Ex-HK OFW is mom to a ‘Bagong Bayani’

 

Nanay Evangeline is congratulated by President Bongbong Marcos after being introduced
by DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac at the Bagong Bayani awards

Former Hong Kong domestic worker Evangeline Isla was given special mention by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in a Facebook post on Saturday, Nov. 22, after she represented her engineer-daughter at the Bagong Bayani awards in Malacanang two days earlier.

Nanay Evangeline, proudly stood on the podium at Malacanang's ceremonial hall in place of her daughter, Qatar-based engineer Romaline Isla, who was named “outstanding employee.”

Secretary Cacdac said in his post, “Maari pong sabihin na dalawang OFWs po ang pinarangalan natin sa isang tropeo at medalya.” (It could be said that we honored two OFWs with a trophy and a medal).

“Malugod po silang kinilala ng ating mahal na Pangulo sa “Palace of the People”. (Both were warmly received by our beloved President in the ‘Palace of the People.’)

Roma's poster shot during the awards rites

Nanay Evangeline told The SUN that she began her OFW journey in Saudi Arabia together with her husband Rolando where they both worked for five years, before she moved on, alone, to Hong Kong, to continue working as a domestic helper for another 15 years.

In Hong Kong, Nanay Evangeline had some of his worst experiences as an OFW, including being shouted at and poked in the face by her female employer from the mainland.

“Mabuti na lang at mabait ang asawa niya na Australyano kaya ako nakatagal,” she told The SUN. (Luckily, her husband who is Australian, was nice, so I managed to hold on).

She was also lucky in that her husband agreed to settle down in their Pangasinan hometown so he could do odd carpentry jobs while looking after their four children.

It was her children, the eldest of whom was Romaline or Roma, who kept her going, said Nanay Evangeline.

“Gusto ko silang makatapos lahat. Ayaw ko silang matulad sa akin na domestic helper,” she said, the memory still fresh in her mind. (I wanted all of them to complete their studies. I did not want any of them to become a domestic helper like me).

Her effort paid off when Roma went abroad, not as a domestic helper, but as an accomplished engineer, and quickly rose through the ranks.

Recently, Roma moved on to a renowned construction firm in Doha where she was made an environmental manager, and because she could not yet go on vacation leave, asked the person who played a key part in her success - her mother - to represent her at the awards rites.

Seeing Roma so honored made Nanay Evangeline doubly proud and happy, for she not only fulfilled her wishes for her children, her daughter also showed how an OFW could shine and help uplift the country abroad.

 

Pinay detained on drug charges

 

Rambler Hotel, where alleged drugs were found in a room  (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina asylum-seeker has found herself in jail along with an Indian, while their two other Indian co-defendants were allowed bail after their case at Eastern Court was amended to two counts of drug trafficking.

The original cases against Vanessa Poblacion, Karnesh Bawa, Aftab Alam and Kalimuddin Mohammed were : trafficking in a dangerous drug, possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of dangerous drug, driving an unlicensed vehicle, and using a vehicle without third party insurance.

Prosecutors presented an amended case to Magistrate Kestrel Lam on Thursday (Nov. 20), charging the four with two counts of drug trafficking, contrary to sections 4(1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

DETAILS HERE

Before he adjourned the case to Jan 22 next year, Magistrate Lam remanded Poblacion, 36 years old, and Mohammed, while allowing Bawa to post bail of $60,000 and Alam, $100,000.

The first charge accuses Bawa, Alam and Mohammed of trafficking 3,050 grams of cannabis in herbal form on May 30, 2023, at Tsing Kwai Highway Ch 9.5 North (near Lamppost FB7662 Cheung Tsing Bridge, Tuen Mun Bound); in Tsing Yi, New Territories.

The second charge accuses all four of trafficking in dangerous drugs on May 30, 2023, in a room at the Rambler Oasis Hotel on Tsing Yi Road, New Territories. Found in their possession were:

PINDUTIN DITO

(i) 694.64 grams of cannabis in herbal form;

(ii) 1,718.7 grams of cannabis resin;

(iii) 603 grams of a solid containing cannabis resin;

(iv) 39.6 grams of a crystalline solid containing 39.6 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride;

(v) 11.9 grams of a solid containing 9.90 grams of ketamine;

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(vi) 15.6 grams of a solid containing 8.70 grams of cocaine;

 (vii) 15.4 grams of a solid containing 13.5 grams of a solid containing N,N-dimethylpentylone;

(viii) 2,861 grams of a solid containing 1.71 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol;

(ix) 25.1 grams of a liquid containing 18.11 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol;

(x) 21.7 grams of a solid containing 16.7 grams of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine;

(xi) 339 tablets and 1 tablet fragment containing 21.97 grams of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; and 1,

(xii) 0.06 grams of a solid containing lysergide.

