By Joy B. Miranda

Editor in Chief, Tinig Pinoy-Politis

Published 28th March 2009

My phone was ringing while I was driving my moped so I went to stop in front of a house to answer the call. Suddenly a huge dog came near the gate and angrily barked at me non-stop. Startled and scared, I clenched my fist for seconds but immediately drove away cursing the dog. In few minutes, my mood changed lightly when I passed to a newly opened bakeshop and saw different people inside, I said to myself, “Ah, a new bakery with a lot of costumers, life is not that bad after all!�

In recent days, the law enforcers apprehended hundreds of illegal migrants, and talks have been scattered that this tracking down of undocumented aliens will continue in the coming months. As tension arises in town following the early-dawn sweeping operation of the immigration police, I could only feel sorry for the people who were caught, but doubly sorry for those still uncaught. It must be hard for them roaming around now, living in constant fear of being apprehended anytime plus the weariness of not having to work regularly, thus would end them up not having enough money to sustain their stay. More so, they will be even more bonded in huge debts that may only have a slim chance at repaying. Ah, the money-chasing business of life. But this is reality everyone should deal squarely. To trace the illegal people is the job of the immigration department, delegated to their enforcers. Immigration policemen are just doing their job, to be on the look-out for strangers making sure that the people coming here have permits to stay. Just like the dog that barked at me when I parked at its master’s house, so are the officers “barking� now at any illegal migrant staying in Cyprus. Initially, for those affected, they are more likely to be saying curses to the apprehending officers. Just like what I did to the dog (again), clenched my fist and cursed the dog. In a broader sense, we can not blame the authorities to do a clean-up operation against undocumented migrants, after all, it is their duty to do so. Whatever the circumstances which aliens of this country are having, it is still the prerogative of Cyprus government to try to control the number of the influx of migrants and immigrants.

Let me share my personal opinion on the matter. I urge any undocumented OFWs to read and think about this carefully. Many might not agree with what I say here but I urge everyone further not to be closed-minded in taking my views. As OFWs, we are all aliens in this country. By law, we need to have legal permit to stay. By being illegal, we have violated the law. More so, we show disrespect to the host country. If I own a house, I would not be pleased seeing a stranger coming in and just move freely around as if he owns my house. Same thing with a country like Cyprus. Life might be hard at this time of global crisis, with a current record of 10 million unemployed Filipinos, but, here is an unsolicited advice to undocumented OFWs: PLEASE GO HOME.

Do not feel sorry because you will be losing money which you wont be earning in the Philippines. Rather be sorry that whenever you will be caught, you will be jailed for unknown period of time. Second, your travel record will be stained, and you will be having trouble next time and chances are, you wont be able to go abroad again. Passport will have a blemish which you can never be erased. So think about it. If you feel that there is really no more chance for you to get a Cyprus visa, then you should return home. By returning home, you can have no problem in your future travels. Filipinos are known to have an innate ability for survival, so try to weigh things carefully. It is not worth living here in constant fear. Never underestimate the authorities because after all, this is their country and as aggressive as they are now, “illegals� will be caught and deported sooner or later. Be positive and optimistic that there is life far better than being here illegally. Life should not end in Cyprus. Like that newly opened bakeshop that I passed by, look for other options, new avenues in life where you can earn a living in a decent, legal way. Another opportunities, another journey. There are other places to go like in Greece, which offers a much higher salary for OFWs which is a triple amount than what is being earned here. According to the situational report of Atty. George A. Eduvala, the Philippine Labor Attache to Greece, the minimum wage of land-based workers with valid residence permits is 33.04 euros per day as compared to Cyprus’ minimum wage of only 10.84 per day or 826 euros per month as compared to 282 euros per month salary here. So please don’t despair leaving Cyprus. We are day by day faced with pressing problems at home, but we will manage to solve them one by one, especially when our liberty to find the solutions are not taken away due to our stubbornness. So think of the negative effect of not abiding by the law. Whatever we do, wherever we go, there is always a rule, and we should follow the rule or face the consequence.

