What you need to know

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: Complete Name, E-mail Address, Patient Category: (Elderly and/or with Dementia), 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
For queries, call Sisca on 2147-5988.
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.

What's on where

Magtanong kay DoK: 'Bangungot'
Aug 21, 2 pm onwards, Consulate Public Area
Guest Speaker: Dr Romeo V Orteza, MD. Admission is free but registration is required as slots are limited. Call: 2823 8537

3rd Tapuey Festival 
Aug 21, pm, Ice House St. Central . For inquiry pls call Nica Tabao-Ican at mobile # 67746487.

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, Conference Room, PCG
14/F United Centre, Admiralty.Organized by: ROAD HK. 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 about the working conditions in those markets. For full details, visit the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong. Like it, and message your full name and mobile number.

Another job ‘scam’ emerges as victims seek POLO help

By Vir B. Lumicao

Five Filipina maids have sought the Consulate’s help in recovering huge sums they claim to have paid for purported jobs in Canada, in what appears to be another scam targeting Hong Kong-based overseas Filipino workers.
Three of them, who requested anonymity, went to the office of Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre on July 10 and 17 and filed affidavits to support their claims for a refund against Charisse Cruz and/or Judith Ga.
They all told de la Torre that Cruz and Ga appeared to be the same person.
Two of them disclosed a link between the Ontario-based recruiter and Joyce Agency, an employment agency in Tsuen Wan that was padlocked last year by the Labour Department for overcharging an applicant.
Claimant “A” said she paid Cruz a total of $30,000 in two remittances through WEstern Union. She said she addressed the payments to Ga, allegedly the designated recipient of all payments.
Claimant “B” paid a total of $34,434 to Cruz via Ga in tranches that carried over from a $20,000 she had originally paid Joyce Agency for a supposed Canadian job that never materialized. The payments were made between Nov 6, 2014 and April 25, 2015.
Claimant “C”, who said she was also contacted by Cruz after being referred by Joyce owner Fe Cheung, was claiming $40,000 that the Ontario-based recruiter charged her on various dates between November 2014 and May 2015.
Labatt De la Torre, who personally took the statements and prepared the affidavits of each of the claimants, said he would send a copy of the affidavits to the POLO in Ontario and ask for the post’s help in locating Cruz/Ga.
The last two of the group were set to go to the POLO on Aug 7 to execute their affidavits. One of them told The SUN she had received an initial refund of CA$1,000 from Cruz which, per instruction of the recruiter, she would have to split with the other applicant.
“Cherisse promised to make weekly partial refunds of CA$1,000, but that was just once and since then she has not responded to SMS messages,” the claimant said.
The claimants came to know Cruz separately through different connections, but one said it was Fe Cheung who referred her to Cruz after failing to refund the $20,000 paid by the job applicant for a promised employer in Canada.
The claimant said she made the payment to Cheung in November 2014, and two weeks later, was told that she already had an employer.
But despite repeated follow-ups, the promised job never materialized. In December 2014 Cheung told the applicant that Cruz would contact her about her application.
A month afterwards, Cheung sent Cruz’s telephone number and the applicant and the recruiter talked for the first time.
Cruz allegedly told the claimant that of the $20,000 she had paid Joyce, only $13,000 was remitted by Cheung and that the applicant needed to pay a total of $40,000.
That’s when the money flow to Canada started, with Cruz making excuses for the delay in obtaining a Labour Market Opinion for the claimant, and appeasing her with “konting tiis” and “be positive”.
On June 9, 2015, the news from Cruz was Canada was tightening up on job sponsorships and that she was “trying to get all applications to be approved before they close any sponsorship.”
After that, Cruz stopped replying to the claimants’ inquiries.

Migrants to rally for $5k monthly wage, ban on window cleaning

Two Pinays pictured while cleaning windows

Migrant workers are planning a big rally next month to push their demand for a $5,000 monthly pay. They also want their food allowance raised to $1,600 and to have the same number of working hours as other Hong Kong employees.

In addition, they are urging the Hong Kong government to stop employers from ordering their helpers to clean windows from the outside.
The new call follows last week’s fatal fall of a Filipino helper in Tseung Kwan O while reportedly cleaning windows.

