PAOS may soon be outsourced to NGOs

ATN (Assistance to Nationals) officer Hermogenes "Junie" Cayabyab tells newly arrived OFWs their duties, rights and what to avoid as they begin their employment in Hong Kong as domestic workers. The post-arrival orientation seminar was held at the PLO annex public hall on the 16th floor of Admiralty Centre Tower 1 after more than 600 people registered for the event.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Newly arrived Filipino domestic workers are likely to be directed to non-government organizations for their post-arrival orientation seminars, or PAOS, in the near future, according to Labor Attaché Jalilo de la Torre.

He disclosed the plan on Oct. 19, after the Philippine Overseas Labor Office held the briefing for what may yet be the biggest group of newly arrived OFWs the previous Sunday, Oct 16.

“We’re planning to outsource the PAOS to the NGOs,” Labatt De la Torre told The SUN, adding that POLO lacks the manpower to handle the required three- or four-hour briefing for newcomers.

He said preliminary talks had already been held on Oct 17 with the heads of groups comprising the Coalition of Service Providers for Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong, or CSPEM.

Those who met with him were  Adrielle M. Panares of ISS Hong Kong, Sister M. Felicitas Nisperos, RGS, of Caritas Catholic Centre; Cynthia Abdon-Tellez of Mission for Migrant Workers, Edwina Antonio of Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge and Pastor Dan Borlado of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Hong Kong.

The labor attaché said another meeting to finalize the plan was delayed because Panares had to fly home because of an emergency.

Some 180 participants showed up for the PAOS on Oct 16, which had to be moved to POLO’s public hall on the 16th floor of Admiralty Centre because it was the only place in the office big enough for them.

“Actually, 630 people had signed up for this PAOS but we don’t expect all of them to show up today,” said a volunteer who helped usher in the crowd in for the orientation.

In previous months, the seminar was held in the 11th floor conference room because fewer than 100 people attended each time.

The big crowd in the last session competed for space on the 16th floor, with those lining up for other transactions such as contract renewals and applications for the overseas employment certificate exemption slips.

The chatter of workers with transactions at the counters at times drowned out the voices of PAOS speakers.

One of them was Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section who gave a briefing on what to do,and avoid doing, in Hong Kong.

His must-do list included keeping the trust of employers by being honest and reliable, as well as learning to adjust to the local culture. The big no-nos were avoiding debt, scams and illegal recruitment.

“While you are here, save your earnings, avoid overspending and debt so that you’ll have money when you finally return to your families,” Cayabyab said.

The other speakers were from the Hong Kong Labour Department  who discussed work safety and the rights of workers under the law.

Napahiya ang ateng mahadera

Nakasakay si Jay sa MTR isang araw ng Linggo para makipagkita sa kanyang mga kaibigan sa Tin Hau. Galing siya noon sa Central at nakaupo naman agad siya bago mapuno ang train. Pagdating sa Admiralty Station, may sumakay na isang babaeng nasa 60 anyos at maraming dalang pinamili. Nakapustura ito at mamahalin ang bag, na kung titignan ay isang tipikal na Intsik, pati na ang pananamit at itsura nito.

Dahil puno na at siksikan na sa train, tumayo si Jay at ibinigay ang kanyang upuan sa babae na sa harap niya tumayo. Ngumiti lang ito ay nag-thank you sa kanya.

Maya-maya, isang Pinay na katabi niya ang matabil na nagsalita kay Jay na bakit daw niya pinaupo ang babaeng iyon. Sabi naman ni Jay, okay lang dahil malapit lang naman ang bababaan niya at kawawa naman ang matanda dahil maraming bitbit. Umismid pa ang Pinay na nagtanong kay Jay at sinabing wala naman daw utang na loob ang mga Intsik na yan.

Hindi na pinansin ni Jay ang mahaderang Pinay at tinalikuran niya ito. Nakahanap naman ng ibang kausap na umayon pa sa kanya ang isa pang Pinay. Kung ano-anong mga salita ang kanilang sinasabi tungkol sa mga Intsik.

Nagulat silang lahat nang biglang nagsalita ang akala nila Intsik na babae at sinabi sa kanilang mag-ingat sila sa mga pananalita nila dahil naiintindihan niya ang mga masasamang sinasabi ng mga ito. Pilipina pala ang matandang babae at binigyan sila ng leksyon sa kagandahang asal.

Tila namutla si ateng mahadera dahil hindi ito makakibo habang sinasabi ng matandang babae na hindi magandang ehemplo para sa mga Pinay ang kanilang ugali dahil nadadamay ang mga may mabubuting asal sa mga gaya nilang walang modo. Bago bumaba sa Causeway Bay Station ang matanda ay ngumiti at tinapik nito si Jay sa balikat at nagpasalamat muli sa kanya sabay irap sa dalawang mahaderang Pinay. –Jo Campos

Fate coach picked as HK batting champ

Filipina softball player Zenny Badajos of Team Fate has been named the batting champion of the Women’s B group in the 2015-2016 season of the Hong Kong softball open league.

The former UP Diliman varsity and Philippine National Team player averaged 0.786 to beat the best sluggers from eight local teams that Fate fought for league honors last season.

She beat her closest rival, local player Pang Wai-ting of Villas, who finished with a 0.727. Flora Cheung of Red Castle Infinity was third at 0.688.

Badajos, a domestic worker like her teammates in Fate, said she did not expect to be the champion.

“It was really unexpected. It was based on the performance statistics that they (Hong Kong Baseball Association) collected last season,” said the 30-year-old player who had been playing for both Fate A and Fate B for the past year.

“I did not expect my batting average to be high. I just played, did my best, enjoyed the game and loved my softball.”

When team manager Law Wai-ho decided to have two teams for Fate after the 2014-2015 season, team captain Don Gaborno asked Badajos to help her train the newcomers and get them ready for the season.

Then as the season got under way, Badajos was assigned to coach Fate B at the same time that she played for both teams.

Being a seasoned diamond warrior, Badajos also played for the all-Filipina baseball team Philippine Sluggers and helped it win the championship in the B league with consistent performance as batter and pitcher.

This season, Fate is back to being a single team as some players have left for other sports, leaving the side with just 17 players. This forced all players in the A team to return and beeef up the B team

Fate was fourth last season, and Badajos said the team is focusing on the existing players from the previous B team to hone their skills and strengthen them for next season, when there would be enough players to make two teams again.

