Labatt seeks techies’ help amid new rush for OEC

The BM Online training room is always full nowadays.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Labor Attaché Jalilo de la Torre is appealing to computer-literate members of the Filipino community for help in registering OFWs with the government’s BM Online system so they could be exempted from overseas employment certificates (OEC).

He made the appeal on Facebook as the queue for the OEC began building up anew, as thousands of overseas Filipino workers prepare to go back to the Philippines for the graduation and Lenten seasons.

 “If you’re computer-literate and have time on your hands, please come and volunteer to help our OFWs register with BM Online. We need volunteers every Sunday afternoon from 12 pm to 5 pm. Thank you,” Labatt De la Torre said in a Facebook post on Mar 24.

No sooner had he launched the appeal than a reader, Celine Lakias, commented the new system had more hassles than the lineup for the paper OEC in previous vacation seasons.

“Buti pa yung pila lang. Pinahirapan nila yung OFW, di naman free, may bayad pa rin. Daming nagco-complain before sa one-time only, but now 2 to 3 times,” Lakias said without clarifying what she meant and admitting she was echoing other OFWs’ views.

“Totoo po, mas hassle yong no print,” another reader agreed.

Some of the more than 300 OFWs who had lined up on the Admiralty footbridge leading to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on Mar 19 also grumbled about the long wait, or the difficulty of navigating through the BM Online site on their mobile phones.

“Buti pa yung dati noon, mas madali” was the common moan.

 In the face of the flak online and on the ground, Labatt De la Torre appealed for patience and understanding.

“We are okay with complaints but when you are already enjoying the exemption, you will find it a better system. Ngayon lang mahirap kasi may registration,” he replied to the comments on FB.

In reply to queries The SUN sent in a private message, he said: “More importantly, we need the patience and understanding of the community. We have gone out on a limb to help out, including opening on weekends and extending our working hours on Sundays.

“What those who are computer literate can do is to register on their own using their smart phones and come only to POLO for evaluation and payment. This will lessen the crowds on Sundays.”

Labatt De la Torre said he needed more volunteers to tutor walk-in BM Online registrants, ideally one for each of the 17 terminals in the OWWA computer training room. The POLO can handle about 300 walk-in registrants on Sundays.

There are only seven regular volunteers on weekdays and Saturdays, and 10 on Sundays, for the one-on-one tutorials that last at least 30 minutes, depending on the registrants’ computer skills. The process is tedious, as there is a labyrinth of fields to navigate.

At that pace, it would take about 18 sessions or 9 hours to register 300 on a Sunday.

Labatt De la Torre has admitted the difficulty and said developers were working on a simplified version more suitable for mobile phones.

He said more computers could also be installed for the OEC exemption processing.

But he said that what they need more are Filcom leaders who will help by gathering OFWs who could be serviced by POLO in one go.

“The Filcom groups have to set up the place and invite their members,” he said, adding that so far, only two churches – Jesus is Lord and Jesus the Living God - have responded.

Hindi ibinigay ang pasaporte

Nabigla si Emkay nang sabihin ng kanyang amo na ipagkatiwala dito ang kanyang pasaporte para daw sa kanyang proteksiyon. Mukhang takot ang kanyang amo na gamitin niya ang dokumento na prenda para siya makautang. Naging malaking balita kasi kamakailan ang pagbuwag ng pulis sa isang sindikato ng pautangan, kung saan ilang libong pasaporte ng mga Pilipina ang nasamsam mula sa mga nagpapautang.

Kahit alam ang pinanggagalingan ng kanyang amo ay hindi pumayag si Emkay sa gusto nito kaya sila nagkasagutan. Gayunpaman, sinigurado pa rin ni Emkay sa isang kaibigang maalam tungkol sa mga batas sa Hong Kong kung tama ba ang kanyang ginawa.

Sinabihan naman siya na hindi dapat kunin ng amo ang pasaporte niya dahil personal niya itong pag-aari. Kapag sapilitan itong kinuha ay maari niyang isumbong ang amo sa pulis sa kasong pagnanakaw.

Ang sumunod naman niyang tinanong ay kung dapat ba siya talagang maglinis ng kotse ng kanyang amo. Walang sariling garahe ang kanilang tinitirhan, kaya kailangan pa niyang maglakad papunta sa palengke dahil doon nakagarahe ang sasakyan. Wala daw sa kanyang kontrata na kailangan niyang maglinis ng kotse.

Sinabihan naman siya na kung ginagamit ng amo para sa pamilya ang sasakyan ay hindi maituturing na ilegal o labas sa kontrata ang kanyang paglilinis nito. Kasali ito sa “domestic duties” na nasa kanyang kontrata. Ang sabi pa sa kanya ng kanyang kausap, mabuti at isang kotse lang ang nililinis niya, dahil yung iba ay dalawa o higit  pa ang kailangang linisin, mapa-araw o taglamig man. Super selan pa ng mga amo ng iba, kaya kailangan na laging naka-vacuum at makintab ang kotse.

 Yung iba naman niyang reklamo, katulad ng pagtakda sa kanyang curfew na 8:30 ng gabi ay sinabihan siyang makisama na lang muna. Kahit ang nakalagay sa kontrata ay 24 oras ang pahinga sa isang linggo ng isang kasambahay ay hindi din naman ito nasusunod. Subukan na lang muna daw niyang makibagay at baka dumating ang oras na lumuwag din ang mga patakaran ng kanyang amo dahil lubos na siyang pinagkakatiwalaan. - DCLM

Remains of suspected suicide in Yuen Long brought home

Facebook profile photo 
appears to suggest victim’s  anguish

The remains of a Filipina domestic worker who is suspected to have jumped to her death were brought to her home in Bulacan after a funeral service in Shatin on Mar. 26, attended by family and close friends.

