OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 005

2012-05-05T06:02:00.001+08:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More balay ofw

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 004

2012-05-05T06:00:00.001+08:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More ofw

OFW Ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 003

2012-03-04T02:05:00.000+08:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More bagong bayani

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 003
March 2012

INSIDE:

Bangkok in my mind by Emmanuel C. Roldan page 2-5
What really am I as an OFW by Gracia Amor page 6-7
A Mother’s Story by Eden R. Manabat page 8-11
Anita’s Kitchen by OFCI page 12-13
Domestic Workers: mga bayani by Raquel Padilla page 14-16
Be Proud of What You Are, and Who You Are! by Pan Adol page 18-20
Langhap-sarap ng Jollibee, at home muli sa Kuwait City by Marjorie Palma page 22-23
Pakikisama, a unique Filipino life skill by Mae Cayir page 24-25
Charmaine Clamor in Focus page 26-28 • OFW: What Keeps You Going? by Paul Pruel page 30-31
Pinoys Oppose Barcelona Consulate Closure by Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño page 34-37
Pinoy Smart Savers by by Alvin T. Tabanag page 38-41
Why a man must Save and Invest by Ernie D. Delfin page 42-44
Makata si Juan at si Maria page 46-47

LINKS:

@ issuu.com — http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_
@ Scribd.com — http://www.scribd.com/doc/83678159
@ WordPress.com — http://ofwakomagazine.wordpress.com/
@ Blogger.com — http://ofwakomagazine.blogspot.com/
@ Typepad.com — http://ofwakomagazine.typepad.com/
@ Twitter.com — http://twitter.com/ofwakomagazine/

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OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition is published by OFW ako
61 Kamagong Road, Pilar Village, Las Pinas City
+63 949 776 9282 * ofwako.magazine@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief: Dennis de Guzman

Contributors:

Kuwait: Marjorie C. Palma, Gracia Amor
KSA: Paul Pruel • Austria: Mae Cayir
Switzerland: Pan Adol
Spain Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño •
Russia: Eden R. Manabat
USA: Anita Sese-Schon, Nelson Paguyo, Ernie Delfin
Canada: Raquel Padilla
Philippines: Emmanuel C. Roldan, Alvin Tabanag

Layout & Design: Dennis de Guzman

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

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About the AUTHORS

AUSTRIA

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

SPAIN

Daniel Infante Tuaño took up Political Science and founded a Political Science organization almost 10 years ago at the University of the Philippines Manila. He has been writing news for almost a decade, taught some things and learned many things from people living with HIV-AIDS, urban poor, student groups and other sectors of the Philippine society. He finished a Master in International Cooperation and Development in Barcelona and now considers himself an ‘official’ immigrant, having experienced cleaning al fondo already clean houses and opening snappily wine bottles. He also gives free Spanish classes to Filipino immigrants through Centro Filipino and like all immigrants he dreams of a better future.

Kay S. Abaño worked as a Production Designer for film and advertising before leaving Manila for Madrid in 2004 to study a Master in Cinematography. She has since used the art of writing as a means of creative expression- for a couple of online articles on video art, some short stories, but mainly for her own film which she plans to direct sometime soon. Meanwhile, she teaches English for a living. She now lives in Barcelona, and spends her free time between the sea and the Filipino immigrant community.

SWITZERLAND

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

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

KUWAIT

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

Gracia Amor is a freelance writer and blogger, an awarded Best in Advocacy by Philippine Expat BlogAward PEBA 2011 and also a certified Guru/Moderator of OFW and Expat Forums. Ms. Gracia, an MBA, practicing Neuro-Linguistic Programming and mastering Web Developer, has been a writerbuff for decades. Her first book is already completed and will be released before the end of this year. She is also a member of Philippine Association of Counselors and Philippine Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals. Her knowledge of Blogging and writing – along with thebehind-the-scenes insights and personal anecdotes – make her well-known in blogosphere as the author of The Great Filipino Bloggers Slambook that is presenting facts of Bloggers with advocacy. She is CEO of MG Sage Business and Consultancy, Inc. in Philippines. Ms. Gracia is a passionate researcher of Universal law and Self-help books, having dedicated the half-decade amassing a personal library of over a thousand books. She is an eclecticreader as well a lover of life. She maintains a website, www.diarynigracia.com and blogs about different niches.

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Paul Pruel is a father of 3 for 25+years, OFW for 17 years +, a Blogger, sometimes a Poet, Self-motivated and Professional by experience. He goes by Paul or Pruel. He describes himself as: “I am friendly animal but can kick you off when it is needed. LOL. I have no specific areas where my writing will focus on. I write any subject that interest me under the merciless sun.” Paul’s favorite saying is: “Dream Big and don’t stop without giving it a chance to come true.”