“Our priority is to field the original B team members to improve their performance and be ready so that if we climb back next season to the A group, then our team, would be solid,” said Badajos.

Fate will be playing its first game of the season on Dec 25. The Filipinas expect to see fireworks on the playing field when they pick their bats once again.

FDH contracts to include window-cleaning restrictions

This is how window cleaning should be done, says Cheung

By Vir B. Lumicao

From Jan. 1 next year, all contracts of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong could include a provision restricting their window-cleaning duty. Such restriction could include requiring windows on floors above ground to be fitted with grilles, and for the employer or an adult representative to supervise the cleaning process

The text of the safety provision could be released as early as next Monday, Nov. 14, after employers’ groups and other interested parties are consulted.

The agreement on window-cleaning safety was struck during a meeting on Oct. 27 between Labour Secretary Matthew Cheung and the consuls general of the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand and other countries sending domestic workers to Hong Kong.

Consul General Bernardita Catalla told The SUN that Cheung had called the meeting and presented the Labour Department’s own version of a safety clause which was, in fact, much better than what other countries already had. 

Cheung told local media that the Labour Department would consult employer groups and employee associations this week to wrap up the whole thing.

“Our intention is to include (the) new clause in the standard employment contract issued by the Hong Kong Government. So, it is actually a government-led exercise in including a new clause in the agreement,” Cheung said.

Cheung said that the understanding was the window exteriors could be cleaned if the flat is on the ground floor or if there are corridors or safe balconies outside.

“(But) as far as other windows are concerned, they have got to have grilles fitted,” he said.

And even with the safety grilles, the helper should not extend any part of her body except for the arm outside of the window, and that “we require an adult or representative of their employers to be present in case there is anything that they need to help the helpers”.

Cheung added, “So, we are talking about providing really a safe environment, which is after all the responsibility of employers. At the same time, this will also ensure the interests of the employees and the employers as well. They will have the service of domestic helpers in cleaning windows in safe conditions.”

Catalla said Labour aims to produce something based on its agreement with the Philippines and, separately, with the employers and should there be a radical difference, the department would again present the proposal to the Consulate.

“Kung wala naman…ilalabas yung text of the provision by Nov 14,” Catalla said.

She explained that unlike the Consulate’s original proposal that the safety clause be added as a separate attachment to the contract, the provision will now be part of the contract itself.

“So, hindi lang Filipino workers but all foreign domestic workers, and maybe local workers, will benefit from that,” the consul general said.

She added that whatever would be agreed upon by all sectors concerned, the new safety clause should be in place by Jan 1. 

Duterte wants Marcos programs back

President Rodrigo Duterte plans to slowly resurrect the ‘Biyayang Dagat’ and ‘Masagana 99’ programs of the late dictator president Ferdinand Marcos.

“Gusto ko lamang po ‘yung idea ni Marcos. ‘Yung ‘Biyayang Dagat’ pati ‘Masagana 99,’ ibalik ko ‘yun. Kokopyahin ko,” Duterte told victims of typhoon ‘Lawin’(international name: Haima) that devastated the northern Luzon regions while he was away on a state visit to China.

The President praised Marcos as one of brightest leaders the Philippines had. “Bright ‘yung tao. Alam niya ‘yung gawin niya. So ibabalik ko ‘yun (fisheries and agriculture programs) dahan-dahan.”
 “‘Wag kayong ma-insulto, isa sa mga bright leaders natin si Marcos; sayang lang, nanghihinayang ako,” he told the crowd.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported that amount of damage to agriculture from typhoon ‘Lawin’ has reached P10.2 billion, including some 467,068 hectares of agricultural lands, with an estimated production loss of 244,224 metric tons (MT).

Duterte led the distribution of relief goods in the province, where typhoon “Lawin” made landfall last week and destroyed houses, trees, and crops.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least eight persons were reported dead in the Cordillera Administrative Region(CAR) due to landslides brought by ‘Lawin’, which packed winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

The typhoon, which was reported to have the strength close to that of ‘Yolanda’ that battered and left about 6,000 people dead in Eastern Visayas in November 2013, flooded 118 villages in the four Northern Luzon regions and destroyed at least 1,327 houses.

Join PaStaran 2016
For this year’s Parol-Making contest, participating groups may register with the Philippine Consulate’s cultural section from Nov. 13- Dec. 11, 2016. No late registration will be accepted.
The prizes are as follows: $5,000 for the grand prize; $3,000 for the 2nd prize; $2,000 for the 3rd prize; and $1,000 for the 4th prize.
As before, all entries must comply with the following requirements:
1) The parol must be made of recyclable materials;
2) Should be no bigger than 0.8 x 1meter
3) The lights used should be powered by batteries
4) It should be “stand-alone” or come with its own stand;
5) Each group will be allowed to submit only 1 parol.
In addition, each group must submit a video explaining the concept for their entry. The video should be no longer than 2minutes and must be submitted to the PCG’s cultural section between Dec. 17 - 22, 2016.
All entries must be brought to Chater Garden by 4pm on Dec. 24 for the judging.
For more information, call 2823 8536 or email cultural_hk@yahoo.com

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

What's on where?

‘Picturing Hong Kong’ 

Xyza Bacani talks at Asia Society
Nov 2, 7pm
Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty
Admission is FREE. Please register at: https://ticketing.asiasociety.org.hk

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
Cash donations may be sent directly to the following account:
Payee’s Name:  MFMW Limited
        Name of Bank:   Hang Seng Bank
        Address of Bank:   Head Office, 83 Des Voeux Road, Central, HK
        Bank Account Number:   210-116448-883
        Swift Code:   HASEHKHH
        Bank Code:   024
 Donations of HK$100 or more is tax deductible.
 Contacts: Cynthia or Buhay at 2522 8264 or 2522-8261

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, contact Cholo at 2823 8537 or Charlene at 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.

