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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.

This airy cake is free of fat but tastes heavenly, especially with a fruity accompaniment.

12 – Eggs whites, 1 1/2 tsp – Cream of tartar, 1 1/2 cups – Sugar, divided, 1 1/2 tsp – Vanilla, 1 cup – Sifted cake flour, 1/4 tsp – Salt, Fruit or frosting, optional

Oven Temp ~ Preheat ovenIn large bowl, using a mixer beat egg whites with cream of tartar and vanilla at high speed until foamy. Add 3/4 cup of the sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are glossy and stand in soft peaks.

Sift together flour, remaining sugar and salt. Sift about 1/2 cup of the flour mixture over whites and gently fold just until flour disappears. Repeat, folding in remaining flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time. Pour into ungreased 10 x 3 3/4-inch Angel Food pan. Gently cut through batter with metal spatula.

Bake in preheated oven until top springs back when lightly touched with finger. Invert cake in pan on funnel or bottle neck. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.

With narrow spatula or knife, loosen cake from pan and gently shake onto serving plate.

Serve with strawberries (see below) and whipped cream.

Omit almond extract and increase vanilla to 2 teaspoons. Reduce flour to 2/3 cup and sift in 1/3 cup Cocoa Powder. Prepare batter and bake as above.

Tips:

(Source: http://www.recipes4cakes.com)

2. Slice some fresh strawberries with a little bit of brown sugar (approx. 1 tbsp) and a splash of orange liqueur (approx. 1-2 tbsp), keep refrigerated until ready to use.

375°, Cake Baking Time ~ 30 – 40 minutes, Pan Type ~ 10 x 3 3/4-inch (Angel Food cake pan)1. Make sure that the bowl you will use for beating the egg whites and the cake pan do not contain traces of any kind of fat (butter or oil), wipe it clean with white vinegar on a kitchen paper.

( Bato-Bato sa Langit Adventures…)

By Ate Syl – Aglantzia

 Myla is a typical Ilocana. She’s neither that pretty nor that ugly. She doesn’t look her age at 38, stands about 5′1″ on her shapely body with brown sleek skin. She seems to be taking life seriously here in Cyprus for the sake of her children. Like many of us, Sunday is a very special day for Myla. This is the only day where she could relax, unwind the pressures from work at her employer’s house. In short, this is the only day where she could walk free, simply just be by herself. After six long and laborious days in a week, Myla just can’t wait for Sunday to come. By Saturday afternoon she was already cramming to iron out the remaining washed clothes of her Dame Merin so that she can also iron hers, a set of light brown cotton top and trousers make her even look younger and smart. She would pair it with a choco brown sandals. But before she could finally rest to bed, she has to text Carla and Susan where and what time they would meet tomorrow morning. They need to pay 10 and 5 respectively for the pasa load that she passed on their mobile phones five days ago. And she also has to remind Vilma to bring the two pocketbooks that she borrowed t he previous Sunday.

Last Friday was payday (end of the month), Liza must have to pay the 100 that she loaned a month ago including the 10 o/o interest. And yes, she also has to check her two grown up children in the Philippines to know how they are doing. Myla, assured that she’ll send them PHP10,000 as soon as she collects her salary. As she closed her eyes for the night, her mobile phone rung. Joyce, who got a Bangladeshi boyfriend, was inviting her to her birthday party tomorrow at 4pm in her flat. She politely declined. She just wanted to avoid going to such gathering thinking that there maybe other male guests who just out hunting for a girlfriend. No, partying just doesn’t sink in to her systems. Wearing a brown fendi shades, a black D and G ( both cheapy imitations) hung on her right shoulder and shopping bag full of pocketbooks on the other hand, she greeted Gina already sitting on the bench waiting for bus 55 to arrive in ten minutes. Myla have not seen Gina’s close friend Lorna for sometime now, so she asked where she must have been. Mr. Sotiri, the dumped former boyfriend of Lorna, was a 68 year old taxi driver, and is now the current boyfriend of Bridget, another friends of theirs. Bridget must have thought that Mr. Sotiri was still seing Lorna while she’s at work, and so to revenge, she reported her to the immigration. Lorna is now in the Philippines since six months ago.

The church was almost full when Myla arrived. She preferred to stand at the back right end side of the pews so that she could easily sneak out anytime. She ran her eyes through the head sitted in front of her hoping to spot even one or two girls from among those who she needed to collect money from. “SIYA NA NAMAN”! the girl right to her blurted out as she saw the middle- aged short lady climbed up for the first reading. She almost could not be seen anymore as she stands behind the lectern and yet she’s always there every single Mass on every single Sunday. It’s always a delight to listen to Fr. Andrew. He tries to incorporate the gospel with the day – to – day life events in his homily. Just anyone could relate to what he is saying, then cracks his signature wacky giggle “hi.hi.hi..aha!”

Myla clinched her way out just before the final hymn was sung. Then she positioned herself at the corner after ordering a plate of pansit and a tin of coke at Philcy, at half past eleven for lunch and for a short rest of sort. She only had a cup of coffee this morning. Leafing through her notebook of accounts, there are still 3 girls to chase up on telecards for a total of 25 before she could call it a day. Later, she will be joining her cousin at the internet cafe for about an hour before heading straight to Solomous Square to get the 5:20 bus to Latsia. Mr. Christos opened after she rang the bell. His crimpy greying hair shows his age of 57. Dame Merin and daughter were out to a friend’s tea party. Myla headed to check if the kitchen needed some tidying before settling herself in her bedroom. Haayy!! Thank God it’s Sunday, she sighed as she flattened her back on the bed. Tomorrow will again be another day.

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Christening

 Wedding

has upsurges her talent! So, aside from being a good singer, you are an artist also, excellent in that sense! Wahhh! unfair! hahaha! Proud of you girl!

(With children who are 2010 graduates!)

Sample below, are the photos of Scarlet Tugbo’s daughter Sharmaine Avancena (group pic) with Coco Martin who is an alumnus of Capitol Institute, Talipapa, Quezon City. Sharmaine received an award as Outstanding Leader in DBC, 1st Runner Up in Badminton which Coco Martin handed over to her.

(you are lucky if you can identify where Coco Martin is…:)