Pinoy driver dies of heart attack in boss’ car

Palomas 

A Filipino driver in his 50s died was found dead in his employer’s car while it was parked on Morrison Street, Sheung Wan at about 4:50pm on Monday, Oct. 16.

Fernando Palomas, from Quezon City reportedly  died of a heart attack. He was said to be waiting in the car for his employer at the time.

Hong Kong Police told The SUN Palomas was brought to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wanchai but was declared dead on arrival.

Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr of the Consulate's assistance to nationals section said John Palomas, a son of the deceased, arrived from Manila on Wednesday to coordinate the repatriation of his father’s remains.

Cayabyab said the younger Palomas was told to go to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office to fill up the necessary forms for death and burial claims.

The deceased’s son was also put in touch with his father’s employer, who will pay for the cost of sending Palomas’ body to the Philippines.

Friends of Palomas in World-Wide Plaza in Central which he used to frequent, informed The SUN about his death. They showed a photo of the lifeless Paloma still on the driver’s seat while the police were checking the car.

Palomas died inside the car

His friends from the Duterte Alliance in Hong Kong (DAHK) are planning to get together this coming Sunday, Oct 22, to raise funds to help Palomas’ family.

“Noong buhay siya ay marami siyang naitulong sa grupo kaya ngayon balak naming ibalik naman ang tulong sa kanya,” DAHK chair Marvin Cometa said.

Cometa said he was told that Palomas was already dead when the police found him inside the car.

Palomas’ remains are now in Victoria mortuary in Kennedy Town. A police autopsy has already been performed and the coroner is expected to release the body shortly, said Cayabyab. – Vir P. Lumicao                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

‘Missing maid’ reported to have fled to China

Jelyn Olivar, the 'runaway' maid

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina maid reported missing for three days had reportedly sent an online message to a friend just before 1am this morning, Oct. 18, saying she was ok, and asked that the search for her be stopped.

Jelyn J. Olivar did not say where she was, but said she was in some "big place".

“I’m fine don’t worry wag kaung gumawa ng anong hakbang na lalong magpagulo sa aking sitwasyon... ang mahalaga buhay ako,” said the message reportedly sent by Olivar to her friend.

“Hayaan nio na maging missing in action ako dito sa HK…wag nio na palawakin pa ang paghahanap sa akin…safe ako at maayos ang kinalalagyan ko.”

Her apparent flight prompted a warning from Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre that  Filipino helpers should not abandon their wards, particularly children and old people.

He said that in such a situation, their employers could explore Hong Kong’s law that penalizes neglect of a ward by those assigned to take care of them.

Olivar’s disappearance on Oct 15 sparked widespread concern about her safety. She had reportedly left her employers in Marina Cove, Sai Kung before noon that day, supposedly to meet with friends in a church despite the stormy weather, but never did.

Many of her friends went online to ask for help in locating her, and were even joined by her husband who professed not knowing about her plans.

It was not known what had prompted the flight of Olivar, a 32-year-old mother of three and former OFW in Saudi Arabia, who had been with her Hong Kong employers for just five months.

Labatt Dela Torre, who was informed of Olivar’s disappearance on Oct 17, said he received word today that the Filipina had crossed over to China.

In this case, he said the employers can have Olivar watch-listed. And if that happens, he said the absconding maid would not likely be allowed to work in Hong Kong again.

“If  they have plans of going to other countries for employment purposes, they should be honest with their employers and also consult with the Consulate," Labatt dela Torre said. "Kasi kung may mga countries silang pupuntahan na wala namang kasiguraduhan, lalo lang silang (mapapahamak)."

Danny Baldon of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate echoed the view that runaway helpers would find it difficult to work again in Hong Kong.

Worse, they could be detained on re-entry if their employers lodged criminal charges against them.

This is not the first time that a Filipina helper had run away from her employer, but the Philippine Overseas Labor Office has reportedly not compiled statistics.

“That’s tough to count because employers rarely report these incidents except when, aside from abandoning, the worker also committed other grave offenses like stealing, abandoning and endangering their wards,” Labatt Dela Torre said.

In many of the cases, the Filipina helper would decide to stay put in the Philippines while supposedly only on vacation.

Filmcass celebrates life, offers thanksgiving

Filmcass members and their guests gather for a souvenir photo (above). 

An unusual quiz on the causes and prevention of cancer was one of the highlights of the “Celebration of Life and Thanksgiving” organized by the Filipino Migrant Cancer Support Society (Filmcass) and held at Edinburgh Place, Central, on Oct. 8.

Dr Mamie Lau, founder and director of Radhealth, conducted the quiz, and startled everyone by revealing that the radiation level in Hong Kong is twice as high as in Japan.

She said that granite and radon emit high radiation, and could be found in many items in the house such as granite counters, renovation tiles and walls. Radioactive particles that are inhaled from these substances cannot be exhaled, and once it builds up, could cause lung cancer.

Dr Lau said good ventilation is very important to lower the radon level, and to minimize the radon gas indoors.

On more practical terms, she said extra care should be taken when using mobile phones because they emit non-ionizing radiation.

She advised everyone not to keep their mobile phones close to their body, and to always put them in a bag instead of in their pockets when they go out.

A member wears one of her favorite sayings that have helped inspire cancer victims to hold on to hope..

Skin care products and cosmetics could also be harboring harmful ingredients like paraben which mimics the female hormone, and could cause breast cancer.

Her advice was for women to always check the label of the skin care products and cosmetics so they could stay away from paraben and its potentially harmful effects.

The whole-day program was full of entertainment, with 17 associations performing dance and musical numbers and popular musicians like Penny Salcedo, William Elvin, Satur Tiamson, Jr. and Wendie Sacedon sharing their talents.

