Three decades on, and the prima ballerina still dances

By Daisy CL Mandap

Not age, nor injury, has stopped prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde from donning her pointe shoes to indulge her lifelong passion for dancing.
At the age of 51, she is set to take to the stage again to play the lead dancing role of Inang Bayan (West End star Joanna Ampil is doing the singing part) in "The Rebel", a play on the Edsa People Power Revolution that she helped write.
“Ballet is a short-term career,” she says. “I am more the exception rather than the rule, to be dancing at more than 50”.
For sure, there were times when the Philippines’ first prima ballerina thought she couldn’t dance anymore, especially after surgeries to both her ankles, which sidelined her for a year. But with her usual tenacity honed from years of rigorous practice to perfect her art, Lisa was soon back to doing what she has always wanted to do.
Most recently, she scored another first in her illustrious career when she was invited to sit as a juror in the Asian Grand Prix, an international ballet competition that has been held annually in Hong Kong for the past six years.
Lisa and her school, Ballet Manila, has been sending dancers to the competition since the start, and last year scored its biggest win when its principal dancer, Katherine Barkman, won the Asian Grand Prix Award.
This year, with 276 dancers from 15 countries competing, Ballet Manila’s promising young dancer, Nicole Barosso, won the silver medal in the junior division for the second consecutive year. Six other dancers from the school landed in the top 10 in their respective divisions.
Though winning is obviously the end goal in any competition, it should not be the only objective of those who want to make a career out of dancing, says Lisa. Failures are often inevitable.
“You have to rise above it,” she says, “because it could be very subjective and intense”.
Speaking from years of experience in auditioning for nearly all the major roles a ballerina could aspire for, Lisa knows that for every dancer who lands the position, there are dozens others who go home in tears.
Thus, one should look at competing as a chance to hone skills, get noticed, and if one gets lucky, to be offered a scholarship or a contract with a prestigious dance company.
“It’s the way things are in our world”, Lisa says matter-of-factly.
Life in ballet can also be brutal because after all the grueling time spent rehearsing and perfecting one’s craft, the payback is often too short, and too little.
“If you’re lucky and you don’t get injured you can have 20 years of dancing,” she says, then adds, “but it doesn’t pay much”.
Given this reality, the fallout from the profession is high, with many dancers eventually opting out to look for jobs that offered better and steadier income. Others take the more commercial route, like joining HK Disneyland and cruise ship shows.
Lisa says there’s no shame in any of these. “It’s a job, and it offers opportunities”, she says.
Still, she says parents should encourage their children to take up ballet, or any form of dance education.
“It is entertaining, and it great training ground for developing a lot of skills that help you get through life. It teaches you the meaning of sacrifice, dedication, commitment and plain hard work.”
If Lisa were to be the gauge, these life skills are certainly worth aspiring for.

25 years ng MMK

Sa pagdiriwang ng ika-25 taon ng drama anthology na “ Maalaala Mo Kaya?”, nagkaroon ng tsansa na makadaupang palad ng host nitong si Charo-Santos-Concio ang mga OFWs sa kanilang paglilibot sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo, gaya ng Madrid at Hong Kong. Naibahagi ng ilan nating mga kababayan ang iba’t ibang kuwento ng kanilang buhay, katulad din ng mga nagpapadala ng liham at napiling maisadula ang kanilang mga buhay sa programa.
Bilang bahagi ng mga iba’t ibang kuwento sa MMK, naglabas sila ng special album ng mga awitin na pinamagatang “MMK Life  Songs” sa tulong ni Jonathan Manalo ng Star Music. Kalakip din ng mga awitin ang ‘reflections’ na mismong isinalaysay ni Charo. Kabilang sa album ang unang single nitong Desiderata, isang orihinal na tula ni Max Ehrmann na isinalin sa Filipino ni Enrico Santos.
Ang mga awitin sa album ay ang mga sumusunod:
1. "Desiderata”  - Charo Santos, Lea Salonga, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Lani Misalucha, Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sharon Cuneta at TBUP Choir.
2. "Because You Loved Me” - Kyla at Jona
3. "I’ll Be There For You” - Juris
4. "You” - Sharon Cuneta
5. "Iingatan Ka” - Janella Salvador at Jenine Desiderio
6. "She’s Always a Woman” - Piolo Pascual
7. "Gaya ng Dati”  -Gary Valenciano
8. "Piece by Piece” - Charice at KZ Tandingan
9. "I’ll be There” - Darren Espantoand at Jed Madela
10. "Handog” - Aiza Seguerra at Noel Cabangon
11. "Sana” - Julia Concio, Piolo Pascual at Charo Santos
Bonus Tracks: “Desiderata” at “Maalaala Mo Kaya”.

CELEBRITY BABIES
Tatlong celebrity babies ang isinilang noong August 8, 2016.
Isinilang ng dating Ateneo volleyball player na si Fille Cainglet-Cayetano ang pangalawang anak nila ng film at TV director at dating congressman na si Lino Cayetano. Ang kanilang baby girl ay pinangalanan nilang Fille Renee. Nai-post sa Twitter ang larawan ni Lino na karga ang panganay nilang anak na si Phillip Ino, dalawang taong gulang, habang masayang tinitingnan ang kanilang baby girl sa nursery ng St Luke’s Global Hospital sa Taguig, kung san nanganak si Fille.  
Ang aktres na si Tanya Garcia ay nagsilang din ng isang baby girl, na pinangalanan nilang Madeleine ng kanyang asawang si Mark Lapid, isang dating aktor at governor ng Pampanga. Ito ang pangatlong anak nila. Ang dalawa pa nilang anak ay sina Mischa Amidala (9) at Matilda Anika (5).
Samantala, August 8 din nagsilang ang girlfriend ni James Yap na si Michela Cazzola sa kailang unang supling, si Michael James o MJ, sa St Luke’s Global sa Taguig. Ang kanilang baby boy at tumimbang ng 6.5lbs, at normal delivery, bagama’t inabot ng 18 hours ang pagle-labor ni Michela. Excited si James na alagaan ang kanilang anak, dahil masusubaybayan daw niya ang paglaki nito at makakasama niya sa bahay.
May dalawang anak na si James sa mga dating karelasyon, kabilang na si James, Jr., o Bimby, na anak niya sa dating asawang si Kris Aquino. Hindi daw niya alam kung alam na ni Bimby na kuya na siya dahil matagal na daw niya itong hindi nakikita at nakakausap.
Ngayon pa lang ay gusto na ni James na sumunod sa yapak niya bilang basketbolista ang kanyang bunso, kaya balak niyang pag-aralin ito sa Amerika at doon maglaro ng basketball. Ayon pa sa kanya, malakas daw ang dugong Italyano kaysa Pinoy, dahil ang kamukha daw ng kanilang anak ay ang ama ni Michela. Nabanggit din ni James na wala pang napapag-usapan tungkol sa kasal dahil sa ngayon ay nakatutok muna sila sa pag-aalaga sa kanilang anak. Pero, alam daw niyang doon din patutungo ang kanilang relasyon.
Inaabangan na ang mga susunod na mga brand new mommies na sina Toni-Gonzaga-Soriano at Mariel Rodriguez- Padilla na malapit nang magsilang ng kani-kanilang mga panganay na anak.

