Nabusog din

Mag-iisang taon na si Nadine sa mga unang amo sa Hong Kong. Maayos at mabait naman ang mga ito sa kanya ngunit nalulungkot siya dahil madalas na hindi nila nauubos ang pagkaing niluluto niya, kahit sa tantya naman niya ay tama lang ang dami nito para sa kanila.

Tahimik at wala namang reklamo ang mga amo kapag kumakain pero madalas na nakakalahati lang ang pagkaing hinahanda niya. Hinayang na hinayang siya tuloy dahil ayaw ng mga amo na nag-iimbak siya ng tira sa refrigerator kaya tapon lahat ang hindi nakain sa mga niluto niya.

Dahil lumaking mahirap, mas malaki ang panghihinayang niyang nararamdaman dahil alam niya ang pakiramdam ng kumakalam ang sikmura. Ang kahirapang iyon ang nagtulak sa kanya para magtrabaho sa Hong Kong.

Imbes panghinaan ng loob ay nagtanong-tanong siya sa mga kaibigan kung ano ang sikreto ng pagluluto ng masarap na pagkain. Pinayuhan siya ng mga ito na manood sa youtube ng mga paraan ng pagluluto, at tanungin din ang among babae kung tama sa panlasa nila ang kanyang mga hinandang pagkain.

Sinunod lahat ni Nadine ang payo ng mga kaibigan at pinaghusayan ang pagluluto. Hindi naman siya nabigo dahil ngayon, pagkatapos kumain ng mga amo, ay lagi siyang sinasabihan ng, “Nadine, look. The plates are all empty, everything is very yummy, thank you!”

Laking tuwa ni Nadine dahil natupad din ang gusto niya na magustuhan ng mga amo ang kanyang niluluto.

Si Nadine ay isang dalagang Bikolana na ang mga among Intsik ay naninirahan sa Robinson Road sa Mid-Levels. – Ellen Asis

Nasalanta ng masamang panahon

Nalugi si Lorena sa kanyang babuyan dahil sa kakulangan niya ng kaalaman tungkol sa epekto ng pagsalanta ng masamang panahon. Ayon sa kanya, sa pagnanais na magkaroon ng dagdag kita at matulungan ang mga kapatid ay nag-isip siya ng ibang mapagkakakitaan.

Ang kanyang nakababatang kapatid na wala ring muwang sa pagpapatakbo ng babuyan ang namahala. Sa una, inakala niyang kikita siya ng maayos kaya namuhunan siya ng husto, hanggang umabot na sa 80 patabain at 16 na inahin ang kanyang babuyan.

Pero pagsapit ng tag- ulan ay nagkasakit ang ilan dahil sa lamig, at pati ang ilang inahin ay hindi nakayanan ang panganganak. Binaha kasi ang kanyang kural dahil sa malakas na ulan, at hindi na nagawang isalba ng beterinaryo ang mga baboy na nagkasakit.

Ang ilang natira ay napilitan niyang ibenta sa mga barat na mamimili ng baboy. Wala na kasi siyang magagawa dahil kapag hindi niya ibinenta ay lalo siyang malulugi dahil sa mahal ng pakain sa baboy.

Nakakadala, sabi ni Lorena, ang kanyang pagkabigo sa unang pagtatangka niyang magnegosyo. Mabuti na lang daw at hindi utang ang ginamit niyang pang capital, dahil inipon niya ito sa loob ng limang taon na pagtatrabaho sa abroad. Ang bentaha na lang niya ay 30 taong gulang pa lang siya, at may pagkakataon pang makabawi. Sa ngayon ay nag-iipon siya muli at ayaw na munang magnegosyo. Saka na lang daw kapag nagdesisyon siyang umuwi na sa Pampanga para siya na mismo ang magpatakbo. – George Manalansan

Hinayang sa pinalampas na pagkakataon

Ngayong hirap sa pagiging kasambahay sa Hong Kong ay saka nakaramdam ng pagsisi at panghihinayang si Precy 40, Ilokana. May tsansa kasi siyang makatapos ng pag- aaral dahil may kaya naman ang kanyang pamilya, pero mas pinili niya ang mag- abroad para kumita agad.

Hindi lang kasi trabahong bahay ang pinapagawa sa kanya ng among babae. Nag-aral ito ng paggawa ng mga kakanin ng Intsik, tapos ay ginawa siyang assistant, kaya nadagdagan ang kanyang trabaho. Habang tumatagal siya sa amo ay mas lalo pa daw itong naging maselan at maarte.

Para gumaan ang nararamdaman ay idinadaan na lang ni Precy sa pagkanta ng “Doon Lang” ang nararamdaman. May tama kasi sa kanya ang parteng ito ng kanta: “Kung nakatapos lang ako ng pag- aaral, disin sana ako'y mayroong dangal (propesyunal) na ihaharap sa iyo at ipagyayabang...”

Ayon pa kay Precy, nasa kanya daw ang lahat ng pagkakataon noon na makatapos dahil bunso siya. Kung ginusto lang niya, tiyak na papaaralin siya ng ate niya na nagtatrabaho din sa Hong Kong.

Inakala daw niya na maganda ang magtrabaho dito dahil sa tuwing magbabakasyon ang kanyang mga ate ay may magagandang damit, alahas at ibang gamit. Sa tingin din niya ay siyang siya ang kanilang mga magulang sa naging kapalaran ng kanyang mga kapatid.

Nang siya ay lumagay sa tahimik ay nag-umpisa na siyang maghirap dahil iresponsable ang kanyang napangasawa. Hindi na nga ito nagtatrabaho ay nambabae pa, kaya nagdesisyon siyang hiwalayan ito kahit may dalawa na silang anak.

Ngayon ang mga anak na lang daw niya ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa kanya at ng inspirasyon para kayanin ang mga pagsubok, lalo na ng dahil sa amo niyang maarte. Kailangan niyang magtiyaga para mapaaral ang mga anak at nang hindi matulad sa kanya na nagtitiyagang magtrabaho bilang katulong sa ibang bansa dahil walang tinapos. – George Manalansan

Noted Filipino design consultant speaks at seminar for OFWs

By Ellen Asis

A new level of pushing a business idea was tackled at a seminar for Filipino domestic workers held at the Consulate on May 13, with famous design and brand managing consultant Chris Dingcong as guest speaker.

A total of 79 Filipino migrant workers attended the seminar where Dingcong told them of “The Importance of Design in Business.”

According to Dingcong, design plays an important role in connecting a business with people, and branding provides the competitive edge in driving business growth.

Design and brand managing consultant Chris Dingcong is joined by Deputy Consul General Roderico Atienza ang seminar participant for a photo.

Dingcong, the founder and managing director of Springtime Limited, a Hong Kong-based brand consultancy company, counts among his creations the MTR Corporation signage system maps, and many other high-profile projects.

He told the OFWs branding is primarily important in a business because it is “a way of talking to the customer or target market.” But the brand becomes valuable and meaningful only if it is aligned with the company’s identity core, mission, vision, values and brand story.

He said branding creates awareness. It is what tempts the mind of the target customer, and once they become fully aware of the product, the experience could be akin to personal encounter.

But creating a brand does not just involve a light bulb moment. It is a process that takes time,  research, strategy formation, and a creative expression to create and design a logo.

Chris Dingcong

He encouraged participants to be impressive and innovative when they create a design for their business, and use hypothetical branding application. He also advised participants that when they start planning a business they should also think of a business name, and how to create packaging and leaflets that will make it easier for them to communicate to people in their target market, and who they are as a business.

Dingcong was introduced to the audience by Deputy Consul General Roderico Atienza who said the seminar provided a new learning experience to participants, and would be a big help should they decide to start a business back homeThe seminar was a collaborative work of the Consulate and Wimler HK Foundation.

