friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
1
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
editor’s note
Dear FIM readers,
Published by
Smart Way International Ltd
Success Brighter Co. Ltd
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PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Capt. Rosendo C. Herrera
MANAGING EDITOR
Arnold P. Grospe
ART DIRECTOR
Willy Castañar
COLUMNS
Bro. Eddie Villanueva
Bro. Rolly Estrella
Barrister Ody Lai
Noel Asinas
Cora Carsola
Dra. Gertrude P. Chan, FPDS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bobby Campus
CONTRIBUTORS
Adelaida Mogol
Bernadette Benitez
Dorie Nieva
Emalyn Beltran
Mayvie Acosta
Remely Valdez
Violy Pascual
Noemi Paniza
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comments of writers, columnists and
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International Magazine.
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and illustrations for publication. Please send
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International Magazine, 5D Sun King Building,
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2
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Before we start our next journey in life, after celebrating and bringing to mind the great sacrifices
that Jesus has done for us last Easter, we pay respect
and offer a prayer to move through life with peace
in our hearts. Prayer is a tool which we use to build
our awareness of God within and to bring ourselves
closer to Him. Let us all offer a prayer of thanks to
his divine mercy and to all of his sacrifices in saving
our lives.
Our former President, Corazon C. Aquino, who is a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women’s empowerment, and religious piety was
recently diagnosed with colon cancer. May we, in our moment of reflection,
include her in our prayers for her immediate recovery.
Last month, the Filipino nation celebrated another great achievement in the
field of sports which brought another honor for our country in the world of
boxing. The heroic win of our great boxer Manny Pacquiao, make Filipinos
in all parts of the globe truly proud of being a Filipino.
In this month’s issue, we honor the heroism of the Filipino and American
soldiers who courageously fought and gave their lives in the battlefields of
Bataan and Corregidor during the Second World War. More than one million Filipino lives were lost in the brutal war and thousand others died in the
infamous death march. But to those who have survived, the end of the war
signaled a new beginning. To the few thousand surviving Filipino veterans
who are dying at the rate of five a day, the battle for their rights is not yet
over.
In celebrating “Araw ng Kagitingan”, we pay tribute to our fellow Filipinos
who gave up their lives during the 2nd world war so that all of us may enjoy
the blessing of freedom in an athmosphere of peace. On April 9th of each
year, we remember the heroism and martyrdom of the Filipino soldiers who
sacrificed their lives, their youth and their dreams so that we, the next generation, can enjoy freedom and democracy. We cannot ever hope to understand
the value of their sacrifices nor aspire to measure up to their greatness.
As we commemorate the death march, we celebrate the valor of Filipinos to
face adversities in the name of freedom and show our resilience in the face
of difficulties that come our way. We have great hope and optimism that any
national situation has a way of exacting the best virtues of the Filipino. The
celebration of “Araw ng Kagitingan” is dedicated to the ideals of freedom,
unity and progress.
We have won many victories in our struggles, because we help one another
and because we know how to sacrifice. The struggle is still long and heavy but
we are determined to win because we have the needed weapons: the citizens’
sense of sacrifice that has enabled us to make the fight to poverty light and
easy.
Today’s enemies are mass poverty, graft and corruption, lawlessness, and disunity. Let us not waste the value of the great sacrifices of our death march
heroes. Let us preserve the peace and unity for our country. Let us join hands
in uniting each other here and in the Philippines especially now that our
country is facing so many economic and political adversities.
Mabuhay ang ating mga Bayani, Mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino.
Arnold P. Grospe
Managing Editor
3
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
friends Co mm uni t y B oa r d
Got an announcement to make ? Let everyone know. Have your upcoming association activities published here for FREE !
Call us on 254I –25I0 during office hours or email details to editorial@friends-intl-mag.com
What : PAHK Seminar on Understanding Financial Matters Before
& After Marriage; Resource speaker Barrister Ody Lai
Where : Prime Credit Office 8/F Eurotrade Center
Des Vouex Road Central HK
When : April 3,2008 7:00-9:00 PM
Contact : Contact PAHK at 3173 3308
What
: Unified Drivers Association (UDA) first indoor volleyball
tournament
Where : Wanchai sports Center
When : May 01, 2008
Contact : Interested teams contact Brench 61255876 / 92638634
the deadline of submission of entries is on April 20
Start and grow your Business!!!
Entrepinoy getting started in Business (for OFW Counterpart)
April 9-11 -Quezon City / May 8-10 -Baguio City
For reservation text 93110405 / 69767129 or
email doriewie501@yahoo.com.hk
Also available: Learn meat processing and beadworks the easy way!
FREE CANTONESE CLASS
every 2nd & 4th SATURDAY of the month
Island Evangelical Community Church
New address: 8/F 633 King’s Road Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
(Quarry Bay MTR Exit C)
Contact Person: Riza Guevarra, 2864 9337
Calling all Bulakenos, who are interested to join the newly organized Bulacan Association of Hong Kong, for more info, please
contact Julie Ordiales 9716 5592.
Attention: All Association leaders of Luzon in Hong Kong to join
the newly formed Luzon Federation (LUZFED). For more info, please
contact Medi Borlaza – Tel 6773-1021 or Sally Lanorio 95112642
Luzon Federation Sportsfest. April 6, 2008. Repulse Bay Beach.
11:00 AM onwards.
FLOR HK Family: Inviting everyone for the forthcoming events on
May (Date & Venue to be announced). First Anniversary, Oath Taking, First Graduation and Search for International Mother of the
year 2008. For more info: contact Bunso: 60995932/91629585
Attention: Marinduque Migrant Workers Assn will launch a TANGING INA Search, a tribute to all mother who sacrifices their time
for the sake of their children and Family. Entry requirements : No
age limit, and must have a child who has completed their college
studies and the family is intact. Please contact : Jo 95387605
adel93420937-Ony- 9457 0151 abeth 60904725 Date & venue to
be announced Proceeds for elderly care and scholarship.
Text From The Heart
Hong Kong
Lady Rose: 852 – 61596297 :josmarth2002@yahoo.com.hk
Lady Lyn : 852 – 62972433
Macau
Vernie P. Villamar + 853 66223754 email blaknight70@yahoo.
com
With Good personality : Kind, Handsome, Lovable and understanding person.
Rommel Sumawan +853 66207650
Philippines
Lady Leonor Cell # +63) 09063469735 or 09184353609
Looking for kind and understanding textmate at his 50’s
Lady Remy Cell +63-09215153747
Lady Jovy
Cell +63-09217790140 / +63-09217790155
Looking for a TXT mate? Send SMS to 852 9010 9183 if you wish to include
your number here.
4
The Management and staff of Friends International Magazine wish to
thank the following volunteer contributors and distributors for sharing their talent and support to the Magazine.
Gina Montero
Gie Ignacio
Mayvie Acosta
OLive Lasat
Juvy Aldea
Fely Bunso S. Naoe
Mario de los Reyes
Distribution Team
IMAP-HK
LOFM
BOWA
CFCB
DOMOHK
Black Eagle
Calabarzon
Novo Ecijano Association
OFWIE
GOAL
LOFWA
MIGA
WOMED
FILCOMSIN
FILREFLEX
PMS
FNA
Mindanao Alliance
KUSOG
LEBAK
BENGFED
ANIBA-HK
Oriental Mindoro Society
Damayan
LUZFED
BSK-HK
Contents
April 2008 issue 30
3Editor’s Note
6
Cover Story “Araw ng Kagitingan”
7Tinig ng Masa
8Tribute to Hon Vice Consul Alnee Arugay
9
Special Feature: 2008 Flower Show
10
BIOWA Induction
11
You and Your Health by Dra. Chan
12At Your Service
13
Hello Mama Novel
14
Community News
16
Jesus Is The Key To All Miracles
17Legal Matters
18
FIM Snapshots
20
Bro. Eddie’s Live for Christ
22NEAHK 6th Year Anniversary
23
Kuwentong OFW
24
Balitang Showbiz
29
Featured Poems
30Laugh Lines
31
FIM Outlets
32
Indonesian News
33
Horoscope and Mind Games
34
Birthday Corner / Just For Kids
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
5
friends International Magazine APRIL
Cover 2008
Story
Araw Ng Kagitingan
The Bataan Death March (also known as The
Death March of Bataan) took place in the
Philippines in 1942 and was later accounted
as a Japanese war crime. The 60-mile (97 km)
march occurred after the three-month Battle of
Bataan, part of the Battle of the Philippines
(1941–42), during World War II.
The march, involving the forcible transfer of
90,000 to 100,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war captured by the Japanese in the
Philippines from the Bataan peninsula to prison camps, was characterized by wide-ranging
physical abuse, murder, savagery, and resulted
in very high fatalities inflicted upon the prisoners and civilians along the route by the armed
forces of the Empire of Japan. Beheadings, cut
throats and being casually shot were the more
common and merciful actions — compared
to bayonet stabbings, rapes, guttings (disembowelments), numerous rifle butt beatings
and a deliberate refusal to allow the prisoners
food or water while keeping them continually
marching for nearly a week (for the slowest
survivors) in tropical heat. Falling down, unable to continue moving was tantamount to a
death sentence, as was any degree of protest or
expression of displeasure.
ever. Strings of Japanese trucks were known to
drive over anyone who fell. Riders in vehicles
would casually stick out a rifle bayonet and cut
a string of throats in the lines of men marching
along side the road. Accounts of being forcibly
marched for 5–6 days with no food and a single
sip of water are in post war archives including
filmed reports. The exact death count has been
impossible to determine, but some historians
have placed the minimum death toll between
six and eleven thousand men; whereas other
post war allied reports have tabulated that only
54,000 of the 72,000 prisoners reached their
destination— taken together, the figures document a casual killing rate of one in four up to
two in seven (25% to 28.5%) of those brutalized by the forcible march. How many died
from the brutal experience in delayed effects
after reaching the internment camps at the
end of the march is also believed to be a high
though uncertain number.
The Fall of Bataan
On April 9, 1942, as the final stage of the
Battle of Bataan, approximately 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers, commanded by
Major General Edward “Ned” P. King, Jr.,
were formally surrendered to a Japanese army
of 54,000 men under Lt. General Masaharu
Homma.
Logistics planning to move the prisoners of war
from Mariveles to Camp O’Donnell, a prison
camp in the province of Tarlac, was handed
down to transportation officer Major General Yoshitake Kawane ten days prior to the
final Japanese assault. The Japanese, having
expected the fighting to continue, anticipated
about 25,000 prisoners of war and were inadequately prepared and/or unwilling humanely
to transport a group of prisoners whose number reached almost three times that estimate.
Route of the death march. Section from San
Fernando to Capas was by rail. Prisoners were
attacked for assisting someone failing due to
weakness, or for no apparent reason whatso-
6
The Death March
News of this atrocity sparked outrage in the
US, as shown by this propaganda poster. The
newspaper clipping shown refers to the Bataan
by United States Army Rangers later known
as Raid at Cabanatuan.
Death March.
At dawn, 9 April 1942, and against the orders of Generals Douglas MacArthur and
Jonathan Wainwright, Major General Edward P. King, Jr., commanding Luzon Force,
Bataan, Philippine Islands, surrendered more
than 75,000 (66,000 Filipinos, 1,000 Chinese
Filipinos, and 11,796 Americans) starving and
disease-ridden men. He inquired of Colonel
Motoo Nakayama, the Japanese colonel to
whom he tendered his pistol in lieu of his lost
sword, whether the Americans and Filipinos
would be well treated. The Japanese aide-decamp replied: “We are not barbarians.” The
majority of the prisoners of war were immediately robbed of their keepsakes and belongings
and subsequently forced to endure a 90-mile
(140 km) enforced march in deep dust, over
vehicle-broken macadam roads, and crammed
into rail cars to captivity at Camp O’Donnell.
Thousands died en route from disease, starvation, dehydration, heat prostration, untreated
wounds, and wanton execution.
Those few who were lucky enough to travel
to San Fernando on trucks still had to endure
more than twenty five miles of marching. Prisoners were beaten randomly, and were often
denied promised food and water. Those who
fell behind were usually executed or left to die;
the sides of the roads became littered with
dead bodies and those begging for help.
On the Bataan Death March, approximately
54,000 of the 72,000 prisoners reached their
destination. The death toll of the march is difficult to assess as thousands of captives were
able to escape from their guards. All told, approximately 5,000-10,000 Filipino and 600650 American prisoners of war died before
they could reach Camp O’Donnell
Camps O’Donnell and Cabanatuan
On June 6, 1942, the Filipino soldiers were
granted amnesty by the Japanese military and
released. The American prisoners continued to
be held, eventually to be transferred to camps
outside of the Philippines. The start of this process began with American prisoners moving
from Camp O’Donnell to Cabanatuan. Acting
as a staging camp, many of these American
prisoners then were sent from Cabanatuan to
prison camps in Japan, Korea, and Manchuria in transports known as “hell ships.” The
511 prisoners-of-war who still remained at the
Cabanatuan Prison Camp as of January 1945
were freed during an attack on the camp led
War Crimes Trial
After the surrender of Japan in 1945, an Al-
lied commission convicted General Homma
of war crimes, including the atrocities of the
death march out of Bataan, and the following atrocities at Camp O’Donnell and Cabanatuan. The general, who had been absorbed
in his efforts to capture Corregidor after the
fall of Bataan, claimed in his defense that he
remained ignorant of the high death toll of the
death march until two months after the event.
His neglect would cost him his life; he was executed on April 3, 1946 outside Manila.
Commemorations
The Philippines
Every year on April 9, the captured soldiers
are honored on Araw ng Kagitingan (“Day
of Valor”), also known as the “Bataan Day”,
Ang pag a-abroad ba ay may mabuting naidulot sa iyo
at sa iyong pamilya? OO o Hindi at bakit?
Karamihan sa ating nagtatrabaho sa abroad
ay natagalan na at halos ay inabot na ng
dalawan dekada o higit pa dahil sa dami
ng responsiblidad na nakaatang sa ating
mga balikat. Pilit kinakaya ang lahat upang
matamo ang kanilang mga pangarap.
Sa pag aabroad natin, tayo ay nakakaranas
nang sari saring alalahanin, agam agam
at pagsubok. Mga pagsubok na para bang
hindi na natin makakaya o malalampasan.
Halos lahat sa atin ay nararanasan ang mga
ito, Ibat – ibang uri lamang ng pagsubok
ang bawat tao. Sa mga pagsubok na dumarating, merong mahina at di kayang makipaglaban sa bawat hamon kung kaya’t yung
iba ay naiisipan ang magpatiwakal sanhi ng
problemang kinakaharap araw- araw.
Ngunit marami pa rin naman ang hindi
nawawalan ng pag asa at matapang na hinahaharap ang bawat suliranin at matatag
ang paniniwala sa Diyos na malalagpasan
niya ang lahat ng pagsubok. Katulad niya
ay kahoy na dao na napakahigpit ang kapit
sa pangpang kung kayat kahit anong lakas
ng hagupit ng hangin ay hindi siya nabubuwal. May mga nalalagas na dahon ngunit
ito ay tumutubong muli. Sana tayo ay tumulad sa kahoy na dao.
Hindi rin lahat ng nag aabroad o nangibang
bansa ay nagtatagumpay, Mayroon ding sa
kabila ng mga pagpapakahirap at pag titiis
ay bigong bigo pa rin sa mga pinapangarap.
Dahil ditto ay nagtanong tanong tayo sa
ating mga kababayan kung ano ang masasabi nila ukol dito. Tunghayan po natin ang
kanilang mga katugunan.
Tessie Manalo
tubong Mindoro
Ang kabutihan ng pag aabroad ay depende
sa tao. Alam naman natin na hindi lahat ay
which is a national holiday in the Philippines.
sinusuwerte . Ngunit para sa akin ang pag
aabroad ko ay nakabuti sa akin. Dahil dito
ay napagtapos ko sa pag aaral ang aking
mga anak at natupad ko ang pangarap na
makapagpagawa ng aming bahay. Kinakailangan lamang sa bawat nangingibang bansa
ay tatag ng kalooban , tibay ng dibdib sa
mga pagsubok at higit sa lahat ay ang pananampalataya sa Diyos. Sapagkat gaano
man kahirap ang pagsubok na ating nararanasan ay atin itong malalampasan.
