Mga pasyalan sa K-Town

Ni Gina N. Ordona

Dati nang matunog ang Kennedy Town sa mga Pinoy sa Hong Kong dahil nandito ang Bayanihan Center, na madalas na puntahan lalo na sa araw ng Linggo dahil sa iba-ibang pagtitipon ng mga organisasyon. Dito rin isinasagawa tuwing ikatatlong taon ang overseas voting ng mga Pilipino.
Ngunit ngayon, marami nang dahilan para magsadya sa Kennedy Town. Simula kasi nang magkaroon ng MTR dito, halos dalawang taon na ang nakalipas, ay marami na ang nagbago sa dating tahimik na distrito. Isang patunay na kaakibat ng tiyak na pag-unlad ang pagkakaroon ng maayos na transportasyon.
Kasabay nito ay maraming kabataan, mga bagong pamilya o dayuhan ang nahikayat na manirahan dito. Maging ang pangalan ng lugar ay naging makabago dahil at unti-unti na itong nakikilala bilang K-Town.
Sa loob ng maiksing panahon ay parang mga kabute na umusbong ang maraming kainan sa buong paligid ng K-Town. Kahit saang kanto ay nakahilera ang mga restawran na nag-aalok ng iba-ibang klase ng pagkain. Sa dami ng mapagpipilian ay siguradong makaakahanap ng akma sa panlasa.
Ngunit bago pa man tuluyang sakupin ng pagbabago ang K-Town, magandang dalawin ang ilan sa mga lugar na naging tahimik na saksi sa pag-unlad nito sa pag-usad ng panahon.
Bagamat maraming restawran ang naglipana, huwag palalampasin ang pagkakataon na makipagsabayan sa mga lokal na residenteng kumakain ng dim sum sa Sun Hing restaurant na nasa Smithfield road sa pagitan ng Catchick at Belcher road. Ang Sun Hing ay isa sa mga makalumang dim sum restaurant na natitira dito sa Hong Kong.
Maliit at masikip ang loob ang nabanggit na restawan kaya asahan na makipagsiksikan sa ibang parokyano habang kumakain. Walang Ingles na nakasulat sa karatula bilang pagkakilanlan ng restawran pero madali itong matagpuan dahil maraming parokyano ang matiyagang pumipila sa labas habang naghihintay na makapasok. Bukas ito mula alas-3 ng madaling araw hanggang alas-4 ng hapon.
Panay dim sum ang pagkain dito at ang mga tagasilbi ay hindi nakakaintindi ng Ingles pero huwag mag-alala dahil maari namang ituro lang kung ano ang magugustuhan. Maari ding kumuha ng order sa mga umiikot na tagasilbi na may dalang tray. Pero kung hindi pa rin sigurado sa gusto, tumingin lang sa mga kalapit mesa at baka maaring gayahin na lang ang kanilang order. Huwag kalilimutan na mag-order ng egg custard bun o lai wong bao dahil marami ang nagsasabi na dito daw matitikman ang “pinaka-best” sa Hong Kong.
Sa mga mahilig inaabot ng madaling araw sa pagliliwaliw, maaring puntahan ang maliit na fast good sa Belcher’s Street na ang pangalan ay Hor Hor Deem. Marami ang kumakain dito ng bandang hatinggabi o madaling araw. Sa parehong kalsada ay makikita naman ang Juk Gwun Ho, kung saan ang paboritong order ng marami ay ang kanilang umuusok na lugaw, na tinernuhan ng sariwang isda o karne.
Dito sa K-Town ay makikita ang maraming kainan na kayang-kaya ng bulsa, bagamat marami na rin ang naggandahan na restaurant na may karampatang presyo ang halaga ng mga sinisilbing pagkain.
Sa pagpapatuloy ng pamamasyal, maglakad lang ng ilang kanto mula sa Sun Hing at mararating na ang tabing-dagat. Aliwin ang sarili sa panonood sa mga nakahilerang namimingwit  o sa mga lantsa na dumadaan, kung hindi man ay baybayin ang tabing dagat at mamangha sa magandang tanawin.
Dito ay maraming mga kainan na European ang pagkaing sinisilbi, magmula sa French, Italian o Spanish. Karamihan ito ay nasa mga kalsada malapit sa tabing-dagat, katulad ng Davis at Catchick streets.
Pero kung talagang kaakit-akit na tanawin ang nais makita, bitbitin ang kamera o selfie stick at sadyain ang nakatagong hiyas sa K-Town, ang Sai Wan swimming shed.
Maaring sumakay ng bus no. 1 at bumaba sa Jockey Club Hostel bus stop pero para sa dagdag ehersisyo, ihanda ang sarili sa mahabang lakaran. Tahakin ang Victoria Road papunta sa direksyon ng Bayanihan at lampasan pa ito hanggang marating ang nabanggit na bus stop. Sundan ang hagdan pababa sa tabing dagat hanggang marating ang destinasyon.
Tunay na nakatagong ganda ang tanawin dito. May kahoy na tulay na nagsisilbing daungan ng mga malalakas ang loob na lumangoy o maligo sa sulfur channel. Meron ding kubol dito na gawa sa yero at napipinturahan ng berde. Sa loob nito ay may nakatalagang bihisan ng mga lalaki at babae. Meron din itong nakatalagang lugar para pag-iwanan ng mga personal na gamit ng mga naliligo.
Ang Sai Wan swimming shed ay ang siyang tanging natira sa mga swimming shed na ginawa daw noong 1950’s.  Wala pa raw swimming pool ng mga panahong iyon kaya nagpagawa ng mga swimming shed ang gobyerno sa ibat-ibang distrito ng Hong Kong.
Ngayon, may mangilan-ilan pa ring residente na lumalangoy lalo na sa umaga, at mga dumarayong litratista lalo na sa dapit hapon, para makunan ang paglubog ng araw at ang paghampas ng malakas na alon sa maalalaking bato.
Marami din ang sadyang pumupunta lang sa lugar para kumuha ng litrato o mag-selfie habang nakatayo sa tulay. Kung sakaling pumunta sa dapithapon ay maaring maghintay ng matagal sa pila bago makatayo sa tulay.
Walang tindahan na malapit dito kaya huwag kaliligtaan na magdala ng inumin na kakailanganin matapos akyatin ang matarik na hagdan pabalik sa sakayan ng bus.

