Kin of ‘charcoal’ suicide seek autopsy waiver

By Vir B. Lumicao

Relatives of a Filipino domestic worker who apparently committed suicide because of financial problems have reportedly asked for a waiver of a police autopsy on the body so it could be brought home sooner.
The mother of Janice, the victim, was expected to arrive on Jan. 13 to fetch the remains.
Janice was found dead in an empty luxury flat in Kowloon City on Jan. 6, with burnt charcoal nearby.
Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, acting head of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate, told The SUN about the relatives’ desire to dispense with the autopsy.
The autopsy is a standard procedure for “reportable” deaths – or those not due to natural  causes - in Hong Kong unless the family personally applies for a waiver with the coroner.
The police has initially classified the case as “dead body found”.
According to the Police Public Relations Branch the victim’s body would be autopsied to find out the exact cause of death.
The police report indicates that Janice’s body was found by her employer inside the washroom of a unit in Earl Gardens, Kowloon City, at 10:13 am on Jan. 13.
When police went to check, they found the victim lying on the washroom floor beside a pile of burning charcoal.
The employer reportedly told police that before her death, the victim was having financial problems.
According to the Consulate, Janice had been employed for almost six years as a domestic helper who also drove for the employer’s family.
She took over the position when her predecessor, who had served the same employer for 16 years, returned home for good.
The employer has arranged for the victim’s mother and the former driver to come to Hong Kong to fetch the body.

Master showman German Moreno, 82

Bumuhos ang pakikiramay at pasasalamat sa namayapang Master Showman na si German Moreno. Binawian ng buhay ang mabait na komedyante/radio at TV host/ producer/ mentor at star builder noong umaga ng January 8, sa edad na 82.
Sa loob ng 52 taon sa show business, mula nang ma-discover siya bilang talent sa Clover Theatre kung saan una siyang namasukan noon bilang isang janitor, kinilala si Kuya Germs bilang pangunahing star builder dahil sa dami ng natulungan niyang maging sikat na artista, singer o TV host.
Sa kanyang programang GMA Supershow nahasa sa hosting sina Zsazsa Padilla, Vina Morales, Dawn Zulueta at Sharon Cuneta, pero ang pinakamalaking nai-ambag niya sa showbiz ay ang pag-discover niya ng mga bagong artista at singers sa kanyang programang That's Entertainment. Kabilang sa mga mga ito sina Lea Salonga, Judy Ann Santos, Sheryl Cruz, Manilyn Reynes, Tina Paner, Janno Gibbs, Keempee de Leon, Piolo Pascual (PJ Pascual), Romnick Sarmenta, Herbert Bautista, Harlene Bautista, Gelli de Belen, JC Bonnin, Jonjon Hernandez, Cris Villanueva, Ronel Victor, Lotlot de Leon, Ramon Christopher, Michael Locsin, Rita Avila, Sunshine Dizon, Chuckie Dreyfuss, Patricia Javier, Angelica Jones, Zoren Legaspi, Kier Legaspi, Nadia Montenegro, Vina Morales, Aiko Melendez, Rufa Mae Quinto, Gladys Reyes, Donita Rose, Jennifer Sevilla, Carmina Villaroel, Jessa Zaragoza, Karla Estrada, Iza Calzado (Izadora Calzado), Sunshine Cruz, John Arcilla, Jojo Alejar, Isabel Granada, Lilet, Ara Mina (Hazel Reyes), Isko Moreno, Jovit Moya, Francine Prieto (Anna Marie Falcon), Lovely Rivero, Romano Vasquez, Ana Roces, Asssunta de Rossi (Assunta Schiavone), Francis Magalona, Ian Veneracion, Bunny Paras, Smokey Manaloto, Priscilla Almeda (Abby Viduya), Dranreb Belleza, Kyla (Melanie Hernandez), Keno, Aljon Jimenez at marami pang iba. Dito rin nagsimula sa showbiz si Billy (Billy Joe) Crawford, noong apat na taong gulang siya, at pinakabata sa grupo.
Siya rin ang founder ng Walk of Fame Philippines sa Eastwood, Quezon City, na ginaya sa Hollywood Walk of Fame sa Amerika. Ang huling nabigyan niya ng stars dito noong December 1, 2015 ay ang phenomenal loveteam ng AlDub nina Alden Richards at Maine Mendoza at ang JoWaPao group nina Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola at Paolo Ballesteros ng Eat Bulaga. Kasama ring binigyan ng star ang loveteam nina Jake Vargas at Julie Ann San Jose.
Na-stroke si Kuya Germs noong Jan 2 ng nakaraang taon, dalawang araw matapos siyang mapanood sa 2015 New Year countdown ng GMA Network. Matagal- tagal din siyang nawala dahil kinailangan siyang magpahinga at dumaan sa iba't ibang therapy upang muli siyang makapagsalita at makapaglakad. Hindi man bumalik sa dati ang kanyang kalusugan, hindi pa rin siya napigilan na balikan ang kanyang TV show na "Walang Tulugan' (with the Master Showman) at radio show na "Walang Siesta", at gampanan ang iba pang showbiz events. Huli siyang napanood sa New Year (2016) countdown ng GMA Network na ginanap sa Mall of Asia (MOA).
Naulila niya ang kanyang adopted son na si Federico Moreno, ang asawa nitong si Shiela (ate nina Vina Morales at Shaina Magdayao) at ang apat nilang anak.
Ibinurol si Kuya Germs sa Mt. Carmel Church sa Quezon City, kung saan ay dumagsa agad ang mga naging kasamahan niya sa showbiz gaya nina Nora Aunor, Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, Plita Corrales, Jackielou Blanco, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Sharon Cuneta, Eddie Gutierrez, Dawn, at marami pang iba. Mistulang naging malaking reunion ng That's Entertainment at iba pa niyang shows ang kanyang burol.
Inihatid siya sa huling hantungan noong Jan. 14.

JUDY ANN, NANGANAK
Nanganak na si Judy Ann Santos sa pangatlong anak nila ng asawang si Ryan Agoncillo noong gabi ng Jan 8. Ang baby girl ay pinangalanan nilang Juana Luisa, at binigyan ng palayaw na Luna.
Ang dalawa pa nilang anak ay sina Johanna Louise (Yohann) at Juan Luis (Lucho). Nasa show niyang Eat Bulaga si Ryan nang biglang magpaalam dahil kailangan na daw niyang puntahan ang asawa dahil manganganak na ito.
Ang TV series na Someone to Watch Over Me na pagbibidahan dapat ni Juday ay hindi natuloy na ipalabas dahil sa pagbubuntis niya. Sinabihan  niya ang ABS CBN na sa ibang artista na ito ibigay, pero mas minabuti ng pamunuan ng Kapamilya station na maghintay na lang kung kailan siya pwedeng magtrabaho ulit. Makakasama niya sina Richard Yap at Diether Ocampo.

