Pork BBQ Pinoy Style

It’s summertime again and what better way to “bond” with your friends that to head to the beach for a barbeque party, Pinoy style. Being away from home, we often crave for those unique flavors and dishes we grew up on. Often, we try to recreate them, if only to bring back memories of home, and help relieve our homesickness. And what’s a Pinoy beach party without the barbeque? In our column this issue, we feature two barbeque favorites: chicken inasal and pork barbeque, two dishes that will surely get Pinoys dreaming of home, sweet home in no time.

So, let’s get that marinade ready, and fire up the grill!





Ingredients:

1 kg. pork
20 bamboo skewers
1 cup soy sauce
1 glove  garlic, minced
1 onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup of calamansi juice or lemon juice
1/2 cup of 7up, sprite or beer (optional)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons of brown sugar
1/2 cup of banana catsup

Procedure:

1. Cut pork meat into thin and long slices – 1/4 inches thick and less than 2 inches wide.
2. In a mixing bowl, marinate the cut pork with the soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped onions, calamansi juice, ground pepper, sugar, banana catsup and the soda or beer (this tenderizes and adds flavor to the pork barbeque)
3. Mix well and keep in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (turning occasionally).
4. Prepare the bamboo skewers by removing splinters and soaking in water to reduce burning during barbeque.
5. Skewer the pork slices, around 5 pieces to a stick.
6. Place the pork on skewers over the live charcoal, turning every few minutes on each side and basting the leftover marinate on the meat until cooked to your taste.

Chicken Inasal

It’s summertime again and what better way to “bond” with your friends that to head to the beach for a barbeque party, Pinoy style. Being away from home, we often crave for those unique flavors and dishes we grew up on. Often, we try to recreate them, if only to bring back memories of home, and help relieve our homesickness. And what’s a Pinoy beach party without the barbeque? In our column this issue, we feature two barbeque favorites: chicken inasal and pork barbeque, two dishes that will surely get Pinoys dreaming of home, sweet home in no time.

So, let’s get that marinade ready, and fire up the grill!

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken, cut into 6 parts (legs, wings, breasts)

Marinade
1 head garlic, crushed
2 tbsps. chopped ginger
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/3 cup sinamak (native coconut vinegar)
10 pieces calamansi  juice
3 stalks tanglad (lemon grass), julienne
salt and coarsely ground pepper

Basting Sauce
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/4 cup atsuete (annatto seeds) oil
salt and pepper
bamboo skewers

Procedure:

1. In a large bowl, place the garlic, ginger, vinegar, a small amount of sugar, calamansi, tanglad, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix all the ingredients then add the chicken meat. Lightly rub the marinade on the meat. Place chicken in the chiller and let sit. After 30 minutes, turn the meat and let it sit for another 30 minutes. It is not ideal to marinate the meat overnight since the acid of the vinegar will completely break down the enzymes of the meat.
3. Meanwhile in a saucepan, over low fire, combine margarine/butter and annatto seeds. Stir until the margarine melts and the annatto seeds are well infused and have developed a deep orange color. Turn off heat then add a small amount of salt and pepper to taste.
4. After marinating the chicken, put several slits on the part near the bone to help with cooking the meat fully.
5.  Skewer the meat and cook over hot charcoal grill, skin side down, basting it once in a while. As much as possible do not turn the meat more than twice since the result will be drier meat.

Di makapaniwalang pinagkatiwalaan ulit

Nagtataka si Lyn sa isang kababayan na dating OFW sa Hong Kong nang malaman na nakuha ito bilang sekretarya ng kanilang barangay. Alam kasi niya na napatunayang nagkasala sa pagnanakaw ang kababayan at nakulong sa Hong Kong ng ilang buwan dahil dito. Tanong niya sa sarili, wala na bang ibang karapat-dapat na maging sekretarya ng kanilang barangay? Bakit iyon pang nakulong sa salang pagnanakaw ang itinalaga sa pwesto? Hindi ba daw isinasaalang-alang ang record ng isang magiging opisyal? Lalong nainis si Lyn nang marinig niya na sinabi ng sekretarya minsan na ang hawak-hawak nitong Php10,000 mula sa pondo ng barangay ay nawala sa isang kasalan na kanyang dinaluhan. Sabi ni Lyn, kahit ngayon pala ay magaling pa rin ang dating OFW pagdating sa pera. Nag-iisip siya ngayon kung ano ang dapat niyang gawin para matanggal sa pwesto ang di mapagkakatiwalaang kababayan. Pero alam niyang mahirap dahil kilala din sa kanilang barangay ang mga magulang ng naturang OFW. Si Lyn ay naninilbihan ngayon sa New Territories. – Marites Palma

