OFW Kabayan - guides and information (samo't sari)

OFW guide: What to do if someone you know was sexually abused (July 18, 2012 4:30pm)

2012-09-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

By - Veronica Pulumbarit/AM, GMA News

After the story of a Filipina who was raped by a Saudi Arabian man and his son circulated on social media sites, Philippine officials urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to be more prudent on what they post on Facebook, Twitter, and other sites.

The Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Monday urged "all Filipinos in the Kingdom and their families in the Philippines to refrain from broadcasting through social media platforms or other means sensitive information regarding ongoing cases as it may compromise efforts by concerned authorities."

"The Embassy encourages all Filipinos to instead contact the Embassy directly at atn@philembassy-riyadh.org for reports on similar cases," it added.

Saudi cops are currently hunting down the Saudi father and his son who allegedly raped the Filipina.

The embassy said the "Filipina expressed dismay for the widely-circulated reports regarding her case. She was saddened by the loss of her privacy and that of her family in the Philippines."

Some things people can do

Pandora's Project , a site dedicated for survivors of rape and sexual abuse, said friends, parents, and partners of survivors are considered as "secondary survivors."

"Knowing that someone you care about has been hurt may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Oftentimes both survivors and their supporters struggle with feeling helpless in the aftermath, and it can take some time to learn how to respond," the site said.

"For many survivors, support is a crucial part of the healing process, and receiving compassionate and validating responses from friends and family can make a real difference," it added.

What to say

For those who know someone who has survived rape or sexual abuse, Pandora's Project suggested saying reaffirming words such as:

I'm sorry that this happened to you.

It was not your fault.

You survived. You clearly did the right things.

Thank you for sharing this with me.

If you want to talk, I'm always here for you.

Is there something that you would like me to do for you?

What not to say

On the other hand, Pandora's Project said these are some of the things that people should NEVER tell a survivor:

It was your fault that you were raped (or abused).

You could have avoided it.

It happened a long time ago. Get over it!

You wanted it to happen.

It's not a big deal.

Other suggestions

Ask if the person wants to be hugged or touched. Some survivors crave for a hug but others cannot stand being touched.

Comfort the survivor. "Bring a cup of tea and a blanket. Play soft music. Make the environment comfortable," Pandora's Project suggested.

Don't try to solve all of the survivor's problems but help him or her avoid such situations in the future.

Do not demand to know all the details of the abuse or rape.

Advice for rape victims

The website of the US advocacy group hopeforhealing.org said rape victims should not be ashamed of what they have experienced.

“Any shame that you feel is shame that belongs to the attacker and not to you,” the site explained.

The site also offers advice about the steps that rape victims can take:

(1) As soon as possible, go to an area where you will be safe.

(2) Call for help.

(3) Go to a hospital to check for injuries even if you do not intend to prosecute your abuser. “Sometimes injuries aren't always immediately apparent,” the site said.

(4) “Do not change your clothes(especially if you think you might file charges). Don't comb your hair, shower, use the bathroom (if possible) or change anything about yourself, until after you've had an examination by a doctor. Valuable evidence can be destroyed even by something as simple as drinking water or going to the bathroom,” it added.

(5) Be ready to answer difficult questions if you report the crime to the police. “The questions are designed to aid in the prosecution but can seem intrusive at the same time,” it said.

Kwentong Kapuso: OFW mom shares pain of not being with her children

2011-12-16T03:43:00.000-08:00

Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Roshane Lopez shares the pain of not being with her children -- especially her Bunso -- as they are growing up. In her story, she hopes to make non-OFW parents realize that their children are luckier than hers in the sense that they have their whole family at home for Christmas.
Malapit na naman ang Pasko. Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko na mangulila sa mga taong mahalaga sa akin na nasa 'Pinas. Hindi pa rin kumpleto ang buhay ko kahit na masasabi kong medyo naabot ko na ang karera na gusto ko.

Miss na miss ko na ang mga anak ko. Pang-apat na Christmas na ito na 'di ko sila nakakasama. Palaging isang malaking kahpon ang kapalit ko sa araw ng Pasko -- isang kahong puno ng laruan, sapatos, damit, at kung anu-ano pang bagay na nabili ko para sa dalawang anak ko. Lahat ng naiisip ko na alam ko'ng magugustuhan nila, binibili ko agad, kahit pa wala nang matirang budget para sa'kin.

Nasa isip ko palagi kasi gusto ko'ng maging masaya sila sa Pasko at 'di nila maramdaman na wala ako. Ilang pares ng damit ba ang naibigay ko kay Bunso? Dalawang relos para sa magkabilang kamay niya? Dalawang sapatos para sa dalawang paa? Tatlong sumbrero para sa isang ulo niya? Samu't saring laruan na 'di na niya alam kung ano ang uunahing laruin? Isang kahong chocolate?

Palaging sobra ang ibinibigay ko sa kaniya -- sobra sobra palagi. Ayaw ko kasing magkulang ano man ang gusto niya. Naiisip ko lang na baka sakaling mapunan nu'n ang pagkukulang ko sa kaniya sa araw ng Pasko, 'yung walang "Mommy" sa loob ng apat na taon. Kahit papaano, gusto ko'ng maramdaman niya na wala man si Mommy, maraming sobra sa inaasahan niya.

Maraming blessings ang dumating sa buhay ko ngayong taon na ito. I could say that I'm blessed kasi God gives me more reason to stay here at paglingkuran ang mga taong nagtiwala sa'kin.

Pero blessed nga ba talaga ako? Sa karera ng buhay siguro, pero sa buhay ng mga anak ko, isa lang ang ibig sabihin nu'n -- dalawang taon ulit silang mangungulila sa akin, mabubuhay nang walang nanay na gagabay sa kanila.

Ilang beses na ba akong absent sa recognition? Sa field trip sa schools? Meetings ng mga parents? Alam kong naiintindihan nila kung bakit ako nandito sa malayo, pero ang masakit na katotohanan ay kung ano man ang nawalang panahon at oras na 'di nila ako nakasama ay 'di ko na maibabalik pa. I can't bring back the times na umiiyak sila kasi inaway ng kaklase nila. 'yung mga pagkakataong nadapa si Bunso at walang ako du'n para i-kiss ito para mawala ang sakit. Mahirap, malungkot, nakakadurog ng puso na kailangan mong gawin ang isang bagay hindi dahil gusto mo kundi dahil kailangan para din sa ikabubuti nila.

Lagi akong naiinggit kapag nakikita ko ang mga larawan sa Facebook ng mga magulang na kasama sa special events ang mga anak nila. Inggitera na kung inggitera. Though naranasan ko naman ito sa panganay kong anak, mas nalulungkot ako kay Bunso na 'di man lang nakaranan na mabantayan ko sa school. Hindi man lang niya naramdaman ang presence ko 'pag may mga pagdiriwang sa eskuwela niya.

Mas masuwerte ba siya kaysa sa mga anak ninyo? Mas masuwerte nga ba siya dahil anak siya ng OFW? Hindi ko mapigilang isipin at makunsensiya na iniwan ko ang isang bata sa Pilipinas para magtrabaho dito sa malayo. Mabuti si Ate niya, may sarili nang mundo. Tatakbo lang sa mga kaibigan niya at mag "Aleluya Amen" sa church niya ay tapos na ang pangungulila niya. Pero si Bunso -- isang pitong taong gulang na batang lalaki na mag-isang lumalaban sa araw-araw na buhay nang walang nanay at tatay paggising sa umaga.

Ito ang takbo ng isa sa mga usapan namin:

AKO: Anak, nagustuhan mo ba ang mga pinadala ko sa'yo?

BUNSO: Opo, Mommy. Nagustuhan ko po lahat.

AKO: Ano ba ang pinakagusto mo sa lahat ng naibigay ko sa'yo?

BUNSO: 'yung relo po kasi may calendar siya. 'di ba sabi mo sa March ka uuwi?

AKO: Oo, anak. At ise-celebrate natin ang birthday mo kahit tapos na pagdating ko diyan.

BUNSO: Yehey! Kaya nga, Mommy, binibilang ko sa calendar kung gaano pa 'yun katagal eh.

AKO: Malapit na 'yun anak, uuwi na diyan si Mommy.

BUNSO: Babalik ka pa diyan?

AKO: Oo, anak. Kailangan ni Ate mag-aral sa college. Kailangan pa ni Mommy mag-stay dito.

BUNSO: Ah, pero matagal pa ulit bago ka babalik dito?

AKO: Anak, basta hintayin mo si Mommy kasi uuwi na ako ulit. Makakatabi mo na ako sa pagtulog.

BUNSO: Yehey!

Ang Pasko daw ay para sa mga bata, pero para sa'kin, ang Pasko ay para sa pamilya. Hindi mahalaga ang materyal na bagay na maibibigay ninyo sa inyong mga anak. The most important thing is how you love and cherish them dahil biyaya sila ng Panginoon.

Gusto kong yakapin si Bunso sa Pasko. Gustung gusto ko'ng sabihin sa kaniya'ng nandito ako para sa kaniya. Gusto kong sabihin na alam ko'ng 'di sapat ang isang balikbayan box kapalit ng pagmamahal ko bilang nanay niya.

Pero pansamantalaga, magbibilang pa ulit ako ng tatlong buwan para mayakap ulit si Bunsoy. Sabi ko sa ninang niya, 'wag na siyang regaluhan sa Pasko. Bigyan na lang niya ka'ko ng mahigpit na yakap ang anak ko para maramdaman niya kahit papaano na may nagmamahal sa kaniya this Christmas.

Merry Christmas to everyone. Ishini-share ko lang ito sa inyo dahil I know everybody is busy buying things para sa Pasko. I want to remind everyone that the true essence of Christmas is to give love. Mas masuwerte pa rin ang mga anak ninyo dahil kumpleto ang pamilya nila sa Pasko. Give thanks to God for that blessing.
- RJMD/HS, GMA News

Many Saudi Companies Not Complying with Saudization Policy

2011-12-16T03:04:00.000-08:00

Saudi Arabia, the top destination of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) started implementing Saudization or the Nitaqat system last June, a policy that aims to prioritize the hiring of Saudi citizens over foreign workers. However, after six months of implementation, labor officials in Saudi are saying that Saudization is so far a failure.

In fact 50% of private companies in Saudi are non-compliant with the scheme despite warnings that they would not be issued new work visas. This information appeared in an article in Emirates 24/7, a news site based in Dubai, UAE.

Saudi Arabia decided to impose the Saudization scheme in an effort to solve the country’s rising unemployment rate. The Labor Ministry of Saudi further informed that while more than six million foreigners are presently working in private companies in Saudi; over one million Saudi nationals are unemployed.

The Saudi labor minister, Adel Faqih said that Saudi has an unemployment rate of 10.5% by the end of 2010. Faqih added that expatriates comprises about 90% of the workforce of private firms in Saudi.

PATV (Pinoy Atin 'to TV) Pang OFW na libreng Channel at walang bayad pa.

2011-12-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

Pinoy Atin ‘to TV (PATV) is a first of its kind, 24-hour, All-Filipino channel that showcases entertainment shows, feature presentations and other relevant programming to uplift the welfare of our fellow Kabayans abroad through wholesome entertainment and effective information. PATV offer the widest range of programs designed to suit the Filipino’s tastes and preferences. This includes lifestyle shows, action and adventure flicks, comedy programs, showbiz and entertainment broadcasts, drama series and other news and information-based programs.

Pioneered and managed by Filipinos for Filipinos abroad. We maintain top quality Philippine programming at its finest using state-of-the-art broadcasting facilities to deliver world-class, region-based entertainment. This enables our well-thought concepts and programs to go on air with much clarity and brilliance. Hosted and delivered by PATV very own fresh and home-grown talents that breathes life, excitement and inspiration to all our programs.

Moreover, with the network's commitment to help and uplift our fellow Kabayans, FMI shares its privilege to all Filipinos to finally have a voice in the Middle East. PATV is a free channel TV in Arabian Gulf in a free receiver channel. If you don’t have this channel in your receiver, re-channel again or ask someone who can re-channel or fix the frequency of your Reciever. To those OFW who are not in the vicinity of Saudi Arabian, you can see the PATV in the internet. Please click this link and your were be directed to the said tv program at http://www.pinoyatintotv.com/ or click the logo/icon above.

