YES PHILIPPINES News Magazine - September 2019

PINOY KIDS IN DERBY HS2 railway’s future?

Antonio Pelayo

REECE Carabana

SHARMAINE CARABANA

JOHN ISIDOR

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

ELSON MANDELA

once said, “Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.” It couldn’t have rang more true in our cover story for this month.

by Mary Sol Pimentel

This September, Yes Philippines features four FilBrit kids who took part in a training workshop for the HS2. The High Speed 2 (HS2) will be the new railway project to carry passengers between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds in a shorter period of time while helping to lighten the load of the rest of the railways. The workshop that the children attended is to help prepare them for their future plans, in case they would like to pursue a career in the railway industry especially during the HS2 project.

Another story we are featuring

this month is the return of Juan EU Konek and its plans for the future as they decide to go digital. Meet the four lovely hosts of this award-winning program and get to know who they are as we wait in anticipation to watch their shows.

Filipinos took centerstage in the UK again this month. The Davao City Groove Unlimited Dancers, representing the Philippines, won a much-deserved award after besting several others here in Blackpool. On the other hand, Lloyd and Jackielou Balatongan, collectively known as Soulm8s, sang their way to the Grand Finals of the Soundwaves Music Competition in Birmingham. Clearly, we Filipinos are truly talented individuals as evidenced by our successes on the international stage.

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue. Happy reading!

Clearly, we Filipinos are truly talented individuals as evidenced by our successes on the international stage.

Filipino Musicians make it to the National Grand Finals

BY Lloyd Balatongan

ANOTHER FILIPINO musical act made waves in one of the prestigious musical competitions here in the United Kingdom. Acoustic act, The Soulm8s, made it to the National Grand Finals of the Soundwaves Music Competition which was held at Birmingham last 24th of August.

The musical duo, composed of real-life couple Lloyd and Jackielou Balatongan, performed along with 9 other regional winners from Scotland, Newcastle, Leeds and London on a packed crowd at the O2 Institute in Birmingham. The duo, along with their Filipino, British and Spanish friends, performed at a packed crowd, where they wowed the judges consisting of producers who worked with Celine Dion and Oasis as well as record label executives.

The duo was joined by Spanish percussionist, Pipo Torres and backing harmonies, Rex PortillanoBarr and couple Jerry and Gemma Leysa. Performing their own song, "On My Own" as well as a cover of

Whitney Houston's chart-topper "Saving All My Love", The Soulm8s had the opportunity to play in one of the iconic venues, The O2 Institute, after winning the Regional Finals last July against 13 other acts from the Midlands and Wales.

They also sang a rendition of "No Matter Where You Are", a song from Us The Duo and another original track, the catchy "Marmalade Shake".

Professional three-piece band, Chasing Deer from London were declared the National Winner and got a full-recording package and photo shoots, press coverage and a UK Tour at the O2 Academy Venues. The Soulm8s, though was added to the poll of artist by the organisers of the competition, Subwaves Records and will have chance to tour as one of the support acts around the country.

The duo faced tough competition from around 1000 acts all over the country across several audition stages. They claimed the Midlands Regional Finals last July held at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, prevailing against 14 music acts composing of rock bands, singersongwriters, rappers and fellow

Their unique acoustic sound and great harmonies makes them stand out at open mics and festival, hence making them known to the music circuit around Midlands.

acoustic acts.

Hailing from Iloilo, Philippines, the duo met as part of the Youth For Christ ministry band, where they fell in love and grew into music. Having two children, Liam (10) and Lyris (6) didn't stop them from pursuing their passion in music. Lloyd came to United Kingdom to work as a nurse in Loughborough, Leicestershire in 2009, and Jackielou, a Bachelor in Music Education graduate, followed in 2011, leaving her job as a primary school teacher in Philippines.

They have since travelled around the UK playing in pubs, festivals and events. From playing in pubs across Surrey and Derby, to posh wedding venues like Chatsworth House and Barrio Fiestas around Midlands, the couple moved forward with their music career despite their busy family and work schedules. Their unique acoustic sound and great harmonies makes them stand out at open mics and festival, hence making them known to the music circuit around Midlands

And their loyal following also have become a big part of their success, having raised more than

a £1000 for their transport and logistics during their stint in the Soundwaves Music Competition. Showing how "Bayanihan" works, the duo also contributes back to the community by setting up the youth choir in Derby as well as promoting performers during their gigs and project, as part of the Derby Bayanihan Productions.

Follow them by subscribing to their website, www.thesoulm8s.com or their Facebook page, The Soulm8s.

For bookings, visit their website or contact booking agent, Portia at 07720 864668.

0208 133 8336

DOT, Emirates tie up to promote PH in Europe, Middle East

DUBAI-BASED Emirates and the Department of Tourism (DOT) inked a memorandum of agreement that would promote the Philippines in the Middle East, Europe, and other markets being serviced by the Gulf carrier.

Under the agreement, DOT and Emirates will jointly market promotions, do familiarization tours as well as roadshows to also boost opportunity for trade.

Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said the partnership is a welcome development to the agency’s efforts to attract tourists from long-haul countries in Europe and the Middle East.