A raffle draw livened up the affair, as well as a fund-raising pitch for Filmcass and its  community projects. – Marites Palma

Baltazar re-elected BSK president

Veteran Filipino community leader and Bagong Bayani awardee Ching P. Baltazar was reelected as president of the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran – Hong Kong chapter during elections held on Oct 8 at the Metrobank offices in United Centre, Admiralty.

Elected with her were: Marilyn C. Andaya, vice president; Irene B. Ramos, secretary; Myrerie H. Gendrala, asst secretary; Maryson A. Medina, treasurer; Charlyne M. Besas, asst treasurer; Imelda M. coprado and Rowena L. Valdez, auditors; Marites L. Mapa and Elvie L. Esteves, PROs; Jeannete R. Serato and Joy May M. Abellarde, health and sports committe; Fredalyn Tungpalan, membership committee; Evelyn O. Santos, cultural committee; Ela dela Fuente Pascua and Remedios B. Celedonio, livelihood committee.

The group advisers remain as Merlinda Mercado, Glo Telan and Randolph Salazar.

Balikatan officers after their oath-taking.

Know your rights as patient

How do you know if your hospital is good or bad?

This was the question that Shalini Mahtani, chairman of Zubin Foundation, highlighted during a recent talk on health to members of the Domestic Workers Empowerment Program at Hong Kong University.

Mahtani is spearheading Health Advisor, a joint project between Zubin and Harvard Global Health Institute, which conducts a survey among patients about the quality of care they received from both public and private hospitals. The aim is to empower patients while acknowledging hospitals that put patients at the centre of their service.

Shalini Mahtani, chairman of Zubin Foundation (right), stresses a point during the Domestic Workers Empowerment Program forum at Hong Kong University. 

Hospitals are rated based on the number of patients who died under their care, how many acquired infections, and or how many had to return for re-admission.

Mahtani said her advocacy was the offshoot of her having lost a son at the age of 3 while in hospital.

She told her audience that patients have the right to know both the positive and negative aspects of a hospital, like whether it is clean, if the staff fully explain the medication that need to be taken, and are always available whenever help is needed.

Patients who undergo a procedure should be told everything that should be known about their ailment, as well as the cost of the treatment. Doctors should also provide them with a contact number in case of an emergency.

Mahtani’s talk was also attended by Vice Consul Timmy Quintin and DWEP advisor Dr. Mike Manio. – Ellen Almacin

Fake PHL embassy website targets OFWs, jobseekers

By Vir B. Lumicao

Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre is warning Hong Kong-based OFWs against an online illegal recruitment scam that uses the name of the Philippine embassy in London to lure them into applying for non-existent jobs in Britain.

He made the warning after helping three Filipina domestic workers from falling prey to the scam last month by telling them not to send money to the scammers.

Labatt Dela Torre said he had alerted the Philippine Overseas Employment Office about the case. It is now being handled by the POEA’s Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch, a member unit of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

This is how the fake website looks like.

In a separate Facebook post, he urged remittance companies not to become unwitting conduits for the payment of fees to illegal recruiters, and to alert governments by hoisting the red flag on suspicious transactions.

He said the three women were told to send their payments through Western Union to a certain Myra Tiongson Arugay in Tuguegarao and Sarah Jean Pedregosa Macawile in Quezon City.

But he said the names could be fictitious or the two could be real persons whose names and photos had been stolen.

Labatt dela Torre revealed that he had advised one of the would-be victims during a meeting to withhold her payment until an entrapment operation had been put in place.

“But how can you set up an entrapment when the remittance company doesn’t want to cooperate?” he asked in frustration.

Remittance firms that do not cooperate “should be investigated and, if warranted, have their license to operate revoked”, he said in another Facebook post.

He said the scam had been around for six months, but it was only last month that the victims had surfaced and sought help. 

The exposure of the scam follows the disclosure in August of another online recruitment fraud that faked the signature of Philippine Labor Attaché Rey Conferido in London on purportedly verified and authenticated work documents of a British agency offering Filipinos incredibly high-paying blue-collar jobs in Britain.

In the latest caper, the scammers created a fake website of the Philippine Embassy in London accessible via https://londonphilembassy.wixsite.com/recruitment/copy-of-contact.

Among the four agents named, and whose photo appears on the site, is Macawile.

The obviously fake email address the agency provided the three would-be victims was londonphilippineembassy. gov.uk @gmail.com.

In a post on Facebook on Sept 30, Labatt Dela Torre said: “The war against cross-border illegal recruitment has become a desperate battle to get the information across to gullible recruits, and to employ technology to hunt down, and take down, faceless and shadowy scammers who prey on the vulnerable through internet-based websites…

“But at the end of the day, the success or failure of the campaign against recruitment predators and human-traffickers depends on every recruit being aware of, and avoiding the risks of internet-based recruitment scams.”

68-year-old Filipina dies doing part-time work

By The SUN staff

R.G.'s body inside the MidLevels flat

A sickly Filipina domestic helper who would have turned 69 years old in January next year, died alone at the height of a signal 8 typhoon last Sunday, Oct. 8, at the home of her part-time employer in Mid-Levels.

R.G. reportedly called up her friend Joan at about 10:11pm that day, saying she felt unwell and asked for help. But it took awhile for the ambulance to get to her because Joan couldn’t give the exact address and she had already gone back to her own employer’s house.

It was only after the police were summoned and managed to pick up Joan that R.G. was found in the Kotewall Road flat at about 11pm. Police had to break down the door of the flat to get in, but found R.G. already dead.

The owner of the house, a lawyer, was said to be on vacation in Bali, Indonesia at the time, but was due back the next day. R.G. was asked to look after the house and two dogs while the owner was away.

R.G.’s Indian employer, who was often away for work-related travel, had reportedly told police she was not in Hong Kong at the time, and was unaware of the helper’s parttime work.

