Labatt, OFWs halt latest illegal recruitment to Russia

By Vir B. Lumicao

Alleged illegal recruiters Meer and Pimentel

A fresh attempt by a Pakistani-Filipina couple to recruit more OFWs from Hong Kong for illegal work in Russia was foiled at the weekend by Labor Attaché Jalilo Dela Torre, who acted on a tip-off from some of their alleged victims.

The labor official went online and warned prospective applicants about the arrival in Hong Kong of Kathleen Floresca Pimentel alias Samantha Kaythe, the Filipino partner of Moscow-based recruiter Jon Meer Ahmed Sameer who also goes by the name Amir Ahmed Waseem.

“Forced labour and human trafficking. This is the business model of Jon Meer Ahmed Sameer, married to Kathleen Floresca Pimentel, who have together recruited hundreds of Filipinas from HK, Singapore, Dubai and Taiwan, and just practically left them on their own to look for a job and survive by their own wits,” Dela Torre said in an online post.

He said he hoped OFWs not just in Hong Kong but also in other places where the couple is known to recruit workers for Russia would be wise enough to avoid them.

“Let us use our common sense. Avoid illegal recruitment, human trafficking, forced labor and modern-day slavery,” the obviously irate labor official said.

Dela Torre’s action torpedoed the scheduled interview of applicants by Pimentel on Oct 20-23 in an undisclosed location in Hong Kong.

Meer sends off Pimentel at Moscow airport

The victims in Russia reported that the woman called off the interviews and flew back hastily to Moscow on Sunday. The couple is now said to be planning to move to another flat to avoid arrest.

The victims contacted the labor attaché as Pimentel was flying to Hong Kong on Wednesday. When she started meeting applicants, Dela Torre posted the warning.

As a result, Meer reportedly started sending rude and vicious messages to Dela Torre’s private number. Someone also managed to hack into Dela Torre’s viber account and replaced his name with “Scammer”.

But Dela Torre refused to be intimidated. He kept posting warnings against Meer and Pimentel on his wall, then formed a chat group that eventually agreed on launching a multi-territorial effort to flush out Meer and other traffickers of Filipino workers.

The group took on board diplomats from several posts abroad, NGO leaders and the Russian-based victims, who wrote about the abuses they suffered at the hands of Meer and his cohorts.

Among those in the group is former labor undersecretary and now anti human trafficking advocate Susan Ople, who disseminated her own hard-hitting warning against Meer in an article she wrote for a Manila daily.

Pimentel celebrates end of Ramadan at Meer's
tiny Moscow flat with some HK recruits

The OFW victims complained about being overcharged, maltreated, sexually harassed and intimidated by Sameer, and verbally abused by Pimentel.

They said Sameer recruited them in Hong Kong, charging US$3,500 (HK$27,230) for an invitation alone, the document that the Russian consulate requires of visa applicants. Those who could not pay in full advanced US$2,000 to $2,500, and paid the balance in three months. Some arrived in Russia five years ago and others just a few months ago.

Meer, in his own Facebook account, boasted about recruiting Hong Kong-based Filipinas for purported jobs in Turkey, Canada and the United States.

In posts after posts, Labatt Dela Torre reiterated there is no legal work for domestic helpers in Russia even if they hold a work visa, because the visa that agencies provide is not for domestic work. Those who hold commercial or business visas are in a more difficult position because they have to renew them every three months, at great cost.

“Per our Embassy officials in Moscow, there is no way a Household Service Worker could ever be granted a work visa, under current Russian immigration rules. So, essentially, you will be working in Russia under the shadow of illegal and vulnerable work. Why risk your safety and your future?” he said in another post.

Even as the illegal recruitment controversy brewed, more Filipinas from Hong Kong arrived in Moscow, with one flying into the Russian capital on Oct 20 and two others on Friday. Some chat participants said another batch of 28 OFWs is arriving in Moscow on Nov 3.

All were reportedly issued commercial visas and stayed in Meer’s flat while waiting for employers to pick them up. But Meer never got them the promised jobs and all had to go out on their own to find employers. Despite this, Meer insisted on being paid their “balance.”

In one instance, Meer allegedly shredded the passports of three victims who could not pay the balance of his required fee. The three were enraged further when they allegedly saw Pimentel laughing at their misfortune.

At times, police would raid Meer’s flat while the recruiter and his partner would suspiciously be dining out. The OFWs said they were asked to pay 500 roubles to the raiding team so they wouldn’t be arrested.

