Page 2 Page 6 Page 14 Labatt Nenita Garcia An FDH is sentenced goes after an agency to jail for booking the after the Macau police tennis classes of her rescued two Filipinas employer in Sai Ying who were allegedly Pun in exchange for locked up in its flat. an extra $500. Discover the beauty in simplicity of Nagoya, which houses the second most venerable shrine in the whole of Japan, amid the famous sakura or cherry blossoms. The No.1 Filipino Newspaper Vol.VI No.323 April 15, 2015 FDH told to swallow cocaine By Philip C. Tubeza

A Filipina domestic helper who was caught with 1.8 kilograms of cocaine was allegedly told to swallow a portion of it before flying to Hong Kong. A source familiar with the investigation said that the person who allegedly sup- plied the illegal drugs also told the Filipina to swallow a small amount of the cocaine which was wrapped in plastic and what appeared to be brown paper. However, the domestic worker, aged 29, refused and put the packet in her waist, which airport authorities later found when she arrived in Hong Kong on Dec. 4. The Filipina appeared before Tsuen Wan Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei- hong on March 26. During the hearing, the prosecutor said that, of the 2.229 kilos of powder confis- cated from the domestic worker, around 1.8 kilograms was cocaine. “This is a Court of First Instance case. There’s no bail application,” the prosecu- tor told the court. The government lawyer confirmed it IN THE LIMELIGHT. Insurance executive Nick Cousins and former domestic worker Herminia Garcia leave the Eastern Magistrates Courts after the Turn to page 15 tribunal allowed Garcia to post bail on April 9. Garcia is accused of overstaying in Hong Kong and neglecting their children. Former domestic worker arrested after daughter jumps to her death By Philip C. Tubeza tention from across the globe, Herminia of her two daughters. Garcia and her with her de facto husband and two daugh- “She stayed under the radar for 20 Garcia was arrested by the police after 58-year-old British partner, insurance ex- ters. They were living happy, normal years. We don’t have her records here “She will have to face the music.” her daughter’s suicide led to the discovery ecutive Nick Cousins, are not married. lives,” he added. because our records were computerized A 52-year-old former domestic worker that the Filipina had allegedly been over- “She will have to face the music (for the Consul Charles Macaspac, head of the only starting 2000,” Macaspac said. is in hot water after her eldest daughter staying in Hong Kong since 1994. overstaying charge),” said barrister Chris- Assistance to National Section at the Phil- Garcia came to Hong Kong as a do- jumped to her death in their upscale resi- She also faces the charge of neglecting topher Morley, Garcia’s lawyer, during ippine Consulate General, said they were mestic worker in 1990 and finished two dence in Repulse Bay on April 7. her children after the police also discov- her bail hearing on April 9. still trying to retrieve Garcia’s records in In a case that has grabbed media at- ered that she did not register the births “Until Monday evening, she was living Manila. Turn to page 15

PUBLISHED BY HK PUBLICATIONS LTD. TEL: 2851 1766 WEBSITE : WWW.HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK 2 NEWS April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Roldan wants hearings scrapped Migrants call By Cheryl Arcibal the National Maritime proving the accreditation of an employ- Roldan to its next hearing. for lower Polytechnic (NMP), an ment agency owned by the daughter of Rep. Wes Gatchalian of Alay Buhay FORMER Labor Attache to Hong Kong attached agency of the Donald Retirado, a former staff member and senior vice-chairman of the commit- Manuel Roldan has opted to do away with DOLE, on a temporary at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in tee reiterated that they are waiting for the govt fees the hearings and submit a memorandum basis, is represented in Hong Kong, among others. appointment of the committee chairman By Philip C. Tubeza instead to answer the allegations against the DOLE investiga- In an earlier interview, Roldan had said before scheduling their next hearing. tion by a Davao-based the charges were based on the same issues “Yes, he (Roldan) will be summoned in him before the Legal Service of the De- FILIPINO migrant groups in Hong Kong Roldan lawyer. when he was still at the Consulate. our next committee hearing to answer all partment of Labor and Employment. are mobilizing to campaign to lower or to- NMP’s main office He added that he felt that he was treat- allegations,” Gatchalian said. In an interview, Romeo Montefalco Jr., tally get rid of the fees that overseas Filipi- is in Tacloban City, where Roldan spends ed unfairly by Consul General Bernardita Walden Bello, who was the former director of the DOLE’s Legal Service, said no workers pay the government. most of his time now. Catalla. chairman of the committee, quit his post Roldan still opted for a formal investiga- The groups, led by the United Filipinos Roldan ended his tour of duty in Hong “The confidential memo (about the as Akbayan representative following dis- tion, but asked the hearing officer not to in Hong Kong-Migrante, held a national Kong in September 2014. complaint against me) was made public, agreement with the position of his party schedule hearings anymore. consultation on state exaction at St. John’s The investigation was based on a com- but my reply was not made public. I gave over its alliance with the Aquino admin- “The hearing officer still has 60 days to Cathedral in Central. plaint filed by the Coalition of Service them my comments, my reply, but these istration. adjudicate the case,” Montefalco said. They scored the “excessive fees” that Providers for Ethnic Minorities in Hong did not see publication,” Roldan said in a Before leaving office, Bello led sever- Hong Kong News has repeatedly sought overseas Filipino workers have to pay to Kong, telephone interview. al lawmakers, including Gatchalian, in Roldan’s comment, but he did not pick up work abroad. The group alleged that Roldan breached The House committee on overseas holding a forum with Filipino community the phone nor replied to text messages. These include the terminal fee of P550, conflict of interest rules for allegedly ap- workers affairs is planning to summon leaders in Hong Kong. Roldan, who is the officer-in-charge of the mandatory PhilHealth premiums (P2,400), the mandatory Pag-IBIG Fund membership, mandatory insurance, con- tract processing fee ($297.50), overseas POLO wants agency’s accreditation cancelled employment certificate ($20), OWWA membership fee (US$25), pre-departure By Philip C. Tubeza The two were housed in a flat in Ho fees, and the e-passport. Lan Un district and were allegedly Eman Villanueva, Bayan-Hong Kong LABOR Attaché Nenita Garcia has rec- locked up with 25 other workers to pre- and Macau chair, pointed out that the $480 ommended the cancellation of the ac- vent them from getting jobs in Macau. e-passport was more expensive than those creditation of an employment agency The police raided the apartment on of Indonesians. after two Filipinas were rescued from its March 25 after a Bangladeshi worker “Ang passport ay $480. Magkano sa In- apartment in Macau where they were al- who was also allegedly locked up there donesians? $163 lang. Magkano ang dif- legedly locked up. asked for help. ference? $370,” Villanueva said. Garcia said she recommended to the Garcia said the POLO immediately For lost of damaged passports, Villanue- Philippine Overseas Employment Ad- suspended the Hong Kong agency after va said Indonesians also paid cheaper fees. ministration (POEA) the cancellation hearing about the raid. “Sa Pilipinas, pagnagpapalit ka ay of the accreditation of the agency, with “(The agency) failed to undertake any $1,200 at for the affidavit of loss or mu- initials I.W.E.P.A., after the domestic and all acts that may be necessary for tilation ay $200. So $1,400 na,” he said. workers were rescued by Macau police the welfare and protection of the hired “Magkano ang sa Indonesians? $333. on March 25. Garcia OFWs,” Garcia said. Magkano difference? $1,067,” he added. “Hindi sila nagcomply with the policy “In view of the foregoing, post recom- For Filipinos who need a temporary and rules dahil may undertaking sila pero cau after they were terminated by their fered new employment “for a fee.” Bal- mends for the cancellation of accredita- travel document, Villanueva said they nag Macau exit (yung workers). Mali tal- Hong Kong employers. neg and Batay-an said they paid $4,000 tion of (the agency),” she added. have to pay $240. aga yun,” Garcia said in an interview. “After working for two weeks with each to their Hong Kong agency for it to Garcia said the POEA would have “Sa Indonesian consulate, $39. Mag- “Bakit mo dadalhin sa Macau tapos their respective employers, they were find them new employers. The two also the final say on the case of the agency kano ang difference? $201,” he said. ihahouse mo na nakalock up? We recom- terminated. Each one got one month sal- allegedly paid P59,000 to their agency in in Hong Kong and its counterpart in the “Kaya ko binigay na example ito to mended talaga for the cancellation,” she ary, salaries for two weeks, and a return the Philippines. Philippines. stress the point na pwedeng mas mababa added. ticket to the Philippines on March 28,” “They were advised to exit to Macau “May placement fee na binayaran kaya nag babayaran natin. Hindi pwedeng hindi The two domestic workers---Kris Bal- Garcia said. while waiting for their working visa in- doble-doble pa ang kaso. The POEA will pwede na mas mababa dahil ginagawa ng neg and Grace Batay-an—exited to Ma- After being terminated, they were of- stead of leaving for Manila,” Garcia said. have the final say,” she said. iba na mas mababa,” he added. The groups said the Philippine govern- ment collects up to P21,054,000,000 in fees from OFWs every year. They called on OFWs to oppose the ex- cessive government fees, conduct more talks to inform other groups about the is- sue, hold dialogues with the consulate and other government agencies, and imple- ment the “no placement fee” policy, and hold mass actions. They said OFWs should not pay the P550 airport terminal fee; PhilHealth membership should be voluntary and the premiums reduced to P900; Pag-IBIG membership should also be voluntary, OWWA membership should become “life- time,” the OEC and the POEA processing fee should be scrapped, and the passport fees lowered.

The meeting at St. John’s HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 3 4 April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 5 6 NEWS April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Arrested for employer’s tennis classes