Akala may sunog, false alarm lang pala

Nagising si Tess at ang mga amo niya dahil sa tuloy-tuloy at malakas na tunog ng fire alarm sa kanilang building, dakong alas kuwatro ng umaga. Nagmamadaling binuhat ng among babae si baby at takot na takot na inutusan ang lahat na lumabas at dumaan sa fire exit. Nataranta din ang mga magulang ng amo na kasalukuyang nagbabakasyon sa kanila, dahil hindi mahanap- hanap ng matandang babae ang kanyang bra sa kalituhan. Sinabihan naman ito ng anak na walang problema kung wala siyang bra dahil matanda na siya. Si Tess naman ay inisip na dalhin ang kanyang bag na kinalalagyan ng kanyang mga dokumento, pero nang makita ang amo na walang dala ay dali dali na rin siyang lumabas hawak lang ang kanyang mobile phone. Pagdating nila sa fire exit ay huminto ang alarm kaya huminto din sila. Hinanap ng among babae ang kanyang ina, at nalamang nasa 34th floor na pala ito habang sila ay hindi pa nakakababa. Tinawag nito ang ina para umakyat muli, kasabay ng pagtunog ulit ng alarm, at pagtigil ng lift. Lalong natakot ang among babae at pinagpipilitang bumaba papunta sa tinawag na “refuge” floor. Pagkababa ng isang hagdanan ay naisip bigla na tawagan ang guwardiya. Noon lang nila nalaman na wala namang sunog, at false alarm lang ang nangyari. Sa isip ni Tess, mukha naman talagang walang sunog dahil wala silang narinig na fire trucks, at ang iba pang nakatira sa kanilang floor ay hindi naman naglabasan. Sobra lang kasi ang pagka-nerbyosa ng kanyang amo. Nagtawanan na lang silang lahat nang makita ang kanilang mga suot dahil halatang tumakbo sila palabas mula sa kanilang pagkakatulog. Humingi na paumanhin ang among babae dahil sa pagka-tarantahin nito. Kinabukasan ay kinausap ng kanyang mga amo ang management ng kanilang building na ayusin ang fire alarm para hindi matakot at mainis ang mga nakatira doon. Si Tess ay itong buwan nang naninilbihan sa mga amo sa Tai Wai. – Marites Palma

Walang pinagkaiba ang turing

Nagkakuwentuhan ang magkaibigang Jessa at Kayla nang tumawag si Kayla kay Jessa upang magtanong kung may alam na amo ang kaibigan. Alam ni Jessa na matagal na si Kayla sa kanyang among mag-asawang Intsik at nagtaka ito kung bakit aalis na siya sa mga ito. Dito nagsimulang magkuwento si Kayla sa nangyari. Sinabi umano ng kanyang among lalaki na kailangang mas maaga siyang magsimulang magtrabaho, na hindi naman problema kay Kayla dahil madali naman daw siyang mag-adjust ng oras kahit siya ay stay-out sa kanyang mga amo. May sakit din na malubha ang kanyang among babae at ang kasama niyang Pinay ang stay-in sa mga ito. Ang hindi nagustuhan ni Kayla ay nang sabihin ng among lalaki na babawasan ang kanyang sahod sa dahilang hindi naman daw buong araw ang trabaho niya. Agad na tumutol si Kayla dahil sa 15 taon niyang pagtatrabaho sa mga ito ay ngayon  lang ito nangyari, samantalang ginagawa naman niya ang kanyang tungkulin nang maayos. Nag-usap silang muli ng amo at hinamon niya ang ito ng termination. Tila naman naging hamon ito sa kanyang amo at ora mismo ay gumawa ito ng termination letter para sa Immigration at agad na tinapos ang paglilingkod ni Kayla sa kanya. Binayaran naman nito ang kaukulang benepisyo ni Kayla na maayos na nagpaalam sa kanyang among babae na ang turing sa kanya ay kapatid na. Dahil sa awa ni Kayla sa among babae na pinagsilbihan niya ng mahigit 15 taon ay mabigat sa kalooban niya na iwan sila. Ngunit sabi nga ni Jessa sa kaibigan, walang pagkakaiba ang kanyang amo sa iba. Ang turing nila sa atin ay kasambahay lamang at gaano man katagal tayong nanilbihan sa kanila, gaano man kabuti ang ating pag-aalaga at pakikisama sa kanila, isa pa rin tayong mga bayarang katulong lamang. Parang kapag naibigay na ang mga benepisyo at bayad sa ating pagsisilbi, wala na silang pananagutan o utang na loob na dapat tanawin, himutok niya. - Jo Campos

Epekto ng sobrang pag-FB

Karamihan sa mga Pinay dito sa Hong Kong ay laging nasa FB. Sa bawa’t pagkakataon na makasingit kahit sa oras ng trabaho ay tiyak na sisilip para mag check ng kanilang notification. Ang iba ay inaabot din ng magdamag sa pakikipag chat. Isa na rito si Maria na halos lahat yata ng laman ng kanyang damdamin ay nailagay na sa Facebook status niya. Bawa’t lugar na puntahan, bawa’t kain sa isang restawran, tiyak may selfie na ipo-post. Kung minsan nga ay kahit bagong gising ay may selfie at status na “woke up like this”. Kahit mga lumang larawan niya na naipost na noon, babalikan muli para sa kanyang “throwback Thursday” post. Malungkot man o masaya, tiyak na ang mga friends niya sa FB ay malalaman ito. Kahit ang kanyang mga opinyon sa pulitika man o sa pangkaraniwang isyu ay tiyak na may kuro kuro siyang maihahatid sa kanyang status. Kung minsan ay nagiging dahilan ito para magkaroon ng isang pagtatalo o diskusyon sa pagitan ng mga nakababasa ng kanyang status at may pagkakataon din na napagsasalitaan siya ng hindi niya gusto. Siguro nga na sa panahon ngayon, napakasensitibo ng paksa tungkol sa pulitika. Maraming naging kagalit si Maria dahil dito. Ang iba naman sa kanyang mga kaibigan ay nagwawalang kibo na lang dahil para sa kanila ay hindi na dapat mag-aksaya ng panahon para makipagtalo sa kanya dahil na rin sa ipipilit lang din ni Maria ang kanyang paniniwala, maging ito man ay baluktot o walang katuturan. Kung minsan kasi ay dinadaan ni Maria sa tapang ng pananalita ang kanyang opinyon at hindi base sa katotohanang isyu at madalas na haka-haka lamang, Gayunpaman, tuloy pa rin ang kanyang pagpapa-viral sa FB at ano man ang maging comment ng kanyang mga kaibigan sa kanyang mga post ay di niya alintana. Ang mahalaga ay nai-post daw niya ang gusto niya at walang pakialam ang sino man kung ano man ang gusto niyang sabihin sa fb wall niya. Madalas man siyang mahuli ng kanyang amo na nakatutok sa kanyang cellphone ay tuloy pa rin ang pagka-addict niya sa FB kaya hindi na magtataka ang mga kakilala niya kung sakaling mawalan siya ng trabaho nang dahil dito. --Jo Campos 