EUGENE, BALIK-PELIKULA
Nagsimula nang mag-shooting si Eugene Domingo para sa kanyang pagbabalik-pelikula, matapos ang dalawang taong pamamahinga. Ito ay para sa sequel ng “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” na ginawa niya noong 2011, at naging hit sa Cinemalaya at umani ng mga award sa Pilipinas at sa iba’t ibang film festivals na sinalihan sa ibang bansa.
Ang huling pelikula niyang ginawa ay ang Barber’s Tales, at pagkatapos ay nagdesisyon muna siyang mag-concentrate sa kanyang TV show na Dear Uge, na nasa 3rd season na sa  GMA Network.
Makakasama ni Uge sa ABSST movie sina Cai Cortez, Kean Cipriano, Khalil Ramos at ang You’re my Foreignoy winner (ng Eat Bulaga) na si Gui Adorno. Ang isa pa original cast nito na si JM de Guzman ay hindi pa sigurado kung makakasama rin nila. Si Marlon Rivera ang naatasang muling mag-direk ng sequel.

SNAFFU RIGOR, 69
Namatay na ang beteranong mang-aawit at composer na si Roberto Nicholas “Snaffu” Rigor, 69, sa sakit na lung cancer noong August 4. Si Rigor ay sumulat ng maraming awiting OPM (original Pilipino music) noong 60s at 70s. Dati siyang miyembro ng mga bandang Ramrods, Cinderella, Backdoor, Blackbuster at The 70’s Superband, at isang respetadong music industry executive. Ang mga dating kasamahan niya sa The 70’s Superband ay sina Nonoy Tan, na chairman ngayon ng Filscap ( Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc), Rey Magtoto, Monet Gaskell, Mon Espia at magkapatid na Nitoy at Jun Mallilin.  
Ilan sa mga sikat na awitin na nilikha ni Rigor ay ang mga sumusunod:  "T.L Ako sa 'Yo" (music and lyrics) - recorded by Cinderella, "Bato sa Buhangin" (lyrics) - recorded by Cinderella, "Bulag, Pipi at Bingi" (music and lyrics) - recorded by Freddie Aguilar (Grand Prize winner ng  2nd Metropop Music Festival noong 1979),  "Macho Gwapito" (lyrics) - recorded by Rico J. Puno, "Mr. Dreamboy" (music and lyrics) - recorded by Sheryl Cruz, "Boy, I Love You" (lyrics) - recorded by Cherie Gil at covered din ni Donna Cruz, "Eto Na Naman" (lyrics) - recorded by Gary Valenciano, "Gusto Kita" (lyrics) - recorded by Gino Padilla, "Paano ang Puso Ko" (lyrics) - recorded by April Boy Regino, "Larawang Kupas" (music and lyrics) - recorded by Jerome Abalos, "Bumper to Bumper" (music and lyrics) - recorded by Love Anover, "Byaheng Jeepney" (music and lyrics) - recorded by Nicole & Cris, "Jowadik" (music and lyrics) - recorded by Nicole & Cris, at "Tambalan" (music and lyrics) - recorded by Nicole & Cris.

CIRCUS BAND AT NEW MINSTRELS REUNION
Ang sikat na grupo ng mang-aawit noong 70’s at 80’s na The New Minstrels at Circus Band ay magkakaroon ng reunion sa susunod na buwan. Pinamagatang “See You in September”, ang kanilang special show ay itatanghal sa The Theatre ng Solaire Resorts Hotel and Casino sa Sep 2.
Kaabang–abang para sa kanilang fans ang muli nilang pag-awit ng kanilang mga hit songs noon gaya ng “All of My Life” ni Louie Reyes, “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine ni Ding Mercado, Nat King Cole songs medley ni Eugene Villaluz ng New Minstrels. Siyempre, hindi magpapatalo ang Circus Band members na sina Jacqui Magno sa kanyang “Bridges”, Pat Castillo ng kanyang bersyon ng “Somewhere in Time” at Ray-Ann Fuentes sa awiting “She Believes in Me”.  Ilan pa sa mga awitin na maaring abangan ay “McArthur Park”, Disco Queen Medley, Natalie Cole Medley, 60s Boyband medley, at marami pang iba.

No more OEC for OFWs, but...

Will a temporary outpost such as this to process OEC applications be a thing of the past?

By Daisy CL Mandap

The ‘paper’ overseas employment certificate (OEC) for Filipinos working abroad is now a thing of the past, along with the HK$20 fee. However, those who plan to go back home for a vacation still need to sign up with the Balik Manggagawa Online (BMO) to ensure they can return to their jobs abroad.
The new rule, said to be in its pilot or experimental stage, takes effect starting Sept. 15. It is expected to be officially announced when Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III visits Hong Kong in the first week of September, after holding peace talks with leftist rebels in Norway.
But as early as Aug. 21, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong will open its offices for all OFWs who want to register online ahead of an anticipated vacation in the Philippines.
Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre said: “We are preparing to make all our computers accessible for OFWs who might want to update their profiles or register for the first time. There will also be tutors to guide them along. We are encouraging our OFWs not to crowd out our offices, but to come, say one week, before they head for the Philippines. This way, human traffic is kept at manageable proportions. OFWs in Hong Kong who are able to come on days other than Sundays are encouraged to avoid Sundays. We will open our offices in Hong Kong during Saturdays, Sundays and all other days, except Fridays, for this purpose, beginning August 21, 2016
The effective scrapping of the OEC were among the points clarified by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) boss Hans Cacdac to The SUN via online enquiry, in the wake of moves taken by the agency to simplify OFW-related transactions.
Under Resolution No. 12 passed by the POEA Governing Board on Aug. 4, the pilot phase of the new rule will initially exempt only two categories of workers: those returning to the same employer at the same worksite, and those hired through POEA’s in-house placement system.
However, they do not really stand on a better footing than other OFWs because all of them will still have to register with BMOnline, either before they leave their work site, or at a POEA center of their choice in the Philippines.
“In effect, the OEC will be replaced by an online registry system. This ensures we know who they are, for policy, documentation and emergency purpose, (for) safe passage back to their job sites,” said Cacdac.
Asked why it was necessary for OFWs to still register online when they have employment contracts, work visas and other documents to prove their status, Cacdac replied: “Again, emphasis on being part of the database for policy, statistical, and emergency purposes”.
While the new rule has yet to be implemented, POEA has already started to work on setting up a system that would ensure a smooth passage for departing OFWs.
“Our IT people are finalizing systems adjustments, especially the interconnectivity with Bureau of Immigration. In the meantime, we are asking Bureau of Immigration to be flexible in terms of accepting those who are not in the registry. There will be a LAC (labor assistance counter)  person posted in primary inspection areas at the airport,” said Cacdac.
Indeed, the resolution and a subsequent press release posted on the POEA website both state that “a worker who proceeds to the airport without prior registration with the BM Online System will be referred by the Bureau of Immigration to the POEA’s Labor Assistance Counter (LAC) for evaluation, to determine if the worker may be cleared for departure or be subjected to further completion of travel documents”.
Despite this, Cacdac stressed that prior online registration is necessary before one can be cleared for departure.
“To be exempted, one must be in the POEA database. One can’t just present oneself to LAC and expect clearance,” he said.
Cacdac is expected to report to Secretary Bello one month after the implementation of the OEC exemption.
According to the POEA Board, the new measure is being put in place in accordance with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive to streamline processes in the deployment of OFWs.
It was also in response to a clamor from OFWs for ease in processing their employment documents.
Those who sit with the POEA Board are Bello, who acts as chair; Cacdac as vice chair; and members Milagros Isabel Cristobal, Estrelita Hizon, Alexander Asuncion, and Felix Oca.

Pinoys win in Asian Grand Prix

The Philippine delegation to the 6th Asian Grand Prix continues victorious streak.

