Boy Abunda, nagbahagi ng buhay-LGBT

Ni Emz Frial

“I am Boy Abunda,  I believe in God. I deeply love my mother,  she was the center of my universe. And I am proud to be a gay”.

Ito ang mga salitang binitawan ng kilalang TV  host na si Boy Abunda nang maging panauhing pandangal siya sa isang talakayan tungkol sa usaping LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) na ginanap sa Konsulado noong ika-17 ng Hunyo.

Tinatanggap ni Boy Abunda ang certificate mula kay Consul Paul Saret bilang pasasalamat ng Konsulado.

Bilang pagpapakilala sa sarili, sinabi ni Abunda na isa siyang ordinaryong batang lalaki na may pangarap, kahit hindi niya matukoy talaga kung ano iyon.

Ang pangarap daw ng kanyang ina ay maging accountant siya, samantalang abugado naman ang gusto ng kanyang ama para sa kanya dahil daw madaldal siya. Parehong hindi natupad ang kanilang mga mithiin na ito dahil naging talk show host siya.

Habang siya ay lumalaki ay sinubukan daw niyang maging tunay na lalaki. Nagtangka pa siyang mag basketball at magkunwari na nagkagusto sa isang babae pero hindi siya nagtagumpay.

Lumaki siyang hirap sa buhay, at maraming pagsubok ang dinaanan niya bago narating ang kanyang kinalalagyan ngayon. Naranasan niyang tumira sa Luneta at magtinda ng shampoo at fire extinguisher bago namasukan sa isang restaurant.

Noong una, mismong mga kaibigan niya ay hindi makapaniwala na magiging talk show host siya dahil isa siyang Waray, hindi kagandahan, at dahil siya ay bakla. Ngunit hindi siya pumayag na maging hadlang ang mga ito upang matupad ang kanyang mga pangarap at mapatunayan na mali sila.

Katunayan, siya ngayon ay kinikilalang “King of Talk Show in the Philippine Television”.

Lagi daw niyang inaaalala ang sinabi dati ng nanay niya sa kanya: “Before the contest begins,  you are already the winner”.

Ang mga katagang iyon daw ang nagbigay ng lakas ng loob sa kanya para hindi bitawan ang kanyang mga pangarap.

“No one can define who you are. The only person who can define you is you”,” payo niya sa mga nakinig sa kanyang pagsasalita.

Sinabi din niya na huwag matakot ang mga kasapi sa komunidad ng LGBT na ipakita ang tunay nilang pagkatao.

Aniya, marami ang naduduwag na ipagmalaki kung ano sila dahil natatakot sila na baka hindi sila tanggapin sa lipunan, o maging biktima ng diskriminasyon.

“Just be who you are and people will respect you,” payo niya.

Sa kanyang maiksing talumpati, sinabi naman ni Consul General Antonio Morales na ang mga LGBT ay mga “normal na tao, at dapat ituring na tao. Ginawa sila ng Panginoon na kakaiba,” aniya.

Nagpaalala din siya na ang Konsulado laging handang tumulong sa mga LGBT.

Pagkatapos ng pagsasalita ni Abunda ay nagkaroon ng ilang tanungan. Tanong ni James, “If given a chance to marry someone of the same sex, will you marry?” Sinagot naman ito ni Abunda ng, “I will fight to the very end the right to marry. I will fight for marriage equality.”

Ang tanong naman ni Sol, “Nasaan na ang LGBT sa kanilang pakikipag-laban? Sagot ni Abunda, “Wala kaming Gabriela pero darating kami doon.”

Ang kay MJ, “What would I do to make my Nanay proud?” Muli, sinagot ito ni Abunda ng, “Just be yourself”.

Rise in cases involving ‘fake’ bank drafts noted

By Vir B. Lumicao

A surge has been noted in the number of cases involving Filipino tourists presenting bank instruments suspected to be fake.

A Consulate officer says there seems to be a resurgence of money scams by people claiming access to Marcos-era hidden wealth in the form of bank instruments and looking for investors willing to exchange these for cash in Hong Kong.

Three such cases are now pending in the District Court.

A fourth case was filed on Jun 28 against three Filipino tourists who had apparently hoped to make US$5 billion in Hong Kong. They were charged with  “using false instruments” in Eastern Court following their arrest three days earlier for allegedly presenting a forged bank draft at HSBC.

Defendants Elmer P. Soliman, aged 57; Eric Jude P. Soliman, 31, and Eliseo L. Martinez, 46, appeared for the first time in court for the reading of the amended charge following two days of investigation that included a police raid on their hotel rooms in Tsimshatsui.

The Solimans, who claimed to be a secretary and an engineer, respectively, applied to post bails of $1,600 and $1,800, but Magistrate Peter Law heeded the prosecution’s objection and rejected their application. Martinez, said to be a lawyer, did not apply for bail.

The prosecutor said the three arrived in Hong Kong on Jun 24 as visitors and were allowed to stay until Jul 8. They lodged at Kimberley Hotel in Tsimshatsui.

On Jun 25, the three, along with two other unidentified persons, reportedly went to Room 32 in the HSBC main office on 1 Queens Road Central.

HSBC main office.

There, the older Soliman talked to a female staff and opened a bank account, the prosecutor said. When the staff asked for his deposit, Soliman presented a government bank draft for US$5 billion that was handed over to him by Martinez.

Upon inspection of the instrument, the staff noticed it was forged and alerted police. The three defendants as well as their two companions were arrested.

The prosecution said a follow-up raid at the trio’s hotel room on the same day yielded a briefcase containing a purported letter of confirmation from an HSBC executive that said the US$5 billion bank draft was genuine.

An additional charge could be filed against Soliman after investigators have completed examining other documents found in the briefcase, the prosecutor said.

Martinez, who claimed he merely tagged along to help his friend, Elmer Soliman, with the transaction, twice made gestures during the hearing by raising his hands and tapping his left chest with his right palm.

A source not related to the case said the gestures were a form of secret communication among Freemasons.

Magistrate Law adjourned the hearing until Aug 9 pending a police review of the bank CCTV footage and examination of the seized documents.

He told the defendants the prosecution had opposed granting them bail because of the serious nature of the offense, their lack of local ties and permanent addresses in Hong Kong. But they could apply for bail at the High Court, he said.

Earlier, an elderly Filipino tourist who allegedly presented a 35-year-old deposit slip for US$943 billion to HSBC to update his account will have his case heard in District Court in Wanchai starting July.

Prosecutors said this when Brudencio J. Bolanos, who is in his 60s, appeared at Eastern Court on Jun 26, charged with using a false instrument.

In an amended charge read out in court, the prosecution said that on Apr 9, Bolanos used  a deposit slip for US$943 billion purportedly issued by HSBC on Jul 25, 1983, which he presented to a bank staff.

The charge said the defendant used the instrument with the intention to convince the bank staff, May Yuk-sheng, that it was genuine. If the staff did believe the deposit slip was genuine, other people would have been put at risk, the charge said.

The prosecutor said the case records would be transferred to the District Court, where serious crimes are normally heard.

Magistrate Peter Law instructed Bolanos to prepare his evidence and call witnesses, if any.

The accused was remanded in custody as he had not applied for bail.

