By The SUN
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| Munson (in leopard print) and her Horizons group accept the top prize from Balladares-Pelaez |
Amid continuing challenges, United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante HK) marked its 37th founding anniversary today with a simple get-together among its more than 30 chapter-members and guests at Repulse Bay beach.
The celebration, which was delayed by a week because of threats of heavy rain and thunderstorm on Jul 3, was highlighted by the awarding of prizes for the group’s first-ever songwriting competition.
Taking the top prize was “Makabagong Bayani”, composed
by Ody Munson of Horizons International and sung by Glen Belen Paladin, with music
by Raymond Javen. The group was awarded $500 cash and a certificate of commendation.
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Winning the second prize was “Masdan Mo ang
Kapaligiran” composed and sung by Khate Nening, daughter of a member of
Filipino Migrants Association. The prize was $300 cash and a certificate.
In third place was “Tara Na, Panahon Na”, composed and sung by FMWU GPO Chapter, which was awarded $200 cash and a certificate.
Copping the prize for the "most liked song" through online voting was “Pandemya,”
composed and sung by Alma Bangayan of Social Justice for Migrant Workers.
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All the entries, including two more - "Pangarap”, composed and sung by Letty Bandol Ordono of
United Church of Christ in the Philippines; “No to Mandatory Fees”, composed and sung by PSU
and Migrante Pangasinan - all received certificates of appreciation.
Serving as judges in the competition were Mission for Migrant Workers general manager Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants program officer Rey Asis and singer/composer and theatre actor/director William Elvin.
In her speech, Unifil chairperson Dolores Balladares-Pelaez traced the organization’s long history of fighting for the rights and welfare of migrant workers and their families.
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Unifil counts among its many achievements the scrapping of the levy on the wages of foreign domestic workers and the prohibition of dangerous window-cleaning in their work contracts; and on the Philippine end, the extension of passport validity from five to ten years.
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| Unifil-Migrante officers with their 37th anniversary banner |
It is currently campaigning for raising the minimum wage of FDWs in Hong Kong to at least $6,000; ensuring they get uninterrupted rest for at least 11 hours a day; and stipulating in their work contracts exactly what is deemed as "unsuitable accommodation" for them.
At the same time, they are calling for a halt on the mandatory fees that the Philippine government is poised to collect from all overseas Filipino workers, including life and repatriation insurance and membership in the government's housing arm, Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Security System, and national health insurer, PhilHealth.
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Tellez recalled in her speech that Unifil was first set up in May1985 to oppose plans by the then Philippine government to compel migrant workers to set aside part of their earnings for designated family members.
The SUN editor-in-chief Daisy CL Mandap congratulated Unifil for its consistency in fighting for migrants rights, both in Hong Kong and the Philippines, no matter how much more difficult it has been over the years.
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| Indonesian friends helped make the celebration fun |
The event's lighter moments included dance presentations from the Cordillera Alliance and an Indonesian migrant workers' group, parlor games and swimming. Lunch and snacks were served.
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| PADALA NA! |
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