A Picnic at the Farm (Mr. & Mrs. Willi Chen) & Hand-over of Bazaar Proceeds

At the Farm: A Picnic and Hand-Over of the Food Fair & Bazaar Proceeds for Typhoon Victims

The farm is just close by. In Keffi, Nasarawa State. You’ll have to pass Dantata & Sawoe AYA Project, Sherwin’s site.

A group of friends decided to visit this farm. Meeting point is the Philippine Embassy. The proprietors of the farm – Mr. & Mrs. Willi Chen kindly invited us although the truth is ‘we invited ourselves’ after a first group visited this particular farm and brought to every friend’s ear of such a wonderful place. With the 4-day holiday (Eid-il-Kabir) we decided to go on a Friday at exactly 8:00 am. Of course, we left by 9.

So, we proceeded and promptly missed the short cut road.

Near and yet good enough for a picnic. Away from the hectic work schedule – a big relief, just say ‘getting away from it all.’ Nov. 27 Friday - It was Eid-il-Kabir celebration. The traffic was heavy. The Muslims were in a very festive mood. Women chattering in their colorful gelee, children prancing, gleefully crossing the street in batches. ‘Pyyyuuu watah, pyuuu watah’ reverberating in our ears.

As early as 9:00 am, the aroma of roasted beef ‘suya’ mixed with Harmattan wind crisscrossed my nostrils. The bus lent to me by the company, yeah you guessed right, does not have an a/c. Anyway, James, Sherwin, Efren and Angie braved this condition. I know. Doughnuts, cheese bread and packs of fruit juice and water were there. Courtesy of Rosa. After all, it’s still early morning.

Closely following the bus – the follow the leader bus – knowing that I have been there before, was CDA Alex Lamadrid. Rose Akah and kids, Fely Ramos joined him. Wayo pipol. CDA car A/C ey de. Benjie with Nonits, Otie, Nino in tow. Noel was joined by Lito sporting a brand new ‘tungkod’ as new as the tree he picked it from. Noel giggles when he looks at Lito struggling with his ‘signature cane’ ‘cuz he knows the ‘back story.’

Actually Geography subject missed me by just a fraction of a point to repeat the whole term. Na wa o for me.

Our entourage was closely following behind. Rose must have realized that no other car is behind us which should have been the case. No way. Actually ‘no way’ – there was a detour – construction going on. I assured her that we’re definitely at the right track. And ‘boasted’ that the rest will soon follow us –
Reasons: the food in our bus AND I KNOW THE WAY!

We cruised slowly – the road was filling up with Friday worshippers. Loudspeakers booming attracting more faithfuls; Fathers with children (boys) scampering along; Group of teenagers probably classmates converging in one corner; Budding girls chicly dressed; Vendors with all types of wares competing for customers’ attention. Doesn’t look any different from any village in any country during festivities.

And there we were! Ha ha ha – Lito & Benjie by the roadside flagging us and the rest of the revelers already waiting for us at Keffi Hotel! But I was correct – they’re waiting for the food. And so doughnuts disappeared fast. Mabelle sent somebody to lead us to the house.

We used every will power to steel ourselves from the lure of food and cooler environment. Off we went to THE FARM.

Mr. Willi Chen patiently explained to us the rudimentary of farming in such a hostile farm environment. Harmattan dries easily, so he has to be vigilant in watering them. His farm hands are from the area – a very logical move as the whole family can work together. It’s a vast farmland. He showed us the concentration of his vegetables – our target actually. There’s still the creek he is developing. And many other things he would like to install here.

Mr. Chen’s family treated the workers with a nice meal as Ed-il-kabir celebration.

And getting the background, PPA officers grabbed this chance to hand-over to CDA Alex V. Lamadrid the fund raised during the Food Bazaar for the Ondoy-Pepeng typhoons.