Unaccompanied minors can only travel abroad with ma’s personal consent

 

Mothers must appear in person to give consent before their minor child can travel abroad

A mother must personally give her consent before her minor child can travel abroad unaccompanied by either parent, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

To make the consent valid, the mother must be physically present at an interview before the Travel Clearance Certificate (TCC) can be issued for the child.

The reminder was issued Saturday through the Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) online system.

DETAILS HERE

MTA welfare officer Katherine dela Cruz explained, “We require the presence of the mother, even if she has consented and signed. We need them to attend the interview for confirmation.”

Dela Cruz noted that in the past, mothers had signed the consent papers but were absent during interviews.

The requirement for the mother’s explicit and personal consent is in line with the DSWD’s strict process in issuing TCCs to protect Filipino children from trafficking and exploitation.

PINDUTIN DITO

The rule applies to all kinds of travel by minors, whether alone or with people other than their parents, including for competitions abroad, taking up study grants or attending out-of-country training.

The TCC requires the written consent of both parents or the solo parent or legal guardian, notarized and with details of the travel companion, destination, purpose and duration. If the parent/s is abroad, the Affidavit of Consent and Support must be obtained from the nearest embassy or consulate.

Dela Cruz said the MTA follows provisions of the Family Code, which designates the mother as having sole parental authority over a child.

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In line with the law, if the mother is missing, the father or guardian must obtain a social case study report from the local social welfare and development office of the local government unit, as well as a police blotter report.

The DSWD said its regional field offices will assist people who cannot access the MTA online system or have no internet connection.

For more information, please check the MTA webpage: https://car.dswd.gov.ph/programs-services/protective-services-program/minors-travelling-abroad/

 

 

Belen-making contest for orgs launched

 

The Consulate General has launched PaSTARan 2025, this year’s contest for Belen-making for all organizations in the Filipino community, with the theme: Holy Family, Light of Happiness and Love.

Organized in collaboration with LBC Hong Kong, St. Joseph’s Church and the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, the annual contest provides an opportunity for members of the Filipino community to showcase their creativity, craftsmanship, and devotion through the art of Belen-making.

DETAILS HERE

Those who wish to join this contest may submit their filled-out Entry Registration Form (Form No. HKPCG-CS-PRN-2025-1) to the Consulate's Cultural Section OR accomplish the Google form from 20 to 30 November. The form can be opened by clicking this: bit.ly/4oXTCIT

The announcement and awarding of winners will be held immediately after the Simbang Gabi on Dec. 21 (Sunday) at 10:00 pm, at the St. Joseph's Church in Central. The evening party on Dec. 21 starts at 9:00pm.

PINDUTIN DITO

According to the guidelines for the contest, all Belen entries must:

• Only feature the Holy Family (St. Joseph, Mama Mary, Baby Jesus and the Star of Bethlehem);
• Be made up of at least 70% recycled and repurposed materials (used items meant for disposal); and
• Be 1.5 ft tall and 2 ft wide. Any measurement in excess of the allowable size will incur point deductions.
• Lighting-enabled entries must use battery-operated lights.
• Only one (1) entry will be allowed for each Filipino Community organization.

Basahin ang detalye!

Criteria for judging are the following:

• Relevance to the theme 30%
• Originality 30%
• Overall presentation 20%
• Creativity 10%
• Use of recycled materials 10%

The prizes are:

Grand Winner: HKD 4,000 and 2 medium-sized door-to-door boxes

1st Runner Up: HKD 2,500 and 1 medium-sized box

2nd Runner Up{ HKD 1,500 and 1 medium-sized box

People's Choice Award: HKD 500 and 1 medium-sized box

For inquiries and additional information, please send an email at cultural.pcg@gmail.com or call 2823-8535.

13 overstayers among 45 people arrested in illegal work sweep

 

The week-long operation netted one of the biggest groups of illegal workers

Thirteen overstaying former domestic helpers and one who came in as tourist were among 45 people arrested in the latest anti-illegal work operations by the Immigration Department.

An Immigration Department statement said that in one of their joint operations with the Labour Department, it was discovered that FDHs whose contracts were prematurely terminated had been overstaying while taking up illegal employment.

