OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 003 by OFW ako Magazine

Importance

of Savings

MAGAZINE

INSIDE:

The Pakikisama, a Filipino life skill by Mae Cayir .......... page 24-25 Charmaine Clamor in Focus ................................... page 26-28 OFW: What Keeps You Going? by Paul Pruel ........ page 30-31 Pinoys Oppose Barcelona Consulate Closure ....... page 34-37 Pinoy Smart Savers by Alvin T. Tabanag ................ page 38-41 Why a man must Save & Invest by Ernie D. Delfin .page 42-44 Makata si Juan at si Maria ...................................... page 46-47

Domestic Workers: mga BAYANI para sa pamilya at para sa bayan

Bangkok in my mind by Emmanuel C. Roldan ........... page 2-5 What really am I as an OFW by Gracia Amor ............. page 6-7 A Mother’s Story by Eden R. Manabat ..................... page 8-11 Anita’s Kitchen by OFCI ........................................ page 12-13 Domestic Workers, Bayani by Raquel Padilla ........ page 14-16 Be Proud of Who You Are! by Pan Adol .................. page 18-20 Jollibee, at home sa Kuwait ni Marjorie Palma ....... page 22-23

March 2012

ONLINE Edition Volume 01 Issue 03

Bangkok in my mind

para sa PA M I LYA

by Emmanuel C. Roldan (Philippines)

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

Last year I visited Bangkok, the “City of Life”. It looks like Manila where the old and new cultures collide but with a different touch and ambiance of exotic Asia where Westerners are lured to discover. It is indeed a city busting with life because it is the center of trade and commerce and a prime tourist destination in Asia. Despite of the heated political climate obtaining in Thailand lately, where a regime is replaced by another through both violent and non-violent uprising just like our EDSA revolt, Bangkok is still a magnet for tourists. I think Davao, Gensan and Cagayan de Oro can learn much from Bangkok because unlike Manila and Cebu, they have immense potential for tourism, infrastructure and industrial development. I do not claim to be an expert in urban development. But I am a keen observer of things, people and situation so that I can share my observations to others who have the “K” and power to accomplish things. The people from the University of

the Philippines, Asian Institute of Management and Development Academy of the Philippines, etc., must have such collective expertise to turn around our sleepy economy into a robust one if they can just learn to work together as a team. Of course they cannot move without the political will of the government to keep this team going. I arrived at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport on an evening flight from Manila in August 22. I had to attend a week-long regional workshop on engaging the UN Human Rights Council and the Universal Periodic Review at Intercontinental Hotel Bangkok sponsored by Save the Children Sweden. I met a few Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during my brief stay there. I would not delve much about the workshop but on what I observe there that makes the city a prime tourism destination in Asian region. Here are some of the features of Bangkok that are interesting:

Staff Box OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition is published by

OFW ako

61 Kamagong Road, Pilar Village, Las Pinas City, Philippines +63 949 776 9282 * ofwako.magazine@gmail.com Editor: Dennis de Guzman * Contributors: Kuwait Marjorie C. Palma, Gracia Amor; KSA Paul Pruel; AUSTRIA Mae Cayir; Russia Eden R. Manabat; Switzerland Pan Adol; Spain Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño; USA Anita Sese-Schon, Nelson Paguyo, Ernie Delfin; Canada Raquel Padilla; Philippines Emmanuel C. Roldan, Alvin Tabanag; * Layout & Design: Dennis de Guzman

Articles, opinions, letters to the editor should be sent to ofwako.magazine@gmail.com

Its more fun in the Philippines

I think Davao, Gensan and Cagayan de Oro can learn much from Bangkok because unlike Manila and Cebu, they have immense potential for tourism, infrastructure and industrial development. First is the airport. They say that first impression lasts. Air and sea ports are the first “line of sight” of any visitor. As a rule of thumb, they must be impressive to attract visitors to discover what lies behind the gold linings of the ports. Bangkok Airport may not be grand as the Hong Kong International or the Paris International which I also visited some years ago but definitely it’s one of the best in Asia. Our NAIA pales in comparison with Suvarnabhumi in terms of its overall design and amenities. Our Davao International Airport looks like a tiny wing of its multi-layered and multi-faceted airport. One can literally waste his time in the mess of boutiques and stores selling souvenirs and duty-free gift items. The airport also offers luxury restaurants, gyms, games area, internet stalls, clinics, chapels and prayer rooms.

Emmanuel Roldan is a Filipino, development worker, human rights defender, researcher and journalist. He worked with various non-government organizations helping the poor, deprived and oppressed Filipinos in the homeland in the field of organizational development, projects management, advocacy and communications. He is a columnist of two daily newspapers in Mindanao and vice president of Pangdaigdigang Alyansa ng Pilipino, Inc. (PAPI)-an affiliate of the Worldwide Filipino Alliance (WFA).

para sa PILIPINAS

About The Author

The second point of interest is the efficient railway system. Bangkok airport is connected to the center of the city by two railway airport links aside from the usual public taxi and airport limousine which are appropriate for those with big luggage but are quite expensive. The traffic condition of Bangkok is terrible, to say the least, so travel organizers prefer the railway system for trafficsensitive and budget conscious visitors. One railway is the non-stop Airport Express from the airport to Makkasan station in the East and the City Line which is heading to the Phayathai station to the West. It took me about 40 minutes to reach Phayathai for a fare of 40 Baht (around Php 60). From these stations you can transfer to the elevated Sky

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Vacation with my Family is more fun in the

Bangkok in my mind ... continued from page 3

para sa PA M I LYA

PHILIPPINES Train, also called the BTS to skirt the heavy traffic below and to proceed to any places in the city at no time at all. Our traffic congestion in Manila, Cebu and eventually Davao will surely ease with such an efficient railway system. The third point of interest is the lodging and function amenities like hotels and convention halls. Visitors come because they want ease, peace and fun. I was booked at Room 411 of Holiday Inn Bangkok which is just a stone throw away from the ravaging BTS railway but I could not hear any roar and thunder as it passed by. The place was cozy yet homely, a great place to rest from all the day’s work and worry. Our workshop venue was at the Presidential I and II suites of the adjacent Intercontinental Hotel. If you take pride of Marco Polo and Insular Waterfront as the best that Davao can give, you might change your mind if you would see the Intercontinental at 973 Ploenchit Road and other plush hotels in their category in Bangkok.

The fourth is people and places of interest. For those who are more culturally-inclined, they can visit many religious and cultural sites where distinct Thai arts are displayed and dances and songs performed. No wonder Bangkok is also called the “City of Temples” because of its numerous Buddhist shrines and images found even in the city’s busiest streets. There is one fronting the street from the Intercontinental complete with priests and dancers in ethnic costumes doing their thing almost 7/24. If you are lucky you can get a glimpse of the royal life of the revered King and Queen of Thailand doing their ceremonial functions in one of the state’s offices in Bangkok. Those who love outdoors can try the Koh Samui’s crystal waters of the Amari Palm Reef and other resorts to have a good tan. Shopping complexes selling hi-end i-Pods, 4G cell phones to second hand “ukay-

ukay” are everywhere. Just make it sure you get the “best” of those fake gadgets for your money and not get skin rashes from those fancy clothes sold in the “bangketa”. The fifth is food. If I am right, Buddhism, the prominent religion of Thailand like Christianity, has no food restrictions. Authentic Thai restaurants like the Kum Poon and dumpling king Din Tai Fung located at the 7th floor of the Central World Plaza have a small stove and wok or pot on each table where customers can fry and boil their dishes as they wish. Thai food is usually spicy but

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I tried a pack of two sticks of ball-shaped street-made “longanisa” for 20 Baht near the Siam Train station. And lo and behold, it tastes exactly like the ‘longanisa” of the barbecue shanties at Magallanes and Claveria streets of Davao.

visitors can always have a choice of their usual fare of burgers, spaghetti, salad and long array of Chinese dishes. For curiosity, I tried a pack of two sticks of ball-shaped street-made “longanisa” for 20 Baht near the Siam Train station. And lo and behold, it tastes exactly like the ‘longanisa” of the barbecue shanties at Magallanes and Claveria streets of Davao. The only exception is that the pack of Bangkok “longanisa” is not complete without shreds of cabbage and 10 pairs of raw “siling labuyo” which you ought to eat with your meal. What a hot experience indeed. Chow! -end-

DAVAO

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What really am I as an OFW by Gracia Amor (Kuwait)

para sa PA M I LYA

Yes, I’m an Overseas Filipino Worker, one of the 11 million + working overseas according to OFW statistics and can be considered as temporary workers also at any given time. Still, I’m a part of Filipino Population around the world who eagerly works for the love of family. What Society thinks of me “I can’t stay here anymore, we are not wellpaid.” one of my officemate who graduated Magna Cum laude in a University told me, in Philippines. Salary of Clerk in Philippines is not more than P10,000 – deductions. So why would anyone go into grave debt and keep on struggling. The answer is simple… get out of the Philippines and find a well-paid job in another country. And so here we are, Filipinos abroad. But even we’ve become Filipino overseas workers, some thinks that money can be picked in the bushes just like that, but the truth is they don’t know what really is in every OFW diaries.

