Showing posts with label Filipinos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Filipinos. Show all posts
First Pinoy diocesan priest in Kuwait
On October 9, 2009, Fr. Ruben Barrameda of the Legazpi Diocese in Bicol was designated to serve in the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuwait. Supposed to be the first diocesan priest to take official religious duty in the Middle East and Gulf area, the Bicolano clergyman would be under the jurisdiction of the vicariate of Kuwait.
A mass in tribute to Our Lady of Penafrancia was celebrated by Fr. Barrameda together with Bishop Lucio B. Quiambao of Legazpi City. Joined by Fr. Rolando Panesa and Fr. Angelos, the solemn Eucharistic celebration was attended by the Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya, government dignitaries, and about 1,000 members of the Catholic congregation.
Bishop Quiambao invited guests to attend Bicol's 300th year of veneration of Mother Mary as the Virgin of Penafrancia next year in September. (Photo Credit: Gianni Muratore) =0=
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Four million Filipino child-laborers
With the objective to lower down the incidence of exploitation and child labor in the Philippines, the ABK2, a project funded by the US Department of Labor recently helped in rescuing about 6,800 child laborers--- at least 1,984 in in Cebu and 4,863 in Negros Oriental.
The children were removed from difficult and hazardous working conditions and were offered some education through the coordinated work of the World Vision Development Foundation, ChildFund International (formerly known as Christian Children’s Fund), and ERDA.
Child Laborers at a Glance:
Number: 4 million child laborers
Ages: 5-17 years old
Work Hours:
1 to 4 hours---2 million;
5-8 hours---1.3 million;
8 hrs plus---360,000
Areas of employment:
Scavenging
Prostitution
Agriculture
Fishing
Quarry &Mining
Domestic work
Education:
No schooling: 1.3 million
Before their rescue, the children were engaged in scavenging, peddling sex and drugs, doing domestic work, working in mines, fishing, agriculture, and quarry. They were part of an estimated 4 million children between ages 5 to 17 years in the labor force around the country.
A third of these children (1.3 million) do not attend school. Of those who attend school, they face problems such as learning difficulties, lack of school supplies, unsupportive teachers, and lack of time to study.
“In Negros Oriental, 4,591 children who were working in sugarcane plantations were pulled out from their workplace, followed by 162 kids in domestic work and 110 child laborers from commercial agriculture.
Nationwide, the project has rescued and assisted 23,095 child laborers. But ABK2 Project Director Daphne Culanag said the figure is insignificant compared to the estimated four million child laborers around the country. “The figure is just a drop in the bucket of the four million child laborers we want to help,”---Manila Bulletin (09/04/09, Mosqueda, MW Jr.)
The staggering number of children being exploited in the country belies the progress that is usually harped by the government. Social inequity has trickled in among the most vulnerable in society. In spite of efforts to generate jobs locally and abroad, the need for work to survive has forced young boys and girls to forgo their childhood, be independent, and help in keeping the family alive. (Photo Credit: Claude Barutel) =0=
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Linkage between poverty and the influenza epidemic
The startling rise of H1N1 flu cases to more than 300 in a matter of days in the Philippines makes Filipinos to look into why this happens. The rapid spread of the illness is easy to understand considering how poor the country is, says the Health Action Information Network (HAIN,) non-government organization (NGO.)
Dr. Delen de la Paz, executive director of HAIN believes the poor Filipinos die early because of lack of nutrition which leave them susceptible to the complications of disease. According to the 2006 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, the poorest 1.7 million families in the Philippines try to make both ends meet with an average budget of P18 per day (less than 50 cents/day.)
A case of point is the worsening flu problem together with other diseases endemic in the country. Dr. de la Paz has this to say:
“Bakit ba nagiging pneumonia ang influenza? It starts with viral infection that is supposed to be self-limiting in seven days. Pero dahil walang pambili ng gamot, nagkakaroon ng secondary bacterial infection. Lumalala na ang sakit pero nagtatrabaho pa rin. Ang sweldo kulang pang pambili ng pagkain, so paano na ang gamot?"----GMA News TV (06/06/09, Sabangan, A R.)
Dr. de la Paz criticizes the government for its superficial handling of the swine flu epidemic. According to her, the Department of Health (DOH) has advised Filipinos to raise body resistance against infection by having at enough sleep and rest, adequate exercise, control stress, have good hydration and eat nutritious foods. But Dr. de la Paz says, this simply can’t be done if one is poor, underpaid, overworked, hungry and malnourished.