According to one of R.G.’s six grown-up children, they had been asking their mother to give up her work in Hong Kong because of her age and health condition, but she refused.

R.G., who had worked in Hong Kong for 34 years, reportedly had heart surgery a few years back, and was constantly in pain. Joan told The SUN she had to accompany R.G. to the hospital a couple of times in the past because of her heart problem.

But R.G. was reportedly adamant about staying, and even begged her employer to keep signing her work contract, because of the free medical care she was getting

The deceased reportedly made quite a sum doing parttime work, including cleaning for a couple of serviced apartments. Much of it was reportedly sent back home to her family in Quezon City.

But R.G. was often lonely, and would call Joan every few minutes for a chat. The deceased would also ask her to accompany her on some part-time work.

“For example, last Oct. 4, I saw more than 100 missed calls from her,” said Joan.

Early on the day she died, the two of them were together, and even took a video of them talking and playing with the dogs in the house of the parttime employer.

Little did Joan know that it was the last time she would see her friend and mother figure alive.

R.G.’s remains are currently in Victoria Mortuary in Kennedy Town, and the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section is working on the funeral arrangements.

The Mission for Migrant Workers is coordinating with the family and the employer on the timing of the repatriation. – with a report from Rodelia P. Villar

NGOs line up health fair for migrant workers

A day-long health fair for migrant workers in Hong Kong will be held on Dec 10 in Yuen Long to equip them with basic health-related knowledge as well as give free check-ups and advice.

PathFinders and Christian Action, two local non-government organizations helping distressed foreign domestic helpers, are teaming up to host “2017 Migrants’ Health Matters” at Kik Yeung Football Pitch in Yuen Long.

The community event will be sponsored by Operation Santa Claus, an annual charity drive jointly organized by South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong.

It is a health fair that aims to provide basic health-related information and health screenings to migrant workers in Hong Kong,” a PathFinders spokeswoman said.

“We hope to equip participants with knowledge of health-related matters, community resources and support networks,” she said.

The two organizers will link up with various NGOs such as Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, Equal Opportunities Commission and other migrant groups to set up community services information booths.

Volunteers will distribute health-related materials and answer queries from the public, the spokeswoman said.

The whole-day affair, which will begin at 10 am, will feature music, cultural dances and other performances, as well as a line-up of speakers.

For inquiries, please contact PathFinders at tel. no. 5621 8239 or email info@pathfinders.org.hk.

EM residents urge equality in health care, education and employment

The SUN team

A group of ethnic minority residents, along with some local supporters, staged a protest on Oct. 8, to call for the elimination of “long-standing inequality” in Hong Kong’s education, employment and medical services.

The protesters, who included children, marched to the Central Government Offices in Tamar to urge Chief Executive Carrie Lam to help improve their plight.

They presented a petition which listed a 14-point demand, including fair admission in kindergartens, better Chinese language support for EM students in local schools, and desegregation in the public school system.

The rally was held ahead of the CE Lam’s maiden policy speech on Oct. 11.

Participants carry placards during their protest to call for the elimination of “long-standing inequality” in Hong Kong’s education, employment and medical services.

Government statistics from last year showed that 8,056 children from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and other parts of Asia – excluding China and Japan – were in primary schools.

The number dropped to 3,493 in high schools and 2,313 in tertiary institutions, accounting from just 30 percent of Hong Kong’s young people aged 15 to 24 from the listed countries.

In contrast, more than 73 percent of Chinese youth in this age group were in high schools and tertiary institutions.

Outside the government’s headquarters, the protesters shouted “We love Hong Kong, we are Hongkongers, we are Hong Kong’s future” in both English and Cantonese.

They said that because EM kids struggle to speak Chinese, they encounter difficulty in getting into good schools or obtaining better paying jobs, as many employers require job applicants to have attained a certain level of proficiency in Cantonese or Mandarin.

Some of the protesters said that even getting accepted into a kindergarten is difficult because young non-locals do not speak Chinese. The language problem continues as they try to get a place in prestigious elementary or secondary schools, or university.

Local supporters of the group said there is also a need to provide support for EMs who need medical care, or jobs.

Public hospitals should employ interpreters to prevent EMs being excluded from public health care because of the language barriers, while the Labour Department should have staff who will assist EMs in securing a job.

In response, the government through the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, said it will continue working with the Equal Opportunities Commission in building a “pluralistic and inclusive society which is free from discrimination”.

Customs scraps stricter door-to-door rules – for now

By Daisy CL Mandap

Filipinos abroad will no longer be required to submit passport copies, receipts, or set a price for each item in the balikbayan box they send back to the Philippines.

The stricter guidelines for sending tax-free balikbayan boxes were suspended from Oct. 5 until March 31 next year. In a statement, the Bureau of Customs said the rules which took effect on August 1 this year have been temporarily suspended in the wake of criticisms from overseas Filipino workers.

“Although it is our duty to facilitate customs clearance of balikbayan boxes, we cannot set aside the sentiments of our fellow Filipinos abroad,” Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña said.

He added that new guidelines may be imposed after the deadline, following a more thorough study of how the law granting tax-free benefits to goods sent by Filipinos from abroad could be better enforced.

In the meantime, senders will revert to the old practice of just filling up a packing list provided by the cargo company, in which they must indicate the items in each box, but  not declare their value, or attach proof of their identity.

Cora Ong of Hong Kong- based forwarder Asian Dragon welcomed Customs’ move, saying the stricter rules were a big headache to everyone because of the additional documentation that were required.

Although her company never asked senders passport copies, it did require them to fill in the 3-page long customs declaration form, which meant bigger workload for her staff.

Still, she said it is best if senders would give more allowance for sending boxes home because there should still be a backlog from implementing the previous guidelines.