CANADA

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

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Ernie Delfin, a CPA-entrepreneur in Southern California, is the founder & Charter President of the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club, under Districtr 3780,Quezon City, Philippines, an Assistant District Governor of District 5320, California. He has served also as President of the PICPA-Southern California Chapter and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County. He is also active in his Church as a member of the Pastoral Council, Peace andl Justice Ministry and a Volunteer in the Restorative Justice and Catholic Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Orange. His hobbies include writing, reading, playing chess and poker, biking, travelling and speaking before groups, especially youth groups. He has been writing his “The Metamorphosis” column in the San Diego based Asian Journal for almost 20 years.

Anita Sese-Schon was born in Pangasinan and grew up in Manila. Graduate of School of Commerce, Far Eastern University. She is married to a retired Naval Officer and they have been residing in Bremerton, WA. Anita is retired from a Utility Company in Washington State, has 3 children and 12 grandchildren. Anita resides in the Philippines 6 months out of the year to supervise advocacy of the OFCI. Her passion is COOKING.

PHILIPPINES

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

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

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SUMMARIES:

Bangkok in my mind by Emmanuel C. Roldan (Philippines)

Last year I visited Bangkok, the “City of Life”. It looks like Manila where the old and new cultures collide but with a different touch and ambiance of exotic Asia where Westerners are lured to discover. It is indeed a city busting with life because it is the center of trade and commerce and a prime tourist destination in Asia. Despite of the heated political climate obtaining in Thailand lately, where a regime is replaced by another through both violent and non-violent uprising just like our EDSA revolt, Bangkok is still a magnet for tourists. (p2-p5)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/2

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

Yes, I’m an Overseas Filipino Workers, one of the 11 million + working overseas according to OFW statistics and can be considered as temporary workers also at any given time. Still, I’m a part of Filipino Population around the world who eagerly works for the love of family. (p6-p7)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/6

A Mother’s Story by Eden R. Manabat (Moscow, Russia)

Motherhood is a full time career and a very tough profession. But being an Ofw mother is the toughest of all. It requires great courage to help her make it through all the life’s challenges. Going out abroad unintentionally, was the price to pay for a dream of a better future for her family. It is very rough road to be in this situation but sometimes we have no choice but to do this until we find a way to be together. I am an Ofw mom too and I know how it feels to be in the same shoes. (p8-p11)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/8

Anita’s Kitchen by Nelson Paguyo, OFCI (USA)

Anita’s Kitchen is a metaphor of ideas intended in the beginning as a book of Filipino recipes in their true original forms. It evolved into an adaptation of the Filipino cuisine in the author’s home State of Washington where ingredients usually are not available. (p12)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/12

Paksiw na Lechon by Anita Sese-Schon, OFCI (USA)

One of my favorite dish is the Paksiw na Lechon. An OFW family can easily be fed with a big portion of this dish or viand by cooking not from the left over lechon but buying a slab of broiled liempo. (p13)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/13

Domestic Workers: mga bayani para sa pamilya at para sa bayan by Raquel Padilla (Canada)

Katulong, Nanny, Caregiver, DH, Mutsatsa, Alipin, Maid. Ilan sa mga katagang ginagamit para sa mga katulad natin na nagtatrabaho sa bahay dito sa abroad.. Marami ang proud na ganito ang trabaho nila, pero may mangilan din namang nahihiya. Marahil pagod na. Pero ang ikinaiinis ko, yung mga taong mababa ang tingin sa atin. (p14-p16)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/14

Be Proud of What You Are, and Who You Are! by Pan Adol (Switzerland)

Many people compare themselves to others. And when they do, they sometimes feel anxiety, jealousy, self-pity, lost confidence and much less self-esteem. They think of themselves as a failure compared to others who they think are more successful than they are. But this really depends on how the person defines and measures success! Others feel edified, head-up-high, walking tall, proud, arrogant, “takbong-mayaman”! Knowing that he is better off than the other, richer, and more powerful, he looks down at him and belittles the person! But the happy and just person admonishes this saying: “Do not compare yourself to others because if you do, there will always be a greater and lesser person than you are!” (p18-p20)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/18

Langhap-sarap ng Jollibee, at home muli sa Kuwait City by Marjorie C. Palma (Kuwait)

Noong nakaraang taon ay pumutok ang balita na magbubukas muli ng Jollibee dito sa Kuwait, una itong inasahan noong Disyembre, subalit nagkaroon lamang ng katuparan noong nakaraang ika-25 ng Pebrero 2012. Katulad ng inaasahan, dumagsa ang maraming kababayan natin sa pagbubukas nito kahit pa medyo masama ang timpla ng panahon. (p22-p23)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/22