To get information on the Consulate’s upcoming seminars, like their Facebook Page,  Philippine Consulate General.

Pangasinan Society inducts officers

Officers of the Pangasinan Society Hongkong took their oath last May 6 at the Philippine Consulate General. They were inducted by Consul Paulo V. Saret.

The PSHK officers are:
Bonifacio Madelar, chairman; Leilani Campos, president; Cecilia Ocaspablo Layog, vice president internal; Flor Chisholm, vice president external;  Cristina Bondoc Bautista, secretary; Mellicent Mendoza Villanos Malate, assistant secretary; Jessita Villanueva, treasurer; Estefania Lomaque, assistant treasurer;  Welva Delim, auditor;  Imelda E. Emy Emperador Nicer, assistant auditor.
Joyce Ann Dulatre Alleycia Ibay, Leizel N.Gasmen, Marisa S.Hermosura, PRO; Elizabeth Baldonado, business manager, Lanilyn Pagula, Mhyla Q. Delim, Raquel Bartolome, business managers.

Advisers are Consular Attache Hermogenes V. Cayabyab Jr., Mary Rose Rhose Campos, Lorena Ugay and Rizza Tam.

Pangasinan Society Hongkong officers have their photo taken with their inducting officer, Consul Paulo V. Saret (right) at the Consulate.

Ylagan allowed to post bail

By Daisy CL Mandap

Ylagan was held for conspiracy
to defraud and money laundering

Ester Ylagan, co-owner of the defunct Service Staff and Employment Agency, was allowed to post bail earlier today, 9 June, after being questioned by Hong Kong Police for about 48 hours.

In an emailed response to a query on the status of Ylagan’s investigation, a police spokesperson said, “the 65-year-old arrested woman was released on Police bail and is required to report back to Police in early July 2018.”

Earlier, the Police confirmed to The SUN that Ylagan had been arrested on June 7 in Western District for “conspiracy to defraud” and “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (also known as money laundering).”

The arrest reportedly stemmed from complaints filed by 210 individuals starting in 2016, alleging that they had been deceived in a job recruitment scam in which each lost between $5,000 and $20,000.

Earlier reports indicated, however, that Ylagan had recruited up to 500 Filipino job applicants in Hong Kong, Macau and the Philippines for non-existent jobs in Britain and Canada. The total amount involved was estimated to be closer to $5 million.

Subsequent investigations revealed she and several other people close to her had sent a total of around $10 million to several countries as far apart as Malaysia and Burkina Faso. 

Ylagan was arrested one day after Arnold Grospe, another Filipino on the police’s lookout list was detained in Central.

Grospe was the marketing director of Peya Travel, which collapsed in December last year amid complaints of unpaid air tickets from more than 1,000 of its customers.

Hundreds of complainants were unable to board their flights back to the Philippines over the last Christmas holidays because Peya failed to pay its airline agents for the tickets.

Check out The SUN's earlier story on this here: https://www.sunwebhk.com/2018/06/hk-police-arrest-ylagan-grospe.html

‘Strip-searched’ DH jailed for theft, says she will appeal

By Vir B. Lumicao

Eastern magistrate denied application
for bail pending appeal

A Filipina helper accused of stealing a $500 banknote and a lip balm from her employer was sentenced to 28 days in prison on Jun 7 after an Eastern court magistrate found her guilty of theft.

Despite the setback, Margie Lotino’s defense counsel quickly began the process of appeal. He applied for bail on the defendant’s behalf so an appeal against her

conviction could be launched at the High Court.

The prosecutor, defense lawyer, court interpreters, agency representative and a Consulate officer who had stood by Lotino during the six days of trial, returned to the court for the bail application just minutes after Magistrate Simon Ho meted out the sentence.

But Ho rejected the application, saying, “I cannot see any reason why I should grant bail”.

Ho then threw a glance at Lotino, who was crying inconsolably.

The magistrate said he gave weight to the prosecution’s evidence and also on the  defendant’s statement to police in which she admitted her guilt. He also said the sentence he imposed was light, considering that the case involved a serious breach of trust.

Lotino’s trial was halted early on, when the magistrate decided to call six police officers to the witness stand to respond to the defendant’s complaint that they had made her strip down to her underwear during three separate interrogations.

The Filipino court interpreter was also called to explain why she allegedly told the defendant to admit the offense in her police statement.

Ho said the police witnesses were reliable and honest, and the court interpreter was independent and accurate and would not have sided with any of the parties in the case.

In the previous hearing on May 16, Ho rejected an attempt by the defense to include the alleged repeated body-searches and other police misconduct in Lotino’s evidence. He also cleared the officers of misconduct.

On Apr 20, Lotino accused her female employer, who is a teacher and wife of a traffic officer, of framing her up. She said she signed a statement admitting the offenses because she was cold, hungry, fatigued from lack of sleep and under intense pressure from body searches and interrogations lasting more than 14 hours before she was freed on bail.

She said during the ordeal the police refused to give her water or make phone calls to the Consulate or to Technic Employment Service Centre Ltd, which deployed her.

Technic staff Melanie Fisher testified on May 16, saying Lotino went straight to the agency distraught after being released by the police. The next morning, she took Lotino to the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section to seek help.

Lawyer to challenge police interview of 2 Pinays in alleged online sex ring

By Vir B. Lumicao 

Eastern Court magistrate rejects bail application by the 2 Filipina maids

A lawyer representing two Filipina helpers allegedly caught manning pay-for-sex websites in Mid-Levels has said he will challenge a video-recorded interview by the police of the defendant as they were conducted in the absence of counsel.

The two, Joan E. Palpal-latoc, 40, and Jeanette V. Gallego, 47, reportedly admitted their roles in the illicit operation in the police interviews.

Their lawyer made the statement as Eastern Magistrate Veronica Heung rejected the bail application of the defendants, citing as reasons their lack of local ties, the severity of the case against them, and the possibility that they would dispose of evidence.

She made the ruling despite being told that the Philippine Consulate was willing to provide shelter to the defendants if they were allowed bail.

The two Filipinas are facing a charge each of living on the earnings of a prostitute. They are due to appear in court again on Jul 13.

The prosecution opposed granting temporary freedom to the two even though they raised their bail offer from $10,000 to $25,000 each.

The prosecutor reiterated that Palpal-latoc and Gallego operated a number of dating websites operated by a company duly registered in Hong Kong, and owned by a certain Miss Wong, their employer.

Wong and two others were arrested along with the two Filipina helpers at the company’s registered address, a luxury flat on Tregunter Path in Mid-Levels.

The prosecutor said decoy police officers posing as customers found out that the two Filipinas were manning the online sites that offered sex with foreign prostitutes in a call-center-like operation.

Palpal-latoc reportedly told police in the filmed interview that she knew about the operation of the websites, the company’s operation and its income from the online sex dealing. She said she received 0.005% from the net earnings of the company.

The prosecutor said Gallego admitted in a separate interview that she received $1,200 a month as her reward for taking part in the illicit operation, but she was not a shareholder of the company. 

The company, which the prosecution didn’t name, allegedly targeted wealthy foreign tourists who logged on to the websites to transact business.

Police are continuing their investigation into the roles of the three other accused.

All-Filipina DH team, 'Divas', crowned cricket champs

'Divas' celebrate their epic win

By Vir B. Lumicao

Jennifer Alumbro delivered three sixes and bowled out three rival players as Filipinas stormed to the championship of Cricket Hong Kong’s Development League on Jun 3 with a clean sweep of all their matches in their maiden season in the sport.

The SCC Divas, an all-domestic helper team, formally took the crown via a devastating 141-run victory in 16 overs against their Game 2 opponents Craigengower Cricket Club, which managed only 37 runs.

