Mission for Migrant Workers call on charity draw winners to collect prizes

 

One of the big winners is young Seysey, shown here with his mom and Tess Aquino of the Mission

A MacBook Air computer topped the list of prizes handed out to winners of the Mission for Migrant Workers’ Charity Raffle Draw 2023, where the winning tickets were picked out on Dec 17.

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The other top prizes included a Samsung Galaxy Tab,  a staycation package for two, a Xiaomi phone, three-course executive lunch for two, a HK Disneyland entrance ticket awarded to two winners, plus supermarket vouchers.

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I-CLICK DITO!

The winning ticket numbers are posted below. All winners are asked to collect their prizes on or before Jan. 31, 2024. Please call 2522 8264 before collecting your prize.

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Prizes may be claimed in person or through an authorized representative at the MFMW office in St John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong.

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Proceeds from the yearly charity raffle are used to support the Mission’s programs aimed at promoting migrant domestic workers’ physical and mental well-being, and empower them through skills training.

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Penalty set by law insufficient for Filipina’s crime

 

The principal magistrate said the prescribed penalty for the crime is insufficient

A Filipina may have thought that reporting to police a crime that never happened was a minor offense. After all, the Police Force Ordinance sets a maximum penalty of a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment of not more than six months.

Soledad Solomon, 54 years old and a resident, pleaded guilty at the Eastern Court today to the charge of making a false report of commission of an offense on Dec. 13, 2022.

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But Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui said Solomon’s offense was so serious that the penalty specified by the law is “not strong enough” as a deterrent to similar offenses in the future.

She said Solomon’s false report caused the police to waste so much time and resources that would have been spent more productively in fighting crime.

So instead of following the penalty schedule set by the ordinance, Magistrate Chui ordered reports done on Solomon by a probationary officer and a community service officer to determine the more appropriate punishment for her.

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Court documents said Solomon went to the Wanchai Police Station on Arsenal Street to report to Detective Police Constable Tony Chan that someone entered their house in Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, and stole her bag containing $35,000 worth of foreign currency and $2,000 in Hong Kong bills.

She also told the police investigator that her son recovered the bag later from a garbage bin, but without the contents.

When investigators checked the CCTV at the lobby of the floor where their flat was located, the video footage showed only her and her son leaving and entering the flat the whole night.

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In mitigation, Solomon’s lawyer said she had a clear record and was remorseful.

He even presented a letter from her husband seeking a lenient sentence.

The lawyer suggested a fine be imposed on her.

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But Magistrate Chui would have none of it and scheduled the next hearing for Jan. 18 to consider the reports she ordered.

She freed Solomon on bail of $2,000.

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Shoplifting fetches fine, bind-over for 2 DHs

 

Store where one of the thefts occurred (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino domestic helper was fined while another avoided penalty today as their shoplifting cases heard in different courts reached contrasting ends.

Gina Reyes, 48 years old, was fined $1,500 at Eastern Court after she pleaded guilty to theft, in violation of Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

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She admitted stealing six packs of chocolate with a total value of $184 last Dec. 17 from a Best Mart 360 store on Lee Garden Road in Causeway Bay.

She was caught when a security guard in plain clothes intercepted her after she left the store without paying for the items.

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Since she would only be paid her salary during the first week of January, she asked to be given time to pay the fine. The request was granted; she was given one month to pay up.

In Kowloon City Court, on the other hand, the theft charge against Mary Jean Ulatan, 40 years old, was withdrawn after she agreed to be bound over for 12 months with special conditions.

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She would be penalized with $1,000 only if she reoffends.

Ulatan was charged with stealing one bottle of jam, one bottle of peanut butter, one can of Milo powdered drink, one bottle of honey and eight bars of soap.

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The items were stolen last Nov. 3 at the Fusion Supermarket at Lok Fu Estate in Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon.

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Mental health support services for EMs, general public set up

Prof Lau (center) leads launch of the mental health support hotline

Two projects meant to provide mental health support to people in Hong Kong were announced by the government today, Dec. 27.

The first is the Mental Health Support Hotline that operates 24 hours a day, all-year round, and provides immediate counselling services to members of the public from all backgrounds and of all ages. It started operating today.

The second is the setting up of a service centre for members of the ethnic minorities who need emotional support and counselling services. The service centre located in Jordan will be operated on a trial basis starting tomorrow, Dec. 28.

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A multi-professional team comprising social workers, counsellors and support staff conversant in ethnic minority languages will support the service centre, which could also refer cases to other service platforms for additional support and/or treatment if needed.

Operated by the Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited, the service centre opens from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday but can provide counselling services beyond these hours when necessary.

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Members of the public can call the centre hotline at 9682 3100 for information, or visit the website www.zubinfoundation.org/our-work/ethnic-minority-well-being-centre/ to learn more about the service centre.