What my family and relatives think I do Needless to say, as an OFW, our money earned is directly sent to our family to support them. What is sometimes hard to think and to accept is that some of our family and relatives think that we only do shopping and sleeping in hammock at the beach here in abroad. They become so dependent on the next remittance we send and nothing is left or saved.

What Agencies think of me

Many Filipinos are now dreaming to become OFWs. It has become a permanent fixture in Philippine society now. To fulfil this dream, one needs to go to an agency which to some applicants is the most agonizing part in

fulfiling one heart’s desire of going out of the country. It can be compared to a family reminder when we go out “to watch out for your bag and pocket that someone might rob you”. So we need to be extra careful and be very vigilant. We should consider always the legality of agency and procedures according to POEA. What Employers think of me According to POEA, there are plenty OFWs who are employed in 3D jobs : dirty, difficult and dangerous with unfair working conditions, long hours, low pay and human rights abuse +crab mentality co-employees and racism factor. But some are still afraid to complain about these all, as they will lose their jobs; thus, they think that we, as Filipinos, are the new generation robots.

Diary ni Gracia

A soft place to land for the battle weary OFW http://www.diarynigracia.com/

About The Author

Ms. Gracia, an MBA, practicing NeuroLinguistic Programming and mastering Web Developer, has been a writerbuff for decades. Her first book is already completed and will be released before the

end of this year. She is also a member of Philippine Association of Counselors and Philippine Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals.

advocacy. She is CEO of MG Sage Business and Consultancy, Inc. in Philippines.

Her knowledge of Blogging and writing – along with thebehind-the-scenes insights and personal anecdotes – make her well-known in blogosphere as the author of The Great Filipino Bloggers Slambook that is presenting facts of Bloggers with

What I think I do Obviously, there are tremendous competitions now in finding a professional employment overseas, so you should be more qualified than the other thousand applicants. This only means we need to be more above qualified OFWs. Think Globally competitive. What I actually do Not wanting actually to say negative things but this is “in Fact” not an imagination or what we only hear. So What I actually do? or we as an OFW WE trust God, because he has all the power we can trust and we can be assured we are always in good hands, but only if we trust Him. I believe that everything has purpose of working all things according to Him. These may not look like it was, and sometime as an OFW battling with lonely heart in the midst of trials, sickness and suffering our beliefs become shallow. But God is still with us, that he cares for us, that he has everything under control and only this thing as an OFW we should… to have strong faith in God.

Ms. Gracia is a passionate researcher of Universal law and Self-help books, having dedicated the half-decade amassing a personal library of over a thousand books. She is an eclecticreader as well a lover of life. She maintains a website, www.diarynigracia.com and blogs about different niches.

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Gracia Amor is a freelance writer and blogger, an awarded Best in Advocacy by Philippine Expat BlogAward PEBA 2011 and also a certified Guru/Moderator of OFW and Expat Forums.

-end-

OFW ako. Hindi na baleng pagod, may $$$$$ naman. T-shirts

A Mother’s Story

para sa PA M I LYA

by Eden R. Manabat (Moscow, Russia)

Motherhood is a full time career and a very tough profession. But being an OFW mother is the toughest of all. It requires great courage to help her make it through all the life’s challenges. Going abroad away from loved ones was the price to pay for a dream of a better future for her family. It is very rough road to be in this situation but sometimes we have no choice but to do this until we find a way to be together. I am an OFW mom too and I know how it feels to be in the same shoes. Let us meet Marietta De Leon. Forty four years of age, a native of Pampanga and a good friend of mine. She is working here in Moscow at present. A good mother to her six children and a very sweet loving wife to her husband. She previously worked in Hong Kong for 3 years. As an OFW mom, she is always suffering from homesickness of being far from her family that’s why she decided to go back home for good after her three years contract in Hong Kong. Her two oldest children were married with a kids of their own. One of her son is in Taiwan and her three other children are

all still a students. Due to financial needs and the high unemployment in our country, she decided to leave her family again for work abroad and this time in Moscow. Now, she is working in a suburban area in Moscow where the famous and the richest Russian families, the upper class of the society, resides. Luckily, she found a good a good employer, a Russian family who is very supportive of her.They gave her moral support and financial support when she needs it. Recently, Marietta fell down on the floor while she is at work. She is completely unconscious. Her employer immediately called the doctor for emergency and assistance.

Marietta and her husband Agustin during her 2011 Philippines Vacation

About The Author Eden R. Manabat is a student of Professional Fashion Styling and Image Consultant Course. She is currently attending at Elite Pro Make Up Fashion School in Madrid & Barcelona. She loves sharing her experience by writing a topic on an article, a member of OFW AKO Community of Distributors in Russia and an experienced OFW working in Moscow.

She went through a full medical examinations including ECG test after the said incident. She was diagnosed with hypertensions (high blood pressure). She would tell me that she always feels extreme dizziness from time to time and that she is also feeling too much stress in her life. She often worries about the conditions of her family because they were going through some financial problems which causes her to suffer from stress. After the said incident she told me how she pity of herself. Always thinking of going home for good, she said “Ang hirap palang magkasakit na malayo sa pamilya. Konting ipon pa, ayoko na. Pasasaan ba’t may awa ang Diyos at makakaraos din.” Hypertensions is a common cause of death nowadays. It is a silent killer because it strikes without warning. Just last Wednesday (February 15, 2012), one of our Filipina kababayan here in Moscow died. I still do not know the exact story but this is how the story goes. We heard that it was also due to hypertensions. She felt dizzy and fell down. She died instantly. Sad and pityful stories.

Health care providers always remind us that the only way to truly detect if you have highblood pressure is to have your blood checked regularly.

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Buhay OFW sa RUSSIA

Same story everywhere in the world, an OFW takes the courage and triumph against all odds just for the sake of their family, and in most cases, it is the mother, because a mother’s love is unmatched. She carried you in her womb, fed you and protected you even when she was in pain and suffering even before you were not born. And it is because she have brought the child to the world then she is also ready to accept the responsibilities that comes along with motherhood and willing to take the risks for the sake of a mother’s love to her child. “Karamihan sa kasalukuyan ay may iisang kwento ng buhay at dumaranas ng kurot ng kapalaran,kasawian at kapighatiang dulot ng pangingibang bayan at pandarayuhan. Ito ang isa sa masaklap na katotohanan sa buhay

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OFW ako. Miss ko na Pamilya ko... T-shirts

ng isang OFW na nakikipagsapalaran upang ang kanyang pamilya’y mabigyan ng maunlad na buhay at magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan. Subalit sa huli, ang iyong pinangarap na magandang kapalaran ay datapwat kabiguan lamang ang kawawakasan. Wasak na tahanan at nasirang kinabukasan.” “Subalit hindi naman lahat ay iisa ang naging guhit ng palad. May mangilan ngilan din namang nagtagumpay sa pamumuhay bilang isang OFW. Mayroong mga pinalad na magkaroon ng magandang kapalaran, masaganang pamumuhay at naging mapagbigay para sa iba ang guhit ng tadhana. Mga taong sinuwerte wika nga sa paghawak at pagkita ng perang berde. Marahil totoo din ang kasabihang kapag ukol ay bubukol kung kayat ang iba naman ay paroot parito lamang at ang bansang Pilipinas ay ginagawa na lamang bakasyunan. Mga OFW na kumbaga ay matatawag mong mga certified balikbayan na. Ang pagiging isang OFW, lalo na at isa kang ina ay isang napakasakit na hamon ng buhay. Katatagan ng kalooban ang kailangan upang malagpasan ang bawat kahirapan. Subalit ang pinakadakilang paniniwala sa lahat

Marietta de Leon ( Photo taken from her employers backyard )

para sa PA M I LYA

A mother’s Story ... continued from page 9

ay ang pagkakaroon ng katatagan ng paniniwala at pananampalataya sa Manlilikha. Ano mang hirap at pagsubok ang iyong pinagdaraanan, lahat ay malalagpasan ng buong tapang kung sa kanya’y mahigpit kang nakakapit,nagtitiwala at sumasampalataya.” “Karaniwan sa mga ina at ilaw ng tahanan ngayon ay pawang mga OFW rin na katulad ko. Bagamat malayo kami sa aming pamilya, naroroon pa rin ang aming papel ng pagiging isang ina. Abala man sa pagkayod

OFW ako. Tao lang hindi banko! 10

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sa trabaho para kumita, kami’y tumutupad pa rin sa aming tungkulin bilang isang inang biyaya para sa aming pamilya. Hindi lang kami ang ilaw ng tahanan kundi kami rin ang siyang sandigan ng isang matatag na tahanan.” “Ang pagiging isang ina ay hindi lang pala nagsisimula sa pag-silang ng iyong anak, kung hindi sa unang tibok ng kanyang puso habang siya ay nasa sinapupunan mo pa. At hindi rin natatapos ang pagiging ina sa iyong mga anak hanggat

nabubuhay ka. Ikaw pa rin ang nag-iisang ina nila saan ka man mapadpad ng kapalaran. Sapagkat ang anak, maaaring maging marami.I sa,dalawa, tatlo o higit pa.Pero ang ina, nag-iisa lamang sa mundo kung kayat nararapat lamang na mahalin mo at bigyan ng respeto.” Kaya para sa mga Inang OFW na katulad ko, isang mataos pusong pagsaludo sa inyo! Hats off to all OFW Moms... -end-

T-shirts ang damit ng mga Bagong Bayani.

