Mula sa mapang-abusong amo, napunta siya sa mabait

Hindi maganda ang naging karanasan ni Rhonna sa kanyang dating amo. Nakaranas siya ng pang-aabuso, hindi pagpapakain ng wasto, at pagpapahiya sa mga pampublikong lugar. Ugali din ng dating amo na magpalinis ng punching bag sa kanya habang sinusuntok ito, kaya’t ramdam ni Rhonna ang pwersa ng suntok lalo na at may pagka balingkinitan siya.

Isang araw ay naisip niyang takasan ang abusadong amo matapos siyang sigaw-sigawan at mura-murahin sa isang mall, sa pamamagitan ng pagtatago sa toilet. Nagpasya siyang pumunta sa kanyang agency, kung saan niya isinumbong ang kanyang hindi magandang kalagayan.

Tinulungan naman siyang makahanap ng bagong trabaho, at sa kabutihang palad ay mabait ang naibigay sa kanyang among babae.

Isa itong psychology graduate, at hindi siya nag-atubiling i-kwento ang kanyang dating karanasan. Nang malaman ng amo niya na siya ay mahilig sa pag-guhit at pagpipinta, sinabihan siyang maaari siyang magpinta sa dingding ng kanilang bahay. Nagustuhan ng amo ang kanyang ginawa, kaya sinabihan siya na maaari niyang palit-palitan ang disenyo kung kailan niya maisipan.

Masaya si Rhonna na naipagpapatuloy niya ang kanyang hilig sa pagguhit at pagpinta habang nagtatrabaho sa among mabait at nakakaintindi sa kanya. – William Elvin 

PCG set to break new ground

Congen Catalla (second from left, front row) with other
 consulate officials and OFW leaders.

By Daisy CL Mandap

An indoor celebration of Philippine Independence Day and a first-ever official participation by the Philippines in Hong Kong’s annual Flower Show will be among the big events lined up this year by the Consulate.

The information was disclosed by Consul General Bernardita Catalla during a talk with The SUN on Dec. 18 at the Consulate, when she also recorded a short Christmas message for the Filipino community.

Congen Catalla said that the Hong Kong government, through its Leisure and Cultural Services Department, has offered the use of Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wanchai for the annual celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

The indoor event to be organized by the Consulate will be held on June 25, a week after the Philippine Association of Hong Kong is set to stage its regular Independence Day offering for the community on Chater Road.

While it will not be the first time that an Independence related-event is staged at the stadium, it will be the first to be co-organized with the Hong Kong government.

Also in the works is the first-ever official participation by the Philippine government in the March Flower Show at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.

“It will be the first time that the PCG will participate, and we have already asked our engineers to help conceptualize and build our booth,” said Congen.

For more than a decade, the Rizalista group led by Pieter Nootenbaum had taken part in the annual show that attracts tens of thousands of people from all over Hong Kong and abroad, but this will be the first time that the Philippines will have an official entry.

Congen said the Consulate’s booth will be placed at the far end of the exhibit, so as not to take attention away from the Rizalistas’, which has always been put near the entrance to the park.

Ahead of all these is the Philippines’ upcoming participation in the Chinese New Year parade on Jan. 28. The lively street parade which features colorful floats, marching bands, acrobatic performers and lively dragon dancers will this year be joined by Philippine dancers from the Kadayawan festival of Davao city.

Congen Catalla said more details of the upcoming events and other projects planned by the Consulate will be unveiled during her yearly briefing and reception for Filipino community leaders slated for the first half of next month.

POLO taps agencies for OEC online registration

By Vir B. Lumicao

Hong Kong employment agencies have been tapped by the Consulate to help in registering OFWs on BM (Balik Manggagawa) Online so they can get exemption from the overseas employment certificate.

More than 100 agency owners or their representatives gathered on Dec 23 at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office at Admiralty Centre Tower 1 where they were taught how to fill up the online registration forms.

The orientation began at about 10am and lasted until around 12:30pm. Afterwards, about a dozen participants remained to ask more questions from POLO staff Josh Villa and Engelbert Causing.
“We now require the agencies to register their recruits on BM Online,” Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero told The SUN.

Tianero said POLO had been harnessing the agencies since Dec 15 for help in the registration process.

He attributed this innovation to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, who has been actively looking for ways to speed up the online registration of the estimated 187,000 OFWs in Hong Kong.

Once all the workers’ personal details are captured in the BM Online database, all they need is to access the system with their android phones or personal computers to apply for an OEC exemption slip each time they need to go home.

The only time they need to re-register is when they change employers.

Through this new innovation, the  number of people queuing up to POLO for OEC exemption each time vacation season comes will hopefully shrink.

Tianero said that over the past week before Christmas, POLO had been registering an average of 500 OFWs daily and the number of applicants was declining.

Labatt De la Torre himself was not at POLO for the briefing as he had already left for a Christmas break with his family in Australia. But just before he left, he posted on Facebook that he recognized that the difficulties arising from the online registration for OEC exemption was due to many workers' unfamiliarity with the system.

“The BM Online's teething problems (too many data fields required, operates real-time and should have offline version, etc) can be remedied because these are technical issues. But the real problem is the fact that many workers are unfamiliar with it,” Labatt De la Torre said in his post.

“Therefore, the solution is to have as many workers registered as we possibly can. It's an attrition challenge and the more people willing to help, the less people who will complain. The more volunteers willing to tutor our workers, the better for all,” he said.

He admitted that  “there is a demand for its scrapping but until it’s abolished we’re stuck with it, and we’re going to do the best we can to assist as many as our resources and our human strength would allow and more”.

Since the OEC queues began around mid-November for the current Christmas peak season, Labatt De la Torre and his staff had been skipping their weekend rest to keep POLO open for OFWs who needed the

“Another holiday well spent in the service of our OFWs. Nearly 300 OECs issued and 50 tutored,” the labor attaché said of the service rendered by his staff on Dec 21, when the rest of the Consulate shut down to observe the Winter Solstice.