Ballet Manila’s Nicole Barroso won the silver medal at the 6th Asian Grand Prix, repeating her feat last year in the same ballet competition.
As part of her prize, Barroso also received the Elmhurst and Shanghai Scholarships at the awarding rites held Friday night at the Y-Theater in Hong Kong.
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and co-artistic director Osias Barroso also celebrated the triumph of the following BM competitors in their respective categories:
• Shaira Comeros, 5th Place, Junior B; Most Promising Female Award
• Alvin Dictado, 6th Place, Junior B
• Ana Andes, 5th Place, Senior A
• Raymond Salcedo, 4th Place, Senior B
• Rodney Catubay, 5th Place, Senior B
• Loraine Gaile Jarlega, 5th Place, Pre-competitive 2
Finalists:
• Junior B Finalists: Danielle De Guzman; Joshua Enciso
• Junior A Finalists: Ashley Salonga; Lyssa Apilado
Shortly after the awarding ceremonies, Macuja-Elizalde enthused:
“The Asian Grand Prix has certainly evolved over the six years it has been in existence and I am so happy and proud that Ballet Manila and our delegates have grown together with this competition,” Macuja-Elizalde said. “For the first time, with an inside look into the job of the jury, I saw the meticulous attention to detail in giving the scores and the criteria for the decisions involved in giving these much coveted awards and prizes.”
Macuja-Elizalde stressed: “I am, of course, greatly pleased that our dancers have danced well and reaped honors for Ballet Manila and for our country. But more so, I am touched by the sincere comments of the jury in their praise for the high quality of training that we give our competitors. They had the strength, technique and style necessary to get those points. But at the end of the day, the fact that they all danced from the heart was the quality that brought them home!”
Barroso who personally led the training of the dancers for the AGP noted that throughout the week, he has been receiving positive feedback about the schooling of the Ballet Manila competitors.
“A lot of people noticed how BM dancers simply seemed to sail until the finals,” he said.
Eleven of BM’s 18-member delegation made it to the finals.

Covers the period Aug. 16-31

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Dadaan ka sa matinding kalungkutan; piliting malampasan ang pinagdaraanan. Sa trabaho, huwag magmadali dahil may tamang oras ang lahat. Kung single, magiging senswal at mapangahas ka ngayon, pero kung may karelasyon, mag-ingat na pumasok sa delikadong sitwasyon dahil malaking problema ang haharapin mo. Lucky numbers: 14, 18, 25 at 35.
44.
TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Tanggapin ang tulong na ibinibigay ng kamag-anak dahil makakatulong ito sa iyong trabaho. Mag-ingat sa mga galaw at maging alerto lalo na kung nagmamaneho. Maipapakita ang likas na talino dahil sa pagtatanong tungkol sa maraming bagay na magdadagdag din sa iyong kaalaman. Ang negatibong pag-iisip sa maraming bagay ang magiging sanhi ng kumplikadong relasyon sa taong malalapit sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 9,12,24 at 42.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Magulo ang isip mo ngayon kaya iwasan munang sumabak sa malalaking desisyon at huwag basta maniwala sa mga inaalok na magandang trabaho at pagkakakitaan. Upang aliwin ang sarili sa mga bagay na bumabagabag sa iyo, mapapasubo kang mamili ng mamahaling bagay. Hindi mo namamalayan ay malaki na ang nababawas sa ipon mo. Mag-isip isip ka upang maiwasan ang malaking problema. Lucky numbers: 16,23,38 at 40.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Madali kang matukso sa panahong ito: mai-in love ng hindi inaasahan, at hindi makontrol na paggastos. Malinaw ang pag-asenso mo dahil sa husay mo sa trabaho. Magiging malaking tagumpay ang pakikipag-usap mo sa lahat ng uri ng mga tao, kaya’t kaiinggitan ka ng mga kasamahan mo, mag-ingat! Lucky numbers: 5,13,27 at 45.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Makakaranas ng problema sa pananalapi, kailangang isipin kung paano makakatipid sa gastusin. Malaki ang tsansang maayos na rin ang problema ninyong mag-asawa o kapartner. May pamimigat sa binti, iwasan ang labis na init ng pampaligo at subukang mag-hiking. Makakaasa ka sa mga kaibigan. Samantalahin ang panahong ito, panindigan ang gusto mo at ituloy ang bagay na alam mong magbibigay ng magandang resulta sa trabaho. Lucky numbers: 3,11,29 at 36.
 39.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Susuwertehin ka sa pananalapi ngayon kaya mabibigyan mo ng bagong sigla ang iyong negosyo. Ang kagustuhan mong magmahal at mahalin ay mangyayari, at matutupad din ang iyong mga hangarin. Magbabalik din ang iyong enerhiya at positibong pananaw. Ngayon mas kailangan ng mga anak ang iyong patnubay, gabay at pagbibigay ng pag-asa. Tataas din ang paghanga sa iyong kakayahan kaya mas mabait ang mga tao sa iyo ngayon. Manatiling mapagkumbaba. Lucky numbers: 3,14,28 at 37.
.
TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Ang nakasanayang gawain sa araw araw ay magkakaroon ng maliit at magandang pagbabago. Mag-ingat sa food poisoning, siguraduhing laging sariwa ang kinakain. Kabado man, maayos mong magagampanan ang trabaho. Umiwas sa taong masyadong madaldal. Makakabuti sa pagsasama ang kaunting pagbabago sa pang araw-araw na buhay. Isang kaibigan ang lalapit sa iyo, ibigay kung anuman ang makakatulong sa kanya. Lucky numbers: 6, 15, 24 at 36.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Kung single at nagmamadali nang mag-asawa, pag-isipan din ito ng husto at huwag magpadalus-dalos. Kailangan mong sumabay sa mga pagbabagong magaganap sa trabaho. Huwag magpatalo sa mga bagay na bumabagabag sa iyo, harapin ito. May tsansa ka ngayong mapalakas ang iyong pinansyal na kalagayan dahil may magagandang plano kang mabubuo, maglaan ng tamang oras na umpisahan agad ito. Lucky numbers: 10, 15, 19 at 26.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Sa love life, nagdadalawang isip ka, pero anuman ang piliin mo ay makakaasa kang nasa tamang direksyon ito. Mag-ingat sa labis na paggastos na nahihirapan mong mong pigilin. Ngayon ay mas pipiliin mong makasama ang mga taong nakakasigurado ka. Mapa-pasarap ka ng pagkain sa panahong ito, mas mabuting mag-stick sa pagkain ng pakonti-konti. Lucky numbers: 12, 28, 31 at 41.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
May sapat kang lakas at tapang na kailangan upang maalis ang mga balakid sa gusto mong marating sa iyong propesyon. Hindi mo rin papayagan na maging kampante sa kanilang kalagayan ang iyong mga anak at asawa dahil gusto mong mas magsikap pa sila. Kung napapagod, matulog ka. Ang pag-ibig at pera ay mahirap pagsamahin, isipin itong mabuti, dahil baka magkaproblema ka. Huwag ilagay ang lahat ng pera sa mga high-risk investment, at magtira para sa mga mas siguradong pamamaraan. Lucky numbers: 4, 16, 21 at 33.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Nagiging kumplikado ang relasyon mo sa mga tao dahil sa paiba-iba mong mood. Sa tahanan ay may nagtatagis ang ngipin dahil sa labis mong kasungitan at pagiging diktador. Tamang panahon para sa mga single para makatagpo ng mamahalin at makasama ng matagalan. Iwasan ang matataba at masarsang pagkain. Mag-ingat sa nag-aabang na magkamali ka. Iwasan ding ipagsabi sa iba ang tungkol sa iyong negosyo. Lucky numbers: 9, 15, 29 at 31.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Kumilos na para sa pansariling kapakanan, at huwag matakot sa anumang hadlang. Makakaranas ng kaunting problema sa negosyo at pananalapi. Kung patuloy mong inilalagay sa pedestal ang minamahal, baka ngayon ay mabigo ka. Kalmahin ang sarili upang hindi maubos ang iyong lakas. Magpakita ng diplomasya sa mga kaanak kung gusto mo ng kapayapaan at katahimikan. Lucky numbers: 6, 20, 28 at 32.

3D show lights up Tsim Sha Tsui

The summer show at the Cultural Center can be seen until Aug. 28.

The new edition of the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show is lighting up the harborfront nightly at the Cultural Centre and the Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui until August 28.
The show has been expanded to cover not only the Culture Centre’s façade, but also the entire space within its Open Piazza.
 As part of the Hong Kong Summer Fun promotions, the show will showcase the city’s pulsating summer vibe. Renowned Australian choreographer Katie Cesaro has been invited to compose an upbeat dance performance.
The clock tower will also be transformed into an interactive “Fun-O-Meter”, projecting a range of playful emojis when activated by spectators.
Another version of the show will be staged from Nov. 25  to Dec. 28 as part of the Hong Kong WinterFest.
The eight-minute show will be staged at 8:20pm, 8:45pm, 9:15pm and 9:45pm nightly.
The music of Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show is broadcast every night at the Piazza. Spectators can listen to the music by downloading the Hong Kong Pulse Sound Track from: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan-your-trip/travel-kit/mobile-apps.jsp#hkpulse

Ex Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos holds press briefing in HK on informal talks with Chinese officials

                                                                   WATCH NOW:

Ayon kay dating pangulong Fidel Ramos, walang pinag-usapan tungkol sa ruling ng United Nations tribunal sa kanyang naging pakikipag-usap sa mga kaibigang Chinese dito sa Hong Kong. Ang nabanggit lamang daw ay ang pagkakaroon ng  'equal fishing rights' sa West Philippine Sea sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at China, na siyang kalakaran daw bago nagsimula ang hidwaan sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa. 

Panoorin ang buong press briefing ni FVR na ginanap kaninang umaga, ika-12 ng Agosto sa Konsulado ng Pilipinas sa Hong Kong. 

The full text of the press statement:

10-11 August 2016:  Former President and Special Envoy Fidel V. Ramos met in Hong Kong with his old friends －Madam Fu Ying (Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress and former Ambassador to Manila 1998-2000) and Professor Wu Shicun (President, China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies) － in a friendly atmosphere.

They discussed, in their private capacity, the way forward in the spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood for peace and cooperation between the two countries. Their informal discussions focused on the need to engage in discussions to build trust and confidence to reduce tensions to pave the way for overall cooperation for the benefit of both their peoples and the region.

They explored possible human and ecological security options and suggestions for the benefit of their peoples, such as: a.) encouraging marine preservation; b.) avoiding tension and promoting fishing cooperation; c.) anti-drug and anti-smuggling cooperation; d.) anti-crime and anti-corruption cooperation; e.) improving tourism opportunities; f.) encouraging trade and investment facilitation; g.) encouraging track II (think tank) exchanges on relevant issues of mutual concern and interest.

They expressed the hope to find common ground for mutual benefit, especially for the poverty-stricken sectors of their societies. They stressed that building trust is very important to the long-term beneficial relationship between the Philippines and China. They value the long history of friendship of the two neighboring countries and the prospect of further cooperation for the sake of future generations.

China has welcomed former President Ramos to come to Beijing as Special Envoy of Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Former President Ramos, as an ice breaker, expressed the Philippine government’s desire to hold formal discussions with the Chinese government on issues of mutual concern and interest at the appropriate time to explore pathways to peace and cooperation.

They reiterated that they are here in their personal capacity and were pleased with the discussions and looked forward to the beginning of a process of formal discussions which will be continued in Beijing and Manila and other possible venues.

The above is confirmed by the following in their private capacities: 

Former President Fidel V. Ramos 

Madam Fu Ying Mr. Wu Shicun 

Secretary Rafael Alunan III 

Mr Chito Sta. Romana

Another Pinay falls to death in Lohas Park, apparently while cleaning windows

The victim fell from one of these tower blocks

A 35-year-old Filipina domestic helper reportedly fell to her death on Tuesday, Aug 9, in Lohas Park, Tseung Kwan O.

The cause of Sophia Rhianne Dulluog’s death is still unknown.
However, a police report says Dulluog fell while she was cleaning the window of her female employer's flat.
No suicide was reportedly found, and there were no suspicious circumstances.
The police has classified her death as caused by "falling from a height".
Dulluog, who hailed from Santiago, Isabela, was a single mother to a 10-year-old boy. She arrived in Hong Kong three years ago.

A spokesperson at the Police Public Relations Branch said the Filipina’s body was found on the podium of a block at 1 Lohas Park Road at 8:47 am.

The police who responded to a call about a woman falling from a building at the address took her to a hospital, where she was certified dead.

Sophia Dulluog

Dulluog’s aunt, Erlinda D. Ablao, told The SUN that nobody in their family was aware that the deceased had any problems. In fact, she reportedly called her family in the Philippines just the day before to say she had sent money.

Abad said Dulluog told them she was home alone, as her employers were on vacation.

Other relatives said they would seek the Consulate's help in repatriating Duluog's remains back to their Isabela hometown.
The police said investigators are still carrying out a postmortem on the victim’s remains, which were taken to the Fu Shan Public Mortuary in Taiwai, Shatin in the New Territories.

On March 18 this year, a 47-year-old fell Filipina also fell to her death in Lohas Park, a relatively new residential estate in Tseung Kwan O.

Her body was found under a bridge by a resident of the estate, but police were able to identify her only after six days when the victim’s ID card was found among plants in a flower bed nearby. – Marites Palma and Vir B. Lumicao

FVR, hindi itutuloy ang misyon kapag nagmatigas ang China - SunWebHK Video News

WATCH NOW: 

Nasa Hong Kong ngayon ang dating Pangulo ng Pilipinas na si Fidel V. Ramos, alinsunod sa utos ni Presidente Rodrigo R. Duterte na makipag-ugnayan siya upang mapalawig ang relasyon sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at China. 

Panoorin ang video para sa kabuuan ng balita. 

‘Duped’ job applicants seek tribunal help in getting refund

The Small Claims Tribunal is in this building

At least 35 Filipino domestic workers have gone to the Small Claims Tribunal to seek the refund of between $5,000 and $20,000 they claim to have paid veteran jobs recruiter Ester Ylagan for apparently non-existent work in Britain and Canada.

They are among the more than 200 Filipinos who have sought help from the Philippine Consulate and the Hong Kong Labour Department, claiming to have been duped into paying for the fictitious jobs.

All the complainants named Ylagan, using her solely-owned company, Mike’s Secretarial Services, which used to have a shop on the third floor of World Wide Plaza in Central, as the one who briefed them about the jobs supposedly on offer.

During the briefing, Ylagan reportedly introduced herself as the “boss” of Mike’s and Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency, which had an adjacent office. She reportedly told the applicants she would not risk the solid reputation built by Emry’s in its 30 years of experience in the recruitment business, by offering them spurious jobs.

Latest records obtained from the Inland Revenue Department, however, show that Ylagan has been replaced as co-owner of Emry’s by her son, Ridge Michael Ylagan, as of July 15 this year, two days after its Central office was shut. Ricardo Ylagan is the other co-owner.

