Page 32 Page 14 Page 12 A COMEBACK. Singer LENDING A HAND. Dennis “April Boy” Lawmaker Emily Lau Regino tries to revive says abused foreign his music career domestic workers can while struggling with approach her office diabetes. for help.

HERITAGE. Filipino children stage an excerpt of a play about national hero Jose Rizal at the The No.1 Filipino Newspaper Vol.VI No.330 September 1, 2015 consulate. Suicide ‘Customs chief victim brought home should resign’ By Cheryl Arcibal THE 47-year-old Filipino domestic worker who allegedly jumped to her death in Shatin on August 19 after be- ing accused of theft by her employer has been autopsied. Vice Consul Fatima Guzman Quintin said the Philippine Consulate General coordinated with the family of Marlyn S. Rimando for the repatriation of her remains in August 27. “Tapos na ang autopsy noong Friday. Results will take time. Usually kapag sa Coroner’s Court iyan, mga three to six months,” Quintin said in an interview. “Straightforward naman ang inves- tigation. Ganoon katagal ine-establish ang cause of death, pero may clearance naman na from the Coroner’s Court for the removal of the remains from the funeral homes. Anyway, ready na ang family to receive her remains,” she said. Reports said that in the morning of August 19, a friend of Rimando’s em- ployer, who was identified as Tsang, visited the latter’s flat on the 19th floor of one of the buildings in Ravana Gar- den residential estate. The woman said that, after going to the bathroom, she found Rimando sift- ing through her bag. The employers of the Filipino domes- tic worker then called the police. Upon arriving on the scene, the po- STEP DOWN. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong call on Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina (inset) to resign during a rally in Central lice interviewed the female friend of on August 30. They also scored plans to increase the tax on balikbayan boxes. (Photo courtesy of Migrante Partylist-HK). the Tsangs who could not say what was missing from her purse. By Cheryl Arcibal and Cristy Kasilag groups in the territory signed a joint state- freight forwarding business.” Inc., U-Ocean Inc., E-Konek Pilipinas Inc., Because of this, the policemen re- ment seeking, among others, Lina’s resig- In April, Lina said he and his family and Air 21. fused to file a report against Rimando. FILIPINO migrant workers here in Hong nation. would be divesting of their shares and inter- Eman Villanueva, chairperson of BAYAN However, Rimando’s female employ- Kong called for the resignation of Customs The joint statement said Lina should be ests in 18 companies, including six which Hong Kong & Macau, estimated that there er insisted on firing the Filipino and told Commissioner Alberto Lina despite the “removed from office because of his failure have business transactions with the Bureau were 900 Filipino migrant workers who her to pack up her belongings. government decision to drop the random to curb smugglings, for his anti-OFW sen- of Customs. joined the rally from Chater Road in Cen- Rimando was reportedly sobbing inspection of “balikbayan boxes.” timent and for obvious conflict of interest These companies are 2100 Customs Bro- Turn to page 16 Ninety-five overseas Filipino workers due to his ownership of several cargo and kers Inc., LGC Logistics, U-Freight Phils Turn to page 16

PUBLISHED BY HK PUBLICATIONS LTD. TEL: 2851 1766 WEBSITE : WWW.HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK 2 NEWS September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Last two months for voter registration

By Cheryl Arcibal the territory. “Right now, easily we can reach 17,000 officials would bring three automated ma- Besides JIL church- Vice Consul Alex Vallespin said the mo- sa tingin ko and we still have two months. chines in various Jesus is Lord Fellowship es, the mobile OVR WITH more than two months to go before bile registration visits to various locations Iyong binitawan ko na fearless forecast churches in Chai Wan, North Point, and was scheduled to be the end of the registration for overseas Fil- in Hong Kong led by officials and staff of na 20,000 most likely [kaya ‘yun na She Kip Mei to register their members. in LBC North Point ipino voters, an official of the Philippine the PCG are continuing, besides the regis- maabot],” Vallespin said in an interview. The PCG had then reported to the Filipi- (August 2 and 30), Consulate General said they remain con- tration at the PCG as well as in the Philip- In a meeting between the PCG officials no community that there were 15,875 new Discovery Bay (Sep- fident that they will hit the target of reg- pine National Bank office in World Wide and the Filipino community on July 27, registrants or 79.38 percent of the target. tember 5), Resurrec- istering at least 20,000 new registrants in House in Central. he said that for the month of August, PCG “From that time kasi until now, kasi VALLESPIN tion Power Christian Sunday lang dito, right now, mayroon na Church International in naman tayong 120 [new registrants]. Last Shek Tong Tsui (September 5,6) and Chat- Sunday, almost the same, tapos sa PNB, er Road on September 20. dire-diretso din,” he said. Additionally, Vallespin said he was told The visits at the JIL churches yield an by an official of the Iglesia ni Cristo that average of 120 new registrants every Sun- another day of voters’ registration of their day. members might be needed again. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 3 4 September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 5 6 NEWS September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS 2 FDHs fined $3K for selling facial creams By Philip C. Tubeza others. “What (Pislaan) was doing was giving it FOR selling on Facebook a facial cream to friends and neighbors. In fact, (Aprong) with unsafe levels of mercury, a Filipino has yet to pay her…It’s a substantial domestic worker in Sheung Shui lost her amount,” the lawyer said. job and was fined $3,000. Aprong’s lawyer said his client was in Eastern Courts Magistrate Chu fact also a victim of the facial cream be- Chung-keung on August 17 ordered Lyne cause she suffered some health problems P. Aprong, 30, to pay $3,000 after she was after using it. caught selling the facial cream to under- “Because of her use of it, she suffered cover customs agents at the World-Wide some changes to her face,” the lawyer House in Central. said. Veronica L. Pislaan, Aprong’s neighbor “She also had certain health problems and her source of the facial cream, was because of the use of this cream,” he add- also fined $3,000 plus $2,000 because the ed. authorities discovered that she failed to re- Aprong’s lawyer asked for leniency, new her visa. noting that her employer had already ter- “(Aprong) is convicted of supplying minated her contract although she was the unsafe consumer goods while (Pislaan) is FACIAL CREAM sole breadwinner of her family back in the convicted of supplying unsafe consumer Philippines. goods and breach of condition of stay,” the Filipina received $570 in marked mon- Her mother is also suffering from breast Magistrate Chu said. ey, she was arrested. cancer. Pislaan was also ordered to pay $963 for Under investigation, Aprong admitted “She used to send $3,500 to the Philip- the government chemist tests conducted that she got 10 sets of the facial cream pines. That’s about 90 percent of her in- on the facial cream which showed that it from her neighbor, Pislaan, who in turn, come,” the lawyer said. contained unsafe levels of mercury. bought them from a shop in Tsuen Wan. He said Aprong’s younger sister just ar- The government initially charged them The two Filipinas denied knowing that rived here in Hong Kong in May but she with taking illegal employment but these the creams contained unsafe levels of mer- has her own family to take care of while were dropped after the two FDHs decided cury and were unfit for use. Taking dan- working here as a domestic helper. to plea guilty on the other charges. gerous dosages of mercury could lead to On the other hand, Pislaan’s employer The case began after customs agents renal failure and death. attended the hearing and, in a letter to the learned that Aprong was selling facial “There was nothing in the packaging to judge, described her as “honest, reliable, creams on Facebook. They decided to indicate that it was unsafe,” said Pislaan’s diligent and caring.” entrap Aprong and ordered three sets of legal counsel. Pislaan, 37, has three children---aged facial cream from her. Pislaan’s lawyer also said that his client eight to 12 years old—with her husband An undercover agent met Aprong at the was only “sharing” the product with her in the Philippines. Her husband is unem- Worldwide House on April 12 and, after friends and was not actively selling it to ployed. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 7 8 NEWS September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS 2 agencies fined for overcharging FDHs

By Peter Castillo In a statement, the LD said Smile Sun- court. The four other agencies convicted this ful placement,” the LD said. shine Employment Limited and Maid- “We are glad that the FDH concerned year were Bagus Employment Agency The LD reminded EAs to “operate in AN employment agency in North Point house Employment Agency Co Limited was willing to come forward to report her (located in Central), Satisfactory Employ- full compliance with the law.” was fined $10,000 while another in Tsuen were both convicted last month for over- case..and act as a prosecution witness. ment & Travel Centre Limited (located in “Failure to do so may lead to prosecu- Wan was also fined $1,500 for collecting charging job seekers. Smile Sunshine is the sixth employment Tai Wai), Vicks Maid Consultant Compa- tion and possible revocation of licences,” excessive placement fees from foreign Maidhouse, which lost its license, was agency (after Maidhouse) that has been ny (located in Sha Tin) and Joyce Agency the LD said. domestic helpers (FDHs), the Labour De- also ordered to refund excessive place- convicted of overcharging this year,” the (located in Kwai Chung). It also encouraged job seekers who are partment (LD) said. ment fees of $2,000 to the FDH via the LD said. The LD said the Employment Agencies suspected of being overcharged by EAs Administration (EAA) received a com- to report their cases to the EAA as soon plaint against Smile Sunshine in March as possible and to act as prosecution wit- for overcharging of commission from a nesses. job seeker. Upon receipt of complaints, the EAA A subsequent investigation revealed that will launch an investigation promptly, the the agency had collected excessive place- LD said. ment fees from an FDH. For enquiries or complaints about un- “According to the law, EAs are not al- licensed operations or overcharging of lowed to collect from job seekers any fees commissions by EAs, please call the EAA or charge other than the prescribed com- at 2852 3535 or visit its office on 12/F, mission, which is set at 10 per cent of the Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, latter’s first month’s salary upon success- Hong Kong. Loan squabble reaches Hong Kong’s High Court By Cheryl Arcibal phone cards that she bought from the lat- ter, bringing her total debt to $12,130. WHO knew that being a guarantor to her After the new computation, she said her friends’ debts would lead her to personally friend reduced the interest to 10 percent. appear without a lawyer before the High “Hindi ako nakabayad ng tubo, at sa Court? pag-kwenta niya ulit $26,530 na ulit ang High Court Justice Louis Chan granted utang ko. Pinirmahan ko, pero noong di- the leave for appeal of Corriente N.M. to nala niya ako sa Small Claims Tribunal, question the judgment of an adjudicator at hindi tinanggap ang kwenta niya kasi the Small Claims Tribunal who ruled that walang ebidensya,” Corriente said. she still owed her friend $13,120 even af- “Kinuwenta ng Small Claims (at) pinag- ter paying interest that had grown bigger bayad ako ng $13,000. Sinunod ang in- than the $5,000 she originally borrowed teres niya. Nag-agree ako na magbayad, in 2010. pero installment na $500 kada buwan,” “I grant leave to appeal because the ad- she added. judicator has admitted that he had misap- Her troubles began again when she was plied the relevant sections under the Mon- unable to pay on time after four months of ey Lenders Ordinance in calculating the religiously paying $500 on the 28th of the amount by the applicant to the claimant so month through the Small Claims Tribunal. the appeal will proceed,” Chan said during “Na-delay ako ng four days kasi may the open court proceedings on Aug. 20. alaga ako, at amo ko flight stewardess. The magistrate also told Corriente to go Ngayon, ginawa ko, sa account niya hinu- to the Legal Aid Department immediately log ko. Tinatawagan ko siya pero hindi na so when the next hearing is scheduled, she active ang phone number niya, pero active would be represented by a lawyer before pa din ang account niya,” she said. the court. Now, Corriente said her friend wants her Corriente’s travails began in 2010 when to immediately pay the remaining balance she acted as a guarantor for her friends of $11,000 who took out a bank loan. Unfortunately, “Kaya lang naisip ko, naghulog naman her friends left Hong Kong without paying ako sa account niya eh, hindi naman hindi the loan. ako nagbayad. Gusto niya iyong $11,000 To pay the bank, Corriente was forced to bayaran ko on the spot,” she said. loan $5,000 from another Filipino domes- Corriente then filed an appeal before the tic worker, her townmate in Iloilo. High Court because she felt that she had “Kaibigan ko ho iyon, Pilipina din. suffered enough. Nanghiram ako noong 2010 ng $5,000 “Nag-guarantor lang ako (sa bangko tapos sabi niya tutubuan niya iyon ng 15 para) sa mga kaibigan ko. Kaya nagpur- percent kada buwan. Ang nahawakan ko sige ako na manghiram sa kanya (ang lang sa pera ay $4,250 kasi binawas na townmate) dahil sa laki ng interes na bina- agad niya ang tubo na $750 para sa unang bayad ko sa bangko. Naloko ako ng mga buwan,” she said. kaibigan ko,” Corriente said. Corriente said she was able to pay inter- “Grabe ang ginawa niya sa akin, sinula- est for 11 months which she deposited in tan niya ang kapitan namin doon sa Pilipi- her friend’s bank account. nas at tinatakot ako na ipapa-media daw But in December 2011, she failed to pay niya ako,” she added. for the interest and, in the following June, Corriente said her employer supported her friend claimed that that unpaid inter- her and had even called the Small Claims ests had piled up and totaled $10,250. Tribunal to complain about the arrange- On top of that, Corriente said her friend ment that its adjudicator approved regard- also added the $1,880 she owed from the ing the Filipina’s debt. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 9 10 NEWS September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS 2 agencies suspended for OEC violations

