Sige, cellphone pa more

Madalas mapansin ni Gemma ang mga kapwa Pinay na laging nakatutok ang mga mata sa kanilang mga cellphone kahit sa gitna ng paglalakad sa kalye.

May isang pagkakataon pa na nagulat siya nang biglang nagsisigaw at nagalit ang isang driver ng mini bus nang muntik na nitong mabundol ang isang Pinay na abalang-abala sa pakikipag-video chat sa kanyang cellphone. Mabuti na lang at mabilis na nakapagpreno ang driver kaya hindi tinamaan ang Pinay. Nang makita at marinig ang pagtutungayaw ng driver na Intsik ay parang nainis pa at nagtaka ang Pinay.

Isa lang ito sa mga naobserbahan ni Gemma sa mga nakikita niya sa kalye.

Karaniwan na ang mga kapwa niya Pinay ay abala sa kanilang mga cellphone, at di alintana ang mga panganib na pwedeng mangyari dahil sa kanilang kapabayaan.  Minsan naman ay isang nakakatawang eksena ang nakita ni Gemma.

May isang Pinay na nakasabay niyang bumili ng alimasag sa palengke, at ang dami nang bitbit na pinamili, nguni’t hindi ito naging hadlang upang magpatuloy ito sa pakikipag telebabad. Bitbit ang mga supot na pinamili sa isang kamay, at ang supot ng bigas at mga alimasag sa kabila.

Habang pababa sila sa escalator ng palengke ay napansin ni Gemma na hindi namamalayan ng Pinay na nabutas na pala ng matutulis na bahagi ng alimasag ang kanyang supot ng bigas. Natatawang pinagmasdan ni Gemma ang pagkakalat ng bigas sa daan ngunit hindi na rin siya nakatiis at kinalabit ang kababayan sabay sabing, “Ate, lagot ka sa amo mo, wala kayong isasaing mamaya.”

Tila natauhan ang Pinay at napakamot ng ulo dahil sabi nito kay Gemma, mag-aabono pa siya sa nasayang na bigas.  Pabirong sinabi ni Gemma sa kababayan ang,  “Sige lang Ate, cellphone pa more!”. Sa isip niya, ang bigas na natapon ay pwedeng palitan pero hindi ang buhay o kaligtasan kung sakaling mapahamak sa daan dahil sa pagtetelebabad. –Jo Campos

Pinoy Jokes

Hindi niya type
Si Lisa ay nagdadalawang-isip kung matitipuhan niya ang kanyang ka-blind date.
Kaya naman naghanda siya ng gimik, upang kapag pangit ang lalaking makikilala niya ay hindi na siya mag-aksaya pa ng oras. Nag-schedule siya na mag-ring ang telepono niya sa takdang oras, kunwari ay sasagutin niya at ipaparinig sa ka-date: “’Nay, anong nangyari sa iyo? Okay ka ba?”
Puwede nang gawing excuse iyan upang humahangos na iwanan ang kanyang ka-date.
Kinagabihan, nagkita ng nga ang magka-blind date.
Wala pang isang oras, tumunog ang telepono ng ka-blind date  ni Lisa. Agad itong sumagot: “’Nay, anong nangyari sa iyo? Okay ka ba?”
At humahangos na nagpaaalam sa kanya.

