By Kristy Anne C. Topacio-Manalaysay And Jeremaiah M. Opiniano

PEOPLE who built their business from working abroad are moving to form Chamber of Commerce to lure more overseas Filipino workers into becoming entrepreneurs.

“Instead of going to greedy local businessmen, fellow OFWs can go to themselves and make arrangements to supply some raw materials, or even provide discounts to some of their products to fellow OFW entrepreneurs,� businessman Miguel Bolos told the OFW Journalism Consortium (OFWJC).

Bolos spoke about the moves to form an organization after a meeting of former overseas Filipino workers-turned-entrepreneurs early March.
That meeting was attended by Filipinos who successfully built a business using what they earned and learned from working abroad. There’s the garments export business couple Alberto and Liza Perez.

Alberto used to work as a steel fabricator in Saudi Arabia, Aruba and Malta before going into business with hundred thousand pesos (US$2,083.30 at current exchange rates) and 17 sewing machines as capital. Before it was Perezes who went overseas; now it’s their Apryl and Aira’s Apparel brand, which they claim are bought by Wal-Mart in New York, United States.

There’s also former Saudi Arabia contract worker Eduardo Callera who owns Canor Express International Brokerage Inc., a customs brokerage firm. Before, the boxes of products Callera sent home to his family in the Philippines were the ones transported in trucks. Now, Callera’s business —his trucks— moves these boxes to both domestic and international senders.

Bolos believes that an OFW chamber of commerce will enable fellow migrant entrepreneurs to talk among themselves and be suppliers of needed raw materials for their products.

It just might work because, as he said: “We need it.�

No OFW chamber of commerce based in the Philippines exists, although Bolos said he, fellow returning OFW Francisco Aguilar and fellow migrant workers in Saudi Arabia have tried —and currently moves to— forming such an organization.

Filipino immigrants in the United States have formed county-level and a US-wide chamber of commerce. The biggest of these chambers is the Federation of Philippine-American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC), a network of some 46 chapter chambers of commerce that have over-5,000 member-enterprises run by Filipino-Americans.

There is even no inventory of existing small, medium and large-scale enterprises run by former OFWs in the country that, Bolos thinks, can be linked together as members of a chamber of commerce.

Chambers of commerce are organizations that group businesses in town, though not usually associated with government, on a common interest. It could also include economic development groups, as well as tourism and visitors bureaus, according to a Wikipedia entry.

Bolos said he believes this group can help arm OFWs with skills in enterprise development by giving training and business development services. This can gradually address the failure of many enterprises run by returning migrant workers whose businesses are part of their reintegration into the country, he added.

Likewise, the blueprint for the OFW Chamber of Commerce includes determining local markets for Filipinos still working abroad. An example of such is Donsol’s Motor Works, based in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental and owned by 16-year Saudi Arabia-based contract worker Vivencia Ellorina.

The enterprise assembles and manufactures passenger jeepneys, and has produced some 800 total jeepney units for clients based in Cagayan de Oro City and the provinces of Cebu, Negros Occidental, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental. Most of Donsol’s Motor Works’ clients are seafarers and overseas performing artists, a brochure cited.

Another example is David’s Well Crafts & More, based in Bauang, La Union and owned by Lowell and Eden de Castro Villa. They sell home décor services like topiaries (shrub trimming), wreaths, swags (curtain window treatments that can be hung on a rod or attached to a mounting board), candle holders, wooden clocks, among others, and markets those to four branches of SM Department Store and at a provincial trade center.

Since their products and services are considered niche, the De Castro Valle couple also put up a store for photocopying services and sells school and office supplies. owell told the OFWJC that sans a chamber of commerce, they put up their business relying on each other.

“I design, my husband is in charge of production,� Eden added. She said an organization of OFWs-turned-entrepreneurs could help since one of the biggest challenges they faced in growing their business was penetrating the mainstream market.