This channel is under Filipino Media Inc. is a premiere network company in the Middle East providing FREE-TO-AIR channel service to entertain and help improve lives of our Filipino expatriates in the region.

These and a perfect mix of quality programming, PATV serves as an oasis for every Kabayan abroad that bring every Pinoy closer to home.

If you're not getting this channel in your receiver, please re-channel it again or ask someone who knows how to check/get/change the frequency. Also to those OFW who are are not working the area of Arabian Gulf, this TV channel can be also seen in the internet, just go to their own website : http://www.pinoyatintotv.com/. This is a free TV Channel at walang bayad.

Impok Service Cooperative (Kaagapay mo sa Kinabukasan)

2011-12-04T05:13:00.000-08:00

http://www.impokpatv.com/

IMPOK is an acronym for ITAGUYOD MO ang PANANAGUTAN AT OBLIGASYON sa KINABUKASAN. This is a newly registered Cooperative in the Philippines aimed, designed, formed and to be managed by OFWs in the Middle East(and soon globally) to help them be able to have livelihood and housing assistance after their work abroad expires.IMPOK Cooperative is a brainchild and will be actively headed by Ms. Mecky Decena of PATV and House of Feng Shui.

Having seen the problems faced by most OFW in the Middle East, she took it upon herself to start and organize a Cooperative that will be based on one common bond- that OFWs should have a good life and a bright future after their working contracts outside the Philipiines will be over. She believes in every OFW and she capitalizes on the strength of their dreams and their unity in building boss and run their own businesses. IMPOK Cooperative will be built on trust and a strong drive of the OFWs, all seeking to change their lives. With the strength of PATV, she believes that we can call the attention of the government, seek support and assistance from other organizations and with dedication and hard work & all the members will be able to build new lives with their families together back home. IMPOK Cooperative will use its power in numbers. As a collective whole, we now can all have our own houses, achieve better wealth generating vehicles, increase our savings from our salaries and ensure that we will never be broke again and penniless OFW when we get back home.

IMPOK OBJECTIVE
When they go back to the Philippines to make sure that they were able to build their house and a source of livelihood to rely on.

1. Makatulong at makapag turo sa miyembro na makapagtabi ng pera na kanilang kinita para sa kanilang pag uwi sa Pilipinas ay mayroon na silang bahay at kabuhayan.

2. To encourage and teach members to learn and adapt savings program to be able to have a house they own and also achieve increased income through savings and safe investments.
Ma-enganyo, maituro at maibahagi sa mga miyembro ang mga pamamaraan kung papaano ang bawat miyembro ay magkaroon ng sariling bahay, pangkabuhayan sa oras ng pagbalik at mabigyan sila ng mga siguradong puwedeng mapaglagakan ng kanilang pinaghihirapan na pera.

3. To achieve financial independence for each individual member and the cooperative as a whole. Makamit ang "financial independence" ng bawat miyembro at ng buong kabuuang kooperatiba.

A fully registered Service Cooperative for OFWs initially for the Middle East but now for all Filipinos all over the world. It was created to help Filipino ex-pats to have their own business & homes when they return to Philippines and for their own future once the OFW kabayan will stay permanently in the Philippines. For more details please visit the above website and you will be fully understand what I said.

Kaagapay mo sa Kinabukasan (For OFW)

(In my own opinion, no one do this things in the Philippines. Oo marami ngang tumutulong ng mga OFW o Ex-OFW, pero hanggang saan? Saan tayo pupulutin kung tayo ay tumanda na at hindi na makapag trabaho sa ibang bansa o kaya, dito sa Pilipinas. Kaya sa akin lang opinion, hanggang andito pa tayo at medyo matigas pa ang kasokasuhan natin, isipin na natin ang future natin. Hanggang kailan tayo dito sa banyagang lugar na magtratrabaho? Ano kimabukasan natin ang naghihintay pag tayo ay ayaw ng magtrabaho sa ibang bansa? Do we really survive? OO sa mga ex-OFW na maganda ang kita at position, pero how about those OFW na nagbabanat ng buto para sa pamilya na ang sweldo ay kapiranggot lang. Do they survive? Is someone helping them?... I don’t think so.. Learned through experienced. So mga kabayan natin na nasa ibang bansa na nag papaalipin o nag tratrabaho. Mag isip na kayo kung anong kinabukasan ang naghihintay sa inyo/atin sa bansang sinilangan natin pag tayo ay wala na dito sa ibang bansang pinangangamuhan natin… Salamat sa isang taong nagmamalasakit (IMPOK)).

Pasko na naman! - Kwento ni Dodong

2011-12-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hay!!!!... Pasko n naman…. Ilang araw na lang ay pasko na, tapos bagong taon…. Ang dali ng panahon talaga!... Parang kailan lang, pasko na naman.

Mag three years na na hindi pa ako nakauwi ng pinas pero tiniis ko na lang kay sa uuwi ako e walang dalang pera. Kaya minabuti ko na lang na ipadala ko sa mga mahal ko para may panggastos sila sa pasko at bagong taon. E mahirap namang uuwi na walang dalang pera. Oo nga mayron pero magkano naman?...Alam kaya ng mga kabayan natin sa pinas na hindi lahat na nag aabroad e maswerte? Oo matawag natin nag maski papaano, maswerte pa rin dahil nakalabas ka ng pinas at nagtratrabaho sa abroad (daw). Pero maski papaano e medyo nakaangat ng kunti kay sa kung sa pinas ka magtratrabaho. Yung iba naman e maswerte dahil seguro maganda ang company na napasukan nila o kaya’y may mga natapos na pinag aralan. Paano naman yung nasa high school, elementary o hindi pa nga nakatapos ng elementary at andito sa ibang bansa na nanilbihan para lang maitagayud ang kanya-kanyang pamilya. Yung iba naman din, dala yung family nila kaya medyo ok na rin. Pero alam kaya ng iba na yung ibang may family status e may naipon? Hindi naman lahat na ganoon ang sistima. Pero sa kanila ok na dahil magkasama naman din sila maliban sa mga medyo may edad na anak. Dahil dito sa Saudi, may limit din ang anak na dinadala o kasama sa kanilang mga magulang as sponsor nila through their companys’ help.

Ang hirap talaga ng pinoy na nasa abroad lalo na sa mga lugar na medyo katulad dine sa Saudi Arabia. Mahirap yung nasa malayong lugar din, malayo sa kabihasnan, mas nakakalungkot lalo na kung nasa remote area, mas lalo na… Heto pasko na naman, napakalungkot, Medyo may kunting salo-salo ang ibang pinoy. Nag se-share na lang para sa pang noche buena, pagkatapos ng kainan, matutulog na naman dahil kinabukasan e may pasok, mahirap mag puyat at baka antukin sa trabaho.

Pag ganitong buwan ng December na uuwi ka, kailangang naka book ka na ng before 6 months dahil kung kukuha ka ng ticket or bibili, baka wala ka nang masasakyan. Pag ganitong buwan kasi, ang daming mga pinoy na umuuwi at sa pinas nag celibrate ng pasko at bagong taon… Ako, tiniis ko na lang dahil may mga binabayaran pa kaya tiis na lang muna ako dine. Hindi bali na magtitiis ako basta yung family ko happy sila. Hindi ko na lang iniisip yung mga taong nakaraan dahil kailangan talaga ang kayod ko dito. Seguro three or four years, pwede na akong umuwi at bayad na ang pinagkakautangan ko… Basta ang sa akin lang, may bahay na natutuluyan ang family ko na matawag kong akin maski hinuhulugan ko at eksaktong padala sa buwan-buwan ng panggastos nila. Sa akin, ok lang maski noodles at tinapay, katalo na… Hindi naman sa habang panahon na ganito ako, balang araw din, makakaluwag din ako pagtapos na yung mga pinag gagastusan ko…

Mahirap ang pasko dito at nakapakalungkot dahil nawalay sa mga mahal mo, pero ok lang. Basta masaya at nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga mahal ko, kaya ko pang mag tiis. Ayaw ko na uling maranasan ang noong nangyari sa akin na tatlong taon, wala akong makitang trabaho sa pinas at napakahirap. Ni wala kang malalapitan kung nagipit ka. Ni kamag anak o kaibigan, hirap din sila. Syempre, unahin nila yung sa kanila bago tutulong sa iba. Kaya mas mabuti na rin dito at may kita maski papaano. Basta tiis na lang at mag dasal na naway gabayan ako sa itaas sa araw-araw.

Maligayang pasko at manibagong bagong taon sa inyo mga kabayan at kaibigan in advance.

OFW Group Rejects Taxes on SSS, Pag-IBIG Contributions

2011-12-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

Mga OFW Kabayan, any opinion on this regards? If you have any comment kabayan, express yourself. Kanya-kanya nga lang. Dahil may mga negative at positive naman ang tao about this write ups...

(From Manila Bulletin, Dec. 3, 2011)MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino migrants’ rights group has thumbed down the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) plan to impose taxes on overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) contributions to the Social Security System (SSS) and to the Home Development Mutual Fund, popularly known as Pag-IBIG.

“We know that it is the BIR’s duty to raise and collect taxes but the government must be reasonable and fair (enough to) consider the present socio-economic plight of our people,” said John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

The BIR earlier this week confirmed that it issued a circular to study the imposition of taxes to SSS and PAG-IBIG members who have contributed more than the amount allowed by law, as it is considered as an “investment”, and therefore should be taxed.

The BIR stressed that the proposal is still under study.

Monterona reckoned that imposing taxes on OFWs’ voluntary contributions to SSS and PAG-IBIG would “defeat the very intent, purpose and spirit” of the government’s programs on social security and housing loans.

He added that these contributions should not be classified as “million peso investments”, but rather investments that are only large enough to secure the OFWs and their families’ needs when retirement time comes.

The Saudi-based OFW leader likewise warned that many Filipino migrant workers would stop their contributions once the BIR begins to tax their SSS and PAG-IBIG contributions.

Adobong Mani: an OFW’s story of survival and success (Emmanuel Rabulan)

2011-10-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

Today I was surfing in the internet while awaiting for my clients' (coming from Dubai)calls. I was keen to read the write ups. I was there in Riyadh for 8 months but I never roamed much the area. I still prepared here in Khobar. I seen some of filipinos sellings such stuffed in Batha. But I seen some filipinos as well selling different goods, specially along the street. I found out as well that in Batha, you can take a taxi driven by a filipinos ( I think it's Kulurum as we called it by filipinos). But they only do service for pinoys only. I don't like Riyadh actually and i heard about few things. Anyhow, this is only comments as i prepared to worked here in Al-Khobar area.

Anyhow, I read the short write ups and I'm sure, you will love to read it as well. I took it from weng's blogspot, so probably some of you read or encountered this story in the internet. To those who did not, well, I hope you enjoy reading it and learned something from it.. (see below).

(Sourced) From Ms. Weng (http://cebuanawithlove.wordpress.com/)

“Adobong mani po Kabayan, 5 riyals tatlong supot po, bili na kayo”

Al Batha market is frequented by Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and the Filipinos thus, you can see grocery stores offering Filipino consumables from food to beauty products made in the Philippines. Thursday and Friday are the busiest days in Al Batha market, so expect crowds of Filipinos and other nationals during these days at the CFC side of Batha (which they call Philippine market) from restaurants, groceries, electronics, bazaars and banks.

A handful of Kababayans (male only) are selling roasted peanut in Al Batha market. Let’s meet one of our Kababayan and his success story after defeating life’s difficulties.

Born in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro is Emmanuel Rabulan, an OFW working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as a janitor at the Riyadh Military Hospital Bldg. 60 (Prince Sultan) since December 28, 2009. His marriage to Nemianita was blessed with 4 beautiful children namely April Rose, 15 yrs. old, Kobe John, 11 yrs. old, Julius Christian, 8 yrs. old and Paul Eman, 3 yrs. old.

Emmanuel’s duty at the Riyadh Military hospital as a janitor starts at 6 in the morning and wraps up at 2 in the afternoon. After his janitorial duties, he cooks roasted peanut and sells it at Batha market every afternoon from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m on weekdays and earlier during weekends (Thursdays and Fridays). The delicacy is sold at 5 riyals per 3 packs.