M.S., 35, married with one daughter, was found dead at the bottom of a new footbridge connecting Yoho Midtown to the Grand Yoho mall in Yuen Long on Mar. 15.

Police classified her death as “falling from height”.

She was reportedly seen on the footbridge which is five floors above ground just before she fell. People living around the area reported hearing the siren attached the platform go off, signaling danger, but nobody managed to reach M.S. in time.

A close friend reported the victim had family problems, but another said it was also related to some debts. A few days before she died, the victim reportedly texted a friend asking to borrow $100 because she was broke.

M.S. was also reported to have suffered from depression, way back to the time she worked in Singapore, for which she had to take medication.

She was just in her first contract in Hong Kong.

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. – The SUN staff

Biglang pinababa dahil sa severance pay

Hindi malaman ni Jaypee ang gagawin noong gabi ng Biyernes, Marso 24, nang bigla siyang pababain ng kanyang amo sa kanilang bahay sa Hang Hau. Dapat ay sa Abril 13 pa matatapos ang kanyang kontrata, pero nang ipakita niya sa amo ang kuwenta ng mga dapat niyang matanggap mula dito ay sinabihan siyang bumaba ora mismo.

Dala-dala ang isang maleta at striped bag na puno ng kanyang gamit ay nagdesisyon siyang doon na lang sa ibaba ng kanilang building siya magpapalipas ng gabi. Halos 10:00 na ng gabi noon at wala siyang alam na mapupuntahan kaya wala siyang lakas ng loob na lumayo.

Bago ito nangyari, sinabi ng kanyang amo na binabawi na nito ang pangako na pipirmahan pa siyang muli. Ayon sa sulat na ginawa ng amo pagkatapos, hindi na raw nila kailangan ng kasambahay dahil 12 taon na ang anak nito.

Ipinakita ni Jaypee ang sulat sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office at pinakwenta ang dapat niyang matanggap.

Dahil ang “redundancy” o ang pagtatanggal sa kanya dahil hindi na siya kailangan ay isang dahilan para makakuha siya ng severance pay, umabot sa mahigit $17,000 ang kailangang bayaran ng kanyang amo sa kanyang apat na taong paglilingkod, kasama ang suweldo niyang hindi pa nababayaran. Bukod pa dito ang para sa kanyang air ticket pauwi.

Halatang nagulat ang amo nang makita na ganoon ang kailangan nitong bayaran kaya pinagbuntunan ng galit si Jaypee. Tinakot pa siya na aabot sa apat na buwan ang kanyang paghihintay sakaling maghabla siya para makasingil ng sapat na kabayaran.

May agam-agam din si Jaypee dahil hindi niya alam kung terminated ba siya, o finished contract. Gusto pa kasi niyang magtrabaho sa Hong Kong.

Nang payuhan siya ng The SUN na huwag matakot maghabol sa mga dapat bayaran sa kanya dahil hindi naman talaga tatagal ang pagdinig sa reklamo niya ay nakahinga ng maluwag si Jaypee. Natuwa din siya nang sabihan na finished contract na ang katayuan niya dahil wala nang isang buwan ang natitira sa kanyang kontrata, kaya maari na siyang maghanap ng bagong amo. Kailangan nga lang niyang hintayin na matapos ang kaso niya sa Labour bago niya maipasok ang bagong kontrata sa Immigration. – DCLM

What's on where

Crime Prevention Meeting
Apr 2, 11am-12 nn, HK Police Central Police Station
2 Chung Kwong Street, Sheung Wan
Registration required as only 50 slots are available.
Register with Luz Iglesias of PCG at 2823 8501/ 8509

Walk for Fun, Unity & Wellness
Apr 2, 10 am assembly time, Route: Repulse Bay to Stanley
Meeting Place: Repulse Bay Towers bus stop
From the Exchange Square Bus Terminus in Central, take Bus No 6, 6x or 260. From Causeway Bay, take bus #40. From North Point, bus #65 Please bring: water, light snacks, face towel, extra shirt and hat. Organized by: Filmcass. Open to all.

March for Life HK
Apr 9, 2-5pm. Assembly: Holy Cross Church—1, Tai Shek Street, Sai Wan Ho, HK. Hosted by: 40 Days for Life HK

Diabetes and Hypertension Management Seminars
Apr 22 (Saturday), 2-4:30pm, Li Hall, St John’s Cathedral
Hosted by: Mission for Migrant Workers

Talk: The Importance of Design in Business
Apr 23, 2-5 pm, PCG Conference Room
Brand Creation and Brand Identity Management
Speaker: Chris Dingcong, Creative and Marketing Director, Springtime Design Ltd. Target participants are those who have undergone financial literacy and business development courses or those engaged in a family business. Co-organizers: PCG and Wimler Foundation. Contacts: Maria 9151 2414 or Lorna, 2823 8512

Sunday Basic Cantonese
Apr 23 - Aug 6, 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target participants are ethnic minorities in HK with HKID
A fee of $100 / head includes materials. CSSA recipients pay only $50. Venue: G/F, 28A Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.