Rude boss’ antics spice up theft trial against Filipina

By Vir B. Lumicao

A criminal trial on Aug 18 at Shatin Court turned comical and at times disgusting when a Hong Kong woman displayed raw power and arrogance as she gave evidence in a theft case. In the end, she got her former Filipina maid convicted and jailed for six months.
Rovelyn Pelongo, 34, stood dazed when Magistrate Lam Tsz-kan meted out the sentence after accepting the evidence given by the three prosecution witnesses – her former employer Tong Mei-wah and sisters Gemma Cabarlog and Michelle Bolledo.
Pelongo, from Davao province who came to Hong Kong in 2009 to work as a domestic helper, was arrested by Shatin police on Feb 10 after Tong, a factory owner on the mainland, reported that her former maid had stolen several items from her family.
The prosecution presented an old model Nokia cellphone and five assorted Armani and Burberry clothes that Pelongo, a self-confessed lesbian, allegedly stole while she was in Tong’s employ from July 2011 to September 2015.
Tong, a stocky woman in her 40s, amused everyone as she testified for the prosecution at the start of the one-day trial. The exhibits increased when she claimed five more pieces of garments that the defense presented during the cross-examination of Pelongo.
 “That’s mine! That’s mine, I’ve been looking for it for a long time,” Tong boomed whenever the defense lawyer pulled out a piece of garment from two black plastic bags.
When the lawyer brought out a plastic bag with a rolled black and bright green vest, she again shouted: “Yes, that’s mine. Oh, she has stolen so many things from me.”
But it’s not Armani or Burberry, said the lawyer.
“This is B---, a trashy brand, but I love the color green,” she said.
Everyone in court smiled, shook their heads, or held back their laughter when the magistrate asked after checking a jacket why it was small and Tong retorted, “I am skinny.”
For several times the complainant, behaving more like a boss than a witness, raised her voice at the defense lawyer and called her a liar during her cross-examination.
She disliked being pestered with questions about gifting the clothes to Pelongo, her alleged poor memory of events, and her requiring the maid to clean her mother’s house in Tsuen Wan, her husband’s office in Fotan, and other illegal work.
Tong said she hired Pelongo as domestic worker but could not remember when, and that the Filipina left her household after her contract expired.
When the lawyer suggested to Tong that Pelongo refused to renew her contract because she was not paid the right salary and was overworked, the employer shot back: “I don’t mind, I can hire a hundred Filipino domestic workers.”
The case started when Cabarlog reportedly made a phone call to Tong on January 25 and reported that her former helper, Pelongo, had spirited many items out of her flat in Symphony Bay, Ma On Shan, and given them away to friends.
Tong said she arranged a meeting with “Gemma” (Cabarlog) in Taipo – because she did not know the caller – to see the stolen goods. When she found out that the goods were hers, she called the police.
After that Tong said she learned from her grown-up son that he was missing some money, which the mother put at $2,000. The Nokia phone that Pelongo allegedly stole also had $1,000 stored in its SIM card.
Pelongo, the last to take the witness stand, refuted the accusations, saying Cabarlog and Bolledo made up the story and conspired with Tong to seek revenge after she broke off with her girlfriend Bolledo. He alleged the sisters used her as guarantor for a loan from a lending company which she ended up paying. The two also allegedly made Pelongo pay for the rent for their boarding house.
Lam, however, dismissed Pelongo’s evidence as “incredible” and ordered her jailed for six months.

Judge calls out unequal treatment in illegal jobs case

A High Court judge has taken a jab at the prosecution in a case of illegal work against a Filipina domestic worker, when he asked why her employer was out on bail while she remained in detention.
At a hearing at the Court of First Instance on Aug. 25, Justice Michael Stuart-Moore asked why in Hong Kong law “you’ve got the employer on bail and the employee in custody.”
He then allowed Adora Regodon to post bail after accepting an offer by a merchant-friend of the employer to put up surety of $10,000 for the helper.
“Today I will decide. I’m going to give you bail today when the $10,000 surety is paid in court. He’s very kind to put up surety for you,” Stuart-Moore told the Filipina.
The court heard that Regodon arrived in Hong Kong on Aug 8 to take up employment as domestic helper of a certain Rani Ramchandran, who operates a hotel on Nathan Road.
Regodon was caught several days later by immigration officers while allegedly working in the hotel. She and her employer were arrested.
The prosecutor said she feared Regodon would go back to work for the employer if she was given bail. A friend of the maid had previously offered to take her in but the friend’s husband reportedly objected.
The judge told Regodon to reside in the address given by the merchant who posted bail for her and attend the hearing set for Sept. 6. – Vir B. Lumicao

Sign-up for civil service exam in HK now on!

By Daisy CL Mandap

This is how the questionnaire should look

If you are a Filipino at least 18 years of age and of good moral character, you may take the ‘pen-and-paper’ Philippine Civil Service examination which will be held in Hong Kong for the first time on Nov. 27.

Unlike in the past, you don’t have to be a college graduate or college-level student to take either of the professional or sub-professional examination.

“Career service professional and sub-professional examination are open to applicants, regardless of educational attainment,” said a letter sent yesterday, Sept. 8, to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre by the Civil Service Commission.

The letter confirmed the date of the examination, and also said that the sign-up campaign for the examination should already be underway under Polo’s directions, and should last until Oct. 28.

Two weeks after signing up, potential examinees may file their applications, again through Polo, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 11.

Each applicant needs to pay an examination fee of US $44 (about HK350) and submit a copy of his or her Philippine passport.

In addition to the qualifications as to nationality, age and moral probity, the applicant should not have taken the same level of CSE within the last three months before the date of examination.

No fixed number has been set for either category of the examination, and no venue has been set yet, Labatt de la Torre told The SUN.

Sample application form

He also said the CSC might be the one to assign the applicants to the particular examination that they should take.

According to information available online, an applicant must obtain an average score of at least 80% to pass the CSC exam, whether professional or sub-professional, in either the paper and pencil or computer-assisted mode.

For this year, the scope of the examination is said to cover English and Filipino proficiency, including vocabulary, grammar, correct word usage, paragraph organization, and reading comprehension.

Examinees will also be the tested on numerical reasoning, clerical operations, and knowledge of Philippine laws, including the Philippine Constitution, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R. A. 6713), peace and human rights issues and concepts, and environment management and protection.

In addition, those taking the professional level will be tested on their reasoning powers, including analogy and logic.

Those who have passed the Bar, or any Board examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission need not take the exam, as they are automatically granted civil service eligibility.
Labatt de la Torre is now looking for volunteers who could help conduct a review for those taking the CSE. He has already formed another group to assist those who want to sign up for the exam.

For more details on the Civil Service examination in HK, check out the FB page Civil Service Exam or POLO SAR HK for further announcements.

Sluggers seek spark from sick buddy who left

Myla Someros (left) is accompanied home by best friend, team founder and president Cecil Calsas.