‘Money Wise Public Forum’
Nov. 20, PCG
2-4 pm Free Financial Consultation at Conference Room
4:30-6:30pm Forum Proper at Public Area
Organized by: Enrich HK
To register, email participant@enrichhk.org

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

Zsazsa at Conrad, nagkabalikan

Ni Johna Acompanado

Nagkabalikan na ang dating magkasintahang sina Zsazsa Padilla at Conrad Onglao, matapos silang mag-break noong May 2016 pagkatapos ng dalawang taong relasyon.
Aksidenteng nagkitang muli ang dalawa sa isang mall sa Makati, kaya nagkaroon sila ng pagkakataong magkausap ng masinsinan, at inabot daw ng ilang oras ang kanilang pag-uusap na nauwi sa muli nilang pagkakasundo. Maliban sa pagkumpirma sa kanilang pagkakabalikan, mas gusto na lang ng dalawa na manahimik at gawing pribado na lang ang kanilang relasyon ngayon. Pero balitang nag-apply na sila ng marriage license.
Ayon sa isinulat ng isa sa mga malapit na kaibigan ni Conrad na si Thelma Sioson-San Juan ng Inquirer, nakatakda nang magpakasal noon ang dalawa nang biglang nagdesisyong umuwi sa kanyang bahay si Zsazsa at nakipag-break. May Cartier promise at engagement rings na nga daw na ibinigay sa singer. Ayon kay Conrad, hindi daw niya alam ang dahilan pero desidido siyang makipagbalikan dahil si Zsazsa daw ang "the best thing that happened ever happened to me".
Parehong tikom ang bibig ng dalawa sa dahilan ng hiwalayan nila noon, pero kahit ilang beses nang nagtangkang makipag-usap si Conrad ay  naging matigas si Zsazsa. Ang tanging ibinahagi ng singer/actress noon sa mga ang-uusisa ay maikling “ We tried. It didn't work out.”
Dahil tila wala nang pag-asang magbalikan sila ay nagluto ng adobo at nag-imbita na si Conrad ng mga kaibigan sa kanyang bahay kamakailan para sa isang "move-on dinner," pero si Zsazsa pa rin daw ang kanilang napag-usapan.
Masyado daw nalungkot si Conrad noon dahil nasanay na siya sa nakagawian nilang gawin noon: bahay, ASAP show, Sunday mass, gym, Salcedo market tuwing Sabado at family lunches or dinners. Marami na rin daw siyang nakarelasyon noon, pero nang matagpuan daw niya si Zsazsa, “ It’s been a long journey, but in the end it was worth the wait.”

BIMBY, BINISITA ANG BABY BROTHER
Ibinahagi ni Kris Aquino sa kanyang Instagram account ang pagdalaw nila ng kanyang anak na si Bimby (James Yap, Jr.) sa bagong silang na kapatid nito, na anak nina James Yap at girlfriend na si Michela Cazzola noong October 22. May larawang magkakasama sina Kris, Bimby at Michela, na nilagyan niya ng caption na “There's no perfect formula for mothering except to do it with LOVE. I am grateful that today we gave our sons the opportunity to meet & hopefully have genuine bonding as brothers... Because in the end, the good men we are able to raise will be products of our guidance & unconditional love as mothers.”
Sa isang larawan naman ay makikita si Bimby na katabi at tinitignan ang kanyang baby brother.
Sabi ni Kris: “I reached out to James & asked if it would be okay for Bimb to meet his baby brother. I prayed a lot for this day to arrive when we'd all be ready, because I just want what is best for my bunso. Thank you James & Mic for graciously welcoming us into your home.  Mic went out of her way to prepare carbonara for Bimb & to bake an Italian chocolate pie for our merienda.”
Samantala, si Michela din ay nag-post sa kanyang Instagram account ng litrato nila ni Bimby. Sabi niya sa caption, “My baby boy met his brother today.”

ELMO AT JANINE, HIWALAY NA
Break na sina Elmo Magalona, 22, at Janine Gutierrez, 27, pagkatapos ng dalawang taong relasyon. Bagama’t kinumpirma ni Janine ang balita, hindi sila nagbigay ng detalye maliban sa “personal reasons”, daw ito.
Nagkalapit ang dalawa nang pagtambalin sa remake ng Villa Quintana, at nong 2014 ay inamin nilang may relasyon na sila sa oresscon ng kanilang tv series na “More Than Words”. Noong nakaraang taon ay lumipat si Elmo sa ABS CBN, at naging regular performer sa ASAP, hanggang siya na ang regular na ka-love-team ni Janella Salvador, at gawin ang TV series na “Born For You”. Tila wala namang namamagitan sa kanila ng bago niyang ka-love team, dahil hindi ikinakaila ni Elmo na may iba siyang karelasyon noon. Ito rin siguro ang dahilan kaya hindi gaanong kinagat ng manonood ang kanilang TV series, kaya tinapos na agad ito at hindi na na-extend.