“It is always our goal to improve air connectivity from long-haul countries such as

the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, and other major tourist source markets in Europe. However, the absence of sustained and direct air connectivity from the said areas limits our ability to grow as packages to the Philippines become less competitive compared to our neighbors in Southeast Asia,” he said.

Citing studies, Bengzon said long-haul markets provide more benefits not only for tourism but also to hotel and resort operators, travel facilitators, and other stakeholders as they stay longer and spend more.

“Hence, this agreement will provide the Philippines with a great opportunity to promote the Philippines not only in the Middle East but also in Europe, connecting the travelers directly to Philippines’ major destinations

such as Manila, Cebu, and Clark via Dubai,” he said.

Satish Sethi, mirates Airlines country manager for the Philippines, said details on the two parties’ collaboration would be formalized in the next few days.

“Major part of it would include business-to-business relationships, we’re also discussing options of familiarization trips to bring in tour operators from across these target markets into the Philippines to showcase your country. We will formalize these shortly,” he said in an interview.

Emirates flies to at least 158 destinations in 85 countries and territories.

In the Philippines, it operates 18 weekly flights from Manila to Dubai, and daily flights connecting

Filipino travelers to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Americas.

In the last 20 years since its inaugural flight from Manila, Sethi said the airline carried over nine million passengers in and out of the Philippines, one million of which flew within 2018.

“That goes to show how the demand has grown especially in the last 20 years. We look forward in serving the tourism market with our world-class service that the Philippines has grown to love,” he said.

“We know that tourists are primarily coming from South Korea, China, Japan, and the United States. But if you’re just to look at markets like Middle East, Europe, and Africa, that in itself host 2.5 billion people in the world and that’s huge potential money over there,” he added. (PNA)

MOA SIGNING. Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. and Emirates Airlines country manager for the Philippines Satish Sethi ink a memorandum of agreement that will promote the Philippines in the Middle East, Europe and other markets being serviced by the Gulf carrier. Under the agreement, DOT and Emirates will conduct joint marketing promotions, familiarization tours as well as roadshows to also boost opportunity for trade. (PNA photo by Joyce L. Rocamora)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

A CASE OF AMNESTY

BY LIRA SIMON CABATBAT

IT SHOULD BE SAID, AT THE outset, that there is NO amnesty. This is not to say that there is no case for one.

It has been widely reported that our new Prime Minister, Mr Boris Johnson, is open to the idea of immigration amnesty. When asked about his stance he was noted to reply:

“But I have to say I do think that our arrangements in theoretically being committed to the expulsion of perhaps half-a-million people who don’t have the correct papers and who may have been living and working here for many, many years without being involved in any criminal activity at all ... I think that the legal position is anomalous and we saw the difficulties that kind of problem occasioned in the Windrush fiasco.”

He continued: “We know the difficulties that can be caused and I do think - yes, I will answer her directly - I do think we need to look at our arrangements for people who have lived and worked here for a long time unable to enter the economy, unable to participate properly or pay taxes without documents.

“We should look at it and the truth is, the law already basically allows them an effective amnesty, that’s basically where we have settled now.

“But we should look at the economic advantages and disadvantages of going ahead with the policy that she described, and which I think she and I share.” (The Scotsman 25 July 2019)

Immigration is an emotive issue which often makes a debate polarised. It can be very difficult to consider the

topic dispassionately, but this does not mean that we should not, at least, try. A good starting point is “the economic advantages and disadvantages of an amnesty”.

The possible tax contribution of legalising migrants is often cited by pro-amnesty advocates as a reason in favour of such policy. Those against amnesty retort that the additional costs to the United Kingdom’s infrastructure (additional housing, NHS care) would outweigh the fiscal benefit. The abstract basis (unknown number of migrants and their taxable income) makes any calculation so inaccurate that I doubt it is useful to either camp.

What is not in dispute is the shortage of workers in certain occupations, especially in the care industry. Age UK has stated that:

“Social care in the UK is already in a fragile state. Recent research shows that 130,000 new care workers are needed each year just for the social care workforce to cope with current levels of demand. Right now, there are around 110,000 unfilled care jobs in the UK, and more than 3 in 10 care staff leave their jobs each year.”

There is a desperate shortage in the healthcare industry. This is echoed by the UK Government’s own advisor, the Migration Advisory Committee. MAC is tasked to provide independent advice to the government on immigration policy, and particularly on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).

Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in its May 2019 report stated:

“The demand for workers to fill vacancies in healthcare occupations is

set to continue to grow as the demand for healthcare services continues to grow. Migration has made an important contribution to the sector’s workforce, and no doubt will continue to do so. However, the rise in vacancies and concern over lack of staff has occurred under freedom of movement and during a period when many health occupations have been on the SOL. Ultimately it will take more effective workforce planning and efforts to increase the flows into health professions (and decrease flows out) to meet growing demands.”

MAC’s summary was based on evidence provided by organisations in the Care industry, including the Independent Care Group (ICG) a Membership organisation representing independent care providers across North Yorkshire and York. Their evidence presented to MAC in January 2019 stated:

“Care workers are the biggest risk. The ICG and others have campaigned for these essential workers to be classified as such and deemed as skilled workforce. Without care workers, the much-needed home and domiciliary care in the UK could not be provided.”

