FILIPINOE X PAT I ssue 1 - 20 1 3
LI V ING IN EUROPE
The Big Move Building your new life in Europe
Travel now
2013 is the year of Amsterdam Plus
spring shopping guide, hair care and bulalo recipe with a European twist
How to deal with DISCRIMINATION
Barangay Bed & Breakfast GUEST ROOMS Our non-smoking rooms are decorated in tropical, mostly SE-Asian style. Room facilities: Comfortable double or twin beds, cable flat screen TV, fridge, alarm/ Iphone dock station, hair dryer and coffee-tea-hot choco making facilities. The rooms have private bathrooms, either external or en-suite. In the morning we serve a wonderful breakfast. You get your own keys and there is no curfew. FREE WIFI
Your Award Winning Guesthouse
In the Historic Centre of Amsterdam As one of the first B&B’s in Amsterdam, we opened our house in August of 1999. We give our guests a warm welcome and if needed a little orientation of this great city. Your friendly guesthouse is located in a typical Amsterdam canal house built in 1777 within the UNESCO World Heritage site. The quiet street Droogbak connects 2 major canals, Singel and Prinsengracht. Parallel with Droogbak is the longest shopping street of Amsterdam. A section of this street named Haarlemmerstraat has been consistently voted as the best shopping street of Holland. This former sea dike which now features good restaurants, specialty- and local shops. Barangay B&B is next to the famous Jordaan quarter where you can also find Anne Frank's house and street markets every Saturday and Monday.
“ We hope to welcome you soon in our tropical hide away!”
Wimmo & Godwin
Droogbak 15 1013 GG Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel +31(0)6 2504 5432 ~ rooms@barangay.nl ~ www.barangay.nl
Publisher's Note We are all excited to present to you the maiden issue of The Filipino Expat Magazine with the theme “Moving to Europe”. We feel that it’s the most appropriate way to start our journey - by highlighting the focal point of expatraite’s life and their brave act of moving to a new place. Recognising the fast growing number of Filipinos living in Europe coming from diverse discipline’s and background, we wanted to create a platform where we could highlight the commitment and contribution they provide not only by the remittances they give back to their families in the Philippines but also the benefits the host countries receive from them. We want to harness their skills, to encourage experts and professionals to write and share their knowledge, to write about their life and to share their stories that they may inspire and guide others for growth. I believe that integration is the key to success. It is necessary for every expat to learn to adapt so that they may reach their full potential and maximise the opportunities available to them. May this magazine be an instrument for everyone to become a more productive members of their new communities. I would like to invite all of you to join us in this journey while we highlight the stories of Filipinos around Europe, to be a beacon and voice of hope, inspiration and growth. Filipino expats in Europe, this is for you! Mabuhay po kayong lahat! Chris Sta Brigida, MA Publisher
Publishing a lifestyle magazine for Filipinos in the Netherlands has been my dream ever since I moved here in 2009. But life took over and my plans took the back seat. Several years later, I met my business partner Chris, who shared my ideas. Together, we decided to create The Filipino Expat Magazine. When Europeans describe a Filipino, they would normally use words like immigrants, au pairs, domestic helpers, nurses, engineers or wives. It’s not that there is anything wrong with that but no matter the reason, we share one commonality. We were all uprooted from our Motherland either temporarily or for good. We are all Filipino expats and that is what unites us. With almost one million Filipinos living here, our presence in Europe is growing and we are getting integrated in our host country in all levels – from the houses of our employers to the boardroom of top oil companies in the world. Some are already involved in local politics. In small or big ways, we are affecting the future of Europe and we should take pride in that. The Filipino Expat Magazine is created to instill that pride in all of us living here. We aim to inspire one another through the different aspects of our lives – career, business, academics, family and even in travel and leisure. With 50 countries in Europe, with Filipinos living in each, we have unique stories to tell - stories that can inspire and unite us with the same Filipino spirit Finally, we want to empower each and every Filipino in Europe, to help them aim higher, do more than what is expected and become better representatives of the country that we left behind. I hope you will support us. Dheza Marie Aguilar Publisher The Filipino Expat Magazine
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Contents 7 Health and Beauty Award-winning hairdresser and make-up artist Jitty dela Cruz shares tips on taking care of your Filipina hair as well as the latest trends on haircuts in the spring and summer
14 Living the European Lifestyle Experiences, challenges and some tips on how to survive and enjoy life in Europe
20 Expat Issues Learning how to cope with discrimination
22 Intercultural Relationship
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2013 Is the year of Amsterdam Chris Sta Brigida explains why 2013 is the best time to visit Amsterdam
There’s no secret to a happy marriage
28 Small voices, loud echoes Jomel Gutierrez traveled to the north of the Philippines and discovered the heart-wrenching conditions of education there
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New Beginnings
The Filipino Kitchen
Tips on adjusting to your new life in Europe
The story of bulalo
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Spring Shopping Survival Guide - the Netherlands New generation takes helm of Independence Day organization
FILIPINO
E X PAT
Editor's Letter
LIVING IN EUROPE
Publishers
Chris Sta Brigida, MA ChrisSB@thefilipinoexpat.com Dheza Marie Aguilar Dheza@thefilipinoexpat.com
Editor in Chief
Diana Uy editor@thefilipinoexpat.com
Managing Editor
Dheza Marie Aguilar
Creative Director Robin Kuijs
Contributing Writers Ana Angelica van Doorn Jitty dela Cruz Jomel Anthoy Gutierrez Irene Esquibil-Looze
Contributing Photographers Ronald Pronk Jomel Anthony Gutierrez Robin Kuijs
The Filipino Expat Magazine Published 6 times a year By The Filipino Expat
The opinions expressed in The Filipino Expat magazine do not represent the views of The Filipino Expat Company. While we have exhausted every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, neither The Filipino Expat nor its editors, contributors and staff will accept any responsibility for any omission, typographical or printer errors, inaccuracies or changes however caused. Our editorial and creative teams reserve the right to edit any material submitted at our discretion. All texts, photos and graphics have been used with the permission of the author or artists, unless otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be duplicated or reproduced in a whole or in part or redistributed in any form or by any means without the publisher’s prior written permission. Comments and complaints should be addressed to: The Publisher The Filipino Expat Magazine The Filipino Expat Kloveniersburgwal 9-HS 1011 JT, Amsterdam The Netherlands Telephone +31 (0) 24407692 Email publisher@thefilipinoexpat.com Website www.thefilipinoexpat.com Advertisement advertiser@thefilipinoexpat.com
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o be honest, I’ve never really thought that my good friend Dheza Marie Aguilar would actually push through with her dream of putting up a lifestyle and travel magazine with a website to boot. But knowing her feisty will to turn dreams into reality, I shouldn’t have been surprised. So here we are launching the maiden issue of The Filipino Expat. Excited is not enough to describe how we are feeling now. We are nervous, yes –very much so. After all, this is one of our most ambitious projects to date. Through this magazine, we hope to deliver the true Filipino expat story to our readers, primarily composed of Filipino migrants and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). We aim to give them inspiring, compelling and informative articles written by fellow Filipino expats themselves. The main goal here is to help our beloved readers to not only cope with life abroad but also get some helpful tips on managing, and embracing a new lifestyle in Europe. Of course, to our dear partners, we aspire to satisfy as well as attain more fruitful collaborations together. Read on as Dheza talks about her many realities when she joined her Dutch husband in The Netherlands without a job, family and friends (pages 10-12). Poet and writer Anna Angelica van Doorn shares her experiences with discrimination, giving