Stranded Pinay cries out for help

A Filipina domestic worker who was set to return to Hong Kong to take up a new job is seeking help after the employment agency who placed her told her that her employer had backed out just three days after her work visa was issued.

E.C. told The SUN that she paid Blessings Forever Employment Agency $8,000 for securing a new employer for her after she was terminated from her previous employment three months ago.

On June 6, Blessings reportedly sent E.C. a photocopy of her purported visa. But on June 9, just as the Filipina was preparing for her return to Hong Kong, the agency informed her that her employer, Liu Kwok Yan, had backed out. No reason was given.

E.C. did not know that about a month earlier, or on May 15, Blessings owner, Alice Tang was fined $4,000 by a court for operating the business without a licence.

But when a cousin checked E.C.’s records with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, it was revealed that Blessings had asked another agency with proper documentation, to “chop” the work contract.

E.C., who had looking forward to go back to work in Hong Kong, wants to find out how she could run after either her supposed employer, or the agency which should have already shut down after being fined for illegal operation.

She was told that she may not have any reason to go after the employer, who may have also paid the agency. However, she could file a complaint against Blessings with the Employment Agencies Administration, and hopefully recover the money she paid for her aborted placement.

E.C. now plans to return to Hong Kong to file a complaint. She says she hopes to convince Immigration to let her stay awhile so she could pursue her case, and maybe find another employer. - DCLM

Nakawan sa volleyball court

Ni Marites Palma

Tinangay ng magnanakaw ang bag ni K C Tambo na may lamang $10,000 cash noong June 11 sa kasagsagan ng kanilang paglalaro ng volleyball sa Fu Hai Park Volleyball Court, Quarry Bay.

 Sa tulong ng mga pulis ay natagpuan ang bag ni Tambo na ninakaw, ngunit wala na ang perang laman nito.

Pinag-iingat ng pulis ang lahat ng mga manlalaro na bantayan ang kanilang mga gamit sa court, lalo na iyong may mahahalagang laman dahil pang-apat na diumano ang nakawang naganap sa parehong lugar.

Kahit kasi may mga nakatalagang magbantay ng mga gamit ay naiisahan pa rin sila dahil masyado diumanong mabibilis ang kamay ng mga magnanakaw doon.

Ayon sa organizer ng mga palaro, lagi naman nilang pinaaalahanan ang mga manlalaro na huwag na huwag magdadala ng malaking halaga ng pera o mga mamahaling gamit, pero patuloy pa rin silang sinusuway.  Ayon naman sa isang manlalaro, parang ninja sa bilis ang magnanakaw.

Maari din daw na kasamahan nila ang nagnanakaw dahil madalas na sila-sila lang din ang magkakasama, bagamat wala naman daw silang suspect pa sa ngayon.

OFWs hit move to make employers pay for iDOLE

By Daisy CL Mandap

Thinning OEC crowd at POLO.

Migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong have reacted strongly against the Philippine government’s announcement that their employers will have to pay for the new OFW ID called iDOLE, which was launched in Malacanang on July 12.

“The processing of the i-DOLE would be shouldered by the employers; hence, OFWs need not pay for the cost of the ID, which would be delivered by PhilPost to their respective addresses,” said Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella in a statement.

The announcement was immediately criticized by Eman Villanueva of the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body who said in a Facebook post that this was contrary to assurances from Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that the ID would be given away free to OFWs.

“Ang sabi ni Sec Silvestre Bello III ay “LIBRE” ang OFW ID (iDOLE). Tapos, ngayon sasabihing ‘employers ang magbabayad’? Ano ito, joke lang?,” an irate Villanueva said.

He and another AMCB officer, Dolores Balladares, met Secretary Bello during his visit to Hong Kong in May, and he assured them that the iDOLE, which was meant to replace the much-maligned overseas employment certificate, would be free of charge.

Bello repeated the assurance when he held a media briefing on July 4 to announce the impending launch of the OFW ID. He said the ID will be given free to all OFWs.

“All we need is iyong inventory if all the bonafide OFWs on the basis of which our POEA, in conjunction with Department of Labor, will start processing the IDs,” he said.

Villanueva said making employers pay for the ID was just another ploy by the government to make money off its overseas workers, and must be resisted.

At the Malacanang launch, the Department of Labor and Employment said it initially printed 200 cards, which it called as the OFWs’ exit pass from the country.

The government will be printing at least four million IDs to cover both active and inactive OFWs.

Secretary Bello said inactive OFWs just need to submit an old record of employment abroad in applying for i-DOLE.

“We have to prepare at least four million ID cards to cover even those not working abroad anymore because when you become an OFW, you become an OFW permanently,” Bello explained.

This means OFWs will no be required to get an OEC at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) upon entering or exiting the country. The i-DOLE will now serve as their permanent pass.

Previously, overseas workers had to present an OEC exemption certificate at Philippine airports so they would be allowed to return to their jobs abroad. This document also served as their proof of exemption from travel tax or the airport terminal fee.

OFWs were mostly critical of the OEC which forced them to endure long lines and wait for hours at labor offices abroad every time they went home for a vacation.

Bello earlier said these inconveniences experienced by OFWs when getting OEC will now be “things of the past.”

“They (OFWs) won’t have to go to the POEA every time to get their OEC. All they have to do is show their iDOLE and that will serve as their license to go abroad and go back anytime they want to,” he said.

The ID system for overseas workers, which was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte last February, also features access to the holder’s records with government agencies such as the Social Security System and Pag-IBIG.

Bello said the DOLE would coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ)  through the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to see if the i-DOLE could later on serve as passports to OFWs.

“Given another six months, we are trying to adopt a system that this i-DOLE can serve as their passport. We will talk with the DFA and of course the DOJ, through the Bureau of Immigration, so that the i-DOLE could be used as a passport,” Bello told reporters in a briefing on July 4. – with reports from Manila

Filipino workers in Macau step up campaign against offloading

Protesters say Immigration officers in Manila do not honor the affidavit of support issued by the Consulate in Macau

Migrant workers in Macau have stepped up a campaign against the offloading of their family members leaving the Philippines by launching a petition campaign against the practice on July 2.

Migrante Macau chair and protest organizer Emer de Lina said the practice carried out by Bureau of Immigration officials in Manila is discriminatory and insulting.

“It is discriminatory because this only happens to OFWs’ relatives, as well as other ordinary Filipinos, not bigwig politicians or their…wives.  It is insulting, because the Bureau of Immigration officials in Manila assume that the offloaded migrant Filipinos are illegally leaving the country, when they merely want to visit us.” De Lina said in a press statement.

She complained that those who are prevented from taking their flights to Macau are left with no recourse because there is no complaint mechanism for those offloaded, much less an investigation.

“If the passenger was treated wrongly, what can be done to resolve the problem? How long will it take for it to be resolved? And what can be done so that it will not happen again? Our relatives are guilty until proven innocent,” she said.

The offloading has reportedly led to dire consequences for the migrant workers, as they end up losing not just sleep over the failure of visiting family members to board their flights, but also a substantial sum.

De Lina said the workers usually buy promotional air fares which are non-refundable so if their relatives are turned away at the airports, they end up buying tickets for them again.

Workers also pay for the authenticated affidavit of support from the Consulate at more than MOP200 each, as the document purports to show that they will be taking care of their relatives’ financial needs while in Macau.

“However, this is disregarded by BI officials. In addition, there are allegations that these officials solicit bribes from our held-up relatives so that they will be able to leave,” De Lina said.

Signature campaign is ongoing

The protesters are urging an immediate end to the offloading at all international airports in the Philippines, and for the Bureau of Immigration to duly recognize the affidavits of support issued by the country’s consulates and embassies abroad.

They are also calling for the said affidavit to be issued free of charge as an “added recognition of the invaluable contribution made by migrant Filipinos to our country.”

Further, they asked that the “corrupt officials” involved in the offloading of passengers be investigated and prosecuted.

The protesters revived their longstanding campaign against offloading after Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano promised at a community dialogue in Hong Kong on July 2 that he would raise the issue with Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II upon his return to Manila. – www.sunwebhk.com

Anak nina Vic at Pauleen, babae

Baby girl ang magiging panganay nina Vic Sotto at Pauleen Luna.

Nagkatuwaan ang mga Dabarkads sa backstage ng Eat Bulaga noong June 24 at nagkanya-kanya ng hula at pustahan kung ano ang kasarian ng magiging panganay nina Vic Sotto at Pauleen Luna.  Team Jessica, kung ang hula ay babae, at team LeBron kung lalaki ang hula. Nagkaroon ng kasagutan ito sa pagkagat nina Vic at Pauleen ng lollicakes, at tumambad ang kulay pink na laman nito, kaya panalo ang team Jessica.