Shorts
Nag-away ang magt-asawa. Tumawag si misis sa nanay noya. “’Nay, uuwi ako diyan. Nag-away na naman kami ng asawa ko,” ika niya.
Nagalit Si Nanay: Hayaan mong pagbayaran niya ang kamalian niya. Lilipat ako diyan!”
-o-
Nag-iwan ng sulat ang tooth fairy kay bunso:
Dumaan ako diyan kagabi para kunin ang ngipin mo. Pero hindi ko nagawang pumasok dahil makalat ang kuwarto mo. Babalik ako bukas ng gabi, para kunin ang ngipin mo. Pero dapat malinis na ang kuwarto mo.”
Naging malinis nga ang kuwarto  ni bunso na hindi inuutusan ng ina niya.
-o-
Nag-imbita si Sendong sa BFF niya, via text: Daan ka dito may bisita ako mamaya na walang gagawin kundi magbasa ng kanilang FB.
-o-
Lasing #1: Naglalaro ka ba ng mapanganib na sport?
Lasing #2: Oo. Minsan nagkikipag-away ako sa asawa ko.
-o-
The relationship between husband and wife is  psychological.
One is psycho,  the other is logical.
-o-
Forget Pokemon Go. If you want to chase down little monsters all day, stay at home with the kids.
-o-
Kanta ni bunso kay yaya:
Every snack you make,
Every meal you bake,
Every bite you take,
I’ll be watching you!

Padala
Feeling romantic si misis kaya nagpadala ng text sa asawa niya:
“Kung natutulog ka, padalhan mo ako ng kapiraso mong panaginip.
“Kung tumatawa ka, padalhan mo ako ng iyong ngiti.
“Kung umiiyak ka, padalhan mo ako ng iyong luha.
“Lab na lab kita.”
Sumagot si Mister: “Nasa kubeta ako. Ano gusto mo mula dito?”

Wong sound 
Man in hospital bed wearing oxygen mask over his mouth.
“Nurse,” he mumbles. “Are my testicles black?”
Nurse raises his gown, holds his penis in one hand and his testicles in the other, ...she takes a close look and says, “There’s nothing wrong with them Sir.”
Man pulls off the oxygen mask, smiles at her and says very slowly, “Thanks for that, it was lovely but listen very very carefully. ‘Are-my-test-re-sults-back?’.”

Covers the period Sept 16-30

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Babalik din ang tiwala mo sa sarili, at malalaman mo rin kung alin at sino ang maasahan mo. Huwag isaalang-alang ang totoong nararamdaman ng dahil sa ambisyon. Mag-ingat sa labis na pagkain ng matatamis. Huwag maglabas ng pera kung hindi sigurado, humingi ng payo sa mga eksperto. Mag-ingat sa bibitawang salita o sulat na maaring makasama sa iyo, hangga’t maaari, maging mahinahon. Lucky numbers: 7, 19, 22 at 40.
44.

