One Pinay acquitted, 3 others convicted of acting as 'drug mules’

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina walked free from the High Court yesterday, Nov. 14, after being acquitted of drug trafficking, and of conspiring with three others to commit the crime.

Maricel Thomas was the only one of four Filipinas who was cleared of all charges of bringing cocaine into Hong Kong in September last year.

The cocaine was found inside the hidden
compartment of a hand-carried bag

Her lawyer managed to convince the jury that Thomas did not know the person who gave her the bag with cocaine, and was only enticed to go to Hong Kong at the last minute.

Thomas also had no reason to act as a drug mule as she was getting adequate financial support from her estranged husband.

Shirley Chua, 46, who was arrested with Thomas at the Hong Kong International Airport on the evening Sept 25, 2015, was found guilty of trafficking in a dangerous drug. She was, however, cleared of the conspiracy charge.

Thomas and Chua were among four Filipinas who were tried by a seven-man jury on charges of conspiring to traffic around 4 kilograms of cocaine into Hong Kong.  

All four arrived on the same day aboard Cebu Pacific's last flight from Manila.

The two other Filipinas who were on the same flight with them, Remelyn Roque and Ana Louella Creus, were found guilty of the conspiracy to traffic drugs.

Thomas and Chua were arrested at the airport after Customs officers found four slabs weighing 2.45 kg of a solid substance containing cocaine from their hand-carried luggage.

Government tests later showed Chua’s luggage had 944 grams of pure cocaine while Thomas’ had 923 grams.

However, Roque and Creus, a 30-year-old dentist, managed to pass unchallenged through the green, or “nothing to declare,” lane at the Customs area of the HKIA arrival hall. 

But they were arrested as they were about to board a flight back to Manila two days later. By then, they had already delivered a bag each to two "black men" at Chung King Mansions in Tsimshatsui..

Justice Audrey Campbell-Moffat, who presided over the 16-day jury trial, scheduled the sentencing of the three for Jan 18.  

The four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges at the opening of the trial on Nov 6. 

But government prosecutor John Wright said they knew they were carrying something illicit in their luggage.

The four lawyers appointed by Legal Aid to represent the four defendants, disputed the conspiracy charge.

But the prosecution said the accused conspired with a woman named Nora Noora, who met with all four in Roque’s house in Cavite on Sept 23, 2015 and briefed them on their mission in Hong Kong. 

It was also Noora who booked their air tickets and provided them the four traveling bags with the concealed cocaine slabs, he said. She also gave them specific instructions to take the bags to Chung King Mansions.

But Kevin Egan, for defendant Chua, disputed this story.

"If there was conspiracy, my client would have known all her companions in the trip to Hong Kong from the beginning,” Egan argued. 

He said Chua did not get to know all the other defendants until the day of their departure.

Egan said his client had no plan to visit Hong Kong until the last minute, when she met Noora and Roque in the beauty parlor where she went for grooming.

Chua, in fact, did not know that she was already being booked on Sept 22, 2015, by Noora for the flight to Hong Kong, Egan said. 

He said the woman is a single mother with a young daughter and son who she could not leave alone at home.

As for agreeing to take the traveling bag to Chung King Mansions, Egan said it was a Filipino custom to oblige a request for help by other people.

Diane Cribbens, for Thomas, said there were two important issues: 1) the prosecution had to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt; and 2) the jury must consider the cases against each defendant individually.

“Even if you find evidence strong enough to convict one defendant, it may not be sufficient to convict another,” Cribbens told the jury.

Cribbens said Thomas, a mother of four who was separated from her husband, was receiving money every two weeks from the commander of her soldier-husband’s unit. She had no financial need that would have pushed her to drug trafficking, the lawyer said.

She said Thomas was asked by her acquaintance Roque if she wanted to travel to Hong Kong for free, so, she agreed as she had never been here. “She was just a last-minute tug-along,” Cribbens said.

Phil Chau, for Creus, said his client was a single, young professional, a dentist who was earning more than P30,000 a month from her practice.

Chau noted it was only Creus whose phone did not have messages showing she had knowledge of the Hong Kong operation. She was excluded from the loop and got a massage from Noora only once.  

Wright said Noora, who he referred to as “the boss”, and the Filipino van driver who brought the four bags to replace the four defendants’ luggage,  were part of the conspiracy.

Gov't does new autopsy on DH who fell to death in China

The Hong Kong government conducted on Nov 13 its own autopsy on the remains of Lorain Asuncion, the 28-year-old Filipina domestic helper who fell to her death in Shenzhen in late July. 

The decision to perform its own forensic examination of the maid’s body was made by the government two days before Asuncion’s remains were to have been flown home on Nov 12, an officer of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section told The SUN in a telephone inquiry.

The new autopsy was the third such procedure performed on Asuncion since she was reported to have plunged to her death from the 22^nd floor window of the flat of her female employer’s father in Longgang District, Shenzhen on July 23 or 24.

She arrived there on July 22 supposedly to join her employers’ family, who went to spend their summer vacation on the mainland but were elsewhere when the tragedy happened.

Two previous autopsies performed separately by the Shenzhen police and a private forensic expert both ruled out foul play.

Danny Baldon, the ATN officer who has been liaising with the police since the remains of Asuncion, single, arrived in Hong Kong on the evening of Nov 9, said the autopsy is a standard requirement for bodies that are in transit here to their final destination.

He said he would try to arrange a public viewing for friends and supporters of the deceased OFW before she would be finally flown home.

The remains were taken directly to the Fushan Public Mortuary in Taiwai, Shatin, where the autopsy was conducted.

The original plan by her recruitment agency in Hong Kong, Sunlight Employment Agency, was for the cadaver to be taken to Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom before her onward flight to Manila last Sunday, Baldon said.

He said the remains were already booked on Philippine Airlines flight PR301, but the surprise decision to do a new autopsy would now call for Asuncion’s repatriation to be rescheduled. 

Baldon said Asuncion's family had been informed of the decision to conduct another autopsy, and that an aunt of hers who works in Hong Kong gave her consent to the autopsy on Nov 10.

In Manila, the sister of Asuncion, Jenevieve A. Javier, told The SUN her family wanted the Hong Kong police to conduct their own autopsy of her sister's remains in order to clear lingering doubts surrounding her death.

Meanwhile, Asuncion's employers, the couple Gu Hauiyu and Ms Liu, are under investigation by the Hong Kong police in connection with the maid's trips to Shenzhen with her employers.

Gu and Liu are due to report back to the police headquarters by the end of December, a police spokesman told The SUN on Nov 9. 

Asuncion had been reportedly taken four times previously to the Shenzhen flat of Liu Heping, father of her female employer, to do house chores there.

On July 23, the elder Liu called police at 9:30am to report that the maid had gone missing but her belongings were in the flat. At around the same time the next day, he called again and reported finding the maid’s body on the garden below the block.  

HK gov't to do new autopsy on DH who fell to death in China

by Vir B. Lumicao

The Hong Kong govt has decided to conduct its own autopsy on the remains of Lorain Asuncion, the Filipina domestic helper who fell to her death in Shenzhen in late July.

An officer of the Consulate's assistance to nationals section told The SUN that the new autopsy will be conducted today, Monday, Nov 13.

But Danny Baldon said the autopsy is a standard requirement for bodies that are in transit here to their final destination. He has been liaising with the police since the remains of 28-year-old Asuncion arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday evening.

The remains were taken directly to the Fushan Public Mortuary in Taiwai, Shatin, where the autopsy will be conducted. They were originally scheduled to be taken to Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom before an onward flight to Manila this Sunday.

Baldon said the repatriation will now have to be rescheduled

He said Asuncion's family have been informed of the decision to conduct another autopsy. An aunt of Asuncion who works in Hong Kong reportedly gave her consent to the autopsy Friday.

