Walang pera? Hong Kong ang solusyon

Napilitang magtrabaho sa Hong Kong si Jane dahil sa sampung taong pagsasama nilang mag-asawa ay ni minsan ay hindi siya nakahawak ng pera. Hindi iniintrega ng asawa ang perang kinikita nito sa pamamasada at sa pinagbebentahan ng palay mula sa ilang ektarya nilang lupain tuwing anihan.
Ganunpaman, hindi naman sila nawawalan ng perang panggastos sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan sa bahay, at pati ang mga kailangan ng kanilang mga anak sa pag-aaral ay kumpleto naman.
Kapag kailangan niya ng pera para sa sarili, katulad ng kung kailangan niyang bumili ng regalo sa dadaluhang kasal ay binibigyan naman siya ng asawa. Ang problema nga lang ay nakasukob pa rin sila sa bahay ng kanyang mga biyenan, at ang pakiramdam ni Jane ay para siyang tau-tauhan ng mga ito at ng kanyang kabiyak.
Kahit anong sabi niya sa asawa na mag-ipon ito para makapagpatayo sila ng sarili nilang bahay ay hindi ito sumusunod. Hirap na hirap naman siya sa pakikisama sa mga biyenan, kaya siya na ang nagdesisyon na maghanap ng trabaho para may maipambili sila ng bahay.
Ayaw siyang payagan ng kanyang asawa na umalis kaya hindi siya binigyan ng pera para sa placement. Ang ginawa niya ay nangutang siya sa kanyang mga magulang at sa isang pamangkin ng kanyang asawa na kasundo niya.  Sa tulong nila ay nakapag-abroad siya at ngayon ay may sarili ng perang masasabi.
Hindi rin siya nagpapadala ng pera sa asawa kaya nagkasundo sila na paghatian na lang ang gastos ng mga anak. Sa mister niya ang gastos para sa dalawang nakakabata, at sa kanya yung anak na nasa kolehiyo. Nakailang taon na rin dito si Jane at ganun pa rin ang kanilang sitwasyon pagdating sa pera, kanya-kanya.
Sa kabila nito ay mas maganda ang pakiramdam ni Jane dahil may nasasabi siyang sarili niyang pera, hindi yung humihingi na lang lagi sa asawa kung may kailangan siyang bilhin. Si Jane ay tubong Central Luzon at kasalukuyang naninilbihan sa mga Intsik na amo sa Teun Mun. – Marites Palma

Arrow daw ang simula ng code ng pinto

Nang araw na naglipat ng bahay sina Maria, unang pumunta sa kanilang bagong tirahan ang amo niyang babae. Abala naman si Maria at kasama na si Mila sa pagbabantay sa mga pahinante ng kinuha nilang mover sa kanilang lumang tirahan.
Maya-maya ay nagpadala ng mensahe ang kanilang amo sa WhatApp para sa mga karagdagang bilin, pati na rin ang door code sa gusali ng kanilang lilipatang bahay. Napahinto sina Maria at Mila sa ginagawa nang mabasa ang door code na “arrow at kasunod ang apat na numero”.
“Hmm, kakaiba itong door code dahil arrow sign ang umpisa,” sabi ni Mila. Nang dumating ang dalawa sa bagong tirahan ay agad silang lumapit sa pintuan sa baba para pindutin ang door code. Ganoon na lang ang kanilang pagtataka dahil wala silang makitang simbolo ng arrow, katulad ng bilin ng kanilang amo.
Ang nakalagay lang ay mga numero at salitang “caretaker, resident at floor”. Sinubukan nilang pindutin ang “resident”, kasunod ang apat na numero, at bumukas naman ang pintuan.
Pagpasok nila sa bahay ay nilinaw nila ang code na ibinigay ng amo.
Isinalaysay naman nito ang naging usapan nito at guwardiya na nagbigay ng code.
Walang humpay ang kanilang tawanan nang mapagtanto nilang lahat na ang “ar-ro” na tinuran ng guwardiya ay R pala, dahil ganito bigkasin ng karamihan sa Intsik ang letrang ito. Sina Maria at Mila ay dating nakatira sa Conduit Road at ngayon ay nasa Old Peak Road na.–Gina Nonog

Nagkasagutan ang mag-amo

Pagkatapos ng mahigit na 20 taon niyang paninilbihan sa among propesor na Briton, hindi akalain ni Jay na masasagot niya nang ganoon ang amo. Napikon na kasi si Jay sa mga walang katwirang paninita ng kanyang amo sa kanya.
Palibhasa ay matanda na ang amo na 74 anyos kaya nagiging bugnutin na ito. Bukod dito ay pareho silang nanibago magmula nang lumipat sila sa isang maliit na flat noong nakaraang taon, pagkatapos mag-retiro ng propesor.
Dati ay dalawang palapag ang kanilang tirahan at may garden pa, kaya bihira silang magkita ng amo sa loob ng bahay sa maghapon, at pumapasok pa ng regular ang amo. Ngayon ay maghapon silang magkaharap at nagkikita dahil sa bahay na nagtatrabaho ito.
Katulad ng dati ay madaling matapos ni Jay ang trabaho sa loob ng bahay, na lalo pang napabilis ngayon dahil di hamak na mas maliit ang kanyang nililinisan. Sa loob lang ng mahigit dalawang oras ay tapos na ni Jay ang gawaing bahay, kaya kahit nababagot ay wala siyang magawa kundi maglagi sa kanyang maliit na kuwarto.
Ganito ang naging pang araw-araw nilang kalakaran, hanggang mag-umpisang sitahin ng amo si Jay dahil diumano sa hindi nito pag-uumpisa ng maaga sa kanyang trabaho. Sinabi ni Jay na sadyang hindi siya nagsisimulang magtrabaho hangga’t di nagigising ang amo dahil ayaw niyang maistorbo ito, bilang paggalang na rin.
Medyo nainis si Jay sa biglang paninita ng amo kaya tinanong niya ito kung ano ang problema. Sambit ng matanda ay naiinggit siya sa mga kapwa amo niya na ang mga katulong ay nagpapastol ng kanilang mga aso o nagpapasyal ng kanilang mga alagang bata alas siyete pa lang ng umaga samantalang ang kanyang katulong ay natutulog pa.
Di na napigilan ni Jay ang sarili at sinabi niya sa amo na alas 6 pa lang ng umaga ay gising na siya at ang dahilan ng di niya pag uumpisa ng maaga ay para huwag itong maistorbo. Sinabi din ni Jay na kung ang problema nito ay ang naiiinggit siya sa ibang mga Pinay na katulong ay kumuha din siya ng aso o mag-anak para masulit ang ibinabayad sa kanya.
Hinamon din ito ni Jay na i-terminate na lang ang kanilang kontrata kung hindi na ito masaya sa paninilbihan niya dahil handa na naman siyang umuwi sa Pilipinas.
Tila nahimasmasan naman ang amo ni Jay, at humingi agad ng dispensa. Sa isip naman ni Jay, malamang na napagtanto ng matanda na malaki ang babayaran nito sa long service  sakaling siya ang pumutol ng kontrata. Sa parte naman ni Jay, handa na siyang umuwi na nang tuluyan sa Pilipinas ngayong Disyembre kahit na wala siyang matatanggap na long service mula sa amo.
Hindi siya nanghihinayang dito dahil matagal na rin niyang nais na umuwi na sa kanyang pamilya, at ito rin ang matagal na niyang pangako sa kanila. Pagkatapos ng 31 taong pamamalagi sa Hong Kong, gusto na rin ni Jay na umuwi para makasama na ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay.  –Jo Campos

Bakit naiinip si Leah na matapos na ang kontrata?

