Pinay ordered jailed; court rejects ‘trafficking’ claim

By The SUN staff

The lawyer of a Filipina who claims to have worked for nearly six years for a Chinese employer with hardly any pay is set to go to the High Court to appeal a magistrate’s decision to convict the migrant worker for overstaying her visa.

Barrister Phillip Ross indicated his next move after Shatin magistrate Ivy Chui convicted Analyn P. Dumawag, 36, of overstaying on Mar. 6, despite defense claims that the Filipina was a victim of human trafficking and did not overstay by her own choice.

Ross also plans to file a case for judicial review against the magistrate’s decision to proceed with hearing the case, arguing that it is government policy not to prosecute victims of human trafficking.
Apart from these, he could also go to the District Court on Dumawag’s behalf to seek payment for the $150,000 that the Filipina said she was owed for working without pay for 38 months for her former employer.

Ross applied for bail pending appeal for the defendant, which the magistrate allowed.
Dumayag broke into tears just before Chiu sentenced her to five and a half months in jail for breaching Immigration laws by overstaying.

The Filipina came to Hong Kong in March 2008 to purportedly to work for a certain Ms Chau. But Chau passed the Filipina on to her daughter, Leung Mei-ling, who lived in Wong Tai sin, to perform house chores and take care of Leung’s 19-year-old mentally handicapped son.

When Chau died in March 2010, Leung retained Dumayag but did not submit the work contract and visa application to the Immigration Department.

Leung also allegedly kept the maid’s passport and did not pay her monthly salary for 38 months, from 2009 to 2015.

In November last year, Dumayag asked the court to stop her trial because she was a human trafficking victim, but Chui rejected her petition.

Dumayag also failed in her bid to get the Labour Tribunal to award her $150,000 in unpaid wages. The Tribunal dismissed the case on the ground that she was working in Hong Kong illegally as she did not have an employment contract.

In her verdict on March 6, Chui said she considered but was not satisfied with Dumayag’s claim that she was a human trafficking victim deprived of liberty to move around and to communicate with other people.

Chui said the defendant failed to support her claim with evidence.

“I was satisfied that the Immigration Department had properly investigated her claim and found out she was no victim of trafficking,” the magistrate said.

The magistrate also said she had considered Dumayag’s claim that she was not aware she was already overstaying in Hong Kong when she continued working for Leung after her employer.

“After Chau died in 2009, she was asked by Leung to sign a new contract and she should have gone to the Immigration to apply…but she continued to work for Leung without a new work visa,” Chui said.

The magistrate cited that the dismissal of the defendant’s claim for unpaid wages was because she had worked and stayed illegally in Hong Kong.

Chui said after carefully considering all the evidence, she had no doubt that the defendant was guilty and convicted her of the charge.

Defense counsel Ross stood up to point out evidence the magistrate had not considered before reaching her verdict, particularly on UN conventions on human trafficking.

The magistrate told the defense counsel to write down all the points that he contested and “go through the formalities”.

Filcom all abuzz with ‘Tarlac Girl’ sex video

By Daisy CL Mandap

Tarlac Girl in 2nd part of the video

It is not clear who uncovered it and how it spread, but a three-part sex video featuring a woman who claims to be from Tarlac and works as a domestic helper in Hong Kong has been keeping the Filipino community here abuzz for the past several weeks.

The story has gotten bigger in the telling that in the latest incarnation, either Tarlac Girl or her husband, despondent because of the scandal, had committed suicide.

Another story has it that the woman in the video was the unfortunate Jennifer Laude, a transgender who was killed two years ago by U.S. serviceman Joseph Scott Pemberton, whom she had picked up from a bar in Olangapo City, Philippines.

Neither story appears to be true. Though there is a resemblance between Tarlac Girl and Laude, it is not striking.  Besides, case records show Pemberin got enraged when he learned once in bed that Laude was a transgender. Tarlac Girl, on the other hand, is all-woman. 

The first part of the video is clearly labeled '
PorneQ'  and  "AsianSexDiary"

The new sex scandal brings to mind the “Mare-Pare” VCD which sold like hotcakes among Filipinos in Hong Kong in 2008 because it purportedly showed an OFW in Hong Kong making love to her “kumpare” who had stopped over on his way back to work in Saudi Arabia.

On closer inspection of the illicit tape, however, many formed the opinion that the performers were both porn actors because they showed no inhibitions about what they were doing, and even gave their best angles to the camera.

The same appears to be true for the sex video scandal that has rocked the community in recent weeks.

In the first part of the video, the woman is shown coyly telling an unseen partner who was filming her, that she worked as a domestic helper for an Indian family in Hong Kong. The video ends after the fully-endowed woman had disrobed. In the second video, she is seen having sex with the still-unseen man.

Both episodes had many members of the Filcom debating whether her claim to being a HK OFW was true.

Not a few migrant workers believed her, and began spreading the word, while berating the woman for giving shame to their profession.

But the more astute viewers immediately noticed that the woman’s smooth skin and well-preserved body could not have been that of a housemaid’s. Besides, she looked all glanmed up for the part, up to her bikini underwear,  when the script called for a chance sexual encounter with the hidden filmmaker. 

Another observer who has a background in filmmaking told The SUN that the high quality of the video clips indicated that they were made by a professional porn movie maker.

As for “Tarlac Girl”, the analyst said that she was also not new to performing before a camera. The one filming her was no neophyte, either.

“Definitely she was performing in front of a quality camera. Kung DH man siya talaga, she got paid to appear in that scene and she agreed to do it,” said the expert.

The third part which surfaced only recently, actually a prequel to the two parts, seems to support these theories. In it, the woman is shown being approached by the still unseen camera man, who asked her to pose for pictures, then invited her to his hotel room. She immediately said yes, then without asking where they were headed, led the man into the hotel.

More tellingly, the video had the words “PorneQ” and “AsianSexDiary” imprinted on it, indicating that it was, indeed, produced as a porn video.

Recently, someone who read the debates on Facebook said she knew the woman, as they had worked together at a casino in Clark Freeport in Pampanga. The source said the woman, who was originally from Tarlac, resigned after getting pregnant. She was no longer in touch with any of their work mates.

Meanwhile, there has been a surfeit of home videos showing plainer looking Filipinas engaging in sex in less fancy settings, in the wake of the buzz over the porn movie.

They include one who did it while standing up, almost fully clothed, with a South Asian male who obviously took delight in showing his face to the camera. Again, there is talk – unconfirmed as in the case of Tarlac Girl - that the Filipina is a domestic worker in Hong Kong.

Whatever may be the truth in these cases, Filipinas are best advised against making the mistake of jumping into the fray.