The Filipinas warmed up for the final match in a 124-run win in 16 overs against United Services Recreation Club’s 48 in the morning game.

“Thank you for making this league very exciting,” head coach British Richard Waite told the Divas players after the final game.

Waiter later handed the team a small, token gold trophy, which he said would be replaced with a big one at the awarding of trophies and medals on Jun 22, at a still unknown venue.

“You easily dominated the league in your first cricket tournament. Next season, we will move you up to the T20 league, where you will be playing against more experienced teams,” Waite said. He urged the Filipinas to invite more of their friends to the sport.

Opposing teams in a T20 game play a single innings restricted to 20 overs.

Arimas receives token trophy for grand slam win  

Alumbro was declared the most valuable player of the day, as she scored three sets of six runs against USRC by batting the ball past the border in the first game , and another six in the match against CCC.

Ma Luz Madia was also picked as an MVP.

For the entire league that began on May 6, Alumbro was the highest scorer with a total of 193 runs. Close behind her was Divas captain Josie Arimas with 189 runs, while Zeny Badajos was third-highest with 140.

The left-handed Alumbro denied CCC a chance to overtake the 141 runs that the Divas strung in their innings by dismissing three batters with precision bowling. 

Romina Osabel, a powerful softball and baseball player, took down two wickets while Arimas dropped one as the Divas showed the opponents they were on target even from a distance. Badajos did just that when she recovered a fast ball from the right field and struck down the stump about 20 meters away.

All CCC could score in their innings was 37 runs for 16 overs, after losing some from deductions for the fallen wickets.

Coach Najeeb Amar, who honed up the baseball and softball-oriented Filipinas in this entirely unfamiliar sport, joined the players in savoring their victory.

“You made my life easier, girls,” Amar said, recalling how he initially found it difficult calling them up for training, understandably because of their jobs. But not long afterwards, it was the Filipinas who would call him to come out and train them, he said.

He said in the T20 league, he will divide the 25 Divas players into two teams playing in the same tournament. 

For now, the team will have a month-long rest before they start rigid training for the next season, which will begin in September.

Arimas could not hide her elation at her team’s success. “Grand slam talaga, walang talo. Ang saya kanina. Tapos ang kalaban (CCC) dating naglaro na sa main league,” she said.

What's on where

120th Philippine Independence Day Events
‘Panalo ang Pinoy’
June 3, (Sunday) 8am – 7pm
Features: ecumenical mass, parade and street dancing. Also, the coronation of Ms Tourism 2018
Guest performer: Jason Fernandez, ex-frontman of Rivermaya

‘Celebrating Global Pinoys’: 120th Philippine Independence Day Charity Ball
An annual event organized by the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, Jun 9 (Saturday), 6:00pm-onwards, Marco Polo Kowloon Hotel, 3 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Guest performers: Rivermaya frontman Jason Fernandez, standup Fil-Am comic Rex Navarette and Voice of the Philippines grand champion Jason Dy. Ticket Price: $1,300 per guest
For tickets: email oficialpahk@gmail.com Or contact: Amiel Brul: 9858 1236; Tesha Bancod: 6143 0587; Gary Flores: 9853 7945; or Franco Villanueva: 6070 7636

Kapangyawan Festival
Filcom event to celebrate 120th year of Philippine Independence
Jun 10 (Sunday) 8am-7pm, Chater Road, Central
Organizers: Philippine Consulate General with Global Alliance, Philippine Alliance . Guest performers: Ronnie Alonte, Jason Dy and Lassy. Contact: Leo Selomenio, 5336 6530

Flag Raising and Pinoy Salo-salo
Jun 12, (Tuesday) 9am-11am. PCG Service Area
Features: Reading of messages from top Philippine officials
Open to all Filcom members

Coronation of Bb Kalayaan 2018
Jun 17 (Sunday), 9am onwards. Highlight: Search and coronation of Bb Kalayaan and Live Band performance
Organizer: Global Alliance. Contact: Leo Selomenio

Diplomatic Cocktails
Jun 19 (Tuesday), 6:30pm-8:00pm
Granville and Nathan Rooms, Conrad HK. By invitation
Hosted by: Consul General Antonio Morales and Madame Shirlene C. Mananquil

Kalayaan Ball 2018
Jun 24 (Sunday) 12nn-3pm. Foo Loom Palace, King’s Road, North Point. Organized by: Global Alliance/Philippine Alliance
Entrance ticket: $100 @ Contact: Leo Selomenio

PUBLIC HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT: 
The Philippine Consulate General and all its attached agencies including POLO will be closed on the following dates:
June 12 (Tuesday) – Philippine Independence Day
July 2 (Monday) – Hong Kong holiday
There will be no official transactions on these dates.

In case of emergency, call:
9155 4023 (Consular assistance)
5529 1880 (POLO)
6345 9324 (OWWA)

Unleash: A Concert by The Harmonics
(Hong Kong’s First LGBTQ Choir including Filipino members Brenda Alegre, Mae Lim, Josh Lemuel Reyes and Andrei Reyes)
Featuring: Filipino guest artists Andrew Gyne and The Unsung Heroes . Jun 9 (Saturday), 7:30-9:30 pm, Caritas Kowloon Community Hall, 3/F, 256A Prince Edward Road West, Kowloon
For tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/the-harmonics-unleash-live-conc…

Sali na!

Silid Sining Pinay: Unlocking Pinay Creativity
Painting Workshop Sessions for OFWs in HK with Filipino artist Grace P. Camacho
July 1, 9am-12nn, Aug 5, 9am-12nn, Sept 2, 9am-12nn, Oct 7, 9am – 12nn, PCG Gallery
Organized by: PCG with Pitter Painter
Requirements: HKID copy and one 2x2" photo
To register, visit the PCG Cultural Section or email cultural.pcg@gmail.com with subject: “SilidSining”

Free Zumba Class
Sundays, 10am-11am (or stay longer if you want)
Pier 10, Central. Open to everyone
Offered by: Kayumanggi Zumba Fitness Group HK

Free Yoga Class 
Sundays, 8:30am-9:30am, Pier 10, Central. Open to everyone
Organized by: Andappan Yoga Community

For Tinikling Lovers: 
The Tinikling Group of Migrants is in need of male/female performers with or without experience, no age limit. TGM performs mostly for LCSD events. Interested person may contact Marie Velarde @ 67175379, Emz Bautista @ 98512804and Rowena Solir @97331049.

Attention: Rugby enthusiasts: 
The Exiles Touch Rugby group is inviting rugby enthusiasts to join the team. We practice every Sunday at the Happy Valley Pitch 8 from 5pm to 8pmat the Happy Valley Pitch 8.  For those interested please contact: Ghelai 65414432whatsapp/sms or click “like” on Exiles HK facebook page

Wanted: softball players: 
The all-Filipina softball team is now open for tryouts. Those who are interested, especially those with prior experience in the game may contact Team Captain Don Gaborno 5318-5113

An invitation to play volleyball:
Calling sport-minded Filipinas who want to play volleyball. A team is being organized by a group led by Shane Key Gonzales to compete in upcoming volleyball leagues in Hong Kong.  Interested parties may contact Shane at 54498080.

Heroes and hypocrites

By Daisy Catherine L. Mandap

Our community is blessed to have so many people from all walks of life and of various nationalities extending help, from outright financial donations to helping out with court cases.

Time and again, I would come across volunteers, mainly from the Mission for Migrant Workers and Help for Domestic Helpers, who go to court and vigorously help foreign domestic workers fight for their rights.

Of a different category are, of course, the seasoned warriors of these NGOs, in particular Edwina Antonio, Cynthia Tellez and Ester Bangcawayan, who have dedicated their lives to helping migrant workers in distress.

