Filipino theater group debuts with sold-out show

The Bootstrap Theatre HK – a new theatre company led by Filipino performing artists – is set to hold the premiere of its debut production, “FAKE”, before a sold-out audience at the  Jockey Club Studio Theatre, Fringe Club, Central, Hong Kong on June 7, 4 PM and 7 PM.

 “FAKE” is a historical fiction play that intertwines Filipinos’ religious faith with their struggle for national identity. It follows Miguel, who aims to debunk an alleged spiritual phenomenon in the mountains of Luzon, led by a self-proclaimed healer and visionary named Sister Emily. While on this journey, Miguel confronts a ghost from his past: the memory of his mentor, Jose Marco – Philippine history’s greatest con man.

The cast is led by Philippine theater veteran Ralion Alonso, with Hong Kong-based professional Filipino and British performers Warren Adams, Mary Jane Alejo, Q Gonzales, Miguel Lizada, Graeme Morris, and Joms Ortega.

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Also featured are young, promising Filipino actors in HK, including Jaelen Basbas, Petrina Beltran, Blaise Buendia, and Wincel Capiendo.

Headed by its artistic director: accomplished performer, writer and composer William Elvin Manzano, The Bootstrap Theatre aims to bring stage plays and other theatrical works written by Filipino playwrights to Asia’s world city for a multicultural audience.

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The group is now planning its next projects, which include a theatre workshop for Filipinos, as well as a brand-new original musical next year.

Manzano has won multiple awards in the Philippines (Aliw Awards, Philstage Gawad Buhay) as the co-lyricist and composer of “Mula sa Buwan” – now considered as a contemporary classic in Philippine musical theatre.

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In “FAKE”, he returns to the directorial chair after more than a decade, having directed several productions in Metro Manila in the early 2010s before relocating to Hong Kong in 2014.

For more information on The Bootstrap Theatre HK and “FAKE”, Hong Kong theatregoers can follow the new company’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, send them a message in their social media accounts or email them at tbtmediaent@gmail.com.

PhilHealth in Hong Kong for ‘service mission’

 

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has announced that representatives of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will be in Hong Kong for a week starting tomorrow, June 2, to conduct a “service mission.”

The team will be stationed at counters 12 and 13 at the Consulate offices on the 14^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty from June 2 to 9, at 9am to 4pm.

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A key service that will be provided is the registration of Filipinos for PhilHealth membership. All applicants should bring their original passport and a copy of the information page with the photo and personal information of the holder.

While this registration service is free, it is not clear if the applicant will be automatically charged a monthly contribution as soon as the application is processed.

Under a controversial PhilHealth circular issued in December last year, all Filipinos living abroad, including dual citizens and migrant workers,  must pay for membership.

The monthly contribution will be based on their monthly salary, at the rate prescribed under the Universal Health Care law.  As self-paying members, they are required starting last year, to make a monthly contribution of 5% of their monthly salary.

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For a Filipino working as a domestic helper, this would amount to at least $250 each month, or $3,000 a year, an amount that many OFWs in HK find excessive, even unnecessary, as they are already insured by their employers, or get medical care at minimal cost at public hospitals.

At least three months’ worth of contributions is mandated to be collected from the overseas applicant initially, but the entire contribution is to be paid by year’s end. Any late payment shall incur a monthly compounded interest.

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(A copy of the PhilHealth circular can be found here: https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2020/circ2020-0014.pdf)

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The other services that may be availed of at the Consulate include updating or amending member information and receiving claims for confinement abroad. Please refer to the posters for the important reminders and guidelines before proceeding to the Consulate.

 

Week-long celebration of 30th Migrant Workers Day set

 

Various services will be provided to OFWs and their families at the DMW main office

The Department of Migrant Workers has announced a week-long celebration of the 30^th Migrant Workers’ Day at its main office in Mandaluyong City from tomorrow, June 2, to 7.

The celebration is said to be in honor of the sacrifices  and achievements of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) worldwide.

On Sunday, Jun 8, the first OWWA OFW Global Center will be officially opened in Hong Kong as part of festivities marking Migrant Workers Day. Expected to attend are top DMW officials led by Secretary Hans Cacdac and the new administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Patricia Yvonne Caunan.

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In announcing the week-long tribute to migrants, Secretary Cacdac said: “As we celebrate the strength and resilience of our modern-day heroes, rest assured that the DMW, ang Tahanan ng OFW, will continue to adhere to a rights-based approach of ensuring the utmost protection and empowerment of our OFWs.”

This year’s theme, "OFW@30: Bayan, Bayani, Bayanihan, honors the three decades of contributions of OFWs to nation-building, and highlights their role as "modern-day heroes."

