ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Kung magpa-plano na kasama ang mga kaibigan, mae-enjoy mo ito at magiging popular ka sa kanila. Huwag madaliin ang trabaho, pag-aralan pa itong mabuti. Lagyan ng matibay na harang ang pribadong buhay at propesyon. Bantayang mabuti ang pag-aaral ng mga anak, bigyan sila ng payo at suportahan ang kanilang pagsisikap. Mag-ingat sa paggamit ng likidong maaring pagmulan ng apoy. Lucky numbers: 5, 13, 16, at 41.
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BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Magkakaroon ka ng mga pangitain na maaring matupad. May tsansa kang magkaroon ng ugnayan sa mga taong nasa mataas na katungkulan. Sa trabaho, bawasan ang pananalita lalo na kung hindi ito tungkol sa gawain, maging propesyunal. Subukang ituon ang pansin sa ibang bagay upang mabawi ang dating sigla. Magandang panahon upang makaisip ng mga bagong paraan at pagkakakitaan. Maaayos mo ang pananalapi at makakaahon sa masikip na sitwasyon. Lucky numbers: 17, 25, 31 at 40.
DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Tatanggap ka ng suporta sa iyong love affairs, at magiging maligaya ka. Mauunawaan ka ng mga anak. Makakaranas ng pagkasira ng tiyan, kaya kumain ng lutong carrots, saging, kanin at uminom ng coca cola. Panatilihin ang magandang relasyon sa mga tao dahil kakailanganin mo sila. Gaganda ang pagta-trabaho mo dahil magkukusa kang kumilos at gumawa ng paraan. Huwag mag-atubiling pabilisin ang trabaho, at iwasan ang mga kumukontra at pumipigil sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 11, 27, 29 at 32. ?
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Sasamantalahin mo ang mga darating na pagkakataon, na abot kamay mo lang. Marami kayong balak gawing magkakaibigan, pero huwag makipag-kompromiso kung hindi ka sigurado. Mararanasan ang masasayang sandali sa piling ng mga anak. Ang pagiging labis na ginawin ay maaring dulot ng problema sa atay. Masyado kang nag-aalala sa magiging kinabukasan mo, lalo na kung walang katuwang sa buhay. Iwasan maging negatibo dahil wala ring idudulot itong maganda. Lucky numbers: 19, 26, 33 at 41.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Nararapat lang na magsaya ka rin at maglibang. Muli ring mabubuhay ang matagal nang pagkakaibigan at dating kakilala. Mag-ingat sa pakikipag-usap at kailangang tuparin mo ang napag-kasunduan. Magkakaroon ng hindi inaasahang pagbabago sa trabaho kaya masisira ang dating nakagawian; tanggapin ito ng maayos. Mag-ingat sa pagkalito ng isip. Ang patuloy na pag-iwas at pananahimik ay magdudulot ng hindi pagkakaunawaan at lalong magpapalala sa sitwasyon. Lucky numbers: 6, 18, 28, 38.
KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Gamitin ang enerhiya at sigla upang tapusin ng maayos ang mga sinimulang proyekto. Matibay ang pagkakaibigan ngayon. Hayaang magsalita at pakinggan ang sinasabi ng kapartner dahil may karapatan din siya sa mga desisyon bilang katuwang mo sa buhay. Sa sports, isa-alang alang ang edad at pisikal na kundisyon at huwag nang subukang gumawa ng bagong record. Lucky numbers: 14, 29, 33 at 39.
DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Bigyan ng halaga ang pagkakaibigan sa iyong buhay. Mahusay na trabaho, tiyaga at suporta ang susi upang magtagumpay ka. Malaki ang potensyal na lumaki ang kita dahil mahusay kang makipag- transaksyon at maswerte sa sugal. Ugaliin ang page-exercise upang gumanda ang sirkulasyon ng dugo. Lahat ng kontrata ay pabor sa iyo. Magmatigas sa mga kaanak at ipaintindi na dapat ay may limitasyon ang kanilang panghihimasok. Lucky numbers: 4, 16, 22 at 31.
AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Makukuha mo ang matagal nang inaasam sa trabaho o personal na ambisyon. Kung nagmamatigas ka at ayaw makipagkasundo, hindi maiiwasan na dumami pa ang problema. May ahas sa grupo ng iyong malalapit na kaibigan. Sisigla ka kung iibahin mo ang dating nakagawian. Ang problema sa malalapit sa iyo ang sanhi ng muli mong pananahimik at pag-iwas sa mga tao. Lucky numbers: 6, 13, 28 at 37.?
KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Ang hidwaan sa isang malapit na kaibigan ang magpapakaba sa iyo. Sa kabila ng mainit na sitwasyon sa trabaho, huwag magbitiw dahil higit na malaki ang problema kung wala kang trabaho. May problema sa pananalapi kaya mag-ingat sa mga gastusin. Walang dapat ipag-alala sa kalusugan. Masaya ang pagsasama, at maliligaya at hindi malilimutang sandali ang pagsasaluhan. Lucky numbers: 12, 24, 30 at 37.
KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Ang labis na pagmamahal ay hindi rin maganda ang idudulot sa iyo. Sa trabaho, hindi mo magugustuhan ang hindi pagsang-ayon sa gusto mo. Mabuting kumuha ng insurance dahil hindi ka ligtas sa pagkasira ng mga kagamitan. Huwag balewalain ang mga nararamdamang sakit upang hindi ito lumala, magpatingin agad. Sikat ka sa mga dadaluhang pagtitipon, pero mag-ingat sa inis ng mga naiinggit. Lucky numbers: 11, 19, 28 at 34.
UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Posibleng makamit ang inaasam mo, at panalo ka rin sa trabaho. Panatilihin ang maayos na kalusugan. Magsikap pa ng husto kahit nahihirapan ka, may pagkukunan ka ng lakas na hindi mo alam dati. Kung gusto mong umasenso, ipakita mo ang matalas na pag-iisip. Upang malutas ang problema sa pamilya, piliin ang solusyon na mas patas, kahit na kailangan ito ng ibayong sakripisyo. Lucky numbers: 16, 24, 31 at 43.
TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Mahahanap mo rin ang kapayapaan ng loob. Magiging maayos ang relsayon sa taong ipakikilala sa iyo. Bantayang mabuti ang iyong investments. Iwasan ang mga hindi importanteng gastusin. Maaapektuhan ang relasyon sa mga malalapit sa iyo dahil akala mo ay iniiwan ka nila kung kailan mo sila kailangan, pero mali ang iyong iniisip, dahil ikaw ang kusang lumalayo. Lucky numbers: 19, 25, 37 at 44.
Ganito kami noon: Valentine’s Day memoir
Posted on 14 February 2018 No comments
Ni Merly T. Bunda
Noong mga ‘90s ang libangan ng maraming mga Pinoy na nasa abroad, lalo na dito sa Hong Kong, ay makipagsulatan. Marami sa mga OFW ang idinaan sa pakikipagkilala sa panulat ang mga problema o lungkot na nararanasan sa pagtatrabaho sa ibang bayan. Karamihan ng kanilang mga natatagpuang mga ka-penpal ay nasa Saudi Arabia, kung saan maraming mga Pilipino ang napadpad noong mga panahong iyon sa paghahangad na mapaunlad ang buhay ng kanilang pamilya. May ilan na ang habol ay pakikipagkaibigan lang, o ang paghahanap ng makakapalitan ng kuwento tungkol sa buhay-buhay, pero mas marami ang mga naghahanap ng magiging kapareha sa buhay. Karamihan ay mga dalaga at binata na napilitang mangibang bayan sa murang edad para makatulong sa pamilya, nguni’t mayroon ding hiwalay sa asawa, o yung hindi makuntento sa isang kapareha.
Noong mga panahong iyon ay mabentang-mabenta ang mga stationery, ballpen, papel, envelope at selyo. Para sa mga nagliligawan, kailangan ay yung maganda ang klase ng papel, at kung maari ay mabango pa. Minsan, may mga gumigimik pa na hinihingi muli ang kanilang stamp na ginamit para mapilitan ang ka-penpal na sulatan silang muli.
Isa ako sa mga mahilig sa pagbibili ng mga stationery na ito noong mga panahong iyon dahil marami akong mga ka-penpal. Mayroon sa Saudi Arabia, sa Italy, Canada, at sa iba’t iba pang lugar. Gayunman, wala ni isa akong nakatuluyan dahil iyon siguro ang nakatadhana sa akin. Kaya lang, hindi ko mapigilang mapaisip kung binibiro ako ng Pilipina na dati kong binibilhan ng mga stationery ng, “Ineng, sa ilang dosenang stationery na binili mo noon, wala kang nakatuluyan?”
Simple lang ang paraan ng paghahanap ng mga ka-penpal noon. Bibili ka ng mga pahayagan para sa mga Pilpino at hahanapin yung pen-pal section. Marami ang nagpapadala doon ng kanilang mga litrato, pangalan at address para mailathala. Marami ang gumagamit ng ibang pangalan para hindi masyadong buking, lalo yung mga desperado, o yung mga may sabit na. Pati litrato ay hindi malinaw para hindi makilala. Gayunpaman, kailangan ay yung best shot mo ang ipapadala mo para marami ang sumulat sa iyo.