“After a thorough investigation and intelligence analysis, the ImmD successfully identified and raided multiple target locations, including restaurants and food production plants,” said the statement.

DETAILS HERE

Independent media reports said most of those arrested were from Indonesia.

The week-long operation from Nov 14 to 20 netted a total of 33 suspected illegal workers, 10 employers and two non-FDH overstayers. The round-ups were conducted with help from the Labour Department and the police.

According to Immigration, in the first batch of raids, those arrested on suspicion of illegally taking up jobs comprised one man and 23 women who were found working as dishwashers, cleaners and kitchen workers.

One of the suspects is caught in the act during a restaurant raid

The suspected illegal workers comprised one man and 23 women, aged 22 to 52. Apart from the 15 overstaying ex-FDHs, 10 others held recognizance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment taking any employment in Hong Kong.

In separate covert operations that targeted multiple locations like massage parlours, renovation flats and retail stores, nine suspected illegal workers comprising seven men and two women aged 37 to 60 were arrested. Two men and one woman in the group were found to possess fake HK identity cards.

Also taken in for questioning were two local female residents aged 52 and 65, who were suspected of having employed the illegal workers.

Basahin ang detalye!

Immigration said an investigation into the suspected illegal employers in ongoing, and further arrests cannot be ruled out.

Under the Immigration Ordinance, those who violate their visa conditions by taking up unauthorized work can be jailed for up to two years and fined a maximum of 500,000. The jail term extends to three years in cases where the offender is an overstayer, illegal immigrant, or subject to deportation.

Employers of illegal workers face a maximum penalty of P100,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail.

An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

 

 

 

Pinay DH sent to hospital after answering child abduction case

Tuen Mun Court

A Filipina domestic helper has been sent on a three-month hospital stay after being charged with abduction of a child.

Odeza Franco, 31 years old, appeared mentally ill when she went before Tuen Mun Court's acting Principal Magistrate Daniel Tang on Thursday, Nov. 20.

DETAILS HERE

Franco was alleged to have "unlawfully (taken) X, a child aged 1, out of the possession and against the will of Y, the mother of the said X," according to the complaint filed by Tuen Mun Police.

The incident took place last Oct. 9 at a flat in Tuen Fu Road Disciplined Services Quarters, 15 Tuen Fu Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories.

Basahin ang detalye!

Section 26 of the Protection of Children and Juveniles Ordinance says: "Any person who unlawfully takes or causes to be taken any child or juvenile out of the possession and against the will of the father or mother or of any other person having the lawful care or charge of such child or juvenile shall be guilty of an offence punishable on conviction on indictment by imprisonment for 2 years."

‘Bagong Bayani’ awardees honored in Malacanang

President Marcos and First Lady pose with Bagong Bayani awardees and DMW officials

For the first time since 2011, the biennial Bagong Bayani awards held to honor outstanding overseas Filipino workers, was held at the Malacanang Palace on Thursday, Nov 20, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and his wife, First Lady Liza A. Marcos, leading the tribute.

In his speech, President Marcos thanked the OFW awardees, saying  “kayo ang pinakamagandang larawan ng kakayahan at kasipagan ng mga Pilipino.” (You project the best image of the competency and industriousness of the Filipino).

DETAILS HERE

Marcos promised that in turn, the government through the Department of Migrant Workers, would continue to elevate protection for OFWs, streamline its operations, “and ensure that every OFW is treated as the hero that they are.”

HK's Eva Mapa shows her trophy in photo with son Kean

The new Bagong Bayani awardees include Eva Rasgo Mapa, a domestic worker in Hong Kong, who has been using her considerable talent in massage therapy to provide relief to mobility-impaired Filipinos and her own funds to conduct free blood pressure and blood glucose test to OFWs on her days off.

Mapa, who heads the OFW group World Medical Support (Womed) Hong Kong won the community and social service award.

Basahin ang detalye!

Also among the awardees was Camille Jesalva-Junio, a former caregiver in Israel whose courage and presence of mind during a Hamas invasion in October 2023, made her the first-ever recipient of the Susan “Toots” V. Ople award.

Camille also won recognition from the Israeli government for saving the life of her 95-year-old female ward and herself, by offering her US$370 savings and mobile phone to militants who entered their house in Kibbutz Nirim in October last year.

The Marcos couple paid special attention to Camille during a brief chat with the awardees after they were each handed a trophy and a medal. A misty-eyed First Lady told Camille, “You made me cry,” referring to the bravery the OFW had shown during the Hamas raid.