Susan M
15 taon sa Hong Kong
Taga Jordan
Malaking tulong sa akin ang pag-aabroad
dahil dito ay nakapagpundar ako ng mga
ari- arian at napag aral ko ang aking mga
anak. Ang pag- aabroad man ay isang pakikipagsapalaran lalo na sa mga inang katulad
ko ay kailangan nating tiisin ang hirap ang
maging matatag sa mga pagsubok na dumarating sa ating buhay sa abroad. Lagi tayong magdarasal upang makaiwas sa tukso
at iba pang masamang gawain. Kailangan
ding panatilihin ang ugnayan sa pamilya
upang malayo man ay hindi maging sagabal
sa pagsasamahan ng buong mag-anak.
Leoncio B. Guinto Jr.
15 taon sa Hong Kong
Taga Taguig City
Oo, Nakatulong ito sa akin ng malaki dahil nakapagpatayo ako ng dalawang bahay
at napagtapos ko ang aking anak. Malaking
bagay ang naitulong sa akin at aking pamilya ng aking pangibang bansa. Ngunit hindi
rin naman lahat ng nag aabroad ay pinapalad. Sa buhay nang tao may nagtatagumpay
at may nabibigo. Ang mahalaga dito ay nakipagsapalaran tayo upang magtagumpay.
Samahan din natin ito ng panalangin upang
tayo ay may patnubay mula sa ating pangi-
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Tinig Ng
Masa
ni Adelaida C. Mogol
noon. Pagsikapan din
nating maging masinop
upang hindi masayang
ang ating mga pinaghirapan at ng maisakatuparan an gating mga pangarap.
Marilyn Tadeo
13 taon sa Hong Kong
Taga Makati
Dalawang mukha ang pag aabraod natin,
mayroon buting naidudulot ay maroon din
hindi. Marami ring pagsubok ang nadadaanan mo na kung di ka magiging matatag
ay mawawasak ang iyong pamilya.
Dito sari sari ang nararanasan ko sa kaanak
at maging kaibigan at palagay ko ay hindi
lamang ako ang nakakaranas ng ganito.
Noong bago pa lamang ako dito, kung ano
ang pinararating na paninira sa asawa ko
na ang ugat ay pera. Kapag hindi mo mapagbigyan ay kahit kaibigan mo o kamag
anak ay sisiraan ka. Mabuti na lamang at
masinsinan kaming nag usap na mag asawa
kaya naiwasan ay di magandang pangyayari
sana.
Dito rin sa Hong Kong o sa iba pang bansa
na may OFW ay mga kaibigan ka na sisira
sa iyo kahit pa anong buti ng pakikisama
ang ginagawa mo ay hindi sila makuntento
at parang masaya pa sila pag nakakasira ng
tao. Mga nakangiti pag kaharap mo ngunit
pagtalikod naman ay iba na ang mga ito.
Kay asana kung anuman ang marinig natin
sa iba ay huwag natin itong patulan o paniwalaan hanggat hindi mo pa nalalaman ang
buong katotohanan. Lagi rin nating isaisip
na “Ang itinanim na kabutihan ay kabutihan din ang aanihin” Magdasal ang laging
hingin ang gabay ng Panginoon. Huwag
isipin ang maghiganti at diyos na ang bahala dito. God bless to all.
7
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Tribute to Vice Consul Ma. Alnee Arugay
The Filipino community organized a revere
tribute dedicated to a great person well-loved
by OFWs. The affable, approachable, energetic
and hardworking Vice Consul Honorable Ma.
Alnee Arugay.
special feature
2008 Hong Kong Flower Show
by Merle Nootenboom
cooperation with the Kababaihang Rizalista
Hong Kong Chapter (KRHKC), on the main
stage presentation last Mar. 16, 2008 from 1:30
to 2:30 pm in the annual Hong Kong flower
show. Its aim’s basically is to promote the culture of the Philippines, and It’s main objective
is “ To uplift the image of the Filipino people
in Hong Kong community at large.” PCA has
been participating in the Annual Hong Kong
flower show since 2003. This year Hon. Alejandrino Vicente graced the main stage cultural presentation.
After 3 years of working in our Philippine
Consulate General office, our beloved Vice
Consul Alnee will be leaving soon from Hong
Kong. It also was a tribute for one of the
hardworking staff in the Cultural section, the
friendly Madam Marie Corazon Ducas, Asst.
Cultural Officer.
Cultural Dance Ensemble, Capiz Achievers,
Leyte Achievers, Bohol Hong Kong Assn.
and Cantonese Dancers. While the National
Organization of Professional Teachers, Miss
Cely Gonzaga and Ms. Elaine Espinoza
rendered a song.
The vivacious tribute was held at the Bayanihan
Centre last March 23, 2008 and was organized
by Damayan OFW HK in cooperation with
the different associations/organizations and
groups from the community. The tribute was
poignant and some felt the emptiness of losing
a great public servant who is really dedicated
to her work and is sincere in serving the needs
of the OFWs.
The program started with an invocation led
by Ms. Leonie Bagaipo of Leyte Achievers
followed by the singing of the Philippine
National Anthem led by OWWA Landbased representative Mdm. Corazon Carsola.
A cultural presentation was also performed
during the tribute. The different groups
who performed and showed their amazing
dancing skills were headed by the Philippine
The Ilocano groups headed by our beloved
Consul General Al Vicente, who is a fellow
Ilocano, rendered a very touching medley of
Ilocano songs dedicated to our outgoing Vice
Consul Alnee. The Visayas group was inspired
by the Ilocano group so they also rendered a
Visayan song.
During the tribute, every leader of different
associations was given enough time for
their message and share their unforgettable
moments with our Vice Consul Alnee. They
took the opportunity to thank the Vice Consul
for goodness and kindness in serving the
community.
Administrative officer but also the Cultural
Officer in the Philippine Consulate.
The other guests who attended the tribute
were Mr. Joel Almeda of Banco de Oro, Ms.
Rosebelle Wolfe of A-Freight Forwarders, Mr.
Eleazar Reyes of DBP, Ms. Babes Mercado of
First Metro, Mr. Arnold Grospe and Mr. Willy
Castanar of Friends Int’l Magazine, Mr. Eric
Goyena of Brastel and leaders of different
associations.
The Damayan OFW-HK wish to convey
their profound thanks and gratitude to all
the different associations who shared their
precious time and effort which made this
tribute a successful one.
Honored guests and our beloved Consul
General Al Vicente were deeply honored by
the love and thoughtfulness shown by the
Filipino community to Vice Consul Alnee
as he reiterated that Vice Consul Alnee was
very hardworking because she’s not only the
Pulso ng OFW
Tama pa ba na gamitin ang People Power? Makatutulong pa ba ito sa pagbabago ng ating gobyerno?
Philippine Cultural Academy (Pca) In Cooperation With The Kababaihang Rizalista
Hong Kong Chapter (Krhkc)
The Hong Kong flower show is a major event
organized by The Leisure And Cultural Services Department to promote horticulture and
awareness of greening. Every year, it provides
a good opportunity for hundreds of thousands
of local citizens and horticulture lovers all over
the world to appreciate the beauty of flowers
and share their experiences in the cultivation of flowers. The last show attracted over
520,000 visitors and 185 organizations from
20 countries.
Hong Kong flower show will be held from 14
to 24 March 2008 at Victoria Park Causeway
Bay. Featuring “Gerbera” as its theme flower,
the event will showcase this exquisite plant
and a rich profusion of exquisite potted plants,
beautiful flower arrangements and gorgeous
landscape displays by organizations from local, the Mainland and overseas. There will
also be commercial store selling flowers and
other horticultural products.
During the show period, a rich diversity of educational and recreational fringe activities will
also be organized for the enjoyment of visitors
of all ages. They include student drawing competition, photo competition, exhibit competition, music and Cultural performances, floral
art demonstrations, plant maintenance workshops, green stalls, guided visits, recreation
programmes and fun games.
The Philippine Cultural Academy (PCA) headed by Mr. Pieter Nootenboom (Chairman) and
Ms. Magdalena Latonero (Pres. PCA), which
is a private and a non-profitable organization
performed a cultural presentation from different ethnic minority of the Philippines in
Hindi. Nawawalan ng kabuluhan ang orihinal na People Power dahil sa mga pag-aalsa ngayon. Ginagamit na lamang itong dahilan para sa
sariling kapakanan ng mga nais mamuno sa ating bansa na hindi sinsero sa kanilang adhikain. Melanie ng Yuen Long.
Oo. Ito lamang ang mabisang paraan ng pagpapa-abot ng mamamayan ng kanilang saloobin ukol sa nangyayari sa ating pamahalaan at sa
mga namumuno nito. Hazel ng Sheung Shui.
Oo at hindi. Oo kung ang tunay na hangarin ay ang mapabuti ang ating bayan. Hindi naman dahil minsan ito’y ginagamit na lamang na
paraan upang mapansin at hindi naman tunay ang hangaring makatulong sa pagsasa-ayos ng kasalukuyang kaguluhan nakadaragdag suliranin lamang ito dahil sa pagkakaiba ng paniniwala ukol sa pagsasakatuparan nito. Vilma ng Lamma Island.
Question for next issue : Naniniwala ka bang umuunlad ang ekonomiya ng ating bansa sa kabila ng mga iskandalong hinaharap ng pamahalaann
Philippines, w/c designed and landscaped by
Mr. Pieter Nootenboom. The booth won a
“Special Award for Design Excellence.”
The booth is featuring “The Philippine Fiesta Drift Wood Garden” as its theme name.
Its aim’s to create an infusion of a fiesta that
features only the best in an unusual and colorful inviting garden of a residential type home.
The garden design is incorporating a festive
style with glittering bandaritas and involves
elements from natural artistic and irregular
drift wood sculptures, giant clams, intrusive
rocks, pots, cut orchids, mainly amongst the
Philippines finest own natural collections. The
booth’s featuring also some quotes, poems,
and life story of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
The main stage presentation was sponsored
by KRHKC, Jollibee and Mr. Pieter Nootenboom.
DISCLAIMER: Views expressed in this section are those of the readers and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of friends international magazine. FIM does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. Before posting any comment, please read our editorial
policy. Posts that do not conform to our guidelines will be deleted by editor.
8
On the same show Kababaihang Rizalista
Hong Kong Chapter (KRHKC) represented a
booth under the Philippine banner. KRHKC is
a civic, cultural, patriotic, non-religious, non
-partisan and a non-profitable organization;
w/c main objective is to promote the teaching of the Philippine National hero Dr. Jose P.
Rizal. There were some cultural presentations
sometimes during the show in cooperation
with the PCA. The booth was in commemoration of the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
and featuring different artistic elements from
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
9
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Best International Overseas Workers
Association (Biowa) Induction Program
by: Ms. Remely D. Valdez
ford Imeson, Ms. Marcy Wilson and Mr.
Steve Tait. Also to the panel of adjudicators,
to the guest performers D’Lawa Beauty Fat
Dancers, Drop by Group, Dynamic Couple,
Filipino Alliance Group, SCOWA Dancers
and Teddy Destura Group. And also to the
supporting organizations ASECA, Filipino
Alliance Group, Capiz Achievers, International Ladies Assn, Passi City Assn, LIDAC, SCOWA and Villasis Assn. And most
of all to the donors and sponsors who made
the event a successful one.
The induction program of the newly organized group was held in Grappas Cellar Restaurant last March 02. The venue was fullypacked with supporters and friends of the
BIOWA. The event was attended by guest
of honor Labor Attache Romy Salud, Vice
Consul Val Roque and well-known Philippine Movie Director Mr. Edd Palmos.
Best in gown. First Runner-up won by Ms.
Melissa Telibrico. She also got the title Miss
Popularity 2008 amd Best in production
number. Miss Gina Serdena got the award
for Miss Punctual and Miss Friendship
award goes to Miss Daisy Alnas. Miss Photogenic won by Miss Maridie Illescas.
In Mrs category, out of 3 candidates, Mrs.
Rosalyn Dacumos won the title as Mrs.
BEST Int’l OWA-HK 2008. She also got
the title Mrs. Popularity 2008, Best in production number, Best in talent, Best in Int’l
attire and the Mrs. Punctual award. First
Runner-up won by Mrs Loida Bianca. She
also won the Best in gown, Mrs. Friendship
and Mrs. Photogenic. All the candidates
received a certificate of appreciation from
BIOWA-HK..
The presentation numbers of BIOWAHK officers and members received a thunder applause from the audience due to their
amazing performance, they show their great
dancing skills when they performed the following dances such as Jive, Carinosa, Modern dance, Muslim dance, Cha-cha, Hawaiian dance and Reggae.
The other highlights of the festivity was
the Search for Miss and Mrs. Best Int’lHK and the Coronation of Miss and Mrs.
Popularity. Six lovely candidates for Miss
and three lovely candidates for Mrs, vied for
the titles. In the Miss category, among the 6
lovely candidates,
Ms. Maribel Subang garnered the title as
Ms. BEST-Int’l OWA-HK 2008. She also
got Best in talent, Ms. Best Int’l attire and
10
The BIOWA-HK wish to conveyed their
profound thanks to the board of judges Mr.
Edd Palmos, Ms. Kattie Mcteer, Mr. Clif-
You and Your Health
by Dr. Gertrude P. Chan, FPDS
HOW TO KEEP SKIN FAIR AND
HEALTHY DURING SUMMER
ing is actually happening but on the contrary
damage is taking place. The effects of chronic
sun exposure are cumulative and it usually becomes visible in the 30’s or 40’s when lines and
wrinkles start to form.
The number one skin saboteur to skin healthy
lifestyle is the sun. The idea that getting too
little sun will result in Vitamin D insufficiency,
increasing the risk of brittle bones and osteoporosis is a myth. All you need is the sun exposure that you get when you go to the office
or to the neighborhood store. The single most
important thing you can do for your skin to
keep it healthy and looking young, fair, and
beautiful and resilient is to protect it from unnecessary or prolonged sun exposure.
Get some sun, but in moderation, and it is
healthy. Avoid exposure to sun between 10
in the morning up to 4 in the afternoon because of the strong and penetrating sun rays.
Also, as the sun rays are reflected off from the
shiny surfaces like sea, sand and pavement, it
will also affect your skin even while you are
inside a shelter, or under an umbrella or wide
brimmed hat.
Sun can be damaging resulting in slow healing, leading to breakdown of collagen causing
premature aging and in some cases skin cancer. The pigments cells underneath the skin
are activated to produce more pigment resulting in tanned or dark discoloration of the skin.
Because the changes are occurring below the
surface of the skin and don’t manifest immediately, there is a tendency to think that noth-
The officers of the newly organized group
the Best International Overseas Workers
Assn-Hongkong are: President-Brian Albert
Greytak; V-Pres-Linda Belicano; SecretaryLeonides Ubaldo; Asst. Secretary-Imelda
Capinding; Treasurer-Nora Carrasca; Asst.
Treasurer-Lilibeth Serrano; Auditor-Zenia
Dignadice; Asst.Auditor-Arlene Padios;
P.R.O.-Josie Eyo, Raquelle Margoma,and
Richelle Pedrola; Project CoordinatorsElenita”Nhel” Calaycay, Ronela Garcesa,
Mia Gorospe, Analie Malfarta and Michelle
Malfarta; Sgt At Arms- Janet Rafanan, Jocelyn Saribay, Marina Tingson and Connie
Sorrobio; Muse- Rodena Malfarta; Advisers- Cora Borbon, Alilie Imeson, Yolly
Saway and Delia Yu; Chairwoman-Maribel
Buan Palmos.
Health Tips
by CP Nutritionist
THE BENEFITS OF EATING PLANT
PROTEIN
Most nutritionists and doctors recommend
that we eat less animal protein and shift our
diet toward mixed plants for the majority of
our food. Let’s look at some of the advantages:
1. Plant foods are lower in saturated fat.
2. Plants do not contain in cholesterol.
3. Plants are high in essential fiber.
4. Plants can be complete in protein when
combined with other plant foods (for example, grains with legumes).