The demands were among those submitted by migrant support organizations to Labour and Welfare Secretary Matthew Cheung when he conferred with them in his Sheung Wan office in the run-up to the government’s annual wage review,

 “We presented our $5,000 proposal and also discussed the safety of workers because of the succession of work-related deaths of domestic helpers,” Dolores Balladares, Unifil-Migrante Hong Kong chairwoman, said in an interview with The SUN on Aug 17.

But she said Labour officials who invited workers’ representatives to the meeting hinted they shouldn’t expect much because of uncertainties in the local economy. 

“We are planning to stage a big rally around the second week of September to press the government on our wage petition, but we will hold daily pickets at the Labour Department to step up the pressure before the big one,” Balladares said.

On the window cleaning ban, Balladares cited the risks faced by helpers forced to do such a task. This was graphically shown when 35-year-old Rinalyn Dulluog fell to her death on Aug 9 reportedly while cleaning the exterior of the window of her employers’ flat in Lohas Park, Tseung Kwan O.

Another incident was the one reported by The SUN in which two Filipinas in Taiwai were ordered by their boss to climb out and wipe the exterior of a window. Luckily, they were rescued by Consulate officials before they could get hurt.

“Cleaning window exteriors is a task that should not be assigned to domestic workers, because that work should be the responsibility of building management,” said Balladares.

Joining her at the meeting with Cheung were Unifil secretary-general Eman Villanueva and Mission for Migrant Workers general manager Cynthia Tellez.

The three also prodded Cheung on the inclusion of domestic workers in the legislation on the maximum working hours.

“We discussed with him the need for domestic workers to have at least 11 hours of rest, including their meal time and sleep, so that they can do their work better. For how can they perform well if, having little food, they also get very little rest?” Balladares said. – Vir B. Lumicao

DH’s death renews call for ban on window cleaning

The death plunge of Filipina domestic worker Rinalyn Dulluog on Aug 9 has ignited a debate on a gray area in Hong Kong’s labour laws regarding the protection of domestic workers from occupational risks.
Dulluog, 35, died after “falling from a height” while cleaning the window of her employers’ flat in Lohas Park, Tseung Kwan O, a police report said.
While fatal accidents resulting from such an occupational hazard appear rare, an inquiry raised during a Legislative Council session on Jan. 21 last year showed that four workers had fallen to death while cleaning windows between 2010 and 2014. Their nationalities were not given.
Comments on social media, including The SUN’s Facebook page, suggested that the Consulate could explore the possibility of pushing for legislation to exclude window cleaning from the scope of domestic work.
Others say occupational safety training should be included in the orientation seminar for newly arrived domestic workers, although they doubted whether that would be a better strategy than an outright ban.
“Cleaning windows should be banned for domestic helpers. Few cleaning contractors offer such services around Hong Kong and employers can afford hiring professional ones to perform dangerous jobs particularly at heights. The Consulate should look into this,” said a certain Dick Garcia.
Indz Bautista Bengan agreed. “Yes… But how? Cleaning of windows is part of our job, it depends on the employers if they care for their workers,” she said.
The problem is while there is nothing in the local laws that stipulates that window cleaning is part of a domestic helper’s duties, neither is there a guarantee of protection for workers who refuse to do the job.
A commenter by the name of Summer Flame is hoping the practice will be banned, saying her boss orders her to clean the windows almost everyday.
“Dito sa amin almost everyday ako naglilinis. Gusto ni Madam yung sobrang linis. At dahil di abot ng kamay ko ang likod ng salamin at yung stick di sapat para malinisan ang likod, kailangan kong ilabas ang katawan ko sa window,” she said.
She said she realized the risk just now after doing it regularly for some time on the 18th floor of her block. “Rain or shine need ko linisan ang window nila.”
Zezile Aveunalliv, joining the debate from Singapore, said: “It’s so sad to hear another kababayan died again. Dito sa Singapore mahigpit na pinagbabawal na ilabas yung katawan sa bintana. Pag may nakakita, pwedeng makasuhan ang amo. Kaya implemented dito na maglagay ng grills.”
Legislator Chan Kin-por raised the issue of window cleaning with Development Secretary Paul Chan, who replied the Occupational Safety and Health Council had issued brochures relating to domestic helpers’ safety measures during window cleaning.
“OSHC will also continue to organize regularly courses on working-at-height safety for household workers and domestic helpers, and publicity activities to enhance their safety awareness of window cleaning,” Secretary Chan said.
In its booklet on occupational safety, the Labour Department said in its “Points to Note for Employers on Safety and Health Matters” section: “You shall be aware of your FDH’s (helper’s) safety in doing housework. For example, when ‘cleaning a window, you should remind the FDH not to open or lean on the window grille or windowpane, or lean outside the window. Suitable tools should be used to facilitate the work.”
There is, however, no mention of any penalty should an employer fail to comply with the guideline. – VB Lumicao