When the group went back to the house, a sumptuous meal was already waiting. Justice was meted immediately to the food. To cap this late lunch, Mr. Chen brought out a special concoction – for the boys: Johnnie Walker with herbs and spices told to make a man ‘alive’ and who do you think will want to try this first? NONITS! He ask Mabelle if THIS IS REALLY GOOD. Mabelle promptly smiled and said NO COMMENT! By then, they all grabbed a glass and gulped the concoction!

Mr. & Mrs. Chen allowed us to get some souvenirs: semi –precious stones from their quarry. Each pile has a story.

And there we were – with heavy tummies and heavy load (stones and vegetables) we bade the family goodbye to go back there anytime soon!

~vangie

THE MIGRANTS

In May 2010, the Philippines is installing leaders to lead and govern its inhabitants. To ordinary mortals like you and me, the electioneering campaigns seem farcical in their blatant commercialism. Naturally, each candidate will enter into marriage with anybody who will have a strong followings.

Politicians no longer live in only glass houses – they live in ‘heavily fortified pyrex glasses’ where ‘stones nor rocks’ can shake the foundation. Moral pygmies will always try to look like historical giants.

Why has it become a do or die affair in our native Philippines? Fringe benefits, of course. ‘Serving the people’ battle cry is only during the battle. After the election, this ‘battle cry’ is relegated to a dusty, musty grave to be exhumed after six years. Very much like the Christmas ornaments – dusted, cleaned, polished and put on display during the season.

We have witnessed the worst and the best for our native land.

For OFWs here in Nigeria, the travel/deployment ban caused us untold anxiety, frustrations and anger toward the government.

And yet, the saving factor in the person of CMA Director Ellene Sana came along.

Philippines' Cory Aquino died;
the outpouring is unprecedented.

The back-to-back typhoons devastated many areas; And yet, donations flooded and tales of inherent heroism and generosity surfaced, too.

Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao, the undisputed pound-for-pound fighter won 7 titles in 7 divisions which no other boxer had achieved. CNN Hero of the year is Efren Penaflorida.

Let’s just say, the equation somehow balances the pros and cons.

Disasters come and go; but the worst ‘human disaster’ is the Arroyo administration.

It is often circulated in emails: ‘People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.’
The chance is ours come election time. Or will we allow these people to come/stay into our life for a lifetime?

Transition dominates this issue of The Migrants. From the posting of our revered friend and spiritual father, Msgr. Fratini (to Spain) and spiritual friends and sisters, Sr. Resurreccion and Sr. Ortencia (to MCST homebase) to the final curtain for our beloved Philippines’ Queen of Hearts, Cory Aquino and very dear friend, Ana Dador.

But the best ‘transition’ we got is this: OFWs in Nigeria got their freedom to travel home and back to their working places.

~ vangienovio

FREE AT LAST: 'Thank You'

FREE at Last: Thank You
Time to celebrate! Time to share the blessings! Time to thank everybody whose collective efforts made us realize our goal.
Now, we can all look back and remember how we all supported each other, when we all felt that everything was lost and nothing goes right anymore; when we all felt the frustation and hopelessness and we were all comforted by the encouragement we gave to one another. And funny enough, we all vented our complaints and brainstorming over a cup of coffee and 'chichiria' and 'buhat-palayok....'
...Filipinos down to the core ...indeed!

