Organizer of controversial beauty contest posts public apology

Organizer says 'sorry' to Labatt dela Torre

By The SUN

“All’s well that ends well.”

That’s what Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre said on Monday, Nov 26, following a public apology by the organizer of a racy beauty contest held a week earlier, when about 10 Filipinas wearing skimpy and flimsy outfits competed for the title of “Miss Hot Babes 2018”.

The organizer, who goes by the name “Maldita Mabait Si Ako” on Facebook said in part: “And I also want to say sorry if u think I did something wrong in my event, to all the Filipino community I also want to say sorry. Tao lang ako nagkakamali din. Because of this incident I learned my lesson already, and that is, to be more careful of what I’m doing and think of the consequences that will happen.”

She also promised not to repeat what she had done: “At ako po nangangako na di na uulit sa ganitong gawain. Again, from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.”

The controversy erupted after pictures apparently taken by the official photographer of the event held in a bar in Wanchai on Nov. 18 were leaked among members of the Filipino community in Hong Kong over the weekend.

The pictures showed the contestants wearing only thongs and bikinis, with silicone plasters covering their breasts underneath flimsy red gowns. Some were caught in suggestive poses while straddling poles or doing seemingly indecent acts.

Acting on several complaints over the racy pictures, Labatt dela Torre contacted the organizer, an overseas Filipino worker who identified herself by her real name in posters promoting the event.

He said the Ilongga organizer readily offered to see him on Sunday, Nov 25, to personally extend her apology.

But the meeting almost got derailed when a Western guy who introduced himself as a lawyer stormed into Labatt dela Torre’s room along with the organizer and one of the contestants, and demanded to be included in the talks.

Two other Filipinas who introduced themselves also as contestants showed up for the meeting but left in a huff after seeing the commotion.

Staff at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office had to call the building security and the police to get the man out of Labatt’s room.But the organizer chose to stay behind.

At first, she told Labatt dela Torre that there was nothing wrong with what the girls wore or did, and that things just got a bit out of hand. She also said the event was “private” and was held as an advance birthday celebration for her.

However, she admitted that paying patrons of the bar, mostly men, were allowed to get in and watch the contestants doing stunts during the show.

But when shown pictures of the scantily clad women on Labatt’s computer, she cried and said she was sorry if she unintentionally exposed the contestants to ridicule and shame.

She offered to make a public apology, which she did, a day after the meeting.

In an apparent reaction to the sharing of the racy pictures, the Consulate posted an advisory on its Facebook page on Nov. 25, warning all Filipinos that posting indecent or obscene photos or videos on social media is a crime under Hong Kong law. Violators could face the maximum penalty of $1,000 fine and/or imprisonment of up to three years.

However, cap 200 of the Crimes Ordinance also punishes indecent exposure, or the indecent display  of any part of a person's body "in any public place or in view of the public". The maximum penalty for this offence is a maximum fine of $1,000 or a maximum period of imprisonment of six months.


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PCG officers debunk claim OFW died because of neglect

By The SUN

No, there was no neglect by the employer.   

Josie Kimmayong (photo from her Facebook account)

This was the message from officers of the Philippine Consulate and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in response to a Facebook post that suggested employer negligence in the case of a Filipina domestic helper who died in hospital on Nov. 25.

The officers said Josephine Kimmayong, a 32-year-old mother of four from La Union, succumbed to severe internal bleeding caused by stomach cancer 10 days after being admitted to Tseung Kwan O hospital.

They also said they were shown medical reports that indicated Kimmayong had undergone medical check-ups even before being admitted to the hospital.

Kimmayong being visited by relatives in hospital

Welfare Officer Virsie Tamayao said OWWA was informed by the employer about the sick worker on Saturday, Nov 24, and a team was supposed to visit her the next day in the hospital, but she died at dawn on the same day.

Tamayao said the employer offered to let Kimmayong’s husband to come to Hong Kong and visit his wife in hospital but the plan changed when the patient died.

The husband was instead asked to prepare a letter of acceptance in preparation for the repatriation of the worker’s remains.

Danny Baldon, officer of the assistance to nationals section of the Consulate, said the employer is now working on the repatriation of Kimmayong who lies in state at the Tim Fook Funeral Home in Yaumatei.

He said the repatriation could take place by Nov 30 if clearance is obtained from the Coroner’s Court before that date. The employer’s insurance will pay for the repatriation.

As Kimmayong was still covered by the mandatory insurance she took before leaving the Philippines, her family will be entitled to US$10,000 (HK$77,800) in benefits for death due to illness.

They will also get P120,000 for death benefit and funeral assistance from OWWA, plus Php15,000 livelihood assistance for her husband, and scholarship for one of her children.

Kimmayong, who was a Benguet native, arrived in Hong Kong to work for her Chinese employers in Corinthian by the Sea in Tseung Kwan O barely a year before she was taken to hospital.

According to a Facebook post by Mel Santiago, who said she lives in the same building, Kimmayong had complained about a persistent pain in her belly and chest weeks before she went to the hospital, claiming she had told her employer but was simply ignored.

Santiago said that on Nov 9, Kimmayong told her she was going to see a doctor for a checkup and had not returned since. Then she received a message from her that she was confined in the hospital.

Santiago asked for Kimmayong’s employer to be investigated, claiming that the deceased was not taken for medical treatment despite complaining for weeks about how ill she felt.

“Isipin nyo po, healthy yan ng umalis ng Pinas tapos uuwe nasa kabaong na,” Santiago said in her post that had 5,400 “likes” as of this writing.

She offered to testify in any investigation, saying she and other Filipinas in the same building could attest that Kimmayong was made to walk the employer’s dogs when she was already looking very pale.

A cousin, Lina S. Tacay said in response to Santiago’s post: “Kaming mga kamag anak ni Josephine dito sa Hong Kong galit kami sa pinost mo. Anong point mo sa post mo, sa palagay mo nakakatulong kundi binibigyan mo lang kami ng sakit at bigat ng damdamin, sa totoo lang?”

She was immediately bashed by other people in the same Facebook thread, who were apparently convinced of Santiago’s claim.

In a chat with The SUN, Tacay said: “Ano pa ba ang gusto nilang hustisya sa pinsan namin? Walang pagkukulang po ang amo ni Josephine. Kami po ang nakakaalam kaya nakakainis.”

She said Kimmayong’s family members are united in saying that the employer has done no wrong, and will support her to debunk any allegation of neglect on her part.

Another cousin, Leonor Padillo, said in a separate message: “Ang alam po namin di po sya pinabayaan ng amo. Yung post po nila na nagrereklamo si pinsan Josie eh ung nagpost na po ang sasagot doon. As her family we only want to send her home na payapa.”

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Earthquake felt in HK

An earthquake with intensity 4 and hundreds of small aftershocks were  felt in Hong Kong this morning, according to the HK Observatory.

No casualty has been reported. 

The quake’s origin was traced to Taiwan Strait.

In its report HKO said: “Initial analysis from the Hong Kong Observatory indicated that an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 has occurred at 7:57 a.m. on 26 November 2018 (Monday) in Taiwan Strait. The epicentre is located near 23.36N, 118.57E, about 470 kilometres east-northeast of Hong Kong. The depth of epicentre is about 10 to 20 kilometres.

“The Observatory received near a thousand locally felt reports of this earth tremor, the duration of which was a few seconds. Initial estimate gave a local intensity of IV (four) on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, that is hanging objects swing. Windows, dishes, doors rattle.”

Spicy treats

Chili is always part of any meal that 49-year-old Jhen Li Shen, an administrator of Domestic Workers Corner, serves to her employers who live in Tseung Kwan-o.

 “Hindi sila mapili sa food, but favorite nila yung mga spicy na ulam like yung Korean at Thai kaya pag luto ko laging may chili,” says Jhen.

This native of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, says she is given a budget of $150 per day for meals, and she is expected to come up with three dishes and soup each time.

The daily challenge does not faze her, as she can calculate in her mind how much each dish she intends to cook will cost.

“Kailangan marunong tayong mag-budget sa pera na binibigay sa atin na pang marketing,” she said.

But this does not mean sacrificing quality for the cost. “Kailangan i-check nating mabuti ang ating nabili, at kung sira na ay huwag nang lutuin pa para hindi tayo masira sa ating amo,” she says.

Her other advice: “Kailangan laging malinis ang ating niluluto, at dapat ay paiba-iba. Hindi lang dapat magbasa ng cook book, dapat ay mag search din sa google ng mga menu. More learning, more knowledge.”

Since she enjoys cooking, Jhen says she plans to set up a “simple” restaurant when she finally goes home for good. She has been planning for this day by checking out simple dishes served in restaurants so she can have a better idea of what she should be cooking.

For now, she is happy enough guiding newly arrived Filipina migrant workers in Hong Kong on what they should serve to please their bosses. Her being an admin in DWC’s “It’s All About Food” page has enabled her to do just this.

“Masaya ako sa group dahil sa simpleng paraan ay nakakatulong kami sa mga first-timer sa abroad, lalo na sa pagluluto ng iba-ibang klase ng Asian at Western dishes. Mas maigi na natuturuan sila nang hindi na sila kailangang gumastos.”

Roasted Duck in Dried Chili and Cashew Nuts
Ingredients:
1/2 roasted duck
fried cashew nuts
basil leaves
sliced ginger and onions
garlic, crushed
dried chili, sliced
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1tsp sugar
Spring onion, sliced
½ cup water

Procedure:
1. Saute ginger, then add garlic and sliced onion.
2. Mix in the sliced roasted duck and keep stirring in high heat until all its juices have been squeezed out
3. Add the light soy sauce, sugar, water and cashew nuts. Mix well.
4. Add the basil leaves and stir some more until everything is cooked through.
5. Serve with a sprinkling of sliced spring onions on top.

