TRAVEL BAN SAGA

While every ‘Pinoy Worker’ here in Nigeria is frantically raking his brain on how to hammer through the heads of our very stubborn government officials that Nigeria is the safest haven of Pinoy workers, (Is it not enough guarantee that there are many Pinoys who are still in this country for 25 to 30 years and still going strong?) for ‘them’ to lift this very odious TRAVEL BAN, organizations like CMA (our frontrunner) is also pooling all its resources to come to our rescue. On January 20, 2009, CMA Director Ellene Sana spearheaded a meeting with government officials who are in direct control of our ‘fate’ - DOLE USEC Ms. Luzviminda Padilla, POEA Administrator Ms. Jennifer Manalili, OWWA Representative, Mr. Gerardo Montano, Immigration Officer, Mr. Edwin Pajarez, Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Representative, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Representatives.

The excerpts of the meeting as reported by the Pusong Pinoy Association President Lito Nucum is as follows:

Mga kapuso,

Hereunder are the highlights of our meeting with DOLE-POEA on 20th Jan. 2009, attended by the following:

DOLE USEC Ms. Luzviminda Padilla
POEA Administrator Ms. Jennifer Manalili
OWWA Representative
CMA Director , Ms. Ellene Sana,
Mr. Gerardo Montano, Immigration Officer
Mr. Edwin Pajarez, Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Representative
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Representatives

Lifting of Deployment Ban to offer job opportunities to other Filipinos DOLE could only recommend the lifting of deployment ban as the decision to do so falls to the DFA office. For DOLE to recommend they are asking us more vivid details on the safety of Filipino workers in Nigeria and a sort of assurance that no Filipino workers would be kidnapped. Pusong Pinoy or any Filipino Association in Nigeria, for that matter, is not in any position to give a qualified statement attesting to the security/ peace & order situation in Nigeria.

However, even in our absence CMA, together with other NGOs and related government offices engage on the issue of deploment ban, will try to arrange another meeting with DFA, whilst awaiting the recommendation of Special Envoy Roy Cimatu this coming March 2009.

Filipinos with Residence Permit (CERPAC holder)
This is where we fall under. The mandate of CFO is to look after the Filipino migrants all over the world.. CFO read our case as migrant workers because we are a holder of a residence permit.

(Through this email we are addressing Mr. Edwin Pajares asking their office how, we Filipinos in Nigeria, could be officially recognized by them as Migrant workers in Nigeria and what are the requirements. Membership or processing fee we were told involve only a very minimal amount).

Meaning we are not even considered by DOLE/POEA as OFWs and therefore does not affect us at all on the issue of deployment ban.

To avoid hiccups at the Immigration we are still insisting the appropriate office (DFA) to issue the guideline to Bureau of Immigration to facilitate our exit at the airport immigration without any hassles. The representative of the Immigration, Mr. Montano quoted that it was clear with them that deployment ban does not involve Filipinos with residence permit in Nigeria. Although no document is available to back up his statement.

The Commission on Human Rights is also helping us on our right to travel or work abroad by issuing a request letter to Immigration Commissioner, but with hundreds of Filipino going back to Nigeria, it would be almost impossible with them to issue letter to those who seek their assistance. Hence, CHR is now very much in the picture helping us.

Filipino Seafarers "act" affecting land-based Filipinos in Nigeria.
This is entirely a different issue that POEA is putting extra eye to the like ot SEA GEM.
What is unfortunate is that every sad news as a result of their involvement in the "oil bunkering" business affect us all as well, because Filipinos are now considered by the Nigerian press as "thieves". Napakasakit Ate Glo.

To summarize or to advise our Balikbayan or bakaysionistang kababayan nakatira sa Nigeria:
1. We shall continue to pray for the lifting of the deployment ban to open the door for other Filipinos to work in Nigeria.
2. We are "migrant workers" being a holder of a residence permit to Nigeria. We shall refrain from categorizing ourselves as "returning workers" or OFWs when we fill-up the disembarkation card.
3. Do not contact Immigration people just to have safe exit at the airport (although to do so is entirely the prerogative of those who wanted to "maglagay". But if we act as one body fighting for our right, then we will have back our freedom to work anywhere abroad.

Other sidelines will be discussed when I am back in abuja on Sunday, 25 Jan. 2009.

God bless all,
Lito

Pusong Pinoy past presidents- Marisa Mercado & Bernie Mercado, Lito, Benjie(left) and during the meeting (right) and with government reps (below)

GOOD TIDINGS

When the Sisters Came Marching…
…it will always be in response for the cry of the needy.

The MCST Missionary Cathechists of St. Therese of the Child Jesus based at the Nunciature, Abuja, requested for food, grains, toys, clothing and any other item that are usable. Many Samaritans responded. Among them are the ladies from Dantata & Sawoe Life Camp. Not only did they give used and slightly used toys and clothing; they also gave new shirts and donated bag of rice, bag of semovita, bag of beans and cartons of fruit juice.

Mahesie, Vangie, Angie, Nancy and Anurupa
On the 1st Friday of the year 2009, at 1:00 pm, 2nd of January 2009, the team led by Sr. Resurreccion, Sr. Ifleada and Sr. Mary Grace, and 5 laywomen embarked on this mission. Target place is St. Molumba’s Parish, Igu Village under Bwari Local Government. From the main expressway to Dutse junction is 31 kms and from Bwari to Igu is additional 11.5 km. The Gbagyi tribe are the indigenes of Abuja but somehow found themselves in a dire situation in contrast with the glaring opulence of the present Abuja residents.

Sis Res sent a text message – ‘we’re ready.’ I was still in the office rounding off the remainder of holidays’ work. Meanwhile, Devesh Gupta, my Indian colleague rushed to buy bag of beans and have these added to our ‘treasure trove’. I immediately called my driver and rushed to our life camp. I borrowed a bus from our Central Store and I heard Shim, our Nigerian storekeeper, talking to the assigned driver of the bus ‘drive the bus here, fill the tank and meet Miss Vangie. She is going to Usman Dam.’ Gee whiz… on the radio? Everybody in the camp will think I leave the office and decided to go picnicking at this hour!

As agreed upon, the Asian ladies from our camp Mahesie Harrer and Anurupa Som, promptly arrived at our designated spot – the Clubhouse, bringing along with them food stuff, toys, clothing, etc. Mahesie told me that she informed the inhabitants of our life camp and they ‘promised’ but somehow did not find time to redeem the promise. Maybe, it’s because of the holidays hang-over. I would know that Asians would be the first to respond to any call – simply because we easily relate to such situation being almost always in the midst of poverty either caused by natural disasters or man-made disasters.
When everything was set, Angie, Nancy and I took off. I requested my boss’ driver (boss on Christmas Leave in Germany) to drive the bus. Our first stop is the Nunciature.
The sisters were nowhere in sight. I phoned Sr. Res and said they’re coming. 10, 15, 20, 30 minutes ticked by, my small intestines were already gnawing at the big ones and they’re still not here. Luckily, the ever girl scout spirit in Angie and Nancy, had the foresight of picking a basket with oven-roasted chicken, bread and drinking water. We, together with the driver, sat for the 'sumptous' meal. Just then Sr. Ifleada came and asked us to partake in their lunch. We jumped at the chance and left the food to Nathaniel, our driver.