plenty of helpful advice to those who are going through the same (pages 20-21). Caterer Irene Looze recalls how she was able to convince her Dutch husband how delicious the Filipino cuisine is (pages 32-33). Chris Sta Brigida travels around Amsterdam to give us some tips on the things to discover or rediscover in this famous city (pages 24-26). Of course, don’t leave home with a messy hair by checking out the tips on taking care of our hair this Spring by multi-awarded makeup artist and hairdresser Jitty Vasquez Dela Cruz (pages 7-8). We have spring shopping guide as well (page 6). I, too, have my own story to tell. A few years ago, driven by my [false] sense of adventure and romantic dreams of Europe, I booked a flight to Spain without knowing how and where I was going to live there. I had no friends, family and relatives when I landed in Madrid. Through the help of fellow Filipinos, particularly one family from Iloilo, I was able to find a job (from waitressing to cleaning houses and teaching English), study Spanish, and survive for a few months in the European city. There were many lessons learned, pains and struggles that I will keep to myself. Suffice it to say, I returned to the Philippines not exactly defeated but wiser. Thanks to that short adventure, I’ve come to realize that the Filipino spirit is resilient. And that there will always be Filipinos who are ready to help a fellow kababayan in need wherever they are. More on that when we have more time and space. As for now, happy reading! Yours truly, Diana Uy
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Flower bag - Update your wardrobe with this colorful tote made from fabric and pu leather. Available for €29,95 at www.lollifestylenfashion.com - the newest Lifestyle & Fashion online store in the Netherlands. Inspiring poems - Spring is a symbol of hope after a long, dark, cold winter, Warm your soul with Rhythm of a Heart, Music of a Soul by an award-winning Filipina poet. Available at the author’s website www.angelicahopes.nl
SPRING SHOPPING Beads and jewels - Make your spring/ summer style stand out with this colorful set of handcrafted jewerly made from 10k gold and semi-precious stones: Available for €25 at www.kncreations.com
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Birdhouses - What is spring without the singing of birds in the morning? Invite more of them by hanging this bonium shell birdhouse in your garden. Available for €15 at www.abirdslife.nl
Themed cakes - The arrival of spring weather is all the more reason to celebrate. Make your guests happier by serving one of these themed cakes made by Alvin Villareal. Contact him at +31 (0)6 38119191 or through www.facebook.com/alvinamor
Health and Beauty
Award-winning hairdresser and make-up artist Jitty dela Cruz share tips on taking care of your Filipina hair and the latest trends on haircuts in the spring and summer.
Photos by Ronald Pronk
Taking care of your hair this spring
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hile spring brings beautiful, blossomed flowers and lovely temperatures, it is also the season for frizzy hair and the drastic change in the weather can have unpleasant effects on your hair. Some of the main factors that contribute to hair damage in spring, the drastic change in the weather, humidity, moisture and heat. This is most especially true for Filipina (Asians in general) with straight hair. The difference between Asian and Caucasian hair In a world where every hair care products claims to be made for particular hair problems, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that there are scientific differences between Asian and Caucasian hair. Both react differently to various weather conditions. The presence of cuticles or the inner protein structure of Asian hair has more solid structures. They break off in large piles if the intercellular cement that holds the cuticle cells together fails. The cuticles of the Caucasian hair are smaller, finer and more fragile, however the cement holds better but the cuticle itself start to break first. Therefore, Asians should be more aware that taking care of this intercellular cement is very essential to strenghten your hair. Proper hair care should be done to avoid breakage and split ends.
“Spring is a wonderful season because it brings a feeling of freshness. But like every season of the year, it has its thrills and spills� The Filipino Expat Magazine
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Hair care for every season Filipinas are known for their long, smooth and shiny hair. I think that’s one factor why Gloria Diaz, with her long black tresses, together with her natural beauty and wit, won the Miss Universe in 1969. Spring is a wonderful season because it brings a feeling of freshness. But like every season of the year, it has its thrills and spills. We often notice hair loss during autumn because our hair also has life cycles. Like plants, hair grows more in spring and summer since sunlight increases the secretion of hormones that promote their growths. Spring and summer are the best seasons to try on new hair styles or go for short hair As you update your wardrobe for the new season, update your hair style as well to revitalize your tresses.
Hair care and tips
About the author Jitty Vasquez Dela Cruz, has been working as a hairdresser for over 30 years and together with his life partner Ronald Pronk, has a salon in Amsterdam. Trained in the best hairdressing schools in London and Paris, Jitty is always passionate about hair and make-up but feels comfortable creating avant- garde styles. He won the last L’Oreal Color Competition Grazia Public Award and has been conducting hair shows in famous clubs and hotels in the Netherlands. Recently, he has started a blog in his website to answer questions on hair and beauty needs at www.jitty.nl.
ROBINKUIJS f o t o g r a f i e
Hair and skin can mirrors of one’s health. More often than not people with nice hair look energetic and healthier. A healthy diet is an important part of many Asian beauty regimens. For instance, drinking tea helps detoxify the body and improve the look of skin, hair and nails Here are more hair care tips for spring and summer: 1.Avoid split ends and hair breakage - The change in weather can adversely affect hair so it is best to use hat or scarf when in direct exposure to sunlight. 2.Get a new haircut - It gives your hair a healthy appearance and will also remove some dead hair. Short hair cuts are more fashionable in warm weather. 3.Give your hair some special treatment from time to time - Apply deep conditioning treatments like olive, Argan, avocado or coconut oil. Use leave-on conditioner because it penetrates deep into hair cuticles and renew the cells more effectively. 4.Wash hair properly - Try not to wash hair everyday because it will strip your hair off it’s natural oils. Rinse with cool water to seal in cuticles and lock in moisture.
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Corporate and portrait photography www.robinkuijs.com
LOL Lifestyle & Fashion LOL stands for the Dutch term “lekker ontspannen leven” that means “relax and enjoy life”. Whether you are a stay at home mom, have a busy job, a student or just simply being you, it’s important to do the things that you love. A beautiful life is about the laughter in the living room, the fragrance in the kitchen and the way you feel inside. LOL is a combination of an online journal and web shop where we share inspiration we find a long the way and share our creativity as it happens. We will share our inspirations and ideas about lifestyle, fashion, trends, travel, shopping, food and career. Join us as we guide the way towards your most beautiful life!
Lekker Ontspannen Leven Lifestyle & Fashion Website: www.lollifestylenfashion.com Contact: info@lollifestylenfashion.com Facebook: LOL Lifestyle & Fashion
New beginnings: Starting your new life in Europe
Moving abroad is never easy especially for most Filipinos. Being used to having our family and friends around while living in the Philippines, it can be very overwhelming to be suddenly uprooted and finding ourselves in a new country with different sets of traditions and cultures. Text: Dheza Marie Aguilar Photos: Robin Kuijs
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s a Filipino expat who has been living in Europe for more than four years, I can completely relate to such sentiments.
Integration is when you have fully adjusted to your new society. You are more confident in your new home and opportunities are opening up for you.
The first couple of months can be either very exciting or full of anticipation and fear. Depending on the person, the emotional and psychological transition can start from living like a tourist – discovering your new home, experiencing an entirely different world from the one you grew up with and nourishing new relationships in your new society –to becoming a jaded resident in your new country.