5. Most plant foods are low in calories.
6. Plant foods are high in complex carbohydrates (animal tissue does not contain carbohydrates).
PROBLEMS WITH TOO MUCH PROTEIN
The myths about the magical qualities of
proteins have been perpetuated for generations. It is time we take a look at the cold hard
facts about over consumption of protein, especially in the form of animal products.
Many protein foods are among the most expensive foods so over consumption is a waste
of money. Additionally, too much of this type
of food may contribute to kidney problems,
gout, mineral deficiency and all of the problems associated with high fat and cholesterol
intake.
certain cancers. Some authorities link cancer
more to the fat associated with meat, while
still others blame the use of hormones and antibiotics used in raising livestock. Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a known carcinogen, is used in
commercial beef. The Federal Food and Drug
Administration says that only small amounts
of the chemical are allowed, but that policing
beef products is difficult. “Faith” that the beef
producers will do the right thing is the major
control. As recently as September of 1980 the
FDA found 55 distributors and 424 cattle feeders using DES . Given the distribution, it is
probable that every consumer of beef products
was affected.
Cancer of the colon, diverticulitis, and other
diseases of the intestine have been associated
with a diet high in meat and fat and low in
fiber.
It is advisable to add in our daily routine the
use sunblock cream or lotion with at least SPF
15 and keep reapplying as needed. During
summer when the heat of the sun is at its peak,
use protective clothing, hats, visors, sunglasses
and umbrellas.
There is still widespread debate in the scientific
community over the exact causes of these diseases. Some scientists maintain that the meat
is the culprit, while others blame lack of fiber.
Until the evidence is more conclusive, the prudent and healthy approach to the problem is
to lower meat consumption and increase the
amount of fiber in the diet.
Remember, although we need sun to be
healthy, too much sun can make us look older
before our time and can even cause cancer.
OSTEOPOROSIS
ENERGY AND PROTEIN
Complex carbohydrates, not protein, are the
best energy source. It is true that when carbohydrates are not available to our cells the body
converts protein to glucose, which then can be
used for our energy needs. This happens if we
fast or starve ourselves. But that’s like lightning
a fire with dollars bills rather than paper! We
should eat a reasonable amount of protein,
leaving it to serve its main purpose of growth
and maintenance, eating the less costly complex carbohydrates for energy.
FAT AND CHOLESTEROL
Animal products are our major source of saturated fat and cholesterol. As previously discussed, these are two of the major dietary risk
factors associated with atherosclerosis. Reducing our intake of animal products will result in
a corresponding decrease in saturated fat and
cholesterol.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone density is reduced due to calcium depletion. This
condition makes the bones weak, which makes
them more susceptible to fracture. Adequate
calcium intake and exercise are two main factors in the possible prevention of osteoporosis,
but there is a strong indication that too much
protein reduces calcium absorption and increases calcium loss.
OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT
Contrary to popular opinion, over consumption of high-fat animal protein is responsible
for most of the obesity and overweight in this
country. Protein actually has the same amount
of calories as carbohydrates, but in animal
products it is combined with fats which increase total calories. While dining out is not
uncommon to see people a 12 ounce steak and
avoid bread and potatoes because they are considered fattening foods. Actually a baked potato contains only 145 calories and bread only
about 75 calories per slice. The 12-ounce steak
has about 1,200 calories! It would be much
better to choose smaller portions of low fat to
control intake.
KIDNEYS
Excess protein intake puts an overload on
the kidneys as they attemp to eliminate nitrogen in the form of urea. Those with existing
kidney problems and older people whose kidney function is less than optimal should avoid
excessive intake of protein. Avoid especially
organ meats and high-protein diets, with their
associated high fat content, they elevate the
uric acid level and can cause gout in susceptible individuals.
CANCER
Scientific evidence has begun to indicate
that high-protein diets may be associated with
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
11
At
Your Service
By: Rolando E. Estrella
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
MAGTANONG PO KAYO
The author has been in the public service of the Filipino Overseas Workers in Hong Kong for the past 20 years. He gives free advice and
counsel, as well as practical solutions on employment-related problems, family matters, etc. Mr. Estrella or Brother Rolly, as most people
call him, is currently the Vice President of INSURANCE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS CO., INC. For free counseling, please send
your letters/inquiries to: AT YOUR SERVICE COLUMN, c/o Friends International Magazine, Rm 1102, 11/F Sunny House,
12-16 Li Yuen Street West, Central, Hong Kong. (Attention to Bro. Rolly)
CHANGE OF CIVIL STATUS
Dear Bro. Rolly,
I was a high school student when I got married in
1994. When I moved to college I used my husband’s
surname in my school records. After graduating from
college, my sister-in-law was able to find an employer
for me to work in Hong Kong.
I went to the National Statistics Office (Census)
with my husband to get a certified copy of our marriage
contract which is needed when applying for a passport.
We were however informed that they do not have our
marriage records there. As my HK employer needed me
very urgently, I decided to use my maiden name when
I applied for a passport and I got one and was able to
come here..
After four years though when I returned at the NSO,
I was able to get a copy of my marriage contract. Now
I have plans of working in Canada and my intention
is, as I do not want to lie, to get a new passport using
my legal married name. I am worried however that I
might be questioned by the DFA why I did not use my
married name when I first applied for a passport in the
Philippines.
I need your counsel, please.
Charo, Kwai Chung, NT
Dear Charo,
The NSO is mandated by law to keep, preserve
and make available for access the official records
of every Filipino citizen (marriage, birth and
death) as a way of establishing the citizen’s
legal status as well as providing proper and
credible identif-ication.
It is a fact that a person’s civil status could
change from being single to married, or separated
or divorced or even widow/widower.
Any such changes in civil status which should
be reflected in the passport must be supported
by proper document issued by the NSO as
otherwise the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) will not be able to act.
It is possible that you failed to secure copy of
your marriage certificate from the NSO during
your first try because your particular records
have not yet been updated at that time. And
now that you have it on your second try, all
you have to do is to secure an AFFIDAVIT OF
IDENTITY from a Filipino lawyer stating that
you are one and the same person appearing on
the birth certificate and marriage certificate.
These two certificates must necessarily be
presented to your lawyer to form part and parcel
of the notarized Affidavit.
Fill up the passport application form and
submit the said Affidavit together with the
supporting documents at any DFA offices.
I wish you success in your desire to work in
Canada.
Bro. Rolly
DISCRIMINATED UPON
Prior to my arrival in Hong Kong on February 2,
2007 I was subjected to a thorough medical examination
and check up (including gynaecology) and I was issued
a clean bill of health and marked “fit for employment”.
Upon the insistence of my employer, the employment
12
agency furnished her with a copy of my full medical
exam report.
On the first week of June 2007, I felt a severe
abdominal pain and went to a government clinic for
check up. It was learned that I have a uterine fibroid
which is a minor abnormality in my uterus. I was
referred to a government hospital for the operation
but since the operating rooms are fully booked, they
have scheduled my operation one month later. As the
pain was so persistent, my employer recom-mended to
get a second opinion from her own doctor and so she
accompanied me there. I was again advised to undergo
a minor surgery for its removal and the doctor made
the necessary referral letter to a private hospital for the
operation.
Since my operation was not yet forthcoming, I was
not issued any sick leave certificate as yet. She learned
that the whole operation will cost her HK$40,000
and then changed her mind about shouldering it A
week later, she dismissed me because of a minor and
temporary disability brought about by my illness. Her
release letter however did not mention about my illness
as the cause of my termination.
Can you please advise what are my legal
entitlements under these circumstances? Will I be
allowed by the Immigration Department to stay
longer than the fourteen days so that I can undergo an
operation in a government hospital? Please help me.
Elena, Sau Ma Ping
Dear Elena,
You are entitled to unpaid salaries, wage in
lieu of notice, air-ticket, transportation allowance, pro-rata annual leave plus the cost of your
medical check up and medication. You can
claim all these benefits from your employer, if
not paid to you, at the Labour Department.
You can also file a complaint of discrimination
under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance at the Equal Opportunities Commission
to obtain financial settlement on the ground of
being dismissed due to a temporary and minor
disability. You may do it yourself or you can
appoint a representative.
Since your illness is minor and not a matter
of life and death situation, you may or may
not be granted an extension of stay by the
Immigration Department after the fourteen
days under normal circumstances. Your case at
the Equal Opportunities Commis-sion however
may influence them to grant you a special
consideration.
Bro. Rolly
MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING
Dear Bro. Rolly,
I have joined two multi-level marketing (MLM)
companies in Hong Kong during the past year and
paid a considerable amount of money but up to this
time the promised commission was not paid to me and
I could not even recover what I have paid to them. One
of them has already closed down.
Now I am being approached by another MLM
company with a promise of huge commissions.
My friends told me I should not join any MLM as
they all do pyramid activities. Can you please give me
some advice on this matter.
Lina, Tai Po
‑‑
Dear Lina,
Multi-Level
Marketing
(MLM)
or
networking companies have existed as early
the 70’s in the United States. This marketing
scheme originally was devised to introduce
certain high-quality low-priced household
products
to end-users. The low price is
achieved by the MLM company by sourcing the
products directly from the manufacturer and
selling them directly to users without the need
for middlemen and without the need to spend
huge advertising expenses. Not only are the
users able to buy good-quality products at a low
price but they are also given the opportunity to
earn money by way of commission by referring
new users or clients to the MLM company – this
is the real essence of genuine MLM. Any user
who decides to refer new clients to the company
and earns money in the process is called a
“networker”.
So many networkers have improved their
finances and standard of living because of
MLM companies. MLM therefore became one
of the most effective tools in marketing new
products and services. It is MLM’s good image
and its capacity to draw huge members that
attracted unscrupulous companies and people to
copy MLM’s system into their marketing plan –
however, only the marketing and compensation
schemes are copied and there is a great disparity
on the products being offered. How do you
detect then whether an MLM company is
genuine and not a PYRAMYDING company.
When a member pays her membership fee
to a genuine MLM companies, she can be rest
assured that she is also buying high-quality
products and services apart from being given
the opportunity to be a networker and earn
commissions.
An
MLM
company
becomes
a
PYRAMYDING company when: 1) a member
pays her membership fee and is offered
no product at all but is PROMISED huge
commissions when she brings in new members;
2) a member pays her membership fee but the
value of the product given is far far less than
what she has paid for but is PROMISED
huge commissions when she brings in new
members. And where does the commission
come from? From the money of the victimized
members themselves divided and apportioned
in accordance with their scheme.
A pyramiding company virtually extracts
blood from the members who are on the base
of the pyramid and only those who are on the
apex (the uppermost portion of the pyramid)
- the owners themselves and their cohorts are
benefited by the scam.
I hope this information will enable you
to discern between a genuine MLM and a
PYRAMID company. Always be on the guard.
Bro. Rolly
Ang kay Victor, tila gusto niyang magpagaling
sa Livorno. Kundi naman, sa Puerto Ordaz
imbes na sa ‘pinas.
Nobela ni Cora P. Carsola
Ang nakaraan:
Isa sa mga sumaklolo si
Monalisa sa mga naaksidente
habang nagdidis karga ng
marmol ang mga ito sa kanilang barko na dala nila
mula Puerto Ordas ng Caracas, Venezuela.
Nalaman na lang niya pagdating sa barkong
pinangyarihan ng sakuna na isa sa mga naaksidente
ay isang kababayan na si Engr. Victor Asuncion.
Minonitor niya ang huli hanggang makarating
sila sa ospital. Nagvolunteer siyang makuhanan
ito ng dugo upang masalinan si Victor sanhi ng
pagkawala ng marami nitong dugo na dumaloy
mula sa kanyang ulo.
magcheck out na siya sa hospital at hanapin
ang nurse na yon upang kanyang pasalamatan.
Ngunit nagdalawang-isip din siya. Kailangan
nga ba? ’Di ba’t tungkulin naman ng isang
nurse iyon?
Ipinaalam na ng company ang sinapit ni Victor
sa kanyang inang si aling Ester. Ipinaalam
naman ng huli kay Vesta, ang katipan ni
Victor.
Patakaran ng kompanya
nangyari sa isang sa isang
aksidente man o sakit,
umuwi sa kanyang place
magpagaling.
na kapag may
tauhan ng barko,
kailangan itong
of origin upang
Sa isang routine ng kanyang attending
physician, may kabuntot siyang isang nurse.
Kinabahan si Victor sapagkat isa itong
kababayan. Siya na nga ba ang nurse na
hinahanap niya?
“Good morning Signor Asuncion. How do
you feel today?”
“Very well, thanks doctor.”
“Magandang umaga sa inyo sir”, bati ng
nurse.
“Ganun din sa ‘yo, Miss. . .?
“Acosta po. Just call me Monaliza.”
. . .sundan sa pahina 15
Hindi niya iniwanan ang pasyente hanggang
nakatulog ito ng mahimbing.
Ikatlong Kabanata:
“Come va Signor Asuncion?” (How are you
Mr. Asuncion?) Bati ng kanyang attending
physician.
“I think I’m alright doctor, though I feel a
pricking pain on my head”, sagot ni Victo sa
mahinang boses.
“Oh, don’t worry, that is attributed to the still
fresh wound and bruises. It’s okay, you are now
out of danger based on your brain scanning
result, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you ,doctor. Have I got stitches on my
forehead?”
“You do, yes. But you’ll not find any traces
of it later on because I applied new surgical
methods.”
Nag-request si Victor ng isang male attendant
para asistihan siya sa kanyang shower.
Pagkatapos nito nagpalabas siya sa hardin ng
hospital sapagkat sabik na sabik na siyang
makalanghap ng sariwang hangin. at ‘morning
sun’.
Hiniling niya sa attendant na bumaba siya
sa kanyang wheel chair at makaupo sa isang
upuang nasa bandang kanan. Dito natatanaw
ang mga dumadaang sasakyan at pedestrian.
Tinititigan niya ang lahat na dumadaan. Pilit
niyang hinahanap ang nurse na sumaklolo sa
kanya. Ang taong lingid sa kanyang kaalaman
ay nag-alay ng sariling dugo kaya nabigyan
siya ng bagong buhay.
“Signor Dubois, are there Filipino nurses in
this hospital?”
“I’m afraid, there isn’t any, sir.”
“But how come, there was that fellow Filipino
who assisted us while we were airlifted from
the port to here?”
“Oh, she must be from the Emergency Unit,
sir.”
Natuwa si Victor sa kasagutang yon mula sa
attendant. Maliwanag na sa kanya ang nais
niyang malaman. Kung maari lamang ay
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
13
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
ILA HK inducts new Officers for HOFTA Open Tournament
By: Violy Pascual
2008
by APG
The International Ladies Association of Hong
Kong headed by Ms. Connie Sampilo, held its
3rd Induction of officers at the Newton Hotel
last March 9, 2008.
Angelyn Mirabohe was the Champion in the
Tango Dance Competition followed by Mylyn
Andrada and Liza Florendo. While Vernette
Rio was the Champion in the Ballroom Dance
and runner ups were Efigen Sia and Luchie
Abante.
by Noemi P. Paniza
The PASSI CITY (Iloilo) Association Hong
Kong expanded its program and activities by
providing better services to its members and to
all OFW’s here in Hong Kong. The Passi City
Medical Team was created. Its mission is to
offer and conduct free blood pressure checkups to individuals and accept invitations to
perform their duties from various groups/association during their activities and events.
The Hong Kong Overseas Filipino Tennis Association (HOFTA) held an Open tournament in
seperate places, at the tennis courts of Aberdeen
and Wong Nai Chung Gap on March 23.
The tandem of Winniefred Reyes and Randy
Serrajoseph played hard to get the Men’s Double championship at Aberdeen. Runners-up
were Rey Flores and Joey Alba. Beginner’s
Cup Mixed tournament at Wong Nai Chung
brightened the mood of the whole group with
the exciting flow of matches. Ben Pastoral and
Margie Secuero were named Champions followed by runner-ups Tony Solarte and Liza
Manalo. Birthday celebration of members James
Javier, Leck Villaremo added fun to the event.