Cacdac vowed that with the support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. the DMW will continue to work toward “creating an environment where every Filipino worker is valued, respected, and given opportunities for growth and development.”

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Migrant Workers’ Day in the Philippines is held every June 7, established under the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (R.A. No. 8042), to recognize the invaluable contributions of our modern-day heroes – the OFWs.

The DMW encourages the public, especially the OFWs and their families, to take part in the celebration and access the free services offered throughout the week.

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The activities that have been lined up include the ribbon-cutting of the 30-year milestones photo exhibit on labor migration governance, the launch of the National Reintegration Network Serbisyo Fair, and the Balikbayan Bazaar, all at the DMW Central office in Mandaluyong City.

Poster shows the various activities lined up

The DMW is also set to provide assistance to 100 beneficiaries of the Livelihood Program for OFW Reintegration (LPOR), and conduct on-the-spot poster-making contest for the OFW Children’s Club.

Various health and wellness activities as well as entertainment, will be provided to OFWs and their families during the weeklong celebration.

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All the DMW Regional Offices and Migrant Workers Offices are also expected to prepare various activities for the OFWs and their families during the weeklong celebration.

The final day of celebration will be highlighted with the groundbreaking of the new DMW Central Office in Makati City, and the signing of a Joint Memorandum Circular establishing the National Reintegration Network, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commission on Human Rights.

DMW announces free yearly medical check-ups for deployed OFWs

 

Secretary Cacdac made the announcement during a Senate inquiry led by Senator Tulfo

The Department of Migrant Workers has pledged to grant a long-standing plea by deployed overseas Filipino workers to be provided with free periodic medical check-ups while they are abroad.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac made the announcement during a Senate inquiry on Thursday, in response to concerns raised by Senator Raffy Tulfo over irregularities in pre-employment medical examinations and allegedly abusive practices by some clinics.

Cacda said OFWs will soon receive free annual medical check-ups through the DMW’s Aksyon Fund, one year after being deployed, and shortly before finishing their two-year contract.

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The Aksyon Fund or Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan is a financial support mechanism for OFWs needing urgent assistance abroad.

The idea is for the government to ensure the rights of all Filipinos to health and well-being are observed even while working abroad.

"Yes, Mr. Chair, we will do that through the AKSYON Fund, dahil maaari po nating pondohan ang follow-through medical check-up ng ating mga OFW upang matiyak ang kanilang kalusugan at kapakanan habang nasa abroad at bago sila umuwi sa bansa (because we can fund the follow-through medical check-ups of our OFWs to ensure their health and well-being while abroad and before they return home)," Cacdac said.

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He was responding to Tulfo’s concern that alleged irregularities in the pre-deployment  screenings could result in an OFW being given a clean bill of health even if he or she has a medical issue that needs to be addressed.

Cacdac said that under the directive, routine health monitoring of OFWs will also be covered during their deployment and prior to repatriation.

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But he did not elaborate on the mechanics of providing such a service abroad, as well as the potentially huge cost it would entail.

Following up on his initial query, Tulfo urged the DMW to institutionalize the initiative through a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health to ensure greater oversight and regulation of medical clinics authorized to provide health clearances to OFWs.

Tulfo cited as an example SuperCare Medical Services, Inc. (SMSI) an accredited maritime clinic which reportedly charges OFWs P1,200 for initial tests and P1,300 for each repeated “confirmatory” test without proper explanation

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Cacdac said in response that private recruitment agencies are supposed to oversee the pre-employment medical check-ups, but the DMW has the authority to investigate and impose sanctions on agencies that commit malpractice.

He promised to pursue a MOA with DOH, and at the same time bring the matter to the Human Resource for Health Network and the private sector so there will be a coordinate response to the health-related issues.  

Cacdac’s pronouncement drew a surprisingly critical comment from DMW Assistant Secretary Kiko de Guzman, who said there was a seeming “disconnect” between the response and Tulfo’s query over alleged malpractices of medical clinics.

De Guzman said providers of pre-employment medical examinations are accredited and regulated not by the DMW but by the DOH. Some foreign countries of destination also have their own medical screeners. 

He also questioned how the DMW intends to implement the annual medical screenings at the jobsites if the host government does not require these.

If not done at the jobsites, he asked if the medical examinations will be required for the millions of rehires, re-contracts and workers on leave when they arrive in the Philippines. And, if the returning worker is found unfit to work, can the DMW prevent him/her from returning to the jobsite.

Clearly, a lot of issues need to be resolved first before the check-up plan, no matter how advantageous it may sound for the OFWs, could be fully implemented.

