OFW in mailed drugs case freed

Tsuen Wan Magistracy where the case was heard

by Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic helper jailed four months ago for accepting a gift containing cocaine from her Nigerian boyfriend was freed Oct. 20 after prosecutors dropped a drug trafficking case against her.

Eleanor Amorin, a 31-year-old single mother, burst into tears when Tsuen Wan Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong told her to go after the lady prosecutor said she was dropping the charge without giving any reason 

As of Thursday evening, Amorin had yet to contact the Consulate.

Hermogenes Cayabyab of the assistance to nationals section said Hong Kong Immigration would normally send home foreign domestic workers who had been involved in criminal offenses even if they got cleared.

“At this stage we’re not sure if she would be allowed to remain in Hong Kong to look for a new employer, or be sent home by immigration authorities," said Cayabyab.

The Filipina was arrested in her employers’ home shortly after taking delivery of a package containing cocaine that was sent to her as a present via air mail by her newfound Nigerian boyfriend 

Her release bodes well for another Filipina helper, Welva Gannaban, who was arrested on Sept. 26 in a similar fashion. She was picked up after Customs officers intercepted an air parcel containing suspected cocaine that her Nigerian boyfriend had sent from Addis Ababa. 

Gannaban herself was originally scheduled to appear in Tsuen Wan court on Oct 20, but for unknown reasons, her case was not heard that day.

The arrests prompted the Consulate and the Mission for Migrants Workers to warn Filipinas in Hong Kong to be wary of accepting mailed packages from online boyfriends, particularly those based in West Africa.
The modus involves African men, particularly Nigerians, befriending and courting foreign domestic helpers through social media and then asking for their employers’ addresses so they could send gifts to the women. 

Vice Consul Alex Vallespin said Filipinas should avoid getting involved with strangers they meet online because they could be used to smuggle dangerous drugs into Hong Kong. 

The warning was echoed by the Mission"/ Cynthia Tellez,, who said the workers should be wary of crime syndicates that exploit their weaknesses in many ways.

“Sinasamantala nila ang mga kahinaan ng ating mga migrants para magamit nila,” she said. 

In Amorin’s case, she was a single mother actively searching for a foreign boyfriend online to emulate her sister who had successfully married a foreigner. 

Amorin fell for a Nigerian she met online and shortly after their initial meeting in Wanchai, the man sent her the package, not from Nigeria, but from Brazil.  

Officers posing as postmen pounced on her after she eagerly signed a receipt for the parcel.

Ano nga ba ‘yon?

Isang bagong saltang Pinoy ang naghanap ng manok sa isang US supermarket.
Paikot-ikot siya pero hindi niya makita ito.
Dahil nakalimutan niyang sabihin ang manok sa English, kumuha siya ng isang itlog at tinanong ang casher: “Where mother?”
Ang sagot ng cashier, na Pinay pala: “No more mother! You like father?” Sabay turo sa chicken sausages.

Filipino migrants in HK protest violent dispersal of Manila rally

by The SUN Team

About 30 Filipino migrants picketed the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong earlier today, Oct. 20, to denounce the bloody dispersal by Philippine police of a rally outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

About 50 peole were reportedy injured, including three who were mowed down by a police van.

The Hong Kong rally was slightly marred when protest leader 

Eman Villanueva  of Bayan Muna Hong Kong and Macau riled at the heavy security presence in the Consulate.

"There are more police personnel here than (there are) protesters. Why?, " said a visibly angry Villanueva. He said this was unnecessary, as the most that they could do was to submit a petition letter detailing their concern and demands.

Some of the protesters called on Consul General Bernardita Catalla to come out and meet them. However, Consulate staff said she was in Beijing as part of the official delegation of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's who is there on a state visit.

About 20 people joined the rally, called to condemn police for the violent dispersal of the U.S. Embassy protesters who were mostly indigenous people calling for an end to military persecution in their homeland.

Their protest was dispersed with the use of tear gas, truncheons and a police van driven by an officer identified as SPO3 Franklin Kho., which mowed down some of the protesters

A video showing the vehicle knocking down the marchers was shared earlier by Villanueva on Facebook and within an hour it had attracted about a thousand views and was shared by scores of viewers.

The Hong Kong protesters condemned the “brutal dispersal” and demanded the immediate release of the more than 20 people, including indigenous tribesmen from Mindanao, who were arrested during the melee.

Those who saw and shared the video called the attack "insane” and “outrageous”.

The video shows the van being driven wildly back and forth after protesters surrounded and started hitting it with batons.

Before the van driver went berserk, police lobbed teargas as protesters broke through a security cordon and pelted the police and a US government emblem with red paint bombs.

“There was absolutely no justification for it. Even as the president Duterte) vowed an independent foreign policy, Philippine police forces still act as running dogs of the U.S.", said protest leader Renato Reyes. 

However, Manila police officials denied the ramming, saying the protesters had tried to flip the vehicle. They also claimed to have the same number of casualties as the protesters.

New, additional benefits for OFW

By Cynthia Tellez

On September 25, UNIFIL-Migrante HK sponsored a dialogue with the Philippine Secretary of Labor and Employment  Silvestre Bello III.  Accompanying Sec. Bello in the said dialogue were former POEA Administrator  Hans Cacdac  (now the new OWWA Administrator) and former OWWA Administrator  Rebecca Calzado.
UNIFIL-Migrante HK made a power point presentation of the issues agreed upon during the last summit of OFW leaders in Hong Kong just before President Rodrigo R. Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). The DOLE team responded to each of the issues raised in the dialogue. Though most of the issues are still to be acted upon, the team announced some changes that have been implemented or are in the cards regarding the issues raised.
These are what we want to explain in this article so that OFW will be aware of these changes and hopefully can avail of the benefits from them.

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
It will no longer be the case that every OFW has to secure an overseas employment certificate or OEC every vacation to prove that she/he is an overseas Filipino worker (OFW).
If you are an OFW taking a vacation and will return to the same employer, you will no longer be required to get an OEC. However,  in order to be exempted from getting an OEC, you have to make sure that you register at the POEA to be included in their databank – or what they call as the BalikManggagawa (BM) Online.
But as of this writing, some glitches do occur in the online registration. It is then more advisable to go to the POLO to seek assistance in the first registration process. So, again, for recontract workers, no payment is required anymore.
Those with new employers, either first-timers to Hong Kong or have changed employer, they have to register their new employment information at the POEA.

On the OWWA membership
Based on the new OWWA Act 108001, which was passed last May 31, 2016, the membership to OWWA will now be for two years. The new OWWA Act superseded the OWWA Omnibus Policy which states that the OWWA membership is co-terminus with the employment contract.
The new Act means that even if the employment contract is prematurely terminated, meaning before the end of the two-year period, the OFW can still avail of OWWA benefits because the duration of membership is for two years. The renewal will have to be by the end of the two-year period. In relation to this, there was an agreement in the dialogue that OWWA will use social media to announce the procedures in requesting for services and claiming for benefits due an OFW. As an increasing number of OFWs use social media like Facebook, OWWA and DOLE as a whole will make use of it in disseminating information on procedures and applying for whatever assistance is offered by the office.