Sa ganitong estilo, marami ang nagogoyo. Mayroon akong kakilala na masyadong nabighani sa kuha ng lalaking naka shades na nakita niya sa dyaryo. Pagkatapos ng ilang palitan ng sulat, nalaman niya na kaya ito laging nakasalamin ay dahil sa duling ito.
Ganito rin ang kaso ni Carla, isang Ilongga na may kaitiman at kulot ang buhok na mga Amerikano ang gustong makasulatan. May isa siyang ka penpal na naging masugid sa pagpapadala ng sulat sa kanya hanggang maging sila. Pagkatapos ng ilang buwan, naisipan ng lalaki na bisitahin siya sa Hong Kong para pag-usapan na ang kanilang kasal. Excited si Carla na pumunta sa hotel ng lalaki para makipagkita, pero biglang tikom ang bibig pagbalik sa bahay ng amo. Hindi na niya muling binanggit ang nobyo sa sulat pagkatapos. Ang hinala ng kanyang mga kaibigan ay tinabangan ang lalaki nang makita ang tunay niyang anyo.
Tuwang tuwa ako sa halos araw-araw na pag-aabang sa mga sulat. Mas lalo akong nagiging interesado kung maganda ang sulat-kamay ng sumusulat sa akin.
Kami ng ate kong si Neneng na dalaga din noon ay parehong mahilig sa pakikipagsulatan. Nakaka-tuwaan namin na palitan ang aming mga pangalan kapag ipinapadala namin ang aming mga litrato at address para mailathala sa pahayagan. Hindi namin alam, may mga lalaki na ganoon din ang estilo. Minsan kasi ay nagkapalit ang sulat namin ng aking ate, na mula sa iisang lalaki na nanliligaw pareho sa amin. Hindi niya alam na magkapatid kami.
Minsan ay may sinusuwerte dahil nahahantong sa kasalan ang kanilang pagsusulatan, katulad ng kaibigan naming si Nena. Pagkatapos nilang magkita dito sa Hong Kong ng kanyang ka-pen pal ay umuwi sila sa Pilipinas para magpakasal. Sa kasamaang palad ay umabot lang ng walong taon ang kanilang pagsasama.
Sa tinagal-tagal ng pagkahilig ko sa pakikipagsulatan ay marami na akong naging kakilala mula sa iba’t ibang lugar at propesyon. May inhenyero, arkitekto, pintor, seaman, karpintero at construction worker na pawang mga Pilipino. May isa ding Amerikano na nasa US Navy. Nakipagkita siya sa akin nang minsang dumaong sa Hong Kong ang kanyang barko pero bigla akong tinabangan nang makita ko ang matulis niyang sapatos. Pati kasi suklay niya ay matulis!
Isa sa mga masugid na nanligaw sa pamamagitan ng sulat ay si Henry na seaman din at nasa Italy. Inalok niya ako ng kasal pero tumanggi ako dahil bata pa ako noon. Noong 1994 ay bigla siyang tumigil ng pagsulat sa akin, yun pala ay ikinasal sa babaeng mas matanda sa kanya. Nang muli siyang sumakay sa barko pagkatapos ng 22 taon ay hinanap niya ako sa Facebook at nangumusta. Pinikot lang daw siya ng asawa niya na 62 taong gulang. Pero sinabi kong sadyang hindi kami para sa isa’t isa kaya magkaibigan na lang kami ngayon.
May isa pa akong ka penpal sa Saudi na engineer na biyudo at may tatlong maliliit na anak. Nanligaw din siya, pero ayaw ng ate ko. Sabi niya, kaya ko daw bang maging “instant nanay” ng tatlong bata? Nabalitaan ko na lang na nag-asawa na siyang muli at may sariling construction business ngayon sa Bohol.
Katulad ko ang kaibigan kong si Jessica na Ilongga din. Wiling wili siya noon sa pakikipag penpal dahil ganado daw siya lagi sa trabaho kapag nakakatanggap ng balita mula sa mga kaibigan sa panulat. Ang paghihintay sa kartero araw-araw ang pinaka libangan niya. Pero pagkatapos ng apat na taon niyang pakikipagsulatan ay wala pa rin siyang natagpuang “forever”. Sabi niya, kung talagang para sa iyo magtatagpo kayo, sa anumang paraan.
Nang mauso ang cell phone ay medyo bumilis ang paki-kipagkaibigan. Naging “text mate” na ang dating ka penpal. Sa umpisa ay kukunin ang cell phone number mo mula sa isang kaibigan, tapos ay ite-text ka o tatawagan, na mauuwi sa bolahan, o pagkakaigihan.
Ganito ang nangyari kay Zeny na Ilongga at nagtatrabaho din sa Hong Kong. May isa siyang kaibigan na taga Pangasinan na nireto ang kapatid nitong binata sa kanya. Pagkatapos makuha ng binata ang numero ni Zeny ay nag-umpisa na silang magpalitan ng text messages na nauwi sa ligawan sa telepono. Matapos ang isang taon na pagpapalitan ng mensahe ay umuwi si Zeny para magbakasyon at sinundo siya sa airport ng kanyang textmate. Mula sa Maynila ay sumama na ang binata sa kanilang lugar sa Iloilo para hingin ang kamay niya sa kanyang pamilya. Mahigit 15 na taon na silang kasal ngayon, at may isang anak na lalaki.
Sa ngayon, Facebook na ang ginagamit ng marami para bmakahanap ng kakaibiganin, o liligawan. Mayroon din na nagkakaroon ng panibagong pagkakataon na makitang muli ang mga dating sinisinta.
Ganito ang nangyari kay Claire, 39 taong gulang at taga Maynila. Naputol ang komunikasyon nila ng kanyang “first love” na si Albert, 44 taong gulang, nang lumipat siya ng tirahan para mapalapit sa kolehiyong kanyang pinapasukan. Kamakailan ay naisipan siyang hanapin sa Facebook ni Albert na isang marino at binata pa rin, at muli ay nagkrus ang kanilang landas. Ngayon ay pinapatigil na siya ni Albert sa kanyang pagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong para makapagpakasal na sila at manirahang muli sa Pilipinas.
Sa sulat man, o text, o Facebook, maaring makatagpo ang taong magbibigay kulay sa iyong mundo. Walang garantiya na magtatapos ito sa “happy ever after” o “forever,” pero nakakatuwa pa ring isipin na sa pamamagitan ng mga ito ay naisipan mong buksan ang iyong puso.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all.---
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Filipina says employer’s call made her forget to pay for goods
Posted on 09 February 2018 No comments
By Vir B. Lumicao
A Filipina domestic helper has claimed in court that she failed to pay for all the goods she took from a supermarket because her employer was looking for her.
But Eastern Court magistrate Peter Hui dismissed the claim, and fined Ma. Luisa Godoy, 59, $2,000 for theft. He said he decided on a fine as the defendant was a first-time offender and the stolen goods which cost just $300 were recovered.
Godoy said during her trial on Jan 24 that she “panicked and was confused” when her female employer sent her a text message saying she had to drive her at 2:10pm.
But Hui said he saw no reason for the defendant to rush out of the store, as she still had 25 minutes before the appointed time. That was enough for her to pay for all the items she had in her recyclable bag, as the employer’s flat was just 30 meters away.
The court heard that the Filipina driver, who earned $13,000 a month, went to the Wellcome store somewhere on Hong Kong Island at past 1pm on Oct 20 last year, to buy lunch and personal hygiene goods.
She put her empty eco-bag in a trolley basket and went to the toiletries section where she took two bottles of shampoo, a conditioner, a bubble bath and a pack of sanitary napkins. Then she went to other sections where got two cans of John West tuna salad, two bottles of fruit juice, a pack of snacks, and two other items. The goods’ total value was $390.
The defendant said she was at the cashier to pay for the goods when she received a message from her employer Brenda Chen about her 2:10pm driving task. She said Chen also told her she had been calling her but got no reply.
“I became nervous. I was confused and I panicked,” said Godoy at the witness stand. She said she got the message after she had taken out four items from her bag. She paid $94.70 for them and told the cashier she was hurrying and would return later to pay for the rest.
When she stepped outside, the supermarket’s guard stopped her and told her she had not paid for other items in her bag. She allegedly said, “I forgot.”
The guard took her to the manager’s office where she was arrested by police.
In court, the guard said he had discreetly watched Godoy for about 20 minutes after seeing her acting suspiciously. He said when Godoy was at the toiletries section, she looked left and right before she took two bottles of shampoo and put them in her green bag.
The driver moved on to the food section, took the tuna salad cans and snacks, then went to the female hygiene area, picked up a pack of napkins and put it in her bag, Wong said.
Godoy’s evidence and cross-examination by both the prosecution and defense took the most part of the one-day trial.
The prosecutor told her that she had intentionally pulled out and paid for just four items and tried to steal the rest.
But the defendant said she had told the cashier in English she would pay for the rest later.
The prosecutor dismissed this, and said she had been in Hong Kong for about 20 years and should have been aware that no Hong Kong shop would let her take out any merchandise without paying for them.
Godoy’s lawyer tried to get the defendant to explain that she committed the offense out of confusion and panic because of fear of her employer, but the magistrate did not buy the reasoning.
But Eastern Court magistrate Peter Hui dismissed the claim, and fined Ma. Luisa Godoy, 59, $2,000 for theft. He said he decided on a fine as the defendant was a first-time offender and the stolen goods which cost just $300 were recovered.
Godoy said during her trial on Jan 24 that she “panicked and was confused” when her female employer sent her a text message saying she had to drive her at 2:10pm.