On Sunday, Sept 18, women’s team Philippine Sluggers will return to the pitch savoring the glory of playing again in A bracket of Hong Kong’s annual baseball league season.
But the team will certainly be missing one buddy, Myla Someros, a founding member who went home for good on April 13, ending 14 years of working in the SAR and eight years of playing for the side.
The 47-year-old Someros, a single mother to an 11-year-old daughter, left Hong Kong quietly that Wednesday night escorted by her best friend, team founder and president Cecil Calsas, who turned over the ailing OFW to her family in San Enrique, Iloilo.
“I miss her because I consider her my family. Nakakalungkot na umuwi siya dahil sa karamdaman,” Calsas told The SUN in an online interview, reminiscing the night they flew home. They were seen off by Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero for their early morning flight to Iloilo City.
Calsas recalled how Someros was almost barred from boarding the plane by health screeners at HKIA because she was running a fever, but the Sluggers leader said she was able to talk their way through. Then they went through the hurdle at NAIA and passed.
Back home, there’s a more serious hurdle that Someros must surmount: the reality of being penniless, as she has not received any financial help from the government.
“Nakakalungkot kapag naiisip ko po siya. Walang pinansiyal na tulong ang OWWA sa pagkakaalam ko. Parang pormalidad lang ang OWWA, dapat alisin na lang at i-refund ang contribution ng mga tao,” Calsas said.
A staff from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office was at Iloilo Airport to assist Someros through the airport processes upon her arrival with Calsas.
Sadly, OWWA is an insurance system that grants financial aid to members who suffer permanent disability or dismemberment in work-related accidents or die of natural and accidental causes, but gives no cash benefits to seriously sick members.
A ray of hope is offered by a memorandum of agreement between OWWA and PhilHealth that offers a new medical aid to OFW members who are diagnosed with ailments that require hospitalization and long-term care will be eligible for.
MEDplus, which will be implemented starting this September, will match the benefit that PhilHealth grants to its members under its case rate system up to a maximum of P50,000.
A check with OWWA Hong Kong showed that as Someros, as an affiliate member until Nov 2016, will be eligible for the new medical aid, Welfare Officer Lorna Obedoza told The SUN in a telephone inquiry. She said Someros was suffering from pneumonia.
Calsas said the former player was too weak to walk about in the Hong Kong International Airport terminal and had to use a wheelchair. She did so, too, when she changed plane in Manila and when she disembarked in Iloilo.
Her illness had stopped Someros from playing baseball for some time, Calsas said. Instead, it was she who followed up the team’s document processing and went to meetings of the HKBA to represent the Sluggers.
Someros belonged to a team of intrepid and talented domestic helpers who have opted to go to the diamond on Sundays to run, swing bats, catch balls, and dive on the pitch in practice or real play.
In the early days of Sluggers, she was a mainstay of the team along with Calsas and other original players who have since left Hong Kong for greener pastures or to settle down.
“She was with me since I founded the team in 2008. Naging kaagapay ko na siya,” said Calsas. She said Someros was not a key player on the field but helped manage and train the players into a cutting-edge team.
With Calsas and Someros’ patience in managing and honing up the team, Sluggers became Bracket B champions in the 2015-2016 season, up from being first runner-up in the previous season.
Calsas looks to tough games ahead but is confident of a successful campaign now that Sluggers has got David Wong for its coach and three “imported” players – a Briton and two Chinese – to boost the team.
Their triumph last season has moved Sluggers to Bracket A of the league, along with the other all-Filipino team, Buffalo, which it beat for the championship. There they will be pitched against the leading teams of Hong Kong that compete in the World Cup.
When the new season opens on Sept 18, Sluggers will clash again with Buffalo and face four of the strongest local teams later. Calsas said they miss Someros and memories of her will certainly inspire the team.

The Happy Chef

Marites Palma

Like most overseas Filipino workers, Marites Palma has had her share of problems in the 13 years that she has worked abroad. However, she rarely lets this affect her work.
Little wonder that on Sundays when she gets off work, she manages to squeeze in a lot of activities. Apart from covering community events for The SUN where she has been a regular contributor for years, she also attends meetings and other activities organized by various organizations where she is an officer or an active member.
These include Isabela Federation where she is the vice president for external affairs, Roxas Group of Migrants where she is an adviser, Federation of Luzon Active Groups where she is general secretary, Lakbay Dangal where she is PRO, and Card OFW where she is a trainor.
When her busy Sunday schedule allows it, she also goes with friends to unusual destinations, like the majestic waterfalls hidden deep inside Lantau island.
A graduate of B.S. Agriculture, Marites first worked as a child care worker at the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Philippines before deciding to move abroad. Her first stop was Singapore where she worked at a kindergarten school, then to Macau, this time as a domestic worker. She moved to Hong Kong after two years.
Her positive outlook has allowed Marites to get along very well with most of her employers. She is one of the rare lucky ones who get to travel with their employers, and is allowed to take time off to go around on her own. Sometimes, they would even let her bring her only daughter to Hong Kong, or pay for the two of them to go on a trip together.
Marites brings her happy disposition to the kitchen, where she does a lot of cooking and baking.
As an OFW, she first learned to cook Chinese food, but when she moved to a Western family she was sent to the Towngas Cooking Centre to expand her repertoire. Later, she added Thai dishes to this list when her employer enrolled her in a cooking school while on a visit to their vacation house in Phuket.
Here she shares two of her favorite concoctions: rendang, a tricky dish to cook, which was taught to her by her kindly popo; and banana cake with fondant icing, which is what she made to mark the recent birthday of her young ward. - DCLM

Chicken (or beef) Rendang

Ingredients:
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
3 pcs star anise
1 lemon grass - white part, pounded and cut into strips
3 cardamon pods
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup water
5 kaffir lime leaves
5 tbsp. grated coconut, toasted
1 tbsp. sugar
salt or fish sauce to taste

Spice paste:
6 shallots
1-inch piece galangal
3 stalks lemon grass-white part only
4 cloves of garlic
10 dried chilies-seeded

Method:
1. Put all the ingredients of the spice paste in a food processor, blend well.
2. Heat the oil in a skillet, add spice paste, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and cardamon pods and stir fry until aromatic
3. Add the chicken, then the lemon grass. Stir to combine well with the spices.
4. Add the coconut milk, water and simmer on medium heat, stirring frequently until the chicken or beef is almost cooked.
5. Put the kaffir lime leaves and the toasted coconut, then stir to blend well with the chicken/beef.
6. Lower the heat to low, cover then slowly simmer for 3 minutes or until the meat is tender, liquid has dried up, add more sugar and salt to taste.

Banana  Cake with Fondant Icing

Ingredients for the Banana Cake:
8 oz.-self-raising flour
6 oz. sugar
2 big, well ripened bananas
2 large eggs
4 oz. butter or margarine
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Cooking Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180 degree centigrade.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar.
3. In another bowl, mash the bananas. Add eggs, butter (or margarine) and vanilla. Mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until the mixture becomes moist.
4. Fill each greased loaf tin about 3/4 full.
5. Bake for about 40-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
6. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from pan to wire rack to cool completely.

Ingredients for the fondant icing:
150 gms liquid glucose
50 gms of glycerine
2 tbsp. gelatin
25 gram shortening
60 ml warm water
1 kg icing sugar, sifter

Cooking method: 
1. In a microwavable bowl, mix water and gelatin, then set aside till the gelatin softens.
2. Put into the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and check if the gelatin is completely dissolved, then pour in the icing sugar.
3. Use electric mixer to mix well.
4. Take the mixture out of bowl and knead until it turns into a small ball.
5. Then using a rolling pin, roll the fondant until it is quite thin (make sure your bench top is greased with flour).
6. Roll the fondant very loosely around your rolling pin, then flip onto the cooled cake. Flatten out any lumps and bumps.
7. Go wild with your crazy cake decorations. (You can add  food coloring for the desired color of the decorations)

Maid admits theft, says she just wants to go home

Next month, Helen Pelarios would have finished her first two-year contract as a domestic helper in Hong Kong.

On Aug. 16, however, her employer accused Pelarios of stealing her jade bracelet and called the police. The officers arrested the Filipina and  charged her with theft at Tsuen Wan Court. 

Pelarios, who came to Hong Kong in October 2014, pleaded guilty to the charge on Sept 5 and was sentenced by Magistrate Wong Ching-yu to a 14-day jail term, suspended for a year.

Despite pleading guilty, Pelarios told staff at the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section that her employer’s charge was a lie.                        "Inamin ko lang po dahil sa aking kalituhan at para makauwi na ako,” she said.

ATN officers were helping her on Sept 6 to purchase a ticket for her flight home.

With her jail sentence suspended, Pelarios did not have to be imprisoned. But she decided to wait a few more days before going home so she could get her unpaid salary from her employer. - VBL

Labatt cracks whip on online selling targeting OFWs

LabAtt Jolly de la Torre

By Vir B. Lumicao

Labor Attaché Jalilo de la Torre has warned OFWs in the territory to ignore open invitations on social media such as Facebook to sell products via online networking as it is illegal for a foreign domestic helper to do so in Hong Kong.