These women are all smart enough to have been hired for far easier jobs with much higher pay, but they have chosen to fight for migrants rights instead. For them, this does not only entail speaking at media briefings, but also spending much of their time hearing out migrants in distress, attending court hearings, rescuing them from abusive employers, and even living with them.

They are to me, what real heroes are.

In a different class, but no less admirable, are the students, lawyers and real do-gooders who quietly offer their free time to help our migrant workers.

They include Christine, a young Chinese law graduate from Hong Kong University, who recently represented Mariel, an abused Filipina domestic helper, in her labour claim. It was so heartwarming to see Christine looking as excited as Mariel when the employer agreed to settle the case.

There was also Nicole, an elegant French professional who came to the Labour Tribunal on behalf of Help, to represent another Filipina who was pursuing a claim for compensation from an employer who terminated their contract illegally. Nicole surprised me with her thorough grasp of the case and of the law, and of how fiercely she asserted the helper’s case.

There was also Klaus, an exchange student from Poland who appeared for the Mission on behalf of Lanie, also an abused helper. Klaus pursued the case with a lot of passion and compassion that it felt like he had a personal stake in it.

There are many others who I haven’t had the privilege to work with, or study from afar.  They work quietly and without fanfare, but are a real blessing to the Filipino community in Hong Kong, especially to our highly disadvantaged workers.

On the flipside are a bunch of self-proclaimed do-gooders who often give interviews to mainstream media on how much help they have extended to migrant workers, and how their hearts bleed for them. In reality, these groups thrive on, and sometimes, even make money from, the services they provide to foreign domestic workers.

Without discounting the benefits they provide to our workers, we also have to be aware that their very existence depends on the people they profess to serve.

Thus, it can be downright annoying to hear them speak, or even hint, that we have to write about their good deeds, as if they are doing it all for free, that they are not being paid a comfortable salary for it, or there is no big corporate sponsor propping them up.

At least one has demanded that we have to pay for attending their event – and maybe write about it – because well, it was for a good cause. And all the while they were auctioning off “donated” works from some of our migrant workers.

This same group would also hold forums on the plight of our workers, and organize a panel that has no Filipino in it except for a token domestic worker, as if that’s all we’re good for.

Another group calls itself a “non profit” but appears to make a tidy income from its operations, enough to provide for a bunch of highly-paid expat officers and a huge staff support. Their business model is also not that unique, as there are a couple of low-key companies providing the same service.

One tends to compare them with Pathfinders, a real non-profit which provides valuable help to pregnant migrant domestic workers, but does not go around trumpeting about its good work. Or to Bethune House, which has off and on, suffered from severe funding crisis because of the all-out support it gives to distressed migrant women, but goes about its work quietly.

There is nothing wrong with soliciting support or financial backing from big companies while extending help to the needy. It is in fact, a given, if an enterprise is to survive and continue doing its good work.

But there is wisdom in going about quietly while you help, and of not demanding that you be noticed for all the wonderful things that you do.

Real help could only come from the heart.

Maid accused of child abuse set to file claim against employer

Legion was arrested in one of the flats
at Green Code estate in Fanling (googlemaps photo)

By Vir B. Lumicao

The Filipina domestic helper in Sheung Shui who was detained by police for more than a day for allegedly hurting her four-year-old ward, is preparing to file a case for unjust termination against her employer.

Michelle M. Legion, 29, who is out on $500 police bail, has vehemently denied laying a hand on the boy.

“Kahit kailan ay hindi ko sinaktan ang alaga ko, mahal ko iyon kahit madalas siyang nagta-tantrums,” Legion told The SUN. 

She claimed it was the boy’s father who would slap the kid whenever he acted up.

Police released Legion at midnight on Friday, Jun 1. Two officers had picked her up at her employers’ home at Green Code estate on Ma Sik Road in Fanling at about 8pm the previous day.

After granting her bail, the police reportedly told her that she will know in three weeks whether she will be formally charged in court.

Legion says she was held without any investigation
being conducted at Sheung Shui police station

Legion, who has sought shelter at the Filipino Workers’ Resource Center in Sheung Wan, went to the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate on Jun 3 to file a report about the incident. She was told she will be assisted in filing a labour claim for unjust termination against her employer.

An ATN officer said the fact that Legion was allowed to post bail indicated the complaint filed by the employer against her needed further investigation.

In her phone conversation with The SUN, Legion said that during the 26 hours that she was held at the police station, she was put in a cell and was told not to call her friends. But she did manage to make a few calls before the officers took her phone away.

Legion said she told the police to review the CCTV footage in the employers’ home as there allegedly were cameras everywhere in the house.

“How can anyone with common sense touch the child when every corner of the flat was monitored by CCTV,” said the helper, who had been employed by the family for two years and five months.

On Thursday afternoon, the boy was reportedly crying when his father asked Legion to take him to his kindergarten class. At 6:10 pm, the male employer reportedly told her to return home and prepare dinner.

In the evening, when the female employer arrived from work, she called the maid for a talk and accused her of beating up the boy and showed the reddish imprints of a hand and a fresh scratch on the child’s back.  The maid denied she was responsible for the injuries.

The employer then called the police, who took the maid to the Sheung Shui police station.

Legion said the two officers who arrested her could not investigate her because they could not speak English and there was no Filipino interpreter available.

In the end, they told her she would be released if she posted $2,000 bail but she said she had no money because her wallet was left in the employers’ flat. Then eventually lowered the bail to $500 and allowed her to phone a friend to bail her out.

Legion said before she left for her vacation in December, she was accused by her female employer of stealing her mother-in-law’s money. They asked her to return the money, but she said how could she return something that she did not take?

She said she learned later on that her employers were already in the process of hiring someone to replace her.

Police told Legion to return to the Sheung Shui Station on Jun 22 to find out if she would be charged.

Tramway fares to increase in July

The Hong Kong government has allowed an increase in tram fares, effective July 2.

The Chief Executive in Council gave its concent to Hong Kong Tramways Limited (HKT) to alter fares, in accordance with section 51 of the Tramway Ordinance (Cap. 107).

Persons aged 12 or above will be charged $2.60, from $2.30. Children  aged 3 to 11 will be charged $1.30, $1.20.

The monthly ticket will be $220, from $200.

In addition, the fare for the elderly (aged 65 or above) will increase from $1.10 to $1.20. The fare for a tourist ticket will remain at $34.

A Government spokesman said the Government should ensure that HKT would have sound financial capability in providing economical, efficient and quality tram services at reasonable fares.

In assessing the fare increase, the Government took into account various factors, including the quality and quantity of service provided and the planned improvement projects of HKT; the changes in operating costs and revenue since HKT's last fare adjustment; HKT's forecasts of future costs, revenue, profit and return; and the likely public acceptability.

HKT submitted a fare increase application to the Transport Department in August 2017. The Government has consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Transport and the Transport Advisory Committee.

 HKT has not adjusted its fares for the past seven years. Since the last fare adjustment in June 2011, given the competition from other public transport modes, its patronage has been decreasing and the revenue has also correspondingly dropped.

The potential to further increase non-fare box revenue is rather limited. Although HKT made profits between 2011 and 2017, its profit after tax has been decreasing since 2014. HKT's profit after tax in 2016 and 2017 was $37.6 million and about $22.9 million respectively (the profit margin was 14.7 per cent and about 9 per cent respectively).

Nevertheless, HKT has planned to invest about $110 million in the next few years for service improvement projects.

All the president’s men

The first full-year reports of the Commission on Audit on the Duterte government described in documented details irregularities in some agencies, So far, these reports have claimed the head of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo, who was replaced quickly by Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo Puyat. Pressure is on for others to follow Teo’s fate — including President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter Sara, the mayor of Davao, who was questioned for spending P1 billion on casual employees at the city hall.