Labor Attache Romulo Salud was the Guest
Speaker and inducting officer. Also present in
the said event were: Mr. Voltaire Medina of
BPI, Joel Almeda of BDO, Eric Goyena of
Brastel, Arnold Grospe of Friends Intl Magazine, former PCG staff Rudy Gaspar, ILAHK
members and other association leaders.
The said program also included the Graduation of Ballroom & Tango students, followed
by the Dance competition organized by Chairman Joey Ramirez, assisted by Co- Chairman
Nelly Angel and Edith Hicks. The dance instructresses were: Merly Florendo and Chrysma Ramos.
PASSI City Forms Medical Team
HOFTA was inaugurated October 2007. It
was conceived by the Filipino tennis veterans
in Hong Kong with the support of SIKAP
Tennis Association, to build strong camaraderie among members. The main objective of
the association is to share their skills and mold
competitive players within the group and interested individuals. John Reburiano and Gigi
Alejandro lead HOFTA. For those interested
to join may contact Melanie 92258504 or Gigi
Alejandro 62783785.
. . . mula sa pahina 13
nahalo sa kanyang envelope.
Acosta sa Massa Pisana?”
“Ako po yong umalalay sa inyo noong araw na
maaksidente kayo sa Porto di Livorno.”
“What? Si Miss Acosta ang donor sa blood
transfusion ko?” gulat na sambit ni Victor.
“Ah… e hindi po but let me find out sa Pronto
Soccorso. Tumawag po kayo mayamaya.”
“Maraming
maraming
salamat,
Miss
Monaliza. Salamat sa Diyos at nakita muli
kita” masayang kataga mula sa pasyente.
“My God! Nananalaytay ang kanyang dugo
sa aking mga ugat ngayon. Napakadakila
naman ng babaeng ‘yon. Paano ko kaya siya
masusuklian?”
Ang totoo, alam ni Pacita ang contact
number ni Monaliza ngunit nag-alangan kaya
tinawagan muna niya ang kaibigan.
“My duty and pleasure sir. Tawagan nyo lang
kami kung mayroon pa kaming maitutulong.
May kasama po akong kababayan din natin sa
flat”, pag-aalok ni Monaliza.
Hindi siya mapaniwala sa bagay na kanyang
natunghayan.. Paghanga ang nag-ulayaw sa
damdamin ni Victor para sa nurse na yon.
Nabanaag ang kasiyahan sa mukha ni Victor.
Parang
nawala
lahat
ang
kanyang
nararamdamang sakit sa katawan.
Tinandaan niya ang numero ng teleponong
nakita sa isang pahina ng data sheet. Hanggang
sa. . . .
“No problem, baka kasi may urgency ang
kanyang itatawag.”
“When can I check out of the hospital
doctor?”
“I’m sorry but Ms. Acosta is in Massa Pissana
for a week seminar. Any message please?”
Bababa na sana si Monaliza sa Cafeteria ngunit
na-antala dahil sa isa muling tawag.
“In five days, I guess. But it all depends on your
MRI, blood and urine tests, etc. If everything
turns out fine, then that’s it.”
“I’m her patient.”
“Pasensiya ka na Miss Acosta kung nakaabala
ako. It’s just that I can’t wait to thank you sa
kadakilaan mo.”
Bago siya mag check out, binasa niya ang lahat
niyang hospital records.
Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata sa kanyang
nabasa sa isang confidential na documento na
“Mr. Asuncion? Kamusta po kayo?” masayang
bati ni Pacita.
“Maayos naman at kalalabas ko lang ng
hospital.”
“May paraan bang ma-contact ko si Miss
The team was composed of persons who had
medical backgrounds, ie, doctors, nurses, reflexologists, physical therapists, radiologists,
x-ray technicians, medical technologists, dieticians, midwives, nursing aids, caregivers,
health aids and more. They will provide and
facilitate seminars and trainings about simple
medical related topics such as, first aid and
health awareness.
“Ano raw ang kailangan ni Mr. Asuncion?”
tanong ni Monaliza.
“Who knows friend. Ibibigay ko ba o hindi
ang contact mo diyan?”
Hindi nakaimik si Monaliza. Inisip niyang
baka sinabi ni Pacita kay Victor ang pagdonate
nito ng kanyang dugo.
“Ipagpaumanhin mo Miss Acosta. Alam
kong confidential ang information na nabasa
ko ngunit ipinag-adya marahil ng tadhana na
mapasama ang data sheet ng donor sa papeles
ko” wika ni Victor. I even found it strange
dahil sa blood bank dapat nanggagaling ang
kinakailangang dugo ng pasyente.’
“Nag-volunteer
ako,
Mr.
Asuncion.”
Sinumpaan ko ang tumulong sa abot ng aking
makakaya without expecting anything in
return.. ang mahalaga’y magpagaling kayo.
Please feel free to call me when there’s any
need. Babalik ako in five days. By the way,
is there anything you want from here?” alok
ng dalaga.
The launching was held last March 16, 2008
at the Hong Kong City Hall Park and was attended by no less than Hon. Val Simon Roque,
Vice Consul Philippine Consulate General in
Hong Kong. He said, launching this medical
team was just in time because of the bird flu
epidemic that has recently hit Hong Kong. He
also reiterated that the newly organized medical team should only perform blood pressure
check-ups, never issue any prescriptions and
be aware of proper hygiene.
“No thank you. But I’m curious sa ano bang
meron ang lugar na yan.’
“Oh! Lucca is famous for its wine gaya ng
Tuscani, Lombardi, Chianti at marami pang
iba. Ang paligid ay puro ubas na siyang
ginagawang alak” pagmamalaki ni Monaliza.
The said event was supported by Joel Almeda
of BDO, Val Miquiabas of First Metro, Cathy
dela Cruz of PNB of the Bankers group. Also
present in the launching were FIM editor Arnold P. Grospe, DestinAsian owner Michael
Ranola, other members of the press, friends of
PCIAHK and individuals.
“That sounds interesting” puri ng binata.
“Ah oo. Napakaganda talaga ang pook na ito.
It’s a ‘must see’ place, nasa Italy ka na lang din
naman.”
“Sana nga marating ko yan. I love going places.
Siguro pagbalik ko na mula sa atin. Hihintayin
ko lang ang general check up ko then punta ako
sa Rome para kumuha ng OEC. Kung hindi,
dito na lang ako magpagaling. Ang problema
lang, out na ako sa quarters ng crew dahil may
papalit na sa akin for the time being. One thing
na gusto kong mangyari bago ako umuwi is,
magkita man lang tayo please?”
Masters of ceremony were Margie Agustin
and Liza Fernandez.
“Tignan natin. Let’s talk about this when I get
back to Livorno, sagot ng dalaga.
Ano ang magiging resulta ng final check up ni
Victor? Matutuloy kaya ang pag-uwi ni Victor
sa ‘pinas?
Focus Remittance Centre recently moved to a bigger office to serve it’s ever growing customers. It’s new centre is now located at Shop 346 Worldwide House, Central. In photo: Branch
Manager Rey, Marvin, Robbie and some of it’s valued customers. Call 2156 1220 for more info.
14
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Ipagpapatuloy kaya ni Monaliza ang pakikipagugnayan kay Victor?
itutuloy…
15
Legal Matters
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Jesus is the Key to all Miracles
by Apostle Renato Carillo
During the Old Testament times, it is
known in the Jewish community that
lepers were under curse. They were worst
sinners and leprosy was the result of their
sin. Every time the Pharisees see the lepers coming, they go to opposite direction
to evade the lepers. The lepers were rejected and abandoned by their families. They
were outcast in the community. Nobody
liked them. Nobody loved them. Nobody
dared to come to them because leprosy is
a highly contagious disease. But Jesus did
not reject the lepers instead, HE CARED
FOR THEM. When they approached
Him, He accepted them. He touched
them and they were healed.
“When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A
man with leprosy came and knelt before
him and said, “Lord, if you are willing,
you can make me clean. Jesus reached out
his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said, “Be clean!” Immediately he
was cured.” Matthew 8: 1-3
There are many doctors around the world,
but there is only one healer. From the Old
Testament time until now, Jesus revealed
Himself as the healer. He is a great God
who performs great and mighty miracles.
He said “If you listen carefully to the
voice of the Lord your God and do what
is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to
his commands and keep all his decrees, I
will not bring on you any of the diseases
brought on the Egyptians, for I am the
Lord, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
“Who Himself bore our sins in His own
body on the tree, that we, having died
to sins, might live for righteousness- by
whose stripes you were healed.”
1 Peter 2: 24
Jesus is also your healer as He is the
healer of the Jews. And Jesus cannot only
heal you, He could also change you, deliver you and redeem you from the curse
of the law, from poverty and all kinds of
miseries. He can also make you whole.
He can bless you, satisfy you, protect you,
provide for you, save you and do all good
things for you. As soon as Jesus came into
your life, He has given you a divine life
and divine health.
16
Why not come to Jesus Christ and invite
Him into your life? He is willing to accept you whoever you are as He accepted
the leper who came to Him. He can do
all kinds of miracles for you because His
power is unlimited.
For more information:
website: www.miraclehour.com
e-mail: apostle_carillo@hotmail.com
Call us at: +852 94404731 / 00 + 63 +
2 + 911-8056 / 913-4116 / 4387853 /
4210983
Pray this prayer, “Father God, I admit
that I am a sinner. I have sinned against
You in thoughts, words and deeds. Please
forgive me for all my sins such as pride,
hatred, immorality, adultery, fornication,
homosexuality and all the sins I have
committed. I should be the one who must
die at the Cross of Calvary but you took
my place and paid the price for me. Lord,
Jesus, please come into my life and enter
into my heart. I now accept You as the
Lord and Savior of my life. I trust in You
and I believe in You. Thank you for saving
my soul. In the name of your Son Jesus
Christ. Amen.
For prayer and counseling, you may write
to: APOSTLE RENATO D. CARILLO
P.O. BOX 40, ARANETA CENTER
1135 CUBAO, QUEZON CITY
PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines: Watch! ORAS NG
HIMALA at NBN CHANNEL 4 / 12:00
m.n.-1:00 a.m. (Sundays thru Fridays)
6:30 a.m.- 7:30 a.m. (Saturdays)
Listen to: ORAS NG HIMALA @ DWBL
1242 KhZ AM Band Mon.thru Fri./ 6:007:00PM DZME 1530 Khz AM Band
Mon.thru Fri & Sun./ 10:00- 11:00 PM
by Barrister Ody A. Lai
Got questions regarding legal matters? Write us and we’ll get your
queries answered by our knowledgable columnist. Send all correspondence to Friends International Magazine by post or email.
Pros and Cons of Trial by Jury [Part 2]
My friend Joshua was called for Jury service in the
High Court but he wants to be excused from duty
saying it’s a waste of his time. I’ve been in HK
for the last 20 years but I was never called for jury
duty.
Melanie
Part 2: Selection of Jurors
There are criteria for jury service. As a resident
of Hong Kong, You must be at least 21 years
of old but not yet 65; You must be of sound
mind, no disabilities such as hearing or visual
impairments; You must be of clear record
and never convicted for any criminal offence
thus you are of good character; You must
have sufficient knowledge of the language
proceedings in court which is normally
English. Recently, there is prevalence of
high court trials conducted in Chinese, thus
you must have sufficient ability in Chinese
language.
In reality, being in the list means that you are
at least form5 educated and most of the times
those summoned are university graduates
with sufficient fluency in the English language
that includes understanding basic legal
terms and lingo. This differentiates the jury
selection in HK as compared with the jury
selection in America where high educational
achievement is not required.
The following cannot serve as jurors.
Persons who are mentally or physically unfit,
suffering medical conditions that would
affect jury service cannot serve; Members of
the Legco and their spouses; Members of the
HK judiciary and their spouses; Members of
the Bar Association and the Law Society of
Hong Kong and their spouses; Other legal
practitioners; Members of the HK Police
Force and their spouses; Persons employed
with the HK government whose duties are
connected with investigation of offences,
administration of justice or punishment
of offenders like those in the correctional
department as well as those who are
employed in the administration of courts or
in the recording or transcription of evidence
like the interpreters and court reporters.
In January 2008, there were issues for reforms
to the criteria. It is being considered whether
the age bracket should be extended to 70 and
to include spouses of legal professionals,
judges and those who are excluded from the
pool. It was previously assumed that these
spouses might be prejudiced when they talk
about the case with their legal counterparts,
fear of being influenced and biased. Medical
practitioners who were also excluded for
fear of disrupting the efficient provision of
medical care are now under review to be
included. This is to expand the pool of jurist.
The Commissioner of registration compiles
the list of jurors, which get names from
another source. In the case of Joshua, if
he were non-HK person, the Immigration
department would have provided his details
as prospective juror to the Registrar in the
High Court, which in turn sent notice that
his name is added to the list. Melanie can get
in touch with the high Court Registrar and
get copies of the provisional list or additional
list of jurors, which are always available for
inspection and to find out if she is on the
list.
There is continuous need for jurors in the
high court and the Registrar on weekly basis
will draw at random a number of jurors from
the list. Selected names will be sent jury
summons and be present in the High Court
on specified date. Two weeks notice of call
is normal. Anybody who has attended in
response will not be summoned until 2 years
later. Anybody who actually served in the
jury panel may never be summoned again.
Should Joshua seek an exemption from jury
service, he must write to the registrar setting
out the full reasons as soon as possible.
The registrar will consider the request for
exemption and may agree but not lightly.
Working commitments are not reasons to
guarantee exemption but serious economic
consequences for the company due to jury
service may be sufficient specially if the
murder trial will last for over 100 days.
Inside the court, out of 70 to 80 summoned
jurists, there is random selection of 7 jurors
by ballot in the open court. The prosecution
and the defence lawyers have the right to
vet the randomly selected juror. So Joshua
even selected by ballot may not ultimately
serve as a juror if objected to because he is
“pangit” looking or “parang bias ang dating”.
Nevertheless, Joshua can always request
the judge for an exemption giving sufficient
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
grounds. The empanelling of jurors may be
done for 2 to 5 courts in a single day or the
following day. So Joshua if not selected in
court 26 may still be selected in court 36.
Joshua should not worry too much. He
should be at the High Court on time and go
to the Jurors Assembly Room on the first
floor. Staff of the High Court will meet all
the summoned jurors where identity cards
are checked. Then instructions will be given,
questions will be answered and there will be
half an hour video explaining the selection
procedures and the duties of a juror in the
criminal trial. If selected to be on the jury
panel, Joshua is expected to listen carefully
for further instructions from the judge inside
the courtroom. Throughout the trial, there
will be more instructions from the staff of the
High court.
The normal instructions given by the judge
is that the Judge decides what evidence the
Jury hears but it is the duty of the Jury to
decide the weight to attach to the evidence
when considering the guilt or innocence
of the accused. The Jury deliberates in a
special room inside the High Court building.
Everything is confidential and each member
of the jury may never discuss the case to
anyone other than his or her fellow jurors.
Jurors are free to return home at night unless
the judge directs that the jury be kept together.
This very rarely happens even if the HK High
Court is equipped with the rating of 3 star
hotel accommodations for the jury.
Joshua may be penalised a maximum fine of
HK$ 5,000 failing to attend in response to the
jury summons. Joshua’s employer is obliged
to release him to attend. It is suggested that
Joshua notify his employer upon receipt
of his jury summons. It may be that the
summons was for a most inconvenient time
for Joshua and employer. Joshua may apply
to defer his attendance to a more convenient
time and inform the court as soon as possible.
The employer discriminating Joshua due to
his jury service commits an offence and the
employer may be penalised with a maximum
fine of $ 25,000 and 3 months imprisonment.
Joshua will not be paid being a juror but
will be given daily allowance. Meals are
not normally supplied except when a jury is
considering its verdict. Tea and coffee making
facilities and supplies are stocked in all juryretiring rooms and biscuits are supplied.
17
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Do you want your photos on this page? Group pictures, special gatherings, association activities are most welcome. Send them to us by post or email and you just might find
yourself in our next issue.
