UP alumni win top honors at ‘Rambulan 2024’

 

Congen Germie Usudan with alumni from 4 Phl universities gather despite the hoisting of T3

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Hong Kong took the top slot in “Rambulan 2024” (UAAP Barangayan sa Hong Kong), a friendly competition among alumni of four of the country's top universities, held on Saturday at Repulse Bay Beach.

UPAA had initially tied with One La Salle Hong Kong for the top prize, each with 26 points, but prevailed in the tie-breaking contest, “Tono Henyo”,  or a name-that-tune (and singer) contest.

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The other groups that competed were the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association, which took the third prize; and the Ateneo Alumni Association, which due to a lack of participants, came out fourth.

UP alumni proudly display the champion's trophy

Opening the friendly was Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, a graduate of both UP and UST, who praised the alumni for getting together in a show of camaraderie and sportsmanship, and remarked how she was enjoying the fine weather, despite the hoisting of typhoon signal no 3 that morning.

Congen Usudan also used the occasion to honor her predecessor, the late Assistant Secretary Raly Tejada, who keenly supported the alumni associations’ effort to gather together, and lend support to some of the Consulate’s projects, like the overseas voting for Filipinos.

La Salle alumni with their 2nd prize trophy

Eight fun games were played during the day-long event - “Isang Bucket Ka Lang,” “Tono Henyo,” “Hula Hoop Relay,” “Hugot Buntot”, “Third PAArteh (3-legged race), “Putukin Mo Ang Lobo Ko,” “RamPak (a sustainable dress pageant) and the UAAP Cheer Dance Competition.

La Salle won four of the games, notching the top score of 4 in each, but fell to either 2nd or 3rd position in the rest. UP managed to even out the score by taking the second slot in four of the other games, each worth 3 points.

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Up until the cheering dance contest, UP was leading by one point, but La Salle caught up and drew a tie when it was announced the winner in what should have been that final face-off.

In the ensuing tie-breaking “Tono Henyo” contest, UPAA scored a perfect 5 as against 2 for La Salle, to take the first-prize trophy.

The contested trophies, with the UST alumni in the background

Two non-alumni,  Marichie Biscocho from Mapua University and Albert Yu from Polytechnic University, acted as judges for the RamPak and Cheer Dance Competition.

Ayalaland Hong Kong sponsored all the trophies, as well as two one-night stays at Seda Hotel which were awarded to both UP and La Salle.

UPAA HK is headed by Maritess Turingan, One La Salle by Jaerey Velasco, USTAA by Jan Yumul, and Ateneo AA by Joms Ortega.

Ateneo's Joms Ortega gamely joins the dress-up pageant for his school

This was the fourth 'Rambulan' to be held in Hong Kong since its launch in 2014, with the aim of reviving the spirit of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines' (UAAP) annual sports competition in the city.

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OFWs clean up beach for charity

 

Some of the participants with their garbage collections

Many go to the beach to enjoy the sea and the sun.

But for some 100 OFWs who gathered at Clearwater Bay Second Beach on the morning of Nov. 3, the objective was to clean up.

Before they sat down for lunch, they had gathered enough trash to fill 50 large garbage bags, according to Annifer Jen Ringor, leader of the Freelancer Volunteers and Hikers which organized the beach clean-up.

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And while there, they also managed to collect some $5,995.75 for charity.

That day’s beneficiary was Suzzet M.Tamor, a 58-year old widow with three children and three grandchildren, who received P44,900 the next Friday at her home in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City. 

The beneficary

The OFWs hope the donation will help her buy medicines as she fights cancer.

“We continue doing our environmental initiative in preserving our beaches, coastlines and trails to inspire more joiners in making a difference and together making our planet a better place,” said Ringor in a Facebook call for volunteers.

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In addition to the Freelancers, members of six other groups joined in: Filipino Adventures Hongkong led by Irish Saquil Lapaz, Guardian Republican International Inc. led by Tay Ka Dexter; Team Ligaw HK led by Emily Mondejar, Domestic Workers Corner Hikers Group HK led by AJ and Rizza Mae Zubiaga,  Zhengay's Happy Feet led by Shiela Joy Rumaguera and Kasambuhay led by Gigi Lingao.

When she posted her final report on the project, Ringor listed the names of the donors – both as individuals and as participating groups -- and the amounts they gave.

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“Thank you to everyone who has  supported  us and made this possible with the help of our collaborating  teams," she added.

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14 months’ jail for Filipina overstayer found working illegally

 

Sentencing was made at Shatin court

A Filipina found to have overstayed her visa was ordered jailed for 14 months at Shatin magistrates’ court on Friday, Nov. 8, after pleading guilty to breaching her condition of stay by working illegally.