Nilinaw naman ni Pauleen na hindi Jessica ang ipapangalan nila sa kanilang baby, at katuwaan lang daw nila na tatawagin itong Jessica Sotto (katunog ng pangalan ni Jessica Soho, ang sikat na mamamahayag ng GMA Network) o LeBron, na pangalan naman ng sikat na NBA basketball player. Sa ngayon ay wala pa raw silang napipiling pangalan para sa baby.

Gusto raw sana ni Vic na lalaki ang panganay nila, pero para kay Pauleen, hindi mahalaga ang kasarian ng magiging baby nila, basta malusog daw ito. Apat na buwan na ang tiyan ni Pauleen, at hindi raw siya nahihirapan sa kanyang pagbubuntis. Marami nga ang nakakapuna na blooming daw siya ngayon at walang ka-sumpong-sumpong, kaya marami ang humulang babae ang magiging anak niya.

Ang anak nila ni Pauleen ay panlima sa mga anak ni Vic. Ang iba pa niyang anak ay sina Danica at Oyo, na anak niya sa unang asawa niyang si Dina Bonnevie; Paulina, na anak niya kay Angela Luz; at Vico, na anak naman niya kay Connie Reyes. Ikinasal sila noong January 30, 2016.

AI AI, IKAKASAL SA DISYEMBRE 
Noong una ay urong –sulong si AiAi delas Alas na magpakasal sa kanyang boyfriend na si Gerald Sibayan, pero nang payuhan siya ng kaibigang pari na magpakasal na dahil matagal na rin silang nagsasama ng binata ay agad silang kumilos.

Kamakailan ay napabalitang namanhikan na ang pamilya ni Gerald, at sa mga larawang inilabas ay may-kasama pang abogado ang bawat panig, at tila may mga dokumentong nilagdaan, na palagay ng marami ay pre-nuptial agreement.

Balitang sa December 12 gaganapin ang kasal, at kabilang sa mga ninong at ninang sina Cong. Vilma Santos at asawa nitong si Sen. Ralph Recto. Usap-usapan din na sagot ni Marian Rivera, na malapit na kaibigan ni AiAi, ang isusuot niyang bridal gown na nagkakahalaga raw ng kalahating milyon, at pati na rin ang mga bulaklak.

Ito ang pangatlong beses na pagpapakasal ni AiAi. Nauna siyang nagpakasal sa singer na si Miguel Vera, pero idineklara ito na walang bisa ito dahil may nauna palang pinakasalan si Miguel. Nagkaroon sila ng dalawang anak, sina Sean Nicolo at Sofia, na ngayon ay naninirahan na sa Amerika, sa bahay na ipinundar ni AiAi. May isa pang anak ang aktres, si Sancho Vito, na isa na ring aktor, at kasama niya sa bahay. Noong 2013 ay muli siyang nagpakasal sa Las Vegas kanyang Fil Am boyfriend na si Jed Salang, na mas bata sa kanya ng 20 years, pero naghiwalay agad sila pagkatapos lang ng isang buwan, at nauwi sa divorce.

RICHARD AT SARAH, NAKA 5 YEARS NA
Sinorpresa ni Richard Gutierrez ang kanyang live-in partner na si Sarah Lahbati nang dumating ito na may dalang bulaklak sa premiere night ng pelikulang “Ang Pagsanib kay Leah dela Cruz” na tinatampukan ni Sarah. Hindi daw inasahan ni Sarah na darating ito dahil ang alam niya ay manonood ang buong pamilya Gutierrez sa bahay nila sa White Plains ng pilot episode ng “La Luna Sangre”, ang unang project ni Richard bilang isang Kapamilya.

Suot ng gabing iyon ni Sarah ang kanyang diamond and sapphire promise ring na bigay sa kanya ni Richard, kaya tinukso siya na baka kasunod na nito ang engagement ring at kasal. Hindi naman marahil malayo ito dahil apat na taon na ang kanilang anak na si Zion, at nananatiling very sweet pa rin sila sa isa’t isa.

CHARO AT LAV, MAY BAGONG PELIKULA
May bagong pelikula inihahanda sina Charo Santos at filmmaker Lav Diaz, kasunod ng award-winning film nilang “Ang Babaeng Humayo” na nanalo ng Golden Lion award sa Venice Film Festival noong nakaraang taon sa Italy.

Sisimulan na raw ang shooting ng bagong pelikulang “Ang Saka ni Henrico (Henrico’s Farm)” sa Agosto. Ito ay tungkol sa buhay ng mga domestic helper na nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa. Sa Singapore ang magiging setting ng pelikula, at gagampanan ni Charo ang papel bilang isang OFW.

Isasali ang pelikula sa Singapore International Festival of Arts, kung saan ay naimbitahang sumali si Diaz, na isang Radcliffe fellow sa Harvard.

VICKI AT HAYDEN, KASAL NA
Ikinasal sina Dr. Vicki Belo at Hayden Kho sa isang simpleng civil wedding na ginanap sa bahay ni Vicki sa Makati City noong June 21. Ang nagkasal sa kanila ay si Makati Mayor Abby Binay.

Pitong tao lang daw ang nakasaksi sa naturang okasyon, kabilang na ang kanilang anak na si Scarlet Snow, pero wala ang kani-kanilang pamilya at ibang malalapit sa kanila. Nalaman lang ito ng publiko nang ipinost ng dalawa sa Instagram ang ilang larawan at saloobin.

Ani Vicki: “I was afraid that I would feel like I would lose my freedom by getting married. Instead I feel joyful and free.”

Ang anak ni Vicki na si Quark Henares ay naglabas ng hinanakit sa Facebook: “Dear people with children: If you ever get married again be sure to give the kids a heads up, lest they find out via reporters calling them in the middle of the night.” Si Quark at kapatid nitong si Cristalle ay anak ni Vickie sa unang asawa niyang si Atom Henares.

Pero tuloy pa rin daw ang grand wedding nila na gaganapin sa Paris sa September. Nauna na nilang pinadalhan ng secret messages bilang imbitasyon ang malalapit na tao sa kanila, na ang nakasaad:  “This is Scarlet Snow Belo and I would like to invite you to be present when my parents, Daddy Hayden and Mommy Vicki, get married in our favorite city, Paris.”

KALAHOK SA CINEMALAYA 2017
Sampung pelikula ang napiling finalists mula sa 174 kalahok sa main stream movies ang itatanghal sa 13th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival sa taong ito. Para sa short film category, 12 ang napiling kalahok para din sa naturang festival Aug 3 -14 sa Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) at Ayala cinemas.

Ang mga finalists (Full-length movies):
1)  “Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha” – Mes De Guzman, director, starring Sharon Cuneta;
2) “Ang Guro Kong Hindi Di Marunong Magbasa” – ni Perry Escano, starring Alfred Vargas, Mon Confiado, James Blanco, Miggs Cuaderno, Micko Laurente;
3) “Baconaua” ni Joseph Israel Laban; starring Elora Espano, Teri Malvar, JM Salvador, Bembol Roco;
4) “Bagahe” ni Zig Dulay, starring Angeli Bayani;
5) “Nabubulok” ni Sonny Calvento; starring Gina Alajar, JC Santos, Billy Ray Galleon
6) “Pacboy” (Kiko Boksing-ero) ni Thop Nazareno;
7) “Requited” ni Nerissa Picadizo; starring Jake Cuenca, Anna Luna
8) “Respeto” ni Treb Mon-teras II; starring Loonie, Abra
9) “Sa Gabing Nanahimik ang Kuliglig” ni Iar Lionel at Benjamin Arondaing, starring Ruby Moreno, Alex Medina, Karl Medina
10) “Unang Patak ng Ulan ng Mayo” ni Cenon Obispo Palomares
Ang kalahok sa Short Film:
1) Aliens Ata  - Karl Glenn Barit
2)  Juana and the Sacred Shores - Antonne Santiago
3) Lola Leleng - Jean Cheryl Tagyamon                                                          
4) Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25 - Carlo Francisco Manatad ;           5) Bawod (Bent) - Terimar Malones                                                                              
6) Nakaw -  Arvin Belarmino                                                                                          
7) Sorry for the Inconvenience - Carl Adrian Chavez                                        
8) Hilom - Paul Patindol
9) Manong ng Pa-aling - E. del Mundo                                                                  
10) Maria -  Jaime Mabac Jr                                                                                            
11) Nakauwi Na -  Marvin Cabagunay                                                                            
12) Islabodan - Juan Carlo Tarobal

Joy sets sight on singing to bigger audience

By Daisy CL Mandap

She finds the ultimate joy in singing, and hopes to share this obsession with more people, perhaps on a bigger scale.

