tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20697438592787533972024-03-13T22:31:06.035+08:00Barangay OFWReforming the Present, Creating the FutureReadMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16493071955206823653noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-7839532062675788122010-12-13T14:02:00.007+08:002010-12-13T14:50:08.481+08:00"Pauwi Na!"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/TQW-LWo-x9I/AAAAAAAAAEA/-Znixfxknc8/s1600/Noel%252C%2Bposing%2Bwith%2BCarmel%2Bat%2Bthe%2BNIE%2Bnoontime%2Bgig.%2B.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/TQW-LWo-x9I/AAAAAAAAAEA/-Znixfxknc8/s200/Noel%252C%2Bposing%2Bwith%2BCarmel%2Bat%2Bthe%2BNIE%2Bnoontime%2Bgig.%2B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550051218069309394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">“Pauwi Na!”</span><br />(Music and Lyrics by Noel Cabangon<br />From the Album Medjas, 2004)<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/TQW9qzITR9I/AAAAAAAAAD4/seMu-2zpA6c/s1600/Noel%252C%2Bperforming%2Bat%2Bthe%2BNIE%2BMusic%2BRoom.jpg"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pauwi na ako.</span> For good.<br /><br />I have been an overseas Filipino worker since 2000. I’ve completed a 10-year period of living and working as an ‘alien’ in Taiwan and as a ‘foreign talent’ in Singapore.<br /><br />While I was working in Taiwan, foreign workers were issued an Alien Registration Certificate or ARC. My nephew, Bon, always teased me about being an ‘alien.’ In Singapore, foreign workers are called ‘foreign talents” and we are issued an employment pass.<br /><br />“Why are you giving up a good-paying overseas job?” I’ve been asked this question many times ever since I made it known that I’m going home for good.<br /><br />Here are my answers:<br /><br />First, when I left to work as an OFW in 2000, it was my intention to go back home. For good. I just didn’t know when.<br /><br />Second, money isn’t everything. Family and country are more important. When my grandson was seven years old, he told his Daddy:<br /><br />“<span style="font-style: italic;">Di bale walang bahay</span>. (I don't care for a house.) <span style="font-style: italic;">Di bale walang kotse</span>. (I don't care for a car.) <span style="font-style: italic;">Basta may pamilya.</span> (What matters most is our family.)”<br /><br />My son was considering an overseas job for himself then, and this was the counsel to him by his young son.<br /><br />Third, I want to invest time in an earnest relationship with my grandkids. They weren’t born yet when I left the Philippines. I’d go home every now and then, and each time, we’ll have to get re-acquainted.<br /><br />Fourth, metaphorically speaking, I want to dig in my own backyard and discover the ‘acres of diamonds’ (Russell Conwell, 1890) which have been there all along.<br />I don’t think there’s a literal ‘acres of diamonds’ in my backyard. In the first place, I don’t have a backyard. I want to go the route of entrepreneurship.<br /><br />I know that I will need a different set of skills and competencies as a businessperson. I’ve been preparing myself over the years. Most importantly, I will need a different mindset.<br /><br />Having a job from an employer who gives me a regular paycheck every month is certainly comfortable. But I’d like to stop being an employee, and I’d like to start being my own boss.<br /><br />I will need a different mindset when I go home. For good.<br /><br />I have a colleague and friend who’s been insisting that I lay out my plans in black and white, each step of the way. She’s concerned that I might be jobless and penniless. I tell her that God has always provided for me and my family, and He always will.<br /><br />Last Monday, October 25, Noel Cabangon was featured in a noontime concert in the university where I teach (National Institute of Education, Singapore). He is the singer-songwriter who performed at President Noynoy Aquino’s inauguration at the Rizal Park, Manila on June 30. I went to the noontime concert, of course.<br /><br />Noel sang nine songs during a one-hour show in the performance room of our music majors. In-between songs, he told us vignettes about himself and his journey as a musician.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/TQW9qzITR9I/AAAAAAAAAD4/seMu-2zpA6c/s1600/Noel%252C%2Bperforming%2Bat%2Bthe%2BNIE%2BMusic%2BRoom.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/TQW9qzITR9I/AAAAAAAAAD4/seMu-2zpA6c/s400/Noel%252C%2Bperforming%2Bat%2Bthe%2BNIE%2BMusic%2BRoom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550050658781186002" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Let me share with you the one song which spoke to my heart. It’s the best reason why I’m going home. For good. Here’s the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMfs-f-N38Q">youtube link</a>, in case you want to listen to it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ako'y pauwi na sa ating bayan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lupang sinisinta, bayang sinilangan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ako'y nananabik na ika'y masilayan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pagkat malaon din akong nawalay</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sa ating inang bayan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ang aking dala-dala'y</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Sang maleta ng karanasan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bitbit ko sa ‘king balikat</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ang binuno sa ibang bayan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hawak ko sa ‘king kamay</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ang pag-asang inaasam</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Na sana'y matupad na rin ang pangarap</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Na magandang kinabukasan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bayan ko ako'y pauwi na</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ako'y sabik na ika'y makasama</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bayan ko ako ay nariyan na</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ating pagsaluhan…</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ang pag-asang dala-dala</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ako'y pauwi na sa aming tahanan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sa mahal kong asawa, mga anak at kaibigan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ako'y nananabik na kayo ay mahagkan</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pagkat tunay ang pangungulila</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dito sa ibang bayan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ang aking dala-dala'y</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">‘Sang maleta ng pagmamahal</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bitbit ko sa ‘king balikat</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ang pangakong matibay</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hawak ko sa ‘king kamay</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ang pag-asang inaasam</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Na sana'y matupad na rin ang pangarap</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Na magandang kinabukasan</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mahal ko ako'y pauwi na</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ako'y sabik na kayo ay makasama</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mahal ko ako ay nariyan na</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ating pagsaluhan ang pag-asang dala-dala<br /><br /></span></span>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-69917345876672953562010-04-19T06:21:00.004+08:002010-04-20T07:50:17.566+08:00Voting as an OFW in Singapore<div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />by Carmelita C. Ballesteros<br /><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The last time I voted in the Philippines was in 1992. So it has been 18 years of nonparticipation in the electoral process for me. This year, I am taking part in the process again.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />This is a historic election year for me for several reasons. First, I am voting as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Singapore. Second, I am taking part in the very first automated Philippine elections. Third, I am making my small voice heard in the clamor for a return to decency, honesty, and integrity in Philippine politics and governance. Fourth, I want my grandchildren to know that I care for their future.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><strong><br />Where and When to Vote</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><br />All registered voters in Singapore must go to the Philippine Embassy on Nassim Road. It is a road with several embassies and condominium towers and it is a walking distance from the Orchard MRT Station.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />Overseas absentee voters (OAV) may vote in Singapore from April 10 to May 10, 2010. The Embassy is open for voting on a daily basis, Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />As I walked closer towards the Philippine Embassy, I noticed that white tents had been put up on its grounds. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><strong><br />Voter's ID?</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />There's no need for a voter's ID. I did not receive any. After verifying my name in the list of OAVs in the Comelec website, I took my Philippine passport and Singapore employment pass with me to the embassy.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><strong><br />The Voting Process</strong> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center">17 April 2010, 10:45 - 10:55 a.m.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />1. At the embassy gate. There was no queue. I walked in all by myself. A female guard made a cursory inspection of my handbag. I was neither asked for identification nor was I asked to sign in the log book.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />2. A smiling male volunteer immediately welcomed me, steered me toward the holding area, and gave me a registration number. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />3. The holding area is an enclosed, air-conditioned tent. Having experienced long and sweat- inducing queues at the Philippine Embassy, the holding area was like a dream.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />Another smiling male volunteer offered me a seat in front of a computer manned by another volunteer. He took my registration number and asked for my passport. He verified my name in his computer. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />After a few seconds, he asked me to write my passport number as well as Singapore ID number, then sign a registration log book. Then he gave me a number which said "P-1."</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><br />While I was doing this, I noticed that someone with a camera was videotaping the process (not me). He was obviously part of the team.</em></div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />4. An alert volunteer steered me towards a door which led to P-1 or Voting Precinct 1. This was also an enclosed, air-conditioned tent. The dream isn't a dream. Another volunteer took my P-1 number, then led me to the registration table. The female volunteer asked me for any ID, then verified my name. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />After a few seconds, she asked me to sign a registration log book.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />5. I was immediately given a very long folder containing my ballot. A volunteer explained to me that I should shade the oval opposite the name of the candidate I have chosen. He said I may under-vote, but not over-vote. It means voting for only 1 president, 1 vice-president, 12 senators, and 1 party-list representative. Over-voting would mean the disqualification of my ballot. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />"Is there a time limit?" I asked. "No," he said. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />"What will I use for shading?" I asked again. "There's a marker on each desk," he said.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><br />The ballot was 26 inches long. I did not have a ruler at the time so I used my hand to measure it. Apat na dangkal ang haba. The folder, which was supposed to cost Php370.00 each till a whistle-blower exposed the scam, was made of two ordinary long folders taped together. </em></div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />6. I sat down at the back. There were 15 ordinary school tablet arm chairs in three rows. Each tablet had been fastened with a cardboard shield to prevent one's seatmates from 'copying.' A felt-tipped marker with black ink was tied to the tablet with a string.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />As suggested in some voters' education flyers, I brought my list of candidates with me. I fished it out from my handbag and started shading the little ovals. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />Before giving back my ballot tucked inside the folder to a poll volunteer, I made sure that I had voted for 12 senators. <strong>I wrote down my ballot ID number in my list of candidates .</strong> I noticed that my ballot had been pre-signed by the Board of Election Inspection registrar(?). </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><br />There was only one voter before me. He was already seated when I came in. I watched him feed his ballot into the PCOS or scanning machine.</em></div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />7. The poll volunteer asked me to remove my ballot from the folder. Then he asked me to feed the ballot into the PCOS machine. It snapped up my ballot, then sucked it in. After a few seconds, it said, "Congratulations."</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><br />I took note that I was voter number 189 in that PCOS machine.</em></div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><br />8. Another voted had come in. While the female volunteer at the table attended to her, a male volunteer asked me to thumb mark (right thumb) the same registration log book I had signed earlier. Then he applied indelible ink on my right index finger.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Done!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><br />I sat down near the door of P-1 to take another look. There were four volunteers in all. The door was made of steel and glass.<br /><br /></em></div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="center"><strong>Automated Voting Was a Breeze!</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><br />It helped, of course, that my voting precinct was air-conditioned and the volunteers were warm, welcoming, and helpful. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />I went to the back of the embassy to look around. There are seven air-conditioned precincts altogether. There was a friendly volunteer stationed at the corner with a sign saying, "To P3 - P7." He asked me if he could help me. I said I was done and was just looking around.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />I felt a sense of well-being and optimism as I left the embassy grounds.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-25316117508615461652009-11-18T11:30:00.002+08:002009-11-18T11:55:32.757+08:00Simbang-Gabi Singapore 2009: Wardens NeededWhat are you doing after office hours on the 17th of December 2009? Do you live in the Jurong area? Please lend your presence to the observance of <em>Simbang Gabi</em> Singapore 2009 as a church warden at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Boon Lay.<br /><br />As a volunteer church warden, you will help manage human traffic before, during, and after the <em>Simbang Gabi</em> Mass on December 17.<br /><br />Please get in touch with Mr. Manny Resmeros through mobile phone +65-9277 2863. He's the conductor of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir and he will brief the volunteer wardens on December 13. Thirty (30) wardens are needed.<br /><br />This is the eleventh (11th) year that Rev. Father Angel Luciano, CICM, a Filipino priest based at the Church of St. Michael, has tirelessly spearheaded the observance of <em>Simbang Gabi</em> in Singapore since 1999.<br /><br /><em>Maligayang Pasko po sa ating lahat</em>!Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-14884531712761505492009-11-02T16:54:00.003+08:002009-11-02T17:38:55.074+08:00Filipino Teachers: Beware of US RecruitmentDear fellow teachers from the Philippines,<br /><br />I am teaching overseas right now. Please do not allow yourselves to be victimized by recruiters. Please read the article about Filipino teachers <strong>held in 'servitude'</strong> in the USA in the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-10-27-filipino-teachers_N.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-10-27-filipino-teachers_N.htm</a><br /><br />You don't need recruiters. You don't need middlemen/middlewomen. You can take control of your job search.<br /><br />Let me share with you how I applied for my overseas job.<br /><br />As an Overseas Filipino Worker, my first overseas job was a teaching position at the Da-Yeh University in Changhua, Taiwan. I taught there for 5 1/2 years. I applied online by posting my resume on Dave's ESL Cafe. It was free. Afterwards, Dave's ESL Cafe sent me job ads posted by schools and language centers.<br /><br />I sent my application portfolio to several universities in different countries. After considering the offers, I chose to sign up with Da-Yeh University in Taiwan. Everything was free in the sense that I didn't have to pay any middleman/woman (the recruiter). Of course, I paid for my passport at the Department of Foreigh Affairs and my visa at the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Makati City.<br /><br />I applied personally for my passport and my visa. I didn't allow any recruiters or travel agents to make money off me. I was a direct hire.<br /><br />Right now, I am teaching at the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore. How did I apply for this job? I surfed the web, found advertised job openings for academic staff in reputable institutions, and sent my application documents in 2007 to some.<br /><br />After going through the usual interviews and waiting for several months, in November of the same year, I received from NIE an air parcel sent through a 24-hour courier. It contained my letter of appointment and other relevant documents. I signed an acceptance letter which I sent back through a 24-hour courier, too. A notice was e-mailed to me to pick up my air ticket from the nearest Philippine Airline sales office.<br /><br />On Nov. 30, 2007, I flew to Singapore. I checked into the university's executive centre for free, then transferred to a faculty flat on Dec. 3, 2007. I received my first paycheck on Dec. 15, 2007. <br /><br />I was a direct hire. I didn't allow any recruiters or travel agents to make money off me.<br /><br />It breaks my heart when I hear of fellow teachers who are victimized by recruiters. I understand the dream that you dream. For heaven's sake, don't let it become a nightmare!<br /><br />Concerned,<br /><br />Carmelita C. BallesterosDr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-82186392584183177012009-09-14T08:27:00.004+08:002009-09-14T08:43:13.061+08:00MONEY Management Seminar at Insular Life, Makati<div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">by Jaime G. Seculles, Jr.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Magandang araw po!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Once again,<strong><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Insular Life</strong> would like to invite OFWs and their family members to a Forum/Orientation session entitled, "Money Management", in our Makati Office at 6781 Makati Avenue, Makati City on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Money Management" is designed for OFWs and their families to make them aware of the opportunities Insular Life is offering, and maybe help them in financial management.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/Sq2P7LKC0XI/AAAAAAAAADk/EWWtt7Em1DM/s1600-h/Money+Mgt,insular+life.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/Sq2P7LKC0XI/AAAAAAAAADk/EWWtt7Em1DM/s400/Money+Mgt,insular+life.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381115376547582322" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div><div align="left"><br /><div> </div><div>There is no cost or obligation. Spouses and grown-up children of OFWs are encouraged to attend. Slots are limited, so please reserve a seat by calling Cell No. +63-917-5028310 or dropping an e-mail at juneseculles@yahoo.com<br /></div><div><br /></div>Mabuhay!<br /><br /></div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-34369652295487539782009-08-09T12:41:00.002+08:002009-08-09T12:51:12.604+08:00Tita Cory's Funeral<div align="center">by <strong>Ma. Lourdes S. Bautista</strong></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="justify"><em>A friend of mine in the Philippines sent me this e-mail about Tita Cory’s funeral. It describes how Filipinos from all walks of life took part in Tita Cory's historic funeral spontaneously. The writer has given Barangay OFW permission to publish her e-mail.</em></div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="justify">Dear all,<br /><br />Last Wednesday, August 5, 2009, the Filipino people laid Tita Cory to rest. Ton, Nina, Yumi, Ma and I accepted Gigi's invitation to join her and her family in their place which was near the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). It offered a good vantage point of Tita Cory's funeral. <br /><br />Ma and I arrived at Gigi’s place before 9:00 a.m. and so there was no traffic at all. Ton, Nina, and Yumi arrived after a few minutes. We were able to watch the funeral Mass on TV and it was a great experience being able to see it with family. <br /><br /><em>Iyakin ako</em>, as you know, so there were several times <em>umiyak ako</em>. All of us found Fr. Arevalo's homily beautiful and we were not turned off (as some were, according to the <em>Inquirer</em>) by the celebrities singing songs -- they were all good (especially Dulce and Lea Salonga) and the songs chosen had great meaning in Cory's life.<br /></div><div align="justify">At 2:30 p.m., when we thought the cortege was approaching Gigi’s place, we went to SLEX. <em>Ay naku,</em> the wait lasted two hours. It was a very mixed group -- <em>peninsulares</em> who lived in posh villages and ordinary Filipinos. There were the usual vendors of bottled water and peanuts and fish crackers. <br /><br />When the advance party of the cortege came in view, we flashed the L sign and shouted, “Cory, Cory!” several times. We saw Gina Lopez and then Judy and Mar Roxas drive by. We saw Butch Abad, Aurora Pijuan, and Jun Lozada walk by. <br /><br /><strong>Finally! The flatbed truck with Cory's flag-draped coffin surrounded by flowers and the four honor guards standing tall!<br /></strong><br />Shouting, “Cory, Cory,” we were again teary-eyed. It was an emotional moment. Nina was shocked that Ma, who’s in her 80s, clambered on top of a monobloc chair to get a better view. <br /><br />The vans and buses carrying the Aquino family followed. But because of the tinted windows, we only glimpsed Jiggy Aquino-Cruz holding a placard with the pentel-pen inked message: "WE LOVE U. SALAMAT." <br /><br />Then the rain poured and the wind blew -- and even though we were protected by the Skyway overhang -- we got really wet. The rain came in horizontal torrents. <br /><br />Ma and I took EDSA back to the house and there was no traffic. We passed by Tita Cory's house on Times Street and we saw the orchids that we had left the day before. At home, we caught the tail-end of the funeral on TV. <br /><br />A memorable day indeed -- thanks to Gigi and family for the idea and for the great hospitality.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Tish</div><div align="left"> </div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-87495759695903952892009-08-06T15:49:00.003+08:002009-08-06T15:54:19.365+08:00Images of Tita Cory's Funeral CortegeI chanced upon this <a href="http://aboutmyrecovery.com/2009/08/03/cory-aquino-memorial-services/">blog </a>which features pictures and video clips of Tita Cory's funeral cortege from La Salle Green Hills to Manila Cathedral on 3 August 2009.<br /><br />Do check it out.<br />http://aboutmyrecovery.com/2009/08/03/cory-aquino-memorial-services/Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-49500105942047326622009-08-05T09:05:00.002+08:002009-08-05T09:10:27.984+08:00Tita Cory's Wake... Incandescent Smile<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">by Felix Bautista</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span> </div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>A friend of mine in the Philippines forwarded to me another e-mail about Tita Cory’s wake at the La Salle Green Hills Gymnasium. The original writer of the email has given Barangay OFW his permission to publish his email.</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">From: Felix Bautista ______________________</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Date: Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 6:56 AM</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Subject: Tita Cory's Wake</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">To: tish bautista ___________________________<br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Folks,<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Tato, Joville, Nina and I went to the wake Sunday night. It was raining while we were in the car, but mercifully, the rains stopped when we left Robinson's Galleria parking. We stopped over at the EDSA Shrine and took the elevated walkway to Ortigas.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We got to the line at around 7:30 PM, near the tire shop on Ortigas and the line was just two deep. We settled in for a long wait, observing people, listening to hawkers plying their trade, and hearing Nina talk about her experiences as a high school teacher at La Salle Green Hills in 1986.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It took us several hours to get inside the gym, but we were offered Nestea juice and iced tea, Hersheys kisses, San Mig coffee. The only thing missing were the biscuits, a constant in Philippine wakes. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">On the long ramp up to the gym, we saw two of Tita Cory's grandsons, as they worked the line apologizing to the people for the long wait.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Finally, we got inside the gym, and my first impression was that it looked like a giant TV studio, with all the lights and equipment. What struck me next was that even with all the people, the gym was almost quiet.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Soon, we were facing the coffin, and we only had enough time to make the sign of the cross. I only saw the heavily made-up face, not the brown hands and the rosary.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I also saw Ninoy during his wake at the Sto. Domingo Church -- Ninoy in his bloodied clothes. The two images from the two wakes were like night and day.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And then I remembered what Kris said during the Boy Abunda interview earlier. Kris said that she promised Tita Cory that she will make sure that Tita Cory will look good in her wake, so she was present the whole time, during the transfer of the remains from Makati Medical Center to the Heritage Mortuary, the embalming and preparation. And then in typical showbiz fashion, she thanked people who did Tita Cory's hair, makeup and clothes...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">It was Kris's showbiz tribute to her mom.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I prefer to retain an image of Cory when she lit up in her incandescent smile, which I am now indelibly reminded watching all of the tributes to her on television. I will remember her for her transparency, her sincerity, her lack of pretence.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We stayed a while, sitting on the bleachers. Joville and Nina signed our names in the visitor's book. We received yellow pins; I will keep mine as a memento. For some minutes, we watched as people viewed Cory, trying to recognize Important People, drinking in the atmosphere.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Nearing 11 pm, we left the wake. On the way out, we caught a glimpse of Dolphy and Zsa Zsa. Dolphy looked stooped and was heavily made- up. So was Zsa Zsa.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As we walked back to Robinson’s Galleria, the line had grown four- tiers thick. The visit to the wake was, for me, a perfect ending to a truly happy day when I celebrated my birthday.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ton<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-1248833404416871702009-08-05T08:16:00.005+08:002009-08-05T08:41:50.299+08:00OFWs and Tita Cory<div align="center"><br />by <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Noslen Sonnel</span></strong></div><div align="center">August 5, 2009 12:45 a.m.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Far from the land of our birth</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">We thrive on this one land called earth</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">To be back home our constant dearth</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Our fatherland, our countrymen, our mirth.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Adopted, yet unwanted.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Paid yet unneeded.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Seen yet unseen.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Here yet keen.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Keen to see the day of our return.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hoping and weeping, graceful and silent</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Struggling, striving and always benevolent.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sending our dollars like we've tons to burn.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Keen to see our nation's rebirth.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">See Happy Pinoys with none so poor.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Humble leaders with diminished girth.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">'Tis what we'd like to see at the end of our tour.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />The death of Cory increased our sorrow.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Yet we struggle on ‘cuz there’s still tomorrow.</span></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />She was the mother who wouldn’t let us leave<br />A fellow Pinoy who wanted us not to cleave.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">She believed what many of us abandoned<br />The road she travelled, we scorned and disowned. </span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Yet in the depths of our hearts we are brown.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">We knew then and we know now that we can.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">That we Pinoys can never be let down.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">And we may yet prove that we are her avid fan!<br /><br /><em>The death of Cory increased our sorrow.</em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Yet we struggle on ‘cuz there’s still tomorrow.<br /><br /></span></em></div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-16569715857912529322009-08-04T11:17:00.005+08:002009-08-04T11:34:28.693+08:00Tita Cory's Wake<div align="center">by <strong>Ms. Juliet Guanlao</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br /><br /><em>A friend of mine in the Philippines forwarded to me an e-mail about Tita Cory’s wake at the La Salle Greenhills. The original writer of the email has given Barangay OFW her permission to publish her email. </em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />From: Juliet Guanlao _________________</div><div align="left">To: <a href="mailto:usths80@yahoogroups.com" target="_blank">usths80@</a>_______________________</div><div align="left">Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2009 10:35:31 PM</div><div align="left">Subject: [usths80] Tita Cory's Wake</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span></strong> was there last night. It took me, a friend, and three nieces more than three hours to get to Tita Cory's coffin, where we were able to spend a few seconds to say thank you. </div><div align="justify"><br />I could not pass up on this chance to feel "People Power" all over again. I went there with the hope of witnessing and feeling the same fever that gripped all of us 23 years ago. I was at EDSA (it happened three months after I came home from an 8-year stay in NY). I was squeezed at the gates of Malacañang with the passionate mob who rushed there after hearing the news that the Marcoses had fled. I was in Luneta during the rally after the dictator was ousted.<br /><br />I just felt that this is the last chance to feel Tita Cory's fervent hope to unite us, even up to her death. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I was not disappointed. The unity of our people and the desire to be with Tita Cory for the last time are very much alive. The line started from Gate 5 and extended all the way to the corner of EDSA and Ortigas, and snaked 4 times. Four layers of people peacefully and orderly lined up along Ortigas, in the midst of traffic and the smoke-belching vehicles. But there were no complaints, no rowdiness among the crowd, just the usual noise of people chatting, waiting patiently in line.