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Archive for July, 2008

Bloody Unity (published, Tinig Pinoy June 2008 issue)

24th July 2008

By Johanna Bogbog, (Tinig Pinoy Column-writer)

When I heard that the Filipino community in Cyprus has two consecutive Sundays to celebrate the Philippine Independence day, I thought that the first is a prelude to the second. However, I was a bit dismayed when my assumption was wrong. The celebrations were organized by two separate groups. My big question then was ‘WHY?’. Are we bringing the war between the northern and southern parts of the Philippines all the way here in Cyprus?  

When I was asked to be one of the Masters of Ceremony for the June 15 celebration, I asked about the legitimacy of this activity. Chief ED Joy told me that the authority officially came from Malacanang Palace in Manila. Thus, the KALAYAAN billboard that carries the theme of the 110th Philippine Independence Day was given to the June 15 celebrators. I also learned that the KALAYAAN billboard was similarly used in the Philippines and by Filipinos all over the world in celebrating Philippine Independence Day. Greece likewise, celebrated it simultaneously with us.

UNITY was the key word in obtaining Philippine independence. It was the foundation with which our heroes had successfully overthrown the oppression and exploitation of the Spanish regime. So why can’t we become one in the celebration of this most significant event of Philippine history? “UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL�; ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL� , these famous mottos are always the encouraging words of speakers when dealing with the achievement of goals of  groups’ endeavors. But it is sad to note that we have factions here because some of us refuse to see the glaring message that the words convey. Some people are blinded with the greed for social recognition. So they do things not for the greater good but for their own personal interest.  As a result, they create dissension among the community. They do not accept that others are bestowed with greater and better gifts, they do not accept that they have weaknesses, hence they become indifferent, adopting the attitude of “I couldn’t care less’ that no amount of reconciliation can soften their bitterness. The above mentioned attitude of ‘I couldn’t care less’ is one of the most cynical phrases that ever slipped into the bloodstream of the English language. There is something sinister and deadly about this seemingly innocent piece of flippancy. Indifference is a chilling, killing thing. It is a death germ, insidious in its workings and fatal in its consequences.  On the other hand, bitterness often masks a sense of failure, a feeling of guilt, an unacknowledged jealousy, or a remembered hurt. 

Mga kababayan, who are indifferent and bitter, do not allow that seed of bitterness to take root in your mind. Do not smother it away under layers of smouldering resentment. Hidden away, such thoughts grow strong and thrive. The danger of a nursed grievance is that your own mind becomes poisoned and this is passed on to those with whom you come into contact for you can not contain poison within a restricted area. Other people who are right outside your problem will be stung by the bitterness in you even if you may not intend it. Your judgement becomes sharp and your whole personality takes on a quality of astringency. Everybody is created with good qualities. Let that goodness surface. For once, let us look back to the history of how our country gained independence and emulate the good qualities of our heroes. Only then can we become truly one people, one nation. MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT, MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS.

    

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Feature: Iska recalls her nightmare

24th July 2008

By Joy B. Miranda

(Published, Tinig Pinoy June 2008 issue.

You see her everyday, everywhere with her signature caps, one that she can’t live without. You tell her to wear skirt, or a lady-like dress, she will do so, but would match it with sneakers. Heels? Yes, she would, for a couple of hours, perhaps. Afterwards, she would just pick them up, sling them out to her shoulders and put her sneakers back. That is very Iska, anyway. But who else has not known her?
Scarlet “Iska� Tugbo is an epitome of a restlessly active woman. She is involved in almost everything one can not imagine to be doing so well.   
Understanding her depths is not hard though, because what you see outside is also what you get inside..so transparent in every aspect. She laughs, shouts, yells, demands, controls, cares, and well, after giving important orders and being refused, she promptly acts by herself, especially when nobody else does.
She came to Cyprus August 1997 with her partner. They both worked for a Greek Tavern in Nicosia whose owner has fired three Russian helpers few months after they arrived and gave all the workloads to them, utilizing them day and night without extra pay for the overtime work they have rendered.
Iska and partner sought the help from the office of the Ministry of Labor which advised the employer to give them their extra pay, but to no avail. So the couple have decided to quit working at the Tavern and started looking for a new job. Unfortunately, both have no legal papers yet, so one day, while Iska’s partner had a training for a new-found job, the Immigration Police had caught him and brought him straight to jail..
It was indeed trying times for Iska but she did not lose hope. She was introduced to Amnesty International, a non-government organization (NGO) which was established in the year 1998, and offers free services for migrants beginning 1999 till present. Amnesty International for Human Rights or better known as KISA or ISAG Director Doros Polycarpou did not hesitate to help the couple in their plight They in turn decided to enlist themselves as Volunteer NGO Migrants.
On 27 March 2001, Iska was likewise been caught. She stayed in Lakatamia prison for six nights and seven days. With Amnesty International defending her and with the collaboration of her new-found employer Mrs. Rosaleen Wotton, Attache Consulate of the British High Commission together with the Ambassador of the British Embassy, she was released from prison.
As being handled by a Human Rights lawyer, Iska’s case has been a well-publicised case, was  interviewed and featured in one of Cyprus tv. Rest is history. Iska continues her journey for survival, a multi-task yet result-oriented civic person, a quality which is very rare considering that she has her own family and kids to attend to. “Mahirap lang buhay ko, magmula noong magkaisip na ako eh nagtatrabaho na akong katulong, ngayon katulong pa rin ako. High school lang ako pero sinisikap kong matuto pa ng mga bagay na makakatulong sa akin, sa pag angat sa buhay na mahirap. Awa ng Diyos, nakakaraos din naman. Ganyan ang buhay, dapat palaban ka!�  dscn0883.JPG