Mike’s records show on the other hand, that “international recruitment” was added to its nature of business as of June 17 this year. Before this, its business activities were limited to “typing, xeroxing and internet surfing”.

Ylagan allegedly collected $10,000 from those applying for the jobs in Britain, and $15,000 for those bound for Canada. Most paid the total amount in cash, while a few asked to pay by installment. At least two of the claimants said they paid for themselves and another person, thus the claim for $20,000 each.

No receipts were issued to the applicants by Ylagan, who allegedly said she did not want to be taxed by the Hong Kong government. She said the money she collected would be sent to her partner in London for their FICC or foreign immigrant clearance certificate.

However, Ylagan reportedly made them fill up “bio-data” sheets and recorded their payments on slips of paper. Some of these documents have apparently been retrieved by officers of the Employment Agencies Administration of the HK Labour Department, who have given copies to the concerned applicants.

The applicants started asking for their money back when the “job order” reportedly promised by Ylagan did not come as expected in June. 

The claims are set to be heard at the Tribunal over several days starting on Aug. 29.

Meanwhile, both the Consulate and the EAA have continued their separate investigations into the allegations.

EAA officers have called about a dozen applicants for interviews on various dates, and have reportedly asked them to act as witnesses in the case that would be filed against Ylagan and Emry’s.

Ylagan was also reportedly asked to appear for an interview, but she sent a solicitor in her stead.

The Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, on the other hand, says it continues to receive signed complaints from Ylagan’s recruits, some of whom have decided to return to the Philippines after being reportedly told they could return to Hong Kong as tourists and fly out to their destination with the others.

Mike's shop in WorldWide Plaza is now empty

The developments came as solicitors acting for Emry’s and its “co-owners” Rick Ylagan and Ester Ylagan sent a “cease and desist” letter to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, The SUN publisher Leo Deocadiz and this author, in relation to the jobs scandal.

In the letter dated August 8, 2016, Wong &  Co. Solicitors demanded that all three “cease and desist all defamation of character and reputation of Emry’s, Rick and Ester”.

The demand stemmed from Labatt de la Torre’s act of suspending the processing of work contracts by Emry’s due to Ester’s alleged violation of Philippine laws against third-country deployment by recruiting Filipinos for jobs in Britain and Canada.

The SUN, its editor and publisher were accused of acting with malice in reporting about the complaints against Ylagan and of conspiring with Labatt de la Torre in making defamatory statements against her, Rick and Emry’s.

Asked for a reaction to the solicitors’ letter, Labatt de la Torre told The SUN: “I will not be deterred by a letter from a solicitor in pursuing what I think is necessary to advance and protect the interests of OFWs in Hong Kong”.

The SUN’s own stance is clearly reflected in this article. - Daisy CL Mandap

POEA moves to scrap OEC

Overseas Filipino workers returning to the same employer at the same work place will no longer be required to secure an overseas employment certificate, or OEC, as early as the first week of next month.

In addition, all OFWs returning to their job sites will be exempted from paying the travel tax and terminal fee upon the mere presentation of their valid work visa, contract or any document that will prove their overseas employment status to qualified airport personnel.

These new measures are in line with Resolution No. 12 passed on August 4 by the Governing Board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), headed by the new Labor Secretary Silvestre T. Bello III,  

Under the Resolution, the OEC exemption will apply to two categories of workers:

1)      OFWs or BMs (balik manggagawa) who are returning to the same employer and jobsite and with existing record/s in the POEA data base;

2)      And those hired through the Government Placement Branch, or the POEA’s in-house recruitment facility for Filipinos aspiring to work abroad.

A copy of the POEA resolution

To be exempted, the returning OFWs must use the BM Online facility to register - for free - before departure. The information stored in the POEA data base and electronically transmitted to the Bureau of Immigration will serve as a guide to the immigration officer in validating whether the worker could be cleared for departure.

According to the POEA Board, the new measure is being put in place in accordance with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive to streamline processes in the deployment of OFWs.

It was also in response to a clamor from OFWs for ease in processing their employment documents.

True to these objectives, even those who do not fall in either of the two exempted categories will no longer have to obtain an OEC, as long as they register with the BM Online system and get their records entered in the POEA website.

According to Resolution No. 12, returning workers who are not exempted will just have to register with the BMOnline web page, then set an appointment with their preferred POEA office or center for evaluation and validation.

Even those who go to the airport without appropriate registration will not be turned away, but will instead be asked to go to the labor assistance center (LAC) for evaluation to determine if they can be “cleared for departure, or subjected to further evaluation/completion of documents”.

Based on these guidelines, those who are in Hong Kong or other places abroad and want to avoid the hassle of being held at the airport should just register, or update their work status in BMOnline system, to ensure that they could be cleared for departure.

As to the travel tax and airport terminal fee exemption, the resolution says the returning worker could present any of the following documents to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the Manila International Airport Authority:

1) valid work visa

2) valid employment contract

3) valid company ID

4) recent payroll slip “or other equivalent document”

The resolution also says the POEA will issue implementing guidelines to ensure that the “pilot implementation” of the resolution will take place in the first week of September.

Apart from Secretary Bello, the members of the POEA Board who signed the resolution were POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac who acts as vice-chairman; and members Milagros Isabel Cristobal, Estrelita Hizon, Alexander Asuncion, and Felix Oca. - The SUN Team

Team RP take gold, bronze medals in bowling

National coach and bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno perks up his players during a break at the recent 42nd Hong Kong International Open tournament at SCAA Bowling Lanes. The Philippines brought home a gold medal in the Youth Under-18 category courtesy of Marwin Tan, and a bronze in the Men's Open captured by Kenneth Chua. The Filipino delegation was led by Philippine Bowling Federation vice president Steve Robles, seated left.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Team Philippines’ hopes for a Masters trophy faded on the last day of the 42nd Hong Kong International Open Bowling Championships held in mid-July, but the 12-man squad still went home jubilant with two medals, a gold and a bronze.
Seventeen-year-old Marwin Tan captured the gold medal for youth high game after scuttling 643 pins in the qualifying round of the youth under-18 competition at the South China Athletic Association Bowling Lanes on July 15.
In the youth under-18 Masters finals, Tan strung a 190-192-202-189-208-214 series, averaging 199.3, for a total of 1195 pins. That was good for fourth place, but was 66 pins off the winner, Moustafa Almousavi of Kuwait, who rolled 248-192-220-221-167-213 for 1261.
Kenneth Chua rolled a series of 182-265-248, averaging 231.67 for a score of 695 pinfalls in the men open singles. His score was 19 pins adrift of Hong Kong’s Tony Wong, who made 714 via a 235-212-267 series, or an average of 238 pins, to take the trophy.
Chua was only two pins behind Indonesian silver medalist Rezaldy Diwan, who dropped 697 pinfalls, averaging 232.33 in a 239-168-290 series.
Twenty-five-year-old Chua, who raised hopes for the country’s win in the men’s Masters after topping the Stage I finals on July 16, crashed to 19th place in the Stage II finals. Chua started slow, dropping 191 pins in the first of the eight-game series, then got back into contention with 247 in the second, before easing to 201.
But he crashed in the fourth with just 170, then tried to bounce back with a 192. But his succeeding pinfalls of 181- 161-191 only gave him a total score of 1542, well behind the 1730 chalked up by the winner, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia.
In Stage I the previous day, Chua, a two-time Male Bowler of the Year awardee, rolled a series of 226-248-230-297-190-182-221-222 for 1806, averaging 225.75 to become the man to beat in the next stage.
He brushed aside an early challenge by Thai kegler Yannaphon Larpapharat, who finished second with a 246-189-242-187-223-234-229-208 series for a score of 1758.
Liza del Rosario and Krizziah Lyn Tabora also lifted Team Philippines’ spirits on July 15 when Del Rosario climbed to No 4 in the women’s open Stage 1 finals with 1654 pinfalls, and Tabora landed on No 14 with 1540 to advance to Stage II.
Their compatriot Liza Clutario missed the cut with just one pin behind Hong Kong’s Chloe Lee, who made the Top 15 cut-off with 1518.
However, Del Rosario only managed to rack up 1571 pins with a series of 212-178-201-160-220-213-182-205, averaging 196.39 pins and 164 off stage winner Lim So Hyun of Korea who strung 234-205-195-236-209-227-242-187 for a total of 1735.
Tabora scored 1544 and finished in 14th place via a 187-166-218-182-229-190-185-187 series, averaging 193 pins. She was 191 pins off the leader Lim.