In response to the criticism, Yolanda Oliveros, director of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control says the DOH tries to address the problem by campaigning for an increase of the agency’s budget from only P11 billion three years ago to today’s P20 billion---funds most needed to expand medical coverage, purchase more medicines and hospital equipment, and improve the delivery of health services in the country.(Photo Credit: Claude Barutel) =0=
RELATED BLOG: "Politics of Health: Give the flu vaccines to those who need them most" Posted by mesiamd at 6/15/2009
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More than 100 Filipino seamen still on the hands of Somali pirates
Of more than 300 hostages pirates keep in captivity off the coast of Somalia, about a third of them are Filipino seamen. On Friday, April 17, 2009, 17 Filipinos have been released leaving about 105 still to be freed.
According to Philippine Foreign Affairs official Esteban Cornejos, a total of 227 Filipino seamen have been abducted in the sea off the Gulf of Aden in 2006 and they were released without government intervention. The country is a leading supplier of seafarers worlwide, numbering about 350,000 who serve as crews of oil carriers, luxury vessels, and passengers ships.
This time more than a hundred Filipino seamen are yet to be released from the clutches of Somali marauders. Malacanang Palace have decided to ban the deployment of Filipino mariners on ships that pass within 200 nautical miles or 300 kilometers from Somali coast.
In spite of the UN Security Councils adoption of Resolution 1838 since October last year calling on nations with boats in the area to use military force to halt piracy at sea, the kidnapping activities of Somali pirates for ransom continue. They have intensified attacks on shipping---causing travel to be more expensive and dangerous.
“Pirates have attacked more than 80 boats this year alone, four times the number assaulted in 2003, according to the Kuala Lumpur-based International Maritime Bureau. They now hold at least 18 ships — including a Belgian tanker seized Saturday with 10 crew aboard ”----AP/MSNBC (04/18/09)
The most recent is the attack on Saturday April 18, 2009, when a Norwegian vessel MV Front Ardenne was attacked by 7 Solmali pirates who were foiled after a 7 hour speed chase by NATO anti-piracy ships and helicopters from Canada and United States. (Photo Credits: Chris & Steve) =0=
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More OFWs leave the country for jobs abroad
It should tbe consolation to the Philippines that more Filipinos work outside the country in January this year than last year. Philippine Overseass Employment Administration (POEA) reports that 165,737 compared to 132,285 left the country for jobs abroad. “This resoundingly affirms the sustained global preference for our skilled and semi-skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFW), and their productive role in staving off the adverse effects of the global slowdown in the greater portion of the world’s economies," said Labor Secretary Marianito Roque.---GMA TV News (03/24/09, Tan, JT)
The exodus of workers to foreign land has brought about US$16.4 billion dollars to the Philippine economy. In spite of the economic benefits, working abroad has caused a lot alienation, family displacement, and separation.
Filipinos still need to develop local placements and not rely on foreign work opportunities which disrupt local labor. There are many jobs with difficult working conditions abroad and Filipinos are forced to take them for lack of employment in the country. It is not hard to imagine that many of these jobs are menial, dangerous, and demanding that many locals of host countries refuse to take. (Photo Credit: Atsibatsi)=0=
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Filipino doctors in USA, 2nd to India among IMGs
We are quick to assert that among the international medical graduates (IMGs) in the United States, Filipinos are 2nd to doctors from India as the most represented ethnic group in the profession. This is a very good record for our country who has distinguished itself as one of the most prolific doctor suppliers of America. About ¼ of doctors in USA are IMGs.
Top Ten Countries of Medical Education for IMG Physicians
2007
India------------------------------------ 19.99%----------------------47,581
Philippines------------------------------8.7%-------------------------20,861
Mexico----------------------------------5.8%-------------------------13,929
Pakistan---------------------------------4.8%-------------------------11,330
Dominican Republic------------------3.3%--------------------------7,892
Russia----------------------------------2.5%------------------------- 6,039
Grenada---------------------------------2.4%--------------------------5,708
Egypt------------------------------------2.2%--------------------------5,202
Korea------------------------------------2,1%--------------------------4,982
Italy--------------------------------------2.1%--------------------------4,741
Source: American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile 2007
2008
India-------------------------------------21%--------------------------41,247
Philippines------------------------------ 9%---------------------------21,081
Mexico---------------------------------- 6%---------------------------13,980
Pakistan----------------------------------5%---------------------------11,901
Dominican Republic-------------------3.7%---------------------------8,618
Russia------------------------------------2.7%---------------------------6,293
Grenada----------------------------------2.7%---------------------------6,299
Egypt-------------------------------------2.2%---------------------------5,301
Korea-------------------------------------2.1%---------------------------5,031
China-------------------------------------2.1%---------------------------5,087
Source: American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile 2008
The 2008 American Medical Association (AMA) IMG record shows the Filipino doctors rank second to India in number----9% and 21% respectively of the total number of foreign medics who train in the United States. That’s a total of 21,081 Filipinos vs. 41,247 Indians. Because of the sharp difference (double) in numbers between the two groups, Filipino physicians in USA looks scarcer compared to the Indians.
