2 Filipinas with resident children fail to stop deportation

By Vir B. Lumicao

Two Filipina former helpers who overstayed after giving birth in Hong Kong have failed in their case challenging the Immigration director’s orders for their deportation.

The two mothers, identified only as RMA and GDC in separate cases that the High Court heard jointly on Jan 27, 2016, sought the review to prevent being sent home so they could be with their resident children.

In a judgment on Mar 23, High Court Judge Thomas Au dismissed the applications, saying the applicants failed in all their grounds for seeking a judicial review. 

“In relation to the RMA judicial review, I would also set aside the ex parte leave on the basis of material non-disclosure,” the judge said.

The Court of First Instance took on the cases of RMA and GDC jointly because the first applicants are both mothers who have overstayed in Hong Kong and the second applicants are their children sired by Hong Kong resident fathers and born here.

RMA entered Hong Kong in 1998 to work as a domestic helper but her contract was prematurely terminated by her employer on June 28, 2002, the court said.

At the time, she had borne a child by her Filipino lover, a Hong Kong permanent resident. She gave birth on Jul 22, 2003 to SC, the second applicant, who became a Hong Kong permanent resident.

The man left both mother and child and got married in the Philippines in 2006. RMA surrendered to Immigration with SC in April 2007 and both were allowed bail.

RMA initially told Immigration she wanted to go home with her child but changed her mind and stayed on. The Immigration Director issued a removal order on Feb 14, 2008. She later cohabited with a Nigerian torture claimant with whom she had a daughter in 2011 and a son in 2012.

Applicant GDC, like RMA, came to Hong Kong in 1999 to work as a helper but was prematurely terminated in September 2010 when she wanted to go home “for rest”. She was pregnant at the time.

She applied for an extension of her visitor visa on the ground she was pregnant and needed to see a doctor every month.  She was allowed to stay until Oct 1, 2010 but she then overstayed.

GDC gave birth in January 2011 to JDS, who became a Hong Kong permanent resident receiving CSSA and attending school here. On Oct 15, 2011, she applied for a visa extension but it was then discovered that she had overstayed for over a year.

She told Immigration she was afraid of going home as her husband and parents did not know she got pregnant. When her husband found out, he threatened to kill her. She surrendered when she realized it was difficult to hide.  Her visa extension was refused.

In an interview with Immigration in late October 2011, GDC indicated she wanted to go home “as soon as possible because [she] wanted to settle with [her] husband in Philippines if he could accept [her]”.

In January 2012, she also lodged a torture claim, saying her husband would kill her and JDS if they returned to the Philippines. The torture claim was still being processed then.

Gladys Li SC of Daly and Associates represented the applicants in both judicial reviews.

The two cases were granted leave for judicial review on Mar 30, 2015 and the Immigration Director filed his evidence opposing the application about five months later on Aug 19, 2015 (in the RMA judicial review) and Aug 12, 2015 in the GDC judicial review.

The Director’s complaints of material non-disclosure in RMA’s case are these: She failed to disclose when she made her ex parte application for leave on a number of occasions.

“RMA is guilty of material non-disclosure and the leave application should be set aside also on this basis,” Judge Au said.

He said the applicants failed in all their grounds of judicial review and dismissed the applications on merits.  In relation to the RMA judicial review, he set aside the ex parte leave on the basis of material non-disclosure.

He ordered that the costs be taxed if the parties failed to reach agreement 

Matandang pasaway

Abot-abot lagi sa pagkukuwento si Mona, 28, kapag ang alaga niyang matanda ang pinag-uusapaan.

Hirap na hirap daw siya dahil lagi siyang itinataboy ng matanda na 87 taong gulang at medyo mahina at bingi na. Gayunpaman, lagi daw siya nitong sinasabhan na hindi siya kailangan at ayaw siyang isama kapag lumalabas gayong ang kabilin-bilinan ng mga anak nito ay lagi niyang sasamahan.

May pagkakataon pa na dakdak ng dakdak ang matanda na parang sirang plaka. Sumasakit daw ang kalooban niya kapag paulit-ulit nitong sinasabi na ikuha na lang siya ng parttime. Lagi din daw kinukuwenta ng matanda ang kanyang kinakain, ang nagagamit na tubig pag naliligo at pati ng kuryente. Lagi daw siyang pinpatayan ng ilaw kahit alam nito na ginagamit pa niya.

