Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino - ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID

United Nations University ranks the Philippines as the world's third riskiest country

MANILA, Philippines – A recent study carried out by the United Nations University ranks the Philippines as the world's third riskiest country, following Tonga and Vanuatu, Ma Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, executive director of the Manila Observatory said, adding that the ranking was based on country's coping capabilities.
"All of these natural hazards are making us the prime laboratory for the study of disasters all over the world," Loyzaga told the Inquirer during a lecture on how to survive disasters, at Ateneo University in Rockwell Commercial Center

• In addition, a local paper said, some 50 million schoolchildren and 15 million coastal residents live in low-lying coastal areas; about 10 metres below sea-level and are exposed to earthquake hazards and rising sea levels, respectively; confirming Philippines one of the world's riskiest places,.
• A Columbia University study in 2007 also says that the 50 million Filipino school children at risk during quakes topped the number in India and China. This estimate had been made after a powerful earthquake hit Szechuan, China in May 2008.
• Furthermore, coastal areas are subsiding in the Philippines, putting residents of these areas and the entire country at risk in the event of tsunamis, Loyzaga quoted Columbia study's warning.
• "This will give us an indication of where we must be most careful as far as protecting our students. Therefore the Department of Education in the Philippines must look at the places where schools are built, and find out if they are sitting on fault lines,” Loyzaga said..

Loyzaga also cited studies done by the Manila Observatory which showed the Philippines is "getting hotter and this has implications on the country's food security".
A one degree change in minimum temperature will lead to a 10 per cent decrease in rice yields, according to studies by the International Rice Research Institute, Loyzaga said.

Source: Agency

140,000 Filipinos 'could lose jobs in Saudi Arabia

MANILA - UP TO 140,000 Philippine workers could lose their jobs in Saudi Arabia due to a domestic helper ban and a programme to compel firms to employ more locals, the Filipino labour minister said on Thursday.

Between 20,000 to 50,000 Filipino domestic workers in the kingdom could be hit by Saudi Arabia's decision announced last month to stop granting work permits to Philippine and Indonesian maids, Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

Another 90,000 Filipinos of the 1.3 million working there could be affected by the new policy of imposing quotas for local staff, though the specialised skills of the majority should allow many to hang on to their jobs, she added.

'Let us not talk about everyone being sent home. That is impossible. You can't just replace skilled workers,' Ms Baldoz told a news forum.

However, the 'Saudisation' policy would affect mainly unskilled workers like manual labourers, janitors, drivers and gardeners, she added.

Saudi Arabia said last week it would stop granting work permits to Philippine and Indonesian maids after failing to agree on hiring conditions imposed by the Asian countries. -- AFP

Filipino sentenced to death pardons by Saudi King

MANILA, Philippines (by AP) — The Philippine government says the king of Saudi Arabia has agreed to spare the life of a Filipino man who was sentenced to death for drug smuggling.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Eduardo Malaya said Tuesday that the man who received a royal pardon was expected to return to the Philippines shortly.

The man, an overseas worker, has not been identified due to privacy concerns. He was to be beheaded in 2009 after being convicted of smuggling methamphetamine into the conservative kingdom after Saudi authorities seized a package that was mailed to him containing the illegal drugs.

source : Yahoonews

DFA issues travel ban for Libya, Yemen and Bahrain

21 February 2011 (Manila) - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advises Filipinos who have plans to proceed to Libya, Bahrain or Yemen to defer non-essential and non-urgent travels, until the security situation in those countries have stabilized. 

This is in light of protest actions taking place in those countries.

The Philippine Embassies in Tripoli, Manama and Riyadh reported earlier that they are in heightened alert and said Filipinos in those countries are safe.  They are also in constant contact with them.  The Embassies have also established 24-hour crisis monitoring teams.  The Embassy in Riyadh covers Yemen.

As of June 2010, there are around 31,000 Filipinos in Bahrain, while 1,400 are in Yemen and around 26,000 are in Libya.

The Embassies have also advised Filipinos to be alert when in public places or on major roads and to stay well away from large crowds and demonstrations.