18
. . . friends snapshots
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
19
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Live for Christ
Death is the
ultimate pain man
could ever suffer.
Any other kind of
human misery or
catastrophe cannot
be compared to
death. The life being taken away from man,
either slowly or very quickly, is simply hard
to endure or look at.
And no matter how man tries to avoid
it, it comes. It may happen very early, just
in time, or very late. Nonetheless, it comes.
No one escapes. As it is written, “There is a
time for everything…a time to be born and
a time to die.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
On the contrary, life, or the opposite of
death, is truly worth celebrating. Imagine
the joy of anyone over a newborn child.
Hearing the infant’s cry as it comes out of
the mother’s womb creates a feeling that is
beyond words. Gently carrying the babe in
your arms as it yawns while in deep sleep
brings a smile on your face. Seems like you
hold a fragile thing and so precious that you
can’t afford to be careless and negligent in
looking after it. And you do it very happily
without anyone giving you orders to do so.
Watching a new life springing and
growing each day brings unexplainable joy.
This sight shows us that God’s greatest gift
is none other than the breath of life.
But what happens to this life God
generously gives to people as they come to
age? Some use it wisely and profitably. Some
wander and live aimlessly. Some squander
it. Some lose it for nothing.
When does life become wasted? When
you don’t know or understand your worth
or value as God’s creation, you won’t be
able to appreciate life, especially when it’s
bombarded with problems and ordeals of
all kinds. When you seek and depend on
human love and affirmation alone, you lose
life’s maximum benefits. When you don’t
know and would not seek to know what you
want to pursue, you live without direction
and you lose the opportunity of becoming
successful. When you don’t know and
understand its purpose, you waste life no
matter how long or short you were allowed
to live on earth.
Having sense of identity, purpose,
direction and destiny is important in living
out a meaningful life. We need to covet this
and work this out to ensure a life worth
living.
We are all valuable in God. This fact
alone gives us the best reason to live life to
the fullest. For when you believe that you are
precious in His eyes and He cares about you,
no amount of trials can crush you. You’ll
keep hanging on there and be able to pull it
20
through because God supplies the strength
you need and His love for you sustains you.
How could He leave and forsake you
when the very hairs of your head are already
numbered and He considers you more
valuable than a sparrow that does not fall to
the ground apart from His foreknowledge.
(Matthew 10:29-31)
Yet you will not see how God could
become so involved in your life unless you
believe how much He values you. God has
made human beings greater than all His
creation, be it on earth or in the heavenlies.
We are so small yet He made us bigger than
what we think. (Psalm 8:3-5)
We can be sure and secure of God’s
love. And we need not try hard to gain His
love. Constantly seeking affection from your
fellows will drain and frustrate you. The
reason is obvious. It is not natural for man
to love unconditionally and without fail at
all times. Only God is capable of doing so.
Nonetheless divine principle tells us of the
cycle of life, which gives us great profits.
Give and receive. When you give love,
there’s a chance you’ll be loved in return.
Love is best shown when you initiate it,
without so much forethought of receiving it
back. This is unconditional love, which God
freely gives us and tells us to give to others
as well. When we do, we know we are living
life rightly and joyfully. (1 John 4:19)
We can achieve something in life. And it
happens when we know our purpose. When
we have goals to pursue, when we know what
we want to do, we will be determined to get
it at all cost. People who have no dreams to
reach does not have the drive to achieve and
do more. So if you don’t have one, make one
and see what it can make out of you.
The apostle Paul set a goal for himself.
And he did his best to achieve it till he died.
by Bro. Eddie Villanueva
And he died with joy that he had reached
it. He said, “I want to know Christ and the
power of his resurrection and the fellowship
of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like
him in his death.” (Philippians 3:10)
This is part of his last words to Timothy,
“For I am already being poured out like a
drink offering, and the time has come for
my departure. I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will award to me on that day—and not
only to me, but also to all who have longed
for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
Do you wonder why many people face
death with so much fear and anxiety? It is
because they knew they did not spend and
live it well. They knew they have not gotten
yet the best out of life. Say, for instance, love,
forgiveness, happiness, and things like that.
What about us? Do we have to wait and
die without experiencing these all? We can
live gracefully and die graciously. God has
made us enter the world beautifully. We can
exit as well with grace. How? This is His
answer.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because
we are convinced that one died for all, and
therefore all died. And he died for all, that
those who live should no longer live for
themselves but for him who died for them
and was raised again. …(2 Corinthians 5:1416)
Living for Christ will ensure that we
can leave this earth in His appointed time
with so much gain and joy. Besides, He had
prepared a life for us beyond life on earth.
“However, as it is written: ‘No eye
has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has
conceived what God has prepared for those
who love him.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
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friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
NEAHK Marks 6th Year
by April Joy
Association leaders Medy Borlaza of Luzon
Federation and DOMOHK, Petra Regua of
Bileg ti Ilocano, OWWA officer Cora Carsola.
FIM club President Violy Pascual together
with the group all came as well as close friends
of Mr. Grospe from the business sector, who
are very supportive to the association. Former
HK Consul Tess de Vega, who is currently in
Hong Kong to furhter her studies, also graced
the event.
NEAHK founder Arnold Grospe and acting
President Marilyn Noveda handed out Certificates of Appreciation to active members for
their invaluable contributions to the association. Mr Grospe said that giving recognition
is a way of showing the members that they are
indeed valued and is the best way of saying
“thank you”. Mr. Grospe and the officers are
reaching out to more kababayans to join the
group and to create more projects to benefit
the less fortunate kababayans in Nueva Ecija.
NEAHK is an active organization in the Filipino community in Hong Kong. Interested
parties who would like to join the group may
call Lyn @ 62582176 or Rose @ 61596297.
The members of Novo Ecijano Association
of Hong Kong (NEAHK) marked its 6th year
anniversary and the same time held birthday
celebrations for the month of March in Admiralty Garden on March 23.
Short Story by April Joy
Minsan sadyang mahirap ipaliwanag ang mga
bagay na kung iisipin ay imposibleng mangyari,
pero ito ay nagaganap sa hindi inaasahang
pagkakataon. Yung tipong may mga pahiwatig
pero ito’y hindi binibigyang pansin.
Huling pagkakaton na makita ni Gemma ang
kaniyang ina sa webcam noong Enero 1 taong
kasalukuyan.Masaya ang kanilang pag-uusap at
tuwang tuwa sa pagkikita nila ng kaniyang anak
kahit sa cam lang. Ang ina at ang ikalawang
ama ay dalawampu’t isang taon ng naninirahan
sa Amerika kasama ang nakatatandang kapatid
na lalaki ni Gemma. Sa edad na 84, makikita pa
rin ang kagandahan at pagigigng masayahin ni
“nanay”.
Buwan ng Disyembre taong 2006 ng huling
makabisita sa Pilipinas ang mga magulang at
parati ng maririnig kay “nanay” na gusto niyang
bumili ng kaniyang bahay at lupa, hindi naman
nito tinukoy kung gaano kalaki at kung saang
lugar ba iyon dapat, at kung tutuusin naman
ay hindi na nito kailangan pa ng ikalawang
bahay dahil meron na itong malaking bahay na
inuuwian sa Pasay City kung nasa Pilipinas ito.
Sa isang anak na babae inihabilin at ipinangasiwa
ang pagbili sa hiling na bahay.
Reunion ang nangyayari tuwing magkakasama
silang pamilya. Pinipilit umuwi ni Gemma
kahit isang linggo lang upang mapagbigyan ang
kagustuhan ng ina at upang makasama man
lang ang mga kapatid at mga pamangkin kahit
sa konting panahon lang.Banggit sa kaniya ng
ina na uuwi na sila ng Pilipinas dahil sila ay
may edad na at gusto ng mag for good mula sa
malamig na lugar sa Amerika. At hiniling pa na
sa Marso dapat umuwi din siya, “magkita -kita
tayo sa pag-uwi namin ha?”
Kulang na lang ay hilahin na ang mga araw upang
22
ni Violy C. Pascual
Tawag ng relihiyosong misyon, naglingkod sa Panginoon at sa Baguio naglagi ng
halos 2 taon si Mary. Hirap man sa pera
hindi pinigil ni En ang mga anak sa paglilingkod muna sa Lumalang kahit walang
sahod, bilang pasasalamat.
Pagtatapos
Mahigit 15 taon ang ginugol ni En Alojado, isang OFW dito sa Hongkong, upang
solong maitawid at maiahon sa alon ng
buhay ang kanyang apat na anak. Sisinghap-singhap, halos malunod at gusto nang
sumuko sa kalagitnaan, ngunit nanaig ang
ginintuang pusong-ina nito. Magandang
kinabukasan ng mga anak, ang tanging
pangarap na kailangan maisa-katuparan.
Hindi lamang ang makatapos sa pag-aaral
ng kanyang mga anak ang kanyang binuno at sentro ng kanyang kalbaryo kundi
marami pang kaakibat na mga pagsubok.
Sa pagbabalik-tanaw ni En sa pinagmulan, hindi niya maipaliwanag at mapaniwalaan kung paano niya naitaguyod at
nalagpasan ang lahat ng mga balakid na
humarang sa kanya. Napapailing at hindi
mapigil ang luha sa paniniwalang “ ginabayan at kasama niya ang Maykapal “.
It was a simple preparation but it counts much
for the members. Arnold Grospe, Marilyn
Noveda, Fina Payawal and Joselyn Macarayo
were the celebrants who were blessed by lady
Pastor Jonnie Unghiyon.
“Ang Munting Bahay Ni Nanay”
Mga Kwentong OFW
sumunod na Hunyo. Tatlong taon nanatili
dito at naka-alwan ng kaunti si En.
makauwi na ay gagawin ni “nanay”at gusto
niyang makita ang bago niyang bahay at lupa,
bagama’t ito’y hindi kalakihan, para kay nanay
ay tahimik at napakaganda. Tatlong buwan pa ay
nakapag empake na si nanay, ultimo maliliit na
bagay ay kaniyang inilagay sa kahon, mga lumang
cd na paborito niyang patugtugin, mga salamin
sa mata, bags ilang terno ng sapatos at kung anoano pa siniguro na lahat ng mahahalagang bagay
ay kasama niya sa kaniyang pag-uwi. Sa maleta
naman ay nakahanger pa ang kaniyang mga
gown, palda at ibang magagandang damit.
Sumapit ang Pebrero at isang buwan na lang ang
hihintayin at tuluyan ng makakapiling ni nanay
ang pamilya sa Pilipinas ay nagkasakit ito at
naconfine sa hospital. Mapapansin na malaki ang
panghihina ng kaniyang katawan dahil sa lagnat.
Hirap huminga kaya kinabitan ng oxygen at iba
pang dextrose dahil ayaw tumanggap ng pagkain
ang katawan.
Nang araw ng siya ay magkasakit ay nasa
Washington siya sa piling ng anak ng kaniyang
asawa dahil ang anak na kung saan sila nakatira
ay kasalukuyang nasa Pilipinas upang magpasko
at magbagong taon. Nakatanggap ng tawag mula
sa mga kapatid si Gemma na nasa hospital nga
ang ina at inaalis ang mga nakakabit sa katawan
na para bang pagod na. Tumawag siya sa
hospital at nakausap ang ina at sinabing “cheerup pagaling ka malapit na tayong magkita”, sa
hirap na boses at habol ang paghinga mahirap
pakinggan ang tugon ng ina pero ang malinaw
na nasabi nito ay “bukas ka na lang tumawag
anak” kaya naman nag paalam na at ibinaba na
ni Gemma ang telepono.
Ilang oras matapos ang kanilang pag-uusap
ay nalagutan na ng hininga si nanay, Pebrero
17 at parang sumabog ang dibdib sa balitang
natanggap ng anak. Hinintay lang pala siyang
makausap ng ina at ito’y tuluyan ng nagpaalam
sa mundo. Dalawang linggo bago naayos ang
papeles at naiuwi na ang labi ni nanay at Marso
Sabay ng pagpasok sa kolehiyo ang panganay na anak at ang pagpasok sa tatay
ni En sa ospital na pabalikbalik dahil nastroke sanhi ng hypetension.
Dumating sa puntong salu-salungat na
ang utang ni En sa mga financing banks.
Sa kaguluhan ng isip tuwing dumadating
ang bayaran at kasabay ang paghingi ng
estudyante at pasyente, binalak patigilin
ang pinag-aaral. Pwedeng maghintay sa
susunod na pasokan at ang pasyente ay
hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban. Nagtapat sa
amo si En, bago pa siya tawagan ng mga
kolektor. Sinabi nitong patitigilin ang kanyang anak sa kolehiyo, si Mary at isa-isahing babayaran ang mga bangko.
1 hanggang 8 ang ibinigay na bakasyon ng mga
amo ni Gemma sa kaniya.
Ala una ng hapon Marso 1 ng siya ay makarating
sa Manila at alas-4 ng hapon ang pagdating ng
labi ni nanay mula Amerika. Natupad ang
sinabi nito na Marso sila dapat magkitakita at
ng malaman ni Gemma ang sinabing bahay ng
ina na ipinundar dalawang taon na ang nakaraan
ay ang kaniyang libingan na maayos na maayos
at talagang pinaganda para sa kaniyang paguwi. Ito yung isa sa maraming plano na nagawa
ni nanay bago ang kaniyang pag-uwi at pati na
rin ang mga gamit ay ibinahagi sa mga anak.
Isang bagay ang sadyang binanggit nito sa asawa
na dapat ay mapunta kay Gemma, ito ay isang
sweater na paboritong isuot nito. Kulay puti at
napakalambot.
Sa araw ng burol at sa unang pagkakataon
na makita ni Gemma ang ina ay hindi niya
nagawang umiyak bagkus kinausap pa nito ang
ina sa salitang Bicol na sadyang silang dalawa
lang ang nagkakaintindihan.Laki sa Bicol ang
pamilya ng ina at tanging si Gemma lang ang
natuto sa kanilang magkakapatid na sa tuwing
may sikreto sila ay kaya nilang mag-usap kahit
kaharap pa ang mga kapatid. Nang matapos ang
libing at makita ni Gemma ang mga iniwan sa
kaniya ng ina ay may biglang may umamoy na
napaka bangong amoy ng bulaklak at alam nila
nandoon ang ina natutuwa dahil napunta talaga
ang bagay na bilin nito sa mahal na anak.
Nakabalik na sa Hong Kong si Gemma at iyong
pamana sa kaniya ng ina ay lagi niyang kayakap
tuwing maaalala niya ito, dahil sa ito ang paborito
niyang isuot ay may napansin pang puting buhok
na nakadikit na galing sa buhok ng ina, doon
man lang ay maramdaman niyang kapiling pa rin
ang nasirang ina higit sa ano pa mang materyal
na bagay na iniwan sa kaniya. Higit sa lahat
ay masaya silang lahat dahil nahimlay sa isang
pangarap na “bahay” ni nanay.
Edad 16, 11, 10 taon at siyam na buwan
sanggol ang bunso ni En nang pikitmatang iniwanan sa kalinga ng kanyang ina
sa Guimaras, Iloilo. Nagtapos ang bunso
sa high school, Marso 29, 2008, pinakahuling maituturing na tagumpay ni En.
Unang nakatapos ng kursong Commerce
ang panganay, Nursing ang kasunod at
Nautical Engineering ang pangatlo.
Iresponsable raw ang naging asawa ni
En. Kapareho nitong makatapos ng high
school, walang mabalingan kundi ang
mag-asawa. Katulong ang mga magulang
ni En na ginawa lahat ang paraan upang
maisalba ang pamilya, ngunit sadyang
walang pag-asang maging responsableng
asawa at ama ang kabiyak niya.
Taon 1993, Enero dumating sa Hongkong
upang maglingkod sa Ho Family na kabuwanan ipanganak ang pangalawang magigiging alaga ni En. Unang amo, unang
katulong nagkatagpo at nagkasama hanggang sa kasalukuyan.