It is a dream that does not seem impossible for Joy Carbonell, a 39-year-old domestic worker in Hong Kong who has been getting accolades lately for her amazingly powerful voice.

At a recent Philippine Independence Day ball hosted by the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, for example, Joy who sang dressed casually in jeans and shirt, left the audience in awe because of her sheer talent.

The former public school teacher who came to Hong Kong from her hometown of Nueva Ecija 10 years ago, says she has always loved singing.

“From age nine, I would sing everyday, Iyon na yung pinaka-laro ko,” she says.

She indulged this passion by joining local singing contests, but did not think of it as a future career. Instead, she continued with her studies, and eventually obtained a degree in education from the Central Luzon State University. She went on to teach in a public elementary school, but continued singing with the school choir.

In 2007, Joy came to Hong Kong for what she says were “personal reasons”. She initially worked as a nanny for her sister, but decided to stay when her sister moved to the United States.

She says she is lucky because her employers have been very supportive of her singing. With the ample free time she is given, she gets to hone her skill by joining singing contests and being part of “Unsung Heroes,” a choir in Discovery Bay made up of foreign domestic workers.

“Sa Pilipinas mas kaunti ang oras ko para sa pagkanta kasi maraming trabaho,” she says.

Her happiness at being able to spend more time on her passion is the only reason she has not gone back home to teach, says Joy.

“Kung hindi ko lang nae-enjoy ang buhay ko dito, babalik ako sa Pilipinas para magturo,” she says.

A few years back, Joy joined a major singing contest organized by financing company Prime Credit where she ended up in second place. A judge in that contest disclosed at a public event recently that the only reason Joy failed to take the top slot was because she did not come across as a total package, meaning, looks and all.

Joy wryly admits that she must have looked “baduy” or a “manang” (old-fashioned) then, as she was just new in Hong Kong. Or it could also be because she needed to practice her singing a bit more as it had been awhile since she last joined a contest.

But she was happy enough to have landed in second place, and that the experience opened the door to her being invited to sing at various Filipino community events.

It was while singing at one of these events that an American teacher took notice of Joy’s unusual talent, and offered her free singing lessons.

“Malaki ang naitulong nito sa akin, lalo na sa diction at sa technique,” Joy acknowledges.

Her being part of “Unsung Heroes,” which is coached for free by Jane Engelmann, a performing arts coordinator at Peak School, also helped.

In time, Joy, who is openly gay, also found that she felt more comfortable performing in jeans and boots.

“But I don’t have any problem wearing a gown or a dress, in makeup and high heels, if I need them to interpret the song,” she says. “Costume lang naman ang mga iyan”.

With her newfound confidence and additional training, Joy went back to join Prime’s singing contest, and won resoundingly.

In the wake of this victory, Joy was also given the chance to record her first album, which had its big launch at Edinburgh Place, Central on June 18, and is now available for viewing on youtube and digital music service, spotify.

Joy looks at these recent events as the crowning glory in her singing career, but is not about to stop aspiring for even bigger things. She now plans to join an international singing contest like WCOPA (World Championships of Performing Arts) held annually in Los Angeles, California where she hopes to add another feather to her cap.

Then there is also the hope that one day, finally, she can transition from being a foreign domestic worker to a professional singer. With all the bright things coming her way now, achieving that dream may not be far behind.

Filipinas hauled to court for supermarket theft

Depressed because of pressing money problems, a terminated Filipina domestic helper admitted taking a $39 worth of shower gel from a Park N Shop outlet in Aberdeen on March 16.

Emily S. Agpoun, 39, was ordered bound over for the sum of $2,000 for 12 months by Magistrate Bina Chainrai at Eastern Court on June 20 after agreeing to the written facts of the case.

She was not asked to enter a plea, but was told not to re-offend within the next 12 months, or she would be ordered to pay $2,000, on top of whatever sentence might be imposed for the new offense.

Agpoun was also ordered to pay court costs of $500, which was the same amount she had posted as police bail.

Shortly afterward, another Filipina also appeared in court over the alleged theft of a hair gel, also from a ParkNShop store in Aberdeen.

Jonalyn Respicio was not asked to enter a plea, but was told to return to court on July 14. Her police bail of $200 was raised by Magistrate Chainrai to $500, and she was told that she needed to pay the balance by close of office hours.

Agpoun, who had fidgeted throughout the hearing of her case, was visibly relieved that the theft charge against her was withdrawn, and she would not spend time behind bars.

Asked afterwards why she took the Dove shower gel, she said it was because money was tight as she had been unemployed for a few months. She said she was terminated by her employer after only six months of work, and was allowed to remain in Hong Kong only because she had filed a labour claim against her employer.

When detained by police following the theft of the shower gel, the Ilocana was found to have $633.60 in her purse, but she said the money was meant for her visa extension fee.

Told that the bound over meant she did not have any police record and could thus seek new employment in Hong Kong, Agpoun, who had previously worked in Qatar, said she had already decided to go back to the Philippines. However, she said she would still try to apply for work abroad, maybe in Singapore. - DCLM

Easy and healthy packed lunches

By Jo Campos

Picky kids? Bored with the lunch boxes you prepare for the boss and their kids to take to work and school?

This could be a challenge, especially if what we’re after is food that is both appetizing and healthy. The solution to this dilemma is to plan the week’s menu ahead of time so you avoid stress. This will also give you more time to do the grocery shopping and stock up on the ingredients.

A sure tip: healthy salads and sandwiches are always a hit with adults who watch their weight. And picking the right veggies and the various dressings that could go with them will help you add figurative spice to their daily “baon”.

Another thing to remember is to ensure that the food you prepare conforms with the particular diet that they follow. Therein lay more challenges, unless you prepare well in advance, for there are a great number of diets followed by people nowadays.

One example is the gluten-free diet, which could be not just a fad, but a health concern. People allergic to gluten could develop celiac, a serious illness that could lead to death.

Gluten is the composite protein present in wheat, rye, and barley. This particular protein gives elasticity to dough, helping it rise, keep its shape, and provide a chewy texture. Gluten is found in a wide range of foods and beverages, including bread and baked goods, pasta, cereal, many dressings and sauces, and beer. This means choosing gluten-free bread for your sandwich, and ensuring the other ingredients you use do not contain wheat, rye or barley.

Other diets, mostly for slimming purposes, are just fads, and come with suggested amount of serving or calorie count so the person in charge of the kitchen is best advised to plan and do some research even before doing any kind of food preparation.

Kiddie meals are far easier to prepare, but it could be a challenge if the child is picky. My take is to make them get used to eating vegetables and fruits from an early age so packing a nutritious lunch for them when they start going to school would be less of a hassle.

The biggest challenge to packing food for young kids is to make the lunch box look appetizing each day so they don’t complain about getting “bored” with their meals. There are a variety of ways to make the food more appealing to a kid. For example, (1) make small sandwich roll ups with flatbreads and some lettuce or other greens and thinly sliced ham with a bit of honey mustard dressing. Cut them in small round shapes to make them look like sushi, which most kids love. (2) Shape small sandwiches with different shapes using cookie cutters.  (3) Dip fresh baby carrots and cucumber sticks in peanut butter or nutella to make a crunchy and healthy fresh veggies, or spread a thin layer of peanut butter or cream cheese on thinly sliced apples, a few grapes on the side for an appetizing light lunch for the kids. (Word of caution, do not use peanut butter if the kid is allergic to nuts). A yummy alternative is strawberries dipped in melted chocolates.

The possibilities are endless if you’d just let your imagination run. Is the kid a big fan of some cartoon show? Be creative and shape your sandwiches into his or her favorite cartoon or book character. Search the internet for some great ideas like doing bento lunches, or sending them off with fried rice mixed with veggies and other healthy ingredients in their lunch box. Finally, make sure to pack in fruits or fresh fruit juice to complete their meal for the day.

These lunch ideas are also suitable for adults, especially those who need something to perk them up during a hectic day.

But with adults, the choices could be more extensive. Have leftover roast chicken from last night’s dinner? Pack it on top of a Caesar’s salad, or turn into a healthy veggie and chicken wrap. Good for roast beef leftovers, too! How about an Asian inspired sandwich? The spicy, tangy veggie-loaded Vietnamese baguette or Bhan Mi will surely impress the boss! Pesto pasta, pizza rolls, frittatas, pork chop burgers… there are so many ways to make lunch boxes an exciting treat.

Go ahead, challenge yourselves. Remember, a happy cook is one who “ creates food out of love.”

Ang mga negosyanteng OFW

Ni Cristina B. Cayat

Si Andria ay kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho
sa HK pero nakipagsapalaran sa
negosyo ng patanim. Kamalakilan,
umani ito ng 6 toneladang kalabasa sa
tatlong buwang pag-aalaga.

