FDH Testifies Vs Employer in Court: Vallespin of the PCG Says That No FDH Should Be Made to Work Before Enjoying Their Rest Day

HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Page 2

The No.1 Foreign Newspaper Vol.XVII No.365 February 15, 2017 Vice Consul Alex FDH testifies vs employer in court: Vallespin of the PCG says that no FDH should be made to work before enjoying their rest day.

“In PH, this is Page harassment” 12-13 By Cheryl M. Arcibal

“SIR, it’s not OK...In the Philippines, this is called harassment,” a 24-year-old Filipi- no domestic helper testified in court in the There is an trial for the two counts of indecent assault unexpected lightness, against her former employer. and softness in The Filipino woman was the first witness presented by the prosecution at the Chiang Mai that Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on February slowly captivate its 8, the first trial day of the charges against Ong C.K. visitors. The witness, who was only identified as Miss X, recounted two incidents in 2016 when she felt “violated” by her male em- Page ployer, who was in his 60s. 20 The first incident took place on April 30, 2016 or just the third day after she started working for Ong’s family on April 28, 2016. At around 3 p.m. while the helper was doing the dishes, her male employer asked her if there was anyone else in the house, and she said that there were just the two of them. The defendant allegedly went to his Iris Mittaenere beats study room in the house’s fourth floor and other beauties for buzzed the intercom to ask the witness to bring lemon tea to him. the Miss Universe One Billion Rising. Filipino stage actress Monique Wilson (center) led migrant women workers in Hong Kong 2016 crown. Turn to page 11 on February 12 to hold activities that call for end of violence against women and girls. (Story on Page 16)

PUBLISHED BY HK PUBLICATIONS LTD. TEL: 2851 1766 2 NEWS February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK ‘No work for FDHs on rest day’ Pinoy fined

By Cheryl M. Arcibal “The Labour Depart- in the return flight of the domestic help- a valid clamor and mass support for the ment said daily rest ers,” he said. 11 hours of uninterrupted rest for domes- $2,000 for DOMESTIC helpers are encouraged to of domestic helpers Vallespin earlier told Hong Kong News tic workers, they could take it up with the remind their employers that they should depends on their job that they will bring to the Technical Work- TWG. be given a mandatory 24-hour rest day for responsibility. If the ing Group, a meeting among Philippine On December 18, the International Mi- Aeon theft By Cheryl M. Arcibal every period of seven days of work. helper is taking care of officials and Hong Kong’s Labour and grants Day, a group of migrant workers Vice Consul Alex Vallespin told Hong a patient, then continu- Immigration officials, the issues of food turned over to the office of Hong Kong A Filipino who stole food items from Kong News that the issue of continuous Vallespin ous rest is not applica- allowance and rest hours of Filipino do- Chief Executive C.Y. Leung a petition an Aeon store in Kornhill Plaza was rest, and rest days were among those tak- ble. Helpers who take mestic workers. asking for standardized working hours, fined $2,000 and was given a warn- en up during the January meeting between care of patients at night should be given The PCG official earlier said that they particularly “11 hours of uninterrupted ing to stay away from illegal drugs. the officials of the Philippine Consulate time to rest during daytime,” he said. have sought the inclusion of food allow- rest.” R.DR. Navoa pleaded guilty to and Hong Kong Labour and Immigration The LD also promised to step up their ance to the minimum allowable wage The petition, said Eman Villanueva, taking two coffee jars, and four cans departments. information campaign regarding the air (MAW). chair of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau, of luncheon meat, among others “No employer should require their passage provision included in the Stand- “We cited the suitability and sufficiency was signed by migrant workers from the from the supermarket on January 25, workers to do housework before they are ard Employment Contract (SEC) of help- of the food employers provide to Filipino Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Ne- 2017. allowed to enjoy their rest day,” Vallespin ers. domestic workers. pal. In mitigation, Navoa’s duty lawyer quoted Hong Kong officials as saying. Vallespin said some employers have in- “We told them that Filipinos love to eat “We are asking the government to give said the defendant was not a drug The 24-hour period also starts from the terpreted the provision as referring only rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and us 11 hours of uninterrupted rest,” Vil- addict. The Filipino, the lawyer said, midnight of the rest day up until the mid- to the return ticket of the helper, without we heard so many stories that the food the lanueva said in an interview. had no job. night of the following day. paying for the baggage allowance. employers provide to their domestic work- “So instead of defining our working Judge Jason Wan Siu-ming im- Vallespin also said the Labour Depart- “The LD recognized the ambiguity and ers were leftovers of their wards,” Valles- hours, we are asking that the government posed the fine on Navoa, noting that ment agreed that the rest period for Fili- they will make the necessary clarification pin earlier said. should just ensure that we have several the case was simple shoplifting and pino domestic workers should be flexible in its publicity handbook. In the mean- As for the bid of migrant domestic hours of uninterrupted rest. This is more that the value of the goods that the if their duties include taking care of ailing time, they will try to convey the message workers to have 11 hours of continuous workable because we live with our em- defendant took was not “particularly members of the family at night. to employers about the baggage allowance rest, Vallespin said that as long as there is ployers,” he added. high”. Navoa was given two months to pay the fine. The magistrate, however, said that Navoa is being given a chance, but Mandatory food allowance, working hours opposed if the defendant uses illegal drugs By Cheryl M. Arcibal tic helpers to remind Some of them said that they had to long hours, and if working hours of help- again, he will not be given a second their employers to use spend their own money to buy sufficient ers are regulated [and when the time’s chance. AN official of a group of employment serving spoons and food so they would not be hungry while up], will they leave the children? Who “I don’t care whether you maintain agencies in Hong Kong has opposed chop sticks. performing their duties as domestic help- will take care of the children?” Wong you are not a drug addict, you won’t the clamor of foreign domestic workers “(Many) families... ers. said. be given a second chance if you do for a mandatory food allowance, saying don’t use serving Vice Consul Alex Vallespin said they Migrant domestic workers have been drugs again,” Judge Wan said. that employers in Hong Kong treat their spoons or serving would continue to support Filipino do- pressing the Hong Kong government to Navoa has one previous convic- helpers as part of their family and should Wong chop sticks, and we mestic helpers’ appeal for mandatory standardize their working hours, com- tion, but the offense was unrelated share their food. tell domestic help- food allowance. plaining that many of them work 16 to theft. Kevin Wong, vice-chairman of Asso- ers that when you go to their (homes), The Philippine Consulate General offi- hours a day, and some have even said ciation of Hong Kong Manpower Agen- you should teach your employers to use cial earlier said that they had sought the that they were on call for 24 hours. cies Ltd., told Hong Kong News that a [serving spoons]. inclusion of food allowance to the mini- Hong Kong wrapped up its three- mandatory food allowance would unduly “(The domestic helper is considered mum allowable wage (MAW). month public consultation on standard burden the employers. as part of family), and if this is the case, Meanwhile, Wong said the bid of mi- working hours in August 2016. Filipino “I don’t support this because as one why consider [the food] as leftovers?” grant domestic workers for standardized According to the UBS’ annual “Prices family, [including the domestic helper], Wong said. working hours would be difficult to im- and Earnings” study, workers in Hong man steals, they should share [their food together], Filipino domestic helpers have been plement given that even employers work Kong spent 50.11 hours a week at the and they should not create any extra ex- complaining that they are only given long hours. workplace, the longest hours out of the penses from there,” Wong said. leftover food of their employers or their “Hong Kong is a financial hub, we 71 global cities included in the poll. gambles He added that they teach their domes- wards. work long hours here. If employers work away over $365K By Cheryl M. Arcibal

A 50-year-old former domestic worker was sentenced to 24 months in jail after pleading guilty to stealing over $300,000 from his employer and gambling it away. District Court Judge Timothy Casewell gave a one-third discount to A.I. Laberos after the latter pleaded guilty to the charge in the early stage of the case. Owing to this, Laberos, who has been in custody since August 2016, would instead be serving 16 months in jail. Laberos’ employer found out that $365,050 cash and jewelry were missing, and the domestic helper admitted to taking the items and money and gambling all of it. Laberos started working in Hong Kong in 2011. The Filipino was supporting his mother and two other siblings in the Philippines. HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 3 4 February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 5 6 NEWS February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Pinay in drugs case up for sentence

By Cheryl M. Arcibal First Instance noted that S. Cumpio’s de- process with relation to facts and circum- stance, containing 1,210 grams of cocaine. drugs. fense counsel said that she was willing to stances of your case,” Judge Zervos told The dangerous drugs were concealed in “These are women and they are mothers A High Court judge ordered further in- assist authorities, but the transcript of her Cumpio in a hearing on February 1. her underwear. who have children to feed, and they be- quiry about a 52-year-old Filipino woman police interview stated that she refused to Cumpio was arrested in 2015 at the After the court hearing, Father John come desperate for money,” he said. who pleaded guilty to bringing an estimat- answer questions. Hong Kong International Airport, arriving Wotherspoon, Lai Chi Kok prison chap- Between January 2010 and November ed $2.3-million worth of illegal drugs to Judge Zervos adjourned the sentencing from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Dubai. lain, said that women from impoverished 2016, records showed that there were 17 Hong Kong. of Cumpio’s case to March 20. Upon search by Customs officers, Cum- and developing countries were more vul- Filipinos apprehended in the Hong Kong Justice Kevin Zervos of the Court of “We need to go through this formal pio yielded 1,994 grams of illegal sub- nerable to being tricked into smuggling Airport for carrying drugs. Bets take notice of EMs By Cheryl M. Arcibal tive bets should listen to the “grassroots” and recognize that there are more ethnic CANDIDATES for Hong Kong chief ex- minority women than men. ecutive post have vowed to address the “We have to break the stereotype that concerns of ethnic minorities in the city. ethnic minority women are just house- Former Finance Secretary John Tsang wives, they contribute so much more to Chun-wah on January 29 met with ethnic the society,” he said, adding that although minorities in a meeting arranged by NGO not all ethnic minorities can vote, they can Hong Kong Unison. still influence the outcome of the polls Speaking to reporters after the one-hour through social media. dialogue with 25 ethnic minorities, Tsang Margaret Ng of Hong Kong Unison said said they discussed the government’s role they were “fairly satisfied” with the meet- in ensuring that ethnic minority children ing with Tsang. receive early childhood education. “Mr. Tsang understood our situation as They also discussed the need to change well as our expectations. He understood the attitude of the Hong Kong community and he has a positive attitude so we look toward ethnic minorities. forward very much to working out in de- Ethnic minorities who attended the tail, which he promised, [its inclusion] to meeting said ethnic minority students his platform so that we have a substantial should enjoy fair and equal opportunity and to the point kind of section on EMs,” education as their Chinese peers. she said. However, ethnic minorities face obsta- Hong Kong Unison said they are push- cles even with taking their first step in pur- ing chief executive bets to make the com- suing their education. mitment to amend the Racial Discrimina- Owing to a lack of information and tion Ordinance. kindergartens’ hesitation to accept ethnic “The main thing is that the government minorities, ethnic minority parents do not in its exercise of power and functions will have a real choice when choosing a kin- be subject to RDO. It should not only be dergarten for their children. the government as an employer, but for After they are promoted to primary and example, a police officer in carrying out secondary schools, they find that there is his duty must also not discriminate,” Ng no “Chinese as Second Language Cur- added. riculum” to help them learn Chinese; and In a lecture to an event organized by the parents can not find out if schools are Philippine Consulate General in Septem- using EDB funding properly to support ber 2015, Devi Novianti, Equal Opportu- non-Chinese speaking students’ Chinese nities Officer at the Ethnic Minorities Unit learning. of the Equal Opportunities Commission, At schools that use Putonghua as the told participants that the statutory body Medium of Instruction for Chinese, ethnic was in the process of reviewing the dis- minority students lose the only opportuni- crimination laws in Hong Kong. ty to learn Cantonese. Meanwhile, Peter Wong, who an- Tsang said these problems are familiar nounced his bid for the chief executive to him, citing the period when he lived in post on January 25, said that if he were the US and needed to work on second lan- elected, he would implement programs to guage teaching and learning. help Hong Kong people to look at the big “We have discussed these (issues) with picture. some member here and we’re going to in- “Hong Kong is an international city, and corporate these ideas, these details into my if I were to be the chairman of this inter- platform for implementation if (I) were national family, then we have to have the elected,” he said. heart for different nationalities and invite An ethnic minority who was at the them to Hong Kong so Hong Kong can meeting told journalists that chief execu- continue to prosper,” he said.