‘Maid in a box’ to seek relief from ILO

Exclusive by Vir B. Lumicao

Cristine's 'box' is the one next to the window

A Filipina maid who claims to have been made to sleep in a “box” is set to go the International Labor Organization to file a landmark case challenging Hong Kong’s definition of what constitutes “suitable accommodation” for domestic workers.

Cristine L. Primne, 32, is taking this step after the High Court dismissed on Aug. 9 her application for leave to appeal a labor court’s dismissal of her claim for one month’s pay in lieu of notice against her former employer.

At the center of the dispute was whether she had the right to terminate her work contract because her employer, Wong Ka-chun, exposed her to undue risk by letting her sleep in a makeshift room on the terrace which she said looked like a doghouse.

Judge Wilson Chan decided to uphold the June 22 ruling by the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board (Mecab), saying no question of law was raised in the appeal.
Following the ruling, Primne authorized the Mission for Migrant Workers to plan the next move in her case as she had to fly back to Manila on Aug. 17 when her extended visa had run out.

Her decision to go to the ILO could set a standard for what is “suitable accommodation” for Hong Kong’s 350,000 foreign helpers, as the government stands pat on its policy against domestic workers living outside their employers’ homes.

It would also be the first time a dispute in Hong Kong over helper accommodation would be elevated to the ILO, the United Nations body that seeks to protect the rights of workers around the world.

Primne told The SUN on Aug 16 that she terminated her contract on May 3, just eight months after being hired by Wong because she felt bad about being treated like a dog.

The room she was made to sleep in was a rectangular wooden box measuring about 3”x4”x6” which had a tiny window and a door that she could enter only by crouching. But it was equipped with lighting, an air-conditioner, electric fan, mattress and cabinet.

“I could not stand inside it, I could only kneel or squat and I had only enough space to lie down. It had no ventilation so I sweated a lot and that made the flooring and the sidings moist,” she said.

If she turned on the air conditioner, the small box got too cold very quickly. And when it rained, the interior got wet if she opened the door or window even for just a bit.

The helper said she had to use a potty for her toilet needs because she was afraid to enter the house at night because of the falling objects that landed on the terrace.

Cristine consults with Mission's Edwina Antonio

Primne sought the help of the Mission, which sent a letter on Apr 13 to the Immigration Department to complain on her behalf about her living condition. After two weeks she received a reply which advised her to call the police.

She did so on May 2 and after the police visit the employer offered her three options: to share a room with the two children, sleep on the sofa, or sleep on a folding bed in the living room.

But Primne decided to leave the next day, telling her employer she was opting for constructive termination. That would have meant her employer paying her a month’s pay in lieu of notice, instead of the other way around.

Mission director Edwina Antonio said constructive termination was in order since the maid was made to sleep in a box that was no better than a doghouse, and was left in a place that exposed her to the elements and to danger from falling objects.

She said this was inhuman and violated the provision for suitable accommodation stated in the work contract.

But, “Mecab said the room was reasonable because it had privacy and was equipped with some of the amenities listed in the contract, and the High Court agreed,” lamented Antonio.

In his ruling, Judge Chan said no error of law was committed by Mecab in deciding that the employer was not liable to pay a month’s wage in lieu of notice as he was not guilty of any conduct which constituted constructive dismissal.

He said, “Provided the Board has not erred in applying the relevant legal principles, nor acted against the weight of the totality of the evidence, the conclusion it reached cannot amount to a question of law.” -

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.