A number of cases referred to the Consulate in recent months involved Filipina workers being threatened by their erstwhile lovers with having their sex videos posted online, if they didn’t pay up. In most of these cases, the women knew they were being filmed by their lovers. 

Protesters press call for junking OEC, terminal fee

By Daisy CL Mandap

Militant migrant workers picketed the Philippine Consulate in United Centre, Admiralty yesterday, Mar. 16, to again call for the scrapping of the overseas employment certificate (OEC) and the Php550 terminal fee.
The protest came close on the heels of the Philippine government"s announcement that the terminal fee will no longer be collected from all departing overseas Filipino workers from next month.
OFWs are by law, exempted from paying the terminal fee, but under a regulation imposed by the Manila International Airport Authority in 2015, the fee was integrated in the price of all air tickets. OFWs were told they could ask for a refund at the airport on their way back to their job sites.
Meanwhile, the OEC fee of $20 is still being collected from OFWs.  who are then compelled to create an account with  Balik Manggagawa Onljne so they can get the required exemption slip each time they go home.
Yesterday's protest also marked the 22nd death anniversary of Flor Contemplacion, the OFW hanged in Singapore for murder, which many said could have been avoided if she got timely help from the Philippine government.
"Twenty-two years after the death of Flor Contemplacion, ano na ang kalagayan ng mga OFW? " said Migrante Sectoral Party chair Vicky Cabantac. " May nabalitaan na ba kayong nabigyan ng legal assistance,?"
Cabantac recalled that as a result of Contemplacion's death, the Migrant Workers Act was amended to provide better protection to OFWs.
However, migrant workers are not in a better position now than they were at the time. Proof of this is the continued collection of all sorts of fees from them, including that for the  OEC and the terminal fee.
United Filipinos-Migrante Hong Kong chair Dolores Balladares said that instead of junking the OEC, the government of President Rodrigo Duterte came up with exemption.
On a broader scale, the widespread unemployment, poor pay and higher prices continue to force tens of thousands of Filipinos to seek jobs abroad,
"Nais po namin na wakasan na ang labor export program," she said.
Balladares- Pelaez also scored the continuing human rights violations in the country, citing the spate of extrajudicial killings that accompanied the government's war on drugs.
The protest ended with the migrant leaders presenting a joint petition letter  by 64 organisations to the Consulate's representative. Vice Consul Alex Vallespin.

Pinay DH falls to death in Yuen Long

The Facebook profile photo of the victim appears to suggest her anguish

A Filipina domestic worker fell to her death yesterday,  Mar 15,  from a platform atop a busy shopping centre in Yuen Long, according to information gathered by The SUN.
A source said the victim, who fell five floors to her death from a new footbridge connecting Yoho Midtown to the Grand Yoho mall, was having problems relating to her family.
Others said she also had financial problems.
It appears to be the first such case this year involving a Filipina.
Police confirmed there was such an incident in Yuen Long, but did not disclose the victim's name and nationality. They only said she was not a Hong Kong citizen and not Chinese.
The Police Public Relations Bureau told The SUN that the woman, aged 35, was found lying unconscious on the pavement on Yuen Long Street outside the mall at around 12:25 pm on Wednesday.
They have classified the case as "a person falling from height".
An ambulance reportedly rushed the victim unconscious to Pok Oi Hospital in Yuen Long where she was pronounced dead.
The PPRB said there was nothing suspicious in the woman’s death and no suicide note was found.
But  Filipinas living in the same residential block told The SUN that the victim had been depressed by family problems back home.
Another suggested her problem had something to do with money. A few days before she died, she reportedly texted a friend asking to borrow $100 because she was broke.-- VBL/MP

HK couple, 8 Pinay DHs held as cops bust loansharking ring

By Vir B. Lumicao

HK Police at a press conference to announce the crackdown

Police say they have busted a loansharking syndicate in the past two days with the arrest of the two alleged masterminds – a Hong Kong couple – and their Filipina domestic helper, as well as seven other Filipino maids who acted as their contacts and runners.

Officers from the Hong Kong police Organized Crime and Triad Bureau also seized $106,285 cash, 242 passports, 14 employment contracts, eight mobile phones, jewelry, a large number of bank records, and debt notes.

Police seized Philippine passports,
jewelry and  mobile phones 

Bureau Superintendent Chan Hon-ming, in a media briefing at the police headquarters on Arsenal St., Wanchai earlier today, Mar. 14, said the arrests were made following complaints from victims about the group’s illegal lending operation that had victimized over 1,000 borrowers, all Filipino helpers.

Those arrested ranged in age from 24 to 58.

Chan said the operation, codenamed “Operation Polarline”, was part of the Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong police’s larger operation, “Thunderbolt 17”, which targeted loansharking activities.

“In January this year, the Bureau identified a local loan shark syndicate that had given out loans to a large number of Filipino domestic helpers working in Hong Kong at excessive interest rate on the condition that these borrowers surrender their passports and employment contracts as collaterals,” Chan said.

He said the syndicate charged 10% a month interest, or 120% a year.

Some of the seized contracts
used as collaterals

“The (borrowers) could only redeem their collaterals when they settled the loan in full by a one-off payment,” he said.

In one case, a helper borrowed $5,000 and after three weeks, when she tried to redeem her passport because she needed to renew her visa, the syndicate demanded that she pay back $12,000.

Chan said the local couple controlled and operated the syndicate by funding the loans and using their Filipino domestic helper as assistant to run the loan shark scheme.

The maid reportedly reached out to other Filipino domestic helpers for recruiting runners and borrowers to expand their “loan shark business” by giving out the loans and collecting debts, and surrendering the collaterals to the couple until these were redeemed.

The Consulate welcomed the busting of the syndicate, which targeted mainly Filipinas, but said it had yet to get official notification from the police on the case.

There has been a surge in reporting lost passports among Hong Kong OFWs, with the Consulate receiving two to three such reports daily. In many of these cases, the owners had reportedly admitted using the travel document as loan collateral.

OFW leaves Hong Kong in a box after 21 years

By Vir B. Lumicao

Guests view Cabansag's remains

Corazon Cabansag, the domestic helper who died on Feb 23 and was falsely rumored to have donated her vital organs, made her final voyage home in a wooden casket on Monday, Mar 6.

Scores of people, including her employers and relatives, paid their last respects on Mar 5 to Cabansag, 53, in a public viewing at the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital chapel in Chaiwan.

An officer of the Consulate's assistance to nationals section told The SUN that Cabansag's remains were flown to Manila on Philippine Airlines Flight 301 that left at 11am.