“If we did not manage to enter the SM malls system, we wouldn’t have a market,� De Castro Villa added. Bolos said a chamber of commerce could also be instrumental in giving OFWs a chance to buy public utility firms like water and power distribution, especially in provinces.

“There are public utilities owned by the government that can be sold to overseas Filipinos,� Bolos said. These, he added, could be safely farmed out to a business organization of overseas Filipinos. “Owing to being migrant workers in the past, an OFW chamber of commerce can lead to mutual business benefits for them,� Bolos said.

(This article is taken from OFWJournalism Consortium.) 
 

By Carmela Bignotia (OFW guide)

The recent visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) to New Zealand brings good news to Filipinos who want to work overseas. The two-day state visit results to a greater chance of skilled Filipinos to migrate to New Zealand.

New Zealand Prime Minister (PM), Helen Clark expressed their country’s willingness to increase diplomatic and trade ties with the Philippines in a joint press conference with PGMA held at Wellington. According to Clark, negotiations are currently underway for the proposed free trade agreement between New Zealand, Philippines, and Australia. This would allow Filipino workers to be employed and even migrate to New Zealand.

The PM of New Zealand said, “The Philippines is important to us economically. It is New Zealand’s 12th biggest market in the world.” Clark also emphasized that the greatest asset of the Philippines is its human resources or the people.

Clark added, “We are short of skilled workers here, so we appreciate an increased flow of people to our country.� Last year, 2,435 Filipinos obtained migrant status in New Zealand. This is a huge increase from the 898 Filipinos who obtained migrant status from 2004 to 2005.

“In other words, the numbers have virtually tripled, and they are almost entirely skilled people” who could easily seek employment because of “their extensive command of English, ” Clark informed.

Clark praised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in New Zealand with the following words: “But perhaps the greatest contributor to closer ties has been the growth of the Filipino community in New Zealand — now over 20,000 people. In my experience, they are hardworking and friendly, and they are proud ambassadors for their country.”

 

By Carmela Bignotia (OFW Guide)

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) play a big and important role in nation building. In Italy alone, there is an estimate of 20,000 OFWs. For the year 2006, remittances from Filipinos amounted to more or less $600 million. Their welfare must be protected and upheld at all times To show the country’s appreciation for the significant contribution of OFWs, the Philippine government continues to exert effort and implement reforms that will ease the burden of OFWs as they seek their fortune in a foreign land.

One example is the negotiation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and President Giorgio Napolitano that results to good news for all OFWs in Italy.

For one, the Philippine Embassy in Italy lowers their passport renewal rates for OFWs there. PGMA said, “I have ordered the DFA to lower passport renewal rates from the present 65 Euros to only 50 Euros, and the reduction of fees for affidavits and notarization from 32 Euros to only 25 Euros.”

PGMA also announced that Filipinos with a driver’s license would automatically obtain an Italian diver’s license. This shows that the Italian government recognizes the skills of Filipino drivers. This is beneficial because in Italy, OFWs with Italian driver’s license receive higher pay than ordinary workers.

www.sentidokomon.com greets the two birhtday celebrants for today, June 21st and tomorrow, June 22nd. Labor Attache to Cyprus Atty. Jaime Jimenez will be giving each of us tins and bottles of cold beers to combat the heat of the day while Emong Pedroso, the leader of consular volunteers will surely treat us for a nice dinner as well as great ‘tomaan’ tomorrow night! Many happy returns of the day for both of you!

 Atty. Jimenez giving advice to a problematic pinay in Limassol last Sunday, June 17, 2007.

 Emong Pedroso on the phone with Joy Miranda, Carol Argyrou and Niki Argyrou during the 109th Philippine Independence day celebration at Tripoli Park, Solomon Square, Nicosia on June 10, 2007.