Karamihan sa mga nangingibang bansa ay nangangarap na maiangat ang buhay ng kanyang pamilya. Gusto nilang mapag-aral ang mga anak, makapundar ng bahay, at makapag-ipon ng perang pampuhunan sa negosyo balang araw.

Kasama sa pangingibang bansa ang pagharap sa iba’t ibang pagsubok, sa trabaho man o dahil sa mga pangyayaring hindi inaasahan na may kinalaman sa mga naiwang pamilya sa Pilipinas. Dahil sa mga ito, napapatagal ang pag-iipon o pagkamit sa mga pangarap. Ngunit marami din naman ang naalpasan ang mga ganitong pagsubok sa buhay, at naging mas pursigido pa nga dahil sa mga kagipitang inabot.

Ang mga sumusunod ay kuwento ng ilang mga nangibang-bansa na nagsusumikap linangin ang mga taglay na talento, o samantalahin ang mga oportunidad na dumarating sa kanilang buhay. May mga nakikipagsapalaran na magpatakbo ng negosyo sa Pilipinas kahit na kasalukuyan pa silang nagtratrabaho sa Hong Kong. Mayroon din namang umuwi na upang masubaybayan nang husto ang negosyong itinayo. Magkaiba man ang kanilang pamamaraan, lahat sila ay dala ang kaba at tuwa ng bawa’t “entrepreneur” o negosyante na nagsisimula.

Si Ma. Andria A. Mendoza at ang
kanyang anak na si Jana Marie.

Isang halimbawa si Ma. Andria Mendoza na taga Iloilo, at single parent sa kanyang dalaginding na si Jana Marie. Dati nang nagtrabaho si Andria sa Middle East ng tatlong taon at kalahati kung saan hindi siya sinuwerte dahil sa masamang trato sa kanya ng among Arabo. Sa panahon ding iyon ay magulo ang kanyang relasyon sa asawang naiwan sa Pilipinas. Nalulong ang asawang iniwan sa droga, inom at pambababae. Dahil sa masamang kalagayan niya sa trabaho ay  nagpasya siyang umuwi ngunit ang dinatnan niya ay mas masahol pa sa problemang iniwan niya sa ibang bansa.

Ilang buwan lang ang itinalaga ni Andria sa Iloilo dahil pinagbuhatan siya ng kamay ng kanyang asawa sa harap ng kanilang anak. Nagpasya siyang isumbong sa awtoridad ang asawa para hindi na ito muling makalapit sa kanilang mag-ina, at pagkatapos ay umalis muli patungong Hong Kong. Sa pagdaan ng panahon ay nagbago naman ang dating asawa, at ngayon ay may sarili nang pamilya, at hindi na nanggugulo kina Andria at Jana Marie. Si Andria naman ay nasa maayos na ring relasyon sa kanyang partner sa negosyo.

Sabi ni Andria, masaya siya sa kanyang kinalalagyan ngayon, mababait ang kanyang mga amo sa Tseung Kwan O, at nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataon na makasali sa programang Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship ng Ateneo University para sa mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa. Naging trainor din siya ng PinoyWISE Hong Kong, ang grupo ng mga OFW na nagbibigay ng pang-pinansiyal na kaalaman sa mga kapwa manggagawa.

Maayos na rin ang kanyang pinansiyal na kalagayan. Malapit nang matapos ang bahay na kanyang pinapagawa, at nagsimula na siyang umani sa kanyang pinapataniman na lupa.

Una siyang nagpatanim ng kalabasa sa dalawang ektaryang lupa na pagmamay-ari ng kanyang kasintahan. Enero ng taong ito ay umani siya ng anim na toneladang kalabasa sa loob lamang  ng tatlong buwan na paghihintay, at sa ngayon naman ay palay ang kanyang ipinatanim.

Ayon kay Andria, tiwala siya na ang kanyang pinasukang negosyo ay magtatagumpay dahil  kaagapay niya rito ang kanyang kasintahan na siyang namamahala sa mga nagtratrabaho sa sakahan. Sabi ni Andria, masaya din siyang nakakatulong sa mga taong gustong tulungan ang sarili nila.

May mga nauna na rin siyang sinubukan na negosyo, ang pag buy and sell ng palay, ngunit hindi siya nagtagumpay. Ngayon ang mga tao na ang lumalapit sa kanya para sabihin na gusto nilang magtanim, kaya ang sabi niya, minsan ay mas maganda na makinig o pulsuhan muna ang  kalagayan ng mga manggagawa. Nakakataba diumano ng puso ang mabatid na nakakapagbigay siya ng trabaho sa iba. Sa ngayon ay panatag ang kanyang loob na magpapatuloy ang pag-unlad ng pataniman na sinimulan niya sa kanilang bayan ng Pototan sa Iloilo.

Ang isa pang napakagandang kuwento ay mula kay Marifi Reyes. Mayroon siya ngayong negosyo na ipinangalan niya sa kanyang anak, ang Nathaniel’s Kids’ Shop na isang buy and sell sa General Trias, Cavite. Sabi ni Marifi, ang kanyang negosyo ay dahil na rin sa tulong ng LSE.

“Thank you LSE for the mentoring, for the motivations and support, salamat sa mga naituro nyo, (dahil) unti-unti ay nakakapundar kami ng mga simpleng negsoyo”, sabi niya.

Si Marifi ay nagsimula lamang sa kapital na Php75, 000, pero sa ngayon ay kumikita na daw siya ng hindi bababa sa Php1,000 kada araw, at mayroon siyang dalawang taga-tinda. Malaking tulong aniya ang pagkakaroon ng negosyo dahil kaunti na lamang ang kanyang dapat ipadala sa Pilipinas mula sa kanyang kinikita sa Hong Kong. Mas lalo daw siyang nagpupursigi sa pag-iipon dahil gusto na rin niyang makasama ang kanyang anak.

Kamakailan lang ay nabili na din ni Marifi ang katabing tindihan sa halagang Php85,000, at kasalukuyan na itong inaayos bilang dagdag espasyo sa kanyang lumalaking negosyo. Ayon sa isang post niya sa Facebook, may mga pinasukan na rin siyang negosyo dati, pero sa buy and sell lang daw siya sinuwerte. Aniya, medyo naka kaba din ang magpatakbo ng negosyo mula sa malayo pero ngayon na kasama na niya ang kanyang tatay sa pag-aasikaso ay mas palagay na siya.

Tuwing napag-uusapan naman ang pag “for good” ay napapaindak sa saya si Marilyn Andaya na taga Lusod, Madella sa Quirino. May usapan na kasi sila ng kanyang amo na bilang na ang mga buwan na kanyang ilalagi sa Hong Kong.Tuwang tuwa siya dahil malapit na niyang masimulan ang planong pagtitinda ng mga lutong pagkain. Pero hindi lang ito ang gusto niyang tutukan, kundi ang iba pang negosyo na ipinundar niya habang nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong.

Nagpasya siyang umuwi na dahil wala na siyang ibang ginagastusan ngayon. Nakapagtapos na ang kanyang dalawang anak, isang seaman at isang aeronautical engineer. Dahil hindi pa nagtatrabaho ang kanyang bunso ay siya naman daw ang nag-aasikaso sa kanilang palayan, babuyan at itikan. Naka-abang na rin ang puwesto na kanyang gagamitin sa kanyang mga lutong pagkain pag-uwi niya. Sa ngayon ang puwesto ay pinapa-upahan niya muna sa isang manikurista para kahit paano ay kumikita na rin.

Si Marilyn ay mahilig magluto, at isa sa mga nagbibigay ng training sa food processing para sa kanyang organisasyon na Balikatan sa Kaunlaran HK Council simula pa noong 1996 nang siya ay naging miyembro. Natutuwa daw siyang marinig na yung mga naturuan niya ay nagagamit ang dagdag-kaalaman para may dagdag-kita.

Madalas din siyang magluto para sa isa pa niyang grupo, ang Apostleship of Prayers ng St Joseph’s church sa Central, at ang pinakapaborito ng lahat ay ang kanyang suman. Aniya, galing pa sa kanyang lola ang ginagamit niyang recipe dito.

Kuwento ni Marilyn, “Ipinagluluto ko sila, pagkatapos ay babayaran na lamang nila ako kung magkano ang nagamit ko sa pagluluto, kasama ang kaunting patong para sa gaas at pamasahe ko, nalilibre pa ang pagkain ko.”

Si Marites Atentar at isa sa kanyang mga obra. 

Ang isang umuwi na ng tuluyan ay si Marites Atenar na nagtuturo ng sining ngayon sa isang eksklusibong eskuwelahan sa Makati. Buong pagkukumbaba niyang ikinuwento na isa “lamang” siyang teacher aide, at nakapagtrabaho doon sa tulong ng kanyang kakambal na isang guro sa naturang eskuwelahan.