Mahigit anim na buwan pa lang si Leah sa kanyang mga among Briton ngunit pakiramdam niya ay 10 taon na siyang nagtatrabaho sa mga ito. Halos hilahin na niya ang mga araw nang sa ganoon ay matapos na ang kanyang dalawang taong kontrata at makalipat siya sa iba. Bagama’t mahigit 14 na taon sa siyang nagtatrabaho dito sa Hong Kong, ngayon lang niya naranasan ang ganitong sitwasyon.
Kamakailan lang ay nalaman niyang may malubhang sakit ang kanyang among babae, bagay na nakadagdag sa kanyang alalahanin. Hindi maiwasan ni Leah na di maapektuhan sa kalagayan ng kanyang amo dahil naaawa siya dito, lalo at may mga anak ito na maliliit pa.
Hindi akalain ni Leah na dadapuan ng malalang sakit ang kanyang amo dahil wala pa itong 40 anyos at malusog naman kung tingnan. Ngunit isang araw ay bigla na lang silang nagulat lahat nang malaman ng amo na may stage 4 cancer ito. Sa isang iglap ay nabago ang lahat sa loob ng pamamahay at pamumuhay ng pamilyang pinaglilingkuran niya.
Bukod sa dagdag trabaho ang paghahanda ng mga pagkain na makakatulong sa maysakit, bawa’t kilos nila sa loob ng bahay ay nabago din. Minsang nagkasipon at ubo si Leah ay pinagbawalan siya na mamalagi sa loob ng bahay, bagamat patuloy pa rin siyang pinagtrabaho sa halip na makapagpahinga para gumaling. Hindi nga lang siya pinalapit sa among maysakit, ngunit halos buong maghapon ay hindi siya tumigil sa pagtatrabaho.
Bukod sa paghahatid at pagsama sa kanyang amo sa pagpunta sa doktor, si Leah din ang namamahala sa pagluluto at paghahanda ng mga pagkaing kailangan nito. Kung minsan tuloy ay halos wala nang oras si Leah para maghanda ng sarili niyang pagkain.
Payo nga ng kanyang kaibigan ay huwag siyang masyadong magpa-apekto sa nangyayari sa mga amo at baka pati siya ay magkasakit. Dahil sa mga payo ay ginugugol ngayon ni Leah ang oras ng kanyang pahinga sa pakikinig sa mga paborito niyang mga awitin at pagbabasa ng libro upang mapanatag ang kanyang isip. Si Leah ay isang dalaga at nagtatrabaho sa Mid Levels. --Jo Campos

Defiant DH wins over $500k in dog attack case

Betty's persistence paid off

That Sunday evening of Sept. 6, 2015 would have been an ordinary dog-walking day for Betty, a domestic helper in Discovery Bay, until a surprise attack by her neighbor’s pet inflicted a lasting injury that changed her outlook.

That experience and the ensuing protracted fight for compensation from the dog-owner opened her eyes to the reality that, in her words, “people here look too low on us domestic workers.”

The 59-year-old Filipina was not actually the target of the unleashed Bernese Mountain dog’s rage, but her employer’s Golden Retriever that she was walking at around 6pm.

When the aggressor jumped on the other dog, the force threw her to the pavement that she injured her right arm. Her daughter, also a domestic helper in the neighborhood, called an ambulance and she was taken to the hospital.

Doctors who attended to Betty said the fall broke her arm bones and damaged her wrist bone. She stayed in hospital overnight and her arm was put in a plaster cast so the fractured bones could bond naturally.

But only the ulna – the secondary arm bone – bonded while the main bone, called the radius, remained fractured to this day. That left Betty unable to use her right arm again to do her daily chores, a reality that led her to decide she had to fight for compensation from the dog’s owner, well-known lawyer.

In retrospect, Betty told The SUN that the lawyer would walk his dog at about the same time that she walked her master’s pet. The only difference was that the lawyer would not leash his dog, which she said had a history of aggressiveness. At one time it bit the hand of another helper, Betty said.

The lawyer paid for Betty’s medical expenses, as the woman had to go back to the hospital for treatment every two weeks.

One month after the attack on her, the lawyer still kept his dog on the loose. When she asked him why, he supposedly said the dog didn’t want to be leashed.

Betty said she went to seek assistance from the Consulate on Oct 12 last year and officers of the assistance to nationals section told her they had a lawyer who could help her apply for legal aid. She also approached the Mission for Migrant Workers, which helped her process her documents.

She gave the documents to the Consulate’s lawyer who told her to take the papers to the Legal Aid Department.

Betty said at first people at the Legal Aid Department were cranky and indifferent to her.

“Sinigaw-sigawan pa ako ng Legal Aid. Nagalit pa sila. Bakit daw ako nag-Legal Aid? Hindi ko daw ba alam na may bayad ito?”, Betty said.

But she persisted and after two months they eventually asked her to see them.

They let her sign a heap of documents, which her escort, ATN officer Danny Baldon, signed for her because she could not move her fingers and her arm was still in a sling.

Even after a lawyer had been assigned to her, gathering evidence was difficult because neighbors who witnessed the dog attack refused to testify. They even reportedly tried to dissuade her. Only one, a Caucasian, agreed to give evidence.  

At first, Betty said that even her Australian boss tried to discourage her when he found out she was pressing charges. He scolded her and even called the lawyer to settle the dispute with her.

“You drop the case. You won’t win against him,” Betty quoted her boss as saying. “If  you win, he won’t pay you, not even $80,000, or $50,000,” he allegedly said. But Betty replied she was pressing with the case.

“Nakita ko sa amo ko na ang mga employer maliit lang ang tingin sa mga katulong,” said Betty, a Born Again Christian.

Her strong faith made her determined to fight, so one day she prayed to God to give her strength and she reportedly heard Him whisper: “I won’t abandon you, my child.”

Later her boss found out he had insured Betty for work-related injuries or death. He reversed and backed her fight, paid her expenses, salaries and allowances. Betty later learned that all his opposition stemmed from his losing $3 million in a past litigation.

Meanwhile, the Legal Aid lawyer wrote the dog owner asking him to settle or he would file the case in court.

On May 3 this year, the lawyer and Betty signed the settlement deal. In all, Betty said, the lawyer paid her about $510,000 and paid for all her hospital bills and medical treatments.  The lawyer also paid her $31,000 in gratuity. Betty said she gave $100,000 to Legal Aid lawyer and $58,000 to her boss for his expenses.

Betty is going home for good in September after working for 23 years in Hong Kong. Despite injuring her arm, which is her work instrument, she is glad enough that she is going home with money to cover for her loss.

