Diego nagtangkang mag- suicide?

Naging usap-usapan sa showbiz ang diumano’y tangkang pagpapakamatay ng young actor na si Diego Loyzaga, 23. Ayon sa balita, nagtamo si Diego ng maraming sugat sa leeg at kamay dahil naglaslas siya gamit ang kanyang Swiss knife. Mabuti na lang daw at may mga kasama siya sa bahay na agad na nakasaklolo sa kanya at nagtakbo sa kanya sa ospital. May nakapagsabi na hindi naman daw malalim o seryoso ang mga tinamong sugat ng aktor kaya agad itong pinayagang makalabas.

Marami ang nagulat sa balitang ito dahil tila maganda naman ang takbo ng career ng batang actor. Isa siya sa mga bida sa TV series na Los Bastardos na kasalukuyang ipinapalabas sa Kapamilya channel. Ang kanyang inang si Teresa Loyzaga ay nasa Pilipinas na rin at binalikan ang showbiz career. Tahimik din at tila wala nang problema sa kanyang amang si Cesar Montano, na kamakailan ay napag-usapan din. 

Ilang beses na ring naging laman ng mga balita si Diego dahil sa pag-post niya sa social media tungkol sa galit niya sa ama, ang naging away niya sa isang Grab driver, ang pagpo-post niya ng mga larawan sa Boracay, ang break up nila ni Sofia Andres- na umani lahat ng negatibong reaksyon mula sa publiko.

Sa kabila ng mga haka-haka, nananatiling tahimik sina Teresa at Cesar tungkol sa kalagayan ng kanilang anak. Balitang dinala nina Teresa at kapatid nitong si Bing Loyzaga si Diego sa isang pribadong lugar upang magpagaling. Pero hindi siguro ito binawalang gumamit ng internet o telepono dahil nag-post na ito ng larawan ng bottled fruit juices.

Noong March 2010, ang panganay na anak na lalaki ni Cesar at  half-brother ni Diego na si Christian Angelo ay nagpakamatay sa pamamagitan ng pagbaril sa sarili sa kanilang bahay sa Quezon City.

VICTOR MAGTANGGOL, TATAPUSIN NA
Malungkot na ipinahayag ni Alden Richards na magtatapos na ang kanyang TV series na “Victor Magtanggol” sa November 16. Inamin ng aktor na hindi nakaagapay sa ratings ang kanilang show sa kalabang “Ang Probinsyano” ng ABS CBN, na patuloy pa ring namamayagpag sa ere pagkatapos ng mahigit dalawang taon. Pero hindi raw totoo ang tsismis na sadyang sinibak na lang ang show dahil dito. Nabuo naman daw nila ang full season, na dapat ay ipapalabas lang ng 13 linggo, pero pinapirma rin sila ng extension contract. 

Naisip din daw ni Alden na pakiusapan ang mga bosses ng GMA 7 na i-extend ang show dahil naawa siya sa staff at crew na mawawalan ng trabaho, kung kailan magpapasko pa naman. “Kaya lang po, ang daming factors na kinunsider, ‘yung show po kasi na darating, ready na po, tapos ‘yung bakasyon ko rin po sa family, hindi ko na mai-move. Saka ‘yun lang din po ‘yung day na napaalam ko sa GMA, last year pa po, actually,” ang paliwanag pa ni Alden. Nakatakdang magbakasyon si Alden kasama ang buong pamilya sa Los Angeles, California sa December.

Gagawa daw siya ng pelikula sa first quarter ng 2019. Gusto rin daw niyang masubukang makagawa ng indie film, pero sa ngayon ay wala pang offer. Baka sa second quarter na raw siya muling gagawa ng teleserye, at sana raw ay drama naman dahil nami-miss niya ito.

MARIAN, PAHINGA MUNA SA PELIKULA
Ipinagpaliban muna ni Marian Rivera ang paggawa ng isang horror film na nakatakda sana niyang umpisahan sa buwang ito, dahil buntis siya. Kinausap daw niya ang management team niya na Triple A na hindi muna siya gagawa ng pelikula, lalo na kung horror film ito, dahil baka makasama sa kanyang kalagayan, at baka pagsisihan niya ito.

