Stricter rules on window cleaning for FDHs eyed

by The SUN staff

A HK Labour Department's poster on safe window cleaning

In what appears to be an initial victory for Philippine government officials, Hong Kong has agreed to "revisit" the exclusion of window cleaning from the tasks of domestic workers, in line with strict international standards.

This suggests that a provision will soon be added to foreign dometic helpers' contracts, protectung them from unsafe and unsupervised window cleaning. 

This was announced in a statement issued by the Philippine Consulate last night, Oct. 18.

The statement said that following a meeting between the Consulate and Hong Kong labour officials the day before, both sides agreed to look into crafting an exclusion provision in the FDH contract "which strikes a balance between occupational safety and the employer's concerns".

Sources say the two sides agreed to come up with the draft exclusion by Nov. 14.

The statement said that the crafting of such a safety provision must conform with international best practices, which provide that:

1) The worker must be supervised by the employer or an adult representative while cleaning windows; and

2) That window grilles have been installed and are locked throughout the cleaning process. 

The statement further emphasized that the worker's safety is paramount, and "under no circumstances should the employer subject a domestic worker to unsafe working conditions and tasks".

The initial agreement merely put off the implementation of a ban on making Filipino domestic workers clean outside parts of windows imposed by Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, which was supposed to take effect last Oct.15.

In his directive, Labatt de la Torre told employment agencies that all work contracts they shall submit to the Consulate from that day should carry the said exclusion.

His move came after Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello failed to convince his Hong Kong counterpart, Matthew Cheung, to agree to the job exclusion during talks on Sept. 23

The Philippine government sought the exclusion in the wake of a rash of incidents involving Filipino ,maids who were killed after falling from height. 

In the latest incident, 35-year-old Rinalyn Dulluog died after falling from a Lohas Park high rise on Aug. 

His move prompted widespread approval from migrant workers organizations, led by the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, but censure from employers' groups.

An employers' support group subsequently wrote a letter to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, asking him to intervene in what they said was an attempt to subvert Hong Kong's lawmaking functions.

On the eve of the implementation of the planned ban, Hong Kong labour officials requested an embargo, pending a dialogue between them and Consulate officials.

The Consulate agreed, and Labatt de la Torre issued an advisory saying the ban would be postponed for 30 days.

At a press conference held during a community event that day, Cheung said that the Hong Kong government had asked for more time in order to listen to all parties concerned before coming up with a solution.

“First of all, we attach great importance to the safety of all worker including foreign domestic helpers. We’ve got a very large population of 375,000 and of course they play a very important role in Hong Kong,” Cheung said.

He said the helpers’ safety “is something we cannot compromise” but that “we have to strike a balance between the safety of the employee and the interest of the employer”.

Cheung said the ban is not applicable to all situations because there are houses that are on the ground floor, or those with safe corridors outside or fitted with iron grilles.

That’s why he said he had asked the Consulate to suspend the ban to give Hong Kong more time to study it and conduct dialogues and take into account the views of various stakeholders including employers, employers’ groups and employment agencies.

For her part, Consul General Bernardita Catalla urged the press not to issue any report until an official statement on the talks' outcome had been issued. 

She also asked Filipinos not to criticize Labatt de la Torre for shelving the ban. 

“Please don’t blame Labatt Dela Torre for that (postponement). I think that it’s only important that important issues like this be discussed openly, concurrently with Hong Kong authorities, as well as the stakeholders,” Catalla said.

Shortly after her meeting with Hong Kong's labour officials yesterday, Congen Catalla left for Beijing to join the official delegation of President Rodrigo Duterte who is on a three-day visit for talks on bilateral issues.

Definitions of having sex

When three people have sex, it’s called a threesome.
When two people have sex, it’s called a twosome.
Now I understand why they call you handsome.

Exploding power bank disrupts POLO transactions

by Vir B. Lumicao

A power bank burst into flames before noon yesterday, Oct. 16, at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on the 16th floor of Admiral Centre Tower 1, causing a commotion and disrupting services briefly.

More than 100 people were in the office at the time but no one was injured.

“Biglang nagkagulo kanina dahil may sumabog tapos napuno ng usok diyan sa loob,” said one domestic worker who was at the scene.

A female OFW had reportedly plugged the device into an electrical outlet in the public hall to charge it at around 11am, and it exploded.

The OFW disappeared in the ensuing commotion and only the severely burnt device with the brand name Sun Standard was found at the scene, along with a scorched spot on the floor.

POLO staff led by Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero quickly put out the fire and rushed to the entrance to calm down the panicking workers and prevent a possible stampede. 

He said the incident had been reported to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre and the building management.

“It’s good the owner was not holding the gadget when it exploded,” Tianero said, adding that quick response by the staff brought the situation under control within three minutes.

Tianero said he saw the owner of the power bank in the hall  but could no longer locate her after the commotion.

“We failed to identify the owner because we immediately focused on controlling the power bank on fire and calming down the crowd",  Tianero said.

“Nang balikan ko, wala na siya,” he said. 

The incident prompted Tianero to warn OFWs against buying electrical devices of dubious quality as these pose a public hazard.

“Kindly help us forewarn our kabayans to refrain from using sub-standard power banks and other electrical gadgets,” Tianero said

Maid who hit ward with phone jailed

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker walked free on Oct 7 despite being convicted of ill-treating her six-year-old ward by hitting him on the forehead with a cellphone.

The reason: she had already been in jail three times longer than her sentence.

Nelia S. Asuncion, a single mother, was ordered immediately released by Eastern Court Magistrate Jason Wan after handing her a prison sentence of 14 days.

Just minutes earlier, the Filipina pleaded to a charge of “ill-treatment by those in charge of a child or young person”, or child abuse.

“After hearing all the circumstances of the case – and I can see that the defendant is remorseful – I sentence her to 14 days in jail,” Wan said.

“You’ll be released immediately,” the magistrate told Asuncion, who was crying unabashedly. He ordered the prosecution to return her mobile phone, which was used as an exhibit.

Asuncion’s female employer called the police on the evening of Aug 23 after she came home and saw a patch of redness on the boy’s forehead and learned from the child that the helper had hit him with the phone.
The maid admitted to the police she hit the boy lightly on the forehead in a fit of anger when he refused to do his homework despite being told the sixth time.

The magistrate asked why Asuncion had remained in jail when the incident happened on Aug 23. The prosecution explained it was because Asuncion did not have money for bail.

In mitigation, the defense lawyer said Asuncion’s 17-year-old daughter dropped out of college and her mother fell ill and was hospitalized after learning of the helper’s plight.

He said the Filipina loved his ward so much because she had taken care of the child since he was one year and 3 months old and was remorseful for hitting him.

The lawyer said that, in fact, Asuncion wanted to go back to her employer after serving her sentence, if she would be allowed to do so.

Outside the courthouse, Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr., of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, told The SUN that Asuncion’s employer cried when she learned that the maid’s mother suffered a breakdown and her daughter had stopped going to school.

“Please ask her what I can do to help,” the employer reportedly told Cayabyab.
The employer was said to be keen to rehire the maid but that would depend on whether the Immigration Department would allow her to remain in Hong Kong.

Ang regalo ni misis

Napansin ni Edong ang kaibigang si Noel na malungkot habang nag-iisang kumakain sa karinderya ni Aling Uping.

Edong: Malungkot ka yata.

Noel: Hindi ko kasi maintindihan ang mga babae.

