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The math of toughing it out in HK

Posted on 19 September 2016 No comments
Some of the cheques used for the transaction.
By Vir B. Lumicao

Does it pay for a domestic worker to spend Php192,000 in placement, training and other fees to come to work in Hong Kong, get fired, and earn around Php700,000 over five years net of the charges?

Not so, according to a financial analysis The SUN has made based on the case of “X”, who arrived here in 2012, got axed after three months, found a second employer and was dismissed before she would begin work, then found a third one, who fired her after three years and six months.

Numerically, the worker’s net earnings look good, but they do not reflect lean days that certainly prevented her from remitting even just a bit of that income to her family.

X went to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on Sept 5 to report a Makati-based recruitment agency that, she said, charged her a total of Php89,738 in placement fees, including a whopping Php60,000 for “visa etc”.

On top of that, X had to repay a Php102,278 owed from a finance company in Manila and a $10,500 placement fee she reportedly paid  a Hong Kong employment agency by installment.

Estimating the maid’s earnings over the five years from August 2012 until Aug 31 at a generous assumption of $4,000 per month, she would have grossed $168,000. Then taking an exchange rate of Php5 to a Hong Kong dollar, we converted the gross income to Php840,000.

Less all the fees and charges, X would have made Php311 a day, just 67% of what she would have earned in Manila based on a daily minimum wage of Php466 as of September 2013, or 64% of the current Php488 minimum wage in the National Capital Region.

List of expenses to get a
DH job in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong dollars, X’s daily earnings amounted to just $62.19 per day barely enough for two lunchbox meals. We have not factored expenses on her other daily needs into our assumptions otherwise little or nothing would be left for her food.

That shows how desperate the situation of X has been since she came to Hong Kong, as she would have been better off staying put in her job in her homeland, where she had an impressive employment history in the service industry.

That could very well be the situation also of many other OFWs who bite the bullet just to secure a job in Hong Kong, little realizing that all their earnings were practically going to greedy recruiters, instead of providing a more decent life for their families back home.

Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre was sympathetic to the maid, but was disappointed to find out that the illegal charges were made more than three years ago, already way past the prescription period for filing claims against employment agencies that have overcharged job seekers.

Nevertheless, Labatt dela Torre decided to endorse X’s claim to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, hoping the industry watchdog could still bend some rules to accommodate her.

What's on where

Posted on 18 September 2016 No comments
Photography 101 (Beginner’s Workshop)
A 3-hour course with Master Carl Valenzuela. Sept 18, 9:30am-12:30pm. Kennedy Town Community Complex. Fee: $100. Participants will learn about DSLR cameras, ( ISO, aperture, shutter speed ) background, perspective, framing, layering, lighting and ambient). Contact: Frederick Suarez, 69711992

South Island Art Day 2016
Sept 24, 12nn-8pm. Hosted by: South Island Cultural District. 18 galleries and art studios will open their doors to the public and host exhibition openings and art shows. Details: Check the FB Page South Island Art Day 2016

Halo-Halo Filipino Contemporary Artists Exhibit
Sept 23-24. Venue: The Hive Studios, 8th Floor, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong. 23 Sept: 10am-4pm (general viewing), 7pm-10pm (Cocktails and VIP Viewing),    10pm-12mn (Raffle and general viewing). 24 Sept:  10am-8pm (general viewing). Contacts: M:+852 93242381. E: info@halohalo.visualspate.com. W: halohalo.visualspate.com. FB: facebook.com/halohalohk2016. (Entrance is free but raffle tickets are being sold for a chance to win one of the special artworks by the artists.