The current distribution of Filipino doctors will probably stay for a while since the boom of the nursing profession in the Philippines has lured more doctors to come to USA as nurses. Former Sec of Health Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan confirmed this trend when he revealed in 2007, "My latest study, there are 9,000 doctors who have become nurses. Six thousand of them (6,000) have left the Philippines mainly for the U.S. to work as nurses." Majority of these MD-nurses come from government hospitals, keeping the pool of United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) takers and residency seekers from new graduates relatively intact.
A coincident fall of medical student enrollment, as much as 40% in some schools, has caused the lack of physicians in the Philippines, but not so much in USA since it remains to be a favored job destination of Filipino health professionals for more than 50 years. What is astounding is even if Filipino IMGs are second to the Indians, their number is small---less than half of the latter.(Photo Credit: Jandentonchua) =0=
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Declining English proficiency, a cause of fewer hires among Filipino college graduates
The Philippines is relying heavily on its workforce to shore up the economy, but a recent evaluation of the Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (UACT,) a research arm of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce reveals that: “For every 100 applicants, only six to 10 percent are effectively recruited and deployed for an entry level job.” ----Philstar (03/22/09, Ronda, RA)
The main reason given why the Business process outsourcing (BPO) is having a hard time recruiting graduates from Philippine colleges and universities is the inadequacy in English proficiency. This is radical reversal of the Filipinos’ long-standing reputation of being good in English. It appears the country is now suffering the negative effects of its schizophrenic bilingual policy that continues to be a contentious issue in education. (Photo Credit: Atsibatsi) =0=
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“Filipinos rated most committed to work”
The “employee engagement” is supposed to be a measure of “commitment” and “drive” of a worker to achieve a company’s goal. It runs high among Filipinos. That’s according to a recent survey conducted on workers of some top corporations in the country by Watson Wyatt, a global consulting agency. At 77%, the employee engagement for the Philippines has improved from by 4% since 2007. The score is good among countries of the Asia-Pacific region!
Beating of China (66%,) India (75%), Indonesia (71%,) Thailand (72%,) and Malaysia (67%,) RP’s laudable score appeared in the Philipine Daily Inquirer (01/27/09, Dumlao, D)--- a business news item entitled “Filipinos rated most committed to work.”
I find the report flattering. Only the workers of top corporations have been included in the poll. The survey outfit admits there are no international standards to determine the socio-political and cultural factors that are unique for each country which may influence the score. Such limitations hardly dispel the doubts of readers.
Whatever this survey is worth, I like to know if there is any difference in the score of workers in the public sector compared to those who are in the government. It would have been better if all in the labor force (not only the corporate employees) were represented in the survey. It would have been more revealing if those in the farms and those employed abroad were included. The result might be more accurate in characterizing the “commitment” of the entire Filipino labor force. (Photo Credit: Bikoy; Neil Alderney 123)=0=
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When “tuyo” is fried in a high-rise apartment, the smell of gas leak and cadaveric decomposition becomes a legal problem
Gloria Lim and her husband Michael are in trouble. They are being sued for $75,000 by the nuns of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart congregation for violating a building rule that prohibits the cooking of “smelly food.” ---Philippine News / Philstar (01/15/08, Pastor, C)The NY Fire Department was called by building residents because of stench which emanated from the Lim’s 16th floor Manhattan apartment. The awful smell alarmed neighbors who thought there was a decaying body in the building. The firemen broke the door and found that the odor came from “tuyo”---- fried dried fish (herring or anchovy) which is a common breakfast food in the Philippines.
Cooking “ethnic” flood is a common problem particularly during winter months in high-rise buildings when doors and windows are generally shut tight. Any smell from a housing unit can be magnified and bother a lot of neighbors. Though others can tolerate smells of certain food, it is better such malodorous food must be avoided.
Gloria Lim, the pissed Filipina who has been in the US for 30 years must know better. She must be considerate to her neighbors who can’t take the peculiar smell of “tuyo.” The strong fishy odor which sticks to clothes is cumbersome to remove---entailing more laundry or visits to professional apparel cleaners. It is understandable that residents who haven’t experienced such an olfactory oddity from a peculiar food may panic believing that it’s from a gas leak that’s ready to explode or from a dead human body or animal decaying in the building. That’s precisely why buildings have rules to protect the common interest of residents. Cultural sensitivity and respect must be observed in communal living where people of different races stay together. (Photo Credit: Mando Rukot) =0=
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In war-battered Gaza, Filipinos mull on the price of working abroad
With no end in sight, the red-hot Israel-Palestinian conflict completes its second week on January 11, 2009 with nearly 900 reported dead and many more wounded, about half of them are innocent non-combatants of war. Regardless of which side we may be in the decades-long hostilities, the clear message is that racial intolerance, religious bigotry, and territorial disputes don’t bring any good.