Another Filipino who also admitted working illegally while on a domestic helper’s visa  was sentenced to six weeks in jail, when he appeared in the same court.

They were among a group of people arrested on November 6 during an anti-illegal work operation conducted by the Immigration Department.

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Another Filipino was arrested during the raids which targeted restaurants and grocery shops on Hong Kong island, but has yet to enter a plea.

Two of the Filipinos were arrested while reportedly working as movers of food ingredients, while the third was found to have worked  as a dishwasher. The three are aged between 45 to 63.

Three employers suspected of employing the three illegal workers were also arrested.

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A statement issued by the Immigration Department said its investigation into the case is continuing, and may make further arrests.

"A helper should only perform domestic duties for the employer specified in the contract. The helper should not take up any other employment, including part-time domestic duties, with any other person. The employer should not require or allow the helper to carry out any work for any other person," the statement said.

 It added a breach of condition of stay by those holding valid but restricted visas, may lead to the offender being sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison and $50,000 fine.

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The penalty goes up to three years in jail if the offender is an overstayer, an illegal immigrant or is subject to a removal or deportation order such as recognizance paper holders.

Employers can be jailed for up to 10 years and meted a maximum fine of $500,000.

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T3 raised, but higher signal unlikely

 

T3 brought a bit of chill to participants of an alumni event at Repulse Bay, but no rain

The Hong Kong Observatory raised the strong wind signal no 3 at 3:40pm today, Saturday, as super typhoon Yinxing moves towards the city.

The T3 signal is expected to remain in force until 10 am tomorrow, Sunday, but a higher signal is not likely to be raised.

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According to the forecast, Yinxing will move around more than 300 kilometers south of Hong Kong from tonight to tomorrow. It is not expected to affect the city unless it veers to the north, closer  to the Pearl Rive Estuary.

Yinxing, which was named Marce in the Philippines, left a trail of destruction in the northern part of the country, particularly Cagayan, where it made a landfall.

The approach of Yinxing brought cooler weather to Hong Kong, along with a bit of strong wind.

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Despite the relatively mild weather condition, an annual cross-harbour swim fest scheduled for tomorrow has been canceled.

Organizers of the "New World Harbour Race 2024" decided to call off the event which would have seen thousands of swimmers cross the harbour from Wanchai to Tsim Sha Tsui, after the Observatory announced it would raise the T3 signal due to Yinxing’s approach.

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All participants will receive a full refund of their registration fees as well as any charitable donations they may have given.

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Lead poisoning traced to garcinia cambogia tablets

 

The slimming herbal capsules found to have caused lead poisoning in a woman

The Centre for Health Protection has warned the public not to buy or consume a certain herbal product manufactured in Nepal and labelled as “Garcinia Cambogia” after a 62-year-old woman who consumed it was found to have suffered lead poisoning.

The carginia cambogia is a tropical fruit which is popular among people trying to lose weight, and can be purchased online, or at drug stores. Unsubstantiated claims say it blocks the body’s ability to make fat, and leads to a loss of appetite.

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According  to the CHP, a report from the Hospital Authority indicated the woman lost her appetite in late September, and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jordan from October 12 to 18.

She was diagnosed with lead poisoning after a blood test revealed she had a high blood lead level together with anaemia and liver impairment.

The patient was readmitted to hospital on October 24 but has since been discharged.

An investigation by the CHP revealed the patient had consumed the herbal product labelled as "Garcinia Cambogia" for several months. She bought this product from an overseas online shop.

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Tests carried out by the government laboratory showed that the product contains lead. The government of Nepal, which is where the product was manufactured according to its label, has been asked to conduct a follow-up investigation.

The CHP’s investigation continues.

In a statement, the health body said, "Lead has no essential function in man, but has a number of adverse effects. Acute exposure to high doses of lead may cause abdominal pain and vomiting. Chronic exposure to lead, depending on the lead level inside the body, is associated with a wide range of health effects, including neurodevelopmental effects, anaemia, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired renal function and neurological impairment.”

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The CHP called on people who are taking the product to stop consuming it immediately, and to consult healthcare professionals as soon as possible if they feel unwell or are in doubt.

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31 people arrested in latest anti-illegal work operations

 

6 joint operations between Immigration and HK Police led to the arrest of the 31 suspects

The Immigration Department netted one of its biggest number of arrests over four days, as part of its anti-illegal work crackdown.

A total of 31 people were arrested in several raids carried out on about 140 premises from November 4 to 7.

Those arrested comprised 19 suspected illegal workers, six employers, two aiders and abettor, and four illegal immigrants.

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In the first phase of the operation involving 61 target locations including tea shops, massage parlours, private flats and restaurants, 15 suspected illegal workers were arrested, along with five employers and two aiders and abettors.