“Kung dati ay nagpapadala kayo ng mga pamasko ng bandang Nobyembre, ngayon ay mag-umpisa na kayo dapat para siguradong makarating sa  inyong pamilya bago mag Pasko,” she said. 

Under both Customs Administrative Order 05-2016 and Customs Memorandum Order 04-2017, Filipino citizens who sent balikbayan boxes home were required to submit a photocopy of their Philippine passport and fill in a detailed form to avail of the tax exemption.

They were also required to provide a copy of the invoice, receipt, or proof of payment of each new item costing more than Php10,000. Only personal and household goods in non-commercial quantity could be sent.

Each sender could only ship three boxes per year, with the total value of the goods not to exceed Php150,000. In addition, they could only send boxes to close relatives.

Cinema screening: The Helper Documentary

Starting Oct. 12- Nov. 3, AMC Pacific Place
Oct 12-18, Oct 22-26 and Nov. 3: Screening time is 7:50 pm
Extra screening on Oct. 22, Sunday, at 5:45pm
For ticket prices and other details check the FB Page, The Helper  Documentary

Financial Health Desk
Oct 15, 1-5pm, PCG Conference Room
One-on-one confidential financial advice for migrant women with money concerns.  Organized by: Enrich HK and PCG
For appointment, email participant@enrichhk.org or call 2386 5811.

Product Presentation
Oct 15, 11 am onwards
Admiralty Bridge (Connecting to PCG)
Organized by: Filipino Workers Livelihood Association
For inquiries call Tina Villaruz @94514596.

Breast Cancer Awareness Talk
Oct. 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Unit 1-2, 12/F, Euro Trade Centre, 21-23 Des Voeux Road Central
Lecturer: Dr Hung Wai-Ka, Specialist in Surgery and Honorary Medical Consultant,
HK Breast Cancer Foundation
Topic: Knowing Breast Cancer: Early Detection Helps Save Lives Organized by: Philippine Association of Hong Kong

Nueva Vizcayano Day (Saniata ti Tribu Biscayano) 
Oct 22, 10am – 6pm, Chater Road Central
For inquiries, call Rose Sierra @54406395/ Pimar Cachero @95421815

Financial Literary Seminar 
Oct 22, 9am to 5pm Bayanihan Centre, Kennedy Town.
Organizer: CARD HK Foundation
To register, contact   95296392/ 54238196.


2017 Migrants’ Health Matters
Dec 10, 10am-6pm
Kik Yeung Football Pitch, Kik Yeung, Yuen Long.
Fun-filled community health day with free health information and basic screenings for migrant workers. Hosted by: PathFinders and Christian Action and sponsored by Operation Santa Claus. Participating groups: Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, Equal Opportunities Commission and many other migrant support groups. For details, contact PathFinders at Tel 5621 8329 or email infor@pathfinders.org.hk

For Tinikling Lovers

The Tinikling Group of Migrants is in need of male/female performers with or without experience, no age limit. TGM performs mostly for the LCSD events. Interested person may contact Marie Velarde @ 67175379, Emz Bautista @ 98512804 and Rowena Solir  @97331049.

Attention: Rugby enthusiasts
We, the Exiles Touch Rugby group are inviting rugby enthusiasts to join the team. We practice every Sunday at the Happy Valley Pitch 8 from 5pm to 8pm at the Happy Valley
Pitch 8.  For those interested please contact: Ghelai 65414432 whatsapp/sms or click like on Exiles HK facebook page

Wanted: softball players
The all-Filipina softball team is now open for tryouts. Those who are interested,  especially those with prior experience in the game may contact Team Captain Don  Gaborno at 5318-5113

An invitation to play volleyball
Calling sport-minded Filipinas who want to play volleyball. A team is being organized by a group led by Shane Key Gonzales to compete in upcoming volleyball leagues in Hong Kong. Interested parties may contact Shane at 54498080.

Aga, balik-pelikula

Nagka-edad at tumaba man, hindi pa rin nawawala ang angking karisma ni Aga Muhlach, na tinaguriang “ultimate leading man” ng pelikulang Pilipino. Marami pa rin siyang fans na sabik na mapanood siyang muli, at ngayon ay nadagdagan pa ang paghanga sa kanya dahil mas lumalim ang kanyang pananaw sa lahat ng bagay, at nanatiling mahusay makisama sa mga kasamahan sa trabaho. 
Sa kanyang pagbabalik-pelikula matapos ang anim na taong pahinga sa showbiz, masaya si Aga na mapabilang sa cast ng Seven Sundays, na tinatampukan din nina Dingdong Dantes, Cristine Reyes, Enrique Gil (bilang mga kapatid ni Aga), at Ronaldo Valdez (bilang ama nila), dahil mahuhusay at magaan daw silang katrabaho. Puring-puri rin niya ang kanilang director na si Cathy Garcia-Molina na ngayon lang niya nakatrabaho, at sana raw ay mai-direk siyang muli sa  isang TV series.
Inamin ni Aga na hirap siyang magpapayat kaya maraming offers na daw ang tinanggihan niya dahil pawang mga love stories ito, at kailangang maipakita na maganda ang pangangatawan niya. Nang ialok daw sa kanya ang pelikula, sinabi sa kanyang hindi niya kailangang magpapayat, kaya mataba, malaki ang tiyan at puti ang buhok ang karakter niya dito.
Sa pag-iikot ni Aga sa iba’t ibang programa ng ABS CBN upang i-promote ang pelikula, kapansin-pansin na malaki na ang ipinayat nito, at tuloy-tuloy na raw ang kanyang pagwo-workout sa gym bilang paghahanda sa kanyang mga susunod na project. May uumpisahan siyang pelikula sa susunod na buwan, pero ang balik tambalan nila ni Lea Salonga o ni Sharon Cuneta ay malabo pang mangyari dahil wala pa raw silang napipili sa mga inalok sa kanila, at kailangang ayusin pa ang kanilang mga schedule.
Sa loob ng 16 taong pagsasama nila ni Charlene Gonzales, nananatiling grounded daw si Aga, at masaya siya na ang kanilang anak na kambal, sina Atasha at Andres na namana ang good looks nila, ay parehong masipag mag-aral at mahilig sa sports. Ipinagmamalaki rin niya si Atasha na mahusay ring mag-drawing at magpinta. Sa ngayon ay hindi naman nakikitaan ang kambal ng hilig sa  showbiz, pero para kay Aga, kailangang makatapos muna ng pag-aaral ang mga ito dahil ito lang ang maitutulong niya sa kanila. Bahala na raw sila kung ano ang gusto nilang gawin kapag nakatapos na sila.