He said the Consulate will try to request for a public viewing of the maid's remains before her final flight home.

In Manila, Asuncion's sister Jenevieve A. Javier, told The SUN her family wants the Hong Kong police to conduct their own autopsy to clear doubts surrounding Lorain's death.

Asuncion was found dead on the garden below the 22nd-storey flat of her female employer's father in Shenzhen on July 24,

An initial autopsy by the Shenzhen police shortly after Asuncion's death, as well as a follow-up examination of her body by a private forensic expert last mont, both ruled out foul play. The autopsies concluded she died from injuries consistent with a fall.

Meanwhile, Asuncion's employers, the couple Gu Hauiyu and Ms Liu., remain under investigation by the Hong Kong police in connection with the maid's frequent trips to Shenzhen with them.

Gu and Liu are due to report back to the police headquarters by the end of December.

Deployment ban on OFWs takes effect Nov 13

by Daisy CL Mandap

An estimated 75,000 newly hired overseas Filipino workers are expected to get stuck in the Philippines when a 15-day suspension on the processing of overseeas workers certificates take effect startting tomorrow, Nov.13.

The halt to OEC processing, which effectively results in a deploy,ent ban on all new hires, was ordered by Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello in a memo dated Nov. 9.

Bello said he took the move as a result of "persistent reports of illegal recruitment activities, including direct hires, and in order to protect the public from the pernicious activities of unscrupulous individuals preying on Filipinos deciding to work overseas".

Reports from Manila say Bello received reports of a syndicate operating out of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which fleeces Php250,000 from each new hire who wants to bypass the regular OEC processing.  These new hires are reportedly classified as returning workers so all they need to do is "renew" their OEC, allowing them to fly straight to their destination .

Among those likely to be affected by the 15-day ban are about 750 OFWs bound for Hong Kong. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office says about 1,500 new OFWs arrive in Hong Kong each monrh.

The unexpected move has been met with widespread criticism from affected sectors in both the Philippines and abroad.

Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre admits his office phones "have not stopped ringing" since news of Bello's ban reached affected sectors.
Asked what he tells the anxious callers,. Dela Torre said, "that it's just for 15 days."

Bello's order, however, states that the ban is "subject to extension as circumstances may require".

Labatt Dela Torre hastened to add that the OEC processing ban does not affect workers who are already in Hong Kong.

His assurance failed to appease migrant organizations, however.
In a hastily arranged protest action outside POLO's offices in Admiralty Centre on Nov. 12, Migrante-Hong Kong called the deployment ban "blatantly anti-OFW and anti-worker."

A statement they issued at the rally said Bello should punish corrupt officials and illegal re recruiters, not the OFWS."

The protesters also blasted the labor chief for his failure to abide by his long-standing promise of abolishing the OEC,

In Manila, some recruitment companies have also hit out at the suspension order, saying it was implemented without prior consultation with concerned sectors.

They also said the order affects not only OFWs, but also foreign employers, especially those in key industries like healthcare, construction and manufacturing, as their businesses could be adversely affected.

Maid gets 6 months for stealing $7,000 from employer

Bautista was sentenced at Kowloon City court

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker was sentenced to six months in jail on Oct 31 in Kowloon City Court for stealing close to $7,000 from her employer in September.

Rochelle B. Bautista, 33, was arrested on Sept 25 after her employer, Ms Lee, reported to police that she had lost 2,000 renminbi, US$100 and $3,000 in a plastic envelope she had kept in a red suitcase in her flat at The Waterfront in Tsimshatsui.

The missing money was equivalent to $6,850. Police recovered the missing $700 from the maid’s belongings. 

Bautista, who had been employed by Lee since April this year, was released on police bail following the investigation.

The prosecution said the stolen money was part of 5,700 renminbi, $7,000 and US$400 placed in five envelopes that Lee wrapped in a plastic bag and kept in the locked suitcase before she left the house on the morning of Sept 25.

When she returned in the evening, she found out only 3,700 renminbi, $4,000 and US$300 were left, prompting her to review the CCTV footage. There she saw Bautista forcing the suitcase open with a pen and taking out the plastic bag containing the money.

The prosecution said the maid was unaware of the closed-circuit TV camera.

Magistrate Peter Law convicted Bautista after she pleaded guilty to the charge in a hearing on Oct 26.

“Stealing from your employer is a serious offense. It’s a breach of trust she placed on you,” Law told Bautista.

But Law delayed the sentencing after the duty lawyer assigned to represent Bautista asked him to issue a compensation order, as the defendant allegedly wanted to compensate her employer for the 2,000 renminbi and US$100.

“The court does not accept foreign currencies. So go to the money shop and exchange you money for Hong Kong dollars,” Law told the defendant. He reset the sentencing.

Later, Law said that even though Bautista had compensated the victim, she had committed a serious offense.

Maid fined 10 times value of stolen food packs

Merogenia was sentenced in Shatin court

By Vir B. Lumicao

For failing to pay for nine grocery items she took in a supermarket, a Filipina domestic worker was convicted by a Shatin Court of theft and fined $2,000, ten times the amount of the foodstuff that she had stolen.

Leah Merogenia, a single mother in her 30s and sole breadwinner in the family, broke into tears and embraced her lawyer as soon as Magistrate Colin Wong left the courtroom after imposing the fine on Nov. 1.

She also hugged her male employer who was at the hearing and was reportedly taking her back. 

She was charged with theft for stealing a pack each of oatmeal, blueberries, candy dates, cashew, two packs of dumplings, two packs of pork and a pack of chicken fillet, worth a total of $199.30 from a Wellcome shop in Taiwai, Shatin on July 19.

She pleaded not guilty when the case came up for mention at Shatin Court in July, paving the way for the one-day trial on Nov 1, during which both the key witness, a staff at the Wellcome store, and Merogenia gave evidence.

The Filipina’s troubles began when she went to the supermarket on the first floor of Yiu Po Mansion after buying some vegetables from the market.

The prosecution said she was seen by a male staff picking up the oatmeal pack and all the other items and putting them into her black recyclable shoulder bag, unaware that she was being watched by the supermarket staff.

Merogenia also took two packs of fishballs and went to the cashier and paid for them, but not the nine items that she had stashed in her bag. When she left the supermarket and crossed the street, the staff stopped her, inspected her bag and found the unpaid for items.

He called the police and Merogenia was arrested.

Pronouncing his verdict on Nov 3, Wong rejected Merogenia’s evidence, saying he doubted that she forgot to pay for the nine grocery items because she was concerned about her sick son.

In contrast, Wong said he accepted the Welcome staff’s evidence because he was truthful and reliable. He said he found the defendant guilty.

In sentencing, the magistrate said: “I considered the defendant’s clear record, the nature of the offense and the value of the stolen items. I impose a fine of $2,000 to be taken from the bail money.”

Real life ‘Romeo’ succumbs to cancer

By Daisy CL Mandap

For much of his 48 years, Romeo F. Fulay, true to his name, romanced not a few women, and sired seven children in the process.

But when he succumbed to cancer of the esophagus on Oct. 5, the former driver and dependant visa holder had to rely largely on his two older sisters in Hong Kong for support.

One of them, Concepcion Fulay, related to The SUN how her brother had struggled valiantly for more than 11 months while cancer was slowly ravaging his body.

“Dati 110 kilos ang weight niya, nung bago siya mamatay bumagsak sa 55 kilos,” said Concepcion.

She said that for a long time before his cancer was diagnosed, Romeo had a hard time swallowing. He would reportedly drink 1.5 liters of water just so he could take in his food, but did not see the need to consult a doctor.

In October last year, he reportedly felt sick during a trip to Macau. On his return on Oct. 3 he was admitted to Ruttonjee hospital. There, the doctors told him they needed to talk to his family members.