Edong: Bakit, ano’ng nangyari?
\
Noel: Kagabi kasi, sinabi ng asawa ko na dahil birthday ko, maari daw gawin ko sa kanya ang anumang gusto ko. Ayun, Pinatulog ko muna sa nanay niya. Ngayon ayaw niya akong kausapin.

Sharon at Gabby, balik tambalan?

Tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabalik ni Sharon Cuneta sa showbiz. Pagkatapos ng pagiging isa sa mga hurado sa reality singing contests na “The Voice Kids” at “Your Face Sounds Familiar”, nakatakda naman niyang muling balikan ang kanyang singing career, na siyang naging susi niya upang tanghalin bilang isa sa pinakamalaking bituin ng Philippine showbiz. Magkakaroon siya ng concert na gaganapin sa October 15 at 22 sa The Theater ng Solaire Resort and Casino.
Guests niya sa concert ang Team Sharon ng The Voice Kids at ang kanyang anak na si Frankie Pangilinan. Ang pamangkin niya (anak ng hipag niyang si Angeli at asawa nitong si Gary Valenciano) na si Paolo Valenciano ang director ng show.
Inaasahang magbabalik-tanaw si Sharon sa mga pinasikat niyang awitin na likha ng ilan sa pinakamahuhusay na composers ng bansa na sina Rey Valera (Mr. DJ, Pangako sa ‘Yo, Maging Sino Ka Man, Kung Kailangan Mo Ako, Kahit Wala Ka Na, at Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko), George Canseco ( Langis At Tubig, Dear Heart, Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin at version niya ng Ngayon At Kailanman), Willy Cruz ( Bituing Walang Ningning, Sana’y Wala Ng Wakas, Pangarap Na Bituin, Sana’y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan, Init Sa Magdamag), Louie Ocampo ( Ikaw at Hagkan) at Odette Quesada ( To Love Again). May bago rin siyang mga awitin mula sa bago niyang album sa ilalim ng Star Records.
Samantala, namataan sa backstage ng PICC kamakailan si Sharon na kausap ang dating asawang si Gabby Concepcion, na ama ng panganay niyang anak na si KC. Malakas ang bulung-bulungan na ibabalik ang tambalan nila sa pelikulang inihahanda ng Star Cinema para sa kanyang pagbabalik sa pag-arte.
Kamakailan ay naging special guest siya sa “Magandang Buhay”, at ipinahayag niya ang kanyang kasiyahan sa mga bagong project niyang gagawin. Tatlong pelikula ang nakatakda niyang gawin: isang indie film, isa pang pelikula na gagawin niya bago matapos ang taong ito, na ipapalabas sa unang bahagi ng 2017, at ang huli ay isang napakalaking pelikula na pinaghahandaan na rin daw niya.
Ibinahagi rin niyang aktibo na siyang muli sa social media upang mapalapit muli sa kanyang mga fans, at magkakaroon din siya ng regular spot sa You Tube, kung saan ay maaari niyang sagutin ang mga tanong ng mga fans, dahil na-miss na daw niya ng husto ang pagkakaroon ng talk show.
Patuloy din ang kanyang pagdi-diyeta upang magampanan ang mga nakahanay niyang projects. Sa kasalukuyan ay 66 lbs na ang nabawas sa kanyang timbang, kaya mas ganado  pa siyang ituloy-tuloy na ito.  

KRIS, UMALMA SA PARATANG NA GINAMIT ANG KUWINTAS NI IMELDA 
Hindi napigilan ni Kris Aquino na mag-react sa patuloy na kumakalat na kuwento na ginamit niya ang kuwintas ng dating First Lady Imelda Marcos, na kabilang sa nakumpiska ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas sa pamilya Marcos.
 “It seems you don’t want me to stay quiet and your trolls want to keep perpetuating lies about me. My friend JC Buendia & my sister Viel both showed me this paulit-ulit na FB post. The necklaces supposedly belonged to Mrs Marcos & I was brazen enough to wear them for the APEC DINNER. Duh?”
“The necklace I wore was made from cubic zirconia & silver—hindi po DIAMONDS. In other words fake sila, although Bottega Veneta naman. ENOUGH! And the TRUTH is on my side—including credit card receipts,” pahayag niya tungkol sa nasabing kuwintas na patuloy naman niyang ginagamit dahil nga bayad naman daw niya ‘yun kung saan ipinakita niya pa sa kanyang Instagram account ang receipt nito at kahon ng Bottega.
“I have a long standing event for #ARIEL on Tuesday, even if my necklaces aren’t appropriate for showing how you can remove more than 100 different types of stains—what the heck, isusuot ko na sila. After all I paid for them with hard-earned, tax-paid income.
“Hindi ko na problema kung yung pagnanakaw ng iba trip nilang ibintang/pagtakpan using me- and to be perfectly clear, I’m not referring to Mrs. Marcos.
“So this is FAIR WARNING—stop lying about me if you don’t want your rotting skeletons unearthed. #IAMBACK,” ang banta pa niya.

AGOT, KINUYOG NG DUTERTE SUPPORTERS
Marami ang humanga sa tapang ng aktres na si Agot Isidro nang ipahayag niya ang inis niya kay Pangulong Duterte, bilang reaksyon sa balitang hinahamon nito ang EU (Europe Union) at US na tanggalin ang ibinibigay na tulong (aid) sa Pilipinas dahil kakayanin naman ito ng bansa.
“Unang una, walang umaaway sa iyo, ikaw ang nang-aaway. Pangalawa, yung bansa, kung saan ka iniluklok ng 16 million out of 100++ million people ay third world. Kung makapagsalita ka parang superpower ang Pilipinas eh. At excuse me, ayaw namin magutom. Mag-isa ka na lang. Wag kang mandamay. Hindi na nga nakakain ang nakararami, gugutumin mo pa lalo. Pangatlo, may kilala akong psychiatrist. Patingin ka. Hindi ka bipolar. You are a psychopath”.
Tulad ng inaasahan, kinuyog si Agot sa social media ng mga supporters at tagahanga ng presidente. Kung anu-anong mga salita ang ibinato sa aktres, gaya ng bobo, baog at kung anu-ano pang panlalait. Isa sa mga masugid na tagapagtanggol ng pangulo ay ang aktres na si Elizabeth Oropesa, na nag-post ng larawan niya na nakasuot ng T-shirt na may nakasulat na “It’s a Duterte thing you wouldn’t understand”. Nilagyan pa niya ito ng caption  ng “one of the 16 million psychopaths”.
Kung marami ang galit kay Agot, na napapanood gabi-gabi sa TV series na “Ang Probinsyano”, marami rin naman siyang kakamping celebrities na naniwalang tama ang kanyang sinabi at dapat irespeto kung anuman ang kanyang opinyon. Kabilang sa mga ito sina Leah Navarro, Jim Paredes, Mitch Valdez, at Cherry Pie Picache.
Si Agot (Maria Margarita Amada Fteha Isidro sa tunay na buhay) ay isa sa pinamatatalinong showbiz personalities sa Pilipinas. Nagtapos siya ng BS Interior Design sa University of the Philippines, at nag-aral ng Fashion Buying & Merchandising sa Fashion Institute of Technology sa New York, kung saan ay nag-graduate siya bilang magna cum laude. May master’s degree din siya sa communication arts sa Ateneo de Manila University. Siya ay isang singer/ recording artist, host, at movie actress. Nagsimula siya bilang singer, kasama ang kanyang dalawang kapatid na babae sa TV show ni Sharon Cuneta, bago siya kinuha bilang host ni direk Johnny Manahan sa ‘Sang Linggo n APO Sila. Siya ay ikinasal noong 2000 kay Manu Sandejas, pero hindi sila nagkaanak.

