By Joy B. Miranda

Its been 18 years…time flies really too fast. I am posting some of the photos of a girl who changed my outlook in life 18 years back. She had been my source of inspiration in those painful, chaotic years. Before I start feeling emotional, please enjoy watching her in the images below…the eyes say what she has gone through on her own, and what she has been able to learn along the way…the smile that is so secured of the love we are giving and showering her…watch my 1st Princess Bea Joy Estrella, when we introduced her into womanhood, in her very unique debut party on December 17, 2006 held at Sunny Point Function Plaza at Maa, Davao City, Philippines.

The Royal Banquet Table

 Full view towards the stage  

 Make up session and pictorial

Nervous Smile? Nah!

A pose with mom…

  

 

 

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday ordered the temporary suspension of all deployment of overseas workers to Nigeria following the kidnapping of six Filipinos over the weekend.

This is the third time that the Philippines barred the deployment of Filipinos to other countries after Iraq – at the height of the campaign against former president Saddam Hussein – and Lebanon following the civil war there last year. 

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is now coordinating with the Nigerian Government to ensure the safety and eventual the release of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

“The President is monitoring the situation as the DFA works in the field in coordination with the Nigerian authorities to ensure the safety and secure the release of the kidnapped victims. In the meantime, the President has ordered a temporary halt to deployments to Nigeria until the security of our nationals is guaranteed,? he said.

Foreign Affairs undersecretary for Migrant Workers Esteban Conejos Jr. said they are now in contact with the vessel owner and the agency that sent the OFWs to Nigeria.

Conejos said they could not release the names of the Filipinos yet until they have ascertained their identities and informed their families.

Report said an unidentified group took hostage in the Niger Delta a cargo ship heading towards the port of Warri, where the six Filipinos were working. A Nigerian was also taken hostage with them.

The kidnappers were demanding the release of a prisoner being held by the Nigerian Government for treason.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, which brings to nine the total number of foreigners currently being held hostage in the country. (JMR/Sunnex)

Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2007 05:07:10 -0800 (PST)
From: “Boyet dela Cruz” <contact@ofwconnect.com>  Add to Address Book  Add Mobile Alert 
Subject: OFWCONNECT.ORG : Your membership has been approved (Josephine B. Miranda)
To: joy_scanner@yahoo.com

Joy, Welcome to OFWCONNECT.ORG,

We would like to welcome you to OFWCONNECT.ORG
You are now an Online Associate Member. Your email address is now listed under our members’ database.

Your personal membership data has already been uploaded into our database registry. You will receive your Online Associate Member number once your data has been processed by our membership committee.

Thank you for joining OFWCONNECT.ORG and should you be interested you can also join our OFWCONNECT Multipurpose Cooperative which we are organizing this 2007.
———————————————-

OFWCONNECT.ORG is a legitimate Filipino community organization registered and recognized by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The main advocacy of the group is Reintegration Empowerment thru Information Technology, Business and Investment.

Our goal is help OFWs and their families start a sustainable livelihood and practice financial planning management.

Furthermore, our website serves as the online community for Overseas Filipino Workers in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. We provide information relevant to the migrant worker and we coordinate their concerns to our Philippine Embassy, Consulate or POLO-OWWA communication centers.

Just keep on browsing our official website, www.ofwconnect.com and please encourage others to join our free online membership so we can easily help dessiminate vital and important information to all OFWs in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East.
Best Regards,

Boyet C. dela Cruz 
President (OFWCONNECT.ORG)
Interim Chairman (OFWCONNECT Multipurpose Cooperative)
 

By Joy B. Miranda

Hello folks! Im back and holidays are over. The trip back to Cyprus was quite exhausting yet my heart was loaded with so much inspiration bringing with me new dreams and goals to achieve! I had so much fun and of course I wont keep it a secret from you! I will be posting all the events which took place during my vacation, simultaneous parties, shoppings, house-hopping, and a lot more. But in the meantime, I am posting today an article written by a regular contributor who really works on developing her talent in the field of writing, Carmen Dolores B. Brazan Llauderes. I want to take this opportunity to thank Ate Carmen for the gift she gave to my debutante Bea Joy, as well as thank her for her superb enthusiasm in really trying to improve her skills. Keep up the good work!