<br /><br />There were a lot of smiles, nods and short comments exchanged among strangers, as we passed by or faced each other in our respective spots. As expected, there were a lot of entrepreneurs who were able to produce yellow shirts and yellow ribbons in such a short time. </div><div align="justify"><br />We arrived at around 8:30 pm and were able to join the 2nd layer of the line. Those who were in the first line had been there since 4 o'clock. There was a mass at 8pm and they stopped letting people in at 7.<br /><br />We were feeling impatient at around 10:30 pm when, to our surprise, there was activity behind us. Tita Cory's grandsons, Jiggy (the one who looks like Ninoy) and the other one (we didn't get his name but I think he was the other one who was frequently seen with Jiggy, but this time without his Ninoy glasses), were walking through the lines, shaking people's hands, profusely thanking and apologizing to everyone about the long wait.<br /><br />Of course there were a lot of posing and picture-taking, and these two young lads were game! It was probably a nightmare for the two security personnel who tailed Tita Cory’s grandsons. Their presence gave everyone the much-needed boost, and we were able to keep our spirits up for the next 2 hours. There was even one lady behind us who shouted, "Iho, ano nga bang pangalan mo? Iboboto kita!" It was indeed an unexpected but heartwarming gesture from those two young men. </div><div align="justify"><br />When we had gone through the gates, we saw young people handing out Kopiko candies and Hershey's Kisses chocolates. Feeling <em>nasa</em> wake <em>talaga!</em> <em>Kulang na lang Boy Bawang</em>, Happy peanuts, butong pakwan and Zest-o. But there were water dispensers and cups in different spots inside the campus. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Flowers lined up the corridors, and Tita Cory's enlarged portraits were placed along the hallway leading to the coffin. Inside the gym, celebrities were everywhere. But despite the fact that there were showbiz stars and politicos everywhere, I didn't think it replaced the feelings of the people that they were there to pay their respects to Tita Cory. The mood was calm and solemn. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">In two's, we were allowed only a few seconds in front of the coffin. Not enough to digest and take in the minute details of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was there with a friend and my three nieces, and when we were back in the car, we pieced together all that we were able to store in our memories. </div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span></strong>ita Cory was wearing a simple bright yellow dress with sparkling stones. Brownish hands folded clutching a rosary. Jet black hair combed back, bright red lips, heavily-foundationed face. She looked very different... she looked like a Chinese mestiza but decades younger... The face was different from the Tita Cory we are all familiar with. But her expression was very serene... very peaceful... </div><div align="justify"><br />The way she looked in the coffin got us distracted. We were hoping to see the sweet, motherly face of Tita Cory. We walked back to the car pensive, and disturbed. We did not want this to be the last memory we will have of her. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">My initial feeling was, I wish I did not go.... But now, the morning after, things are clearer in my mind. She must have suffered so much in her ordeal that they had to hide the pain.. The face may have masked the sufferings but the color of her hands exposed them anyway... Now I feel that even up to her death, she wanted us to see her strength, not her sufferings. And for that, I admire her more... </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Tita Cory suffered so much in her life....as a wife, as a mother, as a person...We are the ones who benefited from those sufferings. As a nation, we are free. But, as a people, we have a lot more to do. My fervent prayer is for all of us to show the same unity that we showed Tita Cory and do our share in addressing the ills of our country. </div><div align="justify"><br />Twenty-six years ago, I was marching in the streets of New York City, together with the members of the anti-Marcos movement, because Ninoy had been assassinated. I live now in Manila, but for the 26 years that I have lived here, my sense of obligation has centered around myself and my loved ones. Other than doing my best to be a law-abiding citizen, the occasional bouts of nationalism demonstrated during the People Power and now for Tita Cory, I have not really done much. I hope now, I can start... </div><div align="justify"><br />I have been a silent reader in our e-group for the past 8 years.. Now I cannot resist <em>na magparamdam</em> because I want to share this experience with all of you.<br /><br />To those who are overseas and cannot make it to the wake, I hope this gives you a glimpse of what it was like to be there, from my perspective. To those who can make it to the Manila Cathedral, you still have a chance. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Let's pay our respects to Tita Cory. It's the least we can do. And let's hope that the spark that this visit rekindles will stay and ignite us to move. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Yeng</div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-76523366746403219082009-08-03T07:45:00.004+08:002009-08-03T08:33:36.853+08:00Thank you, Tita Cory!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"><strong>Tribute to Tita Cory</strong></span></div><span style="font-size:180%;"><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">25 January 1933 - 1 August 2009</span></div><div align="center"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corazon_Aquino"><strong>Maria Corazon C. Aquino</strong><br /></a>11th President of the Philippines</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /></div><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Thank you, with all our hearts, for your: </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>C</strong>- ourage and dedication </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="left"><strong>O</strong>-verwhelming simplicity and sincerity </div><div align="left"><br /><strong>R</strong>- esolute commitment to democracy </div><div align="left"><br /><strong>A</strong>-mazing and audacious faith</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Z</strong>-ealous love of country </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="left"><br /><strong>O</strong>-verflowing kindness and love </div><div align="left"><br /><strong>N</strong>-ever-ending legacy of freedom!</span></div><div align="left"></div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-44683661812519270622009-07-23T19:22:00.007+08:002009-07-23T19:44:10.036+08:00OFWs at NAIA Terminal 3<div align="center">by Carmelita C. Ballesteros</div><div align="center">Singapore</div><br /><div align="justify"><em>Dear readers: Please share your observations of international airports and/or any airport in the Philippines, domestic or international, by e-mailing </em><a href="mailto:barangay.ofw@gmail.com"><em>barangay.ofw@gmail.com</em></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Terminal 1<br /></strong>Are you ashamed of Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila? Compared to other international airports, it is dilapidated and shabby. However, it is a functional airport, although its toilets don’t work all the time.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninoy_Aquino_International_Airport">Wikipedia,</a> it handled 22 million passengers in 2008.Wasn’t that a feat? Supposedly, it was built to handle only 4.5 million passengers.<br /><br />The most significant thing about Terminal 1 is its historic value. It was where Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in 1983, moments after he was escorted out of a China Airlines flight by Marcos’ soldiers. So consider it a unique privilege to arrive and depart from such a rare and aging airport. It’s like time travel. On top of that, it’s an airport where a modern-day hero was assassinated.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong>Terminal 2<br /></strong>It is a little newer and its toilets seem to work all right. It is used exclusively by the Philippine Airlines for all of its domestic and international flights. However, the last time I arrived at Terminal 2 in 2007, I remember a really awful experience.<br /><br />There were very few trolleys for the passengers’ baggage. I remember that there were at least 500 passengers fighting for about 20 trolleys. My family was worried sick because it took me more than an hour to get out of the airport.<br /><br />I advised a colleague who was flying to Manila after me, and also flying via Philippine Airlines, not to check in any baggage so that he could get out of the airport fast. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong>Terminal 3<br /></strong>What about the newest terminal of NAIA? With its tattered reputation of being at the center of legal disputes and charges of corruption, I wanted to find out for myself how Terminal 3 compares with its older siblings.<br /><br />Having heard that Cebu Pacific uses it exclusively, I used this airline for my trip from Singapore to Manila and back last June. I was pleased that Cebu Pacific already offers day flights. It used to offer flights only on graveyard shifts – late evening, midnight, and wee hours of the morning.<br /><br />My flight from Singapore to Manila on June 18 was at 10:35 a.m. I flew out of Changi’s Budget Terminal which is miles better than Terminals 1 and 2 of NAIA. My plane touched down at 2:05 p.m. in Manila and I was out of Terminal 3 by 2:45 p.m. It was a breeze! <br /><br />I was in a hurry to get home, and didn’t look around. The only impression I got was that there were no crowds and the airport was quite cold and quite bare.<br /><br />Time flew, literally. Two weeks were gone and I had to head back to Singapore on July 1. My flight being at 1:30 p.m., my family dropped me off at Terminal 3 at 10:30 a.m. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong>Check-in Process</strong><br />Unlike the annoying, multiple layers of security checks at Terminals 1 and 2, I got the pleasant, but ‘uneasy’ feeling that security at Terminal 3 was lax. I remember only one security check before I queued up to the airline counter check-in.<br /> <br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SmhI4ZM8kHI/AAAAAAAAADc/kZ5J1HP3AmA/s1600-h/CIMG1132.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361615490059636850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SmhI4ZM8kHI/AAAAAAAAADc/kZ5J1HP3AmA/s400/CIMG1132.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em>The Security Profiler Queue</em></p><p align="justify">On my way to the airline counter, there was a security profiler from a private agency. He looked only at passengers’ tickets and passports. He was not from POEA, and I wasn’t sure what his ultimate aim was. He didn’t ask to see my OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Certificate nor my OEC (Overseas Exit Clearance). Anyway, it took only a few minutes.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SmhIlgVlqYI/AAAAAAAAADU/3hCyYouOiPY/s1600-h/CIMG1131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361615165557418370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SmhIlgVlqYI/AAAAAAAAADU/3hCyYouOiPY/s400/CIMG1131.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em>The Airline Counter Check-in</em></div><p align="justify">There were several flights en route to Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taipei but there was no crowd. The airline counter clerk asked me if I was an OFW. I said yes and offered her my green OEC. She took one sheet from the set of four copies, then returned the remaining three to me.</p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">(By the way, I didn’t need to pay the Philippine travel tax of Php1,620.00 as an OFW privilege. My OEC, which cost me SGD5.50, is the proof that I am a documented OFW. If you are an OFW in Singapore, you must go to the Philippine Embassy on Nassim Road and pay the equivalent of USD25.00 to get an OWWA certificate. Only then will you be allowed to purchase an OEC.<br /><br />Cebu Pacific, for its part, collects the travel tax from departing non-OFW Filipinos when they buy their airline tickets. Thus, Cebu Pacific has cut down a usually slow and disorderly step from the check-in process of passengers at Terminals 1 and 2.)</span></p><p align="justify">On my way to the Immigration Counter, I passed by the booths which collect the terminal fee of Php750.00. I approached the booth for OFWs and gave my OEC to the clerk. She tore off one copy and returned the remaining two to me. I didn’t need to pay anything. Altogether, I was spared from spending Php2,370.00 in exchange for the OEC which cost the equivalent of Php180.00.<br /><br />Finally, I walked in towards the immigration counter through the terminal fee counter. There were only two immigration counters and there were only three of us international passengers.<br /><br />The immigration officer waved me through. I was a little disappointed that my transaction was so ordinary and uneventful. </p><p align="justify"><strong>Airport Amenities</strong><br />I walked farther inside Terminal 3 and had lunch in one of its cafes. It was a 90-peso lunch of rice and chicken. There were pricier choices but I wasn’t interested.<br /><br />I checked out the wash room, of course. It’s almost as good as Singapore’s. That’s a big improvement.<br /><br />Was there a duty-free shop? I don’t remember any. For the second time, I noticed that Terminal 3 was quite bare. With nothing to while away my time, I looked for my boarding gate. The clerk ripped off half of my boarding pass using the cover of my passport. Without even looking at me, he waved me in.<br /><br />There was hardly anybody in the departure lounge. People started streaming in only at 12:45 p.m. After 10 minutes, we were asked to board through a short tube. The plane was probably two-thirds full. We took off promptly at 1:30 p.m. and landed at Changi Airport at 4:40 p.m., 20 minutes ahead of schedule.<br /><br />Both Cebu Pacific pilots who captained my return flights were great landers. The landing was so soft and gentle that I didn’t feel the landing gears touching the ground at all. </p><p align="justify"><strong>An OFW’s Impression</strong><br />So what’s the verdict? NAIA Terminal 3 is efficient and Cebu Pacific is using it effectively. OFWs, aside from the submission of the green OEC, are inconspicuous. It means that OFWs at NAIA Terminal 3 are treated decently just like any other passenger, whether Filipino or foreigner.<br /> <br />I sure hope the decent treatment of OFWs remains that way. On a different note, I hope some sprucing up of Terminal 3 will be done to make it look friendlier and more attractive.<br /></p>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-81763440988094243962009-07-17T12:05:00.004+08:002009-07-17T12:28:21.574+08:00MONEY Management Seminar at Insular Life, Imus, Cavite<div align="center"> </div><div align="center">by Jaime G. Seculles, Jr.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><strong>Insular Life</strong> would like to invite OFWs and their family members to a Forum/Orientation session entitled, "Money Management", in our Imus District Office in Cavite on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">"Money Management" is designed for OFWs and their families to make them aware of the opportunities Insular Life is offering, and maybe help them in financial management. </div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/Sl_40dWE5oI/AAAAAAAAADE/NJr26HztEmM/s1600-h/INVITATION-3,money+mgt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359275661708289666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 534px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 471px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/Sl_40dWE5oI/AAAAAAAAADE/NJr26HztEmM/s400/INVITATION-3,money+mgt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>The Insular Life's Imus District Office is located on the 2nd Floor of Sayoc-Abella Building (atop Allied Bank), Aguinaldo Highway corner Tamsui Avenue, Imus, Cavite.</div><div> </div><div>There is no cost or obligation. Spouses and grown-up children of OFWs are encouraged to attend. Slots are limited, so please reserve a seat by calling Cell No. +63-917-5028310 or </div><div>Tel. No. 63-46-5020151. </div><div> </div><div> </div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-56894753446956023902009-05-27T09:43:00.004+08:002009-05-27T10:12:28.728+08:00Deserving Grace<div style="text-align: center;">by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sonny Coloma</span>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /><em>This article was originally published in Mr. Sonny Coloma's column, VECTOR, in the <a href="http://www.bworldonline.com/">Business World Online</a> </em><em>on May 22, 2009 (Manila time). He has given Barangay OFW his kind permission to re-publish this article. You may reach him at sonny_coloma@yahoo.com
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mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"The people deserve the kind of government they want" is a timeless maxim on democracy. If we choose wisely and well, we may yet deserve to have a national leader like Isabela Gov. <a href="http://www.coa.gov.ph/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ma. Grace Cielo Magno Padaca</span></a> who was honored by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramon_Magsaysay_Award">Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Foundation</a> as its 2008 awardee for outstanding public service. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"When I was elected governor in 2004," she told members of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) the other day, "I thanked God, saying, ‘Lord I was only joking. I did not expect you to take me seriously!’ "
<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But after 40 years of the Dy family’s hegemony, voters in Isabela chose wisely and well. Against the three Gs — guns, goons, and gold — they elected a polio-stricken broadcaster as their new leader. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Thus did Ms. Grace complete the transition from <span style=""> </span>1) CPA -- Certified Public Accountant (she graduated magna cum laude in BS Accountancy from Lyceum University) <span style=""> </span>to 2) CPA -- Courageous Public Announcer (14 years as a broadcaster with Radio Bombo), and finally, to 3) CPA -- Competent Public Administrator (second-term governor of Isabela and Magsaysay laureate). </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>She was reelected in 2007, with a slimmer winning margin, but she felt vindicated. "This was sweeter than when I first won," she said, "because the people reelected me on the basis of my performance, and not anymore on my promises." </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">With prudent fiscal management, Isabela was able to pay off more than 80% of its more than half-billion-peso debts to the Land Bank, Philippine National Bank, and DBP. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""></span>She increased farm productivity by providing subsidies to rice and corn farmers. Isabela is the largest corn-producing province and the second largest rice producer. Her administration was also able to enroll more than 100,000 Isabelinos in PhilHealth so that they now enjoy medical insurance benefits. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""></span>She has introduced transparency and accountability. Awards of contracts and release of checks to contractors are publicized in the provincial capitol. Businesspersons and investors have found it profitable to do business and invest in the province because they need not pay bribes or incur unnecessary costs due to corrupt practices of government officials. She urged people to report to her directly any anomalies in government transactions. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But the road to the governorship was rough, bumpy, and fraught with danger. She was immobilized by polio at the age of three. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Her parents, both educators, gave her many books to read. She recalls reading stories about honesty, industry, truth, and fairness — and these filled her mind with positive thoughts and inspired her to dream of an auspicious future. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">One of her dreams was to be a radio announcer, a job where she could be heard even if not seen. She went on to join <a href="http://www.bomboradyo.com/">Bombo Radyo</a> where she had a daily three-hour program from Monday to Saturday. Her focus was "the abusive way by which resources of government were being squandered" by political "gremlins" that "seemed to forget that power is not theirs as a birthright." <span style=""> </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Instead of being frustrated about not being able to do anything about irregularities that were being committed openly, she decided to seek public office. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"At least," she mused, "even if I lose, I will have peace of mind." She lost in 2001 and ran again in 2004, aware that she could lose then and probably lose two or three more elections before making significant headway in her crusade for good government. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""></span>She had an epiphany: <span style="font-weight: bold;">"If fear is contagious, courage is also contagious."</span> She urged her province mates to overcome their fear:
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"Huwag kayong maawa sa akin dahil ako’y isang pilay at mahina. Maawa kayo sa inyong mga sarili at sa inyong mga anak kung wala kayong magawa kahit mas malakas at masigla ang inyong katawan kaysa sa akin." </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">("Don’t pity me because I am paralyzed and weak. Have mercy on yourselves and on your children if you can’t do anything despite the fact that you are healthier than I am.") </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"What they saw in me was not my weakness, but my strength," she recalls.<span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>Another important realization on her part is that, "People in government wield tremendous power. With just one signature, I could mobilize millions in pesos in resources. If used judiciously, political power may be harnessed to empower people and lift them from poverty." </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Thus, she urged the executives in the audience to go into public service themselves, or encourage those who they know can become competent public servants. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Her speech followed a pitch for voter education especially among the youth. "But if the educated voters do not have credible choices among the candidates, even your best efforts may come to naught," she said. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"Those who think themselves to be too smart to run for public office are doomed to be governed by those who are too dumb. Elect the right people," was her spirited pitch. "Look at me," she said, "I am the embodiment of the power of the people expressed through the ballot." </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">When asked about her biggest asset and her worst liability, her replies elicited warm applause. She said that her staffers call her "Excel Governor" because she always required spreadsheets depicting relevant information and figures, especially when she deals with requests for assistance from <span style="font-style: italic;">barangay</span> officials. Her attention to details (a discipline she acquired as an accountant) enables her to allocate scarce resources judiciously according to the real needs of her constituents. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But she longs for the gentler and kinder days when, as a private citizen, she received abundant care and attention from friends. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She plods on with great courage and determination. When she first won, only three out of 36 mayors supported her; now, the ratio is reversed. Only three have not reached out to her and two of these are members of the political dynasty that she ousted from power. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She is mindful of the need to build common ground even among erstwhile adversaries. "Maybe my being a dispassionate accountant is also one of my strengths; I never take differences personally against anyone." Instead of wooing political rivals, she said she would rather focus on serving the needs of her province mates. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">When will we ever deserve the grace of having a national leader (president, vice president or senator) in the mold of Governor Grace Padaca? </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Only when we have the courage to elect competent and dedicated public servants like her — and reject the empty enticements of well-entrenched politicians who have all brought our country and us on the road to perdition. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Comments may be sent to <a href="mailto:sonny_coloma@yahoo.com">sonny_coloma@yahoo.com</a></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">If you would like to send a message to Gov. Grace Padaca you can text her at +63-919-3533-222 or send an email to <a href="mailto:kayanatin@yahoo.com">kayanatin@yahoo.com</a></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><em></em><a href="mailto:public.lives@gmail.com"><em></em></a></div></div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-75992144487102698952009-05-11T19:48:00.005+08:002009-05-11T20:02:24.760+08:00Alert OFW Lady Foils NAIA ‘Magician’<div align="center"><br />by <strong>Flori Tuazon</strong><br />Sweden </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>H</strong></span>er mother had been sick so my wife Marilyn went home to the Philippines on April 9, 2009. Marilyn’s arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was uneventful.<br /><br />She was overjoyed the moment she saw the smiling face of our daughter Melanie. Melanie who has recently learned how to drive had come to fetch her mother from NAIA.<br /><br />My wife Marilyn spent most of her short visit caring for her sick mother and playing with our young grandchildren.<br /><br />Time flew and Marilyn had to depart the Philippines on April 26, 2009. Melanie took her mother to NAIA where they said bitter-sweet goodbyes and embraced each other tightly and lovingly.<br /><br />After checking in at the airline counter, Marilyn proceeded to the Bureau of Immigration area for the usual passport and visa check. She chose to line up behind a counter manned by Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar.’<br /><br />The name of the immigration officer rang an alarm bell in Marilyn’s head and she wanted to change lanes. But she would have to go to the end of a kilometric line, so she stayed put.<br /><br />Marilyn keeps her passport in a leather passport wallet with a zipped-up side pocket. Before leaving her mother’s house on that day, she put some dollar bills in the fabulous amount of US$70.00 in the zipped-up side pocket of her leather passport wallet.<br /><br />Marilyn prayed that her transaction with Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar’ would be uneventful. And so it was, she thought. But she was wrong.<br /><br />From the immigration counter, Marilyn went directly to her boarding gate. A few minutes after settling down in the departure lounge, she felt thirsty and wanted to buy bottled water. She took her passport wallet from her handbag to pay for the bottle of water. To her embarrassment, there wasn’t any dollar bill in the zipped-up side pocket of her passport wallet. It was empty.<br /><br />After apologizing to the sales clerk, she sat down and collected her thoughts. As sure as she was sitting there at the NAIA, she knew that she had put US$70 in the zipped-up side pocket of her passport wallet.<br /><br />Who else aside from her had access to her passport wallet? Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar’!!!<br /><br />Marilyn rushed out of the departure lounge to go back to the desk of this NAIA ‘magician.’ She nearly bumped into the duty airport police officer whom she promptly asked for assistance. Together, they approached Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar.’<br /><br />Mr. NAIA ‘Magician’ feigned innocence at first. But my wife Marilyn stepped on her gas pedal, so to speak, and screeched and screamed and shrieked! Soon, a crowd gathered around the desk of Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar.’<br /><br />Mr. NAIA ‘Magician’ came to the rescue of his invisible twin, Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar.’ He pretended to look for the US dollar bills among his things, then bent down and – surprise! – found the fabulous amount of US$70.00 on the floor. He gave it back to my wife with a sheepish grin.<br /><br />Mr. Regalado Medalla, the Duty Immigration Supervisor, noticed the commotion and approached the desk of Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar.’ Mr. Medalla asked my wife, the duty airport police officer, and Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar’ to come with him to the Immigration Office in the airport.<br /><br />My wife Marilyn argued that it was impossible for her dollar bills to fall out of her passport wallet because they were inside the zipped-up side pocket. Accusing Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar’ of theft, Marilyn insisted that her complaint be written down in the airport police blotter.<br /><br />Mr. Regalado Medalla, the Duty Immigration Supervisor, promised Marilyn that the Immigration Office would pursue the matter and would not let Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar’ off the hook. Mr. Medalla advised Marilyn to follow up her complaint.<br /><br />As Marilyn was leaving the Immigration Office to catch her flight, Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar’ clasped his hands on his chest and begged Marilyn to have pity on him. He might lose his job.<br /><br />As Christians, my wife and I do pity Immigration Officer ‘Mukhang-Dolyar.’ We don’t want him to lose his job. But he doesn’t deserve his job as an immigration officer at the NAIA. Surely, there are many upright men and women who can be recruited for the job Mr. ‘Mukhang-Dolyar’ will lose.<br /><br />Since Mr. ‘Mukhang-Dolyar’ is gifted with sleight of hand, he will surely find a niche as a clown and magician in children’s parties! </div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-20570568886503568382009-04-07T19:01:00.008+08:002009-04-07T20:29:32.743+08:00Please… bring the family with youBy Freddie P. Base<br /><br /><br /><em>I have been working overseas since 1986. For more than 20 years, my children grew from toddlers to kids to adults without me. Now, my eldest got married. When requested for advice to the newly wed, I said: "Please… bring the family with you. There should be no compromise." Why is it that so? </em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sOyhTdgVqrE/SdszZCOeXwI/AAAAAAAAABw/oj2Z-8powEw/s1600-h/Soul101_090330_162255.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sOyhTdgVqrE/SdszZCOeXwI/AAAAAAAAABw/oj2Z-8powEw/s320/Soul101_090330_162255.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321903889855700738" /></a><br /><strong>The Wedding</strong><br /><em>I was excited. I never thought that as a father I would have the chance walking my daughter to the altar resplendent in a Barong Tagalog sewn purposely for the wedding. Forgetting this was a solemn ceremony, I jokingly whispered to my daughter: "Let's walk in a hurry lest the groom might change his mind". But she didn't hear me, she's 29.<br /><br />As I sat clasping the hands of my wife, I couldn't help remembering the more than 20 years I labored without them – the jewels in my life at my side: my eldest whom I fondly called Honey, Beybs, my second, Iyay, my youngest, and my lovely wife with whom I proudly call 'Agom' which in bicolano dialect literally means 'spouse'.</em><br /><br /><strong>The Betrothal</strong><br />It was last December the betrothal was arranged. The entire family of the would-be groom came to our house to get the nod from me and my wife – Mama Nil. It was not a nod only from both of us. I did asked all my brothers and sisters in the area to come; my parents too were with me since noontime so with my foster mother who's too excited and kept guessing what the other family would be saying as if this event was a sort of a negotiation between agreeing parties. The nod was more like a family blessing. Moreover, this is the first a girl in the family would be engaged. I wanted to experience a beautiful Filipino tradition in this century of iphones and nokia.<br /><br />A day before, I told my wife to tell our daughter to ask the would-be groom how many from his family would come so we could prepare for the exact food to eat. (Gone were those days of my grandfather not knowing how many would eat ordered a whole pig roasted and employed a chef to cook several menus because my would-be uncle and his family were coming to propose engagement to my grandfather's daughter (my auntie). We ended giving foods to our neighbors and friends because the other side brought the same quantity or more). The reply was only three – meaning the would-be groom, the mother and the father. I said in jest the three would be talking to my entire family. But I anticipated more would come and I was right. We had the food enough to feed everyone, not more but not less.<br /><br />Four months before, that was September, I got a call from the would-be groom that his marriage proposal was accepted by my daughter. He would have anticipated this because he asked his mom to present to my daughter the engagement ring. He was calling to inform me of this formal engagement and they (my daughter and him) were getting married on December. I said fine, they were adults; the engagement was ok with me but would prefer that this be formally announced a week before the wedding date. I planned my vacation to coincide with this event.<br /><br />I gathered Mama Nil was expecting the call. This kind of arrangement would never pass from MamaNil who knew everything about her kids. The would-be groom hangs up. He was a skilled aircraft mechanic. He was calling from the USA.<br /><br />After a month, Mama Nil said the deal was off, our daughter returned the engagement ring to the mother of the would-be groom. I believed Mama Nil. My daughter would not talk to me directly about it but she knew where my mind would always say: I believe her and I would be happy where and when she'll be happy. This is true to all my children; this is true from me.<br /><br />Another month passed and the boy (who was not a would-be groom now) called up. He's calling from the Philippines. He said he resigned from his job, went straight to the bank where my daughter was working to plead that the wedding should push thru but to no avail, my daughter wouldn't budge. The boy was asking for advice. I told him to court my daughter again and show his total admiration. He was marrying a career-woman who knows how to listen, I added. I could not advise him more. I could sense what's going on in my daughter's mind. She didn't need any advice either. Will this be another love story to remember?<br /><br /><strong>Love story at its worst chapter</strong><br />Five years ago, December 24th, I was more amused than surprised having a catholic priest as a visitor. I thought this would be a peculiar Noche Buena for my family. Though I heard it all from everyone about the issue, I kept mum since I arrived from Riyadh. I waited until this moment to come but did not expect it would be the night before Christmas. The priest was proposing marriage to my eldest. He was ready to quit priesthood after a year. He claimed to have the nod from his Bishop superior. He knew what to do and what to expect. He didn't say his priestly duty is to God. <br /><br />Indeed, the situation was not ordinary. If this was a sort of love story, the twist was so unusual… un-expected, one for the movies as my foster mother kept telling the folks in my old hometown. I had known this kid since he entered in the seminary. Along those years, I came to know about his family. I didn't expect the relationship (if there was) would come this far. I said to myself, if this is a love story the ending could still be changed. Right now, it is at its worst chapter.<br /><br />Having lived my entire bachelor-hood in association with priests, I had witnessed some stories which I viewed as a curse. A distant cousin became pregnant by one of our high school priest-professors. She died delivering her newborn. Her mother insisted that the priest bring the child with him. That was again a terrible mistake. Upon seeing the child, the father of the priest had a heart attack. He died on the spot. The priest's siblings dis-avowed him since then. More quarrels followed and the family had never been the same again. This priest asked me to address him as mister when we became classmates in one subject of a graduate program. He said he left priesthood since the tragedy. <br /><br />To my visitor that night, I told him that I couldn't give my blessing as a father for this kind of relationship. (He's aware the blessing only comes from above) If there is indeed a curse, I pray to God that I absorb all His punishment – even death – and spare my family. I admitted I can't prevent my daughter from living with him if it is with him she would be happy as this is always the desire of every parent – happiness for their child. Out of love, I would close my eyes and turn my head in the opposite direction and wish their union would be a happy ending. But never would I give my blessing, it's useless. <br /><br />Deep within I was praying to God to guide the two to the right path. I was seeking for the Holy Spirit intervention… to fill our house… of His love on Christmas. I kept telling myself, this would never be like this if ever I was with my family.<br /><br />I did not see the priest again since he left our house before midnight. <br /><br />In the Noche Buena, I led the prayer with my family welcoming the birth of Jesus.<br /><br /><br /><strong>More than 20 years ago.</strong><br />I could not remember the last time I cried but I found my tears flowing when the Philippine Airlines lifted at the Manila International Airport (NAIA now) on February 26, 1986, first flight to Saudi Arabia after the Marcos family fled to Hawaii. 'Twas also my birthday.<br /><br />Four days before, I asked my wife (she and the kids were in Manila for the despidida) to go home earlier to our province because the political situation in Manila was getting worse. Enrile and Ramos had just announced in the radio that they were pulling out their support to the president. Everyone was talking about civil war, revolution. I thought of the safety of my family. Perhaps, if indeed there would be a civil war, I could manage myself alone. Mama Nil was crying, unmindful of the other bus passengers. Her eyes asking: why can't we be with you? My youngest (only 14 months) hands were waving goodbye (as he was taught); my second daughter in tears (as she would had been every time I would leave, the last after her college graduation knowing she'll come to Saudi with me); and my eldest (at 6 years) who's looking for answers from questions she would only know. I waited until the bus they were riding exited from my view.<br /><br />What a way to leave my family. My country was in a mess.<br /><br />Dhahran was my port of entry. The Saudi authorities at the immigration and customs greeted us like heroes. The custom officer congratulated me, shaked my hand and simply put a sticker on top of my luggage. No questions asked. This was not what I heard during the orientation seminar and from what those ex-Saudis who told stories of baggage's being searched and custom authorities looking for banned items. I reached Saudi to begin my life's journey without my family. I never thought this would go on for more than 20 years.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Mama Mary</strong><br />I was excited even if I was not able to attend the high school graduation of my eldest daughter. My work as an accountant would not permit me to come on graduation day. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to continue my work in Saudi Arabia, now that I have a daughter pursuing a college degree. I could not wait for my daughter to tell me what course she intends to take in college; into what university she would like to enroll; what she had in mind; what she wanted to be. I was prepared to enroll her to any university of her choice.<br /><br />"Papa, I want to enter the convent and be a nun. I want to serve Mama Mary", these were the first words from my daughter when we sat down to chat. It was like a bombshell I never imagined to hear. Deafening. The sound pierced my ear more than the sound of the scud missile that Sadam Hussein launched to hit Riyadh during the Middle East war. <br /><br />My mind groped for the right response. I figured the situation calls for calmness and diplomacy with the right combination of words. I was looking at a very young lady who had grown this far without me.<br /><br />But how to start with, I really had no idea. How I wish this was a mathematical equation which my brain was trained to do - a mental calculation ahead of what my hands could write. <br /><br />I had nothing against serving Mama Mary but this is not what I expected from my young lady. I wanted her to finish college and have a family. Is it that much to be desired?<br /><br />Calculating my move and not sure of what to say, I asked why she thought of this vocation. The next one (1) hour or so was a narration of frustrations and longing. To sum it all, my daughter finished high school alone, without me, without her mother's attention, without the love and care of me and Mama Nil. And because of these, she'd rather enter the convent away from us, from her family. She said she'll be more at peace with Mama Mary.<br /><br />Mama Nil was in tears from hearing all of these. I asked her to get inside our room which she adamantly complied. <br /><br />I needed a one-on-one situation with my eldest. I needed to make her feel assured of my presence, of my love, of my vision of her future. I wanted to tell my eldest that Mama Mary on earth is Mama Nil and every mother of a daughter like her. That Mama Mary was simply a symbol of a mother's love to her child. That Mama Mary was used to serve as model to every mother. That if she served Mama Nil, she would be serving Mama Mary too! Moreover, I would not argue with her going inside the convent after she finished her college. Now I was interpreting my catechism days but it's God who knows how true or not my words would be.<br /><br />I didn't know how long I talked. We found each other hugging and I felt her confidence building. She said she would try the entrance exam at Ateneo the next day. <br /><br />I was relieved. This would not have happened if I was with my family.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sOyhTdgVqrE/Sds0WJPeVqI/AAAAAAAAAB4/RdHlmaK3EuE/s1600-h/Soul101_090330_172750.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sOyhTdgVqrE/Sds0WJPeVqI/AAAAAAAAAB4/RdHlmaK3EuE/s320/Soul101_090330_172750.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321904939710961314" /></a><br /><em>Mama Nil squeezed my arm and whispered that the wedding coordinator announced that I should take the bride for a dance. <br /><br />It was my first dance with my daughter.</em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sOyhTdgVqrE/Sds14T9ExII/AAAAAAAAACA/GQ0asi7I8sc/s1600-h/Soul101_090330_173552.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sOyhTdgVqrE/Sds14T9ExII/AAAAAAAAACA/GQ0asi7I8sc/s320/Soul101_090330_173552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321906626213758082" /></a><br /><strong>Mama Nil</strong><br /><br /><em>It was our turn to dance, so I took Mama Nil's hands. She's as lovely as we've met 32 years ago.</em><br /><br /><br />Mama Nil to everyone, I fondly call her 'Agom' (spouse) and she's the mother of my three kids. Mama Nil never missed her schedule when it comes to our kids. The last glass of milk Mama Nil served to our eldest was the day before her wedding. This is one reason why I never fail to greet Mama Nil on Mother's Day. <br /><br />Last year, when my youngest was about to graduate from college, I ask the children if I could bring their mother with me in Riyadh. I told everyone that it's about time that Mama Nil and I should re-discover our relationship as husband and wife. I didn't know it was also their plan for their Mama Nil to come with me.<br /><br />I had a family status in my company – meaning I was entitled to bring my family and I made sure we were together during vacation times – my family coming to Riyadh. Going back to the Philippines, I would often coincide my vacation so that we could be together three (3) months at the most. But this situation had all changed when my eldest on entering high school, decided not to come back to spend holiday with me. Being in the adolescent stage, I could only understand her. The custom in Saudi Arabia would not let her nor any of my family get out of the house without me. The other two siblings agreed and Mama Nil could only afford to follow.<br /><br />Little did I realize this would be the beginning of what exactly I wanted to avoid – less time with my family, less time with Mama Nil. For the succeeding years, Mama Nil and I could only manage to talk about ourselves for not more than I could stay – 30 or 35 days, the rest of the topic would be all about family, finances and the kids.<br /><br />I remembered it was Mama Nil's absence as one of the reasons why our eldest would like to enter the convent. In anticipation of our eldest going to college, Mama Nil decided to rent an entire apartment which was a stone's throw from a university located in the next city. The decision was not hers alone. I consented too.<br /><br />Mama Nil turned the apartment into a bustling boarding house. She had this business to attend to and without us noticing, Mama Nil's presence would only be with the kids on weekends. The day-to-day upbringing and caring for our kids were left to one of my cousins. Our eldest was left alone to mend for herself until her graduation in high school. Sadly, the apartment was never used during the college days of my kids. I asked Mama Nil to re-sell the rights even before our eldest set her foot into college.<br /><br />Perhaps, this could not have happened if we were together ever since.<br /><br />Several years ago, I remembered Mama Nil called up and asked me if we were still husband and wife or not separated. I asked why and she responded that that was the news she heard circulating in the town: we were separated and the only thing that bridged us together was the monthly allowance I send. I returned the question to her so she could honestly answer. She hang-off and went straight to the person from whom she got this news. It was war. <br /><br />This could not have happened if we were together then.<br /><br />There was a time when a friend could not return the money I lent and Mama Nil was all over me sending text messages almost daily inquiring when she would receive the monthly allowance already overdue because the kids would fail paying for their tuition fees, etc. Lesson learned: I dread to read Mama Nil's text message whenever I had my shortcoming. <br /><br />But this would never have happened if we were together.<br /><br /><em>Our first month together was full of enthusiasm. The next was none of the first. We kept finding faults at each other later. We were struggling to work out our relationship. The most obvious was the separate markings on the bed because we slept on the opposite sides. The last straw, I shouted at Mama Nil. This would never have happened had we've been together ever since.<br /> <br />I figured we need to adjust and I had to make the first move. I kneeled down and made a solemn pledge to Mama Nil: I would never leave her again. -fb</em>ReadMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16493071955206823653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-33504436400778095812009-03-09T06:33:00.007+08:002009-03-10T05:11:40.194+08:00Special Envoy Amb. Roy Cimatu visited Nigeria<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W2rLhFtfE5o/SbWFtdWqriI/AAAAAAAAAJc/X-LwRWimpPc/s1600-h/DSC01532.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_W2rLhFtfE5o/SbWFtdWqriI/AAAAAAAAAJc/X-LwRWimpPc/s320/DSC01532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311298351573675554" border="0" /></a>After the visit of Gen Cimatu last week, it seems like the ban in Nigeria will soon be lifted.<br /><br />As it was, Mrs Derpo spoke at length with Gen Cimatu as he arived in Nigeria on March 4, 2009, before proceeding to Abuja.<br /><br />On March 5th, Gen Cimatu is said to have met with the Foreign Affairs minister of Nigeria to discuss security situation of OFWs. The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister reportedly told Gen Cimatu that everything is okay with filipinos in Nigeria, except in Oil areas.<br /><br />Later in the day, Gen Cimatu went to the compound of Julius Berger Construction company, where majority of expat employees are Filipinos. Gen Cimatu was guided by Engr Lito Nocum, the head of Filipino association in Abuja, in touring the accommodations for Filipinos.<br /><br />Gen Cimatu quipped that he'd never seen so many cars outside the embassy belonging to OFWs. He compared Nigeria to Lebanon. To which an OFW said in jest, "<span style="font-style: italic;">walang pong DH sa Nigeria kasi</span>".<br /><br />Gen Cimatu wrapped-up his visit to Nigeria with a meeting with Filipinos in Ikeja, Lagos. He was met by the Philippine Barangay Society in Nigeria (PBSN) chairperson (and Banaag 2008 Awardee). Mrs Esperanza Derpo in the airport, and to the PBSN clubhouse in Ikeja.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W2rLhFtfE5o/SbRJugO0gII/AAAAAAAAAIs/Qje-DpaUg0g/s1600-h/DSC06069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_W2rLhFtfE5o/SbRJugO0gII/AAAAAAAAAIs/Qje-DpaUg0g/s320/DSC06069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310950923851563138" border="0" /></a><br />Gen. Cimatu reiterated his observation that he was impressed at the job positions of Filipinos (managers and supervisors), and the salary/accommodations they have in Nigeria.<br /><br />When asked what would be his recommendation to the President, Gen Cimatu gamely said that it's obvious from his "body language" that he will recommend for the lifting of the ban.<br /><br />Gen. Cimatu was accompanied by Consul-Gen Alex LaMadrid on his trip to Abuja and Lagos.<br /><br />Nigeria is home to almost 5,000 OFWs employed in oil & gas, telecoms, construction, manufacturing and services sectors. Filipinos have been in Nigeria since the early 70's.Don Kishotehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08263813862203255126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-90827508024025448482009-03-08T13:33:00.006+08:002009-03-08T14:37:59.369+08:00Efren Peñaflorida: Kariton Klasrum (onli in da Pilipins)"I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be."<br /><br />This is quoted from the CNN Story entitled, "<a href="http://edition.cnn.com">Pushcart classes help break gang chain</a>."<br /><br />Efren Peñaflorida,27,founded Dynamic Teen Company in Cavite City in 1997. The teen volunteers take the Kariton Klasrum to unwashed, unshod, and unschooled kids in the least likely learning environments such as public markets, cemeteries, slums, and prison.<br /><br />Many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) take the plunge and brave separation from their families because they feel that there is no hope in the Philippines. <br /><br />After working abroad for many years, many OFWs would like to go home for good. But the bleak socioeconomic situation and unstable political conditions stop them. It's a hopeless situation, they say.<br /><br />Has <em>Kuya Ef </em>, as the kids call him, ever thought of becoming an OFW? Would he apply as an office clerk in a Saudi company? or a bellboy in a Dubai hotel? or a teacher in Singapore?<br /><br />Probably not. Kuya Ef has found his 'acres of diamonds' right there in the midst of misery where he lives. As a teacher myself, I am humbled by Efren's selfless example.<br /><br />Fellow OFWs, let's take heart. We have many more skills and many more resources than Efren and his teen volunteers. <br /><br />We need not be afraid of going home sooner or later. Let's remember Efren's words, "You are the change that you dream, and I am the change that I dream..." <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0fObHXQCVZ8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0fObHXQCVZ8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-37302190879171620682009-02-17T05:33:00.006+08:002009-02-28T03:42:58.917+08:00An OFW as a Philippine Tourist<div align="center">by <strong>Carmelita C. Ballesteros</strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br /><em>I worked in Singapore in 2008 without going home for a whole year. I’d feel homesick every now and then, but there was plenty of work to occupy myself… To make up for lost time, I splurged my annual leave and spent most of December 2008 with my extended family members as well as friends. One of the things we did together was tour Luzon from south to north.<br /></em><br /><em>It was wonderful getting re-acquainted with my grandkids as well as exploring my own country and heritage. No small thanks to my Malaysian friends Soo Fun and Michael who came to visit for a week.</em><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>re you a stranger in the country of your birth? Are you a stranger in your parents’ or grandparents’ hometown? Do find time to tour around the Philippines. It isn’t as awful as the newspapers paint it. </div><div align="justify"><br />True, traffic jams are everywhere in Manila and other big cities. But the strawberry jam and the ube jam of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Baguio City and Tagaytay City are enticing, tempting, and mouth-watering rewards, enough to make you exclaim, “It’s a glimpse of heaven!”<br /></div><div align="justify">Heaven isn’t the traffic jam. It isn’t the rusty roofs of houses. Neither is it the pollution in cities. Heaven is the kindness, simplicity, and sweetness of rural folk in the countryside. Heaven is friendship and family togetherness that you can experience only in the Philippines.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Last December, my friends Soo Fun and Michael visited the Philippines. Michael actually comes and goes to Manila for business trips, but has never gone around as a tourist. His wife Soo Fun was visiting the Philippines for the first time.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Soo Fun and Michael are Malaysians who live and work in Singapore as permanent residents. I am an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) teaching in a Singaporean university.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">I’m a homebody and I travel around the Philippines only when it’s an official trip. So when my friend Soo Fun came to visit as a tourist, I was a tourist myself.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">My son, daughter-in-law, and sister took turns driving for us. We drove around Metro Manila, Cavite, then on to Vigan, Ilocos Sur. On the way back to Manila, we drove up to Baguio City from Vigan.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Then we did some shopping and eating in Metro Manila, drove around Tagaytay City, and finally, we went on an arts excursion to Angono, Rizal and Paete, Laguna. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>Day 1, Manila.</strong> We posed in front of Jose Rizal’s monument at the Luneta Park. As Soo Fun and Michael asked questions about Jose Rizal, I began to realize my being a Filipino in a deeper sense. </div><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303515925634228338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SZnfopgOIHI/AAAAAAAAACE/JdvxHvtpXk8/s400/IMG_4643.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Carol, Soo Fun, and Carmel in front of Rizal's monument in Luneta.<br /></em><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Trying to explain to foreigners who Rizal was, what he did and didn’t do, and why he chose to live and die the way he had was mutually enlightening. </div><br /><div align="justify">Our next stop was the Manila Cathedral. While a wedding ceremony was going on, the next wedding party was already waiting at the back. The Manila Cathedral is probably the most-booked church for weddings in the Philippines.<br /></div><div align="justify">Michael, who loves doors, windows, and benches/chairs, couldn’t resist having his picture taken beside one of the wooden doors at the Manila Cathedral. </div><br /><div align="justify">From the Manila Cathedral, we walked to Fort Santiago where Jose Rizal was incarcerated by the Spaniards. While entering the premises, we noticed security guards or patrol officers dressed as ‘guardias civiles.’ A ‘guardia civil’ was a police officer during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">I was most impressed with the footpath which Rizal had taken on his way to his execution from Fort Santiago to Luneta. The path had Rizal’s footsteps etched on it.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Michael observed, “Rizal wasn’t a tall man, was he? And he must have been walking slowly.”<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">“I guess you wouldn’t run as you head towards your execution,” I replied. Quietly, I asked myself what Rizal was thinking of as he walked towards Luneta, certain that death was waiting. Did he recite his “Mi Ultimo Adios” as he walked meditatively to Luneta?<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Driving from Makati to Manila and back to Makati took the whole day. (Soo Fun and Michael stayed in a hotel in Makati.) There was a humongous traffic jam caused by the anti-Chacha rally mounted by a multi-sectoral group. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">It was during this rally that Senator Mar Roxas declaimed using expletives against the Arroyo administration. He was criticized by some, but he didn’t apologize. Actually, the ordinary Filipino loved him for doing so.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Speaking of political unrest, Michael and Soo Fun narrated that Malaysia and Singapore had had its share of uncertain times, too.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Day 2, Cavite and Ilocos Sur.</strong> It was a looong 13-hour drive from Cavite in Southern Luzon to Vigan in Northern Luzon. We made several stops along the way, though.</div><br /><div align="justify">I particularly wanted to go to Vigan so I could visit with a long-time friend, Sister Fidelisa Portillo, SPC, of the Paulinian Congregation in the Philippines. She had been inviting me and my family to visit with her in Vigan since the turn of the 21st century!<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">We arrived at the gate of the school where Sister Fidelisa is posted, St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur, at 12 midnight. The alert security guards immediately opened the gates and guided us to our sleeping quarters.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">They were simple rooms with the basic necessities, including biscuits, mineral water, towels, soap, and shampoo. They were simple, cozy rooms with welcoming and warm curtains which were probably sewn by the nuns themselves.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Day 3, Vigan and Baguio City.</strong> Breakfast the morning after was a riotous affair with Sister Celine Santos, the president of the school, entertaining us with humorous anecdotes. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303517081248445378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SZngr6gHs8I/AAAAAAAAACM/zMTXROuu1Vg/s400/IMG_4919.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Carmel, Sr. Celine, Michael, Soo Fun, and Sr. Fidelisa.</em><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Can you imagine a breakfast of fried rice fragrant with garlic, steaming coffee, and Vigan longanisa (pork sausage) with vinegar dip in the happy company of family and friends?<br /></div><div align="justify">It’s enough to make you feel as if you’ve had a glimpse of heaven! It sure was a happy Sunday, our reward after a long day’s drive.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">What makes Vigan longanisa extraordinary? What makes the vinegar dip that goes with it a must?<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Vigan longanisa is extraordinary because it’s made of lean pork, garlic, onions, black pepper, vinegar, and other ingredients. It hardly has any fat because it’s hung to dry under the sun for at least four hours.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Cooking Vigan longanisa is done by simmering it in water over low fire until the water evaporates. The casing is pricked all the while so that the remaining fat is released in which it is fried until it’s golden brown.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">The vinegar dip consists of sugar cane vinegar with crushed garlic, chopped onions, ground black pepper, chili pepper, and salt. You could use tomato catsup or fresh tomatoes, but it is the vinegar dip that makes eating Vigan longanisa a supreme experience.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">We said grace, then started eating and chatting. It was mostly Sister Celine Santos, SPC, talking but we didn’t mind. Her hilarious anecdotes and vivacious personality were amazing. And she’s past 70! I guess it’s the reason she looks as if she’s only 50.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Sister Celine is the president of St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur. SPCIS, for short, celebrated its 100th year in December 2005. It has had a long and illustrious presence in Ilocos Sur, molding the Ilocano youth around its charism, “The love of Christ urges us.”<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">(If you are interested in youth exchange or immersion programs, please email Sister Fidelisa at <a href="mailto:fidelisaportillo@yahoo.com">fidelisaportillo@yahoo.com</a>)<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">After breakfast, we headed toward Bantay and Vigan, had a calesa ride, bought some souvenirs and goodies, and took pictures, of course. We went back to the school, heard Sunday mass together with the faculty and staff, and had a sumptuous lunch at the Sisters’ convent.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">At 1:00 p.m., we were on our way back to Manila. My son decided to take a side trip to Baguio City by taking the Naguillian Road in Bauang, La Union. It was a smooth ride up although there were zigzag stretches of road to negotiate. The mountains, the clouds, the fog, and the setting sun were spectacular views to behold.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Baguio City was cold and windy! It was also unbelievably crowded. There were people everywhere – shopping, walking, eating, taking pictures, driving – all enjoying the 15 degree Celsius temperature of Baguio City.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">After a quick supper, we headed down to Manila and arrived a little after midnight. It was Monday morning already. We dropped off Michael and Soo Fun at their hotel in Makati, agreeing to meet later in the afternoon to go shopping for pearl jewelry in Metro Manila.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Day 4, Manila.</strong> Pearl jewelry? I couldn’t believe the range of fabulous designs, colors, and affordability of pearl jewelry in the Philippines. For example, a really elegant necklace can be yours at the price of USD20! </div><div align="justify"><br />Soo Fun loved pearl jewelry and had a grand time shopping for pearl presents as well as pearl keepsakes for herself. She and my daughter-in-law shopped till the shops closed!<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">(With her husband in tow, Soo Fun had another pearl shopping spree! No, she didn’t re-sell them. She gave most of them to family and friends in Singapore and Malaysia as Christmas presents.)</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Day 5, Tagaytay City.</strong> Since Tagaytay is only an hour and a half away from Manila, we spent the next day exploring the hills and valleys and nooks of Tagaytay. My sister picked up Soo Fun from the hotel, then met up with my daughter-in-law and me. Driving up to Tagaytay, we were excited that we were having a girls’ outing.</div><div align="justify"><br />Tagaytay was cool and windy although less cold than Baguio. Because it was a little cloudy, our view of Taal Volcano was not as sharp as on a clear day. It was also too windy to stay outdoors and contemplate the volcano in the middle of the lake.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">The pictures we snapped showed us clutching our shawls and sweaters with our hair being blown by the wind in every direction. Funny pictures they were and I’d rather you didn’t see them.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Day 6, Angono, Rizal and Paete, Laguna.</strong> We planned to go to Villa Escudero in San Pablo City, but we gave it up after learning that there was no cultural show on a weekday. Instead, we decided to have an art excursion to Angono, Rizal and Paete, Laguna.</div><div align="justify"><br />My son insisted that we go to Angono, Rizal. He fondly remembers his art excursion to Angono when he was a college student at San Beda College in Mendiola, Manila.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Angono, Rizal is a small town by a river. Its narrow streets and slow-moving traffic are not exactly encouraging. However, it’s also the home of many artists such as Nemesio Miranda and Jose Blanco.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">My daughter-in-law had attended art lessons by Nemesio Miranda, popularly known as Nemiranda. So our first stop was his home cum gallery or the Nemiranda Arthouse. The entrance fee was less than one US dollar. It was worth every centavo we paid.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Nemiranda’s art house is like a typical Filipino house made of wood, bamboo, and concrete. But it’s atypical because it’s a house where an artist lives with his wife and children. At the end of the gallery, some pieces were for sale. Soo Fun fell in love with a simple painting of a small house in a farm. It exuded innocence, purity, tranquility, and joy.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">We negotiated for a good price and left with the painting bubble-wrapped, ready to travel by air.<br /></div><div align="justify">Our next stop was Jose Blanco’s Family Museum. My son said the Blanco house he had visited during his college days was a sprawling bahay-kubo which looked like an informal art school where everybody was painting in every corner. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Today, the sprawling bahay-kubo has been replaced by a concrete building which serves as the museum as well as home of the Blancos.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Jose Blanco, a fine arts graduate of the University of Santo Tomas in 1955, was a fisherman’s son. Jose himself fished to raise his tuition money. He devoted his art to the depiction of rural life in Angono and around the Philippines. An art critic, Alice Guillermo, has labeled Blanco’s murals of rural scenes as ‘folk realism.’<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">His murals are like blown-up photo snapshots as regards faithfulness to details. In a mural depicting a town fiesta, each face was unique and individual. A mural showing a garbage dump made you cringe at the sight of flies and worms.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">The most amazing thing about Jose Blanco and his family is that his seven children as well as his wife all paint! None of them had formal painting lessons. They didn’t need to. They have had the best teacher – Jose Blanco himself.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">The time we spent together as family and friends inside the museum was priceless. The entrance fee, a little over one US dollar, was embarrassingly cheap! Our guide, a cousin of the Blanco children, had asked us not to take pictures because the flash of the camera could damage the paintings. We complied willingly.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Hungry after two art stops, we hurried to the nearby Balao-Balao Restaurant. It turned out to be another art house. While waiting for our order, we toured the gallery on the ground and second floors.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">I was so taken by a wooden sculpture which looked like a blanket cradle from afar. Upon inspection, it was a mother rocking her child to sleep and it was aptly titled, “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.”<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Soon enough, our table was laden with food. Starving, we had ordered food fit to feed a battalion: chicken sour stew, frog legs, deer meat, and the restaurant’s specialty. We were both amazed and delighted when a huge wok (talyasi, in Tagalog) was wheeled in by two waiters. The freshly-cooked rice was topped with chicken and pork adobo, shrimps, mussels, salted red egg, and vegetables.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">We ate till we were stuffed. In addition to the main courses, we had soda drinks, bottled water, ice cream, and halu-halo, a concoction of sweets with milk and shaved ice. We couldn’t believe that the banquet which fed six adults and two kids, plus the gallery tour, cost us as little as USD36.00!<br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-37722035580109508862009-02-13T01:00:00.004+08:002009-02-28T04:01:16.621+08:00Removal of documentary stamp tax on OFW remittances pushed<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We ought to support this move.</span><br />----<br /><br />02/12/2009 09:02 PM<br /><br />MANILA, Philippines — Militant lawmakers on Thursday pushed for the removal of the documentary stamp tax (DST) on all monetary remittances from Filipinos abroad to their families in the Philippines.<br /><br />A bill filed by representatives of party-list groups Gabriela, Bayan Muna and Anakpawis sought to scrap the tax amid complaints by OFWs that the DST on their remittances was an added financial burden. The tax is estimated to reach US$1.5 million or P70.5 million per month.<br /><br />House Bill 5862 proposes the removal of the documentary stamp tax on all remittances from Filipinos abroad by repealing Section 181 of Republic Act 8424 or the "Tax Reform Act of 1997."<br /><br />The authors of the bill are Gabriela Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Liza Maza, Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.<br /><br />They stressed that the removal of the tax would “serve as proof of the State's high regard for the huge sacrifices of all Filipino migrants and ensure that their hard-earned monies fully go to their families, putting their interests and welfare over and above revenue generation and other interests of private businesses and even of the government."<br /><br />At present, the government charges a DST of 0.15 percent for every US$200 remittance. Banks have been collecting this since the enactment of RA 8424 and money transfer organizations are now following suit, said the lawmakers.<br /><br />Considering that OFW remittances average US$1 billion monthly, this DST collection would mean US$1.5 million or P70.5 million at $1:P47 exchange rate monthly in DST revenue of the government, the lawmakers said.<br /><br />In contrast to the huge profits and other benefits enjoyed by banks, money transfer operators and the government from OFW remittances, OFWs and their families continue to tighten their belts to make do with the average monthly remittance of US$340 or P15,980 at $1:P47 exchange rate, they said.<br /><br />Citing data from the National Statistics Office Survey of OFWs, the lawmakers noted that since 1995, around 71 percent of workers' remittances have been sent home as cash, of which 70 percent passed through the banks.<br /><br />The share of cash remittances coursed through the banks has been increasing from 65 percent in 1995 to 76 percent in 2002.<br /><br />The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas estimates that banks now capture 90 percent of total remittances, up from 80 percent several years ago. Total remittances in 2007 were estimated to have reached $15 billion, seven percent more than in 2006.<br /><br />In a press statement, the lawmakers acknowledged that the pricing for remittance services among banks was quite competitive.<br /><br />In the US, where most Filipino remittances come from or are channeled through, service charges for remittances range from US$7 to US$8 for credit to account transactions; US$10 to US$12 for credit other bank service; US$8 to US$12 for advice and pay services (within Metro Manila); and US$12 to US$15 for door-to-door services (within Metro Manila).<br /><br />Philippine bank charges range from $5 (book transfer within one bank, foreign accounts to local branch account) to $16 on the high-end, which can include door-to-door courier delivery. Door-to-door operations add an increment cost of at least $2 to remittance price. - D'Jay Lazaro, GMANews.TV<br /><br />==<br /><br />http://www.gmanews.tv/story/148554/Removal-of-documentary-stamp-tax-on-OFW-remittances-pushedDon Kishotehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08263813862203255126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-74765201218747757632009-02-07T02:41:00.001+08:002009-02-07T03:20:30.069+08:00Gov't may lift ban on sending OFWs to Iraq, Nigeria<p>02/06/2009 | 07:55 PM</p> <p>MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will reassess its current ban on sending workers to Iraq, Nigeria and Lebanon and<b> may </b>lift it in areas with lower security risks because of the global economic crisis, the vice president said Friday.</p> <p><br /><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-362" title="2008_independence-27" src="http://philbrgysocietyinnigeria.wordpress.com/files/2009/02/2008_independence-27.jpg?w=300" mce_src="http://philbrgysocietyinnigeria.wordpress.com/files/2009/02/2008_independence-27.jpg?w=300" alt="2008_independence-27" height="225" width="300" /><br />The country's economy is largely dependent on its overseas workers, with some 8.7 million out of 90 million Filipinos working abroad. The government said $14.45 billion was sent home in 2007— about 10 percent of the gross domestic product. It has projected 2008 remittances will hit $15.7 billion.</p> <p><b>Vice President Noli de Castro, who is also the presidential adviser on migrant workers, said security has reportedly improved in the economic centers of Iraq, Nigeria and Lebanon.</b></p> <p>He said a selective lifting of the ban is being considered "to widen our overseas employment market in the light of the global economic crisis."</p> <p>A lifting of the ban is only being considered in places with high employment opportunities, and it would remain in areas still considered high-risk zones, de Castro said in a statement.</p> <p>A team headed by Roy Cimatu, special envoy to the Middle East, will leave soon to reassess the security risks in the three countries, Department of Foreign Affairs officials said.</p> <p>In a meeting with de Castro last month, Iraqi officials urged the Philippines to send workers to help with the reconstruction of their country, where up to 10 million new jobs are available, the statement said.</p> <p>The Philippines banned its citizens from working in Iraq in July 2004 after insurgents abducted and threatened to behead Filipino truck driver Angelo dela Cruz. He was released after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo agreed to withdraw the Philippines' small military contingent in Iraq — a decision strongly criticized by Washington and other coalition allies.</p> <p>Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said about 10,000 Filipinos work in two US military camps in Iraq without permission from the government.</p> <p><b>Some 3,800 Filipinos work in Nigeria's bustling oil industry. Arroyo banned additional workers from going there in 2007 after gunmen kidnapped scores of foreign workers, including dozens of Filipinos.</b></p> <p>The Philippines also prohibited the deployment of its workers to Lebanon after war broke out in July 2006. - AP</p>Don Kishotehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08263813862203255126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-84287335939546339932009-01-24T20:00:00.001+08:002009-01-24T20:06:51.027+08:00Pananaw ng Nigeria OFW.Ambag na pananaw ni Pastor Billy, a.k.a. ang Carlo Magno ng Lekki, halaw sa baul po daw ng Mga Kwentong Lasing Part 3.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hindi mayaman ang OFW</span> -<br /><br />We have this notion na 'pag OFW o nasa abroad ay mayaman na. Hindi totoo yun. A regular OFW might earn from P50K-P300K per month depende sa lokasyon. Yung mga taga Australia, Canada, Kazakstan or US siguro ay mas malaki ang sweldo, lalo na daw mga taga Nigeria but to say that they're rich is a fallacy (amen!). <br /> <br />Malaki ang pangangailangan kaya karamihan ay nag-a-abroad. Maraming bunganga ang kailangang pakainin kaya umaalis ang mga pipol sa Pilipinas. Madalas, 3/4 o kalahati ng sweldo ay napupunta sa tuition ng anak at gastusin ng pamilya. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mahirap maging OFW - </span><br /><br />Kailangan magtipid hangga't kaya. Oo, masarap ang pagkain sa abroad pero madalas na paksiw o adobo at itlog lang tinitira para makaipon. Pagdating ng kinsenas o katapusan, ang unang tinitingnan eh ang conversion ng Peso sa Dollar o Euro o Rial o Naira. Mas okay na magtiis sa konti kaysa gutumin ang pamilya. Kapag umuuwi, kailangan may baon kahit konti kasi maraming kamag-anak ang sumusundo sa airport o naghihintay sa probinsya. Alam mo naman 'pag Pinoy, yung tsismis na OFW ka eh surely attracts a lot of kin. <br /> <br />Kapag hindi mo nabigyan ng pasalubong eh magtatampo na yun at sisiraan ka na. Well, hindi naman lahat pero I'm sure sa mga OFW dito eh may mga pangyayaring ganun. Magtatrabaho ka sa bansang iba ang tingin sa mga Pinoy. Malamang marami ang naka-experience ng gulang o discrimination to their various workplaces. Sige lang, tiis lang, iniiyak na lang kasi kawawa naman pamilya pag umuwi. <br /> <br />Besides, wala ka naman talagang maasahang trabaho sa Philippines ngayon.Mahal ang bigas, ang gatas, ang sardinas, ang upa sa apartment. Tiis lang kahit maraming kupal sa trabaho, kahit may sakit at walang nag-aalaga,kahit hindi masarap ang tsibog, kahit pangit ang working conditions, kahit delikado, kahit mahirap. Kapag nakapadala ka na, okay na, tawag lang, "hello! kumusta na kayo?". <br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hindi bato ang OFW -</span><br /><br />Tao rin ang OFW, hindi money o cash machine. Napapagod rin, nalulungkot (madalas),nagkakasakit, nag-iisip at nagugutom. Nakukulong pa nga. Naaakusahan pang mga magnana kawkaw pa minsan. Kailangan din ang suporta ng taga Embassy, kundi man physically, emotionally o spiritually man lang. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tumatanda rin ang OFW -</span><br /><br />Sa mga nakausap at nakita ko, marami ang panot at kalbo na. Most of them have signs and symptoms of hypertension, coronary artery disease and arthritis. Yet, they continue to work thinking about the family they left behind. Marami ang nasa abroad, 20-30 years na, pero wala pa ring ipon. Kahit anong pakahirap, sablay pa rin. Masakit pa kung olats rin ang sinusuportahang pamilya ? ang anak adik o nabuntis; ang asawa may kabit. Naalala ko tuloy ang sikat na kanta dati, "NAPAKASAKIT KUYA EDDIE!" <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bayani ang OFW ?</span><br /><br />Totoo yun! Ngayon ko lang na na-realize na bayani ang OFW sa maraming bagay. Hindi bayani na tulad ni Nora Aunor o Flor Contemplacion. Bayani in the truest sense of the word. Hindi katulad ni Rizal o Bonifacio. Mas higit pa dun, mas maraming giyera at gulo ang pinapasok ng OFW para lang mabuhay. Mas maraming pulitika ang kailangang suungin para lang tumagal sa trabaho lalo na't kupal ang mga kasama sa trabaho. Mas mahaba ang pasensya kaysa sa mga ordinaryong Tongresista o Sinador sa Pilipinas dahil sa takot na mawalan ng trabaho at lalo na po, dahil sa pasado kami sa psychotest. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Matindi ang OFW ?</span><br /><br />Matindi ang Pinoy. Lalo na daw ang mga Naija Pinoy. Matindi pa sa daga, o cockroaches which survived the cataclysmic evolution. Alang sinabi iyang Malarya, ang Kidnapping, Armed Robber sa Inay Gyera, Armed Robbers sa Eh May Grasya NAIA. Sisiw lang mga iyan. Maraming sakripisyo pero walang makitang tangible solutions or consequences na ginagawa ang OWWA/POEA/DOLE at DFA. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Malas ng OFW, swerte ng puli</span>tiko ?<br /><br />Lalo na si Money Bilyar. Hindi umuupo ang OFW para magbigay ng autograph o interbyuhin ng media (unless nakidnap!). Madalas nasa sidelines lang ang OFW. Kapag umaalis, malungkot and on the verge of tears. Kapag dumadating, swerte 'pag may sundo( madalas meron). Kapag naubos na ang ipon, wala ng kamag-anak. <br /> <br />Sana sikat ang OFW para may boses sa Kamara. Ang swerte ng mga politiko nakaupo sila at ginagastusan ng pera ng Filipino. Hindi nga sila naiinitan o napapaso ng langis, o napagagalitan ng amo, o kumakain ng paksiw para makatipid, o nakatira sa compound with conditions less than favorable, o nakikisama sa ibang lahi para mabuhay. Ang swerte, sobrang swerte nila. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Matatag ang OFW ?</span><br /><br />Matatag ang OFW, mas matatag pa sa sundalo ni Hingalo Reyes o kung ano pang grupo na alam nyo. Magaling sa reverse psychology, negotiations at counter-attacks. Tatagal ba ang OFW? Tatagal pa kasi hindi pa natin alam kailan magbabago ang Philippines , kailan nga kaya? o may tsansa pa ba? Paano na iyan Ate Galo, magsalita ka naman, "Hindi na akow kakandi datung, mandada yaak!!!, magna naku!!! Ahh ewan, basta "I Am Sorry" pero di Worry.<br /> <br />Masarap isipin na kasama mo ang pamilya mo araw-araw. Nakikita mo mga anak mong lumalaki at naaalagaan ng maayos. Masarap kumain ng sitaw, ng bagoong, lechon, inihaw na isda, taba ng talangka. Masarap manood ng pelikulang Pinoy, luma man o bago. Iba pa rin ang pakiramdam kung kilala mo ang kapitbahay mo. Iba pa rin sa Philippines, iba pa rin kapag Pinoy ang kasama mo (except 'pag kupal at utak-talangka), iba pa rin 'pag nagkukwento ka at naiintindihan ng iba ang sinasabi mo. Iba pa rin ang tunog ng "mahal kita!", "day, ginahigugma tika." "Mingaw na ko nimo ba, kalagot!", " Inday, diin ka na subong haw? ganahan guid ko simo ba". Iba pa rin talaga. <br /> <br />Kaya Ang Nigeria Travel Ban Na Yan....Alisin Na!!! <br /> <br />Sige lang, tiis lang, saan ba't darating din ang pag-asa.<br /><br />----<br /><br />Mula sa panulat nina Kuya Fred Borbon at Kapatid na Carlo Magno<br /><br />(siempre, may pahintulot)<br /><br />Jan 24, 2009Don Kishotehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08263813862203255126noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-51507322831198583412008-11-24T15:41:00.020+08:002009-11-18T11:34:49.198+08:002008 Simbang Gabi Singapore<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">by <strong>Carmelita C. Ballesteros</strong></div><div align="center">Singapore</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Christmas_traditions"><em><span style="font-size:180%;">S</span>imbang Gabi</em> </a>is one of the unique characteristics of a Philippine Christmas. <em>Simbang Gabi</em> means evening mass or night worship. When I was a girl back in the 20th century, my folks called it <em>misa de gallo</em>. It’s a Spanish term which literally means dawn mass – a mass that is celebrated at four in the morning as the roosters crow at dawn.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">In preparation for Christmas, the nine-day <em>Simbang Gabi</em> is held in Catholic churches, cathedrals, and chapels all over the country. It begins on the 16th and culminates on the 24th of December. </div><br /><div align="justify">In the Philippines, many churches in the provinces celebrate the Holy Mass as early as five in the morning on a daily basis. So a <em>misa de gallo</em> at 4:00 a.m. isn’t extraordinary. It is neither inconvenient for rural folk who go to bed early and get up early. </div><br /><div align="justify">But for me, it’s always been a huge effort. As a girl, I was always teased as a sleepyhead. I loved to sleep, and it was a chore waking me up.<br /><br />Sleep would be heavy on my eyelids. The chilly breeze of dawn would keep me curled up under my thin cotton blanket. But my mother’s insistent invitation to rise and shine would become my father’s intimidating threat of a day deprived of <em>puto-bumbong</em> and <em>bibingka</em>! So I’d perk up and jump up and say, “Wait! I’m coming!” </div><br /><div align="justify">As children, my siblings and I went to the <em>Simbang Gabi</em> not in anticipation of Jesus Christ’s birthday, but in anticipation of breakfast after the Holy Mass. Around the church would be food stalls selling <em>puto-bumbong</em> and <em>bibingka</em> which came with steaming cups of bottomless tea.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">It was an annual tradition I grew up with. It is a <a href="http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/philippine_christmas.htm">Christmas</a> tradition most Filipinos grow up and grow old with. It is a special season for family togetherness – going to church, hearing mass, and sharing a simple breakfast of native delicacies. </div><br /><div align="justify">Living abroad as an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OFW">overseas Filipino worker</a> (OFW), I’ve experienced many Christmases without <em>Simbang Gabi</em>. In Taiwan where I taught in a university, there were Christmases when I found myself teaching on Christmas. It was an ordinary working day for the Taiwanese.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">L</span>ast year, I celebrated my first Christmas in Singapore. To my delight, there is <em>Simbang Gabi</em> in Singapore! It’s a multicultural city state which celebrates Chinese, Malay, Muslim, and Christian holidays. </div><br /><div align="justify">Rev. Father Angel Luciano, CICM, a Filipino priest based at the Church of St. Michael, has made it his mission to spearhead the observance of <em>Simbang Gabi</em> since 1999. This is the 10th year that Father Angel is leading the Filipino flock in Singapore in remembering <em>Simbang Gabi</em> in the Philippines. </div><br /><div align="justify">Ten churches are taking part in this year’s 10th anniversary of <em>Simbang Gabi</em> Singapore. All Christmas novena masses will be held at 8:00 p.m. starting at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua on December 15. Then the <em>Simbang Gabi</em> will move to the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea on December 16. </div><br />Each night, the <em>Simbang Gabi</em> will be celebrated in a different church with an active Filipino community. (See schedule below.)<br /><br /><div align="justify">Fortunately, there are many Filipinos in the church I go to, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on Boon Lay Avenue in the west side of Singapore. The <a href="http://www.legionofmary.org/">Legion of Mary</a>, headed by Yolanda Ligon of San Miguel Bulacan, is taking charge of the preparations for the <em>Simbang Gabi</em> which it will host on December 20. </div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SSu_r-ranLI/AAAAAAAAABs/SASl_pCGm8g/s1600-h/choir+in+white.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272518551047675058" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 400px; height: 277px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SSu_r-ranLI/AAAAAAAAABs/SASl_pCGm8g/s400/choir+in+white.jpg" border="0" /></a>A sister organization of the Legion of Mary is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Ruiz">San Lorenzo Ruiz </a>Choir which sings regularly during the 7:30 a.m. mass every week. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Thus, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir has been tasked to prepare a very special repertoire for the <em>Simbang Gabi</em>. </div><br /><div align="justify">Led by Manny Rosmeros, and accompanied on the organ by Marissa Esguerra, the choir has been rehearsing since September Christmas carols to be sung before the mass. It includes old-time favorites: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing; Joy to the World; <em>Ang Pasko ay Sumapit</em>; <em>Noche Buena; Pasko na Naman; Himig Pasko</em>; Silent Night; etc. </div><br /><div align="justify">The choir’s main repertoire for the <em>Simbang Gabi</em> promises to be a marvelous treat of original Filipino Christmas compositions by Jesuit priests <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">Manoling Francisco </a>and Rene Oliveros as well as Rene Gozum. The arrangement is by Norman Agatep. </div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272525905921474418" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 450px; height: 317px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sE6tyZ5Gg8c/SSvGYFt-f3I/AAAAAAAAAB8/Lb7J7R1e_Ug/s400/choir+in+red.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="justify">For the entrance hymn, the choir will sing <em>Gumising</em>. Then they will sing <em>Unang Alay</em> and The Seed during the offertory. As the congregation receives communion, the choir will sing <em>Emanuel</em>, <em>Paglamig ng Hangin, </em>and<em> Di Ba’t Pasko’y Pag-ibig</em>. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The recessional hymn will be <em>Pasko Na</em>, a happy song which rejoices in the birth of the Infant Jesus. </div><br />To cap the jubilation, everyone will be treated to <em>arroz caldo</em> (chicken porridge) and <em>pansit bihon</em> (sautéed rice noodles) after the mass. Food is absolutely free for everyone courtesy of Father Angel, the Legion of Mary, and their generous donors and sponsors.<br /><br /><div align="justify">On regular Sundays, about 500 to 600 parishioners attend each of the three scheduled masses at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. On the evening of the <em>Simbang Gabi</em>, more than 2,000 people squeeze themselves into the church and the small parking lot in the churchyard. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">People usually come one hour early in order to find a seat inside the church. Those who come late stand outside the church and listen to the mass through loud speakers. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Don’t they complain? No; they’re first in the queue to the <em>arroz caldo</em>!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Simbang Gabi</em> Schedule</strong> (8:00 p.m. nightly)<br /><br /></div>1. Dec. 15, Monday. Church of St. Anthony of Padua, 25 Woodlands Avenue 1. Bus No.<br />912 or 912E (Berth 12). Contact Francis/Tony at tel. no. 97461255/91052930.<br /><br />2. Dec. 16, Tuesday. Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, 10 Yishun Street 22. Bus No. 804, alight at 2nd bus stop. Contact Lorena/Vivian at tel. no. 97414646/93226438.<br /><br />3. Dec. 17, Wednesday. Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 24 Highland Road. Bus No. 24, 60, 70, 76, 103, 136, 147, 156, and 317.<br /><br />4. Dec. 18, Thursday. Church of Christ the King, 2221 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8. Bus No. 22, 24, 135, 159, 162, and 853. Contact Ving/Allan/Robert at tel. no. 92278043, 96548467, and 93853396.<br /><br />5. Dec. 19, Friday. Novena Church, 300 Thomson Road. Bus No. 54, 143, 162, 167, and 851. Contact Rey/Sarah at tel. no. 90863457/90762186.<br /><br />6. Dec. 20, Saturday. Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 200 Boon Lay Avenue. Bus No. 502, 174. Contact Yolly/Alda at tel. no. 94876534/81893796.<br /><br />7. Dec. 21, Sunday. Church of St. Michael, 17 St. Michael’s Road. Bus No. 13, 23, 26, 31, 61, 64, 65, 66, 107, 125, 133, 147, 853, 857, and 985. Contact Father Angel at tel. no. 63920592.<br /><br />8. Dec. 22, Monday. Church of the Holy Trinity, 20 Tampines Street 11. Bus No. 8, 17, 18, 28, 34, 39, 59, 292, and 518. From Tampines MRT, walk towards Simei (2nd crossing). Contact Zap/Marie at tel. no. 82881025/94783985.<br /><br />9. Dec. 23, Tuesday. Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, 31 Siglap Hill. Bus No. 2, 7, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, and 854. Contact Lyn at tel. no. 96569968.<br /><br />10. Dec. 24, Wednesday. Church of Saints Peter and Paul, 225A Queen Street. Bus No. 7, 14, 16, 36, 106, 111, 131, 162, 167, 171, 401, 502, 518, 700, 700A, and 857. Contact Jenny at tel. no. 62563163.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><em>Father Angel Luciano, CICM and images of Simbang Gabi</em>.</div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3JldcJ9_Gu4&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3JldcJ9_Gu4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><em>Father Manoling Francisco, SJ and one of his compositions.</em><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zHWup-4VncE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zHWup-4VncE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-49578362186826915582008-11-22T10:09:00.005+08:002008-11-22T10:25:41.927+08:00Going home for Christmas? Get travel exit clearance now.<div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>Get travel exit clearance early, POEA tells returning OFWs</strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">POEA News Advisory<br />November 4, 2008</div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.poea.gov.ph/">http://www.poea.gov.ph/</a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="justify">The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration advises overseas Filipino workers returning to the country for the holidays to have their <strong>overseas employment certificate</strong> (OEC) or travel exit clearance processed early to avoid the holiday rush.</div><div align="justify"><br />Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said returning workers should avoid flocking to the POEA office in Ortigas immediately after Christmas and New Year’s Day as this results to long lines at the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center.<br /><br />To avoid the huge crowd, Manalili suggested that returning OFWs secure their exit clearance instead at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their jobsite even before their<br />flight to the Philippines, or as soon as they arrive in the country. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Workers going to the provinces may also get their exit clearance from the POEA regional offices nearest their residence. The POEA offices are located in:</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">1. Baguio City</div><div align="justify">2. Tuguegarao City</div><div align="justify">3. San Fernando City, La Union</div><div align="justify">4. Clark Field, Pampanga</div><div align="justify">5. Calamba City</div><div align="justify">6. Legaspi City</div><div align="justify">7. Tacloban City</div><div align="justify">8. Iloilo City</div><div align="justify">9. Bacolod City</div><div align="justify">10. Cebu City</div><div align="justify">11. Cagayan de Oro City</div><div align="justify">12. Zamboanga City, and </div><div align="justify">13. Davao City.</div><div align="justify"><br />Manalili said OFWs may also use the OEC courier system that is available online at <a href="http://www.poea.gov.ph/">www.poea.gov.ph</a>.</div><div align="justify"><br />Nevertheless, all POEA offices nationwide will be open on December 22, 23, 24, 26 and 29; and January 2, 2009; considered as peak days, to process exit clearance of returning workers, Manalili said.<br /><br /> </div>Dr. Carmelita C. Ballesteroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061004285450258133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069743859278753397.post-6629767690194746802008-11-17T13:48:00.002+08:002008-11-17T13:54:51.294+08:002 Winners from RiyadhRiyadh, Saudi Arabia<br /><br /><br />The Filipino community in Riyadh received from the Philippine Embassy its Press Release No. APV 82-2008 dated 09 November 2008. The press release announces the 2008 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organization Overseas.<br /><br />We are printing below the full text of the press release.<br /><br />TWO RIYADH EXPATS BAG THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR FILIPINO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS OVERSEAS<br /><br />The Embassy of the Philippines in Riyadh is proud to announce that two (2) Filipino expatriates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whom it nominated for the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) biennial search for the Year 2008 Presidential Awards for Filipino individuals and Organizations Overseas, have been chosen to be among the awardees.<br /><br />In a facsimile message dated 05 November 2008, the CFO informed the Embassy that Messrs, Alexander Edades Asuncion and Joseph Ilag Magdalena were among the 31 successful awardees from a total of 122 nominations received by the CFO from 29 countries. They won the Banaag Award, an honor conferred on Filipino individuals or associations for their contributions which have significantly benefited a sector or community in the Philippines, or advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities.<br /><br />Mr. Asuncion has 30 years of overseas experience. He was conferred with numerous awards for his outstanding service to the Filipino expatriates in the Kingdom, notable of which were the Bagong Bayani Award, Filipino Hero of the New Millenium and the Hall of Fame of OFW Achievers. He is not a lawyer nor has legal background but he has comprehensive knowledge of Saudi Labor and Workmen Law, which he used to give valuable advice and support to compatriots who are engaged in labor disputes at no cost. He used to be a correspondent of Arab News, one of the leading daily newspapers in the Kingdom, wherein he imparted legal counseling and labor assistance and reached out to all OFWs in the Kingdom.<br /><br />On the other hand, Mr. Magdalena's status and achievement as one of the successful entrepreneurs in the Kingdom is a kind of Cinderella story. He rose from the ranks of ordinary OFWs using his creativity, innate talent, perseverance and patience to reach higher echelon where he now belongs. He is the General Manager and investor of one of the biggest groceries called "Pinoy Supermarket", which is gradually building up branches in the Kingdom. With his position, he helped the government promote all kinds of Philippine products and has been a consistent supporter and benefactor of the programs and projects of Filipino community organizations, individuals and the Embassy. His generous financial contributions to the Filipino community through the years without asking for anything in return, earned him the respect and admiration of the Filipino expatriates as well as the Saudi nationals. Despite his accomplishments though, he remains simple, humble and within reach to people of all walks of life.<br /><br />Messrs Asuncion and Magdalena will both be recognized during the awarding ceremonies tentatively scheduled on 09 December 2008 at the Malacanan Palace in Manila, Philippines.<br /><br />The complete list of awardees is as follows:<br /><br />LINKAPIL AWARDEES<br /><br />1. Association of Philippine Physicians of America - New York<br />2. Enverga, Tobias Jr. - Toronto<br />3. Filipino Women's Association United Kingdom - London<br />4. Stichting Kapatiran - The Hague<br /><br />KAANIB BAYAN AWARDEES<br /><br />Catholic Medical Mission Board - New York<br />Children"s Chance CT - New York<br />Heetens Helpgood Center Philippines - The Hague<br />Ligier, Lauraence - Paris<br /><br />BANAAG AWARDEES<br /><br />Asuncion, Alexander - Riyadh<br />Berberabe, Patricia - New York<br />Carandang, Angeles - Chicago<br />Casambre, Sr. Mary Aida - Hongkong<br />Derpo, Esperanza - Abuja<br />Filipino Korean Spouses Association - Seoul<br />Garcia, Lamberto - New York<br />Ho, Eleanor - Taiwan<br />Magdalena, Joseph - Riyadh<br />Muzones, Santiago, Jr. - New York<br />Noblejas, Dr. Antonio - Wellington<br />Overs, Lilian - Toronto<br />Philippine Community of New South Wales - Sydney<br />Philippine Nurses Association of America - New York<br />United Filipino Council of Hawaii - Honolulu<br /><br />PAMANA NG PILIPINO<br /><br />Besa, Amelita & Dorotan, Romeo - New York<br />De Leon, Bayani - New York<br />Esguerra, Carlos - New York<br />Hizon, Federico - Singapore<br />Pelayo, Libertito - New York<br />Ramos, Dr. Teresita - Honolulu<br />Villarin, Engr. Nilo - Washington<br />-------------------<br /><br /> We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winners and non-winners as well. Please continue your noble endeavor. This list once again proves Ninoy Aquino when he said: "The Filipino is worth dying for".ReadMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16493071955206823653noreply@blogger.com2