About 100 mourners went to the hospital chapel for the hour-long public viewing of Cabansag’s remains from 3pm to 4pm on Sunday. Among them were her elderly Hong Kong employers from Shaukeiwan and their 30-year-old daughter, two of Cabansag’s aunts who flew in from Manila, other relatives who work here, and her brethren in the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Cabansag’s coffin, placed in a wooden casket with her personal documents in a sealed manila envelope taped securely on the lid, was rolled back into the hospital morgue after the viewing. A Philippine Airlines bar-coded sticker bore the identity of the deceased.

Cabansag, single, collapsed in the lift of her employers’ residential block in Shaukeiwan on Feb 18 and was taken to Eastern Hospital where she later died of brain hemorrhage.

The deceased helper became the subject of rumors that her internal organs would be harvested for organ donation after she became brain-dead on Feb 23.

But consular officers belied the wild talk, saying it was not possible because the hospital did not seek clearance from the consulate for such a procedure on a Filipino patient.

Filipino jailed 25 years ago seeks sentence review

Mario de los Reyes

A Filipino convicted of murder more than 20 years ago for which he was sentenced to a life in prison is seeking a review of his sentence in hopes of finally being able to regain his freedom.

Mario de los Reyes, who is in his ‘60s and is a regular contributor of articles to The SUN, was jailed for the killing of another Filipino in a gang war in Central involving his former group, Utol Gang. He has consistently denied the charge.

He is hoping to get enough endorsements from civic leaders when the prison review board revisits his life sentence in the next few months for a possible reduction or commutation.

“During my last sentence review in 2015, I was being recommended for a Special Assessment Report on my next sentence review, which is this first quarter of 2017,” de los Reyes said in a letter to The SUN.

“This … report is the most sought-after recommendation for lifers. There are lifers who had already served 26-30 years or more but still waiting for the … recommendation so they still have no chance,” the inmate said.

He said this past February he had already been in jail for 25 years, and had not had committed any disciplinary offence, “meaning I have a clear and untainted prison record and I am a regular attendee of religious services”.

Among those who have recommended de los Reyes for an early release is prison chaplain  Fr Patrick Colgan, SSC, who cited a startling fact mentioned in High Court Judge M Stuart Moore’s letter to the then Hong Kong Governor, dated Sept. 1, 1995:

“A verdict of manslaughter might have been recorded by a more merciful jury against these defendants on the basis of a joint enterprise falling short of the intention necessary for murder,” the letter said in part.

Fr. Colgan also said that he had observed the exemplary behavior in De los Reyes for the past four years, and that he believed the prisoner “poses no threat to either Hong Kong or Philippines’ society”.
He said he believes “this is an opportune time for a more ‘merciful review’ of the sentence and consider seriously a reduction or cancellation” of ce los Reyes’ remaining years in prison.

Another endorser was Pastor Oral Guevara of International Christian Assembly who cited de los Reyes’ “deep remorse” for his crime and his having been a model inmate who had not broken any prison rules in his 23 years in jail.

Pastor Guevara asked for “mercy, compassion and clemency” for de los Reyes, and for the conversion of the prisoner’s indeterminate sentence into a fixed term.

SBQ’s bounty keeps Daddy Leo going

Leo Selomenio

By Daisy CL Mandap

Just a few years back, Leo Selomenio could only gaze from afar while singer Aiza Seguerra performed onstage. Now, they exchange text messages, and Aiza even promised to come to Hong Kong and perform at one of Selomenio’s events this June.

And it’s all because of “Sunday Beauty Queen” or SBQ.

Selomenio, a popular community leader known to many as “Daddy Leo”, is one of the Hong Kong OFWs whose heart-rending life stories were featured in SBQ, a highly acclaimed documentary which won as Best Picture in last December’s Manila Film Festival.

While she may not have made money from the movie, not even a small “TF” or talent fee, Selomenio said she is grateful enough that many doors have opened for her because of it.

Apart from becoming text mates with Aiza, Bela Padilla, Anne Curtis, Iza Calzado and other movie stars who sought her out after seeing the movie, Selomenio has also been offered support for her advocacies by big companies and private individuals.

The biggest offer has come from a generous Filipino couple, Juancho Robles and Pinky Therese Pe Tobiano, who have pledged to support events organized by Selomenio for the next two years through their OFW online advocacy group, Pinas.com.

The couple reportedly came to Hong Kong to seek Selomenio out, and brought lavish gifts for her and her live-in partner. As the Robles couple plans to embark on a goods delivery service in the Philippines for OFWs as part of their Pinas.com project, they also sent complimentary gift boxes to the families of Selomenio and her partner, each filled with goods worth Php8,000.

“Sobrang generous nila,” said Selomenio, who added that Robles also gave her a lai see packet with $2,000 in it, while Tobiano gifted her partner with an “expensive” pair of pearl earrings.
The generous socialite has even offered to lend her gowns made by top Filipino couturiers Cary Santiago and Francis Libiran to the 30 candidates in the June 4 beauty pageant that Leo’s group, Global Alliance, is organizing.

A total of 25 gowns have already been pledged for delivery to Hong Kong in May, and Tobiano has reportedly said she’d have five more made so all the contestants would have something to wear.
“Pati costumes ng mga beauty contestants ay libre na, so wala na silang gagastusin,” Selomenio said.
On top of this, the Robles couple has also undertaken to pay for the cost of mounting the show, and provide the prizes for the winners.

Another generous donor is Michael Kors – Hong Kong, whose marketing manager, Henry Tang, asked Selomenio to present her planned activities for the year. Tang was reportedly so impressed that he offered sponsorships throughout the year, with part of the money to be given in kind, meaning through gifts of its iconic handbags.

Another big sponsor is Camella Homes, owned by the richest Philippine lawmakers on record, Senator Cynthia Villar and her husband, former Senate President Manny Villar.

Many other similar offers are in the pipeline, which means Selomenio would be busy organizing events for the next two years.

Despite the bounty that has virtually fallen on her lap, Selomenio cannot help but gripe at how she and her fellow OFWs featured in SBQ appear to have been left out of the financial rewards being reaped by producers of the film.

“Ang akala kasi ng iba, ang dami-dami ko nang pera dahil sa pelikula,” she said.

In fact, according to her, the $5,000 plus that she and fellow OFW Hazel Perdido each paid for their plane tickets to Manila for the MFF awards night have yet to be reimbursed. And while she got to keep the Piandre suit she wore to the event, the gowns worn by Hazel and Mylyn Jacobo, the two other OFWs who went with her, had to be returned.