VIC-PAULEEN WEDDING
Tila malaking produksyon ng Eat Bulaga ang magiging kasal nina Vic Sotto at Pauleen Luna dahil karamihan ng nasa entourage ay mga kasamahan nila sa show, mga kamag-anak at ilang matatalik na kaibigan, gaya ni Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, na isa sa mga bridesmaids. Uuwi sa Pilipinas si Pia sa January 23 upang magbakasyon, at daluhan ang kasal ni Pauleen, na matagal na niyang kaibigan.
Ang iba pang kasali sa kasal:
Principal sponsors: Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto at Carmencita Garcia, Mr. & Mrs. Tony at  at Madeleine Tuviera at Joey de Leon at Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian.
Matron of Honor: Ruby Rodriguez, Maid of Honor: Franchesca Que; Best Man: Vico Sotto, Groomsmen:  Val Sotto, Maru Sotto, Anjo Yllana, Wally Bayola,  Jose Manalo at Paolo Ballesteros.
Bridesmaids: Pia Wurtzbach, Anne Margaret Luna, Leah Camille Agcaoili at Mara Isabel Sotto
Secondary sponsors: Danica Sotto-Pingris at Marc Pingris (veil), Oyo Sotto at Kristine Hermosa-Sotto (cord)
Flower Girls: Ryzza Mae Dizon, Anielle Micaela Pingris, at Ondrea Bliss Sotto
Ring Bearer: Jean Michel Pingris, Coin Bearer: Kristian Daniel Sotto
Bible Bearer: Alessandro Jose Sotto
Rosary Bearer: Marciano Dominico Antonio
Sa surprise bachelor's party para kay si Vic Sotto na ginanap kamakailan, namataan ang mga kapatid niyang sina Tito, Maru at Val Sotto. Naroon din ang mga anak ni Vic na sina Oyo at Vico Sotto at Eat Bulaga dabarkads na sina Anjo Yllana, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola at producer na si Tony Tuviera at paboritong director ni Vic na si Tony Reyes.
Si Pauleen ay binigyan din ng bridal shower ng kanyang malalapit na kaibigan, kabilang na sina Camille Prats, Ruby Rodriguez, Sherilyn Reyes-Tan, at Yayo Aguila. Ginanap ito noong January 9 sa Café Lima sa Greenhills.
Sa January 30 gaganapin ang kanilang kasal. Ito ang pangalawang kasal ni Vic. Una siyang ikinasal kay Dina Bonnevie, ina nina Danica at Oyo, pero matagal na silang hiwalay at annulled na ang kasal. Si Vic ay 61 yrs old, samantalang si Pauleen ay 26.

ALDEN, MAY KARIBAL
Habang nasa Dubai si Alden Richards ay inilabas na ng kalyeserye ang misteryosong "Jake" na naging malapit kay Maine Mendoza, at panay ang tawag sa telepono. Dalawang Jake ang lumabas, na ang una ay isang bading na sumayaw-sayaw; at ang pangalawa ay isang mestisuhin at guwapong binata, na naging kaklase daw ni Yaya Dub sa marketing class. Ito ay si Juan Emilio "Jake" Ejercito, anak nina Joseph Estrada at dating aktres na si Larni Enriquez.
Game na nakipagkuwentuhan si Jake kina Lola Nidora, at pinakain siya ng banana cue at isaw na isinawsaw sa kape, pinag-dub-smash at pinasayaw pa. Nagustuhan daw siya ng tatlong lola dahil guwapo, matalino at gentleman daw ito.
Naikuwento ni Jake na nag-aral siya ng elementary at high school sa Xavier School sa San Juan, at nag-kolehiyo sa London (business management). Kasalukuyang tinatapos ni Jake ang kanyang master's degree sa  Singapore. Maingat ang mga taga-Eat Bulaga na hindi magalit ang AlDub nation kaya binanggit nila na may girlfriend si Jake na nasa London. Magkaibigan lang daw sila ni Yaya Dub, at gusto rin daw makilala ni Jake si Alden.
Ayon kay Laarni, matagal nang gustong mag-artista ni Jake, pero ayaw raw siyang payagan ng kanyang ama hangga't hindi ito nakatapos ng pag-aaral. Si Jake ay hindi na baguhan sa limelight dahil marami siyang kaibigang artista at celebrities, at lagi rin siyang isinasama ng kanyang ama sa mga political at social events. Naging off and on din ang kanyang relasyon kay Andi Eigenmann, at natsismis na siya ang tunay na ama ng anak ni Andi at hindi si Albie Casino na naging boyfriend din ng actress.
Samantala, may pinaplano raw ang GMA Network na bigyan ng sariling TV series sina Alden at Maine, pero wala pa silang balita kung papayagan ng APT Entertainment si Maine. Ttila naiipit ang loyalty ni Alden sa GMA Network, kung saan siya naka-kontrata, kaya hindi siya makatanggi sa bawa't utos nilang mag-show siya sa iba’t ibang lugar, at sa APT Entertainment na nagbigay sa popularidad na tinatamasa dahil sa AlDub nation.

Less

Onli in da Pilipins:
• Our Phones – Wireless
• Cooking – Fireless
• Cars – Keyless
• Food – Fatless
• Tires –Tubeless
• Dress – Sleeveless
• Youth – Jobless
• Leaders – Shameless
• Relationships – Meaningless
• Attitudes – Careless
• Babies – Fatherless
• Feelings – Heartless
• Education – Valueless
• Children – Mannerless
• Country – Godless
We are SPEECHLESS,
Government is CLUELESS,
And our Politicians are WORTHLESS!

Mahigpit
Guard: Sir, ID po ninyo?
Dodong: Eto, oh!
Guard: I-pin po ninyo.
Dodong: Sobra naman kayong mahigpit dito. Pati ipin, ini-inspeksyon.


Man machine
An old guy was working out at the gym when he spotted a young hot girl walking in. He asked the trainer standing next to him, “What machine should I use to impress that girl over there?”
The trainer looked him up and down and said; “I would recommend the ATM in the lobby.”

Nude hanging
Convicted of murder and sentenced to death, the shapely young woman asked, as a last request, that she be hanged in the nude. Although the warden thought this unusual, he felt a last request was not something to be denied.
When the condemned prisoner arrived at the gallows, the hangman gasped, “My God, you have the most beautiful body I’ve ever seen.”
Came the whispered reply, “It’s all yours if you keep your trap shut.”

Unfamiliar
Saturday morning the weather was too bad for golf. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. I opened it to find a young, well-dressed man standing there who said:
“Hello sir, I’m a Jehovah’s Witness.”
So I said, “Come in and sit down.”
I offered him a fresh cup of coffee and asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
He said, “Beats the hell out of me. Nobody’s ever let me in before.”

Provoked
My wife and I went into town and visited a shop. When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket.
We went up to him and I said, “come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?”  He just ignored us and continued writing the ticket.
I called him an “a**hole.”  He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn-out tires.
So Shirley (my wife) called him a “s*it head.” He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing more tickets.
This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote.  He finally finished, sneered at us and walked away.
Just then our bus arrived, and we got on it and went home.
We always look for cars with Trump stickers.  We try to have a little fun each day now that we’re retired.  Its so important at our age!

Wise sayings
Confucius says:
Kiss is merely shopping upstairs,
For merchandise downstairs.
-o-
 Confucius says:
Better to lose a lover
Than love a loser.
-o-
Confucius says:
Man with broken condom
Often called Daddy
-o-
Confucius says:
Sex is same as bank account.
You put it in, you take it out.... you lose interest.
-o-
Confucius says:
Viagra just like Disneyland ...
One hour wait for 5 minute ride.
-o-
Confucius says:
Much better to want the mate you do not have
Than to have the mate you do not want.
-o-
Confucius says:
Joke is like sex.
Neither any good if you don’t get it.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Ingredients:
400 g. half fatty pork belly
1 small green bell pepper
1 small yellow bell pepper
½ onion
3 slices of pineapple
1big red chili (optional)

For the marinade:
1tsp. cornstarch
1tsp. sugar
1tsp. light soy sauce
a pinch of ground white pepper

For the sauce:
¾ cup tomato sauce
½ cup vinegar
1 tbsp. cane sugar
1tsp. cornstarch

Procedure:
1.    Cut the pork belly into chunks. Add
marinade and leave it for 3 hours.
2.    Cut onion, bell peppers and pineapple into wedges.
3.    Fry marinated pork belly until golden brown. Set aside.
4.    Stir fry onion and bell peppers. Set aside.
5.    Bring the sauce into a boil on medium heat, covered.
6.    Add pork, onion and bell peppers. Stir to blend all ingredients together.
7.    Cook for 2 minutes, then add pineapple and red chili.
8.    Cover and let it simmer for another minute. Serve hot with rice.

Ang resipeng ito ay padala ni Fea Tilo ng Yuen Long

For the period Jan. 16-31

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Gagamitin mo nang husto ang iyong karisma ngayon, at itotodo mo ang iyong alas upang makuha ang gusto mo. Walang makakatiis sa iyo maging ang naiilang sa iyo sa umpisa, dahil makukuha mo rin ang simpatiya nila. Panindigan mo ang tiwalang ibinigay ng mga tao sa iyo. Iwasang magbitaw ng brutal na pananalita at makasakit ng damdamin upang masabi ang iyong opinyon kahit alam mong tama ito. Lucky numbers: 10,13,19 at 29.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Magpapakita ka ng diplomasya at maayos mo ang gusot, lalo na kung kaanak mo ang sangkot sa usapin. Magiging matiyaga ka hanggang maabot mo ang inaasam. Magkakaroon din ng balanse ang iba't ibang aspeto ng iyong buhay. Pananakit ng leeg ang mararanasan dahil sa lamig. Subukang ma-relax ang muscle sa leeg sa pamamagitan ng hair dryer o pahiran ng balsamo na may taglay na camphor. Lucky numbers: 12,21,33 at 41.
44.
TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Magkakaroon ka ng magandang sorpresa na siguradong ikakagulat at ikakasaya mo. Ikaw ang dahilan ng masayang tahanan dahil maeengganyo mo ang iyong pamilya na kumilos at mag-enjoy nang husto sa lahat ng inyong ginagawa. Sa kabila ng pag-eenjoy mo sa buhay ngayon, seryoso rin ang ginagawa mong paghahanda sa inyong kinabukasan. Lucky numbers: 17, 19, 25 at 35.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Magiging masaya ang panahong ito para sa mga walang karelasyon. Hindi maaring hindi ka mapansin at maraming mabibighani sa iyong karisma. Kumilos at samantalahin ang mga pagkakataong dumarating sa iyo ngayon. Ito na marahil ang oras upang matapos na ang iyong kalungkutan. Sa kalusugan, nababawasan ang iyong sigla, kahit hindi mo aminin ito at alam mo kung ano ang nararapat mong kinakain. Lucky numbers: 9, 15, 26 at 39.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
May mga biglaan kang nararamdaman, at pag-iisipan mo ng malalim ang nangyayari sa iyong buhay: ang iyong mga pagpili, kagustuhan, hinaing at naging ugali. Makakaalitan mo ang isa among kapitbahay, gamitan ng talino at diplomasya ang pakikipag-usap upang maayos ang problema. Ibubuhos mo ng husto ang iyong atensyon sa pinakaimportanteng proyekto mo sa ngayon, at kakayanin mong lampasan ang lahat ng pagsubok upang magtagumpay ka. Lucky numbers: 5, 18, 22 at 42.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Magkakaroon ka ngayon ng lakas ng loob at tapang, at may ngiti kang susubok sa isang mapangahas na bagay. Sa lovelife, walang pagbabagong magaganap, pero mag-ingat sa mga tsismis. Kung ibubuhos ang buong atensyon sa gawain at iwasan ang nakagawiang pangangarap ng gising, ay matatapos mo agad ito ng maayos. Sanayin ang sarili na magtrabaho ng husto para makaiwas mag-isip ng kung anu-ano. Lucky numbers: 15, 17, 20 at 37.
 39.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Lahat ay magiging maayos sa iyong trabaho kung babawasan mo ang labis na pagsasalita. Hindi ka komportable dito dahil nasanay kang magsabi agad ng gusto mong mangyari, pero mas mahalaga na magkaroon ng tahimik at maayos na samahan. Hindi nakukuha sa taas ng boses ang lahat, alalahanin na ang pagiging ma-diplomasya ay hindi nakakasakit ng tao, pero higit na mabisa ito sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Lucky numbers: 3, 11, 19 at 27.
.
TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Desidido kang ipaglaban ngayon ang tunay na nararamdaman. Kung palagay mo ay niloloko ka lang ng isang taong kinagigiliwan mo, makakaganti ka rin sa paraang nararapat. Magiging matalas ka sa negosyong pagkakakitaan, at makikinabang ka ng husto. May dagdag kang swerte sa sugal o pakikipagsapalaran. Ang tahimik at payapang karisma mo ang makakaakit sa mga bagong kakilala, at magpapakita ng interes na makilala ka ng lubos. Lucky numbers: 12,31,32,40 at 47.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Makikinabang ka sa positibong lagay ng relasyon sa pribadong buhay at maging sa trabaho. Panibagong sigla at maganda ang direksyon sa trabaho ngayon. Kung single, malaki ang tsansa na maibsan na ang kalungkutan. Mai-enjoy mo rin ang samahan ninyong magkakaibigan. Kung ang pinto sa sa relasyon ay nagsara, mahirap nang ibalik ang dating ugnayan; tanggalin ang pamamataas at agad na gumawa ng paraan na makipagbati. Lucky numbers: 16,21,30 at 40.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Nalilito ka sa dami ng nangyayari sa buhay mo ngayon, maging kalmado at kontrolin ang sarili. Dahil sa pabigla-biglang kilos ay maaring mahanap mo ang relasyong hindi inaasahan, pero mahirap ding maakusahan na hindi ka seryoso sa iyong ginagawa. May diskusyon sa pamilya tungkol sa pagbili ng isang bagay, pero kung mapag-uusapan ito nang maayos ay maaaring hindi na lumala pa ang sitwasyon. Sa love life, ang hiling mo ay matutupad ng walang gaanong hirap. Lucky numbers: 4,7,18 at 36.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Ang ilang problema sa pamilya ay maaring lumaki. Ang maaaring pagmulan nito ay ang edukasyon ng mga anak at ang direksyong gusto mo para sa iyong ambisyon. Ang negosyo mo sa ngayon ay maayos at walang problema kaya pwede kang maghinay-hinay at harapin ang ibang bagay. Susumpong muli ang allergies na dulot ng alikabok, linisin at i-vacuum nang husto ang kama at silid at pagpagin ang mga kurtina. Lucky numbers: 7,13, 28 at 44.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
May mga problemang darating, katulad ng mga hindi inaasahang gastusin at pagpapaayos ng mga nasirang gamit o kasangkapan sa bahay. Masyado kang na-o-obssess na makahanap ng ideyal na katuwang sa buhay, pero mag-isip mabuti at huwag basta mabulag sa panlabas na anyo dahil baka ka magsisi. Kung may asawa, ngayon ang tamang oras na pag-usapan nang maayos ang bagay na matagal nyo nang pinagtatalunan. Lucky numbers: 12, 26, 28 at 39.

Filipina in alleged hot iron attack goes home

By Vir B. Lumicao

The Filipina domestic helper allegedly attacked by her elderly employer with a hot iron on Dec 12, flew back to Manila on Christmas Eve after deciding to abandon her case.
Rizza del Rosario’s decision left her supporters baffled, including those from the Mission for Migrant Workers and the Consulate, who had offered to help the Filipina pursue the filing of criminal charges and compensation claims against her employer.
In fact, the employer won’t be able to hire another Filipina maid again as the Consulate has blacklisted him and his wife, and has endorsed her case to the Hong Kong government for action, a Consulate official said
“Rizza confided to me that she is abandoning her case and is flying back to Manila on Dec 24. She has already bought a plane ticket,” said Edwina Antonio, executive director of the Mission's Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge on Dec. 2.
Antonio said Del Rosario had claimed she was being prodded by her husband and mother to return home, and asked that her change of mind not be divulged until after she had left Hong Kong.
Her sister Rona, who had been staying with Del Rosario at the government’s shelter since Day 3 after the incident, told The SUN that she learned about this development only before Rizza boarded her flight
“It’s frustrating because she has a strong case against her employer and we are supporting her. I have even reserved a bed for her in the shelter,” Antonio said.
Vice Consul Fatima Quintin, head of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, told The SUN that the employer, surnamed Tang, had been blacklisted by the Consulate. She said the employer’s wife would be included in the complaint to the police.
Del Rosario went to the Consulate on Dec.14, the day after The SUN accompanied her to the Mission to seek assistance. The next day, she and her sister Rona went to Ruttonjee Hospital for treatment of Rizza's burn injuries, as well as to the police and Consulate to report the attack.
Rona was reportedly fired by her boss, the son of Rizza's attacker, for allegedly colluding with her sister to make up the flatiron scalding story.
But pictures taken of Rizza's back clearly showed two fresh burns on each side, corroborating her claim that her elderly employer had applied the flat iron twice on her back.
Del Rosario completed her written statement to the police on Dec 16 and on the same day she and her sister went to the Consulate and were offered shelter at the Filipino Workers’ Resource Center in Kennedy Town.
The Consulate endorsed the case, along with several other labor cases, to the Hong Kong government in a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Dec 16, Quintin said.
“We have given the TWG a copy of the victim’s complaint and we’re certain that the Hong Kong government will act on it,” said Quintin.
The TWG comprises the Consulate, Labour Department, Immigration Department, Hong Kong Police and Employment Agencies Administration. It was formed in 2014 to tackle OFWs’ complaints against abusive employers and employment agencies that charge excessive fees
ATN officer Danny Baldon, who handled Del Rosario’s case, said he would bring it to the attention of the Labour Relations Commission so she could file a monetary claim for the premature termination of her contract.
Del Rosario had earlier shown The SUN a handwritten resignation letter that she was reportedly made to write and sign under duress on the evening of the attack. “My employer said I could not leave unless I signed the letter, so I was forced to sign it,” she said.
Rona said her sister had decided not to lodge a case against her boss and fly home on Dec 27 instead because her employer of three-and-a-half years had paid her for everything that was owed her.
Rizza had reportedly found a new employer through an agency that offered to place her after she paid a $1,000 down payment. She did not reveal the name of the agency.
Meanwhile, Quintin reminded all OFWs in Hong Kong to seek the Consulate’s help immediately when they are physically or verbally abused by their employers.
“Hindi kami nagsasawang magpaalala sa mga workers dito, mga OFW, lalung-lalo yung mga kararating lang, hindi pa sanay sa trabaho dito … Kung may na-experience silang abuso na physical or even verbal, ireport agad sa Konsulado,” Quintin said. “Nandito lang naman po kami para tumulong sa kanila. Nandito rin po ang mga concerned citizens at partner organizations dito para tulungan sila na i-file yung case sa police at sa Labour Department. So huwag po silang mag-atubiling pumunta o dumulog sa Konsulado.”
The Consulate is open Sunday to Thursday and its hotline takes calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Quintin said. “Ang hotline natin ay 9155 4023. Bukas po yon. Kung natatakot silang magreport sa police, tumawag lang sa hotline ng Konsulado para matulungan namin sila agad,” the vice consul said.

Humiwalay

Limang taong hindi nakapagbakasyon si Sheena sa Pilipinas. Marami siyang nabalitaang hindi maganda ukol sa kanyang asawa ngunit hindi niya sinisita iyon tuwing nakakausap niya sa telepono. Kaya nitong nakaraang Disyembre ay nabuo ang kanyang plano dahil pinapagbakasyon siya ng kanyang mga amo. Nais na niyang hiwalayan ang batugang asawa dahil nahihirapan na siya sa pag-unawa rito. Wala na ngang trabaho ay nakukuha pang mambabae gamit ang perang pinadadala niya para sa kanilang anak. Nasa eroplano pa lamang si Sheena ay nanggigigil na ito at nag-aalala rin sa maaaring mangyari sa paghaharap nila ng kanyang asawa. Dahil pagod si Sheena sa biyahe ay nagpasiyang magpahinga muna sa bahay ng isang kaibigan sa kabilang bayan dahil nais niyang maging malakas siya pagharap sa pamilya niya at sa asawa. Katabi pa mismo ng kanilang family house ang itinayo niyang bahay kaya ikinundisyon muna ang katawan bago humarap sa kanila. Si Sheena ay tubong-Isabela, 38 taong gulang at kasalukuyang nakabasyon sa Pilipinas. Siya ay nakatakdang bumalik sa Hong Kong sa Enero. — Marites Palma