MARK ANTHONY, NASA KULUNGAN PA RIN 
Naiiyak si Alma Moreno nang magbigay ng pahayag tungkol sa panganay na anak niyang si Mark Anthony Fernandez, na nakulong sa masikip na Angeles District Jail, kasama ang 102 preso. Awang-awa daw siya sa anak dahil hindi ito makatulog nang maayos at makakain nang husto, kahit masasarap ang pagkain na dinala niya. Hindi rin daw stable ang blood pressure nito na minsan ay biglang tumataas. Nagpapasalamat si Alma sa lahat ng nagdarasal para sa kanyang anak at sa suporta ng kanilang mga kamag-anak at kaibigan, lalo na kay Lorna Tolentino at sa dalawa nitong anak na sina Ralph at Renz Fernadez, ( kapatid ni Mark sa amang si Rudy Fernandez).
Si Mark Anthony ay dati nang nagkaroon sa problema sa drugs at ipina-rehab ng kanyang mga magulang. Nitong nakaraang buwan ay nasabat siya sa checkpoint sa Angeles, Pampanga, at nagtangka pang tumakas, pero nasukol din. Nakuha sa kanyang kotse ang isang pakete na may isang kilong marijuana, na iginigiit niya ay hindi kanya dahil hindi pa daw niya binili. Ilang ounces lang daw ang kanya doon. Inamin naman niyang gumagamit siya nito bilang pangontra sa sakit na kanser, na siyang ikinamatay ng tatay niya. Sa isinagawang test sa kanya, nagpositibo siya sa marijuana, pero negatibo sa iba pang uri ng drugs.
Si Mark Anthony ay isang mahusay na actor na nag-umpisa sa showbiz bilang miyembro ng Guwaping, kasama nina Jomari Yllana at Eric Fructuoso. Sa kabila ng naging problema niya sa drugs, marami ang nagsasabi na likas na mabait ang aktor, lalo na sa kanyang mga kapatid sa ama at sa ina. Ang kanyang binatilyong anak na si Grae Fernandez ay nagpahayag ng suporta sa ama, kahit naghiwalay na ang kanyang mga magulang. Ang girlfriend ni Mark Anthony ngayon ay isang model, na kasama niyang naninirahan sa isang condominium sa Pampanga.

ALDEN, HOST SA ASIAN TV AWARDS 
Balitang makakasama sina Maine Mendoza at Alden Richards ng Eat Bulaga Dabarkads na magbabakasyon sa Germany at London, at nakatakdang umalis sa katapusan ng Oktubre. Pero dahil sa dami ng commitments ni Alden, kabilang na ang concert niya sa Island Cove sa Cavite sa October 28, (kasama nina Ely Buendia, Aiza Seguerra, at James Wright), baka humabol na lang siya sa grupo.
Sa December ay magkakaroon ng concert si Alden sa Hong Kong dahil matagal na raw itong hiling ng kanyang mga fans dito.
Babalik din siya sa Singapore sa December 2 dahil isa siya sa mga host ng 21st Asian Television Awards, kasama sina Adrian Pang (sikat na Singaporean actor), model at TV host Stephanie Carrington, at Baki Zainal (Malaysian TV & radio host). Gaganapin ito sa Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center.
Sa kabila ng napakaraming pinagkakaabalahang trabaho, nais pa ring ituloy ni Alden ang kanyang pag-aaral. Pero sa ngayon, tila malabo pang mangyari ito dahil araw araw siyang nagta-trabaho at halos wala nang pahinga.

Covers Oct. 16-31

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
May magandang pagbabago sa pananalapi sa linggong ito dahil madadagdagan ang iyong kita. Kung may karelasyon, tamang panahon ito para sa seryosong usapan kung saan patutungo ang relasyon. Mahaharap ka sa importante at madaliang desisyon, mag-ingat at pag-isipan itong mabuti. Umiwas sa masikip, mausok at mataong lugar upang maiwasan ang pananakit ng ulo. Lucky numbers: 19, 21, 33 at 45.

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93Gamitin ang common sense at intuisyon at hindi ka magkakamali ng desisyon ngayon. Piliting magkaroon ng positibong pananaw sa kabila ng mga problema. Ang malumanay na pananalita ay maaaring mag-ayos ng maraming bagay. Kulang ka sa inspirasyon at sigla ngayon, magpahinga muna at iwasan ang mga bagay na sagabal sa regular na pamumuhay. Lucky numbers: 7, 25, 33 at 40.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Walang dapat ikatakot sa paghingi ng payo sa matalik na kaibigan dahil matutulungan ka nila. Napapanahon ang pagsasaayos sa kalagayan sa trabaho, pero kailangang mag-ingat sa mga kasamahan. Pera ang dahilan ng magiging alitan sa mga kamag-anak; mag-ingat. Ibibigay mo ang lahat ng dahil sa pag-ibig pero kapag nagkaproblema, huwag sarilinin ito at huwag kaawaan ang sarili. Lucky numbers: 13, 18, 27 at 38.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Makakadama ng pagiging romantiko at pagbabalik-tanaw sa nakaraan. Huwag nang buhayin pa ang patay nang love affair dahil muli ka lang masasaktan. Sa trabaho, iwasang makipag-away sa mga kasamahan. Upang hindi magkaproblema sa pera, kailangang magtipid ng husto. Muli ay may hihingi ng tulong sa iyo, huwag nang umasang mabayaran o tanawin itong utang na loob, pero hindi ito dahilan upang maglait ng tulong. Lucky numbers:12, 22, 35 at 37.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Nahihirapan kang makaipon, pero kailangan ito upang makaalpas sa problema. Sa tapang mong magsalita, matatameme ang sino mang kumausap sa iyo, kahit na maganda ang kanilang intensyon. Malaki ang tsansang makilala ang bagong partner na makakasundo mo. Alam mong kailangan mong kumayod ng husto upang umasenso, pero minsan ay maghinay-hinay rin sa trabaho upang hindi magkasakit. Lucky numbers: 18, 21, 25 at 43.
 39.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Mapapalawak mo pa ang iyong kaalaman at mas may oras kang makisalamuha sa mga bagong kakilala at kaibigan. Huwag dibdibin ang lahat ng bagay, kailangang dumistansya ng kaunti upang magkaroon ng mas malawak na pananaw. Mahaharap sa personal na problema na mahirap lutasin; pakinggan ang puso. Mahal mo ang iyong mga kaibigan, pero dahil sa isang mapanira, kailangang putulin ang relasyon dito upang hindi madamay ang iba. Lucky numbers: 8,16,28 at 37.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Madali kang makibagay kaya masasanay ka agad sa mga pagbabagong magaganap. Komportable ang pamumuhay ngayon pero magkakaroon ng problema tungkol sa mamanahin. Mas magiging malapit at maligaya ka sa love life ngayon. Iwasang mag-alala ng husto ng dahil sa konting problema sa kalusugan. Magpagamot at huwag gaanong alalahanin ang kalagayan dahil normal lang na magkasakit paminsan minsan. Lucky numbers: 12, 19, 39 at 45.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Mas mapapahalagahan mo ang pagiging prangka at tapat na mga kaibigan. Balikang muli ang mga nagawang desisyon na buong sigasig mong pinaglaban. Sa trabaho, nasa rurok ang pagkamalikhain mo ngayon kaya malaki ang tsansang makamit ang promotion na matagal mo nang inaasam. Magiging maingat ka sa paghawak ng pera ngayon; bilhin lang ang mga bagay na kailangan. Lucky numbers: 5, 13, 33 at 41.