‘Sunday Beauty Queen’ is MMFF Best Picture

By Daisy CL Mandap

Hong Kong workers Mylyn Jacobo, Global Alliance chair
Leo Selomenio and Hazel Perdido  pose with Babyruth
Villarama (in blue) and actor John Lloyd Cruz (back) at the MMFF rites.

A documentary about the life and struggles of overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong has won the two top prizes at this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

“Sunday Beauty Queen”, which was directed by Babyruth Villarama and took all of four years to make, was adjudged as Best Picture and winner of the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award at the 2016 MIFF Gabi ng Parangal held on Dec. 29 at the Kia Theatre in Quezon City.

The film also made history for being the first documentary to have won the top prize in the annual festival.

It was sweet vindication for the film which was pulled out of several cinemas after just one day because of low patronage.

Villarama, who took breaks from finishing a degree in the United Kingdom so she could come to Hong Kong to film the documentary, said in a CNN Philippines interview that “Sunday Beauty Queen” was no escapist movie.

“Monday to Saturday, they don’t have a life, they’re like robots,” she said of OFWs in Hong Kong. But on Sunday, they transform. This is how they want to live. These are dignified people. They need to have something for themselves,” Villarama said in the interview.

Villarama was accompanied on stage to accept the award by the three OFWs who were featured in the film: Global Alliance chair Leo Selomenio, who is a veteran organizer of beauty pageants in Hong Kong, and perennial contestants Hazel Perdido and Mylyn Jacobo.

Asked for a reaction on the big win, Selomenio told The SUN in a private message that being on stage for the MIFF awards night was an experience beyond expectation.

“The feeling is overwhelming and I am so overjoyed. This film is an eye opener for everyone na ang pag-organize ng event dapat may kabuluhan. I am so proud to be a part of this film and proud to be a leader. All (our) efforts and sacrifices paid off.”

Of the three, Perdido is the only one who will no longer go back to Hong Kong as she has gone back to her hometown of General Santos City for good.

Before the awards night, they were all given a real pre-pageant treat by going for a fitting session with local couturier Martin Bautista who provided their outfits for the awards night for free.
After the big win, they all got another treat when they joined the filmmakers for a big celebration that Selomenio said lasted until 5 in the morning.

Returning to Hong Kong, Selomenio will try to achieve another dream, by helping bring the SBQ to local cinemas so those whose lives are so eloquently told in the documentary could also watch it on the big screen.

Before leaving for Manila, Selomenio discussed the plan with The SUN, saying Villarama was already eyeing commercial cinemas for the film’s Hong Kong run.

Consul General Bernardita Catalla who was later on looped in on the plan said she was open to the idea, but added it would be better if the movie won an award so it would be easier to convince the Hong Kong government to help provide a venue.

SBQ’s big win could very well indicate it is, indeed, coming to Hong Kong soon.

Here is the full list of winners of the MMFF 2016:
Best Picture: Sunday Beauty Queen
Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: Sunday Beauty Queen
Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award: Oro
Best Director: Erik Matti, Seklusyon
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Paolo Ballesteros, Die Beautiful
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Irma Adlawan, Oro
Best Ensemble Cast: Oro
Special Jury Prize: Rhed Bustamante, Seklusyon
Best Screenplay: Seklusyon
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Christian Bables, Die Beautiful
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Phoebe Walker, Seklusyon
Best Cinematography: Seklusyon
Best Sound Design: Seklusyon
Best Theme Song: ”Dominus Miserere” Seklusyon
Best Editing: Sunday Beauty Queen
Best Musical Score: Saving Sally
Best Production Design: Seklusyon
Best Float: Die Beautiful
42nd MMFF My Most Favorite Film: Die Beautiful
Children’s Choice Award: Saving Sally, Sunday Beauty Queen, Vince & Kath & James
Male Celebrity of the Night: Ronnie Alonte
Female Celebrity of the Night: Rhian Ramos
Short Film – Best Screenplay: Mitatang
Short Film – Special Jury Prize: Manila Scream
Short Film – Best Picture: EJK
Short Film – Best Work for Children: Passage of Life
Best Short Film Director: Jarell Serencio for Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad

Ninang pa rin kahit hindi natuloy ang kasal

Noong bagong salta pa lamang si Thelma dito sa Hong Kong ay nakilala na niya si Josie, na nakatatanda sa kanya ng mahigit 10 taon. Si Josie ang nagsilbing gabay niya noong siya ay nagsisimula pa lamang sa buhay bilang OFW, at naging takbuhan niya sa lahat ng mga problemang kinaharap niya bilang kasambahay.

Kinalaunan ay hindi lamang mga problema sa trabaho ang isinangguni niya kay Josie, kundi mga personal na hinaing na rin gaya ng mga suliranin sa pag-ibig. Isang araw ay nagulat na lamang si Josie sa balitang ikakasal na si Thelma, at siya ang napiling ninang. Agad siyang pumayag, at tumulong sa pagpaplano sa kasal ng kaibigan.

Sa kasamaang palad, wala pang isang taon ay naghiwalay na si Thelma at ang kanyang nobyo kaya’t walang kasalang naganap. Nangako naman si Thelma kay Josie na siya pa rin ang kukuning ninang kapag natagpuan na niya ang lalaking kanyang pakakasalan. Dahil dito, tinawag na ni Thelma si Josie na ‘Ninang’.

