Filcom groups, students stage protest against Labatt’s recall

By Vir B. Lumicao

Volunteers at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office staged an unprecdented walkout on Mar 25 to join some 400 people in a rally calling on the government to retain Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre and recall his deputy instead.

The rally outside Mass Mutual Tower in Wanchai, site of POLO Hong Kong, brought together groups of opposing political beliefs as they stood solidly behind the official.

Labor attache Jalilo dela Torre shows up near the POLO building where the protest was he;d.

“No to recall, no to recall!” and “Laban ni Labatt, laban nating lahat!” the mostly domestic worker protesters shouted as they massed in the narrow alley between the building and the Lockhart Road playground  

The protest highlight came around 1pm when the man they were fighting for arrived and joined the rally. Shouting “We love Labatt!” and “Walang palakasan!” supporters broke into tears as they pressed around Dela Torre. Soon the official was himself in tears.

He thanked his supporters, explaining that his was a job wherein he could be recalled at anytime, but wished it was for the right reason.

“Anuman ang mangyari, ipinangangako ko na lalo kong pag-iibayuhin ang ating laban sa mga human trafficker, rogue agencies, at sa mga ahensiya na naniningil nang sobra. Saan man ako makarating… kahit wala na ako sa Labor, ipaglalaban ko pa rin kayo,” he said.

The outpouring of support began on Mar 23, as soon as word spread that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III had sent Dela Torre the recall order “with immediate effect”.

Dela Torre told The SUN he suspected his recall was linked to a months-old job order for bar dancers from a Filipino employmenr agency that he had rejected. He said with him out of the way, it was likely the POLO officer-in-charge, Assistant Labatt Maria Nena German, would approve the job order.

His recall came two months after a three-man fact-finding team headed by Aristodes Ruaro, deputy administrator for licensing and adjudication of the Philippine Overseas Employment Aministration came to Hong Kong to conduct an invesigation into  Dela Torre's alleged misdeed. The group also included DOLE's regional director in Davao, Raymundo Agravante, the man reportedly being eyed to be Dela Torre’s successor. 

The investigation was conducted while dela Torre was in the Philippones for a vacation.  Neither he nor the officers of the Consulate were informed about the visit, in violation of government protocol and due process.

Contacted by The SUN through SMS shortly after the supposed investigation, Secretary Bello replied curtly, "Fake news.".

Rally speakers took turns blasting Bello and those who plotted Dela Torre’s recall in the middle of his anti-human trafficking and illegal recruitment campaign.

“Secretary Silvestre Bello, ang sabi mo noon, fake news ang balitang ire-recall mo si Labatt. Sabi mo walang recall. Ngayon, immediate recall! Nasaan ang pangako? Puro ka pangako, napapako!” said opening speaker Leo Selomenio, chairman of Global Alliance.

Guy Benitez, president of the Filipino Migrant Workers Union, said Bello was the No.1 liar, having told workers during his visit to Hong Kong in 2016 that they could return home because there were jobs waiting for them, but there was none.

She said it was Dela Torre who had a heart for the OFWs and did not deserve to be recalled.

“Wala po tayong alam na ginawa niyang karumal-dumal sa ating mga OFW. Maituturing na bang kasalanan ang pagbubulgar niya na walang trabaho sa Russia, Turkey at China? Kapag si Labatt ay na-recall, magpipiyesta ang mga ganid na recruiter at trafficker. Dapat sila ang parusahan dahil lumalabag sila sa POEA guidelines,” Benitez said.

Gemma Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers that led the walkout of POLO volunteers, pledged NOPT’s support to Dela Torre “until the end”. The walkout forced BM Online processing to start only at 4pm as volunteers were gone and only shelter wards were present.  

Lauraya said Dela Torre helped teacher-helpers take their licensure examinations in Hong Kong and provided them with continued professional development trainings.

“We are in disgust, we are disappointed. Sinasabing fake news, ngayon nandito na. Hindi iyan puwede. No to recall!” Lauraya said.

Resty Arreza of Mindanao Federation said Dela Torre was a true public servant, the only labor attaché here who sacrificed his meal just to serve the OFWs and who had genuine sympathy for workers and their families.

He urged Bello to withdraw the recall order, saying: “Pakinggan nyo po ang boses ng mga OFW dito sa Hong Kong. Kami po ang nakakakilala sa kanya at pinipilit naming mapanatili dito si Labatt Dela Torre.”  

The Students Against Fees and Exploitation, a group of Hong Kong University students, aired their support for Dela Torre against blackmarket agencies and opposed his recall.

Emcees from militant groups who led the rally compared the recall of Dela Torre to an OFW who gets terminated without notice. “We feel you, Labatt,” they said.

Eman Villanueva, chairman of Bayan Hong Kong & Macau, said those behind the recall plot should be sacked because they are known to favor agencies. He cited in particular German, who he said had been very friendly to agencies that pampered her with gifts.

The protesters afterwards handed to ALA Angelica Suñga a petition from 85 Filcom groups and 9 individuals urging the government to revoke the recall of Dela Torre.

Protesters present their petition to Assistant Labor Attache Angelica Suñga.

DH jailed for using expired contract to get loan

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic helper was jailed for two months by the Shatin Court on Mar. 1, following her conviction on a charge of using her expired work contract to take out a loan last November from a branch of a lending company in Shatin.

The helper, 42-year-old Marites F. Olarte, wept with remorse in the dock and pleaded guilty after the summary of facts relating to a charge of  “obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception” was read to her.

The report said Olarte went to the Prime Credit shop at Lucky Plaza in Shatin on Nov 6 last year and applied for a loan of $40,100. She allegedly presented her work contract  and work visa, which by then had become invalid because she was terminated by her employer, Wong Chin-wang, on Nov 4.

A Filipina staff of the lending company gave Olarte $15,661, after she settled an existing loan. The new contract stated that she should repay the loan in 17 monthly installments of $3,121.

She was able to pay the first monthly installment and then stopped paying, leaving an outstanding loan of $49,936, the prosecution said. The lender investigated when Olarte defaulted in her payments and found out from Wong and Immigration that she had left Hong Kong after being terminated.

Olarte was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport on the night of Feb 11, 2018 on her return from the Philippines supposedly to start working for a new employer the next day.

The duty lawyer assigned to defend her begged for leniency, saying the woman was separated from her husband and came to Hong Kong five years ago to work as a domestic helper. He said the helper needed money to pay an employment agency that got her a new employer after she was terminated, and to pay the graduation expenses of her children.

The lawyer said Olarte entrusted money to a friend and townmate to pay the November and December installments of the loan before she went home on Nov 11 to wait for her new visa. But the friend paid only the November installment, the counsel said.

After considering the mitigation, Magistrate Don So sent Olarte to two months in jail, after discounting the prescribed sentence by a third for her guilty plea.

Body contact ‘gesture of friendship’, court told in indecent assault trial

An Italian restaurant executive accused of indecent assault by a Filipina customer did not intend to commit the alleged offence, the defendant’s lawyer told Eastern Court on Mar. 9.

The lawyer argued that body contact is not unusual in Italian restaurants as it is a “gesture of friendship”.

He was summing up the case for his client, Marco Bianchi, on the second of a two-day trial before Magistrate Li Chi-ho. The court reserved judgment until Mar. 28.

Bianchi faced one charge each of indecent assault for allegedly touching the Filipina, identified only as “Miss X”, in the buttock; and common assault for bumping her.

The defendant denied both charges.

The alleged incident happened in October last year at Level 2 restaurant, where Bianchi was said to be a manager.

He reportedly followed the woman as she was leaving the restaurant, then drew close to give her a hug. In doing so, his hand apparently touched the woman’s top left hip.

