Makisali!

Join PaStaran 2016
For this year’s Parol-Making contest, participating groups may register with the Philippine Consulate’s cultural section from Nov. 13- Dec. 11, 2016. No late registration will be accepted.
The prizes are as follows: $5,000 for the grand prize; $3,000 for the 2nd prize; $2,000 for the 3rd prize; and $1,000 for the 4th prize.
As before, all entries must comply with the following requirements:
1) The parol must be made of recyclable materials;
2) Should be no bigger than 0.8 x 1meter
3) The lights used should be powered by batteries
4) It should be “stand-alone” or come with its own stand;
5) Each group will be allowed to submit only 1 parol
In addition, each group must submit a video explaining the concept for their entry. The video should be no longer than 2minutes and must be submitted to the PCG’s cultural section between Dec. 17 - 22, 2016.
All entries must be brought to Chater Garden by 4pm on Dec. 24 for the judging.
For more information, call 2823 8536 or email cultural_hk@yahoo.com

Health checks for FDWs  
Caritas Asian Migrant Workers Social Service Project will hold a two-day Health Concern Days for foreign domestic workers on two Sundays: Dec 17 and Jan 8, 2017.
The schedule is as follows:
Venue: Caritas Fortress Hill Centre, G/F. , No.28A, Fortress Hill Road, Hong Kong. For reservation, call 2147-5988.

What's on where

Thomasian Chamber Choir in HK
Dec 1, 6pm
Hong Kong Cultural Center Foyer
Free public performance by the award-winning chamber choir of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila
Organized by the Philippine Consulate General

Symphony of Light: A Photo Exhibit
(an exhibit of water color paintings by Janet Pancho Gupta)
Ongoing until Dec. 1
PCG Gallery, 14th floor, United Centre, Admiralty
Open to the public
Co-organized by Pintura Circle and the Philippine Consulate General

Concert in the Park
Dec. 3, 1:30-7pm
HK Cultural Centre Piazza, TST
Organized by: Hong Kong Musicians Union and Philippine Consulate General
Supported by: HK Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Admission is freee

1st Anniversary Celebration
Dec. 3, 1-5pm
Bayanihan Centre at Kennedy Town
Organizer: Pangasinan Society Hong Kong
Contact: Leilani Campos at 9665 0943

UPAA HK AGM and Christmas Party
Dec. 5, 7pm onwards. Venue: Bisney Road, Pokfulam
Open to all alumni of the University of the Philippines
For directions and other details, please contact Sher at 6628 1827

2nd Anniversary Party
Dec 11, 12nn, M/V Star Pisces, TST
Organizer: Annak Ti Abra Hong Kong
Contact: Yolanda Pilarta @57147679 for details.

3rd Anniversary Party/Graduation
Dec. 11, 11am onwards, Best Western Plus Hotel,
Organizer: Ilagan City Association HK
Contact: Gigi Arquero at 97209390

International Migrants Day Rally
Dec. 18, 2pm onwards. Venue TBA
Organized by: Asian Migrants Coordinating Body
Contact: Dolores 97472986

Free Open Air Cinema in Causeway Bay
To help celebrate the Great November Feast organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and a series of wine and dine activities at Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Lee Tung Avenue is screening two Hollywood foodie movies for free in the Lee Tung Avenue Atrium in Causeway 6:30pm-8:30pm are: Julie & Julia (Dec 3, Saturday) and Chef (Dec 4, Sunday). Both screenings are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ang kapalaran mo: Dec. 1-15

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96 
Igalang ang kagustuhan ng iba na maging malaya dahil tiyak na may maganda itong kahihinatnan. Maghanap ng taong maaasahan upang lalong maisulong ang pagiging malikhain. Samantalahin ang bawat panahon na tapusin ang mga proyekto. Kung naguguluhan, huwag mag-atubiling humingi ng tulong sa mga magulang o sino mang mas nakatatanda. Unahin ang responsibilidad sa pamilya bago ang sa ibang tao.

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97 
Huwag basta maniniwala sa mga pangako ng ibang tao lalo na kung hindi pa ito lubos na kilala. Marami ang maapektuhan ng bawat maling desisyon kaya siguraduhin na alam ang ginagawa. Dapat isaalang-alang kung ano ang sariling kagustuhan bago pumasok sa isang relasyon.  Maglaan ng oras para sa pamilya upang hindi na lumala ang namumuong hidwaan.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98 
Hindi magkandaugaga sa pagsunod sa maraming utos sa linggong ito. May pag-asang muling umusbong ang naudlot na pag-ibig at sa pagkakataong ito, huwag mag-alinlangang ibahagi ang mga pangarap. Imbes na magmukmok sa isang tabi, lumabas kasama ang mga kaibigan upang maibsan ang kalungkutan. Malaking pera ang kakailanganin kaya huwag gumastos sa mga bagay na walang silbi.

 KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87 
Huwag hayaang mangibabaw ang nararamdaman lalo na kung kailangang gumawa ng importanteng desisyon. Dadaan sa maraming pagsubok ang relasyon at hindi mapipigilan ang pagbabago ng nararamdaman. Maraming tao ang makikinabang sa kuwentong ibabahagi kaya sikapin maging responsable at makatotohanan ang bawat salitang bibitawan. Makinig sa payo ng ibang tao.
.
 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88 
Marami ang makakapansin sa iyong kakayahan sa linggong ito kaya dadagsa ang maraming oportunidad. Ipamalas ang buong kakayahan anuman ang ginagawa upang mas madaling makamit ang tagumpay. Huwag ibunyag ang sekretong ipinagkatiwala ng ibang tao upang hindi masira ang kredibilidad.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89 
Huwag magpaapekto sa hidwaan at dayaan na nangyayari sa palibot upang tuloy-tuloy ang pagsulong ng proyekto. Ang pagiging magaspang at mainipin ay maaring magdulot ng masamang impresyon kaya mag-ingat sa pagbitiw ng mga salita. Ang anumang maliit na bagay na ginagawa para sa minamahal ay tiyak na matutumbasan ng lubos na pagtitiwala.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90
Maaring mapaaway sa linggong ito dahil sa pagiging agresibo. Hindi hadlang ang kakulitan ng ibang tao sa paghahanap ng solusyon sa problema. Malayang sabihin kung ano ang nasa isip pero tiyakin na hindi masisira ang sariling reputasyon. Magugulat sa hindi inaasahang pagbabago ng plano pero kung makikinig sa payo ng eksperto, abot kamay pa rin ang tagumpay.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79 at 91 
Huwag basta paniniwalaan ang lahat ng naririnig. Kung naguguluhan, sundin ang ibinubulong ng puso. Isang kamag-anak o kaibigan ang mangangailan ng tulong dahil sa matinding karamdaman. Maaring mabago ang plano dahil sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari. Pairalin ang disiplina sa sarili at huwag maging sunud-sunuran sa gusto ng iba lalo sa mga mahal sa buhay.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92
Mapapasabak sa isang matinding argumento. Pag-aralang mabuti ang estratehiya na gustong ipatupad upang hindi masayang ang oras at salapi. Huwag magpadaig sa takot lalo na kung nasa harap ng matinding pagsubok. Kung kailangan ng tulong, agad na lumapit sa mga kaibigan bago pa mahuli ang lahat. Laging tandaan na walang imposible kung sadyang tapat ang hangarin.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93
Magkaka- kumplikasyon ang mga plano kung paiiralin ang takot. Sikaping maglibang o magkaroon ng sapat na pahinga kahit sobrang abala sa trabaho para maging mas masigla. Kung nalulula sa dami ng dapat gawin, unahin muna ang maliliit na tungkulin upang maituon ang lahat ng atensyon sa mas kumplikadong obligasyon. Makihalubilo sa mga kaibigan para pansamantalang makalimutan ang trabaho.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94
Hindi mapigilang magalit sa mga taong tamad at mapanlinlang. Huwag ipagkait ang tulong sa mga tunay na nangangailangan. Ipamalas ang taos-pusong pag-asikaso sa kapakanan ng minamahal. Marami nang napatunayan sa kasalukuyang trabaho kaya panahon na para tahakin ang panibagong landas. Libangin ang sarili kasama ang mga kaibigan.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95
Maganda ang pasok ng linggong ito dahil sa bagong oportunidad. Huwag mataranta sa dami ng inaasikaso at ituon lang ang atensyon sa mga bagay na sadyang kailangan. Marami ang mag-uunahang makuha ang iyong atensyon kaya mag-ingat sa bawat hakbang. Hindi lahat ng kahilingan ng pamilya ay ipinagkakaloob lalo na kung alam mong maari itong magbunga ng kapahamakan.

Less than 10% of HK examinees pass teachers' board

By Daisy CL Mandap

LET takers lininng up at Bayanihan Centre on Sept 25

Less than 10% of the more than 600 examinees from Hong Kong passed the licensure examination for teachers given on Sept. 25, according to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre

In a Facebook post, Labatt de la Torre said: “Of the 624 who took the Licensure Examination for Teachers last September in Hong Kong, 9.77% passed. Please check your names at PRCBoard.com”.

He told The SUN earlier that he had asked one of his staff members to go over the list of successful examinees “one by one” and compare it with the list of those who took it in Hong Kong to get an accurate count.

The latest result is far lower than that recorded in 2013, when about 30% of the examinees in Hong Kong passed; and in 2001, when a 50% pass rate was recorded, the highest for the city so far.

However, it is slightly better than in the years 2003 to 2008, when the pass rate for Hong Kong hovered around 8%. The poorest result was posted in 2010, when only 7.29% made the grade. That caused the Professional Regulation Commission to suspend the LET in Hong Kong to give the would-be examinees more time to review.

The latest overall result was posted in the PRC website yesterday, Nov. 29, but no breakdown was given per testing center. The LET was given simultaneously in Hong Kong and the Philippines, while those in the Middle East reportedly took it earlier

The PRC site showed that out of a total of 92,754 who took the test for secondary level, 31,334 made it, for a pass rate of  33.78%.

A lower passing rate was recorded for those who took the elementary-level test. Of the 77,466 examinees, a total of 23,378 passed, or 30.18 of the overall figure.

The outcome could only be a letdown for those who took it in Hong Kong, most of whom are domestic helpers who persevered to attend review classes or do it on their own on the only day in the week that they are off work.

Gem Aquino Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers – Hong Kong, told The SUN earlier that she was hopeful that a big number of those who took it here managed to get through.

“Feel ko po marami din based po sa mga messages na natatanggap ko,” Lauraya told The SUN via online chat. “(Pero) mukhang difficult po ang exam kasi 30% lang ang passing rate.”

She said it would have been really good if the results in Hong Kong were not too far behind the national rate since those who took it here really persevered to hurdle the test.

Among the first to report to her about passing the exam was Bhessie Ramos Atrero, who said “Ma’am Gem, pasado ako”, in a Facebook comment.

In an interview she had with The SUN right after taking the exam, Atrero said she was quite confident of passing, since she could compare it with her experience the first time she took it in the Philippines in 2008. She said the first one was really difficult.