Nanatili ang pagtawag niyang ito sa kanyang kaibigan, kahit na mahigit isang dekada na at hindi pa nakakakilala ng bagong nobyo si Thelma. – William Elvin

'Pambansang Bae', nagpakilig ng fans sa Hong Kong

Pinasaya ng "Pamsansang Bae' na si Alden Richards ang mga OFW sa Hong Kong na nagmamahal at walang sawang sumusuporta sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng isang concert sa Southorn Stadium sa Wanchai noong Dis. 18. Kasama sa show na pinamagatang 'One Fine Day with The Bae' ang sikat na aktres at singer na si Glaiza de Castro, na kasalukuyan ngayong napapanood bilang Pirena sa bagong bersyon ng hit TV series na 'Encantadia". Nagbigay suporta din ang komedyanteng si Kim Idol. Malakas na tilian ang sumalubong sa pagkanta ni Alden ng 'Rescue Me' mula sa kanyang album sa GMA Records na "Say It Again". Lalo pang natuwa ang mga fans niya nang magpakitang gilas siya sa pagsasayaw. - Marites Palma

Suicide victim to be cremated

Tabor was found dead in a flat in one of the residential buildings in  this estate

The 53-year-old Filipina domestic worker believed to have committed suicide by burning charcoal at her employer’s house in Taipo on Dec. 9 will be cremated, and her ashes brought home by her younger sister.

M. Tabor’s sister is due to arrive in Hong Kong tonight, according to

Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section.

The ATN officer confirmed that before Tabor apparently killed herself, she had

written a letter to her five siblings telling them of her final wishes.

But a separate suicide note which police in Hong Kong say was found shortly after Tabor's body was found inside her employer's flat in Peak Providence estate has not been forwarded or shown to ATN.

Cayabyab said Tabor was married but had separated  from her husband many years ago. They had no child together.

He also said that the victim’s employers, a local couple, were shocked by her death because she had been with them for about 14 years and they did not sense anything wrong with her.

“Tinatanong pa sa akin kung ano ang kaugalian nating mga Pilipino kapag namamatayan. Ang sagot ko ay ipa-bless na lang nila ang bahay,” said Cayabyab.

Tabor hailed from Camarines Norte.- Vir B. Lumicao

‘Ang Probinsyano’ grand fans day, dinagsa

Ni Johna Acompanado

Pinagkaguluhan si Coco Martin at mga kasamahang sina Yassi Pressman at McNeal “Awra” Briguela sa grand fans day ng “Ang Probinsyano” na ginanap sa Hong Kong Cultural Centre piazza sa Tsim Sha Tsui noong Dec. 11.

Maaga pa lang ay nakaabang na ang iba’t ibang fans club sa Hong Kong ni Coco, gaya ng CocoJam at Coco- Yassi upang makahanap ng magandang puwesto. Hindi magkamayaw ang mga fans nang dumating si Coco at umawit na may kasama pang sayaw.

Nagpamalas din sa husay sa pagsayaw at pag-awit si Yassi, na leading lady ni Coco sa top rated na TV series. Lingid sa kaalaman ng marami, si Yassi ay isinilang at lumaki sa Hong Kong. Dito sa Hong Kong nagkakilala ang ina niya na isang Pilipina at tubong Isabela, at ama niya na isang Briton. Sa Pilipinas na naninirahan si Yassi at ang kanyang nakababatang kapatid na babae, kasama ang kanilang ama.

Ang batang aktor na si Awra ay ipinakita rin ang husay sumayaw at pagkanta. Una siyang nakilala nang sumikat sa You Tube ang kanyang video bago siya napasama sa “Ang Probinsyano”. Kasama rin siya sa pelikulang “The Super Parental Guardians” na kasalukuyang tumatabo sa takilya, na pinagbibidahan nina Vice Ganda at Coco, kasama ang child actor ding si Xymon “Onyok” Pineda. Kamakailan ay isinamang mag-shopping ni Vice si Awra dahil natutuwa daw ito sa kanya, na tulad niya ay isa ring gay, at nakikita raw nito ang sarili kay Awra noong siya ay bata pa.

Ang TV series na “Ang Probinsyano” ay patuloy pa ring namamayagpag sa ratings kahit isang taon na itong napapanood.

CESAR, NA-APPOINT NA PINUNO NG TPB

Si Cesar Montano ang pinakabagong nadagdag sa listahan ng mga celebrities  na itinalaga sa posisyon sa gobyerno sa ilalim ng Duterte administration. Hinirang siya bilang pinuno ng Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), isang ahensya sa ilalim ng Department of Tourism. Ito ay ipinahayag ni Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo nang humarap ito sa Commission on Appointments noong Dec 7. Ang appointment papers daw ni Cesar bilang TPB chief operating officer ay nilagdaan ni Pres. Duterte at   dinala sa kanyang tanggapan noong Dec 5.

Ayon kay Sec. Teo,  noon pa mang Oktubre ay nagpaalam na si Cesar na mag-ko-courtesy call siya pero sinabihan daw niya itong hintayin muna ang kanyang appointment papers. Sila ay unang nagkita sa China, kung saan ay kabilang siya sa delegasyon ni Pres Duterte na bumisita doon. Si Cesar ay nandoon din daw upang makipag-usap sa mga Chinese film producer para sa posibleng tie-up sa paggawa ng pelikula. Naabisuhan na rin daw siya ng Presidential Management Staff tungkol sa appointment ni Cesar. Inamin niya na may iba sana siyang gustong maupo sa puwesto at isunumite na niya ang pangalan nito, pero wala na raw siyang magagawa dahil ibinigay na ito kay Cesar.  
Ang iba pang celebrities na nabigyan ng posisyon sa gobyerno ay sina Liza Dino bilang FDCP chair, Aiza Seguerra sa National Youth Commission, at Arnell Ignacio bilng bise president sa Pagcor, o Philippine Games and Amusement Corporation.  

SARAH G, PANALO SA 29TH MUSIC AWARDS

Napanalunan ni Sarah Geronimo ang top award na Album of the Year para sa kanyang album na “The Great Unknown” sa 29th Music Awards na ginanap noong December 7 sa Music Museum.
Ang Song of the Year ay nakuha naman ni Ebe Dancel para sa kanyang awiting “Bawa’t Daan”. Bukod dito, nanalo rin siya para sa best inspirational recording (Bawa’t Daan), best engineered recording, best world music recording (Kasayaw), at best song para sa movie/tv/stage play para sa tv series na “ Ang Probinsyano”, ang awiting “ ‘Wag Ka Nang Umiyak”.