IZA, ENGAGED NA 
Engaged na si Iza Calzado sa matagal na niyang karelasyon na si Ben Wintle. Naganap ang proposal noong October 8 sa Sonya’s Garden sa Tagaytay sa harap ng malalapit na kamag-anak at kaibigan. Akala ni Iza ay isang simpleng get-together lang iyon, kaya wala siyang make-up at casual lang ang suot. Nagulat siya nang pagdating niya roon ay sinalubong siya ni Ben na may dalang bouquet ng bulaklak at lumuhod sa harap niya at alukin siya ng kasal. Bagama’t nabigla, nakuha pang magbiro ni Iza. Tiananong kung totoo at hindi peke ang singsing, at kinagat pa niya ito, bago sinabing tunay nga ito. Nang um-oo siya ay nagpahabol pa siya ng ng “Oh no, wait, I have a condition. As long as you shower every night before going to bed! Yay!”
Ayon kay Ben, matagal na siyang humingi ng permiso para sa kasal sa ama ni Iza na si Lito Calzado noong nabubuhay pa ito.
Kabilang sa mga nakasaksi sa mahalagang sandali sa buhay ni Iza ang kaibigan niyang si Karylle, fashion designer na si Rajo Laurel, at ang manager niyang  si Noel Ferrer na unang naglabas ng video ng naganap na proposal.
Wala pang detalye tungkol sa kasal, kahit matagal na rin daw nilang napapag-usapan ito. Ang sigurado, tuloy pa rin sa pag-aartista si Iza kahit may asawa na, dahil suportado siya ni Ben sa kanyang hilig at trabaho.

JOHN LLOYD, PINAG-BAKASYON NG ABS CBN
Matapos ang kontrobersyang idinulot ng mga naglabasang video nina John Lloyd Cruz at Ellen Adarna nitong mga nagdaang araw, nagkasundo ang pamunuan ng ABS CBN at si John Lloyd na bigyan ng mahabang bakasyon ang aktor. Balitang naapektuhan ng mga negatibong reaksyon ng mga fans ang mga product endorsement ng actor, at may mga nagpu-pull out din daw ng commercial sa TV show nito na Home Sweetie Home, kung saan ay kasali rin sa cast si Ellen.
Kung ang akala ng marami ay mas magiging maingat na ang actor at mag-iisip-isip bago pa tuluyang bumagsak ang kanyang career, heto at muli na namang naglabasan ang mga larawan at video ng dalawa na magkasama palang nagbakasyon sa Morocco. Para itong extension lang ng naudlot nilang bakasyon sa Pilipinas. Tila matindi ang naging tama ng aktor kay Ellen, kaya handang talikdan nito ang career na matagal niyang pinaghirapan para lang makapiling ito. Lalo na at may tsismis na dalawang buwan na raw itong buntis.
Sana nga ay pagbalik nila sa Pilipinas ay may trabaho pa silang babalikan, lalo na si John Lloyd na isa sa pinakamahuhusay na aktor ng Pilipinas ngayon.

HIMIG HANDOG FINALISTS
Napili na ng Star Music ang sampung finalists mula sa 7,000 entries para sa Himig Handog 2017. Ang mga napili ay 1) Bagyo ni Agat Morallos, na ang aawit ay si Jake Zyrus, 2) Bes ni Eric de Leon na aawitin ni Migz Haleco, 3) Extensyon na komposisyon ni Aikee Aplacador, at si Inigo Pascual ang magi-interpret, 4) Naririnig Mo Ba?, nina LJ Manzano at Joan Da, na aawitin ni Morisette Amon, 5) Sampu ni Raizo Chabeldin at Bib de Vera, na aawitin ni Jona, 6) Tanghaling Tapat ni Gabriel Tagagtad at kakantahin ng Unit 406, 7) Tayo na Lang Kasi ni Soc Villanueva na aawitin nina Kyla at Jason Dy. 8) The Labo Song ni Karl Gaurano at Teodoro Katigbak, na aawitin ni Kaye Cal, 9) Titibo-Tibo ni Libertine Amistoso, at aaawitin ni Moira, at  10) Wow na Feelings ni Karlo Zabala, na aawitin ni Janella Salvador.
Ngayon pa lang ay inaabangan na kung alin sa mga sampung awitin ang susunod na maging hit dahil magagamit ang mga ito sa iba’t ibang shows ng ABS CBN.