A Palette of Flavors
Colours by renowned Filipino chef, Sau del Rosario. Sept 22-24, Le Meridien, Cyberport. For details and reservation: 2980 7417

17th anniversary and 5th graduation ceremony 
Oct. 2, 11am-4pm, Fulum Palace, North Point. Organized by: Diwa't Kabayan Benlife Society. Contact person Naty Manalo at 9825-6582/9146-4178

HKMU Concert
Oct. 5, 7:30pm, Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Tickets are on sale at $150-$320. Contact: Ella Lo 9771 3655. A benefit concert for HKMU projects

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

2016 Free Breast Cancer Screening and Mammogram
Oct. 9: 10am-1pm Breast cancer screening; 2:30 pm – 3:30pm forum. Venue: PCG Conference Room. Organized by: Philippine Consulate General and HK Breast Cancer Foundation. To register, call Lorna at 2823 8512 or Joel at 2823 8513. Limited slots available

FMWU's 18th Anniversary Celebration
Oct. 9, whole day. Chater Road, Central. Featured Activity: Poetry Reading and Writing Contest with the theme: “Unite and Struggle for Livable Wages and Regulation of Working Hours”. Organizer: Filipino Migrant Workers Union. Contact: Feliza -9104-1411, Iyang- 5119-93643 and Nida-9107-9516

2016 Migrants’ Health Matters
Oct 23, 12 noon – 6 pm. . Venue: Kik Yeung Football Pitch, Kik Yeung Road, Yuen Long, Hong Kong. PathFinders is teaming up with Christian Action to host Community Health Day for Migrant Workers in Hong Kong. Participating groups: Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, Equal Opportunities Commission and other migrant organizations that will set up health and community services information booths to distribute health-related materials and answer questions. Free admission.

Healthy Habits Selfie Competition
(Part of the 2016 Migrants’ Heatlh Matters). Aim is to promote health awareness among migrant workers. To join, simply upload your healthy habit selfie on the following Facebook pages: Christian Action Centre for Domestic Migrant Workers or PathFinders. Invite your friends to LIKE your photo and win a prize!

UAAP Rambulan 2016
Nov 26, 11am. Repulse Bay Beach. All alumni of UP, Ateneo, La Salle and UST are invited to join day-long games all in the spirit of fun and camaraderie.  For details, check out the FB invite page, Rambulan

Posted on 18 September 2016 No comments
Learn Cantonese for Daily Living
Every Sunday, Sept. 18 – Nov.13, 9am-12nn
PCG Gallery
Exclusively for OFWs.
Register with your employment contract, HKID and 3.5x4.5cm photo at PCG Sentro Rizal, 2-5pm, any day except Friday or Saturday.
For inquiries, email cultural_hk@yahoo.com
Co-organized by: The Philippine Consulate General and International Social Service Hong Kong

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

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

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

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

Beads making class (apple, basket, flowers, fish & hello kitty)
Sept 24 – Nov 5 (6x Saturdays)
2:00pm-5:00pm (Total 18 hours)
Target: foreign domestic helpers
Fee: $100/ head including materials
Venue: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F. , No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.

For queries, call Sisca on 2147-5988.

No more paper OEC, but some need to pay $20 to register

Posted on 18 September 2016 No comments
Rows of unoccupied chairs at POLO indicate that only a handful of workers now apply for paper OEC for their impending Philippine vacation, having been replaced with BMOnline.
By Daisy CL Mandap

From today, Sept. 15, the ‘paper’ overseas employment certificate (OEC) that all overseas Filipino workers returning to their jobs abroad must have will no longer be issued.

However, those who have yet to sign up with the Balik Manggagawa Online (BMO) service will still be asked to pay a fee of $20, and given a printout of their successful registration, which they need to present at Philippine airports prior to departure.

But once registered, they need not go through the same process unless they change employers.
This clarification was made by Deputy Labor Attache Henry Tianero to The SUN, when asked how Resolution No. 12 which the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration passed on Aug. 4 and is due to take effect today, is to be implemented.

Tianero said that pending the issuance of implementing guidelines for the Resolution, only those who had previously obtained an OEC after registering with BMO and are returning to the same employer, will be exempted from securing the certificate.

But the returning workers are still being advised to bring along their employment contract, which they should present to immigration officers along with their passport and work visa, to prove their status.

The rules have also changed for those who switch to another employer after finishing their contracts.
According to Tianero, this category of workers will have to make an appointment to change their job particulars at the POEA office of their choice in the Philippines.

But to make it easier on them, POLO will help the workers open an account with BMO while in Hong Kong, so they can easily log back in when they get to the POEA office.

“Once registered, their information will remain in the POEA data base and they need only to log in again to retrieve and change it,” said Tianero.

But for those who break their contracts, Tianero said they will have to go through the whole process of listing up with POEA again as if they are getting out of the country for the first time.