And then, we hit the road. Sr. Ifleada and Sr. Mary Grace with Mrs. Christine and the bulk of the items in the Nunciature’s van and Sr. Res, Mrs. Florence, Angie, Nancy and myself in our Jinbie Haise bus. The going was fine till we reached the junction of the expressway – to the right is Usman Dam and to the left is our route, getting rougher and rougher as we sped along.

Unfortunately, the A/C wasn’t functioning and we opted to open the windows. ‘Fresh’ Harmattan wind freely entered our noses. Sr. Res was happily chatting while my head kept leaning to the right and her voice was just a drone getting farther and farther away …wham…blag.

I was still smarting from the sudden hit and jolt when the bus slowed down. We were already climbing a steeper dirt road. I looked down to the left – a very deep crevice. To the right, a deeper cranny and the bus is just the exact width of the road. Sr. Res commented that the place is beautiful even in this very dry season.

Beautiful? All I know is that a very plumpy lady seated in front with the driver may help tilt the bus in favor of the crevice!
We passed several more landmarks of the same nature and Sr. Res pointed a clearing – ‘that’s the parish. The narrow road was lined with stones, some sort of ‘this way, please’.

Rev. Fr. Stephen Meseda, the Parish Priest and the Associate Priest Rev. Fr. Jude Nwigwe welcomed us. After all the introductions, we alloted the grains for easy distribution. The villagers dressed in their Sunday’s best (after all it’s a big occasion) at first trickled and then literally teemed the place. Sr. Ifleada took charge of the children while Sr. Res and Sr. Mary Grace with Mrs. Christine and Mrs. Florence started with the adults.
After a substantial portion had been distributed, Fr. Meseda said that we have to go deep to the actual village which is just ‘close by’. Mrs. Florence, Angie, Nancy and I rode in Fr. Jude’s ‘Jaguar’ – a ‘well-used’ Toyota Pick-Up. Srs. Res, Ifleada and Mary Grace and Mrs. Christine were in the van.

Fr. Jude, still a young man, has a very exuberant nature. Mrs. Florence was wary of the time. How long is the journey?

Just 2 hours, Fr. Jude said merrily. We almost choked.

2 hrs. going + 2 hrs return trip = 4 hrs. Getting dark journey?

We were silent while he tried to amuse Mrs. Florence who appeared to hail from the same village as he is.

‘Anybody who had been here is amazed that such a place exists. You will soon see.’
To get my mind off the time, I suddenly blurted: Fr. Jude? Right? From Thaddeus or Escariot?
I immediately regretted. Not my question. But the manner he answered! He turned right angle to answer, taking his eyes off the narrow rugged terrain!
‘But of course you should know, it’s Thaddeus.’
‘But there is nothing wrong with Escariot. Without him, we wouldn’t be celebrating the Resurrection.’
‘That’s another point of view. And yes, you’re right. And to reach the village, we have to pass ‘that’ bridge.’
Mrs. Florence said, ‘that bridge?’ And true enough he is referring to the unfinished bridge. A third of the pillar supporting the bridge was just hanging, water passing through. We passed through the river. A cow flared its nostrils at me. ‘And here cattle, people and everybody else commune – whether it’s for a swim, laundry or drinks.’
The pick-up passed with an A mark and the van followed suit.
And there, we were. Fr. Meseda arrived ahead of us in his motorcycle. The Chief of the village gathered the people and we met them all seated in an open space. Adults and children. The women who looked older and wizened had a look of anticipation and resignation. Of whatever they will get. Of whatever fate will cast to them. They were a well-behaved crowd with dignity still intact even when at the receiving end.

A young boy who suddenly found his tongue gave this parting shot ‘ni hao’ and was an instant celebrity.

We soon agreed to go. Fr. Jude reversed while we waited. There was only ONE BIG hitch. Mrs. Florence CAN NOT enter in the pick-up.
‘No problem.’
He reversed again, stop at a deeper crater where the side is raised. Holding tight to the extended seat belt, she managed to raise herself and unto the seat. We all heaved a sigh of relief.
‘Fr. Jude, you must be used to this place and the people that it will be very hard for you to adjust if you will be assigned to a let’s say more civilized place,’ she mused.
Fr. Jude promptly replied, ‘ ahhh, the spirit is in me – the spirit of adjustment!’
We all agreed and prayed that he may have a better car and a loud AMEN.

We left for home. This time, Sr. Res led the Rosary. Along the way, we saw the van stopping by the road side – Sr. Ifleada buying vegetables and fruits. Fringe benefit in pastoral work. A nice blouse caught Nancy’s attention. Mrs. Florence talked to the vendor in their dialect. He gave the 2 blouses in half price.

It was dark when we reached ‘civilization.’ Our ‘Asian Bus – the Jin Bei’ developed a problem. The very experienced driver just maintained the speed of 40mph that even bicycles overtook us. Mrs. Florence’s driver was already waiting at the Nunciature. We drove straight to the Life Camp and I let the driver use my car to take Sr. Res and Mrs. Florence safely to the Nunciature.

For Ife & the Filipino Community in Nigeria

New Year is a celebration of hope, prosperity, and love positively looking forward for a better year ahead of us. I miss home so much, kahit na medyo may kahirapan ang buhay satin iba pa din ang selebrasyon ng ganitong okasyon ang siste lang pag nasa pinas ka gusto mo umalis sa dami ng namamasko pero pag nasa malayo ka nman gusto mo nman umuwi..hay naku, ganyan ata talaga ang human psychology ika nga sala sa init, sala sa lamig. But in spite of our imperfections as human beings we cant’ really complain kasi kahit pano, kahit gano kalayo, kahit gano kahirap at madalas kaakibat natin ang dusa, sakrepisyo at sako-sakong pagngungulila sa pamilya ang pagtrabaho overseas ginagawa pa din natin mangibang bansa para maisakatuparan ang ating mga pangarap di lamang sa sarili kundi sa buong pamilya. Mabuti na lamang may mga taong tulad ni Esper Derpo, Chairman as what shes’ addressed to being the forerunner of the Filipino community based in Ikeja, City of Lagos Nigeria. So simple and jolly as she is I can’t help myself wonder what keeps her going and doing a lot more for the assistance of the pinoys working here. Intermittently sipping her drink of sparkling water while talking about the plight of some of us who were not lucky enough to get that good paying-good benefits-less stressful job, recollects the countless times she forcibly got herself up or roused from sleep to attend to a troubled kabayans and being busy chief cooking for that feast of free flowing assortment of home cooked pinoy delicacies whenever an occasion is celebrated in her abode. Her candid and simple but kind of straight forward way of putting any issues on hand only shows what the Chairman is made of. The present ban on filipino workers in Nigeria, her concerns about the Filipino workers not only in Nigeria but the migrant workers in general and the various humanitarian projects including the host country whom she thought of giving back simply because of the opportunities handed to us. These are just among other things that keeps her occupied not to mention her regular senior administrative position in the British High Commission but what strikes me the most is her reflection of a loving mother who takes good care of her offspring no matter what.