 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 eksklusiboMagkakaproblema ka kung hindi mo babaguhin ang ugaling ginagawang biro ang lahat ng bagay. Mag-ingat sa trabaho, habang mas umaangat ka, mas lalong dumadami ang naiinis sa iyo. Masigla ang katawan mo ngayon at masaya rin ang tahanan, pero mas mainam kung mas maipakita mo pa ang pagmamahal at pagiging mapagbigay mo. Huwag pigilan ang totoong nararamdaman mo. Lucky numbers: 14, 16, 19 at 27.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Panahon na upang makasulong sa buhay; magkakaroon ka ng dahilan upang kumilos, at maniwala sa kaya mo pang gawin. Maeengganyo kang mamili ng mga bagay, mag-ingat dahil may paparating na problema sa pera. Huwag gaanong alalahanin ang problema sa love life dahil kusa itong maaayos nang ayon sa gusto mo. Nasa tamang daan ka upang magtagumpay at walang makakapigil sa iyo. Mag-ingat sa mga naiinggit. Lucky numbers: 14, 19, 25 at 35.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Lahat ng bagay ay papabor sa iyo, samantalahin ito upang kumilos ng buong sipag at sigla. Mabibigyan pansin din ang pinagpapagurang trabaho. Tatanggap ka ng napapanahong tulong mula sa kamag-anak o kaibigan. Sa kabila ng distansya sa minamahal, mararamdaman mong hindi pa huli ang lahat; sundin mo ang iyong intuisyon. Lucky numbers: 16, 22, 28 at 41.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Makakaapekto sa iyong kalusugan ang problema sa pamilya. Pag-isipang mabuti ang gagawin upang makaiwas sa nakaambang panganib. Sa kabila nito, magiging kasiya-siya ang love affair mo ngayon. Maraming bagay ang pagdaraanan; dobleng ingat sa katawan ang kailangan. Umiwas sa anumang bagay na labis, lalo na sa pagkain at pakikipagrelasyon. Lucky numbers: 6, 15, 40 at 47.

Mga taga Batac, nagsagawa ng boodle fight sa beach

Ni Marites Palma

Isang mahabang hapag kainan ang
pinagsaluhan ng mga kasapi
at bisita ng bagong tatag na Annak ti Ciudad ti
Batac Association. 

Isang pagkahaba-habang hapag para sa isang “boodle fight” ang naging tampok ng isinagawang pagtitipon sa Deepwater Bay noong Okt. 1 ng mga miyembro ng bagong tatag na Annak ti Ciudad ti Batac Association.

Umabot sa 100 katao ang sumali sa boodle fight sa hapag na may habang 18 metro, na ayon sa mga taga Batac ay siyang pinakamahaba sa buong kasaysayan ng Hong Kong.

Ang “boodle fight” ay isang klase ng pagsalo-salo kung saan ang pagkain ay ipinapatong sa mga dahon ng saging na nakalatag sa mahabang mesa. Walang plato o kubyertos na ginagamit, at ang mga magkakasalo ay mag-aagawan sa puwesto sa harap ng pagkain pagkatapos ng isang hudyat. Ang mga militar ang unang nagsagawa ng ganitong istilo ng pagsasalo-salo.

Kasabay ng boodle fight ay ang paggawa ng mga miyembro ng ipinagmamalaki nilang Batac empanada na gawa sa pinaghalong munggo at ginadgad na papaya, at hinaluan ng tanyag na longganisang Ilocos at itlog, at binalot sa masa ng rice flour.

Naniniwala ang samahan na sa pamamagitan ng ganitong paraan ay maipapakilala pa nila sa madla ang mga kinagigiliwang pagkain ng Ilocos.

Ang gumawa at nagluto ng empanadang ipinatikim sa mga bisita at sa lahat ng nakiisa sa kanilang selebrasyon ay sina Meda, Jennifer, Cora, Liza, Paullette at Louie.

Nakadagdag kasiyahan ang isinagawang palabunutan na isang kabang bigas ang premyo para sa unang gantimpala, at napanalunan ni Gloria Rivera.

Ang ikalawang gamtimpala ay Php1,500 na halaga ng mga de lata at iba pang mga produktong pagkain na natanggap naman ito ni Lowie Addu. Kalahating sako ng bigas naman ang premoyo sa pangatlong gantimpala.

Ang tatlong pangunahing premyo ay natanggap ng mga pamilya ng mga nanalo sa Pilipinas.
Sampung consolation prizes naman ang nabunot ng mga dumalo sa kasiyahan at inisponsoran ito ni Josephine Sibucano.

Hinihikayat ng Annak ti Ciudad ti Batac Association ang lahat ng mga taga-Batac na naririto sa Hong Kong at nais makiisa sa mga mithiin ng grupo, na tumawag sa mobile no. 54419854.

Ang pagluluto ng Batac empanada.

Ang mga nahalal sa pamunuan ng samahan ay sina: Roger A. Tagudin, pangulo; Edna Fontanilla at Analyn Adina, kapwa mga pangalawang pangulo; Editha Albano, kalihim; Leidee Manglal-lan, pangalawang kalihim; Riza Pancho, ingat-yaman; Nina Cadaba, pangalawang ingat-yaman; Shirley Julian, tagasuri; Lily Paraoan, pangalawang tagasuri; Annie Persog, taga-kalakal; Elizabeth Marzan, pangalawang taga-kalakal; Corazon Tabilos at Nora Marzan, mga tagapamalita.

Ang mga kinatawan ay sina Ginalyn Agacia, Marites Manglal-lan, Ludy Marzan,Ezperanza Catubo, Gloria Rivera, Maryjean Miguel, Demrose Placido, at Jennifer Bernardo.

Mga tagapayo naman ay sina Nilda Domingo, Josephine Sibucao, Reyma Marcos, Shirley Mata, Marista Paguibitan, Milagros Domingo, at Imelda Paraoan. Ang musikero at publisher na si Arnold Pineda ang consultant ng samahan.

Ipinagmayabang pa na pinagod siya ni Seaboy

Tutok na tutok ang mga Pilipinang nakasabay ni Kabayan sa MTR sa kanyang pakikipag-usap nang malakas sa telepono sa isang kaibigan. Matapos kasing magkumustahan ay nag-umpisa nang magpayabangan ang magkausap tungkol sa kani-kanilang mga boyfriend.

Sabi ni Kabayan ay napakasuwerte ng kausap dahil sa boyfriend nitong Pakistani na sa opisina nagtatrabaho sa Singapore. Nang si Kabayan naman ang kumustahin ng kausap ay buong yabang nitong ipinagmalaki na pinagod siya ni “Seaboy” dahil tatlong oras daw silang nag-check in.

Tapos ay walang gatol nitong sinabi na may mga anak ang kanyang kaulayaw, at siyempre pa, may ina ang mga ito.

Pero kahit kabit daw siya ay ok lang sa kanya dahil kaliwa’t kanan din naman daw siya. Ang mahalaga ay mahal na mahal daw siya ni Seaboy, at makakasama niya tuwing day off niya ng sampung buwan dahil ito ang tagal ng kontrata nito pagdaong  sa HK.