According to the defense, both acts were unintentional, and body contact is not unusual in Italian restaurants.

 “It is not indecent because it is a gesture of friendship,” the defense lawyer said.

As for the accusation that the defendant had touched Miss X’s buttock, the lawyer said due to Bianchi’s height (he was about 6ft tall and has long arms) he may have unintentionally touched her left hip.

Miss X gave evidence on the first day of the trial. A CCTV footage of the incident was played back in court but the defense said it did not show the alleged touching.   – VB Lumicao

Organize, protest, but don’t expect a coup just yet: Magdalo

By Leo A. Deocadiz

Samahang Magdalo, the Congress partylist which evolved from a group of soldiers who attempted a coup d’etat in November 2007 against then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is holding off on encouraging a coup against President Rodrigo Duterte

“We don’t encourage it,” Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano told a group of OFWs who formed the partylist’s Hong Kong chapter recently. “If may nagsasabi na ‘mag-aklas tayo, panahon na!’, we don’t encourage it. Kaya nga dinadaan natin sa proseso — impeachment, nagresolution tayo, nag-ICC (International Criminal Court). Kasi proseso tayo.”

Rep. Gary Alejano.

Alejano warned of the dangers of a premature coup in the Philippines. With Duterte’s trust ratings high, for example, the natural succession – where Vice President Leni Robredo would step in if he is removed – may not be followed. “Hindi tayo makasigurado na makaupo siya (Robredo). Kasi baka magkaroon ng palace coup diyan,” he added.

 “Kailangan talaga ma-realize ng taumbayan muna, bumaba yung ratings niya, ma-expose siya, so kahit mawala siya, tanggap nating lahat.”

But he said that from conversations with people in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, especially those who have retired and therefore could speak more freely, they detect a ferment of dissatisfaction. “Kahit anong administration may sama ng loob iyan. Depende na lang kung gaano kataas, gaano kalaki,” Alejano said.

“Ang message sa akin ay nahihiya silang tawagin na sundalo kasi parang inutil sila sa harap ng China,” he said, referring to Duterte’s ignoring China’s encroachments in the West Philippine Sea and setting up military bases on artificial islands it built within the exclusive economic zone of the country.

This was different from when the soldiers were fighting the Moro Islamic Liberation Force, which had set up checkpoints during the time of Presidents Joseph Estrada and Arroyo, who kept siding with the MILF. “Ang hirap tanggapin. Pero alam mo na ginagawa mo ang trabaho mo,” Alejano said.

Under Duterte, he added, “para kayong inutil. Nawala na yung saysay n’yo.”

Another sticking point was the recent scandal involving the purchase of two warships by the Philippine Navy, which resulted in the replacement of its chief and the government accepting changes in specifications that he was opposing.

The Senate conducted hearings that practically cleared Special Presidential Assistant Bong Go of accusations that he influenced the deal.

“Malaking isyu iyan sa AFP. Kung titingnan nila, okay lang sa taas. Sa baba, malaking isyu ‘yan. Kasi tama talaga yung Navy doon. Kasi ganito iyan: Ikaw ang bibili, didiktahan ka ng bibilhan mo? May pera tayo, tayo ang end-user, contractor dapat sundin ang gusto natin. Interest ng bansa iyan, …magiging basis iyan sa future procurement,” he said.

Alejano noted the presence of most Cabinet members at the hearing, showing support for Go. “Bakit ganoon ang suporta kay Bong Go? Kasi Bong Go is Duterte. Walang gagawin iyan si Bong Go (na hindi alam ni Duterte). Otherwise, kung magdidiskarte si Bong Go, matagal nang sinipa ni Duterte yan.”

Still, such dissatisfaction falls short of the “tipping point” that could trigger a coup, Alejano said. 

“Kasi marami ang nagsasabi na hintayin natin ang tao. Huwag nating hintayin na dumami ang tao. Gumawa tayo ng bagay para dumami ang tao. Ibig sabihin, tumayo tayo, we organize, we do something. Hindi puwedeng passive lang tayo , hintayin natin silang dumami. So kung gusto nating dumating sa tipping point na iyan, gawin natin yung role natin,” he added.

Alejano explained that in the Philippines, the 20 per cent at both ends of the political spectrum are tugging at the 60 per cent in the middle. So far, with its propaganda machine that dominates the conversation, the Duterte side has been able to pull the majority of that 60 per cent.

But the popularity ratings that are helping keep Duterte in power may be illusory.

For example, he said, popularity surveys need the help of barangay captains, who are involved in listing people to be included in tokhang, the heart of the war on drugs that has killed more than 20,000 people. So if survey-takers ask if they support Duterte, they would naturally play safe. “In reality ang daming takot, iyan ang nagsasabi ng yes,” he added.

In the meantime, Duterte is testing the limits of the people’s patience. His government has jailed top critic Sen. Leila de Lima, buried Ferdinand Marcos as a hero, harassed the media, pushed federalism to tailor the Constitution around Duterte’s plans. The government adopted the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion), the law that raised taxes, which in turn has resulted in the rise in prices of food and other prime commodities.

“Sinubukan nila at nakaya nila na walang reaction from the people. Now they are after CJ (Chief Justice Maria Lourdes) Sereno,” Alejano said.

How to counter these moves?

For its part, he said Magdalo initiated the filing of complaints at ICC accusing Duterte of genocide, crime against humanity and war crimes, mostly as a result of his war against drugs.

Alejano said that if the ICC starts its investigation, it could issue an arrest warrant against Duterte and his top officials to immediately stop the killings.

Although there is no assurance that Duterte will be arrested in the Philippines since it is the state that should do it, it could become an issue within the military. “Takot sila diyan” he said. “At kahit hindi mangyari iyan, hindi siya makalabas ng Pilipinas. Puwede siyang aresturin kung magpunta siya sa isang miyembro ng ICC. Pati alter egos niya pwedeng hulihin. So maiipit siya sa Pilipinas.”

Still,  he said,”it’s very hard to rely on those processes in order to save us from Duterte.”

Magdalo Hong Kong members are welcomed into the group.

Alejano advised his followers to organize and build support.

Competing with Duterte supporters in noise is counter-productive. “Paawayin lang kayo sa trolls, paawayin lang kayo sa mga DDS,” he said “Hindi ka sanay minumura. Atras ka na lang sa discussion.”

He advised them against being defined by Duterte folliowers sa yellow. “Ang suggestion ko, walang kulay. Kami ay concerned Filippinos. Kung sabi nyo na may kasalanan ang dilawan noon, kung sino may kasalanan managot. We don’t defend. For example, sa administration ni PNoy (ex-President Benigno S. Aquino III) na may kamalian, dapat managot sila. But it doesn’t mean na excused ka ngayon, Digong. Managot ka rin. Iyon ang iniingay namin.”

On ‘finished contract’

By Cynthia Tellez

Consider this situation:

A migrant domestic worker will be finishing her contract of employment but will not sign another contract. She informs her employer four months in advance to give the employer the chance to find a new domestic worker to replace her. After processing a contract with a new worker and this new worker arrives in Hong Kong before the contract with first worker is finished, the employer decides to terminate the contract with first worker who still has about 1.5 months left in her visa. Both employer and placement agency representative tell her it is “early release”, and that is still considered “finished contract”.

This is misleading.

Another employer decides to terminate the contract but promises the worker that they will not inform the Immigration Department about it until worker finds a prospective employer.  If you follow this, you may be at risk of staying beyond your visa or find yourself in what we oftentimes call “overstaying” situation.

Every year, the Mission For Migrant Workers assists cases as described above.   