She also said that her appeal to screen SBQ in Hong Kong for a charity event on Mar 26 went unheeded, until she signified an interest to pay the standard US$500 fee per screening charged by the producers.

Luckily for her, a professor who got to watch SBQ in its initial screening in Hong Kong at Asia Society was so moved by the domestic workers’ plight that she offered to book a theater at Hong Kong University for free for Selomenio’s group.

With this, and the sponsorships from various sources, Selomenio is confident she will raise enough for her group’s regular beneficiary, the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, and to scholarships for children of the Itneg and Mangyan tribes back home.

Money matters aside, Selomenio is also unhappy that SBQ showed the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong in a rather unfavorable light.

In one scene in the movie, Selomenio is shown telling Bethune’s Edwina Antonio, “Bakit ang hirap lumapit sa Konsulado kapag may problema?”

In another, Selomenio can be seen talking about having made to clean the Consulate’s air conditioners. She says this is a joke she and her friends regularly throw about, but in the movie, it sounded like a complaint.

“Ayaw kong magbigay ng public comment (about it) kaya bumabawi na lang ako sa mga newspaper interview. Kasi ang lumalabas, parang ang sama-sama nila (PCG),” said Selomenio.

It is to the credit of the Consulate officers that they are still supportive of her despite the unfair image given them by the film, she added.

But having vented, she is sanguine enough to accept that SBQ has raised the level of public awareness about what OFWs like her have to put up with just to improve the lives of their families back home.

Even employers seem to have taken notice, and taken heart.

Selomenio said that she was apprehensive when her own employer was about to watch SBQ, as it showed her and her partner living together in a boarding house. Up until then, the employer knew them only as close friends.

Her employer did not say anything after the movie. But the next day, just when Selomenio was about to leave her home, the employer handed her “baon” which was obviously for two people. The employer simply said, “this is for you and your honey”.

That was the time Selomenio realized SBQ’s full impact, and how it has tapped into the audience’s innate goodness to create a better understanding of the plight of Filipino migrant workers.

Ang ibang landas patungo kay Buddha

Ni Vir B. Lumicao at Emz Frial

Karamihan ng mga nais dumalaw sa dambana ng Giant Buddha sa Lantau ay sumasakay sa bus mula sa Mui Wo Pier o sa Tung Chung MTR station. Ang malalakas ang dibdib at tuhod ay doon naman sa iba’t ibang mapaghamong landas sa kabundukan dumaraan.

May ilang yugto ng 70-kilometrong Lantau Trail na pamimilian ng mga hiker papunta sa Ngong Ping o sa Fung Wong Shan (Lantau Peak, 934 metro) saan mang dako ng Lantau sila magmumula.
Ang Tung Chung-Ngong Ping Section ng Lantau Trail ay madalas daanan ng mga umaakyat dahil sa magagandang tanawin mula sa matatarik na hagdang-semento o mabatong landas.

Mula Tung Chung ay mahigit dalawang oras ang lakad kung mabilisan ngunit kung mabagal ang lakad at nagpapahinga, aabutin ito ng limang oras. May layong 8.4 kilometro hanggang 10 km mula Tung Chung hanggang Ngong-Ping.

Sa mga naghahanap ng madaling ruta, tahakin ang landas sa Nim Yuen, sundan ito paahon sa mumunting pamayanan ng mga nagtatanim ng gulay bago daanan ang Yeun Tan Temple malapit sa Shek Mun Kap. Doon ay sundan ang Tei Tong Tsai Country Trail hanggang sa campsite sa hugpungan ng Nei Lak Shan at Lantau Peak.

Mas maikli ang rutang ito na tinatayang 7 km lamang, ngunit puro paahon kapag patungo sa Buddha at puro pababa naman kung pabalik sa Tung Chung.

Di sinasadyang napadaan ang pangkat namin kami sa isang madali ngunit doble ang habang ruta nang umakyat kami noong Peb 2 sa Ngong Ping. Natuklasan namin ito dahil sarado ang dati naming landas sa ruta ng cable car at naghanap kami ng iba.

Puro patag ito sa umpisa at nababagay sa mga baguhan. Mula sa Tung Chung, daraan ito sa Ngau Au at pakanang bumabaybay sa Tung Chung Bay sa pagitan ng Chek Lap Kok at Lantau, at tuluy-tuloy sa mga lumang nayon ng mga mangingisda sa San Tau at Kau Liu.

Sa labas ng magkalapit na nayon ay may pavilion at viewdeck para tanawin ang gawing dulo ng paliparan sa Chek Lap Kok. Ito ay may 6.5km ang layo mula Tung Chung.

Ilang kilometro pa at nandoon ang magkalapit ng nayon ng Sha Lo Wan Chung Hau kung saan may ferry pier at ang Sha Lo Wan San Cheung, ang patag na lupaing may mga taniman ng gulay at prutas tulad ng gabi, litsugas, saging, long-an at lychee.

Sa tabing-daan sa San Shek Wan, Sham Shek Tsuen at Nam Tin madaraanan ang ilang luma at bakanteng bahay at mga katabing babuyan na halatang malaon nang sarado.

Mas maluwag na ang daan pagdating sa Sham Wat at paminsan-minsan ay may mga kotseng nagdaraan. Para sa mga ibig maligo sa dagat o kumain ng seafood, ito ang akmang lugar para humiwalay sa mga hiker.

Ang daan paakyat ay mistulang parada ng
magagandang tanawin.

May maliit na aplaya sa Sham Wat kung saan may mga kainang nag-aalok ng mga lutong lamang-dagat. Para sa mga naghahanap ng mas maraming putahe ng seafood, maaring tumuloy sa Tai O, na 3.5km ang layo mula sa kalsadang iyon.

Sa marker sa sangandaan ng Sham Wat ay nakasulat na 4.6 km ang Ngong Ping Road, at mula roon ay may 3.5km pa ng paakyat na kalsada papuntang Po Lin Village sa paanan ng Giant Buddha.

Pag-ahon sa Sham Wat Road ay puro bundok na ang matatanaw at paglingon sa pinagmulan ay matatanaw ang kumikislap na Pearl River Estuary. Ang ginagawang tulay na magkukonekta sa Hong Kong at Macau ay matatanaw din sa kalayuan.

Nasa Sham Wat Road ang hamon sa pag-akyat sa rutang ito at kapag mataas pa ang araw ay dusa ito sa hiker dahil halos walang mga punong masisilungan. Ngunit malamig na ambon ang sumalubong sa amin. Nasundan iyon ng manipis na belo ng ulap na lalong nagpaigting sa makukulay na ligaw na bulaklak.