One said she felt so desperate that at one time she contemplated suicide because she was hopelessly trapped in that country without a job while her debt accumulated.

Early this year, at the instigation of the Philippine Embassy in Moscow, several Philippine posts abroad issued a warning to Filipinos not to be tricked into going to Russia for domestic work. The warning was clear: there is no visa for domestic workers in Russia, so everyone who goes there to do such work will be working illegally.

The warning obviously fell on deaf ears.

But this time around, Dela Torre, with help from various Philippine posts abroad, is adamant the illegal recruitment and human trafficking of OFWs from Hong Kong must stop.

Paggawa ng tinapa at embutido, itinuro ng BSK

Dumayo ang Balikatan sa Kaunlaran – Hong Kong Council  sa Deepwater Bay noong Okt. 5, isang statutory holiday, para turuan ang 43 Pilipina ng paggawa ng tinapa at embutido bilang bahagi ng kanilang pagsasanay pang-kabuhayan o “livelihood skills training”.

Ayon sa presidente ng BSK na si Ching Baltazar, kailangang samantalahin ng mga kapwa niya migranteng manggagawa ang pagsali sa ganitong libreng pagsasanay bilang paghahanda para sa kanilang pagbabalik sa Pilipinas.

Isang malaking oportunidad daw ito para matuto sila ng pagkakakitaan sa kanilang pag-uwi, at para din magamit nila ang kanilang natutunan sa pagluluto para sa kani-kanilang pamilya.

Isa sa mga dumalo si Alicia, na nagsabing mas gusto niyang gugulin ang kanyang libreng oras sa pagsasanay para sa dagdag-kaalaman imbes na tumambay o gumala kung saan-saan. Kahit galing pa siya sa Ma On Shan ay nagsikap siyang dumalo dahil sa laki ng interes niya na matutunan ang paggawa ng tinapa at embutido.

Karamihan sa mga dumalo ay ganito din ang sinabi, lalo na iyong mga nakatira sa tabing-dagat sa Pilipinas, kung saan sigurado silang makakuha ng mga sariwang isda para gawing tinapa. Mabuti daw at hindi lang paggawa ng tuyo o bagoong ang alam nilang gawin ngayon. – Ellen Almacin

Smoked Fish

(from BSK’s Maritess Llagas Mapa)

Materials for smoking:
3 tbsp pu’er tea (or any available tea in bag)
3 tbsp jasmine tea
8-10 pcs rose buds
3-4 tbsp brown sugar or 2 bars rock sugar
3 tbsp raw rice

Ingredients:
1 1/2 kg galunggong (can be replaced by bangus, tunsoy or tamban)
1 bottle Chinese fish marinade
1 1/2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp monosodium glutamate (MSG)
1 1/2 tbsp black pepper

Procedure
1. Wash and clean the fish very well, but do not remove the head and intestines. Drip dry.
2. In a large sauce pan, marinate the clean fish with the Chinese fish marinade together with the other ingredients.
3. Marinate 6 to 8 hours, then drip dry for 1/2 day.

Mga sangkap upang bumango ang usok.

4.  Arrange the marinated fish in a big woven bamboo steamer, ready to smoke.
5. Line up a wok with aluminum foil, then pre-heat the wok on the stove.
6. Add all the ingredients for smoking, then top again with aluminum foil (you can substitute banana or guava leaves), before putting on the wok cover. Make sure that everything is airtight.
7. Smoke for about 15 minutes. The fish is then ready to be served as is, or fried slightly.

Be wary of snake bites!

Lamma residents Cris and her sister Lolit, along with their friend Dolly, were preparing to go to the beach on Lamma Island on Oct 5 to watch the lantern display in celebration of the Mid-Autumn or Mooncake festival, when the unexpected happened.

Dolly is wheeled into an ambulance in Yung Shue Wan (above). 

Dolly was bitten by a green viper snake as she and Lolit were walking through a grassy patch near their homes in Hung Shing Ye Village, Yung Shue Wan.

Dolly, who was no stranger to snake bites as she had been bitten previously by a king cobra, was immediately taken by ambulance to the Lamma North Clinic. From there, she was airlifted by a helicopter to a hospital on Hong Kong island where she was confined for a few days.