But Hui said he saw no reason for the defendant to rush out of the store, as she still had 25 minutes before the appointed time. That was enough for her to pay for all the items she had in her recyclable bag, as the employer’s flat was just 30 meters away.
The court heard that the Filipina driver, who earned $13,000 a month, went to the Wellcome store somewhere on Hong Kong Island at past 1pm on Oct 20 last year, to buy lunch and personal hygiene goods.
She put her empty eco-bag in a trolley basket and went to the toiletries section where she took two bottles of shampoo, a conditioner, a bubble bath and a pack of sanitary napkins. Then she went to other sections where got two cans of John West tuna salad, two bottles of fruit juice, a pack of snacks, and two other items. The goods’ total value was $390.
The defendant said she was at the cashier to pay for the goods when she received a message from her employer Brenda Chen about her 2:10pm driving task. She said Chen also told her she had been calling her but got no reply.
“I became nervous. I was confused and I panicked,” said Godoy at the witness stand. She said she got the message after she had taken out four items from her bag. She paid $94.70 for them and told the cashier she was hurrying and would return later to pay for the rest.
When she stepped outside, the supermarket’s guard stopped her and told her she had not paid for other items in her bag. She allegedly said, “I forgot.”
The guard took her to the manager’s office where she was arrested by police.
In court, the guard said he had discreetly watched Godoy for about 20 minutes after seeing her acting suspiciously. He said when Godoy was at the toiletries section, she looked left and right before she took two bottles of shampoo and put them in her green bag.
The driver moved on to the food section, took the tuna salad cans and snacks, then went to the female hygiene area, picked up a pack of napkins and put it in her bag, Wong said.
Godoy’s evidence and cross-examination by both the prosecution and defense took the most part of the one-day trial.
The prosecutor told her that she had intentionally pulled out and paid for just four items and tried to steal the rest.
But the defendant said she had told the cashier in English she would pay for the rest later.
The prosecutor dismissed this, and said she had been in Hong Kong for about 20 years and should have been aware that no Hong Kong shop would let her take out any merchandise without paying for them.
Godoy’s lawyer tried to get the defendant to explain that she committed the offense out of confusion and panic because of fear of her employer, but the magistrate did not buy the reasoning.
Knights of Rizal out of HK flower show from this year
Posted on No comments
By Vir B. Lumicao
After representing the Philippines for the past 15 years in the annual Hong Kong Flower Show, the Knights of Rizal will no longer have a booth in the spring spectacle starting March this year.
Pieter Nootenboom, Knight Grand Officer of Rizal, made the announcement on Jan 23 in a post on the HKOFW webpage that he administers. The post was, however, taken down the next day.
He said the decision to retain only one Philippine booth in the flower festival was made by the Hong Kong government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The Philippine Consulate has had its own booth for the past several years.
The flower show is a major event organized by the LCSD every year to promote horticulture and public awareness on greening. Last year its 200-plus stalls attracted more than 650,000 Hongkongers and horticulture lovers all over the world to appreciate the beauty of flowers.
This year the annual event will have ‘Joy in Bloom” as theme and dahlia as the centerpiece. It will be held on March 16 to 25 at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.
“Notice to the Philippine Community, The Knights of Rizal will not be in the Hong Kong Government Flower Show as of this coming March 2018 as the LCSD decided (that since) the Philippine Consulate will participate they do not wish to have two booths in that area to represent the Philippines,” Nootenboom said in his post.
For the past several years, the KOR had been taking part in the flower show, with its spacious booth strategically located beside the western entrance of the exhibition ground on Victoria Park.
Friends and supporters who commented on Nootenboom’s announcement were saddened by the KOR’s absence from the event starting this spring, but the top leader of the Rizalists in Hong Kong reacted positively to the development.
“Well, the positive side is, hopefully the Philippine Consulate will at last continue to join every year from now on,” Nootenboom said.
The Consulate first joined the flower show last year, and won the “Special Award for Design Excellence” for the everlasting-studded jeepney in its booth, but KOR also won for a “Special Award for Unique Feature” (a landscape display).
Nootenboom had been the prime mover of Philippine participation in the flower show year after year since 2003. He has won around 20 awards, since in some years he helped set up booths for other Filipino groups, winning three awards for them.
“I represented various Philippine organizations since 2003,” he told The SUN. He said he was doing it to promote the country to large crowd that visited the fair each year.
The Dutchman, who is married to a Filipina, said he was sad but relieved that the Consulate would be continuing what he had started.
Over the years, he helped set up booths for the Philippine Orchid Society in Manila three times. In some years, he said he did three booths at his own cost.
“I never received one cent in all the years I did this,” Nootenboom said
In the past 15 years, he represented Rizal Technological University, UP Los Baños, Philippine Indoor & Balcony Gardening Society, Kababaihang Rizalista HK Chapter, and Knights of Rizal. He was behind the KOR’s participation in the exhibition for seven years.
The KOR has consistently received the Special Award for Unique Feature (landscape display) for its imposing booth designed by Nootenboom himself. Its motif is a Philippine garden with rare orchids from the country’s forests hanging from the eaves of three tarpaulin tents.
At certain times of the festival days, Filipino domestic workers groups performed cultural dances, notably the “tinikling”, which features pairs of dancers skillfully hopping between four crisscrossed bamboo poles rhythmically tapping, sliding and knocking against each other.
After representing the Philippines for the past 15 years in the annual Hong Kong Flower Show, the Knights of Rizal will no longer have a booth in the spring spectacle starting March this year.
Pieter Nootenboom, Knight Grand Officer of Rizal, made the announcement on Jan 23 in a post on the HKOFW webpage that he administers. The post was, however, taken down the next day.
He said the decision to retain only one Philippine booth in the flower festival was made by the Hong Kong government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The Philippine Consulate has had its own booth for the past several years.
 |
| Knights of Rizal display in a previous Hong Kong Flower Show. |
The flower show is a major event organized by the LCSD every year to promote horticulture and public awareness on greening. Last year its 200-plus stalls attracted more than 650,000 Hongkongers and horticulture lovers all over the world to appreciate the beauty of flowers.
This year the annual event will have ‘Joy in Bloom” as theme and dahlia as the centerpiece. It will be held on March 16 to 25 at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.
“Notice to the Philippine Community, The Knights of Rizal will not be in the Hong Kong Government Flower Show as of this coming March 2018 as the LCSD decided (that since) the Philippine Consulate will participate they do not wish to have two booths in that area to represent the Philippines,” Nootenboom said in his post.
For the past several years, the KOR had been taking part in the flower show, with its spacious booth strategically located beside the western entrance of the exhibition ground on Victoria Park.
Friends and supporters who commented on Nootenboom’s announcement were saddened by the KOR’s absence from the event starting this spring, but the top leader of the Rizalists in Hong Kong reacted positively to the development.
“Well, the positive side is, hopefully the Philippine Consulate will at last continue to join every year from now on,” Nootenboom said.
The Consulate first joined the flower show last year, and won the “Special Award for Design Excellence” for the everlasting-studded jeepney in its booth, but KOR also won for a “Special Award for Unique Feature” (a landscape display).
Nootenboom had been the prime mover of Philippine participation in the flower show year after year since 2003. He has won around 20 awards, since in some years he helped set up booths for other Filipino groups, winning three awards for them.
“I represented various Philippine organizations since 2003,” he told The SUN. He said he was doing it to promote the country to large crowd that visited the fair each year.
The Dutchman, who is married to a Filipina, said he was sad but relieved that the Consulate would be continuing what he had started.
Over the years, he helped set up booths for the Philippine Orchid Society in Manila three times. In some years, he said he did three booths at his own cost.
“I never received one cent in all the years I did this,” Nootenboom said
In the past 15 years, he represented Rizal Technological University, UP Los Baños, Philippine Indoor & Balcony Gardening Society, Kababaihang Rizalista HK Chapter, and Knights of Rizal. He was behind the KOR’s participation in the exhibition for seven years.
The KOR has consistently received the Special Award for Unique Feature (landscape display) for its imposing booth designed by Nootenboom himself. Its motif is a Philippine garden with rare orchids from the country’s forests hanging from the eaves of three tarpaulin tents.
At certain times of the festival days, Filipino domestic workers groups performed cultural dances, notably the “tinikling”, which features pairs of dancers skillfully hopping between four crisscrossed bamboo poles rhythmically tapping, sliding and knocking against each other.
Do you need ‘Psychosocial preparation’?
Posted on No comments
By Ellen Asis
Dealing with psychosocial issues is as important to a migrant worker as saving for the future.
This was the gist of the workshop on “psychosocial preparation” that Enrich Hong Kong held on Jan. 21 at no. 3 Lockhart Road, Wanchai with 67 migrant workers taking part.
According to speaker Christy Themar of Enrich, issues like their family’s overdependence on remittances, brain drain, feelings of failures and limited economic opportunities are psychosocial issues faced by every migrant domestic worker.
Themar said she had to deal with these issues herself when she was a migrant worker in the Middle East. Learning how to cope with them, she said, is as important as financial planning.
To address these concerns, she said migrant workers need to plan ahead about what they want to do on their return home while they are still in Hong Kong. This means, taking control of one’s situation and doing things that will reward or make them happy in the future.
These include developing skills that they need to reintegrate back home, empowering themselves and building a network they could rely on when they need support.
