OFW MOST AWAITED HOMECOMING

This video represent the life of Overseas Filipino Workers. I hope this will enlighten every Filipino about the sacrifices they are facing in search for greener pasture in order to give their family better life.

POEA warns: Illegal recruitment still prevalent

POEA warns: Illegal recruitment still prevalent Philippine Information Agency The case is now filed at POEA while some victims have already coordinated with the NBI. It is the duty of the POEA to help people duped by these poseurs and …

Ambassadors Hotel UK interested to hire pinoy

To Mary Lufford, Thanks a lot for the information you gave us about the job opening in your Hotel. We highly appreciate your Good Heart and for believing Filipino talents. God bless you!

For those who are working in hotels & interested to apply feel free to get in touch with Ms. Mary Lufford. have a nice day!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ambassadors Hotel UK.
Address: 16 Collin ham Road, London, SW5 0LX,
United Kingdom.
ambassador.hotel.london@gmail.com
http://www.ambassadorshotellondon.co.uk

I am Mary Lufford the manager of Ambassadors Hotel, I wish to inform you about the current job vacancies in our hotel.The Hotel needs workers to fill in different categories of job openings. The Hotel management will take care of your air ticket, visa fee, feeding and accommodation in the Hotel premises.If you have interest to join us, Send your resume c.v/or any of your qualifications to the Hotel administrative-office email:
ambassador.hotel.london@gmail.com

Signed
Mary Lufford.

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EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP: Health Tips ni Dr. Willie T. Ong

KUNG ikaw ay edad 40 pataas, kailangan mo ng check-up. Kung wala ka pang 40, pero may lahi ka ng sakit sa puso, diabetes o kanser, kailangan mo din magpacheck up ng maaga.

Heto ang mga dapat tandaan:

• Magpa-blood test bawat taon – Heto ang mga tests na dapat gawin. Complete blood count (para mala man  ang dami ng dugo), creatinine (para sa kidneys), uric acid (para sa arthritis), cholesterol (para sa puso), fasting blood sugar (para sa diabetes), at SGPT (para sa atay).

• Urinalysis – Para masuri ang kidneys at malaman kung may impeksyon sa ihi.

• Chest X-ray – Para makita ang baga at puso. Kaila ngan ito kapag naninigarilyo ka o laging may ubo.

• ECG – Para malaman kung may sakit sa puso.

• Bantayan ang prostate – Kapag nagkakaedad ang lalaki, lumalaki ang prostate. Minsan ay nagiging kanser pa ito. Ipa-check ang iyong PSA test para malaman kung may diperensiya o wala.

• Bantayan ang colon cancer – Para makaiwas sa colon cancer, kumain ng maraming gulay at prutas. Pag lampas ng edad 50, kailangan magpasilip sa puwit (sigmoidoscopy o colonoscopy). Ipa-check din ang dumi (stool exam with occult blood) para makasiguro na walang dugo sa dumi.

• Ihinto ang paninigarilyo – Halos 60% ng kalala kihan ay naninigarilyo. Ang sigarilyo ay nagdudulot ng kanser sa bibig, lalamunan, baga at prostate. Mag-ingat.

• Limitahan ang pag-inom ng alak – Huwag mani wala sa mga sabi-sabi na mabuti ang red wine para sa iyo. Kapag nasobrahan ka sa alak ay masisira ang iyong atay, bituka at utak.

• Mag-ehersisyo – Ang tamang pag-e-ehersisyo ay 30 minutos hanggang 1 oras, at gawin ito ng 3-5 beses sa isang linggo. Huwag din magpataba.

• Alamin ang BP –Ang normal na blood pressure ay 120 over 80. Kapag lu mampas ka sa 140 over 90, ang ibig sabihin ay may altapresyon ka na. Magpa tingin sa doktor.

• Magbawas ng stress – Masama ang stress sa ating katawan dahil nagla labas ito ng cortisol. Ang cortisol ay nakasisira sa ating mga organo.