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Ngayon ay mae-enjoy mo nang husto ang buhay. Masaya ang bagong love life, o magiging matagumpay ang pagpasok mo sa larangan ng sining. Posible rin ang masayang paglalakbay at pakikipag-ugnayan. Pagdating sa pamilya, dagdagan ang pasensya. Pag-aralang mabuti ang mga gastusin sa bahay. Maganda ang resulta ng mahalagang transakyon tungkol sa lupa. Lucky numbers: 11, 13, 36 at 44.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Lalakas ang karisma at dadami ang magkakagusto sa iyo. Mag-ingat sa mga gastusin at higpitan ang budget. Huwag damdamin ang pagkatalo dahil hindi ito permanente, at makakabawi ka pa rin. Mag-ingat sa kasamahan na gustong sirain ang iyong reputasyon. Iwasan ang labis na pagod, balansehin ang trabaho at pribadong gawain. Siguraduhing may sapat na oras sa pahinga. Lucky numbers: 19, 24, 28 at 31.
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BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Kung anuman ang plano o gusto mong gawin, may malaking hadlang na pagdadaanan, huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Huwag sarilinin ang problema, ang relasyon sa mga kasamahan ang magpapagaan sa iyong isipan at puso. Huwag hintaying lumapit ang kaligayahan sa iyo, hanapin ito – mag-enjoy ka sa bawat sandali ng buhay. Maghinay-hinay muna at baka nabubulagan ka lang sa bago mong minamahal. Lucky numbers: 8,25,30at 41.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Negatibo ang tingin mo sa maraming bagay ngayon, pero wala namang dahilan para mag-alala ka. Huwag basta maniwala sa sasabihin ng isang kaanak, baka may halong panloloko ito. Magbubunga ng maganda ang pagsisikap sa trabaho dahil mabibigyan ito ng pansin. Iwasang makipagtalo sa asawa o karelasyon dahil baka magsisi ka sa magiging kahihinatnan nito. Lucky numbers: 16,17,25 at 33.
 39.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Mapapaaway ka sa isa sa mga kasamahan, magpakita ng diplomasya at maging mahinahon. Tahimik at payapa naman ang love life dahil marunong kang makinig at magpasensya. Imulat ang mata sa mas magagandang bagay, at tanggapin na walang perpekto sa mundo. Mag-ingat na makaalitan din ang mga kaibigan. Matututunan mo ngayon ang kahalagahan ng pagtitipid kahit minsan ay natutukso ka pa ring gumastos. Huwag magsungit sa mga mahal mo sa buhay at piliting maging maayos ang pagsasama sa kabila ng pabago-bago mong disposisyon. Lucky numbers: 12, 15, 29 at 37.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Ito na marahil ang panahon upang baguhin ang iyong istilo, o iwanan na ang nakaraan. Hindi maiiwasan ang problema sa kasamahan, pero pwede mong piliin na ipagwalang bahala ito at magmatigas. Hindi imposible na magbago ang iyong nararamdaman, at muling balikan ang mga katanungan na hanggang ngayon ay pumipigil sa iyo na gawin ng buong laya ang mga gusto mong gawin sa buhay. Lucky numbers: 5, 18, 26 at 42.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Makakaranas ng kalungkutan at pagka-negatibo sa maraming bagay, labanan ito upang mabago ang takbo ng pag-iisip. Mag-ingat sa pananalita dahil baka lumala ang hidwaan sa iyong mga karelasyon. Walang idudulot na mabuti ang pag-asam na yayaman nang husto sa sugal; magtiyaga kang magtrabaho nang maigi at mag-ipon upang guminhawa ang buhay. Ang malinaw at mahusay na pananalita ang magiging daan para umasenso ka sa trabaho. Lucky numbers: 14, 18, 22 at 45.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Sa trabaho, mas magiging epektibo kung may mga kasama ka sa grupo kaysa kumilos kang mag-isa. Walang kahirap-hirap na mapapabilang ka sa isang eksklusibong samahan, pero humanda ka sa mga gastusin na dulot nito. Ang problema sa pamilya ay maaagapan agad ng dahil sa positibong pananaw mo na malulutas ang lahat ng bagay. Mag-ingat sa mga sakit na dulot ng pabago-bagong panahon, at sakit na nakakahawa. Lucky numbers: 9, 16, 23 at 44.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Marami kang gustong bilhin at nakakalimutan mo ang paparating na bayarin. Kung may problema sa pag-ihi, magpasuri kaagad. Marami kang bagay na bubuksan at magiging maayos ang gagawin mong pagpili. Iwasan ang magpakapagod. May mga taong pilit na nakikialam sa iyong pribadong buhay at ayaw paawat kahit anong pilit mong ipaintindi na karapatan mong mamuhay nang ayon sa kagustuhan mo. Lucky numbers: 12, 27, 29 at 31.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Mapupukaw muli ang pagka-adbenturero mo, at kailangan mong kontrolin ito dahil baka ka mabigo. Kahit kakaiba ang ipinapakitang ugali ng ilang malalapit sa iyo, hindi mo magawang magalit sa kanila. Sa kabilang banda, magpapakita ka ng pagka-maramot at pagka masungit, na magdudulot ng tensyon sa iyong paligid. Malakas ang iyong pangangatawan, kaya madali kang gagaling sa karamdaman. May mga problema sa trabaho, pero makakatulong ito na mas mapalakas mo pa ito. Lucky numbers: 6,9,15 at 21.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Ang bagong negosyo ay makakatulong sa iyo, lalo na kung sarili mo ito, o kontrolado. Kung nakakaramdam ng pagkalungkot o nerbiyos, subukang magkaroon ng alagang hayop, at baguhin paminsan minsan ang pang-araw araw na gawain. Subukang kausapin nang maayos ang kapitbahay upang maayos ang problema, sa halip na awayin ito. Lucky numbers: 13,19,24 at 36.