“Nagduda na ako noon na may ‘something’ sa kundisyon nya,” said Concepcion.

From Ruttonjee Romeo was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital where he remained until he passed on.

Romeo F. Fulay

Romeo’s lengthy stay at the hospital was not easy for the siblings. Just before he was told he had cancer, Romeo lost his job as a driver, leaving him to rely on his sisters for support. At the time, he also just had his seventh child with his girlfriend.

Left with not much resources, the siblings were able to get all of Romeo’s hospital bills waived, except for the initial PET scan which cost $7,900.

When he died, the family also managed to get the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines to pay for the cost of repatriating his remains to their hometown of Iromin, Sorsogon on Oct. 24.

For all that, Concepcion said their family is grateful. She also said, with a hint of smile, that Romeo’s death paved the way for his four previous partners and the six children they collectively had with him, to get together and be reconciled. Sadly, she said Romeo’s first child- whom he sired when he was just 17 - died in his teens because of kidney failure.

Her only regret was that Romeo’s last wish, which was to die in the Philippines, did not happen because his health had deteriorated so quickly he could no longer be allowed to get on a plane.

Romeo’s Bicolano friends in Hong Kong, notably Art Buban of Bicol Saro, gathered together to see him off, and do a bit of fundraising to help tide his family over.

Another Filipino OFW, Ernesto Hermano, also 48 years old, died suddenly of a stroke earlier in October. His remains were brought to his home in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte on Oct. 20, after a funeral attended by his various relatives, friends and employers.

On Oct. 22, a Sunday, a memorial mass was said for him at the Consulate.

Hermano reportedly worked mostly as a messenger for the family he had served in Tsing Yi for 25 years.  He left behind his Hong Kong-based wife, Melanie. - DCLM

 

Starting a food business: The JC The Foodie story

By Jo Campos

Jo before food she cooked for friends

I am JC The Foodie. I started using this name on my blogs on social media and as a food writer for Food Trip with The SUN. Being a food lover myself, I would usually take pictures of the food that I ate with friends when we’d go out for lunch or dinner. When there was a dish that I particularly liked, I would try to cook my version of it at home, then post pictures on social media.

Having had quite an ample experience in cooking Western and Asian cuisine during my 31 years in Hong Kong as an OFW, I had always dreamed of setting up my own food business on my return to the Philippines. This finally happened in December 2016, when I packed all my bags and headed home, for good.  I told myself, “This is it! It’s now or never!”

Soon after coming home, I started selling home-cooked meals at our housing subdivision’s Sunday market. It was an instant hit, and I started gaining regular customers. Occasionally, I would accept food orders for delivery at nearby areas. Sometime I would help my niece, Mae, in the catering business that she, her husband and a couple of friends owned, called Miss Cuisine Catering Specialists. Sadly, this collaboration ended when the partners decided to part ways so they could pursue other businesses.

Mom-to-be Pauleen Luna with Jo and the catering staff

After this, we had a long family talk and we decided to continue the catering business, and this was how JC The Foodie Catering and Food Services was established. It is a family enterprise, with investors, cooks and service crew all rolled up into one small company. I am now a partner of the business along with my niece, Mae Maghirang Tovera who is an Enderun College Culinary Arts Graduate, and owner of “The Pink Chef by Mae”, which specializes in customized cakes.

Our first dry run/kick off event was a baptismal party for Mae’s daughter Pia at our residence. From then on, with the help of relatives and friends’ recommendations and “word of mouth”, JC The Foodie company gained more clients and contacts.

Among the big events we organized and catered were my sister’s 25th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows. We also do regular “Sparty,” or spa party, at Nail Mama on Gilmore St., in Quezon City, and a few corporate lunch buffets. Recently we were recommended to cater a baby shower for celebrities Nikka and Patrick Garcia at Rockwell Towers in Makati. It was a party for 70 with a pink ballerina motif.

JC The Foodie’s biggest challenge so far, and also served as its main launch, came when we were chosen to cater for Pauleen and Vic Sotto’s Hawaiian luau-themed baby shower at One Andrea Tower in Quezon City. It was a full-themed buffet party for 100 people, including all of the “dabarkads” or cast and crew of the longest-running noontime variety show, “Eat Bulaga.” The menu consisted of chicken cordon bleu with mayo wasabi and dijon honey dip, salisbury steak in creamy mushroom gravy, fettuccine carbonara, chop suey and fried rice. For desserts, we served coffee jelly shots, buko pandan jello and cupcakes by The Pink Chef by Mae.

We were so pleased that everyone loved the food. Joey de Leon was the first to try the carbonara and praised JC The Foodie, while his wife Aileen requested for our name card. Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo enjoyed the desserts and the chicken, while phenomenal star Maine Mendoza enjoyed both the fettucine and the chicken.

Anjo Yllana couldn’t get enough of our coffee jelly shots that he consumed about 11 in one go!

I was pleased to note that the rest of the guests had seconds at the buffet table, while Pauleen Luna Sotto showed delight with the set up and food. Vic Sotto personally thanked JC The Foodie on Eat Bulaga.

The hosts and guests like Ryan Agoncillo and wife
Judy Ann Santos loved JC's  food

This early, JC The Foodie already has a confirmed booking for a 300-person event in Marikina in December, another celebrity baby shower in January 2018 and a 200-pax 60th birthday party slated for March 2018.

To cater to the more discerning tastes of our clients, Mae and I always do kitchen tests on the food that we are going to serve, a few weeks before the event. This is to make sure that everything is done well, and to the client’s specification. We personally prepare and assemble all the equipment for the catering, including table linens and napkins, food warmers, cutleries, glasses and plates. If needed, we make several trips to Quiapo and Divisoria for the things we need and to Taytay textile market for the table cloths and napkins. We choose good stylists and outsource our chairs and tables to ensure quality and variety.

Mae and I spend hours in the kitchen preparing all the food, from purchasing the ingredients to preparation, cooking and transporting to the venues. We pick quality ingredients and use fresh herbs from my herb garden. This is to make sure that we maintain the best quality of service and food that we serve our clients.

Catering is a daunting task; it requires a lot of hard work, perseverance and innovation in food preparation. There are already a lot of catering service providers in Metro Manila alone, with quite a few already established, so for a newbie like us to stand out, we have to concentrate on being unique and on serving only high quality food.

This we try to do by turning a common recipe into a unique dish that will surprise and please the client. We also try to put our personal touch to our food, like blending herbs and spices to create something special out of the ordinary.

In this business, it also matters a lot if you have good connections, and the best way to strengthen your reach is to ensure that your clients are satisfied with your service. Clients would most likely recommend your services if they are satisfied.

Staying firmly in the race for recognition is a challenging, but at the same time, a fulfilling task. But at the end of the day, there is only one thing that should matter, which is pleasing your client.

But wait, there’s more…. Another JC The Foodie Quote:

“What I’ve enjoyed most, though, is meeting people who have real interest in food and sharing ideas with them. Good food is a global thing and I find that there is always something new and amazing to learn. I love it!” – Jamie Oliver

Fate, puspusan ang paghahanda para sa liga

Ni Emz Frial

Maligaya ang mga miyembro ng Fate kahit natalo
sila ng Guangzhou sa warmup game.

Puspusan ang ensayong ginagawa ng koponang Fate para sa nalalapit nilang laban sa Hong Kong Softball Association Women’s League.

Ang Fate ay isang koponang binubuo ng mga manggagawang Pilipino dito sa Hong Kong sa larangan ng larong softball. 

Linggo-linggo ay makikita ang grupo sa palaruan ng Shek Kip Mei para mag-ensayo.  Kinakailangan nilang maging handa sa nalalapit na pagsimula ng Season 2017-2018 ng liga.