 

 

Covid infection rate in HK declines slightly

 

The elderly are still urged to take a booster shot despite the easing of infection rate

Health authorities have disclosed that Covid spread in Hong Kong has declined from its peak, but are urging people not to let their guards down as it would still take at least a month for it to reach a lower level.

A statement issued by the Centre for Health Protection on Thursday said the positivity rate from both respiratory samples and the viral load in sewage samples have both dropped in the week ending on May 24, compared to the week before.

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The CHP also said the number of patients with Covid seeking medical help has also declined.

But high-risk individuals, especially the elderly and those with underlying illnesses are urged to still get a free booster dose as soon as possible to prevent the risk of serious complications or even death from Covid.

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Apart from vaccination, residents are reminded to maintain strict personal, environmental and hand hygiene at all times to minimize the chances of contracting Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses,

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If respiratory symptoms appear, one should wear a surgical mask and consider staying at home for the meantime, and consult a doctor immediately.

 

Free breast cancer screening for high-risk women launched

 

Dr Chee (center) leads the launching of the free breast cancer screening

Starting June 10, women holding HK identity cards, aged 35 to 74, and are at risk of breast cancer may avail of free screening at seven clinics across the city.

High-risk women are those with certain gene mutations or have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer. In addition, participants must be asymptomatic, with no previous breast cancer history, and have not had a mammography screening in the past year.

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Bookings for the free screening, which marks the second phase of the Department of Health’s breast cancer screening pilot, may be done as early as today, May 30.

Under the pilot program, three non-governmental service providers – Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service, and Haven of Hope Christian Service – run the seven sites where the screening and assessments are done

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Qualified participants may contact any of these designated clinics from today to book their slot starting on June 10.

Those who are confirmed to carry specific genetic mutations will be referred to another facility for additional ultrasound mammograms, which should cost $225 per session under a co-payment scheme set up for the program. However, this fee is currently being waived by the service providers.

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According to Dr Anne Chee, head of the DH Non-Communicable Disease Branch said that this means qualified women will not have to worry about paying out of pocket to avail of the free screening.

The scheme is aimed at enhancing the recovery rate of breast cancer patients through early detection and treatment.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Hong Kong, and the third most deadly.

 

HK govt to launch public consultation on excessive FDH borrowings

Some employers or former employers are harassed when their FDWs fail to repay loans

The Hong Kong government is set to launch a public consultation this month on how to further regulate unsecured personal loans to address the issue of excessive borrowing of foreign domestic workers.

This was announced by the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Joseph Chan, during the question and answer session at the Legislative Council yesterday, May 28.

Chan was responding to questions raised by legislator Judy Chan on reports that employers or former employers of FDWs were harassed by money lenders or collectors after the FDW borrowers defaulted on their payment.

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Judy Chan asked for statistics on such cases, and reminded the Financial Services official of the government’s pronouncement last November that it would hold a public consultation and education on excessive FDW borrowings in the first half of the current year.

Paul Chan said that in 2024 there were 11 reports of employers being harassed by debt collectors while there have been six such cases so far this year. All the cases were forwarded to the police for further investigation and appropriate action.

“The Government is very concerned about the borrowing issue of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and will strictly regulate licensed money lenders and step up publicity and education etc, to better protect the interests of FDHs and their employers,” he said.

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Paul Chan said that the public consultation on excessive borrowing will not only tighten rules on unsecured personal loans, it will also strengthen protection for loan referees and people like employers who played no role in their helper’s borrowing.

After the public consultation, the views submitted will be collated and summarized, and the Legislative Panel on Financial Affairs will be consulted when finalizing the relevant measures and in formulating legislative proposals.

Paul Chan said that the law is clear that money lenders and their debt collectors can only recover debts from the person who undertook the loan.

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“A money lender and his debt collector shall not, while trying to locate the whereabouts of debtors, harass anyone, adopt unlawful or improper debt collection practices. Therefore, if a FDH employer or former employer discovers that his/her residential address is used improperly and feels harassed, he/she may lodge a complaint with the money lender concerned and request immediate cessation of his improper debt collection behaviours,” said Paul Chan.

He added that any breach of the licensing conditions for money lenders could incur a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

A complaint that a money lender had harassed a FDW employer or former employer could serve as a ground for the Registrar of Money Lenders or the police to revoke its licence.

   

 

 

As part of the continuing effort to find a solution to the problem, Paul Chan reminded the legislators that in May last year, employment agencies were told to inform the Labour Department whether they are associated with any financial institution when applying or renewing a licence.

 

Since then and until the end of April this year, LD reportedly received and processed declarations from 3,362 EAs and among them, 41 declared affiliations with financial institutions.