Finding my way in Holland
Once you’ve settled in, there will be times when frustrations become the better of you. Smallest things like not being able to read the sign boards at train stations can make you feel utterly hopeless and helpless. The absence of friends and family can make you cry all of a sudden. You realize that you are actually alone in a strange land and it’s entirely up to you to make things better.
A psychological process This process is called acculturation, a phenomenon that started in 2370 BC Sumeria but was only identified by American soldier John Wesley after his expedition in the Rocky Mountains in 1880. Later on, acculturation was established as a psychological phenomenon through the works of American sociologist William Isaac Thomas and Polish philosopher Florian Witold Znaniecki. As defined by Professor David Lackland Sam of the University of Bergen, acculturation refers to the process of cultural and psychological change following a meeting between cultures, usually experienced by minorities such as immigrants, refugees and indigenous groups. Acculturation eventually leads to changes - in behavior, culture, customs and values - and results in an individual or group’s learning of a second culture. In her book Living Abroad, psychologist Dr. Cathy TsangFeign enumerated four stages of acculturation that expatriates go through when they move abroad. Elation is when the novelty of all things “new” in his surroundings stimulates the emotions and activities of an expatriate. Resistance is when one starts comparing between his home country and his new home. Usually at this stage, homesickness sets in and you develop a longing to live your old life in your new environment. During this critical stage, the support of your immediate family and partner will be most valuable in overcoming the resistance to your new country. Transformation. At this point, you begin to acclimatize to your new life abroad. You have your routine and you slowly begin to appreciate the advantages of living overseas. There is also a chance that you will feel a slight derision towards your own culture and your countrymen. In your transformation, you will confront the values that you grew up with and the ones that your new country is offering you. You will eventually find a balance between your conflicting cultures as long as you are open to new ideas.
I grew up in a small town in the Philippines, dreaming of places I only read in fairy tales –castles, manors, snowcovered pavements, smoke coming off the chimneys of gable houses, and the like. Little did I know that I would be living that dream when I moved to Holland back in 2009, shortly after getting married to a Dutch. It was all very exciting for me at the beginning. My husband and I were living with my parents-in-law for a couple of months until we found our new apartment. At first, I liked the solitude of being left alone in the house for most of the day. But then I suddenly realized how very alone I was. I could not go out and explore my new surroundings because of my fear of getting lost. I had so many excuses: The houses looked the same; I did not know how to take the train let alone get a ticket; and the thought of having to ask directions from a complete stranger who might not know how to speak English made me feel very insecure. I had no friends or acquaintances to call or keep me company. So I stayed home and tried to keep busy by writing or cooking with very little success (at one point, my husband refused to eat one of my prepared dishes because he thought Filipino food was unhealthy). My husband has a full time job and only during the weekend can he take me places (and very seldom do they include Filipino gatherings). Suffice it to say, I only met one or two Filipinos during my early months here. The one Filipina, with whom I struck up a good conversation with once, was living two cities away from me. I did not know how to drive. Being jobless in Netherlands, one of my biggest challenges back then, made me feel more depressed. I couldn’t help thinking about the great career I left in the Philippines. I had to ask money from my husband just to buy coffee or send money back home, which really hurt my pride and vanity. After all, I could afford small luxuries before moving overseas. Needless to say, my husband and I would often fight because of my insecurities. After one particular fight, wherein I almost decided to go back to the Philippines, I realized that I cannot just sit at home and wait for opportunities to come. I had to be out there and start building my new life in the Netherlands. My first job paid only €1 a day. I did not complain. It was better than sitting and sulking at home. Four years later, I am now working for a good company and earning way better. It would not have been possible had I let self-pity get the better of me.
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Tips on adjusting to your new life in Europe Adjusting to your new life abroad need not be difficult. Here are ten tips: 1. Talk to your partner or your family - Talking about things that bother us always helps to make one feel better. 2. Learn how to use the public transport - This might sound so simple but when taken to heart, it will make a world of difference in your discovery of your new country and even yourself. It helps boost self-confidence and self-reliance. Ask your partner or colleagues to teach you how to get a ticket for trains, metros, buses or trams. Get a discount card to save money. Once that’s done, discover your city. It is always handy to know where the best Chinese restaurant is, the Filipino sarisari store, or the boutiques where you can buy extra small clothes for instance. If you have a driver’s license, have it converted to the local license so you can drive and explore more your new country. A lot of European countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany are three to four hours drive from each other so you can easily travel around. 3. Learn the language - Being able to speak the local tongue makes everything easier - from buying groceries to asking for directions and talking to your in-laws. Buy language books, surf the Internet for some practice sessions, register or enroll in a language course and speak the language at every opportunity. You will have difficulty at first but it will help enormously in adjusting to your new life. 4. Live a healthy lifestyle - Experts have always said that exercise and healthy diet are important in achieving a happier, more relaxed life. If you don’t want to spend that much on a gym membership, try jogging around nearby parks or taking long walks along waterfronts. Europe has many amazing parks which are ideal for running or walking.
Below left: Learn how to use the public transport. Center: Immerse yourself with the local cultures. Right: Learn the local language.
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5. Keep in touch with the Filipino community - Thanks to social media, you can now easily search friends and their activities in an instant so long. This is no different if you are living abroad, without friends and family, in search of the Filipino community and their events. Filipinos will always welcome a kababayan. Trust me. Just be yourself and create relationships with people who share your interest. 6. Immerse yourself with the local cultures and traditions - Do not limit your social interaction to the Filipino community only. It is also important to connect and establish relationships with the locals as they can help broaden your perspective and understanding about foreign cultures and traditions. Talk to your neighbors, attend the company parties of your partner, or invite your partner’s family or your new colleagues to dinner at your house. Try also visiting museums, theaters and the like. 7. Communicate regularly to your family and friends back home - Maintaining constant communication with your family and friends back home is a great way to overcome homesickness. 8. Nurture your hobby or skills - Moving abroad gives you a lot of free time in the beginning. That is the perfect time to start new hobbies or develop new skills. Try gardening, cooking, writing or even photography. Who knows, your new preoccupation can help you start a business in the future. 9. If you are unemployed, start looking for possible jobs - A job gives you confidence and financial freedom. And finding one abroad can be very difficult. Start the process of job hunting right away. Register yourself in manpower agencies or start exchanging your diplomas for the local one. In some countries like the Netherlands, you need to have your education and work experiences assessed to get a local equivalent of their education. If you have documents like these to show to prospective employers, it will be easier to find a job when you are ready for it. 10. Volunteer - Devoting a couple of hours to helping others will certainly give you a sense of happiness. Do volunteer work for a church, a soup kitchen, a retirement home or a charity event. This way, you can meet different kinds of people and expand your network. It is also a good opportunity to learn the local language.
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Living the
European Lifestyle Building your new life in Europe is both a challenge and an adventure, a journey where many Filipinos are currently trudging along. Four of them share their experiences, challenges and some tips on how to survive and enjoy life in Europe.