Gutom kaming umahon sa Ngong Ping, at napawi iyon sa mga bitbit naming snacks, bagamat iba’t ibang uri ng pagkain at inumin ang mabibili sa hilera ng mga tindahan sa gilid ng malawak na liwasan sa Po Lin.

Kung may lakas pang natitira sa iyong mga binti, maakyat mo ang 360 baitang na hagdang-bato papunta sa luklukan ng Giant Buddha na napapaligiran ng iba’t ibang imahe na sinasamba at hinahagisan ng barya ng mga tao.

Tinikling Group of Migrants: pag-ibig sa sining ng Pinoy

Nagti-Tinikling habang nakatakip ang mata (itaas) ang isa lang na nagpapamalas ng husay ng grupo. 

Ni Marites Palma

May angking likas na kakayahan sa pagsasayaw ang isang grupong namamayagpag ngayon, ang Tinikling Group of Migrants. Kung tutuusin ay hindi na sila bagong tatag dahil dati silang nakapaloob sa Philippine Culture, Arts and Dance Ensemble (PCADE).

Pero noong ika-1 ng Hulyo, 2015 ay nagpasya silang magsarili. Ayon sa kanilang lider na si Marie Velarde, mas masaya daw sila kapag sila ay freelancer dahil maaari nilang puntahan ang lahat ng mga community event na nais nilang salihan.

Sa ngayon, umaabot na sa 25 ang kanilang mga miyembro na pawang mahilig at mahusay sumayaw.
Noong 2015 ay nag champion sila sa cultural competition ng Filipino Migrants Workers Union, naging 1st runner-up sa folkdance competition ng Federation of Luzon Active Groups at 1st runner-up sa Silent Movers Got Talent.

Regular na din silang sumasayaw sa mga programa ng Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) ng Hong Kong, at paminsan ay natatawag din ng Konsulado kapag may natanggap itong paanyaya para sa mga tradisyunal na mananayaw.

Ang pinakasikat nilang pagtatanghal ngayon ay ang “Blindfolded Tinikling”, kung saan ang kanilang mananayaw ay nakapiring ang mga mata; at ang “Sayaw sa Bangko,” kung saan sila naman ay nakapatong sa mga bangko habang umiindak.

Ang kaanib sa asosasyong ito ay nagbibigay ng $100  para marehistro bilang miyembro, at nag-aambag ng $20 kada buwan, at ang naipong pera ay ang siya nilang ginagastos sa  pagbili ng kanilang mga kasuutan at pagkain at kagamitan tuwing sila ay nag-eensayo. Nadagdagan ang kanilang pambili ng mga kagamitan tuwing nakakatanggap sila ng “food allowance” mula sa LCSD kapag sila ay kinuhang magtanghal ng ahensya.

ng ilan sa kanila ay nagiging kinatawan ng grupo
sa ilang pagtitipon.

Ang grupong ito din ang palagiang tinatawag ng Philippine Consulate, tuwing may natatanggap silang imbitasyon mula sa Hong Kong para sa mga tradisyunal na mananayaw.

Nitong nakaraang Nobyembre ay muli silang nagpamalas ng galing sa entablado sa  Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances 2016 sa Tsim Sha Tsui, at sa Tamar Park naman sa programang Hong Kong Cross Culture and Fire Safety and Prevention.

Bagama’t ang kanilang mananayaw ay mula sa iba’t ibang parte ng Pilipinas, ang pinakarami pa rin ay mula sa Luzon. Hindi naman daw ito nakakasagabal sa ganda ng kanilang samahan, ayon kay Velarde, dahil ang lahat ay nagtutulungan.

Nagpapasalamat naman ang isang miyembro na si Emz Bautista, na dati ring myembro ng PCADE, dahil napakalaki daw ng nagagawa ng grupong ito sa kanyang buhay.

Naiibsan daw ng pagsasayaw ang kanyang lumbay dahil sa homesickness simula pa noong bagong dating pa lang siya sa Hong Kong.

Una siyang nagkainteres na umanib sa PCADE nang makita niya sa The SUN ang isang anunsiyo para sa mga mahilig sumayaw. Agad siyang sumali, at hindi naman daw siya nagkamali sa grupong pinasukan.

Ayon naman kay Bautista, kailangan ilabas mo ang nakatago mong kakayahan sa pagsayaw dahil bukod sa nakakaaliw ay maganda rin itong ehersisyo para mapanatili ang iyong kalusugan. Nakakatulong din ito para maiangat ang kultura ng bansang Pilipinas sa mata ng mga lokal na mamamayan ng Hong Kong, at mga dayuhang pansamantalang naninirahan dito.

Ayon kay Velarde, mula pagkabata ay nakakitaan na siya ng kakayahan sa pagsasayaw, at dala-dala na niya ito ngayon kahit nasa labas na siya ng bansa.

Sa mga gustong subukan kung papasa ang kanilang husay sa pagsasayaw sa Tinikling Group, maari lang na magtanong kay Velarde. Kahit daw parehong kaliwa ang paa, basta gustong matuto ay pagtitiyagaan nilang turuan.

Bilang pangulo, maipagmamalaki daw niya ang grupong ito na naitayo sa tulong ng lahat ng kanyang mga dating miyembro. Malaki daw ang naitutulong nito para maibsan ang lungkot dala ng pagkawalay sa pamilya dahil lahat ng kanilang nararamdamang sakit o sama ng loob ay napapawi kapag pinapalakpakan na sila.

Ang mga opisyal ng grupo bukod kay Velarde ay sina Marites Macabenta, pangalawang pangulo; Janet Pagauda; kalihim, Rowena Valencia; ingat yaman, Emely Bautista; tagasuri; Charlyn Singson, auditor; Edward Permison at Simpresa Gamos, PRO; at  Marissa Mendavia at Jesibil Lacia, sergeant-at-arms.

Alleged shop theft exposes Pinay’s 11-year overstay

For the past 11 years, Filipina tourist Emelita Arista remained undetected in Hong Kong as an illegal immigrant, having overstayed her visitor’s visa granted sometime in August 2006.

But her case came to light on Feb 19 when she was caught while allegedly trying to leave a Wellcome Supermaket in Quarry Bay with three bottles of lotion and three cans of pork luncheon meat without paying for them.

The 56-year-old Arista appeared in Eastern Court on Feb 21 charged with one count of theft and one count of breach of condition of stay.

The prosecution said in a brief report that Arista left the supermarket at Sunway Garden on King’s Road with the unpaid goods when she was stopped by a shop staff, who turned her over to the police.
The prosecution applied for a two-week adjournment of the hearing for further investigation and opposed bail for the defendant.

Magistrate Bina Chainrai set the next hearing for Mar 7 and remanded the defendant in custody. She said there was no bail application and instructed Arista to engage a duty lawyer for her next court appearance.  

Nagpapaloko ka?

Ni Ate Kulit

Mayroon na naman kaming nabalitaang naloko ng mga illegal recruiter kamakailan. Hindi lang sobrang laki ang singil, halos imposible pa (pero sobrang kaakit-akit) ang pangako: ang makapagtrabaho ang asawa  nila bilang construction worker (at makasama) sa Hong Kong.

Isa-isang naglalabasan ang mga biktima. Isa-isang kuwento ang lumulutang tungkol sa pagkakaibigan at relasyong nasira dahil ang biktima sa Hong Kong ay naging ahente pa para sa kanilang mga lugar sa Pilipinas, bago madiskubre nilang sila ay naloko.

Bakit ba hanggang ngayon, matapos ang paulit-ulit na paalala, ay marami pa rin ang naloloko ng mga illegal recruiter? Bakit, matapos mailathala ang mga karanasan ng daan-dang nabiktima ng mga nag-aalok ng mga trabahong wala naman, ay nagkalat pa rin ang nagrereklamo na naloko sila?

Iisa ang kuwento nila. Iisa ang modus operandi. At iisa rin ang pakay: Ang makuha ang perang pinaghirapan nila sa pamamagitan lang ng pambobola. Kung regular kang nagbabasa ng The SUN, makikilala mo ang panloloko sa unang tingin pa lang.

Hindi natin masisisi ang mga manloloko, dahil habang pinagkakakitaan nila ito ay hindi sila titigil. Ika nga, walang manloloko kung walang magpapaloko.

Isa pa, sa mga kasong nakita na natin, ang mga nangangako ng pekeng trabaho sa Hong Kong at iba’t ibang bansang pangarap nating marating ay hindi napaparusahan upang magtino. Wala pang por-mayor, ika nga, sa panloloko ang nakukulong. Ito ay dahil sa karaniwang pagtingin ng mga maykapangyarihan sa Hong Kong, ang mga nagrereklamo ay gusto lang maningil at ginagamit sila para sa napaka-pribadong transaksiyong ganito.

Kaya naman na-perfect na ng manloloko ang modus operandi upang samantalahin ang sistema, gaya ng two-week rule na nagsasabing dapat umuwi ang isang OFW kung wala pa ring makitang bagong amo sa loob ng dalawang linggo matapos ma-terminate o mag-expire ang kanilang kontrata.
At kahit lantaran nang peke ang mga ipakita sa kanila, gaya ng pekeng air ticket, marami pa rin ang naniniwala.

Ano ba tayo mga katribo, desperado o tanga lang? Hindi ba puwedeng maging bingi sa mga ganitong kalokohan?

HK film project needs Filipina actresses

A Hong Kong film  project needs Filipino actresses for a film about the story of a Filipina who leaves her dreams behind to work in Hong Kong as a domestic helper, and meets a disabled man who changes her life.

Thisbe Law Hoi Lam, executive production manager of the film entitled Still Human, said in an email to The SUN that the project is a result of the First Feature Film Initiative, a competition funded by CreateHK and supported by the Film Development Council. 

Under the initiative, funding is made available from the Film Development Fund for the winning new directors and their film production teams to make their first feature films that are over 80 minutes and will be screened publicly in Hong Kong cinemas. 

The required Filipino cast consists of the following:
1. Filipino main actress: Thin, pleasant looking, brave and caring. Visual Age range: 28-322. Filipino female friend A.Chubby and like a mother and big sister to the group. Visual Age range: 40-50
3. Filipino female friend B: Stylish and plump. Visual Age range: 30-35
4. Filipino female friend C. Short and cute. Visual Age range: 20-25
5. Filipino female friend D: Tall, delicate and quiet. Visual Age range: 30-35
6. Filipino professional woman:  Elegant, smart, tall. Visual Age range: 30-40

Producers offer reasonable compensation to those selected. 

They prefer those with acting experience, although this is not a must, and who speak both Filipino and English, preferably with some Cantonese.

"We prefer actresses based in Hong Kong, but for the main lead, we are also looking into those who are in the Philippines," they said.

Those interested can email their recent photos, acting experience and contact number to stillhuman2017@gmail.com. We will soon contact the suitable candidates. For more information., visit the film's FB page: https://web.facebook.com/stillhuman.film?_rdr.

Faith. Hope. Love

By Christine
PRN 395450, Lowu Correctional Institution

The day I was arrested, I thought it was the end of my life. Being imprisoned is an intense kind of suffering – bearing all the burdens, being misunderstood and rejected by other people.

Worst of all, missing and being far away from my family. It is another kind of hurt and pain.    

My life here in prison in a foreign land is very hard. No relatives, no family, no visitors. Emptiness is the best to describe it. The language barrier with inmates and jail guards is another big problem.
I feel the loneliness of being alone and broken.

My first few days behind bars were not easy, but with the help of our Lord I’ve overcome my difficulties.

I never doubted God in any circumstance, instead I put all my trust in Him. The rosary and the bible are the only things I have and only prayer is the best thing I could do.

With the help of the missionaries, nuns and priests I was given religious and devotional books. That was the time I had the opportunity to know more about God, and I found myself closer to Him.
I learned more about Jesus and I know that God is always there to protect us if we only believe in Him, that He died to save us from our sins and that He has risen to be our savior.      

I have asked God for forgiveness and promised not to sin again.

Now I know that God has only chastened me to correct my wrongdoings.

He still loves me too much, He doesn’t want me to go back to disobedience, ruining my life, my family’s future, and bring shame to His name.

I learned my lessons from my mistakes.

I still keep my faith in Him, I never lose hope.

I know that God loves me and will free me at His perfect time, at His ideal moment.

I believe that one day I will be reunited with my loved ones, especially with my three wonderful children whom I left behind.

With my Faith, Hope and Love, and my steadfast belief in Lord, Jesus Christ, I will be saved. It is never too late

It’s 2017, a new day, a new year, a new beginning!

Many things have happened since the day I entered this dark tunnel, a life in prison.
I realized I had done so many mistakes and now I want to be changed.

I already asked for God’s forgiveness for all the sins I have committed and for the wrongdoings I have done which caused grief to my family.

I have forgiven myself and those who sinned against me, because I want to start this New Year with a happy and forgiving heart.