Pinayuhan ng amo si En na huwag nitong
pahintuin ang anak. Sa napakasinop na
serbisyo ni En at malasakit sa dalawang
alaga, ginantihan ito. Binayaran ng amo
lahat ang mga utang sa bangko ni En na
umabot sa halos $ 40,000.Magbabayad
siya sa halagang makakaya na hindi matitigil ang pag-aaral ng anak at pagpapagamot sa ama.
Halos magkasabay din ang
pagtatapos,
kursong Komersyo sa anak
at huling hininga sa buhay naman ng tatay ni
En. Nakita ang
togang isusuot
ng apo, ngunit
hindi nahintay
ang ilang araw
na lang, ang
nakatakdang pag-akyat sa entablado.
Lingid sa kaalaman ni En, bago pa magtapos sa kolehiyo si Mary, nag-apply na ito
sa ahensya papuntang Hongkong sa kagustuhan matulungan agad ang ina. Nagtapos ng Marso, nakarating ng Hongkong
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Magdadalawang taon na sa Canada si
Mary at halos lahat ng sahod ay ibinibigay
sa ina para sa dalawang kapatid na noon
ay nasa kolehiyo. Makatapos ang nurse,
minabuti munang maglingkod sa Diyos
bago tuluyan pumalainlang sa magulong
buhay.
Bagamat, may
bunso pang
magkokolehiyo, maayos na
ang paghinga
ni En. Kahit
nasa malayo,
nahubog niya
ang kanyang
mga
anak
sa
magandang asal, at
malapit sa Diyos. Hindi inalis ang respeto
sa
kanilang
ama na siyang
laging rumarampa sa mga pagtatapos ng
mga anak. Siyang ama, ang nabibigyan ng
grasya ng mga anak.Minabuting hindi inuuwian ni En ang mga pagtatapos ng mga
anak dahilan sa kakaposan sa pera na higit na kakailanganin ng nga anak. Ang ikinalulungkot lamang ni En, dalawang taon
ng tapos ang Nautical Engineer niyang
anak ngunit hindi makahanap ng katapat
na trabaho sa sariling bansa.
Sa ngayon, nagmimisyon din dito si En
sa ibang paraan.Pinapalakas ang loob ng
mga kapwa magulang at kapwa asawa
na binigyan ng sapin-sapin na pagsubok,
“may katapusan ang lahat “ , ayon sa kanyang pinagdaanan na hindi niya rin sukat
akalain makakayang tapusin.
23
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Balitang Showbiz
ni Noel Asinas
Jinky Pacquiao: Walang ibang babae
si Manny, wala pa akong ebidensiya na
mayroon nga
KAPAG iniintriga si Manny Pacquiao
sa ibang babae. Tulad ni Ara Mina
last year. Hindi agad naniniwala ang
asawang si Jinky Pacquiao. Parte lang
daw ito ng buhay showbiz ng asawa.
Sa interview kay Jinky ng press
last Monday pagdating nilang magasawa mula sa successful match ni Manny kay Juan Manuel Marquez sa
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas last March 16, sa 17th floor ng GMA Network
Center sa Edsa, nasabi ni Jinky na positibo siyang walang ibang babae si
Manny.
Any Jinky: “Para sa akin, walang ibang babae si Manny. Kasi, hanggang
ngayon ay wala pang ebidensiya kung mayroon nga siya. Kasi, marami
akong spy. Madali kong malalaman iyan.”
Hindi man lang binanggit ni Jinky ang isyu kay Ara Mina noong
ginagawa ang movie na Anak ng Kumander last year.. Sa ipinahayag ng
maybahay ng pambansang kamao ay hindi siya naniniwala na nangbabae
si Manny. Kaya walang katotohanan ang isyu kina Manny at Ara noon,
ano?
Tyrone Perez: Popular sa mga bagets ng
Univesity Belt
NAPARUSAHAN si Tyron Perez ng bisor sa
Kung Ako Ikaw dahil siya ang huling-huling
nakabalik sa pag-ikot ng round trip ng PasigQuiapo route bilang jeepney driver. Siya’y
nahuli sa pagbalik dahil pinagkaguluhan
siya ng mga kolehiyala sa University Belt
nang napansin ng mga estudyante at mga
kabataan doon na siya’y nagda-drive ng
jeeyney. Panay pa-autograph sa kanya ng
mga bagets.
Unang nakarating sa rountrip na pasada
si Polo Ravales, kahit pa siya ang huling
dumating sa set. Nakahabol pa siya sa pasada dahil mabilis siyang
magmaneho.
Samantalang, si Epi Quizon naman ay tama lang ang pagmamaneho
kahit siya ang pinakamagulo sa tatlong celebrity drivers.
Last Wednesday night ay malalaman kung sino ang mag-uuwi sa tatlo
ng P100,000 cash.
24
JC de Vera at
Yasmien Kurdi: More
than friends na
ngayon
INAMIN
ni JC de
Vera sa
Showbiz
Central
last
Sunday,
March
23, na
more than
friends
na sila ni
Yasmien
Kurdi. Sa
scale 1 to
10, ang
pagiging
mag-on
nilang
dalawa, ayon kay JC, ay nasa 9.1
na. Ibig sabihin ay malapit na silang
dalawang mag-on.
Si Yasmien Kurdi naman ay
nagsabi tanging si JC lang ang
lalaking binibigyan niya ng regalo.
Si Rainier Castillo ay never niyang
binigyan ng regalo kahit matagal na
ring na-link sa kanya dahil mag-love
team sila noon pa.
Nang sinabi ni JC na more than
friends na silang dalawa ni Yasmien,
si babae ay hindi nagreact. As if
inaamin na ni Yasmien na ganoon na
sila ka-close ni JC.
Magkasama ang dalawang
maglove team sa bagong soap ng
GMA, ang Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin
Kita na magsisimulang mag-airing
ngayong Monday evening sa
primetime telebabad.
Jolo Revilla, deadma lang sa pakikipag-torrid kissing scene ni
Lovi Poe kay Marky Cielo
DEADMA lang si Jolo Revilla as if wala raw kiyems nang kinukunan
ang one minute torrid kissing scenes nina Lovi Poe at Marky Cielo
sa soap na Kaputol ng Isang Awit. Kasi, sabi sa amin sa set na
nakasaksi sa reaction ni Jolo ay minabuti na lang ni Jolo na umupo
sa isang tabi at hindi tinitigan ang buong eksenang kissin scenes
nina Lovi at Marky.
Feeling nang nakakita sa reaction ni Jolo ay ilang na ilang ang
binata habang kunukunan ang eksena. Kaya ang ginawa na lang
ng anak nina Lani at Sen. Bong Revilla ay deadma na lang. Artista
si Lovi kaya dapat niyang gawin ang ibig ipagawa ng director sa
eksena.
Kailangang tumagal ng isang minuto ang halikan (at talagang torrid pa) dahil in love na in love si Marky kay
Lovi sa istorya. Hindi ito puedeng madaya dahil kailangan sa istorya.
Kaya si Jolo kaysa pa magselos sa halikan na ginawa ng dalawa ay hindi na lang tumingin sa eksena habang
kinunan, bagkus umupo na lang sa isang tabi at nakipag kuwentuhan daw sa mga kasama na deadma lang.
Hindi naman daw puwedeng umalis si Jolo sa set nang kunan ang eksena dahil sa susunod na scenes ay silang
dalawa naman ni Lovi ang magkaeksena.
Hindi lang alam namin kung may halikan dito sina Lovi at Jolo. Kasi, hindi muna sila magkarelasyon sa unang
mga kuwento ng soap opera.
Robin Padilla, na-confine sa St. Luke’s Hospital
NAGULO buong staff ng Joaquin Bordado nang
nabalitaan nilang naaksidente si Robin Padilla sa set
ng soap sa Subic, Zambales. Nahulog kasi si Binoe sa
motorbike. Buti na lang pagkatapos na dumausdos sa
bike, nakaya pa ni Binoe na tumayo at nagsabi na tuloy
ang trabaho. Mahirap maaksidente ang leading man
ng soap, lalo na si Binoe na nakasentro ng istorya ng
Joaquin Bordado.
Ganun lang talaga ka-trooper sa trabaho si Binoe.
Kahit nasasaktan na, hindi pa rin nawawalang ng sigla
at gusto pang tuluy-tuloy na trabaho.
Pero, bago mag Mahal na Araw, balitang nagpaconfine din si Binoe, ayon na sa payo ng mga staff ng
soap, dahil may sumasakit sa kanyang braso. Na-confine
ng overnight si Binoe sa St. Lukes Hospital para sa
thorough examination. Ginastusan ng GMA production
office ang confinement ni Binoe.
Ganyan si Binoe, hanggang maaari ay ayaw niyang
magpa-double sa kanyang mga stunt. Kung maaari
nga’y lahat ay gagawin niya. Eh, iniisip din ng mga staff
na pangalagaan ang health ni Robin. Kaya hangga’t
maaari ay dapat magpadobol ang actor. Pero, iba talaga
si Robin, ipagpipilitan niya talaga ang kanyagn sarili.
Ganun kamahal niya ang kanyang trabaho.
Siya mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan para lalong
mapaganda ang mga stunts at actions scenes.
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
25
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Jennylyn Mercado: Di ipapangalan ang baby
nila ni Patrick Garcia sa kanya
Jopay Paguia:
Entertainer na
ngayon sa Japan,
sa June pa babalik
ng Pilipinas
Katrina Halili:
Vindicated sa bagong
show niya sa GMA, bida
na, siya naman ang
aapihin
ALAGA pa rin ni Joy Cansio si
Jopay Paguia kahit wala sa cast
ang dalaga sa bagong season ng
Daisy Siete , ang Prince Charming
and the Seven Maids. Kasi,
nasa Japan ngayon si Jopay at
lumalabas doon bilang entertainer.
Hanggang June 2008 pa ang
contract ni Jopay doon.
Ani Joy Cancio: “Nagpaalam
nang mabuti si Jopay sa akin. Kaya
sa pagbabalik Pinas niya, kasama
na siya sa next season ng Daisy
Siete.”
Masayang nakipagtsikahan ni
Joy sa mga press na dumalo sa
press launch ang Prince Charming
and ng Seven Maids, kasi
consistent no.1 afternoon soap
ang produced niyang programa.
Minahal ng manonood ang
programa kaya sinusuklian ni Joy
ng magandang project.
Bida rito si Rochelle
Pangilinan,Mia Pangyarihan,
Sunshine Garcia, Evette Pabalan,
Weng Ibarra, Cheche Tolentino at
Mhyca Bautista.
Magsisimula ng soap sa March
31 pagkatapos ng Eat Bulaga.
NAKAUSAP namin si Katrina Halili habang
nagbabakasyon sa El Nido, Palawan sa
kanilang ancestral house doon. Aba ,
tumaba raw siya ng five pounds sa pagkain
ng mga seafoods at kanin.
Pero, madali raw siya magpapayat, Kasi,
sa Tuesday, March 25 ay tutungo naman
siya ng Boracay para sa pictorial ng coffee
book na siya mismo ang publisher nito.
Ani Katrina: “Hindi ako maitim ngayon.
Hindi ako nagpaaraw sa bakasyon ko
sa Palawan . Takot na ako na mangyari
na tulad last year na matagal bumalik
ang skin ko sa natural kong kulay nang
napaaraw ako.
“Matutuloy lang sa project kong
hinanda ngayon summer ang coffee book.
Hindi matutuloy ang lingerie fashion show
ko. Wala nang oras dahil busy na ako sa
taping sa April ng Magdusa Ka! Bale two weeks lang ang bakasyon ko sa GMA
bago magsimula ng bagong soap.”
Excited si Katrina sa Magdusa Ka! Dahil siya ang aapihin dito. Di siya ang
mangaapi. Si Dennis Trillo ang director at si direk Maryo J. delos Reyes ang
director dito.
26
Ogie Alcasid:
Postponed ang bagong
game show sa GMA,
April pa simulang
ipalalabas
POSTPONED ang balitang March 31
first airing ng bagong game show ng
GMA 7, ang The Big Show na hosted
by Ogie Alcasid. Balita ng source
namin, nagkaroon ng technical
problem nang magdry run ang show
noong first week of March.
Gusto muna raw magkaroon ng
solution sa problemang technical
bago simula ang show. May
nagbulong naman sa amin na tagaproduction ng GMA na sa April na
magsisimula ang The Big Show. Hindi
lang malaman kung anong definite
date ito.
Kaya patuloy pa ring
mapapanood ang Takeshi’s Castle
bilang pre-programming ng Eat
Bulaga tuwing Monday to Saturday
at Sunday naman ang SOP.
May ipagmamalaki
naman ang Takeshi’s dahil kahit
nakatutuwang games lang ang
ipinalalabas na tampok ang mga top
stars ng GMA 7 ay mataas pa rin
ang ratings nito sa Mega Manila.
Nagiging no.1 pa sa time slot nito.
Sa totoo lang, kahit mawala
sa daily ang Takeshi’s, hindi pa rin
mawawala sa weekend ang show
na ang ilang film clips nito ay
magmumula pa sa Japan, kung saan
ang original show ay nagsimula.
NAKAUSAP namin si Jennylyn Mercado sa set ng
Nuts Entertainment taping recently.
Pagkakita namin sa kanya, itinanong namin
agad isyu sa pagsasalita ni Patrick Garcia sa
presscon ng Babangon Ako’t Dudururin Kita. Kung
saan, nasabi ni Patrick na kakausapin niya si Jen
para sila magkabalikang muli para sa kanilang
baby.
Dito’y nagreact nang husto sa amin si Jen sa
tinuran ni Patrick na balikan.
Aniya: ““Sa tingin ko wala na akong future sa
kanya. Bakit pa ako makikipagbalikan? Ang bata ay
pinalaki kong sarili sa tiyan ko, bakit pa? Kaya ko namang buhayin ang anak
kong sarili hanggang paglaki.
“Nasabi ko na noong una na hindi ako makikipagbalikan, Di ko
babaliwalain nung una kong sinabi. Pero, papayag akong makita niya ang
bata paglabas nito.”
Nabanggit din namin kay Jen na kaya si Patrick na makipagbalikan sa
kanya ay para maayos ang pangalan ng bata at iyon ay ilagay sa pangalan
ng amang actor.
Ani Jen: “Hindi ko ipapangalan ang anak ko sa apelyido niya. Bakit pa?
Pinalaki ko ang tiyan ko na hindi ko siya kasama.”
Samantala, napanood namin sa Nuts taping ang interview kay Jen nina
Joey de Leon, Anjo Yllana at Janno Gibbs.
Kaiba ang interview dahil matatawa ka. Kabilang sa tanong kay Jen ay
sino ang naging crush niya sa mga actor ng GMA 7 nang siya’y manalo ng
StarStruck. Sa natatandaan ni Jen, ang paborito niyang actor noon ay si
Dingdong Dantes. Kung hindi siya buntis, ang gusto niyang maging teleserye
na siya ang bida ay ang Darna.
Rufa Mae Quinto: Mas matalino ang present boyfriend kong
German-Latin American blood
MALUNGKOT na ibinalita ni Rufa Mae Quinto na maaaring hindi matuloy ang kanyang Holy Week vacation
sa Hong Kong para magkita sila doon ang kanyang mahal, si Robert Lopez, ang Mattel senior manager in
internal audit na naka-based sa dating Crown Colony.
May outbreak ng flu sa Hong Kong . Balita ito ni Rufa Mae sa presscon ng Mano Po2 Overload kamakailan..
Ani Rufa Mae: “Mahirap mabago ang schedule kong papuntang Hong Kong kasi eto lang Holy Week ang
mahaba kong bakasyon.”
“Eh, kung may outbreak ay hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang susunod kong gagawin para muli kaming
magkita ni Robert. Maaaring magpa-vaccine ako.”
Ayon sa kuwento ni Rufa Mae, four years na silang magkakilala ni Robert. Lately lang sila naging close.
Kasi, believe si lalaki sa kanya dahil super working women siya. Hanga naman si Rufa Mae kay lalaki dahil CPA ito na nagtapos ng kolehiyo sa UCLA sa America .
May 15 percent German blood kaya super talino at may dugong American Latino.
Tawag ni Rufa Mae kay Robert ay Boss, siya naman ay tinatawag na Babes. Balak ng lalaki na maging model si Rufa Mae ng isang Barbi Doll.