Nakakatuwang kwentuhan ang aking naranasan ng gabing yun at sa bawat higop sa kupitang tangan isang bagong issue na nman ang siguradong pag uusapan. Napag usapan din namin ang di ko malilimutang bulong na kanyang ginawa sa ating pangulong GMA nang sya ay tumanggap ng parangal bunsod ng kanyang pagsisikap na mapabuti ang kalagayan ng mga pinoy na mangagawa dito sa bansang Nigeria…akalain mo, sino ang maglalakas ng loob bulungan ang Presedente ng Pinas, to put it candidly she has been exerting and exhausting all efforts and avenues to lift that damn ban but still the answer was “don’t worry, ipapa evaluate ko kay General Cimatu”…(kay General Electric kaya total lagi nman brown-out dito eh, just kidding hehehe) Going back, our beloved Chairman takes that word from the President as some sort of a light at the end of the tunnel at least we have something to look forward to. Sayang naman ang opportunities sabi nga ni Madam Vangie ng Abuja eh pano na lng pag sila na ang umayaw (referring to the Nigreian government) isa pa baka maimpatso na yung mga bantay sa airport o bangungutin kaya. Hay naku, sana nga magbago ang ihip ng hangin at maayos din ang lahat sa tulong ng maykapal at sa walang habas na pagsisikap ng mga taong tulad ni Chairman Esper Derpo. Tall order I’d say but for somebody who has had her fairshare of experience though life that only a strong person with character can endure. A strong willed woman with a killer smile, I must admit she has done a hellofa job here and you know what, this is all for "ife" a yoruba word meaning "love" and a beautiful name for a child.

Cheers for the New Year! Let us welcome it with love and compassion by sharing our blessings with the unfortunate after all, as what John Lennon always says “All we need is Love”

Tres Bien! Chairman Esper Derpo!

POEA: No OFW deployment ban yet in Israel

ano pa ba ang hinihintay nila (DFA,DOLE, POEA, OWWA) bago magdeploy ng travel ban sa bansang ito? may mabomba muna at umuwing malamig na sa kahon? how ironic naman ano as compared sa nigeria na walang GIYERA pero may travel ban? samantalang sa israel may history na ng GIYERA at sa ngayon ESCALATED at HIGHLY THREATEND na ang mga OFWs dun eh consultation pa ang hinihintay nila. tsk.tsk.tsk

-J H Z-

POEA: No OFW deployment ban yet in Israel
By Kristine L. Alave

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 16:48:00 01/02/2009
Filed Under: War, Armed conflict, Safety of Citizens

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration is closely monitoring the
escalating conflict in the Palestine-controlled Gaza, but
said it will not issue a deployment ban in Israel just yet.

POEA administrator Jennifer Manalili said the POEA
cannot issue a ban without consultation from other
government agencies like the Department of Labor and
Employment, Department of Foreign Affairs, and the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

She said the POEA is being kept updated on the
situation in case overseas Filipino workers get trapped
in the crossfire between Hamas and Israeli fighters.

“Since the outbreak of violence there, we check from
time to time with our labor attaché so we can be properly
advised on the condition of our OFWs as well as on the
actions to take,” Manalili said in a statement.

The bloodiest conflict yet between Israel and Hamas,
which the United States and Israel consider a terrorist
organization, has claimed over 400 lives. The fighting is
poised to intensify as the Israeli airstrikes have killed a
senior Hamas leader on Thursday.

Labor officials said there are 123 Filipino nationals in
Gaza and 39,000 OFWs in Israel.

OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon said Filipinos in
Gaza do not want to be repatriated to the Philippines
even as the airstrikes pound Gaza into ruins.

Dimzon said most of the Filipinos in the Palestinian
territory are women who have married Palestinians and
have settled in Gaza with their families.

The OFWs in Israel, on the other hand, are
concentrated in the capital of Tel Aviv and out of reach
from the bombings, labor officials said. Most of the
OFWs in Israel work as caregivers and nurses.

On Mops & The Holy Bible

Mops whooshing from left to right forward and backwards as I stepped into a clients’ office to conduct physical inspection of their facilities, inside offices, hallways, stairways, elevators, common areas, parking areas, the pantry, and of course one of my favourite, the restrooms. My job is to ensure cleanliness of these areas and to validate that each item is being attended to by our cleaning personnel and that the client or the occupants are happy with our services. Its’ a dirty job you would say but somebody’s got to do it, but modesty aside this job has been very good to me for the longest time it fed my family, paid the bills, send my kids to good private school, and of course it made me travelled to places I have never been. This humble job is also where I was able to meet different kinds of people from the lowly cleaner to the clients’ facilities manager all the way to the Chairman of the company where we provide services. I even had the opportunity to serve our very own madam President GMA to one of her public appearances in a graduation ceremony where I was frisked, checked and double checked by the presidential guards along with my cleaning staff including my toilet bowl cleaning solution and followed standard protocol just to make sure the restroom she will use will be sparkling clean if nature calls for it otherwise I’ll end up reading tomorrow’s headlines for classified ads. These are more then enough reason for me to be thankful to the top administrator of the heavens who never stop helping me and smiles at me whenever I bother Him with all my human needs or shall we say requests. It’s funny but if “palakasan exists up there, I’m definitely culpable” naisip ko lang baka kasi malapit lang ako sa kusina and I clean it too. Seriously, I would say I have a very personal relation with our Lord I talk to Him straight and ask forgiveness for my shortcomings and thank Him for all the blessings. When I wake up everyday, a simple thank you “Jesus” followed by “reporting for duty” is what keeps me up and ready for the challenges of the day.

I’m sure all of us has their own peculiar way of thanking the Lord and these are passed on to us by affinity or religious inclination but no matter how we do it whatever we believed in the intention will always be unchanged. As with my present cleaning staff here in Nigeria, I can’t help but appreciate in admiration their manner and style in praying simultaneously chanting perfectly chorused tones as if you’re hearing professional choir. Admittedly, I was in awe the first time I heard them pray, it moves me in a way that however I complain about the quality of cleaning they carry out or how they look unprofessional wearing their unwashed stinking uniform where one is susceptible to collapse if you get caught crossing their airspace, I become blind and may I mention they are armed with quotations, as well as scriptures from the holy bible adequately delivered to miss my target as far as KRA’s or key result areas is concerned. Well, you’re right it’s one of my tasks or should I say mission to make them pleasantly smelling notwithstanding the challenges of this very tall order.

Anyways, I have observed and gathered enough information how to deal with this professionally since I have been in this business for quite sometime now and I could summarily say that this job is all about hu-man-agement more than the technical skills. And when one a professional like me tackles the issue about human management it transcends to a broader subject and that includes not only mops and Bibles.

Keep the faith.

"Black Christmas"