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“I wanted to experience how it is to live and work in another country” Perpetual Grace Poblador, 31 IT Specialist, World Trade Organization Geneva, Switzerland Why did you move to Switzerland? Basically it’s out of curiosity. I wanted to experience how it is to live and work in another country. I was already eyeing Singapore, Canada and New Zealand at that time. Then one day, a family-friend suggested that I consider Switzerland. What are your biggest challenges? How did you overcome them? I’d always say that my move to Switzerland was a big leap of faith. I hardly know anyone. I just came over all by myself and slowly had been meeting fellow Filipinos along the way. It came a the point that I was giving up, contemplating on returning to the Philippines. But an opportunity came along. Now I would say I’m relatively lucky for meeting good Samaritans. What are the most important documents that you need to have in your first year in Switzerland? My passport and my visa, c’est tout! So far. What do you like most about living in Switzerland? Aside from homesickness, what do you dislike? What I like about living in Switzerland are: * Swiss time, everything and everyone here is almost on-the-dot; * Swiss Alps, for some adventures in the mountains; * Swiss chocolates, cheeses and wines; * Swiss politics, it’s quite unheard of; and * Swiss quality, it’s proverbial. What I dislike about surviving here are: * Stores and restaurants closed on Sundays, that’s bad news for typical Pinoys. * Medical services and health insurance, it’s a love-hate relationship; and * Everything goes with a hefty price here, it’s outrageously expensive. Please give three tips on living in your country of residence. Be flexible and adaptable. Keep an open mind. Learn the language, and that, I am still working on.
“First, one should get his hands on mastering the language” Kenneth Subillaga Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela, Spain Why did you move to Spain? Spain was not really the country I had in mind when I applied for the Erasmus Scholarship Program. But after living in Spain for a couple of years, I have discovered so many things about Spain that made me consider living here for good. What are your biggest challenges? How did you overcome them? The two biggest challenges were just basically things that are supposed to get me through my day to day activities: the language and surviving school where I was the only Asian student in the whole program. To overcome these challenges I had to painstakingly attend Spanish classes just to get me started with school. Although intensive Spanish classes played a little role in my understanding of the language conversationally, it did not, with the mode of instruction. I had to juggle these things along with developing social relationships as part of life´s challenges. But after so many months of struggle, I finally was able to adjust with the language. What are the most important documents that you need to have in your first year in Spain? Like most Filipinos living abroad, I also needed to make sure I had my passports valid for a period of time along with other documents provided by the sponsoring university for processing my residence permit. What do you like most about living in Spain? Aside from homesickness, what do you dislike? What I like most about living in Spain is the fact that initially I felt an intense connection to the culture in general, that made me adjust easily but found the country totally different in terms of its climate and geographical location. Actually I never felt homesick all throughout my stay in Spain as I have been in constant communication with my family through skype which made my adjustment a lot easier. Please give three tips on living in your country of residence. First, one should get his hands on mastering the language. The more adept you are to the language, the easier it is for you to blend in the crowd. Second, Spaniards are generally very nice people but they eat very late (lunch at 2 pm and dinner at 10 pm) and they love to take time out their busy schedule so get the hang of it by joining them for an early afternoon beer and trying to eat a bit late too. Spanish food is a bit different from Filipino food as they don’t really like frying too much and using too much soy sauce. So cook like the Spaniards and you´ll feel like one of them in no time.
“Belgians are friendly and often will tolerate speaking English” Jerick Parroni, 26 Project Manager ZN Brussels, Belgium Why did you move to Belgium? I moved here back in 2008 for an internship. After university, I got an internship to work for Microsoft Europe for a year and that was the start of my life abroad. And as I was about to finish my internship, I decided that I want to continue living abroad and Belgium was a good place to start. What are your biggest challenges? How did you overcome them? Processes – all sorts of legal processes. Belgium is notorious for bureaucracy and unfortunately I was a victim (together with a lot of people). The biggest blunder to date was the work permit for people outside of the EU. They have tough restrictions and need expertise in order to overcome them. It took more than a year and a half to get my work permit. Luckily, I have a company who had been very supportive, giving me some flexibility to continue to work from the Philippines while I wait. And yes I needed a lot of patience, queueing, and smiling face. What are the most important documents that you need to have in your first year in Belgium? The basics like residence card, mutualite (health insurance), bus passes etc. It’s also to good to have some knowledge of tenant laws, a French phrasebook, and sense of what the weather will be tomorrow. (not really a document but it’s very important!) What do you like most about living in Belgium? Aside from homesickness, what do you dislike? Like: Brussels in particular is a very international city (dubbed as capital of Europe) so there’s a good chance that your circle of friends will be a mix range of personalities and nationalities. One guy that we met in a recent trip asked my friends how come a Macedonian, Filipino, Hungarian and Peruvian have met and became friends – it’s because of Brussels. Apart from that, cost of living is slightly lower than the neighbouring capital cities, Belgians are friendly and often will tolerate speaking English. Dislike: Belgium unfortunately has gotten more dangerous lately and unfortunately, I was a victim. And Belgian processes and work permits as previously mentioned. Please give three tips on living in your country of residence. Tip 1: Be prepared for the weather. An umbrella, coat, sunglasses should always be at your disposal. You can experience rain, sun, snow and cloudy weathers in a day. Tip 2: It’s not just for Belgium but in general. It’s always good to know some local language (French or Dutch in Belgium). It helps in adapting to the community, getting things done easily and meeting new people. Tip 3: Patience is key for all the bureaucracy. And unfortunately, you need a lot of it to get things done in Belgium – residence card renewal, work permit process or even signing up for internet. So be patient and pray to your gods that you won’t get stuck too much.
“Never underestimate the importance of Filipino friends who can guide you through the Norwegian jungle� Macel Ingles, 43
Freelance journalist and correspondent
Drammen, Norway
Why did you move to Norway? I did it for love. My husband is Norwegian and he wants to study in Norway so we had to move there after we got married. What are your biggest challenges? How did you overcome them? My biggest challenges were the language and getting a job. I enrolled in a Norwegian language course and decided to go back to University to get a masters degree. I am still struggling to get a full-time relevant job. What are the most important documents that you need to have in your first year in Norway? My resident permit is what I needed to stay in Norway, to get that I needed my Philippine passport and my marriage certificate. What do you like most about living in Norway? Aside from homesickness, what do you dislike? I love Norway during the summer when flowers are in full bloom and berries abound in the forest for picking. I hate the winter months, it can get really lonely being surrounded by snow and having very dark nights. Please give three tips on living in your country of residence. Learn the language. If you just moved to the country, you need three vital words to survive: ja (yes), nei (no) and unnskyld (excuse me). It is essential to know how to dress well in the winter and know how to walk on snow. Lastly, find your own network, never underestimate the importance of Filipino friends who can guide you through the Norwegian jungle.
Survival guide- the Netherlands Basic information to survive your first year What? A resident permit (VVR - VerblijfsVergunningRegulier) is required for foreign Non-EU nationals who want to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months BSN (Burgersservicenummer) is the equivalent of a social security number and required for almost all official transactions in the Netherlands. How? Call IND (Immigratie en Naturalisatie Dienst) within 8 days of your arrival to set up an appointment for submission of application (0900-1234561 or +31 20 8893045 if you are abroad). Forms and brochures can be downloaded from www. ind.nl and the website is available in English. Basic requirements are valid MVV, passport and proof of your current short-term stay. Once approved, you will get a resident card. The process takes about 6 months. To get a BSN number, call your municipality and set up an appointment. Passport, resident permit, proof of registered address, proof of employment, marriage or divorce and a filled out application form. Application is free. What? In the Netherlands, a bank account is required to pay telephone subscription, health insurance, household bills and even groceries. The biggest banks in the Netherlands are ABN Amro, Rabobank, ING, SNS, ASN and Triodos. How? Call the bank and set up an appointment to submit application or walk in to the branch nearest you. The usual requirements are: BSN number, passport, proof of address and resident permit. The process takes about one week and you are automatically allowed to do online banking.