Ani Rufa Mae: “Wala pa kaming formal relation, pero I’m falling in love to him. Twice na siyang pumunta dito sa Manila . Na-touch ako sa kanya na ngayon
lang siya nakakilala ng babaing tulad ko na super busy sa trabaho.
“Dahil kay Boss, feeling ko inspired akong magtrabaho ngayon.”
Iba raw si Robert na 33 years old na ngayon, kaysa kay Rudy Hatfield, Kahit pareho silang guwapo at attractive, super talino si Robert.
Sa Mano Po 2 Overload, bagong character si Rufa Mae bilang baby maker. Hilarious comedy ang movie lalong kasama si Rufa Mae. Ang tatlong gays na anak
ni Cherrie Picache ay sina John Prats, Polo Ravales at Jiro Manio.
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
27
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Binibining Pilipinas, bumango dahil kay Bb. Pilipinas World Janina San Miguel
Masdan
Ni Juanita D. Soreta
Masdan ang ating mga sarili
Abalang- abalat di mapakali
Takbo ng panahon, hinahabol lagi,
Sa trabaho’t sagad, walang pag aatubili.
28
Sanhi ng himatay ay ang over stressed
na naranasan ng contestants dahil sa sunudsunod na rehearsal at pressure sa pageant
night sa harap ng mga hurado.
May contestant no. 18 naman na si
Elizabeth Nacuspad ay hindi na nakapagattend ng Thursday researsal dahil sa confine
na sa St , Lukes Hospital . Pinayagan na doctor
na mag-attend ng final day last Saturday.
Si Nacuspad ay napasama sa top 5 bilang
2nd runner-up.
Tuloy nagpahayag ang source namin na,
“ito na yata ang pinakasakiting contestant
ng pageant, pero ito namana ng may
pinakamagandang face and body.”
Ang nakatanggap ng pinakamaraming
special awards ay si candidate no.8 na si
Danielle Pastrano. Nakuha niya ang Miss
Photogenic, Miss Baccus Energy, Miss Natasha,
Miss Ever Evelena at Miss Philippine Airlines
Si Danielle ay nakapag-uwi ng 1st runnerup trophy.
Ang napiling Bb. Pilipinas Universe na si
Jennifer Barrientos ay walang napanalnang
special awards.
Ang nanalong Bb. Pilipinas Wold na si
contestant no. 18 na si Miss Janina San
Miguel ay nakapag uwi rin ng special award
bilang best in swimsuit at best in long gown.
Usap-usapan ang pagkapanalo niya dahil
sa llamado siya sa 24 candidates dahil ang
nauwi niyagn special awards ay matindi sa
lahat.
Kaya kapag tinatawag ang number niya at
pangalan ay hiyawan ang tao.
Pero, sa question and anwer ay pumalpak
siya. Nablanko ang kanyang isip niya.
Nasabi over the microphone: “ Please
forgive me. I’m only 17 years old and this is
may first beauty pageant.”
Ang sagot niyang ito ay umingay nang
husto sa Araneta Coliseum. Maraming
nanghinayangsa sago niya na ang tanong ay
hinggil sa family niya. Sa tingin ng audience
ay hindi niya malinaw na nasagot.
Pero, nilinaw ang staff na kausap namin.
Nadeliberate nang husto ng mga judges na
nagmula pa sa mga embahada sa bansa sa
pangunguna Ambassador mula sa US , Japan ,
India , Spain ay iba pa.
Naringgan ng staff na na-emphasize sa
deliberation na ang pagpili ng beauty queen
ay pangunahin ang beauty kaysa intelligent.
Hindi naman hinahanap ang pinakamatalino
sa grupo, kundi ang pinakamaganda na dapat
tanghaling beauty queen.
Sabi ng source namin, “Sa beauty ni Janina
ay nakita namin si Melanie Marquez. Kasing
bata ni Melanie si Janina nang manalo sa
pageant para lumaban sa Miss International
1979. Nauwi ni Melanie ang title nang taong
iyon.
“Nang sumagot ng nakakatuwa si Janina
sa harap ng mga hurado, naalala muli namin
si Melanie na parating may kakaibang sagot.
May pumalit na yata kay Melanie.”
featured Poems
Tayoy nangungulila sa ating PAMILYA
Pero walang magawa dahil sa nakatadhana
Desisyong magtrabaho para sa kanila
Dapat maging matatag at laging nakahanda
Salamat sa aking magulang
Jean Rose Gabriel
(Partida Annex San Miguel High School)
PAMILYA silay ating inspirasyon
Nagsusumikap para makaahon
Makapag-impok at maging mahinahon
SA pagtatrabaho buhos ang panahon
Nang ako’y isilang ng aking ina,
Langit sa tuwa ang kanyang nadarama,
Ako’y di pinabayaan kung saan,
At laging iniingatan kailanman.
Masdan an gating mga Pilipino,
Kahit saang sulok ng mundo,
Hawak kamay nakikitungo,
Makaahon sa hirap, lubos na pagbabago.
Lagi isaisip habang ikay nandito
Hindi lang ikaw ang nagsasakripisyo
Marami sa mga kababayan natin ang mga tulad mo
Nagtitiis at NANGUNGULILA sa pagiging malayo
Ang aking ama ang kanyang katuwang,
Sa pagpapalaki ng may mabuting asal,
Nagbibigay ng pagmamahal,
At ng magandang kinabukasan.
Masdan an gating pang gobyerno,
Malakas sa pagkakakristiyanismo’t makatao,
Mga pinuno, pulitiko’t liderato,
Di mahahabag, patuloy pangungurako’t panloloko.
Malayo man tayo sa mahal natin
Isipin lagi ang Diyos ay nasa tabi mo
Siya ang gumagabay sa mga desisyon mo
At SIYANG sumbungan natin at karamay kung tayo
ay napapasuko
Salamat! yan ang pagsamo ko,
Sa pagbibigay ng pag asa sa pagtahak sa buhay
ko,
Di ko man maipakita sa kilos ko,
Ito ay tutuo at galling sa puso ko.
Mga kababayan ko,kahit mahirap ang mapalayo
Sa mga nangungulilang tulad ko............
KAYA natin ito.
Pamana sa amin edukasyon lamang,
Na aming tataglayin na isang kayamanan,
Ito’y aming pagsisikapan,
Para rin sa aming kapakanan.
May bukas na kay ganda
Ni Estrella Thea I. dela Cruz
Salamat inay salamat itay,
Kayo ang nagbibigay sa akin ng buhay,
Aking tatanawin na utang na loob,
Habang ako’y nasa mundong ibabaw.
Masdan an gating mga kapamilya,
Dolyares inaantay mula sa atin umaasa,
Nalalasap kasaganaan, umanoy kaginhawaan,
Kaligayahan, hangad magandang kinabukasan.
BONGGA
ang opening
number ng Bb.
Pilipinas 2008
na production
ng GMA 7 dahil
ginamitan ng more
than 100 dancers.
Bukod sa dancer
ng Whipsplash ni
Andy Alvis, na siya
ring chereograher
ng pageant night,
kumuha pa sila ng dancers mula sa Mabalacat,
Pampanga.
Ang theme ng pageant ay Festivals of
all festivals. Kaya ang ginamit na tugtog at
kanta ay pawang musikang Fipilino. Pati ang
motif ng stage ay mala-Sinulog, Dinagyang o
Panagbengga sa atmosphere.
Sabi ni Lito Calzado, “Hindi namin inuulit
ang mga nagawa na namin. Puro bago ang
aming ginagawa. More than 25 years na ako
sa Bb. Pilipinas bilang blocking director at
segment director. Ibang-iba ang programa
namin dahil sa dami ng dancers at minimal
lang ang production number sa tatlo lang.”
Sabi ng naman ng production staff,
pinakli ang programa sa TV dahil ayaw
nilang madaling araw matapos ang show.
Binawasan ang production number. Pati ang
usual farewell speech ng last year winners ay
tinanggal na rin.
Kaya lang may circumstances na hindi
maiiwasan. Tulad sa actual pageant sa Araneta
Coliseum ay natagalan ang pagpapalabas
ng last production number na tampok ang
sampung finalist na aawitan ng Angelos, ang
apat na all male group.
Ayon sa staff, after ng question and
answer portion, hinimatay ang contestant
no.2 na siya ring winner ng Bb. Pilipinas
International na si Patricia Fernandez.
Napanalunan din ni Patricia ang Miss Natasha
award.
PANGUNGULILA
by: Teresa Duran Marquez
Masdan ang ating lipunan,
Nasaksihan walang tigil na hidwaan,
Nakikilahok sa sigawan, mga kabataang pag asa
ng bayan,
Ipinaglalaban minimithing kalayaan.
Masdan ang ating kapaligiran,
Kulay luntiay halos din a matunghayan,
Kabunduka’t kalikasa’y kulang sa yaman,
Mayayamang kapitalista, sinirang lubusan.
Masdang ang ating Inang Bayan,
Maralitay dumadagsa, walang patutunguhan,
Bagong panahon, Pilipino’y nakidayuhan,
Natugunan lamang sikmurang kumakalam.
Masdan ang mga nangyayari pandaigdigan,
Sa kaguluhan at mga salot di mapigilan,
Ano nga ba ang mga hakbang na naaayon,
Nararapat kaya nating gawin sa panahong
ngayon?
Pagpapahalaga’t pagmamahal sa kalikasan,
O sa buhay na puno ng karangyaan,
O pagbabahagi’t pang uunawa sa mas nangangailangan,
O manatiling makasarili, hahari ang kasakiman.
Want to get your
poems published?
Share it with us. You
just might see your literary creation on this page.
Send all your poems by
email to editorial@friendsintl-mag.com
May bukas na kay ganda aking magigisnan,
Kasama ang aking pamilya sa ating Inang Bayan,
Kahirapan di alintana tuwing silay aking kapisan,
Iniwan anong sakit, aking puso’y dinudurog pati
isipan.
Ako’y namasukan at nanilbihan isip laging naglalakbay,
Tuwing maalala aking mahal sa buhay akoy nalulumbay,
Ako’y isang inang aking hangad guminhawa ang
pamumuhay,
Ngunit habang tumatagal pangangailangan lumalaki
nadaramay kahirapan.
Ano nga ba ang nangyayari sa ating bayan sinilangan,
Lalong gumugulo walang pagkakaisa, pagkakaunawaan,
Lahat gusto sila’y bida laging walang katapusan alitan,
Hanggang kailan magiging ganito hirap na mararanasan,
Matanda, bata sanggol sa sinapupunan may buwis na
babayaran,
Lagi na lamang kulang pondo ng gobyerno kanilang
kailangan,
Tayo’y pangatlo sa hanay ng mga bansang may
kurapsiyon taong bayan pinagnanakawan,
Nawa’y lahat ng bagay magkaroon ng solusyon mga
pangyayaring kinatatakutan.
Puro kaguluhan paghihirap ng taong bayan,
Pakaisipin di lang ikaw ang may karapatan,
Kami din nais namin matikman madama ang kahinhawahan,
Sa aking paggising isang umagang kay ganda o aking
masilayan.
Kahit anong mangyari sa Diyos lamang ipapanalangin,
Nawa’y at akoy magkaisang manalangin,
Nawa’y Diyos na maykapal iyong plano’y pakagabayan,
Kaya sigaw ng mamamayan, babangon ating bansang
Pilipinas.
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
MUSMOS
by: Teresa Duran Marquez
Ano nga ba ang hiling ng isang musmos
Kundi ang magkaroon ng magandang bukas
Sa piling kanilang mga mahal na magulang
Na syang maging gabay tungo sa kabutihan
Hindi lahat ng musmos ay nasa mabuting
kalagayan
Sapagkat di lahat sa kanilay maswerte sa buhay
May mga salbahe o hirap ang kinamulatan
Kawawang mga musmos dahil sa kapalaran
Masakit isipin sa dami ng mga batang walang
tirahan
Naging palaboy at namamalimos sa gitna ng
daan
Silay mga anghel na nakikipagsapalaran
Nangangailangan ng pag-aaruga at pagkalinga
ng isang magulang
Mga musmos na wala pang muwang
Sa mga pangyayari na di inaasahan
Walang alam sa mga kaguluhan
kundi ang isip ay puno ng kainosentihan
Patnubay ng magulang kanilang kailangan
Pangaral sa mga musmos sadyang ipaalam
Ipaunawa sa kanila upang maintindihan
Para paglaki nilay maging mabuting mamamayan
Silay mga musmos ang anghel sa puso natin at
isipan
Na nagbibigay pugay at kasiyahan sa ating
kalooban
Mga musmos na regalo ng DIYOS dapat ingatan at mahalin
Dahil lahat tayo ay dumaan sa KAMUSMUSAN........
29
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Laugh Lines . . .
The Dagohoy Story
...A short story of a Filipino boy in school.
It was the first day of school in Washington,
DC and a new student named Dagohoy, the
son of a Filipino immigrant, entered the
fourth grade.
The teacher began, “Let’s review some
American history, class. Who said
‘Give me liberty or give me death?’” She saw
a sea of blank faces, except for Dagohoy’s
who had his hand up, “Patrick Henry, 1775.”
“Very good,” said the teacher.
“Who said ‘Government of the people, by
the people,and for the people shall not perish
from the earth’”? Again, no response except
from Dagohoy:
“Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg, 1863,” he
said.
The teacher snaps at the class, “Class, you
should be ashamed, Dagohoy who
is new to our country knows more about our
history than you do.”
She hears a loud whisper from the back:
“Screw the Filipinos.” “Who said that?” she
demanded. Dagohoy put his hand up.
“General John Pershing, Manila, 1896.”
At that point, Jack, another student says, “I’m
going to puke.”
The teacher glares and asks, “All right! Now
who said that?” Again Dagohoy answers,
“George Bush, Sr. to the Japanese Prime Minister during the state dinner, Tokyo, 1991.”
Now furious another student yells, “Oh yeah?
Suck this!!” Dagohoy jumps out of his chair
waving his hand and shouts to the teacher at
the top of his voice,
“Bill Clinton to Monica Lewinsky, the Oval
Office, 1997!!”
Someone shouts, “You little shit if you say
anything else, I’ll kill you.”
Dagohoy yells, “Congressman Gary Condit
to Chandra Levy, Washington, D.C., 2001!”
The teacher faints. “I’m outta here!” mutters
one student as he sidles to the door.
“President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Baguio City, December 30, 2002!!” Dagohoy
responds.
October 4, 2003!!!” Dagohoy shouts
triumphantly jumping with glee.
H & I Philippine Product Store
Shop 179-B Nan Fung Plaza
Tseung Kwan O, N.T.
Then a burly African-American boy grabbed
Dagohoy and strangled him, about to give a
fistful to a frightened Dagohoy.
Then an Asian boy stood up and shouted,
“Hey easy on him. I’M A FILIPINO!”
Dagohoy then blurted out before he got
socked out,
“Fernando Poe, Jr. Manila, January 2004!!!
Ang Mahiwagang Laway
(Parental Advisory)
Si Ahmed ay isang high-ranking official sa
korte ni Haring Akbar.
Matagal nang pinakamimithi ni Ahmed na
pagsawaang madede ang malulusog na
dibdib ng Reyna. Tuwing mapapadaan si
Ahmed sa harapan ng Reyna ay gayon na
lamang ang pagkasiphayo ng kanyang kalooban. Isang araw, ipinagtapat ni Ahmed
ang kinikimkim niyang pagnanasa sa pangunahing tagapayo ng Hari, si Birbal.
Umiiyak na nagmakaawa si Ahmed kay Birbal upang tulungan siya sa kanyang suliranin.
Pinag-isipan ni Birbal ang bagay na iyon, at
pumayag siyang tulungan si Ahmed sa
kondisyon na kapag natupad ang ninanasa ni
Ahmed ay babayaran siya ni Ahmed ng 1,000
gintong kuwalta.