She said she would put up a boarding house so she would have steady income back home now that she’s incapable of working.

Her advice to fellow domestic workers: “Don’t be afraid to fight for your injuries. Be bold, be daring in fighting for your rights.” - Vir B. Lumicao

Covers the period Aug 1-15, 2016

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Suwerte ang linggong ito para sa negosyo dahil maalwan ang pasok ng pera. Ugaliing ilista ang lahat ng gagawin upang tiyak na walang makakaligtaan. Pag-aralang mabuti ang bawat hakbang para madaling makamit ang mga pangarap at walang masayang na panahon. Malaking tulong ang pagiging malikhain para sa tagumpay ng proyektomo. Huwag mag-alinlangan na ibahagi ang karanasan sa mga kasamahan sa trabaho o kaibigan dahil tiyak na maraming aral ang mapupulot nila.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Malakas at positibo ang enerhiya kaya asahan na maraming matatapos na proyekto sa linggong ito. Panatilihin ang pagiging masayahin at laging sumabay sa agos. Malaking tulong ang likas na galing para mamayagpag ang negosyong sinimulan. Maglaan ng panahon para makasama ang mga mahal sa buhay. Dahil sa pagiging prangka, maraming tao ang maiirita sa iyo. Huwag baguhin ang disposisyon para lang pasayahin ang ibang tao.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Maganda ang umpisa ng linggo dahil malakas ang puwersang nag-uudyok para makamit ang ambisyon.  Matindi ang pagnanais na gumastos kahit sa mga walang kabuluhang bagay pero mag-ingat dahil may darating na malaking problema sa pera. Huwag problemahin ang buhay pag-ibig dahil maaayos din ang lahat ayon sa iyong kagustuhan.  Tuloy-tuloy ang pag-asenso lalo na kung may determinasyon kahit marami ang inggit na inggit sa iyo.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Mag-ingat sa paggastos ng perang pinaghirapan at huwag bumili ng hindi kailangan. Magkakaroon ng magandang oportunidad sa trabaho kaya ituon ang buong atensyon sa proyekto. May uusbong na gusot sa pagitan ng mga anak. Gamitin sa tama ang kakaibang panghalina lalo na sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa ibang tao upang maisakatuparan ang mga pangarap sa buhay.
.
 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Matindi ang pangangailangan sa pera sa linggong ito pero hanggat maari ay iwasan ang utang para hindi lalong mabaon. Huwag hayaang matali ang sarili sa relasyon na walang patutunguhan. Sa mga walang asawa, maaring makilala ang taong magpapatibok sa puso. Maglaan ng sapat na panahon para sa sarili upang makapagpahinga ng husto.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
May malaking pagbabagong magaganap dahil maganda ang takbo ng negosyo. Sa mga mag-asawa, maglaan ng panahon para seryosong pag-usapan ang plano sa buhay upang malinaw ang patutunguhan ng relasyon. Kung kailangang gumawa ng desisyon, pag-aralan ang hakbang. Matinding pananakit ng ulo ang mararamdaman kaya iwasan ang mataong lugar o magulong paligid.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Panahon na para ipakita ang kakayahan mo sa trabaho kaya gampanang mabuti ang responsibilidad sa ginagawang proyekto. Huwag mag-atubiling tulungan ang kaibigan na nangangailangan dahil tiyak na masusuklian ng maganda ang kabutihan. Maraming balakid na hahadlang sa mga plano pero huwag mag-alala dahil kusa itong malulutas.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Masayang lilipas ang bawat sandali at maraming tagumpay ang matatamo sa kabila ng maraming sagabal. Huwag pagkaitan ang sarili para hindi mawalan ng gana na ipagpatuloy ang pagsisikap na makamit ang tagumpay. Maglaan ng panahon para manood ng sine o kumain sa labas kasama ang mga anak.  May nakaabang na magandang balita para sa mga mag-asawa.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Siguradong makakamit ang tagumpay sa trabaho kung ibubuhos ang lahat ng makakaya sa ginagawa. Madaling manghina ang iyong katawan kaya kumain ng masustansyang pagkain. Isang kaibigan ang nakahandang dumamay para malampasan ang matinding problema. Maganda ang pasok ng pera kaya maitutuloy ang pagbili ng lupa o bahay.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Gumawa ng paraan na ipamalas ang propesyunal na kakayahan para mas madaling makahanap ng trabaho. Matutong magsabi ng hindi lalo na sa mga kahilingan na hindi makatuwiran. Huwag basta-basta maniniwala sa ibang tao lalo na kung hindi kabisado ang tunay na pakay nila. Gugupuin ng pagod ang katawan kaya malaking tulong ang sapat na pahinga at tulog. Kayang-kaya mong panatilihin ang katahimikan kahit nanggugulo ang kapitbahay.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Maraming pagbabago ang mangyayari sa linggong ito kaya kailangang laging matatag, at subukang intidihin ang katwiran ng ibang tao. Samantalahin ang bawat pagkakataon na magpahinga at maglibang, ngunit huwag sayangin ang oras sa harap ng telebisyon. Sa kabila ng pagsisikap na gawin ang tama, may mga taong sadyang walang nakikita kung hindi ang pagkukulang ng iba.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Maaring masira ang relasyon dahil sa matinding selos. Matiwasay at maayos ang sitwasyon sa loob ng tahanan sa kabila ng matinding problema. Huwag ipagwalang-bahala ang kalusugan at pagtuunan ng pansin ang bumibigat na katawan. Matatapos na rin ang isang proyekto na ilang beses nang naisantabi. Maayos ang pasok ng pera sa negosyo.

Pinoy Jokes

Pokemon jokes

Lady on why she is still single: I‘m 25 and I prefer to search Pokémon instead of true love.
-o-
A man wearing a Pikachu hat got arrested for jumping the White House fence. He claimed there was a Bolbasaur.

Quickies
A Mexican magician tells the audience he will disappear on the count of 3. He says, "uno, dos.."*poof!*. He disappears without a tres.
-o-
Question: What do you call a snobbish criminal going down the stairs?
Answer: A condescending con descending.
-o-
Question: Where did Noah keep his bees?
Answer: In the Ark hives.
-o-
Question: Pwede bang mag softdrink kapag coffee break?
-o-
Marriage is a workshop. The husband works and the wife shops.
-o-
Dance like no one is watching. Because they’re not; they’re checking their phones.
-o-
Two old men are drinking in a bar. One says, “Did you know that Lions have sex 10 to 15 times a day?”
“Aww, darn!” says his friend, “and I just joined Rotary!”

Grown up
A group of previous kindergartners were trying very hard to become accustomed to the first grade. The biggest hurdle they faced was that the teacher insisted on NO baby talk!
“You need to use 'Big People’s words,” she was always reminding them. She asked Chris what he had done over the weekend.
“I went to visit my Nana.”
“No, you went to visit your GRANDMOTHER. Use ‘Big People’ words!” She then asked Miguel what he had done.
“I took a ride on a choo-choo.”
She said, “No, you took a ride on a TRAIN. You must remember to use ‘Big People’ words.”
She then asked little Alex what he had done.
“I read a book,” he replied.
“That's WONDERFUL!” the teacher said. “What book did you read?”
Alex thought real hard about it, then puffed out his chest with great pride, and said, “Winnie the SH*T.”