POLO posts list of accredited HK agencies

A list of Hong Kong employment agencies accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to recruit Filipino workers is now available online again. This list can be accessed on the new website of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (polohk.org) launched on July 27.
Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre said on his Facebook page: “This is actually our website which is under construction, but we thought of putting out the list first to guide our community about the names, addresses and expiration dates of these agencies’ accreditation.”
De la Torre warned that agencies that are not accredited cannot process work contracts, while those that lend their names or “stamps” to unaccredited peers would be suspended.
“Our next step is to require these agencies to display a Certificate of Accreditation signed by us with the proper seals so that the status of an agency is immediately known to the transacting public,” he said, adding: “Please SHARE as much as you can.”
He said if an agency was later found to have committed an offense, Polo would take back the certificate.
The posting of the list came after Polo was swamped with complaints against local agencies victimizing job applicants for third countries and overcharging workers seeking employment in Hong Kong
In the past, the list of accredited agencies was also displayed in the POLO part of the Philippine Consulate website, but was inexplicably taken down a few years ago.
As of the latest count, there are about 360 accredited Hong Kong agencies. De la Torre has said he intends to keep the freeze on accreditation, as there are already more than enough agencies serving the needs of Filipino workers in Hong Kong.
Any of these agencies could be stripped of their accreditation if they are found to have committed prohibited acts such as charging recruitment and other illegal fees from a domestic worker, and forcing newly arrived workers to take out loans to pay for their placement.
The labor attaché said the suspended agencies would also be listed on the website, so that job applicants would be guided accordingly.
The posting of the list was received warmly in the community. Responses included suggestions for a section on the rights and privileges of OFWs, especially domestic workers; important contact numbers; and a corner for gripes against errant staff of the Consulate and POLO.
Others suggested a corner for success stories of OFWs and updates about the government’s reintegration program for returning OFWs.
Community leader Marites Palma proposed a section on the website where OFWs can report problems with their employers that require urgent action, as well as complaints against POLO staff who don’t act fast on workers’ cases.
Another suggested an online educational program for workers whose day off falls aon a weekday and are unable to attend Sunday programs organized by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Still another suggested the inclusion of links to POEA accredited agencies; TESDA online courses; OWWA reintegration program; Hong Kong Immigration; Labour Department; Social Welfare; NGOs such as PathFinders and Enrich HK; shelters for distressed workers and church organizations. - VBL

DH wins $33,000 claim vs. boss

By Vir B. Lumicao

Filipina domestic worker Bernadith Genovia was awarded $33,000 for long service after the Labor Tribunal saw through her employer’s ruse to avoid paying the claim. The employer, Suwina Cheng, insisted she should not pay Genovia for long service as the maid did not work for her for more than five years.
But Presiding Officer Isabella Chu said the Filipina had well-documented evidence to back her claim and would certainly win if the case proceeded to go to trial and would entail more expenses for Cheng.
The dispute centered on Genovia’s claim for a total of $33,095 that included $20,889.98 for more than eight years of service that the helper said she had rendered the employer’s family.
Cheng staunchly rejected the claim, saying she did not renew the maid’s contract after  four years. Instead, she said, it was her brother who signed a work contract with the Filipina on her fifth year of working in the same address.
Chu asked the employer why her brother’s address was the same as hers, and the employer replied that when the worker’s contract was signed, her brother was staying in her house while she lived in a dormitory.
Genovia said that despite the change in her contract’s signatory, she worked for the same people. She also said that after a year’s break, Cheng again signed her up for a new contract. Genovia said she worked a total of eight and a half years for the family before Cheng terminated their contract in May for the maid’s allegedly below-standard performance.
While arguing for her case, Cheng said it had been her practice not to hire domestic helpers for more than four years.
But the presiding officer wondered why after her brother’s hiring of the Filipina, Cheng again signed her up. Chu told Cheng it would be better for her to settle the money claim than fight a lost case in court.
Cheng initially insisted she was prepared to go to trial because God knew that she was right and that the Filipina only wanted more of her money.
But Chu said: “If this goes to the court, your case is weak. And it will attract media attention. The media will see the case on the court list and they will all go to court to write about the case.”
The employer thought for a while, and when Chu asked her again if she was willing to settle the entire claim, Cheng nodded reluctantly then said she would be writing a check.
But Chu rejected payment by check and told the employer to find a bank nearby and get cash. She demanded a cash settlement to close the case once and for all. “Unless you want to see her (Genovia’s) face again.”
Cheng left the courthouse and after about half an hour returned with an envelope of cash containing of $33,095.  Apart from long service, the payment covered accumulated leave and unused holiday, air ticket, and travel allowance.

Mga bayani ng Kulay Pinoy

Ilan sa mga bumubuo ng pagtatanghal ng Kulay Pinoy sa Chater Road.