Cris recounted the incident in a message to The SUN:

“My sister said Dolly was behind her as they walked down in the residential area , heading for the beach, when Dolly suddenly shouted out loud, saying she got bitten by snake. They (both) saw the green viper snake on the ground ready for a fight with no plan to run away. Both were in panic as the snake poison was setting off a reaction inside Dolly’s body. My sister made her sit down and called for friends’ help, including 911 (emergency service).”

Close-up of the injured foot.

While waiting for the ambulance the two reportedly poured alcohol on Dolly’s wound and tied something around her legs to stop the venom from spreading.

Cris added: “I was right away worried and at the same time wondering how and why snakes love to bite her. This was the second time. Last time it was a king cobra.”

That first time, which happened four years ago,  Cris remembered so well because she was around when it happened. She said Dolly had picked up a $500 bill she dropped on the ground when the cobra pounced.

Making the two snake incidents more unfortunate is Dolly’s allergic reaction to anti-venom medicines, which makes it necessary for her to stay in the hospital longer each time.

Cris said Lamma is a great place to live, with its clean beaches and fresh air, apart from having neighbors who are always ready to extend a helping hand to anyone in trouble.

But, she said people who are living here, or in any mountainous or grassy places, should be extra careful because snakes abound, and not a few people have been bitten.

She advised people who walk about here to be mindful of their surroundings, and to always use a torch a night so they will see the path ahead of them.

“My friend was aware of snakes around but she still got bitten for the second time,” said Cris, in an effort to emphasize the need to be extra careful about the dangers that lurk in otherwise idyllic places like Lamma.— DCLM

Pagbabago sa takbo ng buhay

Ang trabaho ng seaman ay parang sa domestic helper: dahil ang tirahan ay nasa pinagtatrabahuan mo na rin, walang gastos sa renta, pamasahe at pagkain. Pero hindi gaya ng DH na buo ang nakukuha nilang sahod buwan-buwan, ang personal na pera ng seaman ay galing lang sa mga ekstrang kita gaya ng allowance at overtime, dahil buong sahod nila ay diretsong napupunta sa kanilang pamilya.

Marami ang masaya sa ganitong kalakaran, lalo na ang mga pamilya ng seaman, dahil sigurado silang makatatanggap ng perang panggastos sa araw-araw. Ganito rin si Jun delos Reyes Domingo, na naninirahan sa Lipa City, dahil sarili na lang niya ang iniisip.

“Hindi ko na kasi pinoproblema ang pera para sa pamilya,” ika niya sa isang pagtitipon ng CARD OFW Hong Kong Foundation kamakailan.

Mula nang unang sumakay siya ng barko pagkatapos mag-graduate sa kolehiyo, hanggang mag-asawa na siya, ang naiipon niya habang nasa barko ay pambili na lang ng pasalubong sa pag-uwi niya kapag nakatapos siya ng kontrata.

“Nagkaka-problema lang kung may biglang pangangailangan, gaya ng kung may naospital sa mga kamag-anak ko,” dagdag pa niya.

Nabago ang pananaw niya noong 2002 nang matapos ang kanyang kontrata at bumaba siya upang maghanap ulit ng susunod na barkong sasakyan. Panahon  iyon ng panghihina ng industriya ng shipping, kaya mahirap makakita ng lilipatang barko.

“Kapag umuwi tayo, walang hanap-buhay,” aniya. “Kaya kapag naubos na ang uwing pera, kahit pambili ng gatas ay wala. Pambayad sa bahay na hinuhulugan, hindi alam kung saan kukunin. Pang araw-araw, inuutang. Kapag lalapit sa mga magulang, aabutin ka pa ng maraming sermon.”

Sa paghahanap ng pagkakakitaan sa harap ng pagdarahop, napag-usapan nilang mag-asawa na mag buy-and-sell.

“Mamimili kami ng anu-ano sa Divisoria at ilalako namin  saan-saan. Nakakaabot kami sa Cavite, Bulacan ay Nueva Ecija.” Gamit nila ang isang owner jeep na nirentahan. Karamihan sa mga gamit-bahay ay hulugan, kaya nakakabalik sila sa mga napagbentahan upang magdala ulit ng mga bagong produkto.

At sa mga lugar ding iyon namimili sila ng bagong paninda, gamit ang pinagbentahan, upang may maibenta sa susunod na pupuntahang lugar. Isa sa pinakamibili noon ay isang frame ng batis na mukhang  may tunay na tubig na dumadaloy, na binibili nila sa Divisoria.