CYPRO-PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION Raises Funds for Typhoon Reming Victims

The Cypro-Philippine Association of Nicosia, Cyprus celebrated Christmas thru a fund-raising party at its best to donate money to the victims of the super-typhoon “Reming� that hit Albay province in the Philippines recently. It was held last December 17, 2006 at Magic Palace, (Nicosia, Cyprus) and was attended by the Filipino community, several foreigners – Cypriots in particular, friends and special guests.

The program started with the community singing of the Philippine National Anthem conducted by Stella, Rev. Fr. Zacheus Dulniok, OFM, led the opening prayer to give thanks to our Almighty God. Mrs. Ester Beatty gave a warm welcome to acknowledge guests, visitors and participants of the said event.

The main highlights of the events were the performances of the talented comedian host-singer Ricky Berbenzana with Stella, Annabelle Kalatha, Jenny (Jaya) Antolin, Henny Orong, “Nanay� Remy Glorioso and the youngest of the performers Katerina Socratous. The group performed back-to-back songs, dances, and stand-up comedy to entertain the audience. Dance groups such as “The Brats� of Peacemakers, “Chrystel Girls� of Chrystel Team and the brother/sister act of Mel & Grace Koutsides performed their best in dancing.

 

  

 

Another highlight of the event was the sportsfest award for the Nicosia Women’s volleyball team and the raffle draw of tickets. Ester Beatty presented a certificate of appreciation to those selected players who played their best as a team during the competition held in Limassol. The Nicosia Team won both matches against selected players from Limassol and Paphos teams respectively. The audience was eagerly awaiting the results of the raffle draw; first prize being a round trip ticket to either Larnaca – Athens – Larnaca or Larnaca – Cairo – Larnaca, sponsored by Mr. Benito Mantovani, Parliamentary Representative of Latin (Catholic) Community of Cyprus. Other prizes were vouchers for a free cargo to any destination in the Philippines, free money transfers, a set of jewelry and many more other prizes.

The Association’s Christmas party was a lot of success especially to those who received a certificate of appreciation, in addition to those who won in the raffle draw and the parlor games contest. Most of all it was a great help to the typhoon victims who were left homeless as the Association was able to donate the amount of CYP500.00 (Five Hundred Cyprus Pounds only) from the proceeds of the party. According to Ester Beatty, she personally gave the said amount to the Honorary President of the Association and former Honorary Consul General of the Philippines, Atty. John P. Erotocritou. He then transferred the money to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) on 12th January 2007 to be forwarded to the Albay branch of the PNRC later.

The Cypro-Philippine Association expresses their sincere gratitude and thanks to the following: Mr. Benito Mantovani, G.A.P. Vassilopoulos Worldwide Removals / Western Union, former Honorary Consul General of the Philippines Atty. John P. Erotocritou, Mrs. Shamen Kyriakides, Makati Pinoy, Jennifer Windsor Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Nicos Ioannou, Tinig Pinoy and its staff (Vivian Laluan & Beth Fernandez). The Association would also like to acknowledge and appreciated the presence of the following: Consular volunteer leaders – Emma Pedroso (Emong), Marites Caligtan and Primrose Lomas; leaders of the different religious groups: El-Shaddai Nicosia Chapter, the Charistmatic Renewal of Cyprus and Jesus is our Shield Nicosia Chapter. The Association is indebted to all the Filipinos and friends who have helped in any way to make the celebration a resounding success.

 

Ester Beatty, Venny McCullie, Cora Hammoud, Joan Antoniou, Linda Kortoullos, Lina Dapat & Helen Patsalides head the committees of the Cypro-Philippine Association with Atty. John P. Erotocritou as its Honorary President. Its aims are to bring unity among the Filipino community in general by organising sports and social events to raise funds for Filipinos in need and to play a key role in helping the host country.

By: Carmen Dolores B. Brazan-Llauderes
       Charismatic Renewal, Nicosia Chapter

Sources: Ester Beatty & Ricky Berbenzana