Ni Marites Palma

Namangha ang maraming taong nakapanood sa pagtatanghal ng Kulay Pinoy sa Chater Road noong Hunyo 12, ang selebrasyon ng ika-118 taong anibersaryo ng kalayaan ng Pilipinas.
Bagamat bumuhos ang malakas na ulan maghapon, nagsiksikan pa rin ang mga taong nanonood sa pinakatampok na bahagi ng maghapong pagdiriwang. Hindi naman sila binigo ng halos 500 kataong bumubuo sa Kulay Pinoy na mula sa 45 na asosasyon, dahil buong sigla nilang binuo ang kulay ng bandilang Pilipinas sa gitna ng matinding pag-ulan.
Agad na umani ng papuri ang grupo ng mananayaw mula sa mga nakapanood sa mismong pagtatanghal, at sa social media.
Paano nagawang pinagbuklod-buklod ang ganito karaming mananayaw? Paano nasiguro na sasalihan nila ang ilang linggong ensanyo para lang maisagawa nang maayos ang kanilang pagtatanghal.
Ayon kay Lee Ann E. Mas, na siyang bumuo ng konsepto at nagturo ng sayaw sa mga nagtanghal, hindi madali ang kanilang pinagdaanan, ngunit dahil sa dedikasyon at determinasyon ng bawat isang kasapi ay naisa-ayos nila ang kanilang palabas.
Ayon kay Mas, pagmamahal sa Inang Bayan ang nag-udyok sa mga kasapi na pawang mga kasambahay na may angking talino sa pagsayaw, ang sumali sa pagbuo ng watawat ng Pilipinas. Sa pagbigkas pa lamang daw kasi ng katagang “kulay pinoy” ay mararamdaman na ang pagmamalaki ng bawat kasapi sa kanilang dugong Pilipino.
Dagdag pa ni Mas, hindi siya nahirapan sa ginawang pagtuturo at pakikihalubilo sa daan-daang kalahok dahil ang unang hakbang na ginawa niya ay ang ipaliwanag at ipaintindi sa lahat ang adhikain ng Kulay Pinoy.
Dating guro sa Pilipinas si Mas kaya sanay siyang gumamit ng iba't ibang stratehiya sa pagtuturo para makuha ang loob at interes ng kanyang tinuturuan. Sa oras ng kanilang pahinga ay umiikot ikot daw siya at kinukumusta ang bawat grupo, at ang laging tampok ng kanilang usapan ay ang mga hakbang ng sayaw.
Sa ganitong paraan ay napatunayan ni Mas na ang bawat isa sa kanila ay may angking talino, at kailangan lang ng buong suporta para lalong mahubog ang kanilang husay sa pagsayaw.
Ginamitan din niya ng sikolohiya ang pagbuo ng pamantayan ng grupo, katulad ng “Sa KP (Kulay Pinoy), bawal ang malungkot, bawal ang nakasimangot, at bawal ang tamad. Naging epektibo naman ito dahil lahat ay laging masaya at nakangiti kahit naiinitan. Wala daw ni isa na nagreklamo sa panahon ng kanilang ensayo sa loob ng halos tatlong buwan.
"Tunay ngang kahanga hanga ang mga miyembro ng Kulay Pinoy, wala ngang imposible, lahat makakaya kung ang bawat mithiin natin ay pinagsusumikapan at sinasamahan natin ng pagmamahal", ani Mas.
Ang iba pang kasamahan ni Mas sa pagtuturo ay sina Eva Joy Agcaoili, Jhen L. Gacutan, Vanessa Medios, Marie Velarde, Mercy Villaflor at Pinky Salud.
Ayon kay Agcaoili na siyang tagapagturo ng sayaw sa Isabela Federation, kooperasyon, pagpupursigi at determinasyon ng bawat kasapi ang susi kung bakit hindi sila nahirapan sa pagtuturo. Saludong-saludo daw siya sa mga ipinamalas na katangian ng kanilang mga mananayaw.
"Tunay na pagkakaisa at pagtutulongan ang kailangan sa pagkamit ng tagumpay sa anumang larangan", ang sabi ni Agcaoili.
Nagpatotoo naman dito si Tek Barro, ang pangulo ng Radiant Organization and Amiable Drivers (Road) na kabilang sa 17 na miyembro ng grupo na sumali sa Kulay Pinoy. "Proud na proud ako dahil isa ako sa daan daang kasapi ng Kulay Pinoy. Napakalaking bagay para sa akin ang maging parte ako sa pagbuo ng ating watawat sa pamamagitan ng sayaw.” sabi ni Barro. “Nagkaroon din ako ng pagkakataon na nakilala ang iba't ibang organisasyon na noon lamang nagkasama sama. Nabuo ang aming bagong pagkakaibigan sa loob ng halos tatlong buwan na pag-ensayo. Ulanin at arawin man kami ay di namin naramdaman ang pagod, maipagpatuloy lamang ang ensayo at ang napakasayang samahan ng grupo. Doon ko naramdaman ang tunay na pagkakaisa ng mga Pinoy kahit hindi magkakakilala dati.” Puring puri din niya si Mas dahil magaling daw itong magturo at nirerespeto ng lahat. Isang salita lang daw nito ay napapatahimik na ang kahit na sinong nag-iingay sa grupo.”
Ayon naman kay Salva Flores ng Laguna Achievers, tuwang tuwa siya at nabigyan siya ng pagkakataon na maipakita ang kanyang pagka Pilipino, kahit namamasukan lamang siyang kasambahay sa ibayong bansa.
Isa pang taga Laguna ang nagsabi na lubha siyang nagalak dahil nagkaroon siya ng kaibigan na kaisa niya sa pagpapakita ng tunay na kulay ng mga Pinoy.
Naging napakalalim naman ng epekto kay Rociel Pombo ng Burgos Isabela Migrants Association ng pagkakasama niya sa KP. Kakaibang pagmamalaki daw ang kanyang naramdaman nang mapabilang siya sa mga tinatawag ngayong KP Heroes, at dadalhin daw niya ito hanggang sa kanyang pagtanda.
"Sa Kulay Pinoy ko nakita ang tunay na ispirito ng pagka Pilipino, sa puso, sa isip at sa gawa. Saan mang lupalop ng mundo, aking itatayo ang ipinagmamalaki nating bandila",  sabi pa ni Pombo.
Nagkaisa ang mga KP Heroes na lumahok muli sa susunod na taon para sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan.
Samantala, hindi sa kanilang matagumpay na pagtatanghal natapos ang samahan ng mga KP Heroes dahil sa hapon ng Agosto 7 ay magdaraos sila ng kanilang unang pagtitipon. Naghanda ang grupo ng mga palaro, paligsahan sa pag-awit ng mga makabayang awitin at sayaw, at iba pang kasiyahan upang lalo pang mapaigting ang kanilang pagkakabuklod.
Ang pagtitipon na gaganapin sa Pier 9 sa Central ay bukas sa lahat ng gustong sumali at makiisa.

DH abandons claim after scolding

By Vir B. Lumicao

A former domestic helper may have won a chance to be heard by the Labour Tribunal on July 26 despite being absent in a previous hearing, but her victory was short-lived.
Leila Villaluz ended up withdrawing a claim she made against her former employer for unpaid wages after getting a mouthful from presiding officer Isabel Chu.
Villaluz was claiming wages in lieu of notice, arrears in wages, unpaid annual leave, plane ticket, ferry fare and travel allowance, as well as visa processing fee.
Asked by Chu about her absence from the hearing June 1, the helper said she had no fare money at the time.
“The reason you gave last hearing was that you forgot the date,” Chu said angrily.
The presiding officer said the struck out the helper’s claim after she did not show up. Chu said she waited until midday hoping the claimant would appear, but she did not.
She told Villaluz that the defendant, a woman surnamed Tang, took leave from her work and also waited fruitlessly until midday for her former maid to arrive.
The presiding officer said the tribunal would normally dismiss a case if the claimant was 30 minutes late for the hearing, but she was giving Villaluz another chance if she would pay costs to her employer who had come to court again.
The officer also said that if the complainant had a valid reason for being late, such as figuring in an accident, she could withdraw her case without paying the cost to the other side.
Chu also lectured the helper on heeding cost orders. “I have to let you know, you have to be very careful about the cost order. Many domestic helpers do not obey the cost order because they say they have no money. So, the other side can go to the Immigration and complain against the domestic helper about breach of cost order.”
The presiding officer then asked for the form which listed the claims, and after a cursory look, told Villaluz that she would set the case to trial if the two sides did not settle.
But she warned the trial court might reject Villaluz’s claim because records show she had signed a termination letter dated March 23, as well as the receipt for a $2,000 final payment.
After deducting the air ticket expenses, the Filipina would still have to pay the employer $660 for her absence from work to appear in court, Chu said.
The helper said she was forced by the employer to sign the documents, but could not describe how the boss got her to sign them. She added that she was also claiming the visa processing fee she had paid the agent.
The employer said she had paid the employment agency all the fees including the visa cost just to hire Villaluz, but the latter insisted she paid the fee to a certain Ms Antonio.
Again the presiding officer raised her voice, saying there was nothing in the work contract that the employer would refund the money the helper paid for the visa fee.
“This court has nothing to do with your visa fee, you may go to the police or to your Consulate to complain,” Chu told the helper.
Chu also asked why the maid waited two months after being terminated before going to the Labour Department, where she stayed in the meantime, and why nobody told her to approach Labour.
“I stayed with Pastor John (Lalaan) and got no advice to go to Labour,” Villaluz replied.
Chu said the maid must tell the pastor to appear as witness in the trial. “He will have to tell the court why he did not tell you to report to Labour right away if you told him you were forced to sign the termination letter,” Chu said.
She added that the court would investigate why the employer deducted the air ticket cost from the helper’s final payment.
The presiding officer repeated that personally she found Villaluz’s claim to be weak and she would only end up paying for the court cost and reimbursing the defendant’s costs, no matter whether she had money or not.
She then advised the helper and her companion to discuss what to do. Villaluz made a phone call to the pastor then said she was withdrawing the claim.
She refused to talk to The SUN about the case.