The suspected illegal workers comprised five men and 10 women, aged 31 to 58. One man and one woman were found to possess forged Hong Kong identity cards.

Two men and three women, aged 25 to 54, were arrested on suspicion of  employing the illegal workers, while two women, aged 44 and 63, were detained for aiding and abetting one of  the workers.

In the second phase, 78 locations in the New Territories North district were targeted.

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Four suspected illegal workers, comprising two men and two women, aged 40 to 65, were arrested. One man was found to hold a recognizance form, which forbids him from taking up any work.

One woman, aged 43, was also arrested on suspicion of hiring the illegal workers.

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Four illegal immigrants, all of them men, aged 39 to 69, were also taken away for questioning.

Illegal work is classified as a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which the maximum penalty is two  years’ imprisonment, and $50,000 fine.

The prison term goes up to three years if the offender is an overstayer, an illegal immigrant, or is subject to a removal or deportation order, including those on recognizance.

Illegal workers found holding forged HKID cards can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined $50,000.

Employers found guilty of employing illegal workers face a maximum jail term of 10 years and a $500,000 fine.

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Pinoy fined $5,000 for riding electric bike

 

Electric bike (photo from amazon.com)

A Filipino learned a lesson today that simply riding an electric bicycle could land him in serious legal trouble, because Hong Kong law classifies it as driving a motor vehicle which has a range of requirements that he failed to meet.

Michael Galang, a 39-year-old waiter, was fined a total of $5,000 today at Eastern Court after he pleaded guilty to four charges that arose from his driving an electric bicycle last Sept. 24 near the corner of King’s Road and Shell St in Causeway Bay.

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Galang was fined $1,250 by Principal Magistrate Don So for each of these charges:

• Driving a motorcycle without wearing an approved protective helmet, as required by the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations under the Road Traffic Ordinance.
• Using a motor vehicle without third party insurance required by the Motor vehicle Insurance (Third Party Risks) Ordinance.
• Driving without a driving license, which is against section 42(1) and (45) of the Road Traffic Ordinance.
• Driving an unlicensed vehicle, because the bicycle he was driving was not registered and licensed in as required by the Road Traffic Ordinance.

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Magistrate So told Galang he could now recover the bike from the Police, but advised him to get rid of it because the next time he is arrested for riding it, he will likely be meted a jail sentence.

Galang's arrest was followed up with a major police crackdown on the use of electric mobility devices, including bicycles, on Lantau island.

A total of 88 fixed penalty notices and 22 summonses were issued on November 6, covering such violations as illegal parking, lack of valid road closure permits, failure to display vehicle registrations, and jaywalking.

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Among those arrested were a 41-year-old Indian man and a 43-year-old Filipino, who were charged with a number of serious violations, including driving without a valid licence, operating unregistered and unlicensed vehicles, driving without third-party insurance, and riding electric mobility devides  without approved helmets.

All those arrested have been released on bail but were told to report back to the relevant departments in January next year.

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Stand on both sides of escalator, MTR tells commuters

 

People must stand on both sides of the escalator, and take the lift when carrying bulky items

The MTR Corporation today launched a campaign to encourage passengers to stand on both sides of its escalators to prevent any more accidents.

The MTR said it has recorded 430 escalator accidents in the first nine months of the year, most of which resulted from commuters walking on the escalators.

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The railway firm said that in recent years, metro companies around the world have been encouraging people to stand on both sides of the escalator, but many still stick to the habit of standing only on the right of the escalator, leaving the left open for those in a hurry.

Its long-standing advice for people not to walk on the escalators has largely fallen on deaf ears.

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Of the 430 escalator accidents reported from January to September this year, around 60 percent were due to commuters not holding onto the handrail, walking on the escalators, losing balance after being bumped by others, or carrying large items.

From today, the MTR started broadcasting in all stations the importance of “holding the handrail and standing firm on both sides of the escalator.”

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Passengers carrying bulky bags or luggage are also advised to take the elevators and not  the escalators.

“Safety ambassadors” wearing red vests will be stationed at MTR stations for a month to remind passengers to pay attention to safety when using escalators.

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DH cleared of joining employer’s tennis business

The case was heard at Shatin Court

A domestic helper accused of breaching her condition of stay by joining a business offering tennis lessons, walked free from Shatin court today after the prosecution dropped the charge against her.

But three others who faced separate but similar cases to those filed against Aurorita Amba, 45 years old, were presented together before Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong. 

The prosecutor asked for an adjournment so that their cases could be amended to charge them as participating in a conspiracy.

Amba, as a domestic helper visa holder, is prohibited from doing any work other than working for her employers at their address.

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She was arrested for booking tennis court slots for her employer’s husband, a tennis instructor, between Oct. 1, 2023 and July 16, 2024 and was accused of joining the tennis coaching business.