COCO AT JENNELYN, PANALO SA STAR AWARDS
Nanalo bilang best drama actress si Jennelyn Mercado para sa kanyang naging role sa TV series na “My Faithful Husband” at si Coco Martin bilang best actor para sa papel niya sa “Ang Probinsyano” sa pinagsabay na awards night ng PMPC Star Awards for Music & Television na ginanap noong October 23 sa Novotel Manila sa Araneta, Quezon City.
Nagkaroon ng tilian at kantiyawan nang saglit na nagkasama sa stage ang dating magkasintahang sina Jennelyn at Luis Manzano na isa sa mga naging hosts, matapos tanghaling best actress si Jennelyn.
Ang ilan sa mga nanalo:
8th Star Awards for Music:
Pop Album of the Year: Alden Richards
Best Album Cover: Darren Espanto
Rock Album of the Year: Avalon Beyond
Acoustic Album of the Year: Aiza Seguerra
Dance Album of the Year: Hashtags
Compilation Album of the Year: Gary Valenciano
R&B Album of the Year: Kris Lawrence
R&B Recording Artist of the Year: Kris Lawrence
Best Male Recording Artist of the Year: Jed Madela
Best Female Recording Artist of the Year: Jolina Magdangal
New Male Recording Artist: Derrick Monasterio and Idolito Dela Cruz
New Female Recording Artist: Janella Salvador
Duo/Group of the Year: Top One Project
Acoustic Artist of the Year: Aiza Seguerra
Rock Artist of the Year Award: Bamboo
Best Male Pop Artist: Alden Richards and Darren Espanto
Best Female Pop Artist: Marion Aunor
Best Male Concert Performer: Martin Nievera for Royals
Best Female Concert Performer: Sarah Geronimo for From The Top
Concert of the Year: Love Catcher of Lani Misalucha
Music Video of the Year: Vice Ganda and Edward Benossa
Song of the Year: Wish I May by Alden Richards
30th Star Awards for TV:
Best Celebrity Talk Show: Tonight with Boy Abunda (ABS-CBN)
Best Magazine Show: Rated K (ABS-CBN)
Best Travel Show: Biyahe ni Drew (GMA)
Best Game Show: Wowowin (GMA)
Best Public Affairs Program: Bottomline (ABS-CBN)
Best Documentary Special: Politika at Pamilya, Sila Noon, Sila Pa Rin Ngayon (ABS-CBN)
Best Documentary Program: Reel Time
Best Morning Show: Unang Hirit (GMA)
Best New Male TV Personality: Simon "Onyok" Pineda and Jake Ejercito
Best Morning Show Host: Anthony Taberna, Jorge Cariño, Atom Araullo, Amy Perez, Ariel Ureta, Winnie Cordero, and Gretchen Ho (Umagang Kay Ganda)
Best Documentary Program Host: Malou Mangahas (Investigative Documentaries)
Best News Program: 24 Oras and TV Patrol
Best Male Newscaster: Erwin Tulfo (Aksyon Prime TV5)
Best Female Newscaster: Vicky Morales (24 Oras)
Female Star of the Night for TV: Yassi Pressman
Male Star of the Night for TV: Luis Manzano
Best Game Show Host: Luis Manzano (Kapamilya Deal or No Deal)
Best Talent Search Host: Luis Manzano, Robi Domingo and Kim Chiu (The Voice Kids 3)
Best Magazine Show Host: Korina Sanchez
Best Celebrity Talk Show Host: Boy Abunda
Best Drama Anthology: Ipaglaban Mo
Best Drama Supporting Actor: Arjo Atayde and Arron Villaflor
Best Supporting Actress: Sunshine Dizon (Little Nanay)
Best Single Performance by an Actor: Kristoffer Martin
Best Single Performance by an Actress: Claudine Barretto
Best Noontime Show: Sunday PinaSaya
Best Musical Variety Show: ASAP
Best Male TV Host: Luis Manzano
Best Female TV Host: Anne Curtis
Best Gag Show: Goin' Bulilit
Best Comedy Sitcom: Pepito Manaloto
Best Actor in Comedy: Jose Manalo
Best Comedy Actress: Manilyn Reynes
Best Daytime Drama Series: Doble Kara
Best Primetime Drama Series: Ang Probinsyano
Best Drama Actress: Jennylyn Mercado
Best Drama Actor: Coco Martin
Best TV Station: ABS-CBN
German Moreno Power Tandem Award: Kim Chiu and Xian Lim
Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award: Maricel Soriano
Excellence in Broadcasting Achievement Award: Luchi Cruz Valdez
Pilita Corrales Lifetime Achievement: Dulce
Parangal Levi Celerio: Vic del Rosario

Ano ang hatid ng Nobyembre sa iyo

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Abala ka sa maraming bagay kaya wala kang panahon na makihalubilo at magsaya kasama ang mga kaibigan. Huwag sayangin ang oras sa pakikipagtalo sa ilang miyembro ng pamilya. Huwag magpadalos-dalos sa pagdedesiyon lalo na kung pag-ibig ang nakataya.  Maganda ang pasok ng pera. Hindi masamang laging maghangad ng mabuti para sa sarili pero minsan ay kailangang isaalang-alang ang kapakanan ng mga taong nakapalibot sa iyo.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Masaya ang buhay pag-ibig sa linggong ito. Aani ng papuri kahit sa mga munting bagay na nagawa para sa kapwa.  Matiwasay ang sitwasyon sa loob ng tahanan dahil alam mo na kung paano pakibagayan ang mga bata. Masalimuot ang usapin tungkol sa mana at maari itong makarating sa korte. Huwag ipagpaliban ang pagbisita sa dentista para maiwasan ang mas malalang problema.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Dahil inspirado, mas madaling maisakatuparan ang mga plano. Mag-ingat sa pagbitiw ng mga salita upang maiwasan ang matinding hidwaan sa isang kaibigan. Maari nang bilhin ang inaasam na kagamitan sa bahay. Madalas ang pag-atake ng matinding sakit ng ulo kaya huwag pabayaan ang sarili.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Sa pagitan ng mag-asawa, laging isaalang-alang ang kapakanan ng bawat isa at huwag hayaan na pera ang maging dahilan upang magkaroon ng bahid ang inyong relasyon. Muling buhayin ang nananamlay na relasyon at bigyan ng pagkakataon ang bawat isa na makabawi ng pagkukulang.
.
 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Iwasan ang mamantikang pagkain upang hindi lumala ang problema sa apdo.  Madaling makibagay kaya hindi hadlang ang pagdagsa ng maraming pagbabago. Kung may problema sa trabaho, subukang mag-isip ng bagong ideya bilang tugon.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
Huwag nang ipagpaliban sa ibang araw kung may naisip na proyekto. Kung palalampasin ang pagkakataon, maaring mawala sa sirkulasyon at mahihirapan nang umahon. Hayaan munang humupa ang sitwasyon na kinasasadlakan bago ibuka ang mga labi at magbigay ng reaksyon para hindi magsisi bandang huli. Huwag lasunin ang isip ng mga negatibong bagay para hindi lumala ang problema. Matiwasay ang sitwasyon sa loob ng tahanan.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Iwasan ang mga bagay at pagkain na maaring magdulot ng sakit sa balat tulad ng alcohol, sigarilyo, pagkaing de-lata at mga minatamis. Sa paghahangad na makahanap ng mapupusuan, huwag magpadala sa bugso ng damdamin dahil kusang babagsak ang bunga kung hinog na. Samantalahin ang pagkakataon na kumita ng pera habang malakas pa at matutuong mag-ipon ng sapat para sa sarili.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Maganda ang pasok ng pera sa linggong ito. Samantalahin ang libreng oras para ilagay sa ayos ang mga sagabal sa daan.  Madaling mahanapan ng solusyon ang balakid para makamit ang tagumpay sa trabaho. Matindi ang pagnanais na kontrolin ang sitwasyon sa loob ng tahanan pero magiging dahilan ito ng matinding iringan. Maghintay ng tamang panahon bago bilhin ang bagay na inaasam.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Magandang pagkakataon para mamuhunan dahil malaki ang maaring pumasok na pera. Kung anuman ang bumabagabag sa isipan, maglaan ng panahon para hanapin ang tunay na pag-ibig o kaligayahan. Imbes na sayangin ang oras sa mga walang kuwentang lakad, gamitin ang ekstrang oras para mag-isip o magbuo ng plano sa buhay. Para sa mga mahilig magsulat, magandang pagkakataon ang kusang tatambad.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Dahil magulo ang isip, maraming pagkakamali ang magagawa na maglalagay ng trabaho sa panganib. Patuunan ng pansin ang trabaho at huwag makisawsaw sa ginagawa ng iba. Panahon na para madiskubre ang nakatagong talino at galing, at matamasa ang epekto nito. Maaring umatake ang matinding nerbiyos kaya dadalawin ng mga nakakatakot na panaginip. Subukang mag relax. Matiwasay ang relasyon kung matutunang itago ang hindi makatwirang pagseselos.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Masigla ang pangangatawan dahil sa regular na ehersisyo. Huwag hayaan ang sarili na malulong sa mga materyal na bagay na maaring magsanhi ng paggawa ng walang kuwentang aksyon. Malalampasan ang mga pagsubok sa buhay kung mananatiling matatag at determinado. Sa kabila ng kasaganahan sa buhay, hindi pa rin nawawala ang mga agam-agam. Matutong makibagay para walang hadlang sa kaligayahan.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Magandang suwerte ang kakatok sa iyong pintuan kaya tiyakin na laging handa.  Ngayon na ang tamang panahon para lumagay sa tahimik! Kung walang magandang lalabas sa mga labi, mas mabuting tumahimik upang hindi masira ang  reputasyon. May namumuong tensyon sa pagitan ng magkakaibigan. Huwag magpadalos-dalos sa desisyon kung sino ang kakampihan. Intindihing mabuti ang sitwasyon at laging ilagay ang sarili sa posisyon ng iba para madaling mayos ang gusot.