SALAMAT po sa Diyos at sa ating lahat. Mabuhay!
Pusong Pinoys Benjie Nadado, Lito Nucum, Vangie Novio, Bernie & Maris Mercado & Maebs & Doods, John Hernandez, Nonits & Dorothy Barraquias & Nino, Sherwin Cayabyab, Alan Minoza, Angie Alcaria, JT Torres, Estan Fernandez, Mercy Subibe, Tess Azarcon, Annie Okoye although a Niger wife symphatized with us, Neil, Erwin and Nino Herrera, Ric Punsalan, Rex Lautrizo, Gel Llames, Renz Mercado, Efren Lim, Khaye Dador, Mabelle Chen, Adora, Dulce & Weng (VAMED), Ernel Santos, Janette Alican, Anne Cruz, the sisters at the Nunciature - Sr. Eflaida, Sr. Resurreccion, Sr. Ortencia, Sr. Mary Grace, who provided us with the much needed prayers and moral support and Msgr. Renzo Fratini, Msgr. Jean and Fr. Raymond, Fred Borbon, Conrad Digma, Alex Vega, Maynard Flores, Emer Ingat, Esper Derpo, Oca & Doris Sambile, Mr. & Mrs. Apollo Castillo, Mr. & Mrs. Gimotea and all the good people from the different parts of Nigeria, and to Chona Bollos.

But like the wick in a candle that actually lighted the way to reach our goal - our gratitude to Eunice Barbara Novio, the 'conduit' - an advocate herself, to CMA Ellene Sana and in turn to CHR Karen Dumpit and others along the way especially to National Human Rights Institution chair, Leila M. de Lima and finally to Administrator Manalili.

--- On Thu, 21/1/10, Karen Gomez Dumpit wrote:
From: Karen Gomez Dumpit kgdumpit@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Fw: [Buhay Pinoy ...] Free at Last: On the way to Nigeria

To: "ellene sana" ellenesana@yahoo.com
Cc: "Pablo Nucum" plnewcom@yahoo.com

Received: Thursday, 21 January, 2010, 12:57 PM

To my Pusong Pinoy Friends,

Thank you for saying thank you! In the 19 years of serving government, 16 years spent with the Commission on Human Rights, I can fairly say that I can count with the fingers of one hand how many have said their “Thank Yous” for work that simply should be performed by any civil servant because it is a matter of responsibility and a human rights obligation.

I say thank you, too because it fills my heart with affirmation and makes me eager to be the best civil servant and human rights worker I can be. And sometimes, we need to hear thank you!

The human rights of migrants is close to my heart because my father also worked abroad as I was growing up and my sister has lived abroad for most of her adult life. I can empathize.

I am happy that the convergence of efforts have resulted in ensuring that policies of government are applied along human rights standards and principles. We have gained good ground in eliminating 'Naijas' as targets of corruption, (or should I say, in neutralizing the operators and benefactors of corruption?) and enabled them to freely visit their homeland without fear of being held back by ill – conceived rules on the right to travel and work abroad.

Personally, I thank Lito Nucum who was the real hero in all of this – baiting himself to test the rules and making himself accountable for the consequences. He did not pass the blame, he shared it and never lost hope. When I found out that Lito was stopped at the immigration, I felt I was hit in the gut and thought, were we doing the right thing? Was shaking the establishment helping in our fight to right the rules on the ban to Nigeria? Turns out, with the passage of time, we were doing the right thing and Lito, with Pusong Pinoy, was doing things right.

As I reflect on the events that has led us to this happy occasion, I realize that the formula in this endeavor had the right combination of NGO perseverance, timely National Human Rights Institution intervention, active Claim or Rights holder participation (with Lito and Pusong Pinoy) and openness of officers from the executive and legislative branches of government who gave us venue to raise views and hear arguments.

As a worker of a National Human Rights Institution, I thank my chair, Leila M. de Lima, who championed the cause as she went to Congress to deliver the human rights perspective and the impact of imposing such a ban. She resolutely made it known to principals of the executive branch that the policy should be re-examined and applied objectively. She continues to inspire us because she makes us work with her – not for her.

Of course, I thank Ms. Ellene Sana. I hope time will come that I can measure up with her expertise and example by which I continue to be taught what a genuine human rights advocate should be. Thank you for bringing the cause to the Commission and helping us become more relevant to migrant workers. Not many know that the Commission has a direct mandate to serve Filipinos Abroad. With this happy experience, I do hope that all of us can spread the good news that the Commission is also here to serve our migrant workers and their families.