Ang mga nanalo:
Best Inspirational Recording - “Bawat Daan” ( Ebe Dancel)
Best Christmas Recording - “Apat na Buwang Pasko” (Jon Santos)
Best Performance by a Child - “Believe in Magic” (Julia Concio )
Best Musical Arrangement - “Pero” (Conscious and the Goodness)
* Best Vocal Arrangement - “Waters of March”  ( Moy Ortiz) ,
Best Engineered Recording - “Bawat Daan”  (Ebe Dancel)
Best Album Package - “Greetings from Callalily” (Callalily)
Best World Music Recording - “Kasayaw” ( Ebe Dancel )
Best Novelty Recording - “Siopao na Pag ibig” ( K.A. Antonio)
Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play – “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak,” - Ang Probinsyano (Ebe Dancel at Gloc 9)
Best Jazz Recording - “Pero”  ( Conscious and the Goodness)
Music Video of the Year - “Walang Anuman”  (Nicole Asensio)
Best Instrumental Performance - “The Sound of Life”
Most downloaded song for 2015 - “Wish I May” (Alden Richards)
Most downloaded artist for 2015 - Alden Richards
Best Selling Album of the Year – “Wish I May” (Alden Richards)
Best Performance by a new group recording artist – Gravity (“Imposible”)
Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist – Daryl Ong ( “Mabuti Pa”)
Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist – Kris Angelica (“Sabi Sabi”)
Best Ballad Recording - “Araw Gabi”  (Aiza Seguerra)
Best Pop Recording - “Free Fall into Love” (Marion Aunor)
Best Dance Recording - “Lala”  (Yassi Pressman)
Best R&B Recording - “Parang Wala Lang” (Tippy Dos Santos)
Best Rock/Alternative Recording - “Firepower” ( Bamboo)
Best Performance by Group Recording Artist -  Harana (“LDR”)
Best Collaboration - “Triangulo” ( Thyro, Yumi at Jeric Medina)
Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist -  Thor Dulay (Paano ko Sasabihin)
Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist – Tippy Dos Santos (Parang Wala Lang)
Song of the Year - “Bawat Daan”  (Ebe Dancel )
Album of the Year - “The Great Unknown”  (Sarah Geronimo)
Dangal ng Musika award - Boyfriends

DENNIS AT ANDI, PANALO SA FAMAS

Limang major awards ang napanalunan ng pelikulang “Felix Manalo” sa Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences, Inc (FAMAS) Awards 2016 na ginanap noong December 4. Nanalo ito ng best film, best screenplay, best director para kay Joel Lamangan, best theme song at best actor para kay Dennis Trillo.

Si Andi Eigenmann ay tinanghal na best actress para sa pelikulang Angela Markado.

Ang iba pang nanalo:
Best Supporting Actor - Gabby Concepcion ( Crazy Beautiful You)                            
Best Supporting Actress - Lorna Tolentino (Crazy Beautiful You)                              
Best Child Performer – JM Ibañez (Crazy Beautiful You)                                              
Best Story -  Robby Tantingco (Ari: My Life with A King)                                          
Best Screenplay: Bienvenido Santiago (Felix Manalo)                                                            
Best Cinematography - Rain Yamson (Silong)
Best Editing - Carlo Francisco Manatad ( Para Sa Hopeless Romantic)
Special Awards:                                                                                                      
FAMAS Lifetime Achieve-ment Awardee – Gloria Sevilla                                          
Presidential Award – Vilma Santos-Recto                                                              
Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award – Robin Padilla                                                          
Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Award – Jojo Gabinete                                                                  
German Moreno Youth Achievement Awards: Jak Roberto, Sanya Lopez at Gabbi Garcia

JENNYLYN, MAY BAGONG LEADING MAN

Ipinakilala na ang bagong leading man ni Jennylyn Mercado sa Pinoy adaptation ng Koreanovelang “My Love From the Star”, na si Gil Cuerva, isang Filipino-Spanish model. Siya ang ipinalit kay Alden Richards na una nang napili, pero hindi natuloy.

Tila pasado naman sa mga fans ang baguhang aktor dahil dumami agad ang followers niya sa Instagram. Ang hiling lang ng marami ay ipagupit nito ang napakahaba niyang buhok.

Hindi rin naman siguro magiging hadlang ang pagkakaroon nito ng girlfriend upang pakiligin ang mga fans at sumikat siya, dahil open na rin naman ang relasyon ni Jennnylyn kay Dennis Trillo. Ang mahalaga ay bagay sila, at mabibigyan nila ng buhay ang mga gagampanan nilang papel bilang sina Steffi at Matteo sa isa sa pinaka-popular na Koreanovela.

PINOY BOYBAND SUPERSTARS, BUO NA

May bago na namang iidolohin ang mga kabataang Pinoy sa katauhan ng mga nanalo sa Pinoy BoyBand Superstar. Matapos ang ilang linggong make-over, rehearsal at performance, botohan at elimination, ang limang kabataan magiging miyembro ng bagong boyband na tatawaging BoybandPH ay sina Niel Murillo,23, Russel Reyes,18,  Ford Valencia, 21, Tristan Ramirez,23, at Joao Constancia,19.

Bawa’t isa sa kanila ay tumanggap ng tig-isang milyong piso, motorsiklo, at kontrata sa Star Magic.
Hindi pinalad na makasama sa top 5 sina Mark Oblea at pati si Tony Labrusca, na hinuhulaang sisikat din bilang aktor dahil isa siya sa pinaka-guwapo at pinaka-popular sa grupo.

Sa ginanap na finale noong Linggo, Dec. 11, nagpakitang gilas sa pag-awit at sayaw si Sandara Park, isa sa mga judges ng naturang show at dating miyembro ng sikat na Korean all female band na 2NE1, bago ito binuwag kamakailan.

Ang iba pang judges ay sina Vice Ganda, Yeng Constantino at Aga Muhlach, sa kayang muling pagbabalik sa showbiz, pagkatapos ng ilang taong pamamahinga.

Registration for 2019 overseas election gets under way

The overseas voting registration (OVR) for the 2019 mid-term has begun.

Since the registration resumed on Dec. 1, more than 50 voters have already signed up at the OVR desk at the Consulate, according to Jethro dela Cruz, a staff of the cultural section.

To help cope with the usual surge in the number of new registrants, the Consulate has set out to hire an additional staff member who will be doing mainly election-related work.

Dela Cruz said the registration will end on Sept. 30, 2018 while the 30-day voting period for overseas Filipinos will start on April 30, 2019.

All Filipinos living abroad who are not disqualified by law and are at least 18 years old at the time of election can register to vote.

First registrants identified by the Consulate only as
Ms. Maylin at Ms. Nelia (above and below)  are
assisted by Jethro dela Cruz, a staff of the cultural section.

Those who are not yet registered overseas voters must appear personally at the Consulate on the 14th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty for biometric capturing.

They must bring a photocopy of their valid passport; if dual citizens, a copy of their oath of allegiance or proof of Philippine citizenship from the Bureau of Immigration, and for seafarers, a copy of their seaman’s book.

This early, the Consulate is already advertising an opening for a project term personnel on its Facebook page specifically for the OVR. The contract is for a maximum of three months subject for renewal, with a monthly salary of $13,000.

The new staff will assist in information dissemination about OVR, help increase community awareness of the listing, encode data and prepare OVR materials, answer enquiries on voter registration and perform other related services.

To qualify, interested parties should be Filipino citizens, computer-literate, proficient in data encoding, with excellent customer service skills, and a Hong Kong resident or dependent of a Hong Kong resident.

Applicants should email their resumes to the Cultural Section at cultural_hk@yahoo.com  with the subject “Opening for PTP” on or before Dec 18. – Vir B. Lumicao

May kakaibang ugali ang amo

Bago pa lamang si Elsa sa kanyang mga among Intsik ngunit nakuha na agad niya ang loob ng mga ito, lalo na ang among babae. Sa unang araw pa lang ni Elsa sa kanila ay ipinakita na ng mga ito ang kanilang pagiging simple at mabuting tao.

Madalas makipagkwentuhan ang kanyang among babae kay Elsa kapag nasa bahay ito, at minsan ay inaabot pa sila ng hatinggabi sa dami ng pinag-uusapan. Maluwag  ang mga ito sa kanya, kaya malayang nakakapag-jogging si Elsa sa gabi pagkatapos ng trabaho, kasama ang ilang kaibigan. Naengganyo ang amo sa kanyang mga kuwento tungkol sa pagtakbo, kaya hindi naglaon ay sumama na ito sa kanila, at pati ang anak nitong lalaki na siyam na taong gulang.

Ngunit kahit gaano pa kabait ang amo ni Elsa ay meron din itong ugaling kakaiba, tulad na lamang ng hindi nito pag inom ng tubig. Maging ang anak nito at asawa ay hindi din umiinom ng tubig kaya naman kahon-kahon ng Coke Zero ang dine-deliver sa kanila kada tatlong linggo. Agad naman nitong sinabi sa kanya sa interview pa lang nila na hindi sila umiinom ng tubig.

Mula nga nang dumating si Elsa sa bahay ng mga amo ay ni minsan ay hindi niya nakita ang mga ito na umiinom ng tubig. Kahit paggising pa lang sa umaga ay agad na itong kumukuha ng Coke sa ref at umiinom. Mahilig din ang pamilya sa matatamis na pagkain, lalo na ang babae.

 Pagdating sa paglilinis ay hindi din ito maselan maliban lamang sa sahig. Kailangan na malinis na malinis ito, at walang dapat kumapit kahit alikabok sa talampakan dahil hindi sila gumagamit ng tsinelas sa loob ng bahay. Dahil dito ay ilang beses sa isang araw kung magpunas si Elsa ng sahig para walang masabi ang kanyang amo.

Ang isa pang kakaibang ugali ng amo niya ang paggala-gala nito sa loob ng bahay na walang damit. Minsan ay naka-panties lang, at minsan naman ay wala talagang saplot. Kahit pa nakikipagkwentuhan ito kay Elsa ay hindi ito nagdadamit. Wala talaga siyang pakialam.

Noong unang makipagkwentuhan ang amo sa kanya ay laking gulat ni Elsa nang pumasok ito sa kanyang kuwarto dahil wala itong saplot. Si Elsa ang hiyang-hiya. Hindi niya ito matingnan nang diretso, kaya nagkunwari na lang na abala siya sa kanyang ginagawa.

Sinabihan naman siya ng amo na dapat ay masanay na siya dahil doon daw ito mas komportable. Naiilang man si Elsa ay sinasanay na lang niya ang sarili. Ang mahalaga para sa kanya ay mabait ang kanyang amo. Si Elsa ay 33 taong gulang at tubong Ormoc City– Emz Frial

Siniraan pala siya ng kasamahan sa amo

Nagpaalam si Jona sa kanyang mayamang amo na uuwi na siya sa Pilipinas para makasama ang pamilya dahil walong taon na rin siyang naninilbihan. Naniwala ang amo at nangakong babayaran siya ng para sa long service.

Ang siste, wala naman talagang balak na umuwi si Jona dahil may nakuha na siyang lilipatang amo. Dahil sa pangako ng dating amo ay tuwang-tuwa siya habang inaayos ang mga papeles para sa kanyang lilipatang amo.

Hindi ito nalingid sa kasamahan niyang Pilipina, at isinumbong siya nito sa kanilang amo.

Sumama ang loob ng amo sa ginawang pagsisinungaling ni Jona, at sinabi na binabawi na nito pangakong magbabayad para sa long service. Hindi na nagawang magtanong ni Jona kung bakit, dahil alam na niya na isinumbong siya ng kasamahan na akala mo ay kung sinong banal dahil laging may hawak na Bibliya.

Ganoon man ang sinabi ng amo ay nagpatuloy sa pagiging mabuting kasambahay si Jona sa mga natitirang araw na paninilbihan niya. Nanatili siyang mabait at masipag.

Sa araw nang pagbaba niya mula sa bahay ng amo ay ganoon na lang ang gulat niya nang abutan siya ng amo ng sobre na may lamang $30,000, kasama ang huling buwan niyang sahod.

Napayakap siya sa amo sa tuwa, dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang ipinakita nitong pang-unawa. Nilisan niya ang among pinagsililbihan niya ng walong taon na masaya. Sa isang banda, malungkot din siya dahil kaya lang siya nagdesisyong lumipat ng amo ay dahil ayaw na niyang makasama sa iisang bubong ang kapwa kasambahay na ubod ng sipsip at kaplastikan.

Sa ngayon ay nakabakasyon si Jona sa Pilipinas, at doon na iseselebra ang Pasko, kasama ang kanyang pinakamamahal na pamilya. Babalik siya sa Hong Kong pagkatapos ng bagong taon. Si Jona ay ay 42 taong gulang, may asawa at anak na tubong Tacloban. – Marites Palma

Paano kumuha ng OEC exemption

Aabutan ka na ba ng Pasko na wala pang exemption sa OEC?

Huwag mag-alala, dahil may pag-asa ka pa, kahit magbakasyon ka sa Pilipinas na walang OEC exemption.

Ang solusyon ay nasa iyong smartphone.

Panoorin ang video sa ibaba upang malaman ang paraan ng pagkuha ng OEC exemption, gamit ang iyong smart phone, upang maiwasang magka-problema sa airport sa Pilipinas, kung babalik ka na sa iyong trabaho sa Hong Kong.

Protest against OEC

Militant groups express their displeasure over how the government has implemented OFW exemption from the need for the overseas employment certificate if they are returning to their employers after their vacation to the Philippines.

Their protest was held on Dec. 18, 2016 near the Admiralty office building of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office for Hong Kong.

Consul General Bernardita Catalla issues her Christmas 2016 message to Filipinos in Hong Kong:

Aguado is new PAHK chairman

Journalist Rex Aguado leads the new officers of the Philippine Association of Hong Kong for 2017. Aguado was elected by the new PAHK board members during their first meeting held on Dec. 1.

The other officers are shown in the picture above. From left, Gary Flores and Mark Yabut, PRO; Aguado; Euvi Regis-Kay, secretary; JP de Guzman, diretor; Senen Glinoga, assistant treasurer; Tom Magno, PRO; Joel Almeda, director; Richard del Valle, director; Louise Vas, vice chairman; Steven Go, assistant secretary; Edna Hui, treasurer; and Fred Valencia, auditor. Not in photo are Emilie Veringa Tobias, director and Edith Gomez, ex officio director.

Aguado, a former business editor of the South China Morning Post who now works as a freelance journalist, is concurrently chair of the CARD OFW HK, a subsidiary of CARD-MRI, an  award-winning microfinance institution in the Philippines. - DCLM

What's on, where

4th Annual Hong Kong Bazaar

Dec. 17, 10am-8pm
Mariners’ Club, Tsimshatsui
This is a one day shopping event where there will be a lot of items on sale, from jewelry to fashion wear and decorations. A lot of handmade fashion accessories and handicraft will also be available.

Scrap OEC/International Migrants Day Rally
Dec. 18, 11am
Ground Floor, Admiralty Centre
Organized by: Unifil-Migrante Hong Kong
Contact: 97472986 / 90131542

Christmas Party
Dec. 18, 11 am onwards
Tin Hau Park
Organizer: Phil Guardians Brotherhood Incorporated
Contact: Sonia Indunan at 51061781.

Acquaintance and Christmas Party
Dec. 18, 11am – 4pm
Pier 7 Café and Bar
Organizer: Filipino Nurses Association Hong Kong
Contact: Lorna at 69290040

Christmas Potluck Party
Dec. 25, 1am-4pm, Pier 9, Central
All OFWs, their friends and supporters are welcome
“Come and join us in getting to know each other and to celebrate the spirit of Christmas”
Organizer: OFWs in Hong Kong
Everyone is encouraged to join the exchange of gifts worth $50 or more, and to bring a dish for the potluck party
We will have fun, games and many other surprises
Window of the World Tour
Jan. 29, 9am – 5pm
A day-long trip to one of Shenzhen’s famous attractions
Organizer: OFWs in Hong Kong
All OFWs and their friends are invited to join
Contact: Gemini Aguirre or Admin Mocha through whatsapp at 96864510

Announcements

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:
· The parol must be made of recyclable materials;
· Should be no bigger than 0.8 x 1meter
· The lights used should be powered by batteries
· It should be “stand-alone” or come with its own stand;
· 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

Health checks for FDWs  
Caritas Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project will hold a two-day Health Concern Days for foreign domestic workers on two Sundays: Dec 17 and Jan 8, 2017.
The schedule is as follows:
Day 1: Body check on Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, glucose, musculoskeletal assessment & level stress.
Dec 17, 2016 (Saturday), 2-5pm; and  Jan. 8, 2017 (Sunday), 10:30 am – 12:30pm and 2-5pm
Day 2: Result Explanation & Community Resource for Follow up
Dec 24 (Saturday), 10:30am – 12:30pm  (In English and Bahasa)
Jan. 15, 2017 (Sunday): 10:30am - 12:30pm (English); and 2:30-4:30pm (Cantonese & Bahasa)
Fee: $20 for the two-day program, including tests and handout
Venue: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F. , No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.
For reservation, call 2147-5988.

Tax-free padala: Good news and bad

By Daisy CL Mandap

First, the good news: From Christmas Day, Dec. 25 this year, all personal effects sent home in boxes by Filipinos overseas will no longer be taxed if their total value does not exceed Php150,000.

The bad news is, a lot of requirements has been attached to the privilege that it may become more difficult for the senders and even the freight forwarders to get the cargo cleared as easily as in the past.

According to AFreight’s Asia Pacific head Susan Lozano, the “nitty-gritty” of the new rules is still unknown to them.

But from what has been announced, she said: “It is almost impossible to comply with it 100%. They did the press release on a Sunday (Dec 11) so I guess brokers are scampering to get details of the requirements and the consequences of non-compliance, up to this time”.

Lozano is also worried of repercussions should the trickle-down of the new rules is not immediately felt by consumers.

“Kami ang tatamaan dito, because it will be the forwarders that will face the ire of the OFWs if we cannot bring our prices down,” she said.

On Dec.11, the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Finance jointly signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) prescribing the guidelines on tax-free balikbayan boxes.

Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 05-2016, which takes effect on Dec. 25 states that qualified Filipinos abroad may send boxes containing personal effects and households goods, tax free, as long as the items inside do not cost more than Php150,000 and are not in commercial quantity.
This privilege can be availed of for a maximum of three times a year.

In announcing the new move, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said: “We value the importance of each balikbayan box. (It) symbolizes the hardship of our (OFWs), and the love of Filipinos abroad for their families here in the country.”

Those qualified for the tax-free privilege are overseas Filipino workers, Filipinos who are permanent residents in another country but have retained their Filipino citizenship, and Filipinos who hold a temporary resident’s visa abroad, such as students and investors.

But unlike in the past when all they had to do was to complete a packing list for the goods that they’re sending, Filipinos who want to avail of the privilege must now submit a photocopy of the page in their Philippine passport with personal information, picture and signature.

Dual citizens  must produce, in addition to their Philippine passport, a photocopy of their foreign passport and proof of their dual citizenship.

And while Customs has adopted a “no opening of balikbayan boxes policy”, senders bear the burden of proving that the goods that they’re sending do not violate restrictions against commercial shipments and the total value.

Thus, they are required to submit an invoice, receipt or a similar document covering the goods in the balikbayan box, apart from an information sheet which shall take the place of a packing list.

Through these documents, the sender is made to certify that only personal effects and household goods, in noncommercial quantities, are contained in their shipment. These include clothes, foodstuff, grocery items, canned goods and other similar items.

A similar burden is passed on to both the international and the local forwarders.

International forwarders are required to submit the information sheets and supporting documents “in secured electronic format” to their Philippine counterparts, which in turn, must forward the documents in like manner to the BOC within a specified period.

For goods that take three days to ship, as those coming from Hong Kong, the documents must be submitted 24 hours before their arrival. Those for goods that ship within seven days must be submitted 48 hours before arrival.

Lozano said: “If you will note the requirements, these are very difficult to follow, especially the electronic transmission of information sheets within 24 hrs before the vessel’s arrival. A 40-ft container contains over 300 cartons, so what will happen if you have 5-6 containers arriving in one vessel?”

She said she is now in the process of getting her staff in Manila to clarify about possible repercussions if compliance is made only for some, and not all the boxes.

Until then, senders may just have to wait for a clearer picture to emerge before they can enjoy the privilege promised them under this new regulation.