Before he tried his luck in the oil rich Saudi Arabia, he and his wife had a fruit stand in Fairview where they earn a minimum of 10,000.00 Pesos per day. From this business, the couple were able to acquire a mini van to help them out with their business. One day, an opportunity for Emmanuel to work in Italy came. Hoping for a better future, the couple sold their fruit store and mini van to pay the recruiter for the processing of his papers. Little did he know that all these greener pasture promise was a scam, he was duped by an illegal recruiter. All of the couple’s hard-earned money was gone with the wind. Emmanuel tried his luck again and this time in Qatar with a visit visa. He worked as a part-time utility man in a restaurant for 3 months receiving 10 Qatari Riyals per hour. If he gets lucky, he works up to 15 hours at the restaurant just to earn more. He went back to the Philippines after his visit visa expired.

Seeing his children in a difficult situation frustrates him a lot. He wanted to send them to school and give them a good life as any parent dreamt of for their children. Again, a persistent Emmanuel applied for abroad thru an agency and that’s how he set foot in Saudi Arabia. A salary of 700 Saudi Riyals per month or roughly 8,000 Pesos in Philippine money is not enough to support his family back home. Part of his contract is a free accommodation but he has to pay for his own food. With this meager salary, he found a way to augment his income by selling adobong mani or roasted peanut at Al Batha market.

At first, he kept his sideline job from his family until his brother who also worked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia saw him selling peanut to his Kababayan (fellow Filipinos) in the market. This is when his family back home knew that Emmanuel is working hard to earn extra income for his family’s future.

Emmanuel sells 200 packs equal to 300.00 SR a day on weekdays and 500 or more packs during weekends equal to 700.00 SR a day or more. Now, his sideline job is giving his family a comfortable life back home, way more than what his janitorial job is offering him. At the moment, Emmanuel is saving for a big surprise for his wife when he gets home next year, the proof of his sweat – bank account.

Emmanuel is a story of an OFWs struggle and success from being scammed by an illegal recruiter, properties lost but he picked up the pieces again, stood up, kept his faith and determination to find his way in this world full of competition just to give his family a bright future.

Being an OFW is not easy. One may get lucky, one may get the other way around. The struggles of Filipinos working abroad are the homesickness, the need to feel the love and support of their families back home and the desire to always hear the voices of their loved ones. Overseas Filipino Workers are determined, strong-willed, goal oriented individuals that is why, whatever challenges that comes along our way (that includes me), we always find ways to overcome the trials of life though at times, human as we are, we sometimes feel the world crashing around us but faith in God is what make us going.

Note: Thanks to Fatima Itum for taking pics.

How overseas Filipinos can win the battle against unbearable utang

2011-10-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

(Sourced) By Benjamin Pimentel in San Francisco/Philippine Daily Inquirer

San Francisco (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Tony Ranque worked for years in Saudi Arabia where he faced a dilemma other overseas Filipinos have probably encountered: The longer he worked abroad, the bigger his debt grew.

"Imagine the worst situation, when my credit cards, all five of them, were used up to their maximum credit limits," he told me.
Eventually, overwhelming financial burden combined with the strain of separation led to the collapse of his marriage.

Today, Tony is one of many Filipinos using their experiences to take on a pressing need: Helping other overseas Pinoys and their families become smarter with money and debt.
There's so much to explore on this subject. Readers have helped me do just that by sharing their own stories on their struggles with financial burdens - particularly with unbearable utang.

One U.S. reader tells of a Pinay whose relationships failed over disagreements over her desire to send US$700 a month to her family back home.

Another reader spoke of Filipinos who worked on cruise ships who told him how the amount they sent [to families] amounted to nothing later on." One of them turned to drinking to forget his anger and frustration, he said.

An OFW from Saudi also wrote me about how she moved to the Middle East in order to pay off her debts, but the process has taken longer than she expected. She's struggling to explain to her family ,why I'm not sending much," she said.

But she's also gearing up "toward the positive side," she added, "after having the strength to say NO to some requests."

By the "positive side," she meant that state in which she's in control of her finances. It's an important state to be in as the world slips into another time of economic uncertainty.

Dr. Macky Galvez, a pediatrician based in Manila, spoke of his own work with OFWs and their families, in a local cooperative. That experience brought home a key realization.

"OFWs should and must undergo financial literacy to protect and harness their money which is more often lost and squandered," he said.

Let's affirm a key premise here: Overseas Filipinos perform a vital role by sending money back home to help their families. But there's also a growing need for families to find better ways to manage funds coming from abroad.

And we're not talking about totally avoiding debt. In many cases, as I've noted, debt is necessary to meet a need.

But there's such a thing as smart debt and dumb debt. Worse, there is unbearable utang - debt that becomes so overwhelming that overseas Filipinos end up wearing themselves out as they find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle.

Charito Basa, an OFW advocate based in Europe, listed four general principles for overseas Filipinos and their families (which actually applies to everyone in this time of crisis)
:
Have a budget and stick it to it no matter what
"There'll be special requests from family and friends that will tempt migrants to deviate from their budget," she says. "Be firm. People will eventually understand that they are doing it for the good of everyone."
Save first, before spending (not the other way around)

Set aside a fixed amount for savings. Charito recommends at least 10 percent of one's income. She and Tony Ranque point to the tested formula for sound personal finance management: Income minus Savings equals Expenses.

"Saving a portion of your income is a must, not an option," Tony says. "If you cannot develop the habit of savings which is founded on discipline, force yourself to save by getting pension plans and other types of pre-need plans."

Have insurance (health, education, retirement, pensions)
"When done through reputable companies, insurance plans can guarantee that needs are attended professionally and that funds are available when most needed," says Charito.
Stay away from , get-rich-quick, schemes

This rule also applies to everyone.
Imagine this: Someone's offering you some investment plan with eye-popping returns. Sounds tempting. But the smart approach is to ask very tough, detailed questions. Or simply walk away. Chances are it's either a wild scheme, or even a scam.

There are many groups offering financial literacy training to overseas Filipinos and their families.
Charito cites the work of Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Initiative which gives hands-on budgeting training. The group also conducts training sessions for overseas workers on such topics as "How to say NO," "When to say NO," and "Why the need to say NO."

For some Filipinos like Tony Ranque, getting out of the debt cycle meant making tough, even painful, decisions.

This happened when he turned 50 several years ago. Frustrated with the seemingly endless cycle of work and debt, he began setting a different course.
"I slowly paid all my debts until I was debt free." He then quit his job in Saudi Arabia, and started all over - back in the Philippines.

He invested his savings, including starting an e-learning center/Internet café in his hometown in Bohol.

Tony's story may be unique. Other Filipinos, especially those helping out families with serious needs, may have a harder time breaking out of the cycle. But his experience at least shows there's a way out for others.
Tony eventually became a regular speaker at financial literacy seminars geared to overseas Filipinos and their families. During one seminar, he told his audience about some of his former fellow workers in Saudi Arabia who, to his surprise, asked to be rehired in that country - even after they had reached retirement age.
"Sino kaya ang mas mapalad sa ngayon? Ako na nakauwi na, na ang buhay ay halos masasabing "isang kahig, isang tuka?' O iyong mga dati kong kasamahan sa Saudi na inabot na ng retirement age doon eh nagpa-rehire pa?" ("Who's luckier? I who was able to come home and now lives a simple life? Or my former colleagues in Saudi Arabia, who ended up working there until they retired, and now is asking to be re-hired?")

He makes less money now than when he was working abroad, Tony told me. But he¿s happier. ¿I believe I am now living a more fulfilling life than ever before."

What Makes OFW The Philippines Hero (There’s no place like home)

2011-10-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

(Sourced) From Frederick Arceo

Editor’s note: The following Philippine Daily Inquirer article is one of the most shared articles on OFW sites and blogs. Written in Filipino, it has been tossed around so much that many sites don’t even know who wrote it anymore. Some have edited it and put in their own remarks. It goes by different titles like, “Iba pa rin sa Pinas,” “Ang OFW ay Tao Rin” or “Pagpupugay sa OFW,” among others. It often comes with an introduction, like the one posted on qatarliving.com that says, “Here’s something for those with spouses, siblings, children, or relatives who are OFWs and especially those who hope to work abroad one day. This may help you better understand what it means to be an OFW.”

This is a translation of the original piece, published with the permission of its author, Saudi Arabia-based Filipino, Frederick Montilla Arceo

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are not rich. We have this notion that when someone is an OFW or based abroad, he or she is loaded. Not true. An OFW might earn from P50K-P300K a month, depending on the location. Those in Saudi Arabia or the United States might earn in the high range. But to say that they’re “rich” is a fallacy (amen!).

Many Filipinos seek work abroad because their needs are great. They have so many mouths to feed. Often, 3/4 or half of their earnings go to paying school tuition fees for their children and keeping up with the family’s household expenses.

It’s hard being an OFW. You need to scrimp and save as much as you can. Yes, food can be good abroad but often you stick to paksiw or adobo or eggs in order to save money. Come the 15th or end of the month, the first thing you look up is the conversion rate of the peso to the dollar, rial, or euro.

It’s okay to make do with what little is left than let the family go hungry. Come leave time, you also have to have some money left because many relatives will be waiting at the airport or at home. You know how it is among Pinoys, word gets around that you are an OFW and it attracts a lot of kin.

If you don’t bring pasalubong (a traditional homecoming gift) they may feel slighted and say bad things about you. Well, not all. But I’m sure some OFWs here have had that experience. Abroad, OFWs are also looked at differently. Very many have experienced not getting their due or being discriminated against in workplaces. You just take it, keep going, cry it out alone, because you think how miserable your family would be if you packed up and went home.

Besides, you really can’t count on a job waiting for you back home. And prices of rice, milk, sardines, and apartment rentals are high. So you suffer on–even though you have to work with a lot of jerks (kahit maraming kupal sa trabaho), even though you are sick and have no one to take care of you, even though the food sucks and working conditions bad, even dangerous, and the job difficult. Then when you have remitted money home, everything seems okay again; you call, “hello! kumusta na kayo(how are you all doing)?”

OFWs are not unfeeling (Hindi bato ang OFW).
You are human–not money or cash machines. You get tired, lonely (yes, often); you get sick, hungry; you stop and think, too. You, too, need support, if not physically, at least emotionally or spiritually.

OFWs also grow old.
Those I have met and spoken to, many have receding hairlines or are balding. Most of them have signs and symptoms of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arthritis. Yet, they continue to work thinking about the family they left behind. There are many abroad, after 20-30 years, that still have not put away a savings stash.

No matter how hard they work, they can’t seem to save enough. It’s painful when you know that the family you support back home still can’t make ends meet, that a child is a drug addict, a daughter, pregnant; and one’s spouse is in a relationship with someone else. It recalls that popular old song “Napakasakit Kuya Eddie.”

OFWs are heroes.
That’s true. I, for one, realized this only now, that OFWs really are heroes in so many ways. Not icons or household names like Nora Aunor or Flor Contemplacion but heroes in the truest sense of the word. They could surpass even Rizal or Bonifacio: They have braved more wars and conflicts in order to give their families a better life; they have battled more political intrigues just to keep their jobs in hostile environments; they have exhibited more patience than your usual congressman or senator in the Philippines–all because of the fear of losing that precious pay check.

OFWs are survivors.
Pinoys are survivors (Matindi ang Pinoy). They are more tenacious than rats or cockroaches which are said to be able to survive cataclysms. Yet for all their sacrifices, they have yet to see solutions or results.

OFWs are unlucky–unlike politicians.
They don’t sign autographs or give interviews to media (unless they were kidnapped); they stay on the sidelines. When they leave the country, they are sad and on the verge of tears. When they come home, the lucky ones are welcomed by relatives at the airport. But if they come home without money, relatives are hard to find.

If only OFWs had a voice in Congress like politicians who are financed by the Filipino people and don’t have to work under the hot sun, or get scalded by hot oil, or shouted at by foreign employers, or eat paksiw day in and day out to save money, or live in a compound with conditions less than favorable, and be forced to live with people with strange ways if only to be able to live. Politicians are lucky, really lucky.

OFWs are steadfast.
Stronger and more steadfast than soldiers or other groups you might know. They are masters of reverse psychology, negotiations, and counter-attacks. Will the OFWs last? Most likely because we still don’t know when change and progress will come to the Philippines. Will it come? Is there a chance?