Elementary
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were going camping. They pitch a tent under the stars and go to sleep. Some time in the middle of the night, Holmes wakes Watson up and saya:"Watson, look up the sky and tell me what you see."
Watson replies: "I see millions and millions of stars."
Holmes asks: "And what do you deduce from that?"
Watson replies: "Well, if there are millions of stars, and even if a few of those have planets, it's quite likely there are some planets like earth out there. And if there are a few planets like Earth, there might also be life."
Holmes answers: "Watson, you idiot, it means somebody stole our tent."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Philippine Consulate General will be CLOSED on the following date:

Aug 29, Monday – National Heroes’ Day
*There will be no official transactions, including OEC issuance, at both the PCG and POLO on both dates. In case of emergency, call: 9155 4023 (consular assistance); 5529 1880 (POLO) or 6345 9324 (OWWA)

Attention: Filipina Registered Nurses
Are you a Registered Nurse working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong who cares for elderly and/or patients with dementia?
If so, please send a private message to the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong, giving the following details:
1. Complete Name
2. E-mail Address
3. Patient Category: (Elderly and/or with Dementia)
4. Mobile Number

LET in September
The Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT, formerly LET) will be held in Hong Kong on Sept, 25, Sunday.
The deadline for the application for both repeaters (July 22) and new applicants (July 29) has not passed.
For more information on the Teachers Board, please visit the FB page of the National Organization of Professional Teachers (NOPT) – HK Chapter, like it and send a private message.


Caritas Lessons

Sunday Basic Cantonese
(Sponsored by Home Affairs Department of the Goverment of the HKSAR)
Sept 4-Dec 18, 2016 (total: 16 Sundays)
10:00am – 1pm (total: 50 hours)
Target : ethnic minorities with HKID
Fee: $100 each, including materials, half fee for CSSA recipients
Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong

Saturday Beads Making Class
Sept 3- Oct 15 (6 Saturdays)
2:00pm – 5:00 pm (18 hours total)
Target : foreign domestic helpers
Fee: $100/ head including materials
Venue : Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F. , No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.

For queries, call Sisca on 2147-5988.

What's on, where

Trafficking in Persons Awareness Seminar
July 31, 1-4pm, PCG Conference Room
For registration, call 2823 8512 and look for Lorna, or send a text on WhatsApp at 9481 9030

Free Training on Dementia Care
July 31, 9am-5pm, POLO, 16th floor, Admiralty Centre 1
Priority are registered nurses/BSN graduates with elderly and dementia care duties, and, secondly, registered nurses/BSN graduates without elderly and dementia care duties.
If interested please register at the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong by liking it and messaging your full name, mobile phone, and whether you are a registered nurse or BSN graduate.
A Certificate will be issued by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Center for Positive Ageing, which will handle the training.

General Assembly of Midwives in Hong Kong
Aug 7, PAOS Room, Philippine Overseas Labor Office
Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Manio. For details, visit the FB page, Philippine Midwives in Hong Kong and send a private message indicating your name, telephone number, and desire to join the assembly

Tanong-Tanungan Tungkol sa Lupa at Bahay"
Aug. 14, 1-5pm, POLO Conference Room
11/F, Admiralty Tower 1. To register, text "FLT Training and your_name" . to 6345-9324 (OWWA Hotline)

Free Livelihood Training
(Balloon twisting, beads craft, mac crame bag making, ribbon folding and food processing). Starts on Aug 14, 10am
Venue: Footbridge going toward United Centre, Admiralty
For inquiries pls call Ching Baltazar at 98559878.

Forum on Nuat Thai Therapeutic Massage
Aug 14, time and venue TBA. Open to all Filipino massage therapists and massage therapy students of OWWA. Resource speaker will be Engr. Kenneth Carredo, owner of Nuat Thai Philippines, the biggest chain of massage spas in the country. Send your name and name of your organization to Ms. Bona Crescencia, tel. 51889157.  Limited to 200 attendees

Free Financial Literacy Seminar
Aug 21, pm. Bayanihan Centre. Organized by CARD MRI OFW HK Foundation.For inquiries, call 54238195/95296392

Aliwan Festival
Aug. 21, whole day, Chater Road, Central
Organized by: Global Alliance. Features: Street dance and singing contests and search for Miss Aliwan 2016

Making Wrongs Right Seminar
(Know your rights in HK). Aug. 28, 2pm-5pm
Resurrection Church Sai Kung, 1 Pak Sha Wan Centre, HK
Target audience: migrant workers, NGOs, clergy
Co-organizers: Resurrection Church and Global Alliance

Learn to drive information seminar
Sept. 11, 1:00-5:00 pm, Organized by: ROAD HK
Conference Room, PCG,,14/F United Centre, Admiralty
For details, please visit ROAD-HK's Facebook page
or call Tek Barro 67788167/ Mar 93850546

Free Forum for Nurses
Oct. 9, Bayanihan Centre, Kennedy Town
Speakers from Australia and New Zealand, and agencies deploying to Germany and Qatar are coming to orient registered nurses. Visit the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong. Like it, and message your full name and mobile number.

Melai at Jason, hiwalay na

Ni Ate Johna 

Kinumpirma ni Jason Francisco na hiwalay na sila ng kanyang asawang si Melai Cantiveros. Sa kanyang litanya gamit ang Instagram account ng kanilang dalawang taong gulang na anak na si Amelia Lucille, inilabas ni Jason ang himutok na nagsimula dahil sa hindi raw nasunod ang usapan tungkol sa paglabas ni Melai sa katatapos na TV series na “We Will Survive”.
Hindi nagustuhan ni Jason na naiba ang takbo ang kuwento ng WWS, dahil ang pagkasabi daw ni Melai ay sa umpisa lang ito may kapareha. Hindi raw niya gaanong nasubaybayan ang show nito dahil naging abala din siya sa ‘My Super D” TV series, pero naging madalas na ang pag-aaway nilang mag-asawa nang malaman niya na nabago ang istorya ng WWS. Ang isa pang dahilan ay naging abala nang masyado si Melai, lalo na noong sa Bicol pa sila nagte-taping, hanggang hindi na sila nag-uusap at hiwalay na ng kwartong tinutulugan.
Hindi sinabi ni Jason kung pinagselosan niya si Carlo Aquino, na nakapartner ni Melai sa naturang TV series na pinagbibidahan din nina Pokwang, Jeric Raval, Maris Racal, at John Steven de Guzman. Pero base sa itinakbo ng TV series sa direksyon ni Jeffrey Jeturian, wholesome at pam-pamilya ito at dapat pang ipagmalaki ni Jason si Melai dahil nabigyan ito ng tsansa na maipakita ang husay niya sa drama.
Marami ang nagkomento na masyadong mababaw ang dahilan ni Jason para hindi pagkatiwalaan ang asawa na makipagpareha sa iba. Pareho nilang ginusto ang pumasoks sa showbiz mula nang sumali sila at mabuo ang loveteam nilang Melason sa PBB noong 2009, kung saan nanalo si Melai. Ikinasal sila noong 2013, tatlong buwan matapos aminin ni Melai na buntis na siya.   Marami ring napahanga si Melai nang manalo ito sa season 1 ng Your Face Sounds Familiar, kaya nabigyan pa ng sunod-sunod na projects. Sa ngayon ay may regular morning show siya, ang “Magandang Buhay”, bilang co-host nina Jolina Magdangal at Karla Estrada.