Pero hindi basta-basta ang kakayahan ni Marites sa pagpinta, dahil habang nasa Hong Kong, ay sumali siya sa ilang workshop para mas lalo siyang matutong humagod sa canvas. Ang kanyang paboritong medium ay acrylic, na ginagamit niya sa pagpinta ng mga ibon at makukulay na Filipiniana design. Pag-uwi niya ay may isang negosyante sa Makati na agad siyang binigyan ng commission para gumuhit ng palamuti para sa kanyang restoran.

Ayon kay Marites,  masaya siya na patuloy niyang nagagamit ang kanyang talento, at nakapagbibigay ng galak sa mga bata. Mula noong umuwi ay naging abala na siya sa mga pagtuturo, pagpinta sa dingding ng eskuwelahan, at paglalagay ng palamuti tuwing may ipinagdiriwang na okasyon doon.

Iba naman ang pinagkakaabalahan ni Grace Ananayo na dati ring OFW sa Hong Kong. Siya ngayon ay namamahala sa anim na trabahador ng isang malaking kooperatiba sa Banaue, Ifugao na pagma-may-ari ng mga OFW. Maliban sa kanyang trabaho bilang general manager ng House of Ekolife sa Banaue, si Grace ay may sarili ding tindahan ng mga pasalubong at street food. Sabi ni Grace, masarap mamuhay sa Pilipinas dahil kasama mo na ang pamilya mo, nasusubaybayan mo pa ang negosyo mo. Wala na raw siyang balak bumalik sa ibang bansa para magtrabaho.

Si Alvir Catacutan (kaliwa, kasama ang
kanyang mga tauhan) na sumugal sa pagtatanim
ng sugarcane sa Negros Oriental—
iniwan ang siguradong sahod bilang OFW upang
matikman ang kalayaan bilang negosyante.

Ang isa namang maituturing na inspirasyon pagdating sa pagbabalik sa bayan para magbungkal sa lupa ay si Alvir Catacutan ng Negros Oriental. Umuwi siya sa Pilipinas sa unang bahagi ng taong kasalukuyan upang magbakasyon lamang at simulan ang pagtatanim ng tubo. Agad niyang napansin na may dalang kakaibang saya ang pagbubungkal ng lupa, kaya nagpasya siyang bumalik na ng tuluyan. Sabi niya, sa pitong taon niyang pangingibang-bansa ay noon lang siya nakaramdam ng tunay na kalayaan.

Bumalik siya sa Hong Kong para magbigay ng isang buwang abiso sa kanyang amo na nabigla, dahil alam nitong wala sa plano ni Alvir ang mag “for good” na. Kahit siya ay umaming nabigla din, dahil ang una niyang balak ay manatili sa Hong Kong ng 10 taon, na ibinaba niya sa tatlo matapos mag-aral sa LSE. Ang plano niyang bungkalin ang lupang tigang na pagma-may-ari ng kanyang kamag-anak ay naging pangmatagalan. Ang lupa ay may sukat na 2.6 hectares at may 16 siyang trabahador na tumutulong sa kanya sa pagsasaka dito.

Ayon kay Alvir, kakaibang saya ang nararamdaman kapag nakikita mong nakakatulong ka sa mga kapwa mo magsasaka. Mas lalo itong makahulugan dahil sa kawalan ng trabaho sa probinsya.

“I will probably continue the business in sugarcane trucking service, like hauling sugarcane,” masaya niyang kuwento. Wala na daw siyang balak pang bumalik sa ibang bansa para mangamuhan.

Iba-ibang negosyo, iba-ibang pamamaraan ng pangkabuhayan.

Nguni’t iisa ang hangad ng bawat isa, ang matumbok ang negosyo na kumikita, at nagbibigay sa kanila ng saya. Kayo, anong negosyong nais ninyong itayo pagkatapos magtrabaho sa Hong Kong? Hindi pa huli ang lahat para umuwi, at subukang magtrabaho para sa sarili.

HK retains downgrade in new US anti-trafficking report

Hong Kong has come out strongly against its being relegated to tier 2 for the second year running in the new US State Department report on human trafficking, saying it did not get a fair and objective assessment of its effort to combat the problem.

In a statement issued on June 27, the HK government said: “There are inaccurate descriptions of our work, and groundless assumptions (including that Hong Kong is a destination, transit and source territory for men, women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour) which led to the unfair conclusions. The relatively small number of victims identified attests to the fact that TIP is not prevalent in Hong Kong.”

The annual report released earlier that day said “The Hong Kong Government does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so.”

The new initiatives cited included punishment for unscrupulous employment agencies and the possibility of putting violators behind bars, new guidelines for the government’s anti-trafficking procedures, the investigation of more trafficking cases, and efforts to increase awareness of the rights of foreign domestic workers.

But, the report said Hong Kong did not do enough to “address its policies creating vulnerabilities for foreign domestic workers or conduct public awareness campaigns targeted at preventing sex trafficking”.

In contrast, the Philippines received a positive assessment in the report, which said:

“The Government of the Philippines fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period; therefore, the Philippines remained on Tier 1.”

Cited in the report were the “serious and sustained” efforts of the administration in convicting and punishing traffickers, identifying more victims through proactive screening procedures, and expanding its efforts to prevent trafficking of Filipino migrant workers.

But the government was ticked for failing to provide adequate protection and assistance to trafficking victims, particularly mental health care and services for male victims.

Its attention was also called out for not making enough effort to investigate and prosecute officials allegedly involved in trafficking, and for failing to expand its pilot program to address the backlog of trafficking cases in the courts.

Some of the harshest criticism was directed at China, which was cited in the report as among the world’s worst offenders for allowing modern slavery to thrive within its borders.

China was dropped to tier 3 – the lowest in the rankings – this year, along with the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.

They joined 20 others already in the bottom rung, including Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela.

The report said 20 million people remain in bondage all over the world. Despite this,  prosecutions for various forms of human trafficking, such as sex trafficking, including children, forced and bonded labor; domestic servitude; and the unlawful use of child soldiers — dropped by nearly a quarter between 2015 and 2016, the first time the world had seen such a significant drop in recent years. – DCLM

People Who Are Truly Happy

By Francisco J. Colayco

In relation to money, how happy are people?

Will fame and fortune make them happy?  Definitely, there are rich and famous people who are happy.  It is unlikely though that it is only the fortune part of the fame that is making them happy.  In fact, in many cases, the “riches” part is what causes them headaches and heartaches.  They begin to wonder if they are really famous for what they really are or only because they have a lot of money.  Money can give them a lot of power because people will be afraid not to follow their wishes.  They can be very generous with gifts because money is no object to them.  But in the final analysis, do they respect themselves enough so that they believe that other people respect them for what they are?

But, it is always better to have money than no money even for those who are famous. Being famous, they are approached by many for help. They surely want to help and will be very frustrated if they cannot help.  The solution is always to make sure that they make enough money so that they can share with the needy and pursue other goals that will truly make them happy.

Do people worry less when they have lots of money?

Unfortunately… NO!  

Actually, I would think that those with too much money worry as much, if not more, than those without money.  Those without money worry about the basic necessities.  But at the same time, their needs are much simpler.  Thus, they can solve their basic problems quicker.  For example, beggars are happy to have food and shelter.  They worry about where to get those and perhaps hope that somehow they will find kind benefactors.  To be sure, no one wants to be a beggar.  Those who are, most often, are victims of “syndicates” or are mental cases.  A few perhaps are just plain lazy and without any self respect that they don’t mind making their “living” through begging.

Having lots of money also brings a lot of responsibility.  In the bible, Matthew 13:12 “Whoever has, will be given more…”  This passage precisely means that.  A lot more work is expected from the people who have more in life. Lots of money is definitely a commodity that is not available to all people. Those who have it cannot be selfish.  Otherwise, they will answer for their selfishness in another life.

For those who are blessed with money, the solution to worrying less is for them to use their riches for the good of all, especially those who need it more. Thinking more of the needs of others removes the focus from oneself.  Thinking less of oneself will certainly reduce all other needs.  After all :  “The richest is not the person who has the most but the person who needs the least.”

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

Karanasan ng OEC volunteer

Ni Rodelia Villar

Bilang isang miyembro ng Help Desk Committee sa Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, isang simbahang Katoliko dito sa Hong Kong, hindi lang problema sa amo o trabaho ng mga manggagawang Pilipino ang aming tinutulungang malutas. Kasama din sa aming misyon ang pagtulong sa iba pang problema ng aming kapwa, kabilang na ang pagrehistro nila sa BMOnline para makakuha sila ng OEC exemption na kakailanganin nilang ipakita sa airport para makabalik mula sa kanilang pagbabakasyon sa Pilipinas.

