Three Pinoys in Central brawl face police investigation

By Daisy CL Mandap

Ricky Lizo 

Three Filipinos who figured in a much-publicized brawl in Central on the night of  Jun 17 (Sunday) are due to report back to police tonight to face questioning on charges of fighting in public.

The three – brothers Enrique “Ricky” and Denise Lizo, both family drivers; and Sebastian Chancell Wong (aka Sebastian Yip), a muay thai instructor and Hong Kong resident– were allowed to post police bail while they recuperated at Queen Mary Hospital in Pokfulam where they were taken after the melee.

A fourth person said to have been involved in the brawl, professional boxer Jay Primo Solmiano, reportedly turned himself in at Central Police station on Wednesday, Jun 20, after being earlier reported as having gone into hiding.

Wong posted a picture on Facebook of Solmiano and himself outside the police station, saying it was meant to dispute reports that his friend Jay was in hiding.

Sebastian Wong

An officer of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section Hermogenes Cayabyab, Jr. has told The SUN the Lizo brothers and Wong are being investigated in connection with the incident.

Pictures of all three, with their faces all bloodied and their eyes puffy from the apparent beating, circulated on social media shortly after video footages taken during the actual fighting were posted online.

(Watch one of the videos here: https://www.facebook.com/irene.cobarte/videos/1735163663198692/

According to Ricky Lizo, who said he and his brother have both been working as family drivers in Hong Kong for about 11 years, the trouble started when they saw Wong slap a Filipina companion along D’Aguilar street. The brothers reportedly told Wong to stop, but instead of complying, the younger Filipino allegedly shoved Denise aside.

Fearing for his brother since he knew the alleged assailant as a professional fighter, Ricky said he hit Wong in the head with a beer bottle, which he had taken along from a pub they had just left.

“Pinalo ko ng bote,” Ricky admitted.

His heftier brother reportedly helped stop Wong by elbowing him on the mouth, but the fighter retaliated by hitting Dennis with a belt buckle.

Solmiano, who was seen in the videos initially trying to stop the fight, ended up hitting Ricky to defend his friend Wong, leaving the driver black and blue, his lips busted, and with his nose bloodied and apparently broken.

Jay Solmiano inside Central Police station

But in a separate interview with a Philippine TV news station, Wong denied that he had hit his woman companion. He said the woman was drunk and was out of control so he tried to pacify her by holding her by the hand.

Wong said Ricky must have misinterpreted his actions, but instead of asking what was going on, the driver who was apparently drunk, hit him on the head with a beer bottle. Solmiano went to his friend's rescue when the driver allegedly hit him again with the broken bottle.

Wong showed pictures of his stitched broken lip and head wounds to prove that he was himself badly wounded from the scuffle.

Wong and Denise Lizo were discharged from the hospital after two days, while Ricky had to stay for another day. Despite being allowed to go home, Ricky said he is due to return to the hospital early next month for surgery on his broken nose. He has also been told to rest for a few days before going back to work.

Solmiano, who had posted an apology on his Facebook page for his involvement in the brawl, has since deactivated his account. He has apparently declined all requests for an interview.

Police have yet to respond to a query on the result of their investigation into the incident.

Protect our children, stop child abuse

By PathFinders

All children should be protected from harm and be entitled to healthy development regardless of race, birth place and wealth. Unfortunately, the reality is that child abuse happens in all communities, including in Hong Kong.

As many current or former foreign domestic workers are responsible for undertaking childcare duties for their employers and/or have to care for their own children, it is very important for them to have a clear knowledge of the legal boundaries and social expectations related to child protection in Hong Kong. 

In this article, we aim to raise awareness on child protection by sharing child abuse cases and providing advice for FDWs on ways to protect their children and the children they care for.

Child abuse falls typically into four categories: physical, sexual, psychological and neglect.

According to statistics from the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department, 947 cases of child abuse were reported in 2017 in Hong Kong.

Within the community of migrant mothers and children, PathFinders last year handled 23 cases in which the children involved were at risk. Since its establishment in 2008, Pathfinders has helped 2,497 toddlers and children (aged 0-2), of whom 170 were at significant risk of abuse, violence, neglect or trafficking.

In Hong Kong, specific ordinances and legislations have been established and enforced to combat child abuse.

The first case we would like to share involved a current FDW. Last December, the worker filmed three children under her care (aged five to seven) naked in a shower. Unaware that the filming and publishing were illegal, she then live-streamed the 17-minute video on Facebook. The FDW was subsequently arrested for “publication of child pornography”.

Although the regretful FDW pleaded guilty to “obtaining access to a computer with dishonest intent” and her employer accepted her apology in a mitigation letter, the maid was still sentenced to three months’ imprisonment due to the seriousness of the offence.

The maximum penalties for violating these two ordinances are a $2 million fine and imprisonment of 5 years for the first offence, and 8 years for the second.

Apart from the FDWs, migrant mothers in Hong Kong are also at risk of committing child abuse and of unintentionally putting their children in danger.

The second case, which PathFinders handled, was that of a 3-year-old boy who lived in a government-funded shelter with his migrant mother and 6-year-old brother. The abuse occurred when the mother took her sons to visit their father. Angry over a minor misbehavior, the father poured hot water on his younger son, seriously scalding the little boy’s lower torso and thighs.

As a victim of the father’s abuse herself, the mother was terrified. To protect herself and her children from further abuse, she decided not to report the father’s crime to the police.

The migrant women involved in both cases did not intend to cause any harm to the children they cared for. However, their lack of knowledge about child protection, parenting skills and, in the second case, the mother’s lack of confidence and emotional strength, led them to unintentionally violate the law or being unable to act in the best interest of the children under their care.

Given the vast differences in the cultural, legal and social environments between their home countries and Hong Kong, it is very important for migrant mothers and FDWs to have a clear understanding of the laws concerning child abuse in Hong Kong and to develop their overall knowledge of how to protect children’s rights and safety.

PathFinders provides counseling, education workshops and shelter to enrich the FDWs’ and migrant mothers’ childcare and parenting skills, equipping them with the knowledge and resilience to fight child abuse and empowering them to do the right thing in protecting the children under their care from harm.

Child protection is not only the responsibility of parents. It requires awareness and support from all caregivers and the entire community. To report child abuse, please call the Hong Kong Police at 999.

For enquiries and assistance, you may contact Hong Kong Social Welfare Department at 2343 2255 or PathFinders’ client hotline at 5190 4886. For information on PathFinders’ workshops, please visit our website at www.PathFinders.org.hk or call our client hotline.

Placement agency charges —for the Nth time

By Cynthia Tellez

It is quite disheartening to have the chance to discuss this topic every now and then. We have noticed that migrant workers continuously approach the Mission for assistance for this kind of problem, most of them new arrivals. This means that the information drive in our home country about placement agency fees is not sufficient, if it is being done at all.

Our compatriots leaving the Philippines as household service workers, to any parts of the world including Hong Kong, should be reminded that by law, placement agencies are prohibited from charging placement fees. It is zero-agency-fees for household service workers (e.g. domestic workers, caregivers, caretakers).

As a matter of agreement, the Philippine government has established the Standard Employment
Contract (Contract) with Hong Kong. In the Contract , it is clearly stipulated that the expenses of processing the employment of a new domestic worker in Hong Kong should be shouldered by the employer. This includes the visa fee, plane fare, Philippine government mandatory fees such as the POEA and OWWA, and other requirements either from the government of both countries or by the prospective employer, including medical certificates and the like. (see Clause no. 8 of the Contract)

However, placement agencies in the Philippines have exploited the POEA policy of requiring assessment and training for applicants processing their contract application from the Philippines. The range of fees reported to the Mission alone is from PhP5,000 to PhP150,000! Unfortunately, there is NO standard fee to these two requirements. Placement agencies then have a way of charging their applicants to their heart’s desire. The common practice, therefore, is charging the applicants without issuing receipts or they may issue one but with only the “acceptable” amount written on it.