Jobs scam claimants score big wins

Poster in an office used by Ylagan in Worldwide Plaza.

By Daisy CL Mandap

At least 13 Filipino domestic workers who each lost between $6,000 to $15,000 in a jobs  scam to Britain and Canada have won the cases they filed against their recruiter in less than two weeks of hearings at the Small Claims Tribunal.
Named defendant in the claims, as well as in dozens others which have yet to be heard, is Ester P. Ylagan, trading by her solely owned company, Mike’s Secretarial Services.
Ylagan also used to be co-owner of Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency, the biggest recruiter of Filipino domestic workers into Hong Kong, but she has been replaced since July 17 by her son, Ridge Michael Ylagan. The co-owner is her husband, Rick Ylagan.
Those who won their cases were Ronia Maria Benalio, Be-ann Barranco, Richiebelle Aballe, Lumen Llagas, Mary Ann Cacho, M. J. Alejaga, Elmie Peralta, Jonah Francisco, Jocely Yacas, Ruby Respicio and Rogielyn Malicse, who each was awarded a claim of $10,000 plus interest and costs.
One claimant, Juany Tecson, won back her $15,000 while another, Remia Curiel, was awarded her claim of $6,000. Both were awarded interest and costs.
At least two claimants failed to pursue their case through a representative because the Tribunal required them to have a Hong Kong address. A few others were dismissed because of the claimant’s failure to appear in court, while several others were postponed, mainly for consolidation.
The claims that have yet to be settled include those paid by those who applied for relatives back in the Philippines or Macau. Several claimants said they paid $20,000 for themselves and a relative or boyfriend, while at least one is claiming $50,000 which she said she paid for herself and four relatives in the Philippines.
All claimants say Ylagan collected the money directly from them, supposedly in payment for the “foreign immigrant clearance certificate” (FICC) they needed to secure the promised jobs.
The applicants say they found out later that no such document was required for job applicants in either Britain or Canada.
But they had difficulty pursuing a case because Ylagan did not issue any receipt or contract, reportedly saying she did not want to be taxed by the Hong Kong government.
In court, Ylagan’s representatives at first denied liability.
A solicitor she sent on the first day of the hearing of claims on Aug. 29 said the defendant would not pay any of the claimants because she herself was scammed.
Later, another court representative who said she used to work at Emry’s said she had instructions that the defendant was willing to pay if claimant could show a “receipt or contract”.
The courts invariably rejected this defense, and in most cases, the representative was not allowed to speak for the defendants, and default judgments were handed down for the claimants.
Around 500 Filipinos in Hong Kong, Macau and the Philippines are believed to have been victimized in what appears to be the biggest recruitment scandal to have hit Hong Kong.
More than 200 of them have already filed complaints with the Philippine Consulate, but more have been showing up in recent days, finally convinced that the jobs promised them did not really exist.
The complaints have been forwarded to the Hong Kong Labour Department, which began interviewing the applicants in July. The investigation is ongoing.
The Consulate, through Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, has also sought help from the Hong Kong Police, but no investigation has been commenced.
However, the police accepted a complaint for deception that Ylagan had filed in July against an unknown business partner, who allegedly cheated her out of $4.2 million.
In a previous interview with The SUN, Ylagan, a 30-year veteran of the recruitment industry, had named the London-based business partner as “William Clinton James” or “William Clinton Erich”.
She said she never met or seen the man, and communicated with him only via email.

Babala sa pupunta sa beach

Ang Shek-O Beach ay isa sa mga popular na puntahan tuwing holiday.