Separately, the government today launched the "18111 - Mental Health Support Hotline" to provide one-stop, round-the-clock support for people with mental health needs, rendering them immediate mental health support and referral services.

At the kick-off ceremony, Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said the round-the-clock mental health service provided for free by the government aims to render timely support to people who are in mental distress or with mental health needs.

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It aims to coordinate existing counselling services provided by the Government and about 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assure speedy, and comprehensive mental support services to those who are in need.

The MHS hotline is manned by dedicated personnel answering the phone 24 hours a day, providing immediate support and counselling services to residents from all backgrounds and of all ages. Callers will also be referred to the most appropriate organisations depending on the nature of individual cases.

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Professor Lo urged all those with mental health needs to immediately call 18111 and use the service to get immediate help. Family members or friends of those with mental health issues are also asked to encourage the afflicted to get support through the hotline.

"The Government has picked this easy-to-recall hotline number with special thoughts. Simply remember that the '18111 - Mental Health Support Hotline' attends to mental health needs 

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Warm weather until New Year’s eve seen

Clear weather promises sunny day tomorrow. (HKO photo)

The cold Christmas is past and the days leading up to the New Year are warming up, peaking on Sunday at 24 degree Celsius in the afternoon, to the Hong Kong Observatory.

The warm-up has been due to the inflow of humid air from east of Hong Kong, with its warmer winds making the days mild, HKO said.

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Mornings from Thursday to Sunday will thus be warmer, with the minimum temperature remaining at 18C and rising as the sun rises.

This bodes well for the fireworks display at Victoria harbor on New Year’s eve, with the clear sky ensuring visibility.

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However, by the mornng of the new year on Monday, the warm air flow will be pushed south and replaced by the colder northeast monsoon from northeast China, causing the temperature to  drop down to 16C.

The cold mornings will then prevail for the rest of the week.

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Church leaders spend Christmas saying mass in prisons

 

Cardinal Chow visiting patients at Stanley Prison hospital

Leaders of the Catholic and Anglican churches in Hong Kong spent Christmas day visiting persons in custody, including those who are in hospital.

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The Correctional Services Department arranged for the detainees to attend activities relating to their visits as part of traditional activities during the Christmas season.

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Cardinal Stephen Chow, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, visited Stanley Prison and presided at a Christmas mass where he gave special blessings to the detainee.

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He was accompanied during his visit by the Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services (Operations and Strategic Development), Ng Chiu-kok; the Correctional Services Chaplain, Deacon Edwin Ng; and Chief Superintendent Leung Chung-yin.

Rev. Andrew Chan saying mass in Pak Sha Wan prison

Earlier,  on Dec. 21, the Archbishop of Hong Kong, the Most Reverend Andrew Chan, presided at a Christmas service in Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution on Dec. 21 to preach and share religious messages with the detainees there.

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Through the CSD, a wide range of spiritual and social services are offered to detainees who wish to participate, regardless of their religious affiliation. The services include visits, teaching, counselling, religious worship and recreational activities. 

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Outgoing Consul General delivers final Christmas message to Filcom

 

Congen Tejada in his Christmas message: No goodbyes, just thank you

In what could be his last public address as the country’s top representative in Hong Kong, Consul General Raly Tejada thanked the Filipino community for working with the Consulate in minimizing the effect of the pandemic for the past three years. He made his comment in a recorded video message posted on the Consulate’s Facebook page on Christmas Day.

Although he did not say goodbye, Congen’s short message was followed by a long video showing him in different Filcom gatherings, with “Auld Lang Syne” being played in the background.

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ConGen Tejada is due to wind up his term in Hong Kong at the end of this month, after serving the last four of the six-year mandatory service for all foreign service officers posted abroad, here. He spent the first two years as Philippine consul general in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

His Hong Kong post will be taken over by his current deputy, Germinia Usudan.

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In his message, Tejada said Christmas this year is special because it is the first Christmas after the pandemic, and people are again free to gather in public.

“Dahil sa pagtutulungan ng mga Pilipino dito sa Hong Kong at ng Konsulado, nalagpasan natin ang mga hamon na dulot ng Covid-19,” he said.

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(Because of the cooperation between the Filipinos here in Hong Kong and the Consulate, we were able to hurdle the challenges brought about by Covid-19).

“Ako ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kababayan, at ang aking tanging hiling ay maganda natin ang magandang samahan sa susunod na taon.”

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(I wholeheartedly thank my fellow Filipinos, and my only hope is we will continue this good cooperation into the next year).

Full video is here: https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/posts/pfbid0RT3T5GCiYVcYJ3gmtDpPPxRi5zaXoaVhVrkyHu8gZPkMcq5T8N38DJMzhim2nvVjl

Congen Tejada has announced that after his recall to Manila, he will assume the role of assistant secretary in the legal office of the

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 Department of Foreign Affairs.