There are other schemes experienced and shared by migrant workers, such as agencies asking for a “facilitation fee” to supposedly expedite the issuance of a medical certificate by a medical clinic they know (of which some employers are skeptical so they require another medical examination when they arrive in Hong Kong). Some agencies also charge for the plane fare on the pretext that they had not yet received the plane ticket from the employer for the migrant worker’s travel. Indeed, there are many other ways and means that agencies use to extract money from their applicants.

But most of the victims of these unscrupulous agencies do not know anything about the no-placement-fee policy. Most are first timers, or even if they are former OFWs they are simply not aware of it because there is no sufficient and thorough information campaign on it from the POEA, which is supposed to enforce the policy.

If victimized, what can be done and what should be done when applying?
1. Have a good account of every step that you take while processing your employment contract application.
2. Keep a record of every single event, action, conversation and instructions every step of the way.  In other words, keep a diary and actively update it. You may share it with any of your relatives.
3. On your departure for Hong Kong, be sure to bring with you the receipts or any papers that the agency signed, or acknowledged, to prove the payments that you made, and most importantly, the written account of how things went during the process.
4. When already in Hong Kong, the earliest you can go to any service providers for consultation, the better. You will need their guidance on how to go about filing a claim for the illegal exaction of fees by your agency.
5. Remember this. If the illegal fee was recorded in the Philippines but the collection of money is happening in Hong Kong, it is better to refer the claims to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), an extension of the Philippine Labour Department based in Hong Kong, to stop it.
6. At POLO:
a) Present your statement explaining how the illegal exaction of fees happened. Even for those who were forced by circumstances to make a loan and the whole amount was taken by the agency, be sure that you have a good account of what happened You may need the assistance of any service providers to assist you in making your statement.
b) Submit the statement to POLO and ask them to assist you in claiming back the illegal fees collected from you by the agency and if applicable, waive the disputed “loan”.
c) A conciliation meeting might be scheduled. This meeting is between you and the agency representative with a POLO official serving as the arbiter and facilitator at the meeting. Hopefully, the claims are settled at this level.  This means that the agency should give you back the fees illegally collected from you because the agency in Hong Kong is equally responsible for any actions committed by the agency in the Philippines.
d) If the parties fail to reach a settlement at the meeting, you can be endorsed by the POLO official to the POEA in Manila.
e) We know how difficult the justice system in our country is, so let us take the extra step of lodging a complaint at the Hong Kong Labour Department’s Employment Agency Administration (EAA) against the illegal fees collected by the counterpart agency in Hong Kong. This is to record the illegal activities of the Hong Kong agency.
f) Meanwhile, when filing claims in the Philippines against the Philippine-based agency, you may need more assistance to hurdle the bureaucracy there. Let a service provider in Hong Kong, like the Mission, refer you to a service provider based in the Philippines. But make sure that you take note of what you need to prepare: get an Endorsement letter to POEA from POLO and make a Special Power of Attorney naming a person whom you are authorizing to file the claims and to further represent you at the POEA and in subsequent hearings.

It is strongly suggested that when the illegal collection of fees happens, share the information to your employer to make them understand your predicament. They might even help you address the matter with the authorities. If you are unsure on how to go about this, consult a service provider like the Mission.

In most cases, if not all, those victimised by unscrpulous agencies do not have any proof or evidence (i.e. official receipts) that payments were, indeed, made to the agency. It does not mean that you cannot file a case. A detailed account of what happened will be most helpful in place of this evidence. 

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This is the monthly column from the Mission for Migrant Workers, an institution that has been serving the needs of migrant workers in Hong Kong for over 31 years. The Mission, headed by its general manager, Cynthia Tellez, assists migrant workers who are in distress, and  focuses its efforts on crisis intervention and prevention through migrant empowerment. Mission has its offices at St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, and may be reached through tel. no. 2522 8264.

Dayong katulong sa paningin ng mga taga-HK

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Batay sa tratong-alipin ng di-iilang amo sa kanilang mga dayuhang katulong at sa mga patakaran ng gobyerno ng Hong Kong, ang mga kasambahay ay itinuturing na parang mga walang personalidad sa lungsod na ito.

Mahirap tanggapin ang katotohanang may mga among Intsik na mas mahal ang kanilang mga alagang aso kaysa sa mga katulong na ipinagpalit ang sariling mga pamilya at dignidad upang nagsisilbi sa kanila.

Mababa kaysa sa hayop ang turing nila sa bawa’t Pilipino, Indonesian o iba pang dayuhang naglilingkod sa mga pamilyang lokal na kayang magpasahod sa kanila. Madalas, ganoon din ang turing nila pati sa mga nakakaangat na kalahi ng mga katulong dito.

Halos dalawang dekada matapos umalma ang mga Pilipino sa sinabi ng kolumnistang si Chip Tsao na tayo ay “isang bansa ng mga busabos” (a nation of servants), muling sumungaw kamakailan ang panliliit ng mga tagarito sa mga dayuhang katulong.

Ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, kasama na ang iba pang mga lahi sa nilait ng isang mambabatas ng Hong Kong, si Eunice Yung ng New People’s Party. Ang pinuna niya ay ang pagsisiksikan ng mga DH sa mga liwasan, mga tulay na pantao, at sa ilalim ng mga tulay kapag araw ng kanilang pahinga.

Ayon kay Yung, ang mga nakahambalang na karagatan ang mga dayuhang katulong sa mga pasyalan ng mga taga-Hong Kong ay nagdudulot ng abala at panganib sa kalusugan ng mga lokal na mamamayan.

Nagpanting ang mga taynga ng mga katulong, kabilang ang mga tagasuporta nilang Intsik at iba pang mga lahi. Ayon sa kanila, nababakas sa tinuran ni Yung ang diskriminasyon at panliliit sa ibang lahi at nasasalamin doon ang mga patakaran ng gobyerno ng Hong Kong na nagsasawalang-bahala sa mala-aliping pagtrato at abang kalagayan nila.

Hindi pinakikinggan ng gobyerno ang mga hinaing ng mga katulong ukol sa sapilitang pagtira nila sa bahay ng amo, labis-labis na oras ng pagtatrabaho, kawalan o kakulangan ng proteksiyon laban sa pagmamalabis ng mga amo, at di pantay na parusang ipinapataw sa amo at sa kanyang katulong kapag sila ay parehong napatunayang lumabag sa batas.

Ilan na ang mga kaso ng pananakit, pagmamalabis o pang-aabuso ng amo sa katulong ang matagumpay na inusig sa korte at napatawan ng karampatang parusa ang maysala? Halos wala. Tanging ang kaso ni Erwiana Sulistiyaningsih ang nagtagumpay sa korte. Nakulong ang amo dahil natuunan ng pandaigdigang media ang kaso at puting hukom ang lumitis.

Ngunit sa kasabay na kaso diumano ng pagmamalupit ng amo sa katulong, pinawalang-sala ng korte ang amo ni Anis Andriyani sa bintang na tinangka niyang putulin ang talasinsingan ng katulong matapos nitong iwasiwas ang walis sa alagang aso ng amo.

Ang halos kasabay ding kaso ng pagmamalupit ng amo na dinanas ng isa pang katulong, si Rowena Uychiatco, ay binale-wala ng pulisya dahil daw sa kakulangan ng ebidensiya.

Nariyan ding bantulot ang pulisya na aksiyunan ang mga kaso ng pambibiktima ng mga manloloko sa mga katulong, lalo na kung may kasangkot na salapi. Nakapagtataka ito dahil kapag may na-scam sa mga mamamayang lokal ay kumikilos kaagad ang pulisya at mabilis na nalulutas ang kaso.

Marami sa mga korte rito ang mga kasong panlilinlang sa kapwa na ang mga biktima at maysala ay mga lokal na mamamayan. Mabilis na dininig at dinisisyunan ng hukuman ang mga kaso nila.

Samantala, ilang kaso ng panlilinlang ng mga gahamang recruiter sa mga katulong ang ayaw pakialaman ng pulisya, at kapag naisampa naman ang mga iyon sa hukuman ay natutulog doon. Kapag napatunayan namang nagkasala ang recruiter, pagmumultahin lang ito ng kakatiting lamang ng kabuuang halagang piniga sa mga biktima.

