Ano ang hatid ng Agosto?

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Nalilito ka dahil gusto mong kumilos at ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa, pero takot ka ring mabigo. Kung hindi gaanong mataas ang inaasam, maiiwasan ang mahirap na sitwasyon pero posibleng makawala ang maraming oportunidad, kailangang magdesisyon ka! Huwag magpautang sa kaibigan ng hindi masyadong pinag-isipan, baka hindi na makita uli ang pera o ang kaibigan, o pareho. Walang gaanong hadlang sa plano mo, pero kailangan ding mag-ingat. Lucky numbers: 9, 11, 23 at 46.
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BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Ubod ka ng saya ngayon kaya maganda ang paningin mo sa lahat ng bagay, at palagay mo ay kaya mong lutasin ang lahat ng problema at magiging maayos din ang lahat. Sunod-sunod ang swerteng darating na may katumbas pang  perang papasok, kaya maging ikaw ay hindi makapaniwala. Mas titibay pa ang relasyon kaya gugustuhin mo nang maging pangmatagalan na ito. Lucky numbers: 19, 30, 33 at 42.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Posibleng mabigo ang plano mo; ang magagawa na lang ay bawasan ang perwisyo nito at tanggapin ng maayos ang resulta nito. Makakabuo ka naman ng bagong ideya upang maabot pa ang ambisyon mo; hindi ka matatakot sumubok ulit at malaki ang tsansang matupad ito. Magtatrabaho ka ng husto at magtatagumpay sa tulong ng mga kasamahan. Marami ang magugulat sa iyong pag-asenso; manatiling mapagkumbaba. Lucky numbers: 17, 29, 36 at 40. 

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Magkakaroon ng mabilis na pagbabago sa sitwasyon ngayon. Doblehin ang pag-iingat. Kung hindi maiwasang magbyahe, asahan na ang iba’t ibang aberya. Ang problema mo sa kasamahan ay makakaapekto sa relasyon mo sa malalapit sa iyo. Mag-ingat na mapasama sa napakaraming nabibiktima ng panloloko, iwasang pumasok sa isang magulong relasyon. Lucky numbers: 5, 12, 28 at 37.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Karisma, talino at alindog ang mga katangiang angkin mo kaya marami ang maiinggit sa iyo. Pero mag-ingat sa labis na kompiyansa sa sarili na maaaring maging dahilan ng mga pagkakamali. Ang masayang disposisyon ay sumasalamin sa magandang samahan sa pamilya. Huwag maging kampante sa magandang resulta ng iyong mga proyekto, mas mainam ang laging nag-iingat. Lucky numbers: 11, 29, 39 at 47. 

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Madali kang mairita, na malayo sa dating ugali mo na mahinahon at mabait; mahirap sabihin kung ano ang pinagmumulan ng init ng ulo, pero hindi mo maiwasan ang mainis dahil sa mga nangyayari sa linggong ito. Hangga’t maaari ay ayaw mo nang may kasama sa trabaho, pero wala kang magagawa kaya pagtiisan muna ang sitwasyon dahil magbubunga din ng maganda ang iyong pasensya. Pagod ang mga mata mo kaya apektado ang paningin. Lucky numbers: 11, 18, 35 at 40.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Kung gagawa ng intelihenteng pagkilos, ito ang tamang oras. Kaya mong mag-isip ng mga bagay ng sabay-sabay nang hindi ka nalilito. Kung gugustuhin mo ay kaya mong gawin na mapaganda ang katawan, pero kailangang paghirapan ito. Huwag mag-ambisyong magagawa mo ang lahat; alamin ang limitasyon mo kung nais mong mapanatili ang magandang kalusugan ng katawan at isip. Lucky numbers: 10, 21, 25 at 38.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
May oras na tinatamad kang kumilos, pero may oras ding gagawa ka ng kakaibang hakbang. Mapapagod ka sa mga kaganapan sa paligid mo at maging ang mga kasamahan mo ay malilito. Makakalimutan mo saglit ang magtipid at mapapagastos ka, pero hindi naman maapektuhan ang kalagayang pinansyal. Pero mag-ingat ng husto at iwasang pumasok sa delikadong transaksyon, o kumagat sa magagandang alok. Lucky numbers: 9, 22, 37 at 45.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Para kang nangangapa sa ngayon, pero mahahanap mo rin ang dating agresibong sarili upang makapagsimula kang muli, at nanaisin mo pang makipag-kumpitensya sa iba. May tsansa rin na magkaroon ng mga bagong kaibigan; magagamit mo rin ang personal na relasyon ng mga kaibigan upang makatulong sa iyong trabaho o negosyo. Ingatan ang mga tenga, protektahan ang mga ito sa labis na ingay. Lucky numbers: 12, 16, 31 at 43.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Nahahati ang puso mo sa pagitan ng pagkakaroon ng mas matatag na kalagayan, o ang mag-enjoy sa mga bagong karanasan sa piling ng mahal mo. Maiinis ang malalapit sa iyo dahil sa paiba-iba mong desisyon. Mag-ingat at baka dumaan sa matinding depresyon! Kumilos agad na maagapan ito upang hindi umabot sa nervous breakdown; iwasang magmukmok. Kontrolin ang pagiging agresibo at pabigla-biglang kilos, mahirap sa umpisa, pero kakayanin mo ito. Lucky numbers: 15, 24, 34 at 46.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Samantalahin ang pagkakataong ito na magkaroon ng positibong pananaw at kagustuhang mapabuti ang kalagayan sa paligid, kahit parang napakahirap nito. Sabay-sabay na magdadatingan ang mga bayarin. Makakahanap ka ng paraan na madagdagan ang kita, pero iwasang pumasok sa delikadong transaksyon, maghintay-hintay ka lang muna bago subukan ang swerte, pero huwag muna ngayon. Lucky numbers: 8, 13, 18 at 46. 

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Mas malaki ang tsansa mong manalo ngayon sa sugal kaysa dati, ito ay magpapasaya sa iyo kahit kaunti upang labanan ang nararamdamang labis na kalungkutan. Mag-isip ng magagandang bagay na gusto mong gawin. Mas magiging mapagbigay at maunawain ka, ituloy mo lang ito dahil ito ang daan sa kaligayahan. Piliting magkaroon ng kapayapaan ng loob at sa iyong paligid, ito ang magpapabago sa iyong kabuuang personalidad. Lucky numbers: 7, 19, 28 at 44.

HK lists the professionals it will welcome

The Government has published the first Talent List of Hong Kong to attract quality people from around the world.

The list highlights specific professions needed most for Hong Kong's economic development.

Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Human Resources Planning Commission Matthew Cheung said: "Hong Kong welcomes talents from all over the world with valuable skills, knowledge and experience to work here, bringing their talent into full play and further developing their careers.

“The promulgation of the Talent List is one of our major initiatives to enhance our competitive advantages in attracting international talents, creating cluster effects, stimulating the development of local talents and propelling Hong Kong forward."

Education is the bridge to one's dreams. 

The list will be updated regularly to keep up with the city’s latest developments and needs.

It specifies 11 professions — waste treatment specialists, asset management professionals, marine insurance experts, fintech professionals, actuaries, data scientists and cyber security specialists, innovation and technology experts, naval architects, marine engineers and superintendents of ships, creative industry professionals, and dispute resolution experts and transactional lawyers.

Immigration facilitation will be provided to eligible people through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme within its existing annual quota of 1,000.


Successful applicants are not required to have secured an offer of local employment for settlement in Hong Kong.

Those who meet the specifications of their profession on the list will be given bonus marks under the scheme’s General Points Test.

Applications are now open.