Dahil oras na ng uwian noon para sa may curfew ay maraming mga Pilipina na nagsisiksikan sa train, pero walang paki si Kabayan sa pagkukuwento.

Dahil nasa kasarapan ng pakikinig sa tsismis ay nagpasya si Tikya na huwag munang bumaba sa kanyang istasyon para makuha ang buong kuwento. Pagbaba ni Kabayan ay saka biglang nagkomento ang nakapaligid.

Ayon sa isa, ni hindi daw ito nahiyang ilantad ang tunay niyang pagkatao kahit nasa publiko siyang lugar, bagkus ay pinangalandakan pa ito. Sabi naman ng isa ay nagkalat talaga sa Hong Kong ang mga ganun ang gawain dahil sa hilig sa pera. Kitang kita naman daw sa ayos ng babae ang pagka sosyal nito. Dagdag naman ng isa, malamang na bigay ni Seaboy ang mga alahas.

Saka lamang naalala ni Tikya na malayo na siya sa uuwian, kaya agad na nagpaalam sa mga kapwa intrigera na bababa na siya at lilipat sa tren pabalik. Si Tikya ay isang Ilokana at bagong lipat sa mga among taga Saikung. – Marites Palma

Labatt suspends window cleaning ban for 30 days

These 2 Filipinas were rescued after they were pictured
standing precariously on a ledge while cleaning the windows of a flat in Shatin

By Daisy CL Mandap

Philippine Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre has suspended for 30 days a ban he imposed on the cleaning by Filipino maids of the outside part of their employer’s home, which was due to take effect tomorrow, Oct. 15.

He had originally ordered all accredited employment agencies to submit only work contracts with the stamped exclusion to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office from the effective date.

But a vehement protest by an employers’ group, which included asking Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to intervene, appeared to have prompted the Hong Kong Labour Department to ask Labatt de la Torre for a meeting on Monday, and to freeze his order in the meantime.

In a reply to a text query from The SUN, Labatt de la Torre said he decided to put off implementing the ban “to enable the Hong Kong Labour Department to consult with stakeholders, including employers’ groups”.

Asked what would happen if the Labour Department would decide to keep the status quo, he replied, “We will take the necessary step then”.

He said the postponement was reached after consultations with various interest groups, including the Hong Kong Labour Department.

His last-minute decision to stop implementing the ban did not sit well with migrants organizations which had been fighting to add the risky task among the excluded duties expected to be performed by FDHs.

In a Facebook post, Eman Villanueva of the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body said his group was disappointed with de la Torre’s decision.

“ We maintain our position that domestic workers performing cleaning of the external side of the windows in above-ground floor residences is totally UNACCEPTABLE,” he said.

Villanueva called on the consulates of countries that send FDHs to Hong Kong to stand by their national’s best interests and not “give in to the pressures exerted by the HKSAR government, employment agencies and employers’ associations”.

A day before, the Support Group of Employers of Foreign Domestic Helpers asked Hong Kong’s top official to overrule what they called as the unilateral decision by the Philippine government to impose the ban.

Among other reasons, the group said the ban was unacceptable because it would set a bad precedent for other interest groups that might also try to alter the standard employment contract for FDHs, and because it bypassed the Hong Kong government’s regulatory powers.

Among those hoping for an immediate solution to the stalemate is the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies. Their head, Thomas Chan, had told The SUN earlier that they supported the ban but with reservations.

Chan said insurers for FDHs have told him that should the ban be implemented, they would no longer cover any accident that might occur as a result of window cleaning, including repatriation in case of death.

This has apparently caused employers to worry, although Chan admitted that the flipside is that they would be very careful not to violate the ban.

Rinalyn  

The ban, which was initially announced by POLO on Oct. 1, came in the wake of a series of accidents involving Filipino domestic workers while reportedly cleaning windows from the outside.

In the latest incident, Rinalyn Dulluog from Isabela fell from a Tseung Kwan-o high rise on Aug. 9, and police said she was cleaning windows at the time.

Two months earlier, Labatt de la Torre led the rescue of two other Filipina helpers who were pictured by concerned neighbors standing on a narrow ledge while cleaning the outside part of the windows of their employer’ flat in Shatin. (see picture above)

During a visit to Hong Kong on Sept. 23-25, Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III tried, but failed to get his local counterpart Matthew Cheung to agree to exclude the cleaning of outside part of windows from the tasks expected of FDHs.

POLO fast-tracks OEC exemptions

By Daisy CL Mandap

In the end, it all came down to issuing a small slip of paper that proves one’s status as a returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

This piece of paper, called the Temporary OEC Exemption Slip, is all that a vacationing overseas Filipino worker needs now to be able to get past immigration at Philippine airports and return to his or her employer.

Instead of queuing up for hours to access a computer at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office which they were required to use previously to create an account online, OFWs can simply secure this slip, which comes with a reference number, and they are good to go.

On their return, or within 60 days after acquiring the slip, the OFW can simply go online – anywhere, anytime - and using the reference number provided on the exemption slip, create an account with Balik Manggagawa Online (BMO) system.

This means that they no longer have to use POLO’s computers to create a BMO account, or pay the $20 fee and go through the tedious process of lining up all over again at the cashier’s counters or at the bank.

What’s more, nearly all OFWs in Hong Kong are now exempt from securing the all-important overseas employment certificate (OEC), which until recently, they needed to show at airports back home to be cleared for departure.

Apart from those who are returning to their employers under an existing contract, those who have been terminated but have managed to get a new employment contract processed, will also be able to avail of the OEC exemption slip.

“Technically, they will be going back to the same employer anyway,” Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre told The SUN.

The implication, however, is that the worker will no longer have to submit herself to POEA again for more paper work and possibly, more fees being paid before being allowed to go abroad again.
Under POEA Resolution No. 12 issued on Aug. 4, all OFWs returning to the same employer at the same work site were exempted from securing the OEC, provided that they had previously registered their work and personal details with BMO.

Those who had not yet done so were told to register first, and pay the $20 fee.

Those who changed employers, whether they finished or broke their contracts, were not entitled to the exemption. They needed to secure an appointment with POLO or any POEA branch in Manila so they could be helped in either creating a new BMO account, or change the existing data in their account.

The new directive which took effect on Sept. 15 caused a lot of confusion as it was not followed up with implementing guidelines. Not a few OFWs said on social media that the old system was better because the paper OEC was easier to secure, even if they had to pay for it or line up for hours during peak season just to get it.

Migrant leader Eman Villanueva told The SUN that the dissatisfaction was such that they had to seek a dialogue with de la Torre to try and get the kinks out of the way.

“We felt responsible because we had long campaigned for the scrapping of the OEC, but now that this has been granted, a lot of frustrated people are saying that the old system was better,” said Villanueva.

But with the master stroke hatched between POLO and the POEA, much of the problem has been solved, at least for now.

“It’s good na may effort na ginagawa si Labatt para masolusyunan ang mga problema,” said Villanueva. “Itong parang backdoor na ibinigay sa kanila para maibsan ang mga problema sa OEC ay malaking tulong”.

But with only 8,000 out of some 185,000 OFWs in HK registered with BMO so far, it may still take time before the long lines leading to POLO during crucial times would become a thing of the past.  

