Another Filipina held after aborting baby in shop toilet

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic helper suspected of aborting her baby in a grocery shop in Taipo on Sunday is in police custody waiting to be charged, the Police Public Relations Bureau said.

A PPRB officer said the Filipina he referred to as “Mae” is believed to have induced the abortion by taking abortion pills.

Fu Shin Street in Tai Po

The incident happened in a shop at 43 Fu Shin Street in Taipo at about 10.35 on Sunday morning, the officer told The SUN.

The case comes just two months after another Filipina domestic helper was jailed for 14 months for aborting her eight-month-old baby and dumping it in a rubbish bin in North Point.

The PPRB spokesperson said a 59 year-old female shop staff had called to ask for assistance, saying the Filipina was not feeling well. Officers who arrived at the scene found an embryo or foetus in the toilet.

“After initial investigation, the woman was suspected to have given birth to the embryo and the police seized some medicine suspected to be abortion pills,” the PPRB officer said.

She said Mae was arrested “for self-administering and trying to procure abortion”.

The case was being followed up by the District Investigation Team of Taipo, the duty officer said.  

Reports on local news portals said Mae and the fetus, which was estimated by investigators to be 19 weeks old, were found by the store staff who responded after hearing screams from inside the toilet.

The Filipina was taken to the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital.

The maid’s employer was already contacted by police, according to the reports.

Many pregnant domestic helpers resort to abortion for fear of losing their jobs. Hong Kong labor laws protect them from illegal job termination, but despite this, there have been several cases of maids being fired after their employers learned about their situation.

A local NGO, PathFinders, has been helping pregnant foreign maids who are in a desperate situation because of their pregnancy.

The group offers a full range of assistance, from legal protection for the mother and the child, to medical aid, registration of birth, and repatriation of the mother and her baby.

Female foreign workers with similar problems as Mae should call the PathFinders hotline, +852 5190 4886, for assistance from 9am to 9pm.  

Ok naman pala si Ma’am

Takot na takot magpaalam si Emy sa kanyang amo para sa pagdinig ng kanyang kaso. Na-scam kasi siya ng malaking halaga, at tanging ang paghahabla lang ang nakikita niyang paraan para mabawi ang kanyang pera. E ang kanyang ma’am naman ay ubod ng dada kahit mabait, kaya iwas lagi siya sa maaari nitong sabihin.

Bisperas ng pagdinig ng kanyang kaso nang magkaroon ng lakas ng loob magpaalam si Emy sa amo. Agad na nagalit ang kanyang amo, pero hindi dahil may kaso si Emy, kundi bakit hindi daw sinabi sa kanya ang tungkol dito?

Galit na galit ang amo sa ginawang panloloko sa kanyang katulong, at gusto nitong harapin ang mismong taong  may gawa nito. Wala nang nagawa si Emy nang sabihin ng amo na sabay silang magpupunta sa korte kinabukasan.

 Sa takdang oras ng pagdinig ay todo ang kaba ni Emy hindi lang dahil iyon ang unang pagkakataon na haharap siya sa korte sa tanang buhay niya, kundi dahil nakatanghod sa kanya ang mataray na amo.

Nakipag-usap ang amo sa mga tao sa paligid, at nang matantiya na hindi naman dehado ang kanyang kasambahay ay nagsabing aalis na ito para magtrabaho. Mabuti na lang at nanalo si Emy sa kaso, kaya agad-agad niya itong itinawag sa amo. Natuwa naman para sa kanya ang amo, at sinabing kailangan nilang magdiwang ng kanyang mga kasamahan sa kanilang panalo.

Si Emy ay nasa unang kontrata pa lang sa among hiwalay sa asawa at nakatira sa Fortress Hill. – DCLM

Lav Diaz film, Best Picture sa 73rd Venice Filmfest

Nanalo ng Golden Lion prize para sa Best Picture ang pelikulang  “Ang Babaeng Humayo” (The Woman Who Left) ang batikang director na si Lav Diaz sa katatapos na 73rd Venice Film Festival.
Ang black and white na pelikula na halos apat na oras (228 minuto) ang haba na produced ng Sine Olivia at Cinema Originals, ay tinampukan ni Charo Santos sa kanyang muling pagbabalik sa pag-arte, matapos ang halos dalawang dekada. Malakas din ang naging laban niya bilang best actress, pero tinalo siya ng Hollywood actress na si Emma Stone.