At first, I had a hard time accepting my “long-term sentence” but as the days passed by I realized I could
---

This piece was written by a Filipina who is being held at Lowu on drug-related charges. It was kindly sent to us by mail by our regular correspondent from Stanley prison, Mario de los Reyes, who said he has been encouraging the author to write about her ordeal to warn others, and also as a form of release – Ed

Media ban at the Consulate

By Daisy C.L. Mandap

There, the word that someone at the Consulate says is not accurate. There is no media ban at the ATN section there, just a kindly reminder that we are no longer allowed to get into the enclosed, bolted and heavily secured part of the Consulate.

What gives?

We were given two reasons by two different officers. First, that we interfered with normal office work and were prone to hijack complainants waiting to be heard by the very busy ATN officers. Anyway, we could always ask for an interview and be met at the reception area by the officer we wish to speak with, if he/she agrees.

Second, that there was heightened concern about their security.

Both reasons suck.

First, we have never demanded that an ATN officer give us an interview. In fact, some of them close or even lock their doors when they do not want to talk to anyone, especially us outsiders. Often, we would try to call up, text or email first, but we tend to be ignored.

There are also instances when an instant reply is necessary, such as when we had to relay the information that a group of OFWs were held up at the border with Shenzhen because a member of their tour group decided to go underground.

Second, it’s an affront to tell us that we could compromise the security of the VIPs inside.
We have been in this place long enough to tell upstarts that open communication is the only way to establish good relations in the community. But with no regular consultations with community leaders or media representatives as before, how could the Consulate get its views known to its constituents? Or conversely, understand the concerns of the people it is tasked to serve?

We are here to help officers make their activities, concerns and messages known to the rest of the community, but it should be a two-way process. They cannot demand to see us and other community representatives only when they see fit.

It has to be told that we get a lot of queries and complaints from OFW who say that they could not get anyone from the Consulate to help them. Instead of winding them up we tend to make excuses for the Consulate, especially the officers who treat us as friends, instead of as pests who need to be kept out of sight.

But with this new development, it has become unpalatable for us to continue doing so.

Why should we make excuses for people who don’t seem to care that some vulnerable members of the community need to be attended to, fast? Why should we pretend that our government’s representatives here feel for them when even we whose main duty is to seek answers to their concerns are kept at arm’s length?

What makes this whole thing even more deplorable was the lack of consultation, or proper notice. One day we were just in there, asking about a 4-year-old illegal recruitment case that was brought to our attention only recently, and the very next day, we were told that the area was already off limits to us.

Since we were already there, what would it have taken the officers concerned to tell us to our faces that we were disrupting work, and should stay behind the barred doors, like any other Filipinos they deem to have no business being there?

Would it have been too much to ask for a meeting so we could all sit down and address our mutual concerns?

By the heavy handed way the already formidable doors of the Consulate were shut in our faces, it was made clear to us that our concerns are not their concerns, that we are not seen as partners in the task of providing factual, speedy information to the rest of the community.

We cannot be blamed if we now hesitate to go to them to get answers to our questions. If they do not need us, much less do we need them to get our work done. We have served this community for the past 21 years, rather well, if it must be said. We could do it alone.

Establishing a Family Budget – Part 3

By Francisco  J. Colayco

The system of budgeting we discussed in the past two articles will definitely help you pay yourself first and live within your budget.  Make sure your budget fits your lifestyle.  Do not budget more than you earn because you will just be frustrated.

Many are already following the rule “Income minus Savings equals Expenses.”  Unfortunately, they forget that the Expenses should be a positive number and not a negative number.  If it is a negative number, then you are already way beyond your lifestyle capability.

For example, if your Income is 100 and your Savings is 10, you are only allowed 90 (100-10=90-90 for your Expenses equals 0).  You have a correct budget.

If your Expenses show 85 (100-10-85=5), you can even save the extra 5 as part of your Savings.
If your Expenses show 110, then that means negative 20 (100-10-110= -20), this means you are on a negative number.  Your budget is very wrong.  Separate your “needs” and “wants” in your budget so you can quickly make adjustments.

You should never consider borrowing to finance the negative number.  When you use your credit card and you do not really have the cash to pay for your expenses, you are in effect, borrowing to finance your regular expenses.  This will hurt you in the future because you will end up with the highest interest rate for borrowings.

Some even ask if you should borrow to finance your Savings.  This happens when you are offered an option to invest in something and you believe the investment is a saving.  Don’t ever be tempted to borrow to invest in something that is not a business that you have analyzed and understood carefully.  You have to pay for your borrowings whether your investment makes money or not.  Do not be tempted by high returns.  Be very careful!

Here are a few more tips to help you keep your budget with determination and some self-discipline.
- Monitor your budget regularly so you can make changes

- Realize that there can be unexpected expenses like an emergency house or car repair.  Know what you can cut out in your “wants” to accommodate the emergency.

- Include “rewards” in your budget.  For example, eating out maybe twice a month if you have met your budget.

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

PHL universities join HK Education Fair

Capili and some of the members of the UP Alumni Association in Hong Kong.

By Daisy CL Mandap

Come study in the Philippines.

This was the common message of the Philippine Consulate and the country’s three top universities when they joined the Hong Kong Education and Careers Expo held at the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai on Feb 23-26.

The University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University each sent representatives to speak with local residents and Filipinos who dropped by their booth at the fair on the advantages of studying in the Philippines.

Prof. Wendell Capili, U.P.’s assistant vice president for public affairs and director of alumni relations, said in his talk on Feb. 26 that the university provides inexpensive quality education with tuition fees of just HK$6,000 upwards per year.

However, entry into the country’s premiere institution could be very competitive, with only 15%-17% of applicants being accepted each year.

For foreign students or Filipinos who completed their secondary education abroad, the entry level could be through several channels: obtaining a score of at least 1,270 in the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); getting three passes in the General Certificate of Education (GCE), or graduating from the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

They can also take the UP College Admissions Test (UPCAT), but this is not advisable as it has a Filipino language component.

Another way is through transfer from other universities. Those who avail of this route should have a general weighted average of 2.0 or higher and have earned at least 33 academic units.

A big advantage that U.P. has over other schools is the number of constituent universities it has all over the Philippines: 10 as of last count, from Baguio in far north to Davao City in the south. The biggest is the main campus located in Diliman, Quezon City; and the newest, the post-graduate school at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Ateneo and De La Salle, being equally selective, impose roughly the same entrance requirements for students at all levels. But unlike U.P., their entrance tests do not include Filipino competency, so foreign students can opt to take them.

All three would have difficulty competing with Hong Kong schools, however, in enticing scholars from abroad to study in their institutions.