There are also instances when the situation ends up with some kind of an understanding with the employer - or so they think - of an agreement. But in many such instances, the domestic workers also find themselves either overstaying their visa and/or are charged with false representation.

Overstaying happens when the date the employer notifies the Immigration Department of the termination of contract is earlier than what the worker declares in the Immigration. This will raise an alarm and an investigation will be called. The processing of your work contract will be delayed, and your prospective employer may even lose interest and find someone else with less complications.

False representation, meanwhile, is when after a thorough investigation, Immigration finds that one of parties had declared a wrong date of termination of the previous contract. If it happens to be the domestic worker, Immigration may just ask the worker to leave Hong Kong without filing charges against her/him (but she is marked),  or they may impose a penalty, or actually file charges. No one can tell what will happen because that is discretionary on the part of the Immigration officer. Their judgment of the facts is what counts the most.

It is therefore always important to stick to the truth. Keep in mind that no one has control over another person’s decision or another person’s promise like that of your employer. Do not put yourself in a risky situation even, or especially, if it is the agency that encourages you to do it. Once you have a criminal record, it can prevent you from enjoying many opportunities. So immediately inquire from service providers like the Mission For Migrant Workers (2522-8264) if in doubt.

Likewise, note that the Immigration has a pro forma (standard form) for termination of contracts. Whoever initiates the termination of contract should sign this form and ask the other party to countersign before sending it to the Immigration Department to properly inform them that the particular contract is prematurely terminated or has expired.

If this can help you, know that “early release” has something to do with the “Two-week Rule” that was imposed in April 1987. After several protest actions by organised migrant domestic workers groups, four Filipino domestic workers challenged the Immigration Department’s policy in court. While that Judicial Review case failed to remove the rule, four exceptional cases were adopted by the Immigration Department: (a) those whose contracts were terminated because of employer’s death, (b) employer’s relocation outside of Hong Kong, (c) employer’s financial incapacity, and (d) physical or sexual abuse of the worker by the employer.

The Immigration continues to cut a foreign  domestic worker’s visa to 14 days’ validity for any premature termination of contracts. The 14-day policy remains, and in truth, is sometimes applied even with the exceptional cases mentioned above.

The exemption being referred to, therefore, is only related to the processing of a new contract. If a case falls under any of the above exemptions, Clause 2.(C) of the Employment Contract applies immediately. But take note that the exemption will be applied only if within 14 days, the exempted applicant is able to present a new contract application with a prospective employer. Once the working visa is approved, s/he can start working for the new employer without having to exit Hong Kong first. Immigration will give the worker a year’s visa with a reminder to the employer that the worker has to exit Hong Kong within that first year’s visa before they give the visa for the second year.

Therefore, even if you fall under the exceptional cases when your contract is prematurely terminated, but in 14 days’ time you failed to find a prospective employer and failed to apply for a new employment contract, you still have to leave Hong Kong by the end of the 14 days. That means you lost the opportunity. Any stay beyond the 14 days’ requirement needs the prior approval of the Immigration Department. Depending on your circumstance, if valid, your extension of stay will be allowed such as when you have a case pending in the Labour Department, Police Department or any such government bodies. Otherwise, you may just be given an extension of one or two days with the same standard visa fee.

If you are still uncertain whether the remaining days left in your visa would be sufficient to consider your case as one with a finished contract:
1. Count the number of days of annual leave that you are entitled to,
2. Trace back and look into your calendar if you still have unspent days-off,
3. Check the number of Statutory Holidays if indeed you have taken 24 days in the two years of your contract with employer; and,
4. You are paid until the last day of your working visa.

If you have any such vacation or rest days owed you, you can apply these to the time left in your visa, meaning you can leave your employment earlier and still be considered as having finished your contract.

We do hope that given the above points that you need to recall to ascertain your situation, you will see the importance of keeping a diary, besides giving you the chance to have a keen understanding of the the situation you are in. Again, when in doubt, consult.

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

Dapat hadlangan ang kutsabahang kontra-OFW

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Isipin kaya natin kung ano ang mangyayari sa mga OFW dito sa Hong Kong kapag muling naghari ang ilan sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office na dikit sa mga employment agency.

Malamang na darami ang mga manggagawang Pilipino na magdurusa dahil sa masamang alyansa ng mga mapagsamantala at ganid na mga ahensiya sa empleo.

Naiisip namin ang hindi magandang hinaharap ng mga OFW dahil sa tangkang pagpapatalsik sa pinuno ng POLO na kinatatakutan ng mga ahensiya at mga abusadong amo dahil sa kanyang tigas ng loob sa pagtatanggol sa mga manggagawang Pilipino.

Ang tinutukoy namin ay si Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre na pinupuntiryang siraan sa Philippine Overseas Employment Administration upang matanggal sa kanyang puwesto sa POLO Hong Kong.

Kapag nanaig ang mga kampon ng kabulukan ay luluha ang mga OFW at magpipista ang mga anay sa POLO na noong una pa man ay mga kaalyado na ng mga ahensiyang lokal.

Ito ay dahil sa madali silang palambutin ng mga regalo at iba pang mga hatag ang mga dati nang bulok. Alam iyan ng mga tusong ahensiya. At alam din nila sa habang naririyan si Labatt Jolly ay hindi sila makakaporma.

Sariwa pa sa isip namin ang mga pangyayari noong wala pa rito si Labatt Jolly, nang ang kultura ng korupsyon sa Maynila ay dinala rito ng isang pangkat na nasisilaw sa mga hatag na “biyaya” ng mga kaibigang ahensiya.

Namataan namin nang ang isa sa pangkat na iyon ay inabutan ng sobre ng isang sugo ng ahensiya at pasimple namang pinatungan ito ng dokumento ng tumanggap.

Natatandaan naming na noong mga panahong iyon ay tila mga hari at reynang pumapasok sa POLO ang mga may-ari ng ahensiya at regular na nakikipagpulong sa mga opisyal nang nakasara ang pinto upang talakayin diumano ang mga isyung pang-OFW.

Nagtaka kami dahil kabilang sa pangkat na iyon ng mga ahensiya ang ilan sa mga madalas ireklamo ng mga OFW dahil sa paniningil sa kanila nang labis sa 10% ng unang buwanang sahod alinsunod sa batas ng Hong Kong.

Kabilang din ang ilang isinusumbong ng mga manggagawa na nagdadala sa kanila sa pautangan upang papirmahin sa pag-utang ng malaking halaga ngunit pagkatapos ay kukunin ng ahensiya ang salapi.

Noong panahong nangyayari ang mga ganoong katiwalian ay tila higit na pinuproteksyunan ng POLO ang mga nagkasalang ahensiya. Isang halimbawa: kapag tinanong mo ang kaalyadong opisyal kung ano ang pangalan ng isang nagkasalang ahensiya ay ayaw ibigay ng nasabing tao para diumano sa proteksiyon ng nasasangkot.

At madalas ding kapag may reklamo sa isang ahensiya rito ay agad “iniindorso” sa POEA nang walang nakikitang agarang aksiyon laban sa lumabag na ahensiya.

Kapag nasa Maynila na ang kaso ay saka tatawagin ng POEA ang mga nagreklamo kahit batid nilang hindi basta-basta nakakaalis ang mga iyon. Ang resulta: talo ang OFW.

Wala silang kinatatakutan noon. Nakakapag-party sila. Hayagan ang magandang relasyon ng mga ahensiya at ang mga kaalyado nila sa POLO.

Pagmasdan ninyo ang pahina sa Facebook ng mga namayagpag na ahensiya at makikita ninyo na hanggang sa Pilipinas ay dumarayo sila upang dalawin ang mga dati nang kaibigan nila sa POEA at POLO.