My thank yous are endless, we should now thank ourselves by looking ahead because the partial lifting can always be undermined by circumstances beyond our control. We must remain vigilant and advance our cause to ensure that the ban on new deployments for land-based contract workers in Nigeria be re-examined by government.

Sincerely,

Karen S. Gomez Dumpit
Director, Government Linkages Office
Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines

Happy Thoughts!

karen gomez dumpitmobile +639087333164
office (+632)9274033kgdumpit@yahoo.com

Free at Last - more photos

More pictures from POEA meeting taken last January 7, 2010

Free at Last: On the way to Nigeria

Free at Last: On the way to Nigeria
By: Eunice Barbara C. Novio

In December 2006, a few days before she left for Nigeria, Evangeline Novio read on the news that migrant workers in Nigeria would be banned due to the series of kidnappings in the oil rich country. Fortunately, she was able to go back just in time before the ban took its total effect by early January of 2007. Her other companions, mostly engineers were not so fortunate.

In 2008, Ka Lito Nucum was in trouble. The immigration official at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport did not allow him to board his plane bound for Nigeria. Architect Benjie Nadado also had ugly experience with the immigration. To be able to go back to work, in spite of heavy hearts, dismay and great disillusion, each one of the returning OFWs to Nigeria coughed out as much as $300-600. Some OFWs like Evangeline Novio and Teresita Azarcon, did their best to travel the legal way, but they also had to go to other countries before they could go back to Nigeria. Appeal letters and internet advocacies flooded the Philippine Government. They spent million of pesos to make public their complaints via newspapers, interviews, forums. The then envoy for the Middle East Affairs Roy Cimatu was sent to Nigeria. The Banaag awardee Ester Derpo from the British High Commission talked personally to President Arroyo. All, to no avail.

Thus, the cycle of corruption began until late last year when the travel ban to Nigeria was partially lifted. The partial lifting of the travel ban officially ends the saga of those Filipinos already working in Nigeria, but not to the highly-skilled workers hoping to land for better jobs and salaries. It should be noted that the travel ban is caused by the series of kidnappings of Filipino seafarers and other nationalities in oil rich Niger Delta. However, only the Philippine Government imposed the unnecessary ban.

Through the unrelenting efforts of Pusong Pinoy and the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA), the issue was brought to the attention of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), then to the United Nations (UN) on the recently concluded 10th Session in Geneva. Finally, the POEA thru the administration of Atty. Jennifer Manalili, the government realized that the imposed ban be lifted, though selective. Hence, on September 13, 2009 MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR No. 15 - SELECTIVE DEPLOYMENT TO NIGERIA FOR WORKERS-ON-LEAVE (WOL)/ BALIK-MANGGAGAWA (BM) was signed and implemented. Even so, it is a great relief to thousands of Filipino workers in Nigeria, much more to the families who depend on the dollars and euros remitted to them. Remittances abroad are one of the primary sources of our country’s income. As such, it is of utmost importance that the government should weigh the consequences of a ban imposition.

On January 7, 2010, the Pusong Pinoy officers, represented by their President Benjie Nadado, Treasurer Lito Nucum, and Board Secretary Evangeline Novio went to POEA, not only to settle their obligations as “Balik-Manggagawa” but also to express their thanks and gratitude to Administrator Manalili.

“Last year, I did not come here because the agency would surely deny me,” says Ms. Novio, “It is again my first time, after two years.”

“It is a relief,” says Nucum, “knowing that we are finally free.”

The OFWs from Nigeria that day did not stand in the long queue. They were assisted by the POEA staff in settling their Balik-Manggagawa dues.

Meeting with POEA Admin. Manalili

POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili admitted that the ban not only to Nigeria but also to other countries (where Filipinos are banned) triggered the ‘entrepreneurial spirit ” of some people. Because of poverty, Filipinos will grab every chance and take the risk just to give their families better lives.