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“Ang hirap palang magkasakit na malayo sa pamilya. Konting ipon pa, ayoko na. Pasasaan ba’t may awa ang Diyos at makakaraos din.”

Anita’s Kitchen

para sa PA M I LYA

by Nelson Paguyo, OFCI (USA)

Anita’s Kitchen is a metaphor of ideas intended in the beginning as a book of Filipino recipes in their true original forms. It evolved into an adaptation of the Filipino cuisine in the author’s home State of Washington where ingredients usually are not available. A recent visit in the Philippines [by the author] made Anita’s Kitchen took a completely different turn into a business concept of restaurants using management style that assures success as a low cost but pleasant and high standard local dinning places, featuring the usual native and regional menus all over the islands; spiced with a primary goal of teaching the locals how to run a profitable business to raise badly needed funds for advocacies in the homeland. Through the suggestions of many, Anita’s creativity took Anita’s Kitchen into a new level of connection which encourages the continuing metamorphosis of the Filipino cuisine as overseas Filipinos from all over the globe modify the Filipino cookery into a dynamic, enjoyable, gratifying and healthy diet anybody would dare try – The creation of the OFCuisineInternational.com.

Anita’s Kitchen blossomed into a three dimensional entity – that of a recipe book with tid bits of the author’s experiences [while traveling in the different regions of the Philippines] utilizing new and different approaches that keep the reader’s interest glued in the learning experience of cooking, a business venture aimed at financing various programs that’ll help the motherland; and flourishing into the modern forum of cyberspace to transform the Filipino cuisine into a global specialty. And about cooking: Ah … cooking to the uninitiated is the simple preparation of food to be devoured and satisfy hunger. It is however an art unique in itself that takes patience, careful planning and the cautious selection of ingredients; and above all perfect timing in its execution to produce that unforgettable aroma and taste that waters the mouth, brings pleasant memories and joy to oneself satisfying that hunger even before the food is actually consumed. Unlike other arts cooking satisfies two senses rather than one; short lasting with no permanency; and can never be exactly duplicated even by the same artist. -end-

para sa PILIPINAS

Paksiw na Lechon

One of my favorite dish is the Paksiw na Lechon. An OFW family can easily be fed with a big portion of this dish or viand by cooking not from the left over lechon but buying a slab of broiled liempo. I made sure I got the newly cooked liempo, asked for extra sauce and had the liempo cut into bite size portions. I sauteed garlic, onions, added vinegar of course, Anita’s Kitchen Gourmet Vinegar, and just added one more packet of lechon sauce. The lechon can easily feed a family of five. The dish is sure not a left over and have been heated several times in the food courts. Try it, you’ll like it, it took only 10 minutes to cook. Why am I touching this subject? Most families now just buy cooked foods from the food courts. The art of cooking is almost gone, no time? plenty of time... really. by Anita Sese-Schon, OFCI (USA).

OFW ako. Isang kahig, maraming tumutuka.

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Domestic Workers: mga bayani para sa pamilya at para sa bayan

para sa PA M I LYA

by Raquel Padilla (Canada)

Katulong, Nanny, Caregiver, DH, Mutsatsa, Alipin, Maid.. Ilan sa mga katagang ginagamit para sa mga katulad natin na nagtatrabaho sa bahay dito sa abroad.. Marami ang proud na ganito ang trabaho nila, pero may mangilan din namang nahihiya. Marahil pagod na. Pero ang ikinaiinis ko, yung mga taong mababa ang tingin sa atin.. Ay ayoko magDH sis..sabi ng isang kilala kong nurse. Nagtanong kasi sya dahil gusto nya magCanada. Sabi ko, magDH ka sa HK sis para mapabilis ang pagpunta mo ng Canada.. Akala ko naman, kaya sya umaayaw ay dahil di nya kakayanin ang magtrabaho sa loob ng bahay.. Yun pala, nahihiya sya sa magiging trabaho nya.. Nakakainis di ba? Akala mo yung ilan, napakataas ng tingin sa sarili. Ayaw maghirap at ayaw pagdaanan kuno ang pangangatulong. Sabagay, kung may papasukang trabaho na mas maganda, bakit naman mangatulong pa di ba? Pero wag naman ikahiya ang pagiging

Ang mga Bagong Bayani Raquel Padilla is a former teacher in the Philippines who went abroad as a tutor/domestic helper. Now, she is a caregiver/nanny in Canada.

katulong.. At lalong wag maliitin ang mga katulong. Marami sa amin ay professionals at pinili ang trabahong ito dahil hindi sapat ang kinikita sa Pilipinas. Kung kaya ba buhayin ng sweldo namin ang pamilya namin, bakit kailangan pa naming lumayo diba? Walang kasing sarap ang mamuhay na kasama mo ang pamilya mo pero kung mamamatay naman kayo sa gutom, bakit ka magtitiis sa kakarampot na kita? Ang mga bata ay lumalaki. Ang mga bilihin ay tumataas.. Ang mga pangangailangan ay dumarami. Pero kung bakit ang sweldo ay di man lang tumataas. Minsan, nadadagdagan pa ang kaltas. Ang ilan sa amin, undergraduate sa college, HS or elementary ang inabot pero nagsikap at nakipagsapalaran para makarating ng ibang bansa at makatulong sa pamilya. Mas mabuti pang mangibang bansa at magkuskos ng kubeta kesa sa umasang makapasok sa trabaho sa Pinas na ang requirements ay college level/graduate pero ang sweldo ay minimum lang din. Mas mabuti pang nasa ibang bansa kasi may tinatanggap buwan buwan kesa sa tumambay sa Pinas.

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About The Author

Akala nyo ba madali ang maging katulong? Paggising mo palang sa umaga, nakakalimutan mo na mag-ayos ng sarili mo kasi si madam at sir ay naghihintay na ng almusal. Yung alaga mo, papasok pa sa school at kailangan pang paliguan, pakainin, asikasuhin.. Yung bahay, daming kalat. Kung bakit kasi, kagabi lang bago ka matulog ay inayos mo na ang lahat pero paggising mo ay may kalat na naman. Di mo alam kung alin ang unahin mo. Maglalaba ka pa, magpaplantsa, maglampaso, magkuskos ng kubeta, aaaaaaaaaaaahhh.. Kung pwede nga lang imagic ang lahat.. Oops, teka.. nakalimutan mo na kumain. Hapon na pala, ay di ka pa nakakapag almusal. Darating na yung alaga mo. Sobrang kulit na naman noon. Nanghihina ka sa gutom pero walang tigil ata sa pagpapasaway. Yung mga kalat ay di na natapos kasi parang bagyo kung magkalat ang mga bata. At ewan kung bakit pati ang mga amo mo ay wala rin pakundangan. Sabagay, kaya nga sila may katulong sabi nila para may mag-ayos at may magpapanatili ng kalinisan sa bahay nila. Pero utang na loob, tao din naman ang mga yan at hindi por que pinapasweldo nyo ay di nyo itatrato nang tama.

BABALA: Tsismis, nakakasama sa kalusugan. T-shirts

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Domestic Workers, mga bayani para sa pamilya at para sa bayan ... continued from page 15

Kahit saang trabaho, may swerte at malas. Pero sa mga katulong, maswerte ka kung ang amo mo ay mabait sayo at tao kang ituring. Yun bang ang trabaho mo ay di naman kabigatan at ang sweldo mo ay natatanggap mo ayun sa napag-usapan. Pero marami ang naabuso. May ilan pang nagagahasa. Ang ilan sinasaktan. Ang ilan ay napagbibintangang magnanakaw. Ang ilan ay pinapahuli sa police at ipinapakulong o mismong sa bahay ikukulong. Minsan, wala pang makain kasi nilalock ang ref. Minsan, tira tira ang pagkain. Ang ilan, ni hindi makahawak ng telepono o celfon. Ang ilan, delay na ang sahod at di pa buo. Minsan ang masaklap pa, inabuso ka na, wala ka pang natatanggap. At ang pinakamasakit, inabuso ka na nga, dakdakan ka pa ng agency at ng mga nasa embahada kapag humingi ka ng tulong. Ngayon, sabihin nyo sa aming mga katulong.. Dapat bang maliitin nyo ang tulad namin? Ni hindi nyo alam kung ano ang pinagdadaanan namin. Dagdag pa sa hirap na dinadanas namin ang hirap ng kalooban namin sa paglayo sa aming

pamilya. Na tuwing nagtatrabaho kami, iniisip namin na sana pamilya ko ang pinagsisilbihan ko. Anak ko ang inaalagaan ko. Bahay ko ang nililinis ko. Walang kasing sakit na hindi namin sila nakikita sa mga okasyon tulad ng birthday, graduation, Christmas at kung ano pang mahahalagang okasyon. Ni hindi nyo alam na kahit gustuhin naming umuwi o makausap sila sa araw ng day off namin kung meron ay di namin magawa dahil hindi kami makapagdecide para sa sarili namin. Marami sa amin, kapag katulong ka ay basahan ka kung itrato. Wala na nga pakialam sa nararamdaman mo ang amo mo, parang binili ka pa nila kung ituring ka. Sana naman, bago kayo magmalaki dahil maganda ang trabaho nyo, alamin nyo muna ang tunay na kalagayan ng taong hinuhusgahan nyo dahil kung meron man dapat ikahiya, kayo yun!!! Kami ang mas may karapatan magmalaki dahil sa kabila ng hirap na dinadanas namin ay nabibigyan namin ng magandang buhay ang naiwan namin sa Pinas. -end-

KAYA KAPWA KO KATULONG, WAG TAYONG MAHIYA!! IPAGMALAKI NATIN ANG ATING TRABAHO. MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!!!

OFW ako. Dahil Hirap sa Pilipinas.

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About The Author Marjorie C. Palma is an OFW based in Kuwait. She hailed from the province of Bohol and was born on February 5, 1976. She studied Bachelor in Political Science International Relations Major. She is now currently working as a Receptionist at the DAR AL SHIFA HOSPITAL. She is also a member of the OFW ako Community of Distributors (COD) in Kuwait.

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Be Proud of What You Are, and Who You Are!

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by Pan Adol (Switzerland)

Many people compare themselves to others. And when they do, they sometimes feel anxiety, jealousy, selfpity, lost confidence and much less self-esteem. They think of themselves as a failure compared to others who they think are more successful than they are. But this really depends on how the person defines and measures success! Others feel edified, head-uphigh, walking tall, proud, arrogant, “takbong-mayaman”! Knowing that he is better off than the other, richer, and more powerful, he looks down at him and belittles the person! But the

happy and just person admonishes this saying: “Do not compare yourself to others because if you do, there will always be a greater and lesser person than you are!” Every person on earth was created by God so special and in its own unique form. Each has its own identity! Same reason why we all have our own distinct fingerprints and DNAs! He gave each of us one or more charisma or talent. He never made us a “nobody”, but a “somebody”! It is for us to discover our gifts though and put it into action.

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We all have our own roles to play in this lifetime. And for everything we are a part of it, part of a whole, pieces in all phases of a state we call existence. Let us recall a story once told: “Which part of the body is the most important? EYES: I am! For without me you will not be able to see the most beautiful things in this world! You won’t see the danger ahead of you. You can’t watch your favorite shows and movies, and read books. You will remain in the dark! EARS: I am the most important! For if you can’t hear, you are like in an empty space, in a never ending silence! And you won’t be able to hear the sound of music, the humming of the birds, the splashes of the ocean shore, and you won’t be able to understand what people are saying (and much less hear gossips hehe). NOSE: No, no, no! It is me who’s most important! If not for me you can’t distinguish a good from a bad odor! And you can’t smell the scent of flowers, the enticing aroma of a breakfast coffee, a perfume! MOUTH: Oh you all shut up! You’d all be nothing if there’s no food or water intake through me! No words to voice out your anger or fear or joy! A valentine’s day is unimaginable without even a kiss!

The HANDS, FEET and other parts of the body each also claimed to be the most important and so they all argued unstoppably. Then suddenly out of nowhere, a very tiny voice batted in and said: “Me too, I am important!”

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Pan Adol is a member of the Institute of Electronic and Communications Engineers of the Philippines and graduated by Mapúa Institute of Technology. He is now based in Geneva, Suisse where he works part time in various kinds of work including employé de maison which he is proud of. He is a gentle father of 3 and a loving partner of 1. He is also active in church service being a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and past president of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Everybody was shocked in silence and then burst out of laughter! “ha ha ha ha ha…waaaahhhhaha..nyahahaha!!! Who do you think you are, ASSHOLE! You are just an ASSHOLE! You are nothing ASSHOLE! Waaaaaah hahahahaha! Everybody laughed, ridiculed and looked down at him! And he cried in shame and felt really bad, isolated himself and kept his silence forever. Then one day there was a big feast in the neighborhood and all were invited. There was lots of great tasting food and wine. The EYES get rounded and wide open in awe. The NOSE gets big in deep breath savoring the yummy flavor of the food. The MOUTH gets watery as it tasted its favorite viande and wine. And everybody was happy and so full then went home. Then morning comes, the body was in distress and wanted to sit on the throne. He hurriedly went to the toilet and sat on the bowl: “uuummmmmppp wwwrrrrtttttkk kah kah kah!” Unsuccessful he tried again but in vain! The EYES

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Be Proud of What You Are, and Who You Are! ... continued from page 19

were crying, NOSE bleeding, EARS ringing, MOUTH screaming, and the BODY was shaking in pain! “aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrgggghhhhh uuuuuuhhhhhmmmmmpp wwwwwaaaahhhggh$¨ç*^^(“ , but nothing still! This happened because ASSHOLE shut its door to them. And when everyone can no longer bear the pain, they all screamed in mercy, begging ASSHOLE to open its door! “Yes, yes, yes, we acknowledge you, you too are important and we need you!” Hearing this, ASS readily opened its HOLE and voila! “wwuuuuurrrrssssssssstths bwaaaahhhh prrrtt prruutt bwahk!” And they all lived happily ever after! The story tells us that no matter how small we are, we belong to and complement the whole system of life on earth. We affect each others’ lives. We are connected to our families, neighbors, community, country, and the whole universe in general. No one can claim that they are more important than the other. Everyone contributes to every success and failure! Every role in its bits of pieces is significant in the attainment of every goals and objectives and plans! There is no supply without demand. No infrastructure can ever be built without the efforts of joint hands, from the architect and engineer down to the lowest laborer!

And when you work as a domestic helper, do not be ashamed! Take pride and joy and work your best! For you are the reason why your master can go to work and do his thing, knowing that there’s somebody he can entrust his home and children with! And when he can work and perform his tasks and propel his country to greatness, you can tell yourself that you did your part! It is by loving your work that gives joy and fulfillment! But loving is embracing! You have to swallow your ego, pain and sorrow. Be proud to yourself of what you are and who you are! But humble yourself towards your brothers and consequently to the Lord our God! Respect everyone. You can always learn something from your brother even how less you think of him (but never think less of your brother!). It is by living in harmony with all being that we can have peace on earth and ourselves. And when you’re down, and feeling sorry for yourself, don’t! Just remember this: “Kahit ikaw ay isa lamang tumbong… Isiping may kakayahang tumulong. At para sa isang taong may dunong… Sangkap ka sa pag-ahon at pagsulong ! » Mabuhay ka kapatid ! -end-

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Langhap-sarap ng Jollibee, at home muli sa Kuwait City

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ni Marjorie C. Palma (Kuwait)

Noong nakaraang taon ay pumutok ang balita na magbubukas muli ng Jollibee dito sa Kuwait, una itong inasahan noong Disyembre, subalit nagkaroon lamang ng katuparan noong nakaraang ika-25 ng Pebrero 2012. Katulad ng inaasahan, dumagsa ang maraming kababayan natin sa pagbubukas nito kahit pa medyo masama ang timpla ng panahon. May mga pumila ng halos 4 na oras makatikim lamang ng inaasam-asam na “Chikenjoy” at iba pang produkto nito. Mula umaga hanggang gabi, parang may “fiesta” sa Jollibee, nagkaroon ng “Jolly-Mania” sa Kuwait City.

Napuno ng magkahalong ngiti, pagod, pagkainip, pasensya, saya, gutom at kabusugan sa isang sulok ng Kuwait City sa building na dati ay kilala bilang “Stop & Shop”. Malapit lamang ito sa simbahan, at likod lamang ng “post office”. Ayon sa isang staff, ang tindahan ay may 300 “seating capacity”. Matatagpuan sa “ground floor” ang mga kahero at kusina habang ang “basement” at ikalawang palapag naman nito ay ang “dining area”. Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong makipila sa ikalawang araw ng pagbubukas nito, puno pa rin at napakaraming tao. Bata, matanda, single, may asawa at may ibang lahi pa. Umabot ng halos 3 oras bago ako nakarating sa “counter”. Napuna namin ng aking kasama ang pamumutla na ng mga “counter staff” sa sobrang pagod at marahil na rin ay sa gutom, kunsabagay, alas otso y media na rin ng gabi yun. Ayon sa “Manager”, may pagkain naman daw pero walang oras. Pinili naming

Marjorie C. Palma is an OFW based in Kuwait. She studied Bachelor in Political Science International Relations Major. She is now currently working as a Receptionist at the DAR AL SHIFA HOSPITAL. She is also a member of the OFW ako Community of Distributors (COD) in Kuwait.

maging masaya habang nakapila at minsan ay pinapatawa na rin namin ang mga kahero. Bagama’t mas maraming “excited” at nakakaintindi sa hirap ng bawat isa, may ilang nabugnot din sa paghihintay at nagsabing “ang bagal-bagal naman!”, marahil ay hindi nya alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ng mga “service crew”. Pagkatapos ng mahabang pila, nakakatawang isipin na humigi’t kumulang ay sampung minuto lang namin naubos ang aming pagkain. Sa wakas, muli kong natikman ang “langhap sarap ng Jollibee”. Ito rin ang tinuran ng isang “guest” na pitong taon na raw hindi nakakauwi sa Pilipinas. Dati rin akong tagaJollibee, ito ang una kong pinasok na trabaho at ito rin ang naging daan upang matapos ko ang aking pagaaral sa kolehiyo. Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko itinatanggi na “loyal” ako dito at sobrang saya sa pagkakaroon nitong muli sa bansang kinalalagayan ko. Masaya, pero hindi biro ang pagod lalo na pag kabubukas pa lang. Nawawala lang ang hirap pag nakikitang nakatawa rin ang panauhin na kaharap. Kakaibang saya ang dulot ng “JollyMania” at talaga namang swak na swak ang sarap ng “chickenjoy” sa panlasang Pinoy. Kaya, sana sa ikalawang pagkakataong ito ay humaba naman ang paglalakbay ni “bee” sa bansa ng mga Kuwaiti. -end-

... may ilang nabugnot din sa paghihintay at nagsabing “ang bagal-bagal naman!”, marahil ay hindi nya alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ng mga “service crew”. Advertisement

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Pakikisama, a unique Filipino life skill

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by Mae Cayir (Austria)

Among the many traits that Filipinos can be proud of, pakiksama, is the one that not only has kept our compatriots afloat after leaving the seven thousand islands that make up home but has also made them shine wherever they have lived and worked, as I have been able to observe during the 37 years I have spent, since I left the Philippines at the age of 9 with my parents and siblings, traipsing across oceans and continents. When conflicts arise, as they do in all relationships, it is eventually through pakikisama that all the discord is relegated to its rightful place, leaving space for harmony. It is as if a magic potion of forgetfulness were sprinkled over whatever conflict there was. With the help of pakikisama, differences turn out to be similarities, bridged by understanding and tolerance. After having studied 10 years in the United States for primary and secondary school, five years in South Africa for university and having then lived five years in Namibia, I thought there was little left in me that was Filipina, especially since I had not visited the country of my birth since I had left. Much to my surprise, however, I found my Filipina-ness in a tiny village in Turkey, in the heart of Anatolia.

It was 1993. My husband of Turkish heritage and I had been married four years, we had a three-year-old son and I was three months pregnant with our daughter. That summer, my husband took us all to the village of his birth for the first time, to meet his family. It was a new world for me, an adventure that would surpass all that I had experienced until then. In keeping with tradition, my husband was swept away to visit relatives in and around the village. He was gone from breakfast to dinner and was full of apologies for having to leave me behind and alone with his mother. I was, in fact, in no condition to follow him on his marathon visits, as I had to keep calm and rested, as decreed by my doctor, due to the delicate state of my pregnancy. What to do? I was alone in the village, unable to have even the most simple conversation with my mother-in-law. My sisters-in-law had already warned me, before leaving Vienna, that my mother-in-law was the terror of the family and of the village, and that I shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t learn Turkish lest she strike me down with demands, ad infinitum.

Pakikisama has saved me from the fate of having my mother-in-law find a second daughter-in-law for her son.

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Mae Cayir attending a Turkish wedding in Vienna, Austria

Buhay OFW sa Turkey Mae Cayir is an International Civil Servant serving her community as a Creative Non-Fiction Writer based in Vienna, Austria. She left her native country of the Philippines at the age of 9, and has traipsed across the continents from the US to the southern tip of Africa, married cross-culturally to her husband from Turkey, and has been residing in Vienna, Austria since 1990. Feel free to contact her if you wish for her to write your story: mae.cayir@gmail.com.

On the first morning that I was left alone with my mother-in-law, I did what I could with what my heritage whispered to me. I followed her quietly, showing the respect that I learned thanks to my Filipino upbringing, which taught me to show deference for elders and to anticipate their expectations. After the first day of following her around, I had learned her routine so well that she didn’t need to show or tell me what to do, or wait for me. I simply took up wherever she left off. Certainly, I could not go ahead of her and take over completely. I didn’t want her to feel slighted. After all, the hierarchy was to remain in its rightful place in this relationship. Since then, I have never gone wrong with her. If anything, I have served her so well that she has spread the word throughout the whole family, both in Turkey and in Europe, that I am the best daughter-in-law. She has taken absolute delight in repeating this message, especially to my sisters-inlaw, to the point that my brothers-inlaw have started begging me to stop whatever it is I am doing because their wives can’t possibly keep up. My simple reply is, “I do what I have to do whenever she is with me. Besides, since she is the head of the family, I’ll

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risk having a fight with all of you, her childen, rather than have her call out a fatwa or declare jihad against me. There are 10 of you against one of me.”

Pakikisama has saved me from the fate of having my mother-in-law find a second daughter-in-law for her son. Whatever I may have done or not done to meet her expectations, all of it has been forgotten because this unique Filipino trait has cast a magic spell over her.

P.S. I never learned much Turkish beyond what my husband taught me when we first met: “evet”, which means “yes”, and “Seni çok seviyorum”, which means “I love you”. As far as my mother-in-law is concerned, I have mastered the language. Who am I to argue? -end-

PHOTO of the garden in front of the house of my mother-in-law in Turkey

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Charmaine Clamor

Celebrated by The New York Times as “a gifted vocalist” and by The Los Angeles Times as “one of the important and original new jazz singers of the decade,” FilipinoAmerican recording artist and cultural trailblazer Charmaine Clamor has earned her Queen of Jazzipino crown. In 2011, while making her sixthstraight appearance at the Philippines International Jazz Festival, Charmaine gave a command performance at Manila’s Malacanang Palace for United States Ambassador Harry Thomas and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, President of the Philippines. President Aquino joined Charmaine onstage for a once-in-a-lifetime duet and declared her “a genuine source of Pilipino pride.”

Creating, developing and mastering one musical genre has never been enough for the brilliantly eclectic Clamor [pronounced clah-MORE; rhymes with amour]. Her global recognition reached new heights in 2010 when Charmaine was the only Filipina to appear on the David Byrne/ Fatboy Slim concept album, “Here Lies Love” (Nonesuch), about the life of Imelda Marcos. Charmaine was joined on the recording by luminaries such as Cyndi Lauper, Tori Amos, and Natalie Merchant.

In the liner notes of Something Good (FreeHam), Charmaine’s 4th U.S. album, she declares, “I believe there are two kinds of music: the good stuff, and everything else.” To Charmaine Clamor, the categories don’t matter; the labels are irrelevant. Call her a Filipino-jazz-world-soulpop-funk-blues singer. Call her the Queen of Jazzipino. When she shares her once-in-a-generation astonishingly expressive voice, genres fade away and beauty takes over. JazzTimes emphasized, “Clamor vocally resembles an amalgam of Nancy Wilson and Lena Horne, a sumptuously elegant blend of silk and satin, trimmed with gutsy selfpossession.” Charmaine’s musical journey began at age 3, entertaining passengers -- whether they liked it or not! -- in the back of buses traveling to Manila. Originally from the provincial town of Subic-Zambales, Philippines, young Charmaine provided piano accompaniment while her mother sang kundiman (Filipino torch songs) and English-language classics. These childhood memories inspired Charmaine’s enduring love of American music. After immigrating to the United States as a teenager, Charmaine graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Cal

State-Northridge. Throughout her college years, Charmaine worked as a “KJ” (a karaoke hostess). During this time she was discovered by the musical director of Crescendo, a vocal jazz harmony quintet, while singing Whitney Houston songs at a Filipino fried chicken restaurant. In 2005, following nearly a decade of ensemble singing, Charmaine made her solo recording debut with Searching for the Soul (FreeHam Records), and her “bedroom eyes voice” {All About Jazz} instantly garnered comparisons to legendary vocalists such as Nina Simone, Julie London, and Cassandra Wilson.

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in Focus Charmaine’s critically acclaimed second album, Flippin’ Out (FreeHam Records; 2007), brought her international recognition. On this landmark recording, she introduced jazzipino, a new music style blending American jazz with music from her beloved home country. Charmaine’s artistry was featured on BBC’s “The World” and NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” which described her music as “the perfect bridge of two cultures.”

Her third album, My Harana: A Filipino Serenade (2008), revived the ancient Filipino courtship tradition of harana - serenading a lover beneath her window - but with a twist: this time it was the woman doing the serenading! Charmaine’s bold vision and sublime vocal tenderness solidified her role as her birth country’s most celebrated international musical ambassador.

