Mga manloloko

Sa panahon ngayon ng maraming seminar tungkol “financial literacy” at “financial education”, iisipin natin na mas magiging maingat na ang lahat ng OFW sa Hong Kong pagdating sa paghawak ng pera. Pero mayroon pa rin mangilan-ngilan sa atin na nasasadlak sa pagkakautang na sa simula pa lang ay naiwasan na sana.

Gaya na lang ng dalawang nakausap namin, na dumulog sa Mission for Migrant Workers upang magpatulong. Ang paglalahad nila ng kanilang kuwento ay nagbigay sa amin ng kalaman sa paraan ng mga linta, kabilang ang ilan nating kapwa Pilipino, na sumisipsip ng ating pinagpawisan sa pamamagitan ng malaking interes sa pautang. At ang patuloy na pagsasamantala nila sa ugali nating mga Pilipino na tuparin ang ating mga pangako, kahit tayo ay nasasakal na.

Ang unang halimbawa ay si Loring (hindi niya tunay na pangalan). May nakausap lang siyang isang kapwa Pilipina na nag-alok ng pautang. Mabilis daw ang pag-process, maliit ang bayad buwan-buwan at aprubado agad kahit ilang buwan pa lang siyang nakararating sa Hong Kong. Kaya lang, hahawakan nila ang passport niya.

Sa madaling salita, pinautang si Loring ng HK$4,000. At dito na nagsimula ang kanyang kalbaryo. Ang interes pala dito ay 10 per cent kada buwan. Sa makatwid, bawa’t buwan ay magbabayad siya ng $400—at hindi mababawasan ang utang niya. At kung gusto niyang bayaran ang utang niya para mabawi ang passport na kailangan niya para magbakasyon sa Pilipinas sa Pasko, ito na ngayon ay $4,800. Pero ayaw nilang bayaran niya ang utang, para habambuhay ang pagbabayad niya ng interes.
Kung sobra na iyan, may mas masahol pa. Si Nettie (hindi rin niya tunay na pangalan) ay hindi man lang nakitman ang inutang.

Kinaibigan lang siya ng kapwa OFW. Minsan ay dumaing ito na nagkaroon ng biglang pangangailangan at nangutang. Nang sinabi niya na wala siyang pera, nagbigay ito ng solusyon: pahiram na lang ng passport. nalaman niya lang na nagkautang siiya nang tumawag ang kolektor.

Ilegal ang ganitong pautang, kaya puwedeng humingi ng tulong sa pulis. Dapat ay malaman ito mga biktima upang matigil na.

Never forget

By Daisy Catherine L. Mandap

Move on. At no time in our collective memory has this catch phrase been so overused.

It suggests that we are stuck in the past, remembering old wounds, reliving lost glory, and pining for what might have been.

It is what the Marcos apologists have been using to heap scorn on those who are again pumping fists in anger over the furtive burial of the dictator who refuses to go quietly into the dark yonder.

The suggestion is that those of us who felt betrayed by this treacherous act were living in the past, or are going against the grain of popular sentiment.

We have to forgive even if we can’t forget, they say, because the anger is misplaced and even counter-productive.

But is this right, or acceptable? Why must we allow ourselves to be silenced yet again by the same evil force that we fought so hard to vanquish?

What they don’t get, or refuse to see, is that we have moved on a long time ago. The Edsa Revolution was the pivotal point. It made many of us feel for the first time in 20 years that it was all right in our part of world again.

For me, a martial law baby, it marked a time when I could finally leave behind the anger and terror that accompanied my growing up years. All my friends and neighbors who suffered during the dictator’s iron-fist rule were finally given justice. Thus, I could finally focus on myself and my own dreams. It was a time to explore.

I, along with many others in my generation, pushed all the cobwebs of the past behind us, and reveled in our newfound freedom. We grew up, got married, pursued our dreams, and settled down.

Those of us who couldn’t help but keep a wary eye on political developments back home did so openly. We spoke, wrote, and took action each time we noticed something was amiss out there.

For sure, the corruption, the influence peddling, even the killings continued. But much as we were angered by this, there was always the assurance at the back of our minds that the basic freedoms we regained were still there, ready to be brandished when necessary.

Thus, while we seethed at Erap’s inept leadership, Gloria’s greed, and even PNoy’s coddling of inept officials, we stayed put. After all, they knew better than to give in to the devious schemes of the dictator’s family raring to get back to power again.

But came November 8, when we were shaken out of our complacency by the highest court’s decision to affirm the new government’s move to allow the dictator’s carcass to be buried in Libingan ng Mga Bayani.

Hardly had we recovered from this nightmare when we were again hit, this time by Marcos’ hurried and secretive burial, in brazen disregard for the law and the collective fury of most Filipinos.

And so we marched yet again, dragging our much older bodies to the streets, and chanting the slogan we have kept close to our hearts:  “Marcos, Hitler, Diktador, Tuta!”

After 30 years of looking ahead, we have come full circle, repeating the vow we uttered more than three decades ago in Edsa, of not allowing another Marcos to step foot into Malacanang.

Never again.

To our amazement, our shouts were picked up by our youth, those whom we almost gave up on, thinking they could never be convinced to look at our past with compassion and understanding.
It gives us much hope to know that with our younger compatriots now by our side, that vow will forever be etched in the hearts of all peace-loving Filipinos.

Filmcass holds concert to celebrate life

Filmcass members renew their vow to pursue their advocacy: to help cancer patients fight the disease.

By Marites Palma

More than a hundred advocates of the Filipino Migrant Cancer Support Society (Filmcass) gathered on Chater Road on Nov. 13 for a celebration of life through a concert.

One of the biggest surprises of the event was Vice Consul Bobby Quintin, who volunteered to sing “People Need the Lord” a cappella for the crowd.

Quintin encouraged the members to continue doing the good works of their members who are already “in God’s  hands”. He promised them that the Philippine Consulate will always be the strongest supporter of the cancer-support organization.

Another performer was Pamela Bianca Landaga, who joined the group when her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. She sang another inspirational song, “Stand Up for Love”.

Lobrandado

In between the singing were testimonies of cancer patients like Necitas Lobrando, who left many in the audience in tears when she spoke about her battle with breast cancer, She recalled how he began suffering from severe back pain, not realizing that the cancer cells had already invaded her spinal cord. Though she is constantly in pain, she is grateful that her employer continues to support her in her battle against the deadly disease.