On retirement benefits
It was explained that an OFW who regularly gives contribution to OWWA fund for 10 years but has never applied for any benefits can get a rebate from OWWA under its Rebate Program. Soon OWWA will come out with its implementing rules and regulation as its guide in implementing the Rebate Program. But to be sure, as an OFW, you must always keep records of your OWWA membership payments. Receipts or any document that will prove your membership to OWWA must be kept as proof that you are entitled to the Rebate Program. Nevertheless, migrant organizations are still calling for lifetime membership with OWWA.

The one-stop service center
There is now a one-stop center located on the ground floor of the POEA building in Ortigas Avenue. This center pooled together the documentation services of all government agencies  involved in the processing of papers of OFWs. All the clearances needed should already be there, like the NBI, PRC, immigration, etc. There is no need for an OFW to shuttle between one government office to another just to secure clearances and related requirements.
As announced by President Duterte and announced by Sec. Bello of DOLE, all processing of papers must be finished within 72 hour or within three days. So it is now your right to demand that the processing of papers in the premises of POEA must be finished within the said period. You need to assert this as you process your papers.

Medical assistance
Former OWWA administrator Rebecca Calzado explained when this concern on health was raised that there is already a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OWWA and Philhealth. This was so because when Philhealth was established in 2005, the Medicare program of OWWA was transferred to Philhealth.  Calzado said that they are just awaiting the signing of the MOU by Philhealth for OWWA to implement the medical assistance program. In the said MOU, OWWA will release an amount equivalent to that released by Philhealth. For example, if Philhealth released a medical assistance of Php30,000, OWWA will also release the same amount to assist an OFW who needs medical financial assistance. The maximum amount that OWWA can give is Php50,000.
But again, this still awaits  the signing of the MOU by Philhealth. Furthermore, do note that priority will be given to those with serious illness like cancer, those needing dialysis,  and the likes.

Increase in MAW and food allowance
While this does not relate to the Philippine government, OFWs should know that the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) of all foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong was increased by HK$100 per month starting Oct. 15. But only new contract or re-contract will benefit from this. The food allowance was likewise increased by HK$42 every month. All those with existing employment contracts shall get will get the salary stated in their contract and not automatically the new MAW.
You have to congratulate yourselves in attaining these new benefits. Though there are still unheeded demands, this is nevertheless a good start. But always remember that your rights, the reforms that you are benefiting from now, are attributed to your firm, well-founded and persistent actions in winning your campaign for rights you truly deserve.

---

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.

Migrants say salary hike ‘disappointing’

The minimum monthly salary for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong has risen to $4,310 a month, an increase of just $100.

The salary increase, which was announced by the Hong Kong government late on Sept. 30, was met with dismay by migrants groups, led by United Filipinos – Migrante Hong Kong.

Unifil chair Dolores Balladares said the pay hike was disappointing, as workers had been calling for a $5,000 monthly salary, up from $4,210, to be more realistic.

“We are disappointed. We’re not happy at the piecemeal increase because our demand was $5,000, as that’s what we see as livable wage in Hong Kong, where the cost of living such as food and fares is too high,”  Balladares told The SUN.

 “The $100 increase will have no effect on our salaries. It will be barely enough, because we spend a large part of our pay in Hong Kong, so kulang na kulang pa rin,” Balladares said.

She added that her group will continue to press for a pay hike despite the decision.

Under the standard employment contract for hiring FDHs, employers are required to provide helpers with free food, or pay a food allowance. This allowance, previously pegged at $995 a month, will now rise to $1,037.

The new wage and food allowance levels apply to all contracts signed on or after Oct 1.
According to a government statement, the new pay levels were set in line with Hong Kong’s economic and labor market situations in the past year, as reflected in a “basket of economic indicators, including income movement and price change”.

The statement also said the government also tried to strike a balance between affordability for employers and the livelihood of FDHs.

Contracts signed before Oct 1 or earlier at the previous wage level of $4,210 a month and food allowance of not less than $995 a month will still be processed by the Immigration Department provided the applications reach the department on or before Oct 28.

This arrangement will give employers sufficient time to send the signed contracts to Immigration for completion of the necessary application procedures. – with a report from Vir B. Lumicao

Diary ba ang Facebook?

Malungkot, masaya, galit, gutom, busog…lahat ng emosyon at nararamdaman ay naka post sa status ni Sophia. Kung ano ang ulam, saan at ano kakainin may selfie. Nakakatuwa kung minsan ngunit nakakasawa madalas.

Yan ang kantiyaw sa kanya ng mga barkada niya. Biro nga ng iba sa kanya, hindi na raw kailangan pang kumustahin si Sophia dahil pagbukas pa lang ng fb ay status na niya ang bubulaga sa iyo. Hindi rin lahat ay natutuwa sa kanya, may mga ilang fb friends ding naiirita sa walang sawang post niya ng status at selfie.

Kung minsan nga ay ina-unfollow siya ng ilan at kung minsan ay may nag-a unfriend na rin. Tila hindi buo ang araw ni Sophia kapag di nakakapag facebook. Kung minsan kahit sa banyo ay sumasalisi pa rin para mag-check ng kanyang status, at masayang masaya siya kapag nakikita niyang maraming like ang kanyang post.

Kung minsan ay inaaway din siya dahil sa nga shared post niya na taliwas sa paniniwala ng iba. Pero hindi niya ito inuurungan. Mas lalong maraming nakakapansin sa kanya, mas nagugustuhan niya.

Biro ng kanyang kapatid, hindi daw diary ang facebook, at sa pasko ay diary daw ang ireregalo nito sa kapatid para di na niya ipangalandakan sa buong mundo ang kanyang saloobin.

Napansin din ito ng kanyang amo dahil minsan ay sinabi nito kay Sophia na kahit hindi niya naiintindihan karaniwan ang post nito ay napapansin daw na madalas siyang online. Mabuti na lang at mabait ang amo ni Sophia at di siya pinagbabawalan basta tapos na lahat ng kanyang gawain sa bahay. –Jo Campos

Kapag walanghiya ang natulungan

Sising sisi ngayon si Stella sa ginawang pagtulong sa girlfriend ng kanyang pinsan para makapunta ito sa Hong Kong. Imbes kasi tumanaw ng utang na loob ay ito pa ang naging dahilan ng pagkasira ng magandang relasyon nilang magpinsan.

Ayon kay Stella na beterana na sa Hong Kong, ilang buwan pa lang dito ang kanyang hilaw na hipag na si Divina ay mataas na agad ang lipad nito. Sinubukan daw niya itong pagsabihan na huwag masyadong mag facebook dahil bago pa lamang sa among Intsik ngunit hindi siya sinunod. Sa halip ay isinumbong nito sa nobyo na agad namang kumampi sa bagong dating.

Hindi makapaniwala si Stella na siya pa ang lalabas na masama dahil sa kagustuhan niyang makatulong.