Naisahan

Naantig ang puso ni Ela sa isang pasaherong umiiyak sa tabi matapos humarap sa check-in counter, kaya tinanong niya ang kapwa-Pinay kung ayos lang siya. Bumalot ang lungkot na mukha ng Pinay at sinabing wala palang nabili ang amo na extra kilo para sa kanyang luggage. Pinapabayad siya ng $450 para sa kanyang bagahe, ngunit wala na raw siyang dalang pera dahil pinadala na niya ito sa kanyang account sa Pilipinas. Naawa si Ela at nagtiwala kaagad kaya pinahiram niya ng pera ang pobreng pasahero. Nakialam ang katabi nilang Pinay na nakamasid sa kanilang pag-uusap at nagmungkahing kunan niya ng larawan ang Hong Kong ID nito. Nagpaunlak naman ang huli. Maaliwalas na ang mukha nito at masaya nang nakipagkwentuhan tungkol sa kanilang mga pamilyang naiwan sa Pilipinas at sa mga sasalubong sa kanila. Nangako siya na iaabot din ang pera kahit sa katumbas na halaga sa peso pagdating ng asawa dahil nagpahiram na daw siya ng pambayad. Ngunit biglang naglaho ang pinautangan paglabas nila sa Immigration. Nakalabas na lahat ang mga kasabayan nila sa eroplano pero hindi na iyon nahagilap ni Ela. Kasama na niya ang kanyang asawa sa paghahanap ngunit hindi na nila talaga nakita ang babae. Naabutan niya sa labas ang kasabay na nagmungkahing kuhanan ng larawan ang ID niya, at humingi ng tulong na hanapin ang babaeng iyon sa Facebook. Nagpalitan sila ng Hong Kong telephone number para makapagkumustahan sila pagbalik nila sa Hong Kong. Si Ela ay tubong-Iloilo, may asawa at anak, at apat na taon nang naninilbihan sa Mongkok. — Marites Palma

Bawal ang heater

Dalawang taong nagtiis si Marie na maligo ng malamig na tubig kahit taglamig dahil mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ng kanyang napakakuripot na amo ang paggamit ng heater dahil makunsumo raw iyon sa koryente. Kaya tuwing naliligo si Marie ay napapahiyaw siya sa ginaw at napapaiyak tuwing nanginginig na ang kanyang katawan pagkatapos niyang maligo. Ngunit tiniis niya iyon sa loob ng dalawang taon sa tindi ang kanyang pangangailangan ng pera, dahil ayaw niyang mahinto sa pag-aaral ang mga anak. Nawawala lamang ang nararamdaman niyang ginaw tuwing napapasakamay niya ang kanyang buwanang sahod. Noong malapit nang matapos ang kanyang kontrata ay kinausap siya ng kanyang among Intsik na pipirmahan siya muli ngunit buong tapang na siyang tumanggi at sinabing hindi na niya kayang maligo na walang heater tuwing taglamig. Nagkibit-balikat lamang ang kanyang amo at sinabing kukuha na lang daw sila ng bago na galing sa Pilipinas. Hindi naman nahirapang humanap ng bagong amo si Marie. Naging masuwerte siya sa pangalawang amo dahil pwede na siyang gumamit ng heater sa paliligo at maging sa paglilinis at paghuhugas. Si Marie ay tubong-Cagayan Valley at kasalukuyang naninilniban sa New Territories. Siya ay may asawa at anak.— Marites Palma

Malungkot na Pasko

Nasanay na si Bella na kapag Pasko ay kasama niya ang kanyang pamilya sa Cavite, kabilang ang kanyang dalawang anak na lalaki. Ngunit ilang buwan. bago itong pinakahuling Pasko ay inabisuhan siya ng kanyang amo na hindi siya makakauwi dahil isasama siya sa holiday ng mga ito sa Thailand. Noon pa man ay nalungkot na siya dahil hindi lang sa Pasko niya hindi  makakasama  ang mga anak, kundi pati sa kaarawan ng kanyang bunso ilang araw bago magpasko. Pilit na lang niyang inisip na  trabaho naman ang pinunta niya dito sa Hong Kong at kung iyon ang gusto ng kanyang mga amo, wala naman siyang magagawa. Pero pagdating pa lang nila sa Thailand ay nanibago na siya dahil di gaya dito sa Hong Kong ay wala man lang kahit anong diwa ng kapaskuhan sa paligid. Lalo lang siyang nalungkot kaya kapag nag uusap sila ng kanyang mga best friends ay puro hinaing ang kanyang sinasabi. Nililibang na lang siya ng mga ito at kinakantiyawan para maging masaya ang usapan. Ang mga kaibigan din naman ni Bella ay hindi rin nakauwi ngayong Pasko, kaya ika nga nila ay patas lang silang apat na magkakaibigan. Pare pareho na lang silang nabibilang sa SMP, ang samahang malalamig ang pasko! Sa kabila nito, sa pamamagitan ng chat sa FB ay sama-sama pa rin silang nag uusap at nagsasaya para kahit paano ay hindi sila nalulungkot, Isang malaking dahilan ito kaya naiibsan nang husto ang hinaing ni Bella, na nakatira sa Causeway Bay, at mahigit 10 taon nang nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong. — Jo Campos

Simbang gabi

Sa kagustuhang makapag simbang gabi, naglakas-loob si Emi na magpaalam sa kanyang amo. Hindi kasi nakakalabas ng bahay si Emi kung hindi rin lang day off,at lalong hindi sa gabi, dahil mahigpit ang kanyang amo sa Discovery Bay. Kahit mahigit 10 taon na siyang nagtatrabaho sa kanyang amo ay tila wala pa rin itong tiwala sa kanya. Matiyaga lang talaga si Emi dahil tumagal din siya sa paninilbihan dito.  Dininig naman ang dasal niya dahil pinayagan naman siya,  yun nga lang ay marami pang sinabi ang amo.Pinagbintangan pa siyang napaghinalaan pa siyang may kinakatagpo umanong boyfriend sa gabi. Natawa na lang si Emi sa mga sinasabi ng kanyang amo dahil ang talagang hangarin lang niya ay ang makalabas ng gabi para magsimba.  laking tuwa nita nang makumpleto niya ang siyam na gabing novena para sa simbang gabi. Panalangin niya namatupad na ang kanyang sikretong kahilingan na kapalit man lang sana ng kanyang kababaang loob,  kasipagan, at pagtitiyaga sa kasungitan ng kanyang amo. — Jo Campos