Wong Tsang HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 7 8 NEWS February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK ‘Employer said nothing Pinoy ma’s tale of protecting kids from about missing bracelet‘ drug-using husband By Cheryl M. Arcibal The meeting that took place at the Reve- notice,” the witness said. By Cheryl M. Arcibal ly intact, she said she decided to take her nue Tower in Wan Chai, Judith added. Judith also said the employer mentioned children from her husband after her kids A volunteer at a non-government organi- “The meeting started at 10:30 a.m., but the missing teacups, but not the bracelet. ANOTHER Filipino mother has trans- asked her to take them from their dad. zation testified in court that the employer (the employer) was late...We then dis- Before Judith gave evidence in court, ferred the custody of her children to her Mai said she told her employer that she who accused her Filipino helper of steal- cussed the defendant’s claim for entitle- the prosecution presented the police of- parent after she learned that her husband wanted to go home to the Philippines to ing a bracelet did not complain about it ment (because of the) termination of her ficer who was called to the scene. had been engaging in illegal vices and take care of her children. during a labor conciliation meeting one employment. The defendant should have The policeman said he was told by the drugs. Her employer, however, convinced her month after the alleged theft. been paid in lieu of one-month’s notice,” employer that the bracelet was found in Mai, a 36-year-old mother of three and to keep working in Hong Kong especially Judith S. of Helpers for Domestic Help- Judith said. the defendant’s bedroom. who is working as a domestic helper in the that she would be needing money to pro- ers told a court at the Eastern Magistracy She added that the employer, whose On December 21, Lailane pleaded not city, told Hong Kong News that the Of- vide for her kids. on January 27 that the employer of Lailane surname is Lam, insisted that Lailane re- guilty to the charge of theft. fice of the Social Welfare Attache at the The employer allowed Mai to go to the R.B. did not say anything about a missing signed and was not terminated and there- Her Chinese employer testified in court Philippine Consulate General, helped her Philippines. bracelet in a conciliation meeting at the fore had no entitlements. that on October 3, she noticed that two arrange the transfer of custody of her kids. On December 7, 2015 she had gone Labour Department sometime in Novem- “I challenged her on that...It did seem of her tea cups were missing. When she When Mai came to Hong Kong, she home to Negros Occidental without telling ber 2016, or a month after the alleged theft strange that she did not mention the brace- asked the defendant about the tea cups, entrusted the care of her three children to anyone about it. of the bracelet took place on October 3. let. (If she mentioned) that that was the the latter said she had no idea where they her husband. They were living in Negros “Shocked [ang mga anak ko noong Judith told the court that as a volunteer reason for the termination of the contract were. Occidental. makita nila ako] at shocked din ako noong for the NGO, she occasionally accom- - misconduct - it would have changed the Under cross-examination, however, the She only had one plea to her husband, makita ko silang payatot, super itim, super panies domestic workers in conciliation whole purpose of the meeting. She could employer, who was not working, admitted and that was to stay away from illegal dungis, at madaming sugat sa katawan na meetings with their employers. terminate her helper immediately without that on October 1, she asked the defendant drugs. alam mong matagal na pinabayaan,” Mai about a missing plate. On the same day, “Nangako siya sa akin na hindi na niya said. the employer said she took out her golden gagawin iyon. Kasi tapos na daw siya With the help of her uncle, and hiring a bracelet from her safe because she would doon,” Mai said. private van, she then took her three chil- be dining at home with one of her friends But in 2015, she had began hearing sto- dren to her parents place in General Santos who would be visiting her. ries about her husband, who had no reg- City. The following day, with Lailane still ular job. Her husband and his family had threat- unable to produce the missing plate, the When Mai came home in Negros Oc- ened to file a kidnapping case against her, employer allegedly told the former to re- cidental for vacation in August2015, she despite Mai telling them not to worry be- place the plate and go to the “Lane Craw- heard stories from her two elder children cause her kids were with her. ford” mall because that same plate could themselves, aged 11 and nine, about their On December 27, 2015, Mai left her be bought there. father and his friends locking themselves children to her mother, Maria, and re- On October 3, however, with Lailane in their house’s toilet. turned to Hong Kong. replacing the plate with a similar-looking “Nakita daw nila ang tatay nila na kasa- Before coming back to Hong Kong, Mai one from Wing On mall, the employer was ma ang barkada nito sa kubeta at may na- had transferred her children to a school in allegedly furious with her helper. kita silang foil na sabi nila ‘kagaya ng dala GenSan. The defense said the employer then ac- mo na pang-cover ng pagkain’,” Mai said. However, on January 5, 2016, Mai’s cused the defendant of taking her golden With her children’s stories, the Filipina husband, mother-in-law, a police officer, bracelet and saying that she would call the said she could no longer ignore that her and three staff members of the Department police to report the helper. husband had committed the one thing she of Social Welfare and Development went “Let’s see who the police will believe,” asked him not to do. to the place of Mai’s parents in GenSan. the defense lawyer quoted the employer as Upon her return to Hong Kong, her hus- While the two elder children refused to allegedly saying. band had restricted her communication go with their father, the youngest agreed to The employer denied the allegation, access to her children. In October and No- be “borrowed” for a while. saying that “no such thing happened.” vember 2015, Mai said she sent money not The family of her husband promised to The verdict on Lailane’s case is sched- to her husband, but to her sister-in-law. bring back the boy the following day as uled on February 23. Although she wanted to keep her fami- they were staying in a hotel in GenSan. At around 8 p.m., the boy was returned to Mai’s parents, but an hour after, Mai’s husband and mother-in-law asked the boy to go with them again, and promised to bring him back. This time, however, the boy was not returned and Mai found out that he was taken to Negros Occidental. It took months for Mai to trace the whereabouts her youngest child. Mai said she then sought the help of Social Welfare Attaché Elizabeth Lim-Dy, who forwarded Mai’s letter to the Munic- ipal Social Welfare Development Officer in Murcia, Negros Occidental. Following evaluation, and Mai’s effort to take back her son, the boy’s custody was transferred to her mother in GenSan. “Sa ngayon, nag-aaral ang mga bata at nag-iipon naman ako dito. Hindi ko naman inaalisan ang tatay nila ng karapatan niya sa kanila. “Nakakadalaw naman siya sa mga anak niya at sana sa mga ganitong panahon mapag-isipan na ayusin ang buhay niya,” she added. HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 9 10 CLASSIFIEDS February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Pinoy tourist gets 30 Emry’s owner taps lawyer for refund claims By Cheryl M. Arcibal Judge Chow had reprimanded the rep- months for theft try, resentative, saying that as she had no ESTER Ylagan, the owner of the shuttered knowledge of the cases and no way to say Emry’s Employment Agency, has finally whether Ylagan could refund the claims, engaged a lawyer, a Small Claims Tribu- the representative would be barred from deportation breach nal judge said in a hearing on February 2. further representing Ylagan. Principal Adjudicator Anthony Chow On January 20, Ylagan was also a no- By Cheryl M. Arcibal In the train, he then saw one put his hand Siu-wo told the claimants and their repre- show at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts under the flap of the victim’s bag, but was sentative who were present in the hearing for the hearing of 21 criminal cases filed A Filipino tourist who pleaded guilty to at- unsuccessful to open the bag. Then another that Ylagan has submitted proof that she against her. tempted theft was sentenced to 30 months man tried to unfasten the bag’s lock, but has engaged solicitors to represent her in Ylagan was charged with 21 counts of in prison. was still unsuccessful. It was then that he the cases should they be transferred to the “receiving payment other than the pre- Judge Bina Chainrai, sitting as a Depu- arrested and handcuffed the defendants District Court. scribed commission”, but she sent no rep- ty District Court judge, issued the verdict together. Judge Chainrai noted that the Judge Chow said he “understands the resentative or lawyer to appear in court. on J. Mania, also known as A. Bancal, on District Court defendant had been previously deported defendant’s wish to transfer the cases to A clerk of court said they had adjourned January 27. from Hong Kong in 1992 after he was also the District Court”, noting that with some the cases’ hearing to a later date, but did Mania was charged with attempted theft credit cards, and another card holder, found guilty of attempted theft. He was 200 claims pending before the Tribunal not say when. and breach of deportation order and plead- which contained his HKID. The bag also then sentenced to nine months in prison. with refund claims of between $5,000 and “There was no representative,” the clerk ed guilty to both charges on December 9. contained an iPad Pro. In mitigation, Mania’s counsel said his $20,000, the total amount involved was of court said. The prosecution alleged that on April The witness said that at about 1 p.m., as previous offense was committed 25 years some $2 million. These cases were the first criminal 25, 2016, a police officer observed seven he was trying to get in on the trail bound ago, and that he had pleaded guilty in the Judge Chow then asked Edwina Antonio charges filed against Ylgan who was- ac “foreign” persons between platforms A for Yau Ma Tei, he saw a group of persons first instance in the present cases. of the Mission for Migrant Workers, who cused of receiving commission from more and B of the Prince Edward train station behind him who rushed to the train. One He also said it was the first time that the was representing a number of claimants, than 200 Filipino domestic helpers so they paying attention to the belongings of other of them, a man, went ahead of him and defendant breached his deportation order. whether they would agree to the transfer could get employment in the UK, and passengers. slowed him down while he was also en- However, Judge Chainrai noted that the of the cases. Canada. Mania’s co-defendant in the case, tering the train. defendant arrived in Hong Kong on April “We welcome this development,” Anto- Emry’s is said to be the biggest provid- Marcelo O., pleaded not guilty and was The witness said the train was not 19, and within a week, had committed the nio said. er of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong subsequently acquitted of the charge. crowded at the time, but the man who attempted theft. Before making a decision, however, Kong. In the first day of Ortega’s trial, the went ahead of him stayed to his right when Judge Chainrai sentenced Mania to 18 Judge Chow would also need to hear the Ylagan had insisted to officials of the prosecution presented the Chinese man, he stood some five or six steps from the months in prison for attempted theft, and views of other claimants whose hearing Philippine Overseas Labor Office that she surnamed Wong, whose bag the defend- door of the train. The other man was be- 27 months for the breach of deportation was scheduled for March 31. did not intend to dupe the jobseekers and ants attempted to pick. hind him. He then suddenly saw a police- order. Owing to Mania’s guilty plea, a Previously, Ylagan had sent a represent- promised that she would refund the appli- The witness said he was carrying bag man handcuff the two men. third of the sentence was discounted for a ative, who is her friend and an employee cants. Emry’s office in World Wide House that had his wallet, which contained sev- The police officer also gave his testimo- total of 12 months and 18 months in prison of Mike’s Secretarial Services Agency, to in Central has been shuttered since June eral hundreds of Hong Kong dollars, and ny in court. to be served consecutively. the cases against her at the Tribunal. 2016.