Special Favor 2017
(His Sanctuary Anniversary Celebration)
Apr 23, 9am-5pm, With Dr. Bong Hermoza

Course : Computer Microsoft Word Basic (Saturday)
May 20- July 15 (except July 1), 2:30-5:00pm
Target: Foreign domestic workers. Language: English
Fee: $320 including material. Venue: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F. , No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.
Information & Registration: 2147-5988

Multi-cultural Charity Event
Jun 11, 12nn-6pm, Bayanihan Centre, Kennedy Town
Organized by:  Zamboanga-Basilan HK Association
Open to the everyone, from whatever nationality
Categories are:
1. Ms ZamBas-Asian Beauty Pageant (female, any Nationality 18 to 40yrs old)
2. Ms Handsome (Tomboy fashion show, any Nationality, no age limit)
3. Dance Group Contest (3to5 dancers, any dance style choreography, any Nationality)
3. English Solo Singing Contest (any Nationality)
4. Indo-Singing Contest Solo ( Indonesian only)
5. Ms Kebaya Fashion Show (indonesian only)
Submission of entry will be until Apr 2.
Contact (whatsapp or viber): Becky 69726355 & 92523046 viber; Linda 97000780; Liezel 96866346.

Announcements

The World Report Award/ Documenting Humanity 2017 (Photography contest), organized by the Festival of Ethical Photography is now open. The award will give attention to works focusing on people and their social and cultural stories; public or private, minor or crucial, big human tragedies or petty daily stories, changes and immutability.
These are the five categories in this seventh edition of the award:
1) Master Award: This section is open to all photographers, professionals or amateurs. Entries must consist of min 20 and max 40 images. The prize is 6,000 euros cash.
2) Spot Light Award: This section is open to all photographers who did not receive one of the following awards before Apr 1, 2017: World Press Photo, W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography, Pulitzer Prize, POYi Picture of the Year and World Report Award, with exception for the multimedia category.
Entries must consist of min 20 and max 40 images. The photographers, who apply to this session, can also apply to the Master Award session.
The prize is 3,000 euros cash.
3) Short Story Award: Open to all photographers. Entries must consist of min 5 and max 10 images. The prize will be of 1,500 Euros gross cash.
4) European Photographers Award | France 2017: This section focuses on the different nationalities of the European photographers, and this year, it is open to French photographers and is done in collaboration with ManifestO Festival of Toulouse (France). Entries must consist of min 20 and max 40 pictures. The prize is 1,500 euros cash and participation in the Festival of Ethical Photography in 2017 and during the ManifestO Festival in 2018.
5) Single Shot category: The award, which is being given for the first time, will focus on the image’s ability to convey a powerful message, embodying the theme in a single shot.
The theme for this award is “Fertile Solidarity”, which aims to be a hymn to solidarity that generates future progress. The spirit of togetherness is realized through actions which bring and support the progress of our entire society. The prizes are: first prize, 800 euros cash; second prize, 500 euros cash; third prize, 400 euros gross cash.
For further information, log on to www.festivaldellafotografiaetica.it/wra2017-eng

Masuwerte ka ba sa Abril?