What? A health insurance (zorgverzekering) is mandatory when you live in the Netherlands and you can get fined if you don’t have one. How? Apply online via the website of your chosen health insurer (zorgverzekeraar). You are required to have a BSN number, registered address and bank account details. The basic package costs about €100/month. The government can give a percentage of this back to you. To compare health insurers, you can go to www.independer.nl or www.kiesbeter.nl Once you have a health insurance, register with a reliable doctor (huisarts) and dentist (tandarts). Choosing a good doctor is crucial to a foreigner because some Dutch doctors do not consider cultural differences when attending to the patient, especially when you get pregnant. Find a doctor at www.huisartsen.nl. Call for an appointment to register with a doctor. You need to present your health insurance policy and proof of residence. For emergencies in the evenings, weekend and public holidays, you can call the central doctor’s services in your region Amsterdam 0800030600, The Hague 070-346 9669, Rotterdam 010-290 9888 or the information line 0900 1515. What? An OV (openbaar vervoer) card is very handy and cheaper when travelling with public transport in the Netherlands. In addition to the OV kaart, you should also get an NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) train card for discounts and deals. How? Apply for an OV card via www.ns.nl. You need your BSN number and bank account to pay for the annual fee of €54 or more depending on the card that you applied for.
What? A driver’s license (rijbewijs)is also very useful especially if you want to travel to neighboring countries. A driver’s license is sometimes a requirement and even an advantage for some jobs in the Netherlands. Only foreigners from EU, EEA, Switzerland and other selected countries or expats benefitting from the 30% ruling (see http://www. iamsterdam.com/en-GB/living/official-matters/driving-licence) are allowed a certain period of time to use their native driver’s license. How? You need to pass a theory exam and within one half year and a half, you need to pass your practical exam. Otherwise you need to take the theory exam again. Both exams are conducted by CBR or the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (www.cbr.nl) A theory exam for persons auto (B) costs €53,54 with additional €5,50 for the English exam. The practical exam costs €90,90 for persons auto (B) and €139 for people who have extreme fear of failing. You need to have a DigiD account to make an appointment for taking the theory exam. Register for a DigiD account via www.digid.nl Once you’ve passed the practical exam, apply for your driver’s license in your local municipality. You need your passport, a valid picture and a processing fee of €37.
The Filipino Expat Magazine
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Expat Issues
Learning how to cope with discrimination
Poet and writer Ana Angelica van Doorn talks about discrimination in Switzerland and how fellow Filipinos should deal with it especially in their own host countries.
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ince moving to Switzerland 19 years ago, I have experienced my fair share of discrimination: My race, job, size and religion among others. I took it all in with dignity, proud of my roots as a Filipino. It was not easy. But I managed to keep my sanity by focusing on my family, growing children, work, and projects that will help reach out to others. Looking back, I should say I was able to hold my ground during encounters wherein any other individual would have shied and ran away.
At school When my daughters got sick for two weeks, I was deprived of sleep and forgot to bring a document to the kindergarten class. Across the street, the Swiss-Italian kindergarten teacher screamed at me in Italian, “Hey, Asian brownie, what kind of memory do you have? I heard that many women in your country are in prostitution. Is that how you fished out your Swiss husband?” Other mothers waited for my reaction as I fought to hold back tears that were threatening to fall. I replied calmly in Italian, “Can I set an appointment with you so we can talk about my country?”
The Swiss Italian teacher who did not speak English was quite impressed on how I fluently spoke Italian without any foreign accent. I told her that her overt, hostile statement was offensive, based on her very limited knowledge of the Philippines no thanks to Swiss-Italian TV programs. Aided by a travel book, I explained to her at great length our Philippine history as well as how much we value our education, family, strong spiritual foundation and concern for compatriots. Needless to say, I gained her respect.
At home The worst discrimination I suffered was with my former, Swiss-Italian husband. He treated me like I was “nothing.” For him a woman’s role is to obey the man, serve the man and stay at home. As a religious woman taking seriously the vows of matrimony, I submitted myself to his chauvinistic demands but was treated like a slave for seven years. Luckily, I found a good job at an aviation company, giving me the courage to file for divorce. Even that did not free me from more racial slurs.
“Don’t let any form of discrimination lower your selfesteem. Be the better person, exercise patience, broaden your insights, and weigh the degree of the circumstance. That way you can flexibly handle the situation with wit, humor, dignity, finesse, wisdom and respect”
Once during shopping, I was approached by an Italian woman shouting insults at me. “Stay away from my son! You’re a divorced woman with baggage, too young and small to be a mother! You married a Swiss to have a better life. You come from a Third World country, just looking for someone to lean on,” screamed the woman.
Things to do How should you act when facing discrimination? It is wise to reply and act in a diplomatic way with self-respect and dignity intact. Learn to speak fluently the language of your new country. Knowing their history, culture and social mores will give you more confidence when talking to them.
Later, I realized that her 30-year-old son was one of my suitors, sending me flowers. With controlled anger and a fair amount of respect for the woman, I shot back in fluent Italian, “If you wish to talk to me, do so without prejudice.”
Don’t let any form of discrimination lower your self-esteem. Be the better person, exercise patience, broaden your insights, and weigh the degree of the circumstance. That way you can flexibly handle the situation with wit, humor, dignity, finesse, wisdom and respect.
I added, “What is it in a Third World country that makes First World people like you behave in the way you do? I married because of love but was treated like a slave. My daughters are not baggage, they are my life. I’m not interested in your son!”
You have RIGHTS against discrimination
At work While working in a law firm, I had to endure daily insults from a lawyer. One such encounter went this way: “Didn’t you consider how lucky you are working for us and not work as a maid like your compatriots in Italy or are you much better in cleaning toilets than working on my court cases?” Calmly I replied, “To match your provocations with anger will only court disaster. Most of my compatriots are degree holders too. It’s the system that does not give them much better job opportunities because companies save money on lower salary by giving the lowly jobs to migrants.”
Fellow Filipinos discriminate, too A Filipino friend, jealous of my suitors of German, French, Italian, Swiss, Dutch, Finnish and American nationalities, showed her claws by spreading rumors about me to our friends. “She’s very much a European now, so modern, so precise, too independent. Maybe, she is collecting passports so she dated them,” remarked the friend.
Following the Amsterdam Treaty in 2009, The European Union mandates every member state to protect your rights against discrimination in religion or belief in school or workplace, sexual orientation in the areas of social protection, social advantages and access to good and services, ancestry, skin color, disability, age, chronic diseases and civil status. You have a right to go court and are entitled to compensation when it is proven that you have been discriminated. What you should do if you feel discriminated? 1. Be informed - know the official organizations in your country that helps victims of discrimination, the legal and administrative procedures, the nature of legal coercion available, how to prove that the discrimination took place, etc. 2. Write it down - make notes of what happened, who said what, where did it take place, were there witnesses and why did you feel that you were discriminated. 3. Register it with the authorities - you can go to the police, call anti-discrimination hotlines in your country or talk to official organizations that can help you. It is important to make your complaint official. For more information visit www.stop-discrimination.info
It’s one of those sad realities that some kababayans don’t look at divorce with an open mind. One time, as I was going out of the church, a lady exclaimed at me: “You left your husband! You’re doomed for life! You still go to church?” I replied, “Did the church issue a ban on divorcees? Did you see me melt to ashes when I knelt down to pray? Or do you want to check my ticket to heaven or hell?”
About the author Ana Angelica Abaya van Doorn also goes by the name Angelica Hopes. She is the author of the poetry book Rhythm of a Heart, Music of a Soul, an inspiring collection of wisdom, inspirations, courage, love faith and enjoying life. You can buy her book from her website www.angelicahopes.nl
The Filipino Expat Magazine
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Intercultural Relationship
There’s no secret to a happy marriage Text: Dheza Marie Aguilar Photo: Robin Kuijs “But that’s already too close for us,” exclaimed Bart Wijnberg when photographer Robin Kuijs asked him and his Filipina wife, Wads Wijnberg-Tiongson to move closer to each other on a two-seater sofa. “There is only the two of us in this big house so when we sit like this together, that’s close already,” followed Wads. Everybody in the room burst into laughter. And the laughter brought about by light banters continued all throughout the interview, giving us a glimpse into how the couple managed to stay together for more than 40 years. We were in the lovely home of the Winberj one Saturday afternoon, getting to know more about the husband and wife who have the reputation in the Filipino community for arriving and leaving separately a party. Sometimes they do not even sit together throughout the entire evening. Bart and Wads have shared 40 years of wedded bliss and happiness and have been gifted with a son. Their marriage is still going strong and they have remained each other’s best friend since the day they met in Canada.
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Moving in together and delaying marriage They met in Montréal, Canada, six months before he was scheduled to fly back home to the Netherlands. He was a student and she was a migrant. They had a common Cambodian friend who, occassionally, would use her kitchen to cook food. “It was not love at first sight,’ they both confessed. Wads is seven years Bart’s senior but the age difference did not hinder the two to be good friends. When the friendship blossomed into deeper feelings, he moved in with her. She eventually came with him to the Netherlands to experience another adventure in her life. “I left the Philippines because I felt constricted and the social control was too much. Everybody meddles with everything and I did not like that. I said, at the first opportunity, I would go away. Montréal was my starting point,” said Wads. Wads recalled that she actually thought of not getting married. “When I was living in Pampanga, I said I am not going to marry a Kapampangan. Senyorito kasi ang mga yan, nagpapasilbi! When I moved to Manila, I said, I am not going to marry a Filipino but in Montréal I said, I am not going to marry at all,” Wads fondly recalled.
I asked them when it became love, and he quipped, “Seven and a half years, maybe.” The unexpected reply gave way to another burst of laughter. “There was no courtship, it was camaraderie and we did not get married right away.” Bart added.
continued. “If there is a misunderstanding, then bring it in the open right away.”
Bart explained that their decision to delay marriage was because of their moving to the Netherlands where he is a different person from who he was in Canada. More so, they understands that Wads will find it difficult to adjust to a new country at first. Plus she didn’t know the “They have to develop language.
But not all Filipinas have the assertiveness that Wads possesses. In an intercultural relationship that involves a typical timid Filipina and a very candid West European, the former can have difficulty expressing her views to the latter.
“We knew it was bound to be difficult (moving to the Netherlands). We thought that if we could survive that, that’s the time we start thinking about marriage.”
On being a Filipina wife
self confidence, look around them, be open to things. Mingling only with Filipinos is devastating for Filipino migrants here or wherever you are. If you don’t mingle with others, the nationals or other expats ang paningin mo hindi lumalawak (your view of things would not expand).”
When the couple finally decided to get married, Bart wrote Wads’ parents a letter, formally asking for her hand. Her father was not pleased that they were already living together but in the end gave his blessing. They got married and went home to the Philippines to meet her parents. Bart became emotional while recalling the first meeting with his parents- in-law who did not know at that time that they have already gotten married. He was expecting to be sent to another room separated from his Filipina wife. It turned out that he did not have to worry after all. He received a warm welcome as a new addition to Wads’ family.
Wads has this advice for them. “They have to develop self confidence, look around them, be open to things. Mingling only with Filipinos is devastating for Filipino migrants here or wherever you are. If you don’t mingle with the loclas or other expats ang paningin mo hindi lumalawak (your view of things would not expand).”
While she loves being out doing things on her own or with friends, she recognizes that many Filipinas love taking care of their family, their children and their husbands – a trait that makes Europeans fall in love with Filipina women. She also emphasized on the need to be financially independent. “You can do more things and you are exposed to people. You are not just a housewife cleaning the house, cooking and everything,” she said.
Setting up rules in a relationship
There are no secrets to a happy marriage
You would expect that with each coming from different cultural backgrounds, Bart and Wads would encounter extremely difficult challenges in their married life. Both were quick to say that they only had the usual misunderstandings like regular couples.
The couple emphasized the importance of communication to have a successful intercultural relationship.
Their relationship seemed to be ideal, almost to a fault. They shared the reason why.
“Tayong mga Pilipino, we assume a lot. Huwag kang mag-akala, tanungin mo! (Don’t assume, ask!),” Wads stressed.
In their first years of marriage Bart and Wads sat down to set the rules of their relationship.
Wads ultimate advice?
“We set the rules but not during or in view of an argument. We agreed not to go to bed if the argument had not been resolved,” explained Bart.
“Talk. Communicate. Don’t assume,” Bart said.
“Be yourself. Do not lose yourself in a marriage,” said Wads. “That is very important,” Bart finished.
“And don’t suffer in silence, you have to speak up,” Wads
The Filipino Expat Magazine
23
2013 is the year of Amsterdam There are a number of reasons why this year is the best time to visit Amsterdam: The city is celebrating the 400th year of its Canal Ring, the Rijksmuseum is reopening after a decade of restoration, not to mention, the Dutch people are cheering on their first King after 123 years. Text and photos: Chris Sta Brigida
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f course, when you’re in Amsterdam, you never miss the usual tourist draws like the beautiful tulips, iconic windmills, eclectic coffee shops and the infamous Red Light district. More can be discovered in this so-called the “Venice of the North” if you stay a while longer. Amsterdam, one of the most important ports during the Dutch Golden Ages and recently listed as UNESCO World Heritage site, is the cultural capital of The Netherlands. The Amsterdam Central Station is the gateway to the city. From the Schiphol Airport, a train can take you there in 20 minutes. Bus and train services coming from other European cities converge here as well. Walking around the city can be very overwhelming especially to first-time, Filipino tourists. For one, the Dutch people are the tallest in the world with an average height of 6’1”. Two, the city boasts of a highly advanced bicycle culture complete with world-class facilities for cyclists like bike paths and bike racks. “The best way to start your visit is by taking a canal tour,” advises David Kopp, co-owner of Tulip of Amsterdam B&B and a resident of Amsterdam for 15 years now. He also recommends renting a bike and reminiscing your childhood while exploring the city like a true Amsterdammer.