Malaswa ang pagkakaibigang iyon ng mga ahensiya sa mga opisyal ng isang tanggapan ng gobyerno na may misyong ipagtanggol ang manggagawang Pilipino sa ibayong-dagat.

Nakita namin ang malaking pagbabago nang dumating si Labatt Jolly. Nahinto ang pamamayagpag sa POLO ng mga nasabing ahensiya. Ngunit kamakailan ay muling nabuhayan ang mga tiwaling tauhan na dapat sana ay malaon nang pinabalik sa Maynila.

At ayon sa mga balitang nakakarating sa amin, nag-umpiang muli ang pagdating ng mga regalo sa mga elementong iyon, ang pagkakaiba nga lang ngayon ay sa mga bahay na inihahatid o iniaabot sa opisina nang paiwas sa mga CCTV camera sa POLO. 

Hindi natin dapat palampasin ang ganitong mga bulok na gawaing sa bandang huli ay makasasama sa kapakanan ng mga manggagawa. Magmasid tayo, ilantad ang katiwalian at ipagtanggol natin ang taong tunay na nagmamalasakit sa mga OFW. 

Protest rally set Sunday as Labatt Jolly is recalled

By Vir B. Lumicao 

Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre has been recalled home by the Department of Labor and Employment and Filipino workers in Hong Kong are planning a mass protest this Sunday, Mar 25, to denounce his pullout

.

Labatt Jolly, probably the best-loved head of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong by OFWs yet the most-hated by exploitative employment agencies and bad employers, told The SUN he received the order from Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Friday, Mar 23.

“Immediate ang nakalagay,” Dela Torre said when asked if Bello specified a date for his return home.

The official said he suspected that his recall was connected to a months-old job order for bar dancers from a well-known Filipino talent importer/supplier that Dela Torre had refused to endorse for obvious reasons.

With Dela Torre out of the way, whoever takes over his post, even as just officer-in-charge, might bend over and approve the job order.   

Dela Torre, who has fearlessly launched a campaign against human traffickers targeting Hong Kong-based OFWs with promises of better-paying jobs in Russia and elsewhere, said his departure would not halt the crusade.

“No, I don’t think so. Hopefully, the crusade will be continued by the PCG… I will continue it wherever I am, even when I’m no longer in government. I plan to do some writing,” said Dela Torre, a lawyer and writer.

He said he did not think his successor would ever have the courage to pick up the campaign against human traffickers.

“I think the agencies here were also scared of my new accreditation system where they have to be ethical recruitment-compliant and be certified to be so in order to get accreditation,” the labor attaché said.

Initial OFW reaction to the recall order indicated difficult times ahead for whoever will take over Dela Torre’s position.

Just a few hours after hearing about the recall order, leaders of Filipino community groups expressed their indignation, saying Dela Torre is being pulled out just when the genuinely pro-worker labor attaché had begun to improve the situation of OFWs here.

OFW groups will hold a mass protest starting at 10:30am outside the Mass Mutual Tower in Wanchai on Sunday in support of Dela Torre. Even volunteers, angered and saddened by the news, are planning a boycott of POLO this Sunday, Mar 25.

Eman Villanueva, chairman of Bayan Hong Kong & Macau, condemned the recall of Dela Torre in a statement to The SUN:

“Mariin naming kinokondena ang recall order kay Labor Attache Jalilo Dela Torre. Malinaw na nakapanaig ang interes ng mga recruitment agencies at human traffickers dahil sila ang pinaboran ng administrasyon ni Pres. Duterte at hindi ang mga OFWs.

“Balita din namin na isang taga-Davao regional office ng DOLE ang ipapalit. Malinaw na mas mahalaga ang palakasan sa administrasyon at hindi ang interes ng mga kababayan na magkaroon ng mga tapat na lingkod-bayan kagaya ni Labatt Dela Torre.

“Kasama ng iba pang mga grupo ng Filipino community sa Hong Kong, kami ay nananawagan sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan na sumama sa kilos protesta sa Linggo, sa ibaba ng POLO, upang tutulan ang recall ni Labatt Dela Torre.

“Ipapanawagan din namin na ang dapat tanggalin sa serbisyo ay ang pro-agency at overstaying na sa Hong Kong na opisyal diyan sa POLO na si Asst. Labatt Maria Nena German na wala namang ginawang mabuti para sa mga kababayan dito sa Hong Kong.

“Maraming nagawang mabuti para sa mga OFWs sa Hong Kong si Labatt Dela Torre. Iilan na nga lang silang matino sa serbisyo. Hindi dapat hayaan na maalis siya dito.”

PHL absent from this year’s HK Flower Show

By Vir B. Lumicao

For the first time in 15 years, the Philippines is not represented in the Hong Kong Flower Show, an annual two-week spring spectacular at Victoria Park that attracts more than half a million visitors.

The floral festival opened to the public on Mar 16 with the theme “Joy in Bloom” expressed in the display of some 400,000 flowers, including about 40,000 of the theme flower, the dahlia.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam led the opening ceremonies also graced by Acting Secretary for Home Affairs Jack Chan; Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Michelle Li; deputy chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Anthony Chow; and Miss Hong Kong 2017 Juliette Louie.

The last Philippine participation last year.

“We wanted a participant from the Philippines but that did not push through, so, we pulled out. Soon after, you informed me that Knights of Rizal were removed,” Vice Consul Robert Quintin, head of the cultural section of the Consulate, told The SUN in reply to an enquiry.

“When I asked LCSD about it after you told me, all they did was confirm that KOR were no longer part of the show. We are not privy to anything more that transpired after that,” he added.

Since 2003, the Philippines had been represented in the show by the KOR, which always had its own imposing booth.

But in January, top KOR officer, Dutchman Pieter Nootenboom, told The SUN that the organization had been notified by LCSD it would no longer be able to join the fair and that the Consulate would take on the role.

The Consulate was invited to put up its own booth at the flower show last year, and its display, an everlasting-studded replica of a jeepney, won a “Special Award for Design Excellence”.

The KOR also had its own display marquee featuring a garden with a giant billboard of Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines shaking hands as the backdrop.

On Sunday, Mar 18, tens of thousands of local and foreign visitors crowded Victoria Park to enjoy the colorful tapestry of flowers and floral designs displayed by more than 200 participating groups and businesses.

The weather went as high as 29.9 degrees Celsius during the day, but the crowd pressed on with their picture-taking beside the flowerbeds, in particular the circular plot of multicolored tulips imported from the Netherlands.

Guests also swamped the country's Van Gogh-themed under a big white tent featuring a fenced off plot planted to rows of ripened wheat, pink tulips, and purple and yellow anthurium.

The flower show will run until Mar 25. 

Organizers say they expect the number of visitors this year to be about the same as last year’s 650,000.

   

OFWs taught to cope with ‘unexpected events’

By George Manalansan

What are the “unexpected events” that could wipe out one’s life savings and throw all well-conceived plans in disarray?

This was the theme of a free financial literacy workshop conducted by the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Hong Kong Foundation at Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town on Feb. 25.

The trainer at the workshop told participants that there are times in one’s life  when a drastic turn of events could lead to what is called a “savings killer,” or one that drains a person’s life’s savings, and could even lead to a debt trap.

These include life-changing events as accidents, illnesses, natural calamities and the tragic loss of loved ones.

To illustrate, participants were asked to share their own story about these events.

Elsie Sales tearfully recalled her husband’s death three months ago that caused her anxiety and significant stress. What’s more, she lost all her life savings, so she had to start saving all over again. From attending financial literacy workshops she learned that she should have secured her family by taking out an insurance so she would not have suffered financially.