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Ang taong minsang kinainisan mo ay muling mapapalapit sa iyo dahil marunong itong umunawa. Gagawin mo ang lahat upang makuha ang gusto mo, kahit hindi ka na matulog matapos lang ang dapat mong gawin. May swerteng darating. Piliting makibagay kung nais mong makontrol ang sitwasyon. Delikado na magmatigas ka at igiit ang gusto mo.  Lucky numbers: 17,22,35 at 37.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Masigla ka ngayon, kaya maging ang lovelife ay masaya. Kung masaya ang puso, positibo ang lahat ng bagay. Sa kabila nito, sakit sa kasu-kasuan, lalo na sa tuhod, ang mararanasan. May perang darating mula sa isang transaksyon o panalo sa sugal, na maari mong magamit upang ayusin ang pananalapi. Tandaan na kung may konting kalokohan sa pag-ibig, lagi ring may konting dahilan sa kalokohan. Lucky numbers: 5,9,15 at 40.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Huwag palampasin ang pagkakataong darating dahil baka hindi na maulit ito. Sa love life, huwag umasa ng malaking pagbabago. Masalimuot ang relasyon sa ilang katrabaho. Makakaranas ng pagsulpot ng hindi kanais-nais na mga taghiyawat at problema sa pagdumi. Iwasan ang mga pagkaing de-lata at maaalat na keso. Lucky numbers: 11, 25, 38 at 41.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Mag-ingat sa mga makakasalamuha mo. Isang kasamahan ang magtatangkang kuwartahan ka dahil sa ilang sensitibong bagay na nasabi mo. Linawing mabuti kung ano ang punto mo bago gumawa ng desisyon tungkol sa posibleng magiging kalagayan mo sa trabaho. Mabuti na ito upang maiwasan ang malaking pagkakamali. Ipagpaliban ang paggawa ng malaking desisyon sa ngayon dahil magulo pa ang isip mo. Lucky numbers: 16, 22, 35 at 41.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Mas magiging mainit ang pagsasama ngayon. Sa kabila ng pasensiyang ipinapakita, mahihirapan kang makipag-usap sa mga anak mo, na tila lalo ka pang sinusubukan. Panatilihing maging matuwid at nasa tamang landas ka sa lahat ng gagawin mo, kahit pa minsan ay natutukso ka nang lumihis, upang maiwasan ang mga kumplikasyon. Lucky numbers: 18, 29, 35 at 43.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Maswerte ka ngayon sa pagbaba-buy and sell. Harapin ang sinimulang bagay na malapit nang magkaroon ng resulta. Bigyan din ng atensyon ang negosyong nagsisimula nang gumalaw, kailangang bantayan ito ng husto. Hindi maiiwasang maghalo ang oras sa pag-ibig at trabaho. Iwasang balikan pa ang nakaraan, pagtuunan ang kasalukuyan at ang hinaharap. Wala ka nang magagawa sa nakalipas kaya mas mabuting talikuran na ito. Lucky numbers: 7, 19, 28 at 31.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Kung single, isang sentimental na bagay ang gugulo sa iyong katahimikan. Magiging posible lang ang pagkakasundo kung ikaw ang unang gagawa ng hakbang. Sa propesyon, maraming pagsubok ang darating, pero madali mong makikilatis ang problema kaya mababawasan ang hirap kahit paano. Maaari kang makaranas ng insomnia kahit wala kang gaanong alalahanin sa buhay; huwag mag-alala. Lucky numbers: 12, 23, 37 at 44.
.
 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Problema sa pera at trabaho ang ipag-aalala mo ng husto. Iwasang balingan ang alak at sigarilyo para lamang kumalma. Mae-enjoy mo ang pakikipag-usap sa mga hindi kakilala dahil may bago kang matututuhan. Magtiwala sa sarili na kaya mong gawin ang gusto mo. Huwag mag-atubiling ipahayag ang iyong saloobin at huwag hayaang maimpluwensyahan ka ng iyong mga kasamahan. Lucky numbers: 13, 27, 45 at 16.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Hindi mo magagawang magyabang dahil alam mong delikado ito. Dahil dito, hindi pagdududahan kung maaabot mo man ang tagumpay sa propesyon, materyal na bagay at katayuan sa lipunan. Pursigido kang mapagbuti ang iyong trabaho, pero makakaroon ng tensyon sa pagitan mo at mga kasamahan at maging sa nakatataas sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 6, 13, 17 at 29.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Iwasang ma-stress lalo na kung aktibo sa maraming bagay, o may malaking katungkulan o responsibilidad. Malaking tulong kung magre-relax ka. Kung may tuksong dumating, huwag seryosohin ito at umiwas na lang. Ang buhay ay ibinigay sa iyo bilang puhunan, pagyamanin ito at i-enjoy ng husto ang kasiyahang dulot ng buhay. Ang lahat ng sarap na malalasap habang nabubuhay sa mundo ay tubo ng pinagpaguran. Lucky numbers: 9, 18, 24 at 40.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Ngayon ay mas nanaisin mong i-enjoy nang husto ang buhay kaysa magpakapagod sa pagta-trabaho. Manghihinayang ka na naghintay pa ng matagal bago ito ginawa, na halos nakalimutan mo na kung paano ang mabuhay ng masaya. Tamang panahon na ayusin ang relasyon sa taong malalapit sa iyo. Samantalahin din ang panahong ito upang magtagumpay ang iyong negosyo. Lucky numbers: 8, 11, 31 at 42.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Ang problemang dumarating ay dahil sa maling komunikasyon, at sa mga bagay na natutunan dahil sa paglalakbay. Hindi mo ito ikakabahala, pero mapipilitan kang harapin ang mga normal na problema para malutas ito nang maayos. Subukan ninyong mag-asawa ng magkaroon ng parehong diskarte pagdating sa mga anak. Mapupukaw ang interes mo sa taong biglang susulpot sa buhay mo, pero walang magandang kahihinatnan ito. Maayos ang kalusugan kung iiwasan ang lahat ng sobra. Lucky numbers: 10, 15, 30 at 38.

Cops on lookout for other loan-sharks after major bust

Philippine passports used as collateral for illegal loans are seized by HK police.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Hong Kong police say they are watching other loan-sharking syndicates after busting in early March a usurious lending operation that made $12 million in illegal interest earnings a year from more than 1,000 Filipino domestic helpers.

The police’s Organised Crime and Triad Bureau is appealing to domestic helper victims of similar loan-sharking syndicates to call its hotline, 63481240, and contact the investigating officers.

Officers contacted by The SUN would not say whether any more Filipino victims of loan sharks had come forward after the crackdown, or how many other suspected illegal money lenders are being watched.

But they say the “Operation Polarline” investigations are continuing.

“The operation is still ongoing and we do not rule out more arrests later,” he said, echoing what OCTB superintendent Louis Chan Hon-ming had said in a media briefing earlier.

On Mar 12 and 13, the OCTB arrested a local couple tagged as the masterminds, as well as their Filipina helper, allegedly their assistant, after passports used as collaterals had  changed hands, the police said.

Seven other Filipina maids serving as contacts and runners were also arrested in follow-up raids.
The police said over a short period of eight months, the syndicate had lent out a total of $10 million loan in cash, and made at least $12 million in illegal interest payments.

All 10 suspects, aged between 34 and 58, have been released on bail but told to report to the police in mid-April. The accused face charges of “conspiracy to lend money at excessive interest rate” and “conspiracy to blackmail”.

A total of 242 Philippine passports were recovered and a large number of bank records, debt notes, and employment contracts were seized. The holders, all domestic helpers, had used them as collaterals for loans of $4,000 to $15,000 that carried monthly interest rates of 10%, or 120% per year.

Police said the passports won’t be returned to the Consulate as they will be used as evidence in court.
The big number of such passports showed that, despite warnings from the Consulate that Filipino workers must not use their passports as loan collaterals, people desperate for money continue to hock the document for loans.

An officer of the Consulate had told The SUN earlier that of the estimated 120 people applying for passports daily, two or three would say they had lost their travel document.

The big jump in the number of applications for passport replacement has prompted the Consulate to warn workers that they would be given only one-way travel documents if it appears their documents had been used to take out loans.

Meanwhile, Filipino domestic helpers are being tapped by the Hong Kong police in the fight against crime.