 

Filipinos around the world commemorate the historical 109th Philippine Independence Day. In the city of Nicosia, Cyprus alone, there were two separate celebrations which took place on June 3 and 10 respectively. The first one was held at Solomon Square Park. It was hosted by the Visayan Region Overseas Workers and Friends Organization led by Chairwoman Magdalena Elia . The main highlight of the event was the coronation of the Queen of the Philippine Independence Day 2007 won by Glenda Soriano. It was also the first public appearance of the Filipino – American Philippine Honorary  Consul to Cyprus Mrs. Shemaine Alonso Bushnell – Kyriakides. The Labor Attache to  Cyprus Atty. Jaime Jimenez was also present during the event. The Philippine cultural presentations were among the other highlights which was participated in by the filipino migrants from Larnaca and Nicosia. Vivian Laluan, former staff member of Tinig Pinoy Filipino Voice and Grace Argyrou, court translator, were the emcees.
 
The second celebration was last June 10, 2007 at Tripoli Park, Solomon Square organized by the staff of Tinig Pinoy Filipino Voice. It was well attended  by migrant workers from Limassol led by Association President Arnel Ambon, Pafos group led by Angie Mendoza, Nicosia community with different group leaders namely, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Salvacion of the Philippine Community Association, Mrs. Ester Beatty of the Cypro – Philippine Association, Emong Pedroso of the Consular Volunteers, Bantay OFW with Chairperson Bong Jusi, BIBAK group led by Jenny Saydawan, Christ Mission Fellowship led by Sis. Vicky, The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nicosia led by Spiritual leader Sis. Fhely, and with a lot of onlookers and bystanders who were of different nationalities. Remy Glorioso, Stella Toreon, Jenny Antolin (the Jaya of Cyprus) and Alma Sagawinit entertained the audience with their best song performances.

 
Among the honorary guests were the Labor-attache to Cyprus Atty, Jaime Jimenez who read the message from the Office of the President, Joy Miranda of www.sentidokomon.com who read the message of the New Philippine Honorary Consul to Cyprus Mrs. Shemaine Alonso Bushnell – Kyriakides who left for USA last wednesday June 6 2007,  Mr. Kyriakou Loizides, the man who paved the way for the birth of Tinig Pinoy Filipino Voice newspaper through the generosity of Mr. Dionisis Dionisiou, Mica Copy Center Ltd owners Michalis and Carol, agency owners namely, Mr. Costas Georghiou, the president of Pan – Cyprian Agency Association Mr. George Anastasiou with his wife Maria, Mr. Pavlides and many others.

Meanwhile, another Philippine Independence Day celebration was also held at Limassol last Sunday, June 17 and the last was in Paphos on Sunday, June 24, 2007.

The Tinig Pinoy Filipino Voice Staff include Elizabeth Fernandez, Jenny Bayao, Bong Jusi, Lissa Jataas, and Marlyn Panaguiton wished to thank the sponsors and donors for the event which they organized in Nicosia. Also, Emong Pedroso of Consular Volunteers would like to thank the former honorary consul to Cyprus Mrs Vanthoula Tsaousis- Constantinides for sponsoring the volunteer dancers’ uniform.

By Carmen Brazan B. Llauderes

I was so georgeously envious looking at the picture of a lovely couple who celebrated their 50 years together as husband and wife! Blessed with eleven children, Mr. and Mrs. Manuel and Salvacion Fernandez from Sta. Filomena, Guagua, Pampanga once again wore their wedding clothes but this time with a golden- silk motiff and headed to the church and renewed their vows of love for each other again! The wedding took place in Pampanga on March 16, 2007 with daughters as bridesmaids namely Connie, Gloria, Margie and Amor. The other daughter, Beth Fernandez unfortunately was not able to attend this very memorable day of their parents’ marital bliss, so she just gladly provided me these pictures below. 50 years! Congratulations! Oh my, when shall I have mine even a year?

   

 

Anyway, Beth would like to greet her parents a more blissful married life and a belated birthday greetings to her sister Amor who is now based in Qatar together with another sister Gloria. 