Poe, nagbigay sorpresa sa Pamaskong Handog ng Unifil

Ni Gina N. Ordona

Nasorpresa ang may 200 katao sa hindi inaasahang pagsulpot ni senador Grace Poe sa kalagitnaan ng programang Pamaskong Handog ng Unifil-Migrane sa Chater Road noong Des. 25.
Ayon kay Poe, naglalakad siya  kasama ang pangalawang anak nang makita ang kasiyahan sa gitna ng daan.  Isang kasapi sa programa ang nakapansin sa paglapit ni Poe sa isang mesa kung saan may nakasabit na banner ng Migrante. Ngunit dahil walang bantay sa mesa ay nagpatuloy na itong naglakad papunta sa malaking Christmas Tree sa katabing daan.
Matapos magkuhanan ng litrato ay binaybay na ni Poe at ng anak ang daan pabalik sa Mandarin Hotel na kanilang tinutuluyan. Pero bago sila nakalayo ay naabisuhan na si Eman Villanueva tungkol sa pagbisita ng senador kaya agad niya itong hinabol para pakiusapan na magbigay ng mensahe sa entablado. Nasa tiket ni Poe bilang kandidato sa pagka senador si Neri Colmenares, kinatawan sa Kongreso ng Bayan Muna, na ka-alyansa ng Migrante.
Sa kanyang talumpati, ipinahayag ni Poe na naiintindihan niya ang pinagdaraanan ng mga OFW dahil matagal din daw siyang nanirahan sa ibang bansa.
“Sino sa inyo dito ang nahihirapan sa dami ng mga requirements at fees? Sino dito ang gustong pasimplehin ang proseso na yan?” tanong ni Poe at sabay namang sumagot ang mga nakikinig ng, “Kami.”
Binigyang diin niya na makikipagtulungan siya sa koalisyon ng Migrante at ibang grupo para itulak kung ano ang makakabuti sa mga OFW.
“(Para) mas bumaba ang fees ninyo, na one-stop shop na lang at yung mga kailangan ninyo katulad ng health benefits ay matulungan kayo ng gobyerno,” sabi ni Poe.
Sinamantala din ni Poe ang pagkakataon na ipahayag ang pasasalamat sa mga OFW dahil malaking tulong ang dulot ng remittances nila sa ekonomiya ng bansa.
Samantala, nagkaroon ng choral competition kung saan hango sa mga isyu ng mga migrante ang tema ng kanta.
Nakuha ng Bus 13 group na kinabibilangan ng Filipino Lesbian Organization, Friends of Bethune House at Filipino Friends ang unang premyo. Kotong King ang titulo ng kanilang kanta sa himig ng Jingle Bells, kung saan binabatikos ang mga kurakot na opisyal ng gobyerno.
Nakuha ng Sta Maria De Pila Association-United Panga-sinan HK ang pangalawang puwesto at pangatlong puwesto naman ang Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society.
Sa paligsahan sa paggawa ng parol, ang mga nanalo ay Diwa’t Kabayan Benlife Society Club, unang premyo, na sinundan ng Atis at Filipino Lesbian Organization. Nakatanggap ng consolation prize ang Filipino Migrant Workers’ Union – Chater Road, Migrante Forum at Organic Clan.

Policy reforms, not agency code, to curb abuse: FDH group

Support organizations for foreign domestic helpers have slammed a plan by the Hong Kong Labour Department to craft a code of practice for employment agencies, aimed at curbing abuse and malpractice.

Dolores Balladares-Pelaez

Labour and Welfare Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung mentioned the plan to  draw up a code for agencies in a blog he posted on Dec. 20 on the Labour Department's website. He said all stakeholders, including FDH unions, will be consulted once the draft is completed by the end of the first quarter of 2016.
But FDH rights groups reacted cooly to the news, saying policy reforms, and not a “non-binding” code for agencies, are needed to give better protection to migrant workers. They insisted that government policies such as the forced live-in arrangement and non-regulated work hours are to blame for much of the abuse against FDHs.
Dolores Balladares-Pelaez, chairperson of United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante) said policy reform “is crucial because it is the Hong Kong government’s own policies that indirectly encourage employers to maltreat their domestic workers.”                                                                                            
 She cited in particular the forced live-in policy, which she said makes domestic workers “vulnerable to all sorts of abuse because there is no one who can bear witness for the helper about what happens inside the house.”
However, Cheung said in his blog that “the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong employers treat their FDHs well, and most FDHs enjoy a harmonious relationship with their employers.
“Unfortunately, it takes only a few black sheep to tarnish the image of our whole community and undo our good work," he said.
In the latest case of such abuse, a 25-year-old Filipina maid was allegedly burned on her back with a hot flat iron by her elderly employer in Mei Foo Sun Chuen on Dec 12.
Other horrific cases of abuse have been reported in Hong Kong over the years, with the most publicized being the case of Indonesian Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, who could barely walk when her employer tried to send her back home in 2014. The employer, Law Wan-tung, was jailed for six years in February this year for her cruel abuse of Erwiana
The case, said Cheung, cast Hong Kong in a bad light. The code of practice that the Labour Department plans to issue is said to be intended to avoid further embarrassment relating to local employers’ treatment of foreign helpers.
Cheung said tighter regulation of recruitment agencies has already been enforced, with more inspections being carried out at these firms over the past year. The inspections have gone up to 1,800 per year, compared with the 1,300 in previous years, a 38% increase.
He said with more FDHs reporting cases of abuse and malpractices, and then acting as prosecution witnesses, 12 agencies (including nine for overcharging job-seekers) had been successfully prosecuted so far in 2015, compared with only four in 2014.   “LD (Labour Department) will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against EAs which violate the laws,” he said.
Employers have not been spared. According to Cheung, the department secured  12 convictions against FDH employers for offenses under the Employment Ordinance, with one employer being sentenced to four months in jail and fined $10,000.
Pelaez was, however, not impressed. She said Hong Kong must also end its policy of exclusion and discrimination of foreign domestic workers, adding that the government has always excluded FDHs from wage increase and work hours legislation.
Two weeks ago, Cheung told a Legislative Council committee that the government is studying a proposal to regulate working hours for local workers, but made no mention of domestic helpers, most of whom work 16-18 hours a day. “Talagang yung exclusion, yung discrimination, makikita mo. Yung gobyerno ang nagtutulak, so yung ginagawa ng mga mamamayan, maiintindihan mo rin,,” Pelaez said. — with a report by Vir B. Lumicao

The SUN’s 20th anniversary show brightens winter day

By The SUN staff 

With a Holy Mass, a parade of colors, cultural performances, band music and songs, and a surprise number from the show's organizers, Chater Garden in Central was turned into a festival ground as The SUN, Hong Kong's longest-running and most widely circulated newspaper, celebrated its 20th anniversary on Dec 20.