While a big majority of OFWs in Hong Kong are still not registered online, Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre expects the usual overcrowding at Polo during the peak vacation periods to thin out soon.
“I’d say that eventually, about 90 percent of our workers will no longer have to queue up before going home for a vacation,” Labatt said.

In the meantime, he is urging all workers to take advantage of the lean days to sign up with BMO, or update their records.

He said all computers in his office have been made accessible to OFWs for this purpose, so all they have to do is to choose a day when there are not a lot of other workers around, all wanting to do the same thing.

From August 21, he also ordered Polo to open six days a week, excluding Fridays, to assist those registering for the first time.

POEA administrator Hans Cacdac earlier stressed in an email reply to The SUN’s queries that prior online registration is necessary before a returning worker can be cleared for departure.
“To be exempted, one must be in the POEA database. One can’t just present oneself to LAC and expect clearance,” he said.

Cacdac is expected to make a progress report to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III one month after the implementation of the OEC exemption.

According to the POEA Board, the new measure is being put in place in accordance with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive to streamline processes in the deployment of OFWs.
It was also in response to a clamor from OFWs for an easier way to process their work-related documents.

Kumaripas ng takbo

Posted on 18 September 2016 No comments
Urong-sulong si Ana sa pagdalo sa araw ng pagdinig ng kanyang kaso. Napapaniwala kasi siya ng isang mabulaklak na dilang recruiter na mabibigyan siya agad ng trabaho sa Canada, kapalit ng halagang $15,000 kaya hindi siya nag-atubiling humingi ng tulong sa isang tiya na matagal nang nagyayaya sa kanya na lumipat doon.

Huli na nang malaman niyang wala talagang naghihintay na trabaho sa kanya sa Canada, at ang recruiter na kumumbinsi sa kanya at tumanggap ng kanyang pera ay nagtatago na. Gustong-gusto man niyang pumunta sa pagdinig ng kaso ay hindi niya makuhang magpaalam sa kanyang amo. Sa bandang huli ay nasabi din niya na may kukunin lang siyang gamot mula sa isang kababayan.

Napapayag naman ang kanyang masungit na amo sa kundisyon na ihahatid muna niya ang kanyang alaga sa eskwela. Ang siste e alas nuwebe ang takdang pagdinig, nguni’t bandang alas otso y medya na nang maihatid niya ang bata. Pasakay pa lang siya ng MTR mula sa Kwun Tong nang sabihan siya ng isang kasama na huwag siyang magpapahuli at baka ibasura ang kanyang kaso.

Sa sinabing iyon ay tarantang kumaripas na ng takbo si Ana. Halos liparin niya ang korte mula sa istasyon ng MTR sa Wanchai dahil ayaw niyang mabalewala ang lahat ng pinaghirapan niya ng ilang araw, at para din mabawi ang malaking halaga na inutang pa niya sa kanyang tiya.

Natanggal na’t lahat ang strap ng kanyang sandals, at di iilang tao ang nasagi niya sa daan, nguni’t hindi pa rin siya tumigil. Pagdating niya sa korte na putlang putla at gulo-gulo ang buhok ay nadatnan niya ang isang kaibigan na swerteng nabigyan ng basbas ng korte na tumayo bilang kinatawan niya.

Sinenyasan siyang huwag na munang magsalita at baka mapagalitan silang lahat dahil nahuli siya nang dating. Ngunit maigi na lang din na nandoon siya dahil nakatulong siya sa pagpapakopya ng dokumento, at narinig niya ang matamis na utos ng hukom na ibalik ng palalong rekruter ang kanyang pera.

Si Ana, 29, ay dating nagtrabaho sa Kuwait at mahigit isang taon pa lang sa kanyang amo sa Hong Kong. --- DCLM  

Sige, cellphone pa more

Posted on 18 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 16 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 16 September 2016 No comments

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.
.
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.
.
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

Posted on 16 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 13 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 13 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 13 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 12 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 12 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 12 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 12 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 10 September 2016 No comments

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

Posted on 10 September 2016 No comments
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

Posted on 10 September 2016 No comments
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!

Posted on 09 September 2016 No comments
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.
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