Ang hindi niya kasi matanggap ay ang ginawang pagmamalaki ni Divina na lihim niyang nilagyan ng regla ang ginawang sopas para sa amo para diumano mapaamo niya ito. Galit na galit si Stella dahil alam niyang labag sa batas ang ganitong gawain dahil minsan na ring may nakulong na Indonesian ng dahil dito.

Ang isa pang dahilan ng kanyang pagsesermon dito ay iyong lihim na pagkuha nito ng larawan ng among natutulog sa kanilang silid tulugan. Hindi dapat gawin yun ng isang matinong kasambahay, sabi ni Stella, ngunit galit ang ginanti ni Divina.

Ang hindi pa niya alam, habang ginagawan nito ng kawalanghiyaan ang among Intsik ay naghahanap na ito ng ibang lilipatan. Nang makahanap ng among puti ay tuluyan na nitong siniraan si Stella sa pinsan.

Sa galit ay gusto na sanang isumbong ni Stella si Divina sa dating amo, ngunit nanaig pa rin ang awa niya dito. Baka daw kasi makasuhan si Divina at makulong, at hindi na muling makapagtrabaho sa Hong Kong.

Ang ginawa niya ay blinock na lang sa Facebook ang hilaw na hipag para hindi niya laging nakikita sa mga post at nang matahimik na siya. Si Stella ay mula sa Cagayan Valley at kasalukuyang nakatira sa New Territories.— Marites Palma

Stricter rules on window cleaning for FDHs eyed

by The SUN staff

A HK Labour Department's poster on safe window cleaning

In what appears to be an initial victory for Philippine government officials, Hong Kong has agreed to "revisit" the exclusion of window cleaning from the tasks of domestic workers, in line with strict international standards.

This suggests that a provision will soon be added to foreign dometic helpers' contracts, protectung them from unsafe and unsupervised window cleaning. 

This was announced in a statement issued by the Philippine Consulate last night, Oct. 18.

The statement said that following a meeting between the Consulate and Hong Kong labour officials the day before, both sides agreed to look into crafting an exclusion provision in the FDH contract "which strikes a balance between occupational safety and the employer's concerns".

Sources say the two sides agreed to come up with the draft exclusion by Nov. 14.

The statement said that the crafting of such a safety provision must conform with international best practices, which provide that:

1) The worker must be supervised by the employer or an adult representative while cleaning windows; and

2) That window grilles have been installed and are locked throughout the cleaning process. 

The statement further emphasized that the worker's safety is paramount, and "under no circumstances should the employer subject a domestic worker to unsafe working conditions and tasks".

The initial agreement merely put off the implementation of a ban on making Filipino domestic workers clean outside parts of windows imposed by Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, which was supposed to take effect last Oct.15.

In his directive, Labatt de la Torre told employment agencies that all work contracts they shall submit to the Consulate from that day should carry the said exclusion.

His move came after Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello failed to convince his Hong Kong counterpart, Matthew Cheung, to agree to the job exclusion during talks on Sept. 23

The Philippine government sought the exclusion in the wake of a rash of incidents involving Filipino ,maids who were killed after falling from height. 

In the latest incident, 35-year-old Rinalyn Dulluog died after falling from a Lohas Park high rise on Aug. 

His move prompted widespread approval from migrant workers organizations, led by the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, but censure from employers' groups.

An employers' support group subsequently wrote a letter to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, asking him to intervene in what they said was an attempt to subvert Hong Kong's lawmaking functions.

On the eve of the implementation of the planned ban, Hong Kong labour officials requested an embargo, pending a dialogue between them and Consulate officials.

The Consulate agreed, and Labatt de la Torre issued an advisory saying the ban would be postponed for 30 days.

At a press conference held during a community event that day, Cheung said that the Hong Kong government had asked for more time in order to listen to all parties concerned before coming up with a solution.

“First of all, we attach great importance to the safety of all worker including foreign domestic helpers. We’ve got a very large population of 375,000 and of course they play a very important role in Hong Kong,” Cheung said.

He said the helpers’ safety “is something we cannot compromise” but that “we have to strike a balance between the safety of the employee and the interest of the employer”.

Cheung said the ban is not applicable to all situations because there are houses that are on the ground floor, or those with safe corridors outside or fitted with iron grilles.

That’s why he said he had asked the Consulate to suspend the ban to give Hong Kong more time to study it and conduct dialogues and take into account the views of various stakeholders including employers, employers’ groups and employment agencies.

For her part, Consul General Bernardita Catalla urged the press not to issue any report until an official statement on the talks' outcome had been issued. 

She also asked Filipinos not to criticize Labatt de la Torre for shelving the ban. 

“Please don’t blame Labatt Dela Torre for that (postponement). I think that it’s only important that important issues like this be discussed openly, concurrently with Hong Kong authorities, as well as the stakeholders,” Catalla said.

Shortly after her meeting with Hong Kong's labour officials yesterday, Congen Catalla left for Beijing to join the official delegation of President Rodrigo Duterte who is on a three-day visit for talks on bilateral issues.

Definitions of having sex

When three people have sex, it’s called a threesome.
When two people have sex, it’s called a twosome.
Now I understand why they call you handsome.

Exploding power bank disrupts POLO transactions

by Vir B. Lumicao

A power bank burst into flames before noon yesterday, Oct. 16, at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office on the 16th floor of Admiral Centre Tower 1, causing a commotion and disrupting services briefly.

More than 100 people were in the office at the time but no one was injured.

“Biglang nagkagulo kanina dahil may sumabog tapos napuno ng usok diyan sa loob,” said one domestic worker who was at the scene.

A female OFW had reportedly plugged the device into an electrical outlet in the public hall to charge it at around 11am, and it exploded.

The OFW disappeared in the ensuing commotion and only the severely burnt device with the brand name Sun Standard was found at the scene, along with a scorched spot on the floor.

POLO staff led by Assistant Labor Attache Henry Tianero quickly put out the fire and rushed to the entrance to calm down the panicking workers and prevent a possible stampede. 

He said the incident had been reported to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre and the building management.

“It’s good the owner was not holding the gadget when it exploded,” Tianero said, adding that quick response by the staff brought the situation under control within three minutes.

Tianero said he saw the owner of the power bank in the hall  but could no longer locate her after the commotion.

“We failed to identify the owner because we immediately focused on controlling the power bank on fire and calming down the crowd",  Tianero said.

“Nang balikan ko, wala na siya,” he said. 

The incident prompted Tianero to warn OFWs against buying electrical devices of dubious quality as these pose a public hazard.

“Kindly help us forewarn our kabayans to refrain from using sub-standard power banks and other electrical gadgets,” Tianero said

Maid who hit ward with phone jailed

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker walked free on Oct 7 despite being convicted of ill-treating her six-year-old ward by hitting him on the forehead with a cellphone.

The reason: she had already been in jail three times longer than her sentence.

Nelia S. Asuncion, a single mother, was ordered immediately released by Eastern Court Magistrate Jason Wan after handing her a prison sentence of 14 days.

Just minutes earlier, the Filipina pleaded to a charge of “ill-treatment by those in charge of a child or young person”, or child abuse.

“After hearing all the circumstances of the case – and I can see that the defendant is remorseful – I sentence her to 14 days in jail,” Wan said.