KAPATID NI NADINE, NAGPAKAMATAY?
Hindi na umabot sa ospital ang 16 taong gulang na estudyante na si Isaiah Paguia Lustre, na kapatid umano ni Nadine Lustre, matapos itong matagpuang duguan sa kanyang silid noong  Oct.7 sa kanilang bahay sa Hilo St, Silvina Village, Brgy. Talipapa sa Quezon City.
Ayon sa ulat, ang mga kapatid ng biktima na sina Ezekiel at Naomie ay naglalaro daw ng kanilang mga gadget nang makarinig sila ng putok ng baril. Natagpuan nila ang kapatid na  nakahandusay at may tama ng baril sa ulo. Humingi sila ng tulong sa mga kapitbahay at isinugod nila ito ang dalagita sa ospital ngunit patay na ito pagdating doon.
Wala raw alam ang pamilya ng biktima kung may problema ito, pero napansin daw nilang ilang araw bago ito namatay ay matamlay ito at walang kibo. Ayaw na rin ipa-awtopsya ng ama nila ang bangkay, pero gustong malaman ng mga pulis kung sino ang may-ari ng baril na ginamit nito.
Hindi makuhanan ng pahayag si Nadine, pero kapansin-apansin ang pagkawala niya sa It’s Showtime na kinabibilangan niya.
Sa halip, panay ang post niya ng mga symbolic signs sa kanyang Instagram account.

Ano ang hatid ng Oktubre sa iyo

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Palagay ang loob mo at masaya kahit saan ka magpunta ngayon. Tahimik at payapa rin ang love life mo. Pero wala kang swerte sa pera ngayon, kaya iwasan ang anumang klase ng sugal. Makakahanap ka na rin ng bagong malilipatan. Iwasan na masobrahan sa lahat ng bagay gaya ng pagkain, alak, sigarilyo at maging sa trabaho. Tandaan na ang kalusugang pisikal at pag-iisip ay nakasalalay sa iyo, at sa iyong gawain. Lucky numbers: 6, 15, 33 at 40.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Iwasan ang labis na pag-aaalala na maaring makaapekto sa kalusugan, at libangin ang sarili. Malaki ang tsansa na tumaas ang posisyon sa trabaho o maumentuhan. Magiging aktibo ang social life mo ngayon. Hindi inaasahang pera ang darating na labis mong ikatutuwa. May badya ng pagtatalo sa mag-asawa dahil sa gastusin; handa kang gumastos ng malaki upang mapaganda ang bahay, pero gustong magtipid ng kapartner mo. Lucky numbers: 19, 23, 28 at 41.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Maganda ang kalusugan, pero kung marami kang kinakain, madidiskubre mong nandiyan pa rin ang gout mo. Malinaw ang isip mo na isantabi muna ang ma-ambisyong proyekto, pero madali kang magtiwala agad. Mag-ingat sa pananalita upang maiwasan ang lungkot at pagka-irita na dulot nito. Sensitibo at mahilig pa ring mangarap nang gising, hindi ito makakatulong sa pagharap sa kabiguan. Lucky numbers: 17, 20, 32 at 45.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Magandang ideya, magandang kondisyon, at maayos ang relasyon mo sa lahat. Posibleng bigyan mo ng importansya ang love life, lalo na kung mabibighani ka sa unang pagkikita. Posibleng makaranas ng pananakit ng ngipin kaya iwasan ang matatamis na inumin at ngumuya ng chewing gum. Ayusin agad ang mga bayarin upang makaiwas sa problema dahil magiging abala ka sa mga darating na araw. Lucky numbers: 22, 29, 31 at 37.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Pakiramdam mo ay nakatali ka sa obligasyon sa pamilya, pero may paraan para gumaan ang pasanin. Upang tumibay ang posisyon sa trabaho, magpakita ng ng tiyaga at sipag. Maaring dumaan sa pagkalito at hindi pagkaka-intindihan ang problema sa pagsasama. Iwasan ang maruruming lugar at hindi sariwang pagkain dahil baka magdulot ito ng problema sa kalusugan. Huwag iinom ng gamot na pampakalma, lalo na kung hindi ito inireseta sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 16, 25, 34 at 43.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Sa trabaho, mag-ingat sa maling hinala at sa panunulsol ng mga kasamahan. Hangga’t maaari, iwasan muna ang bumiyahe ng malalayo upang makaiwas sa sari-saring kaguluhan na pwedeng maranasan. Sa pananalapi at iba pang mahalagang bagay, pagkatiwalaan ang sariling diskarte dahil maaayos mo itong mabuti. Masaya, balanse at puno ng pagmamahal ang pagsasama ngayon. Ito ang tamang panahon para bumuo ng plano sa hinaharap, gaya ng pagpapakasal, o mas maging masaya ang pagsasama. Lucky numbers: 19, 22, 39 at 40.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Magiging agresibo at pabigla-bigla ka sa kilos mo. Isang kaibigan ang magbibigay ng tip na ikasisiya mo ng husto. Napapanahon ang pakikipag-team up sa ibang kasamahan; gampanan ang tungkulin at huwag sisihin ang iba sa iyong kabiguan. Walang silbi kung patuloy mong kakaawaan ang sarili. Kung nalulungkot, makipag-kaibigan at mahahanap mo rin agad ang taong nakakasundo mo. Lucky numbers: 7, 16, 35 at 38.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Iba’t ibang problema ang magpapasakit ng ulo mo; piliting kontrolin ang sarili at iwasang magalit sa malapit na kamag-anak. Sa trabaho, kailangan mong sundin ang utos ng nakatataas sa iyo, kahit hindi mo siya gusto. Respetuhin ang anumang sikreto ng karelasyon, kung hindi ay baka iwan ka nito. Mas magiging maingat ka ngayon sa iyong ari-arian at iiwas sa mga delikadong transaksyon. Lucky number: 9, 13, 26 at 42.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
Magaan ang pasok ng pera ngayon, at walang kahirap hirap mong makukuha ito. Sa kabila nito, makakaramdam ka ng matinding pagod at minsan ay parang nasisiraan ka ng loob. Maghinay-hinay sa galaw, maglakad-lakad at mangarap. Kung nalulungkot, akakatagpo ka ng taong magpapasaya sa iyo. Kung may karelasyon, malaking suporta ang matatanggap. May magandang oportunidad ang nakalaan sa iyo. Kilalanin ang mga taong maaring makatulong sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 15, 18, 29 at 33.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Maging madiplomasya sa iyong relasyon, kontrolin ang sungay at gumamit ng matatamis na salita. Mas maganda ang tsansa mo ngayon sa papasukang negosyo. Maganda ang lagay ng pananalapi, may regular na perang matatanggap, at nasa maayos na pamamahala ito. Maging maingat din sa pakikipag-usap sa pamilya dahil sila lang ang nakakaunawa sa iyo, pero kapag nagbitaw ka ng pangit na salita, hinding- hindi nila kakalimutan ito. Lucky numbers: 3,9,14 at 36.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Kung laging pagod, uminom ng vitamins at ingatan ang sarili. Ang pagnanais na lumagay sa tahimik o mamuhay ng mag-isa ang nagbibigay ng motibo sa iyo. Sa trabaho, ang sipag at tiyaga ay mabibigyan ng pansin, pero ang orihinal na ideya ay tila hindi papasa. Ang labis na pagkahilig sa pagkain at sex ay hindi na tama; humanap ng ibang mapaglilibangan. Ingatan ang relasyon sa kaibigan, maging maunawain. Lucky numbers:5, 18, 25 at 40.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Malakas ang intuisyon mo, kaya makakatulong ito na makaiwas sa malaking pagkakamali. May perang darating, pero iwasan ang delikadong transaksyon. Ingatan ang lalamunan sa panahong ito. Kailangang magkaroon ng kasunduan sa pamilya. Sa labas ng tahanan, magagamit mo ng husto ang karisma at husay mo ngayon, kaya makakaasa ka ng suporta sa mga plano mong gawin. Lucky numbers: 11, 25, 34 at 46.