The police has invited the helpers to a meeting on its “Crime Prevention Program” on April 2 from 11am to 12 noon at the Central Police Station on 2 Chung Kong Road, Sheung Wan, according to a notice posted on by the Consulate on its Facebook page.

The notice referred to an announcement on Mar 12, the day the police pounced on the two masterminds, Hong Kong couple, their maid and eight Filipina domestic helpers for loan-sharking .

That police operation smashed a syndicate that had allegedly victimised 1,200 Filipina helpers by lending them a total of $10 million at an excessively high interest of 10% per month. In just eight months, the syndicate made $12 million in interest income.

Police recovered $106,000, several work contracts and 242 Philippine passports, cell phones, bank documents and some pieces of jewelry.

The couple, their Filipino maid and seven other Pinays had been arrested but were released on bail. They were instructed to report again to the police in mid-April.

Superintendent Chan Hon-ming of the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, in a media briefing on Mar 14, urged domestic workers to avoid dealing with loan sharks so that they don’t get trapped in debt.

Chan said if the helpers need to borrow money, they should go to legitimate lending institutions.
Those attending this Sunday’s meeting can gather in the report room of the Central Police Station before proceeding to the venue, the Consulate’s post said.

The notice indicated that up to 50 people could be invited to the meeting, but they should advise their confirmation through the Consulate’s community relations officer, Luz Iglesias at 2823 8500 or 2823 8501.

Bello says POEA to be reshuffled because of 'kotong'

Labor Secretary Bello

Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in Manila today, Mar. 31, that he plans to reshuffle officials in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) because of extortion allegations against some of them.

Bello said he would do the reshuffle when he returns to Manila from the 4th round of peace talks set for Apr 2-6 in the Netherlands.

"Pag balik ko yan ang una kong atupagin. I will revamp the organizational structure of POEA. Babalasahin ko yung nangongotong doon. I already have names kung sino mga nangongotong," he told ABS-CBN.

The labor chief said he had received reports that some POEA officials ask for money in exchange for issuing overseas certificates of employment (OEC) even to unqualified workers, particularly those who are directly hired.

"Kahit hindi ka qualified - pag nangotong ka - nagbigay ka ng amount, ilalagay nila ang pangalan mo doon kahit alam nila madi-disqualify ka dahil you do not fall under the exemptions when you are allowed direct hiring," he said.

Bello said there is a group within the POEA that is engaged in the illegal activity. Because of the extortion allegations, he said he had tightened the rules within  the office that regulates the activities of recruitment agencies.

POEA has been without an administrator since Bello moved lawyer Hans Leo Cacdac to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in October. 

At the same time, Bello announced that chief state prosecutor Claro Arellano would take over as POEA chief. However, Arellano appeared to have declined the nomination, opting instead to take over as head of the Human Rights Claims Board. 

Pinhole camera-making leads to exhibit

Above, images taken using the pinhole camera.

By Cris B. Cayat

Photographs by nine Filipino migrant women are currently on display at the Hong Kong Jockey Club in Yuen Long in an exhibit organized by HULU Culture, which opened on Mar. 23 and will last until Apr. 18.

The exhibit is a collection of photographs taken with a pinhole camera – created through a partnership between HULU Culture and Lensational, a group that empowers women through photography.

Back side of the camera,
with the film cartridge.

Among the exhibitors is Joan Pabona, who developed her love for photography when she was still in college, and who has now reinforced her passion by joining Lensational. She said that being with the group has developed her skills in taking great images.

Pabona recently won the grand finals of the photo competition organized by Christian Action in celebration of Women’s Month this March.

Another exhibitor, Ruby Timtim, said she was amazed by the simplicity of creating a camera, let alone the materials used. Timtim said taking pictures with digital cameras now don’t come near the process involved in creating the pinhole camera.

To make the pinhole camera, Timtim said they used a camera film box for its main body, a strip of cardboard to cover the tiny hole, black electrical tape as camera lining, aluminum foil to protect the film, and another empty camera tube to roll the used film. She said the process of  capturing image was very delicate but the results were unbelievable.

The workshop was run for six Sundays in four stages, starting with an introduction to photography, then pinhole camera making, guided community tour to expose them to the local Chinese culture, and finally, the completion of their project for the public exhibition.

Pabona, who’s been in Hong Kong for only four years, said she keeps herself busy reading and watching youtube videos to enhance her photo shooting skills.

She has become quite good at her hobby that she now gets commissioned to do works for charity. She does not get paid anything for this.

She explained: “It’s not how much money you have but how willing you are to help others.”

Maid faces ill-treatment charge

A Filipina domestic helper accused of ill-treating her young ward appeared in Kowloon City Court on Mar 23, but was told to wait until May to face the charge.

Janice M. Buan went to the court at 9:30am accompanied by two volunteers from the Mission for Migrant Workers, and waited until past 11am for her turn.

But when Buan was called forward, the prosecutor applied for a six-week adjournment for legal advice and finalization of the video-recorded interview on the alleged victim. The prosecution was also still waiting for the medical report, the lawyer said.

Buan is facing a charge of “ill treatment or neglect by those in charge of a child or young person.”
No plea was taken and details of the case were not read in court.

Magistrate Peter Law adjourned the hearing to May 2, and extended Buan’s bail. – Vir B. Lumicao

Bawi-bawi ng mga dapat bawiin

Si Gina, 40 taon at Ilokana, ay tinerminate ng amo niyang taga Kwun Tong dahil lang sa sinabihan siyang “lazy” ng anak nitong lalaki.