De la Torre also warned the person who posted the invitation cum product video that he would report her to the relevant government agencies in Manila such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Office and the Department of Trade.

De la Torre was reacting to a hyperlinked Facebook post introducing Nlighten Skin Care and Nhance Health Care by Rodalyn & Grace to netizens that might have found its way into the labor official’s account through sharing by his online friends.  The post came with three videos promoting the cosmetic products and services.                                                                    “OFWs in Hong Kong. Beware of this irresponsible seller. Please be reminded that engaging in any other gainful employment other than for your employer on your visa is illegal in Hong Kong as a breach of condition of stay,” the labor attaché commented on Sept 1 on his widely followed personal Facebook page.

“May I warn this seller on this video that if he continues to do this, I will have to report him to both POEA and the DTI,” De la Torre said.

In a follow-up comment on Sept 1, De la Torre called the attention of POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac to the intrusive post.

“Dear Admin, sorry this is the only way to link this video to you. May we ask you to refer this issue to the DTI for any possible violation of trade regulations. This encourages OFWs to engage in illegal work which is a breach of condition of their stay in Hong Kong,” the labor attache said.

The post invites readers to become entrepreneurs by viewing the videos, which entice viewers to sign up with the promoter as seller of various cosmetic and health products through networking with as little capitalization as P500.

The promotion was posted on Aug. 26 on De la Torre’s FB wall. As of Sept. 2, the unwanted post already had nearly 4,000 viewers on De la Torre’s page, but had been blocked since.

As with similar other consumer product networking campaign, whether legitimate or scams, the promotion plays on the common dream of OFWs to work and earn big money at home without having to leave their loved ones.

“Ikaw ba ay Pinoy in Hong Kong. Panoorin mo to baka makatulong sayo at sa pamilya mo dito sa Pinas na magkasama sama na kayo while having a good income at the comfort of your familya. Pakingan at intindihing mabuti then pm mo ko para personal kitang matulungan. You have the freedom to choose, to be pessimistic or to be optimistic,” the message read.

It directed the readers to click a link, contact “Rodalyn N Grace”, or add the source by clicking another link.

Last year, two Filipinas were arrested by Immigration officers and charged with selling unsafe products and immigration offenses for selling skin-whitening facial cream on Facebook.

They avoided going to jail by agreeing to pay a fine of $3,000 in a plea bargain proposed by the prosecutor. The court ordered one of them to pay the $970 cost of the product laboratory tests. All charges against the two were dropped as part of the plea bargain.

Paano humarap sa blackmail

Halos tumalon si Magdalena sa bintana sa kahihiyan nang makitang lumabas sa Facebook ang kanyang mga seksing larawan na ini-upload ng kanyang ka-chat ng ilang taon at naging boyfriend niya paglaon. Nakipagkalas sa lalaki si Nancy, na may-asawa na, matapos mapag-alaman sa mismong mga kamag-anak nito na nakilala niya sa Facebook na hindi totoong balo ito dahil buhay na buhay pa ang asawa nito at nagsasama pa sila. Napaniwala si Magdalena noon na ang lalaki ay balo dahil mismong anak nitong lalaki ang nakisabwatan para maloko siya. Noong umayaw si Magdalena ay inumpisahan na siyang i-blackmail ng lalaki. Kapag hindi raw siya magbigay ng pera ay ipo-post daw nito sa Facebook mga larawan niyang seksi. Sa takot ay nagpadala nga siya ng perang hinihingi ng lalaki, ngunit nang lumaon ay umalma na siya dahil palaki nang palaki na ang hinihingi nito, at lagi pa siyang tinatakot na isusumbong siya sa kanyang asawa. Nang mapuno ay napag-isipan ni Magdalena na ipagtapat na lang sa kanyang asawa ang pagkakamaling nagawa niya. Noong una ay nagalit ang kanyang asawa, ngunit sa bandang huli ay nanaig pa rin ang pagmamahal nito kay Magdalena, at pinatawad siya. Dahil dito ay nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob si Magdalena na humingi ng tulong sa mga awtoridad laban sa lalaking minsan ay naging mabait, maalaahanin at mapagmahal sa kanya, na ngayon ay mistulang demonyo na. Batay sa kasunduan nila ng mga awtoridad ay nagpanggap si Magdalena na gusto pa rin niya ang lalaki, at niyaya niya itong makipagkita sa kanya sa airport pagdating niya. Lingid sa kaalaman ng lalaki ay mga mga pulis nang naghihintay para arestuhin siya. Nagpanggap si Magdalena na nagugutom kaya dumaan muna sila sa isang kainan. Doon ay pinag-order niya ng pagkain ang lalaki, at pinaiwan ang cellphone nito. Pagtayo nito ay agad na tinanggal ni Magdalena ang memory card ng telepono nito kung saan alam niyang naka-store ang mga pangit niyang litrato. Pagbalik ng lalaki ay nandoon na ang mga pulis na huhuli sa kanya. Sa takot ng lalaki ay nagmakaawa itong hindi na manggugulo at magbabago na. Bandang huli ay naawa naman si Magdalena at ang asawa niya, lalo’t naisip nilang may pamilya din ang lalaki. Saka na lang nila nalaman na sadyang gawain pala ng lalaking ito ang manloko sa mga babae para kumita ng malaking pera nang hindi nagbabanat ng buto. Matapos ito ay bumalik sa Hong Kong si Magdalena na masaya dahil hindi siya sumuko sa malaking pagsubok na kinaharap niya. Ang mas maganda pa ay lagi nang nakiki-chat sa kanya ang kanyang asawa at nagme-message, na hindi nito dating ginagawa. Marahil ay sa takot na mabaling na naman ang pagtingin ni Magdalena sa ibang lalaki na magpapahalaga sa kanya. Ang payo naman ni Magdalena sa mga kapwa OFW na may-asawa, huwag na huwag makikipagchat sa ibang lalaki para hindi masuong sa problema. Kausapin na lamang daw ang kabiyak na mag-online ito lagi para makapag-usap sila tuwing nalulungkot ang isa’t isa dahil sa kanilang pagkakawalay. Si Magdalena ay naninilbihan sa mga Western na amo sa Saikung.  – Marites Palma

Lugi pa sa pang-gasolina

Santambak na mga karton at papel ang naipon ni Perla dahil sa paglipat nila ng bahay. Imbes na itapon sa basurahan ay pinagtiyagaan niya itong ayusin para ibenta. Pumayag naman ang kanyang amo sa plano at pati ito ay nangalap din ng mga lumang libro at papeles para idagdag sa tambak. Nang makaipon ay ipinagamit pa ng amo ang kanilang sasakyan para dalhin ang mga papel sa bentahan. Kandahirap siyang isakay at ibaba ang mga tinuping karton dahil sa dami at bigat. Umabot sa halos 100 kilo ang bigat ng kanilang dala ngunit nang matanggap ang bayad ay hindi man lang ito sumapat para mapawi ang kanyang pagod. Kung tutuusin kasi ay mas malaki pa ang nagamit nilang gasolina kaysa pinagbentahan nila. Pag-uwi sa bahay ay kantiyaw ang inabot niya sa kanyang amo. Bilang pampalubag loob ay sinabi na lang ni Perla na kahit paano ay na-recycle ang kanilang santambak na basura.—Gina N. Ordona