Solicitor General Jose Calida and ex-Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.

But opposition senators are aiming their guns at the government’s chief lawyer, who is facing corruption charges before the Ombudsman.

Solicitor General Jose Calida, who engineered the removal of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on quo warranto proceedings, is accused of conflict of interest because his family-owned security agency got P150 million worth of government contracts.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Duterte should not only fire Calida and other officials who had been removed on charges of corruption, but also charge them in court. 

“I challenge President Duterte to prove his anti-corruption rhetoric,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Calida should resign out of delicadeza if Duterte would not fire him.

Calida and his family reportedly owned Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency that allegedly bagged P150 million in contracts from various government agencies.

The allegation was detailed in a complaint filed against Calida by businesswoman Jocelyn Marie Acosta-Nisperos before the Ombudsman.

Despite the claim of Calida’s camp that he was no longer connected with the security agency, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the Solicitor General should step down.

Malacañang came to Calida’s defense, saying there was no conflict of interest in the deals in question.

Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque said the solicitor general’s enemies were only out to get back at him for successfully ousting Sereno through a quo warranto petition.

Calida has kept mum on allegations of corruption being hurled at him, saying he would defend himself in a proper forum.

In her complaint, Nisperos said Calida failed to divest his 60-percent capital stock in their family business, the security firm Vigilant Investigative and Security Security Agency Inc. (VISAI), when he was appointed as Solicitor General in 2016.

Calida’s wife Milagros and their three children each own a 10 percent stake in VISAI.

Nisperos said VISAI bagged contracts from four agencies —the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), and the National Parks Development Corporation (NPDC) — due to its connection with Calida.

Nisperos also accused Calida of having an affair with his 22-year-old executive assistant, who allegedly received P1.8 million in public funds as compensation.

She said Calida, who was confronted by his wife Milagros upon learning of their affair, and his girlfriend have taken a leave of absence since their break-up.

“When Calida's wife found out about the affair and the corruption, she confronted him in his office last April 23. Calida and his alleged EA have since then taken a leave of absence from the OSG,” Nisperos said.

“By divesting P1.8 million from public funds to whom he is having an illicit relationship with, Calida is guilty of malversation that is punishable under the (Revised Penal Code),” she added.

Nisperos, however, admitted having no evidence on the alleged affair aside from her supposed “verified sources.”

“I acknowledge we do not have hard evidence when it comes to the relationship. But the eyewitness reports are strong, very credible ang witnesses. We beseech the Ombudsman to investigate this relationship,” she said.

Apart from his conflict of interest, Hontiveros also questioned Calida’s previous links with high-profile personalities in conflict with the law. “We cannot tolerate public officials who coddle and give special treatments to drug lords and high-profile criminals, or in Mr. Calida’s case, a solicitor general who lawyers for plunderers like pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and the Marcoses, and a Solicitor General whose personal businesses profit from the government,” Hontiveros said.

The senator also called on Duterte to stop recycling corrupt officials or the practice of reappointing dismissed government officials.

“Recycling corrupt public officials is recycling corruption. Corrupt public officers, who have been shielded from calls of transparency and accountability, are non-recyclable,” she said.

Pangilinan voiced a similar call. “If DoT Secretary Wanda Teo resigned because the DoT/PTV 4 favored her Tulfo brothers’ TV production company to the tune of P60 Million worth of government contracts then Solicitor General Jose Calida, the lawyer of the government, should resign as well for P150 million worth of government contracts in the DoJ (OSG is an attached agency), Pagcor, NEDA etc. that went to the security guard agency belonging to his wife and children (kasi nag resign na daw siya),” the senator wrote on his Facebook page.

“Family TV Production Company. Family Security agency. Same same. Halos times 3 nga lang ‘yung halaga nung kay Calida,” he added.

Teo stepped down from her post at the height of the controversy hounding the Department of Tourism (DoT) over its P60-million advertisement deal with the state-run, People’s Television Network Inc. (PTNI). The ad placement reportedly went to a program produced by Teo’s brother, Ben Tulfo, and co-hosted by another brother, Erwin Tulfo.

Other government officicals who faced adverse COA reportsa were:
• Resigned justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre under whose reign th Department of Justice was flagge for P27-million worth of payroll without supporting documents, and P65-million worth of accounts maintained without authority. But he says he “has no participation whatsoever” in the transactions.
• Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado, who has been fired by Duterte for issuing a legal opinion that led to the approval of a 75-year permit for a casino operator inside the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (Apeco).  He said COA earlier issued an Audit Observation Memorandum dated March 12, which said lawyers of the Office of Government Corporate Counsel have been receiving, among others, “secret allowances” directly from some GOCCs.

Ekonomiya at ikaw

Ang buhay ng bansa, gaya ng isang negosyo, ay nakasalalay sa paglabas-pasok ng kayamanan sa kanyang kaban. Dito rin makikita kung tama ba o hindi ang pamamalakad dito.

Ang pagbagsak ng piso sa 52.60 sa isang dolyar, na pinakamababa sa loob ng 12 taon, ay nagbabadya ng paglabas ng kayamanan at kapital sa Pilipinas. At gaya ng gumuguhong dam, ang butas ay lalaki nang lalaki hanggang ang susunod na balita ay bagsak na ng ekonomiya, kung walang gagawing pampaampat ng pagdurugo.

Marami sa mga OFW ay natutuwa sa lugmok na piso, dahil ang kita nilang dolyar ay mas maraming katumbas, kaya nakakatipid sa pagpapadala ng nakagawiang halaga. Pero ang totoo, ang ipinapadala mong Php10,000 buwan-buwan ay kulang na. Ang kailangan ng pamilya mo ay Php15,000 dahil sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin. Sa huli ay imbes gumaan, mas bumigat ang dinadala mo.

Gaya ng iba’t ibang bansa, ang Pilipinas ay kailangan ding magbayad ng mas mahal na dolyar para sa inaangkat nito, gaya ng langis, bigas at iba pa. May maniobra pa ang iba’t ibang bansa upang ma-protektahan ang kani-kanilang ekonomiya, na karahiman ay nagpapahirap sa mga bansang gaya ng Pilipinas.

Sa ngayon ay pinababayaan ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas na hanapin ng piso ang tamang halaga nito upang hindi masyadong magalaw ang reserba nitong $80 billion para sa bayaring internasyonal.

Pero kung ang pamahalaan ay gumagastos ng mas malaki sa nakokolekta nitong buwis, baka kahit iyan ay maubos din. Sa unang apat na buwan sa taong ito, halimbawa, ang budget deficit ay umabot na sa Php116 bilyon – apat na patong noong 2017.

Sinabi ni Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez na hindi dapat mabahala dahil mas mababa ito sa inaasahan. Pero ito ay mangangahulugan ng mas malaking uutangin ng pamahalaan upang mapunan ang kakulangan, na magpapataas sa interes na singil ng mga bangko, na magpapataas sa gastos ng mga negosyante, na sa huli ay magpapataas sa presyo ng bilihin.

Kaya hindi nakapagtataka ang report na dumausdos nang 9 lugar ang Pilipinas sa World Competitiveness ranking  sa ika-50 sa 63 bansa, mula 41 noong 2017. Ito ang pinakamalaking pagbagsak ng Pilipinas sa loob ng isang dekada, at pinakamalaking bagsak na nairehistro ng isang bansa sa Asia-Pacific.

At gaya ng inaasahan, nabagok tayo sa apat na basehan ng World Competitiveness Yearbook, ang pinagmulan ng report na ito – economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, at infrastructure.

Kung sana napagtutuunan ng pansin ang mga ito ng mga namumuno kesa pagpapalapad ng papel, ay sana maayos ang buhay natin.