Isang gabi ay inutusan siya ng bata na linisin ang kusina dahil marami raw ipis. Dahil halos ala-una na ng madaling araw ay nakiusap si Gina na baka maaring bukas na lang siya maglinis. Nagalit ang bata, at agad naman siyang tinerminate ng mga magulang nito.

Nang magkabayaran na sila ay nakita ni Gina na kulang ng $1,000 ang dapat niyang matanggap.

Ayon sa sekretarya ng amo, ito daw ay dahil may utang si Gina na $1,000 na binigay sa kanya ng amo bilang “gift” sa unang buwan ng pagtatrabaho niya.

Hindi pumayag si Gina sa gustong mangyari ng amo, at nagsampa siya ng kaso sa labor para makuha ang lahat ng dapat niyang kabayaran. Si Gina na tubong Nueva Ecija ay nagtrabaho lang ng isang buwan at 21 araw sa kanyang mga amo. – Salve Bandojo

Nang matuto siyang humawak ng kinita

Dalawang dekada nang nagtratrabaho si Florence sa Hong Kong at naka tatlong lipat na rin siya ng amo. Mula noong dumating siya dito, hindi siya tumigil sa pagpapadala ng pera sa pamilya, gaya ng karamihan.

Nang mauso ang financial literacy seminar sa Hong Kong ay isa siya sa naengganyong sumali. Dito niya natutunan na kung gusto niyang maituwid ang sobrang asa ng pamilya sa kanya, kailangan sa kanya mag-umpisa ang pagbabago.

Kaya sa mga sumunod na pag-uwi niya sa Pilipinas, hindi na siya nagbibigay ng pasalubong, at hindi na rin siya nagbibigay ng pera bago bumalik sa Hong Kong. Wala na rin ang bonggang kainan kung siya ang taya.

Dahil dito ay naramdaman niya ang lungkot dahil hindi na siya pinapansin ng pamilya. Ang isa niyang kapatid ay hindi na halos pumapasok sa kanilang bahay, hindi gaya noon na napupuyat silang magkakapatid sa pagkukuwentuhan.

Nagtatampo si Florence sa pamilya dahil hindi na nila binibigyang halaga ang pagsasakripisyo niya para maipatayo ang bahay na tinitirhan nilang lahat ngayon, at pati na ang pagpapaaral sa kanila. Ang kanyang balak na umuwi na nang tuluyan ay naudlot na din dahil sa ipinapakita ng kanyang pamilya. Si Florence ay dalaga, tubong Cagayan. — Cris Cayat

Pera-pera lang ang gusto sa kanya

Si Sharlyn ay tubong Mindanao na nakapagtrabaho sa Singapore ng 11 taon. Sa loob ng panahong ito, halos lahat ng kanyang sahod ay sa pamilya niya napunta. Tinulungan niya kasi ang mga kapatid at pamangkin sa kanilang pag-aaral.

Nang maglaon ay naisipan niyang lumipat sa Hong Kong dahil mas malaki ang sasahurin niya. Sa panahong ito siya nakapagpatayo ng sariling bahay kung saan kasama niyang tumira ang kanyang ina.

Dumating ang panahon na iniwan na sila ng kanyang ina, at naisipan niyang mag-asawa para may kasama pa rin siya sa buhay. May nakilala siyang isang biyudo na may dalawang anak na 22 taon na at may asawa, at isang 19 taon na nag-aaral pa, ngunit ang mga magulang ng lalaki ang gumagastos.

Hindi na nagdalawang isip si Sharlyn nang alukin siya ng kasal dahil 41 taong gulang na rin siya. Pinakasalan niya ang biyudo, at doon niya nakita ang hindi magandang pag-uugali ang kanyang mga kapatid at mga pamangkin.

Galit sila sa lalaki dahil daw biyudo ito at may dalawang anak, nguni’t sa tingin ni Sharlyn ang tunay na dahilan ay dahil hindi na sila makakaambon ng grasya mula sa kanya.

Naisip niya na pera lang niya ang minahal ng mga kapatid niya sa kanya. Ngayon ay 11 taon na siya sa HK at nag-iipon na lang ng pera na ipandadagdag sa capital nila ng asawa para sa binabalak na negosyo pag nag for good na siya. Sabi ni Sharlyn, mas mabuti pa rin ang may sariling pamilya. – Merly Bunda

May malasakit kaya pinagpala

Naging masuwerte ni Julie nitong mga nagdaang araw. Una, nang lumapit siya sa isang agency para magpahanap ng amo ay tinulungan siya ng may-ari na bawiin ang kanyang orihinal na kontrata mula sa dati niyang agency.

Tinanong kasi siya nito kung nasaan ang orihinal na kopya ng kontrata, at nang sinabi niyang nasa dati niyang agency ito dahil hindi pa bayad ang hinihingi nitong placement sa kanya ay sinabihan siyang ilegal yun at maari niyang isumbong sa pulis. Pinayuhan siya na 10 % lang ng kanyang unang buwang sahod ang dapat niyang bayaran.

Ang pangalawang suwerte niya ay ang bago niyang amo na napakabait. Mababait naman din ang mga nauna niyang amo na pawang Briton, pero malayong mas mabait daw ang bago. Anim na araw pa lang siya sa kanila ay inalok na siyang magbakasyon pagkatapos ng isang taon para makasama ang pamilya taon taon.

Noong naikwento ni Julie Ann ang pagkasira ng ilang parte ng kanilang kabahayan at ang kanyang maliit na tindahan dahil sa bagyo ay agad siyang binigyan ng $2,000 para pandagdag daw sa pagpapaayos.