By Philip C. Tubeza “However, having heard your mitiga- he said. her employer. tion, clean record, and guilty plea, I’m He added that, in the place where he The Filipina added that she had been AS early as 4 a.m. every day, domestic prepared to give you one chance,” he add- lives, he would often see domestic help- working for her employer since 1998 and worker Violeta Morales would go to Sai ed. ers fall in line in the bus stop early in the her latest contract with him was to end last Ying Pun to book her employer’s tennis Judge Ho said that, if Morales does not morning for their employers. January 30. classes. commit a crime in Hong Kong in the next Court records showed that Morales was Morales also told investigators that Mr. Her employer, Ng Man Kit, was a tennis three years, she need not serve her eight- arrested on Sept. 17 at the Sun Yat Sen Ng started giving her an extra $500 for coach and he paid her an extra $500 for week prison sentence. Memorial Park Sports Centre in Sai Ying booking his tennis classes. The Philippine her efforts. Her lawyer had argued that while those Pun. Consulate General has urged Filipinos ar- On April 10, the Shatin Magistrates’ guilty of breach of condition were usually Lawmen who were conducting an oper- rested in Hong Kong to exercise their right Courts found the 39-year-old Filipina imprisoned, a suspended sentence “would ation first noticed her at around 6:17 a.m. to remain silent. guilty of breach of condition of stay and do justice” for Morales. while she waiting outside the booking of- The Filipina, who was accompanied by sentenced her to eight weeks in prison, al- “This is an exceptional case. This would fice. They later saw her give her I.D. and a friend inside the court room, was teary- though this was suspended for three years. not have happened if her employer was book a tennis court. eyed after Judge Ho announced her sen- “The offense in this case is a very seri- not a tennis instructor,” the lawyer said. When they interrogated her, Morales ad- tence. ous one. An immediate custodial sentence “We should also consider the reality of mitted that she was a domestic helper and “She intends to go back to home. She is the norm,” said Magistrate Ho Chun- the life of a domestic helper. It is difficult that she would go there as early as “4 a.m. simply wishes to move past this very yiu. to deny a request from one’s employer,” or 5 a.m. daily” to book two sessions for stressful situation,” her lawyer said. Shatin Magistracy Terminal fee paying for NAIA rehab--Honrado Unemployed By Cheryl Arcibal P550-terminal fee to plane tickets even In a hearing in February, members of plaints of long queues in airline counters for overseas Filipino workers who are the Senate had appealed to Honrado to at the Ninoy Aquino International Air- Pinoy steals THE chief of the Manila International exempted from paying the fee. suspend the automatic inclusion of the port. Airport Authority (MIAA) said the funds “I am not at liberty to say what the de- terminal fee to plane tickets. The integration of the terminal fees that they collect from terminal fee is used cision is, but we are preparing the answer Honrado had told the Senate then that costs to the tickets began on February from PolyU for the rehabilitation of the airport. to be sent by the MIAA board to the Sen- he would “convey” the Senate members’ 1. OFWs may refund the fee in the Phil- By Peter Castillo Jose Angel Honrado, MIAA general ate, House of Representatives and even sentiments to the board, but refused ippines by showing their EOC at refund manager, said the agency does not get Vice President Jejomar Binay,” Honrado to assure the Senate and various OFW counters that will be located after the im- HE went in to get scrap paper but got out its budget from the government and they said. groups of the suspension of the scheme. migration counters in airport terminals or with $44,000 worth of computers. only use what they earn for the airport’s He also disclosed that there are not “As I mentioned during the hearing, if at the MIAA Administration Office. A Filipino born in Hong Kong was sen- upkeep. many OFWs who refund from the refund somebody could come up with a winning However, various OFW groups op- tenced to 20 months in prison for stealing “The terminal fee is part of the budget terminal at the Ninoy Aquino Interna- solution, why not? If the tech guys would posed the scheme, saying that it was an five notebook computers from the Hong of the MIAA. We do not get our budget tional Airport. tell us that there’s a way to do it, then “additional hassle” and OFWs would be Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)last from the government. We use what we “Kasi konti lang iyong bumibili ng let’s do it,” Honrado had told reporters forced to forfeit their reimbursement. year. earn,” Honrado said in an interview. ticket from abroad or online. Those who after the hearing. They noted that Republic Act 10022, District Court Judge C.P. Pang also or- He disclosed that the MIAA board buy here are automatically exempted MIAA Memorandum Circular No. 8 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas dered Fredjewell Ramos Jr. to pay a fine has taken up on a March 10 meeting the from paying the terminal fee at the POS paved the way for the scheme, which Filipinos Act of 1995, exempted OFWs of $1,000 after he failed to produce proof issue of the automatic inclusion of the (point-of-sale),” he said. Manila implemented to address the com- from paying the terminal fees. that he had a Hong Kong identification card when he was arrested by the police. “Burglary is a serious offense,” Judge Pang told Ramos after he pleaded guilty to the charges against him on April 1. Records showed that the defendant had 13 previous convictions, including 10 for theft and one for burglary. The judge said the incident happened on the morning of Nov. 26, 2014 after Ramos broke into a laboratory at PolyU in Hung Hom and carted off five laptop computers and a rucksack, all of which had a total worth of $44,327. He said Ramos, 36, was unemployed and earned $1,800 a month from collect- ing scrap paper and scrap metal. “On that day, he was to collect waste paper left behind by the students when he saw the computers inside the lab,” Judge Pang said. At around 1:07 p.m. that same day, Ramos sold three of the laptops to a sec- ond-hand dealer for $3,800 in Kimberly Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. However, they were spotted by an off-duty police officer, who informed his colleagues. The defendant boarded a taxi but the po- lice chased after him until they caught up with Ramos in Granville Road. The police found the rucksack and the $3,800 in his possession but he was not able to present his Hong Kong ID. Ramos’ lawyer said his client “was very drunk” that day. HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 7 8 NEWS April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Child abuse raps vs. Teenage Pinoy burglar domestic worker dismissed By Philip C. Tubeza a shower head and a drainage clog which was “somewhat sharp.” gets 25 months BE careful when bathing your wards. The girl suffered a 1.5 millimeter cut in The District Court A Filipino domestic worker was charged her hymen but Glaiza did not report this before the Tsuen Wan Magistracy with to her employers for fear that she would child abuse after her 19-month-old ward be blamed. suffered a cut in her private parts when she Instead, she applied some “cream” on slid while taking a bath. the cut but this did not help. Glaiza later Glaiza C.A., 27, was charged with noticed in June that the victim’s private “Ill-treatment or neglect by those in parts had a “yellowish discharge.” charge of child or young person” for the This forced Glaiza to finally inform her incident, which the Filipina initially hid employers about what happened to their from the child’s parents. baby. Luckily for Glaiza, the prosecution The baby was brought to the hospital agreed not to pursue charges against her and doctors there confirmed that her pri- on the condition that she does not commit vate parts had a cut. By Peter Castillo three of them had pleaded guilty to the “This is clearly amateurish. They took or attempt to commit any crime in the next The doctors later ruled out sexual as- charge. mainly ice cream cans and softdrinks. 24 months. sault as the cause of the injury, which AN 18-year-old teenager of Filipino an- Court records showed that the convicts These are not hardened criminals,” said “The charge is dismissed,” said Tsuen helped convinced the prosecution not to cestry was sentenced to more than two broke into snack kiosks and cafes in Hong Mark’s lawyer. Wan Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang pursue charges against the Filipina. years in prison for a series of burglaries in Kong Park, Tamar Park, and Victoria Park However, Judge Yip noted that Mark in Kei-hong after Glaiza agreed to the con- Glaiza admitted in court that she failed Admiralty and Central last year. in June last year and carted off nearly March last year had been caught carrying ditions he set. to put a mat on the bath that could have District Court Judge E. Yip also sen- $20,000 worth of valuables. two daggers, which led to a 14-day jail Three of the Filipina’s compatriots prevented the baby from slipping on the tenced Mark Anthony D.M., the son of These included an Apple iPad worth sentence. clapped their hands inside the court while floor. a waitress and from Wan Chai, to four $5,800, a Canon digital camera ($4,000), Also, Mark and Zachary assaulted an- trying to hold back tears after the judge Judge Cheang bound her over for months in prison for assaulting another cups and cones of ice cream, a radio, cans other youth at the IFC mall on May 23 last announced the dismissal of the charge. $2,000 for 24 months and ordered her to youth at the International Finance Center of soda, an insect repellant, bottled water, year during a fight caused by “unwelcome According to court records, the incident pay $300, which was deducted from her (IFC) Mall. and $4,100 in cash. glares and bad language,” Judge Yip said. happened in March last year while Glaiza bail money. “You are sentenced to a total of 25 Mark admitted that he and Zachary broke Zachary punched the victim while Mark was bathing the baby inside her employ- If Glaiza keeps her good behavior for months for the six burglaries and four into two snack kiosks and the L16 Café and struck him with two martial arts sticks that er’s flat in Cairnhill in Tsuen Wan. the next two years and does not violate the months for (assault occasioning actual Bar in Hong Kong Park in the wee hours of were 70 cm long. The baby slid and her private parts hit law, she won’t have to pay the $2,000. bodily harm) which is to be served con- the morning from June 1 to June 3. The victim suffered injuries in his tem- currently with the sentence for the burgla- Among their loot were cans of soft ple and near his ear. ries,” Judge Yip said on April 1. drinks and ice cream which they con- According to his lawyer, Zachary’s Fili- Mark’s accomplice in the burglaries and sumed in nearby Tamar Park. pino father abandoned him and his mother assault case, Zachary E.E., was sent to a On June 10, they broke into Victoria when he was still one year old. His mother training center, where he could stay for six Café in Victoria Park where they were later developed a drug problem and remar- months up to three years. able to get $4,100 in cash. ried but the defendant’s stepfather “likes A third accomplice, who participated Fourteen days later, they returned to to drink.” “Parental supervision has been in one of the burglaries, was put under Tamar Park and broke into I Bakery Ex- lacking. He deserves some sympathy,” the the supervision of a probation officer. All press where they got $4,000. lawyer said. HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 9 10 NEWS April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS ‘No mass deportation from Canada’

By Peter Castillo Introduced on 1 April 2011, the tem- ed. So are TFWs who (NAFTA), the Seasonal Agricultural Pro- ments because their affected TFWs are porary foreign workers program allowed have applied for per- gram, or another agreement. waiting in a queue for their permanent res- LABOR Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz low-wage foreign workers to stay in Can- manent residence and Further excluded are those who are idence applications to be processed. tried to allay the fears of Filipino tempo- ada for as long as four years, and once this have received a CSQ exempt from the Labour Market Opinion In addition, the CIC is providing a one- rary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada, four-year period ends, the TFW will no (Certificat de selection (LMO) process, including spouses and year bridging work permit to TFWs who particularly in Alberta, by saying there longer be eligible to work in Canada under du Quebec) if applying common-law partners of international are subject to the four-year cumulative was no immediate repatriation planned a temporary foreign worker permit for an as a Quebec skilled graduates participating in the Post-Grad- duration limit. for them once their four-year stay in that additional four years. Baldoz worker; a Provincial uation Work Permit Program and high- Labor Attache Romulo said that al- country comes to an end. Baldoz said Labor Attache Leonida Nominee Program ly-skilled TFWs; charity or religious though Labor Minister Jason Kenney was “There is no such thing as ‘mass de- Romulo reported that not included in the (PNP) certificate, if applying as a provin- workers; entrepreneurs, intra-company quick not to call the measures as exemp- portation’ contrary to some news reports cumulative four-year limit are any periods cial nominee; an approval in principle, transferees, researchers, and academics; tions, he, however, said these are intended about it,” Baldoz said in a statement re- of more than one month spent overseas, or if applying under the Live-in Caregiver and others for purposes of self-support, to “assist people who are in most cases go- leased to the media. an authorized work break, such as parental Class; a positive selection decision, if ap- such as refugee claimants, or humanitari- ing to get their permanent residency any- Baldoz said she received a report from leave and extended unpaid leave. plying under the Federal Skilled Worker an reasons (destitute students, and holders way” by allowing them “to stay in Canada the Philippine Overseas Labor Office “Citizenship and Immigration Canada Class; or a positive selection decision, if of Temporary Resident Permits valid for at until that decision is made.” (POLO) in Toronto taking note of the re- (CIC) will exempt some workers from the applying under the Canadian Experience least six months. Baldoz had instructed Labor Atta- ports and saying that some workers will cumulative duration regulation,” Baldoz Class. Baldoz further said this reprieve, an- che Romulo and Labor Attache Jaime P. be exempt from the rule that TFWs will said, quoting further the report. Also exempted are TFWs employed un- nounced by the Canadian federal govern- Gimenez to monitor developments, gather have to leave Canada at the end of their Labatt Romulo said TFWs in manageri- der an international agreement, such as the ment, will allow employers to apply for more information to assess the impact, and four-year stay. al or professional occupation are exempt- North American Free Trade Agreement renewed Labour Market Impact Assess- ascertain the number of Filipino TFWs. Pickpocketing grandmother convicted for the 15th time in HK By Philip C. Tubeza The Filipina, who has eight aliases, was accomplice) pushed on the victims back theft,” said Judge Woodcock. also convicted of violating a 1991 depor- so much so that the victim turned around She had also been arrested thrice for BESPECTACLED and her hair growing tation order that barred her from returning and told him to back away,” the prosecutor breach of deportation order, once for white, Lucila R. Avendano could pass as to Hong Kong. Judge Woodcock sen- said. forged travel documents, once for mak- one of the elderly domestic workers who tenced her to a total of two years and four “After she picked up the Octopus card, ing a false statement to an immigration pass their time in Central on Sundays. months in prison. the male stopped jostling,” she added. officer, twice for breach of conditionof But looks can be deceiving.This Court records showed that the crime Not long after, the victim noticed that stay, and once for remaining in hong Kong 52-year-old grandmother has 14 convic- happened on Dec. 3, 2014 at the Central the money in his backpocket was misisng. without the authority of the Director of tions in Hong Kong, including three for MTR station. The victim, who came from And as he turned around, he saw Aven- Central MTR station Immigration. theft and another three for attempted theft. Sai Wan Ho, had put twenty-four $500 dano and her accomplice going down the “Her last convictionwas in 2005 and she And on April 10, Avendano got her bank notes on his pants’ backpocket. escalator. her wallet which had fourteen $500 bank- was deported after her release from pris- 15th conviction at the District Court after While he was going up the escalator The victim suspected that they had notes. on in 2007. She had been widowed for 10 pleading guilty to being one of the two towards Exit C, Avendano was in front of something to do with his missing money Avendano, who later confessed to the years and has two children and a six-year- persons who took $12,000 from an MTR him while her male accomplice was be- and so he chased after them. He caught up police, said she was a fruit vendor back old grandchild. She is also responsible commuter in December. hind him. and grabbed Avendano but her accomplice in the Philippines, earning only $3,000 a for nine nephews and nieces,” the judge “Defendant is convicted of the charg- “(Avendano) dropped her Octopus card got away. month. added. es on her own plea,” said Judge Amanda and she knelt down to pick it up. She took The police arrived at the scene and in- “”She also has 14 convictions in Hong The police are still looking for Aven- Woodcock after Avendano’s guilty plea. her time. Behidn the victim, (Avendano’s spected Avendano’s belongings, including Kong, including theft and attempted dano’s accomplice. Elderly Pinay arrested for her souvenir from USA By Philip C. Tubeza conviction, punishable by a fine of HK$100,000 and/or a maximum sen- A Filipina’s souvenir from the United tence of 14 years’ imprisonment. States got her arrested when she landed Villahermosa pleaded guilty to the in Hong Kong last month. charge and Judge Cheang ordered her Tourist Cecilia Villahermosa was to pay a fine of $1,500. nabbed by the police at the Check Lap According to a government lawyer, Kok International Airport after the au- a security guard at the Chek Lap Kok thorities discovered an electric stunning International Airport saw the stunning device in her luggage. device in Villahermosa’s luggage when “”I’m so sorry. I did not know it was it passed through their x-ray machine at illegal,” Villahermosa, who appeared to around 6:59 a.m. on March 26. be in her 50s, told Tsuen Wan Acting Villahermosa was transiting through Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong Hong Kong from Los Angeles on her on March 25. way to Manila. The police were called Hong Kong laws prohibit travelers and they later confirmed that it was an transiting or entering Hong Kong as electric stunning device. visitors, workers, or residents from The Filipina told investigators that a bringing restricted items, particularly friend in the United States gave her the stunning devices, in their hand carried stunning device as a “souvenir.” or checked-in luggage. In 2014, 81 Filipinos were arrested in Stun guns and other devices such as Hong Kong for violating its Firearms tear gas, bullets, extendible batons, flick and Ammunition Ordinance, the Philip- knives, and knucle dusters are consid- pine Consulate General said. ered as “arms” under the Firearms and “The Hong Kong authorities are strict Ammunition Ordinance of Hong Kong. with the enforcement of the said ordi- Their unlicensed possession is, upon nance,” it added. HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 11 12 NEWS April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Passport ‘errors’ land DFA: Brigildo submitted info from old birth certificate By Cheryl Arcibal that this was the passport that he used to Pinoy driver in jail enter Hong Kong. However, he lost this THE Department of Foreign Affairs passport. By Philip C. Tubeza new passport. “I told him I had two birth certificates (DFA) reminded passport applicants to When Brigildo applied for a new pass- The immigration officer at the airport but he told me that it was of no use be- present proper documents to ensure that port, he presented a birth certificate he ob- WHILE many Filipinos in Hong Kong noticed the different birthdate and middle cause I had committed a crime,” Brigildo their passport entries are correct. tained from the National Statistics Office are complaining about the delays in the name in his new passport and had him ar- said. The DFA made the statement following as part of the DFA requirements. release of new passports, this driver is rested for “making false representation to For Brigildo to succeed in his appeal, the conviction of a Filipino driver for im- He told the consular staff that the birth blaming “errors” in his Philippine pass- an immigration assistant lawfully acting Judge D’ Almada said he will have to migration offenses because he was caught certificate had the info from the original port which led to his imprisonment. under the…Immigration Ordinance.” prove his case, including bringing to Hong with a passport whose details were differ- birth certificate. It was the only document Niel B. Brigildo appealed to the High Brigildo lost his old passport while still Kong the DFA officer who processed his ent from the details in his old passport. Brigildo presented when he applied for a Court on March 30 to set aside his convic- in Hong Kong and he applied for a new passport application. “The DFA has been aware of Mr. Brig- new passport. tion and the jail sentence that the Shatin one when he returned to the Philippines. “You’ll have to fly this person here… ildo’s case for more than a year now,” “Thus, our consular staff was following Magistracy imposed on him for making “That’s the thing. That’s the Philip- What you’re trying to do is adduce fresh Charles Jose, DFA spokesperson, told DFA regulation when they checked the a false representation to an immigration pines,” Judge D’Almada quipped. evidence that was not produced during tri- Hong Kong News. information of the applicant against the officer. “We can’t control the Philippines. We al,” Judge D’Almada said. “When he first came to the Philippine submitted documents and processed the He told the tribunal that he should be know how they work,” she added. “In Hong Kong, you just cannot pro- Consulate General in Hong Kong for as- application accordingly,” Jose said. acquitted because it was the DFA that put Brigildo said that the confusion might duce whatever you want. There are proce- sistance, he explained that his passport To help Brigildo overturn his convic- a different birth date and spelled his mid- have been due to his having two birth cer- dures to follow. If you can do this, I’ll go issue was the result of having two birth tion, the Philippine Consulate General has dle name incorrectly---Bidrego instead of tificates—one showing that he was born over (the new evidence) and I’ll have to certificates,” he added. requested the NSO to issue an official let- Bidrejo--in his new passport. in 1985 and another showing that he was consider if I accept them,” she said. The DFA official said that Brigildo ad- ter stating that both versions of his birth “What he’s saying is that he applied un- born in 1986---after his mother applied for “I’m actually bending over backwards mitted that his birth certificate had errors certificates refer to the same person. der a ‘j’ but the passport officer gave him a new “corrected” version. to give you a chance. I’m trying to be as in his middle name, birthplace and birth- a `g’ (and he) had no choice,” said Deputy But when Brigildo applied and insisted fair as possible,” she added. date. High Court Judge Remedios D’ Almada. on the correct data with the DFA, the pass- The prosecution listed down in a letter Brigildo’s parents submitted a second She said that if Brigildo could prove port officer allegedly told him that their the documents needed for the case and birth certificate when he was much older that he did apply for his new passport us- records that they have should be followed. the questions it wants the DFA to answer. in an attempt to correct the wrong infor- ing correct data, then that might constitute The Filipino also claimed that, during Brigildo brought the letter to the Philip- mation and to facilitate his school enroll- “reasonable doubt” which could lead to his trial in Shatin, he told his duty lawyer pine Consulate General on March 31. ment. his acquittal. about the existence of the two birth cer- D’Almada gave the appellant almost According to Jose, Brigildo also told Brigildo was arrested in January 2014 tificates but he was told that it was “of no one month to produce the required docu- DFA that his first passport contained the after he returned to Hong Kong using his use.” ments and set the next hearing on April 28. info from the second birth certificate and Passport HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 NEWS 13 NAIA baggage handlers nabbed HK Pinoys