Ylagan’s address change again delays hearings

Ylagan 

By The SUN staff

A change of address of Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency/Mike’s Secretarial Services owner Ester P. Ylagan has led to a rescheduling of cases against her at the Small Claims Tribunal, forcing her alleged victims to return to court on yet another day.

This developed over the past fortnight even as the Employment Agency Administration told The SUN it had already filed a criminal case against Ylagan.

The agency owner is being sued by around 50 Filipinos who each claims to have paid her between $10,000 and $15,000 for fictitious jobs in Canada and Britain. But the total number of those who claim to have been victimized in the jobs scam is close to 500, with about half of them filing cases with the Philippine Consulate.

A HK Labour Department official, however, clarified that the criminal prosecution of Ylagan is not a police case but a Department of Labour action. He said it was up to the police to file a separate case against Ylagan.

The agency owner has not been seen since hundreds of applicants for purported jobs in Britain and Canada began filing cases with the claims tribunal for refunds against her in July.

She also notified the tribunal of a change in address more than a month later, causing court notices to be returned unopened, and several cases to be reset so the claimants could amend her address, for which they had to pay additional fees.

 “That could be a tactic of Ma’am Ester (Ylagan), to delay the hearings until we the claimants get tired,” said one of the complainants.

Most of the cases have been consolidated and are due to be heard in big batches in November and December this year.

On Monday, Oct 24, the tribunal set for hearing 24 claims against Ylagan by adding 12 cases not heard on Oct 21 because of super typhoon Haima to another 12 originally set for that day.

The tribunal reset the hearings to Oct 22 but moved them again for last Monday, causing claimants who are mostly domestic workers to worry because their employers do not allow them to go out on weekdays.

The new amendments, which cost $20 each time, are also adding to the costs of the claimants. They already had to pay filing fees of between $50 and $80 each, depending on the amount of their claim, plus photocopying charges and transportation fees from as far away as the New Territories each time they are told to go to court.

But the biggest worry is still getting their employer’s permission to take at least half the day off for the hearing. Many could not even tell their employer about the case as they worry about being fired for trying to apply for a new job while still in their employ.

During the Oct. 22 hearings, the clerks of court ask claimants who simply wrote Ester P. Ylagan as the respondent to amend both her name and address.

“The respondent’s name should be amended to Ester P. Ylagan t/a Mike’s Secretarial Services,” the clerk said when she was presented a victim’s claim form.

She said Ylagan’s new mailing address should be 5/F Lemmi Centre, 52 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwuntong, Kowloon, as she had indicated in a reply to a court notice.

Apparently, she had also stopped picking up mail from her previously registered residential address in Aberdeen. The house, which used to be jointly owned by her and her estranged husband Ricardo, had been turned over to their son Ridge Michael on Aug. 24, the day before the first case against Ester was heard.

All claims that require amendments have now been adjourned until Dec 8, whereas those vetted a week earlier had been reset to Dec 1.  

Bawal magpahinga sa bagong amo

Ang akala ni Ester, lahat ng mga among puti ay mababait at hindi istrikto kaya’t nang matapos ang kontrata niya sa among intsik ay tinanggap niya ang alok na trabaho ng isang pamilyang Briton. Masaya niyang ipinagmalaki sa mga kaibigan na ang bago niyang trabaho ay magiging mas maayos kaysa dati.

Matapos ang pagproseso ng kanyang bagong kontrata, nagsimula na si Ester at maayos naman ang naging simula. Mataas kaysa dati ang kanyang suweldo at may food allowance pa. Makaraan ang ilang buwan ay sinabi ng kanyang among babae na titigil na ito sa trabaho para tulungan siyang mag alaga sa kanyang dalawang maliliit na anak.

Ang hindi inaasahan ni Ester ay magiging mahirap ang kanyang trabaho dahil laging nakabantay ang amo. Tuwing umaga ay may listahan na siya ng dapat niyang gawin sa araw na iyon, bukod pa sa pag-aalaga ng mga bata. Mas maaga pa kaysa dati ang gising niya dahil kailangan niyang gumawa ng juice at almusal para paglabas ng kanyang amo ay handa na ang lahat.

Laging nakakulong sa kuwarto ang among babae ngunit alam ni Ester na nakamasid ito lagi sa bawa’t galaw niya. Minsan ay nalimutan niyang linisin ang lababo pagkatapos gamitin ng amo dahil inuna muna niyang kumain ng almusal. Pinuntahan siya agad ng amo para sabihin na unahin muna niyang tapusin ang gawain bago siya kumain. Napakamot na lang ng ulo si Ester at iniwan ang kanyang almusal para sundin ang utos ng nito.

