Plan, save for return home, finlit grads urged

 Above, trainers graduating from trainors course pose with FinLit graduates. 

By Vir B. Lumicao

Overseas Filipino workers should not stay long in their place of work but instead plan how many contracts they will sign, and chart the future of their families to whom they will return one day, according to Consul General Bernardita Catalla.

She gave the advice to some 200 graduates of financial literacy courses at CARD Hong Kong who gathered for this year’s first graduation ceremony held at the Duke of Windsor Social Services Centre in Wanchai on Apr 30.

The 188 graduates represented four batches of trainees – from Batch 37 to 40 – who attended the one-day basic financial literacy (FinLit) course offered on Sundays by CARD free of charge at the Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town.

From this basic course, the graduates can proceed to entrepreneurial courses where they are taught the nitty-gritty of owning, managing and growing a business.

Joining the FinLit graduates on stage were 11 graduates of the training course for trainers, which had 14 participants originally.

Catalla urged the graduates to implement all that they have learned from the short courses, and to share the knowledge and skills gained with their relatives back home.

For the new arrivals, it is important that they know what they spend on and to budget their money, said Catalla, as she advised them to save for their return home.

She also used the occasion to introduce the new deputy consul general, Roderico “Deric” Atienza, the former consul general in Seoul, Korea, whose post was taken over by his predecessor in Hong Kong, Christian “Kit” de Jesus.

The heads of each of the four batches gave testimonials on what they learned from the courses, as well as their expectations.

From Batch 37, Margarita Paclibar, the oldest graduate at 65, spoke of how she put up a rice cake, banana and camote cue business with a small capital before she came to Hong Kong. At first, it was profitable, but it eventually flopped for her lack of business know-how.

“Nang nasa Hong Kong na ako, niyaya ako ng aking kasama sa church na sumali sa CARD financial literacy. Magaling magturo at maliwanag ang kanilang explanation,” Paclibar said, thanking the volunteers and facilitators.

“Malaki na ang naiipon ko para sa negosyo. Kailangang pag-uwi ko next year, gagamitin ko ang akong natutuhan sa negosyo.”

Batch 38’s Genalyn Silvano said what she liked most was the lesson in rating one’s spending habits and distinguishing between needs and wants. She said she used to be an impulsive buyer who snapped up anything that attracted her even though she had no need for it. That attitude has been changed by the course, she said.

Trainor Rowena Rosales tearfully told her tale as an initial failure in Hong Kong and previously, a carefree drifter in the Philippines, as she was single, an orphan and had only one sibling.

She had been helping other people until she joined CARD and realized there were three person she had not helped – “me, myself and I”. She said she had learned a lot from CARD and that her training as trainor had taken away her stage fright. As a parting word she said: “Puwede tayong tumulong , pero tulungan muna natin ang mga sarili natin.”

CARD nanays Erlinda Labitorya and
Carmelita Aguilar, who shared their asuccess stories.

Two speakers who made the greatest impact on the audience, however, were “negosyo nanays” Erlinda Labitorya from Pangasinan and Carmelita Aguilar from Laguna, who were brought to Hong Kong by CARD MRI to address the graduates.

Labitorya said she was a poor housewife who borrowed Php2,000 to start a banana chips business behind her rented house some years ago. She took up a CARD entrepreneurial course where she learned how to run her business properly.

“Lumaki ang aking negosyo at nakabili ako ng house and lot, may tatlong sasakyan na ako. Dati ang factory ko ay nasa likod-bahay, nakabili ako ng lote at tinayuan ko ng factory ng banana chips,” Labitoria said. Her business was chosen this year as one of six regional winners in an industry awards event in Laguna.

Crying unabashedly, she said this was her first time to come to Hong Kong and fulfill her dream of going to Disneyland. “Wala akong pagsidlan ng saya,” she exclaimed.

Aguilar was not to be outdone. She said with the help of a Php5,000 loan and using discarded carton boxes and newspapers, she started a business making papier mache letter blocks for the US market.

Now that venture has become a P1 million business that provided jobs to people in her community in Pakil, Laguna, Aguilar said. Today, she owns a house and lot, a Hi-Ace van, a jeepney, two tricycles, 15 pigs and 13 cows.

“Akalain mo, entrepreneur na ako ngayon, kumpare ko pa si Mayor,” she exclaimed.

Pinay, 6 others face ejection as HK denies asylum claims

The lone Filipina in a group of asylum seekers who hid American whistle-blower Edward Snowden when he was on the run in Hong Kong in 2013, fears being deported after the Immigration Department threw out their cases on May 15.

“I am really shocked and I feel so sad ... I know that they might detain me. I am very worried,” Vanessa Mae Rodel was quoted by the South China Morning Post as saying  after the Torture Claims Board’s decision. She said she didn’t want to be separated from her 4-year-old Hong Kong-born daughter.

Rodel, three Sri Lankan adults and three children are now filing an appeal to head off possible deportation, said Robert Tibbo, their Canadian lawyer in Hong Kong. Applications for their refugee status have also been filed with the Canadian government.

Snowden, now in asylum in Russia, called the board’s action a “transparent injustice”. In a 3-minute video posted online on May 16 by For the Refugees, a Canadian group that aims to raise  CA$15,000 for the seven asylum seekers, he accused authorities in Hong Kong of ignoring the peril of the refugees if they were deported to their home countries.

“These are good people who were driven from their homes by torture, rape, abuse, blackmail and war. Circumstances that are really difficult for us to imagine – these are documented, these aren’t allegations. These are facts,” he said.

The former US National Security Agency contractor was hidden by Rodel and the other refugees in their tiny homes while he was being hunted for leaking a trove of classified documents showing the extent of electronic spying by the US and other governments.

Sri Lankans Ajith Pushpakumara, couple Supun Thilina Kellapatha and Nadeeka Dilrukshi Nonis, and their two children made up the rest of the group.

Tibbo, the refugees’ lawyer, said they had 14 days to appeal and head off an imminent risk of
detention and deportation. The Canadian barrister, who also provided legal advice to Snowden while he was in the city, complained of “factual errors” in the decision, and it “failed to take material evidence into account”.

Tibbo said his clients had been singled out because of their involvement with Snowden. “I felt they already had the decision to reject the clients written up a long time ago... Their screening was expedited not to protect them, but to dispense their cases,” he said.

The refugees said they had faced questions about their links to Snowden by a social service agency contracted by the government.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau denied the accusation the Immigration Department targets any particular claimants or categories of claimants. He said the department would continue expediting the screening to clear about 9,000 claims pending.

Montreal immigration lawyer Marc-André Séguin was quoted by the SCMP as saying he felt compelled over the past few weeks “to formally petition the Canadian government to take these clients as refugees”.

His fellow Canadian lawyer, Francis Tourigny, said the claimants’ plight was “a matter of life and death”.

Séguin said the Canadian immigration minister should use his discretionary power to speed up the processing of claims. “These are people who fled persecution…and who are being actively sought after by authorities from their home countries…It’s up to Canada now to do the right thing,” Séguin said.

Natauhan din ang amo

Biglang pumanaw ang nanay ni Natty kaya nakiusap siya sa amo na umuwi ng ilang araw. Naintindihan naman ng amo ang kanyang sitwasyon kaya pinayagan siyang umuwi ng pitong araw para ihatid sa huling hantungan ang namayapang ina.

Sa araw ng balik niya ay alam niyang may inaasahang bisita ang kanyang mga amo para sa hapunan, kaya naman ibinaba lang niya ang bag at saka parang ipo-ipong nagligpit ng mga kalat.

Abalang-abala siya sa paghahanda ng hapunan nang dumating ang kanyang among babae. Namangha ito sa nadatnan dahil maayos at masinop na ang bahay. “How did you do it?” tanong daw nito.

Habang wala daw kasi si Natty ay hindi pumasok sa trabaho ang among babae para asikasuhin ang mga anak. Humingi ng paumanhin ang amo dahil sa nadatnan ni Natty na kalat. Inamin din ng amo na nakakapagod daw pala ang trabaho ni Natty dahil halos buong araw na nakatayo.
"
Sometimes, I am not nice to you,” sabi din daw ng amo. Hindi alam ni Natty kung ano ang magiging reaksyon sa sinabi ng kanyang amo. Hindi naman daw kasi “sometimes” kundi madalas ay masungit ang kanyang amo.

Pero umaasa siya na dahil sa natuklasan ng amo ay magkakaroon ito ng mas malawak na pang-unawa, lalo na sa mga pagkakataon na hindi niya nagawa ang ibang tungkulin . Si Natty, dalaga at Ilocano, ay limang taon na sa among Pranses na taga-Pok Fu Lam—Gina N. Ordona

What's on where

119th Philippine Independence Day Celebration
Featuring: Bb Pilipinas-OFW Beauty Pageant
June 4, whole day.
Chater Road, Central
Organized by: Global Alliance
Watch OFW candidates parade in designer gowns lent to them for free

Seminar on Sexual Harassment
June 4, 2-5pm,
EOC Conference Room, 19th floor, Cityplaza 3, Taikoo Shing. Speakers: Anju Ghising from RainLily and Devi Novianti from EOC
To book a place, call 2106 2156

Magtanong Kay Dok
Focus: Cervical and breast cancer: How to prevent and cure
June 4, 1pm, PCG Conference Room
Speaker: Dr. Romeo V. Orteza
To book a place: 2823 8512

Mga Kulay at Ngiti ng LGBT
(In celebration of Pride Month)
June 11,  3-5pm, PCG Conference Room
Speaker: Dr. Brenda Alegre
To book a place, call 2823 8511

Jam for a Cause & Benefit Dance
June 11, 9am- 7pm
Pier 10, Central
Organized by Cordillera Connection – HK
Featuring: Rock N Play Band with VC Bob Quintin

Multi-cultural Charity Event
Jun 11, 12nn-6pm,
Bayanihan Centre Auditorium, 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.

Philippine Independence Day Ball
“Swingaround Charity Dinner and Concert”
June 17, 6pm on
Conrad Hong Kong
Organizers: Philippine Association of Hong Kong and Philippine Airlines
Tickets are priced at $1,500 and $2,000
Featured Artists: Morissette Amon and Jonalyn Viray

Kasiyahan sa Kalayaan, Kabayan
Philippine Independence Day Celebration
June 18, 9am on
Edinburgh Place, Central
Featured Artists: Boyband PH and DJ Chacha
Organizers: PAHK and Global Alliance

Holidays at PCG

The Philippine Consulate General and its attached agencies, including the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, will be closed on the following dates:

May 30 (Tuesday) - Tuen Ng Festival
June 12 (Monday) – Philippine Independence Day

There will be no official transaction at the Consulate on these dates.

For emergencies, please call the following hotlines:
9155-4023 Consular Assistance
6165 2406 Philippine Overseas Labor Office
6345 9324 OWWA
For further information, check:
Website: www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph
Facebook: Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong
Fax No: 2866 9885

Liza Soberano ang bagong Darna?

Usap-usapan na ang pagkakapili sa Kapamilya aktres na si Liza Soberano para gumanap na bagong Darna sa pelikula. Si Liza ay susunod sa yapak ng mga dating Darna na sina Rosa del Rosarrio, Eva Montes, Vilma Santos, Anjanette Abayari, Nanette Medved, Angel Locsin, at Marian Rivera.

Kahit wala pang opisyal na pahayag mula sa Star Cinema tungkol dito, hindi rin nila pinabubulaanan ang kumakalat na balita. Matapos ipahayag na hindi na makakalipad bilang Darna si Angel Locsin dahil sa tinamong injury, nabuhayan ng pag-asa ang mga fans nina Liza, Kathryn Bernardo, Yassi Pressman, Nadine Lustre, Jessy Mendiola, at maging ang dating Miss Universe na si Pia Wurtzbach, na makuha ng kani-kanilang idolo ang role.

Bilang pakunswelo sa mga nagpo-protestang fans ni Angel, na matagal nga namang umasa na muling mapanood siya bilang Darna, may mga bagong project na inihahanda para sa kanya. Una na rito ang pagbabalik-tambalan nila ni Richard Gutierrez, at kasama rin si Angelica Panganiban.
Inaabangan na kung sino ang mapipiling gumanap sa papel na Ding, Efren at mga bagong makakatunggali ni Darna.

BILLY AT COLEEN, IKAKASAL SA 2018
Sa summer ng 2018 napiling magpakasal nina Billy Crawford at Coleen Garcia. Hindi binanggit ni Coleen ang petsa, pero sigurado na raw itong magaganap sa susunod na taon.

May mga taga-showbiz daw na kasali sa entourage ng kasal dahil marami silang kaibigan sa mga kasamahan sa trabaho.

Nag-propose si Billy, 35, kay Coleen, 24, noong December 2016, pero dahil marami pa silang mga commitment, hindi agad nila mai-set ang petsa ng kasal. Sila ay naging officially mag-on noong 2014.

Bago si Coleen, si Billy ay naging boyfriend ni Nikki Gil sa loob ng mahigit limang taon bago sila nag-break. Si Nikki ay balitang buntis na ngayon sa napangasawa nitong businessman na si BJ Albert.

Samantala, nagsampa ng reklamo si Coleen laban sa isang dating pulis na naka-enkwentro nila ng kanyang driver nang nagkabanggan ang kanilang mga sasakyan sa Makati. Nagtamo daw ng galos sa mukha ang aktres nang tangkain siyang saktan ng pulis, mabuti na lang daw at naisara niya agad ang pinto ng kanyang van. Tinakot pa daw siya nito na  babarilin sila, bago umawat ang ilang marshal sa lugar, na inakala niyang mga pulis din.

MARIAN, HINDI PA SUSUNDAN SI ZIA
Matapos ang mahaba-habang bakasyon ni Marian Rivera, kasama ng asawang si Dingdong Dantes at anak na si Zia, balik trabaho na siya agad sa “Sunday Pinasaya” at sa bago niyang programang “Tadhana”, na tumatalakay sa buhay ng mga OFW. Malapit na rin niyang simulan ang bago niyang TV series.

Nagkita sina Marian at mag-asawang Judy Ann Santos at Ryan Agoncillo sa Italy nang dumalo sila sa kasal ng kanilang kaibigang magazine editor at stylist na si Pam Quinones. Tuwang tuwa raw sina Ryan at Juday kay Zia, kaya nag-usap silang magkita-kita ulit, para makasama rin ang mga anak nilang sina Yohan, Lucho at Luna.

Na-enjoy rin ng husto ni Marian ang muli nilang pagkikita ng kanyang amang Espanyol, at pamilya nito sa Spain. Tuwang-tuwa daw ang kanyang mga kapatid sa ama sa pamangkin nilang si Zia.

Dahil kabi-kabila na naman ang trabaho ni Marian, hindi pa raw pwedeng sundan si Zia. Sa ngayon ay si Dingdong ang nag-aalaga sa anak nila habang hindi pa ito gaanong abala, pero hinahanapan din ng sapat na oras ni Marian na makasama ang anak sa araw-araw.

