Heavy rain tomorrow, very cold again on Friday

Latest satellite image from the Observatory shows dark clouds forming over Victoria Harbour

 Showers and thunderstorms are expected to affect Hong Kong from midnight tonight until early tomorrow, Mar. 4.

The Hong Kong Observatory has called on the public to take note of the latest weather bulletin before going to work or school tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the HKO said a cold front over the northern part of Guangdong is gradually moving southwards, and will bring cooler weather to Hong Kong coastal areas starting tomorrow afternoon.

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Temperatures will fall progressively, with a few rain patches over the next few days.

While the weather is forecast to brighten gradually towards the weekend, it will remain cool, particularly in the mornings and evenings.

Temperatures in the urban areas will drop to about 14 degrees on Thursday and 13 on Friday, before gradually rising to 17 Monday next week. It will be noticeably cooler in the New Territories. 

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Benefit concert for ailing Pinoy musician set for Mar 16

 

Tyron played the bass at Bulldogs pub about a decade ago.

Filipino musicians in Hong Kong will come together for a benefit concert on Sunday, Mar 16, 4pm onwards, at The Wanch in Wanchai to raise funds for the medical expenses of bassist Tyron Santos.

“Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with incredible music and a powerful purpose!,” said the Facebook invitation for the event titled "Hand in Hand in Hope for Tyron."

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At least 20 talented Filipino artists and bands like Mojo, HKMU’s Touchstone, Square Eyes, Sham Pain, Re’Call, Bebe’s Wish and Muzeque will perform for free

One of the organizers, Medy Villarin, said Tyron, who is already a double amputee due to diabetes, recently had angioplasty for which his wife was said to have been charged $74,000. Another surgery has been recommended for him but his family is no longer able to fund it.

The poster of 'Hand in Hand in Hope for Tyron'

The event which Villarin is co-hosting with Quincy Aranas and Joel Ugalde is in cooperation with John Prymmer of The Wanch and members of the Hong Kong Musicians Union.

Entrance fee is $100 but guests are encouraged to drop donations into a designated box at the venue.

“Please make sure you put your name in a sealed envelope before dropping your help. This way, the beneficiary can acknowledge and thank you personally, “ said Villarin.

Alternatively, donations may be sent directly to HSBC account no to HSBC account number 039 317615 288 in the name of Tyron's wife, Conde M.

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Sentencing put off for Pinoy in fraudulent toy sale

 

Fanling Court

A Filipino who sold but failed to deliver a toy after collecting payment of $2,400, was ordered by Fanling Court to return the money to his victim, after he pleaded guilty to fraud.

But that is just part of the penalty that Nicholas Agus, 26 years old, has to face when he returns to the court on March 26, after posting bail of $1,000 last Thursday (Feb. 29).

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Acting Principal Magistrate Veronica Heung adjourned the case after putting off sentencing on Agus, pending probation office and community service officer reports that she ordered.

While this order indicates that Agus might not be jailed for violating section 16(A) of the Theft Ordinance, he may be put under the supervision of a probation officer.

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Agus was charged with fraud after “falsely representing” that he would sell a toy figure upon payment of $2,400, to a certain Jeung Ying-chu, according to the police complaint dated Oct. 18, 2024.  

This, the charge sheet said, “resulted to benefit for you and prejudice for” Jeung.

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The Theft Ordinance prescribes a maximum penalty of 14 years for fraud.

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Fate defeats local rival after 12 years

 

Fate's team captain Don Gaborno in action (File)

It took 12 years for the all-Filipino softball team Fate to defeat their local rival SCAA-Star, so there was plenty of reason for the team to celebrate after their historic match on Feb 23 at the Tin Kwong playground.

Fate won, 3-2, over one of the strongest teams in bracket A of the the Hong Kong Softball Association’s tournament. In the last season, 2023-2024, SCAA-Star was ranked no. 2 while Fate was in fifth place.

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Fate, now with a 3 wins and 4 losses, will next play against Chinese Torpedors on Mar. 16, also at Tin Kwong.

Scoreboard shows the historic win by Fate

The game started with Fate as a home team. The tight defense of both teams gave no room for either to score in the first inning.

In the second, both teams managed to score, through Editha Hidalgo for Fate and Tam Hiu Nam for Star.

The fast ball of pitcher Lanilyn Aligno and good defense of catcher Eunice Locop resulted in three  consecutive standing out for Star in the third inning.

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In the last inning of the Chinese team, its player Wang Pui Wan managed to score, allowing the team to get ahead with two points.

For Fate’s last inning its players were tense as they knew it was crucial for them to add to their score with Star in the lead. 

