nainis ang ibang nakarinig. Sabi ng isa, ang yayabang nung mga nagbidahan, wala pa naman palang ipon. Sabi naman ni Yrine sa sarili: “Buhay nga naman ng mga Pinay, kapag nagkatagpo kahit saan hindi nila maiwasang magpayabangan sa mga natatanggap nilang biyaya. Pero normal na lang yun pero sana huwag nilang kaligtaang mag-ipon para sa sarili para sa kinabukasan. Maliit man o malaki ang shaod ay kailangan pa ring mag-ipon.” Si Yrine ay tubong Isabela na kasalukuyang naninilbihan sa mga Briton na amo sa New Territories. – Marites Palma

May premyo sa high-tech na recipe

Halos araw-araw ay ang ihahandang lutuin ang pinoproblema ni Brenda. Maselan kasi ang kanyang amo sa pagkain at gusto ng kanyang mga alaga ay iba’t-ibang putahe araw-araw. Isang taon pa lang si Brenda dito sa Hong Kong kaya’t hindi pa ito bihasa sa pagluluto. Halos lahat na yata ng recipe sa cookbook na bigay ng kanyang amo ay nailuto na niya. Isang kaibigan ang nagbigay ng payo kay Brenda na mag-search sa Google at You Tube ng mga recipe. Laking tuwa naman ni Brenda dahil hindi na siya nahihirapang mag-isip ng lulutuin. Gamit ang kanyang cellphone, halos sumakit ang kanyang mga mata sa panonood ng paraan ng pagluluto sa mga video na napipili niya. Isang araw na nasa bahay ang kanyang amo ay nakita nitong sa maliit na cellphone na iyon ni Brenda sinusunod ang mga recipe na hinahanda niya. Hindi napansin ni Brenda na matagal nang nakamasid ang amo sa kanya kaya’t nagulat siya nang makita, at agad itinago ang kanyang cellphone dahil ang akala niya ay pagagalitan siya nito. Agad namang sinabi ng kanyang amo na kaya daw pala masasarap ang kanilang pagkain lagi ay dahil matiyagang naghahanap si Brenda ng mga recipe sa internet. Pinuri naman ito ng kanyang amo at sinabi sa kanyang masaya siya sa pagiging masipag ni Brenda. Isang araw na dumating ang kanyang amo ay may iniabot itong kahon sa kanya at sinabing hindi na sasakit ang kanyang mga mata sa maliit na cellphone. Nang buksan ni Brenda ang kahon ay may isang Ipad at regalo daw ito ng kanyang amo sa kanya para magamit niya sa pagse-search ng mga recipe sa internet at ibinigay na rin sa kanya ang password ng wifi. Dati kasi ay nakikikonekta lang siya sa wifi ng kapitbahay na kaibigan niya ang Pinay na nagtatrabaho doon. Lalo namang naging inspirado si Brenda sa pagluluto dahil mabilis na ang koneksyon niya ng wifi at magarang Ipad pa ang gamit niya. Si Brenda ay isang dalaga at nagtatrabaho sa Mid Levels. –Jo Campos

Daig pa nito ang CCTV

Parehong nagtatrabaho ang mag asawang amo ni Mary at madalas na bumibiyahe ang mga ito sa ibang bansa. Ang lagi lang niyang kasama ay ang kanyang 12 anyos na alaga. Kapag nasa bahay naman ang alaga niya ay lagi lang itong nakakulong sa kuwarto at naglalaro ng playstation, kaya sinasamantala ni Mary ang pagkakataon na makapag internet at makipagtsismisan sa mga kaibigan online. Ilang beses na ring napagsabihan si Mary dahil dito. Sinabi ng kanyang amo noon na puwede naman siyang makipag-usap sa kanyang mga kaibigan ngunit huwag naman daw umabot ng ilang oras ang telebabad nito. Hindi nakinig si Mary at sinamantala ang mga panahong nasa ibang bansa ang mga amo para ituloy ang kanyang pakiki-chat sa internet o paglalakwatsa sa labas. Katwiran niya, kahit naman naiiwan ang kanyang alaga ay wala naman itong pakialam sa kanya dahil lagi din itong nakakulong lang sa kanyang kuwarto at hindi alam ang kanyang ginagawa. Nang bumalik na ang kanyang amo ay agad siyang sinita at sinabing hindi siya sumusunod sa sinasabi nito dahil alam umano niya na lagi pa rin siyang nakatelebabad at halos walang ginagawa maghapon. Itinanggi naman ni Mary ang bintang ng amo, ngunit binigyan siya ng warning nito at sinabing alam niya ang mga kilos ni Mary kahit wala sila sa bahay. Sa paghihinalang may CCTV sa kanilang bahay ay hinalughog niya ang lahat ng sulok ng bahay ngunit wala naman siyang nakita. Isang araw na nasa ibang bansa uli ang kanyang amo, narinig niyang may kausap ang kanyang alaga sa telepono, at doon niya narinig na nagsusumbong ang kanyang alaga sa kanyang nanay at sinasabi ang lahat ng kilos at galaw niya. Daig pa pala ang CCTV sa kanyang alaga dahil detalyado pang sinasabi sa kanyang ina ang mga ginagawa ni Mary. Mula noon ay maingat na si Mary sa kanyang kilos kapag nasa bahay ang kanyang alaga dahil lahat ng gawin niya ay tiyak na irereport nito sa amo niya.   –Jo Campos