Happiness is imagining yourself in the company of your loved ones every day, watching your children grow in a healthy and loving home. Happiness is eating sitaw, bagoong, lechon, inihaw na isda, taba ng talangka. Happiness is watching a Filipino movie, whether old reruns or new ones. There’s still nothing like knowing your neighbors.

There’s still no place like the Philippines, being with other Pinoys (well, except those with crab mentalities). There’s still nothing like being able to tell stories and know that others around you understand what you are saying. There’s really nothing like the sound of “mahal kita!”, “‘day, ginahigugma tika,” “Mingaw na ko nimo ba, kalagot!” “Inday, diin ka na subong haw? ganahan guid ko simo ba.” There’s really no place…like home.

Sige lang. Tiis lang. Saan ba’t darating din ang pag-asa. So be it. just suck it in and keep going Somehow, you hope, things will work out.

Hindi Lahat ng OFW ay maswerte (Cristeta Bercasio - OFW Story)

2011-10-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

(Sourced) From Yolly Sotelo Fuertes

Contrary to common perception, not all overseas Filipino workers acquire financial stability after working abroad. Some come home even poorer than before.

One such OFW is Cristeta Bercasio, 45, of Lanas village in this town. After working for several years in Hongkong, Dubai and Jordan as domestic helper, she came home and ended up as “agturtor ti pagay,” or as a gleaner of leftover rice stalks in the fields.

Worse, she was separated from her three children for six years whom she left in Sultan Kudarat where her parents and siblings migrated to in 1970s in search of a better life.

According to records of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Bercasio, already living in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and married with five children, went to Hongkong to work as a domestic helper in 1990-1992; to Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 1994-1996, and to Jordan from 2001-2003.

As the sole breadwinner, she provided for all the needs of her family. When she finished her contract in Hongkong where she earned HK$2,800 a month, she bought farm lots worth P90,000 in Sultan Kudarat. But the insurgency problem in the province denied her access to her properties.

A year later, she left for Dubai where she earned US$150 a month which was just enough to support her family’s needs. She went back home again. In 2001, she went to Jordan but her earnings of $150 was not enough for her family so with no savings at all, she went home not to Sultan Kudarat but to her relatives here in 2003.

Her relatives were surprised but welcomed her nonetheless and gave her work as a nanny. She contacted her husband Benito in Sultan Kudarat, telling him to come to Mangaldan. Benito and their two children Benjie, a high school graduate, and Pearl, a high school student, arrived two years later.

Bercasio longed for her other three children – Aileen, who is already married, Airec, 21 and Lorejie, 18.
But money was really scarce and she cannot provide for their fare. Bercasio’s relatives lent her P40,000 to construct a 25 square meter house in a relative’s lot – a house which could hardly accommodate the entire family.

Bercasio has even lost her job as a nanny, from which she earned P1,500 a month, after she broke her hip.Thus she and her husband ended up as “Agturtor ti pagay,” – one of those whom the Bible mentioned as “afflicted ones and alien residents” for whom landowners must leave the gleaning of their harvest.

But OWWA has come to Bercasio’s rescue. On January 12, OWWA regional officials came with a “bounty” which hopefully can turn the tide for Bercasio’s family.

Maria Luisa Reyes, Ilocos Region OWWA director, handed to her P10,000 cash, P5,000 worth of grocery items, an Equitable ATM card with P10,000 deposit, A Globe Auto load pre paid SIM, a P50,000 insurance certificate from Sunlife and a Tuloy-Educational Assistance to her youngest daughter May Pearl.
But the biggest gift that Bercasio received on that day was the presence of her two sons – Airec and Benjie – who were flown in by the OWWA from Suldan Kudarat as surprise gifts. The eldest, Aileen, who is married, was left behind.

The two boys were supposed to be presented to their parents during the program, but when they heard their father’s voice, they could not contain their emotion and went out of the vehicle where they were held and run into the arms of their parents.

“This is the most beautiful day of my life. Thank you very much,” Bercasio said between sobs. And the audience, too, cried with them.

Para sa Isang Tatay: Kwentong OFW

2011-10-10T17:44:00.000-07:00

(Sourced) From Fred Pamaos

(The article, entitled “Tatay“, was written by Mr. Luis I. Galicia under the pen name Estong Kawili III. It was published in Trinity University of Asia’s Literary Magazine “Aninag” 2001 issue. Mr. Galicia was the managing editor then of the student publication. He also uploaded the article in website, now defunct, in 2006. This was erroneously attributed to someone whose name appeared at the bottom of the article when it circulated through email. Apologies to Mr. Galicia. Thank you for allowing this great article to be shared with all Filipinos, especially our OFW brothers and sisters.)

1980 ako ipinanganak. Tatlong taon bago pinatay si Ninoy Aquino at anim na taon bago ang EDSA uprising. Taon ding ito nang nagkaroon ng malaking krisis sa langis ang buong mundo. P24.00 ang palitan ng dolyar sa piso at 48 milyon na ang populasyon ng Pilipinas. Ito rin ang taong unang pumunta ng Middle East ang tatay ko para magtrabaho.

Isang karpintero ang Tatay. Isang skilled worker. Malaki ang pangangailangan ng bansang pupuntahan ni Tatay sa mga katulad niya. Sabi ng Nanay mahirap daw ang buhay noong mga panahong iyon. Inabot na raw ang bansa ng economic depression na galing sa Europa at Amerika. Kaya minabuti ng Tatay na mag-abroad. Anupa’t dalawa ang pinag-aaral niya at may bago na naman siyang bibig na pakakainin.

Parating pinapaalala sa amin ng Nanay na “nagtiis kaming magkahiwalay ng tatay ninyo para magkaroon tayo ng maginhawang buhay.” Palibhasa’y parehas galing sa hirap, kaya siguro ganoon na lamang ang pananaw nila. Uuwi kada dalawang taon, tapos aalis na ulit pagkalipas ng dalawang buwan. Ganyan ang pattern ng buhay ng tatay ko.

Pumutok ang giyera sa Middle East noong 1989. Doon ko unang narinig ang mga salitang Operation:Desert Storm at Third Anti-Christ. Nandoon din si Tatay. Isang beses lamang siya nakatawag sa loob ng tatlong taon niyang pagkaka-stranded sa bansang iyon. Mabuti naman daw ang lagay niya. May tirahan naman daw sila at husto sa lahat ng pangangailangan. Hindi naman daw sila gagalawin sa giyera sabi ng embahada ng Pilipinas dahil hindi naman daw sila kasali sa awayan ng dalawang bansa at ng pakialamerong Amerika. Iyon naman pala eh, bakit ka pa rin nandyan?! Na-imagine ko na lang tuloy ang Tatay na parang isa sa mga sibilyan na dumadaan habang nakikipagbarilan ako sa larong Operation:Wolf sa SM City. Nang mahawi ang mga usok ng giyera umuwi na ang Tatay. Wala pang isang taon ay nakita ko na naman ang aking sarili na nakasakay sa arkiladong dyip para ihatid ang Tatay sa Airport papuntang Middle East . Ikaw ba naman ang magkaroon ng pinag-aaral na nurse, isang seminarista at tatlo pa sa elementarya. Kailangang kumayod, kailangang kumita.

Kung tutuusin maraming na-miss ang Tatay sa buhay naming magkakapatid, lalo na sa akin. Wala siya nang una akong magtalumpati sa entablado. Wala din siya nang grumadweyt ako ng elementarya at hayskul. Wala siya nang una akong nakipagsuntukan sa kaklase ko nang inasar ako nito habang binibigay ko ang libreng plastic na singsing na galing sa cheese curls sa kaklase kong babae. Wala din siya para turuan akong magbasketbol tulad ng ginagawa ng mga kapitbahay ko sa kanilang anak. Wala rin siya para panoorin si Kuya na contestant sa Student Canteen at ako naman para sabitan niya ng medalya para sa mga math competition na sinalihan ko. Wala siya nang dumating ako sa punto ng aking buhay, na siya ring kinakatakutan ng lahat ng katulad kong nagbibinata- -ang magpatuli. Wala rin siya para turuan akong maglanggas.

Wala siya nang kauna-unahang lumabas ang pangalan ko sa dyaryong pang-estudyante bilang isang editor. Ipinagtabi ko siya ng mga kopya para maipagmalaki sa kanyang pagdating. Wala siya nang una akong tumikim ng alak dahil binasted ako ng dinidigahan kong babae. Wala rin siya nang sumubok akong manigarilyo at itapon ito pagkatapos ng dalawang hithit pa lang. Wala siya, wala siya parati.

Napansin ko na lamang na mas naiibuhos naming magkakapatid ang oras namin sa labas ng bahay at sa eskwelahan. Ang Ate ay kagawad ng Sangguniang Kabataan, ang Kuya naman ay matagal nang kinuha ng seminaryo, ang dalawa kong kapatid ay may mga sarili nang kina-career at ako naman ay natutuon sa aking pagsusulat.

Dumating ang isa sa pinakamasayang araw ng buhay ko, ang pagdating ng Tatay at sabihing ito na ang huli niyang uwi dahil hindi na siya babalik ulit sa abroad.

Makalipas ang ilang buwan, trinangkaso ang Tatay. Sabi ng doktor ay overfatigue lang daw at kailangan niyang magpahinga. Pagkaraan nang ilang buwan, na-diagnose na may tumubong tumor sa utak ng Tatay at malignant na ito. Minsan naitanong sa akin ng uncle kong doktor kung nauntog ba ang Tatay o nabagsakan ng mabigat na bagay sa ulo. Nahihiyang ngiti, kamot sa ulo at isang “hindi ko po alam” lang ang naisagot ko.
Kung gaano kabilis na nadiskubre ang tumor niya sa utak ay ganun din kabilis na binawi sa amin ng Diyos ang Tatay. Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang Tatay habang mapayapa itong nakahimlay noong burol niya, nahihirapang tumulo ang luha ko. Kung tutuusin, hindi ko kilala ang taong ito. Siya ang tatay ko. Kalahati ng pagkatao ko ay galing sa kanya. Pero kung tatanungin mo ako kung anong gusto niyang timpla ng kape, kung allergic ba siya sa hipon na paborito ko, kung San Miguel o Purefoods ba ang team niya sa PBA–isang malaking EWAN lang ang maisasagot ko sa iyo.

Noong bata pa ako, nasa abroad ang Tatay. Kapag nandito naman siya para magbakasyon, mas malaking oras ang nagugol niya sa pag-aasikaso ng mga papeles niya para sa susunod niyang pag-alis. Nang tumigil na siya sa pagtatrabaho, ako naman ang abala sa mga reports, periodical examinations at mga research works. Nang nasa ospital na siya, kahit makipagkuwentuhan ay mahirap nang gawin dahil halos hindi na siya maintindihang magsalita dulot ng chemotherapy.

Matagal nang patay ang Tatay. Minsan nabalitaan kong dumating na ang seaman na tatay ng boss ko, pilit ko siyang pinauuwi nang maaga. Minsan ding buong kawilihan kong pinagmamasdan ang isang kaibigan ko na nagmamadali dahil baka masaraduhan na siya ng grocery. Kailangan niyang makabili ng ingredients ng spaghetti dahil ‘yun daw ang bilin ng tatay niyang na-stroke. Minsan rin nang makainuman ko ang matalik kong kaibigan habang binubuhos niya sa akin ang sama ng loob niya sa pagbabalik ng tatay niya na malupit sa kanila nang mahabang panahon at ipinagpalit sila sa ibang babae.

Sa tingin ko lang, “Buti ka pa nga may Tatay pa.” Syempre hindi ko sinabi iyon sa kanya. Baka mamaya tanungin pa niya ako kung kanino ako kampi, kami pa ang mag-away. Minsan din sinamahan ko ang kababata ko nang dinalhan niya ng pansit ang tatay niya sa City Jail. Hindi naman sila nagtatanong kung bakit ako ganun. Wala naman silang alam kay Tatay.