Nagbabala ang Leisure and Cultural Services Department laban sa sa paglangoy sa ilang baybayin sa Hong Kong dahil sa malalaking alon na babayo rito. Maliban dito at magiging maulan sa takdang piyesta opisyal, sa Sept. 16.

Ang malalakas na hangin na sanhi ng alon ay dala ng papalapit na bagyo, ang Typhoon Meranti, na itinatayang tatama sa China, mga 400 kilometro as silangan ng Hong Kong, sa ika-15 ng Setyembre. Mayroon itong pagbugso na umaabot sa 220 KPH.

(Note: Balik-balikan po ang balitang ito dahil may mga updates mula sa Weather Observatory)

Naglabas ng babala ang LCSD sa harap ng piyesta opisyal sa Sept. 16 dahil sa nalalapit na Mid-Autumn Festival sa Sept. 15, at inaasahan ang pagdagsa ng mga tao sa mga baybayin upang magpalipas ng oras. 

Ilan sa mga beach na tinaasan ng red flag ng LCSD ang sumusunod:

• Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach Big Wave Bay Beach sa Southern District, Hong Kong Island; 

• Clear Water Bay First Beach at Clear Water Bay Second Beach sa Sai Kung District. 

Nagsabi ang LCSD na huwag  lumangoy sa nasabing mga beach upang maiwasan ang kapahamakan.

Ang mooncake ay karaniwang panregalo
ng mga taga Hong Kong sa isa't isa.

Nagbabala rin ang LCSD na istrikto nitong ipatutupad ang mga ordinansa laban sa pagkakalap sa mga beach, parke at iba pang pampublikong lugar. Ang mga nahuli na nagkakalat ay pagmumultahin ng $1,500. 

Ang mga nahuli naman na nag susunog ng wax, naghahagis ng basura sa mga puno at nagpapalipad ng sky lantern (mga parol na lumilipad dahil may kandila sa loob) ay pagmumultahin ng hanggang $2,000 at ikukulong ng 14 na araw.

Global Alliance, nagdaos ng Aliwan Festival

Ang nagwaging pagtatanghal ng  Masskara ng Visayas Alliance.

Ni Gina Ordona

Binigyang buhay ng mga mananayaw na kasapi ng Global Alliance Hong Kong ang ilan sa mga sayaw ng Pilipinas sa kanilang pagdiriwang ng Aliwan Festival na ginanap sa Chater Road.
Tinanghal ang Visayas Alliance o Visa na kampeon para sa kanilang pagtatanghal ng  Masskara festival. Nakuha naman ng La Union Federation of HK o Lufo HK ang pangalawang puwesto, at pumangatlo ang The Luzon Alliance International o TLAI.
Para naman sa paligsahan ng katutubong sayaw, nasungkit ng Lufo HK ang kampeonato dahil sa kanilang pagsayaw ng kawkawati folk dance. Pumangalawa ang TLAI, pangatlo ang Sectoral Group at pang-apat naman ang Visa.
Inumpisahan ng Global Alliance ang pagdiriwang sa pamamagitan ng isang parada sa kahabaan ng Chater Road. Sinundan ito ng pagtugtog sa Pambansang Awit na pinangunahan ng Mindanao (HK) Workers Federation Drum and Lyre Corps.
Bago ang paligsahan, nagtanghal muna ang mga miembro ng Global Alliance ng line dancing.

Buwan ng Wika, ginunita sa HK

Nanguna si Konsul Heneral Bernardita Catalla sa pasinaya na nagbukas ng Buwan ng Wika  sa Konsulado.