At siya nga pala, ang Hong Kong ay No. 2 sa ranking. Kaya nga ba maraming OFW na nagtatrabaho dito, imbes na sa sarili nilang bansa?

New welfare officer says her heart is with workers

By Vir B. Lumicao

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s newest welfare officer in Hong Kong may have been destined to serve the working class.

Virsie B. Tamayao, a 57-year-old social worker by profession who hails from Cagayan province, says this predilection began after she graduated from St Paul’s University in Tuguegarao in 1982.

“My heart is with the workers. Ever since I’ve worked, first with farmers, then with workers, and now with OFWs,” Tamayao told The SUN in an interview on May 24. It was her first day on the job, having flown in from Manila the night before to take up her post at the OWWA Hong Kong office.

Virsie B. Tamayao

By noon, Tamayao had spoken to about a dozen OFWs who made inquiries or brought up problems about their employers. Other workers went to the OWWA office on 16th floor of Mass Mutual Tower for wage, severance or long service pay computations.

Once, at the beginning of the interview, she took a call from an OFW and patiently listened for about 5 minutes to the worker’s woes, before tactfully telling her to go to the Hong Kong Labour Department.

Tamayao’s job path has seen her dealing with workers from the beginning. She first worked for the National Irrigation Administration regional office where her daily routine was talking with farmers. Then she became a community organizer of farmers for some time.

In 1999, Tamayao joined the OWWA Region 2 office in Tuguegarao as a social worker. She would later be promoted to community development officer, assigned overseas twice – to Abu Dhabi in 2005-2007 and later to Seoul, South Korea, in 2013 – before returning to the same office as overseas workers welfare officer.

Tamayao told the SUN that before coming to Hong Kong, she went through immersion in the home office where she was briefed on the usual OFW problems in Hong Kong and the kind of assistance the workers here needed.

Worker situations vary from place to place, she acknowledged, citing the difficult conditions in Abu Dhabi where the OFWs are mostly domestic workers, and the better lot of OFWs in Korea simply because they are in higher job categories.

“Previous welfare officers here, such as Mila Peña, say that Hong Kong is totally different because problems are easier to settle than in the Middle East, as the workers are covered by labor laws and employers are easier to talk to,” Tamayao said.

But she said she has yet to see for herself the real picture and can only make the comparison after her tour of duty.

For Hong Kong-based OFWs, Tamayao says she will follow what she did in Korea, that of pursuing existing programs that prepare the workers for reintegration once they decide to return home. These programs include training in financial management, employable skills, livelihood projects, and businesses that will enable the workers and their families to sustain their daily needs.

But she said the preparations do not just involve the workers: it must also encompass the workers’ family members. So, while the mother or father is working abroad, OWWA operatives reach out to their families to teach them about their responsibilities.

“Ang reintegration ay hindi lang sa OFW nakatuon kung hindi maging sa pamilya niya para mintindihan nila na uuwi rin ang OFW pagdating ng panahon,” Tamayao said.

The spouse must know how to manage the money and save, while the children must finish their studies so the hard-earned money is not wasted.

Tamayao is married to a social worker who is now retired and will join her shortly in Hong Kong.
Their four children are now professionals, two of whom are OFWs. The eldest is a nurse working in the Middle East, the second is a lawyer of the Public Attorneys Office, the third is a seaman, and the youngest has just earned his diploma in international studies.

For the next three years, the presence of Tamayao in Hong Kong should provide comfort to the city’s growing army of OFWs.

Jolina, isinilang na ang ikalawang anak

Isinilang ni Jolina Magdangal ang pangalawang anak nila ng asawang si Mark Escueta noong May 28, 10:00 ng umaga sa Asian Hospital and Medical Center. Ang kanilang baby girl ay pinangalanang Vika Anya, ay isinilang via ceasarean section.

Dinala sa ospital si Jolina, 39, noong May 27 , at doon na nagpalipas ng gabi, kasama si Mark at ang panganay nilang si Pele, 3.

Pahinga muna sa pagho-host si Jolina sa daily TV show niyang “ Magandang Buhay “, at ang mga co-hosts niyang sina Karla Estrada at Melai Cantiveros muna ang magdadala ng show, kasama ang kanilang mga celebrity guests.

Noong nakaraang taon ay si Melai naman ang nag-maternity leave sa kanilang show nang isilang nito ang pangalawang anak nila ni Jason Francisco.


41st GAWAD URIAN AWARDS

Muling namayagpag ang mga indie films sa listahan ng mga nominado sa Gawad Urian sa taong ito. Ang pelikulang “Respeto” ang nakakuha ng pinakamaraming nominasyon (11), kabilang na ang best actor para kay Abra , na mas kilala bilang isang rapper. Tinalo niya sina Aga Muhlach at Dingdong Dantes na hindi man lang na-nominate sa pelikula nilang Seven Sundays.

Gaganapin ang Gawad Urian 2018 sa June 14 sa ABS CBN tent sa Vertis North sa Quezon City.

Ang mga nominado:

Best Film:
Balangiga: Howling Wilderness - Archinette Villamor, Edong Canlas, Khavn dela Cruz, producers
Birdshot - Pamela L. Reyes, producer
Bhoy Intsik - Ferdinand Lapuz, producer
The Chanters - Cai Cena, Ferdinand Lapuz, Thop Nazareno, producers
Respeto - Monster Jimenez, producer
Tu Pug Imatuy -  Norhaiya Diabo, Macusang, Arnel Mardoquio, Milo Tolentino, Ethel Mendez, Arnel Barbarona, Jillian Kayle Barbarona, producers

Best Director:
Arnel Barbarona -  Tu Pug Imatuy; Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo - Kita Kita; Khavn De La Cruz -  Balangiga: Howling Wilderness; Joel Lamangan - Bhoy Intsik, James Robin M. Mayo -  The Chanters; Treb Monteras III – Respeto; Mikhail Red - Birdshot

Best Actress: 
Joanna Ampil - Ang Larawan; Angeli Bayani - Bagahe; Alessandra de Rossi - Kita Kita;
Gloria Diaz - Si Chedeng at Si Apple; Dexter Doria - Paki; Jally Nae Gilbaliga - The Chanters;
Agot Isidro - Changing Partners; Elizabeth Oropesa - Si Chedeng at Si Apple; Bela Padilla - 100 Tula Para Kay Stella; Angellie Nicolle Sanoy -  Bomba;  Malona Sulatan - Tu Pug Imatuy

Best Actor:
Abra – Respeto; Nonie Buencamino -  Smaller and Smaller Circles; Timothy Castillo - Neomanila;
Noel Comia Jr. - Kiko Boksingero; Allen Dizon – Bomba; RS Francisco -  Bhoy Intsik;
Jojit Lorenzo - Changing Partners; Empoy Marquez -  Kita Kita; Sandino Martin - Changing Partners;
Justine Samson - Balangiga: Howling Wilderness

Best Supporting Actress
Yayo Aguila - Kiko Boksingero; Angeli Bayani - Maestra; Shamaine Buencamino – Paki;
Jasmine Curtis-Smith – Siargao; Chai Fonacier -  Respeto; Nathalie Hart - Historiographika Errata;
Odette Khan - Bar Boys; Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo -  Ang Larawan; Gloria Sevilla - Maestra

Best Supporting Actor
John Arcilla -  Birdshot; Robert Arevalo - Ang Larawan; Romulo Caballero - The Chanters;
Dido De la Paz – Respeto; Pio Del Rio - Balangiga: Howling Wilderness; Nor Domingo – Respeto;
Ronwaldo Martin - Bhoy Intsik; Jess Mendoza - Sa Gabing Nanahimik ang mga Kuliglig;
Arnold Reyes - Birdshot

Natatanging Gawad Urian – Winston Raval, composer- arranger (Vanishing Tribe)
Itatanghal din ang unang CineManunuri Film Festival sa pagtutulungan ng Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino at Cinema Centenario sa June 15- 29. Ipapalabas dito ang mga mananalo at nominadong pelikula sa Gawad Urian 2018.