 

Paul Chan said the government continues to closely monitor the money lending sector and has taken various steps to further regulate their activities.

 

In 2021, money lenders were required to assess the borrower’s repayment ability and take this into consideration when extending loans. In addition, money lenders were obliged to immediately cease using a referee’s information once they become aware that the written consent was in fact not signed by the referee.

 

In 2022, the government lowered the statutory interest cap rate from 60 to 48 percent and the threshold of extortionate rate from 48 to 36 percent.

 

  

Pinay gets 6-month delay in sentencing for conspiracy to defraud

 

Visa application (Immigration Department photo)

A Filipina was freed on bail today after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud, for presenting a fake domestic helper contract to the Immigration Department, which led to approval of her application for employment visa.

Josephine Soberano, 38 years old, would be able to enjoy her temporary freedom until Nov. 28, the date chosen by Magistrate Andrew Mok for her sentencing.

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In the meantime, she would be subject to conditions imposed by Magistrate Mok, such as not leaving Hong Kong while the case is pending, reporting regularly to police and informing police before she moves to a new address.

Soberano was accused of conspiring “with other persons unknown, to defraud the director of Immigration …. and his officers” by presenting a fake domestic helper contract that purported to show that she would work for a certain Li Sin-ting.

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She was also accused of “dishonestly and falsely representing to the Director and his officers that (her) entries to and remaining in Hong Kong were for the purpose of working as a domestic helper of Li….”

As a result, she was “granted permission to enter and remain in Hong Kong under circumstances which they would not otherwise have granted,” the police complaint read.

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She was charged with violating Common Law and sections 2(3) and 4(2) of the Criminal Jurisdiction Ordinance. The offense is punishable with up to 14 years’ imprisonment under section 159C (6) of the Crimes Ordinance.

HK OFWs divided on sacking of Arnell Ignacio

 

Ignacio endeared himself to HK OFWs by joining them in their activities, like zumba on the street

Two big groups of overseas Filipino workers have expressed divergent views on the Php1.4 billion land mess that led to the sacking of Arnell Ignacio as administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante) has called for the immediate prosecution of Ignacio, who was fired by Malacanang on May 21 for allegedly buying the land without the approval of the OWWA Board, and using money meant for the repatriation of distressed migrants.

“Dapat lang na pormal na sampahan ng kaso ng Department ofMigrant Workers si Arnel Ignacio. Dapat gawin ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Hindi kayang pagtakpan ng mga matatamis na ngiti at salita ang mga katiwalian,” said a statement issued by Unifil-Migrante yesterday, May 27.

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(It is just right for the Department of Migrant Workers to file formal charges against Arnel Ignacio. This should be done immediately. Sweet smiles and words should not be allowed to hide corruption).

Unifil-Migrante also urges a full and comprehensive audit of OWWA Funds, especially in light of DMW disclosures that Ignacio managed to divert funds meant for OFW repatriation so he could buy the land without the approval of the OWWA Board.

The group also expressed concern that Ignacio  managed to sign the deed of sale for the land without OWWA Board approval, that he allowed the seller to get a ‘refund’ of the Php36 million that he paid for the local transfer tax, and to continue collecting rent for the land despite ownership having transferred to the government as early as September last year.

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“Dapat na itulak ang full and comprehensive audit ng pondo ng OWWA dahil karapatan ng mga OFWs at mamamayang Pilipino na masigurong ang pondo ng bayan ay nagagamit nang maayos at hindi nalulustay. Dapat managot at ikulong ang mga mandarambong ng pera ng mga OFWs,” said Unifil.

(It is just right to push for a full and comprehensive audit of OWWA’s fund because it is the right of every OFW and citizen of the country that public funds are used properly and not squandered. All those who plunder money meant for OFWs should be held to account and jailed).

Global Alliance posted a video to rally support for Ignacio

However, another group, Global Alliance of Filipinos in Hong Kong, has called on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to reinstate Ignacio, saying he “served sincerely with dedication and humility.”

The group, which was named by OWWA Hong Kong as its exclusive partner in organizing festivities for OFWs, said Ignacio was the only OWWA administrator who made them feel loved.

“His dedication during his tenure gave us hope that no matter how far we are with our family and no matter what problem we encounter outside the country he is there to catch us when we fall,” said the statement.

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It ended the short post with a message to Ignacio, saying they believe his conscience is clear, and that all he was after was good governance.

Although the group made the post on behalf of all OFWs in Hong Kong, many of those who posted comments on their page were critical of their stance, saying there appeared to be strong evidence that Ignacio had committed the illegal acts he is accused of.