By Bing R Jabadan for pilfering cash and valuable items from employees received commendation for the checked-in baggage. their honesty and showing dignity and in- rally for THE Manila International Airport Author- Honrado said on March 26, 2015 at tegrity in their work. ity (MIAA) recently launched anti-pil- around 10:30 am, the MIAA Intelligence Honrado said recognition was given to ferage campaign against baggage thieves operatives caught a certain “ Emiliano” the employees who displayed the true Fil- Mary Jane involving check-in baggage handlers at [complete name withheld while under- ipino values of honesty by returning cash By Philip C. Tubeza Ninoy Aquino International Airport even going further investigation) in the act of and valuable items they have found within as the agency recognized the latest batch stealing a branded sunglasses from a pas- the premises of NAIA. FILIPINOS in Hong Kong scored of honest airport workers who reported senger checked in baggage at Terminal 1. Passengers at NAIA Terminal I Honrado said since he assumed into of- the government’s alleged “criminal and returned lost cash and valuable items. The MIAA chief said the suspect was fice, he has recognized the contribution of neglect” in the case of the Filipino MIAA General Manager Jose Angel caught in the act of stealing said item questioning when required in the course their honest employees and he personal- who is facing the death penalty in Honrado ordered an investigation and shortly before the baggage was to be load- of the ongoing investigation. ly awarded certificates of commendation Indonesia. launched the anti-pilferage campaign, fol- ed into a South Korea-bound aircraft. Honrado discouraged passengers, par- to all outstanding employees during the Members of the United Filipinos lowing the series of reported lost items in He said the intelligence operatives ticularly from international flights, from monthly gathering. He also provided them in Hong Kong (UNIFIL)-Migrante the checked in baggage of passengers at seized from the suspect’s possession a pair placing valuable items in their check-in with complimentary buffet breakfast. held a picket outside the Philippine the NAIA. of Police eyeglasses contained in a case. baggage. Honrado thanked the personnel for the Consulate General in Admiralty on “This is an endeavor that we are starting Honrado said operatives also detained He also advised passengers not to put honest service they render to passengers, April 8 to decry what they said was to help the airlines to protect the checked- for questioning five other baggage - han their valuables in the front pockets and saying that their honesty and trustworthi- the government’s neglect of Mary in baggage of their passengers against the dlers after random inspections of their pouches of their baggage, where the un- ness make NAIA a safer airport for trav- Jane Veloso. unscrupulous staff in-charge of handling lockers yielded assorted valuable items. scrupulous baggage handlers can be easily elers. Veloso was sentenced to death in the check-in baggage,” he said. Investigators recovered from them identify the valuables. “Congratulations to these 29 employees! 2010 for attempting to smuggle 2.6 Honrado said MIAA launched this a gold ring, a pair of gold earrings, a The NAIA chief also asked for the coop- They give honor not only to MIAA but to kilograms of heroin from Malaysia month the Oplan ”DUKOT BAGAHE” G-Shock wristwatch, a Seiko wristwatch eration of the airline passengers in report- the country as well,” Honrado added. to Yogyakarta. led by Supt. Mel Delo Santos, chief of and three more pairs of branded men’s ing any lost item in their checked in bag- Among the awarded MIAA employees “Napabayaan yung kaso at saka MIAA’s Intelligence and Investigation Di- sunglasses. gage as he vowed to eliminate incidents of were Airport Police Officer 1 Veronica kung kailan bibitayin na saka nagha- vision (IID) and Airport’s lost-and-found Honrado said operatives also confiscat- pilferage in the airport. Lian Reyes, APD, lauded by a certain Mr. habol ang gobyerno,” said migrant office after his office received complaints ed from five baggage workers 17 pieces “I urge all the passengers to report to Paul Dupont for being instrumental in the leader Eman Villanueva. that airline passengers lost cash and valu- of assorted digital padlocks which he be- their airline any lost item in their baggage. recovery of his lost luggage at the NAIA “Talagang nagsasabi (ang pamilya able items from their checked in baggage. lieved the suspects stole from the checked To our airline partners, we hope to sustain Terminal 3 on February 2, 2015. ni Mary Jane) na kung hindi pa sila Honrado said the surveillance opera- in baggage of airline passengers. whatever cooperation we have started to APO1 Jason L Cacal, APD, lauded by tatawag sa DFA, hindi pa sila ma- tion was conducted on station loaders to The five baggage workers were released eradicate unscrupulous check in baggage Mr. Tyron Tan, a passenger from Terminal bibigyan ng updates. Si Mary Jane identify employees of NAIA’s accredited to their supervisors with the undertaking handlers,” said Honrado. 3, for being instrumental in the retrieval of pa ang tumatawag sa kanila.” ground handling companies responsible that they will be presented for further Meanwhile, Honrado said 29 MIAA his cellular phone. 14 FEATURE April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Nagoya: Beauty in simplicity

By Bea Santos icacies – from sushi to ramen and yaki- In May 1945, when Nagoya suffered tori. Despite being surrounded by big and from air raids during World War II, most NAGOYA has played second fiddle to seemingly famous diners, we chose to eat of the buildings were burned down. Fortu- more popular Japanese cities such as To- at a small noodle house that, lucky for us, nately, however, three corner towers, three kyo, Osaka or Kobe for the longest time. turned out to be famous for its curry udon. gates and most of the paintings on sliding Bu thanks to amateur tourist videos on We capped the night with a stroll along doors and walls in the Hommaru Palace YouTube and countless travel blogs, Nagoya’s immaculate streets, with the survived the fire, and have since been more and more people are finding out that crisp autumn wind planting kisses on our handed over as important cultural assets. there’s more to Nagoya than meets the un- faces and the yet-to-blossom Sakura trees For tourists who are interested in histor- trained eyes. guiding our path. ical tidbits, the Nagoya Castle is perfect This writer can attest to that. A castle and a car museum for half a day of exploration. Start from We arrived at Nagoya from Hong Kong We visited Nagoya Castle on a particu- the tower, which offers a fantastic pano- around dinner time, leaving us very little larly beautiful day. The temperature was ramic view of the area, and work your way time to explore the city on our first night. between 10 to 16 degrees Celsius but the down the seven-story interior that features This shouldn’t be a concern as the histor- sun was shining, which meant clear skies a number of historical exhibits. Souvenir ical Nagoya TV Tower, the city’s symbol, (perfect for selfies) and a comfortable shops as well as food stalls also abound is open until 9:00 pm. Designated as a weather (perfect for walking). in the area. “Lover’s Sanctuary” in 2008, the 90-me- According to the official website of the We then took a bus to the Toyota Com- ter-high observation deck offers a capti- Nagoya Castle, the citadel was construct- memorative Museum of Industry and vating 360-degree view of Nagoya and its ed in 1612 and flourished as the place Technology, housed in the original red surrounding areas. where the Owari lineage of the Tokugawa brick buildings of the Toyoda textile fac- The city also boasts of many restaurant family, the foremost of the family’s three tory and research center, which is the fore- strips that offer Japan’s most famous del- lineages, resided. runner of present-day Toyota Corp. Divided into two parts, the museum fea- tures early automatic looms and the his- tory of cloth spinning in one building and early to modern-day car production in the Nagoya Castle other facility. We spent the other half of our day in the in Gifu, a city in the south central area of and the beauty of modest living. museum. It was easy to get lost in all the the Gifu Prefecture and serves as the pre- A 10-minute hike took us to the Shi- interesting facts, cool car designs and fun fectural capital. Tucked deep in the moun- royama Viewpoint, which offers a breath- activities that the museum offers. tains is a quaint settlement in Shirakawa taking panoramic view of the settlement. Nature tripping Village that is famous for its gassho-zuku- The oldest and largest remaining Thanks to nonstop drizzling and a tem- ri houses whose grand roofs resemble gassho-zukuri house in the village, the perature of 10 degrees Celsius, our trip to hands clasped in prayer. Wada House, is a private residence, but Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens The houses, many of which remain in- part of it is open to public viewing. Apart the next day became even more mem- habited to this day, together with the ad- from the smoke that filled the house, orable. If the phrase “wet and wild” just jacent rice paddies, blue skies and crystal which apparently fortifies the wood struc- flashed through your mind, then we’re on clear streams are a feast for the eyes, im- ture, we had fun viewing old tools used by the same boat. printing an enthralling image of old Japan villagers in the past. Established in 1937, the Higashiyama Zoo is one of Asia’s largest attractions, featuring a botanical garden and an amusement park. Animal-lovers can view more than 125 species of mammals in- cluding bears, elephants, giraffes, koalas, lions, and tigers, as well as numerous rep- tiles and birds. After spending a whole day taking pho- tos and viewing animals, we barely had time left to visit the botanical garden. The zoo offers a monorail ride, which gives visitors a chance to take a quick tour of the whole place. We also visited the Higashi- yama Sky Tower and rested for a while on the observation decks. The next few days of our trip were spent Shirakawa Village

The view from the Nagoya TV Tower Sakura or cherry blossoms HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 FEATURE 15 FDH... From page 1 understood the accusations against her. Kong as a domestic worker in 2011. At shoe soles and they concealed the cocaine. cant. Under caution, she remained silent,” Plea was not taken. around 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 4, she arrived Customs officers also later found on her she added. was cocaine based on the results of a Judge Cheang set her return day on at the Chek Lap Kok International Airport waist the packet which had 160 grams of According to sentencing guidelines, chemical examination conducted in a gov- April 30 at the Eastern Magistrates Courts, from a vacation in the Philippines. suspected cocaine. the appropriate sentence for trafficking ernment laboratory. which will formally transfer her case to According to investigators, the illegal “Six packets of suspected cocaine were cocaine of 1,200 grams to 4,000 grams With the confirmation, an amended the Court of First Instance for trial. drugs were discovered after Customs of- found inside the soles of three pairs of should be 23 to 26 years imprisonment. charge of drug trafficking was read to the “Since there is no bail application, de- ficers found three pairs of “abnormally shoes placed inside the bag which (Eden) She asked the High Court to allow her to domestic worker, who stood inside the fendant is remanded in jail custody,” the heavy shoes” in her baggage. was carrying,” said a government prose- post bail but the tribunal rejected her peti- dock wearing a pink jacket. judge said. With an X-ray check, the customs cutor after the Filipina’s arrest. tion. During the bail hearing, she denied The Filipina told the magistrate that she The Filipina started working in Hong agents found false compartments in the “The Customs officer arrested the appli- the accusations against her.

The packet of cocaine the Filipina was allegedly told to swallow Former... From page 1 He said the couple had presented in court documentary evidence showing contracts before she allegedly decided that their daughters received education to remain illegally in the city, a source at “four times a week” from a private tuto- the consulate said. rial center since 2008. She later met Cousins, managing di- Among the documents presented were rector of the Hong Kong office of Jardine the school bills and “regular progress re- Lloyd Thompson, one of the world’s ports,” Morley said. leading insurance brokers. Eastern Magistrates Courts Acting In 1999, Garcia’s eldest daughter with Presiding Magistrate So Wai-Tak later Cousins was born in a private hospi- allowed Garcia to post a bail of $100,000 tal, followed a year later by her second while a business colleague of Cousins daughter. posted a surety of $100,000. On the night of April 6, the couple was The judge required Garcia to promise reportedly watching television when the not to leave Hong Kong and report to the eldest daughter allegedly locked herself Aberdeen police station every Monday, in the bathroom and went through its Wednesday, and Friday. window to jump to her death. After Garcia was released, the couple A security guard found her body at came out of the court building holding around 1:45 a.m. and called paramedics hands and was whisked away in a black but she was already dead. Mercedes Benz. “This lady is grieving for the loss of her Judge So set the next hearing of the daughter. If (she remains in prison), she case on June 4. The police earlier al- will be denied the support of her family. lowed Cousins to post bail. She has to deal with the tragedy,” Morley Macaspac urged Filipinas who are told the court. overstaying and have children with them “More importantly, a mother should be to surrender. there for her (remaining) daughter’s grief “They should come out and we in the and loss,” he added. consulate will give them an endorsement Cousins remained quiet during the letter for the Immigration Department to hearing and bowed his head most of the consider,” Macaspac said. time while Garcia was holding back tears Sources at the consulate said Filipinos while inside the dock. overstaying for less than a year are usu- Morley also denied reports that Garcia ally allowed to leave while others have to and Cousins neglected their daughters’ spend time in jail. education while they grew up. “There was one case of a Filipina who “Both of them had a formal educa- had cancer but was still imprisoned,” the tion,” the lawyer said. source said. 16 FORUM April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Editorial As We See it New Graduates IT is the time of the year again. After that break, we hope that you be- On social media we see posts of friends, come productive citizens of the Philip- and relatives celebrating the graduation pines. Be someone we can all be proud of their children. of. To the new graduates, congratulations! Shun corruption and we hope that It is time to celebrate, but remember to through you we rid the Philippines of it. make us proud. Be kind to all living creatures. Be wise in It is a precious time you have now. You your choices, be responsible in your ac- have just proved that you fulfilled all the tions and even what you share on social requirements to be able to obtain your media. degree. Help those who are in need, but also Be jubilant, feel triumphant because help yourself. Save up, invest your mon- you deserve it. Go on and enjoy what life ey and be someone who contributes the has to offer now. country’s economy. Take advantage of the summer, go to Be bold and become an entrepreneur, the beach and hang out with your friends. the Philippines needs more innovation You will only be young once. and creativity. At a certain point, you have to get tired Remember, we are counting on you to of the parties, and the relaxation and be make the Philippines a better country. motivated to show your worth.

#konektadong_pinoy

Luzviminda Norman Uy Carnay LUZVIMINDA , a 63-yr old OFW who Banos, province of Laguna. Currents has been working in Saudi since the late LAGUNA is nicknamed as the ‘Resort 80’s, happily went home April 4 to wit- Capital, Detroit and Silicon Valley of the ness a dream come true, - the graduation Philippines’ and is notable as the birth- Panagutin sa Pagpapabaya of his youngest son, Vincent, who com- place of Jose Rizal. Its also tourist-fa- HINDI pa man umiinit ang sinulat ko buhay. Pero ang tanong, ano nga ang pamilya niya simula 2010 pero di sila pleted a bachelors course in Information mous with the likes of Pagsanjan Falls, noong nakaraang buwan kaugnay ng ginawa nila sa loob ng nakarang limang kinakausap ng maayos. Hanggang nagsa- Technology. Mommy Luz was teary-eyed Mount Makiling, Taytay Falls, Los Banos komemorasyon ng kaso ni Flor Contem- taon? Bakit ngayon, kung kalian pumu- wa na sila at nawalan ng pag-asa. Meron upon seeing his son’s diploma in Infor- and Calamba hot springs, wood carvings placion, heto at bumulaga na ang isyu na tok na sa midya ang istorya ni Mary Jane pa ngang insidente na isang taga-DFA mation Systems Analysis and Design. and papier mache of Paete, sampaguita kahalintulad niya. ay ngayon lang tila may aksyon? ang nagsabi na tanggapin na lang nila ang Asked on why he chose the IT field, he festival in San Pedro, the seven lakes of Si Mary Jane Velasco, isang tatlum- Batay sa nakalap na datos, ito palang kapalaran ni Mary Jane. just said simply, “ because my idol is Bill San Pablo, the pandan festival of Luisi- pung taong gulang na Pilipina, ang nahat- si Mary Jane ay naloko ng isang traf- Biruin niyo, upang makapunta pa at Gates.” ana and the tsinelas footwear of Liliw. ulang mamatay sa harap ng firing squad ficker na miyembro ng internasyunal na makabisita ang magulang at mga anak ni WILLIAM HENRY “BILL” GATES LILIW is the hometown of Medy sa Indonesia dahil diumano sa kaso ng sindikato. Lingid sa kanyang kaalaman, Mary Jane sa kanya sa kulungan ng In- III is an American billionaire business Borlaza, who used to be an outstanding drug trafficking. Itong napakabatang pinagdala siya ng maleta na may naka- donesia, ang nag-patak-patak pa ay mga magnate, philanthropist , computer pro- OFW-leader in the HK Filipino commu- single mother na may dalawang anak ay tagong 2.6 kilo ng heroin. Nang siya ay kapwa bilanggo ni Mary Jane at mga gu- grammer and co-founder of Microsoft, nity until she went home for good. She nanganganib ang buhay ngayon. ma-aresto sa airport, hindi siya nabigyan wardiya roon? Nangyari ito noong 2013. the worlds largest PC software company. headed the group Luzon Federation, who Tulad ng kaso ni Flor, ang kaso ni Mary ng tamang legal na tulong. Ni maayos na Wala man lang ni isang kusing na tulong He was recently in the Philippines, at the is one of the many groups regularly join- Jane ay isa na namang trahedya na nag- translator ay hindi siya nabigyan. Tang- mula sa gobyerno ni PNoy. Mabuti pa International Rice Research Institute for ing and showcasing the cultural beauty of pakita kung gaano kabagal at kapos ang ing sa kamay ng isang student translator ang kapwa bilanggo ni Mary Jane, naawa a private visit. IRRI is one of the recip- the Philippines through joint-community pag-responde na ibinibigay ng pamaha- umasa ang pag-unawa niya sa anumang sa kanya. ients of the Gates Foundation in their events like the annual Philippine Inde- laan sa mga OFW na nakulong at lalo na nangyayari sa korte kaugnay ng kanyang Anong klaseng assistance ang maaas- philanthropic global endeavors, helping pendence Day Parade at the Chater Road ang nasa death row. kaso. ahan sa gobyernong ganito? Kulang na the institute in their research for the va- in Central. Fellow groups come from Lu- Nahatulan si Mary Jane noong 2010. At Ang masaklap pa, tulad din ng istorya nga, huli pa. Hindi ba dapat panagutin riety that can reduce poverty and hunger zon, the Visayas and Mindanao regions sa loob ng limang taon, ngayon lang ha- ni Flor, hindi rin agad nagbigay ng abo- sila sa kanilang pagpapabaya sa mga through rice science. Having the motto and together they bring out the best in the los nakikita ang kilos at pagkanda-kuma- gado para kay Mary Jane ang gobyerno OFW na gipit at nangangailangan ng pro- “Rice Science for a Better World”, the in- beautiful name of LUZVIMINDA. hog ng gobyerno para isalba ang kanyang ng Pilipinas. Pabalik-balik sa DFA ang teksyon? stitute is headquartered in the city of Los [email protected]

Dear Editor

Dear Hong Kong News, Naiintindihan ko naman na may mga pagkakataon Hanggang kalian kaya ang ganitong sistema? SUMUSULAT ako upang sabihin na para namang na hindi maiiwasan ang delay. Hangggang kalian kaya na tiis-tiis lang kami? At tinapat talaga sa Semana Santa ang pahirapan sa Pero sana naman ay hindi ito paulit-ulit. totoo kayang dadaloy pa ang ginahawa? Jeneth P. Julve Managing Editor pagkuha ng mga papeles sa mga ahensiya ng pama- Nabasa ko din na sabi ng mga opisyal ng pamha- Nawa’y sa lalong madaling panahon ay maga- All rights reserved. No part of this halaan ng Pilipinas ditio sa Hong Kong. laan na magtungo kami sa kanilang mga tanggapan wan ito ng paraan ng gobeyrno kasi kung kami nga Philip C. Tubeza Editor publication may be reproduced Una, ang OEC na halos tatlong oras bago namin tuwing weekdays. ang mga bagong bayani ay marapat lamang na ang without the written permission of makuha. Tama ang mga nababasa ko na parang wala Alam naman nilang para sa marami sa amin ay pinakamaganda at pinakamainam na serbisyo ang Cheryl Arcibal Associate Editor-Manila the publisher. talagang pagbabago. imposible ang ganyan dahil sa tuwing Linggo lang maibigay sa amin. Sumunod, maging ang pagrerenew ng passport ay an gaming day-off. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit Corelene B. Cruz Sales & Marketing Executive Published by HK Publications Ltd. kailangan naming maghintay ng tatlong buwan. ganito ang suhestiyon sa amin. Hindi naman bago na Unit 1008, 10/F, Fook Hong Industrial Building, No.19 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon Bakit kaya usad-pagong na naman ang pagkuha ng tuwing Linggo lang kami makakaalis sa aming mga Umaasa, Joko Harjanto Assistant Sales Manager Telephone: 2851 1766 / 3416 3633 Fax: 2858 8979 mga papeles na ito? trabaho. Carol P. E-mail: [email protected] Nin Tang Senior Designer PO Box # 60185 at Tsat Tsz Mui Post Office

Advertisers are responsible for the content and accuracy of their advertisements. Printed by Superflag Printing and Communication Limited NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Hong Kong News will not be liable for inaccurate advertising and / or legal disputes involving third parties. 1/F., 8 Chun Ying Street, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 BALITANG PH 17 Military: BIFF rebels decimated By Maia Lopez the BIFF weeks after the tragic incident in Catapang Jr. said. ping up operations as the BIFF rebels have to track down the remaining BIFF rebels Mamasapano, and the heavy fighting has Catapang said the BIFF suffered 151 now splintered into smaller groups and to in their temporary hideouts inside the THE military has neutralized half of the displaced more than 90,000 residents in casualties, including Yusoph Abesalih, pave the way for the safe return of the dis- Liguasan Marsh area. membership of the Bangsamoro Islam- the country’s southern region. alias commander Bisaya, one of the com- placed residents. “We will continue to hunt down the ter- ic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), including a “We have achieved our objectives in- manders responsible for the Mamasapano Col. Melquiades Feliciano, commander rorist like Basit Usman and his cohorts rebel commander who was allegedly in- cluding the neutralization of more than 50 carnage. of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said who are now hiding outside the conflict volved in the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash percent of their ranks, capture bomb fac- The military chief said 65 rebels were two other BIFF ranking leaders - Nords areas,” Catapang said. Usman, who car- that left 44 elite police dead. tories and the seizure of their enclaves or wounded while 12 were arrested since the Indong, alias Bhuto and his brother Salau- ries a $1 billion bounty, was one of two The Armed Forces of the Philippines safe havens in different Maguindanao lo- offensive began. din Indong - were killed in the clashes. high-value targets during the tragic Jan. 25 has launched an all-out-offensive against calities,” AFP chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang said the AFP will shift to mop- Catapang said the military will continue operation of the PNP-SAF. Malaysia: War could erupt in Mindanao By Maia Lopez Hussein, for his part, said the offshore bases are expected to be fully operational MALAYSIA has warned that war could in Sabah waters fronting Sulu province by erupt in Mindanao if a measure seeking to April, and would be ready to handle hun- implement a peace agreement between the dreds of thousands of refugees trying to government and the Moro Islamic Libera- escape the possible war. tion Front does not push through by June. “If the peace process can’t go through Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hus- in June then it means war. Twelve years sein said Malaysia is now preparing off- of talks and because of one incident, they shore military bases in the Sulu Sea to will have war,” the Malaysian official said handle an influx of refugees if the Bang- in an interview with The Star online. samoro Basic Law (BBL) fails to pass. “If we have a wall of offshore bases, we Congressional hearings on the BBL may have a chance to stop the exodus of have been stopped since the January 25 people, a major concern for the Ministry,” Mamasapano debacle that left 44 elite Hussein added. police commandos and at least 17 MILF Malaysia had previously set up offshore rebels dead. bases near Sabah to repel fighters loyal to President Benigno Aquino III has the Sultanate of Sulu, which sought to re- moved to save the measure by inviting assert its claim over Sabah in 2013. “citizen leaders” who will convene a Na- Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., chairman tional Peace Summit suggest improve- of the Senate committee on local govern- ments for the BBL. ment, has scheduled the resumption of the Among those who have been invited BBL hearings on April 13. by the President were Manila Archbishop On the other hand, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle; former Su- Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the 75-man preme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide House panel reviewing the BBL, said the Jr.; businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel de government cannot force lawmakers to ac- Ayala; former Ambassador Howard Dee; cept its proposal en toto. and peace advocate Rohaniza Sumn- “We cannot swallow hook, line and dad-Usman. sinker here,” Rodriguez said, adding that “This way, the BBL can be improved. the House will stand by its position to re- They will write a report that will be made move unconstitutional provisions in the public, so that everyone may be informed, BBL, including the creation of its own and so that more of our countrymen may internal Commission on Audit; establish- understand the matter. In this manner, we ment of another civil service and human will be able to advance a reasonable de- rights body; and creation of a Bangsamoro cision as regards the BBL,” Aquino said. police force.

Hussein 18 BALITANG PH April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS China alone in its claims-PH Court freeze order on By Maia Lopez he said. “You can assume there is high tech THE Aquino administration said China is equipment involved. What’s stopping alone in its nine-dash line territorial claim them from declaring another ADIZ (Air Jinggoy’s P184M upheld even as the military confirmed reclama- Defense Identification Zone) in the area?” tion work being done by Beijing in seven Galvez added. By Maia Lopez reefs in the South China Sea, including Beijing’s ADIZ in the East China Sea, three that are well within the exclusive which requires aircrafts to provide flight THE Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has economic zone of the Philippines. plans when traversing the area, covers dis- upheld its decision to freeze the assets “No country in the world recognizes puted Tokyo-controlled islands – known of Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connec- that the nine-dash line is a valid claim on as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. tion with plunder and graft charges filed the part of China,” Foreign Affairs Secre- Galvez said there are more than a dozen against him over the pork barrel scam. tary Albert del Rosario said. Chinese ships in the disputed areas with- Estrada filed a motion for reconsidera- He accused China of accelerating its in the West Philippine Sea, which he said tion against the garnishment of his assets expansionist agenda by changing the size, “increase the chances of untoward inci- amounting to P183.79 million but the an- structure and physical attributes of land dents.” ti-graft court rejected the appeal. Estrada features in the South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has The court said there was enough basis Defense spokesman Peter Galvez said downplayed criticisms over the reclama- to freeze assets of the senator based on the cided, but the Sandiganbayan ruled that Council (AMLC) report on Estrada’s China’s reclamation projects in Cuarter- tion projects, saying these were being evidence presented by principal whistle- the freeze order remains valid. wealth earlier showed that P76.4 million on (Calderon) and Gaven (Burgos) reefs done in areas that are well within China’s blower Benhur Luy and the report of the Among the properties ordered frozen worth of cash were taken out of his ac- are as big as the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay jurisdiction. Anti-Money Laundering Council. by the Fifth Division were seven vehicles, counts in the aftermath of revelations of City, one of the biggest malls in Southeast “We are not like some countries which Estrada has been accused of receiving including a Jeep Wrangler, Range Rover, his alleged involvement in the scam. Asia. have carried out illegal building in other kickbacks from the illegal diversion of his and a Ford Mark III van; six condomin- “The remedy of garnishment is provi- Galvez said new reclamation projects in people’s home, and we won’t accept un- discretionary Priority Development As- ium units; a townhouse; four residential sional in nature – a conservatory remedy Mischief (Panganiban) and Subi (Zamo- warranted remarks about work on our own sistance Fund to bogus non-government lots situated in exclusive subdivisions which the court allows in certain cases ra) reefs in the disputed Kalayaan Island home,” the Chinese official said. organizations set up by alleged scam mas- Loyola Grand Villas and Corinthian Hills and, once granted by the court, properties Group (KIG) have also been confirmed by China claims 90 percent of the South termind Janet Napoles. both in Quezon City; and three pieces of of the accused is frozen or held,” Deputy the Armed Forces of the Philippines. China Sea, which is believed to be rich in “As movant (Estrada) has not filed a agricultural lands all located in Lipa City, Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera Galvez said the structures in Cuarteron oil and gas. counterbond and as his arguments herein Batangas. said. and Gaven have even earned the moniker Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Viet- are unmeritorious, there is therefore no The court also moved to garnish more “It is not confiscation, rather it is only “Mall of KIG.” nam and Taiwan have also claimed parts compelling reason to lift the attachment than P15 million worth of shares of stocks the temporary freezing of money to await “It (reclamation) is causing a lot of ap- of the disputed areas. while the main case is still pending,” the of Estrada, his wife Ma. Presentacion and the final decision of the court,” he added. prehension. We know that they are drilling During the Holy Week break, pro-Phil- court said in its resolution. daughter Janella Marie in various compa- Earlier, the Sandiganbayan also ordered but what is it for? The mere fact that you ippine hackers defaced several Chinese Estrada’s main argument was that the nies. the garnishment of the assets of Sen. Ra- are building infrastructure that is poten- government, educational and commercial cases filed against him have yet to be de- A special Anti-Money Laundering mon Revilla Jr. worth P224.512 million. tially security in nature, it is alarming,” websites to protest their reclamation work. Macalintal warns vs. no-el in 2016 By Maia Lopez the implementation of the contract will Macalintal said it is impossible to re- delay the Comelec in preparing for the vert to manual polls as the Automated AN election lawyer has warned that national polls. Election Law does not allow this. there might be no elections in 2016 fol- Macalintal said even if another bid- He described the TRO as a “highly im- lowing a temporary restraining order ding is held, Smartmatic-TIM cannot be practical” move. issued by the Supreme Court against a expected to disclose its technology to the “It will unreasonably delay the diag- P268 million contract for the repair and winning bidder. nosis of these machines and might affect refurbishment of 81,000 vote counting “If this happens, we can say goodbye the timetable of the Comelec to prepare machines. to an automated elections or we will for the 2016 national elections,” he said. Lawyer Romulo Macalintal said the have no elections at all in May 2016,” The Comelec should have six months decision of the Supreme Court to stop he said. to complete the diagnostics and repair. China’s claim P-Noy’s popularity rating at its lowest PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III’s satisfaction nomic classes, by 43 points among those in class in Ulat ng Bayan surveys since he was first rated rating plummeted to its lowest level during the ABC, and 27 points among those in classes D as president by survey respondents back in Oc- first quarter of 2015, the latest survey by the So- and E. tober 2010,” Pulse Asia said. cial Weather Stations showed. However, the SWS poll also found that 50 Aquino’s approval rating fell to 38 percent in Aquino’s net satisfaction rating of +11 repre- percent of Filipinos opposed calls for Aquino to March 2015 from 59 percent in November 2014, sented a steep 28-point decline from +39 percent resign while only 32 percent said he should. while his trust rating dropped to 36 percent from in December, and was attributed to the Jan. 25 Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda ad- 56 percent for the same period. Mamasapano incident that left 44 police com- mitted that the Mamasapano incident may have The Pulse Asia survey, conducted from March mandos dead in a botched operation by the Phil- taken its toll on Aquino’s ratings. 1 to 7 with 1,200 Filipino adults, also showed ippine National Police-Special Action Force. “Very clearly the events in Mamasapano have a significant rise in the disapproval and distrust The survey showed that 47 percent of Fili- influenced the political landscape when the sur- towards Aquino. pinos were satisfied with the President’s- per vey was taken. We recognize that. And moving The number of respondents who expressed formance, down 16 points from the last quarter forward, we will continue to do what is good for disapproval toward the President rose from 11 survey results in 2014. the Filipino people,” Lacierda said. percent in November to 23 percent, while those The number of dissatisfied Filipinos, on the “We know that there are a number of things who did not trust Aquino increased to 27 percent other hand, went up 12 points to 36 percent. that we need to do, a number of concerns that up from 13 percent in the last quarter of 2014. The first quarter survey was conducted from we continue to address. And we will certainly Pulse Asia said a notable increase in the Presi- March 20 to 23, using face-to-face interviews perform our duties - the President as well as the dent’s disapproval rating was seen in the Nation- with 1,200 adults nationwide with a margin of administration. We still have several hundred al Capital Region, up by 24 percentage points error of plus or minus 3 percent for national days left,” Lacierda said. (from 17 percent in November 2014 to 41 per- percentages and plus or minus 6 percent for the Earlier, Pulse Asia had reported that the Presi- cent in March). regional findings. dent’s approval and trust ratings plunged to their Among the geographical areas, the rise in dis- The survey showed that satisfaction ratings of lowest levels since 2010 follow the public out- trust was also highest in NCR, from 17 percent the President dropped across all geographical ar- rage over the Mamasapano debacle. to 43 percent for the same period. Pulse Asia eas, led by areas in Luzon outside Metro Manila. “This is the first time the President has posted said this means that one in every four Filipinos Aquino’s rating also fell across socio-eco- non-majority national approval and trust ratings “is critical of presidential performance.” HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 WORLD 19 Pinay in Indo death Nearly 250 Filipinos evacuated from Yemen row gets reprieve By Maia Lopez ees are also en route to the border from the coastal city of Hodeidah. By Maia Lopez for attempting to smuggle 2.6 kilograms AT least 243 Filipinos and a Yemeni na- The DFA reiterated its urgent call to of heroin from Malaysia to Yogyakarta. tional have been evacuated from strife- the remaining Filipinos there to regis- CONVICTED Filipina drug mule Mary She has insisted that she was deceived torn Yemen, the Department of Foreign ter with the crisis management teams Jane Veloso has gotten a reprieve for sev- and that she was not aware of the drugs Affairs said. at the Movenpick Hotel Sana’a and in eral months after the Indonesian Supreme slipped inside her luggage. Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Al-Sherif Hotel Hodeidah so that they Court agreed to review her case, Foreign Under Indonesian laws, all death pen- Jose said 21 minors were among the can join what may be the last remaining Affairs special assistant for migrant work- alty cases are subject to judicial review latest evacuees, including the Filipino land evacuation being scheduled in the ers’ affairs Noel Fernandez said. despite a Supreme Court ruling. children of the Yemeni national. coming days. The DFA official said Veloso’s execu- DFA data showed a total of 805 Filipi- Philippine Honorary Consul Moham- As this developed, Labor Secretary tion will be stayed until all the legal pro- nos are detained abroad for drug-related mad al Jamal accompanied the second Rosalinda Baldoz said the department cedures are completed. offenses. batch of evacuees who traveled by land is now studying a redeployment scheme Jakarta’s Supreme Court has earlier de- The United Nations High Commission- in a convoy of five buses. for overseas Filipino workers who were nied Veloso’s petition for reconsideration, er for Human Rights has earlier appealed “They left the Yemeni capital city of affected by the mandatory repatriation prompting the Philippine government to Veloso to Indonesia to refrain from executing Sana’a and took a direct route through in Yemen and Libya. seek a second judicial review. convicted drug smugglers, saying that the Hajjah, a mountain city in the north- “Our repatriation to redeployment for The Indonesian High Court said a panel Fernandez said. death penalty will not stop narcotics traf- west, and onwards to Harad, the last re-employment plan guarantees the se- of judges would be appointed and the pro- “That’s the public assurance of Indone- ficking. town before the border. They arrived at curity as well as the economic welfare cess may take up to three months. sia Attorney General that they would let Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the the Tuwal-Jizan border crossing on the of our OFWs. We need to quickly re- “Our guidance is the public pronounce- the legal process continue until all legal Geneva-based agency, said Indonesia same day,” Jose said. spond,” Baldoz said. ment of the Indonesian government that process is concluded,” he added. should exercise its right to grant the con- The 290-kilometer trip was safe and She said Filipino workers affected by they would address all legal issues first,” Veloso was sentenced to death in 2010 victs clemency. unimpeded in spite of a few check- the crisis in Libya and Yemen can find points along the way, the DFA official work in alternative foreign job markets added. identified by the Philippine Overseas OFW killed in war-torn Libya Another batch of 44 Filipino evacu- Employment Administration. By Maia Lopez riously injured” in the explosion. in Libya. DFA data showed there are still more Libyan officials have blamed the- as A Filipino worker was killed during a than 4,000 overseas Filipino workers in sault, which left eight guards dead, on Is- rocket attack in the western town of Zaw- Libya despite the mandatory repatriation lamic State jihadists. iya in Libya, Foreign Affairs spokesman imposed by the government. “These underscore the escalating threat Charles Jose said. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Ro- to the safety and security of Filipino oil The DFA official identified the victim as sario visited Tunisia on March 13-14 to workers in Libyan oil fields which have Jupiter Adrias, a 31-year old worker from encourage more Filipinos in Libya to sign been targeted by armed groups in recent Roxas City, Capiz. up for repatriation and leave the strife-torn weeks,” Jose said. The victim had been working in Libya country either through Tunisia or Egypt. Jose said the recent kidnapping brought for the past two years, initially as a sales- Last month, four Filipinos and five oth- to seven the total number of Filipinos ab- man and then as a pastry chef. er foreigners were abducted in an attack ducted in the North African state this year. Jose Jose said three other Filipinos were “se- on the southern oilfield of Al-Ghani also Three other Filipinos were seized earlier. Filipino steals money to buy food A United Arab Emirates has sentenced a Filipi- pointed the knife to her waist and allegedly said, no to three months imprisonment for stealing 15 “I will kill you. Give me money.” dirhams (about P181) from a Lebanese woman “I told him I don’t have any money on me. I in January. opened my wallet for him to see for himself,” According to the Khaleej Times, the Court of she said. First Instance also ordered the deportation of the The suspect then took the 15 dirhams in her 48-year old Filipino, who was also found guilty wallet before escaping. of threatening to kill the victim. The police used a closed-circuit television The Filipino told the police that he used the 15 footage to trace the suspect’s car to a rental of- dirhams to buy food. fice in Sharjah. The Lebanese victim said she was inside her “We tracked the suspect based on the descrip- vehicle at the car part of a shopping mall on Jan- tions given by the complainant. He was caught uary 4 when the suspect opened the door and on camera running near the spot where she was “pointed a knife” to her face. parked and then he drove away,” a policeman The woman told the court that the Filipino told the court. Maia Lopez 8 Pinoys caught in Malaysia By Maia Lopez were killed during immigration operations by the Eastern Sabah Security Command EIGHT Filipinos were sentenced to four against undocumented persons, the Philip- months jail time after they were caught en- pine embassy in Malaysia said. tering Malaysia without travel documents. ESSCom secretariat division director Two of the Filipino immigrants were Newmond Tibin identified the victims as arrested at Lorong Pujut while six others Nordin Akang, 16, Lahudin Nasir, 17, and - including four women - were rounded up Alex Nasir, 18, of Kampung Bakau, La- in Kuala Baram. had Datu. The Filipinos, excluding the four wom- Newmond, however, denied that the en, will receive a lashing along with their three Filipinos were killed after being jail term for violating Malaysia’s Immi- sprayed with gas during a crackdown at gration Act. the Lahad Datu market. He said the vic- Last month, three Filipino teenagers tims drowned while trying to flee. 20 BARRIO PINOY April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS

Emergency Hotlines Numbers To Remember Pay PhilHealth fees separately EMERGENCY By Cheryl Arcibal collecting fees for OEC and no longer for The contribution covers all qualified le- Hong Kong Observatory Philhealth and PAGIBIG collections. gal dependents of a migrant worker such (Weather) 2835 1473 OVERSEAS Filipino workers need not “We call on our OFW-members to pay as legal spouse who is not a PhilHealth Police, Fire Services, Hospitals 999 pay their contributions for Philippine their PhilHealth premium contributions member; children below 21 years old, un- Police Report Hotline 2527 7177 Health Insurance Corp. and the Home first before going to the POEA for their married and unemployed; and parents who Development Mutual Fund when secur- OECs. This will secure their social health are below 60 years old but are suffering PHILIPPINE CONSULATE ing their overseas employment certificates insurance coverage, as well as that of their from permanent disability. (OECs). legal dependents, for their peace of mind,” Parents who are 60 years old and above For emergency cases, call or text: “Simply put: OFWs who secure their Cacdac said PhilHealth President and CEO Alex- and are not yet PhilHealth members may Assistance to Nationals 9155 4023 OECs will no longer be required to pay ander Padilla. enroll under the Senior Citizen category. Labor 6080 8323 PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG contributions,” payments to the POEA for their OECs. He added that Philhealth counters at the PhilHealth also pays for overseas hospi- OWWA 6345 9324 said Hans Leo J. Cacdac, administrator The new policy of separate payments Balik-Manggagawa center at the POEA talization of migrant wokers, as well as for SSS 2823 8552 of the Philippine Overseas Employment for OECs, and contributions for Phil- in Mandaluyong City, and 27 accredited the confinement of their legal dependents Pag-Ibig 2823 8561 Agency. Health and Pag-IBIG was implemented collecting partners and Local Health In- in the Philippines, through a reimburse- In a statement earlier this month, Phil- starting April 1. surance Offices nationwide will be open ment mechanism. Consulate Trunkline 2823 8500 Health has reminded vacationing and re- The development came about after the to accept premiums from members. Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG requires OFWs Office Fax: 2866 9885 hired overseas Filipino workers to pay POEA decided to implement a single col- OFWs pay P2,400 annually as premium to pay a minimum contribution of P100 Email: [email protected] their contributions separately from their lection policy. The POEA will only be contribution to PhilHealth. monthly or P1,200 annually. Website: http://philcongen-hk.com/ Facebook: Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong Pinoy Muslims in HK call for peace By Peter Castillo Middle East. Announcement Hong Kong GOVERNMENT “In light of recent articles regarding po- JOIN US FOR A FREE FINANCIAL Independent Commission Against tential ISIS and Muslim extremism threat FILIPINO Muslims in Hong Kong have LITERACY SEMINAR! in Hong Kong, we felt the urgent need to Corruption 2526 6366 expressed their commitment to peace after April 26, 2015/ 9:00-5:00 p.m. write this letter of peace to you all,” the Central Government 2835 2500 reports that the terrorist group ISIS was Bayanihan Centre- #55 Victoria statement said. Complaint Against Police 2866 7700 recruiting in the city. Road, Kennedy Town “Moreover, we aspire to exemplify how Filipino members of the group Helpers • If you can’t attend on the date 2200 4460 to 62 we are expected to abide in a multicultural of Islam urged city residents not to easily mentioned above you still have Consumer Rights Hotline 2929 2222 society like Hong Kong’s,” it added. judge people of other faiths, noting that A Filipino Muslim in Central the chance on the following dates: Department of Health 2961 8989 The statement said one must refer to Muslims in the city have lived in peace May 24, June 21, July 26, Septem- sources. There are bad apples in every the Koran and the sayings of Prophet Mu- Equal Opportunities Commission with others for nearly 200 years. ber 27 and October 18 basket,” it said. hammad to understand Islam’s stance on 2511 8211 “The Muslims of Hong Kong have lived • Free hand-outs provided and cer- “We, Muslims in Hong Kong, just like “unjust violence and its ever going push Immigration 2824 6111 side by side with their fellow non-Mus- tificates will be given on scheduled the people of Hong Kong want to contin- towards peace and harmony in every so- lims for the best part of the last 175 years, Graduation Labour Department 2717 1771 ue to feel safe and understand that we are ciety.” and we certainly desire nothing else but to • Please like our Facebook page- Legal Aid 2537 7677 in this together being against any form of “Not only has human life been made sa- continue this peaceful coexistence,” said a CARD OFW Hongkong for finan- Race Relations Unit 2810 3203 violence whosoever commits it,” the state- cred in Islam but property, wealth, family, statement distributed by the group’s mem- cial education, updates and im- ment added. and dignity of all individuals in society Social Welfare 2343 2255 bers. portant announcements “We request everyone not to judge the News reports earlier said that a pregnant are likewise to be respected and protected. Transport 2804 2600 For reservation and inquiries, please religion by the actions of a few, rath- Indonesian domestic worker had disap- Forcing anyone to change their beliefs is Postal Hotline 2921 2222 contact : MARITESS- 54238196 er judge it by its original scriptures and peared and had joined ISIS rebels in the not permitted,” it added. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants GALLERY 2723 7536 The winners of Search Asian Migrant Center 2312 0031 for Ms. Goddess Christian Action - Shine Center of Beauty Aubrey 3188 4555 Mayormita and Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos Search for Mrs. (and other Asian Migrants and Ethnic Goddess of Beauty Minorities) 2526 4249 Annie Jacinto pose with runners up Alliance of Progressive Labor 2770 0411 last April 12 at Club 18 Bayanihan Trust Centre 2817 8928 in Lyndhurst Terrace. Filipino Migrant Workers Union The event was The Fabulous Hottie Models Group held the Search for Ms. FHM 2015 9104-1411; 9758-5935 organized by Cheryl and Pinoy Diva-HK Season 4 last April 5, at Chater Road, Hong Kong. Caballes Gono. Hong Kong Christian Service - CHEER Ce Ms. Aurora De Vera took home the crown as the new Ms. FHM 2015 nter 3755 6811 while Ms. Wenn Guasis was declared the Pinoy Diva-HK. International Social Services 2836 3598 Mission for Migrant Workers 2522 8264 The Bethune House 2721 3119 2522 8264 Helpers for Domestic Helpers 2523 4020 United Filipinos in Hong Kong 3156 2447

AIRPORT AND AIRLINES Airport Inquiry 2181 8888 Cathay Pacific Airways 2747 5000 Cebu Pacific Air 2722 0609 Participants and trainors of St. of St. Anne’s Church-Stanley Outreach. Vice Consul Timmy Guzman asks members of Filipino groups in Hong Philippine Airlines 2301 9300 join us for the next Card financial literacy workshop on April 26. Kong to join the Kapangyawan Friendship Festival 2015. HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 BARRIO PINOY 21 Rites of Holy Week

By Philip C. Tubeza The Stations of the Cross, with its 14 On Easter Sunday, the Catholic com- stations, commemorates the Passion of munity of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in WHILE many left Hong Kong during Jesus Christ along the Via Dolorosa (Way Lamma Island held for the third time its the Easter holidays for vacations abroad, of Sorrows) in Jerusalem before his cru- annual Salubong, a traditional Filipino de- some Catholic Filipinos who stayed in the cifixion. votion that reenacts the encounter between city marked Holy Week with two tradi- The throng that gathered in Lantau on the risen Christ and his mother, the Virgin tional Christian devotions: the Way of the Good Friday was large stretching from Mary. Cross on Good Friday and a Salubong on one Station of the Cross to another. This The parish also hosts the Portiuncula Easter Sunday. annual Lenten tradition in Lantau began in Monastery of Poor Claire nuns. Some Catholics held the annual Good the late 1990s. “This is a testament of the Filipinos’ After the walk was finished, the faithful enduring faith and our celebration of our Friday Stations of the Cross as they trekked The Our Lady of Fatima shrine at the Trappist monastery to the Our Lady of Joy Abbey, a Trappist gathered outside the monastery, praying Lord’s resurrection,” said Catherine Mars- Monastery, in Tai Shu Hang in Lantau. before an image of Our Lady in Fatima den, one of the organizers of the event. Hundreds boarded the ferry to Lantau while others went into the monastery After the Salubong, the community also while others walked from nearby Discov- church, where some of the Trappist monks held a Easter Sunday egg hunt for the ery Bay and Mui Wo. were praying. young ones.

Members of Filipino community in Lamma Island hold their third annual Salubong on Easter Sunday. The Trappist monastery church The Way of the Cross DH: Enjoy fruits and their variety WITH summer fast approaching, the De- • Examples: oranges, lemons, limes, the human body with all the nutrients it a day), but also eat as many kinds of fruit Do this for the sake of your own health, partment of Health is calling on the public grapefruits, pomelos and kumquats needs, eat not only an adequate amount of as possible, so as to attain a balanced and and remind your family to also do the to enjoy the various kinds of fruits in the Pomes fruit every day (i.e. at least two servings diversified diet! same! market. • Pomes have high fibre content which Fruit is rich in water, vitamins, minerals promotes bowel movement and pre- and dietary fibre and is thus very good for vents constipation health. As fruit is available in a large va- • Examples: apples, pears, starfruits and riety in every season, there must be a kind loquats that appeals to you! Melons There are such a great variety of fruits, • Melons are rich in water content, and how much do you know about them? Test are excellent thirst-quenchers. yourself now! • Examples: watermelons, honeydew Berries melons and hami melons • Berries are difficult to keep long, and Tropical fruits go bad soon after being rinsed. Keep • Some tropical fruits are rich in potassi- in the fridge and do not wash until you um and dietary fibre, which help stabi- eat. lise blood pressure and prevent consti- • Examples: strawberries, blueberries, pation, thus they are good for the heart cranberries, raspberries, grapes, per- and bowels. simmons and kiwifruits • Examples: pineapples, bananas, papa- Citrus fruits yas, mangosteens, rambutans, lychees, • Citrus fruits are usually rich in vitamin longans, mangoes, dragonfruits and C and dietary fibre, good for healing of wax apples wounds and prevention of constipation As no single kind of fruit can provide 22 BUHAY OFW April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Maikling bakasyon

KARAMIHAN sa mga umuuwi ay nagha- Country where her father hangad ng mahabang bakasyon para mas ma- habang panahon ang maibigay at makapiling ang pamilya. Kahit isang buwan ang bakasyon ay sasabi- hin pa ring bitin o kulang pa ito sa mga mahals works as OFW : KSA a buhay. By Vilma Ramos kakapatid. Di pa ako ipinapanganak ay kakatulong. journey of hardship and success. Pero para kay Veronica, 29, dalaga at tubong nangibang bansa na papa ko. Sinikap kong makatapos at nagpursige Tumutulong na ako ngayon sa pagpa- Batangas, nakakainip na ang dalawang ling- gong bakasyon. Nuong una, naging maluwag naman ang sa pag -aaral. Ginawa kong inspirasyon paaral sa mga nakababata kong kapatid. Pangalawang beses ni Veronica itong pag- OUR Modelong Ank ng OFW this is- aming pamumuhay ngunit lumaki ang am- ang hirap ng buhay at, awa ng Dios, isa My way of giving thanks to my parents bakasyon dahil sa pumirma sya uli ng pangal- sue is Irene Marzan, who was born on ing pamilya. Ang padalang pera ni papa ay ako sa mga naging Dean’s Lister. for their unending love, sacrifices and awang kontrata sa kasalukuyan nyang pinaglil- April 5,1992. Her parents are Mr. Danny di na magkasya lalo pa nuong sabay na Sinabayan ko din ng extra curricular support, for not giving up on my dreams. ingkuran. Marzan & Mrs. Honoria Marzan of Ba- kaming tatlo sa kolehiyo. Nagkandapa- activities. Naging vocalist ako sa aming And most of all, I thank God for Isang linggo pa lang daw syang nakab- ranggay Ipet, Sudipen, La Union. tong-patong narin ang utang ni mama. school His everyday guidance and blessings. akasyon ay pakiwari nya isang buwan na syang Her father worked in saudi Arabia for 21 Madalas ko siyang nakikitang umiiyak band at sinubukang sumali sa mga beau- nakatambay dahil paubos na ang perang dala years. Here’s her story: at tulala. Baon namin sa eskuwela ay Sak- ty pageants to build up more my confi- nya ng umuwi. tong pamasahe na lang at di na uso ang dence socially. Halos magpa-rebook na raw siya ng flight I was born without him around. My sib- kumain sa umaga. Sa mga ilang sinalihan ko, kahit pano para makabalik na at makaiwas sa gastos. Ha- los sya raw kasi ang nagbibitaw ng pera para sa lings and I grew up without him on our Kung may exam, kadalasan ay prom- nakakuha ako ng titles na 1st runner up araw-araw nilang pangangailangan bukod pa side. Ang sakit-sakit na lumaki kaming isorry note na lang muna. Lahat naman Ms Sudipen, 1st runner up Ms Ipet at 1st sa mga kamag-anak na nanghihiram ng pera. walang ama ang aming tahanan. Subalit sa ng puwedeng pagkakitaan ay ginagawa runner up Ms CICOSAT aside from other Sana raw isang linggo lang ang ginamit nya paglipas ng panahon, unti-unti kong nau- niya. Kami ni ate ay nagtitinda ng BBQ minor awards. sa pag-uwi at ginugol na lang niya yung isang unawaan na kailangan niya kaming iwan pag walang Sa ngayon isa na akong RN at kasaluku- linggo sa Hong Kong. Hindi pa raw sana sya upang maibigay ang isang magandang eskuwela. yang nagtatrabaho dito sa Saudi nakapangutang na kailangan nyang ipadala kinabukasan. At dahil hilig ko ang pagkanta, sumasa- Arabia. Kasama ko na rin ang papa ko agad dahil mataas ang porsyento ng nagpapau- Isa akong youth and worship leader sa li ako sa mga singing contest at sa mga after 21 yrs of being apart from each other. tang na nautanangan nya. church namin at pangatlo sa anim na mag- beauty pageant pa nga. Kahit papaano na- Looking back, it was a great journey, a Marzan Imelda Mae Bustinera Higit na masakit sa ina By Imelda Mae Bustinera Kaya raw pala palagi na lang sasabihin naramdaman at awa nya sa anak. Tinano- kulang yung padala. Nagka ulcer ang anak ng nya ito kung bakit hindi man lang nag- MASAKIT para sa isang ina ang mala- ni Cleofe dahil tinipid masyado at ang liit sumbong. Minsan raw kasing may nasam- mang ang anak ay pinagmamalupitan ng ng halagang ibinibigay para sa mga pan- bit ang anak kay Cleofe at sinita niya ang pinagkakatiwalaang tagapag-alaga. gangailangan nito. kapatid ay halos maghina raw ang anak sa Siyam na buwan pa lang ang kanyang Kahit halos lumang-luma na ang mga kapapalo ng uncle nya. nag-iisang anak nang iiwan ito ni Cleofe, gamit at damit ng anak ni Cleofe, hindi pa Dahil dito, hindi na raw sya uli nagsum- 46 at hiwalay sa asawa. rin ito ibinibili ng bago. bong at baka mas matindi pa ang gawin sa Hindi man lang sumagi sa isip na ma- Nagsisisi ngayon si Cleofe dahil hindi kanya ng uncle nya. Ngayon ay tapos na gagawa ng kanyang kapatid na binata na nya pinansin ang pagmamakaawa ng kan- ang anak ni Cleofe sa eskwela at magta- maltratuhin ang anak, dahil pinag-aral nya yang anak nung dose anyos pa lang ito na trabaho na. ito ng halos sampung taon sa kolehiyo da- huwag na syang umalis uli para magkasa- Pero natanim na sa puso ng anak ang hil paiba-iba ng kurso. ma na sila at sya na ang mag-alaga. galit sa uncle nya at halos ayaw na nyang Ang kapatid na rin ang pinagkatiwalaan Sana raw inalam nya at kinausap ng ma- makasama sa bahay ito kaya gusto nyang na humawak ng pera na para sa pangan- sinsinan noon ang anak nya para nalaman mangupahan na malapit sa trabaho dahil gailangan ng anak. nya ang nangyayari at nailipat nya sa iba ayaw naman nyang paalisin sa bahay ang Lingid sa kaalaman ni Cleofe, sa tuwing nyang kapatid ang pangangalaga sa anak uncle nya. darating pala ang padala nya ay sariling nya. Nitong pag-uwi lang ni Cleofe nal- Sana raw magsilbi itong aral sa iba at pangangailangan muna ang uunahin kasa- aman ang lahat nang magka-usap silang maging mapag mapagmatyag at alamin ma na ang pagbili ng kung anong luho na mag-ina ng sarilinan. ang sitwasyon ng anak na iniiwan at ip- gustong bilhin. Lihim na umiyak si Cleofe sa sakit na inagkakatiwala sa iba.

Ang mahalaga nakatapos

Mula ng magsimulang mag-aral, palaging Maayos mag-asikaso? may medalya ang anak ni Janice na patunay ng pagiging matalino. By Imelda Mae Bustinera hay na aakalain mong siya ang tunay na Pero nitong magtapos ng kolehiyo, nagtaka asawa. ang kasambahay dahil hindi na ito nakasama sa KAPAG may nababalitaan si Ofelia na Nagtataka man ay hindi na lang ito mga tumanggap ng medalya. Nang matapos na pagmamaltrato ng mga anak ng kapwa pinansin ni Jona. Sinabi na lang nya ang programa, humingi na lamang ng pasensya ang anak sa ina dahil hindi raw sya nakasama ina na OFW ay sinasabi nya agad na sa sarili na baka masyado lang marumi sa mga nagtapos na may mga matataas na mar- kaya ang anak raw nya ay ikinuha nya ang utak nya. ka. ng katulong para maasikaso ng maayos Makalipas ang ilang araw, nakita ni Ang sabi naman ni Janice sa anak ay sapat kapag umaalis na ang kanyang asawa Jona ang pagsabunot at pagkaladkad na ang nakapagtapos sya at hindi nagbigay ng para pumasok sa trabaho. ng kasambahay sa anak ni Ofelia. Nang problema sa kanila. Ibinilin rin daw ni Ofelia sa kasam- sumunod na araw ay halos hindi na Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ni Janice na ka- bahay niya na ibili ng kung ano mang makayanan ng kasambahay na bitbitin hit malayo at mag-isa lang na namumuhay ang kailangan ang anak nya. ang mga pinamili na inakala ni Jona ay anak habang nag-aaral ay matino ito. Minsan ay umuwi si Jona, isa ring isa na ang bagong sapatos ng anak ni Ang hindi alam ng anak ay ganun din ang OFW at kapitbahay ni Ofelia. Pagdat- Ofelia. sitwasyon ng kaklase na dati ring palaging may medalya taon-taon. Habang nanonood ay nag- ing ni Jona ay napansin nya agad ang Pero kinabukasan, ganun pa rin ang kukwentuhan ang nito lola at si Janice. pumuputok ng sapatos na suot ng anak suot na sapatos ng bata. Nang bumalik Pauna na raw na sinabi sa lola ng apo na ni Ofelia na papasok sa eskwela. na si Jona sa Hong Kong, sinabi nya hwag umasa ng medalya dahil mahirap raw Kinagabihan nang umuwi ang asawa kay Ofelia ang napansin sa kasambahay yung subject na kinuha nya na katumbas raw ni Ofelia galing sa trabaho ay napansin kaya uuwi raw sa susunod na buwan si “:ng apat na kurso.” Siguro raw kung ibang ni Jona ang pagsalubong ng kasamba- Ofelia ng hindi ipapaalam sa pamilya. kurso baka raw nag summa pa sya. Si Janice ay 42, may asawa’t anak, at tubong Isabela. IMB HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 ENTERTAINMENT 23 Joey Albert, Rhian Ramos, may bagong nobyo nakitaan ng By Cristy Kasilag dinner pero hindi niya ito pinangalanan. Pinangalanan lamang niya ang kanyang MATAPOS ang isang napakapait at kon- ka-dinner na “Boo.” colon cancer trobersyal na relasyon sa radio disc jockey Nakilala na ni Jason ang pamilya ni na si Mo Twister at sa host na KC Monte- Rhian at sumama pa nga ito sa kanilang By Cristy Kasilag ro, meron na naman bagong pag-ibig ang bakasyon noong Pasko. 24 anyos na si Rhian Ramos. Kamakailan ay nahiligan na rin ng ak- MULI na namang sinusubok ang lakas Ang kanilang pag-iibigan ay nabuo at tres ang pagkakarera at mapapansin na ng loob at tibay ng dibdib ng sikat na 80s lumago sa racetrack. meron siyang mga pahapyaw na banggit singer na si Joey Albert. Gamit ang kanyang Instagram account kay Jason, na isang Tsinoy, pero ngayon Kamakailan ay napabalita na nadiag- na “whianwamos,” nagpakita ng litrato na lamang siya nagsabi na meron na silang nose na meron na namang sakit na cancer si Rhian (Rhian Denise Ramos Howell) relasyon. si Joey, na ang tunay na pangalan ay Maria kasama ang kanyang boyfriend na si three- Nung nakaraang taon ay nagpost siya ng Josefina Albert. time Vios Cup champion Jason Chuachuy. litrato na kakatapos lang mag work out. Nung 1995 ay gumaling si Joey sa sak- “I’m in a relationship, a very good one,” Rhian Sa litrato, nasa gitna siya ni Jason at ng it na cervical cancer pero, pagkatapos ng sabi ni Rhian, na minsan na din nakasali kanyang coach. walong taon o nung 2003, nakita na nag- sa FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the Phil- akala na magkaka-relasyon siya sa isang drive ka na ulit kasi yun daw yung way Noon lamang ika-29 ng Marso, nakita karoon siya ng cancer sa colon. ippines at naging Asian Model Awardee hindi taga-showbiz na lalaki. para matanggal yung takot.” silang dalawa na magkasama sa 25th an- Ikinagulat ng lahat nung may nag post nuong taong 2010. Sa kanyang karanasan sa pag-ibig, ang Naging sila ni Jason nuong bagong taon niversary event ni Dra. Vicki Belo na gi- sa Facebook account ni Joey ng mensahe Masaya si Rhian sa estado ng kanyang isang naaalala niyang payo ni Jason ay, lamang at, nung Valentine’s Day, may post nanap sa Manila Polo Club. Magkahawak na: “On January 28, 2015, Joey’s medical lovelife kay Jason. Hindi rin daw niya in- “On the same day dapat ng bangga mo, pa nga siyang litrato na may ka Valentine’s sila ng kamay. tests confirmed that her colon cancer had recurred. Please join us, her Facebook ad- ministrative team, in praying for her suc- cessful surgery tomorrow, March 27th.” “Let’s claim another victory over cancer Claudine Barretto, hindi pa rin makalimutan si Rico Yan for our beloved Joey!” dagdag nito. By Cristy Kasilag ami ang nanuod at na in love sa teleserye Nung ika-28 ng Marso, ang anak ni Joey nila na “Mula sa Puso” at ganun din sa na si Trixie Pacis ay nagpost sa Instagram MARAHIL meron ng ilan na nakalimot kanilang pelikula na “Got 2 Believe.” ng update tungkol sa kalagayan ng kan- sa aktor na si Rico Yan, pero para sa dati Nung Good Friday, taong 2002, nasa yang ina. niyang kasintahan na si Claudine Barret- Dos Palmas Resort sa Palawan si Rico “Surgery was a success and mama bear to, ang ala-ala ng dati niyang nobyo ay kasama ang matalik na kaibigan na si is getting some much needed rest. Thanks isang nightmare o masamang panaginip Dominic Ochoa at girlfriend nito na si to everyone for all the love and support,” na sumasagi sa kanyang kaisipan taon- Janna Victoria. sabi niya. taon. Galing sila sa isang party na kung Matagal ng hindi naninirahan si Joey Ito ang pahayag ni Claudine noong saan, diumano, madaming nakain na sea- sa Pilipinas. Mula pa nung taong 1994, ika-29 ng Marso, ang araw ng pag- food at na-inom na alak si Rico. Rico sa Vancouver, Canada n a tumira sa Joey kamatay ng actor nuong taong 2002 sa Nag-enjoy nga si Rico at naka-10 pa kasama ang kanyang asawa si Vicente Pa- edad na 27 anyos. 29 every year. You are my nightmare!!! Si Rico, isa sa mga apo ni dating For- siya na kanta. cis III. Doon na rin nila pinalaki ang dala- Labing-tatlong taon na mula nang Missing u RY.” eign Affairs Secretary Manuel Yan, ay Pero kinabukasan nung siya ay gi- wa nilang anak na sina Trixie at Margarita. namatay siya sa sakit na hemorrhagic Nung kaarawan ni Rico nuong Marso sikat na artista noong early 2000. gisingin na, natagpuan ang matigas na Kahit hindi na siya full-time singer, hin- pancreatitis. 14, isa ring sweet na litrato nila ni Rico Nagtapos siya ng kursong Bachelor of niyang katawan na tila wala ng buhay. di pa rin tuluyang nilisan ni Joey ang lar- Inamin si Claudine na na-miss niya ang pinost ni Claudine sa kanyang Insta- Arts Marketing/Management sa La Salle. Tumawag ang kanyang mga kasama ng angan ng entertainment at nagkaroon siya ang dating boyfriend. gram account na may kasamang caption Sinimulan niya ang kanyang showbiz ca- doktor at dinala si Rico sa ospital pero ng “The Joey Albert Show.” Nagpost si Claudine sa kanyang Ins- na: “Happy Birthday RY. You will forev- reer sa ABS-CBN Talent Center bilang hindi na siya nagising mula sa kanyang Ito ay isang talk show na binibida ang tagram account ng kanyang larawan na er remain in our hearts.” miyembro ng Star Circle Batch 1. bangungot. mga kwento ng mga Pilipinong nakikipag- nagwo-workout sa gym, pero kalakip Ang litrato ay mula sa isang peli- Unang tambalan pa lamang nila Clau- Hindi makapaniwala noon si Clau- sapalaran sa Canada. nito ang mensahe na “HIT AGAIN! Pang kula---“Got 2 Believe”---na kanilang dine nuong taong 1997 ay pumatok na dine sa balitang namatay na si Rico at Naging abala rin siya sa kanyang itinayo wala ng lungkot. Hate this Day. March pinagtambalan. sila sa mga manunuod na Pilipino. Mar- kinailangan siyang i-sedate. na “The Good Shepherd Daycare,” isang Catholic daycare at preschool sa Coquit- lam, Canada. Paminsan-minsan ay umuuwi siya sa Pilipinas para magkaroon ng reunion con- cert kasama ang ibang mga sikat na sing- ers, lalo na ang dati niyang mga kagrupo sa New Minstrels. Ginagamit din niya ang kanyang talento para makatulong sa iba, tulad sa isang fund-raising concert para makalipon ng pondo para sa mga na biktima ng super Typhoon “Yolanda.” Madaming sikat na kanta si Joey katulad ng “Tell Me.”

Joey 24 ENTERTAINMENT April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Dennis Trillo, nakipagbreak kay Anak ni Bossing, Bianca sa pamamagitan ng text nagtapos sa By Cristy Kasilag Pero mula sa relasyon na yun, nalaman niya kung gaano siya katatag na babae at SA dalawang ex-girlfriends umiikot ang ang kanyang kakayahan sa pag-ibig. mga bagong intriga sa Kapuso heartthrob Kung tila malabo na magkabalikan sila Ateneo na si Dennis Trillo. Bianca at Dennis, tila sa isang dating pag- By Cristy Kasilag Una, si Bianca Charlotte King na naging ibig na huhumaling muli ang 33-taong-gu- girlfriend ni Dennis nuong 2011 hanggang lang na actor. PROUD father ngayon si Bossing Vic 2012. Hindi pa umaamin ang dalawa, pero Sotto. Hindi tulad ng ibang magkarelasyon na may mga nag-iintriga na tila nagkakama- Ipinagmamalaki niya ang pagtatapos hinaharap ang isa’t-isa para tuldukan na butihan muli sila Dennis si Jennylyn Mer- sa kolehiyo ng anak niyang si Paulina kanilang relasyon, sa kaso nila Bianca at cado. Ang sabi lang nila ay magkaibigan Sotto na grumadweyt sa Ateneo de Ma- Dennis, tila sa isang text message lamang na sila muli. nila University na cum laude. nakipag-break si Dennis. Sa katunayan, nitong nakalipas na Anak ni Vic si Paulina sa dating com- Sa programang “Call Me Papa Jack” ng Kwaresma ay parehong silang nagpost mercial model at dating aktres na si An- Kapatid network tila inamin ng 30 anyos Dennis ng mga litrato habang nagbabakasyon sa gela Luz. na German-Filipina na nagkaroon siya ng sikat na island resort ng Balesin. At dahil nagtapos siya ng pag aaral boyfriend dati na sa pamamagitan ng text pinangalanan ang aktor. lema sa kanyang pamilya. Sa isang larawan na kinuha ni Dennis na merong honors, isang engrandeng message nakipaghiwalay sa kanya. Sa mga nakaraang panayam pahapyaw Ang tatay niya noon ay dumaan sa isang ay makikita na parang sa isang restau- graduation gift nag binigay ng kanyang Sa isang press conference para sa na sinabi ni Bianca na nagkahiwalay sila quadruple bypass surgery samantala ang rant ito kinuha at meron isang babae na ama sa kanya. pagpromote ng bagong showbiz talk- ni Dennis nung mga panahon na meron si- kanyang 80-anyos na lola ay nasuri naman nakatalikod. Ang sa tingin nang iba ay si Bagong kotse, isang silver AudiQ3, show--“Showbiz Konek na Konek”---niya yang pinagdadaanan na mabigat na prob- na merong stage 4 na cancer. Jennylyn ito. ang regalo ni Vic sa anak na babae. Sa kanyang Instagram account na “paulinavis,” nagpost ang dalaga ng li- Balesin, may `Yaya’s meal’ Ara at nobyo, may isyu trato nilang mag-ama kasama ang bago niyang kotse. Ang caption ay, “Thank By Cristy Kasilag Quezon City kung saan kumain ang mag- By Cristy Kasilag you Papa for the amazing grad gift.” kasintahan. Pinasalamatan ni Paulina ang kan- KADALASAN tumitibay ang samahan ng Ayon sa nakakita, sumusunod sa likod yang mga magulang dahil sa patuloy USAP-USAPAN ngayon ang sikat na magkasintahan kapag nagkaka-anak dahil ng aktres ang Bulacan mayor pero meron exclusive resort na Balesin Island Club nilang suporta sa kanya. ang bata raw ang tumutulong para maging itong konting distansiya. Sinabi ni Paulina na nagpupursige hindi dahil meron na namang sikat na malapit ang magkapamilya. Ngunit nung hapon ng ika-7 ng Abril personalidad ang ikinakasal sa pribadong sa pagtatrabaho ang kanyang ama para Pero tila nag-iiba ang takbo ng love sto- ay binasag na niya ang kanyang katahi- lang mabigyan siya ng magandang isla na yun pero sa nakakagulat na balita ry ng aktres na si Ara Mina at ang partner mikan at inamin niya na meron silang na meron itong “Yaya Meal.” edukasyon. Balesin niya na si Bulacan Mayor Patrick Mene- pinagdadaanan na pagsubok ng kanyang “To my dad, thank you also for all Habang ang ibang kainan ay merong ses. partner. budget meal or value meal, marami ang How discriminating!” sabi ni Maggie. your generosity and support. I am able Nuong ika-17 ng Disyembre isinilang ni “Para sa mga kaibigan at tagasuporta to get the best education because of nagulat nang mapabalita sa Facebook “Yaya’s, Nanny’s, Drivers, The Help, Ara Mina (Hazel Pascual Reyes sa tunay namin ni Pat, maraming salamat sa inyong account ng 2007 Binibining Pilipi- they are all people too and they should your hard work and I wouldn’t be in na buhay) ang anak nilang babae na pinan- concern. Ang aming pinagdadaanan sa this position if it wasn’t for your ded- nas-World Maggie Wilson-Consunji na also have a choice with what they want galanan nilang Amanda Gabrielle. ngayon ay bagay na hindi lamang sa amin tila may diskriminasyon na umiiral na to eat! I was so shocked that the manage- ication to your kids. Thank you for al- Dahil palapit na ang araw ng kapasku- nangyayari as a couple,” sabi ni Ara sa ways believing in me and supporting regulasyon sa resort na matatagpuan sa ment actually allowed such a rule! I am han nuon, tinawag ni Ara na “perfect gift” pamamagitan ng kanyang publicist. Polilio, Quezon province. disappointed Balesin!,” ang dagdag niya. me in everything I do,” sabi niya. si Amanda Gabrielle. “Ito ay isang pagsubok na nararanasan At para sa kanyang ina na si Angela, “So, I just found out that Connor’s Si Connor ay anak ni Maggie. Ik- Pero bakit ilang araw pagkatapos ng ng mga taong nagmamahal at nasa isang nanny was not allowed to order what she wenento niya na ang kanyang ina, anak binangit ng dalaga na ito ang unang tao binyag ay may nakakita na naglalakad relasyon. Kung anuman itong pagsubok na laging sumusuporta sa kanya. wanted to eat. They told her she can only at nanny nito na si Nanay Belen ay kaka- mag-isa ang 35-anyos na aktres na tila na aming hinaharap sa ngayon, naniniwa- order the “yaya’s meal”! ***, seriously?! in sana ng almusal sa resort. “To my mom, you’ve been my big- umiiyak papaalis sa isang restaurant sa la akong malalampasan namin ito,” aniya. gest supporter since day one. You shaped me into the person I am today, and you continue to inspire me and make me want to be better. I earned this because of you, because of the way you raised me and the way you dedicated your life to me. You never pressured me into this, which I am very thankful for.” Si Bossing Vic ay may mga anak sa iba’t-ibang babae. Pero kahit na ganun ang sitwasyon, hindi niya hinayaang lumaki ang mga anak niya na malayo ang loob sa isa’t isa. Sa katunayan, kasama ni Vic at Paulina sa isang celebration dinner ang kanyang half-sister na si Danica at half-brother na si Vico.

Vic HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 ENTERTAINMENT 25 Megan Young, balik telebisyon By Cristy Kasilag Aminado ni Megan na medyo kailangan yang mga obligasyon sa iba’t-ibang sulok sobrang galing talaga ni Lauren pagdating Ang Kapuso actor ang pinaniniwalang niyang magbrush up sa kanyang acting ng mundo bilang Miss World. sa acting. Magpapaturo nga ako sa kan- boyfriend ni Megan. MATAPOS ang kanyang isang taon bilang skills dahil isang taon at kalahati din siya Pero ngayon na tapos na ang kanyang ya,” sabi ni Megan. “Why not work with Mikael? I mean Miss World, balik telebisyon na si Megan na hindi umarte. reign bilang Miss World 2013, maaari na “She’s really good and she really ded- he’s a friend and I’ve known him for a re- Young. Matatandaan na pansamantalang hin- muling sumabak sa acting. icates her time to acting. Sabi ko naman, ally long time,” ang sagot niya. Kamakailan ay pumirma ng isang taong di nasalang sa acting si Megan dahil Naniniwala si Megan na mas magaling ‘Turuan mo akong mag-act, tuturuan na- “So, it would be interesting to work with kontrata si Megan sa GMA7, kung saan kinailangan niyang maghanda para sa umarte ang kanyang nakababatang kapa- man kitang mag-host,’” aniya. him kasi hindi ko po siya nakikita sa work isa siya sa magiging hosts ng “StarStruck” Miss World Philippines contest. tid na si Lauren kaya gusto niyang magpa- Nung natanong kung maaari bang area niya at hindi niya pa ako nakikita sa ng GMA-7. May mga nakalinya din na At nung nanalo siyang Miss World turo sa pag-arte. makatrabaho niya si Mikhael Daez, sinabi work area ko. So, it would be interesting,” soap opera para sa kanya. 2013, kinailangan niyang tuparin ang kan- “Matagal ko nang inamin sa sarili ko na ng beauty queen na, “Why not?” aniya. Gab Valenciano, ikinasal na By Cristy Kasilag

IKINASAL na si Jose Angelo Gabriel “Gab” Valenciano, ang pangalawang anak na lalaki ni Mr. Pure Energy, sa kanyang long-time girlfriend si Tricia Centenera. Ginanap ang pag-iisang dibdib nina Gab at ng model-blogger-host na si Tricia sa Tagaytay Highlands Golf Club nuong ika-27 ng Marso. Kabilang sa mga dumalo ang kanilang mga pamilya at malalapit na kaibigan tu- lad nila Iza Calzado, Sam Concepcion, Pops Fernandez, Kuh Ledesma at anak niyang si Isabella. Masayang-masaya sila Gary Valenciano at kanyang asawa na si Angeli, ang dalawa nilang anak na sina Paolo at Kiana, at ang family dog na si Rocket, sa pormal na pag- dating ni Tricia sa kanilang pamilya. Akma sa kanyang personalidad, astig na dumating ang 26 anyos na si Gab sa kanyang kasal. Di tulad ng traditional na ikakasal na naka-kotse, nakasakay siya sa isang motorsiklo, Ang kasuotan ng bridge at groom ay gawa ng kilalang fashion designer na si si Francis Libiran. Labing-isang buwan na sila engaged bago ikasal. Kaakbay ang kanyang mga magulang, naglakad palapit sa pastor si Gab bago mag-simula ang kasal. Sumunod namang nagkalad ang bride- --na nakasuot ng puting layered wedding gown---sa puting carpet habang ang mga bisita na nakaupo sa mga kulay puting upuan. May mga sinindihan ding puting kandila sa isang katabing mesa.. Base sa mga larawan na napost online, nakayuko at magkahawak kamay sila Gab at Tricia habang pinakikingan ang ka- nilang pastor. Sa ilalim ng mga ulap at sa gitna ng kagandahan ng kalikasan ay nag- palitan sila ng “I Dos.”

Gab at Tricia 26 ATPB April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS

Horoscope What’s Cooking?

Celebrate the glory of spring with this tasty Procedure: Capricorn December 22 to January 19 salad that will surely satisfy your tastebuds. 1. Boil eggs, let it cool Kailangan mo din mag-move on. Marami sanang pagakakataon Spicy Egg Salad with Pork Floss and with and slice into 6-8 na dumadating sa iyo pero hindi mo napapansin kasi nakapokus Honey Mustard Dressing gives you the right pieces and then set ka pa din sa nakaraan. mix of sweetness and that spicy zing as you aside. take on new adventures after the end of 2. Meanwhile, place winter. Enjoy! in a salad bowl the Aquarius January 20 to February 18 lettuce, pork floss, Ingredients: the eggs, and add Iwasan ang pag-aalala. Madalas ang mga bagay na pinoproblema 6 boiled eggs in the chili powder. mo ay maliliit na bagay lamang. Walang mabuting maidudulot ½ cup Pork Floss 3. Mix and toss with ang pag-alala. 1 medium lettuce, cut into bite size your prepared 2 tsp. chili powder honey-mustard dressing. Pisces February 19 to March 20 By Chef Jay Dressings: 4. Serve cold. Dator Pag-isipan kung ang panahon na ginugugol mo ngayon sa bagay ¼ cup honey na pinagkakaabalahan mo ay aksaya lamang ng oras. Hindi kaya ¾ cup mayonnaise For more recipes, enroll at Culinary Arts Centre kailangan mo nang maghanap ng bagong pagbubuhusan ng ¼ cup mustard Room 502, 5/F #172-176 Winfull Commercial effort? Salt & pepper to taste Building. Wing Lok St. Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Tel. # 28507724 or 28507714 March 21 to April 19 Aries Anak: First day? Ibig sabihin po ba babalik ako Pedring: Siya ang pumatay nun! Makinig sa puna ng ibang tao. May mga pagkakataon na bukas? maganda ang payo nila at kaya ka nila pinupuna ay upang Pasahero: Mamang tsuper, may bayad po ba Senyora: Bakit tuwing darating ako ng bahay, kapag bata? tulungan ka. inaabutan kitang nanonood ng TV? Driver: Wala Inday: Ma’am ayaw ko po kasing abutan nyo ako Pasahero: Kapag kandong? na walang ginagawa? Driver: Wala din Pasahero: OK, anak, umupo ka na, kakandong April 20 to May 20 Taurus Kulas: Pareng Tasyo, Happy New Year! ako! Manalangin. Sa lahat ng panahon ay mahalaga ang panalangin, Tasyo: Oy, Pareng Kulas, Happy New Year din! Kulas: Swerte daw ngayon sabi ng mga Chinese Lalaki: Kapag tayo na, magkasama na nating ngunit higit na kailangan mo ito ngayon. Teacher: Juan, bakit ka na-late? kasi Year of the Dragon daw. haharapin ang mga problema. Juan: Nawalan po kasi ng P500 yung lalaki. Tasyo: Nakow, hindi totoo iyan, puro kamalasan Babae: Pero wala naman akong problema. Teacher: Tinulungan mo siyang maghanap? iyan dahil sa biyenan ko. Lalaki: Kasi nga, hindi pa tayo. Huwag ka excited! Juan: Hindi po, tinapakan ko lang hanggang Kulas: Bakit, may lahing Chinese ba biyenan mo? umalis siya. Tasyio: Naku hindi, may lahi siyang dragon! Textmates nagpasyang magkita Gemini May 21 to June 20 Babae: Magsusuot ako ng yellow. Pedro: Miss talon ka na diyan! May nagpaputok ng ‘super lolo’ at napalabas si Lalaki: Magsusuot naman ako ng green. Pinagpala ka kapag natagpuan mo na ang taong tatanggapin ka Ana: Bakit naman? Juan... Sa araw ng pagkikita, dumating ang hindi Pedro: Para mahulog ka sa akin Juan: Sino ang nagpapaputok nun? kagandahang babae sa venue, pero walang naka- nang buong-buo. Ingatan at pagyamanin ang inyong relasyon. Ana: Ah, ganun. Alam mo para kang manhole. Lumabas ang isang mama na malaki ang green. Nilapitan niya ang nag-iisang lalaki pero Pedro: Naks, gumaganti ah, bakit naman? katawan... naka-red. Ana: Tanga lang ang mahuhulog sa iyo. Lalaki: Ako! Bakit? Babae: Excuse me. Are you my textmate? Juan: Lakas ah...bingi ako eh Lalaki: Ha?! Haller! Naka-green ba ako? Pasyente: Dok, sa tuwing iinom po ako ng kape, Cancer June 21 to July 22 ang sakit ng mata ko. Junjun: Magaling ang tatay ko! Alam mo ‘yang Juan: Pare alam mo bang magaling ako sa Dokto: Tanggalin mo muna ang kutsara sa tasa Pacific Ocean? Siya ang humukay nyan! spelling! Huwag maging superficial. May mga magaganda at mabubuting mo bago ka humigop. Pedring: Wala ‘yan sa tatay ko! Alam mo ‘yung Pedro: Sige nga, spell mo ang ‘orange’... bagay kang hindi napapansin dahil masyado kang nakatuon sa Dead Sea? Juan: Hehehe. Nililito mo ako no? Anong orange Nanay: Anak, kamusta ang first day mo sa schol? Junjun: Oo... ba yun? Yung prutas o yung kulay? pisikal na anyo.

Leo July 23 to August 22 Isipin na lang ang mabubuting aral na natutunan mo. May lungkot Crossword Puzzle talaga ang buhay, ngunit ang mga pagsubok ay nagtuturo din sa atin kung paano tunay na maging matatag. PAHALANG 37 Walang alam 1 Parte ng bahay 38 Tanda ng Virgo August 23 to September 22 6 Paglangoy pailalim pagsang-ayon Magtiyaga. May mga bagay na kailangang hintayin talaga. May 11 Taba ng alimango mga bagay na sadyang pinaghihirapan. Tiisin ang mga ito dahil 12 Binigyang PABABA may gantimpalang naghihintay sa iyo. prayoridad 1 Dating 13 Lugar 2 Suyuin Libra September 23 to October 22 14 Pag-ipit sa leeg 3 Lingon Pakinggan ang iyong kutob. Minsan may mga pagkakataong 15 Putol 4 Mabilis na pagkilos tama ang kutob natin at problema lang ang idudulot ng isang 17 Kauri ng ilog 5 Tinuruan upang tao sa atin. 18 Ms. Capri maging bihasa 19 Nasagi 6 Kapatid ni bro Answer to last puzzle Scorpio October 23 to November 21 21 Marahil 7 Idinepende Maging matapang. Minsan kailangan mo lang bigyan ng 22 Sasang-ayon 8 Taksil 24 Karga sa balikat pagkakataon ang mga tao. Hayaan mong masorpresa ka. 26 Yugto ng karera 9 Kinawawa 25 Patong 29 Tuyong sapa 10 Isda sa putikan 26 Pakay 30 Nilagay sa lata 16 Demonyo 27 Palayaw ni Renato Sagittarius November 22 to December 21 32 Pakikitira 20 Uri ng panahon 28 Sarat May lungkot at hirap man ngayon, hindi ito pang-habambuhay. 34 Baryo (2 salita) 31 Habi Pasasaan ba at darating din ang mas masasayang araw? 35 Disyerto 22 Maliit na ibon 33 National Grains 36 Gamit pang-amoy 23 Utusan Authority HONG KONG NEWS April 15, 2015 27 28 April 15, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS