VolI No. 01 Quarterly Publication of the Philippine Embassy, Athens Ja n-Ma r 2 0 0 7 ENVOY NOW IN MANILA TO OPEN ’S FIRST EMBASSY

19 February 2007- Philippine Ambassa- Tiglao reported that Greek ship owners dor to Greece Rigoberto D. Tiglao re- are hoping that the Philippines will be ported to the Department of Foreign able to train the many officers and sea- affairs that H.E. George-Chrysostomos men needed to fill up the huge demand Nicolaidis, Ambassador-designate of for such specialized staff in the next the Hellenic Republic to the Philip- several years. are very pines, arrived 10 February 2007 in Ma- much respected for their skills and in- nila to open Greece’s first Embassy in tegrity by Greek shipping companies, the Philippines. and many Greek ships have as Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo The opening of Greece’s resident mis- the majority of their crew. and Ambassador Nicolaidis sion will be a breakthrough in further There also about 20,000 Filipinos living loving values. developing relations between Greece and/or working in Greece, mainly in the Although diplomatic relations between and the Philippines, Ambassador Tiglao capital Athens and in Greek luxury the Philippines and Greece were estab- stated. ships and yachts docked in the adjacent lished way back in 1947, the establish- port city of Piraeus. Both are domi- Filipino officers and staff of about ment of resident missions in Manila nantly Christian countries, with many 7,000 make up the biggest nationality of and in Athens was firmed up only in observers saying that Filipinos and the seamen manning Greek ships, 1987 in a meeting in the United Na- are strikingly similar in their which constitute the biggest merchant tions headquarters between then Secre- Christian, family-centered, and life- marine fleet in the world today. (Continued on page 4) Kaphilca gets permit from Greek gov’t The only RP school in Europe recognized in host country and in the Philippines

The Katipunan Philippines Why study in Kaphilca? Cultural Academy (Kaphilca) recently obtained a permit  It’s the only Philippine school for the operation of its recognized by the governments school in Athens, Greece. of Greece and the Philippines. “This is a milestone in the  You can get automatic admis- history and development of sion to schools in the Philip- Kaphilca, which will benefit pines without need for Depart- ment of Education evaluation. the children of our kababay- ans who are enrolled in the  The tuition fee is reasonable. President Karolos Papoulias (center) and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis school,” said Philippine  The curriculum is approved and (left) welcome Ambassador and Madame Tiglao at the traditional New Year’s Ambassador to Greece prescribed by the Department Reception held at the Presidential Palace in Athens. Rigoberto D. Tiglao. Ti- of Education. glao, who assumed his post  Your children grow up without BUMOTO SA HALALAN 2007! forgetting their history, heritage on 11 May 2006, had vowed and culture as Filipinos. Ipinapabatid ng Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Gresya sa mga Pilipino early on that he would pri- sa Gresya na ang 30-araw na botohan sa Halalan 2007 upang oritize the acquisition of a KAPHILCA is located at 64 makaboto sa Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) at maghalal ng permit for the 10-year-old Pontou Street, Ambelokipi, Athens. Its telephone num- labingdalawang (12) Senador at isang (1) Party List Representative school. bers are 210-7480825 and ay magsisimula sa ika-14 ng Abril at matatapos sa ika-14 ng Kaphilca was established in 6934923950. Mayo 2007. Ang botohan ay gagawin sa Embahada, na matatag- 1997 to provide formal edu- puan sa 26 Antheon St., Paleo Psychico, Athens, Greece. cation for the dependents of school system. Overseas Filipino Workers Hinihikayat ng Embahada ang mga Pilipinong rehistrado sa OAV Now with its new permit for (OFWs) in Athens. The cur- na bomoto sa itinakdang panahon na eleksyon. Ang mga rehistra- operation at hand, Kaphilca riculum used is prescribed dong botante ay maaaring bumoto sa loob ng 30 araw bago su- is also recognized by the by the Philippine Depart- mapit ang ika-14 ng Mayo. Greek government’s Minis- ment of Education and as try of Education and Reli- Matatapos ang botohan sa ika-14 Mayo sa ganap na 10:00 ng such its graduates are recog- (Continued on page 4) umaga sa Gresya, at 3:00 ng hapon naman sa Pilipinas. nized by the Philippine

2 PhilippiNews Jan-Mar 2007

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Spotlight Birth: August 27, 1952 Rigoberto (“Bobi”) Dikit Tiglao Widower of Raquel Edralin-Tiglao was appointed by President Gloria Children: Andrea Raquel, Alexandro Kalayaan, and Ben Siddharta Macapagal-Arroyo as Presidential Married Getsy Selirio April 13, 2002 Spokesperson with Cabinet rank on April 23, 2001. He was appointed Political Prisoner, Camp Crame, Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Boni- facio: March 1973 to December 1974. concurrent Press Secretary on April 1, 2002. After a six-month EDUCATION: Research Fellowship in Kyoto Uni- versity from May to October 2002, he resumed his role as Presidential Spokesperson concurrent with his new ap- Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy; Ateneo de Manila and University of the Philippines, pointment as Presidential Chief of Staff. He assumed the full-time post as Presidential Chief of AWARDS: Staff on December 9, 2002. After almost two years of Best News Reporter for 1983, Catholic Mass Media Awards serving the Office of the President as Chief of Staff, on August 19, 2004, President Arroyo appointed Secretary Fellow, Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, 1988 -1989 Tiglao as the Head of the Presidential Management Staff. Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for Print Journalism, 1991 He assumed his post as Chief of Mission and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Hellenic Repub- Mitsubishi Corp. Foundation’s Asia Economic Journalist of the Year, 1991. lic, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Cy- prus, on May 11, 2006. JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE: He has a 19-year experience in journalism as a reporter, Far Eastern Economic Review correspondent, 1989 to 1992. Manila columnist, and editor in local publications and as Bureau Chief from 1993 to March 2000. The Far Eastern Economic correspondent for an international magazine. For his Review was the prestigious Hong Kong-based international news maga- work, he has won four of the most prestigious awards in zine focusing on Asia and owned by Dow Jones & Co, publisher of the local and international journalism. He has authored or co- Wall Street Journal group of newspapers. authored six books dealing with the Philippine economy Business editor and columnist of the Manila Chronicle from 1986 to and politics. 1989. Mr. Tiglao was with the team that reopened the Manila Chroni- He was a regular opinion-page columnist of the Philippine cle in 1986 (after it was closed by the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1972), and made it the best newspaper in the immediate post-People Daily Inquirer from September 2001 until his appointment Power years. as Presidential Spokesperson. During that period, he was also Editor-in-Chief and senior Vice President of the news Conceptualized, and one of the founders of, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). Mr. Tiglao conceptualized and website Inq7.net, the news site of the Philippine Daily In- proposed the establishment of the center based on a research he did quirer and GMA7 Network Co.  while on his Nieman Fellowship at Harvard. The Center has evolved, since its founding in 1989, as a respected organization for developing BOOK PUBLICATIONS: professionalism in journalism, especially for in-depth, investigative reportage. The Philippine Coconut Industry: Export-Oriented Agri- Started career as a journalist in 1981 at the Business Day newspa- cultural Growth, Davao City: ARC Publication, 1984. per. Because it focused on business news, Business Day fell through the cracks of martial-law’s press-suppression policy, and was a much- “The Coconut Industry,” in Political Economy of Philip- respected publication during that period. After its closure due to labor pine Commodities, Quezon City: University of the Philip- problems in 1987, it was revived as today’s Business World. Mr. pines Third World Studies Center. 1983. Tiglao covered the labor, stock market industry, and financial beats. “The Consolidation of the Dictatorship”, in Javate-de- President of the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philip- Dios, Aurora et. al, eds. Dictatorship and Revolution: pines for 1997-1998. Roots of People’s Power. Metro Manila: Conspectus Foun- PhilippiNews dation, 1988. “Rebellion from the Barracks” in Kudeta: is published quarterly by the The Challenge to Philippine Democracy. Makati: Philip- Embassy of the Philippines in Athens, Greece. pine Center for Investigative Journalism, 1990. Ambassador Rigoberto Tiglao “The Dilemmas of Economic Policymaking in a ‘People- Consul General Eleanor Jaucian Advisers Power’ State,” in Timberman, David, ed., The Politics of Economic Reform in Southeast Asia: The Experiences of Patricia Barrera Editor-in-Chief Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, Makati: Asian Nathalie Fajardo Renell Martinez Institute of Management, 1992. Analydia Turiano Cielo Gamayon Editorial Staff “The Economy: Restoration and Global Incorporation” in Looking Back, Looking Forward: 1996, Manila: Founda- Bamboo Martinez Art Consultant tion for Worldwide People Power, 1995. (A project of Philippine Daily Inquirer founding chair Eugenia Apos- Address: 26 Antheon St., Paleo Psychico 15254 Athens, Greece Tel. Nos.: (0030) 210 6721 837, (0030) 210 6721 883 tol.) Fax No.: (0030) 210 6721 872 Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Jan-Mar 2007 PhilippiNews 3 Mahalagang Mensahe sa mga kababayan natin sa Gresya MAG-INGAT: HINDI NA BIRO ANG SAKIT SA PUSO! There has been an alarming number of nounced during the winter months. dalubhasa, ang pag-e-exercise ay deaths due to stroke and heart attacks Sadly, the role of psychological stress mistulang gamot para maiwasan ang among our kababayans in Greece in the cannot be underestimated in the devel- sakit sa puso. Isipin na lang ninyo na past several months which we cannot opment of heart disease. Stress is known halos libre ang page-exercise, at na- simply ignore, as this has claimed the to release certain chemicals in the body pakamahal ng gamot at pag-ospital lives of many Filipinos in Greece or that lead to a build up of cholesterol and sa Athens! wrecked havoc on their dreams of pros- plaque in arteries. Unfortunately, de-  Hindi kinakailangang magastos ang perity. spite their usually cheerful disposition, uri ng inyong exercise. Ang pina- Dra. Helen Marcoyan- many Filipinos here are understandably kamagaling at libreng exercise: nopoulou Fojas, a re- under undue stress. Stress in performing paglalalakad. Bumaba sa bus ng nowned Greek-Filipino well at work , in living in a foreign land, malayo-layo sa pinagtatrabahuhan cardiologist, actually in missing their loved ones and worry- ninyo (o kung pauwi, sa bahay ninyo) had noticed this unmis- ing if they could make enough money to para lang makapaglakad at makapag takable trend among help them back home. -exercise kayo. Filipinos in Greece The combination of a bad diet and a Napakaimportante rin na magpatingin many years ago. Dr. lifestyle with little exercise are an al- sa doktor, lalo na sa espesyalista sa Fojas says that other than hereditary most sure-fire formula for heart disease. puso, kung ikaw ay nasa tinatawag na factors, this trend is mainly due to the It gets even worse – the risks more than “high-risk” category, o malamang mag- radical change in diet and lifestyle Fili- double – if one smokes or drinks alcohol karoon ng sakit sa puso. Napakimpor- pinos undergo when they move from the in excess, which reduces the liver’s ca- tante rin na regular kayong magpa Philippines to Greece. pacity to process food, leading to a build blood test upang malaman kung mataas  Filipinos in Greece have swiftly and up of fat. Especially if a family lives in ang ‘cholesterol’ ninyo. radically shifted to diets that result in small apartments – with the windows Nasa “high-risk category” kayo: more often closed because of the cold – a quick and massive build up of cho- ! lesterol – long proven to be a major cigarette smoke from smokers in the Kung sa mga magulang, kapatid o cause of blockages in heart arteries. family have the same impact on every- pinsan ninyo ay may nagkasakit or one’s health, as if everyone in the fam- namatay sa sakit sa puso, may dia- From eating the traditional healthy diet ily smokes. betes, or may high-blood pressure. consisting mainly of rice, vegetables Malaking sanhi ng sakit sa puso ay and fish with only some meat, Filipinos Hindi na biro ang pag-laganap ng sakit minamana (hereditary). Kapag here now eat mostly animal meat sa puso sa mga kababayan natin. Pali- ganito nga ang situwasyon ninyo, (souvlaki, pork, lamb, beef) and other tan natin ang mga kondisyones para napaka-importante na baguhin na food high in fat and cholesterol (butter). maiwasan ito. ang pagkain ninyo at magkaroon ng Even the portions of pork barbecues Ang mga ilang kinakailangang gawin malusog na ‘life-style’; served are bigger than the ones back upang makaiwas sa sakit sa puso: home. It has also been noted that Filipi- ! Kung kayo ay mataba (waist line  Bawasan ang pagkain ng karne ng nos here tend to be overweight or out- anumang uri. Piliting kumain ng over 90 cms.) o kung kayo ay nanini- right obese – conditions for the develop- mas maraming gulay at prutas. Iwa- garilyo ng napakaraming taon na. ment of heart disease. san din ang pagkain ng maraming There are many studies which have mga maalat na pagkain. shown that the relatively low rate of Medical Check-ups  Pilitin nating ibaba ang ating tim- FREE heart disease among Greeks may be due at Embassy bang, at iwasan ang pagiging The Embassy has contracted the free services to their relatively high consumption of mataba. Ang pagiging mataba of Dra. Helen Marcoyannopoulou Fojas, a re- olives (or olive oil) and red wine. How- (waistline of more than 90 centime- nowned Greek cardiologist, to undertake medi- ever, Filipinos are not fond of olives nor ters) ay isang kinikilalang kondisyo- cal screenings of Filipinos who are in the ‘high- red wine. nes ng pagkakaroon ng sakit sa puso. risk’ category for developing heart disease.  While shifting to an unhealthy diet, Maliban sa kanin, ang mga malakas Dra. Fojas is also a professor and consultant at Filipinos here also have mostly magpataba ay mga matatamis na the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines. changed their lifestyles and have little kakanin. time for exercise. Much of Filipinos’ After the check-up, Dra. Fojas will advise Filipi-  Itigil ang paninigarilyo. Napakara- free time is spent watching TV or nos on what measures they should take to pre- ming mga pag-aaral na ang nagtutu- vent heart-disease or its worsening, or if their Filipino-movie videos, and some say, koy sa usok ng sigarilyo bilang sanhi heart condition is serious enough to warrant in card games (tong-its) lasting for ng pagkakaroon ng sakit sa puso. more comprehensive medical attention. hours. The relatively reliable system Kung may kasama kayong naniniga- If you are interested in this examination, please of mass transit in Athens also dis- rilyo sa bahay – ang asawa niyo phone the Embassy for an appointment with courages Filipinos from walking, halimbawa – payagan lang siyang Dra. Fojas at the Embassy every Friday from 3-5 which is one of the best exercises for pm starting 20 April 2007. Please contact Ms. manigarilyo sa labas ng bahay. keeping a healthy heart. This seden- Cielo Gamayon or Mr. Mon Garcia at (210) tary lifestyle becomes especially pro-  Mag-exercise. Dapat maski 20 minu- 6721-883 or 6721-837. tos lang bawa’t araw. Ayon sa mga

4 PhilippiNews Jan-Mar 2007

Greek envoy ( from page 1) ing the prefecture of Drama dor Tiglao also had several value garments, coffee, and tary of Foreign Affairs Raul in Northern Greece Stavros dinner meetings with Am- processed tuna products, the Manglapus and then Greek Daliakis had expressed keen bassador Nicolaidis together latter two of which Greece Foreign Minister Karolos interest in the opening of the with other Greek friends of has already imported, al- Papoulias, now President of Greek embassy in Manila. the Philippines to brief him though in small amounts, the Hellenic Republic. In August, Senator Daliakis on the Greece-Philippine from our country. However, while the Philip- brought Ambassador Tiglao, relations, and to acquaint Tiglao said that with the pines set up its resident mis- together with Greek busi- him on the Philippines. rapid increase in Greece’s sion in Athens in 1988, the nessman Yorgos Psinakis Ambassador Nicolaidis was affluent and middle class in Philippines had been covered and Greek-American entre- in Manila for a week last the past ten years, the Philip- only from Greece’s embassy preneur Nikos Gitsis to meet November to assess the lo- pines with its island resorts in Jakarta, Indonesia. with ranking Ministry of gistical requirements for and its famed hospitality Filipinos traveling to Greece Foreign Affairs officials on opening up the Greek em- could be a major tropical were issued with the appro- the subject of the Greek em- bassy. Ambassador Nico- tourist destination for priate visas by Greece’s Ja- bassy in Manila. Among laidis will be joined by his Greeks, especially during its karta embassy or through the these ranking MFA officials wife Alcmene, a fomer fall and winter seasons. Spanish consulate in Manila. were MFA deputy minister banker. Madame Alcmene Born in Athens in 1947, Am- Evripides Stylianides, and hails from Drama prefecture Tens of thousands of Filipi- bassador Nicolaidis is a vet- Mr. Dimitrios Zafriadis, the in northern Greece. nos who had required visas eran diplomat, with a rank of chief of staff of Foreign Min- had to go to Jakarta, which Ambassador Tiglao said that Minister Plenipotentiary First ister Dora Bakoyannis. process incurred much ex- the opening up of the Greek Class, and has been in the pense to them. Many Greek Ambassador Nicolaidis in- embassy in Manila would be Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Filipino businessmen formally informed Ambassa- invaluable in developing since 1974. His recent post- who wanted closer commer- dor Tiglao of his designation business between the Philip- ings as head of mission have cial relations between the by the Ministry of Foreign pines and Greece. Among been in the Kingdom of two dominantly Christian Affairs as the ambassador to Greek products that have Saudi Arabia in 1997 and to countries were discouraged Manila in September, saying much potential in the Philip- the Republic of Slovenia in because of the absence of a that he was very happy about pines are olive oil, wine, and 2001. He was head of the Greek embassy in Manila. his new posting, as he has cheese. The Philippines on Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ had a keen interest in South- the other hand could be a big Directorate for South Amer- Ambassador Tiglao said that east Asia and in the Philip- exporter to Greece of furni- ica and the Carribean in veteran New Democracy pines. ture (especially for its restau- 2005, and of the Directorate Party parliamentarian, Mem- rants and tavernas), high- for North America last year. ber of Parliament represent- Since September, Ambassa-

Kaphilca ( from page 1) gious Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Embassy on 23 November 2006 about the approval, and the Philippine Embassy in Greece received a copy of the permit on behalf of Kaphilca. “We appreciate the cooperation of the Greek government and its ministries in the fulfillment of this endeavour. We are confident this will lead to a further growth in the bonds between the two countries,” Ambassador Tiglao said. Kaphilca operates under the aegis of the Philippine Embassy in Athens, Greece Kaphilca Director Roberto Fresnido (seated, second from right) and the teachers of Kaphilca. headed by Ambassador Tiglao. Its su- pervision is under the Commission of evaluation by the Department of Educa- integrate into Greek society. Filipino Overseas which is directly un- tion. This is a tremendous advantage for Ambassador Tiglao recalled that before der the Office of President Gloria Maca- the children that should not be over- he left for Greece last May, he met with pagal-Arroyo. The current director of looked by their parents, Ambassador former President Fidel V. Ramos to the school is Mr. Roberto B. Fresnido, Tiglao added. discuss the problems and potentials of former principal of the Philippine In addition, Kaphilca’s curricula ensures Kaphilca. “He told me to take care of School in Doha, Qatar, and teacher at that the children of OFWs in Greece do the school and ensure its continued op- the Philippine Science High School in not forget their origins and heritage de- eration,”Ambassador Tiglao said. For- Manila. spite never having lived in the Philip- mer President Ramos helped establish The graduates of Kaphilca are automati- pines, as Philippine culture, values, na- the school in 1997 following his State cally admitted to schools in the Philip- tionalism and identity are highlighted. Visit to Greece that year. He helped pines, as there is no need for further The teaching of the is included in order to help the children (Continued on page 7)

Jan-Mar 2007 PhilippiNews 5 Philippine Embassy: Kabalikat ng OFWs sa CYPRUS Corner Greece at Cyprus

gail Napagal, an OFW in Athens who With the enactment of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Over- was diagnosed with acute leukemia in seas Filipinos Act of 1995, assisting June 2006 and who has since been in Workers (OFWs) has and out of the hospital. The Embassy, become one of the highest priority con- through the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, also requested the cerns of the Department of Foreign Af- fairs (DFA) and the Philippine Foreign Spanish Embassy in Manila to immedi-

Service. ately issue an appropriate entry visa to Abigail’s mother, Mrs. Lourdes Llander, Philippine Foreign Service Posts to enable her to travel to Greece and accomplish this mandate through its take care of her ailing daughter. Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Sections Ambassador Tiglao Presents in countries with large concentrations of The year 2006 also saw several Filipino Credentials to President of Cyprus seafarers on board Greek-owned vessels OFWs. The ATN is tasked with His Excellency Philippine Ambassador to upholding the fundamental rights, the and other foreign-owned ships becoming sick, figuring in accidents, or Greece Rigoberto D. Tiglao presented his provision of protection, and the credentials as non-resident Ambassador of succumbing to illness. Philippine promotion of the welfare and dignity of the Philippines to the Republic of Cyprus to Embassy officials visited injured Pinoy overseas Filipinos, in accordance with H.E. Tassos Papadopoulos, President of the seafarers in hospitals, monitored their the laws of the Philippines, the host Republic of Cyprus, on 29 September 2006 at condition, and ensured that their em- country, and internationally-recognized the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. agreements. ployers shouldered their hospitalization in Greece and their immediate repatria- In his presentation speech, Ambassador Ti- In 2006, the Philippine Embassy in tion to the Philippines. glao underscored the continued growth and Athens provided various forms of expansion of bilateral relations between the The Philippine Embassy also facilitated assistance ranging from counseling to Philippines and Cyprus since establishing in the repatriation of the remains of a hospital and jail visitations, to repatria- diplomatic relations on 06 March 1980. He number of Filipino seafarers, by tion and financial assistance to dis- also conveyed the Philippine Government’s ensuring that appropriate assistance tressed kababayans in Greece as well as appreciation for the trust and confidence ac- would be provided by their employers in Cyprus, which falls under the juris- corded to Filipino workers in Cyprus, thou- and concerned Philippine government diction of the Philippine Embassy in sands of which are employed in Cypriot- agencies to their bereaved families. Athens. owned ships and vessels. Among the seafarers whose case was GREECE During the customary tête-à-tête following the closely monitored by the Embassy con- At the start of 2006, the DFA, on the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Tiglao cerned Mr. Marlex Valerio, a crew- recommendation of the Philippine conveyed the warm greetings of H.E. Gloria member of a German-owned cruise Embassy, assisted the bereaved family Macapagal Arroyo to President Papadopou- liner, Aida Cruises, who underwent by- and friends of Mrs. Revelita Jacob, an los. He also conveyed the desire of the Phil- pass surgery in July 2006 at the Euro- OFW in Athens who died of acute pul- ippine Government to open a labor office in clinic Athens following a heart attack on monary failure on 09 January 2006, by Cyprus to attend to the welfare of Filipinos board the ship. shouldering the cost of her interment in working in Cyprus following the resignation of Athens since her family in the In September 2006, Philippine Embassy Mrs. Vanthoula Tsaousis-Constantinides as Philippines did not have the financial officials, together with the Welfare Offi- Philippine Honorary Consul in Cyprus. cer, assisted and attended to the needs of capacity to have her remains repatriated President Papadopoulos was delighted to seafarers Cesar Mariñas and Tranqui- to Nueva Ecija. note that the excellent friendly ties between lino Guanco, Jr., crewmembers of From May 2006 until the end of the the Philippines and Cyprus “are being rein- Greek-owned tanker MT NOYNOY, year, several Filipinos victimized by the forced by the presence of a significant num- both of whom sustained serious burn illegal recruitment schemes perpetrated ber of Filipino nationals working in Cyprus injuries while doing welding jobs on by Maricel Bellen applied for, and were and particularly by Filipino seafarers, who board the vessel. issued, new Philippine passports by the play an important part in the development of Philippine Embassy. The Philippine Mrs. Magnolia Mariñas, wife of Cesar, Cyprus’ maritime industry.” He also attributed Embassy likewise sought the assistance was immediately issued an entry visa by the strengthened ties between the two coun- of the National Bureau of Investigation the Spanish Embassy in Manila on the tries to Cyprus’ entry in the ASEAN-Europe (NBI) in bringing this illegal recruiter to request of the DFA and the Philippine Meeting (ASEM) in 2004. Embassy in Greece. Sadly, Mr. Mariñas justice. The ceremony was attended by officials of the succumbed to multiple-burns after nine- Acting on the endorsement of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassa- teen days of confinement at the Inten- Embassy, financial assistance was ex- dor Tiglao’s wife Madame Getsy S. Tiglao sive Care Unit (ICU) of the Gennimatas tended by the DFA to Mrs. Nida was also in attendance at the initial presenta- Hospital in Athens. Embassy and Burgos, an OFW in Athens whose tion ceremony and was likewise introduced to OWWA officials regularly visited Mr. husband, Jose, also an OFW in Athens, President Papadopoulos and the other offi- died in October 2006; and to Ms. Abi- (Continued on page 7) cials of the Cyprus government. 

6 PhilippiNews Jan-Mar 2007

Community News

The Philippine Embassy hosted a Christmas Party for about 60 Accredited Community Partners (ACP) and Leaders of the Filipino Community in Greece on 22 December 2006 at the premises of the Embassy. The fun-filled night in- cluded singing and parlor games. Each guest was also given a Philippine flag lapel pin.

(Counterclockwise, from top): Ambassador Tiglao and Madame Getsy Tiglao together with Leaders of the Filipino Community look on as Embassy Officers and staff serenade the guests; Embassy officers and staff singing “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit”; Guests enjoy a sumptuous feast of Filipino food prepared by the Embassy officers and staff. 

We welcome Pinoy news!

Any newsworthy events in your area about Pinoys or Pinoy groups? Want to make a comment or letter to the editor? You can send us your letters, news stories, press or photo releases for publication in PhilippiNews! Our mailing address: Editorial Staff-PhilippiNews c/o The Philippine Embassy 26 Antheon St., Paleo Psychico 154 52 Athens, Greece

You can also contact telephone numbers 210-6721883 or 210 -6721837; fax number 210-6721872; or send e-mail to phi- The Philippine Embassy welcomes... [email protected] or [email protected]. (DOLE) in 1974. Bachelor of Laws. He was a third-placer in He is a Career Executive Service eligible and the Bar Examination in 1972. He taught at the Arellano College of Law while working at G. EDUVALA, has served in various postings starting in 1983 (Guam, Oman, Taiwan, the Netherlands DOLE. new Labor Attaché and Japan). In the home base, he also He is a recipient of the 1973 Order of Si- to Greece served as a labor arbiter of the Department of katuna from the San Beda College, and was Labor and Employment and was the Legal among the recipients of the Outstanding Atty. George Eduvala assumed his duties Adviser to the Labor Secretary and head of Alumni Award from the UST’s Faculty of Arts and responsibilities as the new Labor Attaché the Department’s Legal Service prior to his and Letters in 1991. to Greece on 26 January 2007. posting to Greece. He was born in Masinloc, Zambales on 13 He began his government service in 1973 at He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from February 1947 and is married to Adelaida the Supreme Court before transferring to the the University of Sto. Tomas and graduated Mangahas. They have three children.  Department of Labor and Employment Cum Laude from the San Beda College with a School And High School in Cotabato; gradu- tion Office. He established the Philippine ated from the San Beda College with a de- Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Dubai, gree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce, United Arab Emirates in 1994 where he J. GIMENEZ, major in Accounting; and Bachelor of Laws served for two years before being posted to new Labor Attaché from Ateneo de Davao University. Tripoli, Libya as Labor Attaché in 1994. He to Cyprus He passed the bar examination in 1981. assisted in the evacuation of Overseas Fili- pino Workers (OFWs) from Lebanon during Atty. Jaime P. Gimenez arrived in Athens After practicing law from 1972-1986, he en- the July 2006 crisis. on 26 February 2007 enroute to assuming his tered government service through the Philip- duties as the new Labor Attaché to Cyprus. pine Overseas Employment Administration He was born in Manila on 21 June 1952. He studied at the Notre Dame Training (POEA) as Director of Welfare and Adjudica-

Jan-Mar 2007 PhilippiNews 7

Philippine Embassy (from page 5) circumstances surrounding the deaths of Philippine Embassy, Athens Guanco while he was recovering from his OFWs Mr. Leo Cernal and Ms. Janet Tel. Nos.: (210)6721837, (210)6721883 injuries at the Gennimatas Hospital be- Valdez as well as seal their caskets. Mr. Fax No.: (210)6721872 fore being repatriated to the Philippines Cernal was found dead in his flat in on 18 January 2007.Before 2006 ended, Limassol on 15 November which police Embassy officials assisted two Filipinas, said was alleged suicide. Ms. Valdez, on H.E. RIGOBERTO D. TIGLAO Mesdames Rubilyn Dilarte and Adrilyn the other hand, perished in a car accident Ambassador Absalon, who were apprehended at the on 18 November 2006. To date, the Em- Athens El Venizelos Airport on 10 bassy continues to monitor these cases ELEANOR L. JAUCIAN November 2006 for carrying fake travel and has sought the assistance of the Cy- Minister and Consul General Ext # 105 documents. The two were detained at the prus Government in investigating the

Immigration Police Detention Center in cases. PATRICIA V. BARRERA Petrou Raly, while Embassy officials The Embassy also conducted two Consu- Second Secretary and Consul worked on their immediate deportation to lar Outreach Missions to Cyprus follow- Ext # 114 the Philippines to avoid long-term ing the resignation of the Philippine Hon- imprisonment in Greece for violation of orary Consul to Cyprus in September HERMOGENES P. GARCIA immigration laws. Both were repatriated 2006. The consular team issued a total of Attaché / Administrative Officer Ext # 102 to Manila on 12 December 2006. 255 passports and 30 documentations

CYPRUS (notarials and authentication services) EULOGIO G. COMAYA Although there is no Philippine Embassy and attended to several ATN and welfare Attaché / Finance Officer in Cyprus, the Philippine Embassy in cases. Ext # 103 Athens never fails to attend to the SUMMARY RENELL D. MARTINEZ consular and welfare needs of our kaba- In 2006, the Philippine Embassy,together bayans in Cyprus. With the help of OFW Attaché / Collecting Officer with OWWA, coordinated in the repatria- Ext # 116 volunteers there, the Embassy is able to tion to the Philippines of 20 OFWs who provide necessary assistance to Filipinos died in Greece and Cyprus, as well as 2 NESTOR C. MAGALLONES in Cyprus. Although a Philippine Honor- Attaché / Communications, OFWs who were buried in Greece and 1 Protocol, Property, Records Officer ary Consulate has been appointed in in Cyprus. On a daily basis, the Ext # 111 Nicosia, the office is not yet functioning Embassy’s ATN Section attends to pending acceptance by the Government OFWs who go to the Embassy seeking ANALYDIA A. TURIANO of the Republic of Cyprus. counseling and assistance regarding per- Attaché / Cultural Officer In September 2006, Ms. Cristina Tajon, sonal, employment and immigration- Ext # 108 a jobless and penniless OFW in Nicosia, related problems. NATHALIE A. FAJARDO sought the Embassy’s assistance for the In 2007, the Embassy aims to strengthen immediate repatriation to the Philippines Attaché / Consular Assistant -ATN its capability in handling ATN and wel- Ext # 113 for her and her month-old daughter, fare cases in order to assist its kababay- Marienne. The DFA, on the Embassy’s ans more effectively and efficiently. CIELO L. GAMAYON endorsement, shouldered their airfares. Attaché/Ambassador’s Secretary On 01 October 2006, the Tajons left for (Assisting OFWs in Greece and Cyprus Ext # 101 the Philippines on board Emirates Air- is a joint undertaking by the Embassy’s lines. ATN Section and the Philippine Labor ELENI LAIOS-PELEKIS Office (POLO). The POLO is an at- Embassy officials also traveled to Cyprus Translator/Interpreter tached agency from the Department of Ext # 110 in mid-November 2006 to ascertain the Labor.)  PERLITA C. CACATIAN Kaphilca (from page 4) Philippine Embassy Launches Consular Clerk provide the initial start-up fund from Ext # 112/116 Official Website the President’s Social Fund. Kaphilca began operating with the assistance of Beginning March 2007, Pinoys across Greece ROLANDO T. CARDONA and Cyprus, and around the globe, will have the Philippine Embassy in Athens, the General Utility Man immediate access to the Philippine Em- CFO, and the Filipino community. Ext # 115 bassy’s services through the Embassy’s offi- With regards other Filipino learning cial website, www.athenspe.net. centers operating in Athens without PATRICIO M. ALCANTARA The website contains information on consu- permits, Ambassador Tiglao said that Driver of the Ambassador lar, labor and welfare matters, news updates the Philippine Embassy in Greece is Ext # 112/116 about the Philippines and activities of the open for talks towards possible inte- Embassy and the Filipino Community. Appli- gration into the Kaphilca school. He GEMMA Y. COLOMA cation forms can also be downloaded from Consular Clerk this site. said this would help ensure a better future for Filipino schoolchildren as Ext # 112/116 The Embassy website is just one of our many projects aimed at improving our services to they will graduate from a school that is BYRON B. VILLANUEVA our kababayans here in Greece and in Cy- officially recognized in both the Philip- Consular Clerk/Alternate Driver/ prus. So, what are you waiting for? Visit pines and Greece. Messenger www.athenspe.net now! Ext #112/ 116

8 PhilippiNews Jan-Mar 2007

Philippine Overseas Labor Office How to identify an illegal recruiter agency ngunit walang Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) maipakitang ID 63-A Katechaki Street, Neo Psychico, Athens Kilalanin ang illegal recruiter! Tels.: (210)6983335, (210)6982871,(210)6728256 nagpapakilala na konek- Ang illegal recruiter ay: recruit ng mga aplikante tado sa isang travel agency o training center agad naniningil ng place- hindi nagbibigay ng sa- ATTY. GEORGE A. EDUVALA ment fee o anumang kau- pat na impormasyon nanghihikayat sa mga Labor Attaché (Greece) kulang bayad nang tungkol sa ina-aplayang aplikante na mangalap ng

walang resibo trabaho iba pang aplikante upang mapabilis ang pagpa- nangangako ng madali- nagsasabi na may kausap ATTY. JAIME P. GIMENEZ paalis Labor Attaché (Cyprus) ang pag-alis patungo sa na direct employer at ang ibang bansa mga aplikante ay di na walang maibigay na sa- pat at tamang impormas- nagre-require agad ng kailangang dumaan sa JOCELYN O. HAPAL yon tungkol sa sarili tu- medical examination o POEA Welfare Officer lad ng buong pangalan o training kahit wala pang nangangako ng mabilis address malinaw na employer o na pag-alis ng aplikante  JEAN V. SANTOS kontrata gamit ang tourist o visit nangangako na ang mga dokumento ay ipapasok PAG-IBIG Representative nakikipag-transaksiyon visa sa POEA para mai- sa mga aplikante sa mga walang maipakitang em- process (lalo na sa kaso pampublikong lugar tulad ployment contract o CARLOS P. MONTENEGRO ng EPS-Korea) ng restaurant, mall, at- working visa Administrative Assistant, POLO hihikayatin ka dahil na- bpa. at hindi sa opisina nagpapakilala na em- ng lisensyadong ahensiya kapag-paalis na ng isa o pleyado ng isang lisen- higit pa gamit ay tourist OFW TIPS: bahay-bahay kung mag- syadong recruitment visa How to Avoid Modus Operandi of Mag-impok at Magkaba- Illegal Recruitment Illegal Recruiters hay sa Pag-IBIG

Ipinakikilala ng Pag-IBIG Fund ang isang 1. Do not apply at recruitment ! Escort Services – Undocumented programang tutulong sa mga Pilipinong agencies not licensed by POEA. workers are “escorted” by corrupt nasa ibang bansa para makapag-impok sa 2. Do not deal with licensed agen- government staff at the airport or any kanilang kinabukasan, at makapagpatayo ng sariling bahay sa ilalim ng isang abot- cies without job orders. international exit to evade check- kayang housing program. points set up to check on the docu- 3. Do not deal with any person who Ang Pag-IBIG Overseas Program o POP ay ments of workers. is not an authorized representa- isang voluntary savings scheme na bukas sa tive of a licensed agency. ! Tourist–Worker Scheme – Workers lahat ng Pilipino na nagtatrabaho o perma- 4. Do not transact business outside leave the country posing as tourists nenteng naninirahan sa ibang bansa, immi- but are actually deployed as workers grants at seafarers. Sa pamamagitan ng the registered address of the pag-iimpok ng maliit na halaga kada bu- agency. If recruitment is con- abroad. wan, maari nang magkaroon ng housing ducted in the province, check if ! Assumed Identity – Workers, particu- loan na nagkakahalaga ng hanggang 2 the agency has a provincial larly minors (less than 21 years old), milyong piso. recruitment authority. are deployed abroad under an as- Ang isang miyembro ng Pag-IBIG ay maar- 5. Do not pay more than the al- sumed identity. ing maghulog ng halagang katumbas ng lowed placement fee. It should US$5 bilang monthly savings, o kaya’y lump ! Trainee Worker Scheme – Hired work- be equivalent to one month sum na katumbas ng 24 na buwanang im- salary, exclusive of documenta- ers are deployed allegedly not for pok. Ang buwanang hulog ay kumikita ng dibidendo taun-taon na hindi pinapatawan tion and processing costs. employment but for training purposes only, and will return to sending com- ng buwis. 6. Do not pay any placement fee pany after training. Maaaring ma-withdraw ang accumulated unless you have a valid employ- savings pagkaraan ng 5, 10, 15, o 20 taon ! Backdoor Points Scheme – Workers ment contract and an official na pag-iimpok, depende sa membership receipt. travel abroad not through regular exit term na pinili ninyo nang kayo ay magpre- 7. Do not be enticed by ads or channels like airports, but through histro bilang miyembro. Maari ring ma- withdraw kung sakaling ang miyembro ay brochures requiring you to reply such means as cargo ships. ! pumanaw ang buhay, tuluyang nabal- to a Post Office (P.O.) Box, and Tie-Up System – Unlicensed recruiters dado, o natanggal sa serbisyo dahil sa to enclose payment for process- with blacklisted foreign principals, use problema sa kalusugan. ing of papers. the names and offices of licensed Para maging Pag-IBIG member, magtungo 8. Do not deal with training centers recruiters in their illegal activity. kay Ms. Jean V. Santos, POP Officer, sa and travel agencies, which ! Visa Assistance/Consultancy Scheme POLO-FWRC. Ang address ay 63-A Kate- promise overseas employment. chaki St. Neo Psychico, Athens at ang tele- – Firms that offer services including the pono ay 210-6983265. Sagutan ang Mem- 9. Do not accept a tourist visa. pairing of workers with foreign em- ber’s Data Form at i-submit kasama ang 1”x1” ID photo at ang tamang kontribusyon. 10. Do not deal with fixers. ployers and promising applicants im- migrant visas but are in reality en-  gaged in the recruitment business. 