The Embassy in Tripoli communicated with the human resources manager of SNC Lavelin Company on the situation of some 1,800 Filipino construction workers at an airport construction site in Benghazi city, and was informed that the Filipinos there are safe within the work site which has its own security complement.  The worksite is some 19 kilometers  from central Benghazi, where the protests are taking place.

According to SNC Lavelin, the Filipinos have accommodations and ample food and water.

The Embassy added that the Thai, Indonesian, Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi embassies-which also have sizable populations in Libya-have not announced any evacuation at this time.  It is also on heightened alert.

In Libya, clashes between protesters and security forces snowballed on Sunday in the northeastern cities.  News reports confirmed 173 deaths.

The Embassy in Riyadh said that it communicated with members of the Filipino community in Yemen, who informed them that the Filipinos in the country are relatively safe, and that malls and all transportation facilities are working normally.

In Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh offered to oversee a dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition to defuse the stand-off with protesters.

Meanwhile, the Embassy in Manama has issued an advisory to Filipinos in Bahrain to remain calm and avoid joining or going in places of protest actions.  It has also provided a telephone hotline.

Protest actions continued to cool down in Bahrain Sunday as opposition groups working to present protesters' demands met to coordinate a response to the government's call for dialogue. 

source:dfa.gov.ph

A Letter to The Hongkong and PRC People

 Someone send me this letter asking to share it to my fellow Kababayan's

To the Hongkong and PRC People,

You hate the Filipino people for the hostage fiasco that unfortunate incident that went out of control at the end. This was a hostage situation that was under control and which netted 7 Chinese tourists to be released upon the efforts of our policemen.

You appear and sound sanctimonious and have even stepped upon our sovereignty. You have demanded apology, the moon and the heavens. You hate the Filipino people as if we wanted this unfortunate incident to happen. First and foremost, we offer our condolences to the families of the 8 that were killed in this incident. Secondly, we are sorry for the bungled handling of this hostage taking. It was unfortunate, it was an accident, we never planned it that way. Is it fair to blame a whole nation for a situation that was never planned?

Let me ask you this question, "Should we hate you also for the lead poisoning caused by the paint you used in your baby furniture and toys for the children of the world? Should we hate you also for the use of cardboard in the "siopao" that you sell to tourists? Should we hate you also for the melamine contamination wherein not 8, but hundreds, maybe even thousands have suffered and some even died?

Or, let us talk of Filipino casualties. A few years ago, 3 Filipino tourists, all surnamed Madrigal, a family of 5 were walking on Tienemen Square and Beijing. One Chinese stabbed the father and two of his children, killing all three. Were you even sorry for what this one Chinese did? Did the Filipino people even demand that China apologized for this unfortunate incident. This was PRE-MEDITATED MURDER.

Just as the use of lead, cardboard, melamine was pre-meditated - used because they were cheaper materials, in order to generate PROFITS for the Chinese businessmen. Did you pay damages the same way you are demanding damages from the Filipino nation and people?

Where was the anger of the Chinese and Hongkong people? Did you even apologize to the world? My God in the case of melanine, you even kept this information from the world, until you were exposed for what you are!!!

Enough! We sympathize but don't blame the Filipino people.