Constructive termination

By Cynthia Tellez

“Constructive termination” sounds new to many of those who visit the Mission’s walk-in centre. Some migrants get confused because of certain “feedback” they receive from the Labour Relations Division (LRS) or even from the Labour Tribunal (LT) or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board (MECAB). Some officers there say that constructive termination does not automatically result to claims of one month’s wage in lieu of notice. In some cases the workers are even advised to withdraw said claim. Pursuing it at the LT or MECAB usually results to the dismissal of the claim.

Before we proceed to the main issue, let me first clarify some matters related to the mentioned government agencies.

The Labour Relations Division or the LRD is the first stop for workers trying to settle a dispute with their employers on money claims, or violations of some provisions of the Labour Ordinance as stated in the employment contract. This first step is to settle matters through conciliation. Meaning, an LRD officer acts as facilitator between the employer and the domestic worker. If the monetary claims are not contested by the respondent (either employer or domestic worker), the matter is settled at that level. In the presence of the labour officer, the employer will hand the payment to the domestic worker and they will both sign a document from the LRD as proof that the claims had all been settled. If it is not settled, or is only partially-settled, then the LRD will refer the claims to either LT or MECAB.  This is the only role of the LRD. The officer can give his/her opinion but cannot force the claimant to follow his/her advice.

The LT or MECAB are like courts but they do not handle criminal cases. They handle only employer and worker disputes related to claims. But the atmosphere is like that in a courtroom. The presiding officer can decide on the claims being heard, unlike the LRD which cannot decide but can only give an opinion. Evidence could be presented in order to win the claim/case against the employer. As mentioned earlier, LT and MECAB can decide but they have NO power to enforce their decision. It can be contested in the LT itself or referred to the High Court for enforcement with a lawyer representing the claimant. But this is another matter.

In the LT or MECAB, to expedite the settlement of claims, both the claimant and respondent are encouraged to settle their dispute outside the Tribunal and come back for a formal resolution if they could come to an agreement. If not, then the Tribunal or MECAB will proceed with the hearing to decide on the items being claimed.

The claimant can still appeal against the decision on one or several of the claims dismissed by LT if the claimant insists that s/he does not want to drop any particular claim/s.

Now for the issue at hand: constructive termination.

Let us be clear first on what is constructive termination of the employment contract.

According to the contract (based on the Employment Ordinance Cap 57)
An employee may terminate his/her contract without notice or payment in lieu if:
* he/she reasonably fears physical danger by violence or disease, such danger not being contemplated under his/her contract
*he/she has been employed under his/her contract for not less than five years and is certified as being permanently unfit for the type of work he/she is engaged to do; or
* he/she is subjected to ill treatment by his/her employer.
“An employee may also terminate his/her contract without notice or payment in lieu on any other ground on which the employee would be entitled to terminate his/her contract without notice at common law, or if any wages are not paid to him/her within one month of the date upon which they become due. An employee exercising his/her right to terminate in such circumstances is deemed to have been dismissed by his/her employer and so is entitled to recover a payment in lieu of notice.” 
—http://www.elexica.com/en/legal-topics/employment-and-benefits/07-termination-in-hong-kong

It is in this light that even if the labour officers in whatever branch of the LD gave you an unsolicited advice, it will still be you who will decide whether you want to accept the said advice.

In the case of the LT or MECAB, they will have to decide anyway on the basis of their appreciation of the merits of the claims based on the statement of both the claimant and respondent - and the evidence presented - should the parties fail to settle amicably. Thus, the best option is just to let the LT Presiding Officer or MECAB Officer decide.

As far as the above explanation is concerned and as far as the experiences of claimants assisted by the Mission in its consultation with some solicitors (lawyer), the constructive termination taken by a domestic worker is a last resort to protect themselves for further harm. A good ground that the worker may be cite is the employer’s non- payment of wages within the designated period. This act of the employer which is a serious breach or violation of the employment contract is deemed to amount to the dismissal of the worker, who must then be entitled to recover a payment in lieu of notice.

For justice’s sake, it would be better to pursue what is justly yours. If your claim for a month’s salary in lieu of notice on the basis of constructive dismissal is dismissed by the LT or the MECAB, you still have an avenue left to appeal against the decision. There is nothing to lose, but there is everything to gain. The decision of any Court can still be contested and this is the essence of fairness and justice. Let us not waste this.

The outcome, whether favourable or unfavourable, would still be helpful in guiding other migrant workers on what actions to take, and to us also in the Mission, in our effort to help others pursue their claims.

If you need more clarity on this matter or on any matter concerning your employment, you can visit us in our office at St John’s Cathedral, or call us at 2522 8264 or 2537 1333.
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This is the monthly column from the Mission for Migrant Workers, an institution that has been serving the needs of migrant workers in Hong Kong for over 31 years. The Mission, headed by its general manager, Cynthia Tellez, assists migrant workers who are in distress, and  focuses its efforts on crisis intervention and prevention through migrant empowerment. Mission has its offices at St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, and may be reached through tel. no. 2522 8264.

Illegal na singil ng ahensiya, isang ugat ng ‘debt trap’

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Muling umagaw ng pansin ang usaping utang nang mahuli ng mga pulis ang isang matandang taga-Hong Kong at ang kanyang katulong na Pilipina sa isang operasyon noong nakalipas na buwan laban sa mga nagpapautang na labis-labis ang patubo.

Mahigit 400 pasaporte ng Pilipinas ang nasamsam sa bahay ng nagpapautang sa North Point, at ilan sa mga iyon diumano ay matagal nang paso. Ibig lang sabihin na malaon na ring nasa ganoong negosyo ang nahuling “loan shark”.

Ang mga nasamsam na pasaporte sa operasyong iyon sa North Point at ang daan-daan pang mga pasaporteng nabawi ng mga pulis sa iba pang mga katulad na operasyon sa Mongkok at Tsuen Wan nitong nakaraang isang taon ay nagpapakita lamang ng kung gaano kalalim ang pagkakahilig ng mga kababayan natin sa pangungutang.

Maging si Consul General Antonio Morales ay nababahala sa pagkakabaon sa utang ng mga manggagawa nating narito sa Hong Kong.

“Ang isa nating laging paalala ay yung sa pautang-utang din dahil hindi naman maiiwasan, talagang nangungutang ang ating mga kababayan. Nagigipit. Yung iba siguro sa illegal lender pa umuutang dahil siguro may utang na siya sa regular o kaya mas mas konti ang requirement. Pero kailangang laging paalalahanan sila. Sobrang laki ang interest doon,” ani Congen Morales.

Maraming dahilan kung bakit nababaon sa utang ang mga kapwa nating manggagawa. Isa rito ang pangangailangan ng pera ng mga mahal nila sa buhay sa Pilipinas.

Ang akala kasi ng mga naiwan doon, basta sa ibang bansa nagtatrabaho ang isang kapamilya ay malakas ang kanyang kita. Sa isip nila ay winawalis lang ang pera rito sa ibang lugar. Kaya maya’t maya’y humihingi sila ng pera o magpapabili ng kung anu-ano.

Ang isa pang dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang ay ang pagsusugal. Kahit bawal ito sa Hong Kong, maliban sa pinahihintulutang uri ng sugal tulad ng karera ng kabayo at Mark Six na isinasagawa ng Hong Kong Jockey Club, nagagawa pa rin ng mga kababayan natin ang magsugal kapag araw ng pahinga nila.

Sa mga tambayan ng mga OFW sa Central at iba pang mga lugar ay makikita mo ang mga pangkat ng manggagawang naglalaro ng pusoy at kung anu-ano pang larong baraha.