(Johanna, Iska, Joy and Ester)

Indeed a fighter, that is her best drive. During the program of 110th Philippine Independence held last June 15, 2008 at Cyta Park, she was given a certificate of appreciation (individual category) by the organizing committee  for her tireless and valuable contribution all in the name of service to the Filipino community. To Iska, keep up the good work!
  

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Worth it all!

21st July 2008

By Joy B. Miranda

As I have mentioned in my recent post, we sold raffle tickets purposely to augment the expenditures for the celebration of the 110th Philippine Independence Day here in Cyprus. Some people criticised the move, yet we, the organisers pushed through with it. For a one euro ticket, we were able to achieve what we have been planning to do. We gave one Balikbayan Box, one microwave oven, one dvd player, OTENET cell cards worth 7 euro each and many more prizes!

Most importantly, it was a celebration for a cause, since it was not only covering up for the expenses being incurred during the preparations and all, but also the money did not go for naught. Out from the proceeds, we were able to donate a sum of 150 euros to the victims of typhoon which struck the province of Aklan, Philippines recently. The money was handed over to Rev. Father Andrew Arhin by the Organising Committee chairperson Mrs. Ester Beatty.  

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We considered it a success in the aspect of friendship and camaraderie, bonding extends to its depths, excitements revealed from each member to place new inputs for the next celebration. Hence everyone looks forward to it next year! Ending this piece, I would like to share some photos taken a couple of nights back, a good treat for the committee members who decided to have an excursion, night swimming at Mckenzie Beach, Larnaca. Though some members failed to make it with us because of time constraint, it is not a thing to be sorry for. There are lots of chances in the future anyways. Here, we forgot for a while the worries, just had fun! We were joined by the way by our Burmese friends, filling up the 23 seaters bus.

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More Pictures re 110th Philippine Independence celebration in Cyprus

21st July 2008

Taken 15th June 2008, Municipality Garden (Cyta Park), Nicosia, Cyprus

Dayang Dayang Dance by Smart Flat Girls

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Harana performed by Louella and Philip

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Reenactment: Sewing the current Philippine Flag by Marites, Primrose and Merly

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Full Volume Band

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Pearly Shell By Diana Petrou

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Traditional Dance

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Tinikling Dance performed by Kim and Alex

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Busy, busy, busy!

20th July 2008

By Joy B. Miranda

Hello folks! Its been awhile that I didnt post anything and I apologise for that. Much as I want to, there is always something else that keeps me occupied and left me no time to sit down and post. Well, today, let me give you photos taken during the 110th Philippine Independence Celebration held in Nicosia on June 15th 2008. This year’s program featured the history as to how our heroes fought for the freedom of our native land against the colonial rule of Spain. We showcased the parade of colors with Alex, Michael and Jeff parading the European, Cyprus and Philippine flags. Followed by an invocation from Rev. Father Umberto Barato, OFM, then the audiences were left with much awe when Rose Hempenstall soulfully sang “Ako ay Pilipino”. Afterwards was the Parade of Heroes featuring Lapulapu played by Caloy from Limassol, Andres Bonifacio played by Alex Michael, Apolinario Mabini played by Emong Pedroso, Dr. Jose Rizal played by Jeff Sarmiento and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo played by Michael Socratou. The evolution of the history of Philippine flags was also one of the most significant part of the program. 11 different flags which evolved back during the revolution period (Katipunan) were displayed. It was indeed a memorable celebration because unity amongst the Filipino communities was achieved, giving consideration that majority of the associations enthusiastically took part in it. The raffle tickets which were sold gave back joy to winners of one balikbayan cargo box (courtesy of Doris), one microwave oven, one dvd player, OTENET cellphone card worth 7 euro each, t-shirts and caps from western union and lots more of prizes! What more, the rest of the proceeds was donated to the victims of the recent calamity happened in Aklan, Philippines, in the amount of 150 euros received by Rev. Father Andrew Arhin. Many thanks to Renalyn Clavesillas, Wilma Dayrit and everybody who took part in its success!