Gulanit na pantulog, paborito pa rin

Maraming bagong pantulog na damit ang among  lalaki ni Nadine, ngunit mas gusto pa rin nito yung isang luma at punit-punit na. Maraming beses na niyang sinabi sa amo na kailangan nang palitan ito dahil manipis na ang tela dahil sa kalumaan, ngunit laging ang sagot nito ay, “This is my favorite because it’s very soft so don’t throw away.”

Dahil  hindi na masulsi ng kamay ay iminungkahi ni Nadine sa amo na dalhin na lang ang pantulog sa patahian, at pumayag naman ito. Ngunit pagbigay niya sa mananahi ay agad nitong sinabi ang, “Pangyaw, these clothes are out of service,” sabay dagdag na sabihan niya ang amo na bumili na lang ng bago.

Natatawa na tinawagan ni Nadine ang amo at ipinakausap sa mananahi dahil hindi ito nakikinig sa kanya. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay sinabi ng mananahi na “ok” at alam na daw ng amo niya na hindi na puwedeng tahiin ang gulanit na pantulog.

Pero kinagabihan, pagdating ng amo ay ang luma pa rin na pantulog ang hinanap. Sinabi nito kay Nadine na hayaan na lang niya na puni-punit ito dahil sa gabi lang naman niya gagamitin.

Walang nagawa si Nadine kundi sumunod. Mabuti na lang at hindi naman malaswang tingnan ang damit dahil ang punit at butas ng pantulog ay nasa bandang likod.

Si Nadine, 37 taong gulang at dalaga, tubong Zambales. Nasa pangalawang kontrata na siya sa mag-asawang Intsik na taga Kennedy Town. – Ellen Asis

Judge’s sacked DH to file labor claims after acquittal

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic helper accused of theft by her fellow worker in the household of a High Court judge has been acquitted by an Eastern Court magistrate. She now plans to press her claim for compensation.

Marites Canacio was pronounced not guilty by Magistrate Cheung Kit-yee on Jun 15, the last day of her trial at the District Court. Among those in court was her employer, Justice Jonathan Russel Harris, and his Japanese wife.

Cheung rejected the testimony of the main prosecution witness, Rosiene Cuento Cagalitan, who spent two trial days on the witness stand answering questions from the prosecution and the defense lawyers on the events that led to Jan 13, when the judge terminated Canacio.

The defendant, who stayed at the Consulate’s shelter for troubled workers, chose not to take the witness stand.

She was helped by the Mission for Migrant Workers in preparing her statement and evidence, such as the remittance slips for Cagalitan, Googleplay card receipts and a print out of her phone conversations with her accuser.

An officer of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate accompanied Canacio to Eastern Court to secure a court clearance stating her criminal case had been resolved in her favor, and to get back her bail money. She was to use the clearance to support her application for labor claims.

Canacio was charged with one count of theft for allegedly stealing $3,700 cash from Cagalitan, with whom she shared a room and a bunkbed in the house of Harris on Mt Kellett Road, The Peak.

Another charge over her alleged theft of Harris’ wallet which contained his credit card and $600 cash was earlier withdrawn by the prosecution.

Magistrate Cheung said she could not convict the defendant on the basis of the evidence given by Cagalitan, the prosecution’s main witness, as she was unreliable.

Cheung also chided the prosecutor for wasting court time by insisting on calling Mrs Harris as a witness although she knew the wife had nothing substantial to add to Cagalitan’s evidence.

When the prosecution called Mrs Harris to the stand, Cheung cautioned the prosecutor to make sure she would not just be repeating what Cagalitan had told the court, as that would be a waste of time. 

Defense counsel Mohammed Shah told the court Cagalitan had conspired with Jamini, an Indonesian maid who used to work for Harris, to have the judge fire Canacio.

Shah also said Cagalitan had forced Canacio to sign the termination letter prepared by Harris on Jan 13. Cagalitan denied the accusations.

The helper accused Canacio of stealing an envelope containing $3,700 that she had saved. She said she found the envelope with the missing $1,700 hidden in Canacio’s pillow case after the defendant had left the house.

Police arrested Canacio at the Hong Kong International Airport on the evening of Jan 14 as she was about to board a flight to Manila.

Filipina takes top prize in essay-writing contest

By Daisy C L Mandap

A Filipino-Chinese mother of two kids has won the top prize in the English category of the “Love is All Around” the first Chinese and English writing contest sponsored by the Hong Kong Federation of Journalists.

Dawn Yu-Aquino, who holds a degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, took off from her bi-cultural upbringing to write about the topic of filial piety.

“It’s a concept and societal norm most Asians grow up and live with, yet some struggle to grasp its significance. Others debate its value and a few disown it altogether. For me, it is like a second skin, as natural as breathing, as important as eating, as essential as drinking,” she said in her piece.

The complete text of her winning essay can be found here: https://www.rtm.com.hk/loveisallaround-winners/#oe1

Secretive and self-effacing Dawn didn’t bring anyone along in receiving her prize so didn’t have her own picture. Photo above was published in South China Morning Post. 

The 41-year-old writing enthusiast said it took her just one afternoon to finish the essay. “It was a topic close to my heart so it was easy to write,” she said.

Her love for writing made her decide to take up journalism in her first year at UP, but this was soon overtaken by a bigger passion, cooking, that she switched to HRM.

When she and her banker-husband Derrick relocated to Hong Kong 15 years ago, she managed to take on a parttime job teaching cooking to international school kids, but continued writing on the side.

Later on, she also did volunteer work for the International Care Ministries, a church-based charity organization in Hong Kong that raises millions of dollars each year for poor communities in the Philippines.

Whenever she finds time, Yu-Aquino contributes articles to friends’ blogs and to the Youngstar section of Philippine Star, one of the country’s leading dailies. She mostly writes about food and raising kids, which is one other topic she is keen about, having two of her own, 15-year-old Joaquin and 8-year-old Gab.

“Writing puts a lot of demand on your time, and that’s not easy when you are trying to raise a family,” she said.

A few months ago she stumbled on an announcement in The Standard about the HKFJA contest, and decided to join. She didn’t hear from the organizers until just before the announcement of winners was made early this month.

On Jun 16, she led the list of winners in the English category at the awards rites held at Cordis hotel in Mongkok. Yu-Aquino was declared champion in the “open category” – meaning, all age groups – and received a cash prize of $30,000 and a certificate.

Among those who got a merit award in the same category was another Filipina, Janica Therese Bergas, a student at Chinese University in Hong Kong who took home $3,000 and a certificate.

The contest was co-organized by leading media organizations in Hong Kong and supported by the Hong Kong government.

Daughter of Filcom leaders wins merit in writing contest

The youngest daughter of two Filipino community leaders was among those who received recognition in the “Love is All Around” writing contest, the first ever to be organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Journalists.

Hailey Keaira Mercado, a third year secondary student at St Clare’s Girl’s School, received a merit award for her English story titled “Love For All”.

She was among the youngest winners in her category, which was open to all secondary school students in Hong Kong.

Keaira with dad Ricardo and mom Merlinda.

Keaira, who turned 15 recently, is the youngest of three daughters of engineer Ricardo Mercado, former president of the Association of Filipino Builders in Hong Kong, and Metrobank marketing staff Merlinda Alcoba-Mercado, who acts as adviser to several Filipino community organizations.

The proud parents accompanied Keaira to the awarding ceremony held at Cordis hotel in Mong Kok on Jun 16, during which she received a cash prize of $2,000 and a certificate.

Curiously, Keaira’s winning entry on the contest that focused on filial piety, was about a young man who had long dreamt of running away from home. He ended up grieving after learning of his mother’s death far from where he had succeeded in running away to.

Asked about this, the witty and often playful Keaira asked for a few minutes to put together “a really sophisticated answer” then messaged:

“I thought it would be fitting if the character was a boy to showcase the stereotypical personality traits of a male They are usually reluctant to truly show their emotions because they are afraid to sacrifice their masculinity Also, it’d be a lot more touching for the ending, because he finally gives up that barrier separating him and his mother.”

On the question of how she reacted on learning that she had won, she said: “I was not at all expecting to win. I didn’t give the story its true potential because of the time constraint. I was reminded to submit the story the night before the deadline, and that was the only time I started the essay I feel honoured to be part of winners because everyone in the ceremony was extremely talented.”

Keaira’s own attachment to her parents was reflected in the way she ended her story.
“Filial Piety is the one thing we could do to repay our debt to our parents,” she wrote.

“So give them love.” - DCLM

MDWs press HK govt on work hours, accommodation

Migrant domestic workers are urging the Hong Kong government to recognize them as workers by regulating their working hours and requiring employers to provide them humane accommodation.

Some 40 MDWs and local supporters voiced out their grievances in a rally outside Central Government Offices in Admiralty on Jun 14, two days before the seventh anniversary of the ILO Convention 189, which calls for decent treatment of domestic workers.

Speakers at the rally, organized by the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body and the International Migrants Alliance, said many MDWs work in inhuman conditions with lack of sleep due to excessive work hours, lack of food, and policies that do not consider them as real workers. 

The protesters handed a copy of their their petition for 11 hours of rest between two days and humane accommodation in the homes of their employers.

The MDWs have launched a signature campaign to get 35,000 workers to sign the petition to include their demands in the employment contract.

A representative from the Hong Kong government shows an envelope containing the petition for regulated working hours and humane accommodation for migrant domestic workers which rally leaders handed to him on Thursday, Jun 14. Some 40 domestic workers and local supporters held the rally in front of the Central Government Offices in Admiralty.

Phl signs key trade pact in HK

The Philippines and Hong Kong have signed a Cooperation Agreement at the sidelines of the Belt and Road Summit organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The agreement is a comprehensive project through the PPP scheme, and includes the rehabilitation management of the Pasig River, metro rail system of the Makati Central Business District and economic development in the Laguna de Bay area.

The milestone was reached during the top-level Hong Kong-Shanghai business delegation visit to Manila last April, organized by HKTDC.

Undersecretary Grace Karen Singson of the Department of Finance and Consul General Antonio A. Morales witnessed the signing of the Cooperation Agreement.

In an interview, ConGen Morales said the summit is a platform that can be used to promote closer ties between the Philippines and Hong Kong.

Booths have been set up by at the venue by the Consulate and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to network and encourage foreigners to invest in the Philippines especially in infrastructure, manufacturing and tourism.

Consul General Morales (3rd left) with the Philippine delegation at the food expo.

A day earlier, on Jun 27, Morales also attended the opening of the First Belt and Road International Food Expo (BRIFE) at AsiaWorld Expo, along with Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Gabriel M. La Vina.

The officials visited the booths of the Consulate and five Philippine companies.

The expo ran for three days, until Jun 29

Nadala na sa manloloko

Walong taon na si Lita sa paninilbihan sa Hong Kong at sa loob ng panahong ito ay nakita na niya ang iba-ibang kulay at anyo ng mga kababayan.

Marami sa kanyang mga kakilala at itinuring na kaibigan ang biglang naglaho pagkatapos niyang ipangutang kaya pasanin niya ngayon ang pagbabayad sa kanilang tinakasang utang kaya halos wala na siyang maipadala sa kanyang sariling pamilya.

Katulad ng ibang sanay na sa ganitong raket, napakabait ng mga ito nang hilingin na garantiyahan niya ang kanilang mga utang sa financing company. Ngunit pagkatapos niyang sumunod sa kanilang hiling ay biglang nagkaka amnesia.

Kaya ngayon, kapag may nakakausap siya na baguhan pa lang sa Hong Kong ay lagi niyang pinapaalalahanan na huwag na huwag papayag na ipagamit ang kanilang pangalan o dokumento sa utangan. Kahit kaibigan pa nila.

Nadala na daw siya sa mga matamis na pangako at madramang pakiusap ng mga nakikiusap na mga balasubas pala. Umiwas na din siya sa mga kaibigan na kilala lang siya kung may kailangan sa kanya, kaya madalas ay mag isa na lang na lumalabas sa araw ng kanyang pahinga, o nanahimik sa kanyang kuwarto. Si Lita, 40 taong gulang tubong Pangasinan, ay may asawa at tatlong anak at naninilbihan sa mga among Intsik sa Baguio Villa sa Pokfulam. – Ellen Asis 

OFW activist seriously ill but still in fighting form

By Daisy CL Mandap

Nothing it seems can faze Violy Madeja Macatol, not even cancer.

The feisty 62-year-old left Hong Kong today so she can continue her treatment for blood cancer in the Philippines, but she remained as upbeat as she was when she used to interview distressed clients at the Mission for Migrant Workers.

Before she left with a Hong Kong staff member of the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration office, she and her employer Edith Yuen received the Happy Homes award from the Mission in Migrant Workers, where she worked as a volunteer. Yuen's siblings, who are Christians and who came to the airport to send her off, also prayed over Macatol and wished her recovery.

A happy Homes award for Violeta and her employer before she boarded her last flight home.

A tearful farewell.

In an interview days before her departure, she was asked why she sounded chirpy just days after being discharged from the intensive care unit of Nethersole Hospital in Taipo. The former stalwart of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno in the Philippines answered, “Ano ang magagawa ko? Nasa dugo na namin ito.”

She nonchalantly shared that both her father and a brother had died of the disease.

But this warrior of a worker also has a wicked sense of humor, as shown by her Facebook profile in which she describes herself as a “CPA. Certified public atsay.”

Her sons’ names also reflect her wacky outlook. The older one, who is 25, she named Kimuel (for KMU) while the younger one, who is 24, is called Maynard (for Mayo Uno, of course).

Violy Macatol in hospital with her employers.

Behind the humor, however, is a steely determination to improve her lot. She left her impoverished life in her native Mindoro province, still in her teens, and settled in Manila, where she first worked as a housemaid, then as a garments factory worker.

All the while, she sought to further her education, finishing high school at age 26, and would have gone on to college to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher if the fates had allowed it.

In 1998, with two young sons to provide for on her own, she decided to accept a retrenchment offer from the garments factory, Novelty Philippines, so she could work in Taiwan. She worked there for three years, then briefly returned to the Philippines before setting off again in 2002, this time for Hong Kong.

She has remained here since, and except for a few months working for an elderly ward at the beginning, has been with her current employers.

Macatol has been very much in control of her life that when she decided to go home for further medical treatment, she worked on the preparations herself. First she contacted an old friend at Philippine General Hospital. Dr. Ted Herbosa, so she could get herself admitted to there straight from Manila’s international airport.

“Nakilala ko siya noon pang 1989, nung nagpapatingin sa PGH ang tatay ko dahil may cancer,” she said. They have become close friends since.

After being told of her wish, Dr Herbosa immediately asked for her medical records so he could begin studying them, and assured her that he would coordinate her transfer to PGH.

He also told her that Philhealth “has the Z package for blood cancer meds,” meaning she shouldn’t worry so much about the cost of her treatment.

This aside, what also helps lift Macatol’s spirits is the support she continues to get from her female employer and her siblings who like her, are all in their 60s, that they are often mistaken as “barkada”.

“Sobrang simple lang nila kaya parang hindi ako ang katulong,” Macatol said, before letting out a guffaw.

The siblings whose eldest is a pastor, have paid for Macatol’s costly medical tests in private clinics because they didn’t want to put her in the long waiting queue at public hospitals just to know exactly what she was sick of.

They also visit her regularly at the hospital to bring her food and comfort, and when told of her wish to go home, immediately went to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to work out her termination pay and other benefits.

Macatol said she will have to go to the airport in a wheelchair and hopefully with a companion as she often gets dizzy, but is not otherwise worried about her impending trip.

True to form, she has been spending much of her time in hospital sending text messages and photos to people she thought should know about her condition. She also worked remotely on getting her final salary deposited directly into her account in the Philippines.

“Gusto ko lang masigurado na may sarili akong perang magagamit kung kinakailangan,” she said.
Truly, gritty warriors know no fear.

Teachers’ board topnotcher holds HK review

A former topnotcher in the licensure examination for teachers conducted a whole-day review at the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town on Jun 24 for about 200 examinees in Hong Kong for this year’s qualifying exam.

Michael Prince del Rosario

Michael Prince del Rosario topped the LET in 2016, and also placed no. 8 in the nursing board.
According to Gemma Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers Hong Kong, it was the second Sunday of review for the 2018 examination due to be held on Sept. 30.

Other board topnotchers are expected to come to Hong Kong to hold review classes for the examinees who signed up with NOPT. They include last year’s no. 1, who graduated from the University of the Philippines.

Around 500 graduates of elementary or high school education courses in the Philippines are expected to take the upcoming exam, mostly domestic workers in Hong Kong.

The examination is tough, with a pass rate of just around 30% nationwide. In Hong Kong where the OFW examinees are mostly unable to study for the test except on their Sunday off, the pass rate is significantly lower, hovering to just below 10% in recent years. – DCLM

Gella gets first gold for RP bowlers in HK Open

A lone Filipina gave the Philippines its first gold trophy in the Hong Kong International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships on Thursday, Jun 28, when she single-handedly beat the male-dominated field in the Under-18 Masters Finals event.

Grace Gella 

Grace Gella downed 1227 pins to tie second-placer Ambrose Hon of Hong Kong, but the handicap of 8 pins per game given to girl bowlers in the category catapulted the petite 16-year-old to the top. Both averaged 205.

Another Hong Kong youth, Jacky Lo, averaged 203 and finished third with a 1218 to round off the top three in the category.

Gella was the only Filipino among the 15 players who moved into the Under-18 Masters finals. Ten of the finalists were Hong Kong boys, two were Malaysians, and Australia and Kuwait had one each.

The Filipina started slow, scattering only 184 pins in Game 1 while Australian Nixon Chan rolled a perfect game of 300 to win early adulation of both the competitors and the spectators. Trailing him was Hon, who scored 225.

But Chan’s stellar start fizzled out with only 160 and Hon slowed to 213 in the second game, while Gella was steady at 184. Lo, meanwhile, surged forward with a 236 in Game 2 following a 167 in the first game.

In the succeeding games, Gella racked up a 190-221-237-211 series while Hon logged steadily slowing games of 211-206-194-178 and Lo strung 168-247-245-155.

Chan felled only 144 pins in the third game and scored 200-185-214 but was already out of contention for the bronze with 1203 pins.

In men’s competition, Filipino bowler Kenneth Chua, qualified on Jun 27 for Friday’s Open Masters with a score of 1423 to place third in the overseas pool of Stage 1.

Chua, last year’s Philippine Open champion, joined leader Lee Tak Man of Macau, who dropped 1433 pins, and Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia, who rolled 1429.

They will bowl against top three Hong Kong qualifiers James Lui, who scored 1451; Ivan Tse, 1433; and Wicky Yeung, 1409.

The top three placers in the overseas and local pools will take a bye and automatically advance to the Stage 2 finals.  

Nearly all HK agencies ignore Code of Practice

By Vir B. Lumicao

More than a year since the Code of Practice for Employment Agencies was introduced by the Hong Kong government, nearly all industry players continue to violate it, a new research reveals.

According to a report published on Jun 17 by the HK Federation of Asian Domestic Workers (FADWU), the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions and Rights Exposure,  96% of all agencies did not comply with key provisions in the CoP.

The findings of the study titled “Agents of Change: Assessing Agency Compliance with the Code of Practice,” were based on a survey of 453 foreign domestic workers between July last year and March this year.

The findings were reportedly backed up by undercover video recordings in 18 agencies surveyed.

The report highlights that the vast majority of the 1,436 licensed agencies in Hong Kong violate the Code with impunity.

Foremost of these breaches was the charging of illegal fees, with 57% of the agencies allegedly asking the workers to pay agency fees averaging $9,013, the report said. That is more than 20 times the 10% of a worker’s first monthly salary as prescribed by law.

The research cited that 222 or 57% of the 389 newly arrived workers interviewed said they had been charged illegal fees. Of this group, 132 paid through salary deduction. 

Some 30% or 136 out of 449 interviewees claimed they were made to pay by the agencies even before they received their first monthly salary, the report said.

The Code specifies that the workers should pay the legal fee only after receiving their first monthly salary. Agencies that violate the law are liable to a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment of three years.

Different numbers of interviewees have been cited in the report as responding to particular questions, as not all them answered all the questions either because they could not recall or the questions were not relevant to their situation, according to the research.

The interviews were conducted by FADWU in collaboration with the Indonesian group Komunitas Buruh Migran-HK to check on agency compliance with the CoP, which was introduced in January 2017.

The research was presented at the launch by Ruth Arceta of FADWU, Iis of KOBUMI, Ann Olsen, gender and migration specialist of the International Labor Organization, and Labour Party legislator Fernando Cheung.

The research, which was supported by ILO, also examined the Code’s impact on the human and labor rights of domestic workers in Hong Kong.

“Non-compliance with the Code of Practice is not confined to a few rogue agencies, but is rather a widespread problem throughout Hong Kong,” Phobusk Gasing, chairperson of KOBUMI, said at the launch.

“Our research documents that 148 agencies – 10% of the total number –violated one or more aspects of the Code,” she said.

A video presentation of the report said 74% of Hong Kong agencies used by the interviewees did not fully comply with four or more key standards.

The report said that 31% of those interviewed claimed the agencies did not tell them accurately the nature of their jobs in Hong Kong, including the terms and conditions of their employment and the high cost of securing it.

A video of the report said of the 18 agencies that charged placement fees, seven charged jobseekers $3,500 to $10,000, or 8 to 24 times the legal limit. Six agencies said they would charge applicants a deposit.

“I’m happy to find you a new employer, but you need to go to Macau. Wait for the visa. You need to pay $6,500,” a woman with a blurred face told a volunteer who posed as a job seeker.

Last year, the Labour Department successfully prosecuted 11 agencies for breaking the law and issued stern warnings to 19 others for non-compliance with the Code.

Gasing said many agencies know they can largely ignore the Code and continue to follow illegal business practices because they do not fear reprisals. The domestic workers, in turn, have no choice but to go along with the agencies.

The report also revealed that agencies continue to hold the passports of migrant workers. in violation of the law.

“Unless the Labour Department strengthens its monitoring and inspection systems, and effectively investigates and punishes non-compliant employment agencies, the Code of Practice will remain toothless and ineffectual in protecting the rights of migrant domestic workers,” Gasing said. 

Mga petsang dapat tandaan

PUBLIC HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT:

The Philippine Consulate General and all its attached agencies including POLO will be closed on the following date:

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)

OTHER EVENTS:

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”

Yoga for All

Jun 30 (Sat), 6:15-7:30pm

Vitality Sessions @AIA Vitality Park
Hong Kong Observation Wheel
In celebration of International Day of Yoga
To celebrate International Day of Yoga, we will have community events across all Pure Yoga locations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai and Singapore.
Join us in a sunset Yoga Flow and Meditation class that allows physical release through yoga flow practice and mental de-stress through meditation movement.
Everyone welcome!
Bring your own mats, towels and water. No registration needed.
Please click 'Going' in the events invite of YogaForAll - International Day of Yoga Celebration

Charity Yoga

Jul 1 (Sunday), 4pm-5pm

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Western District

Hosted by Loretta Teo of Meow Yoga & Wellness and ImpactHK

Free, open to the public

Unifil-Migrante HK 33^rd Anniversary Celebration

Makiisa, Makisaya at Makibaka!

Jul 8, 10am – 6pm

Chater Road, Central

There will be a parade, mass, photo exhibit, variety show, games, trivia

Open to all

Sagip-Kapwa (Press to Shock, Save a Life)

Free cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillation (AED) and Fire Safety lessons

First session: July 15 (Sunday), 1-5pm

PCG Conference Room

Note: All seats taken. Limited slots.

Certificates will be issued to those who complete the CPR and AED training

Organized by: PCG’s Gender and Development Program

Nueva Vizcaya Day 2018

Oct 21 (Sunday), from 10 am

Chater Road, Central

Highlights: Search for Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya 2018 and Sassy Look International 2018

Organizer: United Nueva Vizcayanos - HK

Licensure Examination for Teachers

Application for those who wish to take the Special Examination for Professional Teachers to be held in Hong Kong on Sept 30, 2018
Deadline for Online Application: June 20
Submission of Documents: Aug 5
To register, click: https://online.prc.gov.ph/
For instructions on how to register: http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/StepbyStep_SPLE_2018.pdf
Check the Philippine Overseas Labor Office Facebook page for updates


CARITAS PROGRAMS

Saturday Basic Chinese Writing
Jun 9 – Sept 22, 2018 (16 lessons in total)
Time   : 10:00 - 13:00 (Total 50 hours)
Target : Ethnic minorities in HK with HKID
Fee     : $100 / head including materials (CSSA recipient : HK$50)
Venue : Caritas Shek Kip Mei Centre. Rm. 107, 1/F, Tai Hang Tung Community Centre, 17 Tong Yam Street, Shek Kip Mei, KLN
For queries, call 2147-5988.

Filcom group announcements:

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.

Sharon, may concert sa kanyang 40th anniversary

Sa pagdiriwang ng kanyang ika-40th anniversary sa showbiz, magkakaroon ng concert si Sharon  Cuneta sa Araneta Coliseum sa September 28. Ito raw ay para makaganti sa kabutihan at paghanga ng kanyang mga followers na walang sawang sumusuporta sa kanya. Bukod dito, may inihahanda na rin siyang bagong pelikula na idi-direk ni Cathy Garcia Molina, na siya ring director niya sa Unexpectedly Yours, na pinagtambalan nila ni Robin Padilla.

Noong June 22, pinasaya ni Sharon ang mga manonood at producer ng concert ni Joey Generoso na dating miyembro ng bandang Side A at kaibigan niya nang paunlakan niya ang imbitasyon nila na maging special guest sa “Joey G Beyond” na ginanap sa The Theater at Solaire. Hindi rin tumanggap ng talent fee si Sharon at nag-request lang daw ito ng mansanas at ubas sa kanyang dressing room.

Ang hiling ni Joey na maka-duet siya sa awiting “Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko” ay sinundan ni Sharon ng ilan pang awitin dahil sayang naman daw ang damit niya, kung sandali lang siyang makikita. Nagkuwento pa siya sa audience na noong kumakanta pa ang Side A sa Calesa Bar noong 1989, at si Richard Gomez pa ang kanyang boyfriend noon, ay pinapanood na niya ang banda.

Maliban sa duets at spot numbers, ginanahan si Sharon na kumanta pa at sumali bilang isa sa mga back up singer ni Joey.

REGINE, BALIK-TV SA THE CLASH 
Malapit nang mapanood ang pinakabagong singing contest ng GMA 7, ang “The Clash” na ang magiging host ay si Regine Velasquez.

Napili na ang 62 Clashers na maglalaban-laban mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng Pilipinas at ilang contestants na mula sa ibang bansa: Metro Manila (14), Northern Luzon (6), Central Luzon (12), Southern Luzon (7), Visayas (9), Mindanao (10) at international challengers (4).

Ang screening panel na pumili sa mga clashers kasama ni Regine ay binubuo nina OPM songwriter Vehnee Saturno, singer composer Jay Durias at TV director Bert de Leon. Ang mga magiging hurado ay sina AiAi delas Alas, Christian Bautista at Lani Misalucha.
Si Louie Ignacio ang director ng The Clash na mapapanood tuwing Sabado at Linggo.

PIA, PABOR NA SA IBANG BANSA ANG MISS U 
Kamakailan ay ipinahayag ng bagong Department of Tourism (DOT) Sec. Berna Romulo-Puyat na hindi na matutuloy ang plano na muling i-host ng Pilipinas ang Miss Universe sa taong ito dahil sa laki ng budget. Naging kontrobersyal ang mga pinasukang proyekto ng DOT sa mga nakalipas na buwan sa pamumuno ng dating kalihim ng ahensya na si Wanda Tulfo-Teo kaya pinag-resign ito sa kanyang puwesto.

Pabor ang dating Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, na kasalukuyan pa ring ambassador para sa Miss Universe Organization, na sa ibang bansa naman ganapin ang pinaka-popular na beauty pageant dahil tatlong beses na rin naman itong ginanap sa Pilipinas, - noong 1974, 1994 at 2017. May balita na pinagpipilian kung sa Macau o South Korea ito gaganapin sa taong ito. Ayon kay Pia, tiyak na magugustuhan ito ng mga Pinoy na kilalang masugid na tagasubaybay ng Miss U kung nagkataon, dahil parehong mas malapit ang dalawang lugar at madaling puntahan. Mas makakabuti rin daw para sa pambato ng Pilipinas na si Catriona Gray kung maraming Pinoy na manonood at susuporta sa kanya. Ayon pa kay Pia, malaki ang tsansa ni Catriona na manalo dahil “total package” daw ito, at walang anumang masasabing negatibong bagay sa kanya.

Ang plano ni Pia na magtrabaho sa Amerika ay hindi pa niya pwedeng gawin ngayon dahil marami pa raw siyang tinatapos na commitments at projects bilang Kapamilya. Pagkatapos ipalabas ang pelikulang “My Perfect You” na pinagtambalan nila ni Gerald Anderson, ay may gagawin pa uli siyang pelikula at TV show, bukod pa sa mga product endorsements niya. Masaya pa rin ang pagsasama nila ng kanyang Swiss-Filipino boyfriend na si Marlon Stockinger, na dalawang taon na niyang karelasyon.

JENNICA, NAGSILANG NG PANGALAWANG ANAK
Isinilang ni Jennica Garcia ang pangalawang anak nila ni Alwyn Uytingco, na isa ring baby girl, noong June 25 ng gabi. Ang panganay nilang si Mori ay magta-tatlong taong gulang na. 

Ikinasal sina Jennica at Alwyn noong February 2012, pagkatapos ng apat na taong relasyon.

Samantala, may ilan pang celebrites na nakatakdang magsilang sa kanilang pangalawang anak , kabilang sina Iya Villania (asawa ni Drew Arellano); Bianca Gonzalez (JC Intal); dating beauty queen Shamcey Supsup ( Lloyd Lee); Michela Cazzola (James Yap); Lara Precious Quigaman (Marco Alcaraz); Isabel Oli (John Prats); at singer Princess Velasco ( Dr. Bistek Rosario).

Nanganak din sa mga nakalipas na buwan sina Jolina Magdangal (baby girl Vika,  May 28), Cristalle Belo (baby boy Hunter James, May 28), Sarah Lahbati (baby boy, Kai, March 21), Clarisse Ong, asawa ni Chris Tiu (baby girl Mari Diana, February 25), Saab Magalona (baby boy Pancho, February 6), Pokwang (baby girl, Malia, January 18), Kaye Abad ( baby boy Pio Joaquin, December 22), Niki Gil (baby boy Finn, Nov 20, 2017) at Kylie Padilla ( baby boy Alas, August 2017). 

Hindi pinalad na mabuo ang kambal na ipinagbuntis ni Heart Evangelista ng tatlong buwan. Malungkot niyang ibinalita noong June 6 na hindi rin nabuhay ang pangalawa sa kambal, ilang linggo matapos na mawala ang una. Nakatakda siyang magbakasyon sa ibang bansa upang magpahinga at maka-recover, sa payo na rin ng kanyang asawang si Sen. Chiz Escudero.

NONOY AT WILLIE NEP, MAY CONCERT 
Matapos maratay ng mahigit isang taon dahil sa stroke, muling magbabalik sa entablado ang master impersonator na si Willie Nepomuceno para sa “Music and Laughter” concert niya, kasama ang beteranong mang-aawit na si Nonoy Zuniga, sa The Theatre in Solaire sa July 27.

Nagpapasalamat daw si Willie sa pagkakaroon niya ng panibagong buhay, pagkatapos niyang na-stroke. “Life must go on ...the show must go on. Magre-retire na rin sana ako, dahil for so many years para akong talent na ... waiting for the chance to be discovered, eh ang tagal, tagal ko na sa showbiz, so parang ayaw ko na. But ‘yung call ng audience na mayroon pa rin palang naniniwala, eh ‘di ituloy natin.”

Lumabo raw ang paningin niya, pero wala naman daw tumabingi sa kanya, gaya nangyayari sa iba.  “I was in bed for about one-and-a-half to two years. ... Tawag nila mild stroke but if that’s mild I don’t know what is more than that. Grabe, kulang na lang talaga sumigaw ako and say goodbye. Kaya lang ‘yung mga lyrics ng kanta nito (ni Nonoy Zuniga), how can I ever say goodbye.’ Natapos naman through constant therapy, pinagtiyagaan ko.”

Nakilala si Willie dahil sa panggagaya niya sa dating presidenteng sina Ferdinand Marcos, Fidel Ramos at Joseph Estrada, pero nagdesisyon daw siyang huwag gayahin si Pres. Duterte. “‘Yung traditional na nakikita niyo sa akin na political impression or satire, maybe hihiwalay muna ako doon from the meantime. I will try to reinvent myself. Kasi baka ano ang masabi ko. Mukhang ‘yung ginagawa ko noon hindi na as effective as before,” ang sabi pa ni Willie.

AIZA, MAGPAPA-OPERA 
Ipinahayag ni Aiza Seguerra, na kilala na ngayon bilang Ice Seguerra, na kasalukuyan siyang nasa transition period bilang paghahanda sa kanyang sexual reassignment surgery. Ito ay kanyang ibinunyag sa panayam sa kanya ni Boy Abunda sa “Tonight with Boy Abunda” show noong June 21. 

“Nung una nandun din ako sa parang why? bakit kailangan? pero alam mo Tito Boy, sometimes, especially nung nag come out na ako as trans, it’s so hard to wake up every day seeing that you’re in this body. Then alam mo yung pakiramdam na di naman eto dapat yun. Sinabi ko yun sa wife ko before. Kasi nung una parang di nya rin magets eh parang for her, ‘Tinatanggap naman kita eh, for me you’re a man.’ But it’s not about that. I mean I thank you for accepting me. but the problem is me accepting me,” ang sabi ni Ice.

Ipinaliwanag pa niya na sa transition period ay sumasailalim siya sa hormone replacement, kaya nag-aalala rin siya na baka mabago ang kanyang boses, lalo na at ang pag-awit ang kanyang trabaho upang matustusan ang pangangailangan ng kanyang pamilya. Masaya daw siya sa pagbubukas ng unang gender diversity center dahil may mga doktor siyang nakakausap tungkol dito.

Si Ice, na dating si Aiza Seguerra, ay unang umamin bilang isang transgender man noong August 2014.

Isa pang sikat na mang-aawit, si Charice Pempengco, na kilala na ngayon bilang si Jake Xyrus, ang suma-ilalim din sa hormone replacement. Bumaba na ang boses nito na parang nagbibinata, kaya malayung malayo na sa boses niyang hinangaan sa buong mundo noong siya pa si Charice. Pero patuloy pa rin siyang umaawit, at kamakailan ay nag-concert pa at may bagong album, dahil ang pag-awit lang din ang pwede niyang gawin upang matulungan ang pamilya. 

PAOLO, NAKIPAG-BREAK SA TEXT?
Usap-usapan ang pakikipag-break daw sa pamamagitan ng text message ni Paolo Ballesteros sa kanya umanong boyfriend na si Sebastian Castro na isang commercial model at indie actor. Ipinost ni Sebastian ang mensaheng natanggap niya mula sa pinangalanan niyang “Root Word”: “Hey good morning. Ive been thinking for the past few days about us.  Im sorry i have to break your heart again. im really sorry.  I dont want you to finish ur song for me and i cant be that person. Its too much for me i guess. i dont know what else to say, but im really sorry.”

Kinumpirma rin niya na nagkaroon siya ng three- month relationship sa taong hindi niya sinabi ang pangalan. “I have no intention of confirming or denying rumors about who I was dating. For my own peace of mind, I’ll just acknowledge it’s over. Call it practicality, but it’s simply easier to say so once publicly than over and over again when asked. I had a brief 3-month relationship. It didn’t work out.
Thanks for the memories all the same.”
Napag-usapan ang relasyon na namagitan kina Paolo at Sebastian dahil ilang beses silang nakitang magkasamang nagdi-dinner sa beach sa La Union. Noong nakaraang buwan lang ay nag-post pa si Sebastian ng litrato ng bulaklak na may card kung saan nakasulat ang “Happy 2nd, my rootword. I love you”.


Samantala, nanatiling tikom ang bibig ni Paolo tungkol sa kanyang love life.

Ang kapalaran mo sa Hulyo

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94/06
Masaya ang pagsasama at bubuo kayo ng proyekto para sa inyong kinabukasan; muling babalik ang init ng pagmamahal sa mga matagal nang magkarelasyon. Maging makatwiran sa pagtrato sa mga tao, pero magmatigas sa mga taong labis na agresibo. Kumain ng isdang malangis gaya ng salmon, mackerel at sardines at dagdagan din ang kain ng bawang at sibuyas na mainam laban sa sakit sa puso. Lucky numbers: 13, 24, 32 at 40.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95/07
Marami kang magagandang bagay na mapagtatagumpayan, pero mag-ingat din sa biglaang palit ng sitwasyon. Mag-ingat sa sobrang kompiyansa sa sarili at pagiging mapagmatigas. Ang gulong nalikha sa tahanan ay madali ring malilimutan at muling mananaig ang saya at kapayapaan. Sa pag-ibig, mag-ingat sa labis na selos na maaring sumira sa lahat ng bagay. Ugaliing kumain ng tama, at sa tamang oras upang makabawi sa nararamdamang pagod at kawalan ng enerhiya. Lucky numbers: 17, 22, 31 at 45.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96/08
Ngayon ay tatanggap ka ng promosyon o parangal at may mga bagong alok ding papasok. Kailangan mo nang alisin sa isip ang pag-aaalinlangan na nagpapabagal sa iyong pag-asenso. Agapan ang problema sa ngipin. Kontrolin din ang paggastos. Iwasan ang panandaliang romansa! Kung magse-seryoso ka lang, mahahanap mo ang tunay na pag-ibig, at magugulat ka dahil nandyan lang ito sa paligid mo. Lucky numbers: 12, 18, 29 at 31.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97/09
Mahirap kang pakisamahan dahil masyado kang sensitibo. Mag-ingat sa mikrobyo dahil mahina ang resistensya mo ngayon. Posibleng malugi ka ngayon, kaya hinay-hinay sa paggastos. Hindi maiiwasan ang hidwaan sa magulang at anak. Kung single, at tila walang katapusan ang kalungkutang nararanasan, huwag mawalan ng pag-asa, malaki ang tsansa na may magpapasaya na sa iyo ngayon. Lucky numbers: 20, 27, 32 at 37.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98/10
May oras ka ngayon para bumuo ng mabusising proyekto na kailangan din ng mahabang pasensya. Wala kang itatago sa mga kasamahan, at marami kang makikilalang iba’t ibang klaseng tao. Mahalagang pagbabago ang magaganap sa trabaho, humingi ng payo. Kung nakakaramdam ng pagod at pamimigat ng katawan, kumunsulta sa doktor. Maaaring sanhi ito ng dating pagpapabaya sa katawan, pero walang dapat ipag-alala kung malulunasan ito agad. Lucky numbers: 11, 16, 28 at 40.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87/99
Gumawa ng hakbang upang mas maging kanais-nais sa mga tao dahil sa ganitong paraan ka mananalo. Mas gaganda ang kalusugan kung babawasan o titigilan ang paninigarilyo, at pag-inom ng alak at kape. Magiging inspirado ka pang magsipag at maging masigasig sa trabaho ngayon. Hayaan ang mga malalapit sa iyo na kumilos sa paraang gusto nila, at huwag silang pakialaman. Sa pagsama sa mga kaibigan ay may bago kang makikilala, pero hindi mo mapigilan ang makipagtalo dito. Lucky numbers: 7, 15, 21 at 36.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88/00
Sa trabaho, maging handa sa magandang pagkakataong darating. Makikilala mo rin ang taong matagal mo nang gustong makausap. Kwentahin ang gastusin na katumbas lang ng perang pumapasok. Ang love life ay mas lalong magiging kasiya-siya. Huwag gaanong umasa sa mga kaibigan. Mag-ingat sa pananakit ng likod at tuhod, iwasan ang pagbubuhat ng masyadong mabibigat na bagay. Lucky numbers: 5, 19, 34 at 45.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89/01
Magkakaroon ka ng hindi magandang relasyon sa matatanda o mababagabag ka sa kundisyon ng kalusugan nila. Ang pagkakaibigan sa bagong kakilala ay lalong lalalim at magpapasaya sa iyo. Sa trabaho, mag-ingat upang makaiwas sa panganib at patibong. Bigyan ng atensyon ang pananalapi. Kung may mahalagang problema sa pamilya, agad itong harapin at huwag patagalin, habang malinaw pa sa isip mo ang lahat. Lucky numbers: 14, 23, 37 at 42.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90/02
Ang lagi mong pagkontra sa maraming bagay ay nakakaapekto sa relasyon mo sa lahat. Sa trabaho, hindi inaasahang bagay ang magpapahina ng husto sa iyo. Dagdagan ang pag-inom ng tubig. Magandang balita tungkol sa mga anak. Masyado kang nag-aalalang masolusyunan ang problema sa pera, ang dapat gawin ay bawasan ang gastusin at subukang dagdagan ang kita sa ibang paraan; gamitin ang ibang talento. Lucky numbers: 12, 16, 25 at 39.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79/91/03
May kakayahan kang pag-aralan at ayusin ang sitwasyong pinansyal. Iwasang pangarapin ang marangyang buhay lalo na kung hindi ito pinaghihirapang abutin. Mag-ingat sa mga nanghihingi ng donasyon. Mataas ang motibasyon, bibigyan mo ng prayoridad ang trabaho at makakatulong ang pagiging ambisyosa at kasipagan upang bumilis ang pag-asenso, pero mag-ingat na ipagkamali ang inaasam mo sa katotohanan. Lucky numbers: 11, 26, 36 at 41.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92/04
Makakaranas ng nerbiyos na maaring may koneksyon sa problema sa panunaw. Sikaping mapalakas ang sense of humor. Mag-ingat sa pakikipag-usap tungkol sa buwis. Ang problema sa pamilya ang ipag-aalala mo ng husto. Sa pagtanggap ng pagbabago, mas lalaki ang tsansa mong magtagumpay. Bibigyan ng prayoridad ang iyong trabaho, dahil dito mo maipapakita ng husto ang iyong husay, pero masasaid ang enerhiya mo dito. Lucky numbers: 13, 24, 36 at 40.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93/05
Makakaranas ng kaunting depresyon; bigyan ng kasiyahan ang sarili, subukang ibahin ang mga ideya. Kung madaling mapagod at walang gana, makakatulong ang pag-inom ng magnesium supplement. Sa trabaho, kulang ka sa tapang at responsibilidad. Isang kaibigan ang bibigo sa iyo, daanin ito sa pilosopya. Kahit gaano ka-abala, bigyan ng sapat na oras ang mga anak upang gumanda ang relasyon. Mahalagang nakakausap sila at nasusundan ang mga interes nila at pag-aaral. Lucky numbers: 5, 18, 22 at 39.

Madramang pagpapaalam sa alaga

Muntik ding maiyak ng dalawang kaibigan ni Olive kamakailan nang masaksihan nila ang ginawang pamamaalam dito ng kanyang 22 taong alaga. Ilang dipa pa ang layo ng dalagang alaga ay umiiyak na ito, at paglapit kay Olive ay yumakap ng mahigpit, sabay hagulhol.

Nagkaroon ng malubhang sakit si Olive, 64, at nagpasyang sa Pilipinas na magpagamot. Tutal, maayos na ang buhay ng kanyang mga anak, at tanging ang mga amo na lang niya ang nagpipigil sa kanyang pag-uwi.

Dati siyang nanilbihan sa mga ito ng 18 taon, at siya na ang nagpalaki sa alagang dalaga,  hanggang pumasok ito sa kolehiyo, at naisip ng mga magulang na hindi na nila kailangan ang kasambahay. Pero isang taon pa lang si Olive sa bagong amo ay pinabalik na siya ng mga dating amo sa kanilang bahay sa Fortress Hill.

Katatapos pa lang niya ng panibagong kontrata sa kanila nang mahulog siya mula sa isang tuntungan at matumba, at kinailangang dalhin siya sa ospital. Doon ay nakita na may malubha siyang sakit sa matris, at kinailangang operahan agad.

Pagtapos ng operasyon ay may nakita namang bukol sa kanyang sikmura, at sinabihan siyang magpatingin muli para masigurong hindi malubha ang kanyang kundisyon. Minabuti ni Olive na umuwi na lang dahil hindi na siya nakapagtrabaho muli mula nang lumabas sa ospital pagkatapos ng isang buwang pagpapagamot.

Nahihiya na din daw siya sa mga amo dahil ang pakiramdam niya ay nagiging pabigat na siya. Sa kabila nito ay mabigat din ang kanyang loob na umalis dahil sa alaga na napalapit na ng husto sa kanya. Inalo na lang niya ang dalaga sa pagsasabing mag-chat na lang sila lagi sa Facebook, at kung gusto nito ay maaari din siyang dalawin sa Pilipinas dahil hindi naman ito kalayuan sa Hong Kong.

Napawi naman ang lahat ng kanyang lungkot at agam-agam nang sa pagdating niya sa kanilang bayan sa Bicol ay salubungin siya ng isang salo-salo ng kanyang asawa at mga anak, at pati ng ilang mga kaanak at kaibigan. - DCLM

Na-homesick bigla

Malungkot ang malayo sa sariling anak. Ito ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit marami sa mga nanay na nasa ibang bansa ang na ho-homesick. Kabilang sa kanila si Rose, na kadarating lamang sa Hong Kong, at mabigat sa loob ang pag-iwan sa dalawang anak na apat at anim na taong gulang sa pangangalaga ng asawa. Naisipan niyang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa dahil hindi sapat ang kinikita ng asawa mula sa pinagtatrabahuang pabrika. 

Mabait naman ang kanyang mga amo at pati na ang apat na taon na bata na kanyang inaalagaan. Dahil sa bibo at magiliw ang bata ay nababawasan ang kanyang lungkot. Sinisikap niyang ituon ang isip sa trabaho at pinagbubuti niya ang kanyang pagsisilbi sa amo upang maiwasan ang ma homesick. Iniisip na lang din niya na anak niya ang batang inaalagaan upang maiwasan ang pag iisip ng husto sa mga anak.

Kamakailan, araw ng Linggo, paglabas ni Rose sa sala upang mag day off ay nadaanan niya na gising na ang kanyang alaga at naglalaro kasama ang nanay nito. Agad na lumapit ang bata sa kanya at yumakap, sabay sabi ng, “Happy Mother’s Day, auntie. I love you.” 

Napaiyak si Rose at niyakap rin ang alaga ng mahigpit. Nakiyakap na rin ang kanyang among babae dahil sa awa kay Rose na alam nitong lungkot na lungkot sa mga sandaling iyon dahil sa pangungulila sa mga anak. Sinabihan ng amo  ang anak nito na, “Tell auntie to stop crying.” Sinunod naman ito ng bata, at dinagdagan pa ng siya na lang daw muna ang anak ni Rose habang nagtratrabaho sa Hong Kong.

Kapag may pera na daw siya ay kukunin niya ang mga anak ni Rose para may kalaro siya. Natawa na lang si Rose at ang among babae sa sinabi ng alaga.

Si Rose ay tubong Laguna at anim na buwan pa lamang sa among Intsik na naninirahan sa Kowloon.

Kakaibang paraan ng kawanggawa

Mahilig sa negosyo at matulungin sa kapwa si Sheena. Ginagamit niya ang dalawang katangiang ito upang makatulong o makapag-ambag ng kahit na maliit na halaga sa mga grupo na may magandang layunin. Halimbawa, nagbebenta siya ng kahit anong pagkakitaan at sa bawat mabenta niya ay ibinibigay niya ang 5% ng kita sa mga kawanggawa.

Dahil sa kanyang kakaibang pamamaraan at mabuting layunin ay marami sa kanyang mga kaibigan ang bumibili ng kanyang paninda. Suki na niya ang mga kaibigan na gusto rin tumulong kahit na sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagtangkilik ng kanyang produkto. Mula sa kanyang mga naipon na pera ay nakapagbigay siya ng mga pagkain, gamot, alcohol, bulak at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan ng Anawim, isang bahay-tuluyan ng mga matatanda.

Kasama ang kanyang dalawang anak na edad pito at lima ay dinalaw nila ang mga matatanda, at binigyan ng mga napamiling mga gamit. Tuwang-tuwa naman ang mga matatanda na nakipagsayaw pa sa kanyang mga anak, bilang bahagi ng isang maiksing programa na isinagawa ng mga namamahala sa Anawim upang higit na  maging makabuluhan ang kanilang pagdalaw.

Bukod sa Anawim, nakapagbigay na rin siya ng mga damit sa mga mahihirap sa Pilipinas, na galing sa mga kahon-kahong damit na naipon ng kanyang kaibigan mula sa bigay ng kani-kanilang mga amo. Sinagot ni Sheena ang bayad sa pagpapadala ng mga kahon sa Pilipinas at nakipagtulungan para maipamigay ang mga damit ng maayos. Ayon kay Sheena masarap sa pakiramdam ang tumulong. Hindi naman daw sagabal ang kawalan ng malaking kayamanan sa pagtulong dahil marami naman ibang paraan.

Si Sheena, 28 at tubong Maynila, at may asawa at dalawang anak. Nasa ikalawang kontrata na siya sa among Intsik na may isang anak at nakatira sa Kennedy Town.

Dating may online business sa Pilipinas si Sheena pero napilitang mag-abroad dahil hindi sapat ang kinikita nilang mag-asawa sa kanilang mga pangangailangan. – Ellen Asis