Also part of the psychosocial preparation is to track one’s talents and abilities to grow, to open one’s mind to changes, and to the take courage to learn and try new things.
Themar also reminded the participants that things might change back home while they are away, so it is important that they are able to adapt to such changes.
Another way of preparing for the inevitable return home is to talk with family members so they can set goals and priorities together, and prevent those left behind from becoming over dependent on the worker’s income abroad.
The worker, on the other hand, should continue saving and stay within a set budget to attain her financial goal.
Apart from the money issue, overseas workers must maintain and build a strong family and community relationship while they are away. They should keep themselves updated on what is happening to their community while they are away, and learn to give space and time to family members to adjust when they return home.
Themar reminded the participants to be kind to themselves and to use every opportunity to grow in their journey to success.
The workshop is part of Enrich’s return and reintegration lecture series to help domestic workers manage and plan for their successful reintegration. To know more about their other programs, like their Facebook page, Enrich HK.
Dealing with psychosocial issues is as important to a migrant worker as saving for the future.
This was the gist of the workshop on “psychosocial preparation” that Enrich Hong Kong held on Jan. 21 at no. 3 Lockhart Road, Wanchai with 67 migrant workers taking part.
According to speaker Christy Themar of Enrich, issues like their family’s overdependence on remittances, brain drain, feelings of failures and limited economic opportunities are psychosocial issues faced by every migrant domestic worker.
 |
| Christy Themar of Enrich stresses a point during the seminar. |
Themar said she had to deal with these issues herself when she was a migrant worker in the Middle East. Learning how to cope with them, she said, is as important as financial planning.
To address these concerns, she said migrant workers need to plan ahead about what they want to do on their return home while they are still in Hong Kong. This means, taking control of one’s situation and doing things that will reward or make them happy in the future.
These include developing skills that they need to reintegrate back home, empowering themselves and building a network they could rely on when they need support.
Also part of the psychosocial preparation is to track one’s talents and abilities to grow, to open one’s mind to changes, and to the take courage to learn and try new things.
Themar also reminded the participants that things might change back home while they are away, so it is important that they are able to adapt to such changes.
Another way of preparing for the inevitable return home is to talk with family members so they can set goals and priorities together, and prevent those left behind from becoming over dependent on the worker’s income abroad.
The worker, on the other hand, should continue saving and stay within a set budget to attain her financial goal.
Apart from the money issue, overseas workers must maintain and build a strong family and community relationship while they are away. They should keep themselves updated on what is happening to their community while they are away, and learn to give space and time to family members to adjust when they return home.
Themar reminded the participants to be kind to themselves and to use every opportunity to grow in their journey to success.
The workshop is part of Enrich’s return and reintegration lecture series to help domestic workers manage and plan for their successful reintegration. To know more about their other programs, like their Facebook page, Enrich HK.
CG says Russian counterpart to back illegal recruitment drive
Posted on No comments
By Daisy CL Mandap
Consul General Antonio A. Morales says his Russian counterpart, Alexander Kozlov, has promised to work with him on finding a solution to the illegal recruitment to Russia of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong.
The pledge was reportedly made during a courtesy visit by Congen Morales to the Russian Consulate on Jan. 24.
The Philippine Embassy in Moscow says about 5,000 Filipinas are working illegally in Russia, with many of them having arrived there from Hong Kong. The Filipina domestic workers there hold either a work visa issued only to professionals or skilled workers, or short-term commercial visas. There is no visa category for domestic workers in Russia.
ConGen Kozlov reportedly asked for documents on specific cases of illegal recruitment of Filipinas to Russia, and promised to look into them.
ConGen Morales told The SUN on Jan. 30 that he also managed to briefly bring up the same issue with his Turkish counterpart Korhan Kemik when they met also on Jan. 24.
The two sides also discussed ways of improving relations.
Turkey is another favorite destination of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong seeking to move to another country. But as with Russia, there is no job category for foreign domestic workers in Turkey.
Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre has been waging an all-out war against recruiters bringing overseas Filipina workers to Russia and Turkey in recent months, amid reports that many end up being exploited in both destinations.
Labatt dela Torre also maintains that third-country deployment of Filipinos is illegal under Philippine laws.
Consul General Antonio A. Morales says his Russian counterpart, Alexander Kozlov, has promised to work with him on finding a solution to the illegal recruitment to Russia of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong.The pledge was reportedly made during a courtesy visit by Congen Morales to the Russian Consulate on Jan. 24.
The Philippine Embassy in Moscow says about 5,000 Filipinas are working illegally in Russia, with many of them having arrived there from Hong Kong. The Filipina domestic workers there hold either a work visa issued only to professionals or skilled workers, or short-term commercial visas. There is no visa category for domestic workers in Russia.
ConGen Kozlov reportedly asked for documents on specific cases of illegal recruitment of Filipinas to Russia, and promised to look into them.
ConGen Morales told The SUN on Jan. 30 that he also managed to briefly bring up the same issue with his Turkish counterpart Korhan Kemik when they met also on Jan. 24.
The two sides also discussed ways of improving relations.
Turkey is another favorite destination of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong seeking to move to another country. But as with Russia, there is no job category for foreign domestic workers in Turkey.
Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre has been waging an all-out war against recruiters bringing overseas Filipina workers to Russia and Turkey in recent months, amid reports that many end up being exploited in both destinations.
Labatt dela Torre also maintains that third-country deployment of Filipinos is illegal under Philippine laws.
Mga OFW, tumulong para maitala ang bagong record sa tuloy-tuloy na CPR
Posted on 08 February 2018 No comments |
| Mahigit 600 na OFW ang tumulong para maitala ang bagong rekord sa marathon CPR |
Ni George Manalansan
Kabilang ang humigit-kumulang 600 Pilipinong manggagawa sa
mga tumulong para makapagtala ng pinakamaraming bilang ng nagsanay ng
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sa tuloy-tuloy na sesyon noong Peb. 3-4 sa
Fire and Ambulance Services Academy sa Tseung Kwan-O.
Ang kabuuang bilang na 3,027 ay pumasok sa Guinness World
Records para sa kategorya ng paramihan sa pagsasagawa ng tuloy-tuloy na CPR.
Ang dating record na 2,619 ay naitala ng India noong 2016.
Bilang paghahanda, ang mga migranteng Pilipino ay binigyan
ng pagsasanay sa compression only cardio pulmonary resuscitation (COCPR, isang
mas simpleng paraan ng CPR) noong Enero 7, 14 at 28 sa HK University sa
Pokfulam.
Sinamahan nila sa CPR Marathon 2018 ang mahigit 2,500 katao,
na binubuo ng mga guro at estudyante sa ilang paaralan sa Hong Kong.
 |
| Kabilang sa mga nag-organisa si Dr. Mike Manio ng HKU |
Bukod sa pagsali para makapagtala ng bagong record, layunin
din ng mga nagbigay ng pagsasanay na maparami ang bilang ng mga tao sa Hong
Kong na maaring makapagbigay ng first aid at mapataas ang tsansang mabuhay ng
mga biglang kinakapos ng hininga o nawawalan ng malay.
Sa araw ng marathon, may libreng sakay sa mga kasali mula sa
Tiu Keng Leng MTR. Pagdating sa lugar na pagdarauan ay isa-isang nirehistro ang
mga kasali at binigyan ng numero at pulseras na may barcode. Nagkaroon muli ng
pagsasanay bago sumabak sa marathon. Sa dami ng mga kalahok ay kinailangang umupo
muna at maghintay.
Sa tulong ng mga ambulance men at CPR marathon helper ay
naging maayos ang daloy ng pila para sa panghuling hakbang na isinagawa sa loob
ng auditorium.
Isa si Jim Cheung sa mga CPR helper na nagpalakas ng loob sa
mga kasali, at nagsabing gamitin lang nila ang natutunan sa mga pagsasanay at
sa praktis para makaraos.
“Have your power to push, compress continuously without a gap,”
ang bilin niya. “Remove your watch, necklace, jackets or anything that may
obstruct you, If you stop for 5 seconds you failed….the next trainee will come
in and prepare to change after the count,
5, 4, 3, 2, 1. If you pass, you will become a certified CPR first
aider.”
Isa sa mga kalahok si Jennete Ladiero, na halatang
malungkot. Naalala kasi niya nang minsang magbakasyon siya ay biglang tumumba
sa harap niya mismo ang ama, at namatay. Wala daw siyang
nagawa dahil wala pa siyang alam sa paglalapat ng first aid. “Siguro kung may
alam na ako noon, baka buhay pa siya ngayon,” ang sabi niyang may panghihinayang.
Bago lumabas ng auditorium ang mga kasali ay binigya sila
isa-isa ng tiket para sa museo ng mga bumbero na nasa parehong gusali. Dito ay
makikita ang mga lumang gamit sa pag-apula ng apoy, isang talaan ng mga sunog sa
loob ng nakaraang tatlong dekada, mga first aid kid, at ang nilalaman ng isang
ambulansiya.
OFW photographer scoops another award
Posted on No comments |
| Joan Pabona's award-winning photo, "Sacrifice" |
A Filipina domestic helper has bagged the first-runner up
slot in a photo contest sponsored by National Geographic in Hong
Kong, the latest in a string of accolades she has won since taking up photography seriously about four years ago.
Joan Pabona, 35, from La Union, received the second highest
award in the National Geographic Wheelock Youth Photo Competition Hong
Kong, held at the Wheelock Gallery in Queensway on Jan. 31. Her winning piece
was titled “Sacrifice”, and showed a construction worker seemingly buried amid
a pile of nets while at work.
Pabona, who won in the category, “People and Happenings in Hong Kong , received a cash prize of $6,500 and a 12-month
subscription to the National Geographic Magazine Traditional Chinese Edition.
Her winning photo was also included in an exhibit launched to coincide with the
awarding ceremony at Wheelock Gallery.
It was the second major win for Pabona, who has been dabbling
in photography since she was in
college in the Philippines ,
but began taking the hobby seriously since acquiring her dream camera, a Nikon
D3100, months after arriving in Hong Kong to work
as a domestic helper in 2013.
 |
| Joan and her beloved Nikon D3100 |
In March last year, she was adjudged as Grand Winner in the
“Women at Work” photo contest organized by Christian Action. For 2016 and 2017,
she won silver and bronze awards in various categories in the International
Photography Awards - Philippines.
As a veteran of the photo contest circuit, Pabona says she
did not exactly “jump for joy” on learning about her NatGeo win, but admits it
is the most prestigious she has received so far.
She took her winning shot from inside her employer’s
high-rise flat in Happy
Valley
In her case, that passion was reignited after she joined
Lensational, a local group that aims to empower women through photography.
Pabona joined the Basic Photography Workshop jointly organized by Lensational
and Parasite in 2016, then the Pinhole Camera Workshop in 2016 and 2017 by Hulu
Culture, and most recently, the Video Editing Workshop by the Voices of Women
group at the University
of Hong Kong
She continues to hone her talent by contributing photos to
the Manila Bulletin newspaper in the Philippines
Pabona is part of an eight-member group, Fun and Bold (FaB)
photographers, who organize photo shoots in various parts of Hong
Kong on their days off. They have also done charity work for the
Bahay Aruga center for cancer patients in Manila
Also with this group is Roselle Azucena, who because of her recent win in the Gawad
Amerika contest, will soon be headed to the United States
That could come soon, too, for Pabona, who doesn’t let a day
pass without her tinkering with her camera. For her, joining contests – and
winning – are all just tools toward improving a talent she was lucky to have been
blessed with. – with a report from
George Manalansan
Uhaw sa pag-ibig
Posted on No commentsLagi siyang binabalaan ng mga kaibigan na iwasan na ito dahil pineperahan lang siya, ngunit hindi siya nakikinig. Tuwing day-off niya ay lagi ding gabi na kung bumalik siya sa bahay ng amo niya sa Pokfulam, kahit ilang beses na siyang pinagsabihan dahil nag-aalala din ang mga ito sa kanya.
Nang mapuno ang amo niya ay biglang tinerminate si Raquel, kahit na anim na taon na siyang naninilbihan sa kanila. Bale pa ay kauutang lang niya noon ng $40,000 sa isang financing company para may ipantustos sa nobyong bolero.
Mabuti na lang at nakahanap pa rin siya ng bagong amo, kaya nakabalik nitong nakaraang buwan. Agad din naman niyang sinabihan ang inutangan na itutuloy niya ang pagbabayad ngayong nakabalik na siya.
Ang kaibigan naman niyang si Jasmin ay lagi siyang pinapayuhan na matuto na siyang makinig at huwag nang magpaabot ng gabi sa labas kasama ang kanyang dyowa. At lalong huwag na rin niya ipapangutang ang lalaki. Kasi kung mapauwi siyang muli ay ano na lang daw ang gagawin niya sa kanilang probinsiya kung wala siyang pera?
Sabi ni Jasmin, sana ay matuto na si Raquel na mas pahalagahan ang trabaho kaysa sa lalaking pera lang ang habol sa kanya. – Merly Bunda
Pinauwi’t pinabalik
Posted on 07 February 2018 No commentsNgunit dalawang araw pa lang siya sa kanilang bahay sa Cebu nang tawagan siya ng masungit na amo at hilingan na bumalik siya matapos ang dalawang linggo dahil hinahanap siya ng alaga. Hindi naman siya nag-atubiling bumalik dahil napalapit na rin siya sa alaga, at gusto rin niyang makita muli ang mga kaibigan dito.
Pagbalik niya ay kinausap niya ng masinsinan ang amo. Sinabi niya na kung may nagawa siyang mali ay puwede naman siyang pagsabihan, huwag lang pagalitan at sigawan.
Naaalala niya kasi ang naging karanasan niya sa Singapore, kung saan una siyang nagtrabaho bilang kasambahay. Sa unang dalawang taon niya sa amo ay wala siyang naging problema, pero sa sumunod na taon ay bilang nag-iba ang ugali nito. Inoorasan na siya sa pamamalengke at laging pinapagalitan. Hindi na rin siya pinag day off.
Nang hindi na nakatiis si Lorie ay nakikipagtalo na siya sa amo, na umabot sa puntong nasampal siya nito. Lumayas si Lorie at pumunta ng shelter para humingi ng tulong. Nakatagal siya doon ng tatlong buwan habang hinihintay na matapos ang kanyang kaso laban sa amo.
Noong ika-15 ng Hunyo noong isang taon ay dumating si Lorie sa Hong Kong para muling makipagsapalaran. Akala niya ay magiging maganda ang kalagayan niya dito ngunit sa unang anim na buwan niya sa amo ay sobrang hirap ang naranasan niya. Maselan ang among lalaki at lagi na lang may nakikitang mali sa ginagawa ni Lorie. Mabuti na lang at nagkagaanan sila ng loob ng kanyang alaga kaya napilitan siyang magtiis muli.
Walang permanenteng araw ng labas si Lorie kaya madalas siyang walang kasama tuwing nag de day off. Pero minsan ay nagkikita din sila ng mga dating kasamahan sa Singapore, at sila ang nagpapayo sa kanya na magtiis na muna, at subuking hulihin ang loob ng amo.
Sinunod naman ni Lorie ang mga payo nila, nguni’t sadyang mainitin ang ulo ng kanyang amo kaya nang mapuno na siya ay sumagot na rin. Mabuti na lang at hindi nasabihan ng amo ang immigration na pinutol na nito ang kontrata kay Loraine kaya nang magbago ang isip nito ay may visa pa rin ang Pilipina.
Agad namang kumuha ng OEC si Lorie para makabalik.
Ngayon ay mahigit isang buwan na siyang nakakabalik sa amo at masaya na siya dahil maganda na ang kanilang samahan. Palaging Linggo na rin ang kanyang labas, kaya lagi na silang magkakasama ng mga kaibigan. Kapag mayroon siyang gustong sabihin sa amo ay pinapadalhan lang niya ng message sa whatsapp para mas magkaintindihan sila, at ganito rin ito sa kanya.
Tanging dasal niya ay magtuloy-tuloy na ang kanilang magandang samahan. — Rodelia Villar
Manindigan sa karapatan
Posted on No commentsKahit pa pulis ang kanyang amo ay nanindigan si Elaine na hindi siya pipirma kung hindi nito palitan ang kasulatan para ipakita na ang amo at hindi siya ang nag-terminate. Hinamon pa niya ito na tumawag ng pulis kung ipipilit ang gusto.
Sa tinuran niya ang nagkatinginan ang kanyang amo at ang asawa nito, at napilitang itama ang sulat. Bago pumirma ay hiningi ni Elaine ang lahat ng dapat na bayaran sa kanya, kasama ang annual leave niya para sa 10 buwang paninilbihan. Kahit madaling araw na siyang nakababa ay hindi siya pumayag na hindi itama ang kanyang pinirmahan.
Ang nasa isip ni Elaine noong mga panahong iyon ay ang laki ng nagastos niya para lang makapunta sa Hong Kong. Tatlong beses siyang pina medical examination ng ahensya, sa halagang Php2,500 at dalawang tig Php3,000. Iyung una ang sabi ay expired na yung permit ng nag medical exam sa kanya, yung pangalawa ang sabi naman ay positive daw yung pregnancy test niya kahit alam niyang imposible ito dahil nasa probinsiya ang asawa niya at isang buwan na siya sa Maynila. Sa kagustuhang makaalis ay nagpa-eksamin siyang muli sa pangatlong pagkakataon, kasama ang dagdag na Php800 para sa pregnancy test.
Bukod dito ay pinagbayad siya ng Php16,000 para daw sa training.
Sa laki ng nagastos niya ay isinumpa ni Elaine na hindi na siya magpapaloko ulit. Kahit madaling araw na siya nakababa ay naroon pa rin ang galit, takot at inis ni Elaine. Nakadagdag pa kasi dito ang galit at paninisi ng kanyang agency dahil hindi siya pumayag sa gusto ng amo.
Matapang na sinagot ito ni Elaine na hindi siya kailanman pipirma sa maling kasulatan. Dahil sa madaling araw na, sa isang McDonald’s outlet nagpalipas ng oras si Elaine bago nagbiyahe papunta sa kanilang simbahan kung saan may shelter para sa mga naterminate.
Nang sumunod na Linggo ay pumunta siya agad sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) para ireklamo ang agency. Bukod kasi sa siningil sa kanya ay pinagbayad pa ang kanyang tiya na nandito sa Hong Kong.
Ang payo ni Elaine sa mga kababayan: huwag matakot ipaglaban ang karapatan lalo at marami namang mga tao na maaring tumulong sa iyo sa oras ng kagipitan. - Rodelia Villar
3 OWWA receipts missing
Posted on No comments
Three official receipts of the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration have gone missing in Hong Kong, and the government agency says
those invoices have now been voided and will not be honored.