Noong nakaraang season ay pumangalawa ang Fate sa kabuuang ranggo na isinasagawa ng HKSA. Samakatwid,  ang grupo ay puwede nang umakyat sa Group A ng liga. 

Ngunit dahil sa kakulangan ng manlalaro na puwede at handang isabak laban sa magagaling na koponan ay mas pinili ng kanilang team captain na si Don Gaborno na manatili na lamang sila sa Group B.

Sinang-ayunan naman ito ng kanilang manager na si Law Wai Ho. 

Subalit ang desisyon na iyon ay may kaakibat na sakripisyo sa ilang miyembro ng Fate dahil pito lamang sa dating mga manlalaro ang puwedeng manatili sa grupo upang magpatuloy sa paglalaro. 

Ito ay alinsunod sa lamang sa mga alituntunin ng HKSA.

Naging mahirap para kay Gaborno ang ginawang desisyon dahil baka hindi ito maintindihan ng iba niyang manlalaro.

Kaya kahit labag sa kalooban ni Gaborno ay kinailangan niyang mamili  kung sino ang magpapatuloy sa paglalaro at kung sino ang pansamantalang titigil.

Hindi ito ikinatuwa ng mga napili at nagalit ang mga ito. Wala namang magagawa si Gaborno kundi hingin na sana’y maintindihan nila ang naging desisyon.

Tiniyak naman nito na naging patas ang kanyang naging basihan sa pagpili ng manlalaro na mananatili sa koponan. Napag-alaman na nagpaalam na ang ibang miyembro nito pagtakapos ng Season 4 dahil sa personal na kadahilanan.

Noong nakaraang Okt 29 ay nagkaroon ng “friendly game” ang Fate laban koponan ng Guangzhou, isa sa mga batikang grupo ng softball sa mainland China.

Kahit natalo ang Fate ay ipinakita ng mga manlalaro nito na kaya nilang makipagsabayan sa magagaling na kalaban mula sa ibang koponan.

Ipinakilala naman ng grupo ang mga bagong miyembro nito na sina Jeremiah Gabales,  Jonalyn Cupag, Bambee Abadilla,  Belenda Ganitano, Charlou Gat-eb,  Delia Elbanbueno, Juliet Fernandez, Sherlyn Gamata, Reyze Valeriano at Jessie Antoniano.

“Sa nakita ko sa laro namin laban sa Guangzhou, kaunting praktis pa, lahat ng bagong players ay willing to learn at dedicated talaga,” ika niya.

Inaasahang magsimula ang ika-limang season ng liga sa kalagitnaan ng Nobyembre.

KCC, ang co-op ng mga OFW na mula sa Benguet

Ni Cristina B. Cayat

Bilang isang manggagawa sa ibang bansa, puno tayo ng pangarap.

Bago pa lang umalis sa bansang sinilangan marami na tayong gustong makamit, at isa na rito ang pagkakaroon ng negosyo pagdating ng panahon na tayo ay bumalik na nang tuluyan sa ating mga mahal sa buhay.

Ngunit sa tagal ng panahon nating pagtratrabaho sa ibayong dagat, nasusuong din tayo sa iba’t ibang pagsubok kaya naman, minsan ang mga pangarap na ating ipinunla sa ating mga puso ay hindi agad natutupad.

Ang buwanang sahod natin dito sa Hong Kong ay halos hindi magkasya sa buong pamilya natin sa Pilipinas dahil sa napakaraming gastusin. Kaya madalas, ang inaasam na pagbabalik ay nauunsiyami.

Sila ang mga dumalo sa seminar na inorganisa ng Department of Agriculture , Cooperative Development Authority ng CAR sa pakikipag ugnayan ni Luciana Dangbis. Maliban kay Luciana, pawang mga "for good" na ang mga dumalo. Ang seminar ay upang lalong maintindihan nila ang mga alituntunin, karapatan, at mga benepisyo ng pagiging miyembro ng kooperatiba.

Pero may mga OFW pa rin na nagpursigi na makamit ang kanilang pangarap na pangkabuhayan. Kabilang na dito ang grupo ni Luciana Dangbis at ang kanyang mga kababayan sa Kabayan, Benguet, na nagtayo ng isang kooperatiba.

Hindi naging hadlang ang patuloy na paninilbihan ni Dangbis sa Hong Kong para maumpisahan ang bunga ng kanyang mga pagsisikap, ang Kintoman Credit Cooperative.

Itinayo ito noong 2014 sa kanyang masigasig na pakikipag ugnayan sa lokal na gobyerno ng Kabayan noong ang mayor dito ay si Faustino Aquisan. Sa umpisa pa lang ay nagalak na ang alkalde sa planong inihain sa kanya ni Dangbis, kaya lalong lumakas ang loob ng OFW.

Sa tulong ni Marilou Cosalan na nagtatrabaho sa Social Worker Department ng local na gobyerno ng Kabayan ay naisulong ang mga papeles ng koop nang hindi nahirapan si Dangbis. Nang makuha na niya ang kinakailangang dokumento ay agad hinikayat ni Dangbis ang kanyang mga kababayan na nasa Hong Kong at pati na iyong mga nagsipagbalik na sa Pilipinas na sumali sa kooperatiba.

Todo suporta din ang Department of Agriculture sa Benguet at sa tulong ni Cosalan ay nag-organisa sila ng mga seminar para sa mga ex- OFW na nakabalik na sa kanilang bayan at intresadong sumali sa ko-op. Sa tulong ng Cooperative Development Authority ay nailatag ng grupo ang mga alituntunin ng koop.

Ayon kay Dangbis, matagal nang hiling ng marami sa kanyang dating grupo na magkaroon ng paglalagakan ng pera na sigurado na ay nakakatulong pa sila sa kapwa nilang kababayan na nangangailangan.

Matapos ang masinsinang pag-uusap tungkol sa legal at teknikal na proseso ng pagkakaroon ng kooperatiba ay nabuo ang KCC sa Pilipinas, mula sa pagiging Kabayan Overseas Workers Association sa Hong Kong. Nahalal si Flordeliza Gadate bilang presidente, si Eliaren Abellera bilang ingat-yaman, at si Myrna Alberto bilang tagapamahala ng kooperatiba. Lahat sila ay pawang mga dating OFW. Sina Abellera at Alberto ang nakatalagang empleyado ng KCC sa ngayon.

Ayon kay Dangbis, masaya siyang nakapagtalaga ng dalawang dating OFW para maging empleyado ng koop.

Ang punong tanggapan ng KCC ay nasa Pacso Kabayan, Benguet at mayroon silang sangay sa KM5 La Trinidad, Benguet.

Ang unang 20 “cooperators” na sumali ay naglagak ng tig-limang libong pisong “share capital” at limandaang piso (Php500) na membership fee.

Sa kasalukuyan ay mayroon nang 56 na miyembro ang kooperatiba at Php500,000.00 ang asset ng koop. Naghahati-hati sa “net surplus” o tubo ang 56 na miyembro at 43 na cooperators. Noong unang taon ay kumita ang KCC ng Php110,000 at pinaghati-hatian ito ng mga cooperators.

Ang isang cooperator ay kailangang magkaroon ng Php5000 na capital share at Php500 na membership fee upang makasali sa hatian ng net surplus.

Ayon kay Dangbis, ang pagpapalago at pangangalaga ng koop ay hindi madali. Mabusisi ang kada apat na buwan na pagtitipon pagkatapos ng pagpupulong ng board of directors, pero napaka importante daw na laging may talastasan dahil pera ng mga kababayan na nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong ang nasa kooperatiba.

Mabuti na lang at dahil sa paggabay ng kanilang mga mentor mula sa local na gobyerno ng Kabayan at ni Cosalan ng DA, unti-unti nang umuusad ang kooperatiba.