In case ayaw ninyo talagang umuwi dahil sa mga personal na rason kagaya ng hindi maiwanan ang nobyo (let’s not be hypocrite here) or nagkapamilya na dito (na wala pa ring maayos na papel), puwes, tumahimik at magdoble-ingat na lang kayo. Huwag kayong pasaway or umastang parang kayo ang may ari ng Cyprus or umiwas kayo sa gulo, intriga, agawan ng nobyo ng may nobyo, panlilibak at paninira sa kapwa at higit sa lahat, iwasan ninyong manloko at manggulang ng iba lalo na pagdating sa pera, huwag ninyong takbuhan ang mga utang ninyo at kung singilin kayo huwag yung kayo pa ang galit. Again, let’s not be hypocrite here dahil may mga cases na ganito dito. Ilang beses na kaming nakatanggap ng mga report na ganito, humihingi ng payo sa amin kung pwede ba nilang ipalathala sa Tinig Pinoy ang mga pilipinang nagwalanghiya sa kanila. We are doing our best na makapagpaabot ng sound advises sa lahat at sinisiguro namin na hindi kami magkukulang sa mga usaping ganito. So think about all these things that I mentioned.

I was also stopped by policemen many times while driving my moped in different areas in Nicosia. If I didn’t have the necessary documents in driving, then I might have paid the price. But I do have my legal papers. I don’t have to clench my fist again. I find Cyprus generally as a fair country. There might be some issues regarding racial discriminations, yet to me, this is a friendly country. Folks seemed to be not totally ready yet for a cosmopolitan community, owing to the fact that tracing Cyprus’ history, as a small island as she is, she had been invaded and exploited in the past. Hence, the shield is commonplace in every Cypriot face. But as I have said, I have never been to a place as fair and friendly as Cyprus. She is open at welcoming guests, so long that guests behave well. She extends her hands to shake with anyone who is as friendly and as fair. If we all abide by her laws, we can extend back our hands, free and wide open to return the shake. After all, as the saying goes, “We cant shake hands with a clenched fist�!

The “Talent Quest� Bi-monthly singing contest in Nicosia, Cyprus which is organized by Tinig Pinoy – Filipino Voice staff members is not just an ordinary singing competition. This contest will run for five months that kicked – off last March 1^st, 2009 (Please read the poster). All winners will compete for the semi-final which will be on the 21^st of June and would belt it out for the Grand Finals which will be on 28^th of June 2009. Two winners will be picked each contest date and both will receive cash prize of 30 euros for the 2^nd winner and 70 euros for the 1^st winner. There is also a trophy for the first winner and some “AMOY� cooking products to be given as consolation prize to non-winners. Non -winners can still join in the next contest date until 31^st of May, so there are still a lot of chances to be included in the semi-finals. Aside from the cash, trophy and AMOY products, what makes this singing contest special is a chance to win a free CD recording (4 songs) worth 17,000 euros or 1.1 Million Pesos sponsored by Mr. Kypros Charalambous, the Owner-Director of ARIA Music Recording Company in Cyprus. So hurry folks, we invite all the music lovers out there if you think you have a talent in singing, come, join and have fun with us and probably be a star! Staff members would like to thank Ms. Wilma Dayrit for her time joining as one of the judges last 1^st of  March. Also to Atty. Jaime Gimenez, Philippine Labor Attache to Cyprus as one of the judges last 15th March. Many thanks also to Ms. Gina Maandig, (Philippine Honorary Consul’s Secretary) and Emong Pedroso (Head, Cyprus Consular Volunteers) who were the tabulators last 15^th of March as well as Maria Nieves, tabulator last 29th March.

1. Sing your heart out: Indonesian Tina Suprihatin, (center, holding a trophy) March 1, 2009 first winner of the “Talent Quest� Bi-monthly Singing Contest. 2. Jerose dela Puerta and Shane de Guzman (1^st and 2^nd winners respectively, March 15, 2009) with Joan and Joy.