MELAI, LAGING PANALO 
Tila may kakambal na swerte ang komedyanteng si Melai Cantiveros.

Kamakailan, napanalunan nila ng kanyang asawang si Jason Francisco at anak na si Mela ang jackpot na Php1million sa Bet On Your Baby show ni Judy Ann Santos.

Sa unang pagsabak ni Melai sa showbiz, sumali siya sa reality show na Pinoy Big Brother (PBB). Tinanghal siyang big winner, na may premyong house and lot at Php2milyon, pero ang kalahati ng pera ay ibinigay niya sa napili niyang charity organization. Nagtuloy-tuloy ang showbiz career niya. Nakasama siya sa morning show ni Kris Aquino, at nakalabas din sa ibang TV show at pelikula. Maging nang mag-asawa at nagka-anak ay nakabalik agad din siya  sa limelight.

Sa pagsali niya sa first season ng “Your Face Sounds Familiar”, siya ang tinanghal na kampeon, at nagkamit ng premyong Php1milyon. Tinalo niya ang mga mas  beterano na sa showbiz na sina Jolina Magdangal, Karla Estrada, Nyoy Volante, Edgar Allan Guzman, Maxene Magalona, Tutti Caringal at JayR.

Sa kasalukuyan ay regular host si Melai sa “Magandang Buhay”, at co-host niya sina Karla Estrada at Jolina Magdangal. Kamakailan ay idinaos nila ang 1st anniversary ng kanilang programa, at timing ang kanyang muling pagbabalik matapos niyang isilang ang pangalawang anak na babae nila ni Jason.

Sa kabila ng mga ngiti at pagpapatawa niya sa show, maraming pagsubok na siyang  dinaanan, lalo na sa pamilya. Nagkahiwalay sila ni Jason, na inilabas pa sa social media ang kanyang mga hinaing, pero walang narinig na pangit na salita mula kay Melai sa kabila nito. Hindi niya siniraan ang asawa, at lalong hindi sinukuan, kaya ngayon ay masaya na uli ang kanyang pamilya.  

DIREK GIL PORTES, PATAY NA
Sumakabilang- buhay na ang dating batikang direktor na si Gil Portes sa edad na 71. Isinugod daw siya sa East Avenue Medical Center sa QC noong gabi ng May 24, pero dead on arrival na ito.

Agad nagbigay pugay sa social media ang kanyang mga kasamahan sa industriya gaya nina Mel Chionglo, Adolf Alix, Senedy Que, Jose Javier Reyes at Alessandra de Rossi.

Isa sa pinakamahuhusay na director ng pelikula sa Pilipinas si Portes. Kabilang sa mga nagawa niyang pelikula ay ang “Miss X” (1980), “Never Ever Say Goodbye” ( 1983), “‘Merika” (1984), ”Bukas... May Pangarap” (1984), “Birds of Prey” (1988), ”Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina?” (1990), ”Minsan May Pangarap: The Guce Family Story” (1995), “Mulanay” (1996), “Homecoming” (2003), “Liars” (2003), at “The Mourning Girls” (2006).

Tatlo sa mga pelikula niya ang naging entry ng Pilipinas sa Best Foreign Language Film category ng Academy Awards: ”Saranggola” (1999), ”Gatas sa Dibdib ng Kaaway” (2001), at ”Mga Munting Tinig” (2002).

Siya rin ang nagdirek ng Markova: “Comfort Gay” (2000), na pinagbidahan ng yumaong Comedy King na si Dolphy at mga anak na sina Epy Quizon at Eric Quizon.

Ang mga huling natapos niyang pelikula ay ang mga period film na ”Hermano Puli” (2016) at ”Moonlight Over Baler” (2017).

Si Portes ay nagtapos ng kursong journalism sa University of Santo Tomas, at nag-aral ng theater arts sa Brooklyn College sa Amerika. Bago naging director, nagtrabaho din siya sa ilang malalaking advertising firtrams.

Ang kapalaran mo sa Hunyo

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93

Kontrolin ang emosyon upang hindi magkamali sa desisyon na pwedeng pagmulan ng mga problema. Kung may gagawing proyekto na kasama ang mga kaibigan, tiyak na gaganahan kang magtrabaho. Kailangang pag-usapan ng maayos ang problema mo sa kapitbahay. Kung kailangang mag-loan o pumasok sa transaksyong pinansyal, ito ang tamang panahon dahil papalarin ka, pero huwag sirain ang tiwala sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 4,18,29 at 31. 

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Maligaya ang love life, at alam mo kung paano mapapasaya ang kapartner sa maraming bagay. Maayos din ang relasyon sa mga anak. Maayos ang kalusugan sa kabila ng pagod, tensyon at pag-aalalang nararanasan. Kailangan mo ng pahinga at sapat na tulog, kaya iwasan muna ang mga sosyalan at maliliit na bagay na umuubos sa oras mo. Lucky numbers: 7, 15, 23 at 41.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Tahimik at masaya ang tahanan, at matatag ang pagsasama ng mga mag-asawa. Alagaan ang sarili at maging ang panlabas na anyo dahil makakatulong ito na maging positibo ang tingin sa iyo. Madali kang masugatan at kapitan ng sakit, na magpapainit lalo sa iyong ulo. Sa trabaho, ingatang huwag masayang ang pinagpaguran. Unti-unti ay dumarami ang gulo sa pagkakaibigan, huwag hintaying lumala ang sitwasyon, humingi ng tawad kung ikaw ang nagkamali. Lucky numbers: 11, 19, 39 at 45.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Gumawa ng paraan upang mabawasan ang gulo sa pang-araw-araw na buhay. Pag-aralang mabuti ang mga opinyon mo na nakakaapekto sa disposisyon mo. Pero mag-ingat sa magtatangkang ipahamak ka. Pagtatalo at away ang mamayani ngayon, kontrolin ang mga salitang bibitawan, lalo na kung hindi ka obligadong sabihin ito. Kung magkamali, agad humingi ng dispensa o gumawa ng paraan na makipag-ayos. Lucky numbers:16, 25, 36 at 44.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Kailangang harapin ang problemang matagal mo nang iniiwasan. Mas magiging mainit ang samahan ninyo sa pamilya at mga kaibigan. Kung may asawa, nanaisin mong mabago ang ordinaryong pamumuhay. Walang sinuman ang makakapigil na baguhin ang opinyon mo o pigilan ka sa gusto mong gawin, at madalas ay tama ka, kaya magtatagumpay ka sa iyong gagawin. Lucky numbers:15, 27, 37 at 42.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Dumadaan sa pagsubok ang mga relasyon mo sa iba, kaya maguguluhan ka sa sitwasyon. Kulang ka ngayon sa konsentrasyon at inspirasyon kaya parang wala kang natatapos. Iwasan munang magsimula ng bago o mahirap na gawain at magtiyaga muna sa dating trabaho. Malabong lumalim ang relasyon sa napupusuan dahil kahit gusto ka rin, naguguluhan siya sa pabago-bago mong ugali. Lucky numbers: 9,22,39 at 40.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Mahirap kang manalo kung dadaanin sa korte ang usapin, mas maiging makipagkasundo ka na lang. Hindi inaasahang pera ang darating upang magamit mo sa inaasam mong proyekto. Pipilitin mong ayusin ngayon ang personal na problema. Kung may asawa, samantalahing kausapin ito tungkol sa problema sa pamilya upang makagawa agad kayo ng desisyon. Kung hindi mo gagawin ito ngayon, mas lalo kayong mahihirapang mag-usap. Lucky numbers: 2,7,26 at 44.
.
 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Mataas ang enerhiya mo ngayon. Mas matalas ang isip, praktikal at mas naiintindihan mo ang maraming bagay ngayon. Ang relasyon ay naka-focus ngayon sa pang araw-araw na buhay, seguridad sa pag-ibig at kapakanan ng pamilya. Matapang kang humarap sa problema kaya magaan din ang pasok ng pera sa iyo. Dahil sa ipinakita mong kabaitan, masusuklian din ito ng pagmamahal ng mga tao sa paligid mo. Lucky numbers: 12, 14, 28 at 45.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
Magiging maayos ang kalusugan, pero iwasan ang labis na pagod. Magiging maalam ka kung paano makipag-negosasyon ng maayos sa trabaho. Kalimutan na ang hindi sinasadyang insidente dahil walang namang may gustong mangyari ito, at may bagay ding kailangang sugalan. Tapos na ang isang mahalagang kabanata sa buhay, pero ngayon ay may magandang kinabukasang dumarating. Kung magiging masaya, sumige ka! Lucky numbers: 19, 29, 33 at 41.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Swerte at tagumpay ang hatid ng linggong ito, pero matindi ang inggit na ibubunga. Sakit ng buto, kasu-kasuan at tuhod ang iindahin mo, kaya mag-ingat sa mga pag-galaw galaw. Masaya at punung puno ng buhay ang social life mo ngayon. May sapat kang puhunan upang maisagawa pa ang personal na ambisyon. Maging maingat sa pakikipag-usap sa mga anak upang maiwasan ang problema at mas gumanda ang relasyon. Lucky numbers: 5, 6, 9 at 40.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Ngayon ay pwede nang pag-usapan ng kalmado ang problema sa pamilya. Ang inaakalang pagkabagot sa pagsasama ay hindi mangyayari dahil mas maipapadama ng asawa mo ngayon ang kanyang buong pagmamahal at pag-aalaga. Tigilan na ang pag-iisip ng mga negatibong bagay! Makihalubilo upang makakilala ng mga bagong kaibigan. Lucky numbers: 13, 21, 35 at 46.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Posibleng maapektuhan ang pagsasama dahil sa problema sa trabaho. Anumang tensyon ang nararamdaman, ugaliing kumain ng tama upang mapanatili ang kalusugan. Walang idudulot ng maganda ang pagrerebelde at reklamo sa hirap ng buhay. Matutong tumanggap ng kabiguan, maging pasensyoso at maging positibo sa pananaw sa buhay. Hangga’t maaari, iwasan muna ang mangutang at pigilan muna ng paggastos. Lucky numbers: 7,15,31 at 43.