A notice issued by OWWA Hong Kong gave the receipt serial
numbers as 15576948, 15576949 and 15576950.
Welfare Officer Judith Santos said the use of those missing
receipts would be considered null and void.
She requested anyone who had found it or inadvertently taken
it to return it to the OWWA office at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on
the 16th floor of Mass Mutual Bldg. at 33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai.
First 10-year Philippine passport released in HK
Posted on 06 February 2018 No comments |
| Passport officer Rene B. Fajardo issues the passport to Bonna Bedia |
The first 10-year Philippine passport
was released at the Philippine Consulate on Feb. 5, 2018, to Bonna Bee Bedia. This was less than a month since the new extended validity-passport was
launched in Manila
The expected launch of the
new passport has caused the number of applicants at the Consulate to more than
double since the start of the year, prompting Consul General Antonio A. Morales
to shuffle staff on Sundays, the busiest day for applicants.
The number of applications
on Sundays jumped to about 700 last month, compared with a 350 average for the
previous months.
The regular passport is
still being issued at the old price of $480 in Hong
Kong , and has the same number of pages, but with improved security
features. The requirements for renewal and application remain the same.
Under the new passport law
signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in October, regular passports will be
valid for 10 years for Filipino travelers 18 years old and above. Those under 18
will still be issued passports that are valid for five years.
What's on where?
Posted on No comments
The Philippine Consulate General will be closed on the following dates:
Feb 15-18 (Thursday to Sunday): Chinese New Year
Mar 29-31 (Thursday to Saturday): Holy Week
There will be no official business transactions at the Consulate and POLO on these dates.
In case of emergency, please call: 9155 4023 (Consular assistance); 5529 1880 (POLO); 6345 9324 (OWWA)
HK Education Fair
Visit the HKTDC Education and Careers Expo on Feb 1-4 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai. The Philippine booth is at 1E-D07. Representatives from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University will be there. Admission is free! Talk: Feb.4, 11:30-11:50am: Talk by UP Prof. Wendell Capili
Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Classes
Registration will be on Feb. 3 and 10 (Saturday class)
and Feb. 4 and 11 (Sunday class) MERC, 12/F, Euro Trade Centre, 21-23 Des Voeux Rd Central. Classes will start on Mar 3 (Saturday) and Mar 4 (Sunday)
For Saturday class, please contact:
Analyn Regulacion, Mobile: +852 65009288; Becky Sta. Maria, Message only: Whatsapp/Viber +852 97622749/ 56080713. For Sunday Class, please contact: Ma. Wilma Padura, Mobile: +852 9386 2514, Andi Allado Mendoza, Mobile: +852 56139395
For more info, please check: https://wimler.blogspot.com/2018/01/wimler-hk-lse-hk-alumni-association.html
2018 1st Flea Market
Feb. 4 (Sunday), 10am-4pm, GardenPlus events venue, Wanchai Sports Ground. Organized by: GardenPlus
Event will feature a coupon garden sale, live music, games and programs. Food and drinks will be served, too. Table prices: Personal stuff- $200 or 2 for $300; Commercial stuff-$500 or 2 frr $800; For more information, call Henny at 6753 5567
Urban Lunar New Year lantern carnival
Mar 1, 2018, 7:30pm-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 2, 2018, 7:30pm-10pm – Carnival night.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsimshatsui.
New Territories West LNY lantern carnival
Mar 2, 2018, 7:30-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 3, 2018, 7:30-10pm – Carnival night.
Tung Chung North Park, Lantau Island.
New Territories East LNY lantern carnival
Mar 3, 2018, 7:30-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 4, 2018, 7:30-10pm – Carnival night.
Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Tseung Kwan O
Sustainable Sunday Couture (from Elpie Malicsi)
Mar 4-14, PCG
Mar 18- April 1, Main Library, University of HK
The exhibition will showcase costumes made of recycled materials that were designed by Elpie A. Malicsi, a Filipino domestic worker based in HK. For information, contact Dr. Julie Ham at iham@hku.hk
Feb 15-18 (Thursday to Sunday): Chinese New Year
Mar 29-31 (Thursday to Saturday): Holy Week
There will be no official business transactions at the Consulate and POLO on these dates.
In case of emergency, please call: 9155 4023 (Consular assistance); 5529 1880 (POLO); 6345 9324 (OWWA)
HK Education Fair
Visit the HKTDC Education and Careers Expo on Feb 1-4 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai. The Philippine booth is at 1E-D07. Representatives from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University will be there. Admission is free! Talk: Feb.4, 11:30-11:50am: Talk by UP Prof. Wendell Capili
Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Classes
Registration will be on Feb. 3 and 10 (Saturday class)
and Feb. 4 and 11 (Sunday class) MERC, 12/F, Euro Trade Centre, 21-23 Des Voeux Rd Central. Classes will start on Mar 3 (Saturday) and Mar 4 (Sunday)
For Saturday class, please contact:
Analyn Regulacion, Mobile: +852 65009288; Becky Sta. Maria, Message only: Whatsapp/Viber +852 97622749/ 56080713. For Sunday Class, please contact: Ma. Wilma Padura, Mobile: +852 9386 2514, Andi Allado Mendoza, Mobile: +852 56139395
For more info, please check: https://wimler.blogspot.com/2018/01/wimler-hk-lse-hk-alumni-association.html
2018 1st Flea Market
Feb. 4 (Sunday), 10am-4pm, GardenPlus events venue, Wanchai Sports Ground. Organized by: GardenPlus
Event will feature a coupon garden sale, live music, games and programs. Food and drinks will be served, too. Table prices: Personal stuff- $200 or 2 for $300; Commercial stuff-$500 or 2 frr $800; For more information, call Henny at 6753 5567
Urban Lunar New Year lantern carnival
Mar 1, 2018, 7:30pm-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 2, 2018, 7:30pm-10pm – Carnival night.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsimshatsui.
New Territories West LNY lantern carnival
Mar 2, 2018, 7:30-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 3, 2018, 7:30-10pm – Carnival night.
Tung Chung North Park, Lantau Island.
New Territories East LNY lantern carnival
Mar 3, 2018, 7:30-9:30pm – Youth night.
Mar 4, 2018, 7:30-10pm – Carnival night.
Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Tseung Kwan O
Sustainable Sunday Couture (from Elpie Malicsi)
Mar 4-14, PCG
Mar 18- April 1, Main Library, University of HK
The exhibition will showcase costumes made of recycled materials that were designed by Elpie A. Malicsi, a Filipino domestic worker based in HK. For information, contact Dr. Julie Ham at iham@hku.hk
Posted on
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Caritas Language Courses for EMs
Caritas Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project has received sponsorship from the Home Affairs Department to run language courses for ethnic minority residents in HK. Enquiries: 2147-5988.
Sunday Advance Cantonese: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong
Period : 8 April - 22 July 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
Fee : $100 each,, including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
Saturday Basic Cantonese: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong
Period : 12 May - 25 August 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
Fee : $100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
Saturday Intermediate English: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.
Period : 12 May - 25 August 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time : 14:30 - 17:30 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
Fee : $100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
For Tinikling Lovers
The Tinikling Group of Migrants is in need of male/female performers with or without experience, no age limit. TGM performs mostly for LCSD events. Interested person may contact Marie Velarde @ 67175379, Emz Bautista @ 98512804 and Rowena Solir @97331049.
Attention: Rugby enthusiasts
The Exiles Touch Rugby group is inviting rugby enthusiasts to join the team. We practice every Sunday at the Happy Valley Pitch 8 from 5pm to 8pmat the Happy Valley Pitch 8. For those interested please contact: Ghelai 65414432 whatsapp/sms or click “like” on Exiles HK facebook page
Wanted: softball players
The all-Filipina softball team is now open for tryouts. Those who are interested, especially those with prior experience in the game may contact Team Captain Don Gaborno at 5318-5113
An invitation to play volleyball
Calling sport-minded Filipinas who want to play volleyball. A team is being organized by a group led by Shane Key Gonzales to compete in upcoming volleyball leagues in Hong
Kong. Interested parties may contact Shane at 54498080.
Caritas Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project has received sponsorship from the Home Affairs Department to run language courses for ethnic minority residents in HK. Enquiries: 2147-5988.
Sunday Advance Cantonese: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong
Period : 8 April - 22 July 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
Fee : $100 each,, including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
Saturday Basic Cantonese: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong
Period : 12 May - 25 August 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
Fee : $100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
Saturday Intermediate English: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F, No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong.
Period : 12 May - 25 August 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time : 14:30 - 17:30 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic Minorities in HK with HKID
Fee : $100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : $50)
For Tinikling Lovers
The Tinikling Group of Migrants is in need of male/female performers with or without experience, no age limit. TGM performs mostly for LCSD events. Interested person may contact Marie Velarde @ 67175379, Emz Bautista @ 98512804 and Rowena Solir @97331049.
Attention: Rugby enthusiasts
The Exiles Touch Rugby group is inviting rugby enthusiasts to join the team. We practice every Sunday at the Happy Valley Pitch 8 from 5pm to 8pmat the Happy Valley Pitch 8. For those interested please contact: Ghelai 65414432 whatsapp/sms or click “like” on Exiles HK facebook page
Wanted: softball players
The all-Filipina softball team is now open for tryouts. Those who are interested, especially those with prior experience in the game may contact Team Captain Don Gaborno at 5318-5113
An invitation to play volleyball
Calling sport-minded Filipinas who want to play volleyball. A team is being organized by a group led by Shane Key Gonzales to compete in upcoming volleyball leagues in Hong
Kong. Interested parties may contact Shane at 54498080.
Masuwerte ka ba sa Pebrero?
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Pag-ukulan ng pansin ang kulturang iyong pinanggalingan. Upang gumanda ang porma, gawing regular ang pag-eehersisyo o paglalaro ng sports. Kung gusto mong mag-invest, mamuhunan sa real estate. Mahihirapan kang ayusin ang problema sa taong malalapit sa iyo. Sumulat sa dating kaibigan. Lucky numbers: 12, 18, 21 at 38.
BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95/07
Dahil sa tigas ng loob mo, magkakaproblema ang pagsasama. Sa trabaho, malulusutan mo rin ang hirap at balakid na matagal nang nagpapabagal sa iyo. Kung hihingi ng dagdag-sweldo, ibibigay ito. Makakaranas ng pananakit at panginginig ng katawan, kaya kumain ng pagkain na mataas sa magnesium gaya ng beans, nuts, brown rice at berde at madahong gulay. Gaganda ang pananalapi kung matututo sa mga pagkakamali; iwasang sumugal sa mga bagay na hindi ka sigurado. Lucky numbers: 5, 11, 27, 33 at 40.
DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96/08
Mag-ingat sa labis na nerbiyos, mag-hinay hinay at kumain ng pagkaing sagana sa vitamin B1. Magulo ang love life ngayon, mag-ingat at baka tuluyang masira ang relasyon. Basahing mabuti ang mga dokumento bago pirmahan upang maiwasan ang malaking pagkakamali. Maayos ang samahan sa pamilya dahil sa iyong magandang pakikitungo, sigla at pagiging positibo, pero iwasang ipilit ang mga ideya mo sa mga kaanak. Lucky numbers: 11, 19, 28 at 41.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97/09
Upang magtagumpay sa iyong gawain o personal na proyekto, gawin lang ang talagang kailangan at magpakita ng sipag at tiyaga. Kung nahihirapan kang mahanap ang totoong kaibigan o katuwang, ito ay dahil masyadong mataas ang iyong pamantayan. Madali kang magtampo nang dahil lang sa kaunting pagtatalo sa mga kasamahan. Mahihirapan ang lahat na kausapin ka, pero ikaw lang din ang talo sa ganitong sitwasyon. Lucky numbers: 20, 25. 31 at 42.
TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98/10
Sa linggong ito, iwasan ang transaksyon sa lupa o bahay, o ang makipag-ayos sa isang legal na usapin. Mag-ingat sa mga biglaang galaw, lalo na sa loob ng pamamahay, at baka masaktan. Kung nagsasawa na sa pang-araw araw na gawain, paganahin ang imahinasyon upang magkaroon ng bagong pananaw. Oras na upang alisin o bawasan ang yabang o bilib sa sarili upang mapaganda ang kalidad ng trabaho. Tahimik ang love life, walang away pero kulang din sa init kaya gusto mong sumubok ng bagong bagay, pero hindi tiyak kung papayag ang kapartner mo. Lucky numbers: 16, 29, 30 at 36.
KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87/99
Mag-relax kasama ang mahal mo at lalo kang mapapamahal dito. Mag-ingat: hindi lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto kaya busisiing mabuti ang mga alok sa iyo. Mag-ingat din sa pagtaas ng presyon ng dugo! Sa trabaho, kailangan mong patunayan ang iyong husay at siguradong maganda ang kapalit nito. Huwag mag-atubiling subukan ang iyong mga orihinal na ideya. Lucky numbers: 7, 26, 35 at 40.
DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88/00
May alingasngas na namamagitan sa inyo ng kapitbahay o kapamilya; huwag hayaang lumaki ang gulo. Mahihirapan kang kontrolin ang pabigla-bigla mong pagdedesisyon na nakakasama sa iyong trabaho. Mahaharap ka sa masakit na pagtatanong, na makabubuti naman sa iyong isipan at puso. Pag-aralang mabuti ang pinansyal na kalagayan dahil baka nagkamali ka ng kalkula. Baka mas kailangan mo pang magtipid ng husto. Lucky numbers: 16, 23, 31 at 45.
AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89/01
Mag-ingat, babalik ang labis na selos na maaaring magresulta sa malaking pagkasira. Tanggapin ang lahat ng imbitasyon upang magkaroon ng bagong ideya at lumawak ang pananaw. Mag-ingat sa shellfish, alkohol o sa pagkaing hindi nakasanayan na baka magdulot ng pamamaga ng mukha at pamamantal. Sa tulong ng kamag-anak ay maaayos mo ang lahat. Pagdating sa pamilya, huwag ipikit ang mata sa problema; harapin ito bago pa lumala. Bantayan maigi ang mga anak. Lucky numbers: 15, 24, 32 at 46.
KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90/02
Magiging abala ka sa trabaho at social life, pero baka makaligtaan mo ang mahal sa buhay. Para maiwasan ang pananakit ng kalamnan, mag-ingat sa paglalaro ng sport o pabigla-biglang kilos. Kailangang ikaw ang lumapit at makipagkilala kung gusto mong magkaroon ng bago at mabuting kaibigan. Malakas ang loob mong sumugal sa sari-saring transaksyon, mag-ingat at bawasan ang tapang mo sa pakikipagsapalaran. Lucky numbers: 13, 22, 37 at 43.
KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79/91/03
Lahat ng nirereklamo mo ay nangyayari sa lahat! Subukang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan upang makalimutan ang maliliit na personal na problema. Mag-ingat na mabaon sa utang! Ang pananakit ng lalamunan ay maaring dulot ng allergy. Maaayos din ang ilang problema sa pagsasama at mas magiging masaya pang lalo ito. Mababawasan din ang pag-aaalala at nerbiyos na nararanasan. Lucky numbers: 6, 19, 27, at 41.
UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92/04
Makakapagtrabaho ka ngayon ng maayos at tahimik. Magagamit mo ang koneksyon at impluwensya upang umangat sa trabaho o propesyon. Kumain ng marami sa agahan upang gumana ng husto ang isip. Ayusing mabuti ang pananalapi. Magulo ang sitwasyon sa tahanan dahil wala kayong napapagkasunduan sa lahat ng bagay. Huwag hayaang lumala ang problema. Lucky numbers: 5, 18, 26 at 31.
TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93/05
Napapanahon na upang makipag-ugnayang muli sa mga taong matagal ka nang walang balita. Sa trabaho, hindi maiiwasan ang pagbabago. Huwag mag-alala dahil madali at maayos kang makakapag-adjust. Mababawasan ang problema sa kalusugan, mawawala nang kusa ang allergy mo. Bibigyan mo ng importansya ngayon ang iyong love life, at babalik ang sigla sa buhay. Lucky numbers: 17, 23, 35 at 42.
DCG tells teachers: challenge yourselves intellectuallyDCG tells teachers: challenge yourselves intellectually
Posted on No comments
By Daisy CL Mandap
Think. Read. Challenge yourself. Question your existence.
These were among the words of wisdom imparted by Deputy Consul General Roderico Atienza to a group of Filipino teachers in Hong Kong who joined the 2018 news writing seminar conducted by The SUN at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Wanchai on Jan. 21.
“We have to continue challenging ourselves intellectually,” DCG Atienza told the 19 teachers and about 10 other foreign domestic workers who joined the seminar. “In the same way that we can maintain our youthful vigor, ganoon din dapat ang mind natin. We also have to exercise our minds.”
Atienza threw scorn at “nosebleed,” the popular Filipino expression used to denote one’s failure to understand what is being said because it’s in English, saying “let’s avoid (saying) that. That’s because to him, this denotes that someone does not want to be challenged intellectually, that it is better to dumb down the conversation.
“There’s nothing wrong with being an intellectual, huwag lang tayong maging snob,” he said.
Critical thinking, as well as reading, could help open one’s mind to new ideas.
“Before you get into the writing, yung style and everything, get into the thinking (part) first,” he said.
Atienza also shared his experiences as a journalist for five years prior to joining the civil service. Two of those were spent in the Philippines, and three in Japan, where he was hired because of his fluency in both the English and Japanese languages.
The seminar was broken down into three parts, with editor Daisy CL Mandap giving basic lessons on news writing, and how being able to write could help anyone, whatever profession they’re in.
The next part, conducted by associate editor Vir B. Lumicao, focused on news gathering techniques and basic lessons on grammar.
The third part, handled by publisher Leo A. Deocadiz, started off with a video of an actual press conference given by White House doctors on President Donald Trump’s recent medical check-up. The participants were then told to write a “lead” or the first paragraph of a news story, distilling the essential information given out in the presser.
The participants were then encouraged to send stories to The SUN so they will have a better understanding of the process involved in writing the news.
Also at the seminar were The SUN’s contributors, who shared their experiences on how writing has helped them understand issues affecting migrant domestic workers, and given them the courage to express themselves and help others.
The session ended with Gemma A. Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers – Hong Kong, handing over a contribution from participants for the food and other expenses for the seminar, which The SUN in turn said will be donated to the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge.
Think. Read. Challenge yourself. Question your existence.
These were among the words of wisdom imparted by Deputy Consul General Roderico Atienza to a group of Filipino teachers in Hong Kong who joined the 2018 news writing seminar conducted by The SUN at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Wanchai on Jan. 21.
“We have to continue challenging ourselves intellectually,” DCG Atienza told the 19 teachers and about 10 other foreign domestic workers who joined the seminar. “In the same way that we can maintain our youthful vigor, ganoon din dapat ang mind natin. We also have to exercise our minds.”
 |
| Organizer Gemma A. Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers – Hong Kong is joined by The SUN Editor Daisy Catherine L. Mandap, DCG Roderico Atienza and The SUN Publisher Leo A. Deocadiz. |
Atienza threw scorn at “nosebleed,” the popular Filipino expression used to denote one’s failure to understand what is being said because it’s in English, saying “let’s avoid (saying) that. That’s because to him, this denotes that someone does not want to be challenged intellectually, that it is better to dumb down the conversation.
“There’s nothing wrong with being an intellectual, huwag lang tayong maging snob,” he said.
Critical thinking, as well as reading, could help open one’s mind to new ideas.
“Before you get into the writing, yung style and everything, get into the thinking (part) first,” he said.
Atienza also shared his experiences as a journalist for five years prior to joining the civil service. Two of those were spent in the Philippines, and three in Japan, where he was hired because of his fluency in both the English and Japanese languages.
The seminar was broken down into three parts, with editor Daisy CL Mandap giving basic lessons on news writing, and how being able to write could help anyone, whatever profession they’re in.
The next part, conducted by associate editor Vir B. Lumicao, focused on news gathering techniques and basic lessons on grammar.
The third part, handled by publisher Leo A. Deocadiz, started off with a video of an actual press conference given by White House doctors on President Donald Trump’s recent medical check-up. The participants were then told to write a “lead” or the first paragraph of a news story, distilling the essential information given out in the presser.
The participants were then encouraged to send stories to The SUN so they will have a better understanding of the process involved in writing the news.
Also at the seminar were The SUN’s contributors, who shared their experiences on how writing has helped them understand issues affecting migrant domestic workers, and given them the courage to express themselves and help others.
The session ended with Gemma A. Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers – Hong Kong, handing over a contribution from participants for the food and other expenses for the seminar, which The SUN in turn said will be donated to the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge.
Pinay na namatay sa banyo, inuwi na
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Ni Marites Palma
Naiuwi na ang bangkay ni Erlinda Diego Cabulong, 45, na namatay pagkatapos makitang nakahandusay sa banyo ng kanyang amo noong ika-9 ng Enero.
Nagkaroon ng public viewing ng kanyang mga labi sa Universal Funeral Homes sa Hunghom noong ika-24 ng Enero, bago ito isinakay pauwi sa Maynila kinabukasan sa Philippine Airlines flight PR 301.
Binawian ng buhay si Cabulong sa Tuen Mun hospital dalawang oras pagkatapos siyang itakbo doon ng kanyang amo.
Naulila niya ang kanyang asawa at dalawang anak na lalaki na nakatira sa Purok 4, Villa Santiago, Aglipay, Quirino.
Ayon sa kanyang kapatid na si Mercedes Jasmin Diego, wala pang resulta ang isinagawang pagsusuri para malaman ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ng kanyang nakababatang kapatid. Sa pagkakaalam niya ay wala naman itong sakit na hypertension.
“Napakasakit ang biglaan niyang pagkawala, wala man siyang senyales na mawawala na siya dahil nakagroup chat at nakavideo call pa ang mga anak at apo noong gabi bago siya mamatay, kaya di namin matanggap na wala na siya” ani Diego. Aakuin daw ng amo ang gagastusin para sa pag-uwi ng mga labi ni Cabulong ngunit hanggang Manila lamang. Ang pamilya nila ang sasagot sa pagpapauwi dito hanggang Quirino.
Ang amo na si Josephine Ngan ang unang nagbalita na nakitang walang malay si Cabulong sa loob ng banyo ng kanilang bahay sa Tuen Mun. Umapela ito sa pamamagitan ng Facebook na tawagan siya ng kapatid ng kasambahay agad-agad. Naka-lock daw kasi ang telepono ng yumao kaya hindi nila alam kung sino ang tatawagan.
Nagkaroon ng public viewing ng kanyang mga labi sa Universal Funeral Homes sa Hunghom noong ika-24 ng Enero, bago ito isinakay pauwi sa Maynila kinabukasan sa Philippine Airlines flight PR 301.
Binawian ng buhay si Cabulong sa Tuen Mun hospital dalawang oras pagkatapos siyang itakbo doon ng kanyang amo.
Naulila niya ang kanyang asawa at dalawang anak na lalaki na nakatira sa Purok 4, Villa Santiago, Aglipay, Quirino.
Ayon sa kanyang kapatid na si Mercedes Jasmin Diego, wala pang resulta ang isinagawang pagsusuri para malaman ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ng kanyang nakababatang kapatid. Sa pagkakaalam niya ay wala naman itong sakit na hypertension.
“Napakasakit ang biglaan niyang pagkawala, wala man siyang senyales na mawawala na siya dahil nakagroup chat at nakavideo call pa ang mga anak at apo noong gabi bago siya mamatay, kaya di namin matanggap na wala na siya” ani Diego. Aakuin daw ng amo ang gagastusin para sa pag-uwi ng mga labi ni Cabulong ngunit hanggang Manila lamang. Ang pamilya nila ang sasagot sa pagpapauwi dito hanggang Quirino.
Ang amo na si Josephine Ngan ang unang nagbalita na nakitang walang malay si Cabulong sa loob ng banyo ng kanilang bahay sa Tuen Mun. Umapela ito sa pamamagitan ng Facebook na tawagan siya ng kapatid ng kasambahay agad-agad. Naka-lock daw kasi ang telepono ng yumao kaya hindi nila alam kung sino ang tatawagan.
Aray ko po!
Posted on 05 February 2018 No commentsKinailangan siyang operahan dahil sa dugong namuo sa kanyang tuhod. Muli ay matinding sakit ang naramdaman niya dahil nababanat ang balat sa kanyang sugat kada hakbang niya. Agad naman siyang pinauwi pagkatapos ng operasyon, at pagkalipas ng ilang araw ay pinabalik para sa therapy.
Pero nang tingnan ng doktor ang kanyang tuhod ay nakita nitong may natira pang dugo sa sugat, kaya kinailangan niyang maoperahan muli. Magkahalong takot at sama ng loob ang naramdaman ni Violy nang muli siyang operahan.
Mabuti na lang at umayos na ang kanyang pakiramdam pagkatapos nito, at dahil binigyan siya ng isang linggong pahinga ng doktor. Alalang-alala naman ang kanyang amo, at lagi siyang sinasabihan na magpahinga.
Alam ni Violy na aksidente ang nangyari, pero tuwing binabalik-balikan niya ang pangyayari, naiisip din niya na dapat ay naging mas maingat siya. Kagigising lang niya kasi noon at marahil ay aantok-antok pa nang bumaba sa hagdanan ng kanyang kama kaya sumabit ang kanyang tuhod.
Ang payo niya, “huwag agad babangon at bababa mula sa higaan, mababa man o mataas, dahil madaling mawalan ng balanse at masabit o matumba”. Mag-inat inat daw muna at siguradong gising na ang diwa bago tumayo at nang malayo sa disgrasya. – George Manalansan
Natalo ang bruha
Posted on No commentsSiya lang ang tumagal ng dalawang kontrata sa 14 na naging katulong ng among Indian dahil sa kasungitan ng asawa nito.
Maraming dinanas na pasakit si Arlene sa among demonyita. Minsan, nang hindi masunod ang iniutos nito sa kanya ay maghapon siyang hindi pinakain. Ilang beses na din siyang pinalayas, at pinagtatapon ang mga gamit niya sa labas ng pinto.
Napakiusapan lang siya ng among lalaki ang mga anak nito kaya hindi siya umalis.
Ngunit may sukdulan din ang kanyang pagtitiis. Sa ikalimang taon ay tinotohanan niya ang pag-alis, kahit kinailangang umuwi muna siya dahil sa pag-break niya ng kanyang kontrata.
Isang buwan pa lang siyang nakakabalik at naninilbihang muli nang tawagan siya ng dating amo, at hinimok na bumalik sa kanila. Nangako ito na sila na ng kanyang mga anak ang kakastigo sa salbaheng asawa.
Dala sa pangangailangan ay kinausap ni Arlene ang bagong amo at sinabi dito ang alok sa kanya na malaking suweldo. Ayon sa bagong amo, wala itong magagawa kundi pakawalan siya dahil hindi nito kayang tapatan ang alok na suweldo.
Nang iparating niya ang ang pagsang-ayon sa alok ng among Indian ay agad siyang sinundo nito sakay ng kotse, at binayaran ang isang buwang suweldo kapalit ng pasabi sa iniwanang amo. Agad ding inasikaso ang muli niyang pagpirma ng kontrata sa kanila.
Ngayon, ayon kay Arlene ay hitsurang bruha pa rin ang kanyang among babae ngunit bawal nang magsungit dahil ang asawa at mga anak na niya ang makakalaban. Tuwang tuwa naman ni Arlene dahil wala nang kontrabida sa buhay niya, malaki pa ng di hamak sa dati ang suweldo niya. – George Manalansan
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