Covers the period Dec. 16-31

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Sa linggong ito, maging alerto at huwag piliting lutasin ang mabigat na problema. Mas magiging masaya ang love life ngayon dahil malilimutan mo na ang mga dating sama ng loob. Mag-ingat sa paglabas ng pera ngayon; mamuhunan sa tradisyunal na paraan. Matiwasay ang lagay ng pamilya. Magiging iritable ka ngayon, iwasang makipagtalo. Iwasan ding kumain ng marami. Lucky numbers: 19, 23, 29 at 32.
44.
TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Kung hindi ka marunong umintindi, magiging magulo ang tahanan. Nakakabahala ang problema sa pera, pero kaya mo itong lutasin. Maging mapagmatyag, huwag basta magtiwala sa tao. May magandang alok sa bahay at lupa, samantalahin ito. Madali kang mataranta at atakehin ng nerbiyos, ayusin ang sarili at hanapan ng solusyon ang problema mo sa ibang tao. Lucky numbers: 10, 17, 33 at 41.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Makakamit mo na ang ilan sa pinakakaasam na bagay. Bigyan ng sapat na espasyo ang mahal sa buhay upang makagalaw sila at hindi masakal. Tila walang kapaguran, maraming malalaking bagay kang magagawa. Huwag magtiwala agad sa matatamis ang dila upang maiwasan ang maloko. Maging maingat sa iyong kilos. Lucky numbers: 12, 33, 37 at 40.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Ituon sa sports ang init ng ulo. Insomnia ang posibleng maranasan ngayon. Layuan ang hindi mapagkaka-tiwalaang kaibigan, at humanap ng mga bagong kaibigan. Sa trabaho, huwag madaliin ang ginagawa upang maayos ito nang husto. Sabihin ang nasasaisip upang gumaan ang pakiramdam. Sari-saring emosyon ang mararanasan ngayon.Lucky numbers: 6, 15, 22 at 34.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Mahaharap sa matinding bangayan at selosan sa pagsasama; kontrolin ang sarili. Hindi ito ang tamang oras na bumili ng bahay. Mataas ang enerhiya at sigla. Huwag mangako kung hindi ito kayang tuparin; subukan ang ibang bagay na pampalubag loob. Titibay ang relasyon sa mga anak, pero gugustuhin mong dagdagan pa ang paghihigpit sa kanila. Lucky numbers: 21, 27, 39 at 45.
 39.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Ingatan ang pribadong buhay upang hindi makapang-himasok ang iba. Iwasang makipagdiskusyon tungkol sa pulitika, relihiyon at paniniwala sa mga kaibigan na maaaring mauwi sa pagtatalo at pikunan. Higpitan ang paghawak ng pera upang hindi mabigla sa mga gastusin. Mag-ingat din sa kinakain at huwag balewalain ang mga sakit na nararamdaman. Lucky numbers: 8, 15, 28 at 44.
.
TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Maraming pagsubok ang darating, maging matatag at harapin ito nang maayos. Huwag hayaang makialam ang ibang tao sa problema ninyo sa pamilya. Huwag dibdibin ang sakit ng kalooban; hayaang maghilom ito ng kusa sa pagdaan ng mga araw. Hindi mahalaga na magkaroon ng maraming kaibigan kung hindi naman maaasahan. Piliiin lang ang ilan na may tunay na malasakit. Lucky numbers: 10, 17, 28 at 31.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Handa kang gampanan ang tungkulin at ipakita ang sipag sa trabaho. Masisiyahan ka rin sa mga anak dahil sa ipinapakita nilang disiplina. Ang inakala mong palpak na proyekto ay nagsisimula nang magpakita ng magandang resulta. Mapapawi ang lahat ng pagdududa sa iyong minamahal. Umpisahan na ang planong pagpapayat at nang mapanatili ang magandang kalusugan. Lucky numbers: 15, 31, 37 at 45.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Ang labis na pagiging agresibo ay hindi nagugustuhan ng mga kasamahan, mag-ingat na mauwi ito sa away. Apektado ang panunaw ng dahil sa labis na emosyon o takot na hindi matupad ang gusto mo; kontrolin ang sarili at libangin ang sarili sa ibang bagay. Huwag mangako kung hindi ito kayang tuparin. Magiging masuwerte ka sa pera ngayon, tamang oras ito upang na mag-invest. Lucky numbers: 5, 16, 21 at 37.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Sa trabaho, magbubunga na rin ang matagal nang pinaghirapan. Huwag ipag-akalang magiging totoo ang mga gusto mong mangyari lalo’t hindi naman ito pinaghirapan. Masaya ang pakikipag-kaibigan, maging ang relasyon sa magkakaibang henerasyon. Sa piling ng mga mahal sa buhay, magiging masaya ka sa panahong ito. Patuloy ka ring tatamasa ng magandang kalusugan. Lucky numbers: 12, 19, 26 at 38.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Maraming bagay kang magagawa, sa personal na buhay at maging sa trabaho kaya gaganda ang kalagayan mo ngayon. Minsan ay bigyan din ng kapritso ang sarili upang ganahan ka lalo. Magiging magandang muli ang kalagayan sa pananalapi kung magiging masinop ka, pero paka-iwasan na magpautang sa kaibigan o kamag-anak dahil malamang hindi mo na makikitang muli ang perang ipinautang. Lucky numbers: 2, 15, 34 at 39.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Malaki ang pagbabago sa katayuan sa buhay. Huwag itanggi ang iyong responsibilidad. Magulo ang pagsasama ngayon dahil sa mga away na nagmumula lang sa maliliit na bagay. Huwag madaliin ang pagyaman, tandaang mas masarap ang tagumpay kung pinaghirapan ito. Mapalad ka sa pagkakaroon ng mga tapat na kaibigan na nagpapasaya sa iyo; pahalagahan mo sila. Lucky numbers: 13, 22, cope29 at 35.

Filcom gets briefing on online OEC registration

Participants get an insight into how to help fellow OFWs in getting registered.

By Daisy CL Mandap

It’s not as difficult as you think.

This is the message that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office wants conveyed to those who worry about the new system of registering online to get a travel tax exemption in the Philippines.

To show that the process is far from complicated, POLO staff went through it with about 20 Filipino community leaders on Dec. 9.

Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero said that what overseas Filipino workers should do first is to check out the Balik Manggagawa Online page (http://bmonline.ph/). There is an instructional video there that explains the whole process.

Then they should create an email account if they have none. This is unavoidable.

“Many of our OFWs have no email accounts although they are on Facebook,” said Tianero.

“Sometimes they ask friends to create accounts for them, then promptly forget their account name or password”.

This poses a big problem because OFWs who are unable to log back in to their accounts will have to create a new one. This means they might have to line up again to then get the account details evaluated at POLO or the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) office nearest them, and pay the first-time registration fee of $20.

However, those who forget only their passwords could request for a new one, for as long as they still have access to the email address that they provided.

To make things simpler, Tianero suggested that OFWs use their Hong Kong ID card numbers as their password. Email account names could be as straightforward as their real names or initials to make them as easy to remember.

What if they are still unable to do this themselves?

“Ask a friend,” Tianero said.

Once the OFW passes the initial hurdle of logging on to the bmonline page using their email account, they will have to fill in all the required fields to register. This could take time if the worker is not ready to provide the required information, such as their contract details.

POEA staff Engelbert Causing showed several problem areas encountered by overseas Filipino workers trying to register online for the first time, such as the box that asks for their last OEC number.

Unknown to most, this question can be bypassed if the worker goes further down the page.
Causing also emphasized that the worker should list down names for their employers and themselves, as these appear in their HK ID cards and passports, which usually means that the surname comes before the first name.

Another thing to remember is to save all the information that is provided, before one can go on to the succeeding pages.

A common problem is the failure to upload a picture as part of the registration process. Causing suggested an applicant could easily do this by choosing from among her favorite pictures on Facebook. However, the worker could also opt to get help with this from POLO, where new cameras have been installed in the OEC registration room for this purpose.

Once all the required fields are filled in, a first-time applicant must secure an appointment with POLO or a POEA branch near her or his home in the Philippines to get the account verified, and obtain the all-important OEC exemption slip.

The next time they need to go home, they can easily obtain the exemption slip themselves by logging on to their accounts, for as long as they are returning to the same employer and work site.

Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre summed it up thus in a Facebook post: “After registering this once, you are now on your own way to a hassle-free vacation. The next time you go home, just open your account and apply for exemption. Presto. Just show the exemption number at the airport on your way back to HK.”

Simply put, there is no more reason for OFWs to avoid technology.