ARA, MAY-ASAWANG USEC ANG BF? 

Naunang ibinalita bilang isang blind item, hanggang pangalanan ni Lolit Solis na si Ara Mina ito, usap-usapan ngayon ang nangyaring komprontasyon kay Ara ng asawa ng diumano’y bagong boyfriend niya.

Guest daw si Ara sa isang pagtitipon, at nang kumakanta siya, nagtawag ito ng tao sa audience upang samahan siyang kumanta, at napilit niya ang isang babae na ang kinalabasan ay asawa pala ng isang undersecretary sa isang ahensya ng pamahalaan na boyfriend daw ngayon ni Ara.

Hindi daw alam ng babaeng mula sa audience ang lyrics ng kakantahin nila kaya ibinigay ni Ara ang kanyang cellphone upang mabasa nito ang lyrica ng kanta. Ang kaso, habang hawak daw nito ang cellphone ni Ara ay biglang pumasok ang text ni Usec, at tinatanong kung naroon pa sa event ang asawa niya. Pagkatapos ng kanta, dinala ng babae ang cellphone at nabasa ang palitan ng matatamis na messages ng asawa niya at ni Ara, kaya nagkaroon ng matinding komprontasyon sa comfort room ang babae at si Ara.

Hindi pa nagbibigay ng pahayag si Ara tungkol sa nangyaring insidente, pero ngayon pa lang ay marami nang negatibong puna ang ibinabato sa kanya. Bakit daw kasi lagi siyang pumapatol sa mga sabit na, mula pa noong nakarelasyon niya si Jomari Yllana, na noon ay asawa na ni Aiko Melendez.
Si Ara ay may isang anak sa dati niyang boyfriend na si Mayor Patrick Meneses, na naging boyfriend din ni Aiko.

CELEBRITIES NA TATAKBONG SENADOR

Kinukumbinse daw ni Sen. Tito Sotto, ( bagong hirang na senate president, kapalit ni Sen Koko Pimentel) ang news reporter na si Ted Failon ng ABS CBN, upang tumakbong senador sa susunod na eleksyon.

Nauna nang napabalita na ang newscaster na si Jiggy Manicad ay tatakbo ring senador, at nag-resign na raw ito sa GMA Network upang paghandaan ang kanyang pagpasok sa pulitika.

Ang iba pang celebrities na nagbabalak o hinihikayat ding tumakbong senador ay sina Dingdong Dantes, Lito Lapid, Erwin Tulfo, Mocha Uson, Agot Isidro at Willie Revillame.

Nakaupo pa sa puwesto sina Grace Poe, Manny Pacquiao, at Tito Sotto. Senador pa rin sina Ralph Recto (asawa ni Vilma Santos), Chiz Escudero (asawa ni Heart Evangelista) at Francis Pangilinan (asawa ni Sharon Cuneta).

Samantala, nakulong matapos makasuhan sina Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. at Jinggoy Estrada, na pansamantalang nakakalaya matapos payagang magpiyansa.

ALDEN, ITATAPAT SA ANG PROBINSYANO? 
Sa wakas ay natupad na ang matagal nang hiling ng mga fans na bigyan ng bagong TV series ang kanilang idolong si Alden Richards. Excited si Alden sa bago niyang project, ang “Victor Magtanggol” dahil matagal na raw niyang gustong gawin ang ganitong klaseng papel.
“Nang binigay kasi sa akin ang Victor Magtanggol at then diniscribe ang character niya, ang lakas ng koneksyon sa mga Pilipino. So yung mga Pilipino na may prinsipyo, yung pag inatasan mong gawin ang isang bagay ay paninindigan nila. Gusto natin kapag pinanood ng mga Kapuso natin si Victor Magtanggol,  makikita nila ang mga sarili nila.”
Tututukan at magiging involved daw si Alden sa magiging takbo ng kwento kaya madalas daw siyang makipag-usap sa creative team ng bagong TV series, dahil gusto daw niyang subaybayan ito ng mga manonood dahil may aral ding mapupulot mula dito. Makaka-relate daw ang mga manonood kay Victor Magtanggol dahil ang istorya ng buhay nito ay puno ng drama, aksyon at adventure.
Ngayon pa lang, inaasahan na ng marami na ito ang ipantatapat ng GMA Network sa “Ang Probinsyano” ni Coco Martin, na halos tatlong taon nang namamayagpag sa ere. Si Coco ay creative consultant din ng kanyang programa, at maging sa stunts at fight scenes ay tinututukan niya. Ito rin marahil ang gustong ma-achieve ni Alden sa kanyang TV show.
Wala pang kumpirmasyon kung sino ang magiging leading lady ni Alden, dahil maraming mga pangalan ang inaayawan agad ng kanyang mga fans, lalo na ang mga fans nila ni Maine Mendoza. Pero ang pangalan ni Janine Gutierrez ay isa daw sa mga pinagpipilian. O baka naman ipaparis ito sa Ang Probinsyano na marami ang ipinareha kay Coco gaya nina Bela Padilla, Maja Salvador, Yassi Pressman, Yen Concepcion at ngayon ay si Jessy Mendiola.

ANNE, IPINAGTANGGOL ANG ASAWA 
Damay ang asawa ni Anne Curtis na si Erwan Heusaff sa anomalyang kinasasangkutan ng Buhay Carinderia project ng Tourism Promotions Board (TBP) na dating pinamumunuan ni Cesar Montano. Si Erwan  ang content creator ng Buhay Carinderia sa mga video na ginagamit upang i-promote ang mga lokal na kainan sa Pilipinas. Siya ang piniling gumawa nito ng Marylindbert International, ang marketing agency na itinalaga ng TPB para humawak ng proyekto.

Bago pa umupo sa puwesto ang bagong Tourism Secretary na si Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, (pumalit kay Wanda Tulfo-Teo), lumabas na ang alingasngas na tumanggap ng Php80 milyon bilang paunang bayad ang Marylindbert mula sa TBP, at kung paanong nakuha ang proyekto ng hindi dumaan sa bidding process. Agad naman itong kinumpirma ni Puyat, at ipinatawag si Cesar na sa bandang huli ay napilitang mag-resign dahil sa kontrobersiya. Pero bago ito ay inilaglag muna ng aktor ang dati niyang boss na si Tulfo-Teo. Ayon kay Cesar, aprubado daw ni Teo ang mga tsekeng ibinayad sa may-ari ng Marylindbert International, na kaibigan din daw nito. 

Ipinagtanggol naman ni Anne Curtis ang kanyang asawa dahil wala daw itong alam sa kontrobersyang kinasasangkutan ng Buhay Carinderia.  “I know where Erwan’s heart is talaga when it comes to that: it’s always about pushing the Filipino food. Yun lang naman ang gusto niya, ma-highlight ang pagkain na mga Pilipino, so I support him with that”, ang sagot niya sa isang panayam.