By Kurikabu (Ofw guide Forum)

Sabi MO , ang gobyerno natin ay palpak.
Sabi MO , ang mga batas natin ay sinauna.
Sabi MO , ang lokal na pamahalaan natin ay hindi maganda ang
pagkolekta ng basura at ang paglilinis ng mga lugar.

Sabi MO , hindi gumagana ang mga telepono, katatawanan ang kalagayan
ng trapiko, at hindi nakakarating sa paroroonan ang mga sulat.

Sabi MO , parang nasadlak sa basura ang ating buong bansa.

Sabi Mo , sabi MO, sabi MO.

E ano’ng ginagawa mo tungkol dito?

Kumuha ka ng isang taong papunta sa Singapore . Bigyan mo sya ng
pangalan, yung sa IYO. Bigyan MO sya ng mukha, yung sa IYO. Lumabas
KA sa airport nang pinakamatino mong sarili na maipagmamalaki sa
mundo..

Sa Singapore Hindi KA nagtatapon ng upos ng sigarilyo sa kalye.
Ipinagmamalaki MO ang magaganda nilang underpass. Nagbabayad KA ng
mga 60 pesos para makapagmaneho sa Orchard Road (parang EDSA) mula
alas 5 hanggang alas 8 ng gabi. Bumalik KA sa parking lot para
bayaran ang parking tiket mo kung napasobra ka ng oras sa shopping o
sa pagkain sa isang restaurant. Sa Singapore , wala KAng sinasabi,
meron ba?

Hindi MO susubukang kumain sa lantad kapag Ramadan sa Dubai . Hindi
MO susubukang lumabas ng bahay na walang takip ang mukha sa Jeddah.
Hindi MO susubukang lagyan ang isang empleyado ng kumpanya ng
telepono sa London para mapunta sa ibang tao ang mga long distance na
tawag mo.

Hindi MO susubukang lumampas ng 90 kilometers per hour sa Washington,
at saka sasabihin sa pulis “Alam mo kung sino ako?”

Bakit di MO subukang dumura o magtapon ng upos ng sigarilyo o balat
ng kendi sa mga kalye sa Tokyo ?

Bakit hindi MO subukang bumili ng pekeng mga papeles sa Boston tulad
ng ginagawa sa Recto?

Pinag-uusapan pa rin natin IKAW.

IKAW na gumagalang at sumusunod sa patakarang banyaga sa ibang bansa
pero hindi makasunod sa sarili mong lugar.

IKAW na tapon ng tapon sa kalye pagtuntong mo pa lang sa lupa.

Kung IKAW ay nakikisalamuha at pumupuri ng systema sa bansang
banyaga, bakit hindi KA maging ganyan sa Pilipinas?

Minsan sa isang panayam, ang dating Subic Administrator na si Gordon
ay may katwiran ng sinabi nyang “Ang mga aso ng mayayaman ay
pinalalakad at pinadudumi ng may-ari sa kalye, tapos sila mismo ang
pumupuna sa may katungkulan sa kapalpakan sa paglilinis ng mga kalye.
Ano ang gusto nilang gawin ng mga may katungkulan? Magwalis tuwing
makakaramdam ng hindi maganda sa tiyan ang kanilang alaga?”

Sa America , bawat may-ari ng alaga ay dapat maglinis matapos ang
pagdumi ng aso. Ganuon din sa Japan .

Gagawin ba ng mga Pilipino yun dito? Tama sya.

Pumupunta tayo sa botohan para pumili ng gobyerno at pagkatapos nuon
ay tinatanggal na natin sa sarili ang responsibilidad. Uupo tayo sa
isang tabi at paghihintay ng pagkalinga at umaasa na gagawin ng
gobyerno ang lahat habang wala tayong iniaalay.

Umaasa tayo sa pamahalaan na maglinis, ngunit hindi naman tayo
titigil sa pagtatapon ng basura sa kung saan-saan, at ni hindi tayo
pupulot ng anumang piraso ng papel para itapon sa basurahan.