Dahil sanay ako sa paggamit ng computer pinag-aralan ko na rin kung paano gumawa ng sarili kong account sa BMOnline. Sa una ay medyo nahirapan ako kaya ginamit ko ang guide na nasa youtube para matuto.

Dahil may BMOnline account na ako, maraming miyembro sa aming simbahan ang lumalapit sa akin para magpatulong. Bilang tugon ay isinama namin sa aming coregroup meeting ang kung paano tumulong para makagawa ng BMOnline account, at pati na rin ang paggamit ng computer. Laking pasasalamat namin na natanggap ang aming panukala, kaya marami sa mga malapit nang umuwi ang nagsasabi sa akin na tulungan silang gumawa ng account at magpa-appointment sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) para makumpleto ang kanilang pagre-rehistro sa BMOnline. Masaya ako na nakakatulong sa mga kaibigan at kasama  ko sa simbahan.

Isang araw, may kaibigan ako na nagtanong kung gusto ko daw bang mag volunteer sa POLO para magturo sa mga kababayan na walang accounts sa BMOnline, gamit ang computer. Agad akong nag message kay Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre na gusto kong mag volunteer, at agad naman siyang sumagot na welcome daw ako.

Sa  unang araw ko bilang volunteer ay nabigla ako sa dami ng mga taong nakapila para manghingi ng tulong para sa OEC. Hindi ko inexpect yun, pero masaya ako na nakatulong. Sa araw na iyon ay nakilala ko rin ang ibang volunteer at mga staff ng POLO.

Ang karaniwang problema ng mga aplikante ay ang kanilang email address kasi, hindi na nila maalala ang kanilang password at hindi alam ang una nilang gagawin. Dahil dito, ang una naming pinapaliwanag ay kung paano nila makikita ang kanilang email address lumalabas sa kanilang telepono, at para iyon na ang gagamitin sa kanilang pag register bilang “new user”.

Mayroon ding nagpagawa lang ng account sa kaibigan o amo kaya hindi na matandaan ang email address at hindi na mabuksan ang kanilang profile sa BMOnline. Sa ganitong pagkakataon, tinutulungan na lang namin silang gumawa ng bagong email address at ng makagawa ng panibagong BMOnline account.

Marami din ang nagkaka-problema dahil kulang na sa anim na buwan ang validity ng kanilang passport kaya hindi na puwedeng mag rehistro sa BMOnline. Kung hindi pa nila ito nare-renew kailangan muna nilang ipa-extend ang expiration date para makarehistro at makakuha ng OEC.

Ang isa pang problema ng marami ay hindi sila marunong gumawa ng appointment online o kaya ay walang panahon kaya marami pa rin ang walk-in na aplikante tuwing Linggo.

Minsan nakaranas ako ng hindi maganda dahil sa mahabang pila ng mga aplikante sa tulay papasok sa POLO. Mayroong nagparinig dahil nagmamadali kasi may curfew, at mayroon ding nagrerelamo na ang tagal na nila sa pila ay hindi pa rin nakakapasok.

Bilang volunteer ay nandoon ako para tumulong at hindi makipagtalo kaya hindi ko na lang pinapansin ang mga nagrereklamo. Dapat nilang maintindihan na sa simula pa lang ay ang may appointment ang priority kaya ang mga walk-in ay kailangang maghintay hanggang matapos ang nakalista. Pero kapag senior citizen sila o uuwi dahil may emergency katulad ng namatayan ay inuuna naming sila.

Sa ilang linggong pagtulong ko ay napansin ko na kahit si Labatt dela Torre ay umuupo sa harap ng computer para tumulong sa mga wala pa sa BMOnline, at kahit public holiday ay bukas ang 11floor ng POLO para sa OEC.

Kabilang sa nakadagdag sa pila ang ilang OFW na nakakuha na ng OEC exemption pero para makasiguro ay pumupunta pa rin sa POLO para magtanong.

Pabor ako sa pagpapatuloy ng pagrerehistro sa BMOnline dahil isang paraan ito para magka record ang isang isang OFW  sa POEA, para na rin sa kanilang proteksyon.

Ang hiling ko lang sa mga kapwa ko OFW ay sana ay lagi silang makibalita sa mga nangyayari sa Hong Kong, lalo na iyong may kinalaman sa ating mga dayuhang manggagawa. May sariling facebook page ang Philippine Consulate General at POLO para sa mga bago at karagdagang balita.

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Ang ating panauhing manunulat para sa isyung ito ay si Rodelia P. Villar, isang beteranong volunteer sa simbahan na isa ngayon sa mga nakatutok para mapadali ang pag-register ng mga kapwa manggagawa sa BMOnline, at sa gayon ay makakuha ng OEC exemption para sa kanilang pag-uwi sa Pilipinas. Ayon kay Rodelia, mahilig siyang sumulat at tumulong sa kapwa kaya naisip niyang palawakin pa nang lalo ang kanyang ginagawa sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat sa The SUN. Dati siyang nangasiwa sa newsletter ng kanilang simbahan sa Taipo sa loob ng 14 taon, at nagsusulat din para sa Mabuhay, ang diyaryo ng simbahang Katolika sa Hong Kong. Bilang miyembro ng Help Desk committee ng kanilang simbahan ay tumutulong din siya sa paggabay sa mga migranteng manggagawa na may problema. Nag-iimbita din daw sila ng mga tagapagsalita mula sa Help for Domestic Workers para mas lalo nilang maintindihan ang mga batas na sumasaklaw sa mga migrante. Si Rodelia ay 15 taon na sa Hong Kong, may asawa at isang anak, at nakatapos ng kursong Hotel and Restaurant Management – Ed)

Magnegosyo!

Ni Ate Kulit

Ilan ba sa atin ang nangarap na umuwi sa Pilipinas at magtayo ng sariling negosyo? At ilan ang umuuwi na nalimutan, o piniling kalimutan, ang pangarap na ito? Ang kalimitang dahilan ay wala silang naipong pangkapital. Ang pangalawang dahilan ay dahil, maliban sa pagtatayo ng sari-sari store at pagbili ng tricycle, wala na silang ibang negosyong maisip pasukan.

Pero mayroon ding mga OFW na ngayon ay may sarili nang negosyo sa Pilipinas, hindi lang upang tapatan ang kinikita nila sa Hong Kong, kundi maging sandalan nila habambuhay. Ano ang kaibahan nila sa karamihan na hanggang ngayon ay nangangarap pa rin?

Mayroong naghanda sa kanilang pag-uwi sa pamamagitan ng pagsali sa mga libreng kurso sa tamang paghawak ng kanilang kinita at pagnenegosyo, gaya ng ginagawa ng CARD-MRI.

Kaya naman noong mag-for-good si Annabelle Libao, ang lider ng Isabela Federation, itinayo niya ang Belle’s Bakehaus, kung saan ginamit niya ang hilig sa pagluluto at pag-bake. Ngayon, siya ang puntahan ng mga kababayan para sa ihahanda nila sa mga espesyal na okasyon.

Mayroong mga mapalad na natuto mula sa kanilang kinalalagyan, gaya ni Myrna Padilla, dating lider ng Mindanao Federation. Sa alagang bata ay natutunan niya ang panggamit ng computer at internet, at ginawa niya itong pundasyon ng sa isang high-tech na kumpanya na ang mga kliyente galing pa sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo—ang Mynd Consulting sa Davao City.

Kapag sinuri natin ang mga katangian nila, lulutang ang pinaka-malimit: Sila ay may pananaw o vision.

Paano ito maibabahagi sa nakararami?

Ito ang payo ni Antione de Saint-Exupery, ang may akda ng maimpluwensiyang librong The Little Prince: “If you want to build a flotilla of ships, you don’t sit around and talk about carpentry. You set the saws ablaze with visions of exploring distant shores.”

Sa isang salita: inspirasyon.

Kaya sa mga susunod na paglalathala ng The SUN, sisikapin naming maglabas ng kuwento ng mga OFW na nagtagumpay sa negosyo, upang ipakita ang konsepto ng negosyo nila at kung papaano nila ito pinursige.

Sana ay maging ambag ito sa ikauunlad ng inyong buhay sa hinaharap, mga katribo.

Rogue

By Daisy Catherine L. Mandap

Rogue is a word often used with employment agencies nowadays. When someone is called a rogue, it means that person is no good, a mischief maker.

It’s the same with many agencies. There are rogue ones who do every trick in the book to make money – often at the expense of our already overly burdened migrant workers. These are the ones who bleed their recruits dry with their outrageously high placement fees, then cause them further grief by not extending help when the worker is abused by the employer.