Marami pang pagmamaltrato o diskriminasyon sa mga katulong ang madalas masaksihan ng madla sa Hong Kong, tulad ng hindi pagpapagamit sa kanila sa mga lift na pang-residente sa ilang gusaling tirahan, ang pagbabawal sa kanila sa mga clubhouse ng mga residential estate, ang pang-aaway ng mga local sa kanila sa mga park o mga bus.

Maraming insidente noong nakaraan ang ibinabalik sa alaala ng salita ni Eunice Yung. Kulang na lamang marahil na may magsabit ng karatula sa bungad ng liwasan na ganito ang nakasulat: “Bawal dito ang mga dayuhang katulong.”

Siguro ay oras na para itigil ng ibang bansa ang pagpapadala ng mga katulong dito. 

Nabaon sa utang

Naawa na naiinis ang mga kaibigan ni Josie dahil tuwing araw ng pahinga ay palagi na lamang siyang nanghihingi ng $5, na pamasahe daw niya sa mini bus. Maaga siyang lumalabas tuwing Linggo para maabangan niya mga kapwa niya Pinay sa sakayan ng bus para makahingi ng barya-barya lang.

Nagtataka ang mga hinihingan niya ng pera tuwing araw ng pahinga kung bakit lagi na lamang siyang nanghihingi, hanggang sa kalaunan ay nalaman nila na sagad pala ito sa utang kaya lahat ng sahod niya ay naipapambayad niya buwan-buwan.

Nagpatayo daw kasi siya ng bahay kaya kinailangan niyang umutang ng malaki. May trabaho naman sa Pilipinas ang asawa niya kaya wala siyang problema sa allowance ng mga anak nila. Nagtutulungan sila na makamit mga pangarap nila para sa kanilang pamilya, pero si Josie ang nagmumukhang kawawa.

Kung kani-kanino siya nakikikain sa simbahan na kanyang dinadaluhan, lumalapit siya sa mga umpukan ng mga Pinay at nakikipagkwentuhan hanggang ayain na siyang kakain. Bago umuwi ay hihirit pa siyang humingi ng $5 para sa kanyang pamasahe pauwi.

Payo naman ng isang kakilala niya, sana naman ay magtira siya sa kanyang sahod ng pangkain at pamasahe para hindi siya magmukhang kawawa. May isa namang nagsabi na maaring ayaw ni Josie na magtagal sa Hong Kong kaya ganoon na lang ang kayod niya. Gusto lang niyang matapos ang ipinatayong bahay, at pagkatapos ay uuwi na para makasama na ang kanyang pamilya. Kahit magsakripisyo na siya ng husto, kahit mamalimos na, ay gagawin para sa pamilya.

Si Josie ay tubong Metro Manila, may asawa at anak, 35 taong gulang, at malapit ng matapos ang unang kontrata sa pamilyang kanyang pinaninilbihan sa New Territories. – Marites Palma

Nang dahil sa spaghetti

Bago pa lang si Lani sa kanyang amo na mabait naman pero sobrang selan pagdating sa kanilang kinakain. Lahat ng pagkain ay dapat eksakto sa timbang, lalo na yung baon ng mga bata sa eskuwela. Dapat alam ni Lani kung ilang grams ng pasta ang lulutuin kasama na ang gulay at pansahog na karne o isda dahil dapat ay tama lang na mailagay niyang lahat sa lunch box nila na walang sobra. 

Minsan ay nagluto ng spaghetti si Lani at may dalawang subo ng spaghetti na sumobra. Nilagay niya sa isang tabi at tinakpan, at pagkatapos magligpit sa kusina ay kanyang kinain. Nakita siya ng kanyang among babae at pinagalitan siya. 

Sumama ang loob ni Lani na sarap na sarap pa namang kumain. Hindi niya lubos maisip na sa kaunting tira ay pagagalitan siya ng amo niya. Kaya imbes na tumigil ay tinapos nya ang pagkain ng spaghetti, sabay sabi ng, “Sayang itapon kaya kinain ko, kung galit ka na kinain ko ang spaghetti just deduct from my salary.” 

Tahimik na umalis ang amo ni Lani bitbit ang lunch box ng mga bata. Pagod man pero napatawa si Lani sa ginawa nya, sabay sabi sa sarili na “1 point” dahil nakuha niyang mangatwiran sa amo niya. Pagbalik niya mula sa paghahatid sa mga bata sa eskwelahan ay hinanda na niya ang kanyang tenga sa sermon ng amo.

Pero laking gulat ni Lani dahil hindi lang siya hindi pinagalitan kundi ay kinausap siya ng mahinahon at humingi ng paumanhin ang amo. 

Hindi niya akalain na nang dahil lang sa spaghetti ay naging mabait ang kanyang amo. Patapos na ang kanyang kontrata ngayon at kinausap siya ng amo na pumayag siyang mag renew dahil gusto daw nila ang serbisyo niya. 

Laking tuwa naman ni Lani lalo at kailangan pa niya ng trabaho para sa mga anak na nasa kolehiyo. Si Lani, 48 taong gulang, ay nagtatrabaho sa Mei Foo at tubong Batangas. - Rodelia Villar

All-Filipina team Divas grand slam cricket champs

By Vir B. Lumicao

Jennifer Alumbro delivered three sixes and bowled out three rival players as Filipinas stormed to the championship of Cricket Hong Kong’s Development League on Jun 3 with a clean sweep of all their games in their maiden season in the sport.

he form that carried the team to victory.

The SCC Divas, an all-domestic helper team, formally took the crown via a devastating 141-run victory in 16 overs against their Game 2 opponents Craigengower Cricket Club, which managed only 37 runs.

The Filipinas warmed up for the final match in a 124-run win in 16 overs against United Services Recreation Club’s 48 in the morning game.

“Thank you for making this league very exciting,” head coach British Richard Waite told the Divas players after the final game.

Waiter later handed the team a small, token gold trophy, which he said would be replaced with a big one at the awarding of trophies and medals on Jun 22, at a still unknown venue.

“You easily dominated the league in your first cricket tournament. Next season, we will move you up to the T20 league, where you will be playing against more experienced teams,” Waite said. He urged the Filipinas to invite more of their friends to the sport.

Opposing teams in a T20 game play a single innings restricted to 20 overs.

Jennifer Alumbro was declared the most valuable player of the day, as she scored three sets of six runs against USRC by batting the ball past the border in the first game on Jun 3 and another six in the match against CCC. Ma Luz Madia was also picked as an MVP.

For the entire league that began on May 6, Alumbro was the highest scorer with a total of 193 runs. Close behind her was Divas captain Josie Arimas with 189 runs, and while Zeny Badajos was the third-highest with 140.

“I’m speechless. I can’t believe we are the champions,” Arimas told The SUN after the league. The former Palarong Pambansa baseball player from Bacolod was astounded after the last match.

“Grand slam talaga, walang talo,” she said, digesting her team’s success. “Ang saya kanina. Tapos, ang kalaban (CCC) ay dating naglalaro na sa main league.”

Team manager Animesh Kulkani was not in Hong Kong to watch his wards clinch the championship, but was in touch by phone most of the time during the match asking how the team was faring, Arimas said.

The Filipinas’ cutting edge appeared to be their background in baseball and softball, which made them “strong whackers,” as Hong Kong national team coach Waite has described them. Their experience on the diamond also made them good bowlers.

The left-handed Alumbro, a slugger from Aklan, denied the all-Hongkonger CCC a chance to overtake the 141 runs that the Divas had strung in their innings by dismissing three batters with precision bowling. 

The SCC Divas celebrate their victory in the Cricket Hong Kong’s Development League.

Romina Osabel, a powerful softball and baseball player, took down two wickets while Arimas dropped one as the Divas showed the opponents they were on target even from a distance. Badajos did just that when she recovered as fast ball from the right field and struck down the stump about 20 meters away.

All CCC could score in their innings was 37 runs for 16 overs, after losing some from deductions for the fallen wickets.

Coach Najeeb Amar, who honed up the baseball and softball-oriented Filipinas in this entirely unfamiliar sport, joined the players in savoring their victory.