The SUN Calendar: What's on where

Section Juan Induction

Oct 16, 3-5pm, PCG Conference Room
(By invitation only).Contact tel no: 6849 5831

Writing as Therapy Workshop
Oct 23, POLO, Morning Session: 9am- 12noon,Afternoon Session: 1:30-4:30pm. Slots for both sessions are now full.
To be waitlisted, please check Labatt Jalilo de la Torre’s FB page

CARD MRI Graduation Ceremony 
(Batch 34, 35, 36, POLO Outreach,, Entrepreneurship, Livelihood skills- beads, empanada and doughnut making)
Oct 23 2-5pm, 9th floor auditorium, Caritas Catholic Diocese, Caine Road, Mid-Levels. Contacts: Marites Mapa, 54238196 and Emelia Dellosa, 95296392.

IsaFed’s Sports Fest (and 7th Founding Anniversary)
Oct 23, Repulse Bay. Contact: Butz Francisco, 9196 3237

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.

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!

Mission’s Annual Charity Walk
Nov. 6, 4pm. Walk Route: Forum in Exchange Square (near the Carabao) – Bus 13 stop – subway-Chater Garden- HSBC- Prince’s Bldg-Chater Road. Organized by the Mission for Migrant Workers to raise funds for its basic services, primarily to help migrant workers of different nationalities who are in crisis situation.  Donations of HK$100 or more are tax deductible. Contacts: Cynthia or Buhay at 2522 8264 or 2522-8261

 Jewish Women's Association of Hong Kong (JWA) annual Holiday charity bazaar
Nov. 6, Island School on Borrett Road.
It sells holiday gifts and decorations, clothing, housewares, accessories, and a huge selection of toys. All the proceeds from the Bazaar will go to charities that support women and children at risk. It will be a fun day out for the whole family, with interactive activities in a dedicated Kids’ Zone for young children, and exotic home made food. The Bazaar is operated by more than 200 devoted volunteers annually, last year it hosted 3,500 shoppers and raised over 600,000 HKD. JWA is celebrating its 70th year, it is a longstanding non-affiliated charitable association of women, dedicated to aiding women and children in need.

Idulog Mo Kay Atorni 4
(A free legal service by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines)
Nov. 12 (Saturday): 10am-4pm Legal Consultation; Nov 13 (Sunday): 9am-3pm Legal Consultation, 3pm-4:40pm Legal Forum. Co-organized by the Philippine Consulate General and IBP. To book an appointment, call Cholo 2823 8537 or Charlene 2823 8511

Dance on the Floor 2nd Anniversary
Nov. 13, 12:30pm-6pm.Palladian International Dance Club,
9/F BCC Building, 25 Carnarvon Road , Tsimshatsui (MTR Exit D). Fee of  $220 includes lunch and drink.

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 page, Rambulan

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

New OWWA fee validity not yet enforced in HK

The new two-year validity of membership to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is yet to be followed in Hong Kong, despite this being made into law more than four months ago.

This was learned by The SUN from staff processing new employment contracts at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on Sunday, Oct. 9.

“As of now po, we still collect the fee from every worker who submits a contract for processing”, said the staff.

Told about this, Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, was taken aback.

“It should have been enforced a long time ago. Let me check into that,” he said.

For years, overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong have sought to make membership in OWWA voluntary, or at least get the validity period fixed at two years, instead of per contract basis.
This is particularly relevant to Hong Kong, where workers have no security of tenure, and the more vulnerable ones like foreign domestic helpers are known to have their contracts terminated within weeks, or even days, of being employed.

It thus came as a surprise to many when former OWWA administrator Rebecca Calzado announced during a dialogue with community leaders on Sept 25 that their long-standing demand had been granted through a law signed on May 31 this year by former president Benigno S. Aquino III.

According to Calzado, the US$25 members’ contribution is now valid for two years, unlike in the past when an OFW had to pay the fee for each employment contract processed.

This means, Calzado said, that even if a worker’s contract was prematurely terminated, his or her membership was still good for two years.

She also announced that under the same law, members who have made at least 10 years’ worth of contributions will be entitled to a rebate.

But she was quick to add that the new law still needs implementing guidelines, which could only be forged after consulting with all stakeholders.— DCLM

Move on na, pagkatapos masaktan

Dati nang OFW si Emily nang makilala niya si Chris. Naging magkasintahan sila at ikinasal. Hindi na bumalik si Emily sa abroad dahil nagkaanak na sila ni Chris. Ang problema nga lang ay walang permanenteng trabaho si Chris at umaasa lang sa kanyang mga magulang sa lahat ng kanilang pangangailangan.

Ilang taon din na ganito ang pamumuhay nila kaya kalaunan ay hindi na natiis ni Emily ang umasa pa sa kanyang mga biyenan, at nagpasyang mag abroad muli. Madali naman siyang nakaalis dahil marami siyang kamag anak at kapatid na tumulong sa kanya. Makalipas ang isang taon ay nakaipon sila ni Chris ng sapat para makapag down payment sa isang bahay.

Pero lingid sa kanyang kaalaman ay may kinalolokohang babae na pala ang kanyang asawa. Dahil kapitbahay lang nila ang babaeng kalaguyo ng asawa, mabilis na kumalat ang balita at nakarating kay Emily.

Kinausap niya ang kanyang mga biyenan at napatunayan niyang totoo ang mga balitang nakarating sa kanya. Halos mabaliw si Emily sa nalaman niya. Mabuti na lang at mabait at maunawain ang matandang employer niya at inunawa ang kanyang pinagdadaanan. Ilang buwan ding halos maubos na ang luha ni Emily sa sakit na dinanas niya.

Kinausap niya si Chris tungkol dito at ito pa ang nagalit imbes na umamin sa kanyang kataksilan.

Nagpasiya si Emily na umuwi sa Pilipinas upang ayusin ang problema ng kanyang pamilya. Nagpaalam ito sa kanyang among taga Cyprus at pumayag naman. Sinabi din ng matanda na ano mang oras na gusto niyang bumalik ay bukas palad siyang kukunin muli.

Kinuha ni Emily sa poder ng pamilya ni Chris ang nag-iisang anak nila at tuluyan nang hiniwalayan ang kanyang asawa, at namuhay silang mag-ina sa  tulong ng kanyang mga kapatid. Pero dahil hindi sanay na umasa sa iba, matapos ang mahigit isang taon ay nagsabi siya sa dating amo na babalik na siya sa trabaho.

Masaya naman nitong tinanggap muli si Emily na agad na nag-process na ng kanyang papeles. Noon na biglang “nagpaparamdam” na muli si Chris, na kung minsan ay bigla na lang kakatok sa kanilang pintuan at dadalaw umano sa anak.

Natatawa na lang si Emily dahil sa isip niya, kay tagal niyang nagdusa hanggang naka move on sa mapait na sinapit, kaya hindi na muli siyang papayag na masaktan pa muli. Nasira na ang tiwala niya sa dating asawa at kahit dalawang beses pa silang kinasal ay hindi iyon sapat para hayaan niyang masaktan pa siyang muli.

Ngayon ay ituring man niyang kaibigan ang dating mister ay dahil lang sa kanilang anak. Handa siyang magsimulang muli ngunit hindi na kasama ang dating asawa. Ika nga niya, “move on, move on din pag may time.”  -Jo Campos

Employers group slams window cleaning ban for Filipino domestic workers

By Daisy CL Mandap

HK Labour Department's cartoon shows right way of cleaning windows

A support group for Hong Kong employers has sent a letter to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, urging him to stop the implementation of a ban imposed by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on the cleaning of exterior parts of windows by Filipino domestic workers.