For their part, the three others – Helen Habungan, Ammar Mendoza and Dolly Manaligod– were told to return to court on Nov. 14 for plea on amended charges.

Habungan, 43 years old, who was freed on bail of $1,000, was originally charged with two counts of lying to an Immigration officer by saying on two occasions – on July 12, 2022 and on March 18, 2023 – that she would reside in her employer’s address but did not do so.

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Mendoza, 62 years old, was charged with the joining a business providing tennis coaching services, as well as making a false statement to an Immigration officer by not staying in her employer’s residence, as specified in their work contract. She was freed on $1,000 bail.

Manaligod, 31 years old, who was out on $500 bail, was charged with breach of condition of stay for joining the a tennis coaching business while holding a DH visa.

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T1 to be raised in HK tomorrow with approach of Typhoon Yinxing

Marce made landfall in Cagayan today at 3:40pm (PAGASA photo)

The Hong Kong Observatory said earlier today that the Standby Signal No 1 will be hoisted between noon and 3pm tomorrow, Friday, as Tropical Cyclone Yinxing moves closer to the territory.

Yinxing, named Marce in the Philippines, made landfall near Santa Ana, Cagayan, at 3:40pm today.

As of the latest bulletin by the state weather bureau PAGASA, Marce is still in the vicinity of northern Cagayan, but is forecast to enter within 800 kilometers of Hong Kong around midnight tonight. 

The Observatory said that whether a higher typhoon signal would be raised would depend on the distance between Yinxing and the Pearl River Estuary, its change in intensity and the change in local wind conditions.

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Its approach has cast a pall on the annual cross-harbour swim fest scheduled for Sunday. Organizers said the race will be cancelled if a tropical cyclone warning signal is hoisted.

This means that even a Standby Signal No 1 would cause a cancellation, as well as red or black rainstorm warning, by 6am on Sunday. Other potential dampeners are a red tide warning, or any other condition that would deem the race unsuitable to take place.

Organisers called on all participants to keep an eye on the local weather forecast, and any official announcement that will be made on their official website should a decision to cancel the swim is made.

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More than 4,000 people have signed up for the event, which will see them swimming off Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui.

Meanwhile, the latest report from the Philippine weather bureau PAGASA shows Marce is still in the vicinity of Cagayan, packing sustained winds of 175 kilometers near the center, with gusts of up to 240 kph.

It is moving west-northwest at only 10km/h and is expected to bring severe weather conditions to large parts of northern Luzon.

Signal No 4 remains hoisted over the northern part of Cagayan including the Babuyan islands, and the northern parts of Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

The rest of Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte is under Signal No 3, along with Batanes, as well as the northern part of Abra and Ilocos Norte.

Signal No 2 is up over the rest of northern and central Luzon, including Isabela, Kalinga and Benguet, while Signal No 1 is in effect in nearby regions.

PAGASA has warned residents in affected areas to take necessary precautions and evacuate if advised. 

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275 arrests made in alleged fake traffic accident cash claims

 

A Filipina who was knocked down by a KMB bus in Central in 2021 is a TAVA beneficiary

Scammers have apparently managed to dip their hands into a financial assistance fund set aside by the government for victims of traffic accidents in Hong Kong.

Police announced yesterday the arrest of 275 people who are suspected of having staged traffic accidents to collect money from the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance scheme administered by the Social Welfare Department.

Officers said the suspects had obtained about $14 million from the government through the SWD after getting involved in 121 traffic accidents from February last year to April this year.

Chief Inspector Tse Yu-ngai said most of the subjects belonged to different syndicates, and some even staged accidents involving public transport, after which a number of supposed victims had filed claims.

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In one accident involving a collision between a double-decker bus and a car, 11 of the 14 claimants were from the same syndicate, said Tse.

“They got on the double-decker bus at different stations. When the bus travelled to Tung Chung, the mastermind arranged a private car to collide with the bus, staging a traffic accident," Tse said.

He added some of the claimants were forced to take part in the staged accidents so they could pay off their debts to the syndicates.

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According to a statement issued by the government, the apparent scam was uncovered by SWD staff who noticed suspicious elements in the medical certificates submitted by some applicants.

A subsequent investigation revealed that the claimants had not sought any medical treatment from the private medical institutions or clinics which allegedly issued the medical certificates they submitted.

The suspects, aged between 18 and 64, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and fraud, which under the Theft Ordinance, is punishable with imprisonment of up to 14 years.

The TAVA scheme which was set up in May 1979, provides immediate financial aid to traffic accident victims or their families in case of serious physical injury, or death, in Hong Kong, whatever their visa status. 

A number of foreign domestic workers, and at least one Filipino tourist, were among those who have benefited from the scheme.

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