“You made my life easier, girls,” Amar said, recalling that it was he who at first had some difficulty calling them up for training, understandably because of their jobs. But it did not take long before the Filipinas themselves would call him to come out and train them, he said.

He said in the T20 league, he will divide the 25 Divas players into two teams playing in the same tournament. 
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For now, the team will have a month-long rest before they begin rigid training for the next season, which will begin in September.

Mahal ang yaya

Mahigit ng 20 taon na nagsisilbi si Rita sa mga among Indian na mayaman at taga Mid-Levels, at siya na ang nagpalaki sa dalawang anak ng mga ito na ngayon ay parehong binata na. Naging sobrang malapit si Rita sa mga alaga, lalo na at ang ina ng mga ito ay mahilig sa sosyalan at hindi masyadong naalagaan ang mga anak.

Pero dahil halata ng ina ang sobrang lapit ng mga anak kay Rita ay malaki ang lihim nitong galit sa katulong. Noong pareho nang pumunta sa Amerika ang dalawang binata para doon mag-kolehiyo ay sinamantala ng kanilang ina ang pagkakataon at pinaalis si Rita sa kanilang bahay.

Nalaman ito ng dalawang binata, at agad-agad na bumalik sa Hong Kong ang panganay para awayin ang ina, at sabihan ito na kunin ulit si Rita.

Walang nagawa ang ina kundi sundin ang anak, lalo pa at totoo naman na malaki ang ibinuwis na hirap ni Lita para mapalaki ng maayos ang mga binata.

Isa itong malaking patunay ang pagpapahalaga nila sa kanilang kasambahay.

Tuwang tuwa naman na tinanggap ni Rita ang alok na bumalik sa mga amo dahil parang tunay na mga anak na rin ang turing niya sa mga alaga, kahit na may sarili siyang pamilya sa Pilipinas. - LMD

How to stand up for your rights

By George Manalansan

Ever experienced being treated wrongly because you’re a migrant worker, and a member of an ethnic minority group?

This was what happened on May 31 to Rowena Bustos, 47 and a native of Pampanga, who found herself being overcharged for some grocery items she bought from a store in Shaukeiwan.

After going through the receipt given her, Bustos realized there had been a mistake, and decided to go back to complain to the cashier. But instead of explaining the charges, the cashier took one look at her and ignored her request to go over the receipt with her. The cashier then spoke in Cantonese to another store employee, and the two of them told Bustos to leave the store.

The Filipinas was so upset at the way she was treated. The grocery staff did not even listen to what she was complaining about, even if she tried her best to sound respectful. On the way back home, she weighed things through. Should she let things be, or should she seek redress? She decided to seek justice.

She called up her employer, a former policeman, and he immediately agreed to go back with her to the store.

At the store, the cashier was suddenly meek, and readily admitted her mistake on checking the receipt. She also apologized for the error, and Bustos’ employer graciously accepted the apology, having proved his point.

The former police officer commended the helper for her vigilance and courage in defending her rights despite being bullied.

Bustos for her part, is advising her fellow domestic workers to always stand up for their rights, and to never let anyone degrade them.

Mga taong grasa at OFW

Mapagmatyag na tao sa kapaligiran si Dindo, 40, taga Maynila, at kabilang sa mga napagtuunan niya ng pansin ang isang matandang taong grasa. Napansin niya na kapag inaabutan ito ng pagkain ng mga nagdaraan, ano pa man ang lahi, ay ayaw nitong tanggapin. Pero kapag iniwanan nila ang pagkain sa ibabaw ng basurahan at kanya itong kukunin.

Kamakailan ay naikuwento ni Dindo sa mga ka-tropa sa Statue Square ang tungkol sa matanda, at ang lahat ay nagtaka sa narinig.

“Bakit kaya?” ang tanong ng lahat.

Ang taong grasa ba na ito ay naninindigan na hindi siya mamamalimos, balik-tanong ni Dindo. Sagot ng isa, ayaw siguro magkaroon ng utang na loob. Biglang napahagalpak ang isa pa, “Aba, mataas ang pride chicken” wika niya. “Maaring may mapait na karanasan ang matanda” sabat ng isa pa. Dito na nabuksan ang usapin tungkol sa mga taong grasa o ang iba pang may problema sa katinuan na makikita sa lansangan.

Sabi ni Dindo, maaring ang mga taong grasa ay may bubog o sugat sa pagkatao na hanggang ngayon ay dada-dala pa.

Iyung matandang “ma pride ay lagi daw niyang nakikita noon na palaboy-labor  sa may Shelter street sa Causeway Bay noong doon pa nakatira ang kanyang mga amo.

May isang Instik din na pilay at may diperensiya sa pangangatawan na laging nakapuwesto sa gitna mg mataong lugar sa Causeway Bay.

May isa pang nakabalot ng masking tape ang buong ulo at nakabalandra sa dulo ng kalsada sa gilid ng tindahan ng Sogo.

Hindi niya tuloy maiwasan ang mag-isip kung sino ang nag-aalaga sa mga ito kapag hindi nagpapalimos o namumulot ng pagkain. Akala daw niya noon, kapag maunlad ang isang lugar katulad ng Hong Kong ay walang nagpapalimos. – George Manalansan

Mga OFW naging kaibigan ng turista

Nagpunta ng Hong Kong si Cezar, isang inhenyero sa Pilipinas, upang mamasyal. Dumaan siya sa Chater Road at nakita ang pagtitipon ng mga Pilipino doon para sa programa ng Mission for Migrant Workers na “Care to Caregivers.”

Nakatuwaan niyang tumambay sa grupo na nagbibigay ng libreng masahe at blood pressure check-up. Tuwang tuwa ang mga miyembro nito kay Cezar dahil magiliw at masaya itong kausap kaya kahit unang pagkikita pa lang nila ay magaan na ang loob ng mga ito sa kanya.

Nakipagkilala si Cezar sa bawat isa at tinawag na kaibigan ang lahat sa grupo, bago humingi ng permiso para doon magpalipas ng buong araw.  Masayang nagkwentuhan ang lahat, at ipinaliwanag ng grupo ang takbo ng buhay ng mga OFW sa Hong Kong, lalo kapag araw ng pahinga.

Napabilib ng grupo si Cezar sa kanilang ipinakitang pagkakawanggawa at malasakit sa kapwa, kaya nasabi nitong masaya pala sa Hong Kong dahil nagtutulungan ang mga Pinoy. Paliwanag naman ng lider ng grupo, mas mabuti na ang tumulong sa kapwa kesa sa tumambay ng maghapon. Isang paraan din iyon para hindi mangulila sa pamilya na nasa Pilipinas, at para hindi mapabarkada sa mga taong mapagsamantala at walang ginagawang makabuluhan sa buhay.

Hindi pinalampas ni Cezar ang pagkakataon na i-add ang mga bagong kaibigan sa Facebook para daw kahit wala na siya sa Hong Kong ay tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang kanilang balitaan. Inimbitahan naman si Cezar ng lider ng grupo na makipagkita muli sa kanila sakaling bumalik sa Hong Kong.

Hindi nakalimutan ng lahat ang mag-selfie bago sila tuluyang naghiwalay-hiwalay. Nagpasalamat si Cezar sa grupo dahil sa kanilang naging masayang kuwentuhan sa maghapon. Si Cezar ay tubong Daet, Camarines Norte, at nagtatrabaho sa isang pribadong kumpanya sa Pilipinas. – Ellen Asis

Ay, mali: naghanapan ang mag-amo

Dapithapon nang tumawag ang amo ni Celia upang magpasundo sa Park N Shop dahil  marami itong pinamili na mga gamit para sa bahay. Sinabi ng amo na sunduin siya ni Celia, sa Park N Shop na nasa Bonham Road.

Dalawang beses siyang tinanong ni Celia kung saang Park N Shop sila magkikita bago siya nagmamadaling umalis. Dahil sa pagmamadali ay hindi niya nadala ang kanyang cellphone. Halos kinse minutos na siyang naghihintay at nakailang pasok at labas na siya sa grocery ay hindi pa rin niya makita kahit anino ng  amo.