Ano ang hatid ng Hunyo sa iyo

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94/06
Lalasapin mo ng husto ang sarap ng pag-ibig. Pero huwag kaligtaang alagaan din ang ibang bahagi ng iyong buhay upang maiwasan ang problema. May magagandang transaksyon sa negosyo o trabahong mas malaki ang kita. Huwag pag-aksayahan ng oras ang mga bagay na mahirap ipaliwanag. Makakaranas ng pananakit ng sikmura dahil sa labis na tensyon o nerbiyos. May pag-aalala sa pamilya dahil sa sakit na dinaranas ng taong malapit sa inyo. Lucky numbers: 11, 19, 25 at 36.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95/07
Ang dinaranas na pagka-iritable ay hindi nasa isip lang kundi dahil sa nararamdaman mong problema sa panunaw. Maswerte ka sa pustahan sa linggong ito. Iwasang maniwala agad sa mga sinasabi sa iyo; maaaring makasira ito sa iyong trabaho. Makakahanap ka ng katahimikan at pahinga sa piling ng pamilya. Masaya ang love life mo ngayon.   Lucky numbers: 5, 16, 32 at 42.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96/08
Madali kang ma in love, kaya sunod-sunod ang magiging karelasyon mo. Pag-aralan kung paano hawakan ang pera, huwag balewalain ito, at huwag magpa-alipin sa salapi. Maging maingat sa pakikisama sa lahat ng tao upang makaiwas sa intriga. Maganda ang iyong pag-angat sa trabaho, pero laging magpakatotoo. Mag-ingat sa aksidente, lalo na kung nagbibisikleta o nagmo-motor; ugaliing magsuot ng helmet.  Lucky numbers: 15, 22, 36 at 41.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97/09
Ang pagbibiyahe ay makakabuti sa iyo; gaganda ang iyong pananaw at pakiramdam. May tsansa kang magkaroon ng bagong karelasyon kung ikaw ay naghahanap. Maganda ang kalagayan sa trabaho. Mas magiging malapit din ang mga kaibigan mo ngayon. Kontrolin mo ang iyong pagkain, hindi ka lang tataba, hihina rin ang iyong atay. Iwasan din ang pag-inom ng alak at manigurado na ang kinakain ay laging sariwa. Lucky numbers: 17, 25, 33 at 41.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98/10
Maganda ang resulta ng pinagpaguran, pero maging maingat sa mga detalye. Kung hindi ka magpapakita ng unawa at pasensya, magiging magulo ang tahanan. Maging mahinahon din sa pakikipag-usap sa ibang tao upang maiwasang makasakit ng damdamin at magkaroon ng kumplikasyon ang pagsasama. Wala kang gana sa maraming bagay at nakakaramdam ka ng pagod. Subukang uminom ng vitamins upang lumakas ang resistensya.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87/99
Makakaramdam ng pagbabago sa katawan at personalidad. Huwag matuksong kumita ng pera sa madali, pero hindi tamang paraan. Gayunpaman, may tsansa na manalo sa sugal ngayon. Ang relasyon sa pamilya ay magkakaroon ng kumplikasyon. Maging matiyaga at huwag madaliin ang lahat upang hindi masira ang tsansa mong magtagumpay. Makakakaasa ka ng suporta sa mga kaibigan na magiging karamay mo sa lahat ng bagay. Lucky numbers: 8, 14, 28 at 36.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88/00
Maging maingat sa pananalapi. Mag-ingat din sa mga kasamahan sa trabaho na  naiinggit sa iyo at maaring magpahamak sa iyo. Magulo ang relasyon sa pamilya; malas na lang ang taong magpapagalit sa iyo! Anuman ang problema, sa pamilya man o personal, may mga kaibigan kang handang tumulong sa iyo, pero iwasang maimpluwensyahan ng mga payo ng mga ito lalo na kung alam mong hindi ito makakabuti. Lucky numbers: 20, 23, 35 at 39.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89/01
Mahirap at seryosong problema sa pananalapi ang kailangan mong haraping mag-isa, manatiling kalmado. Hirap ka ring matulog ng maayos; piliting mag-relax at kumain ng magaan sa tiyan. Mag-ingat ding masaktan o mapilayan sa maling pagkilos. Sa trabaho, huwag ibahin ang gawain kahit sinusulsulan ka ng mga kasamahan. Magkakaroon ka ng mga bagong kakilala at relasyon na magpapasaya sa iyo ng husto.  Lucky numbers: 6, 13, 37 at 40.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90/02
Mga bagong kaibigan at kakilala ang pag-aaksayahan mo ng oras ngayon. Mabibigyan din ng maayos na solusyon ang iyong problema. Maganda ang kalagayan ng kalusugan. May alitan sa pamilya at palagay mo ay pinagtatawanan ka ng mga anak. Maiinis ka sa ilan sa mga kaibigan mo, huwag magdamdam ng husto dahil tao lang din sila na nagkakamali. Ibaling ang atensyon sa iba upang lumawak ang pananaw at magkaroon ng bagong oportunidad. Lucky numbers: 11, 25, 33 at 42.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79/91/03
Kailangan mo ng diplomasya upang makausad ng madali sa iyong propesyon. Isang magandang sorpresa ang matatanggap mo. Gagawin mo ang lahat upang maging masaya ang tahanan. Tama ka na i-enjoy ng husto ang buhay at maging masaya. Dahil sa angking talino at talas ng isip kaya maayos ang paghawak mo ng pera, na ikalulugod ng husto ng iyong kabiyak, kahit kung minsan ay hindi siya payag o kumbinsido sa desisyon mo.  Lucky numbers: 14, 18, 31 at 44.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92/04
May kakayahan kang masolusyunan agad ang mga problema sa buhay. Masaya Ang lovelife sa linggong ito dahil magkasundo kayo ng kapartner sa lahat ng bagay. May tsansa kang makuha ang isang malaking transaksyon, kaya maraming maiinggit sa iyo. Pakiramdam mo ay lumalayo ang taong malalapit sa iyo, at wala silang pakialam sa iyo at labis mo itong ikalulungkot. Lucky numbers: 17, 20, 34 at 41.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93/05
Nahihirapan ang kalooban mo sa mga problemang pinagdadaanan, pero malalampasan mo ito kung makokontrol mo ang labis na nerbiyos. Madali ring mauwi sa mainitang pagtatalo ang diskusyon sa karelasyon. Kailangan mo ng ibayong tapang at sipag sa trabaho upang umasenso. Oras na upang limitahan at ayusin ang mga gastusin upang mapaghandaan ang nakaambang kagipitan. Kung hindi ka handa, malaki ang mawawala sa iyo.  Lucky numbers: 6, 18, 23 at 42.

Filipino maid arrested for alleged child abuse released on police bail

by Vir B. Lumicao

UPDATED  

Tai Po District Police is investigating the case

 

A Filipina domestic worker in Sheung Shui was freed on police bail late Friday June 1) night after being investigated for more than 24 hours for allegedly hitting her four-year-old male ward.

Michelle M. Legion, 29, was granted $500 bail while police continue their investigations. No charges were filed against her.

One of her friends told The SUN Legion was told by police that if her employer does not pursue the complaint  within three weeks the case will be dropped.

Legion, who has been given shelter at the Filipino Workers Resource Center in Sheung Wan, has reportedly denied the accusation.

Some of her friends who often saw her with her ward also told The SUN that the child was affectionate towards the helper, and she in turn was devoted to him.

Her friends panicked when they could no longer reached her after she secretly called them from the Sheung Shui police substation to say she had been detained.  They contacted the Consulate, which at first could not give any information as to her whereabouts.

Acting on the information, The SUN made inquiries with the Police Public Relations Branch. A spokeswoman confirmed Legion was arrested and later taken to the Tai Po police station after receiving a complaint from her female employer at 7:55pm  Thursday.

Officers who went to the employers’ flat at Green Code, a residential estate at Ma Sik Road in Fanling, reportedly found the boy with injuries on his back and bottom.  But it was not immediately clear whether the boy was hit, and who did it.

The police spokeswoman said the helper was arrested for suspected cruelty to a child.

The officers sent the boy, who was in a conscious state, to North District Hospital in Sheung Shui for medical treatment before transferring him to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po.

The spokeswoman said investigators from the District Investigating Team 4 of Tai Po Police are following up the case.