In his opening speech at the education fair, Hong Kong’s secretary of education Eddie Ng revealed that a budget of $450,000 per year has been set aside in scholarships for 15,000 students.  The scholarship has been opened to more foreign students over the last few years, including to some of the Philippines’ best and the brightest.

The territory’s annual budget for education has also risen significantly over the past several years, and now stands at $87.4 billion. The increased spending is aimed partly at further boosting the international standing of its schools, although University of Hong Kong is now said to be ranked top in Asia.

This year’s education fair is the first time the Consulate has been invited to take part. In turn, the Consulate invited the top three universities in the Philippines to come and try to widen their international students’ base.
   

Visayas Festival enlivens Chater

Masscara performed by One Negros Association HK was declared the Festival Dance competition Champion.

One Visayas Hong Kong showcased Visayan culture in Visayas Festival Hong Kong 2017 at the Chater  Road in Central last Feb. 26.

The centerpiece contest of Visayan street dance, dubbed the Festival Dance competition, highlighted the festivities.

The Festival Dance champion was Masscara,  performed by One Negros Association HK, with a total score of 92.33%.

It was fgollowed by Ati-atihan, performed by ABACA (Abante Cagayanos HK). The performance garnered an average of 88.66% from the judges.

Sinulog, performed by Queen City of the South Cebu, was third with 82.66%.

Mila Cerica, chairperson of One Visayas, an affiliate of the Philippine Alliance Hong Kong, thanked supporters for the success of the event.

“On behalf of One Visayas HK I would like to give thanks to all sponsors, donors, five tribes , 10 candidates of Mutya ng Visayas, the judges, adjudicators, the Philippine Alliance and other association who joined the Visayas Festival 2017,” she said.

Employer’s tearful tribute spices up DWEP graduation

This graduate had to receive her certificate with her ward in her arms because the baby refused to go with her mom. 

By Daisy CL Mandap

It could have been just another graduation ceremony for domestic workers who completed skills training or as in this case, a series of informative and empowering seminars.

But an emotional tribute from an employer to the 146 graduates of batch 2 of Hong Kong University’s Domestic Workers Programme on Feb. 19 made all the difference.

Journalist Jeremy John Tredinnick had to pause briefly in an apparent attempt to hold back tears while speaking about the valuable role played by domestic workers, including his family’s own, Cita Vargas.

Above left, Jeremy John Tredinnuick,
editor of Business Traveller
magazine, gives a heartfelt response
for the employers.

“I remember telling Cita when she first came to work for us that she should not think for a second that her job is not an important one because we are putting in her charge....(pause)...the most precious, valuable things to us, our children,” said Tredinnick.

“That is true for a majority of domestic workers in Hong Kong. You are in charge of the care and safety members of family members, both young and old. It’s a position of huge responsibility, not in any way demeaning or menial.”

He went on further to pay particular tribute to the graduates, saying they were an inspiration for giving up their valuable days off in the past year to improve their knowledge and self confidence.
Also giving tribute to both the graduates and the people behind the program was Vice Consul Fatima Quintin who said in her keynote address that the Philippine Consulate remains committed to working with DWEP on empowering Filipino migrants.

“Rest assured that the Philippine Consulate General will continue to encourage our workers to walk off the streets and find their way into the Domestic Workers Empowerment Programme,” Quintin said.

She then addressed the graduates: “I salute you for your hard work and diligence,”  before ending with, “Patuloy kayong mangarap para sa isang magandang buhay”.

Dr. Michael Manio, who heads DWEP, said that in the three years that the program has been in place, 4,500 domestic workers have registered to become members.

But to qualify as graduates, members must have completed at least 80% of the seminars and other activities conducted throughout the year, at a frequency of roughly twice a month.

The graduates are given examinations and ranked by mentors according to their performances.
From this year’s batch, chosen as valedictorian was Ilane Doculan, who received a grade of 97.6; and salutatorian was Irene Bangcado, with a grade of 95.075.

In her commencement address, Doculan spoke of how uncertain she was about fitting in at first, but with help from mentors, was able to overcome her doubts.

“Thank you for the opportunity that helped us boost our self-confidence and image,” she said.
The others who graduated with honors in order of rank were: Emily Dilla, Cristeta Manalo, Minda Cleofe, Delia Derder, Eleen Valdez, Charmine Grace Bermejo, Nancy Tapay, Marianita Nazario, Margarita Albios and Analyn Soriano.
 

Tucso holds induction as it marks 9th

San Fernando City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto swears in TUCSO officers.

By Marites Palma

San Fernando City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto officiated at the induction  of officers of The United City of San Fernando (Tucso) on Feb 19 at Sai Ying Pun Community Complex.

The induction coincided with the group’s 9th anniversary celebration. In his address, Gualberto highlighted the city’s programs intended for families of overseas Filipino workers. He said he came to Hong Kong not just to grace the anniversary celebration, but also to listen to the group’s grievances, and their mission they wanted to impart to their home city.

He said OFWs are partners for improvement, thus the city government has come up with intervention programs for OFW kids with DSWD as its partner. The program started a few months ago with barangays Paryan and Santiago as pilot areas.

As part of the program, the city government is helping OFW kids cope with the separation from parents who go abroad just to give them a better future. He said it’s sad there are kids who don’t appreciate the value of their parents’ sacrifices.

Other initiatives include scholarships for deserving students, job creation and skills training for all residents of San Fernando.

He also introduced the LNP, meaning “Lakas ng Pagbabago”, a program for drug dependents which gives them hope for their recovery. He said he believes that drug dependents could someday become productive citizens, if given the chance to change their ways. “Hindi sila mga salot ng lipunan, hindi nakakatakot na mamamayan, kundi sila ay mga biktima,” Mayor Gualberto stressed.

He ended his speech with a call to everyone to unite and aspire for a common goal. “Sabay sabay pantay pantay, lahat aangat, San Fernando para sa lahat,” he said.

Tucso’s officers for 2017 are Carmelita Solis, president; Josie Apilado, vice president; Chanderella Belen, secretary; Nympha Collado, assistant secretary; Nida Balcita, treasurer; Ryda Dacumos, assistant treasurer; Marilyn Cunanan, auditor; Bonita Abaga, assistant auditor, Joan Agtos, Elisa Ragudo, Marietta Aquino, Brenda Ducusin, business managers; Miriam Andrada, Scarlet Bersamina, Venus Galvez, Elena Balanon; PROs; Myrna Asprin, Rosalie Nebab, Lilia Ramos, Marilyn Bautista, coordinators; Lorna Rondon, Cristina Corpuz, Mercy Joy Jack, Rea Joy Viluan, peace officers; Catherine Franco, La Union budget officer; adviser; Nida Balcita, co-founder.