So you want to send our OFWs home, that take care of your children? They play an important part in your lives. Both spouses are able to work, earn money because of the tender loving care being heaped on your children by Filipino maids and yayas/amahs. While you pay our OFWs for the work they do, you earn more for the love and care they bestow on your children. Go ahead, send our OFWs home. Let us see how that will affect your family incomes.
~~~ O ~~~
If you love your country, please pass this on to all Filipinos you know. Thanks! 

From world's texting capital, RP now leads in online videos

MANILA, Philippines - From the world’s text messaging capital, the Philippines is once again in the global limelight for having the highest percentage of users that watch videos over the Internet.

According to global media agency Universal McCann’s Power to the People - Social Media Tracker - Wave 4 survey 98.1 percent, of more than four million Filipinos who are active Internet users watch videos on the Internet, higher than the global average of 82.8 percent. China and Spain follow with 89.1 percent and 84.1 percent, respectively.

“Filipinos use the Internet not only for social networking but also for watching videos in websites like YouTube. This highlights the importance of having a superior, high-speed broadband Internet network in order for subscribers to fully enjoy real-time video streaming such as the previous fights of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao,” Smart Communications public affairs group head Ramon Isberto said.

“We are broadbanding the nation, so to speak. Like what we did to the cellphones, we aim to make Internet accessible and affordable to all Filipinos nationwide,” Isberto said. As of end-June, Smart Bro has 1.3 million subscribers. Of Smart’s 45.3 million cellphone subscribers, meanwhile, roughly 10 percent access the Internet from their mobile phones.

Universal Mccann’s survey involved 22,729 Internet users (those who use the Internet everyday or every other day) between 16 and 54 years old in 38 countries.

Source: By Mary Ann LL. Reyes (The Philippine Star)

The Filipino Photography Biennial - Gulf

RULES ON PARTICIPATION

Who May Enter
The project is open to all Filipinos (or other nationals of Filipino lineage) who are residents of the GULF Region – UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, of any age, and all photography levels (professionals, hobbyists, amateurs, etc.)


How to Enter
• 2010’s theme is “The Gulf through the Eyes of a Filipino Photographer.”

• There are five photographic categories: Local Landscape and Architecture, Local Heritage and Culture, Pinoy Slice of Life, Fashion and Beauty (Filipino). Please see category guidelines for more information.

• Each participant may submit in any category, and up to 10 entries in total, at any time during the submission period. Each entry must comply with the aforementioned Photography Requirements.

• Submissions should be sent to: filphotobiennial@gmail.com or in a properly marked CD delivered to Illustrado’s Dubai Media City office.

• DEADLINE: Submissions should be sent to Illustrado on or before the 25th August 2010. Target launch date is Q4 2010.



Photograph Requirements
• Photographs must be in digital format. However, the photograph need not be shot with a digital camera: scans of negatives, transparencies, or photographic prints are also acceptable.


• All are requested to submit:
o August 25 Deadline - for the SELECTION PROCESS (only): JPEG, Medium resolution, 100DPI – 1 to 2MB, around A5 to A4 size

o After the selection process, qualifying photographers will be asked to urgently submit publishing grade files with the following specs: 300DPI, 30 to 40MB, jpeg format file; suitable for possible reproduction of min. A4 max. A3 size

• Submitted photographs could be from any period/date, but should be strictly “unpublished”, and may not previously have won an award in any contest. Commissioned works will not be accepted as entries.


• POST PROCESSING:
We encourage all photographers to submit “REAL” photographs and discourage over manipulation or heavily digitally altered photographs. To wit –

o Dodging, burning and color correction: Minor dodging (to brighten shadows), burning (to darken highlights) and color correction is fine. The goal is to make the photographs naturally beautiful (based on reality).
o Other effects or filters - solarization, mezzotint, duotone, etc – Discouraged as it constitutes visual gimmickry.
o Black-and-white images: Acceptable.
o Cropping: Acceptable.
o Stitched panoramas and High Dynamic Range (HDR) images: Acceptable as long as all sections or combined parts have been shot at the same time frame and therefore have a consistent look. If your entry is an HDR image, kindly indicate this in the caption.
o Specifically for beauty and fashion category – liquify, distortion, etc. - Acceptable at a certain degree and if done skillfully. The objective should be to refine the image, not to alter the subjects. Subjects/models should look natural and not radically different from reality.
o Graphic art and other composite images: Images containing graphic arts or collaged visuals (usually done to achieve a surreal or hyper-reality effect) are NOT part of this project.


Releases
• For photographs that include MODELS, the photographer is responsible for securing MODELs RELEASE. This release form should be provided to the Publisher upon submission of final selected images.

• The same applies for photographs that include works of art, like painting, sculptures, etc. Photographers should provide the necessary release and ensure that their work is not an infringement of another party’s copyright or a fraud.

• The photograph should be an ORIGINAL WORK in its entirety. By joining the project, participants confirm that all submitted photographs are their sole original work, and that the photograph does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim, or interest in the photograph.

• Photographs submitted should be in accordance with the cultural and religious sensitivities of the region and should not contain any obscene, sexually explicit or inappropriate content. Photographers who are submitting entries should always be reminded of the cultural and religious sensitivities of the Middle East, thus photographs of nude physiques, religious symbols and blasphemous images are not allowed. Even though countries such as the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar allow some level of religious freedom, publication of Christian images are not permitted.


Selection Process
• Selection of qualified photographs will be done using a “blind selection system” where participants will not be named. Photographs will be assigned reference numbers for scoring.

• The selection process will be done in two stages:
• INITIAL SELECTION – where the selection panel will be composed of the Publisher, appointed third parties, as well as representatives from participating Filipino photography clubs.

• FINAL SELECTION - pre-production, where Publishers reserve the right to remove entries which do not meet with Publishing Standards (whether technically or contextually) or may be deemed inappropriate.

• See separate Selection Process Criteria.



License
By joining the project, all participants grant an irrevocable perpetual, nonexclusive license to the Publisher, to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works of the entries (along with a name credit) specifically in connection with the Illustrado Filipino Photography Biennial – GULF project, in any media, including but not limited to: book publication, display at a possible exhibit, publication in Illustrado magazine or any title in connection to the promotion of the project both print and online, display in a possible website, any other distribution as Public Relations or possible advertising. The Publisher will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use. Usage of the photographs for purposes other than this project will be treated separately.



Limitation of Liability
By entering this project, all entrants agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless the Publisher and its partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this project or any related activities.


Conditions
By entering this project, all participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules, and that the selection the selection panel and the Publisher is final with all matters relating to the project.


CATEGORIES & SELECTION INFO.


Category Guidelines
There are five photographic categories:

• Local Landscape and Architecture
o Photos should be taken within the region and should communicate a distinctly “local” flavor. Architecture photos could include both old/native and modern structures in the region.
o Taking photos of famous landmarks in most places is allowed, but be careful that military bases and important government buildings are not captured in the image, as this is not allowed in many cases.

• Local Heritage and Culture
o Photos should be taken within the region and should communicate a distinctly “local” flavor.

• Pinoy Slice of Life
o Photos depicting the “Pinoy way of life in the region” from a myriad of angles.
o Photos depicting a darker or negative subject can be considered. However, we would also request all photographers to provide a more balanced and uplifting view, at the same time.
o The main task of the book is to uplift the image of the Filipinos. The book is not a photojournalistic tome meant to focus on the sad issues and heart-wrenching plight of the Filipinos in the region. Although negative portrayal of the Filipinos is not disallowed, it is not encouraged.


• Fashion
o Photographs submitted in the category of fashion will not only be judged based on typical photography criteria, but also according to credibility as an actual professionally executed fashion photograph – which takes into account models (look, stance, proportions, etc.), fashion (styling, make-up, fashion story, etc.), overall fashion aesthetics.
o Models could be of any nationality. Stylists, hair and make-up artists could be of any nationality as well, but we would encourage tapping Filipino talents in the community.

• Beauty
Subjects should be Filipino or of Filipino lineage – all ages and genders.


Selection Criteria

All photographs will be assessed according to the following criteria –

• Technical criteria - Exposure Focus/sharpness, depth of field, color and/or tonal rendition, contrast, lighting

• Visual and aesthetic criteria - Framing and choice of viewpoint, background, design elements and principles, appropriate application of photographic techniques and elements, visual impact

• Content – Information, emotion, mood, feeling, denotative and connotative content, symbolism, metaphor, meaning, communication through the language of photography and visual art, the moment, relevance, subject impact

• Viewer’s response – Visual, aesthetic, intellectual, emotional, excitement, interest

• General characteristics – Originality, style, context, photographic vision, empathy, insight, validity

EPPCO / ENOC to hire workers from Philippines

Emirates Petroleum Products Company or EPPCO was looking for 700 Pinoy workers who will be assigned as gasoline station attendants and staff of a convenience store in Dubai.

The employer prefers applicants who are between 20 to 28 years old. EPPCO said those beyond the age bracket are often prone to illnesses particularly because of the hot weather in Dubai.

Applicants must also have a one-year experience for the position they are applying for.

Eppco representatives will start the recruitment in Metro Manila and Cebu on August 15 at CDK International Manpower Recruitment.

Tita Morales, owner of the recruitment firm, said the monthly salary for gasoline attendants and customer service assistants is at P18,000.

The applicants will shoulder an estimated P5,000 for documentation, medical and other fees before they fly to Dubai. The workers need not pay placement and visa fees and their travel expenses will be shouldered by the company.


TO Apply Please Call the Agency below:

CDK INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES CORP.
S2,3 &13A(GF) MIDLAND PLAZA ADRIATICO ST ERMITA, MANILA
Tel No/s : 5368350 / 5238665

Filipino Photography Biennial

Calling all Filipino Photographers in the Gulf:
Participate in the BIGGEST & MOST AMBITIOUS Filipino Photography Project in the Region!

In line with our commitment to uplift the Filipino community - ILLUSTRADO will be providing a platform for the Filipino creative community across the Gulf with which to achieve recognition and prominence in our host countries and in the Philippines, at the same time contributing to the development of the photographic art/discipline in the region.

We are inviting all Filipino Photography Clubs and Photographers at all levels (professional, hobbyists and amateurs) to participate in the biggest and most ambitious Pinoy photography project in the region - the Filipino Photography Biennial, a coffee table book to be published every two years showcasing the works of Filipino photographers in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

2010’s theme - “The Gulf through the Eyes of a Filipino Photographer” will be captured in five photographic categories: Landscape and Architecture (local), Heritage and Culture (local), Pinoy Slice of Life, Fashion, and Beauty (Filipino).

We are also calling all Filipino photography clubs in the region to participate and help us shape this worthwhile project that will boost our community.  For each participating org, we will be inviting a representative to join the selection panel.

Deadlines for submissions - August 25, 2010. 

CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON RULES ON PARTICIPATING, GUIDELINES AND SELECTION CRITERIA.

filipino-photography-biennial-rules-on-participation

 

For queries, you may e-mail us at: filphotobiennial@gmail.com

You may also call us at: (+971) 4 365 4543 or 365 4547

112th Philippine Independence Celebration in Dubai UAE

Filipinos in the UAE capital and the rest of the world celebrate their country's 112th independence on June 12, 2010...

But the celebrations just not end here in Dubai as all the Filipino communities are preparing for their annual gatherings to celebrate this occasion that will commence on June 18, 2010 at the Al Nasr Leisureland Dubai UAE.

We are inviting all Filipino's live here in the UAE to join our community leaders to celebrate what they are prepared for our 112 Independence Day...

Women of Substance

Dubai UAE - 28th March 2010

Illustrado Women of Substance 2010 Honors 9 Filipinas in Dubai

• Illustrado Magazine celebrated its 3rd edition of Women of Substance, and highlighted female empowerment through the annual gathering
• Women of Substance Event 2010 awarded nine Filipinas for their exemplary achievements
• The traditional talk-show format included a photo exhibit, documentary film showing and a make-over runway show.
• Renowned women’s rights lawyer Katrina Legarda graced the event as its special guest speaker

Dubai, UAE – In a social gathering of some 500 attendees comprised of Filipino diplomatic corps and community key opinion leaders last 27th of March 2010 (Saturday), the Dubai-based Filipino lifestyle publication Illustrado Magazine celebrated the third edition of its annual Women of Substance event at the Godolphin Ballroom in Jumeirah Emirates Towers.
Women of Substance 2010 began with the ribbon cutting ceremony of the photo exhibit and competition under the theme “The Filipina” sponsored by Nikon, where thirty finalist entries captured the different facets of the Filipina woman. Right after the judging round, the talk show was officially opened by Consul General Adelio Cruz of the Embassy of the Philippines in Abu Dhabi. The traditional talk-show format started with the premiere screening of the 30-minute documentary clip “The Empowered Filipina” directed by Dubai-based Kamil Roxas, winner of the Hayah Film Competition at the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) in 2008.