Defiant theft suspect complains about forcible fingerprinting

By Vir B. Lumicao

A magistrate in Kowloon City Courts sidestepped a complaint by a Filipino theft suspect that his fingerprints were forcibly lifted by the police after he resisted them before his scheduled court appearance on June 10.
Marcelo Ortega Jr, was due to appear in the morning along with co-defendant Jolito Mania before Principal Magistrate Peter Law for the transfer of their case to the District Court.
The Filipino tourists were facing charges of attempted theft and breach of deportation order following their arrests earlier this year in an apparent pickpocketing sortie.
Officers in the courthouse tried to take Ortega’s fingerprints but he struggled, forcing a postponement of the hearing until after lunch break.
When the duo finally appeared in court, Ortega told the court, through the court-appointed defense counsel, that he wanted to complain against the officers’ forcible taking of his fingerprints.
But Law said he could only act on the offenses for which he and Mania were charged.
The proper venue for the defendant’s complaint would be the Complaints Against Police Office.
Law then proceeded transferring the case, along with relevant documents and exhibits, to the District Court.
Meanwhile, Law shortened the adjournment of a separate theft case against two other Filipino tourists, after the duty lawyer assigned to the defendants objected to the prosecution’s move to delay the hearing for six weeks.
The prosecutor said she needed more time to wait for results of the fingerprint analysis, further legal advice and CCTV footage of the crime.
Wilson Lacharon and Joseph Erwin Dacidilla were arrested by police on May 14 after they allegedly stole the money that a man had just withdrawn from a Bank of China ATM.
No further details of the incident were discussed in court.
The prosecutor said she objected to the grant of bail to Lacharon and Dacidilla because of the serious nature of their offense and that both had been issued deportation orders.
But the defense counsel said her clients did not want to wait a further six weeks for their next court appearance.
The prosecutor said fingerprint results would take that long.
She was also awaiting the bank’s reply to a request for CCTV footage relating to the crime.
Law backed the defense’s position and gave the prosecution just four weeks to obtain the fingerprint analysis and CCTV footage.
He set the next hearing to Jul 8.

Overstayed DH gets suspended sentence

A 39-year-old former domestic helper was handed a two-month jail sentence suspended for three years on June 8 after pleading guilty in a Shatin court to a charge of overstaying her visa in Hong Kong for nearly two years.
Armilyn B. Sogoni, who was in police custody, appeared before Magistrate Colin Wong and admitted her offense.
Sogoni was arrested by police last June 2 for overstaying her visa.
She came to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper at the end of April 2014. Shortly after arriving, she was convicted for theft and was supposed to have returned home before June 3, 2014, but she stayed.
According to the duty lawyer who represented Sogoni, the Filipina had said she wanted to go home to her children because his husband had left her.
Wong warned her not to commit any offense during the three-year suspension period, otherwise she would serve the sentence in addition to whatever penalty she would get for the new offense. – Vir B. Lumicao

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Licensure examination for teachers to be held on Sept 25 (Sunday)
We are pleased to inform everyone that the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers in Hong Kong (BLEPT) has been approved per Commission Resolution No. 2016 - 988 dated June 9, 2016.
PRC through the guidance of POLO-HK advised all interested applicants to visit the PRC website at http://www.prc.gov.ph and start to apply through "online application system." http://prc.gov.ph/online/application/apply.aspx
PRC's formal announcement of other important details (basic requirements and payment options) shall follow shortly.

THE SUN CALENDAR

8TH Anniversary/ Recognition Rites
June 19, 1-5pm
Bayanihan Centre
Organizer: United Migrants Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Association HK
Contact: Ofelia Baquirin

Induction of Officers and Graduation
June 19, 11am- 2pm
M/V Star Pisces
Organized by: Balikatan sa Kaunlaran HK Chapter
Contact: Ching, 5168 9670


Free Financial Literacy Seminar
June 26, July 24, Aug 21 and Nov 27.
Interested parties are advised to choose one of the dates mentioned above. The venue and details about the seminars will be announced later.
Organizer: CARD MRI OFW Foundation
For reservation and inquiries, contact 54238196 as well as 95296392 and 96066810. Registration will be on a first-come first-served basis, as only 50 slots are available.

Filcom Farewell for Consul Chuck Macaspac
June 26, 10am – 1pm
Venue TBA
Details to be announced through FB

RoRo Barbecue Get-Together
June 26, 11am- 7pm
Deep Water Bay Beach
Contact: Colleen Navarro
11 AM - 7 PM

Ugoy ng Duyan: A Free Play
July 3, 3-5pm
Y Theatre, Chaiwan
Co-organized by: Philippine Consular General and Teatro Filipino
Free admission.
For tickets and information, call the PCG Cultural Section, 2823 8537/ 8539

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

Nanay Tarcila returns home

Nanay Tarcila (third from left) is reunited with relatives in Metro Manila, her stopover before eventually going home to Cadiz, Negros Occidental.