Pagdating sa mga panlipunang talakayin tulad nang hindi pagiging
tapat sa kasal, sa mga dalagang ina, sa pagtatalik ng walang basbas
ng kasal, at iba pa, maingay tayong nagpoprotesta ngunit patuloy
naman nating ginagawa ang mga ito.

Sa sandaling tayo ay mangulila kapag nasa labas tayo ng bansa,
naghahanap tayo ng aliw sa iba, kadalasan sa kapwa rin natin
Pilipino, na hindi natin iniisip ang ating katungkulan na ating
sinumpaan sa ating pamilya nuong narito pa tayo.

Tapos sinisisi natin ang pamahalaan kapag nakikita natin ang
karahasan sa kabataan, pagkagumon sa bawal na gamot, at iba pa,
samantalang sinimulan natin ito sa hindi pagpansin sa pangangailangan
ng ating mga anak ng tunay na pag-gabay at responsibilidad ng isang
magulang.

Ang sabi natin, “Ang buong sistema ang kailangang magbago. Ano ang
magagawa kung ako lang ang magpapabago sa aking pamilya?”

E sino ang magbabago ng sistema?

Ano ba ang mga sankap ng sistema? Napakaginhawa sa atin na ang
sistema ay binubuo ng ating mga kapitbahay, mga ibang tahanan, ibang
syudad, ibang komunidad, at ang pamahalaan. Pero hindi kasama IKAW at
AKO. Pagdating sa ating pagkakaroon ng positibong handog sa sistema,
ikinakandado natin ang sarili, pati na ang ating pamilya sa loob ng
isang ligtas na pugad at tumatanaw na lang tayo sa malayong mga lugar
at bansa at naghihintay ng isang Mr. Clean na dumating at maghatid na
mga himala.

O lumilikas tayo. Parang mga tamad na duwag na hindi pinatatahimik ng
ating mga takot, tumatakbo tayo sa Amerika upang makisalo sa kanilang
luwalhati at purihin sa kanilang sistema. Pero pag naging masalimuot
sa New York tatakbo tayo sa Japan o Hongkong. Pag nagkahirapan ang
paghanap ng trabaho sa Hongkong, sakay agad tayo sa susunod na
eroplano patungong Gitnang Silangan. Pag may digmaan sa Gulf,
inaasahan nating masagip at mapauwi ng Gobyernong Pilipino.

Lahat ay handang umabuso at gumahasa sa bansa. Walang nag-iisip na
handugan ang sistema. Ang konsyensya natin ay nakasanla sa pera. Mga
mahal kong kababayan,ang sulating ito ay matinding nakakakislot ng
isipan, nangangailangan ng maraming pagmumuni-muni, at tumutusok din
sa konsyensya. Medyo inuulit ko lang ayon sa ating salita ang mga
salita ni John ..F.Kennedy sa kanyang kabansa upang maitugma sa ating
mga Pilipino:

“Itanong natin kung ano ang magagawa natin sa ating bansang Pilipinas
at gawin ang nararapat upang ang Pilipinas ay maging tulad ng Amerika
at ibang kanlurang bansa ngayon.”

Gawin natin kung ano ang kailangan ng Pilipinas sa atin. Ipasa ito sa
lahat ng Pilipino.

Life is a matter of perspective,
either you complain because
roses have thorns…
or you rejoice because..
thorns have roses, it all depend
on how you look at it! it’s your will..

By Carmen Brazan B. Llauderes
 
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nicosia led by Sis. Fhely and Sis. Myrlene sponsored the New Inter-Christian Fellowship last March 25,2007 at St. Joseph Hall. Rev. Pastor Alex Meek, The Man of God from Australia, Co-founder and Senior Pastor of the River of Life Church and of Eagles Wings Prophetic School was the keynote speaker. He proclaimed the Word of God in the Books of Isaiah 65:17, 66:20 – 24; 2 Peter 3:12; Matthew 25:31; and in Exodus 19:6.  He said we must first seek the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and everything shall be added unto you.”Put God the top priority in our life because he is the source of all powers to make us powerful. We need to repent,” he stressed. God sent Jesus Christ to save us. To create a new heaven and earth for his people. He made himself as an example that we may follow him and acquire God’s characteristics. He gave us the dominion over the earth and over the animals but we are not to have a dominion over the others. Dominion is given to the author of heaven alone. He encourages us to be ambassadors of Christ. ”To serve and love one another,” he added.