Another life-altering event is one that results from changes in market condition, including inflation and currency fluctuations. To guard against this, the trainer said one should take heed of some inflation tips like setting aside a buffer in the monthly budget. This budget should be updated regularly in anticipation of future price increases.

One must also be wary of currency fluctuations so they could always get the best exchange rate for their dollars.

To hedge against climate changes, one who plans to buy a lot or farm should ensure that it is flood-free.

Jenny Lara shared the story of a farmer in a town near where she lives who took out a loan to plant tobaccos. The crop went well but a few days before it was due to be harvested, a typhoon struck and all the tobacco was lost. The farmer got so depressed because of the huge debt he had incurred, that he committed suicide.

Seminar participants and trainors celebrate completion of their course.

To protect themselves from such devastating events, the participants were told that they should have an emergency fund which ideally, should have three to six months’ worth of household expenses, and can be withdrawn easily, as in a savings deposit.

This fund can serve as a stress reducer, a buffer in case of a job loss, or as a reserve for family health emergencies, household repairs and an alternative to taking out an emergency loan.

It would also help to have an insurance to protect one from a huge financial blow. But when shopping for insurance the trainer said one must evaluate their needs well, like do they need health or accident insurance?

At the end of the workshop, Alex Aquino, vice chairman of the foundation, made an assessment of the whole-day event, with the aim of evaluating and improving the training modules, and the trainers as well.

The next free fin-lit seminar is on Mar. 25. For registration, call 9529 6392/ 5423 8196/ 9606 6810

2 new officers fill key Consulate posts

By Vir B. Lumicao

Two key posts at the Consulate that had been vacant for some time were filled in recent weeks with the arrival of new diplomatic officials from Manila.

Consul Paulo V. Saret, a lawyer, arrived on Feb. 20, and immediately took over the top post in the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate.

Consul Paulo V. Saret

The post used to be occupied by Vice Consul Alex Vallespin, who was moved to the Consulate in Agana, Guam last September. Vice Consul Bob Quintin, who was also in charge of the cultural section, took over temporarily until Consul Saret’s arrival.

Over at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Angelica Suñga arrived on Mar 4 to assume the post of assistant labor attaché which became vacant when Henry Tianero was moved to Malaysia in September last year, after serving in Hong Kong for three years.

The energetic Saret and youthful Suñga are expected to help return operations to normal at both the Consulate and POLO, which is under the Department of Labor and Employment.

Early next month, former Social Welfare Attache Elizabeth Lim-Dy will also return to Hong Kong to reopen her office at the ATN that closed down after her recall to Manila at the end of July last year.

The 49-year-old Saret told The SUN this is his third foreign assignment since he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2006.

After two years at the DFA, he was posted in Riyadh as ATN officer. He returned home after his tour of duty. His next posting was as head of ATN at the embassy in Jakarta 

A graduate of Bachelor of Laws from San Beda University, the Bicolano diplomat had originally worked as a corporate lawyer at the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp for seven years after passing the bar.

He passed the Foreign Service Officers exams in 2004 but delayed his career shift for two years so he could finish a case he was assigned to handle at the PDIC.   

ALA Geli Suñga is a registered nurse by profession who worked for a year at POLO in Dubai before shifting to the private sector as a human resources executive for DM Healthcare Group, a company that supplied staff to Middle East hospitals.

She is the first nurse to be assigned to POLO Hong Kong and its youngest-ever ALA.

ALA Geli Suñga

Suñga, a 28-year-old Pampangueña, took up her POLO post on Mar 4 to fill the void caused by the departure of ALA Henry Tianero on Sept 13 last year. At her age, ALA Geli may look like a neophyte in a job that requires tact in dealing with individual workers who seek assistance for a variety of problems and in talking sense on OFW affairs with employers and employment agencies.

Looks are deceptive, though.

The University of the Assumption nursing graduate told the SUN in a recent interview in her office that before she came to Hong Kong, she worked at POLO Dubai for a year in 2012, verifying work contracts.

Then she joined the private sector as a human resource executive at DM Healthcare Group for four years.

Her job at Dubai-based DM Healthcare was to review contracts and monitor companies that were employing Filipino professional such as doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff to ensure that the employers were complying with salary standards. One time, she had to point out to an Indian company that the US$3,500 it was paying Filipino doctors with five years of experience was way below the $5,000 standard rate.

With her job experience, Suñga rejoined the Department of Labor and Employment in Manila last year and was considered for the position left vacant by Tianero.

On Day One, she spent her time observing the busy Sunday activity on the 18th floor POLO office at Mass Mutual Tower in Wanchai. The crowd that Sunday was large, as OFWs with children graduating in April began queuing up for overseas employment certificates or exemptions.

Yet, despite the overcrowding in the OEC section of the public area and corridors, Suñga was impressed at the process in Hong Kong.

“It’s very systematic here, more than in the Middle East,” she said.

 ALA Geli says she is proactive when serving her compatriots. As a nurse, she may be able to provide a human touch when dealing with OFWs who seek her assistance, especially those due for repatriation because they are sick.

Her job at POLO Dubai did not cover domestic workers in the United Arab Emirates, but Suñga said she had read numerous reports of abuses against the workers there.

“Parang nakikita ko na mas OK ang situation ng mga DH sa Hong Kong kaysa doon sa Middle East,” she said.

A conversation with Tianero shortly before she came to Hong Kong and a research on what she could expect to see first-hand have made Suñga well-informed of issues.

She said she was aware, too, of political undercurrents at POLO Hong Kong, and that she
believed her boss, Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre, would survive the challenge.

“I don’t think na ma-recall naman si Labatt dahil he’s really good, kasi yung strength niya talaga para ma-protect yung workers. Firm lang talaga siya sa kanyang mga decisions,” Suñga said.
She said, after all, what Labatt Jali is doing is for the good of all OFWs.

Aso’t pusa kung magbangayan

Sa tinagal-tagal ng pagtatrabaho nina Badong, 56 at Daling, 44, sa iisang amo, ay lagi pa rin silang nagbabangayan. Ang laging ikinakagalit ni Daling na taga Antipolo City, ay ang biglang paglantak ni Badong na isang Ilonggo at drayber, sa kung ano mang iniluto niyang pagkain nila.

Ito kasing si Badong ay hindi muna nagtatanong bago kumain, kaya madalas na tira-tira na lang ang naiiwan na pagkain para sa kanilang amo. Sabi ni Daling sa drayber, “Hindi porke libre tayo ay puwede mo nang kainin kahit alin sa kusina.”

Sagot naman ni Bdong, “Sori, sister, gutom lang ako talaga at minsan lang naman ako ganyan. Kung ayaw mong ipakain pakitago mo. Saka minsan naman isulit natin ang dapat na allowance para sa atin, magluto tayo ng lutong Pinoy. Alam mo, sobra ang natitipid ni boss pag nakikiamot lang tayo sa putahe nila.”

Sabi ng Pinay, sa susunod ay ihihiwalay na niya agad ang para sa kanila at nang hindi na madisgrasya ang masarap na parte na para sa amo nila. 

Madalas ding magsumbatan ang dalawa tungkol sa trabaho. Sabi minsan ni Daling, “Matagal na kitang pinagluluto at pinaghuhugas ng kinainan mo ah.” Sagot naman ni Badong, “Ipinagmamaneho naman kita at pinagbibitbit ng pinamalengke mo. Suwerte mo nga, ang iba diyan kaladkad ang trolley sa bigat ng dala.” 

Pero kahit na parang aso’t pusa sila kung magbangayan ay nakatagal pa rin sila ng 17 taon sa iisang amo. Kung may pinagkakasunduan man sila, ito ang pagiging mahilig nila sa FB.

