1. law, govt and politics
2. government
3. embassies and consulates

Page
20
Page
Page
The case against
former Labatt Manuel
Roldan is now up
for resolution at the
Department of Labor
and Employment.
Vicky Belo, Katrina
Halili, and Hayden
Kho Jr. finally bury
the hatchet six years
after the notorious
sex video spread.
The No.1 Filipino Newspaper
10
Vol.VI No.325
May 15, 2015
6
A pregnant 29-yearold Filipina tourist
will give birth in
prison after she was
caught at the Hong
Kong international
airport with 1.3
kilos of cocaine
earlier this year.
Legality of live-in
rule challenged
By Philip C. Tubeza
A Filipina domestic worker has challenged
the constitutionality of the “live-in” rule
for foreign domestic workers before the
Shatin Magistrates’ Courts.
Mary Rose T. Arugay is questioning the
legality of the rule, which requires foreign
domestic workers to live with their employers, as part of her defense after she
was caught by immigration agents living
outside her employer’s home in Ma Wan
Village, Park Island in January.
Her camp also alleged that immigration
agents did not let her talk to a lawyer or
her employers and continued interrogating
her for more than five hours even when
she was ill. They only stopped after she
reportedly vomited in the toilet.
Arugay was charged with “conspiracy
to make or cause to be made false representations to Immigration Officer for
the purpose of obtaining an entry permit”
but her lawyer said that should the rule be
declared unconstitutional, she has no case
to answer.
Turn to page 11
Philippine Air Force officers carry the flag-draped coffin of the late Ambassador Domingo “Doy” Lucenario Jr. (inset) after it arrived at the Villamor
Airbase in Pasay City on May 13. Lucenario served as Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong from 2000 to 2004. (By Bing Jabadan)
Filcom mourns death of beloved public servant
By Philip C. Tubeza
MEMBERS of the Filipino community in
Hong Kong mourned the passing of Ambassador Domingo “Doy” Lucenario Jr.
after he was killed in a tragic helicopter
crash in Pakistan.
Lucenario, who served as Deputy Con-
sul General in Hong Kong from 2000 to
2004, died after the helicopter he was riding with other diplomats crashed in Pakistan’s Naltar Valley on May 8.
The Pakistani Taliban, a rebel group in
that country, claimed responsibility for
the crash but the Pakistani government
said the helicopter had engine trouble.
“His style of partnering with the community was not lip service. He really
consulted and worked with us. He was
always gracious, his humility embodied servant leadership,” said community
leader Daphne Ceniza Kuok.
Lucenario and the other diplomats were
on board a Pakistani military helicopter to
PUBLISHED BY HK PUBLICATIONS LTD. TEL: 2851 1766
inspect a tourism project when it crashed
into a school.
Lucenario, Norwegian Ambassador
Leif Larsen, and the wives of the ambassadors of Indonesia and Malaysia were
killed in the crash, along with two pilots
and a crewmember.
In Hong Kong, news of Lucenario’s
WEBSITE : WWW.HONGKONGNEWS.COM.HK
death shocked many community leaders
who remembered him for being the epitome of a public servant who was always
ready to help his countrymen.
The Philippine Consulate General offered a Mass for Lucenario on May 10
Turn to page 12
2
NEWS
May 15, 2015
HONG KONG NEWS
PH seeks HK help vs MJ’s recruiter Tom
Rodriguez at
view 29 other Filipinos
in Hong Kong jails to
determine if they were
also victimized by Sergio.
By Philip C. Tubeza
THE Philippines has sought Hong Kong’s
assistance to pin down the illegal recruiter
of Mary Jane Veloso, the death row inmate
who was given a reprieve at the klast minute in Indonesia.
Manila used the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty it has with Hong Kong to get
access to another victim of recruiter Maria
Kristina Sergio, one who is currently detained here for drug trafficking.
Consul Charles Macaspac said Prosecutor General Claro Arellano arrived with
three other Department of Justice officials
in Hong Kong on May 11 to talk to Sergio’s alleged victim, identified as Judy
Tosi.
Macaspac said they would also inter-
“Tinanggap
nila
yung suggestions namin na lahat ng drug cases dito interviewhin na rin nila,” he said.
Macaspac said Arellano and his team
were expected to visit the drug convicts in
the prisons in Tai Lam, Stanley, Lo, Wu,
and Shek Pik.
The Indonesian government stopped
Veloso’s execution after Sergio voluntarily turned herself in to police authorities in
Nueva Ecija on April 28.
The Philippine government had asked
Veloso
Indonesia to spare her life so that she
could testify against Sergio.
Sergio, who along with Julius Lacanilao
and a certain “like” is facing cases of trafficking, illegal recruitment and estafa with
swindling before the Justice department,
said she was receiving death threats.
According to the National Bureau of
Investigation, Veloso “did not know that
there were illegal drugs in the luggage she
was carrying and that she was a victim of
deception and manipulation by her illegal
recruiters.”
The NBI also found out that Sergio and
Lacanilao had no license or authority to
recruit persons for overseas employment.
The migrants rights group Migrante International welcomed Sergio’s arrest, saying it would boost calls for Indonesia to
free Mary Jane.
“We welcome this very positive development. Mary Jane’s case is finally on the
right track. Sergio etal’s recent arrest will
boost calls to #FreeMaryJane and bring
her home to her family and her two little
boys,” said Sol Pillas, Migrante International secretary-general.
Pillas added that Sergio’s belated arrest
only shows that the Aquino government
did “too little, too late” for Mary Jane’s
case.
“As early as 2011, even before the first
judicial review, Mary Jane’s Indonesian
lawyers have already recommended the
investigation of Tintin and the human trafficking angle. The arrest could have been
made even before Pres. Aquino intervened
a year after (her) death sentence,” she said.
‘Regina Ip should sincerely apologize to Filipinos’
By Philip C. Tubeza
LAWMAKER Regina Ip should apologize to the Filipino community and
do it sincerely, according to a Filipina
domestic worker who filed two formal
complaints against Ip at the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).
Feliza “Guy” Benitez, chair of the Filipino Migrant Workers’ Union, said she
filed the complaint because Ip said in her
initial apology that she was only misunderstood when she said in a newspaper
column that “a great number” of Filipino
domestic helpers” had become “sexual
resources for expat males.”
“I’ve read different English translations of what she said and we understood
her clearly,” Benitez said in an interview.
She said the EOC had contacted her as
it tries to schedule a meeting between her
and the Hong Kong lawmaker.
“We understood her clearly and what
she said was derogatory to us Filipinos.
She should apologize sincerely,” Benitez
Benitez (right) joins the Labor Day protest at the consulate to demand
lower government fees for overseas Filipino workers. (PCT)
said.
She said Ip should follow the example
of Chip Tsao who apologized after a column of his also antagonized Filipinos.
“Maybe she did not do that because
she’s a high-ranking government official,” Benitez said.
She said that an EOC official advised
her that if their conciliation efforts fail,
Benitez could elevate the case to the District Court.
“They told me that if the case is not
settled, we can file it at the District
Court,” Benitez said.
Ip’s controversial article in Chinese
came out in the Ming Pao newspaper
on April 17 and immediately generated
widespread criticisms.
“When I was the Secretary for Security, I received complaints from expat
women residing in Discovery Bay. They
complained that the Hong Kong government had tolerated Filipino helpers who
seduced their husbands,” said a portion
of IP’s article which had been translated.
Ip later apologized on April 24 after
protesters picketed outside her political
party’s office in Wan Chai.
“My sole purpose of my Ming Pao article was to raise a question as to whether
there is widespread exploitation of Filipino maids in Hong Kong and to express
my concern,” Ip said in her apology.
“Unfortunately, the way my article was
misinterpreted in some quarters has led
many to believe that I was sexist or racist
and was pointing a finger at the Filipino
maids. I strenuously deny such allegations,” she said.
“I wish to tender my sincere apologies
to all those who have felt offended by my
article. I treasure my friendship with the
Filipino community,” she added.
Independence
Day ball
THE Philippine Association of Hong
Kong (PAHK) is gearing up for a night
of colors and culture to commemorate the
117th Philippine Independence Day celebration at Conrad Hong Kong on June 13,
2015.
The 54th Annual PAHK Gala Dinner
and Charity Ball will be graced by renowned guest celebrities from the Philippines namely singer-actress Vina Morales,
soap opera heartthrob Tom Rodriguez and
sexy comedienne K Brosas. The event will
be hosted by Eric Quizon.
This year’s theme, “Fiesta Pilipinas,” is
a fitting tribute to Filipino celebrations that
are characterized by colorful banderitas,
festive music and jovial revelry. It also
embodies the country’s tourism banner,
“It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” as a
way to promote the beauty of the Filipino
homeland to foreign visitors, and to support the Department of Tourism’s “Visit
the Philippines Year 2015” campaign.
Apart from artists’ performances, exciting prizes also await guests during the
raffle draw and auction. Proceeds from the
Gala Dinner and Charity Ball will benefit,
among others, the Hong Kong Bayanihan
Trust, Bethune House Migrant Women’s
Refuge, Gawad Kalinga and other deserving charitable institutions in Hong Kong
and in the Philippines.
Colorful feast
Furthermore, the PAHK, in cooperation
with the Philippine Consulate General,
will also support this year’s Independence
Day Filipino community celebration on
June 14 at Chater Road in Central.
This year’s festivity, aptly dubbed
“Kapangyawan Friendship Festival,” is
aimed at promoting Philippine culture and
camaraderie. “Kapangyawan” is derived
from peng yao, the Cantonese term for
“friend.”
According to Vice Consul Fatima Guzman-Quintin, head of the Consulate’s cultural section, an array of colorful events
and performances await Hong Kongbased Filipinos.
“Kapangyawan has become our branding for the Philippine Independence Day
festival in Hong Kong. This is in celebration, not only of our independence, but of
our long-standing friendship with Hong
Kong,” Guzman continued.
The celebration will kick off with an interfaith program in the morning, followed
by a series of presentations.
The Knights of Rizal will carry the Philippine flag while the Visayas Mindanao
Music and Dance Ensemble will provide
the marching band music.
The Hong Kong Musicians Union will
lead the national anthem, to be followed
by Sayaw Pinoy, featuring Filipino cultural dances. Around 10 Filipino community
groups are slated to perform traditional
dances during this segment. Another highlight of the program is a performance by
the Hong Kong Police Band.
HONG KONG NEWS
May 15, 2015
3
4
May 15, 2015
HONG KONG NEWS
HONG KONG NEWS
May 15, 2015
5
6
NEWS
May 15, 2015
HONG KONG NEWS
‘Drug mule’ to give birth in prison
By Philip C. Tubeza
A 29-year-old tourist who was caught with
more than a kilo of cocaine at the airport
in February is pregnant and is expected to
give birth in prison, a consulate official
said.
The official, who requested anonymity
because he was not allowed speak to the
media, said Catherine V.B. was already
pregnant she was caught at the Check
Lap Kok International Airport with an estimated $1.7 million worth of suspected
cocaine.
She is expected to give birth in July, the
official added.
Hong Kong Customs agents had confiscated 1.8 kilos of suspected cocaine from
the Filipina. Government laboratory tests
confirmed that 1.314 kilos of the contraband was cocaine.
Catherine appeared on May 7 before
Tsuen Wan Acting Principal Magistrate
Cheang Kei-hong, who set her committal
proceedings at the Eastern Magistrates
Courts on June 12.
“The arrested person, aged 29, will be
charged with one count of trafficking in a
dangerous drug,” said a government statement after Catherine’s arrest.
“Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance,
drug trafficking is a serious offence. The
maximum penalty is life imprisonment
and a fine of $5 million,” it added.
Consul Charles Macaspac, head of the
Assistance to Nationals Section, said
Catherine was a tourist from Metro Manila and she had to be hospitalized after
her arrest.
Investigators said the suspected cocaine
was found in a briefcase with “false compartments” that Catherine was carrying.
“Upon baggage examination, Customs
officers found a briefcase inside her hand
carry suitcase. The briefcase was abnormally heavy,” the government said.
“Upon further checking, false compartments were found in the briefcase. As
a result of close examination, about 1.8
kilogrammes of suspected cocaine were
uncovered,” it added.
On Dec. 4, airport authorities arrested
Eden Monica G.N., 29 and a domestic
helper, after they found 2.26 kilos of sus-
pected cocaine, worth $2.4 million, in her
luggage.
She was arrested after returning from a
vacation in the Philippines.
The February 2 drug haul also came a
day after Hong Kong Customs caught two
persons from Kolkata, India with $560
worth of suspected marijuana resin.
“Hong Kong Customs will continue to
keep track of the latest drugs trafficking
trend and formulate pertinent anti-narcotics enforcement strategies,” the government said.
“In addition, Hong Kong Customs will
strengthen intelligence exchange with
overseas law enforcement agencies so as
to combat transnational drug trafficking
activities,” it added.
The cocaine seized from Catherine
Teenager admits to arson attack in Tung Chung school
By Philip C. Tubeza
HE lit the petrol bombs thrown at his
school.
A Filipino teenager admitted in court
to being involved in an arson attack in a
Tung Chung school in October.
K.C.V.C., the son of a Cathay Pacific flight attendant, on March 3 pleaded
guilty at the District Court to one charge
of arson after admitting to lighting two
crudely-made Molotov cocktails.
District Court Judge Sham Siu-man
called for detention center reports before
he hands down the Filipino’s sentence on
May 22.
Court records showed that the arson attack happened on October 24 at the Hong
The college
Kong Christian College at No. 2 Chung
Yat St, Tung Chung, Lantau Island.
At around 3 a.m., security guard Kwan
Kwok-ching was inside the guard room
at the entrance of the school when he
heard some noise of glass breaking.
“He then saw fragments of broken
glass bottles outside the guard room.
Fire spread out on the ground outside the
guard room and on the canopy at the entrance of the school,” said Public Prosecutor Joe Hui Hin-cho.
“An area of around 1 foot x 1 foot of
the canopy was found blackened,” he
added.
A teacher at the school later tipped off
the police that the defendant might have
been involved in the incident.
Based on this tip, the police went to Filipino’s home that same day and chanced
upon him as he was leaving and carrying
a green rucksack.
“Upon search, a sketch of the offence
location and a cigarette lighter were
found in the rucksack,” Prosecutor Hui
said.
He added that Filipino’s home was
also searched after the police obtained a
search warrant while his mobile phone
was also seized. He was then arrested for
arson.
When he was interrogated, the teenager
admitted that he and his friend, a certain
Antonio, were behind the arson attack.
“Antonio threw the ignited bottles into
the school because he had some arguments with the teachers of the school,”
Hui said.
The teenager told the police in a video interview that he met Antonio at
Citygate, Lantau at around 1:10 a.m. and
they arrived at the entrance of the school
at about 2:55 a.m.
Antonio allegedly poured some flammable liquid into two glass bottles, put
handkerchiefs into the bottles and sealed
them with adhesive tapes.
The defendant lighted the bottles using
Antonio’s lighter and Antonio then threw
the ignited bottles into the school.
The defendant also admitted to drawing the sketch of the “offence location”
which showed their escape route.
“They fled to the direction of the footbridge of Yat Tung Estate, passing by a
construction site, after the bottles were
thrown at the school,” Hui said.
“They discarded the empty tin of the
flammable liquid in the bushes near the
footbridge,” he added.
Antonio allegedly bought the flammable liquid from a metal ware shop at Fu
Tung Estate.
Arrested for
Octopus card
By Philip C. Tubeza
A Filipina found herself in hot water after
she picked up a student’s Octopus card on
New Year’s Day and did not immediately
return it to its owner.
Jessica J.C. was bound over for a year
for the sum of $1,000 after she admitted to
the facts in the theft case filed against her
at the Kwun Tong Magistracy. This means
that if she does not commit or attempts to
commit any crime in the next 12 months,
she will not have to pay the fine.
Jessica found the Octopus card on January 1 but did not surrender it immediately to the authorities. She put it inside her
wallet, which had her own Octopus card.
The Filipina told the police that she
was going to surrender it three days later.
However, she was arrested at the Prince
Edward MTR station when she pressed
her wallet on an Octopus card reader.
She said she had intended to use her
own card but it was the student’s card that
the machine read. The machine deducted
$6 from the student’s Octopus card.
MTR station staff members noticed and
apprehended the Filipina.
HONG KONG NEWS
May 15, 2015
7
8
NEWS
May 15, 2015
`Erring agencies face closure’
By Philip C. Tubeza
THE Labour Department successfully prosecuted 22 employment agencies
(EAs) in the last five years for violating
employment rules, Labour Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said.
Cheung made this statement to the Legislative Council on May 6 as he emphasized that employment agencies which
collect excessive placement fees face closure and a $50,000 fine.
“The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000. The Commissioner for Labour will also consider to revoke,
or to refuse to renew, the licence of the
convicted EA,” Cheung said.
He said employment agencies are allowed to collect only a “prescribed commission” from foreign domestic workers
(FDHs) and this amount should not exceed
“10 percent” of her first month salary.
“Should an FDH be charged by an EA
for a fee over the aforementioned amount,
he/she may report the case to LD (the Labour Department),” Cheung said.
“LD will initiate investigation promptly
upon receipt of any such complaint, and
will take out prosecution where there is
sufficient evidence,” he added.
The Labour Department’s hotline for
complaints is 271717771.
Cheung said the LD conducted a to-
Cheung
tal of 644 investigations in the last five
years---182 in 2014; 218 in 2013; 93 in
2012; 78 in 2011, and 73 in 2010.
Because of these investigations, 22
employment agencies were successfully
prosecuted for various labour offenses.
Cheung also said that the LD conducted a total of 7,134 scheduled and surprise inspections to check if employment
agencies were following the Employment
Ordinance and Employment Ordinance
Regulations.
Cheung made these statements after
lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan asked him
about the case of Indonesian domestic
worker Elis Kurniasih BT Ahi Komaru-
di, who died after the concrete sill of an
air conditioning unit fell on her in North
Point.
Lee also asked about reports that FDHs
were being asked to pay for staying in their
employment agency’s boarding house and
that hygienic conditions in some of these
boarding houses were poor.
In his written reply, Cheung said there
was no requirement under the prevailing
laws for EAs to provide boarding houses
to job-seekers (including FDHs).
“The Labour Department does not have
information regarding the boarding houses or bedspaces for FDHs provided by
EAs,” he said.
Cheung said EAs that charge FDHs
for staying in their board houses could
be prosecuted under the Hotel and
Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance
(HAGAO) or the Bedspace Apartments
Ordinance if they failed to get a licence
for the boarding house.
“(The) proprietor or tenant of any
premises who provides sleeping accommodation at a fee for a person presenting
himself or herself shall obtain a hotel and
guesthouse licence under the HAGAO
(Cap. 349) unless all accommodation in
the premises are provided with a tenancy
period of 28 consecutive days or more for
each letting,” he said.
“Any flat in which there are 12 or more
bedspaces used or intended to be used as
sleeping accommodation for individuals under rental agreements shall obtain
a bedspace apartment licence under the
Bedspace Apartments Ordinance (BAO),”
he added.
However, Cheung said the Office of
the Licensing Authority (OLA) under the
Home Affairs Department, had not received any related complaints or reports.
“If any such complaints or reports are
received, OLA will investigate and follow
up the cases in accordance with the established procedures, and instigate prosecution should there be sufficient evidence,”
Cheung said.
HONG KONG NEWS
POLO lifts
Sunlight
suspension
By Philip C. Tubeza
THE Philippine Overseas Labor Office
(POLO) has lifted its suspension order on
the employment agency of an Indonesian
domestic worker who died after a concrete
block fell on her in its North Point boarding house.
Labor Attaché Nenita Garcia lifted the
suspension order after Sunlight Employment Agency complied with POLO suggestions on how to improve the facilities
of its boarding house for Filipino workers.
“Considering the POLO staff...found
the above-mentioned improvement in the
facility of the boarding house in On Ning
building are true, the temporary suspension...is hereby lifted,” Garcia said.
The POLO suspended Sunlight after Indonesian domestic worker Elis Kurniasih
died after a concrete sill fell on her while
she was praying on a second floor balcony
of Chu Kee building. Sunlight informed
the POLO that its Filipino workers stay in
nearby On Ning building.
“We (have) provided more facilities as
advised. If there are any other needs to be
supplied for the workers, please kindly advice,” Sunlight said.
HONG KONG NEWS
NEWS
May 15, 2015
Pakistani not sure if
Pinoy stabbed him
By Philip C. Tubeza
A Pakistani man who was stabbed in an
alley in Central could not say for sure in
the District Court if the Filipino convicted
for the crime was his assailant.
Victim Khan Shoukat told the District
Court during the retrial of driver Primitivo
A. Tidoy that he was not sure if the man
who knifed him in November 2012 was
wearing a cap or not.
Tidoy’s camp had insisted that it was another Filipino, who was supposedly wearing a cap, who stabbed Khan. The District
Court heard the case again after the Court
of Appeal ordered a retrial.
“At this time, my mind is not on this
thing. I cannot really say who he was,”
Khan said through an interpreter when Tidoy’s lawyer told him that it was a man
wearing a cap who stabbed him.
The Filipino’s lawyer also asked Khan
about his statement to the police that he
was stabbed once “in the left front waist”
before his assailant fled to the direction of
Queen’s Road Central.
“If I have said that, that’s it,” Khan said.
This is in contradiction to his previous
claim that Tidoy stabbed him twice before
fleeing towards the direction of Queen’s
Road.
Khan also vehemently denied the portion of his police statement saying that he
was the one who ran after Tidoy.
“This statement is wrong. How can a
wounded person give chase, especially
if the (other) person is holding a knife?”
Khan said.
He insisted that it was his friend Wahid
Khan who ran after Tidoy and eventually
caught up with the Filipino.
“I was not properly interpreted. My case
wasn’t properly expressed. I was suffering
(at the time of the police interview),” said
Khan.
“There was a pipe in my mouth. I was
not able to talk properly. I repeated this
many times,” he added.
Khan also denied the assertion of Tidoy’s lawyer that he owned the knife
that the police recovered in the Filipino’s
backpocket.
“The defendant’s DNA is not on that
knife…(but) this knife has your DNA in
it,” the lawyer said.
“I only know that the defendants stabbed
me with that knife,” Khan replied.
The Couirt of Appeal in December or-
dered Tidoy’s retrial after he successfully
appealed to have his conviction set aside.
“There is no gainsaying that this is a
serious crime of violence from which the
victim was quite lucky to escape relatively
unscathed,” the tribunal said.
“The public interest in ensuring that
the perpetrator of this offence is brought
to justice is a strong one and in our view
outweighs the private interests of the appellant in enduring a further trial,” it said.
“We therefore order that the appellant
be retried and direct that an early date be
fixed for his trial,” the court added.
The police charged Tidoy with unlawful wounding with intent to do grievous
bodily after he allegedly stabbed Khan at
around 10 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2012 at No. 3 Li
Yuen Street West in Central.
The District Court found him guilty on
July 9, 2013 and sentenced him to three
years in jail. Tidoy appealed.
“(He) applied for leave to appeal against
his conviction and sentence and on December 1, 2014 we granted him leave,
allowed his appeal and quashed his conviction,” the Court of Appeal said. The
District Court was expected to come out
with its ruling on May 15.
9
Drug mule’s return day reset
By Philip C. Tubeza
A judge has reset the return day of a Filipino domestic worker who was caught
earlier with 1.8 kilograms of cocaine at
the airport.
Eastern Magistrate Jason Wan Siu-ming
on April 30 reset the hearing for the drug
trafficking charge against Eden Monica
G.N. to next month.
Her return day was reset because her
lawyer had just received the case bundle
when she appeared at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts in Sai Wan Ho.
Once it pushes through, the tribunal is
expected to transfer the case to the High
Court in Admiralty. Eden is also expected to be asked whether she would plead
guilty or not.
The Filipina was returning from her
vacation in the Philippines when she was
arrested at the Hong Kong airport on December 4 after she was caught with $2.4
million worth of suspected cocaine.
Hong Kong Customs agents seized
about 2.26 kilograms of suspected cocaine
from Eden, who is 29 years old and from
the Visayas. Lab results later showed that
she was carrying 1.9 kilos of cocaine.
“We’re reminding our countrymen and
women about accepting packages from
strangers or even from their friends,” said
Consul Charles Macaspac, head of the
Philippine Consulate General-Assistance
to Nationals (ATN) Section.
The contraband
Macaspac issued the statement after
ATN officials visited the suspect in prison
and interviewed her.
He declined to explain further when
asked if Eden was claiming that the suspected drugs came from someone else.
According to investigators, the illegal
ship was discovered after Customs officers found three pairs of “abnormally
heavy shoes” in the baggage that Eden
was carrying.
With X-ray check, false compartments
in the shoe soles were found and about 2.1
kilos of suspected cocaine was concealed
in the false compartments.
Customs officers also later found on her
another 0.16 kilogramme of suspected cocaine.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance,
drug trafficking is a serious offence. The
maximum penalty is life imprisonment
and a fine of $5 million.
10
NEWS
May 15, 2015
HONG KONG NEWS
FDH, told to leave clubhouse, complains
By Peter Castillo
A foreign domestic worker recently filed
a complaint before the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) after she was told
to leave the clubhouse of her employer’s
housing estate, the EOC said.
In a statement, the EOC reminded the
public that the management of premises is
one of the areas covered by the Race Discrimination Ordinance (RDO).
“The RDO prohibits discrimination
based on race, colour, and descent, as well
as national and ethnic origin. A person
may claim discrimination under the RDO
if she/he is treated less favorably because
of her/his race,” the EOC said.
“Therefore, under this provision, building management needs to make sure that
residents are treated equally regardless of
their race,” it added.
The EOC said the domestic worker and
her employer resided at a private housing
estate managed by company.
The domestic worker alleged that the
staff of the company of R1 discriminated
against her “on the ground of her race by
requiring her to leave the clubhouse seating area of the housing estate.”
“The complaints were resolved after
a conciliation meeting organized by the
EOC between (the domestic worker, the
company and its staff) to discuss the case.
The cases were settled after (the company)
agreed to post a notice in a prominent area
of the club house to state its non-discriminatory stance and (the staff) agreed to give
a written apology,” the EOC said.
In the second case, the commission said
the Complainant was a flat owner of a residential building who complained that she
was treated like an FDH.
“She alleged that while she was entering
the building and talking over the mobile
phone in her mother tongue on a Sunday
morning, the security guard of the building requested her to leave in a very rude
manner,” the EOC said.
“(She) alleged that the security guard
assumed her to be a ‘Bun Mui’ (a Filipina
domestic worker) as he said it was a Sunday morning and she spoke in a language
unknown to him,” it said.
“The security guard, a substitute worker,
claimed that he had not seen (her) before
although a cleaner at the spot confirmed
that (she) was a resident of the building.
turn the calls.
Roldan, who is the
officer-in-charge of
the National Maritime
Polytechnic
(NMP), an attached
agency of the DOLE,
Roldan
on a temporary basis,
is represented in the
DOLE investigation by a Davao-based
lawyer.
NMP’s main office is in Tacloban City,
where Roldan spends most of his time
now.
Roldan ended his tour of duty in Hong
Kong in September 2014.
The investigation was based on a complaint filed by the Coalition of Service
Providers for Ethnic Minorities in Hong
Kong, alleging that Roldan breached
conflict of interest rules for allegedly approving the accreditation of an employment agency owned by Frances Retirado,
In an earlier interview, Roldan had
said the charges were based on the same
issues when he was still at the Consulate.
He added that he felt that he was treated unfairly by Consul General Bernardita Catalla.
“The confidential memo (about the
complaint against me) was made public,
but my reply was not made public. I gave
them my comments, my reply, but these
did not see publication,” Roldan said in a
telephone interview.
The House committee on overseas
Nevertheless the security guard still refused to let her in,” it added.
The EOC said lodged a complaint
against the security guard as well as the
security guard’s employer for vicarious
liability.
“The case was settled through fast
track conciliation after the security guard
agreed to make a charity donation, while
the employer agreed to issue an apology
letter to (the complainant) for the unpleasant experience as well as to provide training on anti-discrimination legislations to
its frontline staff,” the EOC said.
“As a tenant in a housing estate, a domestic worker also has the right to have
access to all the housing facilities just like
other tenants regardless of her race. Further, building management staff should
Roldan case at DOLE now up for resolution
By Cheryl Arcibal
THE administrative cases against former
Labor Attache to Hong Kong Manuel
Roldan are now submitted for resolution.
Hearing officer Crisale Aricayos of the
Department of Labor and Employment’s
Legal Services told Hong Kong News
that after the submission of Roldan’s answer on May 6, she has 15 working days
to come up with a resolution and submit
the same to Labor Secretary Rosalinda
Baldoz.
“Under the rules, we have 15 days to
issue a resolution on the case,” she said.
Hong Kong News has been trying to
get in touch with Roldan and his lawyer,
but the former labor attache has yet to re-
workers affairs is planning to summon
Roldan to its next hearing.
Rep. Wes Gatchalian of Alay Buhay
and senior vice-chairman of the committee had said that they are waiting for the
appointment of the committee chairman
before scheduling their next hearing.
At press time, the House of Representatives has yet to appoint a chairman of
the committee.
Walden Bello, who was the former
chairman of the committee, quit his post
as Akbayan representative following disagreement with the position of his party
over its alliance with the Aquino administration. Before leaving office, Bello led
several lawmakers in holding a hearing
in Hong Kong.
not stereotype and hence discriminate any
of their residents based on their race as
this might violate the Race Discrimination
Ordinance,” it added.
The EOC said that if an FDH experienced discrimination or harassment, she
should tell the culprit to stop.
“Speak to your employer if the discriminator or harasser is not your employer
and always note down the incidents and
content of the conversations which took
place regarding the discrimination and/or
harassment,” the EOC said.
“This information would be useful if
you decide to lodge a complaint to the
EOC later on,” it added.
It said that those who want more information can call 2511 8211 or send email
us at [email protected] for assistance.
43 cases
lodged at
POEA from
Hong Kong
By Cheryl Arcibal
FOR the first four months of the year, the
Philippine Overseas Employment Agency’s Adjudication Office has recorded 43
cases of recruitment violations in Hong
Kong, more than a third of the 118 cases
recorded in 2014.
However, Jesus Gabriel Domingo,
POEA Adjudication Office Director, refused to say if the number of cases indicated that recruitment violations involving agencies deploying household service
workers to Hong Kong are increasing.
“Actually, hindi pa natin masabi kasi
hindi pa naman tapos ang first semester.
Hindi natin ma-predict kung may darating
pang complaints,” Domingo told Hong
Kong News.
The number of complaints could have
also risen owing to stricter implementation of rules and that the public has better
awareness of their rights, he said.
“These violations were committed by
licensed recruitment agencies. Many of
them are Philippine-based recruiters. Most
of the cases involved excessive collection
of fees,” Domingo added.
Other cases involved misrepresentation,
and non-issuance of receipts, among others.
Household service workers, Domingo
said, are exempted from paying any placement fee.
Once a case has reached the Adjudication Office, a conciliation is no longer
possible as the process is usually explored
at the job site.
“If a case is filed with us, it meant that
conciliation has failed. However, if the
complainant is in the Philippines, then
conciliation could be pursued. If a complainant is willing to undergo conciliation
and pursue settlement, they usually seek
financial assistance,” Domingo said.
HONG KONG NEWS
WORLD
May 15, 2015
11
Pinoy tagged in US$85k theft in airport
By Philip C. Tubeza
A Filipino baggage handler at the Hong
Kong international airport was accused
of being part of the group that stole
US$85,000 from a Chinese businessman.
The Filipino, with initials A.V.B, pleaded not guilty after he was charged with
Legality...
From page 1
“She would not have made any (misrepresentation) if the the underlying requirement has fallen away,” barrister Earl
Deng, Arugay’s counsel, told Magistrate
Ho Chun-yiu on May 12.
“If you make a representation on a form
that is unconstitutional, (then) there was
no requirement to give the undertaking in
the first place,” he added.
Foreign domestic helpers are required to
make an undertaking to the Immigration
Department that they will live in their employer’s residence before they are issued
working visas.
Deng said that he would present the
necessary legal precedents to show that
the rule was unconstitutional once the trial
resumes on June 24 and 26.
However, Judge Ho was not convinced
by the defense lawyer’s initial arguments,
noting that Arugay was charged not with
breach of condition of stay but with making false representations to an immigration officer.
“Just deal with the issue and bear in
mind what she’s charged with...even if
it’s unconstitutional, she has given certain
theft after he and two other airport employees, allegedly stole the hand-carry
luggage of businessman Yu Gang after he
arrived at the airport in April 2013.
“I was putting my check-in luggage
in my trolley and I put (the missing bag)
beside the trolley. Since there were many
luggage, I may have forgotten about it,”
representations. That is the central issue,”
the magistrate said.
Judge Ho said that the prosecution case
against Arugay rested on two caution
statements, which the defense claims was
illegally obtained.
He also ordered the prosecution to seek
further instructions from the Department
of Justice on what to do with the case after
Tagalog interpreter Marcela Besley testified that Arugay was ill when she gave her
caution statement.
“Arugay, Mary Rose was sick (but) officer still wants to continue,” Besley wrote
in her diary, a copy of which was used as
evidence.
Arugay was seen wiping away tears as
Besley testified.
Immigration agents arrested Arugay
on the morning of January 28 after they
caught her allegedly residing in a village
house other than her employer’s home in
Ma Wan.
Her male Canadian employer was also
arrested after he tried to intervene and had
a scuffle with the agents. He allegedly told
one of them to “F**k off.”
Turn to page 12
Yu told the court.
He arrived at the Chek Lap Kok International Airport from Johannesburg on April
10, 2013 when he forgot his hand-carry
luggage at the arrival hall. The bag contained US$100 bills (700 pieces) and $50
notes (100 pieces) and his clothes.
The money was from his electronics
business and was not insured. When he
noticed that his hand-carry luggage was
missing, he went back to the arrival hall to
check but it was gone.
Yu reported the incident to the lost and
found section of the airport and later to the
police.
The prosecutor said the Filipino was
part of a team of three whose duty was to
secure unclaimed luggage at the airport.
At around 2 p.m. on April 10, 2013, a
colleague of the Filipino surnamed Leung
recovered Go’s unclaimed bag near Belt
11. Leung, the Filipino and their colleague
allegedly shared the loot later before
throwing away Yu’s luggage.
12
NEWS
May 15, 2015
HONG KONG NEWS
Filcom
From page 1
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Lucenario’s family in Villamor
Arrival honors for a well-respected diplomat
OFWs sign the book of condolences at the consulate
Filipinos attend Mass at the consulate for Lucenario
Legality...
From page 11
Deng claimed that Arugay was initially interrogated without the presence of a
lawyer or a Tagalog interpreter before her
caution statement was formally taken.
And when the caution statement was
taken in the presence of an interpreter,
Arugay allegedly was “not allowed to
change” her answers.
Worse, Arugay was allegedly denied a
lawyer and was physically ill but the interrogation lasted from around 3 p.m. until
8:25 p.m. with a few breaks.