“You’ll be released immediately,” the magistrate told Asuncion, who was crying unabashedly. He ordered the prosecution to return her mobile phone, which was used as an exhibit.

Asuncion’s female employer called the police on the evening of Aug 23 after she came home and saw a patch of redness on the boy’s forehead and learned from the child that the helper had hit him with the phone.
The maid admitted to the police she hit the boy lightly on the forehead in a fit of anger when he refused to do his homework despite being told the sixth time.

The magistrate asked why Asuncion had remained in jail when the incident happened on Aug 23. The prosecution explained it was because Asuncion did not have money for bail.

In mitigation, the defense lawyer said Asuncion’s 17-year-old daughter dropped out of college and her mother fell ill and was hospitalized after learning of the helper’s plight.

He said the Filipina loved his ward so much because she had taken care of the child since he was one year and 3 months old and was remorseful for hitting him.

The lawyer said that, in fact, Asuncion wanted to go back to her employer after serving her sentence, if she would be allowed to do so.

Outside the courthouse, Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr., of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section, told The SUN that Asuncion’s employer cried when she learned that the maid’s mother suffered a breakdown and her daughter had stopped going to school.

“Please ask her what I can do to help,” the employer reportedly told Cayabyab.
The employer was said to be keen to rehire the maid but that would depend on whether the Immigration Department would allow her to remain in Hong Kong.

Ang regalo ni misis

Napansin ni Edong ang kaibigang si Noel na malungkot habang nag-iisang kumakain sa karinderya ni Aling Uping.

Edong: Malungkot ka yata.

Noel: Hindi ko kasi maintindihan ang mga babae.

Edong: Bakit, ano’ng nangyari?
\
Noel: Kagabi kasi, sinabi ng asawa ko na dahil birthday ko, maari daw gawin ko sa kanya ang anumang gusto ko. Ayun, Pinatulog ko muna sa nanay niya. Ngayon ayaw niya akong kausapin.

Sharon at Gabby, balik tambalan?

Tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabalik ni Sharon Cuneta sa showbiz. Pagkatapos ng pagiging isa sa mga hurado sa reality singing contests na “The Voice Kids” at “Your Face Sounds Familiar”, nakatakda naman niyang muling balikan ang kanyang singing career, na siyang naging susi niya upang tanghalin bilang isa sa pinakamalaking bituin ng Philippine showbiz. Magkakaroon siya ng concert na gaganapin sa October 15 at 22 sa The Theater ng Solaire Resort and Casino.
Guests niya sa concert ang Team Sharon ng The Voice Kids at ang kanyang anak na si Frankie Pangilinan. Ang pamangkin niya (anak ng hipag niyang si Angeli at asawa nitong si Gary Valenciano) na si Paolo Valenciano ang director ng show.
Inaasahang magbabalik-tanaw si Sharon sa mga pinasikat niyang awitin na likha ng ilan sa pinakamahuhusay na composers ng bansa na sina Rey Valera (Mr. DJ, Pangako sa ‘Yo, Maging Sino Ka Man, Kung Kailangan Mo Ako, Kahit Wala Ka Na, at Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko), George Canseco ( Langis At Tubig, Dear Heart, Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin at version niya ng Ngayon At Kailanman), Willy Cruz ( Bituing Walang Ningning, Sana’y Wala Ng Wakas, Pangarap Na Bituin, Sana’y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan, Init Sa Magdamag), Louie Ocampo ( Ikaw at Hagkan) at Odette Quesada ( To Love Again). May bago rin siyang mga awitin mula sa bago niyang album sa ilalim ng Star Records.
Samantala, namataan sa backstage ng PICC kamakailan si Sharon na kausap ang dating asawang si Gabby Concepcion, na ama ng panganay niyang anak na si KC. Malakas ang bulung-bulungan na ibabalik ang tambalan nila sa pelikulang inihahanda ng Star Cinema para sa kanyang pagbabalik sa pag-arte.
Kamakailan ay naging special guest siya sa “Magandang Buhay”, at ipinahayag niya ang kanyang kasiyahan sa mga bagong project niyang gagawin. Tatlong pelikula ang nakatakda niyang gawin: isang indie film, isa pang pelikula na gagawin niya bago matapos ang taong ito, na ipapalabas sa unang bahagi ng 2017, at ang huli ay isang napakalaking pelikula na pinaghahandaan na rin daw niya.
Ibinahagi rin niyang aktibo na siyang muli sa social media upang mapalapit muli sa kanyang mga fans, at magkakaroon din siya ng regular spot sa You Tube, kung saan ay maaari niyang sagutin ang mga tanong ng mga fans, dahil na-miss na daw niya ng husto ang pagkakaroon ng talk show.
Patuloy din ang kanyang pagdi-diyeta upang magampanan ang mga nakahanay niyang projects. Sa kasalukuyan ay 66 lbs na ang nabawas sa kanyang timbang, kaya mas ganado  pa siyang ituloy-tuloy na ito.  

KRIS, UMALMA SA PARATANG NA GINAMIT ANG KUWINTAS NI IMELDA 
Hindi napigilan ni Kris Aquino na mag-react sa patuloy na kumakalat na kuwento na ginamit niya ang kuwintas ng dating First Lady Imelda Marcos, na kabilang sa nakumpiska ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas sa pamilya Marcos.
 “It seems you don’t want me to stay quiet and your trolls want to keep perpetuating lies about me. My friend JC Buendia & my sister Viel both showed me this paulit-ulit na FB post. The necklaces supposedly belonged to Mrs Marcos & I was brazen enough to wear them for the APEC DINNER. Duh?”
“The necklace I wore was made from cubic zirconia & silver—hindi po DIAMONDS. In other words fake sila, although Bottega Veneta naman. ENOUGH! And the TRUTH is on my side—including credit card receipts,” pahayag niya tungkol sa nasabing kuwintas na patuloy naman niyang ginagamit dahil nga bayad naman daw niya ‘yun kung saan ipinakita niya pa sa kanyang Instagram account ang receipt nito at kahon ng Bottega.
“I have a long standing event for #ARIEL on Tuesday, even if my necklaces aren’t appropriate for showing how you can remove more than 100 different types of stains—what the heck, isusuot ko na sila. After all I paid for them with hard-earned, tax-paid income.
“Hindi ko na problema kung yung pagnanakaw ng iba trip nilang ibintang/pagtakpan using me- and to be perfectly clear, I’m not referring to Mrs. Marcos.
“So this is FAIR WARNING—stop lying about me if you don’t want your rotting skeletons unearthed. #IAMBACK,” ang banta pa niya.