Ang nanalong lahok ng Pilipinas ay tinampukan din nina John Lloyd Cruz, Michael de Mesa, Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Nonie Buencamino, Marj Lorico, Mayen Estanero, Romelyn Sale, Lao Rodriguez, Jean Judith Javier, Mae Paner at Kakai Bautista.

Ang pelikula ay inspired ng maikling kuwentong isinulat ng Russian author na si Leo Tolstoy, na tungkol sa isang lalaking nakulong sa salang pagpatay, na hindi naman niya ginawa. Ang kabuuan ng pelikula ay kinunan sa Calapan, Mindoro, kung saan lumaki si Charo.

Umani ng papuri at palakpak ang pelikula nang ipalabas ito sa festival noong September 9. Bago ipamahagi ang mga major awards, nauna nang hinirang na Best Foreign Film ang “Ang Babaeng Humayo” sa Sorriso Diverso Venezia 2016 awards.

Ang British film director na si Sam Mendes ang namuno sa mga hurado na pumili ng mga nanalo ibat ibang kategorya mula sa  20 pelikulang kalahok sa main competition, kabilang ang mga pelikulang pinangunahan nina Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Amy Adams at Alicia Vikaander at Emma Stone. Ilan sa mga sikat na mga artistang dumalo ay sina Natalie Portman, Chris Pratt at Denzel Washington.  

Ang mga nanalo:  
Golden Lion: Lav Diaz, "The Woman Who Left"; Philippines;
Silver Lion director (tie): Andre Konchalovsky, "Paradise"; Russia, Germany; and Amat Escalante, "The Untamed"; Mexico
Jury grand prize: "Nocturnal Animals," Tom Ford;
U.S; Special Jury Prize: "The Bad Batch," Ana Lily Amirpour; U.S.;
Best Actor: Oscar Martinez, "The Distinguished Citizen"; Argentina, Spain;
Best Actress: Emma Stone, "La La Land"; U.S.;
Best Screenplay: Noah Oppenheim, "Jackie"; U.S.;
Marcello Mastroianni Prize for Young Performer: Paula Beer, "Frantz"; France.;
Luigi De Laurentiis Lion of the Future: "The Last of Us," Aladdine Slim; Tunisia.

ISABELLE AT ADRIEN, IKINASAL NA
Ikinasal na si Isabelle Diaz kay Adrien Semblat, isang French national na anim na taon na niyang karelasyon, noong Sept. 10 sa St. Francis Church sa Tuscany, Italy.
Ilan sa mga dumalo sa kasal at reception na ginanap sa Castello di Gorgonza, ay ang ina ni Isabelle na si Gloria Diaz, mga kapatid na sina Ava at Rafael, pinsang si Georgina Wilson at mga kaibigang sina Anne Curtis, Solenn Heussaff, Liz Uy, Erwan Heussaff, Jasmine Curtis Smith, Jeff Ortega, Rajo Laurel, Tim Yap, at Sen. Bongbong Marcos (matalik na kaibigan ng ama niyang si Bong Daza, na namatay noong July 14) na naghatid sa kanya sa altar.
Ang simple pero eleganteng wedding gown ni Isabelle ay gawa ng sikat na American fashion designer na si Vera Wang, samantalang navy blue suit ang suot ng kanyang dashing groom.
Isang buwan bago ikinasal, isinama ni Isabelle ang kanyang pamilya at ilang kaibigan sa Bali, Indonesia para sa kanyang bachelorette party. Kabilang sa mga sumama sa grupo  sina Raymond Gutierrez, Bea Soriano Dee, Carla Humphries, Nicole Anderson,  Solenn at ilan pang mga kaibigan.

KRIS, NAGPAALAM NA SA ABS CBN 
Hindi maitago na mabigat ang loob ni Kris Aquino na lisanin ang ABS CBN, dahil marahil sa pananaw niya na isa siya sa mga naging haligi nito sa loob 20 taon niyang  pagta-trabaho dito. Sa kanyang sunud-sunod na post sa Instagram, ibinahagi niya ang kanyang sentimyento na naging dahilan upang lumipat siya sa APT Entertainment. Ang isang bahagi ng kanyang post: “I want to tell you our truth & I pray you'll understand... 20 years ago, I went back to ABS-CBN after a year w/ GMA (Star Talk & a Viva produced afternoon talk show). It started w/ “Today w/ Kris Aquino” & ended w/ “Kris TV”. We had a memorable, excellent run. ABS saw me through my worst & my best. I had the chance to be part of career defining shows like TWKA, The Buzz, Game KNB, Deal or No Deal, PGT etc & had iconic movies like Feng Shui & Sukob. We were set to renew our contract February 2016, it was a generous, less demanding agreement but at that time there was a threat to my life we needed to take seriously, I had to regain my health, and I needed time for my family & me. We didn't sign then, I went to Hawaii, came back to campaign, then left again. Our agreement was we'd talk when I got back. That is the risk of taking time for yourself- when you come back there's no guarantee that a space will be held for you. We spoke in July but there was no definite show & no assured time frame of my return on air. I perfectly understood- as much as I wanted to believe I was a pillar of the network, everybody is dispensable. And I say that with no bitterness- just HONESTY. So to all of you saying please don't leave- it wasn't a choice that was just mine to make. I take my share of the responsibility. And I say that w/ so much gratitude in my heart."

Nauna dito, ipinahiwatig na niya na tiyak na ang muling pagbabalik niya sa TV para sa programang gagawin niya para sa APT Entertainment, na mapapanood sa GMA Network. Binanggit niya na mangingibang bansa muna silang mag-iina bago siya mag-resume ng taping sa Sept. 22 upang sulitin ang oras na makasama niya sina Bimby at Josh, dahil magiging abala siya sa trabaho hanggang Disyembre.

Wala pang announcement kung kailan ipapalabas ang show ni Kris at kung anong klaseng show ito, pero may nagsasabing hindi ito isang talk show, at hindi rin ito katulad ng dati niyang show na “Kris”.

Matatandaang hindi nagkasundo sina Kris at ang dati niyang network na ABS CBN nang huling mag-usap sila. Gusto ni Kris ng mas mahabang kontrata upang magkaroon ng seguridad ang kanyang trabaho, pero dalawang taon  lang ang offer sa kanya ng Kapamilya network.

Hinihintay ng marami kung muling magkakabati at manumbalik ang pagkakaibigan nina Kris at Ai Ai delas Alas, na nauna nang bumalik sa GMA Network, ngayong  pareho  na silang Kapuso.

SI ANGEL PA RIN ANG DARNA
Kinumpirma ni Malou Santos, Star Cinema head, na si Angel Locsin pa rin ang gaganap na Darna. Ito ay sa kabila ng paglutang ng iba-t ibang pangalan ng mga artista, at ang iba ay talagang naglabas pa ng mga litarato na nakasuot ng Darna costume. Nagpahayag kasi si Angel, ilang buwan ang nakakaran, na kailangan niyang i-give-up ang role niya na matagal na niyang pinaghahandaan, dahil nagkaroon siya ng disc bulge sa kanyang spine.

Dalawang beses siyang bumalik sa Singapore para ipa-opera ito, at ngayon ay tila magaling na siya. Noong nakaraang buwan ay nag-post pa siya ng litrato na naka-Darna-pose, kaya nabuhayan ng loob ang kanyang mga fans na talagang nakikipaglaban na huwag ibigay sa iba ang role, dahil sa kanya lang daw ito nababagay.

Kamakailan ay napasali ang pangalan ni Angel sa MTV Australia’s sexiest list, kaya laking tuwa ng kanyang mga fans, dahil tinalo man siya ni Jessy Mendiola sa FHM’s sexiest list, nakabawi naman siya dahil pawang mga international celebrities ang mga nakasama niya sa listahan. Si Jessy ang napapabalitang girlfriend ngayon ni Luis Manzano, matapos silang mag-break ni Angel.
May bagong pelikulang gagawin si Angel na katambal sina Zanjoe Marudo at Sam Milby na maaaring ipalabas bago matapos ang taong ito.

KAPATID NG AKTRES, PINATAY
Malagim ang sinapit ni Aurora Moynihan, 45, kapatid ng aktres na si Maritoni Fernandez nang pagbabarilin ito at mapatay ng mga hindi pa kilalang mga salarin na nakasakay  sa  isang van, noong madaling araw ng Sept 10. Iniwan ang biktima sa tabi ng kalsada sa isang lugar sa Quezon City, na may cardboard na may  nakalagay na “ Drug pusher ng mga celebrities, kasunod na kayo”. May nakuha ang mga awtoridad na mga basyo ng bala, apat na plastic sachet ng shabu at drug paraphernalia sa lugar ng pinangyarihan.  .

Ayon kay QCPD Sr. Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, wala daw sa listahan ng QCPD drugs watchlist si Moynihan, at hindi rin ito nakatira sa Quezon City, kundi sa Makati City.

Noong Biyernes din ay nahuli sa isang diumano ay buy-bust operation si Philip Salonga,  half brother ng singer/actress na si Lea Salonga. Siya umano ay isa sa mga distributors ng ecstasy at ibang party drugs, at pati ang dalawa pa nitong kasama.

Dahil sa usap-usapan na ilalabas na rin ang listahan ng mga celebrities na sangkot sa droga, kasunod ng mga naunang inilabas na listahan ng mga  pangalan ng mga pulitiko, pulis at ibang personalidad, minabuti na ng ilang mga artista na sumailalaim sa drug test.

Kabilang sa mga nagpa-test para patunayang hindi sila drug user ay ang 40 artista ng Star Magic, kabilang sina Enrique Gil, Jake Cuenca, Patrick Garcia at Diego Loyzaga, Viva artists na sina Anne Curtis, James Reid, Solenn Heusaff at Claudine Barretto. Boluntaryo ring nagpa drug test si Luis Manzano. Lahat sila ay negatibo sa paggamit ng droga.

Labatt sued over Emry’s suspension

Labatt de la Torre

An irate Hong Kong employer who wants to get her money back from Emry’s for its failure to complete the processing of her domestic worker’s employment papers has sued not just the agency’s owners, but also Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre.

Labatt de la Torre himself disclosed this to The SUN, saying the date of the hearing has been set down sometime next month.

As a Philippine government official, de la Torre can invoke diplomatic immunity in a claim arising from his performance of an official duty, but he said he is still conferring with Consul General Bernardita Catalla on how best to respond to the claim.

De la Torre said he was aware that Emry’s former registered owner Ester Ylagan had sent letters to the agency’s employer-clients, blaming him for her company’s inability to complete the processing of the work contracts.

De la Torre suspended Emry’s accreditation with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on June 20, after receiving complaints from a number of Filipino migrant workers who had been recruited by Ylagan for jobs in Britain and Canada.

He summoned Ylagan to his office to explain the third-country deployment, saying it was against the rules of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, which regulates the recruitment industry.

Ylagan responded by asking for the exact law that she supposedly violated.

Not being satisfied with her response, and hearing of more complaints from Filipinos about Ylagan’s third-country recruitment, De la Torre again summoned the agency owner to his office on July 1.
When Ylagan failed to appear, the labor attaché recommended to POEA that Emry’s accreditation be cancelled.

Emry’s eventually closed both its offices in Central and Wanchai, leaving possibly hundreds of employers in the dark about what to do with contracts they had already entrusted to the agency for processing.

Another Hong Kong-registered employment agency operated by Ylagan, Mike’s Secretarial Services, closed down at about the same time.

Sometime after this, or on July 17, Ylagan applied to have her son, Ridge Michael, replace her as co-owner of Emry’s. The other co-owner is her husband, Rick Ylagan.

The math of toughing it out in HK

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

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

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

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

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

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.
.
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

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.