Self-confessed Pinay drug mule sentenced to 17 years

By Vir B. Lumicao

Hong Kong Customs photo of the leggings
and underpants that concealed the nearly 2-kilo
cocaine trafficked by Cumpio.

A 52-year-old Filipina who brought nearly two kilograms of cocaine into Hong Kong from Brazil two years ago was ordered jailed for 17 years on May 25.

Susan B. Cumpio, a widowed former domestic helper, could have received a full discount for pleading guilty but High Court judge Kevin Zervos decided she did not fully cooperate with customs investigators.

The sentencing was delayed for six months as Zervos ordered the prosecution to review the case after Cumpio raised questions about the facts after she pleaded guilty to trafficking in a dangerous drug on Nov 27 last year.

As a result, the officers who processed and interrogated Cumpio after her arrest on July 15, 2015, were called to give evidence in court on May 18.

Cumpio was finally scheduled for sentencing on May 23, but the court debated she was entitled to the full one-third discount for pleading guilty.  

“I analyzed the evidence given by the two Customs officers on May 18 and I accepted their evidence… I concluded that the defendant had not cooperated with the investigators,” the judge said.                                                          
Zervos said that during the preliminary enquiry, Cumpio said she was meant to deliver the 1,994 grams of nearly pure cocaine, valued at $2.2 million, to Manila, not Hong Kong.

But during a hearing on May 10, Cumpio told the High Court that the officers ignored information she was giving them about a man waiting outside the airport terminal to pick up the cocaine she was carrying.

She said she tried to give investigators a sheet of paper on which the code name  and phone number of the Hong Kong contact was written. She asked the officers to let her call the contact’s number, but they told her to keep quiet.

She also denied the prosecution’s claim that she was uncooperative during investigation.

Zervos said Cumpio should have earned an extra discount if she cooperated, “but the defendant was disbelieved after a full day of hearing…(and) she did not show remorse.”

As the judge, he said, he was entitled to reduce the discount following a guilty plea.

The judge said he considered the “very large quantity” of the cocaine that Cumpio brought into Hong Kong from Brazil and its international element in deciding on the sentence.

Cumpio was arrested on July 15 last year when she arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Dubai, and attracted the attention of Customs officers with her unnatural gait.

A search yielded nearly two kilograms of suspected cocaine wrapped around her thighs and concealed in her tailor-made underwear.

In mitigation, defense counsel Richard Donald said Cumpio was widowed in 2005, and supported a son, now 17, and her parents back in the Philippines.

She was as a shopkeeper and restaurant waitress before she worked as a domestic helper in Singapore, then in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

She next worked in São Paulo where, after two years, she met an African man.  They fell in love with each other and “spent good times together” until the man lost his job. He began to take drugs and became abusive, beating her up often.

Eventually the man told her about his being in the drugs business and offered her passage  back to the Philippines if she agreed to make a trip to Hong Kong to deliver drugs.

Cumpio accepted the offer, she said, because she wanted to see her family and but vowed never to return to Brazil.

OEC to be replaced by iDOLE card in 3 months

By Vir B. Lumicao

Overseas employment certificates may become obsolete in three months.

This was according to Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre, who confirmed that the OEC will be replaced by a special OFW electronic identification card called the “ iDOLE.”

The move was among those reportedly disclosed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello during a meeting with militant leaders on May 13, on the sidelines of President Rodrigo Duterte’s lightning visit to Hong Kong.

“Papalitan yung OEC ng iDOLE, sabi ni Sec (Bello) mga three months pa iyon,” Labatt De la Torre said.

Pending the iDOLE’s rollout, Labatt De la Torre said the OEC registration will continue for OFWs in Hong Kong.

Reports said iDOLE had been “approved with conditions” by President Rodrigo Duterte as early as February this year.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella had told Manila media the approval was with conditions because of “certain technicalities”.

The abolition of the OEC, for years considered by workers as a seasonal pain in the neck because of the long queues that consumed most of their day-off, was hailed by migrant leaders as one of four key issues they had fought for.

The iDOLE card will have several features geared towards more convenient OFW transactions with the government.

These are: 1) easier transactions with government and private agencies; 2) access to OFWs’ records with government agencies; 4) serves as a debit card for the proposed OFW Bank, and, 5) serves as a reloadable Beep card that can be used for MRT or LRT rides.

Before Duterte approved the plan, the Department of Labor and Employment had created a one-stop service center for overseas workers.

OFWs hail 10-yr passport but hit fee hike

Overseas workers in Hong Kong have welcomed moves to extend the validity of the Philippine passport from five to 10 years, but warned against any increase in its price.

 “We welcome the Department of Foreign Affairs’ pronouncement that Philippine passports will soon have a 10-year validity. This should, however, not come with a passport fee increase,” said Dolores Balladares, chair of United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante HK) in a statement.