Pero minsan naawa din si Mona sa matanda dahil sinasabi nito na walang kuwenta ang anak niyang babae dahil hindi siya inaasikaso at hindi niya makasundo kahit sila ay nasa ilalim ng isang bubong. Hindi katulad ng manugang niyang babae na laging dinadalaw at inaasikaso ang magulang.

Minsan, lumabas ito mag-isa at dinaklot ng tatlong ligaw na matsing ang kanyang dalang pagkain. Natumba ang matanda sa kakaiwas at pagtatangka na hindi maaagaw ang kanyang dala, kaya umuwi itong umiiyak dahil sa mga galos sa siko at tuhod.

Sa mga pagkakataong ito ay awa ang namamayani kay Mona. Pero sandali lang ay balik na naman ang matanda sa pagiging sutil. Kailangan pa niyang pilitin na hagurin ang likod para lumuwag ang plema nito, at pati pag-inom ng gamot. Mahilig din daw itong kumain ng tira-tirang pagkain kahit may bagong luto, na para bang gusto nitong magkasakit.

Pilit namang hinahabaan ni Mona ang pasensiya dahil ayaw niyang mawalan ng trabaho. Alang-alang sa kanyang apat na taong gulang na anak ay pipilitin daw niyang magtiis pa sa nalalabing anim na buwan sa kanyang kontrata. - George Manalansan

Presyong ginto ang nabiling isda

Umuwing kinakabahan si Maricel dala-dala ang resibo sa nabiling isda na pagkamahal-mahal gayong hindi naman kalakihan.

Hindi kasi sila nagkaintindihan nung tindera. Ang dinig kasi niya ay $30 lang ang isdang itinuro at pinalinis. Ngunit nang iabot na niya ang $50 para ipambayad ay isinulat ng tindera sa papel ang tunay na presyo ng isda: $130 pala iyon.

Napanganga si Maricel pero kailangan niyang bayaran dahil napalinis na niya. Ubos agad ang budget niya para sa dalawang araw. Buong araw siyang pinagpawisan at hindi makapagtrabaho ng maayos dahil sa nagyari, hanggang dumating ang amo nya.

Kinakabahan na sinabi ni Maricel sa among lalaki ang pagkakamali, at ganoon na lang ang pasasalamat niya dahil tinawanan lang siya nito  at sinabing huwag nang mamroblema.

Baguhan pa lang si Maricel sa mga among taga Taipo, at may dalawa siyang alaga, isang 10 at isang walong taong gulang. Siya ay 24 taong gulang, dalaga, at taga Bulacan. Kahit mababait ang mga amo niya ay hindi pa rin maiwasan ni Maricel ang mag-alala dahil pareho pa silang nag aadjust. - Rodelia Villar

HK Police ‘elevates’ case vs Ester Ylagan

By Daisy CL Mandap

Ester P. Ylagan

The investigation into fraud and money laundering allegations against former employment agency owner  Ester P. Ylagan is now with Hong Kong Police's Regional Crime Unit.

This was revealed by police investigators at the Central Harbourfront station who conducted two full-day interviews on Mar. 11 and 18 with about  40 Filipina domestic workers who had complained against Ylagan.

"We have elevated the case to the Regional Crime Unit," said an investigator, indicating some progress in the two-year-old case.

The statement was confirmed by Edwina Antonio, case officer of the Mission for Migrant Workers, which is helping the OFWs pursue their claim against Ylagan.

"The police have temporarily stopped taking statements. They will inform us when they plan to resume this. The statement taking will then be transferred to the Admiralty police station," said Antonio.

About 100 OFWs first sought police help in July 2016 after Ylagan disappeared with some $2 million in fees she allegedly collected from them for non-existent jobs in Canada and Britain.

However, no action was taken in their case then because Ylagan beat them to the police with her own complaint about having been duped into transferring some $8 million to an unknown business partner in Burkina Faso.

Ylagan said in her complaint that a bigger part of the money had come from her own funds.

However, documents recently submitted to the police by a concerned group of investigators appeared to indicate Ylagan was probably involved in a serious case of money laundering.

The money trail apparently showed Ylagan had transferred millions of dollars through numerous remittances to countries as far apart as Nigeria. Turkey and Malaysia.