Minsan, tumawag sa telepono ang kanilang amo na nagpapasundo, at ipinasa naman ni Daling ang mensahe ni Badong pero hindi nito narinig dahil sa FB nakatutok. Ang resulta, napilitang mag-taksi ang pobreng amo. Dahil dito ay nagkasundo ang dalawa na sa messenger na lang mag-usap para siguradong maipaabot sa isa’t isa ang kanilang gustong sabihin. – George Manalansan

Dahil sa lamig

Taglamig na naman muli sa Hong Kong. Pero kahit hirap nang huminga sa kapal ng suot ay tuloy pa rin ang trabaho ng isang nangangamuhan. Ganito ang naranasan ni Jane na bago pa lang at hindi sanay sa lamig kaya laging apat na patong ang damit na suot. Ayaw daw kasi niyang magkasakit kaya todo sa kapal lagi ang kanyang mga suot.

Minsan ay kumati ang kanyang likod at sobra siyang nahirapan na kamutin ito dahil sa kapal ng kanyang damit. Dahil dito ay naisipan niya na huwag na munang magsuot ng bra para mas maluwag ang kanyang pagkilos. Tutal ay maliit naman ang kanyang hinaharap kaya hindi halata kung wala man siyang suot na bra.

Ang kaso ay dahil nasanay na siya sa ganito ay nakalimutan na rin niyang magsuot ng bra nang mag day off siya nitong katatapos na Linggo. Abala siya sa pamimili sa Worldwide Plaza sa Central nang mapansin niya na hindi pala siya nakapag bra sa kamamadali na makaalis noong umagang iyon. Napahagalpak ng tawa ang kanyang mga kaibigan nang sabihin niya ang nangyari.

Ngunit dahil malayo na siya sa bahay ng amo ay tinapos na niya ang maghapon na walang suot na pang-ilalim. Payo ng isa sa kanyang mga kaibigan, huwag na huwag huwag kalimutan ni Jane na magsuot ng bra kapag uminit na ang panahon at baka makita siya ng among babae at sisantehin siyang bigla.

Si Jane ay Ilongga, may isang anak at naninilbihan sa pamilyang Intsik sa Mid levels. – Ellen Asis

Playing for God’s glory at Kammpi’s sports fest

By George Manalansan

Members of the St. Francis English Community jumped for joy after being declared overall champion in the annual sports festival held by Simbayanan-Kammpi, or the Kapisanan ng Manggagawang Migranteng Pilipino, held on Feb. 19 at the YMCA sports ground in Ma On Shan, New Territories.

The event started with a holy mass at 9am at St. Francis Church. Afterwards, the organizers and the participating groups, with their muses in tow, walked to the venue nearby.

The parade of teams ushers in the competition.

The full-day event saw the nine participating teams doing their best to win the various competitions. But win or lose, everyone enjoyed the moment.

Sr. M. Corazon Demetillo, RGS, welcomed the participants and thanked God for the good weather. She told the competing teams to ensure a healthy and fair contest and to share each other’s talent in sports, games and dances. She also called on them to preserve and observe the spirit and values of endurance, perseverance, generosity, hon-esty, discipline, teamwork, gratitude and sportsmanship.

She added, “May the sportsfest become your way of thanking God. For all communities, may this experience be a source of growth. Whether you win or lose, appreciate and support each other. For the hard work and sacrifices, bring home the joy of friendship, sisterhood and deeper sense of community. More than trophies and plaques, for all of us, this event will continue to unite Filipino migrants from different parishes,  centers and organizations. Play with joy, play with love and enthusiasm. Play for God’s glory.”

An Italian priest, Fr. Conte Francesco, PIME, of St. Joseph ‘s Church in Fanling said; “ I love the Filipino communities.  (In) every church assigned to me, I followed them, helped and supported all their gatherings,  I feel young with them, my heart is with them”.

One of the participants, Rizza Nazareno of the Apostle of Prayers, said:  “Lubhang napakasaya at nakaka enjoy ang naturang event, na halos lahat kami hindi mapigilang mag selfie. Win or lose in the game we are all winners. Mula pa sa araw ng aming pag-eensayo, hanggang sa araw ng event, nakatulong (ito) sa aming mga OFW upang saglit na  makalimutan ang pagka-homesick at mga alalahanin sa buhay. Thank God.”

Kammpi President Juvy Iwayan announced the winners in the various contests, while the trophies and plaques were awarded by the group’s adviser, Sr. Cora and spiritual director, Fr. Rodolfo Jacobe Jr., OMI.

The winners were:
Overall champion: St. Francis English Community
Tug of War: Champion - St. Joseph Fanling; 1st runner-up - St. Francis English Community; 2nd runner-up - St. Thomas the Apostle English Community
Sack Race: Champion- Holy Family English Community; 1st runner up- St. Francis English Community; 2nd runner up- Mother of Good Counsel Saturday Group
Volleyball: Champion- St. Francis English Community; 1st runner up- Holy Family English Community; 2nd runner up- Notre Dame Parish
Track and Field:
100 meter-dash Champion- St. Thomas the Apostle English Communityl; 1st runner up- Holy Family English Community; 2nd runner up- St. Francis English Community
200 meters: Champion- St. Thomas the Apostle English Community; 1st runner up- St. Jude English- Filipino Community; 2nd runner up- Holy Family English Community
400 meter-relay: Champion: Holy Family English Community; 1st runner up- St. Francis English Community; 2nd runner up- St. Thomas the Apostle English Community
Zumba: Champion- Notre Dame Parish; 1st runner up- St. Joseph Fanling English Community; 2nd runner up- St. Francis English Community
Cheer Dance: Champion- St. Francis English Community; 1st runner up- Mother of Good counsel DPCF Saturday group; 2nd runner up- Holy Family English Community
Best Muse: Ma. Theresa Casim  / St Joseph Fanling; 1st runner up- Marivic Dolinen / St. Thomas the Apostle/; 2nd runner up- Junelie Basbas / St. Francis English Community
Best in Costume, Zumba- Notre Dame Parish
Best in Costume, Cheer Dance- St. Francis English Community
Special Award- DPCF Sunday Group

Indonesians smash to top of Kudarat tourney

By Vir B. Lumicao

Kudarat Friendship Team staged its third volleyball friendly league at Po On Road Sports Ground in Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon on Feb 17.

Members of the 14 participating teams, organizers and guest pose before the volleyball  tournament.

A total of 14 teams participated, of which two were Indonesian and the rest Filipino. The Indonesian players demonstrated their superior skills, having played for some time in their own leagues at Victoria Park and other venues.

In the latest friendly, Indonesian team New Style outscored the Filipino team Real Smashers, 30-28, to romp off with the championship.

Real Smashers settled for the first runner-up title.

The other Indon team, Arema, scored 30 points and finish second runner-up by defeating Sound of Music, produced 25 points.

The Filipina spikers placed third runner-up.

In both volleyball and badminton tournaments, participating teams pay a small fee that goes to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s charge for using government sport venues, Barcelona said.

But the uniforms for the playing teams are sponsored by the Sultan Kudarat governor according to her. In return for the support, the team undertakes charity projects out of its savings for the Muslim and Bla’an communities in the mountain areas of Sultan Kudarat.

Badminton matches were launched only in the first week of February for any interested domestic worker groups to join, Barcelona said.

“Hindi naman po ito para sa competition na pagalingan kundi para din po sa pagtulong sa kabataan at ehersisyo ng mga manlalarong badminton talaga ang laro,” she said.

OFW shows off talent in ecological fashion show

By Ellen Asis

A fashion show with a difference was held in various locations in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay on Feb. 25 to showcase the talent of Filipino domestic worker Elpidia A. Malicsi.