AGOT, KINUYOG NG DUTERTE SUPPORTERS
Marami ang humanga sa tapang ng aktres na si Agot Isidro nang ipahayag niya ang inis niya kay Pangulong Duterte, bilang reaksyon sa balitang hinahamon nito ang EU (Europe Union) at US na tanggalin ang ibinibigay na tulong (aid) sa Pilipinas dahil kakayanin naman ito ng bansa.
“Unang una, walang umaaway sa iyo, ikaw ang nang-aaway. Pangalawa, yung bansa, kung saan ka iniluklok ng 16 million out of 100++ million people ay third world. Kung makapagsalita ka parang superpower ang Pilipinas eh. At excuse me, ayaw namin magutom. Mag-isa ka na lang. Wag kang mandamay. Hindi na nga nakakain ang nakararami, gugutumin mo pa lalo. Pangatlo, may kilala akong psychiatrist. Patingin ka. Hindi ka bipolar. You are a psychopath”.
Tulad ng inaasahan, kinuyog si Agot sa social media ng mga supporters at tagahanga ng presidente. Kung anu-anong mga salita ang ibinato sa aktres, gaya ng bobo, baog at kung anu-ano pang panlalait. Isa sa mga masugid na tagapagtanggol ng pangulo ay ang aktres na si Elizabeth Oropesa, na nag-post ng larawan niya na nakasuot ng T-shirt na may nakasulat na “It’s a Duterte thing you wouldn’t understand”. Nilagyan pa niya ito ng caption  ng “one of the 16 million psychopaths”.
Kung marami ang galit kay Agot, na napapanood gabi-gabi sa TV series na “Ang Probinsyano”, marami rin naman siyang kakamping celebrities na naniwalang tama ang kanyang sinabi at dapat irespeto kung anuman ang kanyang opinyon. Kabilang sa mga ito sina Leah Navarro, Jim Paredes, Mitch Valdez, at Cherry Pie Picache.
Si Agot (Maria Margarita Amada Fteha Isidro sa tunay na buhay) ay isa sa pinamatatalinong showbiz personalities sa Pilipinas. Nagtapos siya ng BS Interior Design sa University of the Philippines, at nag-aral ng Fashion Buying & Merchandising sa Fashion Institute of Technology sa New York, kung saan ay nag-graduate siya bilang magna cum laude. May master’s degree din siya sa communication arts sa Ateneo de Manila University. Siya ay isang singer/ recording artist, host, at movie actress. Nagsimula siya bilang singer, kasama ang kanyang dalawang kapatid na babae sa TV show ni Sharon Cuneta, bago siya kinuha bilang host ni direk Johnny Manahan sa ‘Sang Linggo n APO Sila. Siya ay ikinasal noong 2000 kay Manu Sandejas, pero hindi sila nagkaanak.

MARK ANTHONY, NASA KULUNGAN PA RIN 
Naiiyak si Alma Moreno nang magbigay ng pahayag tungkol sa panganay na anak niyang si Mark Anthony Fernandez, na nakulong sa masikip na Angeles District Jail, kasama ang 102 preso. Awang-awa daw siya sa anak dahil hindi ito makatulog nang maayos at makakain nang husto, kahit masasarap ang pagkain na dinala niya. Hindi rin daw stable ang blood pressure nito na minsan ay biglang tumataas. Nagpapasalamat si Alma sa lahat ng nagdarasal para sa kanyang anak at sa suporta ng kanilang mga kamag-anak at kaibigan, lalo na kay Lorna Tolentino at sa dalawa nitong anak na sina Ralph at Renz Fernadez, ( kapatid ni Mark sa amang si Rudy Fernandez).
Si Mark Anthony ay dati nang nagkaroon sa problema sa drugs at ipina-rehab ng kanyang mga magulang. Nitong nakaraang buwan ay nasabat siya sa checkpoint sa Angeles, Pampanga, at nagtangka pang tumakas, pero nasukol din. Nakuha sa kanyang kotse ang isang pakete na may isang kilong marijuana, na iginigiit niya ay hindi kanya dahil hindi pa daw niya binili. Ilang ounces lang daw ang kanya doon. Inamin naman niyang gumagamit siya nito bilang pangontra sa sakit na kanser, na siyang ikinamatay ng tatay niya. Sa isinagawang test sa kanya, nagpositibo siya sa marijuana, pero negatibo sa iba pang uri ng drugs.
Si Mark Anthony ay isang mahusay na actor na nag-umpisa sa showbiz bilang miyembro ng Guwaping, kasama nina Jomari Yllana at Eric Fructuoso. Sa kabila ng naging problema niya sa drugs, marami ang nagsasabi na likas na mabait ang aktor, lalo na sa kanyang mga kapatid sa ama at sa ina. Ang kanyang binatilyong anak na si Grae Fernandez ay nagpahayag ng suporta sa ama, kahit naghiwalay na ang kanyang mga magulang. Ang girlfriend ni Mark Anthony ngayon ay isang model, na kasama niyang naninirahan sa isang condominium sa Pampanga.

ALDEN, HOST SA ASIAN TV AWARDS 
Balitang makakasama sina Maine Mendoza at Alden Richards ng Eat Bulaga Dabarkads na magbabakasyon sa Germany at London, at nakatakdang umalis sa katapusan ng Oktubre. Pero dahil sa dami ng commitments ni Alden, kabilang na ang concert niya sa Island Cove sa Cavite sa October 28, (kasama nina Ely Buendia, Aiza Seguerra, at James Wright), baka humabol na lang siya sa grupo.
Sa December ay magkakaroon ng concert si Alden sa Hong Kong dahil matagal na raw itong hiling ng kanyang mga fans dito.
Babalik din siya sa Singapore sa December 2 dahil isa siya sa mga host ng 21st Asian Television Awards, kasama sina Adrian Pang (sikat na Singaporean actor), model at TV host Stephanie Carrington, at Baki Zainal (Malaysian TV & radio host). Gaganapin ito sa Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center.
Sa kabila ng napakaraming pinagkakaabalahang trabaho, nais pa ring ituloy ni Alden ang kanyang pag-aaral. Pero sa ngayon, tila malabo pang mangyari ito dahil araw araw siyang nagta-trabaho at halos wala nang pahinga.

Covers Oct. 16-31

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
May magandang pagbabago sa pananalapi sa linggong ito dahil madadagdagan ang iyong kita. Kung may karelasyon, tamang panahon ito para sa seryosong usapan kung saan patutungo ang relasyon. Mahaharap ka sa importante at madaliang desisyon, mag-ingat at pag-isipan itong mabuti. Umiwas sa masikip, mausok at mataong lugar upang maiwasan ang pananakit ng ulo. Lucky numbers: 19, 21, 33 at 45.