Kinakabahan na siya dahil hindi niya nadala ang kanyang telepono kaya hindi niya ito matawagan. Tahimik siyang nanalangin bago biglang nakita niya ang kanyang ka-building na Indonesian. Nakiusap siyang makigamit ng telephone upang makontak ang amo. Mabuti na lang at memoryado niya  ang numero ng  amo.

“Where  are you?,” agad na tanong ng amo pagkarinig ng boses niya. Sabi naman niya, “Maam  I can’t see you, I’ve been  waiting outside Park N shop.” Noon lang biglang naisip ng amo na nasa Market Place pala siya sa Second Street at hindi sa Park N Shop sa Bonham.

Agad nang tumakbo si Celia sa tamang lugar, at halos maputulan ng hininga sa pagmamadali na makarating sa amo. Pawis na pawis siya nang magkita sila kaya binigyan ng amo ng tissue  si Celia upang pahiran niya ang kanyang pawis, sabay hingi ng paumanhin.

Nahiya din si Celia dahil hindi siya nagdala ng cellphone kaya napatagal nang husto ang kanilang pagkikita.

Dahil sa nangyari ay isinumpa niya na hindi na ulit lalabas ng bahay ng walang telepono lalo na at mali-mali din sa paghahabilin ang kanyang amo. Si Celia ay dalaga na tubong Mindanao at naninilbihan sa mga among Intsik na taga MidLevels at may dalawang anak. – Ellen Almacin

Home may be better for kids, judge tells asylum-seeker

By Vir B. Lumicao

A High Court judge told a Filipina torture claimant to respect other people and other countries and teach her children the right concept of appreciating possibly better opportunities in their own homeland.

Court of First Instance Judge Josiah Lam gave the advice to Virginia L. Caramat, a torture claimant who faces deportation with her three children after the Immigration Department’s Torture Claim Appeals Board rejected her application for non-refoulement.

Caramat appeared before Judge Lam on Jun 12 seeking leave to apply for a judicial review of the decision of the Immigration Director and the TCAB.

Non-refoulement claims are heard by Immigration Director and the TCAB under the government’s Unified Screening Mechanism introduced in March 2014 for refugees who fear harm upon returning to their country of origin.

Caramat told Lam she wanted her children to grow up in Hong Kong because it is safer to live here than in the Philippines or in her divorced husband’s country, Pakistan.

She claimed she fears for the safety of her daughter, aged 16, and two sons aged 13 and 18, allegedly because her elder brothers is threatening to harm them if they return to the Philippines because they are Muslims.

The applicant also claimed she does not want to return to Pakistan because they do not respect women in that country and that she could not work there.

In her application, Caramat did not include her children, so Judge Lam gave her a form and told her to add the names and birth dates of her children so that they would be covered by her application.

She said the youngsters’ father is a Pakistani named Iqbal who Caramat married after she converted to Islam in 1997. All three children were born in Hong Kong.

The family lived in Pakistan for a while but the couple divorced in September 2010. As she had no job, Iqbal took custody of the children and Caramat returned to Hong Kong alone in April 2013.

Iqbal came to Hong Kong in April 2014 and turned the children over to Caramat. He left afterwards and Caramat did not see him again until August last year, when he came after their youngest son had a heart attack and was in coma.

Iqbal returned to Pakistan three months later and came back in January when his sick son underwent surgery. Then he left for good in February, Caramat said.

Caramat said she relied on International Social Service allowances for her and the children’s sustenance.

The only ground Caramat cited for applying for leave to apply for a judicial review is her wish to keep her children safe in Hong Kong. She added she is afraid that Christian Filipinos will harm them as the kids are Muslim.

“I will do everything to protect them from harm from the Christian communities. I want to keep them away from the threats of my elder brother,” Caramat said. She added that she wants the children to grow up here because it is a safe place for them.

 “No, you have also to respect other countries as they may also have better future in other countries. While it is hard to find a better place for your children, it is right that you instill in their minds the right concept,” the judge said.

The judge said the Philippines or Pakistan could still offer the children a better future.
He told Caramat he would send her his written decision in due course.

Agot at Allen, panalo sa Famas

Panalo bilang best actress si Agot Isidro para sa pelikulang “Changing Partners”, at best actor si Allen Dizon para sa pelikulang “Bomba” sa katatapos na 66th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) na ginanap nitong Linggo, June 10, sa Solaire Theater. 

Sa kanyang speech, ibinahagi ni Agot ang kanyang panalo sa mga kasamahan sa pelikula: “I dedicate this award to my co-actors because we really acted as one. I cannot take the credit for winning this. This a great time to be in the movie industry. Let’s keep making movies that inspire and awaken the soul and humanity in all of us”.

Ang best picture ay napanalunan ng  “Balangiga: Howling Widerness”, at ang nanalong best director ay si Arnel Barbarona para sa pelikulang “Tu Pug Imatuy (The Right to Kill)”.

Ang kumpletong listahan ng mga nanalo: 
Lifetime Achievement Award - Lav Diaz
Best Film - Balangiga: Howling Wilderness
Grand Jury Prize - Tu Pug Imatuy (The Right To Kill) and Respeto
Outstanding Achievement in Directing - Arnel Barbarona (Tu Pug Imatuy The Right To Kill)
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Agot Isidro (Changing Partners)
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Allen Dizon (Bomba)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Odette Khan (Barboys)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Mon Confiado - (Mga Gabing Kasinghaba ng Hair Ko)
Dolphy Achievement Award - Vice Ganda
FPJ Achievement Award - Coco Martin
German Moreno Youth Achievement Award - Aura and Julie Ann San Jose
Male and Female Celebrity of the Night - Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto
Male Face of the Night - JC Santos
Female Face of the Night - Max Eigenmann
Best Original Song - “Katurog Na” from Balangiga: Howling Wilderness by Lolita Carbon; Music & Lyrics by Khavn de la Cruz
Best Musical Score - Respeto - Jay Oliver Durias
Best Short Film - Hilom (PR Patindol)
Best Documentary Film - Yield (Victor Delotavo Iagaro and Toshihiko Uriu
Ang mga naging host ng parangal ay sina Piolo Pascual, Kim Chiu at Robi Domingo.

2nd TNT WINNERS
Bongga ang ginanap na “Tawag ng Tanghalan Huling Tapatan” sa It’s Showtime TV show noong nakaraang Sabado, June 2, sa Aliw Theater. Naging malakas ang suporta ng mga tatlong finalists na sina Janine Berdin (Visayas), Ato Arman (Mindanao) at Steven Paysu (USA), na pawang mahuhusay at may kanya-kanyang kakaibang talento sa pag-awit. Nang matapos ang palakpakan, at hiyawan mula sa audience, mga hurado at mga host, tinanghal na champion sa TNT Season 2,  ang 16-yr old Cebuana na si Janine na umawit ng medley ng mga awitin ni Bamboo.
Ang mga hurado na sina Rey Valera, Ogie Alcasid, Yeng Constantino, K Brosas, Jaya, Eric Santos, Mitoy Yonting, Nyoy Volante, Billy Crawford, Jed Madela, Karylle, Karla Estrada, Kyla at Rico Puno ay hindi napigilang umiyak, pumalakpak at bigyan ng standing ovation ang bawat performance ang mga kalahok.

Nag-perform din ang TNT season 1 champion na si Noven Belleza, runner-up Sam Mangubat, TNT Kids champion John Clyd Talili at finalists na sikat na ngayong TNT Boys.
Napanalunan ni Janine ang Php2 milyong cash prize, house & lot package mula sa Camella Homes, Siomai business package,  music package, vacation package, malaking TV set, trophy, management contract mula sa ABS CBN at recording contract sa Star Music.

Ang second placer na si Ato ay nanalo ng Php500,000 at ang third placer na si Steven ay nanalo naman ng Php250,000. Ang tatlo pang contestants na napasama sa top 6 ay tumanggap ng consolation prize na Php100,000 bawat isa. 

Nagpa-bonggahan din sa kanilang mga damit ang mga It’s Showtime hosts na sina Vice Ganda at Anne Curtis na parehong naka-apat na palit ng gowns, at sina Amy Perez, Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Ryan Bang, Teddy Corpuz at Jugs Jugueta.

TO FARM FILMFEST 2018 ENTRIES
Mula sa 119 kalahok, napili na ang pitong finalists para sa 2018 TO (The Outstanding Farmer) Farm Film Festival na gaganapin sa September 12-19, 2018. Ang mga napiling kalahok ay tatanggap ng Php1.5 milyon bawat isa mula sa mga executive producers.  Si Bibeth Orteza ang festival director, at Joey Romero bilang managing director ng filmfest na ito na sinimulan ng yumaong director na si Maryo J. Delos Reyes. Ang selection committee na pumili sa mga kalahok ay sina Raquel Villavicencio, Krip Yuson, Antoinette Jadaone, Mario Cornejo at Manny Buising.

Ang mga kalahok: 
1. 1957 -  historical drama na isinulat at idinirek ni Hubert Tibi
2. Alimuom - science fiction na isinulat at idinirek ni Keith Sicat
3. Fasang - period romance na isinulat ni Charlson Ong (director to be announced)
4. Isang Kuwento ng Gubat (The Leonard Co Story) – isinulat ni Rosalie Matilac at ang mga director ay sina Ellen Ongkeko Marfil, Rosalie Matilac, at Milo Paz.
5. Lola Igna - cultural drama na isinulat at sa direksyon ni Eduardo Roy Jr.
6. Mga Anak Ng Kamote - futuristic drama na isinulat ni John Carlo Pacala, sa direksyon ni Carlo Enciso Catu
7. Sol Searching - dark comedy sa panulat at direksyon ni Roman Perez Jr.

HEART, NAKUNAN
 “There are not enough words to express how heavy my heart feels but I know it’s important to share this because it’s part of my motherhood journey. At this week’s Doctor appointment, just as we hit the 3 month mark, we found out that her heart stopped beating. For some it might be early on but for us, we were so ready to meet you, little one. Carrying you made me feel like a completely new person. Just the thought of you taught me what unconditional love feels like. The doctor told me that there really wasn’t anything we could’ve done, that this happens to a higher percentage of first time moms. I know this is true because so many of you have been open with sharing your experiences. Your kindness and positivity in sharing about your own miscarriages remind me to be strong. I take comfort knowing that you’re up there with your twin.”

Ito ang malungkot na mga katagang ibinahagi ni Heart Evangelista sa kanyang Instagram account upang ipaalam na hindi rin nabuhay ang natitira sa kambal sana niyang ipinagbubuntis.

Ilang linggo lang ang nakalipas nang masaya nitong ibinalita na buntis na siya, sa unang anak nila ni Se. Chiz Escudero, nang i-post niya ang larawan nilang mag-asawa, at hawak niya ang mamahaling damit pambata. Pagkatapos nito ay ibinalita niyang hindi nabuo ang isa sa kambal, kaya pinag-iingat siya ng husto para sa natitira pang baby, pero hindi rin nagtagal ay natuklasang wala na rin itong heart beat.

“ I don’t question God about this sad time, I trust in His timing and plan. I hope you all understand that I’ll be taking some time off but your support and kind words will be felt, even if I’m not able to reply. I’m not looking for answers, just peace. For what it’s worth, I already had a name for you. My Mira, funnily enough, I already loved your smile. I know you’ll find your way back to me” , ang dagdag pa ni Heart.

KRIS, NAKABILI NG BAHAY SA AMERIKA
Marami ang nagulat nang i-post ni Kris Bernal ang bagong bahay na nabili niya sa West Covina, California. Marami ang nagulat dahil hindi nila akalaing malaki na pala ang naipon ng aktres mula nang manalo silang Ultimate Survivors ni Martin Escudero sa Starstruck Season 4, para makabili ng bahay na nagkakahalaga ng US$500,000 na katumbas ng halos Php30 milyon.

Ayon kay Kris, ang bahay na nabili niya ay katas ng lahat ng kanyang paghihirap sa trabaho at pagpupupuyat, pero lahat daw sa pamilya nila ay may kontribusyon din dito. Ang isang kapatid niya ay dalawang taon nang nagta-trabaho sa Amerika bilang isang registered nurse, at siyang naghanap ng bahay. Malaki ang bahay, na may apat na silid at loft, base sa video ng house tour na ipinost ni Kris sa kanyang Instagram account.

Ilan sa mga celebrities na may bahay din sa Amerika ay sina Vilma Santos, Manny Pacquiao, Aga Muhlach, Piolo Pascual, Judy Ann Santos, at Michael V. Si Sharon Cuneta ay may mansyon din sa Los Angeles, pero ibinenta na sa isang comedian na kaibigan ng sikat na aktor na si Adam Sandler noong nakaraang taon. 

Bukod sa pag-arte, mahilig din si Kris sa pagne-negosyo, gaya ng itinayo niyang MeatKris burger stores, pero isinara niya ito kamakailan  upang pagtuunan ng pansin ang bagong Korean restaurant na bubuksan nila, kasosyo ang boyfriend niyang si Perry Choi.

Si Kris ay napapanood sa Kapuso TV series na The Cure, na pinagbibidahan nina Jennylyn Mercado, Tom Rodriguez at Jaclyn Jose.

JUDY ANN, IDI-DIREK NI BRILLANTE MENDOZA
Isang malaking pelikula ang ginagawa ni Judy Ann Santos, na inaasahang isasali sa iba’t ibang film festivals sa ibang bansa. May titulong Maguindanaw (dating Bayang Magiliw), ito ay sa direksyon ni Brillante Mendoza, na kilala na sa ibang bansa dahil ilang beses nang nanalo ng mga award para sa kanyang mga pelikula.

Gaganap bilang isang Muslim si Judy Ann at makakapareha si Allen Dizon, sa papel na asawa niya at sundalo. Si Allen ay hindi gaanong sikat sa mga mainstream na pelikula at hindi rin gaanong napapansin sa mga pagganap sa mga TV series, pero suki siya sa mga indie films, at marami na siyang naipanalong acting awards hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi pati sa mga film festival sa ibang bansa.

Muli ring babalikan ni Juday ang paggawa ng teleserye, matapos ang mahaba-habang panahon. Ka-abang-abang ito para sa kanyang mga fans, na matagal nang hinintay ang kanyang pagbabalik bilang  Teleserye Queen, sa bago niyang TV series na “Starla”. Hindi pa inaanunsyo kung sino ang kanyang makakapareha, pero may balitang isang sikat na aktor ito na galing sa ibang network, at magiging bagong Kapamilya.     

Ex- DH of judge set to file claims after theft acquittal

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina domestic worker is set to file labor claims against her former employer, a High Court judge, ,after being acquitted of theft charges.

Marites Canacio was found not guilty on June 15 of stealing $3,700 from her fellow Filipina maid at Judge Jonathan Harris' house on the Peak

Canacio was acquitted of the charge by Magistrate Cheung Kit-yee on the last day of trial of the theft case held in the Wanchai law courts.

Judge Harris and his Japanese wife testified for the prosecution were in court for the verdict.

Cheung rejected the testimony of the main prosecution witness, Rosiene Cuento Cagalitan, who spent two days on the witness stand. She gave testimony on the alleged events that led the judge to terminate Canacioon Jan.13 The defendant, who stayed at the Consulate’s shelter for troubled workers, chose not to take the witness stand.

She was helped by the Mission for Migrant Workers in preparing her statement and documentary proof such as receipts for the remittance she made for Cagalitan, Googleplay card receipts and the printed transcripts of her phone conversations with her accuser.

An officer of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate told The SUN that Canacio would press her labor claims against Harris now that she had been acquitted.

Following her acquittal, Canacio, accompanied by the ATN officer, went to Eastern Court to secure a court clearance. She also claimed back her bail money from the court.

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

The defendant originally faced another charge of stealing Harris' wallet which contained $600, but this was later withdrawn.

Magistrate Cheung said she could not convict the defendant based on Cagalitan's statement, as the latter was unreliable.