By Philip C. Tubeza A POLO official said the initial investi- Wan, was suspended after the POLO submitted her new em- being processed. gation showed that the terminated workers learned that its worker, Marissa G.C., had ployment contract. “Pending compliance with this directive THE Philippine Overseas Labor Office obtained OECs and then returned here to already been terminated but she still ap- Labor Attaché Nen- and resolution of this issue, all actions (POLO) has suspended two Hong Kong work for new employers. plied for an OEC. ita Garcia ordered the for verification of documents such as job employment agencies after their domestic “It appeared that they were just having a Marissa was terminated on August 3 but agency to explain why orders and employment contracts (of the workers obtained overseas employment vacation when, in fact, they were getting a the worker still applied for an OEC from Marissa had to obtain agency), including that of (Marissa), are certificates (OECs) although they had al- new employer,” the official said. the POLO on August 9. She was given an OEC when her new put on hold,” Garcia said in a letter on ready been terminated from work. One of the agencies, located in Chai one. The following day, Marissa’s agency GARCIA contract was already August 12. FDH imprisoned for stealing boss’ jewelry By Philip C. Tubeza claimed that they were for her employer’s daughter. DOMESTIC worker Alora C.D. said she Alora added that she was too tired when took the jewelry so that her employer’s they came back from the trip and was not five-year-old daughter could wear them able to put them back in the toilet. during their trip to Shanghai. But in her verdict, Judge Cheung point- But the girl’s earlobes haven’t even ed out that the earlobes of the daughter of been pierced yet. Alora’s employer were not yet pierced. Shatin Magistrate Cheung Kit-yee sen- She also noted that the heart-shaped ear- tenced Alora, 26, to one month in pris- rings were too big and were not styled to on after the missing pair of earrings and be worn by a five year old. necklace, worth $2,000, were found in her “I find the defendant to be not honest room. and not a reliable witness. I find the - de “Defendant, the offense you committed fendant guilty as charged,” the magistrate is serious because it involves the breach of said. trust that your employer gave you,” Judge Alora’s lawyer asked for leniency, Cheung said. adding that she was still paying for the Alora’s female employer noticed that $12,000 loan she took out to pay the fees the earrings and necklace were missing to be able to work in Hong Kong. from the bathroom of their flat’s gues- “That’s a substantial amount. For over troom in May last year. a year now, she has been facing stress and They were later found wrapped with tis- uncertainty and she could not send money sue paper inside a paper box in the domes- to her family back in the Philippines,” he tic worker’s room. said. In her defense, Alora said she took them Since the jewelry was recovered, Judge from the bathroom and put them inside her Cheung sentenced Alora to one month im- backpack for their trip to Shanghai. She prisonment. Overstayer gets 6 months after ‘ridiculous’ alibi By Philip C. Tubeza Her lawyer said Suzette came back to look for a new employer. She was WHO are you kidding? allowed to stay for three days but she A former domestic helper was sen- did not go back to the Philippines after- tenced to six months in prison after she wards because she supposedly had no overstayed in Hong Kong for six years. return ticket. Shatin Deputy Magistrate Jolie Chao Her lawyer also claimed that she on August 20 gave Filipina Suzette N. a did not take any employment in the full prison term of six months for over- last six years. He added that Suzette staying in Hong Kong since 2009. surrendered on August 18 after being Although the worker voluntarily sur- convinced by her friends, who also sup- rendered to immigration authorities and posedly gave her money for the flight pleaded guilty in court, the judge did home. Judge Chao was not convinced. not give her a discount after doubting “I do not accept your explanation of her reasons for staying in Hong Kong. having insufficient funds to return (to Suzette had claimed that she failed to the Philippines). You overstayed for six go home because she had no money to years and four months which is a very pay her air ticket. long period of time,” Chao said. “This is wholly ridiculous…Don’t “It is very suspicious….what you’re you think her expenses (for the air tick- doing here (but) I give you the benefit et) is less than what she spent (living in of doubt. Immediate imprisonment is Hong Kong) for six years?” Chao told inevitable,” she added. the worker’s lawyer. The 47-year-old Filipino woman had Suzette first came here to work as a been separated from her husband for domestic helper in 2003 but she got ter- the last 17 years. They have two sons— minated and returned here as a tourist aged 22 and 24---who are “casual on April 5, 2009. workers” in the Philippines. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 11 12 NEWS September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS PSA: Number of Pinoy marriages in decline By Cheryl Arcibal

THE number of registered marriages in the Philippines has been declining in the last five years, resulting in more children being considered as illegitimate, officials from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. “For the past five years, marriage statis- tics are declining. Ayaw nang magpakasal and the illegitimate [children], tumataas ang birth [registration]. The illegitimate children are increasing. Talagang con- sistent ang record,” said Lourdes Hufana, BERSALES and HUFANA Interim National Assistant Statistician at the PSA. two-percent decline from the 492,254 of the 2013 National Demographic and Under the Family Code of the Philip- marriages recorded in 2009. Health Survey (NDHS),” the PSA said. pines, a child is considered illegitimate if In 2011, meanwhile, marriages record- “Among young adult women age 20 to they are born to couples who or not legally ed by the PSA were 476,408, 1.3-percent 24, 43 percent are already mothers and married or to those in common-law mar- lower from 2010. four percent are pregnant with their first riages. In comparison, from 2000 to 2010, the child,” the PSA added. Hufana and Dr. Lisa Grace Bersales, average annual growth rate of population The report also noted that early pregnan- National Statistician and Civil Regis- in the Philippines was 1.9 percent. cy is more common among young adult trar-General at the PSA, were the resource “Gusto kong sabihin na kumokonti ang women age 15 to 24 with less education persons for “Rehistrado ka na ba? (A Fo- nagpapakasal. At sa ngayon, tumataas at than among those with higher education. rum on Civil Registration)” held at the dumadami ang teenage pregnancies,” Ber- “The proportion of young adult women Philippine Consulate General on August sales said. who have begun childbearing is higher 16. A report from the PSA dated August 28, among those classified as belonging to Hufana added that in the Philippines, 2014 stated that one in 10 Filipino women poor households than those in wealthier data showed that “one in three children is aged 15 to 19 had begun childbearing. households (37 percent for young wom- illegitimate.” “Eight percent are already mothers and en in the lowest wealth quintile versus 13 PSA data showed that in 2010, there another two percent are pregnant with percent for women in the highest wealth were 482,480 registered marriages, a their first child according to the results quintile),” the PSA said. Pinoy kids perform Rizal play excerpt By Cheryl Arcibal

TO CELEBRATE “Buwan ng Wika,” a theater group composed of Filipino chil- dren in Hong Kong performed an excerpt of the play about Jose Rizal at the Philip- pine Consulate General on August 31. Consul-General Bernardita Catalla said the theatre group Teatro Filipino was an offshoot of the Sentro Rizal project of the Philippine government, which seeks to in- troduce Filipino culture and traditions to Filipino youth living overseas. Cathe Tating-Marsden, who trained the kids, and wrote the play, said many of the 30 Filipino children who joined the group TEATRO FILIPINO MEMBERS and workshop training, were not fluent in Filipino. June 2016 in time for the Filipino com- tayong ibang wikang nalalaman dahil ito “They don’t speak the language. They munity’s Philippine Independence Day ay isang bentahe din kung titira tayo sa don’t understand Filipino. Iilan lang ang celebration. ibang bansa,” Catalla said. marunong magsalita ng Filipino,” Mars- Catalla said that while Filipinos learn Marsden said the rehearsal of the group den said. other languages, they must also learn to for the full play will resume again in Octo- “Ngayon, nakita ninyo na ang full play love Filipino languages and dialects. ber, once the full script is completed. namin ay Tagalog, and they said [their “Napaka-encouraging nito na tayo, bi- She also appealed to Filipinos who lines] with expression, with feelings. lang mga Pilipino, ay nagkakaisa na gu- watched the performance to support the Naiintindihan nila because as we went magamit tayo ng isang wikang Filipina theatre group. through the script, I made sure that they na binuo mula sa isang wikang Tagalog at “Kailangan namin ng help. Kung sino understood what a Filipino family is, ano iba-iba pang wika sa ating bayan...Kung ang gustong tumulong sa amin dahil gusto ang values natin, our heritage,” she said. ang salita ay galing sa Bicolano o Ce- namin na next year, sa isang theater kami “Ito ang target natin sa Sentro Rizal, to buano o Waray, iyan po ay parte ng ating magtanghal. We are targeting to have it in educate our young Filipinos kung ano ang wika,” she said. a theater sana so we can cater to a lot of traditions natin, culture natin. Kasi dito sa “Para sa mga kabataan, ipinapaalala ko kids,” she said. Hong Kong, hindi na nila malalaman iyon lang na importante po na habang nasa ba- The excerpt of the play showed the Fil- if they grow up and live here,” she added. hay importante na alam natin ang wika na- ipino youths acting, dancing to, and sing- The full Rizal musical will be staged in tin at napaka-importante din na mayroon ing folk dances and folk songs. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 13 14 NEWS September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Lawmaker tells FDHs: ‘I’m ready to help maltreated FDHs’

By Cheryl Arcibal Lau and the delegation were previous- agencies? I certainly hope the Indonesian illegal fees charged by these agencies. ly in Manila from Aug. 2-5 and met with government would really carry it out, and Allan Bell, chair for Domestic Workers LEGISLATIVE Council member Emily Philippine labor officials and other stake- I would certainly encourage the Philippine Roundtable and one of those who accom- Lau has urged foreign domestic workers holders to improve the working conditions government to do it as well so that the sys- panied Lau to the Manila and Jakarta vis- (FDHs) in the territory to come to her of FDHs in Hong Kong. tem can be improved,” Lau added. its, said he is disappointed with the per- should they face abuse or maltreatment The lawmaker said that from the dis- On the other hand, the lawmaker said formance of the Employment Agencies from their employers. cussions they had with officials of Manila she hopes Jakarta will come out with Administration (EAA), which is under the “If you have problems, bring them for- and Jakarta, the two states will continue to an estimated amount of how much Indo- Labour Department. ward. I think that’s the right way to deal send workers to Hong Kong. nesian domestic workers should only be He cited the case of Erwiana Sulist- with it, to begin to deal with it. As I said, “I told them very clearly that we, in paying legally as regards costs of being yangsih’s agency which was found to have all these years, all the time, when I meet Hong Kong, are very grateful for the deployed to Hong Kong. confiscated Erwiana’s passport and Hong the foreign domestic workers, they all say contribution of domestic workers. In Manila has estimated that the legitimate Kong identity card upon her arrival and ‘Hi ma’am’, so they know me. So I said Hong Kong, we will have a continuing expenses of Filipinos seeking to work as which did nothing to help her when she [to them] ‘Anytime you have any prob- demand for workers and for good, well- domestic workers overseas should only be reported the abuse that she suffered from lem, come to me, [but they] never [came]. trained workers. So let us work together P15,000 or about $2,500. the hands of her employer. “But I understand the difficulties they since your government’s policy in sending LAU “We did not get a similar thing from In- “There’s strong recognition that agents, face, but even then, you should encourage people overseas to work will continue. So donesia. I hope they will work on that and for one reason or another, seem to be a them to come forward if you have all these let’s make sure that they work in a very online rating system that will allow Indo- make the whole thing more transparent problem,” Bell said. cases and these problems,” Lau said in a safe environment,” said Lau. nesian domestic workers and their Hong so people would know what is expected,” “Why? Apparently, they’re making a briefing on August 19 about her and the Although Manila and Jakarta expressed Kong employers to anonymously rate Lau said. lot of money at the expense of some poor other members of her delegation who vis- their concern about the well-being of their placement/recruitment agencies. Under Hong Kong laws, a placement women in some urban and rural areas in ited Indonesia on Aug. 10-12 to meet with citizens who work as household service “This rating system for employment agency could only charge up to 10 percent the Philippines and Indonesia and that Indonesian officials. workers in Hong Kong, Lau said Hong agencies, I think, is terrific. When you of the helper’s first month salary. seems to be leaving a bad taste in every- Lau’s office said she could be reached Kong must do its part to improve the go to lunch or dinner, [you consult an However, foreign domestic workers of- one’s mouths and we don’t understand through her e-mail address elau@dphk. working conditions of domestic workers. app] and see ratings. If you can rate res- ten end up losing their salary for a year why these agencies can not be better mon- org. She said Indonesia will soon roll out an taurants, why can’t you rate employment so as to pay off debts incurred owing to itored and regulated,” he added. NBI probes ‘OWWA loan’ fraud By Philip C. Tubeza

LABOR officials have sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to track down the persons behind a fraudulent Facebook page that duped at least five domestic workers in Hong Kong. Labor Attache Nenita Garcia said they sought the help of the NBI after the cul- prits put up the bogus Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) FB page and allegedly offered loans of up to P200,000 if the applicants would first pay $1,000 to $2,0000. “May OFWs dito na nagbayad $1,000 to $2,000. Ang sabi, makakautang sa OWWA kung magbibigay sila. We also got a similar report from Macau,” she said. OWWA welfare officer Judith Santos said the bogus OWWA page, which has now been taken down, used a picture of a recent meeting of ranking labor officials in Central Luzon as its cover photo. “So, we believe that the culprit or one of the culprits was there. That picture was not an official OWWA photo,” Santos said.