“May all your Christmases be white”…as the carol goes, and it seems practically ironic for me as the left side of my brain grins like that naughty boy inside me. Being far away from home really gives me that feeling of anxieties that keeps building up unless i started directing my thoughts during my childhood Christmas memoirs which includes carolling unfriendly neighbours. Si mang erning na madalas kami pinapatayan ng ilaw pag alam nyang malapit na kami sa kanilang bahay, si aling mely na maagang natutulog si mang kurameng na laging lasing at yung tapat ni aling ebeng na may mg alagang Doberman ata yun malay ko ba kasi pag nalabas sila ng bahay di namin ma recognize kung sino sa kanila ang Doberman. Those were the days ika nga, minsan mag tatalo-talo ang grupo pag maliit ang binigay dahil di malaman kung sino samin ang sintunado sabi ko nga baka ang gitara dahil dehins pa nman uso nun ang mag karay ng videoke. Kasama na din kasi sa carolling ang ligawan di mo tuloy malaman kung san ang punta at mukhang naubos ata ang cologne na padala ni tita kay kuya pati na ang spraynit na patay ang butiki pag nalaglag sa ulo mo.
As usual pagkatapos ng carolling simbang gabi nman ang schedule ang walang kamatayang ispageti, hotdog at hamon na tila paliit ng paliit sa pag lipas ng panahon actually, give away lang sa kumpanyang pinapasukan ng tyuhin ko yung hamon ang siste din man yan kakanin sa noche Buena kasi design lang yan sa mesa. Meron din kaming fried chicken syempre paborito ata yan ng mga utol ko lalo na pag ang tatay ang nagluto siguradong crispy parang pinaghalong dyolibi at maks ika nya. Ang loaf bread na hanggang ngayon di ko pa rin alam koung bakit “tasty bread”ang tawag kya iniwan ko na syang ganun dahil palagay ko tasty nga sya. Simple lang ang pasko kung ano meron masayang pinagkakasya and all these were part of the so called “Noche Buena” tradition that bring members of the family closer in the spirit of Christmas. As time passes, and several Christmas celebration came by, I never thought that some of my closest friends would really be having a “white Christmas” since most of them migrated to several states in America wherein that picture of a winter, snowy and biting cold weather that was permanently glued in our brains when you talk of white Christmas. But I think i had the better of it since mine is totally the opposite being here in a populous Nigeria celebrating the birth of our saviour Jesus and having a fine “Black Christmas” with person I have only met here. Masayang malungkot kasi ibang-iba talaga ang nakagawian natin sa pinas although may konting striking similarity tulad ng pamamasko at bilihan ng kung ano-ano pero hanap pa din natin ang ika nga eh orig. This is my very first here so I get grouchy or should I say homesick eh pano ba naman di ka maasar bibili ka ng maliit na item ang sukli wala ng balikan, mag park ka ng sasakyan di ka pa nakaka atras nahingi na syo ang mga kumag ung mga batang kalye naglipana pero sa isang banda ay ok na din kasi nahingi at least di ka binibigyan ng problema. Well, I guess that’s how it is here so just like what they say“ a man’s got to do what hes’ got to do”…Have a happy holidays and for those who are spending it here like mwah, good luck don’t drink and drive arrive alive.

7 OFWs In Qatar

From: Migrante Middle East Middle East migranteme@yahoo.com
Subject: Petition in suport of 7 OFWs begging in Qatar
Signature/Petition Statement
28 December 2008

Inept Philippine Labor Official in Qatar must be sacked; a mere reflection of Arroyo regime continued neglect to thousands of distress and ran away OFWs.

The more than 500,000 OFWs in Qatar are aghast to know that their Philippine Labor Official whom they supposed could turn to when they have labor-related problems doesn't truly care to protect their rights and welfare amidst the labor malpractice committed by their employer.

The case of the 7 OFWs who beg for food in Qatar in order to survive their daily subsistence is just a few of the cases we have heared. Early this year, same fate has been faced by some 20 OFWs in Kuwait, asking alms from fellow OFWs for their daily subsistence. Our Philippine Officials abroad especially in the Middle East have been noticed to turning their back to extend assistance to distress and ran away OFWs.

If Philippine Labor Official Hector Cruz provided full support to the 7 OFWs who have filed labor case against their abusive employer by providing an interpreter for the 7 OFWs during the hearing of their case, the 7 OFWs would not end up begging for food during this Yuletide season. We could see that the 7 OFWs' respective families back home that relied too much on their remittance would end up begging as well from their neighbors for their daily subsistence.

Willy Catian, a 39-year-old welder, one of the 7 OFWs, said Philippine Overseas Labor Officer (POLO) hector Cruz here allegedly failed to help them when they asked for an Arabic interpreter to assist them in their labor case. Instead of providing them the needed assistance and giving full support to their case, POLO officer Hector Cruz, allegedly told OFW Catian, "I don't care if you win the case or not, what is important is that I can work for your immediate deportation."

Subsequently, the 7 OFWs decided to stay in Doha to pursue its case against its abusive employers. Having no work at all, they run out of money for their daily subsistence; thus were forced to beg from fellow OFWs in Corniche and Fish market.

This is truly a sad fate for the 7 OFWs and their families; a sad fate that was made accomplished courtesy of an inept Philippine Labor Official.

POLO officer Hector Cruz is but a reflection of Mrs. Arroyo's continued neglect to distress and ran away OFWs victims of their employer's abuse, maltreatment and labor malpractice.

POLO officer Hector Cruz is 100% an inept official that must be sacked from office. Its high time that the Labor Dept. Secretary must imposed its metal hands against its inept officials abroad so as to set a deterrent act against to other inept labor officials.


If the 7 OFWs received nothing but rejection and neglect from POLO, Philippine Embassy in Qatar and the Arroyo administration, surely our fellow OFWs in Qatar through their organizations and clubs are ready to extend assistance in whatever form to the 7 OFWs. Migrante-Qatar will be one of these OFW organizations.

We are urging fellow OFWs in Qatar and in the entire Middle East to sign this petition calling for the dismissal of POLO Officer Hector Cruz. His kind must not stay any longer in office that is causing more problems, rather than solutions, to the sad flight of our fellow OFWs.

This signature/petition campaign would also mean OFWs and their families' strong rejection and condemnation to the continued stay of Mrs. Arroyo in power, who has been regarded by OFWs as their terrible nightmare and the very cause of their grim Christmas and sad New Year.

The thousands and even millions of signatures we could gather is our Christmas and New Year's present to Mrs. Arroyo, who should not be staying in power much any longer.


Signed:

Migrante-Qatar chapter
Migrante-Kuwait
Migrante-UAE
Migrante-Saudi Arabia: Migrante-Jeddah, KGS-Migrante-Riyadh, KGS-Migrante-Al Jouf

Filipinos are 'white' in Nigeria--OFW

Filipinos are 'white' in Nigeria--OFW

Presidential awardee seeks lifting of ban

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:57:00 12/24/2008

Filed Under: Overseas Employment, Labor

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MANILA, Philippines -- Nigeria is a safe place for Filipinos because they do not suffer racial discrimination and are actually treated as white, said a Filipina working there, as she urged the government to lift the deployment ban in that country.

"I say that Filipinos are treated as whites in Nigeria because we get the same compensation as white expatriates. Filipinos in Nigeria are highly paid, from $1,000 to $20,000 a month plus other benefits like a house, a car, a driver, a steward [a housekeeper], and a local allowance of $1,000 for daily expenses," said Esperanza Racelis-Derpo, who received the Banaag Award this December from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"Many Filipinos in Nigeria just spend their allowance for their daily requirements and save the rest of the money," she added.

There are an estimated 6,000 Filipinos in Nigeria.

Derpo, an engineer who works as a visa writer at the British Deputy High Commission office in Victoria Island, Lagos, thus asked the government to lift the deployment ban there.

"The ban was imposed after some Filipino seafarers were kidnapped in 2006. But the kidnapping happened in southern Nigeria, much like our conflict in Basilan, very far away from the rest of Nigeria," she said in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

At the same time, she said the ban was unfair and inconvenient for Filipinos working there.

"The ban affects not just new hires, but vacationing Filipinos as
well, Filipinos who have been working in Lagos and in the non-oil areas for a long time already," said the resident of Lagos for more than eight years.

Derpo said so many supervisory and managerial positions await
Filipinos in Nigeria, particularly in the manufacturing, oil, and aviation sectors.

Unlike in Lebanon, where the government has partially lifted the ban and has allowed vacationing Filipino domestic helpers to
return to their employers, the Presidential awardee said Nigeria was generally a peaceful place.