Nakaraos silang mag-anak ng 18 buwan dahil dito. Nagbigay din ito ng leksiyon sa kanya. Kaya nang makakita ulit si Jun ng barkong masasakyan, hindi na siya gaya ng dati na umaalis sa Pilipinas na walang wala at minsan ay lubog pa sa utang, at dumarating pabalik na may pera .

Dahil sa natutunan niyang hanapbuhay, hindi na niya pinalampas ang  pagkakataong kumita ng ekstra: nagdala siya ng mga produktong maibebenta sa magiging kasamahan niya sa barko, gaya ng SIM card, cell phone at mga sitsirya.

May apat na cell phone siyang hindi maibenta, dahil hindi angkop sa mga lugar na dinadaungan ng kanilang barko. Kaya iniuwi niya ito ay ipinabenta sa isang kaibigan.

Ang siste, nagamit ng kaibigan ang pinagbentahan, kaya nangako itong babayaran na lang kapag naibenta niya ang bahay na hinuhulugan.

Nagka-ideya si Jun. Para sigurado siyang mabayaran, bakit hindi na lang siya ang bumili ng bahay at ibawas na lang ang utang ng kaibigan sa ibabayad niya, at siya na rin ang magtutuloy ng paghuhulog sa developer. Lumabas na mga P30,000 ang total na utang ng kaibigan, kaya dinagdagan na lang nila ito nang kaunti upang makuha ang bahay. Dito itinayo noong 2012 ang negosyong nagpabago ng kanyang buhay.

Habang nakatayo sila sa harap ng bahay at iniisip kung ano ang gagawin dito, nagsalita ang asawa niya: “Tindahan.”

“Ako naman, sumasang-ayon lang sa kanya, dahil nakikita ko naman kung paano siya magdala, lalo na noong walang wala kami” dagdag ni Jun.

Binutas nila ang isang bintana, at nagsabit ng pouches ng kape at Milo. Naging popular ito, dahil nag-iinit sila ng tubig sa madaling araw para sa mga construction worker na papunta sa mga bahay na itinatayo sa subdivision.

Gamit ang inutang na P5,000 mula sa malapit na CARD SME Bank, na madali nilang nakuha dahil kasapi ang asawa niya sa CARD, namili sila ng iba pang paninda.

“Hindi naman kailangang magsimula sa malaki,” ika ni Jun. “Tingnan muna natin kung tatakbo tayo.”

Ang binibili nilang paninda ay iyong hinahanap ng tao, gaya ng sardinas, sabon at iba pa. Halimbawa, nang may maghanap ng bigas, lumuwas siya sa bayan at nag-bitbit nito pauwi, kahit ang tubo ay P50 lang bawa’t sako.

Noong makasakay ulit siya ng barko, nagpapadala na rin siya ng pandagdag sa puhunan.  Habang dumarami ang mabibili ng mga tao sa tindahan, lumalaki rin ang kanilang benta araw-araw.

Pagdating niya pagkatapos ng isa pang kontrata ay nagulat siya at puno na ito ng paninda. Ito ang naging pinaka-malaking grocery store sa buong subdivision nila, kaya naging puntahan na sila ng mga residente para sa pag-araw-araw na pangangailangan nila.

Patuloy pa rin silang sensitibo sa ano ang hanap ng mamimili. Noong may magtanong kung mayroon silang cooking gas, bumili siya nito sa bayan para ibenta sa tindahan. Nagsimula siya sa padala-dalawang tangke, na naka-display sa harapan ng tindahan. Nang dumami ang bumibili nito, hinanap niya ang wholesaler at doon siya nakakuha ng gas sa mas mababang halaga, at free delivery pa.

Maya-maya, mayroon na rin siyang water filling station.

Ang dating P5,000 na utang niya sa banko ay naging P500,000, isang pagpapatunay na may tiwala sila sa kanyang kakayahang magbayad.

Noong 2015 ay pumasa si Jun sa exam upang maging opisyal ng barko pero hindi na siya sumakay ulit dahil hindi na niya kailangang mawalay pa sa pamilya para maghanapbuhay.

Ang tindahan niya ay sapat na upang matustusan ang pagiaaral ng mga anak, mabayaran ang mga utang, at maging masagana ang hinaharap ng kanyang pamilya. --LD

Depressed Filipino in hospital after cutting off penis

The man is in serious condition at the
Pamela Youde Eastern Hospital

A 42-year-old Filipino driver is in serious condition at the hospital where he was rushed after cutting off his penis and throwing it into a toilet yesterday, Oct. 22, in his Shau Kei Wan flat.