LOVI, KAPUSO PA RIN
Tatlong taon ang bagong pinirmahang exclusive contract ni Lovi Poe sa  GMA Network noong July 26.
Bilang panimula, malapit nang ipalabas ang bagong TV series ng tinaguriang ‘premier actress” ng Kapuso Network na “Someone to Watch Over Me”. Makakasama niya sa bagong drama series na ito sina Tom Rodriguez at Max Collins.
Sa loob ng 10 taon pagtatatrabaho niya bilang Kapuso, nagpapasalamat daw si Lovi dahil sa patuloy na paghubog sa kanyang career ng kanyang home network mula pa noong nagsimula siyang magtrabaho dito noong 2006, nang ipakilala siya sa “Bakekang”.
Nakatakda ring ipalabas ang pelikulang pagtatambalan nina Lovi at Derek Ramsay, ang “The Escort” ng Regal Films. Abala rin siya sa pagsusulat ng mga kanta para sa susunod niyang album. Balak din nilang sundan ang naunang concert nila ni Solenn Heusaff na “Fantasies”.
Samantala, paano na kaya ang TV series ng Kapamilya Network na “Someone To Watch Over Me” rin ang title at pinagbibidahan nina Judy Ann Santos, Richard Yap at Diether Ocampo? Papalitan na kaya ang titulo nito sa pagre-resume ng taping nila sa susunod na taon? Naumpisahan na nilang gawin ito, pero biglang nabuntis si Judy Ann kaya kinailangan niyang magpahinga. Nagdesisyon ang ABS- CBN na hintayin na ang pagbabalik ni Juday kesa ibigay sa iba ang project.
Sa ngayon ay ayaw muna daw niya i-pressure ang sarili na pumayat, kaya sa susunod na taon na niya balak gawin ang TV series.

FHM VICTORY PARTY
Kumpara sa mga nagdaang taon, mas simple ang ginanap na FHM 2016 Victory Party para sa FHM 100 Sexiest Women na ginanap sa Valkyrie night club sa Taguig. Si Jessy Mendiola ang tinanghal na “sexiest” sa taong ito, pero iilan lang ang dumalo sa mga nasa listahan ng top 100.
Sa top ten, ang mga dumalo ay sina Jessy, Rhian Ramos(5), Kim Domingo (8)  Rachel Anne Daquis (10) at Marian Rivera (9). Wala sina Nadine Lustre (2), Jennylyn Mercado (3), Angel Locsin (4), Arci Munoz (6), at Glaiza de Castro (7).
Ang iba pang rumampa sa stage ay sina Roxanne Barcelo, Rochelle Pangilinan, Margo Midwinter, Sam Pinto, Daiana Menezes, Aiko Climaco, Bangs Garcia, Dawn Chang, Sunshine Garcia, at Sunshine Cruz.
Hindi gaanong sexy ang mga suot ng mga rumampa, na ang karamihan ay mga naka-gown pa. Si Jessy ay mala-amasona ang pulang kasuotan, at ginaya pa ang sinabi ni Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, na “I am confidently beautiful with a heart”, pero pinalitan niya ito ng “sexy with a heart”.

DI NA MULI, PANALO SA PHILPOP 2016 
Tinanghal na grand prize winner ang awiting “Di N Muli” ng composers na sina Wally Acolola at Jazz Nicolas, at inawit ng bandang Itchyworms sa Philpop 2016 na ginanap noong July 24 sa Kia Theatre. Nanalo sila ng Php 1 million cash prize.
First runner-up, at Maynilad People’s Choice ang awiting “Lahat” ni Soc Villegas, na ininterpret ni Jason Dy. Second runner-up ang komposisyon ng magkapatid na Miguel at Paolo Guico na  “Tinatangi” na inawit nina Bayang Barrios at Cooky Chua, na nakuha rin ang PLDT-Smart Best Music Video. Nanalo ng Php500,000 ang first runner up, at Php 250,000 para sa  second runner up.
Si Yassi Pressman, na isa sa mga interpreters ng mga awitin na nakasama sa finals, ay ginulat ang mga manood dahil bigla itong dumating at dire-diretso sa stage upang awitin ng “Dumadagundong” na likha nina Mike Villegas at Brian Cua. Ang akala kasi ng marami ay papalitan na si Yassi dahil kasalukuyang kabilang siya sa mga latest batch ng housemates sa Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) na ginaganap sa Vietnam. Balitang nagrereklamo ang mga kasamahan ni Yassi sa kanyang ginawang pagtakas sa bahay ni Kuya. Naging guest singers sina Aiza Seguerra, Ogie Alcasid at dating winners na sina Thyro Alfaro at Yumi Lacsamana. Sina Bela Padilla at ang Boys Night Out ang mga naging hosts ng programa.

ALDEN, MAY LIBRO NA
Nauuso na sa mga celebrities ang paglalabas ng sari-sariling mga libro. Ang pinakahuli ay ang libro ni Alden Richards, na sa kabila ng pinagkakaabalahan ay nagkaroon pa ng oras para dito.  Ang libro niyang “In My Own Words” ay inilunsad noong July 21. Ito raw ang regalo niya sa kanyang mga fans, kasabay ng unang anibersaryo ng loveteam nila ni Maine Mendoza.
Inilahad niya sa sa libro ang mga pinagdaaanan niya mula nang pumasok siya sa showbiz, ang kanyang mga pananaw sa buhay at pag-ibig, at sa samahan nila ni Maine sa harap at likod ng kamera.
Ilan sa mga celebrities na nakapaglabas na mga libro ay sina: Rita Avila – 8 Ways to Comfort with Grace (2008), Ramon Bautista – Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo? (2012), Boy Abunda – Make Your Nanay Proud (2014), Miriam Quiambao- He Can Catch You When You Fall (2014), Alex Gonzaga- Dear Alex, Break Na Kami, Paano? (2014), Bianca Gonzalez – Paano Ba ‘To? How to Survive Growing Up. (2014), Solenn Heusaff & Georgina Wilson – Besties (2015), Liz Uy – Stylized, Judy Ann Santos-  Judy Ann’s Kitchen (2015), Wenn Deramas – Direk 2 Da Poynt (2016), Regine Velasquez – Bongga sa Kusina ang Sarap Diva (2016) at Vice Ganda – President Vice, Ang Bagong Panggulo ng Bansa (2016).

Outstanding HK employers get recognition

The outstanding employers, their employees and organizers pose for a picture.

By Gina N. Ordona

Three employers of foreign domestic workers were given recognition as “outstanding employers” as part of a search organized by the non-government organization Open Door, in collaboration with Apexart.
The awarding ceremony was held at the Central Oasis Gallery in Central Market on Jul. 17.
Among the awardees was Lau Miu Yuen, who was nominated by her Filipina domestic helper Lory Jean T. Yungco, who has been with the family for 20 years now. Lau proudly said in her acceptance speech that her family treats Yungco as one of their own.
In an interview with The SUN, Lau urged her fellow employers to be more understanding and supportive of their helpers.
Another awardee was Mong Lai Kwan who was nominated by her Thai helper Riem Incharoen, who has been with the employer’s family for the past 27 years.
The judges cited Mong for taking care of Incharoen even when the latter had serious health issues.
Another awardee, Chung Yin Kwan, cited for helping her Indonesian worker Iswati fulfil her potentials by sending her to school.
Doris Lee of Open Door said the contest aims to portray the positive behaviors and relationships that exist among domestic workers and employers.
Apart for the contest, Open Door also displayed a collection of letters and drawings expressing gratitude of employers to their domestic helpers. The collection was developed through a separate project called “Part of the Family”.
Open Door is made up of employers of foreign domestic workers and other  Hong Kong citizens who promote good policies for both domestic workers and employers.

Emry’s manager claims being duped by $4.2 million

Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre meets with OFWs who complained against Emry's.

By The SUN Staff

Beleaguered recruiter Ester Ylagan appears to have jumped the gun on overseas Filipino workers seeking a refund of the money they paid her for jobs in Britain and Canada by filing a $4.2 million deception case with the police against an unnamed partner.
In reply to queries from The SUN about a notice posted on the door of Emry’s office in Wanchai which has been shut since July 3, the Police Public Relations Bureau said:
“Regarding your enquiry giving us the case number 16036631, according to the report, police received a report from a 63-year-old foreign woman on July 8 that she failed to contact a male business partner after her company transferred about $4.2 million to overseas as the placement fee for some job opportunities for domestic helpers.
Investigation along the line of obtaining property by deception by the District Investigation Team 8 of the Central District is underway. No person was arrested so far.”
The filing of the case appears to be in line with Ylagan’s claim made earlier in a recorded interview with The SUN that she had been tricked into sending the money paid by her job applicants to her partner in London who goes by the name “William Clinton James” or “William Clinton Erich”.
Ylagan said then that she had never met this business partner in person, and communicated with him only via email.
Her claim was immediately dismissed as “unbelievable” by other recruitment practitioners, who pointed out that with Ylagan’s 30 years of experience in the field, she could not have been duped that easily.
Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre was not convinced by Ylagan’s excuse, either, and ordered her to “show cause” for her third-country deployment of Filipino workers, which is prohibited under Philippine Overseas Employment Administration rules.
After Ylagan failed to comply with the order, Labatt de la Torre decided to put all work contracts being processed by Emry’s on hold effective June 20.
Labatt de la Torre told The SUN that Emry’s suspension remains in force, and that he has already sent an urgent request to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to act on his recommendation that the agency’s accreditation be cancelled.
Before being plagued by complaints about the apparently bogus jobs recruitment, Emry’s was the biggest recruiter of Filipinos for domestic work in Hong Kong, averaging five placements per day.
Ylagan acted as Emry’s manager, which used to be run by her husband, Ricardo Ylagan, who founded it in February 1992.  Ester Ylagan also managed Mike’s Secretarial Services, which has an office adjacent to Emry’s on the third floor of Worldwide Plaza in Central. Emry’s also has an office on the third floor of On Hong Commercial Building in Wanchai.
Emry’s office in Worldwide Plaza was shut on June 29, while Mike’s and the Wanchai branch were closed on July 3 ostensibly for redecoration, and a sign was posted on their doors saying they would re-open on July 26. They remain closed as of this writing.
Informed about Ylagan’s filing of a deception complaint, about a dozen of her job applicants decided to also seek help from the Central police station on July 24. After hearing them out, the police chiefs at the station agreed to take on the case, and notified the applicants that they would be called individually for an investigation at various dates.
Meantime, the Employment Agencies Administration of the Hong Kong Labour Department has started interviewing applicants, after getting a referral about their complaints from the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section.
During the interviews conducted at the EAA office in Mong Kok starting on July 19, the applicants were each furnished a copy of their bio-data and a slip indicating the amount they paid Ylagan. The documents were apparently obtained from Mike’s office by labour officers.
The applicants now plan to use these documents in pursuing their separate claims with the police and the Small Claims Tribunal.
In their written complaint to the police, the job applicants said Ylagan collected $10,000 from those applying to work in Britain and $15,000 from those seeking a job in Canada.
In several briefings she conducted about the jobs offer, Ylagan reportedly promised that they would be paid no less that 2,000 pounds a month, tax free, and with free accommodation. After working for two years, they would be given three months’ vacation with pay.
She reportedly promised that their “job order” would be sent to Hong Kong in three months’ time, and they could fly out on a chartered plane to London, accompanied by Hong Kong immigration officers, by June this year.
Ylagan did not issue receipts, reportedly saying that she did not want to be taxed by the Hong Kong authorities. But she made them fill out a bio-data form and a slip indicating how much each applicant paid.
Sometime in April, Ylagan told them that the job order was getting held up, but that they would definitely be able to fly out by October.
Alarmed by her altered promise and reports that they may have been duped, more than 100 job applicants trooped to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on July 3 to file complaints.
Their sworn affidavits were later turned over by the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate to the HK Labour Department and the Hong Kong Police.

UK, Canada job applicants go to claims tribunal for help

Vice Consul Fatima Quintin (2nd from left)  talks to victims
who went to the Consulate to formalize their complaints.

By Daisy CL Mandap

Frustrated Filipino job applicants have been trooping to the Small Claims Tribunal in Wanchai to seek a refund of the money they paid for apparently non-existent jobs in Britain and Canada.
The first batch of five claimants showed up at the tribunal offices on July 25, and filled out forms naming the complainant as Ester Ylagan, a recruitment veteran who used to manage two employment agencies licensed by the Employment Agencies Administration.
Her older company, Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency, was the biggest recruiter of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong, until it was ordered suspended by Philippine authorities on June 20.
But it was her other company, Mike’s Secretarial Services, which she used to conduct the recruitment for jobs in Britain, for which each applicant was reportedly made to pay $10,000; and $15,000 for those bound for Canada.
The claimants were joined by at least two other Filipinas demanding a refund of the of the $6,680 fee reportedly paid by their employers for Filipinos they were hiring to work in their households.
One of them had a receipt showing the fee paid by her employer was received by Emry’s on June 22, or two days after the Philippine Overseas Labor Office suspended its accreditation.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, alam na ninyo na suspendido na kayo, bakit pa kayo tumanggap ng pera?” she said.
The two said the bigger problem faced by their employers was tracking down the documents of the Filipinos they wanted to hire, since Emry’s had practically shut its offices since July 3.
The job applicants, however, named Ylagan in her personal capacity as the defendant in their claims. They said they were enticed to apply for the jobs because they relied on Ylagan’s solid reputation as an industry expert.
The claimants said they expect many other job applicants to seek a refund.
As many as 500 Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong are believed to have paid for the overseas jobs offered by Ylagan between January and May this year.
They were reportedly promised that they could be deployed as early as June.
Several have gone back to the Philippines after their contracts were prematurely terminated. Many of them have told The SUN that they were assured by Ylagan that they could come back to Hong Kong as tourists, then fly out along with the rest of the applicants once their job orders were sent from London.
The first batch of cases is set to be heard on Aug. 31, and the second, on Sept. 3.

Pagbabago ng isang sawsawera

Nakagawian na ni Mercy ang magbasa ng mga status na dumadaan sa kanyang newsfeed, at makisawsaw sa mga issue. May pagka tsismosa siya kaya mga away sa Facebook ang kanyang pinag-uukulan ng pansin. Basta may mabasa siyang hindi maganda ay nagcocomment siya, lalo na kung kilala ang mga pinatutungkulan. Kinukunan niya ng screen shot at pinapadala para makuha ang reaction ng pinatatamaan. Tuwang tuwa siya kapag nagsasagutan na sila sa kani-kanilang wall, Kapag hindi nakontento ay naglalagay siya ng comment na nakakainsulto, kaya naiinis ang ibang nakakabasa nito. Imbes na pagsabihan  ang mga nag-aaway sa facebook dahil baka malaman ng kanilang pamilya sa Pilipinas ay pinapainit pa niya ang usapan. Medyo napaisip siya minsan nang may mabasa siyang status na parang patama sa kanya, na ganito ang pagkasabi, "Huwag makisawsaw kung hindi alam ang puno't dulo ng usapan". Napahinto siya at napaisip na parang siya ang pinatutungkulan dahil ganun siya, laging nakikisawsaw sa post ng iba. Mula noon pinipigil na niya ang sarili na magcomment ng di maganda,. Nagbabasa  na lamang siya ng mga nakaka-inspire na mga kwento sa kanyang newsfeed. Napagtanto niya mas maganda pala sa pakiramdam kung puro inspiring ang nababasa. Nagkakaroon pa siya ng panahon para magbasa ng tunay na balita at hindi puro chika lang. Si Mercy ay isang Ilokana na tubong Mindanao at kasalukuyang naninilbihan sa Saikung. - Marites Palma

Pinaghahanap ang inang OFW

Hindi makapaniwala si Lovie sa isang status na nabasa niya na Facebook. May inang hinahanap ng kanyang mga anak sa Hong Kong dahil hindi na raw nagparamdam mula pa noong 1999, nang mamatay ang kanilang tatay. Unti-unti daw nitong binawasan ang padalang suporta para sa kanilang apat na magkakapatid hanggang sa tuluyan nang kinalimutan sila. Hirap na hirap daw sila habang lumalaki, mabuti na lamang at mababait ang kanilang lolo at lola na siyang nag-aruga at nagpalaki sa kanilang apat. Hindi  mapigil ni Lovie ang pagtulo ng luha nang mabasa ang kwento ng mga magkakapatid. Lalo pa siyang naawa dahil sa kabila ng hirap na dinanas nilang magkakapatid ay hindi pa rin  nila magawang kamuhian ang kanilang ina. Ngayon na may kanya kanya na silang pamilya ay naisipan nilang hanapin ang kanilang nawawalang Ina dahil sobrang naawa na  sila sa kanilang lolo at lola, Kahit ngayong  matatanda na ang mga ito ay ang kanilang anak, ang ina ng mga bata, ang lagi pa ring iniisip. Ayon sa magkakapatid, hindi na para sa kanila ang kanilang paghahanap kundi para sa kanilang mga mahal na lolo at lola. Naisip ni Lovie na may mga magulang palang ganun na kayang iwanan ang mga maliliit na anak. Masuwerte pa rin daw ang ina dahil hunahanap pa rin siya ng mga anak kahit iniwan niya sila. Panalangin niya ngayon na sana ay magtagpo na rin ang mag-iina dahil sa awa sa mga anak nito. Si Lovie ay tubong Cagayan Valley may dalawang anak at may dalawang apo na, at kasalukuyang naninilbihan sa Kowloon Bay. - Marites Palma

[VIDEO] Satur Tiamson Jr., WCOPA Gold Medalist - The SUN Online

WATCH NOW: 

Humakot ng mga gintong medalya sa World Championships of Performing Arts si Satur Tiamson Jr, isang propesyonal na musikero sa Hong Kong.

Cancer-stricken DH gets suspended term for overstaying

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker suffering from stage 4 cancer was meted a seven-day jail sentence suspended for 12 months after she pleaded guilty to a charge of breach of condition of stay for overstaying her visa by two weeks
Dolores Laganes, 50, was one of four Filipinas who appeared in Shatin Court on July 6 to face similar charges of overstaying. Three of them pleaded guilty to the charge while the fourth presented a new application for non-refoulement.
Appearing before Magistrate Colin Wong, Laganes, through a duty lawyer, said she was forced to overstay after she terminated her contract with her employer in Shatin on May 2 because of her failing health
The lawyer said that when Laganes found out about her illness, she told her employer about it and they agreed to end their contract so the employer could hire a new maid. She had worked for the employer for one and a half years.
The woman was supposed to have left Hong Kong after the 14-day extension of her visa after her termination, but she chose to overstay for medical reasons. She was arrested by police during an ID check on June 2
Magistrate Wong said that because Laganes pleaded guilty, had a clear record and was ill, he would sentence her to seven days in jail, suspended for 12 months.
Later at the Consulate, Laganes learned from the  assistance to nationals section that the Hong Kong government had granted her recognizance, meaning she would not be sent home soon.
ATN staff Hermogenes  Cayabyab, Jr. said this meant Laganes was now in the care of the Hong Kong government and she did not have to worry about her visa and, hopefully, her medical treatment.
Cayabyab explained that the Immigration Department took notice of the OFW’s health situation at the time of her arrest, and had taken her to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment immediately after interrogating her.
Laganes told The SUN that doctors at the hospital diagnosed her to be suffering from stage 4 cancer which started in her left breast and had spread to her lungs and brain
She said she had been treated with radiation to shrink her brain tumor and had undergone chemotherapy to stop the spread of the disease. But she needed four more sessions of  chemotherapy.
The other former domestic worker who pleaded guilty was Rechie Estacio, 36, who overstayed after being terminated on Feb 25. She surrendered to Immigration authorities on April 11.  
Wong sentenced her to seven days in jail, suspended for 24 months, taking into account her surrender and guilty plea.
The lone tourist among the overstayed Filipinas, Judelyn Condez, 31, admitted overstaying for more than a year. She arrived in Hong Kong on Nov 30, 2014 and was allowed to stay for two weeks, but failed to leave the city. She surrendered last month.
Meanwhile, prosecutors applied for a four-week adjournment of the hearing for a breach of condition case against a fourth Filipina, Hasle Quintero, because she filed a new application for non-refoulement protection on June 29, shortly after the Immigration Department’s Torture Claims Board rejected her earlier application.
Quintero overstayed for two years from May 2013 to August 2015 before she applied for the protection.