The DFA announcement followed the Senate’s 18-0 passage of Senate Bill 1365 on third and final reading on May 15. The House of Representatives approved its own version of the measure, House Bill 4767, on Feb 13.

The Senate and the House are now set to convene a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the two versions of the measure before submitting the final version to President Rodrigo Duterte for approval.

The 10-year validity of the passport would make traveling abroad easier, especially for OFWs, said Sen. Cynthia Villar, sponsor of the bill and vice chairperson of the Senate foreign relations committee.

The measure amends Republic Act 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.

It was sponsored in March on the floor by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign relations, and authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Senators Grace Poe, Villar, Loren Legarda, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sonny Angara, Joel Villanueva and Richard Gordon.

Balladares, in a press release on May 19, said the passport extension is part of the Hong Kong OFWs Agenda submitted to President Duterte at the start of his term.

“This has long been a reasonable demand of Filipinos working overseas, especially domestic workers in Hong Kong. Considering the five-year validity of the current passport, OFWs usually only use it twice within this period, as we only get one home leave every two years,” Balladares explained.
She, however, warned against an increase in the passport fee.

“Reportedly, extension of validity will also come with a doubling of the cost of the passport, which will only burden overseas Filipinos, as well as the public in general. This is in contrast to the demand of overseas Filipinos, who pay up to thrice the passport cost in the Philippines,” she said.

The Consulate charges a $480 fee for a new passport, 324 percent more than those acquired in the Philippines at the current exchange rate.

“Still, they want to double this amount? Overseas Filipinos do not live in the lap of luxury and even President Duterte knows that. Increasing passport cost goes against his expressed wish of unburdening Filipino migrants,” Balladares added.

“Providing passports to Filipinos is a government service and, as such, should not be treated as a money-making scheme. OFWs are not cash cows,” she said. – Vir B. Lumicao

Eh, kasi nakinig sa sabi-sabi

Hindi biro ang stress at pag-aalala na naranasan ni Magda bago niya natanggap ang bago niyang pasaporte. Mahigit limang buwan niya itong hinintay at tuwing punta niya sa Konsulado para mag-follow up ay malabo ang nakukuha niyang kasagutan.

Pero kung may mahalagang leksyon na natutunan ni Magda sa buong karanasan ay ang dapat siyang magtanong sa kinauukulan at huwag basta naniniwala sa sabi-sabi.

Ilang linggo bago ang nakatakdang pag-uwi ni Magda sa Pilipinas ay nagparehistro siya para sa Balik-Manggagawa Online at kumuha na rin ng OEC exemption. Noong nasa eroplano na siya pauwi, nabanggit ng kanyang katabi na wala daw silbi ang pagkuha nila ng OEC exemption dahil hindi naman ito tinatanggap.

Nagtaka si Magda dahil wala naman siyang nabalitaan na pagbabago sa patakaran pero iginiit ng kausap na totoo ang sinasabi niya. Sinabi pa nito na wala namang mawawala kung kukuha na lang ng OEC pagdating niya sa kanilang lugar.

Para maiwasan ang anumang aberyang mangyari pagbalik ng Hong Kong, pumunta nga si Magda sa POEA pagdating niya sa Davao para kumuha ng OEC. Hindi  sumagi sa isip niya na magtanong sa POEA kung sadyang walang bisa ang OEC exemption na kinuha niya.

Ang masaklap, dahil limang buwan na lang ang bisa ng kanyang pasaporte, kailangan daw muna niyang pumunta sa DFA para kumuha ng passport extension at nang mabigyan siya ng OEC. Habang nasa DFA, itinuloy na rin niya ang pag-apply para sa bagong pasaporte.

Pinayuhan siya na pagbalik ng Hong Kong ay pumunta siya sa Konsulado para hilingin sa DFA-Davao na dito na ipadala ang kanyang pasaporte.

Nakakuha ng OEC si Magda at maayos siyang nakabalik sa trabaho, pero huli na nang malaman niya na hindi naman ito kailangan dahil may OEC exemption na siya.

Nakailang balik din siya sa Konsulado para mag-follow up sa kanyang pasaporte. Si Magda, 30, may asawa at tatlong anak, ay apat na taon na sa HK.—Gina N. Ordona

One-dish meals

By Jo Campos

There are times when we have unexpected guests, or have run out of ideas on what to prepare for the next dinner. For these occasions, we may have to turn to some stress-free recipes that can be prepared ahead of time, or in a hurry. That “grab-what-you-can-find- in- the- fridge-and-pantry” kind of moment excites me as it challenges me to come up with something with the least of preparations.
One-dish meals are always easier as they don’t involve a lot of preparations, and no separate cooking. The idea of just putting all the ingredients in one pan or pot, then shoving everything in the oven is comforting as it gives you more time to do other chores while the dinner is cooked.
In this issue, I am sharing two healthy one-dish recipes. They both involve combining meat and a medley of vegetables and herbs for a complete meal in one go. They may be served with steamed rice, or on their own.

One Pan Honey and Garlic Chicken with Veggies

Tender, juicy chicken breasts baked to perfection with broccoli and potatoes

Ingredients:
• 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces baby red potatoes, halved
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 24 ounces broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves

Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, butter, honey, brown sugar, Dijon, garlic, oregano and basil; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
3. Place potatoes in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken in a single layer and brush each chicken breast with honey mixture.
4. Place in the oven and roast until the chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 25-30 minutes. Stir in broccoli during the last 10 minutes of cooking time. Then broil for 2-3 minutes, or until caramelized and slightly charred.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired

Parmesan Pork Chops with Beans and Potatoes

A new way to serve pork chops with tomatoes

Ingredients:
• 1 lb (4-5 chops) bone-in pork chops
• 16 oz baby red potatoes, cut into 1'’ pieces
• 16 oz green beans, trimmed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves

Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the olive oil, thyme, garlic, pepper, salt and Parmesan cheese.
3. Brush about 1/2 of mixture on top of the pork chops. Place pork chops on baking sheet.
4. Add the potatoes and green beans to the parmesan mixture in the bowl and mix until combined. Place veggies on the baking sheet with pork chops.
5. Bake 20-22 minutes then broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is golden and the pork is completely cooked through - reaching an internal temperature of between 145 degrees to 160 degrees F. Let rest 3 minutes.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Pinay in death fall a former helper

By Vir B. Lumicao

Arrangements are being made by the Consulate for the repatriation of the remains of a former domestic helper who fell to her death while apparently cleaning a window on the seventh floor of a building Mong Kok on May 17.

Police have ruled out foul play in the death of the 30-year-old victim, Irene dela Rosa, who was reportedly on recognizance after filing a torture claim.

The assistance to nationals section is reportedly helping a relative of the victim in preparing the documents needed to send the remains home

An ATN officer said he was in touch with Dela Rosa’s relatives in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs and an airline company regarding Dela Rosa’s repatriation.

On Wednesday afternoon, the ATN officer escorted the woman’s relative to the Kwai Chung Public Mortuary where Dela Rosa’s remains were kept.

The deceased was a former domestic worker whose last contract was filed with the Consulate in 2014, the ATN officer said.

“She could have lost her job after that and overstayed, then she was able to obtain recognizance,” he said.

Hong Kong Immigration grants recognizance to persons who overstay their visas and file torture claims. It is an alternative to detention.

Initial police investigation showed the victim was cleaning the window of a flat she shared with her Pakistani partner when the incident happened, a duty officer at the Police Public Relations Bureau told The SUN during a phone inquiry.