After decades of complaints against the long-standing collection of placement fees, the Hong Kong government is finally taking action. A bill that provides a jail term, as well as a sevenfold increase in the penalty for agencies that overcharge their recruits, has already been gazetted and will be soon taken up by the legislative council.

Not only will violators face a maximum fine of $350,000 from the current $50,000, they could also go to jail for up to three years.

Our hope now is that more errant agencies will be brought to court and properly penalized for squeezing our workers dry. As it is, only about a dozen cases are prosecuted each year by the Labour Department, a pathetically small number, given a recent study by a group of intrepid students from the University of Hong Kong which revealed that a whopping 70% of employment agencies charge migrants excessive fees.

A look at past cases also shows that even those who were hauled to court got off with just a mere slap on the wrist. A glaring example was Satisfactory agency in Tai Wai which was fined a measly $3,000 for each case where it charged the worker $21,000 two years ago. Worse, the agency was given 20 months to pay the fines and 18 months to return the workers’ money.

Still, the case is nothing compared to the recent one involving Emry’s Employment Agency, in which hundreds of Filipino workers who applied for non-existent jobs in Canada and Britain were each charged between $10,000 to $15,000. More than a year since the scam was carried out, Labour has yet to prosecute the agency’s owners, the police continue to refuse to investigate the victim’s fraud complaint, and the money claims totaling about $3 million are still stuck in the Small Claims Tribunal.

No wonder that migrant support groups had long lobbied for violators to be thrown in jail, instead of just being ordered to pay measly fines.

The government first sought to address the issue when it released a detailed Code of Conduct for Employment Agencies at the start of the year. But this was met with widespread criticism, as the code was non-binding.

With the significant increase in penalties for those that still flout the law, the government appears to have finally faced up to the reality that self-policing does not work for recruiters that continue to make money from the sweat of migrant workers.

But again, it must be emphasized that tougher penalties won’t stick unless they come with strict, serious enforcement. This is the only way to end the scourge that has caused untold suffering to thousands of migrants who continue to flock to Hong Kong in hopes of a better life.

Exploring Po Hong Park

By Arlene Abrugar

For people in Hong Kong, the trees and lush
garden make Po Hong Park a paradise in the city.

The weather was perfect for an afternoon walk. As the wind caressed my cheeks I trekked down  an unfamiliar path of thick greenery  and curved paths. There were a few runners, bikers, as well as brisk walkers like me, trying to make the most of a great day.

I took this walk during my last few days in Hong Kong, where life balance is vital to one’s well-being. To keep our equilibrium in this place where life is always lived on the fast lane, it is important for us to maintain our solitary compartment; unmoved and unspoiled, it helps keep us  calm and collected, especially when faced with adversity.

A visit to a nearby park is always a stress-buster.  Over the years that I had worked in Hong Kong, I became very appreciative of its recreational parks, which often come complete with sports facilities and amenities.

Right now, I am in Po Hong Park, which is just a 15-minute walk from our flat.  This park is huge, covering an area of 4.13 hectares, and is located at number 10, Wan Lung Road in Tseung Kwan-O. It officially opened to the public in 1997.

During Sundays and public holidays, locals mingle with foreign domestic helpers who choose to spend their rest day in this park, which is a perfect place to unwind and to get away from all worries, at least for a day.

It has a lot to offer: football and soccer pitches, a basketball court that doubles as a volleyball court, eight play areas for kids, two fitness spots for the elderly, a roller skating rink, plus well-manicured gardens. All facilities are open 24 hours a day, except for the hard-surface pitches, gateball court and skating rink which all operate from 7am to 11pm.

The elderly people in our flat love to spend their entire day here, soaking in the atmosphere, with only the chirping of the birds and the shrieks and laughter of children at play breaking the monotony of silence.

But for most locals, Po Hong is more popularly known as a kids’ park.

A review posted online says: “The park has many swings and slides and structures for the kids spending hours easily. One of the best options for draining the energy of the children.”

Po Hong Park is accessible through the MTR. Just take the Tseung Kwan O line and get off at Polam station, before taking exit B2. It can also be reached by Bus 91 M, 93 A, 93 K, 296M and 690.

You’re lucky if, like me, you live nearby. This gives you the unique privilege of making this park your private sanctuary. So, my advice to my fellow migrant workers who are in Hong Kong, explore your own neighborhood. You never know what could be in store for you unless you turn on that spirit of an adventurer in you.

Fate trounces Celsius in HK softball

Members and staff of the Fate and Celsius teams pose after the game.

By Emz Frial

The all-Filipina softball team in Hong Kong, Fate, won against its local rival Celsius  at Shek Kip Mei field on June 25, 20-0. The game only lasted for three innings.

Fate started the game as an away team. Its players, smarting after losing two successive games earlier, did not take any chances this time around.

They started piling up their scores from the first inning.  Six players each notched up a point: Liezeal Algonez, Myra Japitana, Don Gaborno, Emily Mabaquiao, Maribel Sitchon and Editha Hidalgo.

When the locals took their turn to bat, only three players managed to stand on the batting plate because of the Filipinas’ tight defence. First batter Wa Tsz Kei was caught by short stop Mendez on a fly ball, while second batter Tang Tsz Tang and third batter Lau Wing Yin were caught by first baseman Japitana.

The score remained at 6-0 for Fate at the end of the inning.

In the second inning, Fate added seven points to its score. Those who managed to reach home base were Algonez, Japitana, Gaborno, Mendez, Mabaquiao (who made a complete run when she blasted a long outfield ball), Locop and Hidalgo.

Celsius, on the other hand, continued to struggle. Three of its batters did not even get to step on first base. The fast ball of Fate’s pitcher Gaborno caught batter So Kit Ying standing out, while Chan Tsz Ying was caught on a pass ball by third baseman Mabaquiao to Japitana. Then Chan mun Mun was caught on a fly ball by Japitana for the third time.

That ended the inning 13-0.

Fate remained unstoppable in the third inning, piling 7 more points. Those who got to home base were Algonez, Japitana, Gaborno, Mendez,  Mabaquiao , Mandia and Jayme.

Until the last minute, the locals could not make contact with the ball. The combined strategy of pitcher Gaborno and catcher Algonez led to three consecutive batters from Celsius to be called for standing out.

The game was halted after this inning, with the score at 20-0 for Fate.

The team celebrated victory after the game when its manager, Mr. Law, treated the players and their supporters to an early dinner.

Police ban tents on Chater and other public places

Tents once sprouted like mushrooms on Chater Road during Sundays.

By Daisy CL Mandap

Tents were a short-lived fad among Filipino domestic workers spending their days off in several public areas in Central, particularly Chater Road.

On June 11, about a month after the tents began sprouting all over Central on Sundays, Hong Kong police circulated leaflets saying putting up structures in public areas without permission was a violation of the law, and offenders may be prosecuted or arrested.

“Any person who, without lawful authority to use tents, structures or other object in any public places, caused any matter or thing which (cause) obstruction, inconvenience or endanger (sic)…You may be prosecuted by “summons” or arrest”, said the statement with the heading “Police Warning”.

The maximum penalty for obstruction in a public place is a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for three months.

The leaflet had Chinese, Filipino and Indonesian translations, a clear indication that it was meant for migrant domestic workers camping out in tents in open air.

The tents began to mushroom along Chater Road and several other places where Filipino domestic helpers congregate at the onset of the hot summer months in early May.

The tents, which reportedly cost anywhere between $200 to $500 each and could accommodate as many as six people comfortably inside, replaced the ubiquitous umbrellas the migrants used to shield them from the elements and lend them some privacy. They were often placed atop cardboard boxes which served as their portection from the hot cemented walkways.

The police ban upset some of the users who saw the tents as their temporary “home away from home” where they could chat, eat, sleep, play games and do other activities away from the public’s scrutiny.

In several chat sites, migrant workers said the tents gave them much-needed respite and privacy on the only day in the week when they were off-work.

They argued the tents even looked much better than the cardboard boxes, plastic sheets or newspapers often used as cover by those who hang out in Chater and other areas on Sundays.

But others were not so concerned, saying the tents were an eyesore as well, and prevented other migrants from using the open spaces to practice dances or other performances like they used to.

A comment on one Facebook post meant to solicit views about the tent ban said there had been a surfeit in criminal activities because of the fad.

“Marami nang cases ng nakawan ng pera, sahod sa loob ng (mga) tent at hirap silang mag-imbestiga because the tents were closed at the time of (theft) so kahit may CCTV around hindi makita kung sino ang kumuha”.

Eman Villanueva, chair of Bayan HK and Macau, was not unhappy, either, that the tents were gone, but for a different reason: “Doon sa Chater Road, napansin namin na nawala ang community interaction,” he said.