Fanfare blended with community service as the newspaper, partnering with Mission for Migrant Workers' "Give Care to Caregivers" program, served scores of OFWs who took advantage  of free acupressure therapy, medical check-ups, massage and blood pressure reading offered by participating non-government organizations.
There were also free art lessons offered by Hong Kong - based artists from Pintura Circle, and arts and craft displays from Balikatan sa Kaunlaran - Hong Kong Council and CARD OFW Foundation.
A unique feature was the on-site counseling service provided by officers of the Philippine Consulate General and the Hong Kong Labour Department
The event, held on a cool, overcast Sunday, drew hundreds of participants, well-wishers and supporters from the Filipino community, NGOs and other sectors.
The program got underway at 10:30am with a Catholic mass officiated by the Chaplain for Filipinos, Fr. FJay Flandez, SVD, and attended by hundreds of people.
The solemnity of the religious service was replaced by a festive atmosphere when the Parade of Colors led by the International Marshal Society (Imaso)  and The SUN got going. Participants from various Filipino community organizations followed closely behind, marching ,into  the park from Chater Road to the beat of drums and xylophones of the Mindanao Federation Band.
The participants who represented various professions and regions of the country, livened up the balmy day with their colorful costumes and cultural dances that competed for attention.
"Bambanti" street dancers from Isabela Federation awed the crowd as they swayed, shook and strutted in a sampling of how the Northeastern Luzon province celebrated its annual harvest festival.
Not to be outdone were the Sinulog dancers of Leyte Achievers who gave an equally colorful and lively performance, despite having only six members of their multi-awarded dance troupe around, as most members were away for their holiday break.
When it was the turn of MinFed's Singkil dancers to perform, both the audience and passersby held their breath as they captured in cameras the rhythmic movement of the exotically dressed dancers that blended well with the beat of the gongs and ganzas.
For a peek into today's Philippine showbiz craze, Hong Kong’s legion of fans of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza were treated to a contemporary dance number by the Ofc Aldub -Maiden group.
Also perking up the audience was the dance performance by the Radiant Organization of Amiable Drivers, or Road, which drew inspiration from the Pinoy dance craze in various eras. Most applauded were the lesbian members of the driver's group who gamely wore flirty skirts and wigs while gyrating to the music.
But serious issues confronting OFWs such as "laglag-bala" at Manila airport also found their way into the cultural show via a funny interpretative dance entitled "Sabon," performed  by the Likha cultural group, an affiliate of Migrante International.
In a shift from the prancing and twerking, the National Association of Professional Teachers presented a Balagtasan, a poetical joust in which two NOPT members in 18thcentury Philippine costumes debated the wisdom of working abroad while a similarly garbed moderator stood between them.
Providing further contrast was the martial arts demonstration by the United Philippines Taekwondo Organization, or Upto.
While the program was ongoing onstage, scores of Filipinas with various concerns lined up at the different booth participating in the "Care to Caregivers" outreach of the Mission for Migrant Workers.
Eight booths in all were occupied by NGOs that offered various pampering services to the OFWs, with FilReflex being one of the most visited because of its offer of free massage by volunteers to soothe the body pains of the tired domestic workers.
Hong Kong Aids Foundations was giving away information kits and free condoms but people in the crowd were apparently too shy to approach the volunteers for consultations.
Another popular booth was Chinese Medicine for All, which offered acupressure massage.
The other highlights of the celebration included the launch of "Coins for Bethune House 2016", a community-driven fund raising for the Bethune House Migrant Workers' Refuge, held annually, For the first time, a "Pamaskong Handog sa Bethune" was held, with some Filipino community organizations joining the Christmas gift-giving to the shelter's clients.
The Mission for Migrant Workers also held the Grand Raffle Draw for its annual fund-raising sanctioned by Hong Kong's Home Affairs Department.  The lucky winners were: Violeta Cabrera, who won the top prize of Iphone 6S; Gloria Macale, second prize; Sheena B. Salero, third prize.  Ten people took consolation prizes: Eliza Bides, Marilou (no surname), ticket no 06450; Binti Napsiah, Corazon Esteban Padua, Milagros Guillermo, Lily P. Valdez, ATIS HK, Ruth M. Alad, Gracyl Agraviador, and Baneng. with ticket no 01504.      
The SUN donated two consolation prizes of two admission tickets each to Ocean Park.
All winners are advised to collect their prizes on or before Jan. 29, 2016 at the Mission office in St. John's Cathedral, 8-10 Garden Road, Hong Kong, during office hours.

Pinoy musicians shine in The SUN's anniversary

Music is always an essential part of any Filipino event, and The SUN's 20th anniversary celebration in Chater Garden, Central on Dec. 20 was no exception. The event was filled with a whole afternoon of celebrating the Filipino's love for singing, dancing, and performing.
Post-lunch, the program was opened up by live music from Section Juan, a Filipino youth organization in Hong Kong.
Led by their founder and president Jan Yumul on drums, the group charmed the audience by singing OPM favorites 'Himala', 'Hinahanap-Hanap Kita' from RiverMaya, as well as 'Akin Ka Na Lang' by The Itchyworms, and 'Tadhana' by Up Dharma Down. Singer Janina Celine Vitto delivers with confidence, and is backed by Elizabeth Ong-Igloso on bass and Matthew Mateo on acoustic guitar.
The OPM Alternative Rock tribute continued with a band led by The SUN's William Elvin on guitar and vocals, and Satur Tiamson on drums. They were joined by Charity Battad on acoustic guitar, Gabriel Gallardo on keyboards, and Matthew Mateo on bass.
The group delivered rock numbers from RiverMaya and The Eraserheads, the two top OPM acts in the Philippines during The SUN's establishment in 1995. They capped their set with two more recent hits: Rock anthem 'Pinoy Ako' by Orange and Lemons, and alternative love ballad 'Burnout' by Sugarfree.
Veteran performer Arnold Pineda also entertained the crowd with a string of Christmas carols with his son Adrian. Filipina jazz singer Jennifer Palor dazzled the audience with Filipino classics 'Ikaw' and 'Umagang Kay Ganda', and the heart-tugging 'Pasko Na Sinta Ko'.
The Hong Kong Musicians' Union contributed to The SUN's celebration by sending the band STAX, made up of Chinese, Japanese and American musicians. Spreading good vibrations to the crowd, STAX performed favorites like The Beatles' 'Come Together' and 'I Saw Her Standing There' and 90s hit 'Hand in my Pocket' by Alanis Morrisette to the delight of the audience.
To end the event, the band led by William Elvin and Satur Tiamson went back on stage singing 'Alapaap' by The Eraserheads and 'Awit ng Kabataan' by RiverMaya, urging the Filipino youth to continue fanning the Filipino flame lit by The SUN in Hong Kong for 20 years.

Enrich launches MoneyWise app to help OFWs save money

By Gina N. Ordona

Enrich Hong Kong has launched MoneyWise, a mobile application especially designed for migrant workers, with a team of volunteers who roamed Chater Road in Central and Victoria Park in Causeway Bay on Dec. 13.
The app aims to help migrant workers save money to achieve their financial targets. It has a specific feature which allows one to set different goals, then use the app to automatically calculate how much is needed to save for each, after taking into account one's monthly income and expenses.  It gives target dates to make individual goals a manageable reality.
Enrich executive director Lenlen Mesina explained that emergency fund was also incorporated in the budget section to avoid falling into the debt trap when crises arise in one's family.
The app is developed in partnership with JP Morgan and Chase Force for Good Program and can be downloaded for free at Appstore for Apple users and or Google Play for Android users.