“At 10:27 pm on May 17, (police) found a Filipino female lying unconscious on the podium of a residential building on 179 Tung Choi St in Mong Kok,” the officer said.

Local media reports said the woman was found lying unconscious on the canopy on the second floor of the building.

The spokeswoman said firemen took the victim to Kwong Wah Hospital but she was certified dead on arrival.

Dela Rosa’s grieving Pakistani live-in partner went to the Consulate the day following the accident to report the death and seek assistance. Local reports said the man was distraught and emotional as he accompanied paramedics when they took the victim to the hospital.

An online article posted in the South China Morning Post website cited records showing that at least 11 people had either died or suffered injury from accidental falls since 2015 while cleaning windows or doing renovation work on Hong Kong’s high-rise buildings.

At least four incidents involved domestic helpers, the latest of which killed 35-year-old Rinalyn Dulluog from Isabela who fell from a Lohas Park high-rise on Aug 9.

Her death prompted Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre to exclude window cleaning from a list of duties in a domestic worker’s job contract.

Despite opposition from some employers, Hong Kong’s Labour Department took the same stance. Starting Jan. 13 this year, the standard employment contracts of FDHs included provisions banning the cleaning of windows not fitted with grilles, and stipulated that no part of the helper’s body except their arms could extend beyond the window ledge.

Martial Law, tinutulan ng mga migranteng grupo

Ni Gina N. Ordona

Alisin ang batas militar.

Ito ang maigting na panawagan ng mga migrante sa HK kay Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte sa isang kilos-protesta na pinangunahan ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Hong Kong and Macau sa tapat ng gusali ng Konsulado noong ika-28 ng Mayo.

Ang pagdeklara ng batas militar sa Mindanao, ayon sa tagapangulo ng Bayan HK and Macau na si Eman Villanueva, ay hindi solusyon sa nagaganap na kaguluhan sa Marawi City. Sa halip ay mas titindi ang kaguluhan, magkakaroon ng malawakang paglabag sa karapatang pantao at tiyak na maraming mga ari-arian ang mawawasak sa Marawi City at sa kalakhang Mindanao.

“Kayat napakahalaga na ang mamamayang Filipino, saan man tayo naroroon, ay manindigan laban sa deklarasyon ng martial law,” sabi ni Villanueva.

Naniniwala ang grupo na sapat na ang puwersa ng Hukbong Sandatahan ng Pilipinas at kapulisan para sugpuin ang maliit na grupo ng Maute at pati na rin ang Abu Sayyaf.

“Sama-sama po natin na ipanawagan sa gobyerno ni Duterte na ang pakinggan niya ay hindi ang mga huwad, ang mga pasista, ang mga ultra-kanan at militaristang mga heneral na nakapaligid sa kanya,” sabi ni Villanueva.

Dapat maipaabot sa pangulo na ang dapat niyang pakinggan ay ang mga mamamayang nananawagan ng tunay at pangmatagalan na kapayapaan.

Dahil sa deklarasyon ng martial law, naantala ang dapat sana ay pang-lima nang paghaharap ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas at ng mga kinatawan ng National Democtratic Front sa nagaganap na usapang pangkapayapaan, ika niya.

Sinabi ni Villanueva na dapat igiit na ipagpatuloy ang usapang pangkapayapaan lalo na dahil ang nakasalang na usapin o agenda ay ang pagbabagong sosyal at pang-ekonomiya para alisin ang ugat ng kahirapan at inhustisya na siyang pinagmumulan ng armadong tunggalian sa Pilipinas.

Ito daw ang dapat na mangyari kung nais ng gobyernong Duterte na maitala sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas na siya, kagaya ng sinasabi nito, ay isang pangulo ng kapayapaan at hindi ng digmaan.

Sa gitna ng digmaan, kailangang tiyakin na ligtas ang buhay at ari-arian ng mga mamamayan sa Marawi. Kailangan ding maipaabot ang mga serbisyo sa mga mamamayang lumikas mula sa kanilang komunidad dahil sa laganap na pambobomba o aerial bombing na  ginagawa ng mga sundalo.

Binigyang diin ni Dolores Balladares na tinutuligsa ng kanyang grupo ang pagsalakay ng Maute group at dapat itong managot, pero hindi tama na pairalin ang batas militar sa Marawi o sa buong Mindanao.

Base na rin kasi sa naging karanasan noong panahon ni dating-pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, kailan man ay hindi naresolba ng batas militar ang karahasan at kriminalidad sa bansa. Sa halip daw ay lumala ang paglabag sa karapatan ng mamamayan na mabuhay ng maayos.

Nanawagan din si Balladares sa mga kababayan sa HK na hindi nauunawaan ng lubos ang pagtutol sa martial law:  “Hindi po ito usapin ng pagiging pro o anti Duterte kung hindi ang mga biktima ng karahasan sa Marawi, Mindanao at buong Pilipinas,” ani Balladares.

Nakiisa rin sa panawagan si Shiela Tebia, chairperson ng Gabriela Hong Kong.

Sa martial law, binigyan lang ng gobyerno ng mas malawak na kapangyarihan ang militar at gamitin ito para sa paglabag ng karapatang pantao.

“Karamihan po sa nalalabag ay buhay ng mga kabataan, kababaihan at maliliit na kababayan sa mga lugar ng digmaan,” sabi ni Tebia

Masuwerte ka ba sa Mayo?

Covers the period May 16-31, 2017

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Magana kang kumain ngayon. Ang pagkahilig mo sa pagkain ang nagbibigay sigla rin sa iyo sa buhay. Huwag ipilit kung walang patutunguhan ang mga plano, pagtiyagaan muna kung ano ang dumarating na proyekto. Maging maingat, at iwasan muna ang mga importanteng pag-uusap. Sa pribadong buhay, ang kawalan ng malinaw na plano ang makakasama sa iyo.  Lucky numbers: 9, 15, 21 at 41.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Gusto mong mapasaya ang lahat. Magiging kaaya-aya ang pakikipag-usap mo sa mga tao, kaya ngiti ang kapalit nito para sa iyo. Ang pagiging relaxed at pagkakaroon ng magandang disposisyon sa pakikitungo sa tao ang tatapos sa mga iniindang sakit at pagod na matagal mo nang nararanasan. Mag-ingat na masaktan sa sports na sinasalihan. Lucky numbers: 17, 21, 35 at 41.
.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Natutukso kang magmadaling tapusin agad ang ginagawa mo upang makuha ang gusto mo, kaya lang ay baka hindi magiging maayos ito, at masasayang lang ang pagod. Bibigyan mo ng importansya ang oras para sa pamilya at ang simpleng pagsasama ninyong magkakakaibigan ay magbibigay sa iyo ng kasiyahan. Madali mong malilimutan ang lungkot at haharapin mo ng kinabukasan ng buong tiwala. Lucky numbers: 12, 16, 20 at 25.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Nanaisin mong maging balanse ang lahat, lalo na sa aspeto ng pananalapi at materyal na bagay. May tsansa na tumanggap ng perang hindi inaasahan. Upang magtagumpay sa karera, dagdagan ang tiwala sa sarili at lakas ng loob, at malaking tulong din matuto kang ng tamang pakikipag-usapa sa mga tao. Pananakit ng likod ang mararanasan, ugaliing nasa tamang posisyon ang pag-upo at paghiga. Lucky numbers: 13, 29, 32 at 36.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Kung napapansin mong may problema sa pagsasama, gumawa ng paraan na mapag-usapan agad ito upang hindi na lumala. Samantalahin ang pagkakataong ito upang malutas ang mga problema, at mabayaran ang matagal nang utang. Kung maglalakbay, asahan na ang pagka- antala ng eroplano o tren o pagkakaroon ng sira ng makina. Lucky numbers: 7, 14, 33 at 40.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Maaring magkaroon ng problema sa panunaw, kaya iwasang kumain ng labis at siguraduhing balanse ang kinakain. Sa trabaho, matutuwa sa iyo ang mga kasamahan dahil sa mga nakakatawa mong mga kuwento. Pero mag-ingat at ilagay sa lugar ang pagpapatawa dahil hindi ito nagugustuhan ng mas nakatataas sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 5, 16, 25 at 36.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Gusto mong lasapin ang sarap ng buhay. Sa ngayon ay masasabi mong marami ka nang natutuhan sa buhay. Pero marami ka pang dapat gawin upang malampasan ang problema sa mga anak, ang kanilang kalusugan at ang pagiging pasaway ng mga ito. May kakayahan kang makapagbigay ng labis na kasiyahan, kaya ang relasyon mo ngayon ay mas seryoso, kaysa inakala mo. Lucky numbers: 7, 19, 23 at 42.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Maganda ang disposisyon mo ngayon. Walang problema sa trabaho, at maliban sa pamimigat ng mga binti, walang dapat ipag-alala sa kalusugan. Ang paggamit ng diplomasya ay makakatulong sa iyo upang maayos ang mga problema: relasyon sa mga kasamahan, sa mga kapitbahay, sa mga kaibigan at mga ka-pamilya. Kasunduan sa kasal ang posibleng mangyari, pero baka matagalan ito dahil sa problema ng isa. Lucky numbers 4, 16, 18 at 21.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
Sa trabaho, hindi nasisiyahan ang mga nakatataas sa uri ng iyong trabaho, at ipaaalam nila ito sa iyo. Isang taong seryoso at nakakatatanda sa iyo ang magpapakita ng paraan upang malusutan mo ang personal mong problema, sundin mo ang kanyang mga payo. Pilitin payapain ang sarili at kalimutan ang paghihiganti upang makahanap ng katahimikan ng loob. Lucky numbers: 2, 26, 34 at 40.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Ayaw na ayaw mo ang inuutus-utusan o pinapasa-pasahan ka. Mariin mo ring tatanggihan ang mga pabor, lagay o regalo. Sa trabaho, may mahusay kang pag-iisip, kaya walang basta-basta  makakaharang sa iyong mga gustong gawin. Mababahala ka sa problema sa pera, pero maghintay-hintay ka lang at mababago rin ang sitwasyon. Sa dami ng nagyayaring gulo sa pamilya, hindi ka mababagot sa takbo ng iyong buhay. Lucky numbers: 16, 18, 22 at 36.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Magugulat ka na lang na hindi naman pala nakakainip at walang buhay ang buhay mo ngayon, lalo na kung may makikilang magpapatibok muli ng puso mo. Makukumbinse mo ang pamilya mo tungkol sa plano mo sa buhay kaya mababawasan ang iyong alalahanin. Kailangan ng konting paghihigpit sa mga anak, kung hindi ay hindi mo na sila marerendahan. Lucky numbers: 6, 18, 22 at 45.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Isiping mabuti ang sitwasyon bago gumawa ng hakbang, dahil nakasalalay dito ang kinabukasan mo at ng ibang taong umaasa sa iyo. Dagdagan ang tiwala sa mga kaibigan, dahil sila naman ang natatakbuhan mo kapag nangangailangan. Posibleng umusbong ang pag-ibig sa pagkakaibigan. Huwag gawing basehan ang materyal na na pakinabang sa relasyon sa kaibigan. Lucky numbers: 13, 17, 22 at 29.

Labatt fires back at internet critics

Labatt dela Torre 

Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre has fired back at detractors who apparently have been bashing him on social media, threatening to take them to court.

In a Facebook post on Apr 28, Labatt dela Torre said: “Tamad daw ako? Tamad ba ako? Ilang buwan na kaming walang weekends at walang holidays sa trabaho, tamad pa rin? Hindi ko na papatulan yang mga comments sa Facebook. Kasi alam ng marami na halos wala na kaming panahon sa sarili namin. Pero pag naubos pasensiya ko, defamation ang aabutin ninyo.”

He followed it up the next day with this post: “How far can you take scurrilous attack on your reputation for the sake of government service? Don’t government officials have honor to protect, too?”

“When do you say enough is enough, and just bring them all to the court of justice?”.

He did not refer directly to whoever accused him of being lazy, but the country’s labor chief in Hong Kong had been at odds earlier with people who tried to brush aside his warnings against illegal recruitment to countries like Turkey, Russia and Brazil.

In a subsequent talk with The SUN, he hinted that his outburst was over a remark made over an article written about the planned move by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to another building later this month.

Still, Labatt dela Torre is at a loss on what his detractors’ motive is.

“I have no idea who these people are, but I guess this is part of public service,” he said in an email to The SUN sent from Jakarta on May 5 in reply to a query regarding his post.

He was in Indonesia to serve as a panelist in an event that showcased the award-winning documentary about OFWs in Hong Kong, “Sunday Beauty Queen,” along with three other films from the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore.

His posts revealed a minefield of intrigues that he as head of the country’s labor office in Hong Kong has had to tread on as he goes about with his daily work. And daily means seven days of overstretched hours serving some 190,000 OFWs earning a living in Hong Kong.

Anyone who visits his office practically any day of the week would often see him and his team being swamped by OFWs who go there for various services, from securing OECs to renewing contracts and getting labor advice.

Labatt dela Torre is often seen not just directing work but sitting behind the service counters or at a computer to help workers register for the BMOnline service.

His frustrated posts immediately drew sympathetic reactions from various people, from past and present OFWs to his colleagues in the Labor Department.

Former OFW and now successful entrepreneur Myrna Padilla commented: “Kilala kita since 1999. Alam ko kung paano ka magtrabaho…Noong akoy nasa Hong Kong pa nagtatrabaho kahit hatinggabi puwede kitang tawagan at hingan ng tulong kung may kababayan tayong nangangailangan ng tulong at responde ka kaagad. Alam ko personally na ang puso mo ay nasa aming mga OFWs. May kasabihan...”Ang puno na (hitik) sa bunga ay laging binabato.” Go go go Sir Jalilo Dela Torre, all out suport ako at ang OFWWatch sa iyo. More power to you!”

Bebs Cobilla Leonardo, an OFW who is still in Hong Kong also rushed to his defense: “Almost two months akong walang trabaho dahil nag change employer ako at sa mga oras na yon araw araw ako sa consulate bilang volunteer kaya ako mismo nakakita kung gaano kayo kasipag Sir Jalilo Dela Torre. Friday, Saturday dapat holiday na pero nagtatrabaho pa rin kayo sa POLO office. Salute sa yo, sir, more power”.

Also coming out to support him was OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac who commented: Keep doing what you do best, Labatt. The best basketball teams win amid jeers and boos on the road”.

A fellow labor attaché, Merriam C. Cuasay said: “You are one of the best and brightest! They cannot put you down! Continue with what you do best in the interest of the service and for our OFWs. God bless you, Labatt Jolly.”

Others urged him to sue, with one, Victoriano Orocio, apparently a lawyer, going a step farther by offering help in filing a lawsuit

But another former labor attaché, Elizabeth Recio, urged caution: “I think they are happy when you feel bad about it. It simply means they are winning...