Ipinagdiwang ng Konsulado ang Buwan ng Wika sa pamamagitan ng pasasalamat sa mga grupo at indibiduwal na nakilahok sa dalawang malaking pagtitipon ng komunidad na isinagawa kamakailan.
Nanguna sa pamamahagi ng sertipiko ng pasasalamat sa magkasunod na Linggo, Agosto 21 at 28, si Konsul Heneral Bernardita Catalla.
Ang mga unang pinarangalan ay ang mga lider ng mga asosasyon na sumali sa ikatlong taon ng “Kapangyawan Friendship Festival”, na isinasagawa upang ipagdiwang ang anibersaryo ng Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas.
Ang mga kinilala naman sa ikalawang Linggo ay ang mga lumahok at lumikha sa dulang “Ugoy ng Duyan” na ipinalabas sa Y Theatre noong nakaraang buwan.
Sa pambungad na pananalita ni Congen Catalla ay kanyang pinasalamatan ang mga nagsakripisyo para maisagawa nang matagumpay ang taunang Kapangyawan, at pati na rin ang mga nagpakita ng kanilang talento sa isinagawang palabas.
Hinimok niya ang lahat na na ipagpatuloy ang mga magagandang adhikain ng bawat asosasyon para maisulong ang kulturang Pilipino.
Nagkaroon ng maliit na salo salo bago sinimulan ang programa sa parehong Linggo. Ayon kay Congen, ito ay paniniguro na walang magugutom sa oras ng pagtitipon.
May palabas na sine din pagkatapos ng programa.
Sa unang Linggo, ang ipinalabas ay ang "Bonifacio", na umantig sa damdamin ng bawat  manonood, dahil sa pagpapakita nito ng kabayanihan ng tatlong martir na paring Pilipino na sina Padre Gomez, Burgos at Zamora.
Noong Agosto 28 ay ipinalabas naman ang “K’na: The Dreamweaver”, tungkol sa mga kaugalian ng mga tribong Muslim sa magkabilang dulo ng lawa ng Sebu sa South Cotabato. – may dagdag-ulat mula kay Marites Palma

Elderly Pinoy jailed for mid-flight indecent assault

The incident happened while the plane was in mid-air

By Vir B. Lumicao

An elderly Canadian resident on his way to Manila for a vacation got an unexpected three-week stopover in Hong Kong – but in jail – for indecently assaulting a Cathay Pacific flight attendant in mid-flight.

Salvador Recongco Jr., 60, pleaded guilty and was convicted on Sept. 5 by Tsuen Wan Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong on his own admission that he indecently touched the flight stewardess while the plane was en route from Vancouver to Hong Kong.

Recongco was a transit passenger who was to have transferred to a Cathay flight to Manila on the morning of Aug. 14.

But as soon as the plane landed at Hong Kong International Airport, he was met by police and taken in for investigation.

A prosecution report read in court said the plane was airborne above the Northern Pacific Ocean when the crew served dinner.

The defendant, who was seated at the aisle, asked for red wine to go with his dinner. He asked for more, and Cathay was generous.

Then, when the cabin lights were turned off for passengers to get some sleep during the 13-hour flight, a flight attendant walking down the aisle felt somebody touch her right thigh, the court heard.

The Hong Kong flight attendant reported the incident to the purser, who contacted airport police.

Recongco told Consulate officers who interviewed him before the court hearing that he was taking medication for Parkinson’s disease and that drinking red wine might have excited him.

Cheang sentenced Recongco to three-weeks in jail for the offense. But as the balikbayan had been detained since his arrest, chances were that he had already served this time and sent off to Manila for his interrupted journey shortly after being sentenced.

Rambak Cordillera holds tapuey fest

Traditional costumes are on display  during the 6th annual get-together and 3rd Tapuey Festival of Rambak Cordillera Group-Hong Kong on Chatewr Road.