She was reportedly helped in transferring the money by close family members and her former staff at Emry's Service Staff Employment Agency.

The allegations are backed up by remittance slips shown to The SUN by the team of investigators led by lawyers.

However, where the money came from - apart from the fees paid by the job applicants - and where it went remains a mystery.

Meanwhile, investigators in Manila have also closed in on Ylagan, who also faces charges from family members of the OFW complainants for whom money was paid for the bogus jobs.

Investigators from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) have filed charges of syndicated illegal recruitment against her, a non-bailable offense for which the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

Ylagan returned to Hong Kong in December last year after an absence of more than a year to file a case for deception against suspended barrister, Ody Lai, who she claimed had fraudulently acquired her Aberdeen flat worth $6.5 million at current rates.

Moves to reverse Labatt’s recall gain ground

By Daisy CL Mandap

Various groups in Hong Kong have initiated steps to get Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre remain in Hong Kong, despite orders for his immediate recall on Mar. 23 by Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Among the groups trying to reverse the order is United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante) which has appealed to Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano for help.

Unifil spokesperson Eman Villanueva says Secretary Cayetano has given assurance that he will bring up the appeal directly with Bello.

Labatt Jalilo dela Torre makes an appearance at rally last Sunday, March 25.

Another group staunchly supporting Dela Torre reportedly met with Cayetano in Hong Kong on Mar 25 to ask for help, and submitted a joint petition by more than 30 Filcom organizations calling for the reversal of the recall order.

They have yet to get an update from Cayetano on their petition.

Both Cayetano and Bello are known to be among President Rodrigo Duterte's closest allies, and had worked closely with him during the 2016 campaign.

Another group is reportedly planning to present the Filcom's joint statement protesting the recall directly to President Duterte when he visits Hong Kong on Apr 12.

Yet another group, composed of non-Filipino students in Hong Kong , has started their own online signature campaign protesting dela Torre's recall.

The group that goes by the  name Students Against Fees and Exploitation, said it supported dela Torre's crackdown on rogue employment agencies.

Amid the outcry, The SUN sought Bello's reaction through SMS, and he replied with this statement, "I respect their iright to air their grievance but they (also) have to respect our mgt (management)/procedural due proess".

He declined to elaborate.

To other interviewers, Bello gave varying replies.  In one, he was quoted as saying dela Torre's recall was merely temporary.

This was the exact opposite of the letter he sent to Dela Torre on Mar. 23, which clearly stated: "In the interest of the service, you are hereby recalled to Home Office effective immediately."

Bello's letter also ordered Dela Torre to turn over all money, properties, equipment and accountable forms to Assistant Labor Attache Ma. Nena German, indicating the recall was final.

In a separate interview with the Blas Ople Center, Bello reportedly said Dela Torre was found to have engaged in "favoritism" in approving accreditation requests by employment agencies.

Earlier, he also suggested Dela Torre had violated rules when he issued overseas employment certificates to Filipinos working in Shenzhen.

However, an officer at the Consulate told The SUN there was nothing anomalous in the practice.

But the real reason why dela Torre got into hot water was apparently his decision to reject a second job order for "entertainers" in Wanchai, after a surprise inspection found the women workers clad only in skimpy outfits.

Asked how he felt about Bello's statements suggesting he ws found guilty of some misdeed, Dela Torre said, "I'd be happy to answer the charges if they are made known to me."

He admitted being surprised by the immediate recall order, as he had not been formally informed that he was under investigation.

He did learn from his staff, however, that a top-level delegation from the Home Office had visited Hong Kong while he was away on vacation in February, to check on his performance.
He reiterated he didn't have any problems getting marching orders, but he didn't want to go under a cloud of doubt.

The moves came amid extensive media coverage given to Bello's unceremonious sacking of his HK man, who has won wide support for his crackdown on illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

The interest heightened after a massive show of support given to dela Torre by various overseas Filipino workers groups in a protest held on Mar. 25.

Apart from the relentless posts on social media by various people, news organizations like Thomson-Reuters, South China Morning Post and Philippine TV networks ABS-CBN and GMA Network have all repoted on the case.

The Blas Ople Center also stirred interest when it hosted a news conference on Mar 26 where several  OFW groups extolled dela Torre and backed calls to retain him in Hong Kong.

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.

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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.