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93Gamitin ang common sense at intuisyon at hindi ka magkakamali ng desisyon ngayon. Piliting magkaroon ng positibong pananaw sa kabila ng mga problema. Ang malumanay na pananalita ay maaaring mag-ayos ng maraming bagay. Kulang ka sa inspirasyon at sigla ngayon, magpahinga muna at iwasan ang mga bagay na sagabal sa regular na pamumuhay. Lucky numbers: 7, 25, 33 at 40.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Walang dapat ikatakot sa paghingi ng payo sa matalik na kaibigan dahil matutulungan ka nila. Napapanahon ang pagsasaayos sa kalagayan sa trabaho, pero kailangang mag-ingat sa mga kasamahan. Pera ang dahilan ng magiging alitan sa mga kamag-anak; mag-ingat. Ibibigay mo ang lahat ng dahil sa pag-ibig pero kapag nagkaproblema, huwag sarilinin ito at huwag kaawaan ang sarili. Lucky numbers: 13, 18, 27 at 38.
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BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Makakadama ng pagiging romantiko at pagbabalik-tanaw sa nakaraan. Huwag nang buhayin pa ang patay nang love affair dahil muli ka lang masasaktan. Sa trabaho, iwasang makipag-away sa mga kasamahan. Upang hindi magkaproblema sa pera, kailangang magtipid ng husto. Muli ay may hihingi ng tulong sa iyo, huwag nang umasang mabayaran o tanawin itong utang na loob, pero hindi ito dahilan upang maglait ng tulong. Lucky numbers:12, 22, 35 at 37.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96
Nahihirapan kang makaipon, pero kailangan ito upang makaalpas sa problema. Sa tapang mong magsalita, matatameme ang sino mang kumausap sa iyo, kahit na maganda ang kanilang intensyon. Malaki ang tsansang makilala ang bagong partner na makakasundo mo. Alam mong kailangan mong kumayod ng husto upang umasenso, pero minsan ay maghinay-hinay rin sa trabaho upang hindi magkasakit. Lucky numbers: 18, 21, 25 at 43.
 39.
BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97
Mapapalawak mo pa ang iyong kaalaman at mas may oras kang makisalamuha sa mga bagong kakilala at kaibigan. Huwag dibdibin ang lahat ng bagay, kailangang dumistansya ng kaunti upang magkaroon ng mas malawak na pananaw. Mahaharap sa personal na problema na mahirap lutasin; pakinggan ang puso. Mahal mo ang iyong mga kaibigan, pero dahil sa isang mapanira, kailangang putulin ang relasyon dito upang hindi madamay ang iba. Lucky numbers: 8,16,28 at 37.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98
Madali kang makibagay kaya masasanay ka agad sa mga pagbabagong magaganap. Komportable ang pamumuhay ngayon pero magkakaroon ng problema tungkol sa mamanahin. Mas magiging malapit at maligaya ka sa love life ngayon. Iwasang mag-alala ng husto ng dahil sa konting problema sa kalusugan. Magpagamot at huwag gaanong alalahanin ang kalagayan dahil normal lang na magkasakit paminsan minsan. Lucky numbers: 12, 19, 39 at 45.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87
Mas mapapahalagahan mo ang pagiging prangka at tapat na mga kaibigan. Balikang muli ang mga nagawang desisyon na buong sigasig mong pinaglaban. Sa trabaho, nasa rurok ang pagkamalikhain mo ngayon kaya malaki ang tsansang makamit ang promotion na matagal mo nang inaasam. Magiging maingat ka sa paghawak ng pera ngayon; bilhin lang ang mga bagay na kailangan. Lucky numbers: 5, 13, 33 at 41.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88
Sa trabaho, mas magiging epektibo kung may mga kasama ka sa grupo kaysa kumilos kang mag-isa. Walang kahirap-hirap na mapapabilang ka sa isang eksklusiboMagkakaproblema ka kung hindi mo babaguhin ang ugaling ginagawang biro ang lahat ng bagay. Mag-ingat sa trabaho, habang mas umaangat ka, mas lalong dumadami ang naiinis sa iyo. Masigla ang katawan mo ngayon at masaya rin ang tahanan, pero mas mainam kung mas maipakita mo pa ang pagmamahal at pagiging mapagbigay mo. Huwag pigilan ang totoong nararamdaman mo. Lucky numbers: 14, 16, 19 at 27.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89
Panahon na upang makasulong sa buhay; magkakaroon ka ng dahilan upang kumilos, at maniwala sa kaya mo pang gawin. Maeengganyo kang mamili ng mga bagay, mag-ingat dahil may paparating na problema sa pera. Huwag gaanong alalahanin ang problema sa love life dahil kusa itong maaayos nang ayon sa gusto mo. Nasa tamang daan ka upang magtagumpay at walang makakapigil sa iyo. Mag-ingat sa mga naiinggit. Lucky numbers: 14, 19, 25 at 35.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Lahat ng bagay ay papabor sa iyo, samantalahin ito upang kumilos ng buong sipag at sigla. Mabibigyan pansin din ang pinagpapagurang trabaho. Tatanggap ka ng napapanahong tulong mula sa kamag-anak o kaibigan. Sa kabila ng distansya sa minamahal, mararamdaman mong hindi pa huli ang lahat; sundin mo ang iyong intuisyon. Lucky numbers: 16, 22, 28 at 41.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91
Makakaapekto sa iyong kalusugan ang problema sa pamilya. Pag-isipang mabuti ang gagawin upang makaiwas sa nakaambang panganib. Sa kabila nito, magiging kasiya-siya ang love affair mo ngayon. Maraming bagay ang pagdaraanan; dobleng ingat sa katawan ang kailangan. Umiwas sa anumang bagay na labis, lalo na sa pagkain at pakikipagrelasyon. Lucky numbers: 6, 15, 40 at 47.

Mga taga Batac, nagsagawa ng boodle fight sa beach

Ni Marites Palma

Isang mahabang hapag kainan ang
pinagsaluhan ng mga kasapi
at bisita ng bagong tatag na Annak ti Ciudad ti
Batac Association. 

Isang pagkahaba-habang hapag para sa isang “boodle fight” ang naging tampok ng isinagawang pagtitipon sa Deepwater Bay noong Okt. 1 ng mga miyembro ng bagong tatag na Annak ti Ciudad ti Batac Association.

Umabot sa 100 katao ang sumali sa boodle fight sa hapag na may habang 18 metro, na ayon sa mga taga Batac ay siyang pinakamahaba sa buong kasaysayan ng Hong Kong.

Ang “boodle fight” ay isang klase ng pagsalo-salo kung saan ang pagkain ay ipinapatong sa mga dahon ng saging na nakalatag sa mahabang mesa. Walang plato o kubyertos na ginagamit, at ang mga magkakasalo ay mag-aagawan sa puwesto sa harap ng pagkain pagkatapos ng isang hudyat. Ang mga militar ang unang nagsagawa ng ganitong istilo ng pagsasalo-salo.

Kasabay ng boodle fight ay ang paggawa ng mga miyembro ng ipinagmamalaki nilang Batac empanada na gawa sa pinaghalong munggo at ginadgad na papaya, at hinaluan ng tanyag na longganisang Ilocos at itlog, at binalot sa masa ng rice flour.

Naniniwala ang samahan na sa pamamagitan ng ganitong paraan ay maipapakilala pa nila sa madla ang mga kinagigiliwang pagkain ng Ilocos.

Ang gumawa at nagluto ng empanadang ipinatikim sa mga bisita at sa lahat ng nakiisa sa kanilang selebrasyon ay sina Meda, Jennifer, Cora, Liza, Paullette at Louie.

Nakadagdag kasiyahan ang isinagawang palabunutan na isang kabang bigas ang premyo para sa unang gantimpala, at napanalunan ni Gloria Rivera.

Ang ikalawang gamtimpala ay Php1,500 na halaga ng mga de lata at iba pang mga produktong pagkain na natanggap naman ito ni Lowie Addu. Kalahating sako ng bigas naman ang premoyo sa pangatlong gantimpala.

Ang tatlong pangunahing premyo ay natanggap ng mga pamilya ng mga nanalo sa Pilipinas.
Sampung consolation prizes naman ang nabunot ng mga dumalo sa kasiyahan at inisponsoran ito ni Josephine Sibucano.

Hinihikayat ng Annak ti Ciudad ti Batac Association ang lahat ng mga taga-Batac na naririto sa Hong Kong at nais makiisa sa mga mithiin ng grupo, na tumawag sa mobile no. 54419854.

Ang pagluluto ng Batac empanada.

Ang mga nahalal sa pamunuan ng samahan ay sina: Roger A. Tagudin, pangulo; Edna Fontanilla at Analyn Adina, kapwa mga pangalawang pangulo; Editha Albano, kalihim; Leidee Manglal-lan, pangalawang kalihim; Riza Pancho, ingat-yaman; Nina Cadaba, pangalawang ingat-yaman; Shirley Julian, tagasuri; Lily Paraoan, pangalawang tagasuri; Annie Persog, taga-kalakal; Elizabeth Marzan, pangalawang taga-kalakal; Corazon Tabilos at Nora Marzan, mga tagapamalita.

Ang mga kinatawan ay sina Ginalyn Agacia, Marites Manglal-lan, Ludy Marzan,Ezperanza Catubo, Gloria Rivera, Maryjean Miguel, Demrose Placido, at Jennifer Bernardo.

Mga tagapayo naman ay sina Nilda Domingo, Josephine Sibucao, Reyma Marcos, Shirley Mata, Marista Paguibitan, Milagros Domingo, at Imelda Paraoan. Ang musikero at publisher na si Arnold Pineda ang consultant ng samahan.

Ipinagmayabang pa na pinagod siya ni Seaboy

Tutok na tutok ang mga Pilipinang nakasabay ni Kabayan sa MTR sa kanyang pakikipag-usap nang malakas sa telepono sa isang kaibigan. Matapos kasing magkumustahan ay nag-umpisa nang magpayabangan ang magkausap tungkol sa kani-kanilang mga boyfriend.

Sabi ni Kabayan ay napakasuwerte ng kausap dahil sa boyfriend nitong Pakistani na sa opisina nagtatrabaho sa Singapore. Nang si Kabayan naman ang kumustahin ng kausap ay buong yabang nitong ipinagmalaki na pinagod siya ni “Seaboy” dahil tatlong oras daw silang nag-check in.

Tapos ay walang gatol nitong sinabi na may mga anak ang kanyang kaulayaw, at siyempre pa, may ina ang mga ito.

Pero kahit kabit daw siya ay ok lang sa kanya dahil kaliwa’t kanan din naman daw siya. Ang mahalaga ay mahal na mahal daw siya ni Seaboy, at makakasama niya tuwing day off niya ng sampung buwan dahil ito ang tagal ng kontrata nito pagdaong  sa HK.

Dahil oras na ng uwian noon para sa may curfew ay maraming mga Pilipina na nagsisiksikan sa train, pero walang paki si Kabayan sa pagkukuwento.

Dahil nasa kasarapan ng pakikinig sa tsismis ay nagpasya si Tikya na huwag munang bumaba sa kanyang istasyon para makuha ang buong kuwento. Pagbaba ni Kabayan ay saka biglang nagkomento ang nakapaligid.

Ayon sa isa, ni hindi daw ito nahiyang ilantad ang tunay niyang pagkatao kahit nasa publiko siyang lugar, bagkus ay pinangalandakan pa ito. Sabi naman ng isa ay nagkalat talaga sa Hong Kong ang mga ganun ang gawain dahil sa hilig sa pera. Kitang kita naman daw sa ayos ng babae ang pagka sosyal nito. Dagdag naman ng isa, malamang na bigay ni Seaboy ang mga alahas.

Saka lamang naalala ni Tikya na malayo na siya sa uuwian, kaya agad na nagpaalam sa mga kapwa intrigera na bababa na siya at lilipat sa tren pabalik. Si Tikya ay isang Ilokana at bagong lipat sa mga among taga Saikung. – Marites Palma

Labatt suspends window cleaning ban for 30 days

These 2 Filipinas were rescued after they were pictured
standing precariously on a ledge while cleaning the windows of a flat in Shatin

By Daisy CL Mandap

Philippine Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre has suspended for 30 days a ban he imposed on the cleaning by Filipino maids of the outside part of their employer’s home, which was due to take effect tomorrow, Oct. 15.

He had originally ordered all accredited employment agencies to submit only work contracts with the stamped exclusion to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office from the effective date.

But a vehement protest by an employers’ group, which included asking Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to intervene, appeared to have prompted the Hong Kong Labour Department to ask Labatt de la Torre for a meeting on Monday, and to freeze his order in the meantime.

In a reply to a text query from The SUN, Labatt de la Torre said he decided to put off implementing the ban “to enable the Hong Kong Labour Department to consult with stakeholders, including employers’ groups”.

Asked what would happen if the Labour Department would decide to keep the status quo, he replied, “We will take the necessary step then”.

He said the postponement was reached after consultations with various interest groups, including the Hong Kong Labour Department.

His last-minute decision to stop implementing the ban did not sit well with migrants organizations which had been fighting to add the risky task among the excluded duties expected to be performed by FDHs.

In a Facebook post, Eman Villanueva of the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body said his group was disappointed with de la Torre’s decision.

“ We maintain our position that domestic workers performing cleaning of the external side of the windows in above-ground floor residences is totally UNACCEPTABLE,” he said.

Villanueva called on the consulates of countries that send FDHs to Hong Kong to stand by their national’s best interests and not “give in to the pressures exerted by the HKSAR government, employment agencies and employers’ associations”.

A day before, the Support Group of Employers of Foreign Domestic Helpers asked Hong Kong’s top official to overrule what they called as the unilateral decision by the Philippine government to impose the ban.

Among other reasons, the group said the ban was unacceptable because it would set a bad precedent for other interest groups that might also try to alter the standard employment contract for FDHs, and because it bypassed the Hong Kong government’s regulatory powers.

Among those hoping for an immediate solution to the stalemate is the Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies. Their head, Thomas Chan, had told The SUN earlier that they supported the ban but with reservations.

Chan said insurers for FDHs have told him that should the ban be implemented, they would no longer cover any accident that might occur as a result of window cleaning, including repatriation in case of death.

This has apparently caused employers to worry, although Chan admitted that the flipside is that they would be very careful not to violate the ban.

Rinalyn  

The ban, which was initially announced by POLO on Oct. 1, came in the wake of a series of accidents involving Filipino domestic workers while reportedly cleaning windows from the outside.

In the latest incident, Rinalyn Dulluog from Isabela fell from a Tseung Kwan-o high rise on Aug. 9, and police said she was cleaning windows at the time.

Two months earlier, Labatt de la Torre led the rescue of two other Filipina helpers who were pictured by concerned neighbors standing on a narrow ledge while cleaning the outside part of the windows of their employer’ flat in Shatin. (see picture above)

During a visit to Hong Kong on Sept. 23-25, Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III tried, but failed to get his local counterpart Matthew Cheung to agree to exclude the cleaning of outside part of windows from the tasks expected of FDHs.