Magkakapitbahay nagdiwang ng mid-autumn festival

Ni George Manalansan

Masayang nagtipon-tipon ang ilang daang katao mula sa iba-ibang lahi sa taunang selebrasyon ng mid-autumn festival sa Worldwide Gardens sa Shatin noong Oktubre 4.

Ang mga nangasiwa sa pagdiriwang na ito ay ang Incorporated owners of Wordwide Gardens at sponsor ang Shatin District Council.

Ang pagdiriwang ay tinampukan ng mga palaro para mga bata, kantahan, sayawan, at pa raffle. Lahat ng mga sumali sa programa ay tumanggap ng ‘lai mat’ o regalo.

Basta may kantahan, siguradong hindi papaiwan ang mga Pilpino. Isa sa mga naghandog ng awit ay si Rachel na kumanta ng “Fame.”

Kasama ang  mga OFW sa mid-autumn fun night ng Worldwide Gardens Shatin noong Oct 4.

May Pilipina ding sumali sa sayawan, na sinabayan sa pag-indak ng marami, kabilang ang mga employer na dumalo kasama ang kani-kanilang mga kasambahay. May mga Intsik, Indian, Pilipino at Indonesian sa mga nakisaya.

Lalong sumaya ang gabi nang idaos ang paripa o raffle. Kahit hindi kalakihan ang mga premyo, marami pa rin ang umasam na mabunot ang  kanilang numero, at makamit ang isa sa mga nakabalot na regalo.

Kabilang sa mga sinuwerte nang gabing iyon sina Brenda at Joan na parehong Pilipina. Ang mga premyo ay iba-iba, may powerback, photo frame, bath mat at kung ano-ano pa.

Nagpatuloy ang kasiyahan bagamat paminsan-minsan ay bumubuhos ang ulan.

Alinsunod sa tradisyon, marami sa mga bata ang naglibot na may tangan-tangang lantern na may iba’t ibang hugis at kulay, at lahat ay may ilaw sa gitna.

Ang taunang selebrasyon na tinatawag ding Mooncake festival ay isinasagawa sa ika-15 araw ng ika-walong buwan ng lunar calendar. Ito ang pangalawa sa pinaka-importanteng selebrasyon ng mga Intsik, pagkatapos ng Chinese New Year. Para sa kanila, ang kahulugan ng taunang pagdiriwang na ito na tanda ng pagpapalit ng panahon ay pagkakaisa at kapayapaan.

Midwives urged to renew license soon

By Vir B. Lumicao

Filipino midwives including those in Hong Kong whose licenses have expired or are expiring should renew them before Dec 31 this year to avail themselves of an amnesty exempting them from garnering additional “credit units” from costly seminars.

Further relief is on the way, as the Department of Health is reportedly in the process of making all scientific seminars offered by the government free of charge.

Dr Alejandro San Pedro, chairman of the Board of Midwifery of the Professional Regulation Commission, during hhis talk at the National Convention of Midwives held at the Admiralty Convention Centre.

Dr Alejandro San Pedro, chairman of the Board of Midwifery of the Professional Regulation Commission, issued the call at the National Convention of Midwives held at the Admiralty Convention Centre on Oct 8.

Dr San Pedro reminded the midwives that they are required by law to attend seminars as part of their continuing professional development, or CPD, for which they earn credit units.

The PRC requires midwives to earn 15 credit units a year from seminars and conventions to accumulate 45 credit units the three-year validity of their licenses, San Pedro said.

So, they must have earned 15 credit units if they intend to renew their licenses next year, and 30 credit units if they do so in 2019, he said. Attendance in the Hong Kong convention earned 4 credit units for each participant.

But for this year, the midwifery board is exempting midwives from the 15 credit unit requirement; however they must do so before the year ends, he said.

Former health assistant secretary Cecille Santos, president emeritus of the Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives Inc, told The SUN the health department’s plan for free seminars would be a big relief cost-wise for credit unit chasers.

Santos said CPD was a requirement imposed by the PRC years ago but was halted after dubious CPD training institutions proliferated and were reported to be selling certificates without really providing training.

PRC’s attempt to restore it has met with criticism because midwives, including those working in government hospitals, have to spend money to attend the seminars in order to earn credit units.