Parade of Colors

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Invocation

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Lapulapu

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Apolinario Mabini

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Dr. Jose Rizal

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Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo

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11oth Philippine Independence Celebration: A resounding success!

20th July 2008

By Ester Beatty,  Organising Committee Head

Looking back when we first held the meeting to discuss the preparation of our 110th Philippine Independence Day Celebration, it seemed very unrealistic to think then that the majority of Filipino groups in Nicosia would be able to come together for this occasion.After meeting a few times the Philippine Honorary Consul, Mrs. Shemaine Bushnell-Kyriakides and with her encouragement that we, the Filipinos here in Nicosia, should, instead of holding too many different programs for the said occasion, would just have one celebration, it gave me the initiative to call on the different leaders of the Filipino communities to join forces for the affair. Most of whom that were contacted did not disappoint my call. They were more than happy to respond with great enthusiasm as they all agreed that as a Filipino community in Cyprus, there should only be one celebration for Independence Day! Thus the frantic arrangements for who will be performing and doing what, began. Responsibilities were assigned to different groups which they accepted whole heartedly. For five solid Sundays since that first meeting, a great deal had been accomplished. Since there were no funds available for the celebration, it was decided by the Committee that raffle tickets should be sold to meet the expenses. Though a few people questioned the purpose of selling the raffle tickets, it was obvious that it was the source of our funds for this celebration. committee.JPGThe Organising Committee (top row: Maribel, Emong, Maria; 2nd row: Venny, Merly, Beth, Marites, Joy, Ester, Johanna; 3rd row: Jaya, Scarlet and Rose)

During the preparation, old foes became friends, friendships were renewed and rekindled and the camaraderie of the true Filipino spirits came out. Everyone involved did their best to do whatever they could to make sure things would happen as planned. As the day of the celebration itself was fast approaching, you could feel the anxiety and frustration of some committee members, as things were not happening as they should have. Added to the circumstances was the fact that I had to go away with my husband, joining him for a business trip in Rome, a week before the celebration. It was a break that both of us desperately needed. While attending the 15-minute blessings given by H.E. Pope Benedict XVI to the faithful at St. Peter’s Square, I couldn’t help thinking about my colleagues back in Cyprus as they were meeting for the last time before the big event! Added to it, we were sad to know of Venny Mc Cullie, one of the members of the committee,  losing her husband in Iraq. We shared in her bereavement as we let her go to London and be united with him for the last time. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm of the committee had grown bigger despite the recent obstacles. I take my hat off to the editor-in-chief of Tinig Pinoy, Ms Joy Miranda as the over-all in charge of production, and to Scarlet “Iska� Tugbo, her very able assistant for the endless nights they spent at KISA Café to research and prepare all the necessary paperwork, after they finished their respective works with their employers. Personally, I would like to especially mention some Filipino groups who had really persevered in making a difference to the celebration. Particularly the Filipino members of the St. Joseph Social Centre who had not missed a single Sunday practice since they were told to present something in the program. Also, the Smart Flat Girls for having so much fun practicing their Dayang-Dayang dance and the song “Napakasakit Ate Ester�, the latter being well- received by the audience with laughter! I am full of gratitude for all the committee members for their hard work and support for the tasks given to them. The invaluable input and contributions given by Mrs. Renalyn Natural-Clavesillas, a Filipino personnel at UNIFYCIP, was very much appreciated. She has given much of her precious time to us in spite of having two young children as well as going back to work after maternity leave. The most difficult part to organise was when it involved the Filipino men. Since the program called for few males to perform certain tasks, it was very difficult to find them, except the few reliable ones who were willing to do something for the program. It was really bizarre that we had to ask Filipino guys from Limassol to come and help us for the crucial moments because nobody from Nicosia was interested in helping! Family support is very important for events like this, and it held true particularly with my husband and my daughter, Cathrine, who were both very helpful throughout the whole time of the preparation until the end, although at times I felt like I was pushing my luck a bit too much! Many thanks to them for their understanding to what I am doing for the Filipino community. My gratitude also and sincerest thanks to all the performers for their wonderful participation, the sponsors & donors for their generosity and kindness, those who have helped in any way and last but not least to the committee members for a job well done. It is very true that being united is better than being divided! We can do so much more being one..and in this aspect, unity-wise, all the hard work  we have done, were all worth it! Everybody is already looking forward to the next big event. Watch out for the announcement with the next issue of Tinig-Pinoy! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT MGA PILIPINO!

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