Misa de Aguinaldo held anew in Chater Garden

By Jo Campos

Hundreds of Filipinos attended the annual Misa de Aguinaldo held in Chater Garden on Christmas eve,  jointly organized by the Consulate and the Chaplaincy for Filipinos in Hong Kong.
During the homily, Father Dondon Rollon used the letters in the word "tag", a word commonly used in social media, to tell the faithful what they should always remember to do.
He said T  means to "thank the Lord, Jesus Christ, A is "to adore the Lord", and G to is "to glorify the Lord.
Earlier in the evening, PaStaran, the annual parol making contest was also held, with six entries from different Filipino organizations being put on display in Chater Garden. As in past years, all the lanterns were made of recycled materials and This year's entries were from Bangar Association of HK, Mapandan Pangasinan Federation, Diwa't Kabayan Benlife Society, Luzon Alliance, Guardians Magic Group International Worldwide and Timpuyag ti Bauangenians Society HK.
Bangar Association of Hong Kong won back-to-back as Grand Prize winner and People's Choice, done through Facebook votes.

HK Labour Dept ‘excited’ to join The SUN’s event

By Vir B. Lumicao

Early bird Hong Kong Labour Department came fully equipped on Dec 20 as it joined the exhibition at The SUN 20thAnniversary celebration in Chater Garden, with an information team that handed out 6,000 brochure kits to domestic workers.
Even before the event started at 10:30 am, about two dozen volunteers from the department had begun distributing the information kits on the event ground, as well as along Chater Road where another Filipino community event was under way, and the periphery of HSBC and World-wide House.
“We have distributed 6,000 here and around Central,” said one of the one volunteers before he checked out at the labour information kiosk around 5pm. He said he and other volunteers covered Chater Garden, HSBC and other places in the area where Filipino and other domestic workers congregated.
"We have intensified our information campaign so that the domestic helpers would know their rights," said Jace Chan, assistant manager of the department's Workplace Consultation Promotion Division, who manned the desk at the kiosk.
"It seems many of the workers and employers are not fully aware of their rights, so we are reaching out to them. In every local community event we set up information kiosks to give advice and hand out kits," said Chan, who is a regular speaker at post-arrival orientation seminars for newly arrived helpers at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office at Admiralty Centre tower 1.
This was the first time the Labour Department had been invited to a Filipino community event and Chan hoped they would be asked to take part in more of such events.
"The Labour Department is very excited to join The SUN 20thanniversary event and are very thankful that your newspaper has invited them," Vice Consul Fatima Quintin, head of the Consulate's assistance to nationals section, had earlier said.
Taking up two slots on the right side of Chater Garden, the labour Department set up a twin covered tent and installed a large LED television screen in one tent where it ran laboreducation videos mainly focused on achieving a harmonious relationship between employers and domestic workers.
Filipinas who perhaps were not aware of the booth simply passed by, stopping only when a volunteer greets them and hands them information kits.
As of 3pm, only a handful of Filipinas had approached the kiosk and sat down with Chan to consult her with their problems.
"It was about their relations with their employers," Chan said after the consultations.
Earlier, she excitedly told The SUN that Labour Deputy Secretary Donald Chen was in the vicinity and was coming to pay a visit to the kiosk and suggested that he could meet the Consulate official.
The SUN advised Chan to let us know when the official came so that he could be introduced to Deputy Consul General Christian de Jesus, who was seated among the guests.
Ten minutes later, Chan extended the apology of the deputy secretary who, accordingly, "dropped by just a very, very short time" and left after seeing the Consulate people were in business suits while he was in casual wear.
"He said he was very sorry," Chan said.

Bethune celebrates Christmas

Christmas Eve 2015 was a happy, memorable occasion for 27 clients of Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge.
A multinational Christmas dinner and party at the KU Space hall at Jordan Road in Kowloon lit up the faces of the women residents of Bethune House as food and drinks galore, carol singing, parlor games and exchange gifts transformed the event into one big family reunion.
Bethune's executive director Edwina Antonio and  Mission for Migrant Workers general manager Cynthia Tellez co-hosted the gathering attended by about 60 guests, which included student volunteers and supporters from various migrant organizatons.
The annual event to celebrate Christmas is meant “to give warmth, love and company to our migrant domestic workers who are miles away from their homes and families.”
The evening was enlivened by emcee Rey Asis, whose funny remarks and antics added to the merriment.
In her welcome remarks. Antonio said that “despite all the challenges of 2015, we are here for the residents of Bethune House, we are here to celebrate."

Other groups that celebrated Christmas in their own ways:

Double celebration: Members of Sikap Association trooped back to their home ground in Hong Kong Tennis Centre on Wong Nei Chung Gap Road in Wanchai on Dec.25 to celebrate a twin event: Christmas and the birthday the following day of their founder and longtime president, Rey Vital. The group's day, was, however, not complete without their usual dose of tennis.  Earlier, on Dec. 6, Sikap held a more formal Christmas party at Charter House in Wanchai, attended by about 80 people. - Jo Campos

Christmas at the Park: The Eagle Commando group, along with its affiliates Black Tiger and Black Cobra, held a joint Christmas Party at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Sheung Wan on Dec. 20.

Ipinagdiwang ng mga kasapi ng Balikatan sa Kaunlaran Hing Kong Council ang Pasko sa kanilang tambayan sa Admiralty.  Sa gitna ng katuwaan ay masayang pinagsaluhan ng mga kasapi sampu ng kanilang mga bisita ang masaganang handa na nakalatag sa hapag. Kasama ding nagdiwang ng kaarawan ang ilang kasapi na ipinanganak sa buwan ng Disyembre.---Gina N. Ordona

Social media as top campaign tool

Apart from television advertisements, candidates for national positions in the 2016 elections have turned to social media as a powerful tool for both positive and negative campaigning.
They have hired full staff to promote various election propaganda in social network pages while others have a dedicated team to respond to comments or posts in social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the like.
Facebook appears to be the most popular, with official staff or supporters, or both of candidates having special pages for the presidential bid of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senators Grace Poe, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.
Candidates for vice president like Senators Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Representative Leni Robredo likewise have their own Facebook pages that churn out official statements, provincial visits and other campaign-related activities, including family get-togethers to show their private side.
Those with savvy public relations experience try to win political bloggers to their side to help promote their candidates in a subtle way.
Supporters of some candidates have gone to the extent of initiating social media polls as a promotional campaign, with Defensor-Santiago emerging as the most “liked” on Facebook reaching at least 3.2 million at one point and “followed” by 2.21 million on Twitter among the contenders for president. The feisty Defensor-Santiago has popularized a Facebook craze about “pick-up” lines that are oftentimes humorous.
She has been on the tail-end of surveys for preferred candidate for president by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia surveys, but she has been topping random polls in universities.