“There has been a 1.6million increase in the number of people working in adult social care since 2009. By 2035, it is

forecast that a further 59% growth or 950,000 roles will be needed to respond to demand. Given the sector has 8% vacancies at any one time and annual staff turnover of 30.7% it is clear from employment and education trends that this demand cannot be met solely from the domestic workforce.”

It should not be presumed that those regularised by an amnesty will all go on to work as carers, but many may. Any amnesty can also prioritise applicants who have such skills or are willing to work in Social Care. An amnesty can, therefore, mean that there is an immediately available workforce. Such workers are already in the country, are familiar with life here and of great importance to the Care industry many already have experience in Social Care. In regularising their status, the UK will have a ready, willing and able pool of people who will be able to fill the large gap of carers which Age UK states to be over 100,000.

While Immigration continues to be an emotive issue, the government should not dismiss the opportunities an amnesty also present. As Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated: “all I will say is we should look at it” (6 of July - ITV news).

While Immigration continues to be an emotive issue, the government should not dismiss the opportunities an amnesty also present.

Ms Lira Simon Cabatbat is a senior partner and founder of Douglass Simon Solicitors with over 25 years legal experience. She specialises in all aspects of Immigration, Human Rights and Family law. She is renowned for her tenacious aSnd frank advice as reflected in her success rate in Immigration Tribunals, Judicial Review and High Court cases. For details of the successful appeals, visit the website www.douglass-simon.com

London celebrates INC’s 105th anniversary through a performance of INCentre Stage at the Lighthouse Theatre

BY JD SISON

HO AM I?” A story which enacts the modern struggles of youth and the real problems they face daily, capturing the main character’s journey through emotional battles and selfdiscovery.

This debut launch of the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s INCentre Stage has attracted viewers from all over the United Kingdom.

Audiences traveled from the different regions of the country to witness this much-anticipated live theatre production.

Bryant, Iglesia ni Cristo youth member from Wales, related to the struggles of the main character: “Getting a real job was like the ‘doors scene’, you knock on all the doors and they all answer ‘No!’. I connected with that a lot… a cool representation of what I’ve been through.“

“WThis play was also different from other theatrical productions, as commented by guests who compared it to other plays they’ve seen.

Bhavisha, from Harrow, United Kingdom, said “it was nice, it is different. It connects us directly to God and makes us believe God is still here in this world.”

This play also resonated beyond the theatre, as commented by Dillan, from Harrow, United Kingdom: “Things like this event, you get a sense of community and the young people especially are going to talk about it and get insight from those around them. Through God, you connect with others that is the catalyst for a bigger conversation.”

The play was a truly absorbing experience for the cast and crew whose debut performances won the audience’s favour and introduced the audience to God.

Juan EU Konek Goes Digital

AWARDwinning news magazine programme

Juan EU Konek is returning after a three- year -break and is coming back stronger, with the promise of using the power of storytelling to educate, recognise, honour, inspire, support and entertain our amazing overseas Filipinos in Europe and beyond.

Juan EU Konek will take an in-depth look into the different facets of “Juan,” exploring their triumphs and struggles and documenting their rich and varied experiences while assimilating into a dynamic and foreign culture.

From the political to the personal, Juan EU Konek will

bring the diaspora closer, connecting Filipinos worldwide through their powerful stories of success and survival. The only one of its kind, the show will also feature current events and immigration issues affecting them as they continue their journey towards a better life for themselves and their families back home.

Juan EU Konek is independently produced by JREM Media and is being presented in the service of the Filipino.

The pilot episode will be available on Saturday, 28th September on the Juan EU Konek YouTube channel, making the show fully accessible to all Filipinos around the world. New episodes will be seen subsequently every last Saturday of the month.

Get to Know Juan EU Konek Hosts

ROSE ECLARINAL

A seasoned journalist, Rose Eclarinal grew from writing and producing for award-winning shows for ABS-CBN Philippines to becoming ABS-CBN Europe’s senior news correspondent for a decade. Eclarinal has reported on important stories spanning the European continent — the repatriation of Filipino workers from Libya in 2011 and 2014, the resignation of Pope Benedict XXVI, the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the London Olympics and more, all in the quest for truth and the pursuit of public service.

Rose Eclarinal took up her postgraduate diploma in international broadcast journalism offered by the Thompson Foundation and Radio Netherland Training Center. She holds multiple degrees from

the Erasmus Mundus Journalism Masters program from Denmark’s Aarhus University, University of Amsterdam and University of Swansea in Wales, specialising in globalisation and reporting global change. She is the recipient of media scholarships from the UK government’s Chevening program, the Netherlands Fellowship Program awarded by the Dutch government and the Erasmus Mundus by the EU.

After Eclarinal produced two specials for the 20th anniversary of The Filipino Channel, the episodes became the foundation to launch Juan EU Konek, where Eclarinal takes the helm as Executive Producer. With Juan EU Konek, Eclarinal feels she has come full circle in her career, taking her back to where she started many years ago, as a news and current affairs producer for ABS-CBN.