Pinay held as drug trafficking from Manila to HK resumes

The bag where the 700 grams of cocaine was found

A Filipina tourist was charged with drug trafficking in Tsuen Wan Court on Aug 1 for allegedly trying to bring in more than 700 grams of suspected cocaine into Hong Kong from Manila.

The arrest of Anne Ryan Cruz on July 30 at Chek Lap Kok was the first reported case of drug trafficking from Manila since the Duterte administration assumed power on July 1.

According to the brief facts read in court, Cruz was caught by customs officers at terminal 1 of the Hong Kong airport after being found with about 700 grams of cocaine in her luggage.

The drug is estimated to have a market value of $750,000.

A report in the HK Customs Department website said the arrested female who was not named, was 37 years old and had arrived from Manila where she worked as a telephone operator.

During a spot check of her luggage, officers noticed suspicious x-ray images inside her handbag. A thorough examination revealed two slabs of suspected cocaine, the first one weighing about 330 grams and the second, 390 grams, concealed in false compartments of the bag.
Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong adjourned the hearing of the case to Oct. 24 for further inquiry, and remanded Cruz in custody.

But he ordered the Filipina to return to the court on Aug 9 for a bail review.

The latest incident comes amid an intense campaign of the Philippine police against drug suppliers and users in the country that has left hundreds dead.

A Reuters report citing police records say 316 suspected drug dealers have been killed across the country during the July 1-27 period, 195 of them being vigilante killings. But human rights groups say the death toll is double the official number.

President Duterte scored a landslide win in the May national elections on an anti-drugs and anti-corruption platform. – Vir B. Lumicao

Ok si Yeye kahit hirap si Pinay

Maliit lang na babae si Marichu ngunit maliksi siyang kumilos, at mukhang malakas. Hindi naman kataka-taka dahil ang pangunahing trabaho niya ay ang mag-alaga sa isang 85-taong gulang na lalaking Intsik na mahigit doble ang sukat at bigat sa kanya.
Naka wheelchair ang alaga ni Marichu, kaya’t balewala na sa kanya ang itulak ito at ilibot sa  buong Hong Kong. Sumasakay sila madalas sa mga pampublikong sasakyan, at nagdaang dalawang taon na inaalagaan ito ni Marichu ay kabisado na niya ang lahat ng pamamaraan para makalibot sila nang walang masyadong abala.
Ayon kay Marichu, mabait ang matanda kaya kahit isama niya ito sa paglalakwatsa ay hindi ito nagrereklamo. Magkasundo  din sila dahil likas na palatawa ang matanda, at hindi mareklamo. Ganun din si Marichu, na kahit halatang hirap minsan sa pagtutulak-tulak sa matanda ay nakukuha pa ring tumawa.
Aminado naman siya na medyo nakakailang din na sila lang dalawa ang magkasama sa bahay, at siya ang nagbibihis dito pagkatapos nitong maligo. Gayunpaman, mas gusto na rin daw niya ang ganito dahil magaan ang kanyang trabaho at mabait ang kanyang amo. Baka raw malipat pa siya sa iba na hindi maganda ang pagtrato sa kanya.
Si Marichu ay hiwalay sa asawa at tubong Cebu. Apat na taon na siyang naninilbihan sa Hong Kong -- DCLM

Bawal umistambay sa bahay kung day-off

Panahon na ng tag-init kaya mas minamabuti ni Bhel ang matulog na lang nang maghapon sa kanyang kwarto imbes lumabas kapag day-off niya. Nguni’t nahalata ito ng kanyang amo kaya kinatok siya sa kanyang kwarto at kinausap nang diretsahan.
Ang sabi ng amo, “Bhel, it's your day off, you need to go out. If you don't go out, you need to pay me for using your room during your day-off."
Hindi alam ni Bhel kung ano ang isasagot sa tinuran ng kanyang amo, kaya naligo na lang siya para makaalis.
Matagal na niyang napapansin na nagbago na ang trato ng mga amo sa kanya mula nang makipag-usap ang mga ito sa mga kapwa Intsik na magulang sa paaralan ng kanyang alaga. Naisip niya na baka ayaw nilang magbayad ng long service sa kanya kaya sila nag-umpisang magbago ngayong patapos na ang kanyang pangalawang kontrata.
Dahil dito ay nag-umpisa na rin siyang humanap ng bagong amo para handa siya sakaling sabihan siya na hindi na siya ire-recontract. Sabagay sabi niya, nahihirapan na din siya sa alaga, lalo na sa oras ng pagkain. Inaabot ito ng isang oras kapag kumakain dahil puro laro ang nasa isip. Kahit gabi na at marami pa siyang kailangang tapusin sa kusina ay kailangang makipaglaro siya sa bata, dahil kung hindi siya papayag ay makakarinig siya ng hindi magandang salita buhat sa mga amo.
Magtitiis na lamang daw siya hanggang matapos ang kontrata dahil hindi na niya talaga maintindihan ang pag-uugali ng mga amo. Dati naman daw ay super bait ang mga ito, pero ngayon ay ibang-iba na sila.
Si Bhel ay may asawa’t anak at mula sa Western Visayas. Siya’y naninilbihan sa mga among Intsik na nakatira sa Tai Wai. –Marites Palma

Pinasuko kahit hindi totoong drug user o pusher

Laging usap-usapan sa Pilipinas ang dami ng bilang ng mga sumusukong “drug addict” dahil sa kampanya ng bagong upong pangulo na si Rodrigo Duterte na sugpuin ang problema sa droga sa bansa.
Kabilang si Linda sa mga nakakabasa sa social media ng tungkol sa ilang libong Pilipino na diumano’y gumagamit o nagbebenta ng pinagbabawal na gamot ang kusang sumusuko sa mga awtoridad. Natatakot daw ang mga ito na matulad sila sa mga napapatay sa iba-ibang parte ng bansa araw-araw dahil diumano sa panlalaban habang sila ay inaaresto.
Bagamat may agam-agam tungkol sa mga ganitong balita, napatotohanan mismo ni Linda na hindi lahat ng mga sumusuko ay adik o pusher, katulad ng sinasabi sa balita.
Mismong kapatid kasi niya na hindi umiinom ng alak o naninigarilyo ay napilitang “sumuko” dahil sa takot na mapag-initan ng mga pulis na gustong magpasikat sa kanilang mga pinuno. Isa lang daw ang kanyang kapatid sa daan-daang sumuko sa kanilang maliit na bayan matapos magpalabas ng babala ang mga pulis na huwag na nilang hintayin na damputin pa sila sa kanilang bahay dahil baka hindi na sila bibigyan pa ng pagkakataon na magpaliwanag.
Ang laki naman ng hinagpis ni Linda dahil naiisip niya na baka maniwala ang kanyang mga pamangkin na talagang gumagamit ng bawal na droga ang kanilang butihing ama. Si Linda na 18 taon na sa Hong Kong, ay taga-Leyte. ---Gina Nonog