Cheung also chided the prosecutor for wasting court time by insisting to present Mrs Harris as the second witness although she had nothing substantial to add to Cagalitan’s evidence.

Due to the prosecution’s insistence in calling Mrs Harris to testify, Cheung stopped the hearing twice. First, she asked the couple to leave the courtroom as she discussed with the prosecutor her insistence in getting Mrs Harris’ to testify. Second, when Cheung instructed the prosecutor to explain to the Harris couple her objection.

Defense counsel Mohammed Shah tried to show during his cross-examination of Cagalitan that the Filipina had conspired with an Indonesian former co-worker to get Harris to fire Canacio.

At the time  of the alleged theft, the Indonesian maid was about to resume working for the Harris household.  Cagalitan also allegedly forced Canacio to sign a termination letter prepared by Harris on Jan. 13,

According to Cagalitan, she found the envelope containing her missing money hidden inside Canacio's pillow. Only $1,700 was allegedly left of her money.

Police arrested Canacio at the Hong Kong International Airport on the evening of Jan 14 as she was about to board a flight to Manila.
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Pinay in Fortress Hill MTR incident returns home

By Vir B. Lumicao

A Filipina who had a mental breakdown at Fortress Hill MTR Station on Labor Day is now reunited with her parents and siblings in Southern Leyte, according to her relatives and staff at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

She is now safe and recovering in the Philippines.

The 44-year-old maid was reportedly fetched more than a week ago by two officers of the OWWA head office in Manila and escorted back to her hometown.

She left Hong Kong after about a month of confinement at the psychiatric ward of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan.

The patient, who is single, had worked for more than seven years for the same employer on Braemar Hill in North Point.

An OWWA officer said on June 6 that the maid’s employers were constant visitors at the hospital, and were the ones who informed them a week after the worker’s confinement that she was on her way to recovery.

Various video footages uploaded on Facebook showed the worker acting strangely at the MTR station. She was standing with her arms outstretched and her head tilted upwards, as she mumbled about deliverance. At one point, she prostrated herself in front of the turnstiles.

Police who responded to a call from concerned staff took the patient to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wanchai, after which she was transferred to Eastern Hospital.

A relative of the worker who recognized the woman on the video informed the patient’s parents and siblings.

On Jun 6, she confirmed that the patient had returned home but could not tell if she had already recovered from her breakdown.   

A team of volleyball players from Mindanao said it was planning to hold a one-day league in coordination with the patient’s volleyball team to raise money for her financial needs. No date has yet been set for the charity tournament.

Jerghin Barcelona, president of the Sultan Kudarat Women’s Volleyball Team, told The SUN that the patient used to play for the Swaggers, and was a regular participant of the friendly leagues organized by Kudarat.

Masuwerte ka ba sa Hunyo?

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Mahahanap mo ang balanse sa dati nang nakasanayan at sa bagong paraan, at sa pagiging matapang at maingat. Dahil sa mga bagong pangyayari, posibleng mabago ang iyong buhay. Sa trabaho, mahalaga pa rin ang pakikipagtulungan. Manunumbalik ang iyong sigla at karisma at tahimik, walang gulo, at masaya ang pakikipag-kaibigan. Pagdating sa pamilya, hindi mo hahayaang makialam ang ibang tao. Lucky numbers: 7, 15, 13 at 21.
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BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Marami kang obligasyong kailangang harapin kaya nahihirapan kang bunuin ang lahat ng mga ito. Huwag hayaang maapektuhan ang pamilya ng dahil sa pakikipagkaibigan mo. Sa trabaho, iwasan ang mga hindi inaasahang aberya at huwag ipilit ang mga bagay. Hindi mababago ang relasyon sa kabila ng mga nangyayari sa iyo ngayon. Isang malaking kabiguan ang mararanasan, ang tanging paraan na mabawasan ang pinsala ay ang paglayo. Lucky numbers: 17, 30, 35, 40 at 44.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Ang alitan sa isang mahal sa buhay ay hindi agad matatapos. Bakit hindi subukang kalimutan na lang ito? Iwasang matukso na gumastos sa mga bagay na madali mo rin namang pagsasawaan. Sensitibo ang mga mata, protektahan ito sa ilaw na nakakasilaw at alikabok. Bisitahin ang mga magulang. Maganda ang resulta ng pagtutulungan sa trabaho, pero iwasan ang pagiging agresibo na subukan ang lahat ng bagay. Lucky numbers: 8, 12, 22, 31 at 40.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Positibo at sigurado ka sa sarili kaya kakayanin mo ang lahat. Kakasihan ka rin ng suwerte sa mga gagawin mo. Hindi inaasahang pera ang darating. Sa trabaho, hindi napapanahon ang pagpapalit ng linya o lugar. Kung may alitan kayo ng taong malapit sa iyo, piliting maayos ito agad. Babalik ang mga dating samaan ng loob sa relasyon, harapin agad ito at maging matapat upang matapos na, at akuin din ang pagkakamali. Lucky numbers: 9, 23, 34, at 37.
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TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Unti-unti ay mararating mo na ang tagumpay. Iwasang magkaroon ng kumplikasyon ng dahil sa pera. Kung hindi na makatiis sa pagsasama, mabuti pang kumalas ka na upang hindi lumala ang sakit na nararamdaman, at mabigyan ng tsansa ang sarili na makahanap ng ibang mamahalin. Madali kang mapagod. Mas bibigyan mo ng halaga ang pamilya mo ngayon at mas magiging inspirado ka. Samantalahin ito upang simulan ang personal mong proyekto. Lucky numbers: 11, 16, 29 at 46.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Mag-ingat na maging tampulan ng usapan dahil para kang nakikipagdebate sa bawat paksang mapag-usapan. Maswerte ka ngayon na makahanap ng trabaho o makakuha ng dagdag sa sahod. Maganda ang lagay ng pisikal at mental na kalagayan. Tama lang na mapapangiti ka dahil maligaya ka rin sa piling ng iyong minamahal at naipapakita at napaparamdam mo ang iyong pagmamahal. Lucky numbers: 5, 11, 28 at 35.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Ang pag-angat sa trabaho ay kapansin-pansin. Magandang panahon na makipag-kaibigan, dahil magiging pangmatagalan ito. May tsansa kang bigyan ang sarili ng kasiyahan sa pamamasyal sa ibang lugar. Mahina ang resistensya mo ngayon, balutin ang sarili upang hindi lamigin. Maglalaan ka ng oras para sa pamilya, kung may alitan sa kamag-anak, piliting makipagkasundo agad. Lucky numbers: 20, 24, 37 at 41.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
Naiinis ang ibang tao sa iyo dahil sa pananahimik at sa pagiging masikreto mo, pilitin ang sarili na magbahagi ng nararamdaman. Sa trabaho, malulusutan mo ng maayos ang isang mahirap na sitwasyon. Iwasan ang patuloy na pamimigay mo ng pera ng hindi ito pinag-iisipan, huwag hayaang abusuhin ang kabaitan mo ng mga kaibigan. Mataas ang enerhiya mo ngayon kaya marami kang magagawa, pero baka maging sanhi rin ito na magkamali ka ng kilos at maaksidente; mag-ingat. Lucky numbers: 16, 24, 39 at 43.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Tamang panahon na gawin ang delikadong hakbang, o humiling at manghingi ng suporta. Ang maliit na pagtatalo sa kapitbahay ay maaring lumaki, piliting makipag-usap ng maayos. Sa tarabaho, magiging maganda ang mga desisyon mo at sa pamamalakad sa negosyo. Marami pa rin ang namamatay sa tetanus kaya magpa-iniksyon agad kung kinakailangan, lalo na kung nahihilig ka sa paghahalaman. Lucky numbers: 8, 26, 33 at 40.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Unti-unti ay mapapakawalan mo ang sarili sa mga kontradiksyon nabuo mo. At bigla ay makakahanap ka ng magandang solusyon sa problema mo. Tahimik, pero maalab ang love affair mo ngayon. Ang mga nalulungkot ay makakatagpo ng magpapasaya sa kanila ngayon. Masigla at masipag, marami kang pagkakaabalahang bagay nang walang iniindang pagod. Pero mas mainam kung ituon ang enerhiya sa mga importanteng bagay. Lucky numbers: 17, 25, 31 at 42.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Masasagad ng husto ang pasensya mo sa trabaho, pero maaayos din ang lahat. Mag-ingat sa ilan mong kaibigan na magbubuyo sa iyo sa kapahamakan. Alisin agad sa isipan ang maitim o negatibong ideya bago pa ito makasama sa iyo. Ang nerbiyos ay sumusulpot ng hindi inaasahan, at lumalabas sa mga taghiyawat sa mukha, pamamantal, singaw sa bibig o ang pagsambit ng masasakit ba salita na hirap mong mapigilan. Lucky numbers: 6, 18, 29 at 41.