The ban is set to be included in contracts for the hiring of Filipino maids filed with the Philippine Consulate from Oct. 15.

Workers’ groups, on the other hand, applauded the move, saying the Philippine government must be commended for taking up the cudgels for domestic helpers’ safety.

Employers' group letter

In their letter, the Support Group of Employers of Foreign Domestic Helpers, cited four reasons why the unilateral ban imposed by POLO should be overruled by the Hong Kong government:

1)      most windows in Hong Kong are fixed with grills which can prevent workers from falling out;

2)      it is unreasonable to get the helper to clean only the inside part of windows

3)      this could set a bad precedent for groups that may want to impose various conditions on the workers’ scope of duties; and

4)      the ban bypasses the Hong Kong government as it effectively adds a clause to the standard contract for the hiring of FDHs

In response to the letter, the Hong Kong Labour Department reportedly issued a statement reiterating its concern for the safety of all workers. It added that it was still consulting with the Philippine Consulate on the ban.

During a recent visit to Hong Kong by the new Philippine Labor Secretary, Silvestre Bello, he sought but failed to get the host government’s support for excluding the cleaning the outside part of windows in the list of duties for foreign domestic helpers.

A week later, POLO, through Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre issued a memorandum to all accredited employment agencies saying that from Oct. 15, only employment contracts stamped with the window cleaning exclusion will be accepted for processing.

POLO’s order was immediately applauded by the Association of Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB), a coalition of migrant support groups, while the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies expressed support but with reservations.  

Villanueva

AMCB spokesperson Eman Villanueva said, “We welcome POLO’s initiative. It’s a positive move because even with limited capacity and jurisdiction, Labatt de la Torre found a way to respond to our call for improved safety for our workers”.

Thomas Chan, head of the agencies’ group said, “My association supports this idea”. However, he expressed reservations about De la Torre’s plan to print the exclusion directly on the contract, saying this might invalidate the document.

“What we told Labatt is that the exclusion should just be included in a separate document outlining the agencies’ undertaking,” said Chan.

He also admitted that some agencies had reservations about the ban, as they anticipate most employers to express resistance.

Chan

“They might be thinking, ‘who would clean the windows then?’, but we plan to educate the employers so hopefully, they would come to accept it”.

Villanueva said that a ban on window cleaning is not unusual as it has been in force in Singapore since 2012, also as a result of accidents involving domestic workers.

But Hong Kong has reportedly balked at the idea because it does not want to open the floodgates to other concern groups demanding changes in the standard employment contract, including an employers’ organization that is pushing for a trial period for newly hired maids.

“Ni-raise na naming iyan noon pang August, pero ang mabilis nilang sagot e, mahihirapan silang i-amend yung standard contract kasi yung mga employers at agencies ay may gusto ding ipabago”, said Villanueva.

Still, he said his group will keep on pressing the government to include the prohibition in the contract to enhance workers’ safety.

Spending passive income

Question:  What are the consequences of spending the passive income versus compounding it?

Reply:  It is admirable that you are talking about spending passive income!  That only means that you have been investing your savings.  Investing your savings is the best way to increase your wealth provided that you choose the right investment options.

As you know, you can choose to spend the income that you earn from your investments.  This follows the principle:  Use your active (earned from your sweat and actual time spent) income for your needs.  For your wants, use only your passive income.  You let your money work for you and you are entitled to spend it, if you want to.   However, if you reinvest all or even only part of your passive income, you will get to your wealth goal faster.

Reinvesting your passive income is “compounding” ,i.e., You do not touch the passive income and just keep on reinvesting it.  Therefore, your money works for you and the income that your money earned again works for you to earn you move passive income and so on and so forth.  Compounding is exponential…meaning the increase in income is very rapid.

It is easier to allow the compounding of your passive income when you choose an investment option that will automatically do it for you.  If you have to make a decision to re-invest the passive income each time you receive it, you will be tempted to spend it or you might not know where to invest it again or you might just forget to re-invest because you are so busy.

If you spend your passive income as you receive it, that is the end of the income.  It will no longer grow.  It becomes even more of a pity if you spend the passive income in a “want” that is not truly so important to you.  Just make sure that you really enjoy whatever it is so that it is not wasted.

This is also one of the reasons why I also like mutual funds for investment.  When you invest in a well-managed mutual fund and leave your money there, it automatically compounds it for you.
In addition, there are the Variable Universal Life Insurance plans that are available to cover your Health, Investment and Protection.  Learn more about it.  Write info@colaycofoundation.com

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

Huwes na tunay

Ni Ate Kulit

Noong Setyembre, bumagsak ang peso laban sa dolyar sa pinakamababang level nito sa nakaraang pitong taon, at ang ating stock market ayiniiwan na ng kapital mula sa ibang bansa: Mga balita na nagpapaalala sa atin na humihina ang ating ekonomiya.

Ang ekonomiya ay gaya ng report card ng mag-aaral. Kung maayos ang ginawa mo, tataas ang grado nito, ano man ang paninirang gawin ng iba sa iyo. Kung mali naman, babagsak ito kahit ano ang kuwentong ihabi mo upang pagtakpan ang iyong kapalpakan. Ito ang huwes na tunay, tinagurian ng philosopher na si Adam Smith  na “invisible hand” — isang puwersang hindi nakikita na nagtutulak sa mga tao na makatulong sa lipunan nang hindi nila sinasadya, sa pamamagitan ng kani-kanilang pansariling kayod.

Ang mga OFW ay nakakaramdam na ng epekto ng panghihina ng peso: mas mura ngayon ang ibibabayad natin sa pagpapadala ng nakagawian nating halaga sa ating mga mahal sa buhay. Pero panandalian lang ang pagiging mura nito, dahil bukas makalawa ay tatawag sila upang sabihing kulang ang ating padala at hihingi ng dagdag.

Huwag nating kalimutan na ang halaga ng pera ay iba sa halaga ng nabibili nito, kaya nakakaranas tayo ng pagtaas ay pagbaba ng presyo. Kung mas marami ang pera kesa sa hinahabol nitong bilihin, bababa ito pera.

Ang stock market naman sa Pilipinas ay bumagsak sa 23 sunod-sunod na araw nong Setyembre. Kahit wala tayong pera sa stocks, apektado tayo ng galaw nito.

Ayon sa taga gubyerno, walang kinalaman dito ang pagmumura ni Pangulong Duterte sa USA, European Union at iba pang ka-alyansa ng Pilipinas. Sabi naman ng taga-stock market, ang pag-alis ng kapital sa Pilipinas ay nagpapakita ng pagkawala ng tiwala sa kakayahan ng Pilipinas na umasenso.

Para kay Alan Greenspan, isang economist na naging chairman ng Federal Reserve, ang tumatayong Central Bank ng Amerika, ang stock market ay dapat bantayan: “I don’t know where the stock market is going, but I will say this, that if it continues higher, this will do more to stimulate the economy than anything we’ve been talking about today or anything anybody else was talking about.”
Ano sa palagay mo?

Goodbye, Central

By Daisy Catherine L.Mandap

After 18 memorable years of being at the center of Filipino community life in Hong Kong, we bid goodbye to Central two weeks ago.We have now moved to North Point, an equally vibrant, though maybe slightly less genteel, part of the city.

Our move to Central all those years ago was prompted by the realization that it was the place to be if we wanted to be close to the action. Filcom-related action, that is.

Before this, we spent two years in Tsim Sha Tsui, in a gentrified part of Chung King where several other Filipino companies somehow ended up setting up shops.

Though we were just beside an MTR exit and had rather pretty shop-front offices, there was hardly any pedestrian traffic coming our way. Hardly anyone, apart from friends and neighbors, dropped in, least of all, advertisers.

In Filipino parlance,  “nilangaw kami”.

We decided then that it was time to cross back to our side of the harbor, and  settle in Central.
With a Filipino newspaper that could hardly keep up with demands from readers hungry for information and advertisers looking for a vehicle for their products, this was the only place for us to do business.

In fact, every Filipino who gets to Hong Kong will realize soon enough that there is no escaping Central.

Ever heard of the “Black Man” where Pinoys often choose to meet? It is there, right smack in Statue Square, which in the pre-selfie days, was the favorite backdrop for photos of homesick Pinoys.

Nearby of course, are Chater Road and Chater Garden, the venues for some of the biggest and most memorable variety shows, festivals and mass rallies to have been staged by, and for, our community.

And who could possibly miss the two huge lions guarding the entrance to the HSBC headquarters, home to many of our card-playing compatriots? Before the public part of the building was substantially reduced in the aftermath of the Occupy protests, many enterprising Pinoys offering services such as mani-pedi, fortune-telling and even witchcraft, used to regard this as their Sunday office.

But if there was to be just one Pinoy hub in the district, it could only be World-Wide Plaza and the two alleys just a stone’s throw away from it.

It used to be that if you were a Filipino-oriented company and had a big budget for rent, you had to be in World-Wide.  If you had a smaller capital the alleys were your only option. Now, with the MTR lines having been extended every which way and with the internet that could lead you practically to every shop’s doorstep, the options have become almost limitless.

Being in the heart of Central also meant you were just a short ride, or hike away, to places regarded as important by most Filipinos, like the Philippine Consulate and its adjunct offices, and St. Joseph’s Church or St. John’s Cathedral, Likewise, the offices of NGOs extending help to migrant workers in distress, such as the Mission for Migrant Workers, Bethune House shelter. and the Helpers for Domestic Helpers.

For us, being in Central also meant being close to big events that unfolded in Hong Kong, like the pro-democracy protests nearly two years ago, and the intermittent hearings in Legco on big domestic workers issues.

But the times, they are a-changing. Many people, including advertisers, have been eschewing personal dealings in favor of quick, and sometimes, more productive email exchanges. People hardly come by to drop cheques, preferring instead to just mail them, or transfer online from their own accounts

This, coupled with our increasing aversion for haggling with greedy landlords over rent every two years, made us decide to move our base elsewhere.

But Central will always be a part of us, and our long history of serving the Filipino community.  We have simply changed our office address.

Elderly tourist held for ‘bomb’ joke at HK airport

By Vir B. Lumicao

If you intend to joke about carrying a bomb in your luggage, think again.

Departure gates at HK Intl Airport

An elderly Filipino tourist missed his scheduled flight back to Manila on Saturday night, Oct 8, after he was arrested for allegedly cracking a joke about having a bomb in his hand-carried luggage.

Not only that, he will have to remain in Hong Kong until his next hearing date more than a month away.

The 67-year-old defendant, surnamed Cano, appeared in Kowloo City court earlier today, Oct. 10, charged with communicating false information.

Magistrate Veronica Heung who presided over the special half-day session because of the Chung Yeung festival, allowed Cano to post $1,000 bail, but ordered him to remain in Hong Kong until his next court appearance on Nov. 21.

While waiting for his next hearing date, Cano will live in a shelter provided by the Consulate.

The defendant and his family, including his wife who is a cancer patient, two daughters and a grandson, had just taken their seats in a Cebu Pacific plane bound for Manila when he reportedly quipped that there was a bomb in his luggage.

A Filipino airline staff who heard what Cano had said informed airport security, which proceeded to arrest the defendant and offload the rest of his family.

A daughter of the defendant told The SUN the family had just ended a five-day holiday in Hong Kong and were about to return to Manila when the incident happened.

“Maliit lang naman na bagay iyon,” she said. (Read the full report in the next issue of The SUN)

Agency groups unveil new shelters

AHKMA chairwoman Teresa Liu shows Secretary Bello one of the rooms at the AAC. With them are ILAB lawyer Allan Ty and AKHMA Secretary Mirian Sim.

By Vir B. Lumicao

On the day Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III visited two shelters for distressed Filipino workers, Hong Kong employment agencies also unwrapped a surprise– their own halfway houses for the maids.

The agency groups’ shelters highlighted separate meetings on Sept. 24 that two agency groups had with the visiting labor official.

Bello asked Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Hans Cacdac and Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration head Rebecca Calzado to disclose details of the meetings.
“Administrators Calzador and Cacdac had had longer time with them. I had to cut my meetings with them because of other meetings,” the labor secretary said.

Cacdac said the discussions covered the Hong Kong labor market, “especially in terms of protecting our OFWs, especially domestic workers”.

“The agencies anticipated our questions with respect to how well they protect our workers who are in need here in Hong Kong as well as issues that challenged us over the years, such as excessive recruitment fees and other fees that they charged workers,” the POEA head said.

“These matters were taken up amid continuing assertions from the Philippine side that employment agencies should especially look after the welfare of the Filipino workers here in Hong Kong,” he said.

Bello and his team first visited the OWWA-run Filipino Workers’ Resource Center  in Kennedy Town, where the secretary listened to the stories of the  maids housed in the shelter while waiting for their cases to be resolved.

The  entourage then drove to the Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge  in Sheung Wan to speak with a dozen residents there. They were received by Bethune executive director Edwina Antonio and her clients.

During the meeting, Bello told the residents of President Rodrigo Duterte’s resolve to strengthen the economy so Filipinos would not have to leave the country to earn a living.

“The President loves you. He is cleaning up the country of crime and corruption so that investors will come in and revive the economy,” he said.

From Bethune House, Bello went to a luncheon meeting with owners of member agencies of the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies.

Administrator Calzado said that while the discussions between the POEA and the agencies centered on ethical recruitment, “our focus was more about the welfare of overseas Filipino workers they recruited”.

She said the talks also focused on how the agencies and the government could  cooperate in strengthening the pre-departure and post-arrival orientation for the Filipino workers.

Calzado said the agencies were asked how they could help better prepare the OFWs to avoid potential tensions between them and their employers

The HKUEMA briefed the Philippine labor officials on its coming shelter for distressed domestic workers that would house not just Filipinas but other Asian nationalities as well.

Not to be outdone, the Association of Hong Kong Manpower Agencies led by chairwoman Teresa Liu launched its Assistance Action Centre, a halfway house for Filipino and Indonesian helpers who get terminated.

Secretary Bello and Liu unveiled the signage of the shelter, which is on the 11th floor of Phoenix Apartments at 70 Lee Garden Road in Causeway Bay.

The shelter can house as many as 40 people who would stay for free, Lui told The SUN. Its only requirement is for the clients to be recruits of member agencies of AHKMA.

“Our facility is open 24 hours to domestic workers, Filipinos or Indonesians,” Liu said.

The two shelters run by the agency groups impressed the labor officials, who welcomed the idea that there are more shelters for workers in need of a place to go when they run into trouble.

“This is a welcome development and obviously caters to the needs of OFWs,” said Cacdac of the AHKMA facility, which has a Filipina manager.