FDH in abortion case gets jail term CME Villanueva, the former domestic worker Owing to her guilty plea, Villanueva was given It was learned that Villanueva had paid $120 to was able to get herself pregnant. helped in the abortion or the mother who aborted who was charged in court over aborting her baby, a discount, and her jail term was reduced to 10 buy 10 Cytotec pills from a store in Jordan. He also asked the prosecutor what the guide- her own child?” the judge said. shed tears as facts of the case against her were months. She then inserted four of the pills in her vagina, lines were for the sentencing of the case, and the The prosecutor did not answer the question, but being read in court. At around 12:43 p.m., Villanueva was held on and took two pills to induce abortion. prosecutor cited a ruling of the District Court, the defense lawyer said Villanueva, as a “visitor” Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong September 18, 2016 in Tsuen Wan after she was In pleading for leniency, Villanueva’s law- prescribing a maximum imprisonment of seven in Hong Kong did not know what to do. of the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on discovered inside a cubicle of a toilet in a shop yer told Judge Cheang that the former domestic years. The prosecutor, however, said, the case in- The defense added that Villanueva was hoping February 2 sentenced Villanueva to 15 months holding in her lap a baby that had no pulse. worker acted foolishly because she was “at a loss volved a “professional” who illegally aided girls to be reunited with her husband, son, and daugh- in prison for the charge of administering a poi- She was then taken to the Prince of Wales Hos- on how to deal with the pregnancy, and she had to abort their babies, prompting Judge Cheang to ter soon in the Philippines. son or other noxious thing with intent to procure pital and blood samples were taken in and out of no money, and did not know who to approach.” ask who was more evil. Villanueva has been in custody since Septem- miscarriage. the toilet. Judge Cheang however noted that Villanueva “Who is more evil then? The professional who ber last year. Cheryl M. Arcibal HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 NEWS 11 Harassment... From page 1 her breasts. in his employ. she persuaded him to let them stay even a complaint so they could get money from She said she was able to report the in- He also questioned her about a state- when he had complained that both Miss X him and recover their expenses in coming After bringing the tea to her boss, he cidents to the Philippine Consulate after ment she gave to the police which she and Bernadette were not good cooks. to Hong Kong. then asked her if she could give him a she got in touch with a leader of an OFW signed but was written in Chinese. The Bernadette also allegedly wrote a letter Magistrate Colin Wong Sze-cheung ad- massage. She agreed and then he sat on group who helped her. defense noted that the statement did not to their employer demanding compensa- journed the case for verdict on February the massage chair. But after agreeing to Under cross-examination, the defend- mention anything about the employer ask- tion and that she convinced Miss X to file 23. massage his shoulder and his feet, the de- ant’s lawyer said the witness, in applying ing her if there were other persons in the fendant allegedly stood up, took off his for a domestic worker job in Hong Kong, house when the alleged first incident of shorts, grabbed her wrists and placed them had put in her application form that she indecent assault took place. 5 on his private part. was fond of giving massages. He noted The lawyer noted that in the statement, “I was shocked and wondered why that she had also taken up massage ther- the helper said she felt her employer he took off his shorts,” the witness said apy courses. touched her breast for five seconds, but in 4 through an interpreter. Asked if she received payments when her evidence in court, she said the defend- “Massage it,” Ong allegedly then told she had given massages in the Philippines, ant touched her breast for two minutes. the helper. the witness said she was not as she had “Bernadette was standing one and half She added that she could feel his private only done it for her family members. meter from you and the employer, when 3 part as the fabric of his underwear was “Were you aware that there are massage he touched your breast?”the lawyer said. “flimsy”. parlors in the Philippines, where sex ser- The witness admitted that after leaving The helper then said she would not do it vices were offered?” the defense counsel the room, she and Bernadette did not talk 2 because what he was asking her to do was said. about the incident. “sexual harassment” in the Philippines. “I have heard about it. But from my ex- Miss X, said the lawyer, reported the al- The employer allegedly said that he perience, we massage the body but not the leged incidents to the consulate on June 7, would be willing to pay her $80 for the private parts,” she said. or nearly a month after the second incident 1 service as it was the same amount he usu- The lawyer also suggested that it was happened. ally paid when he had massages outside. her idea to massage her employer, but she On June 8, 3016, the defendant was ar- The witness said she took away her denied this. He also noted that she comes rested by the police. During the arrest, the 0 hands and then left the study room, telling from a poor family, and that she had to defense said, the employer was “quite up- the employer that she still had some things work for the medical expenses of her fa- set” and had asked “Bernadette”, the other to do in the kitchen. ther and brother. The witness agreed. Filipino helper, “why (is she) doing this?” When the two other domestic helpers, a The lawyer added that Ong is a suc- The employer, who is said to be suffer- fellow Filipino and an Indonesian, arrived cessful and wealthy man, and that it was ing from a heart condition and has prostate at the house with the defendant’s children, a good opportunity for the helper to work cancer, allegedly told the other helper that the witness told the other Filipino worker about the incident. In their room, the witness also said that What to do if you’ve been a victim of rape or indecent assault? she told her employment agency about the incident by sending a message via Vice Consul Alex Vallespin and Mission for Migrant Workers general WhatsApp. The following day, “a lady manager Cynthia Abdon Tellez shared steps that victims of rape and from the agency called, confirming if my message was true.” indecent assault should take to pursue cases against their perpetrators: The second incident, the witness said, • Call the police immediately, and report the incident happened on May 9, 2016, when she and • Keep a diary, list down the details of the incident. Note down as the other Filipino helper were summoned many details as possible about the incident by the employer to the study room. • Keep or secure pieces of evidence such as clothes In the room, they told him about the incident earlier in the morning when mon- • If there is penetration, do not take a bath and go to the nearest public keys came to the garden and destroyed the hospital to seek a medico-legal report plants. The employer then took his rifle • Call a friend and recount the incident. The friend may serve as a and told them that he would teach them to secondary witness shoot the monkeys. • Call the Consulate (2823-8500) The other Filipino helper told the employer that she knew how to use the rifle because her husband is a policeman in the Philippines. The defendant then instructed Miss X how to hold the rifle, and told her to point the gun to the tree in the garden and pre- tend that it was a monkey. The witness said because she found the gun heavy, her arms would fall, so the employer stood behind her and helped her hold the gun. While telling her how to pull the trigger she felt his hand fondle her breast. “It took me by surprise. I felt harassed, violated so I put the rifle down,” she said after demonstrating to the court how she had held the rifle and how she was told to point the gun outside the window. She and the other Filipino helper then told their employer that they still had some chores to finish downstairs. The witness said she then again informed via WhatsApp the employment agency about the second incident. “Sir did something to me. I’m afraid,” she told the agency. Miss X added that she told the employment agency that her employer touched 12 TRAVEL February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Captivated by Chiang Mai

By Bea Santos

THE first thing I noticed upon arriving in Chiang Mai is a kind of lightness, softness even, in the air. It was not immediately recognizable; in fact, it is the kind of thing that slowly dawns on you, like a realiza- tion and an eventual submission. I boarded a taxi outside the airport and grew a bit apprehensive since my hotel is located in a secluded area. The driver, however, assured me that it is safe to roam around even at night. I’ve managed to deal with my initial A temple inside the Wat Chedi Luang complex The majestic Wat Chedi Luang, the most famous temple in Chiang Mai anxiety upon reaching my hotel, Chiang Mai Chang Thai House, which looked ming pool. My room was spacious. ed food stalls on the main road, just five the wall, facing the street, and waited pa- for THB40 (HKD9), it was indeed a steal. homely and very well put together. My ac- Having arrived at night, I was told by minutes away from the hotel. I did what I tiently for my food – a bowl of hot noo- A haven of temples commodation includes free breakfast and the concierge that nearby restaurants are was told and found a small stall operated dles with mixed seafood and vegetables, It was relatively colder in Chiang Mai usage of all facilities, including a swim- most likely closed and instead suggest- by an elderly man. I chose a table against which was surprisingly appetizing. And – aptly named the jewel of northern Thai- land – compared to Bangkok so remember to always bring a shawl, which is easy enough to store in case it gets warmer. My first stop was the renowned Wat Chedi Luang, often referred to as the largest structure in ancient Chiang Mai. Chedi means a Buddhist monument or shrine. This historic temple has survived cen- turies, including an earthquake in 1545, which caused the upper 30 meters of the structure to collapse. In the early ‘90s, a reconstruction program financed by UNE- SCO and Japan was launched to preserve the structure. Magnificent is a word I would use to describe the temple. While the name Wat Chedi Luang refers to the main temple, it is also the name of the whole complex, which houses other

Lost in Chiang Mai

A Thai lady displays her colorful paper lanterns at a street stall in Chiang Mai HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 13 Captivated by Chiang Mai

The interior of Wat Chedi Luang called Khao Soi, which is essentially co- conut curry with chicken, topped with Random smiling Buddhas crispy noodles. If I have to rate its level of spiciness on a scale of 10, 10 being the structures. Also in my itinerary was Wat a reinvigorating foot massage, I headed spiciest, this is a solid eight. I got my fix at Phan Tao, which used to be the living to Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and spent a a place called Lam Duan Faham. quarters for monks of Wat Chedi Luang. good two hours shopping for Thai goods. After a body massage at the Peak Spa, This smaller temple has a unique charm. Another must-try in Thailand is the which is a bit expensive but worth every Truly Thai food, and while the first thing that comes penny, I ended my day with a stroll along Traveling to Thailand is never complete to mind is tom yum, Chiang Mai offers the main street, admiring the view and tak- without trying the famous Thai massage. tourists a feisty little bowl of noodles ing in Chiang Mai’s crisp, delicate air. I’ve read about the Chiang Mai Woman Correctional Institution Vocation Training Center where ex-women prisoners work as masseuses to help them reintegrate into society. The philosophy behind this establishment was what attracted me the most so it was naturally in my itinerary, next to the Chiang Mai National Museum and the Chiang Mai Cultural Center. The museum trips took a bit longer than expected so by the time I arrived at the massage center, it was already closed. The caretaker, however, kindly pointed me to a similar but smaller institution – Women’s Massage The famous Khao Soi Noodles with vegetables, seafood Center – just a few minutes away. After

Lost in Chiang Mai

A Thai lady displays her colorful paper lanterns at a street stall in Chiang Mai 14 BALITANG PH February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK DENR chief orders Peace talks with Reds called off By Maia Lopez The Department of Justice has already closure of 21 miners put 20 NDF consultants under an immi- By Maia Lopez Development Corp. and Hinatuan Mining PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte formally gration lookout bulletin order. Corp. Tagana-an. scrapped peace talks with communist re- The Office of the Solicitor General, ENVIRONMENT Secretary Gina Lopez On the other hand, those that will be bels after the government served notice to meanwhile, said it would file a manifes- has ordered the closure of 21 mining com- suspended are Berong Nickel Corp., the National Democratic Front to end the tation and motion with the Supreme Court panies that failed to pass a recent govern- Oceanagold Phils., Inc., Lepanto Con- Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity and regional trial courts where the cases ment audit. solidated Mining Corp., Citinickel Mines Guarantees which granted free and unhin- of the NDF consultants are pending, for a Lopez said six mining firms will also be and Development Corp., Ore Asia Mining dered passage to negotiators. recommitment order. suspended while a decision on whether or Corp., Strong Built Mining Development Duterte reached the decision after clash- Solicitor General Jose Calida pointed not to allow Filminera Resources Corp. to Corp. and Hinatuan Mining Corp. Mani- es between government troops and rebel out that the Supreme Court resolution dat- continue its operations was deferred pend- cani mine. members of the New Peoples’ Army. The ed Aug. 2, 2016 imposed conditions for ing further investigation. Based on 2016 data, Masbate Gold Pro- last straw came after three unarmed sol- the provisional liberty of the NDF con- diers in civilian clothes were killed by the sultants, which were adopted by the con- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Lopez ject of Filminera Resources Corp. (FRC)/ however, warned that more than 19,000 Philippine Gold Processing and Refining NPA in Bukidnon, with the victims sus- cerned RTCs. people will lose their jobs with the order siltation of coastal waters and farmlands. Corp. (PGPRC) and Didipio Gold Pro- taining 76 gunshot wounds among them. He said one of the conditions is that of the Department of Environment and “We decided to close any kind of mining ject of Oceana Gold Phils., Inc. (OGPI) Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella once their participation ceases or the Natural Resources. operations in functional watersheds. Water Incorporated were the top gold producers said communist negotiators who were fac- peace negotiations are terminated, their “The role of mining when it comes to is life and we will not allow the water of accounting for 28 percent or 6,414 kilo- ing court charges can no longer invoke im- respective bonds shall be deemed auto- employment generation whether direct or our people to be at risk,” she added. grams and 20 percent or 4,576 kilograms munity under the JASIG, saying the courts matically canceled. indirect in the rural areas cannot be overly Lopez said the mining operations which of the total gold produced. granted temporary liberty to NDF negoti- Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana emphasized. It is estimated that about four will be closed include Zambales Diversi- In terms of silver production OGPI took ators due to the bail granted at the behest said that since the talks were already ter- indirect jobs may be generated for every fied Metals Corp., BenguetCorp. Nickel the second spot with 7,901 kilograms and of the government’s request for them to minated, there is “no basis to keep them direct employment in the upstream and Mines Inc., Eramen Minerals Inc., Zam- FRC/PGPRC followed at third spot with participate in the peace negotiations. out in the open.” downstream sectors,” the bureau aid. bales Diversified Metals Corp., LNL- Ar 7,430 kilograms of the total silver produc- “As informed by Office of the Executive Lorenzana said the NPA is a huge threat Mining investments for this year alone chipelago Minerals Inc., Mt. Sinai Min- tion. Secretary, the re-arrest order of the mem- to national security as its members have could drop to $1.69 billion from the pro- ing Exploration and Development Corp., “The absence of these two mining bers of the NDF panel previously under been menacing communities. jected $ 4.45 billion, the agency said. Emir Minerals Corp., TechIron Mineral projects to the production stream would detention and provisionally released to The CPP, in an editorial in its official Companies which passed the audit were Resources Inc., AAMPHIL Natural Re- certainly create a vacuum since said com- join the peace talks will be issued by the publication Ang Bayan, told its cadres Philex Mining Corp., Rio Tuba Nickel sources Exploration, Kromico Inc., Sino panies are among the top precious metal courts,” Abella said. to intensify both armed and non-armed Mining Corp., Carmen Copper Corp., Steel Philippines H.Y. Minng Corp. and producers in the country,” the MGB said. Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Edu- actions against the government amid Cagdianao Mining Corp., Taganito Min- Oriental Synergy Mining Corp.. “It is important to note that the decline ardo Año said they will go after NDF con- Duterte’s all-out war declaration against ing Corp., Greenstone Resources Corp., Other companies that will be closed in mineral production is tantamount to sultants. the communists. Philsaga Mining Corp., Apex Mining are Wellex Mining Corp., Libjo Mining lower taxes, fees and royalties collected “I’ve reports that most of these people “The Filipino people must intensify Company Inc., Pacific Nickel Phils. Inc., Corp., Oriental Vision Mining Philippines by the government both national and lo- are now going into hiding but do they re- both their armed and non-armed struggles Agata Mining Ventures Inc., Century Peak Corp., ADNAMA Mining Resources Cor- cal. Mineral exports are also expected to ally want to spend the rest of their lives against all forms of oppression and ex- Metals Holdings Corp. and SR Metals Inc. popration, Claver Mineral Development go down,” the bureau added. hiding like rats?” said Año when informed ploitation,” the CPP said. “They must vig- Lopez said some of the companies that Corp., Platinum Development Corp., CTP The Chamber of Mines of the Philip- that Communist Party of the Philippines orously carry forward the national demo- were ordered closed are located within Construction and Mining Corp., Carrascal pines decried the order, noting that the leaders Wilma and Benito Tiamzon were cratic revolution in order to lay down the functional watersheds while others caused Nickel Corp., Marcventures Mining and government cannot just shut down mines. already in hiding. conditions for a just and lasting peace.” CBCP hits drugs war as ‘reign of terror’ By Maia Lopez Villegas said an even greater cause of ippines--turning the nation into a safer concern is the “indifference” of Filipinos place for families, working people, es- THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of to the victims of the anti-drug campaign. pecially young night shift workers, far the Philippines, in a pastoral letter read “It is considered as normal, and, from the ‘terror” the bishops paint rather across the country, has scored President even worse, something that needs to be dramatically,” he said Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs for cre- done...To keep silent in front of evil is to Abella urged the CBCP to instead put ating a “reign of terror” among the poor. be an accomplice to it. Let us not allow to better use the religious teachings to Duterte immediately shot back, saying fear to reign and keep us silent.” build a stronger nation, as well as to help he would rather go to hell if it meant ad- Duterte’s bloody war on drugs has re- achieve peace in the country. dressing the drug problem effectively. portedly killed at least 7,000 people as House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, a “You Catholics, if you believe in your of Jan. 31, or seven months since the staunch Duterte ally, said the CBCP did priests and bishops, you stay with them. President took office. Up to 4,000 of not have the moral ascendancy to criti- If you want to go to heaven, then go to them were allegedly extrajudicial or vig- cize the administration’s war on drugs. them,” the President said. ilante killings. At the Upper Chamber, Senate Pres- “Now, if you want to end drugs – I will The bishops did not cite Duterte by ident Aquilino Pimentel also remind- go to hell, come join me,” he added. name in their letter, but urged “elected ed the CBCP about the separation of In the pastoral letter, CBCP president politicians to serve the common good of Church and State. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates the people and not their own interests.” The CBCP has scheduled a grand Villegas said the crackdown of drug Duterte’s spokesman, Ernesto Abella, procession on Feb. 18, called “Walk for pushers and users have targeted the poor. slammed the bishops for expressing sen- Life,” to denounce the killings. “This traffic in illegal drugs needs to timents that are “out of touch” with what “I am inviting you to come out on Feb- be stopped and overcome. But the solu- he claimed was the position of majority ruary 18, 2017, at the Quirino Grand- tion does not lie in the killing of suspect- of the faithful, which is to support the stand from 4:30 in the morning until 7 ed drug users and pushers,” he said. bloody narco-war. in the morning. Let us walk for life,” “An additional cause of concern is “The officials of the Catholic - Bish Villegas said. the reign of terror in many places of ops’ Conference of the Philippines are “Let us fill our streets not with blood, the poor. Many are killed not because apparently out of touch with the senti- not with dead bodies, but with prayer, of drugs. Those who kill them are not ments of the faithful who overwhelm- with courage, to walk, to stand up for brought to account,” he added. ingly support the changes in the Phil- life,” he added. HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 WORLD 15 Fil-Am gets post in 50 FDH bound for Japan By Maia Lopez at least 200 hours, have one year of work experience in housekeeping, and possess ABOUT 50 Filipino domestic helpers will basic Japanese-language skills. Trump administration be deployed for further training in Japan Plans to deploy Filipino domestic help- this month before beginning their work in ers to Japan were announced as early as By Maia Lopez Kanagawa and Osaka in March. in 2014. However, s stringent regulations The 50 Filipino housekeepers graduated stalled proceedings until this year. A Filipino-American has been named by from the training course provided by Mag- Selected candidates could earn as much US President Donald Trump as Assistant saysay Global Services, which partnered as $1,500 or P66,000 in monthly salary, Press Secretary. with Pasona Inc. in 2016 to provide the excluding benefit. Ninio Joseph Fetalvo, the son of Filipi- workforce sought by Japan for their rein- Attention is focused on Kanagawa Pre- no immigrants from Camarines Sur who tegration initiative. fecture and Osaka city, where domestic was born and raised in Southwest Florida, They are part of the first batch to be workers will begin training this month. will assist US Press Secretary Sean Spicer hired under a new government policy that Double-income households have wel- at the White House. encourages Japanese professional women comed the policy change, which will ease Fetalvo, 23, became one of the voices of to re-enter the workforce after childbirth labor shortages in Japan’s housekeeping the recent Republican electoral campaign in partnership with Japanese firms Pasona industry. among Asian-Americans in the United Inc., Duskin, Bears, and Poppins. Chezvous, a domestic work service pro- States. The OFWs accepted through this pro- vider based in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, has Fetalvo He served as deputy director of media gram were given free training in Japanese around 200 employees, half of whom are affairs for the 2016 Republican National During the Trump campaign, Fetalvo pino Justice of the Peace by District Court language, culture, hospitality, and house- Filipinos married to Japanese and who Committee and Florida communications “ensured the conservative message gets Judge David Saunders. work, over the course of approximately hold resident status that allows them to director for the “Grand Old Party” prior across and is understood by the Asian According to New Zealand’s Ministry of two months. work in any job. to his appointment to the Trump admin- community,” the Republican Party said. Justice, Justices of the Peace are involved Poppins and Bears sought to hire more “The industry has a chronic labor short- istration. As a Filipino-American, his mission is in an ever-increasing multitude of matters foreign workers for Tokyo after they were age. We can see the market expanding in His duties will include several “issue” to “improve the engagement” of his com- including both ministerial (witnessing of solicited by the Tokyo Metropolitan Gov- the future,” said Bears Vice President Yuki portfolios, including healthcare, educa- munity in the political process, the state- documents, taking of declarations, swear- ernment. Major nursing care company Takahashi. tion, transportation and veterans affairs, ment added. ing of affidavits or affirming affirmations) Nichiigakkan also applied to hire 30 for- The Japanese government has been an RNC statement said. Meanwhile, a Filipina has been sworn and judicial (minor offences and some eign housekeepers to meet their target of promoting employment of foreign nation- Fetalvo earned a Bachelor of Arts de- in as a Justice of the Peace or a judicial traffic cases, issue of remands and bail, offering similar services by summer. als but many are under the government’s gree in Political Communications from officer of the lower court in a New Zea- hearing of undefended cases) duties. All foreign workers hired under Japan’s skills acquisition program that critics George Washington University’s School land district six years after she immigrated Chan, a department production supervi- new initiative may only cook, launder, claimed was a guise for hiring cheap labor of Media and Public Affairs. He landed there. Marieta Chan, who has a PhD in ed- sor at the Alliance Group’s Pukeuri Freez- clean, shop, and care for their employer’s under illegal working conditions. his internship with the Republican Party ucational planning and management, was ing Works, joined her husband Philip in children. They, however, will not be al- Foreign workers have complained of there. inducted as South Canterbury’s first Fili- South Canterbury six years ago. lowed to engage in nursing care. problems stemming from being unable The Filipino domestic helpers can stay to cope with the language barrier and the in Japan for a maximum of three years. difficulty of demanding redress for griev- They will be paid on a full-time basis for ances. Blood money offered to save OFW eight hours daily work, with a day-off per Solidarity Network of Migrants Japan, week, and must be provided with accom- which specializes in foreign labor issues, By Maia Lopez his partner, a Filipina identified only as with Lano after finding out he has another modation. said workers must have fair wages even “Xylene,” had a quarrel in June 2014. girlfriend. The suspect, on the other hand, Prospective housekeepers must be at if more people start using housekeeping THE Philippine government has asked the Xylene reportedly wanted to break up became jealous of Macaranas. least 18 years old, undergo training for services. family of a Filipino worker who was killed in Kuwait by a fellow OFW to accept blood money to save the suspect, Elpidio Lano, from execution. Lano was sentenced to death for killing Nilo Macaranas in June 2014 reportedly over jealousy. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he has talked with Macaranas’ widow regarding the offer of blood money and to ask her to forgive Lano, which could save the OFW from the death sentence. “I have already talked with Mrs. Maca- ranas. I told her that maybe, she can find it in her heart to forgive Lano,” Bello said. “It’s now up to her and their family to decide if they can forgive Lano and accept the offer of blood money. I’m still hoping for the best for Lano. Hopefully, we can get at least a commutation of his death sentence, or better yet, his freedom,” he added. Lano’s case resurfaced following the execution last month of Jakatia Pawa, a Fil- ipina household service worker convicted for the killing of her employer’s 22-year old daughter in 2007. Pawa, who was buried in Kuwait, was accused of stabbing the victim several times with a kitchen knife while asleep. The schedule of her execution was so abrupt that the government and her family were notified only a day before she was hanged on January 25. According to their landlady, Lano and 16 BARRIO PINOY February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Bello says OFW bank, ID to push through Emergency Hotlines Local, migrant women THE OFW Bank and ID system, that would ben- long queue and time spent in transacting with the Numbers To Remember efit and ease the lives of overseas Filipino work- government since the government services can ers, will be operational this year, Labor Secretary be accessed online. EMERGENCY rise vs violence Silvestre H. Bello III said Monday. The ID card will also serve as a debit card and Hong Kong Observatory By Ally Constantino against women and girls. “The OFW identification card system will be an ATM card for OFW banks as well as a Beep (Weather) 2835 1473 Doris Lee of the Association for the put in place in March while the OFW Bank will card for the LRT and MRT. be operational by November,” Bello said. Meanwhile, Bello said the OFW Bank will Police, Fire Services, Hospitals 999 MIGRANT and local women in Hong Advancement of Feminism (Domestic Kong and supporters joined communities Worker subcommittee) said that in Hong The OFW Bank and ID system were both ap- cater to remittances and other banking needs Police Report Hotline 2527 7177 proved by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to improve the of Filipino migrant workers all over the world. in different parts of the world for the One Kong, the laws to protect women workers lives of OFWs. The OFWs will become part owners of the bank Billion Rising Revolution 2017, the global are very weak. PHILIPPINE CONSULATE According to Bello, the OFW ID system is a through shares of stocks and have their own movement calling for an end to violence The Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, major component of the Integrated DOLE Sys- credit facilities. For emergency cases, call or text: against women. in a statement, assailed the Hong Kong tem (iDOLE) which links the databases of DOLE Establishment of an OFW bank is among the Assistance to Nationals 9155 4023 Filipino stage actress Monique Wilson, government for upholding policies that with the databases of other government agencies campaign promises of the President. The owner- Labor 6080 8323 who is also the global director of the OBR, “perpetuate modern slavery and social ex- such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, So- ship of the bank is open to all 4.8 million OFWs cial Security System, Commission of Higher at P1,000 per share. Total OFW remittance for OWWA 6345 9324 visited the city to join the events at the Ed- clusion.” inburgh Place in Central on February 12. It said these policies force MDWs to Education (CHED) and Technical Education and 2016 stood at US$ 28 billion. SSS 2823 8552 Wilson commended migrant and local endure poor working condition including Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The labor chief said that the OFW Bank will Pag-Ibig 2823 8561 women in Hong Kong for continuing low wage, long hours of work, inadequate “The OFW can present the card to government be among the largest commercial banks in the Consulate Trunkline 2823 8500 agencies for verification of his information and country to be bankrolled by key government and to speak against violence in all its forms food, and lack of suitable sleeping space.” processing of the document, and he can even use private agencies. Office Fax: 2866 9885 the card to transact business with the OFW Bank The capital for the OFW bank amounting to Email: [email protected] and other government banks,” he said. P3 billion will come from the Overseas Workers Website: http://philcongen-hk.com/ Bello added that the OFW card will lessen, Welfare Administration, the Employees Com- if not eradicate concerns on the authenticity of pensation Commission and the OFWs them- Facebook: Philippine Consulate General documents presented since the verification of the selves. in Hong Kong documents can be done online. The OFW ID card system will also lessen the Bing Jabadan Hong Kong GOVERNMENT Independent Commission Against Corruption 2526 6366 CARD 2017 Financial Central Government 2835 2500 Complaint Against Police 2866 7700 2200 4460 to 62 Seminar Full Blast Na! Consumer Rights Hotline 2929 2222 By Vicks Reyes Munar Hindi alintana ng mga dumalo ang ulan Department of Health 2961 8989 at ginaw sa araw na iyon sa kagustuhan Equal Opportunities Commission 32 OFWs ang bwena- manong nakada- nilang mas matuto pa sa mga mahahahala- 2511 8211 lo sa kauna-unahang Financial Literacy gang bagay pampinansiyal. Immigration 2824 6111 Seminar na hatid ng Center for Agricul- Ayon sa ilan sa kanila, matagal na ture and Rural Development Mutually Re- nilang gustong maging bahagi ng grupong Labour Department 2717 1771 inforcing Institution (CARD MRI) OFW ito kaya itinalaga nila ang araw para sa Legal Aid 2537 7677 Hongkong Foundation noong ika-15 ng pag-aaral na alam nilang makakatulong Race Relations Unit 2810 3203 Enero sa Bayanihan Centre, Kennedy ng husto sa kanilang pagplaplano sa hina- Social Welfare 2343 2255 Town. harap. Transport 2804 2600 Sila ay kabilang sa ika-38 batch ng Isa si Josephine Hernandez sa mga du- Postal Hotline 2921 2222 nasabing Financial Literacy. malo at ayon sa kanya: “Sinigurado ko na makakadalo ako sa seminar na ito bago ako umuwi ng Pilipinas for good, napakar- NON-GOVERNMENT ami kong natutunan at mas naging inspi- ORGANIZATIONS rado ako na ipagpatuloy ang balak kong Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants negosyo sa aking pag-uwi”. 2723 7536 Lubos naman ang pasasalamat ni Joce- Asian Migrant Center 2312 0031 lyn Ramos at ayon sa kanya tama ang kanyang desisyon na gugulin ang kanyang Christian Action - Shine Center araw ng pahinga sa makabuluhang semi- 3188 4555 nar na hatid ng CARD OFW Hong Kong Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos Foundation. Saludo at pasasalamat naman (and other Asian Migrants and Ethnic ang turan ni Wheng Tamayo para sa mga Minorities) 2526 4249 trainors at organizers. Alliance of Progressive Labor 2770 0411 Para sa mga nagnanais na matuto pa sa usaping pinansyal at gustong mas mapabi- Bayanihan Trust Centre 2817 8928 lis pa ang pagkamit sa adhikain sa buhay, Filipino Migrant Workers Union tawagan lamang ang 54238196/95296392 9104-1411; 9758-5935 para sa susunod na seminar na gaganapin Hong Kong Christian Service - CHEER Ce sa Bayanihan Center sa February 26. nter 3755 6811 International Social Services 2836 3598 Mission for Migrant Workers 2522 8264 The Bethune House 2721 3119 Enrich Hong Kong 2386 5811 Helpers for Domestic Helpers 2523 4020 United Filipinos in Hong Kong 3156 2447

AIRPORT AND AIRLINES Airport Inquiry 2181 8888 Cathay Pacific Airways 2747 5000 Cebu Pacific Air 2722 0609 Philippine Airlines 2301 9300 CARD Seminar participants HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 BARRIO PINOY 17 DOLE exec vows to tackle OFW woes

By Cheryl M. Arcibal the launching of the mobile app “OFW charge for OEC, and the long hours that The group also reiterated their wish for moreover, the funds that are not refunded Watch”. they had to spend to queue for the OEC the abolition of the P550 terminal fee col- definitely present a well for corruption as AN official of the Department of Labor A meeting with OFWs was held at the processing. lection. these are never reported or audited,” the and Employment has assured overseas Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre said the Although the DOLE has no direct hand group said. Filipino workers here that he will discuss after more than 200 OFWs joined a picket DOLE is seriously considering the appeal on this issue, the group sought the agen- Another issue that was discussed was with President Duterte their plea for the in the morning to protest the BM online of the OFWs. cy’s support to their bid. the group’s appeal bid for lifetime mem- abolition of the overseas of employment system or the exemption from the OEC “Obviously, they can not just abolish it “The collection of terminal fee is a vi- bership of OFWs to Overseas Workers certificate and the collection of terminal that the DOLE has implemented. right away,” Dela Torre said. olation of the Magna Carta for OFWs; Welfare Administration. fee. The United Filipinos in Hong Kong On January 29, Labor Undersecre- (Unifil-Migrante-HK), endorsed by 65 tary Joel Maglunsod visited the city for OFW groups in the territory, has submitted a letter to Bello detailing the incon- veniences of the BM Online system. “Instead of abolition, a system of exemption from the OEC was implemented. We wish to inform you that this system has - contrary to making processes easier for OFWs as President Dutere had pledged to Filipinos abroad - put many vacationing OFWs in distress,” the letter said. They also submitted nine instances of Hong Kong-based OFWs who were in- covenienced by the BM Online System. Maglunsod Among their complaints were the extra

GALLERY Jane Villanueva (middle) wins a Kata V4 during a leadership training held in Macau on January 29.

Pastor Gil Evidente (middle) wins a Kata i3LTE during a leadership workshop clinic held in GWU-Macau on January 29.

John Goss is the lucky winner of a Kata i3LTE that was raffled off during the Lantau South Bands ‘ tribute to musicians held on February 11 in Mui Wo. 18 FORUM February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Editorial As We See it Milking Cows THERE are cows and there are milking ly pass on to their customers, like OFWs. cows. Overseas Filipino workers contrib- This would be a black eye to OFWs as ute billions of pesos yearly to the Philip- it would mean higher remittance fees for pine economy, keeping it afloat amid glob- Filipinos abroad when they send cash to al economic headwinds and uncertainties. their families back home. The government, however, apparently The government has yet to totally get rid wants to squeeze out more from us. of the OEC and the collection of termi- There is a proposed bill in the House of nal fees from OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino Representatives which aims to increase International Airport (NAIA). And now, the value added tax (VAT) on the service here it is planning to impose another bur- fees of remittance centers. The govern- den on overseas Filipinos. ment says this targets pawnshops which President Duterte won the presidency in now also act as remittance centers. part due to the support of OFWs. We hope But then, it’s not just these pawnshops the former Davao mayor has not forgotten that will bear the burden of the new tax this because this proposal to increase the hike. Regular remittance companies will VAT on remittance fees is certainly a slap also bear the burden, which they will sure- on our faces.

Jun Haplos at Bigwas Concepcion

Questionable Help to Norman Uy Distressed OFWs Currents Carnay SOMETHING is terribly wrong with the posts or blogs at AOFC’s Facebook page. Philippine government’s strategies and In less than 7 days, AOFC’s posts were Peace Talks Ituloy approaches to helping distressed OFWs read by over 270,000 people, generated UMIIKOT ngayon sa social media ang may “compelling reason”” o malakas na table habang naglalaban (talking while -- and this problematic issue should be over 2,400 comments and shared over hashtag na #PeaceTalksItuloy. dahilan para ituloy ang usapan. Hindi pa fighting). Sa totoo lang, noon ngang pan- addressed and resolved sooner than later. 1,500 times. Labor Attache Jalilo dela Napakaraming mga grupo ang bumibit- ba compelling mismo ang pagsagot sa ahon ni Pangulong Ramos, nakapaglagda On Feb. 9, the remains of Thelma Lo- Torre put up donation boxes at the POLO bit nitong panawagan matapos na i-anun- ugat kung bakit mahigit apat na dekada ng mahigit sa 10 mahahalagang kasundu- mahan, 55, an ex-domestic helper here office. Made aware of Thelma’s plight, syo Pangulong Duterte ang pag-kansela nang nag-aaklas ang mamamayan? Hindi an at dokumento ang peace talks kahit na in Hong Kong, were flown back to the OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac usapang pangkapayapaan noong Pebrero pa ba malakas na dahilan na sagutin ang walang ceasefire. Philippines at a cost of about HK$24,000 posted a comment in the AOFC FB page, 4 at tawaging “terorista” ang NPA kasa- kahirapan at kawalan ng hustisya sa ating Kaya kung ang compelling reason lang including the airfare of her sister Cleofe. vowing OWWA aid to Thelma’s children. bay ng umaatikabong pagdeklara agad ni bayan? Kung wala namang malawak na para sa gobyerno ay mapwersa lang na Lomahan was an undocumented Filipino But more donations are needed. At the Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ng kahirapan, walang mag-rerebolusyon. magtigil-putukan, eh paano naman ang national, with an expired passport, not a moment, the government doesn’t have a “all-out war” laban sa NPA. Sagot ito ng Hindi tama na isipin na ang peace o pagresolba sa ugat at dahilan ng arma- member of OWWA and even broke HK ready fund for use in helping OFWs in GRP sa pag-anunsyo ng CPP na tatapusin kapayapaan ay makakamit lamang sa dong labanan? immigration rules as she stayed here with- emergency situations. OWWA’s funds na ang unilateral ceasefire dahil sa - diu pagpapababa ng armas ng mga NPA. Kaya maraming grupo na ang bumibit- out any valid working visa. Apparently, have been put up by paying members. It’s manoý di pagsunod dito ng AFP. Hangga’t hindi nasasagot ang mga bit sa panawagang “Peace Talks Ituloy”. because she broke Philippine and HK unclear if its members will agree or com- Hindi naman tinatapos ng CPP-NPA- pundamental na problema kung bakit Dahil marami nga ang nakaka-intindi laws, not much Philippine government as- plain if OWWA funds are used repeated- NDFP ang peace talks kahit na tinatapos nag-aalsa ang mamamayan – kahirapan, na lahat ng Pilipino ang talo kapag “all- sistance was extended, especially in fund- ly to bail out needy OFWs if they’re not nito ang kanyang sariling deklarasyon ng pagka-atrasado ng bayan, kawalan ng out war” ang gawin ng gobyerno. Ma- ing the HK$24,000 cost of the repatriation members of OWWA. This then highlights tigil-putukan. Ang GRP ang nagtatapos hustisya at kalayaan – mayroon at may- higit 100 kongresista ang pumirma sa of her remains back home. Cleofe, her the need to set up a fund for emergency nito. Si Duterte pa lamang ang pangal- roong magrerebolusyon. isang resolusyon para rito. Maraming sister, faced a big dilemma! Raising funds use of OFWs in crisis. To read more about awang pangulo na nagkansela ng peace Kaya hindi magkasingkahulugan ang mga artista, iba’t ibang lider-simbahan, just a week before Thelma’s remains are to this, please visit -- AOFC’s FB page and talks sa kasaysayan. Si Pangulong Estra- ceasefire at peace talks. Hindi lamang ito pamantasan, maging ilang mga Cabinet be flown back to Manila was hard! www.ofwsinhongkong.wordpress.com da ang nauna. Hindi pa kailanman pinan- ang ultimong layunin ng usapang pang- members at si Aiza Seguerra na head ng Alerted to Cleofe’s predicament, the NOTE: “Assistance to OFWs in Crisis” gunahan ng NDFP ang pag-terminate ng kapayapaan. Sa kasaysayan ng peace National Youth Commission ang umaape- Alliance of Overseas Filipinos for Change will be tackled at the “Global Forum of usapan. talks simula noong 1986, mas mahaba la. Halina’t idagdag natin ang ating boses (AOFC), which I head, immediately start- Overseas Filipinos” to be held in Manila Ayon kay Duterte, kailangan daw na ang panahon na nag-uusap sa negotiating sa kanila. Give peace a chance, ika nga. ed a fund-raising campaign via a series of on April 29-30, no longer on Feb. 25-26.

Dear Editor

Dear Hong Kong News, sa tuwing may nababalitaan ako na may nalalaglag dahil sa Sa ngayon walang nagawa ang aking amo kundi sumunod Maligay.ang Buwan ng mga Puso sa inyong lahat! paglilinis ng bintana, pero katulad ng sabi ko wala din ako sa patakaran. Sa una ay di nya ako mapaniwalaan sa ibinalita Isa ako sa inyong masugid na mambabasa at nagpasya magawa kundi mag-ingat na lang at magdasal na walang ko sa kanyang mga pagbabago sa regulasyon kaya siya ay akong sumulat upang maiparating ko ang aking lubos na mangyari sa aking masama habang ako ay naglilinis .Istrikto nagtanong sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Di pa rin siya nakun- Jeneth P. Julve Managing Editor pasasalamat sa mga taong nagpasimuno na maisulong ang kasi ang aking amo ayaw na ayaw niyang makikitang malabo tento at nagtanong pa mismo sa Immigration Department. All rights reserved. No part of this pagbabawal sa paglilinis ng bintana sa labas lalo na sa at di maayos ang aking pagkakalinis. Lagi niya itong sinusuri Laking pasasalamat ko talaga dahil sa ngayon wala na ang publication may be reproduced matataas na palapag ng gusali. sa tuwing ako ay matatapos at kung may bakas pa ng tubig o aking pangamba sa tuwing maglilinis ako ng bintana dahil sa Cheryl M. Arcibal Associate Editor without the written permission of Isa ako sa buwis -buhay na naglilinis ng bintana sa napa- anumang dumi ay ipinapaulit pa. loob ko na lang ito nililinis. Napansin ko rin ang pagbabago kataas na bahagi. Nasa ika-20 palapag at walang grills ito na Laking pasasalamat ko nang mabalitaan ko na ang mga sa aking amo na sa nagyon ay di na gaanong maselan sa kung the publisher. linggo linggo kong nililinis dahil sa yun ang gusto ng aking panibagong patakaran tungkol sa paglilinis ng bintana na isi- paano ko linisan ang bintana. Belinda Bacani-Canezo Sales & Marketing Mgr napakaselan na amo. Wala akong magawa kundi sumunod nama pa sa ating mga kontrata bilang domestic helper. Para Muli, sa pamamagitan ng liham kong ito ipinaparating ko Published by HK Publications Ltd. sa kanilang utos dahil sa kailangan ko ang kumita para sa sa akin isa itong answered prayer, sa wakas magkakaroon ang aking lubos na pasasalamat sa mga taong nagpasimu- Unit 3-9, 10/F, Fook Hong Industrial Building, No.19 aking mga anak na nagsisipag-aral sa Pilipinas. Sa tuwing na din ng katapusan ang takot na maari akong malaglag sa no sa pagsulong ng mga regulasyon na sumisiguro sa aming Joko Harjanto Assistant Sales Mgr Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon naglilinis ako ay sinasabayan ko ng tahimik na dasal na sana tuwing maglilinis ako ng bintana. Alam ko marami ang natu- kapakanan. Mabuhay po kayo! Telephone: 2851 1766 Fax: 2858 8979 ay hindi ako mapahamak. Nadadagdagan ang aking kaba tuwa sa mga bagong patakaran na ito. Gumagalang, Lisa T. 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 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 BUHAY OFW 19 May ipinabibili na naging Buhos biyaya, bunga pabaon By Imelda Mae Bustinera na sukli. Mahirap pala talaga ang nakikisuyo ng pagtitiyaga! KUNG kailan mahigit 25 taon na sa lang, walang magawa at hindi pwedeng By: Vicks Reyes Hongkong si Sarah, 46, may asawa at magalit. Munar siya lumabas na mag day-off ay ayos lang pamangkin sa Pilipinas. anak, tubong Cebu, ay saka pa naisahan Sana raw siya lang ang ginawan niya sa kanya dahil hindi niya maatim na iwan- Naging mas magaan ang lahat para kay ng kagusali niyang nagbakasyon noong ng ganun dahil nakakahiya sa kapwa at SI Aling Patring, 60, biyuda at may daan ito at baka mapahamak. Aling Patring, tuwang tuwa din siya dahil nakaraan buwan. kawawa naman kung talagang sapat lang lawang anak na pawang propesyonal Minsang dumalaw ang anak na abogado kahit na dalawa na sila ay patuloy na tu- Nakasalubong ni Sarah sa baba ang ang natitirang panggastos ng ibang kasam- na at may matatag na trabaho ay hindi at nalaman nito na hindi na nakakalabas mataas ang kaniyang sahod. kakilala sa parehong gusali na nakagayak bahay. makapaniwala sa nag-uumapaw na bi- si Aling Patring sa araw ng kanyang pa- Minsan ay nagkaroon ng malaking pan- na pauwi. Sa hangad na makatipid lalo tuloy na- yayang natanggap bago siya umuwi ng hinga, kaya’t nagpasya itong kumuha ng gangailangan si Aling Patring dahil sa Matagal nang nasabi ni Sarah na may palaki ang halagang binitawan Pilipinas. makakasama niya. sinisimulang negosyo ng kanyang anak sa ipapabili siya pero dahil sa kabisihan na- Nanilbihan siya ng 24 na taon sa mag- Pinabayaan si Aling Patring na mag- Pilipinas, naikwento niya ito sa anak ng kaligtaan niyang isulat at iabot ang perang asawang itinuring na rin niyang sariling pasya kung sino ang kanyang gustong kanyang amo dahil sa balak sana niyang pambili, kaya nang oras lang na iyon niya magulang. Hindi niya ininda ang pagod makasama at kinuha niya ang isang mag-advance sa kanyang long service. ibinigay ang isang daang dolyares . at puyat lalo na sa mga panahong may- Walang kaabog-abog na inabutan siya Ipinabibili niya ang gamut at sa tingin sakit ang matatanda. Buong- buo ang ti- ng $100,000. Akala niya utang na maari niya ay kasya ito upang bumili ng apat walang ibinigay sa kanya ng mga anak ng ng katumbas ng kanyang long-service. na pakete at sobra pa. Ngunit sinabi ni matatanda na nagtratrabaho sa Amerika Lumipas ang ilang taon, namatay ang Sarah na kahit tatlo lang ang bilhin para na paminsan-minsan ay dumadalaw sa matandang babae at dahil dito nagpasya may pamasahe sang pinagbibilinan kung Hong Kong nang umuwi si Aling Patring. Nagpaalam kailangan. Naunang iginupo ng karamdaman ang siya sa mga anak at laking tuwa niya ng Laking dismaya niya nang nakabalik na matandang lalake. Patuloy niyang inal- abutan pa siya ng 220,000 Hong Kong ay isa lang ang binili pero walang ibinalik Ang ipinabiling gamot agaan ang matandang babae, binuhos niya Dollars bukod sa naunang ibinigay na lahat ang kaniyang panahon kahit hindi Ang regalo sa tapat na FDH 100,000. Hindi nakaimik ang amo Ginawang By Imelda Mae Bustinera hil may idinagdag na bagong patakaran at iyon ay ang ipinagbabawal na ang paglinis ILANG araw bago mag Chinese New ng bintana kung ang bahay ay nasa mataas kuwintas Year ay sinabihan ng amo si Editha, 28, na palapag. dalaga taga- Pasig, na linisin ang bintana Dali-daling kinuha ni Editha ang kon- para raw maaliwalas tingnan at magaan trata at ipinabasa sa amo ang parte kung ang susi ang pagpasok ng swerte. saan nakasaad ang bagong patakaran. Ngunit sa lahat ng gawaing pambahay, Hindi nakaimik ang amo at padabog na By Imelda Mae Bustinera ang paglilinis ng bintana ang pinakai- tumalikod. inisan at pinakaaayawann niyang trabaho. PATAPOS na ng dalawang taon o ng Kalalabas pa lang ng visa ng pangala- isang kontrata si Sonia, 30, may asawang kontrata ni Editha kaya nagsisi siya wa at anak, tubong Ilocos. kung bakit pumirma siya uli dahil tala- Ngunit dalawang beses na rin ni- gang napaka-demanding ng amo at kung yang naiwala ang susi na ipinagag- patulugin siya ay lampas hatinggabi na. amit sa kanya ng amo. Nang malapit na kasing matapos ang Ugali kasi ni Sonia na hawakan kontrata ni Editha ay naging maluwag at lang ang pitaka kung saan niya rin mabait sa kanya ang amo na inakala ni- inilalagay ang susi samantalang may yang tuloy-tuloy na kaya nagpasya siyang sukbit naman siyang bag. pumirma uli. Nang una siyang makawala ng susi Naalala niya na hindi tinanggap ng Kon- ay tinanggap ng amo ang paliwanag sulado ang lumang kopya ng kontrata da- Hindi na siya pinaglinis ng bintana at dahilan ni Sonia kung bakit nawala dahil marami siyang bitbit na pina- malengke. Takot daw sa aso Ngunit nitong ikalawang pag- BALAK sanang dalhin si Noemi, 38, hiwalay Sa takot ni Noemi na sakaling hindi na buma- kakataon, walang magamit na da- may isang anak tubong Batangas sa bansa kung lik ang kasambahay ng mga magulang ng amo hilan si Sonia kung paano nawala taga-saan ang mga amo dahil nagpapaalam daw at magtatagal siya doon hanggang hindi pa na- dahil naghatid lang siya ng baon sa na magbabakasyon ang kasambahay nila na nag- kakakuha ng panibago ay idinahilan niyang takot alaga. Mabuti na lang at hindi nag- sisilbi sa mga magulang ng amo. siya sa aso. tatrabaho ang among babae kaya Sa apat na kontrata na ni Noemi sa mga amo, Laking pasalamat ni Noemi nang paniwalaan alam na niya na kapag nagpaalam ang kasam- siya ng mga amo na takot siya sa aso at hindi na pinagbubuksan ng pinto si Sonia bahay ng mga magulang nito ay hindi na bum- siya dinala doon. kapag nag-door bell, dahilan para abalik. Kaya naman nang may makasabay sila sa lift malaman nito agad na nawala ang Ang bahay kasi ng mga amo ni Noemi sa sar- na may bitbit na aso ng alaga niya ay kunwar- susi. Ang ginawa ng amo matapos iling bansa ay tatlong palapag, may hardin at ing ilag na ilag si Noemi para ipakita sa alaga na magpagawa ng panibagong susi ay dalawang aso. takot nga siya sa aso. Imelda Mae Bustinera tinalian ng mahaba at ipinakuwintas ito kay Sonia.

Sinabi na lang niyang takot siya Ipinasuot na lang ang susi sa mga aso 20 ENTERTAINMENT February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK Relasyon ni Baste at Ellen, ayaw ni Digong By Cristy Kasilag ay nanay lang ang mahal niya. Tinawag ito ni Presidente Duterte na NAGKAROON ng relasyon ang anak isang “trahedya”. ni Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte na Pero nilinaw ni Baste na noong Di- si Sebastian “Baste” Duterte sa sexy syembre pa ay pinutol na nila ni Ellen actress na si Ellen Adarna at hindi ito ang kanilang relasyon. ikinatuwa ng Pangulo. Sinegundahan ito ni Ellen. Ipinagta- Sa edad na 29 ay nasa hustong gulang pat niya na bago pa mag-Pasko nuong PIA at IRIS na si Baste. Ngunit hindi maiwasan ng nakaraang taon ay hiwalay na silang da- kanyang ama na si Presidente Duterte lawa pero nanatili silang magkaibigan. na hindi makialam dahil sa naapektu- Niligawan ni Baste ang aktres nung han si Yair, ang dalawang-taong-gulang pagka-upo ng kanyang ama bilang ika- Si Miss France ang na anak ni Baste sa girlfriend niyang si 16 na pangulo ng bansa. Kate Necesario. Napakilala na din siya sa Presiden- Mayroon ding anak na babae si Baste te nang minsang inanyayahan siyang sa dati niyang girlfriend. mag-hapunan sa Malacanang. Si Baste ang bunso sa tatlong anak ni Ang kwento ni Ellen ay kakaiba at bagong Miss Universe Presidente Duterte sa dati nitong asawa medyo nakakatawa daw ang break up na si Elizabeth Zimmerman. nila dahil sa pamamagitan lamang ito By Cristy Kasilag isa sa mga lumabas na paborito ng mga in my life. So I thought that I failed the Naiinis ang Presidente dahil hindi ng isang text message. manunuod, at si Miss Haiti Raquel Pelis- first time that I went on a school, because na daw umuuwi si Baste ng bahay da- Sa isang text message ay bumati daw AT ang bagong Miss Universe 2016 ay si sier, my name was not on the list… And the hil palagi na lang nitong kasama ang si Baste sa kanya ng “Good morning” Miss France Iris Mittenaere. Si Andrea ang naging second-run- very next day, I found that I was in a new 28-anyos na si Ellen. sabay tanong na “Ano na lang kaya Ipinasa na Miss Universe 2015 Pia ner-up, samantalang si Raquel naman ang book.” Ang mga anak daw ni Baste ay su- kung mag hiwalay tayo?” Alonzo Wurtzbach, na naging Miss Uni- first-runner- up. Samantalang si Maxine “When you fail you have to be elevated masama ang loob dahil palaging wala Sinagot naman ito ni Ellen na “ok… verse 2015, ang kanyang korona. ay umabot lamang sa Top 6 na mga kandi- and you have to keep going. If tonight I ang kanilang ama. Mabilis ako mag-move on, talent ko Tinalo ng 23-anyos na dentistry student dato at natanggal na sa huling elimination will not be the winner I am still honored Nang minsan nga ay tinanong ng ‘yan.” na si Iris ang 85 pang ibang kandidato ng round. that I’m still one of the three finalists. For Presidente ang isa sa dalawang anak ni Sa katunayan kapag nasaktan siya, 65th Miss Universe kabilang na ang pam- Sa mga nakapanuod at nakadinig ng ka- me this is a great opportunity.” Baste kung sino ang mas mahal niya, magmumukmok lang siya sa bahay, bato ng Pilpinas na ang 26-taong-gulang nilang sagot sa Question and Answer por- Ito ang ikatong pagkakataon na ang ang nanay ba o tatay, ang sagot ng bata iiyakan at tanggap na ang pangyayari. na si Maxine Medina. tion ng pageant ay may mga nagsabing Miss Universe ay idinaos sa bansa. Hindi man maituturing na crowd fa- mas nagustuhan nila ang sagot ni Miss Itinuturing na record breaking daw pag- vorite si Miss France sa simula ng beauty Haiti, pero sa mga mata ng mga hurado ay dating sa attendance ang pageant dahil pageant ay unti-unti niyang hinarap ang si Miss France ang karapat-dapat manalo ang mga dating Miss Universe winners at mga pagsubok nuong ika-30 ng Enero ng ng korona. reigning winner na si Queen P ay dumalo. Erich at Daniel, break na coronation day ng Miss Universe 2016 na Ang tanong: Ano ang masasabi niya na Siyam na past and present Miss Universe By Cristy Kasilag ginawa sa SM MOA Arena at tanghaling naging kabiguan niya sa kanyang buhay winners ang nasa Pilipinas para sa pa- pinakamagandang babae sa balat ng lupa. na naging makabuluhan? timpalak. Apat sa kanila ay mga hurado : ILANG araw na lang at ipagdiriwang na Sa tatlong huling nag laban-laban na Ang sagot ni Miss France, na gumamit nina Dayanara Torres; Sushmita Sen; Riyo naman ang Valentine’s Day. sina Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar, na ng interpreter, ay “I failed several times Mori; at Leila Lopez. Pero itong kwento ay hindi nagtapos sa isang happy ending. Ang akala ng madami ay sila na ang per- fect match, ang aktres na si Erich Gonza- les at ang Brazilian-Japanese model na si Daniel Matsunaga. Pero mga limang araw bago ang ika-14 ng Pebrero o Araw ng mga Puso ay ibinu- nyag ni Erich, na ang tunay na pangalan ay Erika Chryselle Gonzales Gancayco, ERICH at DANIEL na tapos na ang halos dalawang taon na relasyon nila at ngayon ay hiwalay na sila lapit na kaibigan, at sinabing humuhugot ni Daniel. siya ng lakas sa Diyos. “It’s over”, ang sabi ni Erich nang ta- Unang nagkatagpo ang 28-anyos na si nungin ng media ang estado ng relasyon Daniel at 26-anyos na si Erich sa “Two nila. Wives” na palabas ng ABS-CBN. Um- Napansin ng madami na tila mayroong amin ang dalawa na naging mag-nobyo problema ang relasyon ng dalawa dahil bi- sila nuong Hunyo ng taong 2015. nura ni Erich ang mga litrato nila ni Daniel Nuong nakaraang taon ay sila ang nag- mula sa kanyang social media accounts. ing bida sa sikat na pangumagang palabas Ayaw na sana niya pag-usapan kung ano na “Be My Lady” na tumagal ng siyam na ang dahilan ng kanilang hiwalayan, ngunit buwan. nilinaw nito na walang third party sa ka- Ang akala ng karamihan ay sila na ang nilang relasyon. magkakatuluyan. Kamakailan ay sumali Nang tanungin din siya kung ukol sila sa game show na “Minute to Win It” sa pera ang dahilan ng pagtatapos nang at binibiro na silang nag-iipon para sa ka- kanilang pagmamahalan ay hindi ito di- nilang kasal, sabay ang pagpapatugtog ng retsong itinanggi ni Erich at sinabi na la- wedding march. mang na gusto niyang mag move on mula Nag-effort pa si Erich na pag-aralan din sa kanilang relasyon. Ang isang natutunan ang salita ni Daniel na Portuguese. niya mula dito ay kung magmamahal ay Pinakilala pa ni Daniel ang girlfriend sa kailangan magtira para sa kanyang sarili. kanyang pamilya. Hindi pa din daw sila nagkakausap ni Sa katunayan nang kaarawan ni Erich Daniel. nuong nagdaang taon ay mayroong men- Nagpapasalamat din siya sa suporta na sahe ang nanay ni Daniel na si Mommy binibigay ng kanyang pamilya, mga mala- Geralda para sa kanya. HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 ENTERTAINMENT 21 Maxine nagbakasyon sa Brunei

By Dyan Jabadan May balita na nasa bansang Brunei daw Hangang sa kasalukuyan paborito pa na marahil na nasagot niya ng tama ang ngayon nagbabakasyon si Medina kasama ring topic ng mga beauty pageant enthu- tanong. MATAPOS ang matagumpay na 65th ang boyfriend nito. siast ang Miss Universe at hati pa rin ang Marami ang hindi nasiyahan at nakun- Miss Universe pageant na ginanap sa SM- Bagamat maraming nadismaya sa pag- opinion ng mga fans sa naging sagot ni tento sa naging sagot ni Medina dahil para Mall of Asia Arena noong Enero 30, 2017, kabigo ni Medina na makuha ng korona, Medina sa tanong sa kanya ng host na si sa mga fans hindi nabigay nito ang angkop maraming nagtatanong na mga fans kung marami naman ang nakuntento matapos Steve Harvey. na sagot sa tanong ng host. saan nagbakasyon ang naging pambato ng mapabilang sa top 6 ang pambato ng Pili- Marami sa mga fans ang nagsasabing Bagamat gumamit ng interpreter sa Q Pilipinas na si Maxine Medina. pinas. kung gumamit sana ng interpreter si Medi- and A, sinagot niya ito sa wikang Ingles. MAXINE Dayanara, balik Pinas! By Dyan Jabadan

SI Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres ay muling nagpakilig sa kanyang mga Pinoy fans noong bumalik ito sa bansa upang maging isa sa mga hurado sa nagdaang 2016 Miss Universe pageant na ginanap noong Enero 30, sa SM Mall of Asia Arena. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na bumalik sa bansa ang beautry queen turned actress/ model/endorser makalipas ang 10 taong pamamalagi nito sa America. Makalipas ang dalawang linggo na pamamalagi sa bansa muling lumipad pabalik ng Los Angeles si Dayanara upang muling makasama ang kanyang dalawang anak na lalaki. Sa Ninoy Aquino International Air- port [NAIA] terminal 2, bago sumakay sa eroplano maluha-luhang nagpaalam ang Puerto Rican beauty sa kanyang mga Pinoy fans at nangakong muling babalik sa Pilipinas para sa mga showbiz at endorse- ment projects na kasalukuyang inaayos na ng kanyang management company. “I am definitely coming back. I feel like 10 years was way too long. I didn’t even realize until I got here that it’s been 10 years. My boys are older [15 and 16], if they can come and travel with me, I can stay longer,” pahayag ni Dayanara. Dagdag pa ni Dayanara nais nito maka- trabaho sa pelikula ang actor/ singer na si Piolo Pascual, “I would love to work with him. I met him in ASAP. He’s so super cute. He’s a very nice guy. I also heard about other names. As of now, nothing is set in stone. I’ll just leave that to be han- dled by Genesis [an agency handling her career in the Philippines] and we’ll decide what to do.” Sa pagbalik ni Dayanara sa America, tangan nito ang masayang ala-ala, matapos makita at makasama muli ang mga dating nakatrabaho sa local showbiz. Matatandaan na nanatili sa Pilipinas at pinasok ang mundo ng local showbiz matapos ganapin ang 1994 Miss Universe sa Pilipinas.

DAYANARA 22 ATBP February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK

Horoscope What’s Cooking?

If you’re craving for beef, but think that it 3. Transfer Capricorn December 22 to January 19 needs long preparation and cooking time, immediately to a Pag- aralan kung paano mo mababayaran ang mga utang at nang fret not, here’s a dish that is easy to prepare plate and garnish hindi mabaon sa mga interes nito. Iwasan munang mag-shopping. but sure to satisfy your taste! with cocktail onions. Serve hot. Ingredients: 500g Beef Fillet, tender cut sliced 1/2 cup colored bell pepper sliced Aquarius January 20 to February 18 1/2 cup cocktail onions Kailangan mong mag-ipon ng pera dahil may mga obligasyon na 1/4 cup oyster sauce darating na hindi mo inaasahan. Iwasan mo ang magpautang. 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp. dry Sherry 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1. Place beef into a bowl, mixed with oyster For more recipes enroll at Culinary Arts Pisces February 19 to March 20 sauce, sherry, Worcestershire sauce. Mix Centre Iwasan mo ang pagiging maramdamin lalo na kung thoroughly and let this marinate for at M/F Cockloft Wing Tat Commercial makakaapekto ito sa relasyon. Matuto kang magpatawad sa mga least 30 minutes. Building, #97 Bonham Strand East Sheung Wan Hong Kong. taong nakasakit ng iyong damdamin. 2. Heat wok until hot. Add oil and then For more recipes, you can call us at add beef. Fry one side until browned and 28507724, 28507714, 28507408, or By Chef Jay Dator then add in bell pepper and onions. 28507438. March 21 to April 19 Aries Maging tapat sa mga kaibigan na umaasa sa iyo sa mga desisyon Boy: May butas ba sa puso mo? maisip eh…Coz all I ever think is you. Girl: Ha! Bakit? lalo na kung hindi mo tiyak na tama ito. Matuto kang kunsultahin Boy: Kasi natrap ako sa loob, can’t find my way Girl: Suicide, Homicide, Insecticide din sila. out! Boy: Lahat na lang pamatay. Girl: Ano naman ang pampabuhay? Boy: Anong hanap mo sa isang lalaki? Boy: Try mo… “BY MY SIDE”, siguradong Girl: Kahit simple lang basta mabait mabubuhay ka my love. Taurus April 20 to May 20 Boy: Ahhhh….. Boy: Kase, “I LOVE U” May mga humahalukay ng iyong nakaraan dahil sa inggit at selos. Girl: Eh ikaw ano naman ang hanap mo sa isang Girl: Saan tayo magde-date sa Valentine’s Day? babae? Boy: Pwede mo ba ako tulungan? Naliligaw na Mag-ingat sa pakikisalamuha lalo na sa mga bagong kakilala. Boy: Sa Sementeryo Boy: Wala.. kasi ako eh. Girl: Bakit doon? Girl: Huh? Bakit wala? Girl: Bakit saan mo balak pumunta? Boy: Para mapatunayan kong patay na patay Boy: Kasi nahanap na kita Boy: Sa daan na didiretso sa piling mo ako sa iyo. Boy: Hindi tayo tao…hindi tayo hayop. Boy: Sana assignment ka na lang.. Gemini May 21 to June 20 Boy: Mabilis ka siguro sa mga puzzle noh? Girl: Bakit? Girl: Bakit naman? Huwag kang basta basta lang magpapautang ng malaking halaga Girl: Ha! Bakit? Boy: BAGAY tayo, BAGAY talaga tayo Boy: So I can take you home Boy: Kasi kakasimula pa lang ng araw ko, pero baka matapatan ka ng manggagantso. Huwag basta- basta nabuo mo na agad. Boy: May kakilala ka bang gumagawa ng relo? Boss: Saan ka ipinanganak? magtitiwala. Girl: Wala eh, bakit? Worker: Sa Pilipinas Girl: ABCDEFGHIJKLMOPQRSTVWXYZ Boy: May sira ata relo ko, pag ikaw kasama ko, Boss: Saang parte? Boy: Bakit walang U? humihinto ang oras ko Worker: Anong ibig ninyong sabihin na saang Girl: Ooppss!.....sorry “I MISS U” parte? Hello hindi ninyo ba naiintindihan? Cancer June 21 to July 22 Boy: Grabe nakakatawa yung mga pick-up lines Siyempre naman ang buong katawan ko Maraming tao ang gustong ipa-ako sa iyo ang kanilang problema. Boy: Maghanda ka ng salbabida noh? Hahaha! sa Pilipinas ipinanganak! Alangan namang Girl: Bakit naman? Girl: Hihihi, bakit naman? kalahati ng katawan sa US, tapos kalahati sa Gumising ka na at tanggihan mo ang mga linta. Boy: Kasi lulunurin kita sa pagmamahal ko Boy: May alam ka pa bang iba? Wala na akong Pilipinas?

Leo July 23 to August 22 Alagaan mo ang sarili mo, kulang ka sa tulog kaya palagi kang Crossword Puzzle maysakit. Makapaghihintay ang mga proyekto, mag-relax ka muna. PAHALANG punung-kahoy 1 Lugar sa Cavite 38 Pagkain nang 6 Bayan ni Nora Aunor walang ulam Virgo August 23 to September 22 11 Pugon 39 Sapi Huwag ipagwalang bahala ang pag-ibig. Makipagsapalaran ka habang may pagkakataon nang makamit ang ninanais. 12 Lamat 40 Tatang 13 Dating artistang 41 Tila Tessie 14 Dinipende PABABA Libra September 23 to October 22 15 Palamuti sa katawan 1 Also Known As Pakinggan ang isang kaibigan na hihingi ng tulong tungkol sa kanyang problema. Hindi mo man lubusang malutas ang kanyang 17 Representative; ikli 2 Bayan sa Bicol problema, makakagaan sa kaniya ang may nakikinig at nagpapayo. 19 Bawas 3 Memorya 20 Yaman 4 Carol ______21 Simbolo ng lithium 5 Bilisan Answer to last puzzle Scorpio October 23 to November 21 23 _____ Linda 6 Pagbaba sa sasakyan Lagi mo nalang iniisip ang kapakanan ng iyong pamilya. Oras na 26 Pangatnig 7 Tumakbo; Ingles 24 Pasasa para sarili mo naman ang iyong asikasuhin. 27 Nanay 8 Ipinid 25 Kulay ng kabayo 29 Sunod sa pito 9 Lampara 28 Ayon sa kanila 31 Tinapay 10 ______Flores; 30 Bayan sa Bataan Sagittarius November 22 to December 21 32 Kapulungan imbentor ng ilaw 32 Ka-partner ng Queen Magigimbal ang tahimik na buhay dahil sa ipagtatapat sa iyo o sa senado 16 Nahihiya 33 Sunod sa lima madidiskubre kalagayan ng isang malapit sa iyo. Maging kalmado at pag-aralan muna ang mga bagay-bagay bago magdesisyon. 34 Taba ng alimasag 18 Agad 35 Apelyidong Tsino 36 Matibay na 22 Binatid 37 Labi ng sunog HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK February 15, 2017 23 24 February 15, 2017 HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK