I put DENGUE in the front news because I still can not get over with this eerie feeling, having had lost two relatives in just two weeks last month. In an article posted in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it says that Dengue Infection is a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics with more than one-third of the world’s population living in areas at risk for transmission. As many as 100 million people are infected yearly, Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. There are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus (DENV) and the most effective protective measures are those that avoid mosquito bites. When infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment can substantially lower the risk of developing severe disease. Dengue has emerged as a worldwide problem only since the 1950s. Although it rarely occurs in the continental United States, it is endemic in Puerto Rico, and in many popular tourist destinations in Latin America and Southeast Asia; periodic outbreaks occur in Samoa and Guam. Well, Philippines is not spared from it. As they say, an insect particularly a mosquito, knows no person, no age, no gender to choose to bite. I lost a young cousin who was a mother of two, and another much younger boy cousin who orphaned a year old child, after only a week of being bitten by this deadly Aedes Aegypti mosquito. MedicineNet.com provided us the Dengue Fever Symptoms and Signs, whereas, after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, the incubation period ranges from three to 15 (usually five to eight) days before the signs and symptoms of dengue appear. Dengue starts with chills , headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache . Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness. The temperature rises quickly as high as 104 F (40 C), with relative low heart rate (bradycardia ) and low blood pressure (hypotension). The eyes become reddened. A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen.I am trying to understand how such (death) thing could happen so fast that had left the whole family in disbelief and grief, yet seriously I hope it could make everyone aware that any bite from a mosquito should not just be ignored. We should be mindful of any itchiness in our skin before it is too late! Maria Fe Miranda Foronda and Raymond Jay Beldua Nudalo, I hate to see both of you go at this young ages of yours, but so long… Rest in eternal peace with our Creator. ***

I do not like goodbyes, but inevitably it strikes me again what with the sudden passing of two dear cousins. Well, that one is forever. I had a temporary “farewell moment” with friend Jason Chue, the Political Officer of the Embassy of the United States of America here in Cyprus as he is moving to Washington, DC this month. He held a Farewell Reception last 8th September 2010 at the J. Fullbright Center, Nicosia. I claimed it as a temporary goodbye because I will surely see him again in the near future, right, Jason? Allow me to be a bit sentimental as I share with you folks some lyrics of the song “Constant Change” by Jose Mari Chan. I am quite sure you would also feel nostalgic remembering it. Especially for you Jason, (I could have sung it to you on a videoke session!) click YouTube if you want to hear it completely.

“We’re on the road, we move from place to place, and oftentimes when I’m about to call it home, we’d have to move along, life is a constant change; The friend we knew, we meet along the way, too soon the times we shared form part of yesterday, coz life’s a constant change, and nothing stays the same, oh no…

Why couldn’t we, keep time from moving on? Hold on to all the years before this moment’s gone… Why must we live the days at such a frightening pace? We’re all like clouds, that move across the skies and changing forms before our very eyes…”

By Pamela RCurammeng

It is very unfortunate that I was not able to watch the SONA and is basing my comments on the articles written by Ms Johanna Bogbog and Mr John McLean. No offense meant for Mr Teodoro Locsin but so what if President Noynoy presented more facts. We- the public, needed to know those facts that have been kept away from us for far too long. Many past presidents presented their visions, which proved to be just illusions. I particularly like the part when it was mentioned that agriculture will be boosted. I have nothing against industrialization- it creates jobs and brings livelihood to communities where economic zones are established. However, we must never forget our root which is agriculture. We were once regarded as number 3 in Southeast Asia. Representatives from neighbouring countries used to come to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI () at Los Banos for seminars. Now, we are reduced to a country importing rice from countries we educated. This is a slap on our faces. Anyway, that is how it feels like to me. We have enough laws regarding tax evasion. It is the proper implementation which we lack. If only we really go after those tax evaders, our national coffer will have enough to provide adequate services to those in need. With the promise that the fund is not diverted to someone else’s pocket. With regards to education, it really needs drastic improvement as our education system had spiralled way down thru the years. How frustrating it is to see high school students overflowing in a classroom built for a maximum of fifty students. Not only have we lacked classrooms but also chairs, appropriate books and well-informed teachers. Imagine my horror when on TV, a male teacher was caught telling his Grade 5 pupils that giraffes eat meat! I wonder what planet he came from. President Noynoy has all the good intentions for our country but he can not do it alone. He needs us to help him realize a better Philippines. We, as citizens, can do our part. No matter how small and simple, collectively it is of great help. Traffic rules are a point to consider. If only we follow the proper loading and unloading areas and crossing the streets on the designated zebra line, we’ll save our government millions. How, you may ask? We don’t need those wire fences we now see along EDSA built by MMDA. But since we cannot help crossing anywhere we want, they deemed it necessary to put up those fences. Of course, those cost a lot of money. As OFWs, our primary contribution is the monthly remittances. We are already helping our economy in that way but we can do more by putting up businesses. Your business’ name application fee and Mayor’s permit payments are adding revenue to the national and local government, respectively. We all dream of a better Philippines. We may be away from her but we carry her unique existence within us. We are Filipinos, be proud to be one and help her get back on her feet.

By Carmen Llauderes

To beat the summer heat, the Holy Cross Catholic Charismatic Community have had an excursion in Nissi Beach Ayia Napa last August 8, 2010. The trip was highlighted by a Beach Babe beauty contest, parlor games, swimming, and dancing. Rosemarie Catibog won the Miss Talent and Miss Beach Babe title while the Best in swimsuit and First runnner-up was awarded to Merry Lobo. Cheche received the 2nd runner – up award. The other ladies who participated were Jocelyn Orden, Joy, and Mary Rose. The event was a fund-raising to help the community with the amount they need for their up-coming projects.

El Shaddai DWXI PPFI was filled with a huge number of people who gathered together from all over Cyprus to receive the healing message of Guest Speaker International Preacher Bro. Ramon Alberto who proclaimed the power of the gospel to save and change mankind from old life to new, to cast out demons and to heal us. He said, “If God is in our hearts we are living in peace, happiness and contentment. His plan is to make his people prosper. “He added that God is always with us. We must obey once he called and chose us to serve him. When we serve him faithfully he blesses us continually. ” I have travelled around the world because of God to proclaim His word all over the earth. He provided me with all the things I need and what I did is to put my trust in him,” he concluded.

Sideview

By Johanna Bogbog

The hostage drama in Manila which happened on August 23, 2010 that killed eight Hongkong nationals and had also cost the life of the hostage taker, have become an international scene. Consequently, the Hongkong government had immediately put the Philippines on a block list for tourism to her sovereigns. This resulted to the sudden cancellation of entry flights and hotel reservations of chinese going to the Philippines. On the other hand, the Filipino migrants / workers in Hongkong feared how they will be treated by their employers. With this crisis, a lot of fingers had pointed the blame to the President, to the police, to the Ombudsman, and to the media. But who’s to blame? Let’s take a look at each one of the scenarios.

Why the President? Because at the time the hostage was taking place, the Hongkong head of state called President Aquino but was not able to reach him. The Palace spokesperson said that President Aquino was on a meeting at that time. Besides, the call did not follow the protocol on international communications, hence the call did not reach the President. Some people said that the President should have taken a personal stand and gave orders. But the President has people who have direct responsibility over such matters. There is the Department of Interior and Local Governement (DILG) underwhich are the Secretary, the Governor, the Mayor, the Police Director, and the Barangay Captain. None of these entities have notified the President that they can not handle the situation. And the President can not just become anyone of them and do their jobs. The President was closely monitoring the incident and he was confident that it will end favorably because the hostage negotiator is known to be an expert in that field. However, because of lack of coordination between the police, particularly the SWAT team, the Ombudsman, the media, and the negotiator, everything became uncontrollable in just a second.

Why the police? A team from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) were the ones who responded to the problem. However, as seen in the television coverage, the police did not properly handle the situation. They went to the crime scene unprepared with no clear and concrete plan of action to implement. They were not even in full combat gear and they did not have the necessary tools and equipment. They did not even ask the manager of the travel agency, who reported the hostage taking, about the feature of the bus, which would have helped them to speedily get inside the bus. This shows that the police also lacked training. The 2010 budget shows that 55 Billion pesos was alloted for the police, but the past administration used the money for something else other than the improvement of the police department. Furthermore, the Crisis Management Manual (CMM) which was ammended in year 2000 embodying the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) in handling problems like the hostage taking, is not fully implemented.

Why the Ombudsman? SPO II Mendoza was dismissed from the service due to an extortion case filed against him. His demand for taking the hostage incident was for him to be reinstated into service. The hostage negotiator was able to have the ombudsman deliver a letter to Mendeoza regarding his case but the latter was not satisfied with what was contained in the ombudsman’s letter.

Why the media? Because there were media men around covering the incident and at the time when Mendoza was reading the letter from the ombudsman, the police was arresting some members of his family, and he saw it in the television inside the bus. This incident trigerred mendoza’s anger and shot his hostages, eight of them were killed. The driver, who was tied at the wheel, was able to free himself with the use of a nailcutter and fortunately escaped from the bus. The other hostages were saved when the policemen finally entered the bus by breaking the door and windows, and throwing in teargas. The autopsy result showed that Mendoza was killed by bullets from police weapons.

Three weeks have already passed since the hostage drama took place. And although the incident is independent and local by nature, it became an international scene because the victims are foreigners thus, President Aquino did everything in his power to correct the damages and lessen the pain that the families of those killed are suffering. As a result of the sincere actions of the Philippine government, the Chinese nationals in Hongkong retained their good relationship with the Filipino migrants and overseas workers there. They assured the Philippines that nobody is hurt in relation to the hostage taking.

“God has given you one face, and you make yourself another ” – William Shakespeare

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By Carmen Llauderes

Which is better to choose, stay-in or stay-out household worker? Let’s hear the views of our respondents. Let’s start with the

stay-out workers first. According to Wilma Garcia – Atamosa. it’s good because after work I can go home and don’t think of anything related to my work but quite difficult to save money as you have to spend for your needs.Tessie stressed that although it’s good but during winter season it’s difficult to travel going to work and going home. Beth mentioned that when the employer provides everything you need, you are lucky like me because my boss is very good. Amy Dela Pena has no problem in dealing with her boss as they provided her with all her needs and they are generous. The only problem Amy said, is the time that she travel because buses has a time interval. Yet she still chooses to be stay-in due to environmental factor. Fatima and Jen shared the same view. We have freedom to do what we want. We can even rest longer or seek for an added work for an additional income. We can sleep better because no boss is going to call in the middle of your nap nor call you to work more when they needed you. Elvira Espino emphasized that it is good when the employment contract is followed. Connie said “I have my freedom as an individual and only work for 7 hours. But quite expensive when you buy your own food and pay your rent and other bills. With your boss you are free of these payments.” Diosa who stayed with her boss for 5 years and when her boss died she now started to live outside and feel the pressure of spending her money for her rent and other bills. “I hardly saved money now and even spent my savings to handle my needs. I miss being with my employer’s house.” Priscilla Doria who got the experience of being outside for some months but now prefer to stay-in said that “I was able to go to church and have some freedom but there is some problems in dealing with flatmates.” Susan and Cynthia from Limassol stated that “We have enough time to rest after work. We have a very good boss although life is quite expensive.”

Stay-in workers has these viewpoints to share. Emelita said “I became closer to my employer and everything is free and I dont have to spend more money.” Bernadita Boncales emphasized that “I have to work long hours to compensate for the free food and accomodation.” Cheryl feels like a captive as she has no freedom and said, “I need to work harder in exchange of free food and housing.” Bernadette Patoc stressed that she can work better. I don’t need to rush my work in time, and nothing to pay for the bills. But my boss calls me anytime she needed me.” Lea Beleran and Marlyn Batan shared the same ideas .”Other than being free of everything, our boss treated us like a family making us feel secured and safe and can’t see some disadvantage at work.” Leny and Rodilyn Guevarra also have the same answer. “It’s thrift, less expenses and we save better.” Rose Fabro and Marjorie said “We are overf-atigue due to work loads.” Alicia Licayan from Larnaca said “”It’s very safe and sound living with my employer. It’s thrifty and I spend less.” Vernon Viray of Latsia likewise stated that “I have less expenses, can save more money although my work occupied me a lot monotonously and boring.” Perla of Limassol has sentiments because although her boss feeds her freely she has to work hard. She has 2 kids and 2 houses to attend making her to work overtime .Edna Sevillena and Adela Maestiag from Limassol said “Although it is free food and accomodatiion my master requires me to work overtime,” but Juliet Mapili has a generous employer whom she works for 6 years now said that she is safe, can save more money although she is required to work for an overtime. Maria Teresa – Legaspi said it is just the same value being in and out of your employers’ house.

Responses of our fellow workers varies accordingly while others share the same thoughts and ideas, In my own point of view irrespective of a stay-in or stay-out worker has an influence on our everyday work and life but greatly depends on our employers themselves, because if we have a kind and generous bosses we face less problems or no problems at all or vise versa. As we know having a good employer is more than a blessing from God. We pray that our masters will understand and help us meet our needs and demands. Whether we live-in or we live-out it has no significant difference provided you have a good, considerate employer.

By Sylvia Agustin

This space does not only tackle practical life’s jokes, experiences and temptations which may have happened to you and me in one way or the other due to our vulnerability being away from home, our families and loved ones, T.G.I.S. once in a while also points unto the spiritual well- beings, as the title suggests, which is in the same way that may have either touched or transpired into our lives through the spiritual inspiration from God. Both contrasting cases could offer a wider arena where we would be able to realize the beauty of life by having something to reflect from, to either improve, develop, or open our eyes and mind, make amends if we have gone wrong somewhere along the way. Typical resolutions when it comes to renewing ourselves are: to stop chatting on the cellphone while mopping, avoid gossiping about other people, abstain from weaving lies, prevent ourselves from doing evil to our friends or peers, or by just simply knocking our fingers out from calling the police to report kababayans who we think have been overstaying , or been back here with a changed name. It is not surprising that we want to change the things in our lives that make us unhappy about (specially when people know that we are frequent in the church, or when we are projecting ourselves as meek and mild), even though they kept just no more than a week. Why , then, are we so often powerless, defeated, and fearful? The answer is found in our failure to take this truth to heart. We try to live in our strength. What if we were to ask God what He wants us to change, do or improve in our lives? He might tell us to: (a) demonstrate more of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG SUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL (Gal.5:22-23). (b) love those who we consider as our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who PERSECUTE us. (Matt. 5:44). (c) be content with the things that we have. (d) we must live in obedience to God’s command – Love. As believers and new creations, we can be free from old patterns and failures. We must ask God to help us live each day in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we can shed the old and embraces the new. (2 Cor. 5:17). How can we live to please the Lord? By knowing what He says to do; And trusting in the Spirit’s strength; To make us into someone new.

By OFW Guide

The prospect of earning pounds instead of dollars as well as experiencing life in a European country makes United Kingdom (UK) an attractive destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The good news is that UK has many job opportunities for foreign workers. In fact it is reported that 150,000 job opportunities are waiting for Filipino workers in UK. Emmauel Geslani, a recruitment consultant said that the following jobs are still in demand in UK: healthcare workers, environmental specialists, information technology and scientist, telecoms specialists, marketing executives, teachers, and social care personnel However, not all who want to wok in UK can fulfill their dream. The competition is stiff not only with fellow Filipino workers but also with workers of other nationalities. To be able to enter UK, qualified applicants need to go through the points based system that is being implemented by the Borders and Immigration System since 2008. Under system, all foreigners who wish to enter UK are required to undergo a managed immigration program with a five-tier system. Geslani said. “This means depending on the category of (the) visa, you will be permitted to live and work in the UK, seek and undertake employment, establish a business, invests or be self-employed.”

The Tier 1 visa is consists of the four sub-categories: The Tier 1 General visa is for highly skilled migrants seeking employment in the UK, self employed immigrants or immigrants setting up a business. There is also a Tier 1 Investor visa designed for those investing large sums of money in the UK while Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa is ideal for those setting up or taking over the running of businesses. Lastly the Tier 1 Post-study visa is for those currently studying or has studied in the past in the UK.

According to Geslani, the fastest route for Filipino workers to enter UK nowadays is through the Tier 4 or the student visa category. He said, “The fastest route available for Filipino health care workers, dentists, pharmacists, HRM graduates who want to reach the UK is through the Tier 4 student visa category, which requires the educational institution to accept the student.” The Tier 3 visa is temporarily suspended for an indefinite period by the UK Border Agency while the Tie 5 visa is not available to the Filipinos