Mula sa dating Kabayan Overseas Workers Association (KOWA) na pinangunahan ni Linda Nalibsan ng dalawang taon ay isinulong ni Dangbis ang pagtatatag ng isang kooperatiba, na ngayon ay kilala na bilang KCC.

Pagkatapos lang ng dalawang taon ay accredited na ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration CAR ang KCC.

Ayon kay Dangbis, mas mainam na mayroon na silang pinaglalagyan ng pera nila na malapit lamang sa kanilang lugar, at higit sa lahat ay kumikita kahit maliit na halaga lang. Mayroon ding medical benefit sa pinakamalapit na kaanak ng bawat miyembro.

Nagbibigay din ang KCC ng tulong sa kanilang kumunidad, gaya ng pagbibigay ng lutuan sa isang day care center, timbangan sa lokal na klinika, at donasyon sa mga simbahan.

Mas natututukan na ni Dangbis ang pag-agapay sa kanyang mga kababayan nang matagumpay niyang napagtapos sa kolehiyo ang kanyang tatlong anak. Ang panganay na si Janine ay nagtapos bilang cum laude sa St Louis University sa Baguio kung saan siya ay scholar, at kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa research department ng National University Hospital sa Singapore. Ang pangalawa na si Rachel ay nutrionist na sa Premier Medical Center sa Cabanatuan City samantalang ang bunsong si James Ryan ay katatapos lamang ng sa kursong forestry. Parehong nagtapos ang dalawang nakakabata sa Benguet State University.

Laking pasasalamat ni Luciana dahil napakatibay ang pundasyon ng kanilang pamilya bagamat maaga silang naulila ng kanyang asawa. Aniya, iniwan siya ng kanyang asawa ng mga responsableng anak.

Dating guro ang kanyang asawang si James, ngunit noong nangibang-bansa si Dangbis simula noong 1999 sa Taiwan at 2001 naman dito sa Hong Kong ay iniwan na ng asawa ang pagtuturo para maalagaan ang kanilang mga anak na noon ay mga bata pa. Taong 2005 nang ito ay pumanaw.

Noong 2016 ay nagkaroon si Dangbis ng pagkakataon na makasama ang tatlong anak ng mga apat na buwan nang siya ay maoperahan dahil sa myoma. Sa kanyang pag-aayos sa kanilang bahay ay nakita niya ang isang karton kung saan nakalagay lahat ang mga resibo para sa mga pinapadala niyang pera na inipon pala ng kanyang mga anak mula noong sila ay mga bata pa. Hindi daw napigilan ni Dangbis ang mapaiyak dahil nakita niya kung gaano ka responsable ang kanyang mga anak, at kung paano nila pinahahalagahan ang kanyang mga pagsisikap para sa kanila.

Sa ngayon ay wala nang iba pang pinagkakaabalahan si Dangbis kundi ang umagapay sa kanyang mga kababayan, lalo na yung mga bagong dating pa lang sa Hong Kong. Gusto din niya na magtatag ng dagdag-pagsasanay para sa kanyang kababayan na gustong magtayo ng mga simpleng negosyo gaya ng paghahabi, paggawa ng banga, at paggawa ng pasta mula sa mga gulay na tumutubo sa Benguet.

Lagi din siyang nakikipag-ugnayan sa OWWA at iba pang sangay ng gobyerno para masiguro ang patuloy na paglago ng sinimulan niyang kooperatiba.

House or condo

By Francisco J. Colayco
(Part II)

In the previous issue, Mr. MF wrote to say he does not know whether he should buy a house and lot or a condo to reside in.  It is a financial decision that he has to make.  What is important is that the property brings money INTO his pocket through a decrease in expenses or increase in income (if he decides to rent it out) or through the increase of the value of the property if he decides to sell in the future.

Here are some thoughts you can consider when you want to live in a condo versus living in a house and lot:

While a condo does not have its own land, it is part of the condominium association that owns the land on which the building is located.  You have a Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT) instead of a Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) when you own land.  Of course, it is most important that your condo is well-located and built by a reputable company.  Condos in choice areas are expensive because the land value is very expensive. The price of good condos also go up in value. In many central locations, land is already too expensive for individuals to own.  Thus, there is sharing in the value of the land through a condominium.

Look at your lifestyle in the condo.  There might be expenses or savings there that you can analyze.  Usually, life is simpler if you have a small place and condos are usually small.  But then, house and lots can also be small.  Therefore, you must imagine the kind of life you will live in each and compute how much you will spend.

You need to understand who are the owners of the other units.  Are they the kind of people that you want to live “side-by-side” with? Depending on their good manners  and values, they will help in giving a good image to your condo and bring up its value. 

In the case of the location of your “house/lot”, your neighbors are also very important but often a house/lot has a little more space between neighbors.

You need to understand the Condominium Association By-laws because you will have to abide by those. 

A condo can grow in value as well if it is a good condo.  A house/lot may or may not grow in value depending on the location and maintenance of the house and the surrounding road infrastructure.  Check out the growth of the value of the property where you want a house/lot.  Check the condos of the property developer you are considering. That should give you an idea of the possible increase in the value.

Put all of these factors together in comparing a condo with a house/lot in actual numbers and put minus or plus in those numbers.  Put them in a separate column for the condo and for the house/lot.  Be honest with the numbers that you come up with.

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Please check out www.colaycofinancialeducation.com for more information on what I do now.

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

OFW with ovarian cancer abandoned by employer in hospital

By Daisy CL Mandap

A Filipina domestic worker who got kicked by her 4-year-old ward in the legs just two months into her job, then left on her own at Tuen Mun hospital by her employer, has found out she has a bigger problem to worry about.

Doctors who checked on Julie M., 40, just told her she has ovarian cancer. What’s worse, she may have to be operated on for the severe bruising on her legs caused by her ward’s unintentional but fierce kick.

Told about Julie’s situation on Oct 23, a week after she was left fending for herself at the hospital, Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre immediately put the Filipina’s employer on the watch list. That meant the employer, Benny Lam, wouldn’t be able to hire another Filipino worker again, unless he can convince the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to lift the ban.

Labatt dela Torre is also set to visit Julie himself, to try and dissuade her from going home.

Julie M is confined at Tuen Mun hospital where she was taken by her employer after being kicked by her ward, and abandoned. 

Several people who have visited Julie, including a welfare officer, have relayed the information that Julie has become despondent since being told of her illness, and wants to go back home to Cebu. Her family has apparently concurred with the decision.

In a brief telephone conversation with The SUN, Julie said that a week after she was accidentally kicked by her young ward, her whole leg swelled up.

Initially, her employer reportedly hesitated in taking her to the hospital, but relented eventually and took her to a clinic on Oct. 15.  After examining her, the doctor reportedly conferred with the employer, who then told her to go to Tuen Mun hospital.

Julie told The SUN her employer never visited or inquired into her condition afterwards. She was stuck there for a week with no one visiting her and with not much on her until a friend decided to contact The SUN for help on her behalf.

Labatt dela Torre is keen to convince Julie to hang on so she could continue receiving treatment. As she should still be on sick leave her employer cannot terminate her contract, which means she would still have her Hong Kong ID that allows her to be treated in a public hospital.

She may also use the time to file sick leave and other benefits from her employer.

And as she has worked in Hong Kong for just over two months, she is still covered by the 2-year mandatory insurance for all OFWs departing the Philippines for the first time.

 Among the benefits is the “compassionate visit” clause which provides that the worker could ask the insurer to pay for the airfare of a relative who will visit or tend to her at her sickbed.

The mandatory insurance also pays for a “subsistence allowance” for an OFW who files a case to asset her rights, and compensation in case of death or permanent incapacity.