TANDANG Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Masaya ang tahanan dahil nagkakaunawaan. Huwag agad sumuko sa mahalagang trabaho na iniatang sa iyo dahil maraming susuporta sa iyo. May matatagpuan kang bagong pagkakakitaan. Magiging inspirado ka at mahahawakan mo ng maayos ang iyong pera; hindi magtatagal ay matutupad na ang mga pangarap mo. Dagdagan ang pag -iingat upang hindi magkasakit sa panahong ito. Lucky numbers: 14, 18, 29 at 37.

Ylagan granted bail after arrest

By Daisy CL Mandap

Ester Ylagan

Ester Ylagan, co-owner of the defunct Emry’s Service Staff and Employment Agency, was allowed to post bail early on June 9, after being arrested and questioned by Hong Kong Police for about 48 hours.

In an emailed response to a query on the status of Ylagan’s investigation, a police spokesperson said, “the 65-year-old arrested woman was released on Police bail and is required to report back to Police in early July 2018.”

The Police had earlier confirmed to The SUN that Ylagan was arrested on June 7 in Western District for ”conspiracy to defraud” and “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (also known as money laundering).”

The arrest reportedly stemmed from complaints filed by 210 individuals starting in 2016, alleging that they had been deceived by Ylagan in a job recruitment scam in which each lost between $5,000 and $20,000.

The total number of Filipino job applicants allegedly lured into applying for the non-existent jobs in Britain and Canada were, however, estimated to have been more, with the total amount involved reaching as much as  $5million. The applicants came not only from Hong Kong, but also Macau and the Philippines.

Lawyers acting for the complainants subsequently reported uncovering documents showing Ylagan and several other people close to her had sent a total of around $10 million to several countries as far apart as Malaysia and Burkina Faso. The documents were turned over to the police, along with the names of the others involved in the apparent money laundering scam.

Of the more than 200 Filipinos who sought police help, about 150 have filed claims to recover their money from Ylagan, and their cases are now pending at the District Court where they were transferred by the Small Claims Tribunal.

With help from the Mission for Migrant Workers, the complainants succeeded in getting legal aid to pursue their claims.

Ylagan quietly slipped out of Hong Kong in mid-July 2016 in an apparent bid to head off a possible arrest. Before leaving, she filed a complaint with the Central Police station against a London-based business partner who reportedly duped her of $4.19 million.

Ylagan said the business partner she identified as “William Clinton James” had made her send the money to unknown people in Burkina Faso, on the promise that he had jobs waiting for her recruits. For her effort, she was supposed to get a British passport, 15 plane tickets to London, and a chance to explore business opportunities in the United Kingdom.

Each applicant to Britain was asked to pay $10,000 and $15,000 for those applying to Canada. A leaflet Ylagan had circulated said “any jobs” were available in the two destinations, causing hundreds of applicants who had relied on her reputation as a 30-year veteran of the recruitment business, to swamp her World Wide shop in Central between January to May, 2016.

At the time she remitted the $4.19 million, Ylagan said she had recruited 400 applicants. She stopped when she was asked to increase the number to 650, then 800.

Ylagan returned to Hong Kong in December last year, and offered to return the applicants’ money if she could recover a flat she used to co-own with her husband, Rick Ylagan, who died two months earlier.

She also sought police help again, this time to file a complaint for deception against her erstwhile friend, suspended barrister Ody Lai Pui-yi. Ylagan claimed Lai had deceived her and her son in transferring their Aberdeen flat in the former barrister’s name.

Land Registry documents show Ylagan had bought the flat with her husband in November 2000 for $2.37 million. The property was transferred in the name of their son, Ridge Michael on July 23, 2016, for $2.6 million. Then on March 20, 2017, it was further transferred to Lai for a consideration of $5 million.

The police are continuing their investigation into the cases.

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


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

Filcom group announcements:

Free Zumba Class
Sundays, 10am-11am (or stay longer if you want)
Pier 10, Central
Open to everyone
Offered by: Kayumanggi Zumba Fitness Group HK

Free Yoga Class 
Sundays, 8:30am-9:30am
Pier 10, Central
Open to everyone
Organized by: Andappan Yoga Community

For Tinikling Lovers
The Tinikling Group of Migrants is in need of male/female performers with or without experience, no age limit. TGM performs mostly for LCSD events. Interested person may contact Marie Velarde @ 67175379, Emz Bautista @ 98512804and Rowena Solir @97331049.

Attention: Rugby enthusiasts
The Exiles Touch Rugby group is inviting rugby enthusiasts to join the team. We practice every Sunday at the Happy Valley Pitch 8 from 5pm to 8pmat the Happy Valley Pitch 8.  For those interested please contact: Ghelai 65414432whatsapp/sms or click “like” on Exiles HK facebook page

Wanted: softball players
The all-Filipina softball team is now open for
tryouts. Those who are interested, especially those with prior experience in the game may contact Team Captain Don Gaborno 5318-5113

An invitation to play volleyball
Calling sport-minded Filipinas who want to play volleyball. A team is being organized by a group led by Shane Key Gonzales to compete in upcoming volleyball leagues in Hong Kong. Interested parties may contact Shane at 54498080.

What's on, where

120th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE 

DAY EVENTS

Coronation of Bb Kalayaan 2018
Jun 17 (Sunday), 9am onwards
Highlight: Search and coronation of Bb Kalayaan and Live Band performance
Organizer: Global Alliance. Contact: Leo Selomenio

Diplomatic Cocktails
Jun 19 (Tuesday), 6:30pm-8:00pm
Granville and Nathan Rooms, Conrad HK
By invitation
Hosted by: Consul General Antonio Morales and Madame Shirlene C. Mananquil

Kalayaan Ball 2018
Jun 24 (Sunday) 12nn-3pm
Foo Loom Palace, King’s Road, North Point
Organized by: Global Alliance/Philippine Alliance
Entrance ticket: $100 @
Contact: Leo Selomenio

PUBLIC HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT: 
The Philippine Consulate General and all its attached agencies including POLO will be closed on the following date:
July 2 (Monday) – Hong Kong holiday
There will be no official transactions on these dates.
In case of emergency, call:
9155 4023 (Consular assistance)
5529 1880 (POLO)
6345 9324 (OWWA)

OTHER EVENTS:
Mga Kulay at Ngiti ng LGBT2
Film showing and talk on understanding gay issues by celebrity host Boy Abunda
June 17, 2:15pm – 5pm
PCG conference room
Note: All seats taken
Organized by the PCG’s Gender and Development Program in celebration of Pride Month

Silid Sining Pinay: Unlocking Pinay Creativity
Painting Workshop Sessions for OFWs in HK with Filipino artist Grace P. Camacho
July 1, 9am-12nn
Aug 5, 9am-12nn
Sept 2, 9am-12nn
Oct 7, 9am – 12nn
PCG Gallery
Organized by: PCG with Pitter Painter
Requirements: HKID copy and one 2x2" photo
To register, visit the PCG Cultural Section or email cultural.pcg@gmail.com with subject: “SilidSining”

Sagip-Kapwa (Press to Shock, Save a Life)
Free cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillation (AED) and Fire Safety lessons
First session: July 15 (Sunday), 1-5pm
PCG Conference Room
Note: All seats taken. Limited slots.
Certificates will be issued to those who complete the CPR and AED training
Organized by: PCG’s Gender and Development Program