Steamed Vietnamese spring rolls 
Ingredients:  
rice paper spring rolls wrappers
¼ lbs minced pork
1 medium sized carrot, minced
1 onion, minced
½ small cabbage, minced



Sauce:
minced shallots
crushed garlic
light soy sauce
sugar
flour dissolved in water for thickening
sliced spring onions



Procedure:
1. In a bowl, mix minced pork, carrots, onion and cabbage.
2. Add the light soy sauce, black pepper and sesame, then mix. Set aside
3. Put 2 tbsp of the ingredients into each rice paper wrapper, then roll and seal.
4. Put all rolled ingredients on a wet towel, then place in a steaming dish. Steam for 15 minutes or until cooked.
5. Arrange spring rolls on a dish and sprinkle with sliced spring onions
6. Serve hot with sauce on the side.

Thai Steamed Squid with Minced Pork (or Fish)
Ingredients:
1 big size fresh squid
For the stuffing:
minced fish or minced pork
minced carrots
minced onion
2 tbsps light soy sauce
sliced spring onions.



For the sauce:
Lime juice
Thai fish sauce
minced shallots
fresh chili
sliced spring onions




Procedure:
1. Gently remove the skin and clean the inner part of the squid, then wash.
2. Mix all the remaining ingredients.
3. Take out the squid’s head and stuff the mixed ingredients inside.
4. Put back the squid head and close with toothpicks.
5. Make slight cuts on the side of the squid, then put in a steamer
6. Steam for 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked.
7. Remove the sauce from the steaming pot, and put in a bowl. Mix with all the ingredients for the sauce.
8. Put squid on a dish and sprinkle with sliced coriander. Serve with the sauce on the side.

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OWWA offers Php20k livelihood aid for terminated OFWs

Labatt de la Torre says aid is given to terminated workers
who undetake to go home for good

By Vir B. Lumicao

Filipino migrant workers who have lost their jobs prematurely due to termination, maltreatment and other employer violations of their contracts can apply for a Php20,000 livelihood aid from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration on their return home.

This little-known benefit was disclosed recently at Filipino community gatherings by new welfare attaché Marivic Clarin, and confirmed in an interview on Nov 22 by Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre.

According to Labatt dela Torre, terminated workers who go home for good are endorsed to OWWA offices in the workers’ regions.

“Lahat ng terminated na umuuwi, binibigyan namin ng endorsement sa regional offices ng OWWA” so they can receive the livelihood aid, Labatt Dela Torre said.

But it appears there has not been a lot of takers in the eight years that the “Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay” program has been in existence.

Statistics from the Department of Labor and Employment show that only 260 OFWs have received the benefit as of the end of the third quarter this year.

This may be because OWWA is said to be meticulous in evaluating the returning worker’s proposed project so that the financial aid does not go to waste.

“Kasi, yung iba, ipinambabayad lang sa utang,” Clarin said. 

She said the intent of the program is to help distressed OFWs, primarily wards of government shelters who have cases against their employers, those who are terminated for medical reasons, or are laid off due to their employers’ financial difficulties.

Clarin with livelihood program
provider Ofelia Baquirin

Clarin said the cash assistance comes with a development training to provide the recipients basic skills in doing the livelihood project of their choice.

The training is said to be provided by OWWA, other government agencies, as well as non-government organizations and OFW cooperatives or groups in the regions.

Evaluation and supervision of the project is conducted to ensure its success, especially now that the aid amount is bigger than before, Clarin said. 

The livelihood assistance was put in place during the tenure of Former President Benigno Aquino III, but the aid given at the time was in the form of starter kits worth Php10,000.

Clarin said that since 2016, the livelihood grant had been doubled to PhP20,000.

But she admitted that the success rate among aid recipients has been low “because not everyone is cut out for business”.

One recipient, an illegally terminated worker from Naga City, told The SUN she applied for the assistance in January 2016 and got a check for PhP10,000. She said the check was not issued to her but to a local merchant who provided her a starter kit for her project.

Another former Hong Kong-based OFW who went to Russia only to discover it was a job scam, said she tried applying for the livelihood assistance but balked when she was told she would have to stay in the Philippines for good.

In Nueva Vizcaya province, where former OFWs have formed a cooperative and undertaken livelihood projects, there were 85 recipients of the OWWA assistance as of the end of the third quarter this year, said its president Cristina Gauuan Reyes.

She said in her barangay, there are 20 recipients whose projects, namely piggery, sari-sari store and fish vending, are being coordinated by the cooperative.

She said the “Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay” beneficiaries in the 15 municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya received PhP20,000 each, which they put into their chosen businesses. They received help from the provincial government in the form training.

The reintegration program was introduced to help former OFWs rejoin Philippine society by offering them livelihood opportunities if they decide to stay home for good.

(OFWs who undergo livelihood training are in the best position to come up with a sound project proposal, like these members of Diwa't Kabayan Benlife Society: https://www.facebook.com/leo.deocadiz/videos/1959148447466791/)


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