Best time to be in Amsterdam For David the best time to be in Amsterdam is during Queen’s Day (King’s Day starting next year) as the whole country turns not only orange in celebration of the Monarch’s birthday but also into the biggest ukay-ukay hub in the world –the Dutch people sell anything and everything on the streets. For people who want to see picturesque landscapes of tulips, Kopp recommends coming in spring between April and May. For those who are looking for good bargains, he recommends visiting between January and March as most hotel accommodations are half priced.
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For Arts and History Godwin Yosalinda-Bouman, a Filipino-Dutch owner of Barangay Bed & Breakfast in Amsterdam and Amsterdammer for 17 years now, recommends the following: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank, Heineken Museums, Amsterdam Museum, and the Our Lord in the Attic Church. Rijksmuseum is home to The Night Watch by Rembrandt, The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer and the Portrait of a Young Couple by Frans Hals. It also has a small Asian art collection which is on display in the Asian Pavilion. Van Gogh Museum has the largest Van Gogh collection in the world. Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait, Sunflower and Almond Blossoms paintings are just some of the 200 paintings you will see in the museum. Anne Frank House located on Prinsengracht, one of the main three canals of Amsterdam, is a museum dedicated to a young Jewish diarist lady who hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four others in one of the hidden rooms in the building. The museum highlights forms of persecution and discrimination. Heineken Museum is a former brewery and currently a visitor center for the world famous Amsterdam grown Heineken beer. Visitors will learn the science of beer making and the art of beer tasting as all visitors will receive three complimentary glasses of beers - one during tasting and two more while socialising.
PERFECT location
BEST value
CLEAN and QUIET rooms
GREAT service
Tulip of Amsterdam B&B is a brand-new hotspot in town, combining traditional Dutch culture with modern comfort. Tulip of Amsterdam B&B Kloveniersburgwal 9-HS 1011 JT Amsterdam Tel: + 31 (0)6 3911 1030 Fax: + 31 (0)8 4874 8722 Email: info@TulipofAmsterdam.nl Website: TulipofAmsterdam.nl
Netherlands Tel: +31-624754820 Angelo Tel: +31-628420963 Adam
Above: If you are missing the taste of home while in Amsterdam, visit Toko Joyce for affordable and delicious Asian meals. Amsterdam Museum formerly known as the Amsterdam Historic Museum is Godwin’s favourite among all. “You will learn how the city was transformed from a dump fishing village to the leading financial centre of the world,” he says. For Pinoys who love doing Visita Iglesia, a visit to the Our Lord in the Attic Church is a must for Godwin. Built during the Reformation, when Catholics in the city were forbidden to hold public services, this hidden church museum is definitely one of the many unique attractions in Amsterdam.
What to Eat? Kroket, herring and cheese are the top three must-tries when visiting Amsterdam according to Joseph Tan, a Filipino-American professional violinist. He has been living in Amsterdam for more than 15 years and he loves cooking and trying out different food choices. The best kroket in town, he says, is in Van Dobben at Reguliersdwarsstraat 9; herring in Spuistraat near Waterstone Bookstore; and cheese at Kaashuis Tromp at Utrechtsestraat 90. Since there is no Filipino restaurant yet in Amsterdam, Joseph recommends the following Asian restaurants with budget-friendly food menu: Oriental City at Oudezijdsvoorburgwal 177 for Dimsum; Ocha at Bantammerstraat 1, Thank Snack Bar Bird at Zeedijk 77; Mitzukuni at Reguliersdwarsstraat 43, or Toko Joyce at Nieuwmarkt 38 for Indonesian.
WELCOME TO CROWN Bed & breakfast amsterdam Housed in the centuries-old building De Kroon (the Crown) in the centre of Amsterdam, our rooms evoke history, elegance and warmth for a unique Dutch experience. Spuistraat 78 1012 TW Amsterdam Netherlands Tel: +31-624754820 Angelo Tel: +31-628420963 Adam info@crownbnb.nl www.crownbnb.nl
Sanchez, Filipino-Dutch co-owner of Crown B&B shares. He adds that there is a growing number of Filipino entrepreneurs owning and running bed and breakfast joints in Amsterdam. Here’s a list: Tulip of Amsterdam B&B offers Dutch themed rooms located in middle of the historic Kloveniersburgwal, one of the oldest canals in Amsterdam. It is right next to the charming ancient square called the Nieuwmarkt. Website: www.TulipofAmsterdam.nl Barangay B&B is one of the oldest themed tropical decorated guest house that used to be a typical Amsterdam canal house. It was built in 1777 on the former coastline of Amsterdam. Website: www.barangay.nl Crown B&B is located in one of the most beautiful classical buildings of Amsterdam. The building used to belong to the royal family as their warehouse for sugar. Website: www.crownbnb.nl
Where to stay? To have a complete Amsterdam experience, why not stay with the locals? A lot of Amsterdammers are opening their houses to accommodate visitors. You can experience sleeping in a coverted attic like Anne Frank or in a house boat like a Dutch sailor –the choices are endless. “Aside from the personal approach and the feeling of being at home, locals know the best deals in town,” Angelo
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About the author Chris Sta Brigida is a Filipino/British national who recently moved to Amsterdam from London. He is the co-owner of Tulip of Amsterdam Bed and Breakfast and also one of the publishers of The Filipino Expat Magazine.
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In the next issue: Finding a job in Europe
The Filipino Expat Magazine is open for advertisements, advertorials, products and events features. We are also looking for contributing writers and photographers. Please get in touch with us through the contact information below. The Filipino Expat Magazine Kloveniersburgwal 9-HS 1011 JT, Amsterdam The Netherlands Telephone +31 (0) 624407692 Email publisher@thefilipinoexpat.com editor@thefilipinoexpat.com Advertisement advertiser@thefilipinoexpat.com Website www.thefilipinoexpat.com
The European economy is unstable and jobs are scarce especially for expats who did not come here with a permanent job. Find out stories on finding a job in Europe, tips on increasing your chances in landing one, your rights if working illegally and more.
Focus on Spain
Our survival guide will feature basic information on documents you need in Spain.
Travel
Discover the best of Santiago de Compostela in Spain and find out why thousands of pilgrims troop here every year. The next issue of The Filipino Expat Magazine will be released on the 3rd week of July. The printed copy is available for subscription from our website for â‚Ź24/ year plus shipment and â‚Ź5/issue in selected Filipino establishments. The e-magazine version is available for free download from www.thefilipinoexpat.com.
Giving Back
Small voices, loud echoes Jomel Gutierrez traveled to the north of the Philippines and discovered the heart-wrenching conditions of education there.
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t was a five-hour trip going to Tineg, Abra from the capital of the province, Bangued. The drive to the second poorest municipality in the entire Philippines was made even more difficult by bumpy, rough roads and treacherous cliffs. It is no secret that Abra is one of the country’s hotspots especially during elections. We were traveling in a convoy with 70 security escorts from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military. Social welfare and development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman was leading our group conducting DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. For first-timers, the sight of Tineg particularly in Sitio Caganayan is heartbreaking: Electricity is not yet available, proper sanitary facilities do not exist, and people have no access to clean water. A handful of concrete houses exist and some have lights using solar panels. Still, majority of the households in the community are among the poorest in the country. The sight of poverty is everywhere. Tineg became a municipality in 1958. As of today, the population there is 4,468.
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UNFINISHED CLASSROOM. The children of Tineg attend classes in this classroom everyday with no concrete floors and proper ceiling. Previous page: TINEG HOMES. Houses in Tined are made of wood and the community does not have proper access to electricity and proper water and sanitary facilities.
I was assigned to conduct a quiz bee for the schoolchildren of Tineg. When I entered the classroom, I felt sorry for the kids. Mud and rocks made up the floor. Desks that could have been two decades old already were still being used. Save for a blackboard, the walls were empty of any colorful posters or drawings to help enliven the learning experience of the kids. Most heart-wrenching was that amid their squalid conditions, the kids always wore huge smiles on their faces, looking ever so eager and enthusiastic to learn new things. I started the quiz bee which had easy, average and difficult categories. To my surprise, the Tineg kids answered every question with such ease like they learned their lessons by heart.
TATTERED LEARNING EXPERIENCE. These torn education materials are the only ones available inside a Day Care classroom in Tineg. Another reality sunk in: Poverty is not a hindrance to good education. Their dedication to study, to explore and to grow inspired me. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or Conditional Cash Transfer has been helping these kids go to school. It also provides them an allowance for food so they won’t go to school hungry. It’s a rights-based program of the DSWD to poor Filipino households with conditions that they need to comply to continue receiving those benefits. But the program can only do so much. The children of Tineg need more help.
For more information how to help the children of Tineg, Abra, you can contact the DSWD-CAR Regional Office: Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region 40 North Drive, Baguio City Telephone/Fax Numbers: (63) (074) 446-5961 / (63) (074) 442-7917 E-mail ad: focal@dswd.gov.ph, jomsanthony@gmail.com Website: www.car.dswd.gov.ph
“Still, majority of the households in the community are among the poorest in the country”
About the author Jomel Anthony Villanueva Gutierrez is a former ABS-CBN international news correspondent. He was based in ABS-CBN Europe, London News Bureau for four years. He contributed stories about overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United Kingdom, Spain and other parts of Europe. He earned a master’s degree in Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Roehampton in London, He is now working as information officer II of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cordillera Administrative Region. The Filipino Expat Magazine
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The Filipino Kitchen The story of bulalo
Caterer Irene Looze shares the joys of teaching her husband the appreciation of home-cooked Filipino meals in the Netherlands.
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arrived in Holland in June 1989, having just married a Dutch. Like many expats before me, I had to learn to adjust to the cold weather, the different language and foreign food. I was homesick especially during those first few trying months. It was not because I was having a hard time adapting to my new environment. I was missing Filipino cuisine that I enjoyed the past 17 years of my life before moving to this new country. Everything was prepared fresh back then – from vegetables to seafood and meat. I vividly remember our first meal here in Holland. We cooked potatoes with a slice of pork chop and green salad. Needless to say, it took all my strength not to show my disappointment, chewing and pushing those potatoes down my throat by drinking lots of water. I remember staring at my food and thinking about what my family and relatives back home were eating at the same moment. I wanted to go home. It was a while before I got used to the Dutch cuisine, which, compared to Filipino food, is simple and straightforward: Breakfast and lunch consist mostly of bread while dinner will have boiled vegetables (usually potatoes) and a piece of meat or pasta.
At that time, there were no Filipino stores in Holland. There were only the tokos or small supermarkets selling food products from Asia, South America and Africa. If you wanted to cook Filipino dishes, you could find most of the alternative ingredients you needed here. (So just imagine my happiness when the first Filipino store opened in our neighborhood.) My husband, like most Dutch people, was not a fan of Filipino cuisine, at first. Particularly, he could not stand the smell of bagoong, papaitan and dried squid.
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It was when I introduced him to my Bulalo recipe that he came to appreciate more the Filipino cuisine. The story goes, my husband was wondering about dinner one fine day. To his surprise, I told him bulalo because I was missing it. He looked even more puzzled when I told him that I’ll be using bone marrows for it. Seeing it would be hard to convince him to try it, I told him to buy lamb chops and cook them himself. He did. At the dinner table, everyone, except my husband, was enjoying my bulalo – slurping and mixing it with rice. Even our one-year-old seemed to be having a kick out of it. My husband suddenly blurted, “How was the bulalo?” “Why don’t you try it? Nobody is stopping you,” I told him. He took one slurp and to my shock, he slapped my shoulder and exclaimed, “Why did you not tell me how delicious it is?!” Since that day, bulalo became his favorite Pinoy dish.
About the author Irene Esquibil Looze owns a catering business and has cooked for the Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), C&A and other Dutch companies. You can reach her at iesquibil@hotmail.com or at telephone numbers +31 (0)618193765 and +31 (0)23-5654110.
Bulalo soup with a European twist Here’s my Bulalo recipe: Ingredients: - 1 kg beef shank or beef meat with (chopped) bone marrow - 1 can of white beans - 3 pcs potatoes (more potatoes if you got a Dutch partner), - ½ kilo of cabbage (chopped) - 2 beef bouillons, red chili pepper or sambaloelek, salt and pepper
Directions: 1. Boil one liter of water with two beef bouillons in a pressure cooker. Add the beef shanks, bone marrow, onions, salt and pepper. If you don’t have a pressure cooker, boil it for at least two hours or until the meat is tender. 2. Add the potatoes then add more water. Let it boil for five minutes then taste it. Put more salt if necessary. 3. Mix in the white beans and cabbage. Let it cook for five minutes. It’s ready to serve with rice or just like, the Dutch way, soepmaaltijd! 4. To make the dish a bit more spicy, put a teaspoon of sambaloelek or red chili pepper.
New generation takes helm of Independence Day organization
Members of the SK Holland Renedor Estimada and Bryan Mendean together with KFFN chairman Jun Ortega.
Dheza Marie Aguilar
T
wo years ago, a group of young FilipinoDutch formed the SangguniangKabataan, a member organization of the Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation Netherlands (KFFN), the main organizer of the Independence Day celebration in the Netherlands. Their aim was to encourage the youth to participate not only in the commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day but also to get them more involved in the Filipino community.
“Our main focus this year is to provide education and basic help to poor kids in the Philippines. We believe these kids are the future. We need to give them a good foundation so they can stand on their own two feet and rise from poverty”
This 2013, KFFN announces its new officers: Rodenor Estimada, (Chairman), Jason Munoz, (Treasurer) Cherryl Dalusong (Communication officer) and Bryan Mendean (Project coordinator).
The new leaders have big shoes to fill but they are ready to take on the challenge, inspired by their Filipino roots. “I have been exposed to the Filipino culture even during my younger years. We sang Christmas Carols together. We attended Filipino mass almost every week. Every year, we visit the Philippines to keep in touch with family and
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The Filipino Expat Magazine
friends there. My love for my country grew even stronger when I joined KFFN and saw that love reflected back to me by the fellow members,” said Munoz. The new officers aim to improve and make more efficient the logistical and structural management of the Independence Day picnic. They plan to do more charity works, concentrating on providing education and basic help to poor children in the Philippines. This year, KFFN’s beneficiary is Stitching Bahay Aurora, a Dutch-Filipino foundation that provides food, shelter and basic education to street children. “Our main focus this year is to provide education and basic help to poor kids in the Philippines. We believe these kids are the future. We need to give them a good foundation so they can stand on their own two feet and rise from poverty,” explained Mendean. The KFFN Independence Day picnic will continue to host the traditional barbecue gatherings, entertainment activities. competitions and tiangges.
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