By Joy B. Miranda, Chief Editor -Tinig Pinoy-Politis

I would like to thank Mr. Theo Panayides for writing a feature story about my people titled: “Karaoke Culture Filipinas take to songs on day offs�, a four-page article published in the Living section of Sunday Mail’s Seven Magazine 15-21 February 2009. It featured the love of Filipinos in singing and the numbers of karaoke places scattered in Nicosia where OFWs, mostly karaoke- crazed Pinays frequent on their day-offs. Well, there are a lot more of Karaoke places, not only in Nicosia but also in neighboring cities all over the island. It is typical for every Filipino blood to sing, even if it goes out of tune sometimes. Singing is a common hobby and most of us have Magic sing videoke equipment kept in the house or flats. So in occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, singing is always around. Speaking of singing, Tinig Pinoy is launching a “Talent Quest� Monthly Singing Contest which is open to everybody of any nationality and age that will commence on Sunday March 1, 2009 until June 28, 2009 at 1 pm to be held at Omorfos Kosmos Pub Nicosia.  There will be two winners each month who will each receive a gift certificate from    plus a trophy from Solonas Solomonides for the first place winner. Those who did not win can still join in the succeeding months until the finals. All the monthly winners (1^st and 2^nd) will compete for the finals which will be on June 28, 2009 and there shall have 2^nd and 1^st place winners along with the champion who will all receive cash prizes, trophies and gift certificates from same food brand  . Only one entry song is allowed. Interested parties may please contact the Tinig Pinoy Staff to register. Contestants this Sunday are requested to come to Omorfos Kosmos Pub at 11 in the morning to prepare your songs. If you have a voice, a talent, sing it out loud and win prizes!
 

You have a voice? Speak it out!
 

The article we published last month had raised the eyebrows of those who were mentioned in the story. In my job being the editor, it is expected that I could get reactions good or bad, and believe me, I welcome both. I do not take sides but I always make sure that what we published is factual and we keep in our hands the reporter’s documents such as pictures, video and voice records, etcetera, for support and proof. I have placed my email address at the editorial board of Tinig Pinoy so any reaction, comments, complaints and feedbacks can formally reach the chief editor’s desk and can also be published when situation calls for it.
Last few weeks ago a guy called up to my staff and demanded us to apologize saying we have caused damage to their association by mentioning it in the news story published last issue. He can not reach through my number so he started pestering my staff by threatening he will get a lawyer to sue us or send the writer back home or words to that effect. This guy even called up the girl who told the story to us and likewise, threatened the girl to be block-listed in the immigration and to send right away back to Philippines. Geezzz!
Here is what I can say. We do not intend to offend anyone with our factual reporting but should you think it was really quite damaging then write to us. If you want to give your side of the story, then you may write to us your story and we will publish it. You do not have to threat us or anyone for that matter because you do not have the right to do so. If you want us to make an apology, we will do it only if we really find ourselves to be at fault, which in this issue, we are not. And for you to say that you will get a lawyer, go ahead, make my day, because we will get our own defense as well should you wish to make the matter worst. And for your information, all the conversations you made and the future calls that you will make with my staff are all recorded. For those who think that they can do anything to helpless Filipinas, please bear in mind that there exists a “watchdog� to expose any abuses verbal or in any form. For Filipinas who have problems with their employers and other work-related issues, please do not hesitate to tell us so we can try to help find a remedy by calling the attention of the proper authorities. If there are people who are threatening you, email me write away. There is Tinig Pinoy – Filipino voice who will speak out for you. 

By Ester Beatty, Tinig Pinoy Sports writer

 

 

 

Champion of the Kartoudes Women’s Volleyball Cup 2009 – Nicosia team: Bhaby Avancena, Cathrine Beatty (C), Jan Flores, Kim Avancena, Daisy Batistil, Josephine Vallejo, Roselyn Lechnou, Cris Reyes, Ester Beatty (coach).
 

Runner-up – Larnaca team: Ohnie de Leon (C), Edhal Tolentino, April Teofilo, Dolor Nadal, Karen Lagas, Mary Grace Reodica, Aurora Santos, Liza Ventura, Vangeline Repollo, Gemma Redondo, Flory Yasay (coach), Marisa Segador.

 

3^rd Place – Paphos team: Mheng Reinedo (C), Harriet Tapic, Darwin Acuesta, Karen San Andres, Shirley Alejandro, Neli Taguinay, Mai Rosale, Susan Ramos, Susie Junio, Rowena Dato, Nina Agcongay, Marcela Rufino, Theresa Dinoso, Mila Soriano (coach).

 

4^th Place – Limassol team: Mai delos Santos (C), Lanie Efthimiou (coach), Marivic Valero, Jasmin Andreou, Loida Asug, Thess Quianzon, Ruth Sesbino, Brenda Junio, Margie Formento, Gemma Cabral, Daisy Domingo, Trudes Creencia, Josie Acnum.

 

 

Ester Beatty receiving a plaque of appreciation for organising the games presented by Lanie Efthimiou on behalf of Mr. L. Kartoudes.

 

 

 

 

 

By Johanna Bogbog

Tinig Pinoy Column-writer

     The title of my topic came all the way from a guy in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He said this when his sweetheart, who is working here in Cyprus, started to whine over  things like being away from him and from her family in the Philippines, being too tired from work and other normal problems that everyday life brings. She related this to me when I also shared with her my lamentations over a lot of things. Whatever this Boston guy was thinking when he uttered it to her, it only tipped a clear message which poetically she also shared with me: “Patience practically would pay off to those who uses it long enough to see the beauty of the rainbow after the tormenting storm�. Somehow, this golden adage lifted up the gloom that keeps on hanging over my head.
     Most of us normally complain about a lot of things; about work, about people, about employers, about fate, and almost about everything. But if we look at these things with a clear positive mind, we will find out that some of them are so trivial but which we had given them too much weight and unnecessarily creased and tormented our foreheads with worry and anger. Some of the problems we have are from our own doings. We neglect to do important things, we fail to keep appointments, we refuse to acknowledge our mistakes, we tell lies and make up damaging stories, we are so sensitive, and we always put the blame on other people and worst, on our fate. But let us accept that there are also incidental problems. Problems that are pushed upon our knees.
     In this issue, let me stress on the topic about work. Recently, a lot of the girls I knew have left their original and subsequent employers after just a few months or days of working with them. They did not last even for a year or so. In my assessment, the lack of patience or as described by Mr. Webster, “intolerance of anything that thwarts, delays, or hindersâ€? can be pointed out as the cause of this impulsive decision. OFWs can be into some bad working situations but deciding to leave or quit that soon without even trying their patience to resolve the issues can only make the situation even more worst to justify. Work is work and there is no easy way of living life. We have to work hard for everything we like to have or to achieve in life. Our employers are likewise working hard to have money and they won’t just give that money for free. We have to also work hard for it. Some employers are giving cash bonuses or cash gifts to their workers but those bonuses are not free. They were earned either with extra time or with goodwill, by being a good and honest worker. I also personally experienced having terror employers but I patiently waited for the right time to make a move and true to the above title, my patience had brought me good things. Now, doing my work as good as I can, I am also being compensated very good. This is the essence of goodness. So folks, remember that patience is a virtue. Make good use of it.

 February Girl: Johanna with well-wishers friends.