The others who were quick to post the good news about them already being RPT or Registered Professional Teacher  were Ever Padasay, Bldrma Gemma Lyn, Bing Fersa, Catherine Abat, Carol Pascua and Melody Esquivel.

Passing the examination is crucial in getting overseas Filipino workers into a special program designed to encourage them to go back and home and teach. Under the “Sa ‘Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’m, Sir”, OFWs are given a first crack at some 30,000 new teaching jobs created in line with the new Kto12 curriculum.

Overall, those who topped the examination in secondary level were:

SECONDARY LEVEL): SEPTEMBER 2016 LET BOARD EXAM TOPNOTCHERS

RANK	NAME	SCHOOL	RATING
1	RICHARD CABUAY MACAPULAY	TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY (TARLAC COLLEGE OF TECH.)	90.00
2	ELLA VIRCELLE ESTOYA EGUILLOS	UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS-TACLOBAN CITY	89.80
3	RUZZELLOU BATUCAN ROSELLO	UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO- DAVAO CITY	89.60

In elementary level, the top three slots were taken by the following:

TOP 10 PASSERS (ELEMENTARY LEVEL): SEPTEMBER 2016 LET BOARD EXAM TOPNOTCHERS

RANK	NAME	SCHOOL	RATING
1	MARK PENULIAR CASTILLO	TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY (TARLAC COLLEGE OF TECH.)	88.20
1	LADY PRINCESS SANGUYO MARCELO	UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- DILIMAN	88.20
2	RAYMUND GERARD VIBAR BANZUELA	DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF LEGAZPI	88.00
2	LENORE HAILEY KO KEH	UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS	88.00
2	LUDELYN ASUNCION PALMA	UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM- ANTIPOLO	88.00
2	CACHARELLE MAE RAMOS RAPIRAP	SOUTHVILLE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AND COLLEGES	88.00
3	HAZEL ROSE GONZALES DENIEGA	SORSOGON STATE COLLEGE- SORSOGON	87.60

The examinees in Hong Kong included six from Macau. All save one were women.

Balasubas ang best friend niya

Nagmamakaawang humihingi ng tulong si Mona noon sa kanyang kababata na naging matalik na kaibigan dito sa Hong Kong. Kailangan kasi ni Mona ng malaking halaga para ipambayad sa ahente na nag-aalok sa kanya ng trabaho sa Canada. Hindi naman nag-atubiling tumulong ang kaibigan niyang si Rosa, na umutang pa sa financing company para matulungan siya.

Umabot sa $50,000 ang naiabot ni Mona sa kaibigan, na wala man lang usapan ng tungkol sa interes. Asang-asa kasi siya na madali siyang mababayaran ni Mona sa kikitain nito sa Canada. Kahit daw buwan-buwan na lang nitong hulugan ang pera, hanggang mabayaran lahat ang kabuuuang halaga ng utang.

Masayang masaya ang magkaibigan nang lumabas na ang visa ni Mona, na abot-abot ang pangakong hindi nito kalilimutan ang kabaitan ng kaibigan. Naging punong-abala pa si Rosa sa paghahanda para sa huling salo-salo nila ni Mona at iba pa nilang kaibigan.

Nang matapos na ang unang buwan ni Mona sa Canada ay pinaalalahanan siya ni Rosa ng kanyang responsibilidad sa pagbabayad sa utang dahil kailangan na nilang umpisahan ang buwanang hulog. Laking pagkabigla ni Rosa nang sabihan siya ni Mona na bakit hindi man lang daw siya makapaghintay na maka-settle siya bago ito maningil.

Hindi alam ni Rosa dahil alam naman niyang may trabahong dinatnan si Mona sa Canada. Katunayan ay ipinagyayabang pa nito noon na kaunting parte lang ng sasahurin niya ang ipambabayad sa buwanang hulog sa pautangan.

Gayunpaman ay pinabayaan muna niya ang kaibigan, at muling inungkat ang pagbabayad pagkatapos ng isa pang buwan. Muli siyang nagulat dahil hindi lang hindi nagbayad si Mona, kundi ito pa ang nagalit na parang siya ang umutang dito. Kesyo bakit atat na atat daw siyang maningil at hindi iniintindi ang kalagayan nito sa Canada. Wala daw siyang kuwentang kaibigan dahil sinisingil na siya eh hindi pa nga siya tumatagal doon.

Sising sisi si Rosa at takang taka sa inasal ng dating kaibigan na itinuring pa naman niyang parang isang kapatid. Ngayon ay si Rosa ang nagbabayad ng perang hindi naman siya ang gumamit. Mabuti na lang at dalaga siya kaya walang asawa at anak na umaasa sa kanyang buwanang padala.

Sa kabila nito, naaawa at nahihiya siya sa kanyang mga magulang dahil hindi na niya mapadalhan ang mga ito ng pera. Sana daw ay ipinadala na lamang niya sa kanyang mga magulang para may maipahiram sa mga nagsasanla ng lupa, na siya naman pwede nilang pagkakitaan. O kaya naman ay siya na lang ang gumamit papuntang Canada.

Umaasa pa rin siyang babayaran siya sa balang araw ng talipandas na kaibigan, ngunit mahigpit ang pagpapayo sa mga kaibigan na huwag na huwag gayahin ang kanyang naging pagkakamali. Kung sa Hong Kong ay mahirap nang maghabol sa mga pinautang, lalo na kung sa Canada pa ito sisingilin. Si Rosa ay isang Bisaya, at kasalukuyang naninilbihan sa pamilyang Intsik sa Kowloon. – Marites Palma

Civil service vacancies set for HK exam passers

Examinees find their names in the list of those allowed to take the civil service exam.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Many vacancies need to be filled up in the government service back home and those who pass the just-recently concluded civil service examination for Hong Kong-based OFWs could qualify to take up those jobs, an official of the Civil Service Commission said.

Fernando Porio, director of the CSC’s Examination, Recruitment & Placement Office, also said that the holding of the first-ever exam for Filipinos in Hong Kong, was part of the government’s reintegration plan for returning OFWs.

He said the CSC could also hold the exam in other countries where there are OFWs, as long as the overseas posts concerned would make a request.

About 1,000 examinees took the exam on Sunday, Nov 27, at the Delia Memorial School Hip Wo in Kwun Tong.

More than 100 examinees came from Macau.

Porio said the CSC was excited to hold the exam in Hong Kong as it would mean helping Filipinos who would like to go home and enter government service.

Porio administered the test with seven assistants, and were helped by 80 Hong Kong-based volunteers who acted as proctors and watchers.

“There are a number of vacancies that need to be filled up (in government offices),” Porio told The SUN during an interview at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

“These are first- and second-level positions to be filled up, some administrative, some clerical and professional positions. Marami,” he said.

Porio said the idea of holding the first ever civil service exam in Hong Kong was meant to enable returning OFWs to work for the government.

This was reportedly communicated to CSC chair Alicia dela Rosa-Bala by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

 “They told us that this is their (the government’s) intention and we support them. (Our) chairwoman, in her formal reply to the secretary of labor and employment said we are fully supportive whatever program the government has for the overseas Filipinos,” Porio said.

He admitted that there are still many political appointees among government employees, but said there certain standards used in vetting appointments. “Hindi mawawala iyan (political influence)… But in any position like heads of offices, meron naman ang CSC ng qualification standards that all offices abide by,” he said.

POLO works overtime to serve OEC applicants

OEC applicants at the POLO on a Sunday. Now POLO will extend office hours to accommodate them. 

By Daisy CL Mandap

The Christmas crush over the overseas employment certificate has begun, and in a bid to contain the usual over-crowding at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre has extended service hours, and even ordered that applicants be served during a holiday.

From Sunday, Dec. 4, POLO will be open until 8pm at both its 11thh and 16thh floor offices for the issuance of the OEC exemption slips. The extended opening hours will apply for all Sundays of December and January 2017.

Subsequently, Labatt de la Torre also ordered that his office would open on Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm.

“For those who can come on on Saturdays, please don’t wait for Sunday to come. Sunday is always very crowded,” he said on his Facebook post.

Then, as an afterthought, he announced that POLO would also issue OEC exemptions and help those who made an appointment to register for the slip online on Nov. 30, a public holiday in the Philippines and all overseas posts.

He also made a last-minute appeal for those who could apply online for the exemption slip to do so. “To all our OFWs in Hong Kong: kung matagal pa naman (ang) uwi ninyo baka puedeng mag online registration na kayo para mabawasan natin ang crowd tuwing Linggo. Kung marunong naman kayong mag computer mas maigi ho na mag online registration na. Sa ganitong paraan yung mga emergency trips lang o yung malalapit na ang alis ang bibigyan natin ng temporary OEC exemption, at saka yung mga hindi sanay sa Internet technology. Salamat po sa inyong pag unawa,” he said.

However, he later clarified that online registration is not available for those who have never created an account with the Balik Manggagawa Online site. They will still have to make an appointment with POLO, and be assisted in creating their account.

To cut the waiting time for this, they could ask for the temporary OEC exemption slip, which they could use to get past immigration at Philippine airports and return to their employer.

However, those flying out through Clark international airport are being asked to register online, anyway, because the slip is not being honored there, for some reason.

The slip must be kept by the OFWs on their return to Hong Kong as it comes with a reference number which serves as their one-time pass in creating an account with BM Online system.

Once they manage to create this account, they will be able to print their own exemption slip each time they need to go back to the Philippines, for as long as they return to the same employer, and work site.

Those who change employers, whether they finished or broke their contracts, are not entitled to the OEC exemption. They will have 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 apparent confusion over the temporary slip is, however, creating more troubles over at POLO. According to Labatt de la Torre, this was one of the reasons why the queue for OEC exemption suddenly swelled on Nov. 27, a Sunday.

“While many already applied online, a lot more wanted the small piece of paper, the temporary OEC exemption, for one reason or another,” he said in his FB post.

It appears that having a slip of paper in hand, like the old OEC which they had to apply and pay for each time they went home for a vacation, served as an assurance for many OFWs that no last-minute snags at the airport would ruin their return to Hong Kong.

May bagong recipe si Rita dahil sa taranta

Araw-araw, alas tres pa lang ng hapon ay abala na si Rita sa paghahanda ng hapunan. Kung minsan kasi ay ginagahol siya sa oras lalo na kapag biglang umuuwi nang maaga ang kanyang among lalaki.

Lalo kasing natataranta si Rita kapag ganito dahil bukod sa pagkukumahog niyang maisalang na ang sabaw na ilang oras kung pakuluan, panay din ang hingi ng kung ano-ano ng amo. Pagpasok pa lang ng pinto, utos agad si Sir na ipagtimpla ito ng kape.

Nakasimangot na iniwan muna ni Rita ang tinitimplahang pork chop para sa hapunan at ipinagtimpla ng kape ang amo. Pagkatapos ay balik ulti si Rita sa pagtitimpla ng marinade sa pork chop.

Dahil mag-aalas singko na, paspasan na ang paghuhugas niya ng mga gulay at paghihiwa ng mga sangkap. Kailangan pa kasi niyang sunduin ang alaga sa bus stop ng alas singko. Bumaba na muna si Rita para sunduin ang alaga at pagdating nila ay inumpisahan na niyang ibabad ang pork chop sa hinanda niyang panimpla.

Bandang alas- siyete naman ay darating na ang among babae, kaya't walang tigil sa kaiikot sa kusina si Rita.

Matapos i-steam ang isda at gulay, nagprito na si Rita ng tinimpla niyang pork chop. Nagtaka siya dahil mabilis itong pumula at tila madaling masunog at mangitim gayung wala namang toyo sa timpla nito. Nang ihain na niya ang niluto ay sinabi ng kanyang amo matapos itong tikman na hindi daw nito alam na ang pork chop daw ay puwedeng gawing dessert!

Nagtaka at bahagyang nainsulto si Rita sa sinabi ng amo dahil akala niya ay pinipintasan ang luto niya.

Kumuha ng isang pirasong pork chop ang amo niya at nakangiting inabot kay Rita at sinabing tikman niya. Nang isubo ni Rita ang ulam at nalasahan ito, natawa rin siya dahil saksakan nga naman ng tamis ang timpla nito.

Doon niya naalala na asukal pala ang nailagay niya sa halip na asin dahil nataranta siya nang magpatimpla ng kape ang among lalaki sa kanya. Nagsorry naman si Rita at hindi naman nagalit ang amo dahil akala din nito ay sadyang matamis talaga ang timpla ng bagong recipe niya.

Si Rita ay isang dalaga, taga Negros at nagtatrabaho sa Tsuen Mun. – Jo Campos

Urong-sulong, wala rin sa huli

Isang linggong may camping ang alaga ni Elsa, at sinamantala niya ang pagkakataon para magpaalam sa amo na lalabas siya ng maaga sa araw ng Lunes. Pumayag naman ang amo, ngunit nakiusap na kung maari ay ibaba muna niya ang alagang aso ng alas sais ng umaga bago siya umalis, o kaya ay ibilin niya sa mga kapwa katulong niya na kapitbahay rin nila.

Kinausap ni Elsa si Rosie na katulong ng kapitbahay na katrabaho ng kanyang amo, at pumayag naman ito. Agad na pinaalam ni Elsa sa kanyang amo ang usapan nila ni Rosie.

Linggo ng gabi ay pinuntahan muli ni Elsa si Rosie para ipaalala ang kanilang usapan. Kinaumagahan ay naghanda nang umalis si Elsa, ngunit pagbukas niya ng kanilang pintuan ay nakita niya ang nakaipit na isang munting papel na nakatiklop.

Sulat pala ito mula kay Rosie na humihingi ng paumanhin dahil wala daw pala syang oras na magpaihi ng alagang aso ng kapitbahay dahil marami siyang trabaho.

Inis na naghintay ng alas nuwebe si Elsa para mailabas ang aso, kaya alas diyes na rin siya nakaalis ng bahay. Sana daw ay hindi na lang siya pinaasa ni Rosie dahil pwede naman sanang ang kanyang amo na lang ang nagdala sa labas ng aso kung walang ibang mapagbilinan.

Si Elsa ay tubong Ilocos, 30 taong gulang, may isang anak, at naninilbihan sa pamilyang Briton sa Central. — Grace Gonzaga

Caroling for a cause

The Philippine Alliance Hong Kong has decided to make use of its members’ singing talents by going caroling to raise money for its various projects.

The group’s president, Aldrin Mas and chairman, Walter Melicor, led the singing at the launch of their novel fund-raising effort on Nov. 27. The first to be regaled with their singing prowess was Metrobank’s remittance branch at United Centre and the Philippine Consulate General in the same building. Mas said they will be going around business establishments in World Wide Plaza next.

Click photo below to watch the group singing: "Himig ng Pasko".

POLO to close at 8pm on Sundays for OEC exemption issuance

The OEC exemption slip which thousands
of  OFWs are now lining up for

From this Sunday, Dec 4, the Philippine Overseas Labor OFWs Office will extend its office hours to 8 pm at both its 11^th and 16^th floor offices for the issuance of the overseas employment certificate (OEC) exemption. The extended opening hours will apply for all Sundays of December and January 2017.

This is according to Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre, who said his office noticed the start of the usual Christmas crush of OFWs applying for exemption yesterday.

“While many already applied online, a lot more wanted the small piece of paper, the temporary OEC exemption, for one reason or another,” he said in his FB post announcing POLO’s extended service.

The temporary OEX exemption slip is what a vacationing OFW needs to get past immigration at Philippine airports and return to his or her employer. However, those who are flying out through Clark international airport are being asked to register online, anyway, because the slip is not being honored there for some reason.

The slip must be kept by the OFWs on their return to Hong Kong as it comes with a reference number which serves as their one-time pass in creating an account with Balik Manggagawa Online (BMO) system. Once they manage to create their BMO account, they will be able to print their own exemption slip each time they need to go back to the Philippines, for as long as they return to the same employer, and work site.

Those who change employers, whether they finished or broke their contracts, are not entitled to the OEC exemption. They will have 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. - DCLM

Nahuli ni Elsa ang kiliti ng among sumpungin

Sa mahigit isang taon na pagtatrabaho ni Elsa sa kanyang among intsik sa Kowloon City, kabisado na niya ang ugali ng kanyang among babae na medyo mahirap pakisamahan. Wala siyang naging problema sa among lalaki at maging sa anak na binatilyo.