Reports say the Filipino named Andy was found by his live-in girlfriend at about 7:30am in the room they shared on Ngoi Man Street, bleeding heavily and without his penis.

The woman yelled for help and a male neighbor called the police. When the paramedics came, the man reportedly told them he had flushed his missing penis down the toilet.

He was rushed to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan where he remains under observation.

Initial investigations revealed the man was depressed, but the cause was not revealed.

The police classified the case as a suicide attempt although no suicide note was found.

A neighbor told The SUN Andy had been upset for some time because his penis had begun to swell for reasons that are still not clear. He reportedly asked a woman who lived in the same boarding house to go with him to the hospital to have it checked but she refused, saying she was embarrassed.

All the other people living in the boarding house reportedly did not have any clue as to why Andy had gone to the extreme of cutting off his penis. – with a report by Merly Bunda

Sa halip na masayang ang talento ng OFW

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Puspusan ang pagsasagawa ng iba’t ibang samahan ng mga OFW, mga NGO at ng gobyerno ng mga programang nagbibigay-daan sa pagbabalik ng marami sa mga kababayan nating kasambahay dito sa mga gawaing angkop sa kanilang pinag-aralan.

Nababahala ang pamahalaan sa nasasayang na kaalaman ng maraming Pinoy na nagtatapos sa pamantasan taun-taon dahil nauuwi sila sa pagkakatulong sa ibang lugar dala ng kakulangan ng trabaho o maliit na sahod sa atin.

Nakapanghihinayang na marami sa libu-libong kababayan nating kasambahay dito sa Hong Kong ang nagtapos ng mga kursong pampropesyon ngunit walang mapasukang akmang trabaho sa ating bayan.

Kaya ang pangingibayong-dagat, anumang trabaho ang mapasukan nila, ang lohikal na pinuntirya ng mga manggagawang ito.

Noong nakaraang Marso at Abril ay tinatayang nasa isang milyon ang bilang ng mga nagtapos sa mga kolehiyo at unibersidad sa Pilipinas. Ang bilang na iyon ay humigit-kumulang sa 10% ng populasyon ng bansa.

Ang mga nagtapos na kabataan na dumagdag sa hanay ng mga manggagawa ayon sa estadistika ng pamahalaan, ay umabot na sa 42 milyon noong Enero. Ngunit saan mamamasukan ang karamihan sa mga kabataang ito?

Dahil sa dami ng ani sa akademiya taun-taon, naging mahigpit ang labanan para sa trabaho at naging mapili ang malalaking kumpanya. Dahil sa labis-labis na bilang ng mga manggagawa ay nauso ang “contractualization” sa maraming negosyo at opisina, na tuluyang tumibag sa tradisyon na ang trabaho ng isang tao ay panghabambuhay dahil protektado ng Labor Code.

Maliban sa matitibay at matatandang kumpanya, sa serbisyo-sibil at sa pribadong sektor, marami ngayon ang “contractual” na trabahador, yaong mga nakakontratang papasok lang ng anim na buwan at pagkatapos ay sisisantihin na ng kumpanya upang mabigyang-daan naman ang iba pang manggagawang naghintay sa mababakanteng puwesto.

Panandaliang trabaho man ang mga ito ay isinasama rin sila sa estadistika ng gobyerno, kaya sa likod ng matataas na numero ay nagkukubli ang tunay na larawan ng kawalang-trabaho, paghihikahos, desperasyon, at pagpupuyos.

Hindi naman maisisisi sa gobyerno ang lahat ng suliranin sa kabuhayan. Ang kakulangan sa trabaho ay sanhi ng mabagal na pagsulong ng ekonomiya na nagsimula noong Dekada 70, nang humina ang mga industriya sa Pilipinas dulot ng mabilis na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at krudo sa pandaigdigang pamilihan, at pagbagsak ng halaga ng piso.

Marami namang dayuhang mangangalakal ang umalis dahil sa kabulukan sa gobyerno lalo na nang idiniklara ang batas-militar. Yaong mga pabrika ng mga kapitalistang dayuhan na dating nagluluwas ng mga produkto natin sa ibayong-dagat ay napilitang magsara nang iginiit ng mga manggagawang Pilipino ang kanilang mga karapatan.