"We don't have bombings. I myself leave for work at 5:30 in the
morning with only my driver and nothing untoward has happened. I myself would not stay in Nigeria if it weren't safe there," she said.

News Update

News in the Oil-rich Region of Nigeria

20 Dec. 2008
The News
Pirates Kill Boat Captain
Gunmen in speedboats attacked three oil services ships and kidnapped at least two Russians in separate incidents in Nigeria 's Niger Delta, private security and industry sources said on Saturday. The Falcon Crest and Falcon Wings were attacked late on Friday off the coast of southern Nigeria 's Akwa Ibom state near crude oil facilities operated by Canada 's Addax Petroleum. A Filipino Captain on one of the vessels was killed, one security source said. The gunmen were believed to have fled to nearby Cameroonian waters. No group has claimed responsibility. Akwa Ibom, which shares a border with Cameroon, has seen an increase in piracy and kidnappings in the past few months. Nigeria handed over the nearby oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon four months ago, angering many Nigerians whose families have since resettled in Akwa Ibom. Militants in the area have objected to the August 14 transfer, which complied with a World Court ruling. Friday's attacks took place in the offshore area known as OML 123, referring to the 370 sq-km license area controlled by Addax. Six similar incidents occurred earlier this year, the most recent two weeks ago, a security source said.Addax and police officials were not immediately available for comment. A third ship, operated by Nigerian oil company Monipulo, was attacked by pirates early on Saturday near the Abana offshore oilfields, located close to the Nigeria-Cameroon border. Gunmen in speedboats also attacked a housing compound and kidnapped two Russians working for an aluminum company in the port town of Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom early on Saturday, security sources said. The two Russians worked for Nigeria 's sole aluminum smelter plant ALSCON, which is owned by the world's largest aluminum producer Russia 's United Company RUSAL. The Russian firm confirmed its workers were kidnapped.Piracy is common in the Gulf of Guinea off Nigeria 's Atlantic coast while attacks on oil industry facilities and kidnappings for ransom are frequent in the creeks of the Niger Delta, home to Africa 's biggest oil and gas industry. The militants say they are fighting for a fairer share of the region's natural resources. Criminal gangs also fund themselves through the theft of crude oil and ransoms.Hundreds of foreigners have been seized in the region since early 2006, most of whom have been released unharmed. The insecurity has cut Nigeria 's oil output, which averages around 2 million barrels per day, by a fifth over the past three years.

The News
Gunmen Kidnap Russians
Two workers of a Russian aluminium company have been kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria , the company says. A statement from UC Rusal said the pair, workers at the Alscon aluminium smelter, were snatched in the town of Ikot Abasi in the Niger Delta. Reports said gunmen in speedboats attacked the residential compound in the middle of the night. The Russians' whereabouts were unknown, Itar-Tass news agency reported. Attacks on foreigners are common in Nigeria . A statement from UC Ruscal said: "The two employees of the company were kidnapped. The company is taking all necessary measures to free the hostages as soon as possible."More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped by militants in the Niger Delta, the heart of the country's oil industry, since 2006. A collapse in law and order has allowed armed groups to make a living extorting money from oil companies that have to keep their operations going, correspondents say.

The News
Militants 'training 1,000 new recruits'
In what could signal fresh trouble in Nigeria 's oil producing Niger Delta region, the country's military said Friday that militant groups in the region are training 1,000 new recruits at a camp in South-west Ondo state. A spokesman for the military Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to the restive region, Lt.-Col. Rabe Abubakar, said in a statement that the training was being funded by oil thieves, who are angered by the military's stepped up campaign to stop oil bunkering (stealing). He said the new recruits were being trained "in long range shooting, handling of various sophisticated weapons and the use of explosives alike." The military spokesman said the training was aimed at raising the number needed for the militants "to renew hostilities and cause unnecessary tension in the Niger Delta and also to further derail the relative peace already being enjoyed by the people of Bayelsa and Delta States ."The allegation could not be independently confirmed, but militants and the military have always traded accusations on the situation in the oil region, where militant attacks have slashed Nigeria 's oil production by one fifth.

The News
FG Threatens to Stop British Airways Flights
The Federal Government yesterday ordered the management of British Airways in Nigeria to, within one week, revert to its approved scheduled flights into Lagos or have its operations grounded. The new Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba gave the order in a press statement released in Abuja yesterday. Omotoba who assumed office two days ago, said British Airways had been operating against industry regulations "and in a manner, which is inimical to Nigeria 's airspace safety and security." Omotoba's order is a fall out from reports that British Airways is operating unscheduled flights "which are against airline regulations and security of the airspace." The statement said further that the minister gave the airline a one week ultimatum to ensure that all its flights into Lagos arrive latest, 6 p.m. (1800 hours) local time." The Honorable Minister has therefore directed that one week from today, precisely Fridays 26th of December 2008, all British Airways flights into Lagos must arrive latest at 6 p.m. (1800 Hours) local time." Omotoba instructed British Airways' present schedule, which brings passengers into Lagos at unholy hours must stop henceforth." All international flights should arrive Nigeria latest at 6.00 p.m. for the comfort and safety of air travellers," it said. British Airways has in the last two months rescheduled its departure time for outbound flight to Lagos from Heathrow Terminal 5 to 1. 55 p.m. Since the development, the airline has been arriving Lagos at between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. at night. As a result, most passengers don't get to leave the airport till between 10 and 11 p.m., after waiting to pick up their luggage. Industry sources explained the decision by the airline to reschedule their flights arose from a cost and union issue which has remained unresolved for sometime. Prior to the rescheduling, when the airline arrived at approximately the same time as other international airlines, its crew members who stay at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos found it impossible to secure rooms once they arrived the hotel. This stemmed from the fact that the British Airways crew that had arrived the night prior, do not have to check out until about 10 p.m. in the evening in preparation for their departure time from Lagos . As such, the new crew that flew into Lagos was always made to wait for several hours in the lobby until their rooms were made available. Meanwhile, the management of Sheraton Hotel which was aware of the problem, made it clear that more rooms could only be made available to arriving crew members if British Airways was willing to book additional rooms for them to check into on arrival.But British Airways balked at the idea of booking another set of rooms at a time most airlines worldwide are adopting cost cutting measures to stem their declining fortunes. However, British Airways' decision to get around the problem by rescheduling its flights to arrive late in evening has now placed the lives of its Nigerian passengers in danger, making them more susceptible to attacks by armed robbers. In a related development, Omotoba in his first official duty will today re-open Runway 18L of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos . The reopening of Runway 18L, designated for local flight operations, will bring smiles to the faces of domestic flight operators in the aviation industry. The runway was closed for rehabilitation for over two years, forcing domestic operators to take-off and land at Runway 18R designated for international operations. Domestic carriers spend millions of naira daily, because about 30 litres of aviation fuel is burnt on the two kilometer taxiway to the international runway. The delays caused by the movement to runway 18R and the attendant costs will now become a thing of the past. A senior official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) who confirmed the reopening said that a test-run was carried out yesterday with Arik Air aircraft and the runway was certified okay by engineers for flight operations.

PRESIDENTIAL AWARD

BANAAG AWARDEE

Esperanza Derpo, an engineer by profession, works with the British High Commission.
Pusong Pinoy is proud to present some of her photos during the awarding ceremony.