Kahit sa mga tulay malapit sa konsulado ay may ilang mga grupong nagbabaraha, at may panahon pa noon na lantaran ang pagtataya nila ng tig-$500 sa bawat laro. Kapag kumikilos ang mga pulis laban sa mga kababayan nating sugarol ay nawawala ang mga ito, o patago silang tumataya.

Ayon sa ilang nakakaalam, sa cellphone naman daw inililista ang mga panalo at talo at mga taya. Hindi na sa kapirasong papel o notebook na itinatago ng mga nagsusugal sa ilalim ng inuupuan nilang nakalatag na karton.

Mayroon ding nababaon sa utang dahil natutuksong bumili nang bumili ng mga damit at iba pang mga gamit o bagay kapag nakikitang “sale” ang mga ito sa mga tindahan. Dahil hindi makapagtimpi ay nauubusan ng pera ang isang OFW at napipilitang mangutang.

Isang dahilan marahil ng pagkakalugmok sa utang ay ang pagdadala ng employment agency sa OFW sa lending company sa unang araw pa lang niya rito. Doon ay ikukuha siya ng loan, papipirmahin sa kasunduan, ngunit sa ahensiya mapupunta ang pera.

Sapilitan ang ganitong pangungutang na ipinaaako ng mga ahensiya sa mga bagong-salta at nagiging dahilan tuloy ng pagkakalubog nila sa utang. Ang iba, sa kamalasan, ay nasisisante pagkaraan ng ilang araw o linggo pa lamang sa amo ngunit sinisingil pa rin ng lending company.

Ilan nang kasambahay na may ganitong karanasan ang dumulog sa amin dahil nagkaproblema sa utang sanhi ng pananamantala ng mga ahensiya. Natitiyak naming daan-daang OFW rito sa Hong Kong ang dumanas din ng ganito.

Ito ay isang bagay na dapat halungkatin ng mga kinauukulan sa Pilipinas at dito sa Hong Kong na maaaring dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang isang OFW bago pa lang siya makapagsimula sa trabaho.

Sinabi ni ConGen Morales na kakasuhan ng Konsulado ang mga ahensiyang may ganitong illegal na gawain, kailangan lang na may mga biktimang handang tumestigo laban sa mga nagsamantalang ahensiya.     

Anuman ang dahilan ng pagkakabaon sa utang, dapat maging matapang ang nasa ganyang kalagayan na tukuyin ang ugat nito at makipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad upang mapuksa ang ugat, at makalaya siya sa tinatatawag na “debt trap”. 

No OFW casualty from Mangkhut’s rampage

A felled tree on Queensway, where many OFWs gather on Sundays

By Daisy CL Mandap

Philippine labour officials say no Filipino migrant worker suffered serious injuries from the havoc created by severe typhoon Mangkhut which lashed Hong Kong for nearly the whole day yesterday.

Labor Attache Nida Romulo said no one had called the Philippine Overseas Labour Office to ask for help, or complain about typhoon-related injuries.

Neither was there any request for assistance for family members who might have been affected by the typhoon which swept across the Philippines earlier.

“We do have a ward at the FWRC (for Filipino Workers Resource Centre, POLO’s shelter) who hails from one of the worst-hit areas in the northern Philippines, and we took it upon ourselves to ask help from our government on her behalf,” said Romulo.

A big factor that may have helped in preventing injuries, including those of migrant workers, was the hoisting of typhoon signal no 10, the strongest possible, early in the day. This, plus the repeated warning that Mangkhut was the most intense storm to ever hit Hong Kong, appeared to have spooked everyone into staying indoors.

A day-after check of the favorite haunts of migrant workers, like the parks in Central and Admiralty and the IFC walkway showed that they were, indeed, well advised not to venture outdoors, as these were among that sustained heavy damage from the storm. 

Lockhart Playground beside POLO

Uprooted trees were everywhere, hours after Mangkhut roared away from the city, including a big one that straddled a main artery of Queensway, where the Consulate offices are located. 

Throughout Sunday, officers from POLO and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, reportedly kept tabs on what was happening in the community through Facebook and messages sent to them by various people.

They also kept touch with Consulate officials led by Consul General Antonio Morales who reportedly monitored the situation throughout the day.

Welfare officer Virsie B. Tamayao said they did receive a report about Filipina domestic worker Aleya Acero being slightly injured after the rooftop kitchen in her employer’s house in Taipo collapsed, but the victim herself did not seek their help.

In a Facebook post that was shared extensively by Filipinos, Acero posted pictures of the heavily damaged kitchen, and narrated how the collapsed tin roof that ended up covering her head prevented her sustaining more severe injuries.

Aleya Acero had a narrow escape when her employer's kitchen collapsed

Acero said that when another gust of strong wind blew away the tin roof away, she scampered to run to the lower level where her employer’s family had gathered, and were calling out to her, fearing for her safety.

At least one other OFW, Meryl Baron, shared photos of the shattered windows in her room, which she said resulted in all her things getting wet and damaged. She was, however, apparently unhurt.

 

Shattered window in Meryl Baron's room

A report that proved to be totally false was that of a Filipina domestic worker who was purportedly rescued from being blown away by strong winds, after insisting on going out for her day off.

A closer look at the video that was used as basis for the story showed that the supposed Filipina was a teenage boy who had apparently strayed outdoors for unknown reasons. He was eventually brought to safety by an older male companion.  

Tamayao said that all the reports they received about OFWs who may have been affected were all forwarded to the Department of Labor and Employment and to OWWA, which had asked them to monitor the situation in Hong Kong.

Despite the all-clear, POLO officials say OFWs who may have been adversely affected by the typhoon may approach them for help, including those who might have been told by their employers to go out for their day off, despite the extreme weather conditions.

Filipina typhoon victim to undergo second operation

By Daisy CL Mandap

The Filipina tourist who was hit by a falling signage suffered injuries to her legs and arms

A Filipina tourist who was hit by falling debris in Tsimshatsui yesterday amid the onslaught of severe typhoon Mangkhut, is set to undergo a second operation in Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon.

This was according to Consul Paulo Saret, head of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate, which has been assisting the victim.

Saret said that the Filipina was hit by a falling signage, and sustained serious injuries to her legs and arms. She underwent surgery within hours of being admitted to hospital, but will have to go under the knife for a second time.

She is, however, expected to recover fully from her injuries.

According to ATN’s Danny Baldon, the victim, who is a dentist, had gone out of her hotel room to buy coffee from a nearby 7-11 outlet when she met the accident.

Consul Saret

A sister-in-law who came to Hong Kong with the victim has reportedly provided information about the case to the Consulate.

Earlier reports that spread through wildfire on social media was that the Filipina had died after being hit by a dislodged air conditioner in Mirador Mansions in Tsimshatsui. The story, which rapidly circulated among Filipinos and was even picked up by a Manila TV station, proved to be wrong on all counts.

Saret, meanwhile, is also looking into the filing of a complaint with Hong Kong authorities about a tour operator who had left a group of Filipino tourists stranded for hours near the Tsing Ma bridge at the height of the storm yesterday.

The 36 tourists, who included two children and three seniors, were reportedly picked up by the tour agent at their hotel in Tsing Yi at about 10am, shortly after signal no 10 was hoisted, and were on their way to the airport when the vehicle’s windshield crashed from the strong winds.

The tourists were reportedly left inside the bus with the shattered glass for hours, until someone managed to call the Consulate to ask for help. Baldon immediately called 999, and by around 5pm, the tourists were pulled out of the bus and sent back to their hotel.

Saret said that since the rescue, no one in the tour group had called up the Consulate again, so they assume everyone managed to get on their flights back to the Philippines without a hitch.