Kasabay ng ganoong sitwasyon sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas ang mabilis na pagdami ng populasyon dahil sa pagsayaw ng mga lider ng bansa, mambabatas at pulitiko sa tugtog ng Simbahang Katoliko laban sa “birth control”.

Nakita ng mga tagaplano ng ekonomiya sa hindi makakasabay ng pagpapalago sa mga industriya at pagpaparami ng trabahong mapapasukan ang pagputok ng populasyon. Kaya noong 1973 ay inumpisahan na ng Pilipinas ang maramihang pagluluwas ng mga manggagawa sa ibayong-dagat upang doon maghanap-buhay.

Kung noong mga naunang dekada ay mga duktor, nars, musikero at manananghal ang iniluluwas ng Pilipinas, ang mga ito ay nasundan ng mga iba’t ibang uri ng manggagawa.

Simula noon ay sa ibayong-dagat na rin nakatanaw ang marami sa mga nagtatapos sa mga kolehiyo at unibersidad. Nang lumaon ay “mag-abroad” na ang nasa isip ng bawat magsasaka at manggagawa, at mga propesyonal. Maging ang mga titser, nars at komadrona ay namasukan na ring kasambahay.

Nakalulungkot dahil ang mga propesyonal na nagdudulot nga mga batayang serbisyo sa komunidad ay nauwi sa pagiging kasambahay sa ibang bansa. Iniwan nilang kapos sa guro ang mga paaralan at kulang sa nars at komadrona sa mga pagamutan.

Nararamdaman ngayon ng ating bayan ang pagkawala ng mga talentong dapat sana ay mga kababayan natin ang makikinabang. Kaya ngayon ay sinisikap ng mga organisasyon at gobyerno na ibalik sila sa mga sektor na pinagmulan upang doon muling maglingkod.

Palaro ginanap ng The Adventurers

Ipinagdiwang ng “The Adventurers” ang unang taon ng pagkakatatag ng samahan sa pamamagitan ng palarong palakasan at kasayahan sa Repulse Bay Beach noong Okt 1.

Pangkalahatang kampeon sa mga ginanap na palaro ang Red Team, na nag-uwi ng pinakamalaking tropeo at papremyong $300.

Pumangalawa ang Black Team, na nabigyan din ng tropeo at papremyong $200, samantalang pumangatlo ang Blue-Green Team, na nag-uwi ng $100 bilang premyo.

Ang lahat ng manlalarong lumahok ay may natanggap na regalo batay sa bilang ng ma sinalihang palaro, talo man o panalo. Nabigyan din ng mga medalya ang mga mahusay na manlalaro.

Nagdagdag anghang sa programa ang paligsahan sa cheerleading, na napanalunan ng Black Team.

Nagsimula ang pagdiriwang sa pamamagitan ng  pag-aalay ng pasasalamat at paghingi ng gabay sa Panginoon sa pamumuno ni Mirasol Salanga, ang bise-presidente ng Kapatid-Kaibigan-Kapamilya o KKK.

Sinundan iyon ng nagbigay-inspirasyong mensahe ni Reynaldo Macalalad, ang nagtatag at presidente ng KKK.

Naging malaking bahagi  ng programa ang  mga panauhing pangdangal na sina Sanny delos Santos, ang nagtatag ng Fat Big Heart, na isa sa mga nagtalumpati; ang kanyang maybahay na si Liezel; at si Regina de Andres, na nagtatag at administrador ng OFWs in Hong Kong, na isa rin sa mga nagsalita.

Ang mag-asawang Delos Santos at si De Andres ang tumulong at umalalay sa The Adventurers hanggang sa matapos ang programa.

Nairaos ang pagdiriwang pagkaraan ng isang buwang pagod, puyat at emosyon na ginugol ng bawat miyembro sa paghahanda para sa espesyal na araw. Kabilang dito ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang  lider ng koponang sumali.

Tumulong naman sa pangangailangang pinansyal ang mga kaibigan sa komunidad at isang kumpanya.

“Ang lahat ng pagod at puyat bilang namumuno sa aming kapatiran ay nasulit sa tagumpay ng anibersaryo. Kaysarap pagmasdan ang mga ngiti at pagkakaisa ng lahat,” sabi ni Analyn Soriba, ang pangulo ng The Adventurers.

Ang samahan ay bukas sa lahat ng mga nais sumali, sabi pa niya.

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.”