The duplicity in the exercise of diplomacy, the use of terrorism, and the rejection of a two-state solution by hardliners remain as huge stumbling blocks in bringing peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. The interference of countries that benefit from an unstable Middle East is partly to blame.
Civilians living in the Gaza Strip are in a crossfire that disrupts their lives and threatens their survival. In the bloody exchanges of a protracted cycle of violence, the innocents bear undeserved suffering. Among them are workers and migrants from the Philippines who come to this troubled part of the world mainly for economic reasons.
We can only sympathize with our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who put their lives on line to seek ways to survive and help their families back home. We can only ask for the cessation of the killings---an immediate ceasefire which is unheaded at this time.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA,) 16 Filipinos have left the war-torn area and arrived in Manila. Of the 121 still left in Gaza, 69 expressed their desire to evacuate, but the fierce fighting prevents them to do so. It is uncertain if this number includes the illegal Filipinos workers who take risky jobs in the shadows.
This brings us to the problem of our government which sorely lags behind in helping the people to be self-sufficient back home. If jobs and economic opportunities exist in the country, then there are few reasons for our kababayans to insist working in dangerous places like the Middle East. The cost to pay for family separations, isolation, and loneliness is incalculable. It’s sad that our cash-strapped government is in a losing policy of sending Filipinos abroad for the money they’ll earn for the nation's economy. With no sign of stopping, our workers continue to suffer on their own, at times trapped in harm’s way.
Just to land a job, no matter how menial, has been a source of hope and pride among poor Filipinos who ignore the risks of travel outside the country. Yet, this is the reality of our society faces. Adding to the 10 million Filipinos already deployed abroad, a restless stream still wants to leave for the money.
The government must do better than what our officials think is good enough. There will be a season that host countries won't justly pay for the services of Filipinos. To keep the country economically alive there'll be a time when going abroad will be one of our most dreaded options. (Photo Credits: Aryty; Rusty Stewart x 7 photos) =0=
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Shrinking pan de sal doesn’t mean it’s economical
Filipinos will generally welcome pan de sal that is cheap even if it’s small. According to Simplicio Umali, Jr., the president of the Philippine Bakers Industry Group, bakers will shrink the bread further and sell it cheap. Members of the baker’s association agreed to make little pan de sals, probably next month.
The poor man’s bread at P1 peso will weigh only 20 grams, smaller than the regular pan de sal which is 30-35 grams sold for P3 pesos. The cost of a 600-gram bread loaf is pegged at P55.50.---Philstar (12/09/08, Osorio, E.)
Isn’t 20 grams too small? How much of the bread is air and how much is flour? Why try scrimping on the last indulgence of Filipinos who rely on the bread for breakfast and snacks? Most likely, smaller pan de sals will make people crave for more and perhaps spend more.
Whether this tiny bread prepared is nutritionally adequate to satisfy the hungry is unclear. Though affordable, a smaller version of the bread doesn’t mean it is economical. Making small bread pieces is labor-intensive and needs as much flour and packaging if it will be sold to satisfy. That’s why there are those who think keeping the regular-sized bread may still be a good idea.
When the bread becomes inordinately small, it’s expected to have low nutritional value. Shrunken and cheap, the bread will make the birds happy. Yet people with larger stomachs and bigger caloric needs may feel famished eating them. To compensate they'll need to eat more which costs as much as the regular bread, volume per volume. (Photo Credit: Oggi108; KDLig)=0=
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The legal immigration limbo & why playing by the rules is important
Mexican illegal immigrants in the United States range between 12 to 21 million. The problem is huge, but illegal immigration has taken a back seat away from the more important issues like the economy, homeland security and abortion.
The Republican and Democratic presidential candidates don’t focus on the immigration problem partly because they need the votes of immigrant-citizens. Both candidates have legalization plans for the gate-crashers of America whose number has become “unmanageable.” Obama has more perks for illegal aliens than McCain.
Against the wish of 75% of Americans, the country concedes that it can’t rationally keep the illegal aliens out. Many believe mass deportation isn’t a realistic option. In varying degrees, many politicians have become cozy with the illegal aliens mainly for their numbers and their votes (capacity to change the outcome of an election,) not because it is right thing to do.
In this backdrop people worldwide are waiting for their immigration papers to be adjudicated. Among them are those who have expected patiently for decades. They are frustrated with the extremely long wait. There are those who lose eligibility forcing them to change plans. Aging-out, marriage or death are among the reasons why others are unable to come. Some find ways to arrive illegally.
Abiding with the US immigration laws, those who apply for legal immigration obviously play by the rules. They deserve to be rewarded for siding with the law. Yet, in the waiting line, they are pushed aside.
Lacking fairness, their applications are decided slower than those of illegal aliens already in USA. Overstaying aliens enjoy the benefits of being in America way ahead of the legal applicants; they get higher priority in adjusting visa status.
Such injustice and disregard of standard rules are clearly illustrated in the visa delay shown in the November 2008 US visa bulletin issued by the USCIS. The waiting times to get an immigrant visa number from the Philippines under the 3rd and 4th preference family-based category is 17 years (05/08/91) and 22 years (03/22/86) respectively. They don't include the 6 months to 1 year time to iron out the requirements of immigration. That’s incredibly long time, but true!
Filipinos are distressed. With huge backlogs in various categories, the visas intended for them are allotted to legalize aliens who are already in USA. The sluggishness of the immigration process gives more incentive for people to slip unlawfully into the country's backdoor.
Think how polarizing these fixes are. It scares many law-abiding citizens when rules are tailored to suit a group at a disadvantage of another. Not only does the immigration service (INS) reward lawbreakers, they clearly frustrate the purpose of the legal family reunification enshrined in the immigration law.
The expedient decision favoring illegal aliens has been justified on humanitarian grounds, but UCIS/INS rarely gives this to those who have waited 20 years to become an immigrant. This is another area where the US tradition of fairness and compassion is wearing away. Americans have reasons to be worried of foreigners coming to USA who don't respect its laws. (Photo Credits: BHowdy; www.hedgerley.net; wanderingangel)
US STATE DEPARTMENT VISA BULLETIN, NOVEMBER 2008
FAMILY CATEGORIES PRIORITY DATES
--------Worldwide---China (PRC)---India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st-----05-01-02--- 05-01-02--- 05-01-02--- 09-15-92---05-01-93
2A----- 02-08-04--- 02-08-04--- 02-08-04--- 07-15-01---02-08-04
2B----- 01-15-00--- 01-15-00--- 01-15-00--- 04-22-92---06-15-97
3rd-----07-01-00--- 07-01-00--- 07-01-00--- 09-15-92---05-08-91
4th-----11-15-97--- 06-08-97--- 07-22-97--- 01-22-95---03-22-86
EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES PRIORITIY DATES
---------Worldwide---China (PRC)---India----Mexico----Philippines
1st--------Current---Current-------Current----Current---Current
2nd------- Current---06-01-04----06-01-03---Current---Current
3rd--------05-01-05---02-01-02---10-01-01---09-01-02---05-01-05
Unskilled---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03
4th--------- Current------Current-----Current----Current----Current
Religious----UA---------UA-----------UA----------UA---------UA (unavailable)
On Filipino’s support for McCain: “This goes deeper than ignorance.”
“Seventy (70) countries, two billion world citizens prefer Obama 4 to 1. Except Georgia and....the Philippines! It seems the majority Republican sentiments in this group are reflective of our origins. So what do we have in common with Georgia aside from being a small, poor and war torn country? Could it be the Catholic Conscience voter...? This was announced on CNN last night. I have never in my entire life felt so ASHAMED to be a Filipino. For this goes deeper than ignorance which can be cured. A nation of bigoted fools is hopeless... ‘---A FilAm Liberal Democrat (FLD)
I got the above blistering statements in my email from an egroup on Oct 22, 2008. I missed seeing that CNN show, but if true, FLD sounded exactly like first-lady wannabee Michelle Obama when she expressed scorn for her country early on in the campaign, only to be blunted by restraint to talk more about it.
Overtly secular, FLD can be accused of condescension for denouncing the “ignorance” of Filipinos who come from a "bigoted nation of fools." Antipathy and intolerance roil against those who don't share the media-backed liberal view of the democrats. I know FLD as a learned doctor who prescribes cure for Filipinos. Although her view is part of freedom’s guaranteed perks, it made me ponder why, to my surprise, many kababayans would prefer McCain over Obama. Sharing with you my humble opinion on this issue before the US Presidential Election day in an article to follow...to be continued...Abangan! (Photo Credit: byatis547)=0=
UPDATE: The continuation can be found on my blog dated October 30, 2008 entitled "Win or lose, after the election we go shopping." AFM
Filipinos in Style: 10 helicopters eclipses the bride in a fabulous wedding in Davao
Not often heard of in the economy-battered country like the Philippines, a fabulous wedding held on Saturday, October 18, 2008 brought a fleet of 10 helicopters to the Seagull Mountain resort in Davao City for the wedding of Jeliza Farah, the daughter of Pres. Sec. Jesus Dureza to Rodford Uy.
Two of the helicopters were said to be government-owned, the others private. There must be a lot of “ahs and ohs” from the poor folks in the village where the spectacular fly-by of the entourage occured. A banana magnate, a mining official, a prominent protestant pastor, and a host of Pinoy glitterati were in attendance in the wedding solemnized by the local archbishop. Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo, former Pres. Fidel Ramos and National Sec. Adviser Norberto Gonzales stood as sponsors. The local police, members of the military, and the Presidential Security Group had to be called to restrain the crowd.(Photo Credit: Salvan)=0=
After the nurse, enters the chef
With the oversupply of nurses and ever increasing demand for Filipinos to leave the country, the new career craze is to be a chef. From just one culinary school in 2000, the country suddenly has 400 cook schools. If no regulations of these schools are implemented there will thousands who will be exploited, just like the mushrooming of 400,000 licensed nurses who have no place to work.
"Chefs are the new rock stars now. Everyone wants to be a chef. When I started, there were hardly any culinary schools here ... And there was no chef, it was just the cook. When I got back, there are culinary schools everywhere," said Ian Padilla a Filipino chef at Parisian restaurant Tailevent. Reuters/ABS CBN News (09/30/08, Francisco,R.)
About 8,400 kitchen workers left for jobs abroad and 5,500 of them are chefs and cooks. The chef’s compensation abroad can be as high as $4,000/month compared to the usual salary of average Filipino workers which is about $220-320/month. With unemployment rate above 7%, the temptation to be an OFW is strong.
However, potential for victimization of Filipinos is obvious here. The government is prodded to work hard to create jobs, reprogam its labor plans to suit the needs of the nation. Otherwise more and more people will be forced to follow an estimated 50,000 and 230,000 workers who left in 2007 to be employed as maids and seamen respectively. This is in addition to the countless number who work in menial jobs such as welders, waiters, carpenters, drivers, plumbers, upholsterers, and other construction workers. Photo Credit: wayneandwax) =0=
Despite ban, 15,000 OFW’s work in Iraq
The ban against taking jobs in Iraq has not been heeded by those who seek work even in places that are dangerous. To date the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported 15,000 Filipinos had been employed in Iraq in defiance to the 2004 prohibition by DOLE after the abduction and release of truck drive Angelo de la Cruz. Malaya (09/27/08, Naval, G.)With high paying job offers that they can’t resist for they almost don’t have them in the Philippines, overseas foreign workers (OFW’s) sneak into Iraq from nearby Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Dubai to work, braving the perilous conditions of war.
Embarrassing the government, OFW’s defy orders and brush aside the dangers they put themselves into. In their desperation, they ignore the authorities, making the country’s laws meant to protect them, useless. The labor department has little choice, but to reconsider lifting the ban that lacks teeth and relevance. On top of it, the country must widen its job pool not only for returning OFW’s, but for those who are forced to look for employment abroad at the expense of being separated from their families. Many jobs offered to Filipinos are menial and those that have few takers. Dependence on other countries for these jobs is dangerous for the future of the nation. =0=
Charitable work by the poor, the rich and famous
Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are indeed so lucky. By being their handsome selves, as celebrities, they can earn millions. Their jobs may be as taxing as the regular workers, but their big earnings are assured. For charity like the $2 million they give to the Ethiopian children affected with AIDS and tuberculosis, they must be honored and appreciated.
Ethiopia ranks seventh among the world’s nations with the highest rate of tuberculosis. About1.7 million Ethiopians are infected with HIV, according to the World Health Organization (WHO.) Because of AIDS, up to a million children in Ethiopia have lost their parents.
"The money will be used to create a center for AIDS and tuberculosis-affected children in the capital city of Addis Ababa, and to help establish a program) program to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis," in a statement by the Global Health Committee (GHC) on September 15, 2008." AFP/Inquirer (09/16/08).
The remarkable deeds of Angelina and Brad who raise 6 children (3 are adopted,) must serve as inspirations to poor people as well. Even without money, persons who want to help society can partake of their time, energy, and ideas which can benefit the unfortunate in our midst.
In this week’s Time magazine (Sept. 22, 2008,) there is an article on ways to help the Americans. They aren’t exactly applicable to Filipinos, but from the basic principles, some insights can be learned and a course of action can be pursued. Charity doesn't always need money.
Twelve Money-wise Ways to Help the Philippines
1. Join groups that advocate honesty, transparency, and eradication of corruption in government. People with similar political, social, and religious convictions give strength to a cause and help unify the nation. Movements like Kaya Natin, Kawad Kalinga, and Philippine Red Cross inspire hope and action rather than despair and inaction.
2. Visit places to learn from other's way of life. Being with Mindanao Muslims for instance promotes understanding of socio-cultural beliefs and religion.
3. Don’t be idle at retirement. Working beyond retirement i.e. volunteering in church, schools, hospitals and prisons have dividends for the community. A 50-year old retiree has about 25 years more time to be productive.
4. Encourage public service in a barangay. Civics help strengthen the nation.
5. Be a Santa Claus beyond Christmas. Generous giving beyond families, relatives, and friends foster compassion.
6. Be active in PTAs and school activities. Volunteer to mentor a child. Education is an asset that's usually undervalued by children and their parents.
7. Set a day in a year to be with orphans, prisoners, disabled and the aged.
8. Incorporate your ideals into programs of action. People who render free service change lives and improve the communities they live in.
9. Take responsibility. Prepare for hard times rather than ignore them. Calamities like typhoons, fires, earthquakes, and even financial bankruptcies are occurrences that need preparation.
10. Elect honest leaders in government. You must learn from past politics which has brought indolence, mediocrity, thievery, and incompetence in government.
11. Follow the law.
12. Plant a tree; help build a community garden, and support the environment. =0=
“Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love?"---by Rev. Fulton J. Sheen
Beacons of hope & exemplars of the soul’s triumph
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The pessimists in us are not happy about 15 Filipino athletes coming to the Beijing Olympic Games. They think it’s a waste of time, money and effort sending the delegation with a dismal chance of winning. Yet considering the support we have for sports, it’s a wonder that we have a contingent of brave competitors willing to sweat it out for the glory and edification of the country.
Like Laos, Kiribati, Uruguay, Myanmar, Liechtenstein, Yemen, Zambia, and many others, Philippines went home wanting of an Olympic medal. But for sure all these countries are richer in experience and hope. To be part of a world where cultural differences is transformed into a gesture of friendly competitiveness is an accomplishment by itself.
To be the best in the field isn't everything. By our participation in the games, we affirm the universal aspiration for excellence and our desire to connect with people. By cooperating with China’s hosting of a tantalizing “coming out” party which wowed the world, we bouy up cooperation and friendship among nations. We demonstrate that winning and losing are life-realities that all of us must contend with.
We salute the cash-strapped people of Zimbabwe whose hyperinflation and economic hardships didn’t deter their athletes to bring home 4 medals. We admire Malaysia and the small West African country of Togo which brought a silver and bronze respectively.
Turbulent Georgia, which nurses wounds from separatist South Ossetia and suffers border conflict with neighbor Russia, won 6 medals. Moslem Iran, threatening Israel and the world with its nuclear program basked in victory with two well-earned medals. Our southern Asian partner Indonesia celebrates success from 5 impressive wins, one of them gold in badminton.
Amidst the dominance and superiority of the United States with 110 medals (eclipsing China in total number but not in the count for gold,) the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain with barely a million people produced for the first time a gold medal winner in track in field. Jamaica, a Carribean country of 2.5 million brought home a spectacular win of 11 medals, 6 of them gold. War-torn Afghanistan with a population less than half of the Philippines, won a taekwondo bronze in the 17-day grueling competition.
With 85 million of us, how come we’re lagging behind these countries? How come winning an Olympic medal seems to be so unreal--- a pipe dream for us? The answer probably lies in our attitude, endurance, and value judgment. We need to trust ourselves more. We must support and appreciate the sportsmanship of our athletes. We must believe in our capacity to win, stirring us to fight as a team and as an individual for our own self-fulfillment and survival.
The aspiration of humanity to excel and be part of a cause greater than its own is part of the Olympic tradition. In a time when we doubt ourselves if we can go beyond what others expect of us, our athletes stand as beacons of hope and exemplars of our soul’s triumph. Even if our athletes didn’t win, in the field of dreams, their hearts shine as bright as the torch and the gold of the Olympics.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FILIPINO OLYMPIC ATHLETES!
Eric Ang---Shooting; Ryan Paolo Arabejo---Swimming;
Daniel Coakley---Swimming; Henry Dagmil---Track & Field; Hidilyn Diaz----Weightlifting; Rexel Ryan Fabriga---Diving; Tshomlee Go---Taekwondo; Mark Javier---Archery; Miguel Molina---Swimming; Sheila Mae Perez---Diving; Mary Antoinette Rivero---Taekwondo;
Christel Simms---Swimming; Harry Tanamor---Boxing;
Marestella Torres---Track & Field; JB Walsh---Swimming. (PhotoCredits: AFP/NicolasAsfouri; Reuters/OlegPopov; Reuters/MikeBlake)=0=
The pessimists in us are not happy about 15 Filipino athletes coming to the Beijing Olympic Games. They think it’s a waste of time, money and effort sending the delegation with a dismal chance of winning. Yet considering the support we have for sports, it’s a wonder that we have a contingent of brave competitors willing to sweat it out for the glory and edification of the country.
Like Laos, Kiribati, Uruguay, Myanmar, Liechtenstein, Yemen, Zambia, and many others, Philippines went home wanting of an Olympic medal. But for sure all these countries are richer in experience and hope. To be part of a world where cultural differences is transformed into a gesture of friendly competitiveness is an accomplishment by itself.
To be the best in the field isn't everything. By our participation in the games, we affirm the universal aspiration for excellence and our desire to connect with people. By cooperating with China’s hosting of a tantalizing “coming out” party which wowed the world, we bouy up cooperation and friendship among nations. We demonstrate that winning and losing are life-realities that all of us must contend with.We salute the cash-strapped people of Zimbabwe whose hyperinflation and economic hardships didn’t deter their athletes to bring home 4 medals. We admire Malaysia and the small West African country of Togo which brought a silver and bronze respectively.
Turbulent Georgia, which nurses wounds from separatist South Ossetia and suffers border conflict with neighbor Russia, won 6 medals. Moslem Iran, threatening Israel and the world with its nuclear program basked in victory with two well-earned medals. Our southern Asian partner Indonesia celebrates success from 5 impressive wins, one of them gold in badminton.
Amidst the dominance and superiority of the United States with 110 medals (eclipsing China in total number but not in the count for gold,) the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain with barely a million people produced for the first time a gold medal winner in track in field. Jamaica, a Carribean country of 2.5 million brought home a spectacular win of 11 medals, 6 of them gold. War-torn Afghanistan with a population less than half of the Philippines, won a taekwondo bronze in the 17-day grueling competition.
With 85 million of us, how come we’re lagging behind these countries? How come winning an Olympic medal seems to be so unreal--- a pipe dream for us? The answer probably lies in our attitude, endurance, and value judgment. We need to trust ourselves more. We must support and appreciate the sportsmanship of our athletes. We must believe in our capacity to win, stirring us to fight as a team and as an individual for our own self-fulfillment and survival.
The aspiration of humanity to excel and be part of a cause greater than its own is part of the Olympic tradition. In a time when we doubt ourselves if we can go beyond what others expect of us, our athletes stand as beacons of hope and exemplars of our soul’s triumph. Even if our athletes didn’t win, in the field of dreams, their hearts shine as bright as the torch and the gold of the Olympics.CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FILIPINO OLYMPIC ATHLETES!
Eric Ang---Shooting; Ryan Paolo Arabejo---Swimming;
Daniel Coakley---Swimming; Henry Dagmil---Track & Field; Hidilyn Diaz----Weightlifting; Rexel Ryan Fabriga---Diving; Tshomlee Go---Taekwondo; Mark Javier---Archery; Miguel Molina---Swimming; Sheila Mae Perez---Diving; Mary Antoinette Rivero---Taekwondo;
Christel Simms---Swimming; Harry Tanamor---Boxing;
Marestella Torres---Track & Field; JB Walsh---Swimming. (PhotoCredits: AFP/NicolasAsfouri; Reuters/OlegPopov; Reuters/MikeBlake)=0=
Terror in Mindanao & the Move to Divide the Nation
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The Filipino-American President of the United States?
No sooner than former mayor Rudy Guiliani of New York (who rose to prominence for heroically managing the 911 terrorist attack of the Twin Tower) advised us that we must choose the candidate we can trust, I got this composite photo of a man from my email. (Photo Credit: KTphotografia) He has the striking hallmarks of success which represent how a US presidential candidate of Filipino-American descent may look. Like Barack Obama, the familiar gentleman doesn’t have any resemblance to the faces which grace the dollar bills of United States. He doesn’t have the skin tone, tall nose, and demeanor of ex-soldier-former POW John McCain either. But interestingly, he makes us smile and think for a while. He mixes flavors just like our cool halo-halo served with long spoons and tall elegant glasses.
Do you know this man?
Dressed in a dark power suit and a matching gray tie, he has the curly hairdo of Barack Obama, the moustache of top pugilist Manny Pacquiao, and the twinkle of a smile from a regular brown guy walking the streets of Manila. The azure bright sky auspiciously beckons behind him. It's the best clime for our presidential candidate---for the top job in Washington, DC.
Yet, what could be in his background, his mind, and ability to make us think he can be presidential? Is he the guy we can trust or is he the person we can repeat our history together? Eyeing the presidency starts with a dream, but it can end up with a nightmare as well.
During a visit to Philippines, Guiliani was a speaker in a Manila forum dubbed “Leadership in Times of Crisis.” He seemed well-informed about the politics in Manila so much so that he focused on a timely theme----a government we need must be principled, honest, transparent, and not obsessed with popularity. His advice was well-received by VIPs, executives, government men, think tanks, and business leaders whom he asked, “Who do you want that’s closest to the future for your country?” =0=
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