GENE ALCANTARA

Gene Alcantara has worked tirelessly for Filipino communities in the UK for decades. He has published community newspapers, actively championed racial equality in various civic groups, and became one of the earliest correspondents for Balitang Pinoy (Europe) under The Filipino Channel since 2003. A Master’s degree holder of Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University and an Employment Law certificate, Alcantara honed his socio-civic work

as founding chair of the Philippine Centre charity and as a former chair for European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFID), a network of 14 European countries dedicated to strengthening the voice and political power of its member communities.

At present, he is one of the leading immigration advisers in the UK and is the owner of Alcantara Consultancy Services, which provides immigration advice and services to migrants, making him cut out for the job of hosting Juan EU Konek’s Immigration 101.

CRYSTAL DIAS

Crystal Dias is a woman with a mission. In 2008, she founded Dias Solicitors, becoming the only Filipino woman solicitor who runs her own law firm in the central hub of London’s legal sector, Grays Inn Road. She has clients all over the UK, handling cases in Corporate, Immigration and Family Law, yet her greatest work is in the service of Filipino communities and disadvantaged people.

Dias has been dedicated to

working with vulnerable clients, including children, victims of domestic abuse, the elderly and those with learning disability and trafficked women.

Dias was awarded one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Filipina Women Network (FWN) in 2018. She is also a mentor to young women who wish to pursue law under the Cherie Blair Foundation, apart from her new role as presenter for Juan EU Konek’s Immigration 101.

KIARA GIEL GREGORIO

Kiara Giel Gregorio is a beauty queen, ramp and print model and host, who has just graduated with a degree in law at University of Westminster London.

In 2016, she won the title of Miss Earth Air as first runner-up. Following the resignation of then Miss Earth Philippines winner, Kiara was poised to take over the crown, but she turned it down to concentrate on her studies and her

advocacy. Kiara has collaborated with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources to conduct medical missions, cleanup drives and tree planting activities for her environmental campaign “One with the Earth.”

Kiara is currently a host for The Filipino Channel’s K- World. Her wholesome and intelligent persona will grace the success stories of Filipinos for Juan EU Konek.

Derbyshire Fil-Brit kids get insight into railway construction

OUNG

Ypeople in Chesterfield, including four FilBrits, have been given a hands-on insight into engineering and construction on Britain’s new railway, High Speed 2 (HS2). In an interactive workshop run by HS2 Ltd, members of the Derbyshire BME Forum were tasked with taking on the role of bridge builders.

The Derbyshire BME Forum works to deliver and support activities that will increase opportunities for Black and Minority Ethnic young people (BME) and communities in Derbyshire. Fifteen youngsters participated in the HS2 Ltd session, which was held at Donut Creative Arts Studio (DCAS) in Chesterfield on Wednesday 31 July.

BY BEN GOODWIN

After learning about the complexities of constructing major infrastructure components, the young people, aged 10 to 19, were given boxes full of craft materials and challenged to build a bridge over a series of mini obstacles. Once built, the bridges were put to the test by laying track and running a model railway across them.

Prior to this, the youngsters took part in a quiz which matched their interests and skills to a potential future role helping build HS2, from design to construction, and from cyber security to customer experience.

Judith Rowe, Engagement Advisor at HS2 Ltd, said:

“At the peak of construction, over 30,000 people will play a role in delivering Britain’s new high speed railway. HS2 is investing in young people now

to help address the country’s skills shortage and ensure we leave a lasting talent legacy for the future.

“At events such as these we are introducing children to a diverse range of career opportunities that HS2, and the wider construction industry, can offer. We want to encourage them to think about how they might play their own part in this once in a generation project that will bring Britain closer together.”

From 2033, Chesterfield will be served by HS2, offering new, improved and faster rail services that will reduce journey times and free up space on existing lines for more local services. The region will also be served by a new East Midlands Hub in Toton, which will provide high-speed connections to core UK cities and a journey time of just 16

(Left to Right) John Isidor; Judith Rowe, Engagement Advisor, HS2 Ltd; Sharmaine Carabana; Reece Carabana; and Antonio Pelayo

minutes to Chesterfield.

Not only will Derbyshire benefit from dedicated HS2 services at Chesterfield, the proposed HS2 Infrastructure Maintenance Depot at Staveley offers major opportunities for the area. It is estimated that the construction of the depot could support up to 75 roles and, once operational, the facility will provide 200 high skilled jobs. In addition, Derbyshire County Council’s masterplan includes 1,500 new homes and 800 new jobs around the site.

12-year-old Sharmaine Carabana from Chesterfield, said:

“We do need HS2, because we have so many cars that can damage the environment and pollute the earth, but using one train that goes around everywhere is better than having lots of cars that use petrol and pollute the skies.”

“With the bridge building activity, we had to consider things that might happen in

the real world, such as building over roads or rocky ground. Working for the railway would really interest me as there’s lots of different areas you can get involved with, from building to design, and you can use your skills to enable people to travel around.”

10-year-old Antonio Pelayo from Chesterfield, said:

“HS2 is great. If I worked on HS2, I would be a digital defender, so I could protect all the railway’s information.”

At HS2 Ltd, 19 per cent of its staff identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME). The organisation has already taken a number of positive steps towards increasing the number of BAME applicants and staff this year, including launching its own multi-cultural employee’s network, and working with its supply chain to attend BAME recruitment events to encourage more diverse young talent into the infrastructure sector.

HS2 Ltd is the first company

in the sector to trial ‘blind recruitment’ which, like auditions on TV’s ‘The Voice’, takes away everything other than technical ability at the very first stage of recruitment. This removes any unconscious bias – where, unknowingly people often favour those presenting in their own image.

The Derbyshire BME Forum aims to ensure BME youngsters can play an integral role in influencing decisions made about their lives in the county. Consisting of representatives aged 10 to 25, the Forum meets every three months and helps young people to participate in social affairs, identify issues affecting their lives and their mental health and wellbeing, and exchange experiences, information and ideas. The Forum is jointly run by Links CVS – the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Service and Action Ltd – and Derbyshire County Council.

Marcus king, Tonio Carabana 10, Rhys Carabana 10, Sharmaine Carabana 12, Judith Rowe, Kim Soucy , John isidor 10, Marley Wall 11,Joseph Hobson 11. HS2 speak to students in Chesterfield, July 31 2019. Hs2 informs young students about future job prospect that will be available in the local area.

Bridges made by students to overcome various obstacles.

Hs2 informs young students about future job prospect that will be available in the local area.

Davao-based dance group wins world dance championship

BY MARIE FAIRBANKS

AFTER JOINING THE dance competitions in America, Australia, Japan, and China, the Davao City Groove Unlimited dancers ventured and joined UDO World Dancing Competition held in Blackpool UK, August 24-25.

The Davao-based dance group snatches the second place beating over 30 country representatives across the world. The competition includes solos, duos, teams, quads and battle categories. Alongside the competitions, attendees also took part in inspiring workshops from a world-class faculty throughout the weekend, with outstanding judges' performances at the evening parties.

Midz Dagamac, the president of Davawenyo-UK accompanied the team together with Julie Aquino, President of Golden Fil-Brits Pensioners-UK for a courtesy call at the Philippine EmbassyLondon through Consul Stacy Garcia.

Amb. Antonio M. Lagdameo, Consul General Senen Mangalile, and Consul Rhen Rodriguez with TFC Senior News Correspondent Rose Eclarinal celebrated the dance group’s win in the championship during their courtesy call.

While at the embassy the group performed part of their winning piece to the delights of the diplomats and some of Filipinos present.

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Let’s Eat Pare: food and online positivity

By Rudolph Ian Alama

FOR ONLINE

community builder Mark Tanseco del Rosario, his social media advocacy dubbed as Let’s Eat Pare aims to share online positivity thru the love for food.

“We wanted a platform for people to be able to share freely about the food they are eating, and hopefully helping the food industry and the economy,” Mark recalls his inspiration for coming up Let’s Eat Pare.

Started in 2016, LEP (Let’s Eat Pare) is a social media platform, which originated as a Facebook group page and now has an Instagram account. Users share posts of the food they are eating or for food entrepreneurs the dishes/products they are offering.

Currently the Facebook page of

LEP has about 162,000 followers and grows at 500 new followers weekly.

The Instagram account has 26,400 followers.

“I was a restaurant owner so I had a lot of challenges in the beginning and I spent so much on marketing, so I thought, there can be a better way,” Mark recalls his days as a food entrepreneur.

Mark got the idea from the many Facebook groups he joined which catered to numerous passions like watches, cars, and other hobbies.

“I thought, I can do one Facebook group for food because that’s my passion.” Then at around 1 o’clock in the evening, he created his Facebook group Lets Eat Pare with an initial

With its success in its online positivity campaign, Let's Eat Pare has not just become a food community platform but also a much-needed vehicle to promote constructive values in social media.

500 Facebook members.

The name was taken from Mark’s favorite expression “pare” or friend.

“I would always use pare on social media,” Mark explains the origin of the name.

Mark says it’s a catchy term for the phrase “kain tayo” which hospitable and friendly Filipinos would call on friends to share a meal.

From online, the group has expanded to forging physical connections with gettogethers and shared dinner events. These have bonded the members into one tight-knit community. Promoting online positivity

At the beginning, the Facebook group was a free-for-all affair as Mark allowed leeway for members to say a piece of their mind on the food featured in the posts.

He noticed that several up-andcoming food establishments or those who are getting popular or wellknown were being bashed on the social media.

“That’s a Filipino trait that we are trying to correct, hopefully and I know its not just us who will take that advocacy, a lot of people must also join the movement of supporting local food establishments.” Mark said.

According to him, Filipino crab mentality culture rears its ugly head when one sees Filipino

Let’s Eat Pare Founder Mark Tanseco del Rosario

brands getting a measure of success, they will say something bad.

Bashing is not really helping the industry or the economy, Mark explains the toxic culture is detrimental not just to social media users, but also to the entrepreneurs who have worked hard to grow their business.

In the page, LEP declares itself as a positive community and there are 10 rules that members must read.

“We make sure that people follow these rules, in fact if people write something bad about a restaurant we have to send them the rules they violated,” Mark said.

Since the page started in 2016, Mark has seen changes in reinforcing a positive culture to the community.

“At first there was lot of resistance. People especially living in a democratic society would want to say what they want to say. We had to show them first what is the impact of that negativity, a lot of our members are not restaurant owners, so they

don’t really know how they are hurting the industry by saying those words,” Mark said.

