Ex-employer looking for ‘missing’ Filipina DH

 

Letty Ignacio reportedly went missing after her arrest in September

Another Filipina domestic helper has been reported as missing after being arrested on September 4 last year for not having a valid Hong Kong ID card.

The Filipina identified as Leticia "Letty" Rubio Ignacio, aged 61 years old, and a native of Isabela, was reportedly found to have overstayed her visa since 2005 after failing to renew or submit a new employment contract.

Her last employer, Anna Poon, a flight crew and media personality, said in an email to The SUN that she had emigrated to the United States at the time, but kept paying Letty her monthly salary “because I promised her when I left Hong Kong I would take care of her.”

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Poon said she had employed Letty since she first arrived in Hong Kong in 1985. But it would appear that since her employer’s family left for the U.S., Letty had stopped processing a new employment contract, causing her to overstay her visa.

Despite this, according to Poon’s daughter, Elizabeth, Letty had remained in their house in Shek Kong, New Territories until her arrest last September. She made a phone call to a friend shortly after her arrest, but has not been heard from since. She has also stopped using her Facebook account.

Letty posted this photo taken at the Bayanihan Centre in 2016 on Facebook 

Elizabeth, who was looked after by Letty from the time she was two years old until they left for the US 20 years later,  said that when they contacted the Immigration Department, they were told that Letty may be “mentally unwell, as she might not remember us and therefore not giving access.”

She added, “I’ve been trying to stay patient and see where all this leads, but the fact that we cannot find proof that she’s alive and well is what bothers me most.”

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Elizabeth said a neighbor and friend had tried to see Letty at the Immigration detention centre, but were turned away as their names were not in the list of people allowed to see her. Undeterred, the Poon family tried to write to Letty as advised by Immigration officers, but all their letters were returned unopened. 

“Lately we were told that Letty was not in the detention center (anymore),” said Elizabeth. “Immigration refused to give us more information.”

The anxious duo also said they had tried asking for help from the Philippine Consulate, but the only reply they received was that their concern had been directed to the appropriate department.

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In addition, Elizabeth said the consulate informed them that they had provided Letty with a phone card and a hygiene kit, but could do no more as she had refused to talk to them.

However, Consulate sources said that as far as they know, Letty is still being held at the immigration detention centre but is not allowing anyone to see or talk to her.

For the worried Elizabeth, this gives little comfort. “She’s been in HK for almost 40 years and has limited family in Philippines. She has limited access to funds,” she said. 

“We just want to know (if) she’s alive and well and how to help her.”

(Those with information about Letty’s whereabouts may contact Anna Poon at 1-704-806-2299 or message Elizabeth through her Facebook account: Liz Zabzdyr.)

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Band made up of ex-OFWs poised for international stage

 

Members of Rockin’ Like Thunder (L-R): Richie Reyes, Errol Calumpong, Honey Jimenez, Romar Tanjil, Anabel Perez, Al Tarabi, Efren Calumpong 

A band made up of members who found each other in Zamboanga City after working as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in different parts of the world, is gearing up for international stardom.

The opportunity to become international recording artists knocked on Rockin’ Like Thunder band in September 2022 when American record producer and concert promoter Hadley Murrell and his group happened to be in Zamboanga City on a holiday.

A veteran in the music industry since the late 1960s -- having collaborated with The Jackson 5, James Brown and Marvin Gaye, among others – Murrell is no stranger to Filipino musical talent. “I’ve seen it everywhere--from upscale hotel bars to cruise ships--all over the world, you’ll hear Filipino bands playing songs in English and they sound like the real deal!” he said.

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Murrell asked their designated driver where they could watch some good musicians that night.

It turned out that their driver, Efren Calumpong, was the leader of a band--at that time called Toxic. He invited Murrell to watch them perform that night at a small roadside bar in Pasonanca Park.

Aside from Calumpong, the band is also composed of Honey Jimenez, Anabel Perez and Alkabir Tarabi (vocals), Romar Tanjil (bass guitar), Errol Calumpong (drums), and Richie Reyes (keyboards).

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Murrell and his party so enjoyed listening to the band perform covers of songs by Elvis Presley, The Bee Gees, and The Beatles that they came back the next night.

By the next day, Murrell asked the band to sign with his HDM Records.

In December 2022, the newly-christened Rockin’ Like Thunder officially signed with HDM Records.

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In March 2023, the Stank Brothers production team (composed of Hadley, songwriter Dwight J. Emile, and singer Tomy Ge) flew from LA to the Philippines to conduct songwriting and performance training sessions with the band.

Later that month, they went to Wild Grass Studios in Quezon City, to record 10 songs–a combination of covers and originals--with Awit Award-winning sound engineer Nikki Cunanan.

Their first single, Rockin’ Like Thunder, has since been enjoying vigorous airplay worldwide, thanks to YouTube, Spotify, and other online platforms.

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After their concert last Nov. 25, 2023, where they played to an audience of 2,000 at the Paseo del Mar in Zamboanga City, Murrell gushed: “The show that they put on tonight is at par with any small show in Las Vegas, Nevada!”

Such success is a long way from the struggles the members have encountered, especially during the pandemic.

Anabel, one of the vocalists, started singing professionally while a college student. She worked as a freelance singer for bands that would play at special events or needed a pinch-hitter for that night’s gig in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Eventually, she spent 10 years singing at different hotel bars in the United Arab Emirates.

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Pandemic shutdowns derailed her plans to work in Singapore.

Honey, who has been performing with the band on and off for a decade, had spent years singing not only in Zamboanga but also in different parts of Luzon, then in the Middle East and China. She had just returned from a stint in China when the COVID-19 pandemic started.

Bassist Romar had found work not only in Zamboanga but also in Baguio, then in different parts of Malaysia, playing in upscale bars. He said he thought his dreams had been fulfilled when he started working overseas, but he missed his children so much that he returned to his hometown in 2019.

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As these overseas contracts were only for a few months at a time, the band members would reunite while waiting for the chance to leave again.

Band leader Efren almost had the chance to work in Thailand, when plans fell through and his recruiter disappeared--along with his passport. He ended up playing in different venues in Luzon, including Manila, to save enough money to fly back home to his family in Zamboanga.

Al, the lone male vocalist, started training himself as a tenor and worked as a freelance singer around the city, before being offered a job to sing in a band in the United Arab Emirates in 2019.

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In 2022, when he found out that the band was looking for a singer, he just took a break from painting their house gate to audition. The band hired him on the spot and asked him to join them at a gig that same night.

During the pandemic, when social gatherings were prohibited, the musicians had to find ways to earn their keep. Honey put together a food cart and sold sisig at a main thoroughfare in Zamboanga. Al learned how to weld and do other manual labor, earning by doing contractual work. Romar and Anabel invested in sari-sari stores.

Luckily, some entertainment business owners supported musicians in the city during the pandemic, distributing foodstuff to them.

Follow their journey to become full-fledged international recording artists: https://www.facebook.com/RockinLikeThunder

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Briefing on rights and benefits of FDWs set

 

Do you know enough about your rights as a migrant worker and benefits under labor laws and your employment contract? Do you know if an employment agency is overcharging you?

You can enhance that knowledge by attending  a briefing being organized by the Labour Department (LD) for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) on their employment rights and benefits.

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In addition to the briefing to be held at 3:00 to 5:15 pm on Jan. 21 (Sunday), related publications and souvenirs will be distributed. 

“We sincerely invite all FDHs to join,” LD said in a letter to The SUN. 

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The briefing, to be conducted for those two separate groups who understand English or Bahasa Indonesia, will be held at Function Rooms on Level 4 of the Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

“The event is free of charge” LD said.

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“Enrolment is on a first-come, first-served basis,” it added. 

Interested FDHs may enrol by noon of Jan. 19 (Friday) by any of the following ways:

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• Send the duly completed enrolment form to the Foreign Domestic Helpers Division of LD by fax (Fax no.: 3101 0604) or email (Email address: fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk); or
• Send the FDH’s name, contact number and the group they wish to enrol in to us by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk.

For enquiries, you may contact LD at 3582 8993.

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Public urged to avoid littering, keep safe during New Year's Eve

 

Officers will be on patrol to enforce cleanlines and safety in public areas during tonight's revelry

The government has asked everyone planning to join tonight’s New Year’s Eve revelry to keep venues clean and mind their safety, especially when in crowded places.

In a press statement, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said it will join forces with other government departments to implement a series of measures to maintain cleanliness and safety at public venues where large crowds are expected to  gather for the countdown and other celebration activities.

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These include the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza, Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Middle Road Children's Playground, Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden, Urban Council Centenary, Kai Tak Sky Garden, Kwun Tong Promenade and Cha Kwo Ling Promenade along the Kowloon waterfront, as well as Tamar Park, the Central and Western District Promenade - Central Section, the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and East Coast Park (Phase 1) on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island.

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LSCD said there will law enforcement teams working with its staff to step up patrols and take action against littering, illegal hawking and vandalism of public property. It warned that those who litter face a summary fine of $3,000.

"People are urged to keep places clean and tidy while celebrating New Year's Eve. Defacing and damaging public property is prohibited at all venues. People should take away all their belongings when departing the venues and should not leave trash behind,” said the LCSD.

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When in crowded areas, people are advised to remain calm and be mindful of their own safety to prevent any mishaps.

The public announcement systems at the HKCC will also broadcast anti-littering and crowd management messages in Cantonese, Putonghua and English on a regular basis during the holiday.

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Crowd control measures will be implemented at the HKCC Piazza, Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars and the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade based on actual conditions. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the announcements, follow the instructions of the duty personnel and mind their safety.

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Immigration conducts flat raids to search for illegal workers

 

5 women and 5 men suspected of doing illegal work were among those arrested

Residential flats were among those raided by the Immigration Department between Dec 27 and 28, in a continuing search for illegal workers, and arrested 13 people.

Apart from flats, the operatives also raided a construction site and several restaurants across Hong Kong.

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Among those arrested were 10 suspected illegal workers, comprising five men and five women, aged 39 to 59. Of these, three men and four women were suspected of using forged Hong Kong identity cards.

The others arrested were a man aged 39, suspected of being an employer; a woman aged 58 who is suspected of being an abettor; and another woman aged 63 found to be an overstayer.

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Immigration again warned that anyone who violates the conditions of their stay in Hong Kong, including taking up unauthorized work, commit an offence, and could face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years imprisonment.

Those found to have overstayed their visas, or are illegal immigrant or asylum seeker on top of taking up illegal work, face a more severe penalty of up to three years in jail on top of the maximum fine of $50,000.

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An immediate custodial sentence is prescribed for those found guilty of working illegally.

Using a forged or someone else’s HK ID card could result in being fined up to $100,000 and jailed for up to 10 years.

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Employers of illegal workers face the heftiest penalty of up to $500,000 in fine and 10 years' imprisonment.

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