Ms. Novio and Messrs Nadado and Nucum after light discussions opened to Administrator Manalili the difficulties they encountered during the ban.

Like a fugitive was how Nucum described himself. Employers of other companies also gave their “balikbayan” workers a “bribery allowance” so they could come back. Nucum did not even try asking for reimbursement from his company because he doesn’t want to expose further ‘the corruption’ in the government.

Ms. Ellen Sana, director of CMA, expressed her desire to continue the advocacy for the total lifting of deployment ban. She also suggests that employers in Nigeria should communicate to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and POEA to present a demand for new employment.

Administrator Manalili welcomed warmly Pusong Pinoy in their efforts in helping their fellow Filipinos abroad who are in need.

Present during the meeting was Atty Karen Dumpit of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) who was also with the group throughout this saga.

Pusong Pinoy: Not only for Filipinos

Filipinos are known for their hospitality and excellent work ethics. In the African continent, there are only a handful of Filipinos compared to Middle East and America. In Nigeria, there are about 2,000 documented Filipinos working as highly skilled professionals. They are well-respected and well compensated.

Pusong Pinoy, a Filipino organization based in Abuja, whose members hailed from the different parts of the Philippines live true to the values instilled in them as Filipinos. Extending help to Filipinos in distress is one of their objectives in forming the organization. But their help extends also to the poorest of the poor in their host country. The organization donates money, food and clothing to the rural communities in Nigeria in cooperation with other organizations like the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (MCST).

For the Filipino seamen, victims of maritime malpractices stranded in Nigeria for days, Philippine Embassy was the closest place they could call home and Pusong Pinoy their kin. The organization provided them with financial help and clothes and most importantly time and shoulders to lean on in times of need.

The effort of Pusong Pinoy in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy with the able leadership of Charge d Affaires Alex V. Lamadrid to help other Filipinos is not only in Nigeria but also in other African countries, like Ivory Coast where Filipinas are trafficked for prostitution.

Philippine Embassy in Nigeria serves as eyes and ears in the whole of West Africa. The country is host to 4,000 highly skilled workers in various fields. The diplomatic tie between the two countries is mended because of the few persons who care. And they belong to the Pusong Pinoy and the CMA.


Pictures during the meeting:

CMA Dir. Ellene Sana & CHR Atty. Karen Dumpit: a cause to smile

About the author: Eunice Barbara C. Novio is currently a graduate student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman taking Women and Development. She is a recipient of the US based Women Leadership Scholarship (WLS) and a member of the Asian Women Resource Center for Culture and Theology.

Mga Bayaning Hero

Its been almost half a year since I got back from my stint in Nigeria, a well deserved break or should I say, another chapter of my chequered career in the jansan (janitorial & sanitation) business. But then again, nothing beats the feeling of having to write again expressing my thoughts in a manner where most of my reader finds some sort of comic relief in my subjects. Well, the reality of it is that it’s kinda easier for me to write things that really don’t matter yun bang alang ka-kwenta kwentang pag usapan...tulad na lang ng problema sa parking sa amin sa Pasay. Nariyan ang dikitan ang oto mo ng sign na “ Bawal mag park dito…sa bubong nyo pwede” at yung standard na tanong na magtatagal ka ba? Aba naman, por Dios por Santo tanungin ba ko eh taga rito ko. Ang siste naka reserve pala ang lugar kaya ayun I opted to park my small vehicle which is a van sa tulay sa kanto papasok samin..God forbid, magka ondoyan na naman at maglaho na parang bula ang van.

Moral Lesson: No Garage, No Parking
No Car, No Garage
No Parking, No Car, No Garage, No Problem.