Santos said attendance in local annual conventions usually costs Php250 to Php500 per head. For national general assembly conventions lasting three days, the cost reaches PhP3,500 per person including lunch and snacks, but excluding accommodation. 

The two-day convention, which was held for the first time outside the country and attended by about 200 midwives, cost PhP6,500 for those coming from the Philippines and $300 for the Hong Kong-based OFWs.

The convention was timed for Midwifery Week. The PLGPMI board reportedly decided to hold the Hong Kong event to bring CPD closer to the OFW midwives here.  “CPD will help you identify issues and challenges and find solutions to those issues,” San Pedro said in his presentation. “What we want to happen is for you to be confident, competent and caring professional capable of providing the service.”

San Pedro said the midwifery board is giving midwives, especially those working as domestic helpers here, an opportunity to consult members who want to earn units to be able to return to the profession.

Dr Florminda Tejano, incumbent president of the PLGPMI, discussed adherence at all times to the midwifery profession’s code of ethics.

Filipina pedestrian hit by car, injures foot

A Filipina domestic worker injured her foot when she was struck by a car while she was crossing Kennedy Road in Central on Oct 8. A video footage of the accident showed there was no pedestrian crossing at the spot where she was hit.                                                                                                             

Police identified the woman by her surname, Salomon. She was 33 years old.     

A police spokeswoman told The SUN that a private car going towards Wanchai had run over Salomon’s right foot. She was reportedly conscious when she was taken to Queen Mary Hospital.

A taxi driver caught the accident on his dashboard video camera and supplied the footage to local news portal On TV, which uploaded the footage.

The video shows a white car going down the road when its left side suddenly hit Salomon, who appeared to be just three steps off the kerb on impact. She fell to the ground and tried to get up briefly but could not.

A female passerby ran to her rescue while the driver, surnamed Cheung, got off the car and also attended to the Filipina until paramedics arrived and took her to the hospital.

Salomon was found to have suffered a twisted ankle and a fractured bone, the Oriental Daily reported.

It is not clear if Salomon is considering filing a claim for compensation over the accident. - VBL

Judge tells Filipina she can’t ask court to help collect debt

A Filipina who sought the High Court’s help in collecting the $36,000 claim awarded her by the Small Claims Tribunal was told she had gone to the wrong place.

Deputy Judge Kent Yee rejected the appeal filed by Eugenia V. Managan when she could not explain why she sought the court’s help to go after Genny Bell Panes who failed to pay her back.

 “You got it all wrong, Madam,” Judge Yee told Managan, adding that the High Court is not a claims court.

The perplexed judge noted that the adjudicator, Brian Mak, had in fact entered judgment in favor of  Managan when Panes failed to show up to counter the claim at the Tribunal.

Managan, who is in her 40s, told The SUN it was the staff at the Tribunal who told her to appeal the case to the High Court. 

The La Union native, who said she had been a domestic helper in Hong Kong for 20 years, filed the claim on May 2, alleging that Panes reneged on her written promise to repay her debt in January last  year.

The case was first heard by Mak on June 7 but Panes was absent. She also did not appear at the trial on Aug 1, so Managan was awarded the claim.

Managan said she learned that Panes had gone home to Iloilo two months ago but was already back in Hong Kong.

But a quick check with the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section showed Panes was issued a one-way travel document because she was terminated by her employer and had no passport. -VBL    

Two Pinays hunted for hurting compatriot

A night of moon-watching and merrymaking turned ugly on Oct 5 when two Filipinas reportedly assaulted a compatriot during a quarrel at Deepwater Bay Beach on Island Road in southern Hong Kong.

The victim, a 45-year-old domestic worker surnamed Gastillo, was taken by responding police to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wanchai for treatment of injuries to her forehead, right hand and right leg, police told The SUN.

She said police were still searching for the two women who attacked Gastillo.

The case has been classified as assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The officer said the incident took place at a barbecue area in Deepwater Bay Beach at 3am on Oct 5. She said the victim had a spat with the two women that turned physical when the pair assaulted Gastillo.

Local newspaper reports said Gastillo and the attackers belonged to two different groups of Filipinas having a barbecue on the beach while celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The assailants allegedly pushed the victim to the ground, causing her injuries. Her friends called the police but the two assailants had already left when officers arrived. - VBL

Nakulong dahil sa illegal work

Dumating na sa Pilipinas noong gabi ng Okt 11 si Mae, isang Ilongga na taga Passi City, matapos makulong dahil sa pagtatrabaho ng ilegal.

Nasa ikatlong buwan pa lang sa trabaho si Mae nang mahuli ng Immigration sa airport habang nagsusundo ng mga bagong dating na katulong na ni-recruit ng kanyang amo na may-ari ng isang employment agency.

Hindi nalaman ng kanyang mga kamag-anak sa Iloilo kung saan ikinulong si Mae, pero tinawagan sila ng mga awtoridad sa Hong Kong para sabihing “ready for deportation” na daw ito.

Sinabi din sa kanila na ang amo nito ay sinampahan ng kaso ng Immigration para sa pagpapatrabaho ng ilegal ng kanyang katulong.

Ayon sa batas ng Hong Kong, hindi legal ang magtrabaho sa iba, at sa labas ng bahay ng among nakapirma sa kontrata.

Kabilang sa mga bawal ang magtrabaho sa shop, restaurant o opisina, kahit ang mga ito ay pag-aari ng amo. Bawal din ang magtrabaho sa ibang bahay, kahit pa ang may-ari nito ay malapit na kamag-anak ng amo. Naghihintay ngayon ang kanyang mga ka-pamilya para sa paglalahad ni Mae ng buong kuwento kung paano siya nahuli at nakulong. Si Mae ay may asawa at tatlong anak. – Merly T. Bunda