• Magpabakuna – Para sa mga edad 50 pataas, kailangan ninyo magpa ba kuna laban sa Pulmonya at Trangkaso. Ang tawag dito ay pneumonia vaccine at flu vaccine. Sa mga kaba taan, magpacheck din kung kailangan ninyo ng Hepatitis B vaccine.

Hindi mahal ang magpa-check up. Sa katunayan ay mas hahaba pa ang iyong buhay. Sana ay makum binsi natin ang mga lalaki na alagaan ang kanilang sarili. Good luck po!

Executive check-up: Sa lalaki
DOC WILLIE Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong (Pilipino Star Ngayon) Updated December 24, 2009 12:00 AM

THE PHILIPPINE STAR CHRISTMAS CONTEST 2009 WINNER FROM SORSOGON

The ‘Star’ of hope

SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

Mang Senen Masagca was at The Philippine STAR office last Tuesday to claim his first prize in our Christmas contest. The 57-year-old tricycle driver had a dazed look in his eyes, like he couldn’t believe his luck. He wore a white T-shirt that could use some serious washing. Mang Senen was obviously a man of meager means but among the 25 winners, he stood 10-feet tall.

Mang Senen said he sent nine entries to the contest, hoping one of them would be picked for a prize. He had submitted entries to our last three Christmas contests but never got lucky – until now.

Here’s the bundle that Mang Senen took home as the first prize winner – P10,000 cash from the Herma Group, P10,000 cash from Harbour Centre, P5,000 cash from Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines vice president Manny Lopez, SM gift certificates worth P5,000 from Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert Aventajado, Burger King gift certificates worth P3,000 from PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, a Samsung B2100 cellphone from Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain, a Shell trolley traveling bag and Shell Cross pen from Shell vice president Bobby Kanapi, a Blackwater men’s watch and Ever Bilena ladies’ watch from DSS Productmakers chairman Dioceldo Sy, a Nike media pouch and tumbler from Mae Dichupa, an Adidas inflatable, a Chris Sports gift pack from Arleen Lindo, a PLDT Smart jacket and a DVD of “Tropa Ng Tagumpay” from Smart Sports executive director Patrick Gregorio, a Philippine team travel bag by Everlast from Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping, cheese and wine from international boxing matchmaker Jun Sarreal, Ever Bilena silkening body spray, Blackwater body spray, Magnolia Purewater, Magnolia fruit drink, Magnolia Healthtea, Alaska E-Cow stuffed toy, Alaska autographed basketball, a Disney stationery set from Larc and Assets PR, an umbrella from North Harbour Center, a PLDT Smart mobile charger, a Molten basketball from Sonia Trading (Anil Buxani), Spalding Never-Flat basketball from Philippine Basketball League commissioner Chino Trinidad, an Air21 notebook, a Shell organizer, a Metro Pacific key holder, an NBA on BTV luggage tag from Solar Sports, magazines from Emerald Headway, PBA annuals from commissioner Sonny Barrios and T-shirts from the PBA, Northern Cement, Alaska, Rain Or Shine, Barako Bull and San Miguel Beer.

Mang Senen lives in a rented room on Sinagtala Street, Project 8, Quezon City, with his wife Maria Cristina, 44, and their six-year-old daughter Cristine Shane, a Grade 1 student of Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School in Bago Bantay. He pays a rent of P1,800 a month for the room.

* * * *

In 1991, Mang Senen decided to give up taking odd jobs as a cook in clubs and restaurants to become a full-time tricycle driver. A year later, he got married. Mang Senen paid a down of P21,000 for the tricycle and a monthly amortization of P4,000 for 1 1/2 years. He has plied the SM North EDSA-Bago Bantay route for nearly 20 years.

The only appliances in the Masagca family’s rented room are a TV set, a DVD and an electric fan – nothing else. To augment their income, Mang Senen’s wife cooks for neighbors and passers-by.

Mang Senen finished only up to Grade 5 while his wife reached second year of college. They’re both from Gubat, Sorsogon.