Tuwing umaga ay nakikiramdam si Elsa kung ano ang magiging “mood” ng kanyang among babae. Minsan ay ang kanyang alaga na mismo ang nagbibigay babala kay Elsa kapag mainit ang ulo ng ina nito.

Kapag ganito na ang eksena sa bahay nila, agad na bubulong ang alaga niya nang, “Elsa, I smell trouble, be careful!” Dahil dito ay ingat na ingat na siya sa kanyang mga kilos dahil tiyak na siya na naman ang pagbubuntunan. Pero kahit anong ingat ang gawin niya, kapag ang asawa nito ang nagkamali o di kaya ay ang anak, si Elsa pa rin ang nakikita palagi.

Isang araw, habang naglilinis siya ng kusina ay bigla na lang sumigaw ang kanyang among babae at sinabing hindi naman daw dapat linisin araw araw ang kusina dahil marami pang ibang dapat gawin. Para hindi sila magtalo ay  itinigil ni Elsa ang paglilinis ng kusina at pumasok sa kanyang kuwarto para kunin ang isang papel na may listahan ng dapat niyang gawin sa araw araw.

Mula nang mag umpisa siyang magtrabaho sa pamilyang ito ay ang listahan na ito na ang sinusunod niya. Ang tawag nga nila ng kanyang alaga sa listahan ay “bible” dahil mismong ang binatilyo ay tutol sa pinaggagawa ng ina. Hawak ang “bible”, lumapit si Elsa sa nagpupuputak na amo at iniabot ang papel na pina-laminate pa niya para huwag masira. “Madam, here’s the bible, please read. If you want to change, please write a new one.”

Hindi alam ni Elsa kung imahinasyon lang niya ang nakita ngunit, sa tingin niya ay nagpigil ang amo na huwag matawa! Kinuha naman ng amo ang listahan at binasa, sabay tanong ng “you really follow this everyday?” Sagot naman ni Elsa, “yes Madam, because you said do what you tell me, so you will not be upset.”

Tumalikod ang amo at pumasok sa kanyang kuwarto.  Inaasahan ni Elsa na magagalit ito at baka iyon na ang huli niyang araw sa trabaho. Matapos ang isang oras ay lumabas ang amo, bitbit ang isang papel, kinabahan si Elsa dahil ang akala niya ay termination letter na ang iaabot sa kanya. Nang basahin niya ang papel, ang nakasulat ay, “Only one rule in the bible: Be happy, do your job well.”

Kahit hindi ngumiti ang among masungit, alam ni Elsa na nakuha na nito ang kiliti ng amo. Natuwa din ang kanyang alaga at sinabing pagpasensiyahan na niya ang ina nito. –Jo Campos

Ang nerbiyosang si Mila

Alas siyete ng gabi nang matapos ang playdate ng alaga ni Mila sa bahay ng kanyang kaklase.

Inihatid ang bata ng kanyang magulang na Briton, at si Mila ang susundo. Kabilin-bilinan ng amo na hangga’t maari ay huwag silang sumakay ng taxi dahil meron namang bus. Pilit sinunod ni Mila ang utos, pero halos isang oras na silang naghihintay ng alaga ay hindi pa rin sila makasakay ng bus. Lahat kasi ng dumadaan ay punong-puno kaya hindi na tumitigil sa kanilang kinatatayuan.

Maya-maya ay nilapitan sila ng isa sa dalawang lalaki na naghihintay din ng bus, at niyaya silang magsabay na lang sila sa taxi at maghati sa bayad. Takot na lumayo si Mila na ang iniisip ay baka dukutin sila ng kanyang alaga. Hindi niya mapigilan ang hindi manginig at manlamig ang mga kamay, hanggang may dumating na taxi.

Pinauna naman sila ng mga lalaki na sumakay, ngunit kinausap ng Intsik ang drayber pagkatapos. Sumakay ang isa sa mga lalaki sa harapan, at ang isa ay tumabi kay Mila. Halos himatayin si Mila sa nerbiyos at kinailaingang kurot-kurutin ang mga kamay para masigurong hindi siya hihimatayin.

Habang nasa daan ay tinanong siya ng katabing lalaki kung ano ang kanyang iniisip, dahil nahalata daw nito ang kanyang pananahimik at malaking takot. Sinabi naman ni Mila na pinagbilinan kasi sila ng kanyang amo na huwag sumakay ng taxi, kaya lang ay lumalalim na ang gabi kaya nagdesisyon siyang suwayin na ang utos.

Naibsan ang pag-aalala ni Mila nang bumaba ang mga lalaki bago sila inhatid ng taxi sa kanilang tirahan sa Wanchai. Si Mila ay 30 taong gulang, may tatlong anak, at apat na taon na sa Hong Kong. —- Grace Gonzaga

Jen’s agency faces closure after being fined again for overcharging

By Vir B. Lumicao

Jen's office in Tsuen Wan

An employment agency convicted of overcharging in September, was again found guilty by the Tsuen Wan Court on Nov 24 of charging two domestic helpers excessive fees.

Jen’s Employment Agency Ltd, located in Tsuen Wan, was also fined $26,000 and the Labour Department said it was now in the process of revoking the agency’s license.              

The two helpers, whose nationalities were not disclosed by Labour, filed complaints of overcharging in May against Jen’s with the Employment Agencies Administration, the department’s unit that regulates agencies.

They said Jen’s charged them excessive placement fees with employers in Hong Kong. Investigators found sufficient evidence against the agency and filed the charges.