"Ignore and just do your best and eventually they will find it futile to do such nasty moves. Get dressed, smile, stay focused on your mission and pray. He takes care of the rest,” Recio advised.

Amid the outpouring of support, Labatt dela Torre was mum, perhaps still weighing his options. – Vir B. Lumicao

Filipina hotel worker cleared of money laundering

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina hotel worker was acquitted on May 5 by a Kowloon City magistrate of one charge relating to money laundering.

Rosalina Tam broke into tears and hugged her counsel after Magistrate Veronica Heung said the prosecution failed to prove her guilty beyond reasonable doubt of a charge of “conspiracy to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offense.”

Her co-accused, Hui Sze-yin, was found guilty on two counts of the same offense for knowingly receiving large sums of money remitted to her bank account by the same man, a certain Steve Michael, who they met separately and befriended on social media.

In the Mar 21-23 trial, the prosecution accused Tam of conspiring with Michael to launder proceeds from illegal or criminal activities. But Tam, widow of a Hong Kong man, said her online lover told her it was money from project-related activity.

The magistrate first read her lengthy verdict on defendant No.2, Hui, and convicted her on two charges of conspiring to launder questionably sourced money. She set the sentencing of Hui on May 23.

Heung, reading her verdict on Tam, said she was satisfied with the defense’s assertion that Tam was tricked by Michael, allegedly a Caucasian working in London and the widow’s online boyfriend, into giving him her Public Bank account number.

During the trial, the prosecution charged that Tam used that account in March 2014 to receive $350,000 remitted by Michael and from which she deposited $347,000 into an HSBC account as instructed by the man.

But Tam’s lawyer said Michael gained her client’s trust by calling her his wife and convinced her that sending her money was in preparation for their “planning their life together”. He said he would come to Hong Kong in June to talk about their future.

Michael told her he could not deposit the money in his own account and asked her to handle the transactions for him as his wife, the lawyer said.

On March 29, 2014, Tam found out she could not access her ATM account to check her salary. Two days later, she was arrested by police for alleged money laundering.

In a video interview, investigators asked Tam about a $374,000 deposit into her account after police found in a message from Michael that he was giving her $23,000 of that amount. The defendant said it was financial assistance to her, not a reward.

In her verdict, Heung said there were inconsistencies in the prosecution witnesses’ statements that cast doubt on the case against Tam.

“The prosecution has failed to prove you guilty beyond reasonable doubt, so I acquit you of Charge 1,” Heung said.  

Pinay in shop theft escapes jail under bind-over deal

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker charged with stealing three pieces of chicken from a shop was bound over for $1,000 for 24 months by a Kwun Tong court on May 4.

The order allowed Helen Macaranas to escape criminal conviction although she had pleaded guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Ernest Lin also told her to pay the court cost of $1,000.

The bind-over deal was worked out by the prosecution and defense lawyers before hearing started. It means that the Filipina could still work in Hong Kong as she will have no criminal record on file.

Macaranas had been in jail for three weeks before she was set free as she did not have the money needed for her temporary liberty, and provide the court with an address in Hong Kong.

Lin allowed her bail only after the Consulate agreed to provide her shelter, and the Mission for Migrant Workers put up the bail money.

Under the bind-over deal, Macaranas must not commit any offense in Hong Kong within the next two years; otherwise she would be required to pay the $1,000 guarantee in addition to the penalty for the new offense.

Macaranas was arrested on Apr 3 after she failed to pay for three pieces of whole dressed chicken she had put in her recyclable bag while shopping at Aeon supermarket in Tseung Kwan O.

She told The SUN she forgot to pay for the chickens along with the other items that she had bought.

As soon as she stepped away from the counter, supermarket staff stopped her, checked her bag then called the police.

Pinay gets 12 months’ jail for dumping baby’s body in toilet

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina maid was sentenced to 12 months in jail in District Court on May 4 after she pleaded guilty to a charge of “preventing the lawful burial of a dead person” for dumping the body of her newborn in the toilet of a Tsuen Wan mall.

Aileen Grado, 37, was convicted by Judge W.K. Kwok on her own admission of the charge, which had been downgraded from infanticide.

However, Grado, a single mother who came to Hong Kong in 2012, may be released shortly because she had been in police custody since her arrest on Apr 11 last year, prosecutor Andrew Raffell said after the hearing.

“She should be released immediately; she’s been in detention for more than a year,” Raffell said. “I don’t understand why the duty lawyer didn’t apply for bail and the magistrate didn’t grant her bail.”

Counsel for Grado said the Filipina would be turned over by the police to the Immigration Department for her travel clearance and plane ticket.

Raffell told the court that Grado delivered a baby boy prematurely between 2am and 3am on Mar 23. For a few minutes the newborn was alive and crying, but the maid did not know what to do.

“When the baby stopped crying, it also stopped breathing,” Raffell said.

He said Grado called the Consulate about her desire to surrender shortly after the baby’s body was discovered in the water closet of a toilet in a Sham Tseng commercial center. The body, wrapped in tissue paper and diapers and sealed in a plastic bag, was found by a cleaning woman who searched for the source of foul smell in the washroom.

The report said Grado knew she was pregnant in August-September 2015 after a fling with a man with whom she had lost contact. She hid the pregnancy from her employer for fear of losing her job, but wanted to keep the baby.

Raffell said the original charge against Grado was infanticide, but it was amended later to a lighter offense of preventing a lawful burial because an autopsy showed the baby was a premature newborn; it bore no injury, trace of toxic substance, or sign of asphyxiation. He said the pathologist said there were many possible reasons for the baby’s death.

Raffell emphasized Grado was distraught after losing her baby and disposing of the body.

When the baby was found, the maid reportedly  After discovery of the body, she maid left her employer and stayed with a friend.                          

“The defendant surrendered to the Philippine Consulate. She surrendered to the authorities and admitted the offense… I would say she absolutely, unequivocally and voluntarily surrendered,” Raffell said.

In mitigation, the defense counsel said Grado came to Hong Kong in October 2012 to work as domestic helper to support a daughter, now 8, after the father left them. She also supported her farmer parents. Her employer said she was a very good helper.

He said Grado loved the baby and wanted to keep it but that the premature birth was unexpected and she did not know how to cope with it.  

Citing two previous cases of unlawful disposal of a dead body similar to Grado’s case, Lam sought a lenient sentence and suggested a starting point of 12 to 18 months.

Judge Kwok, taking into account Grado’s guilty plea and voluntary surrender, imposed a 12-month prison sentence.

Pinay maid arrested for alleged attack on 6-yr-old

A Filipina domestic helper was arrested on May 10 after she was accused of hurting her employer’s six-year-old daughter at the Wanchai Market.

The Police Public Relations Bureau said the 44-year-old maid had been released on bail but was told to report back in late May.  It was not immediately known if the worker, who was not identified, was still staying in the employer’s house or had been dismissed.

The officer said the helper was arrested on the evening of May 10 after the girl’s father, surnamed Lee, saw that the child’s hands were swollen when he came home and called the police.

The father suspected that the maid had slapped the child’s hands when they went to the Wanchai Market earlier in the day.

The spokeswoman said the Filipina was booked for ill-treatment of a child, while the girl was taken to hospital for medical treatment. Local media said the victim was in Ruttonjee Hospital.

Hong Kong law considers physical punishment of children a form of child abuse. It is punishable under the Offences Against the Person Ordinance, Cap 212 Section 27, which criminalizes ill-treatment or neglect of a child or young person.