By OFW Guide
Participating in the Philippine election is now possible even if one is not physically in the Philippines through the Absentee voting law. In the coming May 10, 2010 presidential and senatorial elections, a non-government organization, The Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) is urging Filipinos working and living overseas to register and vote.
The CMA which had lobbied for the right to vote of Filipinos outside the Philippines are reminding them that there is a seven month period for them register for the overseas absentee voting
The registration for absentee voters has started last February 1, and will be open until August 31 of this year. To be eligible, Filipino migrants and overseas workers should be 18 years old and above.
Ellene Sana, executive director of CMA said, “If you want change to happen, be involved. Be responsible citizens, go out and register.”
Of the estimated eight million Filipinos abroad, almost 50 percent are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). However, only a small percentage (below 50,000) registered to vote in the last two elections.  
One of the reasons cited for the low turnout of voters is the difficult requirements needed to register. One of them is the need for a personal appearance, which can be time consuming and hard for many whose residence and job sites are far from Philippine embassies and consulates.
The CMA responded, “But personal appearance is required for the biometrics capture of photograph, thumbprint, and signature. As in previous OAV registrations, various posts abroad could conduct mobile and field registration in far areas.�
The CMA added, “But usually the Department of Foreign Affairs, which conducts the registration and elections for the Commission on Elections, chooses sites for this type of enlistment in places where there are many Filipinos.�
Other Requirements: Valid Philippine passport or a Department of Foreign Affairs certification (as most employers of household service workers in the Middle East get their passports) Accomplished OAV registration/certification form. For seamen: a photocopy of Seaman’s Book or proof of being a seafarer. For Filipinos who retained or re-acquired their Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225 granting dual citizenship: original or certified true copy of the Order of Approval of Application.
To register, the CMA advisory states that Filipinos abroad can go to embassies, consulates, and other foreign-service offices. Filipinos who are just about to leave the country can register before their departure at the Committee on OAV at the Commission on Elections, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (ground floor), and the OFW Pre-Departure Lounge of the Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Seafarers could register at any diplomatic post abroad or in Manila.
During the registration period, previous registrants can also do the following: file or request for transfer of registration records; reinstatement in the National Registry of OAV; correction of wrong entries/misspelled names; withdrawal of application for registration/certification pending approval; or reactivation of registration record.
For other inquiries, one can contact Comelec’s Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting at the following numbers: (632) 522 2251, (632) 521 2952, or (632) 523 9924 and the DFA Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat at (632) 8330914 or (632) 832 8363. One can also visit their websites at: www.comelec.gov.ph and www.dfa.gov.ph .

By EB with reports from Scarlet Tugbo

(Tinig Pinoy Staffmembers) published 28th March 2009

Filipino Jomar Arciaga Timpug, employed as chef of a Japanese restaurant Zen Fusion down Nicosia had a stroke while at work on 08 March 2009, thus was rushed to the Nicosia General Hospital by his co-workers. After few hours, Jomar was transferred to the Hippocrateon Hospital in Engomi, also in Nicosia.for further treatment. Up to this writing., Jomar is still unconscious in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of said hospital.
On Thursday 19 March 09, Dr. George Miltiadous, Jomar’s attending physician at the Hippocrateon Hospital, told Tinig Pinoy- Filipino Voice staff by phone that Jomar indeed had suffered a massive stroke  and that they have managed to unblocked the artery which had caused the attack. Dr. Miltiadous also said that as the emergence treatment was in progress, Jomar developed a fever and was given antibiotics to contain it. Once his fever is under control, they can then remove him from the Life Support machine (ventilator) so that they will be able to ascertain his condition, which, by mere looking at him unconsciously lying with all the tubes in his body, is in a very critical condition.
Reportedly, Jomar had a history of heart problem when he was 15 but apparently did not share this information to any of his friends or colleagues here in Cyprus. According to his Manager, Mr. Yiannis Michaelides, Jomar arrived in Cyprus on 27 July 2006 and all through the period of working in the restaurant, he most of the times saw Jomar massaging his chest but never mentioned any heart illness to him. According to his flat mates, Jomar went to see a doctor prior to the attack and he was advised to go and see a cardiologist. Unfortunately, the attack happened before he could make an appointment with the cardiologist. His employer and friends are making plans for his wife to travel to Cyprus to be with her husband’s side.