Camille proudly shows off her trophy

During their short encounter, Mrs Marcos took note of the heavily pregnant Camille and jokingly said, “What are you going to call you baby, Martyr? To which the OFW quickly replied, “Hero.”

The only awardee who was unable to attend the ceremonies was “best employee” Romaline Dizon Isla, an engineer based in Qatar. Her mother Evangeline who received the award in her behalf, said Romaline or Roma, had just started working for a new company and could not yet take time off.

Evangeline, who revealed having been an OFW herself, said she decided  to work as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong so she could send her four children to college. “I did not want them to become domestic helper and experience the same hardships that I had to go through,” she said.

The other awardees were Michael Palic Conjusta for culture and the arts,  Capt. Rolly Tenorio Lapinig and the 18 Filipino crew of MV MSC Aube F for heroic art(Heroic Act), and successful reintegration awardees Elaine Vianca G. Figueroa, Ruellyn S. Ribon, and Alexander Inday Sebastian. Capt. Gaudencio C. Morales who received the Capt.Gregorio S. Oca Achievement Award, gave the response on behalf of all the awardees.

The 24-hour tribute to the new Bagong Bayani group started with a dinner with DMW officials at the Mall of Asia on Thursday, followed by the breakfast reception at Malacanang, lunch in Intramuros, and the unveiling of the marker with their names at the Wall of Honor (Bantayog ng mga Bagong Bayani) on the DMW grounds.

Awardees pose by the Wall of Honor where their names are permanently etched

On top of their trophies, medals and names on a plaque in the Wall of Honour, each awardee was also handed a token financial reward from the DMW.  Most importantly, they were attentively served by DMW staff, from getting to and from the events venues to ensuring they had enough to eat throughout the day.

The Bagong Bayani Awards which was created in line with a presidential decree issued in 1983 by the late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., has honored more than 1,700 OFWs since 1989.

 

Fight with Pinay lands Dominican in jail

 

Bar strip where fight took place (Google Maps photo)

A Dominican woman has found herself in jail after a fight in a bar with an unidentified woman, said to be a Filipina, who disappeared when police officers arrived, leaving her alone to answer questions during investigation.

Worse, Lisandra Manana Moya, 31 years old, also turned out to have been arrested two months earlier for drug possession.

When she appeared at Eastern Court on Nov. 17 (last Monday), the two cases were heard together by Magistrate Ko Wai-hung, who subsequently ordered that she be remanded until the next hearing on Jan. 5 next year.

DETAILS HERE

But Magistrate Ko scheduled a bail review for Nov. 25, to see if circumstances have changed to allow her bail. He also reminded her that she had the right to appeal his decision at the High Court.

Manana, who is unemployed, was charged with fighting in a public place, contrary to section 25 of the Public Order Ordinance, after fighting with an “unknown Philippines female”last Nov. 1 at Bar. 109, on Lockhart Road, Wan Chai..

It was not clear how the police found out the other woman was a Filipina

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Her second charge, possession of a dangerous drug, contrary to sections 8(1)(a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, arose from her being arrested last Sept. 10 near the junction of Lockhart and Luard Road in Wan Chai.

Found in her possession, acording to a charge, was a plastic bag with “traces of a white solid containing cocaine”.

Pinoy jailed 4 months for drug and apparatus possession, resisting arrest

 

Area where Filipino was arrested (Google Maps photo by Kit Tsin)

A Filipino asylum seeker who earlier pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine hydrochloride (known to Filipinos as shabu) and apparatus to inhale it, and then resisting when four police officers arrested him, was jailed today for four months.

Aldrian Maloles, 37 years old and holder of a recognizance form to serve as identification document, had pleaded guilty in a hearing last Nov. 5 at Kwun Tong Court and Magistrate Lau Suk-han put off his sentencing to today pending a drug abuse report by the Drug Addiction Treatment Center.

The three offenses took place on Nov. 17 last year at the sitting out area outside 15 Sai Kung Hoi Pong Street, in Sai Kung, according to a police complaint dated May 16 this year.

DETAILS HERE

Maloles was sentenced to three months in jail for violating sections 8(1)(a) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance by having in his possession three plastic bags containing a total of 1.01 grams of a crystalline solid containing 0.99 gram of meth and one plastic bag containing 0.20 gram of crystalline meth.

He was jailed for two months for violating sections 36(1) and (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance by having in his possession one glass tube with one end shaped as a bulb containing 0.02 gram of crystalline solid meth and one glass bottle with two openings containing 0.01 gram of meth.

