Pinay’s victory ends Nepali-led team’s 15-year drought

Amy Muya (center) beams with her gold cup at the awarding ceremony. With her are (from left) So Sze Ting, Tong Ka Man, Sheryl Rinopa, and an HKTA official.

Filipina jin Amy Arnaez Muya endured an injury she suffered in July and fought her way to win the featherweight gold cup in Kyorugi (sparring) in the Hong Kong National Ladies Taekwondo Championship 2017 held recently in Shamshuipo.

Muya’s victory snapped a 15-year gold drought for her team, the Himalayan Dragon Taekwondo Academy. It was also the first gold of the Hongkong Nepalese Taekwondo Association, of which HDTA is a member, since the group was founded in 2002.

Muya’s Filipina opponent, Sheryl Rinopa of Chung Do Kwan, fought bravely but could not take the heat off the Ilongga’s determined attack. After three two-minute rounds, the judges scored the duel 56-10 for Muya.

The score soared quickly as Muya, determined to fight, delivered some head shots that earned 3 points and connected multiple body shots.

 “Kahit pagod na kami, pinilit naming dalawa, sipa pa rin. Na-enjoy ko ang laban kahit masakit na ang hita ko. Pero mababa na ang sipa niya sa pagod,” Muya said.

 A well-placed kick in the finals helps win Muya the top spot.

Muya beat So Sze Ting of International Taekwondo Association in the semifinals with a score of 50-30 over two rounds to set up the final match with Rinopa.

HKNTA grandmaster Tulsi Kumar Gurung and HDTA master Devchandra Gurung, who have been very supportive of OFWs in taekwondo, as well as team coaches Julie Ann Dalit, Mohan Singh Thapa and Thapa Thanda were overjoyed at Muya’s triumph.

“Finally, Amy grabbed the elusive gold cup for our team, our first gold ever,” Dev Gurung exclaimed as both the HDTA and HKNTA celebrated their four Filipina jins sparkling performances in very tough matches against local and Chinese university students at the Pei Ho Street Sports Stadium in Shamshuipo.

Aside from Muya, three other HDTA cup winners were Mary Rose H. Niebla of Iloilo, who got a silver cup in the finweight category; Rosalina F. Buncag of Isabela, who took a silver cup in welterweight, and Beskie C. Lacaden of Baguio City, who won the bronze in welterweight.

In the past years, Niebla and team members Josie Wayan of Baguio City settled for just the bronze cups in finweight while Lexa of Indonesia also took a bronze in flyweight.

The tournament was hosted by Hong Kong Taekwondo Association on Aug 20-27.

In all, 44 affiliated HKTA member associations comprising local Chinese and ethnic minority Nepalese, Indonesian and Filipino clubs participated in the tournament.

The Hong Kong Nepalese Taekwondo Association has been actively participating in national tournaments garnering medals and trophies since its founding in 2002 by Grandmaster Tulsi Kumar Gurung.

The association has opened its doors to athletes of diverse cultures and religions in Asia,  kids and adults, as well as migrant workers such as Filipinos and Indonesians to promote friendship, sportsmanship, discipline and stimulate health consciousness among peoples.
Through taekwondo, individuals of all ages not only enhance their skills and potentials, but also to encourage foreigners like OFWs to spend their weekly holidays productively, maintain physical and mental fitness, lessen homesickness, and exercise positive habits while working away from their loved ones. (contributed by By Lara Kim Maruquiz)

Getting sick while employed

By Cynthia Tellez

Today’s column is about getting sick during your employment. Getting sick or sustaining injuries during the course of work as a domestic worker is understandable, as the work involves exhausting activities. With no established acceptable working hours in Hong Kong, it is no surprise that working hours of domestic workers are long and arduous. No matter how much you take care of yourself to avoid sickness or injury, due to the nature of your work and Hong Kong’s confined spaces, being under the weather is unavoidable. Many do not get enough rest, sleep, or appropriate and nutritious food. It is for these reasons that knowing your rights regarding illness and injury is important.

Clause 9 of the ID 407 (or Employment Contract For a Domestic Helper Recruited From Abroad) deals with injury and illness of the domestic worker while employed here in Hong Kong. It states that:

“9. (a) In the event that the Helper is ill or suffers personal injury during the period of employment specified in Clause 2, except for the period during which the Helper leaves Hong Kong of his/her* own volition and for his/her* own personal purposes, the Employer shall provide free medical treatment to the Helper. Free medical treatment includes medical consultation, maintenance in hospital and emergency dental treatment. The Helper shall accept medical treatment provided by any registered medical practitioner.