POLO fast-tracks OEC exemptions

By Daisy CL Mandap

In the end, it all came down to issuing a small slip of paper that proves one’s status as a returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

This piece of paper, called the Temporary OEC Exemption Slip, is all that a vacationing overseas Filipino worker needs now to be able to get past immigration at Philippine airports and return to his or her employer.

Instead of queuing up for hours to access a computer at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office which they were required to use previously to create an account online, OFWs can simply secure this slip, which comes with a reference number, and they are good to go.

On their return, or within 60 days after acquiring the slip, the OFW can simply go online – anywhere, anytime - and using the reference number provided on the exemption slip, create an account with Balik Manggagawa Online (BMO) system.

This means that they no longer have to use POLO’s computers to create a BMO account, or pay the $20 fee and go through the tedious process of lining up all over again at the cashier’s counters or at the bank.

What’s more, nearly all OFWs in Hong Kong are now exempt from securing the all-important overseas employment certificate (OEC), which until recently, they needed to show at airports back home to be cleared for departure.

Apart from those who are returning to their employers under an existing contract, those who have been terminated but have managed to get a new employment contract processed, will also be able to avail of the OEC exemption slip.

“Technically, they will be going back to the same employer anyway,” Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre told The SUN.

The implication, however, is that the worker will no longer have to submit herself to POEA again for more paper work and possibly, more fees being paid before being allowed to go abroad again.
Under POEA Resolution No. 12 issued on Aug. 4, all OFWs returning to the same employer at the same work site were exempted from securing the OEC, provided that they had previously registered their work and personal details with BMO.

Those who had not yet done so were told to register first, and pay the $20 fee.

Those who changed employers, whether they finished or broke their contracts, were not entitled to the exemption. They needed to secure an appointment with POLO or any POEA branch in Manila so they could be helped in either creating a new BMO account, or change the existing data in their account.

The new directive which took effect on Sept. 15 caused a lot of confusion as it was not followed up with implementing guidelines. Not a few OFWs said on social media that the old system was better because the paper OEC was easier to secure, even if they had to pay for it or line up for hours during peak season just to get it.

Migrant leader Eman Villanueva told The SUN that the dissatisfaction was such that they had to seek a dialogue with de la Torre to try and get the kinks out of the way.

“We felt responsible because we had long campaigned for the scrapping of the OEC, but now that this has been granted, a lot of frustrated people are saying that the old system was better,” said Villanueva.

But with the master stroke hatched between POLO and the POEA, much of the problem has been solved, at least for now.

“It’s good na may effort na ginagawa si Labatt para masolusyunan ang mga problema,” said Villanueva. “Itong parang backdoor na ibinigay sa kanila para maibsan ang mga problema sa OEC ay malaking tulong”.

But with only 8,000 out of some 185,000 OFWs in HK registered with BMO so far, it may still take time before the long lines leading to POLO during crucial times would become a thing of the past.  

The SUN Calendar: What's on where

Section Juan Induction

Oct 16, 3-5pm, PCG Conference Room
(By invitation only).Contact tel no: 6849 5831

Writing as Therapy Workshop
Oct 23, POLO, Morning Session: 9am- 12noon,Afternoon Session: 1:30-4:30pm. Slots for both sessions are now full.
To be waitlisted, please check Labatt Jalilo de la Torre’s FB page

CARD MRI Graduation Ceremony 
(Batch 34, 35, 36, POLO Outreach,, Entrepreneurship, Livelihood skills- beads, empanada and doughnut making)
Oct 23 2-5pm, 9th floor auditorium, Caritas Catholic Diocese, Caine Road, Mid-Levels. Contacts: Marites Mapa, 54238196 and Emelia Dellosa, 95296392.

IsaFed’s Sports Fest (and 7th Founding Anniversary)
Oct 23, Repulse Bay. Contact: Butz Francisco, 9196 3237

2016 Migrants’  Health Matters
Oct 23, 12 noon – 6 pm. Venue: Kik Yeung Football Pitch, Kik Yeung Road, Yuen Long, Hong Kong. PathFinders is teaming up with Christian Action to host Community Health Day for Migrant Workers in Hong Kong. Participating groups: Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, Equal Opportunities Commission and other migrant organizations that will set up health and community services information booths to distribute health-related materials and answer questions.

Healthy Habits Selfie Competition
(Part of the 2016 Migrants’ Heatlh Matters). Aim is to promote health awareness among migrant workers. To join, simply upload your healthy habit selfie on the following Facebook pages: Christian Action Centre for Domestic Migrant Workers or PathFinders. Invite your friends to LIKE your photo and win a prize!

Mission’s Annual Charity Walk
Nov. 6, 4pm. Walk Route: Forum in Exchange Square (near the Carabao) – Bus 13 stop – subway-Chater Garden- HSBC- Prince’s Bldg-Chater Road. Organized by the Mission for Migrant Workers to raise funds for its basic services, primarily to help migrant workers of different nationalities who are in crisis situation.  Donations of HK$100 or more are tax deductible. Contacts: Cynthia or Buhay at 2522 8264 or 2522-8261

 Jewish Women's Association of Hong Kong (JWA) annual Holiday charity bazaar
Nov. 6, Island School on Borrett Road.
It sells holiday gifts and decorations, clothing, housewares, accessories, and a huge selection of toys. All the proceeds from the Bazaar will go to charities that support women and children at risk. It will be a fun day out for the whole family, with interactive activities in a dedicated Kids’ Zone for young children, and exotic home made food. The Bazaar is operated by more than 200 devoted volunteers annually, last year it hosted 3,500 shoppers and raised over 600,000 HKD. JWA is celebrating its 70th year, it is a longstanding non-affiliated charitable association of women, dedicated to aiding women and children in need.

Idulog Mo Kay Atorni 4
(A free legal service by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines)
Nov. 12 (Saturday): 10am-4pm Legal Consultation; Nov 13 (Sunday): 9am-3pm Legal Consultation, 3pm-4:40pm Legal Forum. Co-organized by the Philippine Consulate General and IBP. To book an appointment, call Cholo 2823 8537 or Charlene 2823 8511

Dance on the Floor 2nd Anniversary
Nov. 13, 12:30pm-6pm.Palladian International Dance Club,
9/F BCC Building, 25 Carnarvon Road , Tsimshatsui (MTR Exit D). Fee of  $220 includes lunch and drink.

UAAP Rambulan 2016
Nov 26, 11am, Repulse Bay Beach. All alumni of UP, Ateneo, La Salle and UST are invited to join day-long games all in the spirit of fun and camaraderie. For details, check out the FB page, Rambulan

Attention: Filipina Registered Nurses
Are you a Registered Nurse working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong who cares for elderly and/or patients with dementia?
If so, please send a private message to the FB page, Philippine Nurses in Hong Kong, giving the following details: Complete Name, E-mail Address, Patient Category: (Elderly and/or with Dementia), Mobile Number