Naghabol ng mura papuntang Canada, na-scam tuloy

Hindi alam ni Nancy ang kanyang gagawin dahil naglaho ang taong binayaran niya ng $15,000 sa pag-asang mabibigyan siya ng trabaho sa Canada. Hindi lang ang malaking pera na ibinayad niya ang problema, kundi ang mga haka-hakang ipinakalat ng ilang kamag-anak na ibinulsa lang niya ang pera. Ayon kay Nancy, ang pera ay nanggaling sa kanyang tiya na nagpalaki at nagpaaral sa kanya. Nang swertihin itong makarating sa Canada ay hindi nito tinigilan si Nancy na sumunod na sa kanya. Walang kaso daw ang ibabayad niya sa placement agency sa Hong Kong, basta makarating lang siya doon para magkasama sila. Sa kagustuhang makatipid ay nagdesisyon si Nancy na iyong nabalitaan niyang nagpapaalis pa-Canada sa halagang $15,000 lamang ang lapitan niya. Alam niya kasi na iyong ibang ahensya ay umaabot ng lampas $45,000 ang singil. Hindi naman niya akalain na wala naman palang trabahong naghihintay sa kanya doon, at bigla na lang maglalaho ang may-ari nito, habang tinutugis ng daan-daan na aplikanteng katulad niya. Hiya at takot ang nanaig sa kanya kaya hindi niya agad ipinaalam sa kanyang tiya ang kinahitnan ng kanyang aplikasyon. Dahil dito ay napaniwala din ang kanyang tiya na niloko lang niya ito. Sabi naman ni Nancy, kung ibinulsa niya ang pera, bakit hanggang ngayon ay giray-giray pa rin ang bahay nila sa Iloilo? Pinagsabihan na lang siya ng isang kinunsulta niya sa kanyang problema na umamin na sa kanyang tiya nang matapos na ang gulo. Tutal naman, nagsampa na siya ng kaso laban sa may-ari ng agency, at umaasa siyang maibalik pa rin ang perang ibinigay sa kanya ng kanyang tiya. Sabi ng kausap niya, walang katumbas ang pagsasabi ng tapat. - DCLM

Covers Sept. 1-15

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Kung sadyang kailangan, hindi masamang humingi ng payo sa malalapit na kaibigan. Maayos at tuloy-tuloy ang pag-angat sa trabaho pero kailangang mag-ingat para hindi masingitan. Maaring magkaroon ng iringan sa malapit na kamag-anak dahil sa pera. Turuan ang sarili na muling magtiwala ngunit dapat laging paghandaan ang mga hindi inaasahang problema.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Sunod-sunod ang paghingi ng tulong ng mga kaibigan at kamag-anak pero siguraduhin na may maitabi para sa sarili. Maaring makasalamuha sa mga pagtitipon ang taong mapupusuan kaya maging bukas ang isip para sa mga pambihirang pagkakataon. Ingatan ang kalusugan at huwag isubsob ang sarili sa trabaho. Maglaan ng sapat sa oras para sa pahinga at pagtulog.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Malakas ang puwersang nag-uudyok para makamit ang pangarap sa buhay. Iwasang bumili o gumastos para sa mga walang kabuluhang bagay dahil may darating na malaking problema sa pera. Sa kabila ng naararanasang problema sa pag-ibig, huwag mag-alala dahil maaayos din ang lahat ayon sa iyong kagustuhan.  Tuloy-tuloy ang mararanasang pag-asenso pero kasabay nito ang pagdami ng maiinggit sa iyo. Huwag silang pansinin.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Sa lahat ng panahon ay maaasahan ang katapatan ng mga kaibigan. Pag-aralan nang husto ang problema bago sumabak sa importanteng desisyon para hindi magsisi sa bandang huli. Mararating ang tuktok ng tagumpay at maaring makamit ang inaasam na promotion sa trabaho. Kasabay naman nito ang problema sa relasyon ng mag-asawa. Mahing mahinahon. Magtipid ng husto.
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 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Maraming tao ang kontra sa iyong mga plano pero hindi ito hadlang para ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan. Sa pamamagitan ng sipag at tibay ng loob, makakamit ang tagumpay at tatanggap ng maraming papuri. May darating na tulong mula sa kaibigan at kamag-anak sa oras ng pangangailangan. Pairalin ang tiwala sa bawat isa kahit nasa malayo ang minamahal para tiyak na laging matatag ang relasyon.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Malaking pagbabago ang maaring mangyari dala ng magandang takbo ng negosyo. Ang mag-asawa ay kailangang maglaan ng panahon sa isat-isa para mapag-usapan maigi ang mga plano sa buhay at nang sa sayon ay maging malinaw ang patutunguhan ng relasyon. Kung kailangang gumawa ng agarang desisyon, pag-aralan muna itong mabuti upang hindi mapahamak. Matinding pananakit ng ulo ang mararanasan kaya iwasan ang mataong lugar o magulong paligid.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Lalo pang lalawak ang saklaw ng koneksyon kaya asahan na marami ang mabubuksang pagkakataon. Dadami din ang bilang ng iyong mga kaibigan at kakilala. Huwag ibuhos ng buong-buo ang puso sa ginagawa upang mas madali ang kumalas kung kinakailangan. Kakainin ng konsensya ang isipan pero malaking tulong kung pakikinggan ang tibok ng puso. May matinding tensyon sa pagitan ng magkaibigan.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Maaring manumbalik ang romantikong nararamdaman dahil sa alaala ng nakaraan. Huwag sariwain ang naudlot na pag-ibig para hindi na muling masawi. May nagbabadyang kaguluhan sa pagitan ng mga kasamahan sa trabaho. Malaking pera ang kailangan kaya magtipid ng husto para mapilitang mangutang.  Magbigay ng bukal sa loob at huwag umasa na may matatanggap na kapalit.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Angkop ang panahon para gumawa ng desisyon base sa intuwisyon at sentido kumon. Panatilihing masaya ang disposisyon sa kabila ng mga problemang nararanasan. Sa mga mag-asawa, punan ng pang-unawa ang nakikitang pagkukulang ng bawat isa. Asikasuhing mabuti ang pangangailangan ng mga anak.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Apektado ang pisikal na kalusugan dahil sa suliranin ng pamilya. Pagtuunan ng pansin at sapat na panahon ang paglutas ng mga problemang bumabagabag sa iyong isipan. Maganda ang takbo ng buhay pag-ibig dahil sa pagdating ng masayang balita. Doblehin ang pag-iingat sa kalusugan . May malaking problema sa loob ng tahanan kaya magpamalas ng tatag dahil nasa iyo ang lakas ng buong pamilya.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Maaring magkakaroon ng problema lalo na kung hindi mag-seseryoso sa buhay. Panatilihin ang depensa sa sarili sa loob ng trabaho dahil sa bawat matamong tagumpay ay nadadagdagan din ang bilang ng mga kaaway. Walang problema sa kalusugan pero huwag magpabaya para manatiling masigla ang isip at katawan. Matiwasay ang sitwasyon sa loob ng tahanan.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Huwag pilitin na magkaroon ng katuparan ang mga pangarap dahil panahon lang ang maaring magpasya. Unti-unti nang naghihilom ang sugat na dulot ng matinding pagkabigo. Babalik na ang lakas mula sa hindi maipaliwanag na pananamlay kaya kailangan ibaon na sa limot ang masamang alaala. Huwag magpadala sa silakbo ng damdamin.