By Vir B. Lumicao

“Nanay Tarcila,” the 68-year-old woman who last December gave herself up to Immigration authorities after overstaying in Hong Kong for over a decade, is now back in the Philippines.
Tarcila Alabastro flew home on May 30 aboard a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila.
According to Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr, officer of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, the OFW’s plane ticket was paid for by the Hong Kong government, and she was escorted to the airport by immigration officers.
However, her friends in Hong Kong say Alabastro is now “stranded” at a relative’s home in Metro Manila because her air ticket was only up to Manila.
Alabastro was convicted of breach of condition of stay after overstaying for more than 12 years in Hong Kong. She was sentenced to six months in jail on Jan 8 by a Shatin court, which gave discounts for her surrender and her fragile physical condition.
She could hardly walk because of osteoarthritis when she surrendered on Dec 9 with help from the Consulate. She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital two weeks later by Esther Bangcawayan of Bethune House after a surge in her blood pressure.
That discomfort turned out to be a mild stroke, and her surrender must have come as a blessing, according to Cayabyab. The domestic worker ended up spending practically all of her four-and-a-half months’ jail term in hospital, where all her medical needs were provided.
“Magaling na siya paglabas niya,” said Cayabyab, who often visited the old woman during the regular prison visit by Consulate officials.
For the domestic helpers who helped Alabastro surrender and find shelter, her early release was welcome news, but her return home left them with mixed feelings.
“Naku, ayaw ko nang maisip yung sa kulungan. Naiyak ako nang magkita kami. Nang makita niya ako, ang iyak niya, grabe! Di makapaniwala na babalikan ko siya,” said Alexise Tiu, administrator of the OFWs in Hong Kong who visited Alabastro at the Lowu women’s correctional a week before her departure.
It was Tiu who helped the limping Alabastro walk to the Consulate and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Admiralty on Dec 6, 2015 to seek a shelter before she surrendered. Tiu said she misses Nanay Tarcila. “I still want to see her but I’ll just pray that she’ll be fine.”

Juday at Ryan, nag-enjoy sa HK

Nanatiling matamis na pagmamahalan ng mag-asawang Judy Ann Santos at Ryan Agoncillo kahit tatlo na ang kanilang anak. Kamakailan ay binigyan ng sorpresa ni Ryan si Judy Ann nang sabihin niya ditong i-libre niya ng June 8 (Miyerkules) dahil may lakad silang dalawa.
Ang sorpresa pala ay pupunta sila ng Hong Kong dahil nakapagpa-reserve si Ryan sa restaurant ng pamosong French chef na si Joel Robuchon, sa L’ Atelier de Joel Robuchon na matatagpuan sa Landmark sa Central. Pahirapan daw ang pagkuha ng booking sa naturang restaurant, na may 3 Michelin stars dahil marami ang dumarayo dito, at matagal na ring gustong masubukang kumain dito ni Juday. Ang iba pang restaurants nito bukod sa HK ay matatagpuan sa ibang bansa gaya ng Bangkok, Bordeaux, Las Vegas, London, Macau, Monaco, Paris, Singapore, Taipei, at Tokyo.
Umalis ang mag-asawa sa Pilipinas ng 7:15 ng umaga upang mananghalian sa Hong Kong,  pero bago raw humabol sa reservation nilang 12:30 ng tanghali, sinabi ni Ryan na kailangan nilang sumaglit sa IFC ( International Finance Centre), dahil ito raw ang talagang sadya nila, at on the side lang ang pagbisita nila sa pamosong reataurant. Pinuntahan nila ang sikat na chocolate store na Godiva kung saan kinausap ni Ryan ang isang babae na nagpakilala kay Juday bilang kaibigan ng kanyang personal secretary na si Tippy. May iniabot na paper bag ang babae, na nang silipin ni Juday ay nabigla siya dahil ang laman nito ay black truffles, isang uri ng edible mushroom na ubod ng mahal at hindi basta mabibili o mahahanap.
Nagpatulong pala si Ryan kay Tippy na makahanap ng truffles, at eksakto namang may kaibigan ito na alam kung paano makakakuha nito sa Hong Kong. Kaya daw pala nagmamadaling pumunta sila ng Hong Kong ay upang malanghap ni Juday ang amoy nito habang sariwa pa. Matagal nang gustong masubukan ni Juday na magamit ito sa pagluluto, kaya napaiyak siya sa tuwa sa ginawa ni Ryan.
Sa maikling sandali nila sa Hong Kong na parang magkasintahan, at ang ginawa lang ay maglakad na bitbit ang isang trolley bag, kumain at sumakay ng train, bago bumalik ulit ng airport para makabalik sa Pilipinas kinagabihan, hindi malilimutan ni Juday ang masayang date nilang mag-asawa at ang magandang sorpresa ni Ryan sa kanya.
Parehong mahilig magluto ang mag-asawa, at nag-aral pa sila sa culinary school. Si Juday ay nakapaglabas na ng sariling cookbook, ang “Judy Ann’s Kitchen”. Kasalukuyang tinatapos ng aktres ang indie film na  “Kusina” na kalahok sa Cinemalaya Film Festival sa taong ito.

VINA, KINASUHAN SI CEDRIC
Sinampahan ng kaso ni Vina Morales ang dati niyang karelasyon na Cedric Lee noong June 3 a San Juan Prosecutor’s Office dahil diumano sa sapilitan nitong pagtangay sa kanilang anak na si Ceana mula sa kanilang tinitirhan nilang mag-ina. Nasa ibang bansa noon si Vina at nagbabakasyon kasama ng kanyang bagong boyfriend na si Marc Lambert..
Ayon kay Vina, nilabag ni Cedric ang visitation rights na itinakda ng korte na tuwing Sabado lang niya ito pwedeng madalaw. Noong una raw ay ayaw na sana niyang magsalita, pero marami raw ang nagtatanong kaya napilitan siyang ihayag ang katotohanan.
Siyam na araw daw na kasama ni Cedric si Ceana bago ito ibinalik sa kanyang pamilya, pamamagitan ng korte, noong May 23. Sa edad na pitong taon, nalilito raw ang kanyang anak at na-traumatize sa nangyari. Kaya ngayon ay matapang na raw siyang lalaban para sa kanyang anak at sa matagal nang pambu-bully sa kanya ni Cedric at sa kanyang pamilya.
Dahil sa mga naging pahayag ni Vina, sinampahan naman siya ng anim na kasong libel ni Cedric.
Si Cedric ay isang mayamang negosyante na naging pangunahing suspect sa pambubugbog sa comedian/actor/TV host na si Vhong Navarro noong 2014.
Samantala, humingi ng tulong si Vina sa kanyang dating boyfriend na si Robin Padilla. Sa kanyang Instagram page, nag-post siya ng larawan ni Robin na may caption na “Binoe, away ako. Sabi mo pag away ako, sumbong ako sa ‘yo, “Utol Kong Hoodlum”.