“It was my wife who encouraged me to join the contest,” said Mang Senen in Pilipino. “I’d never won a contest before. We buy The Philippine STAR twice or thrice a week depending on how much we earn. We usually just borrow the newspaper from our neighbor Mang Mariano. I found out I won when I got a call from Mr. Henson’s office. I couldn’t believe it.”

With his cash prize of P25,000, Mang Senen said he’d like to open up a small sari-sari store or put a down for another tricycle or start an e-load wallet.

“All I want for Christmas is a comfortable life for my family and a good future for our daughter who’s an honor student and very intelligent,” said Mang Senen whose parents have passed away – his mother died of natural causes at 72 and his father of a heart attack at 42. He is one of six children. His three brothers work as a mason, bartender and appliance technician.

Of course, the Masagcas are sports fans and avid readers of the STAR’s sports section.

“I like basketball and boxing,” said Mang Senen. “Manny Pacquiao is my idol – he’s the best in boxing. My wife is a fan of Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA and her PBA favorite is James Yap of Purefoods.”

For the Masagcas, this Christmas will be brighter than ever before, thanks to their “Star” of hope.

Source: THE PHILIPPINE STAR

Processing of returning OFW extended

MANILA, Philippines—To accommodate the many returning overseas Filipino workers who need to process their overseas employment certificates during the holidays, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has extended this service.

Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said the POEA Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center in the POEA main office in Ortigas shall be open on December 26 (Saturday) and December 30 (Rizal Day) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in anticipation of the influx of OFWs after Christmas Day.
Manalili said returning OFWs who are in the provinces may also have their exit clearance processed at the POEA regional offices but only during regular work days.

The POEA regional offices are located in San Fernando City, La Union; Baguio City; Clark Field, Pampanga; Calamba City; Legaspi City; Tacloban City; Cebu City; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Davao City; Cagayan De Oro City; and Zamboanga City.

Manalili said OFWs should present their valid passports, working permits, and other relevant employment documents for verification by POEA officers.

The Balik-Manggagawa program is for OFWs on vacation or on leave, and are returning to the same employer. The term also refers to OFWs who will join/return to the same employer who has transferred to another jobsite; who have partially served their present employer; and undocumented OFWs (tourists, dependents, students, and businessman) who became OFWs and have partially served the same employer.

Source:  INQUIRER.netFirst Posted 09:26:00 12/24/2009

Free shuttle rides to malls offered to arriving OFWs

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino overseas workers arriving during the height of the Christmas season have the option to meet their welcoming relatives at nearby SM malls instead of slugging it out at congested parking areas of international airports in Manila, Pampanga and Cebu.

Sy-led SM malls, in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), are offering free shuttle rides to OFWs arriving via 3 international gateways: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, and Cebu International Airport.

OFWs can opt to meet up with their relatives in SM malls–Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Clark and SM Cebu–to avoid heavy traffic at these airports. Baggage handling is free. OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon said welfare officers abroad have sent flyers and e-mail messages to OFWs coming home through these airports to register and avail of the free service dubbed “Pamaskong Salubong Program 2009.”

The Manila-bound flights selected are arriving from Taipei (China Airlines, Eva Air and Cebu Pacific); Singapore (Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific); Hongkong (Cathay Pacific, PAL, and Cebu Pacific); Inchon (PAL, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways); Dubai (Emirates); and Kuwait (Kuwait Airways).

The Salubong program started on December 18 and will end on January 15, 2010.

Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/23/2009 7:43 PM

3 OFWs win P200,000 each from OWWA raffle

MANILA, Philippines – Two engineers and a household service worker who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) got lucky this Christmas season as they each won P200,000 from a raffle program.

The winners of the 15th Pamaskong Handog Program for OFWs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) were Berlin Garcia Cruz, 48, Clodita Mortilla, 50, and Rexson Genetiano, 30.

“The Pamaskong Handog Program is the country’s way of making our OFWs feel that we, their countrymen, are inspired by them and that we acknowledge their sacrifices. This is why OWWA is strongly committed to this program which is now on its 15th year,” said OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon.