“She was ill and denied access to a physician. It was only until she vomited and
the questions were finished that she was
brought to a hospital,” Deng said.
A “senior” Immigration officer, through
“a mixture of some words,” impressed
upon Arugay that she would see a doctor
only if she finished answering their questions, Deng added.
However, the Immigration officer who
took the caution statement said Arugay
was informed about her rights but she did
not ask for a lawyer. She also denied that
Arugay was interviewed before her caution statement was taken.
“She asked me if a lawyer was going to
be engaged, who is going to pay for the
fees? I replied to her, `You need to pay on
your own if you want to engage a lawyer,”
said the officer, surnamed Lo.
“I asked her, `Do you want to engage a
lawyer?’ and she replied, `Oh nothing. Not
be engaged,” she added.
Lo said Arugay also did not request for
a lawyer to be present or for a phone call
to her employer so that she could get a
lawyer.
“If she raised that...we would have assisted her,” Lo said, adding that Arugay
gave her caution statement voluntarily.
She said Arugay was not forced or induced to answer her questions, and later,
to sign her caution statement. Lo said
there was also a break at around 6:15 p.m.
Lo said Arugay did not appear ill and
she also did not complain that she was too
ill to continue with the interrogation. She
also denied telling the Filipina that she
could see a doctor only after they finished
the interview.
Lo said they took another break at
around 8:30 p.m. and did not resume because Arugay complained that she was not
feeling well.
“At 9:25 p.m., I intended to resume the
record of interview but the defendant told
me she was not well and if we could resume after she took a rest,” Lo said.
“I stopped the record of interview and it
seems my colleagues accompanied her to
see a doctor,” she added.
Lo said Arugay was allowed to read her
statement and to make amendments but
she did not make any changes.
However, Deng said Arugay was
far-sighted and did not have her glasses
with her and so she was “unable tor read
the documents presented to her.”
that was attended by many community
leaders. It also opened a book of condolences for him.
Community leaders also organized a
Mass for him at the Catholic Center in
Central on May 13.
“I first met Doy during the campaign
to push for the overseas absentee voting law. I found his openness to listen
a pleasant surprise when we first told
him of our intentions. The implementation of the Overseas Absentee Voting
law was additional work to the staff of
60 serving a 150,000 community. Yet,
I saw no resistance from Doy,” Kuok
said.
“Hong Kong blazed the trail for OAV
by mobilizing education teams, mobile registration teams before anyone
thought of it. There was no task that
was too much for him,” she added.
She said Lucenario personally went
“shop to shop in Worldwide House” to
draw participation among the Filipino
business community in Hong Kong.
“He visited almost all community
gatherings to encourage people to be involved. He was able to unite the different and sometimes antagonistic groups
in the community and made everyone
feel that OAV was theirs,” Kuok said.
“Our helper Manang Erma who fondly calls him her “boyfriend” told me of
how, many years ago before I met him,
Doy left work one afternoon and went
all the way to Tsing Yi to comfort her
when her marriage broke up,” he said.
“That was Doy’s brand is service.
Personal, creative, filled with initiative,
humble, unrecognized, engaged, with
empathy, seasoned with a great sense of
humor,” she added.
Kuok also noted Lucenario’s role in
organizing the campaign against the
levy on domestic helpers in 2004.
“His friendship with Manang Erma
led him to requesting me to allow
Manang Erma to be one of those who
went to court against the levy in 2004.
His support for the plight of our migrant
workers was a big moral booster for our
struggling workers that time,” Kuok
said.
“Manang Erma and her companions
lost their case but the case created ripples that eventually led to the abolition
of the burden,” she added.
Lori Brunio, of Filcomsin, said it was
Lucenario who helped gather domestic
workers from other nationalities for the
class suit against the levy.
“He briefed us together with the lawyer. He was so down to earth and we
had a great respect for him. Wala siyang
ere,” Brunio said.
Jojo Sapio, former OFW representative to the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration Board of Trustees, said
Lucenario kept contact with him even if
he had already left Hong Kong.
“You could feel that he was serving
the community not because he was
being paid for it but because he really
wanted to help. We could go to him if
we had problems or disagreements in
our organizations,” Sapio said.
HONG KONG NEWS
May 15, 2015
13
14
BALITANG PH
May 15, 2015
P-Noy names new
Comelec chief
By Maia Lopez
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has appointed former Presidential Commission
on Good Government chairman Andres
Bautista as head of the Commission on
Elections.
The President also appointed lawyer
Rowena Guanzon and Sheriff Abas as
Comelec commissioners.
The opposition has questioned Guanzon’s appointment, with United Nationalist Alliance interim president and Navotas
Rep. Tobias Tiangco describing her as an
ally of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas
II, the presumptive standard bearer of the
Liberal Party in the 2016 polls.
Roxas is expected to go against opposition bet Vice President Jejomar Binay in
next year’s presidential race.
“We are worried of the political ties of
Ms. Guanzon in a supposedly neutral and
non-partisan body, especially in an agency
that is tasked to oversee a fair and clean
election. It is as clear as day that Guanzon’s agenda in the Comelec is to put
down the Vice President in 2016,” Tiangco said.
Guanzon was former mayor of Cadiz
City in Negros Occidental and a close
associate of Roxas’ lawyers Avelino Cruz
and Simeon Marcelo.
On the other hand, little is known about
Abas, except that he served as regional director of the Civil Service Commission in
Cotabato and has previously given training to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
on election law.
The MILF has recently registered its
political party, the United Bangsamoro
Justice Party, before Comelec.
The Muslim Bar Association of the Philippines claimed that Abas was related to
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.
Sultan Firdausi Abbas, MBAP president, said Abas’ appointment to the Comelec seemed like a strategy to secure victory
for the MILF in the parliamentary race in
the Bangsamoro.
Bautista, for his part, served as PCGG
chairman since August 2010. Before his
appointment to the PCGG, Bautista was
chief executive officer
of Kuok Group Philippines and dean of Far
Eastern University’s
Institute of Law.
He was the 1990
Ateneo Law class valBautista
edictorian and a bar topnotcher. He obtained
his master of laws from Harvard Law
School in 1993.
He was previously chairman and president of the Philippine Association of Law
Schools, and a partner in an international
law firm. He was also a member of constitutional reform commissions under previous administrations.
Aquino appointed Bautista to replace
Sixto Brillantes Jr., who retired earlier
this year. Guanzon replaced Lucenito
Tagle while Abas replaced Elias Yusoph.
All three appointees will have seven-year
terms that end in Feb. 2, 2022.
Bautista said the President had told him
to make sure that the results of the upcoming elections would be acceptable.
program. They said the government implemented
the program based on a “few isolated academic
papers” from private individuals, in the belief
that it would benefit the country.
They also underscored the possibility of mass
termination of about 85,000 college teachers and
other teaching personnel because there would be
no incoming college freshmen for at least two
years.
“If the respondents think that by just making
senior high school free and available, all high
school students will continue in their studies
and avail of the same, their expectations are not
grounded on reality,” the petition said.
It claimed that the additional two years of senior high school would increase dropout rates from
6.8 percent to 27 percent. The lawmakers also
accused DepEd of misleading the public when
it posted on its website that it has addressed all
shortages in classrooms and books. Mia Lopez
HONG KONG NEWS
Aquino visits Canada and
the United States
By Maia Lopez
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has
embarked on a four-day trip to the United
States and Canada from May 6 to 9 as he
vowed to bring in fresh investments and
attract more tourists to the country on his
return.
Aquino described the two countries as
the Philippines’ “partners” in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.
“As the host-economy of APEC this
year, we intend to advance a more open,
more stable and more positive transformation market in the Asia-Pacific,” he said.
“We will take this opportunity to further
strengthen our efforts towards a common
goal as well as generate interests from
businessmen of the United States and
Canada to expand their investments in our
country,” the President added.
The President’s first stop was in Chicago for a working visit where he met with
heads of big companies, including those
from the US Chamber of Commerce and
US-ASEAN Business Council.
The United States is the third major
trading partner of the Philippines.
“Now that the economies of our two
countries are booming, we will express
our preparedness to make the most of being with them and show that the Philippines is truly more open for business,” the
President said.
Chicago, in particular, also has the largest population of Filipinos in the midwest
United States.
“We will gift them with the good news
borne of the reforms we have initiated
over more than four years. We will tell
them that the Philippines is really different
and we will surely achieve our high hopes
by continuously adhering to good governance,” Aquino said.
His three-day state visit to Canada, on
the other hand, was upon the invitation
of Governor General David Johnston and
Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Canada is the Philippines’ 21st largest
trading partner, 6th top source market for
tourism, and is home to almost 700,000
Filipinos. Aquino and Harper are expected to witness the signing of bilateral
agreements.
K-12 questioned anew in SC
LAWMAKERS have filed a third petition before the Supreme Court against the K to 12 Law,
which adds two more years to high school.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Magdalo
party-list Reps. Gary Alejano and Francis Ashley
Acedillo filed the petition seeking to strike down
the law, which they claimed was unlawful.
The petitioners said the program was implemented without consulting the people who would
be affected by the new 12-year basic education
Harper and Aquino
Wanted terrorist finally
killed in Maguindanao
By Maia Lopez
FILIPINO bomb-maker Basit Usman,
who carries a bounty of $1 million, was
killed in a shootout with members of the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Maguindanao.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines
earlier said Usman was killed by his own
men over the bounty on his head offered
by the United States government, but
changed its tune and credited the MILF
for the death of the wanted bomb expert.
“After our verification, we have learned
that Basit Usman entered an MILF area.
Elements from the MILF then accosted
him so that he could be brought to the
MILF Central Committee. However, Basit
Usman resisted, triggering a firefight that
resulting his death,” AFP public affairs
office head Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.
It was in contrast to an earlier statement
of AFP chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang that infighting among Usman’s men
led to his death.
“We’re sure the shooting that led to the
death of Usman was infighting among
his men in connection
with the 1$ million
bounty. Aside from Usman, two to three more
of his men were killed
and some of them
wounded,” Catapang
Usman
said days before the
AFP issued a statement
to clarify the matter.
“A heated argument ensued among seven of Usman’s men that led to a shootout
and the death of Usman and others,” Catapang added.
Usman together with Amin Baco alias
Jihad, a Malaysian terrorist, and several of
their men were able to evade arrest during
the January 25 raid launched by members
of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao.
The police commandos killed Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir alias Marwan, who had a $5 million bounty from
the US government.
Malacañang similarly credited the
MILF for Usman’s death.
HONG KONG NEWS
May 15, 2015
ASEAN urged to protect OFWs
By Maia Lopez
LABOR Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis
Baldoz urged the senior labor officials of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nation
(ASEAN) to extend needed protection to
migrant workers, especially those who became undocumented not because of their Baldoz
Amnesty for
illegals in
Oman
By Maia Lopez
OVERSEAS Filipino workers illegally
staying in Oman have until June 30, 2015
to avail of an amnesty period to correct
their status, Philippine Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa said.
He said the amnesty is part of Oman’s
efforts to regulate the presence of foreign
workers there.
“This amnesty will also help foreign
workers who are willing to stay and work
in Oman, but subject to the guidelines
under the Sultanate’s labor law,” Mustafa
said.
“A small drawback of the amnesty program is that repatriated workers under the
amnesty program cannot return to Oman
within three years from the time they were
repatriated,” he added.
Oman’s Ministry of Manpower and the
Royal Oman Police have been conducting raids against undocumented migrant
workers, tightening controls on work permits and tenancy contracts, and scrutinizing landlords and their tenants.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz urge
OFWs in Oman to avail of the amnesty.
“I strongly urge our OFWs in Oman
who, for various reasons, have been staying illegally in the Sultanate, to avail of
this amnesty and go home to the Philippines or correct their stay to avoid the repercussion of their being illegal foreigners
in Oman,” Baldoz said.
Under the amnesty, illegally staying
OFWs must register at the Philippine
Overseas Labor Office, which in turn will
endorse the applications to the Oman Ministry of Manpower. Applicants must leave
the sultanate within one month.
OFW killed in Dubai
AN overseas Filipino worker in her 20s was
killed in a hit and run incident in Dubai.
Dubai policemen have arrested a Syrian motorist who admitted to speeding but claimed he
was not aware that he hit the victim.
The driver sped off after hitting the Filipina
who was walking along a pedestrian lane in the
Al Maktoum area.
While there were no witnesses, the police
recovered a car with traces of blood and dent
on its fender in Al Quoz.
Meanwhile, a United Arab Emirates court
has handed down jail terms for two clerks at
the Dubai Health Authority who altered a Filipina’s fitness test results to make it appear she
is fit for work. Maia Lopez
fault, and thus become
victims of exploitation,
abuse, and violence.
In her message to the
11th Senior Labor Officials Meeting (SLOM)
read by Undersecretary
Reydeluz Conferido,
Baldoz invoked in her call the ASEAN
Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers
“As stipulated in the ASEAN Declaration, receiving states and the sending
states shall, for humanitarian reasons,
closely cooperate to resolve the cases of
migrant workers who, through no fault of
their own, have subsequently become undocumented,” Baldoz said.
She emphasized the upholding of the
fundamental rights and dignity of migrant
workers and family members already residing with them, without undermining
the the receiving states’ laws.
Baldoz also emphasized the obligation
WORLD
15
of receiving states to “provide migrant
workers, who may be victims of discrimination, abuse, exploitation, or violence,
with adequate access to the legal and judicial systems of the receiving states.” She
observed that a purely legalistic response
from respective ASEAN counties may not
offer effective solutions.
16
FORUM
May 15, 2015
Editorial
HONG KONG NEWS
As We See it
Uncalled for
RIGHT after Filipinos rejoiced over the
reprieve given to Mary Jane Veloso by
the Indonesian government, her mother,
Celia Veloso, became the subject of attack on social media for supposed ingratitude.
Since then, Celia has apologized and
asked the public to understand her emotional outburst.
Celia’s statement that the government
did nothing to save her daughter was surprising, but the vicious attacks made on
social media and the internet on her were
underserved too.
Of course, the government and President Aquino did their part to secure Mary
Jane the last-minute reprieve denied to
other death row convicts like her.
Give credit where credit is due, we
agree.
But when netizens began posting negative reactions to Celia’s statement and
trended the hashtag #firingsquadforCeliaVeloso, they belittled a mother’s grief
and her sentiments.
We do not begrudge anyone of their
right to free expression, but the hashtag
was tasteless and undoubtedly had further inflicted pain to a mother and a family who had just undergone a rollercoaster
of emotions and anguish.
Filipinos should have been more understanding of the Veloso family’s plight.
Who could question a mother’s love and
concern for her daughter who was on the
brink of death?
Indeed, Celia as a mother and someone who is older than most of the social
media-savvy population of the country,
should have been treated better.
#konektadong_pinoy
Davao City
DAVAO CITY is one of the biggest city
metropolis in the Philippines. Having an
area of 2,444 sq km, making it the country’s largest city in terms of land area. It
has a population of about 1.8 million.
It is a top travel destination with tourist
attractions in the likes of Crocodile Park,
Davao Butterfly House and Tribu K’Mindanawan cultural village, the Zorb Park
and Water Ball, the Outland Adventure
and Zip City, and the Eden Nature Park.
Aside from these adventures, the city is
also the safest city in the Philippines.
It was listed as the 9th safest city in the
world, next to three (3) other Asian cities
with higher safety index - Osaka, Seoul
and Singapore.
SINGAPORE was the host city of
the Asian Filipino Bowlers Friendship
Games 2015 held on May 2-3 at the Super Bowl Mount Faber. It was participated in by Pinoy teams from Philippines,
South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The team from HK, - Filipino Bowling
Club of Hong Kong ( FBC-HK ) emerged
as the Contingent Grand Slam Champion. It was a super striking performance
by players Ador Bernardino, Manny Lim,
Emy Clarke and Rogerick Sarito.
The FBC-HK delegation was led by its
Founding Chairman Jenny Gafate who
once posted in her FB account a thought
for the day telling “ when God blesses
you financially, don’t raise your standard
of living , raise your standard of giving.”
This sound advice seemed to be inherent in the character of one man from Mindanao named Rodrigo R.
DuterteBorn in Southern Leyte, RODRIGO R. DUTERTE is a lawyer by profession whose political leadership has
transformed a city into a progressive metropolis. Under his leadership, he made
sure that no one is above the law.
He instilled in his constituents that it is
better to give than to receive especially in
times of calamities. People in his home
city have donated relief goods to typhoon
victims and to earthquake victims in
Cebu and Bohol. Now in his 7th term,
Mayor Duterte continues to be the popular and darling politician of this place in
Mindanao we call Davao City.
[email protected]
Currents
Norman Uy
Carnay
Happy Mother’s Day
MASAYA talaga ako kapag Mother’s
Day.
Kasi naalala ko pa rin ang kakaibang
pag-aalaga ng aking ina. At ramdam na
ramdam ko pa rin iyan hanggang ngayon. Bilib talaga ako. Ang galing ng nanay
ko! Tapos nasaksihan ko rin kung paano
nga maging isang ina ang aking kabiyak
ngayong naghahabulan sa paglaki ang
aming dalawang supling na si Rosa at
Lila. Ang galing din ng asawa ko!
Basta, magagaling talaga mga nanay.
Piryud. Pati na mga tumatayong nanay
sa pamilya. Marami niyan lalo na sa mga
OFW. Saludo po ako sa inyo.
At dahil Mother’s day na nga nitong
Mayo, gusto kong gamitin ang pagkakataon na ito para umapela sa inyo
– nanay man kayo o hindi. Sa diwa ng
pagbibigay-halaga, pag-unawa, pagkilala
at pasasalamat sa pagmamahal ng mga
ina, gusto kong hingin ang inyong supor-
ta para sa dalawang bagay.
Una, nais kong himukin kayo na
magtuloy-tuloy ng suporta pa sa pagligtas at pagpapauwi kay Mary Jane. Kabahagi nito siyempre ay ang pag-unawa sa
dinaanan ng pamilya Velosa partikular na
ng kanyang nanay Celia. Sa napakahaba
nang debate at paglalabas ng opinion kaugnay ng sinabi ni nanay Celia, ito na lamang ang aking panawagan: araling mabuti ang mga dahilan kung bakit gayon na
lang kasama ang loob ni nanay Celia sa
pamahalaang muntikan nang magpabitay
sa kanyang anak dahil sa kapabayaan.
Kung sumagi man sa isip niyo na
“walang utang na loob” nga si nanay,
sana ay balikan muna ang mga pangyayari at unawain siya. Sana hindi kayo
kasama doon sa mga nangungutya sa
kanya at tumatawag na “ingrata” samantalang nagpasalamat naman siya sa ating
lahat sa anumang itinulong natin. Bakit
ka ba nang-gagalaiti sa hindi niya pagpapasalamat kay PNoy? At ngayo’y inaalis
mo pa ang suporta mo sa pagligtas kay
Mary Jane? Huwag naman sana.
Ikalawang hiling, baka naman pwede
kang sumuporta sa isang kampanya na
sinimulan ng ilang mga ina at kababaihan
kabilang na si Liza Maza, Kiri Dalena at
Maria Isabel Lopez. Kaugnay ito ng dalawang aktibistang ina na kasalukuyan ay
bahagi ng mahigit 40 babaeng political
prisoners sa bansa.
Dahil sa gawa-gawang kaso, si Andrea
Rosal ay namatayan ng sanggol sa kulungan at si Miradel Torres naman ay nagsilang din at nag-aaruga ng kanyang anak
sa preso. Pumirma kayo rito sa petisyon
para palayain sila: http://chn.ge/1EjBbQm
Sa ngalan ng mga ina, buksan ang inyong isip at puso para sa pag-unawa at
pagsuporta.
Dear Editor
Dear Hong Kong News,
KAMAKAILAN ay umuwi ako sa Pilipinas upang
magbakasyon sandali.
Tulad nang mga nagdaan kong bakasyon ay
magkahalong saya at dismaya ang naramdaman ko
habang ako ay nasa ating bayan.
Siyempre, masaya ako dahil muli nakasama ko
ang mga mahal ko sa buhay. Masayang makita na
nakakatulong ako sa pamilya upang kahit paano ay
guminhawa ang buhay namin.
Masaya ding madalaw ang mga lugar ng aking
NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS
kabataan. Syempre, sinamantala ko na din ang pagkakataon na makapasyal sa mga tourist destination
sa atin.
Gayunman, nakalulungkot pa din na mapansin na
parang walang nagbabago sa ating bansa.
May mga nakita pa din akong basura na nagkalat
kung saan saan lamang. Ang usad ng trapiko ay mabagal pa din. Maging ang mga paliparan at daungan
ay halos parang walang pag-unlad.
Halos dalawang oras po kaming naghihintay sa
NAIA Terminal III bago kami makasakay ng yellow
taxi na mas mahal pa ang singil kaysa ordinaryong
taxi. Ganun po ba talaga ang Pilipinas?
Kapag nasanay ka sa ibang bayan at bigla kang
umuwi sa atin ay mapapatunayan mo ang sinasabi
ng mga dayuhan na madami pang kailangang ayusin
sa atin.
Nawa dumating ang panahon na sa susunod na
pag-uwi naming mga OFW ay tunay na maramdaman
namin ang kaunlaran sa ating bayan.
Umaasa,
Carol P.
Advertisers are responsible for the content and accuracy of their advertisements.
Hong Kong News will not be liable for inaccurate advertising and / or legal disputes involving third parties.
Jeneth P. Julve
Philip C. Tubeza Cheryl Arcibal
Managing Editor
Editor
Associate Editor-Manila
Corelene B. Cruz Sales & Marketing Executive
Joko Harjanto
Nin Tang
Assistant Sales Manager
Senior Designer
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced
without the written permission of
the publisher.
Published by HK Publications Ltd.
Unit 1008, 10/F, Fook Hong Industrial Building,
No.19 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon
Telephone: 2851 1766 / 3416 3633 Fax: 2858 8979
E-mail: [email protected]
PO Box # 60185 at Tsat Tsz Mui Post Office
Printed by Superflag Printing and Communication Limited
1/F., 8 Chun Ying Street, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong
HONG KONG NEWS
BARRIO PINOY
May 15, 2015
Survey for Pinoy youth in HK
By Peter Castillo
THE Filipino youth group Section Juan is
conducting a survey about young Filipinos
in Hong Kong.
Jan Yumul, Section Juan president, said
they wanted to gather the Filipino youth’s
thoughts about the Hong Kong education
system, examination and students’ learning experience.
“The team and I are hoping to gather
as much information as we can about our
Filipino youths in Hong Kong and your
support would be greatly appreciated,”
said Yumul.
“We will also be doing some outreach
work on Lamma Island and Lantau Island
on dates to be confirmed where we will
be bringing the same survey. If there is
an area or group you would wish for us
Section Juan members
to visit, kindly let me know,” she added.
Yumul said the survey results would
help the group to plan “future initiatives
and hence meet your needs as a young Filipino in Hong Kong.”
“Our survey should take less than 20
Isang pagpupugay sa mga
ilaw ng tahanan
By Maritess Mapa
ANG maging INA ay matatawag na isang
kaganapan ng babae. Bagama’t maraming hamon bago ito mapagtagumpayan,
sa huli ay makakamit din ang gantimpala
mula sa langit.
Ang pagsisikap ng mga Inang milya-milya ang pagitan sa mga anak upang maibigay lamang sa kanila ang magandang
kinabukasan, ay matatawag na dakila sapagkat sinuong ang matinding hamon sa
sarili at sakripisyo tulad ng pangungulila
at kalungkutan.
Lahat ng hirap ay tiniis sapagkat ang
tanging nasa isipan ay mga mahal na anak
na mabigyan ng sapat na edukasyon para
sa kanilang maliwanag na bukang liway-
way.
Bagama’t narating na ang kalahating
tagumpay sa pakikibaka, ako’y lubos na
nagpapasalamat sapagkat unti unti nang
nasisilayan ng aking mga anak ang bukas
na aking minimithi at pinapangarap para
sa kanila. Ilang hakbang na lang ay mararating na ang pinapangarap sa buhay at
makauwi na sa mahal na bayan.
Sa aking kapwa Inang manggagawa sa
ibayong dagat, saludo po ako sa inyong
lahat! At sa lahat na mga kapatid, tita, lola
at iba pa na naging ina dahil sa pag aalaga
sa mga naiwang mga anak. Mabuhay po
kayong lahat! Salamat sa inyong lahat at
sa inyong pag aruga.
MALIGAYANG ARAW NG MGA
NANAY.
minutes to complete and will be a great
input for our planning. Please answer as
honestly as possible and submit the completed questionnaire either online or to our
representative,” Yumul said.
She said the online version of the sur-
vey can be found on the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RtlFwRzwLb2-MybH7dYaFJKqVvvC4819Xra5_TXr5sY/viewform
“Section Juan intends to ensure that all
our Filipino youths are able to share their
experiences and opinions,” Yumul said.
“Rest assured that the entire survey will
be kept confidential and that any name
and contact details provided will not be
disclosed without your permission,” she
added.
Thos who have enquiries, can contact
the group through its email at [email protected]
“Thank you and we hope that your
views may help contribute to the broader development of multiculturalism and
accessibility within Hong Kong’s education,” Yumul said.
Palarong Pinoy ng
Damayan OFW HK
By Imelda Mae Bustinera
ANG Damayan OFW HK ay nagdaos
ng taunang Palarong Pinoy na ginanap
noong Mayo 1 sa Repulse Bay beach.
Natuwa kami ng husto dahil dinaluhan
ang aming pagtitipon ng ilang kawani
at empleyado ng Philippine Consulate
General.
They know who they are. Thank you
very much for the time and effort that
you spent with us, Ma’ams and Sirs.
Hindi na po namin babanggitin isa isa ?
Mayruon din pong ilang empleyado
ng mga bangko at cargo forwarder na
tumulong sa ginawang mga laro.
Kabilangdito ang Sungka, Luksong
Tinik, Tumbang Preso at Basagan ng
Palayok---mga laro na hindi na gaano
ngayon nilalaro ng mga kabataan dahil
sa Internet.
At galing din sa iba’t-ibang Filipino
community associations.
May mga dumalo ring mga kaibigan
ng mga members and officers of the organizer of the event.
Gustong ipaabot ng Samahan ng
Damayan OFW HK ang taos pusong
pasasalamat sa lahat na dumalo at tumulong para maidaos ang nasabing
pagtitipon.
Sana po ay magkita-kita tayo ulit sa
mga susunod pang mga taon. MABUHAY.!!
GALLERY
Doctor Miguel
Manio discussed
diabetes on
May 10 at the
Hong Kong
University for
the HKU Service
100: Domestic
Workers
Empowerment
Project.
The University of the
Philippines Alumni
Association -Hong
Kong presents a night
of laughs with stand
up commedian Rex
Navarrete on May 23
in Wan Chai. Those
interested can call
59469562 or email
upaaHKbod2015@
gmail.com
The Philippine
Alliance held
its successful
Luzon Festival
2015 on May
10 at Stanley
Community Hall.
Sairhe Gollaba
won the Search
for Miss Luzon
Hong Kong 2015.
(By Tess Nuval)
The newly elected members and
officers of Kabalikat OFW Bicol
International (KOBI) unite in a
Mother’s Day and birthday celebration
lat Repulse Bay Beach last May 10.
KOBI was establish last March 8,
2015 under the leadership of Fayeh
Guevarra (seated 2nd from right) with
29 members to date.
The organization aims to help and
encourage more people to join their
group.
17
Emergency Hotlines
Numbers To Remember
EMERGENCY
Hong Kong Observatory
(Weather)
2835 1473
Police, Fire Services, Hospitals999
Police Report Hotline
2527 7177
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE
For emergency cases, call or text:
Assistance to Nationals
9155 4023
Labor 6080 8323
OWWA
6345 9324
SSS
2823 8552
Pag-Ibig
2823 8561
Consulate Trunkline
2823 8500
Office Fax: 2866 9885
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://philcongen-hk.com/
Facebook: Philippine Consulate General
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong GOVERNMENT
Independent Commission Against
Corruption
2526 6366
Central Government
2835 2500
Complaint Against Police 2866 7700
2200 4460 to 62
Consumer Rights Hotline 2929 2222
Department of Health
2961 8989
Equal Opportunities Commission
2511 8211
Immigration
2824 6111
Labour Department
2717 1771
Legal Aid 2537 7677
Race Relations Unit
2810 3203
Social Welfare
2343 2255
Transport
2804 2600
Postal Hotline
2921 2222
NON-GOVERNMENT
ORGANIZATIONS
Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants
2723 7536
Asian Migrant Center
2312 0031
Christian Action - Shine Center
3188 4555
Diocesan Pastoral Center for Filipinos
(and other Asian Migrants and Ethnic
Minorities)
2526 4249
Alliance of Progressive Labor 2770 0411
Bayanihan Trust Centre
2817 8928
Filipino Migrant Workers Union
9104-1411; 9758-5935
Hong Kong Christian Service - CHEER Ce
nter
3755 6811
International Social Services 2836 3598
Mission for Migrant Workers 2522 8264
The Bethune House
2721 3119
2522 8264
Helpers for Domestic Helpers 2523 4020
United Filipinos in Hong Kong 3156 2447
AIRPORT AND AIRLINES
Airport Inquiry
Cathay Pacific Airways
Cebu Pacific Air
Philippine Airlines
2181 8888
2747 5000
2722 0609
2301 9300
18
BUHAY OFW
May 15, 2015
HONG KONG NEWS
Pinanganak sa Saudi, nagtagumpay
By Vilma Ramos
Name: LOVELY GRACE GALLEBO
ESBEG
Birthday: March 10,1994
Parents: Mr. Florentino Rosada Esbeg
Mrs. Melanie Gallebo Esbeg
Place…Brgy. Namaltugan, Sudipen, La
Union
Country where parents work as OFW:
Saudi Arabia
Years being apart from OFW Parents:
Father - 19 years
Mother - 20 years
SINA LOLO AT LOLA ANG NAGARUGA
Bago ko umpisahan ang salaysay ng buhay ko bilang anak ng OFW. Gusto ko munang batiin ko kayo ng magandang araw
lalo na sa mga dakilang mga magulang na
nagpapakasakit sa ibang bansa sampu ng
mga katulad kong mga anak ng OFW
Bago ako isinilang, nangangamuhan na sa ibang bansa ang mga magulang
ko. Kaya doon na ako
nabuo at pinanganak.
Ganun na rin ang dalawa kong bunsong
kapatid. Ako ang pangalawa sa aming apat
na magkakapatid.
Lovely
Noong isang taong
gulang ako inuwi ako
ng aking mga magulang dito sa Pilipinas.
Mula noon ang mga lolo at lola ko na ang
nasilayan kong nagpalaki sa akin. Dama
ko ang lungkot at sakit ng mapalayo sa
mga magulang. Sometimes, nananaginipan ko na yakap yakap ko sila at sa tuwing kausap ko sila sa telepono hindi ko
mapigilan ang pag agos ng aking luha.
Sa murang gulang ko, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit sa ibang bansa sila nagtatrabaho. Subalit habang lumalaki at
nagkakaisip ako unti-unti akong namulat
na kailangan nilang magtrabaho sa ibang
bansa para matustusan ang pang-arawaraw na pangangailangan ng pamilya
namin.
Lagi nila kaming pinapaalalahanan na
magpapakabait at lagi nilang sinasambit
na mahal na mahal nila kami, na kailangan
naming magtiis sa isa’t-isa dahil magkakalayo kami. Hindi naman kami pinabayaan
ng mga lolo at lola namin. Minahal at inaruga nila kami. Maraming pasasalamat sa
pagmamahal, pag-aaruga at malasakit na
ipinadarama sa aming mga apo nila.
Noong nasa Elementarya hanggang
maggraduwet ako ay nakamit ko naman
ang WITH HONORS, ganun na din nung
nasa Secondarya ako.
Hindi lahat ng kagaya ko ay nakakapag-aral o nakakatapos ng kolehiyo
kaya mapalad ako na nakapag-enrol sa
Lorma Colleges, San Fenando City, La
Union at nakuha ang kursong gusto ko.
Ipinangako ko sa aking sarili na pagsikapan kong makatapos sa pag-aaral.
While pursuing my dream, nakamit ko
naman ang award na Best in Research sa
aming school, bagay na diko inaasahan
although inilaan ko lahat na makakaya ko
para dito at napakasaya ko sa award na ito.
Habang nag-aaral pa ako ng kolehiyo,
hindi naging madali kasi sumunod na
nagkolehiyo ang kapatid kong sumunod
sa akin. Sa panahong iyon, hindi inaasahan na kailangang umuwi sa Pilipinas ang
tatay ko. Hindi na advisable para sa kanya
ang magtrabaho.
Sa loob ng 19 na taon, dalawang beses
ko lang nakasama ang mga magulang ko
kaya noong nag-for good ang tatay ko
noong April 16, 2013, nakadama ako ng
kaligayahan, kahit paano makasama na
namin siya. Kaya naging mag-isa na ang
nanay kong nagtatrabaho para sa amin.
Noong March 29,2014, sa patnubay ng
aking lolo’t lola, but above all else w/ Divine guidance ng Panginoon, nag- graduate ako sa kursong BS Pharmacy.
Pero kailangan ko pang magreview para
sa board exam. As expected, gastos na naman hindi na kaya ng nanay ko na tustusan
lahat dahil sumunod namang nagkolehiyo
ang bunsong kapatid naming. Pero sa tulong rin ng tito at tita ko na OFW, din
naka-enrol ako sa Review Center.
Laking pasasalamat ko sa ating Pangi-
noon first of all at naipasa ko ang board
exam, noong January 18-19, 2015. Napakasaya ko at nagbunga ang paghihirap ng
aking mga mahal na magulang, lolo, lola
at tito at tita ko.
Labis akong nagpapasalamat sa mga
biyayang binibigay ng Panginoon & my
humble & earnest prayer na patuloy po
sanang patnubayan ang mga susunod pang
hakbang na aking gagawin sa buhay ko.
Sa ngayong may trabaho na ako, tungkulin ko namang tulungan ang pamilya
ko para suklian ang mga sakripisyo at paghihirap ng aking mga magulang, pati na
rin mga lolo,lola,tito at tita ko,na walang
sawang tumulong at nagpapaalala sa akin.
Taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa
paggabay na ipinadama nila sa akin.
Ito po ang maibabahagi kong karanasan
bilang anak ng OFW, nawa’y sa mga kapwa ko kabataan na anak ng OFW ay magsilbi ring gabay o inspirasyon kung paano
magsakripisyo na hindi kapiling ang mga
magulang. Be brave always mga katulad
kong Anak ng OFW at huwag padadaig sa
hirap sa buhay
By Imelda Mae Bustinera
siya. Kung magsasanay daw kasi siya, sa
Oktubre pa siya makakapagtapos.
Iginalang na lang ni Celia ang desisyon
ng anak hanggang natapos ang graduation
at at bumalik na si Celia dito sa Hongkong.
Bihira ang araw na hindi si Celia tatawag sa anak para kumustahin na ang
pag-aapply nito ng trabaho. May job fair
na pinapapuntahan si Celia sa anak pero
hindi ito pumunta dahil halos puro naman
daw para sa ibang bansa ang trabaho.
Ayaw raw ng anak na mangibang bansa.
Tinanong ni Celia kung bakit ayaw e mas
malaki ang kikitain niya abroad kumpara
sa sariling bansa.
Sumagot daw ang anak ni Celia na ayaw
daw niyang maranasan ng mga magiging
anak niya na lumaking wala sa piling ang
mga magulang. Kaya naman daw niyang
kitain ang halagang kakailanganin kahit na hindi mangibang bansa. Basta raw
magsikap at maging masipag lamang. Sa
awa ng Diyos, nakahanap at nagtatrabaho
na ang anak ni Celia.
Ayaw mag-abroad
ISA sa mga nagtapos sa kolehiyo ngayong
taon ang kaisa-isang anak ni Celia, 49, hiwalay sa asawa, at tubong Cubao.
Sa ibang bansa sana nakatalagang magOJT ang kanyang anak kaya nag-ipon si
Celia para rito pero laking gulat na lamang
niya nang sabihin nitong ayaw na niyang
gawin ito.
Gusto raw kasi niyang sumabay sa mga
magtatapos para makapagtrabaho na raw
HONG KONG NEWS
May 15, 2015
DanRich na nga ba?
By Cristy Kasilag
KUNG nakakapagsalita lamang ang mga
litrato, malamang nasagot na ang tanong
ng marami kung sila na nga ba.
Sweet na sweet sila Erich Gonzales at
ang Brazilian-Japanese model na si Daniel
Masunaga sa mga litrato na inilalabas nila
sa kanilang mga Instagram accounts at
mga binitawan nilang mga mensahe.
Subalit, hindi pa rin sila umaamin na
sila ay may relasyon na.
Sa katunayan, meron ng tawag sa tandem nilang dalawa-----“DanRich”, kung
saan pinagsama ang pangalan nila.
Sa kanilang Instagram accounts, ti-
Daniel at Erich
nawag na ni Erich si Daniel na “my love”
samantala si Daniel naman ay nagsabi na
ng “I love you” sa babae.
Ultimo nanay ni Daniel na si Geralda
Matsunaga ay may kuhang litrato kasama
si Erich at tinawag niya itong “another gift
from God for my family” at “my youngest
daughter.”
ENTERTAINMENT
Mapapansin na tila nag-aaral ng ibang
linguahe si Erich dahil sa mga post niya
ay nasa salitang Portuguese, ang official
language sa bansang Brazil.
Mula sa kanilang Hong Kong getaway,
madaming litratong pinakita na nakangiti at tila masayang-masaya ang dalawa
sa kanilang “selfie” shots. Merong kuha
19
kung saan ang aktres ay naka patong sa
balikat ni Daniel; meron tila nasa balcony
sila ng isang hotel room; at meron naman
magka- akbay sila sa isa’t-isa.
Kamakailan ay napabalita na hiwalay
na ang 24 anyos na si Erich sa kanyang
non-showbiz businessman boyfriend ng
apat na taon.
20
ENTERTAINMENT
Bianca may ‘baby’na
By Cristy Kasilag
LIBAN kay Marian Rivera, may isa pang
taga-showbiz ang lubos ang galak dahil
meron siyang “baby bump”------si Bianca
Gonzales.
Ipinagbubuntis ng 32 anyos na television host ang una nilang anak ng basketball player na si JC Intal.
Tatlong buwan ng buntis si Bianca at
ayon sa kanya ay malakas ang tibok ng
puso ng sanggol na nasa kanyang sinapupunan at maayos ang kanilang kalagayang
mag-ina.
Sa isang litrato makikita si Bianca sa
isang beach na nakasuot ng pulang onepiece swimsuit. Dito ipinakita niya ang
maliit niyang baby bump.
“We can’t thank everyone for all the
messages of love and support for this new
chapter in our lives! Our little one is three
months in my tummy and healthy and
well,” sabi ni Bianca.
“The journey has been beautiful but
also really tough and I salute all moms for
holding THE toughest job in the world!
This is my first baby bump photo taken by
May 15, 2015
Belo, Hayden, at
Katrina, nagbati na
By Cristy Kasilag
JC at Bianca
the proud daddy,” she added.
Sinabi ni Bianca na pinili nila na hindi
kaagad i-bunyag ang kanyang pagbubuntis dahil sa ika-8, 10, o 12 linggo ng pagbubuntis lamang maririnig ang tibok ng
puso ng bata.
Kadalasan daw ay hinihinty muna ng
mga mag-asawa na matapos ng tatlong
buwan, dahil yun ang mga delikadong buwan ng pagbubuntis.
Nuon lamang nakaraang Marso taong
2014 nung sinurpresa ni JC si Bianca at
nag propose sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2. Tatlong
taon na silang magnobyo bago nag-alok
ng kasal si JC. Inabangan ni JC si Bianca
na paalis sana ng bansa.
HONG KONG NEWS
PAGKALIPAS ng anim na taon, nagkapatawaran na rin sila Dra. Vicky Belo,
Hayden Kho Jr. at ang aktres na si Katrina
Halili.
Ang talent manager na si Lolit Solis ang
nagsilbi na tulay para magkausap at magkapatawaran ang tatlo.
Kinausap daw ni Manay Lolit ang manager ni Katrina, si Rommel Gacho, para
maayos ang plano na pribadong meeting
sila Dra. Belo, Katrina at Hayden sa isang
restaurant sa Quezon City.
Nagtagpo ang landas nilang tatlo nung
kasal nila Marian Rivera at Dingdong
Dantes nung Disyembre. Binati daw ni
Dra. Belo ng “Hi” si Katrina na dating endorser ng Belo Medical Group.
Ayaw na ng 29-anyos na aktres i-detalye
kung ano ang napag-usapan nila nuong
isang araw nung buwan ng Abril.
Basta ang mahalaga aniya ay nagkaayos na sila. Humingi raw ng tawad si Ka-
Belo, Katrina at Hayden
trina kay Dra. Belo at ang 34-anyos na si
Hayden ay humingi ng tawad si Katrina.
Importante din daw na pagkalipas ng
anim na taon ay may peace of mind na
siya at naka move on na silang tatlo sa
iskandalo na binunga ng sex video na kuha
di umano ni Hayden.
Si Katrina, na ngayon ay parte ng nalalapit na palabas sa GMA 7 na “The Rich
Man’s Daughter,” ay masaya na matapos
ang kontrobersiya.
Pakiramdam daw niya ay kumpleto siya
kahit na single siya ngayon dahil meron
naman siyang anak an pinagtutuunan ng
pansin----si Katrence.
Si Katrence o Katie ay anak niya sa
singer na si Kris Lawrence.
Si Hayden naman ay nag post ng mensahe na ito sa kanyang Instagram account:
“I had wanted to wait for the proper
time to announce this reconciliation that
happened last week; but since it’s already
out I might as well say my piece too,” sabi
niya.
“After seven years of enmity, Katrina,
Vicki, and myself are now reconciled. And
I want to say that just like the restoration of
my medical license, the restoration of my
relationship with Vicki, Katrina, and many
others happened because I first sought to
restore my relationship with God,” aniya.
”It was by God’s grace- made available
through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus
Christ- that I have been restored.”
Dennis, umamin na
By Cristy Kasilag
UMAMIN na ang heartthrob na si Dennis
Trillo na nagkita nga sila ng ex-GF niya sa
isang sikat na resort sa Quezon.
Sa isang panayam kamakailan, inamin
ni Dennis na nagkita nga sila ng aktres
na si Jennylyn Mercado sa eksklusibong Balesin island resort noong Mahal na
Araw.
Pero nang tanungin kung nagkabalikan
na sila, hindi niya sinagot ng direcho ang
tanong liban sa sabihin na ok sila ni Jen
ngayon at magkaibigan sila.
Sinabi din niya na mas “mature, mas
peaceful at mas tahimik ang relasyon nila
ngayon.”
Matatandaan na nuong taon 2010 nung
naging magkasintahan sila Dennis at Jennylyn pero hindi sila nagtagal. Umabot
lamang ang kanilang relasyon ng isang
taon at may mga kwento pa na di umano
ay nagkasakitan pa sila nang maghiwalay.
Si Luis Manzano ang kasunod na naka
relasyon ni Jennylyn, samantala si Bianca King naman ang naging ka-ibigan ni
Dennis.
Nuong Araw ng mga Puso o Valentine’s
Day nakasama ang 33 anyos na si Dennis
sa concert ng 27 anyos na si Jennylyn.
HONG KONG NEWS
May 15, 2015
Mga artista kumampi kay Pacman
By Cristy Kasilag
MADAMI ang sumubaybay sa “Battle of
the Century” ni Saranggani Rep. Manny
“The Pacman” Pacquiao at ng Amerikanong boksingero na si Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Sa historic na laban na ito, na nabuo
pagkatapos ng limang taon, hindi nagpahuli ang mga tao sa showbiz sa kanilang
Mag-on na
si Cesar at
Sandra?
By Cristy Kasilag
MATAGAL man tinangi ng magaling
na aktor na si Cesar Montano na may
namamagitan sa kanila ng modelo at 2009
Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert, ngunit
may mga litratong nagpapakita na madalas silang magkasama.
Ang bali-balita pa ngayon sa larangan
ng showbiz ay buntis ang 31 anyos na si
Sandra at ang 52 anyos si Cesar daw ang
ang ama ng kanyang sanggol.
Ang kwento pa ng ilan ay plano nila na
sa Italya manganganak si Sandra, kung
saan naanduon ang isang kapatid ni Cesar.
Nuong Oktubre pa lamang ay umugong
na ang balita na si Sandra ang bagong babae sa buhay ni Cesar.
Nuong nakaraang taon ay matatandaan
na mainit pa ang balita sa hiwalayan ni
Cesar sa kanyang misis, ang aktres si
Sunshine Cruz, kung saan meron silang
tatlong anak na babae. Hanggang ngayon,
hindi pa pormal na pinapawalang bisa ang
kanilang kasal.
Itinanggi naman ni Cesar na may
namamagitan sa kanila ni Sandra. Ang
madalas na paliwanag ng lalake ay magka-churchmate silang dalawa kaya madalas sila nagkikita. Minsan nagkasama na
din sila sa isang charity event ng Seventh
Day Adventists.
Pero may ilang litrato na lumabas na
nagpapakita na magkasama sila. At kung
ang mga larawan na ito ang pagbabasihan,
masasabing totoo na sila na nga. Sa mga
litrato, madalas silang makikita sa kainan.
Eto lamang bago ang laban ni Manny
Pacquiao at ng Amerikanong is Floyd
Mayweather Jr., makikita sa Instagram accounts nila na parehas silang nasa Estados
Unidos.
May nagsasabi na magkasabay umalis
patungong Estados Unidos ang dalawa
bagamat wala silang post sa kanilang Instagram accounts na magkasama sila.
Cesar at Sandra
mga kumento pagkatapos ng bakbakan.
Kahit na sa mata ng tatlong hurado ay
talo ang 36 anyos na si Pacquiao, nanatiling suportado siya ng karamihan ng mga
Pilipino at kabilang sa mga tao na humanga sa kanya ay ang mga taga-showbiz.
Ang ilan sa kanila ay ipinaabot ang kanilang paghanga kay Manny gamit ang
social networking sites.
“We love you Manny!!!!!!! That was a
great fight!!!!!!!! Ikaw pa rin ang champion namin !!!!” ang sabi ng Filipino-American aktres at 2013 Miss World Megan
Lynne Young.
Para naman kay Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Pia Wurtzbach, na magiging
pambato ng bansa sa nalalapit na Missu
Universe Pageant sa Budapest, Hungary,
babawi ang Pilipinas sa Miss Universe.
“Kalma lang guys. Ako bahala. Babawi
ENTERTAINMENT
tayo sa Miss Universe!!” aniya.
Ang pahayag niya na ito ay umani ng
papuri dahil confident siyang mananalo
siya. Ang iba ay nagsabi na nagbigay lang
ang German-Filipina ng dagdag pressure
sa kanyang sarili para manalo at iuwi ang
korona.
“Good job Manny!!! You will always be
a winner to us!!! Proud Pinoy forever!!!!”
Manny
sabi naman ni Solenn Heussaff.
21
22
ENTERTAINMENT
May 15, 2015
HONG KONG NEWS
Diana Zubiri, humarap sa dambana
By Cristy Kasilag
Diana
SIMPLE at naging emosyonal ang kasal
ng aktres na si Diana Zubiri at ang kanyang Filipino-Australian model na asawa.
Ikinasal si Diana kay Andrew “Andy”
Smith noong Linggo, ika-10 ng Mayo, sa
Sampaguita Gardens, Valencia, Quezon
City.
Suot ni Diana ang white lace na wedding
gown at veil samantala si Andy naman ay
naka brown coat, white shirt, black slacks
para sa kanilang civil wedding sa harap ni
Judge Wilfredo Maynigo ng Quezon City.
Sa kanilang exchange of vows, hindi
napigilan ni Andy na maging emotional
at maluha sa bandang huli ng kanyang talumpati.
“You look incredible, and I tell you that
every night…Even if sometimes I probably say it too much, but it’s true…And I
love you for the rest of my life and I will
never stop trying to be the best, and thanks
for bringing out the best part of me,” sabi
ng model.
Hindi binasa mula sa papel ang mga sinabi ni Andy dahil ang mga iyon ay mula
sa kanyang puso.
Masayang-masaya si Andy dahil ang
kanyang kasal ay dinaluhan ng kanyang
pamilya, lalong-lalo na ang kanyang ama
na na-heart bypass na.
Rachelle
Ann Go, may
proyekto
By Cristy Kasilag
ANG 28 anyos na si Rachelle Ann Go na
ang babaeng walang pahinga.
Kakatapos pa lamang ng kanyang kontrata sa Miss Saigon nuong ika-9 ng Mayo
pero napapabalita na naman na mapapabilang siya sa isang prestiyosong musical
play na “Les Miserables”.
Sa “Les Miserables,” gaganap si Rachelle sa role bilang Fantine, na minsan
ginampanan ng sikat na Lea Salonga.
Maiisip na sinusundan ni Rachelle ang
yapak ni Lea. Dati din kabilang si Lea ng
“Miss Saigon,” kung saan siya ang bidang
babae na si Kim habang si Rachelle ay ang
bargirl naman na si Gigi.
Ang “Miss Saigon” at “Les Miserables”
ay parehas produkto ng theatrical producer na si Sir Cameron MacKintosh.
Sa official website ng “Les Miserables”
ibinalita na si Rachelle ay magiging parte
ng sikat na musical.
Kamakailan ay sinabi ni Rachelle na
gusto niyang subukang gampanan ang
ibang roles sa musical theater at ang isa
dito ay makasama sa “Les Miserables.”
Umani ng papuri at parangal si Rachelle
sa kanyang pag ganap bilang si Gigi sa
“Miss Saigon,” tulad ng Whatsonstage
Award for Best Supporting Actress in a
Musical and Best Featured Actress in the
Broadway World West End awards.
Kamakailan ay napili din siya ng Walt
Disney Studios Southeast Asia para kantahin ang kantang “A Dream is a Wish Your
Heart Makes” para sa pelikulang “Cinderella” na ipinalabas nuong Marso.
Ang kanta ay isinulat at komposisyon
nila Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry
Livingston.
Sinabi ng Disney na pinili nila si Rachelle para sa music video dahil isinasakatauhan ng dalaga ang mission ng
kanilang kumpanya at ito ay “to dream,
create and celebrate the most magical stories and adventures.”
Rachelle––
23
ATPB
Horoscope
Capricorn December 22 to January 19
Iwaksi na ang hindi mabubuting gawi. Ito ang mga nakahahadlang
sa iyo upang makamit ang iyong mga pangarap.
Aquarius January 20 to February 18
Magandang alalahanin ang nakaraan, ngunit hindi ka dapat
patali dito. Harapin ang kasalukuyan dahil madami kang
responsibilidad na kailangang pangatawanan.
Pisces February 19 to March 20
Huwag mawalan nang pag-asa. May mga pagkakataon
na kailangang maging matiyaga upang makamtan ang
pinakamimithi.
Aries March 21 to April 19
May 15, 2015
What’s Cooking?
Get a taste of Mexico with this delicious dish
that gets you cracking with every bite. Chili Con
Carne with Crispy Nachos will not only give you
a taste of what the lands of the Aztecs have to
offer gastronomically, it will also satisfy your
hunger for a snack that’s perfect for gatherings
with friends. Vamos a comer!
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 cup frated mozzarella cheese
¾ cup bottle barbecue sauce
1 can stewed tomatoes, drained
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 package nacho-flavored tortilla chips
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp. caster sugar
1 can red kidney beans
Procedure:
1.Brown beef in a large skillet over a mediumhigh heat. Drain the fat from the pan once the
meat is browned.
2.Mix
mozzarella
cheese, tomatoes,
corn, red kidney
beans and barbecue
sauce into the meat.
Heat this mixture,
stirring occasionally.
Season with salt and
pepper and sugar.
3.While this mixture
is heating, make
beds of chips onto 4
plates. Pour the hot
mixture over the chips. Happy eating!
For More Recipes, Enroll at Culinary Arts Centre
Room 502, 5/F #172-176 Winfull Commercial
Building
Wing Lok St. Sheung Wan, Hong Kong for
enquiries, please
Call at 28507724 or 28507714
May hinihintay ka ba? Huwag maghintay lamang. Madalas
kailangan mong kumilos at hanapin ito dahil hindi ito kusang
darating lamang.
nya na celebrity “Sh” simula ng name!
Pedro: Wow, baka Sharon o Shaina
Pagkatapos ng eyeball...
Pedro: Bakit malungkot ka?
Juan: Si Shrek, si Shrek ang kamukha niya.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Dalaga: Talaga? May-ari ka na ng mga condo
units at negosyo? Wow, ang yaman mo naman
pala! Saang lugar naman iyan?
Manliligaw: Sa Cityville, Facebook
Matutong magpaubaya. Hindi sa lahat ng panahon ay ikaw ang
eksperto sa lahat ng bagay. Maaaring mas may magandang plano
at suhestiyon ang iba. Pakinggan ito.
Ana: Nay, nay, tingnan niyo po ang drawing ko
oh!
Nanay: Wow! Ang galing namang mag-drawing
ng monkey ng bunso ko.
Ana: Nay, kayo po iyan.
Tatay: Bakit bagsak ka sa exam?
Juan: Dahil po sa pag-absent ‘tay!
Tatay: Absent ka nung tinuro?
Juan: Hindi po! Absent yung katabi ko nung
exam!
Aminin mo na kasi. May mga tao talagang hindi mo kayang
kalimutan at ang tangi mo lang magagawa ay magpakatotoo ka.
Tatay: Anak, totoo ba na sa school, nagbibigaygalang ang lahat pag dumadaan ka? Astig ah!
Ano sabi nila?
Juan: “Mabuhay ang mahal na reyna!”
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Misis: Bakit may blackeye ka?
Mister: Kita ko naipit ang palda ng ale sa pwet
niya...hinila ko, sinuntok niya ako...
Misis: Sa dalawang mata?
MisterA: Akala ko ayaw niya hilahin ko...binalik
ko. Sinuntok uli ako
Guro: Ganyan talaga iha, pag maganda
karaniwan di matalino, pag matalino, madalas
pangit.
Maria: Ah kaya pala ma’am ang tali-talino ninyo
talaga.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
Mag-ingat. Piliin kung sino lamang pagtitiwalaan. Hindi lahat ng
tao ay tunay at maganda ang hangarin.
Leo July 23 to August 22
Kung may pagkakataon ay mainam ang magnilay-nilay. Maaari
ding magehersisyo. Ang mga gawain na ito ay makatutulong
upang maging malinaw ang pagiisip.
Virgo August 23 to September 22
Hindi mainam na ikaw lang nagsusumikap na mapabuti ang
buhay ninyo. Sanayin ang iyong pamilya na tumayo sa kanilang
sariling paa. Para iyan sa ikabubuti ninyong lahat.
Libra September 23 to October 22
Isipin kung ano na ang narating mo sa buhay. Mamangha ka sa
kabutihan ng Diyos at patuloy siyang tapat sa iyo.
Scorpio October 23 to November 21
Huwag madaliin ang mga araw. Ienjoy ang kasalukuyan dahil
hindi na ito mangyayari pa ulit.
Sagittarius November 22 to December 21
Maging mapili. Kung hindi ka tinatrato ng tama ay may karapatan
kang magreklamo at pumili ng mga taong pahahalagahan ang
lahat ng paghihirap mo.
HONG KONG NEWS
Juan: May ka-eyebol ako mamaya, kamukha daw
Guro: Bakit ka absent kahapon?
JUan: Ma’am may cardiovascular disease po ako.
Guro: Talaga? I-spell mo ang sakit mo!
Juan: Joke lang po, ubo lang po talaga.
Pedro: Pare, napapansin ko na lagi mong
kinakausap ang sarili mo! Hindi kaya nababaliw
By Chef Jay
Dator
ka na?
Juan: Di naman siguro, kasi di ko naman sinasagot
eh!
Common Sense
Isang bata, nagpasa ng blank paper sa art
teacher...
Teacher: Bakit blank ang work mo?
Bata: Nagdrawing po ako ng baka at damo.
Teacher: (tinignan ulit ang papel) San ang damo?
Bata: Ubos na po,kinain ng baka.
Teacher: (kamot sa ulo) Eh nasaan yong baka?
Bata: Ano pa gagawin ng baka dyan, eh wala ng
damo?
syempre umalis na po.
Common sense naman mam!
Ulam feat. Juan at Pedro
Pedro: Alam mo, yung pusa namin,
kahit nakalagay sa lamesa at walang takip
ang ulam namin, hindi kinakain!
Juan: Maniwala ako?! Pedro: Totoo!
Juan: Ano ba ang ulam nyo?
Pedro: Asin!
Ang Uwak feat. Juan
Teacher: Juan i-english mo eto.
Juan: Wat mam?
Teacher: “Ang uwak ay hinang-hinang nglakad”
Juan: “The wak wak weak weak wok wok...”
Crossword Puzzle
PAHALANG
1Porselana
5Solo
9 Maraming ginagawa
11Sayaw
12 Hectare: daglat
13Tugtugin
15Ikaw
16 Artistang Isabel
18Asam
19 Labi: Ingles
20 Siyudad sa Japan
22 Cardinals sa NCAA
23 Laro ni Torre
25 ___ Tokat
26 Bubuhos ang ulan
28Barkilyos
29 Mataas na
bundok: Ingles
30 Pekeng buhok
32 Ikalawang nota
33Ilibing
35 Simbolo ng nickel
36Sandata
38Bawas
40Reserba
41Pusta
PABABA
1Param
2 Iniikutan sa karera
3 Sandy Andolong
4 Cassius Clay
5Nanay
6Pagkakakilanlan
7Karamdaman
8Yapos
10Lusob
11Tulyapis
14Itanghal
17Ialaro
19Kalat
21 Sambit ng nakatutop
22 Ms. Tiangco
24Gapok
25Tistis
Answer to last puzzle
27 Tatay ni P-Noy
28Leksiyon
29___-CBN
31 Pagluluto sa
kaunting mantika
33 Mr. Veneracion
34 Mr. King Cole
37 Tawag sa ina
39 __ Isla Bonita
24
May 15, 2015
HONG KONG NEWS