During the talk-show, nine exemplary Filipinas were honored for their significant achievements, contributions to society and strength of character. These extra-ordinary women include Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa (the first Filipina Ambassador to the UAE), Ema Trinidad (self-made entrepreneur, dubbed as the Anti-Ageing Skincare Guru in Karnataka, India), Laarni Eugenio (self-made entrepreneur co-owner of a Dubai-based stage design company), Tini Meyer (emerging contemporary artist who has exhibited her works in Canada, Spain and the UAE), Fe Ging Ging Hyde (budding film producer, actor and singer, whose first movie has garnered six nominations in the Philippines’s Gawad Urian Awards), Nila Bandigan and Tess Bautista (both active community volunteers and philanthropists), Cyrine Pinpin (former activist, former president and founder of Migrante UAE) and Remedios Chu (educator, self-made entrepreneur, philanthropist and cancer survivor).
According to Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Illustrado, “With this event, we want to show that ordinary women can achieve extra-ordinary things and prevail despite adversity. We believe celebrating Filipina empowerment will help us foster confidence, a more progressive mindset and contribute to further success not only with our women, but within our entire community.”
Special guest speaker Atty. Katrina Legarda, the renowned Philippine-based lawyer recognized for supporting women rights, initially commented regarding the advocacy on Filipina empowerment in the Middle East: “Keep an open mind and keep learning. Hold your heads up high. Know that there is dignity in labour. And, please, do not let money be your god: walk away from abusive, demeaning, and oppressive situations.” She furthered, “Be strong. To re-quote Eleanor Roosevelt: No-one can make you feel inferior unless you allow it. Treat yourself as an equal to the man. Be proactive, not reactive, to problems back home. Most problems have solutions, including, moving on.”
Fun and glamour continued at the Women of Substance 2010 event as the fashion show cum make-over session sponsored by Dove put Filipinas’ natural beauty on center stage. The attendees were also able to view the many activities presented by the event sponsors in the designated booths. Moreover, the winners of the photo exhibit and special raffle draws were announced at the end of the program. Indeed, the day turned out to be a magnificent celebration of Filipinas (and Filipinos) in the Gulf.
As Lalaine Chu-Benitez concluded, ““We’re very happy to see the outpouring of support from the community for this event and our advocacy. This will definitely help us in furthering our endeavor of empowering Filipina women and the Filipino community in general.”
Illustrado’s Women of Substance 2010 event was sponsored by Dove-Unilever Gulf and Nikon, as well as Emirates Airline, London Dairy, Liali Jewellery, Marie France Body Line and Nanay Tuneng.

CNN Heroes - Please Vote!!!

Efren Peñaflorida is one of the Top Ten at the CNN Heroes

• Efren Peñaflorida was bullied by gangs in high school in the Philippines
  
• Now his Dynamic Teen Company offers an alternative to gangs through education
  
• Since 1997, some 10,000 members have taught more than 1,500 children in slums

For the past 12 years, Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. Their main tool: A pushcart classroom.

He created the Dynamic Teen Company to offer his classmates an outlet to lift up themselves and their community. For Peñaflorida, that meant returning to the slums of his childhood to give kids the education he felt they deserved.

"They need education to be successful in life. It's just giving them what others gave to me," he says.

Today, children ranging from ages 2 to 14 flock to the pushcart every Saturday to learn reading, writing, arithmetic and English from Peñaflorida and his trained teen volunteers.

Read His Full Story Here and to Vote Click Here


Voting continues until Thursday, November 19, 2009 (6 a.m. ET). There is no limit on the number of times you may vote for the Hero of the Year.

The War at Home (by Hong Kong Media)

I received this email from one of our concerned Kababayan here in Dubai United Arab Emirates.
So to all my Kababayans out there (To Filipinos all over the world) I think this guy really wants to have wars in media world...Or maybe using us (Filipinos) to become famous.... Please Read his article...


The War At Home
source: HK Online

March 27th, 2009

The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the seven Chinese seamen on board. We can live with that—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island . That’s no big problem—we Hong Kong Chinese love Japanese cartoons, Hello Kitty, and shopping in Shinjuku, let alone our round-the-clock obsession with karaoke.

But hold on—even the Filipinos? Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands , complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: there are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as $3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong . As a nation of servants, you don’t flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.

As a patriotic Chinese man, the news has made my blood boil. I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila , hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell every one of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China .

Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China , I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day. With that money, she would pay taxes to her government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings.

Oh yes. The government of the Philippines would certainly be wrong if they think we Chinese are prepared to swallow their insult and sit back and lose a Falkland Islands War in the Far East . They may have Barack Obama and the hawkish American military behind them, but we have a hostage in each of our homes in the Mid-Levels or higher. Some of my friends told me they have already declared a state of emergency at home. Their maids have been made to shout “ China , Madam/Sir” loudly whenever they hear the word “Spratly.” They say the indoctrination is working as wonderfully as when we used to shout, “Long live Chairman Mao!” at the sight of a portrait of our Great Leader during the Cultural Revolution. I’m not sure if that’s going a bit too far, at least for the time being.

Chip Tsao is a best-selling author and columnist. A former reporter for the BBC, his columns have also appeared in Apple Daily, Next Magazine and CUP Magazine, among others.

Imagine a world without Filipinos

A friend of mine send me an email just this morning (June 17 2008)with a title of "Imagine a World without Filipinos"... Because of curiousity I read the clippings after I read it I'm amazed, so I decided to find this article in the net and luckily I found it... So Here's the message...

Imagine a world without Filipinos

from Arab News The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily
by: Abdullah Al-Maghlooth Al-Watan, almaghlooth@alwatan.com.sa

Muhammad Al-Maghrabi became handicapped and shut down his flower and gifts shop business in Jeddah after his Filipino workers insisted on leaving and returning home. He says: “When they left, I felt as if I had lost my arms. I was so sad that I lost my appetite.”
Al-Maghrabi then flew to Manila to look for two other Filipino workers to replace the ones who had left. Previously, he had tried workers of different nationalities but they did not impress him. “There is no comparison between Filipinos and others,” he says. Whenever I see Filipinos working in the Kingdom, I wonder what our life would be without them.
Saudi Arabia has the largest number of Filipino workers — 1,019,577 — outside the Philippines. In 2006 alone, the Kingdom recruited more than 223,000 workers from the Philippines and their numbers are still increasing. Filipinos not only play an important and effective role in the Kingdom, they also perform different jobs in countries across the world, including working as sailors. They are known for their professionalism and the quality of their work.
Nobody here can think of a life without Filipinos, who make up around 20 percent of the world’s seafarers. There are 1.2 million Filipino sailors.
So if Filipinos decided one day to stop working or go on strike for any reason, who would transport oil, food and heavy equipment across the world? We can only imagine the disaster that would happen.
What makes Filipinos unique is their ability to speak very good English and the technical training they receive in the early stages of their education. There are several specialized training institutes in the Philippines, including those specializing in engineering and road maintenance. This training background makes them highly competent in these vital areas.
When speaking about the Philippines, we should not forget Filipino nurses. They are some 23 percent of the world’s total number of nurses. The Philippines is home to over 190 accredited nursing colleges and institutes, from which some 9,000 nurses graduate each year. Many of them work abroad in countries such as the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Singapore.
Cathy Ann, a 35-year-old Filipino nurse who has been working in the Kingdom for the last five years and before that in Singapore, said she does not feel homesick abroad because “I am surrounded by my compatriots everywhere.” Ann thinks that early training allows Filipinos to excel in nursing and other vocations. She started learning this profession at the age of four as her aunt, a nurse, used to take her to hospital and ask her to watch the work. “She used to kiss me whenever I learned a new thing. At the age of 11, I could do a lot. I began doing things like measuring my grandfather’s blood pressure and giving my mother her insulin injections,” she said.
This type of early education system is lacking in the Kingdom. Many of our children reach the university stage without learning anything except boredom.
The Philippines, which you can barely see on the map, is a very effective country thanks to its people. It has the ability to influence the entire world economy.
We should pay respect to Filipino workers, not only by employing them but also by learning from their valuable experiences.
We should learn and educate our children on how to operate and maintain ships and oil tankers, as well as planning and nursing and how to achieve perfection in our work. This is a must so that we do not become like Muhammad Al-Maghrabi who lost his interest and appetite when Filipino workers left his flower shop.
We have to remember that we are very much dependent on the Filipinos around us. We could die a slow death if they chose to leave us.

So to all of us be Proud to be A Filipino...