Before the tents came up, members of various migrant organizations who hung out in the area would often go around to chat or take a look at what’s happening in other places during various times of the day.

“(Then) nagkanya-kanya na ng tents. Hindi kagaya dati, nagkakausap pa ang mga magkakapit-tambayan”.

“Nagagamit din minsan sa sugal”, he added.

But he said the prohibition is not new, because the law has been in place for years. The police are probably just being more strict in the implementation because of the surge in the number of tent-users in the area.

Still, he said those who went along with the fad could not be blamed.

“Indication talaga yan na walang sariling lugar ang mga migrante kaya during days off, ang tents ang nagiging ‘private place’ ng marami at nakakaramdam sila ng ‘privacy’ kahit limited.”

“Wala lang talagang lugar ang mga MDWs (migrant domestic workers) where they can rest during rest days”, he added.

Police dismiss Filipina’s assault complaint against employer

By Daisy CL Mandap

Hong Kong police have decided not to file charges against a local couple accused of assaulting their Filipino domestic worker, Ruth Ramos Daria, last April.

In a letter sent to Daria on June 22, the police thanked the Filipina for filing the complaint, but said: “The Police investigation has now finished and the evidence obtained in the investigation has been considered. At present there is insufficient evidence to prove any person has committed a crime. If in the future, any additional information becomes available to assist further investigation into this incident, the case will then be reviewed”.

The police decision dashed Daria’s hopes of filing a separate case for compensation for the injuries she claimed to have suffered as a result of being thrown out of her employer’s house in Tai Kok Tsui on Apr 3 following a dispute over a broken laundry hanger.

She had also hoped to find a new employer and process a new contract before leaving Hong Kong. Instead, her visa was extended only up to June 24, or two days after police informed her of their decision not to file charges.

Earlier, on May 19, Daria was paid a full month’s salary of $4,110 in lieu of notice in a settlement reached with her employer, Wong Wai-keung, at the Labour Department. The employer had initially refused to pay, saying he was not the one who terminated their contract.

But the Filipina insisted that she was effectively terminated because of the employer’s act of driving her away.

In a written statement she gave to police, Daria said that the alleged altercation happened shortly after she returned to her employer’s house at about 7:45pm that day after her day-off. As she was not given a key to the house, she had to wait until her employer and his wife and two children arrived at about 8pm to get in.

The employer’s wife reportedly got mad on seeing a broken laundry hanger. The row escalated when Daria denied causing a crack in the washing machine, which she said had been there from the time she started working for them.

The angry couple reportedly pushed Daria out of the house, but she tried to get back in as she did not have anything with her. When she tried to retrieve her handbag, a scuffle with the couple reportedly left Daria bruised.

The Filipina then called the police, then left after they finished investigating. She spent the night at her cousin’s boarding house in Mongkok.

The next day, Daria said she saw the bruises and scratches on her arms, and decided to seek help from the Philippine Consulate, which in turn advised her to  get a medical report, then file a complaint with the police.

PCG leads cultural show to mark 20th year of Handover

Performers take a bow to acknoiwledge the cheers from the audience.

By Daisy CL Mandap

It was a spectacle that may never be seen again in Hong Kong for awhile.

Nineteen groups from various ethnic minority groups put their best feet forward as they performed at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wanchai on June 25 as part of celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s Handover to China.

The “Celebrate Colours” cultural extravaganza, which took all of eight months to put together, was organized by the Philippine Consulate in cooperation with International Social Service Hong Kong and the Hong Kong government.

Guest speaker, Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung, said the show was part of a series events which the Hong Kong SAR coordinated with various groups to celebrate the Handover in line with the theme “Togetherness, Progress, Opportunity”.

“Togetherness is the lynchpin for progress. As a free and open society with various ethnic groups, Hong Kong upholds the principles of mutual respect and inclusiveness,” Cheung said.

He paid tribute to the 200,000 people from ethnic minority groups who have made Hong Kong their permanent home, as well as the more than 300,000 foreign domestic workers who he said, have helped tens of thousands of families in the city.

“We are truly and deeply appreciative of their sterling contribution and important socio-economic roles here,” said Cheung, who served as labor secretary in the previous administration.

Consul General Bernardita Catalla also paid homage to the migrant workers, saying they were the ones who conceptualized, produced and directed the cultural show, and performed in it as well.

“This afternoon, hundreds of them have come together and out, beyond their own circles and squares, bridges and parks of Hong Kong to present to all of you their talent, and share their colorful, precious and caring customs and traditions in a two-hour program aimed to serve as a gift and a joint bridge to strengthen understanding and unity,” said Congen Catalla.

She also thanked Hong Kong people for “welcoming us to work, live, love, and build and fulfill our dreams in our beloved Hong Kong, our home for now”.

ISS HK’s chairman, C.P. Ho, called on the Hong Kong government and the various consulates to work with his organization in bringing about a “brighter and more fruitful future” for the territory.

Following the opening ceremony, a musical number, “Hong Kong is Home”, was performed, and was immediately followed by the dance performances, each introduced only by the lighted sign in the backdrop.

A hands-down favorite among the performances was the blindfolded tinikling by two dancers of the Tinikling Group of Migrants, which also did an energetic “sayaw sa bangko” in the same loop.

For sheer spectacle, however, the Masskara by the One Negros group was the all-around winner. Not only did the performers wear the most colorful costumes and eye-catching masks, they also made full use of the stage lights to enhance their performance.

Also dazzling was the martial arts number presented by young members of the Hong Kong Wushu Union. They impressed not only with their agility, but also with their grace and fluidity of movements.

The first to earn a spontaneous applause from the crowd were, however, the dancers of La Union Federation, who surprised and delighted everyone when they formed enchanting blooms with their hand-held twigs of mock “kakawati” flowers.

Visually riveting was the “singkil” by the National Organization of Professional Teachers. Their dancers dazzled not just with their colorful and shiny costumes but also the intricacy of their dance steps and movements.

Also getting their fair share of hearty applause from the audience were the all-Filipino  Superstar Singers who sang with equal aplomb Indonesian, English, Filipino and Chinese songs.

The other performers proved to be worthy of having been selected to take part in the event, out of several groups that tried to pass the muster of judges selected by the Philippine Consulate General.

With financial subsidy from the three big corporate sponsors of the event, all the performing groups turned up in uniquely designed and dazzling costumes, which they matched with precise and synchronized steps.

The other performers were The Children of H.O.P.E., which did “Aray” and “Fusion Dance,” Teens Sport and Dance Centre, which did Chinese Folk Dance; Visayas Alliance with “Tiklos”; Sangar Budaya with “Yapong” (Indonesia); Isabela Federation with “La Jota Isabela;” Punjabi Bhangra Hong Kong with “Bhangra” (India); Sri Lanka Association in HK with Fusion Dance;  Thai Migrant Workers Union HK with “Ram Phutai”; South Cotabato Workers Association with “B’laan”; Benguet Federation with “Bendian”; The Luzon Alliance International with “Polka Sa Nayon”; Abante Cagayanos HK with “Ati-Atihan”; and One Visayas with “Sinulog”;

Nagsisisi na walang naka-relasyon

Sa loob ng halos tatlong dekada ay ibinuhos ni Laila ang oras sa pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa para matulungan ang pamilyang iniwan sa Pilipinas, kaya hindi na siya nakapag-asawa. Ang unang 12 taon ay ginugol niya sa Singapore, bago siya nagpasya na lumipat sa Hong Kong. Sa kasalukuyan ay 14 taon na siya sa among Intsik, at siya na ang nagpalaki sa anak nito na nasa UK na ngayon at nag-aaral.

Unti-unti nang nararamdaman ni Laila ang bigat ng paninilbihan sa maraming taon na nagdaan, kaya nagpaplano na siya para sa kanyang napipintong pagbabalik sa Pilipinas. Ang balak niya ay bumili ng kalabaw at ipaalaga ito sa isang kapatid, at sakaling manganak ito ay ipapasa na naman sa susunod nilang kapatid, hanggang ang lahat ay magkaroon na ng kanya-kanyang alagaing hayop.

Naghahanda na rin siya sa kanyang pag-uwi na nag-iisa.

Si Laila na isang Ilongga ay hindi man lang nakaranas na magmahal at magkaroon ng karelasyon na magmamahal din sa kanya. Kung minsan ay naawa siya sa sarili at nagsisisi dahil hindi siya nag-isip magka nobyo man lang, pero sa tantaya niya ay huli na ang lahat dahil lampas 50 anyos na siya.

Ayaw naman niyang pumasok sa isang relasyon dahil lang nalulungkot siya. – Merly Bunda