Still, he said they will pursue a complaint about the incident to relevant government officials in Hong Kong.

“We have already drafted a complaint letter and intend to send it to the Hong Kong authorities soon,” he said.

Saret said another casualty of Mangkhut’s onslaught was the scheduled legal consultation and forum at the Consulate by members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Batangas chapter.

The visiting lawyers had to skip the Sunday session with OFWs, but reportedly passed by the Consulate on their way to the airport earlier today, to pay a courtesy visit to Consul General Antonio A. Morales.

PCG holds outreach on cruise ship

The Consulate has conducted an outreach on board the cruise ship Star Pisces to provide consular services to its 300 Filipino personnel.

Consul General Antonio A. Morales led the 10-member consular team that conducted the outreach on Sept 7 on board the Star Pisces, which is based at Ocean Terminal in Tsimshatsui.

Morales said the team had performed overseas voting registration and other consular services for the Filipinos who work on the vessel.

He said that the Consulate would be ready to carry out similar outreaches for Filipino seafarers of foreign vessels calling at Hong Kong’s port if he receives a request from the crew or from the ship owners or operators.

Philippine Consulate General representatives, led by Consul General Antonio A. Morales, provided consular services to Filipino crewmembers of Star Pisces, a cruise ship, while docked at the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. 

“We are ready to extend consular services to Filipino crew of ships that dock in Hong Kong except that we have not received requests and we were told that there are not too many of them because now may of the ships are highly automated so the number of crews is not that high,” ConGen Morales said.

“But if we receive a request, we are ready to send an outreach team,” he said.

Star Pisces is operated by Star Cruises, which dominates the Asia-Pacific cruise market and is owned by Genting Hong Kong. The consul general said the Consulate was requested by Resorts World, Genting’s tourism unit, to undertake the outreach.

Star Pisces Captain Henrik Ortenblad welcomed the 10-member consular team aboard.

Morales then addressed the vessels’ Filipino personnel. Vice Consul Fatima G. Quintin introduced the different consular services.

The team offered services such as overseas voting registration, Social Security System and Pag-IBIG transactions, legal advice, and counseling and advice from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The outreach lasted from 10am to 3pm.

Pagnenegosyo, tinalakay sa seminar

Ni George Manalansan

Marami sa mga migranteng manggagawa ang nangangarap na makawala sa pangangamuhan at maging ganap na negosyante. Sa isip ng marami, mahirap pagkasyahin ang kakarampot na suweldo, at mas maganda din na magkaroon ng tsansa na maging isang “boss” at mamuhay ng marangya.

Nguni’t hindi sapat ang pangarap para makamit ang ganitong mithiin. Kailangan, unang una, ng pagsasanay at paghahanda para mas masiguro na ang perang pinaghirapan ay hindi mauwi sa wala.

Dinaluhan ng may 75 migranteng mangagawa ang pagbibigay kaalaman at pagsasanay ng Card Hong Kong Foundation, na libre para sa OFWs. 

Ito ang tema ng panibagong entrepreneurship seminar na isinagawa ng Card Hong Kong Foundation noong ika-2 ng Setyembre sa Bayanihan Centre sa Kennedy Town, na dinaluhan ng may 75 migranteng manggagawa na karamihan ay mga babae.

Unang una sa tinalakay ng mga trainor ang mga bagay na dapat isaisip ng isang entrepreneur o negosyante, katulad ng tiwala sa sarili, pagpupursige, pagiging responsable, kakayahang makipagsapalaran, pagtukoy at paghahanap ng oportunidad, epektibong pagpaplano, pagkalap ng impormasyong makakatulong sa negosyo, pagtiyak sa kalidad ng produkto o serbisyo, at paghikayat at pag-aaruga sa koneksyon.

Ipinaliwanag din sa mga dumalo ang mga dahilan kung bakit bumabagsak ang isang negosyo, katulad ng kawalan ng disiplina at paggamit ng kapital sa personal na bagay. Ibinahagi din sa kanila ang kahalagahan ng paggawa ng business plan, at ang mga dapat gawin para manatiling tapat ang mga kostumer.

Sa pangunguna ni Vicky Munar, lead trainor ng Card, tinuruan ang mga kasapi kung paano gumawa ng business plan, bago nagkaroon ng talakayan at pagsusulit para mas lalong dumikit sa kanilang memorya ang mga habilin at leksyon.

Kabilang sa mga lumahok si Marcelino Bate, na ang asawa ay gumagawa ng tinapay at ibinebenta sa kanilang mga kapitbahay. Gusto daw nilang pag-aralang mag-asawa kung paano palakasin at palakihin ang negosyo nang sa gayon ay makauwi na siya at makapiling muli ang pamilya.

Si Rachel Letrakemia naman ay may dalawang tindahan ng sari-sari, na kasalukuyang pinamamahalaan ng kanyang kapatid. Gusto daw niyang magkaroon ng dagdag-kaalaman kung paano niya mapapalaki pa ang kanyang negosyo.

Sa pagtatapos ng pagsasanay ay masayang nagpasalamat ang mga kalahok, bitbit ang pag-asa na balang araw ay maging boss din sila ng kanilang sariling negosyo. Para sa mga susunod na programa paki- like: Card Hong Kong Foundation/ Facebook.

Consulate rescues 36 Pinoys stranded in tourist bus amid typhoon

By Daisy CL Mandap 

The Filipino tourists were picked up from Winward 800 Hotel in Tsing Yi

The Philippine Consulate is set to lodge a complaint with Hong Kong’s Travel Industry Council after a group of Filipino tourists were put on a bus bound for the airport at the height of severe typhoon Mangkhut, then left stranded for hours after the vehicle’s windshield was shattered by strong winds.

Danny Baldon of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section said the 36 Filipinos, who included two children and three senior citizens, were fetched from the Winland Hotel 888 in Tsing Yi at 10am, when severe typhoon Mangkhut had just roared into Hong Kong.

As they approached Tsing Ma bridge, strong winds reportedly shattered the bus’ windshield, forcing it to stop.

But instead of finding ways to get the passengers back to safety, the tour escort allegedly kept them on the bus for hours, until some of them found a way to contact the Consulate late in the afternoon.

“Kami pa ang tumawag sa 999 para ma-rescue sila,” said Baldon.

He said the bus driver offered no credible explanation as to why he did not seek help immediately, and why he insisted on taking them to the airport despite the hoisting of the strongest typhoon signal in the territory.

“Pilit niyang sinasabi na signal no 8 lang nung umalis sila, pero sabi ko, kahit signal 8 lang iyon dapat hindi pa rin sila tumuloy dahil kung ganoon kalakas ang bagyo ay lahat ng public transportation e itinitigil na,” said Baldon.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, typhoon signal no 10, the highest possible was raised at 9:40am. It was lowered to T8 at 7:40pm, or 10 hours later, making it one of the most intense storms to have hit the city.

Transportation was paralyzed across Hong Kong

Nearly 900 flights were cancelled, stranding 100,000 passengers

This house in Yuen Long had its kitchen wrecked by Mangkhut's strong winds

Even the IFC in Central was not spared Mangkhut's wrath

One of the worst areas affected was Heng Fa Chuen in Chai Wan, where extensive flooding occurred

All the tourists were reportedly driven back to the hotel where they were to spend the night.

Baldon said they were supposed to take different flights back to the Philippines, but it was certain most would not have been able to leave since most planes were grounded as Magkhut lingered in the city for most of the day.

According to local media reports, nearly 900 flights out of Hong Kong International Airport were cancelled during the day, with about 100,000  travelers affected. Several hundred other flights were delayed.

About 100 people are reported to have sought treatment in hospitals due to typhoon-related complaints, but there had been no fatalities. One of the most seriously injured was a Filipina tourist who was hit by flying debris in Tsimshatsui, and had to undergo surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jordan for wounds to her feet and hands.

According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, several Filipina migrant workers had called up their hotline to relay concerns and report slight injuries, but no one required medical treatment.

Filipina tourist injured by flying debris amid Mangkhut's onslaught

By Daisy CL Mandap

A Filipina dentist visiting Hong Kong has undergone emergency surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jordan after being hit and injured by flying debris as super typhoon Mangkhut made its presence felt in Hong Kong early today, Sept 16.

The victim's photo as shared by several netizens

A picture of the injured woman was shared by many netizens on Facebook early today, but nobody could tell for sure what had happened to her. Many said she was hit by a falling airconditioner somewhere in Mirador Mansion and had died as a result, but it turned out to be false information.

The picture showed the woman apparently unconscious and all bloodied, and with one leg wounded and sticking out awkwardly.

“Inoperahan siya agad dahil nasugatan ang mga paa at braso, pero ok na siya,” said Danny Baldon of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate.

Baldon said the woman had gone out to buy coffee in a nearby 7-11 outlet at the height of the storm and was hit by flying debris, but it was definitely not an airconditioner as that would have inflicted far more severe damage.

The woman’s companion reportedly furnished information about the victim.

Baldon said the tourist would likely stay in the hospital for a few days but need not worry about expenses. “I’m sure it would be treated as an exceptional case because she was injured in an accident,” he said.

Cast-out DH cancer victim dies

By Vir B. Lumicao  

Joan, the cancer-stricken Filipina domestic worker who was reportedly driven out by her employer in the wee hours of May 1, 2017 while still on radiotherapy treatment, has died.

The 41-year-old single mother of three succumbed to cervical cancer on Aug 25 in her hometown of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, according to friends and church mates in Hong Kong.

Videos posted on social media by her siblings and friends showed her white coffin being carried by a squad of barangay tanods from her house to a nearby barrio chapel for a religious service and final tribute on Aug 27. She was buried in the village cemetery.

Joan found herself in the street after her employer drove her out in the wee hours of May 1, 2017.

Dozens of people who condoled with her family filled the church and lined up to lay red roses on Joan’s coffin after grieving family members had paid their last respects.

A swift shot from a video camera revealed the emaciated face of the woman who had looked cheerful in her earlier photographs with siblings and friends, long before she contracted the disease that led to her departure from HK.

Joan was reportedly roused from sleep and driven out just after midnight on May 1, 2017 by her employer, for whom she had worked for two years and two months.

The employer packed her belongings in a suitcase and two striped bags and tried to send her off in a taxi to her church’s shelter, saying she had used up all her leave credits.

A fellow Filipina domestic worker took pictures of her looking forlorn on the street, and posted them on Facebook, drawing concern from many people in the community. The concerned Filipina also took her home initially, and brought her to the hospital to continue her treatment.

At the time, Joan was undergoing radiotherapy treatment for Stage 3 to 4 cervical cancer at Tseung Kwan O Hospital in Po Lam. She had her 20th treatment on May 11, 2017.

Among those who visited her at the hospital were officers from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, who also helped with her repatriation.

 Joan was diagnosed with cancer on Mar. 5, 2017. She was admitted for treatment at the hospital, and was discharged on Mar. 31, with instructions to continue her daily radiotherapy sessions.

Joan had reportedly been advised by the Help for Domestic Workers to file a case under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance against her employer because of the way she was kicked out in the early hours of the morning, sick and fragile. But it would appear the case was never filed.

Manila plugs drug flow to HK, using convicted carriers

By Vir B. Lumicao

When tourist Ann Raian Cruz cleared security and Immigration unchallenged at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on the evening of July 30, 2016, she had no idea she was closing a dark and notorious chapter of the gateway’s history.

On arrival at Hong Kong International Airport a few hours later, she was arrested by Customs and Excise for bringing in some 700 grams of suspected cocaine.

Hong Kong has benefited from Philippine anti-drug measures based on information from mules convicted in HK.

But since then, the drug flow from Manila to Hong Kong has stopped, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said in a recent letter to the High Court. The letter was submitted by defense lawyers in hopes of reducing the sentences on three convicted Filipina drug mules arrested 10 months ahead of Cruz.

Cruz, a 38-year-old single mother and call center agent in Manila, was the first Filipina drug mule to slip out of NAIA barely a month since President Rodrigo Duterte took office, winning heavily on the back of an anti-drug campaign promise.

Her arrest showed that despite Duterte’s bloody anti-drug crackdown, international drug syndicates continued to use the country as a major transshipment center in Asia, apparently with help from crooked elements at NAIA.

But she appeared to be the last Filipino drug carrier to have passed through NAIA security unchallenged. Duterte’s bloody crackdown has apparently whipped airport security personnel into line.

However, two foreigners carrying drugs still managed to pa ss through NAIA just months after Cruz’s arrest. They were a Venezuelan woman and a Bolivian man who took circuitous routes to Hong Kong via various cities, with NAIA as the last stopover.

 The lawyers for Shirley Chua, Remelyn Roque and Ana Louella Creus secured the letter from PDEA through the Consulate, which in turn coursed the request through the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.

In the PDEA letter, it was also said that information given by the three drug mules to ATN had led to the arrest of Nora Noora, the alleged mastermind of the fateful trip on Sept 25, 2015 that landed them in a Hong Kong jail.  A fourth defendant – Maricel Thomas – was acquitted at the end of the trial last Nov 14.

The lawyers told High Court Judge Aubrey Campbell-Moffat the information also led to the capture of Ugandan national Rufus Katumba, the alleged kingpin of the Nigerian drug syndicate in the Philippines, and his Filipino wife Marlyn Ramos in October 2015.

“Basically, we are appreciative of the fact that, through the information given by the three Filipinas, somehow naipadala natin sa Manila and the DFA coordinated with the PDEA, which led to the arrest of Katumba, na apparently ay Nigerian drug trafficking syndicate member or leader,” Consul Paulo Saret told The SUN when asked for a comment.

“Because of the information, I think binigyan naman ng credit ang three ladies dahil sa apprehension ni Katumba. Kasi narinig ko ang sinabi ng judge, ‘They led the authorities to Noora, it was Noora who led the authorities to Katumba’,” the consul said. 

Saret said it appears that the tip-off from Chua, Roque and Creus gave the Philippine authorities the initial impetus to arrest Katumba.

The arrests of Chua, Thomas, Roque and Creus brought to seven the number of Filipinas nabbed at HKIA in 2015 for drug trafficking. This was the biggest annual total recorded for Filipinos in data compiled by the Customs & Excise Department from January 2010 to November 2016.

On Feb 2, 2015, pregnant tourist Catherine Bustillo was arrested when 1.8 kilos of cocaine was found in secret compartments of her hand-carried baggage. She pleaded guilty to trafficking on Sept 25, 2015 and was sentenced on Dec 22 to a “lenient” 14 years and eight months in jail by High Court Justice Kevin Zervos.

Another Filipina tourist, Ma. Cristina D. Dia, was charged with drug trafficking for bringing into Hong Kong 1.3 kilos of suspected cocaine worth about $1.3 million on Sept. 5, 2015.

On July 15 of the same year, Susan Cumpio was intercepted while trying to bring in nearly 2 kilos of cocaine from Brazil. The Filipina had admitted bringing the drugs into Hong Kong as part of a deal to gain liberty from her Nigerian common-law husband in Sao Paulo. She was sentenced to 17 years in jail in May last year after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.

Cruz, the last of the Filipina drug mules to Hong Kong, was sentenced by a High Court judge to 12 years and three months in jail after she pleaded guilty on Apr 8.

Paggawa ng embutido at empanada, itinaguyod ng Card HK

Ni Cecilia Eduarte

“Ang pagsusumikap at sigasig na matuto ng karagdagang kaalaman pangkabuhayan ay mabisang sangkap para maabot ang mga adhikain sa buhay.”
Ang mga salitang ito ay nagsilbing gabay sa pagdaraos muli ng pagsasanay pangkabuhayan ng Card-HK Foundation  para sa mga manggagawang Pilipino noong ika-18 ng Agosto sa Bayanihan Centre sa Kennedy Town. Ang itinuro sa mga kalahok ay ang paggawa ng dalawa sa paboritong pagkain ng mga Pinoy, ang embutido at empanada.
Ayon kay Gigi Lingao, isa sa mga tagapagsanay, ang pagluluto ng Filipino-style embutido ay nag-umpisa noong panahon pa ng mga Kastila na sumakop sa Pilipinas ng mahigit tatlo at kalahating siglo. Sila daw ang nagdala sa ating bansa ng kaalaman para sa paggawa ng embutido, na kabilang sa pamilya ng mga sausages.
Payo naman nina Lia Galve at Jhoan Cabudil, katuwang na trainor ni Lingao, mas mainam na gumamit ng dahon ng saging para pambalot ng embutido. Healthy na makakatipid ka pa, dagdag ni Galve.
Samantala, magkatuwang na ibinahagi muli nina Elpie Leba at Pamela Agbao ang kanilang husay sa paggawa ng empanada sa mga sumali sa pagsasanay.
Laking pasasalamat naman ni Farrah Jane Cercado sa bumubuo ng CARD- HK Foundation at sa mga trainor na walang sawang magturo ng  pangkabuhayan. Dahil sa ganitong pagsasanay ay nagagamit nila ang iba nilang natutunan sa CARD tulad ng paggawa ng kutsinta. Sa kanya na raw nagpapaluto ang mga kasamahan niya kapag may espesyal na okasyon sa kanilang dinadaluhang simbahan.
Masayang nagpasalamat din ang ibang kasali sa mga trainor na hindi iniinda ang  pagod at init ng panahon maibahagi lamang ang mga kaalaman pangkabuhayan sa mga kapwa nila OFW. Ito ay parte ng adhikain ng Card OFW HK na tulungang maghanda ang mga migranteng manggagawa sa kanilang pagbabalik-bayan.

Ang susunod na libreng financial literacy seminar ng Card ay isasagawa sa ika-21 ng Oktubre. Sa mga nais dumalo, tumawag lamang sa numero 56002526, 95296392 o 54238196


Embutido 
Ingredients:
2 lbs minced pork
14 pcs Vienna sausage
3-5 pcs hard-boiled eggs, sliced
½ cup sweet pickle relish
½ cup tomato sauce
2 pcs raw eggs
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup carrots, minced
1 cup red bell pepper, minced
½ cup raisins
1 cup onion
2 tbsp garlic
¼ cup condensed milk
2 ½ cups bread crumbs
4 tsp salt
dash of pepper

Instructions:
1. Place ground pork in a large container.
2. Add break crumbs, then break the raw eggs and add it in. Mix well.
3. Put in the carrots, bell pepper (red and green), onion, pickle relish and cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly.
4. Add the raisins, tomato sauce, condensed milk, salt and pepper and mix well.
5. Place the meat mixture in an aluminum foil, and flatten it.
6. Put the sliced Vienna sausage and sliced boiled eggs alternately in the middle of the flat meat mixture.
7. Roll the foil to form a cylinder – locking the sausage and the meat in the middle of the flat meat mixture. Once done lock the edges of the foil.
8. Place in a steamer and let cook for 1 hour.
9. Place inside the refrigerator to cool.
10. Slice and serve. Enjoy!

*Recipe yields 14 pieces of embutido

Empanada 
Ingredients:

For the pastry:
3cups all-purpose flour (375 grams)
¼ cup white sugar (50 grams)
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp fine salt
½ cup oil or 128 grams butter
1/3 cup water

For the filling:
2 tbsp cooking oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
100 grams onions, minced
¼ kilo ground pork (250 grams)
½ tsp salt
Cooking oil for frying
½ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp sugar
150 grams French beans, cut small
150 grams potatoes, cut into small cubes
150 grams carrots, cut into small cubes
1 boiled egg

Procedure:
1. Mix the pastry ingredients  and roll dough to1/4 inch thickness.
2. Using a small plate as guide, cut dough into rounds.
3. To prepare the filling, saute garlic and onions.
4. Add the meat, potatoes, carrots snd French bean.
5. Add salt, sugar and bac pepper to taste. Cool.
6. Put a tablespoon of the filling in the middle of each rounded dough.
7. Fold the dough in half and seal the edges by pressing them together with your fingers.
8. Deep-fry until golden brown.
*Note: Ingredients for the filling may vary, depending on what vegetables and type of meat you prefer. For vegetables, red bell pepper and green peas are used most of the time. For the pastry, readymade puff pastry or dumpling wrappers which are available in supermarkets or markets, can be used.

IMAP-HK officers take oath

The newly elected officers of the Integrated Midwives Association Hong Kong took their oath of office before Consul General Antonio A. Morales at the Consulate on Aug. 19, along with their adviser, Babes Mercado of Metrobank.

ConGen Morales thanked the midwives for choosing him as their inducting officer, and called on them to continue promoting unity within their ranks.

Those sworn into office were Brenda Atrero, who was reelected president; Phyllis Pugong, vice president 1, Leonora Mangahas, vice president 2; Emma Suenan, secretary; Julie Obispo, asst secretary, Analissa Garcia, treasurer; Alicia Agbuya, asst treasurer; Jocelyn Melegrito, auditor, Lolita del Rosario, PRO; and committee heads Maggie Pea, membership; Genalyn Cachuela, midwifery education; Ma. Elena de Vera, legislation and appointment; Odelie Gannaban, external affairs; and Teresa dela Cruz, internal affairs.

A fellowship lunch followed at Empire Hotel in Wanchai after the induction.

IMAP HK was founded in 2006. For the past 12 years, it has been giving free blood pressure check to migrant workers at the Metrobank office in Admiralty, and at community events where it is invited to take part.

The group aims to promote camaraderie among Filipino midwives in Hong Kong, and provide them with updated training and information about the profession.

According to Atrero, her group is now focused on conducting outreach missions to find more midwives and midwifery graduates who need advice on taking the board examination in the Philippines. Atrero said those planning to take the board are advised to time their vacation in the Philippines on the dates the examination is set to be held.

IMAP-HK is an affiliate of the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines. - DCLM

Integrated Midwives Association Hong Kong officers, led by Brenda Atrero, who was reelected president, pose with their inducting officer, Consul General Antonio A. Morales after taking their oath at the Consulate.

Abot ang pangarap

Simula pagkabata ay pangarap  na ni Lanie, 46 taong gulang at panganay sa limang magkakapatid, ang makapag- aral at makapagtapos sa kolehiyo, ngunit dahil sa hirap ng buhay ay hindi siya pinalad na makatuntong man lang ng high school.

Pagkatapos niya ng elementarya ay napilitan siyang mamasukan bilang kasambahay sa isang mayamang angkan sa kanilang bayan sa Legazpi. Magsasaka ang kanyang ama at hindi sapat ang kinikita para sila ay makaraos sa araw-araw,  kaya kinailangan ni Lanie na magtrabaho agad upang makatulong sa mga magulang na paaralin at buhayin ang mga kapatid.

Taong 2001 nang siya ay umalis ng Pilipinas upang magtrabaho sa Singapore at nang kalaunan ay lumipat ng Hong Kong. Simula ng siya ay mag abroad ay ibinuhos niya ang oras sa pagtataguyod sa mga magulang at mga kapatid na pawang nakapagtapos at ngayon ay may kanya-kanya nang pamilya.

Bandang huli, siya lang sa kanilang limang magkakapatid ang hindi nakatikim tumanggap ng diploma.  Ngunit hindi ito naging sagabal para mawala ang hangarin ni Lanie na makapag-aral muli.

Kamakailan ay sumali siya sa isang programa na nagtuturo sa mga dayuhang kasambahay ng kanilang mga karapatan sa ilalim ng batas ng Hong Kong sa pamamagitan ng mga senminar. Layon ng programa na ang pagtuturo ay ginagawa sa University of Hong Kong na bigyan ng boses ang mga kasambahay, at magkaroon ng positibong  pananaw at kaalaman tungkol sa kanilang kalagayan.

Pagkatapos ng ilang buwang pagsasanay ay gagawaran ng patunay ng pagtatapos ang lahat ng mga sumailalim sa pagsasanay. Si Lanie ay isa sa mga tumanggap ng patunay ng pagtatapos sa isang pasinaya na idinaos sa nakaraang buwan ng Hulyo.

Tuwang tuwa siya dahil kahit na hindi natupad ang pangarap niyang makapagtapos sa Pilipinas ay nakapasok siya at nakatanggap ng diploma mula sa pinakatanyag ng unibersidad ng Hong Kong. Ayon pa kay Lanie, sino ba ang mag-aakala na sa edad niya na halos 50 na ay makakapag-aral pa siyang muli?

Si Lanie ay tubong Bicol at apat na taon nang naninilbihan sa mag-asawang Intsik na nakatira sa Kennedy Town. – Ellen Asis

Pasaway si ate

Tanging mga kaibigan ang hingahan ng sama ng loob ni Jazz, dulot ng panganay niyang kapatid na kasama niyang nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong. Kahit na panganay ang ate Minerva niya ay isip bata, waldas at mayabang, na siyang nagiging suliranin ni Jazz.

Mahilig itong umako ng mga responsibilidad na di naman kaya, tulad ng pagpapaaral sa kanilang mga pamangkin dahil wala itong sariling anak. Pero imbes pag-ipunan ang pang-matrikula ng mga ito ay ang paghahanda ng magarbo ang inaatupag, kaya pagdating ng bayaran sa eskuwela ay kay Jazz lahat ipinapasa ang obligasyon.

Lagi nitong sinasabi na abonohan na muna ni Jazz ang gastusin, at babayaran na lang siya sa araw ng sweldo. Ngunit maraming beses na itong nangyari, at ni minsan ay hindi nagkusa si Minerva na bayaran ang kapatid, hanggang lumaki na nang husto ang pagkakautang niya kay Jazz.

Dahil sa ugaling ito ng kapatiday naubos na ang pasensiya ni Jazz, lalo na nang ang perang itinabi niya na para sana pagpapatayo ng bahay para sa kanilang mga magulang ay inutang na naman ng kanyang ate at hindi binayaran.

Nang matapos ang isang linggo na hindi pa rin ito nagbabayad ay sinubukan ni Jazz na maningil, pero nagalit pa ang kapatid sa kanya. Sa galit ay nag deactivate ng account sa Facebook si Jazz at hindi sinasagot ang mga tawag ng kapatid. Kapag day-off at gustong makipagkita ng kanyang ate ay sinasabi ni Jazz na hindi siya pinalabas ng amo dahil kailangan siya.

Mahirap man ngunit tinitiis ni Jazz ang kapatid para matuto ito na hindi waldasin ang perang pinaghirapan niyang ipunin. Kaya nagpapakahirap si Jazz na mag-ipon ay gusto niyang mabigyan ng mas maalwan na buhay ang kanilang mga magulang samantalang ang panganay nila ay panay ang pagwaldas ng pera makapagyabang lang.

Sa totoo lang, wala itong ipon at ni wala man lang savings account sa bangko. Sa ngayon ay nagsisimulang mag-ipon si Jazz habang nagdarasal na sana ay magbago na ang kapatid dahil tumatanda na rin ito. Sana raw ay matuto itong maging masinop sa pera na pinaghirapan dahil hindi habambuhay ay malakas siya at nagtatrabaho sa abroad.

Si Jazz ay tubong South Cotabato, dalaga at 32 taong gulang. Naninilbihan siya sa mga among Intsik na taga Yuen Long. – Ellen Asis

Huwag magsanla ng pasaporte!

Ganoon na lang ang gulat at takot ni Rosemary nang may tumawag sa kanya sa telepono noong ika-14 ng Agosto at nagpakilala na isang pulis ng Hong Kong. Tinanong siya kung nangutang ba siya sa isang tao na nangangalang Edgar, at ibinigay ang kanyang pasaporte bilang pang-seguro.

Dahil sa takot ay sinagot niya ito ng “No”, gayong alam niya na may pinahiram siya ng kanyang pasaporte para gamitin ito sa pangungutang. Dali-dali niyang tinawagan ang kanyang kaibigan na nanghiram ng kanyang pasaporte, at doon niya nalaman na nahuli ng mga pulis ang “kuya” na pinagsanlaan nito ng passport niya noong nakalipas na araw, ika-13 ng Agosto, sa North Point.

Agad-agad niyang tinawagan ang tinawag nitong “kuya” na isang Intsik, pero hindi na nag-ring ang telepono nito. Ayon sa balita, hinuli ang Intsik at pati ang katulong nito na isang Pilipina din dahil sa pagpapautang na ang tubo ay umaabot sa 120 percent, doble sa legal na interes.

Tarantang taranta si Rosemary at hindi malaman ang gagawin. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na pumasok siya sa ganoong transaksyon, na hindi pa siya mismo ang nangangailangan.

Kung tutuusin, maliit lang naman ang perang kailangan ng kaibigan niya at marami naman itong kakilala na pwede niyang malapitan para mangutang, pero hindi niya alam kung bakit agad siyang nagpadala sa pakiusap nito.

Mabuti na lang at wala sa Hong Kong ang mga amo niya na kapwa guro dahil umpisa na ng bakasyon ng mga estudyante, kaya agad siyang nakapunta sa Konsulado para humingi ng payo.

Pagkatapos siyang pakinggan ni Danny Baldon ng assistance to nationals section ay sinabihan siyang gumawa ng salaysay, at saka pinag-affidavit para makuha niya ang bagong pasaporte niya na nakatakdang ilabas sa ika-3 ng Setyembre.

Kailangan kasi na ipakita ang lumang pasaporte bago ibigay ang bago. Tinanong ni Rosemary ang opisyal kung nai-report na sa kanila ang mga pangalan ng mga nagsanla ng pasaporte, at sinabi sa kanyang hindi pa.

Gayunpaman, hindi na rin naman maibabalik ang mga nasamsam na pasaporte dahil gagawin itong ebidensya kapag kinasuhan na si Edgar na usurero, at pati ang katulong nitong Pilipina na ayon sa pulis ay tumutulong na kumuha ng kliyente para dito.

Tinawagan ni Rosemarie ang isa pang tumulong sa kanya at tinanong kung kokontakin daw ba ng mga pulis ang kanyang amo para sabihing isinanla niya ang kanyang pasaporte. Saka lang siya nakahinga ng maluwag nang sabihin na malamang na hindi dahil pribabong transaksiyon naman ang pangungutang, at tanging ang mga kolektor lang naman ang laging nagsusumbong sa amo para pilitin ang isang katulong na magbayad.

Gayunpaman, nangako si Rosemarie sa sarili na hinding hindi na niya gagamitin o ipapagamit ang pasaporte sa iba, sa pangungutang man o sa iba pang bagay. Ayon na rin sa payo sa kanya, ang pasaporte ay pag-aari ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas, at hindi dapat ipagamit ng isang pinagkalooban lang nito.

Nakatulong din ang nangyari para mapagtanto niya na ang isang tunay na kaibigan ay hindi gagawa ng anumang ikakapahamak niya. - Rodelia Villar

Pinay, pinalaya matapos kasuhan ng amo

Ni Rodelia P. Villar

Pinagpiyansa sa halagang $100 lamang si Liza Panabe, 46 at taga Calinog City, Iloilo City, matapos siyang ipahuli sa pulis ng kanyang amo sa salang pagnanakaw diumano ng sleeping pills, face mask at sigarilyo.

Ayon kay Panabe, mismong mga pulis ang nagsabi sa kanya na mag-impake na at bumaba sa bahay ng amo sa Wong Tai Sin  noong ika-25 ng Agosto, matapos nilang makita doon ang mga gamit sa paghithit ng marijuana. Ipinakita din ng Pilipina ang mga kuha sa kanyang telepono na nagpapatunay na lulong sa ipinagbabawal na gamot ang kanyang among babae.

Isang linggo bago mangyari ang insidente ay napansin na diumano ni Panabe na iba na ang takbo ng utak ng amo, marahil dahil sa sobrang paggamit ng marijuana. Noong ika-3 ng Hunyo, halimbawa, biglang may dumating na pulis sa kanilang bahay na may kasamang ambulansiya dahil sinaktan ng amo ang kanyang ina. Isang linggo bago siya ipadampot ay nag-away daw silang matindi ng kanyang amo na laging mainit ang ulo.

Gustong gusto na daw ni Panabe na iwanan ang baliw na amo nguni’t naawa siya sa 16 taong gulang nitong anak, at pati ang ina na matanda na. Gusto rin ng Pinay na tapusin na muna ang kontrata para hindi siya mahirapang humanap ng lilipatan.

Gayunpaman, sinunod ni Panabe ang payo ng mga kaibigan na gumawa ng diary para may proteksyon siya sa kung anumang gawing hindi tama ng amo. Isang beses din na pumunta si Liza sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office para ibahagi ang ginagawa ng amo ngunit sinabihan niyang kailangan niyang ireklamo para may umaksyon.

Madaling araw noong ika-25 ng Agosto nang bulabugin ng amo ang mga pulis para ipahuli si Liza. Hindi natakot si Liza dahil alam niyang wala naman siyang ginagawang masama.

Pagdating ng mga pulis ay itinuro ng amo ang isang itim na bag kung saan nakita daw nito ang 17 pirasong face mask, dalawang kahang sigarilyo, at 30 tableta ng sleeping pills.

Itinanggi ni Panabe na kinuha niya ang mga gamit na nandoon, na wala namang halos halaga, pero pilit siyang pinapaamin ng amo sa salang pagnanakaw. Sinabi ni Panabe na dahil sa sobrang paghithit ng marijuana ay hindi natutulog ang kanyang amo ng dalawang araw na magkasunod minsan, at laging nakasigaw.

Tiningnan naman ng mga pulis ang bag, pero sinabihan si Panabe na mag-impake na para makaalis. Tinulungan pa nila ito na bitbitin ang kanyang maleta at iba pang gamit para makababa na noon din, at dinala siya sa Wong Tai Sin police station.

Pasado alas dos na ng madaling araw nang makatawag si Panabe sa kapatid na isa ring OFW sa Hong Kong, na mabilis namang humingi ng saklolo sa Facebook page ng kanyang grupong Domestic Workers Corner.

Bandang alas sais ng umaga ay hindi na ma-contact ng kapatid si Panabe kaya naisipan ng isang miyembro ng grupo na tumawag sa Wong Tai Sin police station, at nakumpirma nilang nandoon nga ang nawawalang Pinay.

Agad na sumugod sa istasyon ng pulis si Rain Tuando ng DWC para alamin ang kalagayan ni Panabe, at bandang gabi ay sinabihan siya na puwede na niyang bayaran ang piyansa sa halagang $100.

Tuwang-tuwa si Panabe nang palabasin na sa istasyon, kasama ang apat na pulis na bitbit ang kanyang mga gamit. Binigyan pa siya ng address ng isang shelter kung saan siya tutuloy, at lahat ng mga impormasyon para sa kanyang pag report muli sa istasyon.

Pinayuhan din ng mga pulis si Panabe na kasuhan niya sa Labor Department ang amo dahil wala itong ibinayad sa kanya nang bigla siyang pababain. Sinabihan din siya na pwede siyang mag-apply ng extension ng visa at malamang na payagan na kumuha ng bagong amo nang hindi muna bumabalik sa Pilipinas. Laking pasasalamat ni Panabe dahil hindi naniwala ang mga pulis sa maling paratang ng amo.

Tumuloy si Panabe sa shelter ng Konsulado, at kinaumagahan, kasama ng kapatid ay inasikaso niya ang pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa amo sa tulong ng Help for Domestic Workers.

Peso sinks to P54.13 to US$1; lowest since Dec 2005

By The SUN

The peso exchange rate at today's close of trading was at P54.13 to US$1, or P6.88 to HK$1

THE Philippine peso breached the P54:$1 (HK$1:P6.88) level today, Wednesday, falling 19 centavos weaker than the previous day’s close at P53.94. 

The foreign exchange trading opened at P53.90:$1 and fell to P54.14 during the day. It closed at P54.13 per dollar, its lowest since the P54.15:$1 finish on December 2, 2005.

Shares at the Philippine stock market also continued sliding down as the Philippine peso posted its lowest finish against the greenback in 13 years, alongside escalating trade tensions between the United States and China.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped 0.91 percent or 68.81 points to 7,449.20, marking its sixth straight day of decline. The broader all-shares index also went down 0.43 percent or 20.12 points to 4,577.16.

“The peso breaking out of its psychological 54 resistance level (i.e. peso depreciation) to make an intraday high of 54.153 may have had a hand in today’s weakness,” Papa Securities Corp. trader Gabriel Jose F. Perez said.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng observed that demand for the US dollar remained strong amid the peak season for imports in September to October.

“The widening trade deficit due to a weak export performance and sustained strong imports also contributes to the weak market sentiment on PHP (Philippine peso),” he said.

The government had reported that the country’s trade deficit widened significantly to $3.546 billion in July, expanding the year-to-date tally to $22.490 billion.

Imports totaled $61.234 billion during the seven-month period, surpassing $38.744 billion in exports.

Land Bank of the Philippines market economist Guian Angelo Dumalagan said the peso’s weakness could be attributed to continued trade tension between the US and China, as well as the dollar’s rally following better US jobs data.

ING’s Cuyegkeng said that while the market expected the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to raise its policy rate later this month, “such a timeframe of policy response is perceived to be unaggressive.”

“Recent developments about soaring inflation and weakening peso could prompt an earlier off-cycle move as an indication of BSP’s seriousness and aggressive response to soaring inflation, deep- in-the-red real policy rates and some political noise,” he said.

Above-target inflation has prompted monetary authorities to raise key interest rates by a total of 100 basis points since May. August’s nine-year high of 6.4 percent has raised the prospect of another rate hike when the Monetary Board meets later this month.