Kahit sa pagluluto ng kanyang pagkain, nagrereklamo ang kanyang amo na nauubos umano ang kanyang oras sa paghahanda ng sarili niyang pagkain. Nasisita pa si Ester kapag gumagamit siya ng mantika at ibang gamit sa kusina. May food allowance na umano siya at hindi na siya dapat gumamit ng mga pangsangkap na nasa kusina.

Pinagsabihan din siyang bawal siyang pumasok sa kanyang kuwarto kung hindi pa siya tapos ng trabaho. Kapag nakikita ng amo na nakaupo si Ester sa kusina, agad na hahanap ito ng iuutos para lang may gawin siya.

Kung minsan ay napapaiyak na sa pagod si Ester. Mas mabuti pa noong ang amo niya ay Intsik na walang pakialam kung magpahinga siya basta’t tapos na ang kanyang gawain. Maghapon pang solo niya ang bahay dahil gabi na kung dumating ang datng amo. Dahil dito ay nagsisisi si Ester kung bakit tinanggihan niya ang alok nito na mag-recontract dahil sa kagustuhan niyang sumubok magtrabaho sa among puti. Alam niya na kailangan na niyang bunuin ang dalawang taon at baka sakaling umayos pa ito. –Jo Campos

Pinay scavengers escape illegal work charge

By Vir B. Lumicao

Three Filipina asylum-seekers got off the hook when charges of illegal work filed against them and a fourth defendant were dropped by the prosecution in a hearing held in Tuen Mun court.

Magistrate Merinda Chow told Jean S. Banuag, Conchita D. Egyab and Rebecca M. Martin to leave after the prosecutor withdrew the charges.

A similar charge against a fourth person, Dolores G. Malao, was also dismissed. But the defendant was kept in custody because she was also charged with breaching a deportation order.

The prosecutor told the court he was withdrawing the charge of illegal work against the four women based on the statement of a warehouse owner who said the Filipinas were in the premises scavenging for discarded old clothes.

Malao, a former domestic worker, was remanded in jail and told to return to court on Oct. 20 after the prosecution applied for a three-week adjournment for legal advice.

The case stemmed from a raid conducted by immigration and police officers on a used clothes warehouse in Yuen Long on Feb 24 this year.

A prosecution report said the four women were seen sorting and folding used clothes when the raiding team arrived.

The officers found out that Banuag, Egyab and Martin were torture claimants whose applications for third-country asylum were being processed. They were arrested on suspicion they were working illegally in Hong Kong. Malao, on the other hand, was arrested after a record check showed she was issued a deportation order on Jan 18, 2016 for another conviction.

Art auction raises $33,000 for Bethune House

By Vir B. Lumicao

Seven works by two former domestic helpers who have become internationally acclaimed artists were bought by private collectors in an auction at the Bethune House 30th anniversary charity dinner held on Sept 30 at Li Hall in St John’s Cathedral.

The seven art works were among 32 donated by Xyza Cruz Bacani and Janet Pancho Gupta to help raise funds for Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, a shelter for distressed migrant helpers in Hong Kong.

Bacani, currently based in New York, had five buyers of her street photographs, while Pancho Gupta, a Hong Kong-based painter who added photography to her artistic pursuits recently, sold two works.
According to Bethune’s executive director Edwina Antonio, the silent auction for the seven works raised a total of $33,000 for the shelter.

Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, general manager of Mission for Migrant Workers which operates Bethune House, said the unsold works would be put up again for sale in future auctions to raise funds for the refuge.

“We’re planning to continue the auctions because that’s what the donors want anyway,” Tellez told The SUN shortly after the event.

Additional funds were raised from the $500 per plate dinner buffet featuring a variety of Filipino dishes prepared by residents of the shelter.

Live music was provided by Hong Kong-based Filipino artist and The SUN staff William Elvin Manzano, who contributed his talent pro bono.

Antonio expressed thanks to Bacani, a friend of Bethune House who has been actively supporting the struggle of foreign domestic workers for their rights, and to Pancho Gupta, a former resident who was herself a victim of abusive employers.

Bacani, who is currently in New York, sent her greetings to Bethune House on a video message projected on a screen.

Pancho Gupta, for her part, recalled the days when she was at Bethune and no one knew that she was an artist until she started drawing as part of her activities in the refuge.

OFWs learn how to make empanada, doughnut

The making of doughnuts is demonstrated.

At least 161 OFWs are now equipped with the skills to go into the business of making empanadas and doughnuts when they return home for good.

The workers were taught how to make the delicious and saleable Filipino snacks and pastry in a free skills training offered on Oct 9 by the CARD OFW Hong Kong Foundation.

They went through the course held at Bayanihan Centre under Elpie Abel and Jhoan G. Cabudil, experts in this field who were assigned as trainors by CARD OFW Hong Kong.

The participants who had the first bite of their finished products said they were happy because their pastries tasted good.

Volunteers CARD OFW Hong Kong Foundation
and participants in the seminar. 

It took the trainees just a few hours to learn the skills, and they went home delighted.

Liza Barrientos from Isabela posted in her Facebook account how happy she was after the training. She said it was her first time to attend such training. Now she has decided to attend the regular financial literacy seminar to be held on Nov. 20 also at Bayanihan Centre. – Marites Palma

Warning issued against bank fraud attempts

The Hong Kong government has warned bank customers against scams to obtain their personal and financial details to gain control over their bank accounts.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) rules state that “whenever authorized institutions (AIs) become aware of fraudulent websites, phishing e-mails or similar scams which are designed to trick their customers into revealing sensitive customer information, they should notify promptly their customers through issuing press release and report the matters to the HKMA”.

HKMA recently reported that 28 such notifications have been issued so far this year, or an average of three scams every month. It is not known how many people have fallen prey to these scams.
The latest of such scams, which targeted customers of Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, illustrates how easily one could fall prey into these frauds. A junk email has circulated recently, asking customers to log in to the bank’s alleged website, www.fubonbank.com, to update their data. The fake website features the proper logos and forms copied from the original website, http://www. fubonbank.com.hk, in which customers log in.

Those who believed the email could have easily divulged their account details, including passwords, which could have allowed the fraudsters to drain their deposits.

An attempt by The SUN to open the fraudulent website triggered a virus-crash warning from the internet provider.

The Fubon case is classified as Fraudulent Website, the most common in the HKMA list of scams.
The list provided by HKMA, also classified other the attacks into Suspicious Internet Banking Logic Screen, Suspicious Apps and Phishing Email.

The banks that have issued notifications included The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong), Public Bank (Hong Kong), Bank of East Asia,  Shanghai Commercial Bank, China Citic Bank International, Chong Hing Bank, Wing Lung Bank, OCBC Wing Hang Bank,  Dah Sing Bank, Corporate Finance (D.T.C.) Limited, and BNP Paribas.

MinFed marks 17th year

MinFed members in a gathering in Central.

By Gina N. Ordona

There was no elaborate presentation or preparation for the 17th anniversary of its founding, but Mindanao (HK) Workers Federation celebrated the milestone at Harcourt Garden in Admiralty on Oct. 9 with a memorable gathering graced by the group’s founder, Myrna Padilla.

Holding back tears, Padilla, who now manages a highly successful IT company in Davao City, thanked MinFed for giving her the foundation in managing people.

“If you are given the opportunity to lead, take it seriously and be thankful,” she said.
She also said that a leader must always look at the weaknesses and wrong attitude of the members as a challenge, and learn to turn them into something positive.

Another person who made the celebration special was Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, who was instrumental in helping form the group when he was first assigned in Hong Kong about 16 years ago.
Labatt dela Torre said he is always proud to say that he is a good friend of Padilla, whom he described as the symbol of a successful OFW.

He announced that Padilla’s company is developing a mobile application which would help revolutionize the operation of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, which he heads. The launch of the mobile app is tentatively set in December.

Also present at the gathering were special friends of MinFed, including The SUN publisher Leo Deocadiz and editor Daisy Mandap, as well as AFreight’s Hong Kong manager Rosabelle Woolf.

Warning on mailed gifts as 2nd Pinay held on drug rap

Vallespin

Beware of presents sent through postal or courier services by foreign boyfriends that you meet online, as they could bring your harm.

This warning was made by the Consulate and a community leader after a second Filipina maid was arrested within a span of three months for taking delivery of dangerous drugs sent as gifts by their foreigner boyfriends.

On Sept 26, Welva Gannaban was arrested by Customs and police officers posing as postmen in her employer’s home in North Point after she signed a delivery receipt for an air parcel from Addis Ababa.

The package, purportedly a present posted by the maid’s Nigerian boyfriend from the Ethiopian capital, was found to contain 650 grams of suspected cocaine. Gannaban was charged with drug trafficking in Tsuen Wan court on Sept 30.

Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, head of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, warned Filipinas in Hong Kong to beware of this new modus by international drug rings who use unsuspecting domestic workers as drug mules.

Vallespin said: “It’s the same modus – they meet online, become friends, get into an online relationship and then, all of a sudden, the man says: ‘I have a present for you’.”

So, Gannaban came running when a Customs officer disguised as a postman rang the bell at her employer’s flat. When the officer asked her if she was the addressee, she replied: “Yes, that’s me. I’m expecting that package.”

As soon as she signed the receipt, other officers emerged in the corridor, handcuffed her and took her into custody.

Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, general manager of the Mission for Migrant Women, said the workers should be wary of crime syndicates that exploit their weakness in many ways.

“Siguro malaking babala rin para sa mga kababayan natin. Sinasamantala nila (mga sindikato) ang mga kahinaan ng ating mga migrants para magamit nila,” Tellez said.

“Panawagan din sa mga kababayan natin na maging maingat sa ganoon, maraming paraan. At kapag umabot na sa ganyang mga ipadadala, naku, mag-ingat kayo. Huwag na kayong magharimunan.

Huwag kayong masyadong ma-excite kasi baka ito ay hindi maganda ang kalalabasan. Wala kayong kawala. Imagine it will cost you the rest of your life,” Tellez said.

Vallespin warned Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong not to be too trusting especially with friends they meet online.

He cited the case of the Filipina arrested in June, a single mother who was actively searching for a foreign boyfriend online because her sister had successfully found and married one.

The woman fell for a Nigerian man she met online and they “eyeballed” in Wanchai a few days before the arrival of the package.

Delivery day came and the woman eagerly signed a receipt for the parcel allegedly sent from Brazil by her boyfriend. As in the other case, the gift turned out to be illicit drugs. She was arrested and would appear in Tsuen Wan Court on Oct 20 for the resumption of her case’s hearing.

The latest foiled incident involving the use of the postal system to smuggle dangerous drugs into Hong Kong was the fourth this year, and the second time that a Filipina helper was involved.

Vallespin said he plans to include in his talks at post-arrival orientation seminars at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office a warning to newly arrived Filipinas about getting involved in online relationships.

“Ang sinasabi ko nga, kakilala mo na, Pilipino, lolokohin ka pa. What more kung ito. At Nigerian, laging may drugs na involved kapag sila, eh,” he said.

He said there is nothing wrong for Filipinas to look for boyfriends online for a lasting relationship or for fun, but they need to be extra careful.

“Sa mga kababayan natin, hindi namin kayo pinipigilan na tigilan yung mga online source nyo for whatever, whether for relationship or just friendship. Pero mag-ingat po tayo pag sinabing ‘padadalahan ko kayo ng regalo’, lalo na kapag through courier service,” Vallespin said.

“Kasi walang sabit yung nagpadala, eh. Of course, they can use a bogus or non-existent address. Ang madadale diyan yung kababayan natin na nagpadala ng address,” he added.

He said the two incidents had already been reported to the Foreign Office in Manila for appropriate action.

Helpers let voices heard in new ebook

“I promised my son a toy. I promised him a pair of shoes. I promised him clothes. That’s why I’m here…”

Those simple dreams said in lucid prose are not dramatic snippets from a seasoned writer’s work but statements of a simple Filipino mother who decided to leave her son when he was 3 years old to seek a better future overseas for the child.

The narrative “I Promised My Son a Toy” by Eunice Sacliwan is just one of 18 short stories, poems and essays written by foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong to express their feelings as they carry on with their daily struggle in a faraway and often hostile city.

The works were compiled by HelperChoice, an online platform that helps employers connect with domestic workers, and launched the collection as a free-to-read ebook titled Wishing Well: Voices from Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong and Beyond.

HelperChoice says the ebook “gives readers a rare insight into the lives of foreign domestic helpers – one of the most marginalized worker groups in the region”.

“Domestic helpers hailing from countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia are an integral part of the fabric of society in better-off Asian countries. But while they play major roles in the functioning of families and communities, their plight is often ignored and their astonishing stories remain untold,” the group said in a press release.

The literary pieces were written by domestic workers for the second edition of the “Be a Journalist” writing competition, which was organized by HelperChoice in April this year with the support of news website Coconuts.

The works offer 18 original real-life accounts and anecdotal stories of domestic workers launched in open-access publication with forewords by HelperChoice founder Laurence Fauchon and the book’s co-editor Ju-chen Chen. The eBook can be found at https://issuu.com/helperchoice/docs/wishing_well_domestic_workers.

“The quality of the submissions we received was astounding. The stories offer heart-wrenching yet uplifting insights into the complex lives of migrant domestic workers, many of whom leave their families behind so they can secure a better future for them,” says Fauchon, a Frenchwoman who has been a resident of Hong Kong for several years.

The eBook has two parts: Part I, Portraits, is a collection of celebrative and upbeat stories and poems reflecting the authors’ efforts to meet social expectations and be exemplary workers.
Part II, Whispers, includes pieces that underscore the processes and internal struggles associated with meeting – and sometimes challenging – such expectations.

“We hope that by reading this book, the public – and specifically employers – will gain a deeper understanding of the emotional journeys that their domestic helpers go through,” Fauchon says.
“These are incredible women who have given up so much to support their families. By understanding the adversities they endure, hopefully employers will be encouraged to treat their domestic workers better.”
The three winning stories from the “Be a Journalist” competition were published in April this year. Instead of letting other high-caliber entries go unseen, HelperChoice decided to publish the eBook and make it easily accessible.

To promote the book and the message it conveys, HelperChoice is sharing short excerpts on social media platforms such as Facebook (HelperChoice’s page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/helperchoice/), Instagram (@helperchoice), Twitter (@HelperChoice) and LinkedIn (https://goo.gl/rK8VGv).

The book was co-edited by Ju-chen Chen and Min Lee. Chen is a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Department of Anthropology, whose research covers migrant workers in China and foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong.

Lee is a freelance translator and editor who has a Master of Arts degree, with focus on anthropology, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Most foreign domestic workers come to places like Hong Kong to support their families back home or fund their studies, sometimes even leaving behind stable jobs such as teaching positions in the hope of earning better salaries abroad. To the determined helpers like Sacliwan, there is no turning back until they have achieved their goals.

“I have started, and I’ll carry on. No matter how its much it hurts, no matter how many tears and how much sweat I shed, I will keep these promises,” Sacliwan writes.

‘Idulog Mo Kay Atorni’ in November

Any problems that you need to discuss with Filipino lawyers? Mark these dates.

On Nov 12 and 13, lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Central Luzon Chapter will conduct the fourth edition of their renamed free legal consultations targeting Filipinos in Hong Kong.
About 50 members of the chapter will conduct the legal outreach, now called “Idulog Mo Kay Atorni”, in the Consulate Conference Room from 10am to 4pm on Nov 12 and 9am to 2pm on Nov 13.

The mission will be highlighted by a legal forum from 4pm to 5:30pm in the Conference Room.
Members of the community who wish to discuss their problems with the IBP lawyers should book their appointments in advance because of the popularity of the free consultations, the Consulate said.
Previous missions of the IBP to Hong Kong had been highly successful as scores of OFWs seized the opportunity to seek legal advice on a wide range of problems, such as marital relations, legal separation, property disputes, inheritance and debt.

The name of the event has been changed to “Idulog Mo Kay Atorni” as most OFWs are not familiar with IBP, said Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, who is coordinating the coming event.
“The word ‘Atorni’ instantly registers with OFWs, so, they would know the event is about legal issues,” he said. - VBL

Gabriela HK, pitong taon na

Ni Gina N. Ordona

Matagumpay na idinaos ng Gabriela Hong Kong ang kanilang ika-7 anibersaryo sa kahabaan ng Chater road sa Central noong Okt. 2.

Nagkaroon ng paligsahan sa pagsayaw kung saan ang mga kalahok ay nagtagisan ng galing sa pag-indak sa saliw ng kantang pinasikat ng “One Billion Rising”, isang kampanya laban sa karahasan sa mga kababaihan at kabataan. Sa walong grupong sumali, kampeon ang Danza Filipina, pumangalawa ang Filipino Star Association at pangatlo ang Panay Overseas Workers Association.

Samantala, sa pamamagitan ng isang sulat na binasa ni Tess Aquino, ipinaabot ng pambansang pamunuan ng Gabriela ang pagbati at pagpupugay para sa pagdiriwang ng anibersaryo ng kanilang sangay na grupo sa Hong Kong.

Hinikayat nito ang mga kasapi ng Gabriela HK na ipagpatuloy ang pagtataguyod ng karapatan ng mga kababaihan.

“Tungkulin natin bilang mga Gabriela na itaas ang pampulitikang kamalayan ng mga kababaihan at hikayatin silang maging aktibo sa usaping panlipunan upang sila mismo ay maging bahagi sa makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating bansa,” ayon sa sulat.

Naging panauhing pandangal sa programa si Dolores Balladares, pangulo ng United Filipinos – Migrante Hong Kong. Hinimok niya ang mga dumalo na lalo pang paigtingin ang pakikipaglaban para sa karapatan ng mga kababaihan.

“Nais po nating baguhin ang sistema na naglulugmok lalo sa kahirapan ang pang-aabuso sa mga kababaihan. Ang nais po natin ay magkaroon ng isang lipunan na kumikilala sa kakayanan at karapatan ng mga kababaihan bilang isang sector ng lipunan,” sabi ni Balladares.

Kabilang sa mga dumalo at nagpahayag ng suporta ay ang Association for the Advancement of Feminism, isang lokal na grupo ng mga kababaihan sa Hong Kong.

Bukod sa mga nanalong grupo, lumahok din sa paligsahan ang The Unity Association HK, Tinikling Group of Migrants, Migrante Ma On Shan, Migrante Cagayan at Women Dance Club.