(b) If the Helper suffers injury by accident or occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment, the Employer shall make payment of compensation in accordance with the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, Chapter 282.

(c) In the event of a medical practitioner certifying that the Helper is unfit for further service, the Employer may, subject to the statutory provisions of the relevant Ordinances, terminate the employment and shall immediately take steps to repatriate the Helper to his/her* place of origin in accordance with Clause 7.”

As we can glean from this text, every employer in Hong Kong is required to get employee’s compensation insurance for their domestic worker. Getting medical insurance for the employee is encouraged, not required. However, if you sustain an injury during the course of your work for your employer (say, you slipped and fell while carrying grocery items), your employer should pay for your medical needs. The law says that you should agree to your employer’s decision regarding treatment, as long as the doctor is a registered medical practitioner.

If your employer opts or agrees to send you home to be treated, do make sure that you have a recorded agreement that she or he will shoulder your medical treatment while in your home country, and that you are to come back after treatment. This document (or recording) will come in handy should you pursue this further.

If for example, on your last day of sick leave, you still feel ill, you should go back to the doctor the next day. This is for your wellness. Furthermore, this is as well for public safety. You do not want to spread a virus in Hong Kong’s cramped living spaces, as the rate of contaminating others will be faster. You must do this even if you have not set an appointment with the doctor, or you have not asked your employer’s permission.

Your sick leave allowance is four-fifths (4/5) of your average daily wage. This can only be claimed if you have been on sick leave for four days or more. You shall receive this allowance on the next pay day. Whether you can claim this or not, if you are still feeling ill, it is your civic duty to bring yourself back to the doctor.

There are some employers who do not honor medical certificates, and instead, make their domestic workers still work. You should still keep the certificate for future claim even if your illness or injury was not a result of your work. Note clause 9(a) of the contract as stated above.

Regarding claims, you must inform your employer as soon as possible that you have been injured. Your employer should then inform the Labor Department. If your employer is unable to inform the Labor Department, you must inform them immediately. Then the Labor Department will inform you of the process.

It is important that you keep all related documents from the hospital. This includes medical records, certificates (for your sick leave), doctor’s prescription, etc. As much as possible, have lots of copies of these documents. Have a copy of each document for your own records. When filing employees’ compensation, make a document stating in a list the documents you have attached. Have this signed by a staff of the Labor Department or have them officially stamped or chopped with “Received” including the date when the documents were submitted. This document is your receipt, proof that you did file the claim with the required documents. Also ask for the telephone number you can call when following up the claim, as well as the name of the person you should talk to when following up. Get as much information as you can.

There are times when the Employees’ Compensation Division under the Labor Department will want to have you examined by their own medical practitioner before giving their final decision on your claim. You have to submit to this, as the medical practitioner can ascertain if your capacity to work or life expectancy was lessened. If this is the case, you can apply for legal aid.

Migrant service-providers, such as the Mission For Migrant Workers, can assist you in this matter.

Filing claims for compensation due to injuries or illnesses sustained may be a daunting task, even if you are in your home country with people you can trust to advise you on the correct process. There is no harm in asking questions, so if you need more information, do visit one of the migrant service providers in the city.

You are always welcome!
---
This is the monthly column from the Mission for Migrant Workers, an institution that has been serving the needs of migrant workers in Hong Kong for over 31 years. The Mission, headed by its general manager, Cynthia Tellez, assists migrant workers who are in distress, and  focuses its efforts on crisis intervention and prevention through migrant empowerment. Mission has its offices at St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, and may be reached through tel. no. 2522 8264.

Enrich partners with KPMG in investments lecture series

A “lunch and learn investments series” co-organized by Enrich Hong Kong and KPMG kicked off at Hysan Place in Causeway Bay on Oct. 8, with 74 Filipino domestic workers taking part.

The training began with a lecture on the basics of investment, including a look into such financial concepts as risk, return and liquidity.

The lecture was conducted by Craig Nastanski, a licensed broker and a self-made  “technopreneur”.

He told participants to first read, learn and understand, before investing in anything. The initial series will comprise nine two-hour sessions over a one year period.

Those who are interested to take part can visit Enrich HK’s Facebook page, or email participant@enrichhk.org. – Ellen Almacin

Enrich KPMG speakers brief participants on finance and how it can be managed.

Mindanao lawyers join IBP’s outreach in Hong Kong

Off-site (church-based) forum and free one-on-one legal consultation 

By Vir B. Lumicao 

For the first time since coming to Hong Kong for their outreach mission, lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines brought along a team from Eastern Mindanao on Oct 7-8 to serve OFWs from the south of the country seeking help.

More than 1,200 availed themselves of the free legal counseling and legal forums offered by the lawyers, as they expanded their services further, from the Consulate and Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Admiralty to six churches across the city.

The team dropped the usual forum at the Consulate and joined the post-arrival orientation seminar at POLO to discuss human trafficking issues, financial literacy, human loss and violence against women.

Carmelita Eleazar, governor of the Central Luzon IBP which spearheaded the latest mission, said bringing along the southern lawyers was the practical thing to do to respond to issues raised by Mindanao OFWs.

She told The SUN that in past missions, problems raised by workers from Mindanao were referred to the regional IBP chapters.

“Yung mga abogado namin sa chapters ang sasalo sa kaso. Mas magastos kasi kung ipadadala namin sa Mindanao ang mga abogado namin sa Central Luzon,” Eleazar said.

On Oct 7, about 100 Filipinas consulted the lawyers at the Consulate about problems, which Eleazar said consisted mainly of debt, marriage failure and separation, as well as money they send to their spouses or children going to naught.

The next day, the mission comprising about 50 lawyers from Bataan, Pampanga and Eastern Mindanao broke up into smaller groups to attend outreach sessions pre-arranged by the churches.

At the Consulate in United Centre alone, about 200 OFWs were served during the two-day mission, said Eleazar. That excluded those who consulted the lawyers at the POLO.

Such was the enthusiasm of the OFWs in consulting the lawyers about their problems that Eleazar said they were planning to return in February or March for her group’s sixth mission.

“Natutuwa kami na nakakatuwang namin dito ang Consulate, ina-advertise nila ang ‘Idulog Mo Kay Atorni’ bago kami dumating,” Eleazar said.

She recalled that the first time her group came to Hong Kong was at the height of the Umbrella Revolution in 2015, and the lawyers were apprehensive that things might get out of hand. Only about 80 OFWs sought their services at the time.

The second time around, some 200 came for the consultations, and for the third, the number ballooned to 2,000 as the lawyers farmed out to various parts of Hong kong.

Eleazar said the lawyers offered their services for free, including follow-through of cases brought up by OFWs, but it would be easier to handle cases if the workers came prepared, with documents to back up their cases or complaints.

Aside from fees, such as those for National Statistics Office certificates, the IBP lawyers do not charge professional fees for legal aid. “Para kaming PAO (Public Attorneys Office). Ang tinatanggihan ng PAO ay kinukuha ng IBP,” Eleazar said.

Consul General Bernardita Catalla awarded certificates of appreciation and gave souvenirs to the lawyers in recognition of their service to the OFWs.

“Maraming gustong dumulog pero hindi tumama sa day off ng iba… marami kayong natulungan lalo na nang nag-join kayo sa PAOS,” Catalla said.

She added that some employers must have let their helpers work because they had two public holidays during the week.

In turn, Eleazar awarded a plaque of appreciation to Catalla for hosting the IBP missions.

“We hope to replicate this throughout the world kung saan tayo may embassy,” she said.

Part of the lawyers’ outreach was one-on-one counseling sessions for 40 clients of Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge and the Mission for Migrant Workers held at St John’s Cathedral in Central.

The other participating churches were Jesus Reigns Ministry in Chai Wan and Sheung Wan; Lifeway Full Gospel in Yaumatei, Kowloon; Grace of Jesus Fellowship in Tsimshatsui, and Family of Christ Fellowship on Nathan Raod, Kowloon.

These churches accounted for 900 participants in the legal forums.

Usapang negosyo ng Card-HK

Ni George Manalansan

Mahigit 200  migranteng  manggagawa ang dumalo sa “Negosyo Talk Series 2” ng CardSMEbank sa pakikipagtulungan ng Card HK foundation, na ginanap sa Bayanihan  Centre sa Kennedy Town noong Okt. 1

Naging panauhin ang mga tauhan ng Card MRI Philippines, kabilang sina Grace Quinola, marketing officer; Allan Dimaano chief information officer; at Epifanio Maniebo, chief information officer ng RMSi.

Tinalakay ni Allan ang tungkol sa mga produkto at serbisyo ng CardSMEbank, na ayon sa kanya ay mas mataas ang ibinibigay na interes sa deposito kaysa sa ibang bangko. Ipinaliwanag din niya ang ibat-ibang uri ng deposito sa bangko, at sa seguro o insurance.

Ipinakilala ang mga serbisyo ng CARD at mga kumpanya nito.

Aniya, pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng Card Bank ang pagbibigay-suporta sa anumang itatayong negosyo ng isang nagbabalik-bayan. Tutulungan sila sa bagay na may kinalaman sa pinansyal at teknikal, at bibigyan ng pagsasanay para sa tamang  pagpapatakbo ng negosyo.

Ang mga nakatapos ng financial literacy training, entrepreneurship seminar at mga dumalo sa Negosyo Talk series ng Card HK ay binigyan  ng I.D. para sa prayoridad na serbisyo ng Card Philippines.

Nagbigay ng dagdag na sigla ito sa mga dumalo, na bakas sa mukha ang pagnanasa na  balang araw ay magkaroon din sila ng sariling negosyo.

Nadagdagan pa ang kanilang inspirasyon nang ibahagi ni Jun Domingo, dating seaman na naging matagumpay na negosyante, ang kanyang mga pinagdaanang hirap at sakripisyo bago nya narating ang kinalalagyan niya ngayon.

Ayon kay Clara Baybay, chairman ng Card HK, napaka halaga sa isang OFW ang paghahanda bago bumalik sa sariling bansa. Sa puntong ito ay malaki diumano ang maitutulong ng Card MRI.

“May  magandang  oportunidad na naghihintay dahil gagabayan kayo ng Card MRI. Mayroong ‘life after Hong Kong’, “ wika niya.

Naging panauhing pandangal si Consul General Bernardita Catalla na nagpahayag ng kanyang hangad para sa kapakanan at magandang hinaharap ng mga migranteng mangagawa sa Hong Kong.

Nagpasalamat din siya sa ibinigay na suporta ng komunidad sa kanyang pagkatalaga bilang pinakamataas ng sugo ng bansa sa Hong Kong sa loob ng nagdaang tatlong taon.

Sa mga nais lumahok sa susunod na Batch 44, ng fin-lit seminar ng Card HK sa Okt 22 sa Bayanihan Centre, tumawag lang para magparehistro sa mga numerong ito: 95296392/ 54238196.

Filipina saved from drowning off Stanley

by Daisy CL Mandap

Rescuers wheel Mary Ann to a waiting
ambulance (Photo by Brian Belisario)

A beach outing for three friends from Davao City nearly turned into a disaster earlier today, Oct. 21, when one of them nearly drowned off Stanley Beach.

The three had just had lunch at about noon when Mary Ann, 31, decided to wade into the water. Not one of the three knew how to swim.

Within minutes, Mary Ann was seen struggling in the water. At first, one of her friends said she thought Mary Ann was just waving at them a few meters from shore, but then realized she was already fighting to keep afloat.

“Wala pa hong five minutes yun. Akala nga namin nag-e-enjoy pa siya, kaya pala e nalulunod na,” said Jocelyn Exim, one of her two friends who were with her at the time.

Exim said she started shouting for help, and two Western-looking men responded by jumping into the water to save Mary Ann. In their panic, Exim said she and her other friend, Jennifer, failed to get the names of the good Samaritans.

When Mary Ann was brought to shore, an ambulance team had already arrived. Mary Ann was given first aid and rushed to Pamela Youde Eastern Hospital where she is now said to be in stable condition although she remains in intensive care.

“Kaaalis ko lang po sa ospital,” Jocelyn said. “Noong paalis na ako, ok na siya, nakakapagsalita na siya”.

The nurse attending to Mary Ann had reportedly said the patient could be discharged by tomorrow. Her employer who lives in Shatin has reportedly been informed about the incident and will fetch the helper upon discharge.

Stanley Beach before the accident (photo by Brian Belisario)

An eyewitness, Brian Belisario, a Filipino driver who was on a leisurely stroll along Stanley beach when the accident happened, took pictures as soon as he saw the lifeguards helping carry Mary Ann to the stretcher before she was wheeled into the ambulance.

“Nakita ko nung binibigyan si Mary Ann ng first aid. Ang dami nyang tubig na nainom,” said Belisario.

He immediately posted pictures of Mary Ann’s rescue on his Facebook wall, along with the warning for Filipinos to take care when going for a swim.

Just last month, another Filipina drowned while apparently on a late-night dip in Repulse Bay. Her body was found only the next day, despite a massive air-and-sea search overnight by rescuers.

Exim said she and Mary Ann are neighbors in Davao, and are both on their first contracts with their respective employers. They met Jennifer, who has been in Hong Kong for even a shorter time, only recently.

Exim said it was the first time that the three of them had gone on a beach outing. Since they rarely get to meet because of their “international” days off (meaning, no fixed day), they decided to do something different when they finally got together again.

Little did they know that the few hours that they were together would end almost in tragedy. - with a report from Ellen Almacin

Filipina set free after winning appeal against indecent assault conviction

The Filipina walked out free from the High Court
after winning her appeal

A Filipina domestic helper sentenced to 4 years and six months for an alleged indecent assault on her young ward was ordered freed at the High Court earlier today, Oct. 20, after her application for leave to appeal against her conviction was allowed.

The 46-year-old Filipina, a self-confessed lesbian identified only by her initials SRM in court, was released after serving 18 months of the sentence meted on her by District Court Judge Johnny Chan in April last year.

In allowing her application, the three Court of Appeal justices ruled that the lower court judge was wrong in accepting the young boy’s allegations against the maid when they were in fact contrary to the evidence presented.

They also held that Judge Chan was wrong in failing to properly consider the “inherent improbabilities” of the boy’s evidence, in particular his claim of having been coaxed by the maid into full sexual penetration while his penis remained soft.

SRM was convicted by Judge Chan on Feb 29, 2016 on three charges of indecent assault against the boy, referred to as "X" in court.

At the time of the alleged indecent assaults, between July 2011 and March 2013, X was between 8-10 years old. He did not make the allegation against SRM until July 7, 2015, when he was already 13 years old. He claimed he understood the nature of the  sexual assaults committed against him only after learning about animal reproduction at school earlier that year.

By then, SRM had long left the family, parting with them “on perfectly amicable terms” and even meeting with them socially on occasions afterwards.

In the first and second charges, the boy accused SRM of indecently assaulting him on two occasions one week apart in the bedroom that they share with X’s elder sister.  On both occasions X claimed there was penetration.

In the third incident, which took place in the bathroom, X said he sat on the toilet bowl cover and the appellant stood between his legs and held on to the cistern as he penetrated her.

The appellant, giving evidence, said the accusations were only made up by the boy for reasons she did not know. But she said the boy was not known to tell lies.

Chan, however, admitted the boy’s testimony as honest and reliable, while saying that SRM could not explain why X should have made up the accusations.  

The judge also said he believed that X had penetrated SRM because the boy was adamant he did so.

In their written judgment, the appeal court, led by Justice Andrew Macrae, said the case had been difficult to resolve, “not least because the verdict depended on the unsworn and unsupported evidence of the child of tender years making very serious allegations some years after the event against a domestic helper in a trusted position of unblemished character”.

They suggested that had the judge not allowed himself to fully accept the boy’s testimony and instead looked at the other parts of his evidence that could have supported the charge of indecent assault, then a conviction was still possible. They said sexual penetration was not necessary to prove a case of indecent assault.

“(However), what the judge was not entitled to do was find that X’s penis was “soft” when he clearly said it was, or that he must have penetrated “inside” her (SRM) when, on the account he gave, it would have been difficult, or in Dr Ho’s (expert witness) opinion impossible,” said the appeal court.

After ordering the Filipina’s release, Justice Macrae told her that she should go to her lawyer so the judgment could be explained to her.

Then SRM was to go Immigration“ for a few administrative formalities” before she is either repatriated or allowed to work again.

Justice Macrae earlier asked if there was anybody in the courtroom from the Philippine Consulate after being told by the defense that the helper might have some visa issue as her passport was held by the Immigration Department. There was none.

No retrial was ordered as the prosecutor, Eddie Sean, had said at the outset that he would not take further action if the appeal was allowed.

Concurring in the decision were Justices Ian Mc Walters and Derek Pang. – with a report from Vir B. Lumicao

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.