If the presidency deemed it fit to bestow to an OFW in Nigeria this meritorious award, it would only mean then that the Philippine government recognizes the fact that such a country can bring out the best in a worker, ergo a country where no ban of any kind should be imposed.

Esper in one of the very rich, stylish Nigerian traditional dresses

Esper with some of the awardees

At the awarding ceremony

Borrowed from the Nigerian commonly used lingo... 'well done, Ma',....more grease to your elbow!'

From Pusong Pinoy:

Taos puso ang aming pagbati at ikinararangal ka namin!

AT THE FORUM

The International Migrants Day

An invitation of the director of CMA was sent to Pusong Pinoy last Dec. 11, 2008 for a back-to-back forum on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights on December 10; the International Migrants day on December 18.

Pusong Pinoy Treasurer Janette Alican left late last month and was able to attend the International Migrants Day that of Dec. 18.

The invitation stated thus:

A Public Forum on the UN Migrants Convention: The Philippine Commitment December 18, 2008, Thursday, 9:00am –; 1:00 pm,Romulo Hall, UP Asian Center , Diliman, Quezon City Organized by CMA and Commission on Human Rights (CHR). It was on that day in 1990 when the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Convention on the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (UN MWC). The Philippines is one of the first countries to have ratififed the UN MWC. After 13 years, the MWC entered into force in July 2003. By 2004, the MWC Committee was ready to accept reports of governments that ratified the convention, including the Philippines which submitted an initial report early this year. The Committee will have an initial session with the Philippines in its November 2008 session with a final session on the Philippines in 2009. We hope the forum will be a venue to get feedback from the government on the results of this initial session. We will also revisit the MWC, its relevance, the work of the Committee and the spaces available for NGOs; and, finally the forum hopes to kick off the preparations for a CSO Alternative Report on the MWC. We hope you can join us for the last time in 2008 on these two occasions in December. Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Center for Migrant Advocacy Philippines

As almost every OFWs already heard and read from emails forwarded several times over of the good news, (the struggle of which started at the onset of the now infamous Travel Ban late in Nov. 2006 and only showed a glimmer of hope early in September 2008), Janette is tying all the knots for the easy passage to and from our place of work, Nigeria. An excerpt of Janette's letter is shared to all Pinoys whose hearts and pockets are solely reserved for the loved ones at home:

From: Janette Alican janette_alican@yahoo.com

Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 2:26:31 PM

Subject: Forum in UP Diliman
...in addition to below email of ms. ellene, chr director ms. karen gomez-dumpit will personally accompany me to the bureau of immigration tomorrow afternoon 19.12.08. hopefully, we could get a written statement from bi's office stating a "hassle-free return to nigeria" para at least may pinanghahawakan tayo at pwede nating i-print para ma-disseminate sa ofws nigeria.
ms. karen is very much willing to help us. during the forum she said and i quote her :) :) :) "please, lumapit kayo sakin.".........................

dear vangie, lito, john, mga kasama sa nigeria :

salamat po at kayo ay sumaya! :))

earlier today, we had our forum on the UN migrant workers convention. janette came and she was really happy to hear the good news, not only from me but from atty. christopher lomibao, secretary of the house committee on overseas workers affairs. he confirmed my news about the exceptions to the travel ban to nigeria .

additionally, the commission on human rights (chr) was also around because we jointly organized the forum. chr director karen gomez-dumpit likewise committed to your cause. through her office, chr will request the BI for a written notice to allow residents and those with active work contracts in nigeria to come and leave manila without problems.

the office of poea deputy administrator hans cacdac can also be tapped to assist our balik manggagawa from nigeria .

muli, maligayang pasko sa inyong lahat.
pupunta po muna ako sa india ngayon.

yours,
ellene

Some of the pictures taken during the Forum:

Ellene at the forum

Ms. Karen, Janette and Ellene

Janette and Ellene

Immigration eases rules on returning OFWs to Nigeria

MARK JOSEPH UBALDE, GMANews.TV

12/18/2008 | 09:09 PM

---

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MANILA, Philippines- Janette Alican risked a good job in Nigeria to be with her family this Christmas.

The total deployment ban imposed by the Philippine government bars Filipinos from going to the oil-rich African nation due to the spate of kidnappings – both in Nigeria’s soil and seas – in 2006.

Earlier this month, Alican, who holds a resident visa in Nigeria, flew from the capital city of Abuja to Manila. Now, she fears she can’t go back to the German company in Abuja that employed her.

“I feel like I’m being imprisoned in my own country," she tearfully said during a forum Thursday on the UN Migrant Workers’ Convention, a joint undertaking of the state Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the civil society group Center for Migration Advocacy (CMA).

“The President left for Qatar to get jobs there. I have a job in Nigeria, why can’t I get back there?" she said.

Lawyer Edgardo Mendoza, chief Immigration Regulation Commission, assured returning migrant workers like Alican that they could re-enter Nigeria as long as they present the necessary documents.

In an interview with GMANews.TV on Thursday, Mendoza said migrants who have secured a Balik-Manggagawa (Return to Work) permit from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) and a resident visa could return to the African country.

Mendoza added that the POEA would issue a guideline soon on the issuance of special permits to returning workers in Nigeria.

Mendoza refused to comment whether the special permit would extend to three other countries with existing total deployment bans, namely: Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon.

There is also no word on the state of the workers who want to return to Jordan where a temporary suspension of deployment on domestic workers is implemented.

Karen Gomez-Dumpit, director of the CHR's Government Linkages Office promised to personally assist Janette by finding out if the rule is subjective or not.

“What if you encounter an Immigration officer who is ignorant of the rule, how can you explain to him that you can leave?" Dumpit said during the forum.

If successful, Alican would leave for Nigeria on the 27th.

Recruiters have sought the lifting of deployment bans to Lebanon, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Iraq, saying the Philippines is losing out on job opportunities for Filipino workers.

Jackson Gan, vice president of the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters, said that there are less demand for Filipinos in countries where workers are freely deployed.

The Philippine government imposed a deployment ban on Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan due to security threats to Filipino workers.

The deployment of domestic workers to Jordan was suspended due to the upsurge of abuses against Filipino household service workers in the Middle Eastern country. - GMANews.TV

• » Larawan ni Arroyo binato ng sapatos
  12/18/2008 | 11:12 PM
• » Red carpet welcome awaits vacationing OFWs
  12/18/2008 | 08:08 PM
• » Militant OFWs throw shoes at Arroyo picture
  12/18/2008 | 08:01 PM
• » Mabuhay ang katulong!
  12/18/2008 | 04:07 PM

HOME | SPECIAL REPORTS | SERVICES | FACTS | GALLERY | VIDEO | PINOYABROAD

MALIGAYANG PASKO, PUSONG PINOY

REJOICE!
The letter that is most anticipated…and now most cherished by the OFWs in Nigeria is shown below sent by Ms. Ellene Sana, Director of CMA, Center for Migrant Advocacy who championed our cause. Her relentless efforts to pursue the lifting of the travel ban imposed by our government truly reflected the spirit of oneness not only with Pusong Pinoy but for all OFWs here in Nigeria. When she first heard of our plight, she immediately took this crusade and in constant communication with Pusong Pinoy. She made good of her promise, ‘I’ll never forsake your cause.’

---------------------------------------------------

From: ellene sana [mailto:ellenesana@yahoo.com]
Sent: 17 December 2008 10:43

To: info@cfo.gov.ph; Mr. Lito Nucum

Cc: 'Benjamin Nadado'; 'Vangie Novio'; 'John Hernandez'; 'jun torres'; 'Janette Alican'; 'Fely Ramos'; cma; eunice cordova

Subject: good news for ofws in nigeria!!

hi all. it will be a merry Christmas to you in nigeria after all. why? today, i attended a congressional meeting in the house of representatives convened by the committee on overseas workers affairs. we discussed about the situation of ofws in the middle east who are being victimised by illegal recruitment and other misfortunes. we discussed the escort system and how illegal recruitment takes place. then the representative from the bureau of immigration was asked to share what BI was doing to curb illegal recruitment. that was an opportunity for me to make an intervention and i did and of course i mentioned the case of the deployment ban in nigeria and how this was being used by unscrupulous immigration people to earn a few dollars. and here was the answer of the representative from immigration:

first, he was not aware of it;

but SECONDLY and MOST IMPORTANTLY, he said that those ofws in nigeria who have residency status there --will be allowed exit without hassles. kailangan lang sabihan natin sila na residente kayo. as for those who are migrant workers -- please go to POEA's balik manggagawa program to secure your oec (overseas employment certificate) -- you will just need to show this to the immigration officer to give you exit permits.

ang ibig sabihin, DE FACTO the travel and deployment ban to nigeria ONLY applies to new OFWs; those who have active existing work contracts and with residency cards from the nigerian government will be allowed exit from the philippines.

hay salamat po Panginong Hesus!

you may want to say thank you to the immigration officer --Atty. edgardo Mendoza-- who clarified the matter before the committee. you may contact him at his cellphone: +63 9175374793. for returning filipinos to nigeria, please send a fax message to his office that you are a resident of nigeria or a balik manggagawa with an active existing work contract there. syempre, isama na nyo kaagad yung proof of status. the fax number is +63 2 3384459.

o ipakalat na itong magandang balita huh!

finally, we want to say thank you too to cfo for exerting its best to assist the ofws in their appeal to lift the ban. no less than secretary dante ang, chair of the cfo, endorsed your request to the office of the vice president.

unfortunately, there is no response yet from the office of the vice. pero ok na yon kasi puede naman pala sa level ng bureau of immigration e. basta maraming salamat din kina cfo executive director jenny gonzales and secretary dante ang. all for now.

maligayang pasko sa lahat!

ellene

When we thought we had exhausted all the avenues and still failed (just imagine the volumes of letters, money spent on petitions, frustrations, tensions running high, detractors having a field day and all imaginable scenarios conceived and perceived to escape this scourge), when our hopes were raised with the meeting of our President GMA with the 5 ambassadors of the ‘troubled’ nations only to receive the news that the ban still stays and our spirits were dampened once again, then came her good tidings –
To Ellene, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT!

Pusong Pinoy Officer Vangie Novio and Director Ellene Sana at CMA office

At UP Forum for Migrant Workers where Pusong Pinoy representative heard the travails of MiddleEast OFWs

OIL BUNKERERS

Attention: Sea Farers
Vanguard Online



JTF hands over 14 Filipinos to EFCC

Written by Samuel Oyadongha
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
The four teen Filipinos arrested by the Joint Task Force sometime in July for alleged involvement in oil bunkering have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation and prosecution.
The embattled Filipinos were arrested on board MT Akuada by men of the JTF, also known as Operation Restore Hope with 150-160 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil at the Bight of Benin on the Atlantic fringe of Bayelsa State.
The names of the 14 Filipinos were given as Rey Chavez (captain), Nelso Corpin, Antonio Norgino, Tirso Olaviar, Jerome Competente, Joselin Gabion, Rexy Aldovino, Rito Bajoyo, Jun Garcenila, Judel Garcenila, Eugenio Mediano, Mark Dimaano, Jose Palimero and Louis Givesania.
It would be recalled that sometime in October, the operatives of the EFCC raised an alarm about the whereabouts of the suspects as they were allegedly granted bail by a court with conditions fixed at N50 million each.
The EFCC it was gathered at the time had included, among the puzzle to be solved, the release of the 14 expatriates at N50 million instead of the bail condition of N50million each and why the court cannot establish their whereabouts.
But the coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) Lt. Col Rabe Abubakar who disclosed this yesterday said the JTF handed over the suspects in line with the rule of law and due process.
He noted that since the JTF arrested them through an effective strategy put in place to check economic crimes, “it is no longer lawful to keep them but hand them over to the appropriate agency to conduct further investigation and prosecute them.”
Lt. Col Abubakar who stated that the war on oil bunkering has reduced the level of criminalities associated with oil theft in the troubled region vowed that the security outfit would not relent in its offensive against criminals in the region, until it rids the region of bandits posing as freedom fighters.
The coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) used the opportunity to assured Bayelsans living in the creeks to go about their normal business as the yuletide season approaches, stressing that the JTF working in collaboration with other security agencies is prepared to secure all lives and properties.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that the Filipinos arrested for oil bunkering have been handed over to it by the JTF.
The Commission’s Spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi who confirmed this said the Filipinos would be arraigned tomorrow in Benin the Edo State capital.

Victoria's Secret

Sabi nila ano man daw ang iyong makikita sa paligid saan mang bayan o lugar ay sumasalamin sa estado ng economiya at kabuhayan ng mga naninirahan dito. Honestly, when you say Africa the very first thing crosses my mind is “Tarzan” ni Johnnywise Muller eto kasi ang paboritong palabas ng tatay ko nung kami’y mga bata pa liban sa “Combat” na pinagbibidahan naman ni Vic Morrow. Sa tutuo lng wala nman sa hinagap ko na makarating dito sa napakalayo, napaka alinsangan and ofcourse ang walang kupas na traffic na kahit si Bayani Fernando masisiraan ng ulo kung pano aayusin. Narito ako ngayon sa bayan o isla ng Victoria sa Nigeria parteng west ng Africa. Kamusta naman jan madalas tanong ng mga kaibigan, dating ka trabaho, kapitbahay, ka chat, at mga kumpare ko. Well, like a true pinoy isa lang ang madalas nating banggitin pag tayo ay kinakamusta “ayos naman” o dili kaya’y “ok naman” forget about the traffic etc. basta ok kami hehehe.

Going back, bago pa lng nman ako dito kaya I can instantly say that I am in no position to comment anything about this place much more to its inhabitants isa pa I don’t give a shit kasi nagpunta nman ako dito dahil kailangan ng pamilya ko in preparation for my kids’ college education and ofcourse ang pangarap kong bagong 1.3 Toyota Vios. Anyways, isa lang ang masasabi ko… hayup ang mga modelo ng mga oto dito kaya kahit saksakan at bugbugan ng traffic nag eenjoy ako manuod ng ibat-ibang klaseng sasakyan na sa magazine ko lamang nakikita. At habang nanunuod ako ng mga yan di ko din maiwasan mapansin ang dami ng bangkong nakakalat animoy mga kabute sa gubat oo mga bangko nakikinita ko na nga kung pano maglaway ang mga hayup na holdaper satin sa dami ng pwede nilang pasyalan dito hehehe. Pero sa palagay ko di rin sila makakalayo dahil sa traffic. Its funny but true, I remember when I was still a budding entrep madalas ako sa divisoria at dun sankatutak din ang bangko na pinamumugaran ng mga tsekwa at kung di ka marunong mag mandarin o pukenish ay malabo ka makatawad kahit wala kang kasalanan. Pero alam nyo bang andun din ang karamihan ng kadatungan? So I think it safe for me to say that andito rin ang mga kadatungan sa VI teka parang ate vi ah. Nakilala ko din pala dito sa VI ang magiting na si Edward na syang nagbibigay sakin ng mga tips sa ibat-ibang bagay sa lugar, pagkain, pasyalan, trabahong hanap buhay at higit sa lahat sa larangan ng pag-ibig…sa kapwa wika nga nya, black is beautiful I’d say its sweet. Meron kasi syang kakaibang lasa kungbaga sa painting titigan mo maigi at namnamin para malasap ang kagandahan nito. May pagka misteryoso kung pag iisipan mo maingay pero tahimik, mainit pero may panahong napakalamig, pero isa lng ang masasabi ko, this is the place where I’ve seen the sweetest and prettiest smile after all Nigerians “really are the happiest people on earth” and that’s the biggest secret.

TRAVEL BAN

SA MGA KAPUSONG PINOY

Let's say, 'ang lahat ay nakukuha sa panalangin'....
and with the (biggest) help from the director of CMA Ellene Sana,

WE NOW HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TRAVEL BAN

OFW deployment ban stays in Nigeria, 4 Middle East countries
12/14/2008 11:28 PM
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MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government will keep in force the ban on deploying workers to Nigeria and four Middle East countries, a decision made after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met with her ambassadors to those countries.
Besides Nigeria, the deployment ban is in effect in Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, according to a Malacañang statement issued on Sunday by Assistant Press Secretary Romeo Montenegro.
Earlier, Arroyo met with her ambassadors to assess the situation in the five countries as to the safety of the Filipino workers.
Those countries may need thousands of foreign workers, but Arroyo stressed that the government would not compromise the security of Filipino workers.
Arroyo directed Ambassador Roy Cimatu, special Philippine envoy to the Middle East, to come up with an assessment of the situation in the five countries.
Cimatu's report will be discussed in March 2009 during a review of the situation in those five countries.
Meanwhile, the Philippines will open an embassy in Damascus, Syria, in February 2009 under Ambassador Wilfredo Cuyugan to better serve the needs of the 15,000 Filipinos working there.
The Palace statement said 80 percent of Filipinos in Syria are undocumented. - GMANews.TV

___________________________________

While the above news greeted us this early morning and dampened everyone's spirit (again!), I also read 'The Famous Shoe Story' of a very unpopular President. got to share with you... cause my imagination is running riotous... what if.......?

The Shoe

A shoe is raised during a protest against the visit to Iraq of US President George W. Bush, in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday. Dec. 15, 2008. Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad on Sunday.

President Bush ducks after a man threw a shoe at him during a joint statement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, December 14, 2008.

A combo of images from footage broadcast by the Al-Arabiya news channel shows US President George W. Bush reacting as an Iraqi journalist hurls one of his shoes at him during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad. The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at Bush "detested America" and had been plotting such an attack for months, colleagues have said.
(AFP/null)

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki tries to protect George W. Bush after an Iraqi journalists threw his shoes the US leader during a joint press conference in Baghdad. It will likely rank as one of the more bizarre episodes of his presidency -- George W. Bush, surely one of the most protected leaders in history, ducking as two size 10 shoes hurtled in his direction.

A sister of Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi watches a video of her brother throwing shoes at the US President Bush, at his apartment in in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec.15, 2008. al-Zeidi threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad on Sunday, while yelling in Arabic: 'This is a farewell kiss, you dog,this is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.'
(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Security forces pounce on an Iraqi journalist who caused a furore when he hurled his shoes at visiting US President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad. Iraq faced mounting calls on Monday to release the journalist who hurled his shoes at Bush, an action branded shameful by the government but hailed by many in the Arab world as an ideal parting gift to the unpopular US president.
(AFP/Saul Loeb)

President Bush' comment? the shoe is size 10.

COURAGEOUS SEAMEN

We have read or listened to the most harrowing stories of Filipino Seafarers caught in the business of “oil bunkering” here in Niger Delta, Nigeria , and they keep on happening and being highlighted in the news, but not the story of the 4 Filipino seamen who refused to succumb to earning a few dollars more…. AT LAST REAL OFW HEROES THAT SPEAK OF HONESTY OF THE FILIPINO WORKING CLASS.

Capt. Roy C. Hidalgo, Divers Rudy B. Torres, Gil G. Canete, Jaime Jimenez - Four good seamen who refused to follow the evil instruction of the Greek principal to do OIL BUNKERING. And so, Capt. Hidalgo abandoned the ship he manned, tagging with him the 3 Filipino divers. Ran they did and being helped by some Filipinos working in Lagos . They found their way to our Philippine Embassy in Abuja , Nigeria , where they received good assistance from our Embassy staff led by our Charge D’Affaires, Atty. Alimatar Garangan.

Yes, oil bunkering is sabotaging the economy of Nigeria , and unfortunately our Filipino seamen are thrown in to a difficult situation.
Moral questions arise.
‘Do I allow myself to be a pawn on the “money” board?’
‘What if I get caught and land in the prison that is described as a “death wish” zone?’
‘But money is good, and how could I say no to my principal, or how could I not be a part of the game when majority of the crew cannot do anything but follow the instruction, albeit evil it may be?’

Result, 22 more Filipino seamen caught 3 weeks back, plus another 15 more just caught this week are now in the hands of the Nigerian Authorities. For the nth time same story involving the same players, and poor Filipino seafarers who just wanted to give a good life to their loved ones are forced between the rock and a stone, unknown to them.

But not Roy, Rudy, Gil & Jaime. They are now on the way home, without fanfare. But this is the kind of story that CFO and CMA must be pleased to hear and crave about and to highlight the good deed these 4 Filipino seamen just did.

Capt. Hidalgo, Rudy, Gil and Jim
As Capt. Hidalgo courageously said during Pusong Pinoy’s Chirstmas Party last Dec. 7 held at the Phil. Embassy, “Never mind if I will lose the opportunity to man a ship again, but at least I did not surrender my faith”.

From what Capt. Roy Hidalgo mentioned, he intends to put up a case against SEAGEM, the manning agency in the Philippines that kept on supplying Filipino seamen, in spite of knowing the tragic incidents involving their recruits, or is SEAGEM having a major role on the conspiracy? FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, WE FILIPINOS CAN PUSH OUR COUNTRYMEN TO TRAGEDY.

Whilst we land-based professional OFWs here in Nigeria do offer our prayers for the early release of our countrymen caught for doing the dirty job, something must be done from the root cause of the problem.

MUST WE CONTINUE ALLOWING FILIPINO SEAMEN TO ENTER THE NIGER DELTA IN NIGERIA IN SPITE OF THE MANY INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE SAME MANNING AGENCY?

It is hurting the reputation of our country, and being labeled now as a nation of thieves! This tag IS REVERBERATING LOUDLY IN OUR EARS AND POUNDING LOUDLY IN OUR HEARTS.

SOMETHING MUST BE DONE NOW BY OUR GOVERNMENT, AND NOT WHEN THE PROBLEM IS TOO SERIOUS TO HANDLE! The Philippine Media should be advised and make a noise and our POEA officials have to think twice in stopping the likes of SEAGEM.

Merry Christmas to all,
Mr. Lito Nucum

President
PUSONG PINOY ASSOCIATION
FCT Abuja , Nigeria