The mobile catwalk dubbed “Sustainable Sunday Couture: Domestic Workers Upcycling Fashion” was held to show how waste products can be turned into something not only useful but also fashionable.

Billowing white garbage bags make up a gown fit for a bride. 

The first stop for the six models dressed in Malicsi’s unique “upcycled” gowns was outside Alexandra House on Chater Road in Central, followed by the harbourfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, and finally, Paterson Street near the busy Sogo department store in Causeway Bay. The unique display attracted a lot of attention, with many passersby taking pictures of the models.

Malicsi started making a name in the Filipino community in Hong Kong when she took up a challenge from a friend to create native costumes out of recycled materials. At first she used paper, but unexpected rain during some of her shows ruined some of her creations. This made her decide to shift to using plastic sacks and garbage bags for her outfits.

Gown made of coffee sachets collected by friends.

Among her creations that were on show was an intricate gown-and-cape outfit made entirely of discarded coffee sachet. Malicsi said some friends in Macau collected the sachets of a popular coffee brand sold online, so she could create the outfit for a contestant in a beauty contest there.

Her other creations were made from plastic trash bags and sacks, and styrofoam fruit cases.

“I didn’t expect that I would have this very amazing opportunity where people around me appreciate my work,” Malicsi said. “I feel extremely happy that through this I can contribute my talents and skills to save the earth and do something unique from garbage.”

Her mobile fashion show was organized by the Department of Sociology of Hongkong university, Para- site, and Voices of women, and funded by HKU’s KE (Knowledge Exchange”.

One of the organizers, Juju Chen, said the project was meant to engage the community and serve as a channel for a better understanding of the domestic helpers’ culture.

Organizer Dr.Julie Ham (seated third from left) of Department of Sociology HKU, is jopined by Merina Su-er of Voices of Women Media, Elpidia Malicsi, Dr. Ju Chen Chen of Chinese University of Hong Kong and members of  Para-site, DWEP Mentor and MKIS teams.

Another organizer, Julie Ham, said she believes that through the project, fashion -- in particular, sustainable fashion -- could be seen as not just for the rich, but also for less well-off.

The 15 gowns used in the mobile fashion show will be on display from Mar 4-6 at the Philippine Consulate, and on Mar 18- Apr 1 at HKU’s main library.

Fish dishes

From Domestic Workers’ Corner “It’s All About Food”

A recent post in this self-help Facebook page for Filipino domestic workers who have just arrived in Hong Kong asked the question on what dish or dishes could be cooked with a type of fish commonly seen in wet markets around town.

Ignalig Jocmol asked, “Paano niyo po ito lutuin mga chef??? Gusto ko i-try. Salamat.

She uploaded the photo below.

First to respond was Marilyn M. Blanza who said:

“Buy yui lam and steam it with spring onion and ginger.

“After steaming heat some oil and pour on the steamed fish. Add soy sauce.

In a cute aside, she said: “P.S. Itapon pala yung tubig sa plate nang ini-steam mo siya. Gaya ng pagtatapon niya sa  iyo ng basta basta.”

Vina Bautista Reyes said her “hugot line: funny, to which Blanza replied, along with three smiley faces: “Hahaha, thanks sissy. Epekto ng walang kape”.

Reyes chimed in, “Kape is life hanggang makauwi tayo ng Pinas, iihi na tayo ng 3 in 1”.

Blanza added another hirit: ”Buti pa ang kape kasa-kasama mo pero ang pag ibig mo nakalimutam mo”.

Lorelie Lhen came up with two pictures of the cooked fish, one steamed with black beans on top. She also advised that the black fish with big scales in the picture is “hindi masarap.”

She also posted a picture of a second yummy-looking dish, which she simply called “with Teriyaki Sauce” and gave the following recipe:

Ingredients: 
Fish, sliced
Garlic
Onion
Ginger
Fish teriyaki sauce
Spring onion
Oil

Method:
1. Fry fish, then set aside.
2. Saute garlic, onion and ginger, then add (fish) teriyaki sauce. Add a little water.
3. Add the fish when the water starts to boil, then let it boil some more until fish is cooked to the desired tenderness.
4. Add spring onion then serve.

Loreli advised that for best result, Lee Kum Kee’s fish teriyaki sauce sold in individual packs at only $4.50 each should be used.

Fish with Teriyaki Sauce.

Steamed fish with black beans 

Pineapple Dam Nature Trail and Shing Mun Reservoir

A monkey stands guard over his own territory as hikers invade.By George Manalansan

A group of 29 migrant workers trekked through the Shing Mun Country Park and its Pineapple Dam Nature Trail on Feb. 11, for their second “Friendship Hike with a Cause” for underprivileged children in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island.

The group that simply calls itself “Hong Kong Friends” to the Children’s Ministry of the Guiwanon Baptist Church, raised money for their beneficiaries’ classroom supplies for the coming school year.

Their walk that took them through the Shing Mun reservoir and the Pineapple Dam Trail covered about six kilometers both ways, and took them four hours to complete. The Dam is so named because it used to be one huge pineapple plantation.

The trail is easy, with concrete pavement all the way. There are 14 scenic spots along the way, including the reservoir, catchwater, small waterfalls, rocky formations and interesting trees, including Chinese banyans, hog plum and sweet gum.

On of the 14 scenic spots along the way: the dam.

The temperature was a pleasant 14 degrees when the group started out, but the strain from the walk made them feel hot after the first kilometer or so.

Come lunch time, they all stopped and gathered for a feast prepared for the January and February birthday celebrants. The spread included Filipino dishes, pasta and noodles, as well as cakes and fruits. Everyone had a good time eating, drinking, dancing, and swapping stories.

The only thing they had to be wary of were the hungry and aggressive monkeys around, one of which snatched grapes from trekker Cecil Eduarte. There were signs saying the monkeys were not to be fed, as they have their own food in the forest. The penalty for violators is a fine of up to $10,000.

At the end of the walk, all the participants said they felt energized and grateful that their healthy undertaking also raised money for a good cause.

How to get there?

Take the MTR from Central to Tsuen Wan, then take Exit  A1 to Shiu Wo Street. From there, take mini bus No. 82M all the way to its final stop which is the Shing Mun Reservoir.

Proving paternity, claiming maintenance for FDHs’ children in HK

By Pathfinders

In September and December 2017, we shared information about the maternity rights of foreign domestic workers and the rights of children born to them in Hong Kong. In this issue, we discuss the less common but complex topics of establishing the child’s paternity and claiming maintenance payments for the child.

The ending of a relationship is never easy, and when an illegitimate child is involved, things can become complicated. If the father is not willing to acknowledge he is the father, the FDW mother may need to fight to establish paternity and receive maintenance payments to help raise her child.

This article provides some information about establishing paternity and making maintenance claims. The contents are based on PathFinders’ experience and do not constitute legal advice. Case names have been changed.

A case story: Flora and her son, Jimmy

Flora met Bill one Sunday when she was out having dinner with her girlfriends. Bill had been living and working in Hong Kong for over seven years. The two were instantly attracted to each other and, soon after, started what Flora believed to be a serious relationship. A few months later, Flora found out she was pregnant and broke the news to Bill. Instead of being supportive, Bill denied he was the father and refused to see Flora again. She was heartbroken. She was single with no experience in pregnancy. She was left alone to handle the situation and couldn’t imagine what life would be like for her and her unborn baby. Through a friend’s referral, Flora contacted PathFinders for assistance.

With counseling and support from PathFinders, Flora managed her pregnancy safely and gave birth to a baby boy, Jimmy. Bill still refused to accept Jimmy as his son. He had a stable income and was a Hong Kong permanent resident. As such, he could give Jimmy a favorable Hong Kong immigration status and a sustainable life. With these considerations in mind, PathFinders counseled Flora about making paternity and maintenance claims on Jimmy’s behalf against Bill.

The rights of FDWs and their HK-born babies when the fathers deny paternity

There are some general misconceptions that we would like to clarify to readers. If the alleged biological father’s name is not on the child’s birth certificate, the mother will first need to prove the father’s paternity before she can make a maintenance claim.

Also, establishing paternity does not automatically give the father custody of the child. The father would need to file his own, separate claim for custody of the child.

Where the FDW is not legally married to the father of the child, she can only claim maintenance payments for the child and not for herself.

Petitioning for paternity and claiming maintenance: Shall I, or shall I not?

Going through legal battles isn’t easy for anyone. It can be stressful and needs to be thought through carefully before deciding whether to proceed.

Cost is commonly the first thing to consider. The Legal Aid Department ensures that any person with reasonable grounds for taking or defending a legal action is not deterred from doing so by a lack of means (money). When applying for legal aid, the LAD considers the financial resources of the claimant (the means test) and the available evidence (the merits test) of whether the case has a reasonable likelihood of succeeding. Provided both test criteria are met, Legal Aid assistance will be granted.

LAA requires the applicant to provide honest information. If, for example, assets or money have not been disclosed to the LAD or a DNA test shows the alleged father is not the biological father, the FDW mother may be liable for the legal costs involved and be subject to criminal investigation – prosecution – for making false statements.

It is important to have valid evidence to prove the identity and connection between the mother and the child’s alleged father, e.g. a copy of his HKID, proof of his home address in Hong Kong, photos showing a relationship, etc. In some cases we handled, the FDW did not know his full name and his personal details; in other cases, he had left Hong Kong, making filing of claims for paternity and maintenance difficult if not impossible.

The mother also needs to consider the emotional and physical burden she and her child may have to endure during the litigation. Tough and intimate questions will be asked about the relationship. They will have to attend hearings and meet with lawyers.

After careful evaluation of her options with PathFinders’ case manager, Flora brought legal claims against Bill on behalf of Jimmy. After a three-year litigation, the court ruled that paternity was established and ordered Bill to pay maintenance for Jimmy.

What to expect after the court cases

For successful cases like Flora, obtaining Jimmy’s Hong Kong permanent residency status and a stable monthly maintenance for him has given Jimmy and Flora hope for the future. Jimmy is now attending a local primary school in Hong Kong. Flora believes that she and Jimmy would not be where they are today without her determination and persistence and the support from PathFinders and her lawyer.

For the full procedures for paternity and maintenance claims, readers may contact PathFinders by email: info@pathfinders.org.hk or call our hotline: 5190 4886.

To protect themselves and their children, FDWs are advised to make careful family planning and life decisions. PathFinders provides classes and workshops about women’s health, maternity rights, education about relationships and legal rights. For class information and to enroll, please visit our website, www.pathfinders.org.hk.

Filipina maid in viral video can file case for discrimination, says Labatt

Local woman lashing out at a Filipina helper
(screen grab from Mel C. Santiago's video)

Daisy CL Mandap

The Filipina domestic worker who was caught on video being verbally assaulted by a local Chinese woman in a dog park in Tseung Kwan O could seek relief from the Equal Opportunities Commission.

This was the advice given by Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre, when asked what remedies the Filipina could seek as a result of the assault which was filmed by another Filipina helper, Mel C. Santiago, on Mar. 15. The video which immediately became viral, already has 1 million views as of this writing.

“If the person's act constitutes racial harassment, the Filipina can bring a case to the EOC for violation of the RDO (Racial Discrimination Ordinance),” said Labatt dela Torre.

But the Filipina, who was berated by the Chinese woman for at least five minutes, and was identified by Santiago as “MJ” in a subsequent post, is reportedly not keen to file charges.

“MJ said her employers said they won’t file case against that Chinese girl. They just let it pass this time…” said Santiago.

In the video, the Filipina was repeatedly cursed and shouted at by the local woman who also kept a finger pointed at the maid’s face for an extended period of time.

The assailant kept complaining about how the Filipina’s two dogs kept “barking, barking, barking”.

The local woman also took issue at how the Filipina supposedly could not control her dogs because she also had a baby with her.

She then ordered the Filipina to call her “boss” and make him go to the park “or I will call the police.”

“Call your boss now! Ask him to come here now! I’m telling you, are wrong! [When you] take care of the baby you bring your two dogs, and your dogs… always keep barking, you should control your dog.”

When the helper replied, “I am controlling them,” the local woman replied, “You are not because your dog is barking (into) my dog!”

As the Filipina complied with her bidding, the local woman, obviously enraged that the helper had tried to reason out with her, kept up her rant.

“You should change your attitude. You are not (fit) to be a helper. You only working in Hong Kong. You should go back to Philippine. Bad attitude, bad helper!”, she raged.

Man who was around said to be local woman's husband

At one point, a man, identified by Santiago as the local woman’s husband, tried to intervene, but was brushed aside by his wife. The couple also had a Filipina domestic helper with them.

The one-sided ranting ended after the helper gave her employer’s telephone number to the irate woman.

(Find the video here: https://www.facebook.com/mhel.santiago.967/videos/905091102983722/)

A few hours after the video was posted by Santiago, many Filipinos in Hong Kong took to social media to express outrage over the incident.

One of them, Eman Villanueva of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau, slammed the the local woman for being “racist”.

“She’s just using the baby and the dog as an excuse to shout and vent her racial and class hatred at the Filipino worker,” said Villanueva in his Facebook post. “She’s racist and she hates migrant domestic workers. It is so obvious even dogs can sense it”.

But not only Filipinos were incensed by the incident. A man named David Lee posted this comment in response to an article in Apple Daily: “Dogs are not created equal…some are nastier than others…no different from this nasty lady…yelling at the poor maid for a good few minutes…even pointing her finger right on the person’s face.”

“What a disrespectful gesture…absolutely bullying her…wondered might have happened to her had she done it to a mainlander "dai ma" .. A punch back to her face definitely”.

Meanwhile, several Filipinos have asked Santiago to urge the concerned Filipina to seek redress for what was done to her. But Santiago says MJ is concerned this could lead to questions being raised about her work situation.

“Kaya tahimik si Ate MJ kasi na manage naman daw niya ang work niya. Makukuwestiyon nga po na may baby at two dogs pero what should we do nga po, di ba, (kasi)may work ang amo…may baby at dalawang aso…binabayaran naman daw po si ate at ok sa kanya ang work,” said Santiago in a reply to a message from a concerned Filipino.

(MJ is quiet, saying she can manage her work. Questions might be raised about her being made to look after a baby and two dogs, but what should we do, right? Her employer has work, and there is a baby and two dogs. She is being paid properly, and she says she is ok with the work).

She said MJ’s employers who are Americans, are hoping the overwhelmingly negative feedback to her outburst would have made the local woman realize her mistake.

But given the smug attitude shown by the offending woman in the video, this could be like wishing for the impossible.

Santiago told another concerned Filipina that she had also spoken to the local woman’s helper, and remorse appeared to be farthest from the aggressor’s mind.

“Nakausap ko din po ang helper ng Chinese girl. Proud pa nga daw po yung amo niya. Parang wala lang. She doesn’t mind, alam niya daw tama sila. Mali daw na may baby at aso.”

(I have also spoken with the helper of the Chinese girl. The helper says her employer is even proud of what she did. Like it was nothing. She doesn’t mind, she knows she is right. It is not right to have to look after both a baby and two dogs). – with Ellen Asis