Pakikisama, a unique Filipino life skill by Mae Cayir (Austria)

Among the many traits that Filipinos can be proud of, pakiksama, is the one that not only has kept our compatriots afloat after leaving the seven thousand islands that make up home but has also made them shine wherever they have lived and worked, as I have been able to observe during the 37 years I have spent, since I left the Philippines at the age of 9 with my parents and siblings, traipsing across oceans and continents. When conflicts arise, as they do in all relationships, it is eventually through pakikisama that all the discord is relegated to its rightful place, leaving space for harmony. It is as if a magic potion of forgetfulness were sprinkled over whatever conflict there was. With the help of pakikisama, differences turn out to be similarities, bridged by understanding and tolerance. (p24-p25)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/24

Charmaine Clamor in Focus

Celebrated by The New York Times as “a gifted vocalist” and by The Los Angeles Times as “one of the important and original new jazz singers of the decade,” Filipino-American recording artist and cultural trailblazer Charmaine Clamor has earned her Queen of Jazzipino crown. (p26-p28)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/26

Overseas Filipino Workers: What Keeps You Going? by Paul Pruel (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

From the time I arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1994, the Philippines already had produced four presidents – from former presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the newly elected President Benigno Aquino III, still I am in this foreign lands strongly fighting for survival for my extended family and to my beloved country. My youth and strength are already deteriorating. I often feel some joint pains. And yet, still, I am here undecided to go home with other million Filipinos. (p30-p31)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/30

Pinoys on Facebook Oppose Barcelona Consulate Closure by Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño (Spain)

4000 members and counting. This is the number of Filipinos that comprises a group in Facebook, which opposes the closure of the Philippine Consulate in Barcelona. The group called “NO to Closure of Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona. YES to Pubic Service!“ was created last Monday, 23 January, and within just a week more than 3000 members have already joined. (p34-p37)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/34

Invest in your education by Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP (Philippines)

Last week I was in my usual spot at Burger King in SM City Dasmarinas editing the text of the last few chapters of my personal finance book. Behind me were three 20something guys each clutching a portable Sony Playstation. I stayed at Burger King for about 2 hours and the whole time the trio stayed in their seats excitedly hitting the buttons of their PSPs and giving out occasional “oohs” and “aahs;” apparently they were playing against each other. (p38-p40)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/38

The importance of saving by Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP (Philippines)

Building wealth requires that you consistently save money over the years. Besides being one of most effective ways way to achieve true wealth there are three other important reasons why every Filipino needs to save. (p40-p41)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/40

Why a man must Save and Invest by Ernie D. Delfin (USA)

Our education, experiences and memories are three things that we cannot bequeath to our heirs. When we die, all these “precious” things die with us and are gone forever. After living a half century on this planet Earth, as a precocious child of God, I have learned so much from the University of Hard Knocks --- many valuable life’s lessons which at this stage of my life, I feel now the urge to share with those I love dearly, including my many clients, friends and loyal readers. (p42-p44)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/42

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

A VERY SHORT STORY. A couple married early. The man liked his single days and continued to live as one. He would drink; ask money from the wife so he could drink more. When the wife cannot give, the husband would beat her up. (p45)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/45

Makata si Juan at si Maria (p46-p47)

LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/46

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TAGS: Domestic Workers, pakikisama, Savings, Divorce, Entrepreneur, Filipino, KAKKAMPI, Negosyo, OFCI, OFW, OFW ako, OFW ako T-shirts, Philippines, Pinoys, Charmaine Clamor, bagong bayani, bayani, Barcelona

OFW Ako Magazine OnLINE Edition Issue 002

2012-02-02T23:43:00.000+08:00

OFW Ako Magazine OnLINE Edition Issue 002

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 002
February 2012

INSIDE:

Its more fun in the Philippines: The fun of it by Robby Tantingco (Philippines) p2-p5

Health Corner: Better posture for optimum health p6-p7

Saint Valentine’s Day by Eden R. Manabat (Russia) p10-p11

Isang umaga ng isang OFW sa Moscow by Eden R. Manabat (Russia) p12-p13

Usapang Negosyo: The Entrepreneur’s Credo p14

Katas ng Saudi by Thaddeus C. Hinunangan (Philippines) p16-p19

Pinoys abroad rekindle Filipino traditional music in homeland by Emmanuel Roldan (Philippines) p20-p21

Surgeon gives tips on cancer prevention by Philip S. Chua (USA) p22

Paano kaya kung OFW si Itay? by Ian Albert Austria (Philippines) p24-p26

Edukasyon: Matatag na Pundasyon para sa Maunlad na Henerasyon! by Jenny Reyes (Kuwait) p28-p29