Agad na sumang-ayon si Ahmed. Humingi
si Birbal kay Ahmed ng kalahating tasang
laway nito. Isinangkap ni Birbal ang laway ni
Ahmed sa mahiwagang losyon. Kinabukasa!
n, habang naliligo ang Reyna, ipinahid ni
Birbal ang mahiwagang losyon sa bra nito.
Matapos isuot ng Reyna ang bra ay nagsimulang mangati ang mga suso nito. Habang nagtatagal ay lalong sumisidhi ang pangangati ng
boobs ng Reyna, kaya ganoon na lamang ang
pag-aalala ng Hari.
Hindi makatulog ang Reyna dahil sa pangangati ng kanyang boobs, at syempre pa
ay bwisit na bwisit ito. Kung sinu-sino ang
kinunsulta ng Hari, kabilang si Birbal, at nagkaisa sila na ang makagagamot sa karamdaman ng Reyna ay isang espesyal na laway na
kailangang ilagay sa loob nang apat na oras.
As the class gathers around her on the floor,
someone says, “Oh shit, now we’re really in
big trouble!”
“Saddam Hussein, on the Iraq invasion,
Bhagdad, May 2003!” Dagohoy bellowed.
Isiniwalat ni Birbal na ang espesyal na laway
ay matatagpuan sa bibig ni Ahmed. Ipinatawag ni Haring Akbar si Ahmed, at inatasan
itong dedehin nang apat na oras ang dibdib ng Reyna. Apat na oras na singkad na
nagpapasasa si Ahmed sa suso ng Reyna na
mistulang asong ulol. Dinilaan niya iyon,
kinagat, pinisil-pisil, nilamas, nilamutak.
Nakamit ni Ahmed ang matagal! na niyang
hinahangad. Pagkalipas ng apat na oras ay
masayang-masaya si Ahmed.
“Now, I really have to run,” Jack mutters,
heading for the exit.,
“Gloria Macapagal Arroyo again, Pampanga,
Nang magtagpo sila ni Birbal at sinisingil siya
nito, tumangging magbayad si Ahmed at ipinagtabuyan niya si Birbal. Alam ni Ahmed na
30
Filipino Mart
C1 G/F Garland House
14A 14C North Point
Available at the following outlets
hindi makapagsusumbong si Birbal kay Haring Akbar.
Minaliit ni Ahmed ang talino ni Birbal.
Kinabukasan, ipinahid ni Birbal ang
mahiwagang losyon sa underwear ni Haring
Akbar. Muling ipinatawag ni Haring
Akbar si Ahmed..............................
Tuloy ko pa ba ang kuwento? . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long Distance
A nurse who works here in America, New
York to be exact, wanted to make an overseas
phone call, so she dialed the operator...
Nurse: “Operator I would like to place an
overseas call to the Philippines”.
Operator: “OK, miss, what is your name?”
Nurse: “Maria Quintero”
Operator: “Could you please spell your last
name Maria?”
Nurse: “Ok, Quintero... Q as in Cuba...U as
in Europe... I as in eyebrow... N as in pneumonia... T as in ptyalin... E as in India... R as
in Argentina...O as in Australia.
Worldwide House Outlets
Shop 128 1/F Your Shoppe
Shop 134- 136 1/F Victory Shop
Shop 138 1/F Sun Fung Trading
Shop 125-126 Philippine Product Store
Shop 241- 2/F Royal Ventures
Shop 262 2/ F Little Divisoria
Shop 245 2/F Santiagos Alteration
Shop 246 2/F Annies Shop
Shop 369 3/F Kabayan Remittance
Shop 363 3/F Nelias Store
Shop 366-368 LBC Mabuhay Hkg.
Shop 350 3/F Mang Ambo
Shop 358 3/F Elegant Collections
JEM Employment Agency
Room 802 8/F Yat Fat Bldg.
44-46 Des Vouex Road Central
JEM Merchandise
15, 4/F Li Yuen St. West
2nd Alley-alley, Central
LBC Hunghom
Planet Square Hunghom Kowloon
LBC Tsuen Wan
Liksang Plaza Tseun Wan N.T
LEE Trading Co.
Shop 279, 2/F Liksang Plaza
Tsuen Wan, N.T.
Bayanihan Kennedy Town Centre
55 Victoria Road
Kennedy Town
Loy & Day Shop
Room 2013 2/F United Center
Admiralty
Benzon Wine
Shop 3 G/F Yee Fat Mansion
Shim Woo Road, Happy Valley
Lydias Store Kennedy Town
Shop 17 G/F Blk A Hoi Tao Bldg.
7-11 Belchers St. Kennedy Town
Filipino Trading Co.
5/F Fai Man Bldg.
9- 13 Li Yuen St. West Central
Manong & Manang Store
Shop 5 G/F Kwan Yick Bldg.
444-452 Des Vouex Road West
Filmart 1
G 52 G/F, 7 Seas Shopping Center
121 King Road, Fortress Hill
Ndrei’s Crossing Ground Bar & Lounge
Shop 13 B G/F Kwan Yick Bldg.
444-452 Des Vouex Road West
Filmart 2
Shop 69 A,B,& C G/F
City Garden, Shopping Center
Blk 13 , 231- 233 Electric Road,
North Point
Sikatz Philippine Product Store 1 & 2
1/F Liksang Plaza, Tsuen Wan, N.T.
and Mei Foo Sun Chuen
Pottinger St. Central
Uniwide Hang Hau
Tseung Kwan O
Tel. 3194 5366
Uniwide Hunghom
Planet Square
Uniwide Laguna Arcade Kowloon City
Tel. 2772 1829
Uniwide Maon Shan
Tel: 2631 5977
Uniwide Shatin
Tel. 2362 7925
Uniwide Tai Po
Tel. 2650- 1283
Uniwide Tsuen Wan
Shop 1/F Liksang Plaza
Tsuen Wan N. T
Macau
Asia Pac Cargo Macau
42 Rua Da Alfandega
San Malou Macau S.A.R
Tel. 932610, 930443
Novo Ecijano Macau
Heidi – 6616 5191
Super Ace Cargo Macau
82 Rua Da Alfandega, Edificio Veng Leong Macau
Tel 2893 9473
Tel True Ltd.
1/F Lap Fai Bldg
Astig Sa School
Tatay: Juan kamusta naman sa school nyo?
Juan: ayos naman po itay
Tatay: eh wala naman bang ng aapi sayo sa
school?
Juan: ha! ako aapihin iginagalang po ako sa
school namin tuwing dumadating ako...
Tatay: paanong pag galang?
Juan: sumisigaw sila ng “MABUHAY ANG
MAHAL NA REYNA”
Suka...
Isang gabi, nagkita ang 2 magkaibigan, si Unyok at si Udyok. Nakita ni Udyok si Unyok
na tila may hinahanap.. Nilapitan niya ito...
Udyok: O, Unyok, anong ginagawa mo riyan
sa tapat ng poste?
Unyok:Hinahanap ko kasi ang nawawala
akong pera..
Udyok: Dyan ba talaga nawala ang pera mo?
Unyok: Hindi! Doon sa lugar na madilim..
Udyok: Loko ka pala e, bakit dyan mo hinahanap?!
Unyok: Dito maliwanag eh!!
Sundalo
Katutubo: Mag-a-apply po akong sundalo,
Sir!
Officer: Hindi pwe­de! Ang dami mong sirang
ngipin!
Bungi-bungi ka!
Katutubo: Bakit, Sir? Ang giyera ba ngayon,
lips-to-lips na?
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
31
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Aderay Hadiri Pembukaan Perfect Dihongkon
by: Adepunk
memceritakan pengalamannya selama
bergabung
dengan
Perfect.
Dan
harapan beliau kedepannya, Perfect bisa
berkembang dengan baik dilingkungan
BMI yang ada di Hong Kong. Acara ini
dimeriahkan oleh penampilan CK’Funky
Dancer, grup tari bentukan BMI yang
ada di Hong Kong. Dua tarian mereka
persembahkan untuk menghibur para
undangan yang hadir.
H ORO S C O P E
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19) Changes are in the air
and you are looking forward to the positive results.
This is one of your better days for money. You will
be successful--do not push too hard. Throughout
today you will receive the best results for your efforts if you practice patience and perseverance. If
you are thinking about a job in your home, think
about the service industry. Consider doing business
and research for people and agencies that do not
have the time to do this work for themselves. This
is one of your best business-development times. If
you are artistic, allow your dreams and imagination to reach into areas that you have not explored.
Regardless of your special talents, music and imagination can take you into levels of consciousness
you have never gone before. Lucky numbers are:
16, 21, 22, 18, 2, 3 and 7 Lucky colors: Pink, White
and Green.
Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20) Be sure to walk the
straight line toward this week’s goals. Do not let distractions draw you away from what you originally
intended to do. A little break from routines will be
just what the doctor ordered. Lucky numbers are:
3, 14, 1, 10, 21 and 18; Lucky colors Brown, Blue
and Yellow.
Bertempat digedung Silver CordCanton Road Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon
Hong Kong, bisnis yang menggeluti
bidang Multi Level Marketing(MLM)
PERFECT, pada Minggu (16/03)
mengadakan seminar. Para leader
datang langsung dari Indonesia untuk
mempresentasikan usaha mereka dalam
menggeluti bidang ini.
Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20) Think before you speak
today. Stormy influences could have you adding
two and two and making five! Something that you
may regard as a blatant act of unfairness will require further investigation before you react: if you
dig deeper you will discover the logic in the apparent unfairness! Lucky numbers are 8, 12, 16, 5, 4
and 32; Lucky colors Gray, Green and Orange.
Perfect
menawarkan
beberapa
produk yang meliputi Kosmetik, Health
Care (Kesehatan dengan bermacam
obat-obatan
kebutuhan
manusia),
Home Care(Kebutuhan rumah tangga
meliputi pembersih rumah) dan Personal
Care(Kebutuhan
pribadi
manusia
semacam shampoo, sabun, pasta gigi
dll.)
Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 23) You are having embar-
Mind Games
by Kuya Willy
Dalam sambutan Bapak Agus Wijaya
Kusuma, sebagai wakil dari perusahaan
Perfect yang ada di Indonesia,
menyampaikan bahwa bisnis MLM
ini sudah banyak peminat yang ikut
bergabung. Beliau mendapat kepercayaan
dari perusahaan untuk membuka dan
menawarkan bisnis ini dikalangan
Buruh Migran Indonesia (BMI) yang
ada di Hong Kong. Beliau berharap,
para BMI yang bergabung menggeluti
usaha MLM bisa menggunakan waktu
berlibur dengan sebaik-baiknya. Bahkan
sudah banyak orang Hong Kong yang
menggeluti bisnis ini.
32
Bapak Agus sendiri sudah mencapai
peringkat
tertinggi
(GOLDEN
DIAMOND) dalam bisnis ini. Beliau
Acara ini semakin meriah sesaat
munculnya
binaragawan
ternama
Indonesia Ade Ray. Tepuk tangan meriah
membahana memenuhi ruangan, dengan
ramah Ade Ray menyapa para undangan
dan BMI. Mereka saling berebut untuk
foto bersama. Ade Ray berdecak kagum
melihat semangat para BMI yang hadir,
dia tidak menyangka bahwa BMI Hong
Kong juga punya segudang prestasi.
Dengan senyum khasnya Ade Ray
mengungkapkan, BMI Hong Kong
memang hebat. Acara ini dimulai pukul
11.00 dan di akhiri pada pukul 13.00.
Anagrams
Rearrange the letters to form a new
phrase. The (clues) will help you guess
the correct answers.
1
GAVE HORN (Alcohol after effect)
____ ____
2
SELL THE COIN (Stretched twine)
_______ ____
3
SHE HAS DANK (Celebratory gesture)
_____ _____
Last Month’s Answers:
1. Novo Ecijano 2. Free Mason 3. Hot Dog
B
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... alamin ang iyong kapalaran
rassing questions about your financial situation.
Don’t leave anything for later, take charge and
don’t be afraid of learning the truth. Knowing a
disturbing truth is better than living in uncertainty.
Lucky Numbers are 10, 19, 16, 38, 40 and 3; Lucky
Colors Blue, Gray and Pink.
Leo (Jul 24 – Aug 23) Actions speak louder than
words, so get busy. Don’t wait for approval--go
ahead even if the light’s red. Your ambition drives
you to want to be on top, but help others too. Today
things are not as they appear on the surface--so do
stay alert. Lucky numbers are 8, 18, 17, 42, 5 and 3;
Lucky color: Blue, violet and Black.
Virgo (Aug 24 – Sep 23) This is not a good day to
take others along on a shopping expedition, since
there may be disagreements. Go easy on your use
of credit. Try not to be extravagant. Being familyoriented and peace-loving today calms troubled
waters. Don’t be boastful or your words could
come back to haunt you! Lucky numbers are 6, 19,
13, 23, 8 and 44; Lucky Colors Green, Indigo, and
Brown.
Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22) Go with the flow. It’s a
good day to seek extra credit, but a friend’s behavior may be manipulative after dark. Take different
routes for all your short trips and pay attention to
what’s new. Find a more sensible approach to your
romantic life and stick with it. Lucky numbers are
7, 14, 5, 9, 36 and 27; Lucky colors White, Blue
and Green.
Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21) Business talks are serious, productive, and rewarding. Later, you’ll share
relaxing times with good ends. Avoid overspend-
Word Search
Find the words hidden within the grid.
Words can be found
horizontally, vertically,
diagonally, backwards
or forwards.
Golf
Bogey
Birdie
Albatross
Putter
Wedge
Club
Tee
Green
Fairway
Bunker
Flag
Marker
Pitch
Fringe
Drive
Cart
Trolley
Caddie
Fore
Tournament
Woods
Iron
Par
Eagle
Hole In One
Last Month’s Winner: Julie Belle A. Alacantara of Siu Sai Wan
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
ing. Home-a-holics will be delighted by the way a
new decorating scheme works out. This is a fabulous time to dote on number two in your life. Lucky
Numbers are 9, 18, 27, 36, 22 and 45; Lucky colors
Pink, yellow green and Blue.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21) Out with the old and
in with the new. It is a time for a change. This could
be as major as a new car or as minor as cleaning out
the attic. Make sure you read the fine print before
you sign anything this week. Lucky Numbers are
4, 28, 29, 3, 6 and 34; Lucky colors Red, Yellow
and Pink.
Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Let your hair down and
have some fun. You can make the most of the day
by letting your inner child loose and putting work
aside. Your good deeds will elicit notice from someone special this week. Lucky numbers: 45, 26, 33,
11, 10 and 44; Lucky colors Red, Green and Blue.
Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20) You rid yourself of a
situation you have been in before. Your reference
points are reappearing one by one and competence
helps you thoroughly analyze the task at hand. You
act with ease and determination. Lucky numbers:
7, 2, 25, 24, 38 and 6, Lucky colors Pink, White
and Blue.
Capricorn (Dec 21 – Jan 20) Chances are great
to move ahead with your love life as your energy
reaches a stable maximum. Take precise, wellpointed steps during the day. A troublesome affair
will come to a fortunate conclusion. Lucky numbers: 8, 22, 25, 37, 42 and 1; Lucky Colors Yellow,
Brown and Blue.
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Contest Guidelines
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Names of winners will be published in the next issue.
33
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
Birthday Corner ...
our best wishes
Andre Bernardo [Apr 13], Kuya Amang
[Feb 4] w/ Adrian and Ate Pam
Bert & Josie Cajada [Mar 23]
Emalyn Beltran [Apr 29], Angel Galinato
[Apr 9]
Lea B Capudoy w/ Rommel Arana [Apr 25]
Maureen Buendia, center front row [Apr 11]
Elma & May Joy Pagdato [Mar 16]
Ofelia Regis w/ LPU group [Mar 16]
Lea Espero [Apr 5] w/ Ate Geb
Josie Mabalot w/ DOMOHK Family [Mar 2]
Ricky Sevilla w/ the Guardians [Mar 7]
Joseph Bautista [Mar 23]
Gemma Lauraya [Apr 12]
Just For Kids
Baby Anson w/
Lola
34
Kwan Tsz-Tsz
Dab Dab Alcoseba
Maggie Yuen
LBC Kid Dancers
friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
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friends International Magazine APRIL 2008
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