Through her presence on American radio and incessant touring from Alaska to Florida, Charmaine has been credited with introducing authentic Filipino musical culture to mainstream listeners. To further her lifelong goal of bringing the

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Charmaine Clamor in Focus ... continued from page 27

music of the Philippines to ever larger audiences, Charmaine serves as one of the founding members of JazzPhilUSA, a non-profit organization that promotes jazz artists of Filipino descent in the United States. For six consecutive years, she has lent her notoriety to the popular FilipinoAmerican Jazz Festival, held annually in Hollywood, at the Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club, where Charmaine’s appearances with fellow FilipinoAmerican jazz stars inspire standingroom-only crowds. In 2009, Charmaine was signed to a multi-record deal with Viva Records, one of the largest pop music labels in Asia. As Viva’s first and only jazz artist, her debut album, appropriately entitled Jazzipino, brought Charmaine’s unique sound to millions of new listeners on Filipino radio and television.

With three consecutive albums in the JazzWeek World Music Top-20, including the rare feat of simultaneously making Top-5 on both the World (#2 ranking) and Traditional

Jazz (#4) radio charts, Charmaine has earned unprecedented praise for her cultural trailblazing. She is the first Filipina to headline America’s top jazz venues, including Iridium (New York), Yoshi’s (San Francisco), Regattabar (Boston), and Catalina Bar & Grill (Los Angeles). Her many honors include the Asian Heritage Award in Performing Arts, Filipinas Entertainer of the Year, and recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the United States. But she won’t rest until audiences feel her passion for all kinds of music --and for the blessed planet we inhabit. Charmaine is proudly “green,” serving on the Sierra Club’s Water Committee, and dedicating her song “Flow,” the first single and music video from Something Good, to water advocacy organizations. Charmaine lives in Southern California, where she tends to an organic vegetable garden, volunteers for environmentally responsible organizations, and works tirelessly at making something good. -end-

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Overseas Filipino Workers: What Keeps You Going?

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by Paul Pruel (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

From the time I arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1994, the Philippines already had produced four presidents â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from former presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the newly elected President Benigno Aquino III, still I am in this foreign land strongly fighting for survival for my extended family and to my beloved country. My youth and strength are already deteriorating. I often feel some joint pains. And yet, still, I am here undecided to go home with other million Filipinos.

Every year our country produces thousands of graduates and the labor market could not accommodate them. So there are no options but to look for jobs out of the country and it is through working overseas that they can find a solution to the problem. Thousands are leaving our homeland everyday to find their luck in foreign lands.

In our country Philippines, we find ourselves contesting against the erratic working conditions and insufficient jobs to accommodate us. Most of us wanted to raise and promote our living standards but we do not possess the necessary resources to climb up the ladder of success.

2. For those who want to let go of dark memories or broken love affairs, it could be an asylum.

There are also other reasons such as: 1. For those who want to escape personal and family problems, living abroad could be a safe haven.

3. Others were just induced by summons of some friends. 4. And still others were simply deluded for the sake of adventure. Despite homesickness, which is our greatest enemy, OFWs could adjust well to different races, cultures and standards of living. In addition, our love is intensified. For Filipinos who by nature love doing things for others, domestic chores like cooking, cleaning, gardening and baby-sitting are some of our several expertises. The Philippines is considered as one of the top labor exporting among asian countries. In Saudi Arabia alone, there are approximately 1.3 million

Buhay OFW sa Saudi Arabia OFWs such as doctors, nurses, skilled technicians, janitors and laborers, hotel staffs, accountants, engineers, housemaids, drivers, teachers and trainers, barbers, medical technicians, computer operators, tailors and many more. They are commonly working in hospitals, establishments, construction firms, industrial companies, private and government offices, supermarkets and malls, hotels and restaurants with courage, dedication and commitment. It has been noted that working abroad is a confederate for some of us who are fortunate enough to have good jobs and good employers. Through our earnings we could build a house and send our children to good schools. But in some cases, the fulfillment of being an OFW is overshadowed by the curse of lingering temptation and adultery, especially in the case of OFW’s who left their spouses in the Philippines. Working abroad is not a fortune for those workers who are being fed insufficiently, overworked, abused, maltreated and working as a swordpoint or those who work as shock absorbers or punching bag by their heartless employers. We can say that only those who have the courage, determination and resistance should go out of the country to become OFWs. In a way, life overseas is survival of the fittest

and those who can bear it should stay, but those who can’t should go back home.

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But despite all these, we, Overseas Filipino Workers are patiently working hard because we want a brighter future for our families and at the same time help improve our countries’ ailing economy through the billions of dollars remittances that we send home. An Appeal

I am begging for our officials and other feuding politicians in our country to see and consider our greatest sacrifices in foreign lands. It is not enough for us Overseas Filipino Workers to be called as the Modern Day Heroes. They should stop bickering and unite to help cure the country’s debilitating social diseases. They should show vision, unity, determination and motivation to give the people good governance and work hard to achieve peace and order in the country for more investors to invest business. That means more jobs for the Filipinos and better chance to eradicate corruption for good. -end-

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Pinoys on Facebook Oppose Barcelona Consulate Closure

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by Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño (Spain)

4000 members and counting. This is the number of Filipinos that comprises a group in Facebook, which opposes the closure of the Philippine Consulate in Barcelona. The group called “NO to Closure of Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona. YES to Pubic Service!“ was created last Monday, 23 January, and within just a week more than 3000 members have already joined. The social media has been used by the Filipino community in Spain as a democratic platform where they can express their reactions towards the decision of the government to close down the four-year-old Consulate.

Aquí no (Translated literally in English: Not here). Courtesy of Barcelona Exposure Club.

Many members of the group unanimously express the need for a full time Consulate in Barcelona especially now that the population in the areas of Catalonia and Balearic Islands have been continuously increasing given the privilege the Philippines has over family reunification in Spain. Barcelona and Tarragona also have Advertisement

Some members of the group cannot contain their disappointment and despair over the decision. One asked: “don’t abandon us in the middle of the (Spanish economic) crisis…we will be strayed like orphans.” Another member claims this decision as “injustice since we fought to have it established and there no was no consultation whatsoever (with the Filipino community)” “Why not cut cost, instead of closing it down?”, another member suggested and enumerated ways to cut costs such as doing away with the Mercedez Benz (used by the Consulate) and first class trips and cut on per diem expenses among others. One added that cost cutting should not start with services rendered by simple hardworking staff but it should start with public officials.

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The big Filipino community in Barcelona has enthusiastically participated in the first day of the signature campaign against the closure of the Philippine Consulate in Barcelona. PHOTO by Karen Joy Salvador of Barcelona Exposure Club.

important ports where most ships manned by Filipino seafarers dock. Ibiza in the Balearic Islands and the nearby principality of Andorra are also home to large Filipino communities. All in all, there are more than 20,000 Filipinos who will be affected by the closure of the Philippine Consulate.

One member suggested that the Filipino community could invite public officials from the Philippines to come to Barcelona to see for themselves how the Filipino migrants live and how much workload of the consular staff have here. “It’s so easy to give mandate without experiencing the real situation…” More than 1000 signatures in one day The group’s enthusiasm to let the Philippine government know their opposition has resulted to an overwhelming response to the first day of signature campaign held in the Parroquia de San Lorenzo Ruiz Church, a Roman Catholic Church especially dedicated to Filipino residents in Barcelona.

More than 1000 signatures in just one day have been gathered supporting the retention of the Consulate. In Ibiza, according to Parish Migration Desk of Ibiza, Filipinos have already started with the collection of signatures.

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Four remittance centers and even Pinoy restaurants have also volunteered to be signature gathering centers. More than 20 Filipino organizations say NO In Barcelona, more than 20 Filipino organizations composed of various religious, civic and socio-cultural groups have expressed their dismay and disapproval over the government’s decision. Organizations such as Barcelona Exposure Club, Northern Star, Samahang Kabagis, Timpuyog ti-Ilocano, and Unified Bicolanos in Barcelona have taken their signature campaigns and lobbying initiatives to express their support for the retention of the Consulate. Meanwhile, Kapulungan ng mga Lider Pinoy sa Barcelona (KALIPI), a federation of Filipino associations in

Barcelona together with the support of other organizations, has sent a letter of appeal to the Chairpersons of the House Committees on Overseas Workers Affairs and Foreign Affairs namely Congressman Walden Bello of Akbayan Party List and Congressman Al Francis DC Bichara of Albay. In its petition letter, it pointed out that “an Honorary Consulate cannot effectively respond to the growing number of Filipinos in Barcelona, nor can a provisional consular service from Madrid, located 600 km away, attend to the urgencies of our Filipino seafarers.” The letter also cited that the strong relationship between the Barcelona city government, the Philippine Consulate and the Filipino community has already produced significant political, economic and cultural achievements in just short span of time and these will all be

The young migrants also oppose the government’s decision. PHOTO by Albert Ian R P of Barcelona Exposure Club.

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Pinoys on Facebook Oppose Barcelona Consulate Closure ... continued from page 35

The Filipino community feels that this decision will send a wrong signal to the people that the government is abandoning them and that the migrants’ good reputation and patriotism are not important for them. “How can we encourage political participation (Absentee Voting) now if the Consulate is to be closed? The government’s apathy will breed its people’s apathy… The first Absentee Voting held in Barcelona got one of the highest voter’s turnouts in Europe where the current (Philippine) president got the most number of votes,” the letter added. Over the budgetary reason for closing the Consulate, the letter states that “we do not wish to be considered as

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The message is clear. PHOTO by Albert Ian RP of Barcelona Exposure Club.

put into waste and will incur larger social cost if the full Consulate will be closed. One of major political parties in Barcelona, Partido de los Socialistas en Cataluña already expressed their support for the retention of the Philippine Consulate.

simple figures and economic peons. We reject the title ‘Bagong Bayani’ if it is mere lip service. We are more than our remittances, and we are hoping that they…see us as hardworking people who merit their commitment and full service.” Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño -end-

About The Author(s)

Daniel Infante Tuaño took up Political Science and founded a Political Science organization almost 10 years ago at the University of the Philippines Manila. He has been writing news for almost a decade, taught some things and learned many things from people living with HIV-AIDS, urban poor, student groups and other sectors of the Philippine society. He finished a Master in International Cooperation and Development in Barcelona and now considers himself an ‘official’ immigrant, having experienced cleaning al fondo already clean houses and opening snappily wine bottles. He also gives free Spanish classes to Filipino immigrants through Centro Filipino and like all immigrants he dreams of a better future. Kay S. Abaño worked as a Production Designer for film and advertising before leaving Manila for Madrid in 2004 to study a Master in Cinematography. She has since used the art of writing as a means of creative expression- for a couple of online articles on video art, some short stories, but mainly for her own film which she plans to direct sometime soon. Meanwhile, she teaches English for a living. She now lives in Barcelona, and spends her free time between the sea and the Filipino immigrant community.

Invest in your education

para sa PA M I LYA

by Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP (Philippines)

Last week I was in my usual spot at Burger King in SM City Dasmarinas editing the text of the last few chapters of my personal finance book. Behind me were three 20something guys each clutching a portable Sony Playstation. I stayed at Burger King for about 2 hours and the whole time the trio stayed in their seats excitedly hitting the buttons of their PSPs and giving out occasional “oohs” and “aahs;” apparently they were playing against each other. I wasn’t concerned about the thousands they spent for their toys. What particularly bothered me was the time they spent playing – it was such a waste. They could have used it for something more productive. Perhaps they were just relaxing after a hard day’s work. But I surmise it was a regular recreation for these guys and they probably do it everyday. It’s not just PSPs, there are way too many gadgets and activities out there that keep the young ones from doing things that will help them get ahead in life and secure their financial future. If this is how the youth spend their free time, I’m afraid that future Filipino families will continue to live mediocre lives, ill-equipped to handle

the countless challenges in life. These fun-loving young adults are the same people who will likely live out their retirement years full of regrets about things that could’ve been and should’ve been. Randell Tiongson recently wrote in this column a wonderful and revealing article about regrets we make in life. Like Randell, I’m also trying to undo the consequences of the mistakes I’ve done in the past. If you want to keep your list of regrets short try not to commit too many mistakes. To minimize committing slip-ups that can scar you for life you have to invest in your education. Education is a lifelong process; it does not end when you receive your diploma. In fact, success in your career or business will greatly depend on how much valuable knowledge and skills you’ve picked up outside of the school system. Continuous learning should be a way of life for you; it should be as natural as breathing. Use your free time wisely; at every opportunity try to acquire new knowledge & ideas, enhance your skills & abilities and emulate the habits & attitude of successful people.

Pinoy Smart Savers Alvin T. Tabañag is the bestselling author of “Kaya Mo, Pinoy! 12 Steps to Build Wealth on Any Income” and “1,001 Ways to Reduce Expenses and Save Thousands.” He is the founder of Pinoy Smart Savers Learning Center (www.pinoysmartsavers.com) and known as the “financial adviser ng masa.”

Do not limit your education to subjects related to your field of work or business. You have to expand your horizon; explore new things. Who knows, you might be more successful in a different field. And do not forget to learn about personal finance. We work primarily to earn money and provide for the needs of our families. It’s only natural that the focus of most people is on how to be more effective and efficient in what they do so they can earn more. However, you can still suffer from financial distress even though you are earning well if you lack sufficient knowledge about personal money management. Practice active learning because that is the key to your advancement & financial success. By active, I mean you seek out new knowledge; don’t just wait for information to come to you. Take the initiative to educate yourself. I sometimes hear employees complain that they cannot do their jobs well because their company doesn’t provide skills-enhancement training. What a lame excuse. You can always enroll in the University of the

Self-Taught where there’s only one admission requirement – a burning desire to learn.

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About The Author

Investing in your education doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands to learn; often you only need to invest your time. There’s plenty of valuable stuff out there that you can learn for free. And those that are not free don’t cost much. Here are some of the inexpensive things you can do to pursue non-stop education. Read books. By committing to read at least one book each month, you would have read 60 books in 5 years. That’s about the same number of books in a 4-year college course. Imagine how much knowledge that is. Read more non-fiction books, especially the self-help guides. Fiction is for entertainment, so read it occasionally. Read newspapers and magazines. Warren Buffet, the world’s richest man, is said to read 200 different publications every month. I read less than 50 which already include daily newspapers and 2 cheap comic

You can always enroll in the University of the Self-Taught where there’s only one admission requirement – a burning desire to learn.

continued to next page ...

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Invest in your Education ... continued from page 39

books. No wonder Warren’s net worth is light years away from mine. Ease up on the men’s magazines and glossy publications that will just encourage you to spend. Watch TV and listen to radio programs. There are weekly TV and radio programs that talk about business and money matters. Tune in to these programs and learn; it doesn’t cost anything. Scour the internet. The web is a rich source of information on just about anything. All the good stuff can be found in the Internet, you just have to learn how to find them. Visit websites, read blogs, join e-groups & forums and watch presentations & videos on any subject of interest. Attend trade fairs & expos. For a small entrance fee, usually P20 to P50, you can explore innovative ideas and business opportunities at trade fairs & expos (sometimes you get to sample plenty of food). You can also attend free public seminars that are normally held during these events. Now, make sure you put to good use the skills and knowledge you acquire otherwise your pursuit for non-stop learning would just be a waste of time and you’re no better than the trio with PSPs.

Building wealth requires that you consistently save money over the years. Besides being one of most effective ways way to achieve true wealth there are three other important reasons why every Filipino needs to save. 1. Survive a financial crisis Sooner or later every family has to face some sort of financial crisis. This financial crisis could be in the form of accidents, illness, loss of employment, failure of a business or sudden death of the family’s breadwinner. The amount of savings the family has will ultimately determine how well they can cope with a financial crisis. You may survive with little savings but chances are you will get into debt that could take years or even a lifetime to wipe out. Sometimes the lack of savings can even make the situation worse, like a family member dying unnecessarily due to lack of funds for proper medical care. “Saving for the rainy days” will spare your family from huge financial losses and ensure your survival when a crisis strikes. You will have peace of mind and you can sleep better at night knowing that whenever a financial emergency comes your way, “kaya mong malampasan!”

The importance of saving

2. Improve the lives and economic well-being of the family It is nearly impossible to buy anything of high value if you do not have any savings. Adequate savings can help you buy a nice, decent house, a car, pay for your children’s quality education or allow you to invest in a business. While it’s true that money cannot buy happiness, it can certainly buy things that will improve the quality of life of your family. It also allows you to indulge in occasional simple pleasures that promote family bonding. It can also do wonders for your marriage. Many couples quarrel and even break-up over money matters. With a healthy level of savings there would be one less important thing to argue about. It is alright to aspire and work hard to become wealthy so you can give your family a good, but not extravagant, life. It is not greed; it’s TLC (tender loving care) para sa pamilya.

3. Enjoy your golden years With great advances in medical & health care and greater awareness about fitness & healthy living, many of us can expect to live to a ripe old age. It would be such a pity if you just leave it up to the government to take care of your needs once you have retired. It is also unfair to your children and relatives to obligate them to support you when you grow old. The money you’ll get from SSS or GSIS will barely feed you and you could find yourself working way past the age of 65 (or totally dependent on your children) if you do not prepare well for your retirement. Today, it is common to see individuals in their late 60s or 70s still working for a living. A lifetime of saving would have spared them from going through this ordeal in their twilight years. The only way to ensure that your golden years will shine is for you to start building TODAY the funds you will need for the future. Starting early will allow you to retire early, giving you more time to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. And if you choose to work after retirement, it’s because “gusto mo at hindi dahil kailangan mo!”

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by Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP (Philippines)

Why a man must Save and Invest

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by Ernie D. Delfin (USA)

Your savings affect the way you stand, the way you walk, and even the tone of your voice. In short, your physical well being and self-confidence also improve in direct proportion with your savings growth.

Our education, experiences and memories are three things that we cannot bequeath to our heirs. When we die, all these “precious” things die with us and are gone forever. After living a half century on this planet Earth, as a precocious child of God, I have learned so much from the University of Hard Knocks --- many valuable life’s lessons which at this stage of my life, I feel now the urge to share with those I love dearly, including my many clients, friends and loyal readers. Had I started from a higher socio-economic ground and had I known and applied these time-tested Principles of Success (in all of Life’s quadrants: physical, social, mental and spiritual) much earlier in life, I would have been a better, happier and more fulfilled successful person today. However, considering my humble beginnings in a progressive farming village in the Philippines, versus Orange Country where I am today, I feel that it is not really that bad life’s journey after all. I used to say I am a self-made man, but it is now more appropriate (with humility) to say that I did the best I can with the talents that That Somebody Up There has given me and He graciously blest my human

efforts that brought me and my family to where we are today. Indeed, our life is our gift from God, and what we do with our life is our gift to God. Among the things I have learned early in life that became more valuable every year I’ve lived in America is in the area of savings and investments. As workers, employees, laborers and breadwinners, young and old are preoccupied with the business of living, I feel the extreme importance, like a parent to a child, to convey and leave some gems of wisdom so that the child can have a better life than his parents. To the young people of the world, I plead you to read and heed this financial advice on savings which everyone who is earning a living has the power to create and control its continued existence or cause its premature death. You must start believing that savings have that profound value that becomes more apparent with the passage of time. The growth of your savings is somewhat analogous to the invisible yet magical rewards of responsible parents in witnessing their children metamorphose into good citizens and becoming their own successful and fulfilled human being.

The Metamorphosis Ernie Delfin, a CPA-entrepreneur in Southern California, is the founder & Charter President of the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club, under Districtr 3780,Quezon City, Philippines, an Assistant District Governor of District 5320, California. He has served also as President of the PICPA-Southern

California Chapter and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County. He is also active in his Church as a member of the Pastoral Council, Peace andl Justice Ministry and a Volunteer in the Restorative Justice and Catholic Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Orange. His hobbies

include writing, reading, playing chess and poker, biking, travelling and speaking before groups, especially youth groups. He has been writing his “The Metamorphosis” column in the San Diego based Asian Journal for almost 20 years.

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About The Author

With that emotionally charged introduction, Let me now share you my TOP TEN REASONS why a man must save (and invest): 1. Your savings affect the way you stand, the way you walk, and even the tone of your voice. In short, your physical well being and selfconfidence also improve in direct proportion with your savings growth. A man without savings is always running. He must take the first job offered, or nearly so. He sits nervously on life’s chairs because any small emergency throws him into the hands of others. 2. Without savings, a man must be too grateful. Gratitude is a fine thing in its right place. But a constant state of gratitude is a horrible place in which to live. A man with savings can walk tall. He may appraise opportunities in a more relaxed manner, have time for judicious estimates and not be rushed by economic necessities. 3. A man without savings is always prone to react often displaying more form than substance. Without savings, a person’s confidence is easily eroded as his daily chores revolve around tensionrelieving activities instead of indulging in income producing endeavors while surrounded with more relaxed, happier and productive people. 4. Without savings, a man delays decisions that are good for him and his family and often misses opportunities in his lifetime, like associating or running with true winners in life. For lack of savings, he is relegated to the backseats of life, envying the gaiety and camaraderie of those who have.

5. A man with savings can afford to resign from his job when his principles so do dictate. And for this reason he will never need to do so. A man who can afford to quit is much more useful to his company, and therefore more promotable as he can afford to give his company the benefit of his most candid judgments. He does not need to kiss somebody’s you-know-what. 6. A man with savings can afford the wonderful privilege of being generous to this family or to his neighborhood’s emergencies. He can take the level stare of any man, friend, stranger, or even his enemies. This priceless commodity adds to his personality and character.

7. With savings, a person can afford to order from “left to right” in expensive hotels or resorts without being nervous with the bill. Man without savings is forced to stay with friends and relatives’ homes when he is out of town. 8. With savings, you do not have to feign your happiness or contentment; you do not have to live in a far-away fantasyland. While it is true that money (savings) can never buy true happiness, it definitely serves as a nice down payment! Believe it or not, it is more fun to suffer in comfort than to agonize in misery.

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Why a man must save and invest ... continued from page 43

9. The ability to save, fortunately, has nothing to do with the size of one’s income. Many high-income people spend it all. They are on the treadmill, darting through life like minnows. In his classic book, The Richest Man of Babylon, Clayson admonishes strongly that every person must affirm and declare, “I must pay myself first because a part of my earnings is mine to keep!” 10. Lastly, heed the advice given by the Dean of American bankers, J.P. Morgan, to a young broker, “Take waste out of your spending; You’ll drive the enjoyment out of your life!”

Perchance some of us no longer need more money for college, a home, retirement or vacation in a nice resort, and then we must just save for selfconfidence, and as a role model for others. The state of our savings does

have a lot to do with how tall we (or a nation, for that matter) talk or walk in this world. After all, next to our personal relationship with our own God, faithful action in taking care of our families is our primary responsibility and this can be fortified by habitual savings and investing them wisely. Religiously doing this habit builds not only our character but increases a comfortable nest egg. What we do now, not tomorrow, is the beginning of what we do next. Our savings are the seeds of what we can harvest tomorrow. THEREFORE SAVE NOW AND INVEST !! -end-

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DIVORCE sa Pilipinas: AGREE or DISAGREE / Why? http://www.facebook.com/Divorce.Ph

The Woman and her Lover by Dennis de Guzman (Philippines)

A VERY SHORT STORY. A couple married early. The man liked his single days and continued to live as one. He would drink; ask money from the wife so he could drink more. When the wife cannot give, the husband would beat her up. The wife tried everything to survive for the sake of her children. Sometimes the husband would leave for weeks at a time. One day the husband left and did not return. The wife struggled to provide for her 4 children. She is barely surviving and still living a hard life but now she could manage a smile. During this time, she met a man who respected her and is willing to help her raise the kids and be a family. They tried to get married but of course they can't. DIVORCE is not allowed in the Philippines. After 3 years, the husband returned. He beat up the wife and her "lover". Everything is back to normal. He beats her up; she work to buy food for the family; he drinks. She is back to her miserable life but this time she is the immoral wife who took on a lover. A love story turned tragedy ... â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til death do us part... that is the vow they took and maybe that is how it will end. Let us not talk about what happened to the children. You can imagine your own ending to their story.

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NOT ANYMORE I used to feel empty, but now I’m filled with love I used to care about nothing, but now I care for life I used to stand alone, but now I stand with God I used to dream for enchanting reality, but now I’m living among it I used to love someone with every inch of possibilities, But now it’s only love and possibilities I used to have ribbons in my curled hair, but now they were just simply straight I used to have nightmares, but now there only false friends I used to have a father, but now he’s an angel of memories I used to have a teacher, but now she’s a grandmom to my children I used to be a little girl, but now I’m becoming like my Mom I used to have pure tears, but now they’re tears of reason Once I met a stranger, and now he is my better half I saw a shooting star, now it’s a natures miracle Eden R. Manabat Moscow, Russia

Makata si Juan at si Maria HUMAN WEAKNESS Tunay na likas sa tao ang matakot Na mabigo at ito’y magdudulot ng kirot Damdaming hadlang sa pangarap na ibig maabot Isang kahinaan na magbubunga ng lungkot… Ang iba’y nais na lamang yakapin ang isang sulok Hahayaan na masugatan ang puso sa pag-iyak At iibigin na lamang na sa kristal na luha’y maligo Dahil sa takot na masaktan at mabigo… Tayo ay bunga ng mapagpalang pag-ibig Taglay natin ang tapang at matibay na dibdib Sandatang panlaban sa anumang pagsabak Nguni’t pinanghinaan at pinabayaang magapi’t malupig…

Paul Pruel is a father of 3 for 25+years, OFW for 17 years +, a Blogger, sometimes a Poet, Self-motivated and Professional by experience. He goes by Paul or Pruel. He describes himself as: “I am friendly animal but can kick you off when it is needed. LOL. I have no specific areas where my writing will focus on. I write any subject that interest me under the merciless sun.” Paul’s favorite saying is: “Dream Big and don’t stop without giving it a chance to come true.” Eden R. Manabat is a student of Professional Fashion Styling and Image Consultant Course. She is currently attending at Elite Pro Make Up Fashion School in Madrid & Barcelona. She loves sharing her experience by writing a topic on an article, a member of OFW AKO Community of Distributors in Russia and an experienced OFW working in Moscow.

Ang mabigo ay bahagi ng ating buhay Mapait na katotohanan at puno ng lumbay Sakit na magpapabago ng ating pagkatao’t paniniwala At kapag minalas maagang maghahatid sa atin kay Bathala… Hahayaan ba nating madaig nitong salot Na hindi lalaban sa sobrang takot? Hanggang sa madurog ang pakpak ng pangarap Pati mga buto nati’y magkadurog-durog? Pakinggan natin ang langitngit ng kawayan Sila’y umaawit na puno ng kasiyahan Sa tuwing hahampasin ng hanging Amihan Sila’y dadapa sa tuwa’t babangon muli na nakangiti… Ang mabigo ay hindi dapat katakutan Harapin natin itong walang pag-aalinlangan Tanggalin ang takot sa puso’t isipan Mga kapaitan sa buhay ay tiyak malalampasan! - Paul Pruel Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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About the Poet[s]

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