“We are glad that the (helpers) concerned were willing to come forward to report their cases to EAA and act as prosecution witnesses,” a Labour spokesman said.

He said the department would not tolerate any employment agencies that overcharge jobseekers and would act promptly on any complaints received. 

“Jobseekers who suspected themselves of being overcharged by (agencies) should report their cases to EAA as soon as possible and act as prosecution witness,” he said.

Agencies are allowed to collect from jobseekers no more than 10% of the helper’s first monthly salary as commission.

This is the ninth conviction of a local agency for overcharging, and the second for Jen’s.

On Sept 1, Jen’s was convicted and fined $24,000 by the same court for charging a Filipina job applicant nearly 30 times the allowable commission of $411 at the time.

The other agencies that were convicted earlier this year are Marks Domestic Helper Agency Ltd located in Tsuen Wan, Ka Ying Employment Agency in Cheung Sha Wan, Enoch Employment Agency in Wan Chai, Gold Union Employment Agency in Fanling, Ursula Advanced Employment Center in Causeway Bay, Tamas Employment Agency in Tai Wai, and a man who operated an agency without a license in Fanling.
The Labour Department reminded agencies to comply fully with the law as their failure to do so could lead to prosecution and possible revocation of licenses.
For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operations or overcharging by agencies, call EAA at 2115 3667 or visit its office on Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

Naisahan ng tusong kababayan

Naantig ang puso ni Ela sa isang pasaherong umiiyak sa tabi matapos humarap sa check-in counter, kaya tinanong niya ang kapwa-Pinay kung ayos lang siya. Bumalot ang lungkot na mukha ng Pinay at sinabing wala palang nabili ang amo na extra kilo para sa kanyang luggage.

Pinapabayad siya ng $450 para sa kanyang bagahe, ngunit wala na raw siyang dalang pera dahil pinadala na niya ito sa kanyang account sa Pilipinas. Naawa si Ela at nagtiwala kaagad kaya pinahiram niya ng pera ang pobreng pasahero.

Nakialam ang katabi nilang Pinay na nakamasid sa kanilang pag-uusap at nagmungkahing kunan niya ng larawan ang Hong Kong ID nito. Nagpaunlak naman ang huli. Maaliwalas na ang mukha nito at masaya nang nakipagkwentuhan tungkol sa kanilang mga pamilyang naiwan sa Pilipinas at sa mga sasalubong sa kanila.

Nangako siya na iaabot din ang pera kahit sa katumbas na halaga sa peso pagdating ng asawa dahil nagpahiram na daw siya ng pambayad.

Ngunit biglang naglaho ang pinautangan paglabas nila sa Immigration. Nakalabas na lahat ang mga kasabayan nila sa eroplano pero hindi na iyon nahagilap ni Ela.

Kasama na niya ang kanyang asawa sa paghahanap ngunit hindi na nila talaga nakita ang babae.

Naabutan niya sa labas ang kasabay na nagmungkahing kuhanan ng larawan ang ID niya, at humingi ng tulong na hanapin ang babaeng iyon sa Facebook. Nagpalitan sila ng Hong Kong telephone number para makapagkumustahan sila pagbalik nila sa Hong Kong.

Si Ela ay tubong-Iloilo, may asawa at anak, at apat na taon nang naninilbihan sa Mongkok. — Marites Palma

Bawal ang heater

Dalawang taong nagtiis si Marie na maligo ng malamig na tubig kahit taglamig dahil mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ng kanyang napakakuripot na amo ang paggamit ng heater dahil makunsumo raw iyon sa koryente.

Kaya tuwing naliligo si Marie ay napapahiyaw siya sa ginaw at napapaiyak tuwing nanginginig na ang kanyang katawan pagkatapos niyang maligo. Ngunit tiniis niya iyon sa loob ng dalawang taon sa tindi ang kanyang pangangailangan ng pera, dahil ayaw niyang mahinto sa pag-aaral ang mga anak.

Nawawala lamang ang nararamdaman niyang ginaw tuwing napapasakamay niya ang kanyang buwanang sahod.

Noong malapit nang matapos ang kanyang kontrata ay kinausap siya ng kanyang among Intsik na pipirmahan siya muli ngunit buong tapang na siyang tumanggi at sinabing hindi na niya kayang maligo na walang heater tuwing taglamig. Nagkibit-balikat lamang ang kanyang amo at sinabing kukuha na lang daw sila ng bago na galing sa Pilipinas.

Hindi naman nahirapang humanap ng bagong amo si Marie. Naging masuwerte siya sa pangalawang amo dahil pwede na siyang gumamit ng heater sa paliligo at maging sa paglilinis at paghuhugas. Si Marie ay tubong-Cagayan Valley at kasalukuyang naninilniban sa New Territories. Siya ay may asawa at anak.— Marites Palma

List of CSC examinees on POLO HK website

The list of the 954 approved examinees for the first Civil Service Examination in Hong Kong is now available for viewing on the website of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre uploaded the list of names yesterday, Thursday,  along with their room assignments, so that all prospective examinees can check whether their names are on the roster.

Labatt De la Torre has advised all those who applied to check the list as soon as possible. If they have completed the application process and their names are not on the list, they should go to the sole venue for the examination, the Delia School Hip Wo in Kwuntong, at 11am, or two hours before the 1pm start so their concern could be assessed. 

The list is divided into two parts, Professionals and Sub-Professionals.

Please click the link to see the complete list. 

http://polohk.org/initiative/                 

Peso hits 8-year low of 50:US$1

AFP file photo

The Philippine peso has sunk to Php50 to the US$1 in mid-trading today, Thursday, Nov. 24. It was the lowest level for the peso since closing at 49.99 to US$1 on Nov. 20, 2008.

Reports attributed the decline to an expected rate hike by the US Federal Reserve next month.

However, analysts have already forecast that the peso would close at 50:1US$ before the year’s end. It has been declining steadily in value since the second half of this year, when foreign investors started pulling out of the country after the election of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

But the decline slowed down recently, as cash remittances from overseas Filipinos started pouring into the country, and a stronger-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.1 percent was recorded for the third quarter.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Armando M. Tetangco, Jr. has attributed the weakness of the peso and other emerging market currencies to the sustained strength of the US dollar.

 “Basically, the weakness in emerging market currencies is due to dollar strength. And why is that so? Because of expectations that interest rates are going to rise in the US. And because as the [incoming Trump] administration pushes for increased spending and more rapid economic growth, that may result in higher inflation and therefore higher interest rates. Because of that, we are seeing the flow of capital out of emerging markets and back to the United States,” Tetangco told reporters. - from reports in Manila

Manyakis si Tatang

Pasimple kung mambastos ang Pinoy na si Tatang. Ito ang napatunayan ni Carmen isang umaga nang madatnan niya itong kinukulit ang isa sa mga kostumer ng tindahan na binabantayan sa palengke.

Base sa takbo ng nadatnan niyang usapan ng dalawa ay matagal nang hindi napadaan ang babae kaya parang nanggigigil si Tatang habang hinahawakan ang mga braso ng babae. Nagtangka pa ang matanda na yumakap pero agad na umiwas ang babae.

Naiwan si Carmen at ang isa pang kostumer na lalaki sa tindahan at kahit wala naman nagtatanong ay ipinaliwanag ni Tatang na kababayan at kabiruan daw niya ang babae. “Kaya lang malapit nang walang asim,” dagdag pa ni Tatang kahit wala pa ring pumapansin sa kanya.

Asiwang-asiwa si Carmen kaya agad niyang binayaran ang binili sabay alis.

Pero dahil may nakalimutan siyang bilhin sa tindahang iyon ay bumalik si Carmen pagkatapos mabili ang lahat ng pakay sa loob ng palengke. Nang iabot niya ang bayad ay ganoon na lang ang gulat niya nang pahaplos munang hinawakan ni Tatang ang kanyang braso bago kinuha ang pera.

Gustong magalit ni Carmen pero ayaw niyang gumawa ng eksena kaya umalis na lang siya. Pinangako na lang niya sa sarili na hindi na muling bibili pa sa naturang tindahan. ——Gina N. Ordona

Mission aims to promote ‘happy homes’ in HK

(This issue, we are publishing an article on “Happy Homes,” a new project of the Mission for Migrant Workers which was launched on Sunday, Nov. 13. The project is meant to develop and promote harmony in Hong Kong households through storytelling, distribution of leaflets promoting Christian values of “love, care and understanding”, and providing a direct line to employers who may need advice on matters relating to the hiring of a foreign domestic worker.)

Veteran NGO, the Mission For Migrant Workers (MFMW), has launched a new project aimed at developing and promoting harmony in Hong Kong households employing foreign domestic workers (FDWs).

Dubbed as “Project: HAPPY HOMES”, the ground-breaking initiative is based on the MFMW’s belief that a harmonious relationship inside households is an ideal that must be pursued.

Participating households will be given a “Happy Home” badge to indicate that their household is a space where “love, care and understanding” thrive.

According to Cynthia Tellez, MFMW general manager, the project is mutually beneficial to FDWs and employers.

“For FDWs, it will mean reducing their insecurity and vulnerability for a more favorable living and working condition. Meanwhile for employers, it will lead to peace of mind and confidence that their homes, children and elderly are taken care of sufficiently,” she remarked.

Project: HAPPY HOMES is composed of three parts: Harmony in Households, Christian Household project, and the Employer Awareness Program.

Harmony in Households is an initiative that will gather and promote positive short stories and vignettes of events from the employers and FDWs detailing events that showed harmony in the household, in the lives of the employers or workers or in general society.

These stories, said Tellez, can serve as inspiration for many other households as they will feature practices that can be encouraged and emulated.

Employers, domestic workers and people in Hong Kong are encouraged to like, read and contribute to the dedicated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HappyHomesHK
The Christian Household Project, meanwhile, is part the MFMW’s ministry that aims to expand on Christian values of love, care and fellowship. In line with this effort, the MFMW will produce information materials that will be distributed among churchgoers all over Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Tellez said, the Employer Awareness Program will make more systematic the help that MFMW gives to employers who approach their office.

“We have had cases where employers were fed with wrong or incomplete information by recruiters or other agents. This has led to misunderstandings and has even exposed employers to liabilities,” Tellez related.

The MFMW is now announcing a dedicated telephone number (2522-8261) for inquiries coming from employers needing timely and accurate information regarding employing foreign domestic workers.

The launch of HAPPY HOMES coincided with the international observance of World Kindness Day on Nov. 13 which highlights good deeds and focuses on the positive power of kindness in our communities to bridge the divides of race, economic status, religion, or gender.

Through these project features, Tellez, concluded, the MFMW is hoping to disseminate messages of harmony, multiculturalism and mutual understanding that will “create happy homes to contribute to a Hong Kong society that is truly caring and inclusive of all.”

For reference:
Cynthia Tellez
General Manager
MFMW Ltd.  (Mission For Migrant Workers)
St. John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel. No.: 97409406


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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.