He says, there’s a more professional way of communicating your complaints. “You can talk to the manager or the owner, or you can talk to us and we can mediate, there are better ways than to bash them online.”

The former restaurateur recently visited Davao City as a speaker during the Digital Tourism Convention held at SMX Davao, organized by Globe Telecom and the Davao Tourism Association. Mark shared topics on the top food marketing trends in social media.

He recently linked up with several pioneering Dabawenyo members of the Let’s Eat Pare group. Among the plans is regionalizing the page, A Davao LEP page is in the works with the working name “Kaon Ta Bai” which is a Bisayan translation of Let’s Eat Pare.

The Kaon Ta Bai will focus on local food establishments and the foodie

community in the region with the help of those members who are working in the local food industry.

Aside from promoting respect and a culture of positivity, Lets Eat Pare has provided also a solid online camaraderie for fellow business establishments. Some established entrepreneurs would act as big brother to newbies in the businesses giving them useful tips in operating their enterprise.

There are also success stories with some online vendors who were able to open up commissaries and some have began exporting their products, while others have found a network of vendors in the social media page, thus expanding their product distribution.

With its success in its online positivity campaign, Let’s Eat Pare has not just become a food community platform but also a much-needed vehicle to promote constructive values in social media.

(PIA/RG Alama)

SHARE YOUR STORIES!

Mark takes a food photo at a resto in Davao City, His Let’s Eat Pare gathers foodies from different parts of the country through the platform of social media.

The Coffee Coffee

Aroma of Success Aroma of Success in

By Shevanie E. Magallanes

TO QUOTE THOMAS

Jefferson,

As demand for coffee continues to spread, there is a fierce competition to cultivate coffee products nationally and internationally.

Luckily, the province of Bukidnon has a fair share of thriving and rising small and medium-scale entrepreneurs who develop and sell coffee products.

Hailed from the municipality of Malitbog, Bukidnon, JRED Food Processing offers roasted coffee and green beans. Its main product is labeled as Kape Roger-notably a competitive product by its rich taste and aroma.

The collaboration between JRED

Food Processing and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 10 through the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) Bukidnon started when the firm was enrolled for the Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) under the Consultancy and Training of DOST in 2017.

MPEX assists Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing sector to attain higher productivity.

Rogelio Saguinhon, the proprietor of JRED Food Processing, joined the recently conducted Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Documentation Writeshop conducted by DOST Region 10. In the GMP Documentation Writeshop, MSME’s, especially in the food sectors, were assisted to comply with the requirements upon the application for License to Operate (LTO) from the

Food and Drug Administration. Fortunately this year, JRED Food Processing was able to seek help from DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

PSTC Bukidnon will implement a SETUP Project for JRED Food Processing providing the science and technology interventions that the enterprise needed: acquisition of seven food-grade equipment such as the roasting machine, coffee pulper, huller, grinder, and continuous band sealer.

JRED Food Processing is expected to have an increase in their productivity by at least 20 percent and to increase sales by at least 30 percent in the first year of intervention. The firm is also looking forward to providing additional employment to locals.

“Our highest regard and esteem to DOST for invaluable assistance to small firms like us. The value of commitment by the people involved in the implementation of the project is here. Now, it is up to us. Walang iwanan. Kudos to DOST 10!” Saguinhon said as he wholeheartedly thanked DOST for all the agency’s help.

Coffee is considered one of the world’s most popular beverages. It has a high level of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that helps the body in many ways.

In the Philippines, coffee has a history as rich as its flavor. It is one of the few countries that produces the four varieties of commercially viable coffee: Arabica, Liberica (Barako),

for all four varieties.

SETUP is a nationwide strategy aimed at improving the productivity and competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It provides a wide range of solutions which include technology transfer and commercialization, technical consultancy services (e.g. Manufacturing Productivity Extension, Consultancy for Agricultural Productivity Enhancement, food safety, energy audit, cleaner production, etc.), packaging and labeling assistance, technology trainings, calibration and laboratory testing services, and equipment acquisition through the innovation-enabling fund (i-fund).

SETUP helps firms buy appropriate technologies, the acquisition cost of which to be amortized by the latter in equal monthly installments for three years, without interest.

From 2002 to 2016, the program enabled a total of 341 micro-scale enterprises to graduate to smallscale; 20 firms leaped from being micro to medium enterprises; 90 from small to medium enterprises; and one from medium to large enterprise.

The proponent hoped that through SETUP, they would achieve new heights and overcome boundaries in the foreign and local business industry[HMR1]. (Shevanie E. Magallanes, DOST-10)

“Coffee is the favorite drink of the civilized world.”

Excelsa and Robusta. Climatic and soil conditions in the Philippines – from the lowland to mountain regions – make the country suitable

a cup of

in a cup of

ENTERTAINMENT

KILLER SUDOKU 01

KILLER SUDOKU 02

KILLER SUDOKU 03

HINTS:

Killer Sudoku 03 Killer Sudoku 02

YES! LAUGH OUT LOUD!

Good jokes for the soul

Killer Sudoku 01 Easy Sudoku 03

An old grandma brings a bus driver a bag of peanuts every day.

First the bus driver enjoyed the peanuts but after a week of eating them he asked: “Please granny, don’t bring me peanuts anymore. Have them yourself.”.

The granny answers:

Easy Sudoku 02 Easy Sudoku 01

“You know, I don’t have teeth anymore. I just prefer to suck the chocolate around them.”

___ Boy complains to his

father: You told me to put a potato in my swimming trunks! You said it would impress the girls at the pool! But you forgot to mention one thing!

Father: Really, what?

Boy: That the potato should go in the front.

I was sitting in a bar one day and two really large women came in, talking in an interesting accent. So I said, “Cool accent, are you two ladies from Ireland?”

One of them snarled at me, “It’s Wales, dumbo!”

So I corrected myself, “Oh, right, so are you two whales from Ireland?”

That’s about as far as I remember.

Me as best man: I heard the best man’s speech should last as long as the groom lasts in bed. Thank you very much for your attention. Enjoy the wedding.

I got a call telling me my

wife’s been taken to the hospital.

“Oh my Lord, how is she?!” I asked.

“I’m sorry to say she’s critical,” said the nurse.

“What the heck is she complaining about again?!”

What’s the difference between a bachelor and a married man?

Bachelor comes home, checks out what’s in the fridge & goes to bed. Married man comes home, checks out what’s in the bed & goes to the fridge.

A man is reading his newspaper and says to his wife: “Michelle, look. Here is an article about how women use about twice as many words per day as men do.”

The wife responds: “That’s because we have to tell you everything twice”

Wife: “It’s our wedding anniversary in a week, darling. How do you think we should celebrate?”

-

Husband: “With a minute of silence.”

FOOD DIRECTORY

FACE OF THE MONTH

KAYLA CRUMPLER

17 years old

Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire

Education:

Chalfonts Community College, A level student year 13

Ambition in life: to study Law in a university

Interests: reading, singing, yoga and travel.

Mother: Res Crumpler from Davao city

Father: Steve Crumpler From London

WHEN ONE travels to the tourist town of Banaue in Ifugao, the rice terraces are not the only ones you can’t help notice.

Small shops along the road stand side by side each other displaying a variety of woodcarvings from the famed "bululs" (rice gods) to home decors, tissue holders, and souvenirs.

Big hunter statues and furniture sets are often the centerpieces until recently, small items carved to the minutest detail of a native house, good luck charm, and novelty items became popular.

Ifugao woodcarving

Woodcarving in the province of Ifugao can be traced back to the pre-Spanish period. The practice of the craft can also be associated to the existence of the old-aged rice terraces as evident in the

Woodcarving, woodlots, and women: Sustaining forests and

Families

By Jamie Joie Malingan

"bululs" carved as protection and an important part of the rituals in the rice cycle of the Ifugao people.

After the Second World War, there was a boom in the tourism industry in the town of Banaue. Along with it, woodcarving became an additional income generating activity for most families.

“Economically, Ifugaos have limited sources of income. Since rice production here is only once a year, families cannot be sustained by just relying on rice production, ” said Banaue Municipal Assessor Peter Udan.

Women Woodcarvers

Women in the woodcarving industry are usually in charge of the finishing touches of the wood products but not until recently when they started to get involved in carving their own products.

Trinkets, key chains, and earrings are now some of the recent souvenirs that woodcarvers from

Banaue produce.

These items maybe smaller than your average woodworks but the details put in them take as much hard work and patience.

“What’s unique to women woodcarvers is their patience to carve small items as compared to the men who prefer to carve the larger pieces” said Maribel Dango, President of the Banaue Women Wood Carvers Organization.

The Banaue Women Sculptor Organization started in 2016 with a woodcarving exhibit organized by the local government unit.

With now 16 members from barangays Bocos and Viewpoint, the organization continues to showcase their skills and works during festivals like the Imbayah and the Gotad ad Ifugao.

“The reason we organized an exhibit for them was to adjust the price from P0.10 per item to at least P0.35 ,” said Udan.

Unlike commercialized products produced in bulks using machines, the items carved by the women woodcarvers are handmade. Sometimes, these items are made while the women are taking care of the children and household chores.

Sustaining the family

Income sources for the typical Ifugao family is usually limited to the father going out to the fields and bringing in cash.

However, with women now active in selling wood carved items, there is supplemental revenue for the family.

“Woodcarving helps a lot especially when it comes to our finances. When the family falls short in money, we can get extra income here,” said Darcy Banghuyao, a member of the Banaue Women Sculptor Organization.

Although the women woodcarvers sell smaller pieces, Udan said they can earn money equal to the value of the larger items.

Preserving the natural forests

Usually, when one talks about the woodcarving industry, one cannot avoid to tackle issues of deforestation especially in areas with large forest covers.

In numerous studies, the growth of the woodcarving industry in the province is associated as one of the contributing factors of declining of forests.

The government also issued memorandums and department orders to ban the cutting of trees that destroy forest areas.

Contrary to the impression that woodcarving is a dangerous industry particularly for Ifugao forests, Udan

explained that the Ifugaos, long before the laws and regulations were put in place, knew how to take care of their woodlots.

“Woodcarving is an industry that knows how to preserve its own natural forest,” he said.

Before woodcarving became a source of income, most farming families clear entire mountains to plant food crops as an alternative livelihood to rice production.

The development of the woodcarving in the municipality helped stop this slash-and-burn agriculture.

“Families will not clear mountains to plant sweet potatoes anymore

because by carving two to five trees in a certain period of time, they can already have supply of their basic needs while having the forest preserved,” Udan explained. He said with the women woodcarvers, the raw resources are maximized into coming up with a marketable products from the trunk, branches up until to the pine needles.

Scrap wood from making the large items can also be turned into the smaller souvenir pieces.

Expanding the market

Through exhibits in different events and festivals, the Banaue Women Sculptors Organization is now able

to get orders inside and outside the country.

Udan said he sees a strong potential in the international market for their products.

“It’s good that the Duterte administration is encouraging enterpreneurship,” he said.

Through the right kind of enterpreneurship and strong government support, Udan envisions the wood carvers as owners of an organization that helps give an adequate and reliable source of income to secure a better life for their families.(JDP/JJPM-PIA CAR)

What’s unique to women woodcarvers is their patience to carve small items as compared to the men who prefer to carve the larger pieces.

EVENTS

FRIGGA FORECAST

RAT

Stick to your goals to stay on top of things. Your potential is seen favorably in the workplace. Activate the North sector of your home or office to help ideas and positive energy to flow freely around you.

OX

There is no point in wanting to do more if your health is at stake. You may experience some loss or missed opportunities. Should there be misunderstanding in your relationship, the best way to deal with it is to compromise.

TIGER

This month may not work out as planned. Ignoring problems will not make them disappear, so face them head on. The Robbery Star is very much around, so protect yourself from possibly losing money and valuables.

RABBIT

Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets preparation. You may experience health-related issues, which will slow you down at work. Seek help from coworkers, comfort from your partner, and keep your feng shui cures close.

DRAGON

Whatever you have started in the past may bring you much progress. Revisit your goals and focus on what you really want to achieve by the end of the year. While good fortune is in your chart, be careful that this is not countered by jealousy and disagreements.

SNAKE

You are quite sociable this month and everyone loves to have you around because of your positivity. Some inspired moments both for singles and those already in romantic relationships. Enjoy the completion luck but be ready for some minor kinks.

HORSE

You stand to profit from new paths opening in your life. If you’re in business, implement same changes in systems and duties to realize gains. Boost this type of luck and guard it with proper feng shui enhancers.

SHEEP

This month will move along well and there will be new deals and opportunities to consider. There is good news in the love horizon, too. Someone who fits your ideal of the right partner for you may come along.

MONKEY

This month you may see major improvements in your career. Recognition of your hard work and even a promotion is possible. Wear or carry Ruyi-inspired symbols and let their feng shui energies work for you.

ROOSTER

Try to address and settle critical issues to make room for better productivity. Remain confident but don’t trust others too easily. A great achievement is on the horizon; just continue to be organized at work.

DOG

You might miss important details if you are not careful. Pressure at work is mounting and it would seem as if you can’t do things right. The low energy affects your relationship as well. Love matters should be put on hold.

BOAR

There could be serious issues to deal with. Get proper protection from the negative energies that hover above you. Talk things out with your partner to avoid misunderstanding. When feng shui winds work against you, the best way out is to stay low key.

CLASSIFIED products and services

Father Allan Satur

4.8M foreign tourists visit PH from January-July

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

THE STEADY growth of Philippine tourist arrivals is evident with the 4,852,107 foreigners who visited the country from January to July 2019, a 12.36 percent growth from the same period last year, according to latest figures released by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat attributed the continuous upsurge to the sustained support from industry stakeholders, government, host communities, investors and foreign travel trade counterparts.

“We remain inspired knowing that private sector, other government agencies, and civil society continue to support our sustainable tourism

programs and the more fun brand campaign,” she said on Friday.

“The ‘Build, Build, Build’ program and other convergence programs, on the other hand, are key to improving our competitiveness and attractiveness,” she added.

Meanwhile, Romulo-Puyat asked the public to further support the government’s sustainable tourism efforts, not only in key destinations but in all areas to continually drive inbound traffic and spread the benefits of tourism to the countryside.

“After all, tourism is everybody’s business,” she pointed out.

According to the latest DOT data, South Korea remains the top tourist market with 1,113,274 arrivals followed by China with 1,038,409. The United States with 663,116,

Japan with 382,634 and Taiwan with 192,195 followed at third, fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

Completing the top 12 markets are Australia (164,378), Canada (146,000), United Kingdom (125,371), Singapore (94,061), Malaysia (84,815), India (80,383) and Germany (62,179).

Earlier, a ranking official of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) lauded the government’s efforts in unlocking potentials of travel and tourism in the country.

“You’ve got a government that’s 100 percent committed to it right from the president and from all the way down, you have a brilliant secretary who’s passionate about grassroots support for local people, all the great things about the Philippines, your food, your culture, your

cuisine, your culinary aspect, and obviously having spent time in the agriculture and fisheries, she’s really got that understanding,” WTTC regional director for the Asia Pacific and the Middle East Nigel David told reporters in a recent interview.

“You know what you need to do so I think you’re well placed as a country to continue this success,” he added. (PNA)