He received another six weeks for resistng when three police constables and one police sergeant arrested him, thus violating section 63 of the Police Force Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

Magistrate Lau ruled that the sentences for possession of drugs and apparatus run at the same time for a total of three months, followed by four weeks of the sentence for resisting arrest, for a final sentence of four months.

Ancient Egyptian treasures on display in HK from tomorrow

 

This huge statue of the pharaoh Tutankhamun is the centerpiece of the exhibit

An extraordinary collection of 250 precious artefacts from Egypt, including statues of pharaohs and deities, gold ornaments, large coffins and animal mummies, will go on display in Hong Kong starting tomorrow, Nov 20, at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

The exhibit, Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums features the largest, most comprehensive and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong.

DETAILS HERE

Its centerpiece is a towering statue of Tutankhamun, the 13^th pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, who became famous in modern times after his nearly intact tomb containing an extraordinary collection of over 5,000 artifacts including his mummy and funeral mask, was discovered in 2022.

The exhibition opening is a prelude to the 70^th anniversary next year of the start of diplomatic ties between China and Egypt.

Mummified animals are part of the exhibit

The objects on display come from seven prominent museums in Egypt, including the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art, as well as recent archaeological discoveries from Saqqara.

All artefacts are displayed in Hong Kong for the first time, and many are exhibited outside Egypt for the first time, making the exhibition especially significant.

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As part of the unveiling of the exhibition, the Hong Kong Palace Museum will host a special Egyptian dance performance on Nov. 22, as part of the HKPM Showtime!

The museum will also support the 8^th Hong Kong International Egyptian Dance Festival, which will also feature dance workshops, performances, competitions and presentations on global dance research.

A regular adult ticket to the Ancient Egypt exhibit costs $190 each and concessions at $95 each.

Below are the details of the exhibition, including dates and times:

Exhibition Date

20 November 2025 – 31 August 2026

Opening hours:

10am to 6pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday;
10am to 8pm, Friday, Saturday & Public Holiday;
Closed on Tuesday (except public holiday) and the first two days of the Lunar New Year

Venue: Gallery 9, Hong Kong Palace Museum at West Kowloon Cultural District

Enquiry:  +852 2200 0217

Website: www.hkpm.org.hk/en/exhibition/ancient-egypt-unveiled-treasures-from-egyptian-museums

Immigration holds info seminar for Indonesian DHs

 

More than 180 newly arrived Indonesian DHs took part in the immigration seminar

More than 180 foreign domestic helpers who just arrived from Indonesia took part in a seminar conducted by the Hong Kong Immigration Department at the invitation of the Indonesian Consulate General earlier today, November 18.

Participants at the seminar were informed about issues relating to human trafficking so their awareness about the prevalent but often overlooked offence is enhanced.

DETAILS HERE

Officers from Immigration’s Enforcement Branch also told them about the restrictions attached to their visas as domestic workers, the most important of which is that they should only perform domestic duties for the employer named in their employment contract and for no one else.

The officers appealed to them not to take up any unapproved employment, or to overstay.

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The participants were also briefed on other key matters to note while working in Hong Kong.

Officers and staff of the Indonesian Consulate were on hand to listen to the briefing, and expressed gratitude to the Immigration Department for its support.

In turn, the Consulate promised to work closely with authorities to further promote publicity and enhance the education of newly arrived FDHs in Hong Kong.

 

Pinay jailed for managing gambling place

 

Entrance to building that houses gambling establishment (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina listed as unemployed has been jailed for six weeks for managing a gambling establishment.

Cecilia Tejam, 57 years old, pleaded guilty Monday (Nov.17) at Eastern Court, after the charge of violating section 5(b) of the Gambling Ordinance was read to her.

DETAILS HERE

Tejam was arrested on Aug. 22 at Flat A, 10/F, Bank Tower, 351-353 King's Road, Hong Kong Island where the gambling establishment is located.

The building is notorious for such illicit activity, particularly among Filipinos in Hong Kong. It was the site of several arrests being made, of both gamblers and operators, before and even during the pandemic.

DETAILS HERE

Magistrate Ko Wai-hung gave her a starting point of nine weeks’ jail, but reduced her sentence by a third because of her guilty plea.

Gambling is unlawful in Hong Kong, except for some instances specified by law, such as betting on horse races or the Mark Six lottery.

The ordinance declares managing a gambling establishment as an offense and prescribes these maximum penalties:

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- on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000,000 and to imprisonment for 2 years; or

- on conviction on indictment to a fine of $5,000,000 and to imprisonment for 7 years.