Lagi din daw na nagpapasalamat ang amo dahil sa pag-aayos niya ng kanilang tahanan. Mula daw kasi nang dumating siya ay napakaayos na ng kanilang bahay. Bukod dito ay kasundo pa siya ng dalawang alaga. Nasambit ni Julie Ann na sadyang mabait ang Diyos dahil lagi siyang binibigyan ng mababait na amo. Lagi naman din daw siyang tapat sa kanyang trabaho, kaya marahil ay pinagpapala din siya.

Si Julie Ann ay tubong Isabela at nakapitong buwan na sa mga amo na nakatira sa Central. – Marites Palma

Nawawala ang isang kidney niya

Umuwi si Adela sa Pilipinas para magbakasyon ng isang buwan, at talaga namang pinaghandaan nya ang kanyang bakasyon. Todo pasyal ang ginawa niya, kaya ang dami niyang narating na mga lugar sa Pilipinas.

Ang hindi lang napaghandaan ay ang pagod ng biyahe. Siya ay senior na, pero ang sabi niya ay malakas pa rin siya dahil ang kanyang trabaho sa amo dito sa Hong Kong ay messenger. Lagi siyang nasa bangko dahil sa kung ano-anong pinapabayad sa kanya ng kanyang amo.

Ganoon na lang ang tiwala nito sa kanya kaya di siya mabitaw-bitawan.

Hindi niya akalain na dahil sa sobrang lakwatsa ay maoospital siya sa Pilipinas. Doon lang din niya nalaman na iisa na lang pala ang kanyang lapay o kidney. Nagulat pa siya nang sabihin ng doktor sa kanya na mag-ingat sya dahil iisa na lang pala ang kanyang kidney.

Ayon sa doctor, matagal nang iisa ito batay sa ginawa nitong pagsusuri.

Sabi naman ni Adela, hindi siya nagpatanggal ng kidney kahit kailan. Agad niyang tinawagan ang kapatid na nandito din sa Hong Kong para kunsultahin, pero wala ring masabi ang kanyang kapatid. Wala silang alam na okasyon kung kailan ito naalis. Si Adela na tubong Batangas ay nagtatrabaho pa rin sa among taga Kowloon. - Cris Cayat

Overstaying Pinay draws judge’s ire for asylum bid

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina sentenced in Eastern Court on Mar 7 to four weeks in jail for shoplifting drew rebuke from the magistrate for seeking asylum shortly after being arrested for overstaying in Hong Kong for 13 years.

Emelita Arista, a 56-year-old former domestic worker, incensed Magistrate Bina Chainrai when the prosecution said the defendant filed a non-refoulement claim with the Immigration Department shortly after her arrest.  The defendant claimed a nephew of hers in the Philippines was threatening to kill her.

Arista pleaded guilty on March 7 to a second charge of theft for stealing three bottles of lotion and three cans of luncheon meat in a Wellcome supermarket in Sunway Garden, Quarry Bay, on Feb 19. Chainrai gave Arista a two-week discount for her guilty plea to the theft charge, but set the defendant’s plea-taking and sentence for the first charge of breach of condition of stay for April .
The prosecution amended the first charge after finding out that Arista arrived as a visitor in Hong Kong and did not leave before April 10, 2004.

Chainrai was upset when the prosecutor applied for a four-week adjournment in view of a non-refoulement claim that Arista had filed following her arrest by police on Feb 19.

“After defendant was arrested in 2017 only did she become an asylum-seeker?” Chainrai asked angrily.

“In this situation, the prosecution must revisit her case. If somebody overstays for 13 years and applies for asylum after being arrested, it is an abuse of the system, especially when there are so many others with more valid reasons,” she said.

Arista was undetected as an overstayer and Immigration authorities were not certain about her identity and the exact date she came to Hong Kong because she had no passport. Prosecutors earlier said her visitor’s visa was granted sometime in August 2006.

When Chainrai asked Arista on March 7 if that was her first visit to Hong Kong, she said no, adding she had been a domestic helper here for six years before going home. She then returned to Hong Kong as a tourist in 2004.

Her overstaying case came to light only on Feb 19 after she was caught trying to sneak out of the supermarket with three bottles of lotion and three cans of luncheon meat.

Overstayer lived on dole for 22 years

A former domestic helper who remained illegally in Hong Kong for 21 and a half years was sentenced to 12 months in prison in Shatin Court on Mar 6 after pleading guilty to a charge of breach of condition of stay.

Maria Celestina Antiporda, 56, admitted her offense before Magistrate Ivy Chui, who gave her a one-third discount from 18 months for her guilty plea.

Antiporda was stopped by police during a street check in an undisclosed place on Feb 26 and placed under arrest after she was found to have overstayed her visa.

Prosecutikon said she was issued a work visa that was valid until Aug 4, 1995, but she stayed on after her contract was terminated before her visa expired.

In mitigation, the defense counsel said Antiporda decided to overstay because she had to earn money for her family back in the Philippines. During her illicit stay, she reportedly survived on food and money given by friends.

Another former helper, Isabel Ticuala, appeared before Chui for a mention of her “breach of condition of stay” charge, but the prosecutors applied for a three-month adjournment as they awaited the results of her torture claim appeal.