Pinay sued for alleged $100k loan from employer

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic helper and her male employer are set to face off in a trial court in mid-November after failing to settle a salary dispute at the Labour Tribunal on Aug 24.
The two parties are also due to meet in District Court sometime this year in a separate case in which the employer is demanding repayment of a $100,000 loan that he allegedly extended to the helper, Lotis Dayap.
The Filipina did not seem aware of the pending case, until the tribunal’s presiding officer, Daniel Chan asked her if she had received documentary evidence that her employer, Fan Chin-wa, presented to the tribunal and copy furnished to her.
Dayap dug into her file folder and brought out two sets of communications that she reportedly received via registered mail.
“These documents have no relevance to the case,” Chan said after inspecting the documents. It turned out they were notices from the District Court about the upcoming hearing on her alleged $100,000 loan from her former employer.
Dayap told The SUN outside court that she never borrowed that much money from Fan.
In the labour case filed by Dayap, she claimed a total of $9,800, including her unpaid salary for April 25-May 24 and May 25-June 22 from Fan, a farm operator in the New Territories.
Fan filed a counterclaim, accusing Dayap of walking out on her job after receiving her two-month salary for April and May.
To support his claim, Fan presented documents, among them a salary payment grid which allegedly showed Dayap had received her pay for those two months.
However, Fan admitted that he had not paid the maid’s salary for May 24-June 22.
But Dayap insisted that the signature on the payment grid which purported to show her acknowledgment that she had received the contested pay was not hers.
Chan told both parties that if they failed to settle the salary issue in his court, the case would be set down for trial.
“After trial court, you may get the two months’ salary that you’re claiming which your employer claims he had already paid you,” Chan told Dayap. “If the case goes to trial, of course, you will be asked to present more proof that he has to pay you for those two months, as well as your annual leave, air ticket and food allowance.”
Chan said Fan was refusing to pay Dayap anymore because he had a witness, a local male helper, who had allegedly seen her signing the payment grid prepared by the employer.
Of the seven items that Dayap was claiming, the two parties were able to settle only items E and F – the air ticket cost and food allowance totaling $2,330.
Fan claimed that Dayap served a one-month notice to terminate her work contract and left abruptly, but the Filipina flatly denied that.
Chan told the parties to prepare their evidence and book their case for trial on Nov. 15.
Dayap told the SUN that she came to Hong Kong in September last year to serve as Fan’s domestic helper. She said she decided to break her two-year contract on June 22 because she was made to work in Fan’s farm instead.

Secretary Bello moves HK visit to Sept 24-25

Secretary Bello

By Daisy CL Mandap

Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has moved his visit to Hong Kong from this weekend to Sept. 24-25.

This was according to Eman Villanueva, secretary general of United Filipinos – Migrante Hong Kong, which is organizing the Filipino community meeting with Secretary Bello.

“We were informed about it only recently, and we are still trying to make sure it will push through before making an announcement,” said Villanueva.

Unifil-Migrante had moved forward to Sept 4 a rally for a higher wage and better work security for domestic helpers that they had originally set to Sept 11 in anticipation of the visit.

Luckily, the venue that they had booked for the meeting was still free on the new dates given to them for the visit.

Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre confirmed the new dates but said the Secretary’s itinerary was yet to be set.

Unifil’s original plan was for Secretary Bello to meet from with Filipino community leaders from 2-5 pm at the University of Hong Kong.

Part of the plan was to take Secretary Bello to Chater Road and Garden in Central where thousands of Filipinos congregate on Sundays “para makita niya ang tunay na kalagayan ng ng ating mga manggagawa dito,” said Villanueva.

During the consultation, Unifil plans to present the long-standing demands of overseas Filipino workers, including the strict implementation of the government’s no placement fee policy and  scrapping many of the fees imposed on OFWs.

Another key demand, which is the removal of the overseas employment certificate (OEC), has already been met, but Villanueva said his group still wants clarification on the resolution which is due to take effect on Sept. 15.

Another issue they are anxious to discuss with Secretary Bello is the case of former labor attache Manuel Roldan, who was let off lightly despite accusations he allowed his driver to operate an employment agency in violation of anti-graft laws.

Roldan was also cited for extending accreditation to 90 new employment agencies, despite a long-standing freeze on the practice.

But Roldan was found guilty only of simple misconduct, for which he was ordered suspended for one month and one day, or to pay an amount equivalent to his pay for this period.

Pinay tourist charged with trafficking cocaine worth $4 million

Tsuen Wan Magistracy

A Filipina tourist appeared in Tsuen Wan court earlier today, Sept. 6, charged with one count of drug trafficking.

The unidentified 30-year-old woman was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday, Sept. 4, after being found with about 3.33 kilograms of suspected cocaine valued at $3.9 million.

A press statement from Hong Kong Customs said the woman had arrived from Manila. During customs clearance 37 packets of hair products reportedly found inside her check-in baggage were subsequently found to contain cocaine.

The suspect had claimed to be a hairstylist.

She was the second Filipina to be arrested for trafficking drugs from Manila to Hong Kong since Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte took power on July 1.

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

700 gms of cocaine inside bag

The first, Anne Ryan Cruz, was arrested on July 30 at Chek Lap Kok after being found with 700 suspected grams of suspected cocaine in her luggage.

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

Under Hong Kong’s laws, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence, for whcih the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.

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

Know your contract to spot abuses

Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero, Regi Frection and Pastor Chris Ponniah after the workshop.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Foreign domestic workers should know every part of their work contract to be able to tell whether the service that they are required to do is legal or not.
This was the advice of Reginald Frection, a University of York labor law researcher and NGO head whose research focuses on domestic workers in Hong Kong and how the government provides the appropriate means to address violations of their rights.
Frection, chief executive of ARES Human Rights International, was the main speaker in a training workshop, “Making Wrongs Right”, held on Aug 28 at the Resurrection Church in Pak Sha Wan, Saikung.
The workshop was organized by ARES and migrant workers group OFWs in Hong Kong, led by its president Regina de Andres. More than 40 domestic helpers participated in the event hosted by Resurrection Church.
“You must know who the employer is, what type of work you’re gonna do, under what conditions you’re gonna do it, and how much you’re gonna be paid,” Frection said.
He said when a worker finds out the job “is not what was promised, then there is a problem…what you get that’s not there is illegal”. In that case she should have the option to leave, but she cannot, he said.
Hong Kong is not a signatory to the Forced Labour Convention No. 29 of 1930, but its former colonial ruler, Britain, signed it in 1931. China, which regained Hong Kong in 1997, has not ratified the convention.
The convention states that “all work exacted from any person under the menace of penalty and for which a person has not offered himself voluntarily” is considered forced labor, Frection said.
Domestic workers in Hong Kong work and live in conditions that meet the 11 indicators of forced labor identified by the International Labor Organization, Frection said.
Those indications are abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, physical and sexual violence, intimidation and threats, retention of identity documents, withholding of wages, debt bondage, abusive working and living conditions and excessive overtime work.
The domestic workers were taught how to identify those elements, understand their contracts and document their working and living conditions, as well as the methods to resolve their problems.
Frection cited a report in The SUN about a helper who was forced to sleep in a wooden box by her employer as an example of violation of a worker’s human rights. He rued that an administrative court, the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board, had ruled that the box accommodation was acceptable.
Frection also discussed working hours in Hong Kong, where the legislated norm for local workers was 48 hours over six days a week, with security guards having a longer work week lasting 66 hours, substantially above the national average.
But then domestic workers put in 96 hours a week, excluding work they are required to perform on their day off, without the government regulating their working hours.
He said domestic workers can protect themselves from such abuses by documenting their problems with their phones for audio and video recording and writing on a notebook, as they need a 51-49% preponderance of evidence to prove their case.
Another guest speaker, Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero, clarified the issue of abolition of the overseas employment certificate.
“Ano ang sinabi ni Pangulong Duterte noong dumalaw sa POEA at nakita ang mahabang pila? ‘Alisin ang OEC.’ Kaya wala na nang OEC, pero…kailangang mag-register kayo sa BM Online,” Tianero said.
With the OEC gone, the Philippine Overseas Labour Office will now have more time to level up its services to workers by conducting seminars and trainings in post-Hong Kong livelihood activities, Tianero said.

‘Isabelino Ako’ – Serbisyong mula sa puso

Isa sa proyekto ng Isabelino Ako-Hong Kong Chapter na ginanap sa Tumauini, Isabela.

Ni Marites Palma

Ang pagsibol ng Facebook ay nagbunga ng pagkatatag ng maraming mga asosasyon, gaya ng Isabelino Ako-Hong Kong Chapter, na pinangungunahan ni Rachelle Angobong.
Naumpisahan ang grupo nang umanib ito dalawang taon na ang nakakaraan sa Facebook page ng Isabelino Ako, na naglalayong mapagbuklod ang mga Isabelinos na nasa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Magmula nang maitatag ito ni Arcangel Fernandez 10 taon na ang nakakaraan ay mahigit 1.2 milyon na ang mga Isabelinos na kasapi nito sa iba-ibang bansa, na ang karamihan ay mga overseas Filipino workers. May 13 chapter na itong kaanib, na binubuo ng mga OFW mula sa Middle East, Europe at Asia.
Alinsunod sa nasimulan ng kanilang punong grupo ay kawanggawa ang agad tinutukan ng Hong Kong chapter. Sa kanilang ginawang pagdiriwang ng kanilang ika-dalawang taong anibersaryo noong Agosto 17 sa Repulse Bay, ay nakalikom ang grupo ng $1,600 at Php4,150 para sa mga maysakit na kanilang tinutulungan
Dahil sa kanilang magandang adhikain ay marami ang agad na sumali sa kanila, at ngayon ay may135 na silang miyembro.
Kamakailan lamang ay naging sponsor ang Hong Kong chapter sa isang outreach mission na isinagawa ng Isabelino Ako sa isang liblib na barangay, ang Dy-Abra Tunauini. Kabilang sa serbisyong ibinahagi sa mga residente dito ay medical/dental care, feeding program, libreng gupit, regalo at pati papremyo sa palaro.
Mabilis ang pagtalima ng mga miyembro sa ganitong proyekto dahil sa ganitong paraan pumailanlang ang kanilang pangkalahatang grupo.
Hindi sadyang nabuo ang grupo noong taong 2010, nang mawasak ang maraming bayan sa Isabela dahil sa isang matinding bagyo. Naisipan ni Fernandez na i-upload ang mga larawan ng trahedya sa Facebook sa pamamagitan ng isang video slide, na agad-agad na nag-viral. Dinagsa ng mga mensahe na nagpapaabot ng pagtulong si Fernandez na sa kalaunan ay binansagang Papa Niko. Bagamat nag-aalangan siya sa umpisa na tanggapin ang alok na tulong ay nanaig kay Fernandez ang pagnanasa na maipaabot agad ito sa mga nasalanta. Sa maikling panahon ay nakilala siya sa ginawa niyang pag-aabot ng tulong mula sa mga Isabelino sa iba-ibang lugar, at ayon sa kanya, hinding hindi niya sisirain ang pagtitiwalang ibinigay sa kanya ng mga kababayan.
Mula noon ay nagsagawa na siya ng regular na outreach o pagtulong sa kanilang bayan. Sa nagdaang dekada ay 22 misyon na ng pagtulong na ang kanilang naisagawa. Ang panghuli ay suportado ng Lebanon chapter, samantalang ang susunod na planong isagawa para sa bayan ng Palanan ay ang Malaysia chapter naman ang taya.
Ayon kay Francisco Kiko Pardinez, ang nakatalagang Pangulo Internasyonal ng pangkalahatang organisasyon, isinusulong nila ang  pagkakaroon ng outreach sa probinsya ng Isabela dahil masarap sa pakiramdam ang makatulong sa maliit na paraan sa mga mamayang napagkaitan ng sagana sa buhay.
Hindi naman palaging sila ang namimigay ng tulong, ayon kay Pardinez. Sa kanilang pinakahuling misyon ay inabot daw sila ng napakalakas na bagyo sa bayan ng Dinapigue na nasa tabing dagat. Dahil sa unos ay napilitan silang manatili doon ng 10 araw, imbes na tatlo lang sana. Nang mag-umpisa nang kapusin ang kanilang budget ay araw araw daw silang binibigyan ng gulay ng mga volunteer nila doon para may maiulam sila. Pinatira naman sila sa bahay ng isang miyembro na nakaanib sa UK chapter.
Ang isa pang nakakaaliw na kuwento niya ay ang pagkabuo ng isang sanggol habang stranded sila sa Dinapigue. Ang isa daw nilang volunteer na kasama ang kanyang mister sa misyon ay nalamang buntis siya pag-uwi sa kanilang bahay. Dahil dito ay naging biro daw sa kanilang grupo na ang kanilang anak ay gawa sa Dinapigue.
Mayroon din daw nakahanap ng kanyang “forever” nang dahil sa pagsama sa kanilang outreach. Noong una ay sa Facebook lang daw magkakilala ang dalawa, ngunit nang magkita nang personal ay nagkagustuhan, at di naglaon ay nagpakasal. Sina Pardinez at Fernandez ang kinuha nilang ninong sa kanilang pag-iisang dibdib.
Ngunit hindi laging kasiyahan ang dulot ng kanilang outreach. Minsan dahil sa pagdagsa ng mga taong nangangailangan ay kinakapos sila ng pagkaing pinapamahagi, kaya silang mga volunteer ay hindi na kumakain. Dahil dito ay naging gawi na raw nila na pasobrahan ang kanilang inihahandang pagkain.
Sa tuwing may outreach sila may mga miyembro daw na boluntaryong nagbibigay ng groceries, mga tsinelas at  t-shirt na siyang ipinamamahagi nila bilang regalo sa mga pamilyang karapat dapat makatanggap. Ang listahan ng mga taong nabibigyan ng tulong ay nanggagaling mismo sa kapitan ng barangay.
Para masiguro ang kooperasyon ng lokal na pamahalaan ay ipinagpapaalam daw nila sa mga ito ang kanilang layunin na makatulong. Kabilang sa tulong na ibinibigay sa grupo ang pagpapagamit ng mga pasilidad ng barangay gaya ng community center, at siniguro din ang kanilang seguridad sa panahon ng kanilang misyon.
Ayon kay Pardinez, taos-pusong pasasalamat ang gusto nilang ipaabot sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa mga mithiin ng Isabelino Ako. Kung wala daw ang mga miyembro sa iba-ibang chapters katulad ng sa Hong Kong ay hindi mararating ng organisasyon ang kinalalagyan nila ngayon.
Sa kanyang panghuling mensahe, sinabi ni Pardinez: “Ipagpatuloy ninyo ang inyong pagiging miyembro at ang paggawa ng kabutihan sa kapwa dahil mas maraming biyaya ang bubuhos sa iyo.”

2 agencies meted heavy fines for overcharging

By Vir B. Lumicao

​Two Hong Kong employment agencies were convicted separately on Sept 1 and 2 for overcharging four foreign domestic workers.
Jen's Employment Agency Limited located in Tsuen Wan was found guilty on Sept 1 of charging a Filipina job applicant nearly 30 times the allowable commission of $411 or 10% of her first monthly salary under the Labour Code.

Jen's was fined $24,000 at Tsuen Wan court

Jen's was convicted and fined $24,000 by Tsuen Wan Magistrate Lau Suk-han after a full-day trial on Aug. 22 during which the Labour Department, which prosecuted the case, presented domestic worker Relly Manuel as its witness.

Lau also ordered the agency to refund excessive placement fees amounting to $5,589 to Manuel.

The following day, the licensee of Ursula was convicted and fined $30,000 at Eastern Court for overcharging three jobseekers.

The agency was also ordered to refund excessive placement fees of $10,136 to the jobseekers, according to a government press release.
The Labour Department did not identify the three foreign domestic helpers by name or nationality in the press release about the trial.

Ursula: Fined $30k at Eastern court

Between March and May this year, the department’s Employment Agencies Administration received four complaints of overcharging: one from Manuel against Jen’s, and three other helpers against Ursula. 

Following an investigation, the department decided to prosecute the two agencies.

Manuel returned to Manila after she was terminated by her employer allegedly for no reason at all when she had paid up a $12,000 loan taken by Jen’s in her name from a lender called Silver Brighter Limited.

But she was flown back to Hong Kong by Labour to testify in court.

“We are glad that the (helpers) concerned were willing to come forward to report their cases to EAA and act as prosecution witnesses,” a Labour spokesman said.

“Labour will not tolerate any agencies overcharging jobseekers and will act promptly upon receipt of any complaints. Jobseekers who suspect themselves of being overcharged by agencies should report their cases to EAA as soon as possible and act as prosecution witnesses,” he said.
The Labour Code bars employment agencies from collecting from jobseekers any fees or charges other than the prescribed 10% commission of a helper’s first monthly salary
Jen's and Ursula are the fifth and sixth agencies to have been convicted this year of  violating the conditions of their agency licence.

The other four  are Marks Domestic Helper Agency Limited in Tsuen Wan, Ka Ying Employment Agency in Cheung Sha Wan, Enoch Employment Agency in Wan Chai and Gold Union Employment Agency in Fanling.
Victims of illegal recruitment by unlicensed operators or overcharging by agencies are advised to call EAA at 2115 3667 or visit its office in Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

Why play ball?

By Emz Gaborno

Many of our fellow overseas Filipino workers indulge in different activities and organizations while in Hong Kong. But why do some of them choose to be on the field and play softball or baseball?
As domestic workers, they are kept busy by the chores their employers require them to do on a daily basis. Despite this, they still find time to play. Instead of taking a rest during their only day off during the week they go straight to the field and meet their teammates.
Whatever the weather, be it sizzling hot or bitingly cold, they would regularly don their kit and play. Hanging out at the park is not for them. Lazing around instead of sweating it out is never good enough.
Once a player, always a player. That is the motto they live by. Ask any of these regular players and they will say that the game has become such a part of them that they can never refuse when asked to join one.

The author

Another likes to say, "softball never stops"!
Indeed it does not. For real softball enthusiasts, the engagement is not for just a game but a passion.
A true-blue player doesn’t just play for fun but also for relaxation and health reasons.
It is also a good way to make new acquaintances, especially those who share your habits and hobbies. Your interaction with them could go a long way toward improving your techniques and skills.
I tend to think that as soon as you play softball or baseball you cease being alone or lonely. You don’t just play and have fun, you actually end up putting your heart into the game. There is simply no half-measure in getting involved.
Playing softball or baseball is not easy. One needs to know not just the rules of the game, but also the responsibilities attached to the activity. You must be willing to take risks that will make you win. You should know how to manage your time and know your priorities.
So if you have the ability to play softball or baseball don't keep it to yourself. Come out of your shell and use the talent given to you. Come and join our group, Fate, the all-Filipino softball team in Hong Kong. I guarantee you a stress-free, fun day. Best of all, you will be with people who share your interest, passion and dedication for the sport.
So, don’t waste your time doing nothing. Come, join us play!

Question asked of me: “How much liabilities can I have?”

By Francisco J. Colayco

By your question, I think you are trying to understand how much you should allow yourself to borrow.  Before anything else, be sure you understand that borrowing creates an obligation to pay now and in the future. You should therefore never borrow unless you have a source for repayment.
Without knowing your Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), I want to give you a few pointers on how to manage your borrowings or debt.  However, you really have to make your SALN, if you have not yet done it.
In general, your borrowings as a person would probably be these types, although I am sure there could be more depending on your situation:
• “lista” if you are a regular customer of a store that knows you and don’t have the cash on hand.  Or sometimes, this is the term that could use for short borrowings from people who know you.
• installment loans (usually from appliances and credit cooperatives)
• housing or house repair loan (probably Pag-ibig or a financial institution)
• car loan (probably from a financial institution or from your company)
• credit card (however, this is very bad loan that you should avoid because it has the highest interest rate)
Loans can be categorized as those that need to be paid in full on a specific date and if installment, on specific dates for each period required by the agreement.
Company or business borrowing is a different type of borrowing altogether.  These types of loans are based on the capacity of your business to pay off the loan.  Financial institutions will not lend businesses without a complete study showing the company’s background, the particular reason for the loan and how the company will make money to pay off the loan on time.
As a general rule, you should consider each of your personal loans like a company loan.  Consider yourself as your company.  You need to make an analysis of the reason for the loan and you should only borrow as much as you can comfortably pay without causing a disruption in your daily living expenses.  Of course, to be able to answer the question of what is “comfortable”, you need a personal budget.
You should still always still following the rule: “Income minus Savings equals Expenses”
If your Loan is for a house or a car, you could consider all or part of the installment as part of your “Savings.”  Note, that I say “part” because the house could possibly increase in value in the future and could be considered as an investment.  This is only possible if your title to your house can allow you to sell it eventually. You need to study this carefully.  Otherwise, your house installment would only be another expense that will take the place of your rental expense.

For your relatives and friends in Manila, we have a new very affordable seminar every Wednesday at 7-9pm at our Shaw Blvd, Pasig City office.  You could help many of your relatives and friends with their personal financial education and opportunities to earn income.  Call +63 2 6373731 or +63 2 6373741.

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Francisco J. Colayco is an entrepreneur, a venture developer and financial advisor.  He is the Author of Seven Bestsellers in the Pera Palaguin Series, the latest of which is now available in bookstores:  “Wealth Reached. Money Worked. Pera Mo, Pinalago Mo!” Find his works and catch him on TV and radio.  Check out: www.colaycofinancialeducation.com, www.franciscocolayco.com, www.kskcoop.com, FaceBook and Instagram.