Man’s search for meaning: His Heroic Journey by Ernie Delfin (USA) p30-p32

MHC debunks study assailing competency and integrity of Philippine nurses by Marivir Montebon (USA) p34-p37

Is this what I want? by Thea Angelie Braga (KSA) p38-p40

Filipino Nurses: Export Quality p41

DIVORCE sa Pilipinas: AGREE or DISAGREE / Why? DISAGREE ang sagot ni Marjorie C. Palma (Kuwait) p42,p44
AGREE ang sagot ni Melody Casem-Hermosura (Kuwait) P43

Overseas Filipino Council International
My Country… My Kitchen … by Anita Sese-Schon (USA) p46
OFCI helped build a PRE-SCHOOL in Cava, La Union p47

Makata si Juan at si Maria
Puso ni Juan by Rein Eviota (UAE) p48
Writer's Plea by Leden Nedel Flores (Kuwait) p48
Anak by Rein Eviota (UAE) p49

Proud Owners of OFW ako T-shirts p50

Community Directory / Readers' Reactions p51

LINKS:

@ Scribd.com — http://www.scribd.com/doc/80240150/OFW-Ako-Magazine-OnLINE-Edition-Issue-002

@ WordPress.com — http://ofwakomagazine.wordpress.com/

@ Blogger.com — http://ofwakomagazine.blogspot.com/
@ Typepad.com --- http://ofwakomagazine.typepad.com/

@ Twitter.com — http://twitter.com/ofwakomagazine/

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition is published by

OFW ako
61 Kamagong Road, Pilar Village, Las Pinas City
+63 949 776 9282 * ofwako.magazine@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief: Dennis de Guzman

Contributors:

Kuwait: Marjorie C. Palma, Jenny Reyes, Leden Nedel Flores, Melody Casem-Hermosura

USA: Anita Sese-Schon, Marivir Montebon, Philip S. Chua, Ernie Delfin

UAE: Rein Eviota

KSA: Thea Angelie Braga

Russia: Eden R. Manabat

Philippines: Emmanuel C. Roldan, Robby Tantingco, Thaddeus C. Hinunangan, Ian Albert Austria

Layout & Design: Dennis de Guzman

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

About the AUTHORS

RUSSIA

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

KUWAIT

Jenny Reyes, MBA and a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Management major in Marketing. She hailed from the province of Cavite where she worked as College Instructor until she left for Kuwait in 2006. Currently, she is working as Management and Marketing Instructor at one Filipino Institute in Kuwait. She also belongs to the OFW AKO Community of Distributors in Kuwait.

Leden Nedel Flores is 26 years of age & the youngest among 5 siblings. She studied Architecture at WVSU Iloilo. After finishing her degree, she decided to become an OFW in 2006 to work a Domestic Worker in Kuwait. After completing her two contracts as a Domestic Worker, she decided to look for a job more suitable to her education. Leden is now working as a Landscape Planner for a Kuwaiti company.

Melody Casem-Hermosura, 30, is an OFW based in Kuwait where she has been working since 2007 when she signed her first contract. She knows how to speak Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Cantonese, English & Filipino. Before Kuwait, she also worked in Taiwan.

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

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Rein Eviota is a graduate of Bachelor of Science & Industrial Technology major in Mechanical Technology at (SSCT) Surigao State College of Technology. He is currently an OFW working in UAE as a Procurement Officer.

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Thea Angelie Braga, 25, is an NICU nurse at Sharourah General Hospital, KSA.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Marivir Montebon is based in New York City and is the Managing Editor of the Migrant Heritage (MH) Chronicle News Flash is under the Research, Information, and Publication Program of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC).

Ernie Delfin, a CPA-entrepreneur in Southern California, is the founder & Charter President of the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club, under Districtr 3780,Quezon City, Philippines, an Assistant District Governor of District 5320, California. He has served also as President of the PICPA-Southern California Chapter and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County. He is also active in his Church as a member of the Pastoral Council, Peace andl Justice Ministry and a Volunteer in the Restorative Justice and Catholic Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Orange. His hobbies include writing, reading, playing chess and poker, biking, travelling and speaking before groups, especially youth groups. He has been writing his "The Metamorphosis" column in the San Diego based Asian Journal for almost 20 years.

Dr. Philip S. Chua, a noted health columnist, writes weekly for four newspapers in the United States, three newspapers and one health magazine in the Philippines, and three websites on the internet. He is also the Chairman of the Filipino United Network—USA, a 501(c) (3) United States advocacy Foundation for good governance and responsible citizenship. Dr. Chua is married to a former classmate, Farida Isip Chua, MD, a retired Pediatrician. They have five children who are all physicians, and four of them married to physicians as well, all residing in the United States, with their ten grandchildren.

Anita Sese-Schon was born in Pangasinan and grew up in Manila. Graduate of School of Commerce, Far Eastern University. She is married to a retired Naval Officer and they have been residing in Bremerton, WA. Anita is retired from a Utility Company in Washington State, has 3 children and 12 grandchildren. Anita resides in the Philippines 6 months out of the year to supervise advocacy of the OFCI. Her passion is COOKING.

PHILIPPINES

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

Robby Tantingco is a graduate of St. Louis University, Baguio City, currently AVP for Student Affairs and Services of Holy Angel University, Angeles City and Director of Center for Kapampangan Studies.

Thaddeus C. Hinunangan is a nurse and a medical student at the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Memorial Foundation in Tacloban City.

"Ian Albert Austria is the lazy blogger behind http://ako.iantamad.com (previously www.emotero.com), his personal blog. He was too lazy to detail out this author box.” - Ian A.

SUMMARIES

Its more fun in the Philippines: The fun of it by Robby Tantingco, SunStar Pampanga (Philippines)

What a difference one sentence can make! All it took Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. was six words and one punctuation mark, and he changed the national conversation from why Corona should be impeached to why it’s more fun in the Philippines. And he also revolutionized the way we look at tourism in this country. He kept his promise to make tourism “the people’s business” by getting everyone, not just the Department of Tourism, involved in the campaign, and making their involvement a lot of fun. (p2-p5)

Health Corner: Better Posture for Optimum Health

If you are eating right and working out regularly, then chances are you are in good health. You think you are doing the best you can, but what you might be missing though, is one often-overlooked key to health: good posture. Good posture can improve your overall health, giving you extra energy, as well as making you look more confident and attractive to others. (p6-p7)

Saint Valentine’s Day by Eden R. Manabat (Moscow, Russia)

Love is in the air on this month of Love. Falling hearts, striking cupids and sweet romances. Nowadays, February 14 has become characteristic of the Valentine’s Day which is closely associated with mutual exchange of love notes in the form of greeting cards. It is a magical day and has come to be celebrated in all corners of the world. Different roots are attributed to the beginning of the year’s most romantic day. It is safe to say, that the evolution of the modern day Valentine’s Day can be traced to Saint Valentine who was jailed by the Roman Emperor Claudius in the 3rd century A.D. the day’s patron saint. (p10-p11)

Isang umaga ng isang OFW sa Moscow by Eden R. Manabat (Moscow, Russia)

Ala sais ng umaga. Bagong taon ko sa Russia na malayo ulit sa aking pamilya. Oras ng aking panalanging pang umaga sa ating Poong Maykapal. Masakit ang aking ulo,masama ang pakiramdam ko at grabe ang ubo at sipon ko. Malamig ang paligid.Napakalamig. Walang humpay ang pagbagsak ng snow. Puti na ang kapaligirang animo’y paraisong puti na nababalutan ng luntiang bulak ng dahil sa yelo. (p12-p13)

Usapang Negosyo: The Entrepreneur’s Credo

Like an EAGLE I choose to soar to the highest heights for a view unknown by the vast majority of others. I do not choose to be a common person. It is my right to be uncommon. (p14)

Katas ng Saudi by Thaddeus C. Hinunangan (Philippines)

One of my earliest memories of childhood was snuggling close to my mother in a narrow, windowless corridor. The massive engine of the ship taking us to Manila hummed incessantly. The steel walls and the small improvised cot made from a thick sheet of plastic mounted on a wooden frame seemed to vibrate. My father was sitting nearby, trying to sleep amidst the noise. (p16-p19)

Pinoys abroad rekindle Filipino traditional music in homeland by Emmanuel C. Roldan (Philippines)

MUSIC is a universal language that traverses national boundaries and cultural eccentricities. It is often associated with arts, beauty, friendship and harmony of peoples of all ages and backgrounds. For generations music is known for its properties to alleviate stress, to enliven weary spirits and to forge peace and unity amongst warring groups. The Bible also echoes the songs of joy, hope, lamentation and suffering of the chosen people of God before and during their long journey to the land of promise. (p20-p21)

Surgeon gives tips on cancer prevention by Philip S. Chua (USA)

A new health “book of wisdom,” which was recently released by Xlibris publishing company in the United States, points out that “most of the cancers known to man today are self-induced through abuse of our body, and are, therefore, preventable to a great extent.” (p22)

Paano kaya kung OFW si Itay? by Ian Albert Austria (Philippines)

“Ano, tara na ba?” tanong ko kay tita, habang nagduduyan sya hawak ang maganda nitong cellphone, tila nag iintay ng tawag. “Wala pa e, di pa tumatawag, maya maya pa siguro.” sagot naman nya. Bihis na ako nun. Tapos sila, pati yung mga pinsan ko na iba, hindi pa paligo. Nauna pa ako, nagmukha tuloy na mas eksayted pa ako kesa sa kanila. Hindi naman talaga, ayaw ko lang maiwanan. Di ko naman akalain na madedelay ang pag alis namin. (p24-p26)

Edukasyon: Matatag na Pundasyon para sa Maunlad na Henerasyon! by Jenny Reyes (Kuwait)

Ang Kaalaman ay isang kayamanan na taglay ng tao na hindi mananakaw ninuman, bagay na madadala saan man magtungo at magagamit anumang oras na naisin. Ang kaalaman ay itinuturing din na daan sa tagumpay at susi sa mas magandang kinabukasan. Sa kabilang banda, may isang malaking katanungan… saan ba nagmumula ang taglay na kaalaman ng mga matatagumpay na tao? Obserbasyon, Ekspiryensya, o Edukasyon? Lahat ng ito ay pinagmumulan ng KAALAMAN. At ayon sa pananaliksik at masusing pag-aaral, may pinakamalaking porsyento ang Edukasyon sa bumubuo ng taglay na kaalaman ng mga mamamayan. (p28-p29)

Man’s search for meaning: His Heroic Journey by Ernie Delfin (USA)

Every person who has some knowledge of the Bible would know the bitter-sweet story of the prodigal son (Luke l5:11-32) Each human being, including this columnist, most likely will have his own “heroic journey” , like the prodigal son, who “left home” for whatever personal reasons that compelled him to do so, then lived in another place where he experienced many things, both good and bad, that eventually “changed” him as a person. Then for another set of reasons, he decided to “return home” and coming home a completely a “changed man!” In some journalistic parlance, each one of us, human beings, may also have experienced or undergone such a “heroic journey.” I think I have also undergone such “mid-life crises” (for a lack of a better word) phenomenon that I still do not fully understand but has accepted it as a part and parcel of life on earth. (p30-p32)

MHC debunks study assailing competency and integrity of Philippine nurses by Marivir Montebon, MHC Managing Editor (USA)

New York -- On several occasions, strangers would ask me if I was a nurse when they realize that I am Filipino. Of course, I would say no, because I am not. And usually, the next question is, what do you do then. That is when I want to roll my eyes already. Nevertheless, I say, I am a writer. And interestingly, the answer would be a “wow!”. If I was perhaps a nurse, these strangers would likely say, you must be big time! Two things: Filipinas are stereotyped to be nurses and because they are, they earn very good money. The second assumption is definitely closest to the truth. (p34-p37)

Buhay OFW sa Saudi: Is this what I want? By Thea Angelie Braga (Saudi Arabia)

At 25, I am still young. And I am in the Middle East. Every morning when I wake up, I try to convince myself that this is what I want. By “this” I mean being an overseas Filipino worker. Before I left the country, which must have 100 nurses per square kilometer, I had a job that most of the jobless nurses I knew wanted. I was a staff nurse in one of the best—if not the best—hospitals and the newest of its kind in the Philippines. Talk about the highest standards of care, excellent customer service, high-end equipment, sophisticated structure, excellent human resources support, and of course, prestige, they have it. (p38-p40)

Filipino Nurses: Export Quality

The World Health Organization has cited the Philippines as the largest exporter of Registered Nurses to foreign countries. Filipino nurses can be found everywhere around the world --- in the big cities of United States and England, in urbanized centers of Europe and Asia, in the far corners of Africa and South America, in remote desert clinics in the Middle East, in offshore rigs on the China Sea. The latest statistics show that about 250,000 Filipino nurses are working all over the world. This phenomenon was noted in 1985, continues today, and will be for so many years. (p41)

DIVORCE sa Pilipinas: AGREE or DISAGREE / Why?

DISAGREE! ang sagot ni Marjorie C. Palma

Ang DIVORCE ay pagsasawalang bisa sa KASAL. Ang KASAL ay ginaganap sa simbahan, ito ay hindi simpleng seremonyas lamang kundi habang buhay na pananagutan sa taong pakakasalan mo. Ang DIVORCE ay sa pamahalaan. Bakit ka nagpakasal sa simbahan at pupunta ka sa pamahalaan pagdating ng hiwalayan? Hindi ka nagpakasal para ipakita lamang sa taong bayan na ikaw ay kasal na. Hindi rin pamahalaan ang nagbuklod sayo sa taong Mahal mo. (p42,p44)

AGREE! ang sagot ni Melody Casem-Hermosura

Iba na po ang panahon natin ngayon, maraming dahilan kung bakit nag hihiwalay ang mag asawa. Hindi rin mapigil ng simbahan at ng ating gobyerno kung sila’y maghihiwalay na. Ang iba ay nagpapamilya ng iba kaya dumadami tuloy angmga bata na ipinanganak sa labas ng kasal. Kung ang mag asawa ay talagang hindi na magkasundo bakit hindi sila pwedeng mag hiwalay ng tuluyan o mag divorce ng sa ganun maging malaya sila pareho. Meron naman po tayong batas para naman sa mga bata at ang kanilang mga karapatan di po ba? (p43)

Overseas Filipino Council International

My Country… My Kitchen … by Anita Sese-Schon (USA) Food is the heart of Filipino life and politics. Everything else is secondary…Creating a better country and people is like cooking up a good recipe. There are good cooks as well as there are bad cooks. One may have the most educated, most talented, most enthusiastic, most dedicated people to exploit to make a better country but if the system fails to bring out the right leaders to harness these human resource…we will still have the worst country in the universe. (p46)

OFCI helped build a PRE-SCHOOL in Cava, La Union Overseas Filipino Council International (OFCI), through its Education Committee and as approved by the BOG, entered into a partnership with Lorma Colleges National Service Training Program to help a poor barangay at Liquicia, Caba, La Union build and maintain a pre-school. OFCI provided financial support for the building materials of the preschool and for the monthly honorarium of the teacher. The barangay officials and parents built the school on a former stage of the barangay auditorium and basketball court. (p47)

Makata si Juan at si Maria (p48-p49)

PUSO NI JUAN by Rein Eviota (p48)

Makulay ang buhay kung
ang pag-ibig mong taglay
ay wagas at walang humpay
pero kung ito’y laro lang
baka ika’y mapaso
at maging peklat na di matago
…

WRITER’S PLEA by Leden Nedel Flores (p48)

I want to write but i lack ink
My heart is drained but my heart is over flowing;
I am preoccupied but i cant think,
Still my desire is to write anything.
…

ANAK by Rein Eviota (p49)

Simula ng ika’y dumating
buhay ko’y nagising
sapagkat pangamba’t ligaya ang nadarama
at di alam kung pano ba
gagampanan ang maging ama
na minsa’y di ko inakala
pero ako’y tuwang tuwa
dahil ngayon lang nadarama
ang kakaibang saya
…

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 001

2012-01-15T10:55:00.000+08:00

OFW Ako Magazine - OnLINE Edition - 001

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 001
January 2012

INSIDE:

OFWs bringing Christmas cheers for Lumad kids by Emmanuel C. Roldan p2-p5

Health Corner: Eating Fruits p6-p7

General Guidelines for a Filipino Forum in your Area by S. Z.Respicio, Jr. & PA Escalante p8-p9

The Filipino Forum: the FILAM Experience by S. Z.Respicio, Jr. p10-p13

Mga Bagong Bayani – “Nagsusumikap para sa sariling pamilya at upang makatulon g sa kapwa.” by Marjorie C. Palma p14-p17

The Event that Shook the Nation by Mark Shera C. Cruz p18-p19

Hay …. Buhay Abroad Talaga p20-p22

Ang Huling Pasko ng magkakaibigan by Melody Casem p23

Makata si Juan at si Maria by Rein Eviota p24-p25

Proud owners of OFW ako T-shirts p26

Community Announcements p27

LINKS:

@ Scribd.com --- http://www.scribd.com/doc/77086363/OFW-Ako-Magazine-OnLINE-Edition-001

@ Wordpress.com --- http://ofwakomagazine.wordpress.com/

@ Blogger.com --- http://ofwakomagazine.blogspot.com/
@ Typepad.com --- http://ofwakomagazine.typepad.com/
@ Twitter.com --- http://twitter.com/ofwakomagazine/

OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition is published by

OFW ako

61 Kamagong Road, Pilar Village, Las Pinas City

+63 949 776 9282 * ofwako.magazine@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief: Dennis de Guzman

Contributors:

Kuwait: Marjorie C. Palma, Melody Casem

USA: Mark Shera C. Cruz,

UAE: Rein Eviota

Philippines: Emmanuel C. Roldan

Layout & Design: Dennis de Guzman

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

About the AUTHORS

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

S. Z.Respicio, Jr. is a Consulting Engineer of Mines, who moonlit as a Small Business Consultant while peddling used and new luxury cars, and join the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce in San Diego County. He created the TOBY Awards of FACC, The Outstanding Business of the Year of FACC-SDC recognizing leaders in the Filipino American business, whether members to non-members of FACC-SDC.

Mark Shera C. Cruz is a native of Montalban, Rizal where he also served as a public school teacher until he left for USA in 2008, to join the Filipinos working overseas. Currently, he is a physics instructor at Garden City Sesnior High School, Kansas, USA and has been working for the district for three years. (e-mail: mark_admu@yahoo.com)

Rein Eviota is a graduate of Bachelor of Science & Industrial Technology major in Mechanical Technology at (SSCT) Surigao State College of Technology. He is currently an OFW working in UAE as a Procurement Officer.

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

SUMMARIES

OFWs bringing Christmas cheers for Lumad kids
by Emmanuel C. Roldan (Philippines)

DAVAO City—Christmas is gift-giving. As children, we are taught in our basic catechesis that Christmas is the birthday of the Lord Jesus who was sent by the Father to redeem the world. He is the biggest gift God has given to the world as beautifully written in the Holy Book, “He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son”. As God was the first giver of gift we are told to respond in our little ways.

HEALTH Corner: Eating Fruits

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It’s not so easy as you think. It’s important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS!
FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

General Guidelines for a Filipino Forum in your Area
by Saturnino Z. Respicio, Jr. & P.A. Escalante

The Filipino Forum (FilForum) is not a formal organization or association. It is designed to allow participants from diverse backgrounds to meet with other Filipinos, other nationalities and friends, eat a Filipino style breakfast and to discuss issues that concern the Filipino community in a certain area or to touch on topics that are important to the Philippines.

How The Filipino Forum came about: the FILAM Experience
by Saturnino Z. Respicio, Jr.

December 1985 – the Filipino-American Community in San Diego County, California was under siege from bad publicity in the American mainstream press, due to some financial hocus focus by a certain individual(s) of a then Executive Director of the Council of Pilipino-American Organizations of San Diego County; a group of four mulled over how to overcome the situation.

The four: Cecilio Remotigue of Cebu, Oscar Benoya of Cavite, Pat Ambrosio of Sampaloc, Manila, and “Sam” Respicio of Singalong, Manila and Baguio City.

Mga Bagong Bayani – “Nagsusumikap para sa sariling pamilya at upang makatulon g sa kapwa.”
by Marjorie C. Palma

Pangunahin sa ating mga layunin kaya nag-aabroad ay upang matustusan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga sariling pamilya na naiwan sa Pilipinas. Ang ilan ay nagsisimula sa mababang sahod at mahirap na trabaho. Pinipilit malampasan ang anumang unos para lamang maisalba ang naghihirap na pamilya. Nagtatrabaho ng higit pa sa 8 oras, ang ilan naman ay nagpa-part time pa kahit pa ito ay ipinagbabawal ng batas sa ilang lugar, katulad na lang dito sa Kuwait. May mga nakausap akong guro at accountant na naging “kasambahay” o “kadama”. Marami nang naisulat tungkol dito. Lahat ay may kanya-kanyang istorya. Nakakalungkot pero kung mapapansin ay puno ng pag-asa.

The Event that Shook the Nation
by Mark Shera Cruz, USA

Ten days after the great flood that claimed the lives of almost a-thousand residents of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City many are still searching for their relatives and loved ones having high hopes to be reunited with them. The moment I saw the pictures on the internet I felt I was stabbed on my heart and broke out into tears as if I lost my loved ones too. A death caused by an illness or a terminal disease might be easier to accept, but a death which could have been prevented is more painful and hard to accept. Seeing your loved ones being washed away by the turbulent flood is a morbid situation.

Hay .... Buhay Abroad Talaga

An OFW going by the name “Maeng Ni” expressed his views about life of an OFW abroad.
Akala ng mga tao na nasa Pilipinas kapag nasa DUBAI ka akala nila madami ka ng pera ng langis. Ang totoo, madami kang utang, dahil credit card lahat ang gamit mo sa pagbili mo ng mga gamit mo. Kailangan mo gumamit ng credit card Kasi naubus na ang cash pinadala sa pinas, kase pag hindi ka nagpadala, iisipin nila nakalimutan mo na sila. Akala nila mayaman ka at marami kang pera kasi buwan-buwan libolibo padala mo walang palya at kapag pumalya iisipin nila baka nagbisyo ka na o may sinusustentuhang iba. Hindi nila alam food allowance na lang ang natitira sayo at pag kinulang pa umuutang pa at lista muna sa malapit na bakala.

Ang Huling Pasko ng Magkakaibigan ‘08
by Melody Casem

‘07. july ng dumating ako ng kuwait. 1st time ako @ sobrang homesick dahil malayo sa pamilya. mahirap ang trabaho @ mababa ang sahod. dahil me day off ako me mga nakikilala akong mga kaibigan, mga kapwa ko dh na katulong ng kapatid ng amo ko. sa dios, anak, pamilya @ kaibigan ako kumukuha ng lakas sa araw araw. masaya akong nakakatulong @ ganun din sila sa akin. marami akong naging kaibigan iba’t ibang lahi.