Hidalgo proceeded to bat an outfield ball and run to first base safely. Next batter Ana Chelo Garbo also struck an outfield ball that allowed her to make it to the first base and Hidalgo to the second base. The local team then asked for a time out.

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When play resumed the umpire allowed next batter Bambee Abadilla to walk freely to the first base, ensuring the team had all the bases covered. However Hidalgo was put out on the home base. Batter Mary Joy Agodilla made it safely to the first base but base runner Garbo was also caught in the home base, resulting in two outs for Fate.

Still with full bases, batter Locop struck a long ball to the outfield, allowing base runners Abadilla and Sitchon to get to home base safely. The two additional scores sealed Fate’s dominance of the game. The umpire then stopped the game.

The team with their beloved late manager, Law Wai Ho

Fate was founded 12 years ago, and is now made up of 15 Filipino domestic helpers who are all softball enthusiasts. They choose to spend their only free day in the week in the field practicing for their next game.

The team is managed by Pamela Law, who took over the post after her father and Fate’s original manager, Law Wai Ho, passed away in 2022.

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Migrants mark Intl Women’s Day with dance vs violence

 

A whole day of dance, relaxation and 'rising' is planned for Sunday  

For the 11^th year running, migrant workers in Hong Kong will celebrate International Women’s Day by dancing en masse to protest all forms of violence against women and children.

This year’s “One Billion Rising” event organized by Gabriela Hong Kong and other women’s advocates will be held on Chater Road from 2-5pm.

But the flash mob dance is just part of the event dubbed “Women’s Cultural Festival.” There will also be cultural performances, art work sharing, speeches and games.

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On the side, there will be free services exclusively for migrants, including Filipino and Indonesian massage, blood pressure and blood glucose check-ups, counseling as well as painting lessons.

These are all part of the “Care to Caregivers” program of the Mission for Migrant Workers, which will use the occasion to hold a Thanksgiving Anniversary Celebration.

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Gabriela HK chairperson Shiela Bonifacio said the event is not just a way to gather migrant women, but also serves as a venue or platform for women to talk about issues that they make them feel violated.

“For this year’s event with the theme “Women’s Cultural Festival: Stop Violence Against Women and Girls,” various groups will gather and lend support to each other,” said Tebia.

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“It is important for migrant women to be able to speak out, and to have the chance to analyze their work situation to know when they are being subjected to abuse by their employers.”

Tebia said that through mutual support, women are encouraged to fight abuse and seek justice.

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Filipina DH jailed 6 weeks for working without visa

 

Chi Fu Fa Yuen, where the Filipina was found working without a work visa (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina who continued to work as a domestic helper for three years after her visa had lapsed at the height of the pandemic, was ordered jailed for six weeks yesterday.

Noreen Soribas, 40 years old, pleaded guilty to a charge of violating her condition of stay when she appeared in a Shatin court.

She was originally charged with a second count of working illegally under the Immigration Ordinance, but this was withdrawn after she admitted the first charge.  

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Soribas was found to have worked illegally at 16B, Block 5, Chi Fu Fa Yuen in Pokfulam from Aug 21, 2021, until her arrest on Jun 14, 2024.  

She was supposed to remain in Hong Kong only until Aug. 20, 2021, but instead of leaving, she went on to work for the undisclosed employer in the mentioned address.  

The charge did not give details as to how Soribas managed to get herself hired without an employment contract or a valid visa.

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If she had worked as a domestic helper previously she should have left Hong Kong at the end of her contract, if she did not submit a new one before the expiration. If she was terminated she should have left no later than 14 days after termination.

She was meted the penalty by Magistrate David Chum, who gave her the usual one-third discount on the starting penalty of nine weeks for her guilty plea.

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Elderly Pinoy in US$10 billion bank fraud remains in jail

 

The elderly Filipino tourist did not apply for bail at Eastern court

A Filipino tourist arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly attempting to encash a US$10 billion bank document was again returned to jail after appearing at Eastern Court yesterday, Feb. 27.

Ramon R. Revillosa, Jr., 68, did not apply for bail so Principal Magistrate Don So ordered him remanded in jail until the next hearing of his case on Mar. 27. But he was told he could apply for bail at the High Court.

Reports from the Philippines say the government had asked Hong Kong authorities to conduct a full examination of Revillosa as he was showing signs of dementia when he made “grandiose claims of wealth.”

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Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the request was relayed by the Consulate to relevant authorities in Hong Kong.

However, Consulate sources said Revillosa has only been tested for diabetes so far, although they are keeping an eye on his health.

In the interview, De Vega also said that the 38-year-old Filipino woman arrested with Revillosa was allowed to post bail and return to the Philippines. But the woman who claimed to be a lawyer, was told to return to Hong Kong on Mar 12.

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The two were arrested on Feb 10 after they allegedly presented three documents with a face value of US$10 billion to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation branch at China Building in Central to allegedly induce a staff member to believe they were genuine.

Arrested with them were a Malaysian man, a Taiwanese man and a woman who used a Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit to enter Hong Kong.

They were all reportedly detained after bank staff who examined the documents became suspicious and called the police. But it is not clear whether charges were also filed against the three, or if they were released pending further police inquiries.

Using a false instrument is punishable with up to 14 years’ imprisonment under Sec 73 of the Crimes Ordinance.

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Revillosa is named as the lone defendant in a case filed with Eastern court.

He is alleged to have presented a bank capability letter, guarantee letter and a certificate of balance, all purporting to have been issued by HSBC, which he “knew, or believed to be, false.”

He presented these so bank staff Tang Wing-sheung would “accept them as genuine, and by reason of so accepting them to do or not do some act to his own, or any other’s prejudice.”

Revillosa’s previous application for bail was rejected by Magistrate Ho, who also denied his plea to access his belongings so he could contact his relatives in the Philippines for bail money.

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Bayan Muna marks People Power anniversary with HK protest

 

The protest was held outside the Consulate building in Admiralty

Domestic workers belonging to the Bayan Muna party-list in Hong Kong staged a protest outside the Philippine Consulate offices in Admiralty on Feb. 25 to mark to the 39^th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution that ousted the late president Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.

The protesters held up posters saying that the son of the deposed leader and incumbent president, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., should be held to account for his father’s corruption which they said continues to cripple the country’s economy.

“Kahit pa pilit binubura ni Pangulong BongBong Marcos sa kalendaryo ang EDSA ay hindi nagpatinag ang mamamayan sa loob at labas ng bansa para ipakita ang lakas at labanan ang masama, marumi, makadayuhan, marahas at  korap  na gobyernong Marcos Jr,” said Lai Besana, Bayan Muna spokesperson.

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(Even if President Bongbong Marcos tries hard to blot out the EDSA anniversary from the calendar, Filipinos inside and outside the country remainresolute in fighting against the evil, dirty pro-foreign, forceful and corrupt government of Marcos, Jr.)

The protesters said the EDSA revolution that booted the Marcos family from power in 1986 was not a simple struggle between political rivals but was the result of the people’s uprising against a dictator.

They said Marcos Jr’s failure to address the country’s problems are what drives millions of Filipinos to leave the country so they can provide for their families.

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After three years as president, Besana said Marcos Jr. has failed to lift Filipinos from poverty.

Secretary General Baneng Mendez hit out at what she called the crisis of poverty, unemployment and corruption that continues under the Marcos administration.

She cited as an example the apparent hesitancy of the Philippine Senate to immediately convene a hearing of the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte by the House of Representatives.

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The protesters also expressed fear that massive cheating could happen with the first internet voting for overseas Filipinos that will be held from Apr 13 to May 12..

With just over a month to go before the landmark voting process, most overseas electors are still in the dark as to how they could vote, said Besana.

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Tropa wins OFDAHK's basketball tournament

 

A tense shot from the final round which Tropa won over Arma, 95-77

Team Tropa hammered rival Arma, 95-77, to win the Overseas Filipino Drivers and Aspirants Hong Kong (OFDAHK) basketball tournament held on Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Li Shing Street playground in Sheung Wan.

Tropa led the game from start to finish, scoring 54 as against Arma’s 24 in the first half.

Tropa got to the final round  of the one-day league by beating Wakalogs, 83-72 while Arma beat FBA Bros, 79-61.

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The losing teams battled for third place, resulting in FBA Bros winning over Wakalogs, 96-81.

All the winners received trophies, with 12 medals being awarded to each member of the top team, as well as those named to the Mythical Five.

Tropa's highest pointer Christian Ombao received the throphy for the most valuable player.

He joined teammate Mikho Castillo, Arma's Francis Soriano, FBA's Arman Dela Cruz and Wakalogs' Richard Tamundong in completing the Mythical Five. 

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"Everybody's happy", said OFDAHK's founder Chyrill F. Nadela. "Despite the big number of players in each team, everyone  had their chance in the court", she added.

Arma’s said Jomar Javillionar agreed, saying they all had fun and had their fair share of each game without being exhausted.

OFDAHK president Elmer C. Orilla said his group uses sport activities as part of their advocacy to unite and encourage fellow migrants to upgrade their skills. Apart from men’s basketball, they also organize volleyball tournaments for women.

As its name implies, OFDAHK only accepts Filipinos as members, whether they are already licensed drivers in Hong Kong or are just aspiring to be one. – contributed by Ramon Dizon, Jr.

(We welcome written contributions from Filipino community organizations in Hong Kong about their activities. Please submit with photos and indicate your full name and telephone number by sending an email to the editor at daisymandap@yahoo.com)

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Airport tax to rise, $2 concession fare for elderly to be curbed under new Budget

 

Paul Chan unveils the Budget at the Legislative Council

Plane fares from Hong Kong are set to rise by $80 starting in April this year, as part of the belt-tightening measures announced by Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan today, Jan. 26.

The air passenger departure tax will go up from $120 to $200 from the third quarter of the year, an increase that Chan said would have “minimal” effect on passengers.

However, a whopping $1.6 billion is expected to be generated from this measure.

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Chan also said he is eyeing a $200 levy for each car that departs land borders, which could add $1 billion to the government coffers each year.

Increasing annual licence fees for electric vehicles, parking meter charges, as well as fixed penalty tickets for traffic violators are also, in the offing.

Another cost-cutting measure would impact elderly residents, who comprise 23% of the city’s population. From April, the flat fare of $2 paid by those aged 65 and above when traveling on most public transportation will apply only if it their ticket price is $10 or below. If higher, they will only get an 80% discount on the fare.

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There will also be a cap of 240 rides per month (or roughly, about 8 per day) for their discounted fare.

In a rare move, the government also announced no salary increase for all civil servants for the next fiscal year.

In addition, about 10,000 people on government payroll will be let go to further trim expenditures.

But there were also surprise sweeteners in the budget, like the 100% reduction in salaries tax as well as profits tax. However, the caps set for these benefits are whittled down by half, or $1,500 instead of the previous $3,000.

Chan said these concessions will reduce government revenue by $3.1 billion, but will benefit 2.1 million taxpayers and 165,000 businesses.

Social security payouts will remain unchanged from last year, with an additional half-month payment of regular allowances for those receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Old Age and Disability Allowance, and Working Family Allowance.

There was also good news for those who plan to buy property. The stamp duty of $100 will be collected only if the maximum value of the property exceeds $4 million, instead of the $3 million set last year.

Overall, this year’s concessions amount to $8.3 billion in total, down from last years $11.5 billion.

At a public forum held after his Budget speech, Chan asked for public understanding amid criticism that the middle class would be affected the most by the revenue cuts.

He said the government needed to effect measures to boost revenue and retain Hong Kong’s competitiveness, while doing everything possible to lessen the impact of the new measures on the public.

For the full Budget speech and related stories, please click this link: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202502/26.htm

 

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Pinay testifies jewelry she is accused of stealing is hers

 

Place where alleged theft happened (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina domestic helper who was terminated after her employer accused her of stealing a gold ring and a gold necklace and had her arrested, testified in her theft case at Eastern Court that the jewelry in question were hers.

Lilibeth Fabros, 51 years old, was testifying Wednesday (Feb. 26) in a case filed against her by police, accusing her of stealing a gold ring and a gold necklace from her employer Linda Chan at her flat in Dragon Garden, Tai Hang, on Nov. 15, 2021.

Fabros said the confrontation began in the afternoon of Aug. 9, 2013, when Chan asked if she saw a diamond ring. “I said I did not,” she said. “I felt upset because she told me that if she proves I took it, she will report me to police and Immigration.”

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Two more confrontations followed.

A ring and a necklace were recovered by police from a pawnshop in North Point after Fabros confessed, in a subsequent confrontation that the employer secretly recorded on her phone, that she had pawned them.

However, the recovered items did not include the missing diamond ring Chan was looking for.

Fabros said in court that she made the supposed confession about pawning jewelry and offered to pay for her employer’s losses through monthly deductions from her salary, because she was in a panic and fearful of losing her job. 

She also said she found out about the recording only when her duty lawyer informed her about it.

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As a result of her testimony, Fabros’ lawyer asserted that the ring and necklace she admitted she pawned are not related to the case.

He also urged Magistrate Frances Leung to be very careful in considering the sound recording, which was earlier played in court, as part of the evidence as it would be unfair to Fabros. “It cannot be a confession,” he asserted.

Chan testified earlier, claiming ownership of both items, although they were not in the list of items she had reported to the police as missing.

She testified that she discovered that some of her jewelry were missing, including three diamond rings and a few gold necklaces.

 “I looked in drawers and handbags and did not find the items,” she said.  

That was when she confronted Fabros. “I asked her to help me find them,” she said. “I asked her, ‘have you taken them?’ She did not answer.“

Chan also denied threatening Fabros, who confirmed it when it was her turn to be questioned by the prosecutor.

Magistrate Leung adjourned the case to March 5. She freed Fabros on $5,000 bail.

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