 
He emphasized that we must be a part of God’s Kingdom and be a born-again Christian. Jesus did not come for a religion. He came for the establishment of His Kingdom with the Word of God as the kingdom principles to inherit our citizenship in heaven. God is a faithful provider. We must know how to give offerings and tithes because it is in giving that we are receiving. Allow God to share his rulership and his government with us. Let him train us on trials and conflicts because without problems there are no miracles. Rev. PastorAlex encourages to grow maturely in Christ  by communicating with the Holy Spirit. ”Learn and practice how to speak the heavenly language. Be baptized with the holy spirit, be righteous, repent, follow and live like Jesus,” he concluded.
 
The prayers, praise and worship songs, healing, deliverance, baptism of the holy spirit and presentations were among the other highlighted events.The Australian team delegates were Rev. Pastor Sharmaine Meek, Associate Pastors Trevor and Janet Munro with daughter Jessica, Partners Graham and Jenny Jackson, Jayleen Lehman, Charmain Smith, Heather Thomas, Ron and Faye Puttyfoot, and a Filipina-German Evangelist Pastora Orleta Alcantara-Schertel from Germany.

 

 
The churches and fellowship present were the following, Jesus Is Our Savior Fellowship from Limassol and Nicosia led by Pastora Vilma and Pastora Josie respectively, Jesus Is Our Shield with Pastor Raymond, Jesus Christ Foundation by Pastor Carlos, Gospel of Christ in Larnaca led by Sis. Leonora and Bro. Rogelio and The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Larnaca with Pastora Cora and Sis. Lhucy.
 
Among the invited guests and visitors were thePhilippine  Labor-attache to Cyprus Atty. Jaime Gimenez, OFW consular volunteers Emma Pedroso, Marites Caligtan and Elizabeth Fernandez, Cyprus-Philippine Association Committee Mrs. Ester Beatty, Sis, Ajuntha, brothers and sisters from Cameroon Africa namely, Wanja, Yanick, Nirelle, Patricia Kuan, Kaneni Didier, Sis. Sylvie, Gongang Kouayep and Bro.Hyppolite Ibor.
 
The New Inter-Christian Fellowship was conducted in honoring, thanking, and glorifying God, our Lord and Savior. To God be the glory forever, amen. 

By Carmela Bignotia (OFW Guide)

The need to go through the legal process when seeking employment overseas has been stressed repeatedly. Still, many Filipinos went out of the country and gain employment in a foreign land through illegal means.

To solve or lessen the problem regarding undocumented workers, Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait implemented tighter rules in their immigration policy by granting amnesty period for illegal workers.

Another Middle Eastern Country, United Arab Emirates (UAE) implements the same policy by granting a three-month amnesty for illegal workers to legalize their status. The three-month period started last June 4. During the last general amnesty in UAE (January 1 to June 30, 2003) almost 100,000 illegal workers were able to legalize their status.

The Philippine Embassy in UAE is urging illegal Filipinos working there to take advantage of the amnesty. According to Libran Cabactulan, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, “The offer is with good intentions.”

Illegal workers who fail to legalize status after the 9O-day period will be subject to punishments like heavy fines, imprisonment, and deportation.

According to Antonio Curameng, Consul General in Dubai said that he is organizing a meeting with consulate officials, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to talk about  the arrangements and guidelines  for the repatriation of the illegal workers.

As consequence of the amnesty program, stricter rules will also be imposed for UAE citizens or companies who will be caught hiring illegal immigrants.