Mistake messes up Canadian dream

If you plan to go to Canada from Hong Kong, don’t ever make the mistake of stopping over in Manila because chances are, you won’t be able to catch that flight to your dream job.

This was the bitter lesson learned by one former domestic helper here who managed to land a job as a caregiver in Canada, but was stopped from leaving Manila because she did not – or could not – get an overseas employment certificate.

All OFWs leaving the Philippines must go through the POEA

According to assistant labor attaché Henry Tianero, the unidentified OFW went to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on July 11 to apply for an OEC so she could board her flight to Canada the following day, but was rejected.

When the worker presented her passport, which already bore a Canadian visa, and her employment contract, she was told that the POEA could not issue her an OEC because her contract was not verified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong.

“We could not issue her an OEC because of her unverified contract,” said Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero.

Without the OEC, Philippine immigration authorities would not let her fly out, either, as it was clear from her Canadian visa that she was leaving for a job abroad.

“The OFW left in a huff while some information was being extracted from her, and did not appear again. Sayang, and to think that she must have spent about $20,000 for that job,” Tianero said.

He said he had no further information about her the woman, who had terminated her contract with her Hong Kong employer to grab the job in Canada.

In cases such as this, Tianero said the job order requested by the principal or the employer would have to be verified by POLO first, which has jurisdiction over the worksite.

“This is similar to third-country recruitment. We advise placement agencies not to facilitate cases (like these) that are similar to the Emry’s situation,” Tianero said, referring to the apparently spurious job hiring for Britain and Canada by Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency.

“Going through the process of unverified contract involves a very high degree of risk,” he warned.

However, this is a risk that many Filipinas who dream of getting to greener pastures in Canada or other countries abroad are willing to take. After all, many others before them have managed to make the plunge without a hitch.

But to make sure they get to their intended destination, they should never make the mistake of doing either of two things: stopping by the Philippines to say a final goodbye to family members, or falling for a recruitment scam.

Either of these could only lead to a shattering of their dreams. – Vir B. Lumicao

Teaching license, new skills arm exiting DHs

Assessor Grace Sheila Manlangit, here posing with 
Labatt Jolly, returned to Camarines Sur on 
July 22 to take up her teaching position in Tigaon.

By Vir B. Lumicao 

On July 22, Grace Shiela P. Manlangit bid goodbye to her domestic work in Hong Kong and return to her native Bicol for a new job as high school teacher in Camarines Sur.
About five months from now, Laila Villanueva will also leave her employer’s house to try her luck and her certified skill in housekeeping in her hometown’s hotel and resort industry.
Manlangit will be taking the flight home with her mother Monina Padua, who will end on July 20 her occupation as OFW in Hong Kong for 20 years.
Manlangit, a 34-year-old mother of two who came to Hong Kong in November 2012 and worked for two local employers, is excited about the teaching job that awaits her back home.
“Teaching is my passion. I am grateful to be part of the program SPIMS (Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am, Sir),” she told The SUN on the sidelines of the awarding of Tesda certificates to assessors and skills trainees at the Bayanihan Center on June 19.
The 2015 Salary Standardization Law (SSL) has raised teachers’ salaries to Php20,745, or 12% up from P18,549 a month, but there are clamors to raise this further to Php25,000. As an added incentive, teaching kits are given by the labor and education departments to returning teachers. These consists of a tablet PC, lapel-worn microphones, 32GB SD cards, reference materials, and writing materials worth Php10,000.
Passing the licensure examination for teachers (LET) in 2013 fired up Manlangit’s eagerness to return home and teach. She said she had no teaching experience as she had flunked her first LET exam. So, she took on other jobs in Naga City, such as supervisor at a food company and as a call center agent, which became her job for six months before coming to Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, Manlangit enrolled in Tesda courses and on June 19 she received her accreditation certificate as assessor in the food and beverage competency. That augurs well for the returning worker, as the certificate opens other opportunities in addition to teaching.
However, she will not be posted in her hometown of Naga City but in Tigaon, a town roughly 41 km away.
“Wala po (kasing) shortage ng teacher sa Naga kaya doon ako ini-assign,” Manlangit said.
Her consolation is that she will be reunited soon with her sons Daniel Matthew, 12, and Emmanuel, 8.
For the lesson she has drawn from her OFW stint in Hong Kong which she would share with her students, Manlangit has this to say: “The sky’s not the limit, chase your dreams and keep climbing the ladder of success.”
Also looking forward to returning home armed with a new know-how is Laila Villanueva, who is five months short of being in Hong Kong for six years.
She passed the NCII assessment for housekeeping and earned a certificate that positions her well for the tourism industry in her hometown Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental.
The final trip home from Hong Kong will happen in December, when her current two-year contract ends, Villanueva said.
“Kaya ko kinuha ito, kasi kapag umuwi na ako sa amin sa Puerto Galera, marami pong hotel doon, puwede na po akong mag-apply,” she said.
She told The SUN her NCII certificate was one of the requirements of employers in Puerto Galera’s tourism industry.
Like Manlangit and Villanueva, thousands more OFWs are expected to return home for good when the economy improves, so a Tesda certificate will come in handy when they start looking for jobs.

Dismissed Filipina wins severance pay

By Vir B. Lumicao

Victoria Cobardo did not get the full amount of her claim against her former employer on July 11, but she left the Labour Tribunal contented with the equivalent of a month’s salary that she received as severance pay.
The Filipina had to fight for the $4,210 she eventually got after her former boss, Jocelyne Wong, initially insisted on just a $500 settlement.
Cobardo’s case uncovered a fact that many migrant domestic workers may not know – that they are entitled to severance pay if they are made redundant, aftter having worked continuously for an employer for more than 24 months. The compensation is like for long service, which js 2/3 for every year of service.
The maid hauled Wong to the Labour Tribunal court to claim a severance pay of $6,970 for terminating her services in May this year, after just half a year into her second contract.
Wong told her in April she was ending Cobardo’s contract as she no longer needed her services because she had lost her job and so was moving to a small flat with her husband.
Out of “goodwill”, as Wong later told Presiding Officer David Chum, she described Cobardo in a letter as a good worker who cleaned the house, hand-washed clothes, washed the car, tended the garden and took care of the dog.
But in a letter to the Immigration Department, Wong said she terminated Cobardo’s contract because she was unhappy with the maid’s “poor performer with poor attitude.”
“How could this be,” Chum said. “Today you are saying that your helper is a good house cleaner, car washer and keeper of your dog. Then two weeks later you say she performs poorly and has a bad attitude. You are contradicting yourself.”
Chum then tried to convince both sides to settle their dispute amicably, saying a litigation  could be costly and time-consuming. When they agreed to settle, Cobardo and Wong were sent to the tribunal officer to finalize the deal
Wong made an initial maximum offer of $500, then raised it to $2,800, but the Filipina stood pat on her $6,970 claim. In the end, both parties agreed on $4,210 and Wong paid the Filipina in cash.
After the hearing, Cobardo said she would now focus on looking for an employer.