Lobrandado said she is fighting courageously for her child, who is about to finish her studies this school year.

“No matter what our situation is, just believe in God because He is the peddler of hope,” she said.

But it was not all tears for the brave patients. Donning colorful wigs and sexy costumes ala Madonna, a group of cancer survivors and patients danced to the delight of the crowd.

Pumping more energy into the concert was veteran singer and songwriter Penny Salcedo who sang the the Pinoy rock favorite, “Bonggahan”, before doing a soaring rendition of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” with Wendie Sacedon.

The other performers who delighted the crowd were Jerelyn Lamparero and Wendy Sacedon who sang “The Prayer”,  and nine-year-old Joshua Salcedo who did Justin Bieber's “Love Yourself.”

The whole-day event was made livelier by dance numbers from different groups like The Love of Prison  Ministry, St Joseph the Workers, El Shaddai- Camarines, Batangas and Laguna Group, Solid for Christ, GSSI Tiger Bond HK, Sacred Heart Canossian Prayer Group, Mary Queen of Apostles Praesidium, Magnificial Praesidium, League of Filipino Midwives, Christ for All Ages, Simbayanang Kamppi, Filreflex, Tiger-HK, Guardian Brotherhood the Original, World Medical Service, Malou Pungtilan and Vizmin Band, Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipino, Mary Queen of Love,  Laguna Achievers Workers Association, Radiant Organization of Amiable Drivers, CARD-MRI-OFW HK, St Teresa Filipino Grp, Star Pinoy HK, Chaplaincy for Filipino Migrants-Cathecheticla team.

Cabagis, NOPT and El Fodai Evangelisation extended help for the success of the celebration. The celebration was capped with lighted candles being offered for those who courageously fought for their lives until their last breath, with Sr Grace San Diego and Sr Felicitas Nisperos leading the prayers.

Social welfare attaché Elizabeth Dy who was among the guests, encouraged the public to approach her at the Philippine Consulate if they have problems regarding family members, friends of employers who may need pscycho-social intervention. She said people need to care about their own life, and fight for their right for a better health condition

Pamaskong pagbati ng Konsulado

Nagpadala ng video ang Konsulado na naglalaman ng pamaskong pagbati sa mga Pilipino sa Hong Kong, sa pamamagitan ng pagkanta ng isang Christmas carol. Panuurin ang buong staff ng Konsulado, sa pamumuno ni Consul General Bernie Catalla, sa kanilang rendisyon ng "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". 

Sanayan lang sa bagong amo

Dati ay hirap na hirap si Peng sa pagtanggap sa bago niyang kalagayan magmula nang magpalit siya ng amo. Yung dati niya kasing kuwarto ay may banyo at may sariling daanan palabas sa bahay ng kanyang amo. Malaya din siyang nakakaimbita ng mga kaibigan, basta’t sa kuwarto lang niya sila magkakainan at kulitan. Hindi rin nagtitipid sa pagkain ang kanyang mga among Australyano kaya naluluto niya ang kahit anong gustuhin niya.

Sa kasamaang palad ay nagdesisyon ang mga amo niyang ito na umuwi na sa kanilang bansa, kaya napilitan siyang maghanap ng ibang pagsisilbihan.

Akala niya sa umpisa ay mas maayos ang lilipatan niya, kasi ay lahing puti din ang mga ito, at maganda ang trabaho. Kaya lang ay naghahanap ng malilipatang bahay ang mga ito noong pirmahan siya, kaya hindi niya nakita ang susunod niyang titirhan.

Umuwi muna siya sa Pilipinas bago siya nag-umpisang manilbihan sa kanila, at pagbalik niya ay ganoon na lang ang panlulumo niya dahil ang kuwarto niya ay napakaliit. Ang cabinet na lalagyan niya ng gamit ay nasa ibaba ng kama niya, kaya kailangan pa niyang umakyat para makahiga.

Tapos ang labahan nila ay nasa rooftop na ang hagdan papanhik ay napakakitid kaya hirap na hirap siyang magpanhik-baba dala ang labahin.

Matipid din sa pagkain ang mga bagong amo kaya hindi na siya makapagluto nang bongga.

Gayunpaman, nagpapasalamat pa rin siya dahil above minimum naman ang sahod niya, at hindi abusado ang mga amo. Alang-alang sa pamilya niyang sinusuportahan e handa naman siyang mag-adjust sa bago niyang mundo. Sabi nga niya, sanayan lang naman talaga ang buhay sa Hong Kong.

Si Peng ay taga Cavite at may dalawang anak, at kasalukuyang naninirahan sa Pokfulam. - DCLM

Judge orders further probe of self-confessed Pinay drug mule

By Vir B. Lumicao

Father John displays the photos of Filipina partners of
Nigerian drug lords who have offered unsuspecting women
free trips to Dubai and Hong Kong on errands to carry
packages or suitcases that turn out to be laden with cocaine.

A 52-year-old Filipina pleaded guilty at the High Court on Friday, Nov 18, to a charge of trafficking in dangerous drugs, but contradicted her plea when she initially questioned the facts of the case as it was read out, before admitting it reluctantly.

The last-minute shift of Susan B. Cumpio caught everyone by surprise and prompted Judge Kevin Paul Zervos to delay sentencing until Feb 3, as he ordered the prosecution to make further inquiry into the case.

“Guilty,” Cumpio, a widow who had a son in the Philippines, said after a Tagalog court interpreter read out the particulars of the charge, then asked for her plea.

But after the agreed facts were read to her, she initially said she disagreed because there was something wrong with them, then said in resignation: “Sige, oo na lang. (OK, I agree).” Then she wept.

Zervos instructed the prosecution to take Cumpio’s statement about the circumstances of her case. Then he asked why no one asked the Immigration Department about the long travel record of the defendant.

“I noticed that (Cumpio) has had a long history of travel to Hong Kong,” Zervos said, citing that it started on July 13, 2010 and ended with her arrest on Jun 15, 2015.

“Did anybody check with the Immigration about her travel record?” the judge asked, to which the prosecutor replied no one had done that.

Zervos also hit Customs officers who he said were just apprehending people and sitting on the cases focusing on the big picture without looking at the details.

The judge cited new information supplied by prison chaplain and anti-drug trafficking campaigner Fr John Wotherspoon, who requested barrister Richard Donald, for the defense, to hand Zervos a letter appealing for mitigation. “It’s unfortunate that it came rather too late,” the judge said.

But he acknowledged Fr John’s campaign against drug trafficking syndicates using unsuspecting women, and admitted he drew insights from the chaplain’s views before making decisions.

Cumpio was arrested on July 15 last year when she arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Dubai, and attracted the attention of Customs officers with her unnatural gait. When they searched her, they found nearly two kilos of suspected cocaine wrapped around her thighs and concealed in her tailor-made underwear.

At the High Court on Friday, the prosecutor said the amount the dangerous drug found on her was 1,994 grams with purity of 1,210 grams with an estimated market value of $2.3 million at the time. The prosecution said she had a clear record and was not addicted to drugs.

The defense counsel, in mitigation, said Cumpio was widowed in 2005. She had worked as a shopkeeper and as waitress before she went to work as a domestic helper in Singapore, then in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

In a hand-written statement which Fr Wotherspoon provided to the court, the defendant said she was a widow who had been supporting her son, now 17, and her parents in the Philippines since her husband died.

She went to work as a domestic helper in Sao Paulo looking after the three male children of a Brazilian family. After two years she met a Tanzanian man who she fell in love with and “spent good times together” until the man lost his job and “started acting stranger and becoming abusive towards me.”

Days later Cumpio discovered the man was using drugs and reported him to the police. He was arrested but after his release, things only got worse, Cumpio said. “He started becoming more abusive and (beat) me more often,” she said. At one time the man beat her badly with a wooden plank that caused her to lose her memory.  She recovered at a hospital.

She sought shelter in a church after that beating while her lover was rearrested. However, after police freed the man, he sought her out and they reconciled.

But Cumpio said he only got worse and threatened to kill her on a few occasions. Eventually the man told her about his being in the drugs business and offered her passage  back to the Philippines if she agreed to make a trip to Hong Kong to deliver drugs.

Cumpio said she accepted the offer because she no longer wanted to live in Brazil, and also because she wanted to see her family.

Pilipinang taga Isabela, nasawi matapos ma food poisoning

Nakatakdang iuwi ang mga labi ni
Miguella sa Pilipinassa Dec 12

Ni Marites Palma

Isang Pilipina na taga Isabela ang napabalitang namatay, isang linggo matapos kumain kasama ng mga amo sa isang tanyag na restaurant sa Tsim Sha Tsui, ang Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill.

Kinilala siya bilang si Miguella Secolles, 42 taong gulang, asawa ng isang sundalo at may apat na anak. Nakatira sila sa Greenland Subdivision, Plaridel  Santiago City, Isabela.

Ayon sa mga balita, natagpuan ng kanyang amo na malamig nang bangkay si Miguella sa kanyang higaan noong Disyembre 1, dalawang araw matapos siyang ilabas sa ospital dahil sa food poisoning.

Isinugod siya sa Queen Mary Hospital dahil sa matinding pagsusuka noong Nob. 28, apat na araw matapos siyang kumain ng pabo sa restaurant kasama ang among lalaki at mga alaga, para ipagdiwang ang Thanksgiving Day. Inilabas siya kinabukasan din.

Hindi agad matiyak kung may kinalaman ang kanyang biglaang pagkamatay sa naging karamdaman niya.

Limang buwan pa lang naninilbihan si Miguella sa mga amo sa Aberdeen nang siya ay pumanaw.

Ayon sa balita sa mga pahayagan, umabot sa 50 katao ang na food poisoning sa araw ding iyon matapos kumain sa Dan Ryan’s. Walo sa kanila ang itinakbo sa ospital, kabilang si Miguella.

Inamin ng pamunuan ng restaurant na nagmula ang mikrobyo sa inangkat nilang mga pabo para sa espesyal na okasyon. Nangako din sila na sasagutin ang pagpapa-ospital sa mga nalason nang dahil sa kanilang pagkain.

Ayon naman sa hipag ni Miguella na si Merlinda Sarmiento, may isinagawa daw na post mortem sa labi ng nasawi, ngunit malalaman lang ang resulta matapos ang ilang buwan. Dating magkasama sina Miguella at Merlinda sa iisang amo.

Kasalukuyang nakalagak ang mga labi ni Miguella sa Kennedy Town Mortuary, at nakatakdang iuwi sa Maynila sa Dis. 12, kung saan ito sasalubungin ng kanyang asawa, bago dalhin sa kanilang bayan sa Isabela.

Bakit mas masarap mag-alaga ng bata

Napag-usapan ng magkaibigang Jay at Jaja ang tungkol sa kanilang mga trabaho. Sa mahigit na 30 taon na pagtatrabaho ni Jay sa Hong Kong, hindi niya naranasan ang mag alaga ng bata. Kabaligtaran naman ito sa trabaho ni Jaja, na sa simula pa lang ng pagtatrabaho niya sa Hong Kong ay may alaga na siyang bata.

Sa pag-uusap ng magkaibigan, naikumpara nila ang kanilang mga trabaho.

Para kay Jay, parang mahirap ang maging yaya at magtrabaho sa bahay. Isang malaking responsibilidad ang pag-aalaga ng bata at ang kaligtasan nito ang laging dapat na nasa isip ng isang tagapag-alaga.

Ang sabi naman ni Jaja, mas rewarding daw para sa kanya ang pag-aalaga ng bata, lalo na kung ito ay bagong panganak pa lang. Parang sarili mo nang anak daw ito na pinalalaki at napapamahal sa iyo. Sa kasalukuyang amo kasi ni Jaja, siya na halos ang nagpalaki sa tatlong anak ng kanyang amo.

Naitanong ni Jay kay Jaja kung hindi ba siya nahihirapan lalo na kung nagkakasakit o nagta-tantrums ang kanyang mga alaga. Sagot lang sa kanya ng kaibigan ay hindi naman kailangang kunsumihin ang sarili dahil nakukuha naman sa paliwanag ang mga bata at kung minsan ay mas madali pa itong makaunawa kaysa sa mga matatanda.

Para sa kanya, mas maiging mag-alaga na lang ng bata kaysa mag-asikaso sa gawaing bahay. Sabi pa ni Jaja, ang trabahong bahay ay paulit-ulit lang na ginagawa, walang challenge ika nga. Ang pagpapalaki ng bata ay mas may challenge, at dahil dito, kasama ka ng mga magulang ng mga bata sa paghubog ng kanilang mga karakter at kahit anong pagod mo, ang paglalambing ng mga bata ay nakakaalis ng pagod.

Nasabi pa nga ni Jay na kakaiba ang kanyang naririnig sa ibang mga yaya dahil kadalasan ay puro reklamo ang mga ito dahil sa kakulitan ng kanilang mga alaga. Iba daw kasi ang approach ni Jaja sa kanyang mga alaga, hindi niya ito dinadaan sa sigaw o galit. Kinakausap niya ang mga ito nang maayos at dinidisiplina lang kung kailangan.

Napabilib naman si Jay sa pananaw ng kanyang kaibigan dahil para sa kanya, hindi biro ang pagiging yaya. Sa kanilang pag-uusap, naisipan nila na gumawa ng blog o magsulat ng libro tungkol sa mga karanasan, mungkahi at buhay ng isang yaya. Naisip nilang  maaaring makatulong ito sa mga kapwa nila OFW at maging inspirasyon naman sa iba pang mambabasa.

Katuwaan lang, sabi ng magkaibigan, at tatawagin nila ang blog na Yaya 101.  –Jo Campos

DH found dead after bout of migraine

Periera was found dead in one of the tower blocks
in Royal Ascot in Shatin

By Vir B. Lumicao

A 40-year-old Filipina domestic worker from Bacolod City was found dead on the evening of Dec 4 in her kitchen bed space, one day after reportedly complaining of migraine.

Police said she was “found collapsed” and certified dead, with no suspicious circumstances. Her body was taken to a hospital where a postmortem is expected to be performed.

An officer of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals, Danny Baldon, said the helper, Johana Periera, had been working for her employers, a local couple with two young sons, for just five months.

Periera was herself married with two young sons.

The employers reportedly said the helper had complained of having a migraine on Saturday, Dec. 3, so they told her to just rest at their 15^th floor flat in Royal Ascot estate in Fotan, Shatin, the next day, which was her day off.

“The employers were out the whole day on Sunday and when they returned home and checked on the maid in the evening, they found her unconscious,” Baldon said.

Friends of the deceased told The SUN they had no idea that Periera had suffered from migraine.

One of them, a domestic worker on the same block who requested not to be named, said Periera had told her on Saturday that she had an argument with her employer the previous day.

On Sunday, the friend said she, along with other fellow Filipinas, were surprised to see an ambulance parked in front of their residential block, and Periera’s female boss going down to meet the officers.

The employer reportedly told the Filipinas that Periera was “unconscious”. 

“We went up to the 15^th floor to find out what happened, but we saw police officers and ambulance staff with a wheeled stretcher inside the house,” said the friend.

She said the kitchen, which was also Periera’s sleeping quarters, was closed and guarded by two officers.

The friends went back to the ground floor and when the police emerged from the lift after 5 minutes, they asked about her and one of the officers replied “dead”.  

Another friend of the deceased said the woman’s husband had been calling her from Bacolod on Dec 4, asking about her and saying he was worried because she didn’t make her usual Sunday phone call to her family.

Man charged for public assault on Filipina over debt dispute

Police have arrested and charged a 56-year-old South Asian man after he physically assaulted a Filipina domestic worker on a footbridge in Central last Sunday, Dec. 4, over a loan dispute.

Several Filipino domestic workers who were nearby managed to take video footage of the confrontation,

In the video, the man is seen shouting at the Filipina, then pulling her back as she tried to leave. Afterwards, he grabbed her by the neck, as if he would strangle her, but was stopped by the Filipinos congregating in the area.

The Filipina, 31, was subsequently taken to Queen Mary Hospital by police officers who responded to a 999 call. She was reportedly discharged after being declared in good condition.

A spokesperson for the Police Public Relations Bureau said her attacker was charged with debt collection and assault. He was released on bail but was ordered to report back to the police later this month.

According to some of the Filipinos who witnessed the incident which happened on the footbridge over Connaught Road, the assailant was incensed because the victim’s friends did not repay a loan for which she acted as a guarantor.

Two videos taken by one of the eyewitnesses are posted below:

Posted by Sophia Jerald Cuyos Jugan on Sunday, December 4, 2016

Posted by Sophia Jerald Cuyos Jugan on Sunday, December 4, 2016

Mahigpit sa pera ang amo

Mula nang tumigil sa trabaho ang lalaking amo ni Minda ay inako na nito ang pangangasiwa ng kanilang gastusin. Ibinibigay nito nang buo kay Minda ang buwanang budget para sa pambili ng pagkain sa palengke at supermarket, at saka gumawa ng excel file para dito itinatala ni Minda ang lahat ng binili.

Naka-upload din ito sa Dropbox, isang internet service, para kahit nasa biyahe ang mga amo ay maari pa rin nilang makita ang listahan. Pagsapit ng katapusan ng buwan ay sabay nilang rerepasuhin ang listahan at pag-aaralan ang gastos.

Noong una ay napagkakasya ni Minda ang pera pero kalaunan ay lagi na siyang humihingi ng dagdag dahil madalas silang may bisita.  Ayaw din kasi ng amo niyang babae na tinitipid ang pagkain nila at dahil dito, pakiramdam ni Minda ay naiipit siya sa gitna.

Minsan ay hindi napigilan ni Minda ang sariling umiyak habang ipinapaliwanag sa among babae na nahihirapan siyang pagkasyahin ang pera.

Naintindihan naman siya ng among babae at nangakong ito na ang hahawak ng budget pero hanggang ngayon ay ang among lalaki pa rin niya ang gumagawa nito.

Kaya naman si Minda ang napipilitang maghahanap ng paraan na pagkasyahin ang pera nang hindi isinasakripisyo ang kalidad ng inihahain niya sa hapag-kainan. Si Minda na isang Ilokana ay naninilbihan sa isang pamilya sa na nakatira sa Mid-levels.—Gina N. Ordona

OFWs get free hug from celebrity

Mr World 1st Runner Up Fernando Alvarez gets hugged back by Pinays.

By Marites Palma

Around 50 Filipino domestic workers got a warm hug from Mr World 1st Runner Up 2016 Fernando Alvarez at  Bridal Tea Hotel in Yau Ma Tei on Nov. 13.

The migrant workers who were all women, said they felt better and happier after hugging the second most desirable man in the world, who also happened to look really compassionate.

Most affected of all was a 59-year-old cancer patient, who was due to undergo surgery the next day at the Pamela Youde Nethersole Hospital in Chaiwan.

Faith (not her real name), who is single, told Alvarez while hugging him, “Ang gwapo gwapo gwapo mo talaga Fernando!” To her amazement, he replied, “Salamat”, a Tagalog word he must have picked up on the way to the meet-and-hug.

A fun contest was held along the way, with Lhanz Quin being declared as winner in the best hug challenge.

Alvarez told the women that coming to Hong Kong was a dream come true, as nobody in his family and even his circle of friends, has ever set foot in the territory.

Asked by The SUN as to why he decided to have a hugging session with overseas Filipino workers, he said he wanted them to feel love so they could be motivated, and could spread the good vibes around.

When the conversation turned to the killings being committed in the Philippines in the name of the government’s anti-drug campaign, Alvarez said that while it is a good initiative to eradicate drugs, it is not right to kill anyone in its name. As a Christian, he believes every life is precious in God’s eye, and that everyone deserves a second chance.

However, he was quick to say that he feels safe in the Philippines, despite the ongoing anti-drugs campaign. He said that he was won over by the Filipinos’ good heart, from the frequent visits he has made to the country.

Alvarez said he has been to the Philippines four times, and has stayed there a total of three months. He was so impressed by Boracay that he regards it as the most beautiful island he has seen in his life. He has also been over by the country’s unique culture and incomparable lifestyle.

He has been so taken by the country’s beautiful places and people that he is eyeing to stay there for a longer time, and maybe land a lead role in a teleserye. The 22-year-old Puerto Rican says he has no girlfriend at the moment, as he broke up with his last one only last February.

His visit to Hong Kong was organized by Mickey Sorra with the Panay Overseas Workers Association, through the initiative of Jaime Acosta from Psamstre Incorported

POLO tells OFWs to register online for OEC exemption

The temporary exemption slip is no longer
honored at 2 Philippine airports

By Vir B. Lumicao

Overseas Filipino workers going home for Christmas will now have to register online to get exemption from the overseas employment certificate or OEC.

Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre told The SUN that at least two airports in the Philippines are no longer accepting the temporary exemption slips that he ordered to be issued to fast-track the process for the thousands of OFWs set to go home over Christmas.

He anticipates that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration itself will stop allowing those with the temporary slips to go through airports unhindered.

“Natatakot kami baka idi-disable na ng POEA, kasi kapag nagbigay kami, baka hindi io-honor doon, mabuti i-BM Online na lang lahat,” Labatt De la Torre said.

He said immigration officers in at least two airports outside Metro Manila have begun refusing to honor the temporary slip – fist, Clark International Airport in Pampanga last month, and Mactan International Airport in Cebu last week.

The hiccup prompted Labatt De la Torre to ask the POEA to intervene.

“Bakit sa ibang lugar sa Pilipinas puwede tapos sa Cebu hindi puwede?” Labatt said.

But without any official word from POEA, he decided not to take the risk of seeing OFWS getting stranded back in the Philippines because they don’t have the officially recognized pass.

Thus, starting last weekend, his office began processing OEC exemption only for applicants with online appointments.

First-time online registrants will also have to pay the $20 OEC processing fee in order to get their registration validated, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office said.

The labor attaché said the quota for the appointment system was 400, but, about 200 applicants unregistered online also came. Thus, two queues were formed: one for those already registered, and those applying to be registered.

People with the temporary paper slips were directed to go to the POLO office on the 16^th floor to get help in registering online from volunteers.

At the 8pm close of the POLO last Sunday, all the 600 had already been registered online and given their OEC exemptions.

“Kaya naman pala,” Labatt de la Torre told The SUN.

He said he would rather be criticized for the long queues of workers waiting for their turn to be helped with the online registration, than having to rescue anybody long-distance if the POEA suddenly scrapped the temporary exemption slips.

He said for now he would issue the temporary slips only in extreme cases, such as for OFWs who had to go home urgently for three days only without any opportunity to go online there, or for old people.  

DH-turned-drug mule jailed 16½ yrs

By Vir B. Lumicao

A former domestic helper who was arrested at the Hong Kong airport in February for  bringing in about 4 kilograms of cocaine, was sentenced to 16 years and six months in jail after she pleaded guilty on Nov 30.

Rizza Mae Argamaso had been in jail since since her arrest on Feb 7 this year for carrying 3.7 kilograms of cocaine in her luggage, hidden inside shoes, folders and handbags.

In sentencing, Judge Esther Toh gave a one-third discount for Argamoso’s guilty plea.

John Wotherspoon, a chaplain of the Correctional Services Department, said the discount also reflected the defendant’s help in his campaign against Nigerian drug lords who have allegedly duped innocent women into carrying drugs for them.

Argamaso, a nursing graduate, had written a letter recounting how she first worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong for one year and two months, got fired, then found a new employer, a Pakistani who let her work illegally in his electronic shop in Tsimshatsui.

Later  she met another Filipina, “RJ”, who later introduced her to the woman’s Nigerian boyfriend who is known in the drug trafficking world as “Network” and based in Chung King Mansion.

The meeting, set up because Argomoso said she needed cash badly after helping out friends who suffered losses in Macau casinos, led to her involvement in the drug trade.

When the Hong Kong-based drug syndicate asked her to run errands for them, she said she’d think about it and went to Thailand for a month, at the drug ring’s expense. That was followed by a trip to Brazil, where she was instructed to pick up a luggage.

The luggage, which she took first to the Philippines then to Hong Kong, spelled the end to all her journeys.

           

Three anti-Marcos protests held in HK

The rally at Edinburgh Place staged by The Yellow Warriors on Nov. 20.

By Daisy CL Mandap and Gina N. Ordona 

Three different groups held separate protests in Hong Kong to denounce the recent burial of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos in Libingan Ng Mga Bayani, in solidarity with similar indignation rallies held across the Philippines.

The first one was held on Sunday, Nov. 20, at Edinburgh Place in Central, where about 80 people attended, despite the last-minute notice. A second one was held outside the Philippine Consulate offices, simultaneously with the Black Friday rally on Nov. 25 at the People Power Monument in Quezon City. A third one was again held at Edinburgh Place on Sunday, Nov 27, three days ahead of another big rally scheduled at PPM, also known as the Edsa shrine.

Marcos’ remains were airlifted furtively from his home province of Ilocos Norte, and flown directly to LNMB for the burial on Nov. 18 amid tight security, and with only his family and a few friends in attendance.

The burial sparked an immediate outcry as it was carried out before the lapse of the mandatory 15-day waiting period before the Nov. 8 Supreme Court decision that allowed it, became final and executory.

At the first Hong Kong indignation rally organized by The Yellow Warriors group, OFWs and residents took turns sharing their anger over Marcos’ clandestine burial. Several of those who came shared their experiences living through the horrors of martial law, including The SUN publisher Leo A. Deocadiz who recalled being at the forefront of the “barikada days” at U.P. Diliman, which sparked the brutal crackdown on the anti-Marcos student movement in the Philippines. Deocadiz said his two male cousins are among the so-called “desaparecidos” or “the disappeared” during the dark days of martial law.

One millennial participant, William Elvin, was emotional as he shared his grief over how the Philippines’ present leader and top court officials allowed Marcos’ burial to go ahead, despite widespread opposition from the people. He said there is enough information available online for those who want to know why Marcos continues to be reviled, more than 30 years since he died in exile in Hawaii.

The speeches were punctuated by shouts of “Hukayin,” in reference to what needs to be done to address the injustice wrought by the symbolic burial of Marcos in hallowed ground.

Militants at the Consulate’s building in
their Nov. 25 anti-Marcos rally. 

William Elvin sang an original composition he had written in anger over the burial, and led the group in singing “Bayan Ko” to close the rally.

The second protest staged outside the Consulate was held by the left-leaning group, Bayan Hong Kong and Macau. Speakers led by Bayan chair Eman Villanueva reminded the crowd about the thousands of people killed, tortured or were made to disappear during Marcos’ iron-fist rule. Another speaker, Indonesian migrants leader Eni Lestari, likened Marcos’ so-called kleptocracy to that of President Suharto, who has earned the notoriety of being called “the most corrupt” leader in world history.

Sister Joseph Lourdes of the
Maryknoll Sisters (above)
joined the rally.

In a statement, the protesters led the blame squarely on President Rodrigo Duterte, who ordered Marcos’ burial to go ahead. “President Duterte promised to do good for the country. Restoring the Marcoses definitely runs contrary to such aim and the change he pledged for the people,” said Bayan.

The third rally held on Nov. 27 again assembled a motley crowd of protesters. Several individuals, including Edwin Bustillos of Sentro Manila in Hong Kong, shared their experiences during martial law. Bustillos said that while studying at Adamson University, he was accused of being an activist and ruthlessly beaten by a group of military officers.

The Silent Majority has its own rally on Nov. 27.

Another speaker was Austin Jimeno, who was born and raised in Hong Kong and studied at Ateneo de Manila University. Jimeno, who described himself as “a temperamental brat”, said that he gained most of his knowledge about the brutality of the Marcos regime through extensive reading.

The gathering was largely peaceful, except when a nearby group started playing their “gangsa” musical instrument while the protesters were solemnly singing “Bayan Ko”. A confrontation between the two groups ensued, but did not lead to anything more serious than a heated exchange of words.

Watch: Christmas carol sung by the Thomasian Chamber Choir at the foyer of the HK Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Tribunal dumps refund claim vs Labatt, Emry’s

A money claim filed by an employer against the owner of Emry’s Service Staff Employment Agency and Labor Attache Jalilo de la Torre was dismissed on Nov. 25 when none of the parties showed up for the hearing at the Small Claims Tribunal.

Claimant Lee Chun Hyung was a no-show, along with de la Torre and Emry’s co-owner Rick Ylagan.
Adjudicator Anthony Chow ordered the case dismissed “for want of prosecution”.

Ylagan is the registered owner of Emry’s along with his son, Ridge Michael. His estranged wife, Ester, who was the co-owner until July this year, is facing a total claim of more than $2 million from hundreds of Filipino domestic workers who were allegedly duped into paying placement fees for bogus jobs in Britain and Canada.

Acting on the complaint by the maids, Labatt dela Torre ordered the suspension of the processing of work contracts by Emry’s, which used to be the biggest recruiter of Filipino domestic workers into Hong Kong.

The suspension order eventually resulted into Emry’s being shut down. Ester Ylagan then wrote a letter to the agency’s employer clients, pinning the blame on Emry’s sudden closure on de la Torre.
Dozens of employers who had paid Emry’s for the processing of their maids’ contracts had filed refund claims, with most winning their cases. To date, however, not a single claimant has apparently managed to get his or her money back.

Contacted by The SUN on the case, Labatt dela Torre appeared unaware of the case.

But he said: “It’s a no-brainer because I was performing my duty and it was all a a part of Emry’s scheme to harass POLO and to smokescreen (Ester Ylagan’s) scam which had victimized hundreds of our workers. Shame on her,” the labor official said.

Earlier, however, he admitted receiving summons for a hearing last month. He said then that he had consulted Consul General Bernardita Catalla about the case, even as he knew he had immunity from prosecution over acts done in performance of his official duty.

Meanwhile, two more domestic workers claiming $10,000 each from Ylagan were again made to do what most other claimants before them had done: amend Ester Ylagan’s address, and add her other company. Mike’s Secretarial Services in the complaint.
'
Sheila Cobol and Kathylene Pearl Andaya were both told that the summonses for Ylagan could not be served at her previously known address.

About 200 similar complaints are still pending before the Tribunal. Most cases have been consolidated, with the Mission for Migrant Workers being assigned as representative for most of the claimants.

Ylagan has not appeared in any of the hearings, which commenced in August this year.
Her representative said the defendant was in the Philippines for an eye surgery, and later, was said to be undergoing psychiatric counseling. – Vir B. Lumicao

Bawal mag-rally?

Hindi pa naranasan nina Arnorld at Alma na sumali sa anumang kilos protesta kaya nang isama sila ng kanilang amo sa isang rally para manawagan ng malinis na eleksyon sa Malaysia kamakailan ay parehong hindi nila maipaliwanag ang kanilang damdamin.

Suot-suot ang T-shirt na uniporme ng mga nag-protesta, sumama silang nagmartsa patungo Konsulado ng Malaysia sa Wan Chai. Kahit hindi nila naiintindihan ang lengguwahe at sumasabay din daw sila sa pagsigaw.

Pagkatapos ng rally ay pinayagan silang mamasyal muna kahit hindi naman araw ng kanilang pahinga, bagay na ikinatuwa ng dalawa.

Nakipagkita sila sa isa pa nilang kaibigan at masayang ikinukuwento ang kanilang naging karanasan. Pero bigla silang natigilan nang sabihin ng kanilang kaibigan na bawal daw ang ginawa ng kanilang amo dahil hindi naman sila Malaysian.

Sumabad sa usapan ang katabi nilang kumakain. Ipinaliwanag nito na malaya namang sumama sa mga kilos-protesta ang sinuman dito sa HK.

Halatang hindi kumbisido ang kaibigan nila pero hindi na din ito nagpursige kaya iniba na lang ni Arnold ang usapan. Si Arnold at Alma, parehong Bisaya, ay naninilbihan sa mag-asawang Malaysian na nakatira sa Deep Water Bay. —Gina N. Ordona

Matapang na tindera sa online

Galit na galit is Maricris dahil inilagay sa Facebook ang kanyang litrato ng isang nagbebenta online ng mga paninda. Hindi niya kasi nakuha ang order niya mula dito, at dahil sa kakakulit nito ay blinock niya sa FB.

Dahil sa ginawang ganti ng tindera ay katakot-takot na panlalait ang inabot niya mula sa iba-ibang tao na hindi naman alam ang tunay na nangyari.

Ayon kay Maricris, balak niya talagang makipagkita sa tindera noon, ngunit bigla siyang tinawagan ng kanyang employer at may ipinagawa sa kanya. Dahil hindi siya nakasipot ay katakot-takot na private messages ang ipinadala ng tindera.

Sa inis ni Maricris ay blinock niya ito sa FB, ngunit lingid sa kanyang kaaalaman ay na screen capture na ng tinder ang kanyang profile picture at pati ang kanilang sagutan sa messenger.

Agad na nanghingi ng payo si Maricris sa isang kaibigan kung ano ang kanyang gagawin. Ang payo nito ay isumbong niya sa pulis ang ginagawang pagtitinda ng nakaaway niya dahil illegal ito ayon sa batas ng Hong Kong.

Ang isang domestic worker ay dapat lang magtrabaho sa loob ng bahay ng kanyang amo, at hindi sa ibang lugar at sa taong hindi nakapirma sa kanyang kontrata. Kasama na dito ang pagtitinda sa online.

Kung tutuusin pala, hindi dapat nagtatapang ang mga online sellers dahil anumang oras ay maaari silang mahuli, at baka makulong pa at maipatapon pabalik sa Pilipinas. Ayon kay Maricris, bahala na kung ano ang mangyari sa mataray na tindera dahil ito naman ang nag-umpisa ng gulo.

Si Maricris ay nakatira sa Tuen Mun, at sa tingin niya ay taga Kowloon naman ang nagtinda sa kanya. – Marites Palma

MMFF 2016 official entries iba sa nakaraan

Ni Johna Acompanado

Gaya ng naunang ipinahayag, malaking pagbabago ang magaganap sa Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) sa taong ito. Matapos ang maraming taon na nakasanayan ng mga manonood, hindi napabilang sa mga napiling kalahok ang mga pelikula nina Vic Sotto (Enteng Kabisote), Coco Martin at Vice Ganda (Super Parental Guardians). Hindi rin napasama ang pelikula nina Vhong Navarro (Mang Kepweng) at Mother Lily ng Regal Entertainment (Mano Po 7).  

Sa halip, mga pawang maituturing na indie films ang walong pelikulang napili, kabilang na ang Sunday Beauty Queen, na isang documentary film na tumatalakay ng pang araw-araw na buhay ng mga domestic helper dito sa Hong Kong. Kinunan ang halos buong pelikula sa Hong Kong, at tampok ang ilang grupo na regular na nagdaraos ng beauty contest para sa mga OFW. Sa direksyon ni Baby Ruth Villarama.


Ang iba pang napili ay ang mga sumusunod:
1) Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2 #ForeverIsNotEnough – (comedy ),  starring Eugene Domingo, Jericho Rosales, director: Marlon Rivera
2) Vince & Kath & James –  (light romance comedy), Cast: Julia Barretto, Josh Garcia, Maris Racal at Ronnie Alonte. Director: Ted Boborol
3) Kabisera – (drama), starring Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC de Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri, Perla Bautista, Ces Quesada, RJ Agustin, Ronwaldo Martin at Kiko Matos. Directors: Arturo San Agustin at Real Florido
4) Oro (Gold) – (drama), Cast: Irma Adlawan, Joem Bascon, Mercedes Cabral, Sandino Martin, Sue Prado, Arrian Labios, Biboy Ramirez, Cedrick Juan, Ronald Regala. Director: Alvin Yapan
5) Saving Sally – (love story with 2D animation), starring Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad, Enzo Marcos. Director: Avid Liongoren
6) Die Beautiful – (comedy/drama),  Paolo Ballesteros, Luis Alandy, Gladys Reyes, Albie Casino, Lou Veloso, Inah de Belen. Director; Jun Robles Lana
7) Seklusyon – (horror), Cast: Dominic Roque, Ronnie Alonte, Neil Ryan Sese, Lou Veloso, Elora Espano, Phoebe Walker. Director: Erik Matti

Marami ang humuhulang hindi gaanong tatangkilikin ng mga tao ang mga MMFF entries dahil walang malalaking artista ang mga ito. Pero may mga sang-ayon naman sa pagpili ng Selection Committee na pinamumunuan Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, author, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino member at dating MTRCB chair.

Ang iba pang miyembro ng committee ay ang writer-poet at Palanca hall of famer (iterature) na si Alfred Yuson, QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte,  actor/director at political activist Mae Paner, actor Ping Medina, writer/director/ film editor Lawrence Fajardo, NCCA legal counsel Atty. Trixie Angeles, radio station manager Alan Allanigue, at entertainment columnist Crispina Belen.
Layunin ng MMFF na mabago ang dating kalakaran sa MMFF upang mas mabigyan ng pansin ang kalidad ng pelikula sa halip na palakihan ng pangalan o paramihan ng sikat na artista  ang mga napipiling kalahok.

Inaasahang maglalaban sa takilya ang “Die Beautiful” ni Paolo Ballesteros, na nagkamit ng best actor trophy sa Tokyo Film Festival nitong nakaraang buwan, at ang “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” ni Eugene.

Samantala, tila magkakaroon ng sariling festival ang ilang pelikulang hindi nakalusot sa pamantayan ng MMFF. Balitang magsasalpukan pa rin sa takilya ang mga pelikula nina Vic Sotto at Vice Ganda/ Coco Martin, at maging ang “Mano Po”ng Regal Films dahil ipapalabas ang kanilang pelikula ng mas maaga, bago pa simulan ang MMFF (Dec 25 – Jan. 7).

ATOM, BIDA SA PELIKULA
Kaabang-abang ang muling pagbabalik sa paggawa ng pelikula ni Mike de Leon, isa sa  pinakamahuhusay na director ng pelikulang Pilipino. Ipinahayag niya kamakailan na nahanap na niya kung sino ang gaganap sa pangunahing papel sa kanyang gagawing pelikula, ang “Citizen Jake”. Siya ay si Atom Araullo, ang sikat na reporter/journalist ng ABS CBN.

Bagama’t hindi artista, akmang-akma raw kay Atom ang kanyang magiging role bilang isang reporter sa pelikula. Nakailang beses daw silang  nag-usap bago napapayag si Atom na tanggapin ang alok. Hindi raw matanggihan ni Atom ang batikang director dahil alam niya kung gaano ito kahusay gumawa ng mga makabuluhang pelikula.

Sa parte ni de Leon, malaking sugal daw ang gagawin niya sa pagkuha kay Atom, pero naniniwala daw ito sa kakayahan ng reporter dahil matalino ito, may paninindigan at mahusay pang sumulat. Dahil hindi  ito “showbiz”, hindi “starring Atom Araullo” kundi “featuring Atom Araullo” ang kanilang gagamitin. Kakaiba ang pelikula sa dati na niyang nagawa, hindi lang dahil baka ito na ang huling pelikula niyang gagawin, kundi maganda raw ang kanilang subject matter. Kasalukuyan daw niyang inaaayos ang screenplay, pero marami pa rin silang ginagawang pananaliksik. Sa ngayon ay wala pa rin silang listahan ng mga artista na makakasama ni Atom sa pelikula.

Si de Leon ang lumikha ng mga klasikong pelikulang “Itim”, Kisapmata”, Sister Stella L”, “Batch ‘81", “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?”, “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising”, “Bayaning Thirld World” at “Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag” (bilang producer at cinematographer).

Bukod sa pagiging reporter, si Atom, 34, (Alfonso Tomas Pagaduan Araullo sa tunay na buhay) ay isang model, triathlete, news presenter at TV host. Siya ay nagtapos ng kursong BS in Applied Physics sa UP Diliman. Nagtapos siya elementarya sa Ateneo de Manila at high school sa Philippine Science High School. Isang binata, siya ay isa sa pinakapopular na TV personalities, at lalong dumami ang kanyang tagahanga nang bansagan siyang “man in the rain” sa kanyang matapang na coverage sa supertyphoon Yolanda nang manalasa ito sa Tacloban. Noong Agosto ay nag-resign siya bilang reporter sa mga news program na TV Patrol, Bandila at ANC dahil diumano sa kanyang opinyon tungkol sa noo’y pinag-uusapan pang pagpapalibing kay dating pangulong Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani. Balitang may magagandang offers siyang natatanggap mula sa ibang TV stations, at ang isa ay triple sa tinatanggap niyang sahod ang alok sa kanya. Napapanood pa rin siya bilang host sa “Umagang Kay Ganda” at “Red Alert”.

JASMINE, BEST ACTRESS SA CINEMA ONE ORIGINALS
Nanalo bilang best actress si Jasmine Curtis Smith sa katatapos na 2016 Cinema One Originals Film Festival para sa pelikulang “Baka Bukas”, kung saan ay gumanap siya bilang isang lesbian. Inalay ni Jasmine ang kanyang panalo sa LGBT community sa kanyang acceptance speech.

“Mabuhay ang LGBT community!” sigaw ni Jasmine na pinalakpakan ng mga tao. “We have a voice. I am with you guys whether I am LGBT or not. I stand with you guys and I will be with you all the way.”

Tinalo niya sina Shaina Magdayao (Lily), Natalie Hart (Tisay) at Peewee O’Hara (Si Magdalola at ang mga Gago).

Ang iba pang nanalo: Best actor: Rocky Salumbides ( Lily), best supporting actress: Natileigh Sitoy (Lily), best supporting actor: Jameson Blake (2Cool 2 Be 4gotten). Best Picture: 2Cool 2 Be 4gotten, best director: Keith Deligero (Lily), special Jury Prize: Si Magdalola at ang mga Gago, People’s Choice award: Baka Bukas, best short film: Maria (JP Habac).

BB GANDANGHARI, BABAE NA
Masayang ipinahayag ni Binibini Gandanghari sa kanyang Instagram account na “official” na ang kanyang pagiging babae. Inaprubahan ng korte sa Los Angeles ang kanyang hiling na palitan ang pangalan niya bilang Binibini Gandanghari, at kasarian bilang “female”, na inihain niya noong Agosto.

“This is it! And I thought this day would never come! And I thank my GOD and my LORD for making these things happen. Everything makes sense now, and to this great country the United States of America for providing this [basic human right]. Thank you!”

Ang aktor na nakilala noon bilang si Rustom Padilla ay naging asawa ni Carmina Villaruel, pero naghiwalay sila. Noong 2006, inamin niya sa reality show na Pinoy Big Brother, celebrity edition na siya ay bakla. Nang lumaon, pinili niyang kilalanin siya sa bago niyang pangalang BB Gandanghari at sinabi niyang patay na ang Rustom Padilla.

Sa programang “Tapatan ni Tunying” noong 2014, sinabi niya na siya ay isang transgender, at hindi gay. Noong nagladlad daw siya ay wala naman siyang boyfriend o karelasyon, at tatlong taon bago niya na-realize niya na hindi siya gay, kundi isang  transgender.