The magistrate adjourned the case until June 6.- Vir B. Lumicao

Pasta Pesto with Garlic and Rosemary Chicken

INGREDIENTS:
2 x 200 g skinless free-range chicken breasts
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons rapeseed oil
4-5 cloves of garlic
1-2 fresh red chillies
8 ripe cherry tomatoes

PASTA & PESTO
250 g green beans
1 big bunch of fresh basil
50 g blanched almonds
50 g parmesan cheese , plus extra to serve
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon
1 clove of garlic
300 g fresh lasagne sheets
200 g baby spinach

METHOD:

1. On a large sheet of greaseproof paper, toss the chicken with sea salt, black pepper, fennel seeds and the rosemary leaves. Fold over the paper, then bash and flatten the chicken to 1.5cm thick with a rolling pin. 
2. Put the chicken into the frying pan with the rapeseed oil, the bashed unpeeled garlic cloves and halved chillies, turning after about 3 or 4 minutes, until golden and cooked through. 
3. Line the beans up and cut off the stalks, put into the casserole pan, cover with boiling salted water and cook for 6 minutes with the lid on.
4. Pick a few basil leaves for garnish, then rip off the stalks and put the rest of the bunch into the processor with the almonds, Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. 
5. Squash in the unpeeled garlic through a garlic crusher. Blitz until smooth, adding a ladle or two of cooking water from the beans to loosen, then season to taste. 
6. Slice the lasagne sheets up into random handkerchief shapes and add to the beans to cook for a couple of minutes. 
7. Halve or quarter the tomatoes, add to the chicken and give the pan a shake.
8. Stir the spinach into the pasta pan, then drain, reserving a cupful of the starchy cooking water. 
9. Return the pasta, beans and spinach to the pan, pour in the pesto from the processor and stir together, loosening with splashes of cooking water until silky.
10. Slice the chicken breasts in half and serve with the tomatoes and chilli spooned over the top. Finely grate a little extra Parmesan over the pasta, then sprinkle everything with basil leaves

Useful tips on how to use herbs and spices

By Jo Campos

There are hundreds of different herbs and spices that are used to add that distinct flavor to every dish we cook. If you’re the type who uses them a lot when cooking, you are best advised to grow them yourself. This ensures that you have a ready supply, and that your herbs are always fresh.
One of the easiest herbs to grow, even right on the window sills of your kitchen, are sweet basil and mint. Rosemary is also sturdy, and could last for a long time if properly sowed. There are a number of other herbs that you can grow just as easily, such as thyme, oregano, marjoram and Thai Basil.
This way, all you need to do is to snip a few sprigs of fresh basil each time you cook a pasta dish, or rosemary for an aromatic roast chicken or lamb chops.
However, it is sometimes confusing which herb or spice is the perfect blend for what you are cooking.
Let me try to address this problem in this article.

ANISE or ANISEED is an aromatic spice that imparts a distinct flavor of licorice to food and is commonly used to make the liqueurs ouzo, anisette and pernod. Anise is used in cookies and cakes, and a sprinkling of the seeds adds an unusual twist to fruit salads, particularly those utilizing citrus fruits. Try adding anise to fruit pies, relishes and chutneys, as well as dark breads. In Indian cuisine, anise is occasionally used in pilafs and braised dishes. In Chinese/Cantonese cuisine, star anise is used in braised beef brisket or “ngau lam” and is perfect as a topping for noodles or steamed rice.

BASIL or sweet basil is commonly used to make pesto, a perfect pasta sauce made from pine nuts, basil and extra virgin olive oil. Thai basil is different from sweet basil in texture and aroma, thus, be careful not to switch the two or use one as a substitute for the other as they have different tastes and flavor. Thai basil is used for Asian cuisine and sweet basil is best used for salads, sauces and other savory dishes.

CINNAMON is derived from the dried inner bark of the cassia tree, a small evergreen. One of the earliest spices recorded, cinnamon is also one of the most familiar and commonly used. It is a sweet, aromatic spice which is often used as a component of curry blends, or in many baked goods, including custards, puddings, cakes, cookies, and fruit pies. Squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes, whether in pies or as side dishes, always benefit from a sprinkling of cinnamon. Whole cinnamon sticks are nice to add to stewing fruits and simmering beverages, such as hot mulled cider.

DILL WEED and DILL SEED are both products of a tall, feathery annual plant that is a favorite kitchen-garden herb. The seeds, less commonly used than the leaves, are used in pickling and may also be used as a milder substitute for caraway seeds in breads or as a topping for potato, cabbage, and casseroles. Fresh dill is available for a few months out of the year, but may be hard to come by during the colder months. Dried dill is a fairly good standby for fresh when necessary. Fresh or dried, dill has a special affinity with tomatoes and cucumbers. Few summer salads are simpler or more refreshing than sliced cucumbers with coconut yogurt and chopped dill. Fresh or dried, dill is an excellent herb in hot and cold soups and is an offbeat addition to omelets. Use dill in spinach pies and herb breads as well.
Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/tips/herbs-and-spices-common-culinary/#MUIwyuUuM8utczZr.99
More tips and recipes using herbs and spices in the next issues, so keep posted!

BUYING, STORAGE AND USAGE TIPS
1) When buying herbs and spices by weight, buy only what will fit into an average-size spice jar. In other words, don’t stock up. Most go a very long way and are at their optimal flavor for up to a year, after which they begin losing their potency.
2) Keep dried herbs and spices in a place in your kitchen that is away from heat and moisture.
3) When substituting fresh herbs for dry, use about three times the amount of fresh herb as the dry.
4) Introduce dried herbs and spices into your recipe as early in the cooking process as possible, so that they have a chance to develop flavor. Add fresh herbs toward the middle or even the end of the cooking if you’d like to retain their flavor.
---
Sharing a quick and easy Pasta Pesto recipe here from Jamie Oliver: