Lantern carnivals and displays set

A performance by the Hubei Arts Troupe will showcase ethnic songs, dance and martial arts. 

The Lunar New Year have have passed, highlighted by a fireworks display on Feb. 6 at the Victoria Harboir, but the celebration is not over yet.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present a wide range of activities including festive lantern carnivals and lantern displays for public enjoyment, to celebrate the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival.

Admission to all activities is free.

Three Lunar New Year lantern carnivals featuring a variety of activities will be held at North District Park on February 17, at Tin Shui Wai Park and Ginza Square on February 18 and at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza on February 19 from 7.30pm to 10pm.

Folk craft masters from Guangdong, Macao and Hong Kong will give demonstrations on Xiguan copperware making, Luxi murals, juci (ceramic repair), guqin making and dough figurine crafting at the three carnivals.

Dazzling lanterns will be on display at the three venues.

The Hubei Arts Troupe, supported by the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will also showcase spectacular ethnic songs, dance and martial arts performances.

In addition, dazzling lanterns will be on display at the three venues from February 14 to February 19 for public enjoyment.



The first lantern carnival, to be held at North District Park on February 17, will feature the theme of “Sweet Melodies of Spring Lantern”. Colorful lantern displays will light up the Park including a 5-metre-high revolving lantern, lanterns of little pigs and fishes, and impressive bouquet and windmill lanterns.

In addition to the above programs, the carnival will feature Chinese juggling, kunqu and Taoist music performances, and participatory activities such as workshops and a self-help lantern riddle quiz corner.



The carnival at Tin Shui Wai Park and Ginza Square on February 18, with the theme of “Embracing Tradition”, will showcase programs such as nanyin, Chiu Chow puppetry, face-changing and juggling performances, in addition to workshops and a self-help lantern riddle quiz corner. The lawn and fountain of Tin Shui Wai Park will be decorated with traditional lanterns including a Chinese Zodiac Garden, Pigsy from “Journey to the West”, a phoenix lantern over 4 meters high and the Eight Immortal lanterns. 

The carnival at the HKCC Piazza, themed “Date under the Moon, and Love is all around”, falls on the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival. The carnival will feature a variety of music and dance performances, a circus show, anecdotes and a lantern riddle quiz corner.



Festive lanterns are also on display to add a joyful ambience to the Lunar New Year celebrations. A thematic lantern display, “Glittering Peacocks in Full Bloom”, running until February 24, showcases various eye-catching peacock lanterns including a giant peacock lantern over 5m tall and 15m long. Its long glittering tail forms an archway between two pools.

Furthermore, the exhibition on traditional paper crafting, presented by the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Office, will be held  until February 19 to demonstrate the craftsmanship of a local master. The exhibition will present 11 palace lanterns and a revolving lantern with illustrations of Chinese zodiac animals and the ICH items of Hong Kong by a local illustrator.



The program “Youth Night” will be held at the above three venues on the date preceding each carnival from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, showcasing the energy and creativity of young people with multifaceted programs.-- HKGov

What's on, where

Wimler Charity Dinner
Feb 15 (Friday), 6:30 – 11:00pm
King’s Cuisine, 6th floor, Windsor House, Causeway Bay
For reservations & booking, contact: Myrna Hill, 9803 8049;  Emilie Veringa-Tobias, -51910902; Cathe Marsden, 95360166 or Luz Tan, 96309311

Free Breast Cancer Screening and Mammogram
Only for women aged 40 and above
Feb. 17, 10:00-10:45am,Talk; 10:45am-1pm Screening
Venue: HK Breast Cancer Foundation Kowloon Centre
Registration is closed. For details, visit the Philippine Consulate General’s Facebook page
Co-Organized by the HK Breast Cancer Foundation and PCG

Pia Wurtzbach Meet-and-Greet
Miss Universe 2015 will be Madame Tussaud HK’s first Filipino wax figure. Feb 17, 1pm onwards
Venue: Star Hall in Hong Kong
There will be entertainment, games, prizes and more
RSVP:
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSe3k4AaAAiIlj7_4k…/viewform

Financial Literacy
(Lecture by Atty. Erwin Sta Ana, Deputy Treasurer of the Philippines)
Feb 24, 9:30am-12nn, PCG Conference Room
Organized by: PCG and Department of Treasury
Note: Registration Closed

Free Financial Literacy Seminar
Feb 24, 9am-5pm, POLO Community Hall, 18/F, Mass Mutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road
Organized by: CARD HK Foundation
To reserve your slot, call 56002526, 54238196 or 95296392
Watch out for similar whole-day workshops on these dates:
Sunday: Mar 24, June 23, July 21
Saturday: Apr 13, Aug 17
Guaranteed no networking involved.
Free handouts provided and certificates will be given

Free Training for Small Feedlot Cattle Farming.
Mar 9, (Saturday)
Venue: Philippine Overseas Labor Office, 18th floor, Mass  Mutual Tower, Wanchai
Resource Speaker: OFW entrepreneur Arnel Corpuz, former manager of biggest cattle feedlot in Australia
Pre registration required.
Check: POLO HK SAR Facebook page

International Women’s Day 2019 Celebration
Mar 8, 2:30-4pm
Venue: G/F, 28A Fortress Hill Road, HK
Organized by: Caritas Asian Migrant Social Workers Project
There will be games, gifts, food and performances
For enrollment, please contact us :
Phone: 2147-5988 or
Whatsapp: 5497-2899.

Visayas Festival
Mar 17, whole day
Edinburgh Place, Central
Event will feature all the colorful festivals of the Visayan Region, including Sinulog, Dinagyang, Ari-Atihan and Masskara
Organized by: Visayas Alliance
Contact: Nerissa Jimena

Sali na!

Overseas Voting for the Philippine Mid-Term Election will be held from Apr 13-May 13, 2019 at the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town
Know the candidates for the senatorial posts as well as the party-lists, and what they stand for.
“Let’s strengthen our democracy. It’s our right and duty.”
Let’s all vote.

Wanted: Filipino nationals to serve as member of the Special Board of Election Inspectors. 
Details here: https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/photos/a.407494936119352/966151100253730/?type=3

HealthWise: A Free Basic Medical Check for OFWs
Daily, except Friday
Venue: POLO Office, 18/F, Mass Mutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Rd., Wanchai
Organized by: Philippine Overseas Labor Office HK in collaboration with Filipino Nurses Association HK and Balikatan sa Kaunlaran HK
Service includes free health assessment after blood pressure and glucose tests, cholesterol and uric acid tests, as well as lesson on breast self examination

Sapman-sapman sa Shamshuipo

Sa pamilihang ito sa bangketa, na nakagawian na tuwing Chinese New Year, kahit ano ay mabibili sa murang halaga.

Ni George Manalansan

Tuwing sasapit ang Bagong Taon ng mga Intsik o Chinese New Year ay nagpipiyesta ng husto ang mga nagtitinda sa bangketa. Halos lahat ng pwedeng paglatagan ng mga tinda sa daanan ay okupada ng kung ano-anong tinda na patok sa mga mamimili sa mga panahong ito, katulad ng mga bulaklak, gulay, at mga abubot na simbolo ng kasaganaan.

Masaya ang lahat, nagtitinda man o mamimili, dahil parang walang mga pulis sa paligid kaya walang manghuhuli.



Isa sa pinakamaraming nagtitinda sa bangketa nitong nakaraang ika-5,6 at 7 ng Pebrero ay ang Shamshuipo. Kung sa mga normal na araw ay siksikan na dito sa distritong ito, lalong higit pa noong mga petsang ito na hindi lang piyesta opisyal, kundi statutory holiday din ng mga dayuhang katulong.

Makakapili ka ng gusto mong alahas.

Hindi kataka-taka na karamihan sa mga nakipagsiksikan dito ay mga migrante na dito na ginawa ang kanilang pamimili. Kahit di mahulugang karayom ang mga tao sa lugar ay kapansin-pansin pa rin ang grupo ng mga OFWs.



Katulad ng mga turista sa iba-ibang bansa katulad ng Indian, Pakistan at Nepal, ang mga Pilipino ay abala sa pagpili sa mga tinda na ukay-ukay na binebenta mula “sap man” o $10 pataas.

Kabilang sa kanilang pinagkakaguluhan ang mga gamit na antigo at koleksyon ng mga lumang pera. Patok na patok ang mga pigurin na may iba-ibang imahe katulad ni Buddha, mga emperor, ibon at iba-iba pa na sumisimbolo sa kulturang Intsik.



Pero karamihan sa mga mamimili katulad ni Letty, 40 at Ilokana, ay damit at sapatos ang habol. Ganoon na lang ang tuwa niya nang makabili ng halos hindi nagamit na sapatos para sa kanyang anak na lalaki sa halagang $100 lamang, samantalang sa tantiya niya ay di kukulangin sa $1,000 ang presyo nito sa shop.

Ganoon na lang pasikatan niya at ng mga kaibigan kapag nakabili sila ng bagay na mataas ang kalidad pero mura lang.

Bago ang takdang araw ng piyesta opisyal, marami sa mga tindahan ang nagbagsak na ng presyo o naka “tai kam ka”, na ang ibig sabihin ay may nakakabit na dilaw na sale tag.



Tuwang tuwa naman ang mga kasamahan ni Letty dahil nakabili sila sa mababang presyo ng mga halos di pa nagamit na mga bag na yari sa balat, mga damit, gamit sa kusina, lumang smartphone at mga bagong accessories gaya ng  powerbank, Bluetooth speakers, earphones at marami pang iba.

Binalaan naman sila ng kasamang lalaki na ingatang huwag makabili ng Iphone na naka-lock pa sa apple ID ng dating may-ari, o android na ang SIM naman ang naka lock.

Basura sa ilsn, bargain sa iba.

Karamihan sa mga namimili ay gamit ang laman ng mga lai see na binigay sa kanila ng kanilang amo, o ng mga bisita ng mga ito. Kapag sinuwerte ay nakakatanggap sila ng lai see na ang laman ay $100, $500 o $1,000. Kapag matumal naman ay $20 o $50 lang ang laman ng pulang pakete, bagamat kung pinagsama-sama ay aabot din sa malaking halaga.

Bagamat itinakda ng batas na dapat ay lumabas ang mga migrante sa tatlong araw na ito bukod pa sa kanilang nag-iisang day-off kada linggo, marami pa rin ang hindi pinapalabas dahil ang kani-kanilang mga amo ay naghahanda sa bahay at nag-iimbita ng mga kaanak o kaibigan.

Karamihan ng handaan para sa pamilya ay idinaraos tuwing bisperas, o unang araw ng Bagong Taon.

Kuwento ni Letty, kabilang sa tradisyon ng mga Intsik ang magpakulo ng dahon- dahon at ipampaligo para itaboy ang mga masamang espiritu. Bawal ding maglinis ng bahay sa una sa tatlong araw ng Bagong Taon.

Hindi man makalabas ang mga kunyang sa tatlong araw na itinakda ay masaya pa rin sila dahil kahit paano ay naaambunan sila ng grasya mula sa mga bisita o kaanak ng amo. Dahil bigay, hindi masama ang loob nila na gamitin ang pera para sa kaunting luho na nabibili nila sa Shamshuipo.

Only college-level Filipino teachers wanted in China, says Ph ambassador

Philipine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sto. Romana

By Daisy CL Mandap

Filipino teachers aspiring to work in China under a new deal signed with the Manila government will only be considered if they are qualified to teach at tertiary, or university level.

This is according to Philipine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sto. Romana, when asked why the first requirement for Filipino applicants, as enumerated in the Nov. 8 agreement, is that “they must be employed by private higher education institutions in the Philippines.”

“The agreement is to teach at universities, not high schools,” said Ambassador Sto. Romana when asked for clarification in an online inquiry on Feb.

The news is likely to come as a blow to Filipino migrant workers qualified to teach only at elementary or high school level, as they had been looking forward to being considered for the China jobs.

Earlier reports said as many as 2,000 Filipino English teachers to be paid US$1,200 a month could be deployed to China as early as July last year. This was said to be an offshoot of an agreement signed on the sidelines of the Boao forum in Hainan last April, where President Rodrigo Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.



No mention was made then about the jobs being available only to college-level teachers.

What was only clear was that the hiring would be on a government-to-government basis,
meaning the applicants would not have to pay to qualify.

Despite the more restrictive requirements, the president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers in Hong Kong, Gemma A. Lauraya, welcomed the news.

“This is good, China opening its doors to teachers for employment,” she said. But she wanted to know if there was still a way for those currently working as migrant workers to apply for the jobs on offer.




Given the first requirement, however, it is not likely that migrant workers would qualify for the positions.

The other requirements are likely to further whittle down the chances of them qualifying: (2) must not be currently employed by public institutions in the Philippines; 3) must have a bachelor’s degree or above from normal universities or in education or English language from PH educational institutions accredited by PRC Ministry of Education; 4) must have a valid certificate of registration above intermediate level & professional license issued by the PH Board of Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (PBLEPT); 5) has not been charged or convicted of any crime or administrative offense; 6) in good health; 7) has no mental disease or no record of drug addiction or excessive drinking, as certified by the applicant.



According to Ambassador Sto. Romana, the implementing guidelines approved on Nov. 8 last year only specified the requirements. The two sides will now have to jointly establish an online recruitment platform, where applicants can submit their applications.

Once the platform is set up, the Government Placement Branch for China under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will process the applications, and endorse a shortlist of pre-screened applicants to China’s State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs (SAFEA).

As of this writing, however, there is still no word on when the online application platform for the China teaching jobs would start operating.

Only college-level Filipino teachers wanted in China

Philipine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sto. Romana

By Daisy CL Mandap

Filipino teachers aspiring to work in China under a new deal signed with the Manila government will only be considered if they are qualified to teach at tertiary, or university level.

This is according to Philipine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sto. Romana, when asked why the first requirement for Filipino applicants, as enumerated in the Nov. 8 agreement, is that “they must be employed by private higher education institutions in the Philippines.”

“The agreement is to teach at universities, not high schools,” said Ambassador Sto. Romana when asked for clarification in an online inquiry on Feb.

The news is likely to come as a blow to Filipino migrant workers qualified to teach only at elementary or high school level, as they had been looking forward to being considered for the China jobs.

Earlier reports said as many as 2,000 Filipino English teachers to be paid US$1,200 a month could be deployed to China as early as July last year. This was said to be an offshoot of an agreement signed on the sidelines of the Boao forum in Hainan last April, where President Rodrigo Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.



No mention was made then about the jobs being available only to college-level teachers.

What was only clear was that the hiring would be on a government-to-government basis,
meaning the applicants would not have to pay to qualify.

Despite the more restrictive requirements, the president of the National Organization of Professional Teachers in Hong Kong, Gemma A. Lauraya, welcomed the news.

“This is good, China opening its doors to teachers for employment,” she said. But she wanted to know if there was still a way for those currently working as migrant workers to apply for the jobs on offer.




Given the first requirement, however, it is not likely that migrant workers would qualify for the positions.

The other requirements are likely to further whittle down the chances of them qualifying: (2) must not be currently employed by public institutions in the Philippines; 3) must have a bachelor’s degree or above from normal universities or in education or English language from PH educational institutions accredited by PRC Ministry of Education; 4) must have a valid certificate of registration above intermediate level & professional license issued by the PH Board of Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (PBLEPT); 5) has not been charged or convicted of any crime or administrative offense; 6) in good health; 7) has no mental disease or no record of drug addiction or excessive drinking, as certified by the applicant.



According to Ambassador Sto. Romana, the implementing guidelines approved on Nov. 8 last year only specified the requirements. The two sides will now have to jointly establish an online recruitment platform, where applicants can submit their applications.

Once the platform is set up, the Government Placement Branch for China under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will process the applications, and endorse a shortlist of pre-screened applicants to China’s State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs (SAFEA).

As of this writing, however, there is still no word on when the online application platform for the China teaching jobs would start operating.