For now, several OFWs are taking turns in visiting Julie in hopes of cheering her up, including a few Ilonggas in Tuen Mun and members of an Evangelical group who were all alerted to Julie’s condition by The SUN and Bombo Radyo contributor Merly T. Bunda.

Ex-HK OFWs seek Phl labor officials’ help in pursuing illegal recruiter

OFW victims meet with Philippines officials led by Labor Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia.

By Daisy CL Mandap

Three former overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong met with top labor officials in Manila on Oct 25 to formally ask for help in pursuing elusive recruiter Ester Ylagan.

During the meeting at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration office, the OFWs bared before officials led by Labor Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia how Ylagan lured them into paying thousands of dollars for fictitious jobs in Britain and Canada.

Ylagan, whose Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency used to supply the biggest number of Filipino domestic workers into Hong Kong, is accused of up to 500 Filipinos in Hong Kong, Macau and the Philippines, of making as much as $5 million from the scam.

Each applicant who signed up for a job in Canada paid $10,000 while those who wanted to work in the U.K. paid $15,000 each.

According to anti human trafficking and illegal recruitment advocate Susan Ople who accompanied the complainants, the meeting went well, with POEA taking down the victims’ complaints.

“They (POEA officials) are inviting other complainants,” Ople said in an online message shortly after the meeting. “They promised to build a strong case vs Ester.”

POEA is also investigating no less than 10 other cases against Ylagan filed directly with them by victims from as far north as Ilocos Norte, to Davao City in the south. The Philippines-based complainants were paid for by their Hong Kong relatives, enticed by the prospect that they could all be together in their dream destination.

Ylagan and her self-owned company, Mike’s Secretarial Service, face more than 300 money claims at the Small Claims Tribunal and several labor cases at Eastern Court, but has not been seen in Hong Kong since July last year, when her illicit operation unraveled.

Before she disappeared, she filed a complaint with Hong Kong Police, in which she claimed to have been duped of $4.2 million by an unnamed associate.

Recruiter Ester Ylagan is believed to
have returned to the Philippines.

Because of this claim, the police have ignored claims of fraud by her disgruntled applicants.

Immigration checks reportedly showed Ylagan being back in the Philippines, where she is said to live in an upmarket residential block in BGC, Taguig City, purchased for Php8 million cash.

She reportedly bought another more luxurious unit in another area, but has defaulted on her payments after news about her alleged scam broke.

Many of the complainants are still holding on to the hope that they could get back the money they paid Ylagan, but the bottomline for most is that she be arrested and jailed for her misdeed.

“She might have a luxurious life on earth but she can never escape God’s judgment in the after life. Yan na lang ang sinasabi ko sa sarili ko para mabawasan ang sama ng loob ko,” posted Michelle in an online group chat.

She not only wants to get her money back, but also a long jail term for  Ylagan.

Leaders urge unity, thank OFWs on Vizcaya Day

 By Vir B. Lumicao

Nueva Vizcaya’s sons and daughters working in Hong Kong replicated on Oct 22 their province’s colorful celebration of ethnic solidarity with pageantry and calls for unity by local government leaders who came over for the festival.

The whole-day “Nueva Vizcaya Day Ammungan Festival 2017 Hong Kong” was organized by the United Nueva Vizcayanos, an alliance of OFW associations from about two dozen ethnic groups in the 15 towns that make up the province.

Governor Carlos Padilla, who led a delegation of provincial and town officials at the festival, expressed his gratitude to the contributions the estimated 3,000 Vizcayanos working in Hong Kong have made to the province through their remittances.

 Vice Gov. Epifanio Lambert Galima (in grey barong), led the guests in the afternoon portion of the "Nueva Vizcaya Ammungan Festival 2017" on Chater Road on Oct 22. With him are (from left) Quezon xx xx Binwag, his wife Mayor Dolores Binwag, Mrs. Perla Galima, and Lourdes D. Lowings, chairwoman of United Nueva Vizcayanos HK.

He told about 500 people who gathered on Chater Road for the festivities that the Nueva Vizcaya OFWs in the SAR and other parts of the globe are the main drivers of the province’s economic progress.

He said everyone would benefit from that progress by safeguarding and strengthening ethnic unity to promote economic growth.

Vice Governor Epifanio Lambert Galima acknowledged the valuable contributions of OFWs in the SAR to the provincial economy as he stressed the need for them to unite. 

“Your province owes you a lot of gratitude because of the money that you send home. Look at the progress in the countryside due to your contributions. It is very heartwarming to see businesses flourishing and big houses rising because of you OFWs,” he said.

Padilla, Galima and Board Member Roland Carub led the provincial and municipal officials who graced this year’s gathering.

A Mangyan dance is performed by the Luzon Alliance troupe in the tribal dance competition.

In an interview with The SUN, Galima said OFWs account for a significant part of the money that flows into the province.

“Children go through to college because of money the OFW parents send home. If the parents are not here, their children won’t be able to go to school,” he said.

In return, the provincial government has lined up livelihood assistance as well as vocational and technical programs that returning OFWs can avail themselves of to help them reintegrate into the economy, Galima said.

Among these programs is financial aid to start up small businesses, such as rice trading business for small operators in upland villages that do not produce rice, he said.

“We provide them capital to buy rice wholesale, which they retail in their localities so that the villagers will have rice to eat. The people welcome the business, as it saves them the trouble of going to faraway town centers to buy rice,” the vice governor said.

The United Nueva Vizcayanos HK also provides livelihood training to OFWs from the province, its chairwoman Lourdes Dacanay Lowings told The SUN. These include handicrafts, such as making flowers and beads, macramé bags and other products.

The Ammungan, the Gaddang word for “gathering,” is the organization’s Hong Kong version of the grand festival in the province that brings together people from the various ethnic groups in Nueva Vizcaya, the gateway to the Cagayan Valley.

Cultural presentations included folk dances staged by OFWs from various tribes and regions, an ethnic tribal dance contest, a costume competition and a singing contest.

The celebration began with a parade led by contestants in the Search for Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya 2017 dressed in costumes made of corn husks, rice straws, tiger grass and other natural materials.

The festivities ended with the proclamation of winners in the twin beauty pageants, Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya and the Search for Sassy Look International 2017.

Nueva Vizcaya was formerly a part of Isabela, but was spun off into a separate province by Spanish Governor-General Luis Lardizabal on May 24, 1839. On April 10, 1841,  Queen Isabella II issued a royal decree approving Lardizabal’s order.

The province had a 452,000 population in 2015, the fastest-growing in the region with an average annual growth rate of 1.36% in 2010-2015 period.

Sariling kilos

Ni Ate Kulit

Kung nagbabasa ka ng The SUN, sigurado kami na mas maraming pangyayari ang hindi namin naisusulat kesa doon sa aming naiuulat. Kalimitan, ito ay dahil hindi sila pang-balita, o kaya ay pinipigilan lang namin ang pagbubuhat ng sariling bangko.

Isa na rito ang isang mala-bayanihang pagkilos ng mga OFW sa Hong Kong na nasaksihan namin kamakailan.

Nagsimula ito nang makatanggap ng message mula sa isang mambabasa ang Facebook page ng The SUN na himingi ng tulong para sa kaibigan nitong dinala ng amo sa Tuen Mun Hospital at hindi na binalikan.

Ugali na ng editor naming si ate Daisy Mandap na i-refer ang mga kasong ganito sa mga kinauukulan. Pero sa pag-check niya kung ano na ang nangyari kinabukasan, wala siyang nakuhang sagot. Na hindi kataka taka dahil malayo ang Tuen Mun sa Central.

Kasya tinawagan niya si Merle Terne Bunda, isang Ilongga na kilala sa kawang-gawa, upang tanungin kung may kalilala siyang nakatira sa Tuen Mun. Nag-post tungkol dito si Merle sa Facebook, kung saan mayroon siyang mahigit 4,000 na  “friends”. Agad namang nag-volunteer si Jeje Padilla Vergara. Maya-maya pa ay nagre-report na ito: Nagpapaabot daw ang pasyente ng pasasalamat, dahil may pasalubong pa siyang natanggap, gaya ng sitsirya at mga gamit. Nag-pilit si Ate Daisy na ibalik ang nagastos ni Jeje, pero ang sagot nito: Ayos lang, basta maka-selfie niya si Ate Daisy.

Ilan pa ang dumalaw din.

Para sa isang naospital, mabigat ang pakiramdam na ikaw ay nag-iisa, lalo pa’t ikaw ay dalawang buwan pa lang sa Hong Kong na gaya ng pasyenteng nabanggit. Ang pagdalaw ng kapwa Pilipina ay malaking ginhawa mula sa takot, lungkot at pangungulila.

Maliit na bagay ito para sa marami, pero kung ganito ang mangyayari sa bawa’t may pangangailangan, hindi na ito basta-basta. Ang tulungan sa araw-araw ng mga Pilipino sa Hong Kong at sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo ay nagbubuklod sa atin bilang isang lahi.

Darami pa ang ganitong pagtutulungang kung ang bawa’t isa sa atin ay magiging Merle at Jeje at Ate Daisy para sa nagangailangan hindi lang ng tulong, kundi aruga ng isang kababayan saan man sila naroroon.

Yes to divorce in the Philippines

By Daisy Catherine L. Mandap

(This was the paper I submitted during a public hearing conducted by the Philippine House of Representatives on 1 October 2017 at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong)

I am for divorce. As a lawyer and a journalist I have heard many a sad tale of women, most of them overseas Filipino workers, of being stuck in a marriage they no longer wanted or one that had long ceased to give them comfort and joy.

Statistics released by UN Women in 2013 showed a majority of OFWs are married (57.8%) and of these, 4.4%  are separated/divorced/annulled. But the figure is higher for women OFWs – 7.4% as compared with 1.5% for males. However, these figures do not indicate how many have separated from their spouses after going abroad. (http://asiapacific. unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2016/10/filipino-women-in-international-migration)

For indeed, it is commonly accepted that many married couples split after going abroad.

The physical separation is often the culprit, but in other cases, it is because the woman  —who is long abused, cheated on, or simply unhappy—manages to gather courage and move on.

But while they may be separated in fact, they remain tied to their husbands because of the marriage bond that effectively holds them hostage. As many of them are breadwinners, they often end up having to work hard to keep their children fed, clothed and schooled, while their good-for-nothing husbands spend their time drinking, gambling or even womanizing. 

Worse, our laws dictate that unless there is legal separation or annulment, her wayward husband still gets to inherit the most from her should she die. Even an act as simple as buying a house from her hard-earned earnings would require the consent of the husband, no matter how unworthy. But that is our law.

Applying for an annulment or nullity of marriage came as an option about three decades ago, but it is not an easy way out. The total cost is now at least P450,000 says one prominent lawyer (http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/familyandrelationships/616462/how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-an-annulment-in-the-philippines/story/), because one has to pay for psychiatrists apart from the lawyer, and other fees. This amount could cost OFWs their life’s savings, or put them in debt bondage, instead of going towards paying for their family’s needs.

Still, many of our OFWs would go through the process in a heartbeat, but there is another difficulty they have to hurdle, which is having to spend their rare and precious holidays (often, only once during a two-year contract) just to go back home to attend court hearings or confer with their lawyer.

So what kind of a divorce law would do justice to our OFWs and to every Filipino, rich and poor alike?

We need a divorce law which is 1) easier to obtain, and 2) not costly, for as long as the applicant meets the prescribed grounds.

Just to compare, in Hong Kong, even our OFWs are allowed to obtain a divorce. The laws here merely require that at least one of the parties has a connection to Hong Kong, and being residents give them that connection. The more beautiful part is, the government even grants them legal aid – with the lawyer of their choice – to obtain a divorce decree.

Sadly, that decree is valid only within Hong Kong and other places that recognize its  laws. It is not recognized in the Philippines because we don’t allow divorce.

The grounds for obtaining a divorce in Hong Kong also make it easier for them to get out of a marriage they no longer want. One year of separation in fact is enough if the other party gives consent; two years without the consent. If there is abuse or any other compelling reason for granting a divorce, even the one-year rule is disregarded. There is no ascertainment of fault – there is no guilty or innocent spouse - for a divorce based on actual separation, which makes the process faster. The separation is proof enough that the marriage bond is irretrievably broken.

My cursory reading of the divorce bills show that many are still trying to hold on to the long-held belief deeply instilled in our mostly Catholic minds that marriage is sacred and is something that no man should put asunder. With respect, I think this is not right. While I agree that divorce should not be available on a mere whim of either or both spouses, our law that allows it should not be so stringent that we effectively make it out of the reach of a few, mainly the poor.

What we need is an acceptance that there are marriages that cannot be saved – not because one of the spouses is abusive, is a drug addict, a philanderer – etc. These are definitely grounds that should make the divorce easier. But we should also provide for a period of separation when it can be shown that there is no more hope in the marriage; that love does go away for whatever reason. 

Rep. Emmie de Jesus’ call for a minimum period  of five years’ separation is a good start, but I think even three years is enough for one to know for sure that the marriage is over. There is no reason why the suffering – of the spouses, and even their children if they have any - should drag on.

Only the matter of custody over the children, or intestate succession between the parties, should be determined if there is an aggrieved spouse. Otherwise, our existing laws on these matters should be applied.

The Peak’s secret garden

A Chinese lion guards the pavilion. 

By Vir B. Lumicao

Nestled on a notch atop Victoria Peak in Hong Kong is a jewel of the former Crown Colony that mesmerizes visitors and relives the halcyon days of this bustling, vertically expanding yet sylvan city.

The notch where the green gem, Victoria Peak Garden, sits is part of the crater of an extinct volcano that was first named Mount Austin, for the former Colonial Secretary John Gardiner Austin and later named after the British monarch, Queen Victoria.

The 552-meter-high tree- and brush-covered granite mountain was and through the years became the most expensive real estate belt that is home to most of Hong Kong’s rich and famous.

Perhaps this explains why Victoria Peak Garden has remained an inconspicuous, almost secret community park since the completion of its $146.5 million redevelopment in 2007.

The Victoria Peak that most people know, whether they are Hongkongers or tourists, is a concrete landing where the Peak Tram ends and where stand two multi-level edifices featuring a viewdeck, souvenir shops and eateries. It is also where Harlech Road, Mt Austin Road and Lugard Road converge just below the Peak Tower.

Most visitors who take the Peak Tram or the public double-decker buses to The Peak get the impression that their experience is complete once they have circled Victoria Peak via the 3.5-kilomoter flat and paved Morning Trail.

The Morning Trail, with a pit stop at a small garden at the junction of Hatton Road and Harlech Road, may suffice for individuals or groups who want a leisurely nature walk around Victoria Peak or a short calisthenics session.

For people looking for a bigger park where kids can have fun and adults can sit on the lawn admiring the flowers or take a nap under the trees, Mount Austin Playground is just a 200-meter uphill walk from the Peak Tram.

But the park can get too crowded on Sundays and public holidays when families, tourists and groups of migrant workers stroll and loll on the lawns.

This situation led us on a recent day off to the upper parts of The Peak for a discreet spot to rest. We went further up Mount Austin Road towards the communication towers and discovered the quiet and alluring beauty of Victoria Peak Garden.

A white-and-red concrete pavilion that can take about 50 people under its roof stands on the site of the former Mountain Lodge, an alternate residence of colonial governors of Hong Kong until it was demolished in 1946.

The pavilion, guarded by a granite sculpture of a Chinese lion, was built on a concrete podium that provides a commanding view of points that lie southwest of The Peak, such as Pokfulam, Kennedy and the islands of Lamma and Lantau.

The southeast side of the pavilion overlooks the main garden, which has a gate that opens to a flat, well-manicured sprawling lawn. The centerpiece is a lone hexagonal gazebo from which radiate four flower gardens whose plant beds form four diametrically arranged fleurs-de-lis.   

We learned from frequent visitors that the park is a favorite site for pictorials of newly wed couples, especially those with a retinue of guests tagging along. On the day we were there, we chanced upon two pairs of newly-weds posing for souvenir pictures or walking about the main garden. 

The sunken garden.

A short walk east of the main garden lies a quieter, tree-hedged sunken garden with three Victorian gazebos strategically positioned on the edges of a wide green lawn. Among the few people who were killing time or picnicking on shady patches under the trees were small groups of expatriate families or OFWs.

Near the sunken garden is another pocket of green lawn bounded by vegetation where people take their pets for a walk or for play.

Victoria Peak Garden is ringed by a network of cobblestone paths obviously designed for joggers, pet walkers, exercise buffs, hikers and other people who need a quiet place to enjoy the outdoors. For the tired, there are wooden benches along the paths.

One path from the pavilion leads to a circular dead-end where one can view the top of Mount High West or look farther west to Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi and Lantau or south to Pokfulam. 

From Victoria Peak Garden, a visitor can walk back to the Peak Tower via Mount Austin Road or take the Harlech Road Fitness trail that descends to the Morning Trail at the Hatton Road junction, which winds all the way down to Pokfulam Road.       

New ‘caregiver’ category for OFWs eyed

By Daisy CL Mandap

Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong must continue learning new skills like massage therapy so they could be first in line for the new “caregiver” category that the government is planning to introduce soon to address its ageing population.

Vice Consul Robert Quintin

This was the message that Vice Consul Robert Quintin, head of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, gave on Oct 29 during the awarding of certificates to recent graduates of advanced lessons on massage therapy conducted by Umela-HK.

“I don’t want to pre-empt this, but there is a move by the Hong Kong government to create a new category of workers for elderly care,” VC Quintin said.

He encouraged Umela graduates and trainees to continue improving their skills as this could be put to good use if they decide to vie for the caregiver post in future.

His call came in the wake of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s announcement in her maiden policy address on Oct 11 that the government would consider giving subsidized elderly-service units more flexibility on importing caregivers.

The Hong Kong government also disclosed plans to launch an experimental program to equip 300 domestic workers already in the city with nursing skills to improve their ability to meet the needs of their elderly wards.

The 18-month trial program, co-organized by the Health and Social Welfare Departments, is set to be launched in the first quarter of next year.

The Labor Department and Security Bureau are also reportedly planning to set up an interdepartmental group for creating a mechanism to hire foreign caregivers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and Southeast Asian countries.

Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre

Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre said he has heard about the plan, but has not been officially informed or consulted on it. “But there should be a separate category for caregivers. It’s no use if our workers are merely trained to do the job,” he said.

Labatt dela Torre that the Philippine government has more than enough qualified nurses and other medically-trained workers already in Hong Kong to meet the city’s demand for caregivers.

“As soon as they inform us officially about the plan, we can go to work right away,” he said.

For months since he took office, Labatt dela Torre has been meeting with Filipino nurses and midwives to urge them to continue honing their skills so they can either return home, or go to other places where they can practice their profession.

 “I am confident we can provide more than enough skilled workers to meet Hong Kong’s needs,” he said.

He said he welcomed any moves to upgrade the work category and salary level of Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong so they won’t be forced to look elsewhere for better jobs and pay.

But he said the Hong Kong should clarify the criteria first. Like, those who are registered nurses should have priority, and put on a higher level than those who finished short courses on say, caregiving or massage therapy.

He also urged a salary level commensurate to their qualifications and experience, saying the $12,000 being floated around is acceptable as starting pay.

The amount is the median salary for caregivers working in private elderly home facilities, while those who work in subsidized government centers earn an average of $14,000 a month.

The idea of introducing a category upgrade for foreign domestic helpers has long been floated in Hong Kong, mainly by the Philippines and Indonesia, which supply the most number of migrant workers in the city.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Labor recently said it would send a delegation to Hong Kong to find out more about the plan to open the city’s elderly care sector to foreign workers.

Pagsasanay pangkabuhayan, tuloy kahit may bagyo

Ni George Manalansan

Hindi napigilan ng T8 na bagyo ang 76 migranteng manggagawa na magtipon-tipon sa Bayanihan Centre noong Okt. 15 para sa kanilang nakatakdang pagsasanay sa paggawa  ng mga popular na kakanin,  leche puto (kombinasyon ng leche flan at puto) at siomai.

Ang pagtuturo ng ‘pangkabuhayan/skills training’ ay isa sa mga proyekto ng Card HK Foundation na ang layunin ay makapagbigay ng dagdag kaalaman sa mga migrante bilang paghahanda sa pagbalik nila sa Pilipinas.

Ipinakikita ng mga trainees (sa kaliwa) ang mga produktong natutunan nilang gawain dahil sa dinaanang pagsasanay.

Ayon kay Emelia Dellosa, trainor ng leche puto, taong 2014 nang maisipan ng isang misis sa Quezon City na gumawa ng panghimagas na ito. Dumalo kasi ito sa isang kasiyahan na ang matamis ay kakarampot na leche flan, at nabitin siya. Naisip niya na pagsamahin ang puto na kapag solong kinakain ay tuyo sa bibig, at ang leche flan na kadalasan ay ma-krema at ubod ng tamis. Ang kinalabasan ay leche puto na malasa at  makrema pero hindi masyadong tuyo o matamis.

Naging katuwang ni Dellosa si Tess Mapa sa pagpapaliwanag at pagpapakita kung paano ito iluto.

Nagpakitang gilas naman ang magkatuwang na sina Joan Cabodil, na nagtapos sa Martha Sherpa Cooking lessons; at Gwen sa paggawa ng siomai, na patok na patok sa mga Pilipino na gustong matuto ng lutong Intsik.

Habang patuloy ang malakas na ulan sa labas ay masaya naman ang mga kalahok sa matamang pagtutok sa mga itinuturo sa kanila, mula sa pangangalap ng sangkap at pagsasama-sama sa mga ito, paraan ng pagluluto, hanggang sa paghapag sa mesa.

Mas maigi daw ang aktuwal na lumahok sa ganitong pagsasanay kaysa magbasa o manood sa TV at internet ng paraan ng pagluluto.

Laking pasasalamat din nila sa mga trainor na dumating lahat sa kabila ng unos para hindi sila umuwing luhaan.

“Ang sisipag ng trainors”, sabi ni Catalino Magno.

Ayon naman kay April Milo, “Learning is fun”. 

Masayang sinabi naman ni Chona Blancaver na hilig nya talaga ang gumawa ng kakanin at mas nagkaka-interes siya kung aktuwal na itinuturo ang pagluluto.

Sambit naman ni Rose Martin, “paghahanda sa pag for good,” ang pakay niya.

Ayon sa isa pang kasali, dahil sa kanilang natutunan ay maaari na silang magtayo ng sariling puwesto at hindi na kailangang umasa sa prangkisa.

Karamihan ay ito rin ang iniisip, ang magtayo ng sariling negosyo sa kanilang pagbabalik para hindi na nila kailangan pang iwanan ang mga mahal sa buhay para lang mabuhay.

Para sa susunod na pagsasanay ng CARD HK ay tumawag lamang sa telepono bilang 5423 8196 o 9529 6392