The bogus OWWA FB page HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 15 16 NEWS September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Customs... Suicide... From page 1 items inside the balikbayan box so that they From page 1 could already do a “pre-clear” or be able to tral to the Philippine Consulate General in check prior to the arrival of the shipment, if while packing up her things, and sud- Admiralty. everything is in order. denly opened a window and jumped Deputy Consul General Christian de Je- He would also like to have an OFW group from the flat, falling on a platform be- sus received the group’s petition. representative to be assigned to his office to low. Meanwhile, Migrante Partylist - HK said assist in assessing the contents of a suspi- She was declared dead in a hospital. Lina should not have been appointed to his cious package. A suicide post as BoC chief due to conflict of interest. The bureau is set to issue by September Ken Au of the Newsroom of the Po- “This preposterous proposal by Lina and 4 the revised regulations on the balikbayan lice Public Relations Branch told Hong the BoC really emanates from Malacañang, boxes. Kong News in a telephone interview which is now doing damage-control and is BOC Deputy Commissioner for Revenue that Rimando’s death is being treated as pretending to backtrack due to public pres- Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG) Ar- a suicide case. sure but essentially maintaining its stance Protesters call for Lina’s resignation. turo Lachica had said that they are currently He confirmed that there were police- on generating funds from OFWs. We will in the process of finalizing the revised rules men in the Tsangs’ flat before Rimando these container vans would not lead to the not be fooled into complacency by this spot checks, President Aquino and Finance on the treatment of the inspection of these leaped from it. delayed release of the shipment nor would trickery,” said Vicky Casia-Cabantac of Mi- Secretary Cesar Purisima talked to Lina and boxes. “The case is classified as suicide. it result in port congestion. grante Partylist – HK. they announced that the government would “We are in the process of finalizing it. There is no suspicion [of foul play] in He plans to acquire additional x-ray Cabantac said that while they believe that no longer push through with the random The only thing missing is that we want to the case,” Au said. machines, more than 200 close circuit tel- partially stopping the random opening of opening of balikbayan boxes. consolidate with the people in the field, just Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr., Assis- evision (CCTV) cameras, and would lease balikbayan boxes is a gain for Filipino mi- And so instead of the random check, the in case there is something that we forgot to tance to Nationals officer at the PCG, dogs trained to sniff out illegal drugs and grants, the threat of taxation stemming from BoC will inspect all container vans carrying include,” said Lachica. said Rimando’s remains were flown explosives. the BoC’s revenue target of P600 million balikbayan boxes. There would be a meeting on Tuesday back to the Philippines. To ensure that the rights of OFWs are ob- from boxes of OFWs is still present. All the estimated 1,500 container vans (Sept. 1) and the draft regulation might be “Noong umagang nabalita iyong kay served, a representative from the Overseas To demonstrate their condemnation, that arrive daily in the country would have signed by the Customs Commissioner on Rimando, pinuntahan namin ni Vice Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) some OFWs took part in a “Zero Remit- to go through x-ray machines. Wednesday. Consul (Quintin). Andoon din iyong hi- would be present when a questionable cargo tance Day” on August 28, to show that the The BoC has about 40 x-ray machines. When asked if there would be an increase pag [ng bikitima],” said Cayabyab. is opened. money they send to their families would af- One consolidated container van can accom- in the taxes paid by the OFWs, he declined Rimando’s sister-in-law is also a do- He is also encouraging OFWs to make fect the Philippine economy. modate 400 to 440 balikbayan boxes. to comment and said to wait until the regu- mestic worker in Hong Kong. a packing list and send the invoice of the Realizing the public backlash against Lina assured that the task of screening all lation has been finalized and approved.ML Quintin said Rimando’s remains were flown in to Clark International Airport in Pampanga by Cebu Pacific on -Au gust 27. “Her family will be waiting for her at the airport and will take her home to their province,” Quinitin said. A memorial service was held for Ri- mando in a funeral home in Sha Tin on August 26. An accident An online report by Bombo Radyo in the Philippines, meanwhile, said rel- atives of Rimando believe that she did not jump to her death. The report quoted Rimando’s mother, Corazon Sabado, as saying that the do- mestic worker could not have jumped to her death. Sabado said before the incident, they were able to talk to Rimando and that the latter did not mention any problem. Sabado also said that Rimando had been working for three years in Hong Kong and was applying to work in Can- ada. Rimando was survived by her hus- band and three children. Facebook page Meanwhile, Hong Kong News found a “Justice for the death of OFW in Hong Kong, Marlyn Sabado Rimando” Facebook page. The page was created on August 22 or three days after Rimando’s death. As of press time, the page has over 1,100 likes. Many of those who posted on the page expressed their condolences to Rimando’s family, while others said the circumstances surrounding Rimando’s death were suspicious. One said: “Kahit sino naman, di mo maisip ang magpakamatay kapag nasa abroad ka kasi iniisip mo di mo pa na- kita ang pamilya mo...Hindi ako nanini- wala na nagpakamatay siya. Amo ko nga dito, hindi din siya naniniwala eh...” HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 17 18 TRAVEL September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS An uncharted solo trip to Tokyo

By Mayang Padilla I’m not good at navigating, but thanks to the portable WiFi that my friendly AirB- IT’S true what they say about Japan: nB host lent me, I was able to use Google you’ll want to go back again and again. Map and the Japan Travel app to get me It was a hot and humid July when I went moving without fear of getting lost. to Tokyo for eight days. I actually expe- Aside from the where-to articles that one rienced a “bipolar weather” the first two can get off the Internet, RocketNews24 is days. A storm had followed me there after a great resource for travelers, especially stewing for a while in the Philippines. It those who want to see new things in Ja- was raining the first few hours, and then pan. It was there that I got information thick air that caused profuse sweating on the new Hachiko statue as well as this came next. sushi-place-with-no-name that sells sushi It was actually my first time in Japan. for 10 Yen apiece. After experiencing summer in the Phil- Here are a few “new” spots that I got ippines, I thought it was a bad idea to go to share with my frequent Japan-traveler there during the hot season. However, fre- friends. quent travelers told me there will never The new Hachiko statue be a bad time to go to Japan. All seasons After visiting the old Hachiko statue make for a wonderful experience, they just outside the Shibuya station and after said. exploring the “Lost in Translation” feel There will always be new things to dis- of Tokyo’s shopping district, head to The cover in Japan, aside from the touristy University of Tokyo (UTokyo) in Bunkyo. spots that a first-timer like me should It’s around 30 minutes away from Shibuya still visit. Back home in the Philippines, by train. friends (even those who frequent Japan) Besides Godzilla, Hachiko is proba- KAWAGOE still learned a thing or two from the photos bly the best representation of Japan (Of I shared on social media. course, there’s the ubiquitous clear um- know, was the loyal dog who waited out- In this case, you need to buy a drink. But houses. I went to Tokyo without a firm itinerary, brella that I managed to use because of side the station everyday for his master, with sushi in front of you, who will really Shopping, food as what I always do whenever I visit a for- the “bipolar” weather. There are also the Dr. Hidesaburo Ueno. The good doctor say no to beer? Of course, your Tokyo trip will not be eign country or even a local place outside cosplayers. And let’s not forget Japanese died suddenly in 1925, but Hachiko still There’s also a one last stop where you complete without going to Akihabara Manila. I always go “where my feet will hospitality). went to the station everyday hoping to could eat sushi before you go home: Nari- (manga haven), Harajuku (eccentric fash- take me,” so they say. Hachiko, as a lot of people already meet his master even up to his death 10 ta Airport. Anthony Bourdain highly rec- ion), Asakusa (souvenir), Odaiba (rainbow years later. ommended Sushi Kyotatsu near Gate 34. bridge, giant Gundam in all his glory). UTokyo pays tribute to this friendship A whole plate of a mix of sushi costs 1,800 In Harajuku, head towards the very end between dog and man. It was a fitting Yen (around P650), but that’s relatively a of Takeshita Street where you can buy one since the university was where Ueno steal for something to pacify your separa- Nike or Adidas for a few thousands cheap- taught for several years. It was also there tion anxiety before you board the plane. er compared to shops in Manila. ABC where he died. Shimokitazawa Mart, which is everywhere in Tokyo, also The sushi place with no name It was unfortunate that I got to visit this offers a better deal for your money. The Every Japan guide will tell you to go so-called hipster cousin of Harajuku for shops here offer newer designs. to Tsukiji Fish Market very early in the only two hours. What Cubao X is to Met- If you’re craving for gyoza, go to Hara- morning to see the lively wholesale auc- ro Manila, Shimokitazawa is to Tokyo. It juku Gyozaro. There are not a lot of res- tion for sea produce. It’s also where you’re also offers a lot more. taurants in Tokyo that offer gyoza as their supposed to eat really fresh sashimi. But It’s actually a district, but Shimokita is main dish, and Gyozaro is one of the few for non-early risers like me, you can get a small cozy neighborhood where you can exceptions. If you’re craving for ramen, a healthy filling of the beloved sushi or allow yourself to get lost and revel in the head to Ichiran near the Shibuya station. sashimi anywhere in Tokyo really. peace and calm amid the usually bustling It’s the best ramen I’ve ever tasted. But since there was a need to discover megacity that is Tokyo. Small vintage There’s also this flower shop called something new, I went to this sushi-place- shops, independent designer stores, a cat Aoyama Flower Market in nearby Omo- with-no-name suggested by Rocket- café, and many more line the streets of tesando. Inside the flower shop is a hidden News24. The shop may not have a name, Shimokita. On one side are Tokyo’s young gem of a tea house where you can rest a bit but it’s easy to find since it’s just a few drinking their beer late in the afternoon, after a long walk from Shibuya to Haraju- meters away from the west exit of Yoyogi while on the other are residents just walk- ku and Omotesando. station. ing their dogs for the day. As a last note, I was alone when I went What’s so special about it? It’s a small Kawagoe to Tokyo. It was a trip that had me purging shop that offers yellowtail or tuna sushi for The downside to a spur-of-the-moment my emotions after a months-long, hard- just 10 Yen apiece. The thing with cheap trip is that you don’t get to see the places fought battle against monsters back home. offers, however, is that there’s a catch. that entail a lot of planning and time before It looked frightening going alone at first, you could set foot there. Take for example but it was the joy of discovering the new Studio Ghibli. There is a need to reserve that made me look at an uncharted territo- for a spot a month before your actual visit. ry with awe. You can still get lucky to have a seat on a I stayed at an apartment owned by a guy, Mt. Fuji-viewing bus tour, but that’s just a but my AirBnB host, Satoru, easily made small probability if you decide two nights the awkward feeling go away. The Japa- before that you want to go there. Such was nese are a friendly lot. The several times not my case. I got lost, several residents came to my Luckily, there’s a place one hour away rescue. from Tokyo where you can experience I asked for directions a lot, but there the old Japan. A CNN article said it had were those who went to me and asked if “tight streets lined with gabled buildings I needed help. and tiled roofs [that] those of an older, pre- One even had to accompany me and re- Pokemon vintage, hope to find when they peated several times, “I’m worried, I want come to Japan for the first time.” to bring you there so that you won’t get Kawagoe is reminiscent of the Edo peri- lost.” od. Here, you can eat sweet potato candied So for the first-timers like me, or for and packed in various ways while walking those who want to travel alone in Japan, I HACHIKO along a street dotted with old Japanese say: It’s okay to lose your way sometimes. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 FEATURE 19 Q & A with the PSA (Part 1)

By Cheryl Arcibal Q: Sabi ninyo confidential ang infor- may anak ang asawa mo sa iba. Magan- diyan when you register a child which is mation sa inyo? And you really ensure dang ebidensya iyon, may panalo ka. not your child as your own. Birth simu- FROM concerns about clerical errors in that it is so. How [strict] is that confi- Pano makukuha ang birth records ng lation is a criminal act. Criminal, ibig their birth certificate to grounds to have dentiality? I think it’s legitimate na anak sa labas kung hindi manggagal- sabihin, pwede makulong ang lolo at lola their marriages invalidated, Filipinos in mayroong nakakakuha talaga ng infor- ing sa NSO? Sabi ninyo nga confiden- kapag may nagreklamo. Kapag walang na- Hong Kong were eager to get answers mation. Pwedeng explain kung sino ang tial. Ngayon, makukuha iyan dahil may greklamo, wala namang kaso. Ang sabi ko about civil registration during a forum ang makaka-access ng mga records na kakilala sa NSO. Paano ninyo mae-ex- nga po, ang civil-registrar can not do any- PSA forum with Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) iyan? plain iyan? thing kahit na ang nagpaparegister ay lola officials at the consulate. A (Dr. Lisa Grace Bersales, National A (Hufana):Sa confidentiality, doon sa na at sinasabi na nagka -anak pa siya. Ang syon ng batas. Example of a question: “In 2013, I Statistician and Civil Registrar-General application form, sa likod nun, nakalagay civil registration is ministerial. Pero kapag Pero kung biglang nag-reappear ang was scheduled [sa] civil marriage ko. at the PSA): Confidentiality is for birth doon na kung hindi ikaw ang magulang, may nagreklamo, ayun ang may case, may asawa mo, at mag-execute lang siya af- Scheduled to be married by a judge...pero registration only kaya mayroon tayong hindi ikaw ang kapatid, lolo, at lola, hindi hearing. Sinasabi ko na po ngayon na that fidavit, ang iyong subsequent marriage ay yung judge, may seminar sa Malaybalay tinatawag na Cenomar (certificate of no ka pwede kumuha under Presidential De- is a criminal act and you can be imprison dissolved. Pag-execute niya ay ipapare- [Bukidnon]. marriage). Pwede iyon hingin ng kahit cree 603. Naka-enumerate doon sa aming ed and penalized. histro niya lang iyan ay wala ng bisa ang “Ang next person [na pwedeng mag- sino. Kunwari magpapakasal ang isang application kung sino lang ang pwedeng Q: Ang anak ko ho ay underage, at ikalawa mong kasal. kasal] sa amin ay ang mayor, but he was tao, iyong boyfriend niya puwedeng hum- kumuha. siya ay pregnant pero hindi kasal. Ang Sa petition of presumptive death, hindi in Manila. At ang judge sa Cagayan de ingi ng Cenomar. Ang confidential sa civil Kapag may nag-fill up ng forms, may lalaki naman ho ay nasa right age na. iyan pwedeng gamitin to claim insurance Oro ay isa pa lang. Ang sabi sa amin ng lo- registration ay ang birth certificate. Death screeners, ibibigay ninyo sa amin ang ap- Pano ho ba ireregister ang ganun? and death certificate is not issued. It is not cal civil-registrar na andyan si datu, isang certificate is not confidential. Sa ngayon plication form at rereviewhin namin iyan A (Hufana): Kapag ang tatay ay nasa intended for that purpose. tribal datu. I am not a member of tribal wala pa tayong “Certificate of No Death. at doon malalaman namin na hindi pala tamang gulang na at kahit hindi sila kasal Q: Being a Muslim, nag-Hajj ako at group. But it was suggested by the local Bakit po importante iyon? Para po iyon sa kayo kasama sa mga nakalista sa author- ay mag-eexecute lamang ang lalaki ng af- ibinigay sa amin ang bago naming pan- civil-registrar na iyong datu ang mag-sol- mga hiniwalayan ng asawa nila, iniwan ni ized na pwede kumuha ng birth records. fidavit of admission of paternity. Kung sa galan. Paano ko po ito magagamit? emnize sa kasal namin. husband. Ngayon gusto nilang malaman Hahanapan kayo ng authority from the hospital manganganak ang anak mo, sila A (Hufana): Nag-Mecca ka at nag- “Sa contract namin may license. So ang kung buhay pa si tatay o buhay pa si hus- mother, lalo na kung minor ang hinahana- naman ang tutulong sa pagfill-up po ng Hajj ka (at) binibinyagan kayo ng bagong question is am I legally married? band kasi gusto na niyang magpakasal. pan nyo ng birth records. Hindi namin ta- registration. pangalan pero, hindi iyon automatic na Lourdes Hufana, Interim National As- Siyempre titignan nila kung mayroon tanggapin ang application. Computerized Q: Ang kapatid ko ay isang Muslim at magagamit mo. You need to apply for sistant Statistician at the PSA, answered bang nakaregister na death for this person na po kami, mayroon kaming facility na noong 1981 ay nagpakasal siya sa isang change of first name and your reason for that the marriage can be “questioned”. at pwedeng ibigay iyon. tinatawag namin na e-signature na may- civil ceremony. Simula noong 1998, hin- that. Hindi siya marerecognize under the Hufana’s answer drew applause from A (Hufana): Who can have access to roon doon sa application. di na sila nagkita ng asawa niya hang- custom and tradition [rules]. Ang ni-re- more than 50 forum participants, many of birth certificates? These documents can May transaction number iyan at pwede gang ngayon. Ano ho ang maa-advise recognize namin for our Muslim brothers whom also congratulated the Filipino guy be used for court hearings. Kapag sinub- naming i-key in. Mayroon akong system ninyo? is conversion. Christians can also change who jokingly said, “I am still single.” poena kami ng courts to submit birth cer- at lalabas ang data na inilabas namin - sino A (Hufana): Kung hindi na sila nagkita their names. “Teka muna. Hindi porke sinabi ko na tificates for whatever purpose, we have to ang requesting party at lalabas who pro- mula pa noong 1998 at mag-aasawa uli ang Pero hindi din siya automatic. Kailangan [ganoon] ay masaya na tayo. The nullifi- give them a copy of the birth certificate.. cessed the transaction. Maiimbestigahan kapatid mo. Maari siyang mag-file ng peti- mag-file ng petition at ang requirements cation of marriage shall be declared by the Minsan the DFA (Department of Foreign namin iyan kung bakit siya nakalabas. tion sa korte para sa presumptive death. Sa are NBI clearance at police clearance kasi court. It is not us who will say that. What Affairs) requests copies for administra- Kung mayroon kayong alam na nakalusot Civil Code, kailangan niya maghanap ng gusto naming malaman kung ang pagpa- we’re saying is that the marriage is not tive use or for validation. nga na kakilala, huhulihin natin sila. lawyer, at mag-file ng petition for absence palit mo ba ng pangalan ay baka mamaya valid, but still it is the court that should de- Q: Sa confidential na records natin, Q: Madami ho nangyayari nireregis- o presumptive death. Kapag na-grant siya, may kaso ka. If you’re employed, kailan- clare it as null and void and you still have minsan naririnig na din natin na si- ter nila na yung mga apo nila mga anak pwede siyang mag-asawa kahit sa civil o gan din ang employer’s clearance. Tapos to file a petition for that.” nasabi ng iba na, “may kakilala ako sa nila, ano ho ba ang magiging penalties sa Muslim. Ang objective talaga ng pre- yung passport na naroon ang Hajj visa mo. Here are the questions and answers dur- NSO, so I can have some information”. nun? sumptive death petition ay to re-marry ang Pwede mong i-submit ito to prove na nag- ing the forum: Kasi sa court, may ebidensya ka na A (Hufana): Birth simulation ang tawag surviving spouse so maliwanag ang inten- Hajj ka. (ITUTULOY) 20 BALITANG PH September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Grace: LP stabbing me in the back

By Maia Lopez “(I told him) at the end of the day, if “Grace won’t be a hard sell. It’s easy to you’re a candidate, your leadership qual- campaign for her. She’s fresh, she’s sin- SENATOR Grace Poe told Interior Secre- ity can be measured by how well you can cere, she’s tough,” NPC stalwart Senator tary Manuel Roxas II that his partymates control your supporters,” Poe added. Vicente Sotto III said. were stabbing her in the back even as the A disqualification case has already been Sotto said Poe’s status as an independ- Liberal Party standard bearer is wooing filed against Poe before the Commission ent candidate is a plus as it will ensure her to be his running mate for the 2016 on Elections by defeated senatorial candi- that NPC members are not treated like polls. date Rizalino David in a bid to discourage “second-class citizens” - which the sena- Poe confronted Roxas over the demoli- her from seeking the presidency. tor said could happen if the NPC supports tion job against her as she reminded him Roxas, for his part, denied having a GRACE MAR the administration coalition or the United of their previous agreement not to resort hand in the filing of David’s petition or in Nationalist Alliance. to mudslinging. any effort to destroy Poe’s reputation. the Interior Secretary added. sion on whether she will seek the presi- The Magdalo group has also announced “I told him about it. I told him that when “I would like to clarify, eye to eye. I do Roxas said Poe remains his top choice dency next year, but many believe that her that it will support the possible presiden- we talk, we are direct to the point, but you not know Rizalino David. I have no rec- for running mate, even as the Liberal Party tandem with Senator Francis Escudero for tial bid of Poe. have some people who are really stabbing ollection of him or of even knowing him. floated the names of Camarines Sur Rep. 2016 is a done deal. “If Senator Grace Poe runs for presi- me in the back,” she said, admitting being We (Liberal Party) have nothing to do Leni Robredo and Batangas Gov. Vilma This early, though, the Nationalist Peo- dent, our Magdalo Group would support hurt by questions on her nationality and (with him). I have nothing to do about the Santos as vice presidential candidate. ple’s Coalition has expressed its willing- her,” said Senatorial Antonio Trillanes, residency status. cases he has filed against Senator Grace,” Poe has yet to announce her final deci- ness to support her presidential bid. ex-officio chairman of the group. P10 M heroin found in shoes in NAIA By Bing Jabadan shoe. These were placed inside the soles Alert up for Thailand of the shoes which were then sewn care- By Maia Lopez Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del THE Manila International Airport Author- fully back together, said Delo Santos. Rosario said. ity [MIAA] is now conducting an inves- Both pairs of shoes and the drugs were THE Department of Foreign Affairs The attack near the Erawan Shrine tigation after P10-million worth of heroin turned over to the Philippine Drug En- has raised Alert Level 1 (precautionary was the first major attack since the Thai was found inside shoes that were aban- forcement Agency (PDEA), which con- phase) for Thailand following a bomb military seized government control last doned at the Ninoy Aquino International firmed the substance to be heroin. blast near the Erawan Shrine in Bang- year. Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. The two kilograms of the said substance kok that killed 20 people and injured All terminals of the Ninoy Aquino MIAA Gernal Manager Jose Angel has an estimated street value of P10 mil- more than a hundred, including a Fil- International Airport have been placed Honrado said the personnel of the Lost CONTRABAND lion, Honrado said. ipino. under high alert. and Found Section were sorting out items He ordered IID personnel to take strin- Filipinos in Thailand were advised to Airport and aviation police dis- at the arrival area of Terminal 1 warehouse grams were found in the other pair after gent measures and check all items enter- avoid the following areas: Rajaprasong patched several bomb sniffing dogs when they found a black pair of Clark operatives cut and opened their soles. ing the terminals. intersection; Patumwan intersection; (K-9) around the vicinity of the airport Active Air Shoes that were suspiciously Delos Santos added that another brown Lost and found items should also be Silom road; Khao San road; Narathiwat terminals while the Philippine National heavy. pair of Clark Active shoes was found in- thoroughly inspected before they are dis- intersection; Victory monument; Tuk Police deployed anti-hijacking and an- Intelligence Investigation Division side the box of unclaimed footwear which posed of, said Honrado. Chai intersection; Benjasiri Park; Soi ti-terrorist personnel. [IID] chief Supt. Melchor Delos Santos also contained another kilogram of heroin. “The airport Authority is one with the Thong Lor; and Sukhumvit Road. The Armed Forces of the Philip- said 500 grams of the yellow, powder-like It was observed that the drugs were PDEA in preventing the spread of illegal Alert Level 1 is issued when there are pines also ordered all its units to be substance were found clandestinely placed carefully wrapped inside a dark plastic substances. Security personnel are always valid signs of internal disturbance, in- extra vigilant and to coordinate closely in the sole of one shoe while another 500 material shaped like the bottom of the on heightened alert,” he said. stability, and external threat to the host with their police counterparts to foil an country. Erawan-style attack from happening in “The Philippine Embassy is ready the country. to extend assistance, if necessary, to “I have directed our forces to be extra the estimated 15,000 Filipinos in Thai- vigilant and conduct measures to pre- land,” the DFA said in its advisory. vent similar incident(s) from occuring “We condemn this act in the strongest in our country,” AFP chief-of-staff Gen. terms. The Philippines stands in soli- Hernando Iriberri said. darity with the government and people “Our efforts are made in coordination of Thailand at this trying moment,” with the PNP and others,” he added. Cigarettes found in woman’s private parts By Maia Lopez The suspect was supposed to visit an in- mate identified as Jefferson Garin, who is THE Bureau of Jail Management and facing drug charges. Penology [BJMP] seized a bundle of cig- Jail officer who refused to be named, arette sticks concealed within the private said that while she frisked, she noticed part of an inmate’s woman visitor in Pasay bulges in the private part of the suspect. City. The female jail officer touched the sus- Police identified the suspect as Ronalyn pect’s private part and seized sticks of cig- Agullo, 32, of No. 698 Orion St., Brgy-70, arettes bundled together and wrapped in Zone-9 of Pasay City. plastic inserted in her private parts. Based on the report, the suspect entered The suspect told investigators that be- the BJMP compound and underwent a cause of her ailing father, she agreed to “random strip down inspection.” smuggle the cigarettes inside the jail, The suspect acted suspiciously after she An unidentified suspect allegedly prom- passed through the body frisk security ised to pay her an undisclosed amount af- check at 1:50 p.m. inside the Pasay City ter she delivers the cigarettes inside the Jail. jail. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 BALITANG PH 21 DFA offers free passport validity extension amid delays By Maia Lopez “The Department of Foreign Affairs until the end of this year,” the department corrected within one month.” APO was questionable. Gutierrez said he (DFA) offers to applicants for passport re- added. The government earlier promised to im- will file a resolution in Congress to probe THE Department of Foreign Affairs is of- newals in the Philippines and abroad the The DFA has been reportedly delayed in prove the system of processing passports the contract “in aid of legislation.” fering a free passport validity extension extension of the validity of their passports issuing up to 42,230 passports. with the transfer of production to APO “We expect the DFA to explain and for up to two years for passport renewal (for 1 to 2 years, which is free of charge),” Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario Production Unit Inc., which is reportedly clarify its intentions and fully explain the applicants in the Philippines and abroad. the DFA said in its advisory. attributed the delays to “technical difficul- able to produce 20,000 passports a day. reasons behind its decision to transfer the The DFA came up with the offer after “Extensions shall be processed and ties” as the government prepares to trans- Akbayan party-list Representative Ibar- printing of the country’s passports from experiencing “unexpected delays” in the released within the same day. Passport fer its passport facilities. ra Gutierrez, however, said the P8-billion the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to the processing of passport renewals. extensions for all shall be available only Del Rosario said the delays “should be 10-year contract the DFA entered into with APO Production,” Gutierrez said earlier. DOTC chief Abaya hit for ‘not fatal’ remark By Maia Lopez manhid at palpak. The economy loses billions TRANSPORTATION Secretary Joseph to traffic. The air and Abaya said the traffic gridlock that may be noise pollution cause caused by the construction of the LRT-2 illnesses to commuters extension in the eastern part of Metro Ma- and motorists,” said nila will not be “fatal” to anyone. Rico Quicho, spokes- “Hindi naman siguro fatal ‘yun,” Abaya ABAYA man of Vice President said in a television interview. He later Jejomar Binay. clarified that what he meant with “ not “The problem lies in the fact we have fatal” was “not burdensome to the daily government officials who were born rich lives of the people.” and never experienced being poor. Baka Abaya made the statement after Met- nga hindi pa sila nag-commute sa tanang ropolitan Manila Development Authority buhay nila. They do not seem to under- chairman Francis Tolentino admitted that stand that an efficient transport system is traffic could be “bloody” with the LRT-2 called for now because it is a pro-poor in- extension project. vestment,” Quicho added. “Many will be affected when the con- The militant group Bagong Alyansang struction starts because we have a num- Makabayan accused Abaya of following ber of subdivisions, residential areas and the footsteps of President Benigno Aquino schools here,” Tolentino said. III when it comes to being insensitive to Abaya’s comment earned him much flak the plight of the people. from the opposition and militant groups as “Secretary Abaya echoes what the Pres- well as from netizens who slammed him ident used to tell the victims of Yolanda for being insensitive. that they did not die: Buhay pa naman “Such an insensitive statement can kayo di ba?” Bayan secretary general Re- only come from an administration that is nato Reyes Jr. said. 22 WORLD September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS DFA warns vs job offers in Poland By Maia Lopez

THE Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Filipino jobseekers against enti- ties asking them to pay application fees in exchange for placements to Poland. In its advisory, the DFA warned appli- cants that such job offers may not be le- gitimate. The department said based on informa- tion provided by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), work permits are issued only by Voivode where the com- pany or place of residence of a person who hires an employee, or the company to which a foreigner is assigned, is regis- WARSAW tered. The MFA reminded migrant workers in However, workers already in Poland ed documents should be verified with the Poland that employers bear the sole re- who wish to change jobs “have to obtain relevant Offices of the Voivode,” the DFA sponsibility of paying and acquiring the a new permit.” said. necessary permits to hire foreign workers. The MFA also does not recommend The DFA said Filipinos having doubts “The entity entrusting the foreigner with making any payments to entities which of- as to the reliability of entities that offer the execution of work applies for a work fer work or demand payment for obtaining jobs in Poland are encouraged to check permit for the foreigner,” Poland’s mi- a work permit in Poland. these offers directly with the Polish con- grant information site said. “The reliability of job offers and relat- sular office. OFWs in Korea told to take extra care FILIPINOS in the Korean Peninsula have been and calls for the immediate de-escalation of ten- ries or damage on either side. advised to take precautionary measures after sions in order to maintain regional peace and sta- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has already South and North Korea exchanged artillery fire, bility,” the department added. ordered his frontline troops to be on a war foot- with the latter saying it was “entering a state of There are over 40,000 Filipinos living and ing, state media KCNA said. war.” working in South Korea. Tensions escalated after North Korea fired a “The Philippines is closely monitoring the In 2013, DFA estimates placed the number of shell across the border to protest South Korea’s developing situation on the Korean Peninsula Filipinos in North Korea at nine, all working with propaganda broadcasts. after the reported exchange of fire today between the United Nations. Seoul started broadcasting again after 11 years the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and North Korea has fired a shell at a South Korean of quiet in an apparent reaction to two South Ko- Republic of Korea,” the Department of Foreign military unit in Yeoncheon, prompting the South rean soldiers being injured in a landmine explo- Affairs said. to retaliate with several artillery rounds. sion in the demilitarized zone that was blamed “The Philippines urges restraint on both sides There were no immediate reports of any inju- on the North. Maia Lopez HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 23 24 FORUM September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Editorial As We See it Scamming our women IN the recent dialogues held between of- putting our workers in debt bondage. ficials of the Philippines and Hong Kong, We are sure that they know the hard- it is clear that most, if not all, of nearly ships and suffering that overseas Filipino 180,000 Filipino domestic workers in the workers endure just to provide the needs territory were made to pay illegal fees that of their families in the Philippines. Being could run up to as much as hundred thou- a domestic worker overseas doubles the sands of pesos. hardships. Filipino women who sought and are Whenever we hear cases of abuse per- seeking employment overseas as domes- petrated on foreign domestic workers, we tic workers have one reason for doing so: hope that recruitment agencies hear of economic reason. them too. We hope they understand what When our kababayans find themselves our women go through. with no choice but to agree to a contract It remains beyond us how owners and with outrageous provisions and clauses, officials of recruitment and placement thinking that they would be able to pay off agencies could sleep at night knowing the debts from the wage that they would that they ripped off a poor woman who be receiving, it is tantamount to a scam. just wishes a better life for her family. We understand that placement agencies We would like to believe that Filipinos need to earn to sustain their operations and who own recruitment agencies are still to pay their workers and employees. more compassionate than corrupt. Now if What we can’t understand is the temeri- they could only show us that our belief is ty and the callousness that they employ in not unfounded.

Health Alert_ Norman Uy MERS-CoV Currents Carnay MIDDLE East Respiratory Syndrome with liquid soap and water especially Panibagong Kotong (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the TALAGA yatang kapag nakakakita ng mas malamang sa hindi ay maapektuhan didiskitahan ay ang mga kawawang caused by MERS Coronavirus (MERS- nose; rub hands with 70 – 80 percent al- OFW ang mga nasa ahensya ng pamaha- ang kanilang negosyo at mapupwersa migrante? Nasaan ang spot checking CoV). Infected persons may present cohol-based handrub if not visibly soiled; laan, ang unang pumapasok sa isip nito ring ipasa ang dagdag singil na iyan sa ng BOC pagdating sa mga smuggler ng with acute serious respiratory illness avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth ay pera. Tumataginting na dolyar. Kung kanilang mga customers – sa ating mga bigas at gasolina? O mga pekeng goods with symptoms including fever, cough before washing hands. Cover nose and paano sila pagkakakitaan. OFWs. at gamot galing Tsina? Bakit ang OFW and shortness of breath. The incubation mouth with a tissue paper while sneezing Ito lang ang tanging magpapaliwanag Sinimulan ng BOC sa pagpakawala ng ang tinuturing na smuggler? Bakit hindi period is up to 14 days. Most patients or coughing and dispose of soiled tissue kung bakit walang patid ang pag-iisip ng akusasyon na ginagamit daw ang mga ba- pinalampas sa pangongotong pati ang at- developed chest infection. Many also paper in a lidded rubbish bin. Build up mga bagong pangongotong sa migrante likbayan boxes para sa “technical smug- ing mga door to door box na sa totoo lang had gastrointestinal symptoms or kidney good body immunity by having a bal- at palakihin ang koleksyon ng gobyerno gling”. Nagbabala pa ito sa mga migrante ay pinag-ipunan ang mga ilalaman mula failure. In people with immune deficien- anced diet, regular exercise and adequate mula sa atin na huwag “abusuhin” ang sistema ng pag- lamang sa mga sapman-sapman? cies, the disease may have atypical pres- rest, do not smoke and avoid alcohol con- Tulad na lamang nitong panibagong papadala ng balikbayan boxes. Nag-spot Bakit laging pinag-iinitan ang mga entation such as diarrhoea. There is still sumption. kotong ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) check pa sila para lang ipakita sa publiko OFWs? Mula sa OEC na kahit iligal ay uncertainty about the transmission at the For environmental hygiene, maintain na dagdagan ang buwis sa mga balik- na totoo ngang inaabuso ang balikbayan pinagpipilitan. Hanggang sa sapilitan na moment. People may be infected upon good ventilation. Avoid visiting crowded bayan boxes ng mga migrante. Hindi boxes. Sabay anunsyo na mainam nga bayarin sa Philhealth at OWWA. Lagi na exposure to animals (especially camel), places with poor ventilation. Clean and ba’t ang ultimong layunin naman niyan sigurong taasan ang singil sa clearing lang tayong kinokotongan ng sarili nat- environment or other confirmed patients, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, ay patungan ng dagdag-bayarin ang mga fees ng mga container ng mga door to ing pamahalaan. Para daw sa maayos na such as in a hospital setting. Based on the furniture, commonly shared items and OFW sa bawat kahon na kanilang ipina- door companies. Walang konsu-konsul- serbisyo? Kalokohan dahil ang totoo, ang current information, MERS-CoV could floor at least once daily by using appro- padala para sa kanilang mga mahal sa tasyon iyan. Direktang akusasyon, sabay serbisyo nila’y kanilang ninenegosyo. be spread from person-to-person through priate disinfectant. buhay? Ngayon pa lang ay tinaasan na patong ng multa. Iprotesta ang pagbubuwis sa mga door- close contact. Before travelling, consult a doctor to ng P40,000 ang kasalukuyang clearing Ano talaga ang pumapasok sa isip ng to-door boxes. Ibasura ang kotong na OEC There is currently no specific treatment. review the risk. If feeling unwell before fees sa bawat container na dumadaan sa mga nasa pamahalaan na imbes na atu- at iba pang sapilitang bayarin. Makatwiran To prevent MERS, it is very important departure, postpone the trip. During the mga Philippine ports. Apektado ang mga pagin ay ang pagtugis sa mga totoo at lamang na labanan ang mukhang-pera at to observe good personal and environ- trip, avoid going to farms, barns, markets forwarders at door to door companies na dambuhalang mga smuggler, ang pinag- pabayang gobyernong ito. mental hygiene. Wash hands frequently with camels.

Dear Editor Dear Hong Kong News, ng pansin ay ang oras namin ng pagtratrabaho. lubusang masisi ang mga amo namin dahil gan- Nabasa ko po ang balita ukol sa petisyon Sa tooto lang mas gugustuhin ko na imbes na ito yata talaga ang lifestyle nila sa Hong Kong.

para sa umento sa sahod ng domestic workers sweldo ang itaas ay bawasan sana ang oras ng Sa aking palagay ay maiiwasan lamang ang Jeneth P. Julve Managing Editor dito sa Hong Kong. paggawa namin. mga ganitong pangyayari kung magkakaroon All rights reserved. No part of this Philip C. Tubeza Editor publication may be reproduced Nagpapasalamat ako na may ganitong klase Dahil sa bahay ng mga amo namin kami na- kami ng option na mangupahan sa labas ng ba- without the written permission of ng pagkilos. Sa taas po ng mga bilihin sa Hong katira, ay wala kaming choice kung hindi sundin hay ng amo namin. Cheryl Arcibal Associate Editor the publisher. Kong ay kailangan talaga na magkaroon na ng pa din ang kanilang mga utos at magpatuloy sa Sa ngayon, wala kaming choice. Kaya sana Corelene B. Cruz Sales & Marketing Executive Published by HK Publications Ltd. dagdag ang sahod namin, maging ang aming pagtatrabaho kahit anong oras na sa gabi. bukod sa sweldo ay mabigyan din ng pansin ang Unit 3-9, 10/F, Fook Hong Industrial Building, No.19 food allowance. Mahirap tumanggi dahil sa nakatira kami sa mahabang oras ng aming paggawa dito. Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon Joko Harjanto Assistant Sales Manager Telephone: 2851 1766 Fax: 2858 8979 Gayunman sana ang mas higit na pagtuunan kanilang poder. At sa totoo lang, hindi rin namin Umaasa, Lydia R. 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 September 1, 2015 BARRIO PINOY 25 Leegie launches album

By Cheryl Arcibal ig ng kapit-bahay namin,” she added. the judges of the competition were re- Leegie’s two sisters, who are also work- spected in the Filipino community and LEEGIE Agpalo, PrimeCredit and Prime ing as domestic workers here, also attend- they made sure that the contestants were Gold’s Superstar Search 2014 champion, ed the launch to show their support for her. worthy to be given a spot in the contest. launched her recording album on August Under the guidance and tutelage of The tilt’s judges said Leegie was the 23 at Eaton Hotel, Jordan. Gabasan, Leegie underwent vocal train- “unanimous” choice to be the winner. Raised in Bukidnon, but fluent in Ilong- ing, and image consultations to prepare Louise Vas, PrimeCredit assistant mar- go, Leegie said she learned to sing and ap- her for the recording of and launching of keting manager, said events are lined up preciate music because of her father who her album. for Leegie. Leegie with her sisters and Nobel plays the guitar. Although saying she is not a “biritera”, Vas said Leegie will be the ambassador/ Leegie Gabasan It was during her childhood when she Leegie said she is a fan of “Mariah Car- face of the Superstar Search for this year began to love singing. ey”, and her favorite song is “I Want to until next year. In 2016, another season of “Noong bata ka, kahit anong hirap, i-try Know What Love is”. the popular singing competition will be mo ang best mo. Noon walang problema, Gabasan said Leegie is a good student, launched. basta kasama mo pamilya mo at may kai- and the only problem they encountered Tracks in Leegie’s album are soulful bigan ka. Noon kahit walang baon, at ka- was finding a suitable schedule to practice and heavily influenced by R&B sounds, hit madapa ka, may sugat ka, oo masakit, and rehearse prior to the recording of the setting off Leegie’s cool, soothing voice. pero basta kasama mo mga kapatid mo, album. Those who attended the launching were masaya pa din,” Leegie said. Leegie said her newfound “fame” given a copy of Leegie’s album and had During the launch, Leegie sang three among Filipinos in Hong Kong, encourag- the chance for a photo and autograph sign- songs - “Missing You”, “Nagmamadali”, es her to be more conscious of her image ing session with her. at “Pagbabalik” - all composed by Super- and appearance when she goes out espe- If you wish to get a copy of Leegie’s star Search musical director Nobel Gaba- cially during her day off on Sundays. CD, please approach PrimeCredit or san. Despite this, Leegie said she is aware Prime Gold branches in Central (8th floor Leegie said her family and friends are that she has bashers, but she is determined and 12th floor of Euro Trade Centre). proud of her and her achievements. to prove them wrong and would do her For more info about Prime Gems and “Super proud ho ang pamilya ko. Sa lap- best to make PrimeCredit, Prime Gold, Leegie, visit facebook.com/primegems PrimeCredit Marketing Team with Leegie top ho, pinapatugtog nila ang kanta ko at and the competition’s judges proud of her. nilalagyan ng speakers, para din ho marin- Gabasan defended Leegie, saying that

GALLERY

Some of the PrimeCredit and Prime Gold members and guests during the launching

Mommy Sonia with Culinary Arts Centre (CAC) students who are taking up bangus deboning and tinapa-making courses. For enquiries, please call 2850 7714 / 2850 7724.

Kata raffle draw winners together with Owtel staff are all smiles as they proudly show their prizes during the Kata raffle draw on August 16 at Owtel Shop 218 in World-Wide House. 26 BARRIO PINOY September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS

Emergency Hotlines Numbers To Remember ‘Don’t be too generous’ PCG EMERGENCY By Philip C. Tubeza Hong Kong Observatory to offer (Weather) 2835 1473 LOOK after yourself first. Police, Fire Services, Hospitals 999 Consul General Bernardita Catalla is- Police Report Hotline 2527 7177 sued this call to overseas Filipino work- Cantonese ers (OFWs) during the graduation rites PHILIPPINE CONSULATE of CARD MRI OFW Foundation (Hong Kong) on August 24. classes For emergency cases, call or text: Catalla told the 131 new graduates of By Philip C. Tubeza Assistance to Nationals 9155 4023 the foundation’s financial literacy -pro Labor 6080 8323 gram that OFWs should not just send TO help Filipinos OWWA 6345 9324 money whenever their relatives back in with Chinese em- SSS 2823 8552 the Philippines ask for it. ployers, the Phil- Pag-Ibig 2823 8561 “Huwag tayong masyadong generous ippine Consulate kasi baka sa huli walang maging generous Consulate Trunkline 2823 8500 CARD MRI OFW Foundation (Hong Kong) chair Rex Aguado (first from General is offer- sa atin. At of course, ayaw nating maging ing Cantonese Office Fax: 2866 9885 the right) and CARD officials pose with one of the graduates. pabigat sa ating mga pamilya,” Catalla classes starting Email: [email protected] told the crowd at the Catholic Diocese atin,” she added. bags to New Zealand. CATALLA this September. Website: http://philcongen-hk.com/ Center auditorium in Mid-Levels on Au- One of the Filipinos who benefited “Last month lang, nag-order sila sa akin Consul Gen- Facebook: Philippine Consulate General gust 23. from CARD MRI’s programs was Car- ng mga bag worth P78,000. Sabi ko, wala eral Bernardita Catalla said that the in Hong Kong “Ang importante, may savings sa sarili, men Mayores, a former Zesto Corporation akong pera ngayon kasi kadedeliver lang consulate and the NGO International may savings sa hinaharap, at may savings employee who quit her job to set up her namin ng mga bags,” Mayores said. Social Service were joining hands to para sa emergency,” she said. handicraft business that includes making Because of her good credit record, Hong Kong GOVERNMENT offer Basic Cantonese classes start- “Huwag nating gastusin lahat. Turuan abaca bags. Mayores said the foundation helped her ing on September 13. Independent Commission Against natin ang ating mga kamag-anak na mag- “Todo suporta ang CARD sa amin. Yun and gave her the much-needed financial “Most likely sa September 13, Corruption 2526 6366 tipid din sila. Maiintindihan nila na nadito ang maganda sa CARD. Hindi kami pina- assistance needed to produce the bags. mag-ooffer na kami ng Cantonese Central Government 2835 2500 tayo hindi ho panghabang panahon ito. bayaaan,” she told the graduates. “After one week, bayad ako sa kanila. classes sa konsulado. Ito ay para sa Complaint Against Police 2866 7700 Yung katawan natin nanghihina rin,” she She started with just P3,000 to start her Malaking tulong ang nagawa sa akin ng inyo. Habang kayo ay nasa Hong added. business and got a boost after CARD de- CARD,” she said. 2200 4460 to 62 Kong, magagamit niyo yan sa in- Catalla thanked CARD MRI for pro- cided to lend her P5,000 to buy a machine “Marami silang benepisyo, tulad ng yong mga employers,” Catalla said Consumer Rights Hotline 2929 2222 viding financial literacy classes and loans to expand her business. scholarships, insurance. Inabot kami ng on Aug. 23. Department of Health 2961 8989 that would help OFWs to set up their own “Talagang ang laki ng tulong sa akin ng bagyo, nakakuha kami ng pera. Kaya hin- “Since pilot po ito, at syempre me- Equal Opportunities Commission business when they return back to the CARD. Ang ginawa ko sa P5,000, nag- di lang utang, marami rin tayong makuku- dyo kulang din kami ng lugar, kaya 2511 8211 Philippines. dagdag ako ng makina at bumili ako ng ha na benefit from CARD,” she added. ang matatanggap namin ay 25 stu- Immigration 2824 6111 “Itong CARD MRI, ang laking pag- raw materials,” she said. CARD will hold a livelihood session at dents per session,” she added. kakataon ang binibigay sa atin upang yung “At mula sa isang makina, nakabili pa the bayanihan Centre on Sept. 20, 2015. It Labour Department 2717 1771 Catalla said there will be two ses- ating goals and aspirations, objectives sa kami ng lima. So, anim na. Dumadami will include longganisa-making and basic sion on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 12 Legal Aid 2537 7677 ating pagtratrabaho dito ay makamtan na- na,” she added. fruit carving. On Sept. 27, the group will p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Race Relations Unit 2810 3203 tin,” she said. Mayores got another boost from CARD conduct a Financial Literacy Seminar, also “Itong proyekto pong ito ay pro- Social Welfare 2343 2255 “Pineprepare tayo para sa ating nego- when she was invited to join its bazaar in at the Bayanihan. dukto ng aking memorandum of Transport 2804 2600 syo, pineprepare tayo para mamanage ang San Pablo. Mayores met buyer from Lagu- For reservations and inquiries, please agreement with International Social Postal Hotline 2921 2222 ating buhay, pati buhay ng malalapit sa na and another one who now exports her call 95296392 and 54238196. Service. Ang target namin yung Ba- sic Cantonese, Level I and Level II,” NON-GOVERNMENT Catalla said. She said classes for Level I will ORGANIZATIONS start on September 13 and will end Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants on December 8 and will total 27 2723 7536 hours. Asian Migrant Center 2312 0031 “Kasama na syempre yung kont- Christian Action - Shine Center ing opening at graduation. Yun hong dating ino-offer nila na 50 hours, hi- 3188 4555 nati ho namin sa 27, 27 para meron Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos na tayong mga milestones,” Catalla (and other Asian Migrants and Ethnic said. Minorities) 2526 4249 “Ang isang certificate after nine Alliance of Progressive Labor 2770 0411 sessions of three hours, meron Bayanihan Trust Centre 2817 8928 na kayong certificate. So yung Filipino Migrant Workers Union makakapasok dun at mamemeet yung 80 percent attendance, pupunta 9104-1411; 9758-5935 sa Basic Level 2,” she added. Hong Kong Christian Service - CHEER Ce If this pilot program turns out to be nter 3755 6811 successful, the consulate would then International Social Services 2836 3598 offer classes on Cantonese Interme- Mission for Migrant Workers 2522 8264 diate Level I and II. The Bethune House 2721 3119 “Dahil limited ang slots, kailangan yung mag-aapply may commitment 2522 8264 na tapusin yung course,” Catalla said. Helpers for Domestic Helpers 2523 4020 “Kasi sayang naman kung United Filipinos in Hong Kong 3156 2447 mag-uumpisa after two or three ses- sions, nagdrop na. So, we are depriv- AIRPORT AND AIRLINES ing others of the opportunity to learn Airport Inquiry 2181 8888 the language,” she added. Catalla said the language courses Cathay Pacific Airways 2747 5000 would particularly help those who Cebu Pacific Air 2722 0609 have elderly Chinese employers who Philippine Airlines 2301 9300 do not speak English. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 BUHAY OFW 27 ‘Salamat sa trials’ By Vilma Ramos Bata pa lang ako’y ang dami ng na- of the Philippines. kakasakit sa damdamin ang naririnig ko Sa picture ko lng nakita ang aking ama. Name: Liberty Licaroz sa mga people around me gaya ng ako Nag-asawa na rin ang aking nanay kaya Place: Davao City, now in Canada raw ay “putok sa bulkan” o mga degrad- may mga kapatid na rin ako sa ina. But I Country where her parents ing words na ibinabato nila sa mga tulad can say na I always love & respect them worked as OFW ko. both kahit na parang sa akin nabunton Father: Seaman, Mother: Saipan Gayunpaman, naging huge push sa ang mga panghuhusga ukol sa pagkabuo THANK YOU FOR THE TRIALS akin ang mga unkind words na yon para ko dito sa mundo. magpursige sa pag-aaral.Naging Vale- Sa kasalukuyan, isa na rin akong OFW SA ngayon pa lang nais kong malaman dictorian ako mula elementary hanggang and happily residing dito sa Ontario, po ninyo na illegitimate akong anak ng makatapos ng high school. Canada with my loving, kind, caring OFW. Hindi pinakasalan ng aking ama Isa rin ako sa mga nagdadala ng aking &and handsome husband Janius and my ang nanay ko. Ang dahilan ay may asa- school sa mga regional contests sa Math cute five-year-old daughter Jantty. wa’t pamilya na pala ang aking ama. Pero at iba pang subjects. But despite of this, I thank God for He was, He is and al- anak pa rin ako ng OFW. marami pa ring foul words ang naririn- ways so good to me. My prayer: sana’y Actually, nabuo ako sa ibang bansa ig ko sa aking paligid, na kaya raw ako manatiling matatag at manatiling balot pero ipinanganak ako sa Pinas. Pag- magaling dahil ako’y bastarda. ng pag-mamahal at respeto ang aking pa- kapanganak sa akin, bumalik ang aking May mga naririnig rin ako na baka mat- milya dahil ayaw kong danasin ng aking ina sa Saipan bilang OFW. Kaya ako’y ulad rin daw ako sa aking ina dahil kung anak at magiging anak, if may dagdag pa, lumaki sa pag-aaruga ng aking lola at ti- ano raw ang puno ay gano’n rin daw ang ang mga pasakit na dinanas ko. yahin. bunga. Ang maipapayo ko sa mga kapwa ko Masasabi kong mas higit ang nararam- Naging huge challenge ang mga un- anak ng OFW ay marami at iba’t-iba ang daman kong pasakit kaysa sa mga katulad kind words na ito para ipakita ko na mali mga dagok at pagsubok ang kaakibat na- kong anak ng OFW. Hindi lang matind- ang kanilang judgment sa aking pag- tin ngunit huwag susuko o patatalo. In- ing lungkot dahil malayo ako sa aking katao. Kaya, modesty aside, nagtapos stead, make those trials a stepping stone ina ang kaakibat ko kundi matindi ring akong cum laude sa kursong BSC major or even an inspiration to reach your high- pasakit dahil sa mapanghusgang paligid. in Economics sa Polytechnic University est dreams.

Nagkasakit daw Muntikang NASANAY na si Sol, 28, dalaga, at tubong Iloi- Dali-dali siyang nagkukumahog na nagtraba- lo, na sa loob ng apat na taong paninilbihan ay ho. Pero parang nananadya ang tadhana at maaga laging hating-gabi kung dumating ang mga amo ng anim na oras ang pagdating ng mga amo. galing sa holiday at sa tuwing aalis ay ang dam- Nang yayain siyang lumabas para kumain ay ma-scam ing ibibilin sa kanya. hindi siya sumama. Anya, may pagkain pa siya By Imelda Mae Bustinera Sinasamantala ni Sol ang pagkakataon na para habang wala sila amo ay may isang oras pa magliwaliw at maglalaan lang siya ng dalawang siya para magtrabahao. LAKING pasalamat ni Lorna, 48, may asa- araw para gawin ang mga bilin ng amo. Nakabalik na uli ang mga amo ay hindi pa siya wa, at dalawang anak, at tubong Baguio Pero hindi naumpisahan ni Sol ang trabaho tapos. Sabi ni Sol nagkasakit siya ng ilang araw nang makatanggap siya ng tawag mula sa ng dalawang araw na lang ang natitira bago du- kaya hindi niya nagawa ang mga uos. Naniwala kapatid sa Singapore para sabihing hindi na mating ang mga amo. Nalibang at napasarap sa naman ang amo at sinabi kay Sol na magpahin- pakikipag chat kaya hapon na ng maalala ni Sol ito uutang. ga. Nagpasalamat si Sol sa amo. na marami siyang gagawin. Imelda Mae Bustinera Ayon sa kapatid, ipagamit na lang daw ni Lorna sa anak niya na mag OJT ang pera at hindi na raw niya kailangan. Mabuti na lang hindi agad nagpadala si Lorna ng pera sa kapatid at nalaman agad na scam pala ang networking na nakahikayat sa kapatid. Nalaman ang totoo bago naibigay ang halagang P36,000. Si Lorna mismo ay hindi nag-akala na scam dahil dito raw sa Hong Kong ay malakas at maraming nahihikayat sumali kaya nang makiusap daw ang kapatid niya sa Singapore na hiramin muna yong perang inilalaan para sa pang OJT ng anak niya, maluwag niyang ipinahiram ito. Magbibilang lang naman daw ng 14 na araw matapos magbayad at makakasahod na ng limang ulit ang halagang ibinayad. Ang alam daw ni Lorna ay pinalitan ng bagong pangalan ang networking dahil kailangan daw ito kada ika-anim na taon. Ang ipinagtatakà niya ay bakit kailangang palitan kung legal at kumikita. Ano bang con- nection, does it make sense daw ba?

Iwasan ang scams 28 ENTERTAINMENT September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Ang bagong pag-ibig ni Aiko Kahit

By Cristy Kasilag na, bagamat taga-showbiz at isang sikat ng kanilang relasyon. Kapamilya, na tao si Aiko, hindi niya nakikita ito bi- At kung titimbangin daw ang pagmama- MATAPOS ang halos pitong taong pagig- lang isang aktres. Para sa kanya, si Aiko hal nila sa isa’t-isa, dapat ay mas mahal ing single, meron na ngayong nagbibigay ay isang simpleng babae at masaya siya na siya ng lalaki kaysa sa pagmamahal na ib- naaaliw kina ng dahilan para sa matatamis na ngiti ng nakilala niya ito. inibigay niya rito. award-winning na aktres na si Aiko Me- Hindi rin niya natago na ang isang ba- Hindi rin niya itinago kay Mario na isa lendez. gay na nagustuhan niya sa aktres ay ang na siyang ina. Sa katunayan, pinakilala na Aldub Ang pangalan niya ay Mario Claudio, na kagandahan nito. niya ito sa kanyang mga anak at ina. taga Espana. May mga apat na buwan na silang nag Nung ikalawa nilang date, pinalagyan ni By Cristy Kasilag Noong Hulyo, nakita ang 39 anyos na si da-date pero ayaw ni Aiko na lagyan ng Mario ang restaurant kung saan sila kaka- Aiko na may ka-date sa isang restaurant AIKO “label” ang kung ano man ang meron sila in ng madaming lobo at mga bulaklak. SA mga nakalipas na buwan ay halos na- sa Rizal province. Noong mga panahon ngayon. May hawak-hawak din daw itong karatula gugulo ang mundo ng karamihan pagsapit na iyun ay hindi pa kilala kung sino ang Pinakilala niya si Mario, isang 34 anyos Mga kaibigan niya ang gumawa ng na ang nakasulat ay “I love you.” ng ala-una ng hapon tuwing Lunes hang- misteryosong lalaki na mukhang dayuhan. na building contractor na naka-base sa paraan para sila ay magkakilala. Nag-abot din daw ng bulaklak si Mario gang Sabado. Ang mga katanungan ay sinagot ni Aiko Cebu. Kung meron daw natutunan si Aiko sa kanyang ina at mga kapatid at ipina- Halos lahat ay nakatutok sa kauna-un- nang nagpunta ito sa 15th anniversary ng May kasamang bodyguards si Mario. mula sa mga nakaraan niyang relasyon, ito hayag kung ano ang nararamdaman niya ahang “Kalyeserye” o palabas na ginaga- Yes! Magazine na kasama ang dayuhan. Sa mga panayam ay sinabi ni Mario ang aral na dapat ilagay si Kristo sa gitna para sa aktres. wa sa kalye para malaman kung anon ang kinahihinatnan ng love story nila Yaya Dub at Alden Richards. Ang palabas ay isa Mariel nakunan ulit sa mga pakulo ng pinakamatagal na noon- Problemang mag-asawa nila time show sa bansa, ang “Eat Bulaga!” By Cristy Kasilag Japanese adult film star na si Maria Oza- Pero hindi lamang mga karaniwang Pili- wa. Ang pelikula ay papamagatan sanang pino ang natutuwa sa palabas na ito, mer- MALUNGKOT na ibinalita ni Robin Pa- “Nilalang.” Donita, naayos na on ding mga artista na umamin na sila rin dilla na ang kanyang asawa na si Mariel Plano ng mga tao sa likod nito na ipal- By Cristy Kasilag Hunyo. ay taga hanga nila Alden at Yaya Dub, na Rodriguez ay nakunan sa pangalawang abas sana ang pelikula sa Metro Manila Ang sabi ni Eric ay hindi raw niya ang tunay na pangalan ay Nicomaine Dei pagkakataon. Film Festival ngayon Disyembre. KUNG ano man ang problema ng aktres alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa kan- Capili Mendoza o mas kilala sa pangalan Nawala na ang inaasahan sana nilang Humingi si Robin at ang kanyang man- at host na si Donita Rose at ng kanyang yang utak nung naisip niya na pirmahan na Maine Mendoza. triplets na mga anak na ang balita ay ilang ager na si Betchay Vidanes ng pag-unawa non-showbiz na asawa na si Eric Villara- ang kanilang divorce papers. Nariyan na nagpalitrato ang ilang Kapu- linggo pa lamang sa kanyang sinapu- sa pag-alis ni Robin sa pelikula. ma, na muntik ng magwakas sa kanilang Inamin nila na importante sa kanilang so stars sa dalawang bida ng Kalyeserye punan. Sinabi ni Betchay na naging mahirap pagsasama, ito ay naayos na. relasyon ang tuloy tuloy na komu- tulad nila Rhian Ramos at Carla Abellana. Ibinalita ni Robin na nuong ika-12 ng para kay Robin, na kilala na tinutupad ang Masayang ibinalita ni Donita na nikasyon. Kahit ang mga artisa mula sa kabilang Agusto, bandang 6:30 p.m., nakunan ang kanyang mga pangako, para hindi na gaw- maayos na muli ang kanilang samahang Ilang buwan din tumagal ang alinlan- station, ABS-CBN Channel 2, ay na- 31-anyos na si Mariel. in ang nasabing pelikula. mag-asawa dahil hanggang ngayon ay gan sa kanilang dalawa bilang mag-asa- pag-alaman na fans din ng pangtanghalian Nakunan pa nga ng video at ipinakita ni Dahil dito, nagsabi ang MFT Group of nanatili ang pagmamahalan nila, lalo na wa. na palabas. Kasama rito ang komedyan- Robin sa publiko kung gaano kalungkot Companies na hindi na sila magbibigay sa 10-taon gulang nilang anak na lalaki At kahit na madami ang umuusisa sa teng singer at host na si K Brosas. Inamin ang kanyang misis nung sabihin ng dok- na pondo para sa paggawa ng pelikulang na si Joshua Paul. 40-anyos na aktres kung ano ang proble- niya na nakakakilig talaga ang palabas. tora na wala na yung dating tibok ng puso “Nilalang.” Ang sabi ni Donita ay ipinagdasal daw ma nila ay nanatili itong tahimik. Si Judy Ann Santos, na asawa ni Ryan ng isa sa tatlo sana nilang anak. Hindi naman nagustuhan ni Ozawa ang niya sa Panginoon na kung hindi raw Nais daw niya gawing pribado ang Agoncillo na isa sa mga hosts ng “Eat Bu- Ang mga tao na malapit sa mag-asawa desisyon ni Robin. Tinawag pa niya ang titino si Eric ay pipirmahan niya ang mga kaganapan nilang mag-asawa alang- laga!” ay nagpost sa kanyang Instagram ay humiling ng dasal para kila Robin at aktor na “unprofessional” dahil sa ginawa divorce papers. Naisip niya na tanungin alang sa anak. Childhood friends sila Do- account ng kanyang litrato kasama ang 23 Mariel at sumuyo na sana ay bigyan sila nito. ang kanyang asawa at pinagdasal niya na niat at Eric anyos na si Alden. Ang pabirong sabi ni ng pribadong panahon. Ipinahayag kasi ni Robin ang desisyon sana ay tama ang sagot na ibibigay nito. Ikinasal sila Donita at Eric sa San- Juday ay gusto niyang mapaglihian si Al- Maselan ang pagbubuntis ni Mariel niyang umurong na lamang sampung araw Sinabi niya kay Eric na kailangan nito ta Barbara, California nuong Hunyo 9, den, na merong pamatay na dimples. kaya madalas sila nagpupunta sa Asian bago sana sila magsimula sa shooting ng kausapin ang kanilang pastor bago ang 2003. Parehas silang Born Again Chris- Binuking naman ni BB Gandanghari Hospital and Medical Center sa Muntinlu- pelikula. kanilang wedding anniversary nuong tians. na pati ang pamangkin niya na si Daniel pa City para magpa-check. Sinabi ni Betchay na nagpaabot ng pag- ika-9 ng Hunyo. Sinunod ito ng lalaki Isa si Donita, sa edad na 15 anyos, sa Padilla, na isa sa mga sikat na teen heart- Para maalagaan ang kanyang asawa, paumanhin si Robin sa kampo nila Maria. nuong ika-6 ng Hunyo at tinawagaan mga artista ng dating sikat na panghapon throbs ng Kapamilya network, ay fan at nagpasya pa nga si Robin na umatras sa May mga ilan pa ring tao na sinisisi si Ma- si Donita ng sumunod na arawika-7 ng na palabas na “That’s Entertainment.” gusto malaman ang tunay na pangalan ni pelikula na gagawin sana nila ng dating ria sa pagkakunan ni Mariel. Yaya Dub. Sa mga Tweets ni BB, tinanong niya kung ano ang tunay na pangalan ni Yaya Dub at sinabing maganda ito. Nung nalaman ni BB ang Twitter ac- count ni Maine ay nagpadala ito ng men- sahe sa kanya na, “Hi @mainedcm! My nephew Daniel admires you a lot in fact he’s really the one who asked for your real name hahaha we’re fans.” Ang kasikatan ng Aldub ay umabot na din sa iba’t-ibang bansa. Si Maine, na nagsimula sa mga pabirong facial expressions at dubsmashing sa You- Tube, ay isang sikat na personalidad na ngayon sa telebisyon.

ALDEN HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 29 30 ENTERTAINMENT September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS Susan Roces, bumuwelta Pokwang nakunan ng dinadalang sanggol sa mga kritiko ni Grace By Cristy Kasilag Alam na ni Mae na magnobyo na ang kanyang ina at si Lee. MAY hindi masayang pangyayari na na- Noong unang beses pa lamang daw sila By Cristy Kasilag makbo si Grace bilang senador nuong ganap sa buhay ng komedyanteng si Pok- nagkakilala ni Pokwang sa unang araw ng taong 2013, ang nilagay niya na pangalan wang. pagshoot ng palabas na “Edsa Woolworth” ng kanyang mga magulang sa kanyang “How dare you!” Mga ilang linggo pa lamang ang na- nung nakaraang taon ay naramdaman na certificate of candidacy ay tunay na pan- Ito ang salitang binitiwan ni Susan kakalipas nang ibinalita ng Amerikanong ng aktres na nabighani ang Amerikano sa galan ni Susan at ng kanyang ama, na sa Roces sa mga taong sumisira sa kanyang boyfriend ni Pokwang na si Lee O’brien kanya. tunay na buhay ay kilala bilang Ronald anak na si Senadora Grace Poe-Llamanza- na nakunan ang 41-taong gulang na aktres. At nung huling araw nang kanilang Allan Kelly Poe. res dahil lamang ito ay isang ampon. Parehas silang nalungkot sa pangyayari shooting ay halos hindi na umalis sa kan- Ang tingin ng karamihan ay ang mga Ayon sa 74-anyos na si Susan, na si Je- pero ang sabi ni Lee ay naganap na iyon yang tabi si Lee. At palagi raw nitong si- pagbabatikos sa 46 anyos na si Grace ay susa Purificacion Sonora sa tunay na bu- kaya kailangan na lamang nilang dalawa nasabi na sana magkaroon ng pagkakataon may kinalaman sa mga balita na tatakbo hay, kahit kailanman ay hindi niya tinur- na tanggapin ang katotohanan. Pampa- na pumunta sila sa Pilipinas para i-pro- siya bilang presidente sa eleksyon sa su- ing na ampon, adopted, or pulot si Grace. SUSAN lubag-loob din nilang sinasabi na marahil mote ang kanilang palabas. sunod na taon. Para sa kanya, si Grace ay sagot sa dasal ay hindi pa iyon ang tamang panahon para Umuwi si Pokwang sa Pilipinas, pero Ang sabi nga ng kanyang ninong, ang nila sa Diyos. simbahan at hindi pa alam kung sino ang magka-anak sila. pagkalipas ng dalawang linggo ay muli aktor at kasalukuyang mayor ng Maynila Ang hiling niya sa Diyos ay magkaroon tunay niyang mga magulang. Ang mga ganuong pagsubok sa bu- itong bumalik sa Estados para sa isang na si Joseph “Erap” Estrada, kung ha- sila ng kanyang asawa na si action king “Grace is our daughter… Her umbilical hay ay hindi dapat maging dahilan para concert at muli na naman sila nagkita. hangarin ni Grace ang pinakamataas ng Fernando Poe Jr. ng isang anak na ku- cord was still uncut when she was found. huminto ang takbo ng kanilang buhay. Di nagtagal ay pumunta si Lee kasama pwesto sa gobyerno, dapat ay handa siya mikinang ang mata, medyo kulot ang bu- Now, they are questioning her citizenship? Si Lee, na isang aktor na nakilala ni ang ilang cast ng “Edsa Woolworth” sa sa mga dirty tricks na gagawin ng mga hok, at ito naman ay pinagbigayan. On what basis?” ang depensa ni Susan. Pokwang sa paggawa ng palabas para sa Pilipinas at pinaghandaan sila ni Pokwang makakatunggali niya. Natagpuan si Grace sa Jaro Cathedral sa Sinabi niya na pinaghirapan nilang TFC na “Edsa Woolworth,” ay nanatili sa ng masarap na pagkaing Pinoy sa kanyang Kamakailan ay kwinestiyon ng dating Iloilo. mag-asawa na ipaglaban sa korte ang pag- Pilpinas para sa paggawa ng isang palabas bahay. Nagtungo sila Lee sa Boracay ng senatorial candidate na si Rizalito David Meron ding nagkwekwestiyon sa na- sasaayos ng birth certificate ni Grace. sa TV5. tatlong araw at pagbalik sa Maynila ay ang pagkatao ni Senator Poe, kung siya ba tionality ni Grace kung tunay ba siyang Dinagdag niya na binalewala ng mga Samantala si Pokwang naman, na si Ma- nagkausap silang dalawa, at duon na nag- ay natural-born Filipino citizen. Filipino dahil siya ay natagpuan lamang sa humuhusga sa kanyang anak na nang tu- rietta Subong sa tunay na buhay, ay abala sa simula ang bagong kabanata ng kanilang pag taping para sa teleserye na “Nathaniel.” relasyon—bilang magnobyo. Showbiz at pulitika Hindi unang anak ni Pokwang ang Ang dasal ni Pokwang ay sana si Lee MALAPIT na ang kampanya para sa 2016 pres- ilang kasapi ng ruling Liberal Party (LP), isama niyang tumakbo bilang presidente. nawalang sanggol. Meron na siyang dal- na ang lalaking magpapaligaya sa kanya idential elections at merong mga personalidad sa pa si Presidente Benigno Simeon Aquino III, na Ayon mismo sa anak ni Grace na si Brian, agang anak na si Mae Subong. habang buhay. showbiz na napapabalitang makikilahok dito. inaaya siya para maging ka-tandem sa darating seryosong pinag-iisipan ng kanyang ina ang su- Una ay si Senator Grace Poe, ang anak ng na election ni Mar. mali sa karera pang presidente. nasirang action king na si Fernando Poe Jr. at ni Ang kabilang partido, ang United Nationalist At kung tatanggi si Grace na makatandem ni Susan Roces. Alliance (UNA), na pinangungunahan ni Bise Mar, isa pang taga-showbiz na inaalok ng pwesto Bagamat baguhan pa lamang sa politika--first- Presidente Jejomar Binay ay interesado rin na para maging katambalan niya si Batangas Gover- term senador pa lamang siya--isa siya sa mga kunin siya para maging runningmate dahil tatak- nor Vilma Santos-Recto. pinupuri sa Senado. Kaya naman marami ang bo siya bilang presidente sa susunod na taon. Si Governor Vi, na kilala sa showbiz bilang nanliligaw sa kanya para kunin siyang kandidato Pero tila hindi interesado ang 46-anyos na si “Star for All Seasons,” ay sigurado rin magiging para bilang bise presidente. Grace na maging bise presidente. Dahil sa kan- malakas ang hatak sa publiko. Andiyan si Department of Interior and Local yang magandang showing sa mga nakaraang Pero kahit si Governor Vi ay mailap sa anyaya Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas at surveys ay may mga usap-usapan na gusto din ni Mar na maging ka-tandem nito.Cristy Kasilag POKWANG HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 ENTERTAINMENT 31 Ang bagong Barretto sa showbiz By Cristy Kasilag ipinagdiwang ang kanyang 16th birthday Claudia, hindi naiwasang matanong kung mas gusto niyang maging singer kaysa noong ika-26 ng Hulyo lamang. gusto rin niyang sundan ang mga yapak artista. ISA na namang magandang dilag mula sa Bata pa lang siya ay may mga kumuku- ng kanyang mommy at daddy, mga tita na Sa katunayan, kahit hindi pa siya pormal angkan ng mga Barretto ang napapabali- ha na sa kanya bilang endorser ng mga sina Gretchen Barretto at Claudine Bar- na pumapasok sa showbiz, pakiramdam tang papasok sa mundo ng showbiz. produkto at ilang beses na din siyang retto, at ang ate niya na si Julia Francesca niya parte na siya ng mundo na yun dahil Ito ay walang iba kundi si Claudia Isa- naitampok bilang cover ng magazines, Barretto. sa kanyang pamilya. belle Barretto, ang bunsong anak na babae maging ng mga foreign magazines. Ang sagot ng sweet 16 na anak ni Mar- Kinumpirma ng kanyang Ate Julia na ni Marjorie Barretto at Dennis Padilla na Nung minsan nakapanayam ng media si jorie ay kung siya ay sasali sa showbiz, marunong kumanta si Claudia. CLAUDIA Charity events para sa bday ni Liza By Cristy Kasilag

ESPESYAL para sa babae ang pag tung- tong niya sa edad na 18. Ito ang edad kung saan ang dating dalagita ay nagiging isang dalaga na. Kadalasan ang 18th birthday ay en- grande, may magandang musika, masasarap na pagkain at kung saan ang mga dumadalo at ang birthday celebrant ay nakadamit ng pormal at magarbo. Pero para kay Liza Soberano, hindi niya pinapangarap ang isang engrandeng sel- ebrasyon sa kanyang kaarawan sa ika-4 ng Enero kung saan siya ay magiging 18 taong gulang na. Ang nais daw niya ay magkaroon ng apat na charity events at balak lang niya ipagdiwang ito kasama ang kanyang pa- milya sa Estados Unidos. Kataka-taka na, para sa isang artista na umaani ng maraming pagpuri, ay ito la- mang ang hiling niya para sa isa sa mga mahahalagang kaarawan sa kanyang bu- hay. Si Liza, na ang tunay na pangalan ay Hope Elizabeth Soberano, ay hinahangaan dahil sa kanyang kagandahan at tagumpay na kanyang nakamit sa teleseryeng “For- evermore” na pinalabas sa ABS-CBN, kung saan dito niya nakapareha si Enrique Gil at silang dalawa ay nagkaroon ng na- pakamaraming fans, pero mas dadami ang hahanga sa kanya dahil sa kanyang ipapa- kitang habag para sa ibang tao. Inamin ni Liza na hindi talaga siya ma- hilig sa mga okasyon kung saan madam- ing tao. Medyo kinakabahan daw siya at hindi komportable sa pagsuot ng mga ball gowns kaya mas nanaisin niya na gawing simple ang selebrasyon ng kanyang 18th birthday. Hanggat maari ay ayaw niya ma stress sa kanyang kaarawan. Mas gugustuhin daw niyang makatulong na lang sa ibang tao.

LIZA 32 ENTERTAINMENT September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS April Boy, halos nabulag

By Cristy Kasilag meron na namang bagong pagsubok na dumating. Nagkaroon siya ng sakit na dia- MAKALIPAS ang 12 taon, muling nag- betes at lumabo ang kanyang mata. babalik ang “Idol ng Masa” na si Dennis Dahil sa kanyang mga karamdaman ay “April Boy” Regino. madaming pinagbawal ang mga doktor sa Marahil marami sa kanyang mga fans ay kanya. Pinapatigil na rin siyang magtra- mananabik sa kanyang muling pagbalik sa baho at kumanta, isang bagay na lubos na music scene, pero may mga nagbago na sa ikinalungkot niya. kanilang idolo. Sa katunayan, nung nagtungo si April Mas mahina na ang kanyang katawan Boy sa GMA Network para sa contract ngayon at nabawasan na rin ang sigla APRIL BOY signing, mapapansin na nakahawak siya dahil sa mga karamdaman na kanyang sa balikat ng tao na nasa harapan niya. pinagdaanan. pagsubok sa buhay ang naglapit kay April Halos bulag na pala siya at medyo na- Kamakailan ay pumirma ng kontrata Boy sa Diyos. kakakita na lamang siya gamit ang kanan ang 46-anyos na si April Boy sa GMA Matatandaan na 12 taon na ang nakali- niyang mata. Records, pero ang tema ng kanyang mga pas nang nilisan nila April Boy ang Pilipi- Inamin niya na nagtampo siya sa Diyos. gustong kantahin ay malayo sa mga pi- nas at nagmigrate sa Amerika. Pero kahit Ang pakiramdam niya ay pinabayaan na nasikat niyang mga kanta na tulad ng “Di na doon na siya naninirahan ay patuloy pa siya. Pero nung natuto siyang magbasa ng Ko Kayang Tanggapin,” “Ye Ye Bonnel,” rin siyang nagtratrabaho at tuloy pa rin Bibliya ay naliwanagan siya na maaaring “Paano Ang Puso Ko,” at “Honey My ang kanyang singing career. paraan iyon ng Diyos para gisingin siya. Love So Sweet.” Siya ay nadiagnose na may prostate can- Kaya naman natuwa siya nung kinuhan- Ang mga awit na madidinig sa bago ni- cer at siya ay gumaling. Marahil ang akala siya ng GMA Network para maging isang yang album ay mga Christian songs. ng ilan ay tapos na ang problema. Nabigla recording artist nila kahit na siya ay may Ang mga pinagdaanan niyang mga na lamang ang marami nang malaman na karamdaman at may edad na. Ex-MYMP vocalist, nanganak By Cristy Kasilag

MAG-lilimang taon matapos siyang ikasal sa non-showbiz boyfriend niyang si Gavin Lim, ipinanganak ni Juris Fer- nandez-Lim ang una nilang baby na ang palayaw ay “Giddy.” Ang 37 anyos na si Juris, na ang tunay na pangalan ay Julli Iris Fernandez-Lim, ay ang dating vocalist ng dating sikat na acoustic band na MYMP or Make Your Mama Proud. Kabilang sa mga pinasikat niyang mga kanta ang “Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin,” “Don’t Say Goodbye,” “Forevermore,” “Dreaming Away,” “I Believe In You,” “Magkaibang Mundo,” “Sabihin Mo JURIS Lang,” “Not Like You,” “Kahit DI Mo Sabihin,” “Bliss,” “Tamis Ng Unang Ha- isa sa mga “Sessionista” sa ASAP, ang Instagram, nagpost ni Juris ng mga li- lik,” “I Love You, Goodbye,” “Opposite pantanghaliang palabas tuwing Linggo sa trato ng kanyang bagong silang na anak. Attracts,” at “I Don’t Want To Fall.” ABS-CBN. Ipinanganak si Giddy nuong ika-16 ng Sa kasalukuyan ay nakikita siya bilang Gamit ang social networking site na Agosto. Sinabi niya na lubos nilang tinanggap mag-asawa ang biyaya na galing sa Di- yos. Tinuturing niyang himala ang pag- dating ng kanilang anak. Dagdag pa niya na nasa sinapupunan pa lang daw niya ang bata ay tinatawag na nila ito na “Giddy.” Nagpasalamat din siya sa mga tao na nagdasal para sa kanila. Si Juris ay taga Davao City. Ang kan- yang ama ay isang enhinyero at isang obstetrician-gynecologist ang kanyang ina. Nag-aral siya sa Ateneo de Davao University nung high school at nag- tapos naman ng Bachelor of Science in Psychology sa Miriam College sa Manila. Kumuha din siya ng Master’s Degree sa Ateneo de Manila University. Nagkakilala sila Juris at Gavin sa isa sa mga gigs ng singer at nag-propose sa kanya ang boyfriend ni. ya ng limang taon nuong Enero 2011. Ikinasal sila sa Mary the Queen Par- ish sa Quezon City nuong ika-19 ng No- byembre ng taong 2011. HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 33 34 ATPB September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS

Horoscope What’s Cooking? Go Korean with this delicious dish that 4. Pan fry until Capricorn December 22 to January 19 is easy to prepare. Kimchi Spring Rolls golden brown. Sa madaming pagkakataon, kailangan lamang na tatagan mo are a yummy mix of sweet and spicy that 5. Serve with sweet ang loob mo. Lilipas din ang mga problema. is perfect for a few rounds of beer with and spicy sauce. friends. Geonbae! Sweet and Spicy Sauce: Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. Korean bean Aquarius January 20 to February 18 1 ½ cup kimchi paste 1 pack spring roll paper ½ cup sweet soy sauce Bawasan ang pagiging mapili. Minsan kailangan mong bigyan ng 1 cup thinly sliced pork (marinated and 1 Tbsp. sesame oil pagkakataon ang mga dumarating sa iyo. cooked) 2 Tbsp. grated ginger 1 ¼ cup bean sprouts (cooked/blanch) tsp. hot sauce 1 Tbsp. sesame oil Mix all ingredients until well blended. Pisces February 19 to March 20 Procedure: Maging maingat sa mga sasabihin mo. Maaaring maging iba ang 1. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients: kimchi, For more recipes, enroll at Culinary Arts Centre dating nito sa mga hindi nakakikilala sa iyo. bean sprouts, pork and sesame oil. Room 502, 5/F #172-176 Winfull Commercial 2. Lay ingredients on wrapper half an inch Building on right and left sides. Wing Lok St., Sheung Wan, Hong Kong By Chef Jay 3. Fold sides. Roll up tightly and seal. Telephone No. 28507724/28507714 Dator March 21 to April 19 Aries Huwag mainip. Ipagpatuloy mo lang ang pagsisikap at may Pedro: Mali! Lahat kaya ng bibe! Inday: Okay lang kung right lig o lep lig lang, kaso but lig eh! biyaya kang matatanggap. Lasing: Hoy! Sinong matapang? Labas! Lalaki: Ako! Bakit? Lalaban ka? Tatay: Laki ng phone bill dito sa bahay. Lasing: Pare, ihatid mo naman ako sa I don’t use this phone naman, I use my bahay, natatakot ako kay misis eh. office phone. Taurus April 20 to May 20 Nanay: Same here. I use my work phone. Daddy: Mommy, ang ganda-ganda ng Anak: Me too, I use my company phone Kalimutan na ang mga kabiguan ng nakaraan. Mas mabuting anak natin. Galing yata sa iyo ang angkin Inday: So what’s the problem? We all use magpokus sa kasalukuyan upang paghandaan ang kinabukasan. “Question: Ano ang tawag sa maliit na niyang kariktan! the phone in our work, di ba? unan? Mommy: (kilig na kilig) Ha! Paano Answer: Ah, eh di...Unano! nangyari iyon eh hindi naman ako ganun May isang mayamang negosyante ang kaganda? malapit nang mamatay at nagbibigay na Juan: Hello, call center. Pwede ko bang Daddy: Iyon na nga eh. Wala ng natira sa ng huling habilin niya... Gemini May 21 to June 20 malaman kung gaano katagal ang flight iyo, nasa anak na natin lahat! Negosyante: Ang panganay ko ba, andito Kung may pagkakataon, kunin mo na. Baka hindi na dumating papuntang San Francisco? na? Operator: Just a minute sir.... Isang araw, nagulat ang amo dahil Panganay: Andito na po. uli ang pagkakataon na ito. Juan: Ah ganun ba? Salamat! (click) bumalik ang naglayas na si Inday. Negosyante: Ang asawa ko ba andito na? Amo: Inday, bumalik ka? Bakit? Asawa: Andito, honey. Pedro: Anong daga ang naglalakad sa Inday: I care about my job, Sir. I care about Negosyante: Ang bunso ko ba, andito? dalawang paa? you! Bunso: Opo, dad. Cancer June 21 to July 22 Juan: Hindi ko alam. Ano nga ba? Negosyante: Ang mga katulong andito Pedro: Eh di si Mickey Mouse! Oh eto Amo: Inday, bakit umiiyak ka? din ba? Huwag maging sensitive. Minsan talaga may mga tao lang na isa pa. Anong bibe ang naglalakad sa Inday: Sabi po ng doktor, tatanggalan Katulong: Opo, kumpleto kami. hindi laging magaan ang loob sa iyo. dalawang paa? daw ako ng butlig... Negosyante: Naku naman, eh sino ang Juan: Eh di si Donald Duck! Amo: Butlig lang, iiyak ka na? nagbabantay sa tindahan?

Leo July 23 to August 22 Maging mapagbigay. Mas mabuti na wala kang kaaway. Crossword Puzzle

PAHALANG 36 Lalawigan sa 1 Bibig ng ibon Mindanao Virgo August 23 to September 22 5 Mabuti ang 37 Alsado kalooban 38 Pangalang Magkakaiba ang mga tao. Mainam na tandaan ito sa pakikitungo 11 Umpisa ng araw panlalaki sa iba. 12 Pananakot 39 Nguya 13 ___ de coco 40 Malaking 14 Puri pamukpok Libra September 23 to October 22 15 Guest Relations Officer Imbes na mainggit, magsikap na lamang. Kailangan mo lang ng PABABA 16 Los Angeles 1 Bakbak konti pang tyaga at darating din ang minimithi. 17 Palayaw ni Ligaya 2 Umangkin 18 Kamag-anak: Ingles 3 Kartilya 19 Apelyidong Tsino 4 Asawa ni Charlene Answer to last puzzle 21 Bahagi ng karera 6 Hamak Scorpio October 23 to November 21 23 Milyon 7 Tunog ng putok Ingatan ang pangangatawan. Mahalagang intindihin mo din ang 24 Sasakyang ng baril 22 Presidente iyong kalusugan. pamprobinsiya 8 Pagrereklamo 25 Nang sa gayon 27 Tuyo 9 Ipusta 26 Parte ng Puno 28 ____ de coco 10 Dating kampeon 28 Gamit sa panulat Sagittarius November 22 to December 21 30 Ibabang parte ng ahedres 29 Lalayas Iwasan ang pagiging maluho. Mas mabuting nakaiipon ka ng ng katawan 14 Daing sa Cebu 31 Modo pera mula sa sweldo mo. 32 Taliwas ng out 16 Mercado o 34 Bawal 33 Jet ___ Lobangco 35 Kotse 34 Unano 20 Taliwa ng bigat 36 Uncle ng Amerika HONG KONG NEWS September 1, 2015 35 36 September 1, 2015 HONG KONG NEWS