Garcia is an engineer in Saudi Arabia who arived on board Gulf Air GF 154 from Bahrain. Mortilla is employed as a household service worker in Italy and was on board a Cathay Pacific CX 907 flight from Hong Kong while Genetiano is an engineer in Singapore who arrive on board Jetstar 3K561 from Singapore.

Garcia, of Morong, Rizal, won a savings account of P200,000 from Banco de Oro. He said he plans to spend most of his prize money for the education of 3 of his 5 children.

Mortilla won P100,000 in gift certificates from Land Bank of the Philippines, and another P100,000 in a savings account from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The native of San Pascual, Batangas said she will make plans on how to spend the money. Mortilla has been working for 23 years in Italy. She has a 17-year old twin. She came home with her husband to visit her ailing father-in-law.

Genetiano won P100,000 from Globe Telecoms in G-Cash, and another P100,000 in gift certificates from Duty Free Philippines. He has been working in Singapore for 3 years. He and his wife Evangeline plan to save the prize he won.

The lucky winners were chosen through raffles from among OFW arrivals at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and the Mactan-Cebu International airport.

Aside from Dimzon, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Alfonso Cusi and executives of the corporate sponsors of the program congratulated and presented the prizes to the lucky winners.

source: abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/23/2009 7:51 PM

Parol-Making Workshop in Illinois

23 December 2009—The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago reported that the 4th Annual Parol Making Workshop was held at the St. John Brebeuf Church in Niles, Illinois last December 13.

The workshop was conducted by Art Commissioner of Arlington Heights and renowned Filipino-born artist Fred De Asis.

One hundred participants attended the one-day workshop, some coming from neighboring states of Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Mr. De Asis taught participants how to make the traditional Filipino Christmas ornarnents or parols using thin wooden sticks, tissue paper, rubber bands, glue and other ornaments.

Other activities in the workshop included a brief talk on the parol’s historical tradition and its significance in Filipino culture and Filipino Christmas carols.

There were also raffle draws, freshly-brewed salabat, lots of kakanin, and presents fo children. Tagalog Christmas ballads were rendered by a local band soloist Nina Mae Vidal, and special prizes awarded to the best parol in three age categories

The Christmas parol-making workshop is done annually to promote Filipino Christmas activities and spirit.

It also emphasizes the value of worlking together and helping each other especially during Christmas season.

Source: DFA

Posted: 23 Dec 2009 02:02 AM PST

MAYON VOLCANO UPDATES – 23 December 2009

Mayon Volcano (13.2576 N, 123.6856 E) continued to show an intense level of activity during the past 24-hour observation period.. Seismic activity remained elevated in number and size as the seismic network detected 1,051 volcanic earthquakes and continuously recorded harmonic tremors. Many of these volcanic earthquakes were recorded at maximum deflection. Sixty six (66) ash explosions were observed during times of good visibility. These explosions produced grayish to light brown ash columns that reached height from 100 to 1000 meters above the summit before drifting towards southwest.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate remained very high and was measured at an average of 6,737 tons per day (t/d) yesterday. Two hundred eighty (280) audible booming and rumbling sounds were intermittently heard for the past 24 hours. Red hot lava also continuously flowed down along the Bonga-Buyuan, Miisi and Lidong gullies.

Alert Level 4 remains hoisted over Mayon Volcano, meaning a hazardous eruption is possible within days. Thus, PHIVOLCS-DOST reiterates that the Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) from the summit of 8-km on the southern sector of the volcano and 7-km on the northern sector should be free from human activity. Areas just outside of this EDZ should prepare for evacuation in the event hazardous explosive eruptions intensify. Active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. PHIVOLCS–DOST is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately posted to all concerned.

Source: PHILVOLCS – Mayon Volcano Bulletin 10

23 December 2009 – 0700hrs.

Gov’t probe, action into use of Pinoys as ‘drug mules’ sought

Gov’t probe, action into use of Pinoys as ‘drug mules’ sought Manila Bulletin The senator’s Sagip OFW office has in fact rescued a number of Filipinos victimized by drug cartels. “We could not possibly rescue every single Filipino who … See all stories on this topic