Speaking of the dreaded thypoon Ondoy, the super typhoon left us with multitude of devastation and I’m sure aside from the news via CNN most of our OFW’s were really worried-shit about their family. I myself was just waiting for the last nail of our roof to be pulled off by hurricane-like winds. Talaga naman pong nakakahilakbot, nakakabinging lakas at sipol ng hangin at walang puknat na pag ulan sabayan pa ng pagpapakawala ng tubig sa dam ng mga ungas na opisyal ng gobyerno at ang resulta, pagkasira ng halos lahat na ari-arian at pagkawala ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan. As usual, para maibsan ang trahedya nagpalabas ang gobyerno ng samut-saring loans nariyan ang calamity loan, salary loan, housing repair loan, personal loan etc. kaya tuloy nabansagan ang kapitbahay naming taga London dahil loan dito, loan duon.

Pagkatapos ng trahedyang ondoy, dumating naman si peping at dinale naman ang parte ng pangasinan Thank God, wala dun si Christine Reyes kundi andun din si Richard maunahan pa ko sa pagsagip hehehe. Seriously, inspite of these most of us thought really hard about life thinking that in a blink of an eye, it can be snuffed away from us no matter what our social status is. Aside from Richard, marami din sa atin ang dumamay sa mga nasalanta at naging hero sa kanilang mga nasagip kasabihan na nga nating mga pinoy, sa oras ng kagipitan, iba na ang may pinagsamahan tanong mo sa taga Malacanang.

This year, was also heartbreaking year to another actress Katrina..pinagpyestahan po mga kapatid! I’m sure may kopya na jan si Eddie boy ang aking magiting na kapit-kwarto at tropang trumpo (Chris, Clinton, Alex & Jhong) sa Victoria Island. Kamusta pala mga bro, madalas ka pa rin ba kayo dun? Hehehe.

Hero nga din pala si Efren kariton, I personally admire his efforts helping the children whose economic position denied them of attending a formal school set up. What really amazes me is that he was able to sustain doing the said activity for the longest time, la ba sya pamilya o syota man lang? pero balita ko ang target eh anghel sana madale nya go,go,go..Angel-frend.


Syempre pag may hero , meron din kontrabida as if were not done yet, another tragedy ensued by the cutting-off human life now known as the “Maguindanao Massacre” which left at least fifty people dead. Accused for the carnage are now being tried in our courts. May they rot in hell!

Then the happiest season of all, the birth of our Lord Jesus sya po talaga ang aking hero dahil di nya ko kailanman ipinahiya kahit minsan. Ano man pong problema ang dumating sakin at sa aking pamilya inilalapit ko po ito sa kanya at nagpapasalamat sa lakas upang harapin ang mga bagay-bagay. Minsan naiisip ko nagtatampo na sya dahil nakakalimot ako pero hindi po sya ganun that’s why whenever I have a chance I talk to Him directly parang personal na usapan kahit saan po sa sasakyan, sa kwarto, sa sala basta gusto ko sya kausapin ng mataimtim ay ginagawa ko po ito di ko na nga lang magawang umakyat ng bubong dahil yun ang gawain ko nuong bata pa at wala pang iniinom na flanax. Wala na nga talagang ibang makakaintindi sa atin kundi sya. Kaya maraming salamat Sacred Heart of Jesus, Happy Birthday din po.

At para dun sa mga di nakarating ganun pa rin naman, maya’tmayang carolling ng mga bata sala-salabat na inuman sa lahat ng daraanan mapa eskinita, kalye, kalsada, fly over, tulay, riles ng tren in short lahat ng DPWH. At least nabawas, bawasan na ang kumakanta ng walang kamatayang ‘my way” kaya di gano mataas ang krimen. I was also able to elude my inanak but not so fast I was still caught by some of them on my way to palengke.

My family and I celebrated Christmas with the traditional Noche Buena, thanking the Lord for all the blessing and keeping us safe. I’m looking forward for the coming year with greater positivity and a whole lot of “Love”

And to all OFW’s san man kayo naroon Mabuhay Kayo! Kayo ang tunay na Hero! Naway kasihan kayo ng ating Mahal na Diyos! Wag kayo mag alala, Iigi rin tayo.