Maraming pagkakataon na nanghihinayang ako dahil masyadong maaga ang paghihiwalay namin ng Tatay. Gusto kong sisihin ang Pilipinas dahil napakahirap ng buhay dito. Sa Amerika ba may tatay na nangingibang-bansa para makapagtrabaho lang? Naisip ko tuloy na sumama na lang sa mga nagpipiket na mga migrante dahil alam ko tulad ko rin sila. Kadalasan rin sinisisi ko si Saddam Hussein at ang Gulf War dahil kinuha nila ang tatlong taon sa buhay ng Tatay. Sayang ang tatlong taong iyon. Nakalaro ko man lang sana ang Tatay ng basketbol o di kaya’y naturuan niya akong mag-bike. (Beinte anyos na ko nang matuto mag-bike).

Isa sa mga klase ko sa writing ang nagpasulat sa amin ng kahit ano tungkol sa aming mga tatay, samahan pa ng larawan kung maaari. Bigla tuloy akong nalito. Hindi ko alam kung anong tungkol sa Tatay ang isusulat ko.
Ikuwento ko kaya na isang Overseas Contract Worker si Tatay. Isang bagong bayani. Nag-aambag ng malaki sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Sabihin ko kayang may larawan ng tatay kong may suot na hard hat na dilaw, construction boots at may hawak na drill at kasama niyang nakangiti ang mga kapwa niyang Pilipino with matching background na disyerto. O kaya ang larawan nilang magkakababayan habang pinagdiriwang nila ang New Year at nag-iiyakan dahil tinutugtog and Lupang Hinirang. Ang drama no?

Kuwento ko kaya na isang survivor ng Gulf War ang Tatay. Na natutulog siya at ipinaghehele ng mga Patriot at Scud Missiles. Pakita ko kaya ang mga remembrance ng Tatay na mga dull na landmines. Adventure naman ang dating nito.

Kuwento ko kaya kung paano hindi nagpabaya ang Tatay sa pagbibigay ng pangangailangan namin. Hindi kami sumasala sa pagkain, may magagandang damit, maayos na tirahan at nakakapag-aral. Siya ay naging isang good provider. Siguro isang malalim na buntong hiningang “Haaaaaay!” ang ibibigay sa akin ng mga kaklase ko.

O di kaya’y dalhin ko ang picture ni Tatay habang kini-chemotherapy siya. Ikwento ko din kaya na naging mabilis ang lahat ng mga pangyayari. Na inoperahan siya sa loob ng walong oras at binutasan ang ulo niya. Na nakalabas pa siya ng ospital. Pagkatapos ng isang linggo, agad siyang namatay. Tragic naman ang approach ko nito.

Gayahin ko kaya ang kuwento sa telebisyon na tipong galit na galit sa mundo ang anak dahil hindi ito nabigyan ng sapat na atensyon dahil inuna ng kanilang tatay ang pinansyal nilang pangangailangan. Teka, hindi naman totoo yon eh! Napaka-unfair naman ‘nun kay Tatay.

Ikuwento ko na lang kaya ang isa sa mga magagandang alaala namin kay Tatay. Apat na taon ako noon. Malinaw na malinaw pa sa alaala ko ang pangyayari. Kadarating lamang ng Tatay pagkaraan ng dalawang taon. Nagkaroon ng simpleng party sa bahay. Kainuman niya ang mga kumpare niya nang tumayo siya at binuhat ako mula sa kuna ko habang pinaglalaruan ko ang bagong matchbox na pasalubong niya sa akin. Inutusan niya ako na ikuha siya ng beer sa refrigerator. Pagkakuha ko ng beer ay kinandong niya ako at buong pagmamalaki na ibinida sa mga kumpare niya na natanggap na raw ako sa lokal na Day Care Center dahil abot na ng kanang kamay ko ang aking kaliwang tenga kahit idaan pa sa ibabaw ng ulo ko at matatas na ako magsalita at madali raw akong matuto. Matagal din akong nanatili sa pagkakandong niya. Mistula siyang bagong dating na hari na suot-suot ang kanyang korona. Ako ang kanyang korona.

Kapag naaalala ko ito, napapawi ang lahat ng panghihinayang ko sa mga taong kailangan niyang magtrabaho at mawala sa piling namin. Mga panahong kasama ng mga tatay nila ang mga anak nila. Ito na lang ang isusulat ko. Bago ang lahat, pupunasahan ko muna ang mga luha ko at ang patulo ko ng sipon. Baka mapatakan pa ang keyboard ng computer at ang hawak kong picture. Picture ng isang paslit na may hawak na bote ng beer habang kandong ng tatay na kitang-kita ang kasiyahan sa mukha.

Are OFW's Rich?

2011-10-07T21:48:00.000-07:00

(Sourced) By Kuya Ronie

"Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are not rich. We have this notion that when someone is an OFW or based abroad, he or she is loaded. Not true. An OFW might earn from P50K-P300K a month, depending on the location. Those in Saudi Arabia or the United States might earn in the high range. But to say that they're 'rich' is a fallacy (amen!).There's no place like home - Living Abroad:

For some OFW's the notion maybe true but for most it's a fallacy like what the author of the article where I got the excerpt said. I have seen the plight of some unfortunate Filipinos working here in Qatar and even heard of some earning as low as QR 700.00 that is roughly Php 8,360.00. Imagine the hardships and the sacrifices it takes just to earn that meagre amount so they can send money home. I just can't imagine how they are surviving with that salary as the cost of living here is relatively higher compare to Saudi Arabia. My food allowance here ranges from QR 500 to 700 depending on what I prepare for my meal. I don't even want to know what he or she may be eating on every meal. Just the thought makes me feel bad but for the sake of their love ones back in the Philippines they are willing to take and bear everything.

On my way home for my vacation last March an older man whom I curiously asked about his age, he answered me with a naughty smile on his face saying "65 na ako pero 55 lang ang nakalagay sa passport ko." (I am 65 years old but on my passport it shows that I am only 55). My curiosity was evoked further, I asked him "paano nangyari yon kuya?" He answered in details but I won't divulge that as token of my respect for him and gratitude for trusting a stranger like me. Then I nodded but my curiosity is at its peak by now. I can't help but ask him why at his age he is still working abroad, he simply replied "pinapaaral ko pa mga apo ko eh". Twenty years Overseas and have lived more than a half century of his life yet he cannot retire. He is one example of OFW's that are working outside of the country almost half of their lives and still cannot afford to have a good life back home.

I guess only few OFW's really retire rich, with enough money to sustain and support them in living their remaining biological lives. For different and various reasons Filipinos abroad cannot even save ample amount upon their retirement to enjoy. Their investments are with their children, children's children and the rest of the clan for their education.

But I don't want to end this article on a sad note. I do have friends who are stock-filing Land Titles and have established thriving businesses in the Philippines. Sometimes it really depends on the individual. Others know how to save for their future and others just know how to spend their earnings. Now if I may ask my fellow OFW's."Are you one of the great spenders or one of the few who knows how to value money earned through sweat, blood and river of tears?

10 Ways to Fight-off Homesickness for OFWs

2011-10-07T21:23:00.000-07:00

(Sourced) Posted by Kuya Ronie from http://www.ofwdiary.com

What is the hardest battle an OFW must fight? A sickness that cannot be cured with prescription drugs; and there are no hospitals or clinic for this condition. “Homesickness” a paralyzing mental condition wherein a person cannot sleep and loses appetite to eat, very common to people that work outside of their homeland leaving their families behind.

On this article I would try to at least make a list of suggestions that may probably work to fight off depression caused by homesickness. As an OFW myself, I’ve been through it and still going through with it, it’s a continuous battle and you need constant motivation to go on.

10 ways to fight-off homesickness for OFWs:

1. Constant communication even through SMS. OFWs nowadays are luckier than those ahead of us 10 years ago when not everyone can own a mobile phone and have to settle for letters which take at least half a month to be delivered. At least now our families are just a text (SMS) away. So for those who are just about to embark on a journey of becoming an OFW, be sure to activate the roaming function of your SIM Cards before the plane takes off.

2. Set your priorities. Always try to remember the reasons why you left your family, the comfort of your home and the relax lifestyle back in the Philippines. For most OFWs the main reason is to augment the family’s income to be able to support the increasing expenses of a family particularly the education of the children. When you feel so blue, just think of the time when your youngest child climbs the stage and finally receives his/her diploma.

3. Avoid self-pity. You are not alone, there are millions like you around the world and almost every one of them feels the same way. Maybe some of them are feeling worst. Just imagine how many individuals would want to be in your situation now. I am not discounting the fact that there are OFWs that really are in trouble but then I would like to reiterate that this article is for those that are battling homesickness not the other “problems” such as abuses and those that are being exploited, sadly the only remedies for those type of problems are in the hands of our embassies and the legal processes.

4. Try to be social; “no man is an island as they say”. Find friends, befriend your officemates, your housemates and try to look for your long lost friends, I am sure that one or maybe two are in the same country as you are, except for some countries of course.

5. Treat yourself once in a while. Go shopping and buy something for yourself (it doesn’t have to be expensive) a pair of shoes may do, a shirt maybe. I understand the fact that you’re trying to save money but to spend just a little for yourself is not that bad.

6. Do things that you love. Your hobbies may even become your sideline, yes others earn extra bucks for doing what they love like cooking for parties, making and selling “kakanin”. Just don’t force it OK? You may like what you cook but for others it may be bland, just try other stuffs.

These are some of the ways that you can do being an OFW to combat homesickness. And now finally but not the least (actually you can disregard all six for this) for those who can afford it.

7. Buy a LAP-TOP, a PC which ever you want. Actually prices of lap-tops and PC’s are getting lower and internet connections is not that expensive at all for as long as you will share and divide the monthly bill with your housemates (Way cheaper than phone calls). Back in the Philippines, internet bill is not that high either and installation is free. Internet is an “all in one entertainment and communication thing”. I for one spend my time doing the thing I love to do.. “Blogging” my mind is so pre-occupied with what articles I would write that I have no time to be emotional thus being able to avoid feeling homesick. There is facebook also to keep you in touch with friends and family, long lost elementary classmates and meeting new people. It’s like a virtual community or a meeting place that we may call “Tambayan”. The world has gotten smaller with the internet so no reason to feel miserable.

That’s about it! I know I have mentioned 10 ways in the title but the remaining three would be for you to make. There are plenty of ways but try to avoid things that may result to complications, problems and other “not so good things” that may destroy you and your family in the process.

Buhay OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers)

2011-10-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

(Sourced) : Kwento ni Noel Ablon

Noong ako'y musmos pa lamang, naalala ko ang eksenang umuuwi ang galling sa bansa ng mga Arabo. Nakita ko si ninong na may kwintas na ginto at magarang relong Seiko 5. At talaga naman pinupugaran ng mga kamag-anak ang kanilang tahanan sa tuwing dumarating ito.

Naisip ko tuloy na napakasarap siguro ng buhay nila sa Saudi dahil nagagawa nilang bumili ng mga mamahaling bagay. Siguro nga ang sabi ko lamang sa aking isipan.

Noong ako ay nagtapos ng bokasyonal na Computer Programming, ni ga-patak na ideya ay pumasok sa isip ko na makakarating ako sa Saudi. May isa akong kaibigan noon na nagtungo sa Jeddah-Saudi upang magtrabaho, mga isang taon din siya noon sa Saudi. Nang minsang hiningi niya sa akin ang aking resume ay ibinigay ko naman kahit na ayaw ko. Kasi talagang ayokong umalis ng pinakamamahal nating bansa. Noong mga panahon na iyon ay may maayos naman akong trabaho at magandang posisyon.

Balita
Isang araw na lang ay ibinalita sa akin ng aking kaibigan na gaya ko ring nagpasa ng resume. Tanggap daw kami at lakarin na raw namin ang aming papel para tumungo na sa lugar na iyon. Talaga namang magkahalong tuwa at lungkot ang nadama ko ng mga oras na iyon. Hindi ko alam kung nananaginip ba ako o totoo ang lahat ng narinig ko.

Sentimyento ni MommyAng naaalala ko noon ay nasa opisina ako ng matanggap ko ang tawag ng aking kaibigan. Hindi ako nakakibo ng mga oras na iyon hanggang sa umuwi ako. Nang ibalita ko iyon sa aking minamahal na ina ay talaga naming sentimyento de kalbaryo ang narinig ko mula sa kanya hehe! Paano na raw ang gagawin niya sa oras na umalis ako, sino ang tutulong sa kanya sa pagkalinga sa mga kapatid ko at kung ano-ano pa. Gusto ko sanang biruin na “Ayaw niyo pala akong umalis e di sige, hindi ako aalis!”, pero alam ko nung mga oras na iyon, yun ang pinaka-seryosong usapan namin ni Mommy.

Malaking hirap din ang dinanas ni Mommy para kami pagtapusin kahit ako ay sa isang vocational school lang nag-aral. At sa tanang buhay ko ay minsan ko lang makitang tumawa o ngumiti si Mommy kaya naman nagdiriwang ang mga anghel sa tuwing maririnig ko ang halakhak niya kahit na minsan ay nagmumukha akong tanga sa ginagawa ko. Ngayon pagkakataon ko na para palitan ang hirap na iyon.

Paglisan
At tumungo na nga ako ng Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Hindi ko na matandaan ang petsa pero iyon ay sa buwan ng Nobyembre, taong 1998. Sa eroplano pa lang ay maluha-luha na ako. Ganun pala ang pakiramdam ng paalis ng bansa at mapapalayo sa aking pamilya. Pero nagbago iyon nang lingunin ko ang kaibigan kong kasama kong natanggap, bakas sa mukha niya ang excitement ng freedom kaya naman natameme ako at parang nakaramdam ng kaunting hiya. Siguro ganun din ang feeling niya at magaling lang siyang magtago ng kanyang nararamdaman, yun na lang ang sinabi ko sa aking sarili para naman di ako masyadong mapahiya sa sarili ko hehe!

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Paglapag namin sa paliparan ng King Abdulaziz International Airport-Jeddah ay katakot-takot na paghahalungkat ang ginawa ng mga arabo sa gamit ko. Feeling ko, sinusungkal ang buong pagkatao ko sa tuwing ipapasok niya ang kamay sa ilalim ng maleta ko hanggang sa iluwal niya ang mga gamit ko sa ilalim. At natapos naman ang sungkalan blues ng walang naging problema. Wala silang nakitang anumang interesado sa aking maleta maliban sa brief kong pula na pagkatingkad-tingkad ng kulay, siyempre bumili ako ng bago nakakahiya namang isampay yung mga luma kong butas-butas na brief at iwagayway sa mga magiging kapit-kwarto ko di ba? Kung bakit naman kasi kailangan pang halungkatin ng husto ang gamit eh.

Maraming pumapasok sa isipan ko nang mga oras na iyon, kung anong mga kahaharapin kong tao at kung ano-ano pang bumabagabag sa isip ko, mga pangamba sa maaaring mga suliraning kahaharapin ko.
Sinalubong kami ng dalawang kaibigan at magiging officemates naming kasama nila si Kuya Nanding. Sa ngiti pa lang ng matanda ay mawawala na ang pangamba mo sa buhay. Si Kuya Nanding ang tatay-tatayan namin sa Jeddah, isa sa mahalaga at naging malaking sangkap sa tagumpay ko upang mapaglabanan ang lungkot at pakikibaka sa banyagang lugar – dito ngayon, ako ay isa sa mga banyaga.

Sa church kami tumuloy at doon na din kami tutuloy hanggang kalian daw namin naiisin. Si Kuya Nanding ang pastor ng church na iyon kasama din niya bilang pastor si Kuya Manolo.

Naging madali naman ang pakikitungo namin sa mga boss namin dahil mababait naman sila, meron ding mga hindi kanais-nais pero mapalad daw kami dahil marami ding kaming mga mababait na kasamahan sa trabaho na mga arabo.

Homesickness, pag-aalala at mga alaala
Nang makibalita ako sa Pinas ay nalaman kong hindi masyadong nagkaka-kain ang bunso kong kapatid na noong mga panahong iyon ay magwa-walong taon pa lamang. Miss na miss daw ako. Talaga namang halos matunaw ang puso ko sa lungkot at homesickness. Siguro dahil sa kasabikan ko noong magkaroon ng kapatid na lalaki, tapos nung meron na ay umalis naman ako at tumungo dito sa Jeddah. Na-miss ko rin ang pagtatalo namin ng kapatid kong babaeng sumunod sa akin, di ko akalaing mapapaluha ako habang iniisip ko ang away blues namin.

Ang ipinag-aalala ko lang noon ay kung magalit si Mommy ay talagang matindi kung ito ay mamalo, to the point na pag may nakuhang pamalo kung paano niya ito kinuha ay ganoon niya ipapalo sa’yo – isa sa madalas na pinag-aawayan nila ng yumao kong ama. Naaalala ko nang magalit siya sa bunso kong kapatid, kumuha siya ng sinturon at kitang-kita ko nang ibalunbon niya ang sinturon sa kanyang kamao habang nakalaylay ang bakal sa dulo nito, kaya ng kanya itong inihataw ay humarang ako pagkat alam ko masasaktan ng husto ang kapatid ko – hindi alam ni Mommy yun dahil sa sobrang galit. Masakit pala talaga ang palo ng sinturon lalo kung ang nasa dulo ay bakal – yun ang unang palang tinamo ko na hindi para sa akin. Isa pang naaalala ko ay nang magalit si Mommy sa kapatid kong babae. Ilang beses na kasing binigyan ng warning itong kapatid ko na magpa-paalam ng wasto pero hindi pa rin nagtanda, ang warning noon ni Mommy ay kakalbuhin siya. Pagkasundo namin sa aking kapatid ay sinapak niya ito at dinala sa kwarto at katakot-takot na sigaw at sampal at sapak ang inabot nito. Ng maranig ko na hinahanap niya ang gunting para kalbuhin ay nagmamadali akong itinago ang mga gunting, inutusan ko pa ang mga katulong na itago ang gunting dahil baka hindi lang kalbo abutin ng kapatid ko, dahil di ko alam baka magdilim ang tingin ni Mommy at baka isaksak sa kapatid ko. So sa kabila ng lagi naming pagtatalo ng kapatid ko ay mahal ko ang mga ito. Pasensya na at nasama ito sa buhay Saudi, naisip ko lang kasi noon wala ng pipigil sa galit ni Mommy.

Misteryo ng Saudi Balik Saudi tayo. Dito ay nakarinig ako ng ibang panig ng kwento ng Saudi. Mga bagay na di ko narinig noong ako ay nasa Pinas pa lamang. Naaalala ko yung kantang “Napakasakit Kuya Eddie” at doon ay marami akong narinig na ganoon ang naging buhay, totoo pala yung kanta ang sabi ko na lang sa aking sarili. Marami dito ang namumuhay na kasama ang ibang pamilya at walang exception, mapa-babae o lalake. Kabilaan ang imoralidad. Di ko alam kung ganoon din sa Pinas o mas marami pa dito, pero dahil siguro sa iilan lamang ang mga Pinoy dito kumapara mo naman sa Pinas siyempre. Kaya naging kapansin-pansin ang imoralidad sa lugar na ito. Hindi naging maganda ang kontribusyon sa akin nito, pagkat nagkaroon ako ng takot na mag-asawa sa mga nakita ko. Galing ako sa isang broken family kaya isang trauma na sa akin iyon, pero di ko akalaing mapupunta ako sa lugar na marami akong makikitang ganoon. Naaalala ko tuloy ang itinuro sa amin sa Bible study, parang Babylonia ito ng mga kababayan natin. Pero hindi naman lahat ay ganoon, bago kayo mangamba. Since nakatira ako sa church ay marami akong nakilalang tao, mababait at matulungin naman ang mga nakasama ko.

Paskong Bakasyon
At bago ako nagbilang ako ng mga taon dito sa Saudi. Naalala ko noong una akong mag-bakasyon ay talaga namang super-excited ako, lahat na yata ng klase ng tsokolate ay binili ko. At para dagdagan pa ang excitement ko ay umuwi ako ng Pasko. Sa kabila ng mga paalala sa akin na wag akong umuwi ng Pasko ay tumuloy ako. Magastos daw ang buwan na iyon. Naging masaya ang aking bakasyon kapiling ng aking pamilya. Totoo ang sinabi nila, magastos. Halos magtatatlong linggo pa lang ako ay nauubos na ang pera ko at parang gusto ko ng bumalik ng Jeddah, hindi dahil sa ayaw ko na silang makasama kundi dahil wala na akong pera at pakiramdam ko ay balik palamunin na ako. Pero awa ng Diyos ay napagtagumpayan ko ang una kong bakasyon. Malaking leksyon sa aking buhay. Atleast ngayon kahit pasko ako umuwi ay alam ko na ang gagawin ko para umabot sa katapusan ng bakasyon na hindi nauubos ang pera.

Ang sentimyento ng mga OFW
Nagbilang pa ako ng mga taon at ang isang masasabi ko lang ay hindi naging madali ang buhay sa Saudi o maaaring mamuhay sa ibang lugar. Nakahanap na rin ako ng kasiyahan sa lugar na ito pero hindi pa rin ito mapapalitan ng ligayang nadarama ko kapag kasama ang aking pamilya. Hindi maiiwasan sa mga kababayan natin ang magtampo kapag hindi sila naaalala ng mga taong binibigyan o binigyan ng tulong sa Pinas. Bakit hindi? Pagkat ang isa sa mga inaasahang aalala sayo ay walang iba kundi ang pamilya mo. Nagpakahirap ka na humarap at makipag-sapalaran kasama ng ibang mapanglait na tao, tinanggap mo ang mga mura at alipusta ng mga nakatataas sayo na kung ituring ka ay isa kang dumi sa harap nila. Mga bagay na hinarap mo para lamang matustusan ang mga pangangailangan ng iyong pamilya.

Sana sa mga asawa o pamilya ng mga kababayan dito sa Saudi, alalahanin niyo kami at unawain. Gusto naming marinig bawat balita mapa-masama man ito o higit ang mga magagandang balita. Isang sentimyento ng isang nakilala ko dito, sa tuwing tatawag daw misis niya ay puro gastusin ang sinasabi sa kanya – talaga namang lungkot na lungkot ang nakikita ko sa taong iyon. Ito marahil ang isa sa dahilan kung bakit naghanap ng ibang ligaya ang karamihan sa mga kababayan natin dito.

Hindi lang sa Saudi, maging sa ibang bansa. Ang pakikipag-sapalaran ng bawat kababayan natin lalo sa panahon ngayon na ang ibang mga lahi ay bumamaba na ang tingin sa ating mga Filipino. Kung minsan kapwa Filipino na rin ay bumababa na ang tingin sa kanilang sarili. Pamilya lamang ang ligaya namin at siyang isang bagay na nagpapatibay sa amin.

Mabuhay ang mga OFW.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT, MAKE OUT OF IT!!!

2011-10-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

Live life to the fullest each and everyday, you never know when your time is up. Don’t live life by other people’s standards. Live life by your standards, be happy, be loving, be kind. People will try to make you believe that you are suppose to do for them, live your life according to them, make your world revolve around them. GOD made us each individuals for a purpose. Stress is best when Free is added to the end. So…

Don’t harbor hatred, it only tears down your soul. Don’t hold grudges, it only eats you up whole.

Smile, GOD has given you another day. Laugh, No matter people say. Do good, it makes you feel a world apart.

Love others, it’s good for your heart.
Live, Laugh and Love – Life is too short and make out of it!

Join the IMPOK SERVICE COOPERATIVE. (Visit www.impokpatv.com)

2011-10-05T00:56:00.000-07:00

IMPOK is an acronym for ITAGUYOD MO ang PANANAGUTAN AT OBLIGASYON sa KINABUKASAN. This is a newly registered Cooperative in the Philippines aimed, designed, formed and to be managed by OFWs in the Middle East(and soon globally) to help them be able to have livelihood and housing assistance after their work abroad expires.IMPOK Cooperative is a
brainchild and will be actively headed by Ms. Mecky Decena of PATV and House of Feng Shui.

Having seen the problems faced by most OFW in the Middle East, she took it upon herself to start and organize a Cooperative that will be based on one common bond- that OFWs should have a good life and a bright future after their working contracts outside the Philipiines will be over.She believes in every OFW and she capitalizes on the strength of their dreams and their unity in building boss and run their own businesses.IMPOK Cooperative will be built on trust and a strong drive of the OFWs, all seeking to change their lives. With the strength of PATV, she believes that we can call the attention of the government, seek support and assistance from other organizations and with dedication and hard work & all the members will be able to build new lives with their families together back home.IMPOK Cooperative will use its power in numbers. As a collective whole, we now can all have our own houses, achieve better wealth generating vehicles, increase our savings from our salaries and ensure that we will never be broke again and penniless OFW when we get back home.

IMPOK OBJECTIVE
when they go back to the Philippines to make sure that they were able to build their house and a source of livelihood to rely on. Makatulong at makapag turo sa miyembro na makapagtabi ng pera na kanilang kinita para sa kanilang pag uwi sa Pilipinas ay mayroon na silang bahay at kabuhayan.

2. To encourage and teach members to learn and adapt savings program to be able to have a house they own and also achieve increased income through savings and safe investments. Ma-enganyo, maituro at maibahagi sa mga miyembro ang mga pamamaraan kung papaano ang bawat miyembro ay magkaroon ng sariling bahay, pangkabuhayan sa oras ng pagbalik at mabigyan sila ng
mga siguradong puwedeng mapaglagakan ng kanilang pinaghihirapan na pera.

3. To achieve financial independence for each individual member and the cooperative as a whole. Makamit ang "financial independence" ng bawat miyembro at ng buong kabuuang kooperatiba.

MECKY DECENA

More info: (click below)
Impok Services
How to Join
Impok News
Photo Gallery

For more details and info, please visit the website at: http://www.impokpatv.com/

Additional News:

Winner of the 19th September 2011 raffle of Iking's Chicken Specialties Franchising cart:. The first winner.

Please watched at http://www.pinoyatintotv.com// the raffle draw for more details.

KATAS NG SIBUYAS...

2011-10-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

(Sourced from Kuya Poklong - http://kuyapoklong.blogspot.com/)

Iba’t ibang kwento ng pakikipagsapalaran ang ating naririnig mula sa mga katulad kong mangagawang pinoy sa ibayong dagat. Minsan ang simpleng kuwentuhan ng mga OFW ay nauuwi sa pagbabahaginan ng mga karanasan. Ang iba naman ay sadyang pinagtagpo ng panahon, nagkita sa isang hindi inaaasahang pangyayari ngunit nakapag- iiwan ng aral sa isip at damdamin ng bawat isa.Na-engganyo ako na isulat ang maikling pakikipag-usap sa isang kabayan natin na nagtatrabaho bilang kasambahay dito sa bansang Kuwait. Kakaiba kasi ang kuwento niya at kung malalaman lamang ng mga mahal niya sa buhay lalo na ng kanyang mga anak ang kanyang ginawa marahil lalo nilang mapapahalagahan ang sakripsiyo ng kanilang ina .

Nakita ko si kabayan na nakapila para magpadala ng pera sa pinas. Paglapit niya sa akin binigyan ko siya ng isang maliit na papel upang isulat kung saan at kanino niya ipadadala ito. Habang nagsusulat tinignan ko si kabayan mukhang nakalimutan niya na magsuklay ng buhok, palihim akong napangiti. Ganun talaga kasi karamihan sa mga kasambahay hindi na makapag-ayos ng kanilang sarili dahil sa kasabikang makalabas. Karamihan kasi sa kanila ay hindi pinapayagan ng kanilang amo na makalabas.Ang iba nga na kadama rito amo pa nila ang nagpapadala ng pera para sa kanila. Maya-maya pa ay iniabot na sa akin ni kabayan ang papel na binigay ko sa kanya. At doon nagsimula na mag kuwento si kabayan.

“ Alam mo Kabayan, ayaw pa nga talaga ibigay ang sahod ko ng amo namin, gumawa lang talaga ako ng paraan.”, wika ni kabayan sa akin.

Bakit naman, kailan ba kayo pinasasahod? Ang tanong ko.

“ Sa a singko pa dapat pero kabayan kailangan talaga ng anak ko dahil sa eskwela saka mapuputulan na raw sila ng kuryente", ang sagot ni kabayan sa akin.

“Ganun ba. Buti naman binigay agad ng amo mo yung sahod mo.”

“Kabayan kundi pa ako umiyak di nya bibigay sahod ko.Ang ginawa ko nilagyan ko ng katas ng sibuyas ang mata ko para talagang makita niyang may luha at baka sakaling maawa sa akin” ang nangingiting sagot ni kabayan.

Sa puntong iyon, di ko alam kung matatawa ako o kaya maaawa kay kabayan. Kakaiba ang istilo niya pero nakatatawa man di maiaalis ang katotohanan na ang ina gagawa at gagawa ng paraan para sa kanyang mga anak. Simpleng istorya ng isang OFW na nagpapakita ng tunay na pagsasakripisyo para sa kanyang pamilya. At ang naging puhunan niya ay ang KATAS NG SIBUYAS.

Phil. Mission in KSA Emergency Numbers

2011-10-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

Source from http://ofwempowerment.wordpress.com

The Embassy wishes to advise all Filipinos in the Kingdom of the following contact numbers after regular working hours or from 4PM to 8AM and on weekends:

The Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals Section	056 989 3301	For police and detention cases, death, and other emergencies
POLO Riyadh	056 509 4862	For labor-related complaints and welfare issues in the Riyadh Region
POLO Central Regional	050 753 7997	For labor-related complaints and welfare issues in the Central Region:Provinces of Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, Northern Border.
POLO Eastern Region	050 126 9742	For labor-related complaints and welfare issues in the Eastern Region:Dammam, Jubail, Al-Khobar, Hofuf, Ras Tanura, Hafr Al-Batin

For Filipinos in Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region, Madinah Al-Munawarrah Region, Tabuk, Abha, Jizan, Najran, and Baha, the Embassy reiterates the existing hotlines of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah:

1) For police and detention cases, death, and other emergencies

Contact : Assistance to Nationals at Tel. No. 0555 219 613

Email : pc.jeddah@gmail.com

2) For consular issues [passport, visa, birth, marriage, authentication, notarial, certification, clearance facilitation, etc.]

Contact: Consular Section at Tel. No. 0555 219 614

Email: consular@pcgjeddah.org

3) ePassport Appointment and Other Consular Matters: Tel. No. 669-3254

a) appointment@pcgjeddah.org

b) visa@pcgjeddah.org

c) marriage@pcgjeddah.org

d) Releasing: Tel No. 668-9776

4) For labor-related and welfare problems contact POLO Jeddah at Tel .No. 056 195 6142 and email addresses below :

a) polo_jeddah@yahoo.com

b) polo_jeddah@pcgjeddah.org

Please note below Contact Numbers:

For police and detention cases, death, and other emergencies

* The Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals Section – Riyadh 056 989 3301:

* POLO Riyadh - 056 509 4862: For employment and welfare issues in the Riyadh Region

* POLO Central Regional 050 753 7997: For employment and welfare issues in the Central Region: Provinces of Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, Northern Border

* POLO Eastern Region - 050 126 9742: For employment and welfare issues in the Eastern Region: Dammam, Jubail, Al-Khobar, Hofuf, Ras Tanura, Hafr Al-Batin

* Assistance to Nationals in Jeddah - 0555 219 613: For police and detention cases, death, and other emergencies

* POLO Jeddah - 0569 819 720 : For employment and welfare concerns

How To Renew Your Passport In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2011-10-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

(Source from http://www.thepinktarha.com)

If there is only one ID a Filipino should have, it should be a passport. Not only is it one of the most recognized documents in the Philippines, it's also the most recognized ID in any part of the world. Don't get caught not having without a passport, much less an expired one. So, make sure you renew your passport on time. Please remember that traveling in most countries will require you to have a valid passport for 6 months. For example, your passport expires on December 25, 2011 and you're traveling to Japan today, they won't let you in the immigration because your passport is no longer valid for 6 months.

When I first went home for vacation in the Philippines, I was so excited and forgot to renew my passport months ahead. Good thing, it only took a month for me to receive my new one or else, I had to re-schedule every thing. My father, who doesn't really pay attention to these "trivial" things, didn't know his passport is expiring in two months and he had to travel to Pakistan for work. He had to ask the embassy for a passport extension, which will only be given with valid (business or emergency) reasons. He finally had his passport renewed and he waited a month or so to receive his new passport.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has recently introduced a new appointment system for e-passports. You don't have to wait in line anymore and you'll be able to request specific dates and time. It would be less hassle for your work or everyday activities. Only renewals are accommodated on this new system. Lost passports and new passports for children will be entertained as walk-ins. The Consular Section will accommodate 120 applicants daily so it is a must to get your appointment. Wag pasaway! :P No appointment, no entry! no processing!

The following information is taken from the Press Release No. 74-2011 (24 August 2011) of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

How to get an appointment to renew your passport
1. The new appointment system is free of charge and the applicants may enlist themselves directly through either one of the following ways:
• By e-mail to epptappt@philembassy-riyadh.org indicate the full name, contact number and preferred time and date for appointment.
• By SMS (text) to 0560503895 indicating the full name and preferred time and date for appointment.
• Family applicants must indicate all the names of its members. Otherwise only one slot would be provided to them.

2. Applicant should make an appointment at least 3 days before his/her intended day of personal appearance in the Embassy.

3. Applicant can request an appointment date and time.

4. Applicant will be informed of the date and time of appointment.

5. If the appointment is not confirmed, the applicant must request for another appointment.

6. The applicant should be at the Embassy at least 15 minutes before the appointment for personal appearance.

7. Late comers will be entertained after finishing all applicants who came on time.

The Embassy is open Saturdays to Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon except on regular Philippine and Saudi holidays.

Requirements for e-Passport renewal:
1. Personal appearance
2. Original old passport
3. Photocopy of old passport (data page only)
4. Duly accomplished passport application form that can be downloaded from the Embassy website: www.philembassy-riyadh.org or obtained from Window 1 of the Consular Section or at the Information Desk at the Embassy lobby (no photo needed)

Requirements for replacement of damaged passport:
1. Personal appearance
2. Original damaged passport
3. Affidavit of Damaged of passport
4. Duly accomplished passport application form (no photo needed)

Requirements for replacement of lost of passport:
1. Personal appearance
2. Police Report with English translation
3. Affidavit of Lost of passport
4. Duly accomplished passport application form (no photo needed)

(Note: There is a 15 days waiting period before the approval of the passport application)

Requirements for newly born applicants for e-Passport:
1. Report of Birth form accomplished in 4 copies. (Form available at the Consular Section of the Embassy or the website)
2. Arabic and English temporary birth certificate and/or other supporting documents (e.g. Notification of Birth from the clinic/hospital where the child was born) – 3 copies
3. Marriage Contract of parents duly authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila (if married in the Philippines) or authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs with English translation (if married in KSA) – 3 copies
4. Photocopies of parents' passports (data page only) – 3 copies
5. Duly accomplished passport application form (no photo needed)

What to do on your appointment date

• Come to the Embassy at least 15 minutes before the appointment time.
• Proceed directly to the encoding Area for encoding
• After encoding, proceed to Window 6 (Cashier) for payment.

Passport Fees
Renewal
e-‐Passport SR 240.00
Lost Passport
Green or MRP SR 360.00 & SR100 for authentication
e-‐Passport SR 600.00 & SR 100 for authentication
Newborn children
Report of Birth SR 100.00
e-‐Passport SR 240.00

How do I get my new passport?

• After 30 days after applying for your passport, you may check the Embassy website at http://www.philembassy-riyadh.org/ to find out if your passport has been received by the Embassy and is ready for release. You may also call 482-3815, 482-3559 and 482-1577

Releasing of e-Passport (Window 3)

1. Releasing will be in the afternoon only from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
2. Bring the following:
a. Original old passport
b. Official receipt

If you cannot appear personally to collect your new passport, you may authorize a representative and give him/her a signed letter of authorization stating your full name and the representative’s full name.

Si KABAYAN...

2011-10-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

The following poem was shared by a Saudi-based OFW guest in the comments section of FILkada’s Share Your Story page. Nakaka-touch. (Source from FILKADA)

Si Kabayan…

Nangingilid ang luha habang binabagtas ang daang papalayo,
Nakatanaw sa kawalan at isip ay litung-lito
Sa dibdib naroroon ang kaba at takot sa panibagong mundo
Na sisimulang harapin upang manilbihan sa lupain ng ibang tao.

Si Kabayan…

Di man kayang lisanin ang bayang pinagmulan,
Ngunit nangibabaw ang tawag ng pangangailangan
Na hindi kayang maibigay ng mga nasa katungkulan
Kung kayat sa lupang banyaga baka doon magkaroon ng kaganapan.

Si Kabayan…

Sinuong ang landas kaakibat ang kalbaryo,
Hinakbang ang mga paang di alam kung san tutungo
Haharapin nang buong tapang makamit lang ang gusto
Kaginhawahan sa iniwang pamilyang minahal ng totoo.

Si Kabayan…

Tiniis ang hirap, pangungulila’y pilit nilabanan,
Nagpa alipin sa bansang tingin sa sarili’y panginoon
Di inalintana ang pagod at bagamat nasasaktan
Hindi na maramdaman dahil sa manhid na katawan.

Si Kabayan…

Sa pagsapit ng gabi, doon sa maliit na kwarto,
Maririnig ang impit na luha nang panlulumo
Sa pagbalik ng mga alala at mga yugto
Na kapiling ang malalapit sa kanyang puso.

Si Kabayan…

Nag-iisip at nagtatanong kung hanggang kailan,
Matatapos ang pahina ng pakikipagsapalaran
Sa lupain ng mga dayuhan na kanyang kinalalagyan
Nang mayakap ang mga mahal sa buhay nang harapan.

Si Kabayan…

Luha ay patuloy na aagos buhat sa malayong ibayo
At dalangin makita ang pagsasakripisyo
Ng mga kababayang halos lumuwa na ng dugo
Sa halagang kailangan para makatikim kahit konting luho.

Please visit as well http://ahapedia.com/http://ahapedia.com/ . Your Filipino barkada abroad. You can share any story about yourself special those OFW.

6 Good Tips -Happy House Feng Shui

2011-10-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

A happy house is not a miracle - it is a result of efforts applied to your home. These 6 simple but good Feng Shui tips will help to make your house happier .

Probably among everyone’s wishes is to live happily and healthy in a cozy and comfortable house that is always associated with pleasure and joy. Well, Feng Shui can help in making the wish come true. However, nothing will happen in a minute – making your home a happy place will require some time and effort (both physical and mental). The 6 Feng Shui tips presented below will help you to speed up the process of becoming a happier and healthier person that lives in a good house that is full of love, joy and wellbeing.

1. Clean and Declutter for Good Feng Shui
Though Feng Shui, as most people believe, seems to be about moving furniture around, the reality is somewhat different. Good Feng Shui of any home always starts with cleaning and decluttering. Drawers and wardrobes staffed with hundreds of unused items, barricaded passageways, cluttered tables and shelves – neither of such appearances adds good to your house or life. So, throw away everything unneeded or broken, clean and free the space around you, and your life will gradually become more organized, just like your house.

2. Happy House is Light and Fresh
Fresh air and light are not only good for your health, but are also an irreplaceable cure for the health of your house. These natural Feng Shui cures refresh and energize the energy flows within a house, making the home’s atmosphere more favorable for happy living. Therefore, do not forget to air your home regularly. If there are dark rooms or places in the house, consider illuminating them with additional lamps, chandeliers or frequently lit candles, so the energy in those areas does not become stagnant.

3. Good Feng Shui Smells and Sounds Well
Smells and sounds also have an impact on the quality of energy flows that fill a house. If pleasant, sounds and smells purify and energize Chi of the home so that it effectively works for the good of the dwellers. So, consider burning scented candles, essential oils or incense sticks, as well as playing relaxing calm music from time to time, in order to tune your home’s vibrations up to happiness and health.

4. Add Natural Life Energy
Pure energy of plants and animals greatly enliven the overall atmosphere of a house. So, a pet, or at least an aquarium, may become a great Feng Shui cure for improving you home and life. In addition, whether you choose to have a little friend or not, it is always good to have some potted plants in the house. They not only clean and refresh the air, but also clean and refresh the Chi of your home.

5. Know the Bagua of Your Happy House
While improving the overall atmosphere of the house is always good for all the aspects of your life, it never hurts to improve some specific area. Do you have a wish, a desire or a need to change something in your life? – Then determine where the Bagua area responsible for that life aspect is, and enhance it accordingly.

6. Love Your Home
Love and take care of your house and it will love and take care of you in return. Your house does everything it can in order to satisfy you. However, it cannot do more without your help: it needs your love, your attention, and your gratitude. So, be grateful to your home, take a good care of all its corners, thank your house for being your home and protection, treat it with respect and appreciation, and who knows, maybe with time it will thank you by helping to get a new and better one!

Feng Shui cannot change your life immediately. However, it can help to gradually move into better stages of life, and your home is your greatest assistant in this process. Therefore, take your time to make your house a clean and fresh place, so that it helps you to become a happy and healthy person.

How to Pay Your SSS and Pag-IBIG

2011-10-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

Source from The PinkTarha (from Riyadh)

Hi Filipinos in Riyadh, are you an SSS and PAG-IBIG member? Do you even know what these are?

I'd like to elaborate but I'm not an expert in these things. I just recently found myself sorting out my SSS and Pag-IBIG membership plans because I know I need to.

When I was working in Makati two years before I went to Riyadh, my employer was in-charge of my SSS and Pag-IBIG contributions. They get automatically deducted from my salary each month and I didn't have to do a thing... except obtain the SSS and Pag-IBIG numbers online, which is a one-time thing. When I went abroad, I completely forgot, okay ignored, my contributions because it's such an effort to pay it and I wasn't really thinking clearly that time (tantamount to saying I don't want to have an idea how). Now, I realize they're important for all the right reasons. Maybe I need a loan? Maybe I'll retire soon (like 30 years soon, hehe)? Maybe I just need a back-up plan? It's been almost three years since I ignored them and I didn't know where to start because one, I did not have any document with me that states what my SSS number or Pag-IBIG number and two, I'm abroad. I decided to act on it.

I started with the SSS. I spent an entire day browsing the SSS website looking for answers to my "case." Okay, maybe it was just an hour but not finding a concrete answer in the site frustrated me to the point of giving up. But I'm not easily swayed by frustrations. Rightttt. So I did what I should have really done first: check their international branches. And hallelujah, I found email addresses for their Riyadh branch. I emailed sss_riyadh@digi.net.sa and sss_riyadh@yahoo.com (dalawa para sigurado) to ask how to pick up from where I left in my contribution and how to go from there. Being a government agency, I did not expect a prompt reply (because I'm biased like that and I've suffered countless waiting hours in some government agencies just to process papers and clearances). Surprisingly, I got a reply asap and the help that was provided to me was beyond my expectation. I didn't know it was that easy. If only I had known, I should have continued paying since I got here. So since I don't want you to suffer the same late realization I had, here's what you have to do to pay your SSS. (These tips are for OFWs and their dependents in Saudi Arabia.)

1. Your SSS number is your lifetime number. It can't be changed and it can't be doubled. You should only have one SSS number. If you already have one but have forgotten it or doesn't have any documents that has it, then you can email . (I apologize to Mr. Danny Calape, SSS representative to Riyadh, KSA, if his email address gets clogged because of this advice, hehe) to ask for an update on your record of contribution.

2. If you don't have an SSS number yet, you can get it directly from the SSS website.

3. SSS are paid by schedules. It doesn't have to be monthly though. You can pool your money to pay two or three or more months per visit to payment centers. You can also pay in advance.

4. The amount of contribution depends on your choice. Here's the schedule:

5. To pay, visit any branch of Skyfreight, Telemoney Center, or Tahweel Al Rajhi. In short, visit Batha. You'll find all three there. Hehe. Although of course, to avoid the crowd there, here are other branches: Skyfreight (not mentioned in the website is their new branch at Abu Bakr Ar Razi St., Suleimania, near the Military Hospital [RKH]), Telemoney, and Tahweel Al Rajhi.

Those are just some tips and guides. And since I'm probably just babbling, the first step is actually all you need regardless of what your question is. Email Mr. Danny Calape. I'm sure he'll be happy to help.

As for Pag-IBIG, there's also just one step needed. Email Mr. Philip Raymund Salem at balian_boy@yahoo.com for your questions. I know you;re curious but please don't ask him why he's email address is like that. Hehe. Jk. To answer your basic questions, though here's a simple step-by-step on how to enter the Pag-IBIG Online Membership Registration (Pag-IBIG 1 Program):

1. Visit the official website of Pag-IBIG Fund at http://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/.
2. Click "Member Services."
3. Click "Online Membership Registration."
4. Click "Register as a New Member."
5. Click "Continue."
6. Enter the code shown.
7. Click "Proceed."
8. Fill out the needed information. (Answer all blanks marked with *)
9. Click "Submit."
10. Click "Print MDF."
11. Submit the printed MDF to the Pag-IBIG representative at the Philippine embassy through a. submitting personally or via an authorized representative or b. send a soft copy of the MDF to balian_boy@yahoo.com.
Easy, yes? Wait, you need an Internet Explorer to proceed with the registration so I suggest you use IE. And a printer should be at hand to avoid any inconvenience. And please, be patient. Payments can be made through the Pag-IBIG representative at the Philippine embassy and at Skyfreight branches. There are more information available like payments and loans which we can email you if you need it. Otherwise, email Mr. Salem for all queries and concerns.

Visit the SSS website and the Pag-IBIG website for more information. Read especially on the section where they discuss the benefits of paying these. You might need the inspiration and the force to make this a monthly habit of yours. :D

OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) and SSS (Social Security System)

2011-10-02T01:46:00.000-07:00

By The Overseas Pinoy Investors

One of my colleagues asks me this question: Is it advisable for an OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) to continue paying its SSS contribution?
Of course, my reply is a big “YES”.

Why? Because, time will tell us that we will not be working as an OFW (with better compensation) forever. Actually, when we reach our retirement age (in which we could not hardly work or even walk), we will need this additional stream of income to sustain our day to day expenses. Unless, you have an investment that’s worth 10 times of your annual income and a gargantuan savings of 10 times of your annual income, I guess you are exempted from paying your SSS contribution.

If you don’t have those numbers above, you should start contributing now before time runs out. It is true that the pension you will be getting from SSS will not be sufficient to sustain your expenses but it’s better than nothing.

The monthly SSS contribution for Filipino working abroad is a bit higher compare to those working in the Philippines. Anyway, I was shocked to learn that from our group of 15 OFW, only 2 of us were religiously and continuously paying our SSS.

After working more than 7 years abroad, I observed that many OFW were not keen on investing, saving and planning on for their retirement. Actually, it’s hard to resist the luxuries that you see while working abroad. And this is the reason why some OFW return home empty handed.

I was thinking that if POEA instead of just issuing an OEC (OFW Overseas Exit Clearance), will also conduct a Financial Literacy seminar to every Filipinos before going abroad. I think by doing this, many Filipinos working abroad will have an idea on how to manage their finances, save and invest for their future.

Philippines Welcomes Hong Kong Ruling on Maids

2011-10-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

From Channel News Asia/Filipino Sa Abroad
MANILA – The Philippines on Friday welcomed a Hong Kong court decision that could allow foreign maids to settle permanently in the Chinese territory, saying it was a victory for equal rights.

"It is a step forward in recognising the rights of migrants," Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas workers, said in a statement.

"Overseas Filipino workers have contributed to the economies of their host countries and the decision recognises their contributions."

A Hong Kong court on Friday ruled a law banning foreign maids from settling permanently in the city was unconstitutional. There are more than 137,000 Filipino domestic helpers working in Hong Kong.

The legal action was brought by Evangeline Banao Vallejos, a Filipino domestic helper who has lived in Hong Kong since 1986.

Philippine activist group Migrante International, which represents Filipinos working overseas, also praised the ruling, saying it helped boost the status of domestic helpers who were treated as inferiors abroad.

"The ruling gives them equality. Domestic helpers are not really seen as equals in countries where they work," Garry Martinez, chairman of Migrante, told AFP.

"The important thing is that their rights are being recognised after so many years of working."

But Martinez said Hong Kong authorities would likely react to the ruling by tightening their laws to make it harder for Filipinos to get permanent residency there, as other developed economies had done.

About nine million Filipinos — 10 per cent of the population — work abroad, earning more money in a wide range of skilled and unskilled sectors than they could in their impoverished homeland.