KRISTINE, KAPUSO NA
Muling masisilayan sa TV ang isa sa may pinakamagagandang mukha sa showbiz, si Kristine Hermosa. Mapapanood siya sa bagong comedy series na “Hay, Bahay” sa GMA Network. Makakasama niya sa show ang kanyang biyenang si Vic Sotto, AiAi dela Alas, at ang kanyang mister na si Oyo Sotto.
Alam ni Kristine na marami sa kanyang mga fans ang naghihintay na muli siyang mapanood sa ABS CBN, kung saan siya nagsimula at sumikat ng husto, pero nilinaw niya na matagal na siyang walang kontrata bilang Kapamilya, kahit na noong may project pa siyang ginagawa doon. Nagpaalam din daw siya ng maayos at sinabing makakasama niya sina Vic at Oyo at sinabi naman daw ng network na ok lang, kung saan siya masaya.
Ang isa pang dahilan kaya napapayag siyang muling umarte ay dahil comedy ang “ Hay Bahay”. Ayaw na daw muna niyang gumawa ng drama dahil umiiwas siya sa mga iyakan. Siguro ay napagod na rin daw siya sa dami ng mga nagawa na niyang drama. Kaya nga nang makasama raw siya sa Enteng Kabisote movie noon ay nag-enjoy siya nang husto dahil parang naging pahinga na niya ito dahil may teleserye rin siyang ginagawa noon na kasabay ito.
Kasalukuyang dinadala ni Kristine ang pang-apat na anak nila ni Oyo, na ayon sa balita ay isa na namang baby boy. Ang mga anak nila ni Oyo ay sina Kristian Daniel, Ondrea Bliss at Kaleb Hanns.
Ilan sa mga teleseryeng ginawa ni Kristine na tumatak sa mga manonood ay ang Pangako Sa ‘Yo, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, Gulong ng Palad, Prinsesa ng Banyera, Till Death Do Us Part at Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako.

MISS PHILIPPINES EARTH 2016
Nanalo ang Filipina German na si Imelda Schweighart, 21, bilang Miss Philippines Earth 2016 sa ginanap na coronation night sa UP Theatre noong June11. Siya ang magiging pambato ng Pilipinas sa Miss Earth 2016 sa October, na gaganapin sa Pilipinas.
Gaya ni Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, ilang beses na ring sumali sa mga beauty contests si Sweighart. Nasa top 15 finalists siya sa Bb. Pilipinas 2013, at nagtamo ng special award. Sinubukan din niyang mag-artista, gamit ang pangalang Imee Hart, at napanood sa tv show na Bagets ng TV5, at naging co-host ni Willie Revillame sa Willing Willie noong 2010 – 2011.
Maganda ang naging sagot niya sa question and answer portion, bagama’t tila memoryado ang sagot:   “My climate change advocacy is banning genetically modified organisms (GMO) and genetically modified seeds, because I believe in natural food in order to feed our mind, body, and soul. So if we really want to feed our minds and become smarter, let’s support banning GMO, President Duterte”.
Samantala, pinag-usapan naman ang naging sagot ng isa sa top 12 candidates na si Bellatrix Tan ng Zamboanga, nang pinakuha sila ng hashtag mula sa isang bowl at magsalita tungkol sa nabunot na issue. Ang napili niya ay #El Nino, La Nina: “El Nino, is what we are facing right now. If we do simple things like planting trees, then we will not experience drought, right? So, if we start now, we will achieve La Nina. Thank you”.

Shorties

Pilipino can be more meaningful than English. Just one example:
English: Don’t be shy. Feel at home.
Pilipino: Kapalan ‘nyo mukha ‘nyo. Feel at home kayo diyan!
-o-
Manager: Why haven’t you written your mobile number in your application form?
Girl: Because I already have a boyfriend.
-o-
Spotted on Twitter: I tried committing suicide today. Never going to do it again. I almost killed myself.
-o-
Snaccident (n):
Eating an entire box of chocolates by mistake.
-o-
Women with straight hair want curls. Women with curls want straight hair.
Men are simpler: They just want the hair on  their head to stay.
-o-
Maybe if we tell people that the brain is an app, they will start using it.

Sagutan
Mga aktwal na sagot sa programang Wowowee...
1. Q: "Ano sa Tagalog ang teeth?" A: "Utong!"
2. Q: "Kung ang light ay ilaw, ano naman ang lightning?" A: "Umiilaw!"
3. Q: "Kung vegetarian ang tawag sa kumakain ng gulay, ano ang tawag sa kumakain ng tao? A: "Humanitarian?"
4. Q: "Sina Michael at Raphael ay mga." A: "Ninja?"
5. Q: "Ano ang karaniwang kasunod ng kidlat?" A: "Sunog!"
6. Q: "Magbigay ng sikat na Willie." A: "Willie da pooh!"
7. Q: "Ang mga Hindu ay galing sa aling bansa?" A: "Hindunesia?"
8. Q: "Anong hayop si King Kong?" A: "Pagong!"
9. Q: "Magbigay ng mabahong pagkain." A: "Tae!"
10. Q: "Saang bansa matatagpuan ang mga Canadians?" A: "Canadia!"
11. Q: "Kumpletuhin - Little Red." A: "Ribbon!"
12 Q: "Ano ang tinatanggal sa itlog bago ito kainin?" A: "Buhok?"
13. Q: "Magbigay ng pagkain na dumidikit sa ngipin." A: "Tinga!"
14. Q: "Anong oras kadalasang pinapatay ang TV?" A: "Pag balita?"
15. Q: "Ano ang tawag mo sa anak ng taong grasa?" A: "Baby oil?"
16. Q: "Saan karaniwang ginagawa ang mga sweets na ginagamit sa halu-halo?" A: "Sweetserland?"
17. Q: "Sinong higanteng G ang tinalo ni David?" A: "Godzilla?"
18. Q: "Ano ang mas malaki, itlog ng ibon o sanggol ng tao?" A: "Itlog ng tao!"
19. Q: "Anong S ang tawag sa duktor nag nago-opera?" A: "Sadista?"
20. Q: "Blank is the best policy." A: "Ice tea?"
22. Q: "Saan binaril si Jose Rizal?" A: "Sa likod!"
23. Q: "Fill in the blanks - Beauty is in the eye of the ____." A: "Tiger?"
24. Q: "Ano ang kinakain ng monkey-eating eagle?" A: "Saging!"
25. Q: "Kung ang suka ay vinegar, ano naman ang Inggles ng toyo?" A: "Baliw!"
26. Q: "Anong tawag mo sa kapatid ng nanay mo?" A: "Kamag-anak!"
27. Q: "Saan nakukuha ang sakit na AIDS?" A: "Sa motel?"
28. Q: "Kung ang H2O ay water, ano naman ang CO2?" A: "Cold water!"
29. Q: "Sinong cartoon character ang sumisigaw ng yabba dabba doo?" A: "Si scooby dooby doo?"
30. Q: "Heto na si kaka, bubuka-bukaka." A: "Operadang bakla?"
31. Q: "Ilan ang bituin sa American flag?" A: "Madami!"
32. Q: "Ano ang tawag mo sa taong isa lang ang mata?" A: "Abnormal!"

Covers the period June 16-30

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
May tsansang ma-love at first sight ka ngayon at wala mang kahihinatnan ito, malilibang at aagaw din ng atensyon mo ito. Kung dati ay tahimik lang, ngayon ay magpapakita ka ng tapang na magbibigay ng magandang resulta sa maraming bagay. Lumalaki ang hindi pagkakaunawaan sa pamilya. Kulang sa init ang pakikipagkaibigan dahil hindi mo maiwasang maging prangka kahit nakakasakit ka na. Konting ingat sa salita at matutong gumamit ng diplomasya. Lucky numbers: 15, 19, 22 at 41.

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Pagkakataon mo nang maiangat ang sarili dahil magiging maganda ang bunga ng pinaghirapan. Magagamit mo rin ang karisma upang mas maging maganda ang samahan sa mga malalapit sa iyo. Makakatulong din sa iyo ang ilang taong iniiwasan mo. Wala kang dapat ipag-alala sa kalusugan pero mababawasan ang sigla mo ngayon. Iwasan muna ang alcoholic drinks na nakakasama sa bato, at dagdagan ang pahinga. Lucky numbers: 2, 20, 34 at 38.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Dadami ang makikilala mo na maaaring interesado sa iyong ideya o proyekto. Mas maayos ang relasyon sa taong mahal mo o sa bagong makikilala mo. Mapapasarap ka sa pagkain ngayon kaya pananakit ng tiyan ang maaring maranasan. Dapat nang higpitan ang gastusin at magkaroon ng istriktong plano para sa pagtitipid upang hindi masayang ang kinikita sa bagay na hindi importante, at hindi maharap sa malaking problema sa oras ng pangangailangan. Lucky numbers: 17, 21, 33 at 45.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Posibleng sumablay na naman ang iyong desisyon dahil sa mga bagay na hindi pinag-iisipan. Iwasan ang pabigla-biglang kilos at paglabas ng pera, lalong lalo na kung dahil sa laging pagtulong sa kaibigan. May mga pagtatalo sa karelasyon dahil sa nakasanayan mong pagpi-flirt sa iba. Magiging tampulan ka ng tsismis, pero kung mananatiling kalmado ay maayos itong madaraanan. Talikuran ang taong hindi nararapat na kaibigan. Lucky numbers: 3, 18, 27 at 36.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Iwasang magka-insomnia sa pamamagitan ng pagkalma sa sarili at pagkakaroon ng regular na pamumuhay. Iwasan ang nakakanerbiyos na inumin at gawi. Mag-ingat sa mga alok na natatanggap dahil wala rin itong kahihinatnan. Mas mabuting isagawa ang iyong plano dahil Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa iyo. Kung nahihirapan sa paghanap ng tirahan, magpatulong sa kuwalipikadong ahente upang mahanap ang nababagay sa iyong budget at gusto. Lucky numbers: 15, 23, 37 at 40.
 39.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Kailangan mong gumawa ng mahalagang desisyon hinggil sa iyong trabaho at ambisyon sa buhay. Makabubuti sa iyo ang mamuhay ng malayo sa pamilya upang mapalawak ang kaalaman at personalidad at magkaroon ng positibong pananaw. Tigilan na ang mga bagay na wala namang naibibigay na pakinabang. Mas mabuting harapin ang problema kesa itago o iwasan, at umasa na lang na bubuti rin ang lahat. Lucky numbers: 7, 11, 28 at 33.
.
TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Maswerte ang linggong ito dahilan magtatatagumpay ka sa anumang susubukan mo. Simulan na ang pagdidiyeta na matagal mo nang binabalak. Hindi maiiwasan ang pagtatalo sa pagsasama kung laging ang trabaho ang pinapahalagahan mo. Iwasang masira ang budget mo sa mga maling desisyon. Dobleng ingat sa pananalapi. Lucky numbers: 15, 16, 21 at 39.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Alam mo kung ano ang gusto mong mangyari at gagawin mo ang lahat para matupad ito. Pairalin kung ano ang nasa puso dahil ito ang pinakamabisang paraan upang paniwalaan ka. Sa trabaho, ang pagiging praktikal ang makakatulong upang mahanapan ng solusyon ang maraming problema. Sa kabila mg maraming pinagkakaabalahan, bigyan ng sapat na oras ang pamilya at hindi ka magsisisi. Lucky numbers: 5, 16, 21 at 47.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Maganda ang iyong hangarin at ang puso ay puno ng pagmamahal kaya walang puwang ang problema ngayon. Mag-ingat na magtiwala agad dahil hirap kang kumilatis sa tunay na ugali ng mga tao. Huwag palalain ang problema sa pamilya nang dahil sa pananalita na nakakasakit ng damdamin. Mataas ang enerhiya mo at ganado ka sa maraming bagay, gamitin ito upang magkaroon ng dagdag na pagkakakitaan. Lucky numbers: 9, 15, 34 at 37.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Malalampasan mo rin ang mga bagay na nakakasagabal sa takbo ng iyong trabaho pero huwag hayaang malamangan ka. Mababawasan ang lakas at resistensya mo ngayon kaya madali kang mapagod. Iwasang talunin ng kalungkutan ang iyong paligid. May maitim mang ulap ang nakalambong ngayon, kakayanin mo namang mapabilis na masilayan ang kasiyahang dulot ng sikat ng araw. Lucky numbers: 14, 19, 24 at 43.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Magiging kasiya-siya ang linggong ito dahil sa palitan ng mga ideya at opinyon. Matutupad din ang ilan sa iyong hinahangad dahil sa iyong pagpupursige. Mapupukaw ang interes mo sa mga bagay na mahirap ipaliwanag. Dadaan sa pagsubok ang pagmamahalan, na maaaring magdulot ng pagkakalayo o pansamantalang paghihiwalay dahil sa pangingibang-bansa. Lucky numbers: 6, 19, 21 at 43.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Magandang panahon upang makakilala ng mga bagong tao para maging karelasyon o maging asawa. Nakakabahala ang magiging problema mo sa pera. Kung may usaping dapat iresolba, kumunsulta sa mga eksperto kaysa ayusin itong mag-isa. Ipagpaliban muna ang mahahalagang desisyon. Kailangan mo ng sapat na pahing at libangan upang mapakalma ang sarili at mabawasan ang nerbiyos at iritasyong nadarama. Lucky numbers: 4, 12, 18 at 36.

2 Pinays rescued; employer accused of indecent acts

Photo of two Filipinas that triggered the rescue.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Two Filipina domestic helpers who arrived in Hong Kong less than two months ago accused their male employer of indecent assault and theft shortly after they were rescued in Shatin by Consulate officials on June 8.
The Filipinas told Consulate officials that they were not fed, not paid their salaries until the day they were rescued, and were made to do dangerous jobs.
Their male employer, a Singaporean surnamed Ong, was arrested by police and charged with indecent assault. Officers laid an additional charge of theft against him for confiscating the passports of the two Filipinas. He was released on police bail.
The two Filipinas were rescued at about 11am at their employers’ home at Villa Jardine in Fotan, after Labor Attaché Jalilo de la Torre and Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr, officer of the assistance to nationals section, sought police help.
De la Torre and Cayabyab, rushed to the Shatin Police station and coordinated the rescue with the officers after receiving a tip-off from a migrant workers’ group.
The support group had posted a picture on Facebook of the two maids perched precariously on a ledge while cleaning window panes.
The alleged victims said the Singaporean boss and his wife, an Indonesian Chinese, were surprised when police came to their house as the female employer was about to leave for work.  
An Indonesian co-worker of the Filipinas refused to be rescued, the labor attaché said.
Rescued were a 32-year-old mother of two, and a 23-year-old single woman. They said the employers held their passports upon arriving in Hong Kong on Apr 28.
On the next night, Ong reportedly ordered the older helper to massage him and asked him to hold his genitals, offering her $80. But she said she refused vehemently and left the room.
The next day, after his wife had left, Ong allegedly asked the younger helper to massage him in his bedroom. He told her to bring him a cup of lemon tea, and when she came into the room, he allegedly grabbed the maid’s hands and put them on his genitals.
She reportedly ran out of the room in tears when the employer started to masturbate.
Apart from the sexual assault, the employers were also accused of ill-treating the Filipinas.
 “They arrived from Manila on April 28. They complained that they were not given food and were treated like slaves,” De la Torre said. “They were also not paid their salaries.”
The two helpers said they were warned not to touch any of the refrigerator’s contents, and managed to survive with the help of the Indonesian maid and other helpers in the neighborhood who gave them food after hearing about their plight.
The male employer’s name appears on the contract, but the signature belonged to his wife, De la Torre said.
“The rescued Filipinas said the couple was in the middle of divorce proceedings, so they always vented their anger on the maids,” De la Torre said.
The group that helped rescue them, called OFWs in Hong Kong, thanked the labor attache for the quick response.
“Alas 9:00 ng umaga nang kinalampag tayo ni Admin Sky na mayroon tayong kababayan na nangangailangan ng tulong. Bukod sa sila ay baguhan pa lamang, ni hindi pinakakain ng mga amo nila, ang mga pasaporte ay nasa amo at ang sahod nila ay delayed na ng 11 araw,” the post read.
“At ang paglilinis sa bintana ay isa sa mga nakakatakot na gawain ng mga ito. Agad na ipinagbigay-alam kay Labatt ang pangyayari na ito. At salamat sa Diyos hanggang sa pagkuha ng mga police at sa kasalukuyan ang dalawang kababayan natin ay nasa kamay na ng ating labor attache. They’re free and safe,” the post said.

VIDEO NEWS: Diplomatic Reception Focuses on Hong Kong and Philippines Trade

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Trade was the focus of attention in the diplomatic reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate General on June 14, 2016. The guest of honor was Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam.

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CG cooks for PCG breakfast fest

She is a seasoned diplomat who knows her seasonings.
Consul General Bernardita Catalla again showed her wizardry in the kitchen when she served food she herself cooked, during the Independence Day breakfast gathering held at the Consulate on June 12.
The buffet-style breakfast she dubbed “Pika-Pika Almusal” included such unique canapes as mini pizzas topped with daing and beef tapa, as well as her signature miniature puto with cheese, and kutsinta topped with coconut shavings.
ConGen also served Japanese maki sushi stuffed with such Filipino dishes as embotido, chicken tocino and tinapa.
Another unusual treat was her “sari-saring sandwiches” which had different fillings, from the usual ham and egg, to chicken inasal with egg, and the melt-in-the-mouth delicious  “kinilaw na samaral.”
Also on offer was an array of colorful hotdog cocktails with pickled carrots, singkamas, mango and pineapple complements.
Most interesting was a tray filled with hors de’ouevre or appetizer made of tiny slivers of toast topped with homemade chicken and pork liver pate, and trimmed with a tiny slice of bell pepper and black olives. The very light-textured pate melts as soon as the morsel of toast reaches the palate.
According to ConGen Bernie, the crunchy toast came from a Filipino snack brand, but the pate topping was her own concoction. – Jo Campos

Overstaying Pinay, lover hid kids 19 yrs

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina was jailed for 12 months on June 13 for overstaying in Hong Kong for 20 years while her Filipino partner got a similar but suspended sentence for aiding and abetting the breach, and for failing to register their two daughters.
Ma Lorena Escanillas, 43, a former domestic helper, has been in jail since her arrest along with 58-year-old Reynaldo Pangan, also a helper, on Apr 27 in Aberdeen.
Eastern Court Magistrate Clement Lee suspended Pangan’s sentence for two years so he could look after the girls, aged 18 and 19.
Lee cut the sentences by one-third because Escanillas and Pangan had  pleaded guilty to the charges. He also imposed a two-month jail term on Pangan for each of the two charges of failing to register a child.
The couple and their daughters were arrested when police armed with a search warrant raided a flat on Ap Lei Main Street for a suspected crime.
Finding no suspicious items, they checked the identities of the four and found that only Pangan had a valid Hong Kong ID card. Escanillas had an ID issued on Oct 26, 1994, but her visa had expired on Oct. 22, 1996.
The daughters could not show any identity cards, just a patient card and a delivery record issued by the Prince of Wales Hospital indicating a baby girl was born on Mar 4, 1997. The parents and daughters were arrested.
During investigation, the girls identified Escanillas and Pangan as their parents, with the elder daughter saying that she was told by the couple that she was born in a Hong Kong hospital on Mar 3, 1997. The younger said she heard she was born in a house in Taipo on Feb 25, 1998.
The undocumented children said they never went to school because they did not have birth certificates and were taught at home by their parents. They also never traveled because they had no passports.
The sisters were referred to the Social Welfare Department and issued temporary identity documents by the Immigration Department on Apr 30.
Escanillas told investigators she came to Hong Kong on Oct 3, 1993 to work as a domestic helper but was terminated in 1995. Finding no new employer, she decided to remain in the city because she was the eldest daughter and was supporting her family.
She said fear about her illegal status and of going home to face her relatives’ ire kept her from surrendering.
Pangan told investigators he met Escanillas while she was working in Stanley in 1995-1996, and she became his girlfriend. When the woman lost her job, he found places for her to stay until he got her pregnant. He supported her and his daughters “so they won’t be a burden to the government,” he told investigators.
Pangan and his de facto family were renting the flat for $11,000 a month.
The prosecutor likened the case to that of former helper Herminia Garcia, who overstayed for over 20 years and co-habited with insurance executive Nick Cousins. They also had two daughters whom they did not register.
The case came to light only when police investigated after the elder  daughter jumped off the 22-floor bathroom window of the Cousins’ flat in Repulse Bay.
Garcia was jailed for 12 months and Cousins got an eight-month sentence suspended for two years.
In the present case, Magistrate Lee said he ruled out a 6-10-month sentence on Escanillas because she did not surrender. He said in the precedent case, the High Court meted the 6-10 month sentence because the overstayer surrendered.
Pangan asked The SUN to hide his identity, saying it was for the protection of his daughters. He said he would enroll them in computer courses where they were good. He said he would not send them to the Philippines because he said they still have much to learn about Hong Kong and they speak only English.
But the question  is, will they be allowed to remain in Hong Kong, given that neither parent had right of abode when they were born?

VIDEO FEATURE: 118th Philippine Independence Day in Hong Kong (Kapangyawan Friendship Festival 2016)

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Support Duterte, but continue to be wary and critical - ConGen Catalla

Play the video to get the full report.