Nong July 2018, ipahayag ni Rams David, manager ni Marian, na muling mapapanood sa pelikula si Marian kung mapipili itong kalahok sa Metro Manila Film Festival. Pero dahil nabuntis nga siya, na masayang in-announce nila ng asawang si Dingdong Dantes noong September, nabago ang kanilang mga plano. Isa na rito ang pag-urong ni Dingdong ng kanyang pagtakbo sana sa susunod na eleksyon, dahil kailangan niyang alalayan ang kanyang asawa sa kanyang kalagayan. Ayaw daw niya itong ma-stress ng dahil sa pagsabak niya sa pulitika.

Sa ngayon ay abala pa rin naman si Marian sa kanyang regular shows na Sunday PinaSaya at Tadhana, at may mga product endorsement din siyang ginagawa. Bukod dito, hands-on mom siya sa kanyang anak na si Zia, na magta-tatlong gulang na sa Nov. 23. Huling napanood sa pelikula si Marian noong 2016, sa isang guest role sa pelikulang “Imagine You And Me”.

Samantala, sinabi ni Marian na malakas siyang kumain ngayon sa kanyang pangalawang pagbubuntis, hindi kagaya noong una. Nakakahiligan daw niyang kumain ng maaasim gaya ng kamias at manggang hilaw. Sa tanong kung babae o lalaki ang kanilang magiging anak, sinabi niyang magkakaroon sila ng gender reveal party sa buwang ito, pagkatapos ng check-up niya sa kanyang doctor. Gusto muna daw nilang makasiguro bago ito i-share sa publiko.

MAINE AT ARJO, MADALAS MAGKASAMA
Muling namataan sina Maine Mendoza at Arjo Atayde na magkasamang nanood ng concert na Karpos Live sa Vertis Tent, Vertis North sa Quezon City noong November 8. Bago ito, nakunan sila ng mga larawan sa isang resort sa Bali, Indonesia noong Halloween break.

Magkasama sina Maine at Arjo sa pelikulang “Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles” na entry sa Metro Manila Film Festival, na pinagbibidahan nina Coco Martin at Vic Sotto. Tila dito nag-umpisa ang pagkakaibigan ng dalawa dahil ilang beses pa silang nakitang magkasamang kumakain sa isang restaurant sa Quezon City, at sa isang bar sa Bonifacio Global City.

Wala pang inaamin ang dalawa kung may namumuong relasyon sa kanila, pero kinumpirma kamakailan ng dating girlfriend ni Arjo na si Sammie Rimando ng grupong GirlTrends, na break na sila.

Ang kapatid naman ni Arjo na si Ria Atayde ang nagtatanggol sa kanyang kuya sa mga bashers o fans   ng AlDub na galit na ma-link ang kanilang idolong si Maine kay Arjo o kaninuman, maliban kay Alden Richards. Ang tweet ni Ria: “If a guy and girl are both single, they should be able to date whoever they want. And a genuine sign of support is if you let them, if you accept it and if you become happy for them even if they don’t go for the person you’re for.”

Wala raw sinasabi si Arjo sa kanya, pero alam daw niyang masaya ito ngayon.

HIMIG HANDOG WINNERS
Panalo ang awiting “Sa Mga Bituin na Lang Ibubulong” bilang Best Original song sa katatapos na Himig Handog 2018. Ito ay nilikha ni Kyle Raphael Borbon, at inawit ni JM de Guzman. Sa finale na ginanap sa ASAP noong November 11, si Jason Dy ang nag-perform ng awitin, dahil maysakit daw si JM, kaya hindi nakadalo. Tumanggap sila ng cash prize na Php1 million bilang grand prize winner. 

Ang sampung finalists na nag-perform sa ASAP ay ang mga sumusunod: “Tinatapos Ko Na” (composer: SJ Gandia, interpreted by Jona) ; “Wala Kang Alam” (composed and arranged by Mel Magno and Martin John Arellano and interpreted by Sam Mangubat); “Dalawang Pag-ibig Niya” (composed by Bernard Reforsado and interpreted by Sheena Belarmino & Krystal Brimer with MNL48); “Mas Mabuti Pa” (composed by Mhonver Lopez and Joanna Concepcion and interpreted by Janine Berdin); “Hati Na Lang Tayo Sa Kanya” (composed by Joseph Santiago and interpreted by Eumee); “Sugarol” (composed by Jan Sabili and interpreted by Maris Racal); “Sa Mga Bituin na lang Ibubulong” (composed by Kyle Raphael Borbon and interpreted by Jason Dy); “Wasakan” (composed by Philip Arvin Jarilla and interpreted by Agsunta); “Para sa Tabi” (composed by Robert William Perena and interpreted by Boyband PH), at “Kababata” (composed by John Michael Edixon, and interpreted by Kritiko ft. Kyla).

Ang ibang mga nanalo:
Best Original Song: ”Sa Mga Bituin na lang Ibubulong”
Second Best Song: ”Wakasan”
Third Best Song:  ”Kababata”
Fourth Best Song: ”Mas Mabuti Pa”
Fifth Best Song: ”Tinatapos Ko Na”

Special Awards
M.O.R 101.9’s Choice: ”Sugarol” composed by Jan Sabili and interpreted by Maris Racal
One Music PH’s Choice for Favorite Interpreter:  Sam Mangubat for “Wala Kang Alam”
TFC’s Global Choice of Favorite Song: “Sugarol” composed by Jan Sabili and interpreted by Maris Racal
Star Music Listener’s Choice: “Mas Mabuti Pa” composed by Mhonver Lopez and Joanna Concepcion, and interpreted by Janine Berdin
Best Produced Track / Music Producer’s Award:  “Tinatapos Ko Na” composed by SJ Gandia and interpreted by Jona
MYX Choice for Best Music Video: ”Sugarol” directed by John Leo Garcia

YAM, KINAIINISAN SA “HALIK”
Laging napag-uusapan ngayon ang hit TV series na “Halik” dahil sa ipinapakitang husay ng mga artista na sina Yam Concepcion, Yen Santos, Sam Milby, at lalo na si Jericho Rosales, na consistent sa pagiging mahusay na aktor. 

Lumabas ng husto ang natatagong husay ni Yam bilang isang palabang kerida na si Jade, dahil nasanay na mga dating nakapanood sa kanya sa mga roles niya na laging tahimik, at mabait. Ang dating napapanood na mahinhin na si Yen Santos bilang si Jackie, ay naging palaban din bilang asawa na niloko at ipinagpalit sa kerida.

Si Sam Milby, na nakasanayang napapanood bilang good boy, ay kinainisan ngayon bilang si Ace, ang asawang manloloko at nangangaliwa. Nagbunyi ang mga masugid na sumusubaybay sa palabas nang bugbog –sarado ang inabot niya kay Lino (Jericho) matapos siyang  mahuli na kahalikan ang asawa nitong si Jade sa isang bar. 

Marami pang eksenang susubaybayan sa “Halik” na patuloy na tinatangkilik dahil marami raw sa mga manonood ang nakaka-relate dito sa tunay na buhay.

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OFWs swamp POLO for free check-ups

Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre  supervises volunteers and POLO staff in giving edical check-ups to OFWs.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre is considering imposing an appointment system or cutting down on activities in the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the wake of a heavy turnout of OFWs on the second Sunday of his free health check project.

The labor official reported an overflow crowd of 219 workers seeking the free service on Nov. 11 in POLO’s 18th floor office at Mass Mutual Tower in Wanchai.

“We need to assess and see whether we should impose an appointment system, or abandon the other training sessions crowding the area,” Labatt Dela Torre said in a post on his Facebook page later that day.

He said POLO was “filled to the rafters” with OFWs lining up for medical tests under Project Health Wise.  The deluge resulted in the weighing scale conking out and glucose test strips running out, and dela Torre sending out an urgent request for donors.

The first Saturday edition of the project on Nov. 10 also received an enthusiastic response from OFWs, who numbered close to 200 by the end of the day.

Dela Torre said his staff has to do overtime work to provide this service because POLO is normally closed on Saturdays.

Project Health Wise is conducted by POLO-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Hong Kong in collaboration with Filipino Nurses Association, Balikatan sa Kaunlaran Hong Kong Council and Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines.

Assistant Labor Attaché Angelica Suñga and OWWA Hong Kong staff Joszoa Villa, both registered nurses, lead the volunteers in administering the service, which includes taking vital signs, blood glucose, urine, uric acid, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis checks.

FNA holds lectures on breast self-examination while a group of physical therapists led by Bona Cresencia provides free massage.

In a Facebook post, Dela Torre said, “The aim is to enable our OFWs to recognize vital signs that could potentially lead to serious health issues in the future, “ as he encouraged workers to avail themselves of the free health service. 

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Mandatory insurance, SSS loom for OFWs

Consul General Antonio Morales opens the forum. With him are, from left: Pag-IBIG Fund representative Raymond Francis Ramos, SSS representative John Mata, Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre, Deputy Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, Consul Roderic Atienza, Vice Consul Fatima Quintin and Welfare Officers Marivic Clarin and Virsie Tamayao .

By Daisy CL Mandap

For the first time, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office has confirmed a government resolution mandating all Filipino migrant workers to be covered by insurance, but said there are no rules for implementing it yet.

“I have received a copy of Resolution No 3 of the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) but not the implementing rules and regulations,” said Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre at a Filipino community meeting held on Nov 11 at the Consulate.

Sought for further information after the forum, Labatt dela Torre said Philippine labor officials might still be mulling the resolution because of possible backlash.

The plan to require insurance (which currently costs US$44 per two-year contract for land-based workers), and forced contributions to the Social Security System of up to Php2,400 monthly, were the focus of the first community-wide forum called by Consul General Antonio Morales.

The forum is the biggest gathering of Filipino community leaders this year.

ConGen Morales asserted his adherence to a policy of consultation when he opened the meeting, held at the request of United Filipinos –Migrante Hong Kong, which has been protesting the planned government impositions.

Morales said that although the Consulate’s main task is to implement the law, they are also duty-bound to listen to the sentiments of Filipinos, especially migrant workers. Thus, he said “ipaparating naming ang mga hinaing ninyo.”

SSS representative John Mata said he had yet to receive information on when the proposed Social Security Act of 2018 would be implemented. The bill mandates a three-month initial contribution for those about to leave the Philippines, while those already on site are enjoined to pay monthly contributions, but it is not clear how this can be enforced.

The bill has already been passed by both houses of Congress with no known input from OFWs, and is just awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Mata suggested those leading the protest against mandatory contributions could write to the SSS president to express their views. “May pagkakataon pang mag-dialogue,” he said.

But Unifil chairperson Dolores Balladares-Pelaez said the dialogue should have come when the bill was still being discussed in Congress, not now when it is almost as good as done.

Pelaez also dismissed suggestions employers could be made to pay for SSS and worker’s insurance in the Philippines. “So kung ayaw ng aming employer, baka kami mawalan ng trabaho,” she said.

She also said her group is not against paying for SSS, but there should be no compulsion, or sanction for those who do not, or cannot, pay for it. “Huwag naman kaming alisan ng karapatan na mamili,” she said.

ConGen Morales suggested that migrant workers who get to talk to Philippine lawmakers – senators as well as members of the House of Representatives – should take the chance to make their views known. “Sulatan ninyo sila at ipahatid ang inyong saloobin,” he urged.

Another topic discussed was the overseas employment certificate, which Labatt dela Torre noted wryly, was supposed to have been replaced by an OFW card called iDole more than a year ago.

While the OEC remains a requirement for those intending to go for a vacation in the Philippines, the OFW ID is reportedly about to be issued, after the task of getting it done was passed on to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Welfare officer Virsie Tamayao said the OFW ID had its “grand launch” only the other week, and migrant workers could already apply for it without paying anything. However, the card can only be claimed in the Philippines, so OFWs who want someone to get it for them should execute a special power of attorney naming the representative, which should then be notarized at the Consulate.

When forum participants protested at the high cost of getting a document notarized ($200 or Php1,400) Labatt dela Torre asked the OWWA officers if they could recommend a simpler and less costly way for OFWs to get their ID cards.

The wide-ranging topics taken up at the meeting included Unifil-Migrante’s call for better working conditions for all migrant workers in Hong Kong. These include stipulating in the work contract a continuous rest period of at least 11 hours, and providing a list of “unsuitable” accommodations.

Bayan HK and Macau chairman Eman Villanueva also said migrant workers should be paid a “living” wage, and not one that is decided upon arbitrarily by Hong Kong government officials.

The other issues raised included the perennial problem over loans and the use of passports to secure them; the longstanding cases of Emry’s and Peya Travel, in which hundreds of OFWs were victimized; the promised rebates for longtime OWWA members, and the offloading of minors traveling from the Philippines without either parent.

Consul Paul Saret, who heads the assistance to nationals section, confirmed the policy of requiring those who used passports as collateral for loans, to apply directly with the Department of Foreign Affairs if they want their document replaced.

Saret also said he and Labatt dela Torre would soon meet with Hong Kong police to discuss how to speed up the investigation into Emry’s and Peya.

Welfare officer Marivic Clarin said the OWWA rebates could be expected soon, while social welfare attaché Beth Dy said OFWs who want their children to visit them here should first check the requirements to prevent offloading.

All officers of the Consulate and its attached agencies were present at the meeting, including the new Deputy Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan who promised to look more closely into the concerns of migrant workers.

“Bawat post ay unique, so hindi ko masasabi na alam ko na lahat ng mga hinaing ninyo,” she said. But she said migrant workers need more attention than others in the community because they are the “most vulnerable.”

The meeting ended with calls from Filcom leaders for regular consultations. Consulate officers said they’d consider the suggestion. 

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HK takes flak from intl community over human rights

In an unprecedented move, 12 countries have used a United Nations’ review of human rights in China to express concern over deteriorating rights in Hong Kong, including those of migrant workers.

It was the first time any country had addressed concerns over Hong Kong at the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) hearing on China, held this year on Nov 6. At the last UPR hearing on China held in 2013, not one recommendation was made on Hong Kong.

At the hearing in Geneva this year, seven countries made recommendations, while five sent questions ahead to raise concerns.

Among those that made recommendations were the Philippines and Indonesia, which both expressed alarm over the treatment and inadequate protection of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.

The Philippines suggested an enhancement of the monitoring of the standard employment contract for migrant domestic workers, while Indonesia called on China to consider ratifying the International Covenant on the Protection of Migrant Workers Rights.

Annie Li of Justice Centre Hong Kong said the stance taken by the two biggest sources of migrant workers in Hong Kong was significant.

“That the two major sending countries of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Indonesia, make recommendations for Hong Kong is unprecedented. It shows Hong Kong has to strengthen the protection of migrant worker rights in the region’s competition for workers to care for the ageing population,” she said.

Five other countries submitted recommendations on Hong Kong, ranging from freedom of speech and assembly, universal suffrage, and LGBT rights. They included Australia, Canada, France, Croatia and Ireland.

Simon Henderson, spokesperson for the Hong Kong UPR Coalition and senior policy adviser at Justice Centre, said the outcome of the UPR hearing marked a substantial shift in foreign policy towards Hong Kong.

“The declining human rights environment has clearly harmed Hong Kong’s international reputation, despite persistent denials of senior government officials,” he said.

“This sends a strong signal to the Hong Kong government that it needs to change course. Failure to do so will only further undermine the core values which have made Hong Kong successful and threaten future prosperity.”

Henderson urged the Hong Kong government to accept the recommendations and work with civil society to get them implemented.

The recommendations by Australia, Canada and France on the freedoms of speech, assembly and self-governance were particularly welcomed by Hong Kong UPR Coalition members.

One, Wong Yik Mo of Civil Human Rights Front, said “China’s plan to marginalise Hong Kong is in vain.”

“Given Hong Kong’s special status, the international community will not overlook the increasing encroachment on human rights in Hong Kong, even with the severe situation in the mainland. Unlike China, the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) applies to Hong Kong and the government has more obligations to protect and improve the human rights environment here.”

Hong Kong Watch’s Benedict Rogers said the message to Hong Kong is that it is time to prove its commitment to the core values enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

“The recommendations are a sign that governments around the world recognise that Hong Kong has experienced unprecedented restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms in the last five years. Draconian legislation has been used to prosecute political protestors, freedom of expression has been undermined, and the rule of law is under pressure,” he said.

The Coalition also said it was disappointed that Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung had failed to identify steps the government will take to counter growing restrictions on freedom of expression and the press in his speech to the UN.

Cheung, who was in Geneva as part of the China delegation, had earlier deflected concerns raised by other countries.

"Recent concerns over some aspects of our human rights situation are unwarranted, unfounded and unsubstantiated. They arise from misconception and a lack of understanding of our real situation," Cheung said.

But Shirley Yam of the Hong Kong Journalists Association disagreed, saying the denial of visa to Financial Times correspondent Victor Mallet was a clear sign of Beijing’s “interference in our press and expression freedom.”

The members of the Coalition are Civil Human Rights Front, Disabilities CV, The Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees, Hong Kong Watch, Justice Centre Hong Kong, Les Corner Empowerment Association, PEN Hong Kong, Pink Alliance and Planet Ally.

The Universal Periodic Review process is a peer-review mechanism where UN member states can highlight concerns and make recommendations to fellow states. The hearings provide countries with just 45 seconds to put their points across to the nation under review.

 HK takes flak from intl community over human rights

In an unprecedented move, 12 countries have used a United Nations’ review of human rights in China to express concern over deteriorating rights in Hong Kong, including those of migrant workers.

It was the first time any country had addressed concerns over Hong Kong at the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) hearing on China, held this year on Nov 6. At the last UPR hearing on China held in 2013, not one recommendation was made on Hong Kong.

At the hearing in Geneva this year, seven countries made recommendations, while five sent questions ahead to raise concerns.

Among those that made recommendations were the Philippines and Indonesia, which both expressed alarm over the treatment and inadequate protection of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.

The Philippines suggested an enhancement of the monitoring of the standard employment contract for migrant domestic workers, while Indonesia called on China to consider ratifying the International Covenant on the Protection of Migrant Workers Rights.

Annie Li of Justice Centre Hong Kong said the stance taken by the two biggest sources of migrant workers in Hong Kong was significant.

“That the two major sending countries of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Indonesia, make recommendations for Hong Kong is unprecedented. It shows Hong Kong has to strengthen the protection of migrant worker rights in the region’s competition for workers to care for the ageing population,” she said.

Five other countries submitted recommendations on Hong Kong, ranging from freedom of speech and assembly, universal suffrage, and LGBT rights. They included Australia, Canada, France, Croatia and Ireland.

Simon Henderson, spokesperson for the Hong Kong UPR Coalition and senior policy adviser at Justice Centre, said the outcome of the UPR hearing marked a substantial shift in foreign policy towards Hong Kong.

“The declining human rights environment has clearly harmed Hong Kong’s international reputation, despite persistent denials of senior government officials,” he said.

“This sends a strong signal to the Hong Kong government that it needs to change course. Failure to do so will only further undermine the core values which have made Hong Kong successful and threaten future prosperity.”

Henderson urged the Hong Kong government to accept the recommendations and work with civil society to get them implemented.

The recommendations by Australia, Canada and France on the freedoms of speech, assembly and self-governance were particularly welcomed by Hong Kong UPR Coalition members.

One, Wong Yik Mo of Civil Human Rights Front, said “China’s plan to marginalise Hong Kong is in vain.”

“Given Hong Kong’s special status, the international community will not overlook the increasing encroachment on human rights in Hong Kong, even with the severe situation in the mainland. Unlike China, the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) applies to Hong Kong and the government has more obligations to protect and improve the human rights environment here.”

Hong Kong Watch’s Benedict Rogers said the message to Hong Kong is that it is time to prove its commitment to the core values enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

“The recommendations are a sign that governments around the world recognise that Hong Kong has experienced unprecedented restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms in the last five years. Draconian legislation has been used to prosecute political protestors, freedom of expression has been undermined, and the rule of law is under pressure,” he said.

The Coalition also said it was disappointed that Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung had failed to identify steps the government will take to counter growing restrictions on freedom of expression and the press in his speech to the UN.

Cheung, who was in Geneva as part of the China delegation, had earlier deflected concerns raised by other countries.

"Recent concerns over some aspects of our human rights situation are unwarranted, unfounded and unsubstantiated. They arise from misconception and a lack of understanding of our real situation," Cheung said.

But Shirley Yam of the Hong Kong Journalists Association disagreed, saying the denial of visa to Financial Times correspondent Victor Mallet was a clear sign of Beijing’s “interference in our press and expression freedom.”

The members of the Coalition are Civil Human Rights Front, Disabilities CV, The Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees, Hong Kong Watch, Justice Centre Hong Kong, Les Corner Empowerment Association, PEN Hong Kong, Pink Alliance and Planet Ally.

The Universal Periodic Review process is a peer-review mechanism where UN member states can highlight concerns and make recommendations to fellow states. The hearings provide countries with just 45 seconds to put their points across to the nation under review.

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DWC stages charity hike for man who has lost a leg

Members of the Domestic Workers Corner "conquer" Cape D’Aguilar for charity.

Hikers from the Domestic Workers Corner held its second hike for a cause on Sunday, Oct 29, a 9-kilometer hike to Cape D’Aguilar, to raise money to help a 38-year-old man in Quezon who has lost a leg to an infection that has festered for the last five months.

The hike to Cape D’Aguilar, a rocky peninsula called Hok Tsui at the southeast end of Hong Kong Island, attracted 67 administrators and members of DWC, a group that offers helpful activities to fellow OFWs in Hong Kong.

Cape D’Aguilar offers Instagram-worthy scenery.

This time around, the objective of the DWC fundraising was to help the family of 38-year-old Joey Cuarez, from San Francisco, Quezon, whose leg was injured when he fell off a coconut tree in his village.

For the past five months, he has been unable to walk as his injured leg got infected, causing him extreme pain with every step he took. His wound also bled each time he walked, his relatives said.

The infected leg had to be amputated to stop the infection from spreading.

Relatives and friends of Cuarez called the attention of DWC to his plight and the group responded by organizing last Sunday’s hike to Cape D’Aguilar.

The hikers met at 9am at the Shau Kei Wan MTR Station and at 9:15am they took Bus No. 9 to Cape D’Aguilar Road, which serves the Shaw Kei Wan-Shek O route.

The breezy and moderately cool weather was good for the normally three-hour hike.



The hikers got off at the Cape D’Aguilar roundabout overlooking Shek O and from there they made the trek down to the rocky outcrop that is the site of a hilltop lighthouse and the Institute of Marine Science.

The hike provided time for members and admins of DWC to grow their friendship and have much fun taking pictures as they enjoyed the beauty of nature in that place.

They reached the end of the hike at 12 noon, shared lunch at the wave-lashed crags, explored the Crab Cave and went up the lighthouse ground for more picture-taking before taking the bus around 1pm back to MTR station where they parted and went home.

Donations collected during the second hike for a cause amounted $601.00 (P4,000.00)  will be given to Cuarez. The group decided to extend help in a simple way for Cuarez’s medical check-up while his family is trying to apply for medical assistance from government offices.

DWC organizes hikes for a cause for people who approach the group for help - a simple act that gives hope to the beneficiary while energizing the group. - Rodelia Villar

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