By Marites Palma

Members of Rambak Cordillera Group-Hong Kong celebrated on Aug 21 their 6th annual get-together and 3rd Tapuey Festival on Chater Road .
The celebration centered on a competition where members got to show off their skills in making tapuey, a native rice wine consumed as an ordinary beverage or used during rituals or rites of passage.
The United Mangkayan Workers Association defeated the other 10 groups in making the best tapuey, and received a $300 cash prize. Bugias Organization came in second, and took home 200 cash, while the Onjon di Evadoy took third place, and $100 cash. A consolation prize of $50 was given to each of the other competing groups.
There was also a cultural competition as part of the merrymaking. Benguet bagged the top prize of $500, while Montanyosa took 2nd place with $400, and Kalinga came in third, with $300.
Guest speaker was Jeth Magoo, a Cordilleran based in Viena Austra, who came to visit with her two teenaged daughters. Magoo praised the group for its successful celebration of their hometown’s festivals, and was all praises for the cultural presentation, saying it showcased the genuine culture of every town that each competing group represented.
She also cited Rambak chair Veronica C. Tabao-ican for her exemplary leadership, and said the event would not have been such a big success if it were not for her.
Grace Padua, a representative  from the Philippines for Homeland Ili, called on the group to continue promoting the culture of Cordillera even away from their homeland so it won’t be lost to the succeeding generations.
Another guest, Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio thanked the group for supporting the shelter as part of their charity advocacy. Antonio said the group donates to Bethune House, whether in cash or in kind, every quarter of the year.
Providing entertainment was a group of Cordillera men in g-strings who performed a native dance, to the delight of the audience and some passersby.

Quirino group marks 1st anniversary

The group’s officers and members pose for a  souvenir photo at their get-together at Pier 9.

Overseas Filipino workers from the town of Quirino in Isabela, celebrated their 1st anniversary at Pier 9, Central with a simple get-together.
The newly established group vows to promote their town’s culture, conduct regular outreach aback home, including a gift giving to indigents during Christmas, extend help in times of calamities, and conducting a school supplies drive for the poorest barangay of Quirino. They also aim to strengthen camaraderie among their members. The group’s officers are: Melody Nagum, president; Elsie Bergonia, Vice president; Remalyn Sablay and Berna Sabado, secretaries; Valentina Pascual and Zoila Videz, auditor; Rezzel Fernandez, coordi-nator; Alma Acob, treasurer; Jenny Cabacungan, Jbhee, tanod; Raquel Lucas and La Chelle Ulay, muse; Pearshaline Dalit, editor. They are calling on all workers who are interested to join to contact Berna Sabado at mobile # 54415678 for more information.–Marites Palma

Fate-A beats rival Feliz, 7-0

By Emz Gaborno

The all-Filipina softball team, Fate A, played with combined brilliant force to trounce local rival Feliz, 7-0, in their Hong Kong Softball League game on Aug. 7 at Tin Kwong Field in Homantin.
In the B1 division, seventh-ranked Fate B walked over in its scheduled match with True Light, ranked fourth, at Shek Kip Mei at 10:30am on Aug. 14. The two teams were scheduled to meet again on the same pitch on Sept. 4.
Fate needed to win their last two games to remain in bracket A, and the resounding win gave their campaign a much-needed boost. They will next play against locals Phoenix on Aug. 21 to ensure their berth in the competition.
The game against Feliz got off to a rocky start. Fate’s star pitcher Don Gaborno was sidelined due to an injured shoulder from the previous game, and Zenny Badajos had to take over the role.
But although Badajos was still trying to adjust to her new position, the rival team found it hard to hit the ball. Feliz players tried to go for a strike, but unluckily most of their batters were called standing out or caught on a fly ball. If a batter did manage to hit, the runner only managed to reach second base before being put out.
The game lasted five innings.
In the first inning, Fate gained two homes courtesy of Gaborno and Myra Japitana. Three more were added in the second inning, through the effort of  Romela Osabel, Edith Hidalgo and Badajos. Finally, in the last inning,  Fate scored two more homes, through Gaborno and Ma. Eva Mendez.
Despite their dismal showing, Feliz showed commendable sportsmanship when they came over to shake hands with their Filipina rivals and congratulate them. The locals also showed they enjoyed the game.
Joining Fate in celebrating their remarkable win was their manager, Law Wai-ho, who was again with them throughout the game to show of support.

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